Henry Imkamp: Town Savior

Henry Imkamp could possibly be the one person that kept the town of Philipsburg from being relegated to the history books as a Ghost Town. In 1869, the Hope Mill experienced a recession and almost caused the death of the camp: 

“Its streets were empty, its buildings tenantless, the mines deserted. Silence and solitude reigned almost unchallenged. Of 1500 people, only three remained: Henry Inkamp, E.B. Waterbury and J.M. Merrill (Merrell). For one day Henry Inkamp was alone in camp. Alone in the little city with its hundred of closed doors and cheerless windows, the great mill towering like a specter of departed life and the broad street grass-grown and deserted.” stated the New Northwest August 27, 1875. 

Questioning whether it was one or five days, in the Philipsburg Mail on November 29, 1894 was the following article: 

“The familiar face of our former townsman, Henry Imkamp, was welcomed in the ‘Burg last week, having arrived from St. Louis, Mo., his present home, to attend to some business here. Mr. Imkamp is one of the pioneer settlers in Phillipsburg, and his association with the town is characterized by the fact that for five days in the early history of the place he was the only resident here. All the other settlers at that time has stampeded for the gold digging but Mr. Imkamp remained and for five days was “monarch of all he surveyed.” One by one the settlers came back and from that day to this Phillipsburg has gradually been going ahead. Mr. Imkamp, like several of his comrades, became rich, and now he lives in the height of luxury in St. Louis.” 

Henry Inkamp, born in Prussia came to Philipsburg as a merchant in 1867 and opened a saloon.. In the 1870 Federal Census, Henry was one 30 people interviewed in the 195 residences in Phillipsburg. At that date he was 37 years of age and worth $1,700. In the 1880 Federal Census Henry was still listed as a saloon keeper and married to Caroline with a one month old daughter named Lilla. The Pioneer Association records show that Henry arrived in Montana in 1856. He built the Imkamp building in 1887 as a business block. Various articles state that since 1890, businesses in the block have included a Gentleman’s Clothing Store, a Grocery and Fruit Market, a Tailors Shop, Doctor’s Offices, Printing Office, Utility Office and Post Office. Reviewing Sanborn Maps of 1890 through 1908, it is hard to determine which side of Broadway between Sansome and Montgomery, this would be, as the variety and buildings changed frequently 

Recent research found Henry Bernard Imkamp’s death record in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born on June 19, 1838 and died on October 16, 1898. Survivors were: wife Caroline (Doerge) and daughter Lillie. Cause of death was stomach ulcers and he is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery at St. Louis. His occupation is listed only as Saloon Keeper. Sadly he was never credited as an owner of real estate and town savior. 

In 1870, Purvine and Schnepel leased the mill and the town began to come back to life. Then in 1872, George Plaisted and Brown, leased the mill and ran a considerable amount of ore. Colonel Lyons crushed 500 tons of Trout Ore, for the Imperial Company that same year. 

Politically active citizen’s watching the camp of Phillipsburg survive for twenty more years, wrote articles of incorporation in October of 1890. Elections were held the first week of November, with a positive vote, formally declaring, it was now a town. This town, no longer supported by mining, has transformed itself into a tourist destination. I wonder if Henry could ever imagine that his keeping the town open has continued to be the impetus in residents and new comer’s blood now for 153 more years.

The rest of the Dingwalls, Plus Jack Nelson

           Jack Nelson photo cropped from the Jill Brody Book "Drummond: Ranch Life in the West"

Earl Duncan Dingwall was born on October 22, 1892 in New Chicago and was the only son born to Duncan and Lodema ( Lomeda). He attended schools in Granite county and graduated from Intermountain Union College in Helena, then went into the mercantile business with his father. When Duncan died Earl moved into the ranch home south of Hall and lived there until becoming ill and moving to a house in Drummond. He died at his home in Drummond after being ill for a year according to the February 7, 1936 Philipsburg Mail. An active member of the Masonic Ruby Lodge in Drummond assured him of burial with Masonic rites at the Valley cemetery, after a funeral service performed by Rev. Musket at the Methodist church in Drummond. Survivors were: aunt Mrs. Ella Baker of Rollins; cousins: Freeman Tinklepaugh and Mrs. Vatis (Eva Tinklepaugh) Page of Philipsburg, and cousins: Leona, John, William D. and James Dingwall of New Chicago. 

