Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-08-14
Battle for Capital Was Best
In MOntana'S Political Life
BY JEAN MOORE

sAnA IIlulluk uIstOFy no knOUxuS
was given TO organized govern
ment. Men had time but for one
thinE-to hunt the precious metal
which had lured them to the bars
and river beds Of Montana. Gold
was a magic word and with its
magnetism drew not only the hard
working, ambitious miners, but
murderers and highwaymen As
we'll Like birds Of prey, they
sought out their victims, taking
all and leaving in their wake de-
struction and despair.
Finally, when it became quite evi-
dent that something had to be done
in order to insure at least a reason
able amount of safety to the citizens
of various camps, a group of honest
and law-abiding men banded together
and organized the now famous Vig-
lantes. Coming as complete surprise
to the outlaws, especially when they
realized that the Vigilantes really
meant business, there was a falling off
in crime. Some of the outlaws who
had prospered so easily at the expense
of others and with so little interior
ence, greatly regretted the curtailment
of their liberties, but having become
uSStStoiiitN W llCll lllC VI SllliiC, tilCJ
simply became more cautious in their
undertakings.
The Vigilantes, although they had
won the first round in the enforcing
of the law, were as yet not quite
strong enough for the big job ahead
of them. 1t was impossible for them
to devote their entire time to their
duty as peacemakers as each felt the
necessity of making living. So, in
1884. the threat of the criminal ele-
ment became the deciding factor in
the birth of Montana's first govern
ment.
Bannack First Choice
AS Bannack at this time represent
ed a decidedly prosperous part Of
Montana territory, it was not strange
that governor should be chosen from
this camp. For this important and
responsible position one of Montana's
earliest settlers was chosen, a lawyer
named Sidney Edgerton. Along with
the privileges granted him was the
honor of choosing the location for the
future capital. Considering that Ban
mack at that time showed promise Of
becoming a worthy and permanent
city, no one was surprised or opposed
to the idea Of selecting Bannack for
the capital site.
So it was, that in a small log house.
typical of the majority Of the camps
houses, the first legislature Of Mon
tana was held. Here rugged and earn
est men weighed carefully all sugges-
tons regarding the welfare of the
newly formed state and here was laid
the foundation Of our present beloved
and important state Of Montana.
There was a general understanding
in connection with the choosing Of
the seat of government, however, and
that was that Bannack was to have
the honor only until a more definite
decision might be made. There were
varied opinions concerning the ideal
location and some favored Virginia
City, with the population of thou
sands, as against the lesser population
of Bannack for a permanent site. Ne
vada City, Alder Gulch and Summit
all boosted a larger population than
that of Bannack.
At last, after many pros and cons,
Governor Edgerton on Feb. 7, 1865,
put his name to an act declaring Vir-
ginia City to be the winner in the
race for the capital. Expenses for the
appointed committee were not to ex-
coed 500.
The final choice proved to be wise
one and within years time Virginia
City became thriving town, harbor-
ing stage lines and many places Of
business. A social as we'll as business
center became established in which
churches, lodges and schools FREEDOM
mated. Its right to the capital was
not to go unchallenged, however.
Other camps had flourished, too, and
each one felt eligible to claim the
honor of having the capital of Mon
tana territory. One of the most bitter
concerning this question was Helena.
Dissatisfaction Grew
Since its discovery in 1864, Last
Chance gulch had grown by leaps and
bounds. 1t had never been entirely
satisfied with the selection of the
capital site and as it grew its dis
satisfaction became more and more
in evidence until in 1866 it decided to
show its fighting intentions for
much wanted honor and finally sue
ceeded in getting an act through the
legislative assembly giving Helena an
opportunity to submit her request to
the territorial voters. Once more the
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large vote in her favor
The people of Helena refused to
take their defeat gracefully, bided
their time and in 1868 when bill
was introduced into the assembly to
give the capital to Deer Lodge, it was
amended to read Helena instead, and
once again the vote for the capital
went to the people and once again
Helena was forced to accept defeat.
Five years from the date of the
second decision in favor of Virginia
City, Helena once more took up her
feud. This time conditions were more
in her favor as Virginia City, despite
her promise of becoming a leading
city, had begun to depreciate in her
mining activities and as a result had
lost much of her former population.
Helena, with her larger population.
had now become the business and So
cial center of Montana territory. A
desperate battle ensued in the legis-
lative assembly, but bill was finally
released which demanded another
vote. As result, there began one of
the bittereSt and hardest fought bat