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Full text of "Montana, its story and biography; a history of aboriginal and territorial Montana and three decades of statehood, under the editorial supervision of Tom Stout ..."

MONTANA 

Its Story and Biography 



A HISTORY OF ABORIGINAL AND TERRITORIAL MONTANA 
AND THREE DECADES OF STATEHOOD 



UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION 
OF 

TOM STOUT 



VOLUME I 



THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 

1921 



LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 



Copyright, 1921 

BY 
AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



PREFACE 



As the lives of the States go, Montana has had a short record, but, 
like intense personalities, Montana and her people have condensed much 
achievement into a brief span of activities. The "Land of the Shining 
Mountains" and of Magnificent Distances commenced to be sprinkled 
with a few adventuresome gold seekers during the early years of the 
Civil War, albeit her diverse and wonderful territory lying along the 
great range of northern travel between the Mississippi Valley and the 
Pacific Coast had been traversed by such government agents as Lewis 
and Clark and by faithful enthusiasts of the Catholic Church. The Jesuit 
fathers and the pioneer trappers and fur traders had even planted the 
seeds of industry in the valleys of the Missouri and Yellowstone before 
the California of a previous generation was reproduced with all its excite- 
ment and riot within the confines of what is now the State of Montana. 

The old fur traders and guides of the older days led the seeker of gold 
to Bannack and Virginia cities, to Helena and the Hell Gate regions of 
western Montana. Mining camps and towns, with their crude business 
houses sprung into life, with small cattle ranches and farms; but the 
basis of the first period of progress was. laid in the gold mines. Agricul- 
ture and the raising of live stock were side issues. 

Then came the time of the great ranges for cattle, horses and sheep, 
with the mining of gold, silver and copper as still the powerful agents 
of advancement. At first such interests were removed from adequate 
transportation, and the protecting forces of civil law and order were only 
weakly organized. Uncle Sam attempted to tide over this critical period 
with his military arm. then still weakened by the stress of the Civil war. 
He did what he could, but until the railroads "got into their stride" the 
potential riches of Montana were yet conjectural. To be fair to the great 
commonwealth, the truth is that it is only within forty years that she 
has been given a fair chance with her sisters of the West. At that. 
Nature, in the forms of drought and "bad lands," has been most unkind, 
so that, although ^e territory of Montana is w'thin a few thousand square 
miles of that of California, the home areas which are naturally productive 
are comparatively restricted. But the State and the Nation are working 
together so strongly and persistently that both arid and swamp lands are 
everywhere being reclaimed. The virile spirit of Montana, coupled with 
the engineering and scientific solutions of irrigation, draining and farming 
which are being continuously put into practice, are bound to give the 
state a high and permanent standing. The schools, the newspapers, tl 

iii 



iv PREFACE 

commercial organizations, the libraries and the churches are all co-operat- 
ing in the work of both advancing and uplifting those interests which, 
as a whole, make the state what it is. 

The History of Montana which is here presented has endeavored to 
etch this record of struggles and real achievements in such a way that its 
strong lines shall be preserved, and the story not be weighted and ob- 
scured with details. With this end in view, countless authorities, private 
and public, officials of the State and National governments, actors in 
the events treated, historians and scientists, have all been consulted and, 
ofttimes, their very words have been reproduced. In fact, such treat- 
ment of the context has been in line with the well considered policy of 
the editor and his associates. The story of Montana has been told, as 
nearly as possible, through the contributions of those best qualified to 
speak and write. In this connection, the supervising editor cannot but 
express his profound regret that two of his most valuable associates 
should have been cut off by death from rendering to him the full extent 
of their suggestions, advice and co-operation. The venerable, able and 
historic characters, General Charles S. Warren, late of Butte, and ex- 
United States Senator Paris Gibson, the founder of Great Falls, fought 
a good fight for Montana, although they could not live to see this record 
in print which now goes forth with the usual feeling of misgivings as 
to the perfection of anything human. These misgivings are natural, 
despite the fact that no effort has been neglected to make the history 
correct and complete in the essent : aK To the many who have co-operated 
in this task, hearty thanks are offered; and they are so numerous that 
the mention of names would be superfluous and, it might be (by uninten- 
tional omissions) unfair. 

TOM STOUT. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 
APPROACHES TO THE "LAND OF THE SHINING MOUNTAINS' 

CHAPTER II 
EXPEDITION THROUGH TRANS-MISSISSIPPI LAND.. 



CHAPTER III 
MINOR EXPLORATIONS OF 1805-07 68 

CHAPTER IV 
MONTANA'S NATURAL FEATURES . . ; ' RS 



CHAPTER V 
PATHFINDERS OF THE MINING CAMPS ........................ '., 103 

CHAPTER VI 
THE FUR TRADE ERA .................... ...... . . . ; ......... . I 



CHAPTER VII 
STEPS LEADING TO SETTLED CONDITIONS ........................ 142 

CHAPTER VIII 
EXPEDITIONS OF A DECADE .............. . . ............. . ..... 163 

CHAPTER IX 

FIRST GOLD DISCOVERIES AND WORKINGS ....................... 184 

v 



vi CONTENTS 

CHAPTER X 
PIONEER CITIES AND TOWNS 215 

CHAPTER XI 
MINERAL GEOLOGY AND EARLY INDUSTRIES 226 

CHAPTER XII 
DAYS OF OUTLAWS, VIGILANTES AND MINERS' COURTS 242 

* CHAPTER XIII 
DAWN OF LAW AND ORDER '.'. 278 

CHAPTER XIV 
PIONEERS AND THEIR SOCIETY 316 

CHAPTER XV 
DECADE OF INDIAN WARFARE 340 

CHAPTER XVI 
MINING OF SILVER, COPPER AND COAL 371 

CHAPTER XVII 
THE GREAT LIVE STOCK INTERESTS 391 

CHAPTER XVIII 
LAST EPOCH OF TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT 404 

CHAPTER XIX 
BENCH AND BAR OF MONTANA 414 

CHAPTER XX 
FIRST DECADE OF STATEHOOD 439 



CONTENTS vii 



CHAPTER XXI 
TWENTY YEARS MORE OF STATEHOOD. . 



457 



CHAPTER XXII 

MONTANA'S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM ... 



CHAPTER XXIII 
MODERN MEANS OF COMMUNICATION .................... ere 

CHAPTER XXIV 
CONSERVATION OF LANDS ..................................... 577 

CHAPTER XXV 
MILITARY HISTORY OF MONTANA .............................. 642 



BEAVERHEAD, BIG HORN, ELAINE, BROADWATER, CARBON AND CAR- 
TER COUNTIES 667 



CHAPTER XXVII 
CASCADE COUNTY (GREAT FALLS) 681 

CHAPTER XXVIII 

CHOUTEAU, CUSTER, DANIELS, DAWSON, DEER LODGE, FALLON 
COUNTIES 7 

CHAPTER XXIX 
FERGUS, FLATHEAD AND GALLATIN COUNTIES 7 I S 

CHAPTER XXX 

GARFIELD, GLACIER, GOLDEN VALLEY, GRANITE, HILL, JEFFERSON, 
JUDITH BASIN 734 



dii CONTENTS 

CHAPTER XXXI 
LEWIS AND CLARK COUNTY (HELENA) 747 

CHAPTER XXXII 

LIBERTY, LINCOLN, MADISON, McCoNE, MEAGHER, MINERAL 
COUNTIES 767 

CHAPTER XXXIII 
MISSOULA COUNTY ( MISSOULA) 780 

CHAPTER XXXIV 

MUSSELSHELL, PARK, PHILLIPS, PONDERA AND POWDER RlVER 
COUNTIES 794 

CHAPTER XXXV 
POWELL, PRAIRIE, RAVALLI AND RICHLAND COUNTIES 806 

CHAPTER XXXVI 
ROOSEVELT, ROSEBUD, SANDERS AND SHERIDAN COUNTIES 815 

CHAPTER XXXVII 
SILVER Bow COUNTY ( BUTTE) 827 

CHAPTER XXXVIII 
STILLWATER, SWEET GRASS, TETON AND TOOLE COUNTIES 839 

CHAPTER XXXIX 
YELLOWSTONE COUNTY (BILLINGS) 850 

CHAPTER XL 
BIRD'S EYE VIEW OP THE STATE .861 



INDEX 



Abbott, A. H., I, 7-2. 

Abbott, P. M., II, 362. 

Abel, William M., II, 179. 

Aber, William M., I, 544. 

Abrahamson, John C, II, 228. 

Absaraka (Home of the Crows), I, 340. 

Ab-sa-ra-ka (Mrs. Carrington), I, 341, 
343- 

Absarokee, I, 840. 

Absarokee National Forest, I, 623, 778, 

Acher, John W., Ill, 965. 

Acquisition claim, I, 373. 

Adami, Arthur E., II, 560. 

Adams, Burton S., Ill, 727. 

Adams, Charles W., Ill, 1288. 

Adams, E. M., II, 231. 

Adams, John O., I, 654. 

Adams, Sallie M., Ill, 1062. 

Adams, Stephen J., Ill, 1201. 

Adams, Thomas, I, 188. 

Adams, Walter K., Ill, 1157. 

Adams, William P., II, 36. 

Adden, Herbert J., Ill, 1018. 

"Affairs at Fort Benton" (Bradley), I, 
124, 183, 215. 

Afflerbaugh, I. R., Ill, 872. 

Agawam, I, 843. 

Agricultural College Hall, Bozeman 
(illustration), I, 545. 

Agricultural Experiment Station at 
Bozeman established, I, 478. 

Agricultural Experiment Station 
(Northern), I, 476. 

Agricultural Experiment Stations, I, 
529; (branch), 529. 

Agricultural Extension service, I, 520, 

Agriculture: Indians wonder at sprout- 
ing grain (1840), I, 149. 

Aiken, Will, I, 869. 

Aitken, Walter, II, 407. 

Akins, Jefferson H., II, 142. 

Alder Creek, I, 231. 

Alder Gulch, I, 192; discovery of, 200; 
Edgar's account of discovery, 201-5; 
named, 203 ; Peter Ronan's account of 
discovery, 205; 210; total output of, 
216; 219, 220, 222; commemorate 
monument at, 320; 329, 771. 

Alderson, J. J., I, 851. 

Alderson, William W., II, 359. 

Alexander, James G., IT. 589. 

Alexander, J. Newton, II, 509. 

Alexander (Kalispeh'ms chief), I, 157. 

Alexander, Mary, III, 1247. 

Alexander, Thomas, III, 1246. 

Alfalfa, Second Crop of in Valley 
County (illustration), I, 401. 



Alfield, Ed., I, 223. 

Alger, I, 824. 

Algerian (Shriner) Temple, Helena, I, 
755- 

Alice Mine, I, 373, 834. 

Allen, Charles D., II, 300. 

Allen, Clark W., II, 45. 

Allen, C., I, 252. 

Allen, Elbert K, II, 31. 

Allen, J. F., I, 237. 

Allen, Paul, I, 20. 

Allen, Robert T., Sr., II, 306. 

Allen, William R., Ill, 1158. 

Allen, W. R., I, 471. 

Allen & Millard, I, 285. 

Alley, Roy S., Ill, 1205. 

Allin, Charles W., II, 391. 

Allin, William G., II, 605. 

Allison, P., I, 213. 

Allison, William, I, 222, 223. 

Allison, William, Jr., I, 833. 

Alma, I, 768. 

Alta Mine, I, 765. 

Alton, Robert D., II, 423. 

Amalgamated Copper Company, I, 377. 

American Fork, I, 190; (Hangtown), 
191.. 

American Fur Company, I, 113, 121, 123, 
126, 127, 129, 131, 140, 164. 

"American Fur Trade of the Far West" 
(Chittenden), I, 69. 

American Horse (Indian Chief), I, 358. 

American Horse (Sioux Chief), I, 345. 

American Smelting and Refining Com- 
pany, Helena, I, 381, 763. 

Ames, James J., Ill, 858. 

Amundson, Edon A., Ill, 1077. 

Anaconda: state capital contestant, I, 

441, 712. 

Anaconda Copper Mining Company, I, 
377. 379. 381. 713; saw mill at Bonner, 
781 ; 790, 836. 

Anaconda and Butte Copper and Zinc 
Mines, I, 383. 

Anaconda Hill, I, 836. 

Anaconda Hill and vicinity, Butte (il- 
lustration, I, 830. 

Anaconda lead mines, I, 384. 

Anaconda-Neversweat Mine, I, 375. 

Anaconda Reduction Works, I, 713; (il- 
lustration), 712. 

Anarchism denounced (1019), I, 483. 

Anderson, Andrew T., II, 591. 

Anderson, Anton I., Ill, 1223. 

Anderson, Elmer J., II, 604. 

Anderson, Emory A., Ill, 736. 

Anderson, Glenn, II, 604. 



IX 



INDEX 



Anderson, James W., Ill, 893. 

Anderson, John A., Ill, 708. 

Anderson, John G., Ill, 1084. 

Anderson, Marius, III, 850. 

Anderson, Orville L., I, 653. 

Anderson, Peter, III, 732. 

Anderson, Ray, II, 220. 

Anderson, Reece, I, 186, 192, 221. 

Anderson, Robert B., Ill, 709. 

Anderson, William W., I, 316. 

Andretta, Fred C, III, 834. 

Andrews, C. K., I, 868. 

Andrews, J. W., Jr., I, 426. 

Andrieux, Edgar M., II, 476. 

Andrus, Harry E., II, 375. 

Angell, Earle F., II, 616. 

Angevine, Frank H., I, 335, 338. 

Angevine, Fred R., II, 445. 

Angstman, Jess L., II, 1438. 

Annin, James T., II, 299. 

Annin, Joseph B., II, 298. 

Antelope, I, 826. 

Apgar, H. D., Ill, 795. 

Apgar, Jessie, III, 796. 

Appleton, Fletcher W., II, 32. 

Arbor Day, I, 465, 498. 

Are these young Americans being fairly 

treated? (illustration), I, 520. 
Arena, Peter, III, 954. 
Argenta, I, 237. 
Argo, Neil D., II, 73. 
Arick, R. E., I, 415. 
Arkwrtght, Hartford D., Ill, 1257. 
Arlee, I, 792. 
Armington, I, 609. 
Armitage, Thomas C., II, 230. 
Armstead, I, 783. 
Armstrong, Frarcis K., II. 6. 
Armstrong, George, I, 703. 
Armstrong, John, I, 15. 
Armstrong, Ory J., Ill, 999. 
Armstrong, Thomas G., II, 65. 
Arnet, Nick, III, TCKX. 
Arnette, Frank G., Ill, 921. 
Arnett. F. B.. Ill, 854. 
Arnold, George P. T., Jr., II, 285. 
Arnold, Harry E., II, 33. 
Arnold. Ralnh L., II, 453. 
Arnold, William, I, 237. 
Arnott, George, Jr., II, 771. 
Asbridge, Joseph L., I. 868; II, 522. 
Ashley. Tames M., I, 288; his residence 

in Helena (illustration). 313; becomes 

governor, 314; (portrait), 410; 868. 
Ashley. William. I. 108. in. I2<">. 
Ashley-Henry Discoveries of 1823, I, 

109. 

Aslakson, Orrar R . IT 620. 
Aslakson, Thomas E.. Ill, 1308. 
Aspling. Charles E.. II, 336. 
AssaroVa range, I, OT, 
Asselstire. George H.. II, 564. 
Assinihoines. J, T, i-6. 
Asteroid rla ; m, I. 371. 
Astor, Tohn Tacr>b, I, 113. 
AtrM^on, To'-n S., I, 2V. 
Atkinson, Alfred, I, cig, 731. 
AtHnson. Targes T ., TTI, 925. 
AttK. Frederick F.. II, 45. 
Audubon, John J., I, 124. 
Augusta, I, 241, 749. 



Auld, James C, II, 617. 

Aune, George D., II, 87. 

Austin, Claud, II, 474- 

Austin, Harry H., II, 117. 

Austin, James W., Sr., Ill, 877. 

Austin, William Charles, II, 474. 

Australian ballot system introduced, I, 

485. 
Autobiographical Notes (1791-1816) by 

McDonald, I, 81. 

Axtell, John S., I, 725; III, 1195. 
Ayers, Leonard P., I, 503. 
Ayers, Roy E., II, 422. 
Ayres, D. E., II, 601. 

Baatz, Nick, II, 575. 

Babcock, Albert L., II, 241. 

Babcock, Lewis C., II, 241. 

Babcock, Paul, III, 801. 

Babington, W. J., II, 446. 

Baboon Gulch, I, 222. 

Bach, Thomas C. (portrait), I, 428; 431. 

Bachelors taxed, I, 489. 

Bad Lands : General Sully describes, I, 
293; (illustrations), 295. 

Badger Creek, I, 112. 

Bagg, Charles S., I, 256, 257, 282, 283, 
289. 

Bailey, H. V., I, 869. 

Bailey, James, I, 209, 

Bainville, I, 817. 

Bair, Frank B., II, 367. 

Pair, John G., Ill, 746. 

Baird, David E., II, 512. 

Baird, Frank P., II, 583. 

Baker, I, 714. 

Baker, Arthur G., Ill, 1431. 

Baker, David A .. ITT, 1280. 

Baker, Eugene M., I, 309, 345. 

Baker, E. D., Ill, 1198. 

Baker, George A., III. 1319. 

Baker, Paul, III, 1373. 

Baker Battle Fields memorial, I, 323. 

"AVer's Battle" of 1872, I, 309. 

Baldwin, Clement J., II, 15. 

Baldy Mountain, I. 771. 

Pall, Allen M., Ill, 1269. 

Ball, Jennie C, III, 838. 

Ball, May, III, 727. 

Pall, Robert J.. Ill, 8~7. 

Ballantine, I, 856. 

Ballard, William E., Ill, 843. 

Pallou, F. H., TT. ico. 

Bally, W. H., Ill, 086. 

Bancroft, Hubert Howe. I, 159. 

Bannack City: early diggings, I, loo; 
191, 220, 230, 250, 333, 783; of today, 
671. 

Bannack Legislature. I. 2^-288. 

Bannack Mining and Milling Company, 
I, 672. 

Pannack Statutes, I, 415. 

Bannack Street of Today (illustration), 
I, 191. 

Banks, L. B.. II. 203. 

Banks and Banking: Helena Brand of 
F^der? 1 Re^rve R^nk onened, I, 
489; Miles City Banks, 707: Lewis- 
town Banks. 720; statues of Montana's 
state, private anH rational banks 
(1920), 870; state banking laws, 871. 



INDEX 



XI 



Barclay, J. Arthur, III, 1400. 

Barclay, R. Proctor, II, 390. 

Barker, Bud, I, 213. 

Barker, Samuel, II, 516. 

Barnard, William E., Ill, mo. 

Barnes, Antrim E., II, 98. 

Barnes, Oscar O., Ill, 962. 

Barrell, Joseph, I, 14. 

Barrett, Alexander H., I, 493. 

Barrett, William, I, 328. 

Bartles, Frederick R., II, 452 

Bartley, Paris B., Ill, 682. 

Bartz, George, II, 311. 

Basin mining district, $6,635,000, I, 766. 

Bateman, Howard W., Ill, 747. 

Batens, Francis X., Ill, 1226. 

Battey, R. C., II, 258. 

Battle of Kildeer Mountain (Sioux 
Campaign), I, 292, 293. 

Battle of the Big Hole, I, 643. 

Baume, Tom, I, 255. 

Baxter, Ernest C., JI, 592. 

Beall, William J., II, 76. 

Beall, Mrs. W. J., II, 77. 

Bean, Leo, II, 1302. 

Bear Gulch, I, 213. 

Bearmouth, I, 790. 

Bear 1 aw Mountains, I, 9-1, 94, 229. 
Bear Tooth Mountain in the Coal Region 
(illustration), I, 101. 

Beartooth National Forest, I, 624. 
Beatty, James H., I, 378. 
Beauharnois, Charles de, I, 5. 
Beauty Spots for tourists, I, 634. 
Beaver Hill, I, 848. 

Beaverhead county: placer mines in 
1862-68, I, 213 ; early silver mining in, 
238 ; created, 281 ; number and value 
of cattle (1884), 395; irrigation, 595; 
natural features and industries of, 
667. 

Beaverhead National Forest, I, 624. 
Beaverhead River, I, 230. 
Beaverhead Rock, I, 50; (illustration), 

49- 

Beckers, Hubert, III, 858. 
Beckwith, James, I, 344. 
Bedford, David J., Ill, 911. 
Beebe, I, 703. 
Beechey, Hill, I, 253. 
Been, I, 848. 
Bees, I, 403. 
Behrendt, Paul, II, 130. 
Beidler. J. X., I, 2*3, 259, 273. 
Beier, F. W., Jr., I, 869. 
Beiseker, Chester J., Ill, 1065. 
Belanski, Fdgar E., Ill, 1133. 
Belgrade, I, 729. 
Belgum, Henry S., Ill, 803. 
Belknap, I, 824. 
Bell, Frances, I, 282. 
Bell, Frederick A., II, 130. 
Bell, George H., Ill, 1127. 
Bell, Henry A., I, 192, 196. 
Bell, John K., Ill, 971. 
Belleflenr, Irene V., II, 631. 
Bellefleur, W. M., II, 631. 
Belt, I, 699. 
Belt range, I, 91. 
Belzer, William, I, 655. 



Bench and Bar: Miners Courts estab- 
lished, I, 218; Sidney Edgerton at 
Miners Court, 279; sketch of Chief 
Justice H. L. Hosmer, 288; opening 
of first District Court, 289; Idaho 
code of practice adopted, 290; com- 
pletion of first term of court, 291 ; 
Judiciary opposes Assembly as to con- 
stitutional capital, 298; Territorial 
practice act, 315, 414-438; bar at close 
of territorial period, 431 ; Justices of 
First Supreme Court retire, 416; be- 
ginning of systematic judicature, 418; 
crude legal and judicial surroundings, 
420; placer mining and water rights, 
421 ; Henry N. Blake ascends Supreme 
Bench, 423; quartz mining litigation, 
424; quartz lode litigation supreme, 
427 ; railroad cases, 429 ; Montana Bar 
Association formed, 433; under state- 
hood, 434-438; U. S. District Judges, 
437; State District Judiciary, 438; 
Heinze overwhelms the courts, 459; 
Fair Trial Law passed, 460; legisla- 
tive elevation of bar, 477; justices of 
the State Supreme Court increased 
from three to five, 485 ; pending codi- 
fication of laws, 489. 

Bender, Frank, II, 42. 

Benetsee Creek, I, 184. 

Bennet, Howard G., Ill, 688. 

Bennett, George C., Ill, 1439. 

Bennett, Jack, III, 809. 

Bennett, Sidney, II, 626. 

Bennett, Walter E., II, 169. 

Benoit, John A., Ill, 1144. 

Benson, Theodore J., II, 237. 

Benton, C. H., I, 438. 

Penton, Thomas A., I, 128. 

Benton City, I, 215. 

Benton group (geological), I, 95. 

Berkin, John, II, 380. 

Berkin, Tborras A., II, II. 

Berkin, William, I, 286; II, to. 

Bernard Pratte & Company, I, ill. 

Berry, Albert C., Ill, 914. 

Berthelote, Joseph T., Ill, 1132. 

Bertrand, Joseph, II, 286. 

Bessette, Hypolite, III, 764. 

Best, Herbert F., II, 344. 

Best, Judson P., II, 345. 

Pest, Oly M.. II, 360. 

Be% John, III. 1008. 

Bibee, S. C, III, 867. 

Bickford, Walter M., II, 12. 

Bickle, J. Hiram, III, 1370. 

B''ddle. Joseph W., I, 363. 

Bielenherg, Howard Z., II, 182. 

Big Bellies (Gros Venires), 1,74. 

Big Pelt Mountains, I, 9.1. 

Big Blackfoot country, I, 754. 

Big Blackfoot River I, 227. 

Big Dry Creek, 1, 32. 

Big Dry River, I, 91. 

Big Fork, I, 724. 

Pig Hole River, I, 230. 

Big Horn, I, 845. 

Big Horn Canyon, I, 672. 

Big Horn country, Government evacu- 
ates, I, 345. 



Xll 



INDEX 



Big Horn County, created, I, 281 ; 406, 
474 ; irrigation, 595 ; description of, 
672, 673, 674. 

Big Horn Mountains, I, 91. 

Big Horn River, I, 63, 81. 

Big Horn town located, I, 195. 

Big Knife River, I, 29. 

Big Prickly Pear Creek, I, 190. 

Big Sandy, I, 702. 

Big Snowy Mountain, I, 91. 

Big Timber, I, 841. 

Big Timber irrigation project, I, 583. 

Bigelow, Edward, II, 58. 

Bigelow, Wilbur F., II, 200. 

Billings, Frederick, I, 851. 

Billings, incorporated, I, 409; irrigation 
project, I, 581, 582; history of city, 851 ; 
business houses, industries and banks, 
854 ; general evidences of its prosper- 
ity, 859- 

Billings airport, I, 853. 

Billings Chamber of Commerce, I, 857, 
859- 

Billings-Cody Way. I, 851. 

Billings Coliseum, I, 853. 

Billings Commercial Club: home of 
(illustration), I, 855; sketch of, 856. 

Billings Polytechnic Institute, I, 552. 

Billings Street Railway Company, I, 851. 

Billings twenty-five years ago (illustra~ 
tion), I; 852. 

Billings and Central Montana Railroad, 
I, 568. 

Billmeyer, Daniel H., II, 71. 

Biography of James Stuart (Granville 
Stuart), I, 221. 

Biological Station, Flathead Lake, I, 
529, 535, 53.6. 

Bird Tail divide, I, 91. 

Birkland, Andrew C., Ill, 1404. 

Birum, Albert A., Ill, 1069. 

Bishop, John F., I, 316. 

Bissel, G. G., I, 217, 218. 

Bitter Root Mountain, I, 227. 

Bitter Root National Forest, I, 624, 811. 

Bitter Root River, I, 90. 

Bitter Root Valley (illustration), I, 
935 (illustration), 143; 144, 223, 225, 
227, 791; historic associations of, 811. 

Biven's Gulch, I, 231. 

Bjorneby, E. G., III. 86r. 

Bjorneby, George, III, 861. 

Black, Robert R., Ill, 951. 

Black Bear (Indian chief), I, 173, 174, 

Black Chief, I, 371. 

Black Href lode, I, 222. 

Black Eagle Power Plant, Great Falls, 
I, 680. 

Black Hills (Cote Noire), I, 34. 

Black Mountain Trail, I, 752. 

Black Rock Zinc Mine, I, 382. 

Black Tailed Deer Creek, I, 230, 231. 

Blackfeet Indians (Piegans), I, 104; 
fur traders attempt to win over, in; 
again reconciled by Culbertson, 126; 
trouble with the, I, 140; attempts to 
convert the, I, 150; still warlike, I, 
154; attack Hamilton-McKay party, 
I, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176; reclamation 
project, I, 587, 589, 



Blackfeet country abandoned by fur 

traders, I, 105. 

Blackfeet Indian Reservation, I, 737. 
Blackfeet National Forest, I, 624, 769. 
Blackfeet Sun Dance (illustrations of), 

I, 736. 

Blackfoot Valley, I, 790. 
Blackwell, George R., Ill, 958. 

Blaere, Joseph, II, 269. 

Blaine County; created, I, 474; irriga- 
tion in, 596 ; description of, 674. 

Blaine County Fair, I, 675. 
Blair, Harry B., II, 196. 

Blair, James F., II, 341. 

Blair, John W., I, 316; III, 1296. 

Blake, A. S., I, 189, 192. 

Blake, Henry N., I, 216, 415, 422; sketch 
of,. 423; 434; defeated for chief jus- 
tice, 449J 459- 

Blake, S. R., I, 219. 

Blakeslee, Glenn B., II, 172. 

Blakeslee, Harry D., II, 172. 

Blanchet, F. N., I, 147. 

Blankenhorn, Charles E., II, 141. 

Blodgttt, Francis E., Ill, 895. 

Blodgett, Louis D., II, 351. 

Blomquist, Walter C, III, 826. 

Blood, Indians, I, 140. 

Bloom, Edward B., II, 189. 

Blose, J. T., Ill, 1034. 

Blue Joint Hay (illustration), I, 846. 

Board of Administration for Farmers' 
Institutes, I, 530. 

Board of Education, Billings, II, 236. 

Board of Examination for Nurses, I, 
476. 

Board of Horticulture, I. 883. 

Board of Railroad Commissioners, estab- 
lished, I, 464. 

Boarton, L. W., I, 289. 

Boatman, Robert T., II, 287. 

Bodden, Jacob C., II, 199. 

Boden, Henning R., II, 20. 

Boden, James, III, 1243. 

Bodley, Ralph E., II, 26. 

Boggs, George S., Ill, 1183. 

Bogue, John C., Ill, 1249. 

Bohart, William O., II, 420. 

Bohm, Angevine & Merry, I, 338. 

Bole, James P., II, 379. 

Bole, William S., II, 313. 

Bellinger, John, II, 171, 

Bond, John C, I, 643. 

Bond, N. J., I, 282. 

Bon in, I, 777. 

Bonita, I, 790. 

Ponner, I, 790. 

Bonner, E. L., I, 500, 532. 

Bonneville, B. L. E. : his explorations, 
I, 113-119; and the geysers, 116; last 
years of, 119. 

Boorman, Benjamin J., Ill, 744. 

Booth, Edwin S., Ill, 1428. 

Booth, John C, III, 1448. 

Booth, John H.. III. 1448. 

Borough, John F., II, 534. 

Borreson, Henry E., Ill, 1052. 

Boschert, Frnest A., II, 76. 

Posshard, Elmer, II, 341. 

Boston & Colorado Smelting Company, 
I, 375- 



INDEX 



xni 



Boston & Montana Consolidated Com- 
pany, I, 377, 378. 

Boston & Montana mine, I, 375. 

Bostwick, Ephriam, I, 192, 197. 

Botkin, Alexander C., I, 405, 433. 

Boulder, I, 745. 

Bourquin, George M., I, 437, 438, 868. 

Bouyer, Mitch, I, 349, 350. 

Bowden, Malcolm, III, 1176. 

Bowden, Marguerita, I, 760. 

Bowdoin, I, 803. 

Bower, G. C., II, 610. 

Bower Brothers Ranch, II, 610. 

Bowman, Alfred H., Ill, 1326. 

Bowman, Carl, III, 1275. 

Bowman, Charles H., I, 549. 

Bowman, Dan H., Ill, 1344. 

Bowman, Thomas E., Ill, 1148. 

Boyer, Mary L., Ill, 1300. 

Boyes, Henry O., Ill, 1264. 

Boyle, Neil, III, 1265. 

Boynton, C. H., I, 761. 

Box Elder, I, 744. 

Bozeman, J. M., I, 120, 189, 195, 221, 
306; statue of (illustration), 307; 
grave at Bozeman, 323, 555 ; sketch of, 
730, 799, 840. 

Bozeman : first house built in, I, 307 ; 
state capitol contestant, 441 ; 529, 
729, 732. 

Bozeman Roundup, I, 732. 

Brackenridge, Henry W., I, 69, 73. 

Brackett, Ivory, III, 1394. 

Brackett, Oscar, III, 1007. 

Brackett, William S., I, 114, 118, 119, 

120. 

Bradbrook, L. G., II, 40. 
Bradbury, John I, 69, 71, 73. 
Bradford, Robert B., II, 233. 
Bradford, W. M., II, 233. 
Bradley, Abram. L., II, 492. 
Bradley, James H. (portrait), I, 214; 
304, 343, 349 ; his account of the Custer 
disaster, 350; death of, 360. 
Bradley, Mrs. James H., I, 216. 
Bradley's, J. H. Journal, I, 104, 121, 
124, 128, 151, 159, 163, 164, 310, 348, 
354. 

Bradshaw, William J., Ill, 1390. 
Brady, I, 804. 
Bramble, John K., Ill, 958. 
Brandon, I, 231. 
Brandon, Roswell L., Ill, m8. 
Brantly, Theodore, sketch of, I, 436; 

869. 

Brassey, Edward, II, 205. 
Brattin, Carl L., Ill, 1120. 
Bratton,' William, I, 28. 
Brazier, Charles R., Ill, 1059. 
Breeders' Association, I, 403. 
Preen, Maurice J., II, 247. 
Breitenstein, Arthur J., Ill, 829. 
Brenizer, I. 848. 
Brennan, William H., II, 352. 
Prrrnen, W. J., Ill, 822. 
Brewster, George W., Ill, 1376. 
Bridge, John W., Ill, 1172. 
Brirlfpr. Tames, I, 108, 113, 114; famous 
explorer and guide, also portrait 115; 
120, 306, 340, 343, 344, 798, 840. 
Bridger range, I, 91. 



Bndger's Canyon, Valley of the Galla- 

tm (illustration), I, 232. 
Briggs, Ansell, I, 282. 
Brigiit, Haden H., Ill, 1281. 

Brimacombe, John, II, 492 
Brink, H. F., II, 320. 
Briscoe, Jack, II, 198. 
Broadbrooks, Clarence E., Ill, 941 
Broaddus, John, III, 1088. 

Broaddus, Oscar, III, 1087. 

Broaddus, William M., Ill, 1401. 

Broadview, I, 856. 

Broadview school, Terry District (illus- 
tration), I, 859. 

Broadwater, Arthur J., Ill, 818. 

Broadwater, Edward T., Ill, 690. 

Broadwater county; as a copper pro- 
ducer, I, 384; irrigation in, 597; de- 
scription of, 675. 

Broadwater County High School, II, 
1096. 

Broadwater Hotel, I, 751. 

Brockton, I, 817. 

Brock way, I, 776. 

Brockway, Bert G., II, 230. 

Brockway, Clarence J., Ill, 967. 

Brooke, Ben C., II, 618. 

Brooks, Clark A., Ill, 898. 

Brooks, Joseph, III, 1120. 

Brophy, John A., II, 424. 

Brophy, John W., II, 427. 

Brophy, Patrick J., II, 424. 

Brown, Arthur H., II, 563. 

Brown, Bella, I, 698. 

Brown, C. V., II, 276. 

Brown, Frank D., I, 316, 320, 325. 

Brown, Fred M., II, 407. 

Brown, George, I, 256, 286. 

Brown, G. W., Missouri, I, 247; hanging 
of, 260. 

Brown, Herbert W., III. 718, 

Brown, James H., I, 419; II, 483. 

Brown, Joseph T., I, 643; III, 1193. 

Brown, Leonard A., Ill, 889. 

Brown, Mary G., II, 1194. 

Brown, Perry F., II, 152. 

Brown, William A., Ill, 1205. 

Browne, David G., Ill, 954. 

Brownfield, William, II, 503. 

Browning, I, 739. 

Bruce, James L., II, 511. 

Bruce, John P., I, 415. 

Bryan, Charles L., II, 75. 

Bnchholz, August D. F., Ill, 675. 

Buck, Cyrus W., II, 608. 

Buck, F. W., Ill, 853. 

Buck, Horace R., I, 434; death of 435, 
436. 

Buck, Isaac N., I. 282. 

Buck, John F., Ill, 1210. 

Puck. Marion E., II, 105. 

Bucksen, F. W., II, 636. 

Puerpi, George J., Ill, 1340. 

Buffalo, wholesale slaughter of, I, 36; 
a surround, 138; 717. 

BnTalo of the Plains (illustration), I, 
37. 

Buffalo robes replacing beaver skins, I, 
121. 

Buffalo Trail Highway. I, 740. 

Bull, Carlton B., II, 631. 



XIV 



INDEX 



Bull mountain coal field, I, 240, 796. 

Bullard, Oilman, I, 868. 

Bullard, J. Oilman, II, 619. 

Bullard, Massena, I, 419. 

Bullfinch, Charles, I, 14. 

Bullwhacker Mining Co., I, 836. 

Bunker, Eugene F., II, 557. 

Bunker, Park J., Ill, 1317. 

Bunney, William H., II, 376. 

Buntin, John A., Ill, 1253. 

Bunton, William, I, 249. 

Burdick, Henry, I, 415. 

Burdick, N. H., I, 760. 

Bureau of Agriculture, Labor and In- 
dustry: to advertise Montana, I, 468; 
abolished, 476. 

Burger, Norris F., II, 73. 

Burke, Daniel J., II, 147. 

Burke, Edward F., Ill, 692. 

Burke, John J., II, 144. 

Burke, Patrick E., Ill, 1075. 

Burks, Fred C., Ill, 1437. 

Burlington route, I, 568. 

Burns, Harry, I, 289. 

Burns, James P., Ill, 834. 

Burns, Lowell C., Ill, 1299. 

Burpee, L. J., I, 78. 

Burn's, N. W., I, 335, 337- 

Burton, W. C, I, 285. 

Busch, Ernest C., II, 88. 

Busche, William C., II, 272. 

Busha, Charles T., II, 51. 

Bussert, Edgar C., Til, 1239, 

Butler, J-ames W., Ill, 1126. 

Butler, John F., Ill, 920. 

Butler, Lewis S., II, 99. 

Butler, Vernon, III, 884. 

Butschy & Clark, I, 254. 

Butte: founding of (Warren), I, 222; 
fails as a gold district, 371 ; state cap- 
ital contestant, 441 ; a world famed 
mining center, 828; first? smelter and 
auartz worked, 829; as a city, 830; 
king of copper, 834 ; copper production 
in district, 835 ; mineral production of 
district (1865-1915), 8?6; its intervals 
of mining inactivity, 837. 

Butte-Alex Scott Mining Co.. I. 836. 

Butte, Anaconda & Pacific Railroad, I, 
376, 568. 

Butte and surroundings (illustration), I, 
3R5. 

Butte-Bullaklava Mining Co., I, 836. 

Butte Daily Post, II, 471. 

Butte-Dnluth Mining Co., I, 876. 

Butte-Milwaukee Copper Company, I, 
383. 

Butte Mines Company, II, 1380. 

Butte-New York Copper Company, I, 
383. 

Butte pumping plant, I, 832. 

Prtte town site patent, I, 427. 

Butte Window Glass Works, II, 492. 

Butte & Great Falls Mining Co., I, 836. 

Butte & London Mining Co., I, 836. 

Butte & Superior Copper Company, I, 
382, ?8*. 

Butte & Snnerior Mining Co., I, 836. 

Buzzetti, Charles J., II, 54. 

Buzzetti and Emmett, II, 54. 



Byam, Don D., I, 259. 
Byam, Don L., I, 319, 320. 
Bynum, I, 843. 
Byrne, Frank P., II, 362. 
Byrne, Fred M., II, 355. 

Cabinet National Forest, I, 624, 769. 

Cable, John S., II, 314. 

Cain, Elmer L., Ill, 868. 

Calabar, I, 703. 

Calder, W. L. A., II, 17. 

Calderhead, J. H., I, 463. 

Calhoun, Henry J., II, 242. 

Calhoun, William B., II, 318. 

California Gulch, I, 231. 

Callaway, James F., I, 404. 

Callaway, Lew L, I, 459. 

Calloway, James E., I, 419. 

Calvert, George B., Ill, 672. 

Cameahwait (Sacajawea's brother), I, 

S7< 

Camp Baker, I, 311. 
Camp Cooke, I, 311. 
Camp Robert B. Smith, I, 645. 
Campbell, A. J., I, 453. 
Campbell, Charles W., II, 268. 
Campbell, Frank B., II, 566. 
Campbell, Guy E., Ill, 814. 
Campbell, Hugh B., II, 449. 
Campbell, John L., II, 439. 
Campbell, John S., Ill, 1155. 
Campbell, Mabel L., II, 345. 
Campbell, Ray L., Ill, 1056. 
Campbell, Robert, I, 108, 120, 138. 
Campbell, Samuel K., II, 653. 
Campbell, Thomas F., I, 494. 
Campbell, Will A., Ill, 1177. 
Canton, I, 676. 
Canyon Ferry, I, 749. 
Capitol; corner-stone laid, I, 454; (illus- 
tration), 455; wings commenced, 468; 

grand stairway of (illustration), 473; 

as completed, 477 (illustration), 458. 
Canlice, John, I, 316. 
Carbon county: as a coal producer, I, 

3%: created, 452; irrigation in, 597; 

description of, 676; coal mines and 

first oil well, 677. 
Cardell, Robert C., II, 249. 
Carey, Frank, III. 842. 
Carey, John J., Ill, 759. 
Carey, Matt F., Ill, 1183. 
Carey Land Act: biennial report of 

(1919-1920), I, 581; 590. 
Carey Land Act Board : replaces State 
Arid Land Grant Commission, I, 460; 

584. 

Carleton, E. A., I, 500. 
Carlson, Alfred C., II. 259. 
Carlson, Kaare O., Ill, 1018. 
Carlson, O. A., I, 869. 
Carlton, I, 702. 
Carlyle, I, 818. 

Carmony, Fred A., Ill, 1088. 
Carney, John, II, 374. 
Carpenter, A. M. S., I, 403, 494. 
Carpenter, B. Platt, sketch of, I, 409; 

a 12, 4?4, 868. 

Carnenter, Harry C., II. 303. 
fa merger. Mvron S., II, 357. 
Carr, R. E., II, 257. 



INDEX 



xv 



Carrington, Henry B., I,! 340, 342; ex- 
pedition turned back by Fetterman 
Massacre, I, 343; 345, 363. 

Carroll, I, 306. 

Carroll, John P., II, 458. 

Carroll, John V., II, 578. 

Carroll, J. T., I, 869. 

Carroll, William E., II, 511. 

Carroll, Matthew, I, 215. 

Carroll & Steele, I, 215. 

Carruth, Edwin C., Ill, 705. 

Carruthers, Emmet E., I, 653. 

Carter, I, 702. 

Carter, Alexander, I, 249. 

Carter, Elizabeth, III, 785. 

Carter, Thomas H., I, 433, 445; sketch 
of, 447, 448; elected U. S. Senator, 
451, 457- 

Carter County : created, I, 482 ; irriga- 
tion in, 599; description of, 679, 680. 

Cartwright, Annie, III, 1203. 

Cartwright, Evert, III, 1203. 

Carver, Jonathan, proposes transconti- 
nental waterway, I, 12. 

Cascade, I, 699. 

Cascade County : created, I, 41 1 ; irriga- 
tion in, 598 ; natural features, 681 ; 
livestock and dairy interests, 682 ; min- 
ing of coal and silver, 683; Great 
Falls, 684-699; origin of name, 686; 
schools of, 687, 699. 

Cascade County school children (illus- 
tration), I, 507. 

Cashmore, Alfred I, II, 555. 

Caspers, H. J., Ill, 844. 

Cassill, Scott K., Ill, 1222. 

Castle Geyser, Yellowstone Park (illus- 
tration), I, 117. 

Castles, William, II, 83. 

Castner, John K., Ill, 724. 

Castner, Mattie, III, 725. 

Casto, William H., Jr., II, 178. 

Cat Creek anticline, I, 3874 

Cat Creek field, i, 877. 

Cat Creek oil field, I, 716. 

Catholic Missions and Missionaries, I, 
144-158. 

Catlin, Edwin B., II, 415. 

Catlin, George, I, 113, 144. 

Catlin, John B., II, 467. 

Cattle drives (i868-'83), I, 393, 394; 
wealth by counties (1884), 394, 395; 
Miles City center of range, 395 ; great 
sales of, 396; progress of industry, 
1885-1919, 3r6. 

Cavanaugh, Miles J., II, 511. 

Cave, Alfred. II, 555. 

Cave, Will, II, 555- 

Caven, J. B., 1.^218. 

Caven, Kate Virginia, I, 220. 

Cayuse Hills, I, 91. 

Centerville, I, 827, 834. 

Central, I, 2"2. 

Chaboillez, Charles J. B., I, 74. 

Chadwick, Walter F., I, 415, 433. 

Chalmers, Horace, I, 252. 

Chalrrers, Robert, I, 252. 

Chamberlain, Arthur E., Ill, 762. 

Chamberlain. D. D., I, 2m. 

Chambers, George T., Ill, 979. 

Champlin, James L., Ill, 773. 



Chancellor of the University, I, 476. 
528, 530. 

Chapman, Charles F., II, 549. 

Chapman, John W., II, 60. 

Chapman, Robert H., I, 91. 

Charbonneau, Toussaint, I, 28, 43 55 
57, 61, 64, 65. 

Chardon, F. A., I, 124, 126; death of, 
127; 140. 

Charlesworth, Arthur, III, 1294. 

Charleswprth, George, III, 1150. 

Charleyoix, I, 4. 

Chauvin, Joseph, II, 102. 

Cheadle, Edwin K., II, 197. 

Cheese factories of Montana, I, 873. 

Cheesman, Henry, II, 78. 

Cheney, William H., II, 655. 

Chessman, William A., II, 591. 

Chester, I, 768. 

Chestnut, Benjamin F., Ill, 819. 

Chicago, Burlington & Quincy System: 
joint purchase by Great Northern and 
Northern Pacific, I, 566. 

Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Rail- 
way, I, 566; electrification of, 567; 
630, 689. 

Chief Joseph, pursuit of, I, 359-369; 
and the Cowan Party (portraits), 361 ; 
his last stand, 362, 463. 

Chief Paul (Salish), I, 157. 

Child Welfare division established, I, 
483- 

Chinook, I, 588, 674, 675. 

Chinook winds, I, 76. 

Chittenden, H. M., I, 69. 

Choate, Isaac W., I, 489; II, 617. 

Choisser, Joe E., Ill, 1003. 

Chouteau, I, 843. 

Chouteau, Auguste, I, 700. 

Chouteau, Chas. (portrait), I, 214. 

Chouteau, Pierre, I, in, 113, 120, 700. 

Chouteau brothers, I, 103. 

Chouteau County, I, 241 ; created, 281 ; 
number and value of cattle (1884), 
395; irrigation in, 599; physical fea- 
tures of and general industries, 700; 
transportation facilities of, 701. 

Chowen, H. O., I, 698. 

Chowning, Charles W., Ill, Sir. 

Christensen, Andrew, III, 917. 

Christenson, Harris J., Ill, 1101. 

Christiansen, Charles G., Ill, 1163. 

Christinson, Otto M., Ill, 1045. 

Christler, Leonard J., II, 640. 

Chronicle Publishing Company, II, 379. 

Crysler, Walter B., II, 209. 

Chumasero, William, I, 289, 291, 415, 
433- 

Church, Irving W., I, 696; III, 694. 

Church, Ray, III, 760. 

Churches of Missoula, I, 786. 

Churchill, William, II, 48. 

Circle, I, 776. 

Clack, Philip D., Ill, 707. 

Clagett, W. H., I, 4*9- 

Claiborne, William C. C., I, 18. 

Clancy, William, I, 377, 459- 

Clapp, Charles H., I, 535; sketch ot, 
534; 549; III, 991. 

Clark, A. B., I, 706. 

Clark, Charles E., Ill, 1351. 



XVI 



INDEX 



Clark, George R., I, 27. 

Clark, George W., Ill, 1092. : 

Clark, Helen P., I, 497- 

Clark, John B., Ill, 1292. 

Clark, John D., Ill, 1321. 

Clark, John W., II, 70. 

Clark, Leon B., Ill, 1249. 

Clark, Lewis C., II, 186. 

Clark, William, I, 19; sketch of, 26, 40, 
42; narrow escape of, and the Bird 
Woman, 43; discovers the Three 
Forks, 46, 54, 55, 58; honorable public 
career, 67; his nine days' journey, 60, 
61, 69, 73, 103, 120, 798. 

Clark, William A.: on Montana's Val- 
leys, I, 92, 144, 190, 236, 237, 243, 316, 
321; introduces himself, 326; arrives 
at Bannack, July, 1863, 328; trip to 
Salt Lake Citv (November, 1863), 
332; (portrait), 372, 373, 375, 376, 377, 
406, 409, 439, 440, 445, 447, 449, 45* ; 
U. S. Senatorship again, 454, 457, 469, 
648, 754, 833, 834- 

Clark City (Livingston), I, 799. 

Clark and Ulm, I, 395. 

Clark's (Flathead) River, I, 57, S8, 60. 

Clark's Fork coal field, I, 240. 

Clark's fork of the Columbia, I, 90. 

Clarke, Malcolm, I, 123, 126, 128, 282, 

323. 

Clarke, Melvin D., Ill, 1159. 
Clarke, Walter E., Ill, 1316. 
Classens, William, I, 1/17. 
Claxton, John K., II. 487. 
Clay, George W., Ill, 968. 
Clayberg, John B., I, 433, 459, 549, 
Clearwater, I, 790. 
Clemens, William J., Ill, 1171. 
Clendennin, George, I, 304, 305, 306. 
Clendennin, Richard, I, ''04. 
Cleveland, George W., Ill, 1301. 
Cleveland, Jack, I, 251. 
Clifford, John E., II. 372. 
Cline, Frank C., II, 87. 
Clinton, I, 790. 
Clyde Park, I, 80 r. 
Coal, I, 101 ; Montana's output since 

1001, 386. 

Coal and lignites, I, 238. 
Coates, John Q., Ill, 877. 
Cobleigh, William M., II, 91. 
Coburn, John, I, 427. 
Cochran, Joseph, I, 851. 
Code Commission, I, 411, 412. 
Code of Laws (1879), I, 408; (1887), 

411; (1895), 435, 451. 
Codification of the Laws (1871-72), I, 

419. 

Codified School Laws adopted, I, 474. 
Codified Statutes, 7th Session 1871-2, I, 

a TO. 

Coffey, George M., Jr., Ill, 749. 
Coffey, George M.. Sr., Ill, 749. 
Coffey, John H., Ill, 774. 
Coggswell, W. R., I, 223. 
Cogswell, Sherman T., Ill, 004. 
Cohagen, Chandler C., II, 215. 
Cole, Burton R., II, 184. 
Cole, F. W., I, 412, 434. 



College of Agriculture and Mechanic 
Arts, I, 529, 544, 731. 

College of Liberal Arts and Science 
formed, I, 535. 

College of Montana, I, 496. 

Collett, Samuel W., II, 389. 

Collier, Albert F., Ill, 1207. 

Collier, Joe, III, 1200. 

Collins, I, 843. 

Collins, Carlos P., Ill, 1117. 

Collins, John, I, 28. 

Collins, John A., Ill, 1056. 

Collins, John B., Ill, 1089. 

Collins, Thomas M., II, 612. 

Collins, Timothy E., I, 316. 

Collins, W. L., II, 401. 

Collins and Company, I, 223. 

Colorado and Montana Smelting Com- 
pany, I, 375. 

Colorado smelter: first successful cop- 
per plant, I, 835. 

Colter, John, I, 28, 68; his remarkable 
adventures, 71, 73. 

Colter's "Hell Hole," I, 69. 

Colton, O. C, I, 732. 

Columbia Falls, I, 725. 

Columbia Fur Company, I, in. 

Columbia Gardens, Butte, I, 833. 

Columbia River, Discovery and ex- 
ploration of, I, 14. 

Columbus, I, 840. 

Colwell, Henry, I, 851. 

Comanche, I, 856. 

Combes, William M., Ill, 820. 

Comer, Cloyde E.. II, 282. 

Comet Mine, I, 765. 

Comly, Harry B., I, 406. 

Commission form of government : 
adopted, I, 469; approved, 477. 

Compulsory education in force (1921), 
1,526. 

Comstock, Henry T. P., I, 322. 

Comstock, Jay M., Ill, 1348. 

Confederate Gulch, I, 212, 754. 

Congdon, John H., II, 357. 

Conger, Everton J., I, 426, 427. 

Conkey, J. C., II. 86. 

Conley, Frank, II, 343. 

Conley, J. V., II. 225. 

Conlon, James, III, 1068. 

Connelly, Frank B., II, q. 

Conner, Jennie M., I, 698. 

Conner, Jesse, III. 751. 

Conner, John T., I, 316. 

Connolly, Thomas, II, 318. 

Conrad, I. 804. 

Conrad, C. D., I. 727. 

Conrad, George H., III. io?o. 

Conrey Placer Mining Company, I, 771. 

Constitutional conventions: first (1866) 
and second (1884), I, 408, 409. 

Continental Divide, passage of the, by 
Lewis snd Clark, I. 52. 

Conway, Daniel R., III. 992. 

Conway, George B., Ill, ITOO. 

Conynpham, Fdward F., II, 447. 

Cook, Byron H.. I, 61 S- 

Cook, Charles W., TI, 6*9. 

Cook, George W., II, 197. 

Cook, James, I, 12. 

Cook, Jerry, I, 289, 415. 



INDEX 



xvu 



Cooke, P. St. George, I, 342. 

Cooke city, I, 798. 

Cooke City Mining district, I, 375. 

Cooke (Jay) and Company: ruined by 

1873 panic, I, 560. 
Cooney, Frank H., II, 166. 
Cooney, Howard C., Ill, 1174. 
Cooney, Tom, III, 1033. 
Cooper, Charles H., I, 436, 869. 
Cooper, John, I, 249. 
Cooper, Ransom, III, 835. 
Cooper, Thomas E., I, 211. 
Cooper, Walter (illustration of winter 
quarters in 1865), I, 212, 316, 547; 
II, 556. 

Copper mining : Rise of, I, 375 ; produc- 
tion in 1899-1919, 379; sampling ores 
for commercial purposes, 380, 381 ; 
production in Butte district (1891-95), 
835. 

Coppo, John B., II, 126. 
Corbally, Thomas F., II, 586. 
Corbett, Hal S., I, 451. 
Corbin, Harvey A., II, 317. 
Corley, Roy M., II, 531. 
Cornwell, Edward A., Ill, 1321. 
Cornwell, Harry, III, 1322. 
Cornwell, John W., Ill, 1279. 
Corrington, Glenwood H., Ill, 684. 
Corrupt Practice Act, I, 470. 
Corvallis, I, 225, 792, 812. 
Corwin, John W., II, 251. 
Coryell, Charles E., IH, 810. 
Cosier, Howard M., Ill, 780. 
Cosner, Harry, III, 1219. 
Cotton, Wendell, III, 1314. 
Cottonwood (Deer Lodge), I, 222. 
Couch, Thomas, II, 498. 
Couch, Thomas, Jr., II, 500. 
Coues, Elliott, I, 39. 
Coughlin, Richard J., Ill, 1080. 
Coulson (Billings), I, 851. 
Council Grove, I, 223. 
Counties: (see separate counties), area 
and population of, 1870-1920, I, 861, 
862; changes in boundaries of, 862, 
863, 864; county seats and assessed 
valuation of, 864, 865 ; dates and facts 
as to creation, 866, 867 ; business es- 
tablishments of, 874, 875. 
County boards of education created, I, 

464. 

County Legislation : bonded indebted- 
ness regulated, I, 478 ; regulating for- 
mation of new counties, 479. 
County Organization (Leighton) bill 

passed, I, 474. 
County Poor Farm, I, 547. 
County Superintendents, I, 497. 
County Unit law, I, 519. 
Courtright, Milo, I, 282. 
Cousins, Frank A., II, 213. 
Cover, Thomas, I, 199, 206, 208, 219, 307, 

308. 

Covington, C. C. t II, 488. 
Cowan, Arthur J., Ill, 940. 
Cowan, Elmer L., I, 6^2. 
Cowan, George W., Ill, 885. 
Cowan, G. F., I, 360. 
Cowan, John, I, 210. 
Cowan, Thomas, I, 211. 



Cowan, Winfield S., Ill, 896. 

Cowles, Roy J., Ill, 1113. 

Cowman, C. P., Ill, 1075 

Cox, Z. T., Ill, 1108. ' 

Coy, Havelock G., II, 388. 

Coy, Reuben E., II, 125. 

Crab, John, I, 210. 

Crabb, George M., II, 463. 

Craig, I, 749. 

Craig, James, II, 27. 

Craig, James W., Ill, 1281. 

Craig, Oscar J I, 532, 534, 787. 

Craig, Robert A., Ill, 1204. 

Craig, William T., Ill, 1413. 

Craighead, Edwin B., I, 532, 535, 789; 

III, 1255. 

Cralle, Edward A., II, 435. 
Cramer, Ben, III, 856. 
Cramer, Clara, III, 856. 
Crase, Frank A., II, 548. 
Craven, Arthur J., I, 215. 
Craven, G. W., I, 549; II, 547. 
Crawford, (Hank), I, 252. 
Crazy Horse (Indian chief killed), I, 

359- 

Creameries of Montana: established 
1889-1919 (see towns and cities), I, 
873. 

Creel, George R., II, 191. 
Cremans, J. J., Ill, 870. 
Crippen, Henry C., II, 254. 
Cronk, John C., Ill, 1369. 
Crook, George, I, 347; his Southern In- 
dian campaign, 356, 357, 358. 
Croonquist, Harold S., II, 189. 
Crosby, John S., sketch of, I, 408. 
Crosby, J. Schuyler, I, 868. 
Cross, Sherwood S., Ill, 999. 
Crosson, Abe, III, 697. 
Crouch, Charles D., Ill, 724. 
Crouch, Samuel J., II, 273. 
Crouley, James P., II, 506. 
Crow Agency, I, 673. 
Crow Indian Reservation, first, I, 158; 
public schools thrown open in, 526; 
640, 799. 

Crowley, Annie E., II, 67. 
Crowley, Daniel M., II, 67. 
Crowley, Michael H., Ill, 994. 
Crowley, Timothy E., Ill, 1442. 
Crowley, William E., Ill, 995. 
Crows, I, 69; Larocque's account of 
(1805), 78, 83; breaking camp and 
smoking regulations (1805), 85; a na- 
tion of horsemen (1805), 86; and the 
fur trade, 127, 129; home of, 340. 
Crows-Piegan horse race, I, 170. 
Crum, Paul, III, 1081. 
Crum, William R., Ill, 764. 
Crutcher, Lee W., II, 559. 
Crutchfield, Charles M., II, 599- 
Cruzatte, Peter, I, 28. 
Culbertson, I, 817. 

Culbertson, Alexander, I, 121, 123, 124, 
126, 127, 128; sketch and death of, 
I3 1 ! J3 2 , X 39) J 4 r I S I , T 58; as Indian 
treaty-maker, 159; 164, 185, 186; (por- 
trait), 214; 216. 
Cullen, W. E., I, 419, 422, 431, 434, 758, 

760. 
Culver, Boyd, III, 849. 



xvin 



INDEX 



Gumming, Bruce A., II, 103. 
Cummings, H. L., II, 162. 
Cummings, H. L. & Son, II, 162. 
Cunningham, Arthur, III, 1192. 
Cunningham, Harry R., Ill, 948. 
Curley, only survivor of Curley Disaster, 

I, 351- 

Curley (portrait), I, 352. 

Curran, John, III, 893. 

Currie, Robert C, III, 686. 

Currier, H. L., II, 17 ' 

Curry, Thomas, I, 798, 799- 

Curry, William E., II, 479. 

Curry Mining District, I, 799- 

Curtis, Helena E., II, 31 1- 

Cusick, Helena, III, 853. 

Cusick, W. M., Ill, 852. 

Cusker, Hank J., Ill, 817. 

Custer, I, 856. 

Custer, George A., I, 349, 356. 406. 

Custer, J. W., I, 346. 

Custer Battlefield of Today (illustra- 
tion), I, 672. 

Custer Battlefield Highway, I, 850. 

Custer County : Number and value of 
cattle (1884), I, 395; 406; irrigation 
in, 5995 description of, 702; railroad 
facilities of, 703; schools of, 704; an- 
nual fair, 707. 

Custer County Wool Growers Associa- 
tion, I, 397. 

Custer Disaster, first tidings of, I, 350. 

Custer Memorial Monument (illustra- 
tion), I, 355. 

Custer National Forest, I, 624, 805. 

Custer's River, I, 406. 

Cut Bank, I, 738. 

Cut Bank Creek : glacial fragment at, I, 
98. 

Cuthbert, D. H., I, 404. 

Dacotah lode, I, 237. 

Dahl, Oscar A., Ill, 1213. 

Dahlgren, Halver, III, 971. 

Dahlgren, John, III, 970. 

Dailey, John, III, 889. 

Daily, John R., II, 468. 

Dairying in Montana, I, 400, 401, 402. 

Dakota group (geological), I, 95. 

Dale, Owen, I, 363. 

Daley, Freeman A., II, 640. 

Dallin, Frank, II, 572. 

Dalton, Patrick, II, 155. 

Daly, Charles, III, 1372. 

Daly, Marcus, comes to Butte, I, 373, 
375 ; develops Anaconda properties, 
376, 377, 449, 45i, 834. 

Daly (Marcus) Estate, I, 791. 

Daly, William B., II, 446. 

Dance, Walter B., I, 283. 

Dance, W. B., I, 189. 

Daniel, George H., II, 399. 

Daniels, Mabel B., Ill, 881. 

Daniels, Mansfield A., Ill, 881. 

Daniels County : irrigation in, I, 600 ; de- 
scription of, 708, 861. 

Danley, Irving U., II, 353. 

Darby, I, 791, 792, 812. 

Darling, Mrs. D. T., Ill, 1157. 

Daugherty, George M., Ill, 1335. 



Daugherty, John S., I, 376. 

Daughters, Freeman, I, 511. 

Daut, John, III, 918. 

d'Autremont, Arthur L., II, 161. 

Davee, H. A., I, 502. 

Davenport, Arthur J., II, 50. 

Davey, Arthur J., Ill, 794. 

Davey, Catherine A., Ill, 794. 

Davey, John, III, 793. 

Davidson, Andrew, III, 980. 

Davidson, A. M., Ill, 1429. 

Davies, Paul J., Ill, 1398. 

Davies, William E., I, 644. 

Davis, Alexander, I, 282, 289. 

Davis, Andrew J., I, 322, 395, 834. 

Davis, Chester C., I, 869. 

Davis, Hauser and Company, I, 395. 

Davis, Irwin F., Ill, 828. 

Davis, John H., Ill, 1167. 

Davis, John R., II, 250. 

Davis, Nathaniel J., I, 218. 

Davis, Selena R., Ill, 828. 

Davis, Sheldon E., I, 552. 

Davis, William A. (Bozeman), II, 405. 

Davis, W. A., Ill, 798. 

Davis, William B., Ill, 1081. 

Davis-Daly Mining Co., I, 836. 

Davison, Claud E., Ill, 1342. 

Davitt (Michael), mine, I, 378. 

Dawe, Lossie, III, 730. 

Dawes, Hugh R., HI, 1414. 

Dawes, Willard C., II, 317. 

Dawson, Andrew, I, 131, 152; (portrait), 
153, 214. 

Dawson, John E., Ill, 830. 

Dawson county : created, I, 281 ; estab- 
lished, 312; number and value of cattle 
(1884), 395; irrigation in, 600; (Glen- 
dive), description of, 709. 

Day, Edward C., I, 464; II, 530. 

Day, Frank, II, 207. 

Day, George H., II, 207. 

Day, G. W., II, 468. 

Day, Jasper W., II, 283. 

Dayton, I, 725. 

Deacon, William, I, 669. 

Dean, R. H., II, 331. 

Dean, Samuel, III, 824. 

Dearborn, Henry, I, 45. 

Dearborn, Mark D., II, 589. 

Dearborn River, I, 45, 229. 

Deborgia, I, 779. 

Decker, Charles F., Ill, 1260. 

Decker, Frederick S., Jr., II, 477. 

Decker, Fred R., Ill, 1062. 

Dedrick, Warren A., II, 244. 

Dee, Martin, I, 459. 

Deegan, James, III, 1123. 

Deer Lodge (town), I, 161, 222, 807; in 
1869 (illustration), 808; division point 
on Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railroad, 809. 

Deer Lodge County : placer mines in 
1862-68, I, 213 ; early silver mining in, 
237 ; created, 281 ; number and value 
of cattle (1884), 395, 408; irrigation 
in, 600; description of, 711. 
Deer Lodge lode, I, 222, 371. 
Deer Lodge National Forest, I, 624, 741, 
745. 



INDEX 



xix 



Deer Lodge Valley, I, 161 ; overland trip 
to (1862), 180; placer and quartz 
mines, 228, 807. 

Deer Lodge Valley Mining Company, I, 
286. 

de Graffenreid, Charles, III, 1242. 

DeGroot, Arie W., II, 238. 

De Hart, Jacob L., Ill, 1028. 

Deibel, Randolph, III, 1235. 

DeKalb, H. Leonard, II, 90. 

DeLacy, Walter W., I, 200, 215, 283, 
316. 

DeLacy's Lake, I, 200. 

Delaney, John, III, 865. 

Delaware Security Company, I, 377. 

De L'Isle, I, 3. 

Demars, Joseph, III, 757. 

De Mers, Elzeor, III, 888. 

De Mers, Robert J., Ill, 866. 

Dempsey, Robert, I, 222. 

Dempsey's Cottonwood Ranch, I, 249. 

Dennis, I, 848. 

