The Bozeman courier., 1921-05-25

ndu never DSSu SOuSncO Ny SAC U.s.
Grating hand of a white man. Bunch
grass grew waist high ov-r the en-
tire surface Of the valley, and will
lows and cottonwoods growing IN
long, winding lines showed the loca-
ton of numerous streams of clear,
mountain water. The only signs OF
life were the many different kinds of
birds and the plentiful herds Of deer
and antelope. Picture this scene |
snugly set in the midst Of the tower
ing Rocky Mountains, and you have
visualized it as Lewis and Clarke |
saw it, more than hundred years |
ago. The Indians called Gallatin val
ley The Valley of Flowers and there
was once a tradition that this beau
tiful spot was neutral ground, made
so by the common consent of the va
rious Indian tribes.
"The great scouts and explorers fol-
lowing on the heels of Lewis and
Clarke learned how immensely rich
the valley was, and did much to open
the whole territory for the onslaughts
of the pioneers. Soon trappers and
traders followed the scouts into the
valley, and began, for the first time,
to take toll of the boundless wealth
of furs, minerals and game. Although
the Indians resented this encroach-
ment on their native domain, they
could not seriously impede the steady
advance of the pioneers.
"In the year 1868, the first set
tiers located claims in Gallatin val
ley. Agricultural settlements appear
ed simultaneously on the East Gala
tin and on the West Gallatin in that
year. Those first hardy, home-seek-
ing pioneers were fighting a grim
battle against great odds. They had
to contend with near starvation. In
dian raids and all the worst hardships
known to the opening of new lands
The Indians were very troublesome
and every rancher held himself il
readiness at all times to repel an at
tack, and to set out after the dusky
marauders. The. Indians were otter
overtaken and punished severely fol
their depredations. Fort Ellis wa
established in 1867 to make the tow
{ of BoZeman more secure from tn
! frequent Indian raids. After the mas
/ sacre of General Clusters command
{ the last few battles with the Siou,
t were fought in Gallatin county, an
thus this valley saw the breaking o
). the power of the Sioux nation.
e When the territory of Montan
e was first divided into counties i
: 1865, Gallatin county was one of tn
{ first to be made. There being onl
eight counties at the time, Gallati
g county of course embraced very muc
e more territory than it does now. Th
e county was given full right to pei
IS feet its governmental organization
e which it proceeded to do. The fir'
n meeting in Gallatin county of boar
l, of county commissioners was held ;
, Gallatin City on March IL, 1865. Ea
Gallatin was named as the count
= seat, which was later moved to Boz
Is man.
% simultaneously with the passing I
% the Indians came the railroads al
n other indications of the advancir
W tide of civilization. Schools appears
20 in Bozeman and every citizen SCENE
10 filled with a desire to co-oplerai
IS, along all lines for the furtherance
H. the public good. This same comm
. nifty spirit is still a marked aspe
is of our community life today. 1t
~ this spirit which has made Bozem
one of Montana's important cente
oI of education.
"a, "Gallatin valley has many thrivi
er' towns, but her real wealth lies
as her rich, agricultural lands. Ma
eo pioneers who came out to Gallai
valley because they believed th
would Strike it rich" in either m
erals or furs, turned to agricultI
81 becaues a few short experiments /
shown the greater profits to be TEL
IN ed therefrom. The earliest atemI
eC1 at farming were In 1863, and by
'on next year several settlers had tai
ne up land. Seed was brought into
Ia valley and it was soon found t
'eii fine crops of wheat, barley and o
Oh could be raised. On the uplands
system of dry-land farming '
Ja- practiced with great success.
wv "The history of Gallatin valley
nOo one Of brave deeds, courageous n
ar and the steady advance of civil
az tion. Fortunate indeed are we of
ess yonger generation who have gra
ielr parents or other relations who pas
one through the various stages of Ga
Ilch tin valleys development. We 4
. then hear at first hand the romal
story of pioneer life, from the cr'
: ing of the plains to the coming of
I railroads. Gallatin valley was an
! cut jewel when first our grandfs
L ers entered it, but it has been 81