Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-03-23
CITY bE.AUTtF UL
MOURNs DEATH Of
PROMINENT MAN
.Chas, H, MCLenathen, One Of
Most Prominent Citizens in
Pecos Valley, Is Laid to Rest
in Carlsbad Cemetery.

IePrcIAL CORRESPONDENCE TO MORNING JOURNAL
Carlsbad, NsM. March 22.-Masons
said the last words over all that was
| mortal of one of Carlsbads well be-
loved citizens, at City cemetery Thurs
! day afternoon, when the body of
Charles H. McLeAathen was laid
1 away to its last rest The Masonic
! rites were preceded by simple cere-
| mony at Grace Episcopal church, of
which Mr.. McLenathen had been a
member and warden for many years.
The history of this distinguished
and well beloved man is coincident
with the history of southeastern New
New Mexico, for the last thirty years.
He was a town builder, and a man
whose material achievements have
made a lasting impression on the
country which he loved. He was one
of the original few whose industry
and determination made town from
a barren desert. A recital of his ma
terial achievements would include sew
eral political honors given by peo-
pIe generally OF a different party. for
the section is Overwhelmingly demo-
cratic, and Mr.. McLenathen was a
lifelong, staunch and outspoken re-
publican. He was one OF the flrst
county commissioners for Eddy ooun-
Nv and bore the unique honor of be-
ing unanimously elected mayor or
carlsbad, a distinction seldom accord
ed to any man in any section. Not
single vote was cast against him on
this occasion, which proved to be
bitterly contested election to his as
sociates on the ticket. all of whom
were democrats.
Mr.. McLenathen was president oil
the Pecos Water Users association,
when the affairs of this million-doi-
lar corporation needed strong man
at the helm He was the spokesman
of a party sent to Washington to IN
terview President Roosevelt when
high water carried out the impound-
ing dam. and instant help was need
ed to secure funds to rebuild theI
structure. This was secured. He mad
been, before failing health required
his resignation, president of the Ma
tional hank of Carlsbad. He was the
founder and president of the Edoy
County Abstract company, had long
managed the local affairs of foreign
CORPORATIONS which became interested
in the building of the town at its IN
ception, had been president OF the
Commercial club, of the county gooo
roads association, and of the Roberts,
Dearborne Hardware company, whlch
office he held at his death.
Mr.. McLenathen was not only
sound business man, but one who had
many and varied interests. He was
thirty second degree Mason, was a
past master of Eddy Lodge No. Il, "A:
r. and A. NJ, had been high priest or
l,n
the chapter and had been given the
highest honor by the knights rem
Mar. He was a historian whose lee
lures on Palestine had found instant
and widespread appreciation, and ms
grasp Of world politics, particularly or
the English speaking peoples, was un-
euualled in this section. He was
keen student of the war and some
wears ago had visited parts OF the
country since the scene OF the bat
tie. His oldest son, volunteer, mas
been in France over a year, pelne
chosen as a member of the FIRST army
headquarters regiment because OF ms
colloquial knowledge of French.
Although not practicing lawyer,
Mr.. McLenathen had been ADMITTED
to the bar, and his knowledge OF lahu
titles was gained through thirty years
experience III tStotp WIN ~
has collected much material for use
in compiling a history of this partic-
ular section, but was never able to
find time to devote to the actual writ
ing of the work.
No mention of his passing would be
complete did it not speak of the uni
versal love and admiration in which
he was held by his fellows. His
friends are in all walks of life, from
the lowly native who titled his farm to
the men who are high in national cir
cles, politically and scientifically.
Deeply religious. he met his death
bravely, but his memory remains, en-
shrined in the hearts of his country
men.
Mr.. McLenathen is survived by his
wife, Marie r., and two sons, Thomas
and william. Two sisters, Mrs. Good
rich of Portland and Mrs. Varian or
Denver, the latter being now in Carls-
bad, are also living. as are also several
Younger men of collateral branches, in