Page 130 - Cornelius Hedges Story

117 The Cornelius Hedges Story

Chapter 7
The Helena Public Library

Cornelius Hedges was integrally involved with the Helena
Library Association from its embryo stages. He became chairman of
the committee to draft the association’s constitution on November
20, 1868.377 From that time until his death, Hedges name was nearly
synonymous with that of the Helena Library Association and the
early years of the Helena Public Library. This endeavor, like many
others, was the beneficiary of the time, talent, energy, and intellect
of Cornelius Hedges.

At the inception of the Helena Library Association, Hedges
not only chaired the committee which drafted its constitution, but
he,W. F. Sanders, J. W. Whitlatch, and Ben Stickney (Sanders
and Whitlatch were also Masons) composed the committee which
solicited the original subscriptions for the library.

On December 5, the Helena Library Association was formally
organized. James King was chosen its first President. Cornelius
Hedges was elected Vice President, and J. L. Douglas was named
Secretary.378

On December 21, Hedges commented that at a Library
Association meeting “my payment was accepted in books for a life
membership.”379 Cornelius Hedges was honored, on December 18,
1869, with the Presidency of the Helena Library Association. It was
a day of double honors for Hedges; he was also elected Treasurer of
Helena Lodge #3, A. F. & A. M.380

On December 20, 1869, Hedges and A.M. Holter leased the
two back rooms of their new building on upper Main Street to the
Library Association for two years at $400 down. On the next day,
Hedges moved the library’s stove and books to the new building
and drew up the lease. At the end of the day, he wrote in his journal,
“This will enable me to get along without borrowing anymore.”381
It also made the library much more accessible for Hedges, who
made excellent use of it.

Another Hedges’ became integrally involved with the library
on March 3, 1870, when the association “agreed to try Willie as
librarian.” Will started work in the library on March 4, with his