Treasure State Tycoon recounts the remarkable life of Nelson Story, a complex and colorful figure whose influence on Montana s development was profound. After striking it rich in the gold fields of Alder Gulch, Story drove the first herd of cattle from Texas to the territory that would become the Treasure State and went on to build a diverse commercial empire, the success of which relied both on his determination and ingenuity as well as his penchant for fraud and deceit.

Story had a well-earned reputation for ruthlessness in both personal and professional conduct, but he was also a generous philanthropist, supporting local churches, schools, and other civic improvements. He tirelessly promoted the upstart community of Bozeman, playing a central role in the establishment of the Montana College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts -- today's Montana State University. Like other political and business leaders of his time, Nelson Story left behind a legacy rife with paradox. Few others can rival Story's significance to Montana's territorial history. His actions shaped life in Montana and continue to resonate in the contested mythology of the American West.