Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-05-15
Pioneer Society of Eastern Montana Organized In
1910; Consisted Only of Persons Who Had Arrived
There Prior to the Advent of the Steam Locomotive

to proceed to a place at the mouth OF
! tongue river known as Post No. / .
now known as Fort Keogh.
| Two companies Of the 18th infantry
and two OF the I'D were detained as
freight escorts at a point on the Vel
lowStone opposite the present tOwnsite
Of GlendiVe, then the head Of nayiga-
tion. Their duty was to guard this i'm
| portant Indian crossing and escort
freight during the winter to the upper
stations. This, the winter of I876-77,
proved indeed a winter Of discomfort
and hardship.
Here Mr.. Graham complimented all
present on their success in life in this
remote country and on their ability to
cope with the incoming pilgrims of the
present date, to whom We extend with
pride an earnest greeting Today we
see the incoming of the eighth separ-
ate year OF our existence, with still no
marks OF intemperance or debauch lin
ing a single face.
Il, too, thank you" said he. "for the
honorable place in which YOU have put
me, and hope that we may meet in
friendly unison on each glad New
Year IN the same thriving and prosper
Gus city until the continent recog-
nizes 1t as the metropolis Of the west
ern world"
AS Mr.. Graham closed his remarks.
the Episcopal bell chimed out from
its little cupola and the eastbound
Pullman train Screeched its daily fare
well whistle as it took its first de-
parture from Miles City in the New
1ear-poLh important marks of our
metropolitan growth.
Here Mr.. Brown was called on, and
with massive form and outspread shout
ders he rose to state with more of a
feeling OF surprise than regret, that
seven years had passed, which seemed
but a few days; that the keystone had
been placed by the workmen; that each
incoming pilgrim, would, on entering
our valley, like the Queen of Sheba,
hold up his hands in wonder at the
VastnesS and fertility Of the supposed
desert Of 10 years ago. With those re-
marks, which, to the thinking mind,
comprised volumes, and with uncovered
reverence, Mr.. Brown resumed his
seat.
Here order of business proceeded
with j. w. Johnson being elected
treasurer. On approved motion, the
chair appointed A. H. VanVlierden, !
Charles w. Savage, and J. j. Graham
a committee on bylaws and rules.
The meeting adjourned, to re-
assemble at the residence of Mr.. Gra- |
ham at 1880 p. m, Feb. l, 1883.
The names of about so people were
gathered from the memory of those |
present of fellow sojournerS of 1876
who are now scattered throughout the
broad land, among whom were Ante
lope Charlie, Wall-Eyed Bill, Tex,
Camp-Kettle Billy, Scoop-Shovel Char |
lie, Blinkey Jack, and Yellowstone
Kelly. Capt L. F. Whiting and Lee
Huntly have since died, W. B. Foun-
tain (Tex) has been killed, and An
telope Charlie and George Johnson |
were drowned.
1t would not be inappropriate to adj
NIT that eight Of the 13 gentlemen are
bachelors and two of the other five
to this country. Much pleasant raillery
was offered by the benedicts to their
bachelor friends.
At this point, Mr.. Van Vlierden's
trail was followed to a sumptuous
spread, where a happy time was passed
discussing viands of the eastern mar
ket and authentic "reminiscences of
early days.
A vote of thanks was rendered to Mr..
Van Vlierden by the "Old Settlers of
1876" by which title the organization
viii be known. On invitation of Mr. |
Charles Savage, the gentlemen re-
paired In body to his residence, where |
they were entertained by his accom-
plished and agreeable lady, Mrs. Saw
age, who, though hardly a T6-er, was |
one OF our most charitable and accom- !
plished ladies.
When this agreeable call was fin
lshed each took his departure, hav- |
ing assisted in the organization of the !
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