Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-04-15


death IN Spokane, many years ago.
William II. Clagett was of an oil
! Maryland family dating from befor
the Revolution. His father was both
lawyer and a planter. who left Mary
land In 1850 for the far west Of Keokuk
Ia. when William was IL years old. tn
boy gained his education from tn
schools of Keokuk, and portion o
his legal education in the Albany, N. Y
law school, where he studied a year
and was admitted TO the bar before HI
was 20.
His father was strongly proslavery
and at one time was mobbed, it Is
said, on this account, the office
wrecked where he then published g
/ paper and the press thrown into the
/ river. With such antecedents we should
naturally expect to see the younger
/ Clagett allied with the ultra-southern
+ element when he entered politics. This
was not the case however as his first
political speeches were made for
Stephen A. Douglas in 1850.
In 1861 Clagett married and on the
day of the wedding started with his
brother across the plains to California;
his wife taking what was thought by
some to be the easier route, the ocean
voyage, and across the isthmus.
Eighteen months later Mr. and Mrs.
Clagett were reunited at Carson City,
New.
There could have been no luxurious
home prepared for the brides arrival,
as Mr.. Ciagett, finding no other en-
ployment to be obtained, cut and
hauled wood for a living, lawyers not
seeming to be there in demand. Then
came news of silver discoveries in Hum
boldt county, Nevada, and together
with a company which included Mark
Twain, Mr. Clagett set out to inveSti-
gate that region. Here he resumed his
law practice, and was twice elected to
the Nevada territorial legislature. He
was now in the ranks Of the republican
party, and toured the state speaking
for William M. Stewart, who was can
didate for the United States senate.
From Humboldt he moved to Virginia
City, New, and there practiced law for
a year and a half, when he returned
to Humboldt, but not to remain. In the
spring of 1866 he with his family, went
overland to Montana, reaching Helena
in May. After few months trial, Hell
ena not proving satisfactory from
business standpoint, MIR. Clagett re-
moved to Deer Lodge, where he made
his home while in Montana.
His election to congress occurred five
years later He was again a candidate
HI 1910 Jul blA1n bll1lG oD4AEIG0 OC1CdLs
He again returned to his law practice,
which not proving to be sufficiently
lucrative, he left Montana in 1877, first
going to Denver, and then to Deadwood,
in the Black Hills of Dakota.
After a residence there of about five
years, Mr.. Clagett returned to Montana
for a brief stay, going to Butte where
he engaged in mining. From there he
went to Portland, Ore, and although
he opened law office In that city, it
was but for few months, as his next
objective was the Occur d'Alene coun-
try, where he practiced law and mined,
without, it is said, any great success.
Going east in 1889 because of failing
health, he attempted to institute a re-
form movement in Chicago, which was
not a favorable point for such an ex-
pertinent, as he soon discovered. AS |
an exponent Of free silver and a 4
the democrats engaged him |
to make campaign speeches in western
New York. Following this, and with
health still further impaired, Mr.. /
Clagett for the last time turned his
steps westward, going to Spokane.
From a sketch of him written by his
friend, W. w. Dixon for the fourth /
volume Of the Montana historical
records, we learn that he was of over
average height, well built and strong. +
He had a handsome face and a re-
markably fine eye. His habits Of life
were most exemplary He had no in /
clination for any kind Of dissipation.
He was always courteous and generous
to those in need. He was a hard
student in whatever interested him, a |
fairly ready writer, and very interest |
ing in conversation. He was a great |
and WharnVar he Was he adj /
vocated and fought for changes and /
measures to make things better He
was a natural-born leader Of men. He
was a good lawyer and in the court I
room was at his best in the trial of
mining and criminal cases. He had
high standard Of professional duty and
he lived up to it"
In proof Of this last may be cited
the following written by himself in his
office day book, and signed by him:
"It is a matter of just pride to me
that beginning the practice Of law at
the age of 20 years and retiring now
In my SD year, have always kept
my oath of office inviolate, and while |
guarding the interests Of my clients
with most jealous care, I have never
resorted to any chicanery or deceit to |
any court or used any other than Just
and lawful means to win any cases."
"As an orator." says MIR. Dixon, "too !
much cannot be said in his praise, and
1t is doubtful If any man Of this age
was much his superior. His clear, ring /
ng, well-modulated voice. his well-choS-
en- words and graceful gestures; his
readiness, ease, and perhaps, more than
all, his earnestneSs and sincerity, COM
oined to make him a great public
speaker. Men went miles TO hear him,
H4Co YF10fYTfad 1