A remarkable personality in Santa Fé is Colonel Max Frost, the editor of "The New Mexican," the political leader of the Republican party and a man who, though blind and paralyzed, is simply a living encyclopædia of historic and contemporary events. At eight o'clock every morning Colonel Frost is in his office, at his desk, dictating to three expert stenographers, carrying on three different subjects simultaneously. Instead of his blindness being a hindrance to his work, he has, by the sheer force of his remarkable energy, transformed the obstacle into a stepping-stone. "I can do more work in ten minutes than most men can in an hour," he said, in reply to a question, "as, being blind, I have nothing to distract my attention. I put my mind on my work and keep it there."
Colonel Frost's experience is the most convincing testimony to the phenomenal power that lies in mental concentration. He cannot move without assistance,—physically he is a wreck; yet he dictates columns of work daily; he is the most influential leader of the political party, and he is one of the makers of New Mexico. Every line of copy in his daily paper is read to him before it goes to press, and the vigorous and brilliant editorial page is largely his own work. For four hours, every evening, Mrs. Frost reads to him from the great Eastern dailies, the periodicals, and new books. It is said in New Mexico that Colonel Frost has been the power behind the throne in territorial legislation since the time that General Lew. Wallace served as chief executive in 1879.
Colonel Frost went to Santa Fé from Washington in 1876 as a brilliant young officer, commissioned to build a military telegraph line from Santa Fé to Phœnix, Arizona,—a distance of five hundred miles. This commission attracted great attention, and Colonel Frost became at once a power among the Spanish-American citizens of the territory. His great ability was widely recognized by leading men all over the Southwest. He was urged to remain and become a citizen of Santa Fé. As if to further prepare him for his remarkable life, he was commissioned by the government to serve at several points in New Mexico on a variety of important matters, and he thus became singularly identified with the general progress of the country.
With all his extraordinary work in conducting his paper and devoting himself to party political measures, Colonel Frost is serving his territory as Secretary of the Bureau of Immigration with the most conspicuous ability. Under his electric touch and irresistible energy there is constantly prepared and sent out some of the finest transcriptions of the entire status of the country, in climate, resources, and opportunities; in achievements already realized and in the potential developments of the future. Thousands of residents have been drawn to New Mexico through the data so ably set forth by Colonel Frost, the matter being, each year, revised to date. He knows, from personal observation and intimate contact, every part of the territory; he is personally acquainted with all the leading people; and no visitor in the territory can feel his trip in any sense complete without meeting Colonel Max Frost. If every state and territory in the Far West could command such efficient service in the literature of immigration as is rendered by Colonel Frost, there would be an appreciable increase of their settlers.
There are many eminent men in Santa Fé,—government officers, political leaders, gifted lawyers,—whom the stranger within the gates must recognize as among the ablest leaders and makers of the nation. A newspaper recently established, "The Eagle," ably edited by Mr. A. J. Loomis, adds another attraction and source of inspiration to the wonderful old city, whose life still continues to illustrate and exalt the "Holy Faith of St. Francis."
CHAPTER VIII
MAGIC AND MYSTERY OF ARIZONA
"... The stars are glowing wheels,