Hall County, Nebraska - Chapter 24: The Bench and Bar of Hall County, 1920

Chapter 24: The Bench and Bar of Hall County

The First District Court in Hall County - Second Term of District Court - Third Term 1871 - Term of April, 1872 - Court in 1873 - Court Work, 1874 - Court in 1875 - In the Fourth Judicial District - Court in 1877 - Court After 1877 - From 1893 ON - In the Matter of the Change From the Old Court House to the New - Retirement of Judge John R. Thompson - Court Officials of Last Fifteen Years - . . The Lawyers of Hall County - At the Beginning of Hall County Court Work, 1868 - Those Who Came During the 'Seventies - Arrivals During THE 'Eighties - During the 'Nineties - Arrivals Since 1890

It is reputed that the first court business done for Hall County was transacted at Columbus in 1868. At that time, Lieutenant Governor O. A. Abbott was the only resident practicing attorney of Hall County.

The first record of the district court of Hall County is opened under date of November 30. 1868, at Page 1 of Volume 1 of the Dis- trict Court Journal. Judge Lorenzo Crounse, who called this court for the date given on application of the commissioners, was not present, so the clerk, John Wallichs, adjourned court until December 1st, when the continued absence of the judge occasioned another adjournment. On December 2, the puzzled clerk, inpatient jurors and lawyers and provoked litigants were greeted with the presence of his honor, who opened the morning sessions, with John Wallichs, clerk, E. F. Gray, district attorney (who resided at Fremont), and Henry Rose, sheriff. The grand jurors summoned for that term of court were Peter Boch, George Canfield, H. Giese, Edward Hooper (foreman), J. Riss, H. Bockman, Edward Keuscher, Hans Knuth, Elijah Lane, Henry Schoel, A. P. Beaman, J. Crean, P. Moore, J. T. Reese, Edward Gumar and S. Lamb, the last two being excused by the court and Patrick Dunphy and Henry Tempke were sum- moned. The first matter brought for action was the admission of John S. Martin of the Ohio bar to practice in Nebraska, his admission being made upon motion of District Attorney Gray. Mr. Martin resided in Merrick County, and never opened office in Grand Island. Henry Schoel, Hans Knuth and Henry Tempke, all grand jurors, were admitted to citizenship. Joachim Doll, John David Schuller, Henry Joehnk, John Hann, John Seier, Nicholas O. Hansen, Peter Stuhr, Carl Boehl, George Lounzen and August Thorspecken were also admitted to citizenship. Other matters disposed of at the first day's session were, a continuance in the case of A. C. Mc- Lain vs. Joseph Smith; a judgment against Daniel Freeman for $163.72 in favor of Richard Smith; the overruling of a motion to dismiss the case of assault and battery against Wesley Folsom ; a judgment rendered by a jury (of which C. C. Ridell was foreman) against C. A. Hartzell, in favor of Conrad Grein, and the dismissal of the suit by Koenig & Wiebe against John Siere. On December 3, the grand jury returned an indictment for forgery and one for larceny.

Michael Crean, Carl Becker, Teith Becker, Detlef Sass, Gottfried Merker, James Crean and Henry Lilianthal were admitted to citizenship on that day and the trial of John Jennings for forgery, and Elijah A. and John E. Meyers for larceny, were begun. Defendant Jennings was found guilty on the 4th, by a jury of which Robert Mitchell was foreman. C. P. Hall who had been assigned to his defense was unable to save him from a two-years' term in the penitentiary. The Meyers' were acquited by a jury of whom S. Canfield was foreman. Patrick and Richard Moore of the Wood River settlement and Henry A. Koenig were admitted to citizenship. Mr. Koenig, as treasurere of Hall County, receipted for $40, being the amount of commencement fee for suits brought to this term. The November, 1868, term of district court was adjourned sine die on December 5, 1868. This term was presided over by Judge Lorenzo Crounse. At that time there were three judges of the Nebraska Supreme Court. The work of the district courts of the state was divided into three districts and one of the members of the supreme court took charge of the particular district in which a county was embraced and handled the trial work for that district. This system continued many years. The first term of Hall County's district court was presided over by a judge who for six years was a supreme judge and chief justice of that court, Judge Crounse, who afterwards served the state as governor.

Holding The First Court

When Judge Crounse came to Grand Island to hold the first session of court, he had sent word ahead to SheriflF Henry Rose to secure the largest hall available in town. Sherifif Rose used often to relate that he made search about town among the very few available places, and the only one he could secure was the dining room of the Michelson (Nebraska house) hotel. Court was set for nine o'clock, and the sherifif secured the room upon the understanding that court could run along uninterruptedly until ekven o'clock,- then court must "vamoose" and let the corps of dining room girls prepare tables for dinner. Accordingly court convened, and ran along until the neighborhood of eleven o'clock, and the judge being unaware of the true situation, court went right along, until a clatter of dishes and silverware became too strong, whereupon the judge demanded that those offendors be removed. Upon being advised by the sheriff of the superior claim of the dining room girls, he remarked that was a great way to treat a court and a great place to hold court, - but nevertheless court adjourned for dinner.

Second Term Of District Court

There is no record of court being held in 1869. The May, 1870, term was opened an May 24, 1870, with Judge Crounse presiding. John Wallichs, clerk, E. F. Gray, district attorney, and H. Hald, sheriff present. The grand jury comprised John Meagher, William Hollingshead, C. C. Jerome, J. Kraft, F. A. Wiebe, C. D. Mevis, John Riss, William Spiker, C. W. Thomas, Adam Windolph, John Haup, Perry Hack, N. V. Hansen, Fritz Roby. William Eldridge and David Miller. Civil suits of McLean & Russell vs. Charles Davis and Koenig & Wiebe vs. John Seier were reported settled. A judgment for $464.40 in favor of Fred Hedde and against Freeman C. Dodge is recorded.

Albert Swartzland, an attorney of Omaha, moved the admission of William H. Piatt to the bar, which motion prevailed. With the entrance of Mr. Piatt to the Hall County bar, a second figure was brought in to join with Mr. Abbott, both of whose names repeatedly appear in every form of creditable activity throughout the pages of this story of Hall County's growth and progress. A jury was called to pass upon, and granted the, application of Fritz Stark to build a mill-dam across Wood River. The first divorce case was begun and ended at this session. Anna Magereth Elsabea Pap had her maiden name of Tiedge restored, and her marriage relations with Johann D. Pap were dissolved upon proof that he had been absent for over two years. Martin Schimmer and Hugo Hald be-

Third Term, 1871

The third term was begun May 3, 1871, although called for the first Monday in April, an adjournment that had been occasioned by the inability of the judge to be present. The court officers were the same as in 1870. Among grand jurors, not heretofore listed, were Peter Peterson, James Tout, R. C. Jordon, E. O'- Brein, William Johnson, Daniel Wainright, Daniel Baker, J. G. Nagy, Patrick Nevills, L. Melson, Henry Egge, William Powell, J. W. Jones, George Cornelius, W. Rollins, George Williamson, Harry Norton, H. N. Chapman, H. Makely, George Loan, James Baldwin and Joseph Jenneman.

