DR. A. J. CHANDLER EMPIRE BUILDER..

Illustrious, indeed, is the name of Dr. A. J. Chandler in the story of the development of Arizona and in the thrilling narrative of how a desert waste was conquered and reclaimed. Dr. Chandler came to Arizona with youth and a vision. He dreamed and worked and today his handiwork is a wonder to behold.

Dr. A. J. Chandler << Empire Builder »

THE only passenger to alight from the west-bound train at Seligman, Arizona, a junction on the Santa Fe one August night back in '87, was a blue-eyed, boyish looking chap, who waited patiently while his luggage was being dumped onto a dark station platform.

The panting locomotive gave a rasping gasp, coughed protestingly, then moved noisily out of the station, its few coaches clattering, taking with them, so far as he could see, every other living mortal west of east.

In the distance a weird wail and a crescendo of taunting yaps rent the curtain of the night as the lone traveler stood watching the pinpoint of light from the locomotive until it was swallowed by velvet blackness.

Stumbling around he finally ran into a bulky shadow which proved to be the inn where a sleepy landlord put him up for the night. The next day the branch line train carried him to Prescott, then the Capital of Arizona territory.

"Welcome to Arizona, Dr. Chandler!" was the greeting of Will C. Barnes to the smiling man alighting from the coach. Thus on August 8, 1887, without fanfare of triumphant entry, Dr. A. J. Chandler was welcomed to Arizona, its first territorial veterinarian a man destined to become a power in the development and economic future of the state.

A law passed by the territorial legislature that spring had established the Cattle Sanitary Board of Arizona for the protection of the rapidly growing livestock industry. The Board was authorized to employ a veterinarian.

Two members of the Board, Will. C. Barnes and C. M. Bruce, were sent to Washington to contact Dr. Salmon, Chief of the Division of Animal Husbandry. He advised them to go to Detroit, Michigan, to interview a young Canadian by the name of Chandler, who was making a success of his profession.

Stopping off there on his way home Bruce located the young man and liked him at sightliked his smile, his clear blue eyes and the clean cut angle of his jaw which suggested strength and determination.

Much to the envoy's surprise the young man took up his offer at once; although the salary was only a pittance compared to his present income.

What Bruce did not know was that Dr. Chandler was looking for a chance to go west and launch out in a business career. The proposition seemed the gateway leading to a "land of promise" a magnetic Yukon of opportunity. The young challenger was eager to stake all on his belief in himself and his ability to storm the gateway wherein lay either nuggets or fool's gold.

When asked to tell some of his experiences which might be incorporated in this saga of his life, Dr. Chandler said thoughtfully: "I'm the poorest person in the world to do that. I spend little time thinking of the past once a thing is done. It is more interesting to think of what the future has yet to be accomplished."

No ember warmer, he!

Dr. Chandler was born in Coaticook, Canada, in 1859 of Scotch-English parents. His This view shows modern Chandler from the air. This busy little city, in the heart of a rich agricultural district, was only a forlorn desert when Dr. Chandler first visited the valley. In the foreground are the San Marcos hotel, bungalows, and spacious grounds.

Father was a Baptist minister. It was hard going for the family in that parsonage home.

The red letter event in his early life was a trip to grandmother's in apple time. There, little Alexander was turned loose in the orchard where he stuffed his "tummy;" then showed his Scotch by stuffing his blouse with apples for future consumption.

To those of us who have known the dignified Doctor in his affluent years there is something humorously pathetic in the picture. In his knobular rotundity he must have been a miniature caricature of old Governor Van Twiller of New York, who, according to Washington Irving, was exactly three feet-six inches in height, and exactly six feet-three in ches in circumference.

From high school he went to Montreal and entered McGill university. Then, because the Canadian government gave free tuition in the Royal College of Vet erinarian, he chose that course as a first step toward a medical course upon which he had set his heart. He worked his way through and was graduated with highest honors.

Armed with his diploma and "a bale of debts," the young veterinarian located in Detroit with the results already recorded.

To digress a moment: On returning from his world's trip last fall, Dr.

Chandler stopped off at Montreal to visit his alma mater and call on Lewis Doug las, Arizona's honored son, who is now principal of McGill university. They had a fine visit. In parting the caller said:

"Douglas, Arizona needs you." The reply was:

"I shall not always remain in Canada, Doctor."

Arizona was in the throes of a devastating drought when the new veterinarian arrived. Livestock was dying at an alarming rate and vegetation was burned up. Unaccustomed to a desert country and having just left the fresh green re(Turn to Page 24)