Thursday, February 21, 2019

The Conn's of the Lower Valley

According to the late John A. Conn whom I had the pleasure of interviewing by telephone in 2012, Reuben, Joe and a cousin Seph Conn were the first Conn’s in the Flint Creek Valley. They joined a cattle drive from Texas to Montana and arrived in what was then Deer Lodge county in the year 1880. Reuben was born on December 20, 1856 in Jackson County, Missouri, so he was only 24 years of age at the time of his arrival. 

The first newspaper article research revealed was Archie McPhail selling a parcel of land to Reuben on October 13, 1882 for $75.00 (New Northwest). By 1884 he was active in the Democratic Party and was elected as a Democratic Central Committee member for New Chicago in September. Reuben was named a charter member of the A.O.U.W and elected trustee on March 20, 1885 according to the New Northwest. Appearing to be a social gentleman, Reuben was on the arrangements committee for the Grand Ball at the New Hotel in Drummond on January 31, 1885. In February Reuben et al sold 2/3 of the Eldorado Quartz Lode to Allen McDonald for $500 (New Northwest)

Desiring the job of County Assessor, Reuben ran for nomination of the position in 1886 but lost the nomination to John King of Philipsburg. Continuing his community service he served as a juror during 1887 for the District Court and is listed as paying $50.00 for a saloon license and $16.66 for a gambling license in New Chicago on December 30, 1887 in the New Northwest. 

Obviously, he was involved in mining as the Helena Weekly listed Reuben as a delegate from New Chicago to the Montana Territory Mineral Land Convention on February 9, 1888. He then became a trustee of the Hattie Gold and Silver Mining Company in October 1888 according to the Butte Semi-weekly Miner. I think this should read “Hatta Gold and Silver Mining Company.” 

In February 1890, Reuben sold Lot 1, Block 6 in Drummond to J.A. and J.B. Featherman for $300 and John Edwards et ux sold Lot 4, Block 6 in Drummond to Reuben for $100. Reuben was appointed Postmaster of Dunkleberg, Deer Lodge County June 15, 1890 according to the Anaconda Standard and Philipsburg Mail. 

He was appointed a judge for the November 4, 1890 election to Precinct 29-New Chicago along with G.W. Morse and H. Prosser. The January 1893 Mail listed Reuben delinquent on taxes for $38.85 and then the December 1893 and January 1894 Mail listed delinquent taxes in the sum of $56.53 for house, fences, combine and farm machinery, 1 stud horse, 120 horses, 1 stock cow, and 20,000 ft of lumber. 

For reasons unknown Reuben and James Conn filed suit against J.H. Cole March 14, 1894. Next, March 22, 1894 the Dingwall brothers brought suit against Reuben (The Mail), but the charge or outcome was not disclosed in research. Also, a large group of land owners including Reuben were defendants in a water rights lawsuit in October, 1894. None of the defendants appeared in court and were denied any rights or interest in any water flowing in Willow Creek. 

August 28, 1896, Reuben was involved in the Democratic Convention as a delegate from Quigley. He had a Philipsburg address in 1898, then was again living in the lower valley in 1899. The last early newspaper articles found was where Reuben Conn of Hall filed bankruptcy in Helena on Wednesday May 24, 1905 according to the May 26, 1905 Philipsburg Mail. He had liabilities of $8,192.00 and assets of $250.00. 

Reuben died at his nephew J. Allen Conn’s home on February 16, 1937. J. Allen lived in the lower valley and was County Commissioner at the time of Reuben’s death. Mr. Conn was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Drummond and survivors were his nephews J. Allen and James E. Conn of the lower valley, niece Mrs. Freeman Tinklepaugh of Philipsburg and a sister Elizabeth Shull of Ronan and eight other nieces and nephews not named in the obituary. The funeral was held at the Methodist Church at Hall. Committal services were performed by the Masons at the Valley cemetery. 

Joseph Conn, who came to Montana with Reuben, died of Congestive Heart failure in New Chicago on April 1, 1882. According to the New Northwest, and his headstone he was 30 years of age. He is buried in the valley Cemetery. His wife’s name was Nevil and they had a daughter Josephine according to John A. Conn. His recollection was after the death, wife and daughter left the valley for parts unknown. 

No articles were found regarding Seph Conn. 

John Conn, born on June 6, 1856 in Missouri came to Montana in 1888 with his wife Mary and children. They lived in Deer Lodge until moving to the Flint Creek Valley in 1893. Daughter, Ethel Conn was born in Montana. They made their home in the upper Willow Creek Valley about 10 miles from Hall. 

At the time of John’s death on February 4, 1924, survivors were: his wife; daughters: Mrs. Freeman Tinklepaugh of Hall and Mrs. William Bryant of Idaho; sons: J. Allen Conn a member of the G.C.H.S. Board, and James E. Conn both of Hall; brother Reuben Conn of the lower Valley and sister, Mrs. Josiah Shull of Missoula. Internment was in the Valley cemetery. 

Mary Angelina (Dealey) Conn, widow of John died during the week of December 24, 1943. Mary was born in Lone Jack, Missouri on March 5, 1858. Her father was one of Quantrill’s Men and was killed in Texas. John A. Conn, in a 2012 telephone interview stated the only time she remembered seeing her father was when the Union Forces pushed the people into Kansas and burned their homes. He slipped into their camp to say goodbye. Survivors were her two sons J. Allen and James, both of the lower valley. Internment was at the Valley cemetery. 

The May 27, 1904 Philipsburg Mail stated James E. Conn was plowing a piece of ground on the “Old Nierling” ranch on Willow Creek when James’ plow unearthed a shoe enclosing a sock and the bones of a human foot. He immediately ceased plowing and went to Stone to telegraph the sheriff and coroner at Philipsburg. Sheriff McDonald and Coroner Ray arrived the next day and exhumed the remains. The body was not completely decomposed with pieces of flesh still attached to the bones of the hip, legs and arms. The shoes found were ones normally worn by miners with nailed soles and a single buckle. The clothing was a mackinaw coat and yellow woolen undershirt and drawers. The man’s hair was mostly gray. The only article found besides the body was a pocket knife. It appeared that a bullet had shattered the man’s cheekbone. The coroner estimated the body had been buried in about 6 inches of soil and then covered with a pile of manure. A jury impaneled by the coroner found the cause of death was unknown and the body was placed in a casket, transported to Philipsburg and burial was in the pauper section of the Philipsburg cemetery. 

