The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-04-02
By D, ]. O'MALLEY MN KID
~ uring 1910 the unusually large
number Of people coming into
eastern Montana bid fair to

AA4A~ FSOF o ~S
eastern Montana bid fair to
IL submerge the few who had
come to that section during
the days of the covered wagon, the
bull team and the stern-wheeled river
steamboat. A movement was started in
Miles City, during that year, with the
view of forming and maintaining q
society Of all those who had arrived
in the eastern part of Montana prior
to the advent of the Northern Pacific
railroad which entered Montana in
November, 1881.
A general call was issued by the
Yellowstone journal, Miles City's lar
gest newspaper, published by Col. Sam
Gordon, for such action on the part
of all concerned as would result in
the formation of this type of society:
A roster was opened at the office OF
that newspaper, and those interested
were asked to sign.
About 12O signatures were secured,
which seemed to be the best that
could be done at a period nearly 80
years after the coming of the railroad.
Many found they were excluded
from joining the association because
they had arrived during the same year
as the iron horse, although at a time
when Montana was still wild-When
it was yet thickly populated by the
buffalo and hostile Indian. These
persons felt that they were really
pioneers, and in the minds OF many
they were considered as such. They did
not take very kindly to their exclusion,
and the movement for the organiza..
ton of the Society of Pioneers of
eastern Montana languished for the
time being. This movement was thought
by many to be the first attempt to
organize the Society of; Pioneers OF
Eastern Montana, but that idea was
a mistake-that society was formed
later.
A society known as 1.-THE Old Set
Valley" had been formed as a perm
anent organization, and officers elected
at Miles City in January, 1928
years prior to the movement started
by the Yellowstone Journal. The fol-
lowing article which appeared in the
columns of the weekly Yellowstone
Journal in early January, 1882, is
taken as authority for the foregoing
Old Timers Meet
Pursuant to a call given in the
twelve gentlemen assembled at the
office Of J. j. Graham at 2 F. M,
Jan. l, and repaired to the residence
of A. H. Van Vlierden, Esq, where
a temporary, and afterward perma-
nent organization was formed. After
the compliments of the season had
been passed in a hearty manner, and
a truly old time greeting extended to
the host, the Bakers dozen," aug
mented to that number by the ;addi-
ton of Mr.. Van Vlierdon, came to order
under the call of Mr.. Graham. The
following named gentlemen were found
present:
Charles w. Savage, Jack johnson,
J.. B Wright, j. J.. Graham, James
Coleman, Harry Burgard, Charles
Brown, John Blakily, R. D. Gutgesell,
Till B~randenburg, N. Borchardt, A. H.
Van Vlierdon, and James Turner.
Mr.. Graham stated the purpose Of
the meeting to be the desire to form
a permanent organization.
Major Borchardt was elected tenn
porary chairman, and Mr.. Graham,
ganization was then called for.
temporary organization be considered
permanent, and that the officers
elected hold the offices for a term
of one year. The motion was seconded
and carried unanimously.
The president was called upon for
remarks, to which he responded in o
clear and intelligent manner. He laid
stress upon the Importance of a thor
ough and general basis for the founda-
ton Of any organization of this ma
ture, which might prove to posterity
more authentic history of the early
days of Montana. This history would
include the account of the first In
coming white people Of u valley, and