Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-09-18

the country and resulted in financial
obstruction for Thousands. It hit MI.
Gibson severely and he came to Fort
Benton, Montana.
tie Immediately associated himself
with Henry Mcdonald in the sheen
business. and it was those two who
were concerned in driving one Of the
Ilrst bands into northern Montana.
Mr. Gibson never gave up his interests
~ this business and had always done
ms best to promote the interests Of
tne 1iockmaster and advance the sheep
groWlng industry in Montana. He
small scale to one of the richest and
most productive resources Of the
treasure state.
Senator Gibson first saw III. nre.+
fa!ls OF the Missouri river in 1891
ana he Immediately instituted q oare.
1M ana thorough examination OF the
resources Of the country and became
nollceaoiy impressed with the value
ana possibilities of the unlimited water
power, the inexhaustible supplies Of
coal ana the vast extent of a9ricul-
tura1 and grazing lands in the enr-
rounding parts of the country.
Saw Great Possibilities.
re tnen conceived the idea Of pro-
monng to great extent these unfim-
Yea resources and to build a city on
the Danks of the Missouri river AZ the
result OF magnus possibilities in do
veioplng the many cataracts and water
IaIis within the 10 mile stretch OF the
river from the mouth Of Sun river
10 below the Big Falls.
MI. Gibson laid his plans before thu
great railroad man, James ]. Hin. in
november, 1854, and Mr.. Hill readily
consented to act as coadjutor in the
vast Undertakings. It required two
years to secure townsite title ana cn.I
lands. Possibly the date Of the fonnd md.
ing Of the city Of Great Fails cnnld
be definitely set at this time. Int =
", was not until the st. Paul. Minneapo.
lis and Manitoba railroad reached +.
arm TO Great Falls in 1887, that the
city was considered as really started
Inc city has made wonderful progrssa
since that eventfm date and memorial
OF q prosperipg city Of great future
WIN more than 25,0OO population. nov
marks the result Of the executive nd
MINISTERIAL abilities Of the late Senator
: s, ATS 91Dson. With the exception Of
that OF Niagara Falls, the falls Of the
Missouri river possesses the ereatsst
water power in the United Staten-
Great Falls has large smelters. refin.
er1es and flour mills, and the rapidly
increasing population Of desirable cit.
liens surely indicate Great Falls viii
De the leading industrial city Of the
northwest.
Built Beautiful Parks.
Mr.. Gibson also was largely 70.
sponslpie for one of the most dis
lnguisned park and boulevard systems
in tho north 4
continual supporter, sustaiuer and SUI
pervisor. He had been engaged in
real estate. stockgrowing and mining
:, during his life in Great
Fails and he gave devoted time and
energy to the development and estab-
lshment OF coal and AGRICULTURAL in.
:erests In the surrounding country.
certainly the honorad and individual
,tie Father Of Great Falls is IT.
lie as compared to the great public
works promoted and accomplished by
Iuch genius hand.
August Is, 1853, Mr.. Gibson was
united In marriage with Miss valeria
}. Sweat, daughter of DR.. Jesse p.
md Eliza W. Sweat, who was born in
3rownsfield. Oxford county. Ne. No.
'ember 9, 1889. Two sons Of this
lnion. Philip and Theodore, are resi-
ents of Great Falls. Mrs. Gibson
led in Great Falls, August 10, 100.
The FORMER Valera library, now head
uarters for the Great Falls post Of
he American legion, was named in her
lemory.
Politically, Senator Gibson had al
'ays given an unwavering allegiance to
le Democratic party, and here he
lsplayed the unusual power Of his
'rceful personality. He was a mem
pr of tho constitutional
hich, in 1880, framed the present
institution Of this state. and he was
ected to represent this district in
Re first state senate, where he WELD
much influence by reason Of his
azure judgment and experience in
fairs of Importance.
Elected United States Senator.
Mr.. Gibson always favored the con-
,lidation of all the higher state in-
buttons of learning into one-the
University OF Montana-but though
= measure has been defeated. he
I'd many other prominent and broad
inded men Of Montana continued to
aintain the same strong belief which
ey argued has been proven more sue
saful in other states in the north
sst, and that the present system il
unwise economic measure.
AAS W00 O4OECtSOs V0lH8U &3G2E0D 000s
or BY the stAte lesialafiyos assembly
19OO-10O1, after 4 deadlock which
d been maintained for many DAYS.
+. Gibson was elected March &
Of, on the 2Srd ballot Of the day and
e 66th ballot OF the session. This
mpliment becomes all the more pro-
unced when it is taken into eon-
leratiOn that he was not IN aspir-
t for the honor, but divergent forces
lied to his support when he was
minated and his election ended ono
the most memorable legislative con-
its in the history Of the state. His 4
bic record always has been highly
Mr.. Gibson was accustomed to
itching for the daily stage in the
rly days. He had an office at tho
& Of the avenue and there was no
* between park drive and the Mis-
ri river ~ there Is now.
About the time the stage was due
arrive, he would take his field
sses and keep lookout for it.
len he sighted Il making the turn
the road towards Great Falls, he
uld pass the word along and all
res aud .shops would he locked up
their prepFiet0fs met to welcome
new arrivals After the ropulaoo
called for mail, everything would
unlocked and business resuhQ4 ~
H.