Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 2 82 THE COWBOY MARDI GRAS Near the confluence of the Tongue and Yellowstone rivers rests Miles City, a fine town that was first established in 1877. The whole town has picked up and moved at least once (al- though it hasn't happened recently), one of many testaments to the strength a person must possess to carve out a life in eastern Montana. Nearby Fort Keogh became a remounting station during World War One, and Miles City quickly be- came the largest horse market in the world. Pristine horses led to the creation of the World Famous Bucking Horse Sale, a weeklong "apocalyptic extravaganza of horsemanship" which includes a kick-off concert, mutton busting, trade shows, fast-talking auctioneers, multiple street dances and much more. Such an event has become a staple to the com- munity, and it is the premier social affair of the season. "BEFORE BARBED WIRE" Cattle drives of the 1800s and military outposts birthed many towns across the West, including Miles City. Fort Ke- ogh was established alongside many other forts after the Battle of Little Bighorn and was named after Captain Myles Keogh, whose horse was the last living remnant of Custer's charge. The fort quickly grew into a decently sized encamp- ment which was commanded by General Nelson A. Miles, the future city's namesake. The general reported that his camp was troubled more by alcohol than displaced Native Americans, and it wasn't long before the civilian merchants who sold the irksome spirits were evicted from the fort. These merchants, also known as sutlers because they followed mil- itary activity, traveled two miles east to establish the first site of Miles City. Despite the great efforts to name the area Milestown, both the first official plat and first post office called the site "Miles City." Early in the town's history, the fort moved two miles to the west. Being founded by the sutlers who made their living ca- tering to the soldiers, of course the citizens picked up almost the entire town and followed the fort to the land Miles City inhabits now. Cattle ranches were a common sight in the area until the harsh winter of 1896, when a January blizzard tore across the prairie. Tens of thousands of cows from Montana to Texas were killed, and these incredible losses forced the ranchers to face an equally harsh truth: cattle in Montana must be fed during the winter. Some didn't want to pay the added expense of putting up hay all winter and decided to turn to horses. Horses will dig with their hooves to find food when cows will not, and thus the Horse Capital of the World was established. Known near and far as one of the last genuine cowboy towns in the West, Miles City has a unique Western culture all its own. The seasonally operated Range Riders Museum cele- brates and explores the history of the town and surrounding areas, while the Waterworks Art Museum and Gallery boasts an incredible collection of vintage local photography. There you will find the works of Lady Evelyn Cameron, of nearby Terry, alongside Laton Alton Huffman's poignant portraits of Miles City life at the turn of the 20th century. L.A. Huffman and Evelyn Cameron both captured the raw truth of life on the plains of eastern Montana and their permanent exhibits are a must-see for cowboys, locals, tourists and enthusiasts. During the Bucking Horse Sale, the Range Riders Museum is host to and benefactor of the Cowboy Breakfast, which starts bright and early at 6 a.m. on Saturday morning. Held by RENEE CARLSON • photos by TODD KLASSY

• Cover