INTRODUCTION

It does not usually happen that a historian can relate the primitive times of a barbarous country, not less than its complete transformation by the hand and magic touch of progress, and be likewise a personal witness of both its civilization and barbarism. Such, however, is the case with the writer of the first history of Catholicity in Montana.

An old-timer among the old-timers, the Reverend author speaks whereof he knows. He has lived among the natives; has conversed with he first priests who, preceding the goldseeker by twenty-two years, shared with the red men his dried buffalo meat, his wild roots and berries; and where he saw the nomad's wigwam stand, he saw alike the palatial mansion rise. The howling wilderness has blossomed under his eyes.

It has been with him a labor of love, for over two years, each day deep into the night, to collect the authentic documents, compare and study statements made, so far as to be accurate in relating events and stating dates, which make a history reliable. And as a book which holds the dead letter becomes almost living by the pictures of those it describes, the author has doubled the value of his work by many photogravures which adorn its pages.

Whilst a welcome and valuable addition tot he history of the country, the new book will be a surprise to many who still consider Montana as belonging to the "Wild West." May its pages prove once more that Christianity and civilization to hand in hand and produce the happiest results.

The reading of this volume will give reliable information concerning the growth of our state from an American desert into a flourishing commonwealth, and will show at the same time what a factor Catholicity was in the building up of Montana, admitted to-day to be the richest gold and silver producer in the country, and to contain the biggest mining camp in genealogists.

I hope the volume may be perused with great profit by all who have material progress and spiritual growth. It will be interesting especially to those who study the nature of man, whether in his barbarous or civilized condition.

JOHN B. BRONDEL,
BISHOP OF HELENA

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BISHOP'S HOUSE, HELENA, MONTANA

November 18, 1922

REV. L. B. PALLADINO, S. J.
Missoula, Montana
Dear Father Palladino:

It gives me great pleasure to learn that the long-expected second edition of "Indian and White in the Northwest" is at last about to appear. I congratulate you on preserving for future generation invaluable historical information on the origin and progress of Christianity and civilization in Montana. The people of our State will, I am sure, show their appreciation of your untiring efforts by securing for your book a place on the shelves of every family, school and public library.

Very sincerely yours.

JOHN P. CARROLL,
Bishop of Helena

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Great Falls, Montana, October 9, 1922

DEAR FATHER PALLADINO:

I am pleased to learn that you are publishing a second edition of "Indian and White in the Northwest."

Since it was the illustrious Father P. J. De Smet, S. H., who was the first missionary to bring the consoling doctrines of our holy religion to the aborigines of the Rocky Mountains; and since it was the valiant and learned sons of St. Ignatius, assisted by the equally valiant and pious Sisters of Charity of Providence and Ursuline Nuns, who opened the pioneer missions both for the Indians and whites in Montana, it is only becoming that you, one of the oldest missionaries in Montana, and a member of the Jesuit order, should publish a reliable history of the early missions and parishes, and the marvelous growth of Catholicity in our Treasure State.

Your great work on these most interesting events will be considered authentic church history and will be a valuable acquisition to any library.

I hereby subscribe for fifty copies of your new volume, "Indian and White in the Northwest," and with you every blessing.

Faithfully yours,

MATHIAS C. LENIHAN,
Bishop of Great Falls.

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MONTANA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Helena, Montana
October 17, 1922

REV. L. B. PALLADINO, S. J.,

MISSOULA, MONTANA.

Dear Friend:

I am very glad to learn that a revised edition of your "Indian and White in the Northwest", or a History of Catholicity in Montana, on which you have been engaged for some years is soon to appear and I bespeak for it a warm and appreciative reception, to which it is entitled by the public of Montana and in fact the reading public of all the Western States.

The original edition, published nearly thirty years ago and now out of print, was a valuable contribution of a pioneer and of a scholar in telling the story of the spreading of the word of God among the aboriginal and white inhabitants of this Empire state of the West, of which the writer can truly say, "all of which I saw and much of which I was." And the story of the labors in the Society of Jesus and of the Catholic Church in that vineyard is one which will always be read with absorbing interest.

The persistent desire of the Selish or Flat Head Indians for the white man's Bible during the decade of the '30's, and its gratification by Father De Smet and his missionary labors in the Bitter Root Valley the next year and its subsequent history, and the history of the Church for more than fifty years so graphically portrayed, entitle it to renewed interest which I am sure it will receive.

Please record the State Historical Society and myself personally among the subscribers of your forthcoming volume.

With assurances of renewed friendship, I am,

Very sincerely,