George H. Thummel and Attorney Sparks of Central City were admitted to the bar, and O. A. Abbott reported that he had examined J. A. Piatt and found him qualified for admission to the bar, and moved his admission. A judgment for $971.20 and costs ware assessed by the jury against Joseph Smith, and in favor of McLean & Russell. Patrick Nevills, H. Obermiller, H. Garn, P. Peterson, C. D. Mevis, Alev A. Baker, Christian Hann, Carl Hann, Claus Hansen, Theodore Noll, Martin Horn, J. Boehl, John Hays, John Foulks, Jonothan Francis, John Quaine, John Davis, John Bishoflf, Louis Engel, August Engle, Fritz Kruse, H. Bauman were admitted to citizenship at this session. The court appointed O. A. Abbott, Geo. H. Thummel and Chas. H. Brown as a committee to examine all applicants for admission to the bar. Mr. Brown was an Omaha lawyer who practiced extensively in Hall County courts at that early date.

Upon motion of Attorney W. H. Piatt, W. C. Buderos was admitted to practice. Mr. Buderos practiced at Grand Island for a few years, and figured in many activities before he left the county.

Thomas O'Neil pleaded "guilty" to an indictment for manslaughter and Judge Crounse sentenced him to ten hours a day hard labor in the state penitentiary until April 1, 1881. A jury, with W. H. Lamb as foreman, returned a verdict against Hugo Hald and other defendants and in favor of Fritz Stark for $47.86. A case that Wm. Stolley brought against S. S. Canfield was continued. Treasurer F. A. Wiebe receipted for $45 commencement fees for this term.

In January, 1872, D. E. Marler, jailer, was locked in the cell by a prisoner named G. E. Mason, who escaped. Mason had escaped once before, but returned to his warm cell owing to the severity of the weather.

Term Of April, 1872

TERM OF APRIL, 1872 The term was fixed for April 8th, was postponed by the judge's late arrival until the 9th. Judge Crounse presided, with Clerk Wallichs and District Attorney Gray present and William Spiker as sheriff. Serving on that grand jury were Michael McNamara, Henry Temke, James Baldwin, W. H. Denman, L. W. Rollins, James Michelson, W. H. Mitchell, J. D. Schuller, E. B. Veeder, Samuel Huston, William Deuel, Joe Wesley, E. W. Brown, John Windolph, Charles Hoffman and John Calahan. Henry Giese and Jesse Shoemaker were appointed bailiffs for the term of court. John D. Hayes, an attorney who also served Hall County as county superintendent of schools and probate judge, moved the admission of J. H. Darnell, of the Iowa bar. Christian Menck, John Pehrs and Paul Petterson were admitted to citizenship. Charles Ross, George Anderson and George E. Mason were made defenaants under separate indictments for larceny. George Williamson and John Buenz were admitted to citizenship on April 10th. Heinrich Scheel, Theodore Scherzberg, Thomas Nevills, Charles Scherzberg, Christian Wasmer were admitted on Aprill 11 and 18. The second divorce decree granted in the county released Elizabeth Bishoif from marital bonds with John Bishoff. George H. Thummel was appointed assistant district attorney to prosecute the case of People vs. Peter T. Manning, which was tried to a jury with Enos Beall as foreman, and a verdict of not guilty returned.

Thereupon the commissioners on April 23, 1873, made an application for a term of district court. Judge Samuel Maxwell answered on May 12 and set June 30th as the first day of the June term. Judge Maxwell, who was the second judge to come to Hall County, served for twenty-one years as supreme and district judge in Nebraska. His was the longest term of service of any supreme judge who has served Nebraska.

With Judge Maxwell, were present a new district attorney, M. B. Hoxie, Clerk Wallichs, and Sheriff Spiker. Henry P. Handy was foreman of the jury. He was also defendent in the first case taken up, wherein a judgment was rendered against him and in favor of Wellington Odell for $1,658.95. At this term, a mortgage foreclosure showed up, wherein Fred Hedde was plaintiff and H. Hald and Christine Hald were defendants. The bar commission reported in favor of the admission of T. O. C. Harrison and Henry Nunn as attorneys. Mr. Nunn practiced at Grand Island for a time and removed to St. Paul, Howard County, but Judge Harrison was a familiar figure to all students of affairs in Hall County, and served in many public offices including chief justice of supreme court of the state, and up to his death in 1919 was an active attorney at the Hall County bar. At this temi new citizens added to the roster of Hall County were Adolph P. D. Egge, Henry Pieper, Henry Gulzow, J. M. Oltman, H. Kruse, Hans Ruge, Sievert Rief, Clause Stoltenberg, Peter Bergfeeth, A. C. F. Wendt, F. Wilde, C. Engelke, Peter Jehrs, Jacob Suhr, H. Beersen, F. Hues, William Engel, Peter Meesch, James Buenz, Paul Frauen, Clause Frauen, Peter Wiesse, Charles Rief, Lawrence Kilkenny, Patrick Kilkenny, Martin Nolan and John Graham, and later Henry Wiese, George Thavanet, Hans Behrens, George Lorenzen and Louis Lorenzen.

Thorspecken and James Stough were appointed bailiffs for the term. David W. Beach was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to one year in the penitentiary. The case that attracted the main attention, State vs. Chas. Ruelberg, et al, was continued over the term, after a jury had been empanelled on October 28th by plaintiff withdrawing a juror. Indictments were returned against Anna Cross and W. H. Anderson, questionable house keepers, and John Doe, known as "Sandy," and Spence, common gamblers were indicted. Court adjourned sine die on October 28th, and then Hall County, plaintiff", by O. A. Abbott, its attorney, filed a dismissal of the embezzlement charge against Charles Ruelberg.

The April term opened with Judge Maxwell presiding, and District Attorney Hoxie, Clerk Wallichs and Wm. A. Deuel as sheriff'. The cases taken up were becoming too numerous by this time to allow any very individual treatment or mention except of the most unusual cases, for lack of space in this work. W. P. Nicholsen, Nathan P. Kelley and William Goellner were appointed bailiffs. Applications for citizenship being granted admitted William Johnson, Nicholas Bonsen, Ehrick' Prahm, Peter Mohr, John Laidemann, Henry C. Ahrens, Peter Meinert, Charles M. Horn, Daniel Baker, Hans P. Ericksen, John Hauss, Robert Froberg an(| George Boehm. The first probate petition heard was that of George W. Hulst, administrator of Jesse Turner estate, for leave to sell real estate handled in vacation after the April term.

