Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 02.pdf/35

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20
The Green Bag.

mediately on her landing at Honolulu she was, with her father's help, admitted to the Hawaiian bar, on presentation of her license from the Michigan Court. The same day she was appointed notary public. Her father made her his law partner at once; and in stead of going directly home to Hilo, they went to Waimea, Hawaii, where the Third Ju dicial Circuit was sitting. There she made

and won her first mo tion. She writes that the natives were all astonished to see a "Wahine Loio " (wo man lawyer), and the remarks which she heard in passing were often amusing, they not realizing that she understood their lan guage. She speaks of a journey of two hun dred miles which she made on horseback last March, to attend a sitting of the Circuit Court in one of the out-districts where the firm had some cases which it was decided she should try. Be fore she got far to wards her destination, J. ELLEN a telephone message from her father over took her, telling her to return as soon as the most urgent cases could be disposed of. She did so, and found herself deputed to act for the sheriff of Hilo for several weeks, during which he was obliged to be absent. When it is realized that the sheriff is to one of these islands practically what the Governor is to one of our States, the responsibility devolving upon this young girl can be im agined. To be sure, this little kingdom is a well-regulated and law-abiding place in general; but during the five weeks in which Miss Hitchcock acted as sheriff of Hilo, a

bold burglary was committed on the island. Happily, by prompt action the man was caught, and nearly all the money recovered within four days. I hear that three ladies are now studying at the Law School of Michigan, but have not learned their names. The last of Michigan's women lawyers with whom I am acquainted, and one of the best and brightest, is Miss Ada Lee, of Port Huron, Mich. She began to study in June, 1882, in the of fice of one of the Cir cuit Judges, and was admitted to the bar of St. Clair County in March, 1883, and has practised the profes sion constantly since the day of admission. In June, 1888, she was admitted to the bar of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Michigan. In the fall of 1884 Miss Lee was nominated for the office of Circuit Court Commissioner by the Republican, Demo FOSTER. cratic, and Green back parties, with no solicitation for the nomination; and she was duly elected, receiving the entire vote cast in the county. She performed the duties of this office, and held it until the expiration of her term, despite the fact that thirteen suits were begun to oust her, during which time two hundred and seventeen cases were tried before her. This brave little woman, who has not yet seen a quarter of a century, has earned her own living and education, being without either home or money. The first woman who was ever admitted to the bar in this country or in the modern