Hugo Friend
Encyclopedia
Hugo Morris Friend was an American
jurist who, in his youth, competed as an athlete in the long jump
and hurdles. He is best remembered as the judge who presided over the criminal trial of the Chicago Black Sox
, which ended in an acquittal, but did not affect their ban from baseball.
Friend was born in Prague
but came to the United States as an early age. He attended the University of Chicago
beginning in 1901, where he became a track star. He was selected for the United States team for the 1906 Intercalated Games in Athens
and won a bronze medal.
He became a lawyer in 1908 and a judge twelve years later. He presided over the Black Sox trial in 1921, and when they were acquitted, he responded to the jubilation in the courtroom with a smile. At the time of his 1966 death, he was the oldest active member of the Cook County Circuit Court bench.
, in what was then the Austrian province of Bohemia
. At an early age, he emigrated to the United States. He graduated from South Division High School in Chicago in 1901.
Friend attended the University of Chicago
, where he was a track star. He twice won the Big Ten long jump
championship. Friend was the captain of Chicago's Big Ten champion track team, the first time one of the university's teams had won the Big Ten Championship He was selected for the United States team for the 1906 Intercalated Games (sometimes termed the 1906 Olympic Games) in Athens
. and won a bronze medal in the long jump, finishing fourth in the 100 metre hurdles. He also played football for Chicago, though never at the varsity level.
Friend received his undergraduate degree from Chicago in 1906; he continued at the university and secured his law degree in 1908.
Governor
Frank Lowden appointed him to the Cook County Circuit Court.
In 1921, Judge Friend was assigned the case of the Chicago Black Sox; the players had been suspended from baseball after having been indicted for throwing the 1919 World Series
. The case had been marked by theft of the incriminating statements made by some of the players to the grand jury. At the conclusion of the evidence, Judge Friend said of the cases against two of the players, Buck Weaver
and Happy Felsch
, that they were so weak that he doubted if he could let the convictions stand. He was not called upon to do so; all of the defendants were acquitted amid scenes of jubilation, observed by a smiling Judge Friend. The following day, Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis
issued a statement stating that no player who had agreed to throw a baseball game, or sat in on meetings to that end, would ever play professional baseball thereafter.
In 1928, Friend presided over the case against Chicago Mayor William Hale Thompson
and three codefendants, ordering them to pay over $2 million paid to real estate experts. He was reversed in his judgment against Mayor Thompson and one of the co-defendants by the Illinois Supreme Court.
In 1957, he cleared the way for the movie The Miracle
to be shown in Chicago, ruling it was not obscene. He died on April 29, 1966, at age 83 the oldest active Cook County Circuit Court judge, while listening to the broadcast of a Chicago White Sox
–Cleveland Indians
game.
He was elected in 2006 into the University of Chicago Athletic Hall of Fame. His listing cites his 1906 "Olympic" accomplishments and his Big Ten
feats, including his track team captaincy.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jurist who, in his youth, competed as an athlete in the long jump
Long jump
The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength, and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a take off point...
and hurdles. He is best remembered as the judge who presided over the criminal trial of the Chicago Black Sox
Black Sox Scandal
The Black Sox Scandal took place around and during the play of the American baseball 1919 World Series. Eight members of the Chicago White Sox were banned for life from baseball for intentionally losing games, which allowed the Cincinnati Reds to win the World Series...
, which ended in an acquittal, but did not affect their ban from baseball.
Friend was born in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
but came to the United States as an early age. He attended the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
beginning in 1901, where he became a track star. He was selected for the United States team for the 1906 Intercalated Games in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
and won a bronze medal.
He became a lawyer in 1908 and a judge twelve years later. He presided over the Black Sox trial in 1921, and when they were acquitted, he responded to the jubilation in the courtroom with a smile. At the time of his 1966 death, he was the oldest active member of the Cook County Circuit Court bench.
Early life and athletic career
Hugo Morris Friend, who was Jewish, was born on July 21, 1882, in the city of PraguePrague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, in what was then the Austrian province of Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
. At an early age, he emigrated to the United States. He graduated from South Division High School in Chicago in 1901.
Friend attended the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
, where he was a track star. He twice won the Big Ten long jump
Long jump
The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength, and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a take off point...
championship. Friend was the captain of Chicago's Big Ten champion track team, the first time one of the university's teams had won the Big Ten Championship He was selected for the United States team for the 1906 Intercalated Games (sometimes termed the 1906 Olympic Games) in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
. and won a bronze medal in the long jump, finishing fourth in the 100 metre hurdles. He also played football for Chicago, though never at the varsity level.
Friend received his undergraduate degree from Chicago in 1906; he continued at the university and secured his law degree in 1908.
Lawyer and judge
Friend joined the Illinois Bar in 1908, and began the practice of law in Chicago. In 1916, he was appointed a Master in Chancery of the Superior Court of Cook County by Judge Albert C. Barnes. On September 18, 1920, RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Governor
Governor of Illinois
The Governor of Illinois is the chief executive of the State of Illinois and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by popular suffrage of residents of the state....
Frank Lowden appointed him to the Cook County Circuit Court.
In 1921, Judge Friend was assigned the case of the Chicago Black Sox; the players had been suspended from baseball after having been indicted for throwing the 1919 World Series
1919 World Series
The 1919 World Series matched the American League champion Chicago White Sox against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds. Although most World Series have been of the best-of-seven format, the 1919 World Series was a best-of-nine series...
. The case had been marked by theft of the incriminating statements made by some of the players to the grand jury. At the conclusion of the evidence, Judge Friend said of the cases against two of the players, Buck Weaver
Buck Weaver
George Daniel "Buck" Weaver was an American shortstop and third baseman in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Chicago White Sox...
and Happy Felsch
Happy Felsch
Oscar Emil "Happy" Felsch was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago White Sox from 1915 to 1920. He is probably best known for his involvement in the 1919 Black Sox scandal....
, that they were so weak that he doubted if he could let the convictions stand. He was not called upon to do so; all of the defendants were acquitted amid scenes of jubilation, observed by a smiling Judge Friend. The following day, Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis was an American jurist who served as a federal judge from 1905 to 1922 and as the first Commissioner of Baseball from 1920 until his death...
issued a statement stating that no player who had agreed to throw a baseball game, or sat in on meetings to that end, would ever play professional baseball thereafter.
In 1928, Friend presided over the case against Chicago Mayor William Hale Thompson
William Hale Thompson
William Hale Thompson was Mayor of Chicago from 1915 to 1923 and again from 1927 to 1931. Known as "Big Bill", Thompson was the last Republican to serve as Mayor of Chicago, and ranks among the most unethical mayors in American history.Thompson was born in Boston, Massachusetts to William Hale...
and three codefendants, ordering them to pay over $2 million paid to real estate experts. He was reversed in his judgment against Mayor Thompson and one of the co-defendants by the Illinois Supreme Court.
In 1957, he cleared the way for the movie The Miracle
L'Amore (film)
L'Amore is an anthology film directed by Roberto Rossellini starring Anna Magnani and Federico Fellini. The two segments are "Il Miracolo" and "Una Voce Umana", the latter based on the play The Human Voice by Jean Cocteau...
to be shown in Chicago, ruling it was not obscene. He died on April 29, 1966, at age 83 the oldest active Cook County Circuit Court judge, while listening to the broadcast of a Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
–Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
game.
He was elected in 2006 into the University of Chicago Athletic Hall of Fame. His listing cites his 1906 "Olympic" accomplishments and his Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
feats, including his track team captaincy.
See also
- List of select Jewish track and field athletes