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Francis A. Janeaux Founder of Lewistown
By George D. Mueller
Newspaper Dec. 20, L97B
The founding and early development of Lewistown was primarily due to
one man who rightfully can be called the father of Lewistown. This man was
Francis A. Janeaux,
The date of Janeaux's birth is unceftain but it is known he was of French
Canadian origin and was born near Montreal Canada.
Letters in the T.C. Power collection at the Montana Historical Library
reveal that Janeaux had a good knowledge of the English language and was
quite well educated. It appears he received this education before leaving for the
States when quite a young man.
Although there are many missing links in Janeaux's life, it is known that
he arrived in St. Paul, Minn., in 1857 and remained there about a year before
going to St. Louis, MO. In 1859 he came West by steamboat up the Missouri
River.
It is known that Janeaux was at Fort Stevenson/ N.D., sometime in the
early 1860's. Fort Stevenson was on a bend of the Missouri River south of Minot,
and about 200 miles west of Devil's Lake. It was here he met Ben Kline.
Kline was a Metis or mixed-blood who was later to become a substantial
citizen and owned a ranch near Lewistown free of encumbrances which he
homesteaded in 1880.
Contrary to popular belief, the Metis were not half-breeds but through
inter-marriage the children of the Bois-Brules or half-breeds became known as
Metis which is French for mixed-blood. This term was favored by the people
themselves over the term "breed".
In an interview with the late Oscar O. Mueller, Kline revealed he had met
Francis Janeaux at Fort Stevenson at the time Mr. Janeaux was wounded in the
hip by a gunshot in a fight with a Frenchman.
Kline was unable to make a bare living around Devils Lake at Fort Totten
cutting cord wood at $1.50 per cord. Having heard of the wonderful buffalo
country in Montana, he borrowed $25 from a Jew merchant at Fort Totten to
make the trip.
He, along, with many other Metis, their Red river carts and camping
utensils, left for the promised land in 1866. The following year he sent the
merchant five buffalo robes as payment of his debt.
After arriving in Montana, the Metis began hunting buffalo in groups. They
had been directed to a group of Metis somewhere on the Milk River, one of
whom had a trading establishment. The scene of their arrival consisted mainly of
just tents.
Kline described vividly that in the early morning after they arrived they
were searched by deputy U.S. marshals led by X. Biedler. This is the first time
Object Description
| Rating | |
| Title | Francis A. Janeaux Founder of Lewistown |
| Creator | George D. Mueller |
| Description | A 6-page article written about Francis Janeaux for the Lewistown Newspaper Dec. 20, 1978 |
| Date Original | 1978 |
| Physical format | |
| Genre | newspapers |
| Coverage-date | 1879 |
| Publisher (Original) | Lewistown Public Library, Lewistown, Montana. |
| Subject (keyword) | Francis A. Janeaux; Metis; |
| Type | Text |
| Contributing Institution | Lewistown Public Library, Lewistown, MT. |
| Digitization Specifications | Canon MX310 300dpi |
| Geographic Coverage | Fergus County (Mont.); Lewistown (Mont.) |
| Digital Format | application/pdf |
| Rights Management | No copyright restrictions. |
| Full text of this item | Francis A. Janeaux Founder of Lewistown By George D. Mueller Newspaper Dec. 20, 1978 The founding and early development of Lewistown was primarily due to one man who rightfully can be called the father of Lewistown. This man was Francis A. Janeaux. The date of Janeaux’s birth is uncertain but it is known he was of French Canadian origin and was born near Montreal Canada. Letters in the T.C. Power collection at the Montana Historical Library reveal that Janeaux had a good knowledge of the English language and was quite well educated. It appears he received this education before leaving for the States when quite a young man. Although there are many missing links in Janeaux’s life, it is known that he arrived in St. Paul, Minn., in 1857 and remained there about a year before going to St. Louis, MO. In 1859 he came West by steamboat up the Missouri River. It is known that Janeaux was at Fort Stevenson, N.D., sometime in the early 1860’s. Fort Stevenson was on a bend of the Missouri River south of Minot, and about 200 miles west of Devil’s Lake. It was here he met Ben Kline. Kline was a Metis or mixed-blood who was later to become a substantial citizen and owned a ranch near Lewistown free of encumbrances which he homesteaded in 1880. Contrary to popular belief, the Metis were not half-breeds but through inter-marriage the children of the Bois-Brules or half-breeds became known as Metis which is French for mixed-blood. This term was favored by the people themselves over the term “breed”. In an interview with the late Oscar O. Mueller, Kline revealed he had met Francis Janeaux at Fort Stevenson at the time Mr. Janeaux was wounded in the hip by a gunshot in a fight with a Frenchman. Kline was unable to make a bare living around Devils Lake at Fort Totten cutting cord wood at $1.50 per cord. Having heard of the wonderful buffalo country in Montana, he borrowed $25 from a Jew merchant at Fort Totten to make the trip. He, along, with many other Metis, their Red river carts and camping utensils, left for the promised land in 1866. The following year he sent the merchant five buffalo robes as payment of his debt. After arriving in Montana, the Metis began hunting