H A Publication of the Winter 2013 SocietyMontana Historical Society St r Archives Move: Keeping ’s Stories Alive The staff of the Montana Historical Society took great care in boxing up and temporarily relocating the stories of Montana that truly are the memory of its people. It took nearly four weeks of physical labor to clear out the archives storage area in the base- ment of the Society to make room for the installation of high-density mobile shelving that will ease the In what is truly a massive change for the Montana Historical Society archives, the staff spent overcrowding MHS is experienc- nearly four weeks packing up and moving thousands of boxes of precious Montana docu- ing in all of its programs. ments to clear the way for installation of new high-density mobile storage shelving. Although the staff prides itself in making those collections avail- Photo­graph Archives remain open history of the American West. It able to the public, MHS has had with limited access to collections. is used by authors, filmmakers, to restrict access to the archives To understand the scope of the researchers, and those who want until the project is complete. The project, imagine each individual to learn more about the history of thirty-five thousand linear feet of file box lined up end to end. They their own families. mate­rials in the collection have would stretch out over seven The Legislature provided been moved to a secure loca- miles. $402,000 for the project, which tion off-site. It is expected that The collection is considered one will take seven months to com- the archives will open again by of the best not only on the his- plete. The new shelving will April 15. The Research Center and tory of Montana but also on the Archives (cont. on p. 4)

Longhorns Not the First Montana Cattle In the fifty years following the end MHS museum technician Vic of the Civil War, nearly 6 milli­ on Reiman has been researching the Longhorn cattle were herded cattle industry in Montana and north out of Texas. In the 1880s, has come up with some fascinat- Montana cattlemen brought in ing new findings on how cattle got hundreds of thousands of these here. Texas Longhorns. The first cattle in ­Montana The Texas Longhorn is now came from the area of the an instantly recognizable icon of ­Columbia River basin that is now the open-range years. But when eastern Washington, northeast- Cowpunchers didn’t have to mess with any they arrived in Montana from the ern Oregon, and northern Idaho. Longhorns when the first cattle came into south, there were already herds of Montana stockmen called these Montana. MHS Photograph Archives, Helena, 981-429 another, much different type of animals simply “Oregon cattle.” cattle here to greet them. Oregon cattle (cont. on p. 4)

1 Director’s Corner On February 2, 1865, the Legisla- tive Assembly of the Territory of The Year of the 150s Montana enacted and Governor by Bruce Whittenberg signed into law the establishment of the Historical A year or so ago, the Montana Society of Montana. On that date, Historical Society adopted a new 150 years later, we will all celebrate slogan, “History Worth Celebrat- the Montana ­Historical Society ing.” Although that has a broader President Abraham ­Lincoln. The and its importance to Montan- connotation, the next eighteen forty-first Montana History Con- ans—past, present, and future. months will truly be a celebration ference, “Montana Milestones,” will Yes, there are several “150s” in of our shared heritage. I call it the highlight that ­sesqui­centennial the next year or so. These points “Year of the 150s.” with three days of programming, in time mark the establishment The year kicks off on March 19, September 18–20 in Helena. of the place we know today as the 2014, with the celebration of the Also in 1864, gold was discov­ered State of Montana, but they by no 150th birthday of Charles Mar- in the Prickly Pear valley in what means encompass the full history ion Russell. Charlie is an iconic became known as Last Chance of those who have lived on this figure in Montana and the Ameri- Gulch. That led to the establish- land for many centuries. As we can West. He was a midwestern ment of the mining town that in look back, we honor those who teenager who dreamed of being a October of that year adopted the came before, their vision, their cowboy and pursued that dream name of Helena. Helena became sacrifices, and the incredibly hard to Montana in 1880. By living his territorial capital in 1875 and was work that brought us to this point early life among the wranglers voted state capital in 1894. in time. History is being made of the Judith Basin ranch lands, When the Montana territorial every day in Montana and will be Russell developed the themes for legislature convened in Virginia captured and shared by the Mon- what has become one of the most City in late 1864, one of the first tana Historical Society. We will important bodies of western art orders of business was to consider continue to grow, to expand the in America today. The Montana the preservation of the docu- reach of our work, and to pursue Historical Society is proud to hold ments, artifacts, and records that the shared vision of renovated and one of the great collections of Rus- would tell the story of the early expanded facilities. sell works. On March 19, 2014, we history of the territory for future The history of this place we will be celebrating the Russell Col- generations. What great vision our love, held in trust for 150 years by lection with a redesigned Mackay founding fathers had to recognize the Montana Historical Society, Gallery of C. M. Russell Art that the story of Montana must be is truly “History Worth Celebrat- along with a birthday celebration collected and shared in perpetuity. ing.” for our favorite western artist. Later in the year, we will release Something New, Something Montana’s Charlie Russell, the first- Old: Treasures from the ever comprehensive catalog of Society Collections the Montana Historical Society Russell collection. T e Montana Historical Society­ On May 28, 1864, the M­ ontana Research Center recently acquired Territory was established by an act this wanted poster featuring of Congress and signed into law by thieves who rustled horses from a ranch near Terry, Montana. In About Us Montana, horse and cattle rus- tling constituted a major crime The Society Star is published quarterly by the Montana Historical Society as a from early days on. In fact, during benefit of membership. this same time period, a spate of ̂̂MHS Director: Bruce Whittenberg cattle rustling in central Montana ̂̂Membership Coordinator: precipitated the vigilante killings Rebecca Baumann (406) 444-2918 of fifteen rustlers by “Stuart’s ̂̂Editor: Tom Cook (406) 444-1645 www.montanahistoricalsociety.org Stranglers,” led by Montana icon .

