Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-04-22
WRIGHT EDGERTON, THE YOUNG PIONEER
WHO WAS PAGE FOR FIRST LEGISLATURE

happened to be the eldest available. Ac-
c0rding to my recollection, his services
were considered satisfactory, although he
was then barely twelve years of age.
On our return In 1865 TO Akron, which
was to be our home, Wright entered the
public school, where he studied until HIS
appointment to West Point by William
Epson, my fathers former law partner.
There was a large number of applicants
for entrance to West Point that summer of
1870, and after my brothers departure news
arrived that many had been rejected.
wright will be home tonight said father
with a sigh. Il am going TO the train to
meet him" He went to the train, but re-
turned jubilant, having heard that his son
had satisfactorily passed the examinations.
OF Wright's life at West Point, a class
mate has written: 'At the military
academy he was loved by all his classmates
not only for his social qualities, but for his
gentleness that is always a proof OF true
courage of manhood. He had q keen sense
of Justice, duty and honor, loved and sym
pathized with his fellowman in all grades
of life and was tolerant and charitable to
the errors and faults of others. Love of
humor and of repartee were two of his
principal characteristics He was scholar
ly and refined and read wisely and judi
ciously His room was the rendezvous
for the brightest, cleverest and best men
of his class, and many hours which have
been devoted to study were whiled away
in storytelling, jokes and fun At
his graduation in June, 1874, he did not
have as high a standing as his abilities
and non-appreciation of the Importance of
study and application. He ranked, how
ever, II in a large class, and was pro-
NOTED to a second lieutenantcy In the Sec
ond artillery"
After graduation, he served with his regi-
Johnson, N. C. Following this he entered
the Artillery school at Fort Munroe, in
1876, and graduated in 1878. These two
years were varied by field duty in South
Carolina and at Washington, ID. c. From
Fort Munroe he went to San Antonio, Tex,
then to FIT. McHenry. Md, where he was
stationed two years. Later, at Washington,
ID. G., he was one of the officers who guard
ed the assassin of President Garfield. He
next entered the School OF Engineering at
Fannie Helmuth, daughter of the famous
homeopathic surgeon, DR.. William Tod
Helmuth, who was destined to b.. his wife.
There was but one child of this union
a daughter-pow O woman who has al
ready attained success as a writer.
Having been appointed Instructor of
Mathematics at West Point, my brother
remained there in that capacity for five
years, when seeing no chance for advance
ment, he Joined his regiment at New Or
leans, and at Fort Wadsworth, N. Y, but
was recalled to West, Point to act as
Assistant Professor of Mathematics, and
was the first officer to be appointed Asso-
ciate Professor Of Mathematics. On the
retirement Of Colonel Bass, Wright sue
ceeded him as full professor. This was an
unusual proceeding, as the professors were
generally chosen from the engineers.
About this time another honor was con-
ferred upon him In his admission ia the
Century Club, of New York, which ia made
up of artists and literary men. 1t was
there, / fancy, his picture hung, when
noticed by Beers.
When we entered the war with Spain,
he offered his services to the government,
and during his summer vacation, helped
in experimenting the embarkation Of
troops from Tampa, Florida. to Porto Rico,
and Joined an expedition there as aide de
camp. Unused to the climate, 1t was then