The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1919-05-13
DEAN CHALKLEY PAYS TRIB-
UTE TO CAPT. REUBEN
HUTCHCRAFT.

In the last issue of the Kentucky
Law Journal, appears the following
tribute to the memory of the late
Capt Reuben B. Hutchcraft, of
Paris, from the pen of Dean Lyman
Chalkley, Dean of the Law College
of the University of Kentucky, in
which Capt. Hutchcraft was a lect-
urer on law subjects before the call
to the colors came:
"a mans life is measured in time
by a span, but it's worth by his deeds
of contribution to the spiritual treas
urye of his people.
"The life of Captain Hutchcraft
was a distinct product of the social
and religious ideals of the Blue Grass
Kentucky traditions, very faithful
and genuine exemplar of very de-
cided type. Simple in tastes, gener-
Gus in impulses, loving in disposition,
steadfast and courageous in all rela-
tons, a pubuic spirit was bred in
him. He belonged not to himself,
nor was he the subject of mere fam
| lily domination, but he recognized
and appreciated his kinship and uni
ty not only with those with whom
he was in immediate contact, but all
those with whom he was connected
| through the traditional ties of
common blood, common faith, and
a common liberty of custom and
| thought.
HE was born in Paris, Kentucky,
| thirty-two years ago. His first i'm
pressions were of the rich soil and
generous nature of his native land
| He was educated and received the
bachelors degree in arts at Transyl
vania University at Lexington. Both
at home and in the University life
was discovered to him as charge of
love, of duty, of devotion to princi-
pie, and of obligation to his relation
ships.
"Under the spur of this impulse,
having received a vision of wider OPP
portunity for usefulness, he decided
to study law at Harvard, where he
graduated in 1910. On his return he
undertook the practice Of his profess
sion at Paris. Very soon the call
came from his people that he should
offer for membership in the General
Assembly of Kentucky, to which he
was elected. While still represen-
tative in the General Assembly, he
|
fessors in the Law Department of the
University of Kentucky. He was
serving in this capacity when the
call came to his people to send their
young men to arms in defense of
their soil, their traditions, their
faith, their liberty, and their poster
| ity. This call he answered eagerly
as the highest opportunity that
could come to him to serve, and hav-
| ing received the rank Of lieutenant,
he was sent among the earliest to
the critical danger front in France.
-Four days before the armistice
was signed Captain Hutchcraft was
killed in action, having before that
time been promoted to the rank of
Captain for meritorous service. In
comforting upon him the Distinguish
ed Service Cross after his death, the
War Department said: For extra
ordinary heroism in action near Sc
dan, France, November Z, 1918.
Capt Hutchcraft personally took
| charge of a platoon of his company
which was designated as advance
guard, and led his patrol to the
most advanced position reached by
any of the troops during the engage
ment. He was killed while making
reconnaissance within thirty yards
of the enemy guns
I'm the Legislature Captain Hutch
craft distinguished himself, especial
| ly as a. member of the Tax Commits
sion, through whose efforts benefi
cent revision of the tax laws of the
State was accomplished. This SER
vice alone will entitle him in his
name and in his reputation to the en-
during gratitude of the people Of
Kentucky. In his capacity of teach
err, he proved to have magnetism,
enthusiasm, and a power of inspira-
ton, all of which endeared him to
his students and gave promise of
great career in the training of
youth"