In October of that year a term was held with the same court officers. John J. Schaupp was granted leave to build a mill-dam across Wood River. Cornelius P. Henderson was divorced from Harriett L. Henderson, the first divorce granted in the county which named the man as plaintiff. Upon motion of ^^^ H. Piatt, Warren Thummel of the Iowa bar was admitted to practice. Amelia Wire was granted a divorce. Henry^ Schimmer, Henry Kesbari, D. M. Reuter, Claus Panstian, George Grantahm, Jurgen Heesch, George Leger, Herman

Oelrich, Charles Christiansen and George Greve were admitted to citizenship. Treasurer Hagge received $60 for commencement fees, and the term was adjourned sine die on October 27, 1874.

Judge Maxwell opened the April term on the 13th. W. J. Burger was foreman of the grand jury. Emilie K. Balling was given a divorce from Frank Balling. The grand jury in Buffalo County in March had returned an indictment for murder in the second degree against Emma Grabach, and this cause was tried to a jury comprised of William Stolley, Peter Petersen, John Ruff, James Vamey, John C. Atkinson, P. S. Wingert, James Hall, Jens Olsen, John Duhlsen, George Cornelius, Henry Baumann, and N. M. Depue. The jury, with Wm. Stolley as foreman, returned a verdict finding her guilty of manslaughter, but recommending the defendant to the mercy of the court. George J. Spencer was admitted to the bar, and Frederick Muntzert, Niels Hansen, John Bolders, William McCracken, Niels Anderson, L. Rasmussen, Claus Eggers and Ferdinand Loehle were admitted to citizenship, and the court adjourned until May 8, 1875.

On May 8, 1875, at a session of court Charles R. Smith of the state of Virginia was admitted to practice upon motion of John D. Hayes. M. R. Abbott, James Holden and John Holden were admitted to citizenship. Emma Grabach was sentenced to the penitentiary for one year from April 15, 1875. On July 27, 1875, Judge Maxwell heard the case of Oconto Company vs. Wm. H. Piatt. An October term got started on October 28th. E. V. Clark was foreman of the grand jury. A lengthy civil docket was presented the court at this term. Upon motion of Wm. A. Piatt, C. D. 'Culver of the Illinois bar was admitted to practice. John Genz, John Hendricks, John Johnson and Daniel Ertel were admitted to citizenship.

In The Fourth Judicial District

in Nebraska, and the judges of the supreme court no longer were compelled to travel over the state and try the cases in district court. Judge Geo. W. Post of York, on Januar>' 12, 1876, fixed the time of holding regular terms of court in the counties then forming the fourth judicial district - Hall, Merrick, Platte, Colfax, Dodge, Saunders, Howard, Seward, York, Butler, Polk and Hamilton. The fourth Tuesday in February and the first Tuesday in September were fixed for Hall County.

Court was opened on February 23rd, with the same court officers as were present the year preceeding. Martin Ott, Hans Rief, Frederick Schleichardt, John Mahony, Thomas Mahony, Hans Wiese, Henry Weise, C. Clausen, Kasper Hein, Johann Hinrich Rief, Werner Foellmer, Fritz Tomsen, Claus Grotzke, Carl F. Petersen, Peter Laubach, Ludwig Schultz, and Fritz Wiese were admitted to citizenship. The grand jury returned a bill of indictment against Leander Wolfe and Paul Heitz for grand larceny, and upon trial the jury found them guilty and they were sentenced to one year in the penitentiary. Christopher T. Hall was admitted to practice upon presentation of proper certificate from the territorj' of Wyoming. The fall term began on September 5th. Henry Streeve, Nicholas Mildenstein, Peter D. Thomsen, Peter Schumann, J. E. Meth, F. A. Schieck and Othman A. Abbott were admitted to citizenship. Arthur E. Pinkney, Loring Gaffey and and a large number of civil cases were disposed of.

In February, 1877, Judge Post of Columbus presided, but brought a new district attorney with him, Hon. M. B. Reese of Saunders County. Judge Reese in after years served twice on the supreme bench and was twice chief justice of that court. Clerk Wallichs and Sheriff Deuel were still on the job. New citizens admitted to that privilege were Martin Brett, Gustav Schaurup, Hans A. Klingenberg, John C. Stark, M. Hokinson, H. Buensen, Bryan Harcy, W. Guenther, Patrick Higgins, John Lammert, Heinrich Graack, Christian T. Lykke, C. Schaurup, Nicholas

Rauert, Claus Klindt^ Christian Nieberber, Hugo Oelrich, Hans J. Moehler, A. Blunk and Arnold Oelrich. Howard T. Marshall was tried for forgery and found guilty by the jury. At the adjourned April term, Erns Marquardt, Carl Daberkow, Peter Thomsen, Michael Kroger, Joachim F. Dibbern, Bertha Wiese, A. M. Stevenson were admitted to practice Charles Stolle, Peter Mohr, Juergen Giese, John Lemberg and Carsten Lemberg were admitted to citizenship; in the September term the same service was rendered to John Allen, in years afterwards clerk of the district court, IMichael Kroger, August Dobberstein, John L. Johnson, John Anderson, Detrick M. Sweeden, Caroline Petterson, Pereke E. Petterson, Jocob Geise, Christian Ipsen and Henry Reese. George H. Caldwell, a West Virginia lawyer, was admitted at this time.

Court After 1877

In 1877 when the February term convened, a new sheriff appeared upon the scene, Joseph Killian. Alex. Campbell was admitted to the bar. George Thompson was indicted of burglary and found guilty by the jury, and sentenced to one year in the penitentiary. At the September term, 1878, Edward Wilson pleaded guilty to the indictment for burglary and was sentenced to two years in the penitentiary.

At the term in February, 1879, upon motion of T. O. C. Harrison the court admitted to the bar, from Iowa, John R. Thompson, who was afterwards judge of the Hall County district court for twelve years. George H. Thummel and Dr. M. J. Gahan were appointed commissioners of insanity. Charles Davis was sentenced to one year in the penitentiary for burglary. Richard Goehring was admitted to citizenship on May 16. It would take more space than this chapter can be allowed in this work to continue a full list of the admission of applicants to citizenship that were passed upon favorably by each term of the court in the thirty years that have elapsed since this point in our narrative of the history of the bench and bar of Hall County. As all of the matters heretofore recorded in this chapter transpired during the time that Volume 1 of the Court Journal was being made up, it will be seen that it is furthermore impossible to carry with such detail an account of proceedings had in the twenty valumes of the Court Journal that have been formulated since 1879.