Dennison, James A., Ill, 952. 

De Noielle, R. W., Ill, 751. 

Denton, I, 717. 

Department of Agriculture and Pub- 
licity, I, 468, 476. 

Department of Banking created, I, 479. 

Department of Farm Loans created, I, 
478. 

Department of Labor and Industry, I, 
476. 

Deputee, George, III, 1035. 

Derrick, Walter J., Ill, 843. 

Desy, Irene, III, 1281. 

De Smet, Peter J., I, 151 ; coming of, 
146, 147, 148, 149, 150; (portrait), 214. 

Devine, John H., Ill, 696. 

Detwiler, George, I, 282. 

De Velder, John Baptist, I, 147. 

Devlin, Lawrence K., I, 869; III, 765. 

De Voss, Peter, I, 150. 

Dewey, James, I, 209. 

DeWitt, William H., I, 431, 435. 

DeWolfe, Stephen, I, 430. 

Dexter, Wheeler O., Ill, 673. 

Diamond City, I, 213, 676. 

Dick, George K., Ill, 922. 

Dickerman, A. E., I, 698. 

Dignan, Thomas, III, 1013. 

Dillon, I, 399; incorporated, I, 409, 669. 

Dillon, Sidney, I, 407, 558. 

Dills, Clinton, I, 851. 

Dimmick, Bert W., II, 526. 

Dimon, John, II, 361. 

Dimsdale, Thomas, I, 243, 254, 256, 266. 

Discovery of gold monument, I, 320, 
321. 

Dishno, Silas C, III, 1186. 

Dittes, Ben R., I, 757, 760. 

Dixon, I, 792, 824. 

Dixon, Joseph M., I, 459, 461, 471 ; 
sketch of and inaugural address 
(1921), I, 485; 528, 868, 869; II, 2. 

Dixon, William, I, 433. 

Dixon, W. W., I, 419, 430; elected to 
Congress (1890), I, 447; 448, 449, 548. 

Dixon, Mrs, W. W., I, 540. 

Dobell, J. L., Ill, 1387. 

Docter, John C., II, 122. 

Dodge, S. E., II, 427. 



Dodson, I, 588, 893. 

Dodson, Philip G., II, 316. 

Doggett, Jefferson D., II, 652. 

Doherty, John, III, 660. 

Dolan, Aloysius, III, 830. 

Dolin, John H., Ill, 1146. 

Dolin, Joseph F., Ill, 1133. 

Dominy, William, III, 1357. 

Donahue, Dan J., I, 649. 

Donaldson, Charles M., Ill, 1154. 

Donaldson, George, III, 890. 

Donaldson, Mattie, III, 890. 

Donlan, Edward, I, 469 

Donnell, R. W., I, 222. 

Donnelly, Joseph P., Ill, 1085. 

Donohue, Daniel J., Ill, 1434. 

Donohue, M. J., II, 74. 

Dooley, William D., Ill, 1136. 

Dorniz, I, 841. 

Dorothy, Sidney J., Ill, 891. 

Dorr, Arthur C., Ill, 873. 

Dorsett, Rudolph, I, 250. 

Dorwin, O. G., I, 223. 

Dousman, Charles J., Ill, 1388. 

Douthett, Lorin F., II, 81. 

Dove, Samuel E., II, 149. 

Dow, James C., Ill, 1041. 

Dowe, E. E., Ill, 860. 

Dowlin, W. E., I, 856. 

Downing, Walter O., II, 105. 

Downs and Allen, I, 395. 

Drainage basins, acreage by, I, 616. 

Drainage enterprises, I, 618-621. 

Drake, Ben F., II, 364. 

Drake, C. H., Ill, 672. 

Drake, James H., Ill, 1020. 

Drake, James W., II, 308. 

Draper, Charles H., I, 678; II, 66. 

Draper, Mark I., Ill, 1419. 

Drennan, James W., I, 645. 

Drewyer, George, I, 28, 50, 51, 52, 59, 

68. 

"Drowned Men's Rapids," I, 179. 
Drumlummon Mine, I, 765. 
Drummond, I, 741, 790. 
Dryden, James S., I, 426. 
Dry fork of Maria's River, I, 99. 
Dublin, I, 222. 
Duffy, John H., II, 338. 
Duke of Orleans commences western 

explorations, I, 3. 
DuLuth, Sieur Greysolon, I, 3. 
Duncan, A. J., II, 645. 
Duncan, John, III, 831. 
Duncan, Leslie, III, 867. 
Duncan, O. R., II, 74. 
Duncan, Tyson D., Ill, 1014. 
Duniway, Clyde A., I, 532,' 535, 788. 
Dunn, John, II, 262. 
Dunn, John C, II, 184. 
Dupuyer, I, 804. 

Durfee, David M., I, 438; II, 284. 
Durston, John H., II, 471. 
Dutch, Ralph E., Ill, 1600. 
Dutro, David V., Ill, 978. 
Dutton, I, 843. 
Dwyer, John C., Ill, 910. 
Dwyer, W. K., II, 396. 

Eagle Nest Rock, Gardiner Canyon (il- 
lustration), I. 35. 



XX 



INDEX 



"Early History of Western Montana" 
(Woody), I, 132; 224. 

Early silver mills in Butte district, I, 
835. 

East Butte Copper Mining Company, 
I, 379, 38i, 836. 

East Ophir Town Company, I, 287. 

East Rosebud Lake, I, 840. 

Eastern Central Basin of Montana, I, 
232. 

Eastman, George W., II, 10. 

Eastman, T. H., I, 301. 

Eaton, Ashael K., I, 286. 

Eaton, Ernest T., II, 266. 

Eaton, Lewis T., Ill, 1079. 

Eaton, Robert N., Ill, 1141. 

Eberschweiler, Frederick H., Ill, 698. 

Edgar, Henry, I, 199, 201, 205, 206, 208. 

Edgar, Henry F., I, 316. 

Edgehill, I, 848. 

Edgerton, Sidney, coming of, I, 279; in- 
terviews Lincoln, I, 279; leaves Mon- 
tana, 281, 298, 868. 

Edmonds, Herbert D., Ill, 924. 

Education : consolidation of higher insti- 
tutions, I, 475; retirement salary fund 
created, 479; free text books pro- 
vided, 482 ; vocational training intro- 
duced and Junior College courses 
added to high school curriculum, 482; 
first schools and superintendents, 493 ; 
University foundation laid, 496; foun- 
dation of State system laid by en- 
abling act, 498, 499; State Text Book 
Commission established, 500; appor- 
tionment of common school income 
fund (1889-1920), 501; income from 
leased lands, 502; Montana's rank 
among the states, 503; enrollment and 
attendance (1908-1920), 504-509; train- 
ing of Montana teachers, 509; teacher 
shortage, 510; county school admin- 
istration, 511; high school normal 
training departments, 513; salaries of 
high-grade teachers, 514; health of 
school children, 515; vocational work, 
516; school dormitories, 517; rural 
schools in city districts, 518; standard- 
ization and consolidation, 519; state 
school funds, 521 ; finances by coun- 
ties, 524, 525, 526; school laws enacted 
in 1921, 526; Montana's system of 
higher, 528 ; schools of Custer county, 
704; schools of Gallatin county, 729; 
Bozeman schools, 731 ; schools of Lew- 
is and Clark county, 750; Madison 
county schools, 775 ; McCone county 
schools, 777 ; Missoula county schools, 
782; Missoula schools, 787; schools of 
Silver Bow county, 831. 

Edwards, Byrd H., Ill, 950. 

Edwards, Caldwell, I, 459. 

Edwards, David R., Ill, 724. 

Edwards, G. B., I, 503. 

Edwards, John E., Ill, 1315. 

Edwards, Thomas B., II, 180. 

Edwards, Thomas R., I, 415. 

Egan, James S., Ill, 1231. 

Egan, John, II, 511. 

Ege, Ralph R., II, 274. 

Egerton, Sidney, I, 415. 



Eggleston, Charles H., II, 333. 

Eggleston, Willis J., I, 868. 

Eight-hour day for female labor, I, 482. 

Eighteenth amendment : upheld by Uni- 
ted States Supreme Court, I, 490. 

Einsel, Charles S., Ill, 1304. 

Eiselein, Alfred W., Ill, 991. 

Ekalaka, I, 680. 

Eliot, Charles D., II, 570. 

Elk Basin Consolidated Petroleum Com- 
pany, I, 877. 

Elk in Montana forests (illustration), 
I, 481. 

Elkhorn mining district, $15,215,000, I, 
766. 

Elkins, William S., Ill, 1252. 

Elling, Henry, I, 316. 

Elling State Bank, I, 772. 

Ellingson, Henry, II, 63. 

Elliott, Edward C, I, 528, 869; III, 1151. 

Elliott, James E., II, 61. 

Elliott, John, II, 470. 

Elliston, I, 809. 

Elm Orlu Zinc and Copper mine, I, 383. 

Elrod, M. J., I, 878. 

Elwell, Charles B., Ill, 692. 

Embrey, Austin M., Ill, 869. 

Emerson, Charles I., II, 23. 

Emerson, Frank, III, 962. 

Emerson, Lydia, III, 962. 

Emigrant, I, 801. 

Emigrant Gulch, I, 213, 233, 798, 799. 

Emigrants attacked by Indians (illus- 
tration), I, 182. 

Emilie (Missouri river steamboat), I, 
178, 179. 

Emmett, Mackzy F., II, 55. 

Enabling Act : provisions of the, I, 442. 

Engebritson, Edward, III, 869. 

Englet, Alfred O., Ill, 1433. 

JEnnis, I, 775. 

Ennis, Katherine S., Ill, 1284. 

Epler, George C., Ill, 1165. 

Epler, John C., Ill, 1391. 

Ereaux, Adolph, III, 984. 

Ereaux, Ezra, III, 982. 

Ereaux, Lazare, III, 936. 

Erickson, Erick A., II, 124. 

Erickson, Ole, III, 929. 

Erickson, S. Arne, II, 279. 

Eschliman, John, III, 1297. 

Esgar, Charles C., II, 316. 

Esselstyn, Elmer E., II, 506. 

Eureka, I, 770. 

Eureka Gold and Silver Mining Com- 
pany, I, 286. 

Evans, John M., I, 459, 471, 480. 

Evans, Lewis O., II, 5. 

Evans, Nathaniel P., Ill, 1161. 

Evans, William C, III, 1286. 

Evarts, T. C., I, 284. 

Everett, T. M., I, 471. 

Ewalt, Hamilton W., Ill, 1289. 

Ewing, R. C., I, 282. 

Expeditions of a decade (1854-64), I, 
163. 

Faaborg, Simon C., Ill, 1187. 
Fabian, Anna, II, 127. 
Fabian, Edward. II, 127. 
Fabrick, J. P., II, 309. 



INDEX 



xxi 



Failures in State (1910-19), I, 87$. 

Fairfield, I, 843. 

Fairview Milling Company, The, III, 
1171. 

Fairweather, Bill, I, 329. 

Fairweather, William, I, 199, 206, 208. 

Fallen, I, 810. 

Fallen County: irrigation in, I, 600; 
description of, 713. 

Farlin, W. L., I, 371, 373, 829. 

Farm Loans : delinquencies, I, 488 ; con- 
dition of (1920), 581. 

Farmington, I, 843. 

Farnum, Abner R., Ill, 1421. 

Farnum, Archie, I, 721. 

Farr, Eli M., .II, 53. 

Father Ravalli meeting Indians at St. 
Mary's (illustration), I, 155. 

Faulds, James R., II, 510. 

Faulds, William, I, 282. 

Faulds, Winfield S., I, 654. 

Faust, Henry J., II, 131. 

Featherman, H. A., II, 114. 

Federal Farm Loan bonds, I, 482. 

Fefferman, Sam, II, 245. 

Felker, Preston R., II, 566. 

Fellows, E. B., II, 297. 

Felt, Stanley E., Ill, 1283. 

Felton, Robert, III, 711. 

Fenton, Edwin L., II, 90. 

Fernald, Louise M., I, 698. 

Fergus, Andrew, III, 1293. 

Fergus, James, I, 200, 217, 316; and 
wife (illustration), 318; 715; III, 
1293. 

Fergus county : as an oil producer, I, 
386 ; created, 409 ; irrigation in, 601 ; 
description of, 7155 development of 
oil fields, 716, 717; United States Gov- 
ernment experimental station, 717; 
education and population, 718; water 
powers and public "ways, 719. 

Fergus County Argus, I, 723. 

Fergus County Democrat, I, 723. 

Ferguson, William J., Ill, 1430. 

Ferris, Arnold D., Ill, 688. 

Ferris, Joseph A., Ill, 687. 

Fetterman Massacre (1866), I, 342, 344, 
345- 

Field, Charles, III, 1109. 

Field Brothers, I, 59. 

Fields, Joseph, I, 28. 

Fields, Reuben, I, 28, 50. 

Fields Creek, I, 50. 

Fifteen Mile Creek (Rattlesnake Creek), 
I, 192. 

Filcher, Joe D., Ill, 1140. 

Finch, George P., II, 309. 

Finlay, Francois : Montana's first gold 
miner, I, 184, 186. . 

Firehole River, I, 118. 

First bank in Montana, Virginia City 
(illustration), I, 773. 

First beef driven out of Montana, I, 393. 

First Big Horn exploring party, I, 323. 

First brewery in Montana, I, 775. 

First discovery of oil in Montana, I, 387, 

877. 

First election, I, 219. 
First gold miner of Montana, I, 184. 
First postoffice in Montana, I, 219. 



First railroad in Montana, I, 407. 

First road law, I, 283. 

First silver mining in Montana, I, 237. 

First steamboat race on the upper Mis- 
souri, I, 178. 

First street railway in the territory, I 
851. 

First Texas drive to Montana, I, 393. 

First Montana Infantry: commended by 
Legislative Assembly, I, 454; United 
States Volunteers, I, 644-48, again at 
San Francisco (illustration), I, 647. 

First National Bank, Dillon, I, 670. 

First National Bank at Helena, I, 409. 

First National Bank, Scobey, II, 54. 

First Regiment Infantry, Montana Na- 
tional Guard, I, 644. 

Fish and game law enacted, I, 483. 

Fishbeck, Frank G., Ill, 813. 

Fish Creek, I, 61. 

Fish hatcheries, I, 636. 

Fisher, Daniel R., II, 574. 

Fisher, Harvey D., II, 529. 

Fisher, John W., Ill, 856. 

Fisk, Andrew J., I, 298, 316. 

Fisk, George R., II, 533. 

Fisk, James, I, 298. 

Fisk, James L., I, 183. 

Fiske, E. W., I, 761. 

Fitton, Harry L., II, 136. 

Fitzgerald, Thomas A., II, 441. 

Flanagan, Merritt, II, 467. 

Flaten, Ole, III, 665. 

Flathead county, I, 241 ; created, I, 422 ; 
450 ; irrigation in, 601 ; description of, 
723 ; population, I, 726. 

Flathead county school children (illus- 
tration), I, 517. 

Flathead Indian Reservation, I, 161. 

Flathead Indians, I, 87, 118, 142; friends 
of the whites (1858), I, 167. 

Flathead irrigation project: Assembly 
asks Congress to aid, I, 480. 

Flathead Lake (illustration), I, 160, 227, 

635. 

Flathead Lake Bird Reservation, I, 536. 
Flathead National Forest, I, 624, 749. 
Flathead (Indian) reclamation project, 

I, 587, 589. 

Flathead River, I, 90, 226. 
Flathead Valley, I, 792. 
Flather, Mrs. Henry, I, 324. 
Flatt, Neil B., Ill, 1395. 
Flatwillow irrigation project, I, 584. 
Flaxville, I, 708. 
Fleenor, Isaac N., II, 767. 
Fleming, Joseph B., II, 628. 
Fletcher, Gayle M., II, 328. 
Flinchpaugh, I. L., II, 633. 
Flint, George H., Ill, 818. 
Flint Creek Valley, I, 790. . 
Florence-Carlton Consolidated School 

(illustration), I, 505. 
Flower, Harold, III, 796. 
Flowerree, I, 702. 
Flowerree, Daniel A. G., II, 582. 
Flowerree, William K., II, 583. 
Floyd, Charles, I, 21, 28. 
Floyd, Harmon H., Ill, 1188. 
Fluhr, William H., Ill, 1200. 
Fluss, Alonzo, III, 1368. 



XX11 



INDEX 



Flynn, Jerry, III, 942. 

Foley, John E., II, 577. 

Foley, John J., Ill, 1296. 

Follensby, Edmund C., II, 622. 

Poor, Arlie M., Ill, 873. 

Foote, L. R., I, 549- 

Forbes, Charley, I, 242, 249. 

Forbes, James, I, 394. 

Forbes, Jessee F., II, 173. 

Forbes, Thomas R., Ill, 897. 

Forbis, C. J., II, 448. 

Forbis, H. T., II, 453- 

Ford, Lee M., IJ, 536. 

Ford, Lewis C., II, 334. 

Ford, Robert S., II, 535- 

Ford, Samuel C, III, 1179. 

Ford, Shirley S., II, 607. 

Ford, William L., Ill, 1203. 

Forde, Walter, III, 1266. 

Forest fire : laws, I, 627 ; airplane patrol, 

629. 

Forest public lands, I, 621. 
Forest service, I, 623 ; State and Federal 

co-operation, 628. 
Forestry: organization and legislation, 

I, 626. 

Forestry and lumbering, I, 621-30. 
Forestry school established, I, 476. 
Forman, Henry H., II, 190. 
Forsyth, I, 821. 
Forsyth, Harold F., II, 16. 
Forsythe, George, III, 1169. 
Fort Alexander, I, 127, 128, 129, 141. 
Fort Assiniboine, I, 743. 
Fort Beauharnois, I, 4. 
Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, I, 640. 
Fort Benton, I, 128; ruins of old (illus- 
tration), 130; 139; Presbyterian mis- 
sion, 158; (old) (illustration), 214, 
215; (1900), 216; during ante-railroad 
days, 557. 

Fort Benton City, I, 701. 
Fort Brule (Burnt Fort), I, 126, 139. 
Fort Buford, I, 138. 
Fort Cass, I, 113, 127, 141. 
Fort Custer, I, 359. 
Fort Ellis, I, 311. 
Fort F. A. Chardon built, I, 125; burnt, 

126; 140. 
Fort Floyd (Fort Union) founded, I, 

in. 

Fort Harrison, I, 751. 
Fort Philip Kearney, I, 307, 342, 343, 

346. 
Fort Keogh, I, 359; remount station, 

702; 705, 706. 
Fort LaBarge, I, 179; decline and fall 

of, 181, 183. 
Fort Laramie, futile Indian council at, 

I, 340. 

Fort Lewis, I, 126, 127; becomes Fort 
Benton, 128, 139; missionary work at, 
I, 151- 

Fort Lisa, I, 69. 
Fort Manuel, I, 69. 
Fort McKenzie: built, I, 112, 113, 123; 

burned, 125. 

Fort Owen : established, I, 132 (old) ; 
near Stevensville (illustration), 133; 
167 (1858) ; 177, 227, 324. 



Fort Peck (Indian) reclamation project, 
I, 587; 589, 639, 815. 

Fort Piegan : abandoned, I, 112. 

Fort Reno, I, 307. 

Fort Sarpy, I, 127, 128, 141. 

Fort Shaw, I, 311. 

Fort Sheridan, I, 305, 306. 

Fort C. F. Smith, I, 307, 342. 

Fort Tullock, I, 127. 

Fort Union (Fort Floyd), I, in, 112; 
120, 135; (second), 138; first steam- 
boat arrives at, 138. 

Fort Van Buren, I, 127, 140. 

Fort William, I, 120. 

Fortman, Clemens H., Ill, 1258. 

Foss, Albert J., II, 462. 

Foster, Luther, I, 500. 

Foster, Rodney E., II, 334. 

Fousek, Albert J., II, 588. 

Fowell, Logan V., Ill, 734. 

Fowler, I, 804. 

Fowlie, George, II, 648. 

Fox, Clarence S., Ill, 1126. 

Fox, Dominick, II, 600. 

Fox, Harry, III, 1126. 

Fox, John F., Ill, 719. 

Fox, J. M., I, 270. 

Fox, Magdalena S., II, 600. 

Fox, Maggie, III, 1438. 

Fox, S. B., Ill, 1125. 

Foy, John H., Ill, 854. 

Foy, Nancy J., Ill, 855. 

Franklin, Arad H., II, 77. 

Franklin, Ira D., I, 427. 

Franks, Sumner St. C., Ill, 674. 

Frantz Corporation, I, 388, 877. 

Franzke, Arthur A., Ill, 1362. 

Frazer, I, 846. 

Frazier, Robert, I, 28, 50. 

Frazier, William H., Ill, 974. 

Frazier creek, I, 50. 

Frederick, Ole G., Ill, 1076. 

Frederick, Oliver, III, 1076. 

Freeborn, Harrison J., Ill, 990. 

Freeman, August J., Ill, 1318. 

Freeman, Henry C., I, 833. 

Freeman, J. M., II, 243. 

Frenchtown, I, 225. 

Frenchtown Valley, I, 790, 791. 

Fresno, I, 744. 

Friend, Franklin, I, 339. 

Friend, George, I, 339. 

Fringe (Indian warrior), I, 168, 172. 

Froid, I, 817. 

Frush, Charles W., I, 176. 

Fulkerson, Grover E., Ill, 1188. 

Fuller, August, III, 970. 

Fuller, George E., Ill, 882. 

Fuller, Mary A., Ill, 970. 

Fuller, Samuel, III, 970. 

Fulsher, F. R., II, 569. 

Fulton, William, III, 1306. 

Fur companies : pioneer, I, 103-134. 

Fur trade era, I, 135-142. 

Fur traders: pioneer, I, 103-134; their 

Indian wives, I, 152. 
Fur trading: methods of, I, 137. 

Gabb, W. W., Ill, 794. 
Gabriel, Fred C., Ill, 1228. 
Gaddis, Charles G., II, 597. 



INDEX 



xxin 



Gaethke, Paul C, II, 478. 

Gagnon, George L., II, 536. 

Gail, William W., II, 164. 

Gaines, Edward E., Ill, 1300. 

Gainor, Harold G., II, 551. 

Galbraith, Thomas J., I, 438. 

Galbraith, William J., I, 426 (portrait), 
428; 430. 

Galen, Albert J. : sketch of, I, 436, 869. 

Gallagher, Jack, I, 242, 249. 

Gallatin City, I, 306, 336. 

Gallatin county, number and value of 
cattle (1884), I, 395; 411; finest rural 
school (Illustration), 508; irrigation 
in, 601 ; description of, 727. 

Gallatin County High School, II, 400. 

Gallatin National Forest, I, 624, 778. 

Gallatin range, I, 91. 

Gallatin river, I, 48, 61, 89, 230. 

Gallatin Valley, Scenes in the (Illus- 
tration), I, 728. 

Gallatin way, I, 730. 

Gallwey, Harry A., II, 542. 

Galpin, William, I, 177. 

Gait, D. A., II, 338. 

Game preserves, I, 483, 637. 

Gannett, I, 92. 

Gannon, John, I, 443, 499. 

Cans, Edward M., Ill, 1231. 

Garden, Olaf, II, 219. 

Gardiner, I, 633, 801. 

Gardner, Mary C., I, 760. 

Garfield county: as an oil producer, I, 
386 ; created, 483 ; irrigation in, 602 ; 
description of, 734; rural flour mill 
(Illustration), 735. 

Garland, Richard W., Ill, 935. 
Garlow, Charles R., I, 868. 
Garniell, I, 717. 
Garrison, I, 790. 
Carver, Frank H., II, 331. 
Gary, John P., II, 408. 
Gary, Martin A., II, 408. 
Gaskill, Daniel M., Ill, 1104. 
Gass, Patrick, I, 20, 28, 46, 50, 143. 
Gass Creek, I, 46. 
Gass Journal, I, 21, 27. 
Gate of the Mountains, I, 747. 
Gates, Albert W., II, 176. 
Gates, Christopher, I, 306. 
Gates of the Rocky Mountains (Illus- 
tration), I, 45; 46. 
Gatiss, Harry, III, 853. 
Gatton, Cyrus J., I, 654. 
Gaucher, Peter, I, 145. 
Gazette Printing Company, II, 161. 
Geary, Michael, III, 1166. 
Geery, Henry T., I, 192. 
Gemmell, James, I, 219. 
General election law passed (1888), I, 

412. 

General highway law passed, I, 479. 
"Geological Notes on Northern and Cen- 
tral Montana" (Mortson), I, 94. 
Geology of Montana, I, 93. 
George, A. G. P., I, 415. 
George, W. H., Ill, 800. 
Georgetown Lake, I, 713. 
Geraldine, I, 702. 
Gerer, Oswald M., II, 561. 



German: teaching of, reinstated in Uni- 
versity, I, 538. 
German Gulch, I, 213, 223. 
Gerondale, J. J., II, 190. 
Geyser, I, 699. 

Giant Geyser, Yellowstone Park (Illus- 
tration), I, 117. 

Giant Springs, Great Falls, I, 686. 
Gibbon, John, I, 309, 347 (portrait), 348, 

352, 356, 360. 
Gibbon Battlefield, I, 784 
Gibbs, William B., Ill, 899. 
Gibson, Fred L., II, 68. 
Gibson, George, I, 28. 
Gibson, Henry B., II, 133. 
Gibson, James, II, 472. 
Gibson, Jennie, II, 473. 
Gibson, Paris: elected U. S. Senator, I, 
457 ; coming of, to Great Falls, I, 688 ; 
III, 657- 

Gibson, Theodore, I, 698. 
Gifford, Albert C, III, 1208. 
Gifford, Edgar, II, 539. 
Gildford, I, 744. 
Gilham, George W., Ill, 1196. 
Gilkerson, John O., Ill, 1291. 
Gillette, Clarence F., Ill, 1331. 
Gillette, Frederick B., 1009. 
Gillette, Warren C, I, 316. 
Gillie, John, I, 548. 
Gillis, Malcolm, II, 599. 
Gilman, I, 749. 
Gilmore, Michael, III, 1345. 
Gist, Duke, III, 1170. 
Glacial period of Montana, I, 98, 100. 
Glacier: county created, I, 451; irriga- 
tion in, 602 ; description of, 737, 738. 
Glacier National Park, I, 633, 634; its 

lakes, I, 637. 
Glade Creek, I, 60. 
Glasgow, I, 588, 846. 
Glass, George W., Ill, 692. 
Glendenning, William, III, 739. 
Glendive, sketch of, I, 710. 
Glenn, Lewis D., Ill, 1131. 
Click, J. S., I, 218. 
Gnose, James B., II, 602. 
Goble, Wade, III, 1352. 
Goddard, O. Fletcher, II, 211. 
Godfrey, E. S., I, 356. 
Gohn, George E., Ill, 713. 
Gold Creek, I, 790. 
Gold discoveries and workings (first), I, 

184. 

Gold mining: placer, I, 234; relation of 
glaciers to, 235; development of 
quartz, 237. 
Gold, silver and copper deposits (Clark), 

L 236. 

Golden Valley County: irrigation in, I, 
606; description of, 739; population of, 
740, 861. 

Good, Henry, III, 847. 
Good, Thomas, III, 1106. 
Goodale, Charles W., I, 548; H, 514- 
Goodall, Herbert, I, 868. 
Goodfriend, Sig, II, 429. 
Goodman, Edward H., Ill, 997. 
Goodrich, Silas, I, 28. 
Good Roads Day founded, I, 478. 
Good roads movement, I, 488. 



XXIV 



INDEX 



Good roads in Western Montana (Illus- 
tration), I, 573- 

Goodsill, M. Max, I, 761. 

Goodwin, Phillip C., II, 519. 

Gordon, Louis E., II, 151. 

Gordon, William R., Ill, 997. 

Gore, St. George, I, 163, 164. 

Gormley, A. C., I, 461. 

Gosch, Michael J., II, 206. 

Goss, James R., II, 435. 

Gourley, James, I, 287. 

Government fish hatchery, Billings, I, 
853. 

Government road through Jefferson Na- 
tional forest (illustration),!, 571. 

Governors of Montana, I, 868. 

Cowrie, Elizabeth, III, 768. 

Cowrie, Peter, III, 768. 

Goza, Samuel D., Ill, 1424. 

Graeter, Augustus F., I, 286; II, 347. 

Grafton, Francis M., II, 53. 

Graham, Richard, III, 734. 

Graham, William, I, 189, 209, 222, 282, 

371. 

Grain Grading, Inspection and Ware- 
housing Commission, I, 484. 

Grain inspection laboratory, I, 529. 

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (Il- 
lustration), I, 639. 

Granite Creek, I, 192. 

Granite County : I, 241 ; created, 442, 
451 ; irrigation in, 602. 

Grant, Henry I., II, 290. 

Grant, James J., Ill, 783. 

Grant, Jesse W., Ill, 1215. 

Grant, John, I, 181, 391. 

Grant, John F., I, 161, 187, 188. 

Grant, Richard, Sr., I, 187. 

Grant, Richard, I, 225. 

Grant, Robert, I, 222. 

Grantville, I, 222. 

Grasshopper Diggings (Bannack City), 
I, 230. 

Grassi, Urbanus, I, 161. 

Grass Range, I, 717. 

Grass Valley, I, 791. 

Gravelly Range, I, 98. 

Graves, Andrew C., Ill, 1038. 

Graves, William, I, 249. 

Gray, Frank M., II, 403. 

Gray, Henry, II, 629. 

Gray, John, I, 147. 

Gray, Macomb B., II, 252. 

Gray, Robert, I, 14, 15. 

Gray, W. H., I, 145. 

Grayson, John, III, 876. 

Grayson, Richard, III, 802. 

Great Blackfoot Glacier, Glacier Park 
(Illustration), I, 635. 

Great Falls of the Missouri : Lewis finds, 
I, 40 ; described by Captain Lewis, 41 ; 
first white women to see the, 180. 

Great Falls: state capital contestant, I, 
441 ; power development at, 684 ; 686 ; 
history of, 687 ; development of power 
in its area, 688; 689, 690; city of, 690; 
(Illustration) 691; population of, 691; 
business and industries of, 692 ; trans- 
portation facilities, 694; churches, 
charities and fraternities, 696; city 
public schools, 697; Y. M. C. A., 696; 
Y. W. C. A., 697 ; public library, 698. 



Great Falls coal field, I, 241. 

Great Falls Commercial Club, I, 695. 

Great Falls Packing Plant, I, 694. 

Great Falls Reduction Works, I, 684. 

Great Falls water power : development 
of (also illustration), I, 630; 631. 

Great Northern Railway, I, 560; electri- 
fication of, 568, 588, 630. 

Great St. Mary's Lakes, I, 638. 

Great Western Sugar Company Plant, 
Missoula, I, 784. 

Greeley, Horace, I, 303. 

Green, Andrew, III, 1299. 

Green, Charles F., Ill, 1140. 

Green, E. J., II, 637. 

Green, George R., II, 291. 

Green, James, III, 803. 

Green, Jennie M., Ill, 1140. 

Green, Melissa, III, 804. 

Greenan, Philip, II, 643. 

Greenback Mining Company, I, 771. 

Greene, John J., II, 575. 

Greene, W. H. C., Ill, 1206. 

Greenfield, Charles D., I, 387, 468, 869, 
878. 

Greening, Charles W., Ill, 1303. 

Greery, H. T., I, 196. 

Gregg, W. A., Ill, 793. 

Greig, Richard, III, 963. 

Grein, Phil, II, 253. 

Griffin, George N., II, 586. 

Griffin, James, III, 879. 

Griffin, Lewis M., Ill, 1103. 

Griffith, Joseph, I, 219. 

Grigg, Elmer R., II, 394. 

Grigg, Thomas A., U, 393. 

Grigsby, Melvin, I, 643. 

Grimes, Henry J., II, 158. 

Grimstad, O. King, II, 200. 

Groene, Merle C., II, 430. 

Groff, H. C, II, 531. 

Groff, Lawrence S., II, 524. 

Grover, George E., II, 612. 

Gruber, Edward P., Ill, 994. 

Gruwell, Hugh C., II, 411. 

Guinn, Charles C., Ill, 1328. 

Guinzy, V. F., II, 321. 

Gunn, Milton S., I, 438; III, 1131. 

Gunther, Joseph J., Ill, 1123. 

Gussenhoven, Joseph, III, 779. 

Gustafson, Richard E., Ill, 1063. 

Guthard, Charles H., II, 201. 

Guthrie, Andrew L., II, 237. 

Guthrie, Lou, I, 758, 760. 

Gutz, Walter T., Ill, 1158. 

Gwinn, Hubert H., II, 450. 

Gwinn, James L., Ill, 1434. 

Hackley, James F., Ill, 1399. 
Hadzor, James H., Ill, 717. 
Hagan, D. J., I, 393. 
Hagelie, Helmer, II, 354. 
Hagen, Sever, III. 1412. 
Hagge, Carl D., II, 153. 
Hahn, George D., Ill, 1036. 
Hain, Volney J., Ill, 719. 
Haley, John R., II, 404. 
Haley, Josephine M., I, 760. 
Half Century of Conflict (Francis Park- 
man), I, 7, 8. 
Halgren, Warner L., II, 104. 



INDEX 



XXV 



Halgrims, C. O., II, 167. 

Hall, I, 741. 

Hall, Charles H., II, 458. 

Hall, DeLoss T., Ill, 1214. 

Hall, Henry C, III, 1025. 

Hall, Hugh, I, 28. 

Hall, J. H., I, 468. 

Hall & Simpson, I, 217. 

Hall, W. A., II, 278. 

Halloran, Patrick M., II, 304. 

Halter, Charles, II, 121. 

Hamblin, I, 777. 

Hamilton, I, 792, 812. 

Hamilton, Dick, I, 217. 

Hamilton, James M., I, 548; II, 350. 

Hamilton, Kosciusko, III, 977. 

Hamilton, Leslie H., II, 610. 

Hamilton, Robert J., Ill, 1206. 

Hamilton, Robert S., Ill, 1362. 

Hamilton, William T. : Scout "Sign- 
Man" and investigator, I, 164-176. 

Hamilton-McKay party: returns to Wal- 
la Walla, I, 176. 

Hamilton schools, II, 68.. 

Hamlin, Robert M., Ill, 1390. 

Hample, Jbhn E., II, 494. 

Hamrick, C. P., II, 373. 

Hancock, Charles, II, 150. 

Handel, Fred W., II, 464. 

Handley, Robert W., Ill, 759. 

Hangman's Gulch, I, 783. 

Hanley, Daniel, II, 558. 

Hanley, Marcus R., II, 559. 

Hanley, Robert J., II, 216. 

Hanna, William, II, 118. 

Hanover, I, 719. 

Hansen, Al, III, 1338. 

Hanson, Charles M., Ill, 1057. 

Hanson, Philo C., I, 514. 

Harader, John A., II, 64. 

Hardin, I, 673. 

Hardy, Frank E., Ill, 988. 

Hardy, Henry W., Ill, 661. . 

Hardy, Samuel J., Ill, '1143. 

Hargadine, Edward C., II, 598. 

Harkness, James, I, 177. 

Harkness, Margaret, I, 180. 

Harlan, John M., I, 411. 

Harlem, I, 588, 674. 

Harlowton, I, 847. 

Harmon, W. E., I, 502, 504; II, 100. 

Harney, Edward W., I, 459. 

Harper, George, III, 833. 

Harrington, Arthur J., Ill, 1139. 

Harrington, J. V., II, 609. 

Harrington, Nellie, II, 610. 

Harris, B. M., Ill, 1128. 

Harris, William E., II, 56. 

Harris Gulch, I, 231. 

Harrison, I, 775. 

Harrison, J. Scott, I, 869; HI, 664. 

Hart, Harlon L., Ill, 669. 

Hartley, Charles E., II, 59. 

Hartman, C. S., I, 448, 451, 452, 465. 

Hartman, J, L., II, 571. 

Hartzell, Lester J., II, 537. 

Harvat, John H., II, 327. 

Harvey, Alexander, I, 123, 124, 126; 

death of, 127, 152. 
Harvey, Charles L., II, 409. 



Harwood, Benjamin P., I, 657. 

Harwood, Edgar N., I, 4.31, 435. 

Haskell, Henri J., I, 431, 443 

Hastings, Parker W., II, 348. 

Hasty, John H., Ill, 1237. 

Hatch, Joseph A., Ill, 938. 

Hauck, Lawrence, II, 141. 

Hauser, Samuel T., I, 189, 192, 193, 196, 
197, 221, 284, 286; sketch of, 409; 
(portrait), 410; 412; resigns as gov- 
ernor, 411, 868. 

Hauswirth, Simon, I, 725; III, 831. 

Hauxhurst, James, I, 192. 

Haverfield, Orville S., Ill, 1032. 

Haviland, David J., II, 438. 

Havre, I, 743. 

Hawk, Joseph V., Ill, 767. 

Hawkesworth, Arthur L., III, 1173. 

Hawley, Herbert C., II, 632. 

Hawley, Swope, I, 222. 

Hayes, Martin F., I, 120. 

Haywood, Guy T., Ill, 1425. 

Head, Clinton, II, 169. 

Healy, John J., I, 287. 

Hcaly, J. Peter P., Ill, 987. 

Heaney, Arthur P., II, 614. 

Heath, L. W., I, 761. 

Hebb, Frank M., Ill, 1097. 

Heber, George F, III, 1204. 

Hedge & Company, I, 220. 

Hedges, Cornelius, I, 211, 316, 404, 415, 
422; as superintendent of public in- 
struction, 494; (portrait), 495; 497, 
757, 76o. 

Hedges, Daniel J., Ill, 1012. 

Hedges, Harry H., Ill, 1012. 

Hedges, Judd P., Ill, ion. 

Hedges, Oliver G., Ill, 1012. 

Hedges, Willys A., I, 757, 758, 760; II, 
81. 

Hedgesville, I, 848. 

Hefferlin, Charles S., II, 236. 

Heidel, A. W., I, 869. 

Heidel, C. S., I, 581. 

Heidel, E. L., II, 3 53- 

Heidelman, John H., II, 406. 
Heikkila, Emil, II, 29. 
Heilbronner, Adolph H., II, 577. 
Heinze, F. Augustus : enters Butte field, 
I 376, 377; suits against the Amalga- 
mated Copper Company, I, 377, 378, 

457- 

Heldt, F. George, I, 164. 

Helena (see also Last Chance Gulch) : 
altitude of, I, 92; 209; named by John 
Somerville, 211, >2i2; incorporated, 
312; becomes territorial capital, 315; 
territorial capital contest, 422; capital 
to remain at, 441 ; 751 ; sketch of, 755 ; 
778. 

Helena branch of the Federal Reserve 
Bank of Minneapolis, I, 871. 

Helena Catholic Cathedral, I, 755. 

Helena Commercial Club, I, 761, 763. 

Helena district : entered by Lewis and 
Clark, I, 45; its mountains (illustra- 
tions), 97. 

Helena Free Public Library, I, 757. 

Helena in 1870 (illustration), I, 756. 

Helena Library Association, I, 757. 

Helena National Forest, I, 624, 745, 749. 



XXVI 



INDEX 



Helena region, typical mines in the (il- 
lustration), I, 762, 764; mineral pro- 
duction of the, 765, 766. 

Helgeson, Henry C, III, 1288. 

Heller, August, II, 637. 

Hell Gate (Missoula), I, 223. 

Hell Gate canyon, I, 228. 

Hell Gate River, I, go, 227. 

Hell Gate Ronde, I, 177, ,223. 

Helm, Boone, I, 249. 

Helmville, I, 790, 809. 

Helsing, John O., II, 116. 

Henderson, Charles S., II, 539. 

Henderson, William C., Ill, 1366. 

Hendrickson, Otto, III, 804. 

Hennessy, John H., Ill, 862. 

Hennessy, John, III, 1064. 

Henry, Andrew, I, 103; abandons Three 
Forks Trading Post, 104; 108. 

Henry, Frank, I, 438. 

Henry's Fork of Snake River, I, 105. 

Henry's Lake, I, 105. 

Henry's Post in 1870, I, 106. 

Henter, Leo A., II, 145. 

Hepner, H. Sol, II, 621. 

Hepperle, Karl, III, 1355. 

Herd districts created, I, 482. 

Hereford, Robert, I, 185. 

Heron, I, 824. 

Herren, William, I, 255 

Herrick, Una B., II, 349. 

Herring, Presley L., Ill, 1026. 

Hershey, Elmer E., II, 466. 

Hewett, Arthur L., II, 212. 

Hexom, Peter, III, 1021. 

Hickey, Edward, I, 829; III, 1205. 

Hickman, R. O., I, 443. 

Hickox, Willard, II, 82. 

Hier, Albert S., Ill, 902. 

Higgins, Christopher P., I, 223, 282, 784. 

Higgins, Francis G., I, 532. 

Higgins, Frank G., I, 643. 

Higgins, F. G., I, 500. 

Higham, John O., II, 21. 

Higher education, I, 528-552. 

Highland Park School, Lewiston (illus- 
tration), I, 720. 

Highway Law : passed, I, 474, 475. 

Highways : transcontinental, I, 570. 

Highways and bridges : federal aid in 
building, I, 572. 

Highwood, I, 702. 

Highwood Mountains, I, 91. 

Hilburn, Samuel, III, 864. 

Hilger, David, II, 18. 

Hilger, Nicholas, describes Sioux battle 
of Kildeer Mountain, I, 294-97. 

Hill, Charley W., II, 192. 

Hill, Harry D , III, 1224. 

Hill, James J., I, 552; gives history of 
Great Northern Railway, 560-66; re- 
signs presidency of Great Northern 
system, 566; 688. 

Hill County: created, I, 474; irrigation 
in, 602; description of, 742. 

Hill county potatoes (illustration), I, 
742. 

Hillman, J. R., I, 725. 

Himsl, Victor S., Ill, 1354. 

Hinchilwood, J. P., Ill, 797. 

Hind, Bert S., II, 38. 



Hingham, I, 744. 

Hinsdale, I, 588. 

Hirst, John D., II, 276. 

Hirst, Tom, II, 27. 

History of Montana (Granville Stuart), 
I, 226. 

"History of Washington, Idaho and 
Montana" (Bancroft), I, 159. 

Hitzfeldt, Fred, III, 1259. 

Hoback, Richard, I, 298. 

Hobbins, James R., II, 615. 

Hobensack, Isaac M., II, 84 

Hobson, Simeon S., II, 567. 

Hodge, Pearl D., II, 410. 

Hodgskiss, William, III, 999. 

Hodgson, Arthur M., Ill, 1037. 

Hodgson, George T., Ill, 864. 

Hodson, Alvin, III,.722. 

Hodson, Dale, II, 455. 

Hoeken, Adrian, I, 150, 161. 

Hoecken, I, 161. 

Hoenck, Richard P., II, 487. 

Hofer, Bert, III, 846. 

Hoff, Norbert C., Ill, 1138. 

Hoffman, Charles W., I, 316. 

Hogan, T. S., I, 453; II, 371. 

Hogeland, Abraham, III, 1203. 

Holladay, Ben, I, 556. 

Holland, James, III, 707. 

Holland, Robert W., II, 594. 

Hollenbeck, Frank K., Ill, 1246. 

Holliday, Dell H., II, 226. 

Hollier, Lewis S., II, 184. 

Holloway, William L., I, 436, 869; II, 
644. 

Holmes, Ernest S., II, 455. 

Hoist,' J. H., II, 43. 

Holt, Laurence A., II, 533. 

Holt, Stephen A., Ill, 1273. 

Holter, Anton M., I, 285, 316; II, 517. 

Holter, Norman B., I, 489, 761 ; II, 518. 

Holter Gulch, I, 219. 

Holy Family Mission, I, 162. 

Hood, Samuel L., Ill, 683. 

Hooks, Frank T, III, 661. 

Hootenais, I, 173. 

Hopkins, David R., II, 373. 

Hopkins, Patrick A., II, 588. 

Hori, M. M., Ill, 866. 

Horkan, George, III, 1406. 

Horkan, George A., I, 471 ; III, 1392. 

Horn, J. H., Ill, 860. 

Horntvedt, Ludvig, III, 1075. 

Horse Creek, I, 777. 

Horse market at Miles City (illustra- 
tion), I, 706. 

Horse Plains, I, 177. 

Horse Prairie Creek, I, 230, 231. 

Horse raising: decline in, I, 309. 

Horticulture: in Rattlesnake Valley, I, 
785; in Bitter Root Valley, 791; 878; 
present conditions of, 882 ; close in- 
spection of fruit and orchards in Mon- 
tana, 883, 884; prevalent fruit diseases 
and pests in Montana, 884. 

Hosmer, Hezekiah L., I, 64; 282; 
reaches Virginia City, 288; sketch of, 
288; first charge to grand jury, 289; 
291, 298; leaves Montana, 299, 414. 

Hosmer, James K., I, 27. 



INDEX 



XXVll 



Hot Springs, Sanders County, I, 823, 824. 

Hotchkiss, Arthur N., Ill, 1251. 

Hotchkiss, Samuel A., Ill, 1380. 

Hough, George E., Ill, 1349. 

Houghlan, Samuel A., Ill, 1086. 

House and Bivins, I, 219. 

Houston, Elizabeth L. A., II, 360. 

Hoven, Ole B., Ill, 806. 

Hover, Herbert A., Ill,- 1127. 

Hovey, Verne T., Ill, 659. 

Howard, Doc, I, 252. 

Howard, Harry H., II, 179. 

Howard, O. H., 1, 359. 

Howard, O. O., I, 360, 368. 

Howard, Thomas P., I, 28. 

Howe, Clarence D., II, 363. 

Howe, John G., II, 567. 

Howe, John S., Ill, 1261. 

Howe, J. K., Ill, 872. 

Howell, Ethan A., Ill, 1329. 

Howell, H. S., I, 725. 

Howell, Richard C., II, 495. 

Howey, R. W., I, 496, 497. 

Howland, H. N., II, 295. 

Howland, John M., II, 24. 

Hoyt, Mark D., Ill, 1013. 

Hruza, William, II, 271. 

Hubbard, Paul E., Ill, 1336. 

Huber, Philip H, II, 624. 

Huckins, Charles F., Ill, 930. 

Hudson, Clarence W., II, 344. 

Hudson, John, I, 463. 

Hudson, Samuel E., Ill, 1089. 

Hudson Bay Company, I, 132, 134, 140. 

Huet, Charles, I, 147. 

Huffaker, Wila, I, 282. 

Huffer, Arthur J., II, 239. 

Hughes, Barney, I, 199, 200, 206, 207, 

208. 

Hughes, James H., Ill, 1059. 
Hughes, Roy, III, 1054. 
Hughes, Samuel, III, 1059. 
Hughes Brothers, III. 1059. 
Hull, W. T., I, 761. 
Humphreys, G O., I, 222, 223, 833. 
Hunsberger, John, III, 770. 
Hunt, Williams H., I, 431, 434, 435, 
T 437, 438. 
Hunter, A. J., I, 799. 
Hunter, Bill, last of road agents to be 

executed, I, 274, 275. 
Hunter, Joseph C., Ill, 806. 
Hunter, William, I, 249. 
Hunters' Hot Springs, I, 801. 
Hunting and fishing, I, 636 ; in Lewis 

and Clark county, 754; in Missoula 

county, 783. 
Huntley, I, 856. 

Huntley reclamation project, I, 587. 
Huntoon, John C., II, 208. 
Kurd, George E., Ill, 675. 
Kurd, Walter L., II, 290. 
Hurdy-Gurdy House, I, 245. 
Hurley, Charles C., Ill, 943. 
Hurly, John, II, 596. 
Husband, William C, II, 653. 
Huseth, S. O., Ill, 832. 
Hutchinson, Myron W., Ill, 700. 
Hutchinson, William O., II, 324. 
Huxsol, Alfred W., Ill, 778. 
Huyck, Claude C., II, 487. 



Hydro-electric conservation, I, 630-33. 

Hydro-electric plants: of Lewis and 
Clark county, I, 751. 

Hydro-electric water powers (illustra- 
tion), I, 685. 

Hymer, Elbert, II, 62. 

Hysham, I, 845. 

Iceberg Lake (illustration), I, 638. 

Iliff, Thomas C., I, 786. 

Imislund, Herbert P., II, 370. 

Immaculate Conception Church, III, 
742. 

Imoda, C., I, 162. 

In the Lumber Country (illustration), 
I, 823. 

Income tax bill passed, I, 489. 

Independence Mining district, I, 223. 

Indian Camping Ground (illustration), 
I, 148. 

Indian Ceremonial, Old-Time (illus- 
tration), I, 819. 

Indian Chiefs and Warriors (illustra- 
tion), I, 56. 

Indian picture of 1742 (Parkman), I, 7. 

Indian reservations, I, 639. 

Indian Sentinel: Flathead number of, 
I, 142. 

Indians : Crows, I, 85 ; 86, 87 ; Flatheads 
(1805), 87; exploiting through whis- 
key, 120, 140; name "Flatheads," 142; 
Blackfeet still warlike, 154; Flathead 
treaty of 1855, 223; Sioux battle of 
Killdeer Mountain, 292; Sioux cam- 
paign (1864), 292-98; Sioux again 
checked (1872), 308-310; Sioux vs. 
Crows, 340; 341, 342; council at Fort 
Laramie (1866), 341 ; government pro- 
nouncement against enemy (1866), 
341; depredations of (1866), 342; 
"agency" plan not a success, 345, 347; 
united campaign against enemy, 347; 
Drawing Rations (illustration), 346; 
Crooks' southern campaign against, 
356; warfare of 1876-77, 357. 

Industrial Accident Board created, I, 
482. 

Ingham, Thomas C., II, 34. 

Ingle, Chester R., II, 228. 

Ingomar, I, 821. 

Ingraham, Albert J., Ill, 972. 

Ingraham, Philip A., Ill, 972. 

Ingraham, Sarah C., Ill, 972. 

Ingram, George F., Ill, 1000. 

Initiative and Referendum bill popularly 
approved, I, 470. 

Initiative and Referendum law passed, 
I, 463 ; extended, 464. 

Innes, Walter B., II, 244. 

Irons, Ort, III, 1046. 

Irrigated Orchard near Missoula (illus- 
tration), I, 781. 

Irrigation: under the Cary Act, I, 581; 
state works and projects, 59!-S; coun- 
try surveys, 595-614; acreage by drain- 
age basins, 615; farms irrigated in 
state, 615; works built since 1860, 617; 
irrigated lands as producers, 618; 
projects in Rosebud county, 820. 

Irrigation districts established, I, 464, 
468. 



XXV111 



INDEX 



Irvin, George W., II, I, 316. 
Irvine, Caleb E., I, 177, 829, 833. 
Irvine, W. M., Ill, 859. 
Irving, Washington, I, 116, 119. 
Irwin, 0. E., I, 283. 
Isachsen, Albert J., Ill, 928. 
Isch, John, III, 844- 

Ives, George, I, 192, 196, 198, 247, 253; 
trial and execution of, 255. 

Jaccard, Eugene, I, 177. 

Jackson, David E., I, 108, ill. 

Jackson, George C., II, 422. 

Jackson, Harvey F., Ill, 840. 

Jackson, John W., II, 388. 

Jackson, Robert G., Ill, 1363. 

Jacobs, Henry, I, 406, 834. 

Jacobs, John M., I, 188, 195, 306. 

Jacobs, William F., Ill, 1047. 

Jacobs and Bozeman cut-off, I, 195. 

Jacobson, Paul, III, 671. 

James, Edwin E., Ill, 797. 

Jameson, C. C, II, 35. 

Janssen, John W., Ill, 1270. 

Jaquette, Walter P., Ill, 981. 

Jeff Davis' Gulch, I, 329. 
Jefferson, Thomas : checkmating Eng- 
land in the West, I, 13; 15, 19, 48. 

Jefferson county: placer mines in 1862- 
68, I, 213 ; created, 281 ; as a copper 
producer, 384; number and value of 
cattle (1884), 395; irrigation in, 603; 
description of, 744. 

Jefferson County High School, II, 616. 

Jefferson Forest, I, 777. 

Jefferson National Forest, I, 624. 

Jefferson (Beaverhead) River, Lewis 
ascends the, I, 48, 50, 61, 89, 90, 230. 

Jeffries, Garry J., Ill, 820. 

Jenkins, Leonard V., Ill, 1320. 

Jennings, George M., II, 447. 

Jennison, Warren J., Ill, 1170. 

Jensen, Chris, III, 782. 

Jensen, Otto, III, 852. 

Jensen, Peter C., Ill, 1411. 

Jerome, C. W., Ill, 786. 

Jocko River, I, 227. 

Jocko Valley, I, 227, 792. 

Johannes, R. J., II, 164. 

Johns, Albert M., II, 386. 

Johnson, Charles M., II, 562. 

Johnson, E. B., I, 282. 

Johnson, Edwin L., II, 41. 

Johnson, Elmer, II, 529. 

Johnson, Emil M., Ill, 1378. 

Johnson, Francis G., II, 626. 

Johnson, Fred A., Ill, 998. 

Johnson, Harry M., II, 52. 

Johnson, Henry H., Ill, 1056. 

Johnson, J. Charles, II, 417. 

Johnson, Mary C., II, 125. 

Johnson, Ole C., Ill, 771. 

Johnson, Pete, III, 715. 

Johnson, Peter E., Ill, 1181. 

Johnson, Richard E., Ill, 1446. 

Johnson, Richard S., Ill, 1363. 

Johnson, Roy H., Ill, 1446. 

Johnson, Thomas S., Ill, 969. 

Johnson, Wilford J., II, 3. 

Johnson, The Abstract Man, III, 1445. 

Johnston, A. P., II, 412. 



Johnston, Charles C., Ill, 1445. 

Johnston, James L., II, 641. 

Johnston, Thomas Jr., Ill, 1396. 

Johnstone, Thomas, III, 1285. 

Jones, Arthur C., II, 491. 

Jones, A. H., I, 771. 

Jones, D. Augustus, III, 686. 

Jones, Edward C., II, 195. 

Jones, L. E., I, 696. 

Jones, Paul, III, 1247. 

Jones, T. C., first probate judge, I, 290. 

Jones, Thomas R., Ill, 1022. 

Jones, Robert N., Ill, 1038. 

Jones, William E., Ill, 689. 

Jones and Immell : killing of, by Black- 
feet, I, 109, no. 

Joplin, I, 768. 

Jordan, I, 735. 

Jordan, Arthur, II, 620. 

Jordan, Erwin E., Ill, 1381. 

Jordan, James H., II, 127. 

Joseph Peak, I, 362. 

Josselyn, Horatio S., Ill, 1334. 

"Journal of Larocque" (Burpee), I, 78, 
81. 

Judith Basin, I, 715. 

Judith Basin County: irrigation in, I, 
603; 723; description of, 746; 861. 

Judith Gap, I, 848. 

Julian, I, 708. 

Junod, Orla H., Ill, 1283. 

Juttner, Charles F., II, 152. 

Kaiserman, J. R., II, 281. 
Kalispell, I, 724; sketch of, 726; bird's- 
eye view of (illustration), 727. 
Kampf, Ray L., Ill, 1341. 
Kane, Edward G., Ill, 1167. 
Kanouse, James E., Ill, 679. 
Karnop, Jacob H., II, 654. 
Kassner, O. G., II, 134. 
Kastelitz, John, 'II, 181. 
Kay, John M., Ill, 772. 
Kearns, W. L., II, 275. 
Keene, Eliot W., II, 227. 
Kehoe, Thomas M., II, 306. 
Keith, F. P., I, 786. 
Keith, H. C., I, 727. 
Keith, John M., II, 469. 
Kelch, Albert E., III. 755- 
Kelch, William D., Ill, 741. 
Kelley, Cornelius F., I, 459; HI, 987. 
Kelley, E. L., Ill, 966. 
Kelley, Rufus B., II, 287. 
Kelley, Thomas, III, 1053. 
Kelley, Tom, III, 1180. 
Kelly, Charley, L 250. 
Kelly, Dan M., II, 30. 
Kelly, Harry J., II, 385. 
Kelly, Hugh, II, 457- 
Kelly, Tames E., II, 30. 
Kelly, Peter J., II, 437. 
Kelly, R. A., II, 392. 
Kelly, Robert B., II, 540. 
Kelsey, Arthur R., Ill, 1101. 
Kelsey, Frank T., Ill, 1343. 
Kemmis, Walter D., Ill, 744. 
Kemp, James S., Jr., II. 475. 
Kempton, Berney E., Ill, 1369. 
Kempton, Henry N., Ill, 1298. 
Kendall, I, 717. 



INDEX 



XXIX 



Kendrick, John, I, 14. 

Kenkel, J. E., II, 607. 

Kennedy, John, III, 865. 

Kenney, E. A., I, 443. 

Kennon, R. T., I, 329. 

Kenny, E. A., I, 445. 

Kenyon, Daniel C., Ill, 912. 

Kercheval, F. B., I, 284. 

Kerchival City, I, 304. 

Kerr, John W., II, 485. 

Kerrigan, John H., Ill, 738. 

Kessler, Harry C., I, 644; (portrait), 

645. 

Kessler, Nicholas, I, 316, 761. 
Ketcham, Gilbert A., II, 463. 
Ketcham, Harry G., Ill, 729. 
Kill-the-Deer-Butte, I, 292. 
Killorn, George L., II, 330. 
Kimball, Edwin L., Ill, 657. 
Kindschy, Emil O., II, no. 
King, Charles F., Ill, 1298. 
King, Irving G., Ill, 1271. 
King, James I, 757, 760. 
King, Mary F., Ill, 1272. 
King, Wiley, III, 1294. 
King and Gilette, I, 288. 
Kingmont, I, 714. 
Kingsbury, Adkin W., Ill, 825. 
Kinkel, George, I, 547. 
Kinmonth, Charles F., II, 63. 
Kinsella, John B., Ill, 712. 
Kinsella, Lawrence L, III, 713. 
Kinsey, I, 703. 

Kinsman, (Mrs.) E. E., I, 786. 
Kipp, James, I, 112. 
Kirby, Charles N., II, 398. 
Kirkwood, W. F., I, 419. 
Kiskadden, J. H., I, 335. 
Kittson, Norman W., I, 561. 
Klein, George H., Ill, 1250. 
Klein, Henry, I, 552. 
Kleve, S. Lawrence, III, 903. 
Kline, Charles F., Ill, 1105. 
Kline, Henry S., Ill, 690. 
Klinkhammer, Joseph H., Ill, 874. 
Knapp, Daniel, III, 1332. 
Knight, Albert B., I, 549. 
Knight, Arthur C, II, 128. 
Knight, E. W., I, 446. 
Knowles, Hiram, I, 378, 420, 421 ; retires 

from Supreme Bench, 426; sketch of, 

437, 444- 

Knott, E. B., Ill, 863. 
Knudsen, William P., II, 377. 
Kobelin, George J., II, 22. 
Koch, Edwin, III, 1195. 
Koch, Peter, I, 306, 547. 
Kohrs, Conrad, I, 316, 394, 395; III, 1061. 
Kohrs and Bielenberg; I, 395. 
Kommers, Louis H., Ill, 827. 
Kootenai National Forest, I, 624, 769. 
Kootenai mines, I, 225. 
Kootenais (1858), I, 172. 
Kopp, John J., II, 400. 
Kopsland, T., Ill, 1034. 
Kraft, I, 708. 

Kramer, Henry J., Ill, 1339. 
Kranz, Mathias, II, 576. 
Krauss, Andrew G., II, 314. 
Kremer, J. Bruce, II, 419. 
Kremlin, I, 744. 



Kress, Ben, I, 878. 
Kress, William J., II, 356. 
Kroeger, Fred W., Ill, 975. 
Krohne, B. Thorwald, II, 235. 
Krom, S. R., II, 350. 
Kronkright, Orrel H., Ill, 1046. 
Krueger, Karl P., Ill, 1154. 
Kutzner, C. M., II, 242 
Kuykendall, E. H., II, 242 
Kyle, Daniel C., Ill, 992. 
Kyle, Mary A., Ill, 993. 
Kyle, William L., II, 292. 

La Bar, Albert A., II, 130. 
LaBarge, Harkness & Company: Busi- 
ness expedition of, I, 177-183. 
LaBarge, John, I, 177. 
LaBarge, Joseph, I, 177. 
LaBarge, Madam, I, 180. 

LaBarge City (Deer Lodge), I, 222. 

LaBeau, Henri, I, 471. 

Labiche, Francis, I, 28. 

Lacy, Francis M., Ill, 1192. 

Ladd, George B., II, 395. 

Ladd, Jessie S., I, 698. 

Ladd, William P., II, 262. 

Lafrance, J. B., I, 74. 

Lagoni, Peter, II, 603. 

Lagoni, Sylvia, II, 604. 

La Honran, I, i, 3. 

Laird, I, 768. 

Laist, Frederick, II, 337. 

Lake McDonald, I, 637. 

Lake Scenery near Helena (illustration), 
I, 753- 

Lake Yellowstone (illustration), I, 636. 

Lamb, John A., Ill, 852. 

Lamb, Wm. A., I, 869. 

Lambard, Irby, II, 530. 

Lambert, John K., Ill, 1393. 

Lamoureux, Edward, III, 863. 

La Mousse, Charles, I, 148. 

La Mousse, Francis, I, 148. 

La Mousse, Ignace (Big Ignace), I, 144. 

Land of the Shining Mountains, I, I. 

Lands : conservation of, 577-641. 

Lane, Charles H., II, 109. 

Lane, George (Clubfoot George), I, 249. 

Lane, James E., II, 5. 

Lang, Edward H., Ill, 1399. 

Lang, Gregor, III, 1043. 

Lang, Janet, III, 1044. 

Lang, John, II, 606. 

Lang, Margaret S., II, 606. 

Lang, William G., Ill, 1043. 

Langford, Nathaniel P., I, 119, 243; (il- 
lustration), 244, 253, 283. 

Lanius, Charles H., II, 633. 

Lanouette, Louis P., Ill, mi. 

Lanstrum, George W., I, 869; III, 736. 

Lanstrum, O. M., Ill, 735. 

Lantis, Horace G., Ill, 1445. 

Lapage, Baptiste, I, 28. 

Laredo, I, 744. 

Largest gold nugget in the world, I, 752. 

Larocque, Francois A., I, 73, 74; meets 
Rocky Mountain Indians, 75, 80. 

Larpenteur, Charles, I, 127. 

Larrivee, Arthur, III, 792. 

Larson, Anne K., I, 503. 

Larson, Thomas O., Ill, 748. 



XXX 



INDEX 



Lassus, Don Carlos de Haut de, I, 18, 
27. 

Last Chance Gulch, I, 209; named Hel- 
ena, 210, 234, 288, 765. 

Last Fallen County Sod School (illus- 
tration), I, 714. 

Laswell, James Q., Ill, 913. 

Lathom, Ray A., II, 16. 

Lathrop, A. G., I, 494. 

Lathrop, Wm. T., I, 869. 

Lauer, Charles M., II, 497. 

Laurel, I, 856. 

Laussat, Pierre Clement, I, 18. 

Lausted, Emil R., II, 595. 

Laux, Philipp, II, 158. 

Lavelle, James P., II, 31. 

Law School established at Missoula, I, 
469. 

Lawrence, A. J., I, 359. 

Lawrence, Robert, I, 282. 

Lawson, William L., II, 19. 

Leach, James R., Ill, 1202. 

Lead, Output of, 1883-1918, I, 383. 

Leard, Samuel E., II, 274. 

Leary, Dennis, I, 222, 372, 833. 

Leary, Grace M., Ill, 1230. 

Lease, Newton T., Ill, 836. 

Leavitt, Erasmus D., I, 282. 

Leclerc, Narcisse, I, 120. 

Ledger, I, 804. 

Ledyard, John, I, 21, 22. 

Lee, Albert, III, 856. 

Lee, Edgar, III, 984. 

Lee, Harold F., Ill, 696. 

Lee, Otis, II, 505. 

Legal holidays for schools, I, 527. 

Leggat, Rod D., I, 316. 

Lehfeldt, Hermann J., Ill, 883. 

Lehmicke, O. E., Ill, 860. 

Leighton bill; passed, I, 475, 535. 

Leinenweber, George P., Ill, 716. 

Lemert, Rae J., Ill, 956. 

Lemire, Joseph A., II, 509. 

Lemon, Allan C, III, 1154. 

Lemon, Robert H., I, 183. 

Lentz, Edward O., Ill, 1395. 

Lentz, Theodore, II, 461. 

Lenz, Frank A., II, 160. 

Leo, Willard A., Ill, 1117. 

Leonard, B. A., II, 433. 

Leonard, Charles R., II, 520. 

Leonard, Nathan R., I, 549. 

Leonard, William M., Ill, 934. 

