East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1916-09-23
tBy wIIIlamsIaclead Ralne.) }

In Arizona, mems eyes light up
when they talk of Buckley ONeill.
Hs was splendid type Of the chival-
Ious frontiersman dear to the West
ern heart. His father was Captain
John O'Neill. an officer of Co, X, 116
Pennsylvania Volunteers, which was
a part Of the celebrated Meagher's
Irish Brigade so prominently men
toned in the annals Of the Civil War.
Captain O'Nell was five times wound
ed at Fredericksburg, and during the
war received fourteen wounds, being
obliged to walk on crutches for the
rest Of his life. Captain william o..
Neill, familiarly known as Buckley"
received an excellent classical and le-
gal education. He graduated in 1879
from the law course of the National
University, and went straight to Phoe-
nix Arizona. where he became edi'
tor and manager of the City Herald,
From that time until his death,
O'Neill was prominent as miner
journalist politician. business man.
Judge, soldier, and sheriff. He was
a born soldier, and by grace of ma
tuFal fitness, "a leader of men,
Buckley" was reckless, soft-spo-
ken, dark-eyed man of unflinchinS
nerve. Personally he was very bash
ful among strangers. His soft brown
eyes grew frightened at thought or
making a speech. His daring was
Irish in its extravaganza, but 1t COW
cred a tender heart At one time the
Prescott Grays of which body he was
an officer, were called upon to guard
the scaffolding during a public hang
ing. AS the trap was sprung one OF
the officers keeled over in faint. II
was "Buckey" O'Neill, a man whose
nerve was famous all over the coun-
try full of plucky men. He explained
afterwards that he could not bear TO
see a man killed without giving him
chance to fight for his life.
When the Santa Fe railroad was be-
ing built through the territory a gang
OF its workmen Jumped" a spring
belonging to the Navajo Indians, The
Navajos were a company of peaceahle
shepherds. and they were not ready
10 fight for their rights although their
sheep were about to perish with
thirst Along rode Buckley O'Nein.
looking out for some of his many di-
verse interests. and discovered the
pitiable condition of the Indian flocks.
His quick Celtic blood boiled. He
did not wait for any help but rode
straight to the gang of toughs.
by God! you'll either treat these
people decent and give them their
water or I'll drive you out" said this
Don Quixote OF the desert. roundly.
O'Neill armed the Indians and told
them to get ready to rush the spring.
But the bulles had no mind to fight
a body of men led by Buckley o.
Neill. They retired voluntarily The
head chief of the Navajos was so
grateful that he gave TO Buckley a
great silver ring as a mark OF his es-
teen. The ring always commanded
for O'Neill the respect due TO a chief
He afterwards presented ii to Thur
low Weed in his generous way
"Buekey" came into conflict with
railroad interests later when he ran
for sheriff. He had had inserted in
the platform of his party plank to
the effect that the republican candi-
dates II elected would assess the rail-
road the full value of its land hold
ings. The sheriff was at that time the
ex-officio assessor of Yavapai county
"Buckey' was the sole issue Of the
campaign. and though bitterly oppos-
ed by corporate interests, ran far
ahead Of his ticket and was elected.
The sheriff fulfilled his pledge and