, 1897-03-20
A GOOD MAN HONORED.
JUDGE WILLIS VANDEVANTER AP
POINTED TO A HIGH PO-
SITION.
He Will Be Assistant Attorney General
of the Interior Departmental Brief
Biographical Sketch of One OF
Wyoming's Most Distinguished and
Capable Citizens.

enne was yesterday appointed by Presi'
dent Mckinley to be assistant to the at.
tUrney general OF the interior depart.
ment. This news has been hailed witt
delight by Mr.. Van Devanter's thou.
sands of friends throughout the west
and they are fastening to congratulate
aim upon the deserved recognition o.
his eminent capabilities and President
Mckinley upon the excellence of his
choice. One Of Wyoming's most talent,
ell and respected citizens has been hon
ored.
A special from Cheyenne gives the
following biography OF Judge Van De-
vanter:
A telegram received here today from
Senator Warren the appoint
ment of Judge Willis Van Devanter o.
this city to the position Of assistant at,
torney general Of the United States for
the interior department. Judge Van De-
vanter left here on Friday last for
ming delegation in the senate, and on
Tuesday last met Judge McKenna, the
attorney general for the first time. The
position Of assistant attorney general
was rendered him today by President
Mckinley and accepted.
In view of the fact that the secretary
presumably unfamiliar with western af-
fairs. the appointment OF Judge Van
Deyanter to the head OF the legal divi,
sion Of the department is of more than
ordinary importance. He has during
the past u years had Il large general
legal practice in the west, and is thor
and needs. The appointment causes
general satisfaction among republicans
Of this state. with whom Judge Van De-
vanter is a great favorite.
Judge Van Devanter of this city, who
was today appointed assistant attorney
general by President Mckinley was
born April II. 1859, at Marion, Indiana.
He completed the preparatory and col
lege course in Indiana Asbury (now De
Pauw) university, and was graduated
from the law school OF the Cincinnati
college in 1881. Judge Van Devanter
practiced law in his native town for a
short time, when he removed to Chey-
enne in 1884, where he has since resid-
ed. In the IL years of Judge Van De-
vanter's residence in Wyoming he has
held many important positions. He has
been city attorney Of Cheyenne, a men,
Der Of the territorial Legislature, a men,
Der Of the revision committe which COM
piled the laws Of the territory in 1887,
and chief justice Of the territorial and
state supreme court under the territorial
government by appointment Of Presi-
dent Harrison in 1889. At this time
Judge Van Devanter was but 80 years
of age, and on account of his youth the
wisdom Of the appointment vas ques-
toned. Judge Van Devanter, however,
soon established q reputation for judi
cial fairness and ability which became
more than local.
When the territory was admitted to
statehood Judge Van Devanter was
elected chief justice Of the stale supreme
court by a very large majority Of the
citizens OF the state. He resigned the
position shortly after the election to &C.
cept more lucrative employment in the
practice OF his profession. During the
past six years Judge Van Devanter has
been connected with all of the celebrat-
ed legal contests in the Wyoming courts
md has had an extensive practice In the
United States circuit and supreme
courts. His argument before the Uni
ted States supreme court last year in the
famous Race Horse" Indian case, in
volving the right Of Indians to kill
game in the western states regardless Of
state game laws, and his successful con,
duct Of the case, gained him a reputa.
ton national in scope.
In political matters Judge Van De.
vanter has been one of the leaders of the
republican party in Wyoming for the
past 10 years. During the campaigns o.
1892 and 1894 he was chairman Of the
republican state central committee, and
at the st. Louis national convention he
was chosen In accordance with unani.
nous Instructions from the Wyoming
state convention as Wyoming's repre-
sentative Or the republican national
committee.
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