Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-01-28
Mrs. Robbins
A Historian

sngly clever with paint brush ans
chalk and 3 pianist who can give I,
that instrument an expression whicl
most amateurs lack she is an author
As well.
The Montana federation Of Womenl
Clubs has taken upon itself the work
of compiling the early history Of each
county Of the state. In carrying Out
this plan the Woman's Club of GIas-
gov was the first to get into action
and last year they published the 40
cal Community History Of Valley
County Montana"
This work was compiled by Vest4
o. Robbins who is now a resident OF
Belt
The book consists Of five divisions;
First: Indian History, Exploration,
Fort Peck, Indian Fights. General
Miles campaign. early trading posts,
Medicine road, Missouri river data,
Hunters and Trappers.
Second: Ranch history previous T..
1900, Prominent outfits, Women on
ranches, Ferry.
Third: Town History (previOus to
1910)-Coming of railroad, Condi-
tions-Early setsers-First building
and Church history-cem
etery-Law enforcement Public of.
ficials-Schools and other organiza-
tions-Library- Hospitals Business
enterprises.
Fourth: Observation-Disclosures pro
jects.
Fifth: The Old Timers own Stories
by the old timers, themselves.
The history contains a number Of
good stories that would be appreciat-
ed by old-timers and tenderfeet as
well.
Some Of the stories that would be
interesting to Belt people are those
associated with the Rev. Allan Rod
ger and the Rev. P. W. Haynes in
connection with the early church his
tory in Glasgow
The book is well illustrated BY
drawings Of H. Irwin shope who has
caught with his pencil much Of the
action ana spirit of the early days.
Valley county contains many who
have passed through the frontier
days and enjoy the stories Of that
time even though they themselves
were the butt Of the joke but there
were others who, like the old Dutch
families IN New York after Washing
ton Irving had written his immortal
Knickerbockers History objected
nightly to having their names ap-
pearing with stories not sufficiently
ssignified for an august old age.
One Roosevelt story centering.
about, John Willis, Glasgow resi-
dent. is selected for illustration, nor
Of the proceeding statement but Of
the general character of anecdote.
During his ranching days in the
West, the late Theodore Roosevelt
while visiting at the office OF
q taxidermist noticed some particu-
Iarly rare specimens Of mountain
goat He at once became interested
and asked where they could be found
The taxidermist stated that a hunter
and trapper at Thompson Falls, Mon
tana by the name Of John Willis had
found and killed the animals and not !
knowing just what they were had
sent them to be mounted and identi-
bed.
Roosevelt at once wrote Mr.. Willis j
asking If he thought he could accom-
pany him on a hunting trip in search
If this particular game.
Willis received the letter and after !
spending some time reading it, turned
{ over and wrote across the back, "If
you can't shoot any better than can
write, / don't think so, and mailed
back to him. The letter is now on d
exhibition at the, Roosevelt memorial )
Some time later an Easterner with u
'Osy cheeks appeared at Thompson $
falls. I
He sought out Mr. Willis who K
promptly guessed him TO be brew 4
RS son and told him 50. However, J
he easterner was not dismayey and II
nth smile that showed q wide ex- e
anse Of teeth he began showing the .
unter his gums. =
For the first time Willis became n
lterested. He did have some fine o
For the first time Willis became ii
aterested He did have soce fine tc
uns and almost before he knew it VI
ae cautious hunter was beginning to IN
ke this man with the big sraile and ie
ig teeth and had promised to accom- b.
any him. a.