From Mining Camp to Town

Sporadic work in the mines and mills caused hardship for the residents and businesses of Philipsburg and a flux in population, but it did not stop the camp from becoming a town. Previous articles have discussed the huge drop in population in 1870. My theory is that once the James Stuart Mill became the Hope and the Stuart, Dance and Company stores were no longer the major mercantile in the camp, it was no longer a “Company Town.” Granted the BiMetallic Mine and Mill frequently was the only work in town during a number of sparse periods, so was a contributor in keeping the population present, but I think the existence depended greatly on the stability of the ranchers. Businesses knew that they needed to extend credit to the ranchers, but were almost guaranteed, come fall all the credit would come off the books. Flood irrigation was the only option during that period and water rights were sacred and used judiciously. Research does not reveal any season where there were not adequate hay crops in this fertile valley and once the agriculture began moving into planted crops, most seasons were bumper yields. This view is also expressed in the sociological fiction titled “Small Town Stuff”, written by Albert Bluementhal (1932). 

After watching the mining camp survive for 20 more years, politically active citizens of Philipsburg wrote articles of incorporation in October of 1890. Elections were held the first week of November and a positive vote formally declared Philipsburg was now a town. The town’s first mayor was pioneer James McDonel, known to his friends as “Uncle Jim.” Serving with the Mayor were: Messrs. Charles Kroger, (?) Smith, W. T. Allison, Angus McIntyre, Frederick Bowen and C. F. Jacky. Research does not reveal an election so there must have been a town meeting with an election. The Anaconda Standard stated “Philipsburg Board of Aldermen had their first meeting tonight. Mayor McDonel and every member was present and they proceeded to transact business with the precision and depth of veterans.” This meeting is where Town Marshall David Laughrin was appointed and a ballot was taken between J.C. Bateman and Nicholas H. Connolly for appointment as Police Magistrate. Judge Connolly won the vote. Next the Committee on Ways and Means reported that a tax of three mills was to be levied to raise the necessary money to run the town. By April 30, 1891 the Town Ordinances were published in the Philipsburg Mail and by May 12, 1891 an election notice was published and new members nominated by a Citizen’s Convention. The election date was set for May 16th and the election results published were: Mayor- James McDonel; First ward-Charles Kroger and William Weinstein; Second ward- Angus McIntyre and John Rains; Third Ward- Frederick Bowen and Frank J. Wilson. Police magistrate: Nicholas H. Connolly; Town Marshall: David Laughrin; Policeman: John Elkins; Street Commissioner: George W. White; Health officer: Dr. William Ray and Fire Marshall: Frank D. Brown. There were no vote tallies published, only the names and the length of terms. David Laughrin had previously been a policeman in Anaconda and John Elkin served as Constable of Garnet after his service to Philipsburg.

The first Mayoral report published on July 2, 1891 gave thanks to the Council members that had served and for the year of ordinance development. Being new to politics it did not take long for problems to arise. August 13, 1891 Alderman Weinstein presented a petition to the Town Council meeting signed by a number of citizens preferring charges and asking for the removal of Town Marshall David Laughrin. The same meeting David was paid $100 for his monthly salary. The article did not state any reason for the petition. 

The September 10, 1891 P’Burg Mail carried this headline: “The Town Father’s: Full minutes of several meetings-they exonerate the Marshall. They reconsider their actions of a previous meeting and find him not guilty.” The article detailed how during several day and evening meetings the Aldermen had removed David Laughrin from his office of Marshall. The Mayor refused to approve this action as evidence did not justify the verdict. The Aldermen then considered charges against officer Elkins. In executive session they returned a unanimous decision of acquittal, fully exonerating the officer and severely censuring any recommendation of charges founded on such frivolous basis. The original charges: illegal arrest, conspiracy and retaining money of a prisoner (who was intoxicated.) All such matters hereafter were to be handled by the police committee. Marshal Laughrin was exonerated from all charges.

