The Alamogordo news. (Alamogordo, N.M.) 1899-1912, 1900-09-20

tlyeness OF an old timer would assert
that he had lived here a number of
years and never heard Of such a thing
before. Shepherd would add that he
heard of one before but that was prior
10 his advent into the country and he
couldn't say whether IL was true or not
The building of shops, general Offices,
court house, public school house, club
building, immense hotel, ETC., would be
canvassed, and again the stranger would
retire impressed with the greatness OF
the metropolis of '0tero county. THE
News editor fell In with "the boys, and
was convinced that IL wonld be the
proper thing to raise So, 500 and put 1t
into printing Ofiiee-S3, 500 which prob
ably cannot be recovered and which will
have to be moved out II business con-
ditiOns grow worse than they now are.
In the early days there was no back
biting, no envy, no jealousy. II officials
of one of the companies were on the
road to AlamogOrdO, the boys would put
on their company department, think up
banquet speech, dig down in their
jeans to help defray the expenses, and
see that the visitors were as thoroughly
impressed with the town as they were.
Did prominent man have a birthday,
the boys would banquet him. All looked
hopefully and cheerfully toward the fu-
ture and laid plans in accordance with
their unbOunded faith in the town. The
| little residence that was to receive the
wife of one, the business house that was
to be occupied, the new enterprise that
was to be engaged in by another, were
objects of cOmmunito interest and pride.
There were. no politics. The county
officials appointed by the governor were
satisfactory to all and none had an am
bition to succeed them. The boys laid
great stress on the politics of the future
and Harvey was slated for mayor, O'Shea
| for alderman of the first ward, and any
body else could have the other offices by
asking for them. AlamogOrdo pros
pered and forged ahead under the con-
ditions.
PENALTY OF POPULARITY.
But Colonel Harvey became too popu-
lar, and he was removed. He had been
the life OF the Commercial club and the
prime mover in all public enterprises.
This paper was laughed at by few for
devOting so much space to the Colonel.
He was the mark of envy and was driv-
en- out heart broken, disappointed,
nerve-shattered man-smarting under
the lack of appreciation evidenced for
his heroic work in helping to build up
AlamOgordo and stunned by failure of
his friends to stand by him in his hour
of need. Gradually the people divided
into social, religious and political fac.
tions which inhibited further unity.
Men in business noted that their future
depended not on their ability to rustic
and retain business on the merits of
business, but rather on the "pull' they
could command. In consequence busi-
ness men refused to purchase property
and build residences, preferring to re-
main in a position that they could va
cate at moments notice should they
meet with the disapproval OF the powers
that be.
THE OLD FEUDs.
The division of the community could
but result in but one thing-the bring
ing forth of all the old fueds that cursed
the section before Otero county was Gre
ated The Lee matter was rehearsed
with embellishments and variations, and
the participants in the fued could not
see why new cOmers should not feel the
same hatred. 1t dominated politics and
made the new corners tired The old
timers forget that strangers care nothing
for their animoSties. There is law in
the land, and justice has been satisfied
so far as Mr.. Lee is concerned. He has
been vindicated and in the eyes of the
new comers here he is as much a man
as any of his enemies. Some people who
consider themselves greater than justice
may not be satisfied, but we fear that
their self Importance may some day
lead them to consider themselves great
er than Christ and demand the remit
tance of the pardon given the dying
thief on the cross. Mr.. Lees personal
ity has been dinned into the ears OF the