Recollections Of Old Milestown.

SAMUEL GORDON

Publication: Independent Printing Co, 1918, Miles City, Montana

First edition. 8vo. Brown cloth over boards, titles stamped in gilt on the front cover, 42 pp.+4 pp., frontispiece (portrait of the author), plus 17 plates from rare old photographs by L. A. Huffman. This work, the earliest history of Miles City, is a very rare source on the Vigilantes of Montana and the Code of the West. Gordon has one chapter on "The Vigilante Days," especially the first hanging, which occurred in 1883. The documentary photographs are the work of L. A. Huffman, "the premier photographer of the northern range" (Reese, Six Score). "The Huffman pictures constitute one of the finest pictorial records of life on the western frontier" Thrapp II, pp. 688-689). In his introduction, Gordon comments on the genesis of his history and its illustrations: "At the inception of the original plan there was no thought of 'getting into print’ and consequently no thought of illustrations but once it was decided to put the story between covers the matter of illustration became an essential feature, and this principally because Mr. L. A. Huffman ... himself one of the original committee ... had in his possession an abundance of material for this work; 'shots' snapped on the spot and at the time written of, having an intrinsic merit that cannot attach to 'fake' pictures, no matter how skillfully posed. Thus the story told in the text is illustrated by pictures practically 'taken on the spot.' And so, this book and its pictures, is in a way the accomplishment of the task undertaken by the committee of long ago, and while it appeals almost entirely to the sentimental side of the old-timers, it is hoped that it will prove to be of interest to those who will in time become 'old-timers' and who will feel the same pride in 'Old Milestown' that its founders now have." Samuel Gordon was editor of The Daily Yellowstone Journal at Miles City for 33 years. He has compiled a number of "Recollections" by early pioneers in the Miles City area. The outstanding photographs that illustrate this rare work are by L.A. Huffman. "A scarce book containing material on the vigilantes of Miles City."---Ramon Adams. (1969). Former owner's lightly penciled name and address on front pastedown sheet else a near-fine copy.