A Sketch of Life: Major William Y. Graham

 

Looking through my news article writings, I realized that somehow Major William Graham has been omitted. The October 31, 1878 Helena Weekly Herald published a memorial stating; “There was Major Graham of Philipsburg, who under the rough habits of frontier life carried a brave, lofty, self-reliant spirit, that would under other experiences have made him a world famous hero. His tall frame, when straightened and filled by his aroused spirit, was a tower of strength. As is so often the case his large stature was fitted with a soul of as large proportions. He only lacked the culture and training in a suitable arena to have displayed a leading and commanding character in the higher spheres of activity and usefulness. Those who knew him well felt conscious that he was born for something greater than he ever attained. The faults that sometimes overshadowed his life ought to be written while material and witnesses are living and preserved by the Historical Society as that of one who deserves to be reckoned as one of the founders of our Territory.” 

Because of the writing style I credit this memorial to Frank D, “Sandbar” Brown. I published a lengthy document on the Granite County History Blog in 2013 and I have edited it below for space restrictions. 

Major William Y. Graham was born to Scottish parents in New York about 1817 and his life was summarized by his friend Judge C. E. Irvine in the New Northwest February 29-March 1, 1878. “William was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point by President Andrew Jackson but he resigned prior to graduation due to a personal difficulty with a commander…After time in Florida he came west to St. Louis in 1845..in 1846, he and Eugene Lightendorfer & Brothers fitted out a trading post in Santa Fe…(which was not successful due to the Mexican War. Then) was employed by the government as a courier between Santa Fe and Leavenworth.” 

It is believed that Major Graham came to Washington Territory in 1849 with Major John Owens and his “Mounted Rifles” group to St. Mary’s Mission, later known as Fort Owens Trading Post. He probably then went to California in 1850 where he had varying success as a trader and miner. He returned to Montana on the steamboat “Spread Eagle” in April 1861 with P.W. McAdow and after a documented steamboat adventure made his way to visit Major Owens. During this stay he attempted to find a better route than the Burnt Fork Trail over the Sapphire Mountains to deliver products to Virginia City. 

It is documented that his name was floated for territorial Governor in 1863 and in 1864 staked a silver claim in Butte named the Deer Lodge Lode with A.S. Blake. They listed Dance and James Stuart co-claimants. In 1875 the claim was jumped by William Farlin, causing Graham to lose out on his chance to make a fortune. He was 2nd Lieutenant to Stuart on his second Yellowstone expedition in 1864 and his name is included in the 1865 patents of Hector Horton’s claims on Camp Creek (Philipsburg). During 1868 he spent long periods with John Owens at the fort reading his extensive library and balancing John’s books, plus continued exploring a better road over the Sapphire Mountains. In the 1870 Census he was in Bozeman with John Mendenhall. In 1874 he was nominated with Granville Stuart on the Democratic ticket and received 926 votes to J.M. Merell of Philipsburg’s 716 for Joint Councilman.

In the mid 1870’s Major Graham was hired to teach the growing number of school age children and the Hope Mining Company built the first school for Graham and his fourteen students. His salary was possibly $50 a month. William was one of the original founder’s of The Montana Historical Society, treasuring written documentation and preservation of history. 

The Major died in Philipsburg on February 16, 1878, with burial in the Philipsburg Cemetery in Block 14, lot 17, Grave 7, where GCHS has placed an inscribed marker. Although John Owens refers jokingly in his journal entries to Graham having some “Buffalo Robe Adventures” he never married.

A Serious Cutting Affray

The September 23, 1910 Philipsburg Mail carried the following incident: “A serious cutting affray, in which W. S. Campbell, a well known old-time miner in this district, and John Periman, a young farmer of New Chicago, figured as the principals, took place last Sunday afternoon on the county road leading from Drummond up the Flint Creek valley. 

Periman got the worst in the encounter, being stabbed and cut with a jackknife in the side, shoulder, arms and hands. Being considered seriously injured, he was on the evening train taken to St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula accompanied by Dr. Parkman of Drummond. According to latest reports he is doing nicely and will recover. 

 Deputy Sheriff Morse of Drummond placed Campbell under arrest and on Monday’s train brought him to Philipsburg where he is now in the county jail awaiting a hearing. According to reports received here Campbell acted in self-defense and resorted to the use of his pocket knife when Periman attacked him with a rock. 

