Settlers in Montana 1860 and 1870

 

As I was cleaning out files last week, I came across a typed 6 page paper with a hand written note at the top stating “From original, undated and unsigned letter.” I have no idea where this article came from or the author. It is titled as above and I am typing it as found with ( ) added to correct the spelling of names and adding research details when different than the author.. 

 “Mr. Henry Schnipel (Schnepel) & wife their Daughter Matilda, came from St. Louis Mo. across the Plains, about 1865. They drove in covered wagons 3 yok of cattle 2 cows & 4 steers they settled first on Ten Mile. Then they moved to Phillipsburg took a Homestead one mile west of town, raising cattle and horses, in about 1876. Miss Matilda Schnipel married John Wenenda (Wenandy). They lived together a couple of years then separated. John Wenenda got killed by Bill Gruner in John Rains Saloon. After Wenenda hit him and knocked him down. Gruner went to Deer Lodge gave himself up he got clear, as Wenenda was quarlsome they had one child Henry Wenenda. The Father took him to Mike Duffy a rancher to Rais. (Henry was living with his mother and grandparents in the 1880 Federal census. Until now I knew nothing about John. I will continue looking for a news article.) 

Mr. Schnepel drove some steers to Silver Bow & Butte & sold them also took 2 two barrels of Butter sold it at 50cent lb. the steers sold for $30.00 in the winter 1873 & 1874 (above it states they moved to Phillipsburg about 1876) Mr. Schnipel lost 200 head of his heard of 500 head. hay was $60.00 a ton there was none to buy. Miss Tilde Schnipel pre-empted 160 acres, two miles up Flint Creek, & Mr. Ethrige pre-empted 160 acres for Mr. Schnipel where the John McDonald ranch is now, at present time the ranch holding is about 1,500 acres. Henry Schur (Schuh) and Family came across the Planes, in covered wagon, from St. Joe M.O. in about 1865 located at mouth of Trout Creek about one mile from its mouth where it flows into flint Creek he lost one third of his cattle in winter 1873 & 1874, he had about 300 three hundred head, his wife (Mary) & two Girls and 3 boys, Henry, Walter and William Schur (Schuh) it is where Grunhick (Greenheck) ranch is now. John Mullan took up a ranch at mouth of Fred Bur Creek where it flows into Flint Creek, he started to rais horses, in 1870. John McCloud (McLeod) bought it afterwards. Ben Degenhart took up a large tract of land, 5 miles south of Phillipsburg he raised horses. There was a stray horse running with his horses. A man named George Carpenter drove the horses in Ben Degenharts correll and caught it was leading the horse out Degenhart shot him and killed him. Mr. and Mrs. John Hickey were there fishing on Spring Creek they seen the it cost Ben Degenhart all his ranch and horses. To get out of the killing he left and went to Butte. John Hickey was one of the first settlers. He took up a ranch just south of Phillipsburg he married a widow lady her name Mrs. Mary Williams. From Baison, Montana. She was working for Mr. Douglas, in lower Flint creek valley. He was going with her for six months. When Mr. Hickey got married her he went after her he drove a yoke of cattle off to a wagon. A spring seat on the box the newly married couple drove home that way. When he wanted them to turn-right he said Gee-turn left to Haw. They raised three boys and a Girl Jim, John, Thomas and Mary. To be continued…