2 The Society Star: Winter 2013 On the Road to Montana’s Great Museums and Galleries for Havre society. Among other things, Emily said, it had the High Line Heritage House Museum first residential bathroom in the community. Havre is rich in history, and now it her own money and labor. The She opened her museum in has another attraction that shows home was constructed in about conjunction with Hill County’s it off. 1895 and was owned by Daniel Centennial Celebration. The mu- Emily Mayer opened her home and Elizabeth Boone. The couple seum reflects her love of history, as the High Line Heritage House opened a drugstore, and their “cot- her private collection, and the Museum in Havre in 2012 using tage,” as they called it, was a hub ­stories of a fifth generation of Hill County residents. In addition to tours, Mayer also hosts tea parties to raise money for her ultimate goal, which is to rehabilitate the nearby Mathew’s Mansion, move the house museum there, and also operate it as a bed and breakfast. “It needs every- thing, but the mansion and its history are worth saving,” she said. For tour and other informa- tion, call (406) 265-6233. The house museum is at 132 Third Street in Havre.

Society Star Profile back to her beloved Montana with a degree in history with an Zoe Ann Stoltz: A Lady of—and with emphasis on U.S. history—and she graduated magna cum laude. an Answer for—All Seasons “I was the token middle-aged the support of her friends and Montanan on campus,” she said. her three daughters, Kerensa, She became a teaching assis- Savenna, and Breena. tant for noted Montana historian The native Montanan earned an Harry Fritz at the University of associate degree from the Libby Montana. She finished classwork campus of Flathead Community in 2004 and defended her ­master’s College before she finished raising thesis in 2011. her daughters. After all three had In 2006, she became the refer- graduated from high school, she ence historian at MHS, and she decided it was time to do some- credits all of her life experience Zoe Ann Stoltz is like the teacher thing new with her life. for how she does her job. “I spent you always wanted. “I sold just about everything the best part of twenty-four years As the reference historian in the I had, including my 1957 Inter­ as a housewife, and I was proud of MHS Research Center, she makes national four-wheel-drive truck it. My home was open to anyone everyone she helps feel as if he or that I called Jed,” she says. With- and anybody. I hope that is what she has the best and most exciting out the support of her family and I convey to the public in my job,” question she has ever heard. Then friends, she says she could never she said. she gently teaches each person have done it. “Essentially, they all “I didn’t know where life how to look for the answer with kicked me out of town,” she jokes. would lead me. But I am happy some help from her along the way. With her possessions in her to be where I am. The only thing A powerful and gentle per- suitcase, Stoltz went off to Mas- I miss is Jed—with the rifle rack son, she is proud to say that she sachusetts to attend prestigious in the window, he was like a pink wouldn’t be where she is without Mount Holyoke College. She came umbrella,” she said.

