Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1910-04-11

washington, Aprl! 1.-THE PreSi.
dent today sent to the Senate the
nomination of John R. McFie to be
associate justice of the New Mexico
supreme court. Judge McFie was en-
dorsed by the Republican organiza-
ton of New Mexico.
Judge John R. McFie was today ap-
pointed Associate Justice of the SUI
preme court of New Mexico for his
fifth term. No other New Mexican
has ever thus been honored. Fortu-
nately the honor comes to Judge Nc
File in just recognition of his ability
and integrity, which are recognized
alike by Republicans and Democrats
of this Territory 81
The story of Judge McFie's life IS
an interesting one; it is an inspiration
to the young men of today, struggling
for success in life. John and Eliza
beth (Borland) McFie, the parents of
Judge McFie, came to America in
1S45 and located in Washington coun-
ty, Illinois. The elder McFie taught
school until serious illness at the
end of four years resulted in his
death in 1862. Judge McFie was the
seventh of eight children, three sons
and five daughters.
He attended the public schools of
Illinois and was given private instruc-
ton by his father until the breaking
out of the Civil War, when he was
seized with the desire to enter the
army. He enlisted in every company
that was organized where he lived, but
being mere boy of sixteen years, the
father who had become an invalid, re
fused to grant permission for him
to go to the front.
Served in Civil War.
The father died in 1862 and in the
following year Judge McFie enlisted
in Company E, 30th Regiment of Illi-
nois Volunteer Infantry, his mother
giving her consent to his enlistment.
The regiment being on a furlough,
however. the youthful recruit was not
mustered in until February, 1864, at
Camp Butler, Illinois. He marched
with Sherman to the sea, served to the
close of the war and was mustered out
in June, 1865, receiving an honorable
discharge. After the war, the future
judge became a clerk and afterwards
became a partner in the business, but
having desire to study law, after
a few years he sold out and studied
under the Honorable J. Blackburn
Jones. In 1870, Judge McFie was ad-
mitted to the bar of Illinois. He took
an active part in the political strug-
giles of the day as a Republican and
his ability in that direction was rec
ognized by his election to the 31st H.
linois legislative assembly in which
he seconded the nomination of Cen
eral John A. Logan to the United
States Senate. He was again elected
to the 33d legislative assembly and
voted for Selby M. Cullom for United
States Senator.
Appointed Judge.
Judge and Mrs. McFie came to Las
Cruces in 1884, where Judge McFie
served as register of the United States
land office until December IL, 1885.
In January, 1886, he formed a law
partnership with Judge Simon B.
Newcomb, now deceased. This part
nership was dissolved in March, 1889,
when Judge McFie was appointed as
sociate justice of the supreme court
of New Mexico by President Harri-
son. He served four years, during
which time only two of his decisions
were reversed by a higher tribunal.
He returned to his law practice, but
was again appointed associate justice
by President Mckinley, in December,