The Glenwood post., 1921-08-13
JUDGE MUSSER DIES
OF HEART ATTACK
Was Prominent Attorney and
Served as Chief Justice Of
Supreme Court 70
IMPORTANT DECISIONS

George Washington Musser, former
chief justice Of the Colorado supreme
court, and for more than thirty years
a resident of Colorado, died at his
home, 2244 Eudora street, Denver,
Sunday morning, at 1890 O'Clock,
following heart attack.
Although he was confined 10 his
home more or less for the past six
months while recovering from stroke
of paralysis, his death came unexpect-
eddy. Attending physicians were hope
full that he would soon be able to re-
turn to duties, despite a weakened
heart condition, following his steady
recuperation.
During his long services as member
of the Colorado bench and bar, Judge
Musser, self-made man, held many
outstanding offices, most important of
which were those of arbitrator during
the coal strike in the coal fields Of
southern Colorado several years ago,
and his appointment as federal arbi-
traitor during the recent world war, as
well las his connection with the su-
preme bench. AS a leading member of
the Ancient Free and Accepted Ma
sons he served as grand master for the
Colorado jurisdiction in 1909 and 1910.
ahnI p
California, May 10, 1862. His early
years were spent on a farm in Nevada
and the middle west during which time
he attended school when time awaited
itself Unable to obtain secondary
education by attending high school,
the future lawyer of note managed to
obtain an education for himself by
studying at home in the evenings.
He later entered Valparaiso univer-
sity at Valparaiso, Ind, from which he
was graduated in 1856 at the age of
"a, as a bachelor of science in civil en-
cheering. Following his graduation
he taught school and removed to Colo
RADIO Springs where he became principal
of grammar school. This position he
held for several months, at the same
time studying law after school hours,
and later in law office at that place.
Five years after his graduation as
civil engineer he was admitted to the
practice of law in Colorado, and soon
qualified to appear before the federal
bench in Colorado.
On April 2, 1891, he was married to
Miss Belle Mccoy of Livingston coun-
ty Illinois, just seven months before
qualifying to appear before the federal
courts.
He lived with his family in Colorado
Springs, where he established law Of
fees, and developed special practice
until 1909, when he was elected to the
supreme bench, followed by an early
succession to the office of chief JUS
tice, which he held until the close of
1915.
While serving in that capacity he is
accredited with having written the
opinions in a number of the most i'm
portant cases ever adjudicated in Col
orado, and has been considered at all
times one of the fost prominent men
in public life in this state.
He was considered A. friend by em-
ploye and employer alike during tho
strike difficulties which prevailed in
the coal fields in southern Colorado in
1914. He served as an arbitrator at
the time, and it is said that many Of
his suggestions for remedying the sit
uation were favorably accepted by both
parties.
During the war he served as United
States official mediator in numerous
labor disputes in various parts of the
United States, part Colorado,
Texas, Nevada, Washington and Ari-
IONA, and was frequently called to
Washington, d. G., for important con-
ferences with government officials
there. He conferred with the secretary
of labor in Washington ON more than
one occasion because Of his intimate
knowledge of affairs in the western
section Of the United States.
He returned to the private practice
e of law on leaving the supreme bench
in 1915, and was especially engaged ~