Le Sage, Frank H., II, 132. 

Leslie, J. B., I, 698. 

Leslie, H. P. 

Leslie, Jere B., I, 411. 

Leslie, Preston H.; sketch and death 
of, I, 411; 868. 

"Letters and Sketches," by Father De 
Smet, I, 146. 

Leverenz, Carl C., Ill, 791. 

Lewellen, F. M., II, 95. 

Lewis, Charles A., II, 397. 

Lewis, Clyde E., Ill, 1416. 

Lewis, E. P., I, 335. 

Lewis, Frank B., II, 13. 

Lewis, John E., Ill, 1002. 

Lewis, Mark E., Ill, 950. 

Lewis, Meriwether, I, 18, 19; Jefferson's 
sketch of, 21-23; Jefferson's first in- 



structions to, 23; 27; his romance, 39; 
42, 46, 47, 50, 51, 54, 555 his home- 
ward trip, 58; 59; severely wounded, 
60; 64; death of, 65. 

Lewis, Reuben, I, 103. 

Lewis, Vernon E., Ill, 769. 

Lewis and Clark county: placer mines 
in 1862-68, I, 213 ; number and value 
of cattle (1884), 395; irrigation in, 
603; general description, 747; via the 
U. S. Census, 750; water powers and 
public ways, 751 ; picturesque excur- 
sions in, 752. 

Lewis and Clark Expedition in Montana 
(illustration), I, 2; 19-67; reach the 
mouth of the Yellowstone, 29; return 
trips eastward, 58. 

Lewis-Clark Journal, I, 28, 29, 69. 

Lewis and Clark, heroic bronze statutes 
of. Great Falls, I, 320, 323, 482. 

Lewis and Clark National Forest, I, 624, 
749, 804. 

Lewis and Clark Rod and Gun Club, 

I, 754- 

Lewis River, I, 57. 
Lewistown, I, 719-23. 
Lewistown Chamber of Commerce, I, 720. 
Lewistown Public Library, I, 721. 
Lewistown of Today (illustration), I, 

722. 

Leyson, J. H., I, 548. 
Lhotka, J. F., II, 482. 
Liberty County : irrigation in, I, 604 ; 

description of, 767. 
Liberty Loan Campaigns in World's 

War : Chairman and Chairwomen of, 

I, 663-65. 
Libby, I, 770. 
Liddell, Moses J., I, 431. 
"Life of James Stuart" (Granville 

Stuart), I, 187, 209. 
Lignites (coal), I, 238, 386. 
Lincoln, I, 749, 790. 
Lincoln, Fred T., I, 856. 
Lincoln county: created, I, 451, 469; ir- 
rigation in, 604; description of, 768; 

scene in (illustration), 769. 
Lindeberg, Charles A., Ill, 1090. 
Lindemann, Leo C., Ill, 1079. 
Lindsay, F. S. P., I, 761. 
Lindsay, John, II, 515. 
Linfield, F. W., I, 869. 
Linn, Carl A., Ill, 1278. 
Lisa, Manuel, I, 68, 103, 104; last years 

of, 107. 

Lisa (Manuel) & Company, I, 107. 
Listerud, John, III, 1067. 
Literary sources of information, I, 20. 
Little, Mose, II, 243. 
Little Belt range, I, 91. 
Little Big Horn Battle, casualties at, 

I, 354, 356. 

Little Black Foot River, I, 167. 
Little Creek Mountains, I, 32. 
Little Dog (Piegan chief), I, 167, 168, 

169, 170, 179. 
Little Dry Creek, I, 32. 
Little Face (Crow scout), I, 351, 352. 
Little Missouri irrigation project, I, 584. 
Little Missouri River, I, 29. 
Little Rocky mountains, I, 91, 229. 



INDEX 



XXXI 



Little St. Mary's Lakes, I, 638. 

Littlewolf Mountains, I, 63. 

Live Stock Commission, I, 482. 

Live Stock interests, I, 391-403. 

Livingston: state capital contestant, I, 
441; first house erected in (illustra- 
tion, 800; history of, 799; of the pres- 
ent, 800. 

Livingston, Frank H., Ill, 939. 

Livingston, Robert R., I, 16. 

Livingston, Walter W., II, 395. 

Livingston-Bozeman coal field, I, 240. 

Livingston Marble and Granite Com- 
pany, II, 601. 

Livingston Publishing Company, II, 367. 

Llafet, Joseph E., II, 442. 

Lloyd, Charles F., I, 643. 

Lloyd, Walter E., II, 342. 

Loble, Lester H., Ill, 1198. 

Lockey, Richard, II, 526. 

Lockhart, Charles, II, 363. 

Lodge Grass, I, 673. 

Lofgren, Everett E., II, 216. 

Logan, Arthur C., I, 497. 

Logan, Edgar W., II, 263. 

Logan, Ernest A., II, 238. 

Logan, James E., II, 178. 

Logan, John, II, 289. 

Logan, John T., Ill, 1358. 

Logan, Sidney M., Ill, 1145. 

Logan, William, I, 354, 360. 

Lohmiller, Charles B., Ill, 925. 

Lolo, I, 792. 

Lolo National Forest, I, 624, 811. 

Loma, I, 702. 

Lombard, I, 676. 

Long, G. B., II, 406. 

Long, J. B., I, 696. 

Long, Thomas D., I, 465. 

Long Drive (Cattle), I, 393, 394. 

Longest bridge in the State, I, 824. 

Longley, Thomas W., II, 1410. 

Lorance, Clyde H., II, 67. 

Loranger, Henry E., Ill, 703. 

Lord, Reuben J., II, 61. 

Losekamp, John D., I, 552. 

Lothair, I, 768. 

Lott, John S., I, 286. 

Lott, Mortimer H., I, 286, 316. 

Loucks, John T., Ill, 952. 

Loughran, Michael J., II, 502. 

Louisiana, United States acquires, I, 16. 

Loveland, Russ A., Ill, 1361. 

Lovell, William Y., I, 289, 415. 

Lowe, Henry P., Ill, 787. 

Lowe & Powers, I, 815. 

Lower Yellowstone, reclamation project, 
I, 587; (illustration), 588. 

Lowery, Charles R., Ill, 1055. 

Lowery, Robert W., Ill, 1055. 
,Lowry, Bill, I, 252. 

Lowry, John A., Ill, 1441. 

Lowry, Thomas J., I, 415, 422. 
Lucas, Frederick D., II, 296. 

Lucas lode, I, 220. 

Luce, Sarah S., II, 503. 

Luce, T. L., I, 218. 

Luce, Thompson W., II, 503. 

Lucke, Lou, III, 703. 

Ludtke, P. E., Ill, 1114. 

Lumber Stand of Montana, I, 625. 



Lumbering in Missoula County, I, 781. 
Lump Gulch mining district, $2,500,000, 

I, 766. 

Lund, Hartwig, III, 1248. 
Lundeen, Gustav A., Ill, 785. 
Lundevall, Torjus, II, 355. 
Lyle, Thomas L., Ill, 1159. 
Lyman, Elias F., Ill, 821. 
Lynch, Neptune, III, 1300. 
Lyndes, John C., Ill, 1392. 
Lyon, Clyde M., II, 414. 
Lyon, Frederick A., Ill, 1443. 
Lyon, George D., II, 443. 
Lyons, George R., II, 121. 
Lyons, Haze, I, 249. 
Lyons, John, I, 218. 

Mabie, J. F., I, 471. 
MacCallum, Charles A., II, 308. 
Macdonald, John J., Ill, 1130. 
MacDuffie, William J., Ill, 839. 
Mace, George, III, 1405. 
MacFarlane, William D., Ill, 761. 
Machemer, Frank W., II, 74. 
Mack, Forest M., Ill, 677. 
Mackenzie, Charles, I, 74. 
MacLaren, Gilbert D., II, 528. 
MacMillan, Hugh A., II, 322. 
MacPherson, Harry A., II, 333. 
Macrum, E. A., I, 761. 
Madison, Bill, I, 185. 
Madison, Ed., I, 222. 
Madison, Frank, I, 222, 371. 
Madison, James, I, 48. 
Madison county; placer mines in 1862- 

69, I, 213 ; created, 281 ; number and 

value of cattle (1884), 395; irrigation 

in, 604; description of, 771. 
Madison National Forest, I, 624. 
Madison range, I, 91. 
Madison River, I, 48, 61, 89, 230. 
Madison State Bank, I, 772. 
Madoc, I, 708. 
Madsen, Jacob P., II, 248. 
Magee, George W., II, 478. 
Maggie (Missouri River steamboat), I, 

181. 
Maginnis, Martin, I, 316; sketch of, 

404; 445, 447. 

Magraw, Henry S., II, 520. 
Magruder, Lloyd, I, 252. 
Maguire, John C., II, 129. 
Maher, John C, III, 836. 
Mahon, Archibald W., I, 581; III, 953. 
Mail and telegraph lines, first, I, 556. 
Maillet, Herbert A., Ill, 1222. 
Main, Clara, I, 721. 
Mains, Frank, III, 1347. 
Mair, John F., II, 562. 
Major, Adolph A., Ill, 811. 
Malloy, Dan T., II, 471. 
Malone, Francis M., II, 432. 
Maloney, William H., II, 397. 
Malta, I, 588, 803. 
Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone 

Park (illustration), I, 634. 
Man Afraid of His Horses (Sioux 

Chief), I, 341, 343, 344, 345- 
Mandan Villages : Lewis and Clark 

journey to, I, 27. 
Mandans, I, 74. 



XXX11 



INDEX 



Mangan, Louis A., Ill, II35- 
Manganese, properties suffer . when war 

ends, I, 382. 
Manhattan, I, 729. 
Manitou, I, pi. 
Manix, J. Clarence, III, 693. 
Manley, John E., II, 330. 
Manson, I, 804. 
Mantle, Lee: rejected from U. S. Senate, 

I, 449; elected U. S. Senator, 451; 

sketch of, 456. 
Manuel's Fort, I, 69. 
Marbois, Barbe, I, 16. 
Margetts, Leslie R., II, 484. 
Margry, Pierre, I, 4. 
Maria's River, romance of, I, 39; 59. 

229; post at the mouth of, 138. 
Maring, John C, II, 378. 
Marks, Rufus, III, 1094. 
Marks and Brands, I, 391. 
Markuson, Nels K., Ill, 1097. 
Marlow, Thomas A., I, 489. 
Marlowe, Thomas N., II, 418. 
Marques, Oscar, III, 796. 
Marques, Scott, III, 796. 
Marron, Hugh N., Ill, 875. 
Marrs, Charles B., Ill, 1375- 
Marrs, Fred P., II, 593- 
Marsh, Charles H., II, 445- 
Marsh, Cromwell, III, 857. 
Marshall, Charles L., Ill, 815. 
Marshall, C. S., I, 438. 
Marshall, Thomas C., I, 453. 
Marshall, W. R., I, 243. 
Marsland, Steven, I, 249. 
Marston, William J. R., Ill, 1350. 
.Martin, Harry T., Ill, 926. 
Martin, James L., II, 179. 
Martin, Martin, III, 1278. 
Martin, N. L., II, 222. 
Martin, Roscoe G., II, 266. 
Martine, Isaac S., Ill, 671. 
Marvin, Ernest L., II, 49. 
Marysville, I, 749. 
Marysville mining district, $57,140,000, I, 

766. 

Mason, Dwight N., II, 456. 
Mason, James, I, 319. 
Masonry : cradle of, in Virginia City, I, 

773- 

Masters, Harry S., II, 389. 
Mathewes, Barnard J., Ill, 1032. 
Mathews, Ed, II, 552. 
Mathews, O. C., I, 217. 
Mathews, Thomas J., Ill, 1443. 
Matkin, Judson D., Ill, 808. 
Matlock, S. W., II, 232. 
Matney, J. H., Ill, 685. 
Matson, Howard E., II, 580. 
Matteson, B. R., Ill, 1381. 
Matthews, Charles A., Ill, 835. 
Matthews, John A., II, 642. 
Matthews, Thomas, II, 565. 
Maudru, Joseph, II, 417. 
Maury, Henry L., Ill, 1075. 
Maxey, Robert J., I, 659. 
Maxham, Frank A., Ill, 1420. 
Maximilian, Prince, I, 122. 
Maxson, Lewis L., Ill, 1114. 
May, George, I, 419. 
Mayer, Jacob A., Ill, 700. 



Mayhew, Alexander E., I, 282, 289. 

McAboy, Charles D., II, 489. 

McAdow, Perry W., L, 219, 851. 

McAdow, P. S., I, 189. 

McAdow, William, I, 198. 

McAfee, Harry E., Ill, 1031. 

McAlister, Glenn C., II, 210. 

McArthur, Neil, I, 225. 

McCabe, I, 817. 

McCafferty, Richard, I, 192. 

McCalman, James, II, 185. 

McCarten, Robert E., II, 616. 

McCarthy, Eugene, III, 996. 

McCarthy, P. H., II, 123. 

McClammy, Quincy P., Ill, 1019. 

McClarty, James, II, 429. 

McClelland, Robert P., II, 416. 

McClellan's (Pacific City), I, 213. 

McClurg, J. E., I, 217. 

McCone County : created, I, 483 ; irri- 
gation in, 605 ; description of, 775. 

McConnell, N. W., I, 430, 431. 

McConnell, Odell W., Ill, 659. 

McConochie, Stewart, II, 303. 

McConville, Edward, III, 861. 

McCormick, John E., Ill, 1059. 

McCormick, Paul, I, 316. 

McCormick, W. H., II, 2. 

McCormick, Washington J., I, 282, 286, 
289, 868; II, 579- 

McCormick of Montana, II, 2. 

McCuiston, Joshua P., Ill, 1409. 

McDaniel, Myron, III, 944. 

McDole, Edward I., II, 491. 

McDonald, I, 134. 

McDonald, Angus, I, 176, 184. 

McDonald, Benjamin, III, 1404. 

McDonald, E. H., I, 549. 

McDonald, John D., II, 572. 

McDonnell, J. L., II, 222. 

McDonough, Joseph A., Ill, 685. 

McDonough, Thomas J., Ill, 1426. 

McDowell, Wilkin C., Ill, 1374. 

McDowell, William W., II, 150. 

McEnery & Packard, I, 373. 

McFatridge, Arthur E., Ill, 668. 

McGee, George T., Ill, 1220. 

McGee, L. E., Ill, 848. 

McGehee, Edward, III, 1254. 

McGinley, Hugh S., Ill, 676. 

McGinnis, James, I, 304. 

McGrath, D. J., Ill, 1226. 

McGrath, Leo J., Ill, 1172. 

McGrath, Thomas P., II, 297. 

McGregor, Harry J., II, 639. 

McHatton, John J., I, 433, 438, 540. 

Mclntire, Oliver V., II, 525. 

Mclntosh, John H., II, 115. 

Mclntyre, James, III, 1010. 

McKay, Charles J., Ill, 1243. 

McKay, Joseph R., Ill, 1269. 

McKay (Scout), I, 166, 167, 171; scalps 
three Blackfeet, I, 172, 173. 

McKee, John W., Ill, 1310. 

McKenna, Nina, I, 760. 

McKenzie, Charles, I, 73. 

McKenzie, George F., Ill, 1260. 

McKenzie, Kenneth, I, in; inaugurates 
steamboat navigation to the Yellow- 
stone, 113; end of Montana career and 



INDEX 



XXXlll 



death of, 121; 122, 135, 139, 140; last 
years and death of, 141, 152. 

McKenzie, Roderick, I, 73. 

McKenzie, Thomas J., II, 335. 

McKenzie, Thomas W., Ill, 697. 

McKnight, Roy E., II, 545. 

McLain, Mathew, III, 766. 

McLaren, John, III, 886. 

McLaughlin, Angus L., II, 188. 

McLean, Samuel, I, 207, 218, 219, 281, 
282, 286. 

McLeary, James H., I, 427; (portrait), 
428; 430. 

McLemore, Clyde, III, 1365. 

McLeod, Charles H., II, 469. 

McLure, A. K., I, 286. 

McMahon, William J., II, 498. 

McMannamy, William P., Ill, 1006. 

McMath, William L., I, 282, 289, 415. 

McMillan, John A., II, 99. 

McMullen, W. J., II, 104. 

McNair, Benedict P., II, 539. 

McNamara's Landing, I, 790. 

McNamee, James F., Ill, 1060. 

McNaughton, William W., II, 150. 

M'Neal, Hugh, I, 28. 

McPherson, Howard P., II, 37. 

McTaggart, Archie, II, 473. 

McVay, Oscar R., II, 587. 

McVey, William C., Ill, 1102. 

Mead, C. A., I, 761. 

Meade, D. P., II, 117. 

Meader, Charles T., I, 834. 

Meaderville, I, 827, 834, 837. 

Meagher, Thomas F., acting governor, 
I, 280; 298, 299; death of, 300-303; 
408, 416, 417; memorials to (illustra- 
tion), 466. 

Meagher County : placer mines in- 1862- 
68, I, 213; number and value of cattle 
(1884), 395; irrigation in, 605; de- 
scription of, 777. 

Meagher County School, old box-car 
type (illustration), I, 512. 

Medicine Lake, I, 826. 

Medicine River, I, 42, 59, 62. 

Melchert, Bertram P., Ill, 1414. 

Meldrum, Robert, I, 129; sketch of, 130; 
(portrait), 214. 

Melton, J. Thomas, II, 367. 

Melstone, I, 797. 

Mendenhall, Henry S., II, 168. 

Menetry, Joseph, I, 786. 

Mengarini, Gregory, I, 147, 150, 154. 

Menzemer, H. J., Ill, 762. 

Meredith, James E., II, 365. 

Merkle, Arthur W., II, 472. 

Merkle, George W., Ill, 708. 

Merrick, Joseph, III, 1174. 

Merrill, Franklin T., Ill, 706. . 

Merrill, T. G., I, 287. 

Merriman, Nathaniel, I, 282. 

Metcalf, John, II, 635. 

Metcalf, Margaret E., II, 635. 

Methodist missionaries, I, 145. 

Metropolitan Police law, I, 464. 

Mettler, Edgar W., II, 28. 

Mettler, J. M., Ill, 1095. 

Meyer, Carl R., II, 210. 

Meyer, W. F., I, 471. 

Meyerhoff, Emmett F., Ill, 1245. 



Michels,. James J., Ill, 1121. 

Midland Empire Fair Association, I, 
853. 

Milburn, George R., I, 436, 438. 

Miles, Arthur W., II, 260. 

Miles, G. M., I, 704, 707. 

Miles, Nelson A., attempted assassina- 
tion of, I, 359 ; 362, 363, 364. 

Miles City : great center of range cattle, 
! 395 ; 399 ; municipal light and water 
systems, 703; public institutions at, 
704; center of horse trade, 705; 
churches and fraternities, 705; stage 
lines and highways, 706. 

Miles City Club, I, 705. 

Miles City Hospital, I, 704. 

Milk River: Lewis and Clark discover, 
If 33; 229. 

Milk River reclamation project, I, 587, 
588. 

Milk River Valley, I, 801. 

Mill Creek, I, 231. 

Millar, Joseph H., I, 285. 

Miller, Charles H., Ill, 1238. 

Miller, Curtis M., Ill, 1168. 

Miller, D. J., I, 210. 

Miller, Henry A., Ill, 747. 

Miller, Henry B., Ill, 1402. 

Miller, Joaquin, on placer deposits, I, 
234; 412; on quartz mining litigation, 
424. 

Miller, J. K., II, 157. 

Miller, John R., I, 645. 

Miller, J. V., Ill, 1168. 

Miller, John W., II, 416. 

Miller, Leslie F., II, 1146. 

Miller, Lillian G., II, 568. 

Miller, Marshall E., II, 192. 

Miller, Sidney, II, 620. 

Miller, Thomas B., Ill, 763. 

Miller, William D., Ill, 1153. 

Miller, W. H. H., I, 430. 

Milliken, Elizabeth D., Ill, 767. 

Mills, C. C, II, 44. 

Mills, Fred G., Ill, 1163. 

Mills, James H., I, 497. 

Mills, James S., I, 213. 

Mills, William S., Ill, 848. 

Mineral County: as a copper producer, 
I, 384; irrigation in, 606; description 
of, 778. 

Mineral output of Montana, value and 
qualities of (1919), I, 384. 

Mineral Range, I, 90. 

Miners Courts established, I, 218. 

Mining, smelting and ore testing, in Hel- 
ena District, I, 761. 

Minnesota & Montana Improvement 
Company, I, 851. 

Minnick, Robert P., Ill, 972. 

Minnie Healy mine, I, 377, 378. 

Missoula: natural advantages (1858), I, 
166; incorporated, 409; state capital 
contestant, 441 ; (city of the five val- 
leys), sketch of, 784; her parks, I, 

785. 

Missoula County: I, 190; created, 225; 
281 ; number and value of cattle 
(1884), 395; irrigation in, 606; of the 
five valleys, 780 ; lumber, drainage and 
water supply, 781 ; evolution of, 782 ; 



XXXIV 



INDEX 



development of its valleys, 7QO; 
dairying in, 792. 

Missoula County High School, I, 787; 
II, 463- 

Missoula Creamery, I, 785. 

Missoula Free Public Library, I, 785. 

Missoula Light and Power Company, I, 
633. 

Missoula lode, I, 222. 

Missoula Mills, I, 225. 

Missoula National Forest, I, 624, 741, 
749- 

Missoula River, I, 90, 226, 227. 

Missoulian Publishing Company, II, 465. 

Missouri Fur Company, I, 103, 104, 108; 
its expedition wiped out, 109; no. 

Missouri River: its true source, the Jef- 
ferson, I, 88; geological origin of, 96; 
229. 

Mitchell, Alonzo L., Ill, 1383. 

Mitchell, David D., I, 112, 121; death 
of, 123; 139. 

Mitchell, Robert M., II, 604. 

Mitchell, Harry B., II, 608. 

Mitchell, William, I, 251. 

Mo, Elmer J., II, 163. 

Modern Wolf Point Schools (illustra- 
tion), I, 818. 

Mohn, Mathis, II, 625. 

Mohrherr, John, III, 1115. 

Molleur, L. F., Ill, 716. 

Molt, I, 840. 

Monarch, I, 699. 

Monberg, Morris P., II, 270. 

Mondak, I, 708, 817. 

Monroe, Hugh, I, 638. 

Monroe, James, I, 16. 

Monroe, Joseph E., I, 551 ; II, 339. 

Monroe, Mary, III, 1435. 

Montague, I, 702. 

Montana ("Land of the Shining Moun- 
tains"), I, i; its natural features, 88- 
102; comparative area and low altitude 
as a Rocky Mountain State, 92; its 
valleys (by William A. Clark), 93; its 
geology, 94; post tertiary (glacial) 
period, 96; variety and wealth of its 
geological deposits, 100; its coal and 
precious stones, 101 ; first election in, 
190; bar, 212; its first post office and 
election, 219, 220; its name and great 
basins, 226-234; dawn of law and 
order, I, 278-315; territory organized 
and first Bannack Legislature, 281 ; 
clash between assembly and judiciary, 
298; memorials proposed, 324; last 
epoch of territorial government, 404- 
413 ; Supreme Court reports, 418, 425 ; 
State Constitution of 1889, 439; appor- 
tionment of state senators and repre- 
sentatives (1889), 441; becomes a 
state, 442 ; first state officers, 443 ; sec- 
ond legislative assembly, 448; final 
contest for location of state capital, 
451; finances in 1920-21, 486, 488; her 
system of higher education, 528; mili- 
tary history of, 642-666; merchants: 
increase in snet work (1900-1920), 
876. 
Montana Bar Association, I, 433, 435. 



Montana Bridge and Ferry Company, I, 

286. 

Montana buffalo still ranging (illustra- 
tion), I, 783. 
Montana Building, Louisiana Exposition 

(illustration), I, 461. 
Montana Central Railway, I, 375. 
Montana City, I, 190, 212; in early days 

(illustration), 287; 288. 
Montana Club, Helena, I, 761. 
Montana coal mine (illustration), I, 240. 
Montana Collegiate Institute, I, 496. 
Montana Deaconess School, I, 553. 
Mountain District, I, 342. 
Montana Fish Hatchery, Anaconda, I, 

712. 

Montana Flour Mills Company (illustra- 
tion), I, 693. 
Montana Game and Fish Commission, I, 

637- 
Montana Hide and Fur Company, I, 304, 

305. 
Montana Horticultural Society, I, 878- 

82. 
Montana Infantry, First Regiment, I, 

643. 

Montana Irrigation Commission : cre- 
ated, I, 484; report of, for 1920, 586. 
Montana Mercantile Company, II, 555. 
Montana Mining Association, I, 765. 
Montana Ore Purchasing Company, I, 

376, 377, 378. 

Montana Pioneers' Society, I, 483. 
Montana Power Company, I, 630; its 
hydro-electric plants, 632; 689, 719, 
772; plant at Thompson Falls, 8*24. 
Montana Quicksilver Company, I, 287. 
Montana School for Deaf and Blind and 

Backward Children, I, 553. 
Montana State Bureau of Mines and 

'Metallurgy; established, I, 484; 831. 
Montana State College, I, 500, 528. 
Montana State Fair established, I, 460. 
Montana State Humane Society created, 

I,46o. 

Montana State Industrial School, I, 479. 
Montana State Normal School, I, 500, 

528, 551. 
Montana State Prison, Deer Lodge, I, 

809. 

Montana State Reform School: name 
changed to Montana State Industrial 
School, I, 479. 
Montana State Tuberculosis Sanitarium 

located, I, 470. 
Montana Stock Growers' Association, I, 

395- 

Montana Trade Commission, I, 485. 
Montana Union Railroad, I, 375. 
Montana Volunteer Militia, I, 642. 
Montana Wesleyan University, I, 552, 

553; HI, II53- 

Montana Western Railroad, I, 568. 
Montana, Wyoming and Southern Rail- 
road, I, 568. 

Mooney, Daniel F., II, 600. 
Moore, I, 717. 
Moore, Charley, I, 251. 
Moore, Elanson C, I, 415. 
Moore, George F., Ill, 1221. 
Moore, Perry J., Ill, 1220. 



INDEX 



XXXV 



Moorman, Edward H., II, 272. 

Moran, John E., Ill, 834. 

Morck, Fred D., Ill, 1005. 

Morgan, Edward F., Ill, 1141. 

Morgan, Heber G., II, 289. 

Morier, Henry, I, 218. 

Morony, Mary E., I, 322. 

Morrell, Fred, I, 869. 

Morrill Acts of Congress, I, 546. 

Morrill, Almeron D., Ill, 1141. 

Morrill, Robert A., Ill, 720. 

Morris, Claude F., Ill, 1004. 

Morris, Jennie M., Ill, 1029. 

Morrow, Bayard S., II, 402. 

Morrow, Thomas M., Ill, 876. 

Morse, Averill P., II, 281. 

Morse, Elmer J., Ill, 717. 

Morse, Frank M., II, in. 

Morse, George W., I, 316; II, 280. 

Morse, Sherburne, III, 689. 

Morton, C. D., Ill, 858. 

Morton, John O., I, 725. 

Mortson, O. C., I, 94. 

Mosby, I, 735. 

Mosby, O. P. J., Ill, 846. 

Mosby Oil fields, I, 797. 

Moser, Gust, II, 570. 

Mosher, Esek R., II, 344. 

Moss, Preston B., II, 218. 

Mother St. Joseph, III, 872. 

Motor Vehicles registered, I, 575. 

Mouat, Thomas H., Ill, 1382. 

Mount St. Charles College, Helena, I, 

553; 755; HI, 1138. 
Mount Sentinel, Missoula, I, 788. 
Mountain Crows, I, 141. 
Movius, Arthur J., II, 193. 
Movius, Rex M., Ill, 1065. 
Movius, Walter R., II, 229. 
Mowatt, Wilbert, III, 1067. 
Moulton, Benjamin F., II, 181. 
Moyer, H. D., I, 249. 
Moyle, John R., II, .421. 
Mueller, Oscar O., II, 89. 
Muffley, Theo., I, 289. 
Muffly, Thomas, I, 415. 
Mullan, John, I, 158, 159, 321, 324, 555, 

687, 785- 

Mullan Government Road, I, 555. 
Mullan Monuments, I, 320, 321. 
Mullan's military road (1862), I, 180. 
Mulroney, Edward C., II, 468. 
Munger, Frederick R., II, 170. 
Munson, Lyman E., I, 298, 414, 416, 

417, 418. 

Murn, Thomas M., Ill, 1343. 
Murphey, John M., II, 541. 
Murphy, Charles, I, 209, 222, 371. 
Murphy, Charles F., II, 267. 
Murphy, Franklin J., Ill, 1236. 
Murphy, George J., Ill, 1241. 
Murphy, James K., II, 20. 
Murphy, John L., I, 419. 
Murphy, Joseph R., Ill, 945. 
Murphy, Patrick B., Ill, 1078. 
Murphy, William L., I, 320; II, 465. 
Murray, James A., I, 334. 
Murray, Mathieson, III, 932. 
Murray, S. G., I, 459. 
Murtry, James, I, 702. 
Musselshell, I, 797. 



Musselshell county: as a coal producer, 
I, 386; as oil producer, 386; organ- 
ized, 469; county irrigation in, 606; 
settlement of, 794; agriculture and live 
stock raising, 795 ; coal mines and rail- 
roads, 796. 

Musselshell River : Lewis and Clark dis- 
cover, I, 33. 

Mussigbrod, James, I, 406. 

Muzzy, J. E., II, 175. 

Myers, I, 845. 

Myers, Adolphus D., II, 109. 

Myers, George W., Ill, 1422. 

Myers, Guy C., II, 156. 

Myers, Henry L., sketch of, I, 492; 868. 

Myers, Otto K.,' II, 109. 

Nagues, George B., II, 649. 

Napoleon, I, 16. 

Napton, Thomas L., I, 419. 

National Forests, Areas and locations of, 
I, 623 ; funds to support, 624. 

National Guard, nucleus of, I, 642. 

National Park Bank, Livingston, II, 
269. 

National Park-to-Park Highway, I, 571. 

Navajo, I, 708. 

Nealy, E. B., I, 289. 

Needles, Arthur S., II, 627. 

Neese, John T., Ill, 681. 

Neihart, I, 699. 

Neill, E. D., I, 4. 

Neill, Henry, II, 204. 

Nell, Henry H., II, 159. 

Nelson, Clarence W., Ill, 1049. 

Nelson, Cornelius S., II, 232. 

Nelson, David, III, 1378. 

Nelson, Franc C., Ill, 694. 

Nelson, H. F., Ill, 668. 

Nelson, John A., Ill, 694. 

Nelson, N. L., Ill, 792. 

Nelson, Soren, II, 486. 

Neubert, John, III, 662. 

Nevada, I, 232. 

Nevin, Charles P., II, 386. 

Nevin, John, III, 1444. 

Nevin, W. H., Ill, 1227. 

Nevins, Joseph H., Ill, 901. 

New Powell County High School (illus- 
tration), I, 502. 

New World mining district, I, 798. 

New York-Montana Testing and Engi- 
neering Company, Helena, I, 763. 

Newcomb, Albert S., Ill, 959. 

Newell, John H., II, 151. 

Newlon, Lewis E., Ill, 897. 

Newman, Louis, III, 828. 

Newstrom, Manning C., Ill, 1289. 

Nez Perces, I, 118. 

Nichols, Alice, I, 497- 

Nichols, Edmund, II, 48. 

Nickwall, I, 777. 

Nihill, I, 848. 

Nims, William P., Ill, 1185. 

Nina, I, 777. 

Ninth Federal Reserve District, I, 663. 

Nissler, Carl C., II, 12. 

Noble, Frank C., II, 332. 

Nohle, Andrew F., Ill, 988. 

Nolan, Cornelius B., Ill, 664. 

Nolan, J. M., Ill, 1030. 



XXXVI 



INDEX 



Nordtome, Clifford, III, 841. 

Nordtome, Milford, III, 841. 

Nordtome, Robert, III, 841. 

Norelius, O., I, 285. 

Normile, John, II, 250. 

Norris, I, 771. 

Norris, Edwin L., I, 464, 868; III, 674. 

North, Austin, III, 1137. 

North, J. A., II, 94. 

North, Jo R., II, 145. 

North, William P., Ill, 859. 

North Butte Copper Company, I, 379. 

North Butte Extension Development 
Company, I, 383. 

North Butte Mining Co., I, 836. 

Northern Cheyenne (Tongue River) In- 
dian Reservation, I, 640; 819. 

Northern Idaho & Montana Power 
Company, I, 632. 

Northern Montana Agricultural and 
Manual Training College and Agri- 
cultural Experiment Station estab- 
lished, I, 476. 

Northern Pacific Railroad : surveys 
(1853-54), I, 158; 3755 its mineral 
land in dispute, 429, 430; 559; crippled 
by Jay Cooke failure, 560 ; electrifica- 
tion of, 568; 630, 794; hospital, Glen- 
dive, 710; hospital at Missoula, 786. 

Northwest Fur Company of Canada, I, 

73- 

Northwest Tribune Publishing Co., Ste- 
vensville, III, 1381. 

Northwestern basin of Montana, I, 226, 
228, 229. 

Noxon, I, 824. 

Noyes, James M., II, 426. 

Nutt, Richard S..-III, 731. 

Nutting, Lucius A., II, 257. 

Nutting, W. B., II, 50. 

Nye, Samuel M., II, 366. 

Nye, Ward H., II, 236. 
^ 

Oakwood, Jacob F., Ill, 842. 

Obergfell, Albert R., Ill, 726. 

O'Boyle, James, III, 976. 

O'Brien, Alfred L., II, 605. 

O'Brien, Edward, II, 46. 

O'Brien, Edward P., Ill, 1347. 

O'Brien, George T., Ill, 1364. 

O'Brien, James D., Ill, 723. 

O'Brien, Joseph P., Ill, 704. 

O'Brien, Michael T., II, 541. 

O'Connell, Margaret F., Ill, 1323. 

O'Connell, Michael J., II, 434. 

O'Connell, W. H., Ill, 1323. 

O'Connor, James F., II, 368. 

O'Connor, Thomas F., II, 549. 

O'Donnell, Charles, II, 3. 

O'Donnell, Charles, II, 312. 

O'Donnell, I. D., II, 383. 

O'Fallon, Benjamin, I, no. 

O'Flynn, Edward F., II, 484. 

Ogden, Earl, II, 638. 

O'Hern, Daniel L., Ill, 1091. 

Oie, Gustav, III, 1073. 

Oil development, I, 386-390; Golden Val- 
ley county, I, 739; in state, 876, 877, 
878. 

Oil, gas and coal leases, I, 389. 

Oil shales, I, 388. 



Oka, I, 848. 

O'Keefe, Davis C., I, 321. 

O'Laughlin, William, III, 1336. 

Old Ignace, I, 144; killed by Sioux, 145. 

Old Lewistown School (illustration), 
I, 501. 

Oldest School in Montana, still in use 
(illustration), I, 498. 

O'Leary, Albert P., II, 265. 

Oleson, J. P., I, 285. 

Oliver, A. J., I, 557. 

Oliver (A. J.) and Company, I, 219. 

Oliver, John, III, 1212. 

Oliver, Robert S., II, 602. 

Olsen, June G., Ill, 1184. 

Olson, Andrew J., Ill, 1229. 

Olson, George N., II, 457. 

Olson, Ole N., Ill, 1119. 

O'Neil, C. D., Ill, 851. 

O'Neil, Michael A., Ill, 751. 

O'Neill, Charles E., II, 139. 

O'Neill, Frank D., Ill, 1236. 

O'Neill, John J., II, 513. 

Ophir, I, 335-39; town ruined by Indian 
massacre, 339. 

Ophir Gulch, I, 213. 

Ophir Town Company, I, 335. 

Ordway, John, I, 28, 45, 58, 59. 

Oregon Short Line, I, 405, 558, 559. 

Oregon Steam Navigation Company, I, 
556. 

Oiiginal lode (Butte), I, 222. 

O'Rourke, James S., II, 543. 

O'Rourke, John K., II, 443. 

Orr, George, I, 199. 

Orr, Sample, I, 282, 415. 

Orville, I, 708. 

Orvis, John M., II, 441. 

Osborne, John N., II, 324. 

Osburn, Roy, II, 412. 

Osenbrug, Jacob, II, 451. 

Osgood, Lattie 'M., Ill, 1256. 

Oswego, I, 846. 

Osweiler, Peter J., II, 207. 

Otten, Elise R., II, 121. 

Otten, Herman, II, 120. 

Outline of Indian Operations and con- 
ferences (Carrington), I, 341; 358. 

Ovando, I, 790, 809. 

Owen, John, I, 132; last years of, 134; 
I 59, 167, 176, 227, 282. 

Oxford, I, 848. 

PaTblo herd of buffalo, I, 784. 

Page, Billy, I, 252. 

Page, Hugh D., II, 323. 

Page, James M., I, 316. 

Page, John M., I, 316. 

Pagenkopf, Herman C., II, 17. 

Pah-sam-er-ri (Stinkwater), I, 222. 

Paige, Merritt C., I, 426. 

Palmer, Allen B., Ill, 725. 

Palmer, Wealthy E., Ill, 726. 

Pampel, Byron L., II, 195. 

Pappin, Isaac, III, 826. 

Paradise, I, 824. 

Parent, William, III, 960. 

Paris, I, 777. 

Parish, Frank, I, 249. 

Parish of Lewistown, II, 25. 

Park City, I, 840. 



INDEX 



XXXVll 



Park County, I, 411; irrigation in, 607; 

description of, 797; mining days in, 

798; created, 799. 
Parker, Hazen M., II, 301. 
Parker, Perry M., II, 410. 
Parker, Samuel, I, 145. 
Parkin, Ernest J., II, 400. 
Parkins, William E., II, 358. 
Parmly Billings Memorial Library, I, 

852. 

Parrent, J. M., I, 721. 
Parrot, R. R., I, 372. 
Parrot Lead, I, 372. 
Parrot mines, I, 829. 
Parrott, R. B., I, 289, 415. 
Parsons, John M. Ill, 766. 
Part-time schools, I, 527. 
Patch, Ralph E., Ill, 781. 
Patten, Frank C., I, 758, 760. 
Patten, Truman M., Ill, 1023. 
Patterson, Ernest R., II, 113. 
Patterson, George D., Ill, 740. 
Patterson, John E., II, 464. 
Patterson, Oliver B., Ill, 678. 
Patton, Clyde, III, 775. 
Patton, Ulysses C., Ill, 1267. 
Patton, W. H., I, 256. 
Pattonhill, I, 777. 
Paul, George, III, 833. 
Paul, Goodwin T., Ill, 1415. 
Paul, Spurgeon E., Ill, 1020. 
Pauly, Peter, II, 340. 
Pauwelyn, Cyril, II, 214. 
Pearce, Robert, III, 1029. 
Pearson, Frank M., II, 439. 
Pease, Fellows D., Ill, 1050. 
Pease, Sarah W., Ill, 1052. 
Peays, Clara T., Ill, 948. 
Peays, William H., Ill, 948. 
Peck, Walter H. (Lewistown), II, 92. 
Peck, Walter H., Ill, 1216. 
Peckover, Frederick W., Ill, 1426. 
Peeler, D. R., I, 727. 
Peeso, F. E., Ill, 799. 
Peet, Herbert M., II, 590. 
Peltier, Joseph, III, 816. 
Peltier, Lottie A., Ill, 816. 
Pemberton, Calvin W., Ill, 1319. 
Pemberton,, William Y., I, 256, 259, 282, 

284, 289, 316, 324; sketch of, 435; II, 

71. 

Pence, Laverne K., II, 29. 
Pender, Peter A., II, 160. 
Pendroy, I, 843. 
Penson, Thomas, III, 1417- 
Penwell, M. W., II, 294. 
Pepin, Exzelia J., Ill, 750. 
Perham, Arthur, II, 576. 
Perham, George B., Ill, 799. 
Perham, Josiah, I, 559. 
Perier, Garfield B., II, 493- 
Perkins, Grover C., II, 633. 
Perkins, Harry E., II, 101. 
Perkins, James R., Ill, 1116. 
Perm a, I, 792, 824. 
Perrine, Arnold M., Ill, 740. 
Perrine, James W., Ill, 740. 
Perrine, Lillian M., Ill, 740. 
Peterson, Amos T., II, 616. 
Peterson, Axel M., II, 46. 
Peterson, John E., Ill, 699. 



Peterson, Peter M., Ill, 845. 

Peterson, S. L., I, 503. 

Petit, Eloise, I, 698. 

Petrashek, Mina, I, 503. 

Petrie, Donald A., Ill, 993. 

Pfaus, Mrs. A., I, 721. 

Pfouts, Paris S., I, 260, 286. 

Phelan, William P., Ill, 742. 

Philbrick, Freeman, III, 1263. 

Philbrick, Newell G., Ill, 1191. 

Philipsburg, I, 237, 741. 

Phillips, Albert L., II, no. 

Phillips, Samuel, III, 1063. 

Phillips County, irrigation in, I, 607; 
description of, 801. 

Pickens, Joseph E., II, 374. 

Pickett, H. G., I, 761. 

Pickett-Journal, I, 678. 

Picturesque Helena District (illustra- 
tion), I, 748. 

Piedalue, Joseph, II, 312. 

Piegan Sun Dance (illustration), I, 169. 

Piegans, I, 140. 

Pierre group (geological), I, 96. 

Pierre's Hole, I, 116. 

Pierse, Allen, II, 558. 

Pierson, George W., II, 32. 

Pietila, John J., II, 225. 

Pigot, Creswell T., II, 585. 

Pigott, W. T., I, 435, 436. 

Pilot-Butte Mining Co., I, 836. 

Piney Buttes, I, 91. 

Piniele, I, 680. 

Pinney, George M., I, 243. 

Pioneer (village), I, 189. 

Pioneer City, I, 220. 

Pioneer Day, I, 460, 465. 

Pioneer Gulch, I, 189, 220. 

Pioneer Home, I, 319. 

Pioneer lawyers of Montana, I, 415. 

Pizanthia, Joe (The Greaser), I, 249, 
267. 

Place of Skulls (Bradley's "Journal"), 
I, 310. 

"Place of the Bitter Root," I, 142. 

Placer mining and water rights, I, 421. 

Placer production in Helena Region, I, 
766. 

Plains, I, 824. 

Plassman, Martha E., I, 278. 

Platz, Albert E., II, 167. 

Plentywood, I, 825. 

Plevna, I, 714. 

Plew, William R., II, 431. 

Plume, D. J., Ill, 1141. 

Plummer, F. M., Ill, 1069. 

Plummer, Henry, I, 218, 242, 247, 249, 
251, 252; execution of, 264, 266; 332. 

Plummer, Stinson and Ray, execution of, 
I, 263. 

Plummer-Stinson-Ray Scaffold (illus- 
tration), I, 265. 

Poe, Clinton J., Ill, 1150. 

Point, Nicholas, I, 147, 150, 151, 152, 
161. 

Polglase, Lester R., II, 476. 

Pollard, Charles R., I, 427. 

Polleys Lumber Company, I, 781. 

Pollinger, Warren E., Ill, 1287. 

Poison, I, 724. 

Polytechnic Institute, Billings, I, 855. 



XXXV111 



INDEX 



Pompey's Pillar ; named by Clark, I, 63 ; 
Larocque describes, 83; reached by 
Stuart expedition, 194; 856. 

Pond, Robert E., II, 479. 

Pondera County: created, I, 483; irriga- 
tion in, 608; description of, 803. 

Pontiac, I, 848. 

Pony, I, 771, 775- 

Poore, James A., II, 513. 

Poorman, W. H., I, 459. 

Pope, Joseph, II, 97. 

Poplar, I, 817. 

Porcupine Creek, I, 31, 32. 

Porter, Frank, III, 1428. 

Porter, George P., I, 869; III, 1403. 

Porter, Henry, I, 829. 

Porter, H. H., I, 222, 833. 

Post, Mark, I, 209. 

Posts and Forts along the Yellowstone, 
I, 127. 

Potomac, I, 790. 

Potter, Anson S., I, 282, 299. 

Potter, John, I, 287; II, 651. 

Potts, Benjamin F., becomes governor, 
death of, I, 314; 404, 408; (portrait), 
410; 868. 

Potts, John, I, 28. 

Poultry raising, I, 402. 

Powder River County : irrigation in, I, 
608; description of, 804. 

Powell, Curtis W., Ill, 1027. 

Powell, John W., I, 190. 

Powell County: irrigation in, I, 608; 
description of, 806. 

Power, I, 843. 

Power, T. C: elected U. S. Senator 
(1889), I, 446. 

Power, Wilber I., II, 138. 

Powers, Edward S., Ill, 1066. 

Powers, T. C., I, 761. 

Powers, William, III, 905. 

Prairie County: irrigation in, I, 608; 
description of, 809; railroads and 
trails in, 810. 

Prairie Elk, I, 777. 

Prairie of the Knobs, I, 59. 

Prairie of the Mass, I, 146. 

Pratte, Chouteau & Company, I, 123. 

Pray, I, 801. 

Pray, Charles L., I, 463. 

Pray, Charles N., I, 465, 471. 

Precious stones of Montana, I, 101. 

Prehistoric Mammals of Montana, I, 100. 

Prentice, George D., Ill, 769. 

Presbyterian missionaries, I, 145. 

Press : See Newspaper Directory of 
Montana, arranged by counties, towns 
and cities, and giving politics, date of 
establishment, and names of editor and 
publisher of each newspaper in the 
state, I, 886-94. 
N. B. First item under Press, 25. 

Prestbye, Christ, II, 628. 

Prestbye, E. C., Ill, 962. 

Prestbye, Martin, II, 628. 

Prestbye, Matilda C., II, 628. 

Preston, John F., II, 436. 

Preuitt, Isom, III, 724. 

Price, Benjamin L., II, 140. 

Price, E. R., II, 265. 

Price, Lewellyn, III, 1337. 



Price, Oliver, I, 732. 

Price, Pleas M., Ill, 1010. 

Prickly Pear Gold and Silver Mining 
Company, I, 287, 288. 

Prickly Pear Valley, near Helena (illus- 
tration), I, 210; 749, (illustration), 

759- 

Pridham, Thomas H., II, 470. 

Priess, Fred A., Ill, 1424. 

Prindle, J. E., I, 707. 

Probost, Etienne, I, 108. 

Proctor, Israel O., Ill, 699. 

Proctor, Louisa K., Ill, 699. 

Proctor, Merton D., Ill, 699. 

Prohibition : referendum on, I, 478 ; 
liquor legislation, 483; in force, 489; 
Federal Constitutional amendment 
ratified by States, 490; State law to 
conform to Volstead' Act, 491. 

Prosser, E. W., I, 761. 

Prosser, Fred A., Ill, 917. 

Prosser, John R., Ill, 916. 

Prudhome, Gabriel, I, 148. 

Pryor, I, 61, 63. 

Pryor, John, I, 46. 

Pryor, Nathaniel, I, 28. 

Pryor Creek, I, 46, 63, 81. 

Public Highways : of Fergus county, I, 
719. 

Public Lands of Montana, I, 577. 

Public road building: co-operation of 
county, state and nation in, I, 576. 

Public School at Bozeman (illustration), 
I, 731. 

Public Service Commission : created, ab- 
sorbs Board of Railroad Commission- 
ers, I, 472. 

Puehler, Charles, I, 696, 732. 

Pugsley, Robert D., II, 449. 

Pulsifer, H. B., II, 560. 

Pumpkin Creek, I, 82. 

Purcell, Michael F., Ill, 1112. 

Purdy, A. T., II, 581. 

Pyper, William B., Ill, 695. 

Radersburg, I, 676. 

Radersburg mining district, $3,200,000, 
I, 766. 

Rafferty, Daniel, II, 136. 

Ragland, O. T., II, 37. 

Railroads : counties authorized to sub- 
scribe for, I, 315 ; enter Butte copper 
district, 375; Major Martin Maginnis 
as a builder of, 405 ; Utah Northern 
penetrates Montana, 407; regulated 
(1912), 472; 558-68; over the Montana 
mountains (illustration), 564; electri- 
fication of, 567; accommodating Great 
Falls, 686 ; in Lewis and Clark county, 
751 ; work of, in Missoula region, 789; 
first Utah and Northern passenger 
trains to arrive at Butte, 830; lines 
accommodating Butte, 831. 

Rainbow Falls at' Great Falls, I, 630; 
(illustration), i, 689. 

Rainbow Lode, I, 372, 373. 

Rainbow Mining Co., I, 836. 

Rainbow Power Plant, Great Falls, I, 
689. 

Rains, Robert H., II, 135. 

Rainy Lake Missoula National Forest 
(illustration), I, 626. 



INDEX 



XXXIX 



Ralston, Edward L., Ill, 1175. 

Ramme, Chris, III, 1256. 

Ramme, Louis T., Ill, 1185. 

Ramsay, George L., I, 761. 

Ramsdell, Joe, I, 829. 

Ram's Horn Gulch, I, 231. 

Ramstad, Otto, III, 946. 

Rancher, I, 845. 

Randall, John B., Ill, 776. 

Rankin, Carl, III, 1329. 

Rankin, Jeannette : first Congresswoman 
elected in U. S. ; sketch of, I, 480. 

Rankin, Wellington D., I, 528, 869. 

Rapelje, I, 840. 

Rarus quartz lode, I, 377. 

Rarey, Bert, III, 1279. 

Rasch, Carl, I, 437, 438. 

Rasmussen, James A., Ill, 919. 

Rasmusson, Iden M., Ill, 1000. 

Rathbone, Robert M., Ill, 879. 

Rathert, Fred E., Ill, 930. 

Rattlesnake Creek, I, 167, 230. 

Ravalli, Anthony, I, 154; leaves St. 
Mary's mission, I, 157, 161. 

Ravalli, I, 792. 

Ravalli County : I, 241 ; created, 442, 
451; irrigation in, 608; description of, 
810; young apple orchard (illustra- 
tion), 813; resources of, 811. 

Ray, Julian D., II, 293. 

Ray, Ned, I, 242, 249; execution of, 264, 
266. 

Raymond, Winthrop, III, 1282. 

Raynesford, I, 699. 

Red Bluff, I, 771. 

Red Cloud (Sioux Chief), I, 341, 343, 

344, 345- 

Red Lodge, I, 678-679; school (illustra- 
tion), I, 679. 

Red Rock Creek, I, 230, 231. 
Red Trail, 570, 575. 
Redwater, I, 777. 
Redwing, Edward O., Ill, 710. 
Reed, Clinton V., I, 654. 
Reed, Frank S., Ill, 790. 
Reed, Oliver L., Ill, 1407. 
Reed Point, I, 840. 
Reese, H. J., II, 34. 
Reeves, I, 249, 251. 
Reeves, A. I., Ill, 737. 
Reiche, G. L, I, 725. 
Reichel, Frank J., Ill, 1233. 
Reichle, August, II, 522. 
Reid, Edmund W., Ill, 821. 
Reid, Frank, III, 838. 
Reid, James, I, 500, 548. 
Reifenrath, Charles H., Ill, 670. 
Reinbold, Theodore, II, 65. 
Reinoehl, Charles M., I, 503. 
Reisz, George S., I, 654. 
Reiter, W. H., II, 637. 
Remains of Bannack's former mining 

glory (illustration), I, 671. 
Remington, Sumner A., Ill, 824. 
Rennick, P. S., II, 528. 
Reno, William E., Ill, 1379. 
Resner, Andrew K., II, 508. 
Revised Codes of Montana, 1907, I, 464. 
Reynolds, I, 357. 

Reynolds, F. B., I, 436, 696, 869; II, 
217. 



Reynolds, J. J., I, 356. 

Reynolds, William P., II, 532. 

Rhea, William F., II, 906. 

Rheem, L. M., I, 761. 

Rhoades, William B., Ill, 765 

Rhodes, William M., Ill, 1221. 

Rice, Alonzo F., II, 454. 

Rice, George C, II, 465. 

Rice, Robert E., Ill, 960. 

Richardon, C. F., II, 581. 

Richards, David D., II, 436. 

Richards, Warrington, II, 448. 

Richardson, Pliney S., Ill, 1234. 

Richardson, William B., II, 291. 

Richie, Arthur C., II, 438. 

Richland County: irrigation in, I, 609; 

description of, 813. 
Richmond, Hunter L., II, 6. 
Rickard, Campbell G., Ill, 1214. 
Rickards, John E., I, 443, 446, 447, 725, 

Riddell, Arthur M., II, 546. 

Riddick, Carl, I, 868. 

Rider, T. T., I, 544. 

Ridley, Charles F., II, 100. 

Riedeman, Charles B., II, 593. 

Rimini, I, 749. 

Rimini mining district, $6,200,000, I, 766. 

Ring, David A., Ill, 937. 

Ringling, John, I, 778. 

Rising, Margaret B., Ill, 825. 

Rising, Martin, III, 825. 

Ritch, John B., II, 127. 

Riverside, I, 777. 

Rixon, Frederick P., II, 285. 

Rixon, William P., II, 220. 

Roach, Jeremiah, I, 406. 

Roach, William, I, 192. 

Road Agents' Band of Montana, I, 247; 

personnel of, 249; 261, kill more than 

one hundred people, 250; last to be 

executed, 274. 

Road Agents Rock (illustration), i, 248. 
Roads and Ferries projected at Ophir, I, 

336. 

Robb, Fleming W., II, 253. 
Roberts, A. J., I, 511. 
Roberts, Albert, III, 1241. 
Roberts, Commodore B., Ill, 691. 
Roberts, Milner, I, 687. 
Roberts, Thomas P., I, 88, 687. 
Robertson, R. H., I, 415. 
Robertson, R. W., I, 289. 
Robinson, Grant, I, 723; II, 140. 
Robinson, John C., I, 415. 
Robison, C. W., II, 383. 
Roche, John F., Ill, 1427. 
Rochester, I, 771. 
Rocky Ford coal field, I, 240. 
Rocky Mountains : discovery of by the 

Chevalier de la Verendrye, I, 9; first 

view of, by Captain Lewis, 36; seen by 

Larocque, 77- 
Rock Mountain Fur Company, I, 108, 

no. 
Rocky Mountain Wagon Road Company, 

I, 304. 

Rodgers, Henry, I, 206, 209. 
Rodgers, John H., I, 282. 
Rodgers, William B., II, 523. 
Roe, J. A., Ill, 1033. 



xl 



INDEX 



Roe, John J., I, 558. 

Roebuck, Sarah E., Ill, 953. 

Roecher, Albert C, II, 56. 

Roehl, Edward R., II, 145- 

Roke, Matthew J., Ill, 1367. 

Rollins, I, 725. 

Romaine, Jem, I, 252. 

Romeyn, Henry, account of Chief 

Joseph's Capture, I, 363-369. 
Romney, Miles, II, 538. 
Ronan, I, 792. 
Ronan, Peter, I, 205; (portrait), 206; 

493- 

Rood, Guy L., Ill, 733. 

Rood, William E., Ill, 1054. 

Roosevelt (Theodore) Memorial High- 
way, I, 802. 

Roosevelt County : created, I, 483 ; Cul- 
bertson school (illustration), 527; irri- 
gation in, 611; description of, 815; 
mineral resources, 816; tractor at work 
in (illustration), 816. 

Roosevelt Memorial Highway (Glacier 
Park to St. Paul), I, 570, 575- 

Root, Fred, I, 287. 

Root & Davis, I, 217. 

Roper, Eglantine L., Ill, 764. 

Ropes, L. S., I, 766. 

Roscoe, William P., II, 221. 

Rosebud, I, 821. 

Rosebud County : irrigation in, I, 609 ; 
description of, 817 ; formation of, 819 ; 
natural wealth, 820. 

Rosebud mountain, I, 91. 

Rosebud Valley (illustration), I, 233. 

Rosedale schools, old and new (illus- 
tration), I, 523. 

Rosetta, Henry, II, 191. 

Ross, Alexander, III, 784. 

Ross, Carl B., II, 144. 

Ross, John D., Ill, 736. 

Ross, Robert P., Ill, 1333. 

Rothwell, Charles F., II, 421. 

Rotwitt, Louis, I, 443. 

Roundup : center of coal fields and oil 
fields, I, 795. 

Roundup Public Schools, II, 583. 

Roundup Record, III, 991. 

Roundup of steers and horses, I, 392. 

Rowe, James H., Ill, 993. 

Rowe, J. P., I, 238, 239. 

Rowe, William, III, 680. 

Rowley, John II, 41. 

Roy, I, 717. 

Royal Milling Company, I, 693. 

Ruby range, I, 91. 

Rudyard, I, 744. 

Rue, Alfred W., Ill, 923. 

Rue, Fred W., Ill, 1107. 

Rue, Jasper S., Ill, 1105. 

Rue, Leonard E., Ill, 1064. 

Ruff, Frank, I, 223. 

Rugg, Claude C., Ill, 1418. 

Ruhle, Raymond L., II, 497. 

Runner, F. E., II, 294. 

Ruppel, John F., Ill, 841. 

Ruppel, William, III, 840. 

Russel, Edward C., Ill, 1361. 

Russell, Charles J., Ill, 1338. 

Russell, C. M., I, 320. 

Russell, David H., Ill, 1307. 



Russell, Harry J., II, 205. 
Russell, Lillian K., Ill, 1361. 
Rutherford, H. W., II, 466. 
Rutter, John H., Ill, 1040. 
Ryan, C. R., II, 240. 
Ryan, John D., Ill, 1055. 
Ryan, Michael J., Ill, 658. 
Ryan, Patrick, I, 282. 
Ryan, William C., II, 57. 
Ryerson, Lloyd H., II, 229. 
Ryniker, Walter E., II, 261. 
Ryon, A. M., I, 544, 547, 548. 

Sacajawea (the bird woman), I, 28, 48, 
50; reunited to brother and girlhood 
companion, 55 ; 62, 64 ; last years of, 
65- 

Sacajawea memorial, I, 783. 

Sacajawea monument, Armstead, I, 672. 

Sacajawea Park, Missoula, I, 785. 

Saco, I, 588, 803. 

Sacred Heart Mission, I, 154. 

St. Ignatius, I, 792. 

St. Ignatius Mission, I, 151; (new), 
157, 160. 

St. John's Catholic Hospital, Helena, I, 
757- 

St. Labre Mission, I, 162. 

St. Louis : center of fur trade, I, 137. 

St. Mary Parish, Helena, III, 1030. 

St. Mary's Mission: founding of, I, 148; 
abandoned, 154. 

St. Mary's River, I, 91 ; St. Paul's Mis- 
sion, I, 162. 

St. Peter's Episcopal Hospital, I, 757. 

St. Peter's Mission, I, 161, 162. 

St. Phillip, I, 848. 

St. Regis, I, 779. 

St. Vincent's Academy, Helena, I, 755. 

St. Xavier Mission, I, 162. 

Salesville, I, 729. 

Salish tribe, I, 142; Christian Sioux 
missionaries to the, 144. 

Saltese, I, 779. 

Samson, Jemima A., Ill, 850. 

Sampling Mills of Montana, I, 380. 

Sampson, Horace, III, 846. 

Samson, J. A., Ill, 850. 

Sand Coulee, I, 241. 

Sand Creek, I, 777. 

Sandell, Tom, II, 364. 

Sanden, Fred S., I, 760; III, 1443. 

Sanders, I, 845. 

Sanders, James U., I, 283, 316. 

Sanders, L. P., II, 957. 

Sanders, Wilbur F., I, 243, 255, 257, 259, 
260, 273; coming of, 278; 281, 282, 
289, 291, 300, on death of General 
Meagher, 301 ; 316, 335, 421, 430, 433, 
434, 435, 444; elected U. S. Senator 
(1889), 446; 452; death of, 462; me- 
morial to, 469; 558, 757, 760; III, 956. 

Sanders County: irrigation in, I, 611; 
description of, 821 ; lumbering and 
agriculture in, 822. 

Sandles, H. P., II, 391. 

Sanner, Sydney, II, 550. 

Sanvik, Ole, III, 787. 

Sappington, Henry H., Ill, 807. 

Sappington, Ruphema J., Ill, 807. 

Sargent, Charles C., Ill, 933. 



INDEX 



xli 



Sargent, F. E., I, 548. 
Sarles, Frederick H., II, 496. 
Saunders, John, I, 185, 187. 
Savage, M., II, 144. 
Saw Mills of Montana: established 
1898-1919 (see towns and cities) I, 
871-872. 

Schaefer, Frank M., Ill, mi 
Schaefer, Robert, II, 82. 
Scheetz, George, III, 1324. 
Scheuch, Frederick C., I, 533, 543. 
Scheuch, Frederick G., I, 789. 
Schierts, Peter, II, 623. 
Schlechten, Albert, II, 308. 
Schmidt, Jacob, II, 485. ' 
Schmidt, Margaret, II, 486. 
Schmit, John P., II, 173. 
Schmitz, Fred W., Ill, 678. 
Schmitz, Stephen A., II, 580. 
Schneider, William G., Ill, 972. 
Schoening, Harry A., Ill, 770. 
Schofield, John W., II, 425. 
Schofield, Thomas F., Ill, 1356. 
School moneys apportioned (1921), I, 

527. 

School month defined, I, 527. 
School of Forestry, I, 532, 789. 
School of Journalism, I, 532, 789. 
School of Law established, I, 789. 
School of Mines: location and buildings, 

I, 550. 

School of Pharmacy, I, 532; reorgan- 
ized, 789. 

Schoppe, William F., II, 414. 
Schrump, August, II, 585. 
Schuch, J. Harry, II, 174. 
Schwachheim, Aug., Ill, 985. 
Schwingel, Albert E., Ill, 832. 
Science Hall, I, 534. 
Scobey, I, 708. 
Scott, F. P., Ill, 867. 
Scott, James S., II, 625. 
Scott, Percival D., II, 646. 
Scott, Thomas C., Ill, 1414. 
Scott, William J., Ill, 1325. 
Scotty, Canadian trader, I, 175. 
Scovil, John, II, 504. 
Scovil, J. Ralph, II, 35. 
Scovill, C. D., II, 420. 
Sears, Edward, II, 154. 
Sears, Henry F., II, 59. 
Sebree, Howard, I, 66q. 
Second Infantry Regiment, Montana 
National Guard: in the miners' 
trouble, I, 648; in border troubles, 
649; at outbreak of World's war, 650. 
Second Infantry Regiment, United 
States Volunteers, I, 650; overseas at 
last, 651. 

Sederholm, Charles A., Ill, 823. 
Seed House of Montana, II, 2. 
Seel, John, III, 894. 
Selby, Lloyd, I, 327, 329, 332. 
Self, James M., II, 118. 
Selters, J. B., II, 78. 
Selway, Delos D., Ill, 1401. 
Selway, John L., Ill, 1017. 
Servis, Francis G., I, 423. 
Sessions, H. G., I, 249. 
Settergren, G. E., II, 143. 
Sevenich, John M., Ill, 1132. 



Severson, Clarence J., Ill 774. 

Sewell, Walter J., II, 573 

Shadoan, J. A., II, 40. 

Shafer, Gordon O., Ill, 827. 

Shanley, Thomas J. B., II, 112. 

Shannon, George, I, 28. 

Shannon, John C, III, 1199 

Sharp, Ralph A., II, 329. 

Sharpe, L. G., I, 415. 

Shattuck, John E., II, 639. 

Shaw, Leon, II, 161. 

Shawmut, I, 848. 

Shears, George, I, 249. 

Sheehan, James, I, 208. 

Sheep: raising of, I, 397, 399. 

Sheep ranch (illustration), I, 683. 

Sheffield, Edward, I, 415. 

Shenefelt, Monroe P., Ill, 848. 

Shephard, Harvey R., Ill, 1277. 

Shepherd, I, 856. 

Sheridan, I, 771, 775. 

Sheridan, Ruth, II, 106. 

Sheridan county: created, I, 474; irriga- 
tion in, 611; description of, 824. 

Sheridan, Charles L., I, 642, 650, 661, 

869. 

Sherman, Charles H., Ill, 949, 
Sherman, Frank L., Ill, 1058. 
Sherman, Nora K., Ill, 819. 
Sherman, Thomas C., Ill, 1439. 
Sherman, W. P., Ill, 819. 
Sherrill, Albert, III, 1216. 
Sherwood, J. W., I, 696. 
Sheuerman, .A. A., II, 162. 
Shiell, Robert G., Ill, 1291. 
Shields, John, I, 28, 51, 52. 
Shipley, Whitfield, II, 181. 
Shipley, William H., II, 571. 
Shippam, John, III, 1001. 
Shippee, Irvin L., Ill, 1134. 
Shirley, I, 703. 
Shoaf, Harriet, III, 871. 
Shober, John H., I, 316; u, 641. 
Shoper, John H., I, 415, 422. 
Shore, Will B., II, 269. 
Shorey, B. G., II, 394. 
Short, George N., II, 502. 
Shorthill, Robert D., II, 72. 
Shoshones (Snake Indians), Lewis in 

touch with, I, 53 ; 57. 
Shreveport (Missouri river steamboat), 

I, 178, 179. 