When court met on March 2, 1880, Judge Post had a new set of court officers in part. District Attorney Reese and Sheriff Killian were still on deck, but Hall County's second clerk of the district court was on duty, Charles Rief, and B. C. Wakeley was shown to be present as court reporter. Mr. Wakeley was later succeeded by E. M. Battis. M. B. Hoxie, P. S. Battle and M. B. Reese, a committee serving to examine candidates for admission to the bar, reported favorably on the petitions of George B. Darr, D. H. Burroughs and George W. Trefren. The trial of Frank Larence occupied much of the attention of this term. Messrs. Reese, Thummel and Piatt represented the State and Messrs. Abbott, Caldwell and W. H. Bell the defendant. The jury, of which James Ewing was foreman, brought in a verdict of "not guilty." In October 1880, Austin H. Moulton was admitted, and in September, 1881, Herschel A. Edwards was admitted to the bar. Mr. Edwards is still actively practicing in Hall County.

The trial of George Hart, a policeman, for murder of Michael Kress commenced in September, 1881, but was continued to the next term. March 1, 1882, a jury, of whom N. Child was foreman, found the prisoner guilty, and Judge Post sentenced him to be hanged June 15, 1882. Messrs. M. B. Reese, Thummel and "Piatt represented the state, and Messrs. Abbott, Michael and Caldwell the defendant. This case was carried to the supreme court, but without success, when executive clemency was asked. But before the scaffold which had been erected at the rear of the court house could claim its victim, the death .sentence was commuted and a penalty of imprisonment for life was imposed.

now city clerk of Grand Island, was admitted to practice on February 9, 1883. The April term of that year opened up on April 10, 1883, with a new judge, T. L. Norval of Seward, who also afterwards served a long time upon the supreme bench of this state. Thomas Darnall was present as district at- ,torney, and E. M. Battis as court reporter. /The new district attorney presented several "whiskey indictments" to the grand jury and that body found the parties defendant had sold and delivered "a certain spirituous liquor, commonly called whiskey." At the September term in/ 1883 Thomas Darnall, district attorney, brought a charge of second degree murder against Stephen Binfield, Henry Bonsen and Nicholas Bonsen and J. F. Whittier for the shooting of one Tillman. Thummel & Piatt and T. O. C. Harrison appeared as attorneys for these defendants, and Thompson Bros, assisted Darnall in the prosecution. The jury, with Wm. Stolley as foreman, returned a verdict on September 8th, finding the three defendants, "not guilty," except Binfield who was found guilty of manslaughter, whereupon he was sentenced by the court to ten years in the penitentiary.

In 1884 the terms of court for the sixth judicial district fixed the terms for Hall County upon February 12 and September 23. Judge Norval and District Attorney Darnall remained on their respective duties, but John Allan was clerk, H. M. Waring, reporter, and James Cannon, sheriff. Winfield S. Hayman was admitted as a member of the bar.

At the September term of 1885 the officers remained the same as in 1884 except Frank Tipton was court reporter. Ralph R. Horth presented his application for admission to the practice and the same was acted upon favorably. Wm. H. Thompson appeared in cases with his brother John R. Thompson, under the firm name of Thompson Brothers. A jury awarded William and John Stoeger damages of $70 against James Fowler. In 1886 E. A. Wedgewood was sherifif. George A. Rutherford was admitted to practice on September 14, 1886, upon motion of O. A. Abbott.

The term of March, 1887, found no district attorney present, the prosecutions being conducted then and ever since by the county's own county attorney or prosecuting attorney. W. H. Thompson presented many charges to the court at this term in his capacity as prosecuting attorney. On April 2, 1887, the valedictory proceedings were held. Judge Norval called upon the sheriff to adjourn court, but before that officer could comply with the order, Geo. H. Thummel arose and in the presence of the bar, officers of the court, and spectators presented Judge Norval with a handsome gold-headed cane and silver inkstand from the members of the Hall County bar and court officers. Soon thereafter Judge T. O. C. Harrison, the first Hall County lawyer to assume the bench in this judicial district, took charge of the Hall County docket. The other judge in the new ninth district, which from that time, with its successor, the eleventh, until the present has had two judges, was Hon. F. B. Tiffany of Albion, Boone County.

At the October term of 1887 Judge Tiffany presided, with E. B. Henderson reporter, the other officers remaining the same. An interesting case was tried wherein Charles W. Stidger was prosecuted for an alleged libellous publication which the Daily Times had made against Fred Hedde, editor of the Independent. Upon October 12th, the jury, with Geo. Loan as foreman, found Chas. Stidger not guilty, and the trial of John S. Stidger upon the same charge was continued over the term. Judge Harrison held the term in November, 1887, with Charles W. Pearsall, as reporter. County Attorney W. H. Thompson filed an information at this term charging David Moffit with stealing from the L^nion Pacific Railway Co. certain articles of merchandise, among which were listed two cheese of the value of $7.95, two pails of candy at the value of $2.40 each, two boxes of cigars at the value of $2.00, and six pairs of felt boots of the value of $6.00. Mr. Thompson was not setting 1919 prices on the goods then. On December 13, this information was quashed.

1888 Chas. G. Ryan filed credentials sufficient to warrant his admission to practice. The Daily Independent of January 8, 1888, contained the following item; "A new firm of Horth & Ryan have commenced business this week in their office over the Grand Island Banking Co. Mr. Horth is well-known to our citizens as our efficient city attorney and from having been associated with O. A. Abbott for the last three years. Mr. C. G. Ryan is from Verdin, Illinois, and from a short acquaintance with him we consider him an intelligent and straightforward young man. The new firm will be one of our rising young law firms and has the strength of honesty and ability."

1889 Judges Harrison and Tiffany held court with the same court officers, except that W. R. Bacon had assumed the office of county attorney. In May, 1889, William Rutherford was convicted and sentenced to penitentiary ,for twelve years for arson. An important civil case tried by Judges Harrison and Tiffany jointly was that of Gustave Koehler vs. Freeman C. Dodge and Edmund B. Abbott, partners, involving a judginent of $10,502. In

1890 Judge Harrison received a plea of guilty by John Tulles for highway robbery and gave him a three year sentence to the penitentiary, and A. T. GafTney took the same course and received a one year sentence. In 1890 the same court officials appeared except that the sheriff then serving was J. A. Costello, and the same court officers served through that year. In January, 1891, court was presided over by Judge Harrison, with Reporter Pearsail, Sherifif Costello and Clerk Allan, and Chas. G. Ryan as county attorney. At the first sitting of court in his term the new county attorney filed an incest charge against one H. Bedford. Orders were made in the probate matter of the estate of Zenas H. Denman, deceased. On May 19, 1891, a motion to dismiss was sustained in the case of Trixie Adams vs. McGinty Troubles Co., which had been tried before Justice of the Peace Welcome Smith.

