Page 131 - Cornelius Hedges Story

For This And Succeeding Generations Gardiner 118

dad helping him most of the day, and on April 4, the executive
committee of the Helena Library Association hired Will for six
months at $40.382 He held the position for about one year.383 Will was
to later write that the Helena Library provided chess and checkers in
addition to books for its patrons.384

Hedges tersely wrote in his journal on December 7, 1872,
“Library meeting in the evening - was re-elected President in spite
of my refusal.” The following year W. F. Sanders was elected to
succeed Hedges.385

Shortly after Sanders became President, the entire library was
destroyed in the historic Helena fire of January 9, 1874. Burned that
day were “about 2,500 books, together with all its important record
books containing its history for the first four year. “And, of course,
the list original subscribers shared the same fate.”386

However, even the fire was only a temporary obstacle. The
Library Association began anew on August 24, 1874, under the
guiding hand of Cornelius Hedges, who was again elected its
President. This time he held the position until sometime in 1876,
probably stepping down in December.387

Judge Hedges included a brief history of the Helena Library
Association in his 4th of July Historical Address in 1876 and in
humility never once mentioned his own name. On that day he said
of the library:

“In a little more than a year since its revival it has gathered
together upwards of 1,200 volumes, and continues its useful career,
winning friends and favor under the growing depression of all
material interests. When prosperous days again return, no institution
in our community stands more deserving of increased favor, nor
more likely to receive it.”388

In March, 1885, Hedges began the foundation work for converting
the Helena Library Association into the Helena Free Public Library
when he drew up the ordinance for the Public Library’s creation. A
year later, the voters of Helena approved a one-half mill tax levy
for the library’s support, and on May 8, 1886, Hedges’ ordinance
became City Ordinance #79, and thereby the Helena Public Library
was formally organized. 389