Sibbits, William, III, 891. 
Sidney, I, 814. 
Siegel, Victor, II, 553. 
Sigafoos, Josiah J., Ill, 1425. 
Silver Bow City, I, 223, 372. 
Silver Bow county: as a copper producer, 

I, 384; number and value of cattle, 
(1884), 395; created, 408; irrigation 

in 611 ; county and city almost co- 
extensive, 827; early history of min- 
ing in, 828; created, 834. 
Silver Bow Creek: mines along, I, 213; 

223. 

Silver issue of 1896, I, 452. 
Silver Lake, I, 713. 
Silver mining: first in Montana, I, 237; 

rise of, I, 372-375- 
Silverthorn, John, I, 185, 186. 
Simineo, Joseph S., II, 208. 



xlii 



INDEX 



Simmons, A. J., I, 311. 

Simmons, Hubert A., II, 69. 

Simmons, Louis, I, 199. 

Simmons, Otto J., II, 188. 

Simms, Samuel, III, 885. 

Simms, Susan, III, 886. 

Simonson, Charles C, II, 277. 

Simpkins, Justin C, III, 1008. 

Simpson, Charles M., Ill, 1360. 

Simpson, Joseph B., Ill, 1232. 

Simpson, T. W., Ill, 1178. 

Sioux, I, 308; checked at "The Palace 
of Skulls," 308-310; 342. 

Sioux National Forest, I, 624. 

Sisson, Edward, II, 565. 

Sisson, Edward O. : sketch of, I, 533; 
789. 

Sitting Bull (Sioux Chief), I, 345, 346; 
again troublesome, 347; 357, 358; in 
British America, 359; 362, 366. 

Skelton, William, III, 1295. 

Skillen, William, III, 915. 

Skillman, Charles N., II, 264. 

Skinner, Cyrus, I, 249. 

Skinner, Harry J., II, 495. 

Sklower, Emanuel, III, 961. 

Sklower, Max, III, 961. 

Skyltead, Olaf G., Ill, 752. 

Slade, J. A., I, 269, 270, 271, 272; last 
days of, Beidler's account, 273. 

Slater, Peter, I, 223. 

Slattery, John L., I, 868; III, 1218. 

Slayton, Daniel W., Ill, 1345. 

Sleight, Frederick S., Ill, 909. 

Sligh, James M., II, 300. 

Sloan, Mrs. M. A., I, 721. 

Smart, Forrest V., Ill, 1161. 

Smart, Oscar G., Ill, 1160. 

Small, Nellie B., II, 493. 

Smelters, concentrators and cyanide 
plants of Montana : established 1889- 
1919 (see towns and cities), I, 872, 
873. 

Smiley, George E., II, 501. 

Smith, Albert K., II, 369. 

Smith, Andrew J., I, 282, 758, 760. 

Smith, Donald A., I, 561. 

Smith, F. E., I, 721. 

Smith, George H., I, 192, 196. 

Smith, Glen A., II, 452. 

Smith, Green Clay, succeeds Governor 
Edgerton, I, 300; resigns governor- 
ship, 314; 415, 868. 

Smith, J. Gregory, I, 559. 

Smith, Harry M., Ill, 788. 

Smith, Henry E., II, 170. 

Smith, Henry T., Ill, 1266. 

Smith, H. P. A., I, 219. 

Smith, I. C., I, 218. 

Smith, James, II, 198. 

Smith, James C., Ill, 1160. 

Smith, Jedediah S., I, 108, in. 

Smith, Lewis A., II, 516. 

Smith, Napoleon B., Ill, 949. 

Smith, N. B., II, 227. 

Smith, Paul, III, 859. 

Smith, Robert, I, 44. 

Smith, Robert A., I, 454. 

Smith, Robert B., I, 451; sketch of, 
452; 457- 

Smith, Robert E., I, 868. 



Smith, Richard F., II, 1039. 

Smith, Yard, II, 239. 

Smith, Veva, III, 1093. 

Smith, Wallace P., II, 458. 

Smith, Walter S., II, 203. 

Smith, William B., Jr., Ill, 1202. 

Smith, William N., Ill, 666. 

Smith, W. Egbert, I, 496. 

Smith, W. P., II, 12. 

Smith-Highes Act, I, 545. 

Smith's River, I, 44. 

Snake Indians, I, 28, 48, 50. 

Snake (Lewis) River, I, 58. 

Snell, Charles H., I, 758, 760. 

Snell, George E., II, 250. 

Snellbacher, J. W., II, 203. 

Snidow, Thomas A., II, 218. 

Snow Creek Game Preserve, I, 735. 

Snow Mountains, I, 42. 

Snow Storm Mine, I, 375. 

Snowden, J. C., I, 732. 

Snyder, Clayton E., I, 661. 

Snyder, Rudolph, I, 868. 

Snyder, Willard F., Ill, 1099. 

Society of Montana Pioneers, I, 316- 
320. 

Soden, Jack E., II, 646. 

Soderlind, Will J., II, 43. 

Soft drinks and cereal beverages manu- 
factured : see towns and cities, I, 874. 

Solberg, Inga, II, 415. 

Solberg, J. S., II, 60. 

Soldiers' Home, Columbia Falls : classes 
of inmates in, I, 484, 725. 

Somers, I; 725. 

Somerville, John, I, 210; names Helena, 

211, 212. 

Sonstelie, Carl J., I, 661. 

Souders, Samuel M., II, 234. 

Southmayd, LeRoy, II, 532. 

South Pass : Bonneville and Bridger go 
through, I, 114. 

Spanish-American War, Montana in the, 
I, 643-48. 

Spanish Creek, Gallatin county (illus- 
tration), I, 106. 

Spanish Fork (Deer Lodge), I, 222. 

Sparks, Franklin F., Ill, 1096. 

Spear, Charles, II, 303. 

Spear, J. M., I, 433. 

Specht, Joseph, I, 147. 

Spectacular mine, I, 379. 

Speer, James W., Ill, 833. 

Speer, Owen D., II, 419. 

Spencer, Almon C., II, 166. 

Spencer, Gideon K., Ill, 947. 

Spencer, John T., II, 378. 

Spion Kop, I, 609. 

Spivey, Henry, I, 257. 

Spogen, Dominic, III, 712. 

Spooner, Armon C., Ill, 1207. 

Spooner, Henry R., Ill, 701. 

Spotted Tail (Indian Sioux Chief), I, 
345. 

Spottswood, William C., II, 326. 
Sprague, J. E., I, 725. 
Spratt, James G., I, 289, 415, 422. 
Spread Eagle (Missouri river steam- 
boat), I, 178, 179. 
Spring, L. H., II, 168. 
Sproule, G. B., I, 459. 



INDEX 



xliii 



Spurling, James E., II, 370. 

Square Butte, I, 702. 

Stafford, W. M., I, 289. 

Stage Coach, early day (illustration), I, 

557- 

Stage lines : overland and state, I, 556. 
Stager (George N.) and Company, I, 

219. 

Stagg, J. P., II, 398. 
Stahl, John W., Ill, 789. 
Stallion Registration Board, I, 530. 
Stalmann, Otto, I, 376. 
Stanford, I, 723. 

Stanley, David S., I, 309, 345, 346. 
Stanley, Henry H., II, 607. 
Stanley, Reginald, I, 210. 
Stapleton, Arthur A., II, 114. 
Stapleton, George W., I, 219, 336; II, 

544- 

Stapleton, Wash, I, 207. 
Stark, Roy A., II, 409. 
State Accident Insurance and Disability 

Fund created, I, 465. 
State Arid Land Grant Commission 

created, I, 452, 453, 454. 
State Athletic Commission created, I, 

476. 
State Board for Vocational Education, 

co-operation with federal board, I, 

527. 
State Board of Agriculture created, I, 

453- 
State Board of Commissioners for the 

Insane created, I, 476. 
State Board of Dairy Commission Ex- 
aminers, I, 530. 
State Board of Education, I, 468, 475; 

first meeting at Bozeman, 544. 
State Board of Educational Examin- 
ers, first, I, 511, 530. 
State Board of Entomology created, I, 

476. 
State Board of Hail Insurance created, 

I, 483. 

State Board of Health, I, 477, 484. 
State Board of Land Commissioners 

created, I, 469, 577. 
State Board of Poultry Husbandry, I, 

403, 530. 

State Board of Veterinary Medical Ex- 
aminers established, I, 476. 
State Bureau Mines and Metallurgy, 

paper on ore sampling, I, 371, 529, 

549- 

State Capitol Commission, I, 452, 453. 

State Capitol contest, I, 441. 

State Chemist, I, 530. 

State College of Agriculture and Me- 
chanic Arts, I, 532. 

State Constitution of 1889, I, 439. 

State Dairy Commission, I, 476. 

State Department of Agriculture and 
Publicity: report on dairying, I, 401. 

State Entomologist, I, 530. 

State Fire Warden created, I, 464. 

State Fish Hatchery established, I, 482. 

State Grain Inspector, I, 530. 

State Grain Laboratory, I, 476. 

State Highway Commission : created, I, 
475 ; divides state into twelve districts, 
483; biennial report of, 1919-1920, 571; 



functions of, 569, 570, 572; revenues 
and expenditures (1920), 575. 

State Highway funds authorized, I, 484. 

State Highway System, I, 574. 

State Historical Library, I, 324, 760. 

State Industrial School for Boys' I 
703, 704- 

State Insane Asylum : ordered by State 
I, 479- 

State Institutions, I, 869. 

State Lands : State Board of Land Com- 
missioners custodians of, I, 577; re- 
ceipts from all sources (1889-1920), 
578, 579, 58o. 

State Legislative Assemblies: first, I, 
446; second, 448; third, 450; fourth, 
45i; fifth and sixth, 453; seventh, 
457; eighth, 459; ninth, 462; tenth, 
463; eleventh, 465; twelfth, 469; thir- 
teenth, 470 ; fourteenth, 477 ; fifteenth, 
480; sixteenth, 483; seventeenth, 486; 
Special Session of 1921, 491. 

State Live Stock Commission, I, 477. 

State Live Stock Sanitary Board, I, 
464. 

State Motor Vehicle Law, I, 475. 

State Normal College, I, 529, 532, 669. 

State Orphans' Home, I, 554, 775. 

State Parole Commissioner, I, 475. 

State Prison: Deer Lodge, I, 453. 

State Reform School: established, I, 
5oo; 553. 

State School for Deaf, Dumb and 
Blind: established, I, 500, 745, 746. 

State School Funds, I, 521. 

State School Lands, I, 498, 499. 

State School of Mines : established, I, 
500, 528, 529, 532, 831. 

State Tax Commission: created, I, 474; 
act repealed, 478. 

State Text Book Commission : estab- 
lished, I, 500. 

State Tuberculosis Sanitarium : ordered 
by State, I, 479. 

State University, Missoula, I, 528, 529, 
532; (illustration), 533; history of, 
534, 535, 536; buildings of, 536; Col- 
lege of Arts and Sciences, 537; de- 
partments of, 537-43 ; Reserve Officers' 
Training Corps, 538; School of Busi- 
ness Administration, 538; School of 
Journalism, 539 ; School of Forestry, 
539; Public School Music, 540; School 
of Law, 540; School of Pharmacy, 
541; Library and Museum, 542; Bu- 
reau of Information, 543; Honor 
Scholarships and Prizes, 543; College 
buildings, 546; 787-789; (illustration), 
788. 

State Vocational School for Girls, 
Helena: established, I, 484; 757. 

Staunton, Michael D., II, 584.. 

Steamboat trip from Fort Union to 
Fort Benton (1862), I, 178. 

Steamboats in Western Montana, first, 
I, 556. 

Steele, George, I, 215. 

Steele, Lawrence W., II, 282. 

Steele, William L., I, 316. 

Steer feeding in Beaverhead county 
(illustration), I, 668. 



xliv 



INDEX 



Steere, E. A., I, 500. 

Stennes, Odin T., Ill, 778. 

Stephan, Walter H., II, 348. 

Stephen, George, I, 561. 

Stephens, John H., II, 124. 

Stephens, W. J., I, 422. 

Stephenson, Andrew P., II, 14. 

Stephenson, Sam, III, 1031. 

Sterling, A. M., II, 508. 

Sterling, Frederick T., II, 349- 

Stevens, Benjamin F., Ill, 9% 

Stevens, Benjamin T., II, 654. 

Stevens, Harry A., II, 247. 

Stevens, Isaac I., I, 158, 159, 687. 

Stevens, Jesse H., Ill, 871. 

Stevens, Lawrence S., II, 137. 

Stevens, Melzer N., Ill, 1230. 

Stevens Government expedition (1853- 

54), I, 158. 

Stevenson, Albert M., Ill, 1024. 
Stevenson, Lon C., Ill, 1086. 
Stevenson Co-operative Creamery, I, 

403- 

Stevensville, I, 225, 792, 811, 812. 

Stewart, Charles T., I, 869. 

Stewart, David, III, 721. 

Stewart, John A., Ill, 721. 

Stewart, Katherine L., II, 586. 

Stewart, Lon S., II, 1086. 

Stewart, Samuel S., Ill, 777- 

Stewart, Samuel V., sketch of, I, 472; 
868; III, 878. 

Stickney, Ben, Jr., I, 757. 

Stiefel, Edward A., II, 270. 

Stiehl, Frank J., Ill, 1129. 

Stierle, Charles, III, 753. 

Stiles, John M. S., II, 261. 

Stillinger, C. A., Ill, 1277. 

Stillwater county: created, I, 474; irri- 
gation in, 611; description of, 839. 

Stimpert, Adam, II, 611. 

Stinkwater river, I, 222, 230, 231. 

Stinson, Buck, I, 242, 249; execution of, 
264, 332. . 

Stivers, Daniel Gay, I, 643; II, 594. 

Stockett, I, 699. 

Stocking, Margaret, II, 586. 

Stocking, Winfield S., II, 586. 

Stoddard, Amos, I, 27. 

Stoddard, Fred C, II, 23. 

Stoddard, O. F., I, 452. 

Stodden, William T., II, 418. 

Stoebe, Herman, III, 1262. 

Stoebe, Samuel, III, 1263. 

Stoebe, William, III, 1263. 

Stohr, August C., Ill, 1109. 

Stoller, Jacob, III, 1389. 

Stone, A. L., I, 321 ; II, 346. 

Stone, Elbert H., Ill, 705. 

Stone, Franklin L., II, 38. 

Story, Nelson, Jr., I, 869; II, 85. 

Story, Nelson, Sr., I, 322, 544, 547. 

Story, N., I, 217. 

Stout, Charles O., II, 79. 

Stout, Tom: sketch of, I, 471. 

Strasburger, Herman, II, 546. 

Straszer, Walter C., II, 194. 

Straw, I, 717. 

Strevell, J. W., I, 433. 

Strever, William J., II, 196. 

Strickland, O. F., I, 289. 

Stringham, Harry C., II, 214. 



Stripp, Albert E., II, 154. 

Strobel, Roger L., Ill, 1122. 

Strode, Thomas P., Ill, 1233. 

Strong, William G., I, 840. 

Stroup, Charles E., II, 223. 

Stryker, R. N., II, 321. 

Stryker, William, II, 40. 

Stuart, Granville, I, 5; 161, 186, 187, 199, 

221, 222, 226, 282, 283, 316, 322, 395 ; 

appointed State Historian ; his death, 

482. 
Stuart, James, I, 135; (portrait), 136; 

161, 186; commences to study medi- 
cine, 189; igp, 192; saves party from 

Crow Indians, 193; locates Big Horn 

town, 195 ; 197, 199, 209, 221, 226, 282 ; 

death of, 311 ; 312; 798. 
Stuart, Thomas, I, 221. 
Stuart and Anderson, I, 395. 
Stuart Brothers : early years of, and 

coming to Montana, I, 186, 188 ; mine 

in the spring of 1862, 189; 200, 213, 

224, 243. 
Stuart expedition : attacked by Crows, I, 

195-198. 
Stuart's first Yellowstone expedition, I, 

192-199. 
Stuart's second Yellowstone expedition, 

I, 209. 

Stubban, Edward, III, 887. 
Stufft, W. F., Ill, 1304. 
Sturgis, S. D., I, 362. 
Sublette, Milton, I, 108, 120. 
Sublette, William, I, 108, in, 120. 
Sudar, Joseph, II, 390. 
Sugar Beets for the Billings factory 

(illustration), I, 857. 
Sulgrove, Leslie, I, 758, 760. 
Sulier, Alfred J., Ill, 1097. 
Sullivan, Ambrose, III, 698. 
Sullivan, Andrew J., II, 615. 
Sullivan, Fred D., Ill, 758. 
Sullivan, Jeremiah, III, 746. 
Sullivan, Nellie C., II, 440. 
Sully, Alfred, his Sioux campaign of 

1864, I, 292-98. 
Sumatra, I, 821. 
Summer, Milton, I, 851. 
Summer Schools, I, 515. 
Summers, H. L., II, 92. 
Summit Mountain Mining District, I, 

223. 

Summit Valley District, I, 222. 
Sun Dance of the Piegans (illustration), 

I, 169. 
Sun River, I, 229; reclamation project, 

587, 589. 

Sun River Valley, I, 749. 
Sunset, I, 790. 
Superior, I, 778. 
Sutherland, Elizabeth, I, 511. 
Sutter, Julian A., II, 95. 
Sutton, Lucian H., II, 147. 
Sutton, Roy E., Ill, 1386. 
Swain, Henry H., I, 528. 
Swan, Lon T., II, 240. 
Swan, William J., Ill, 957. 
Swanberg, Hugo H., II, 440. 
Swandal, Austin, II, 375. 
Swaney, A. W., Ill, 1275. 
Swaney, Mary A., Ill, 1276. 



INDEX 



xlv 



Swartz, John J., Ill, 1217. 

Swearingen, John R., II, 202. 

Sweat, John A., Ill, 750. 

Sweat, Ruth, III, 750. 

Swee, John P., II, 403. 

Sweeney, Bill, I, 206, 209. 

Sweet, Chester W., Ill, 1433. 

Sweet, S. C, II, 482. 

Sweet, William T., II, 482. 

Sweet, William T., Sr., II, 481. 

Sweet Grass county: created, I, 452; 

irrigation in, 612; description of, 840; 

farming and stock raising, 841. 
Sweetland, Levi H., Ill, 870. 
Sweetman, Luke D., Ill, 907. 
Sweetman, Richard H., Ill, 907. 
Sweitzer, E. C, II, 204. 
Swenson, Christian T., II, 54- 
Swindlehurst, W. J., I, 489. 
Swine raising, I, 400. 
Switzer, J. Bertram, III, 942. 
Switzer, Lew, III, 964. 
Sworder, William, II, 273. 
Sybert, Edward M., II, 245. 
Symes, George G., I, 418, 419, 422. 
Symmes, Weymouth D., II, 209. 

Taber, Charles B., Ill, 1314. 

Taffner, Clarence, III, 1377. 

Talcott, E. H., I, 547- 

Talkington, Henry C., I, 321. 

Tallman, William D., II, 79. 

Tanner, Franklin D., Ill, 1330. 

Tattan, John W., II, 461. 

Taylor, Cecil E., Ill, 973. 

Taylor, Don C., II, 68. 

Taylor, George H., Ill, 1039. 

Taylor, Thomas T., II, 155- 

Taylor, Thompson & Company, I, 219. 

Taylor, William H., II, 578. 

Tbalt, Nicholas, I, 254, 255. 

Teachers' Institutes, I, 497. 

Teachers' Retirement law, I, 511. 

Telyea, Ned A., II, 199. 

Templeman, John L., II, 400. 

Templeton, H. A., I, 696. 

Ten Haf, P. A., I, 732. 

Tennis, Albert L., Ill, 1182. 

Terrace, I, 777. 

Territorial capital fixed, I, 422. 

Territorial Judges (illustration), I, 428. 

Territorial Teachers' Association, I, 497. 

Terry, I, 810. 

Terry, Alfred H., I, 347, 353, 356, 358, 

359- 

Terwilliger, Lewis, II, 234. 

Teton county: created, I, 442, 451; irri- 
gation in, 612; description of, 842. 

Teton irrigation project, I, 584- 

Teton ridge, I, 91. 

Teton River, I, 229. 

Thaler, Joseph A., II, 43L 

Theade, August, III, H94- 

Theodore Roosevelt International High- 
way, I, 744- 

Theony, I, 846. 

Thex, Charles H., Ill, 1084. 

Thien, Henry, III, 986. 

Thomas, Alfred L., II, 39- 

Thomas, Arthur, II, 507. 

Thomas, Ernest W., Ill, 1190. 

Thomas, John P., I, 316. 



Thomas, M. T., I, 292. 
Thomas, Owen J., II, 246. 
Thomas, Robert E., Ill, 1176. 
Thomas, Theodore H., II, 120. 
Thompson, Carl N., Ill, 1240. 
Thompson, Frank M., I, 282. 
Thompson, Frederick. W., Ill, 764. 
Thompson, Harry M., II, 1322. 
Thompson, John, III, 790. 
Thompson, John B., I, 28. 
Thompson, Peter, III, 1190. 
Thompson, Rufus B., II, 137. 
Thompson, T. A., Ill, 1141. 
Thompson, William, I, 219. 
Thompson, William ^3., I, 773. 
Thompson Falls, I, 824. 
Thomson, George C., Ill, 837. 
Thorkelson, Jacob, II, 365. 
Thornton, Charles C., II, 342. 
Thoroughman, Robt. P., Ill, 729. 
Thoroughman, Thomas, I, 282, 289, 291, 

415. 

Thorson, George, III, 660. 
Three Buttes, I, 229. 
Three Forks, I, 729. 
Three Forks Consolidated School, II, 

170. 
Three Forks Mill & Elevator Company, 

III, 1050. 
Three Forks of the Missouri, Clark 

reaches the, I, 46; (illustration), 47; 

89- 
Three Forks Portland Cement Company, 

I, 719, 720. 

Three Forks Post abandoned, I, 104. 
Three-thousand-mile Island, I, 52. 
Thurber, Charles D., II, 307. 
Thurmond, J., I, 249. 
Tiegen, I, 717. 

Tilly, George H., death of, I, 644- 
Tilzey, Harold C., II, 139. 
Timber on the State lands : regulation 

of, I, 484- 

Timmons, Jacob C., II, 630. 
Tingley, Robert S., Ill, 667. 
Tinklepaugh, Albert, II, 146. 
Tinsley, Basil, III, 1197. 
Tobacco Plains, I, 172; dispute as to 

ownership, 175. 
Tobacco Root, I, 91. 
Tobinski, John J., I, 786; II, 441. 
Todd, Calvin, III, 1235. 
Tolle, Arthur, II, 490. 
Toole, Edwin W., I, 282. 
Toole, E. W., I, 421. 
Toole, E. Warren, I, 430, 433, 443- 
Toole, Joseph K., I, 378, 409, 4*9, 422, 

431, 441, 443; sketch of, 443; (por- 
trait), 444; 457, 46o, 858. 
Toole county: irrigation in, I, 613; 

description of, 843. 
Tope, Joseph C., Ill, 131 1- 
Torgrimson, Henry A., II, 295. 
Toston, I, 676. 
Totman, James E., II, 534- 
Tourists' Park, Billings, I, 853. 
Tourtlotte, Ira B., II, 597- 
Town Gulch, Butte, I, 223. 
Town of Poison (illustration), I, 724. 
Townsend, I, 676. 
Tracht, Simon J., Ill, 695. 



xlvi 



INDEX 



Tracy, John J., II, 1138. 
Tracy, Mortimer O., Ill, 1357. ' 
Trandum, Einar H., Ill, 1349. 

Transportation : McKenzie inaugurates 
steamboat navigation on the Yellow- 
stone, I, 113; river, by mackinaw boat, 
137; first steamboat arrives at Fort 
Union, 138. 

Travelers' Rest Creek, I, 58, 61. 

"Travels in the Interior of America" 
(Bradbury), I, 69. 

Travis, James, III, 670. 

Travis, Jane, III, 671. 

Travona, I, 371, 373. 

Treasure county: irrigation in, I, 613; 
description of, 844. 

Tregloan, Thomas D., II, 404. 

Trepp, Michael, III, 1359. 

Trevillion, Samuel J., II, 537. 

Trident, I, 729. 

Trinder, Charles R., Ill, 784. 

Trodick, Alfred J., Ill, 702. 

Trott, Charlie T., II, 192. 

Trout Creek, I, 824. 

Trower, J. H., II, 119. 

Troy, I, 770. 

Truax, Charles S., II, 423. 

Truitt, L. W., Ill, 1178. 

Trumper, May, I, 502; biennial report 
for 1920, 503-528; 5ii, 528, 869; II, 
622. 

Truscott, John B., II, 157. 

Trusler, Harvey S., Ill, 1268. 

Tubbs, Charles C, III, 900. 

Tucker, Frank F., II, 49. 

Tucker, Roscoe V., Ill, 1042. 

Tullock, A. J.. I, 127, 140, 141. 

Tuohy, William M., II, 516. 

Tuolumne Mining Co., I, 836. 

Turk, John C., I, 415. 

Turk, J. C., I, 289. 

Turnbull, William N., II, 474. 

Turner, Charles F., Ill, 1023. 

Turner, Harry W., II, 542. 

Tutt, G., I, 222. 

Tuttle, Arthur, III, 663. 

Tweedie, J. Andrew, III, 967. 

Twin Bridges, I, 771, 775. 

Twin Buttes Game Preserve, I, 749. 

Twining, W. R., II, 636. 

Two Dot, I, 848. 

Tyler, Clayton H., Ill, 1156. 

Tyler, Reginald G., Ill, 1164. 

Tyner, Frank J., Ill, 930. 

Tyson, Harry B., Ill, 946. 

Ueland, Andrew, III, 902. 

Ueland, Justus L., Ill, 1180. 

Ueland, Rasmus R., Ill, 805. 

Uehlinger, John E., Ill, 854. 

Ulm, William M., Ill, 684. 

Ulmer, I, 703. 

Underground mines at Butte, I, 836. 

Underwood, Drewyer, I, 192, 196, 197. 

Union Central Pacific Railroad, I, 559. 

Union Pacific System, I, 558, 559. 

Unionville mining district, $4,110,000, I, 

766. 
United States Assay Office, Helena, I, 

763. 



United States Government Fish Hatch- 
ery, Bridger Canyon, I, 732. 

United States Gypsum Company, I, 720. 

United States officials (June, 1921), I, 
868. 

United States Reclamation enterprises 
defined, I, 590. 

United States Reclamation Service : 
work of the, I, 585-90. 

United States Senatorial election made 
popular, I, 476. 

United States Senatorship : contest over 
(1889), I, 445-58. 

United States Volunteer Cavalry 
(Rough Riders), I, 643. 

University Hall, I, 534. 

University of Montana: foundation laid, 
I, 496, 500; under supervision of State 
Board of Education, 528; origin and 
scope, 529; results of unified adminis- 
tration, 530; student enrollments, 532; 
consolidation of, 544. 

Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Park, 
I, 118. 

Upper Stillwater Lake, Blackfeet Na- 
tional Forest (illustration), I, 622. 

Upton, John, I, 209. 

Utah & Northern (Union Pacific) Rail- 
road, I, 375, 407; extends into Mon- 
tana, 558. 

Vagg, Harry A., II, 256. 

Valencia, I, 848. 

Valier irrigation project, I, 583. 

Valiton, Ribot J., II, 149. 

Valley county: alfalfa (illustration), I, 
401 ; county created, 443, 451 ; irriga- 
tion in, 613; description of, 845. 

Valley of Sin-Yal-min, I, 157. 

Van, John, III, 1248. 

Vananda, I, 821. 

Vanatta, Frank C., Ill, 822. 

van den Broeck, Victor J., II, 26. 

Vanderbilt, John, I, 192, 209. 

vander Pauwert, John, III, 1384. 

Van Duzen Company, I, 877. 

Van Duzen Oil Company, I, 388. 

Van Etten, Lee M., II, 519. 

Van Laken, Peter J., II, 57. 

Vannett, Alba M., Ill, 1423. 

Van Vorous, Benjamin, III, 1147. 

Varco, C. Earl, III, 1074. 

Vaughan, A. J., I, 163, 167. 

Vaughan, Patrick, I, 306. 

Vaughn, L. H., II, 296. 

Vaughn, Robert, I, 392. 

Veach, F. L, III, 1050. 

Veblen, Thorkel A., II, 433. 

Verendrye, Pierre de La, I, father and 
sons, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; discovers the Rocky 
Mountains, 9, 10; last years of, I, u. 

Verona Town Company : records, site of 
Virginia City, I, 217. 

Veterans' Welfare Commission, I, 488. 

Vezina, William R., Ill, 1162. 

Viall, John D., Ill; 1408. 

Vickers, Robert, I, 773; III, 714. 

Victor (Salish chief), I, 157. 

Victor, I, 792, 812. 

Vida, I, 777. 

Vigilante Trail, I, 771. 



INDEX 



xlvii 



"Vigilantes in Montana" (Dimsdale), I, 

217, 243, 247, 261, 275. 
Vigilantes of Montana, I, 242-277; or- 
ganization of, 260; last work of, 275, 

276, 277. 

Vilas, J. C, II, 269. 
Villard, Henry, I, 560. 
Vincelette, Azarias G., Ill, 1385. 
Virginia City: founding of (Blake), I, 

216; incorporated, 220; 232, 298; 

fourth and fifth Assemblies at, 312; 

3335 territorial capital contest, 422; 

771; of today, 772-75- 
Virginia City Gas Company, I, 286. 
Virginia City Water Company, I, 285, 

773. 

Vivion county organized, I, 469. 
Vocational education, I, 545. 
Vocational work, I, 516. 
Vollum, Alfred T., Ill, 814. 
Volstead, Andrew J., I, 490. 
Volstead Act, I, 490. 
Volunteer Signal Corps, Montana, I, 

643, 644. 

von Dachenhausen, A., II, 545. 
Von Eschen, Frank, II, 228. 

Waber, Julius, III, 1012. 

Wachholz, John, III, 1440. 

Wade, Decius S., I, 404, 412; service as 

chief justice, 419; 421, 427; (portrait), 

428; retires as chief justice, 430; 434. 
Wade, D. S., I, 758, 760. 
Wade, John, I, 581. 
Wagenbreth, Charles J., Ill, 1396. 
Wagnild, Otto, III, 751. 
Wagoner, John (Dutch), I, 249, 263; 

execution of, 268; 334. 
Wait, Mrs. Guy, I, 721. 
Waite, Charles W., Ill, 928. 
Waite, John D., II,. 175. 
Waite, William T., Ill, 1108. 
Wakefield, Lawrence, III, 1435. 
Walker, Annie P., Ill, 1160. 
Walker, Frank C., II, 521. 
Walker, Hugh C., Ill, 786. 
Walker, I. N., II, 561. 
Walker, James G., I, 322. 
Walker, J. W., I, 869. 
Walker, Leonard O., II, 183. 
Walker, Nancy J., Ill, 856. 
Walker, Noble M., II, 107. 
Walker, Samuel C., II, 643. 
Walker, Thomas J., II, 521. 
Walker Brothers, I, 373- 
Walkerville, I, 827, 834, 836. 
Wall, Frank M., II, 595- 
Wall, Nicholas, I, 183, 287, 558. 
Wallace, J. D., II, 476. 
Wallace, Robert B.: death of, I, 454 J 

645; (portrait), 646. 
Waller, Oliver P., Ill, 1166. 
Wallin, Charles C., II, 84. 
Wallinder, Peter, III, 693. 
Walsh, J. A., I, 461, 868. 
Walsh, Patrick J., Ill, 855. 
Walsh, Thomas J., I, 463, 47* ', sketch 

of, 491 ; 760, 868. 
Walters, N. P., II, 5^5- 
Walton, Ernest L., Ill, 965. 
Warner, William, III, 870. 



Wandell, Alexander, III, 756. 

Warfield, I, 770. 

Warner, Alfred C., Ill, 749. 

Warren, Charles S., I, 222, 316, '320, 

834, 835; II, I. 
Warren, Fred R., II, 93. 
Warren, Henry L., I, 419, 422. 
Washoe Copper Company, I, 377. 
Washoe Sampler, I, 380. 
Water of the Cottonwood Groves 

(Stinkwater), I, 222. 
Wate Rights legislation in Montana, I, 

590. 

Waters, Harry J., II, 51. 
Watkins, I, 777. 
Watkins, Charles F., Ill, 1048. 
Watkins, Charles L., I, 654. 
Watkins, Cyrus D., I, 192, 196, 197. 
Watson, John P., II, 428. 
Watson, Robert H., II, 108. 
Wear, William E., Ill, 1376. 
Weaver, George H., Ill, 1156. 
Weaver, James A., II, 119. 
Weaver, Samuel C., II, 133. 
Webb, William H., II, 475. 
Webster, C. M., I, 698. 
Webster, Frederick C., II, 461. 
Weed, Walter H., I, 374- 
Weightman, John, III, 795. 
Weil, Charles A., II, 185. ' 
Weinrich, Frank A., Ill, 1139. 
Weinschrott, John, III, 1312. 
Weir, Taylor B., Ill, 739. 
Weitman, Lutie, I, 698. 
Welch, W. W., I, 502. 
Weld, Horace A., II, 148. 
Weldon, I, 777. 
Weldon, James M., II, 7- 
Wellcome, George P., II, 379- 
Welliver, Earl M., II, 568. 
Wellman, William, II, 622. 
Wells, Hugh R., Ill, 1346. 
Wells, Willis C, II, 62. 
Welsh, Thomas W., II, 596. 
Wentworth, Charles L., II, in. 
Wentz, Michael R., Ill, 801. 
Wernham, James L, II, 96. 
Werner, William, I, 28. 
Wesch, Philip, II, 85. 
West, Belle H., III., 1313. 
West, Charles M., Ill, 1313. 
West, Sterling C., Ill, 1371. 
Western Central Basin of Montana, I, 

230. 

Western Lumber Company, I, 781. _ 
"Western Missions and Missionaries" 

(De Smet), I, 151. 
Western Montana Fair Association, I, 

786. 

Western Montana Park-to-Park High- 
way Route, I, 783- 
Western Newspaper Union, Billings, I, 

854. 

Westmore, I, 7*4- 
Weston, Charles J., II, 618. 
Weston, D. H., I, 404- 
Westover, George A., II, 375- 
Westover, Robert L., Ill, 1432. 
Wharton, Jesse R., II, 519. 
Wheat Basin, I, 840. 



r. 



xlviii 



INDEX 



Wheat Harvest of Fergus county (illus- 
tration, I, 716. 

Wheatland county: created, I, 482; irri- 
gation in, 614; description of, 846. 

Wheatland County Wheat Farm (illus- 
tration), I, 847. 

Wheaton, Sherwood, I, 761. 

Wheeler, Burton K., II, 7. 

Wheeler, Frank O., II, 614. 

Wheeler, W. F., I, 186. 

Whipps, William C., II, 187. 

Whipps, William O., II, 182. 

Whitcomb, Harry S., Ill, 1048. 

White, Arthur, III, 943. 

White, A. A., Ill, 1274. 

White, Benjamin F., sketch of, I, 412, 
413, 669, 868; II, 315- 

White, John, I, 190, 191, 250. 

White, Walter B., II, 279. 

White Earth River, I, 29, 30. 

White Slave law passed, I, 469. 

White Sulphur Springs, I, 778. 

White Sulphur Springs and Yellowstone 
Park Railroad, I, 568. 

Whitebear Islands, I, 43, 59. 

Whitefish, I, 725. 

Whitehall, I, 746. 

Whitehouse, Joseph, I, 28, 46. 

Whitehpuse Creek, I, 46. 

Whitepine, I, 824. 

Whiteside bill, I, 535. 

Whitetail, I, 708. 

Whitford, O. B., I, 316. 

Whitlach, J. W., I, 757. 

Whitlash, I, 768. 

Whitlatch Mine, I, 765. 

Whitlock, Albert N., II, 444. 

Whitman, Marcus, I, 145. 

Whitney, Janet, III, 1209. 

Whittinghill, J. N., II, 221. 

Whitty, Patrick J., II, 572. 

Whyte, Frederick W. C., II, 425. 

Whyte, Jeffrey P., II, 89. 

Wibaux, I, 848. 

Wibaux, Pierre, I, 703. 

Wibaux county: irrigation in, I, 614; 
description of, 848. 

Wickes-Corbin mining district, $57,915,- 
ooo, I, 766. 

Widdifield, Cecil J., I, 662. 

Wiggins, Frank, II, 310. 

Wilcox, Clyde, III, 763. 

Wilcox, Paul D., II, 450. 

Wilcox, Philip B., Ill, 1124. 

Wild, Levi S., Ill, 1223. 

Wilder, Davis E., II, 500. 

Wiley, A. S., I, 397. 

Wiley, Bert E., II. 621. 

Wiley, H. B., I, 707. 

Wilhelm, Albert C., II, 480. 

Wilhelm, Charles C, II, 255. 

Wilkinson, Herbert T., II, 464. 

Wilkinson, James, I, 18. 

Willard, Alexander, I, 28. 

Willard's Creek, I, 230. 

Williams, I, 804. 

Williams, Captain, I, 273, 274. 

Williams, Charles H. (Deer Lodge), II, 
339- 

Williams, Charles H. (Lewistown), III, 
1290. 



Williams, Daniel S., Ill, 1227. 
Williams, Frank E., II, 157. 
Williams, Griffith A., II, 46. 
Williams, Henry, I, 343. 
Williams, Henry F., I, 419. 
Williams, H. J., I, 732. 
Williams, James, I, 260, 286. 
Williams, Joseph J., I, 415. 
Williams, Julius, II, 165. 
Williams, J. W., I, 511. 
, Williams, Robert S., I, 698. 
Williams Creek, I, 230. 
Williamson, Albert E., Ill, 1339. 
Willis, Charles C, II, 80. 
Williston, L. P., I, 298, 414, 416. 
Willow Creek, I, 729. 
Wills, Maude B., Ill, 1397. 
Willson, Fred F., II, 319. 
Willson, L. S., I, 547- 
Wilsall, I, 801. 
Wilson, Charles, II, 72. 
Wilson, Harry L., II, 47. 
Wilson, Henry H., II, 22. 
Wilson, John R., I, 316. 
Wilson, Justice, L., Ill, 1082. 
Wilson, M. L., I, 707. 
Wilson, Robert H., I, 760. 
Wilson, Roy O., II, 94. 
Wiltner, William E., Ill, 710. 
Wines, Josiah L., II, 538. 
Winifred, I, 717. 
Wininger, McClellan, II, 634. 
Winkelmann, William F., Ill, 964. 
Winnecook, I, 848. 
Winnett, I, 717. 
Winsor, Richard, I, 28. 
Winston mining district, $3,560,000, I, 

766. 

Winter, Al G., II, 212. 
Winter, Christian F., Ill, 1148. 
Winter, Harold H., II, 212. 
Wiper, Charles, II, 15. 
Wisconsin Gulch, I, 231. 
Wisdom river, I, 60, 61. 
Wise, John S., Ill, 1002. 
Wiser, Peter, I, 28. 
Witherspoon, Thomas C., Ill, 1211. 
Withington, Hal S., Ill, 1244. 
Witt, William, II, 33. 
Wogan, Qle C., II, 376. 
Wolcott, J. Herman, II, 248. 
Wolf Creek, I, 749. 
Wolf mountains, I, 91. 
Wolf Point, I, 817. 
.Wolfskill, Joseph M., II, 177. 
Wolwin, A. B., I, 836. 
Women in the State University, I, 541. 
Women's Self-Governing Association : 

State University, I, 542. 
Wood, Charles L., Ill, 1210. 
Wood, George J., I, 211, 212. 
Wood, J. C., I, 878, 885; III, 1152. 
Wood, J. M., I, 219, 257. 
Woodbridge, J. T., I, 380. 
Woodburn, Burl, III, 1387. 
Woodburn, William W., Ill, 1386. 
Woodbury, Frederick E., Ill, 1071. 
Woodbury, L. S., Ill, 1070. 
Woodbury, M. Cerula, III, 1072. 
Woodman, Martin L., Ill, 1415. 
Woods, George M., I, 758, 760. 



INDEX 



xlix 



Woods, Louis B., Ill, 1004. 

Woods, Patrick W., Ill, 738. 

Woodworth, Charles, II, 75. 

Woody, Frank H., I, 132, 161, 223, 225, 
316, 426, 431; (portrait), 432. 

Woolfolk, Alex M., I, 415. 

Woolston, Ernest, III, 1318. 

Word, R. Lee, I, 436. 

Word, Samuel, I, 282, 284, 289, 316, 422. 

Worden, I, 856. 

Worden, Frank L., I, 223; (portrait), 
224; 282, 784. 

Worden and Company, I, 223. 

Worden & Company (Missoula), I, 225. 

Work, Lester P., II, 88. 

Working, S. S., II, 325. 

Workman's Compensation act, I, 488. 

World's War: Governor Dixon on, I, 
486 ; Montana in, 650-663 ; total man 
power raised, 651 ; first Montana man 
to fall, 652 ; honor men from Montana, 
653-663 ; Distinguished Service Cross 
men, 654-663 ; Liberty Loan campaigns 
in, 663; Montana's subscription to 
loans and funds, 663-665; Montana's 
allotments and subscriptions, 666. 

Worthington, Lenord L., II, 229. 

Worrell, Stephen, I, 18. 

Wright, I, 848. 

Wright, Al, III, 1441. 

Wright, Clark, I, 496. 

Wright, Edmund, II, 117. 

Wright, Frank A., Ill, 1412. 

Wright, Frank E., II, 299. 

Wright, George, I, 302. 

Wright, George A., II, 223. 

Wright, George F., Ill, 1292. 

Wyeth, I, 121. 

Wyeth, Nathaniel J., I, 120. 

Wylie, W. W., I, 497- 

Wyman, Cyrus K., II, 263. 

Wyola, I, 674. 

Yager, Erastus (Red), I, 247; hanging 

of, 260-63. 
Yankee Flat, I, 328. 



Yates, I, 848. 

Yegen, Christian, II, 327. 

Yegen, Peter, II, 327. ^ 

Yellow Pine Forests in Lincoln county 

(illustration), I, 628. 
Yellowstone county: number and value 

of cattle (1884), I, 395; irrigation in, 

614; description of, 850; irrigated and 

non-irrigated lands of, 857 ; live stock 

raising in, 858; dairy farming in, 859. 
Yellowstone Lake, I, 69. 
Yellowstone National Park, geysers, I, 

118; 633. 

Yellowstone Park memorials, I, 481. 
Yellowstone River : falls and rapids of 

(illustration), I, 70; naming of, 78; 

geological origin of, 96. 
Yellowstone Trail, I, 570, 575, 730, 783, 

850. 

Y-G-Bee Line, I, 778. 
York (Negro), I, 28, 44. 
York, James N., I, 192, 196, 198. 
Young, Cleveland M., II, 361. 
Young, George T., Ill, 1439. 
Young, George W., II, 135. 
Young, Ignace, I, 144, 145. 
Young, John F., Ill, 1274. 
Young, William H., Ill, 1353. 
Young, William L., Ill, 927. 
Young, Winfield S., Ill, 776. 
Young, W. E., Ill, 1439. 
Young Men's Christian Association of 

Miles City, I, 704. 
Young Men's Christian Association, 

Bozeman, I, 732. 
Young Women's Christian Association, 

Missoula, I, 786. 

Zachary, Robert, I, 249. 
Zebinatti, Peter: death of, I, 154- 
Zeidler, Leo G., II, 4. 
Zeman, Joseph P., Ill, 1447- 
Ziebarth, Albert W., Ill, 886. 
Zimmerman, Ami, III, 1271. 
Zinc, mining of, I, 382; output IQO&- 
1918, 383. 



History of Montana 



CHAPTER I 

APPROACHES TO THE "LAND OF THE SHINING 
MOUNTAINS" 

In the days of ancient classic lore when Rome was sending her legions 
into the rocky mountains of Western Europe, the Latin authors spoke 
of the strange and unexplored land as Montana the land of the moun- 
tains. Thus the name became attached to the American Land of the 
Mountains, although her lovers of several generations have chosen to 
think of her in the .translated poetry of the Indian christening bestowed 
upon the Rocky Mountains the Land of the Shining Mountains. Vague 
rumors reached the whites of the New World that such poetic and grand 
christening was based upon the prosaic but enticing fact of reflected 
light from precious minerals and stones. The magnet was one with 
that which drew the Spaniards into the interior of southern United States. 

Besides the lust for precious substance, the French especially were 
possessed with a religious ardor for the conversion of the natives and 
an unquenchable spirit of adventure in the discovery and exploration 
of unknown rivers and lands. America discovered as a continent, the 
second great quest for the adventurers, geographers and royalists of 
France was to trace the grand waterways at which the Indians had per- 
sistently hinted, winding their splendid courses from The Mississippi 
Valley to the coast of the Pacific. 

LA HONTAN'S "LONG RIVER" 

In 1690-1703, La Hontan, a French baron, adventurer and somewhat 
romancer, explored the country around the headwaters of the Mississippi 
and wrote a purported account of his travels and "adventures." In the 
maps which he published, Long River appeared as a distinguishing 
feature. It was outside of his immediate field of investigation and 
probably drawn from rather vague information which he had obtained 
from the Sioux of the upper Mississippi valley. From the fact that he 
was a proven prevaricator, in many respects, most historians put down 
Long River as a figment of his imagination. Others more charitable, like 

Vol. I 1 1 





LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION IN MONTANA 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 3 

the late Joaquin Miller, who wrote a history of Montana in 1894, give 
him this credit : "This is unjust to La Hontan, for there is good reason 
to believe that the information concerning Long river which he obtained 
from the Indians referred to the Missouri, but in passing through the 
many intervening tribes, it became greatly exaggerated. For instance, 
the many lakes on Long River do exist in the vicinity of the headwaters 
of the Missouri such as Flathead lake, Henry's lake, Jackson lake, 
Yellowstone lake, Lake Pahkokee, Great Salt lake, etc., but by the 
time the knowledge of them reached the Indians with whom he came 
in contact, it is very natural they should locate them all on and along the 
upper Missouri, and it may also be that La Hontan could but very im- 
perfectly understand them, and therefore may have made these mis- 
takes himself." 

ENTER THE CATHOLIC PRIESTS 

Among those who severely criticised La Hontan was Father Bobe, a 
learned priest of Versailles, who, nevertheless, held that the Mississippi 
swerved toward the west and south and was constantly urging the 
French government to search for a northern interior route to the 
Pacific. On the I5th of March, 1716, he wrote to De L'Isle, geographer 
of the Academy of Science, at Paris: "They tell me that among the 
Sioux of the Mississippi there are always Frenchmen trading; that the 
course of the Mississippi is from north to west and from west to south; 
that it is known that toward the source there is in the highlands a river 
that leads to the western ocean. * * * For the last two years I tor- 
mented exceedingly the governor-general, M. Raudot, and M. Duche, to 
endeavor to discover this ocean. If I succeed, as I hope, we shall have 
tidings before three years, and I shall have the pleasure and the consola- 
tion of having rendered a good service to geography, to religion and to the 
state." 

DUKE OF ORLEANS COMMENCES WESTERN EXPLORATIONS 

At this period, France was being ruled by the Duke of Orleans, as 
regent, who decided to launch the great adventure in a practical way by 
establishing three bases of supply for the western explorations. The 
first of these was at the head of Lake Superior near the mouth of the 
Kaministiguia River, where Sieur Greysolon DuLuth had founded a post 
as early as 1678; a second was ordered to be built at Lac des Cristineaux 
(Lake of the Woods) and a third at Lake Winnipeg. The work of 
construction was under the supervision of Lieut. Robertel de la 
None. These posts were not to be a charge on the French government. 
Parkman says, in his "Half Century of Conflict," that "by a device 
common in such cases, those who built and maintained them were to be 
paid by a monopoly of the fur trade in the adjacent countries." Once 
the posts were established, however, it would be incumbent upon the 
government to equip, pay and direct the future explorations.* 



* Historical Magazine, New York, 1859. 



4 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

CHARLEVOIX INVESTIGATES 

During the first year, little more was accomplished than the building 
of a stockade at the mouth of the Kaministiguia. Then passed three 
years, when the Duke of Orleans sent Charlevoix, the learned Jesuit, to 
Canada to investigate these rumors of a great western waterway to 
a great Western Sea, and in this work he spent a year among the 
Indians and whites of the upper lake region, making full records of 
his travels and conclusions for the benefit of the French archives and 
posterity. 

Pierre Margry, keeper of the French archives in Paris, says of 
Charlevoix's plans, formed as a result of his visit to the country of the 
upper Mississippi : "The Regent, in choosing between the two plans 
that Father Charlevoix presented to him at the close of his journey 
for the attainment of a knowledge of the Western Sea, through an 
unfortunate prudence, rejected the suggestion which, it is true, was the 
most expensive and uncertain, viz., an expedition up the Missouri to its 
source and beyond, and decided to establish a post among the Sioux. 
The post of the Sioux was consequently established in 1727. Father 
Conor, a Jesuit missionary who had gone upon the expedition, we are 
told, was, however, obliged to return without being able to discover 
anything that would satisfy the expectations of the Court about the 
Western Sea." 

The decade of attempts to establish the post at Lake Pepin, named 
Fort Beauharnois (after the governor of Canada), and the mission, 
St. Michael, was surcharged with disaster of flood and Indian assault, and 
in 1737 its commander, Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, abandoned all attempts 
to get in touch with the Sioux and advised his superiors that they should 
be exterminated. 

THE VERENDRYES, FATHER AND SONS 

In the meantime, Pierre Gaulthier de Varenne (known afterward as 
Sieur de La Verendrye), a native of a worthy French Canadian family 
of Three Rivers, who had served as a brave soldier of fortune in the 
War of the Spanish Succession, returned to Canada and become a 
coureur de bois, had his mind full of these tales of Western rivers and a 
Western Sea. Furthermore, the Indians stories were being repeatedly 
enforced by testimony presented by the priests with whom he came 
in contact. 

In his middle age, Verendrye was so well established as a fur trader 
that in 1728 he was in command of the post at Lake Nepigon, Canada, 
whose waters flow into Lake Superior from the north. The most complete 
account of his endeavors to explore the great western interior in search 
of a transcontinental waterway, for which historic event he laid the 
foundation and two of his sons enjoyed the realization, was prepared 
forty-five years ago by Rev. E. D. Neill, historian and president of 
Macalester College, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and to his paper were 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 5 

added valuable notes by Granville Stuart, the gold pioneer and long a 
leader in the up-building of the Historical Society of Montana. 

While stationed at Lake Nepigon, Verendrye received from the 
Indians such positive assurances as to a river which flowed toward the 
Sea of the West that he resolved to make an exploration. At Mackinaw, 
while on his way to confer with the government of Canada upon the 
subject, Father de Conor arrived from the post which had been estab- 
lished among the Sioux nearly opposite Maiden Rock, Wisconsin, on 
the shores of Lake Pepin. The latter is an expansion of the Mississippi 
River, about midway between Minnesota and Wisconsin. "After an 
interchange of views," says Dr. Neill's narrative, "the priest promised 
to assist him as far as he could in obtaining a permit and outfit for the 
establishment of a post among the Knisteneaux, or the Assiniboels, 
from which to go farther west. 

"Charles de Beauharnois, then governor of Canada, gave him a 
respectful hearing, and carefully examined the map of the region west 
of the great lakes, which had been drawn by Otchaga, the Indian guide of 
Verendrye. Orders were soon given to fit out an expedition of fifty men. 
It left Montreal in 1731, under the conduct of his sons and nephew, he 
not joining the party until 1733, in consequence of the detention of 
business. After establishing several posts and forts between Rainy 
Lake and Lake Winnipeg, their advance was stopped in the Winnipeg 
region by the exhaustion of supplies. In April, 1735, arrangements were 
made for a second equipment and a fourth son joined the expedition. 

"In June, 1736, while twenty-one of the expedition were camped 
upon an isle in the Lake of the Woods, they were surprised by a band 
of Sioux hostile to the French allies, 'the Knisteneaux, and all killed. 
The island, upon this account, is called in the early maps Massacre Island. 
A few days after, a party of five Canadian voyagers discovered their 
dead bodies and scalped heads. Father Ouneau, the missionary, was 
found upon one knee, an arrow in his head, his breast bare, his left hand 
touching the ground and the right hand raised. 

"Among the slaughtered was also a son of Verendrye, who had a 
tomahawk in his back, and his body was adorned with garters and brace- 
lets of porcupine. The father was at the fort at the Lake of the Woods 
when he received the news of his son's murder, and about the satae time 
heard of the death of his enterprising nephew. * * * On the 3rd of 
October, 1738, they built an advance post, Fort Le Reine, on the River 
Assiniboine, which they called St. Charles, and beyond was a branch 
called St. Pierre. These two rivers received the baptismal name of 
Verendrye, which was Pierre, and Governor Beauharnois (governor of 
Canada), which was Charles. This post (Fort La Reine) became the 
center of trade, and point of departure for explorations either north 
or south." 

At this newly established post, La Verendrye received news from 
the Assiniboines (a friendly offshot of the Sioux) of the existence of 
the strange Mantanes (Mandans), or White Beards, of the Dakota 
family, whose villages were along the Missouri. They received that name 



6 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

from the fact that they became gray haired so young. The Assiniboines 
also assured the leader of the expedition, which was more to his mind, 
that the Mandans knew the way to the Western Sea and would furnish 
him guides thither. On the i8th of October, 1738, La Verendrye, with 
three of his sons and a mixed company of Indians and French Canadians, 
to the number of fifty-two, started for the land of the Mandans. The 
succeeding ten days took them, as is believed, to Turtle Mountain, thence 
along the Assiniboine and the Mouse rivers toward their destination, 
gathering friendly and helpful Indian guides on the way. On the 28th 
of October, the first Mandans were seen, and La Verendrye's journal 
contains their first description by white men. At the time of his visit 
during the first days of* December, they occupied six villages on the 
banks of the Missouri, in what is now the northwestern part of North 
Dakota; and La Verendrye called the Missouri "the Great River of the 
Couhatchatte Nation." While thus engaged in friendly intercourse, the 
leader was robbed of all the presents which he had brought with which 
to propitiate the Indians along the route of his western journey, and 
was therefore obliged to retrace his way to Fort La Reine to replace 
his stock of gifts which was, perhaps, the most necessary part of his 
outfit. Leaving two of his men among the Mandans to learn their 
language and collect information which might be of benefit to him, La 
Verendrye retraced his way to Fort La Reine. It was a terrible journey, 
in the dead of a bitter northern winter, and was not completed until 
near the middle of February. 

It was not until September, 1739, that the two men who had been 
living with the Mandans returned to Fort La Reine to report to their 
leader. They brought tidings of strange western tribes who had visited 
the Mandans in the conduct of trade and told of a Great Salt Lake 
and the Great Salt Water. La Verendrye therefore dispatched to the 
Mandan villages as large a company as he could gather under his oldest 
son, Pierre, with instructions to secure guides and push on to the 
Western Ocean. But when La Verendrye, the younger, reached his 
destination, the Indians of the farther west who professed to know of 
the existence of that Western Ocean had departed from the Mandan 
villages and left no trace behind them. In the summer of 1740, he 
therefore did no more than to bring to Fort La Reine another bitter 
disappointment to the elder man, already nearly crushed with bodily and 
mental struggles. 

In the year named, La Verendrye went to Montreal for the third 
time to solicit aid in support of his futile attempts to open up a western 
way. Instead of proffered assistance, he found hungry creditors awaiting 
him. In his journal, published in Margry's collections, he further 
describes the pitiful state of his affairs : "In spite of the derangement of 
my affairs, the envy and jealousy of various persons impelled them to 
write letters to the court insinuating that I thought of nothing but 
making my fortune. If more than forty thousand livres of debt which 
I have on my shoulders are an advantage, then I can flatter myself that 
I am very rich. In all my misfortunes I have the consolation of seeing 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 7 

that M. de Beauharnois enters into my views, recognizes the uprightness 
of my intentions, and does me justice in spite of opposition." 

Francis Parkman, in his "Half Century of Conflict," Vol. II, p. 34, 
says: "Beauharnois twice appealed to the court to give La Verendrye 
some little aid, urging that he was at the end of his resources, and that 
a grant of 30,00x3 francs, or 6,000 dollars, would enable him to find a 
way to the Pacific. All help was refused, but La Verendrye was told 
that he might let out his forts to other traders and so raise means to 
pursue the discovery." 

THE VERENDRYE BROTHERS START WESTWARD 

Now broken in health and subdued in spirit, the father turned over 
his dear enterprise to his more vigorous sons, Pierre de La Verendrye 
and the Chevalier, who, with two fellow Frenchmen, again headed for the 
Mandans on the Missouri, in the spring of 1742. They left the Lake of 
the Woods on the 2gth of April and reached the Missouri after about 
three weeks of travel. After impatiently waiting for the coming of 
some western Indians, called Horse Indians by the Mandans, and passing 
the spring and summer in tiresome inaction, the young Frenchmen 
induced two of their red friends to guide them to the camping grounds 
of the Horse tribe. These were found to be deserted. Parkman believes 
the site of this camp to be west of the Little Missouri "and perhaps a 
part of the Powder River Range." The locality would seem, at least, 
to have been in Southeastern Montana. The time was in August, 1742, 
and it was not until nearly a month later, after one of the Mandan 
guides had deserted the party, that the four Frenchmen met a band of 
Indians whom they called Les Beaux Hommes, or Handsome Men 
believed to be the Crows. They were enemies of the Mandans, and 
the remaining guide of that tribe hastily deserted. The expedition 
remained some three weeks with the Handsome Men, and on October 
9th continued its explorations in a southwesterly direction, still looking 
for the Horse Indians. 

When the four reached the village of these evident nomads, they 
were told that the tribe Bows, still to the southwest, would enlighten 
them as to the Western Ocean. As was customary, each tribe referred 
the whites to a more distant tribe. This seemed to have been the settled 
policy of the red man to lure the white farther and farther from his 
own, and by the attrition of hard travel and slaughter attempt to wear 
away his strength and life. 

INDIAN PICTURE OF 1742 

When, in October, 1742, the Frenchmen at last reached the lodges 
of the long-sought Horse Indians (as stated by Parkman, who adapts 
his narrative from the Chevalier's journal), they found them in the 
extremity of distress and terror. Their camp resounded with howls 
and wailings, and not without cause, for the Snakes or Shoshones a 



'8 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

formidable people living farther westward had lately destroyed most 
of their tribe. The Snakes were the terror of that country. The 
brothers were told that the year before they had destroyed seventeen 
villages, killing warriors and old women, and carrying off the young 
women and children as slaves. 

Parkman, who, as he observes in a footnote, draws the particulars 
of his description from "repeated observations of similar scenes," draws 
a graphic picture ("Half Century of Conflict/' Vol. II, p. 48) of this 
breaking-up of the camp. "The squaws," he says, "took down the lodges 
and the march began over prairies dreary and brown with the withering 
touch of autumn. The spectacle was such as men still young have seen 
in these western lands, but which no man will see again. The vast plain 
swarmed with the moving multitude. The tribes of the Missouri and 
Yellowstone had by this time abundance of horses, the best of which 
were used for war and hunting, and the others as beasts of burden. 
These last were equipped in a peculiar manner. Several of the long 
poles used to frame the tepees or lodges were secured by one end to 
each side of a rude saddle, while the other end trailed on the ground. 
Crossbars lashed to the poles just behind the horse kept them three or 
four feet apart, and formed a firm support, on which was laid, compactly 
folded the buffalo-skin covering of the lodge. On this again sat a 
mother with her young family, sometimes stowed for safety in a large 
open willow basket, with the occasional addition of some domestic pet 
such as a tame raven, a puppy or even a small bear cub. Other horses 
were laden in the same manner with wooden bowls, stone hammers and 
other utensils, along with stores of dried buffalo-meat packed in cases 
of rawhide whitened and painted. Many of the innumerable dogs 
whose manners and appearance strongly suggested their relatives, the 
wolves, to whom, however, they bore a mortal grudge were equipped 
in a similar manner, with shorter poles and lighter loads. Bands of 
naked boys, noisy and restless, roamed the prairie, practicing their bows 
and arrows on any small animal they might find. Gay young squaws 
adorned on each cheek with a spot of ochre or red clay, and arrayed in 
tunic of fringed buckskin embroidered with porcupine quills were 
mounted on ponies, astride like men ; while lean and tattered hags 
the drudges of the tribe, unkempt and hideous scolded the lagging 
horses, or screeched at the disorderly dogs, with voices not unlike the 
yell of the great horned owl. Most of the warriors were on horseback, 
armed with round, white shields of bull-hide, feathered lances, war- 
clubs, bows and quivers filled with stone headed arrows; while a few of 
the elders, wrapped in robes of buffalo hide, stalked along in groups 
with a stately air, chatting, laughing and exchanging unseemly jokes." 

REACH THE FRIENDLY Bow INDIANS 

Finally the Verendryes reached the land of the Bow Indians (Gene 
de 1'Arc) and found them preparing to take the warpath against the 
powerful Snake Indians, who had already nearly exterminated the Horses. 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 9 

The Bow Indians, through their chief, were very courteous. They knew 
nothing personally of the Western Sea, although they had heard of 
the Great Water from certain Snake prisoners. Parkman quotes from 
the Chevalier's Journal as follows : "Thus far we had been well received 
in all the villages we had passed; but this was nothing compared with 
the courteous manners of the great chief of the Bow Indians, who, 
unlike the others, was not self-interested in the least, and who took 
excellent care of everything belonging to us." 

TRIP OF VENGEANCE AND DISCOVERY 

Further, according to Parkman's "Half Century of Conflict," the 
courteous and honorable chief of the Bows extended this invitation, so 
vital to the definite course of this narrative and which meant so much 
to the fame of the sons of La Verendrye : "Come with us. We are going 
towards the mountains, where you can see the Great Water that you 
are looking for." 

The Great Water was not to be seen, but the vast shining piles of 
the Rocky Mountains were to be first spread before the eyes of white 
travellers and recorders. 

The camp of the Bows was broke up, its warriors poured across the 
prairie eager to attack their Snake enemies, the Frenchmen riding along 
with the red warriors. Pierre and his younger brother, the Chevalier, were 
near the great chief. When, on the first of January, 1743, they came 
in sight of the vast mountain range, capped and shining with snow," 
a council of the chiefs and warriors was held to determine what course 
to pursue. The decision of the council was that the women and children 
and infirm be left behind in a place of comparative safety, while the 
warriors sallied forth in a body to strike the hated Snakes. 

THE CHEVALIER DISCOVERS THE ROCKIES 

"Pierre and the Chevalier were invited to accompany the advancing 
army. After deliberation, the elder Pierre determined to remain with 
the camp, to watch over and protect the belongings of the party, and the 
young Chevalier chose to proceed with the warriors, though he prudently 
declined to engage in any possible combat with the foe." 

The war party started on its advance January 21, 1743, and, according 
to the Chevalier, who kept a journal of the expedition, reached the base 
of the mountains (probably the Big Horn Range), twelve days later. 
The young French leader was anxious to ascend some peak of the range 
and look for the Western Sea. But although the Bows conveyed the 
idea that everything must give place to vengeance upon the Snakes when 
some of their scouts returned to the main body of the warriors with the 
information that they had discovered a camp of the enemy, hastily 
abandoned, the Bows were panic-stricken over the possibility that the 
Snakes had circumvented them and wiped out their own camp of women, 
children and infirm. The Indian war party was completely demoralized 



10 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

and even the chief abandoned the Chevalier, temporarily, to endeavor 
to rally his men and keep them intact. Finally, they had all gathered 
at the camp, only to find it unmolested. The chief and a few of his 
faithful warriors were the last to return, as they had been searching 
the desolate and storm-driven plain for their guest, the Chevalier, whom 
they feared had perished. At length, the Indian chief appeared in camp, 
exhausted and grief -stricken, but, the Chevalier writes, "his sorrow 
turned to joy, and he could not give us attention and caresses enough." 

THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY 

The Frenchmen remained with the chief of the Bows during January 
and February, 1743, traveling with the Indians through deep snow-drifts 
in a southeasterly direction. About the first of March, they approached 
the winter grounds of the Little Cherry, or Choke Cherry Indians in 
what is now Western South Dakota. The Verendrye brothers at once 
sent one of their men ahead to gain from that tribe any information 
which might be of benefit to them in their discouraging search for the 
Western Sea by an overland route. The Choke Cherries were kind to 
the courier and through him invited the white men to visit them, but 
conveyed no information along the line of their investigations. 

