Shawnee County KS Archives Biographies.....Hughes, James W. F. 1860 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ks/ksfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com September 27, 2006, 5:08 pm Author: James L. King (1905) GEN. JAMES W. F. HUGHES. GEN. JAMES W. F. HUGHES, one of Topeka's most prominent citizens, Adjutant General of the State of Kansas by appointment of Governor Hoch, formerly mayor and for years a successful business man, is probably as well-known as any other citizen of Kansas. General Hughes was born at Columbia, Tennessee, January 12, 1860, and is one of a family of five children born to A. M. and Mattie (Neill) Hughes. The forebears of General Hughes were of Southern birth for generations. His father was a native of North Carolina and for years was an eminent member of the bar of Tennessee. General Hughes enjoyed educational advantages and university training, being graduated at the university of his native State in 1881. In the same year he came to Topeka, with a view of practicing engineering, a profession for which he had qualified, and soon became connected with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, remaining with that road until 1895. He then embarked in business for himself, opening a retail and wholesale coal business, in which he has been interested ever since. General Hughes has the record of serving as brigadier general of the Kansas National Guard under the administration of three executives. During this time his career has been filled with responsible and important acts, some of these being matters of State history. For 10 years he was colonel of the Third Regiment, Kansas National Guard. He was in command at the time of the legislative war in 1893 and became a most conspicuous and important figure. At this time two political parties were contending for the mastery. Two bodies had been organized, known as the Douglass (Republican) House, and the Dunsmore (Populist) House, both claiming to be the duly constituted House of Representatives of the State of Kansas. Both bodies were in session in the same hall and endeavoring to transact public business. Governor Lewelling, the executive, a Populist, was in sympathy with the Dunsmore branch of the dual House, and called out the militia to aid in sustaining it. General Hughes was at that time colonel of the Third Regiment, Kansas National Guard. When the contest between the two Houses was at its highest, Governor Lewelling issued an order directing Colonel Hughes to proceed to Representative Hall with the forces at his command and eject the members of the so-called Douglass House, using whatever power might be necessary to accomplish this result. Colonel Hughes refused to obey the order, claiming that it was illegal, indefinite, and exceeding his authority and that it raised the question of rightful authority between the legislative and military departments of the State government. For his refusal to disperse the Douglass House and precipitate riot and bloodshed in obedience to the Governor's order, Colonel Hughes was court martialed and dismissed from the service, after a prolonged trial in which the best legal talent of the State was enlisted. The tribunal before which he was tried was created by the Governor, and it must be acknowledged that partisan feeling entered largely into its findings, as the Governor was the reviewing officer. The Supreme Court subsequently determined that the Douglass House, which the Governor sought to disperse, was the regularly constituted body, and it continued its sessions during the rest of the legislative period of that year. Honor rather than discredit came to General Hughes as the result of his contest with Governor Lewelling, Governor Morrill appointing him major general, K. N. G. It was to his clear head, cool judgment and knowledge of his rights and duties as an officer, that a desperate conflict was averted and the cause of good government preserved. The subsequent decision of the Supreme Court upholding the legality of the Douglass House, was a complete vindication of the course pursued by General Hughes, and the people of the State have commended his action and honored him in various ways for his prudence and courage at a trying and critical hour. General Hughes served the city of Potwin as mayor during the years 1897 and 1898, and was a councilman of the city of Topeka in 1899 and 1900. In 1901 he was mayor of Topeka and in 1904 and 1905 he served in the Topeka City Council. His appointment as Adjutant General was one of the first acts of Governor Hoch's administration, the Governor having been Speaker pro tern of the Douglass House during the troubles of 1893. During recent years, under Governor Bailey, General Hughes had served as brigadier general, Kansas National Guard. General Hughes married Mary A. Clark, who is a daughter of Julius T. Clark, a resident of Wisconsin. They have three children: James C, Alice W. and Mary J. General Hughes and family belong to the Presbyterian Church. The beautiful family home is situated at No. 305 Greenwood avenue. As may be judged, General Hughes is identified with the Republican party and in various ways he has contributed to its success. His fraternal relations include the Masons, Elks, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Modern Woodmen of America and Woodmen of the World. General Hughes is known as a man of high character and lofty aims. Devoted to his State and her institutions, he has served her with fidelity and with both physical and moral courage has done his full duty to the extent of his powers. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY, KANSAS AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS EDITED AND COMPILED BY JAMES L. KING TOPEKA, KANSAS "History is Philosophy Teaching by Examples" PUBLISHED BY RICHMOND & ARNOLD, GEORGE RICHMOND; C. R. ARNOLD. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, 1905. 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