Evening star., 1936-07-19

tlOn ndQ Deeu piduue0-d pOOuIuk
cannon was to launch the festivities,
and Hamilton was asked to pull the
cord firing the gun.
He did so, but there was a terrific
flash backward as the cannon ex-
ploded. Hamilton was killed instantly
The misfortune broke not only the
heart Of the gay family. but also OF
the Fort Madisonites. They took the
widow and her children to their bosom
and insisted that they make theil
home right there.
In this midst John Hamilton, father
OF the present chairman of the Re-
publican National Committee, grew
up. His full name also was John
D. M. Hamilton. the initials standing
for Daniel Miller. He studied law
became an attorney and was elected
Mayor. He was employed by the
Atchison, Topeka g. Santa Fe Rail-
road as one of its claim attorneys.
Brother of Film Actor.
Two sons were born to this genera
ton of Hamiltons, the older being
Hale. now So years old, screen player
in Hollywood. The stage kept him
for years; many will remember him
on Broadway in the lead role of Get
Rich-Quick Wallingford." The other
son was John D. M Hamilton, I'd.
The father being good lawyer and
Topeka being the headquarters of the
Santa Fe, it was inevitable that the
company should ask him to move
there. So in 1898 the family made
the trek to the Western State which
an earlier Hamilton was to have ruled
as territorial Governor. The family
prospered.
When young Hamilton was in his
second year at the Northwestern Uni
versity law school. his father died
but the youth continued his educa-
ton. In his senior year he married
Miss Laura Hall of Topeka, sweet
heart of his boyhood, the wedding
taking place on December 20, 1915.
To them two children were born
John Hamilton. Sd. now a sophomore
at Phillips Academy. his fathers
school, and a daughter Laura, now
in the public school at home.
For two years after his graduation
from law school Hamilton practiceo
at Kansas City, returning early in
1918 to Topeka to set up Office. A
month later he enlisted in the 23rd
Machine Gun Battalion in the World
War.
Following military service. John re-
turned to Topeka. and in 1919 was ap-
pointed assistant States attorney
holding that position until 1920, when
he ran for the Office of probate judge
and was elected. He didn't do it to
enter politics primarily, but as a mat
ter of finance.
Needed the Job" He Says.
II needed a job" he said frankly
land I figured that $3.50 a month
would maintain my family, 20 I went
after it."
And to go after thing, for John
Hamilton, means exerting the last
ounce of energy to get it.
Let 1t be remembered that he was
only 28 years old, and he had commit
ted the political error-akin to suicide,
usually-of not talking first with Dave
Mulvane, national committeeman and
more or less boss of Shawnee County
Republican politics.
He announced his candidacy and
then went around to confab with Null
vane about it. Mulvane refused to
support him, but put up a regular
organization man and then contentedly
waited for the election to put John
Hamilton in his place"
Rash young Hamilton decided he
could and would win without the ma
chine. He tramped the streets OF
Topeka, up one side and down the
other. campaigning from door to door.
When the returns were in, Hamilton
was elected and the Mulvane crowd
was foored. Never had the town seen