The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-03-09
COMMISSIONER IRWIN.
pointed by Gov. Richards TO
Guard the Mineral Lands
of the State
le Silver Bow County Man Sue
ceeds Hon. Martin Maginnis,
OF Helena.
Leading Republican of tho State and q
Close Friend of Senator
Mantle.

low. Richards yesterday appointed Hon.
!. W. Irwin H.. OF Butte, a. mineral land
nm%issioner to succeed Hon. Martin Ma.
mis-. OF Helena, who held the position for
} years under appointment from ex-Gov.
pie. his term expiring on March 4. 1893.
one other aspirants for the position was
b. Il. d. Weed, Of Helena. The appoint
bit gives very general satisfaction. Nj.
in 10 one of the leading republicans OF
state and a close friend Of Senator
htle. The oHioo Of mineral land CON-
sioner was crented by the Legislature on
tch 6, 1891. As stated in the act the
,missiones's main duty 10 to I'm every
use his most earnest Efforts to protect
mineral landa Of Montana, and to &C.
} suoh congressional action az will save
these mineral lands and tho mines
tanned thereon from becoming tho
perty Of any railroad corporation"
is also required to care for the interest
dontana in all its grants Of public lands
n the federal governments for school or
pr purposes. In this branch of his duties
9 under the control Of the state board
land commissioners. The salary Ia
O0 per year. with necessary expenses.
hding counsel fees not to exceed $4,000
year.
he appointee 10 one Of the pioneers of
ltana. He was born In tho Worlds
CITY in 1874, on Washington's birthday.
. Irwin, his father. was one of the early
ers of Chicago. Four years after his
b the family moved to Pennsylvania.
in 1853 to southern Illinois and subse-
htly to Dubuque, H., where his father
Mr.. Irwin enlisted for three years IN
union army, but owing to his youth
rejected. Two years later he as
d John Bozsman in organizing
erty for northern Idaho. When 125
10 from the Platte river. where Buffalo.
ming now stands, the party WAS inter-
ed by a band of Sioux and Cheyenne
ans. After parleying a few days Mr..
4 and and another man wore sent to
Laramie for relief. which the CON-
dant refused. Irwin and bis companion
returned TO tho Platte. Bozemsu,
b and eight others left the party. when
hs decided to return. and each with q
e. n days rations. rifle and ammuni-
struck forward at midnight to pursue
journey. In August, 1863, the little
y crossed the summit of the Belt
ntains. where their eyes we're greeted
a view Of the Gallatln valley. Mr.
named the gap Bozeman Pass. Where
oamped that night is now called Boze-
At Three Forks they met two white
who informed them of the Alder
b discovery. MIR. Irwin reached Ban
on Aug. %, 1868, and mined at
+ and California gulches for two
b. lie was one of the commissioner
inted in 1865 to codify the laws. In
he was appointed assistant assessor OF
Tue Of Deer Lodge. Miasoula and
erhead counties. and served as deputy
Do marshal. He WAS tho first postmns-
t Deer Lodge. serving from 1866 to
and from 1874 to 1876 was deputy
# OF Deer Lodge, later acting as pub
lministrator and az clerk of the Eco
judicial district court. From 1882 to
he was sheriff of Silver Bow county.
as married in Deer Lodge valley on
26, 1867, to Miss Bette II. Irvine.
liter of Thomas II. Irvine. OF tho
bers of Montana. DR.. G. N. Bowie
Miss Mollie Irvine cousin of Mrs.
}, were married at the same time.
D hundred citizens OF the terri
attended the reception n the
Lodge hotel. among whom
a few Indian women. wives Of white
rs. The affair was one of those joy
mes peculiar to the time and place,
b can never be reproduced in modern
ana. Under the Harrison sadministra-
no was appointed United States mar
for Montana, but resigned oon after
wing the appointments. Since then lie
evoted his time to mining business.
NO his home at Butte.