Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-02-08
COL. SANDERS
IS HONORED
HOUSE DECIDES TO NAME NEW
COUNTY AFTER H!M-SPEAk-
Err HEDGES TRIBUTE.

Helena Feb 2.-FOrmer Senator
Wilbur F. Sanders was signally hon
ored in the legislature yesterday af-
ternoon, when the house amended the
bill creating a new county out of Mis-
soula by giving it the name Sanders"
instead Of Paradise, as provided in
the bill The amendment prevailed
by practically unanimous vote. on
ly one representative. OConnor, OF
Broadwater voting against it.
The feature of the session was the
address delivered by Speaker Hedges
in support of the amendment. His
remarks called out much applause. and
every mention of Senator Sanders
name was greeted by demonstrations
in which the galleries Joined heartily.
Mr.. Hedges spoke as follows:
Il notice in the bill which is before
us the name of Paradise county. Nat
urally | am not familia. with the To-
cal sentiment which placed the name
OF Paradise in the bill. AS body
of law makers. however, We may with
propriety, hesitate in so important d
step as selecting name for new
county upon our state map. AS | in
terpret the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Lewis and Clarke, it
is his wish 10 pay, at this time, a
tribute to that eminent citizen, that
historic figure in Monlana's history,
the Hon. Wilbur F. Sanders.
This amendment appeals to me as
particularly appropriate; SO per cent
of the counties of this state are, up
to this time, named for men who were
either national characters. or in some
way identified with Montana's history.
We have the counties of Jefferson,
Madison and Gallatin, of Lewis and
Clarke. We have the counties of
Chouteau and of Dawson. We have
Custer county, we have Powell coun.
ty, named for a very early pioneer.
who came to Montana in 1850, and
was identified with the locality which
received his name. We have Fergus
county, named after very early pi0-
neer, and esteemed citizen. We are
now erecting on these capitol grounds
a monument to an historic figure in
our early history.
Stands Out in Bold Relief.
But there is no figure in MOntana's
history, which stands out in more
bold relief than that of Wilbur F.
Sanders. He came here in 1863,
across the plains to Bannack. He
was in Alder gulch in 1864, and has
q stand at the trial of George Ives, and
his associates, did more, perhaps, than
that of any one man to mark an
epoch in MOntanas history for the
determination of Henry Plummers
gang of road agents, anu the establish
ment of law and order in Montana.
Since that day, he has been part
OF Montana's history, as citizen, repre-
sentative in legislative assemblies.
United States senator and tribune
of the people.
Peoples Token Of Appreciation.
He has already reached the three
score years and ten allotted to human
life. His dark hair has whitened as
the SHOWS upon our mountains. The
form that was once so proud and erect
is now bending before the storms Of
time. The voice that once thrilled
the pulses of listening citizens, proud
to gather at his word. is fast becom-
ing stilled by age. The eye that used
to flash with fire, the eloquence that
held us spell bound will soon be but
memories. 1t is eminent,y fitting that
a great and grateful people should
now. before the last call comes. erect
monument more lasting than bronze
or stone, cut out by human hand.
which shall stand through ali the ages
OF time, token of appreciation by the
people we represent, to Wilbur f.
Sanders, of Montana. Were citizen
OF the new county, | would personally
appreciate the appropriateness of this
action. Gentlemen, trust the amend
ment will prevail"
Kennedy also seconded the motion.
saying he echoed the sentiments ex-
pressed by the speaker.