A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 4

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883-
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002

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de Mantte

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

During the first two years after reaching Salt Lake City, Lee Mantle worked at herding cattle for his board and clothes, and during the two following years he felt himself fortunate in not only receiving food and raiment for his. labor, but also a salary amounting to fifty dollars annually. He thus reached his sixteenth year, strong, sturdy and ambitious, typical of the devel- opment which came later. About this time he secured work on the Union Pacific Railway, hauling ties for this great transportation line that was then being con- structed in Utah to Promontory Point, where on May 10, 1869, it joined the Central Pacific Line, and where from his team of mules he saw the meeting of the first trains from the east and the west and the distinguished guests who were brought from the Atlantic and the Pacific to witness the historic event of the driving of the last spike. On the completion of the railroad, finding no employ- ment at home, he decided to go to Malad City, Idaho, and although the place was one hundred and twenty miles away, he had such supreme faith in his own capacity and such determination to advance his for- tunes, that he packed his possessions and started with them on his back, walking the entire distance.

When, footsore and weary, he reached Malad City, Idaho, he entered the employ of Hon. B. F. White, who subsequently became governor of Montana, and was engaged as a teamster hauling salt by ox team from Mr. White's salt works in eastern Idaho to Boise City, Idaho, and to Virginia City, Montana, re- maining in Governor White's employ two seasons. The acquaintance thus begun in the relation of em- ployer and employe between the ragged and almost barefooted boy and the governor to be, ripened later into a close friendship which has lasted unbroken for more than forty years.

A pleasant, winning manner even then enabled him to make friends readily, and it was while spending the second winter in Malad, waiting for the season to open, that he became acquainted with the telegraph operator there, W. N. Shilling. At that time neither the names nor the personalities of either Mr. Mantle or Mr. Shilling were of much interest to anyone out- side their own families, but the time came when Mr. Shilling became a factor in the financial world at Ogden, Utah, and Mr. Mantle's name carried weight in the greatest legislative body in the world. Having nothing else to do, the youth concluded it would be a wise measure to learn the art of telegraphy from his new friend, while the latter was glad to teach him in payment for having the line along his route kept in order during the winter season. Mr. Mantle was an apt pupil and rapidly acquired a knowledge of the work. faithfully living up to his bargain to keep the telegraph line in good condition. So well had his work been done that in the spring he was tendered the position, and gladly accepted it, of general re- pairer on the main lines of the Western Union Tele- graph Company between Ogden and Green River, along the Union Pacific Railway. In 1872 he was appointed telegraph operator at Pleasant Valley, Ida- ho, just across the Montana line, on the old overland stage line, where he remained five years, becoming station agent, postmaster and part owner of the toll- road. It was during this period and in this isolated spot that he first found an opportunity for reading, which he eagerly improved, and it was here also that he first met many of the most famous of the early Montana pioneers on their stage journeys to and from the east. In 1877 he came to Butte and opened the

express office of Wells, Fargo & Company, and within two years he was also in charge of the first telegraph office in the city, and also established the first fire insurance agency. Subsequently, in partner- ship with William Owsley, who later was elected mayor of this city, he embarked in the livery business, and in looking after the interests of this enterprise, built up his somewhat shattered health.

Mr. Mantle was one of the earliest agitators for the incorporation of Butte as a city, and when this meas- ure was brought about, in the face of violent opposi- tion, was elected a member of its first board of alder- men. The principles and policies of the Republican party had appealed to him when manhood dawned, and after the organization of Butte as a city, he was the first to formulate a plan and put it into execu- tion for the establishment of a daily Republican news- paper here, and thus came about the founding of the Daily Inter-Mountain, which he managed and directed for twenty years, eventually becoming its sole owner.

