davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-02-25

aggerating his stories to an extreme
degree. But back of every story by
Bridger was solid basis Of truth.
In 1929 Kenneth Mackenzie built
Fort Union, wild, rough trading post
whose reckless stories are legend. In
1882 the first steamer assembled the
Missouri.
In 1889 the Flathead Indians fought
their way to st. Louis against the odds
of hostile enemies and extreme hard
ships of travel to get the white
Mans Book" In 1841 Father DeSmet
brought them the white Mans Book, I"
building a mission at what later became
Fort owen. Fort Benton was built in
1916 by Alexander Culbertson.
In 185354 Montana was explored by
a scientific and military expedition
sent out by Gov. Isaac j. Stevens Of
the Washington Territory. All these
things happened In Montana'S early
history, but 1t was the discovery Of
gold that threw the state open TO set
Element and paved the way for the
present great commonwealth.
Discovery Of Gold
The first discovery Of gold Is lost In
antiquity. Some say that Father De
Smet discovered It and said nothing
about It. Other accounts accord the
honor to Francois Finlay, known as
Benetsee. But II was James and Gran
vile Stuart and Rezfn Anderson who
made II known.
Benstsee was a half breed OF Scotch
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-02-25

gold. Bannack became the principle, If
not the only town In the territory, and
was the seat Of territorial government
for several years.
On May %, 1863, Alder Gulch was
discovered. Henry Edgar, Barney
Hughes, Thomas Cover, Henry Rodgers,
William Fairweather and william
Sweeney were returning from an UNI
successful trip to the Yellowstone. In
dams had taken their good horses and
left them some broken down nags that
forced them to stop over in Alder Gulch,
to rest. They were broke and decided to
pan some gravel and see If they could
pick up some tobacco money" The
fabuously rich Alder Gulch diggings
was the result.
Last Chance GuIch
In the spring Of 1864, small party
of proSpectors became tired of Alder
Gulch and left. They wandered around
the headwaters of the Marias and Te-
ton and then started on their return
trip to Virginia City. Camping on
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-02-25

The historic old brick building
at Fort Benton, erected in the '70's
by the l. G. Baker Company, pio-
neer Montana merchants who ran
the Baker line of steamboats, be-
tween Yankton, Bismarck and old
Fort Benton-has gone modern.
Where once the hard-heeled clat-
ter and Scrape of freighter's, from
tiersmen's and soldiers boots was
heard across its rough hewn floor
now resounds the gentle patter Of wPA
sponsored recreational activities under
the direction Of w. H Cavanaugh.
AS a WPA-remodeled community rec
reation and civic center the building
Is being used for girls and mems
basketball badminton, volleyban and
Boy Scout exercises. Cavanaugh also
plans to provide for handball, table
tennis, possibly bowling and boxing
and other table games as well as pro-
vide lobby and gathering center.
I. @. Baker began business in Fort
Benton In 1865. He sold out to William
G. and Charles e. Conrad.
Known In later years as the Baker
opera house and as Green's opera
house and the armory, the structure
served for many years as a privately
owned theater. 1t later was used to
some extent for early moving pictures
and then was taken over by the high
school for gymnasium and auditorium.
The two parts of the building have
been remodeled numbers Of times and
eventually the one-story section be-
came an auditorium for school plays
and productions, while the taller StrIic-
ture was converted into a basketball
court.
Recently, when the one-story part
was worked over by WPA, under the
floor were found old OK shoes and
other relics which indicated that In
the early days blacksmith shop had
been located there to do work for OK
and mule trains pulling out of Fort
Benton with freight for other parts
of Montana not directly served by
Missouri river traffic
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-02-25

