The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-03-05
RATES OF ADYERTISfIG :
WILLIAM H. HUNT.

$1,000
States Minister to Russia, whose deaf
was reported in our dispatches yesterda
morning, was born in Charleston S. c.
in June, 1926. His father was an En-
glishman, who emigrated to this coun
try from the West Indies. His mother
Miss Gaillard, was a sister of John Gail
lard, who was for nineteen years a sen
ater from South Carolina, and for a tim
president of the senate. Judge Hun
was educated at a grammer school il
New Haven, Conn.,, and was a membe,
of the class of 1912 at Yale. He was al
ways distinguished in college for his
ability, beloved for his disposition ano
admired for his scholarship. His pov
erty broke up his college career before
graduation, and he went to New Or
leans, where his brothers had moved
driven out of South Carolina by the
states rights doctrines of Calhoun. The
Hunts were wings, and William H., at
an early age, found himself the presi-
dent of the Junior Clay club in New
Orleans an organization numbering
owe one thousand in the famous CLAW
campaign.
After studying law with his brother
for two years he was admitted to prac-
tlce in Louisiana and soon stepped to
the front. He studied hard and gained
a reputation for ability and oratorical
power. He gradually rose in distinc-
ton at the bar in the south until he
stood at its very head. 1t is said of him
that in his time but few were his EQUALS
in knowledge of commercial law and
he was famous for his pleading overs.
lie was earnest, vigorous, learned. He
practiced his profession with a full sense
Of it's highest duties, and he loved the
science of the law. His name is identi-
fed with the greatest cases tried in Lou
lsiana for years before the supreme court.
Judge Hunt believed that sspolitics was
the successful ending, not beginning of
a lawyers career" and he declined
many public honors to remain in pro-
fessional life. His commission as chief
justice OF his state was sent him, but he
returned it. He refused to be q. s. cir
cult judge, and several times declined to
be u. 5. attorney. During the war
times he was loyal to the Union, at a
sacrifice of social position and at a risk
OF mourning the odium of all sympa-
thizers of the rebellion. AT the close Of
the war he assumed a prominent posi-
ton in the republican prrty, which he
always maintained. He was the unani-
NOUS choice of his party for the z. S.
senate for weeks Of balloting and was
only defeated by the fusion of the legis-
lature, which by a bare majority elected
a democrat. He declined to be candi-
date for governor, and aftes much per-
suasion consented to become a candidate
for attorney general, a position he then
held by appointment. President Hayes,
after rendering him several positions,
him for Judge of the court of
claims in 1S77-a position he accented as
a lifting conclusion Of his thirty-fye
years active practice. In 1881, Garfield
nominated him for secretary of the
navy. He was interested in the success
OF The service, and zealously labored
with congress to build a new navy.
While in Garfield's cabinet Judge Hunt
many new friends, and was a
close and trusted friend of the president.
he knew Garfield well, and was deyot-
edly attached to him-none felt his
death more keeily. In April. 1882,
President Arthur relieved him as secre-
Lary of the navy, and nominated him
Tor minister to Russia, where he has
Oeen ever since. He served with honor
md credit abroad, and was regarded as
l type of the best American statesmen.
Judge Hunt, although fhe enjoyed a
lucrative practice, was q poor man. His
were numerous, and his
whole life filled with acts OF most nm
'elfish generosity. He was a most affec-
ionate, high-minded man, whose every !
tandard throughout life was Hhonor {
md integrity" and of all men in pub !,
ic life none have borne mere universal
steem Of all classes, and felt their love I
OF purity of character. He died in the I
of his country, which he loved J
nost fervently, and to which he longed t
0 return. He leaves a wife and seven {
hildren. /