The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-29


| as large as the mules over difficult and
doubtful trails on the mountains. the pros
pectors afoot with their grub, blankets.
| pick, shovel and pan packed on pony or
mule. the stampede at midnight and often
in midwinter to some real or fancied dis
coverv, are visions that will always live in
the memory of all present, and they will
not altogether forget the best methods then
in vogue for making sOur-dOugh bread, OF
Tipping slap jacks in frying pan, Or the
the ubiquitous and irrepressible graybacks.
But this is 1890, and all is changed. We
now hear seldom the rattle of the fork in
the sluice box, but instead the noise Of the
stamp mill and the blast furnace.
The elegant city with all the Injuries and
refnements of modern civilization appears
on the site of the old mining camp. Now
we make the trip in four days to New York.
in a palace car, which. by the mackinaw
and stage coach of the earlier date occupied
at least forty days.
We have been admitted to the glorious
union of states, and stand to-day as a state
the richest and greatest producer OF the
nobler and precious metals, and are march
ing forward in the lead of the new states to
an illustriOus destiny.
As look around the banquet hall upon
the members of this society upon this
sturdy and vigorous manhood, I am inn
pressed that time in his relentless tread
has dealt gently with you all, and ] believe
prosperity has generally rewarded the toll
and industry Of the noble band Of brave
and generous men who have done so much
towards founding and building up the great
state OF Montana. It is true that in that
noble service many heads have become
frosted and we are admonished that none of
us are longer young, but read in each face
q determination to 20 on bravely fighting
LIES battles as duty and aspiration
may dictate to the very end.
The same fearless and aggressive spirit
that impelled You in those former years to
OF these mountains, daring the treachery Of
the savage, defying innumerable dangers,
and scorning hardships and discomfort,
stimulated the great industries which you
lnaugurated, and which, under your direc-
ton and the cooperation of the enterprise
adopted the state rs their home have placed
Montana in the vanguard of fame and dis
tinction.
Untiring as was your energy in '64 and
unfaltering your faith, as the years grew
apace, in the future and ultimate destiny
Of the state, 80 to-day is your loyalty as
fervent us the sun, and your pride enthusi-
astic, radiant and joyous, as you behold the
rapid strides of her progress in 1880. May
Heavens richest and sweetest. blessings
ever attend the noble Pioneers Of Montana.
In response to the toast "Reminiscenc es
of early days in Montana DR.. w. L.
Steele told Of his election as president Of
the district at Alder, by the miners. "A
sort of chief justice" he said. They told
him he would have nothing to do, that the
Office didn't amount to much. A shout of
laughter followed the DOCTORS following
remark that he knew as little about the
business as most of the lawyers. In the
first case that was brought before him one
of the attorneys moved for non-suit.
The doctor didn't know what that was
and patiently listened while the lawyers ex-
planned. While this was going on a scrim-
mage was commenced in the court room.
The case was Immediately postponed and
involved IN disturbing the peace
of the court room. The doctor also re.
ferred to an old timer who constantly kept
on hand bottle of Bob Hale's pills one of
which he used to take after finishing his
meals and who was often in doubt as to
which contained the most flour-the pill OF
the old-time pie that he had for dessert
The doctor closed his remarks amid laugh.
was asked to respond to the toast, The La.
dies. He said it WAS rather new subjec
, for him and he had not expected to be
1 called upon. He could not understand how
q Mr.. E. w. Knight had been overlooked
Q He made few pleasant remarks about thu
9 clusion he said that after all tn
t ladies were the salt of this earth
.. When they smile heaven is near
a They could make paradise il
: the wilderness and heaven in the sag
. brush. In this country that was the yer,
! thing they did. II was a severe tasl
/ for the brave men who came here in searcl
!. of gold fame and future. 1t was hare
o enough for them but how much more com
1 mendable it was in the thousands of women
a delicately reared in comfortable homes, t,
come here through their love and devotion
4 to share the same hardships, the same dan
a gers. and expose themselves to the SAM
n casualties in order that they might admin
a lister to the joy, comfort and help of tn
i brave men who built up the country. Wo
l. men in all ages were shining examples O
4 her courage and her love. If the countr.
q had changed since ga, it was becaus
a she was one of the moving causes. w
/. might still be in rude cabins, and wha
a need would we have for this magniicen
o place except to meet the re6nements her,
d and to which women have contributed s.
a much.
"a After the majors response the entir
company arose and sung Auld Lang Syne
y separating shortly after midnight. Mos
= of the members returned to town and will
remain the rest of fair week.
J. The genuine Hoff's. malt extract at H. NJ P a
chen d Co.'S
Give us your order for fall and winter suit