The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-20
NOT AS YOUNG
AS He LOOKS
Queer Objection Urged Against
Mr.. Earl Blake.
ANOTHER SELF-MADE MAN
Rose to Position on a Twelve
Dollar Start.

One of the serious charges made against
one of the Republican candidates now
participating in the municipal contest is
the charge that he is young. The charge
has been made against Earl Blake, nom
inee for city attorney. IL has been made
by Judge Babb In what statute or
ordinance OF law or morals youth is made
q crime is past the average understand
ing And if it is a crime, everybody has
been guilty OF il and many are guilty OF
it still, by desire at least; for every man
who has grown old desires to be young
again; and every one knows that all the
women are fond OF youth that they
never want to be more than sweet SIX
teen. Unfortunately for Judge Babb,
the record is against him. With valiant
tongue and pen he fought in The First
Great Battle for William J. Bryan, who
sought the presidency of the United
States when he was two years younger
than Earl Blake is now. And there is
quite a little difference between the city
attorneyship of Wichita and the presi-
cency of the United States
Earl Blake is not young. Every city
attorney Wichita has had during the past
twelve years, with one exception, was
younger than he is now. Earl is in his
the city have entered office at greater
age. in the entire history of Wichita,
He was born in Iowa at a place called
Bedford, in 1866.
Like Ben Mclean and mostly all the
candidates on the Republican ticket. Mr.
Blake is a self made man who rose in
the world while his nose was kept UNI
comfortably close to the grindstone. Be
fore he could get his feet on the ground
at all in his profession he compel ed
10 work for $l2 q month and board him
self. He was born and reared on a farm
where the opportunities for getting an
education We're not any too good. Al 10
he left Iowa and went to Hopkins, Mo,
where he worked in a store. Between
times he improved his education TO the
extent that long before he was 20 he
passed examination and secured d sec
ono grade certificate as school teacher.
In 1884 he came to Kansas, and the first
two tickets sold over the Wichita and
Western road were sold to him and his
father. They settled in Kingman in 1884,
where Earl taught school, clerked in
Store and learned the printing business in
the Courier office. advancing from devil
20 foreman of the shop, because of his
industry and aptness, in few years.
With the S225 he saved up while learn
Ing his trade clerking and school teach
ing a little he came to Wichita in 1889
and entered Garfield university to study
law. His money was exhausted before
he graduated and he commenced work
ing for Ed o Bryan in his law office at
- per month. being allowed few hours
each day for college law study. In 1891
he was admitted TO the bar and continued
to work for O'Bryau * Gordon. 1t was
necessary to learn stenography and type
writing in order To be successful in 4
modern law Office and he didn't have the
business college. He did the next best
thing. which shows of what stuff he is
made, and determined TO learn il himself.
He worked day and night without ceas-
ing and had mastered this important and
difficult branch in a few months. He be-
csme so proficient that he was able to
make a complete stenographic report of
the trial of those charged with burning
the court house at Newton. From $l2 a
month he became the Garner of over 800
month within two years and then
branched out in the law business for him
self.
When John D. Davis became county at
tCfney he selected Mr.. Blake for his
slstant. and he proved himself to be an
fhle man for the place.
Mr. Blake is now, and for several years
past has been the senior member of the
firm Of Blake & Ayrcs. They are the
rising lawyers Of Wichita. Mr. Ayres,
bis partner, has been prominent for ten
Or more years in Democratic and Populist
politics. and said yesterday that outside
Of his politics Earl Blake is one of the
hest men he has ever known. Mr. Blake
himself has never been deep in politics
teYond attending primaries and going to
county conventions. He is what lawyers
call digger: that is. a boolzworm in
the law. This gives him special fit
ress for the city attorneyship. for it is
largely an advisory position or one that
calls for a wide knowledge of the law.
Peing the stenographer and student of
H&rry /. Gordon, when the latter was
City attorney Mr.. Blake has already a
thorough understanding Of the duties Of
The office.
The opponent of Mr.. Blake is Frank
NiEhswonger. lawyer politician. county
auditor, editor Of a Populist paper. chair
man Of the PODuliSt county committee.
chairman Of the citizens city committee,
chairman of the so-called reform commit
tee Of fifty. farmer. and a whole lot of
ether things. Having already been ap-
pointed county auditor by Judge Dale at
handsome salary. a great many people.
even those on his own side, think that he
Is a little hit hoggish in asking for the
city attorneyship. especially since he has
TO experience whatever in that line Of
Law business. 1t is against public policy
20 give man two Offices Of Cmolument-
che in the county and one in the city-at
the same time.
Mr. Blake Is married and has three
beautiful children. He is fond Of home
life and books his favorites being law
book He Is said 10 be one of the best
read lawyers In Wichita. Personally he
is a very quiet although a very genial
man and is Wen thought Of by everybody
who knew him as boy fighting heroic
W. IL
know him now as a man and a LAWYER
II Is thought that he viii be among those
who VIII get the highest vote on the Re
publican ticket. The lecal interests CT
the city viii be as safe in his hands as
they have been in the hands of Mr..
Helm
STREET SPRlNKLING LAW.