Bisbee daily review., 1907-03-01


 yelt
 "O'Neill was mayor Of Prescott when the news came that a regiment of rough riders was to be raised by Dr. Leonard Wood and Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt. to be specially mustered into the service as the first United States Volunteers. Like many another man with a thirst for adven- ture, o'Neil at once began prepara- tions to enlist in the Rough Riders with a commission if possible. as trooper in the ranks if necessary. His. reputation as a man of iron nerve and his experience in campaigns ' against the Apaches and as a leader | of men. together with his ability to rally a personal following of men after his own fighting style. secured him a | commission
 One of his first qualifications ID the eyes of President Roosevelt. '-~- i consideration of O'Neills own record ' of personal prowess. was the fact that ! his father had fought in Meagher's | Irish Brigade during the Civil War. i Meagher was an Irishman. one-time 1 governor of Montana, and whoever l had in his veins the blood of any of 1 the members of that hard-riding. | fierce-fighting brigade. was considered i by the chief of the Rough Riders as being possessed at once of prime uual- l ifications for the business ahead. Throughout President Rooseyelt's $ book, The Rough Riders O'NeiIl's name appears with probably greater l frequency than that of any other ---~". | That this is not due alone to the fact that O'Neill was killed. and the de- sire was instigated to do his memory l full justice. is plainly apparent Ut was Dr. Church who first sa'r me an idea of O'Neill's versatility. says President Roosevelt. for l hap pened to hear them discussing Ay-aT root-words together. and then sliding
 off into a review of the novels Of baI zac. and a discussion as to how far Balzac could be said to be founder of the modern school of. realist'" fic tion'
 ] Such mental equipment. combined . with Buckley O'Neill's physical anc personal qualities. evidently won the
 President at once. After that O'Neii
 seems to have occupied a great dea
 of his attention.
 He tells of an incident during tho
 landing of the Rough Riders at Dai
 Cuiri: While I was experimenting
 the landing at the ruined dock. witf
 "Buckey" O'Ncill boatful of coloreC
 infantry soldiers capsiZed. and two o
 them went to the bottom. "Buckey'
 O'Nein plunged in. in full uniform. tc
 save them. but in vain
 "O'Neill. with Captain Micah Jen
 kins. commanded Colonel Roosevelt
 left wing in the Las Gauyima- fight and throughout the story of that en
 gagement President Roosevelt keepi
 the Arizonian's name and position Dc
 fore his readers. Captain O'Neill i
 was who went with him over tht
 ground after the fight and helDe,
 count the dead and care for th' wounded.
 But here is an analysis of the mar | to whom the Prescott monument ~ tt
 be raised. and tribute to him al
 President Roosevelt saw him: Most of the men had sirrHle souls They could relate facts, but the satt very little about what they dimly teit "'Buckey O'NeiIl. however. the iron
 
 ona. the sheriff whcE'e name was by-word of terror to every wrongdoe ] white or red. the gambler who Wltl unmoved face would stake and les' every dollar he had in the world he alone. among his comrades wa a visionary. an articulate emotionalisl , He was very quiet about 1t. neye talking unless he was sure or III listener. but at night when W = leaned on the railing to look a. tn 4 Southern cross. he was less apt t teu tales of his hard and storm uast than be was to speak of tn mysteries which lie behind courage and fear. and love. behind anima hatred and animal lust for the pleas ures that leave tangible shape. Had he lived and had the va lasted. he would surely have won tn eagle. if not the star
 "Of O'Neill's death President Rocse velt speaks briefly but feelingly a follows:
 "'The most serious loss which 1 -- tha regiment could have suffered bt fen inst before we charged. "Buckey OTNeiu was strolling up and down l front of his men. smoking his cigal etfe for he was inveterately addicte ] to the habit He had tceoTy tha ! an officer ought never to take cove. a theory which was. of course. N9cnl I though in a volunteer organization n 4 i officers should certainly exp--'e ,.e-- s selves very fully. simply for tie cL4c- 5 on the men; our regimentsl toast . the transport running: The oiiics.s I nav inc war last until each is 9il-e I wounded or promoted. ] "As O'Neill moved to and ITO hi men begged him to lie down. and on \ of his sergeants said. Captain, bu let is sure to hit you" o'Neill too his cigarette out of his mouth an blowing out cloud of smoke laughe 4 and said: Sergeant. the Spanish nn let isn't made that will Kill me. 4 little later he discussed for a momen I win one of the regular officers tn direction from which the spanish TIT was coming. As he turned on his he' a bullet struck him in the mouth an