Compton holds court in Santa Fe

Back in 1976, I received a letter from J.C. Compton, chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, who was at that time nearly 90 years old.

“Dear Don: I noticed in Curry County Times newspaper that there is a possibility that you may suspend your articles (columns) about early events and persons; for instance, Jack Hull. Those articles make great reading, both to old-timers and newcomers. I hope you keep it up; you tell it so well. Sincerely, J.C. Compton.”

I wrote him back and thanked him for his complimentary words and told him I had no plans to suspend my columns.

Judge Compton turned 90 on Dec. 19, 1976. I noticed the letter came from Santa Fe. I had been to Santa Fe in the 1970s when I was on the state’s art commission, and occasionally I went to eat at the La Fonda and usually met Judge Compton there. Just him and I setting there eating and talking at the small table over old times he had in Portales. He was a good storyteller.

He told me that although he wasn’t born in New Mexico, but in Arkansas, he came to this territory in 1903 and to Portales in 1905. He had also lived in Clovis a number of years.

He told me about himself and my wife’s grandfather, Levi J. Whiteman, spending time together in high school in Portales.

Whiteman told this story.

“James Cleveland Compton, “Cleve” to me, was the only one that I was well acquainted with.

“I had a punching bag and a set of boxing gloves,” said Levi. “I took those gloves to school with me one day, but none of the boys my size would spar with me and being such an enthusiast, I would try anybody, regardless of size. As a consequence I ended up boxing with “Cleve” Compton.

“Cleve was in the same room with me part of two terms. I thought I was doing very well when suddenly, Cleve struck out ‘straight from the shoulder,’ catching me squarely on the chin; and down I went. In later years I enjoyed meeting him and reminding him of the time I knocked him down.” (Both of them always laughed about that boxing match, but of course Compton won that round.)

Compton and his brother C.M. Compton were both lawyers. C.M. Compton was known as “Red Judge” because he had red hair and Cleve as “Black Judge” because his hair was black.

Cleve was unusual in that he was one of the few really good men who “went to the top.” Cleve went from district attorney to district judge to state Supreme Court and could have been appointed to a still higher position in the federal courts, but he felt that he could better serve his state by staying in the state court.

I do not know when the judge died or was buried. Maybe someone will tell me.

Don McAlavy is Curry County’s historian. He can be contacted at: [email protected]