La Junta tribune., 1915-09-11
PASSING or A PIONEER.
Alexander Mcleod Hill summonesi
BY Death-One Of the Pioneers
of tie Fairmount Country.


On Monday evening at 8 o'clock
occurred the death Of Alexander
Mcleod Hill. one of the oldest resi-
dents Of La Junta and vicinity. Had
he lived till December he would have
completed his eishtieth year. His
long and useful life began far from
where It terminated. He was born
in County Monaghan. Ireland. and
was brought to America when an In
fant six weeks old. The parental
home was In Jefferson county, Penn
sylvania. where he grew to manhood.
Western Pennsylvania was then q
pioneer country. His young man
hood was spent In clearing a farm
out OF the heavy forest. rafting lum-
ber down the Allegheny river to
market. and other pursuits belonging
to such u life. Later he engaged In
mercantile pursuits.
In 1888 he came to Colorado with
his family. like many others in quest
Of health. The first home was In
Crystal Park. near Colorado Springs.
Here his earlier experience In the for.
ests Of Pennsylvania stood him In
good stead. OF the material at hand
he built . home In this beautiful
mountain park.
Many eastern people enjoyed the
hospitality Of this mountain home.
among them John Hay. afterward
secretary OF state under President
Mckinley: also John O. Nicolay aud
daughter. private secretary to Prssi-
dent Lincoln. who In collaboration
with Mr.. Hay 10 the author Of the
standard life Of klaeoln. Durino
this time also Mr. Hlll ~ family
were ultimately acquaistsd With Hell
- Hunt Jackson who vas thea pro.
dscias ''Ranoas."
ne nosstsis NE Of cesssaAs
f0fsse1AlGHaob b,eaaiae "a NJ ai1l.
re was ero Doag - eonoSe(sly -
stored to health that he decided for
various reasons to locate elsewhere.
Accordingiy he sold his holidays In
Crystal Park TO Mr.. John Hay aud
came to Otero county.
After Investigating various Sec
tions Of the state he decided TO settle
In the Paramount country whittier he
came In November. 1855. with his
family. Here he built . home and
fenced the first land In the ncishbor-
hood. His farm under the catiin
ditch was put under cultivation. La
ter on. whcn the time came for him
to retire from the activities of the
farm. the family took up their resi-.
dencs at 33l Cimarron avenue. where
his later years were peacefully spent.
In early manhood he was welded
IN Eliza Dodds. who. after sharing
with him the varied experisnce Of
long and happy life. proceeded hin
10 the bsttss land II 1894.
The surviving members Of he
family are Mrs. Alice Dodds. Mis-
Clara u. Hiil. Mrs. A. q. Murray. Of
Chicago: Miss Helen J. HiiI. Of Den.
YER: Mrs. David Reid. Of Chicago.
and Dr. chaimers A. Hiil. Of Council
Bluffs. Iowa. All were In attend.
nnC~ NJ the funeral,
Mr.. Hiii's parents were sturdy
scotrh.Irish covcnantcrs. Ia early
manhood he made q profession Of
faith In Christ. and united with the
church of his fathers To which hc a..
ways adhered. Hc WAS ono Of tho
charter members of tho Reformed
Presbyterian church Of Ia Junts.
While deeply attached 10 the church
Of his choise M was much Interested
In the progress Of every phase Of the
kingdom u his Lord.
ny his many exceiiencies Mr.. Hiii
cndeared himself 10 his numerous
friends and neighbors. Ills passing
10 the breaking Of another Of the liv.
Ing iinks that bad the pioaees life
Of this community 70 the present.
The fuaersl took plsos from the
rssideace at al cimarron aveaus.
Thursday aftesnoon at s:so o'clock,
services being conducted b. Rev. 3,
4. Crooks. Of The Reformed Presby.
terrain chufch. latsrnsat eccusrel
10 raiPvisw esasessy.