The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-01
ANACONDA NEWS.
RWELL|NG NAPT0N NAMED
ssGovernor Smith Appoints Him
Ii to Succeed Judge Brantly.
us A FORTUNATE CHOICE
citizens of Anaconda Look Upon the
Appointment With Satisfaction.
II MIR. Napton's Record as
Legal Light.
is A FORTUNATE CHOICE.

&9A yelling Napton of Deer Lodge has been
III appointed by Governor Smith as the judge
.55of the Third judicial district, which in
INCLUDES Deer Lodge and Granite counties,
s4to succeed Judge Theo. Brantly, who for
ssasix years has had that office. The an
announcement of the appointment of Mr..
sANapton came to the Standard office in
Ssthe following brief telegram:
"Helena, Dec 81.
3Bs 'Welling Napton of Deer Lodge was ap-
pointed by Governor Smith to-day to the
u position of judge of the Third judicial dis
u trict, to succeed Theo. Brantly. who to-
iii morrow becomes by the will of the peo-
ssl,le chief justice of the supreme court of
ks4Montana.''
III Mr.. Napton is a well-known resident of
sssthis county, having resided here almost
Il continuously since 1873 He is known to
#every member of the Deer Lodge county
II bar as a bright, able and painstaking
sSaawyer and gentleman of sterling worth
81 and integrity. He will receive cordial
h reception when he comes to Anaconda to
Ssassume his official duties, and it is the
Nprediction that he will be an honest and
Incapable judge.
III In speaking by telephone to Standard
l%feporter last evening, MIR. Napton.
pr rather Judge Napton, said that
Il Tuesday or Wednesday. There are some
Rmatters connected with his law practice
HI in Deer Lodge which will claim his atten
43tion for few days, after which he will
.ssformally enter upon his new duties. Con-
I'M ernng the date when he will open the
gEJanuary term of court, Judge NaDton is
AAtalot able at this time to definitely an
IS ilounce, as there many matters which
&5he will have to so over before he can
&Rconvene court.
1 The announcement OF Mr.. Naptons APP
i pointment by Governor Smith was
n ceived in this city with general satisfac
ssssstion, and the choice is looked upon as a
ksdortunate one.
ats% Anaconda had her candidates for the
SAhigh office, and each of these candidates
4 and his friends did their utmost. Now
stthat the appointment has been made ev
I erybody who was spoken to expressed
themselves as perfectly satisfied with the
appointment, and Judge Napton will have
3 the cordial assistance of every lawyer and
.a&ctizen of Anaconda in conducting the
sssfbusness of the district court
ssa yelling Napton was born Aug. 81, 1858,
btan Saline county, Missouri consequently
ssSSslle is 40 years of age. After his gradual
aFtion from the High school he entered
sgNiliam Jewell college of Liberty, and af
ssterwards attended the University of Mis-
ssouri at Columbia. from which famous
II college he graduated with honor. He was
n admitted to the practice of law by Judge
.sIvoods one of the circuit judges of the
u state of Missouri.
FA He came to Montana in 1873, being then
y 90 years of age. He took up his residence
at Deer Lodge, where he practiced law
sAeintil 1871 when he returned ito the
Estates and was there engaged in the
practice of law and the perfection of his
Il education until 1882, when he returned to
ii his Montana home. He followed his pro-
II fession at Deer Lodge until, 1883, when he
ssswas appointed clerk of the district court.
Elm 1889, after the admission of the terri
\ tory to the union as a state, he was
elected to that office, which he held for
two years. Since his term expired
\ clerk of the district court he has prac-
,8ticed law in Deer Lodge.
ss Mr. Napton was married DIT Deer Lodge
IN 1876 to Miss Kate Kelly. the eldest
daughter of Robert p. Kelly, then United
States marshal of the territory OF this
5Spnian there are eight children, four boys
|gSand four girls