The Philipsburg Affair

 

The July 28, 1887 Helena Weekly Herald published the following account about their article in the July 23rd Daily publication concerning The North Granite Mining Company located in Philipsburg, and F.L. Currie who was the recent Superintendent. Mr. Currie “seen by a Herald reporter said the report of the occurrence as published in last evening’s issue was substantially correct; only he had not witnessed the alleged strangulation proceedings. The mob, however, had requested him to leave the town on account of various claim jumping projects in which they supposed him interested and desiring to vindicate himself, he talked freely with the reporter on the matter. 

Mr. Currie furnishes the following statement of the case: ‘In 1883 Thomas F. Hynes located the Katy lode. A bond was given on it to Lewis Demars but expired in 1884 without being taken up. In April, 1885, Hynes and his wife deeded the Katy lode to the former’s mother, Mrs. Honora Hynes for $1,000 and the title thereby passed to her. In October, 1886, Thomas Hynes and wife gave to Phil M. Saunders a bond on the property for $50,000 under which a company was formed and $8,000 worth of development work put upon the property. 

I was superintendent of the North Granite Company and found out about the above condition of affairs with that Hynes and his wife had given Saunders a bond for property not owned by them and that the claim was open to jumping. I explained the situation to Joseph Sorenson and he relocated the claim under the name of the Parrot lode, agreeing to transfer to the company for a small consideration. My object was to secure to the company a clear title to the ground so as to obviate any trouble if anyone else should jump it. I received no consideration for my share in the transaction and was simply working for the interest of the company. 

Sorenson relocated the ground about the 14th inst. and gave to Phil M. Saunders a bond for $500 and 150,000 shares of stock of the company formed to work it. There was a tacit understanding between Saunders and myself that 5,000 shares of stock, in the new company, which I acquired from personal expenditure in the former company, should be secured to me, also 5,000 shares to Wm. Weinstein and John Dawson acquired by similar means, which in a measure I considered myself responsible for. 

These were the only considerations stipulated in the transaction and they were merely mutual understandings between Mr. Saunders and myself, no written agreement was made. Throughout the transaction I acted with Mr. Saunders knowledge and consent, he approving of the relocation project as the best means to secure the safety of the property. After the affair was consummated I turned all of the papers to Mr. Saunders, who took them to Helena to consult his attorney on the situation. 

When he returned to Philipsburg I was discharged by him, as he alleged, on the expressed desires of the directors, who requested a change in the office after he had stated to them the occurrences of the past few days. What his statement was , I do not know. His authority was unquestionable and I was obliged to abide by it, condemned but not heard. 

There had been various rumors previous to this about my being interested with Lewis Demars and Samuel Tolman on the jumping of the Granite Belle, The Young America and the Nelson properties. These were without foundation, but in the heat and excitement resulting from them and the action, seemingly, of the North Granite Co. I was allowed to suffer a never to be forgotten indignity at the hands of men who personally were my enemies, regardless of jumping claims….’ ”. And that was the demise of Mr. Currie as Superintendent of The North Granite Mining Company.

Tidbits about Philipsburg Saloons

 

Saloons have been a large part of the town of Philipsburg since almost the beginning of the camp. Tradition was that Churches were established on the north slope, thus became named as Church Hill and the drinking establishments were located on the south side of Broadway. This tradition continued until the Brewery established their Pub in the Hyde/Sayrs building in 2012. 

Research shows that by 1870 there were at least five saloons and by 1875 Henry Inkamp, one of the first owner’s “ran the finest saloon west of Deer Lodge” according to The New Northwest. Sadly I have not found a name for this saloon. Besides Inkamp, Billy Lang, John Rains, M.O. Regan, Angus McIntyre, Dick Dickenson and Johnny Gerber operated saloons during the early days. Numerous deadly incidents have been documented as occurring in or near the drinking establishments and miners were often known to drink their sustenance saddled up to a bar instead of going home after their long and tiring shifts. Often the patron ran a tab and on payday a large portion went to their favorite watering hole. Bartenders were known to also take the patron’s check and retrieve it from the safe when the spouse showed up the next morning after payday. When the mines or mills were rumored to be shutting down the newspapers carried notices that establishments were going to cash only and bills needed to be paid in full before a published date. W