On May 27, 1891, a jury, of which Geo. A. Burger was foreman found George Bedford guilty of corrupting a witness, and the defendant was fined $50 and sentenced to seven days in the county jail, but defendant served notice he intended to appeal to the supreme court.

On the 16th of November, the day appointed by Judges Harrison and E. M. Coffin of Ord, Nebraska, theiv ^ judge of the nineteenth judicial district, the fall term convened. Several informations for grand larceny were brought forth.

On March 15, 1892, the trial of Cuyler Shults for murder began before Judge Harrison. County Attorney Ryan was assisted by W. H. Piatt and W. H. Thompson and W. A. Prince appeared for the defendant. The jurors finally accepted were Joseph J. Klinge, John O'Connor, Fred Soil, G. M. Graham, George Pearson, W. H. Sylvester, B. S. Wise, H. P. F. Duehrsen, T. C. Rondrez, Sylvester Pollock, John Wilson and T. A. Taylor. On March 19th the jury returned a verdict finding defendant guilty.

In 1893 Judge John R. Thompson became the associate of Judge Harrison, and Henderson was serving as his court reporter. In 1894, Geo. P. Dean became sheriff of Hall County. That same year Hon. A. A. Kendall of St. Paul succeeded Judge Harrison as one of the judges of the eleventh judicial district. In 1895 Willard A. Prince succeeded County Attorney Ryan. The court officers remained the same until January, 1897, when Fred W. Ashton began his services as county attorney, pnd in March of that year Terkild Hermansen is shown as court reporter for Judge Kendall.

The year 1898 brought some changes in Hall County district court officials. S. N. Taylor succeeded Sherifif Dean. John W. Brewster reported for Judge Thompson, vice Mr. Henderson. John Allan still remained as clerk of the court. Mr. Brewster is at the present time a general reporter, residing at Lincoln, Nebraska. When the August, 1898, term opened up. Bayard H. Paine appeared as Judge Thompson's court reporter and served in that capacity for six years. Twelve years after his term of service as reporter ended.

Air. Paine was elected district judge of the eleventh judicial district and now presides as judge in the same court where he was reporter a few years ago. In 1899 W. S. Pearne became county attorney. In 1900 Judge Kendall was succeeded on the district bench by Hon. Charles A. Munn of Ord, who died after serving a short time. That same year the district clerk, John Allan, after sixteen years of service in that capacity was succeeded by his brother, Henry Allan. At the December, 1900, term Judge Harrison appeared as acting county attorney, and a month later Ralph R. Horth became county attorney. In 1902, Judge Munn's successor upon the bench took office. Judge Jas. N. Paul, a member of the Howard County bar opened his first court in Hall County, the February term of 1902, and served as judge of the eleventh district until 1917, when he was succeeded by Judge Bayard H. Paine.

On January 4, 1904, district court convened with both Judges John R. Thompson and James N. Paul present, with Ralph R. Horth county attorney. Bayard H. Paine and E. H. Kendall court reporters, S. N. Taylor sheriff and Henry Allan clerk. A committee of the bar consisting of O. A. Abbott, T. O. C. Harrison and Chas. G. Ryan made a report to the court, which read in part as follows :

Your committee finds that the Old Court House was first occupied as a Court House at the June term of 1873, ^ the Honorable Samuel Maxwell, Judge, since deceased, presiding. Honorable John Wallichs, Clerk.

Prior to this time Lorenzo Crounse was Judge of the District and Court had been held in private rooms rented for the purpose. His successors were George W. Post, T. L. Norval, F. B. Tiffany, T. O. C. Harrison, E. M. Coffin, John R. Thompson, A. A. Kendall, Charles A. Munn and James N. Paul, there having been two Judges in this district as now constituted since 1887.

Hall County was then a part of the Third Judicial District, there being but three Districts in the state, those three Judges sitting together as Judges of the Supreme Court at the State Capital, and the Supreme Court as then constiuted consisting of Lake, Gantt and Maxwell.

The Old Court House was fully up to the standard in those days. But two other brick Court Houses were then in existence in the State, at Omaha and Nebraska City, and we submit, the County is now, as it was then, well up to the front in the character of its Court House.

The second volume of the Nebraska reports had not then been issued, the sixty third volume is now on our shelves ; the Union Pacific Railroad had been completed across the State, the B. & M. in Nebraska from Plattsmouth to Lincoln and the Midland Pacific from Nebraska City to Lincoln constituted the railway development of the State. Looking backwards to those times one is not surprised to know that the men who predicted that a million of people would someday find home with the State,; was looked upon as visionaries.

The Old Court House has lived to see a branch line from the Union Pacific built across the County's Northern boundary to Ord, the B. & M. extended from Lincoln across the County to a connection with the Northern Pacific and the Coast and the St. Joseph and Grand Island from St. Joseph to this city; in fact has witnessed the growth of this State from a sparsely settled frontier State to an enviable station among her sister States and the home of about one and a half millions of people ; has seen the City grow from an unorganized hamlet on the plains to the Third city in the State with nearly 10,000 people: has seen the City exchange its old frame school buildings for four substantial brick structures ; has seen its wooden shops and stores exchanged for substantial stone and brick buildings ; has seen the City exchange its old lights for the new, the kerosene lights and candles for gas and electric light; has seen political and economic changes pass over the land and while we accept the change with pleasure, abandon the old way for the new, the old lights for the new and recognize that old precedents have been laid aside, we deem it eminently fit and proper that on this day we pause for the moment to take note of the passing time and to place on perpetual record the fact that we have done so.

We trust that when in the influx of time, our successors shall exchange this building for a newer and better one, they, like us, may recall the past with pleasure and look forward. as we do, to the future with renewed hope and confidence.

At the same time Attorneys Fred W. Ashton, M. T. Garlow and W. A. Prince presented a resolution upon the matter of the retirement of Judge John R. Thompson, one of the district judges of the eleventh judicial district, in which it was resolved :

Be it further resolved, That the members of this bar hereby express their best wishes to the judge upon his retirement from the bench and extend to him a welcome hand as he again enters the profession.

Resolutions were also adopted at the same time respecting the honest, efficient and faithful performance of their contract in the erection and completion of the Hall county court house by Messrs. Falldorf and Kirschke ; and upon the death of George J. Spencer, a member of the Hall County Bar.