William and Catherine’s son, William Duncan who was born on October 26, 1881 died October 15, 1943 shortly before his 62nd birthday. He is buried in the Valley cemetery. William’s wife, Catherine died at the age of 86 on April 15, 1945, in Missoula. from pneumonia. She had lived 67 years on the ranch in the Flint Creek valley, before moving with her daughter into the Palace Hotel in Missoula on December 20, 1944. Born at Lawrence, Kansas October 15, 1858, Catherine (Kate) Price crossed the plains three times in her early life and at 18 traveled to Corinne, Utah and then by way of stage arrived in Montana in 1876. She lived both in Deer Lodge and then New Chicago (with aunt Lucy Coberly) until she married William Dingwall on December 20, 1877. Catherine was a member of the Montana Society of Pioneers and the Methodist Church in Drummond. Besides her children Catherine was survived by three brothers and three sisters. 

John Dingwall, the son of Catherine and William, was born on October 18, 1878 and died June 6, 1956 at the age of 76. He is buried at the Valley cemetery. The September 6, 1957 Philipsburg Mail District Court Notes stated: 

“At a session of the District Court on Tuesday September 3, Judge William R. Taylor approved the final account of Leona Dingwall and James A. Dingwall, executors of the estate of John Dingwall, deceased and signed a decree of settlement of said account and distribution of estate. The distributes were Leona Dingwall, James A. Dingwall and John Arthur (Jack) Nelson, each of whom received a one-third of the residue of the estate; the inheritance tax due the state of Montana was fixed at $2,208.10.” 

John Arthur (Jack) Nelson was born to Carl and Johana Peterson on December 5, 1920. Carl had a butcher wagon and sold meat to the ranchers, farmers and miners in the area. They lived on the Nelson place on the edge of New Chicago when Jack was born and then moved to what is now Verlanic’s next to the Dingwall’s. It was then that Jack began working for them and was basically taken under their wing. 

Onita was born to Henry and Ellen Kolbeck Sept.7, 1920 in Hall and began driving as chauffer for Leona Dingwall while in High school. She had met Jack in the first grade at Hall School. At the age of 21 they carved out enough time from their respective ranch chores during haying season and told their parents they were going to attend the State Fair in Great Falls. They were married there on August 6, 1942 and lived in Hall at the Heady house until the Dingwall’s built a house for them on the ranch. Born to Onita and Jack were Gordon and Joy (Wetsch). 

Leona (1879-1966) and James Dingwall (1885-1960) left the William Dingwall Company to Jack when they died. A beautiful Coffee Table Book was published by Jill Brody in 2004 titled “Drummond: Ranch life in the west” that carries many stories including Jack, Onita, Joy and husband Ron Wetsch’s life. in text and photographs. 

Jack died on August 2, 2010 and Onita moved about six or eight months later to Granite County Nursing Home where she died July 4rh 2012 at the age of 91. Survivors were: son Gordon and wife Mary, of Michigan, daughter Joy and Ron Wetsch of Drummond; Grandsons: Jon Nelson of Seattle, Shawn (Toby) Wetsch of Drummond, Justin Wetsch of Big Sky and four great grandchildren: Jacklyn and Trice Wetsch of Deer Lodge and Twins-Piper and Kameron Wetsch of Drummond. The Wetsch’s: Joy, Ron, Shawn, Toby and the twins continue operating the original Dingwall ranch that Jack and Onita dedicated their entire life to.

The Dingwall Brothers

The Dingwall brother’s were early pioneers of the New Chicago area. Brothers, Duncan, born March 31, 1847 and William, born October 14, 1844, in Ontario, Canada, immigrated as a young men. 

William first to Buffalo, New York where he worked as a clerk in a lumber company for six years, then decided to come west. He returned to Canada for a short visit with his family and then with brother Duncan traveled to Sioux City by rail. They then traveled overland on horse back to the Missouri River and booked themselves on a boat up the Missouri to Fort Benton. William and Duncan joined a group of 18 and engaged a freighting party to bring them to Helena,. They arrived at the bustling mining camp in 1868. After working for six months in Helena, Duncan went to Henderson Gulch where he was involved in placer mining for about three years. William remained in Helena and worked in the lumber business. 

Next, William and Duncan bought a herd of cattle and drove them into the Flint Creek valley in 1871. There they set up the Dingwall ranch which acquired more than 4,000 acres in the New Chicago area. Both brothers were members of the Montana Society of Pioneers. During the winter of 1873 the Dingwall herd of cattle scattered during a severe storm and Duncan froze his feet while rounding them up according to an article in the Missoulian on July 3, 1955. The result of the incident “was amputation”, but I never found any other reference to this fact. 

