The daily sentinel., 1903-10-08
Distinguished Career.

sold out his ranch near Paonia and
intended to take an ocean voyage to
South America. hoping that the trip
would benefit his health. His condi
tion became such. however. as to pre-
vent his departure, and within the
last few days his decline was very
rapid. Mr.. Hammond was born in
Bradford, Pa. in 1866. At the age
of IL he removed with his parents to
Colorado, living one year in Saguaohe
county, eight in Ouray and sixteen
in Delta county.
He received a common school edu.
cation and until his entrance into
politics. engaged in farming and
ranching. While still young man
he studied law and soon made an en-
viable reputation for himself. His
strong moral character and fascinat-
ing personality secured an extensive
Gordon of friends for him. and in 1899
he was elected to the legislature as
representative from Montrose and
Delta counties. Two years later he
was returned to the legislature by an
overwhelming majority.
While serving as member of the
assembly Mr.. Hammond gained the
respect and esteem of his fellow legis-
lators, and there were few who would
care to enagge in an argument or
battle of words with him. His clear
and incisive manner of speaking and
his reputation for probity. together
with his absolute fearlessne rs. made
him an adversary that many feared
to encounter in debate. and with
whom many sought to gain favor.
He served as chairman of the COM
mittee ON privileges and elections,
as member of the committees on ju-
dicary. corporations and railroads,
federal relations, revision and consti-
tuition and state canals and reservoirs.
and his faithfulness and strict atten-
tion to the matters on hand gained
for him the admiration and approba-
tion of even his political enemies.
Mr.. Hammond was the possessor of
a stirring personality. His splendid
physique, his enormous breadth of
shoulders and his commanding height
gave evidence of the ruggedness and
sensibility of the inward man. When
he spoke upon the floor of the house
he never failed to command the at
tention of all present. and his remarks
were invariably cheered by his
hearers. He allowed no political
principle to intefere with his idea of
the right. and his biting sarcasm and
we'll aimed irony did more toward
guarding the rights of the people and
gaining prestige for his party than
the efforts of any other member of the
assembly.
He was known as fighter. clinging
indomitably to the cause he was
championing and acknowledging no
defeat. His retentive mind and fac
ulty for presenting things as they
really existed made him man to be
secured by the leadser of the factions.
and it was safe to predict that the side
on which Mead Hammond stood array
ed was sure to win. His efforts to-
ward building up and securing the
eeherh revenues Dill Is rememDereu
by the people of the whole state and
his tireless energy in this respect
gained for him the love and esteem
of the people of the entire common
wealth.
While an admirer of the works of
Tom Paine and Robert Ingersoll. his
respect for Supreme Being was al
ways evident and no man ever had
greater name for kindness and charity |
Hammond. His death is public |
calamity and will be mourned by the
people of the whole state. irrespective
of political opinions or personal ideas.
-