ceeded in obtaining two ounces. How
ever, Benetsee did not care for the pick
and shovel and he refused to work Sc
r1ously at mining. Thereafter he in
dulged IN his search for gold as a pas
time. Mcdonald was unable to leave
his post and neglect his business on a
gamble so the search for gold was
dropped.
In all probability the reason why
further gold exploration work was not
carried on at that time was because
Of the Hudsons' Bay company's policy.
The company did all 1t could to dis
courage gold exploration work so that 1t
was not until is years later that the
gold stampede into Montana developed
and gold was actually discovered in
paying quantities.
In 1857 Granville and James Stuart
and Rein Anderson. returning from
California, heard Of BenetSee's exploits
while they were camped on Malad
creek In Utah. From there they went
to the Big Hole basin and spent the
winter. In the spring they continued on
to Cold creek. but being without tools
they returned to the emigrant road
where they traded for two years.
Return In 1860
In 1860 they again returned to Gold
ClECA dAA0 bGSeAAA W PAOokfCSss
gold in paying quantities Granville
wrote his brother Thomas In Colo
RADIO and advised him to come to Mon
tana. This letter started the first
stampede to Montana gold fields.
In 1860, Henry Thomas, better
known as Gold Tom, worked with the
Stuarts on Gold creek. He hewed three
small slilice boxes out of a tree and
made as high as 50 and SO day, but
he was dissatisfied and walked away,
leaving fortunes in the ground within
his grasp. It is said that Gold Tom
died in Colorado q poor man.
In 1851 P. w. Meadow and A. s.
Blake prospected on Gold creek with
the Stuarts and In the spring Of 1852
gold was discovered in enough guam
tity that they put up sluice boxes made
from lumber whipsawed during the
winter.
In 1862 most Of the gold seekers ON
Cold creek were drawn 10 the Grass
hopper diggings where John White dis
covered gold ON Graashopper creek. The
rroduckfveness Of the Grasshopper
district was such that it attracted 10
Bmnnack practically everyone seeking
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-02-25

The bureau of agricultural engi-
neering, in a report submitted to
w. E. Vaughan, federal meteor
ologist at Helena, stated that snow
on IS Missouri river courses was
deeper last Feb. than it was Feb.
1, 1888, and prOphesied increases
in snow storage in the high noun
tain areas for April. Prospects for
good water year, especially for
late season irrigation, are promis-
ing, the report said. Water content on
the Missouri courses was identical with
that Of 1888, according to the bureau
Precipitation on the Missouri' is
north Wyoming watersheds was sos
inches, or 1.49 inches more than nor
NAL from Oct. 81, 1888 to Jan. 81, 1889.
For the same period, the eastern Mon
tana precipitation was 2.61 inches, 10
inches above normal, and the central
Montana precipitation was $3.50 inches,
or Is inches above normal.
Measurements on the Jefferson river
showed greater snow depth with only
slightly lower water content. Madison
river recordings showed heavier snow
fan with only fractionally lower water
content.
Ga1latin river snowfall was only frac-:
tiona1ly lower than last year, but the
water content was much lower. Ten
Mile creek water content was heavier
than last year, and the snow depth
greater.
Both snow depth and water content
were unusually heavy on the Marias
river watershed while the Yellowstone
river recordings showed both snow
depth and water content far below
those Of last year.
The report forecasts increases in
snow storage in the high mountain
areas during April Prospects for good
water year, particularly for the late
season irrigation, are promising, the
report said.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-02-25
Work Is DELAYED

Deep penetration Of frost during the
recent blizzard viii delay resuming
dirt moving on the highway No. 8
project near Harlowton. Due to the
mild weather during January the con-
tractor is ahead Of schedule.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-02-25

Dutch law does not allow the adop-
ton of children there, so many hum
dreds of British babies are adopted by
Dutch foster parents and taken to
Holland.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-02-25
To Infantry School

Curtis Ball, infantry reserve captain
Of Sidney, has been notified Of his
appointment to attend the infantry
school for national guard and reserve
officers at Fort Benning, Ca, from
Feb. 26 to May 26.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-02-25
HISTORIC HOUSE
Is MADE MODERN
FORT BENTON BRICK BUILDING
ERECTED IN T0'S BECOMES
RECREATION CENTER

Structure Was Originally Put Up by
I. G. Baker Company and i'm Later
Years Has Served as Theater, Audi
forum and School Gymnasium.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-02-25
WATER PROSPECTS
GOOD IN MONTANA
SNOW IN Is MISSOURI RIVER
SOURCES DEEPER THAN
YEAR AGO

