The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-06-04

and as late as the eighties was en-
ployed on patriotic and gala occasions.
and invariably brought into requisition
to thunder a welcome on the arrival
of the first STEAMBOAT of the season,
which was a great event in the days of
navigation.
While commenced in 1876 and made
ready that season for the purposes of
the company. the fort was not brought
to completed condition until a few
years afterwards. and IL was not until
Christmas eve. 1850. that IL was form
ally christened Fort Benton. To this
time the name of Fort Lewis had been
retained. For an account of the inter-
esting event, Montana is indebted to
the late Lieutenant j. II. Bradley. Sew
enth infantry. who, under the nom de
plume of "CaVilier." contributed to one
of the early numbers of the Benton
Record an article entitled "A plea for
Fort Benton" II was suggested by
the name taken by the publication
mentioned. the Fort" being omitted,
and the general tendency at that time
to designate the town Benton" in
stead of Fort Benton" The plea was
an eloquent. and. l believe. an effective
one. In this article Lieutenant Bradley
recited the manner of the christening
OF the old fort, which happy event oc-
CURED on Christmas eve, 1850. when
Major Culbertson and his 60 or 20 sub
ordinates met to celebrate the occasion.
In the midst of the carnival that pre-
vailed the governor addressed the as
sembly, recounting the noble qualities
of one of Americas grandest sons.
dwelling upon his services in behalf of
the fur company and proposed that the
post from that loud acclaim. and so Il
was Fort Benton.
The proposition was assented to with
loud acclaim and so il was Fort Benton
was named in honor of Thomas III.
Benton. the distinguished senator from
missouri, who was attorney for the
company, an in that capacity. and 9th
erwise. had rendered valued service
to these pioneers of the upper Missouri.
| Besides thus supplying an account
and authority for the dedication of
| this historical fort. the article | have
referred TO presents at the same time
| a lively picture of life under gala cir
| cumstances at one of these remote
| from-civilization trading posts. II
shows at one glance something Of the
| character of the bourgeoise; command
| ing. authoritative and influential, and
| of the motley retinue of retainers with
| which he is acknowledgements
| trappers, traders. hunters. interpreters,
| etc, all of a careless. happy-go-lucky
| disposition, but. as a rule, when the
| emergency is presented. as fearless as
| tigers. The bourgeoise. or governor, is
| supreme in authority; no rule, no other
! government but his own. Never was
! the feudal lord more completely in au-
| thority over his vassals. The stars and
stripes that float from the bastion is
reminder that the government at
! Washington may still live. but what do
they know of its laws or care for its
authority?
LAST OF THE VOYAGEURS.
| At Fort Benton there was employed
from 60 to 100 men. engaged in various
capacities. and quite a number of those
who were with the company in the SOS
are still i'm the land of the living, we'll
known and highly respected citizens of
the state. Charles Mortier, known as
| odd Man Rondi," died only recently
at Fort Benton, having resided in that
region 60 years. He was one of the
Kipp party that built a fort at the
Marias i'm 1881. and he also helped to
construct Fort Benton. He was the
last of the Noyageurs that antedate
Fort Benton. Ii is "A fact somewhat re-
markable when the circumstances Of
the situation are considered, not over
, | looking the treacherous character of
the Blackfeet, that from the establish
ment Of Fort Benton i'm 1916 until the
: discovery Of gold brought new popu-
lation To the country, the Indians had
| not the satisfaction of counting many
"Coups' that included the denZins OF
the forest There were remarkably few
| violent deaths. and. II might be added
. ! deaths Of any character. OF course II
was the policy of the company to Gull
: tivate the good favors of the Indians
! and TO keep on friendly terms with
= them. which was successfully accom-.
! plishcd under the sagious management
; of Alexander Culbertson.
I After Lewis and Clarke. who were not
: sojouners in. but simply travellers
; through the country. the pioneers OF
! the upper Missouri river. and of what
: is now Montana, were Kenneth Nc
8 Kenzie. James Kipp and Alexander
! Culhertson.