On the 1 5th of March, having bidden farewell to the friendly chief of 
the Bows and his immediate followers, the Verendryes, according to 
their journal, arrived "among the band of the Little Cherry, who, where 
we found them, were two days' march from their camp on the Missouri." 
It is believed that this locality was about where Cherry Creek empties 
into the Cheyenne, some fifty miles from the Missouri, and about eighty 
miles West of the present capital of South Dakota, Pierre. Still travelling 
East and not far from the banks of the Missouri River, the Frenchmen 
erected a pile of stone, taking the precaution not to reveal to the Indians 
the significance of the leaden plate which accompanied it. According 
to the Chevalier's journal: "On an eminence near the fort (camp), I 
placed a leaden plate engraved with the arms and inscription of the King 
and some stones in shape of a pyramid in honor of the General (Beau- 
harnois)." 

DEATH OF SIEUR DE LA VERENDRYE 

On the 2nd of April, Pierre and the Chevalier commenced their 
travels toward the Northwest, which brought them to the Mandan 
villages on the i8th of May. The return of the sons to the Sieur de 
La Verendrye not only lightened the anxiety and depression of the 
father, but appears to have improved his fortunes. The latter was 
made captain of the Order of St. Louis, and the two sons were promoted 
in the royal service. In 1749 the new governor, Monsieur the Marquis 
de la Jonquiere, a hard man and master, had, nevertheless, commissioned 
the Sieur to "look after the posts and explorations in the west," and 
he had already prepared maps and memoranda of his future explorations, 



HISTORY OF MONTANA n 

when death called him from his unrealized ambitions, on December 6th 
of the year named (1749). 

About a year after the death of his father, Chevalier de la Verendrye 
wrote to La Jonquiere appealing for service in the field of western ex- 
plorations on the score of the sacrifices made by his father and brothers 
Instead, the governor appointed one M. de Saint Pierre to head one of 
the expeditions, and, by various misrepresentations to La Jonquiere, the 
La Verendryes were made decidedly "persona non gratis" and rejected 
from all participation in it. 

LAST YEARS OF THE CHEVALIER 

The condition of the family whose various members had blazed the 
way to the Rocky Mountains is thus described in the Chevalier's petition 
to the governor: "My returns this year amount to half, and in con- 
sequence of a thousand harassments my ruin is accomplished. For 
accounts contracted by father and myself I find I am indebted for more 
than 20,000 francs. I remain without money or patrimony; I am 
simply ensign of second grade, my elder brother has only the same rank 
as myself, and my younger brother is only cadet; and this is the actual 
result of all that my father, my brothers and I have done. That brother 
of mine who was murdered, some years since, by the Indians, victim that 
he was by the Western Sea, was not the most unfortunate one; his blood 
is to us nothing worth, the sweat of our father and ourselves has availed 
us naught; we are compelled to yield that which has cost us so much, 
if M. de St. Pierre does not entertain a better feeling and communicate 
same to M. le Mqs. de la Jonquiere." 

Both expeditions sent out by La Jonquiere were failures. In 1753, 
about the time that the St. Pierre fiasco was reporting to the authorities, 
the Chevalier was made ensign of the first grade and four years later 
became a lieutenant. In November, 1761, after Quebec had fallen to 
the English, the Chevalier with other fellow officers sailed for France 
in the "Auguste." One hundred persons were on board. Not far from 
the North Cape of Isle Royal, on the coast of Cape Breton, at the mouth 
of the St. Lawrence, the ship was wrecked and all perished (including 
the Chevalier), except the captain, a colonial officer and five soldiers. 
Thus died the actual white discoverer of the Rocky Mountains, although 
it is still a matter of conjecture as to how far West he penetrated, or 
the specific location of the leaden plate and the rough stone monument 
erected somewhere in the region of the Cheyenne and Missouri rivers 
to commemorate the exploration and international claim of France to 
some little portion of what afterward was known as Louisiana. 

THE APPROACH FROM THE PACIFIC 

Verendrye and his sons had been approaching the "Land of the 
Shining Mountains" through the interior of the East, and the next prog- 
ress in tracing the transcontinental waterway was to be from the Pacific- 
Columbia River route of the West. The Spaniards and Portuguese pushed 



12 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

up the Pacific coast in early historic times, and left such names on the 
maps as Cape Blanco, Straits of Fuca and Oregon, but in their rush for 
gold and booty found little time to record their voyages in the interest 
of cartography. 

Then came the more reliable northern navigators, Behring, the Dane, 
and Drake, the Englishman, to approach the latitude of Montana on the 
Pacific coast, "but it was left for Captain James Cook, so far as we can 
say positively, to point his ships prow toward the mountains of Montana, 
and break the hush of ice-bound seas as nearly urfder the beetling banks 
of Montana as ocean ships have ever sailed or ever shall sail." In 1778, 
while the Revolution was raging along the fringes of the Atlantic Coast, 
Captain Cook was exploring the Behring region and sailing up the Oregon 
(Columbia) River as far as his ocean craft would take him, and in the 
following year was killed by cannibals on the island (now Hawaii) 
which he had discovered among a group (the old Sandwich islands). 

JONATHAN CARVER PROPOSES TRANSCONTINENTAL WATERWAY 

It is said that Jonathan Carver, of Connecticut, a captain in the war 
waged with England by which France lost Canada, was the first to 
definitely propose the transcontinental journey by way of the Missouri 
and the Oregon (Columbia) rivers. Three years after the peace of 1763, 
he left Boston to visit the sources of the Mississippi and the adjacent 
regions for purposes of trade, exploration and investigation as to the 
country of the far West. He applied himself to the study of the Indian 
languages that he might pursue all these objects, and in this work he spent 
two years and seven months. After his return to Boston, in 1768, he 
published an account of his travels and experiences, and he tells us : 
"From the intelligence I gained from the Nandowessie Indians, whose 
language I perfectly obtained during a residence of five months; and 
also from the accounts I afterwards obtained from the Assinipoils, who 
speak the Chippeway language and inhabit the heads of the river Bourbon 
I say from these nations, together with my own observations, I have 
learned that the four most capital rivers on the continent of North 
America, the St. Lawrence, the river Bourbon (Mississippi) and the 
Oregon, or the River of the West, have their sources in the same 
neighborhood. The waters of the three former are within thirty miles 
of each other, the latter, however, is rather farther west." 

The want of means prevented Carver from prosecuting his design 
with the government, which was to prevail upon its authorities to estab- 
lish a post near the Straits of Anian, after a journey had been effected 
to the Pacific coast. In 1774, he obtained the support and cooperation 
of Richard Whitworth, member of the British Parliament for the town 
of Stafford, of whom the projector of the enterprise says: "He (Mr. 
Whitworth) designed to have pursued nearly the same route that I did; 
and after having built a fort at Lake Pepin to have proceeded up a 
branch of the river Messorie, till, having discovered the source of the 
Oregon, or River of the West, on the other side of the lands that divide 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 13 

the waters which run into the Gulf of Mexico from those that fall into 
the Pacific Ocean, he would have sailed down that river to the place where 
it is said to empty itself, near the Straits of Anian. * * * That 
the completion of this scheme," concludes Carver, "which I have had 
the honor of first planning and attempting, will some time or other be 
effected, I have no doubt. Those who are so fortunate in it will reap 
(exclusive of the national advantages that must ensue) emoluments 
beyond their most sanguine expectations. And while their spirits are 
elated by their success, perhaps they may bestow some commendations 
and blessings on the person that first pointed out to them the way. 
These, though but a shadowy recompense for all my toil, I shall receive 
with pleasure." 

So that although Jonathan Carver was wild in his geographical as- 
sertion that the sources of the great Canadian and American river 
systems were only thirty miles apart, he was among the first, if not the 
first, to urge the sending of an expedition from the Mississippi valley to 
the Pacific coast by way of the Missouri and Oregon (Columbia) rivers. 
But the prosecution of such a design by the government was to be 
deferred until the country had secured independent right to the territory 
from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi valley, as well as that vast 
western domain through which poured the grand waterways to the 
Pacific. 

JEFFERSON CHECKMATING ENGLAND IN THE WEST 

In 1783, the year of the treaty of peace with England, John Ledyard, 
a Connecticut adventurer, an educated man and a British corporal of 
marines under Captain Cook also a deserter from the British army 
before the war closed published an account of the romantic voyages 
of that world navigator. The mercurial author also incorporated not 
a little practical information, quoting Captain Cook's glowing account of 
the quantity of sea otter and the superior quality of their fur, in the 
regions of the northwestern Pacific. And although England had lost 
the war, her agents were already preparing to explore the country between 
the Mississippi valley and the Pacific coast. Thomas Jefferson was then 
governor of Virginia, as he had been during the Revolution, and in the 
year of the Peace he suggested to Gen. George Rogers Clark, the 
elder brother of Capt. William Clark, a way to checkmate this obvious 
intention of English policy. Jefferson's words to Clark were: "I find 
they have subscribed a very large sum of money in England for exploring 
the country from the Mississippi to California. * * * They pretend 
it is only to promote knowledge. I am afraid they have thoughts of colon- 
izing into that quarter. * * * Some of us have been talking here in a 
feeble way of making an attempt to search that country, but I doubt 
whether we have enough of that kind of spirit to raise the money. How 
would you like to lead such a party? * * * tho' I am afraid our 
prospect is not worth asking the question." 

Albeit a master mind was pondering the scheme of a Mississippi- 



14 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

Pacific expedition, the time was not yet ripe to bring it to fruition. 
In the year following his proposition to General (not Captain) Clark, 
while serving as minister to France, Jefferson met Ledyard in Paris. 
The restless adventurer was then out of employment, and Jefferson, 
through the influence of the Empress Catherine's representatives in 
Europe, enabled Ledyard to travel through Russia to within two hundred 
miles of Kamschatka, where he was turned back arid dismissed (1788). 
Their design was to reach the Pacific coast of America by way of the 
Russian dominions, and pass up the Oregon Missouri to the Mississippi 
valley. The proposed agent of that journey died in Africa in the follow- 
ing year. 

DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION OF COLUMBIA WATERS 

Ledyard's account of the voyages of Captain Cook, with its suggestions 
to thrifty Yankee merchants, was enthusiastically discussed by Doctor 
Bullfinch, his son Charles, and Joseph Barrell, the last a business man of 
considerable wealth. The result was that two vessels were equipped 
and an expedition fitted out to sail to the Pacific coast. They were 
called the Columbia and the Washington, commanded respectively by 
John Kendrick and Robert Gray. The ships sailed from Boston on 
September 30, 1787, and in January, 1788, while rounding Cape Horn, 
a storm separated them. In August, the Washington reached the north- 
west coast near the forty-sixth degree of latitude, or about the latitude 
of the Three Forks of the upper Missouri River and the Oregon 
(Columbia). 

At that point Captain Gray believed that he saw the mouth of a 
river, but his vessel grounded, his party were attacked by the Indians, one 
of them killed and another wounded ; so he had no opportunity to verify 
his conclusions. On the I7th of September, 1788, the Washington 
sailed into Nootka Sound, on the west coast of Vancouver Island the 
rendezvous agreed upon in the event of separation, and she was joined 
there a few days later by the Columbia. 

Both ships wintered in the Sound and the Columbia continued there 
during the summer gathering pelts. Captain Gray, on the Washington, 
sailed the waters near by making explorations. He returned to Nootka, 
and he and Captain Kendrick agreed that Kendrick should command 
the Washington, remaining on the coast to pursue his discoveries, while 
Captain Gray, on board the Columbia, should proceed to Canton, China, 
with a cargo of furs representing the entire catch of both ships. This 
plan was carried into effect. Gray reached Canton, disposed of his 
furs, purchased a shipload of tea and returned to Boston in August, 
1790. He had carried the United States flag on its first voyage around 
the world. 

While Captain Gray was on his voyage, Kendrick sailed to the Straits 
of Fuca, traversing their entire length to the Pacific, at latitude 51 degrees. 
He discovered that the neighboring lands formed an island which, how- 
ever, took the name of the British commander, Vancouver, who did not 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 15 

make the discovery until the following year. Captain Kendrick was 
killed by an accident, while the "Washington" was exchanging a salute 
with a Spanish ship off the Sandwich islands. 

The "Columbia," under Gray, after discharging her cargo at Boston, 
was refitted by her owners and sent on a second voyage, leaving her 
home port in September, 1790. She reached a point near the entrance 
to the Straits of Fuca on June 5, 1791. After remaining in these waters 
until the following spring, trading and exploring, Captain Gray sailed 
southward in search of the river which he believed he had seen debouch- 
ing into the ocean at about the forty-sixth degree of latitude. On this 
cruise he met the Vancouver expedition, and notwithstanding the dis- 
couraging views of the British commander as to the existence of "any 
safe navigable opening, harbor or place of security for shipping, from 
Cape Mendocinus to Fuca's Strait," the American captain proceeded on 
his way southward. 

On May n, 1792, according to the log-book of the ship, penned by 
Captain Gray himself, he saw "an entrance which had a very good 
appearance of a harbor." Entering, he found a bay which he named 
Bulfinch's harbor, for Doctor Bulfinch, one of the sip's owners. It is now 
known as Gray's harbor. 

The actual discovery of the mouth of the Columbia is thus recorded: 
"May ii (1792), at eight p. m., the entrance of Bulfinch's harbor bore 
north, distance four miles. Sent up the main-top-gallant yard and set 
all sail. At four a. m. saw the entrance of our desired port, bearing 
east-south-east, distance six leagues. * * * At eight a. m., being a 
little windward to the entrance of the harbor, bore away and ran in east- 
north-east between the breakers, having from five to seven fathoms of 
water. When we were over the bar, we found this to be a large river of 
fresh water, up which we steered. Many canoes came alongside. At one 
p. m. came to, with the small bower in ten fathoms black and white sand. 
The entrance between the bars bore west-south-west, distance ten miles; 
the north side of the river a half mile distant from the ship, the south 
side of the same two and a half miles distant; a village on the north 
side of the river, west by north, distant three-quarters of a mile. Vast 
numbers of natives came alongside. People employed in pumping the salt 
water out of water-casks, in order to fill with fresh, while the ship 
floats in. So ends." 

JEFFERSON SENDS Two MORE INEFFECTIVE AGENTS 

The discovery of the mouth of the Columbia by Captain Gray laid a 
firm international basis for the American claim to the vast extent of 
country watered by it. For a dozen years afterward, until the United 
States acquired the vast extent of country known as Louisiana from 
France, the government, and Jefferson in particular, made no real headway 
in exploring the Missouri and the newly discovered Columbia. Capt. 
John Armstrong, one of those who accepted the mission, got as far as 
St. Louis and turned back because of disquieting stories of hostile Indians 



16 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

told to him by French traders, and one of Jefferson's men, a famous 
French botanist, Michaux, who had traveled in many lands of the Old 
World in search of strange plants and trees, had commenced his scientific 
investigations in the New World. The Frenchman started from Phila- 
delphia under the auspices of the American Philosophical Society, and the 
support of Washington's cabinet, of which Jefferson was then secretary of 
state, on the I5th of July, 1794, but when he reached Kentucky got en- 
tangled in the machinations of Citizen Genet against Spain and England in 
their dealings with the United States, and the two fell together. Michaux 
returned to France in 1796. 

THE UNITED STATES ACQUIRES LOUISIANA 

In 1800, after having been shuffled back and forth between France 
and Spain, for several years, Louisiana became French territory, and 
Napoleon's threatened occupation of New Orleans menaced the free 
navigation of the Mississippi, as had been the case when it was under 
Spanish ownership. In March, 1803, President Jefferson sent James Mon- 
roe as a special envoy to France that the complications between the two 
countries might be disentangled without a resort to war. Monroe was even 
authorized to guarantee to France her holdings beyond the Mississippi, if 
the United States could be assured an outlet to the Gulf of Mexico for the 
ever-increasing products of the Mississippi valley. 

While Monroe was on his way to France, Napoleon's plans had all 
centered on his ambition to crush England in Europe. No outside cam- 
paigns were to be considered, and a vast expenditure of money was re- 
quired to carry out his consuming desire. Robert R. Livingston was the 
American minister at the French Court, and while he was in no sense 
superseded by Monroe, President Jefferson and his cabinet realized that 
the issues involved were so momentous that they justified the addition of 
Monroe's long experience in diplomatic matters to the abilities of Livings- 
ton. When Monroe arrived Livingston had only asked of France, " a bit 
of marsh and sand off the extreme end of West Florida, and the margin 
of delta land that lies east of the main channel of the Mississippi between 
Lake Pontchartrain and the river's mouth." These modest sites were to 
serve for the founding of a town, or gateway, through which might pass 
the American trade of the Mississippi valley. 

Monroe arrived with the authorization to offer France $2,000,000 
for New Orleans and the Floridas. After discussions and negotiations, 
in which the chief figures were Livingston, Monroe and their friend, 
Barbe Marbois, minister of the public treasury, Tallyrand, the tool of 
Napoleon, threw a bomb into the proceedings by suddenly asking what the 
United States would pay for the entire province of Louisiana. To cut 
many corners of explanation, which are hardly apropos to a clear-cut-his- 
tory of Montana, the brilliant dictator of France offered Louisiana if 
taken quick to Livingston and Monroe for $15,000,000. There were no 
cables by which they could consult their government, and like brave men 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 17 

they assumed the heavy responsibility of signing the treaty of session, in 
behalf of the United States, on the 3Oth of April, 1803. 

This all-important treaty was between the United States of America 
and the French Republic, or more personally, as stated in the preamble, 
between the president of the United States of America, and the first 
consul of the French republic, "in the name of the French people." It 
also specified that the treaty was made by "the president of the United 
States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate of the United 
States ;" consequently Messrs. Livingston and Monroe were assuming con- 
siderable responsibility. 

The treaty traced the title of the very indefinite province through 
the agreements between France and Spain, and stated that "the inhabitants 
of the ceded territory shall be incorporated in the Union of the United 
States, and be admitted as soon as possible, according to the principles 
of the Federal Constitution," etc. Provision was made by the government 
of France to send a commissary to Louisiana to take over that country 
from Spain and transmit it to the agent of the United States. Special 
mention was made of the military posts of New Orleans, all troops, either 
of France or Spain, to embark from occupied territory within three 
months from the ratification of the treaty. The rights of Indians, secured 
by previous treaties, were secured. Equal duties were accorded Spanish, 
French and American ships passing through the port of New Orleans for 
a period of twelve years from the exchange of ratification of the treaty. 
"It is. however, well understood," continues the article dealing with this 
subject, "that the object of the above article is to favor the manufacture, 
commerce, freight and navigation of France and Spain, so far as relates to 
the importations that the French and Spanish shall make into the said 
ports of the United States, without in any sort affecting the regulations 
that the United States may make concerning the exportation of the 
produce and merchandise of the United States, or any right that may have 
to make such regulations." 

Article 8 reads: "In future and forever, after the expiration of the 
twelve years, the ships of France shall be treated upon the footing of 
the most favored nations in the ports above mentioned." 

When news of the daring transactions reached Washington in June, 
1803, there was a storm of dissenting opinions, mostly caused by politi- 
cal heats. The Republicans (Democrats) applauded it and the Federalists 
(Republicans) vigorously opposed it, but it was ratified by Congress in 
October. In November and December, 1803, the transfer from Spain 
to France and from France to the United States was formally made at 
New Orleans, and in the early part of March, 1804, similar ceremonies 
occurred in St. Louis. The American transfer commissioner at St. Louis 
was Capt. Amos Stoddard, an officer of the United States army there 
stationed and accompanied, the greater part of the winter, by Capt. 
Meriwether Lewis, who was then about to start on the history-making 
expedition to the Pacific coast, via the Missouri and Columbia rivers. 
The entire province had been transferred by the Spanish commission- 



18 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

ers to Pierre Clement Laussat, the French representative, and by him 
to the American commissioners, William C. C. Claiborne, who had been 
appointed governor of the new province, and Gen. James Wilkinson, 
military commander. The French flag was then hauled down and Laussat 
proceeded to perform the same offices at St. Louis. He ordered De 
Lassus, lieutenant governor of Upper Louisiana, with headquarters in that 
place, to turn his district over to Captain Stoddard. 

On March 9, 1804, the American troops under command of Captain 
Stoddard's adjutant, Lieut. Stephen Worrell, crossed the river and 
escorted Captains Stoddard and Lewis and other prominent Americans 
to the government house. From that mansion De Lassus read a pro- 
clamation releasing all French inhabitants in the district from allegiance 
to their mother country. After this the transfer was formally signed 
by Lassus for France and Stoddard for the United States, and among 
the witnesses who affixed their signatures thereto was Capt. Meri- 
wether Lewis. As had been done in New Orleans, the tri-color of France 
was then lowered, the Stars and Stripes were raised, and artillery salutes 
and martial music proclaimed that all of Louisiana was territory of the 
United States. 



CHAPTER II 
EXPEDITION THROUGH TRANS-MISSISSIPPI LAND 

The United States having acquired a good color of title to the Oregon 
country through Captain Gray's discovery of the mouth of the great 
Western River and Jefferson, evidently convinced that Louisiana would 
eventually become an American possession, continued his efforts to obtain 
some definite knowledge of the geography and possibilities of the Trans- 
Mississippi land. Previous failures in no wise dampened his ardor to 
delve into the grand mysteries of that unknown country which loomed 
just beyond the States. Mature men, adventurers and scientists had 
failed him, and he now turned to young, eager, educated, practical and 
brave young men for the consummation of the grand adventure. He 
selected for this purpose, Capt. Meriwether Lewis, his private secretary 
for two years and whom he greatly admired and loved, and Capt. Will- 
iam Clark, a younger brother of Gen. George Rogers Clark and an 
intimate friend of Lewis. When Captain Lewis was present in St. Louis, 
as one of the prominent figures in the official transfer of Louisiana to the 
United States, he was deep in the work, under the authority and instruc- 
tions of President Jefferson, of preparing the expedition for its advance 
up the Missouri to the Rockies and the great beyond. 

INITIAL STEPS OF THE LEWIS-CLARK EXPEDITION 

More than three months before Louisiana had been sold to the United 
States that is, January 18, 1803 President Jefferson sent a confiden- 
tial communication to Congress asking that $2,500 be appropriated for an 
exploring party to establish friendly relations with the Indians along the 
route and secure the fur-trade to the United States rather than leave 
it in the hands of the English companies. He recommended the estab- 
lishment of government trading posts, by which he hoped to "place 
within their (the Indians') reach those things which will contribute 
more to their domestic comfort than the possession of extensive and 
uncultivated wilds." Jefferson doubtless felt the grandeur of the pro- 
ject, but, with the wisdoip of a statesman who knew he was dealing with 
a practical nation and Congress, placed the material benefits of such 
an expedition and exploration foremost. Elsewhere in his message of 
the date given, he adds : "An intelligent officer, with ten or twelve chosen 
men, fit for the enterprise and willing to undertake it, taken from our 
posts where they may be spared without inconvenience, might explore 
the whole line even to the Western ocean, have conference with the natives 
on the subject of commercial intercourse, get admission among them for 

19 



20 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

\ 

our traders as others are admitted, agree on convenient deposits for an 
interchange of articles, and return with the information acquired in the 
course of two summers. Their arms and accoutrements, some instru- 
ments of observation and light and cheap presents for tlie Indians would 
be all the apparatus they could carry, and with the expectation of a 
soldier's portion of land on their return would constitute the whole ex- 
pense. Their pay would be going on whether here or there. While other 
civilized nations have encountered great expense to enlarge the boundaries 
of knowledge by undertaking voyages of discovery, and for other lit- 
erary purposes, in various parts and directions, our nation seems to owe 
to the same object, as well as to its own interests, to explore this, the 
only line of easy communication across the continent, and so directly 
traversing our own part of it. The interests of commerce place the 
principal object within the constitutional powers and care of Congress, 
and that it should incidentally advance the geographical knowledge of our 
own continent cannot but be an additional gratification." 

In April, 1803, while negotiations were still pending with France, 
Captain Lewis was collecting his equipment at Lancaster, Harpers Ferry 
and other places ; in May, before news of the treaty had reached America, 
he received his first set of instructions from the President, and on the 
5th of July, after the tidings had been received in Washington, the young 
leader of the historic expedition then in his twenty-eight year bade 
his great patron farewell. 

LITERARY SOURCES OF INFORMATION 

The most authentic source of information regarding the famous ex- 
pedition was its history prepared, by order of the Government of the 
United States, in 1814, by Paul Allen. In the preface to that edi- 
tion the editor states : "It was the original design of Captain Lewis to 
have been himself the editor of his own travels, and he was on his 
way towards Philadelphia for that purpose when his sudden death frus- 
trated these intentions. After a considerable and unavoidable delay, 
the papers connected with the expedition were deposited with another 
gentleman, who, in order to render the lapse of time as little injurious 
as possible, proceeded immediately to collect and investigate all the 
materials within his reach. 

"Of the incidents of each day during the expedition a minute jour- 
nal was kept by Captain Lewis or Captain Clark, and sometimes by 
both, which was afterward revised and enlarged at the different periods 
of leisure which occurred on the route. These were carefully perused 
in conjunction wtth Captain Clark himself, who was able from his own 
recollection of the journey, as well as from a constant residence in 
Louisiana since his return, to supply a great mass of explanations, and 
much additional information with regard to part of the route which has 
been more recently explored. Besides these, recourse was had to the 
manuscript journals kept by two of the sergeants (Patrick Gass and 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 21 

Charles Floyd), one of which, the least minute and valuable,* has already 
been published. That nothing might be wanting to the accuracy of 
these details, a very intelligent and active member of the party, Mr. 
George Shannon, was sent to contribute whatever his memory might 
add to this accumulated fund of information. * * * 

"To give still further interest to the work, the editor addressed 
a letter to Mr. Jefferson, requesting some authentic memoirs of Captain 
Lewis. For the very curious and valuable information contained in his 
answer, the public, as well as the editor himself, owe great obligations 
to the politeness and knowledge of that distinguished gentleman." 

JEFFERSON'S SKETCH OF MERIWETHER LEWIS 

Jefferson's article is not only of deep personal interest as furnishing 
the best biography of Captain Lewis, of limited compass, which has been 
published, but is weighted with valuable historic matter to form a rich 
background to the great expedition itself. After noting the birth of 
Meriwether Lewis, "late Governor of Louisiana," near the town of 
Charlotteville, Virginia, August 18, 1778, the distinguished statesman, 
who writes from Monticello, sketches the distinguished Lewis family 
of Virginia. His great-uncle married a sister of George Washington, and 
several of his relatives were prominent in the Revolutionary war, one of 
whom (his uncle and guardian, Nicholas) fought bravely as commander 
of a regiment sent against the Cherokee Indians. 

Meriwether Lewis lost his father at an early age and this brave, 
honest, courteous and tender uncle and his widowed mother cared for 
the bold, out-of-doors boy, huntsman and student. At thirteen he was 
put to Latin school and after five years of schooling returned to the 
home farm, but his instinct for adventure induced him to volunteer 
as a militiaman in the suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion of West- 
ern Pennsylvania. Soon afterward he was transferred to the regular 
service as a lieutenant in the line and at the age of twenty-three was 
promoted to a captaincy; "and," adds Jefferson, "always attracting the 
first attention where punctuality and fidelity were requisite, he was 
appointed paymaster to his regiment. 

JOHN LEDYARD'S MISADVENTURE 

"About this time a circumstance occurred which, leading to the transac- 
tion which is the subject of this book, will justify a recurrence to its 
original idea. While residing in Paris (as minister to France), John 
Ledyard, of Connecticut, arrived there, well known in the United States 

* This low estimate of the value of the Gass Journal, made in 1814, has not 
been sustained by estimates of historians subsequently made. His first edition, 
published in 1807, was for seven years the only source from which any authentic 
knowledge of the enterprise could be obtained, and ever since (with the issue of 
1814) it has been recognized as an important supplement to the work based upon 
the diaries of the great captains. 



22 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

for energy of body and mind. He had accompanied Captain Cook on 
his voyage to the Pacific Ocean and distinguished himself on that voy- 
age by his intepidity. Being of a roaming disposition, he was now 
panting for some new enterprise. His immediate object at Paris was 
to engage a mercantile company in the fur trade of the western coast 
of America, in which, however, he failed. I then proposed to him to go 
by land to Kamchatka, cross in some of the Russian vessels to Nootka 
Sound, fall down into the latitude of the Missouri, and penetrate to, 
and through that, to the United States. He eagerly seized the idea, 
and only asked to be assured of the permission of the Russian Govern- 
ment. I interested in obtaining that, M. de Simoulin, minister plenipo- 
tentiary of the empress at Paris, but more especially the Baron de Grimm, 
minister plenipotentiary of Saxe-Gotha, her more special agent and cor- 
respondent there in matters not immediately diplomatic. Her permis- 
sion was obtained, and an assurance of protection while the course of the 
voyage should be through her territories. 

"Ledyard set out from Paris and arrived at St. Petersburgh after the 
empress had left that place to pass the winter, I think, at Moscow. His 
finances not permitting him to make unnecessary stay at St. Petersburgh, 
he left it with a passport from one of the ministers, and at two hundred 
miles from Kamschatka, was obliged to take up his winter quarters. He 
was preparing, in the spring, to resume his journey, when he was arrested 
by an officer of the empress, who by this time had changed her mind 
and forbidden his proceeding. He was put into a closed carriage and con- 
veyed day and night, without even stopping, till they reached Poland, 
where he was set down and left to himself. The fatigue of this journey 
broke down his constitution, and when he returned to Paris, his bodily 
strength was much impaired. His mind, however, remained firm, and he 
after this undertook the journey to Egypt. I received a letter from him, 
full of sanguine hopes, dated at Cairo, the fifteenth of November, 1788, 
the day before he was to set out for the head of the Nile ; on which day, 
however, he ended his career and life and thus failed the first attempt 
to explore the western part of our northern continent." 

BOTANIST FAILS AS EXPLORER 

"In 1792 I proposed to the American Philosophical Society that we 
should set on foot a subscription to engage some competent person to 
explore that region in the opposite direction; that is, by ascending the 
Missouri, crossing the Stony mountains and descending the nearest river 
to the Pacific. Captain Lewis, being then stationed at Charlottesville 
on the recruiting service, warmly solicitated me to obtain for him the 
execution of that object. I told him it was proposed that the person en- 
gaged should be attended by a single companion only, to avoid exciting 
alarm among the Indians. This did not deter him ; but Mr. Andre Michaux, 
a professed botanist, author of the 'Flora Boreali-Americana,' and of the 
'Histoire des Chesnes d' Amerique,' offering his services, they were ac- 
cepted. He received his instructions, and when he had reached Kentucky 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 23 

in the prosecution of his journey he was overtaken by an order from 
the minister of France, then at Philadelphia, to relinquish the expedition, 
and to pursue elsewhere the botanical inquiries on which he was employed 
by that government and thus failed the second attempt for exploring that 
region. 

CAPTAIN LEWIS' REMARKABLE QUALIFICATIONS 

"In 1803, the act for establishing trading houses with the Indian 
tribes being about to expire, some modifications of it were recommended 
to Congress by a confidential message of January i8th, and an exten- 
sion of its views to the Indians on the Missouri. In order to prepare 
the way, the message proposed the sending an exploring party to trace 
the Missouri to its source, to cross the Highlands and follow the best 
water communication which offered itself thence to the Pacific ocean. 
Congress approved the proposition and voted a sum of money for carry- 
ing it into execution. Captain Lewis, who had then been near two years 
with me as private secretary, immediately renewed his solicitations to 
have the direction of the party. I had now had opportunities of know- 
ing him intimately. Of courage undaunted; possessing a firmness and 
perseverance of purpose which nothing but impossibilities could divert 
from its direction ; careful as a father of those committed to his charge, 
yet steady in the maintenance of order and discipline; intimate with the 
Indian character, customs and principles ; habituated to the hunting life ; 
guarded, by exact observation of the vegetables and animals of his own 
country, against losing time in the description of objects already pos- 
sessed ; honest, disinterested, liberal, of sound understanding, and a fidelity 
to truth so scrupulous that whatever he should report would be as cer- 
tain as if seen by ourselves with all these qualifications, as if selected 
and implanted in one body for his express purpose, I could have no 
hesitation in confiding the enterprise to him. To fill up the measure' 
desired, he wanted nothing but a greater familiarity with the technical 
language of the natural sciences, and readiness in the astronomical 
observations necessary for the geography of his route. To acquire these, 
he repaired immediately to Philadelphia and placed himself under the 
tutorage of the distinguished professors of that place, who, with a 
zeal and emulation enkindled by an ardent devotion to science, communi- 
cated to him freely the information requisite for the purposes of the jour- 
ney. While attending, too, at Lancaster, the fabrication of the arms 
with which he chose that his men should be provided, he had the benefit 
of daily communication with Mr. Andrew Ellicot, whose experience in 
astronomical observation and practice of it in the woods, enabled him 
to apprise Captain Lewis of the wants and difficulties he would en- 
counter, and of the substitutes and resources offered by a woodland and 
uninhabited country." 

JEFFERSON'S FIRST INSTRUCTIONS TO LEWIS 

In April, 1803, a draft of his instructions was sent to Captain 
Lewis, and President Jefferson signed them on the following 2Oth of 



24 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

June. These included a list of accouterments, instruments, etc., to be 
taken by the expedition of from ten to twelve men, and assurances of 
safe conduct from the ministers of France, Spain and Great Britain. 
Louisiana had been ceded by Spain to France, and the protection of 
Great Britain entitled Lewis and Clark, with their men, to the friendly 
aid of any British traders whom they might encounter. After stating 
the main object of the mission was to ascertain "the most direct and 
practicable water communication across the continent for the purposes 
of commerce," Jefferson entered more into details: "Beginning at the 
mouth of the Missouri, you will take observations of latitude and lon- 
gitude at all remarkable points on the river, and especially at the 
mouths of rivers, at rapids, at islands and other places, and objects 
distinguished by such natural marks and characters, of a durable kind 
as that they may with certainty be recognized hereafter. The courses 
of the river between these points of obsevation may be supplied by the 
compass, the log-line and by time, corrected by the observations them- 
selves. The variations of the needle, too, in different places should be 
noted. 

"The interesting points of the portage between the heads of the 
Missouri and of the water offering the' best communication with the 
Pacific ocean, should also be fixed by observation ; and the course of the 
water to the ocean, in the same manner as that of the Missouri." 

The president cautioned the leader of the expedition to take great 
pains in recording his observations ; to make several copies of them, and, 
as a special safeguard against their destruction make one of them "on the 
cuticular membrane of the paper-birch, as less liable to injury from 
damp than common paper." He defined the special objects of research 
among the different Indian tribes, and the examination of the physical 
features of the country was to be conducted with a view of ascertaining 
the existence of vegetable products and animals not known to the "United 
States;" also, mineral productions of any kind, especially "metals, lime 
stone, pit-coal and saltpetre; salines and mineral waters, noting the tem- 
perature of the last," and "volcanic appearances." 

"Although your route will be along the channel of the Missouri," 
the instructions continue, "yet you will endeavor to inform yourself, 
by inquiry, of the character and extent of the country watered by its 
branches, and especially on its southern side. The North river, or Rio 
Bravo, which runs into the Gulf of Mexico, and the Rio Colorado, which 
runs into the Gulf of California, are understood to be the principal 
streams heading opposite to the waters of the Missouri and running 
southwardly. Whether the dividing grounds between the Missouri and 
them are mountains or flat lands, what are their distances from the 
Missouri, the character of the intermediate country and the people in- 
habiting it, are worthy of particular inquiry. The northern waters of 
the Missouri are less to be inquired after, because they have been ascer- 
tained to a considerable degree, and are still in a course of ascertain- 
ment by English traders and travelers; but if you can learn anything 
certain of the most northern source of the Mississippi, and of its position 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 25 

relatively to the Lake of the Woods, it will be interesting to us. Some 
account, too, of the path of the Canadian traders from the Mississippi, 
at the mouth of the Ouisconsing, to where it strikes the Missouri, and 
of the soil and rivers in its course, is desirable." 

Kind treatment of the natives was urged, even to the length of 
offering to receive some of their young people and educating them at 
government expense. Kine-pox (vaccine) matter was to be taken, and 
endeavors made to introduce it as a preventive against small-pox, the 
scourge of the red race. As it was impossible to foresee how the ex- 
pedition would be received by the natives, it was instructed to turn 
back, if it met with extended and dangerous opposition. 

"Should you reach the Pacific Ocean," instructs President Jeffer- 
son, "inform yourself of the circumstances which may decide whether 
the furs of those parts may not be collected as advantageously at the 
head of the Missouri (convenient, as is supposed, to the waters of the" 
Colorado and Oregon or Columbia) as at Nootka sound, or any other 
point of that coast ; and that trade be consequently conducted through the 
Missouri and United States more beneficially than by the circumnaviga- 
tion now practiced." 

That last part of the instructions includes advice to return to the 
United States by way of Cape Horn or Cape of Good Hope, if the 
overland trip should be deemed too hazardous; instructions as to meet- 
ing expeditionary expenses and the appointment of a successor to head 
the expedition, in the event of Captain Lewis's death. 

"While these things were going on here," continues Jefferson, "the 
country of Louisiana, lately ceded by Spain to France, had been the sub- 
ject of negotiation at Paris between us and this last power, and had 
actually been transferred to us by treaties executed at Paris on the 
thirtieth of April (1803). This information, received about the first of 
July, increased infinitely the interest we felt in the expedition and 
lessened the apprehension of interruption from other powers. Every- 
thing in this quarter being now prepared, Captain Lewis left Washington 
on the fifth of July, 1803, and proceeded to Pittsburg, where other articles 
had been ordered to be provided for him. The men, too, were to be 
selected from the military stations on the Ohio. Delays of preparation, 
difficulties of navigation down the Ohio and other untoward obstruc- 
tions, retarded his arrival at Cahokia until the season was so far 
advanced as to render it prudent to suspend his entering the Missouri 
before the ice should break up in the succeeding spring. 

"From this time his journal, now published, will give the history 
of his journey to and from the Pacific ocean, until his return to St. 
Louis on the 23rd of September, 1806. Never did a similar event excite 
more joy through the United States. The humblest of its citizens had 
taken a lively interest in the issue of this journey, and looked forward 
with impatience for the information it would furnish. Their anxieties, 
too, for the safety of the corps had been kept in a state of excitement 
by lugubrious rumours, circulated from time to time on uncertain 
authorities, and uncontradiction by letters or other direct information, 



26 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

from the time they had left the Mandan towns on their ascent up the 
river in April of the preceding year (1805) until their actual return 
to St. Louis." 

ESTIMATED COST OF THE EXPEDITION 

The president requested Captain Lewis to estimate the cost of the 
expedition, which the latter did as follows : 

Mathematical instruments $ 217 

Arms and accoutrements 81 

Camp equipage 255 

Medicine and packing 55 

Means of transportation 43 

Indian presents 696 

Provisions 224 

Materials for making up the various articles into 

portable packs 55 

For the pay of hunters, guides and interpreters 300 

In silver coin, to defray the expenses of the party 
from Nashville to the last white settlement on the 

Missouri 100 

Contingencies 87 



Total $2,500 

These were but preliminary estimates and, as the importance of 
the expedition increased during the period of delay which resulted in 
Louisiana becoming American territory, it is evident that they were not 
adhered to. 

CAPTAIN WILLIAM CLARK 

The personnel of the expedition was of prime importance, however, 
Capt. William Clark,* who shared the honors of leadership with Captain 
Lewis, was four years the senior of the latter, and was also a Virginian. 
During his boyhood, the family moved to Louisville, Kentucky, and in 
1796, after serving for eight years in the United States army he re- 
signed his lieutenancy in the service on account of ill health. At one 
time, Meriwether Lewis served under him. In March, 1804, after he had 
been selected as Captain Lewis' assistant, he received a commission as 
second lieutenant of artillery and not as captain of engineers, as he had 
hoped. So that the title of "captain" is generally applied to him ; officially 
he was not entitled to it. He was also Lewis' subordinate, although 

* In three editions of the Lewis and Clark journals, the latter name is spelled 
with an "e"; Washington Irving also gives it that spelling. On the contrary, Cap- 
tain Clark himself omits the "e" in the inscription left by him on Pompey's pillar; 
his brother, the general, always signed himself, Clark, as did his son, Jefferson 
Clark of St. Louis. As the bearer of the name himself, as well as his near relatives, 
invariably omitted the "e", it should be the duty of the historian to follow their 
preferences. 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 27 

his official superior made him his practical equal in every way and evi- 
dently they were both harmoniously working for the common cause the 
laudable success of a great American expedition. 

"The selection of the men for the expedition," says a modern ac- 
count of the fine venture, "was a matter of importance secondary only 
to the choice of the chiefs themselves. There were in all that is, 
including Lewis and Clark forty-five souls. Among them were frontier 
soldiers of the regular army, who volunteered to go. They had seen 
service at the posts of the west. There were, besides, nine young Ken- 
tuckians, two French watermen, a hunter, who also served as interpreter, 
and York, the negro valet of Captain Lewis. Of these men, all but 
the last named, were enlisted as privates, their services to endure through 
the active life 'of the expedition. Three of them, namely, Floyd, Pryor 
and Ordway, were promoted by the leaders to the rank of sergeant. 
Besides the party designed for the complete journey of exploration a 
corporal, six soldiers and nine watermen were taken as an escort as 
far as the Mandan villages on the Missouri, to aid in transporting 
stores and also to give their military aid in case of attack by hostile 
savages, those most feared dwelling between the Wood River and the 
Missouri." 

THE JOURNEY TO THE MANDAN VILLAGES 

It is far beyond the scope of this story to trace the real com- 
mencement of the expedition at Pittsburg, in the summer of 1803, when 
Captain Lewis was there recruiting for members and arranging for 
transportation down the Ohio to the mouth of the Missouri. Dr. James 
K. Hosmer, in his introduction to the "Gass Journal" (edition of 1904) 
goes into many interesting details regarding this phase of the enter- 
prise and the care taken by Captain Lewis in the selection of his men. 
The Falls of the Ohio, Louisville, were at last reached, and at the 
Point of Rock, the home of George Rogers Clark, Lewis met his yoke- 
fellow, William Clark, who added to the company nine young men from 
Kentucky, carefully selected from a throng of volunteers. Among them 
was John Colter, whose adventures were to be the most thrilling of all 
the members of the expedition. Delaying as little as possible, Clark 
taking charge of the boat with its important freight, worked his way 
down stream, then up to St. Louis; while Lewis, following the "Vin- 
cennes trace," proceeded across country to Kaskaskia. Recruits were 
picked from various frontier posts, among others John Ordway and Pat- 
rick Gass, who both contributed materially to the literature of the ex- 
pedition. 

"During the winter of 1803-04," writes Doctor Hosmer, "the company 
was well disciplined and instructed in the camp at Wood River, and on 
the 9th of May took part in a memorable ceremony. Major Amos Stod- 
dard crossing from Cahokia, received from Don Carlos de Haut de Lassus, 
the Spanish governor, the surrender of St. Louis, the last post in the pur- 
chased Louisiana. It was an occasion of solemnity. The flag of Spain 



28 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

being lowered, the flag of France took its place for a brief season. 
Then arose the flag of the stars and stripes, its dominion henceforth 
unchallenged. Confronting the Spanish infantry stood, at present, the 
American line, among them the picked soldiers of Lewis and Clark, a 
fine array of manhood. The new land was now completely possessed, 
and the next week the Captains set forth to see what it contained." 

The chief incidents developed by the voyage from St. Louis, up the 
Missouri River, to Fort Mandan near the present site of Bismarck, 
North Dakota a trip of sixteen hundred miles was the death of Ser- 
geant Floyd, at the present site of Sioux City, Iowa, on August 20, 1804 ; 
the desertion of two of the men, and the severe punishment (seventy-five 
lashes with the "ramrod") and discharge of the one recaptured. 

THE BIRD WOMAN AND HER HUSBAND, CHARBONNEAU 

The start from St. Louis was made May 14, 1804, and the Mandan 
villages and the fort were reached on the 2nd of November, of that 
year. There the party were joined by Charbonneau, the French-Cana- 
dian trapper and former employe of the Hudson's Bay Company, and his 
wife, Sacajawea, the Bird Woman, a native of the Shoshone, or Snake 
nation, and whose services as guide and advisor gave her a standing in 
the expedition next to the leaders themselves. Charbonneau, who was 
engaged as interpreter, was quarrelsome and unreliable; his wife, the 
Bird Woman, was brave, faithful, familiar with every detail of her na- 
tive land, through which the expedition was to pass, and absolutely re- 
liable. On February n, 1804, she had been delivered of a son, so that 
when the expedition of thirty-two members left Fort Mandan, on April 7, 
1805, Sacajawea carried with her a baby of fourteen months. 

The Lewis-Clark Journal launches the expedition thus: "Having 
made all our arrangements, we left the fort about five o'clock in the 
afternoon. The party now consisted of thirty-two persons. Besides 
ourselves were Sergeants John Ordway, Nathaniel Pryor and Patrick 
Gass ; the privates were William Bratton, John Colter, John Collins, 
Peter Cruzatte, Robert Frazier, Reuben Fields, Joseph Fields, George 
Gibson, Silas Goodrich, Hugh Hall, Thomas P. Howard, Baptiste Lapage, 
Francis Labiche, Hugh M'Neal, John Potts, John Shields, George Shannon, 
John B. Thompson, William Werner, Alexander Willard, Richard Winsor, 
Joseph Whitehouse, Peter Wiser and Captain Clark's black servant, York. 
The two interpreters were George Drewyer and Toussaint Charbonneau. 
The wife of Charbonneau also accompanied us with her young child, and 
we hope may be useful as an interpreter among the Snake Indians. She 
was herself one of that tribe, but having been taken in war by the Min- 
netarees, by whom she was sold as a slave to Charbonneau, who brought 
her up and afterwards married her. One of the Mandans also embarked 
with us, in order to go to the Snake Indians and obtain a peace with them 
for his countrymen. All this party with the baggage was stowed in six 
small canoes and two large pirogues. We left the fort with fair, 
pleasant weather, though the northwest wind was high, and after making 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 29 

about four miles encamped on the north side of the Missouri, nearly 
opposite the first Mandan village. At the same time that we took our 
departure our barge, manned with seven soldiers, two Frenchmen and Mr. 
Gravelines as pilot, sailed for the United States loaded with our pres- 
ents and despatches." 

REACH THE MOUTH OF THE YELLOWSTONE 

The party proceeded up the Missouri, past the mouths of the Big 
Knife, Little Missouri, White Earth and other tributaries to the mouth 
of the Yellowstone, through a pleasant land of elk, deer, beaver, and 
Mandans and Assiniboines. The disagreeable features of this part of 
the expedition were evidently the high winds, which caused the men's* 
eyes to be sore, and the cold weather. On April 25th, as the Yellow- 
stone was approached, near the present boundary between North Dakota 
and Montana, the temperature fell so low that the water froze on the 
oars as the men rowed, which, with the high wind, forced a halt. "This 
detention from the wind," notes the Journal, under that date, "and the 
reports from our hunters of the crookedness of the river, induced us 
to believe that we were at no great distance from the Yellowstone River. 
In order, therefore, to prevent delay as much as possible, Captain Lewis 
determined to go on by land in search of that river and make the neces- 
sary observations, so as to be enabled to proceed on immediately after the 
boats should join him; he therefore landed about eleven o'clock on the 
south side, accompanied by four men ; the boats were prevented from 
going until five in the afternoon, when they went on a few miles far- 
ther, and encamped for the night at the distance of fourteen and a 
half miles." 

Captain Clark evidently writes the journal at this point, as he 
says, under date of April 26, 1805 : "We continued our voyage in the 
morning and by twelve o'clock encamped, at eight miles distance, at the 
junction of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers, where we were soon 
joined by Captain Lewis. 

"On leaving us yesterday, he pursued his route along the foot of 
the hills, which he ascended at the distance of eight miles; from these 
the wide plains watered by the Missouri and the Yellowstone spread 
themselves before the eye, occasionally varied with the wood of the banks, 
enlivened by the irregular windings of the two rivers and animated 
by vast herds of buffalo, deer, elk and antelope. 

"The confluence of the two rivers was concealed by the wood, but 
the Yellowstone itself was only two miles distant to the south. He 
therefore descended the hills and encamped on the bank of the river, 
having killed as he crossed the plain four buffaloes; the deer alone 
are shy and retire to the woods, but the elk, antelope and buffalo suf- 
fered him to approach without alarm and often followed him quietly for 
some distance. This morning he sent a man up the river to examine 
it, while he proceeded down to the juncture. 

"The ground on the lower side of the Yellowstone near its mouth 



30 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

is flat and for about a mile seems to be subject to inundation, while 
that at the point of juncture, as well as that on the opposite side of 
the Missouri, is at the usual height of ten or eighteen feet above the 
water and therefore not overflown. There is more timber in the neigh- 
borhood of this place and on the Missouri as far below as the White Earth 
river, than on any other part of the Missouri on this side of the Cheyenne ; 
the timber consists principally of cottonwood, with some small elm, ash 
and box elder. On the sandbars and along the margin of the river grows 
the small-leafed willow ; in the low grounds adjoining are scattered rose- 
bushes three or four feet high, the redberry, serviceberry and redwood. 
The higher plains are either immediately on the river, in which case they 
are generally timbered and have an undergrowth like that of the low- 
grounds, with the addition of the broad-leafed willow, gooseberry, choke 
cherry, purple currant and honeysuckle; or they are between the low 
grounds and the hills, and for the most part without wood or anything 
except large quantities of wild hysop; this plant rises about two feet 
high and, like the willow of the sandbars, is a favorite food of the buffalo, 
elk, deer, grouse, porcupine, hare and rabbit. * * * 

"The man who was sent up the river reported in the evening that he 
had gone about eight miles, that during that distance the river winds 
on both sides of a plain four or five miles wide, that the current was 
gentle and much obstructed by sandbars, that at five miles he had 
met with a large timbered island, three miles beyond which a creek 
falls in on the southeast above a high bluff in which are several strata 
of coal. The country, as far as he could discern, resembled that of 
the Missouri, and in the plain he met several of the bighorn animals 
but they were too shy to be obtained. 

"The bed of the Yellowstone, as we observed it near the mouth, 
is composed of sand and mud, without a stone of any kind. Just above 
the confluence we measured the two rivers, and found the bed of the 
Missouri five hundred and twenty yards wide, the water occupying only 
three hundred and thirty, and the channel deep; while the Yellowstone, 
including its sandbar, occupied eight hundred and fifty-eight yards with 
two hundred and ninety-seven yards of water; the deepest part of the 
channel is twelve feet, but the water is now falling and seems to be 
nearly at summer height. 

"We left the mouth of the Yellowstone (April 27th). From the 
point of juncture a wood occupies the space between the two rivers, 
which at the distance of a mile came within two hundred and fifty yards 
of each other. There a beautiful low plain commences and widening, 
as the rivers recede, extends along each of them for several miles, rising 
about half a mile from the Missouri into a plain twelve feet higher 
than itself. The low plain is a few inches above high water mark, 
and where it joins the higher plain there is a channel of sixty or seventy 
yards in width, through which a part of the Missouri, when at its 
greatest height, passes into the Yellowstone. At two and a half miles 
above the juncture and between the high and low plain, is a small 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 31 

lake two hundred yards wide, extending for a mile parallel with the 
Missouri, along the edge of the upper plain. 

"At the lower extremity of this lake, about four hundred yards 
from the Missouri and twice that distance from the Yellowstone, is a 
small lake highly eligible for a trading station; it is in the high plain 
which extends back three miles in width and seven or eight miles in 
length, along the Yellowstone, where it is bordered by an extensive 
body of woodland and along the Missouri with less breadth, till three 
miles above it is circumscribed by the hills within a space of four 
yards in width. A sufficient quantity of limestone for building may 
easily be procured near the junction of the rivers; it does not lie in 
regular stratas, but is in large irregular masses, of a light color and 
apparently of an excellent quality. Game, too, is very abundant and as 
yet quite gentle. Above all, its elevation recommends it as preferable 
to the land at the confluence of the rivers, which their variable channels 
may render very insecure." 

For several days, or until about the ist of May, 1805, wind and 
weather were favorable for sailing, and the Eastern Missouri valley was 
traversed until the Porcupine Creek was reached. This is a northern 
tributary of the Whitewater River, which, with the Milk River, drains 
quite a section of Northern Montana, and joins the Missouri River in 
the southern part of what is now Valley County. All along the route, 
game was very abundant, such as the black tailed deer, elk, buffalo, 
antelope, brown bear and geese. At places, the beaver had committed 
great ravages among the trees, "one of which, nearly three feet in 
diameter, had been gnawed through by them." Captain Lewis had a 
narrow escape from a wounded white bear (a grizzly, evidently, as it. 
is described as yellowish brown in color). In the vicinity of Martha's 
River, east of Porcupine Creek, it was noted that "there are greater 
appearances of coal than we have hitherto seen, the stratas of it being 
in some places six feet thick, and there are stratas of burnt earth, which 
are always on the same level with those of coal." 

Speaking of the antelope, the journal observes: "This fleet and 
quick-sighted animal is generally the victim of its own curiosity: when 
they first see the hunters, they run with great velocity; if he lies down 
on the ground and lifts up his arm, his hat or his foot, the antelope 
returns on a light trot to look at the object and sometimes goes and 
returns two or three times, till they approach within reach of the rifle; 
so, too, they sometimes leave their flock to go and look at the wolves, 
who crouch down, and if the antelope be frightened at first, repeat 
the same manoeuvre, and sometimes relieve each other till they decoy it 
from the party, when they seize it. But generally the wolves take them 
as they are crossing the rivers, for, although swift of foot, they are 
not good swimmers." 

On May 2nd, while nearing Porcupine Creek "one of the hunters, 
in passing an old Indian camp, found several yards of scarlet cloth 
suspended on the bough of a tree, as a sacrifice to the deity by the Assini- 
boines, the custom of making these offerings being common among that 



32 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

people, as indeed among all the Indians on the Missouri." On the 
following day, near their encampment, was passed "a curious collection 
of bushes, about thirty feet high and ten or twelve in diameter, tied 
in the form of a fascine (a faggot used in fortifications) and standing 
on end in the middle of the low ground." It, also, was supposed to have 
been left by the Indians as a religious offering. 

Fourteen miles farther up the river the expedition reached the 
mouth of the Porcupine named from the unusual number of the animal 
named found near it. In the journal of the explorers, it may be con- 
founded with Whitewater River, as it is described as "a bold and 
beautiful stream one hundred and twelve yards wide, though the water 
is only forty yards at its entrance. Captain Clark, who ascended it 
several miles and passed it above where it enters the highlands, found it 
continued nearly of the same width and about knee deep, and as far 
as he could distinguish for twenty miles from the hills its course was 
a little to the east of north. There was much timber on the low grounds ; 
he found some limestone, also, on the surface of the earth in the course 
of his walk, and saw a range of low mountains at a distance to the 
west of north (Little Creek Mountains) whose direction was northwest, 
the adjoining country being everywhere level, fertile, open and ex- 
ceedingly beautiful. 

"The water of this river is transparent, and is the only one that 
is so of all those that fall into the Missouri ; before entering a large 
sandbar through which it discharges itself, its low grounds are formed 
of a stiff blue and black clay, and its banks, which are from eight to 
ten feet high and seldom, if ever, overflow, are composed of the same 
materials. 

"From the quantity of water which this river contains, its direction 
and the nature of the country through which it passes, it is not im- 
probable that its sources may be near the main body of the Saskaskawan 
(Saskatchewan), and as in high water it can be no doubt navigated to a 
considerable distance, it may be rendered the means of intercourse with 
the Athabasky country, from which the northwest company derive so 
many of their valuable furs. 

"A quarter of a mile beyond this river, a creek falls in on the 
south, to which, on account of its distance from the mouth of the 
Missouri, we gave it the name of Two-thousand Mile creek; it is a 
bold stream, thirty yards wide." 

Game, both small and large, was very abundant in this region, where 
members of the party encountered and killed the largest brown bear they 
had yet seen. Although pierced with five rirle balls through his lungs and 
five others in other portions of his body, he swam half way across 
the river to a sandbar and then survived twenty minutes. The animal 
weighed about six hundred pounds and measured over eight and a half 
feet from the nose to the extremity of the hind foot, five feet and ten 
inches around the breast and three feet eleven inches around the neck. 
'On May 6th, the expedition crossed and named Big Dry and Little 
Dry creeks, in the present county of Garfield, which still appear on the 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 33 

map under those designations. The origin of the name is given in the 
Lewis-Clark journal, thus: "We passed three streams on the south: 
the first, at the distance of one mile and a half from our camp, was 
about twenty-five yards wide, but although it contained some water in 
standing pools, it discharges none. This we called Little Dry Creek, 
about eight miles beyond which is Big Dry creek, fifty yards wide, without 
any water; the third is six miles further, and has the bed of a large 
river two hundred yards wide, yet without a drop of water; like the 
other two, this stream, which we called Big Dry river, continues its 
width undiminished as far as we can discern." 

DISCOVER AND NAME THE MILK RIVER 

Two days afterward, a light breeze from the east carried their boat, 
sixteen miles, to the mouth of a river which came in from the north. 
Captain Clark, on ascending a high point opposite to its entrance, dis- 
covered a level and beautiful country which it watered; that its course 
for twelve or fifteen miles was northwest, when it divided into two 
nearly equal branches, one pursuing a direction nearly north, the other to 
the west of north. Its width at the entrance to the Missouri, in the 
southern part of what is now Valley County, was one hundred and fifty 
yards. A few miles up stream, it was found to be of the same breadth 
deep, gentle and carrying a large volume of water. Its bed was formed 
of a dark, rich loam and blue clay; banks some twelve feet in height; 
the low grounds near it wide and fertile and bearing much cottonwood 
and willow. The river had to be named, and the expeditionary journal 
of May 8, 1805, makes record: "It seems to be navigable for boats and 
canoes, and this circumstance, joined to its course and the quantity of 
water, which indicates that it passes through a large extent of country, 
we are led to presume that it may approach the Saskashawan and afford 
a communication with that river. The water has peculiar whiteness, 
such as might be produced by a table spoon full of milk in a dish of tea, 
and this circumstance induced us to call it Milk River." 

THE MUSSELSHELL RIVER 

The next river of any consequence reached by the expedition was 
the Muscleshell, or Musselshell. Progress to this point had been ac- 
complished by a twelve-days' journey from the Milk River district. On 
May 20th, the camp was pitched at the upper point of the river's juncture 
with the Missouri, from the south. "This stream," says the record, 
"which we suppose to be that called by the Minnetarees the Muscleshell 
river, empties into the Missouri two thousand two hundred and seventy 
miles above the mouth of the latter river, and in latitude 47 o' 24"6 
north. It is one hundred and ten yards wide and contains more water 
than streams of that size usually do in this country; its current is by 
no means rapid and there is every appearance of its being navigable by 
canoes for a considerable distance; its bed is chiefly formed of coarse 

Vol. 18 



34 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

sand and gravel, with an occasional mixture of black mud; the banks 
abrupt and nearly twelve feet high, so that they are secure from being 
overflowed; the water is of a greenish yellow cast and much more trans- 
parent than that of the Missouri, which itself, though clearer than below, 
still retains its whitish hue and a portion of its sediment. Opposite to 
the point of juncture the current of the Missouri is gentle and two 
hundred and twenty-two yards in width, the bed principally of mud 
(the little sand remaining being wholly confined to the points) and still 
too deep to use the setting pole. If this be, as we suppose, the Muscle- 
shell, our Indian information is that it rises in the first chain of the 
Rocky Mountains not far from the sources of the Yellowstone, whence, 
in its course to this place, it waters a high, broken country, well 
timbered, particularly on its borders, and interspersed with handsome 
fertile plains and meadows. * t * * They also reported that the 
country is broken and irregular like that near our camp; that about five 
miles up a handsome river about fifty yards wide, which we named after 
Charbonneau's wife, Sahcajahweah, or Birdwoman's river, discharges 
itself into the Muscleshell on the north or upper side. 

"Another party found at the foot of the southern hills, about four 
miles from the Missouri, a fine bold spring, which in this country is 
so rare that since we left the Mandans we have found only one of a 
similar kind, and that was under the bluffs on the south side of the 
Missouri, at some distance from it and about five miles below the 
Yellowstone; with this exception, all the small fountains, of which we 
have met a number, are impregnated with the salts which are so abundant 
here, and with which the Missouri is itself most probably tainted though 
to us who have been so much accustomed to it, the taste is not per- 
ceptible." 

Continuing up the Missouri River, the game became scarcer and the 
country more broken, and the leaders commenced to speculate whether or 
not they were not approaching the outposts of the great Rockies, or 
continental divide, which was the immediate object t of their voyage. 
On May 25th, they record : "The high country through which we have 
passed for some days, and where we now are, we suppose to be a 
continuation of what the French traders called the Cote Noire or Black 
Hills. The country thus denominated consists of high, broken, irregular 
hills and short chains of mountains, sometimes one hundred and twenty 
miles in width, sometimes narrower, but always much higher than the 
country on either side. They commence about the head of the Kansasa, 
where they diverge, the first ridge going westward along the northern 
shore of the Arkansaw; the second approaches the Rocky Mountains 
obliquely in a course a little to the west of northwest, and after passing 
the Platte above its forks and intersecting the Yellowstone near the 
Bigbend, crosses the Missouri at this place, and probably swell the 
country as far as the Saskashawan, though as they are represented much 
smaller here than to the south they may not reach that river." 

What are now known as the Black .Hills are much more circum- 
scribed than the supposititious range noted in the Lewis-Clark journal. 



o 

a 

H 





36 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

FIRST VIEW OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 

On the day after noting the broken appearance of the country through 
which they were passing, the first view was obtained of the Rocky 
Mountains. From the description, they were probably some portions 
of the Belt Range of Central Montana. "It was here," says the journal, 
"that, after ascending the highest summits of the hills on the north 
side of the river, Captain Lewis first caught a distant view of the Rocky 
Mountains, the object of all our hopes and the reward of all our 
ambition. On both sides of the river and at no great distance from it, 
the mountains followed its course; above these, at the distance of fifty 
miles from us, an irregular range of mountains spread themselves from 
west to northwest from his position. To the north of these a few elevated 
points, the most remarkable of which bore north 65 west, appeared 
above the horizon, and as the sun shone on the snows of their summits 
he obtained a clear and satisfactory view of those mountains which 
close on the Missouri the passage of the Pacific." 

It is probable that the hills from which Captain Lewis thus obtained 
his first ravishing view of the outskirts of the Rockies were what are 
now known as Little Creek Mountains, as shortly afterward the members 
of the party congratulated themselves "as having escaped from the last 
ridges of the Black Mountains," and discovered and named "Bull creek." 
"To further fix the locality, on the following day they came to a handsome 
river, which discharges itself on the south and which we ascended to 
the distance of a mile and a half. We called it Judith river; it rises 
in the Rocky Mountains, in about the same place with the Muscleshell 
and near the Yellowstone river." 

WHOLESALE SLAUGHTER OF BUFFALO 

"On the north," reads the journal of May 29, 1805, "we passed a 
precipice about one hundred and twenty feet high, under which lay 
scattered the fragments of at least one hundred carcasses of buffaloes, 
although the water, which had washed away the lower part of the hill, 
must have carried off many of the. dead. These buffaloes had been 
chased down the precipice in a way very common on the Missouri, and 
by which vast herds are destroyed in a moment. The mode of hunting 
is to select one of the most active and fleet young men, who is disguised 
by a buffalo skin round his body, the skin of the head, with the ears and 
horns, fastened on his own head in such a way as to deceive the 
buffalo ; thus dressed he fixes himself at a convenient distance between a 
herd of buffalo and any of the river precipices, which sometimes extend 
for some miles. His companions, in the meantime, get in the rear and 
side of the herd, and at a given signal show themselves and advance 
toward the buffalo ; they instantly take the alarm and finding the hunters 
beside them, they run toward the disguised Indian or decoy, who leads 
them on at full speed toward the river, when suddenly securing himself 
in some crevice of the cliff which he had previously fixed on, the herd 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 37 

is left on the brink of the precipice. It is then in vain for the foremost to 
retreat or even stop. They are pressed on by the hindmost rank, who, 
seeing no danger but from the hunters, goad on those before them 
till the whole are precipitated and the shore is strewn with their dead 
bodies. 

