The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-10-08

10 call atseBHon 10 the TACT tnat the
"smali Western town. referred to has
nov become iourishing, energetic city
of e.. 900 people. Its progress and devel-
opment have been almost co-extensiye
with that OF its citizen mentioned in
the article. who cast his lot
with the upbuilding of the great
Northwest in the year 1867. Many of Sc
attle's oldest and staunchest citizens will
remember Mr.. McNaught's advent.
fresh from the Wesleyan University
and the Law University of Chicago.
where he graduated at the age OF twenty
one. and Immediately pushed his way
towards the setting sun 10 follow Horace
Greeley's advice and grow up with the
country"
They. themselves then young men, will
remember the lively interest and possibly
the pardonable envy felt at the appearance
Of the tall and slender youth attired in a
long frock coat aud silk hat, at that time
the dress prevailing in the East, but quite
aristocratic and exclusive compared with
the plain and unconventional attire then
prevailing In the West.
IL was but q short time before all dis.
covered that the young stranger had
brought with him more than clothes. In
comparatively short time after he
tackled up his shingle," it will be re-
Hembered, he beca me employed on one
side or the other of all important eases.
lie was recognized as holding foremost
place among the legal fraternity of WASH
ington. then. as since, noted as standing
far higher than that Of most Western COM
munities.
Il was about 1878 that Mr.. Mcknight
was selected as the best man in
the West to care for the many great inter
ests OF the Northern Pacific Railroad Com
pany. The fidelity and determination
with which he at all times advocated the
interests OF that great corporation will be
remembered by all. His learning, zeal and
shrewdness manifested in overcoming the
legal difficulties surrounding the Northern
Pacsfic during its construction and early
operations never failed TO command the
admiration OF its most bitter opponents
and the unbounded praise OF It's
friends His equanimity aud courage
In fighting that coinpanys battles. even
against his neirhburs and frieads
at time when Seattle rightfnlIy com.
planned of facilities being withheld from
her by the NoFtheFu Pacific. is fresh in the
minds Of most OF her citizens. There il no
question that his efforts in this and all
other matters of great moment TO the
Northern Pacific have justified his promo
ton along the official ranks OF that COM
pany.
When advanced to the position Of gen.
eFai solicitor IN 1855 or isST. necessitating
his removal 20 Sc. Paul. the Posr.INrErII.
oKNoFa remembers recording the send.
OIL given him by the Seattle bar and the
presentation of a testimonial of their re-
gard in the shape of gold-headed cane
suitably engraved.
His further promotion 90 the high olfies
Of general counsel Of the Northern Pacific
some two or three years after was recog.
nised - wise and deserving. His thorough
knowledge of all details connected With
ihe conpany's history. together with his
general legal knowledge. enabled him 10 not
oaly successfully conduct and sune,vfsa
tie several thousand legal controversies ~
al times pending against so large a rasl.
foad corporation aS the Northern pac;ae
Railroad Company. bat IL has enabled hir,
te sin May important cases agsin,, ,hn
United States and against other railroad
corporations. resulting In eonarmtn- :,
she Northern Paciic Railroad Cor,ns,,.
the ownership Of lands aud property worth
many millions. IL has been fr,onnn,1,.
and truthtally said of Seattle, ,owns-
man that ha has never yet lost any i,nn,~.
SAINT case Cor the Northern Pacific R.iIro.,
Company.
The Haa Street Jeuraal Of sen,enh.- az
ls'ss. contains summary Of the rxSults -
W. AeNsugat's management. Of The te,.,l
department OF the Northern Pacific Raj.
foad Company for the two wears snJi,,.
eRas -. iS9& During these tao 49,
sasfe We're disposed Of in state and Fe.,e-sl
courts Of record rs eases 70 whteh a..
NeFshera Pacific vas party. OF whIel 49,
weFe Ven By the company GA trial q, -,
~ dismissed and disposed OF wi,bo,,, -,
= sse company and iSs settled. n.ty,,..
lhese two years there were alss ais,,s.s -
aasss Ar. MeNaashs's superv,.in,, IN
Gases IN the Iatsed States land ofsc.. "a
Ahlea % we're Son by the couansav This
FeE.ost saoNs a winning Tor tae eompsny
"a = per cens. oF the cases tried in stat.
ana fsosr@i courts % record. which l.. oer.
amp 80 extraordinary showing.
Ire statement published in the WaR
'Nfess Jsasasl shows that there nve ~
sasss pending in state and Federal courts
= fscoFd and s.059 cases in the United
s'Asss land Offices and before the secretary