Although already a factor in local politics, it was not until 1882 that he came prominently before the public and was elected a member of the lower house of the territorial legislature, and two years later he was chosen as a delegate to the Republican national convention, instructed for George F. Edmunds, while his colleague, Col. Wilbur F. Sanders, was for Hon. James G. Blaine. In the autumn of 1884 Mr. Mantle was a second time nominated for the legisla- ture, but was defeated, although by a small vote, from an honorable cause, having refused to pledge himself against interfering with the gambling inter- ests. His popularity at this time was such that in 1885, when Governor Crosby became assistant post- master-general in the cabinet of President Arthur, there was great pressure brought to bear to have Mr. Mantle appointed to fill the vacancy, but in the mean- while a sectional feeling had been aroused between the eastern and western parts of the then territory, and a citizen of New York state was appointed. In 1886 Mr. Mantle once more returned to the legisla- ture, where he worked to secure a sound registration law, together with numerous other reformatory enact- ments. In the next year some very important issues came up in public life and Mr. Mantle, through his vigorous fight in favor of just laws, came still again prominently before the people of Montana. It is not difficult to recall the efforts made by the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1887 to secure from the govern- ment of the United States patents to immense tracts of valuable mineral land in Montana which the com- pany claimed under its land grant, and of the natural indignation of the people at large over this attempt. A mass convention was held at Helena and the Mon- tana Mineral Land Association was organized to pro- tect the public interests. Mr. Mantle was chosen permanent president of this body and it was largely through his determined efforts, aided by other patriotic Montanians, that the issuing of patents was suspended and the matter brought before congress and remedial legislation secured which resulted in saving vast areas of valuable mineral lands to the people.

Once more returned to the general assembly in 1888, Mr. Mantle was accorded the signal honor of being elected speaker, and during that last territorial legis- lature many important measures came before the house and invaluable laws were passed, included in these being one for a registration of voters, another provid- ing for the Australian system of balloting, a mechan-

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ic's lien law and the mine inspection law. In the fall of 1888 Mr. Mantle placed Hon. Thomas H. Carter in nomination at the territorial convention for delegate in congress and was conspicuous in the campaign which resulted in Mr. Carter's election. In 1889 Montana became a state and in the legislative session following Mr. Mantle became a candidate for the United States senate, but was defeated by Hon. Thomas C. Power, who won the nomination in the caucus by two votes. Mr. Power had been the Republican candidate for governor and was defeated. Mr. Man- tle kept in harness, however, and was continually at work for the success of his party without regard to his own personal advancement, frequently serving as chairman of state conventions and delegate to national conventions, being chosen three times chairman of the state Republican central committee, each time lead- ing the party to success. In 1892 Butte honored Mr. Mantle by electing him mayor of the city by a great majority. His administration of municipal affairs marked a new era for Butte, and many general im- provements were brought to a successful conclusion. The present fine public library is an example.

In 1893 came the well remembered deadlock over the election of a United States senator. In the Repub- lican caucus former Senator Wilbur F. Sanders was nominated for a second term over Mr. Mantle by just one vote and after three weeks of fruitless ballot- ing his name was withdrawn, Mr. Mantle receiving the vote of his party until the session closed without an election. When Senator Sanders' term of office expired, Mr. Mantle was appointed by Governor Rich- ards to fill the vacancy; the senate, however, refused to seat him on purely technical constitutional grounds. For two years the seat remained vacant. The next legislature, being Republican, at once elected Mr. Man- tle United States senator. For this high position Mr. Mantle was well equipped, possessing ability, dignity, poise and strength, and he took his place in the great- est deliberative body in the world, not as a neophyte, but as a seasoncd statesman who had already won public honors and knew how to wear them. In the senate of the United States, as elsewhere, his sturdy integrity, his firm convictions of right and justice, his pure patriotism and personal independence, won for him the confidence and esteem of the senate and gave weight to his opinions. While called on to consider matters of the gravest moment to this country at large, he never forgot the needs of his own state and its people, holding himself ever ready to stand up in defense of their rights.

As a public speaker Mr. Mantle has always been popular and effective, his services in this particular being always greatly in demand, and especially so dur- ing political campaigns.