buffalo in groups. They had been directed to a group of Metis somewhere on the Milk River, one of whom had a trading establishment. The scene of their arrival consisted mainly of just tents. Kline described vividly that in the early morning after they arrived they were searched by deputy U.S. marshals led by X. Biedler. This is the first time they had met. Biedler was prominent earlier in the Vigilante movement in Montana. The marshals were intending to deprive the Metis of their ammunition as they had been accused of trading with the Sioux. They pleaded with Biedler, stating that they would starve to death without ammunition, and finally it resulted in Janeaux, who was in charge of the Metis at this place, being granted a license to trade with them. This was the first meeting between Kline and Janeaux since the fight at Fort Stevenson. For some three or four years the Metis followed the buffalo in different sections of the Milk River valley of northern Montana without any particular place or establishment or any permanent buildings as headquarters. They used tents and sometimes crude log cabins. Finally, in 1872, Janeaux built what was known as Fort Turnay or Janeaux’s Post on Frenchman Creek northeast of present day Saco. This trading post was about 180 feet square, built of poles set on end in a trench nine or ten feet out of the ground. Crude log cabins were placed parallel along two sides and were connected by a stockade. In one end there was a large gate built of poles and on wooden hinges, all the implements they had being an axe and auger. The large gate was to admit wagons and nearby was a small opening or door through which the men entered the stockade. One of the cabins near the entrance was the store in which they had a crude fireplace. There was also a cabin occupied by Janeaux with a fireplace, and a third one by the men employed as clerks with a fireplace. Ben Kline was one of the clerks. They traded mainly with the Metis, having a federal license to do so. Sale of all liquors was prohibited. There was practically no money used and Kline stated that even so much as 35 cents in actual charge would be a curiosity. The following incident illustrates their connection with X. Biedler. Janeaux was very fond of liquor as were practically all of the men of that day. A bootlegger arrived at the trading post and gave Janeaux a few bottles of liquor. This, of course, was prohibited, and in order not to allow an infraction without some punishment, Janeaux, who was sort of a deputy marshal under Biedler, fined the bootlegger $10, and then pulled a $10 gold piece out of his picket and paid the fine himself. He then dispatched Kline to the headquarters of X. Biedler with a letter and the $10 which Kline in due time delivered to X. who was very much delighted with the transaction. Thereafter, they had no trouble with X. and his deputies. Kline told another amusing incident of how X. Biedler, knowing that one of the breeds was making moonshine whiskey, would approach him and ask if he had any the breed responded that he had and that he had tried it out on his father-in-law and that it did not kill him, whereupon X. informed him that he was willing to take a chance also. Janeaux and the Metis stayed at the trading post on Frenchman Creek for two or three years and in about 1874 or 1875 moved south and located a trading post for Duffy & Peck for about a year or more near the present town of Saco, on the Milk River. It was necessary, of course, to follow the buffalo, which accounted for the move. In the latter part of the 1870’s, Janeaux abandoned the trading business and became clerk for a trading post in Canada somewhere in the Cypress Hills region of southern Alberta. In the spring of 1879, Janeaux came to the Judith River for the purpose of trading and because of the lack of buffalo in the north country. He located on Flatwillow Creek east Lewistown. Mr. Kline came into the Basin shortly thereafter in the summer of 1879 with the first 25 families of Metis led by Pierre Berger. He shortly joined Janeaux on Flatwillow, after which they went on a hunting trip south of the Snowy Mountains. In July 1879, Janeaux led another band of Metis from the Milk River country to the site of present day Lewistown via Judith Gap. Ben Kline stated that upon their arrival they found Paul Morase camped with his family where the old Reedsfort post office building now stands in southeast Lewistown. Kline’s statement tends to prove that Morase arrived at Lewistown shortly before Janeaux. This was to be Janeux’s last and most important move. All of Francis Janeaux’s merchandise, as well as possessions of the Metis, were carried in Red River carts. The cart was a unique invention of the Metis and was made entirely out of wood. The wheels were often times six feet in diameter and had very broad tires. Each cart was usually drawn by a pony and was capable of carrying from 600-800 pounds. The wooden hubs couldn’t be greased on account of dust coagulating. Needless to say, the screeching noise they made was almost unbearable. It was described by Joseph Kinsey Howard in his book “Strange Empire as if a thousand finger nails were drawn across a thousand panes of glass”. At the time of Janeaux’s arrival, what is now Lewistown was only a small hamlet of Metis clustered about the banks of Big Spring Creek and called Big Spring Creek and other similar names. Camp Lewis had come and gone. About two miles below town Reed and Bowles were still operating their trading post where the