The Independent-Record from Helena, Montana • Page 31

James M. Ashley Named Territory of Montana First Executive To Make Home in Last Chance LTJior, played a briel but an important role in the history ol the future Treasure Stale. Long before there was any indication he would even visit the ini.d of the Shining Mountains, he picked Montana as the name fo; the territory. "ft was Ashley who, on Feb. 11, 1BG3, as a congressman from Ohio reported a bill for organization of Montana Territory.

The bill was passed the following May. When Ashley suggested the name, "Montana" for the new territory, he was asked: "Where did you get that name?" "It's a Latin name." he replied, "meaning mountainous." "There is no such name," a colleague declared. Ashley whipped out a dictionary and pointed to "Montana." The name was adopted. On April 1869. Ashley became governor of Montana Territory and served until July 12, 1870.

Historians have described Ashley as a natural born politician. He had a humble start in life, lie was born near Pittsburgh, Nov. 24, 1822. His father was a Baptist minister who night and day drilled religion into his son. Young Ashley left home when he was 16 years old.

He went to work on an Ohio River steamboat, first as a deckhand and then as a clerk. Detested Slavery The future governor spent two years on the river during which, his biographers say, he learned to detest slavery which was rapidly leading the nation into war. On his nineteenth birthday, Ashley left the river and engaged in the lumber business in what now is West Virginia. For i time he had been highly articulate concerning his aversion to slavery. One night the young lumberman waited upon by a citizens1 committee.

He was Interviewed on iiis abolitionist stand. Then he was informed on the strongest language he must leave Virginia Later, he said, he found it neces sary to comply with the order. The next 10 years of Ashley's hfe were spent at Portsmouth Ohio, where he held a variety of jobs. He even obtained a partnership in a newspaper, The Democratic His career as a member of the Fourth Estate lasted only a short time. Lack of eapilol forced sale of the paper.

Studied Law Ashley then turned to the study of law. In 1849 he was admitted to the Ohio bar but devoted little time to practice. He was engrossed with public issues. He was connected with an early prohibition movement. In 1B41, he attended the inauguration of President Benjamin Harrison in Washington.

On his return to Portsmouth, he became connected with the Underground Railroad which helped runaway slaves to safety. One day a Quaker friend stopped him ou the street and said: "James, I think thee need this" and handed him twenty dollars. Reasoning that if the Quaker knew he was helping slaves, other Portsmouth residents might have the same information, he decided to leave town. However, he remained long enough to run for mayor and was defeated. At this point, Ashley decided a change of scenery would he beneficial.

He visited both Toledo, Ohio, and St. Paul, Minu. Finally he decided to take up residence in Toledo. At that time Toledo had a population of 3,400. He also decided to enter the holy bonds of matrimony, His bride was the former Emma J.

Smith of Portsmouth. Although history does not record how he raised the capital, Ashley established a wholesale drug business in Toledo. At the same time he resumed his political activities. His prngress In this field gained momentum and reached a high point when he made an anti-slavery speech at Montpelier, Ohio. This was during the campaign of 1B56.

At Montpelier, he electrified his audience by saying: "Conspirators at this very hour are laying broad and deep the conditions which are certain to ultimate in a revolution of fire and blood that must end either in the destruction of the Union or (he abolition of slavery." It later was considered remark- James M. Ashley able by students of politics that this utterance by Ashley was in substance Lincoln's celebrated ji: "This nation cannot en dure permanently half slave and half-free," delivered two years later by the Great Emancipator. In 1858, two years after the Montpelier speech, Ashley was elected to Congress as a Repub lican. He represented the Toledo district which are that time in-eluded a large section of Northwestern Ohio, parts which opposed slavery agitation. Rut Ash ley went right on with his fight to abolish slavery.

The Ohio congressman was credited with piloting the 13th amendment through the House of Representatives. It was ratified in lftS5 freeing the slaves. This action was followed in three months by Lee's surrender and the end of the war between the states. In that same year. Ashley journeyed to San Francisco and other western cities on a speaking tour.

When he returned to Washing ton, he was placed in charge of important measures dealing with reconstruction in the South. In a bid for another term in Congress in 1863 Ashley was defeated. Shortly after the inauguration of President U.S. Grant, the new President sent to the Senate the nomination of Ashley lor governor of the Montana Territory. The nominaton was fought bitterly by the Democrats but finally confirmed.

One of the new governor's biographers wrote: capital dI Montana was still at Virginia City but its removal to Helena was considered certain. Gov, Ashley took up res idence in the latter city. He was followed in September 1869 by his family. "A large part of tne population of Montana at that time was made up of anti-Negro Southern ers as well as Democrats, ijov. Ashley had a hard time in trying to bring about harmonious relations with the Legislature." One of the first actions by the new governor was to make a tour of the territory.

