The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1917-12-07
FIRST MAMWF ACQUIRING PLANT 1DN WEST WAS
wH0SMEY STILL AT MOUTH OF YELLOW STONE

tically one-half of Montana's eau
causian population Yves engaged in
manufacturing and it was then the
principal and most important indus
try in what is now the confines of
the Treasure state. More than half
century before the discovery Of gold
in western Montana and at least three
score years before the introduction of
long horns and woolies on ehe plains
of eastern Montana, q manufacturing
plant was erected near where the
eastern boundary of the state now
runs, close to the junction of the
Yellowstone and Missouri rivers.
1t was whisky distillery, which
utilized in it's operations corn pro-
duced by the Indians of what is now
eastern North Dakota and eastern
Montana, as we'll as large amount
of corn shipped up the Missouri river
by boat from the prolific corn fields
of Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky and Mis-
souri,
The period of operation extended
over less than one year, but while it
ran it was an important part of the
commercial life of the territory and
enabled the American Fur company
and it's traders to reap an unusual
profit from the fur trade with the
Indians, whose love for spirits was
a strong characteristic of the tribes
who lived along the upper Missouri
and Yellowstone valleys.
Indians Demanded Liquor.
| Strong liquor was an important
part of every traders equipment in
the fur-trading days of a century
ago, and it was one of the most pow
erful weapons which the fur traders
could employ in their struggles with
one another. Its attraction for the
Indian was irresistible and by means of
| it he could be robbed of everything
he possessed. 1t was almost impos-
sible for trader to do business with
out it, if his opponent had supply
| Thomas Biddle, writing to Henry
Atkinson in 1919, said, $50 violent is
the attachment of the Indian for it
that he who gives most is sure to OBJ
tain the furs, while should any one
attempt to trade without it, he is
sure of losing ground with his antag-
onist. No bargain is ever made with
out it,"
Prohibition Among Redmen.
In 1922 congress Iassed bill pro-
hibiting absolutely the use of liquor
among the Indians, as the ill effect
of the practice was apparent. Ca
madam traders, however, in compe-
tition with the Americans along the
border made use of it, and so the lat
ter had to resort to smuggling Or 9TH
er means to secure it.
The government made strenuous
efforts to enforce the law and many
cargoes of liquor were confiscated
One method of getting by the law was
to take advantage of the fact that
the regulations provided that gill
per day would be Above for every
boatman employed. 1t was surpris-
ing how many men were listed as
boatmen ON the trading expeditions
that left for the Upper Missouri coun-
try.
Spirits were usually taken into the
Indian country in the form of pure
alcohol and then diluted before be-
ing traded to the Indians.
Starts Distillery.
Kenneth Mackenzie of the Ameri-
can Fur company is given credit for
opening the distillery, and Its con-
struction near Fort Union, was de-
cided upon in an effort to beat the
government regulations, which pro-
hibited the importation of liquor into
the Indian country. Mackenzie ar
gued that to manufacture it there
would not be an Importation, and in
this opinion he was upheld by sever
al of the company's lawyers.
In the spring of 1888 Mackenzie,
accompanied by Macmillan, Prince of
Weld went up the Missouri for Fort
/ Union, taking passage on the famous
boat yellowstone, afterwards
wrecked on the rapids east of Miles
City, some forty-five years later. At
the same time the Assinniboine, an
other river boat, made the trip. The
principal cargo was goods intended
for trading with the Indians, and a
large part of it was liquor, which
was confiscated
The voyage from st. Louis was
without incident until Fort Leaven-
worth was reached, when the govern
ment inspectors got busy. They han
died the cargo without ceremony and
confiscated it all.
Not Drop Left on Board.
The inspectors were very thorough
in their work. They went into bales
of blankets brought from London,
which had not been touched since
leaving England, and looked into
every nook and corner that might
hold in hiding some of the spirits
which were prohibited.
Confiscated were at least seven
barrels of shrub, one of rum, one of
wine and two of fine whiskey. Maxi
milan greatly lamented the careful
inspection claiming that not enough
was left him to care for the speci-
mems of natural history, which it was
hoped to collect.
Overlooked Distillery Plant.
But the distillery plant was undis-
turbed and it went on up the river.
Mackenzie determined to get liquor
and though he had not been able to