It appears that Campbell was one of the judges at the horse races in Drummond on last Fourth of July and incurred the displeasure of Periman over the decision in the result of a horse race. Last Sunday there was a horse race at the Drummond race course and the old grudge was revived. All had returned to town after the race and in discussing the event the Fourth of July matter was brought up again. 

Periman evidently had it in for Campbell and when the latter left for home in his buggy, Periman mounted his saddle horse and followed him. When he caught up with Campbell he started to abuse him and riding close up to the buggy struck him with his bridle reins which are long and commonly used as a quirt. Not satisfied Periman dismounted and threw rocks at Campbell, who then got out of the buggy and while doing so was hit in the side with a big rock which nearly put him out of business. He held onto his horse however, with one hand and as Periman came at him again with a rock he whipped out his jack-knife and used it to defend himself the best he could. 

He then got back into his buggy and drove back to Drummond. Periman also remounted his horse but after riding a while his wounds pained him so much he got off and lay down and a buggy was secured to bring him back to Drummond where Dr. Parkman attended him. He was later taken to Missoula on the evening train. 

It is stated that Periman precipitated the fight, and after it was all over he himself stated that he did not blame Campbell for using the knife on him. Campbell is quite an old man who bears a good reputation and is not at all considered quarrelsome, while Periman is young and strong and on this particular occasion had perhaps imbibed a little too freely and had his fighting blood aroused, and he started out after Campbell with the intention of making trouble. 

The affair is much to be regretted as both men have many friends and the speedy recovery of Periman is generally hoped for. “ 

 I am uncertain of who the above story is about but assume it was John H. Periman, as John E. Periman died at the age of 25 on July 7, 1907 and John A. Periman who fought in the Civil War would have been 65 years of age at the time of the incident. His death date was at the age of 84 in October 1929. John Chester Periman was not born until October 11, 1916 and died January 18, 1985. 

 Perimen’s had also made the news in the June 9, 1905 Philipsburg Mail where court notes stated: “The State of Montana vs Joseph Periman, John H. Periman and Patrick Brogan Jr., burglary. The defendants were permitted to plead guilty to petty larceny and were fined $25 and costs each. The young men were charged with breaking into Dingwall Brothers Store at New Chicago.”

Many early articles have the name spelled Perriman, but all the cemetery headstones have the name spelled Periman.

An Indian Prank

A prank recalled in the February 15, 1907 Mail is worth retelling, even though it may be considered politically incorrect in this day and age. The event occurred in the Eagle canyon area after the East Fork flows into Middle Fork. The article headline read “PLAYED INDIAN” and then detailed:

 

“The following “Indian” story or rather early day escapade in which some well-known Philipsburg people figure, but which has never been published is contributed by one of the Mail’s subscribers. Along in the summer of 1888 your subscriber made a trip to what is known at present as the George Albert placer diggings on upper Rock Creek. Crossing the stream just above Eagle canyon I passed near by the camp of a sextet of Philipsburg’s old time famous fishermen chaperoned by the well known old timer Frank D. Brown, formerly known as “Sandbar.” In the party were Peter Larson now a prosperous rancher of lower Flint creek valley, James Riley, Ed Nagle, Robert Sutherland and George Hammond. The last four named have long since passed on to more congenial hunting and fishing grounds where the hostile Indian has no terrors.

 

After a brief chat I proceeded on my way and on reaching the diggings found the camp deserted. I concluded the boys, Sterling Price, Harry Mallet and a Missourian whose name I cannot just now recall had gone hunting. I picketed my cayuse and found a shady place to rest and await their return. About three o’clock in the afternoon Price and the Missourian arrived in camp and informed me Mallet had gone to the ‘Burg the evening before and would shortly return.

 

While Price was getting supper Mallet arrived accompanied by a liberal package of Billy Lang’s famous snake bite remedy which although vile tasted good out there away from home and civilization and we all imbibed pretty freely. Mallet spoke of passing the Brown fishing camp and suggested we give them an old-fashioned Indian scare. By that time the whiskey was working nicely and I was in for most any kind of a game…

 

{They set out to a spot that I believe was Riva Ridge in Eagle Canyon.] Arriving there a little early we retired to an inviting place among the cliffs to afford seclusion, as well as a fine view of the fisherman’s camp. The fishermen’s camp was pitched in a pretty, open spot surrounded by willows and the Rock Creek running close by. The bottle was freely passed and as our spirits rose the shades of night began to spread over the canyon. In the fishermen’s camp a bright fire was lighting up the landscape. It was evident that one of the party had fallen in the creek and was drying his pajamas and other wearing apparel at the fire. From the distance it seemed as if a long thin duster was about all the raiment the fellow had on. The moon was just rising when we concluded the time was about ripe and the fun began.