During his senatorial term he served on numerous important committees and was also appointed a mem- ber of the National Industrial Commission, composed of men representing various shades of political thought, the object being to make a thorough examination into the labor and other economic questions in the United States, a final report being then made to congress. The term of this committee extended three years be- yond his senatorial term, and when the latter expired, on account of the pressure of private concerns, he felt obliged to retire from the commission. When he returned to Montana he found his friends still active in his behalf and in the legislative session of 1901 he was again caucus nominee of the Republican

party. The legislature, however, was Democratic, and Mr. Mantle was not elected.

In the political campaign of 1905 Mr. Mantle was again a candidate for the United States senate. His own county of Silver Bow, which was always regarded as a stronghold of Democracy, elected eleven of the twelve candidates for the legislature, who were pledged by the Republican convention which nomi- nated them to give him their loyal support. Public sentiment was largely in his favor and when the polls closed on election day there seemed no doubt but that he had won the coveted honor throughout the state. However, powerful influences were opposed to him and sought his defeat which was finally accom- plished by unfair and dishonorable means; means which were exposed and made public during the ex- citing presidential campaign for delegates to the national Republican convention in 1912 over the sig- nature of a well known state senator from western Montana who had led the fight in behalf of his oppon- ent.

In 1903, the Montana legislature having failed to make an appropriation to enable the state to be repre- sented at the great Louisiana Purchase Exposition to be held at St. Louis, Governor J. K. Toole appointed a committee of fifteen prominent citizens to secure funds by private subscription. This committtee met and elected Mr. Mantle chairman and resolved that in order to clothe it with the proper dignity and author- ity, the commission should be created by the legis- lature and the expense borne by the state. Mr. Mantle succeeded in bringing the legislature together (extra session) under an agreement that the members would serve without compensation. A law, framed by him, was immediately passed creating a commission of fif- teen members to be known as the "Montana World's Fair Commission" and the sum of $50,000 appropriated. The commission elected liim its president and chair- man of its executive committee and gave him full con- trol and direction of its affairs. Other plans were set afloat and additional funds secured, with the result that the state was magnificently represented at this, the greatest exposition ever witnessed, as well as at the Portland, Oregon, Exposition, the following year. The members of this commission refused to take a dol- lar for their time, trouble or personal expenses, and with their final report to the governor of the state turned back into the state treasury over $800 of un- expended funds.

Nothing, perhaps, could more forcibly emphasize the sterling character Mr. Mantle has built for himself among the people of this commonwealth than the fact that after more than a third of a century of active participation in the stress and strife of partisan politi- cal warfare, with all its fierce rivalries and jealousies ; after having often been subjected to the heat and glare of hostile criticism which ever follows the successful man in public life, and after all the competitions and conflicts of interest, unavoidable in the rush and clash of the business world, no man in Montana today stands higher in the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens than he. Go where you will in his home state and you will hear men speak of him only in terms of praise and commendation, both for his recognized abilities and for his high personal character.

In common with a very large majority of successful Americans who have risen to prominence in any branch of worthy human effort. Mr. Mantle was denied the advantage of an education in his early

J. Carry Witherspoon.

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

youth and was necessarily compelled to supply this deficiency as best he could with the limited opportu- nities and under the adverse conditions which sur- rounded him in later years. However, his untiring industry and perseverance, combined with natural abil- ities of a high order, enabled him to overcome to a most creditable degree these disadvantages, so much so, indeed, that many of his public addresses have commanded approval and admiration, both for their eloquence and their subject matter. His maiden speech in the United States senate was a forceful and convincing defense of the people of the west, among whom his life has been passed, against the unjust aspersions of some of the press and the people of the east, including the then president of the United States. This speech was universally complimented and en- dorsed by the press and the people of the west. An- other address of Mr. Mantle's most highly commended upon every hand was the one delivered at the memo- rial services held in honor of the late Senator Thomas H. Carter at Helena. It was an earnest, eloquent and sincere tribute to the splendid character and great life work of his former colleague and friend. By much of the editorial comment it was pronounced a classic and worthy of preservation in the historical archives of the state.

