Photo courtesy of Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library, Dickinson State University Teddy Roosevelt branded up to 6,000 cows with one of his three brands a triangle, an elkhorn or the Maltese cross. Suggested Route: Head east out of Glendive on Interstate 94 for 28 miles, take exit 241 to Wibaux. We’d also recommend at stop at Beaver Creek Brewery in Wibaux where they have the “Roosevelt” pizza on menu. We guarantee this is a novel conversation-starter. Tip: Stop into one of those establishments in Miles City or Wibaux and try ordering a “Hasten Quickly” to see if your bartender knows what you’re talking about. One day while talking to a fellow cowboy when he told the man to “hasten quickly there, now!” The cowboy, amused by the comment, began spreading the story around to the point where cowboys started ordering a Hasten Quickly, or a stiff drink, at bars across the region. During Roosevelt’s time living at his North Dakota ranch, he couldn’t completely escape the “walk and talk” of the East Coast. It certainly wasn’t the only time he was the talk of the Southeast Montana territory though. The story about his nickname, “Four Eyes” and his fighting reputation spread across cowboy country. When he went down he struck the corner of the bar with his head and was senseless. In response to his reiterated command that I should set up the drinks, I rose, and struck him quick and hard with my right just to one side of the point of his jaw, hitting with my left as I straightened out, and again with my right. He followed me, and though I tried to pass it off as a jest this merely made him more offensive. As soon as he saw me, he hailed me as “Four Eyes,” in reference to my spectacles, and said, “Four Eyes is going to treat.” I joined in the laugh and got behind the stove and sat down. Recounting this story in his autobiography Roosevelt wrote:Ī shabby individual in a broad hat with a cocked gun in each hand was walking up and down the floor talking with strident profanity. Because he was cold, tired and hungry, he went against his better judgement and stepped inside. When he came across Nolan Hotel, he heard gunshots and shouting coming from inside. During this instance, Roosevelt had spent several days riding in the region in search for stray horses.

One of his well-known wild west tales took place in Mingusville, Montana, now named Wibaux. Photo courtesy of Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library, Dickinson State University.

Theodore Roosevelt posing with a gun, wearing a buckskin suit. Though it was obvious in many ways that Roosevelt was a city boy from the East Coast, his determination and stamina impressed even seasoned cowboys. After his wife Alice and mother died on the same day and his third term in the New York State Assembly ended, he found solace in the West where he started his ranch and became a cowboy. From his very first visit to the West, Roosevelt was enamored by the badlands, big game hunts and cowboy lifestyle.

Theodore roosevelt time out west