| William A. Keleher (born in 1886, died in 1972) was | | | | and said Loretta did not know Ms. Baca! This is |
| a well-known figure in Albuquerque, New Mexico. | | | | just one of the innumerable stories involving |
| By profession, he was a lawyer. His law firm | | | | Keleher and Baca. The Kelehers' personal archive |
| (Keleher & McLeod) was among the best in the | | | | has Elfego Baca's briefcase and five postcards |
| business. Even after almost hundred years of | | | | that were signed by him. |
| establishment, Keleher & McLeod is still driven by | | | | One of the most important developments in |
| the same passion and dedication that their | | | | Albuquerque in Keleher's times was the Hilton |
| founders showed initially. As a result, the firm is | | | | Hotel by the great Conrad Nicholson Hilton who |
| considered as one of the oldest and most | | | | believed that the place was destined for great |
| efficient law firms in New Mexico today. He was a | | | | things. The ten-story building was completed in |
| New Mexico Hall of Famer. Not only that, many | | | | 1939. Conrad was an American hotelier who |
| important private sector positions were held by | | | | founded the Hilton-Hotel chain. Coincidentally, he |
| him. William A. Keleher was also a prominent | | | | belonged to the same place as Elfego Baca |
| writer. He had avid interest in history and his | | | | (Sorocco County). Conrad N. Hilton, too, was |
| books reflect how well he has managed to write | | | | known to William Keleher. It is believed they met |
| from historical perspective. William Keleher was | | | | in one of the countless social events that both of |
| also involved in copious social functions and | | | | them used to attend. |
| events. That is why it is not surprising to know | | | | William A. Keleher, was a prominent figure in New |
| how he got in touch with so many high profile | | | | Mexico. Due to his diverse work and philanthropic |
| individuals. | | | | activities, he met many people in his life. Among |
| William A. Keleher had an intimate relationship with | | | | them, there were legendary people like Elfego |
| Elfego Baca (born in 1865, died in 1945), a | | | | Baca, Conrad N. Hilton and some others, who |
| legendary lawyer, lawman and politician in the | | | | played an important role in history. Like Keleher, |
| closing days of American wild-west. Keleher met | | | | their names are also remembered even today |
| him during his reporter-days. The colorful New | | | | with great respect. |
| Mexican figure had something very common with | | | | One may wonder how these friendships became |
| Keleher - They were both versatile and | | | | known to the world today. The answer is pretty |
| multi-faceted individuals. Baca was born when the | | | | simply actually. The Kelehers recently donated the |
| American civil war was about to be finished. His | | | | entire William Keleher collection to the University |
| father was a marshal. Baca, at the tender age of | | | | of New Mexico (UNM). Such magnanimity is |
| 19, declared himself deputy sheriff in Sorocco | | | | unequivocally praiseworthy since many unknown |
| County after he stole some guns and managed a | | | | things about William Keleher have been divulged to |
| sheriff-badge. He wanted to put an end to the | | | | the world lately. Among them was the tale of |
| anarchy in his local territory. He also operated a | | | | friendship that you just learnt about. One of the |
| detective agency and theorized in real estate | | | | family members said that the children and the |
| among other activities. William Keleher was his | | | | grandchildren are less likely to find any interest in |
| attorney and good friend. One day, Baca came to | | | | them at the moment; however, in the future, |
| Keleher's house and demanded to see him. Her | | | | they will certainly be. The Keleher family and their |
| wife, Loretta responded by saying that he was | | | | connections to the prominent figures of the |
| sick in bed. Elfego Baca insisted to see him by | | | | society would have not been revealed to the |
| saying that it was about his wife (Ms. Baca). | | | | world if these materials were not found in the |
| Loretta was pretty curious. She said it is unusual | | | | first place. As historians use the documents to |
| for him to be so intimidated since Mr. Baca is a | | | | develop a greater understanding, more |
| bold character, even killing many men without | | | | information regarding William A. Keleher's influential |
| much trouble. In reply, Baca just shook his head | | | | friends will be divulged. |