"By 1863, there was a rapidly spreading awareness of rich discoveries of gold in what would become a part of the Montana Territory. Montana became a collision point of people with different political beliefs, different social and cultural customs, and different languages, but all with a common dream. By presenting a balanced and accurate profile of the lives of some famous, some infamous, and some barely known men and women, the author seeks to preserve the stories of how an eclectic cross-section of men and women pursued their dream of a better life in early Montana. Each of the lives of these men and women are significant in term of what they did-for better or for worse-to shape and define the structure and character of Montana.While not each of the twelve individuals from early Montana history included in this book is necessarily worthy of emulation, they do represent examples of the generation that would create the trails which have become the highways we travel. They built Montana's first schools, churches, farms, ranches, mines and businesses. They would establish law and civil order, and lay the foundations of our state government. Every day, their lives touch those of us who call Montana home. We stand upon their shoulders"--