July 29 – On this day in Montana history in 1865 The Montana Post reported that “ships of the desert” had found their way to Montana. A train of camels drew “a large crowd of idlers and spectators attracted by the novel spectacle.” The camels were not circus animals, but were being used to carry freight and supplies to remote mining areas. A company out of San Francisco was experimenting with camels as a better alternative to oxen and mules.