The people in the Valley were prone to believe that the skeleton belonged to one of the group of men that hung out at the “James Campbell” place. Three years prior this was the headquarters for a party of gentlemen that were known for rounding up horses in different parts of the state and several shipments were made from Campbell’s ranch to eastern markets. When not rounding up horses the group amused themselves by playing cards and it was known that one of these games resulted in a fight that broke up the party. It was believed that the skeleton was a man killed during the fight and buried at the Nierling place which was less than a mile from Campbell’s. All of the men known to be at Campbell’s were traced and found to be alive except one. So the sheriff believed that the bones belonged to a man named Doyle. Before the paper went to print Doyle was found, therefore the skeleton went unidentified. Campbell retired from the horse business and began to raise hogs. The story went that he fattened the hogs with horse meat or whatever products were brought to him. “The business ended rather abruptly and Mr. Campbell sold his place and left the country in a matter of two days.” 

James E. Conn who found the body was born on November 2, 1881 in Missouri and came to Montana in 1891. He lived in Deer Lodge until a year later when he moved to the Valley and then settled on Willow Creek. James married Jessie Anderson (another early family in the valley) in 1907. 

Jessie died in 1941 and James died at a Missoula Hospital February 13, 1963. Survivors were: son and daughter-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Bob Conn of Hall and four grandchildren. James was buried in the family plot at the Philipsburg cemetery. 

James E. Conn was a brother of J. Allen Conn and uncle of the late John A. Conn. Mrs. Allen (Sarah) Conn died June 10, 1954 at the age of 66. Her husband, J. Allen Conn died on June 27, 1956 at the age of 78. 

The October 31, 1902 Philipsburg Mail detailed the story of William Fahey and his sister traveling to the Conn ranch for a visit on October 29th and saw Mrs. Nierling (Nerling) by the ranch gate, bleeding and in great distress. Mrs. Nierling told the Fahey’s that no one was home at the ranch as Mrs. Conn was at the John Conn ranch. The Fahey’s put Mrs. Nierling into their buggy and headed for the John Conn ranch. Enroute they met William Smith and he stated Patience Conn was not at the John Conn ranch, as he had just left there. Smith, Fahey’s and Mrs. Nierling all returned to the old Conn place and found a horrible sight. 

James Conn was lying on the floor cold in death with a rifle across his left leg and a bullet hole in his left eye. Mrs. Patience Conn, his aged mother, was lying on a bed with just a spark of life remaining and blood oozing from wounds about her head. The October 29, 1902 Philipsburg Call stated that the only witness, Mrs. Nierling was crazy and “…also an aged woman [who] is deranged and can give no coherent account of what happened at the Conn ranch yesterday.” 

Patience was the late John A. Conn’s great-grandmother and he provided family history and accounts of the newspaper articles in a 2011 Philipsburg Mail. The newspaper and family accounts state that Patience was killed by a hit to the head with a hammer and Jim was shot in the head. Mrs. Nierling was close to 80 years old at the time of the incident and had previously murdered a husband. The previous summer she had almost been committed to an “asylum.” 

 John A. Conn stated in the Mail that his great-uncle Jim had been kicked in the head by a mule back in Missouri and had been a little addled by that so may have had a hand in the episode. He believes James found his mother in a pool of blood and picked her up and placed her on the bed. James then committed suicide by shooting himself in the eye. The bullet lodged in the ceiling (personal communication with John A. Conn 2012). 

 According to the 2011 Mail account Mary Nierling married a man about half her age when she was 46. This was the first marriage recorded in Philipsburg and she murdered him a few years later. The October 29, 1902 Call related the story that Mary Nierling shot and killed her husband Henry twenty years prior to 1902. The article stated she was insanely jealous. Her husband went to the woods to get a load of wood and decided to “aggravate” his wife by fixing up a dummy made out of a shawl, a hat and some brush and securing it in the passenger seat of the loaded wagon. Mary was watching for her husband to come home and when she saw the dummy sitting beside him believed it to be another woman. She returned to the house and secured a shot gun, then commenced riddling him with buckshot before he could tell her it was a joke. 

She was tried for the murder in Deer Lodge and acquitted as Judge Hiram Knowles showed that Henry was a worthless fellow. Henry, a blacksmith born in Prussia, was only 23 years of age when he married Mary. 

 Apparently Patience Conn objected to anyone putting Mrs. Nierling in an asylum because she did not think her dangerous and had cared for her. After the murders and the inquest it was determined that she must be placed in Warm Springs and she ended up living out the rest of her life there. 

The home where Patience and her son James Conn lived was torn down to construct the Willow Creek Dam in the early 1960’s and according to John A. Conn the remains of the root cellar can still be seen on an island in the reservoir.  Patience and James Conn are buried in the Valley cemetery. 

The January 2, 1903 Mail, stated County Commissioner Chairman J.B. Featherman presided over a commission to “examine and inquire into the mental condition of Mrs. Mary Nerling, an aged woman, who since last October has been a patient at the county hospital in Philipsburg.” Mary was judged insane and taken by Sheriff Metcalf to Warm Springs the last week in December 1902. 

This was the closing chapter of the unfortunate incident at the Conn ranch where Patience Conn and her son were killed. The coroner’s jury failed to agree if it was murder or suicide, but Mrs. Nerling during rational moments at the county hospital had stated that she “put them to sleep.”

Dunkleberg

“Names on the face of Montana” states there was a post office established at Dunkleberg, Deer Lodge county near Warm Springs in 1890-1891. Reuben Conn was Postmaster. I have been unable to find the town on any maps but found a couple of incidents published in the newspapers related to the area. I believe the area was west of Pioneer and in what later became Granite county. “The Montana Atlas” has Dunkleberg Creek beginning in the northern part of Granite county east of a ranger station and running north then east across the Powell county line and draining into the Clark Fork, west of Perkins Creek just south of exit 162 on Interstate 90/Highway 12, near Jens. 

 David Dunkleberg was one of the early pioneers in the Flint Creek Valley and I assume that the Dunkleberg Ridge, Creek and Post Office were named after his family. The Montana Post, November 25, 1865 lists an unclaimed letter for David at Virginia City, Montana. The New Northwest, January 8, 1875 stated Mrs. David Dunkleberg was one of the happy recipients of a prize at the New Chicago Christmas Festival. David was on the Grand Jury in 1885 and 1886. 

I have been unable to find any obituaries for the Dunkleberg family but find David having surgery in Helena July 16, 1896 and his health being “very low” and friends not sure he would survive in the November 13, 1896 New Northwest. The headstones in the Valley Cemetery provide this information: Baby Dunkleberg was 21 days old at the time of death on October 15, 1880; an unknown Dunkleberg died at the age of 57 on November 12, 1896 ( probably David mentioned above); Mrs. Dunkleberg does not have a death date or age; Frank Dunkleberg was born in 1877 and died at the age of 52 on October 28, 1929; Paul Dunkleberg was 6 months old when he died on August 11, 1889; Cora Dunkleberg’s baby does not have an age or date of death. They are all buried in section I, but do not have grave numbers. 