"Sometimes in this perilous seduction, the Indian is himself either 
trodden under foot by the rapid movements of the buffalo, or missing 
his footing in the cliff is urged down the precipice by the falling herd. 
The Indians then select as much meat as they wish, and the rest is 
abandoned to the wolves, and creates a most dreadful stench. The 
wolves who had been feasting on these carcasses were very fat, and so 
gentle that one of them was killed with an esponton. Above this place 




EARLY INHABITANTS OF THE PLAINS 

we came to for dinner at the distance of seventeen miles, opposite to a 
bold running river of twenty yards wide, and falling in on the south. 
From the objects we had just passed we called this stream Slaughter 
river." 

For several days, the party passed through a region of fantastic 
sandstone cliffs and hills of freestone, and obtained another distant 
view of the Rockies from some of the most considerable eminences. On 
the 2nd of June a string of islands drew their attention, and at night 
of that day they encamped "in a handsome low cotton wood plain on the 
south," where they remained "for the purpose of making some celestial 
observations during the night, and of examining in the morning a large 
river" which flowed into the Missouri opposite their encampment, from 
the north. 

At an early hour of the following day (June 3rd), the expedition 
pitched its camp in the point formed by the junction of Maria's River 
with the Missouri. "It now became an interesting question," continues 



38 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

the journal of the perplexed explorers, "which of these two streams 
is what the Minnetarees call Ahmateahza, or the Missouri, which they 
described as approaching very near to the Columbia. On our right 
decision much of the fate of the expedition depends; since if, after 
ascending to the Rocky Mountains or beyond them, we should find that 
the river we were following did not" come near the Columbia, and be 
obliged to return, we should not only lose the traveling season, two 
months of which hard already elapsed, but probably dishearten the men 
so much as to induce them either to abandon the enterprise, or yield 
us a cold obedience instead of the warm and zealous support which they 
have hitherto afforded us. 

"We determined, therefore, to examine well before we decided on 
our future course ; and for this purpose dispatched two canoes with three 
men up. each of the streams, with orders to ascertain the width, depth 
and rapidity of the current, so as to judge of their comparative bodies 
of water. At the same time parties were sent out by land to penetrate 
the country and discover from the rising grounds, if possible, the distant 
bearings of the two rivers; and all were directed to return towards 
evening. While they were gone we ascended together the high grounds 
in the forks of these two rivers, whence we had a very extensive prospect 
of the surrounding country. 

"On every side it was spread into one vast plain covered with verdure, 
in which innumerable herds of buffaloes were roaming, .attended by 
their enemies, the wolves ; some flocks of elks were seen, and the solitary 
antelopes were scattered with their young over the face of the plain. To 
the south was a range of lofty mountains, which we supposed to be a 
continuation of the South Mountain, stretching themselves from southeast 
to northwest (probably the Belt Range), and terminating abruptly about 
southwest from us. These were partially covered with snow; but at 
a great distance behind them was a more lofty ridge completely covered 
with snow, which seemed to follow the same direction as the first, reaching 
from west to the north of northwest (perhaps the Big Belt Mountains), 
where their snowy tops were blended with the horizon. 

"The direction of the rivers could not, however, be long dis- 
tinguished, as they were soon lost in the extent of the plain. On our 
return we continued our examination; the width of the north branch 
is two hundred yards, that of the south is three hundred and seventy-two. 
The north, although narrower and with a gentler current, is deeper than 
the south ; its waters, too, are of the same whitish brown color, thickness 
and turbidness ; they run in the same boiling and rolling manner which 
has uniformly characterized the Missouri ; and its bed is composed of 
some gravel, but principally mud. The south fork is deeper, but its 
waters are perfectly transparent; its current is rapid, but the surface 
smooth and unruffled; and its bed, too, is composed of round and flat 
smooth stones like those of rivers issuing from a mountainous country. 
The air and character of the north fork so much resemble those of the 
Missouri that almost all the party believe that to be the true course to 
be pursued. We, however, although we have given no decided opinion 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 39 

are inclined to think otherwise, because, although this branch does give 
the colour and character to the Missouri, yet these very circumstances 
induce an opinion that it rises in and runs through an open plain country, 
since if it came from the mountains it would be clearer, unless, which 
from the position of the country is improbable, it passed through a vast 
extent of low ground after leaving them. We thought it probable that 
it did not even penetrate the Rocky Mountains, but drew its sources 
from the open country towards the lower and middle parts of the 
Saskashawan, in a direction north of this place. 

"What embarrasses us most is, that the Indians, who appeared to be 
well acquainted with the geography of the country, have not mentioned 
this northern river; for 'the river which scolds at all others,' as it is 
termed, must be, according to their account, one of the rivers which we 
have passed; and if this north fork be the Missouri, why have they not 
designated the south branch, which they must also have passed in order 
to reach the great falls which they mention on the Missouri?" 

ROMANCE OF MARIA'S RIVER 

The foregoing extracts are taken from the journal to show the care 
with which the leaders examined all the evidences and the wisdom of 
their general conclusion that their way to the mountains lay along the 
south rather than the north fork. After examining the streams and 
the neighboring country several days more, Captain Lewis became con- 
vinced that the northern stream pursued a direction too far north for 
their desired route to the Pacific, by way of the Columbia. On the 8th 
of June, 1805, as his party came down the river, all its members, except 
he himself, "were of opinion that this river was the true Missouri; but 
Captain Lewis, being fully persuaded that it was neither the main stream 
nor that which it would be advisable to ascend, gave it the name of 
Maria's River. After travelling all day they reached the camp at five 
o'clock in the afternoon, and found Captain Clark and the party very 
anxious for their safety, as they had staid two days longer than had 
been expected." 

Elsewhere Captain Lewis states : "I determined to give it a name, and 

in honour of Miss Maria W d called it Maria's River. It is true that 

the hue of the waters of this turbulent and troubled stream but illy 
comport with the pure celestial virtues and amiable qualifications of that 
lovely fair one; but on the other hand it is a noble river; one destined 
to become in my opinion an object of contention between the two great 
powers of America and Great Britain, with respect to the adjustment of 
the North-westwardly boundary of the former, and that it will become one 
of the most interesting branches of the Missouri." 

Dr. Elliott Coues, the learned editor of the 1893 edition of the journal, 
adds this enlightening bit of information : "The Ulyssean young captain 
is not successful in concealing the name of 'that lovely fair one'; for 
<W d' spells 'Wood' without any vowels. This lady was Miss Maria 
Wood, a cousin of his, afterward Mrs. M. Clarkson. There were a 



40 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

number of intermarriages between the Virginia Meriwethers, Lewises 
and Woods ; but one such, the prospect of which Captain Lewis may have 
cherished in his heart of hearts, was destined never to be." 

Captain Clark's independent explorations up the valley of Maria's 
River had also reconfirmed his belief that the stream mentioned was 
not the one to be pursued. Furthermore, as he states in his contribution 
to the journal, "the Indians had assured us, also, that the water of 
the Missouri was nearly transparent at the falls ; this is the case with the 
southern branch; that the falls lay a little to the south of sunset from 
them ; this, too, is in favor of the southern fork, for it bears considerably 
to the south of this place ; that the falls are below the Rocky Mountains, 
and near the northern termination of one range of those mountains. 
Now, there is a ridge of mountains which appear behind the South 
mountains and terminates to the southwest of us (Little Belt Mountains), 
at a sufficient distance from the unbroken chain of the Rocky Mountains 
to allow spaces for several falls, indeed, we fear, for too many of them." 

The observations and conclusions of Captains Lewis and Clark were 
communicated to the reunited party. But every one of them were of a 
contrary opinion, and much of their belief depended on Crusatte, an 
experienced waterman on the Missouri, who gave it as his decided judg- 
ment that the north fork was the genuine Missouri. The men therefore 
said that although they would cheerfully follow their leaders wherever 
they should direct, they were afraid that the south fork would soon 
terminate in the Rocky Mountains and leave the expedition at a great 
distance from the Columbia. That no radical error might be committed, 
the leaders agreed that one of them should ascend the southern branch 
by land until either the falls or the mountains should be reached, and 
that the main camp should be pitched on the north side of the Missouri 
near the entrance of Maria's River and await the return of the in- 
vestigators. 

LEWIS FINDS THE GREAT FALLS OF THE MISSOURI 

On June nth, Captain Lewis, with four men, set out on this ex- 
pedition up the south branch. Two days afterward, while traveling 
southwardly through a country of alternate plains and river hills, from 
the latter of which he could obtain views of the Rocky Mountains, 
"fearful of passing the falls before reaching the mountains," the Lewis 
party left the hills and proceeded across the plain. "In this direction," 
continues his narrative, "Captain Lewis had gone about two miles when 
his ears were saluted with the agreeable sound of a fall of water and 
as he advanced a spray, which seemed driven by a high southwest wind, 
arose above the plain like a column of smoke and vanished in an instant. 
Towards this point he directed his steps and the noise, increasing as he 
approached, soon became too tremendous to be mistaken for anything 
but the great falls of the Missouri. Having travelled seven miles after 
first hearing the sound, he reached the falls about twelve o'clock. The 
hills, as he approached, were difficult of access and two hundred feet 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 41 

high. Down these he hurried with impatience and seating himself on 
some rocks under the center of the falls, enjoyed the sublime spectacle 
of this stupendous object which since the creation had been lavishing its 
magnificence upon the desert, unknown to civilization." 

SUCCESSION OF WONDERFUL RAPIDS AND FALLS 

Captain Lewis gives some wonderful descriptions of the Great Falls 
and the succession of smaller falls and rapids farther up the river 
and to fully enjoy them, the reader must consult the text of the Journal, 
especially the edition of 1902, edited by Dr. James K. Hosmer. At this 
point in the story, it reads: "The river immediately at its cascade is 
three hundred yards wide and is pressed in by a perpendicular cliff 
on the left, which rises to about one hundred feet and extends up the 
stream for a mile; on the right the bluff is also perpendicular for three 
hundred yards above the falls. For ninety or a hundred yards from the 
left cliff, the water falls in one smooth, even sheet over a precipice of 
at least eighty feet. The remaining part of the river precipitates itself 
with a more rapid current, but being received, as it falls, by the irregu- 
lar and somewhat projecting rocks below, forms a splendid prospect 
of perfectly white foam, two hundred yards in length and eighty in 
perpendicular elevation. This spray is dissipated into a thousand shapes, 
sometimes flying up in columns of fifteen or twenty feet, which are 
then oppressed by larger masses of the white foam, on all which the 
sun impresses the brightest colours of the rainbow. As it rises from 
the fall, it beats with fury against a ledge of rocks which extend across 
the river at one hundred and fifty yards from the precipice * * * 
At the distance of three hundred yards from the same ridge is a second 
abutment of solid perpendicular rock about sixty feet high, projecting 
at right angles from the small plain on the north for one hundred and 
thirty-four yards into the river." 

Captain Lewis encamped for the night under a tree near the falls 
and walked along the river to find a place beyond where the canoes 
might be again launched, but for three miles below found a succession 
of rapids and cascades. On the following morning he sent one of his 
men to Captain Clark with an account of the discovery of the falls and 
resumed his course along the river toward the southwest. Five miles 
above, he found a second fall. Here the river was about four hundred 
yards wide, and for the distance of three hundred throws itself so 
irregularly that the captain called this succession of pitches Crooked Falls. 

"Above this fall," continues the narratice, "the river bends suddenly 
to the northward; while viewing this place Captain Lewis heard a loud 
roar above him and crossing the point of a hill for a hundred yards, 
he saw one of the most beautiful objects in nature: the whole Missouri 
is suddenly stopped by one shelving rock, which, without a single niche, 
and with an edge as straight and regular as if formed by art, stretches 
itself from one side of the river to the other for at least a quarter of 
a mile. Over this it precipitates itself in an even uninterrupted sheet 



42 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

to the perpendicular depth of fifty feet, whence dashing against the rocky 
bottom it rushes rapidly down, leaving behind it a spray of the purest 
foam across the river. The scene w y hich it presented was indeed 
singularly beautiful, since, without any of the wild, irregular sublimity 
of the lower falls, it combined all the regular elegances which the fancy 
of a painter would select to form a beautiful waterfall." 

For several miles above, rapids .and cascades, or smaller waterfalls, 
break the course of the river. During the day Lewis ascended a high 
hill, whence he could trace the course of the Missouri to the base of the 
Snow Mountains (Big Belt range) toward the southwest, as well as 
note a large river flowing from the northwest and joining it about four 
miles above his point of observation. After descending the hill and 
wounding a buffalo, while preparing to see him fall and provide meat 
for himself and men, he was attacked by a large brown bear. His rifle 
was unloaded and he only escaped death by fleeing to the river, plunging 
in and facing boldly about. He then continued his course toward the 
western river, found that it "was a handsome stream about two hundred 
yards wide, apparently deep, with a gentle current, its waters clear, and 
its banks, which were formed principally of dark brown and blue clay 
were about the same height as the Missouri, that is, from three to five 
feet. * * * This river is no doubt that which the Indians call 
Medicine River, which they mentioned as emptying into the Missouri 
just above the falls." Before he returned to camp, Captain Lewis was 
all but attacked by three bull buffaloes, and on the following morning, 
when awaking, found a large rattlesnake on the trunk of the tree under 
which he had been sleeping. All of which were taken as the usual risks 
of such an adventure as his. The messenger sent to Captain Clark 
returned with the information that the latter had arrived five miles 
below at a rapid, which he did not think it prudent to ascend, and would 
wait until Captain Lewis and his party rejoined him. 

MAKING THE PORTAGE AROUND GREAT FALLS 

On June i6th, the two parties were reunited by Captain Lewis joining 
the main body, under Captain Clark, about five miles below the falls. 
Captain Clark spent a number of days in examining the surrounding 
country for some feasible portage around Great Falls and the succession 
of rapids and cascades beyond. Portage Creek, so called, was finally 
selected for that purpose, and to facilitate the transportation of the 
canoes and the goods, rough carriages or wagons were made. "We were 
very fortunate," notes the journal, "in finding, just below Portage Creek. 
a cottonwood tree about twenty-two inches in diameter, and large enough 
to make the carriage wheels; it was perhaps the only one of the same 
size within twenty miles ; and the cottonwood, which we were obliged 
to employ in the other parts of the work, is extremely soft and brittle. 
The mast of the white periogue, which we mean to leave behind, supplied 
us with two axletrees." 

The hunters were sent out to kill buffaloes and other game, in order 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 43 

to collect meat to last while the transportation over the portage was being 
made. He carefully examined the route and fixed stakes to mark the 
definite line of the portage, having decided upon a locality about a mile 
beyond the juncture of the Medicine with the Missouri as the best point 
for the farther extremity of the portage. The three islands at that place 
were named Whitebear Islands, from the fact that a number of the 
animals were observed upon them. The portage was made with some 
difficulty, as various parts of the carriage broke under the weight of 
the goods and provisions, but finally the camp was selected in a small 
grove of timber opposite the Whitebear Islands and various scattered 
hunters were there collected before a general forward movement was 
attempted. Captain Lewis was in charge of the camp near the Medicine 
River and Captain Clark, the one at Portage Creek. 

NARROW ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN CLARK, THE BIRD WOMAN, ET AL. 

On June 28th, Captain Clark started for the other end of the portage 
with a portion of the baggage, but was overtaken by a cloudburst and 
was obliged to leave the heaviest articles behind. On the following day 
"finding it impossible to reach the end of the portage with their present 
load, in consequence of the state of the road after the rain, he sent back 
nearly all his party to bring on the articles which had been left yesterday. 
Having lost some notes and remarks which he had made on first 
ascending the river, he determined to go up to the Whitebear Island 
along its banks, in order to supply the deficiency. He left one man to 
guard the baggage and went on to the falls, accompanied by his servant, 
York, Charbonneau and his wife with her young child. On his arrival 
there, he observed a very dark cloud rising in the west which threatened 
rain, and looked around for some shelter, but could find no place 
where they would be secure from being blown into the river if the wind 
should prove as violent as it sometimes does in the plains. At length, 
about a quarter of a mile above the falls, he found a deep ravine where 
there were some shelving rocks under which he took refuge. They were 
on the upper side of the ravine near the river, perfectly safe from the 
rain, and therefore laid down their guns, compass and other articles 
which they carried with them. The shower was at first moderate, it 
then increased to a heavy rain, the effects of which they did not feel; 
soon after a torrent of rain and hail descended; the rain seemed to fall 
in a solid mass, and instantly collecting in the ravine came rolling down 
in a dreadful current, carrying the mud and rocks and everything 
that opposed it. Captain Clark fortunately saw it a moment before 
it reached them, and springing up with his gun and shotpouch in his 
left hand, with his right clambered up the steep bluff, pushing on the 
Indian woman with- her child in her arms ; her husband, too had seized 
her hand, and was pulling her up the hill, but he was so terrified at the 
danger that, but for Captain Clark, himself and his wife and child would 
have been lost. 

"So instantaneous was the rise of the water that before Captain 



44 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

Clark had reached his gun and begain to ascend the bank the water was 
up to his waist, and he could scarce get up faster than it rose, till it 
reached the height of fifteen feet with a furious current, which, had 
they waited a moment longer, would have swept them into the river just 
above the great falls, down which they must inevitably have been pre- 
cipitated. They reached the plain in safety and found York, who had 
been separated from them just before the storm to hunt some buffalo, 
and was now returning to find his master. They had been obliged to 
escape so rapidly that Captain Clark lost his compass and umbrella, 
Charbonneau left his gun, shotpouch and tomahawk, and the Indian 
woman had just time to grasp her child before the net in which it lay at 
her feet was carried down the current." 

VOYAGE UP THE MISSOURI RESUMED 

It was not until July 15, 1805, that the expedition was ready to proceed 
up the Missouri. Much time was spent in attempting to complete a 
large boat of skins, which had been prepared for the purpose at Harper's 
Ferry. Its frame was of iron, thirty-six feet long, four feet and a half 
beam and twenty-six inches wide at the bottom. The design was to 
complete its construction with timber, but the native supply of cotton- 
wood, willow and box-alder was found ill adapted for the purpose. 
Neither were the builders able to obtain the necessary tar to properly 
close the seams. As a substitute they formed a composition of pounded 
charcoal, beeswax and buffalo tallow, and sewed the skins together with 
sharp-edged, instead of pointed needle. On the 9th of July, the boat 
was launched, but a heavy wind prevented its departure and on the 
following morning it was found that the composition had separated 
from the skins, leaving the seams exposed, and the boat and the venture 
along this line had to be abandoned. To make a long, trying experience 
short in the telling, the boat was taken to pieces and its various parts 
worked into canoes, and at ten o'clock in the morning of July I5th they 
were loaded with the expeditionary baggage, and the voyage up the 
Missouri was resumed. 

SMITH'S AND DEARBORN RIVERS 

Smith's River, which comes into the Missouri from the south, rising 
in the Little Belt Mountains and flowing through the west-central por- 
tions of Cascade County, was named after Robert Smith, who was then 
secretary of the navy. "At six miles" (from camp), the journal notes, 
"we came to an island opposite to a bend toward the north side, and 
reached, at seven and a half miles, the lower point of a woodland at the 
entrance of a beautiful river, which, in honour of the Secretary of 
the Navy, we called Smith's river. This stream falls into a bend on the 
south side of the Missouri and is eighty yards wide. As far as we could 
discern its course wound through a charming valley towards the 
southeast, in which many herds of buffalo were feeding, till at the distance 
of twenty-five miles, it entered the Rocky Mountains and was lost from 
our view." 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 45 

Three days after striking and naming Smith's River, the secretary 
of war^ Henry Dearborn, was honored by the explorers in the naming 
of the "handsome, bold and clear stream" emptying itself from the north 
and coming, as we would now describe it, from vast masses of the Con- 
tinental Divide, through the Montana county of Lewis and Clark. Soon 
after leaving Dearborn's river, the expedition reached a creek which was 
named after Sergeant John Ordway, and on the following day, July 
I9th, were entering the rocky wilds of the present Helena district. ' 

THE GATES OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 

For a dozen miles, or more, the flotilla of canoes had been following 
the numerous bends of the Missouri, through a hot and confined valley, 




AT THE GATES OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 

with the mountains in the near distance covered with patches of pine, 
cedar and fir and capped with snow, when the ranges on either side 
suddenly approached the river, "forming a most sublime and extraor- 
dinary spectacle. For five and three quarters miles these rocks rise 
perpendicularly from the water's edge to the height of nearly twelve 
hundred feet. They are composed of a black granite near its base, but 
from its lighter colour above, and from the fragments, we suppose the 
upper part to be flint of a yellowish brown and cream colour. Nothing 
can be imagined more tremendous than the frowning darkness of these 
rocks, which project over the river and menace us with destruction. The 
river, of one hundred and fifty yards, in width, seems to have forced its 
channel down this solid mass, but so reluctantly has it given way that 
during the whole distance the water is very deep, even at the edges, and 
for the first three miles there is not a spot, except one of a few 
yards, in which a man could stand between the water and the towering 
perpendicular of the mountain. The convulsion of the passage must 



46 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

have been terrible, since at its outlet there are vast columns of rock 
torn from the mountain which are strewed on both sides of the river, 
the trophies, as it were, of the victory. Several fine springs burst out 
from the chasms of the rock, and contribute to increase the water, which 
has now a strong current, but very fortunately we are able to overcome 
it with our oars, since it would be impossible to use either the cord or the 
pole. We were obliged to go on some time after dark, not being able to 
find a spot large enough to encamp on; but at length, about two miles 
above a small island in the middle of the river, we met with a spojt on the 
left side where we procured plenty of lightwood and pitch pine. This 
extraordinary range of rocks we called the Gates of the Rocky Moun- 
tains." 

A short distance from the Gates, the perpendicular rocks ceased 
and the hills retired from the valley of the Missouri which again broad- 
ened, bounded by parallel chains of mountains. Captain Clark lead a 
party along the valley lands, hunting and investigating as he went. 
Before encamping for the night, the boats stopped and took aboard the 
meat which his men had collected during the day's hunt, and Captain 
Lewis received from his coworker an account of his investigations by 
land. The bed of the river was now diversified by many islands which 
were much frequented by otter and beaver. Pryor, Whitehouse and Gass 
creeks were named after John Pryor, Joseph Whitehouse and Patrick 
Gass, members of the expedition. 



CLARK REACHES THE THREE FORKS 

In the meantime, Captain Clark had continued his land travel along 
the Indian road, and on July 25, 1805, "arrived at the three forks of the 
Missouri. Here he found that the plains had been recently burnt on 
the north side, and saw the track of a horse which seemed to have passed 
about four or five days since. After breakfast he examined the rivers, 
and finding that the north branch (the Jefferson) although not larger, 
contained more water than the middle branch, and bore more to the 
westward, he determined to ascend it. He therefore left a note informing 
Captain Lewis of his intention, and then went up that stream on the 
north side for about twenty-five miles. Here Charbonneau was unable 
to proceed any further, and the party therefore encamped, all of them 
much fatigued, their feet blistered and wounded by the prickly pear." 

LEWIS AT THE THREE FORKS 

Captain Lewis and his party were ascending the Missouri, while his 
companion, who had been taken sick in the midst of his explorations, 
was endeavoring to join him. The former reached the three forks on 
the 27th. He says : "A range of high mountains partially covered with 
snow is seen at a considerable distance, running from south to west, 
and nearly all around us are broken ridges of country like that below 
through which those united streams appear to have forced their passage. 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 



47 



After observing the country (from a high limestone cliff, which he had 
ascended), Captain Lewis descended to breakfast. We then left the 
mouth of the southeast fork, which, in honour of the secretary of the 
treasury we called Gallatin's River, and at the distance of half a mile 
reached the confluence of the southwest and middle branches of the 
Missouri. Here we found the letter from Captain Clark, and as agreed 
with him that the direction of the southwest fork (the Jefferson) gave 
it a decided preference over the others, we ascended that branch of the 
river for a mile, and encamped in a level handsome plain on the left, hav- 
ing advanced only seven miles. Here we resolved to wait the return of 




THREE FORKS OF THE MISSOURI 

Captain Clark, and in the meantime make the necessary celestial observa- 
tions, as this seemed an essential point in the geography of the western 
world, and also to recruit men and air the baggage. It was accordingly 
all unloaded and stowed away on shore. 

"Near the three forks we saw many collections of the mud-nests of 
the small martin attached to the smooth faces of the limestone rock, 
where they were sheltered by projections of the rock above it; and in 
the meadows were numbers of the duck or mallard, with their young, 
who are now nearly grown. The hunters returned towards evening 
with six deer, three otter and a muskrat, and had seen great numbers of 
antelopes, and much sign of the beaver and elk. 

"During all last night Captain Clark had a high fever and chills, 
accompanied with great pain. He, however, pursued his route eight 
miles to the middle branch, where not finding any fresh Indian tracks, 
he came down it and joined us about three o'clock, very much exhausted 



48 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

with fatigue and the violence of his fever. Believing himself bilious 
he took a dose of Rush's pills, which we have always found sovereign 
in such cases, and bathing the lower extremities in warm water. 

"We are now very anxious to see the Snake Indians. After advanc- 
ing for several hundred miles into this wild and mountainous country, 
we may soon expect that the game will abandon us. With no information 
of the route, we may be unable to find a passage across the mountains 
when we reach the head of the river, at least such a one as will lead 
us to the Columbia, and even were we so fortunate as to find a branch 
of that river, the timber which we have hitherto seen in these mountains 
does not promise us any fit to make canoes, so that our chief dependence 
is on meeting some tribe from whom we may procure horses. Our 
consolation is that this southwest branch can scarcely head with any 
other river than the Columbia, and that if any nation of Indians can 
live in the mountains we are able to endure as much as they, and have 
even better means of procuring subsistence." 

JEFFERSON AND MADISON RIVERS NAMED AND DESCRIBED 

The entries in the journal under date of July 28, 1805, are even 
of greater interest historical, geographical and personal and are given 
without further comment: "On examining the two streams, it became 
difficult to decide which was the larger or the real Missouri; they are 
each ninety yards wide, and so perfectly similar in character and ap- 
pearance that they seem to have been formed in the same mould. We 
were therefore induced to discontinue the name of Missouri and gave 
to the southwest branch the name of Jefferson, in honor of the president 
of the United States and the projector of the enterprise, and called the 
middle branch Madison, after James Madison, secretary of state. These 
two, as well as Gallatin River, run with great velocity and throw out 
large bodies of water. Gallatin River is, however, the most rapid of the 
three and, though not quite as deep, yet navigable for a considerable 
distance. Madison River, though much less rapid than the Gallatin, is 
somewhat more rapid than the Jefferson; the beds of all of them are 
formed of smooth pebble and gravel, and the waters are perfectly 
transparent. * * * * 

. 

THE BIRD WOMAN IN HER HOME LAND 

"Sacajawea, our Indian woman, informs us that we are encamped 
on the precise spot where her countrymen, the Snake Indians, had their 
huts five years ago, when the Minnetarees of Knife River first came in 
sight of them, and from which they hastily retreated three miles up the 
Jefferson and concealed themselves in the woods. The Minnetarees, 
however, pursued and attacked them, killed four men, as many women, 
and a number of boys, and made prisoners of four other boys and all the 
females, of whom Sacajawea was one; she does not, however, show any 
distress at these recollections, nor any joy at being restored to her 



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Vol. 14 



50 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

country; for she seems to possess the folly or the philosophy of not 
suffering her feelings to extend beyond the anxiety of having plenty 
to eat and a few trinkets to wear." 

Two days afterward, Captain Clark, feeling much better, and 
observations having been made to fix the longitude of this important 
geographical point on the western continent, the men reloaded the canoes 
and the expedition moved up the Jefferson River. The Indian Bird 
Woman was now on home ground and the leaders figuratively placed 
themselves in her hands. For some time, she was the most important 
member of the party. Soon after the start she pointed out to Captain 
Lewis the place where she had been made prisoner. Her fellow country- 
men, being too few to contend with the Minnetarees, had mounted their 
horses and fled as soon as the attack began. The women and children 
dispersed, and Sacajawea, as she was crossing the river at a shoal place, 
was overtaken by her pursuers and captured. 

LEWIS ASCENDS THE JEFFERSON (BEAVERHEAD) 

Captain Lewis, with the Indian woman as guide and Charbonneau 
as interpreter, now assumed the land travel in search of the Snake 
Indians. He found and named Philosophy River. His companions were 
also Sergeant Gass and Drewyer. Frazier and Fields creeks (named after 
Robert Frazier and Reuben Fields) were also placed on the map of the 
present Montana, along this route. Both leaders floundered around, 
either along various streams or over the surrounding country, endeavor- 
ing to find, beyond mistake, the true continuation of the Jefferson, and 
finally decided on the middle branch. Finally, after nine days from the 
commencement of its ascent, or August 8th, Sacajawea recognized a 
curious projection into the river of an elevated plain as the point which 
her people called Beaver Head, from a supposed resemblance to that 
object. She said it was not far from the summer retreat of her country- 
men, which was on a river beyond the mountains and running to the 
west. She was therefore certain that the Shoshonees would be either 
on the Jefferson River, or immediately west of its source, which from 
the size of the stream was judged to be not far distant. 



Captain Lewis, with three of his men, therefore set out to search for 
the Snake Indians, or any other nation which could supply horses with 
which to transport' the baggage of the expedition across the mountains 
opposite the source of the Missouri. Some twenty or twenty-five miles 
from Beaver Head, on the following day (August loth) he had traced 
the Jefferson to a high cliff, which he christened Rattlesnake, from the 
number of that reptile which he saw there. Beyond the stream forked, 
and choosing the road along the one which showed the freshest tracks 
of horses, he fixed a dry willow pole at that point bearing a note to 
Captain Clark, recommending him to await his return at that place. On 
the day mentioned, Captain Lewis and his men had travelled thirty 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 51 

miles, and on the following day (August nth) the former "had the 
mortification to find the track which he followed yesterday soon dis- 
appeared." 

While he and his companions (Drewyer and Shields) were searching 
for the lost trail, "Captain Lewis perceived with the greatest delight, 
a man on horseback at the distance of two miles coming down the plain 
toward them. On examining him with the glass, Captain Lewis saw that 
he was of a different nation from any Indians we had hitherto met; 
he was armed with a bow and a quiver of arrows ; mounted on an elegant 
horse without a saddle, and a small string attached to the under jaw 
answered as a bridle. Convinced that he was a Shoshonee, and knowing 
how much of our success depended on the friendly offices of that nation, 
Captain Lewis was full of anxiety to approach without alarming him, 
and endeavor to convince him that he was a white man. He therefore 
proceeded on towards the Indian at his usual pace. When they were 
within a mile of each other, the Indian suddenly stopped Captain Lewis 
immediately followed his example, took his blanket from his knapsack 
and holding it with both hands at two corners threw it above his head 
and unfolded it as he brought it to the ground as if in the act of spreading 
it. This signal, which originates in the practice of spreading a robe or 
a skin, as a seat for guests to whom they wish to show a distinguished 
kindness, is the universal sign of friendship among the Indians on the 
Missouri and the Rocky Mountains. As usual, Captain Lewis re- 
peated this signal three times; still the Indian kept his position, and 
looked with an air of suspicion on Drewyer and Shields who were now 
advancing on each side. Captain Lewis was afraid to make any signal 
for them to halt, lest he should increase the suspicion of the Indian, 
who began to be uneasy, and they were too distant to hear his voice. 
He therefore took from his pack some beads, a looking glass and a few 
trinkets, which he had brought for the purpose and, leaving his gun, 
advanced unarmed towards the Indian. The latter remained in the same 
position till Captain Lewis came within two hundred yards of him, when 
he turned his horse and began to move off slowly. 

"Captain Lewis then called out to him in as loud a voice as he could, 
repeating the words tabba bone f which in the Shoshonee language means 
'white man'; but looking over his shoulder the Indian kept his eyes on 
Drewyer and Shields, who were still advancing, without recollecting the 
impropriety of doing so at such a moment, till Captain Lewis made a 
signal to them to halt; this Drewyer obeyed, but Shields did not observe 
it, and still went forward. Seeing Drewyer halt, the Indian turned his 
horse about as if to wait for Captain Lewis, who now reached within 
150 paces, repeating the words, tabba bone! and holding up the trinkets 
in his hand, at the same time stripping up the sleeve of his shirt to show 
the colour of his skin. The Indian suffered him to advance within 100 
paces, then suddenly turned his horse and, giving him the whip, leaped 
across the creek and disappeared in an instant among the willow bushes ; 
with him vanished all the hopes which the sight of him had inspired of 
a friendly introduction to his countrymen." 



52 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

Unfortunately a rain obliterated all traces of the Indian or his 
red companions, Captain . Lewis and his men making every endeavor 
to run them down. While thus engaged, they passed a large island 
which they called Three-thousand-mile Island, "on account of its being 
that distance from the mouth of the Missouri." 

PASSAGE OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE 

The lost trail and the persistent search for it resulted, on the following 
day (August 12, 1805), in one of the great events of history and 
geography the discovery and passage of the great continental watershed 
of the United States of America. In view of the significance of the 
event, its details, as recorded in the Lewis-Clark journal are of absorbing 
interest. The morning of the day mentioned saw Captain Lewis and 
his two comrades still endeavoring to trace the tracks of the horse 
which they had lost in the mountains, on the previous day. The waters 
of the Jefferson were now shallow and rapid and flowed from a cove in 
the mountains, winding across a low plain which was further inter- 
sected by bayous. 

The story is thus told in the journal: "Captain Lewis now decided 
on making the circuit along the foot of the mountains which formed the 
cove, expecting by that means to find a road across them, and accordingly 
sent Drewyer on one side and Shields on the other. In this way they 
crossed four small rivulets near each other, on which were some bowers 
or conical lodges of willow brush, which seemed to have been made 
recently. From the manner in which the ground in the neighborhood 
was torn up, the Indians appeared to have been gathering roots, but 
Captain Lewis could not discover what particular plant they were search- 
ing for, nor could he find any fresh track, till at the distance of four miles 
from his camp he met a large plain Indian road which came into the 
cove from the northwest, and wound along the foot of the mountains 
to the southwest, approaching obliquely the main stream he had left 
yesterday. Down this road he now went toward the southwest; at the 
distance of five miles it crossed a large run or creek, which is a principal 
branch of the main stream into which it falls, just above the high cliffs 
or gates observed yesterday, and which they now saw before them. Here 
they halted and breakfasted on the last of the deer, keeping a small piece 
of pork in reserve against accident. They then continued through the 
low bottom along the main stream, near the foot of the mountains on 
the right. 

"For the first five miles the valley continues towards the southwest 
from two to three miles in width; then the main stream, which had 
received two small branches from the left in the valley, turns abruptly 
to the west through a narrow bottom between the mountains. The road 
was still plain, and as it led them directly on towards the mountain the 
stream gradually became smaller, till after going two miles it had so 
greatly diminished in width that one of the men in a fit of enthusiasm, 
with one foot on each side of the river, thanked God that he had lived 
to bestride the Missouri ! 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 53 

"As they went along, their hopes of soon seeing the waters of th'e 
Columbia arose almost to painful anxiety; when, after four miles from 
the last abrupt turn of the river, they reached a small gap formed by 
the high mountains which recede on each side, leaving room for the 
Indian road. From the foot of one of the lowest of these mountains, 
which rises with a gentle ascent of about half a mile, issues the remotest 
water of the Missouri. They had now reached the hidden sources of 
that river, which had never yet been seen by civilized man; and as 
they quenched their thirst at the chaste and icy fountain as they sat 
down by the brink of that little rivulet, which yielded its distant and 
modest tribute to the parent ocean they felt themselves rewarded for 
all their labours and all their difficulties. 

"They left reluctantly this interesting spot and, pursuing the Indian 
road through the intervals of the hills, arrived at the top of a ridge, 
from which they saw high mountains covered with snow, still to the west 
of them. The ridge on which they stood formed the dividing line 
between the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. They followed a 
descent much steeper than on the eastern side, and at the distance of three 
quarters of a mile reached a handsome bold creek of cold clear water 
running to the westward. They stopped to taste for the first time the 
waters of the Columbia." 

The expedition had achieved one of its chief objects that is, to 
find the gateway through the Rocky Mountains by which communication 
might be obtained between the headwaters of the Missouri and the 
Columbia, and a virtually continuous waterway be opened from the 
Mississippi Valley to the Pacific Coast. The secondary step in the 
venture was to get into touch with the Shoshonee Indians or other 
interior tribe who could supply information, or guidance, which should 
enable further progress toward the far western destination. 

IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDLY SHOSHONES 

So Captain Lewis and his two companions resumed the Indian road 
which had led them through the mountains and to the headwaters of 
the Salmon River, or the commencement of the Columbia River Valley. 
They soon met a number of female Shoshones, whom they propitiated 
with trinkets and whose cheeks were painted with bright vermillion by 
the whites as an even more effective peace offering. The Indian women 
conducted Captain Lewis and his men toward the camp of their nation 
down the river, and after going about two miles "met a troop of nearly 
sixty warriors, mounted on excellent horses riding at full speed toward 
them. As they advanced Captain Lewis put down his gun, and went with 
the flag about fifty paces in advance. The chief, who, with two men, 
was riding in front of the main body, spoke to the women, who now 
explained that the party was composed of white men, and showed 
exultingly the presents they had received. The three men immediately 
leaped from their horses, came up to Captain Lewis and embraced him 
with great cordiality, putting their left arm over his right shoulder 



54 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

and clasping his back; applying, at the same time, their left cheek to 
his, and frequently vociferating ah hi e! ah hi e! 'I am much pleased, 
I am much rejoiced !' The whole body of warriors now came forward, 
and our men received the caresses, and no small share of the grease and 
paint, of their new friends. After this fraternal embrace of which the 
motive was much more agreeable than the manner, Captain Lewis lighted 
a pipe and offered it to the Indians, who had now seated themselves 
in a circle around the party. But before they would receive this mark 
of friendship they pulled off their moccasins, a custom, as we afterwards 
learned, which indicates the sacred sincerity of their professions when 
they smoke with a stranger, and which imprecates upon themselves the 
misery of going barefoot forever if they are faithless to their words, 
a penalty by no means light to those who rove over the thorny plains 
of their country." 

More presents were distributed this time, among the warriors 
and about four miles distant Captain Lewis and his men were introduced 
to their quarters in the Indian camp, which was on a level meadow on 
the bank of the river. After formally smoking a pipe of peace with the 
chief and his warriors, Captain Lewis explained the purposes of his 
visit and distributed the remainder of the small articles he had brought 
with him. The chief informed him that the stream discharged itself, 
at the distance of half a day's march into another of twice its size coming 
from the southwest. There were a great number of horses feeding 
in every direction around the camp, which encouraged the captain to 
believe that the expeditionary stores and goods could be transported 
across the mountains, if necessary. On his way from the river to his 
lodge, Captain Lewis met an Indian who "invited him into his bower 
and gave him a small morsel of boiled antelope and a piece of fresh 
salmon. This was the first salmon he had seen and perfectly satisfied 
him that he was now on the waters of the Pacific." 

LEWIS AND SHOSHONES JOIN CLARK 

After some persuasion, the chief of the Shoshones, Cameahwait, 
with eight of his warriors, was induced to accompany Captain Lewis 
and his men on the return trip to the forks of the Jefferson, where 
Captain Clark and the remainder of the expedition were to meet them. 
Captain Lewis was obliged to resort to all sorts of stratagems in order 
to allay the suspicions of the Indians that they were being led into 
some kind of a trap, various articles of clothing being exchanged so 
that it would be difficult for an enemy to distinguish a white from a 
red man. 

The i/th of August, 1805, marked the day when final preparations 
were made to enter the second stage of the journey to the Pacific ; 
therefore, the interesting events of that day are quoted at length from 
the official journal, and thereafter the main events of the expedition 
must be condensed. Under date of Saturday, August i/th, the story runs: 
"Captain Lewis rose very early and despatched Drewyer and the Indian 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 55 

down the river in quest of the boats. Shields was sent out at the same 
time to hunt, while M'Neal prepared a breakfast out of the remainder 
of the meat. Drewyer had been gone about two hours, and the Indians 
were all anxiously waiting for some news, when an Indian who had 
straggled a short distance down the river returned with a report that 
he had seen the white men, who were only a short distance below, and 
were coming on. The Indians were all transported with joy and the 
chief, in the warmth of his satisfaction renewed his embrace to Captain 
Lewis, who was quite as much delighted as the Indians themselves. 

"The report proved most agreeably true. On setting out at seven 
o'clock, Captain Clark, with Charbonneau and his wife, walked on shore ; 
but they had not gone more than a mile before Captain Clark saw 
Sacajawea, who was with her husband 100 yards ahead, begin to dance 
and show every mark of the most extravagant joy, turning round him and 
pointing to several Indians, whom he now saw advancing on horseback, 
sucking her fingers at the same time to indicate that they were of her 
native tribe. As they advanced, Captain Clark discovered among them 
Drewyer dressed like an Indian, from whom he learned the situation of 
the party. While the boats were performing the circuit he went toward 
the forks with the Indians, who, as they went along, sang aloud with 

the greatest appearance of delight. 

i' : 

SACAJAWEA REUNITED TO GIRLHOOD COMPANION 

"We soon drew near to the camp, and just as we approached it, a 
woman made her way through the crowd towards Sacajawea, and, recog- 
nizing each other, they embraced with the most tender effection. The 
meeting of these two young women had in it something peculiarly touching ( 
not only in the ardent manner in which their feelings were expressed but 
from the real interest of their situation. They had been companions 
in childhood; in the war with the Minnetarees they had both been taken 
prisoners in the same battle, they had shared and softened the rigours 
of their captivity, till one of them had escaped from the Minnetarees, 
with scarce a hope of ever seeing her friend relieved from the hands of 
her enemies. 

BROTHER AND SISTER ALSO REUNITED 

"While Sacajawea was renewing among the women the friendships of 
former days, Captain Clark went on and was received by Captain Lewis 
and the chief, who, after the first embraces and salutations were over, 
conducted him to a sort of circular tent or shade of willow. Here he 
was. seated on a white robe, and the chief immediately tied in his hair 
six small shells resembling pearls, an ornament highly valued by these 
people, who procured them in the course of trade from the seacoast. The 
moccasins of the whole party were then taken off, and after much 
ceremony the smoking began. After this, the conference was to be 
opened, and glad of an opportunity of being able to converse more in- 




INDIAN CHIEFS AND WARRIORS 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 57 

telligibly, Sacajawea was sent for; she came into the tent, sat down and 
was beginning to interpret, when in the person of Cameahwait she 
recognized her brother; she instantly jumped up, and ran and embraced 
him, throwing over him her blanket and weeping profusely; the chief 
was himself moved, though not in the same degree. After some con- 
versation between them she resumed her seat and attempted to inter- 
pret for us, but her new situation seemed to overpower her, and she 
was frequently interrupted by her tears. After the council was finished, 
the unfortunate woman learnt that all her family were dead except two 
brothers, one of whom was absent, and a son of her eldest sister, a small 
boy, who was immediately adopted by her. 

"The canoes arriving soon after, we formed a camp in a meadow on 
the left side, a little below the forks, took out our baggage, and by 
means of our sails and willow poles formed a canopy for our Indian 
visitors. About four o'clock the chiefs and warriors were collected, 
and after the customary ceremony of taking off the moccasins and smok- 
ing a pipe, we explained to them in a long harangue the purposes of our 
visit, making themselves one conspicuous object of the good wishes of 
our government, on whose strength as well as its friendly disposition 
we expatiated. We told them of their dependence on the will of our gov- 
ernment for all future supplies of whatever was necessary either for 
their comfort or defence ; that as we were soon to discover the best 
route by which merchandise could be conveyed to them, and no trade 
would be begun before our return, it was mutually advantageous that we 
should proceed with as little delay as possible; that we were under 
the necessity of requesting them to furnish us with horses to transport 
our baggage across the mountains, and a guide to show us the route, but 
that they should be amply remunerated for their horses, as well as for 
every other service they should render us. In the meantime our first 
wish was that they should immediately collect as many horses as were 
necessary to transport our baggage to their village, where, at our leisure, 
we could trade with them for as many horses as they could spare." 

It was finally agreed that Captain Clark should set off in the morn- 
ing with eleven men, furnished, besides their arms, with tools for mak- 
ing canoes; that he should take Charbonneau and his wife to the camp 
of the Shoshones, where he was to leave them in order to hasten the 
collection of the horses ; that he was then to lead his men down the 
Columbia, and if he found it navigable and the timber in sufficient quan- 
tity, begin to build canoes. As soon as he had decided as to the pro- 
priety of proceeding down the Columbia or across the mountains, he 
was to send back one of the men with information of it to Captain 
Lewis, who by that time would have brought up the whole party and the 
rest of the baggage as far as the Shoshonee village. 

It is impossible to give the details of the journey of the expedi- 
tion, now divided under the two leaders, now reunited, but always harmo- 
nious ; the discovery and naming of Lewis River by Captain Clark and 
Clark River, by Captain Lewis, and the terrible sufferings of the party, 
which caused all their Shoshone friends to desert them except one old 



58 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

man, the final entrance into the Snake ( Lewis) River, the joyful arrival 
at the mouth of the Snake, where it joins the Columbia, and their cheering 
sight of the Pacific Ocean, on November 16, 1805. A winter camp was 
built close to the ocean, on the south bank of the Columbia. 

THE RETURN TRIPS EASTWARD 

On March 23, 1806, camp was broken and the loaded flotilla of 
canoes started up the Columbia on the long return trip eastward. If re- 
membered, the toils and hardships of the western trip were ignored. 
On June 3Oth, the party had arrived at what was noted as Travelers' 
Rest Creek, where it empties into Clark's (Flathead) River. There, 
the leaders decided upon a separation, the party under Captain Lewis 
to pursue a northerly route through Montana and that under Captain 
Clark, a southerly. Specifically, as recorded in the journal entry of 
July i, 1806, the plan agreed upon was as follows: "Captain Lewis, with 
nine men, was to pursue the most direct route to the falls of the Mis- 
souri, where three of his party were to be left to prepare carriages for 
transporting baggage and canoes across the portage of eighteen miles 
from Portage Creek to Whitebear Island. With the remaining six 
he was to ascend Maria's River, to explore the country and ascertain 
whether any branch of it reaches as far north as the latitude of fifty 
degrees, after which he was to descend that river to its mouth. 

"The rest of the men were to accompany Captain Clark to the head of 
Jefferson river, which Sergeant Ordway and a party of nine men would 
descend with the canoes and other articles deposited there. Captain 
Clark's party, which would thereby be reduced to ten, would then pro- 
ceed to the Yellowstone at its nearest approach to the three forks of 
the Missouri. There, he was to build canoes and descend that river 
with seven of his party and wait at its mouth till the rest of the 
party should join him. Sergeant Pryor, with two other, was then to 
take the horses by land to the Mandans. From that nation he was to go 
to the British posts on the Assiniboine with a letter to Mr. Henry, to 
procure his endeavors to prevail on some of the Sioux chiefs to accom- 
pany him to the city of Washington." 

CAPTAIN LEWIS'S HOMEWARD TRIP 

All preparations being completed, "the two parties who had been 
long companions now separated, with an anxious hope of soon meeting 
after each had accomplished the purpose of its destination." The plan 
as arranged by Lewis and Clark was carried out in all its essentials. 
Captain Lewis, directed by the Indians, followed the eastern branch of 
Clark's River. They also told him of a river (Cokalahishkit), "the river 
of the road to buffalo," which would guide him to the dividing ground 
between the headwaters of the Columbia and the Missouri along the 
northern route. Pursuing this route, in about three days a rather flat 
country was reached, on the western side of the mountains, which Cap- 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 59 

tain Lewis called "Prairie of the Knobs." Along this he traveled for a 
few miles and reached a ridge, passed over the divide, and after thirty 
or forty miles reached the headwaters of Medicine River, which flows 
into the Missouri near the great falls. The captain 'then cut across 
country to Whitebear Island, while his hunters were sent out for 
game. On opening the cache, it was found that a number of bearskins 
there deposited had been destroyed by the river flood as well as valuable 
specimens of plants ; "but the chart of the Missouri River still remained 
unhurt." Preparations were continued for transporting the preserved 
articles, as the carriage wheels were in good order and the iron frame 
of the boat had not materially suffered. On the i6th of July, 1806, 
started with Drewyer and the two Fields, with six horses, to seek the 
sources of Maria's River. He again slept under the Great Falls, which 
he sketched. Two days out, the party reached the river, and traveled 
up its northern side, ascending its northern branch until it entered the 
mountains. On the 22nd, his journal makes the record: "And as we 
have ceased to hope that any branches of Maria's river extend as far 
north as the fiftieth degree of north latitude, we deem it useless to pro- 
ceed farther, and rely chiefly on Milk and White Earth rivers for the 
desired boundary." 

While preparing to return down the river, Captain Lewis and his 
party fell in with a band of thieving Gros Ventres, or Minnetarees, who, 
after smoking a peace pipe and accepting the warmth of the white men's 
camp fire, attempted to steal the rifles of Captain Lewis and the Field 
brothers. One of the Fields, in attempting to regain them, fatally stabbed 
one of the Indian thieves. The Indians afterward attempted to run off 
the horses of the party, and, in the pursuit, one of the ungrateful savages 
was fatally shot by Captain Lewis, who was using his pistol. The white 
leader himself had a narrow escape from death as the wounded Indian 
returned his fire just before expiring. In the melee, the whites captured 
four of the Indians' horses and lost only one of their own. "Besides 
which," continues the captain's account of the affair, "we found in the 
camp four shields, two bows with quivers, and also the flag which we had 
presented to them, but left the medal around the neck of the dead man, in 
order that they might be informed who we were." 

Captain Lewis and his men now made a dash for the mouth of 
Maria's River, fearful not only for their own safety and the valuable 
papers and instruments which he carried, but for Sergeant Gass and 
Willard who had been left at the falls. By good fortune they met, as 
well as Sergeant Ordway's party, which had spent six days in descending 
the river from the mouth of the Madison to White Bear Island, and 
spending another week there at the falls, in collecting the baggage, trans- 
porting it over the portage and starting it down the river in the periogue 
of five canoes. Gass and Willard had set out from the falls at the same 
time with the horses of the main expedition. 

It was more than two weeks, however, before the two leaders re- 
joined their forces below the mouth of the Yellowstone, on the Mis- 
souri. On the 7th of August Captain Lewis made a run of eighty-three 



60 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

miles down the Missouri, in order to reach the mouth of the Yellowstone. 
"At four o'clock," it was noted in the journal of that date, "we reached 
the mouth of the Yellowstone, where we found a note from Captain Clark 
informing us of his intention of waiting for us a few miles below. We 
therefore left a memorandum for our two huntsmen, whom we now sup- 
posed must be behind us, and then pursued our course till night came on, 
and not being able to overtake Captain Clark, we encamped." 

Captain Lewis and most of his men were now over what is now the 
North Dakota boundary, and it was not until the I2th of August, 1806, 
at i :oo o'clock in the afternoon, at a point in the Missouri River, be- 
yond the mouth of the White Earth River, in the region of the Burnt 
Hills, that Lewis especially desired to "make the observation of the lati- 
tude of the Burnt Hills, which is chiefly desirable," he notes, "as 
being the most northern parts of the Missouri." As he did not reach 
the locality until twenty minutes after noon it was too late to take 
the meridian altitude, and while waiting over until the following day 
to do so he was severely wounded in the thigh by one of his huntsmen 
who had mistaken his hidden movements on the bank of the river for 
those of elk which had been sighted. The wound was very painful and 
brought on a high fever, but the journey was continued and on the fol- 
lowing day, August I2th, he and his men came up with Captain Clark. 

CAPTAIN CLARK'S NINE DAYS' JOURNEY 

During the nine days of their separation, the journey of the Cap- 
tain Clark contingent had been of interest, although not so stirring as 
that of Captain Lewis. On taking leave of Lewis, July 3, 1806, with 
fifteen men and fifty horses, Clark had set out through the valley of 
Clark's River, along the western side of which they rode in a south- 
erly direction. "Having made sixteen miles (in the morning of July 
4th), we halted at an early hour for the purpose of doing honor to the 
birthday of our country's independence. The festival was not very splen- 
did, for it consisted of a mush made of cows and a saddle of venison, nor 
had we anything to tempt us to prolong it." , 

On the 6th of July the watershed was reached which separates the 
middle fork of Clark's River from the waters of Wisdom and Lewis 
rivers. Reaching the other side of the mountain, they came to Glade 
Creek. They found "appearances of old buffalo paths, and some old 
heads of buffaloes; and as these animals have wonderful sagacity in the 
choice of their routes, the coincidence of a buffalo with an Indian road 
was the strongest assurance that it was the best. In the afternoon we 
passed along the hillside north of the creek till in the course of six miles 
we entered an extensive level plain. Here the tracks of the Indians 
scattered so much that we could no longer pursue it, but Sacajawea 
recognized the plain immediately. She had traveled it often during her 
childhood, and informed us that it was the great resort of the Shoshones, 
who came for the purpose of gathering quamash and cows, and of taking 
beaver, with which the plain abounded ; and that Glade Creek was a 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 61 

branch of Wisdom River, and that on reaching the highest part of the 
plain we should see a gap in the mountain, on the course to our canoes, 
and from that gap a high point of mountain covered with snow. 

"At the distance of a mile we crossed a large creek from the right 
rising, as well as Fish creek, in a snowy mountain over which there is 
a gap. Soon after, on ascending a rising ground, the country spreads 
itself into a beautiful plain extending north and south, about fifteen 
miles wide and thirty in length, and surrounded on all sides by high 
points of mountains covered with snow, among which was the gap pointed 
out by the squaw, bearing S. 56 E." 

On the 7th, Captain Clark's party reached Wisdom River, following 
it to a gap in the mountains, which led him to the west branch of the 
Jefferson River. Down this the men went to the "forks," where they 
had deposited their merchandise in the previous August. The lack of 
tobacco had been their greatest deprivation, "and such was their eager- 
ness to procure it after so long a deprivation that they scarcely took 
their saddles from their horses before they ran to the cave, and were 
delighted at being able to resume this fastidious indulgence." Some of 
the men whose tomahawks were so constructed as to answer the purpose 
of pipes, broke the handles of these instruments, and after cutting them 
into small fragments, chewed them, the wood having by frequent smok- 
ing become strongly impregnated with the taste of that plant. 

The party led by Captain Clark had now traveled from Traveler's 
Rest Creek to the head of Jefferson River, about 160 miles, and the 
journal records: "It is a very excellent, and by cutting a few trees 
might be rendered a good route for wagons, with the exception of about 
four miles over one of the mountains which would require some levelling. 
On July loth, with a white frost covering the ground and ice forming 
the boats were loaded and the men divided into two bands, one to de- 
scend the river with the baggage, while Clark, with the other party, 
proceeded on horseback to the Rochejaume (Yellowstone). After travel- 
ing about fifteen miles down the eastern side of Jefferson river, through 
Service valley and over the Rattlesnake mountain into Beaverhead val- 
ley, Captain Clark discovered that the canoes could advance more rapidly 
than the horses; he therefore left the horses with Sergeant Pryor and 
himself continued by water. Three Thousand Mile Island, Beaver Head, 
Philanthrophy river, Wisdom river, Panther and Field creeks, and 
other features made familiar by the outward voyage of the previous 
year. The entrance of Madison river into the Missouri was reached 
by Clark and the boats about an hour after Sergeant Ordway had arrived 
with the horses, on Sunday, July I3th. The horses were then driven 
across Madison and Gallatin rivers, and the whole party halted to dine and 
unload the canoes below the mouth of the latter. Here the two parties 
again separated, Ordway with nine men setting out in six canoes to de- 
scend the river, while Captain Clark, with the remaining twenty and the 
wife and child of Charbonneau, and fifty horses, started by land for 
the Yellowstone. This was according to programme, but had Clark not 
taken the precaution to take with him the faithful, astute and thoroughly 



62 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

posted Bird Woman, the prompt performance of his part of the pre- 
arranged plan is problematical." 

Late in the afternoon of the I3th, the land party set out from the 
forks of the Missouri, but because of the sore feet of the horses were 
obliged to travel slowly and halted for the night, after going only 
four miles, on the bank of Gallatin's River. The plain beyond led to a 
gap in the mountains, twenty miles distant, which the captain would 
have taken, had not the Indian woman recommended one farther to the 
south. Under her guidance, the main channel of the Medicine River 
was reached, and finally, on the I4th, the gap in the mountains was 




NEAR THE SOURCE OF THE MISSOURI 

reached through the three branches of the Gallatin Pass, as well as the 
great buffalo road described by the invaluable squaw. 

FROM MISSOURI'S HEADWATERS TO THE YELLOWSTONE 

The journal entry of Tuesday, I5th (July, 1806), is of special sig- 
nificance: "After an early breakfast they pursued the buffalo road 
over a low gap in the mountain to the heads of the eastern fork of Gal- 
latin's river near which they had encamped last evening, and at the 
distance of six miles reached the top of the dividing ridge (Bozeman 
pass) which separates the waters of the Missouri and the Yellowstone; 
and on descending the ridge they struck one of the streams of the latter 
river. They followed its course through an open country, with high 
mountains on each side, partially covered with pine and watered by sev- 
eral streams, crowded as usual by beaver dams. Nine miles from the 
top of the ridge they reached the Yellowstone itself, about a mile and a 
half below where it issues from the Rocky mountains. 

"It now appeared that the communication between the two rivers 
was short and easy. From the head of the Missouri at its three forks 
to this place is a distance of forty-eight miles, the greater part of which 
is through a level plain ; indeed, from the forks of the eastern branch 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 63 

of Gallatin's river, which is here navigable for small canoes to this part 
of the Yellowstone, the distance is no more than eighteen miles, with 
an excellent road over a high, dry country, with hills of inconsiderable 
height and no difficulty in passing. * * * 

"At the distance of nine miles from the mountain a river discharges 
itself into the Yellowstone from the northwest, under a high rocky 
cliff. It rises from the snowy mountains in that direction; is about 
thirty-five yards wide; has a bold, deep current; 'is skirted by some 
cottonwood and willow trees ; and, like the Yellowstone itself, seems to 
abound in beaver. They gave it the name of Shield's river, after one 
of the party." 

As many of the horses in the Clark party were either lamed by the 
hard travel or stolen by the Indians, two canoes were built, twenty- 
eight feet in length, lashed together, and on the 23rd of July all but three 
of its members continued the trip down the Yellowstone. Sergeant Pryor, 
with two other men, was directed to take the remaining horses to the 
Mandans, and (still according to programme) "if he found that Mr. 
Henry (Indian agent) was on the Assiniboin river, to go thither and de- 
liver him a letter, the object of which was to prevail on the most dis- 
tinguished chiefs of the Sioux to accompany him to Washington." 

LAST VIEW OF THE ROCKIES 

Sergeant Pryor was to join Clark where the Big Horn River entered 
the Yellowstone. A wide river coming in from the south was at first 
thought to be the Big Horn; "but afterwards when the Big Horn was 
found the name of Clark's fork was given to this stream." Pryor's 
Creek was also named along the route. Littlewolf Mountains were 
passed on the way, and one of the cliffs which juts into the Yellow- 
stone in that region was named by Captain Clark, Pompey's Pillar. 
Just before reaching the Big Horn River, on the 26th, he shot two of 
the animals from his boat which gave their name to that stream. He 
states that "there are no permanent settlements near it, but the whole 
country which it waters is occasionally visited by roving bands of hunt- 
ers from the Crow tribe, the Paunch, a band of Crows, and the Castahana, 
a small band of Snake Indians." On the morning of July 27, 1806, 
"they again set out very early, and on leaving the Big Horn took a last 
look at the Rocky mountains, which had been constantly in view from 
the first of May." 

Their course down the Yellowstone brought them through a country 
crowded with buffalo, elk and wolves, and on Tuesday, August 3, 1806, 
eight miles below Field's Creek, reached its junction with the Missouri. 
He had traveled down its valley for a distance of more than eight hun- 
dred miles. At the confluence of the two rivers he wrote the note to Cap- 
tain Lewis which the latter found four days afterward. On the 8th, 
Clark was joined by Sergeant Pryor and his two companions but minus 
the horses which had been stolen by the Indians. 



64 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

HAPPILY REUNITED EXPEDITION 

Under date of August 12, 1806, Clark's journal says: "The party 
continued to slowly descend the river. One of the skin canoes was by 
accident pierced with a small hole, and they halted for the purpose of 
mending it with a piece of elk-skin and also to wait for two of the 
party who were behind. Whilst there they were overjoyed at seeing 
Captain Lewis's boats heave in sight about noon. But this feeling was 
changed into alarm on seeing the boats reach the shore without Captain 
Lewis, who they then learned had been wounded the day before, and was 
then lying in the periogue. After giving to hi,s wound all the atten- 
tion in our power we remained here some time, during which we were 
overtaken by our two men, accompanied by Dickson and Hancock, who 
wished to go with us as far as the Mandans. The whole party being now 
happily reunited, we left the two skin canoes, and all embarked together 
about three o'clock in the boats." 

THE INVALUABLE SACAJAWEA 

The "happily reunited" expedition arrived at the Mandan Village 
August 14, 1806. Three days afterward Lewis and Clark parted from 
Sacajawea, the faithful Indian "squaw" and guide, and Charbonneau, 
her unreliable, cowardly and unworthy husband, who, however, had been 
of considerable service. The wife, however, had been of far greater 
service, but both preferred to remain with the Indians. Sacajawea is 
thus noted in the journal : "Indeed, she has borne with a patience truly 
admirable the fatigues of a long route, encumbered with the charge 
of an infant, who is even now only nineteen months old. We therefore 
paid Charbonneau his wages, amounting to $500.33, including the price of 
a horse and a lodge purchased of him ; and soon afterward dropped down 
to the village of Big White, attended on shore by all the Indian chiefs 
who went to take leave of him." 

UNSELFISH CO-OPERATION OF LEADERS AND MEN 

In sketching the leading characters of the most famous land expedi- 
tion recorded in American history, Doctor Hosmer writes : "Though the 
closing weeks of summer the boats drifted rapidly down, and one day in 
September, 1806, saluting the flag they had carried so far with a part- 
ing volley, the Captains and their men stepped ashore at St. Louis. 
Never was success more complete. From first to last all went smoothly, 
not at all because the dangers and difficulties were small, but because 
the skill and courage with which they were confronted were consummate. 
Lewis and Clark were never found wanting, and in all the effort they 
co-operated without a touch of jealousy. From first to last among the 
men there was scarcely a trace of insubordination; each worked to his 
full capacity, yielding to the guidance of the leaders, whose natural 
ascendency they thoroughly recognized. The student of Lewis and Clark 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 65 

learns to respect them all the stout sergeants, Pryor, Ordway and 
Patrick Gass, the latter of whom in his quaint diary supplements nobly 
the record of the chiefs; the blacksmith Shields, York the negro slave 
whom the Indians thought great 'medicine', the half-breed Drewyer, 
past-master of woodcraft, the Frenchman, Cruzat, whose fiddle re- 
sounded night after night in the desolate camps while the men danced 
off their pains and fears. 

LAST YEARS OF THE FAITHFUL BIRD WOMAN 

"But most of all the lone woman, Sacajawea, is an object of inter- 
est. Her figure in the story of Lewis and Clark is very pathetic and 
engaging, and in Indian story few characters appear whose desert was 
greater. A captive and a slave, she followed the trail or worked with 
the men in forcing on the canoes. Her husband, Charbonneau, soon 
proved to be inefficient and cowardly; but as dangers and hardships 
gathered, the heart and head of the squaw showed ever new resources. It 
is doubtful if the expedition could have pushed its way through without 
her." 

In after years, Charbonneau's name appears in the record of various 
American explorers as an interpreter, and as one of small character he 
fades away. His noble wife was tenderly cared for by her son, Baptiste, 
and her adopted son, Bazil the orphaned son of her eldest sister, whom 
she adopted in the Shoshone country, while about to return to civilization. 
The latter especially thoughtful of the welfare of his mother, by adoption, 
cared for her in her declining years, and was buried with the medal around 
his neck which Lewis and Clark had presented to Charbonneau. Saca- 
jawea lived to be one hundred years of age, and died and was buried in 
1884, on the Shoshone, or Wind River reservation, in Fremont County, 
Wyoming. Over her grave is a tablet which reads : "Sacajawea, guide to 
Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1805-1807. Identified by Rev. John Roberts, 
who officiated at her burial, April 21, 1884." 

