Page 140 - Cornelius Hedges Story

127 The Cornelius Hedges Story

Chapter 9
Cornelius Hedges -The Author

Cornelius Hedges’ careful scholarship and his ability to express
himself were well-known throughout the Territory. He wrote on
a variety of themes and under a variety of conditions. He was a
Masonic scholar and author, newspaper journalist, and often wrote
for publication.

The writings of Judge Hedges at times served various and sundry
purposes. But all his endeavors contained the same crisp literary
style. A. W. Bowen and Company, publishers of Progressive Men
of the State of Montana, gives Cornelius Hedges major credit and
acknowledgment for the compilation of that sizable volume.

They also accorded him the additional honor of placing his
biographical sketch at the very front of the volume.406

Cornelius was also the proofreader and informant for the Montana
section of Hubbell & Company’s Legal Directory for several
years.407 He was also chosen to write memorials of three former
Librarians of the Historical Society of Montana, Charles Rumley,
William F. Wheeler, and Henry S. Wheeler, for the Contributions to
the Historical Society of Montana.408

At times, he was a ghost writer for others in Montana. From
the tone and content of his journal entry for September 27, 1872,
Hedges evidently wrote a lecture for Colonel John Gibbon.409

In 1887, he wrote one of Governor Samuel T. Hauser’s messages,
however on January 12, he wrote of his effort, “Governor’s message
sent in today - Doesn’t include more than half what I wrote.”410
Hauser was a member of Helena Lodge No. 3.

Cornelius Hedges was very cognizant of current affairs and
endeavored to keep pace with new developments. Therefore
comments on the territorial, national and world affairs often became
favorite subjects in his writing, especially accompanying some of
his Masonic writings.411 Aside from the various types of writing
in which Hedges engaged, much can be said about his style and
expression in writing.