The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-02-02
THE PIONEER FIRM.
Being a Sketch Of the House and Business
of I. G. Baker & Go.

series of articles illustrating the growth Of
Fort Benton, and the business houses which
have principally aided IN raising it from q
trading post of the American Fur Company
to position which is A. present f1attering to
those who have builded it, and which must
soon make of it the commercial metropolis Of
Montana:
Beginning in point of time with the houses
first founded, ,and in the order Of their growth,
we take the firm Of L q. Baker s. Co., the
Oldest, and among the most prosperous firms
in the Northern section Of Montana. So
much of the history of the Territory is inter-
woven with the growth Of these old estab-
lished houses, that we can scarcely refrain
from beginning at the opening of the section
by the trappers who furnished the material.
But this would occupy too much space, and
besides would be irrelevant to the design of
these articles.
/. G. Baker came here in 1865 and was 8
partner in the American Fur Company, and
in 66 he organized the house OF |. G. Baker
s. Bro, who were the first to do merchan-
dizing business in Benton. There had been
previously kind of trading institution, but
it was itinerant, and was not resolved on
business principles, nor carried on with any
other view than to supply the simple wants Of
few trappers.
Like everything new, this pioneer firm
found many obstacles in their path. Nothing
was prepared, and everything must be organ
ICED. No one traded here, for there were none
to trade, except Indians, and they had moth
ing to sell but hides and furs, and wanted
nothing but vermillion, tobacco, whiskey and
blankets.
Therefore, while there was certain to be
demand for such goods, it was almost equally
certain that there would be but little more.
But Notwithstanding this by no means bril-
liant outlook, this firm began with Q conf
dence that the event has fully justified, with
the excellent judgment and sbrewdness which
has ever characterized these men, and which
has had fully as much to do with their sue
cess as golden opportunities, which no matter
how good they may be, are never 50 good
that they will not be ruined By poor ludg-
ment and bad management.
Steamers had not begun to ply on the Up
per Missouri, and to most men it was matter
of doubt what there could be to gain at this
forsaken point to actuate anyone taking
chances and isolating themselves from clvlll-
zation. It was with great difficulty and te-
dious and expensive delays, that their first in
stalment Of goods was finally brought to this
point, and the history Of that boat in this
initial trip would prove most interesting
chapter if it could be obtained But then
the goods were not so many as now, and the
simplicity of the cargo did not admit of much
loss, and they were finally landed at Benton,
and the unpretentious store room which had
been built to contain them did not require
much ''fixing," for the female society in
those days was not fastidious, and no high
standard of taste had been transplanted; all
of which have since come and changed the
scene, almost with magical silence and swift
ness, from the simplicity of savage nature, to
the culture of modern civilization.
One hundred tons was the amount OF the
first installment of goods, and the organiza-
ton of an immense business was begun, that
has steadily expanded, since then 1861 to
more than $500 tons annually.
The business of the house was almost solely
confined to Indians and itinerant traders, and
their goods were exchanged for hides, robes
and furs. This trade necessarily extended
over great extent Of Territory-aWay to the
north in the British Possessions, far to the
east, and westward to the Rocky Mountains
from wherever the Indians would find this
the most convenient point for an exchange,
and which at this time was pretty much all
the New Northwest. The business was
rapidly pushed, and their best efforts were
required to keep pace with it. The profits
resulting from it were large, even though the
expense Of carrying it on was much greater
than at present. Soon it was found necessary
to establish depots for the receipt Of Indian
goods, and these became at once the centres
Of distribution for their own, and 1T. Mac
cod, 1T. Walsh and Calgary, in the North |
west Territory and Ft. Mckinney, in Wyom-
ng, have gradually grown into important
rading centres, where this firm have founded
branches which are by no means the least i'm
,ortant among their business operations.
The business has been successful from the
tart, and has grown with gradual and certain
Increase into splendid proportions, and which
oust continue to increase, at the development
( the country proceeds.