Further Increases Prophesied I'm High
Mountain Storage Areas for April
Indicating That Late Season Trri-
eating VIII Be without Handicap.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-01-12

committee hearings. The Lea idea:
That competing transportation me-
dia provide far more basic prob
lem than the railroad issue alone.
John A. Hastings. Not seriously
considered, but signifying how far
afield railroad relief proposals can
go, is the ''plan for postalized trans
portation" evolved by former New
York State Senator Hastings, and
introduced last congress by North
Dakota's Rep. William Lemke. The
Hastings idea: Application to pas
senger and freight services of the
rate principle successfully sought
and proftably employed for a hun
dred years in first class mail car
riage =" The u. S. would be
divided into nine railroad regions
with five types of passenger service.
From New York to San Francisco
by coach would cost SIS. Sample
fares by class from Manhattan to
Chicago: coach, 81; parlor car, So;
local sleeper, S.; express reserved,
$40; de luxe limited, SIS. Not en-
tirely unsympathetic with the Hast
ings plan, Senator Wheeler sur
prised debunkers of postalization by
asking the interstate commerce
commission for an opinion on its
feasibility.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-01-12
Transportation

Last winters congress tagged the
railroad issue "too hot to handle"
and adjourned in the face of labor
crisis. Since then the crisis has
been smoothed, but only on the
promise to both railroads and their
employees that the new congress
win give better cooperation. First
step in the right direction was the
report of a six-man management
labor committee which asked: ID
regulation of all transportation by
the interstate commerce commits
sion; (2) creation of an independent
transportation board to handle all
other regulations; (3) creation of a
federal transportation court; (4 re-
peal of the controversial long-and-
short-haul clause.
AS congress rolls up its sleeves
once more, as observers discover
the only unanimity lies in undesira-
bility of government-owned rail-
roads, four men make rail news
either by speaking or by keeping
quiet:
President Roosevelt. The admin
istration's much-advertised 1889 leg
islative motto is ''Let Congress Do
It." which means that less White
House pressure is being exerted on
law makers. Though the President
appointed the management-labor
committee, though its retort was
made to him, he apparently believes
broad recommendations are enough.
Details of U. S. transportation re-
organization are being left for joint
senate-house ironing.
Sen. Burton X. Wheeler. Chair
man of the senate's interstate COM
merce committee, Montana's Wheel
er is the individualist who fought
President Roosevelt's court reform
bill. Definitely a nonconformist, Mr..
Wheeler has promised to cooperate
with the White House but he calls
the management-labor report mere
ly a working basis" Planks in the
Wheeler rail program: (1) no re-
peal of the long-and-short-haul
clause (Which prevents roads from
charging a lower rate for a long
haul than for short haul over the
same route, in the same direction);
(2) financial cleanup of railroads,
even though it necessitates drastic
measures to scale down top-heavy
structures; (3) no government loans
to railroads at 2 per cent unless SIM
liar concession is made to other in
dustries.
Rep. Clarence F. Lea. Far-sighted
and willing to listen, California's
Lea-as chairman of the house in
terstate commerce committees
introducing broadly drafted railroad
relief legislation on the stipulations
that it must not be rushed, that it
shall be reworked after lengthy
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-01-12

of darts), to make the waist look
small. The skirt has such a pref
ty flare. Both can be worn with
other things. Choose wool crepe,
fiat crepe, silk print or MORE. 1t
will be pretty, this summer, in
crisp cottons, too.
Three Pretty Aprons.
Make this dainty, useful set Of
aprons now, and have it ready
when spring weather arrives and
people begin to drive up unex-
pectedly for meals. You'll enjoy
having the aprons right now, too,
when you serve refreshments to
your club. This set is nice party
prize, and a gift idea for your
friends who are brides-to-be. 1t in
cludes two practical pinafore
styles, both made so that they can
not slip off your shoulders when
you have your hands in the dish
water. Also, a sweet little frilly tie
around. Choose dimity, linen, per-
Gale or dotted Swiss.
Inc PatternS.
No. 1857 is designed for sizes 10,
II, IA, and Is years. Size II re-
quires Us yards of 80 inch mate
rial for long-sleeved blouse; las
yards for short-sleeved blouse; u
yard for contrasting collar and Us
yards for skirt.
No 1889 is designed for sizes 80,
"a, So, 38, 40, AZ, A and IS. Size
"a requires, for apron No. l, 2
yards of 35 inch material and II
yards of braid. For apron No. 2,
ga yards of 35 inch material and
yards of braid. For apron No. 8,
11s yards of IS inch material and
3 yards of pleating.
Send your order to The Sewing
Circle Pattern Dept, Room 1920,
I'll w. Wacker Dr., Chicago, Ill.
Price of patterns, Is cents Tin
coins) each.
@ Bell Syndicate.-WNU Service.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-01-12
Appointment of Harrington
Another Strategic Moue

