Montana Plaindealer
Edited by African American Helena resident Joseph B. Bass, The Montana Plaindealer was published from March 16, 1906, through September 5, 1911. The newspaper was primarily distributed to the black community of Helena, and its content is reflective of the interests of that community. The newspaper comments on political issues of concern, reports on the activities of members of the community, supports and black-owned businesses (and provides an advertising forum) in the Helena area, and provides news of general interest to black westerners.
I’ve been reading through the entire run of the Plaindealer, in part because it is interesting reading in and of itself, but primarily because I am continuing to look for information about the Gordons. Robert in particular regularly visited Helena and was member of one of the city’s black fraternal lodges. Aside from my interest in the Gordons, the Plaindealer is well worth looking at for the slice of life view it provides of the interests and concerns of early-twentieth-century black westerners living in Helena.
The Plaindealer was particularly active in opposing anti-black legislation introduced in the Montana legislature, including a proposed ban that would make it illegal for African American men to wear insignia indicating their membership in a fraternal lodge. This notice appeared in the February 1, 1907, edition of the newspaper.
