Sec. A Page 32 Missoulian Centennial First County Officials At Hell Gate
First County Officials at Hell Gate
Although Missoula County’s first officials under the territory of Montana were not elected until Feb. 2, 1865, there were earlier county officials when the county seat was at Hell Gate under Washington and Idaho territories.
C. P. Higgins, F. L. Worden and T. W. Harris were appointed county commissioners Dec. 14, 1860, when Missoula County was organized by the Legislature of Washington territory. An election was called early the next summer with polling places at Jocko Agency, Hell Gate and Fort Owen. Seventy-four votes were cast.
Elected county commissioners were Higgins, Granville Stuart and Hezekiah Van Dorn. Frank H. Woody was auditor and Henry Brooks justice of the peace. Dr. Bates of Spokane was elected representative. Missoula County was attached to Spokane for judicial and legislative purposes with a joint representative for the two counties. Henry Cloren was elected probate judge, John Beadle treasurer and William T. Hamilton sheriff.
The county seat was moved by the county commissioners from Hell Gate to Missoula in February of 1866.