Archaeological History Unearthed at The Fred Burr Site

 

                                                                       Oxbow Point

I was honored to be invited to participate in the Fred Burr Dig titled 24GN1095 in the final four years of it’s evacuation. The title of this dig indicates that it is the 1,095th registered archaeological dig in Granite County. This probably comes as a surprise to many people that quietly archives have been excavated around the county for many years with little knowledge from local people. A dig has to have the permission of the land owner before it can begin and everyone working at the site including the many archaeology and geology students that received hands on experience sign a form that states they will not disclose the site to anyone. Kind of like “if I tell you I will have to kill you.” I brought four of my great-grandchildren one year and they worked in pouring rain and 100 degree temperatures from 6am until after 6pm for most of a week with Sunday as a day off. Although the work was very hard they were rewarded with a few very nice projectile points. They can now come to the Granite County Museum and point out to their family and friends the artifacts they unearthed. 

This site is located on land owned by Marlene Chor. She is a descendant of the Albert and Josephine Budel family that claimed a homestead on this site in Township 6 about 1910. Marlene grew up hearing family stories about the land being used as a campsite for native Americans and in 1987 an artifact was found on the top of a freshly dug gopher hole. This find led to Professor Jack Schultz from Montana Tech sponsoring an archeological dig at the site in 1989. This “pit” was continued for 2 seasons with the help of archeological students before Schultz moved away. The platted precise dig was not initiated until Daniel Comer Archeologist became aware of the site and began coordinating digs in 2009. The dig covered 10 seasons and always included Daniel, Marlene and Ken Schmidt and his brother Mark. Every piece of bone, pottery, charcoal. lethic and projectile, tool piece or sherd and rock was carefully diagramed, photographed, labeled and all saved, except the hearth stones. This multitude of artifacts was then carefully collated and boxed according to the exact location. all of this is now available to any interested researcher by contacting the Granite County Museum. All of the projectile points and tools plus bones of interest are displayed for the general public. Many of the bison bones displayed are not from the site but from Bison jumps around Montana. The information gleaned from this site has disclosed great information and is preserved to be utilized to answer many more questions, in the following years, as tools are invented to date artifacts more accurately. We know that a number of activities were performed there including faunal processing, manufacture and usage of bone tools, cooking with ceramic vessels, scraping activities, knife work, and hide processing plus projectile point manufacture, re-sharpening and replacement of these tools. The artifacts found include projectile points from many different time periods, knives, scrapers and drills. Also one bone needle was found. Obviously rock was transported from other areas as there is evidence of “Madison Chert”, Eyebrow “Hasmark Chert”, Obsidian, “Avon Chert” and “McLeery Gulch Chert” and totals nine different sources including a light purple chert in limited numbers. The number of hearths revealed demonstrates that this was a very large animal processing site and in all probability was close to a major Bison Jump. We are aware of a number of Ancient Bison heads found in Granite County and they all appear to be of the ancient Woodland Bison adding credence to a local harvest of Bison through out different time periods. A pottery sherd was analyzed for residue in 2013 and was found to contain native grasses and bison protein with maize also present. Maize presence is extremely unusual this far northwest and may mean contact with the Wasatch area of present day Utah, where corn was grown in prehistoric times. 

Radiocarbon samples show that the utilization of the site occurred from as early as 3500 BC to as late as 1850 AD. An intact Oxbow Point found by Dave Klumpar the last day of the dig has a date of use between 2000 and 3500 BC. The ancient history of Granite County can also be appreciated in a Master Thesis by Nancy Flint PhD describing the Weaver site and the Fred Burr Dig Synopsis was published in “Archaeology In Montana”, Vol.62, No.2, 2021 pp.85-99. Please visit the Museum and appreciate our ancient history.

Weinsteins: One of the First General Stores

When miners immigrated to the remote western region in the 1860’s, they needed supplies and sustenance and the need was filled by stalwart entrepreneurs, not afraid to take a gamble. Often they were also miners or invested in the mines. One of these families was the William Weinstein’s. William is credited with opening one of the first General Merchandise stores, in Granite, in 1885, with his main store in Philipsburg built in 1877, at 210 E. Broadway. 

