Tully Scott (July 12, 1857 – May 4, 1924)[1][2] was an associate justice of theColorado Supreme Court from 1913 to 1922, and chief justice from 1922 to 1923. From 1907 to 1911 he was a member of theColorado Senate.
Born inSt. Paris, Ohio,[1] Scott began working at the age of ten, driving a team of mules during the construction of a turnpike in Ohio.[1] He attended high school in St. Paris, and later moved with his family to Beloit, Kansas, where his father homesteaded land. Scott saved money to attend theKansas State Agricultural College (nowKansas State University), completing the four-year course in two years while working to pay his expenses by caring for the college's livestock.[1][2]
After graduating, Scottstudied law and was admitted to the Kansas bar in 1880.[2] He practiced in Beloit, and from 1885 to 1889 served as receiver of public moneys inOberlin, Kansas, appointed by PresidentGrover Cleveland.[2]
Scott was active in Kansas Democratic politics, serving on the Democratic central committee and running unsuccessfully for Congress in 1900.[1] In 1901, he moved with his wife toCripple Creek, Colorado, and was admitted to the Colorado bar the same year.[2]
From 1907 to 1911, Scott representedTeller County in the Colorado Senate, where he was instrumental in passing several statutes.[1] In 1911, he was appointed presiding judge of theColorado Court of Appeals, serving for one year.[2]
Scott was elected associate justice of the Colorado Supreme Court in 1912, taking office in 1913. He served until 1923, becoming chief justice in 1922 upon the retirement of James E. Garrigues.[1] During his tenure, he authored opinions described as "among the ablest ever handed down by a Western judge".[1]
Following the end of his term on the Supreme Court, Scott was appointed to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission in January 1923.[1] In 1920, he was the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate,[3] but lost to Republican Samuel Nicholson.[1]
In December 1891, Scott married Harriet I. Hunter ofPana, Illinois,[2] with whom he had three children: Kempthorne Scott of Dallas, Texas; Jack Garrett Scott of Antonito, Colorado; and Mrs. Mira Scott Frank of Denver.[1] He also had two brothers, one living in Kansas City and another in Fresno, California.[1]
In February 1921, Scott suffered from a paralytic stroke that was so bad that he was prematurely reported by several newspapers to have died. Scott actually died at his home in Denver on May 4, 1924, at the age of 66, following complications from heart disease and his prior stroke.[1]
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| Preceded by | Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court 1913–1923 | Succeeded by |