A Historical Sketch of the Montana State Law Library

The following historical sketch of the Montana State Law Library depicts the conditions surrounding the courts in Montana in her territorial days, and the growth of the law library since that time. It was prepared by Ashburn K. Barbour, a pioneer member of the Montana bar and a gentleman of legal and literary attainment who arrived in Helena in 1883, six years before Montana achieved statehood. He served as state law librarian for thirty-two years (1905-37) and devoted years of research in bringing together information gleaned from original documents and illuminated by personal recollections. Mr. Barbour died before his report was completed. His successor, State Law Librarian Adeline J. Clarke (1937-54), assembled and edited his notes and writings, and presented them to her board of trustees in 1938. The chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court at that time, O.E Goddard, recommended that the historical sketch be printed, as "nothing on this subject has ever been written in this state before." Few law libraries are fortunate enough to have such unique and interesting histories available to them. It is my hope that Mr. Barbour's history will, in his words, "awaken an interest in or create an appreciation for the value of all law libraries which have been established, protected, and nourished against discouraging odds."—Judith A. Meadows, State Law Librarian, Montanta State Law Library, Helena, Montana