Finally, I was able to compose a real Conference Paper using all the strategies I’ve learned

The African American experience has been solidified as a major area of study. The development of ex-slaves to debatably full-fledged American citizens today has had its rich history explored thoroughly. However, this expansive collection of information is unfortunately limited to America’s borders and major cities. The history behind the handful of prominent black settlements located in the midwest is for many historians considered uncharted territory. I believe that this is due not from the lack of information, but from the lack of dedication and drive of historians to delve deep into various sources. Through analyzing not well established documents, a narrative of the historical background behind black settlements such as in Montana can be derived. To accomplish this, I will break down Fifty Years in the Gospel Ministry from 1864 to 1914. Twenty-seven Years in the Pastorate; Sixteen Years’ Active Service as Chaplain in the U. S. Army; Seven Years Professor in Wilberforce University; Two Trips to Europe; A Trip in Mexico:.From this research, I can prove that by researching less popular texts, I can synthesize a  major compartment of midwest African American settlement history narrative. The lack of research in this area of African American history is indisputably criminal to the many precedent our first African American settlers have set in taking the initiative post-slavery to start life anew in foreign lands. My research aims to bring justice for their efforts.

This document, although admittedly does not pertain entirely to affairs in the western part of the U.S, is still a powerful document as it was composed by a man who has had high governmental status, had achieved doctorate level education, and has achieved these feats as a black man before the turn of the 20th century. This will naturally provide a powerful perspective and relatively reliable account. T.G Steward actually was an established author. This all supports the point that T.G Steward’s autobiography should have little to no bias. His experience as an author and his high level of education. On page 278, Steward recalls his experience at his post duty in Fort Missoula. In his own words he states “it is remarkable that while many of the settlers through this region were men who had served in the Confederate Army or their relatives and children, or as some described them, “The left wing of Price’s army who had escaped the surrender,” they were very cordial to me. I have eaten in their homes and at their general tables in basket meetings in the woods. Many of them seemed devoutly pious.”(Steward, 278) Although this does not directly reveal the status of the African American experience within Montana, it does aid to shed a light into the area in which Black Montanians lived or the people they were close proximity in. The sheer fact that these so-called confederates allowed an African American governmental official into their home and allowed him to sit at their table speaks volumes of the type of environment Montana maintained. This should also be surprising under the lens of analyzing the time period. This account was recorded in 1894, the time of the rise of Jim/Jane crow. In an America that is beginning to define communities separated by ethnic groups due to the push and pull of racial divisions socially and politically, there is a place located in the northeastern Rockies that is relatively more open than a huge chunk of the United States.

Although the majority of the community may be lax in terms of segregation, it still managed to at least make its way through to the separation of race in major institutions such as a hotel. T.G Steward recalls a situation where he was actually denied access to a hotel due to the color of his skin despite all of his credentials. He describes this situation through the words of his friend Chaplain I. Newton Ritner, of Fort Keogh “‘He says: ‘Upon reaching the desk, I said to the gentleman in charge ‘Will it be necessary to register the name of my friend, Chaplain Steward, before we go to the dining room? He will have dinner with me.’ He replied that he (the chaplain) could not be admitted to the dining room, as it is contrary to the rules of the hotel to admit a colored man there. I said to him: ‘I’m astonished beyond measure that such a state of affairs exists here.’ He replied: ‘I’m sorry; but if a colored man is allowed in the dining rooms our patrons would all leave us.’ I told him that I did not care to discuss the rules of the house, but that my friend who is a clergyman and an army officer should not be allowed to accompany me to the table was a new experience to me(Steward 283)” This already contradicts the hospitality shown to Steward previously. This was obviously not at the fault of Steward’s account, but in the difference between racism of institutions and the local people. This is something to take away from the narrative of African Americans in Montana. It shows how although the community is more lax, there are still obvious examples of Jim Crow-like segregation laws within the state. Another thing to account for is the “patrons” of this hotel. This can imply that this hotel was meant to segregate African Americans or the hotel itself may segregate African Americans for Whites as hotels may have been a luxury that they did not have access to, therefore they were segregated economically rather than politically(Jim Crow Laws).