Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-06-05
A CITIZEN OF THE WORLD
Col. Hooker Can Run a National Cam.
paign, Boom Country FAIR or Raise
Church Debt.
(Frcm the Boston Globe.)


Col. George White Hooker is resident
of Brattleboro. VT. and a citizen of the
world. To call him a citizen of Il country
village would be misleading.
| One of the bon mots attributed to Col
Hooker years ago, was that, from a poll
teal standpoint, a man was an ASS to be
a democrat in Vermont or a republican in
New York City, the colonel always has de-
MED that he uttered the picturesque
phrase, saying that it was an invention
of the enemy. II he did not speak preci-
sely those words it is certain that he has
uttered scores Of picturesque phrases. Any
one of them might have been cut of from
the pattern OF the above and matched
nicely when another yard or two was
taken.
To judge Col. Hooker accurately a puri-
tapical yard stick should not be applied
to him. A great tract cannot be readily
measured by an inch rule. Col. Hooker
was built on a broad scale. One sample
may be given to show the breadth of the
man. He was one of the first men in town
to take down a fence surrounding his
grounds and residence just after his pur-
chase of an estate in Bratteboro
Colonel" said one OF his near neigh
bors, the boys will run all over your
lawn
BLESS your heart replied Col Hooker,
Il have been trying all my life to get such
He overflows with the milk of human
kindness, but wthal he is shrewd and
farsighted. He is known as a practical
politician. but he Is surchargcd with senti-
ment He is incapable OF doing moan
act and he would defend old Glory" with
the last drop OF blood in his veins. But
he would also think and say frankly that
a man is a blank idiot who would not
make million dollars, or lesser or a
larger sum, out of the government on a
contract.
He is a patriot. soldier, politician. bank
er and manufacturer, picturesque in all
these roles and successful, too.
Although New Yorker by birth, hav-
ing been born in Salem, n. y. Feb G.; 1893,
much OF Col. Rockers early life was spent
in Londonderry, little town in southern
Vermont. At first a clerk in a country
store. at the next step he was IAN embas-
sador OF commerce" and it is believed that
he coined that phrase
The outbreak of the Civil War found
him successful in business. He enlisted
as private in Co. F. 4th Vermont volun-
teers. He forged his way up from the
ranks by merit and was IA daredevil soldier
but always thinking as well as executing.
In 1852 he was a lieutenant. After Ante
tam he declined to be a captain. He was
appointed a staff officer of Gen. IA. E.
StouGhton. Then he was put on the staff
of that gallant soldier Gen. George j. Stan
nard, and Hooker surely was as gallant
a soldier as his intrepid chief. In June
1864, Hooker was made assistant adjutant
general of volunteers, and there the close
OF the war found him. He held the rank OF
lieutenant colonel when he was mustered
out. That is the baldest statement of his
war service His fellow soldiers will tell
stories OF him by the score and hour
During the war Col. Hooker was mar
ried to Miss Minnie c.. the daughter OF
James and Love Ryan Fiske of Brattle-
boro, Miss Fiske was the sister of Col
James Fiske, Jr.. the famous Wall street
Spectator and one of the most pictures
que men that the country has ever pro-
duced, Col. and Mrs Hookers only son
bears the name of his celebrated uncle.
After the war Col. Hooker Travelled ex-
tensively, but very largely in his own
country. He took his throw with all forms
OF speculation. and naturally he gored
In the west.
In the spring of 1876 he became a Junior
partner in the firm of William Isolden &
Co, bankers and brokers, New York
1t was about this same time that he first
located in Brat.leboro. Mrs. Hooker In
herited a fortune from her brother, Col.
Ftske. and their tastes fitted them for a
life In the country with now and then a |
stay in the cities.
For years Col. Hooker has had inter-
ests in New York, Baltimore and other
'i'ieS' AZ lloiHe ne mas Deen lnannfdC- |
turer.
He dnbbled in politics all his life. In
1878 he was made chief of the stan of Gov |
Redheld Proctor In 1880 he was a dele. |
sate-at-large TO the national republican |
convention at Chicago The same year he |
became member of the national republi- |
can committee, and achieved, as the say
ing Is, "a national reputation" lie became |
a member OF the executive committee. and
speedily learned how presidents are made
and unmade. His epigrams were widely
IN vogue all over the country.
He became sergeant at a rms of the House
II Representatives OF the Hth Congress. He
made more friends, he heard and told more
stories, he had the jolliest sort of a time.
and he was efficient. He was elected with
Speaker Keifer There came a political
evolution, and Col Hooker was entirely
content for he was always a philosopher
% come back to Vermont
He represented Brattleboro in the state
legislature in 1880 and 1882. During his first
session he was unanimously elected Judge
advocate general. He made contest later
or seat In congress. but the more con
'eivative element wanted one of their own
Col. Hooker served twice as departmeptl