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!
First Shorthorns in Montana The Ruby Valley Legacy
In the 1860s Shorthorn cattle arrived in Montana with Metzel Ledman McGregory and Dr Frary shaping the early stock. The author recalls Metzel’s famed Butterfly and Frary’s Leander and Red Cloud, noting the spread of range cattle and the roughness of earlier herds. He describes homestead settlement on the Sweetwater, irrigation issues, poison patches, and a physician’s move to Helena followed by the Frary ranch sale. The piece also chronicles Adriel B. Davis, vigilante history, and the era’s rugged ranch life with anecdotes on cattle branding, fencing, and community figures.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lew. L. Callaway
Lexander Metzel
Ledman & McGregory
Dr. Frary
Montana
Diamond
George S. Lewis
Gallatin County
Metzel
Prary
Metzel Als
Granville Stuart
Utah
Stuart
Ruby Valley
Butterfly
Red Cloud
Louann
Airdrie
Metzsel
Colonel Callaway
Frary
Montana Hills
Virginia City
Puller Springs
Sweetwater
Abraham N. Colwell
Sweetwater Canyon
Davis
Sage Creek
Ruby Range
Sage Brush
Lazy Davis
A. B. Davis
Helena Valley
Davises
Adrien Davis
Denver
Adriel B. Davis
Clubfoot George
Walker
Haze Lyons
Boone Helm
Frank Parrish
Jack Gallagher
Lew L. Callaway