At the September term, 1904, Judge James R. Hanna, of Greeley, who succeeded Judge Thompson, opened court at Grand Island. After fifteen years of continuous service in this district, Judge Hanna is still serving as one of the judges presiding over the courts ,of Hall and ten other counties. When Judge Hanna came upon the bench he appointed as court reporter Othman A. Abbott, Jr., who is still serving in that capacity. In 1907 Judge Paul appointed as his court reporter, H. J. Paul, who remained as court reporter until his father's retirement from the bench in 1917, and who has served with Judge Bayard H. Paine in 1917 until he was elevated to the position of colonel of the Fifth Nebraska N. G. Regiment and went to Camp Deming, New Mexico, upon his country's call in the Great War. While Colonel Paul was still abroad in France with his regiment and before he could be discharged from the army, he was tendered and accepted from Governor S. R. McKelvie, in 1919, the position of adjutant general of Nebraska, and upon his return from foreign service upon his shoulders will fall the task of rebuilding in Nebraska the National Guard, or state constabulary, or whatever form of home defense legislative bodies shall determine upon, and of recording the part of Nebraska in the recent Great War. Following Col. Paul's departure. Judge Paine had two reporters of terms of short service. Miss Jeanette M. Ragan of Grand Island, who resigned to enter the State University, and F. D. Williams of Lincoln, who resigned as secretary to Supreme Judge W. B. Rose to come to Grand Island, and later returned to Lincoln for an attractive opening in the practice, and in December, 1917, he was succeeded by Dale P. Stough, then secretary tO' Chief Justice Andrew M. Morrissey of the supreme court, who is still the reporter at this time.

District Clerk Henry Allan serving in 1904 was succeeded in 1908 by Fred C. Langman, who served for nine years, and in 1917 was succeeded by his deputy clerk, Walter H. Rauert, Clerk Rauert during his first years of service appointed as his deputy Herman Buckow, who resigned late in 1918, and for his second term, commencing in 1919, appointed Miss Bessie Barbee, who had been serving in the ofifice of Sherifif Sievers for four years. In 1900 a salutary change was made in the preparation of court journal and other records in the ofiice of the clerk of the district court. The old permanently fastened books in which the records were written with pen and ink were replaced by loose leaf sheets and binders upon which the records could be typewritten.

County Attorney Horth was succeeded in 1905 by Arthur C. Mayer, who served for two terms. In 1909 John L. Cleary took the office and held it for yoiir years, and was followed by Benjamin J. Cunningham in 1913. In 1917 William Suhr became county attorney. , The office of sheriff, held in 1904 by S. N. Taylor, was taken over later in the term by J. W. Eby. In 1906 J. M. Dunkel entered office as sherifif and served most efficiently in that capacity until his death.

On January 11, 1912, with Judge James Paul presiding, O. A. Abbott, Jr., acting as court reporter, J. L. Cleary, county attorney, Thomas O'Gorman, coroner, and Fred C. Langman, clerk, the following proceedings were spread upon the records:

It having come to the knowledge of the Court that James M. Dunkel, sheriff of Hall County, Nebraska, and one of the officers of this Court, lost his life by being hit by a railroad train near Chapman, Nebraska, on the evening of the 10th inst. it is therefore ordered that this Court adjourn, out of memory of said James ^I. Dunkel, to Thursday, January 18, 1912, at 10 o'clock A. M.

During the following week, Gustav Seivers was appointed sheriff, and later was twice elected to that office. In January, 1919, the present sheriff", John E. McCutchan, took over the office.

No county in the state of Nebraska could have had a higher class bar in ability and general personality than Hall County has maintained in the fifty-one years since the first term of district court was held here in 1868.

The bar as a branch of the American system of jurisprudence was given standing by the first general assembly of the territory of Nebraska in an act approved March 9, 1855, entitled "An act regulating the admission of attorneys." It is brief enough to include here: The first section provides that "any person twentj'-one years of age who can produce satisfactory evidence of a good moral character and pass an examination before either the judges of the district court or before the justices of the supreme court of this territory, shall be licensed to practice as an attorney at law and solicitor in chancery in all the courts in this territory." And, as a sort of afterthought, the second section of the act provides that "every citizen of this territory may attend to his own cases in all said courts."

this subject very much as it remains today. Requirements have since been added providing for examination before a state board, only, and doing away with the somewhat informal examination held in the district courts in early days and providing for admission without examination to graduates of Nebraska State University and Creighton College of Law. In recent years the colleges have been increasing the educational requirements for admission to their courses of study, and thus tightening up further on the pathway of admission to the bar.

The mention of examination before and admission by the district courts will explain the presence in this list of Hall County lawyers of numerous members of the bar who came to Grand Island to be admitted, but never opened a law office in this county. Upon reflection the reader will remember that in the late 'sixties and early 'seventies there were not terms of district court being held in very many counties within a hundred or two hundred miles of Grand Island.

Court Work

When the first session of district court to transact business for Hall County was held in 1868 at Columbus, Nebraska, or for that matter a few months later when resident sessions of court were first held at Grand Island, the resident bar of Hall County consisted of one member. It is a most unusual fact that this one member, O. A. Abbott, Sr., should still be practicing very actively at this bar, fifty-one years later. Other attorneys noted in the court records as having been present at these early sessions in 1868 were Chas. H. Brown, from Omaha, never a member of the Hall County bar, E. F. Gray of Fremont, who was then district attorney, there being no county attorney to represent thei state for some years later. John L. Martin, of Ohio, was admitted to practice in November, 1868. He lived in Merrick County and never lived or opened an office in Grand Island. Albert Swartzland, an atomey from Omaha, also appears to be mentioned.

The next member of the Hall County bar to arrive who afterwards attained a long record of noteworthy service, was William H. Piatt. We was born in Rochester, N. Y., October 16, 1835, the son of William A. and Mary E. (Pierce) Piatt, who came to Grand Island in 1872. The father, died in 1875. William H. Piatt had served in the civil war, and October 16, 1892, while on a visit to his parents at Brighton, Mich., was married to Miss Fannie E. Bidwell. He had moved to Grand Island in the fall of 1866 and conducted a drug store, with which he remained identified until 1872. But in the meatime he prepared himself and entered upon the practice of law, being admitted on May 24, 1870. He served as county judge from 1872 to 1876, and in 1877 formed a law partnership with George H. Thummel. He served the community in many capacities, as mayor of the city, and for many years as a member of the school board. In recent years he has resided at Santa Rosa, California. His long-time partner, George H. Thummel, was the next lawyer to come, his admission being on May 3, 1871. Mr. Thummel served the community in so many capacities that his name appears in a great many places throughout this work. After he served the federal government first as U. S. marshal and then as clerk of the United States circuit court for Nebraska until that office was abolished, he stayed in Omaha, and in recent years has made his home there, but still retains property interests in Grand Island.

Those Who Came During The Seventies

W. C. Buderos came to Grand Island and practised a number of years. He was a very genial, active lawyer who left behind a trail of memories for his old-time associates.

Geo. H. Caldwell had completed his studies in a law office at Parkersburg, W. Va., after the close of his service in the war with the 140th Ohio National Guards, and removed to Hall County and was admitted to the bar here, in 1877. He soon formed a law partnership with Hon. O. A. Abbott, which continued until the fall of 1881, when Mr. Caldwell was elected county judge. He left Grand Island in later years and returned to his former home state. West Viginia, where he spent the remainder of his life.

