The Teapot Dome oil lease scandal touched the El Paso area because one of its principal players, Albert B. Fall, was a resident of nearby Las Cruces, NM. Fall was eventually charged with accepting a bribe and was tried, convicted and imprisoned for a year. He died in El Paso in 1944 at age 83.

FALL HOME, A BROKEN MAN

Former Senator and Secretary Arrives at El Paso Unheralded by Admirers of Past

BY NORMAN WALKER
[EXCLUSIVE DISPATCH]

EL PASO (Tex.) Feb. 16.— Albert Bacon Fall came home today a broken old man who needed a hair cut and a shave badly. His home on Golden Hill is so badly damaged by smoke and water from a recent fire he had to go to the home of his son-in-law, Clarence C. Chase, collector of customs at this port.

To make his home-coming more sharply contrasted with former receptions here, Fall was met by one lone New Mexico politician, and even he was a local political light of Las Cruces.

The former New Mexico Senator was carried off the train by two Pullman porters, aided by a trained nurse and ex-Gov. George Curry of New Mexico, who accompanied him from Washington. Senator Fall shuffled from the station, leaning heavily on the arms of Mrs. Chase and Mrs. Jack Fall. He avoided the crowd awaiting his arrival by leaving the station through a private gate. He was driven to Collector Chase's home and went immediately to bed.

It was a far different Albert Fall who returned today, broken in body and a nervous wreck. No reception committees or bands were at the station to greet him as was done so many times when he was active in New Mexico politics. No local politicians greeted him. When a reporter for a local paper friendly to Fall approached for a statement, he was told by Chase to "go away and leave Senator Fall alone—he is a very sick man." Later George Curry, Rough Rider and international boundary commissioner, announced that Fall would make a statement next week "to reputable newspapers."

As soon as his health will permit Fall will go to his ranch at Three Rivers, New Mexico.

Mrs. Fall is recovering from a nervous breakdown said to have resulted from the Teapot Dome investigation.

Los Angeles Times 29 Mar 1924 page 1