THE SAD END OF CAPTAIN LEWIS 

Captains Lewis and Clark started for Washington about .five months 
after they arrived in St. Louis. The sad sequel of the former's brilliant 
and brief public career is thus sketched by his great patron and warm 
friend, Jefferson : "It was the middle of February, 1807, before Captain 
Lewis and his companion, Captain Clark, reached the city of Washing- 
ton, where Congress was then in session. That body granted to the 
two chiefs and their followers the donation of lands which they had 
been encouraged to expect in reward of their toils and dangers. Cap- 
tain Lewis was soon after appointed governor of Louisiana, and Cap- 
tain Clark a general of militia, and agent of the United States for Indian 
affairs in that department. A considerable time intervened before the 
governor's arrival at St. Louis. He found the territory distracted by 
feuds and contentions among the officers of the government and the 

Vol. 15 



66 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

people themselves divided by these into factions and parties. He de- 
termined at once to take no sides with either; but to use every endeavor 
to conciliate and harmonize them. The even-handed justice he adminis- 
tered to all soon established a respect for his person and authority ; and 
perseverance and time wore down animosities and reunited the citizens 
again into one family. 

"Governor Lewis had, from early life, been subject to hypochon- 
driac affections. It was a constitutional disposition in all the nearer 
branches of the family of his name, and was more immediately inher- 
ited by him from his father. They had not, however, been so strong as 
to give uneasiness to his family. While he lived with me in Washing- 
ton I observed at times sensible depressions of mind; but knowing their 
constitutional source, I estimated their course by what I had seen in 
the family. During his western expedition, the constant exertion which 
that required of all the faculties of body and mind, suspended these 
distressing affections; but after his establishment in St. Louis in 
sedentary occupations they returned upon him with redoubled vigor and 
began seriously to alarm his friends. He was in a paroxysm of one of 
these when his affairs rendered it necessary for him to go to Washington. 
He proceeded to Chickasaw Bluffs, where he arrived on the i6th of 
September, 1809, with a view of continuing his journey thence by water. 

"Mr. Neely, agent of the United States with the Chickasaw Indians, 
arriving there two days after, found him extremely indisposed, and be- 
traying at times some symptoms of a derangement of mind. The rumors 
of a war with England, and apprehensions that he might lose the papers 
he was bringing on, among which were the vouchers of his public accounts 
and the journals and papers of his western expedition, induced him here 
to change his mind, and to take his course by land through the Chick- 
asaw country. Although he appeared somewhat relieved, Mr. Neely 
kindly determined to accompany and watch over him. Unfortunately, 
at their encampment, after having passed the Tennessee one day's jour- 
ney, they lost two horses, which obliging Mr. Neely to halt for their 
recovery, the governor proceeded, under a promise to wait for him at 
the house of the first white inhabitant on his road. He stopped at the 
house of a Mr. Grinder, who, not being at home, his wife alarmed at 
the symptoms of derangement she discovered, gave him up the house 
and retired to rest herself in an out-house, the governor's and Neely's 
servants lodging in another. About three o'clock in the night he did 
the deed* which plunged his friends into affliction and deprived his 
country of one of her most valued citizens, whose valor and intelli- 
gence would now have been employed in avenging the wrongs of his coun- 
try, and in emulating by land the splendid deeds which have honored 
her arms on the ocean. It lost, too, to the nation the benefit of receiv- 



* The facts accompanying the death of Meriwether Lewis have never been 
consistently stated, and his death by pistol shot at a public house of questionable 
reputation Grinder's Stand, on the Natchez Trace (military road) is still open 
to discussion as to whether it was through suicide or murder. Jefferson, obviously, 
favors the former explanation. A monument of Tennessee marble stands at the 
locality where his death occurred. 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 67 

ing from his own hand the narrative now offered them of his suffer- 
ings and successes, in endeavoring to extend for them the boundaries of 
science, and to present to their knowledge that vast and fertile country, 
which their sons are destined to fill with arts, with science, with free- 
dom and happiness." 

GENERAL CLARK'S HONORABLE PUBLIC CAREER 

After serving for six years as brigadier general of militia and 
Indian agent for the territory of Louisiana, in 1813 General Clark was 
made governor of Missouri. He honored that position until Missouri 
became a state in 1820, and afterward became superintendent of Indian 
affairs, which he held at the time of his death. Clark held other re- 
sponsible public positions and died in St. Louis, generally respected and 
loved, in 1838. There was probably no character better known or loved 
by the Indians in the West than General Clark, who affectionately spoke 
of him as the "Red-Head," and St. Louis was known by his red friends 
as "Red-Head's town." 



CHAPTER III 



Two days after Lewis and Clark had joined each other, with their 
parties, below the mouth of the Yellowstone and started for the Man- 
dan country, on their way to St. Louis, John Colter, a member of the 
expedition, obtained an honorable discharge from the leaders and, again 
answered the call of the wilds. The journal narrates the incident, thus, 
under date of August 14, 1806: "In the evening we were applied to by 
one of our men, Colter, who was desirous of joining the two trappers who 
had accompanied us and who now proposed an expedition up the river 
(Missouri), in which they were to find traps and give him a share of 
the profits. The offer was a very advantageous one, and as he had always 
performed his duty and his services might be dispensed with, we agreed 
that he might go, provided none of the rest would ask or expect a similar 
indulgence. To this they cheerfully answered that they wished Colter 
every success and would not apply for liberty to separate before we 
reached St. Louis. We therefore supplied him, as did his comrades also, 
with powder and lead, and a variety of articles which might be useful 
to him and he left us the next day. 

JOHN COLTER AGAIN CALLED TO THE WILDS 

"The example of this man shows how easily men may be weaned from 
the habits of a civilized life to the ruder but scarcely less fascinating 
manners of the woods. This hunter has been now absent for many years 
from the frontiers, and might naturally be presumed to have some anxiety, 
or some curiosity at least, to return to his friends and his country ; yet 
just at the moment when he is approaching the frontiers he is tempted, 
by a hunting scheme, to give up those delightful prospects and go back 
without the least reluctance to the solitude of the woods." 

Before Colter was to return to American civilization, he was to 
have adventures and wide wanderings among the grandeurs and wonders 
of the Rockies which would thrill even a hardened boy of scout and 
Indian literature. Where he spent the winter of 1806-07 is not recorded, 
but in the spring of the latter year he built a canoe of logs and started 
down the Missouri river for St. Louis. Even now he was not to lead the 
q[uiet life of- a settler; for at the mouth of the Platte, he met a party 
winding up the river from Missouri, under the leadership of the keen and 
fearless Spanish fur trader, Manuel Lisa, and under the immediate guid- 
ance of George Drewyer, Lewis and Clark's old hunter and interpreter 

68 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 69 

and one of the mainstays of the expedition. Lisa was headed for the great 
beaver country, through which the expedition had passed; Colter had 
since investigated the trapping grounds at the headwaters of the Missouri 
and was the man most needed to insure success to the commercial venture 
of the Spanish fur trader. 

FORT LISA ESTABLISHED 

Colter was therefore again turned back toward the western wilds and 
the re-enforced party proceeded up the Missouri to the mouth of the Yel- 
lowstone, thence up that river to the mouth of the Big Horn. There 
(in the spring or early summer of 1807) Lisa established the post known 
variously as Fort Lisa, Fort Manuel and Manuel's Fort. He then sent 
out Colter alone as a herald to announce to the neighboring Indians the 
fact and object of his coming. The exact route of his wanderings in 1807 
is not known, although Capt. William Clark, whom he met in 1810 and 
who obtained from him a narrative of his travels, marked upon one of 
the maps of the expedition "Colter's route in 1807." From this and other 
reports gathered from others whom Colter met in St. Louis,* it is prob- 
able that he traveled from the mouth of the Big Horn to the forks of the 
Shoshone or Snake River, where he found a great tar spring, which came 
to bear the name of Colter's "Hell Hole." Then journeying, in a north- 
westerly direction, through what is now the Yellowstone National Park, 
he reached Yellowstone Lake, forded the Yellowstone River near Twin 
Falls and followed the Indian trail that led to the Valley of Clark's Fork. 
Thence he returned to the forks of the Shoshone and up the Big Horn 
Valley to Lisa's Fort. 

The difficulties encountered in this journey and so bravely over- 
come by Colter place him in the front rank of the heroic explorers of 
interior America. It is believed that he met the Crows somewhere in 
the Wind River region and, with a small band of them, crossed the great 
Wind River Mountains by way of Union Pass and the Teton Range 
through the pass by that name. The Crows were attacked by a war party 
of Blackfeet and Colter was badly wounded in the leg. The Indians, with 
whom he was traveling and with whom he had fought, turned back in 
alarm and left the white man, wounded as he was, to shift for himself. 
It was now impossible for him to think of treating with the Blackfeet 
at the three forks of the Missouri, as had been the original intention, 
for he had been seen by their warriors in the mountain encounter. He 
therefore started for Lisa's Fort, and. wounded as he was, struck bravely 
down the wooded northern slope of the Teton Mountains and across the 
southern part of the present Yellowstone Park. In the words of Chit- 
tendenrt "It may, with difficulty, be imagined what must have been his 
astonishment when, emerging from the forests upon the shores of that 
surpassingly beautiful mountain lake near the source of the Yellowstone 



*John Bradbury, English botanist, and author of "Travels in the Interior of 
America"; Henry W. Brackenridge, explorer and writer. 

f Captain H. M. Chittenden : "American Fur Trade of the Far West." 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 71 

river, he found its shores steaming with innumerable boiling springs and 
geysers." 

COLTER'S REMARKABLE ADVENTURES 

Exactly where he met with the most remarkable adventure of his 
stirring carreer is not known. Neither is it known when or where he met 
the Potts, who figures in the story and who incidentally appears as a 
member of the Lewis and Clark party. The main facts, as related to 
Bradbury, after Colter's return to St. Louis, are these : Colter and Potts 
were examining their traps early one morning in a creek which they were 
ascending in a canoe, when they suddenly heard a great noise resembling 
the tramping of animals ; but they could not ascertain the fact, as the high, 
perpendicular banks on each side of the river impeded their view. Colter 
immediately pronounced it to be occasioned by Indians and advised an in- 
stant retreat, but was accused of cowardice by Potts, who insisted the 
noise was occasioned by buffaloes, and they proceeded on. In a few 
minutes afterward, their doubts were removed by the appearance of five 
or six hundred Indians on both sides of the creek, who beckoned them 
to come ashore. As retreat was now impossible, Colter turned the head 
of the canoe to the shore ; and at the moment of its touching an Indian 
seized the rifle belonging to Potts. But Colter, who was a remarkably 
strong man, immediately retook it and handed it to Potts, who remained 
in the canoe and, upon receiving it, pushed off into the river. He 
had scarcely quitted the shore, when an arrow was shot at him and he 
cried out 'Colter, I am wounded !' Colter remonstrated with him on the 
folly of attempting to escape and urged him to come ashore. Instead of 
complying, he instantly leveled his rifle at an Indian and shot him dead 
on the spot. 

This conduct may appear to have been an act of madness, but it was 
doubtless the effect of sudden, but sound enough reasoning; for if 
taken alive, he must have expected to have been tortured to death, ac- 
cording to the Indian custom. And, in this respect, the Indians of 
that region excelled all others in the ingenuity they displayed in tor- 
turing their prisoners. He was instantly pierced with arrows, so numer- 
ous that, to use the language of Colter, "he was made a riddle of." 

They now seized Colter, stripped him entirely naked, and began to 
consult on the manner in which he should be put to death. They were 
first inclined to set him up as a mark to be shot at; but the chief 
interfered and, seizing him by the shoulder, asked him if he could run 
fast. Colter, who had been some time among the Kee Katsa, or Crow In- 
dians, had, in a considerable degree, acquired the Blackfoot language, 
and was also well acquainted with Indian customs. He knew that he had 
now run for his life, with the dreadful odds of five or six hundred against 
him, and these armed Indians. He therefore cunningly replied that he 
was a very bad runner, although, in truth, he was considered by the 
hunters as remarkably swift. 

The chief now commanded the party to remain stationary, and led 
Colter out on the prairie three or four hundred yards, and released him, 



72 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

to save himself if he could. At that instant, the war-whoop sounded 
in the ears of poor Colter who, urged with the hope of preserving life, 
ran with a speed at which he himself was surprised. He proceeded to- 
ward Jefferson's Fork, having to traverse a plain six miles in breadth, 
abounding with the prickly pear, on which he every instant was tread- 
ing with his naked feet. He ran nearly half way across the plain before he 
ventured to look over his shoulder, when he perceived that the Indians 
were very much scattered, and that he had gained ground to a considerable 
distance from the main body; but one Indian, who carried a spear, was 
much before all the rest, and not more than a hundred yards from him. 

A faint gleam of hope now cheered the heart of Colter. He derived 
confidence from the belief that escape was within the bounds of pos- 
sibility. But that confidence was nearly fatal to him; for he exerted 
himself to such a degree that the blood gushed from his nostrils and 
soon almost covered the fore part of his body. He had now arrived 
within a mile of the river, when he distinctly heard the appalling sound 
of footsteps behind him, and every instant expected to feel the spear 
of his pursuer. He again turned his head and saw the savage not twenty 
yards from him. 

Determined, if possible, to avoid the expected blow, he suddenly 
stopped, turned around and spread out his arms. The Indian, surprised 
at the suddenness of the action and perhaps at the bloody appearance of 
Colter, also attempted to stop; but, exhausted with running, he fell 
while attempting to throw his spear, which stuck in the ground and 
broke in his hand. Colter instantly snatched up the pointed part, with 
which he pinned him to the earth, and then continued his flight. 

The foremost of the Indians, on arriving at the place, stopped 
until others came up to join them, and then gave a hideous yell. Every 
moment of this time was improved by Colter who, although fainting and 
exhausted, succeeded in gaining the skirting of cottonwood trees on the 
borders of the fork to which he ran and plunged into the river. For- 
tunately for him, a little below this place was an island, against the 
upper point of which a raft of drift timber had lodged. He dived 
under the raft and, after several efforts, got his head above water, 
among the trunks of trees covered over with smaller wood to the depth 
of several feet. Scarcely had he secured himself when the Indians 
arrived on the river, screeching and yelling, as Colter expressed it, "like 
so many devils." 

They were frequently on the raft during the day and were seen 
through the chinks by Colter, who was congratulating himself on his 
escape, until the idea arose that they might set the raft on fire. In 
horrible suspense, he remained until night, when, hearing no more from 
the Indians, he dived under the raft and swam down the river to a con- 
siderable distance, when he landed and traveled all night. Although 
happy in having escaped frorp the Indians, his situation was still dread- 
ful. He was completely naked, under a burning sun ; the soles of his 
feet were filled with the thorns of the prickly pear; he was hungry, and 
had no means of killing game, although he saw abundance around him ; 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 73 

and was at a great distance from the nearest settlement. Almost any man 
but an American hunter would have despaired under such circumstances. 
The fortitude of Colter remained unshaken. After seven days of sore 
travel, during which he had no other sustenance than the root known by 
naturalists under the name of 'psoralea esculenta, he at length arrived 
in safety at Lisa's Fort, on the Big Horn branch of the Roche Jaune, 
or Yellowstone River. 

. In May, 1810, Colter returned alone to St. Louis, where, for the 
first time, he met Bradbury, the botanist, and Brackenridge, the exploror, 
and renewed his friendship with Capt. (then General) William Clark, 
who was brigadier general and Indian agent of Louisiana Territory. To 
them he narrated his remarkable adventures, and it is from their pens 
that history is mainly indebted for the narrative. The last view of 
Colter recorded in the annals of those times was his meeting with Brad- 
bury on March 18, 1811, and the final decision of the frontiersman to join 
the naturalist and his party, members of the Astoria Company, in a 
journey up the Missouri River. At last he yielded to the love of a 
newly-wedded wife and remained with civilization, forever divorced from 
the wilderness. 

LAROCQUE'S EXPEDITION TO THE CROWS 



While the Lewis and Clark explorations were being conducted by the 
Government, in 1805-06, the Northwest Fur Company of Canada was 
sending its agents into the furthermost limits of the great domain covered 
by its operations, and it was but natural that Government and Trade 
should cross lines. Among the prominent agents of the fur company were 
the McKenzies and Francois Antoine Larocque. Charles McKenzie and 
Larocque, clerks, were particularly intimate and made three expeditions 
together, in 1804-06, at least two of which were in charge of the latter. 
It is the second journey which is of most interest to readers of Montana 
history, as it included a visit of about three months to the Crow Indians 
of what is now our state with the exception of the La Verendrye ex- 
plorers, the first whites to leave a record of the habits and peculiarities 
of that tribe. A daily journal, written by Larocque, and which had been 
obtained by Roderick McKenzie, of the Northwest Fur Company, for a' 
projected work never realized, has never been recovered; "but what 
purports to be an exact copy is now in the library of Laval University, 
Montreal, with a number of other manuscripts bequeathed to that institu- 
tion by the late Judge Baby of that city. This 'Journal of a Voyage to the 
Rocky Mountains from my leaving the Assinibois River on the 2d June, 
1805,' as it is entitled, is now (1910) printed for the first time, being, 
so far as can be ascertained at present, a verbatim translation of the 
original." 

From the best information obtainable, it would appear that La- 
rocque was a man of intellectual abilities and great courage, well read 
in French and English. He had a brother who became even more prom- 
inent in the fur trade than he himself. The author of the Journal soon 



74 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

left the employ of the Northwest Fur Company and located in Montreal, 
where he failed as a merchant. He passed the last years of his life in 
close retirement and arduous study and died, much advanced in years, 
in the Grey Nunnery of St. Hyacinthe. Whatever his ambitions, the 
Journal of his trip to the Rocky Mountains and the Crow Indians is the 
only piece of his work which has survived, and even Lewis and Clark 
anticipated his first view of the great continental divide by some six weeks. 

Larocque was sent by Charles J. B. Chaboillez, a partner of the 
Northwest Company in charge of the Upper Red River (Assiniboine) 
Department, to ascertain whether there were any beaver in the Crow 
country and, if so, to open up a fur trade with the Indians. He had en- 
tered the service of the company in 1801 and for about three years was 
in its employ in the region of the Saskatchewan and Red rivers, Canada. 
In the autumn of 1804, he was stationed at Fort Assiniboine and, with 
Charles Mackenzie, J. B. Lafrance and four voyageurs, took a trip to 
the Mandans of the Missouri. Both his Journal and the first part of 
Charles Mackenzie's "Missouri Indians" cover the journey to the Man- 
dan country. There Mackenzie left the expedition and the recovered 
Larocque Journal (or the well authenticated copy of it) is relied upon to 
convey the graphic details of the trip through Southeastern Montana, 
along the valley of the Yellowstone to the regions of the Big Horn River 
and mountains and the 4and of the Crows. 

Larocque's expedition started from Fort a la Bosse, on the Assini- 
boine, Canada, on June 2, 1805. As he states, he there "prepared for 
going on a voyage of discovery to the Rocky Mountains, and set of (sic) 
on 2nd June with two men having each of us two horses, one of which 
was laden with goods to facilitate an intercourse with the Indians we 
might happen to see on our road. Mr. Charles MacKenzie and Mr. Las- 
sana set out with me to go and pass the summer at the Missouri, and hav- 
ing to pursue (sic) the same road we kept company as far as the 
B. B.* 

Larocque and his men crossed what is now the international bound- 
ary at a branch of the Souris, or Mouse River, in the northwestern part 
of Botineau County, North Dakota, just west of Turtle Mountain. Strik- 
ing toward the southwest, the party crossed the Souris River. On ac- 
count of the high water, the goods were loaded on a raft and the horses 
swam over. On the loth of June, about a week out, they slept in the 
Mandan plain the Coteau du Missouri, or tableland separating the 
waters of the Missouri from those of the Assiniboine. The banks of the 
Missouri were sighted on the following day, and the expedition arrived in 
the Mandan territory on the I2th. 

MANDANS AND BIG BELLIES OBSTRUCTIVE 

The Mandans seem to have been disagreeably insistent to sell their 
horses to the white travelers, but Larocque set them right on that point. 
"I told them," he said, "that the purpose of our coming was not to pur- 



* Big Bellies, called by the French Gros Ventres. The name has been applied 
to tribes of both Algonquin and Sioux stock. 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 75 

chase horses either from them or the Rocky Mountains, that we came for 
Skins and Robes, and that for that purpose one of us was to pass the 
summer with them and one at the Mandans; that I and two men were 
sent by the white people's Chief to smoke a pipe of peace and amity with 
the Rocky Mountain Indians and to accompany them to their lands to 
examine them and see if there were Beavers as is reported, and to engage 
them to hunt it, that we would not purchase a horse from none, therefore 
that their best plan would be to dress buffalo robes, so as to have ammuni- 
tion to trade with the Rocky Mountain Indians. 

"They pretend to be in fear of the surrounding nations, that is, 
Assineboines, Sioux, Chetenne and Ricaras (Pawnees), so as to have 
an excuse for not trading with their guns with the Rocky Mountain 
Indians and likewise to prevent us. Some of those Rocky Mountain 
Indians have been here already, and are gone back, but more are expected, 
with whom I intend to go." 

On the following day, Larocque was sent for by one of the chiefs 
of the Big Bellies who, says the leader, "asked me what I intended to 
do with the pipe stem I had brought. Upon my telling him that it was for 
the Rocky Mountain Indians he made a long harangue to dissuade 
me from going there, saying that I would be obliged to winter there 
on account of the length of the way, that the Cayennes and the Ricaras 
were enemies and constantly on the road and that it was probable that 
we should be killed by them." Various other alarming stories were told 
to discourage the further progress of the expedition. 

I 

MEET ROCKY MOUNTAIN INDIANS 

Finally, a considerable band of Rocky Mountain Indians arrived. 
"About one in the afternoon," says the leader, "the Rocky Mountain 
Indians arrived. They encamped at a little distance from the village 
with the warriors to the number of 645; passed through the village on 
horseback with their shields and other warlike implements." When the 
chiefs of the different bands had assembled, two days afterward, 
Larocque made them the following presents: Two large and two small 
axes; eight ivory combs, ten wampum shells, eight fire steels and flint, 
four cassetete (combination of tomahawk and pipe), six masses B. C. 
(Blue Canton), four f. tobacco, eight cock feathers, sixteen large knives, 
twelve small knives, two pounds of vermillion, eight dozen rings, four 
papers, co'd glasses, four dozen awls, one and a half pounds of blue 
beads, two dozen blue beads and 1,000 balls and powder. He induced 
the Crows to smoke a pipe of peace and told them the Chief of the 
White People knew that "they were pitiful and had no arms to defend 
themselves from their enemies, but that they should cease to be pitiful as 
soon as they sliould make themselves brave hunters." He informed the 
Crows that he and two men were going with them to see their lands and 
that if they would behave well and "kill beavers, otters and bears, they 
would have white people on the lands in a few years who would winter 
with them and supply them with all their wants." They then exchanged 



76 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

presents and Larocque promised the chief who came to meet him that 
if the Crows encouraged the white people "all their chiefs who would 
behave well would get a Coat." 

Camp was broken on the 29th of June and a fair start was made for 
the Rocky Mountain country of the southwest, along the north bank 
of the Big Knife River, which enters the Missouri from the south. On 
the fourth of July, the expedition had reached the Heart River, also a 
little branch of the Missouri in Western North Dakota, and on the I3th 
had reached the banks of the Little Missouri. Two days later, still 
traveling in a generally southwestern direction, the men encamped on its 
banks about fourteen miles higher up. There the Indians killed "a few 
beaver, of which I got two dressed by my men to show them how to do 
it. We remained the whole day here," continued the Journal. "The 
Indians tried to dance the Bull dance in imitation of the B. Belley's, but 
did it very ill." 

As the party left the Little Missouri and, headed still toward the 
southwest, its route took them over the present line between North 
Dakota and Montana into a land of beaver and buffalo, on the 26th of 
July it reached the Powder River mountains and, on the following day, 
the river itself, as it took its northerly course toward the Yellowstone. 
In that locality herds of elks were found in the woods and beaver dams 
were seen all along the river. "When we arrived here," says Larocque, 
"the plains on the western side of the river were covered with buffaloes 
and the bottoms full of elk and jumping deer (antelope) and bears, 
which last are mostly yellow and very fierce (grizzlies). It is amazing 
how very barren the ground is between this and the lesser Missouri ; 
nothing can hardly be seen but those Corne de Raquettes.* Our horses 
were nearly starved. There is grass in the woods but none in the plains 
which by the by might (sic) with more propriety be called hills, for 
though there is very little wood it is impossible to find a level spot of one 
or two miles in extent except close to the river. The current in that river 
is very strong and the water so muddy as to be hardly drinkable. The 
Indians say it is always so, and that is the reason they call it Powder 
River, from the quantity of drifting fine sand set in motion by the 
coast wind t which blinds people and dirtys the water. There are very 
large sand shoals along the river for several acres breadth and length, 
the bed of the river is likewise sand and its course north east." 

Under date of July 3Oth it is recorded: "Early this morning we set 
out; the body of the people followed the river for about seventeen miles 
S. W. while I with the chief and a few others went hunting. We wounded 
cabrio, buffalo and the large horned animal (mountain sheep, or Big 
Horn), but did not kill any, which made the chief say that some one had 
thrown bad medicine on our guns and that if he could know him he would 
surely die. 

"The country is very hilly about the river, but it does not appear to 
be so much so towards the north. About two miles above the encampment 



* Probably the dogwood (Cornus). 

f Probably refers to the well-known Chinook winds. 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 77 

a range of high hills begins on the west side of the river and continues 
north for about twenty miles, when it appears to finish. The Tongu 
River * is close on the other side of it. There is a parting ridge between 
the two rivers. 

"I ascended (sic) some very high hills on the side of which I found 
plenty of shells of the Cornu anionys species t by some called snake shell, 
likewise a kind of shining stone lying bare at the surface of the ground 
having to all appearance been left there by the rain water washing away 
the surrounding earth. They are of different size and form, of a clear 
water colour and reflect with as much force as a looking glass of its size. 
It is certainly those stones have given the name of shining to that 
mountains.^ The hills are high, rugged and barren, mostly rocks with 
beds of loose red gravel on their tops or near it which being washed down 
by the rain water give the hills a reddish appearance. On many hills 
a heap of calomid stone (calumet or pipestone?) among which some- 
times I find pumice stone. 

"When we left the encampment this morning we were stopped by a 
party of their soldiers who would not allow us to proceed, as they intended 
to have a general hunt, for fear that we should rise the buffaloes, but 
upon promises being made by the chief whom I accompanied that he 
would not hunt in the way of the camp, and partly on my account, we 
were suffered to go on. We were, however, under the necessity of gliding 
away unperceived to prevent jealousy." 

Larocque and his expedition continued up the Tongue River, and on 
August 2nd, the leader reports: "Last night some children playing at 
some distance from the Camp on the river were fired at. The Camp 
was alarmed (sic) and watchers were set for the night, but nothing 
appeared. * * * The hills of the river are at a less distance from 
one another than they were here before. The bottoms or points of the 
river are not so large nor so well wooded and the grass entirely eaten up 
by the Buffaloes and Elk. 

"Saturday 3rd (August) We sat out at sun rise and encamped at 
one in the afternoon, having pursued a South Course with fare (fair) 
weather and a south east wind. We followed the River (Tongue) as 
usually; its bends are very short not exceeding two miles and many not 
one. The face of the country indicates our approach to the large Moun- 
tains and to the heads of the River. A few Jumping (deer) or Chev- 
reuils were killed today. It has been very Cold these few nights. 

SAW THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 

"Sunday 4th. We did not rise the Camp till late in the evening. 
In the morning we ascended (sic) the hills of the River and saw the 



stone. 



* The Tongue River. Indian name, Lazeka. 

t Ammonite; a fossil shell related to the nautilus. Popularly known as snake 

>n Says the editor of the Journal: "Larocque's statement is scarcely probable 
It seems more reasonable to suppose that the name which must have first reached 
European ears through Indian report had its origin in the brilliant snow-capped 
peaks of the Rockies. See Thwaites' 'Rocky Mountain Explorations, Chapter II. 



78 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

Rocky Mountains not at a very great distance with Spy Glass, its cliffs 
and hollows could be easily observed with the woods interspersed among 
the Rocks." 

L. J. Burpee, editor of the "Journal of Larocque," published (in 
1910) "by authority of the minister of agriculture and under the direction 
of the archivist" of the Canadian Government, has this commenting foot- 
note : "Lewis and Clark anticipated Larocque by a few weeks in their 
first view of the Rocky Mountains, but neither could claim the honor of 
discovery, La Verendrye having achieved that distinction some sixty-two 
years before. Larocque had, as a matter of fact, only reached the Big 
Horn, an offshoot of the main range." 

WITH THE CROWS IN THE BIG HORN COUNTRY 

The generally southwesternly course of the expedition brought it to 
the Montana streams of the Big Horn, the Indians killing many buffalo, 
and quite a number of beaver, although in the supplies of the latter 
Larocque was apparently disappointed. Under date of August nth, 
while encamped at the foot of the Mountains, the Journal notes : "They 
(the Indians) are undetermined in what course to proceed from this 
place. They have sent a party of young men along the Mountains 
Westerly and are to wait here until they return. They often enquire with 
anxious expectation of our departure, when I intend to leave them, and 
today they were more troublesome than usual. What I have seen of their 
lands hitherto has not given me the satisfaction I look for (in) Beavers. 
I told them that I would remain with them 20 or 30 days more. That 
I wished very much to see the River aux Roches Jaunes* and the place 
they usually inhabit, otherwise that I would be unable to return and 
bring them their wants. They saw it was true, but to remove the ob- 
jection of my not knowing their lands a few of them assembled and 
draughted on a dressed skin I believe a very good map of their Country 
and they showed me the place where at different season they were to be 
found. The only reason I think they have in wishing my departure, is 
their haste to get the goods I still have." 

On the I2th of August, after a conference among the Indian leaders 
and guides with the Larocque party, it was decided to proceed west along 
the Tongue River and thence to the region of the Rosebud Mountains, 
which separate the streams of that river from the Little Horn. On the 
way, Larocque traded with the Indians, purchasing a horse, beavers, etc., 
saddle and bridle, for English flannels, powder, balls, etc. His Journal 
makes note that: "The Indians Killed Buffaloes and a few Bears. The 
latter they hunt for pleasure only, as they do not eat the flesh but in case 
of absolute necessity. Perhaps the whole nation is employed about a 
bear, whom they have caused to take refuge in a thicket. There they 
plague him a long while and then Kill him ; he is seldom stripped of his 
skin. * * * The Indians having hunted yesterday (August i6th), 



* Yellowstone River. Riviere aux Roches Jaunes was the original French name, 
probably derived from some native equivalent. 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 79 

we did not rise the Camp but remained here all day. There were many 
bears hereabout, who are attracted by the quantity of Choak Cherries and 
other fruit there is here. The Woods along the Rivers are as thickly 
covered with Bears Dung as a Barn floor of that of the cattle. Large 
Cherry trees are broken down by them in Great number. The Indians 
kill one or two almost every day. The Tongue River here is small, being 
only about 20 feet broad with two feet water in the deepest part of 
the rapids. It receives many additional small streams in its way to the 
River Roches Jaunes. * * * 

"Sunday i8th (August). At 7 o'clock we left our encampment and 
proceeded Northward ; at noon we stopped on a branch of the small Horn 
River and the greatest part of the Indians went on to the small Horn 
River to hunt. At half past two in the afternoon we sat off again and 
crossing the River we encamped on its Borders where we found the 
hunting party with their horses loaded with fresh meat. We travelled 
about 15 miles this day and are farther from the mountain than yes- 
terday though still Close to it. 

"Monday ipth. Since we are close to the mountain many women have 
deserted with their lovers to their fine tents that are across the mountain. 
There are no Cattle in the mountain nor on the other side, so that they 
are loth to go that way, while the desertion of their wives strongly call 
them there. Harangues were twice made to rise the Camp, and counter 
orders were given before the tents were thrown down. The reason of 
this is that the wife of the Spotted Crow who regulates our movements 
has deserted. He is for going one way while the Chief of the other bands 
are for following our old course. Horses have been killed and women 
wounded since I am with them on the score of jealousy. Today a Snake 
Indian shot his wife dead but it seems not without reason, for it is said 
it was the third time he found her and the Gallant together. The Small 
Horn River runs east from the Mountain to this place. Here it makes a 
bend N. by East and passing round of the wolf teeth it falls into the 
large Horn river. The bed of the River here is Rocks, a continual rapid, 
the water clear and cold as ice, the ground barren on the banks of the 
river thinly wooded with some kind of wood as heretofore." 

The record indicates that on August 22nd, Larocque was called to 
a council of the Indians, at which Spotted Crow resigned his "employ- 
ment of regulating the marches," and that "another old man took the 
office upon himself," announcing that "he intended to pursue their old 
course to the River aux Roches Jaune." The march was then resumed 
northerly toward the Big Horn River and, eventually the Yellowstone. 

HORRORS OF INDIAN WARFARE 

At this point in the narrative, Larocque's "Journal" depicts an in- 
cident illustrative of the horrors of Indian warfare. "This morning" 
(August 24th), it says, "we were allarmed (sic) by the report that three 
Indians had been seen on the first hill of the mountain and that three 
Buffaloes were in motion and that two shots had been heard towards 



80 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

the large Horn River. Thirty men saddled their horses and immediately 
went off to see what was the matter while all the other Kept in readiness 
to follow if necessary. In a few hours some came back and told us that 
they had seen 35 on foot walking on the banks of one of the branches 
of the Large Horn River. In less time than the Courier Could well tell 
his news no one remained in the Camp, but a few old men and women, all 
the rest scampered off in pursuit. I went along with them. We did not 
all Set off together nor could we all Keep together as some horses were 
slower than others, but the foremost stopped galloping on a hill and con- 
tinued on with a small trot as people came up. They did the dance (war 
dance) when the Chief arrived. He and his band, or part of it, galloped 
twice before the main body of the people who still continued their trot 
intersecting the line of their course while one of his friends, I suppose 
his aide-de-camp, harangued. They were all dressed in their best Cloths. 
Many of them were followed by their wives who carried their arms, and 
who were to deliver them at the time of Battle. There were likewise 
many children, but who could Keep their saddles. Ahead of us were 
some young men on different hills making signs with their robes which 
way we were to go. As soon as all the chiefs were come up and had 
made their harangue everyone set off the way he liked best and pursued 
according to his best judgment. The Country is very hilly and full of 
large Creeks whose banks are Rocks, so that the pursued had the ad- 
vantage of being able to get into places where it was impossible to go 
with horses & hide themselves. 

"All escaped but two of the foremost who being scouts of the party 
had advanced nearer to us than the others and had -not discovered us. 
They were surrounded after a long race but Killed and scalped in a 
twinkling. When I arrived at the dead bodies they had taken but his 
scalp and the fingers of his right hand with which the outor was off. They 
borrowed my hanger with which they cut off his left hand and returned it 
(the knife) to me bloody as a mark of honour. Men, women and children 
were thronging to see the dead Bodies and taste the Blood. Everyone 
was desirous of stabbing the bodies to show what he would have done 
had he met them alive, and insulted and frotted at them in the worst 
language they could give. In a short time the remains of a human body 
was hardly distinguishable. Every young man had a piece of flesh tied to 
his gun or lance with which he rode off to the Camp singing and ex- 
ultingly showing it to every young woman in his way. Some women 
had whole limbs dangling from their saddles. The sight made me shudder 
with horror at such Cruelties and I returned home in quite different frame 
from that in which I left it. 

"Sunday 25th. The Scalp dance was danced all night and the scalps 
carried in procession through the day." 

En route, the camp was in constant expectation of attack from enemy 
Indians, the young children being often tied to the saddles and the horses 
loaded with valuables during the night and early morning. "The Indians 
hunted and saw Strange Indians," continued Larocque. "There was a 
continual harangue by different Chiefs the whole night which with the 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 81 

singing and dancing of the scalp prevented any Sleep being had. We 
pitched the tents on a small creek running into the large Horn River 
distant about 20 miles from our last encampment." 

Farther along, a few miles, one of the famous canons of the Big Horn 
River was described, and the additional information given: "There is a 
fall in this River 30 or 40 miles above this where presides a Manitoin or 
Devil.* These Indians say it is a Man Wolf who lives in the fall and 
rises out of it to devour any person or beast that go too near. They say it 
is impossible to Kill him for he is ball proof. * * * The Mountain 
is here a solid Rock in most places bare and naked ,in other places 
Cloathed with a few Red Pine. The sides of some Coule are as smooth 
and perpendicular as any wall and of an amazing height; and in some 
places there are holes in those perpendicular Rocks resembling much those 
niches in which statues are placed. Others like church doors & vaults, 
the tout ensemble is grand and striking. Beautiful prospects are to be 
had from some parts of those Rocks, but the higher places are inex- 
cessible. The Large Horn River is seen winding through a level plain of 
about 3 miles breadth for a great distance almost to its conflux with the 
River aux Roches Jaunes." 

This stage of the journey brings the time to September ist, and the 
expedition was ascending the Big Horn Valley toward the Yellowstone. 
Traveling in a generally northwesternly direction, it swerved from the 
Big Horn Valley, in what would now be the northern part of the Crow 
Indian Reservation, and at two o'clock, in the afternoon of September 
loth, arrived at the Yellowstone, below what is known as Pryor's 
Fork, Yellowstone County, a few miles northeast of Billings. There the 
expedition camped on a large island, and three days afterward crossed 
to the west side of the river and about nine miles farther up stream 
encamped at a point where the Indians "usually make their fall medicine." 

When the expedition arrived at the Yellowstone, a delegation of Big 
Bellies arrived to see if they could trade horses. They were well re- 
ceived by the other Indians and presents of different articles were made 
to them. They told Larocque that they had traded during the previous 
winter with Mr. McDonald (John), whom they called Crooked Arm, 
because of his deformed arm. When McDonald was eighty-five years 
of age, he wrote a series of interesting Autobiographical Notes (1791- 
1816). Although graphically written, they are not always to be relied 
upon. 

DEPARTURE FROM THE CROW COUNTRY 

The arrangements made with his Indian comrades and co-traders and 
his final departure from the Crow country, on Saturday, September 14, 
1805, are thus described in the "Journal of Larocque," the original 
spelling, capitalization, etc., being generally retained : "Having now full 

* Foot Note by the editor of the Journal : "Manitou, or more properly, 
Windego. Scores of waterfalls have been the reputed home of this picturesque 
but rather bloodthirsty spirit. In one form or another, and under varying names, 
the Windego ranged almost from the Atlantic to the Pacific." 



82 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

filled the instructions I received from Mr. Chaboillez, which were to 
examine the lands of the Crow Indians and see if there is Beaver as was 
reported, and I to invite them to hunt it, I now prepared to depart. I 
assembled the Chiefs in Council, and after having smoked a fw pipes, 
I informed them that I was setting off, that I was well pleased with them 
and their behavior toward me, and that I would return to them next 
fall. I desired them to kill Beavers and Bears all winter, for that I 
would come and trade with them and bring them their wants. I added 
many reasons to show them that it was their interest to hunt Beavers, 
and then proceeded to settle the manners of Knowing one another next 
fall, and how I am to find them which is as follows: Upon my arrival 
at the Island if I do not find them I am to go to the Mountain called 
Amanchabe Chije & then light 4 fires on 4 successive days, and they will 
Come to us (for it is very high and the fire can be seen at a great dis- 
tance) in number 4 & not more. If more than four come to us we are 
to act upon the offensive, for it will be other Indians. If we light less 
than 3 fires, they will not come to us, but think it is enemies. They told 
me that in winter they were always to be found at a Park by the foot 
of the Mountain a few mile's from this or there abouts. In the spring 
and fall, they are upon this River and in summer upon the Tongue and 
Horses River.*" 

"I have 122 Beavers 4 Bears and two otters which I traded, not so 
much for their value (for they are all summer skins) as to show them 
that I set some value on the Beavers and our property. The presents 
I made them I thought were sufficient to gain their good will, in which 
I think I succeeded. 

"I never gave them anything without finding means to let them know 
it was not for nothing. Had more been given, they would have thought 
that goods were so common among us than to set no value upon them, 
for Indians that have seen few white men will be more thankful for a 
few articles given them than for a great many, as they think that little 
or no value is attached to what is so liberally given. It was therefore I 
purchased their Bears and likewise as a proof that there is Beaver in 
those parts. Besides it saved to distribute the goods I had into the most 
deserving hands, that is the less lazy. 

"We departed about noon. 2 Chiefs accompanied us about 8 miles. 
We stopped and smoked a parting pipe. They embrased (sic) us. We 
shook hands and parted. They followed us about one mile, at a distance 
gradually lessening their steps till we were almost out of sight and Crying 
or pretending to Cry they then turned their backs and went home. At 
parting they promised that none of their young men would follow us. 
They took heaven and earth to witness to attest their sincerity in what 
they told us, and they had opened their ears to my words and would do 
as I desired them. They made me swear by the same that I would re- 
turn; and that I told them no false words (and I certainly had no in- 



* Possibly, Pumpkin Creek, the chief branch of Tongue River. 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 83 

tention of breaking my oath nor have I still. If I do not keep them my 
word it certainly is not my fault.)" 

LAROCQUE DESCRIBES POMPEY'S PILLAR 

On the next day (Sunday, September 15*), the Larocque party 
crossed to the south side of the Yellowstone, and near what is now 
Shannon's Creek mentions a "Whitish perpendicular Rock on which is 
painted with Red earth a battle between three persons on horseback and 
3 on foot." The editor of Larocque's Journal believes it to be the same 
remarkable rock, visited by Captain Clark in July, 1806, while he was 
descending the Yellowstone on his return from the Pacific Coast. Clark 
describes it as "nearly four hundred paces in circumference, two hundred 
feet high, and accessible only from the northeast, the other sides being a 
perpendicular cliff of a light-coloured gritty rock. The Indians have 
carved the figures of animals and other objects on the sides of the rock, 
and on the top are raised two piles of stones." He named this remarkable 
rock Pompey's Pillar, and it is so marked on his map. 

Two days afterward, the Big Horn River was crossed. The ex- 
pedition passed through some rough, rocky country, as it had no guides on 
the return trip. At times, also, the weather was so cold that ice formed 
on the Yellowstone and other streams. The Tongue River was reached 
in about a week and the Powder a day afterward, about midway between 
the forks and the mouth. By the first week in October, the party arrived 
at the Little Missouri in southeastern Montana, and took substantially the 
same course through western and northwestern Dakota to the region of 
the Assiniboine River, as it had taken in the outward trip. The last week 
was windy and cold. As stated, River la Sourie Fort, on the south side 
of the Assiniboine, at the mouth of the Sourie River, was reached Octo- 
ber 22, 1805, and thus was concluded a journey which made known to 
the world a large portion of southeastern Montana which had not before 
been explored or described. 

THE CROW INDIANS OF 1805 

Larocque's Journal also contains, as a section separate from the con- 
tinuous narrative, "A Few Observations on the Rocky Mountain Indians 
with Whom I Passed' the Summer, 1805," in which the customs of the 
Crow and Flathead tribes are so particularly described as to constitute 
a real contribution to the aboriginal lore of that day. The author in- 
troduces his dissertation by observing that: "This nation (the Rocky 
Mountain Indians) known among the Sioux by the name of Crow In- 
dians inhabit the eastern part of the Rocky Mountains at the head of the 
River aux Roches Jaunes (which is known by the Kinistinaux and 
Assiniboines by the name of the River a la Biche, from the great number 
of elks with which all the country along it abounds) and its branches 
and close to the head of the Missouri." On account of the ravages of 
small pox for many successive years, which had continued up to about 



84 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

1802, the Crows of the Rocky Mountains had been reduced from 2,000 
lodges or tents, to 300 tents, comprising some 2,400 persons. In 1805 
they were "able to raise 600 warriors, like the Sioux and Assiniboines. 
They wander about in leather tents and remain where there are buffaloes 
and elks. After having remained a few days in one place so that game is 
not so plentiful, as it was, they flit to another place where there are 
buffaloes or deers and so on all the year around." 

Continuing to' adapt this account from Larocque, it was stated that 
many of the Indians who did not expose themselves to the sun were 
almost as fair as white people. One of their marked peculiarities was the 
early age at which many of them became gray. They were so well 
supplied with horses that they were able to transport their sick and 
infirm, and the result was a noticeable prevalence of cripples and 
decrepid old men. As the country abounded in buffaloes and deer, the 
Crows found little difficulty in providing for a plurality of wives and 
large families. Unlike the Assiniboines, the Crows were sociable and 
upstanding. As noted in the Journal : "When a Sauteux or Assiniboine 
enter a stranger's tent, they (sic) keep down their head, or muffle it so 
in their robe or blanket that it can hardly be seen. These Indians never 
do it. They are bold and keep up their heads in any place, and say it is 
a sign of having bad designs when one is ashamed to show his face. 
* * * It is not out of bashfulness that the Sautaux hide their face 
when entering a strange tent, but they esteem it polite. When they begin 
to smoke, or after they have smoked a few pipes, they uncover their 
face, but the custume (sic) is in general with the young men than those 
of a certain age." 

Like all other Indian nations, the women did most of the work. The 
men would kill the buffaloes and their wives would follow and skin 
the animals and dress them, while the husbands sat calmly looking on. 
The women even saddled the horses, and their lords, when they retired, 
did not take the trouble to remove shoes or leggings. "In flitting," adds 
Larocque, "the women ride and have no loads to carry on their backs, 
as is common among other nations, though it is certain had they no 
horses they would be in the same predicament as their less fortunate 
neighbors, for though the men are fond of their wives and use them 
well, yet it is not to be supposed that they Ovould take a greater share of 
work than other Indians. The women are indebted solely to their having 
horses for the ease they enjoy more than their neighbours. They are 
very fond of their children, but seldom or never reprimand them." In 
short, the Crows were considered among the Indian aristocrats. They 
squandered their food, it was so plentiful, killing an "amazing" number 
of buffaloes and deer, and taking with them only the choicest cuts. They 
seldom ate bear or beaver flesh; and fish, never. An old chief was 
always chosen to conduct their hunts, and regulate their encampments 
and feasts. The Conductor, as he was called, must consult the other 
chiefs before doing anything of consequence. 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 85 

BREAKING CAMP 

Correcting and adapting the spelling and punctuation to modern re- 
quirements, Larocque's description of "Breaking Camp" under the di- 
rection of the Conductor reads : "His tent is thrown down the first when 
they rise the camp. He goes foremost all the way (except a few young 
men who go far before as scouts) and pitches his tent the first. All the 
others encamp about him. Previous to their flitting, he rides about the 
camp and tells them to throw down their tents ; that they are going to 
such a place and for such and such reason. Some of the soldiers go 
far ahead and others remain far behind to watch and see if there be no 
enemies. When buffaloes are seen on the road and they wish to hunt 
they cause the people to stop and the old man harangues from one end 
to the other. When all are ready the huntsmen set off and the body of 
the people follow slowly." 

It would seem that the young male before marriage seldom hunted, 
but spent most of his time in preening himself like a peacock, and was 
far more vain than the young female. "A young man," says the narrative, 
"rises late in the morning, about midday he begins to dress and has not 
finished until late in the evening. He then mounts his horse, on which 
he has spread red and blue blankets, and, in company with his associates 
he rides about the camp, with the wing of a bustard or hawk before his 
face, in lieu of a fan, to keep him from the burning sun. At night, he 
dismounts, courts the women, or goes to the place of rendezvous, and 
at daylight comes in to sleep." 

The ceremonials and regulations attending the smoking of a pipe of 
tobacco, would hardly be tolerated by the impatient white man. "A pipe 
is never smoked," remarks Larocque, "without the first whiffs being 
offered to the rising midday and setting sun, to the earth, to the heavens, 
and to these the stem is pointed to the respective place they occupy, and 
a whiff is blown to the same quarter. Then a few whiffs are blown to 
diverse spirits which the smoker names and to whom he mutters a few 
words ; and then the pipe goes round, each person smoking four whiffs 
and no more. The pipe must always go to your left hand man, as that 
is the course that the sun takes. * * * 

SMOKING REGULATIONS 

"They are not superstitious with regard to the pipe, which is the 
object of their most sacred regard. Numberless are the ceremonies at- 
tended on smoking a pipe of tobacco. The regulations common to all 
are these : The pipe and stem must be clean ; a coal must be drawn out 
of the fire to light the pipe with ; care must be taken not to light the pipe 
in the flames or ashes, and none must empty the ashes out of the pipe 
but he that filled or lighted it. There being but little fire, I once lighted 
the pipe in the ashes. My landlord told me a few days after that his 
eyes were sore, and my lighting the pipe in the ashes was the occasion 
thereof. 



86 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

"Some will not smoke if the pipe has touched grass ; another if there 
are women in the tent; if there are guns; if shoes are seen when smoking; 
if a part ot wearing apparel be thrown over the pipe ; if some one biows 
in the pipe stem to clean it. Some will not allow the stem before the door. 
Another must empty the ashes on cowdung brought in on purpose. An- 
other, again, will not smoke unless every smoker be naked, and none but 
smokers are allowed to remain in the tent. To one the pipe must be 
given stem foremost, to another the reverse. Another will not take it 
unless you push it as hard as you can; to some it must be given quite 
slowly. In short, every man has his particular way of smoking, from 
which it seems he has vowed never to swerve. * * * Some who are 
ceremonious in their smoking do not smoke but with their intimates and 
those that are well acquainted with their mummery; those that are less 
so take care to sit next to a man that knows in what manner the pipe 
is to be given to them. The women never smoke. Before the smoking 
begins, he that has some peculiarity in his way of smoking tells in what 
manner it is, and everyone attends to." 

A NATION OF HORSEMEN 

Larocque again refers to the Crows as an Indian nation of horses and 
horsemen. They obtained most of their horses from the Flatheads and 
traded them, at double the purchase price, to the Big Bellies and the 
Mandans. "He is reckoned a poor man that has not ten horses in the 
spring before the trade at the Missouri takes place, and many have thirty 
or forty. Everybody rides men, women and children. The females 
ride astride as the men do. A child that is too young to keep his saddle 
is tied to it, and a small whip is tied to his wrist. He whips away, and 
gallops or trots the whole day, if occasion requires. Their saddles are 
so made as to prevent falling either backwards or forward, the hind part 
reaching as high as between the shoulders and the fore part of the breast. 
The women saddles are especially so. Those of the men are not quite 
so high, and many use saddles such as the Canadians make in the N. W. 
Country." 

Being thus trained from infancy, the Crows were naturally most 
expert horsemen. As warriors on horseback they were unexcelled. De- 
pending upon them as they do, these Indians were very fond and careful 
of their horses. They were not warlike, but courageous and fierce when 
attacked. Their arms were bows and arrows, lances and guns. When 
they went to war they took their medicine bags, which they opened 
before beginning the attack. Shortly afterward, the warriors smoked 
and then went into action. They were pronounced excellent marksmen 
with the bow and arrow, and, although "poor shots" with the gun, on 
account of lack of ammunition, they were becoming expert with daily 
practice of late years. They were getting their guns and ammunition from 
the Mandans and the Big Bellies, in exchange for horses, robes, leggins 
and shirts. They likewise purchased corn, pumpkins and tobacco from 
the Big Bellies, as they did not cultivate the ground. 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 87 

DRESSY AND CLEANLY 

After describing in detail the elaborate dress of the men and the 
more simple costume of the women, made of deer, elk, buffalo, wolf and 
skunk skins, ornamented with porcupine quills, bear's claws, beads, 
fringes, etc., variously colored, the author adds that "the boys go naked 
till they are eight or ten years old, not for want of clothes, but to be 
more at their ease; but the girls never. Both sexes are very cleanly, 
washing and bathing every morning in the river, and in winter in the 
snow. They keep their clothes clean and as white as snow, with a kind 
of white earth resembling chalk, with which they daily clean their clothes. 
* * * A woman never sets the kettle on the fire in the morning 
without first washing her hands, and the men do not eat without the 
same precaution. * * * 

"They make very expressive signs with their hands to a person that 
does not understand their language. They often told me long stories 
without hardly opening their lips and I understood very well. They 
represent a Sioux by passing the edge of their hand across their neck, 
a Panis by showing large ears, a Flathead by pressing with both hands on 
each side the head." 

THE FLATHEADS 

/ 

The Journal of Larocque has this to say (the text edited somewhat) 
regarding the Flathead Indians, which then held the western slopes of 
the Rocky Mountains: "The Flatheads inhabit the western side of the 
Rocky Mountains at the heads of the rivers that have a southwesterly 
course and flow into the western ocean. The ridge of mountains that 
parts those waters from the Missouri can be crossed in two days and no 
more mountains are found to the ocean. They come every fall to the 
fort of the Missouri or thereabout to kill buffaloes, of which there are 
none across that range of mountains, dress robes and dry meat with which 
they returned as soon as the winter set in. They have deers of various 
kinds on their lands and beaver with which they make themselves robes, 
but they prefer buffaloes. They have a great many horses which they 
sell for a trifle and give many for nothing." 



CHAPTER IV 
MONTANA'S NATURAL FEATURES 

The explorations of the Lewis and Clark expedition discovered the 
bold natural features of the "Land of the Shining Mountains," which 
was not to be christened by the sonorous and characteristic name of the 
present until more than half a century had elapsed since those able and 
intrepid young men made history and geography for Jefferson and the 
United States of America. They not only traced the main courses of the 
mighty Missouri to their sources, but found that its great northern trib- 
utary headed in the mountain ranges of the Hudson Bay divide. After 
careful investigation and the wise weighing of natural data such as the 
color, the volume and the current of the Milk River and its tributaries 
they decided, in opposition to the opinion of the old and experienced 
boatmen of their party, that they must follow the southern branches of 
the main stream to the clear waters rushing from the purifying rocks 
and valleys of the mountains before they could hope to reach a position 
on the eastern slopes of the continental divide which should be sub- 
stantially opposite the sources of any streams which would lead to a 
western waterway to the Pacific. The deduction and decision of Lewis 
and Clark saved the expedition from defeat, if not disaster, the Missouri 
was traced to its true southern source, and the real fountain of its might, 
the Jefferson fork of the river, and a few miles over an easy pass in the 
continental divide were found the equally limpid and lively waters of the 
great southern branch of the Columbia. 

THE GREAT MISSOURI RIVER SYSTEM 

The explorers of 1805 had decided from all their available data that 
the Jefferson was the parent stream, and their 'conclusion was verified 
scientifically and accurately nearly seventy years afterward. In 1872, 
Thomas P. Roberts, under the direction of the government, examined the 
upper Missouri from the Three Forks to Fort Benton for the purpose 
of ascertaining its capacity for navigation by light-draught steamers. 
The part of his report which is pertinent is this : "The junction of the 
Gallatin, Madison and Jefferson rivers which streams from the Missouri 
proper is effected in a basin or valley some fifteen or twenty miles in 
diameter, with mountains in full view west, south and east, varying in 
altitude from two thousand to four thousand feet above the sea. Some 
presented a denuded appearance, while others were well timbered, and 
though it was late in July, their highest summits and gorges were still 
streaked with silvery lines of snow. 

88 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 



89 



"It is difficult to determine from which points of the compass the 
three rivers debouch, though from the top of the bluffs at the exit pas- 
sage of the united rivers, which almost deserves to be called a canyon, 
there is a fine view of their meanderings. The courses of the streams,' 
with their numerous cut-offs and sloughs, are marked by graceful belts 
and lines of cotton wood and black alder, by islands clothed with the 
richest verdure and by groves and jungles of the wild currant, but by 
far the greater portion of this immense park is open and covered with 
varieties of the rich bunch-grass, for which Montana is celebrated. The 
sheen of the sparkling waters seen through openings of timber among 
the islands and channels, with the soft shadowy forms of the silvery 
rimmed mountains in the distance surrounding the landscape, formed in 
the long twilight, a beautiful and enchanting picture. 

"While here we gauged the volume of the rivers, not only to discover 
which of the three was the largest or parent stream, but also to ascer- 
tain how much water there was to deal with at that season of the year, 
for the purpose of navigation. 

"When we began the reconnoissance, the streams were about four feet 
below the high-water mark, and, according to the statement of the old 
ferryman, only eight inches above the lowest water-mark. It is one of 
the most striking characteristics of the Upper Missouri, and the same 
may be said of nearly all the Montana streams, that they never overflow 
their banks to any extent, and that they are more regular and unfailing 
in their discharge than streams of equal annual flowage in the United 
States east of the Mississippi River. This equable flowage is due almost 
entirely to the regularity of the melting of the snow in the highest regions 
of the mountains, from which source their principal supply is drawn. 

"We found that the Jefferson discharged 226,728 cubic feet per 
minute, the Madison, 160,277, and the Gallatin, 125,480. There can, 
therefore, be but little doubt that the Jefferson is the father of the 
Missouri, which fact makes it, by fair inheritance, the grandfather of the 
Mississippi, a distant but noble relative. Adding these figures together, 
we have a total flowage of 512,408 cubic feet per minute for the Upper 
Missouri at the Three Forks. Reducing their quantity to tfye lowest stage 
known, there will remain over 300,000 cubic feet per minute in the 
Missouri at this point, which is three times the volume of the Ohio at 
Pittsburgh when at its lowest stage. 

"The length of this wonderful watercourse, the Missouri, can be 
best appreciated when it is considered that we were here camped two 
hundred and fifty miles below the extreme heads of the Jefferson and 
about the same distance above Fort Benton. Fort Benton is not less 
than 2,900 miles above St. Louis, which city is still 1,200 miles above 
the mouth of the river. The entire length of the river is not less than 
4,600 miles, some geographies to the contrary notwithstanding, they var- 
iously estimating its length to be from 4,000 to 4,300 miles. 

"Returning to the Jefferson a large island at its mouth divides the 
stream and in exploring it a mile above our camp we discovered where 
its waters first mingle with those of the Madison. I note this particular 



90 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

junction because I never before saw streams unite in the same manner. 
They run with swift current five or six feet deep and some two hundred 
feet wide directly toward each other, and thence, at a right angle, their 
united volume, agitated with the rude contact, rushes northward. The 
meeting of the currents created great swirls in the water, which nearly 
swamped our boat when we attempted to shoot through. A basin seems 
to have been scoured out in the gravelly bottom by the action of the 
stream, the depth of which we were unable to ascertain with either pole 
or line." 

The Jefferson River, thus admitted to be the father of the Missouri, 
does not rise in the exact locality described by Captain Lewis in the 
journal of the expedition, but farther to the east in the rivulets which 
feed Red Rock Lake, near the extreme southern point of Montana and 
not far west of the National Park. Both the Gallatin and the Madison 
have their fountain heads in the park, outside the bounds of Montana, 
as well as the Yellowstone, the great southern tributary of the Missouri. 
Yellowstone Lake, its source, is believed to have been discovered by 
John Colter, the noted adventurer of the Lewis-Clark expedition. Cap- 
tain Clark explored the Yellowstone within Montana on the return trip 
(1806), while Captain Lewis was investigating Maria's River, the north- 
ern tributary of the Missouri. 

Clark's fork of the Columbia drains most of the western or Pacific 
watershed of the Rocky Mountains in western and northwestern Montana. 
What Captain Lewis named Clark's Fork is now known as the Bitter 
Root River, rises in the triangle formed by the mountain range by that 
name and the Continental Divide, and flows along the eastern bases of 
the Bitter Root Mountains. It empties into the Hellgate River, in the 
vicinity of Missoula, and the two streams thus united take the name of 
Missoula, which, in turn, flows into Lake Pend d'Oreille, Idaho, and 
emerges as Clark's River, or the Clark's Fork of the Columbia, as now 
recorded on the maps. From Montana it passes between the Bitter Root 
and the Cabinet mountains in the northwestern part of the state, through 
the northern corner of Idaho and joins the Columbia at 49 north, on 
the boundary Jbetween the state of Washington and British Columbia. 
Before leaving Montana, however, it receives a large and intricate system 
of waters from the north. The backbone of this combination of rivers 
and lakes is the Flathead River, the north fork of which rises just across 
the international border and bounds Glacier National Park on the west. 
The south fork heads in the great north-and-south Continental Divide 
in Powell and Lewis and Clark counties, flows northwest between that 
vast range and the Flathead Mountains, and unites with the 'north fork 
and a smaller tributary stream near Columbia Falls, Fhthead County, 
and thence enters Flathead Lake. The river emerges from the south- 
western extremity of the lake, is reinforced by the Little Bitter Root, 
the Jocko and other streams and finally reaches Clark's Fork near the 
western boundary line of the state in the Mineral Range of mountains, 
an outlying flank of the Bitter Root Range. 

The more northerly branch of the Columbia, the Kootenai, takes a 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 91 

small loop out of Northwestern Montana, rising in British Columbia and 
through its tributaries, the Stillwater and Yaak rivers, draining a small 
portion of that part of the state. To the east of the drainage basin of 
the Clark's Fork and the Kootenai is the St. Mary's River, which is a 
tributary of the Saskatchewan and empties into Hudson Bay! 

It is evident that Western Montana, the birthplace of the vast river 
systems which mold the valleys and basins of the state, holds the key 
to the topography of the country included in its bounds. That region 
contains the fountain heads of the rushing waters and their commercial 
powers. Mountains, valleys and basins comprise the grand natural fea- 
tures of Montana. 

MONTANA SYSTEMS 

As to its mountains, the following is a fair summary, mainly drawn 
from data furnished by Robert H. Chapman, the geologist and topog- 
rapher: The main Rocky mountain mass is actually made up of two 
principal ranges, generally parallel with axes in a northwesterly and 
southwesterly direction, the easternmost of which is the Lewis range, 
which extends but a short distance across the Canadian boundary. The 
western or Livingston range, persists much farther northward. At a 
point about eleven miles south of Canada it becomes the watershed of the 
Continental divide, which has previously followed the ridge of the 
Livingston range. 

The range is rugged in contour and vast in extent, with many spurs, 
buttresses and lesser ranges. Magnificent pinnacles and peaks, cloaked 
with eternal snow, encrusted with glacial ice, mark its- serrated outline. 
Nevertheless the mountains of Montana, though equally noble in form are 
not so lofty as those of Colorado. Immediately east of the Continental 
divide, at the extreme north, is the Hudson Bay divide, and the Big 
Belt Mountains, which commence in the center of the state and run 
parallel with the main Rocky mountain range. To the east of the Big 
Belt is Bird Tail divide, and to the south the Tobacco Root, the Ruby, 
the Madison, the Gallatin and the Bridger ranges. East of the Big Belt 
range and also in central Montana, are the Teton ridge, the Little Belt 
and Belt ranges, and to the south, in southern Montana, are the Cayuse 
Hills and the Assaroka range. East of the Little Belt range, in East- 
central Montana, are the Big Snowy Mountains, and just northeast of the 
northern extremity of the range lie the Highwood Mountains. Still 
farther to the east, in North-eastern Montana, are other minor ranges or 
groups of high hills dignified with such names as Bear Paw, Little Rocky 
or Little Creek mountains. The easternmost hills of any considerable 
magnitude are Piney Buttes, in the triangle formed by the Missouri and 
its tributary, Big Dry River. In the far southeast, the Big Horn Moun- 
tains protrude into the Crow Indian Reservation from Wyoming, and 
the smaller independent range formed by the Wolf and Rosebud moun- 
tains, a little farther east, is almost wholly within the state boundaries. 

West of the Continental divide, in the northwestern corner of Mon- 



92 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

tana, is the Purcell range of the Kootenai system. Farther east, beyond 
the Stillwater River, is the Whitefish range, a southeastern continuance 
of which brings one to the Flathead range. Parallel to the latter and 
west of it, are the majestic Mission Mountains, the northern portions of 
which are massed along the eastern shores of Flathead Lake. The 
Bitter Root Mountains stretch as a majestic barrier to form the western 
bounds of Montana, from 48 degrees, east by south to about 46 30', 
where they meet the Continental divide, extending toward the northeast. 
The Bitter Root Mountains form by far the larger portion of the 
western side of the substantial rectangle formed by the 144,000 square 
miles comprising the area of Montana. It is a grand domain nearly 
three times larger than the state of New York, and only exceeded by 
Texas and California in territorial extent of the commonwealths in the 
Union. California only exceeds it by 12,000 square miles. 

Low ALTITUDE AS A ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATE 

Although virtually' half of Montana is mountainous, and it is 
classified as a Rocky Mountain state, its general elevation is compar- 
atively low. Professor Gannett of the United States Geological Survey 
says: "The average elevation of Montana above sea level is 3,900 feet. 
The average elevation of other states in this section are given as 
follows : Nevada, 5,600 feet ; Wyoming, 6,400 ; Colorado, 7,000 feet. Be- 
low an elevation of 4,000 feet Utah has no square miles, Colorado has 
only 9,000, while Montana has 51,600. Below 3,000 feet in altitude are 
40,000 square miles in Montana." 

"Taking the area of the state (Montana) as a whole," says a United 
States Census Bulletin, "it has been ascertained that 49 per cent, is under 
5,000 feet above sea level; 21 per cent, from 5,000 to 6,000 feet; 14 per 
cent, from 6,000 to 7,000 ; 9 per cent, from 7,000 to 8,000, and 7 per cent, 
over 8,000 feet." 