The partial returns of the vote of Deer Lodge county on Friday November 16, 1888 published in the Philipsburg Mail lists Dunkleberg as a precinct but there were no votes cast for any of the offices from that precinct. In The New Northwest, February 26, 1897: ”Sterling Price has obtained a lease on the Irene claim in the Dunkleberg district which is owned by Dr. A.H. Mitchell of Deer Lodge and George Smith of Royal. Mr. Price will begin working on the property at once and judging from reports regarding the claim it is expected he will find it a profitable lease. (and) The Philipsburg Mail says Samuel Gates and James Weaver have recently bought a complete sawmill plant of 20,000 feet capacity per day and have erected it at Mitchellville, in the Dunkleberg mining district, and already have it running full blast.” 

December, 1898 the Mail stated” “Allard and Cranesville are representing their claims in Dunkleberg.” “Weaver and Thom have a full crew of men at work ...Wm. Debuhr, who is working the L.F. Periman’s mine—the Bryan—under lease, will ship a carload of ore by the first of the year, which will net $40 per ton. 

The January 13, 1899 Philipsburg Mail stated in a column titled “Musings from Dunkleberg” that:”This camp, which, along in the ‘80’s contributed not a little of the stock of white metal [Silver], cuts but very little ice in the mining reports of today. The hills which erstwhile resounded to the musical rhythm of the tool-sharpeners hammer, or the thunderous diapason of the frequent blasts, are now silent, save for the merry warble of the wood-hauler as he flits from tree to tree, or the long drawn howl of the prowling tie chopper as he answers to the shrill scream of his mate. Occasionally you will meet with a prospector who has hung up on his claims, hoping against hope that something will be done for silver, who, as he draws his tattered overcoat around his cadaverous form to hide the vacant places in his last year’s overalls, anxiously asks: ‘What’s silver worth.’ or ‘Is there any talking of opening the Injun mints?’ Some of them seem to have an idea that the Indian Mints are a kind of jackpot and that Uncle Sam has openers in his hands—if the goldbugs would only let him use them. Time was when on New Year’s Eve the hills were full of claim-jumpers, but this year not a solitary instance of relocating has come to our notice. L.F. Perriman’s mine, the Bryan, is the only shipper in the camp, and Frank ain’t losing any sleep over the Indian mints.”

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

P'Burg Nickname Directory

                                              In Memory of Chum

 In December, 2018, a native of Granite county (Bob Sanders), suggested on the Facebook group “I grew up in Philipsburg” that it would be fun to name all the nicknames known to the group but not identify the real name. Within a matter of a couple of weeks there were almost 400 names given. As the days went by names continued to be submitted. 

We know there was a tee-shirt sold for one of the Flint Creek Valley Days with a number of nicknames but at this time I have not viewed one of these shirts. Since the nicknames have been provided we have attempted to find out the given name and story behind each nickname. Obviously this will be a work in progress as some people are not able to recall the story. 

During the past most nicknames were usually accepted lovingly and not considered bullying or derogatory, which is not the case in this politically correct generation. So this article is published with the intent to inform and with great care to not embarrass or intimidate anyone or use obscene or derogatory names. Any person who asked their nickname not to be published were respected for that wish. 

I reviewed historical articles and added all of the nicknames found from the early history also. 

Group A 

Aeagle-- Jimmy Howard, because he had difficulty pronouncing the word eagle. 
Angel Boy 
Ajax-John Michael Courtney; named by Scott from Ajax Nerd in the Driver Ed film. 
A.R.- Senator Allan R. Dearborn. He was also a Pharmacist at Doe’s Drugstore in 1888-1911. (1856-1915) 
Archie-Eddy Moore 
Ashtray-George Andrews was a Pastor’s son and lived in the ‘Burg about 1963-64. He had a flat-top haircut and an “upper classman” chose to stub his cigarette out on the flat top…thus the name ashtray.  
Group B 

Babs-Barbara Miller 
Baldy-Larry Baldwin 
Barney Fife- Art Achershot when he was the Town policeman 
Barney- Clyde Pickett who played Santa Claus from 1950’s to 1970’s 
Barney- Patrick Dougherty a miner that owned a lot of property on Ross’ Fork of Rock Creek on the road to Medicine Lake (!851-1916) 
Barry-Joe Carnahan 
Basco-Don Schroeder
Beaner-Regina Leistko 
Bear aka Teddy bear- Barry Benson 
Bear-Gene Salois 
Beaver-Steve Immenschuh 
Beck-Rebecca Hess, because her mother was also Rebecca 
Beetle-Lee Page Jr. (1940-2018)
Beeler-Joe Braach 
Bert-George Schoonover
Bert-Robert Gillies rancher on Rock Creek 1871-1930
Bessie-Doy (George) Winninghoff when he and Carroll Huffman (Jessie) spent time on Rock Creek Bessie- Elizabeth Butler 
Bessie- Elizabeth Sprague McRae, mother of Beth (Elizabeth) McRae Winninghoff. 
Beth-Elizabeth McRae Winninghoff (1907-1998) 
Bibs-Eugene Noreen 
Big Bill-Bill Schneider 
Big Daddy- Frank Winninghoff (1861-1941) 
Big Jake- Steve Jacobson 
Big June- Mrs. Al Unger who was way smaller in stature than Little June Mrs. John Unger. 
Big Mac- Angus Alexander McDonald usually called A.A. Was Mayor of Philipsburg and owner of the McDonald Opera House with his wife Susie.(1842-1910) 
Big Pete-P.H. McDonald (1851-1926) 
Big Vic-A miner At ? 
B.J.-Barbara Jean McLeod 
Black Jack- Mike Conn from Hall who wrote an English Composition paper on a gambling episode with a man named Black Jack. 