When I moved from West Fork to town, although I was underage, it was okay for me to drink in the bars, because I was married. Although we could vote, women were still viewed as property. I guess, if I did something wrong it would be my over 21, husband’s responsibility. T

The following topics about the drinking establishments will begin as I recalled them in the late 1950’s. LeRoy and Nancy (Miller) Owens have kindly assisted me in the stories, proprietors and names, to bring them up to date. At the east end of Broadway the first tavern as you headed west from Montgomery was the Antlers owned by Bill Crncivich “The Greek”. This establishment catered more to the casual person seeking entertainment but not looking for any trouble. Bill, with partners, Lum Wanderer and Roddy McRae, built a bowling alley on the second floor that became very popular in the community and created numerous bowling leagues. It also gave a lot of employment to the town youngsters, as pin setters. This task was a real serious responsibility for the youngster and earned deep respect amongst their peers. One had to be fast, accurate and able to get out of the way of very high speed bowlers to avoid serious injury. In the early 2000’s I ran into Bill at a local Pub in Troutdale, Oregon, reminding one of how small this world is. We had some good laughs of the P’Burg characters he could recall. A

After Bill sold, there were numerous owners including Phil and Dean Salois, Ron McComber, Pat Carlin, Joe Braach, David McRae, and Judy (Winninghoff) Loobey. Then Anne Filmore and partner renovated the entire bottom floor into Montana John’s Silver Mill with an upscale restaurant serving steaks, seafood and prime rib. It currently is named Zia’s and serves Italian fare. 

The west side of the downstairs building was the M and M bar, owned by G.J. Moorman and Ross Hayworth. My recall was a very dim lit establishment that did not take kindly to our young groups habit of buying a drink at one bar and walking up to the next bar to turn in the glass and order another drink, so we just skipped entering that door. 

The next Bar was the White Front with a long history from at least 1887 and a well established record of service to their clientele, even during prohibition. While named the Busy Bee during prohibition it is rumored client’s thirst was quenched in the basement. More than once the proprietor’s were served with papers detailing charges for bottles of alcohol being sold without charging state tax in the back alley etc. Research fails to reveal any outcome of the charges. Since the owner’s were upstanding citizens I am certain they were able to erase the offenses. Oral information and recall, thanks to LeRoy and Nancy Owens and Marlene Andre Chor starts with Peter Andre as the owner, with son Adolph “Dooley” taking over next. 

Dooley was recalled into service during the Korean conflict, so Bernard “Bumo” LeRoy took over for Dooley and Harry Hanifen helped. My Step Father-in-law, Helmer enjoyed the group of miners and mill men that congregated at this establishment. Next, LeRoy Owen and Scott Anderson took their turn. Dooley’s daughter, Marlene Andre Chor followed and after visiting the White Front during Flint Creek Valley Days and falling in love with the bar, Bill Mackley contacted Marlene wanting to buy. She was not interested in selling but told him to call back in the summer. Bill called back and ended up owning the establishment for a long period of time. T

The current owners, who also own the Sunshine Station (established long after my bar walks), are an LLC from outside of Granite County. 

On the southwest corner of Sansome sits the Cartier building that housed The First State Bank. Then was purchased by W.E Metcalf in 1931. First it had the Banquet café ran by Jack Keating then it became the Club Bar with Jack Polich and Art Taylor. The “bank vault” became a barber shop and then a women’s lounge. Next Cleveland A. and son Clevie Metcalf bought the property from W.E. and continued the operation as The Club Bar with Art Taylor. 

During our Broadway walk the women’s lounge was often operating as a “Crap Table” and many a paycheck was taken by the house, while a noisy, cigar smoking group of miners and upstanding business men rolled their dice. My father-in-law enjoyed this room with a grin from ear to ear on those special days. 

After the Metcalf’s sold the building there have been many renovations, numerous owners, including Bob and Dee Derosia and name changes. Sheryl and Keith Barkell are the current owners and operate under the name Bunkhouse Whiskey. 

South on Sansome was the Courtney/Pintlar Hotel with a quiet secluded lounge developed by Lorenz, as manager under the ownership of Agnes and Father Humphrey Courtney. This establishment was out of our social class, so to speak, therefore not included in the walk. 

