Bozeman historian and past director of the Gallatin Historical Society, John C. Russell, read from his book, TREASURE STATE TYCOON: NELSON STORY AND THE MAKING OF MONTANA, published by the Montana Historical Society Press, at the Country Bookshelf on Dec. 10, 2019.

Treasure State Tycoon recounts the remarkable life of Nelson G. Story, a colorful and contradictory figure whose influence on Montana’s development was profound and rivaled by few others in its history. Story’s reputation for ruthlessness in both personal and professional conduct was well earned, but he was also a generous philanthropist, supporting local churches, schools, and other civic improvements.