Montana Tech University of Montana - Magma Yearbook (Butte, MT)

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0 ' iJ - - ' ri ' f ' v cr L ' ■.-.- - ,— t A} S. A S • isS S

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AUTOGRAPHS

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Know Montana History-minded Montana Montana became history-minded at an early period of its existence. The Territory of Montana was created under Act of Congress which was approved May 26, 1864. Only 21 months later Col. Wilbur F. Sanders of Virginia City fame and his associates had brought about the passage of a measure creating an historical society. The first meeting of the organization was held in the office of Dance and Stuart, Virgmia City, on Feb. 25, 1865. The first president, temporary and permanent, was Granville Stuart. He also was the first treasurer. H. L. Hosmer v as the first historian. The first board of directors was composed of Hosmer, Sanders, Malcolm Clark, Chris P. Higgms and Walter W. DeLacey. F. M. Thompson was chairman of the committee which nominated these officers. Stuart, Thompson and Hosmer were the members of the committee that selected the society ' s seal. The society was created as exciting history was being made. There v asn ' t much historical material to work on, except the recollections of the trail blazers themselves. However, the society did take a firm foothold in those early days and has maintained an existence without interruption. For eight years the society depended upon individual effort in the collection of both material and funds. The first legislative appropriation was signed May 7, 1873, and provided for an annual payment of $150 for the purchase of manuscripts and books relating to the territory and for other expenses. THE ANACONDA COMPANY (110)