Speaker at American Legion
Author: Mike Castleberry
Crimson Bluffs Sponsors Speaker, “Larger Than Life Leaders in Montana History”
Submitted by Mike Castleberry
Crimson Bluffs Chapter, Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation on Sept. 28 sponsored a guest speaker, retired Brigadier General Hal Stearns, on the subject: “Larger than Life Leaders in Montana History.” Hal tells stories about Montana’s past leaders to start a discussion about Montana today. Persons reviewed of interest included Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, Chief Sitting Bull, Chief Plenty Coups, Charley Russell, “The Devil’s Brigade” (First Special Service Force), Jeanette Rankin, Father De Smet, Brother Van Orsdel, The Bair Family, pioneer photographer Evelyn Cameron, Betty Babcock, and the Copper Kings, Marcus Daly and William A. Clark, among other notables of Montana history.
A free-will offer of $250 was collected from the public who attended the talk which benefitted our speaker’s venue— Post 42 of the American Legion in Townsend. Sharon Doig, representing Crimson Bluffs Chapter, presented Sr. Vice-Commander Mark Smith with the check at their Oct. 3 meeting.
Our mission is to preserve, promote and teach the diverse heritage of Lewis and Clark for the benefit of all people. At least once a year we strive to sponsor someone to talk about a subject of Montana history. Presenters typically come from the Humanities Montana Speakers Bureau Program.
Crimson Bluffs Chapter was first organized in 1998. In 2002, chapter members were instrumental in spearheading the Conservation Fund of Virginia to purchase 50 acres around the Crimson Bluffs on the Missouri River east of Townsend. In turn, immediately following the acquisition, the property was transferred to the Bureau of Land Management. A legacy to be forever cherished! Support was received from the National Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, The Conservation Fund, The River Network and Montana’s Congressional Delegation of Senator Conrad Burns, Senator Max Baucus and Representative Denny Rehberg.
In 1999, an application to name Yorks Islands was submitted to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names to change the name of Deep Dale Fishing Access Site—located four miles south of Townsend— to Yorks Islands Fishing Access Site. William Clark led a small group along the bluffs on the west side of the river ahead of the main party. This is when he passed by and named “Yorks 8 Islands” for his slave. His group camped just south of those islands on July 23, 1805.
A self-guided Auto-Tour brochure of Lewis and Clark sites in Broadwater County printed by the Crimson Bluffs Chapter can be found at Townsend City Hall. More information about the Corps of Discovery Expedition in our area can be found at crimsonbluffs.org.
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