The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-01
WElLIHG NAPTOH NAMED
Governor Smith Appoints Him
to Succeed Judge Brantly.
rs A FORTUNATE CHOICE
Ctixsns OF Anaconda Look Upon the
appointment With Satisfaction
Mr.. Napton's Record - .
Legal Light.

yelling Napton of Deer Lodge has been
sappointed by Governor Smith as the judge
of the Third judicial district. which in
tcludes Deer Lodge and Granite counties.
20 succeed Judge Theo. Brantly. who for
six years has had that ofice. The an
announcement of the appointment of Mr..
Napton came to the Standard Office I'm
E<he following brief telegram:
= "He.ena. Dec. 81.
dwelling Napton Of Deer Lodge was APP
pointed ny Governor Smith to-day to the
position Of judge of the Third judicial dis
I1rict. 20 succeed Theo. Brsntly. who to-
tmorrow becomes, by the will of the peo-
Die. chief justice of the supreme court Of
Montana"
= Mr.. Napton is a ~li-kno resident Of
ehis county. having resided here almost
continuously since 1873. He L. known to
every member OF the Deer Lodge county
bar as a bright. able and painstaking
lawyer and a gentleman OF sterling worth
and integrity. He will receive a cordial
( reception when he comes to Anaconda to
assume his Official duties. and II is the
prediction hat he will be an honest and
capable Judge.
In speaking by telephone to a Standard
reporter last evening. Mr.. Napton.
or rather Judge NaptoE. said that
4 ne would ne IN Ardtouud DfoUdulN on
I Tuesday or Wednesday. There are some
matters connected with his law practice
On Deer Lodge which viii claim his atten-
, sion for a few days. after which he will
formally enter upon his new duties. Con-
~terning the date when he will open the
anuary term Of court. Judge Napton Is
mot aide at this time to definitely an
nounce. as there are many matters which
he will have to 40 over before he can
convene court.
The announcement oil Mr.. Napton's APP
pointment by Governor Smith was re-
ceived In this city with general satisfac-
zion. and the choice Is looked upon as a
fortunate one.
Il Anaconda had her candidates for the
chigh once. and each of these candidates
md his friends did their utmost. Now
THAT the appointment has been made ev-
ierybody who was spoken TO expressed
themselves as perfectly satisfied with the
appointment. and Judge Napton will have
the cordial assistance of every lawyer and
citizen Of Anaconda in conducting the
Business Of the district court.
yelling Napton was born Aug. 81. 1853.
In Saline county. Missouri. consequently
he IL ~ years Of age. After his gradua-
sion from the High school he entered
William Jewell college of Liberty. and af-
tsrwxrds attended the University of Mis-
souri at Coiumbia. from which famous
flifk Nv HAAh tht ~ "as
admitted to the practice of law by Judge
Moods. one OF the circuit judges of the
state Of Missouri
He came to Montana In 1873. being then
- years of age. He took up his residence
at Deer Lodge. where he practlced law
until 1877. when he returned Ito the
states" and was there engaged I'm the
practice OF law and. the perfection of his
education until 1sS2. when he returned to
his Montana home. lie followed his pro-
fession at Deer Lodge until 1883. when he
xas appointed clerk of the district court.
IN 1859. after the admission of the terri
rory to the union as "A state, he was
elected to that Office. which he held for
two years. Since his term expired as
clerk of the district court he has prac-
ticed law in Deer Lodge.
Mr.. Nspton was married at Deer Lodge
in 1876 to Miss Kate Kelly. the eldest
daughter of Robert y. Kelly. then United
States marshal OF the territory. OF this
union there are eight children. four boys
and four girls.