Next on Broadway was the Silver Tavern, owned by Cleveland Metcalf and at some date Charles Anderson. George and Mildred McKee were the owners during our walks and showed great concern for their patrons. More than once George ran a tab on payday for my husband and gave me his paycheck when I stopped by in the morning. After the McKee’s, David McRae, then Joe Haggard were operators. When Jean Breeden became owner it was named the Hungry Buzzard. That building is now demolished. 

The last watering hole on broadway was the Rodeo Inn owned by George and Bye McLane. It could become a very rowdy spot and had a lot of history. LeRoy and Nancy recount Clyde Gregory “Hickory Nuts” being shot by Con Stage (a cook at the Brown Derby). He was very drunk and looking for Derosia at the Club but ended up in the Rodeo Inn. Needless to say when news reached the White Front, LeRoy closed and went home. The bar is now The Thirsty Dog.

Captain Tom Mitchel and Family

 

Tom Mitchell was born in Cornwall, England in 1858 and came to America at the age of twenty-three. He arrived in Granite during the winter of 1889 and worked at the Granite Mine as shift boss. Because of this position he was named “Captain Tom” and even at the time of his death was greeted thusly, by friends. Approximately thirteen years before his death he took up a ranch about three miles west of Philipsburg where he worked until his health failed. Tom then moved to Missoula and worked as the timekeeper for Polley’s Lumber Mill for about a year before he returned to Philipsburg. Thomas was a staunch republican during his lifetime and had been a resident, miner, and rancher in Philipsburg area for forty years when he died May 10, 1920 at his home in south Philipsburg after several years of illness. Survivors were: wife Susie, daughter Miss Mae and sons: Bert, Harold, and Jack of Philipsburg and James who was in South America. T

Tom’s wife, Susie, a resident of Granite and Philipsburg for 40 years, died April 11, 1930 at her home in south Philipsburg following a short illness of pneumonia with complications of old age. She was born in Beer Raven, County Cork, Ireland on October 17, 1854 and came while still a small child to America with her parents, locating in Calumet, Michigan. On July 3, 1890 she was married to Thomas E. Mitchell and they came direct from Calumet to Granite, Montana where they made their home until about 1910 when they moved to a ranch west of Philipsburg for several years, then moved to Philipsburg. Survivors were: daughter Mrs. Lou (Lillian Mae) Cunningham; sons: Bert E., Harold T. James D, and Louis G. (Jack) Mitchell and six grandchildren: Charles, Helen, and Kenneth Cunningham and Gordon and Tommie Mitchell all of Philipsburg and Merle Mitchell of California. 

Bert Mitchell was born in Granite on June 22, 1893. He was drafted on June 28, 1918 at the age of twenty-five into the U.S. Army. He fought in the Meuse Argonne Offensive in France from September 26, 1918 to November 11, 1918. Then he participated in the Occupation of Germany Territory from December 1, 1918 to April 8, 1919 and returned to the United States on May 21, 1919. He was honorably discharged on May, 27,1919. After working for years in the mines and never marrying, Bert became a boarder at Alice Olson Barbour’s home in Parkerville and was cared for by her until he died April 23, 1951. In the Olson family documents. there is a paper sent to Alice by the Veterans Administration May 21, 1951 that explained the attached form needed to be filled out to claim the “expenses of the last sickness and burial of the deceased beneficiary.” 

James who was born in 1897, was killed in a mine accident October 26, 1936 at the Algonquin. He was with Robert Hoehne and went to assist Harry Murray and Carl Steber as they were spitting a round of thirty-five holes on the 600 foot level. Apparently there was a delay due to wet fuses and the dynamite exploded. Murray and Steber were killed instantly and Mitchell was carried to the surface and rushed to Dr. Knight’s hospital where he died two hours later. James was married to Margaret Maehl on July 3, 1934 and is buried next to his parents in the Philipsburg cemetery. 

Jack Mitchell’s given name was Gordon L. (Louis G.) He was born in 1898 and died in 1942 with burial next to Jim. Research fails to disclose his marital status. The other brother Harold was born in 1894 and married Lena Degenhart. He died in 1953 and his headstone is in block six near the other Mitchell’s. My internet fails to identify descendants. Can anyone provide information?