The story goes that he came from Cable, in 1866, with a wagon load of supplies. Whether he came in 1866 or 1867, as the following article stated we know he was one of the very early merchants. According to his obituary, Mr. Weinstein, came to the United States from Poland in the year 1855 as a young boy, and lived at Leavenworth, Kansas, then other western localities, until he arrived in Montana in 1865, where he started a small store in Cable, some time afterward. Next he moved to Philipsburg in 1867, and started a small store, which grew to be one of the largest and most important in the state. I also found where he ran a small store in Corvallis, Missoula County, for a short time, with a man named Block. 

Emphasizing the fact, he was an astute businessman, the New Northwest, in 1882, had an article discussing the shut down of the Algonquin Mine and stated “…Mr. Weinstein had secured a judgment and execution against the Algonquin Co. for about $8,000 and was proceeding to sell certain personal property” when a motion was argued and sustained. End result was being awarded the judgment, though I doubt he ever collected it. 

William Weinstein and his little son Harry returned from an eastern visit, April 28, 1887. There he had bought and promised the townspeople to shortly exhibit for sale at his Broadway store, the most complete and select stock of general merchandise, notions and ladies’ dress goods that was ever brought into the territory. 

Weinstein was an Alderman, for the City of Philipsburg, in 1893 and the June, 14, 1893, Citizen Call, stated their son Harry Weinstein, visited Philipsburg and would be back at Ann Arbor, by Thursday for the resumption of school. Harry had no sooner returned to class, when on July 2, 1893, (a Sunday) his father William, rode up to Granite from Philipsburg:”…in a buckboard drawn by one of his black horses. When he got through with business at his store there he started home and met John Foley, of the Bi-Metallic, who had gone up on horseback. He invited the gentleman to ride down the hill with him. The invitation was accepted and all went well for a short distance. When they got down below the Bi-Metallic mine the horse started to run away, but was controlled, by Mr. Weinstein. They had not gone very far before the horse started again. This time Mr. Foley became very anxious and jumped out of the vehicle while the horse was on a dead run. As he did so he noticed that the horse he had ridden up on and which he had tied to the rear of the buckboard had broken loose, and a man on the road had caught him. In the meantime the [Mr. Weinstein’s} horse had run down near the roadhouse with Mr. Weinstein, and as there was a rut in the road, it is supposed that he was thrown in such a manner when the vehicle struck it that his head hung out and he was either struck by the horses hoof or the wheel. At any rate he was picked up and taken into the roadhouse and physicians were summoned and everything possible was done, but to no avail, and he died two or three hours later. Dr. Heine says that the scalp injury itself was not sufficient to cause death and is of the opinion that it was the concussion which killed him. He also lost considerable blood, as the scalp was badly torn.” His wife and many friends were summoned immediately and went to his side. He never regained consciousness and shortly, after they started home with him in one of their carriages he died. 

The funeral took place from the residence Tuesday morning and his body was escorted to the train by a large delegation of the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows. Internment was in the Helena cemetery, following the performance of Jewish rites. Survivors were: his widow, and three children: Harry, Alice and Abe; and a brother Hymen Weinstein, a Philipsburg businessman. After William’s death, F.J. Wilson, was named to replace him as vice-president of the Merchant and Miners Bank. 

On August 24, 1893, the Weinstein family’s, sorrow was still raw when another accident befell them, again on a Sunday, just seven weeks after William’s death. Little Abe, the youngest Weinstein child, was not yet fifteen when he drowned at the Bi-Metallic plunge bath. Apparently youngsters were not supposed to go to the area, so he talked Johnnie McDonald and R.L. Desourdy, to accompany him. His reason for begging his mother to let him go was because he wanted to learn to swim. His companions stretched a rope across the plunge for Abe to hang onto as the water was twelve to fourteen feet deep.. “Abe evidently had gained enough confidence in himself to attempt getting into the water alone, but he missed the rope and went down”. His remains were taken to Helena, and laid to rest beside his father. 

