davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

William S. Heller, court reporter for
Judge Day. is the oldest of the stenograph-
ers in point OF service about the district
courts. He has been continuously at work
In the local district court since the fall of
1890, when he started with Judge Wakeley
during the illness of Bert Wheeler. Since
March, 1891, he has been a regular ap-
pointee on the staff, starting in with Judge
Irvine and serving with Judges Walton,
Duffle. Powell. Keysor and Day.
Mr.. Heller was born July 90 1856 in
Albany county, New York, and attended
the public schools, graduating from the
Albany High school in June, 1885. He
began the study of shorthand when s
years of age and the week after gradua-
ton took position as teacher of shorthand
and typewriting in the Capital City Com
mercial college at Albany. Not being
adapted to teaching, Mr.. Heller quit It to
go into the law office of Matthew Hale
at Albany. He came west in March, 1886,
and in June of that year carried the first
typewriter into South Omaha to work for
the Hammond Packing company Later Mr..
Heller became stenographer with Judge A.
NJ. Post of Columbus. He has had expert
ence in railroad work, too, with the Union
Pacific. Besides his stenographic work Mr..
Heller takes an active interest In Masonry,
braska lodge No. 1. In 1892 Mr. Heller was
married TO Miss Blanche Benton. They
have two boys to brighten their home.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28
Seven who Are Jealous.

II is not out of bounds OF impartial criti-
cism to say that the group of judges pic
tur,d on this page comprises seven men as
willing and as anxious to do exact Justice
rs any similar group that can be photo
graphed anywhere in the country. Not
great scholars, II may be; nor profound
thinkers as specialists occasionally are; nor
yet deserving the adjective great for their
accomplishments; but plain, sensitive souled
men with goodly measure OF the training of
the schools and not ungenerous store OF the
sharpened experience that, while not con-
gealing, tempers the natural milk of human
kindness with that sense Of right that par
takes of the divine when exercised with
level and impersonal mind. The critical
listener, while his ear may note the I'M
grammatical lapse, or the mixed tense. will
easily forget the shadow II the substance
and the conclusion be made clear and given
solid form. In doing the devoirs OF the
Jealous mistress he serves. 1t is only de-
manded of the just Judge that his practice
shall make his intention materiallze in that
which has the essence and the spirit OF
right.
Having been boys with other boys. prac-
ttioners with other growing devotees OF
the law, declaimers of the law before they
became its particular guardians the Judges
OF the district court are men among men.
Isolated in position, impersonal In attitude
and with open mind. their very position as
umpires is Ideally calculated to bring out
whatever there is in them capable OF de-
velopment in the line of clear sight and
judgment unclouded 10y the mist OF error.
1t is tribute bespeaking a very fair mod-
cum of success in these particulars that
breath of scandal or charge of self-serving
has not rested against even one man among
them.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28
Trials of Huma nifty.

Human nature appears before the bar in
all its crassness,. naked and not always
attractive. Some litigants are struggling
for Justice while others are fleeing from
II. Some are seeking money, and others
are spending more than the amount In
volved to keep them from getting 1t. Some
cases bring out the fact that men often
escape all the dangers of disease only to
be killed on the railway; or that they es-
capped bullets and pestilence only to be
laid low by a broken sidewalk. Divorce
cases, the bane of the judges, uncover
family skeletons that would have shocked
the contracting parties to death IL they
had been limited at in the days before the
honeymoon waned and the bill collector
got on the visiting list. Characterization
lays before the judges conditions and in
cidents that greatly tend to lessen their
primal faith in man. Yet through 1t all
they must maintain a non-committal and
unprejudiced attitude. Facts are for the
jury; only the law concerns the judge.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

Judge Howard Kennedy, son of the late
Howard Kennedy, is native Nebraskan,
having been born at Nebraska City on
october IL, 1865. His parents moved to
Omaha in the fall of the following year.
and Judge Kennedy was educated in the
public schools of the city, graduating from
the high school in 1885. He later attended
Williams college, graduating with the de-
gree of A. B. in 1889. He is also grad
uate of the law department of Washing
ton university at st. Louis, 1891. from which
institution he holds the degree of Ill. b.
Judge Kennedy was admitted to the bar
in 1891 and to practice in the United States
supreme court in 1901. He was elected to
the district bench in November, 1904, to
I'LL the unexpired term of Judge Irving +.
Baxter, resigned. He is also an instructor
in Creighton law school. He was married
to Miss Mary r. Cunningham of Lincoln
in 1897, and they have one child.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

