Marshal, Charles. Interview, November 16, 1983

              INTERVIEW with CHARLES E. MARSHALL
November 16, 1983
This is Anna Zellick interviewing Charles E. Marshall. Today is November 16, 1983. The
interview is being conducted at my home, 721 West Spring Street. The subject today is his
father, Charles J. Marshall, an attorney who came here in the early days, and I will let his son,
Charles E. give us a resume on how his father came here and about his activities here in
Lewistown. OK.
MARSHALL: My father was born in Michigan in 1882. His birthdate was January 18, 1882. He
was born in Benton Harbor. He grew up there and attended the University of Michigan. He
completed his college work at that university. He then went to Valpairso, Indiana, and
attended law school graduating from that university as an attorney. During the two years that
he was attending the law school at Valpairso, Indiana he roomed with a student from Montana
named Roy B. Ayers. Roy's folks were ranchers at Grass Range, Montana. Roy had come to
Valpairso to obtain a law degree. After the two young men finished college, Roy Ayers returned
to Montana, and my father went back to Michigan. He then got married, and was teaching
school in a small country school. It was while teaching there that he received a letter from Roy
Ayers dated June 23, 1907 requesting him to come right out to Montana and go into the
practice of law. He wrote as follows:
The following is what I have taken in since the first day ofJanuary--$506.55 in cash and
$144.10 on the books which is as good as cash. We could increase the private practice which I
have now so that it would make a two thousand dollar business, it is twelve hundred dollar
business now . ... (In speaking of expenses the following was brought out, as the expenses of
the County Attorney during that time.) The stenographer was paid $50.00 a month which
Fergus County paid. Office rent was $25.00 a month of which Fergus County paid $18.00 and
the County Attorney paid $7.00. It should be mentioned that Roy E. Ayers, in 1907, was the
County Attorney, and in his letter he listed his official expenses. Upon receiving the letter, and
at the end of the school year, my dad came out to Lewistown.
ZELLlCK: So, it was through Roy Ayers your father heard about Lewistown. And it was because
of Ayers that your father came.
MARSHALL: That is correct. Dad came out here and was the deputy county attorney for Roy
Ayers.
ZELLlCK: Immediately?
MARSHALL: Yes. Then when Roy's term finished in 1910, I believe it was, my father ran for
county attorney, and Roy ran for the district judge. Both were elected to the offices. I believe
my father was county attorney for two terms.