Helena, at the base of the northwest and southeast Continental divide 
in Montana, has an elevation of 4,110 feet above sea level ; Salt Lake City, 
4,350; Denver, 5,300, and Santa Fe, 6,840 feet. 

The fact of Montana's comparatively low altitude, with mountain 
passes of low and easy access, has had a beneficial effect upon her 
climate and settlement. A very high altitude in a country or state limits 
permanent settlement to the small class of people whose physical tem- 
perament allows them to reside under such condition. The numerous 
low passes in the mountains not only enabled the streams of emigrants 
to pass into Montana's domains from either direction, many of them 
becoming her substantial settlers, but also admits the mild currents from 
the farther west and southwest, warming the valleys and modifying the 
climate generally. 

WILLIAM A. CLARK ON MONTANA'S VALLEYS 

After noting the Coeur d'Alene, Pointed Heart, or Bitter Root moun- 
tains as "a white line in the zigzag of the mountains' crest in the regions 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 93 

of perpetual snow, William A. Clark, in his centennial address, adds, 
apropos of the "valley" feature of Montana: "Farther eastward the 
main range of the Rocky Mountains rising in colossal grandeur, tends 
diagonally to the northwest across the territory, while between these two 
distinct ranges and far eastward from the latter, the country is diversi- 
fied by a system of subordinate, transverse and parallel ranges, enclosing 
the most beautiful valleys. 

"These valleys, varying from one to fifteen miles in width and from 
ten to two hundred miles in length, are level or gently undulating, re- 
sembling prairies covered with grasses and meadows, each drained by 
a main stream running through the center which, at short intervals, re- 
ceives tributaries from the enclosing mountains. These form lateral 




BITTER ROOT VALLEY 

valleys of smaller extent. A line of willow, or alder bushes, with here 
and there a clump of cottonwood trees, marks the course of every 
stream and beautifies the landscape. Lying between the large valleys 
there are, in many places, passes in the mountains, many of them so 
low and easily accessible as to form natural highways for all vehicles. On 
some of these dividing elevations are presented views of surpassing 
beauty and grandeur. Below you behold the picturesque valleys; about 
you, the terraced, or corrugated grassy plains; on either side, the ever- 
green woodlands with their parks and rippling brooklets, stretching down 
from the mountain sides, and above all and beyond the limit of vegetable 
growth, the towering rock-ribbed mountains. There, in communication 
with the clouds, are the great fountains which form the sources of the 
Missouri and the Columbia, in many places gathering their cold and 
crystal waters from the same snow girdled peaks." 

THE GEOLOGICAL STORY 

Montana presents a problem and a picture of deep and varied interest 
when viewed from a geological standpoint; when an attempt is made 



94 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

to analyze the vast mountain ranges which loom and stretch through her 
central and western portions, and to account for the courses and grand 
vagrancies of her mighty rivers, which attempted to lose themselves in 
the fastnesses of the Rockies, but could not because of the persistency 
and bravery of men; to list her bewildering variety of minerals and 
account for their composition and the strange forms of their deposits, and, 
in general, to unseal the weird, silent lips of Nature and force her to 
explain the methods by which she created a little section of what is 
really but the skin of the earth. 

To account for the mountain ranges of Montana and the precious 
metals cast from their bowels, one must go back to the primary ages of 
the fire rocks (igneous and metamorphic), and to explain the broken 
and irregular strata of the vast rocky beds laid down by the waters of the 
prehistoric oceans and seas, the student must imagine the outbreak of 
immeasurable subterranean forces and the upheaval of the very founda- 
tions of the earth. 

Dr. F. V. Hayden, U. S. Geologist, did much to fix and record the 
geology of Montana, in the '/os, and in 1876 the Historical Society of 
Montana (Vol. I, p. 285) published an instructive and well written paper 
entitled "Geological Notes on Northern and Central Montana," by O. C. 
Mortson, which was of more general value than its title indicated. The 
author traces the eastern boundary line of the great area of igneous rocks 
as follows: Commencing, at the British line, following southwardly 
along the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains to the Dearborn River, 
following that stream to the Missouri River, crossing which it follows the 
Great Belt Mountains for a short distance and then strikes off to the 
western peaks of the Little Belt Mountains, and from there, along the 
eastern side, to the Judith Gap; it then strikes southwardly along the 
eastern base of the Crazy Mountains across the Yellowstone River and 
by the eastern base of the Snow Mountains. The Judith, Snowy and 
Highwood mountains are surrounded by stratified rocks, though connected 
with the same upheaval as the other mountains. All rocks east of the 
above-mentioned line are pertaining to the cretaceous periods (later than 
the igneous) and in places, tertiary (still later) deposits. 

The upheaval of all the mountains in Central Montana most probably 
took place in the tertiary period, and attained a still higher altitude in 
the post-tertiary ; again being brought to nearly their present level in 
the latter part of this period. The Bearpaw Mountains are ascribed to 
a later period, their upheaval having distorted the strata in their vicinity, 
and later tertiary rocks being found among and in them. The origin of 
these mountains is undoubtedly volcanic, the center of action being the 
western peaks. One peak, which is the highest in that vicinity, is an 
extinct crater, lava, tufa and volcanic sand being plentiful. The Sandy 
creeks rise near this peak, and it is owing to the volcanic sand in their 
beds that they derive their names. The upheaval of these mountains is 
ascribed to the post-tertiary period, probably the same disturbance that 
occurred in the early part of the glacial period. 

All the other ranges of mountains in central and northern Montana 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 95 

are thought to have been formed about the same time, both from the 
similar character of the rocks comprising their peaks and foothills and 
from the number of dikes connecting them. These connecting ridges 
are sometimes trap, but generally of granite. The elevated and distorted 
strata which thus protrudes have been variously metamorphized by the 
action of the igneous rocks, while in a state of fusion limestone has been 
turned into marble and laminated clays into slate. A large number of 
these dikes branch from the east side of the Great Belt range, crossing 
diagonally Deep Creek valley and connectiong with the Little Belt range 
and the Highwood Mountains. The dikes mentioned are composed of 
dark granite. Other series connect the different peaks of the district. 
From the igneous, or fire rocks, the geologist passes upward toward 
the earth's surface through the stratified rocks of five distinct periods. 
The lowest stratum examined by Mr. Mortson, which contained fossils, 
was the Jurassic. A belt of the latter rocks was found to stretch from 
the neighborhood of. the Black Hills, in the southeast, across the Yellow- 
stone River, striking the Musselshell near the great bend, and reaching the 
Missouri in the neighborhood of Little Rocky Mountain Creek and 
Carroll, Deer Lodge County. Remains of the larger fossils are found in 
this stratum in such quantities as to form masess of rocks in themselves. 
In a later epoch of the same period, carrying sandstones and layers of 
clay were found fresh water shells and abundant remains of insects, 
fishes and reptiles. 

The rocks of the cretaceous, or chalky period, occupy the largest area 
of any stratified ones in Montana, being found even in the foothills of 
the Rocky Mountains and occupying a large area north of the Missouri 
River. They form a section of the great belt which stretches across the 
continent from Mackenzie's River in the north to the Gulf of Mexico 
in the south. Most of the rocks are of marine formation, although a few 
are the results of fresh water deposits, and their composition is sandstone, 
clay, marl, limestone and colored sands. The latter are exceedingly 
friable, and the green variety has been profitably used as a fertilizer. 

The lower beds of the cretaceous period are known as the Dakota 
group, as they have been most extensively developed in the territory of 
the Dakotas. In Montana, these beds may be found near the headwaters 
of Sun River, in the vicinity of St. Peter and on the flanks of Highwood 
and Little Belt mountains, in the present counties of Cascade and Teton. 
The Dakota series is remarkable for the beds of lignite and numerous 
vegetable remains found in it. The leaves of numerous genera of trees 
are also found, some of which are allied to living species. Near Fort 
Shaw the beds have yielded a fine building sandstone, which, though 
soft when quarried, hardens by exposure to the atmosphere. 

The Benton group of the cretaceous period lies over the Dakota and 
is distinguishable by the character of the fossils found in the strata, being 
of the fresh-water rather than the marine variety. The greatest de- 
velopment of the beds is in the vicinity of Fort Benton ; hence the name, 
given by Meek and Hayden, U. S. geologists. From that place to the 
Great Falls the banks of the Missouri furnish splendid specimens of 



96 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

sections of the beds. They are also found on Highwood and Belt Moun- 
tain creeks and Arrow, Teton and Maria's rivers. The thickness of the 
Dakota and Benton groups may be roughly estimated at 1,200 feet. 

The Pierre group, so called from the beds found at old Fort Pierre, 
Dakota, are the first of the later Cretaceous beds. Outcrops of these 
beds are found in the hills south of Square Butte, the reservation of Fort 
Shaw on the Yellowstone, in the bad lands near Pryor's Creek and on 
Milk River near the Three Buttes. On the Yellowstone, they are com- 
posed of dark laminated clays, and are remarkable for the perfect preser- 
vation of the fossils peculiar to the group. Proceeding northward, it 
gradually merges into the Jurassic rocks. 

"The cretaceous and Jurassic rocks in Montana, by their conforma- 
tion and dip of strata, would justify the assertion that during these 
periods a large, shallow inland sea existed in this part of Montana. From 
the nature of the marine fossil shells it might have been from two hun- 
dred to four hundred feet deep, and had connection with the inland sea, 
which then covered such a large portion of the North American con- 
tinent. The Yellowstone and Missouri rivers were not yet in existence, 
as there were not yet any mountains to form the watershed." The rocks 
of the tertiary period are found on the flanks of the Rocky, Belt, Bear- 
paw and Big Snowy mountains and on Milk River near the British line. 
"It was during this period (continuing to quote Mr. Mortson) that 
probably the two great rivers of Montana began their mighty courses. 
This was owing to the elevation at that time of the neighboring ranges 
of mountains (except the Bearpaw), though perhaps their height was 
not equal to that of the present day. The tertiary deposits on their 
summits would ascribe their elevation to be late in the period. 

THE POST-TERTIARY (GLACIAL) PERIOD 

"To the traces of this period I have turned my principal attention. 
Its (in my opinion) great influence on the deposition of placer gold, the 
great denudations of the surface area, and the large deposits elsewhere, 
render it an exceedingly interesting geological study. * * * The 
glacial or drift period takes its name under the supposition that ice, in 
the form of icebergs and glaciers, scraped ravines and canons on the 
mountain sides, denuded hills and plateaus; in some places making 
valleys and in others filling them up and altering river beds. 

"In the early part of this epoch, Montana must have presented the 
appearance of a series of large fresh-water lakes, whose shores were 
the summits of the present mountain ranges. These mountains had their 
flanks covered by huge glaciers, whose descent by the usual river-like 
flow o glaciers would bring down large quantities of rocks, pebbles and 
mud. Reaching the edge of the lakes, they would, when advanced far 
enough by the superincumbent weight, break off; having been pushed 
by the pressure of the ice behind, it would float off as an iceberg, and 
would elsewhere deposit its hundred of tons of gravel, mud and rocks, 
the same manner as the glaciers of Greenland are at the present day send- 




MOUNTAINS IN THE HELENA DISTRICT 



Vol. 17 



98 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

ing their icebergs down the eastern coast of North America. What was 
the probable cause of this sub-arctic climate enveloping the land? 

"Later back, we referred to the upheaval of the ranges of mountains 
in the tertiary period. Now, another upheaval probably took place of 
another five thousand feet or therabouts, and it would bring this icy 
change quickly, and transform the smiling semi-tropical verdure of the 1 
tertiary period into stern winter sterility. It was probably at this time 
that the Bearpaw Mountains were thrown up. Now, by these terres- 
trial changes, which were not confined to Montana alone, the flow of the 
rivers would bo stopped ; the lakes would rise silently, but sure ; and the 
intense cold would speedily bring this arctic climate to which I am re- 
ferring. 

"The intense cold would, by its action, rend the rocks in the moun- 
tains, which would then fall in avalanches upon the glaciers, to be by them 
carried elsewhere. The glaciers, by their slow but constant motion, and 
their stupendous weight, would, by erosion, plow for themselves a bed 
through the hardest rock. 

GLACIAL MARKS AND MOVEMENTS 

"At the headwaters of Maria's river, especially at the head of Cut 
Bank Creek, a fragment of one of these glaciers still exists, covering 
each side of the range down to a certain height. The existence of this 
glacier is known, and probably others exist in the Rocky range, which will 
be found when the topography of the country is better known. 

"The proof of the other glaciers having existed, lies in the drift 
groovings or scratches which occur in the bed-rock of all the mountain 
gulches that I have seen in this section ; also by the numerous moraines 
and erratic bowlders which are found on the great northern plateau and 
on other several smaller ones. 

"In central Montana, there were two great centers of glacial action 
one was the Rocky mountains and its connecting ranges ; the other was 
the Belt ranges. 

"In the Great Belt range a large glacier commenced on the western 
side, near the head of Trout and Cottonwood creeks, cutting the range 
diagonally, crossing Montana and Confederate gulches and emerging into 
the Missouri valley a little south of the Confederate creek. Its course 
is north-northeast to south-southwest and the present altitude of its old 
bed is probably over five thousand feet. In the vicinity it is known as 
the Gravelly range. This glacier must have existed prior to those that 
cut out Bowlder, Confederate, Montana, White's and other gulches in the 
vicinity, as wherever this ancient glacier has been cut by later ravines 
it has yielded large deposits of gold. Its ancient bed is now filled up 
with debris, which is easily accounted for by the deposits of neighboring 
denudations. In the vicinity it is called an old river-bed, but its declina- 
tion is too great for that, consistent with the gold deposits ; also, the debris 
is identical with the rocks contained between its two extremities. If it had 
been a river, its length ought to have been greater; there ought to have 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 99 

been a larger amount of foreign debris and a large water-shed, to account 
for its present breadth. 

"Now, assuming this to have been a glacier, we should find the ice, 
by its motion, scraping and grooving the bed-rock of its course, con- 
tinually widening its bed by its constant pressure and friction, and thereby 
denuding the rocks and quartz lodes that it passed. Naturally, gold would 
be left in the striae of the bed-rock. Its carrying large amounts of debris 
on its surface in the form of moraines, wherever the contour of its bed 
compelled the glacier to change its course, it would naturally deposit 
large amounts of debris, which now form bars. 

"I stated that this glacier existed prior to the formation of the 
neighboring gulches. An intelligent observation of these gulches will 
convince anyone that there must have been similar causes to produce 
these effects. Bowlder, in the vicinity of Confederate, has innumerable 
proofs of glacial drift. There are erratic bowlders there, which could 
have only been brought to their present position by ice. Indian, Beaver 
and Last Chance gulches, on the opposite side of the Missouri,- have simi- 
lar characteristics. I have observed personally, in these localities, the 
striae on bowlders, and the parallel moraines of ancient glaciers. A per- 
fect chart of these localities could be made, by minute observation, as they 
existed in the glacial period. The course of the glacier would be known 
by the direction of the striae on the bed-rock and bowlders; the angle of 
declination would be known by the inclination of the striae on the bowlders 
on the mountain sides ; and the depth would be the height between the bed- 
rock arid the line of bowlders left by the glaciers on the hill sides. 

"The elevated valleys in Upper Deep creek, on the east side of the 
Great Belt range, have over their whole surface the marks of glacial 
action. On the low mountains north of Camp Baker bowlders are on 
the sides, with the striae cut on them as plain as if done by a workman, 
and their surfaces finely polished, showing the friction they have under- 
gone. Along the northern side of the valley large numbers of bowlders 
cover one side of the hills, the bowlders on each hill being on the same 
side. This shows the deposition by icebergs, which, broken off by the 
parent glacier and floating on the inland sea, deposited the detritus in this 
manner. All the mountains in the central and northern part of Montana 
that I have seen show these indubitable signs. 

"The large plateau in the north has large erratic bowlders scattered 
here and there; they are not very common, but their size is exceedingly 
large. The most interesting one I have seen is in a small ravine which 
runs into the Dry fork of Maria's river due north of Fort Shaw. It is 
about nine feet long, six feet high and probably weighs about fifteen tons. 
It is composed of red granite, with a smooth, polished surface, and has 
evidently been brought a long distance, as no rocks of that kind are, to my 
knowledge, closer than about ninety miles. Other bowlders exist, but this 
one will serve as an example of the rest. 

"How long this epoch lasted, there is no telling; but, by the great 
denudation which took place, it must have been of considerable length. 
It was during this epoch that the numerous buttes lying east of the 



100 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

Rocky mountains and north of the Belt range were denuded to their 
present shape. Very probably Square and Crown Buttes formed once 
a continuous range of high bluffs ; and the same may be said of those east 
of the Highwoods. At the close of this period, a gradual subsidence 
of level raised the temperature of the climate ; the inland lakes dis- 
appeared; the glaciers melted away and we arrive at what is called the 
Champlain epoch." 

THE GREAT MONTANA MAMMALS 

"At the beginning of this epoch, most probably the rush of the re- 
tiring waters cut the terraces which bound so many of our Montana 
streams. The great mammals then appeared, and the huge mastodon cov- 
ered the plateaus and valleys in numbers almost equaling the modern 
buffalo. The American elephant existed in this locality. A portion 
of a tusk pertaining to one was found on Badger creek and is now in 
possession of Mr. Drew, at Fort Shaw. It is possible that the great 
pliocene deposits of Wyoming and Colorado extend northward into Mon- 
tana, as I have been often told of the great bone deposits which exist 
in several parts of these localities. Several deposits of so-called buf- 
falo bones, in the neighborhood of Sun and Maria's rivers and Badger 
creek, I am inclined to ascribe to other animals; and it may be that 
as Colorado and Wyoming have within the two years yielded such palaeon- 
tological treasures, so Montana, by proper search and investigation, will 
yield equally interesting organic remains." 

VARIETY AND WEALTH OF GEOLOGICAL DEPOSITS 

The wonderful diversity of Montana's geological formations accounts 
for the variety of the precious deposits found within the state's limits. 
The upheaval of the deep-seated fire rocks, with molten formations of 
ore and precious stones; the deposits and immeasurable pressure of 
great inland seas, and the resistless passage of vast glacial fields laden 
with gold scourings and gigantic boulders, all made Montana a rich and 
varied treasury of minerals. 

Along this line, a comparatively recent publication has this to say 
of Montana as a mining state : "Of the many marvels of its mineral 
wealth, perhaps the greatest is the wonderful extent of the deposits. 
After this comes the diversity of metals, which cover a large portion 
of the known catalogue, and lastly comes the fabulous richness of the 
deposits of quartz and placer diggings. The ores of Montana are easily 
worked. The rocks in which auriferous and argentiferous veins occur is 
limestone or granite often granite capped with slate. The presence of 
lead and copper simplifies the reduction of silver. In general the char- 
acter of Montana galena ores does not differ from those of Utah, Colo- 
rado, Nevada and Idaho. There are lead mines in Montana but they 
have not been extensively worked. The lead obtained from the silver ores 
however, is considerable. Copper lodes are abundant and large and are 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 101 

found near Butte, at White Sulphur Springs and in the Musselshell coun- 
try. Iron is found in a great number of places. Marble, building stone 
fire clay, zinc and all of the minerals of which men build the substan- 
tial monuments of civilization are grouped together in Montana in a re- 
markable manner. 

"One of the latest developed resources of the state is coal. The 
presence of this product was known from the early days, but before the 
country had been pierced by railroads it could not be profitably mined 
and consequently there was no development of the coal fields. Now coal 
mining is one of the permanent industries of the state. Along the east- 
ern bases of the Rocky Mountains coal is found in almost inexhaustible 
quantities. Park, Cascade, Choteau, Beaver Head and Gallatin counties 
all have mines within their boundaries.* 




BEAR TOOTH MOUNTAIN IN THE COAL REGION 

"In addition to the precious metals and other products mentioned 
above, there have been found in Montana from time to time a great many 
precious stones and gems. Sapphires were discovered in a number of 
localities by the early placer miners. They were collected in great num- 
bers in the sluice boxes with the gold and black sand. They were found 
on the bars of the Missouri in Lewis and Clark county, at Montana City 
and Jefferson City on the Prickly Pear, and in other localities. These 
gems were sent East and found their way into many cabinets. A few 
were cut and worn by Montana miners. After many years they attracted 
the attention of English experts and capitalists, and a company was 
formed to work these old placers for the sapphires they contained. Some 
of these gems are of the largest size and purest water, and the colors are 
very brilliant. The varieties most common are the oriental emerald, the 
oriental topaz, the oriental amethyst and the oriental ruby. No gem except 
the diamond excels them in hardness and brilliancy. Nearly all vari- 



* And now more than all, Carbon county. 



102 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

eties of garnets are also found in the placers and the rocks of the moun- 
tains ; many very fine varieties have been taken from the places in various 
parts of the state. The precious garnet, the topazolite, the melanite, 
pyrenite, and others of yellow, brown,, green and red, have all been found 
in the placers and rocks. Small emeralds of medium quality have been 
discovered in the gravel and rocks of the mountains. Tourmalines have 
also appeared in the sluice boxes of the placer mines, as well as in the 
metamorphic rocks of the Rockies." 



CHAPTER V 
PATHFINDERS OF THE MINING CAMPS 

The kings of the fur traders and the traders themselves opened 
Montana for the influx of the miners. Lewis and Clark, and lesser explor- 
ers, revealed the riches of the fur trade to the practical Englishmen, 
Scotchmen, Frenchmen, Spaniards and Americans, and at least served as 
advance agents in the introduction of the business to its original and main 
source of supply, the Indians. Soon after the red and white trappers and 
hunters had perceptibly drained the land of its beaver, otter and bear, and 
were making awful inroads into the buffalo herds, came the day of the 
miners, whose guides were usually men who had become familiar with the 
land of the mountains in the prosecution of their trapping and trading 
enterprises. Although they had laid no such plans for the future, destiny 
made the trappers the pathfinders of the miners, and in this connection 
their leaders who built the posts and the forts and sent them into the 
wilds shall be described, their main enterprises noted. 

COMMENCEMENT OF PERMANENT TRADE 

The initial venture of that nature in Montana has already been re- 
corded in the account of the expedition taken from St. Louis by Manuel 
Lisa, formerly identified with the Spanish Fur Company who had cut 
adrift from that organization as an independent trader. His fort, built 
in 1807, at the mouth of the Big Horn, represented the first trading post, 
the first commercial venture and the first building of a permanent char- 
acter, to be planted within the bounds of what is now Montana. 

THE MISSOURI FUR COMPANY 

Not long after Lisa's return to St. Louis, in the summer of 1808, 
and after a very successful season in the fur trade, was formed the 
Missouri Fur Company. It was organized with a capital of $40,000, 
headquarters in St. Louis, and its object was to establish a string of 
trading posts along the headwaters of the Missouri. Among its twelve 
members were Capt. William Clark, the agent and head of the organiza- 
tion; Manuel Lisa, in some respects the leading spirit; Reuben Lewis, 
only brother of Capt. Meriwether Lewis ; the Chouteau brothers, Andrew 
Henry and other leaders in the fur trade, who were uncontrolled 'by the 
Hudson Bay and North West companies, of Canada. 

Lewis and Clark had called attention to the locality where the three 

103 



104 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

forks of the Missouri converge as a strong trading point the key to 
the Blackfoot fur trade ; and that meant much in those days. The Mis- 
souri Fur Company were of the same opinion, and in 1809 Lisa, with 
Henry and a party of trappers and boatsmen, ascended the Missouri and 
the Yellowstone, and, through Bozeman Pass emerged at the three forks. 
There they established a post as the headquarters of their proposed opera- 
tions to develop a fur trade among the Indians of that region.* At that 
time the Missouri Fur Company had in its employ 250 men partly Ameri- 
can hunters, but mainly Creoles and Canadian voyagers, who in various 
flotillas, conducted by some of the partners, were put in motion, and be- 
fore the close of the year 1809 posts had been established among the 
Sioux, Arickarees and Mandans, and a principal one, whose garrison com- 
prised the larger part of the company's employes, "at the Three Forks 
of the Missouri." 

This post was in the heart of the country then possessed by the 
Piegan Tribe of the Blackfeet Indians whose hostility it was hoped might 
be appeased, both for the sake of their trade and because the hundreds 
of small streams which rise in the adjacent mountains and unite to form 
the Missouri abounded with beaver, which the company's servants were 
to be employed in trapping. But the Blackfeet were in communication 
with the posts of the British traders upon the Saskatchewan, from which 
they obtained arms, ammunition, and all the commodities of civilization 
required in their wild life, so that they were wholly independent of this 
fort. Besides, in consequence of the killing of one of their number by 
Captain Lewis in 1806, they had conceived the most violent hatred of 
the Americans, a feeling carefully fostered by the British 'traders to 
prevent competition, and they had fiercely declared that they would 
rather hang the scalp of an American to their girdle than kill a buffalo 
to keep from starving. Animated by such implacable and vindictive re- 
sentment, they not only failed to become the customers of the fort, but set 
themselves at work to effect the destruction of its garrison. . They lurked 
incessantly in the vicinity of the post, sought to ambuscade the hunters, 
attacked every party over whom they could gain any advantage, and 
almost entirely frustrated the trapping system that had been inaugurated. 
It became dangerous to go any distance from the fort except in large 
parties, and in one case a party of twenty men were assailed by surprise 
and nine killed. Not less than twenty of the garrison lost their lives 
in the various conflicts that took place, and it was estimated that double 
that number of Indians were killed. 



It had been expected that three hundred packs of beaver would be 
secured the first year, and but for the hostility of the Blackfeet the 
expectation would probably have been realized. As it was, there were 
scarcely twenty packs. With this meagre return the greater portion of 
the party descended the river the next spring (1809), while the re- 



* Lieut. Bradley's "Journal," Contributions Montana Historical Society, Vol. II. 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 105 

mainder continued to be cooped up in the fort not daring to hunt and 
suffering for want of provisions. At last, finding the situation so irk- 
some and unprofitable and fearing the destruction of his little band, Mr. 
Henry,* the partner who had been left in charge, determined in the 
fall to move over into the country of the more pacific Shoshonees and 
winter upon one of the head branches of the Columbia. Crossing the 
mountains with great difficulty and suffering for winter overtook them 
and game was scarce he found a pleasant location, where timber was 
plentiful, upon the North or Henry's Fork of Snake River, where he 
established himself and built a new fort the first American establish- 
ment (except the wintering house of Lewis and Clark) west of the 
Rocky Mountains. 

Meanwhile no tidings of Henry were received at St. Louis, and the 
company, ignorant of his movements, were apprehensive that he had been 
massacred. At length, no longer able to control their anxiety, early 
in 1811 an expedition was set on foot to go in quest of him. It started 
about the beginning of February, under the command of Mr. Lisa, in a 
swift barge propelled by twenty oars and armed with a swivel mounted 
at the bow, the whole number of persons on board being twenty-six. 
In the meantime his isolation and the poverty of his Snake customers in- 
duced Mr. Henry to recross the mountains and return to the East. Ar- 
riving at the Missouri he built boats, upon which his party embarked; 
and thus it happened that Lisa, sweeping in his light barge easily and 
pleasantly up stream, and Henry with his little fleet dropping down with 
the current, met each other at the Arickaree Village, in the neighborhood 
of the present City of Bismarck, about the middle of June. 

Mr. Henry's stay beyond the mountains had not been unprofitable, 
and he took down with him forty packs of beaver a far better return 
than could reasonably have been anticipated. "To render this account of 
the operations of the company complete I will add," says Lieutenant 
Bradley, "that the hostility of the Blackfeet and the consequent ruin 
of their prospects in this quarter were not the only misfortune that had 
been sustained by the company. The establishments among the Mandans 
and Arickarees had proved unprofitable, and besides the Sioux factory 
was accidentally burned, occasioning an estimated loss of fifteen thou- 
sand dollars almost half the original capital of the company. 

BLACKFEET COUNTRY ABANDONED 

"The term of the association expired in 1811, but notwithstanding the 
unforeseen difficulties and disasters that had beset its first efforts, it 
was found on balancing accounts that the company had its capital of forty 
thousand dollars yet intact, and, in addition, the three establishments 
below the Yellowstone. A reorganization was effected, and though no 
further attempt was made to trade in the Blackfeet country the busi- 
ness of the company elsewhere was extensive and the profits large. 
It enjoyed a deserved prosperity until the business prostration occasioned 

* Henry's Lake and Henry's Fork of Snake River named after him. 



106 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 



by the War of 1812, when it was forced to suspend operations and finally 
dissolved. 

"The fort built by this company at the Three Forks of the Missouri 
is the establishment whose traces still remain near Gallatin City* and 
which is popularly ascribed to Lewis and Clark. In 1870, the outlines of 
the fort were still intact, from which it appears that it was a double stock- 
ade of logs set three feet deep, enclosing an area of about 300 feet 
square, situated upon the tongue of land (at that point half a mile wide) 
between the Jefferson and Madison Rivers, about two miles above their 




.. 



. 



l^'^r 



SPANISH CREEK, GALLATIN COUNTY 

confluence, upon the south bank of a channel of the former stream now 
called Jefferson slough. Since then the stream has made such inroads 
upon the land that only a small portion of the fort the south-west angle 
remains. It is probable that every vestige of this old relic will soon dis- 
appear, except the few stumps of stockade logs that have been removed 
by two or three gentlemen of antiquarian tastes. When Henry abandoned 
the fort a blacksmith's anvil was left behind, which remained there for 
thirty or forty years undisturbed, gazed upon only by the Indians who re- 
garded it with superstition and awe. At last it disappeared and it is said 
to have been found and removed by a party of white men." 



* Written in 1876. 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 107 

RACE OF RIVAL FUR AGENTS 

Not long after the Missouri Fur Company had been formed through 
the energy and influence of Manuel Lisa, John Jacob Astor, who, for a 
decade was to be his great rival in the fur trade, formed the Pacific Fur 
Company. It was an offshoot of the North West Company and was for- 
mally organized in June, 1810, all of Mr. Astor's partners, with the ex- 
ception of Wilson Price Hunt, of New Jersey, being ex-members of that 
organization. The great organizer of the Pacific Fur Company sent two 
expeditions West one by sea and one by land. The overland expedition, 
under Hunt, is the only one which concerns this history, and that only in- 
cidentally. Before the articles of agreement forming the Pacific Fur 
Company were signed, the expedition by land was well on its way toward 
the western sea. Lisa had started out from St. Louis to seek Henry and, 
having met him safe and sound, hurried up the Missouri to overtake the 
Hunt party, tidings of whose destination the headwaters of that river 
and the coveted fur country of the Blackfeet had reached him. Hunt's 
party comprised, among others, Donald McKenzie, Pierre Dorion, a half- 
breed interpreter indebted to Lisa, and the scientists, Nuttall and Brad- 
bury. Lisa did not propose that Hunt should occupy "his" fur coun- 
try without a fight, and Hunt was afraid that the able and wily Spaniard 
would set the Sioux against him, the agent of the rival company, in case 
he (Lisa) reached the land of the dreaded Indians first. The race for 
Sioux-land was therefore exciting, and Lisa's river party overtook Hunt's 
land expedition in what is now southern or central South Dakota. From 
this meeting until the Arikaree villages near the junction of the Grand and 
Missouri rivers were reached (near the boundary line of the Dakotas) 
the two rival parties traveled together, each eyeing the other suspiciously. 
In one particular, Lisa outmanoeuvered Hunt. It had been the intention 
of the leader of the Astor company to follow the route of Lewis and 
Clark to the sources of the Missouri, and thence over the divide to the 
Columbia; but Lisa managed that most deterrent rumors of Blackfeet 
ferocities and attacks should be carried to the interlopers. Result : The 
Hunt party swerved toward the Southwest, crossed the southeastern cor- 
ner of Montana into Wyoming, traveled south to the Wind River, across 
country to the Snake and Columbia and down the great western river to 
where Astor's sea party had founded Astoria. This trip of Hunt's blazed 
the famous Oregon Trail. 

THE LAST YEARS OF LISA 

The failure and destruction of the posts which the Missouri Fur 
Company attempted to establish from the headwaters of the river to the 
Mandan villages in Dakota, with the disturbances caused by the War of 
1812, caused the final dissolution of the company. Lisa then operated 
the Missouri fur trade under the name of Manuel Lisa & Company for 
about six years, and during that period was a real monopolist. In 1819 he 
reorganized the Missouri Fur Company, with an entirely new personnel 



108 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

except he himself. He died in St. Louis, which had been his home since 
youth, in his forty-eighth year. Lisa was born in New Orleans of Span- 
ish parents, and his commanding intrepidity in all his ventures gave him 
the name of the Cortez of the Rocky Mountains. Of his moral character, 
the least said the better for his memory. 

GENERAL ASHLEY AND THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN FUR COMPANY 

It was fully a decade after the War of 1812 before the fur trade 
showed decided signs of improvement, and, as in the old times, the fur 
companies doing business in Montana again turned their attention to the 
opening up of the trade among the enterprising but fierce Blackfeet, who 
still controlled the fur country at the headwaters of the Missouri. Not 
only was the Missouri Fur Company revived, but Gen. William Ashley, 
an able, forceful Virginian who had long resided in St. Louis, as a mer- 
chant and prominent citizen, organized the Rocky Mountain Fur Com- 
pany. Associated with him were Maj. Andrew Henry, William and Mil- 
ton Sublette, Jedediah S. Smith, David E. Jackson, Robert Campbell, 
Etienne Provost, James Bridger and others, nearly all of whom will 
later appear as leading characters in the progress of this history. 

The first expedition of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company had sev- 
eral experiences not unlike those of the initial venture of the Lisa's Mis- 
souri Fur Company. In both cases the brunt of the disasters fell upon 
Maj. Andrew Henry. The first expedition of Ashley's company started 
from St. Louis on April 15, 1822, for that portentous locality, the Three 
Forks of the Missouri. On the way up the river one of the keel- 
boats sank with $10,000 worth of goods, and above the Mandan vil- 
lages a band of Assiniboines stole the horses of the party. These heavy 
losses forced the expedition to establish the Ashley-Henry Fort near the 
confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri, where winter quarters were 
fixed. General Ashley then returned to St. Louis, leaving Henry in 
charge of the post. In the spring of 1823, the latter continued his 
journey up the Missouri, but near the Great Falls the Blackfeet attacked 
his party, killed four of them and drove them away as a whole. So Henry 
was again obliged to return, short of his goal. 

In 1823, Ashley fitted out a second expedition and leading it him- 
self started up the Missouri. He intended to purchase horses of the 
Aricarees and dispatch some of his force by land to the Yellowstone. 
These Indians, distinguished for their fickleness, at first seemed friendly, 
but before dawn on June 2nd, attacked Ashley's force. They killed 
twelve of his men and wounded fourteen, the survivors escaping to some 
sheltering timber. In this desperate strait, Ashley accepted the services 
of Jedediah Smith, a mere youth, to carry news of his predicament to 
Henry and requesting immediate re-enforcements. After numerous es- 
capes from capture and death, the boy reached Henry, and Ashley and 
his men were saved. The combined parties moved to the mouth of White 
River, where they built a fort and awaited the coming of troops to pro- 
tect them on their journey. They also established a trading post at the 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 109 

mouth of the Big Horn and Yellowstone, near the site of old Fort 
Manuel, and Etienne Provost, with a few men, was ordered from that 
point southward to trap. On this journey, in 1823, he discovered the 
South Pass. 

ASHLEY-HENRY DISCOVERIES OF 1823. 

As remarked by a writer of these times, commenting on the remark- 
able outcome of this unimportant expedition, measured by direct results : 
"The members of the Ashley-Henry party proved to be explorers as well 
as trappers, for not only did Provost discover the South Pass and thus 
open up the trapping districts of the Green river country, but Jim Bridger, 
in his quest of furs, came upon the Great Salt Lake. This is the first 
recorded instance of a white man having beheld that body of water, 
though it had been visited by the Piegans and many other tribes years 
before. Young Jedediah Smith, possessed of the spirit of adventure, 
pushed on to the Pacific, and was the first white man to cross the Sierra 
Nevada mountains." 



As the Rocky Mountain Fur Company seemed at last to have obtained 
momentum and overcome the obstacles of its young life, so the reorgan- 
ized Missouri Fur Company, bereft of the strong sustaining hands of Lisa, 
was overtaken with dire disaster, could not rally and suffered a steady 
decline until its death in 1830. Its hardest blow which brought about 
its eventual demise was the wiping out of the expedition sent out by the 
company in the spring of 1823 to establish "friendly relations" with the 
Blackfeet and secure their trade which centered at the Three Forks. 
Under Messrs. Jones and Immell, it duly arrived at the site of Henry's 
post and remained there until the middle of May. Meeting with no In- 
dians friendly, commercially-inclined, or otherwise, they decided to re- 
turn to the Yellowstone. 

On the i/th of May, while following Jefferson Fork, the Jones- 
Immell party fell in with a band of Blackfeet. One of the Indians 
showed the leaders a note headed "Mountain Park, 1823," and at the bot- 
tom it bore "1820." The paper introduced the holder as a friendly head 
chief of the tribe and the owner of many furs. As it also showed the 
inscription, "God save the King!" it was evidently of British manufac- 
ture. Although the Blackfeet seemed .kindly disposed and favorable to 
the establishment of a post at Great Falls, Jones and Immell feared the 
outcome of such friendly manifestations, and on the following day 
gathered their men and started rapidly for the Yellowstone. Meanwhile 
the Blackfeet, re-enforced to about four hundred, followed closely be- 
hind. 

On the last of May, 1823, the doomed party of twenty-nine, pass- 
ing into a steep and narrow defile, were ambushed by the Indians and 
furiously attacked. Seven of the party were killed, including the leaders. 

The best account of the sad and unfortunate affair is from Ben- 



ilO HISTORY OF MONTANA 

jamin O'Fallon, a widely known Indian agent and army officer and a 
nephew of Gen. William Clark. To the latter, as superintendent of Indian 
affairs at St. Louis, Major O'Fallon made the report under date of Fort 
Atkinson, July 3, 1823. The part relating to the slaughter of the Jones- 
Immell party and the capture of the equipment is as follows : "The 
defeat of General Ashley by the A'Ricarees and departure of the troops 
to his relief had scarcely gone to you when an express arrived announcing 
the defeat by the Blackfeet Indians near the Yellowstone river, of the 
Missouri Fur Company's Yellowstone or mountain expedition, com- 
manded by Messrs. Jones and Immell, both of whom, with five of the men, 
are among the slain. All of their property, to the amount of $15,000, 
fell into the hands of the enemy. * * * The express goes on to state 
'that many circumstances (of which I will be apprised in a few days) 
have transpired to induce the belief that the British traders (Hudson's 
Bay Company) are exciting the Indians against us, either to drive us from 
that quarter, or reap, with the Indians, the fruits of our labor.' They 
furnish them with the instruments of hell and a passport to heaven 
the instruments of death and a passport to our bosoms. 

"Immell had great experience of the Indian character, but, poor 
fellow, with a British passport, at last they deceived him, and he fell a 
victim to his own credulity, and his scalp, with those of his murdered 
comrades, is now bleeding on its way to some of the Hudson establish- 
ments. * * * 

"I am at this moment interrupted by the arrival of an express from 
the military expedition, with a letter from Doctor Pilcher, whom you 
know is at the head of the Missouri Fur Company on this river, in which 
he says: 'I have but a moment to write. I met an express from the 
Mandans bringing me the very unpleasant news the flower of my busi- 
ness is gone. My mountaineers have been defeated, and the chiefs of the 
party both slain ; the party were attacked by three or four hundred Black- 
feet Indians in a position on the Yellowstone river where nothing but de- 
feat could be expected. Jones and Immell and five men were killed. The 
former, it is said, fought most desperately. Jones killed two Indians, and 
in drawing a pistol to kill a third he received two spears in his breast. 
Immell was in front ; he killed one Indian and was cut to pieces. I think 
we lose at least $15,000. I will write you more fully between this and the 
Sioux.' 

"Jones was a gentleman of cleverness. He was for several years a 
resident of St. Louis, where he has numerous friends to deplore his loss. 
Immell has been a long time on this river, first an officer in the United 
States army, since an Indian trader of some distinction; in some respects 
he was an extraordinary man; he was brave, uncommonly large, and of 
great muscular strength ; when timely apprised of his danger, a host 
within himself." 

AMERICAN FUR COMPANY ESTABLISHES WESTERN DEPARTMENT 

The brilliant operations of General Ashley and the Rocky Mountain 
Fur Company, both in the fur trade and the field of western explora- 
tions, encouraged its great rival, the American Fur Company, now ab- 



HISTORY OF MONTANA m 

sorbed, with several independent firms, by the personality of John Jacob 
Astor, of New York, to establish a western department in St. Louis. The 
strongest of the independent concerns thus absorbed was the Columbia 
Fur Company, with which Kenneth McKenzie was associated as president 
and vitalizing power. With the consolidation, or absorption, Mr. Mc- 
Kenzie was placed in charge of the active affairs of the American Fur 
Company in the field. As Ashley withdrew from the trade with a fortune, 
McKenzie entered the field as its dominant figure. 

The new manager assumed charge of the interests of the American 
Fur Company at the height of Ashley's great success as the head of the 
Rocky Mountain Fur Company, as within the four years previous to 
1827 or 1828 he had brought into St. Louis over $250,000 worth of 
beaver skins. The most phenomenal year in the history of the company 
was after General Ashley had sold his interest in it to Jedediah Smith, 
David E. Jackson and William L. Sublette. 

KENNETH MCKENZIE RISES 

The new manager assumed charge of the interests of the American 
Fur Company at the height of the trade amassed by the Rocky Mountain 
Company, as within the four years previous to 1828 it had sent into St. 
Louis more than a quarter of a million dollars' worth of beaver skins. 
In 1826 General Ashley had sold his interest in the Rocky Mountain 
concern to Jedediah Smith, David E. Jackson and William L. Sublette, 
and that year and the following, were phenomenal for catches. The pros- 
pects were so alluring that McKenzie would have made the same mis- 
take which had previously been disastrous to the fur traders rush to the 
headwaters of the Missouri after the cream of the trade without a sub- 
stantial base of supplies and chain of communications behind. Pierre 
Chouteau induced him to be more cautious, his long experience as a fur 
trader and member of the firm of Bernard Pratte & Company, which 
had been likewise absorbed by Mr. Astor's corporation, having taught 
him the fine lesson of "safety first." 

FORT FLOYD, OR FORT UNION FOUNDED 

In the summer of 1828, McKenzie and his first constructive party 
started up the Missouri, and in September of that year built Fort Floyd 
above the Mandan villages in the North Dakota of today, as permanent 
headquarters of the American Fur Company. Exactly when Fort Floyd 
received the name of Fort Union (the first) is not known. At all events, 
not long after the headquarters of the company were fixed at that local- 
ity, McKenzie effected his first friendly union with Blackfeet trappers, 
hunters and warriors, and made a real advance in pushing the interests of 
his company. How this was brought about is a story in itself. 

MCKENZIE WOOES THE BLACKFEET 

Soon after the establishment of Fort Floyd, or Union (two hundred 
miles farther up the river), a man named Burger, who spoke Piegan, 
the language of the Blackfeet, came to headquarters and McKenzie in- 



112 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

duced him to lead a party up the Missouri River, in quest of the elusive 
Indians and the trade which they so nearly controlled. They set out from 
the fort in dog sleds, reached the mouth of Maria's River, which they 
followed to its western head in the mountains, Badger Creek. Up to that 
time and locality no trace of Blackfeet, or any other Indian, had been dis- 
covered, and one night the discouraged men encamped at the source of 
that creek and threw the Stars and Stripes to the Rocky Mountain 
breezes. As the next day dawned, a party of Piegan warriors rode 
toward them, with the design (as was afterward learned) of attacking 
the camp at once. The sight of the streaming flag induced one of the 
old chiefs to plead with the hot-headed warriors to adopt friendly rela- 
tions with the whites, and the result was that, through the spokesmanship 
of Burger, a former employe of the Hudson's Bay Company, the Mc- 
Kenzie men were taken to the Piegans' village and afterward to the 
Indians' winter encampment on Sun River. There the white party 
remained until spring, when Burger returned to old Fort Union with 
100 leading Piegans. The ensuing council ended in a friendly under- 
standing between McKenzie and his Indian visitors, and in the summer of 
1831 McKenzie made a formal treaty of peace with the Blackfeet and the 
Assiniboines, "a document," says a commentator, "more remarkable for 
its rhetoric than its pacific results." 

Old Fort Union was burned sometime in 1831 and its name applied to 
the post built not long afterward at the mouth of the Yellowstone. Dur- 
ing that autumn, McKenzie sent James Kipp, with twenty-five men and 
a boat loaded with stores and Indian trading goods, up the Missouri to 
take advantage of the friendly relations established with the Piegans. 
Kipp then built Fort Piegan on a site between Maria's and Missouri 
rivers, and it is said that within ten days from its completion he had 
received the unprecedented stock of 2,400 beaver skins from the Piegan 
trappers. The Bloods, attached to the British interests, soon after- 
ward attacked Fort Piegan, and although Kipp and his men drove off 
the besiegers, the post was abandoned, in the spring of 1832, and the 
stock of furs taken to Fort Union at the mouth of the Yellowstone. Al- 
though Fort Piegan was abandoned in March, 1832, the leader of the 
party left three of his men behind, with tobacco and ammunition, that 
the friendly Indians might not feel that they had been deserted by the 
Americans. 

FORT MCKENZIE BUTT.T 

During that year, McKenzie sent David D. Mitchell to the Fort 
Piegan country to attempt -a re-establishment of trade relations with the 
Piegans, acknowledged to be the best trappers of the Blackfeet nation. 
But the keel boat of the expedition with its costly cargo of supplies 
and goods was wrecked, two men drowned, and all the articles destined 
for the Indian trade were lost. Upon receipt of the news of the disaster, 
McKenzie sent a second boat laden as the first, and Mitchell continued 
his voyage to the site of Fort Piegan, only to find it charred ruins and 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 113 

ashes. But Mitchell was a brave, determined man after McKenzie's own 
heart, and at once built another post and fort a few miles above the 
mouth of Maria's and below the narrow ridge separating the Teton and 
the Missouri Rivers. The structure, appropriately named Fort McKenzie, 
was built of logs, two hundred feet square, and faced Maria's River. 
The American Fur Company was now firmly established in the upper 
Missouri country, with three principal bases of operation Fort Union, 
near the junction of the Yellowstone and the Missouri; Fort McKenzie, 
near the mouth of Maria's River, and Fort Cass, at the confluence of the 
Big Horn and the Yellowstone. 

MCKENZIE INAUGURATES STEAMBOAT NAVIGATION TO THE YELLOWSTONE 

If Astor represented the financial power of the American Fur Com- 
pany, McKenzie now stood for its practical development in the most pro- 
ductive beaver and fur regions of America. With the swelling of that 
trade to mammoth proportions, the slow and cumbersome transportation 
of the thousands of bales of furs from the trapping regions of the Upper 
Missouri, along the vast stretches of the river system to the ultimate 
market, St. Louis, was a problem which McKenzie first attempted to 
solve through steamboat navigation. After .laboring with his superiors 
who controlled the finances of the company, he persuaded them to try the 
doubtful experiment. Accordingly a boat was constructed for the pur- 
pose in Louisville, Kentucky, and, as the "Yellowstone," made two trips 
up the Missouri in 1831-32. Its last voyage was the momentous one, as 
from March to June, 1832, it continued to breast the Missouri until it 
reached Fort Union, near the mouth of the Yellowstone. That trip, which 
demonstrated the utility of the river steamboat in the prosecution of the 
spreading fur trade, caused comment on both sides of the Atlantic. 
Pierre Chouteau, who was aboard the "Yellowstone" upon both occa- 
sions to personally test the possibilities of steamboat navigation received 
the following from John Jacob Astor, then in France: "Your voy- 
age in the 'Yellowstone' attracted much attention in Europe, and has been 
noted in all the papers here." A personal incident of this memorable 
second trip of the "Yellowstone" was that one of its passengers was 
George Catlin, the celebrated artist, author and student of Indian habits as 
relates to North America. 

CAPTAIN BONNEVILLE AND His EXPLORATIONS 

While McKenzie was opening steamboat navigation on the Missouri, 
such men as Capt. B. L. E. Bonneville and James Bridger were penetrat- 
ing the masses of the Rocky Mountains and ranging over large stretches 
of virgin country to the coast. They trapped, scouted, hunted and ex- 
plored, and their journeys and expeditions were too extensive in their 
range to classify the principals as Montana characters, albeit they touch 
the territory and the state at many points The captain's greatest travels 
as an explorer of the West beyond the mountains were pursued in the 



114 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

early '305 and are thus laid down by the principal himself to the Mon- 
tana Historical Society, writing as an old man, long retired from the 
strenuous activities of life : "One of my parties," he says, "was sent 
through the Crow country and came round by the north and wintered 
with me on Salmon river; another party was sent south and wintered 
on the shores of Salt Lake; another journeyed into the Utes country, 
farther south, until it met the traders and trappers from New Mexico; 
another went down Salmon river to Walla Walla, on the Columbia; 
another to coast around the Salt Lake ; being out of provisions, it turned 
north upon Maria's (Humboldt) river, followed this river down west 
to the eastern base of the California mountains, where it empties itself 
into large flat lakes, thence westward, clambering for twenty-three days 
among the difficult passes of this elevated range, before it reached its 
western Pacific slope ; thence to Monterey on the coast, where it wintered. 
In the spring, the party going south turned the southern point of these 
mountains on its way to the Upper Rocky Mountains ; another party 
going west down the waters of Snake river to the base of the California 
range, turned southeast and on the way home kept the divide, as near 
as practicable, between Maria's River and Snake ; another party going 
north, round the Wind River mountains, followed the Po-po-az-ze-ah, 
the Big Horn, and the Yellowstone down the Missouri. 

"The large clear stream in the valley immediately west of the South 
Pass was. called by the Indians and early trappers the Sis-ke-de-az-ze-ah, 
afterward Green river. I was the first to take wagons through the 
South Pass and first to recognize Green river as the Colorado of the 
West". * * * 

FAMOUS EXPEDITION THROUGH SOUTH PASS 

During these eventful years in the life of Captain Bonneville, 1832-34, 
he spent some time among the Nez Perces Indians of the Far West, 
and all but dropped out of the United States Army and civilization. 
When he took his expedition through South Pass, in 1832, perhaps the 
first to accomplish this since the days of the Ashley-Henry explorations 
of the '205, James Bridger was his scout, and thirty years afterward he 
served in the same capacity for a government expedition which was con- 
ducting two Supreme Court judges to their newly appointed posts in Utah. 
The remarkable fact, also, that Jim Bridger, in 1862, led his party over 
the same route pursued by him in 1832 is forcibly stated by William 
S. Brackett, a member of the government party, who afterward became a 
resident of Park County, Montana.* His words : "Looking back nearly 
thirty-five years ago, I can recall the beauty and romance of eventful 
days when I camped with James Bridger on the Sweetwater and with 
him marched across the continent. I can see once more the muddy Platte, 
the dark fantastic erosion of Scott's Bluffs, and I ride again with the 
old scout through the broad expanse of the South Pass of the Rockies. 

"It was to me a most interesting circumstance on our march to Utah 
that we traveled along the trail where Captain Bonneville marched his 



115 

famous expedition to the Rocky mountains in 1832. Our camp fires were 
>ften ht in the same places where his own once burned. Certain it is 
that at Chimney Rock we camped on the very ground where the old hero 
had camped. This information was given by the scout, James Bridger 
who was with us. He had been with Bonneville in 1832-33." 

An account more in detail of this famous expedition is given by Brack- 
ett, who borrows largely from outside sources. Bonneville secured the 
aid in New York of men of wealth interested in the fur trade in the West, 
and was thus able to fit out his expedition, which started for the Rocky 
Mountains from the frontier post of Fort Osage, on the Missouri River 




JIM BRIDGER, FAMOUS EXPLORER AND GUIDE 

May i, 1832. He had with him one hundred and ten men, most of whom 
had been in the Indian country, and some of whom were experienced 
hunters and trappers. Up to that time all western expeditions had used 
mules and pack horses for transportation. Bonneville was the first man 
who substituted wagons for the old method, and is said to be the first man 
who ever crossed the backbone, or Great Divide, of the American con- 
tinent with wagons. His train consisted of twenty wagons, some drawn 
by oxen, and some by mules and horses. His usual formation for the 
march was to dispose his wagons in two columns, with a strong advance 
and rear guard of mounted men to protect them in case of attack by In- 
dians. If subsequent travelers and emigrants had crossed the plains in 
this formation there would have been fewer Indian massacres to record. 
Bonneville's customary method of forming camp is interesting. His 



116 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

twenty wagons were disposed in a square at the distance of thirty-three 
feet from each other. In every interval a mess outfit was stationed; 
and each mess had its own fire where the men cooked, ate, gossiped and 
slept. The horses were placed at night in the center of the square and 
were always under vigilant guard. 

Washington Irving, in speaking of the start of Bonneville's expedi- 
tion, beautifully says: "It is not easy to do justice to the exulting feel- 
ings of the worthy captain at finding himself at the head of a stout band 
of hunters, trappers and woodmen, fairly launched on the broad prairies 
with his face to the boundless West. The tamest inhabitant of cities, 
the veriest spoiled child of civilization, feels his heart dilate and his 
pulse beat high on finding himself on horseback in the glorious wilderness. 
What, then, must be the excitement of one whose imagination had been 
stimulated by a long residence on the frontier, and to whom the wilder- 
ness was a region of romance-! * * * Their very appearance and 
equipment exhibited a piebald mixture, half civilized and half savage. 
Many of them looked more like Indians than white men in their garbs and 
accouterments, and their, very horses were caparisoned in barbaric style 
with fantastic trappings. Their march was animated and joyous. The 
welkin rang with th'eir shouts and yelps as they started from Fort Osage, 
quite after the manner of savages; and with boisterous jokes and light- 
hearted laughter. As they passed the straggling hamlets and solitary 
cabins that fringed the skirts of the frontier, they would startle their 
inmates by Indian yells and war whoops, or regale them with grotesque 
feats of horsemanship well suited to their half-savage appearance." 

But all this hilarity disappeared as Bonneville's men entered upon the 
real difficulties of their journey beyond the pale of civilization, and the 
wagons were placed in double column with advance and rear guards, 
as already mentioned. 

The first objective point of Bonneville's expedition was Pierre's Hole, 
which lies just west of the Three Tetons, in the heart of the Rocky Moun- 
tains, and southwest of the Yellowstone National Park. It was in this 
beautiful valley called Pierre's Hole that Bonne ville proposed to pass 
some weeks, for it was there the old trappers and hunters had been used 
to assemble for many years, to pas's the winter months. The expedition 
reached Pierre's Hole and rested there for some time, and the life of his 
men in that sheltered valley is well described in Bonneville's journal. 
Pierre's Hole lies just west of Jackson's Hole. This old-time rendezvous 
of the Rocky Mountain trappers is so near to the great geysers of Yel- 
lowstone Park that it seems almost certain that Bonneville or some of his 
men must have visited those wonders when they were resting there. 

General Bonneville himself sets this question at rest in his most in- 
teresting letter published in Volume I of the Contributions to the His- 
torical Society of Montana. He says in that letter, written from Fort 
Smith, Arkansas : "You ask me if I knew of the thermal springs and 
geysers. Not personally, but my men knew about them and called their 
location "The Fire Hole." I recollect the name of Alvarez as a trader. 




THE GIANT GEYSER 











CASTLE GEYSER 



118 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

I think he came to the mountains as I was leaving them. Half a century 
is a long time to look back, and I do so doubting myself." 

In an old Mormon newspaper "The Wasp," published at Nauvoo, 
Illinois, in 1842, an unknown writer gives an accurate account of the 
geysers of Yellowstone Park, which he visited with one Alvarez in 1833. 
This makes the testimony of Bonneville of great value as tending to prove 
that the geysers of Firehole River (or Upper Geyser Basin) in Yellow- 
stone Park were visited by white men as early as the year 1833. 

ALMOST ABSORBED BY THE NEZ PERCES 

Commenting on Captain Bonneville's narrow escape from absorption 
by the Nez Perces, Mr. Brackett writes : "It must have been some great 
fascination for life in those wild mountains that induced Captain Bonne- 
ville to overstay his leave of absence and fail to return to civilization until 
the autumn of 1835. His leave of absence expired in October, 1833. 
His name was stricken from the rolls of the army as dead or lost, in 
1834, and his return was not until the following year, when after a good 
deal of trouble he was reinstated in the army with his former rank. 

"I cannot but think he became so enamored of the joyous and free 
life he and his men were leading among the friendly Nez Perces and 
Flatheads, west of the mountains and on Salmon River, that he forgot 
civilization with its fretful cares and silly conventionalities, and lived 
only in the enjoyment of the present, hurrying back to the crowded 
eastern world only when he awoke as if from a beautiful dream. He was 
one of those rare men who thoroughly understood savage races and could 
control them. All who know anything of the Nez Perces know that they 
are a noble and generous race of Indians, and Bonneville thoroughly ap- 
preciated them as such. * * *" 

There should be no doubt as to the captain's sentiments on that point, 
for he has described them in his own journal, thus: "Though the pros- 
pect of once more tasting the blessings of peaceful society and passing 
days and nights under the calm guardianship of the laws was not without 
its attraction ; yet to those of us whose whole lives had been spent in the 
stirring excitement and perpetual watchfulness of adventures in the 
wilderness, the change was far from promising an increase of that con- 
tentment and inward satisfaction most conducive to happiness. He who, 
like myself, has roved almost from boyhood among the children of the 
forest, and over the unfurrowed plains and rugged heights of the western 
wastes, will not be startled to learn that notwithstanding all the fascina- 
tions of the world on this civilized side of the mountains, I would fain 
make my bow to the splendors and gayeties of the metropolis and plunge 
again amid the hardships and perils of the wilderness." 

"It is not to be inferred for an instant," continues Brackett, "from 
what is here narrated of Bonneville's delightful sojourn among the Nez 
Perces that he lived a life of inglorious ease in the Rocky Mountains. 
On the contrary later he passed through great hardships and incurred 
great dangers in exploring regions west of the Rocky Mountains, about 
which he brought back to civilization the first definite accounts. 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 119 

"For example, he visited and explored the Great Salt Lake and gave 
to the world the first definite account of that inland sea. Scientists at 
this day have given the lake and its ancient water lines the name of Lake 
Bonneville, and by his name it ought to be known and called. His 
various parties sent out in different directions to trap and trade with the 
Indians opened up vast fields of enterprise to various American fur com- 
panies ; and he did more than any other man to retrieve for his country 
some of the lost fur trade which centered at Astoria and up to that time 
had been controlled by the Hudson Bay Company. 

IRVING DESCRIBES THE CAPTAIN 

"It was at the house of John Jacob Astor, in New York, that Wash- 
ington Irving met Captain Bonneville after the return of the latter from 
the wilderness, and the two remarkable men became fast friends. Bonne- 
ville gave his journals to Irving to be revised and published. Irving gives 
us an .interesting picture of the great explorer as he then appeared: 
'There was something in the whole appearance of the captain,' says he, 
'that prepossessed me in his favor. He was of the middle size, well made 
and well set ; and a military frock of foreign cut, that had seen service, 
gave him a look of compactness. His countenance was frank, open and 
engaging, well browned by the sun, and had something of a French ex- 
pression. He had a pleasant black eye, a high forehead, and while he 
kept his hat on, the look of a man in the jocund prime of his days ; but the 
moment his head was uncovered a bald crown gained him credit for a 
few more years than he was really entitled to. His manner was a ming- 
ling of modesty and frankness. It was difficult to conceive the mild, quiet- 
looking personage before us was the actual hero of the stirring scenes 
he had passed through. He was a man of great bonhommie, with kind- 
liness of spirit and susceptibility for the grand and beautiful'." 

CAPTAIN, COLONEL AND GENERAL BONNEVILLE 

The after career of the good captain and general includes more than 
a quarter of a century's continuous service in the United States army. He 
was reinstated in 1835 and, by successive promotions, became colonel of 
the Third United States Infantry twenty years thereafter. For a time, 
he was stationed at Santa Fe, New Mexico, in command of the district 
which centered there, and during the early years of the Civil war was 
stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Colonel Bonneville had been 
retired from active service in 1861 and in 1865 was brevetted brigadier- 
general, United States army, for long and meritorious services. At the 
time of his death in 1878, while engaged in farming at Fort Smith, Ar- 
kansas, he was eighty-three years old. 

A good portrait of him was presented to Mr. Brackett by Hon. 
N. P. Langford, of St. Paul, for whom Captain Bonneville once acted 
as guide, and represents him when he was seventy-eight years old, in the 
fatigue uniform of a brigadier-general of the regular army. 



120 HISTORY OF MONTANA 

JAMES BRIDGER, FAMOUS, QUAINT SCOUT 

James Bridger, Captain Bonneville's scout of 1832, all-around western 
pioneer, has a long and close identification with Montana. He passed 
through all the experiences of beaver hunter, pioneer guide, buffalo 
hunter, Indian trader, emigrant trader, founder of the first post and 
refuge on the long Oregon trail (Fort Bridger), blaze of great trails into 
Montana, leader of government expeditions against hostile Indians and, 
with J. M. Bozeman, a kindred spirit, the stamper of his name upon the 
history and geography of Montana. His friend and associate, William S. 
Brackett, from whose sketch of his character extracts have already been 
taken, has written this paragraph: "The testimony of scores of prom- 
inent military commanders and civilians can be produced showing that 
James Bridger was always to be trusted and believed in as a guide, scout, 
trader arid all-around pioneer. His idle tales were told only to idle 
people in idle hours. At heart, he was as truthful as he was skillful and 
brave. He never betrayed any man and was never untrue to any trust, 
public or private. I am always glad to look at his everlasting monument 
in Montana; that grand mountain peak (Bridger range) near the city 
of Bozeman, overlooking the beautiful Gallatin valley and named in honor 
of him." 

EXPLOITING THE INDIANS THROUGH WHISKEY 

In 1832-33 occurred the disgraceful exploitation of the Indians by 
rival fur companies in their struggles for trade, through the medium of 
whiskey. Narcisse Leclerc, formerly with the American Fur Company; 
Pierre Chouteau, still a leading member of the company ; Milton Sub- 
lette and Robert Campbell, supported by General Ashley and Nathaniel 
J. Wyeth, a newly arrived Yankee, were all, more or less, implicated in 
the degredation of the Indians for the purpose of securing their trade. 
Even Gen. William Clark, superintendent of Indian affairs, became in- 
volved, as he had granted to several agents of the fur companies per- 
mission to export whiskey from St. Louis into the Indian country before 
he had been officially notified of the passage of the congressional act 
(July 9, 1832) forbidding the use of alcohol as a medium of trade with 
the Indians. 

FORT WILLIAM vs. FORT UNION 

In 1833, McKenzie and the American Fur Company were called upon 
to meet what promised to become a serious opposition in the combination 
of Messrs. Sublette, Campbell and Wyeth, who established a post near 
Fort Union which they called Fort William for William Sublette. Their 
venture early met will ill fortune and as their capital was limited they 
were not able to compete with McKenzie, with ample means behind the 
American Fur Company, who paid exhorbitant prices for his furs in order 
to stamp out the trade of his rival. Whiskey, also, flowed more freely 
from Fort Union than from Fort William, notwithstanding attempted 



HISTORY OF MONTANA 121 

government prohibition. A combined policy of "freeze-out" in the field 
and absorption by the management at St. Louis finally crushed the oppo- 
sition. 

MCKENZIE'S UNDOING 

Then McKenzie set out upon a policy which proved his undoing. He 
claimed he could no longer do business with the Indians without the aid 
of alcoholic spirit, and brought over to his way of thinking every member 
of the American Fur Company save one. He went east in his endeavor 
to obtain from the government authorities concessions by which he could 
secure the "necessary" stock of liquors. As his errand proved futile, 
he determined to make them on the ground. McKenzie purchased a still, 
took it up the Missouri on the steamers Yellowstone and Assiniboine, 
bought a quantity of corn and was soon turning out an effective brand 
of "juice." In August, 1833, Wyeth and a friend arrived at Fort Union 
and were nicely entertained by McKenzie, before he was aware that they 
came as his commercial opponents. They were so pleased with his spirits 
that, in an impulse of unwise confidence, he showed them the still of 
which even his superiors in the company were ignorant. Contrariwise, 
he bled his guests for some supplies which they were forced to buy, and 
they straightway reported his secret still to the government authorities at 
Leavenworth. The latter ordered him to dispose of his still at once and 
the management of the American Fur Company so severely censured