The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-03

the family had saved up one hundred
dollars in money and owned a little
home in the edge of town. 1t was a
little place of three rooms, but it rep
resented much hard work and saving.
When her husband was taken away
Mother Hodges said she had no
thought of being in need, for she had
faith in her boys and knew that their
early training would make of them
successful business men.
Throughout their business life she
has been to them an inspiration. "The
boys can't be apart" she said. "All
the property they possess is owned
jointly, and now when the remnants
of three families live under one roof,
we seem happiest. Before the death of
Franks wife the boys lived opposite
each other in the same block, but they
were always together. And now that
we all live in one house some of the
people of the town wonder how we
we get more pleasure out of life.
That's the real reason" There is a
mutual understanding in the Hodges
household: the women buy the supplies
for the home and the bills are paid at
the lumber yard without question.
1.-THE boys run the lumber business
here, and with their nine other yards
they find no time to bother about the
cares Of the household"
Becomes Travelling Salesman.
When George and Frank Hodges were
large enough to earn wages they learn
ed the trade of lathing and became ex-
pertS at this business. They nailed the
laths on hundreds of houses in John
son county, and hardly a day passes
that some farmer who has lived there
for a quarter of century or more
does not come into the lumber yard
Office and remind them of the time
when they nailed the laths on his
home. The Hodges boys were so quick
in this work of lathing that they av-
eraged three dollars a day each.
Later George became a travelling
salesman, travelling through parts of
braska. He knows all about the pri-
vations and the hard work the
knights of the grip must endure, and
among this large class of voters he
has a legion of friends and support
ers.
In Three Weeks 25 Cents.
George Hodges established his first
lumber yard at Olathe with borrowed
capital. He had been manager of
yard there, and one day he decided to
go into business for himself. He had
no money, and during all the years or
his life he had steadfastly adhered to
his mothers advince not to go in debt
for anything. But he decided once to
break this rule. He went to the bank
er who had known him from childhood
and asked him for a loan of $500. the
money was forthcoming, and a stock
of lumber was purchased and George
opened his yard. The first three weeks
the total receipts of the Hodges lum-
Der yard was 25 cents. 1t really look
ed blue for the young man, but the un-
conquerable spirit in him told him to
stay with it and success would reward
his efforts. George kept everlastingly
at it and little later his brother Frank,
who had been teaching school, joined
him and today their sales in Johnson
and joining counties, with their nine
lumber yards, average $3.50, 900 a year.
George Hodges through his indtv1d-
ual efforts became an expert account
ant and bookkeeper. A few weeks al
ter his father died this friendless boy
purchased a set of bookkeeping ana
studied it at night until he could run
up" a column of figures as quickly as
any man in Kansas. He also purchased
some copy-books, and in the old home
at night he practiced writing, and
within three months became one OF the
best penmen in Johnson county. George
Hodges is in the truest sense of the
word self-made man. He did not
neglect his education but like scores
of the strong men of the country, the
practical benefits he derived came from
the school of hard knocks in carving
out a name and a place for himself in
the business affairs of the state.
The Big BEOtner ACJS.
Every Christmas George and Frank
Hodges hunt up all the old aunties
and poor children whom Santa Claus
overlooks and send them a market
basket full of Christmas good cheer.
The color line is never drawn, and few
of the recipients know who it was that
remembered them.
A few years ago a colored boy, a
stranger, was given employment, and
shortly afterward fell from a train and
had a leg cut off. When George
Hodges reached the unfortunate man
to the poor farm. The grateful look
that overspread the black boys face
when Mr.. Hodges said, Take him to
my home" will never be forgotten by
those who saw it. He was given the
same care and attention as a member
of the family, and it's no wonder that
all the oldtime colOred men of johnson
county believe in George Hodges and
swear allegiance to him.
Square Deal Legislation.
The people of Kansas know of the
splendid record Senator Hodges has
made in the senate of the state in the
shaping of beneficial and square deal
an exponent of many reforms thai
have been written into the laws oil
Kansas has declared that Senator
Hodges was the most useful and IN
0uGnI1al
ing to passage the measures long de-
manded by the people of the state. II
is generally recognized by the Repub-
lican press that George H. Hodges is
the only Democrat in Kansas with
whom it is possible to defeat Governor
Stubbs Republican papers like the
Topeka Capital. the Topeka State
Journal, the Hutchinson News, the
Salina Journal and the Emporia Ga
zette, speak of him in high terms.
High Minded, Decent Man.
In the minds of the people of Olatht
there is but one estimate, and that i:
that George Hodges is a high minded
| clean, decent man. 'He never play:
politics, he is not a pretender ant
| grandstander and he does not play t
| the galleries. a lifelong Republican
| said TO the writer. "And I can sa.
more than that for George Hodges: h,
is not a blasphemer, he does not EN-
ploy in his conversation the Language