Bill enlisted in the Eighth Cavalry in Chicago in 1870 and was discharged as a Sergeant at Fort Bayard, NM in July of 1875. He was one of the first settlers of Globe, arriving in 1876. He opened the Champion Billiard Hall and Saloon with Felix B. Knox as a partner. McNelly and Knox had served together in the Eighth Cavalry. The two were physical opposites. Knox was short and small and served as drummer boy in the regimental corps. McNelly was tall, ramrod straight, handsome, and one of the most popular men in Globe, The two ran a clean place. It stood on the corner of Broad and Push Streets, had no batwing doors and no dancing girls. It did have poker tables in front and a wine room in back. Knox was killed by Apaches within a few years. The Champion became a favorite place of Al Sieber, the famous Indian Scout. Bill and Al became the closest of friends and remained so for as long as Al lived. They drank, hunted, prospected, and were partners together in some mining operations
Bill enlisted in the Eighth Cavalry in Chicago in 1870 and was discharged as a Sergeant at Fort Bayard, NM in July of 1875. He was one of the first settlers of Globe, arriving in 1876. He opened the Champion Billiard Hall and Saloon with Felix B. Knox as a partner. McNelly and Knox had served together in the Eighth Cavalry. The two were physical opposites. Knox was short and small and served as drummer boy in the regimental corps. McNelly was tall, ramrod straight, handsome, and one of the most popular men in Globe, The two ran a clean place. It stood on the corner of Broad and Push Streets, had no batwing doors and no dancing girls. It did have poker tables in front and a wine room in back. Knox was killed by Apaches within a few years. The Champion became a favorite place of Al Sieber, the famous Indian Scout. Bill and Al became the closest of friends and remained so for as long as Al lived. They drank, hunted, prospected, and were partners together in some mining operations