The Society Star: Winter 2013 3 Archives (cont. from p. 1) current building that was built in increase storage capacity by about 1952—more than half a century of Women’s History 40 percent as well as offer better history ago. Matters protection for the collections. “We appreciate the support of Montana women received the right “I am extremely proud of the Governor Steve Bullock and the to vote in 1914, six years before the staff that pitched in to get this job Legislature for improving con- passage of the Twentieth Amend- done. It was physical work, so we ditions for the State Archives,” ment, which guaranteed women’s had to have safety classes to make Whittenberg said. “The State suffrage nationwide. Women’s His­- sure no one injured themselves in Archives have been growing since tory Matters is a Montana Histori- the move,” MHS director Bruce 1865, and this emphasized the cal Society initiative to recognize Whittenberg said. need for the new facilities that the 2014 centennial of women’s MHS is doing all it can to maxi- have been on the drawing board suffrage by looking inclusively mize the space that it has in the for several years.” at women’s history in Montana. Expanding the focus beyond suf- frage was important to the Society in part because Montana’s Indian women did not gain the vote until 1924, with the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act. At the heart of the Women’s His- tory Matters project is a dedicated website, montanawomenshistory.­ org, which debuted January 1, 2014. Over the course of the year, the front page of the site will high- light Montana women’s topics and individuals, including women homesteaders and bootleggers, deaconesses and prostitutes, poli- The MHS staff celebrates the final box in the State Archives relocation. ticians, warriors, and community activists. Readers are encouraged Oregon cattle (cont. from p. 1) the spring of 1866, future cattle to subscribe to the site’s RSS feed Today, Oregon cattle have al­- magnate Conrad Kohrs, in part- to make sure they see the twice- most completely disappeared from nership with Ben Peel, brought in weekly features. memory. They were descended, in three to four hundred “fine” steers The website features resources part, from cattle the American from Walla Walla. for teachers, researchers, and the settlers herded with them along After the completion of the general public—including sugges- the Oregon Trail on their epic Northern Pacific Railroad in 1883, tions for ways that communities trek in the 1840s and 1850s. The tens of thousands of Oregon cattle across Montana can celebrate dur- ­Oregon-bound settlers’ cattle were were shipped to ing the anniversary year. Explore English-American breeds and in- by rail. After 1890, the flood of Ore- the website to find links to cluded many Shorthorns. gon cattle into Montana slowed ­Montana The Magazine of Western The original Shorthorns were to a trickle. History articles on women’s his- dual-purpose cattle—the cows Today, Oregon cattle are gone tory, information about historic were good milk producers, but the from Montana and from the places associated with women, breed also produced excellent beef. Columbia River basin. On the ­lesson plans for classroom use, and In the early 1860s, several resi- Montana open range, their genetic links to early twentieth-century dents of what are now the western heritage was diluted by interbreed- Montana news­paper editorials valleys of Montana had small ing with the other types of cattle. advocating (or op­ posing) suffrage. herds of Oregon cattle herded in Still, it is fascinating to wonder if, Funding for this website—and on the newly opened Mullan Road. in the back pasture of some Mon- other aspects of the Women’s Later, the influx of gold seekers tana ranch, there is a nondescript History Matters project—was into southwestern Montana cre- bovine with some of the genes of provided in part by Montana’s ated a huge demand for beef. In the long-gone Oregon cattle. Cultural Trust.

