Fergus County MT Archives Obituaries.....Brooks, Henry P. February 1909
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Teresa Taramasso califiadesigns@yahoo.com April 25, 2008, 1:56 pm

The Anaconda Standard -- February 26, 1909
FIRST SETTLER IN JUDITH -- Henry P. Brooks, known as "Governor of the 
Badlands", died at Lewistown hospital

Lewistown, Feb. 25. -- "Gov." Henry P. Brooks, said to be the most widely known 
pioneer in the state, died at St. Joseph's hospital there last night. He was 
one of the founders of the hospital and had made it his home since it was 
opened last year. He was 73 years of age, and aside from his brother and 
business partner, John Brooks, left but one relative in the state, Mrs. McCann 
of Chinook, who has been sent for. Mr. Brooks arrived in Deer Lodge county from 
Minnesota in 1865 and soon went to Last Chance, where he and his brother 
operated a placer property. Some years later he went to Fort Benton and was 
engaged in the Indian trade.

He came to this section in 1879 and located the noted Horseshoe Bar ranch for 
Senator Power and his associates, making the first location and bringing in the 
first herd of cattle in the Judith basin. He was the first white settler in the 
bad lands and had a wonderful influence, finally receiving the courtesy title 
of "governor," by which he was universally known. Later, but still in the very 
early days, he engaged in the sheep business on Salt creek with his brother and 
David Hliger.

Brooks Bros. sold their ranches and stock two years ago to a group of Butte and 
Dillon men, who formed the North Moccasin Livestock company. The "governor" was 
one of the largest owners of business property in this city. Brooks Bros.' 
block, completed last month and now occupied by the postoffice, being the 
firm's last improvement.

It is understood that he left a bequest of $5,000 for St. Joseph's hospital, 
but nothing else regarding the disposition of his fortune has been made public. 
The funeral will probably he held at the Catholic church tomorrow.

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