Frontier mail work and highwaymen in Montana history
Montana mail carriers faced dangers across frontier routes in the 1880s. Postmasters like J W Toohey of Birney swore to his own oath when swearing was impractical. A mail stage near Sweetland’s ranch was robbed by three masked men, netting about 300 dollars while a trek into the mountains left tracks showing moccasin footprints.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Montana
Lou” Grill
United States
Wolf Mountain
Crow Indian Reservation
Lou
Helena
Deer Lodge
J. W. Toohey
Birney
Wolf Mountains
Crazy Horse
Nelson A. Miles
Miles City
Toohey
Post Office Department
Washington, D. C
George Davis
Sweetland
Davis
Dog Creek
Dick Riddle
Gilmer and Salisbury
McTague
Steele
Historic Painting Taken From Cabin
A large painting once on the wall of the Point of Rocks stage station in Madison County vanished. The work linked Vigilante era history with modern times and attracted visitors to the old log building. Authorities offer rewards. Mrs. J. W. Scott appeals for return and no questions asked if recovered.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Montana
Point of Rocks
Dilfon-Twin Bridges
J. W. Scott
Armstead
Old Trails
Daughters of the American Revolution
Madison County
Beaverhead
Madison
One Boss Mail of Crow Rock Agency 1883 Letter
Postmaster Babcock sends a humorous 1883 letter to General Elmer about the daily mail run by four cayuses. He describes Spotted Ike Bucking Jake One-Eyed Commanche and Bobtain Beecher, noting timing, quirks, and delays. The letter requests understanding for delays and mentions increased pay and winter clothes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Montana
Babcock
Crow Rock Agency
Ike
Jake
Commanche
Daisy
Bobtain Beecher
Bozeman Trail Opened Amid Indian Resistance and War
The Bozeman road sparked Wyoming and southeastern Montana Indian hostility as traffic grew. Carrington built forts, battles followed including Fetterman’s defeat, and a 1867 treaty finally closed the road after $20 million spent.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Paul C. Phillips
Bozeman Road
Wyoming
Montana
Conner
Fort Laramie
Laramie
Powder River
Fort Kearney
Fetterman
Sherman
Indian Bureau
Grant
Red Cloud
United States
Mail Arrivals and Departures Report for July August
The enclosed report covers arrivals and departures of mails for July and August. Awaiting further orders, signed by Chas. T. Babcock, P. M. as the official servant.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chas. T. Babcock, P. M
First Public Library in Montana Established in Helena
In 1868 Helena founded Montana’s first public library after a fundraising drive. James King presided, J. L. Douglas was secretary, and memberships ranged from five dollars to a hundred dollars for life. The library opened in the Whitlock building, expanded to 2,500 volumes before a fire in 1874, then rebuilt and moved through Alder and Ashby blocks as city support grew.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Montana
Helena
M. E. Plassmann
Plains
M. E. Plasamann
Addison
Steele
Eugene Sue
James King
King and Gillette
J. L. Douglas
Wilbur F. Sanders
James Whitiach
Cornelius Hedges
T. E. Tutt
Whitlock
Ben Dites
Willard Hedges
Robert H. Wilson
Col. Sanders
Massena Bullarl
Herald
United States
Carnegie
Alder
Ashby
Lou Guthrie
Akron
Ohio
Missoula
John McCormick
Higgins
Elizabeth Powell
Wm. M. Aber
Writers to Spend Summer in State
Grace Stone Coates reports the Writer's Colony under Estelle Holbrook will return to Montana for summer residence. Aimed at 12 to 20 guests, sites near Missoula or a remote northern lodge are considered. Holbrook will offer Montana writers access to summer university courses and special ranch rates while she conducts classes in Minneapolis.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Estelle Holbrook
Montana
Miss Holbrook
Minneapolis
State University
Missoula
Humboldt Ave
Seed Shortage Warned for Hill County Farmers
Surveys by the farm agent in Hill County show seed barley and oats for planting may be short. Farmers urged to place orders with local elevators as early as possible to obtain needed seed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hill County
Havre March Income From Water Department Reported
Havre's income in March from the water department totaled 2477.40 dollars with 2427.85 from water rentals 16 dollars from consumer's deposits and 1.55 from cash sales.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Havre
Water Department
Also Mentioned on This Page
Priest Pass
Montana Territory
Charles T. Babcock
Crow Agency
Washington
R. A. Elmer
Bozeman Trail
Polytechnic
The
Billings Polytechnic
Institute
A. J. Smith
Decius 8. Wade
Grace Stone Coates
Castoria
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!