Aside from his more than thirty years of continu- ous activity in affairs political and .in public life, Mr. Mantle has been a very busy man, having numer- ous interests running in many directions. For twenty years he managed and directed the business and poli- cies of his paper, the Daily Inter-Mountain, until he sold it in 1901. He has ever been regarded as a pub- lic spirited citizen wielding a strong influence and taking an active interest in all that pertained to the welfare of his home city and state, and ever ready to extend sympathy and encouragement to those who, like himself, found the earlier stages of life's journey filled with obstacles well nigh insurmountable.

Mr. Mantle's host of friends all over the state are at this writing (June, 1912) urging him to again enter the contest for United States senator in the coming campaign, and should he do so there are thousands who will strive earnestly to correct the grave injustice done him five years ago by methods shameful in their character.

Mr. Mantle still retains his home in Butte, where he has resided for thirty-five years. He enjoys . good health and is actively concerned in all life's duties and responsibilities. He is social and agreeable by nature, a welcome guest on all occasions and enjoys the con- fidence and good will of a host of friends in every section of the Treasure state. Fraternally he is asso- ciated with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Elks and the Knights of Pythias, having been the first grand chancellor of the latter organization in Montana.

THOMAS C. WITHERSPOON, M. D. Engaged in the practice of his profession in the city of Butte, the metropolis of Montana, Dr. Witherspoon holds secure prestige as one of the distinguished physicians and sur- geons of this state and is also a citizen of prominence and influence,-broad minded, loyal and progressive in his civic attitude. He is a scion in the agnatic line of stanch Scotch ancestry and a representative of one of the old and patrician families of the south, where the original representative of the name settled about two centuries ago, upon his immigration from the north of Ireland, in which section the family was established up-

on removing from Scotland in the seventeenth century, on account of religious persecutions. The sterling ancestor of Dr. Witherspoon finally removed from his original location in South Carolina to Tennessee, and his cousin, John Witherspoon, was a signer of that im- mortal document, the Declaration of Independence. They were Scotch Presbyterians of the strictest type, and from the time of the historic character, John Knox, the family has given in the various generations many representatives to the ministerial and medical pro- fessions. William Conner, maternal grandfather of Dr. Witherspoon, was of stanch Irish lineage and was an early settler in Mississippi, where was solemnized his marriage to a daughter of Dr. John Gustin. The grand- mother was born in Pennsylvania and was a child at the time when the family removed to Mississippi, the journey being made by carriage to St. Louis and thence on a raft down the Mississippi river to Natchez, Mis- sissippi, where she was reared and educated and where she was wedded to William Conner. The Gustin family is of French lineage, and Dr. James Gustin was one of the prominent pioneer physicians of the state of Con- necticut. Dr. Witherspoon has records that give data concerning the maternal ancestry as far back as Robert Bruce, from whom he is a lineal descendent. It may also be noted at this juncture that the Doctor has in his possession a highly prized family heirloom, the same being a family bible issued in the tenth century and written in an abbreviated Latin text. It was writ- ten by a Catholic monk who resided in Cornwall, Eng- land, and who devoted forty years to the preparation of this most interesting and valuable volume.

Dr. Thomas Casey Witherspoon was born in the city of Natchez, Mississippi, on the 25th of May, 1868, and is a son of Thomas Casey Witherspoon, Sr., and Mary A. D. (Conner) Witherspoon, the former a native of Alabama and the latter of Mississippi. Prior to the Civil war the family was one of wealth and prominence in Mississippi, but it suffered to the full the vicissitudes incidental to that great conflict, and its fortune was swept away. The father of the Doctor was a prosperous planter and cotton broker in Mississippi and continued to be identified with the cotton business until his final retirement. Now venerable in years, he resides in the city of Los Angeles, California. They are folk of gentle breeding and most gracious characteristics, and they have ever held secure place in the affectionate regard for those who have come within the immediate sphere of their influence. They hold membership in the Presby- terian church and the father has ever been a stanch Democrat in his political allegiance. Of the four chil- dren, the two daughters died in early childhood, and the younger of the two sons, William Conner Witherspoon, is now engaged in the wholesale tea, coffee and spice business in the city of St. Louis, Missouri.