Hardships South of Mt Amerine

 

Harry Barber Smith, came to Granite County possibly running from the law. Harry located his family in a remote meadow southeast of Medicine Lake on the North side of Ross’ Fork. The story goes that he would walk out to the J.A. Naef place and go to town with them when they needed supplies. Right before a blizzard Harry left home to go to the Naef’s. His wife did not become concerned until a week later. thinking he was at Naef’s waiting out the storm. Walking out to Naef’s, she realized he never arrived and a search was mounted, but his body was never found, according to “Bus” Hess, in 2003.  

Mrs. Smith remained in the remote area for a time, then moved to Anaconda, where she raised Foster, Lawrence and Ione. I found in the July 30, 1915 Mail where “Mrs. Mabel Smith was in the city Tuesday from Rock Creek to visit at the home of her sister, Mrs. T.R. Bowen.” I also found in the Mail January 19, 1917: “John Johnson of Anaconda…employed by J. Forsman to feed stock on the H.B. Smith ranch… was found dead on Thursday of last week by Howard Naef.  Johnson had evidently been dead several days as horses were gnawing each other’s mane and tails and the wood of the manager and stalls.” 

Harry’s daughter, Ione married John Albert Forsman in August of 1926 and that is why the ranch is now known as the Forsman Place. Descendants of the original Forsman family continue family reunions at the ranch. 

On the south side of Ross’ Fork, south of Amerine is a valley named after Vesper “Zeke” Judy and sometimes referred to as Big Moose Meadows. The meadow was settled by Judy about 1898. Zeke was known to be a congenial host and spent every penny he could earn improving his tranquil setting. Every winter he worked in the mines around Philipsburg, to have money to improve the property in the summer. While working at the Algonquin Mine. May 9, 1922, Zeke was at the 600 foot level. Miners hearing a rock fall, ran to see what happened and found Zeke pinned under a corner of the rock. It took two hours of work with jacks and levers to get the body released.. Zeke was interred in the Philipsburg cemetery. 

Zeke’s was bought by Al Forsman from an unknown woman and apparently failed to pay the agreed price. Without knowing this Bob Christensen bought the meadow from Forsman. To obtain a clear title Bob had to take the case to court. Bob’s son Steve continued to pasture cattle in Zeke’s Meadow until selling the property in the spring of 2008. 

Southwest of Zeke’s is another meadow known as “Cow Camp.” This camp was built by Alex “Speed” Glover, a local rancher. It was used as a round-up cabin for people with cattle grazing in the area in the summer and for trappers to use in the winter. In February of 1921 Alex and his brother William, took off from the Glover Ranch to hike the fifteen miles to the camp. After about ten miles on the trail Alex told William he was not feeling well and to go on to the cabin and he would follow. William took the heavier pack and went on to the cabin. After a while becoming concerned., he walked back down the trail about four miles and found Alex dead. Knowing he could not pack his brother in the deep snow, Will walked to the J.A. Naef Ranch and Naef helped him build a stretcher and they carried the body out to the ranch. Then they took the body by sled and wagon on to Anaconda. Alex was 46 and had ranched and trapped on Ross Fork of Rock Creek for the past ten to twelve years.

The Creeks are a beautiful place, but very remote and test the very best of mankind!

Frankie and Perd Merrifield and Family

 Mae Francis” Frankie” Porter married Percy W.“Perd” Merrifield in 1902. He was born at Grand Rapids, Michigan on January 29, 1870 and came to Philipsburg at the age of eighteen. Perd worked for a time as a teamster. Perd’s mother Orphenia Niles died at her home in Philipsburg, on June 23, 1905 at the age of sixty-one years. A native of New York state, she had lived in Philipsburg over seventeen years. Survivors were: a daughter, Mrs. Gus Gleason, of Plains, Montana and a granddaughter, Miss Grace Bradshaw, who had been staying with Orphenia. The obituary indicated Mrs. Niles was living with Perd and Frankie in her home on Duffy Street, at the time death. 

