Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-11-15
ALBUQUERQUE COMMERCIAL CLUB.

CBtb.
was one of the distinguished men of
New Mexico. The ancestors of the
family settled here years ago. The
elder Luna was elected to represent
this territory as delegate in congress.
When he reached Washington, he be-
came a great social favorite and was
prominent in many of the functions
of the capital. While there he acquir-
ed taste for oysters and while return
ing home from session stopped over
in Chicago. There he was induced to
enter an oyster eating contest and as a
result died soon after. Captain Luna
is now the head of the house and is a
man of wealth. He is engaged in the
mining and live stock business. The
captain secured his appointment from
the governor and Is very small man
In size.
Before the war broke out there was
local company of militia in Albu
querque. At the head of it was Captain
Saltmarsh, who is now an accountant
in the Office of the Santa Fe railroad
in Los Angeles. A drill was held once
each week. One day Captain Salt
marsh was called out of the city on
business and was detained for some
weeks. In the meantime some trouble
broke out in the company. There were
two men at the bottom Of it all. one be-
ing a boiler maker and the other an en-
gineer. AS soon as the captain return
ed home it was given out that he was
to be called down on the next drill
night. When that evening arrived. the
galleries of the armory We're filed with
witness the fun.
Captain SaltmarSh is small in size |
but big in courage, and he promptly |
dismissed the two malcontents. This |
action surprised all. as they did not |
suspect that the captain knew of the |
trouble. The boiler maker and the engi- |
neer were so astOnished that they could |
say nothing and presently left the
building in confusion. Ever after these
two men felt disgraced and soon re-
pented. They went to Saltmarsh and
begged his forgiveness and pleaded to
be reinstated in the company This the
captain refused to do, but advised the
men themselves. The members of the
company refused to take back their old
companions. When the war broke out,
the engineer and the boiler maker join
ed the rough riders, and when they
came back from Cuba the two prodi.
gals were received with oper arms
famous rough rider was Rucky
O'Neill, and when in Prescott, A. T., l
heard much concerning him. He was
born i'll st. Louis, graduated at George
town university and landed in Prescott
at the age Of q years. He was a per-
feet daredevil, as smart as steel trap
and money maker from the start
O'Neill had a passion for gambling
and in single night lost $4,000. The
next evening the daring plunger not
only won enough to cover that
amount. but nearly $4,000 besides.
For time he edited newspaper and
was always interested in politics
O'Neilfs first public office was that
Of probate judge, being elected by Il
VI SiA- w ueu TERM
office expired, he was reelected by i'll
support. Later he was elected
sheriff of the county. The salary of
the office is $4,000. but ont of this sum
must be paid the expenses of the office.
AS sheriff O'Nesll had many exciting
adventures, and his fame spread Once
there was hold up in the famous can
yOn Diablo, and as soon as he heard
Of the affair O'Neill swore in posse,
and he and his men started in chase .
Of the robbers. Two months were re-
Iuired for the search, and the bandits
four in number, were captured in Utah
and brought back. Three OF the men
we're sentenced to 30 years imprison
nent, while the other fellow got %
Years.
After this O'Neill ran for another Of
ice, but was defeated In the mean
ime he turned Populist and was made
mayor Of Prescott on that ticket.
WILLIAM r. BRITToN