Duncan Dingwall was involved in the very heated election campaign of 1886 against the Sligh-Durand ticket for Montana State Senator. After Duncan won the election Sligh by manipulation went to Helena and occupied the Senate seat. The December 4, 1896 Mail carried the District Court happenings where:

”On Saturday the case of Sligh vs Reck came up at the district court. Dr. J.M. Sligh instituted injunction proceedings against G. J. Reck as county clerk of Granite county to restrain him from issuing a certificate of election to Duncan Dingwall as senator from Granite county. The case was ably argued by Honorable W. B. Rodgers, counsel for Dingwall and W. E. Moore of Philipsburg, counsel for Sligh. The court took the case under advisement and on Monday rendered its decision, in which the injunction was denied. Judge Brantly, in rendering his decision held substantially: …that Duncan Dingwall, having received a majority of all the votes cast at the last election, for that office, was regularly and duly elected as such senator and is entitled to receive a certificate of election from the Clerk of Granite county.” 

Dingwall won out and research revealed many notes in the Philipsburg Mail addressing him as Honorable Duncan Dingwall during 1897. Also found was the following: 

“Dingwall Brothers sold fifty head of cattle Monday last to a Helena firm for the smug sum of $2,125.00, or $42.50 a head.(March 5, 1897) The Philipsburg Mail posted a list of the county taxpayers who paid over $100 for the year 1896, on December 31. The Dingwall Brothers paid $665.24. As a comparison The First National Bank paid $827.63. The October 15, 1910 Mail published taxes owed by Duncan Dingwall as $287.00 and the Dingwall Brothers owed $290.33. Then in January 20, 1928 the William Dingwall Company was assessed $1,575.30 

Duncan was the first president of the Drummond Commercial Club when it was organized in 1912. Duncan married Lodema Tinklepaugh and they had son Earl D. He became an assistant to his father in the merchandising business a year before Duncan died from the effects of Bright’s Disease on November 9, 1919, at the age of 72. Survivors beside wife, son and brother of New Chicago, were brother Ewen of Lancaster, Ontario and an un-named sister at the same local. Internment was in the Valley cemetery. 

William took an active interest in republican politics and was elected Granite County Commissioner in 1908. He was chairman of the Board when the Granite County Court House was built in 1912 and was one of the organizers and stockholders in the First State Bank in Philipsburg and the Deer Lodge Bank and Trust Company in Deer Lodge. He died on the ranch where he had lived for the past 58 years on July 16, 1929, at the age of 84, after a short illness. His funeral was held at the family residence. Internment was in the Valley cemetery. Survivors were wife Catherine (Kate Price) and children: Leona, John, William and James. 

 None of the children married, but they took Jack Nelson under their wing. Jack inherited the asset after helping them run the Dingwall ranch, until their deaths.

Civil War Patriots in Granite County

                             Patriot Son of America and Grand Army of the Republic members 

                     standing in front of first courthouse in 1892 from the Fan Harrington Collection

The history of patriotism in Montana is well documented. Prior to immigration to Montana a large portion of the population was involved in the Civil War. This is apparent in the disagreement over the name of the first territorial capital. Varina was the name chosen by some of the Confederate sympathizer’s among the miners; even though they were far removed from the battlefields of the Civil War these men were, for the most part, intensely interested in the conflict and had definite allegiances. Jefferson Davis being as much a hero to those whose sympathies were with the south as Abraham Lincoln was to the others, it occurred to the town company to name the new camp after Davis’s wife. The papers were presented to Dr. Bissell (Giles Gaylord Bissell of Connecticut had been named Judge on June 12, 1863), whose sympathies were just as strong for the northern cause. According to the Bissell family legend, the doctor struck his makeshift desk and exclaimed, “I’ll be damned if I’ll sign it that way”. Crossing out Varina he substituted Virginia, allegedly with the further remark that “…no such blot as this shall stain the honor of the camp.” 

Other definite feelings, regarding the beliefs of the north and south, were apparent in the Montana Territorial Assembly of 1872. Section 34 stated: "The education of children of African descent shall be provided for in separate schools…” Plus the Montana Legislature passed, without comment the following law: “Every white male inhabitant over the age of twenty one years, who shall have paid or be liable to pay any district tax, shall be a legal voter at any school meeting, and no other person shall be allowed to vote.” The interesting fact is, individual opinion was allowed to be held, while the hardy individuals worked for the common good, of the land they were settling. 

