Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1905-03-23
JUDGE THOMAS LIFE.
Lived Thirty Five Years in Ruena
Vista, and Was Often Honored.

Vista, and Was Often Honored
Judge Thomas death came at the
very close of a distinguished public ca
reer During thrty-fve years resi-
delc" IN this county he served as collll-
" attorney, district attorney. district
judge and finally, congressman.
Lot Thomas had the right beginning
for the brilliant career which he after
wards developed He was born ON n
farm in Fayctte county, Pennsylvania
October H. 1873, and like most young
men at that time. remained at home
until he reached his majority in the
fall of 1854. He had attended district
Sc hool during the winter months while
Living ON his fathers farm, and as soon
as he was q years of age he went to
Ohio, and soon afterwara entered
HayesviIe institute, at FIayesville, mt
that time known a., "Vermillion msti-
tute. Here he distinguished himself
as faithful student, and WAS at one
tim" Offered a place as Instructor in
thu institute.
HaNesvilIe WAS endeared to Mr.
Thomas. and he has always said he
came from Ohio. None Of his friends
ever had hunt of his early life in
Pennsylvania.
Earned His Own Way.
Declining Il position on the faculty in
NermIlon institute. Mr.. Thomas came
west to experience the frontier life,
which was the making OF so rnany
rugged men. many of whom have since
been prominent in affairs in northwest
ern Iowa. When Mr. Thomas came to
Iowa he was % years of age His frs,
idea was to farm, but he secured a
school ut New Virginia, Warren co,n-
~, and taught two terms While
teaching he worked for a farmer and
assisted in making his board and
room.
His money he saved. and finally
bought some law books which he read
while teaching. When January L. 1870,
came, he had saved money enough, and
was determined TO continue to study
law. He entered the law department
of the state university at Iowa City, re-
manning two years.
When Lot Thomas came to north
western Iowa. it was as a lawyer and
not as a school teacher Sioux Rapids
then had hopes of being the county
and Mr. Thomas opened law office
there in 1871.
How He Met Mr.. Toy.
One of his frs, cases was To col
lect a judgment against James F. Toy
of Storm Lake. now of Sioux City,
Mr.. Toy and another young man OF
Storm Lake had signed a replevin bond
to secure a pair of horses for the use
of the two young men who We're show
ing every indication of industry But
the young fellows decamped and it was
up to Mr.. Toy and his friend to pay
the amount. They kept putting the
matter off from time to time until
finally 1t was placed into Mr. Thomas
hands to collect.
He proceeded TIC write "r Toy a
series of letters and Mr.. Toy replied
that he hoped the young men would re-
turn ana bring the horses back. Money
WIS not at all plentiful i'm those frontier
days, and though the matter was only
5000. il was repeatedly put off. MIR
Thomas threatened trouble, but Mr.
Toy begged him To wait Iol :ne horses
to return.
Were Life Long Friends.
The man who had signed the bond
With Mr. Toy paid his part of the
Judgment hy giving the woman whom
they owed an old sewing machine He
also arranged for Mr.. Toy to pay his
share in jewelry which Mr. Toy had
LEGATION and it was With much salts
fdcti"n that MIR Tov notified the young
attorney ut Sioux Rapids that his ser
wees would not be needed in collecting
III" amount of the Judgment
Mr.. Thomas WAS somewhat wrought
ulN over me lNallef out MAS soon rec
oneiled To Mr. Toy. Tncy became close
friends aud while MIR. Toy has con-
tiMued in the banking business, there
has not been Il Wear since Lot Thomas
tojlpMet the county seat to Storm
Lake that he has not been retained on
n salary, as counsel to Mr. Toy Mr.
Toy considered his advice ON amy mat
ter of business Ms almost infallibe
and Wherever anything out of the or
di@arr nelpleNed the huancier, he
t'uslcd ;h. counsels of Mr.. Thomas
and neNei failed To find them judicious
Mr.. Thomas Was nj the time of his
death, one of the largest stockholders
in the Farmers Loan and Trust com
pPAy an institution founded by Mr.
Toy.
Mr.. Thomas Honored.
When The couGtN scat of Iil.ena Vista
county was moved % storm Lake. MIR
Thomas followed il. He WAS elected
county attorney later and served With
such credit thai the J3uena Vista coun-