American Banner, Albuquerque, New Mexico

La Bandera Americana, interpreted the American Banner, a Spanish paper published weekly at Albuquerque, is edited by Nestor Montoya, with Frank A. Hubbell as president and treasurer of the publishing company. The paper was established May 6, 1895, by Manuel Salazar y Otero and on the 3rd of August, 1901, was purchased by its present owners, Messrs. Hubbell and Montoya. In 1891 Manuel Salazar y Otero had established at Los Lunas a weekly called La Cronica, which he conducted until La Bandera was founded. The latter is a strong Republican paper and the leading organ of the party among the Spanish papers in New Mexico.

Nestor Montoya, the editor, was born in Albuquerque and was educated at St. Michael's college in Santa Fe. He was recommended by Congressman Elkins, then a delegate to congress, for a cadetship at Annapolis. He was employed in the post office of Santa Fe for about seven years under three postmasters and afterward went to old Mexico, spending a year in Chihuahua with an uncle. Subsequently he engaged in merchandising in Valencia County, New Mexico, for two years, when, again taking up his abode in Santa Fe, he founded La Voz del Pueblo in 1889 in connection with E. H. Salazar. Two years afterward he sold a half interest to Felix Martinez, but remained as editor for Martinez and Salazar at Las Vegas. Since 1884 he has been continuously official interpreter of the courts in the first judicial, now the fourth judicial district, and in the second district since coming to Albuquerque in 1895. He is filling the position of interpreter at the present time. In 1902 he was elected to the thirty-fifth session of the Territorial legislature from Bernalillo County and was chosen speaker of the house. In 1904 he was elected to the council from Bernalillo County. He is a stanch Republican and one who has wielded a wide influence in public affairs, his opinions often being a decisive factor in matters of public moment. For eight years he was secretary of the Republican County central committee of Bernalillo County and is a prominent member of the Knights of Columbus.

NM AHGP | Newspapers of New Mexico

Source: History of New Mexico, Its Resources and People, VolumeI, Pacific States Publishing Co., 1907.