What is today, Montana was, at the beginning of the 19th Century occupied
by many Indian tribes, including: the Assiniboin, the Atsina, the Blackfoot,
the Flathead, the Cheyenne, the Crow, the Kalispel ,
the Kutenai, the Pend d'Oreille etc.

The first white explorers to have set foot in the area were the members
of the Lewis and Clark Expedition ( 1804 - 06 ). Fur trappers / traders followed,
setting up forts to do business with the Indians. Then came the missionaries.
Serious development began in 1862, with the discovery of gold at
Grasshopper Creek ( which became the site of the first capital in 1864,
followed by Virginia City in Alder Gulch ).

Montana became a state on November. 8, 1889, with Helena as the capital.

Here is an example of a counter check written on the banking house of
L.H. Hershfield & Brother all dated in Helena in the pre - state hood
era ( mostly 1880 - 1881 ). These were printed ( in blue ink ) by Corlies,
Macy & Company Stationers, 39 Nassau Street, New York
City All in very nice condition with a punch hole and paid stamp on each..