Carroll trail crossed Big Spring Creek. Janeaux soon filed a homestead claim of 160 acres on the area mainly on the north side of present Main Street and encompassing most of the present business district. Paul Morase’s claim adjoined Janeaux’s on the south. In the early fall General Miles rounded up the Metis along the Milk River for trading with the Sioux and gave them their choice either to go to Canada or the Judith Basin. About 50 families with their Red River carts and paraphernalia were brought over to the Judith Basin by the soldiers, crossing the Missouri River by government steamer near the mouth of the Musselshell River. The Sioux Indians later robbed the Metis of all their ponies and they were finally forced to travel about on their cats by putting their cows in the shaft in lieu of ponies. According to Joseph Kinsey Howard, there were 150 Metis families in Lewistown at their height and it was the largest and best of the Metis communities in Montana. The educational level was unusually high, and although few could speak English, most could speak and read French and Cree. These were peaceful people, and adjusted well to the white men, and some became the pioneers of Lewistown. With the advent of the Metis, Janeaux could see a definite need for a trading post to administer to their needs. A trading agreement was proposed to T.C. Power & Bros., in a letter dated Sept. 22, 1879. Quoting in part from this letter Janeaux stated: “I intend to engage in merchandising at the settlement started by the half-breeds on or near the Judith River about 90 miles from Benton if you will furnish me goods.” An agreement being reached, Janeaux built a stockade trading post using Metis labor led by John Berger, assisted by Ben Kline, the Laverdures, Daignon, and Morase. The stockade was approximately 100 feet by 150 feet and was constructed of poles six to ten inches in diameter and about eight to ten feet high set in the ground in the palisade style with loopholes as protection against the Indians. Inside the stockade area were a large storage area for the trading post, living quarters for the hired help, dining cabin and cook cabin. One end had a large swinging gate which opened to admit bull teams with a small door in one gate for individual use. The location was substantially on the present site of the Lewistown Post Office although it may not have conformed with present streets. Janeaux built a temporary home just across form the Post Office on the bank of Spring Creek. The year 1880 saw a large influx of stockmen into the Judith Basin, which definitely ended business of the squawman, Indian trader, hunter, trapper and wolfer, and consequently the stockade trading posts. In 1880, Reed dissolved partnership with Bowles and built and moved into his homestead cabin on the bank of Little Casino Creek, one-half mile to the southeast of Janeaux’s location and on Jan. 6, 1881 established the first post office known as Reedsfort with Reed as postmaster. Soon an intense rivalry developed between he two communities but Janeaux’s post appeared to flourish. The total population of the two settlements was less than 100. The new trading establishment by Janeaux on the present town site of Lewistown attempted to get the post office and made vigorous protests to the postal department as to the conduct of Reed, sending in a petition signed by numerous parties living in the territory. All of the supplies for Janeaux’s post were ordered from T.C. Power and Bro. in Fort Benton and was brought in mostly by bull teams from Judith Landing at the mouth of the Judith River. About 1882, the stockade around Janeaux’s trading post was torn down as there was no further use for it but the trading post continued to be operated and sold just about everything, including copious amounts of whiskey. Letters from Francis Janeaux to T.C. Power & Bros., in Fort Benton, although quite humorous to the reader, reveal his keen business ability. I will quote from a few: “Big Spring Creek, M.T.., July 14, 1881, I will call attention to the price of flour: you charged me five dollars a sack, the same price as you sell it at retail. They sell flour at Fort Maginnis for six dollars. I expect you will cut your prices as low as you can.” “Big Spring Creek, M.T., August 20, 1881, I wish you would send me some good wrapping paper this time, what you sent me a little while ago is not worth a cent.” “Big Spring Creek, M. T., November 1881, Please send me by first opportunity, (3) Three Bls. Of Bowen Whiskey, and oblige. It is selling fast.” “December 1881, Don’t be offended if I send you these 6 Chests of Tea. That ain’t (sic) the kind I ask for; there is no sale for it here at present. I want good Black Tea for my home trade.” In the summer of 1882, Janeaux had a portion of his land platted by Dr. L. A. Lapalme, a close friend and Lewistown’s first M.D. As only a small village was expected, Lapalme used a fence for the starting line so as not to derange a field. This is the reason why the streets of Lewistown are not square with the main points of the compass. Letters to T.C. Power & Bros., reveal that by the fall of 1882, Janeaux was in financial trouble with the trading post and was having trouble with his clerk whose accounts were not square. By Feb. 1883, Janeaux had secured mortgages to cover his debts to the amount of $1,500. Finally, in June 1883, after being indebted to T. C. Power & Bros., for over $5,000 Janeaux agreed to turn over all the merchandise and buildings as well as the deed to