Presentation looks at one of Montana’s prominent pioneers

The Northwest Montana Posse of Westerners history organization’ next meeting will be Monday, Aug. 15. Posse member Bill Dakin will present “Go West, Young Man – The Story of Montana’s Paris Gibson” about the successes and set-backs of one of Montana’s prominent pioneers, entrepreneurs and politicians.

Paris Gibson (1830-1920) rose from bankruptcy to become the founder of Great Falls and one of the state's early U.S. senators. He was born in the state of Maine where he was educated (Bowdoin College), married, and active in political and civic life (as a state legislator). Later he moved to Minnesota pursuing industrialist interests in grain and woolen products. Abandoning his failed business interests, he headed westward in mid-life where he became a pioneer sheep rancher and wool merchant at Fort Benton.

Around 1880, he visited the Great Falls of the Missouri, as pristine then as when they were first beheld by Capt. Meriwether Lewis. For two years he explored the 10-plus miles of rapids, and from a hill overlooking the confluence of the Sun and Missouri Rivers, he decided on the location for his new city. Gibson’s many ventures entwined him with “empire builder” James J. Hill, president of the Great Northern Railway. Hill, Montana’s copper kings in Butte, founders of the Montana Power Company, and the dawning “age of electricity” provided him huge opportunities. His interest in wool and wheat, real estate, railroads, dams and hydroelectric power and boosting his new city became his life’s calling.

He became a delegate to Montana’s Constitutional Convention and was appointed to a term in the U.S. Senate, succeeding the disgraced William A. Clark. As senator, he focused on Homestead Act reforms, and on irrigation projects to supplement the dryland farming that he promoted for his four decades in Montana. His efforts to build the Milk River, Marias and Sun River irrigation projects transformed vast regions of Montana.

His last active years were highlighted by annual summer trips to Lake McDonald with his children and grandchildren, always including visits to Charlie and Nancy Russell at their beloved Bullhead Lodge near Apgar.

Dakin, of Bigfork, is educated in history (Montana State University) with a master’s degree in anthropology (University of Montana), a recognized historian on the construction Going-to-the-Sun Road and board member of the Northwest Montana History Museum. He is a direct descendant of Paris Gibson. Family records and exhibits including previously unpublished pictures and writings will be on display.

The meeting will be held in the Northwest Montana History Museum 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. A Grab’n’ Greet session, book raffle and signings by local authors starts at 6 p.m. There will be no dinner. The presentation is at 7 p.m., which is free for members and youths 16 and under. Non-members may attend at a cost of $5. No reservations are required but seating will be limited.

Posse members may participate in the program livestream via Zoom by contacting tim.chris@yahoo.com for registration and instructions.