The mining camp named Quigley was built almost overnight and was established more on rumor than fact. Although stories abound that the ore was really “salted”, the only documented reference to this is in the book “Up the Creek” by Darlene Olsen. She states the most popular story was Levi Johnson and George Babcock loaded shotgun shells with gold from other mines and shot this into the walls of the Golden Sceptre tunnel. Then Johnson gave Babcock $1,200 to go east and find investors. These investors sent independent assayers to Quigley. The assessors obtained samples and were then wined and dined by George Babcock. While the festivities were going on George switched the ore samples. But one assayer, weary of the partying took his ore sample and went back east with the original ore.
Newspapers were set up in a matter of days: The Rock Creek Record was operated by L. Molinelli and Robert G. Bailey out of Bonita, Montana; The Quigley Times was managed by T.C. Congdon and according to the Philipsburg Mail on May 14, 1896 the operation would be run out of a tent while the office building was being erected.
In that same issue of the Mail were the following articles: The road between Quigley and Bonita was lined with freighting teams. In one sighting there were eight six horse teams, six four horse teams and as many single teams all loaded with freight.. The 100 stamp mill was being built and they had a line of tunnels into the mountain –one above the other- showing ore for about 3,000 feet. The sawmill was running two shifts and found it almost impossible to keep up with the lumber needed for building. Grading for the roadbed to establish an electric railroad from the mill to the mine had started and the flume needed above the mill was to be built within a few days. Tom Walsh was building a meat market 18x40 feet for Charles Bonner and the slaughter house has already been completed so the killing of animals had begun.
The first Rock Creek Record was published on Saturday May 16, 1896. They were the official paper of the A.F. of L. The office of the Record was located in the James building adjoining the Quigley stables and carried a number of newsy quotes plus at least one poem in it’s first issue.
Contentment
Purty far away from town
an’ the ‘lectric lights;
Solemn, when the sun goes down,
an peepers chirp o’ nights;
Missin’ lots o’ things they say-
City folks so slick-
‘Druther stay an live my way,
At Quigley, by the crick.
‘Mericky is talking fight;
Europe says the same.
Folks is settin’ up at night
Guessing on the game.
Them as holds excitement dear;
Finds it growin’ thick;
Atmosphere jes’ suits me here,
At Quigley, by the crick.
ther quips included: “This is a Union Camp and will continue to be so”; “This paper has no politics save the advocacy of free silver and its policy will be the legitimate advancement of the town.”
Wages were as follows: laborers received $3.00 a day; carpenters $4.50; stone masons and bricklayers $5.00 to $5.50; teamsters and team $6.00 to $6.50; four horse teams $10.00; freight rates from Golden Sceptre to Quigley (nine miles) were 40 cents per 100 pounds; stage fare was $1.50 one way and $2.50 roundtrip; board and room averaged about $7.50 a week; workers could labor a day, week or month and work was allowed on Sunday if the laborer desired.
The Post Office was located in Brabazon & Co. store and Addison M. Sterling was to be Quigley’s Nasby. William Lynch was soon to have ice ready for market. There was plans to build a great water system and electric light plant to serve the community. The Records current furnishings were a nail keg and pine stump while they awaited their furnishings of “plush chairs and mahogany tables” by slow freight.
The May 16th Record described the building of the camp: currently a population of 500 people were busy erecting a 100 stamp mill with a cost of $150,000.00; an electric railway which was to cost $40,000.00; a flume at the cost of $30,000.00; and $35,000.00 for the purchase of additional mining property for the Golden Sceptre; all told it was believed that nearly half a million dollars would be expended by the time snow falls.
One of the first births: Edna born to Mr. and Mrs. Harry N. Morgan April 25, 1895. One of the first deaths; her sister Elnora age four May 24, 1896.
By May 16, 1896, Mr. William Quigley of Wilmington, Delaware one of the investors and namesake of the camp was in Quigley and planned on staying during the summer. People were most pleased with his manner and he was pleased with the people. Tom Ward was the head bookkeeper for the company; W. Masters was the general foreman; Frank Smith was the foreman of excavating and railroad work; Cralle, Wilson and Cralle were the civil engineers. A. E. Robinson was the time keeper; James Burlingame was foreman of the flume construction; Tom Dougherty was book and timekeeper at the sawmill; Rom Coulter was foreman of the mine; and Wm. Brabazon was the boarding house landlord and also was the proprietor of W. Brabazon & Company General Merchandise located on Emmons Avenue in Quigley.
The store carried dry goods, groceries, hardware and miner supplies according to the large ad displayed in the June 5, 1896 Record. Manheim and Lewis also had a large ad for their gents furnishing goods. They carried boots, shoes, clothing and underwear and were located at 2nd Street and Emmons Avenue.
