Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-11-28
NEW MEXICO IN MOURNING.

NEW MEXICO IN MOURNING.
Every corner Of this territory 10
filled with grief. The universal feel
inc OF sorrow is coupled with IRE.
pressibie Indignation. Seldom has
New Mexico been more shocked and
shaken than since the l~anentable
news was circulated yesterday, that
Col. J.. Francisco Chaves, the bright.
est flower OF the Spanish race In
New Mexico, had fallen a victim to
the bullet Of a fiendish, %cowardly as
sassin. From the governor down to
the humbiest citizen the feeling Is
insistent and deep-rooted that the
deep.dyed criminal who murdered
Col. Chaves must be hunted down and
made to pay the penalty Of the awful
crime.
Since this territory became a part
Of the land which own the sway Of
the stars and Stripes, Coz. chaves
has played a leading part in It's de-
veiopment. who Is not familiar with
that picturesque, rugged figure?
Who has not heard his voice raised
In championship Of his principles and
his people? Who has not been thrill.
ed by his eloquence and admired his
feartessness, his independence. hit
sturdy insistence upon what he be
ileved TO be right and just7 Few Ger
tainly among the older residents o
this territory.
For Col. Chaves was intimately ant
personally known In every section 0
New Mexico. A. an attorney. a.
stockrnan, ~ q legislator, A. a super
lntendent Of instruction, and NOR
than all, ~ 4 friend Of his own people
this war horse Of the republican pa,
~" as he was 10 generally cailec
played a big and noble part In the hi.
tory Of this territory.
And he wal more than 4 tcrritoria
character. He served for years in tn
congressional halls and many Of tn
great men OF this nation have value
his friendship and been impressed b
his ability. e%loquencc and sturdy II
dependence. SO IL is no wonder tina
the territory ourns That a life Q
full OF activity and good deeds shout
have been summarily cut off by tn
eowardly assassin. after long years {
public service. comes az a bitter r
uret 20 all. In ST. Louis. where Co
Chaves spent a number OF years
his lite, the regret is shared an
from every part OF the land come
the governor and the relatives me
saoes OF sorrow and regret. Som
incline to the belief that the SCARE
hero OF many battles. the fearle'
prosecutor OF eviIdoers. might hav
preferred such . death az came
him to the gradual decay Of his sple'
did physical powers and mental abil
ties and 4 slow journey down throuC
the shadows to the land Of the her
after. II 10 true that this present ds
conquistadore had al more than thre
score years and ten retained all II
fire and energy Of his prime. u
true that his disposition would ha,
chafed against the slow coming on
the paralysis OF age, but his stalwa
frame gave promise OF years OF US
tut life. before that time came. Ma
the violent ending came In = IL
FIGHT, on the open range or In som
actual encounter with desperadocs
iawbre akers, the regret would not /
10 keen. There might ven be son
o. for the feeling that such a deaf
was lifting ending fer such stree
uous and often warlike life. 81
New Mexico will never cease to r
oret that death came 10 Col. Chavs
in such a treacherous, cruel name
II was the act Of one d~espicabie. ind
viduai. who has no claim for consl
GRAFTON as q human being. Vet u
whole territory must mourn and u
whole territory will long suffer n
reproach that such an act could has
been committed within her borders.
New Mexico will treasure In he
archives OF state and will ernbaim !
the hearts Of her people the memor
OF this ~ man OF unfstterin
courage. and strong will. Of unoompre
misinc enmities and steel-stror
Friendships, of fiery elccueaee an