The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-04-05

"SAAO ~
All were called from the
field. Mrs. Stewart returned to Iowa
with the body of her husband. Since
all money had been turned over to Mr.
Stewart the men who had taken orders
were worried and blue. They were out
of work, and afraid they'd be discredit-
ed if the history they had promised
wasn't pushed to completion. The best
solicitors, those who had had good Sue
cess taking orders, were anxious for
the work to go ahead.
Mr.. Stewart had had business rela-
lions with the publishing house IF
Warner, Beers, and had engaged M. A.
Lesson as supervising editor for the
final work. MI. Lesson came 10 Mon
tana, talked with those most familiar
with the work already done. but was
in doubt as to the best course. Rea.
who had a lot of orders on hand and
others lined up, said, Let me- have All
artist to make sketches, and 60 out too
a few days to take orders. I'll show you
that the people want this book and are
willing to pay for it. You don't ne ed
any financial backing. The thing will
finance itself"
Lesson agreed to this. and Rea went
to Central Park. Within a week he
. came back with 81 900 in cash, ans
word that patrons everywhere were
crazy about the book. They didn't wait
to be solicited, but hunted him up tc
give him their orders. His report
changed uncertainty to enthusiasm
and plans were laid to 60 ahead. The
promoters organized the Territorial,
Historical company. issued a new pros
pectus. expanded the biographical his.
tory from 600 pages to 1000 and added
4 general history of the territory.
Mr.. Lesson was to compile the gen.
eral history. This he did ably anc
we'll. He went to original document:
and old narratives. and his work made
the history of 1885 one of the best
most reliable and most accessible source
book in existence for early Montana
material. He took offices in Helena
surrounded himself with a competen'
staff, and put a large force of canvas
sers in the field: and when he had X
hausted the material at his command
in Helena he went to Chicago for re.
search in executive and military papers
books of travel, etc. and made his frs
compilation of the book there.
MI. Stewards death occurred on New
Years day, 1888. Mr.. Lesson came tt
the territory in July of that year. A!
those familiar with the book know
Lessons history of Montana territory is
followed by detailed history of the four.
Teen counties then organized; and thi!
in turn by exhaustive biographical
sketches of residents and pioneers ir
the territory. arranged by counties. BY
the spring of 1884 all this extensive
mass of material had been collected, re-
vised. compiled and prepared for thu
printer. In May, 1884, the manuscript
was submitted to the publishers, a ther
prominent Chicago firm.
This firm became involved in financ'
ial difficulties and had to relinquisf
the undertaking. The manuscript was
then turned over to Donahue and Hen
neberry of Chicago, who pushed tn
li~thographing and printing vigorously
Early in 1885 the work was turned owe
to Warner & Beers, and was completed
by them. 1t was a well executed vol
ume Of 1853 pages, more than doubl
what the first prospectus had calle,
for.
The next thing was to get a staff Q