Dr. F.C. Carney who had been chosen for the Company Physician was to begin erection of a hospital building and residence on the corner of Higgins and Second Avenue directly behind the Times office.
Other ads in the Records newspaper listed F.E.J. Canney as physician and surgeon (Probably Dr. F.C. Carney). Alfred Ballard traveled from Philipsburg to Quigley and immediately got a job hauling Golden Sceptre freight to Bonita. A dozen men working on the electric road grade had been taken ill and were being attended by Dr. Carney for gastric symptoms caused by the water they were drinking.
The water main had been partially laid on Emmons Avenue and it was reported that pure water would be available to the camp people within the next two weeks at a reasonable rate. Joseph Mansolf had moved his family from Missoula to a residence close to his bakery and restaurant business. L.C. Johnson had let a lease to Frank Lynch for the cutting and scaling of all logs supplying the sawmill.
In the May 28th issue of the Quigley Times was an article stating a new company had been formed in Butte under the name of the Quigley Developing Mining Company. The named incorporators were Miles J. Cavanaugh, Daniel Hanley, L.O. Evans, and T.D. Farrow. The same men filled the offices of President, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and general manager in that order. The capital stock of the Company was $100,000 divided into 100,000 shares with a par value of $1.00 each. The purpose of the company was to assist in developing paying mines that seemed promising and whose owners did not have the capital to do this for themselves. Mr. Farrow was at present in Quigley setting up an office and he would soon offer a prospectus providing the full particulars for the companies proposed transactions.
The Golden Sceptre filed suit against C.H. Eshbaugh, George Brown and H. Copley asking Judge Brantly to condemn their property so The Company could have right of way access for their electric railroad. By July 25th appraisers had been appointed and returned to the court with the following verdict. A.A. McDonald, A.S. Huffman and Mel McGee found for the contestants and against the Company in the sum of $757.90 for the Brewster Claim, The Golden Claim and improvements to the Golden Claim. The Contestants refused the offered sum from the Company and are taking it to court for a $10,000 settlement.
The July 27, 1896 Rock Creek Record announced R.G. Bailey had sold his entire rights, title and interest of The Record to Fred G. Pearson. On July 4th the Record carried a Philipsburg Mail article that stated: " During the past ten days considerable gold has been brought to town from the Rock Creek District for shipment. The Merchant’s and Miner’s Bank shipped over 381 ounces, valued at over $5,700, during the period, which all came from that section [I believe this was from the Basin Gulch, not Quigley]. The gold was distributed amongst the following and is all placer gold: Hamp Allen, George W. Spees, John Landers, J.T. Pardee, W.G. Harper, John White, Sim Shively, and John B. Miller. A couple of the nuggets were as big as a man’s thumb."
A petition was being circulated for a good road between Philipsburg and Quigley, down the Rock Creek route. The petitioners felt that the County Seat should be connected to the Golden Sceptre to open up the area to other investment interests, as currently all the business was being routed to Missoula instead of staying in Granite county.
On August 21, 1896 the Quigley Times announced that:
“M.C. McFayden has secured the Racket Building from Dan Cavanaugh which he will at once furnish in a suitable manner for conducting a private primary school.
The general merchandise firm of Cleaver & Cormier has been dissolved and Mr. Cleaver is now sole proprietor of that business.
The case of Game Warden J. S. Booth against Starbard and Green charging them with allowing sawdust to flow into Rock Creek is set for trial in the Justice Court on August 26th.
Mrs. F. Cyr has arrived at Quigley from Missoula, to make her home with Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Cyr. Mrs. Cyr is a practical dressmaker and she will engage in that profession here.
J. A. Melvill, who was arrested Wednesday evening on suspicion of having caused the breaking of Delema Melvill’s arm, was acquitted at the trial last night on the testimony of the woman, who swore that the fracture was accidental.”
The Quigley Times article on September 25, stated “Bookkeeper Thomas F. Ward and his assistants of the Golden Sceptre companies office have been busily engaged since Wednesday night in making the monthly payments of the company, which was delayed this month from the 15th to the 23rd, on account of delay at the home office in sending the money. The payment this month was made in currency instead of checks and as a consequence the town is now livelier than it usually is on payday.
During the 7 days the company was awaiting the arrival of the funds considerable rumor was afloat and of the character which usually prevails when the financial condition of a concern like the Golden Sceptre seems doubtful, but all friends of this worthy company are now gratified in being able to say that all is well with them and that all the wild reports concerning the condition of the company was founded on imagination.
The political candidates from Granite county all visited Quigley in October, The candidates were: Dr. J.M. Sligh running for state senator, J.K. Pardee a former state legislator now running for county treasurer, D. H. Dunshee of Combination and D.W. Hennessey of Flint running for county commissioners and Thomas Glina of Combination running for the state legislature.
