The Making and Measure of a Judge • Biography of the Honorable Sammie Chess, Jr. is the definitive biography of North Carolina’s first African American Superior Court Judge. It is a vivid historical journey of Chess’s humble beginning on the dirt floor of a tenant dwelling, in the midst of the Great Depression, in rural South Carolina. Chess’s journey continues through the Jim Crow era and the civil rights struggle as a civil rights attorney, and his rise to an outstanding Superior Court judge, Administrative Law judge, mentor and public servant. The book contains many lessons on how one should conduct themselves as lawyers and judges, and more importantly, many lessons on how to live one’s life. When asked how he was able to rise above all he had experienced first-hand of the segregated south and set aside any personally biases he might have, without hesitation, Chess responded: “You treat people the way you want to be treated, not the way you are treated. I didn’t let them set my standards. If a Klan member can bring you to his level, then you are not well rooted.” Chess lived by a moral compass that lead him to dispense equal justice under law for all, irrespective of race or any other status in life. Undoubtedly, Chess reminds all of us of one of the greatest lessons one can learn in life: “With perseverance we can achieve.” A distinguished jurist himself, Judge Webster writes a remarkabletribute about his mentor and hero. Judge Sammie Chess, Jr.'s characterand courage is chronicled through a vivid, historical journey of hisfamily's humble life during the Great Depression through the CivilRights era. Created from the formidable strength of his upbringing andmeasured by his humane spirit and gracious temperament, Judge Chessdeservedly rose to the bench and earned a reputation as a judicial luminary. The Honorable. J. Michelle Childs, U.S. District Court judge for the District of South Carolina The Honorable Joe Webster is a long-time colleague, preeminent judge,and consummate scholar who has written the definitive biography of North Carolina's first African-American Superior Court Judge, the HonorableSammie Chess, Jr. And after knowing Judge Chess as I have for well overtwenty-five years, it just so happens that this pioneer civil rightslawyer and judge is also the wisest man I have ever known. After reading this inspiring biography, you, too, will know what produced this jurist and his wisdom....a must read! The Honorable Julian Mann, III, director and chief Administrative Law judge, North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings Judge Joe Webster has painstakingly researched and respectfully compiled a very meaningful account of the barrier breaking life and times ofJudge Sammie Chess, Jr., whose inspiring and uplifting story is trulyone for the ages. Confronted and strapped by a legal and social systemflawed by invidious discrimination and unequal treatment under color oflaw that fed racial injustice, Judge Chess, with malice toward none andcharity for all, faced daily insults with quiet dignity and recurring slurs with amazing grace. He consciously chose to stand strong for thecause of civil rights and by word and deed demonstrated what is possible in a raced based society and continues to resonate. All people of goodwill should find that reading this well written book will be time wellspent and a magnificently worthwhile experience. The Honorable. W. Douglas Albright, senior resident Superior Court judge, Eighteenth Judicial. District. (retired) A distinguished jurist himself, Judge Webster writes a remarkable tribute about his mentor and hero. Judge Sammie Chess, Jr.'s character and courage is chronicled through a vivid, historical journey of his family's humble life during the Great Depression through the Civil Rights era. Created from the formidable strength of his upbringing and measured by his humane spirit and gracious temperament, Judge Chess deservedly rose to the bench and earned a reputation as a judicial luminary. The Honorable. J. Michelle Childs, U.S. District Court judge for the District of South Carolina The Honorable Joe Webster is a long-time colleague, preeminent judge, and consummate scholar who has written the definitive biography of North Carolina's first African-American Superior Court Judge, the Honorable Sammie Chess, Jr. And after knowing Judge Chess as I have for well over twenty-five years, it just so happens that this pioneer civil rights lawyer and judge is also the wisest man I have ever known. After reading this inspiring biography, you, too, will know what produced this jurist and his wisdom....a must read! The Honorable Julian Mann, III, director and chief Administrative Law judge, North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings Judge Joe Webster has painstakingly researched and respectfully compiled a very meaningful account of the barrier breaking life and times of Judge Sammie Chess, Jr., whose inspiring and uplifting story is truly one for the age