I am told on very good authority
that this will be the strategy en-
ployed when the Hopkins nominal
ton is under consideration. To all
critics of Hopkins, the administra-
ton friends simply will reply, in
effect, "you wanted Hopkins out
of the relief job. Now he is out,
etc." It is undoubtedly a smart
piece of politics and it will work
for awhile.
The President also strengthened
his position in the coming battle
with congress by the appointment
of Colonel Harrington. The colonel
is a regular army engineer. He
has been assistant chief engineer of
WPA and knows the organization.
And most important of all, Colonel
Harrington leans somewhat to the
conservative side, which makes him
acceptable to most senators, even
anti-administration Democrats.
Mr.. Roosevelt is taking no
chances on any ruckus arising over
Colonel Harrington, however, and
has avoided it by clever piece OF
detail. Colonel Harrington has been
designated only as "acting WPA
administrator. He will run the or
ganization as though he were full
f1edged on the job. The difference
is that the designation of the colonel
as acting administrator eliminates
the requirement of senate confir-
nation. In other words, the senate
can do nothing about the Hopkins
successor unless it acts by special
resolution. If the Harrington name
had come in as a nomination, there
could be wide open exposure of
WPA tactics by the committee
which would consider the nominal
ton. So it is plain to see that the
President slipped away from his
critics in this manner.
The third angle of the strategy
also is vital to the picture / am
seeking to present. The chief dep
uty administrator under Hopkins
has been Aubrey Williams. 1t was
Williams, you may recall, who has
made speeches and has advised
WPA workers to "vote for your
friends" to insist on federal pres
ervation of ''your rights" and it
was he who said in speech that
he was inclined to believe that class
hatred was good thing
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-01-12
Calls Police to Stolen Car

Stolen cars broadcast their own
messages for help to the police if
equipped with an automatic burglar
alarm which the thieves set off un-
Willingly. The alarm has the ap-
pearance of license plate and is
attached to both the front and rear
of the car. 1t is connected to the
starter and will flip the plate over
if an attempt is made to start the
car while the device is operating.
When the plate is turned over, it
displays Help, Police" sign.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-01-12

dexed number. The reporting of
these numbers enables bird migra-
tons to be charted. So many birds
are attracted nightly by the glare
of the Heligoland lighthouse that a
wire guard had to be placed round
the lantern to keep them from DASH
ing themselves to death. There was
a time when birds that rested on
the island used to be trapped by
the islanders and $4,000 larks have
thus been killed for food in a single
night. But this slaughter has now
been greatly reduced.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-01-12
It's Time to Sew
ForNow and Spring

IT'S fun to sew during the long
! winter evenings, when you use
these simple patterns, each in
Guiding a detailed sew chart, so
that you can follow them with no
trouble, and listen to the radio at
the same time. Right now, the
stores have grand bargains in fab
RIGS, too, so it's certainly the time
to get some sewing done. You
can make such pretty things, and
save so much money, by doing it.
Two-Piecer for Girls.
Here's a charming dress that
girls in the 10-to-16 size range will
love for school, and it's so easy
to do that those who like sewing
can make it themselves. The
basque blouse hugs in (by means
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-01-12
Religion

