Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-04-25
BOOMING OF ROME.

BOOMING OF ROME.
July, 1887, and the midsummer mad
ness of the great boom prevailed in south
ern California.
Three men stood ON the top of a low,
fiat hill and examined map.
"Name it Rome, suggested one of them.
"RomeS" said another doubtfully 1T
wasn't built in day, you know"
Rome, Italy, was not, said the first
speaker, "but Rome CAL, shall be-"
Those who played the parts of Romulus,
Remus and Celer were the president, vice
president and treasurer of the Glorious
Climate Land and Water company. Their
names are not material, but conveniently
to distinguish them one from another we
shall make use Of their titles, respectively
general, colonel and major. Dulce ct de-
corum est to serve ones country on the
field of battle, vanquishing her enemies
and upholding the honor of her flag That
is one way to secure distinction and a
military title. A somewhat simpler meth
cd Is to provide occasional drinks and CT
gars for the gentlemen of the press. The
pen Is mightier than the sword.
The major had been Citizen Of Los
Angeles one month. He still sometimes
inadvertently said "you" when he meant
I'VE"
The colonel had two months longer to
his credit and intended to run for the
office Of county supervisor at the next cleo
ton.
The general was veritable old timer.
He had been living in Los Angeles now
nearly year.
Nobody knew whence they came. There
they were--that's ALL In this matter they
were no worse off Tor shall we say no bet
terry than many others at that same time
and place. The general, for example,
when he was introduced to strangers had
a way of saying in loud voice: eyes,
sir! My name Is Bangs, sir. And that
was my name before / came here Then
he would look aggressively around, and 1t
happened not infrequently that of them
that heard him one or two would turn a
little pale and cast down their eyes,
All, whittier have they gone-those
judges, commodores and generals who for
brief time seemed to own the town. Can
1t be that they are all in OklahomaP
The capital stock of the Glorious Gil
mate company was $4,000, 900, of which
sum $3.50 had been subscribed and paid
In. 1t was we'll known, however, that the
company was backed by powerful Eng
lish syndicate. In those days when man
desired to enter upon any little enterprise,
such as building a railroad, constructing
deep water harbor or founding large
manufacturing center, he would always
take care first to secure the backing of
some powerful English syndicate. They
were always powerful Nobody ever heard
Of weak one.
The only other asset of the Glorious
Climate company was document bearing
the signature of degenerate scion of q
once illustrious Castilian house--an op-
ton on piece of land favorably located
for town site.
The general for all that the seams of
his coat were shiny and his cuffs some
what frayed, carried about with him new
ertheless a secret talisman. He had q
"pulln with the railroad. The informa-
ton had come to him from the inside"
that the California or Bust railroad (pro-
jected) was to pass directly through the
tract covered by their option.
Believe in this railroadf Well, they
knew the public did anyhow--the dear,
trustful public that always believes in
things.
The colonel had been a newspaper man
in his early days and understood the gen
tie art of working the press" In sur
prisingly short time everybody in southern
California knew that great things were In
store for the new city Of Rome. There
could be no doubt of it because the news
papers said SO.
On certain day in August the tract
was to be thrown open to the public In
grand auction. In the meantime few
lots were disposed of at private sale-prin-
cipally to newspaper men, public officials
Of high standing, railway magnates, ia
nous writers and actors.
The major was to act as auctioneer. He
admitted to his partners that he had never
sold lots in his life, his greatest efforts
heretofore In the line Of misrepresentation
having been limited to the trading Of
horses.
1.-THE principle seems to be about the
same, however," he said ASK five times
what 1t is worth and then take whatever
Is offered"
He was cool and easy speaker. The
crowd, the music and the enthusiastic
cheering Of the cappers moved him to ex-
traordinary effort. Many Of those who
came to SCOT remained to buy.
No one was more astonished at the re-
suit Of the sale than the conspirators
themselves. There was money enough to
transform the option into deed, pay all
the debts Of the company, establish q
handsome bank account and fill the pock;
cts of all three with coin.
So much prosperity terrified the major,
who anxiously inquired whether they had
not better divide up and bolt. The others
laughed at his fears. They had accom-
plished thus much with no money at all.
There was no limit to what they could do
now with re-established credit and full
locker.
''But we must change our tactics, I" che
general admitted. Heretofore 1t has been
faith ard not works that we have offered
tho public. We must show them that we
moan business; that we are laying the
foundation Of great city"
The next day 80 men went to work In
Rome, aud the dirt began to fly in all d.
fections. They were laying out the city
on grand scale.
/, A second auction sale was to take place