The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-02-16
TIE THIRD HOUSE.
By Which is not Meant the Lobby, but
W, S. Wetzel.


troled alone by MIR. Wetze, was the third to
establish itself in Benton. Dir. Wetzel Came
to Montana il 1866, and has been identified
with the fortunes of this town almost * ;lu-
sivey since that date. He is, perhaps, the
most notable instance among our business
men Of what q man can accomplish without
other capital than keen business insight and
perseverance and pluck, and the history OF
this house, in its varied, but finally success
ful fortunes, is an interesting chapter in the
history of the town.
It was in 1868 that Mr.. Wetzel opened in
business here, with q small stock Of general
merchandise, consisting, inalhe main, Of the
goods REQUIRED in the Indian and fur trade,
which at that date was the almost exclusive
resource of the merchants hereabouts. He
continued alone III the business for two years,
and during that time had made considerable
headWay, but not Without incurring the jeal-
ousy and hostile competition from the houses
which had. been previously established.
The way Of the new house was not easy,
for its rivals, knowing Of its then somewhat
weak condition, adopted policy towards it
which all but accomplished its overthrow.
Several episodes occurred III this connection
which would make interesting reading, but
sold timers" know all about them, and the
newcomers care little for the recital of pri-
vate business rivalries which time has almost
obliterated, and over which the principal ac-
tors have long ago smoked the pipe Of peace
and pledged eternal friendship over and over
again with old wines both red and pale. 'Tis
only the way Of the world, these business
striyings, and no one should find fault with
them either, for it is by the ceaseless rubbing
OF diamond against diamond that the polished
stone is cut from lusterless crudeness.
Il was in 1870 that Mr. j. D. Weatherwax
became associated with Dir. Wetzel in the
business since which time a smile that is
childlike and bland has haunted The nlarts Of
Benton, and many Of the ways that are dark
which have several times haunted the dreams
of the trader have been iIunined by his
honest countenance. And several times, by
some peculiar and unlocked for move, he has
shown them that seme things may be done as
well as others.
Perhaps it would be difficult to find a team
better matched for the elements Of business
success that the Messrs. WetZel and Weather
wax, for il it were possible to find harder
conditions to make success than have been
met By these gentlemen, we have not heard
Of them.
At this time it was all uphill work, and
capital limited, and it required q great
amount of sssand' TO keep atloat. Buffalo
were the staple, and required cash or its
equivalent in goods, for Indians did not un-
derstand the credit business. Sometimes
they would accept tickets in lieu Of goods
which were a check on the firm for given
amount in the future, but usually they came
fr ON great distances, and such medium of
exchange was useless to them when away
from the immediate vicinity of the town.
Business grew, and their operations ex-
tended consideral ly to the north, which was
an inviting field for the class Of trade they
were engaged in, and the firm grew in favor
as it became known for the honorable and
straightforward management which has
raised it to front rank among the business
enterprises Of Montana There was little OF
change to note until 1875, when the fur and
robe trade began to decline, and they were
obliged, like the others, to change their ways
to meet conditions which Were irresistibly
changing the face Of the country and which
can never return. The buffalo and the In
dian were going, and must soon disappear
altogether
50 the robe business was gradually drop
ped, and trade was developed among the
whites, who were coming in. Considerable
OF this trade was in wholesale lots, to small
itinerant traders, and the rest was divided
among freighters miners, and stock men.
Since the country began to develop the
business has rapidly grown and at present is
the most perfect retail establishment in thus
section, and perhaps the most profitable. 1t
has done much for the town, and none have
shown more public spirit and faith in its fu-
ture.
Their wholesale business has also grown
into good proportions, and in addition they
do considerable storage and forwarding
business, which has grown and will expand
as the business by the river increases.
Mr.. Weatherwax continued with the firm
until April 1880, when he withdrew, and has
since been teaching the short horn how to
grow, and developing his energies on fine
ranch, and taking hand IN politics, and, in