3ERHAPS no class of men in a
community such Omaha have
more to do in large way, with
83fnisA the affairs of all people than the
e&kAV judges of the district court.
They not only deal with the liberties of the
citizenship at some time or other during
their service; but rights of property are
being passed upon by them in some form
every day. Partnership disputes business
deals, marital troubles. land contracts
either to buy sell, commission contracts,
insurance contracts, breach of promise
suits, and thousand and one different
phases of commercial, official and domestic
entanglements are before the courts con-
tinually. And at times single cases in
volve' the passing upon many different
questions of law.
The judge who is successful in inter-
preting the law with any fair measure of
Justice or of satisfaction to litigants, and
in the last event to the commentator of
the superior courts, must be keenly alert
to the nice distinctions drawn by that
wonderful thing of shreds and patches
known in its entirety as The Law. He
should, in the ideal conception Of the jurist
for the people, know much law as all
the lawyers put together, and should have
the almost divine precedence to swiftly sft
the wheat from the chaff. OF the latter
there is very much. sufficient to accentuate
II that were possible, the shrouded sight
of the already Blind Goddess. The kernel
that has merit for profit and for growth
is nearly always hard to locate in the
fog Of sophistry and the smudge of
casuistry that clever pleaders raise without
any seemingly great effort.
Dealing largely in prize conversation
as they do, many members of the bar
yea, and many real wyers!-make earnest
effort to direct the attention of the man
on the bench away from the real point he
should keep In mind to the advantage OF
some false reasoning. II the judge remove
his vision from the lighthouse at the har-
Dor of Justice he will, like the misguided
mariner. strike the shoal of danger and
gather. instead of peace of mind. vain re-
greet.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

do not lay claim to being anything more
Judge Day sums the whole thing up when
he says:
My experience as lawyer was the same
that of every other man who started
without means-a hard and a long strug
gle"
The judge does not mention the hanging
on. the UNFOLDING of spirit during discour-
agement, the logged sticktoitiveness that
were very important parts of the struggle.
These strengthening and purifying ele-
ments came to him, as they have come to
all worthy men. with "the long. hard strug-
gle."
Nor does Judge Day tell to everybody
how. when he had accumulated $50 by
stress of great economy, he was brought
to think the world even a tougher place
than he had heretofore found it.
II invested the money in a note" said
the judge one day when in a reminiscent
mood. II thought this a safe play and
legitimate chance to add few dollars TO
my resources. Five days before the note
Tell due the maker busted and my entire
fortune was swept away"
The rising generation can find a good
subject for study in any of the court rooms
of Douglas county. Casting back a genera
ton OF years he can find Judge Estelle,
discharged from the army, packing tobacco
in a Kentucky warehouse, then studying
law, teaching school, unconsciously develop
ing the traits of character that have made
him a kindly, as well as a forceful, man
and won him civic advancement.
The boy of today who thinks his own
lot hard can ease his mind by thinking
Of Judge Troup working in the stone quar-
ries Of Ohio when he was 11--and the short
work day was then unthought of. He can
ponder on Judge Sutton turning his hand
to what came for him to do in the little
Wisconsin village; and give some profitable
thought to Judge Redick in the capacity
OF minor clerk, working his way up to the
chief place Judge Day was devil and gen.
eral helper in a printing offce-blessed basis
of sure advancement!-worked on the farm
and tried a little Of everything. willing
ooys are apt to do in small places, until
he realized the hope Of his life and en-
tered his fathers profession. ..
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28
Frank smith,. Record.

Frank A. Smith, stenographer in Judge
Sears court, is a native Nebraskan, born
in Lancaster county in March. 1873. lie
has been resident of Tekamah since 1895;
attended college at Lincoln lS99-l9OO; was
appointed secretary to Judge W. G.. Sears
when speaker OF the house in 1901. became
stenographer for the state banking board,
Lincoln, at close of 1901 session OF legisla-
ture. and served as such until appointed
court reporter by Judge Sears In January.
1907.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

an educated eye He was porn at Keosau-
qua, la, december Ii. 1854, receiving a linn
tied common school education. lie was a
peanut butcher" like Tom Edison, when
he picked up the rudiments OF shorthand
from FItmans manual while running on
the Chicago, Burlington d quincy road.
In 1873 Mr. Valentine went to Dakota and
became the first official reporter for the
territorial courts, under Judge Peter Z.
Shannon When Alonzo Edgerton succeeded
Shannon Mr.. Valentine still acted as his
reporter. In 1883 he came to Nebraska to
serve reporter for Judge A. NJ. Post;
then back to Nankton for a short spell, and
back to Nebraska with Judge +. b. Tif-
fanny. In 1886 he came to Omaha as re-
porter for Judge Neville, and served for
long time while there were only two re-
porters. Bird Wakely and himself. Served
with Judge Doane and Judge Ogden until
May 1898 when, with four other men, he
was selected official reporter of the
Worlds Columbian congress at Chicago.
Mr.. Valentine says this was probably the
biggest single job of reporting ever accom-
plished in this country. All copy had to
be completed within twenty minutes after
each session. Afterward he was president
of the National Court Reporting agency
In Chicago, and 1t was during this time
he reported the Prendergast murder trial
(Prendergast having assassinated Mayor
Harrison); also assisted in reporting the
trial of the men who killed DR.. Cronin.
Most of the conventions held at the Trans
mississippi fair in Omaha were reported by
Mr.. Valentine He conducted a general re-
porting business here until appointed by
Judge Troup to his present position in 1904
Mr.. Valentine has been for the last three
years secretary of the republican city GEN.
.ral committee,
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