 Demonstrating that William’s business was continued on by his heirs, the Mail had a full front page advertisement for Weinstein’s in the December 19, 1895, issue. Through out the Mail, that year, are full column ads, advertising prices and a raffle drawing for a dress.. They not only advertised in the Mail, but also in the Granite Mountain Star. 

In 1895, the Citizen Call, stated Harry Weinstein, who was attending college at Ann Arbor, returned home Tuesday, looking well. Then, an article stated “John W. Dawson (Tessy’s Brother-in-law), the genial manager of the Weinstein estate, remembered the Mail, office with some substantial goods that cheer the weary, and makes the ordinary citizen feel that he had no trouble on earth”. Obviously the New Year, toast was not lemonade! 

John’s wife, Rebecca died at the, age of thirty two years, in May of 1898. Survivors were: her husband, two children: aged twelve and nine; parents: Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Silverman; brother Sam of Spokane Falls; and sisters: Mrs. Tessy Weinstein of Philipsburg and Mrs. Benjamin Pizer of Helena. 

Tessy continued her social life as evidenced in the November,1901 Mail where: “Mrs. Tessy Weinstein, Mrs. Anna Kroger, Mrs. Conrad Wipf, Mrs. G.W. Young, Mrs. L. J. Hartzell, and Miss M.C. Ryan comprised a party of ladies that visited Mrs. T.G. Botscheider at Sunrise, Tuesday. The ladies were driven out by way of Combination, leaving the city about nine o’clock in the morning and returned home the same evening. Notwithstanding the storm that prevailed during the afternoon and evening, the ladies had a very pleasant time and greatly enjoyed the trip. 

Then Tessy (Silverman) Weinstein died from heart problem’s in October 1903. A native of Poland she had arrived at Fort Benton, Montana, 35 years earlier. Burial was at Forestvale Cemetery in Helena on October 19th. Her Life insurance paid $12,114, to her heirs. Next, a notice of dissolution stated: “The co-partnership heretofore conducted by H.I. Weinstein of Seattle, Washington and Alice Weinstein of Philipsburg, Montana, under the firm name of T. Weinstein & Company, at Philipsburg, Montana, is this day dissolved by mutual consent. Mr. H. I. Weinstein retiring from the business and Alice Weinstein retaining the entire business. Alice will be responsible for all liabilities of the co-partnership and will collect all notes and accounts due the aforesaid co-partnership. Dated at Seattle, Washington this 21 day of June 1904. Signed H.I. Weinstein and Alice Weinstein. 

Alice Weinstein, married E. Archer Hannah, January 30, 1906 in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Hannah was a former clerk at the Bi-metallic. They made their home in an apartment in the Weinstein Block. Their son Eugene Archer Jr. born in 1907 died in 1914 according to Philipsburg Cemetery headstone. Next, Miss Emma Weinstein, the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Weinstein, married Frank Burke, in Anaconda, on September 5, 1908. Mr. Burke was employed as a blacksmith at the Hope mine. The newly weds made their home in Philipsburg, after a brief honeymoon. 

The July 19, 1918, Philipsburg Mail, headlines stated “H. Weinstein dies Thursday”. Hyman, sixty five years of age, came to Philipsburg in 1888 and ran a general store for almost thirty years, before he retired. He was survived by his wife Freda and daughters: Miss Lena, of Philipsburg and Mrs. Frank (Emma) Burk, of Florida and son Victor, the Philipsburg City Treasurer. Hyman’s funeral was performed in Helena and he was interred beside a son, who died several years before. In 1922, Victor Weinstein, was appointed by the School Board, as an election Judge for the upcoming school election. Research has failed to reveal Victor’s death. Hyman’s wife Freda, died at the age of seventy four, in Missoula on February 3, 1928, and was buried next to Herman (Hyman) and two of their sons, in the Home of Peace Cemetery, in Helena. Survivors were: daughters Miss Lena Weinstein and Mrs. Emma Burke, both of Missoula. Alice’s death has not been found.

