The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1916-12-29

some of the biggest financial institu-
lions in the United States. He is the
advisor of one of the largest copper
mining companies IN the world, and
OF one of the greatest hydro-electric
undertakings on this continent, coun-
sellor of transcontinental railway
system, and a man of affairs in a
state where undertakings involving
large expenditure are common.
He Kept the Spoken Word.
This is the story of Sam Stephen
son OF Great Falls, president Of the
FIRST National bank, president of the
Great Falls Townsite company, guide,
philosopher, friend and hacker of one
OF the most rapidly developing areas
In all the United States-northern
and eastern Montana. His achieve
ments are the achievements of man
OF parts. What is the secret of his
remarkable success, and how may the
youth who comes after him profit by
mis- example? In big things and lit
tie things, he always kept his word,
ne never made a man a promise he
did not keep. Seems an easy way
to tread the primrose path of success.
doesn't it? Combined with talents
that were native to him, making his
word good to the last letter attracted
the attention of men who figure larg-
est on Montana's financial horizon.
They put great trusts in his keeping
and made him steward of millions,
Now he is spokesman in these parts
for interests that figure largely in
Montana's ultimate destiny. and all
because he never went back of his
spoken word.
He did not move mountains. He
did not send thousands of men into
the bowels of the earth to extract
therefrom the precious metals. He
did not turn rivers from their courses
and make the arid desert blossom as
the rose. He built no railroads
across continents and sent no ships
down to the sea. He did not finance
great undertakings or do the things
which captains of finance do. He
simply kept faith with himself and
his fellows, and made his word good.
Morony Picked Stephenson.
How Sam Stephenson began The
practice of law in Great Falls when he
arrived there, his success in the legal
field, business ventures that material
lied, are just incidents to his career.
The coming of John Morony, Mon
tana's first native son, to Great Falls,
figures largely in Stephensons later
successes. Morony took over the
First National for himself and his
associates. His Judgment of men was
good and he picked Sam Stephenson.
He was made attorney of the bank,
and in this capacity became an intim-
ate of the man, who, with John D.
Ryan, created the Montana Power
company. Before Morony's death he
had planned to retire from the man
agement of the bank and he selected
Stephenson as the man to succeed
him. On the occasion of the first
meeting of the banks directors after
Morony's death, the directors, who
knew of Morony's intent, elected
Stephenson to the banks presidency.
How He Can Help Montana.
Because of the interests with which
he Is allied, and the confidence which ,
those interests repose in him Sam {
stephenson is an asset to northern !
and eastern Montana. This section
OF the state is expanding with phen- I
ominal rapidity. Thousands of set '
tiers are pouring into it. Towns are |
springing up in every direction. For I
instance: Ten years ago not a single ,
grain Of wheat was grown in Sheri- .
dan county. Now, over 100 elevators &
are insufficient to take care of the {
grain harvest. Thirty or forty robust I
towns and villages dot the prairies. I
where few years ago coyotes howled 1
at the wilderness. Thousands Of peo- l