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THBMilitary & Indian Traders, T.C. Power, Fort Benton, Montana, 1870s Correspondence
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United States
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About Auction
LiveSep 8, 2017 - Sep 9, 2017
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (427)
- Lot Description
Lot of 12 letters written from Thomas C. Power, of T.C. Power & Bro., Forwarding & Commission Merchants, Military & Indian Traders, Fort Benton, Montana Territory, to Joseph H. McKnight of J.H. McKnight & Co., Ft. Shaw, Montana Territory. Letters span a period of approximately one year from December 12, 1872, to November 20, 1873.
Thomas C. Power was a prominent Montana businessman who ultimately went on to become one of the first two US Senators from the state of Montana. He was born in 1839 near Dubuque, IA. After earning an engineering degree, he worked as a surveyor before becoming involved in trade along the Mississippi River. In 1867 Power travelled up the Missouri River via steamboat to Fort Benton, Montana Territory, where he established the T.C. Power & Bro. merchant house with his brother John W. Power. By the mid 1870s T.C. Power & Bro. would be one of the two largest merchant houses dominating trade in Northern Montana and the adjoining Canadian provinces. The company was heavily involved in military and Indian trade, and after their profitable trade in buffalo hides declined they continued a lucrative trade with miners and stockman. The recipient of these letters, Joseph H. McKnight, was a close friend of Thomas Power. McKnight also hailed from Dubuque and had accompanied Thomas Power westward. McKnight worked as a clerk in Ft. Benton, then in 1871, and with the financial backing of Power, McKnight assumed control of the trading post at Ft. Shaw.
The firms established by these men, J.H. McKnight & Co. and T.C. Power & Bro., remained closely connected during their period of operations and their founders remained friends and allies. The letters, typically headed "Dear Joe," deal with business matters and present a picture of the complexities of daily dealings in the mercantile trade.
Condition
Very minor imperfections on a few letters not affecting legibility of text. Overall in good condition.
Item is in good condition with small tear to leather seating.
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