Founding Forsyth Beginnings Led by James Forsyth Line
The Rosebud valley became a frontier hub as Northern Pacific surveyors mapped 113 miles to Rosebud and Coulson, selecting a division point. Joe Gee refused land terms, Tom Alexander sold his Yellowstone homestead, and Forsyth town arose on that site named for Col. James W. Forsyth.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Northern Pacific Railway Co
Glendive
Rosebud River
Rosebud
Coulson
Billings
Rosebud Valley
Division Point
Joe Gee
Gee
Tom Alexander
Yellowstone River
Alexander
Forsyth
Col
James W. Forsyth
7Th Cavalry
Montana
Sam Newnes
United States
Murphy
Newnes
Peter Jackson
Tronjam
Norway
American Fork
Jackson
Wisconsin
Last Chance Gulch
Helena
Musselshell
Harlowton
Miles City
Tongue River
H. R. Marcy
Tom Hammond
Charles R. Taber
Yellowstone Valley
New Bedford
Mass
Gardiner
Taber
Custer County
Big Horn
Treasure
Powder River
Custer
Carter, Fallon
Prairie
Wibaux Counties
Rosebud County
Wrs
Junction City
Woodstock
Carlton County
New Brunswick
Northern Pacific Railway
Emily Shaw
Freeman Philbrick
Mr. Philbrick
Forsyth Pioneer Tales from the Rosebud Valley
Stories recounting early Forsyth development from 1870s cattle drives to town growth. Includes Joe Gee’s land debates with the railroad, Tom Alexander’s schoolhouse impact, local jails, cattle outfits FUF and 7-UK, and the 1882 railroad arrival shaping Forsyth’s rise in Rosebud County.
Lightning Struck Jailbreak Case Halts Reward for Sheriff
In 1880 Sheriff Ramsey pursued Horace Moore, a California murder suspect, after a handbill matched Moore’s signature. A bolt of lightning halted the pursuit, denying the sheriff a $2,250 reward, as recounted by D. F. Slayton, lifelong Montana pioneer now in Billings.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
D. F. Slayton
Billings
Montana
Fairfax
Slayton
Bismarck
N. C
Fort Benton
Helena
Horace Moore
California
J. Q. Greenwood
John Ramsey
H. H. Mund
First National Bank of Billings
Justice Resolves Dog Dispute By Spotted Nose
In Helena, three hour hearing ends with Charles Haynes gaining possession of a small dog from George W. Huber. Judge J P Brass used the dogs shown in photos and the method of calling the dog by each owner’s name to determine ownership. The dog answered to Rusty then Ginger, confirming Haynes’ claim by nasal appearance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Helena
Charles Haynes
George W. Huber
Haynes Vad
Huber
J. P. Brass
Rusty
Haynes
John Meldrum 92 Yellowstone Commissioner Dies
John Meldrum, 92, longtime United States commissioner in Yellowstone National Park since June 1884, died in Denver after visiting a nephew in Douglas, Wyoming. He had served 41 years and was once governor of the Wyoming Territory as statehood approached. His death ends a notable era in the park’s administration.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Meldrum
United States
Yellowstone National Park
Denver
Meldrum
Wy W
J. M. Carey
Wyoming
Robert D. Carey
Yellowstone Park
Park
Douglas
Wyo
Thunderstorm Fatality Near Lavina Mentioned in Local Memoir
A reminiscence recalls a 43 year old lightning strike killing Horace Moore and injuring Andy Jackson when a six horse freight wagon halted during a severe storm. Jackson survived with burns while Moore died near Lavina as neighbors organized burial funds and aid.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mr. Slayton
Andy Jackson
E. L. Ashley
Billings
Lavina
Horace Moore
Moore
Jackson
Also Mentioned on This Page
Montana Lou” Grill
Navy
Little Porcupine
Little Missouri River
Dakota
Little Muddy
Miles
Lame Deer
Mr. Jackson
Jack Johnson
Blakesley
Theple
Frank Adams
Jim Kennedy
Charles Dodge
Kid Griffin
J. T. “Red” Carolan
FUF
7-UK
FUF Horse
Whit Longley
Johnny Stringfellow
Ramsey
Yellowstone
Benz
ALG State Stores
Cobbs Creek
Continental Distilling Corporation
Phila. Pa
Montana Experiment Station
Professor Harrington
A. H. Small
Kalispell
Anaconda Copper Mining Co
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!