Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-03-18

vile, in 1868. In the spring Of 1861.
like Major Palen, he left school la en-
ter the war, but enlisted as a private
in the confederate army For Two
years he was body guard Of Gen Stcr-
ling Price but later served in COM
pnny c of Wood battalion. command
ed By his brother, Capt Paul f.
Thornton. During the retreat from
Springfield, Mo- he was captured aud
taken to OnOn, where he was con-
fined in prison until October For
making an attempt to escape, he wa
placed in close confinement for TWEEN
ty-eight days. Later ne assisted Cul-
onel Magoffin and ffty-siX eoufcder-
ates to escape remained, but was
soon exchanged and reiofned his com
pany, serving to the end Of tn war.
Practiccd Law in Missouri
He began the practice Of law at
Clinton Mo. After serving Two terms
in the town council, he was sent 10
the Missouri legislature in 1876. lu
1871, for health reasons. he came tu
Santa Fe and associated himself for
a time with United States Senator
Thomas H. Catron. In 1850 he was
elected member of the territorial
council and in 1891 was chosen the
first mayor of Santa Fe, icing nomi-
mated by both parties, and receiving
every vote cast but one.
In 1885, Governor Thornton cle.ed
his law business and devoted himself
to extensive cattle ranch interests hi
Lincoln county and also to mining
In April, 1898 Governor Thornton
was appointed the chief executive Of
New Mexico by President Gr0ve.
cleveland He also acquired control
of the Santa Fe Daily New Mexican
ana edited it. He had been interested
in newspaper ventures prior to this
time with his hrother-in-laW, Cen.
John f. Victory.
The administration was a turbulent
one. one historian says: There had
been very considerable increase Of
crime, especially high crime, during
the few years Just preceding Governor
Thornton administration There had
also been a notable delinquency among
tax collectors and others having the
receipt care and custody of public
funds. The result Of the crusade
against crime and financial delinquen-
cy which he inaugurated and carried
on with much vigor of purpose ana ac-
ton, have done more more to estab-
lish the supremacy Of law. to secure
peace and good order, and to assure
the security of life and property, than
the work of any of his predecessors IN
his high office. High crime inelud-
ing political assassinations, involving
both republicans ana democrats, com
mtted prior to his Inauguration but
still undiscovered, were speedily de-
tected and prosecuted to conviction
by the peace and prosecuting officers
under his forceful inspiration. Off
cial carelessness ana default in ham
ding and accounting for public mon
oys had become sufficiently common
to he scandalous and Governor
Thornton at once set himself Ia the
correction of this evil and to the APP
plication of an effectual remedy
stormy Administration.
Another historian wrote: From
the earliest days of his tempestuous
administration he found himself CON
fronted with every conceivable obsta
Gle. The result of his crusade against
crime and against financial delinquen-
cy which he inaugurated and carried
on with much vigor of purpose and ac-
ton, signalized his administration and
gave him distinguished place in the
history Of this territory as the most
executive and useful governor New
Mexico has ever had.
Shortly after the appointment of
Governor Miguel A. Otero by President
Mckinley, Governor Thornton left
for Guadalajara, Mexico, aud engaged
in extensive mining operations. At the
outbreak of the Mexican trouble he
returned to Santa Fe but spent his
winters at Redlands and other points
in southern California. Governor Me-
Donald appointed him state librarian
but the state failed to confirm him.
The matter went into the courts but
decision was adverse
In 1865, Governor Thornton married
Miss Helen Maltby, of New York, who
survives him. She was a daughter Of
Norman Malthy. later mayor Of Sc
dalia, Mo