The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-09-19
PIONEERS OF MONTANA.
Organization Of the Association mt Helena
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 1880.
Summarized from the Herald.


Summarized from the Herald.
Pursuant to the call issued by Mr.. John X.
Wilson, Of the Dillon Tribune, who was una
voidably absent, about 100 of the old-timers
of Montana assembled in the Court House
st Helena, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 1884, and
were called to order by Samuel T. Hauser,
who nominated James Fergus, of Meagher
county, for temporary President, and he was
elected by acclamation.
Upon taking the chair, Mr.. Fergus said:
GENTLEMEN: Twenty two years ago to-
day crossed the place where Helena now
stands, in company with David Bentley.
With the exception of some agency build
ings Oh Sun River, and two or three half
breed cablus where Deer Lodge now stands,
there was not Q house between Benton and
the Bannack mines. The only denizens
here were q large band OF antelope. A few
months later crossed IL again with George
Beatty, now present. He was trying to con-
vince me there was hill somewhere have
been trying to find it ever since-but don't
think It is in Montana. We had what my
Christian friends call sheep and goats, but
we killed the goats, and that accounts for the
fact that us old-timers are all good people,
or would not have come over 200 miles by
private conveyance to look into your kindly
faces. We were from the North and the
South, the East and the West, We're Yankees
and Southerners, Union and Secesh, Federal
and Confederate, but the friction of inter-
course has rubbed off the rough corners.
Now we are all MontsnisIs, and am happy
to meet you. Although unused TO presiding
over deliberative bodies, l would rather oc-
cupy this position than be President Of the
United States. Again 1 thank you.
DR.. Mussigbrod, of Deer Lodge county,
and W. w. DeLacy, of Lewis and Clarke,
were elected Vice Presidents; John Potter,
of Gallatin, Secretary; and Geo. W. Irwin,
H., of Silver Bow, Asst Secretary, and the
gentlemen assumed their respective posi-
tions.
Col. Sanders being called for, stated briefly
the objects for which the meeting was called
the principal ones being to set together the
Pioneers of Montana for mutual association,
and to collect and put in shape the early his
tory of Montana.
Upon motion, q committee on Constitu-
ton and Bylaws was appointed, consisting
of Fergus, DeLacy, Mussigbrod, Potter, San
dsrs, Pemberton, Chumasero, Johnston,
Toole and Jos. Brown.
Appropriate remarks at some length were
made by Sanders, Pemberton, Chumasero,
DeLacy and Hauser.
Upon motion of Col. Sanders, the follow
ing resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That all persons who were
within the limits of Montana on or before
May 20, 1864, and all persons who had then
left their former homes and were on their
way 10 what Is now the Territory of Mon
tana, be entitled to membership of this asso-
citation.
The ''old-timers" were then requested to
come forward and sign the book. This wa.
done for the reason that some might be
called away from the city before the mex,
meeting.
Upon motion of Henry Whsley, Of
Meagher county, the following motion wa.
adopted:
RESOLVED, That all ladies who were resi-
dents Of the Territory on the 18th Of May
| 1864, or who were then on their way to Mon
tana, be declared members of this associa.
| ton.
Adjourned till 10 q. m. Thursday.
Thursday, Sept. 10.-The committee or
Constitution and Flaws here reported the
following, which was adopted:
/. This society shall be known as the
Society of Montana Pioneers.
2. All persons who were residents within
the Territory on or before May 26, 1864, OF
who had then started from their former
hnp q hAr hal ha lad In a
members of the society, upon preferring a
wri ten request therefor, and signing the
Constitution and By. Laws of the Society.
8. The officers of the society shall consist
Of q President, one Vice President in each
county Of the Territory, q Corresponding
Secretary, Recording Secretary and q Treas
urer.
4. The President, Treasurer and CORES
ponding Secretary shall be the Executive
Committee, whose duty 1t shall be to have
charge OF the SOC Q y,to Irs pare for publication
such material as IN their judgment is useful
and to make arrangements for the annual
meeting Of the society.
5. The annual me ating of the society shall
be held at such time and place as in the
judgment Of the Executive Committee will
secure the largest attendance and best &C.
commodate the greater numbers of the mem
beers, two weeks published notice thereof
being given.
| 9. The officers of the society shall usually
| severally perform the duties appertaining to
| their respective Offices. Each President and
Vice President, IN addition thereto, shall al
tie close Of his term of service, present q
paper appertaining to the early history Of the
settlements of Montana, and each member
OF the society shall furnish the Recording
Secretary with his name and age, residence
dat and MI Nf hfrth tIa lnt~ 80 l.
val In the Territory, and when he started
therefor. #
7. The Executive Committee, whenever
In their judgment 1t Is desired, may notify
the members Of any amount Of money that
may be required, and receive contribution.
| therefor, to be paid to the Treasurer.
8. This Constitution may be amended a.
any annual meeting of the society, upon ono
| days notice, by Q vote Of q majority of the
members thereof present.
The following officers were then elected
President-James Fergus.
W. w. DeLacy for Lewis and Clarke
county.
Granville Stuart, Meagher county.
Jos. A. Browne, Beaverhead.
Jas. M. Arneaux, Choteau.
Thos. II. Irvine, Custer.
John Potter, Gallatin.
FL. III. Mood, Madison.
Conrad Kohrs, Deer Lodge.
Perry w. Meadow, Yellowstone. ..
Enoch FL. Wilson, Jefferson.
Caleb E. Irvine, Silver Bow.
z. P. Higgins, Missoula.
Corresponding Secretary-W. F. Sanders.
Recording Secretary w. Irwin, III.
Treasurer-Samuel T. Hauser.
A resolution was passed requesting W. F.
Sanders and W. Y. Pemberton to prepare
and deliver addresses before the association
ct Its next annual meeting.