From its inspiration in Nazi Ger
many, European persecution of
Jews is spreading to new fronts.
The latest:
Czechoslovakia. German-patterned
ghetto laws will soon go into effect.
Jews will be eliminated from poll
tics, civil service, teaching, journal
ism and radio. A few will be al
lowed to continue practicing law
and medicine.
Danzig. Though allowed to take
their wealth with them Tin contrast
to German methods), Danzig Jews
are fleeing in anticipation of the
Free City's union with the Reich.
Liechtenstein. Containing IS
square miles, populated by 10000
people of Germanic origin, this prin-
cipality is busting all Jews who ar
rived after the World war.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-01-12
Weekly News Analysis : - : :
Yang Ching-,oei's Declaration
Forces China to Air Troubles
BY Joseph w. La Bine-

same time retaining party leader
ship.
Roosevelt strategy: Until just be-
fore congress opened, the White
House reserved comment on what
every legislator knew was a certain
ty, namely, drastic revision of such
New Deal grandchildren as social
security, the Wagner act, relief adj
ministration and neutrality legisla-
ton. The President also knew such
revision was certainty, but the
trump card was held back. Then,
with the Hopkins and Murphy ap-
pointments apparently due for con-
gressional opposition, the White
House was able to soothe ruff1ed
nerves by promising he would do
no more bill drafting. Consequently
both appointments are being ap-
proved, though Hopkins must ap-
pear before a committee investigat-
ing relief Irregularities, and Murphy
before the senate judiciary commit
tee to explain his attitude toward sit
down strikes.
What cannot be avoided, however,
is the feeling that White House con-
cessions outweigh those of Mr.. Gar
ner and other rebels. Having COM
mitted himself to a political back
seat while congress is in session,
Mr.. Roosevelt must find some way
to recapture the drivers seat or
risk political oblivion by convention
time next year.
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-01-12
Bruckarts Washington Digest
President Put Over Fast One in
Naming Hopkins to Commerce Post
Reduces Chances of Investigation of WPA and Its Relief
Spending Appointment of Harrington to
Hopkins Place Seen as Strategic Move
BY WILLIAM BRUCKART
WNU Service, National Press Bldg, Washington, D. c.

the sudden maneuver by the Presi-
dent. There will be many attacks
on the relief policies at an early
date because the WPA must have
something like $3.50, 900 in addi-
tional money before the middle of
February, and that request will be
laid before congress along with 9TH
er calls for money in the first de-
ficiency bill. But Mr.. Hopkins will
be nesting comfortably in his pan
elled office on the fifth floor of the
commerce department; he will be
completely detached" from WPA
and so the controversy over voting
the money will settle down to mat
ter of principle without having too
much personality in it.
The appointment of Col. Harring-
ton will be much advertised by adj
ministration supporters in order to
help others forget that Hopkins once
held the job. Colonel Harrington is
accepted as a high grade man. His
army associates know him as capa-
BILE and efficient and the critics OF
relief policies cannot help feeling
that he will do a fairly good job.
He has not engaged in politics, as
Hopkins did, and thus is immune
from that approach.
Beneath the surface, plans are
said to be under way to give the
country a correct impression" of
the new WPA. Colonel Harrington
is reported to be planning to do
away with most of the boon dog
Cling, sewing circles to make baby
diapers, writer's projects, art prof.
ects, what-else-have-you. He wants
to use the WPA money for "con-
efr,,ofi1,o y>,,rDocac -
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-01-12
Birds Trapped, Numbered
At Heligoland Station

Thirty per cent of the migrating
birds which are trapped, ringed and
released at the Heligoland bird
watching station are reported weeks
or months afterward from places as
far distant as Africa or India. They
are caught on the island in large
trap OF wire netting gradually mar
rowing to cage, and the ring fast
ened to one leg of each bird bears
the word "Heligoland'' and an in
The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-01-12
.putch, Form Of .Deutsch,

The word dutch" is simply an
English form of 'Deutsch" and re-
lated words of the Germanic
tongues. 1t was formerly applied
to all peoples of Germanic stock OF
language, and it is only in compar-
atively late usage that its applica-
ton has been more or less restrict.
ed to Hollanders. The "PennsyI-
vania Dutch" who play so impor-
tant a part in the life and history
of that state, and of the nation, are
almost entirely of German and Ger
man-Swiss descent.