Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-09-24

OF Colonel Slough was Colonel Will
lam L. Rynerson, who during the win
ter Of 1867 was member Of the coun-
ell of the legislative assembly
Colonel Slough, who commanded
the Colorado volunteers at the battle
of Glorieta, in which the Texans We're
driven out OF New Mexico, was very
violent man, and his violence was in
creased when he had a cargo Of liquor
on board. Subsequent to his victory
at Glorieta he was made brigadier
general and assigned to duty with the
federal forces at Alexandria, Va.
Later he returned to New Mexico.
having received the appointment as.
chief justice of the supreme court Of
the territory from President Andrew
johnson in recognition of his serv-
ices at Glorieta.
AS has been noted, he was very
violent man and also a hard drinker,
During the session of the legislative
assembly in the winter of 1867 Colonel
Rynerson, who was member of the
council from Dona Ana county, offer
ed resolution Of that body censuring
the conduct Of Colonel Slough as chief
justice of the supreme court OF the
territory. and petitioning the presi-
dent Of the United States for his re-
moval.
Rynerson exasperated Colonel Slough
still more, While in his cups he
would run around the streets like a
mad man, denouncing Colonel Ryer-
.on as liar and a thief, and ayow-
ing he had robbed the government
when quartermaster In the army.
These denunciations had reached
Colonel Rynerson from time 70 time
indirectly, but not until the Saturday
night preceding the day that chron-
licled the tragic death Of Colonel
Slough was Colonel Rynerson brought
face to face with his accuser and the
accu cations made. Colonel Rynerson
during the Civil war had been quar-.
termaster Of the First California in
/ fantry.
On the eventful Saturday night that
| led up ID the tragedy that was en-
acted on the following day. Colonel
Ryerson was engaged In game OF
billiards in the Exchange hotel, ,whwen
4 Colonel Slough entered the billiard
hall with several friends. He at once
began an attack on Colonel Hynerson,
lloud enough for the latter to hear
him, in which he denounced him as
a seven-foot thief, who had robbed his
way through the army as quartermas
| ter and would steal anything even
then.
| The billiard game concluded, Colo
mel Rynerson walked out into the office
or the hotel without tax ng any open
notice of the denunciations made by
Il Colonel Slough. The hotelkeeper
Tom Mcdonald, who had heard all Of
| the abuse. as others had, begged Colo
mel Rynerson to leave and cause nc
trouble at his place, as II would ruiz
his business. Colonel Rynerson there
upon left.
| Early the next morning tSunday)
Colonel Slough entered the billiard
hall. which was crowded, and in
loud voice began denouncing Colone
Rynerson not only as liar and |
thief, but a coward for not taking Of
Tense at his open denunciations of tn,
night before.
About noon Col. Rynerson enter
ed the office Of the hostelry prepare
tory to going to dinner. Colone
Slough met him at the door. He wa
still talking in loud voice and 4
the same strain. As the two me
accosted each other Colonel Rynerso
called Colonel Slough's attention I
the fact that he had been using yer
violent and insulting language towar
him.
"Well. what II have. what are yo
going to do about it?' demanded Colt
mel Slough.
Il propose, sir, you shall withdra'
those remarks" replied Colonel X.
Q nerson.
J. Suppose ] don't -- -- youl
was Colonel Slough's retort.
III you don't, propose to kill you
3 coolly remarked Colonel Rynerson.
Q Colonel Slough was armed with
Ii little Derringer slnglcshot pistc
c The weapon was In the right hip poe
It et, and he was in the act Of reachin
< for It when he received his mort
v mound CoIonet Rvnerson had on