The Record announced the election results on November 14 as follows: J.K. Pardee as treasurer, Findlay J. McDonald as sheriff, Thomas Glina and Israel Clem as legislators, D. H. Dunshee, James McDonel and D.W. Hennessey as county commissioners.
The November 14, 1896 Mail stated that a request was made for W.S. Quigley to be appointed as receiver of the Golden Sceptre. Papers attached the Golden Sceptre for $21,000 by Brabazon and Sterling. Quigley filed a bond in Philipsburg and Sheriff Johnson turned the property over to him. By December 31, Quigley had left for New York City to transact business and find capital to continue running the mine.
January 8, 1897 the Philipsburg Mail carried the following notice: “All persons having claims against the Golden Sceptre Mining Company of Wilmington, Delaware must present the same, duly attested, before the expiration of sixty days, at the Company’s office, Quigley, Montana. signed W.S. Quigley, Receiver.” .
On March 13, 1897 the Rock Creek Record carried an article describing the dwindling population and the fact that W. S. Quigley was resigning as receiver. Although locals expressed support for Mr. Quigley they knew his staying or resigning was not going to help the state of unpaid claims. Attorney Dixon from Missoula announced that The Company was sending representatives from back east to pay the laborer’s claims in full. “Of course this payment may not necessarily indicate that other claims will at once be paid. But with these out of the way, it will enable the Company to arrange with other creditors in a manner acceptable to all concerned, which will in turn naturally permit it to proceed with the work of completing the mill and railway—all it desires to do—as owners feel that once the works are started, enough gold can be produced to pay every claim against the concern within 90 days from the date that it started.”
Joseph M. Dixon was representing the majority of laborers and said that the President of the Company, a Mr. Emmons, and one or more of the principal stockholders were to be in Missoula the first of next week to meet Dixon and by Thursday would be in Quigley “and it is assumed to vsquare up then.” The article continued on in a positive manner believing that the representatives arriving had full power to start the operations back up while they were present.
On August 21, 1896 The Quigley Times announced that: “M.C. McFayden has secured the Racket Building from Dan Cavanaugh which he will at once furnish in a suitable manner for conducting a private primary school. The general merchandise firm of Cleaver & Cormier has been dissolved and Mr. Cleaver is now sole proprietor of that business. The case of Game Warden J. S. Booth against Starbard and Green charging them with allowing sawdust to flow into Rock Creek is set for trial in the Justice Court on August 26th. Mrs. F. Cyr has arrived at Quigley from Missoula, to make her home with Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Cyr. Mrs. Cyr is a practical dressmaker and she will engage in that profession here. J. A. Melvill, who was arrested Wednesday evening on suspicion of having caused the breaking of Delema Melvill’s arm, was acquitted at the trial last night on the testimony of the woman, who swore that the fracture was accidental.”
The Quigley Times article on September 25, stated “Bookkeeper Thomas F. Ward and his assistants of the Golden Sceptre companies office have been busily engaged since Wednesday night in making the monthly payments of the company, which was delayed this month from the 15th to the 23rd, on account of delay at the home office in sending the money. The payment this month was made in currency instead of checks and as a consequence the town is now livelier than it usually is on payday. During the 7 days the company was awaiting the arrival of the funds considerable rumor was afloat and of the character which usually prevails when the financial condition of a concern like the Golden Sceptre seems doubtful, but all friends of this worthy company are now gratified in being able to say that all is well with them and that all the wild reports concerning the condition of the company was founded on imagination.
The political candidates from Granite county all visited Quigley in October, The candidates were: Dr. J.M. Sligh running for state senator, J.K. Pardee a former state legislator now running for county treasurer, D. H. Dunshee of Combination and D.W. Hennessey of Flint running for county commissioners and Thomas Glina of Combination running for the state legislature. The Record announced the election results on November 14 as follows: J.K. Pardee as treasurer, Findlay J. McDonald as sheriff, Thomas Glina and Israel Clem as legislators, D. H. Dunshee, James McDonel and D.W. Hennessey as county commissioners.
The November 14, 1896 Mail stated that a request was made for W.S. Quigley to be appointed as receiver of the Golden Sceptre. Papers attached the Golden Sceptre for $21,000 by Brabazon and Sterling. Quigley filed a bond in Philipsburg and Sheriff Johnson turned the property over to him. By December 31, Quigley had left for New York City to transact business and find capital to continue running the mine. January 8, 1897 the Philipsburg Mail carried the following notice: “All persons having claims against the Golden Sceptre Mining Company of Wilmington, Delaware must present the same, duly attested, before the expiration of sixty days, at the Company’s office, Quigley, Montana. signed W.S. Quigley, Receiver.” .
