One Nation, Under God

Phillips County Museum News for Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Did you know the man with the monkey? Growing up, my family always spoke about “the trained monkey behind the hotel,” with enough various stories that led my child mind to believe it might be true. It turns out that the man and the monkey were real, and he had other trained animals.

Ed Young arrived in Phillips County from Wales, North Dakota, in 1915 and homesteaded north of Wagner, where he farmed until 1933. He went to work for the AAA and Milk River Resettlement Administration until that project was completed, at which point he operated the Park Station for Westland Oil Company and rented the Montana Hotel in Malta. The museum has pictures that show he had trained animals at this time. In 1946, he bought the hotel in Dodson, where he served as mayor for two terms. He then returned to Malta, where he owned and operated the Montana Hotel until his death in 1971.

Did you know Ed and his animals? We have yet to find the story of how Ed became an animal trainer. If you know, or have other stories to share, please visit our Facebook page, share your stories, and see photographic proof of the real monkey behind the Montana Hotel.

 

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