Shaping the West: Montana
Montana is steeped in rich history and fascinating stories. It was built by settlers who saw what the land could give, what they could bring to it, and what they could take away. Cattle and Mining were two of the most significant shapers of Montana history, and it so happens, both make an appearance in my Gallagher series. One of the most enjoyable, and time-consuming, steps of writing is the research. Not all research makes it into the story, but it does help us write the story.
Cattle
"The range cattle industry has seen its inception, zenith, and partial extinction all within a half-century. The changes of the past have been many; those of the future may be of more revolutionary character." – Conrad Kohrs In a land of soaring mountain peaks, lush forests and abundant wildlife prevails a history rich in trappers, miners and nomads, each with their own remarkable story. The history of cattle ranching in Montana is not as old as others, but it was a beginning for what would become a long-lasting way of life for many people choosing to carve out a life in this rugged land. What was once home to millions of bison and the native peoples, became a land taken over by ranchers and farmers. The railroad into Montana, still a territory at this time, completed in the early 1880’s which made it possible to market the cattle and the roundups began, but not without serious challenges. Because of the challenges, Stockgrowers Associations were formed, the first in 1881. They discussed the Indians, predators, diseases, legislation and outlaws. The Indians were starving and often stole cattle; the white man had killed all their bison. Wolves were destructive predators, hunting in packs and killing cows, calves and many sheep and lambs.2Conrad Kohrs, one of Montana's first cattle barons and greatest pioneers, passed away in Helena, Montana in 1920. Did you Know?“Range Wars” between cattlemen and sheep growers didn’t happen in Montana. For a time, Montana cattlemen found it profitable to raise sheep. Then, when cattle became profitable again, they switched back to cattle. Montana ranges support a wide variety of grazing animals, both wild and domestic. (http://www.nps.gov/grko/historyculture/conradkohrs.htm)Source:2 (http://montanakids.com/agriculture_and_business/farm_animals/History_of_Cattle.htm)
Mining
By the late 1880's, Helena had more millionaires per capita than anywhere in the world. (1) Not bad for a lessor-populated area of the west. However, the richest and most well-known mining history in Montana surrounds Butte, where the states great legacy was built on copper mines. In fact, it became known as “The Richest Hill on Earth” because of the rich ore veins. I recently watched Ken Burns’ The West, a great documentary presented by Stephen Ives. In the eighth episode titled ‘Ghost Dance’ they discussed the great mining town of Butte, Montana and how it affected Montana. In 1882, when Butte’s mining boom began, they weren’t considering the consequences of what they were taking from the earth, with no thought to reclamation, but that was due primarily to limited technology of the time and poor decision-making. A century of mining left scars that have become the Nation’s largest Superfund site, with the huge Berkeley Pit lake as the centerpiece.(2) The result is an area left barren of trees, and a huge pit remaining in the earth. In 1882 the district produced nine million pounds of copper. In 1883 production leaped over 250%. By 1884 there were four large smelters operating and Daly was building what would become the world’s largest metallurgical plant at Anaconda, thirty miles to the west. (2)WWII made the mining kings of the area wealthy, but it wasn’t to stop there. At one time there were over 3,600 mines in Montana. Today there are fewer than 100. Sources and further reading: (1) http://www.westernmininghistory.com/state/montana/(2) http://www.mininghistoryassociation.org/ButteHistory.htm(3) Ken Burns’ The West
What the readers are saying about Gallagher’s Pride . . . McClintock does a masterful job of sucking the reader in, making them hang in there and keep turning those pages. I could not put this book down. It is a riveting book, from beginning to the end. The book is filled with adventure and big surprises. Read more . . . -Kelly from Kelly's Thoughts on Things Ms.McClintock chisels out characters that root themselves deep in your heart, where they’ll stay forever more. It’s rich in historic detail and keeps you captivated til the last page. Read more . . . -Molly at Reviews by Molly
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What the readers are saying about Gallagher’s Hope. . . MK has written a book that grabs the reader’s attention and refuses to let go. Read more . . . -Suzie at The Bunny's Review A good story can have a little bit of romance, a little bit of adventure, and a little bit of mystery all rolled up into one. Ms. McClintock’s Gallagher’s Hope delivers all that and more. Read more . . .Rebecca at A Book Lover's Library
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What the readers are saying about Alaina Claiborne. . .This one is a winner. It broke my heart several times, the poignant moments she describes are so real. Read more . . .-Deborah from The Bookish Dame Reviews This is a rare read that captures you from beginning to ending! Great plot and characters with no stone left uncovered! Enjoyable, exciting, enthralling and captivating! Read more . . .-Pris@lovesromance from Amazon review This book has action, mystery and romance. Read more . . . -Lisa at Bookworm Lisa
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About the AuthorMK McClintock published her first novel, Gallagher's Pride, in July 2012, and followed one month later with the release of her second book in the same series, Gallagher's Hope. Her third novel, Alaina Claiborne, was published in January 2013. Gallagher's Choice, the third book in her Gallagher Series, is scheduled for release in 2013. McClintock is a member of Romance Writers of America, Montana Romance Writers, Hearts Through History Romance Writers, and Women Writing the West.
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