George W. Trefren was admitted here but stayed only a short time. By way of review, up to this point : In 1871 the resident attorneys were O. A. Abbott, W. H. Piatt and G. H. Thummel; by 1873, to the three just named, should be added W. C. Buderos, W. H. Mitchell, John D. Hayes, who had been admitted to the bar before he came here, who was elected county superintendent during the early 'seventies, and also served as probate judge, later leaving here and going to Clay County, and Henry Nunn, who came here about that time, from Illinois, and later practiced at St. Paul, Nebraska.

J. H. Darnell from the Iowa bar was admitted to practice here upon motion of John D. Hayes; C. D. Culver was admitted in October, 1875, and is shown on the records as being from Illinois. Neither he nor Christopher T. Hall, of Wyoming, shown as admitted on January 12, 1876, practiced here. Loring Gafifey came here, studied law in the office of Thummel and Piatt and was admitted in September, 1876. He later moved to the Black Hills and was elected judge in his new home. He married a sister of Mrs. Geo. Thummel. Arthur Pinkney was shown admitted in 1876, and at the same time, September, 1876, A. M. Stevenson was admitted. He studied under O. A. Abbott, later moved to Denver and there has had a very succesful career.

Thus in) 1876 the (lawyers practising in Grand Island were: O. A. Abbott, W. H. Piatt, G. H. Thummel, Henry Nunn, John D. Hayes, W. C. Buderos, Loring Gaffey and A. M. Stevenson.

son had been schooled at Upper Iowa University at Fayette, Iowa, and at the law department of Iowa State University. After his graduation he opened a law office with his brother W. H. Thompson, at Arlington (then Brush Creek) Iowa, and moved to Grand Island, and the well-known office of Thompson Brothers continued until 1892, when John R. Thompson went on the district bench and remained there for twelve years of very efficient service to the people of the eleventh judicial district. W. H. Thompson has been one of the best known members of the Hall County bar throughout the state. He served one term as county attorney, was candidate for Congress in the "big third" then comprising about half the state, in 1890, delegate to the national convention which nominated Grover Cleveland in 1892, and likewise a delegate to the convention which nominated Bryan in 1896, 1900, and Parker in 1904. He ha^s been the candidate of the democratic party for United States senator and governor. His interest in the democratic party has never waned because he has borne its standards in most all of its hopeless campaigns. His ability and record as a jury trial lawyer has been as well-known and more successful than his political endeavors. In recent years he was associated in the practice with his son, Lloyd G. Thompson, and the firm is now Thompson & Thompson.

Geo. H. Barr was admitted March, 1889. He had studied under Governor Abbott but did not practice here to amount to anything. He went into the banking business in Dawson County and more recently to Omaha. D. H. Burrough was admitted in September, 1881, never lived here, but belonged in Sherman County.

James H. Woolley, who comes next to Governor Abbott in length of practice at Grand Island, came here in September, 1878, and opened a law office. He was appointed deputy district attorney in July, 1881. He lived in his native state of Illinois until he was seventeen, then near Poughkeepsie, N. Y. and attended an academy near there; he then came to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he attended the State University for a time, and for two years he studied law in the office of Gen. John R. Webster, meantime he had taught school for four years and studied law at the same time. With this splendid preparation he was admitted to the bar June 3, 1878, and chose Grand Island as his permanent location. After forty-one years of service to his clientele, Mr. Woolley is still very actively engaged in the practice of his profession. In recent years he has moved his office to the Equitable Building and Loan Association for which institution he is attorney.

Arrivals During The Eighties

Herschel A. Edwards was admitted here in September, 1881, and is still engaged in the practice, with offices in the McAllister building, for which he is business manager.

Henry E. Clifford was admitted January 9, 1883, and has had a long active career since that time. In the past few years he has efficiently served the city of Grand Island as its city clerk and handled his own business affairs in addition.

Richard C. Ganville came in April, 1883. He praticed here for a number of years, was appointed to serve on the supreme court commission, and later removed to Dawson County, and then to Oregon, and now is located at Hood River, Oregon.

W. R. Bacon came about this time ; he had studied law in the office of Thummel & Piatt before his admission ; he practiced a short time, holding the office of county attorney for a term, and later went to Los Angeles, California, and is now located at San Francisco.

The arrival of Ralph R. Horth and Charles G. Ryan and their subsequent formation of a partnership has been noted in another place in this chapter. A detailed sketch of Mr. Horth appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Ryan has served the city as Mayor and both of these men have become leaders of the Hall County bar, and among the best known lawyers in central Nebraska. In recent years they have associated together, and have offices in the fine brick block built on North Locust street by Mr. Ryan.

Winfield S. Hayman was admitted to the bar in October, 1884, never maintained an office for general practice, but has been very active in the business afifairs of the community during these thirty-five years. Seth P. Mobley was admitted to the bar, but his main efforts in Grand Island were directed toward the advancement of Hall County press rather than the profession of law.

A list of 'the lawyers practicing here in 1887 shows a number not already mentioned seperately: O. A. Abbott, W. R. Bacon. J. H. Bowron, who had left before 1890, J. W. Bartholomew, who left here and went to East St. Louis, J. A. Busselle, who had left before 1890, Geo. H. Caldwell, Henry E. Clifford, H. A. Edwards, R. C. Glanville, T. O. C. Harrison, who had come in during the eighties - a more detailed sketch of Judge Harrison appears in this work elsewhere - W: S. Hayman, R. R. Horth, A. W. McNeel, whe became a .very well known figure during his location here, he later returned to Iowa, S. P. Mobley, Chas. Rief, who was admitted, but confined his main energies to business interests rather than law work, Thompson Bros., Thummel & Piatt, L. M. Whitney, now deceased, but who left here a good many years ago, H. B. Willson, who went from here to the state of Washington, and J. H. Wooley.

During the last three years of the decade of the 'eighties other lawyers to locate here were: Madison T. Garlow, who was later county judge of Hall County, who came about 1890. In recent years he dropped his law practice here and went to Mead, Kansas, where he has large interests in the silica mining industry.

Willard A. Prince first opened in the Michelson block, about this time. In his thirty years of practice' here he has become one of the best known trial lawyers in central Nebraska and has built up a practice which extends through many surrounding counties. In recent years his son, Harold A. Prince has become associated with him, and the firm name is now Prince & Prince.

Virgil K. Stone practiced here awhile and went to Lander, Wyoming. Henry Garn was a well known figure at this bar for a time, but now is deceased. J. F. Walker and Frank J. Byrd are lawyers who were located at Shelton, but figured on Hall County court records to some extent. J. E. Moncrief practiced here for a time, and became chairman of Hall County Board of Commissioners. T. P. Lanigan, in recent years a prominent attorney at Greeley, was in the banking business here about 1890.

