19
w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m
MILES CITY:
ROLLICKING COW
CAPITAL OF THE
MONTANA FRONTIER
BY BILL O'NEAL
Former Texas State Histo-
rian Bill O'Neal brings his
considerable expertise to
Miles City, Montana—the
self-proclaimed "Cow Cap-
ital of the World"—in this
thoroughly researched and
handsomely illustrated
history. The volume traces
the town's evolution from a
military garrison following
the Battle of the Little Big-
horn through its heyday as a cattle empire hub, illustrated
throughout with striking black-and-white photographs of
the town and its denizens as they were.
O'Neal's accessible, clear writing style makes complex fron-
tier history a pleasure to follow, whether chronicling dark
chapters like the "Stuart's Stranglers" vigilante killing of 19
supposed cattle rustlers, or celebrating Miles City's fun-lov-
ing spirit that gave birth to the World Famous Miles City
Bucking Horse Sale, one of the most legendary Western
gatherings in the country. The cast of characters reads like a
Western hall of fame: Granville Stuart, Theodore Roosevelt,
John Philip Sousa, and Calamity Jane all make appearances
in this sprawling narrative.
O'Neal spent nearly two years researching in Miles City's
museums and libraries, conducting interviews with local
residents, and the depth shows. His nuanced prose captures
both the violence and vitality of a frontier town where Tex-
as longhorns, railroad money, and rough-hewn ambition
collided on Montana's eastern plains. Essential reading for
anyone interested in the authentic American West, and how
Montana is perennially at the center of it.
Montana History at its Best
I
n June, 1938,
Montana's worst
passenger train
accident occurred
near Miles City.
A gripping account
of tragedy and
human resilience.
A "page turner" says
Distinctly Montana.
A "highly recom-
mended" read.
Available at the
Montana Historical
Society, Amazon
and Audible.
Catastrophe at Custer Creek:
Montana's Deadliest Train Wreck
by Ian Campbell Wilson
www.iancampbellwilson.com
ESSENTIAL READING
FOR ANYONE INTERESTED
IN THE AUTHENTIC
AMERICAN WEST,
AND HOW MONTANA
IS PERENNIALLY AT THE CENTER OF IT.
WWII
Biography
for
Young
Children
Hidden
code!
Sheepdog
puppy
narrator!
World
Famous
-
BONHOEFFER!
Also
in
French,
Portuguese,
Italian,
Romanian,
&
Polish!
TheTeacherWhoBecameASpy.com
for
more
purchase
locations.
Scan
here
to
purchase
on
Amazon!
Amazon
#1
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Bestselling
children's
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faith,
courage,
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evil
during
WWII.
LOCAL
AUTHOR!
Molly
Frye
Wilmington
