The Wolf Point herald., 1924-05-01
SUDDEN DEATH OF
EDWIN |. NORRIS

Continued on last page)
was a resident of Dillon, Beaver
head county, in 1896. On that
year his county elected him to the
state senate, which office he held
until 1900. In 1905, he was elected
lieutenant governor, continuing in
that office until Governor Toole
resigned in 1908.
Vital in New Sphere
As governor of the state from
1908 to 1918, Mr. Norris was at the
head of Montana's affairs during the
period in which the new regime found
an anchorage and then became the
accepted order 1t was during these
years that the transition from an era
of 'wide open spaces" to an agricul-
tural state was completed in Montana
and Governor Norris had vital part
in establishing the state in its new
sphere.
One of Governor Norris great
services to the state was performed
in 1910, when with group of other
western governors, he toured the ma
ton on an expidition that had for
it's purpose the attracting of atten-
ton to opportunities offered in the
west In that group Governor Norris
was an outstanding figure and the
benefits resulting from his efforts
are a lasting monument to his work.
Mr.. Norris vision early encompos-
sed the state as it would be once its
prairies were peOpled. Here he saw
the coming of new life, the acquisi-
ton of new blood and the founding
of new energies; greater opportuni-
ties, giant forces for the increasing
of wealth and means of adding to
humankind's contentment. His faith
matched by his boundless enthusi- |
asm, he gave encouragement where
he could and offered his considerable
ability to the greatest work before
him-that of consistent develop
ment.
Orator of Ability
Of southern birth, Mr.. Norris ever
was distinguished by a personality
that went far in achieving his sue
cess. Those who came to know him
intimately recognized in him the
qualities of thorough gentleman.
He was an orator of marked ability.
Logic, sequence, force, good voice
and pleasing presence, combined to
make him one of the states leading
public speakers of his time.
AS a lawyer who located in Mon
tana in the sos, Mr.. Norris devoted
himself to the main legal questions
of the day and throughout his career
as an attorney he was known as an
authority in irrigation, water rights
and mining. To these subjects he
in later years added the general
practice that became incident to the
time.
Mr.. Norris served as chairman OF
the famous state senate committee
which during the sixth session con-
Quoted an investigation in the candi-
dacy of w. A. Clark for the United
States senate. In this position ne
conducted a probe into matters which
marked that session of the legisla-
5ure as one outstanding in the states
political history. E. H. Cooney and
George H. Stanton, both Of Great
Falls, were other members of the
committee. Mr.. Norris was president
IF the senate during the session of
1899.
After serving this term in the SEN
ate. Mr.. Norris retired from politics
until 1905, when he was candidate
for lieutenant governor, an office
hat led later to his occupancy of the
governors chair. With the eXpira-
ion of his last term as governor, Mr..
Norris announced that he was defi-
litely out of political life and devot-
ID himself to the practice of law.
Since 1918, he repeatedly has been
lrged by leaders of his party to
stand again for office and was wide
v mentioned as a desirable candi-
late for United States senator. He
vas member of the democratic
party.
Mr.. Norris was porn IN CumDer- ,
and county, KY, August Is, 1865,
he son of Mr.. and Mrs. w. W Nor
is. members of pioneer Kentucky
'amily. His father still survives at
he age of 90.
Mr.. Norris took his college course
It Western Kentucky Normal school
It Bowling Green, KY. and removed
o Montana in 1888, locating at Dill
on. He was admitted to the Mon
ana bar the next year. He was a
member of the Masonic and Elks
odges, having affiliated with both
,rders at Dillon.
Funeral services will be conducted
It the home Tuesday afternoon at
80 o'clock. The Rev. Donald Nc 1
Masters of the Great Falls First Bap-