The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-27
Brief Mention of Eight Men Who
Have Filled HeIena's Exec
utive ONCE.
All OF Them Residents at This
Time Except Mr.. Kinna,
Deceased.
Four Republicans and an Equal Number
OF Democrats Have Been ABDUCTED
Into the ONCE OF Mayor.

OSSVNSA4 ASVas Nv q 1uC0t1uk ACAO JOE
purpose in miners cabin, and to John
Somerville history attributes the distinction
of being sponsor for the euphonious appella-
ton of the Queen City Of all the Rockies.
The infant experienced most of the ills in
cident to frontier towns including the fever
of lot jumping and the disorders arising
from the lack of an official survey. How
ever, in spite of all, the young town grew
apace and gradually assumed the proper
tions of city Of pretensions, until at pres
ent she stands peerless among the cities of
the state. The city was chartered in 1881,
the proposition to that effect having been
voted upon and carried ON the 7th of March,
and the first election for officers was held
April 4. In 1868 the people voted first upon
the question of incorporation, but the ma
subsequent occasions. Finally, however,
the ambitious maiden having achieved the
dignity of seventeen years, discarded the
gowns of village and assumed the apparel
Mr.. John Kinna was the first chief execu-
tive of the city of Helena, his election being
effected April 4, 1881, after hotly waged
campaign. Mr.. Kinna was of the republi-
can quality in politics, but otherwise a citi-
zen of high standing in the community and
of universal personal popularity. As pre-
siding officer he was prompt and decisive,
work expeditiously and energetically. There
were very few questions of weighty concern
during Mr.. Kinna's administration and his
regime was peaceful one. Mr.. Kinna died
about two years ago, full of honor and his
memory is respected by all who knew the
big hearted, whole-souled gentleman.
the Office of mayor, being the second in
point of succession and the first of the
faith of democracy. Mr.. knight had the
excruciating pleasure of presiding over a
republican council, and his early training
in mathematics was SO neglected that it
never occurred to him that six was major
ity Of fourteen, hence he lived in peace with
the council and proved an efficient mayor.
Next in line was Mr.. T. H. Kleinschmidt,
in 1883. He was also elected in 1885, being
one of the two gentlemen who have held
the Office more than one term. His career
as chief executive was not marked by any
ter. His popularity and integrity, as in
the case Of all his predecessors and success
ors, we're matters of public note. Mr.. W.
B. Hundley, the Unknown stockman, was
mayor in 1884. Like the three gentlemen
having lived in Helena 10! these many years.
He was partner of Noah Armstrong, the
raoe-horse owner, and is at present in the
east.
The campaign of 's5 was hot one. the
political waters being stirred to their depths.
When the votes were counted it was found
that Mr.. James Sullivan was winner by the
marrow margin Of two votes. He was the
second democrat to occupy the place, and
like Mr.. knight, presided over the delibera-
tions of republican body. He was an Of
fcient and popular mayor. DR.. Steele sue
ceeded Mr.. Kleinschmidt in '87 and served
AVA $ofk h fu1l -
self and advantage to the city.
Capt. i. T. Fuller was chosen the first
time in 1888 and was reelected in 1889. He
attended every meeting of the council dur
ing his two terms and stepped down and out
last week with sigh of relief and gratifca-
harrassing duties OF the position.
Mr.. Donald Bradford, the newly installed
mayor, is the tenth of the line of chief ex-
ecutives and the fifth of the democratic
faith. For the first time the control of the
city government will be in the hands of the
democrats, the council being a tie political
~, with the mayor to cast deciding vote
when necessary. Mr.. Bradford is the
youngest man who has held the position,
but is thoroughly identified with the city,
and there is no reason to predict that his
term will be less successful than that of the
honorable gentlemen who have preceded
him.
Except Mr.. Kinna, now deceased, the ex-
mayors of Helena all reside within her
borders and are accounted among her most
valued citizens. They all have large inter
ests here, are thoroughly identified with the
city both as taxpayers and as residents who
have builded for the future. From the
vantage ground of the present doubtless all
of them can look into the past and see
where, if things were to be done over, they
would do differently. Mistakes of judg-
ment are the heritage of mankind, includ-
ing mayors, and the warping influence of
is prone to provoke sharp crit
icism of public officers. Yet it may be said
in truth that Helena has pride in her citi,;
hopes that future gentlemen placed at the
head of the municipal government may be
as faithful in the performance of their du-
ties.
,ecoS~oS ~ ~. = ~ - ~ A~S'S~0