New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-05-20
CAREER OF SANTA
FE'S MOST NOTED
CITIZEN IS CLOSED
SENATOR T. B. CATRON
CROSSED GREAT DIVIDE
SUNDAY AFTER LONG, AC-
TIVE, EVENTFUL LIFE.
HONORED BY NEIGHBORS.
By Guthrie Smith

By Guthrie Smith
THE Tiger of New Mexico has
disappeared over the great divide
Thomas Benton Catron is dead lie
laid down his earthly burden at his
home here Sunday morning at
o'clock. The end was as peaceful
as all his life had been turbulent. A
tiger he certainly was, in the fighting
spirit and the courage to carry or
against any odds; yet withal. the
tenderest hearted tiger that ever bluf-
fed the buffers and helped the weak
and unfortunate.
BLACK Eagle" Goes First
Charles Spiess, THE Black Eagle
of San Miguel" crossed over thG
divide some two years ago ahead oi
"The Tiger" The two were law part
ners in Santa Fe for many years
Not only law partners, but associates
in many political adventures.
Another law partner, long before
Spiess' time. was Stephen b. Elkins
ator from West Virginia, achieved
prominence and acquired large for
true through his financial genius.
a Native OF MISSOURI
Senator Catron was born near Lex
ington, Mo, Oct. o, 1910. His educa-
tion was received in the public
schools of Missouri, in Missouri col
lege and the University of Missouri
He was graduated from the Univer-
sity in 1860, in the class with Sen
ator Elkins. He had spent only a
few month in the study OF law Whcf
he enlisted under the Stars and Bars
He was soon promoted to a lieuten-
aney and when the cause OF the
Confederacy failed, surrendered al
Meridian, Miss. He was then the COM
mander OF the Third Missouri bat
terry, and had taken part in many
important engagements.
To Santa Fe in 1866
Coming to New Mexico in july
1866 he stopped in Santa Fe and re-
sumed his study OF the law, lie came
when the Ancient Capital was one
OF the outposts OF Americas west
ward-moving civilization. The journey
from Missouri then required 80 time
as much time as now. Emerging iron
years OF military campaigns and
stepping into a frontier, where, often
er than not, might was right and
recognized as the supreme law oi
the land, it is not surprising that he
developed a physical sturdincsS, along
with the instinct to fight. Those were
times when he had to fight ii he was
to get anything, and then to keer
fighting TO hold il. In all his long
career, it appeared TO be one OF his
principles OF belief that whatever was
worth having was worth. first a
struggle to secure, and then a con
tinued effort to hold. Willing TO ii-ht
with all his resources while figltif
was necessary, the cessation oi host
iiitics meant absolute return TO peace
He was too great philosopher and
too good spolt to- cherish cumity OF
malice.
Made District Attorney First
He was appointed district attorney
for the third judicial dl ~ and
removed to Dona Ana county TO take
that position, few months after #.
arrived in Santa Fe. During his rc-
sidence in Doua Ana county, he was
elected to the lower house oi ta.
legislative assembly
I'm 1909 he was appointed attorney
general and in 1872 resigned 30 ac-
cept President Grants appoint
as United States attorney. His lau
partner, ElEins, was dcleaatc in Con
gress, while he was United Saes At
torney.
Very Close 30 Elkins
There is great similarity in the
public service records OF these two
hardy pioneers. Elkins was appoint
ed attorney general in 1850. United
States attorney in 1867, elected dele
gate in Congress in 1872 and again
in 1874. Catron was appointed at
torney general in 1869, Cnitcd States
attorney in 1872, and elected TO Con
gress 1874. Elkins was made a Mas
on by Montezuma lodge No. !, Santa
Fe. in Nov. 1864. and on April 3. 1875,
Catron affiliated with the lodge. COM
ing from Aztec lodge. at Las Cruces
Both, many years late-. served in the
United States senate. The highest Of
flee within the gift of the people
of any state.
Masonic Record is Long
Senator Catron had been made a
Mason prior to the time he came to
New Mexico. but whether he wa
initiated in Missouri, or somewhere
in the south. during the war. is not
of record in the Santa Fe bodies.
While he did not affiliate with the
Blue Lodge until April 3. 1875. com
ing from Las Cruces. he affiliated
with the chapter on Dec. Z. 1869. COM
ing from the Mobile Alabama chap
ter. He was taken into The conf
mandery on Jan. 7. 1870 Elkins pre-
ceded him into the Commandery 90
ing in in November. 1859
Helped Make Many Laws
Holding membership in the terri
torial council-which corresponds to
the state senate-of the legislative
assemblies elected from Santa Fe.
framing and passing large Number
of the laws that now safeguard and
protect the commonwealth OF New
Mexico He was 2 member OF the
council of the 26th. 2oth. 33rd and 36th
assemblies. elected from Santa -Fe.
He served with distinction in the
constitutional convention in 1910.
Was a Wood Supporter
He was a delegate TO the national
convention in 1893. 1892 and again in
1908. He might have gone IN 1920