Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1904-11-30

The unlocked for and untimely deatl
of Colonel J. Francisco Chaves remov
es from this busy world man who was
among those who made history fol
New Mexico and had done so for 81
years. He was of strong personality
and the events and occurrences in his
life were many and varied, some of q
romantic character and others OF
very tragic nature He was re-
markable man in many respects He
served his country gallantly in the Civil
War and in various Indian hostilities.
He thrice represented the Territory as
its delegate to Congress; he filled the
position as member of the legislative
council from Valencia County for more
than a dozen terms, half of them as
president of that body; he was district
attorney of the Second Judicial district
for several years; he was superintend-
ent of public instruction of the Terri
tory for four years; he was bright, ag-
gressive we'll educated man who
spoke and wrote English and Spanish
with equal f1uency and skill; he was a
member of the New Mexico bar and
when he practiced law, was a good jury
lawyer; he was a well posted parlia-
mentarian, and was much in demand as
presiding officer in conventions and
public meetings; he was an eloquent
speaker and thoroughly posted on pol
itics and New Mexico affairs. He was
past his prime, being in his seventy.
second year, but was so strong, robust
and we'll preserved that it was believed
that he would have lived twelve or fif.
teen years longer had it not been for
the assassin's bullet, which cut short
his thread of life. He was courageous
and nervy and from his majority was
leader in politics and that on the Re.
publican side.
In financial matters he experienced
many ups and downs and several times
during his life, was considered one of
the richest men in the Territory. He
was a descendant of family which
was influential and powerful under
the Spanish and Mexican regime in this
Territory and during the early days of
American occupancy. Jiis relatives by
blood and marriage are many today
throughout the Territory. His end was
unexpected and sudden, great shock
to the members of his immediate fam
lily, his relatives, friends and to the
people generally; his last chapter was
written in blood and that was his own;
it was tragic and dramatic end which
closed his useful, busy and strenuous
life; to be sure, it was without pain,
but was awful and sad nevertheless.
The people today assembled in this
city and that from many sections In
New Mexico, to pay the last respects to
all that was earthly of him, but they |
will remember him as man among |
men, as a loyal citizen. of the Territory.
and as a great leader therein for many,
many day.
That the life of man so high in off,
cial and political station and so well
and thoroughly known throughout the
Territory should meet with such dra-
matte finale is certainly serious and
severe lesson to be needed by the peo-
pie. He was assassinated in most
brutal and stealthy manner,
without fault of his own and without
having given any man any just cause
for assailing him. 1t is hoped by all
good citizens of the Territory that JUS
tice and retribution will be swift and
sure and that his murderer and his ac-
completes, if there be any, will not es
cape the punishment they so justly de-
serve His demise closes a very inter
esting chapter in the annals Of the Ter
ritory, during an important period of
its existence. The following is bio
graphical sketch of the deceased:
Colonel J. Francisco Chaves was born
in Los Padillas, Bernalillo County,
June 9th, 1888, and received his edu-
cation in the best schools of the land.
Tn 1841 he went to the St Louis uni
yersity, where he remained five years;
in 1S48 he was sent to New York City,
where he attended private academy;
from there he went to Fishkill, New
York, attending an academy in that
place. He finished his education with
a two years course in the College OF
Physicians and Surgeons in New York
City. In 1852 he returned to his home
in this Territory.
AS soldier, Colonel Chaves served
with distinction under Kit carson,
through the Indian troubles. IN
1861 he was commissioned major OF
the First New Mexico Infantry by Pres-
ident Abraham Lincoln and was after.
wards promoted to lieutenant colonel
of the regiment for gallant and meri-
torious services. In 1862 he took part
in the battle of valverde and later on !
helped to establish Fort Wingate, OF
which post he held command for long