                                                Perd's Barn Courtesy of Pat Heimark 2024

Frankie and Perd built the ranch, on the east side of the highway across from Porter’s Corner after 1905 and was most proud of his barn on the west side of the highway. In 1917 the Mail stated, Frankie collected $21.25 for the War Work Campaign and they paid $166.42 in taxes on the ranch in 1927. Their children were: Percy Forrest “ Buster” born August 11, 1919 and Joe born in 1932, who moved to Portland, Oregon as a young man. Frankie, sixty-eight years of age, died on February 3, 1949 and had lived all of her life in the Philipsburg area. Survivors: her husband Perd; two sons and daughter-in-laws: Joe of Portland, Oregon and Forrest of Philipsburg; two grandchildren: Peggy and Jamie; brother Joe Porter and sister Nova Bairen. Burial was in the Philipsburg cemetery. 

Perd continued living on the ranch with son “Buster’ and his wife until death occurred while sitting in the kitchen, the week of October 25, 1957. Internment was in the Philipsburg cemetery next to Frankie. 

Their son “Buster” served as a PFC in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942 to 1946, in the South Pacific and Iwo Jima. He married Shirley Heimark, the daughter of Ed Senior and they had a son Jerry before divorcing. Buster then married Clara Ann (Nicolaysen) Ferguson, on August 25, 1947, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Everett Nicolaysen. She brought daughters Jamie and Peggy (Margaret) into the marriage and Buster adopted them.. 

Peggy married James Puyear and after they divorced, she married LeRoy Durand. They had three sons: Bob, Don and Mike. The Durand’s lived in Anaconda, until their deaths. 

Jamie married Curtis Smith and they had three children: Angel, Susie and Jess, before they divorced. Curtis died in 2021. 

Research revealed the following article about Buster: May 17, 1940: ”Forest Merrifield and Harold Hooper of Porter’s Corner chased 2 men who filled up with gas and took off up the Skalkaho. Charles Carrp, working the grader for the State Highway, verified the men’s description when questioned by Merrifield and Hooper and knowing that the road was closed with snow higher up, he blocked the road with his grader. They got a gun at the Carey ranch and apprehended the men when they came back down the highway. The men named Chet Duncan and Gordon West, had stolen the car from M.D. Cahill in Butte. Deputy Sheriff Fred Superneau, took the men in custody when they were returned to Porter’s Corner, by Merrifield and Hooper. Unknown, until taken into custody by the deputy, the men were armed.” 

Buster drove the rural school bus on the Rock Creek route for more than twenty years, then operated Merrifield Arctic Sales until he retired in 1972. He was the school bus driver when I attended school and never drove the bus if it got forty degrees below zero. Thirty-nine was okay but we might freeze if the bus became stuck in the snow drift, that always occurred at the west end of Trail Gulch, if it was forty below. 

Buster died September 29, 1974 and is buried in Philipsburg. 

Jennie's Third Marriage and Descendants

 As stated in the previous article about Jennie Porter, she married Sidney Kelly in 1908. I recently found where he had sold his ranch on Fred Burr on January 25, 1907 to R.R. McLeod. This property adjoined McLeod’s ranch on the south side. Jennie and Sidney’s wedding was held at Jennie’s place November 9, 1908. Then on November 2, 1909 it was announced that the Curry ranch five miles north of Plains, Montana had been sold to Mr. and Mrs. S.A. Kelly of Philipsburg. They paid $10,000 for 320 acres and a modern residence. The couple were to take possession of the property in the spring. 

Sometime around 1915 Sidney and Jennie moved from Plains to Ledham, Washington where Sidney died in 1924 and Jennie died less than a year later on April 4, 1925. Her daughter Nova (Mrs. J.D. Birran [Birian}), had been with her since December. Nova continued living there until her death in 1954. 

I have often wondered what had happened to William Schuh’s children after their mother Ollie died. According to Federal Census records, in 1910 William H. was recorded twice: once at Grandmother Mary’s house in Philipsburg and then with his siblings at the Albert Schuh Trout Creek ranch with his wife Margaret and son Albert Jr. Obviously, childless at the time of Ollie’s death they had taken in her children and then had a son Albert afterwards, as he was 7 at the time of the census. Grandmother Mary had sold her ranch and moved to town in early 1910. 

I know that some of Jennie’s ranch was sold to August Greenheck in 1907, so have to assume that the rest of the property was split for Frankie and Joe as they lived across the road from each other at Porter’s Corner. According to the 1910 Federal Census Frankie married in 1902. I know that Frankie’s husband “Perd” Merrifield was living with his mother in Philipsburg when she died in 1905, so they moved to Porter’s Corner after that time. I also know, in 1946 Vince and Maxine Fessler bought a section of land across the lane from Joe Porter and moved the old Courthouse to that land. 

