Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-08-19


itself became the capital of Montana.
For some reason which does not appear
in any available records the pronuncia-
ton of Helena has changed since it was
named. AT that time 1t was pronounced
as if it were spelled Helena, with the
accent on the double "e". Somebody,
along in 1928 after the Northern Pa
calling it "Hell-ena," and that pronun-
citation persisted.
Gallatin Reveals Romance
If that has been told us is true, the
Gallatin valley has a romantic and senti-
mental story connected with its name.
1t was named by Captain Lewis, at the
time he camped there, and 1t has often
been told that a secret love prompted it's
naming. During his visit in Washington,
d. c., Just before his long western jour-
ney in 1904, Lewis met the charming
Betty Gallatin, daughter of the secretary
of the treasury. a belle OF the times, and
a very vivacious maiden. Captain Lewis
met her in some unknown way, and the
grim, silent man was instantly capti-
waited by Miss Galatians numerous wfles.
However. he is known to have spoken of
her but seldom. SO perhaps the story is
mere hearsay. 1t is more reasonable to
suppose that he named the river from
which the valley takes its name for her
father, the secretary, as he had already
named another river-the Dearborn-for
another member of President Jefferson's
cabinet, and he gave the river which
enters the Missouri not far from the Gal
latin the name of another statesman
Madison.
Saco, in northern Montana. owes its
name primarily, though not directly to
an old Indian chief who used to frequent
the own in the days before 1t boosted q
name. The populace of the small COL
ony, built upon what was once called
| Gumbo Flats, decided to leave to the
Indian the task Of naming their home.
He disappeared for several days, after he
had been told the honor bestowed upon
him, and after the people despaired of
his ever returning, he turned up sud
denly one day to announce In prophetic
tones that the name he had chosen was
Sacajawea. That met with approval UNI
til some one suggested that 1T was too
long. A compromise was finally agreed
upon and the name Sacajawea was
shortened to Saco.
The first postof1ce ever built at
Hedgesville, in central Montana, was
called Yale. 1t was given it's name by
the Hedges brothers who had founded
the settlement there, and named its first
building after their alma mater. Later
"a tliC DAlC VI tAAt VOC
and the new town which grew up several
miles distant from the original site was
called first, Hedges, and then, some
nnicky people Directing, Hedgesville.
: The origin of Miles City's name is well
known to all Montanans, for Genera
Miles, for whom the town was named,
was a prominent figure in this state.
The early day small post in the eastern
part of the state was called M~ilestown
1t was later called Miles City, after 1t
had grown in size sufficiently to be in
~corporated under a city government,
through the efforts Of the General.
How Billings Was Named
The name of Billings, too, is familiar
to most people in the state. The town
was built up in 1882 by the advent of
the Northern Pacific railroad and received
its name in honor OF Frederick Billings,
the president of the road.
Alberton is another Montana town
owing its existence to the advent of the
railroads In this state. 1t grew up after
the railroad had been built through, and
its name was taken from that French
Canadian family by the name Of Albert,
pronounced "All-Bear," that lived In the
valley. The head of the family was q
Daniel Boone type Of man, h came
west In quest of furs, and took up ranch
ing instead from the force of necessity.
White Sulphur Springs was first known
as Minnie Wabba," the name given 1t
by the Indians, meaning White Water"
Later 1t was called Brewer Springs. after
George Brewer. a man who located on
the spring lands. When the settlement
there grew in size it became known as
White Sulphur Springs because Of the
white sulphur deposit left on the rocks
and grass around there from the passage
Of the water.
How Rivers Were Named
Chief Justice Lew l.. Galloway Of the
Montana supreme court, who grew to
manhood In Virginia City, tells In a
charming way o three rivers In south
western Montana were named He says
When in August. 1905, lewis and
Clark were ascending the Jefferson river
they came to the forks of that stream
which they found to be three. The mid
die fork they deemed the principal one
n this they continued to call Jefferson
or Main Missouri The one coming in
from the right or southwest they called
the Wisdom and the one from the left
or southeast which Lewis described as q
handsome little river they called the
Philanthropy.
These names, Wisdom and Philan-
thropy, were given In honor of President
Jefferson. the explorers deeming wisdom
n philanthropy two OF his cardinal
characteristics.
NelCner OF tne Jnree rivers retdln Inc
NM given by Lewis and Clark. The
Jefferson, above the junction with the
Wisdom. became the Beaverhead. When
the Lewis and Clark party were in the
vicinity Of where the thriving town Of
Twin Bridges now is, they saw In the
southwest a prominent and very striking
landmark. This SacaIawea told them
was the Beavers Head.
The Beavers Head became Beaver
head rock and has marked the boundary
line between Beaverhead and Madison
counties for more than 90 years. 1t gave
its name to the river which flows beneath
10 tall Cliff long before the territory of
Montana was created.
How Big Hole Was Named
> The Wisdom river became the Big