Page 57 - Cornelius Hedges Story

For This And Succeeding Generations Gardiner 44

On the 18th, Hedges spent most of the day drawing up the first
set of City Ordinances for Helena, and the following evening the
City Council adopted them. He was also sworn in as City Clerk and
City Attorney on that evening.168

It was not until November 10, 1881, however, that the Council
fixed the amount of his salary. It was set at $50 per month; he had
expected $75.169 He held the position as City Clerk and City Attorney
until June 1, 1882, when he resigned.170 As a useful instrument in his
law practice, Hedges maintained, almost perpetually, a commission
as a Notary Public. He held one in Iowa,171 as well as in Montana
Territory. An example of this would be the Notarial Commission he
received from Gov. B. F. Potts on May 31, 1881, which was to be
valid for three years.172

In the late summer and early fall of 1881, Cornelius, his wife
Edna, and his son Toby visited in New England and New York.173
They left Helena on July 7 for Fort Benton and upon reaching
Fort Benton; they took passage on a river steamer and arrived in
Bismarck, Dakota Territory, on July 19.

They traveled on the Northern Pacific Railroad from Bismarck
to Duluth, arriving there at noon on the 21st. The Hedges then
journeyed by boat across the Great Lakes via the straits of Sault
Ste. Marie, Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, and into Lake Erie, reaching
Cleveland on July 26 and arriving in Buffalo on the 27th. From
Buffalo they traveled on the New York Central R. R, to Albany
and then to Westfield, Massachusetts, Cornelius’ boyhood home,
reaching that destination at 6 a.m. on July 28.

During their stay in the east they visited Cornelius’ family
and friends in and around Westfield, Massachusetts, including a
visit with Spooner who was an old Yale classmate, and also with
Edna’s family and friends in and around Southington, Connecticut.
They also visited Boston, August 12 to 15, where they visited the
Commons Art Museum and Judge Hedges bought more books.
From August 22 to 24, they visited New York City and saw Coney
Island on the 23rd. Among Cornelius’ other activities while visiting
in New England were: hunting family records in both Westfield
and Southington; visiting at Berlin, Connecticut, ,there he formerly
taught in the academy; sailing on the Connecticut River; and visiting
with Grand Secretary J. R. Wheeler of Connecticut’s Grand Lodge
of Masons at Hartford.