Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-09-07
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this distant and at that time, almost
his annual visits to Oregon, and from
other sources, had accumulated an ex-
cellent library of several hundred vol
umeS. which he kept open for use OF
his friends, and being one Of the most
genial and companionable of men. II
Is not surprising that Fort Owen was
a favorite resort for the early settlers
and hardy mountaineers-or that the
major is oft and kindly remembered by
those who have reason to remember
his kindness. Times have wonderfully
changed since the days Of which we
write. Mai John owen left Montana
TO spend his remaining days amidst
the scenes OF his boyhood and Fort
owen. that contains a history in itself,
passed into the hands OF strangers and
rapidly fell into decay, but in recent
years action has been taken TO restore
the old fort.
Some time about l949 or 1850, a
number of trappers and hunters who
for a number OF years had followed
trapping and hunting In the noun
tains, relinquished in a great measure
their former occupation, and turned
their attention TO trading with the inn
thronged the great overland thorough
fare from our western frontier to Cali
fornla and Oregon.
Among the number were Joseph Lom-
pre-, William Rogers, Ben and John
Simons. Ben Keiser, Gabriel Prud-
homme and others. These men led a
nomadic life. Spending the summer
on the emigrant road. they would trade
for large numbers OF poor and sore
footed cattle, which they would drive
10 some good wintering place on Green
river or to the Beaverhead or Bitter
Root valleys-but more frequently TO
the latter where they could readily
exchange them with the Flathead In
dians for horses, and would the next
season drive the horses to the emigrant
road and dispose Of them to the emf
was built up between the Bitter Root
valley and the road. as 1t was usual
ly termed. which continued for many
years, and by which means many Of
the Flathead Indians became possessed
OF large herds Of fine cattle.
This emigrant trade brought num-
Der of persons into the valley to en-
gage In trade with the Indians, among
whom we're Thomas w. Harris, later
a resident OF the Bitter Root valley,
and c. E. Irvine Of Deer Lodge, who
came TO Montana about 1851 or 1882
Some time between 1850 and 1854,
an old Mexican trapper by the name
OF Emanuel Martin. but generally
known as "Old Emanuel" brought
wagons into the Bitter Root valley
from Fort Hall or Salt Lake City.
These wagons were brought through
the Big Hole prairie, and over the Big
Root valley Old Emanuel spent life
time in the mountains and knew the
country perfectly from Mexico to the
British possessions. He died near Fort
Owen about 1878.
In March, 1853. the territory OF
was organized, and Isaac
l. Stevens appointed governor OF the
same. He was also interested with an
fitted cut from st. Paul,
Mimi. to make the first survey TO de-
,ermine the practlcabiiity Of a route
'or a Northern Pacific railroad. The
expedition arrived in what Is now Mis-
ioula. in the fall of 1853. bringing with
t a number of men who afterwards
became citizens Of Montana, among
;oula, and Thomas Adams and F. II.
Burr. who were for a long time resi-
tents Of Missoula and Deer Lodge
counties.
In the fall OF 1853. Lieut.. John Null
an, a member Of the expedition. was
directed TO establish winter quarters
n the Bitter Root valley, and to make
'ertaln observations and explorations
Turing the winter His party consisted
# a few soldiers and citizens, among
he latter being MeSsrs Adams and
Burr Lieutenant Mullan erected four
OF logs at a large spring at
he mouth Of Willow creek, In the
Bitter Root valley and naming the
,lace Cantonment Stevens, In honor
4 the commander Of the expedition.
At this time Fort Owen d853) with
few cabins built near by Indians and
and Cantonment Stevens
all of the buildings In the
Bitter Root valley.
There are only rs 900 species Of back