Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-01-25

don Lorenzo Lopez Is Dead" were the
startling words passed from lip to lip and
ear to ear, yesterday morning, death hav-
ing some to his relief shortly after q
O'Clock. Although It was known that Don
Lorenzo's days on earth were numbered,
yet It was thought his life might be pro-
longed longer than Wal decreed by an All
Wise Providence.
Our deceased citizen was born at the
town of San Jose. in the year 1887, and
was educated at the Christian Brothers
| college In Santa Fe. When seventeen
years OF age, he took charge of his fathers
business, the late Hon. Francisco Lopez,
which, consisted OF freighting mer chan
disc from the east to points in the Terri
tory, and he continued that business until
1875. He was married in August, 1855, to
Miss Carlota Ulibarri, daughter Of the late
Don Francisco Ulibarri, the latter being
the son of the late Don Santiago Ulibarri,
the most influential man In San Miguel
county in those days. Sixteen children
were born to his happy union,
eleven Of whom died in their
childhood, the remaining Eve living to
reach the prime Of life however, the only
two children alive, to-day, are Jose l..
Lopez, an ex -sheriff OF San Miguel county,
and Mrs. Albino b. Gsllegos, the other
three, Procopio, Lucio and Agneda, MRS.
E. Fl. Salaxar,) having departed this life In
the years 1890, 1895 and 1896 respectively.
All were married 1.-THE time Of their death.
In 1861, Don Lorenzo Lopez was appoint
ed by ex.Gov. Connolly, inspector general
OF the Second New Mexico militia with the
rank of major. In 1873, he was elected
probate judge Of San Miguel county, aud
was reelected In 1889; in 1878, he was
elected senator, representing San Miguel
county, and served until 1881, In which
year he was elected mayor of Las Vegas,
holding that office, until 1884, when he was
appointed a member of the Territorial
capitol commission. In tho fall Of 1888, he
was elected sheriff and ex-oficio collector
of San Miguel county, which office he held
during 1889 and 1890. In the winter Of
1891, he was appointed by the Territorial
legislature one Of the members Of the New
Mexico asylum for tina insane, OF which
board he was its vice president until the
time Of his death. In the general election Of
1892, be was elected again to serve his con-
stituents as sheriff and sx.o fflcio collector,
which position he discharged with great
honor, satisfaction and distinction, for the
years 1873 and 1894.
Politically, the dead citizen was .
staunch republican and . recognised and
appreciated leader Of the party in its bat
ties for supremacy. He was q fair man
and just and In every instance a reliable
friend. No man In the country did more to
assist the poor and needy who applied to
him and he often stood by unpopular men
at the expense of his own popularity,
because be was too honorable to
betray confidence, or sacrifice a friend.
Usually, selfish, ambitious men shake from
them and turn their backs upon those who
help them rise, but Mr.. Lopez was
too generous and whole. hearted for any
such thing. He invariably aided q man
Tor whom he felt ths obligation of friend /
ship, even il it impeded his own progress
In any direction. For years and years,
the subject of this sketch expended his
money literally and devoted his time and
energies in support Of his party. He
helped his n~sighbors n friends to lucrs-
positions-always giving to Others the
wheat and taking the chat himself.
The funeral will take place from the
west side Catholic church, tomorrow morn
ing at 1880 o'clock, interment being made
In the churchyard by the side Of his dead
who preceded him to the grave in
1891.