El Nuevo mexicano., 1917-05-24
THOMAS LYONS
WAS M|LLlONA|RE
CATTLE AND FARMING SOURCE
OF WEALTH.; ENTHUSIASTIC
SPORTSMAN AND BIG GAME
HUNTER


I'll Paso, Tex, May ~23.--The late
Thomas Lyons, murdered here a few
days ago, was the largest owner OF
agricultural land in Grant county,
New Mexico, as well as the largest in
diyidual owner of grazing lands In
that section Of the state. His holdings
of cattle were large. He owned 5000
acres of land on Duck creek and on
the Upper ella place and his holdings
in the Lower ella In the vicinity OF
Red Rock were almost as large. He
farmed on a large scale himself. The
greater portion Of his grazing land
had been leased.
Drove Overland From Colorado
Mr.. Lyons, according to a sketch in
the Ell Paso Morning Times, drove
overland to Silver City from Colorado
in 1872 by OK team. He was IS years
old and besides a powerful body and
an ebert and adventurous mind was
otherwise equipped for the conquest
of Western conditions, according to-
his pioneer friend. He was a boiler
maker by trade and at first worked
in Silver City's first machine shop,
which was owned by the late Robert
Black.
Mining had created excitement for
the early settlers and soon Mr.. Lyons
was trying to make a fortune in that
business. With Angus Campbell, he
became owner Of the Cosette mine, a
silver and lead proposition situated
near Lone mountain. The Cosette
mine was surrounded by many prom
Using prospects and was sold by the
owners for $4,000. With a small for
tune to start on the two men formed
a partnership which was continued
until the death of Campbell.
Had Little Faith in Mining
Apparently neither Lyons nor Camp
bell had a great deal of faith in min
ing as they continued in the cattle
business. They purchased cattle and
ranches owned by J.. w. Fleming,
which were situated on the ella river,
25 miles west of Silver City. This be-
came the nucleus of the great Lyons
G Campbell Cattle company, which
gradually expanded until it covered
most of the country west from Silver
City and stretched across the level
mesas beyond the ella.
Mr.. Lyons was particularly fond Of
big game hunting. His greatest pleas
ure was hunting for bear. He was
considered an ardent sportsman by
some of the best known hunters ia
America, including former President
Roosevelt, who had planned a visit
to the hunting ground.
Albert F. Kerr, an Ell Paso banker,
said Mr.. Lyons had entertained a
gerat many people at his home near
Silver City. isHe had billiard tables,
many guests rooms with bath, and
every necessity that one would have
in the city home" said Mr.. Kerr. "He
was a loyal entertainer and a good
hunter"
According to his friends in Ell Paso
it was one of Mr.. Lyons keenest
pleasures to take his friends on a
bear hunt in the wild country of the
Upper ella. He established a hunt
ing lodge which has been famous in
the entire west. The lodge was built
in an almost inaccessible location. It
was magnificently furnished and
heated with hot water piped from the
hot springs near by.
The body of Mr.. Lyons arrived in
Silver City Sunday. The family an
nounced that the funeral would be
held Tuesday morning under the
auspices Of the Masonic lodge. Burial
will be made at the Lyons ranch on
ella river, 30 miles north of silver
City. Friends Of the deceased began
arriving from various points in the
state early Sunday morning to attend
the services.
Relatives said Sunday that efforts
had been redoubled to solve the mys-
FERROUS plot, resulting in the brutal
of Mr.. Lyons, and to bring
about arrest and prosecution of mis-
slayers.
"NH "NI