Judge A. L. Sutton has been a resident
OF Nebraska since the spring of 1887 He
came here from Wisconsin, having been
born at Oregon, in that state, in 1866. His
first public office came to him in 1892, when
he was elected member of the legislature
from Douglas county. He was reelected
in 1884, and In the spring of 1895 was ap-
pointed a member of the Board of County
Commissioners TO I'LL the vacancy caused
by the death OF Major Paddock. Judge
Sutton served out the term. but was not
a candidate for reelection. He was elected
to the district bench In the fall of 1903
and has just finished the first two years
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

Thomas p, Wilson. reporter in Judge Es-
telle's court, has been a resident OF Omaha
for thirty-six years. Started TO study short
hand when 10 years Ola, while Office boy in
the Union Pacific General Offices. He has
been doing Shorthand work continuously
since 1883 and has been a court reporter
since April e. 1887. He has been with Judge
Estelle since November, 1900.
Mr.. Wilson has reported many important
cases during his service with Judges Groff,
Garrison, Ferguson, Dickinson and Estelle
He is somewhat given to keeping tab on
his work as the years go by and has kept
$40 books that are filled with his notes OF
hand, not negotiable. Each book contains
about 800 pages. One OF these pages Of
notes will make over three pages Of type
written stuff. Mr.. Wilson writes the small
est OF notes, but stands well up In his pro
fession about six feet high. He is not so
broad by a good deal but he aims at a
high degree OF perfection all around.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

Frank J. SutcIiffe, stenographer Tor
Judge Sutton. came to Omaha in 1881 and
until 1887 was in the employ of the Union
Pacific and Burlington as stenographer at
headquarters. In that year he became en-
gagged in general shorthand work and
gained a good reputation for accuracy and
reliability in discharging his duty. AS re-
suit of this, Mr.. Sutcliffe WIS appointed
court reporter by Judge Read in 1902,
serving in that capacity until the retirement
Of Judge Read. He was selected by Judge
Sutton to do the reporting in his court
last spring.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28
Prattle and Sayings of the Youngsters

Sis-What does all them women come
to look at tn baby for?
Bub-'Cuuse it's the newest one in town,
an they want to get on to the latest styles,
I guess.
80 you think your parents are unjust
TO you, Willie? And that your teacher has
1t in for you? You're a poor abused
martyr. aren't you?"
Eyes, 1 am. Everything l do is laid to
met
Mamma" said a small miss of three
years, ''our Sunday school teacher said
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28
Favcett q YOungster.

w. ]. Fawcett, stenographer in Judge
Kennedys court, is native of General
Grants town, Galena, Ill. Coming with
his parents to Omaha in 1888, his first en-
ployment was as a carrier on The Bee,
which work he performed. like numerous
other Omaha boys, while attending high
school. Beginning with January. 1900. Mr..
Fawcett served four years as stenographer
with Judge Dickinson, and is now serving
his second year with Judge Kennedy. He
was married in 1903 to Miss Mabel Beard
of this city.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28
Native Son of Omaha.

Judge W. A. Redick is the only native
son" of Omaha on the district bench. He
was born in Omaha on April 2, 1859. He
is a graduate of the Omaha public schools,
and at II began the study. of law. Two
years later he took position in the office
of collector OF internal revenue, remaining
there four years, the last two with Collector
Crounse as chief clerk. Admitted to the
bar in 1882, he engaged in active practice
until chosen TO the district bench in the
fall of 1904. Judge Redick married in 1888
Mary o. Wood. daughter of Reuben Wood.
They have one son, John Wood Redick, now
a grown man.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28
Clint. of Judicial sunshine.