Following is the history of the first Mayor and two of the aldermen. Jim McDonel (1843-1927) was raised on his father’s farm in Wisconsin. In 1864 he left home and worked for a company that crossed the plains by mule teams to Nevada. Jim worked with friends in Nevada about nine months and then set out for Montana, arriving at Virginia City in the spring of 1865. After working in Blackfoot City, Jefferson City, and Carpenter’s Bar, Jim settled near Gold Creek. With two partners he built a $2,000.00 bridge and set up a toll service to cross the stream now known as the Clark’s Fork River. The first five weeks of business netted $1,500 in toll fees. James bought out his partners after five years and continued to operate the toll service for two more years. Next he opened a livery stable in Pioneer and ran that for six years. In 1879 he sold that stable and moved to Philipsburg where he engaged in operating another livery stable for five more years. James then moved to Granite where he platted the town, sold town lots and erected the first business house in Granite. Poor health caused Jim to move back down the hill to Philipsburg where he operated a saloon for six months, then went into real estate and ranching. Jim served four years as constable of Philipsburg before it was incorporated. He also served two terms as Justice of the Peace. 

After serving two terms as the town’s mayor, Jim was elected as a Deer Lodge County Representative to the State’s Legislature. During his term in 1893, Jim presented House Bill No. 110, which created Granite County. He ran for Granite County Commissioner in November 1896 and won, but the election was deemed invalid by the State of Montana. The original 1893 County creation law had designated October 1898 as the first election date. He was then elected in 1898 as County Commissioner and served one term. James died at the age of eighty-four on November 18, 1927 at his niece Clara McDonel’s house. Survivors were: Nieces Clara (Philipsburg)and Mrs. John (Mary) Cole (Anaconda) and Nephew Robert McDonel (Philipsburg). He is buried in the Philipsburg Cemetery. 

William Weinstein came to the United States from Poland in 1855. He lived in Leavenworth, Kansas then migrated west until arriving in Montana in 1865. His first business venture was a small store at Cable. He moved this store to Philipsburg in 1867 and it became one of the largest in the state located at 210 E. Broadway. He is credited with opening one of the first general merchandise stores in Granite in 1885. He also ran a small store in Corvallis with a partner named Block for a short time. When the Algonquin Mine shut down in 1882, William secured a judgment for about $8,000. He was Vice-President of the Merchant and Miner’s Bank at that same time. As stated previously, William was elected Alderman of Philipsburg in 1891. 

Sadly on July 2, 1893 William was injured when his horse and buckboard were involved in a run-a-way. William had invited John Foley to ride with him down the hill from Granite. John tied his saddle horse behind the wagon and the two started down the hill. Just below the BiMetallic the horse started to run away. William got him under control, then shortly after the horse broke out in full speed. Foley jumped from the wagon and his saddle horse broke free. William was carried with the run-a-way horse and wagon down near the Roadhouse where there was a rut in the road. When the wagon hit the rut William was thrown in such a manner that his head was either struck by the horses hoof or the wheel. He was picked up and taken into the Roadhouse and examined by Dr. Heine. Deeming the scalp injury not severe enough to be life threatening, although he remained unconscious, he was placed in a wagon to take him home. William died on the trip to the family residence. 

A large contingent of The Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows escorted his body from the family residence after the funeral to the train. He was buried in Helena after the performance of Jewish Rites. 

John Rains was born in Norway and immigrated to the United States in 1849. He lived in California until moving to the Philipsburg area in 1863. He married Harriet a sister of A.H. Porter. Her initials were H.E. which is on the tombstones of their children Minnie and Johnnie. This marriage produced seven children. The only living child (daughter age 6) was with the George Brown family in Anaconda when John died suddenly on February 20 1896 at Golden. She inherited a large estate. 

