P a g e 6 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r when once thoroughly opened, there will be room for many thousand more workers. The present population is principally Americans who have a pride in this country and who reverence her opportunities and institutions to a remarkable degree. JOHN T. SMITH, Mayor. Of the many who have enjoyed his hospitality and of the many more who have formed his acquaintance in a social, political or business way, it would be difficult to find one who has anything but praise for J. T. Smith, the mayor of Livingston, Montana. He was born in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1850. When two years old his parents moved on a farm near that city. During this time he attended the North Missouri State Normal school at Kirksville, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Scientific Didactics when he was twenty-one years of age, entitling him to a state license to teach. Having been offered a position in his alma mater after graduating, he filled the chair of chemistry, geology and history for one year. Professor Smith now began the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. In 1876 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Bates county, Missouri, practicing throughout this region for sixteen years. After he had established a good practice, and acquired considerable means, the health of his oldest son compelled him to remove to the mountains. FollowFreighting Scene in Bear Gulch. Mayor John T. Smith ing the advice of eminent authority he came to Livingston, Montana, in 1890 and continued his previous occupation. Mr. J. T. Smith is also a director of the National Park bank and attorney of the same institution, besides acting as representative of the Rocky Mountain Bell Telephone company and solicitor for the sale of the Northern Pacific Company’s lands in this district. Owing to his normal training, Mr. Smith has always taken active interest in educational affairs, while during one-half of his public life he has been a school director. No one in this locality takes a more active interest in the development and success of the agricultural interests in this state. To show their appreciation of same, Governor Smith appointed him as a delegate to the National Irrigation congress at Missoula, Montana. He owns a ranch of nineteen hundred and twenty acres about eight miles north of Livingston, and is stocking it with high-grade cattle. Mr. Smith is a democrat in politics, but aside from this fact he is very liberal in his views and believes in advocating that which would be to the best interest of his fellowmen. Read More in Next Month’s Issue!
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