On March 13, 1897 the Rock Creek Record carried an article describing the dwindling population and the fact that W. S. Quigley was resigning as receiver. Although locals expressed support for Mr. Quigley they knew his staying or resigning was not going to help the state of unpaid claims. Attorney Dixon from Missoula announced that The Company was sending representatives from back east to pay the laborer’s claims in full. “Of course this payment may not necessarily indicate that other claims will at once be paid. But with these out of the way, it will enable the Company to arrange with other creditors in a manner acceptable to all concerned, which will in turn naturally permit it to proceed with the work of completing the mill and railway—all it desires to do—as owners feel that once the works are started, enough gold can be produced to pay every claim against the concern within 90 days from the date that it started.” Joseph M. Dixon was representing the majority of laborers and said that the President of the Company, a Mr. Emmons, and one or more of the principal stockholders were to be in Missoula the first of next week to meet Dixon and by Thursday would be in Quigley “and it is assumed to square up then.”
The article continued on in a positive manner believing that the representatives arriving had full power to start the operations back up while they were present.
As the population of Quigley anxiously awaited payment of wages and outstanding bills, the March 20, 1897 Rock Creek Record announced that Mr. Edmonds had arrived from Philadelphia and met with Attorney Dixon. It was immediately apparent no money would be paid at that time for any liens. The parties outside of the present Company were investigating all claims. This did not set well with the laborer’s but Dixon advised them to be patient as even if the Company liquidated all assets it would be at least 90 days to 6 months before payment and there was a chance the stockholders would be able to advance money for the claims before that. Emmons announced that he had invested his entire fortune in the scheme, plus many of his friends.
Also that Mr. Quigley was financially broke and would never return to Montana. The headlines in the April 24th Rock Creek Record were Golden Sceptre pays percentage on the liens: nothing more. Larger creditors must wait until September next, at least. The article explained that Mr. Colburn paid 75% of the laborer’s claims. The other 25% would be settled in the fall, if the Golden Sceptre could be sold for $350,000. Mr. Colburn was planning on returning east and trying to organize a new company so that his large investment could be saved. He claimed his investment was $250,000 and had completely broke Mr. Mullan, Quigley, Emmons and a half dozen others. Mr. Quigley was now only an ordinary employee in the immense business he had established in Delaware forty years prior, and had lost all his ambition in life.
Those still living at Quigley realized there would not be any work the summer of 1897 unless a new investor could be found. That was the golden straw that kept some hanging on. None of the big creditors such as Brabazon, Campbell and the contractor Johnson would be seeing any of their claims paid until the Company was sold.
The last issue of the Rock Creek Record available in the Montana Historical Society is Saturday May 1, 1897. The Philipsburg Mail carried an article headlined “Quigley may revive” on July 23, 1897. L.C. Johnson (no longer sheriff) and Harry Campbell currently in charge of the Golden Sceptre property were seen in Missoula meeting with J.A. McDonald a former president of the Seattle and Lake Shore railway. He was currently representing a number of eastern capitalists and had spent several days in Quigley. The article went on suggesting that he was involved in some type of investment and that he had recently returned from Scotland where he could raise $3,000,000 within a few days to purchase the Golden Sceptre. Men finding out about his visit to Missoula were traveling there to ascertain what may be about to happen. Obviously, L.C. Johnson was still involved in the venture.
The Court section of the Philipsburg Mail September 24, 1897 carried a settlement for Arthur Colburn vs Golden Sceptre Gold Mining Company in favor of Thomas Ward to be paid the fixed rate of $200.00 per month for a period of 114 days, plus the sum of $54.50 for money expended by him and that Donald Welsh be paid $90 per month for 114 days.
A full column article was excerpted from the Engineering and Mining Journal and printed in the Mail October 29, 1897. The sale of Golden Sceptre was to be made under foreclosure on November 6th at Philipsburg. The judgment for the entire property was $430,000. This included machinery, money advanced, materials and supplies, wages and everything else. Fraser and Chalmers had judgments between $40,000 and $50,000; Arthur D. Colburn had a claim for $220,000. The plan was to reorganize the company and pay a percentage of the claims and give the claimants the remainder in stock or bonds of the new company. Seems the dream of making fortunes was still in full force. The article ended with the statement that if plans were carried out the operation would be in full force by the opening of the next mining season.
