Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-02-25
Ru EnmARp B. REYNOLDS

NOV. 8, 1899, will be a mo-
INV mentous day in the history
. of Montana because on that
date Montana will celebrate its
Golden anniversary as unit in the
United States of America. Forty
nine years ago, on Nov. 8, 1889,
Montana became a state.
Prominent residents of Mon
tana are already discussing plans
for the observance of the states
golden anniversary. 1t is expected
that Montanans, Inc, statewide
organization of Montana boosters,
will take a leading part in the
event. Various cities of the state
are planning local observances of the
anniversary. Helena will celebrate its
Diamond jubilee In June, noting also
the anniversary Of statehood. A mag
nificent historical pageant will feature
the event
Butte also Is planning an observ-
Ance which win extend over several
days early In July, including the
Fourth. A rodeo will be staged, an his
torical pageant and numerous other
features.
It was on Nov. 8, 1889, that Joseph
K Toole, first governor of Montana
and one-time territorial representative
in congress, received the momentous
news that Montana had been admitted
to the Union On that day he received
the following telegram from James @.
Blaine, secretary of state In President
Benjamin HarriSon's cabinet
Hon. Joseph K. Toole,
Governor of Montana,
Helena, Montana.
president signed and issued proc
Iamation declaring Montana a state in
this morning.
JAMES G. BLAINE,
Secretary of State"
A few hours after the telegram had /
been received, celebrations we're under !
way in every town in Montana. It was /
a gala occasion and the hopes Of Mon
tana pioneers had been realized. In |
Helena, political heads of the state
government laid plans for Montana's |
advancement in the ranks of the states. /
Every resident was determined that
Montana get off to running start.
Due TO TOoIe's Work
Governor Toole had been especially
instrumental in obtaining for Montana
the rank Of statehood. While member
Of congress as a territorial delegate, he
worked hard and was finally success
full IN obtaining the passage OF the en-
abling act under President Grover
Cleveland that made possible Mon
tana's admission to the Union. Cover
nor Toole's efforts are commemorated
in a painting in the state capitol at
Helena.
Although Montana had been visited |
by trappers and fur traders in the early /
1905, the state owes its growth and
admission to the Union to mining and
especially the discovery of gold.
In the early 1905 the Hudson's Bay
company, the American company and
the Northwest company sent fur trad
ears into the territory to establish posts
and trade with the Indians. David
Thompson, the great geographer, Alex
ander Ross, Finan Mcdonald, James
Mcmillan, Manuel Lisa and many
others are listed among these early
traders. Manuel Lisa probably estab-
lished the first fort and building N
Montana although some say Finan NC
Donald preceded him In 1907 with
cabin on the Kootenai where Libby
now stands.
Lewis and Clark were the first white
men through Montana since the YER
endryes saw the "1and of shining noun
tains" In the 1700's. The Verendryes
Clio uOL pCIlSLTabe UGeply III db Alll UltO
the state. Lewis and Clark, led by /
SAGA awea, the Bird Woman, explored ]
Montana In 1805-06. Chevalier de Ia !
Verendrye, with q party Of French /
entered the state In 1743 /
and discovered the Rocky Mountains.
Purchased In 1903
The territory Of Montana came into
the possession of the United States
through the Louisiana purchase In
1903. The Lewis and Clark expedition {
from 1904 to 1906 explored conditions
up the Missouri river and across the S
mountains to the Pacific. They crossed {
Montana twice. S
John Golfer, who was with Lewis 6
and Clark's expedition, engaged In S
hunting and trapping in the Yellow :
stone country from 1906 to 1910. Col /
ter returned with such glowing tales {
Of the wonders to be seen In Yellow c
stone that people laughed and jeered O
him. They called Yellowstone park {
Golfers Hell. Today 1t is one of the c
scenic wonders of the world.
Jim Bridger, mountain man and y
guide who Is commemorated in the
picture Of the trapper on the inner Z
dome Of the State Capitol, was an !
other man whose stories Of Montana
were considered tall tales. Bridger, SEN !
sitive to the jeering, retaliated by ex-
=