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Smith, Robert Burns

lawyer, legislator, governor, was born Dec. 29, 1854, in Hickman county, Ky. He received the rudiments of his education in the public schools, and at the academy of Milburn, Ky. For four years he was engaged in educational work; and studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1877. In 1884 he was a member of the constitutional convention of Montana; United States district attorney for Montana during 1885- 89; was corporation counsel for the city of Helena in 1891; and in 1894 was a candidate for congress on the people's party ticket. In 1897 he was elected to fill the high office of governor of Montana for four years. He is one of the foremost lawyers of the west; and is regarded as the best political debater in the state of Montana.