The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-13

and nothing but the truth, to n brother
of this degree, and. furthermore. I will be-
lieve anything told me by a brother of this
degree concerning the business of this de-
gree, SO help me God"
There was a feature of stock interest in
the original farmers alliance which I be-
lieve no longer exists. 1t will be remsm-
bored that it had its origin among stooLnen
as well as farmers, and that the stock feat
ure In it was perfectly natural. AT that
time in this section there was a great deal
Of stealing of stock, especially of estrays.
Der to report the estrsy in his stock range to
the secretary of the local alliance, who re-
ported them to the secretary of the county
alliance, and the latter reported them to the
secretary of the state alliance. The original
constitution, which I have before me, pro-
vides that "Ihs grand secrstary's of the
state alliance duty shall be TO keep q record
OF the tnarks and brands sent to him by any
member OF the alliance" etc. In conneo-
ton with the stock interest the constitu-
ton provides Cor the appointment of two
grand smokeys." They were secret officers.
known only to tho president and secretary
Of the local alliance. Their work, too. vas
after the estray stock.
!, A few days ago the writer was invited to a
public dinner at the Old schocI house on
Donaldson creek, where the first alliance
was organized, given by the surviving mem
berg of Pleasant Valley alliance. The OLD
school house was about to be removed in
order to preserve it ns q relic for the pur-
pose Of exhibition at the Columbian expos,-
ton. Ihe scene and the occasion were not
without Interest. touched with pathos.
John T.. Allen talked, gave an account of
the origin of tbs first Farmers alliance
ana what inspired Kim and his nsighbors in
it's creation.
II see from your constitution,' said l TO
him, that you had a class of officers csllad
grand srnokeys." What were their duties?
AT that tine" he replied, ''thore was 4
great Deal OF stealing of stock in this part
or the country. and there were a good many
people who lived on stray beef. 'Tho busi-
ness Of the grand smokeya vaa to keen !,
lookout for tho thieves, and especially to
keep track OF the stray stock. There vera
two of them for each alliance, which made
quite a lot of them for the county. Ihev
were secret officers with secret duties. No
one knew them but the president and secro-
tary. 1t WAS their duty to arrest or cause
the arrest OF any one found stealing, or in
the possession of stolen stock
1t seems" said /, from v0ur constjtu-
tlon and bylaws that there was a good deal
OF politics in your order. What wan your
poiltlca and That OF your neighbors?"
~ was ademoorat,' he answered, "and all
OF my nelgbbors were 30 far IA recollect.
put We did not let party politics come into
the alllance.'
d you think the Farmers' alljanoe bas
done any good here?" | asked.
"Yes." no answered, | certainly think an
IL has done good in many respects. Cnttlo
stealing has been put down. And besides
that, We have become better informed. We
underatnnd our rights moro clearly. The
social life of our neighborhood has been al
evated, and the spirit of fraternity bss
grown and expanded among ua until we
lee! more Like brothers.
But how about your material condi-
tion?" | inquired. ~
WELL" he answered, ~ don't know TINT
we are any better off in that respect. The
country Ia settled thicker. Our commons
have been enclosed. A new country il bet
ter Tor the farmer who does hig own work. -
thus piled John X. Allen and bis al
Lance brethren with questions, with a view
OF accounting for the origin Of the Farm
ers' alliance. But the more facts ELECTED
the greater became tho enigma. Such A
social and political product, at the the time
and place. among such Il people and under
sncd circumstances. il inexplicable.
J.J. HIM.