| William Aloysius Keleher is a name that will not be | | | | books like the Maxwell Land Grant, Turmoil in New |
| forgotten, no matter what. Especially in the region | | | | Mexico, The Fabulous Frontier, Memoirs and |
| of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the name will always | | | | Violence in Lincoln Country, he gained international |
| live among the people as a shining star, a person | | | | recognition and historians' acclamation. His first |
| who started from scratch, yet was bold enough | | | | book came out in 1942, and the last in 1969. |
| to make a difference. William Keleher was a | | | | William Keleher played a key role in settling the |
| relentless worker who continuously strived to | | | | much talked-about dispute between the |
| bring about a positive change in the society. | | | | government and coal-field miners that took place |
| It was the year of 1886 when Mary Ann Gorry | | | | in New Mexico in 1933. The Gallup American |
| Keleher gave birth to their son (William) in | | | | company was troubled with the Mexican coal |
| Lawrence, Kansas. His father, David Keleher, | | | | miners' strike, which was initiated rightfully after |
| decided that the family should move to | | | | much suppression. The situation was going from |
| Albuquerque, New Mexico and so they went there | | | | bad to worse and an immediate remedy was |
| in 1889. William Keleher enrolled at Saint Mary's | | | | needed to prevent apocalypse. This was the time, |
| Parochial School where he studied till the eighth | | | | William Keleher and M. Mechem presented the |
| grade. Due to unavoidable circumstances, he, | | | | "Mechem-Keleher" report on the Gallup coal strike |
| however, had to quit the school and start working | | | | to the government, who later on decided to |
| in order to support the family financially. He | | | | settle the strike. |
| started his new life as a messenger for Western | | | | Keleher served the Museum of New Mexico and |
| Union Telegraph Company, becoming telegraph | | | | the New Mexico State University which was really |
| operator later on. He also worked for education | | | | worthy of praising. He also took the post of |
| boards and development companies for a brief | | | | director and legal counsel in a few private |
| period before becoming a newspaper reporter (he | | | | organizations. |
| also became the city editor for two newspapers). | | | | Even after death, Keleher is still inextricably |
| This was the pivotal moment when he was | | | | related with the betterment of society. More than |
| attracted to law. It is believed that events at a | | | | twenty years ago, the W. A. Keleher Memorial |
| local County Court influenced his decision. He once | | | | Journalism Scholarship was established at the UNM |
| mentioned that he felt as if destiny was guiding | | | | College of Arts and Sciences. As of June 30, |
| him towards the court. With the newfound spirit, | | | | 2001, the total investment value of the |
| he joined the law school at Washington and Lee | | | | scholarship is eight million US dollars, huge by any |
| University in the last quarter of 1913. It did not | | | | standards. |
| take the meritorious Keleher more than two | | | | Keleher died on December 18th, 1972 leaving |
| years to receive the Bachelor of Laws degree | | | | behind innumerable well-wishers and monumental |
| and thereby, graduate successfully from the law | | | | achievements. His legacy, however, have not |
| school, who was admitted to the New Mexico Bar | | | | gone to the grave with him. Instead, it has given |
| in the same year (1915). He returned to | | | | him immortality among the people of Albuquerque, |
| Albuquerque after a while and honored the post | | | | New Mexico. |
| of city attorney. Later on, he joined forces with | | | | Researchers are unearthing more and more |
| George Downer, practicing law till 1930. In 1931, he | | | | information about Keleher. Thanks to the |
| found a new partner - A.H. McLeod. Together, | | | | generous donation by the Keleher family, |
| they formed 'Keleher & McLeod', a law firm that | | | | researchers are finally able to have a better |
| would relentlessly practice law for the betterment | | | | understanding of the society and culture in W.A. |
| of society for decades. Even after so many | | | | Keleher's times. In addition, unknown or little |
| years, this firm remains as efficient as before. | | | | known information about William Keleher is finally |
| William Keleher soared to greater heights with his | | | | being divulged to the world. This proves that |
| literary works. He always had an avid interest in | | | | people have not forgotten William Aloysius |
| writing, especially history-related ones. With quality | | | | Keleher and his marvelous deeds. |