Blackie- Fritz Leuck who was sheriff in 1952 and 1953 and had jet black hair and mustache. 
Blacky-Ned Neu because of his hair and mustache. 
Blinky-Cal Mazza 
Bobcat-T.R. “Bus” Hess (1922-2011) 
Boiled Pine Squirrels-Bob Munis 
Booger-Justin Braach 
Boom Boom-Leslie Smith when she was dating Alan Boomer 
Boom Boom-Jackie Boomer 
Boomer –Jim Lane because of his booming voice.
Boomer-John Roseboom
Bone-Chuck David Williams
Breaker by the Acre- Bill Baker 
Brocky-Fred C. Barocco a Stone Mason that worked on Georgetown Dam. He lived his later years with Spasse Wacheff until Spasse died. (1878-1963) 

Brooklyn- “Brook” and “Brookie” Tom Schneider 
Brother-Lee Page II 
Bubble head-Gordon Owsley
Bucko- K.L. Staninger owner of Eagle Canyon Ranch
Bucky-Lyle Graham 
Buckshot- Art Achershot 
Bud-Colleen Rose 
Bud- Ernie Mc Laughlin 
Bud Joe Kau
Buddy- Bud Braach 
Buddy- William Hunter 
Bugs- Terry Mickey 
Buggy- Terry Mickey 
Buggy-Bobby Tucker 
Bulldog- John Kennedy Olson because of his features and feisty demeanor 
Bullfrog- Martha Bohrnsen Brandon after the song “Freddie and the Bullfrog.” 
Bull Trout-George Mungas 
Bum-Jack Byam 
Bumbo-Bernard LeRoy 
Bumps-Bill Butler 
Bumbler- Bob Lane 
Bumpster- Jack Byam “The Bum when he fell into the Dumpster”  
Bunny- Delores Carey Furham 
Bus- T.R. Hess, shortened from nickname Buster when he was a toddler. Named after his grandfather. (1922-2011) 

Buster-George W. Metcalf 
Buster- Forest Merrifield lived by Porter’s Corner and drove the Rock Creek School Bus route. (1919-1974) 
Butch-Bob Untinen 
Butch-Richard Johnson (1950’s) 
Buzzard Queen-Jean Breeden who owned the Hungry Buzzard Bar after it was the Silver Tavern. She was also called Mean Jean and was married to David McRae for a short time. 
By Golly- Tommy Churchwell the town Barber 

 Group C 

Cabbage- Ed Lawry 
Cactus-Jack Courtney 
Canner Joe-Sid Willis who picked up all the dead animals and sold the meat to the cannery for dog food and the hides to Pacific Fur. 

Carbide- Wilbur Storer brother of Oliver (Poot) 
Captain-John G, McLean (1830-1919) 
Captain-Larry Veis 
Captain Cape-Duane Cape who was a Captain in the Army in Vietnam. 
Captain Video-Tom Guck 
Cart- Clarence Hamilton half brother of Roy Hamilton  
Cat-Dave McRae 
Ceal-Cecilia Lyon Haggard 
Carebear-Carey Aidy (?)
Charger- Brian Challinor 
Chauchy-Chris Goldsby
Cheeseburger-Bob Harris 
Cheeseburger- Johnny Welch 
Chick-Susan Kreig 
Chicken Coop- Henry ? who stole chickens during the depression and served time in jail for it.  
Chief-Bill Metesh 
Chili-Howard Naef 
Chipmunk-James Maehl 
Choop-Chris Godkin/Boydston 
Chrome Dome-Loren Luthje after he lost his hair 
Chuck—Charles McLure III 
Chuck-Charles E. Metcalf 
Chuckles-Chuck (Charles) Houtz 
Chum- Jerry Churchwell name used by his dad Tommy 
Chunk-Doug Benson
Circus Jim- James L. Hollenbeck who worked at the Puller Ranch on Rock Creek. He died from complications of a stab wound received at the Rupp /Greenheck Slaughter house in 1910.

Cleve-Cleveland A. Metcalf (1889-1972) 
Clevie-Cleveland R. Metcalf (1920-1961) 
Clod Ankle-Kenny Mehr 
Clyde-Shannon D. Heimark 
Coach Cleats-David Metesh 
Coke-Tony Kulaski  
Compressor-Tom Page when working at the Taylor and Knapp Mill 
Conklin-“Conk” Dan Schneider  CooCoo-Bruce Mason 
Cookie- Joan Webster Morrison wife of Dan 
Cookie-Susanne Morrison wife of Earl Goodsell
Cord-Larry Bowen
Corky- Harry G. Bentz Jr. because no one wanted to call him junior. 
Corky- Gary Haile named by his Grandfather Carroll Huffman from the cartoon Gasoline Alley.  Cowboy Joe-Joe Johnson taught kids how to count and say other things in Spanish.

Crab Apple-Jack Carico who ate anything he found in his traps. Lived on what later became the Fred Splitt then Lyon Place located right before Uncle Tom’s Cabin/Dance Hall on Middle Fork. Feuded when drunk with his room-mate Harry Smith re-fighting the Civil-War as Crab Apple was from the South and Harry from the north. They would hang from their saddles and shoot over the horses at each other as the horses raced across the field. He ran barefoot in forty below Zero weather to the Sandin ranch when he woke up from one of their drunks to find Harry froze to death. His family sent him money every year to come east to visit and he would make it too Butte then turn back home. One year he went further and died on the train (probably in the 30’s). No death records have been found (Stories from T.R. ‘Bus” Hess) 

Cucumber-? Joe Costello 
Curley- Dan Carlin 

Group D 

Dan-Andrew Glover married Rosella Carnegie and they ran the County Farm and Poor-House 
Dana Banana-Dana Gibson (Vincent) 
Dan-Herman Crowly 
Deacon-Delbert Yardly 
Dee-Delores Dunkerson 
Dee Dee-Dorothy Crnevich 
Deebert-Dee Schroeder 
Dettle-Dan McKenzie, His twin brother died shortly after birth; son of Toasty and Anna Mason and brother of Rod. 
Dewey-Kevin Learn 
Diamond Bill-Bill Hansen who owned Hansen Core Drilling 
Dicker- Richard Metesh 
Dingo-David Kroger
DK-Donna Kay Morrison 
Doc-Josiah Merrell Philipsburg Merchant and Investor.(d.1913) 
Doc-John P. Cunningham MD 
Doe-Dorothy LeRoy Moran Owens (see Dot below) 
Doe Doe-Doris Metesh
Dogman-David Riggs
Dolly-Dorothy M. (August 29, 1915-July 6, 2001) married to Leland Page Sr. 
Dooley- Adolph Andre 
Dot- Dorothy LeRoy Moran Owens owned a Soda Fountain by the White Front in the “50-60’s Double or Nothing-B.G. Paige 
Doughnut-Louis Mehr 
Doy and Do-ey-George Winninghoff worked with brothers Heck and Heinie at Winninghoff Motors until he bought the Greenheck ranch on Flint Creek (1897-1986) 

Duckboy-Rick Reh 
Dunk- Duncan McRae 
Dunk-Sheriff Scott Dunkerson
Dutch- Margery Winninghoff Metesh 

