The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-11

es in later life Park Trammell has
often said how proud he was that
he lived in a State and country
where the door of opportunity stands
ajar to every youth however humble
his early surroundings.
When sixteen years old Trammell
left home, going to Tampa, where he
accepted a position in a mercantile
establishment. Having been obliged
I to leave school at such an early per-
Iiod, he often studied at night. "burn-
ing the midnight OIL" to supplant his
educational deficiencies, and by sheer
hard studying on his own accord, in
years was as well posted as many
college graduates. He continued in
Tampa five years, and though his
earnings were considerable, he spent
for himself only what was absolutely
necessary. The rest he gave to his
father or saved to help pay his way
through law school, for he had de-
cided to follow that profession which
most statesmen have followed.
At about the age of twenty-one or
two QS97 we find him reading a
catalogue issued by the Cumberland
University Of Lebanon, Tenn, and
in 1898 he made arrangements for en-
tering the law department of that
most excellent school. After one year
of hard and faithful studying he had
completed the law curriculum, and
in June, 1899, had a certificate of
graduation issued him.
AS Young Lawyer.
Returning to Lakeland he at once
began the practice of law, thinking
it best to decline the offers of sever.
al big lawyers" to enter their offices
and go into the practice by himself,
though he had spent all his money
at school or in the support of the fam
lily, and had only few borrowed dol
lars to spend on fitting up an office,
but what little he did have he ex-
pended on his office, which was of
necessity very humble one. How
different from it and the large, ele-
Igantly furnished Office of Chief Mag
istrate, which he in after years oc-
cupied. A cheap office, very cheap,
was where the sturdy young advocate
began the practice; over a table made
by his own hands, at which he turned
the pages Of the Florida reports and
wrote out his declarations, bills of
, complaint, his pleas and demurrers,
and at one Of three chairs costing less
than a dollar apiece on which he
| sat. Twenty boks constituted his en-
tire law library. He kept the law
books of other lawyers over night to
look up his cases, often not retiring
until midnight, while getting start
ed in his chosen profession. OF ne
cossity he had hard time to get
! along. But upon every case, whether
, it was big or little, of Importance or
not, he did his best. A lawyer with
such a determination could not fail.
He won every case that could be won,
, and his abilities as lawyer soon
: drew towards his Office, increasing in
splendor and magnitude as the years
/ rolled on, many clients until he en-.
: joyed lucrative practice. His faith.
/ er had poor health and more failures
, during these years and Park Tram
nell, Lawyer" gave much of his
/ earnings for his care and treatment.
} He also gave literally to churches
, and charity, all of which contributed
to prevent him from acquiring wealth.
AS a middle-aged man his father
, died and the care of his younger
: brother, the mother having died also.
A Young Statesman.
: Through all these years the peo.
pies faith in Park Trammell did not
wane. Through the dark clouds of
the past, there finally appeared the
/ blessed sunshine of the future. The
l citizens of his town thought such a
{ good and sturdy young counselor
5 would make a good mayor for Lake
= land and in November, 1899, he was
I elected chief magistrate of the little
city and in 1901 was elected for a sec
s ond term.
S Next young Trammell was sent to
: the House of Representatives of the
r State assembly q903), many of the
n voters who voted for him havins
o some years before voted for his faith
g er for the same office. Making a good
t legislator he was upon the EXPIRATION
d of his term elected to the State Sen
I ate, and somewhat to the surprise o.
Q his friends elected president of that
g body, though about its youngest mem
g Der.
= In the Legislature he secured the