The Priority Of Education

 

After the silver crash, believing there was a great loss of students, Granite decided to keep only Miss M.I. Wolfe, as principal and Miss S.K. Coonan, as Assistant and to open the school October 2. The two teachers were retained at a lesser salary of $110 and $75 a month. Then the Granite News column, October 5, 1893, published this article: “When school opened Monday it was found that two teachers could not control the large number of pupils in attendance, and the services of Mrs. J.E. Trumbell were brought into service. Miss Sligh was employed temporarily, awaiting the arrival of Miss Wolfe from Anaconda…over 100 pupils were enrolled and the attendance is swelling daily."

 The only change noticeable was the large attendance of children who had appeared for the first time in the Philipsburg School. Demonstrating examples of the mettle that kept the community of Philipsburg alive was the issue of education. and was discussed with many different means explored to raise the needed money for a permanent building. As early as May 4, 1893 The Mail stated “The whole (school) Board is a unit on the question of increasing the school facilities, but the manner of doing it is where the difference of opinion comes in. A committee has been appointed…Trustee Pizer, of the committee, reported at the meeting that Angus McDonald wanted $2,000 per acre or $6,000 for three acres out where the baseball grounds are. Mrs. H. Schnepel, wanted $8,000 for five acres nearer to town. The Board was unanimous…that these figures were too much for the district to stand…Trustee Chris Jacky thought that the present site could be made to answer every purpose and suggested that steps could be taken to have the town board of Aldermen condemn the street between the two pieces of property owned by the district in order that they might be in one parcel of land. Then a good substantial brick building could be built, and there would be plenty of play ground. Trustee, Huffman agreed with Mr. Jacky.“ 

Ultimately, a mill levy was passed by the City of Philipsburg and  Contractor Charles Suiter won the bid to construct a High School Building. By early December the Citizen Call, announced the new school was almost completed and should be turned over to the school trustees by the fifteenth with a new term of school starting by January 4. Finally, The Mail, happily announced on January 9, 1896 the:” ...school house was completed and Mr. Charles Suiter turned the building over to the school board. The board accepted the building with an agreement that $5 per day equaling $275.00 does not have to be paid to Mr. Suiter due to the building not being completed on the agreed date. School will open next Monday. The teachers hired are: Prof. J.S. Gifford, Miss Annie Price, Miss M.C. Ryan, Miss Amy Short, Miss Madge Short and Mrs. Eugene Smith.” The janitor hired was Harry Rust, at $50.00 per month. 

To fill in the void while the school was being constructed, the Citizen Call October 30, 1895, made a comment about some one starting a private school and”…Mrs. F.H. Titus and Julius Hansen will open a private school in the private buildings owned by A.S. Huffman on California Street. They have secured the seats and other furniture of the old school house and will probably be ready for children on next Monday morning. There will be two departments, Julius Hansen will teach the grammar and Mrs. Titus the primary department. The terms have not been fully decided upon as yet, but it is believed that the tuition will be $2.50 per month." 

The following week there were twenty students in attendance on Monday and thirty were expected by the end of the week. I did not find any more reference to the private school once the new building was completed. The original frame school house was then “remodeled for court house purposes.” When the modern current Court House was erected, this still solid frame building was put on skids and moved to Porter’s Corner where it became known as the Vince and Maxine Fessler house (November 23, 1934). 

The Philipsburg High School dedication was held on February 21, 1896, and the entire front page of the Philipsburg Mail was dedicated to the event. A.R. Dearborn gave the opening address. It was originally named the Philipsburg High School. The first graduating ceremony was on May 27, 1898, comprised of Clara D. McDonel, Mary A. McKenzie (Burks), Pearletta M. Scott (Kroger), Lulu B. Rust (Lively), Fredrick W. Kroger, William H. Loughrin, and Vincent D. Doody. A classmate William B. Calhoun enlisted in the Spanish American War shortly before graduation, so did not attend the services.