Convinced that the Northern Pacific Railway soon would be built, he made ev ery effort to attract attention to Montana by writing letters to the New York Tribune and other eastern newspapers. In these let ters he dwelt at length on the needs of the territory. Ashley was thunderstruck when he received word thai the President had sent the name of Ben- 1427 Helena Avenue Phone 442-1513 3 I WELL GROOMED Was a byword of our forefathers in the early days of Helena's history, just as it it today. Only difference is, granddad didn't get to take advantage of the modern dry cleaning methods we use today, and which are being constantly improved. WE ARE PROUD TO BE IN BUSINESS IN HELENA ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY John and Margaret H.

lattimer, Owners. We Call For and Deliver Your Cleaning If Co H. Leslie Qovernor Of Kentucky Before Montana Appointment Preston H. Leslie, who served as governor of the Montana Terri tory (1887-89) also was an ex- governor of Kentucky. He was born in Wayne (now Clinton) County, Kentucky, on March 2, 1819.

He was one of 10 children of vactiei h. ana Sally Hopkins Leslie. His Scotch- jamin Franklin Potts to the U.S. Senate as his latest choice for governor of the Montana Territory. Potts was confirmed.

One of Ashley's biographers declared: "Certain it is that Gov. Ashley bad been counting on staying in the West. He was huilding a pleasant home in Helena at the time he was removed from office. Evidently he planned to spend the rest of his life in Helena." No official reason was assigned for President Grant's action. The supposition was that Gov.

Ashley was nominated for governor, induced to go to Montana with his family and then removed in order to cripple him financially nd destroy bim politically. In summing up Gov. Ashley's career, a biographer stated; As we pass in review this long and eventful life, we cannot but be astonished at its wide area of activity and vicissitude. First a poor boy with little schooling and no trade learned. Then a steamboat laborer and clerk, a student, a newspaperman, a lawyer and merchant.

Gov. Ashley was a member of Congress and then the chief executive of Montana Ter-rilory. He went on to build a rail road in Michigan. Gov. Ashley died at Alrna, on Sept, 16, 1896.

He was buried in Toledo. Welsh ancestors were for many years residents of the South. The future governor obtained his early education in a log sehoolhouse. Later, he attended Adair County Academy. There he studied law under a distinguished attorney-soldier, Gen.

Rice Maxey. Leslie was admitted to the bar in Albany, where he hung out his shingle. he practiced in Glasgow, Ky. He arrived in Montana on Feb. 6, 18B7.

Before coming to Montana, Leslie served as a member of the Kentucky Legislature from Clinton County. In 1B67, he was elected president of the Senate. That year there were vacancies in both the offices of governor and lieutenant governor. By virtue of his position as Senate president, Leslie was elevated to the gubernatorial post. At the next election the voters gave him i full term of governor.

In September, 1886, Leslie was named governor of the Montana Territory by President Cleveland. He took Ihe oath of office on Feb. 8, 1887. He served until April 13, 1889. District Attorney On March 1, 1894, Gov.

Leslie' is appointed U.S. district at-rney for Montana, an office he held lor four years. Leslie was a life long member of the Baptist Church. He often represented Montana and various state districts at national church conclaves. A biographer, writing for "Progressive Men of Montana," bad this to say about Gov.

Leslie: "He is recognized as a man of great executive ability, profound legal attainments and as a sagacious man of affairs. He is universally loved for his many Preston H. Leslie tender traits of Christian character." Leslie, ai the age nf 88. died in Helena on February 7, 1907. His funeral, four days later, was one of the largest ever held in the Capital City.

The pallhearers were Gov. Joseph K. Toole, Lieut. Cov. Kriwin Norris, William Scal-lon, T.

C. Marshall, C. E. Nolan, and J. W.

Wade. We Celebrate With You Helena's 100th Anniversary Early Hospital In Chinatown In 1867, Dr. Truesdale came to Helena and started a private hospital in Chinatown which had about 400 Chinese inhabitants and a number uE Negroes. His practice was limited to the peo-plo (here. 1912 FIFTY-TWO YEARS OF BUILDING LEADERSHIP A LEADERSHIP THAT WAS BUILT ON 1964 CONFIDENCE CONFIDENCE is a beautiful thing, a priceless ingredient in the relationships of people.

We, at the Anaconda Building Materials Co. value your confidence in our products and in our service above every other consideration. Our constant aim is to see that the things we sell yield a full measure of value and service and that they be priced as low as equal qualities are priced anywhere else in the city for fifty-two years that has been, is today, and will continue to be the policy of this institution. You will always be able to buy at Anaconda Building Materials Co. in confidence.

It's convenient and easy to have a home you can be proud to own. It's equally easy fo repair and remodel the one you already own. Why not really enjoy life with a home that's convenient and comfortable The Anaconda Building Materials Co. is always ready to help you develop your home improvement ideas and to arrange time-payment agreements to make it possible fo make them come true now and pay for them on budget terms. Anaconda Building Materials Co.

642 Helena Ave. Phone 4427990.