Other names appearing on the court records here are M. Randall, who practiced at Grand Island and Ord, and later went south. Attorney Marston of Kearney, T. J. Doyle, a prominent attorney of Greeley, and now in Lincoln.

George J. Spencer came in at a rather early time. H^e had been admitted first at Binghamton, N. Y., then came to Illinois and on out here, practiced awhile and moved away.

Arrivals Since 1890

Shortly after 1890 and before 1895 the following members were added to Hall County bar : C. W. Wieckong, E. J. Hatch, who later went to Omaha, in 1892 was a member of the firm of Hatch & Shangle, Higgins & Garlow Bros, was a firm in 1892, though C. J. Garlow always practiced at Columbus and never lived at Grand Island, R. J. Millard, who later located at Hartington, Nebraska, where he is now practicing, Ralph Piatt, who followed his father's footsteps into the law profession, L. E. Moyer, another Randall, given as P'rank, but the older lawyers here think this was J- H. Randall, J. W. Edgerton, who removed to- Idaho and became a judge, Herbert Harrison, who was admitted to practice, but has devoted his energies very successfully in recent yearsto the banking business, being cashier of State Bank of Ravenna for a good many years,, recently cashier of the new People's State- Bank in this city, but resigned to become cashier of the new Security State Bank at Ravenna.

Fred W. Ashton was admitted here in 1895. Mr. Ashton has built, up a very pleasant law practice and devoted his attention to matters in the general interest of the community very much. He was at one time candidate for Congress, and during the recent War left his practice to serve as a judge advocate general in provost marshal's office at Washington, and near the close of the war was assigned to the Clemency Board, and later assigned the task of assisting in the preparation of the revised articles of war, so strongly advocated by General Ansell. This was a very creditable honor for the Hall County bar to have attached to one of its members.

E. E. Thompson, since deceased, was admitted about 1895. He practiced here for a number of years. W. S. Pearne, a former court reporter, was admitted about 1897, for a time was associated with Mr. Thummel (Thummel & Pearne), and later went to Minneapolis.

O. M. Ouackenbush was admitted about 1897 and located at Wood River. For almost twenty years he edited and published the Wood River Interests, and took care of some law practice. Following the recent death of Judge Harrison, Mr. Quackenbush moved to Grand Island and took over his office and library and started to practice at Grand Island. Arthur C. Mayer was admitted about 1897, after recieving a degree of Master of Laws from Yale University. For a few years he was member of firm of Ashton & Mayer. In recent years he served as county attorney, and has officed since he left that position in the First National bank building. Mr. Mayer is serving for the second period as referee in bankruptcy.

O. A. Abbott, Jr., was admitted to practice in 1897. Mr. Abbott had heretofore served as a clerk in the U. S. Land office here; he afterwards served as police judge, and for fifteen years last past has been court reporter with Judge J. R. Hanna, but for a time practiced with his father, O. A. Abbott, Sr.

A few years later a second son of Governor Abbott was admitted to practice here, Arthur G. Abbott. He practiced for a number of years with his father, then went to Chicago for a period, but in 1918 returned to take up practice in Grand Island, and offices with his father now.

Grand Island families to enter into the law practice and make a successful record in that honorable profession. He is now serving as mayor, and has been identified with some important litigation. Mr. Cleary offices in the same suite of rooms with Mr. Ashton and during Mr. Ashton's absence on war service, Mr. Cleary took care of his practice.

Findley Howard, son of Ex-Lieut. -Gov. Edgar Howard of Columbus, came to Grand Island in 1909, and for a time was associated with M. T. Garlow. He went to government service in Panama Zone and in recent years has successfully ventured into practice in New Mexico.

Bayard H. Paine opened a law office upon the close of his Service as district court reporter for Judge John R. Thompson. He served as police judge for four years, and for ten years as referee in bankruptcy in this district, but for the last three years has been judge of district court in the 11th judicial district.

Benjamin J. Cunningham graduated at Creighton Law College in 1910, returned to his home at Wood River where he practiced for a year, and in 1911 opened offices in the Ryan building, and from that date to this has forged ahead steadily in his profession. He served two years as county attorney.

Ernest G. Kroeger and Arthur L. Joseph, upon their graduation from Nebraska University, located in Grand Island about ten years ago. Mr. Kroger served for eight years as police judge, and Mr. Joseph is the present city attorney of Grand Island.

In 1910 T. B. Bird came to Grand Island but did not remain long. Samuel P. Brigham was listed here about that time, for a short period. Dale P. Stough came to Grand Island, in 1911, upon his graduation from Creighton College of Law, but after a few weeks located at Ravenna, Nebraska, and later went to Broken Bow where he was associated with Judge J. R. Dean, now of the supreme court of Nebraska. In 1917 Mr. Stough returned to Grand Island and became court reporter with District Judge Bayard H. Paine, which work he is still performing.

accessions to the Hall County bar. C. J. Southard came here from Omaha, and remained for several years, but in 1918 returned to Omaha. Mr. Southard's former residence in Howard County assisted him in building up a good practice while he was here. William Suhr and Vernon Bascom came here upon their admission to the bar of this state. Mr. Bascom only stayed a short time, as did Homer L. Kyle, another graduate of that time. Mr. Bascom has gone to the Pacific coast, and Mr. Kyle to Lincoln. Mr. Suhr remained and is now serving as county attorney and building up a good practice.

John S. Stidger practiced here a few years and went to Denver in 1917. CHfiford N. Hale was here a short time, but went south in 1918. F. D. Williams, who was court reporter a short time with Judge Paine, is a member of the bar, and now associated with F. M. Hall in Lincoln. The latest accession to this bar is W. J. Wilkinson, from Marengo, Iowa, who opened here upon his return from military service.

Hall County has furnished one of the twenty-four Nebraska lawyers who have been members of the state supreme court. Judge T. O. C. Harrison, and one of- the supreme court commissioners, R. C. Glanville. Hall County court circles have had considerable interest in numerous other members of the court and commission.

Of the present court. Judge Dean, from Broken Bow, has been associated in many important cases with several of Grand Island's leading lawyers, and was a classmate in Ann Arbor law school ( Michigan) in the 'eighties with Mr. Horth and Mr. Ryan. Judge Hamer, who died in 1918, was for many years district judge and a leading trial lawyer at Kearney and appeared in many forensic battles in Grand Island. Judge Aldrich, former governor, is a distant relative of Mr. Prince of this city. Judge Letton's son, W. A. Letton, now lives in Grand Island and is employed with the First National bank of this city ; and Judge Crounse held the first court in Hall County.