The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1922-12-14
HISTORIC SPOTS
SHOULD BE MARKED
SUGGESTION is MADE BY SECRE-
TARY JAMES u. SANDERS TO
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Many Historic Places in Montana that
Should be Acquired and Preserved
He Declares; State So Far Has
Been Very Backward in Work ana
Leader is Necessary to go Ahead.

AO~NO sc NCSOoo
Urgent recommendation that step
be taken to mark Montana's histOrl'
trails and sites was contained in tne
report of James U. Sanders, secretary
of the Montana Historical society anc
librarian of the Montana Historical
and Miscellaneous Library, to the
quarterly meeting of the trustees OF
the latter institution at Helena las'
week.
There are many historic places IN
Montana, some of which should De
acquired and preserved, and some OF
which the sites should be marked
with bronze tablets" said Sanders
report. while a start has been
made in this direction, Montana is
very backward in the work. Much
interest is expressed in the subject
but the movement seems to be wait
ing for some one to take the lead, and
it seems as though there is no more
appropriate organization than the
Historical Society of Montana with
the approval of the legislative assem-
bly,. This society has already coop
Grated in a small way with the So
ciety of Montana Pioneers and others
in properly marking the spot where
gold was discovered in Last Chance
Igulch, with a bronze tablet.
"The Society of Montana Pioneers
and some of its friends have suitably
marked the Mullan road by monu-
ments along its line from Fort Ben
ton to the western border Of the
state toward Walla Walla.
"The most wonderful exploration
of all time revealed only III years
ago the hidden wealth Of this empire
state of the west when Lewis and
Clark reported to President Jeffer-
son the details of their exploration of
Louisiana and their trip to the mouth
of the Columbia river, and submitted
their journals of each days incidents.
"The most interesting relic of this
expedition left to Montana is Cap
tain Clark's autograph and date,
William Clark, July 25, 1906 rude
ly carved on the northeast wall of
Pompey's Pillar below Billings. 1t
was left to the interest Of Colonel ].
B. Clough, engineer of the Yellow
stone division of the Northern Pacific
railroad under instructions from
President Willard 40 years ago, to
cover this invaluable relic with an
iron grating to protect it from van
dals and that great transcontinental
line is entitled to the thanks of every
of Montana for it's foresight
In this matter.
"On their outward journey
Montana in 1905, following
up the Missouri and Jefferson rivers,
they named, and the Beaver
head and down the Bitter Root, they
traversed or followed the borders of
II counties and passed the sites of
nine county seats of today. Return
ing, the next year, separating, pos
sibly Lewis visited five other cOun-
les and Clark, going down the Vel
lOwstone, traversed 10 of u coun-
les and visited the sites of the county
of nine of them.
81 have followed the course of this
rail for the purpose of suggesting
hat it should be marked at prOmin-
mt points by bronze tablets or other
and as a protection that such Y
ablets or monuments should each be I
at some city or settlement, t
md the historical society be enabled t
reasonable limits to cooperate h
With counties or societies for that b
iurpose. "
"Such tablets would cost, in place, 6
bout $500 and means to subscribe :
alf that amount would give direc-
ion to the realization of a very wor-
by object.
ffI1n{gI fho trot1 of 10 ITornn Il rITn I
ito Montana in 1742-3 is more def
litely and reliably determined, its
larking must be deferred. ST. Mary's
at Stevensville should be pre-
srved and possibly might be secured
nd cared for. What remains of old
ort Benton, built rs years ago,
lould be preserved. Many other his
,ric places should be preserved
hich it is impossible to enumerate
This plan, new or unknown to US,
been followed for many years
other countries and states and it
gratifying to all people to take an
terest in the early incidents of their
story and these are first sought out
Z strangers and tourists, and are an
PRODUCTION to the history of all re-
J.. H. T. Ryman of Missoula is
'esident of the trustees of the state
storical library. The other mem
rs are Mrs. Josephine Hepner of
J. T. Stanford of Great Falls
ID David Hilger of Lewistown. Mr..
lnders mentioned the accession to
g library and museum of many art
-es, books and documents. He also
i'd:
THE present name of Historical
d Miscellaneous library is not a
,ppy n and l earnestly desire to
ge the resumption of the old name
the state library The miscellan-
us feature of its collection will be
tier understood and as fully des-
bed by the resumption of the name
to 1t by the First (Bannack)
.,1slative assembly of the Territory da
Montana on Feb. Q, 1855. spt
During the war this department no
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