Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1907-04-02
Kansas Hermit En-
Route Home From
Albuquerque
LOOKS LIKE SANTA CLAUS
Tells About His Pilgrimage
and His Opinion of Ex-Sen-
ator Ross in Interview.

Have you seen Santa Claus?' is a
question that has been asked fire.
quently yesterday and today in Santa
Fe. The Santa Claus referred to is
General Hugh Cameron, the celebrated
hermit and pedestrian from Kansas.
who arrived in the city yesterday
from Albuquerque. At first glance he
looks for all the world like the iovia
white-whiskered patron saint of The
children, but he declares that it is a
case of mistaken identity.
General Cameron AYERS that he
came by his title legitimately. He
says that he served in the Civil war,
first as private in the Second Kan
sas Volunteer Infantry, and afterwards
when it was re-organized into the Sec
ond Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, as an
officer. He says that he rose from the
ranks step by step until, when mus
tered out, he was lieutenant colonel
in actual rank and was breyeted col
Onel and brigadier general
But as to the generals visit in
Santa Fe: He says he simply stopped
off here while en- route home from Al
buquerque where he went to see ex-
Senator E. G. Ross and personally
congratulate Mr.. Ross for the stand
taken by voting against the impeach-
ment of President Andrew Johnson.
He expects to leave tomorrow for Las
Vegas and from there return to his
farm in Kansas.
Genera! Cameron is an interesting
character and has gained no little pub
licity through the press by his eccen-
tricities He is an octogenarian, with
a flowing white beard, and is remark
ably agile for his age. He wears a
toboggan cap which adds to his re.
semblance to the well known pictures
of Santa Claus. His other raiment,
when arrayed for the road, consists OF
suit of blue overalls and jacket
To a reporter of the New Mexican
he told of his mission. He said: "On
October 20, 1906, the first day of my
eighty-first year, I was. impulsed by
higher consciousness to devote the veal
to works of justice and humanity. On
February %, 1907. | was constrained
to inaugurate pilgrimage over the
Santa Fe trail to emphasize an express
sion of my gratitude to Almighty God
and to Edmund Gibson Ross, who, by
his vote. saved the impeachment OF
President Johnson 1t was also my
earnest desire to- arouse all the people
to the ostracizing and baneful effects
of party spirit which consigns Senator
Ross politically to oblivion in the
great free state Of Kansas and singled
him out as victim of it's vengeance
CAS- suggested by the proprietor o.
the Claire, let the dead bury it's dead,
yet would not leave single stone
unturned that would increase the
brightness. the efulgence Of the fires
of liberty so that the private virtues
and patriotic ardor of George Wash
ington and e. G. Ross shall animate
the people of this glorious Republic te
the remotest generations. ! have the
highest incitement to praise God, the
God Of Washington and Henry, Of
Adams and Harrison, Of Webster ant
Clay. Of Lincoln and Seward MY un
dertaking has been prosperous beyone
my fondest expectations. All the peo
ple. and especially those of Albuquer
que and Santa Fe, have universally
accorded me the highest consldera
tion and respect