 

We fired a volley and the Missourian let out a few war whoops that would have done credit to any buck Indian that ever lived—In this connection let me tell you this Missourian could yell and then some and war whoops were his long suit. In a moment all was chaos in the fishermen’s camp. I heard “George don’t leave me.” Implying it was Hammond and Brown. Hammond being a foot racer. They headed for the Porter Ranch five miles away. The duster was fanning the breeze behind like a boys kite until they disappeared in the twilight. Our guns saluted and the Missourian bid them god-speed until the war-whoops were re-echoed among the cliffs of Eagle canyon as if the place was infested by a thousand Indians…..

 

Even years after the Indian scare if anyone would happen to express himself in the presence of either Brown or Larson that he did not think there were Indians on Rock Creek at the time he would invariably meet a reply that there were and plenty of them.”

 

The February 22, 1907 Mail carried the following response (that I have edited to shorten) in a letter to the editor about the “Indian Prank”

 

“As I am one of the members of the fishing expedition that was so well written up in your last week’s paper, … The country it happened in was a pretty good Indian one even then. It wasn’t settled up and was rough enough to suit anyone… The persons who were in the “scare” as your writer calls it were George Hammond, Ed Nagle, Frank D. Brown, Peter Larsen and myself. {This would mean the writer was James Riley, who was deceased?}

 

We had Mr. Brown’s light wagon and black team, Mag and Mike. Also his white saddle mare. Hammond had a roan horse of his fathers. He and I rode the saddle horses, the team taking the balance of the outfit… I think it was about the last of August 1884… We came out to fish and hunt chickens and had no gun with us but a little sporting rifle brought by Pete. Hammond had a Colt .45.

 

I would say that before starting out Mr. Brown met Al Porter and told him we were coming out for a week’s hunting and fishing and asked the loan of a rifle…Porter said we could have a couple anytime we wished…. As it turned out, instead of going by Porter’s we took a lower route and entered the valley three miles or more below his place, going still further down to make camp.

 

Now as to the linen duster, it belonged to Hammond. When he left camp it went with him and when he started no one asked him “to wait.” That duster was torn up the back and was generally knocked out before I first saw it…. This night we sat up late and it must have been twelve o’clock when we crawled into bed. There was little moon… I remember that the subject of our talk that night was the killing of Joy, Hayes and Elliott over in McKay gulch a few miles west of us (By the Nez Perce in 1877)… Hammond was in bed with Mr. Brown’s duster and all when the shooting on the opposite side of the creek from our camp commenced. He lit out of bed, grabbed up the lariate [sic], picket pin with it and barebacked hit the hike… He took the .45 with him and lost it before he got to the Porter ranch.

 

These are facts here. The shooting on the hill across the way was all six shooter work. The yells were those of Indians and not white men. Finally the yells died away and all was quiet again. Mr. Brown said the Indians had probably ran down some miners on McKay and caught him where the shooting occurred...( The group then decided to leave Pete and Nagle in the willows and the others would go to Porter’s and return with firearms)..

 

I think it was about one o’clock when he left Porter’s. (Porter fell over Nagle lying in the bushes and they fell in the creek)…The boys felt uneasy and the fact that our fire must have been seen by the Indians did not help matters any. They concluded to put some bedding on the grey mare and return to Porters. (the gun accidently discharged and the mare got loose ).. Nagle told me long after that he never met any one man in his life that had so wide a range of oaths as Mr. Brown did. As for Larsen, what he had to say was in Norwegien… Pete offered Mr. Brown then and there fifty dollars for the mare. He said he would like to kill her on sight..

 

The same day we returned to camp, packed up and went home… ..only one man in this world reckless enough to undertake any such job and that was Sterling Price. But he was brave enough not to do it… This is the true story of that stampede, Mr. Editor.”

 

Who wrote the letter remains a mystery, maybe it was  Larsen or was it Brown?