In 1858, he moved to La Mesilla, New Mexico Territory. In September 1858, he was chosen to be the collector of customs at Paso del Norte (now Ciudad Juárez). In New Mexico, he was involved with the promotion of Mowry City. When that town's future failed, he bought a ranch near La Mesilla and died there in 1883. His grave was later returned to Lecompton in 2013.