History Of Montana, 1739-1885. A History Of Its Discovery And Settlement, Social And Commercial Progress, Mines And Miners, Agriculture And Stock-Growing, Churches, Schools And Societies, Indians And Indian Wars, Vigilantes, Courts Of Justice, Newspaper Press, Navigation, Railroads And Statistics, With Histories Of Counties, Cities, Villages And Mining Camps; Also, Personal Reminiscences Of Great Historic Value; Views Characteristic Of The Territory In Our Own Times, And Portraits Of Pioneers And Representative Men In The Professions And Trades.

[LEESON, MICHAEL A.]. [EDITOR].

Publication: Warner, Beers & Company, 1885, Chicago

First edition. Thick quarto. Original leather, gold decorations to corners and panels of front and rear covers, titles stamped in gold on front panel and spine, raised bands, green marbled endpapers, marbled page edges, 1367 pp., preface, illustrated, plates, portraits, folding map, errata and references. The first part of this book is devoted to the general history of the Territory, and may be said to embrace names and items connected with the Territory as a whole. This part of the work is based almost entirely on official reports, public records, written statements of travelers and pioneers (founded on daily journals of their travels and experiences) and oral statements of early settlers. It includes exploration and occupation of Montana, Indian history and Indian wars, trading and military posts, gold and silver mining, outlaws and lawmen, cattle and cattlemen, railroads of Montana, the Montana cowboy, navigation of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers, churches, newspapers, societies, etc. Six Guns 1531 says "Has a long history of the vigilantes and their hangings." Herd 1539 says "Rare." The second part is devoted to the histories of the counties. This portion of the work is based on records (some of which were exhumed, so to speak, while others were found in well-kept record-books) and reminiscences. Commercial, military and political enterprises are detailed, and each name and deed is entwined with the history of the county. Light outer wear, covers slightly loose due to the heavy weight of the text block, otherwis a every good copy. The map has a few small, clean splits (no losses), and the right blank edge of the map is slightly uneven and with mild browning not affecting map proper or border. Map coloring vivid. The map is sometimes missing. This is a difficult book to find in collector’s condition.