Old Missoula

12 – Mule Team Brings Early Press To Missoula Area From Helena

This story appeared in the Missoula and Cedar Creek Pioneer of Sept. 15, 1870, three years before it became The Missoulian:

“A notable event – the citizens of Missoula and those on the road between here and Helena, were agreeably surprised a few days since by the sight of a printing press on wheels.

“The motive power for the locomotion of the welcome freight was 12 mules, gaily caparisoned with miniature national flags, etc. The wagons containing the outfit were also embellished with banners, and other devices, and bore the name of the paper in letters two feet long upon every part where the legend could find a place.

‘Baffled Description’

“The approach to town of the material, with which the Tree of Knowledge has ever been constructed in all communities, was heralded some days in advance, and, when the event occurred, the enthusiasm manifested by our citizens baffled adequate description.

“A score of brass bands would have been a ‘Quakers’ meeting by contrast with the surging and tumultuous uproar of welcome which greeted the advent of the wagons containing the appliances of ‘the art preservative of all arts.’

“At first, the drivers in charge of the teams imagined that our people had made a mistake in their time-reckoning, and were only then celebrating the Fourth of July. Becoming assured of the true state of affairs by the repeated and vociferous ‘Hurrah! for the Missoula Pioneer!’ they cracked their whips, helped to swell the general din, and trod along with conscious pride in the share they had taken in the pleasing event.

“Even the animals that had hauled the heavily laden wagons over the main range of the Rockies from Helena seemed to be elated by the infectious hilarity which surrounded them. A general holiday was taken for the rest of the day.”