Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1912-02-29
nrnGE w. C. HOOK.


lost this appointment because OF Its
duarreling at home, just as 1t mas
lost other appointments OF which It
would have been proud. Few men
have made such a fine record as
Judge Hook. He was born In Way
nesburg, Pennsylvania, in 1857. He
has been a Judge since 1893, his
first appointment being by lPresi-
dent Mckinley to the United States
district judgeship for the district OF
Kansas. Four years later he was
made Judge of the Eighth district
circuit court, which position he now
holds.
Into the years between the time
when at nine years old he emigrated
with his parents from the little Penn
- sylvania town to the far west and
today have gone history typical
Of the rise Of many an American
youth. After a short period OF pion-
eering in Nebraska, the family went
by OK and mule team through the
Indian country and finally to Color
ado, the lad taking his turn at driv-
ing. Vividly with him yet is the ex-
perience of nightly stockades OF the
prairie schooners to protect the party
from the redskins. Another year
saw the family headed east, this time
settling in Leavenworth, Kansas,
which has since been Its home.
Young Hook went to school, car
rying papers after hours to help the
family. In 1877 he entered the law
school OF Washington University
trying, because Of his lack OF funds,
to do two years work in one. He
broke down; was taken home to die;
recovered; returned to the univer-
sity for examinations, and received
his diploma. He was recognized "a
an earnest young man and Lucien
Baker, afterward United States SEN
ator from Kansas, took him In his
law office, Eleven years later came
his first office-holding, appointment
to the bench--if we except term
as city attorney to which he was APP
pointed by a Democratic mayor.
Not an exciting life story, per-
haps: bare Of western breeziness and
lacking in striking incident. Nothine
In its history IL spectacular but ev-
cry page Ii marked by grim serious
ness and hard work. He has worked
when others played. When he sue
ceeded Judge Foster who was inca
pacited by illness for several years
and retired, he found the docket four
years In arrears. Starting for his
vacation, he took with him two mail
sacks filled with the records Of cases,
some OF which had been five TO fif-
teen years awaiting decisions. All
summer he struggled with the docu-
ments. He worked for the govern
ment during his playtime and when
he returned there was daylight In
this court. Each year he takes with
him on his outings enough work to
keep an ordinary man busy the sum-
mer through.
Tall, slender, with gray blue eyes
and thin lips, he gives a first i'm
preston Of GOODNESS and reserve
Once acquainted, the reserve dis
appears and he becomes most com
'panionable friend.
In Kansas where men are quick tc
form opinions. few have so many
friends who will take off their coats
and work for their advancement al
Judge Hook. Much OF this has come
from the high respect for him as
presiding Judge. studious, cautious
unbending in his ideas Of absolute
Justice, be has stood for equity II
Jurisprudence. Perhaps, too, thu
fact that in politics he was Away
active but never sought an elective
position for himself-a rare thfnl
in Kansas-had something to do Will
t.
Naturally this attitude has no
pleased everybody. For instance
when President Mckinley made hin
Judge OF the district court the rail
roads protested that he had acte'
successfully in damage sult rase'
AGAINST them. But the appoints
made an upright Judge and he wa
promoted TO the circuit bench b,
President Roosevelt.
IN this position he had varyinl
commentator. when he concurre'
f. the decision Of the court Of ap
peaIs 81 the Eighth circuit to dissoly
the standard on company. hts opin
lon vas eminently satisfactory TO To