4 The Society Star: Winter 2013 A Man for All People Moon that told the story of the Darrell Robes Kipp: expedition from a Native Ameri- Darrell Kipp was first and fore- mersion in their language in what can point of view. most a leader for his Blackfoot he called total physical response. Born in 1944, Kipp went on to Tribe, but he was also a man who When Montana and the rest of earn a master’s degree from Har- taught all people what it means to the nation were in the process of vard University. His grandfather be proud of heritage and history. planning the bicentennial of the was a survivor of the tragic Baker A founder of the Piegan Insti- Lewis and Clark Expedition, Kipp Massacre of 1870 and yet was proud tute in Browning, Kipp—who was quick to point out that his of his service in the U.S. military. died in November of cancer—left tribe and others saw it not as a cel- One of the things Kipp taught was behind a rich legacy as an educator, ebration but as a commemoration that a true understanding of his- author, historian, and filmmaker. of something that changed the tory allows all people to overcome His Blackfoot name was Apini­ way of life of many people—not the things that have divided them okio Peta, which translates as always in a good way. in the past. He will be missed. Morn­ing Eagle. He taught young Kipp and composer Robert Blackfoot children to respect and Kapi­low collaborated on a choral preserve their culture using im- work called Summer Sun, Winter More Historic Newspapers to Be Published Online Women’s Group Grant Helps Bison Project The MHS Research Center is happy The Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa to announce that it has received a Gamma has stepped up to support third National Digital Newspaper a project to clean and conserve the Program grant award of $250,000. bison display in the MHS Museum. The funds were awarded by the “This is a great example of how National Endowment for the groups can work with the museum Hu­manities and will be used to staff to find projects that fit the digitize one hundred thousand mission of their organization and more pages from historic Mon- also help preserve Montana his- tana newspapers. The digitized tory,” MHS curator of collections images will be added to the exist- ing Montana news­papers on the Amanda Trum said. Alpha Chapter members (left to right) Shir- The bison exhibit is located Library of Congress’s Chronicling ley Thomas, Jan Peterson, Leola Tusler, Thea America website, located at h­ ttp:// near the buffalo jump diorama Swenson, and Carole Plymale in front of the in the museum and is a favorite bison exhibit with MHS’s Amanda Trum and chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. of children, whose education is Jennifer Bottomly-O’looney. One of the great advantages of important to the Alpha Chapter of digitization is that the text of these Helena. Trum said any organizations newspapers is keyword searchable. “The exhibit is one that many looking for projects that ben- Users can enter a ­surname, place of us remember from our visits to efit Montana history can contact name, topic, or phrase and retrieve the museum as children,” sorority her at 406-444-4719 or e-mail every page on which it appears. member Carole Plymale said. ­[email protected]. Among the newspapers to be digi- tized in 2013–15 are the Bozeman Chronicle, the Dillon Tribune, and Visit the Original Governor’s Mansion When in Helena the Butte Miner (1880s), the Nei- The Original Governor’s Mansion private-sector Original Governor’s hart Herald (1890s), the Kalispell was built in 1888 and was home ­Mansion Restoration Society. Bee (1900–1903), the Western News to nine Montana governors from From October 1 to April 30, (1900–10), the Roundup Record 1913 to 1959. It has been restored tours start on the hour from (1908–1913), the Cut Bank Pioneer and decorated to reflect the period noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays only. Press (1910–17), and the Glasgow of Governor Sam Stewart’s resi- From May 1 to September 30, the Courier (1915–22). For more infor- dency, 1913–1921. Restoration of OGM is open Tuesday through mation about the project, contact the mansion began in 1969 with Saturday with tours on the hour the Montana Digital Newspaper the support of the City of Helena, from noon to 3 p.m. For special Project’s coordinator, Christine and it is administered currently group tours or school tours, call Kirkham, at [email protected]. by MHS with the support of the (406) 444-4789.

