The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-07
THE MAN OF DESTINY.
He Appears Today to Be Major Hood
of Emporia.

nor
The 'boss" would not have come
around at this late hour, deserted the
| candidate of his own locality, unless his
political insight told him Hood was
likely to be the head of the Republican
ticket. Leland was understood to have
been favorable to Seaton, but he has not
said much and has really managed to
straddle the situation somewhat up to
last night and be ready to jump in the
kdirection of the successful man.
The Journal has little use for Leland
but it must recognize his sagacity in his
latest move to be with those who ara
apparently to be the winners.
Major Hood, from all indications to-
day is likely to win the nomination.
No one has anywhere near the necessa-
ry votes. and tile result is sure to be
a getting together of forces after the
first slxirmishes. Hood more than any
one else seems to have the friendly
feeling of the delegates after they have
expressed their initial preferences. Ma
jor Hood more nearly represents the
state and the Republican party of the
state and it can win with him if it
can win with anybody.
Leland's very attitude, however, in
coming out last night for Hood may
precipitate a big fight on the major,
than ever.
Major Hood is a self-made man: He
orable and Wen connected parentage has
life He is a represenfativ Kansan Has
made his own way in life from boyhood
up Whatever fortune he has made. he
laborous work, economy, integrity and
forethought. He is an example to. the
possessed by no man in political life.
Major Hood was the lifetime associate
Plumb's death it was believed that Gov
oT gFnoT + aqmphrey an tR might appoint Major
major was not disgruntled because he
tinued to work in the interests. Of his
party. He was strong candidate for
| ture two years ago, but withdrew in favor
of Lucien Baker.
Concerning his candidacy, Major Hood
announced early in the campaign; 4
friends. They know exactly where stand
II ,i, reee1Ve e b the he nd % oa t5
Republicans want me. shall not make a
Pepson4i M faction m e cniIe
| If I am a candidate of the party, it must
In addition to the banking business. Ma
| jor Hood is largely interested in farming
| residence in Emporia and considerable
| property in that thriving city. He owns
farms in Lyon county.
To go further into a sketch Major Hood.
| banker, farmer and cattleman, is one OF
| the most enterprising of the sons of Penn
sylvania residing in the Sunflower state,
| is a tive OF Erie county, PennsylVanla,
| where he was born September IL, 1884
and and currier, citsr was of English descent ana
| his mother, OLIVE Hail, was a member OF
! part of the family yet resides. Both were
of more than average ability
The family of Major Hood removed to
| Adrian, Mich, while that region was YET
half wilderness and there the lad at
| elemental knowledge as that humble but
| useful institution afforded. Until the age
of Is he found occupation as a farmer 5
| boy, and then left the farm to take place
as clerk in a store in Adrian, Mich, where
| faithful and honest, but found the store
too confining for his health. To regain
| his strength he went. in 1855, to the Lake
| Superior region.
rough but wholesome activity, and then,
Adrian and engaged in the dry goods bust
ness in 1851 He later went into business
War broke out and Mr Hood bade his wife
farewell and enlisted in the Eleventh
in September, 1851 and wen, to the front
as captain of company g This reglmeaSs
the Fourteenth corps. Captain Hood was
promoted to be major and served in the
two years of army life. he occupied him
self with business affairs until 1872 as a
general merchant at Sturgis, Mich.
In 1872 Major Hood removed to Kansas
and then engaged in dealing in and rails
| ing Texas cattle, at first upon moderate
scale.
Major Hood personally conducted" the
herds of cattle he bought in Texas up
through the territory over the trails to
Wichita and Abilene and saw all OF the
hardshps and perils of the cattleman's
was through many of the hard fought
battles of the war he has been known to
a nfanad
him in many exciting and desperate situ-
ationS with hair-breadth escapes fully as
trying as those of the war. He extended
his operations gradually and for many
years carried a large and successful
cattle trade in company with the late
from Kansas. Later, in 1873, he engaged
in successful mining operations at Lead
publican national convention in Minneap-
oils.
In 1880 he became president Of the EN-
poria National bank an institution which
has received a large share of his atten-
ton.
Adrian Mich, to Fannie T Platt, a mem
Der of the Poughkeepsie, N Y. branch OF
S. P1att. Their children are Henry Platt,
Clara M, Grace, Florence P and Alice
Henry, or Harry P. Hood is associated
Clara became Mrs. Fred Newman and is
the only one of the family dead. Grace
ence is Mrs. E. A. Beecher of Colorado
Springs, and Alice is Mrs. Theo. Hammatr
AS an aii-round man Major Hood is one
of the most successful and interesting per-
sonalities of the west He is generous,
actions. Many young men and young wo-
men in Kansas owe their start to his con-
| fdence in their future and his quiet and