Billings officials were growing tired of being treated as Montana’s dumping ground for the poor, sick, and unwanted.
In March 1901, the complaint was aimed especially at other cities in the state, including Red Lodge and Livingston. According to the report, people in need were being given railroad fare and sent to Billings, leaving local authorities to deal with them once they arrived.
One man arrested for drunkenness claimed Livingston officials had given him ten dollars and put him on the road to Billings. The charge was especially bitter because Livingston had reportedly sent a smallpox patient there the year before, simply because Billings had taken the precaution of building a pesthouse.
A Dumping Place
BILLINGS, Montana. — Billings seems to be a dumping place for the poor and sick of other cities of the state.
Particularly is this true as applied to Carbon and Park County cities. Red Lodge evidently makes a practice of shipping its paupers to this city, as the authorities on several occasions have been called upon to take in charge people who claim their railroad fares have been paid to Billings.
Only the other day there was arrested an old gentleman for drunkenness. When taken into police court the next day he stated that the authorities of Livingston had given him $10 and sent him to Billings. This statement is verified by a report of the commissioners’ proceedings of Park County.
Livingston a year ago also sent a smallpox patient to Billings, just because this city and county had taken the precaution to have a pesthouse erected.
Source: The Billings Gazette. Billings, Mont. March 12, 1901.
