The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-01-11
A MIGHTY OAK HAS FALLEN.

A MIGHTY OAK HAS FALLEN.
The fine analysis of the late Judge
II. H. Trimble's character and the
/ worthy appreciation of his life and ser
vices published in the news columns
of The Gate City yesterday in con
nection with the announcement of his
death leaves but little to be said in
the way of editorial comment upon his
long. useful and honorable career. He
was one of the really great men OF
I the state and nation, and his death
marks the breaking of another of the
strong links binding the past to the
present, While mourning his loss
/ with sincerity that cannot be ques-
1 toned, this community has reason for
thankfulness that he was part of
lit for SO long time and that it was
privileged to know him SO we'll Rich
as Keokuk has always been in men
eminent by reason OF their talents and
distinguished by reason of their ac-
complishments, 1t was never richer
than when Judge H. II. Trinbie honor
ed it with his splendid brain and fine
personal character.
Judge Trimble had an exceptionally
strong, acute and well-balanced mind
He had the faculty of seeing at
glance into the very heart of things,
and his ability to perceive was sup
plemented by ratiocinative powers OF
a high order To whatever matter he
had in hand he always gave undivided
attention, bringing TO bear upon it all
the force, efficiency and skill of his
well-trained intellect. In all his long
experience at the bar as a lawyer it
may safely be said he never went
into the trial OF case unprepared
1t was a habit of mind with him to
know all that was to be known con-
corning any given matter that engaged
his attention, and the wide range of
knowledge he thus acquired was
equalled only by his skill in making
use of it. In addition to thorough
knowledge of the law and allied sub
knowledge of human nature which
served him in good stead in the
practice of his profession. 1t did not
suffice him TO know simply the legal
points involved in controversy He
insisted on acquainting himself also
with the human factors involved, their
habits of thought and their viewpoint
OF life and its problems, and thus
equipped he rarely lost case He was
one of the most sagacious men Iowa
ever produced. This is attested not
only by the wisdom with which he
ordered his every day life and by his
professional success, but no less con
clusively by the fine record he made
in the business and financial world.
His reputation as successful banker
was second to the renown he won as
lawyer only. because less generally
known.
Judge Trimble's native endowments
and tastes and more or less Of his
training qualified him especially for
the role of a statesman. He was es-
sentially statesman all his life but
as member Of the minority party in
the state he had small CHARGE for the
exercise of his talents in that line.
Had he been differently situated he
must inevitably have reached exalted
place and won high honors in public
life. Intricate problems of statecraft,
like knotty problems of law, had a
special fascination for him and he
brought to bear upon them all the
powers of his keen analytical mind
He delighted in dissecting them and
resolving them into their simple com
ponent parts. He had the power, too,
OF making others see them as he saw
them in their final analysis. Such
talents as Judge Trimble possessed
are given to but few men. That he
exercised them so well throughout his
long and active career adds to the
worlds Indebtedness to him and is
further evidence of the loss it has sus-
tanned in his death.
AS citizen, neighbor and friend he
was all that could be desired. His
kindly manners endeared him to all
acquainted with him. and he enjoyed,
as he deserved, the confidence and
esteem of the entire community. In
every relation in life he measured up
to the full stature of man and made
for himself an honored name.