Group E 

Eddie Spaghetti-Ed Roseboom 
Egg Tycoon-Curtis Smith when he had a massive egg production company 
Ego-John Howard 
Elmer-Louis Salois 
Elroy-Ron Graham 
Emersome-Karen Anderson 
Ernie-Brett Hamilton 

 Group F 

Falcon-Dave Metesh 
Fan-Frances Titus Harrington McKenzie County Historian (1881-1961) 
Father Edgar- Tim Edgar 
Fat Pat-Pat Tatlinger 
Fats-Guy Kneale 
Festus-Paul Coble 
Festus Vince Fessler 
Fet- Winnifred Sandin Bentz Bauer 
Fink-Tim Mickey 
Finn-Harold Marjamaa 
Fish- Edward Morrison 
Fish-Tammy Schneider 
Fisher Jack from the Hogback- Joseph Case who was nursed back to health from Typhoid Fever by Annie Morgan on her homestead which is now a Forest Service cabin on Lower Rock Creek. (1846-1930) 

Flash-Spencer Huffman
Flap jack-Jack Minkler 
Flintstone-Robert Maehl 
Flip-Van Neitz 
Flossie –Florence Morrison McCale 
Fog Horn- Neil McDonald because of his deep voice. he was over fifty when he joined the Canadian Military because the US said he was too old. He died 1923 and was the father of Hugh J., Axel and Mrs. Hugh S. McDonald. 

Foghorn-Tom Schneider 
Foof-Justin Flahuarty 
Fosdick-Bobby LeRoy 
Foxie-Herman Lindstadt who owned the Granite Garage and sold Overland cars (1916), located across from the Hospital and next to Mrs. Chantry on Sansome. He and wife May VanNorman had Irene (Parker) and Connie who married Ed Kahoe, thus it became the Kahoe Garage 

Frankie-Frances Porter Merrifield 
Fred-Robert Maehl 
Freddy-Robert Maehl 
Freddy-Spencer Huffman 
Freddy the freeloader- Carroll Huffman 
Frenchy-DuWayne Forgette brother of Lorraine Forgette Barney and Fern Forgette Nicolaysen-Metcalf 

Fritz-Dwayne White 
Frosty-Wally Frost School Janitor 
Fudd-Elmo Coblenz 
Fuzz Buzz-Russ Morrison . 

 Group G 

Garbage 
Garr- Mary Morrison an Licensed Practical Nurse and midwife to the community in the 50’s (1872-1964) 

Geek-Harold Evans 
George-Ky Morrison 
Godfrey-Mel Wattula 
Goldie-Theodora Stevens Crossman Delp because she was a natural platinum blonde 
Goldie- Golda Davis McCale Webb  
Griz aka teddy bear-also Papa Bear- Bill Bayer then Doug Bayer 
Grizz-Scott Courtney; named by Coach Sullivan and shortened from Grizzly Bear 
Goldfish-worked at the Dorothy’s Café as a Cook and always looked out the window 
Gomer-Gary Morrison 
Gonk- Algonquin Mine 
Goober-David Metesh 
Goose-Don Dee Kennedy 
Goosem-Harry A. Featherman (1867-1954) Granite County Treasurer 1906-1910. 
Grasshopper-Louie Salois 
Gus- Angus McDonald (Sheriff two different times) 

 Group H 

Hambone-Kell Hamilton 
Hammerin’ Hank-Hank West who worked at Winninghoff Garage 
Hands- Jackie Gall 
Happy Jack-Jack Turney owned a service station across from the Andre house and where the City Hall now is. 

Heck- Francis (Frank) X. Winninghoff who owned Winninghoff Motors with brother Heinie (1892-1956) 

Heinie- Edward Robert Winninghoff who owned Winninghoff Motors with brother Heck (1906-1997) 

Hickory Nuts-Clyde Gregory who was shot and killed in the Thirsty Dog Saloon 
High Pockets-Miles Williams 
Hole in the head- hired hand that worked for Dr. Nesbit and had an indentation in his skull 
Honest Ron-Ron Anderson 
Hoople-Ralph Harris and Tom Harris
Hoot-Harvey Bauer as an adult because he wore a hat like Hoot Gibson
Horse-Tom Carlin; Tim Carlin 
Hot Wheels-Kell Hamilton 
Huck-Everett and Tommy Finn 
Huck-Larry White who married Vickie Morgan 
Huey-Barry Carnahan 

 Group I 
Itch-Edwin T. Irvine was unable to pronounce Ichabod Crane correctly when reading "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" in school and called him Itchabod so was forever referred to as Itch.

Ironhead-Randy Larson 

 Group J 

Jack-Gordon Mitchell (1898-1942) 
Jack-John E. Heimark J
Jack-Louis Sandin J
Jake-LeRoy Jacobson 
Jarhead-Dave Jardine 
Jeep- Bill Fischer who owned the Pintler Hotel in the 70’s. He was with a group camping. During the night they thought a jeep was coming through their camp then realized it was Fischer snoring so named him Jeep. 

Jessie-Carroll Huffman when he and George (Doy) Winninghoff were on Rock Creek 
Jo-Jo- Joseph Metesh (1958-1975) 
Jughead-Hugh Carlin 
June Bug-June Collins Saurers 
June Bug-June Sanders 
Judge-Wally Olsen was named that by “Mushy” and it came from “Drunk as a Judge.”Wally drank a lot and when he was doing the two steps forward and three steps back, Mushy would holler out “Here comes the Judge.” 

Judge-Hugh T. Cumming who owned the Moore Hotel in Granite and was the State Representative for Granite County 1908-1910; the Justice of the Peace of Elk Precinct and Mayor of Drummond. (1857-1948)

 Group K 

Katie-Catherine McDonald Lindstadt (1885-1945) 
Katsup-Shannon Heimark 
Kawliga-Cleo LaValley named after the song “Kawliga Was a Wooden Indian” 
Kay-Catherine Lindstadt Steber 
Kettle Belly-Tiny Larson 
Kermit- Phil McDonald
Kiamia-Ky Morrison after he and Larry had an encounter with some Black girls.
Kicky-Dick Johnson 
Kicky-Rick Collins 
Killer-Kevin Mason 
Kook- Bill Kulaski because he was “Kooky” 
Kook-Jeremy Mickey 
Kooks-Gary Kulaski 
Koopie-Maxine Ray Fessler 
Ky-Colin Morrison 

 Group L 
Laramia-Larry Morrison after he and Ky had an encounter with some Black girls.
Laz-Sandra Lazetick (Watulla) when she was a High school teacher. 
League of Nations-Mae Smith, Kammimura, Overly, Werning because of the various nationalities she married. Mae was the caretaker of Granite for many years and died there in 1969. 

