The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-01-06
Is lnalienable Citizenship for Women Right?
Exciting History
Montana Pioneer
Peter 1homander Recently Deceased Contributes Largely
to Growth and Prosperity Of This Section Of the "Great
Empire Beyond the Rocky Mountains

of wheat We're placed in the wagon. A
coop of chickens was securely fastened
IN the rear, set of house logs, in
tended for newly taken homestead,
was exchanged for mich COW, a yoke
OF oxen was hitched to the wagon
tongue, and Mr.. and Mrs. Thomander.
with their little son of three years and
a baby girl Of six months, virtually re-
nounced the church OF Brigham Young
and its practices forever Thirty wear.
days must pass before they would reach
their destination--the land far over the
mountains of which they had but a
vague idea. They possessed no fire
arm of any sort as a protection against
man or beast. Trusting alike to the
mercy of the savage and to the divine
guidance Of God, they journeyed forth,
never wavering in the purpose Of their
hearts.
Missivings.
Camp was made from day to day
wherever grass and water were plen-
tiful for in the kline rested the chief
assets to the success OF the journey.
One warm evening, after hard 20
mile day, they stopped for the night
Twilight faded away, and the moon,
above a distant mountain range, was
peeping through the pines on the scene
below. Husband and wife had fin
ished their accustomed quiet chat be.
fore retiring. All had settled into "a
depressing calm. broken only by the
bold boot OF an owl on near-by dead
tree, and the fainter answer of it's
mate in the distance. Mr.. Thomander
tnrned and whispered to his faithful
mate
Hannah, | have queer feeling
about this place; l feel that we should
not stay here tonight"
Whereupon, to his surprise. Mrs
Thomander quickly confessed that she
also had the same feeling A few
whispered words sufficed and their
minds were made up. They went about
their hurried preparations for depar-
ture as If some secret enemy were
watching them from ambush Gee
Buck" These were the only audible
words spoken, and the wagon moved
on.
Reach Big Hole.
BY the middle of August they had
reached the Big Hole Basin, and {; day
later brought them to the sod-covered
of Montana territory. Here they met
two freighters from whom Mr.. Tho
mander was able to secure some def
mite information regarding the Bitter
Root and the road leading to it, Learn
ing that ii was just harvest time in the
valley, and that the wheat crop was
abundant for the few settlers there, he
sold the three sacks of wheat he had
IA lad all hn L.
Idaho to Bannack merchant for
good price.
On Sunday, about August 30, the
oxen floundered across the ford at
Como, where the new bridge now spans
the Bitter Root river, and Mr.. ant; NJ RS
Thomander found themselves at the
home OF w. b. Harlan, where they were
given a most cordial welcome. Here
they spent two very pleasant days, for
Mr.. and Mrs. Harlan generously shared
with them the best those days af-
forded. And this chance acquaintance
resulted in lasting friendship between
these two pioneer families.
To Skaikaho.
They moved on down to Skalkaho
and stopped for two or three months
on the Frank See place. and about the
same length OF time on Girds creek.
In the meantime. Mr., Thomander
planned to make hamestead entry on
a. quarter section lying immediately
east of the N. p. depot at Hamilton, but
some envions and INSCRIPTIONS peo-
pie frustrated his plans. Today this
tract OF land constitutes a part OF the
Marcus DAILY estate, and is classed
among the best in the valley.
Foundation Is Laid.
AZ the beginning of the year. 1880,
Mr.. Thomander. moved his family to an
s0-acre homestead, purchased from
Thomas Sheridan, located three miles
north of Woodside. This little farm
formed the nucleus for the present
ranch Of $50 acres, which, In itself.
speaks for the economy and business
ability Of these sturdy people. For
several years Missoula was the central
trading point for the surrounding set
Elements. and Mr.. Tbomander made
regular trips there with eggs, butter
and such other farm products as could
lac conveniently transported so far.
Eddy d. Hammond We're then the chief
merchants Of the lower valley metropo-
lis. From their small beginning has
sprung the Missouia Mercantile COM
pany, with its enormous holdings. With
the building of the Bitter Root branch
of the Northern Pacific, community
trading began to grow and the old
"freighters" of The valley ceased to be.
Saw History in Making.
/ Within the past 3s years, in which
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomander enlarged and
developed their comfortable home. they
saw the Bitter Root transformed from
the widely scattered log huts of the
early homesteaders into its present
popuious and thriving condition. They
also saw a new generation already pass
the half mark Of the allotted years
of man. and a second well on its way.
i, Neighbors and friends have come and
gone, many OF them to their final re-
ward. Three more children, now all
adults. came to the Thomander home
and have helped to bear the burdens
Of father and mother. whose ages, in
the meantime. have doubled. But for
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