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.
No comments:
Post a Comment