The population of Quigley which at its peak, according to various articles, ranged from 500 to 2.000 people was down to 54 people in 1900 and only 19 in 1910 (Mail, May 5, 1911). They still had a school district in 1919 which was paid $256 for the school year of 1919 (Mail, December 26, 1919). This gold rush did produce one good mine, “The Goldconda”. The Golden Sceptre Mining Company in 1896 sunk a shaft to the 100 foot level without any paying ore discovered. In July of 1897 the Alps Mining Company took over the property with J.W. Opp as supervisor
George H. Babcock, spoken of in the beginning article about Quigley was first discussed in The Philipsburg Mail in April 1894 making deals with New York investors for placer ground on Upper Gold Creek. By May 23, 1895 “The well known mining man of this district” had made a $30,000 deal in the Harvey Creek District to a syndicate of New York capitalists. He received a check for $3,000 to be given to Hammond and Gwin as first payment on the property and the syndicate signed papers for full possession of the property.
Research has failed to give a lifetime picture of George. When he arrived in Granite County is not apparent nor exactly when he left. It is known that he was married to Tom F. Hynes’ sister and had two sons: George E. and Fred A. A marriage announcement or death notice has not been found in the decade or more that I have been researching him.
The following is what research has revealed: By June of 1895 George and associates were planning on building a large boarding house at Quigley that was to be completed in two to three weeks. John Campbell was going to run the business. According to the Mail July 25, 1895, George had bought the Peterson ranch on lower Rock Creek. The family had been camped with the Ed Moore family on Rock Creek all summer. Next on September 12, 1895, was found were George had bonded four claims from W.T. Hull and James Calhoun for $45,000. $200 to be paid now and $2,800 in October then $42,000 by July 1896. These claims were the Mountain Ram, Ethel, Alvina and an unreadable name, all located 14 miles from Philipsburg on the south fork of Antelope Creek. Ore was running $4 to $124 in gold and averaged about $20 to $30 a ton. The news article also stated “The prior month, capitalists, Mr. Babcock represented had come from the east to inspect the Golden Sceptre.”
By October 24, 1895 George had been named Superintendent of the Golden Sceptre. The March 5, 1896 Mail stated he was building a two and one-half story high, fifteen room home on his ranch near Bonita. George then seemed to be nameless as the gold and money disappeared at Quigley. At an unknown date he became General Manager of the Hope Mining Company and resigned on April 28, 1887. W.W. Adams replaced George as the managing officer of the Hope on May 5, 1887.
In June of 1887 the Sultana had been bonded by E.D. Holland, Kaiser Brothers and Tom Hynes to George Babcock. The bond was for nine months at $50,000 and work was to commence in forty-five days. The New Departure and Piano locations were also included in this bond. The Mail announced George was thinking about buying a house in Helena from which to supervise his mining interests on September 8, 1887 and stated he bought the Winscott property in the September 15, Mail.
In January of 1888, Mrs. George Babcock was over from Helena visiting the Hynes family and George was on a trip to the Castle Mountains looking at claims for Kansas investors. Ten years later, he moved the family from Quigley to the Hammond cottage on the corner of California and Kearney in December 1898, so the children could attend school. By July of 1899 the family had moved to the Elkin cottage near the depot.
The Missoula notes in the Mail on September 1, 1899 stated that George had been appointed receiver to the Bloomington Mining properties in the vicinity of the Royal gold claims. Then in the December 1901, Mail, Mayor Charles Boyd sent out mining men, J.R. Williams, George Babcock and G.A. Day to Stuart Lake. The news sources then dry up until The Thomas F. Hynes obituary in March 1913 stating his sister Mrs. George Babcock was living in Butte.
A high point of the Quigley “humbug” was the Golden Sceptre Mining Company sunk a shaft in the Goldconda claim about 100 feet in 1896 without paying ore discovered. In July 1897 the Alps Mining Company took over the property. It was rumored that this company had heavy financial backing by investors from St. Louis. J.W. Opp was put in charge of the mining operation and ore was almost immediately discovered. The shaft was sunk to the 125 foot level with ore assaying at $200 a ton. The ore body was determined to be 18 to 20 feet wide so a $5,000 bond was taken out on the adjacent Gold Bug mining claim. The Alps operated until at least 1912.
Also, mining records shows oxidized copper ore shipped from the Alps to the Anaconda Smelter in 1931. More of the Quigley
The case of Game Warden J. S. Booth against Starbard and Green charging them with allowing sawdust to flow into Rock Creek is set for trial in the Justice Court on August 26th.
Mrs. F. Cyr has arrived at Quigley from Missoula, to make her home with Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Cyr. Mrs. Cyr is a practical dressmaker and she will engage in that profession here.
J. A. Melvill, who was arrested Wednesday evening on suspicion of having caused the breaking of Delema Melvill’s arm, was acquitted at the trial last night on the testimony of the woman, who swore that the fracture was accidental.”
