More than a century of attorney services comes to an end

Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photo The law firm of Hudson & Mullies LLC located in the Fort Scott Professional Building will close soon after more than a century of service in the community. Pictured in the law office are, from left, attorney Leigh Hudson, legal assistant Jean Reeves, secretary Linda Wymore and attorney Blake Hudson.

A local law firm with more than a century of service in the community is closing its doors.

The firm of Hudson & Mullies LLC, currently located in the Fort Scott Professional Building at 710 W. Eighth St., will close soon as attorney Leigh Hudson is planning to retire, attorney David Mullies retired a few years ago, and attorney Blake Hudson is moving to the office of another law firm.

The firm, founded in 1890 by Bannus Hudson, has a long history of Hudsons involved in the practice.

"Blake and I are fourth generation," Leigh Hudson said in a Thursday interview with the Tribune. "At one point, I think we were the oldest continuous law firm in Kansas."

Just 30 years after Fort Scott was incorporated in 1860, Bannus Hudson, a former Union Army soldier and Indiana school teacher, established a law firm at 8 N. Main St.

"He was self-taught and was once superintendent of Fort Scott schools," Leigh Hudson said.

Bannus Hudson was joined by J.M. Humphrey in a partnership which continued until 1914 when Hudson became associated with his son, Douglas, in the law firm, Hudson and Hudson. During his practice, Douglas Hudson served as city attorney for Fort Scott and as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives.

Douglas was honored by the Kansas Bar Association with its highest award for service to community, state and the system of justice, according to a Tribune article published in 1990 on the 100th anniversary of the firm.

"That was quite an honor at that time," Leigh Hudson said.

Douglas, who was called "Chief" by those who knew him, had two sons; Howard, who is Leigh's father, and Douglas G. Hudson, who is Blake Hudson's father, Leigh said.

In June 1938, Howard joined his father's firm where he practiced until 1965.

In 1939, Douglas G. Hudson joined his father and older brother in their practice for a short time before taking a position with an insurance company in California, working as an FBI agent in the U.S. and abroad, and serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, Douglas G. Hudson resumed his law practice in Fort Scott where he worked until his death in 1984.