Lee-Leo George Metcalf (1881-1949) 
Leebert-Lee Johnson 
LeeLee-Rita Immenschuh 
Legs-Shannon Clemons (Harding) 
Lindy-Granville S. Rice 
Lenie or Lennie –Jolene Yardley 
Lightening-Mike Wininghoff (1951-1999) 
Lip-Shannon Clemons (Harding) 
Lip-Nancy Miller (Owens) when in school 
Little Bit- Elizabeth Morrison 
Little Blinkey-Tom Mazza 
Little Eva-Eva Kurrti Bergamaschi Bentz LPN at the Hospital for many years 
Little Greek-Young Bill Crncevich 
Little June- June Unger married to John Unger a tall big boned blonde. 
Lizzie-Elizabeth Hermann Crowley 
Lo-ass-Lois Evans 
Lockie-Lauchlin McDonald (1864-1941) 
Loey-Lois Lindstadt McCarthy 
Lonnie-Lonette Kulaski 
Lornie- Herman Lawrence Hauck son of Herman and grandson of Lawrence, owners of the P’Burg Mail. (d.2011) 

Lottie- Charlotte Irvine School Superintendent 1906-1928. 
Lou-Louis Shodair Grocery store owner; Helena Shodair Hospital named after him 
Louie-Scott Anderson 
Louie-Louis Mann 
Louie the Lobster-Scott Anderson 
Little Mama- Theresa Iten Winninghoff (1863-1928) 
Lum- Lawrence Wanderer owner with wife Lucille of the IGA grocery store 
L.V. - Lavada Jean Bridgewater 
LV-Larry Veis sexton at the cemetery 

 Group M 

Ma-Marlene Andre (Chor)
Mac-Dan McLeod sheriff of Granite County 1912-1916. 
Mac-Ralph R. McLeod developer of Macville now known as Maxville because postal service mis-spelled the name. 

Machine Gun Charlie-Charlie Cyr 
Mable-Tom Mazza 
Maggie- Margaret Duffy Connors Sanders (1882-1935) 
Maggie Denny-Margaret Denise Haile McDonald 
Maggot- Bruce Mason after he returned from military service 
Magpie-also Mag- Al Morrison 
Magpie-Maggie McDonald 
Major-Hugh O’Neil (Sutler) These men contracted with the Military as teamsters in the 1800’s Major-William Graham (Sutler) “ Intellect and Pioneer Miner. 
Major-John W. Morse (Sutler) “ 
Mamo-Marion Hauck 
Mamo-Jane O’Neil Hickey who cared for many during the Diptheria outbreak when she lost three daughters at Granite. 

Mannie-Mary Anne Morrison 
Ma P. -Dora Huffman Penington High school teacher and principal for four generations. 
Marb 
Marlo-Rico Barkell 
Maroon Saloon- a car 
Mary-Mae Winninghoff (1915-1980) 
Mason-Justin Mason 
Max- Michael Norris who lived in Maxville 
McDugged-Doug Morrison 
McGurk-Pat Carlin 
Mean Jean-Jean Breeden owner of the Hungry Buzzard Tavern after it was the Silver Tavern; also known as Buzzard Queen.  

Meme- Marian F. Lindstadt Morrison wife of Donald (1915-1973) 
Michael-Melchoir Kaiser Owner of the Kaiser House 
Mickey-Gayle Morrison Hobaugh 
Mollie-Mary Metcalf-(1887-1984) 
Molly-Emily Petrovski
Monk-Lawrence Olson named because of his stature 
Monk-George Mungas 
Montana Pete-Pete Byam 
Moocher-Matt McCale 
Moose-Jack Hamilton 
Moose Lake Johnson- Martin Johnson (1862-1941) miner and hunting guide around Moose Lake who had a pet moose named Bosco. 

Mouse-Rona McOmber 
Mr. Bill-Bill Hellman 
Mr. Green Jeans- “Sparky” Arthur White when he was the school janitor 
Mrs. Murphy-Tom Page in older years
Mumbles-Both Jimmie Howard and son Jimmie Howard 
Munk-James Maehl shortened from Chipmunk 
Munie- John Munis 
Murphy-Merv Graham 
Mushy-Bruce Mason 
Murtz-David Munis 

 Group N 

Nabber-Nick Munis Sherriff 
Nattie- Ernest Mazza 
NATO-Art Degenhart 
Ned 
Nez Perce Jones-J.H. Jones who was involved in the McKay Gulch Massacre in July 1978. His three miner companions were killed by the Nez Perce Indians and Jones escaped by running to Mr. Baldy (Mt. Amerine [Emerine]) then back to the Schuh Ranch and into Philipsburg to warn the town. (1844-1926) 

Nickle Harvey- Harvey Baurer who as a child would sell his dog to people for a nickel then go around the corner and call the dog. He made the mistake of selling the dog to a rancher one day and the rancher tied the dog to his wagon and took off. Harvey went running to Sheriff McLeod crying. The sheriff tracked down the rancher and bought the dog back for Harvey. 

Nickle Nose- Adolph Andre 
Noisey- Lawrence Norris because he was so quiet 
Noonie- Anne Marie Budel 

 Group O 

Oakie-Harold Sanders 
Ollie-Norman Sichveland 
Ole-Olaf Sandin (1890-1946) 
Oly Joe-Joe Callahan 
Oreo- John F. Winninghoff named by Nancy Miller Owens when eating large amounts of Oreo cookies. He told his children it was because all he brought for camping was Oreo cookies. (1945-2001) 

Ozzie- Oswald Christensen (1911-1982) 

 Group P 

Paddy- Patrick Ward who owned the Senate Mine near Moose Lake 
Palm Beach- cleaned the Pool Hall When Nesbit’s owned it. 
Papa Smurf-Harold Evans 
Parsnips-Bob Munis 
Pat- John McDonald 
Pat-Martin Winninghoff (1905-1986) 
Patsy-Emily Kidder (Haacke) 
P dingle-John P. Cunningham M.D. 
Pee Wee- Charles Crossman 
Pedro-Mark Metesh 
Peg Leg- ? Donaldson 
Peg leg-John Luthje 
Pelican-Joe Costello 
Penny Poop-Penny Haile Forney 
Perd- P.W. Merrifield 
Perp-Richard Davis 
Pinecat-Elmer Lamprey a ranch hand who lived west of City Hall. 
Pinhead-Leo Graham 
Pinky- Leonard Eik Named because his Mom washed his white football uniform with a red sweater, so he had to play with a pink uniform the rest of the year. 