The Society Star: Winter 2013 5 New MHS Trustees Join an Already Great Team The addition of retired bank exec- utive Ed Jasmin of Helena, former University of Montana president and historian George Dennison of Missoula, and lawyer, rancher, and aircraft entrepreneur Cliff Edwards of Billings brings addi- tional spirit and enthusiasm to the MHS Board of Trustees, board president Crystal Shors said. “I think we have some chal- Ed Jasmine George Dennison Cliff Edwards lenges ahead, and I think the new energy that the newly appointed are appointed from across Mon- his Ph.D. in history in 1967. He trustees bring will be very helpful,” tana with overlapping terms, will was professor and administrator she said. “We continue to try to be important as MHS continues to at several other colleges before get the Heritage Center approved grow in the twenty-first century. becoming president and profes- and built.” Jasmin graduated from the sor of history at the University of They were appointed to the University of Montana in 1959 and Montana from 1990 to 2010. ­fifteen-member board by Gover­ -­ began his thirty-five-year banking Edwards has deep roots in the nor Steve Bullock, who has voiced career as a trust officer at Norwest Judith Basin of central Mon- his support for the new MHS Heri­ Bank Helena. He retired in 1993 as tana, where he grew up in the tage Center. Although MHS was Vice Chairman of Norwest Invest- tiny town of Denton. He did his established in 1865, the first Board ment Management, which is now undergraduate work at Carroll of Trustees, appointed by the gov- Wells Fargo. He was president of College in Helena and got his law ernor, was created in legislation in the Montana Bankers Association degree from the University of 1893. in 1989 and 1990. Montana. He went on to become “If you look back on the board Dennison began his academic one of the top trial lawyers in the through the years, it’s been kind career as a student at what was state and founded the law firm of a who’s who of Montana,” MHS then known as the Miles City Edwards, Frickle, Halverson & director Bruce Whittenberg said. Community College, going on to Anner-Hughes in Billings. He also Shors and Whittenberg said the University of Montana, where owns the 80,000-acre Edwards that the skills, contacts, and rela- he received his master’s degree Angus Ranch near Denton and the tionships that­ the new trustees add in history, and the University of Edwards Jet Center, which oper- to the fifteen-member board, who Washington, where he received ates about fifty charter aircraft. MHS Museum Store Has a Charlie Russell Deal for You The MHS Museum Store has a They are available by calling ­www.­montanahistoricalsociety. great deal on a limited edition the store toll-free at (800) 243- org under the “Museum Store” Charles M. Russell print that is 9900 or by ordering online at tab. The framed image size is 27.5 available until it is sold out. inches by 35.5 inches. Only 250 prints of The Chaper- The original watercolor belongs one were commissioned by MHS. to the C. M. Russell Museum in They are framed with a solid Great Falls. It was part of the frame, matte, and UV Plexiglas Romance Maker exhibit there and cover and are signed and num- is featured in the companion book bered by former MHS director Romance Maker: The Water­colors of Robert Archibald. Charles M. Russell. They originally cost $425 but Don’t forget the Museum Store are being offered at a special when you are looking for a special price of $250 plus $35 shipping. gift for family or friends.