The Quigley Times article on September 25, stated “Bookkeeper Thomas F. Ward and his assistants of the Golden Sceptre companies office have been busily engaged since Wednesday night in making the monthly payments of the company, which was delayed this month from the 15th to the 23rd, on account of delay at the home office in sending the money. The payment this month was made in currency instead of checks and as a consequence the town is now livelier than it usually is on payday.
During the 7 days the company was awaiting the arrival of the funds considerable rumor was afloat and of the character which usually prevails when the financial condition of a concern like the Golden Sceptre seems doubtful, but all friends of this worthy company are now gratified in being able to say that all is well with them and that all the wild reports concerning the condition of the company was founded on imagination.
The political candidates from Granite county all visited Quigley in October, The candidates were: Dr. J.M. Sligh running for state senator, J.K. Pardee a former state legislator now running for county treasurer, D. H. Dunshee of Combination and D.W. Hennessey of Flint running for county commissioners and Thomas Glina of Combination running for the state legislature.
The Record announced the election results on November 14 as follows: J.K. Pardee as treasurer, Findlay J. McDonald as sheriff, Thomas Glina and Israel Clem as legislators, D. H. Dunshee, James McDonel and D.W. Hennessey as county commissioners.
The November 14, 1896 Mail stated that a request was made for W.S. Quigley to be appointed as receiver of the Golden Sceptre. Papers attached the Golden Sceptre for $21,000 by Brabazon and Sterling. Quigley filed a bond in Philipsburg and Sheriff Johnson turned the property over to him. By December 31, Quigley had left for New York City to transact business and find capital to continue running the mine.
January 8, 1897 the Philipsburg Mail carried the following notice: “All persons having claims against the Golden Sceptre Mining Company of Wilmington, Delaware must present the same, duly attested, before the expiration of sixty days, at the Company’s office, Quigley, Montana. signed W.S. Quigley, Receiver.” .
On March 13, 1897 the Rock Creek Record carried an article describing the dwindling population and the fact that W. S. Quigley was resigning as receiver. Although locals expressed support for Mr. Quigley they knew his staying or resigning was not going to help the state of unpaid claims. Attorney Dixon from Missoula announced that The Company was sending representatives from back east to pay the laborer’s claims in full. “Of course this payment may not necessarily indicate that other claims will at once be paid. But with these out of the way, it will enable the Company to arrange with other creditors in a manner acceptable to all concerned, which will in turn naturally permit it to proceed with the work of completing the mill and railway—all it desires to do—as owners feel that once the works are started, enough gold can be produced to pay every claim against the concern within 90 days from the date that it started.”
Joseph M. Dixon was representing the majority of laborers and said that the President of the Company, a Mr. Emmons, and one or more of the principal stockholders were to be in Missoula the first of next week to meet Dixon and by Thursday would be in Quigley “and it is assumed to vsquare up then.” The article continued on in a positive manner believing that the representatives arriving had full power to start the operations back up while they were present.
On August 21, 1896 The Quigley Times announced that: “M.C. McFayden has secured the Racket Building from Dan Cavanaugh which he will at once furnish in a suitable manner for conducting a private primary school. The general merchandise firm of Cleaver & Cormier has been dissolved and Mr. Cleaver is now sole proprietor of that business. The case of Game Warden J. S. Booth against Starbard and Green charging them with allowing sawdust to flow into Rock Creek is set for trial in the Justice Court on August 26th. Mrs. F. Cyr has arrived at Quigley from Missoula, to make her home with Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Cyr. Mrs. Cyr is a practical dressmaker and she will engage in that profession here. J. A. Melvill, who was arrested Wednesday evening on suspicion of having caused the breaking of Delema Melvill’s arm, was acquitted at the trial last night on the testimony of the woman, who swore that the fracture was accidental.”
The Quigley Times article on September 25, stated “Bookkeeper Thomas F. Ward and his assistants of the Golden Sceptre companies office have been busily engaged since Wednesday night in making the monthly payments of the company, which was delayed this month from the 15th to the 23rd, on account of delay at the home office in sending the money. The payment this month was made in currency instead of checks and as a consequence the town is now livelier than it usually is on payday. During the 7 days the company was awaiting the arrival of the funds considerable rumor was afloat and of the character which usually prevails when the financial condition of a concern like the Golden Sceptre seems doubtful, but all friends of this worthy company are now gratified in being able to say that all is well with them and that all the wild reports concerning the condition of the company was founded on imagination.
The political candidates from Granite county all visited Quigley in October, The candidates were: Dr. J.M. Sligh running for state senator, J.K. Pardee a former state legislator now running for county treasurer, D. H. Dunshee of Combination and D.W. Hennessey of Flint running for county commissioners and Thomas Glina of Combination running for the state legislature. The Record announced the election results on November 14 as follows: J.K. Pardee as treasurer, Findlay J. McDonald as sheriff, Thomas Glina and Israel Clem as legislators, D. H. Dunshee, James McDonel and D.W. Hennessey as county commissioners.
