Page 123 - Cornelius Hedges Story

For This And Succeeding Generations Gardiner 110

Dispensation was given November 18, 1870 to form Bannack
Lodge No. 16 and the Charter issued on October 3, 1871. In 1874,
realizing the need for a school, Bannack Lodge No.16 built the
combination lodge and school house. The Lodge consolidated with
Dillon Lodge No. 23 as Dillon Lodge No. 16 on May 12, 1921.
Classes were held in this building for nearly 70 years. The school
finally closed in 1951 as a result of too few students.

As proof of his genuine interest in education, after failure to
be re-nominated as Superintendent, Hedges noted attendance at a
teachers’ meeting in Helena on the evening of January 26, 1878.357
And he spoke briefly at the graduation exercises of the first graduating
class of Helena Graded Schools on the evening of June 12, 1879.358

Judge Hedges served Montana education in yet another capacity
when he was elected to the Board of Trustees for the Helena Schools,
on the afternoon of August 30, 1879. And within a week, he was
again exercising his habit of visiting Helena schools.359

In 1880, Hedges was appointed a member of a three-man
textbook commission, by Territorial Superintendent W. Egbert
Smith, to examine textbooks and recommend a uniform set for the
common schools of the territory. This was an attempt to promote
improved instruction in all schools. The report of the commission
was passed by the legislature on February 23, 1881, and it stated
that schools not using the recommended texts would forfeit 25% of
their funds.360

On February 19, 1883, Judge Hedges was nominated by
Governor John Schuyler Crosby to again become Superintendent of
Public Instruction. Political opposition developed in the Council on
the 20th, but on February 21, his appointment was confirmed over
the opposition. On the 22nd, he posted bond, got commissioned, and
took possession of the effects of the office. On March 31, he drew
his first salary, $145.60, as Superintendent.361

During the Superintendence of Egbert Smith, the Teachers’
Institute laws were amended. The previous act did not make teacher
attendance at institutes mandatory, however, the amendment did.
The amendment also required the attendance of the Territorial
Superintendent at all county institutes, or forfeit ten dollars salary
for each institute missed.362 Because of this law, and more especially
because of natural devotion to duty, Hedges did a lot of traveling in
1883 and 1884.