Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1906-10-24

For candidate for county commits
sioner of the first district on the Re.
publican ticket in this county this
campaign appears the name of Tshmael
Sparks
Mr.. Sparks is forty years of age
and a native of the Hoosier State,
having been born at Terre Haute, in
the year 1866. His father was farm
er and stock raiser who also bought
live stock and shipped the same to
city markets. AS boy. Mr.. Sparks
enjoyed the usual educational facilities
in country districts, namely. he at
tended the district school and there
after the village school near his faith
er's home, until manhood. He assist.
ed on his fathers farm and in the
live stock business in the meantime
reading much and educating himself.
When he was eighteen years of age
the western fever sized him and he
went to Colorado, he having a pen
chant for electric engineering and the
science OF eiectrics; he apprenticed
himself TO the Consolidated Electric
Company in the Colorado Capital for
the purpose of becoming thoroughly
cOnversant with the science and its
practical workings fitting himself for
an electrical engineer. From an ap.
prentice he rose step by step and
served in all capacities of the works
becoming thoroughly acquainted with
everything connected with electrical
lighting and power service as well as
with the manufacture, handling and
administering of electrical instruments
of all kinds. w. w. Boorst was lAe
manager of the works and took
special fancy to the young man,
watching him, giving him good advice
and advancing him as often as he de.
served it. He remained with the COM
pany three years. Upon completing
his course at the works, he went to
Leadville, where he was made mana
ger of the power and lighting system
of big mining corporation, remain.
ing there until he came to Santa Fe
in 1892, at whicn time he took charge
of the affairs of the Santa Fe Electric
Company in this city. He remained in
that position until 1894 when he or
ganized the Santa Fe Telephone Com.
pany and became its manager, posi-
tion which he has held ever since. He
is the principal stockholder and presi-
dent of the company He was mana
ger of the Santa Fe Water and Light
Company for four years until his own
business interests were so important
that he resigned that position in or
der to give them his undivided at
tention.
His Recora as Mayor Of Santa Fe.
Mr.. Sparks was elected mayor of
this city in 1902 and served two yeas.
During his incumbency of that Office
he went to Washington and brought
about the transfer by the United
States to the city of Santa Fe, of the
Fort Marcy Reservations, sixteen
acres, by proclamation of President
Roosevelt, the city then transferring
it to the city board of education The
benefits that have accrued to this
town and its educational system by
this admirable work of Mr.. Sparks are
too well known to demand extended
space here. Suffice 1t to say that on
this account the treasurer of the city
board of education has received the
sum of $25,00O already and the re-
mainder OF the property is valued at
about $4,000. 1t is proper to state
that Mr.. Sparks is entitled TO the
greater share of the credit for this
highly beneficial achievement
AS mayor of the city Mr.. Sparks
gave It The most efficient, most eco
nominal and best administration ii
has had since it became incorporated.
A great deal was done by and under
. his direction in the putting down Of
side walks, constructing crossings, in
opening streets and Strengthening
them and in other city improvements.
The sewer on Water Street was built
under his direction and by public sub
scription, without cost to the city. The
subscriptions were more than ample
for this purpose and thirty per cent
thereof were returned to the subscrib-
ers. not being needed.
Clean, Fair and Honest Man.
Mr.. Sparks is clean and honest,
business man fair in his dealings and
a man Of his word. He is a good
husband and father, and moral and