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Montana History Trivia Quiz

This is a brief quiz on Montana history. Good luck.

A multiple-choice quiz by sinjun. Estimated time: 7 mins.

Author
sinjun

Time
7 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
10,293

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
20

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
9 / 20

Plays
1175

Last 3 plays: Guest 72 (8/20), Guest 174 (9/20), Guest 69 (10/20).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 20

1. Henry Plummer was the 'outlaw' sheriff of which Montana town? Hint

Virginia City

Bannack

Nevada City

Last Chance Gulch

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Question 2 of 20

2. What year was Henry Plummer elected as sheriff? Hint

1863

1886

1889

1884

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Question 3 of 20

3. How many 'outlaws' did the Vigilantes hang in January and February of 1864? Hint

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Question 4 of 20

4. Long John Franck and Erastus Yeager did what? Hint

Robbed a stage coach and were lynched by the Vigilantes

Supplied the Vigilantes with names of other supposed gang members

Actively participated in the lynching of 'outlaws' as members of the Vigilantes

Spoke out against the Vigilantes in editorials to the local newspaper

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Question 5 of 20

5. The death of Nicholas Tbalt is the catalyst that started the Vigilante killing spree. Who is said to have killed him? Hint

Dan McFadden

Wilbur Sanders

George Ives

Joe Pizanthea

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Question 6 of 20

6. In 1865 what town became the territorial capitol of Montana? Hint

Virginia City

Great Falls

Nevada City

Kalispell

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Question 7 of 20

7. Who was the original owner of the Anaconda Mining Co? Hint

Marcus Daly

Alexander Toole

Henry Plummer

Johnathan Swift

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Question 8 of 20

8. What company did Anaconda merge with in 1899 to become the Amalgamated Copper Mining Co.? Hint

Union Pacific Railroad

Standard Shipping

Pullman Associates

Standard Oil Company

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Question 9 of 20

9. 168 men were killed in a Butte mine fire in which year? Hint

1917

1916

1921

1906

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Question 10 of 20

10. Okay, for anyone who's ever even been to Montana, this question should be the easiest one in the quiz. Which ethnic group makes up the majority of Butte's population to this day? Hint

English

French

German

Irish

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Question 11 of 20

11. Who owned the Copper King Mansion? Hint

William Clark

John D Rockefeller

Marcus Daly

Henry Plummer

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Question 12 of 20

12. Who found the first gold at Last Chance Gulch? Hint

The Four Georgians

Shorty Kilkenbah

The Three Alabamans

Joe Mazurak

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Question 13 of 20

13. In what year did Montana achieve statehood? Hint

1869

1863

1889

1882

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Question 14 of 20

14. Name the trading company that first established a post at what was to become Ft. Benton. Hint

American Trading Co.

Bevus and Butthead Inc.

Western Fur Co.

The American Fur Co.

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Question 15 of 20

15. What year was General George Armstrong Custer's last stand? Hint

1875

1877

1874

1876

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Question 16 of 20

16. The first female in congress was from Montana. What was her name? First and Last Hint

Judith Barter

Jeannette Rankin

Margaret Hodgins

Katie O'Kuria

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Question 17 of 20

17. A Jesuit priest opened a mission in what valley in 1841? Hint

The Mission Valley

The Bitterroot Valley

The Jocko Valley

The Missoula Valley

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Question 18 of 20

18. Name one of the two founders of Missoula.

Answer: (Market and Street last name only)

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Question 19 of 20

19. In 1891, what group of Native Americans was moved to the Flathead Indian Reservation in modern Lake County? Hint

Kootenai

Blackfoot

Flathead

Salish

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Question 20 of 20

20. What three numbers can be found on the patch worn by the Montana Highway Patrol? Hint

4-4-44

6-6-66

3-7-77

5-5-55

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 15 2024 : Guest 72: 8/20
Apr 11 2024 : Guest 174: 9/20
Mar 25 2024 : Guest 69: 10/20
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Henry Plummer was the 'outlaw' sheriff of which Montana town?

