Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1914-03-13
JUDGE ". A. MASSEY

humanity, the sweat of whose
hrows and whose calloused hands
were eloquent with the dignity of
labor.
We'll do we remember the first
time We ever saw him. Ii was in
the exciting times If 1892 at the
convention held in the old Freeman
Hall to organize the Silver party
in this county and TO nominate q
county ticket. His wholr soul was
in the movement and his effCrts
in behalf of tic new pariy were
rewarded with the nomination Of
r1ember Of the assembly. An tXcit-
ing campaign followed and he was
successful at the polls. His record
as a legislator speaks for itself.
On his return from the legislature
he formed partnership with Hon.
Webster Patterson, then district at
tOrncy of Elko county, and engaged
in the practice Of the law. At the
ensuing election he was elected dis
trict attorney 10y the silver party.
In 1896, he was the candidate Of
that party for supreme judge and
was elected, but resigned the
Office before the expiration Of his
term. He was an able, just judge
and his record on the bench won
laurcls for Ncvada's highest court.
On retiring from the supreme
bench. he formed law partner
ship with Judge Cheney of Reno
and engaged actively in the pTaC-
tice of his profession. His political
ambition lay dormant from that
time until 1910, when ne became n
candidate at the primary election
for the republican nomination for
governor and was defeated by Task
er l.. Oddie, the present governor.
On the refusal of George Wingfield
to accept the appointment o! Unit.
ed States Senator to fill the vac
ancy caused by the Dc tn of Scna-
tor George S. Nixon. Judge Massey
was offered the appointment and
accepted il. He filed that high
position with ability and credit to
the state until the adjournment of
congress in 1912. He then became
the republican candidate for Unit.
I'd States Senator and. after an en-
citing contest, he was defeated by
Hon. Key Pittman, the democratic
candidate. by a small majUiit ity.
This was his first defeat before the
electorate of the state.
In me Of his campaigns, he re-
ccivcd the support of this paper
and in Others il opposed him. This
was notably true in his first and
last campaigns. When he first
visited Elko in 1912. he called at
the Office and inserted his political
announcement. On being Informed
that the paper would do everything
in its power il could lpgitimatcIy
to defeat him he insisted that his
announcement appear in its col
umns. The interview closed with
tho best of feeling on both sides.
That was the last conversation We
had with him.
During The time, he lived in this
county. differences arose between
him and the writer and at tines
there was bitterness of feeling on
both sides. But age mcll0ws youth,
and for many years n strong friend.
ship existed on the part Of each for
the other. T, day we forget these
differences and pay n humble tri.
butte to his memory.
Judge Massey was born in Oak.
field, Perry Comfy, Ohio, October
u, 1856, When n lad his fanil,
removed TO Illinois, where he grew
to manhood He attended college
ut Mcrcom ard Grccncastlc. Indiana
He was admitted to the bar in Sui
livan, Indiana, where he practice
until he came west in 1886. lie
was married at Mcrcom, Indiana
and is survived by two sons, DR.
Bobeit X. Massey, who resides il
Indiana, and DR.. William II. Mas
scy Of Washington, d. G. His wife
died in Indiana in 1890. When ht
came west he located at San Diego
California, and remained there 1
year and then came to Tuscarora
There he engaged in mining unit