Page 61 - Cornelius Hedges Story

For This And Succeeding Generations Gardiner 48

Both Will and Edna Cornelia had graduated from high school
or “academy” in New England. Will attended the academy at
Westfield, Massachusetts, and had spent nearly two years at Yale
College.187 Edna Cornelia attended Wellesley College in the early
1880’s, according to her father’s journals. Emma was married to
John Woodbridge at the family home on October 17, 1888.188

Judge Hedges had been a member of the Bar of the territory
since he had first opened a practice in Helena in 1865. On January
4, 1888, he was elected Treasurer of the Bar Association. Often,
because of his recognized professional knowledge and ability, he
was the person who conducted examinations for admission to the
Montana Bar. As an example, he examined C. R. Connelly and
David B. Carpenter on January 10, 1888.189

The Omnibus Enabling Act to admit Montana, North and South
Dakota, and Washington to statehood was passed by Congress and
signed by President Cleveland on February 22, 1889. On the second
Monday of May, political conventions were held in the 25 special
districts, so designated for that purpose, to nominate delegates to
draft a constitution.

Nominated from District 14, which was one of four districts in
Lewis and Clark County, was a very talented group. It consisted of
Republicans, Cornelius Hedges and L. H. Hershfield, and Democrats,
Martin Maginnis and Montana’s future first Governor, Joseph K.
Toole, Governor Toole was a member of Helena Lodge No. 3 and
went on to serve as Worshipful Master in 1889 and 1893. At the
election on May 14, three of the four were to be elected delegates,
and the results chronicled the defeat of Hedges.190

On May 15, his journal entry lends insight to the reason for his
defeat. He wrote “My opponents and their associates spent lots of
money to beat me.”191 When the Convention opened in Helena on
July 4, 1889, though not a delegate, Hedges was on hand for its
opening.

“Saw the convention sworn in,” he wrote, “Though the oath
came rather hard to Hershfield.”192 This may have been in reference
to the banking interests of L. H. Hershfield, one of the three men
who defeated Hedges for a seat. On the 6th, Toby Hedges, was
elected a page and eventually received a salary of $172 for his work
during the convention.193