Transcribed from the Wichita Beacon, Aug 20?, 1920
From files of the Oklahoma Territorial Museum
Submitted by Jan LaMotte

Judge David M. Dale, 68 years old, prominent here for many years in Democratic politics and the Democratic nominee for governor of Kansas in 1904, died at the Wichita hospital at 6:30 o’clock this morning after a brief illness. He underwent an operation last Saturday.

Funeral services will be Thursday. The body will be placed temporarily in the mausoleum in Highland Cemetery, but permanent burial will be later in the Old Mission Cemetery.

The Sedgwick County Bar Association will meet Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock in the courtroom of Division 2 of the district court, to draw up resolutions on the death of Judge Dale. _________________

Death came at 6:30 o’clock this morning to Judge Dale, prominent here many years as a lawyer and politician.

Born 1852

Judge Dale was born June 3, 1852 in DeKalb County, Illinois. He in his youth was raised on a farm and commenced the practice of law when he was 21 years of age in the State of Illinois, remaining there until 1870 when he came to this city and has resided here continuously since that time.

In the fall of 1880 he was elected county attorney of Sedgwick County, being the first Democratic county attorney elected in this county. He was re-elected in 1882 and after the expiration of his term of office he engaged in the practice of law here and continued until elected to the bench as district judge of this county in 1894 and re-elected in 1898.

Retired in 1912

He refused to continue on the bench at the expiration of his second term and shortly afterwards formed a partnership with Colonel S. B. Amidon, and was actively engaged with Mr. Amidon under the firm of Dale and Amidon until 1912 at which time he retired altho his name has always been at the head of the firm since his retirement. Since his retirement from the practice of law, Judge Dale has been on the examining board, appointed by the Supreme Court of the State of Kansas for the examination of lawyers for admission to the bar and during the past several years has been chairman of the board where his services as an eminent lawyer has been greatly appreciated, and where he has been a great friend of the young lawyer, and has had an opportunity to aid and assist in a friendly way all of the young lawyers being admitted to the bar in the State of Kansas. He took a great interest in all of the younger men who were seeking admission to the bar and in various ways actively assisted them in starting on their careers.

Recognized by Bar

The lawyers and jurists of the state of Kansas recognized in Judge Dale a man of exceptionally fine nature as well as acquired qualities for the practice of law, and theft were without exception very greatly pleased with his work as a lawyer and jurist. Whether a prosecutor or a judge, or engaged in the actual practice, he always did his duty fearlessly and without favor and was recognized as one of the best, most capable and honest officials that this state has ever had.

Nominee for Governor

In 1904 he was the democratic nominee for Governor of the state of Kansas, and while the state gave Roosevelt a majority of 120,000, Judge Dale ran about 60,000 ahead of his ticket. He was solicited by a large number of his friends and party associates to be a candidate for United States senator, but seemed to prefer the quietude of private life. After the United States entered into the European war, he was appointed chairman of the advisory and registration board for the county, and until the affairs of the board were completed he devoted his entire time to the same and received many compliments from the administration and from the bar of this district for his untiring efforts and capable services in behalf of the government. He was intensely patriotic and a great supporter of all war measures.

Married in 1882

He married Louise Berry of Paw Paw, Lee County, Illinois, in 1882, who has been his constant companion since and has shared with him his adversities and successes, and she has been with him constantly during his sickness. They have for a number of years resided at 938 North Waco. His home life has always been a happy one.

He leaves surviving him three brothers, Arthur H, Dale of Leland, IL, Judge Frank Dale of Guthrie, OK, and John W. Dale of Clearwater, KS.

In his early life Judge Dale became a Mason, and afterwards a member of the Wichita Chapter, Wichita Consistory and the Shrine, and during all the time has been a very consistent Mason.

Probably no man in Sedgwick County had a greater number or more loyal friends than had Judge Dale. Altho a Democrat, he had the support in all is campaigns of the leading Republicans of this city and county. In his death the community loses a good and distinguished citizen, and his relatives a wise counselor and helpful friend.

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Judge David Dale was the son of Reverend Frank and Maria (Webster) Dale of Yorkshire, England and Leland, DeKalb County IL. His brother, Judge Frank Dale, was chief judge of the Oklahoma Territorial Supreme Court from 1893 to 1898. His other brothers and sisters were: Arthur H. Dale, John W. Dale, Elizabeth Dale Watson, Clara Dale Metcalf, Caroline Dale Bacon, and Sue Dale Flower Beckwith.

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