Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/630

 568 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST ^MISSOURI Missoiu-i bar. was elected prosecuting at- torney of Stoddard county. In this capacity he won a fine reputation for professional knowledge and skill, and when, in 1898, he was nominated for .judge of the Twenty-sec- ond judicial circuit he was elected over his Republican opponent by a plurality of votes amounting to nearly five thousand, nine hun- dred. This circuit consisted at that time of Carter, Ripley, Butler, Stoddard and Dun- klin counties. In 1901 the legislature placed Carter county in another circuit, and in 1904 a new circuit, which included Ripley and Butler counties, alone, was made, and two remaining counties constituting the Twenty- second judicial circuit since that time. On the 1st of January, 1899, Judge Fort assumed the duties of his new office, and during the ensuing twelve years served his constituents ably and faithfully, the truth of facts and the principles of law involved in the cases brought to his notice seldom eluding his keen perceptions, while justice was ever the constant motive of his wise decisions. The twelve years that Judge Fort was on the bench formed one of the most important periods in the history of Stoddard county and of Southeastern Missouri. During that time t the great drainage system that is such an im- portant factor in increasing the property value of this region was successfully inaugu- rated, and many legal ciuestions arising from its development were adjudicated before him, his rulings thereon being invariably wise and just. Many important criminal eases were likewise tried before Judge Fort, he having been called upon at different times to pass sentence upon men convicted of capital crimes. In tlie well remembered case of the Illinois and Missouri Bridge Company versus Smith, the new question of the right of the bridge company to construct beyond the point where the bridge proper touched solid ground at grade above high water mark, came before the Judge, who decided that no such right existed. The supreme court reversed the de- cision by a divided court, but in a trial for damages for land taken for such a purpose a jury, under Judge Fort's instructions, awarded $10,000 for damages sustained, and the award was also allowed by both the State Supreme Court and the United States Su- preme Court. In 1908 Judge Fort, at the earnest solici- tations of his friends, became a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor of Missouri, his platform being one of the best and cleanest ever constructed, its three prin- cipal planks having been as follows: "Ag- gressive honesty in public affairs; strict en- forcement of all laws ; and suppression of the liquor traffic by constitutional prohibition." He made a vigorous campaign, which re- sulted in the Democratic platform coming out very strong for local option. On January 1, 1911, Judge Fort retired from his position as Judge, and has since been prosperously engaged in the practice of his chosen profession at Dexter, where he has an extensive and lucrative clientele. Progressive and iDublic spirited, lie lends his influence towards the establishment of benefi- cial projects, I)eing in favor of the good roads movement, and in advancement in every line of improvements, believing firmly in a won- derful future for Stoddard county, the "Gar- den Spot" of Jlissouri. Judge Fort was married on the 2nd of August. 1874, to ^liss Lizzie Whitesides, a native of Johnson county, Illinois. She is a daughter of John S. and Peinnina (Harrel) Whitesides, and she was reared and educated in her native county. Her mother was a na- tive of Johnson county, and her father was born in the state of Kentucky and came to Illi- ■ nois during pioneer daj's, becoming a wealthy farmer. Jixdge and Mrs. Fort have had seven children : Anna is the wife of Byron Cham- ])ion. of Dexter; "Will J. lives in Dexter; Can- dace married Judge Green, of Bloomfield. Missouri : Gertrude lives at home ; Myrtle died at the age of three ; "Winifred married J. E. Mulvey. of St. Louis; and Reverdy, the youngest, is still at home. Both the Judge and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. South. William C. Stady, postmaster at Essex and mayor of the city, is a man who by his untiring efforts and indomitable energy has done much toward the improvement and ad- vancement of the city, and has alwa.vs availed himself of the advantages of his position as a public man to influence the people to act for the liest interests of the community. A native of ^Missouri, he was born January 20, 1871. in Bollinger county, and was there reared on a farm. His father. Christian Stady, was born in Germany, while his mother, whose maiden name was IMary Miller, was born in America, of German parentage. Leaving home on attaining his majority, "William C. Stady worked out by the month