The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-28

Former Northumberland A. E.
Spriggs, whose death at Helena last
week caused widespread grief among
his friends in all parts of Montana,
passed away after a battle against a
fatal malady that lasted II days. The
trouble first started with an infect
ed tooth, which brought on erysi-
pelas. This was followed by septic
pneumonia. For eight days before
the end came he had been de1irious.
Governor Spriggs was born in
Wisconsin 55 years ago and came to
Montana in 1888. He lived at Con-
federate Gulch a a school teacher
and later at Townsend, as a drug
clerk and for a time at Winston. He
served in the fourth legislative as
sembly in 1894 and in 1896 was
elected lieutenant governor on the
democratic ticket. Later he was in
terested in mining with H. l.. Frank,
Of Butte.
1t was while acting as governor of
Montana during the absence of Gov
ernor Robert Smith that Spriggs ap-
POAAICQ vi LLCl ODlbCu DldIcS oGId-
tor w. A. Clark to succeed himself
to the United States senate after
Clark had resigned to end a contest
to prevent him taking his seat.
For many years Spriggs engaged
in mining in Central America parti-
cularly in Nicaragua, where he was
interested in large concessions at the
time of his death. He was a partner
of Sam Gebo in many mining enter
prises in that country, and it is un-
derstood that some of their largest
development plans were thwarted by
the outbreak of the late world war
which made it impossible for them
to secure the capital necessary to
carry them through.
Mr.. Spriggs returned to Montana
several years ago and at once resum-
ed the prominent place in public life
which he occupied prior to leaving
the state. He was appointed chair
man of the industrial accident board
in 1915 by Governor Stewart, at the
time of the creation of that body, and
occupied it to the time of his death.
The record of accomplishment which
he set had brought comment from
every state in the union which has
a similar department, because of it's
excellence. Spriggs was married in
New York several years ago and is
survived by his wife, who was with
him in Helena. For several years
past they had occupied the residence
of United States Senator t. J. Walsh.
A chapter in the life of Governor
Spriggs which is full of interest is
connected with state politics. in
New York during the regime of Gov
ernor Sulzer. The Montana man
managed Suffers campaign and
brought about his election. For
some time Governor Spriggs was the
power behind the throne in New
state government. 1t was due
to the ignoring of his advice that
5ulzer became involved in a fight
with Tammany that led to his down
'all.
Governor Spriggs' administration
Of the Montana workmen's compen-
act brought fame to him, as
chairman of the compensation board,
to the state. In disbursing mil
ions of dollars to injured workmen
to the heirs of those killed in ac-
,idents, only two appeals have been
aiken in eases which he decided Ell
her by an employer or an employe.
IN both cases the chairman's deci-
'ions were sustained by the state SUI
court. No other state can
compare with Montana in the admin
stration of workmen's compensation
avs, either in the matter of low
cost of operation or satisfaction to
employers and employees. Although
democratic incumbent of the office,
! republican legislature voluntarily \