Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-05-11
Rr ERTc THANE

By ERIC THANE
During the month Of June, 1858,
a party of Georgians headed by
one Green Russell, searched for
gold along the eastern slope OF the
Rocky mountains. They came into
the vicinity of the future city of
Denver and located near the hut
of a trader on land where West
Denver now stands. Following them
I'm midsummer a party of 20 per-
sons from Lawrence, Kan, reached
this vicinity but moved on up the
Platte river to a point some five
miles above, where on Sept. 9, they
established 3 TOWNSHIP. which they
incorporated, laid out as a town,
putting Is or 20 cabins in three
rows that were known as kansas
row." 'Ieavenw0rth row." and
Lawrence row." and TO the settle
ment they gave the name "MOn-
tanz"
Chief man in the settlement seemed
to have been Jason Yunker, who had
high hopes for the city of Montana"
However, gold was not found in paying
quantities and those Of the Lawrence
party who did not return to their
homes before the next spring, moved
TO the settlement Of Auraria, now West
Denver. The actual naming of the
settlement was due to Josiah Human,
Familiarity called Jersey" Human.
Jersey" was a college graduate from
Beloit college, Wisconsin, and a for
mer newspaper man. He died In 1883
at Vergennes, VT, and in his obituary
notice appears the following: HE
feminine of mountain" and TO him,
Messrs. Yunker, Nichols, Hunt, Sween-
ey and Parsons as incorporatorS, the
legislature of Kansas granted char
Der for this town Feb. 5. 1885,"
When the question of the organiza-
ton of Colorado was being discussed,
IN and out Of congress, various names
were suggested, and among those most
favorably considered were Colorado,
Montana and Idaho For some time 1t
seemed doubtful which would be
adopted, but it was pretty certain that
it would be one Of the three. The
name Colorado was finally selected.
Montana, which was second IN favor,
was considered seriously, but finally
rejected on the curious grounds that
1t was meaningless"
About the year 1852 Stephen A.
Douglas, then In the senate Of the
United States, invited Cen J, w. Den
yer to visit him. Denver, after whom
the capital city of Colorado Is named,
welded considerable influence IN west /
ern politics. A lawyer as well as q
soldier, he was state senator OF Cali |
fornia and later congressman from
California, after having served in the |
war with Mexico. He was chairman OF /
the special committee on the Pacific /
railroad. Later he was commissioner OF /
Indian affairs, then a general IN the !
Union army At the time Of his con-
versation with Douglas, he was Secre-
tary of Kansas territory.
In response to Douglas invitation,
-. -
and was uShered into the library.
Denver Suggests Montana"
Denver, I am going to introduce
Douglas said, land I want you to give
me a name for one Of them"
Denver at first suggested the word
Colorado" but Douglas picked up
map from his desk and remarked: Il
have that name selected for one down
here (pointtng ON the map but want
a name for this territory up here In
Ehe mountains"
General Denver studied a moment,
then said: why not call it Mon
what does the word meanP" Doug
las asked
TITS Spanish and means a mountain
Sus country" returned Denver. {
The wife Of Douglas in her day was
he most noted linguist in Washington, (
md to verify what Denver had said, .
ne senator stepped into the han and {
:a1led his wife, who came to the top
# the stair. In answer to his question
Is TO the meaning of the word, she {
aid: why, yes, it Is q Spanish word /
md means a mountainous country"
Douglas walked back into the library, 6
aging: Denver, that Is all right. I
VII call 1t Montana
However, bill carrying the name
Montana" was never introduced by !
Douglas, and no bin carrying that I
lame was reported from the commit !
ees ON territories to either the senate
r the house of representatives at that l
ime, although such q bill may have :
zen prepared and held IN committee. 7
In February Of 1858, upon the 18th
4 that month to be exact, q bill to
lrovide a temporary government for 6
he territory of Montana was reported
o congress from committee on ter
itories, the bill being reported to the
Iouse Of representatives by James M. a
.shley, afterwards governor Of the ter q
tory of Montana. 1t was not until S
be next day, Feb. IL, that bill bear
az the name was reported to the b
enate, when Mr.. Lane of Kansas OBJ a
aimed unanimous consent to introduce t
bill to provide a temporary govern S
1ent for the territory Of Montana. "
N March Sd the bill was taken up e
y the senate for final passage and g