Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1910-08-18
BEN ". HOOPER
FOR GOVERNOR
Defeats Hon. A. A. Taylor on First Ballot in
Enthusiastic Republican Convention
Factonal Issues Are Entirely Eliminated, and
Unanimous is Hooper's Endorsement

was further emphasized when r. s.
Sharp took the rostrum and made a
strong address counseling so Der delib-
eraton in the selection of candidate
and ended by seconding the nomina-
tion of Hooper. He was cheered vocif-
erously, the applause coming from
what was now seen to be large ma
iority of the convention.
The voting then proceeded. Hooper
had lead from the start. Numerous
counties divided, Hooper holding his
own even in recognized Taylor strong
holds. East Tennessee gave more votes
to Hooper than to Taylor, and the lead
of the former increased as Middle and
West Tennessee counties voted. Ham,
ilton county gave sixteen to Hooper
and five to Taylor. Knox, for which
Rogers had spoken in behalf of Taylor,
gave Hooper twenty-three and Taylor
six. Shelby, Harry Anderson's coun-
ty, gave fifteen to Hooper. Washing
ton, Tayor's home, divide ed by giving
five and half to each candidate Sew
ier gave sixteen solid to Hooper, while
the Cooke county delegation, seated in
front, yelled with delight as they con-
tributed eight to their fellow towns
man. The vote as announced was
Hooper, 3S2 9-14 Taylor, 201 5-14.
Mr.. Gettys, of Athens, then moved
that the nomination be made unani
nous, and Ben W. Hopper was formal
ly declared the nominee.
Capt. Ben W. Hooper, who was to-
day nominated by the republicans as
their candidate for governor of Ten
nessee, has, by his own efforts and ac-
umen, risen from obscurity and power
ty to a position Of affluence, influence
and prestige. He was left an orphan
at a tender age. His father was
North Caro- linian, and the residents of
Newport say he was poor, in ill health
and died with no provision made for
his family. Ben Hooper was picked
up on the streets of Knoxville, waif.
friendless and in want, and placed in
an orphan asylum. He remained there
until old enough to earn his liveli-
hood, and, with the aid of new found
friends he made his way through Car
SON and Newman college, at Jefferson
City.
After his graduation, he studied
law, and was admitted to the bar in
1898. He was then 90 years of age,
being only 80 now. He was elected to
the legislature in 1903, and again in
1895. These were the only elective
office he ever filled. When J. r. Pen
land was appointed United States dis
trict attorney for East Tennessee, he
chose B. w. Hooper for his assistant.
This place he filled for nearly three
years with credit to himself and to the
satisfaction of the court and chief at
torney whom he served, resigning the
position short time before his term
expired.
When the war with Spain broke out
he enlisted in the volunteer service
and was commissioned captain of Co.
c., Sixth United States Volunteer in
fantry. He saw active service in Gu
ba and possesses numerous evidences of
the value placed upon him as an Off
Ger by his superiors.
During recent years fortune has
smiled upon Capt. Hooper, and his
ventures in business way have prov
en- profitable. Real estate in Texas,
Oklahoma and in Birmingham has
made him good returns, and he is now
credited with being one of the most
substantial citizens of his section. AS
evidence of his tender feeling for the
agency which helped him in childhood
he recently without any gusto or ad /,
vertisement, mailed his check for
$40, 900 to an orphanage in East Ten
nessee.
He is Baptist and stands high in
social circles in his home.
The evident pride of his neighbors
in his nomination today seemed to
touch him more deeply than any incl
dent of the convention. Capt. Hooper
IS married and has three children.