Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-05-22

never opposed. either in that meeting
or afterward, and so the name of the
small settlement there became Helena,
and that settlement itself became the
capital of Montana
If what has been told us is true.
the Gallatin valley has romantic and
sentimental story connected with its
name. 1t was named by Captain Lewis,
at the time he camped there. and it
has often been told that secret love
prompted its naming. During his visit
in Washington. d. c., just before be-
ginning his long westward journey,
Lewis met the charming Betty Gala
tin, daughter of the secretary of the
treasury, a belle of the times. and a
very vivacious maiden. Captain Lewis
met her in some unknown way, and
the grim. silent man was instantly cap
tivated by Miss Galatians numerous
wileS. However, he is known to have
spoken of her but seldom, so perhaps
the story is mere hearsay. 1t does
sound interesting. though, neverthe-
less, for 1t is hard to reconcile the
popular idea of Captain Lewis, the ex-
plorer, with that of love-sick man.
Saco owes its name primarily. though
not directly, to an old Indian chief
who used to frequent the town in the
days before it boosted name. The
populace of the small colony. built up
on what was once called Gumbo Flat.
decided to leave to the Indian the task
Of naming their home. He disappeared
for several days. after he had been
told the honor bestowed upon him, and
after the people had despaired Of his
ever returning. he turned UP suddenly
one day to announce in prophetic tones
that the name he had chosen was
Sacajawea. That met with approval.
until someone suggested that it was
too long. A compromise was finally
agreed upon and the name SAGA awea
was shortened to Saco.
The first postoffice ever built at
Hedgesville. Mont, was called Yale.
It was given its name by the Hedges
brothers. who had founded the settle
ment there. and named its first build
ing after their alma mater. Later on
the site of the settlement was moved,
and the new town which grew up sew
site was called first Hedges. and then,
some finicky people Directing, Hedges
vile.
The origin of Miles City's name is
well known to all Montanans. for Gen.
eral Miles. for whom the town was
named. YVES a prominent figure in this
state. The early day small post in the
eastern part of the state was called
Milestown. Il was later called Miles
City. after it had grown in size suf-
ficiently to be Incorporated under a
city government, through the efforts
of the general.
How Billings Was Named
The name Billings. too, is familiar
to most people in the state The town
was built up in 1882. by the advent
of the Northern Pacific railroad, and
received its name in honor of Fred
erick Billings, the president of the road.
Alberton is another Montana town
owing its existence to the advent of
the railroads in this state. 1t grew up
after the railroad had been bulls
through, and its name was taken from
that French-Canadian family by the
name of Albert, pronounced "All-Bear,"
that lived in the valley. The head of
the family was a Daniel Boone type
of man, who came west in quest OF
furs, and took up ranching instead,
from force of necessity.
White Sulphur Springs was first
known as Minnie Wabba," the name
given it by the Indians. meaning
white water" Later it was called
Brewer Springs. after George Brewer.
a man who located on the spring lands.
When the settlement there grew in
size it became known as White Sulphur
Springs because Of the white sulphur
deposit left on the rocks and grass
around there, from the passage Of the
water.