Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-08-03


Kt was no slight undertaking TO at
tempt 70 publish a newspaper In Mon
tanR territory when this section OF the
country did not have enough fnhabi-
tants, II all were subscribers, TO keep
even q weekly paper afl0at. It re-
quired optimism exceeding the liberal
allowance possessed by the average
miner; There was no dearth OF news,
and this OF q character TO figure as
headlines for a modern yellow Journal.
There was plenty OF news but there
were few men who had the time, II
p, they had the ability, to act either as
editor or reporter, and even those
would demand higher pay than the
publisher could afford to give.
The fact that the man who Launched
the business only published one number
would indicate that a realization Of wha'
he faced in the future II he continued
IS editor appalled, him. and having 6
chance to beat retreat, he did 50. leaV-
ing the founding in the hands OF Tick
nor 81 Co. to nourish during its infancy
The Montana Post, as the new paper
was entitled, was q success from the
start, notwithstanding the difficulties It
was called upon to surmount. Whether
1t was profitable from the financial
standpoint cannot say, but it probably
was or no effort would have been made
to keep it alive. Fortunately. 1t had no
competition to work against. The en-
tire field, comprising all Of eastern Idaho,
belonged to the Post alone.
Promptly every week the little sheet
made its appearance, filled with interest
ing local happenings; letters from differ
ent mining camps; whatever outside news
could be gathered from newly arrived
travellers or the papers brought in the
scanty mail; a little poetry, two or three
''sticks" of advertising matter, and brief
or lengthy editorial comment as mlsht
be required to I'LL space. This was all;
but how eagerly 1t was read by those who
could secure copyi
Today, its time-worn pages give us an
accurate picture OF what was going on
in this part OF the country SO years ago.
for the date OF it's first issue was Aug.
81, 1884, q long, long time for q pioneer
to keep in accurate memory the past, as
may be judged from the conflicting
stories which are told of them
Modest as was the venture, the publ
cation Of the Montana Post marked g.
forward step away from pronounced in
dividualtsm towards specialization on the
part of the infant territory, and all be-
cause of the restraining thought:
"A chiefs amang ye takin' notes.
And faith. hen prent It,"
This "chiel," however, was no native
Of the land O. cakes" but an English
man born and schooled In 1.-THE right lit
tie, tight little island" Professor Dims-
dale, the Post editor, is better known to
this generation of Montana history read
ers as the author of the first book pub
lished on the Vigilantes. 1t appeared
first as a serial in the Post and greatly
increased the popularity Of the paper.
Eagerly its readers looked for the con-
sinuation OF the tale OF events, In which
many of them had been active partici-
pants. This story inaugurated a new
feature in Montana journalism.
I have earlier stated that although /
here were two bitter warning factions IN |
,he territory, the Post tried to steer q
course midway Of the contending parties. /
and 1t opened its pages to free discus
ion. It was not neutal, but openly 4
Union" in its sympathy, but this did 4
lot prevent it from giving the other side
! fair show. In this Il showed good 4
Judgment. Some one recently has said
hat both north and south fought for
he right. and this is true. One favored
he Capitalization OF the government.
While the other strove to maintain states
lights. Capitalization OF government was 1
adly needed in the early history of our /
sation, but it required the counter ball
nee of states rights to keep it in check
IND moreover, no war was ever fought /
ot firmly convinced theirs was the
ighteous issue.
In looking over the files of the Post,
was suddenly confronted by one print
d on dingy pink paper, instead of the
Conventional white, now mellowed by
ime. Turning to the editorial page I /
discovered the explanation given, strange
o say, on April /, 1855. The editor says
n effect:
I'VE have plenty Of paper lying at Salt
AXE waiting shipment but the express
ompany cannot and viii not bring it.
I'LL the advent of fine weather and pass
BILE roads. we shall endeavor to present
his journal to our readers in the best
orm possible, either on paper, shingles.
r, II we are wound up too tight, the
audal appendage Of an inside blouse
Ven never say die while there's a shot
q the locker"
raphic account of the condition of the
ale Lake road. and certainly clears the
xpress company Of all blame in connec-
ION with the desired paper:
"Nine men started from Austin to salt
axe en- route from this city Virgins
lity). At the City OF the Saints they
btained q horse and sleigh. which they
rere compelled to leave behind at Deep
reek 100 miles on their road here. They
ad to break q track through the snow;
reast deep, for three days, returning
very night to the same camping place.
hey pushed on, buying their provisions
chance offered, at the different ranch
) and arrived at Virginia City after 20
ays' travel on foot"
A week after the pink edition, the
ost appears Ia a biue-gray dress, with
o apologies for its peculiar costume.
a April 20, tina Post carries on white
aper an editorial on General Lees eagr-