By January 1904, school enrollment was looking up. An open letter to parents from Principal, G.T. Bramble, asked them not to send children that recently turned six years of age to school in January. as the teacher already had nearly seventy first graders. To add more students would make it impossible for her to give the new comers enough attention to pass them on to the second grade that spring. He continued on to explain there were plans to make two first grade classes in the fall. 

In March of 1904, the School Board of District No.1, decided to again submit to the voters of Granite County the concept of a County Free High School, that was voted down by fifty one votes in 1900. The County Free High School election issue passed, with a majority of seventy five votes, needless to say the votes all came from the southern part of the county. There were only fourteen votes for the school in Bearmouth; one in Stone; one in Garnet; and two in Drummond. There was a rumor that the election would be contested but the Mail felt the rumor just gossip. Trustees appointed were: R.R. McLeod, Valentine Jacky, John Kaiser, Albert Schuh, James McGowan and Edward Lannen and the County Superintendent would also be a board member. 

The May school report showed attendance of fifty eight students in the High school; twenty nine in the eighth grade; forty three in the sixth and seventh grade; thirty eight in the second sixth and fifth grade; forty six in the third and fourth grade; forty two in the second third and first second grade classes; fifty three in the other second grade class; and sixty five in the first grade. This made a total of 372 students in the Grade and High School. The newly appointed Free High School Board set out to establish the school faculty, by electing Prof. G.T. Bramble as principal and Miss A.H. Price as his assistant at a salary of $1,500 and $900 respectively. They would hire two more teachers and secure about $700 in equipment. They obtained a lease for the upper floor of the District School building for a term of three years at $1,025 annual rent which included janitor and heat 

Then Colonel George Morse from the lower valley (New Chicago) brought suit to restrain the newly elected board to establish the High School. The lengthy complaint basically stated that less than one hundred people had signed the petition to put the issue on the ballot; that two signers were county commissioner; that the other school districts did not have time to file a petition to have the school located in their district and so forth. After much legal wrangling, in 1905, The County Free High School was established with a business department in which bookkeeping, stenography, and typewriting would be taught. Three Remington Typewriters had been ordered and the other necessary apparatus were installed. A number of the graduating class of the previous year signified their intentions of attending the county high school and it was believed quite a large number of students from various parts of the county, would also attend. The lease was signed and school started on January 16, 1905. 

Of this beginning class fourteen students graduated in 1908. In 1910, there was discussion of erecting a building for a County High School. Since the high school had been established the county has been renting from Philipsburg School District No.1, the rooms and equipment necessary to conduct the school. The lease now in force was entered into in 1909 and would expire July 1911, and the facility was overcrowded. In 1909 a tax was levied for building purposes as provided by The High School Law. Four Mills were levied and created $10,052.22, available by 1910. The plans discussed at that time were for making another levy to provide funds to equip and furnish the building. A site, the high school trustees had secured an option on, was 270 by 256 feet and surrounded on all four sides by streets, in the Churchill addition. The site was practically donated, the cost to the county being slightly over $100. The Mail articles never stated who the land belonged to, but August Greenheck owned the majority of lots on Church Hill, at that time. The district was in need of the room and the present lease would probably be the last one the county would be able to secure. There was on hand in the high school building fund the sum of $10,052.22, which was not available for any other purpose. Within a few months and careful consideration the school board decided to build a new Granite County High School.

The school was completed in 1912 and served well until enrollment dropped during the second World War and it was discussed in 1946 to abandon the County High School. The citizenry arose to meet the crisis and the enrollment increased allowing the school to stay open. The High School at that time only received money per student and no other operating funds. 

After many good years the building was sold and is now a residence and museum of sorts and a new high school is located next to the original Grade school on School Hill. The grade school is a Historic Landmark and the oldest continuing operating school in Montana.