6 The Society Star: Winter 2013 Memorials to MHS over the Past Year First Door on the Left Thank you to those who made honor and remembrance gifts in support by Rebecca Baumann of the programs of MHS. Donations were received in memory of: We have something new for our supporters who own their own Betty Babcock—Former first and a journalist for newspapers in businesses—the Business Mem­ lady of Montana, member of the Lewistown, Helena, and B­ illings, ber­ship. You can take ­advantage of 1972 Montana Constitutional Con- Kay loved history and was a great one of six new levels of membership vention, and avid supporter of supporter of MHS and arts in from $200 to $5,000. In addition, Montana history and MHS. Montana. business owners will enjoy the Virginia Barfknecht—Raised Helen Gleich Hauck—Born in added benefits of their affiliation. in Bozeman and graduate of Mon- North Dakota, she was a longtime Each new or upgraded member- tana State College, Virginia Howell resident of East Helena. Helen was ship provides business owners an married Jim Barfknect in 1945. raised on her family’s wheat farm opportunity to thank their best She moved to Helena in 1953 and and spoke only German at home. clients with a thoughtful gift. It was active in many community She was active in church and com- also provides a creative way to organizations, including PEO, munity activities. advertise your business to the Friendship Force, and the Ameri- George Horse Capture—A thousands who are interested in can Red Cross. proud member of the Gros Ventre history and who devotedly read Wilda Axelson Bell—Bozeman tribe, he was a Montana State Uni- Montana The Magazine ofW ­ estern native and graduate of Montana versity graduate and later taught History. Your business will be State College, she owned and man- there and at the College of Great acknowledged in the MHS lobby aged Richards Funeral Home in Falls. George was a nationally area, and you will receive gift Butte with her husband, Arlo Axel- known historian of Plains Indian memberships, museum passes, son. She later married Wilford Bell culture and was deputy assistant discounts on facility rental, and and became the first woman to director of the National Museum more. serve as secretary of the Montana of the American Indian. He also If you are looking to make the Funeral Directors Association. served as an MHS trustee. most of your MHS membership Max and Zorka DaSilva—Max Mae Laurence—She and her and reach a larger audience, then was a WWII Marine veteran. He husband, Louis, were familiar fig- this is the opportunity for you. married Zorka Tyanich, who was ures in Butte, where they ran Matt’s Please contact me at (406) 444- also a Marine and later worked for Place. Mae took delight in serving 2918 or [email protected] to state government. Max spent his her customers and received several learn more. career at Caird Engineering until awards over the years, including As always, thank you for being retirement in 1987. Butte Business Woman of the Year. a member of the Montana Histori- Frankie Finnegan—When she Stan Lynde—Stan was cele- cal Society because history is worth was eighteen, Frances (“Frankie”) brated worldwide as a cartoonist, celebrating! moved to Helena and learned the author, and historian. He was also art of coloring photographs as an a great friend of MHS. He and his employee of Jorud Photo Shop. wife, Lynda, donated a large col- his pilot license at age sixteen. He She later worked for Pioneer lection of cartoon strips and other went on to a successful career in Mutual Insurance and was a stal- memorabilia from over the years banking and finance with North- wart volunteer for the Lewis and to MHS. western Bank Company. Clark Cancer Committee. Doris McMurray—Born in James and Billie Louise Leland Greb—Leland was assis- Choteau, she graduated from the Sharpe—Residents of Fort Worth, tant editor for Roun Town Review University of Montana and lived Texas, the couple made annual in Butte. He helped many non- for a time in Nevada and Colo- trips to Montana to visit family profits with their news­letters and rado before she and her husband, and enjoy the outdoors. Jim was a was active in Butte environmental George, retired to Helena. She Korean War veteran and owned his issues. He was a Navy veteran and was a stalwart and loyal MHS own insurance agency. Billie loved a member of the ­­Disabled Ameri- volunteer. children and devoted much of her can Veterans and the BPO Elk Arthur Rossberg—An Army time as a kindergarten school aide. organization. Corps aviation veteran of WWII, The Sharpes were the parents of Kay Hardin Hansen—A gradu- the Conrad native had a lifelong MHS Board of Trustees member ate of the University of Montana passion for flying after getting James Utterback.

The Society Star: Winter 2013 7 225 N. Roberts, P.O. Box 201201 Helena, MT 59620-1201

Inside ̂̂Herculean archives move 1 ̂̂Cows came home 1 ̂̂Year of 150s 2 ̂̂Women’s history 4 ̂̂Life of Darrell Kipp 5

The Montana Historical Society State Historic Preservation Office’s annual Archaeology Day in October got students aiming high as they learned how to use tools of Montana’s earliest people. Here, a student braves the elements to learn how to throw an atlatl, which was used to bring down game as big as woolly mammoths. Besides atlatl throwing, Society and state archae­ ologist Stan Wilmoth and his team of public- and private-sector archaeologists taught students flint-­knapping and other ancient skills. SHPO reaches out to people across the state to save the important historic structures, places, and archaeological sites of Montana. We are thankful for our members!