Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1912-08-30

easily had he been in condition to do
so. The only theory here is that he
was either so i'll or unconscious that
he could not aid himself but even at
that it is hard to figure out how he
could have fallen into the vat. Coun-
ty authorities it is said. will make an
investigation independent
" from the one made by Mr.. Lunas
friends.
WATER WAS BOILING
AND BODY DlSFIGURED.
Albuquerque, n. NJ, aug. 3O.-Solo-
mon Luna, millionaire banker and
sheep grower. for 16 years republi-
can national committeeman for New
Mexico, and who refused to accept
election to the L. S. senate at the
hands of the first state legislature,
met a tragic death at Horse Springs,
SOcorro county, 76 miles from Mag
dalena, at an early hour today. when
sands of gallons of sheep dip after
being attacked with heart failure. Be
coming i'll during the night, it is sup
, posed Mr. Luna arose and went from
his room to the dipping vat. a few
yards away from the ranch house |,
is presumed he attempted to get {
drink Of water from a faucet near the
vat, and being stricken with heart
failure, tumbed into the poisonous
mixture of lime, sulphur, tobacco anC
water. At 4 o'clock this morning
camp employees saw body floating in
the vat. The skin was peeled from
the face and hands because of the
boiling water which had been turned
into the vat at l o'clock this morn
ing. The body was not recognized
until one of the Mexican herders de
clared that it was that of Mr.. Luna.
He at once fastened to the room
where Mr. Luna slept and discovered
that his bed, which had been occu
pied, was empty. The body was clat
in union sait of underclothing wheT
found.
Solomon Luna was "a years of age
represented New Mexico in the re
publican national committee sixteel
years, being one of the oldest mem
bers, in point of service on the com
mittee. He was prominent in busi
ness and politics, and was probabl,
the best known man, as we'll as tn
wealthiest, in New Mexico. He leave
| a widow but no children.
The body will be brought to Albu
querque on special train tomorrow
morning.
The news of Solomon Luna's dealt
was received with deepest regret i
Santa Fe. Mrs. A. NJ Bergere, tn
| only sister surviving Mr.. Luna wa
| prostrated with grief. The Berger
home was the scene of a sad gathe
ing of many friends of the Luna an
Bergere family where coincidence
were offered.
Miguel A. Otero, former governo
OF the state and several other friend
of the Lunas left at once for Los Lit
mas. AS he was departing for tn
\ train, Mr.. Otero said:
Probably no one knew Solomo
Luna better than myself. AS go,
ernor for several terms, l came
j close personal contact with him and
respected him for his manly methods
|, his unlimited benevolence to the poe
whom he was always befriending an
his honest and frand manner. Sol,
mon Luna's death is loss to thi
state that can not be made up. Their
is no one who can fit into the plac
, he occupied especially among tn
Spanish American people. The new
OF his death comes as a severe bio
+ to me. l have at many times, o
posed Mr.. Luna politically but as
, citizen and as man, he had no s.
! perior and | desire at this time
+ pay homage to his work. / am goir
: TO Los Lunas now and will renal
there until after the funeral"
q The New Mexican office was
o sieged with inquiries about the dear
of Mr.. Luna. 1t came so sudden
+ and so Unexpectedly that many cou
, not realize it had occurred.
Mr. Luna was about fifty yel"s o
;. and was the last male member OF In
q branch of the Luna family. Foc 81
8 teen Years he Was the Republican !.
o tional committeeman and promine
q ir every political move during tn
d time n New Mexico. A brother, FRA
,c. outline Luna, w1s at one tins de-