The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-01-05
EXIT JUDGE REED
LAST HOUR SPENT AMONG HIS
COURT OFFICERS.

When the Clock Struck Midnight He Step
ped From the Bench on tie Common
Level of All Good Citizens-He Worked
Up Until the Last Moment for the Ac-
comodation of the Bar-His Parting
Words to His Old Guard Were Very
Touching Presented With a Handsome
Jewel Earlier in the Day.
When the clock struck midnight last
Christopher Reed, for eight consecu-
tive years district judge of this county,
stepped down from the bench and bid
good bye to his court officers with all
the pethetic interest attached to that
memorial incident when Napoleon bid
good bye to his old guard.
1t was the hardest days work per-
formed by Judge Reed during the eight
years which he filed the court chair
with such dignity and judicial learning.
Early in the morning he went to the
court house and from that until late at
night he listened to the lawyers and de-
cided their contentious in a milder and
better humcr than ever before and that
Is saying a good deal. One man want
ed one thing and another something
different until the scene reminded one of
the Famous March morning when Great
Caesar fell at the base Of Pompeifs
piller One difference was that Judge
Reed was honored by all and if there
was an ambitious Casius or an envious
Cusca there nothing indicated it.
1t is impossible to tell how many ques
tons were passed upon or settled, but
f0-o a 1yhi
TO the judge was entirely satisfactory
10 the bar. Judge Reed felt that as it
was his last day on the bench he would
give no man reason to complain and
hence remained at his post Of duty until
the clock in the tower announced that
his judicial term was ended and that
the holy Sabbath day mad been usher
ed in by the great big bronze tongue
that tells TO a great city the death OF
each succeeding hour.
When all the lawyers except Colonel
Nicholas Bird had climbed down stairs
and wendell their way to their various
homes Judge Reed joined his court of
ficers in the office of the clerk and an
hour or so was passed most delightfully."-
in exchange of deserved compliments.
There were present Judge Reed, Col.
Bird, reporter for the Eagle, Court
Stencgrapher Mclaughlin, Clerks Lu-
ling, Dague and Alderman, Under
Sheriff William Hays and Court Bailif
w. L. Johnson.
The conversation was of a remenis-
cent nature except some one would
break in with an additional expression
Of regret at the retirement of Judge
Reed.
There is only one thing I regret"
said Col Bird, land that is that my dis
tinguished friend Judge Reed did not
pass upon my question with reference
TO the Con Kelleher case. ! would like
10 see my position sustained and the
fact published in the mornings Eagle"
81 viii say" said Judge Reed, land I
mean every word of it, that Col. Bird
has raised questions concerning the in
validity az the prOhibiotTy law that are
stronger and more forcible than l have
ever heard advanced. l must say.
however, that l did not have the time
TO pass upon them He has raised the
most important issues and because Of
their great Importance they could not
be considered hastily"
Earlier in the day Mr.. W. z. Stanley,
on behalf Of the Sedgwick Bar present
ed Judge Reed with a most magnificent
piece of workmanship IN the shape of a
bzdge Of a 80 degree Mason. Mr.. STAN
ley made a very touching speech in
presenting the token and it was only
euualed in its depth of feeling by the
response of Judge Reed. While he
Epoke a feather could have been heard
drop I'm the court room.
Judge Reed is now a plain citizen
and tomorrow morning David NJ Dale
will take his place on the bench.