John was originally in a partnership with Joseph Daddow in a livery and stagecoach business that ran routes between Pioneer and Deer Lodge until he sold out his interest in 1874. John Rains’ name is signed in ads in the New Northwest during 1874 as Director of Montana State Prison, where they were asking for bids on various supplies and services. He was in Philipsburg dealing in Dry Good by 1885 and running a saloon by 1887. May 19, 1887 the ‘Mail announced that John had adopted Carrie Simpson and his wife was in Granite the same day and adopted a young boy. “So that stacking on up that night, Mr. Rains and wife found themselves the happy possessors of two adopted children.” Their son Johnnie died at 5 months of age in January 1884 and daughter Minnie died at the age of 7 months in January 1885, according to their headstones. Harriet currently has no headstone and her obituary has not yet been found. 

In July of 1887 Rains sold his house on Stockton and was building a brick home in the Wilson Addition. Health Officer James Carten made a complaint against John Rains and H.L. Turner for dumping refuse matter in the alley in the rear of John Rains saloon in July of 1887. The jury acquitted Rains and the judge fined Turner $10. O’Mara and Maloney took over Rains saloon in August 1887. John was elected an alternate to the Republican Convention in May 1888. 

Hannah Porter (mother of Mrs. John Rains) died July 5, 1888. James Reynolds sold his saloon to Rains in December of 1889. Frequent ads are in the Philipsburg Mail during 1889 for horses for sale. He was involved with J.B. Risque, James Patten, A.S. Huffman, E.C. Freyschlag, Joseph Hyde and W.W. Adams in the Bell Flower, Viola, Pyrennes and other claims located near Black Pine in November 1889. Archie and Annie (Porter) McPhail moved to the Rain’s ranch south of Philipsburg after their wedding November 1890. 

During hunting season in 1893 the ‘Mail carried ads “No hunting or killing of game on the John Rains Ranch.” Also in 1893 the paper carried frequent references to the John Rains building. In 1894 John patented the Silver Eagle Lode with James McDonel and A.A. McDonald. 

John was the administrator of his father-in-law, George W. Porter’s estate in December 1895. A.A. McDonald bought 10 feet of Rains property so he could build the Opera House Theater “deeper” in 1896. John co-owned the United Quartz lode with Vernon Curtis at the time of his death and was still involved in the Golden Sceptre Company with C. H. Eshbaugh and H. Copely when the estate was being settled. 

Of major interest is the fact, as Alderman, John resigned his chairmanship of the Streets and Alley Committee on August 13, 1891. Then on August 27th this Committee’s Report was brought forth, read and adopted by the City Council. The following report was signed by John Rains, F. J. Wilson and Charles Kroger: “Gentlemen:..matters relating to the placement of a flume through the town of Philipsburg, have carefully examined all subject matters pertinent thereto and would respectfully submit: First—We find that the cost of a flume…would be per foot, 57 cents…the extreme cost for laying this flume should not exceed $1.25 per running foot…I would advise that the flume be laid so as to constitute a sidewalk along the north side of the alley south of Broadway, from the east to the west end of town, commencing…where it joins the Hope Mill site and ending in any suitable place in Pardee & McDonald’s addition on Camp Creek…From a sanitary point of view it is absolutely necessary. Its present condition is not only a menace to the health of our people, but an eyesore and disgrace to our town. A brick sewer costing $4 per foot can also be built.” A synopsis of the continued report concerning the nuisances reported by the Chairman of the Board of Health stated “the privy in the rear of the Capital saloon (Hyde was owner) while in a filthy condition is so arranged as to be almost incapable of being removed.” The rear of the Hynes Hotel mess was not the tenant’s fault. The ground was so saturated with the drippings of manure that the smell would stay even if more soil was removed. "Assess Mrs. Hynes the bill for the Street Crew soil removal and applying lime". The Committee did not recommend a title system sewer in the Camp Creek flume. So goes the business of moving from Mining Camp to an incorporated town many years later. 

Looking at the beautiful little creek bubbling its way in front of the Pioneer apartments one would never believe it was once used as the city sewer.