Tombstones in the Philipsburg Cemetery, Valley Cemetery and newspaper obituaries, attest to the presence of military men living in Granite County, who served in the early military and Civil War and the attached picture, although names are not included portray 41 men who were either Patriotic Sons of America or Grand Army of the Republic members. Although hard to read I believe the date on the picture is 1892. The picture was taken in front of the first Granite County Court House. 

In my years of research I have been able to identify 30 men who may be in the attached picture. They are: John Jeffrey (__-1890), John Hart Williams (1842-1913), Rev. George Jenkins (1836-1901), J.K. Pardee (1842-1914), Albert Tinklepaugh (1845-1920), Lawrence Pence 1840-1916), L.C. Degenhart (1843-1922), Robert Anderson (1845-1928), John A. Periman (1845-1929), Francis Thomas (1833-1921), Joseph Case (1846-1930), Eilisee E. Thibault (__-1920), J.H. Loomis (1840-1914), Elijah Powell (1845-1899), John A. Spencer(1844-1921), Norman A. Eddy (1848-1917), John Hendrickson Sr. (__-1901), Thomas Long (1839-1917), Rodney Charles (1843-1917), L.A. Matthews (__-__), Paul A. Fusz (1847-1910), Charles Weitfle (1826-1921), William Irvine (1842-1901), T.R. Hess (1844-1926), F.D. “Sandbar” Brown (1845-1931), Henry “Hank” Snyder (1850-1928), George Terrell (__-1895), Samuel Sprague (1835-1899), Bernard Dougherty (1848-1916) and John Buhler (__-__). 

One thing is certain, without these men of staunch character and unfailing Mettle, Granite county would not have been what it was and their descendants have contributed to what it now is with continued undying patriotism.

Flint Creek Falls and Georgetown Dam

 

The fertile meadows would not be in this valley if it wasn’t for the creeks that flowed into Flint Creek and part of that water source is from the Georgetown area. First known as Georgetown Flats and then known as the mining camp of Georgetown, the area was flooded when the Flint Creek Dam was built by The Montana Water, Electric Power and Mining Company. The company was owned by Paul Fusz et al, at the time the dam was completed. They bought out the previous owners and incorporated in May of 1899 with principal stockholders being: Paul A. Fusz, M. Rumsey, C. Jagels and L.M. Rumsey. These same persons were large stockholders in the Granite Bi-Metallic Consolidated Mining Company. The work of utilizing the water of Flint Creek was originally commenced in 1891. The expected outcome was to form a reservoir that would hold millions of cubic feet of water. At that time a crew of over 200 men were employed on the ditch and flume. The dam was built of solid masonry and was started at bedrock then extended from rim to rim of the canyon. A crew of fifty carpenters was hired at the town of Bonner in October 1899 to frame timbers for the Power House. The October 13, 1899 Mail, detailed the following: 

“The company is confident that it can depend upon about 3,000 inches of water for use from the Georgetown flats to the falls. To utilize this a covered plank flume nearly 6,600 feet long has been constructed. The flume is three and one-half by four feet in the clear and there are two tunnels, one 350 feet long and the other 700 feet. At the end of the flume is a penstock or tank with a capacity of 35,000 gallons, to be built. From the penstock a pipe 38 inches in diameter and about 1,500 feet in length will extend down mountainside to the power house. The penstock will be about 200 feet higher than the power house…[the fall of water is expected to create energy equal to about 2,500 horsepower]. Pelton water wheels …are high pressure and capable of a like number of generators. The power will be transmitted to the mill of the Granite Bi-Metallic Consolidated Company a distance of seven miles, over heavy copper wires and will be put into use by means of an electric motor at the mill. The site of the power station is a short distance below the Flint Creek falls and is almost perfect for the purpose…the company expects to have power generated by next February. The contract for lumber to be used in the construction of the powerhouse has been awarded and the electrical machinery is now being built by the Westinghouse Company. A large shipment of insulators has already arrived at the depot and the work of setting the poles will be commenced at once and be completed before the frost will interfere. The heavy copper wires which are to convey the powerful electric current will also be strung before snow falls and most of the outdoor work will be completed before the first of the year…Ultimately the electricity generated at Flint Creek falls will be utilized in the operation of the company mines at Granite and in lighting that town.” 