Answer: Bannack

Recent research suggests that Henry Plummer (originally spelled Plumer) was not an outlaw at all, but an unfortunate victim of over zealous Vigilantes. It is speculated that one reason for fingering Plummer as the 'ringleader' of a now questionable gang of outlaws is that Plummer spoke out against the Vigilantes and in favor of trials and due process.

2. What year was Henry Plummer elected as sheriff?

Answer: 1863

He was elected in 1863 and hanged in 1864. He was ill at the time of his death, however, and would have eventually died from T.B. if he hadn't been lynched.

3. How many 'outlaws' did the Vigilantes hang in January and February of 1864?

Answer: 22

Some of the 'outlaws' who were hanged were guilty simply of speaking out against the Vigilantes. This was enough to prove the suspect guilty of being involved in criminal activity.

4. Long John Franck and Erastus Yeager did what?

Answer: Supplied the Vigilantes with names of other supposed gang members

Long John Franck and Erastus Yeager revealed the names of other supposed gang members. The method of encouragement used by the Vigilantes was to tie a noose about their necks and string it tight enough to scare them into naming names.

5. The death of Nicholas Tbalt is the catalyst that started the Vigilante killing spree. Who is said to have killed him?

Answer: George Ives

Joe Pizanthea was the only Mexican in the town and was probably singled out simply for that reason. He was lynched by the Vigilantes.

6. In 1865 what town became the territorial capitol of Montana?

Answer: Virginia City

7. Who was the original owner of the Anaconda Mining Co?

Answer: Marcus Daly

8. What company did Anaconda merge with in 1899 to become the Amalgamated Copper Mining Co.?

Answer: Standard Oil Company

By 1910, it changed its name to Anaconda Copper Mining Co. This company was such a powerful force in Montana politics and life that until the 1950's, it owned EVERY newspaper in the state.

9. 168 men were killed in a Butte mine fire in which year?

Answer: 1917

This is still considered to be the worst mining accident in American history.

10. Okay, for anyone who's ever even been to Montana, this question should be the easiest one in the quiz. Which ethnic group makes up the majority of Butte's population to this day?

Answer: Irish

St. Patty's day in Butte is widely considered to be the best party every year in the state.

11. Who owned the Copper King Mansion?

Answer: William Clark

A self-made millionaire, the mansion cost a whopping quarter million to build in the 1880's.

12. Who found the first gold at Last Chance Gulch?

Answer: The Four Georgians

13. In what year did Montana achieve statehood?

Answer: 1889

Helena was in a race with Anaconda to become the state capital.

14. Name the trading company that first established a post at what was to become Ft. Benton.

Answer: The American Fur Co.

It was first named Ft. Lewis, but the name was later changed in honor of a senator from Missouri.

15. What year was General George Armstrong Custer's last stand?

Answer: 1876

16. The first female in congress was from Montana. What was her name? First and Last

Answer: Jeannette Rankin

Jeannette Rankin was the only elected official to vote against the U.S. participation in both World War I and World War II. She was a peace advocate and marched in an anti-war march against Vietnam just days before her death.

17. A Jesuit priest opened a mission in what valley in 1841?

Answer: The Bitterroot Valley

The mission was developed near present day Stevensville.

18. Name one of the two founders of Missoula.

Answer: Higgins

Missoula was first settle by Higgins and Worden in 1860 and the first mayor, Frank Woody was elected on April 19, 1883. Today you can get a great sandwich at Worden's Market on Higgins Ave.

19. In 1891, what group of Native Americans was moved to the Flathead Indian Reservation in modern Lake County?

Answer: Salish

The priests from St. Mary's Mission in the Bitteroot elected to travel with them and eventually established the St. Ignatius Mission. The church there has beautifully painted ceilings, painted by a priest.

20. What three numbers can be found on the patch worn by the Montana Highway Patrol?

Answer: 3-7-77

This is a tribute to the Vigilantes. There are several stories. One is that these represent the dimensions used by the Vigilantes to bury the men they lynched.

Source: Author sinjun

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ozzz2002 before going online.
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