Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-09-07
WELCOME TO
JUSTICE HUNT
Federal Building at Helena the Scene
Of Generous Tribute to Judges
Knowles and Hunt.
ONE ReTlRes TO PRIVATE LIFE
Judge Hunt Returns to Life Position
on Montana Bench After Distin-
guished Service Abroad.

Helena. Sept. To-day was a red
letter day in the history of the Mon
tana Bar association and the judiciary
of Montana. 1t witnessed the form
al retirement of Judge Hiram Knowles
from the federal bench and the in
stallation OF Judge William II. Hunt
as his successor, and for the first
time the court room in the new fed
eral building was used. The three
events brought together some OF the
best known men in the legal profes
sion in Montana.
Some months ago the Montana Bar
association determined TO have form.
al exercises upon the opening of the
new federal court room. 1t was also
planned TO have the members Of the
profession on the occasion give voice
to the high esteem il which Judge
Hiram Knowles is held, and TO wei.
come Judge Hunt.
Today was the day set and at l0:30
there was a court oom filled with
lawyers and others. At that hour
Bailiff w. A. Ramsey raped for or.
der and Judges Hunt and Knowles
took seats on the bench. Judge Hunt
announced that he had taken his oath
of Office and he requested Clerk Geo.
w. Sproulc to read his commission
as federal judge for Montana, which
was done. Judge Hunt then directed
.nat a grand jury be drawn, return
able September II. and announced
that Tuesday he would open court a
Butte in order to take up some mat
tiers of importance.
This completed the formal bushes!
before the court and then forme.
Governor Preston IL. Leslie, prcsidcn
OF the Montana Bar association. al
dressed the court and introduced Col
w. L. Sanders, who presented the res
olutions of the bar association wei
coming Judge Hunt and expressing
regret at the retirement of Judg,
Knowles, and paying a splendid tril
ute to his worth.
Among the visitors at the COur
oom vas Judge w. W. Dixon of Butt,
When Colonel Sanders concluded Cox
ernor Leslie called upon Judge Dis
on, who said he had not been vel
and he did not feel equal 10 talkin
as tn occasion deserved. He said h
wanted TO express his pleasure a
meeting old friends and 10 witnes
the opening of court under a nc'
Judge in such "A splendid buildin!
III. said he had been a member of tn
Montana bar for 3S years. and tina
his relations with the members oil tn
bar and courts had always been mos
pleasant.
L. w. Toole, another veteran of III
Montana bar, was next called upo
by Governor Leslie, and he responde
with a happy address, extolling tn
services OF Judge Knowles.
Governor Leslie then called upo
VIM. Scallon of Butte, who testiiie
to Judge Knowles uprightness an
ability.
T. j. Walsh followed with an ell
quent address of Is minutes duratio
In which he reviewed he mission {
the law and courts.
Afer the members of the bar ha
concluded, Judge Knowles expresse
his appreciation of the kindly sem
ments that had been expressed. Tt
cen was a pathetic one, and nj
only was the judge affected but mar
of the lawyers as well. Judge Knowl,
told of early day experiences on Il
bench in Montana, and in conclusio
turning to Judge Hunt. said:
IL am glad to welcome you baC
to Montana and TO the federal bcnc
| say to you, here IL Montana is yol
field of action. You have hard wol
before you. bu | am sure you will
equal to the task.
The exercises closed with a bri
talk by Judge Hunt. lie express,
his appreciation of te kindly greeting
and said he was glad TO get back
Montana again. He said he hop'
the members of the bar would ASST
him while he was familiarizing hil
self with the federal practice, and
conclusion said: Il wish TO say v
all wish for Judge Knowles maj
years of life, prosperity and happineS
| have hope of achieving nc high
honor than succeeding JudI
Knowles"