The dream became reality when power was finally generated in 1901. Remnants of the flume are still visible along the walls of the Flint Creek gorge and this little power plant furnished the Company and the local area well. Although a money pit, an upgraded plant continues to provide power. 

There were at least four ranches on Georgetown Flats before the dam was built. The Pullar Brother’s, Ike and John Sanders and W.T. Hull were relocated to Upper Rock Creek, apparently by Paul Fusz obtaining the Rock Creek ranch sites and consummating a trade. Also located on the southeast side was the remains of the Thomas Stuart Mill, built in 1873 and 1874 by Stuart and O.B. Whitford. The milling venture was said to be a loss to the men of at least $25,000 as their mine failed to yield high grade ore. This area is now known as the Stuart Bay. Thomas was the younger brother of James and Granville Stuart. The mill, built without any nails was still partially standing in 1924.

                               Thomas Stuart Mill Remains from The Circle Banner article in 1924

Reminiscing about the Philipsburg Women's Club Camping on Rock Creek

                Philipsburg Women's Club on Rock Creek 1904 from Fan Harrington Collection
 

 As I have stated earlier, I was graced with a large box of pictures and memorabilia from historian Fan Titus McKenzie Harrington, last year. In this box are a number of notes jotted down by Fan on the back of printed papers. I understand this frugality as I know how hard writing paper was to come by when I was a child and I continue to save every sheet of paper I receive, that has a blank side. This is used for all my research notes and thoughts. Fan was Chairman of the Granite County Seal Sale for the 48th Annual Christmas Sale to promote The Montana Tuberculosis Society in November, 1954. The paper had the TBA letterhead and stated: 

“Dear Granite County Citizens: Holiday Greetings. The season which brings out our best feelings of friendliness and unselfishness is again with us. Once again we appeal to you to continue your help in the Annual Christmas Seal Sale. Tuberculosis is no respecter of age, or race or creed. Here in Granite County this year, at a cost of $565.82 in Christmas Seal Funds, 1,718 people or 79 percent of our x-ray-able population were given tests by the x-ray mobile unit. Early discovery of Tuberculosis is the least expensive time [?type] of treatment. Therefore, less tax money is needed to operate the State Tuberculosis Sanitarium, The State Board of Health, Welfare and Rehabilitation Departments, if Tuberculosis is discovered and treated in the early stages. The enclosed seals are $1.00 a sheet. Please buy what you can. To those that help, we say, “Thank You.” Sincerely Yours; Mrs. Fan Harrington, Seal Sale Chairman, Granite County."

On the blank back side of three of these letters Fan jotted down in a somewhat rambling style the following:

“ some people, I am one of them, seem just to never know when to leave well enough alone. According to Hawthorne’s poem which begins- The dark and melancholy days are here- the saddest of the year this is the time to abandon hope while sitting down to await a long hard winter -but what does this optimistic elderly person do but let her mind wander back to the years where November meant an old-timer’s party with the Woman’s Club of Philipsburg acting as sponsors. Picture me there, as spending much of my time this last week looking over stacks of pictures many of them photographs of people I knew long ago. Some are snapshots which remind me of the occasions on which they were taken- Seeing pictures of a camp on Rock Creek just above the Wyman ranch was a source of joy for nearly sixty years to members of the group who as young people camped there each summer for several years. Today as one of the very few remaining members of this party I remember many of the details of those happy times. Every day the young men and boys cut and dragged in wood for the evening camp fire which blazed away far into the night as the voices of the group and visitors sang one old song after another. There was story telling also - many of them about the big one that got away for fishing was very good back in the good old days. The family of an English Clergyman camped down on Stony Creek one year and almost every evening they came to visit at out camp. Now it happened that one young man who came from out of town brought, what he thought would be a treat for all of us, a case of queen gage plums. They were so hard and so green that no one could eat them. How the boys did delight in passing baskets of plums to the English guests, who were too polite to refuse them and who strove mightily to eat and not show the facial expressions of their distaste from this bitter fruit.” 

The writing continues on into another string of thoughts I will share later. Because this was written in pencil and has many crossed out and re-worked sentences it takes some time to decipher. Fortunately this treasure trove of memories was placed in a cardboard box and put in a dark closet many years ago, so the paper and writing are still in remarkable good shape. I can only hope that by the time I get to the bottom of the box I will find notes jotted down on family histories I have been told she made while interviewing old timers.