The November 14, 1896 Mail stated that a request was made for W.S. Quigley to be appointed as receiver of the Golden Sceptre. Papers attached the Golden Sceptre for $21,000 by Brabazon and Sterling. Quigley filed a bond in Philipsburg and Sheriff Johnson turned the property over to him. By December 31, Quigley had left for New York City to transact business and find capital to continue running the mine. January 8, 1897 the Philipsburg Mail carried the following notice: “All persons having claims against the Golden Sceptre Mining Company of Wilmington, Delaware must present the same, duly attested, before the expiration of sixty days, at the Company’s office, Quigley, Montana. signed W.S. Quigley, Receiver.” .
On March 13, 1897 the Rock Creek Record carried an article describing the dwindling population and the fact that W. S. Quigley was resigning as receiver. Although locals expressed support for Mr. Quigley they knew his staying or resigning was not going to help the state of unpaid claims. Attorney Dixon from Missoula announced that The Company was sending representatives from back east to pay the laborer’s claims in full. “Of course this payment may not necessarily indicate that other claims will at once be paid. But with these out of the way, it will enable the Company to arrange with other creditors in a manner acceptable to all concerned, which will in turn naturally permit it to proceed with the work of completing the mill and railway—all it desires to do—as owners feel that once the works are started, enough gold can be produced to pay every claim against the concern within 90 days from the date that it started.” Joseph M. Dixon was representing the majority of laborers and said that the President of the Company, a Mr. Emmons, and one or more of the principal stockholders were to be in Missoula the first of next week to meet Dixon and by Thursday would be in Quigley “and it is assumed to square up then.”
The article continued on in a positive manner believing that the representatives arriving had full power to start the operations back up while they were present.
As the population of Quigley anxiously awaited payment of wages and outstanding bills, the March 20, 1897 Rock Creek Record announced that Mr. Edmonds had arrived from Philadelphia and met with Attorney Dixon. It was immediately apparent no money would be paid at that time for any liens. The parties outside of the present Company were investigating all claims. This did not set well with the laborer’s but Dixon advised them to be patient as even if the Company liquidated all assets it would be at least 90 days to 6 months before payment and there was a chance the stockholders would be able to advance money for the claims before that. Emmons announced that he had invested his entire fortune in the scheme, plus many of his friends.
Also that Mr. Quigley was financially broke and would never return to Montana. The headlines in the April 24th Rock Creek Record were Golden Sceptre pays percentage on the liens: nothing more. Larger creditors must wait until September next, at least. The article explained that Mr. Colburn paid 75% of the laborer’s claims. The other 25% would be settled in the fall, if the Golden Sceptre could be sold for $350,000. Mr. Colburn was planning on returning east and trying to organize a new company so that his large investment could be saved. He claimed his investment was $250,000 and had completely broke Mr. Mullan, Quigley, Emmons and a half dozen others. Mr. Quigley was now only an ordinary employee in the immense business he had established in Delaware forty years prior, and had lost all his ambition in life.
Those still living at Quigley realized there would not be any work the summer of 1897 unless a new investor could be found. That was the golden straw that kept some hanging on. None of the big creditors such as Brabazon, Campbell and the contractor Johnson would be seeing any of their claims paid until the Company was sold.
The last issue of the Rock Creek Record available in the Montana Historical Society is Saturday May 1, 1897. The Philipsburg Mail carried an article headlined “Quigley may revive” on July 23, 1897. L.C. Johnson (no longer sheriff) and Harry Campbell currently in charge of the Golden Sceptre property were seen in Missoula meeting with J.A. McDonald a former president of the Seattle and Lake Shore railway. He was currently representing a number of eastern capitalists and had spent several days in Quigley. The article went on suggesting that he was involved in some type of investment and that he had recently returned from Scotland where he could raise $3,000,000 within a few days to purchase the Golden Sceptre. Men finding out about his visit to Missoula were traveling there to ascertain what may be about to happen. Obviously, L.C. Johnson was still involved in the venture.
The Court section of the Philipsburg Mail September 24, 1897 carried a settlement for Arthur Colburn vs Golden Sceptre Gold Mining Company in favor of Thomas Ward to be paid the fixed rate of $200.00 per month for a period of 114 days, plus the sum of $54.50 for money expended by him and that Donald Welsh be paid $90 per month for 114 days.
