Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1910-11-10
ROMANCE OF
HOOPER'S
CAREER
TenneSSee'S Next Governor
Was a Founding.
Taken From Asylum an Infant By DIR.
Hooper, Served In SpaniSh-Amerl-
can War---Man OF UDdOubted In.
tegrlty and Character.
Especial to TEmes-Recorder,)


election of Capt. Ben w. Hooper, ra-
publican, as governor, through the
coalition of the republicans and the
anti-Patterson Democrats brings
prominently in the public view a man
of decided strength of character, un-
questioned integrity, much mental
ability, and with flavor of romance.
in his career that brings strongly to
mind the early days of the late Gov.
Johnson, of Minnesota.
Gov-Elect Hooper's birth is un-
known. His earliest years are enyel-
0ped in obscurity.
Prior to his selection as fusion can
didate Captain Hooper was little
heard OF outside of East Tennessee,
where he was known as "a forcefIl
young lawyer who had served a term
as assistant United States district at
torney and had represented the county
of Cooke in the state Legislature as a
republican seYeral years back. That
he had haen fortunate in business at
fairs, having accumulated "a fair for
tune as the result of land transactions
in Oklahoma. and that he had made a
conditional donation of $4,000 to an
orphan asylum we're also known in
his own country.
Found in FOndling Asylum.
Sketches of his life Immediately af-
ter his nomination stated that he was
at the age of four placed in found
asylum at Knoxville and at nine lad
been adopted by DIR. Ben Hooper, of
Newport, who reared him. In time
intimations of some further mystery
beyond the first named period of his
early life being heard, he issued a
statement corroborating TIE facts as
stated above, and declaring that If
amy dared go back further into the
story of his origin they could do so
and he would be elected governor by
100000 votes
The previous comparative obscur-
lily of the fusion nominee, who OBJ
tanned his title of captain during the !
Spanish-American war, worked strong
Vi toward his ultimate nomination
over the old-time republicans in the
state 1t is matter of common know
ledge that his nomination Was agreed
upon, if not insisted upon, by lea1-
ers among the independents, both sides |
being DESTROYS of obtaining some ma
tive born young man without jdenti- |
fictation with any obnoxious traditions
or connections that have hung to the
republican party in the South since
bloody shirt element were pushed |
into the background and every effort |
was made to take advantage of the |
opportunity offered of ac-
complishing the two great aims Of the
allied interests-the winning of the
state for the republicans and the
complete obliteration of Governor
Patterson and his regime from Ten
nessee politics, and the maintenance
Of the prohibition and election laws
Blue and Gray Supported Him.
As best illustrating sentiment during
the final acts of the dramatic climax
in Tennessee politics, the Confederate
soldier vote was undoubtedly split IN
twain Both platforms were equally
solicitious of the welfare of the
grizzled hero and TIE great concourse
Of orators ON both sides that made the
we,bin reverberate all over the state
bid for his patronage and support,
The speaking platforms everywhere
contained his presence as an exhibit
and In the larger cities he figured con-
spicuously in the demonstrations and
parades ON both sides. In Nashville
the unique sight was witnessed OF
members of the Frank Cheatham Con-
Bivouac seated side by side
with members of the local Grand Ar
my post, loudly cheering the fusion
for governor when he spoke
tere.