The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21
COSMOPOLITAN HOTEL.
The Most Widely Known Caravansa-
ry in Montana and the
Northwest.
Short Sketches of It's Proprietors
81 Both of Whom Are
Pioneers.
Tho Excellent Facilities for the Accom-
mediation of Guests-A Popular
Resort.

Without doubt Messrs. Schwab l. Zim-
norman, of this city, are the pro-
prietors of the most widely known
hosiery in the northwest. There
is hardly man who ever started
across the Rocky mountains, from the east
or from the west, during period of more
! than twenty years, on the Montana trails
who does not know the Cosmopolitan hotel
and its popular proprietors. While Messrs.
Schwab l. Zimmerman have been caterers
in Helena for more than twenty years, they
were in Montana long before the Cosmo-
politan was established. They are both
pioneers, their arrival in Montana dating
back in the early sixties. MIR. Schwab
blazed the trail and endured the hardships
of travelling across the plains i'll prairie
| steamer in 1868 and rode on the first
stage coach from Salt Lake city to Ban
mack. He was one of the first merchants
| in Virginia City at that time in the throes
| of the Alder gulch gold mining excitement,
| az we'll as the depredations and outlawry
of Plummer and his cOnfederates. Mr..
Schwab has been prominently identified
| with the early settlement of Montana, hav-
ing been located in many towns rs mer-
| chant. 1t was in 1867, just twenty-three
| wears ago, that he located in Helena W here
he met that big, jolly and jovial host, Mr..
Ed. l. Zimmerman. The latter gentleman
is none tho less pioneer than his slightly
senior partner At the age of -. Mr.. Zim-
| norman left mercantile position III New
York and started for California, around the
horn, and reached San Francisco IN 1856
The following year found him in Oregon.
where he took charge of n hotel, and in 1857
he joined the Frazer river stampede. From
1865 to 1865 he travelled all over the
northwest want and into the dominion
where with Ave companions and twenty-f five
| pack animals he directed his steps towards
Helena, reaching here in 1865. He engaged
in business in various towns in the state
until 1865, when he permanently settled in
1869 he formed partnership with Sam
Schwab. They conducted the Walla Walla
| hotel and restaurant, but the name was
changed the following year to the Cosmo.
politan. under which title this popular cara
vanrary has become the most widely known
in the whole northwest. They were burned
i out in 1872, but Immediately purchased the
st. Louis hotel and conducted the business.
For years the Cosmopolitan was the lsrg-
est hotel in the state, and only few years
| ago did any more imposing structure APP
| pear for that honor. The Cosmopolitan has
always been the headquarters for mining
men. capitalists. and large proportion OF
to-day has firm hold ON the people of
Montana and travelling merchants, and in
its pariors many distinguished parties of
. men have assembled from time to time, to
perfect some Rigatic mining or other enter
prise. Leaders in politics, and all old tim
, ers are sure to be found at the Cosmopoli-
. tan when they visit Helena.
Having lived among 0ontanians SO long.
: and being close observers aud men who
| have in recent years Travelled in this and
foreign countries extensively, they are we'll
in formed as to the wants of thelivern