A full column article was excerpted from the Engineering and Mining Journal and printed in the Mail October 29, 1897. The sale of Golden Sceptre was to be made under foreclosure on November 6th at Philipsburg. The judgment for the entire property was $430,000. This included machinery, money advanced, materials and supplies, wages and everything else. Fraser and Chalmers had judgments between $40,000 and $50,000; Arthur D. Colburn had a claim for $220,000. The plan was to reorganize the company and pay a percentage of the claims and give the claimants the remainder in stock or bonds of the new company. Seems the dream of making fortunes was still in full force. The article ended with the statement that if plans were carried out the operation would be in full force by the opening of the next mining season.
The population of Quigley which at its peak, according to various articles, ranged from 500 to 2.000 people was down to 54 people in 1900 and only 19 in 1910 (Mail, May 5, 1911). They still had a school district in 1919 which was paid $256 for the school year of 1919 (Mail, December 26, 1919). This gold rush did produce one good mine, “The Goldconda”. The Golden Sceptre Mining Company in 1896 sunk a shaft to the 100 foot level without any paying ore discovered. In July of 1897 the Alps Mining Company took over the property with J.W. Opp as supervisor
George H. Babcock, spoken of in the beginning article about Quigley was first discussed in The Philipsburg Mail in April 1894 making deals with New York investors for placer ground on Upper Gold Creek. By May 23, 1895 “The well known mining man of this district” had made a $30,000 deal in the Harvey Creek District to a syndicate of New York capitalists. He received a check for $3,000 to be given to Hammond and Gwin as first payment on the property and the syndicate signed papers for full possession of the property.
Research has failed to give a lifetime picture of George. When he arrived in Granite County is not apparent nor exactly when he left. It is known that he was married to Tom F. Hynes’ sister and had two sons: George E. and Fred A. A marriage announcement or death notice has not been found in the decade or more that I have been researching him.
The following is what research has revealed: By June of 1895 George and associates were planning on building a large boarding house at Quigley that was to be completed in two to three weeks. John Campbell was going to run the business. According to the Mail July 25, 1895, George had bought the Peterson ranch on lower Rock Creek. The family had been camped with the Ed Moore family on Rock Creek all summer. Next on September 12, 1895, was found were George had bonded four claims from W.T. Hull and James Calhoun for $45,000. $200 to be paid now and $2,800 in October then $42,000 by July 1896. These claims were the Mountain Ram, Ethel, Alvina and an unreadable name, all located 14 miles from Philipsburg on the south fork of Antelope Creek. Ore was running $4 to $124 in gold and averaged about $20 to $30 a ton. The news article also stated “The prior month, capitalists, Mr. Babcock represented had come from the east to inspect the Golden Sceptre.”
By October 24, 1895 George had been named Superintendent of the Golden Sceptre. The March 5, 1896 Mail stated he was building a two and one-half story high, fifteen room home on his ranch near Bonita. George then seemed to be nameless as the gold and money disappeared at Quigley. At an unknown date he became General Manager of the Hope Mining Company and resigned on April 28, 1887. W.W. Adams replaced George as the managing officer of the Hope on May 5, 1887.
In June of 1887 the Sultana had been bonded by E.D. Holland, Kaiser Brothers and Tom Hynes to George Babcock. The bond was for nine months at $50,000 and work was to commence in forty-five days. The New Departure and Piano locations were also included in this bond. The Mail announced George was thinking about buying a house in Helena from which to supervise his mining interests on September 8, 1887 and stated he bought the Winscott property in the September 15, Mail.
In January of 1888, Mrs. George Babcock was over from Helena visiting the Hynes family and George was on a trip to the Castle Mountains looking at claims for Kansas investors. Ten years later, he moved the family from Quigley to the Hammond cottage on the corner of California and Kearney in December 1898, so the children could attend school. By July of 1899 the family had moved to the Elkin cottage near the depot.
The Missoula notes in the Mail on September 1, 1899 stated that George had been appointed receiver to the Bloomington Mining properties in the vicinity of the Royal gold claims. Then in the December 1901, Mail, Mayor Charles Boyd sent out mining men, J.R. Williams, George Babcock and G.A. Day to Stuart Lake. The news sources then dry up until The Thomas F. Hynes obituary in March 1913 stating his sister Mrs. George Babcock was living in Butte.
A high point of the Quigley “humbug” was the Golden Sceptre Mining Company sunk a shaft in the Goldconda claim about 100 feet in 1896 without paying ore discovered. In July 1897 the Alps Mining Company took over the property. It was rumored that this company had heavy financial backing by investors from St. Louis. J.W. Opp was put in charge of the mining operation and ore was almost immediately discovered. The shaft was sunk to the 125 foot level with ore assaying at $200 a ton. The ore body was determined to be 18 to 20 feet wide so a $5,000 bond was taken out on the adjacent Gold Bug mining claim. The Alps operated until at least 1912.
Also, mining records shows oxidized copper ore shipped from the Alps to the Anaconda Smelter in 1931. More of the Quigley
