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Resources
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The purpose of this section is to give the student access to all primary and secondary resources for Unit 2.9: Logging in the "High Lonesome" - 1862 to 1949.
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Historical Documents
"Not all Montana's pioneers came to make their fortune in mining. In 1863 Anton M. Holter and Alexander Evenson established a primitive, water-powered sawmill near Virginia City. Demands for lumber by Alder Gulch miners soon pressed the capacity of their business to its limits. A little "Yankee ingenuity," luck, and hard work were ingredients for success as Holter, later to become a leading Helena businessman, detailed in this reminiscence" (Montana Historical Society).
"Labor strife in the timber industry during the summer of 1917 created bitterness on both sides of the issue. Patriotism during World War I translated into an opposition to strikes and militant unionism, promoting accusations of treason and obstructionism from lumber owners when workers tried to organize. In response to a timber industry strike led by the Industrial Workers of the World (known as the IWW or Wobblies), Montana's governor called out the militia to preserve the peace and allow lumbering operations to proceed. Depending upon the interests involved, two views of the roles and methods of the Wobblies existed, and Governor Stewart received letters expressing both. Letters written by F. D. Becker, Secretary of the Montana Lumber Manufacturer's Association, typified the sentiment the lumber owners had towards the Wobblies. But the governor also received mail from supporters of the IWW, including this the letter from Sanders County attorney[,] Wade Parks." (Montana Historical Society).
Labor strife in the timber industry during the summer of 1917 created bitterness on both sides of the issue. Patriotism during World War I translated into an opposition to strikes and militant unionism, promoting accusations of treason and obstructionism from lumber owners when workers tried to organize. In response to a timber industry strike led by the Industrial Workers of the World (known as the IWW or Wobblies), Montana's governor called out the militia to preserve the peace and allow lumbering operations to proceed. Depending upon the interests involved, two views of the roles and methods of the Wobblies existed, and Governor Stewart received letters expressing both. In his mailbag was this letter from IWW supporter, Sanders County attorney Wade Parks, but he also received mail from IWW opponents, including these the letter from F.D. Becker, Secretary of Montana Lumber Manufacturer's Association" (Montana Historical Society).
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