Appreciation of real humor Is not lost
to any of the local judges in the serious
ness OF the business they have to do.
1t is rare for day to pass without some
touch of humor or fash of wit Frightening
the case at bar. One day a minstrel
minded barrister was expounding to Judge
Estele a nice parallel between his own
case and one that had become mummified
in the books. The Judge could not see the
relevancy OF the two, and to convey his
notion OF their lack of germane relationship
he told this little story very seriously:
Down south, Mr.. a negro ex-
horter, shouted to his congregation. Come
up and line de ahmy OBJ de Lawd' One
man stood up and yelled, Use done jined.'
Wizard yoh jlneT asked the eXhorter.
In de Baptis' chu'ch.' The preacher gave
a dsgusted shrug and replied, Why,
chile. yoh amt IN de ahmy; yoh's in de
navy This case is clearly in a different
class to the other"
In the criminal court there are always OPP
portunities for the exchange of the merry
quip, without offense TO any one. After
sentencing a colored culprit named Knight
to the penitentiary for year on plea of
guilty Judge Day remarked, as he noted
the sentence on his record:
"'This seems to be another case of day
fading night"
The prisoner had been fading" other
colored gentlemen with de bones" before
he got into the hands of the police
Another time Judge Day was tempted to
tell a story about parrot to point a moral
on the admission OF n prisoner that he knew
he had done wrong and was only getting
what was due him.
This parrot" said Judge Day, could
talk almost like man. and DOSSibly II
could swear. 1t was belligerent bird and
inclined TO be bibulous. One day It found a
little whisky left in glass on a table and
drank it, When found later its owner
thought the parrot was dead, but being a
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

doctor and Jocularly inclined he proceeded
to minister to the unconscious bird and
then took it to hospital and put 1t in a
bed, with a bandage about its head. When
the bird came to it sized up the surround
ings and noted the smiling but emaciated
faces about 1t. Then it suddenly burst out
with, Well darn my eyes! Here I am at
last, just where 1 belong!" Even the
prisoners attorney saw the point of the
story. and there was no motion for a new
trial.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

God would punish us If we were bad"
He certainly will" replied her mother.
Does God wear slippers, mamma?"
asked the little one seriously.
Children sometimes have peculiar ideas
Of the eternal fitness of things.
BESSIE" said the minister, addressing a
little girl of six, wouldn't you like TO be
a Christian
mo, SIR" answered Bessie. 81 would
rather sing in the choir"
.
well. Tommy" said Spawnger, who had
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

Calvin C. Valentine, official stenographer
in Judge Troups court, is self-instructed In
the art of making crooks, dots and triangles
that read into English when viewed with
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

Representative OF the average OF the bar
these seven judges surely are, and they
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

just called. hope I haven't disturbed your
pa and ma, at dinner?'
mo" replied Tommy, I'VE were just gon'
TO set down, but pa seen you from the
winder and he told ma not to have dinner
till you left"
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

Of his term. In 1897 Judge Sutton married
Marion Il. Noycs, daughter of Senator
Isaac Noyes of Waterloo. They have two
children.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

law docket on February 5. About the only
claim personal to himself that Sears will
fight for is that he has one of the bright
est and happiest families of children in
Nebra ska.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-28

Mamma-What did you do with your new
ball. Harry?
Harry-Throwed it down the we'll
Mamma-And how do you expect to get
It out again?
Harry-Oh, when the world turns over
tonight 1t will fall out.
The Democratic advocate., 1906-08-03
OF PUBLICATION.
No. 1902 EQUITY.

No. 1oV@ EQOAl L.
Ia the Circuit Court for Carroll County, sit.
ting as Court of Equity.
Bertha Rigler, plaintiff, VS.. Henry B. Rigler,
defendant.
The object of this suit is TO procure a di
yoree vinculo matrmonm by the plaintiff
from the defendant.
The bill states that the said plaintiff, Bertha
RigIer, was married to the defendant, Henry
B. Rigler, in the month of March, 1902, ia
Carroll County, in the State of Maryland, by
the Reverend VIM. II. Franklin, a minister OF
the gospel.
The bill further states that the said plaintiff
aud defendant lived together in Carroll
County as man and wife until October, 1908.
that they had one son, now living, aged three
years.
The bill further states the defendant was
unfaithful to the plaintiff and that upon this
ground the plaintiff asks for a divorce win
eulo matrimonii from the defendant.
The bill further states that the plaintiff has
been compelled to support herself and her
child since October. 1903, aud prays such
other and further relief as her case may re-
quire.
The bill further STATES that the plaintiff is =
resident of Carroll County. in the Siaie of
Maryland, aud that the said defendant is a
nonresident Is the State of Maryland but
whose place of residence is unknown la the
plaintiff.
II is lhereuron this 10Th day of Jaly. A. d.
1906, ordered by the Circuit Court for Carroll
County, sitting n Court of Equity, that the
plaintiff, by causing copy Of this order 10 be
inserted IN some newspaper published ia Car
roll County, Maryland. once week for four
successive weeks before the 10Th day OF Au
gust 1906. give notice to the said defendant,
Henry b. Rigler, Of the object and substance
of this bill, warning him to appear in this
Court in person or 10y solicitor ON or before
the 10th day Of September. 1906, to show
cause, if any he have, why decree ought not
to be passed as prayed.
DAVID p. SMELSER, Clerk.
True copy,-Test:
iuly20 It DAVID p. SNEIsER, Clerk.