The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-22

| prentice boy in the Goldsboro furniture
factory or as messenger boy conveying
| kilograms, he evidenced the true man de-
monstrated later at the operators desk,
as the custodian of the county's funds
as the representative of his people in
the General Assembly of the State or as
Mayor of Goldsboro. Approaching his
sterling character and splendid abilities,
his home people rally around him and
place a fresh laurel upon his brow when
ever he aspires to eminence among them.
George e. Hood is a child of destiny and
It is we'll that his home folk scatter
sweet scented flowers along his pathway,
for indeed and in truth, as he inhales
their delicate perfume his sense of APP
probation is so keen that his fellows are
made the brighter, and with them is
realized another testimony of the Master,
lit is more blessed to give than to re-
ceive." Honest and of a kind, affection
ate disposition, the same sincere man to-
day that he was yesterday, it Is no won
der his hold upon the heart-strings OF
this PEG pie is strong.
George E. Hood was born in the
city of Goldsboro, in Boundary
street, January 18th, 1875 At tender
age his parents removed to the farm
where George grew from childhood to
boyhood and where divided with the
work incident to farm life he attended
the country school in his neighborhood.
Returning to the city he attended
the Graded School till at the age of 16
years he entered the Goldsboro furni-
ture factory las an apprentice boy. He
spent a year in factory work and con-
Guided he would make of himself a tele-
graph operator At the age of II, he be-
gan the telegraph service as a messenger
boy. BY fidelity and application, at the
age Of IS he was given place at the key
in the Western Union office IN this city,
which work he followed till he reached
the age of 81 years. During the latter
two years of his services as telegraph
operator, of nights, after close of office
hours, he burnt the midnight lamp con-
tending with Blackstone and other text
books in the study of law, receiving pri-
vate instruction from tthe late Dial. M
Hardy, and from that Nestor of legal
lore, his personal friend, Col. Isaac F.
Dortch. At the age of 81 he was ad-
mitted to the bar and began practice, as
ISOLATED with Mr.. j. H. Fleming in the
city of Raleigh where he spent but
few months, when che pulled up stakes"
and cast his. lot among his own people
On the death of his father in 1897, who
was County Treasurer, the County Board
Of Commissioners elected Mr.. Hood to
fill the unexpired termi of his father, it
being argued by friend in his absence,
that he would not be a candidate for re-
election. So acceptably did he fill 1.-THE
office the people would have thrust the
office on him again, but true to the agree
ment of his friend, he would not permit
the use of his name for reelection. A
few weeks prior to the county eonven
ton of 1900 friend conceived the idea
of sending Hood to the Legislature. and
speaking Of this to another his candidacy,
without his knowledge, was announced.
The announcement struck happy cord
and from that day on his nomination and
by reclamation, was assured. He served
in the Legislature of 1901 with honor to
himself and pride to his people. Return
ing home his friends urged him to enter
the race for the mayoralty. His candi-
dacy was announced by a newspaper cor
respondent in these words: George E.