Piston Queen-Sue Sanderson 
Poncho- William Rogan son of Olga Terkla Rogan Minster 
Poncho- Ricky Morgan, brother of Barbara Morgan Brown (class of 1975) 
Pop Eye-Leland Hadley Page Sr. (August 31, 1911-April 12. 1994)
Polock Kid-Steve Graham 
Porkchop-LeRoy Owens 
Postmaster Pete- “Pete” John W. Winninghoff (1904-1972)Was postmaster and owned the Original Sweet Palace Candy Store and then Goode Shop Restaurant and Floral Shop on East Broadway. 

Potlicker-Scott Davis 
Poot- Oliver Storer and Carbide’s brother; sisters were Stella Holt, Margie Carlin and ? 
Poot-Bruce Mason
Poot-Larry Morrison 
Professor-Steve Sorenson 
Puddin’- Margery Metesh (1956-1994) 
Pump Handle-Bill McLean  
Putt Putt was also Tarzan- Lawrence “Sonny” Werning a man with probably Parkinson known then as “St. Vidas dance”

 Group Q 

 Group R 

Rabbit-Bobby Neitz 
Rabbit-Clyde Gregory 
Rainbow- Charles Gall who owned the Rainbow Inn located on the old Gregson Highway east of Anaconda

Randy-Eileen Heimark Baile who has now legally changed her name to Randy. Sister of Rusty daughter of Ed and Wilma Hunt Heimark Christy. 

Red- Elmer Swanson 
Red-Mike Carr 
Red Beard-Richard Johnson 
Red Cooper-Walter Cooper was married to Bea Campbell; they had many children; he worked in the mines 
Red Mack (Mac) –A.A. McDonald (1842-1910) Was mayor of Philipsburg and with his wife owned the McDonald Opera House 

Rene- Lorene Metesh 
Rhubarb-Randy Martin 
Rick o’ Shea-Rick Sharkey 
Rivet-Jim Miller because he always wore jeans with a bright copper rivet on the fly. 
Rock- Frank Province Rancher on upper Rock Creek (1860-1931) in partner ship with Bert  Gillies.

Rolly Eyes-Donny Harris 
Rome-Romedius Saurer (1864-1925) 
Rooster-John Howard 
Rosie-Rose Marie Winninghoff 
Roto Rooter-Rona McOmber 
Roundo-Oliver Kingrey named by Bruce Mason 
Roundo-Walter McLeod 
Roy-Leroy Sprague (1881-1951) 
Rubber Neck-Ben Owsley 
Rugged-Doug Morrison 
Runt-Bob Sanders named by Chuckie Houtz because of his small size when young. 
Rusty- Russell Heimark, son of Wilma Hunt Christy and Ed Heimark and brother of Randy. 
Dusty-David Heimark

  Group S 

Sage- George Hilborn 
Sandbar-Frank D. Brown who received the nickname thusly: The Henry rifle, predecessor of the present Winchester had just come into use and Mr. Brown grabbed the first one off the boat. The Henry was brass bound, held 16 cartridges of .44 caliber, with one in the barrel, and rim-fire---the cartridges, not the barrel. Mr. Brown was traveling along innocent like near the Missouri River one gladsome summer day and was jumped by about 20 red brothers, all howling for ruddy gore and riding hell bent for a taste of it. Mr. Brown rode his horse across the river at a convenient ford, leading his pack horse. On the side where he came out was a long spit of sandbar reaching into the river and Mr. Brown rode up the sandbar to the bank, tied his horses and walked back to the open. Lo! The poor Indian had a cheerful habit of drawing the fire from the white man’s smoke stick and then charging in before he could reload; a very disconcerting habit and predicated upon the proposition that the white man had a single shot rifle and all necessary to success was to dodge the first bullet and then wade in. With 20 Indians coming across the river whooping Mr. Brown was to be made an example of the habit the repeating gun not figured in the performance as the first let a whoop and headed for the white man. But Mr. Brown was a different kind of medicine than the red brother had ever met in his scalping entertainments as he kept right on firing while Indians kept tumbling to the sandbar in a most disconcerting fashion--the charge broke up and the Indians headed for the other shore, with seven down and Mr. Brown still shooting for good measure. Then he untied his horses filled the magazine of the little Henry and went on his blithesome way. “Hell”, said Mr. Brown some time after in discussion of the incident when friends commented upon the inequality of 20 Indians to one white man “I could a kivered the whole damn sandbar if they’d just kept comin’!” And thereafter he was known as “Sandbar” Brown---and that is the kind of hairpin “Sandbar” Brown was in the days of real sport! He went on to mining, real estate and to be the Secretary and Historian of The Montana Pioneer Society. 

Sandy-Angus A. McDonald brother of John J and Nephew of A.A (1862-1938) 
Sandy-Kaye Evan Sanderson (Speed’s brother) 
Sapphire King-Richard Stingle who had claims in Capron and Stoney Gulch in the 1890’s. Sarch/Sarge- Phillip Sarsfield Carey (1873-1958) who owned a ranch on Trout Creek now known as the Bill Christensen Ranch (his nephew) 

Scotty-Allen Morrison who was married to Marie Wickberg 
Scowl Face-Roy Hamilton 
Scrappy-Matt LaTray

Sealed Beam-worked at the Douglas Creek Mine 
Shrimp-Monte Sanders Marker because he was so small in stature. 
Shakey-Walter Phillips lived in Parkerville and had a small Park named after him. 
Shenanigans-Shannon D. Heimark 
Shooshie- Shirley Winninghoff 
Short Cord-Bob Budel 
Shorty-Lester Dean 
Shorty-Jody Yelton
Shorty- Frank Province also known as Bert rancher with Gillies on upper Rock Creek.
Shrub-Gary Parks 
Shrub-Travis Thomas 
Sis- Clara Reynolds Adams 
Sis- Mary Jane Lawry Johnson who was married to Walter “Tiny” Johnson 
Silver King-Joe Metesh 
Skeeter-Park McLure 
Skillet-Jack Miller  
Skimmy-Walter Norris who owned the Stone House north of Maxville 
Skinner-Walter “Tiny” Johnson when he was the Science Teacher and had a crew cut. The students thought he might skin them alive if they got in trouble. “If they only knew-his bark was tougher than his bite” (daughter Sue Abbott) 

Skip-Rod McKenzie 
Skip and Skipper- Don Durand 
Skipper- Gerald Barney who was married to Lorraine Forgette and became lost October 5, 1957. He died in the area between Middle Fork and Ross’ Fork in the Fish Lake area. He was found by Frank Haacke on October 13 about six miles from where Gerald had first began hunting.