needed land to the Powers to settle his debt. So, in either July or August 1883, the store became known at T.C. Power & Bros. They promptly built a warehouse and greatly enlarged the stock. It was run by N.M. Erickson and was called Erickson’s post. Although having financial difficulties, Janeaux nevertheless was very civic-minded, and in 1883 he donated eight lots to the school district and the first frame schoolhouse was built on this land where the Lewistown New-Argus building now stands. It was also in 1883 that Janeaux was finally able to secure a post office. From the fall of 1883 until the spring of 1884, the village was known as Lewiston, and then became Lewistown with N.M. Erickson commissioned as first postmaster on March 10, 1884. By the spring of 1884, Lewistown-Reedsfort had about 35 buildings, most of which had been built in 1883. There were two stores, T.C. Power & Bros., and Pichette Brothers, two hotels, four saloons, a carpenter, a wheelwright, and a butcher shop, and the best schoolhouse in the county. Dr. LaPalme was the only doctor. On Sept. 24, 1884, Janeaux and his wife donated a plat of 40 acres to the people of Lewistown for its use and benefit forever after having been surveyed by William T. McFarland. This was between the present streets of Broadway and Pine. It was about this time, or possibly a year earlier, that Janeaux built a large and permanent house on the west corner of Main and High street facing the side of the old hospital. By 1886, Lewistown had a population of about 125 with 51 structures in town; one church, a schoolhouse, 22 business houses, 26 residences, and the county jail. The town was growing and prospering. By 1888 it had a population of almost 400. Letters, translated from the French and in possession of Janeaux’s descendants, reveal that Francis Janeaux intended to return to Canada in 1871 but on the way he was shipwrecked and received a would and returned. It is known that Janeaux was paralyzed for some time, possibly from his wound, which affected his head and throat. Although evidence is sketchy, it is believed he was unable to talk effectively and communicated by writing. This affliction eventually led to his death on March 17, 1888 in the prime of life at the age of 49. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery at Lewistown. Although the town Janeaux founded was named for another man, three streets were named for members of the family – Janeaux for Francis or the family, Virginia for his wife and Evelyn for a daughter. At the time of his death, Francis Janeaux owned much of what is now the business district of Lewistown and a number of abstracts date back to his ownership. |
| Local Identifier | SC 1.26 Francis Janeaux, Founder of Lewistown |
Description
| Title | Francis A. Janeaux founder-Mueller 1 |
| Type | Text |
| Digitization Specifications | Canon MX310 300dpi |
| Digital Format | application/pdf |
| Full text of this item | Francis A. Janeaux Founder of Lewistown By George D. Mueller Newspaper Dec. 20, L97B The founding and early development of Lewistown was primarily due to one man who rightfully can be called the father of Lewistown. This man was Francis A. Janeaux, The date of Janeaux's birth is unceftain but it is known he was of French Canadian origin and was born near Montreal Canada. Letters in the T.C. Power collection at the Montana Historical Library reveal that Janeaux had a good knowledge of the English language and was quite well educated. It appears he received this education before leaving for the States when quite a young man. Although there are many missing links in Janeaux's life, it is known that he arrived in St. Paul, Minn., in 1857 and remained there about a year before going to St. Louis, MO. In 1859 he came West by steamboat up the Missouri River. It is known that Janeaux was at Fort Stevenson/ N.D., sometime in the early 1860's. Fort Stevenson was on a bend of the Missouri River south of Minot, and about 200 miles west of Devil's Lake. It was here he met Ben Kline. Kline was a Metis or mixed-blood who was later to become a substantial citizen and owned a ranch near Lewistown free of encumbrances which he homesteaded in 1880. Contrary to popular belief, the Metis were not half-breeds but through inter-marriage the children of the Bois-Brules or half-breeds became known as Metis which is French for mixed-blood. This term was favored by the people themselves over the term "breed". In an interview with the late Oscar O. Mueller, Kline revealed he had met Francis Janeaux at Fort Stevenson at the time Mr. Janeaux was wounded in the hip by a gunshot in a fight with a Frenchman. Kline was unable to make a bare living around Devils Lake at Fort Totten cutting cord wood at $1.50 per cord. Having heard of the wonderful buffalo country in Montana, he borrowed $25 from a Jew merchant at Fort Totten to make the trip. He, along, with many other Metis, their Red river carts and camping utensils, left for the promised land in 1866. The following year he sent the merchant five buffalo robes as payment of his debt. After arriving in Montana, the Metis began hunting buffalo in groups. They had been directed to a group of Metis somewhere on the Milk River, one of whom had a trading establishment. The scene of their arrival consisted mainly of just tents. Kline described vividly that in the early morning after they arrived they were searched by deputy U.S. marshals led by X. Biedler. This is the first time |
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