Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-09-27
BANNACK BUILT
ON GOLD GRAVEL
OF INDIAN LAND
SHOSHONE TRIBE WAS CLOSELY
RELATED TO AZTECS
OF MEXICO

To have called the little mining town
Of Bannack a city was a misnomer, as
1t is doubtful whether it numbered
1000 inhabitants in 1864, when it be-
came the capital of the newly-formed
territory of Montana 1t was appro-
priately named for the Bannack IN
dams, who claimed the land where it
was situated, and much beside north
of the Snake river.
The Bannacks are of Shoshone stock,
and closely related to the Aztecs. Once
a powerful tribe, they had come into
conflict with our government, and in
a battle with our troops suffered
severe defeat a short time before the
discovery of gold on the GraSshopper,
which was the towns reason of being.
The gold drew. the miners there, and
the defeat of the Bannacks made 1t
possible for the gold seekers to remain
undisturbed by fear of attack by these
Indians, who were literally in chas-
tened mood.
Yankee Fiat
Situated at the upper entrance into
the Grasshopper canyon, the business
houses Of Bannack bordered its main
street, which must have been earlier
a trail through the canyon If there
were other streets they could have
been but short ones. On the opposite
side Of the Grasshopper, the canyon
walls receded, forming a semi-circle
embracing that portion of the town
known as Yankee Flat. Along the side
Of the hills enclosing Yankee Flat, ran
one or two fumes carrying water to be
used in washing out gold. At night |
these fumes were opened, and from
the mountain at the lower end Of the |
hat came the pleasant sound Of min
Iature waterfall.
On the side of the mountain some !
dugouts furnished shelter to miners |
who chose to live in this hermit fash
lon. The lower end of the flat was
used as a primitive tourist camp, and |
It was there the oxen were unyoked |
when they arrived at Bannack. The
og cabins at the upper end Of the flat |
extended in q line forming a right
angle. Colonel Sanders lived in the
second house from the corner. Next
20 MIN was the home of Mr.. Zoller,
and in the adjacent corner lived the
Walls, with whom Henry Plummer
,oarded. There were other homes In
own.
At the upper end OF Main street was
he stable and corral where Plummer
rept his horse. In one house lived
george French, who kept a cabinet
md carpenter shop. It was he who
erved as undertaken for Plummer, Ned
Ray and Buck Stinson, after their
execution. Mr.. French also owned q
where the Cornishmen gath
red on Saturday nights. Some Of
hese had fine voices.
l6any Gum Fights
There was the express office Of A. j.
oliver 81 Co., butcher shop and the
eneral merchandise store Of Swift g.
thompson. The remainder Of the street
vas given over mainly to saloons and
ance halls. While respectable women
yere treated with the utmost consid-
ration by all sober men, there was
90 much drinking for women to care
0 be on the street unaccompanied.
me woman on a visit to Swift g.
store, narrowly escaped
ftnessing a fight between Plummer
nd another man. Both had drawn
heir revolyers when Mr.. Thompson
topped between them and persuaded
Henry" to finish the dispute else
here.
Horseback rides, picnics and berry
licking excursions 10 the Rattlesnake
ere the principal summer amusements
I the women, while there was an oc-
asional dance in the winter. Some
mes the women formed q party down
1e canyon to see the miners washing
4 gold, and to visit the little twelve