The early educational discipline of Dr. Witherspoon was obtained in private schools in his native city, and when he was about eleven years of age the family re- moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he availed himself of the advantages of the public schools, including the high school in which he was graduated. He next en- tered the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. in which he was graduated in 1887. This technical training spurred his ambition to prepare himself for the medical profes- sion, and he accordingly was matriculated in the Mis- souri Medical College, in which excellent institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1889, from which he received his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine. In all examinations during his prosecu-

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tion of the course in the medical college he received a uniform award of one hundred per cent,-an excep- tional and enviable record which showed not only his fine powers of assimilation, but also his earnest applica- tion to his studies and other incidental work. In recog- nition of this precedence the faculty of the college pre- sented him with a fine gold medal, appropriately in- scribed. He was the fourth person to receive that dis- tinction with the existence of the college, which had at that time covered a period of fifty-six years. He has reason to feel proud of the honor thus accorded to him, and his work in the college has typified that which he has accomplished in the practical activities of his profession, of which he has become a distinguished representative, and in which he has gained repute as a man of excep- tional intellectual and technical attainments.

For several months after his graduation, Dr. Wither- spoon served as interne in the city hospital of St. Louis and in this connection he gained varied and valuable clinical experience.

In the winter of 1889 Dr. Witherspoon came to Mon- tana and established his residence in the city of Butte, and after being engaged in practice in an individual way for several months he formed a professional partnership with Dr. Charles F. Cooper, with whom he continued to be associated for one year, at the expiration of which the alliance was severed, on account of the impaired health of Dr. Cooper, who went to the Hawaiian islands to recuperate his energies. Thereafter Dr. Witherspoon conducted an individual practice and also a private hos- pital until November, 1893, when he returned to St. Louis, Missouri, whither he had been summoned on ac- count of the death of his wife's mother. He was en- gaged in practice in that city until November, 1896, and within that period he served as assistant to the chair of anatomy in his alma mater, the Missouri Medical College. In the winter of 1894 he was appointed pro- fessor of G. U. surgery in the Marion Sims Medical College, and in the following year he was the incum- bent of the chair of physiology and clinical. surgery in this institution.

In November, 1906, Dr. Witherspoon returned to Butte, where he has since been continuously associated with Dr. H. D. Kister in a general practice, which has become one of broad and representative scope. In April, 1907, he also formed a business and professional alliance with Drs. T. J. Murray, and Donald Campbell, and they are associated in the conducting of the Mur- ray hospital, a private institution which is known as one of the best in the state, the same having the most modern equipment and most attractive of appointments and being a valuable acquisition to the hospital facilities of the Montana metropolis. The hospital is conducted by a corporation formed for the purpose, and of the same Dr. Murray is president ; Dr. Campbell, vice presi- dent; Mr. A. L. Patterson, secretary and treasurer ; and Dr. Witherspoon, chief surgeon. Dr Witherspoon did effective post-graduate work in the Missouri Medical College in the winters of 1893 and 1894. In 1897 he was appointed professor of operative and clinical sur- gery in the Marion Sims Medical College, with which he had previously been identified, as already noted in this context. About this time Beaumont Medi- cal College was consolidated with the Marion Sims College, and in 1900 the combined institutions became affiliated with St. Louis University at the medical department of the same. Eight months of that year were passed by Dr. Witherspoon in study and re- search in the leading hospitals and medical colleges of Vienna and Berlin. In 1905 he again went abroad for

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 4

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883- Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1002

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883-
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002