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