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Montana Pioneer Tale of De Smet Mission Growth
The article recalls Father De Smet's Montana arrival with lay brothers Claessens and Specht in 1841. It details St. Mary's mission creation, early farming with the first grain and potatoes, building the first grist and lumber mills, and relations with the Flatheads and Blackfeet.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Society of Montana Pioneers
Montana
William Claessens
Plains
Father de Smet
St. Mary’s
Flathead
Rocky Mountains
Claessens
de Smet
Joseph Specht
Charles Huet
Nicholas Point
Gregory Mengarani
St. Louis
Westport
Missouri
California
Platte River
John Gray
Fitzgerald
Wind River Mountains
Fort Bridger
Ignace
Simon
Young Ignace
Bitter Root
Stevensville
Old Fort Owen
St. Mary’s River
St. Mary’s Mission
Commonwealth
Ravalli
Specht
Europe
St. Ignatius
Father Ravalli
Society of Jesus
St. Peters
Blackfeet
Santa Clara
John Owen
St. Peter’s Mission
Bird Tail Divide
Fort Benton
Helena
St. Ignatius Mission
Flathead Reservation