Slim- Ernest Bronderslev
Slim Hambone- Felix Aiken who was a railroad enthusiast. The kids would sing "Hambone, Hambone where you been" and he would answer "Around the world and goimg again"
Slick Vic-Vicky Harding
Slud-Allen Lund
Smiley-Lynette Page  
Smitty- George Smith 
Smokey-George Sutherland who owned a ranch on West Fork of Rock Creek (1898-1964)  
Snoz-Albert Bauer because of his nose
Sox- Albert Morrison (1899-1973) 
Sparky- Arthur White who ran the service station on west broadway 
Speck-Joiner Mickey 
Speed-Alex Glover 
Speed- (Young) Byron Sanderson
Speed- Elwyn Kingrey
Sponge-Bob Saurer 
Sport-Bill Gallagher 
Spud and Spudly-Gary Parks 
Squeek Pearson-Gordon Ballard 
Star- Estelle Neu Huffman 
Star-Jay Kreig because of the Star on his brand of tennis shoes. 
Stetson-San Brown because he always wore a cowboy hat. 
Stretcher-Joe Braach 
Stoney-Stonewall McGuire (Sheriff) 
Stork-Dan Strahal 
Stu-Stuart Chaney 
Stu-Stewart Gray 
Stu-Sue Sweeny
Stub-Frank N. Fessler who bought most of the rural school houses when the county rural schools were closed. 

Stubby-Jacky Morrison after his brother (Doug) cut off his finger 
Stubby- Lenard Delaware because of his size. 
Stucco- Carl Maehl because of his building skills and passed down to his son Carl. 
Studly-Steve Graham 
Studebaker Bill- Bill Eckles 
Stumptown- nickname of the town of Tower because the trees were cut for lumber to build the town but the stumps were never removed. 

Stumptown-Walter Sanders who lived in Stumptown nicknamed to differentiate him from the Walter Sanders that owned the “Old Parks/Webb” ranch at the west end of Trail Gulch. 

Sully-Mr. Sullivan the Music teacher for many years 
Susie-Irene Norris Smith 
Swanny- David Swanson 
Swede-Leonard Swanson 
Swede-Evald Olsen because of his nationality. 
Swelter-Bruce Metcalf 

  Group T 

Tata-Carol Huffman Haile 
Taco-David Winninghoff 
Tarzan also known as Putt-Putt – Lawrence “Sonny” Werning who suffered from Parkinson’s  
Tater-Byran Butler 
Tater Tots- Jodi or Leon Parks T
T-Bone-John Welch 
T.C-Terri Collins 
Ted-Theodore Saurer (1921-2008) 
TeDo- Patricia Metesh 
Tex- Louis E. Crowley (1906-1996) 
Tex-Eric Kenny
The Blonde Indian-Bonnie Fiddler
The Buffalo- Bill Kempfer 
The Chisler- Adolph Andre 
The Duke-Chauncey Kennedy 
The Finn Falcon-Virgil Marjamaa 
The Greek- Bill Crncvich who owned the bowling alley above the Antlers Bar 
The Gwendolizer-GwenVise
The Indian-LeRoy Owens Pontiac (1957) 
The Lush-Ronny Naef 
The Sneakin Deacon-Delbert Yardly
The Stud duck-Jim Kistle
The Wop-Dennis Fortunati because he was Italian.
Thelma and Louise-Theresa Loobey and Carol Bohrnsen 
T.J.- Terry Jo Vietor 
Thunder-Bill Winninghoff (1943-2019) 
Thunder-Tim Stephenson 
Tickbeard-Mike Coble 
Ticket Queen- Shirley Finn because of all the tickets she sold 
Tiger- Lee Page II 
Timmy Z-Tim Torres-Housel 
Tin Grin-Spencer Huffman 
Tiny- Walter Johnson who was not Tiny in build.  
Tiny- Leon Lesly Larson who was not tiny in build 
Tiny- ? McLaughlin who threw the bowling ball so hard that the pin setters left the back of the alley before he threw the ball for fear of being injured by flying pins. 

Tizzy Lizzy- Jeanne (Mickey) Plima 
Toad-DuWayne Forgette 
Toph “Topher”-Christopher O’Grady  
Tom-Winas T. Hull Rock Creek Rancher (1851-1928) 
Tony-Marion Wickberg 
Tracky-Lee Tracy 
Tree- Thor Schiveland 
Tricky Dick-Dick Tunstill 
Tritone- a car 
Tuffy- Elmer Beatman married Bea Fessler 
Turkey-Terri Collins 
Tuss- Lois Morrison 
Two Bit Annie-Annie Cantaro 

  Group U 

Uncle Jim-James McDonel first Mayor of Philipsburg. (1843-1927) 
Uncle Tom- William T. Van Norman (1889-1982) owned the Dance Hall and picnic area just south of the West Fork Bridge on the Middle Fork of Rock Creek from 1929-1971. He also brought in income by trading in fur pelts, cowhides and deer hides with the local trappers and rancher. 

Ugly Bug-Colleen Byam 

  Group W

Wad-John Hoehne 
Wally- Waldo Haacke who later legally changed his name to Wally 
Wally-Mark Williams 
Wally-Wallace Frost 
Wart Hog-Mr.George Hail a Math Teacher in the “70’s 
Watson-George Mungas 
Whimpey- Billy Churchwell was the brother of Tommy and lived and worked at Echo Lake. 
Whisky Bill- William Terkla who died at the age of fifteen from an injury when struck by a bucking bronco at the Grade School Rodeo grounds on July 4th 1930. 

Whitey-Mike Costello because of his platinum blonde hair 
Whitey-Bob Williams 
Whitey-Bob White 
Wild Bill-Bill McCale because he loved to ride bucking horses. (1914-1987) 
Wild Bill from Parkerville-Bill Hellman named at the age of two 
Wildmeat-Davie Harris 
Willow Creek Hippie- John Luthje 
Willie-Wilma Hunt Heimark Christy 
Window Joe-Joe Callahan who did windows and siding and painted cactus on the town buildings. Wings-Lonette Kulaski 
Word One-Tex Crowley 
Wow-Dave Bowen
Wus-Leonard Bowen

  Group Y

Ya Banjinia-Mark Housel 
 Yard Stick-Dan Yardley 
 Yo Yo-Yolanda Taylor

  Group Z 

Zeke-Vesper Judy who was a miner and owned a mine beginning in 1898 near what is now called “Zeke’s Meadow” on Ross’ Fork of Rock Creek. Killed in a cave-in at the Gonk in 1922.

 Zelmo-Jim Beattie 
 Zip- Bryan Hynes (Sheriff) 
 Zip-Robert Steffan