Frankie and Perd had 2 son’s, Joe and Forrest “Buster” and she died at their ranch in 1949, at the age of sixty eight. Joe went into the Army in 1917 and wrote many letters home to Frankie while he was in the Military and they were often published in the Mail. The letters are dialogued in the First Edition of "Mettle of Granite County" Chapter 7.

                                                  Joe and Esther Porter Circa 1930

Joe married Esther Dalton, who had a daughter Beatrice Webb, in April 1922 and she assisted him in the operation of Porter’s Corner. The “Roadhouse and store” was a well known hangout for locals and tourists alike and usually had music on the weekends with an ample dance space to enjoy. Now famous, Charlie Pride sang there in his early years while performing for the National Baseball Farm Team in Helena, that I believe belonged to the Oakland A’s. 

In 1927 a fight broke out between locals and Anaconda youths. A young Anaconda man died causing Joe to be charged with Murder. He was acquitted of the charge after a one day trial. By 1956, Joe and Esther had moved to town and the establishment was operated by Jim and Winnie Burns. Joe operated a small appliance and electric shop in Town for many years. Esther died in 1962 and when his nephew “Buster” Merrifield died in September 1974, Joe was a resident of the Solders Home in Sheridan, Wyoming. Joe died on October 8, 1974. and is buried by Esther in the Philipsburg Cemetery. I will continue discussing Frankie’s Husband and son Buster in the future.

Hardships in the Life of Jennie Spencer Porter

 Sadly I do not have any identified pictures of Jennie Spencer, who I have to assume was a very attractive young woman. Born in Wales to Mr. and Mrs. James Spencer, I have been unable to discover her immigration papers, but find reference to her living in Granite county from an early age. She married A. H. Porter prior to 1881. 

During my years of research I often ran across references to her from as early as 1881. On March 24, “Mrs. Porter attended a dance” and while dancing with Eugene Garland made a remark about Elisha Reed’s wife. This caused a fight to start that ended up with Reed shooting and killing Garland the next day. I have written about this affair and the escape of Reed from Prison in “Book One and Two of Mettle of Granite County”. 

 Jennie and A.H. Porter had at least seven children during their married years, Mary Frances , known as “Frankie” was born in 1881; Aleck born in 1882 died 14 months later in 1883; Forrest born in 1886; Gardner born in 1888 died in 1890; an “infant born on December 29, 1889 died Jan 3, 1890. (Their headstones in the Philipsburg Cemetery all state “Children of A.H. and Jennie Porter” ); Spencer known as “Joe” born in 1891 and Nova born in 1896. 

 The June 30, 1897 Citizen Call described the H.A. Conn (age 34) and A.H. Porter’s (age 42) ongoing war that resulted in Conn shooting Porter dead. The feud started after Porter leased or sold a part of the ranch, located on the south side of East Fork in the slope of the Spud Mountains where the Porter Ridge separates East Fork from Middle Fork. Porter who had resided in the county for over 20 years, was frequently mentioned in the news articles as a braggart prospector and more than once used his horse reins on others, such as Archie McPhail. Conn had arrived in the area prior to acquiring the property. Porter had refused to let him cross his other property and blocked his access to go to town; had whipped him onto the ground with his horse reins and sent surveyors out to push Conn off the property prior to the final incident. When the incident occurred Porter, Jennie and 4 children were living in Philipsburg, where they had moved the previous fall. Conn was found to be innocent and the shooting deemed self defense. 

Probably due to finances, Jennie and 4 of the children returned to the East Fork ranch. The ranch was sold at auction on July 17, 1901, but the 1900 Federal Census has Jennie and the 4 children living in Philipsburg on Carter Street. One can only imagine the hardship of being a young woman with a 12 and 8 year old son and a 4 year old daughter trying to run this remote ranch, as Frankie was at St. Mary Academy in Deer Lodge. Forrest left for school at the Tabor, Iowa Academy in 1900. 

I found numerous references about Jennie attending parties during these years and a letter she wrote to the editor stating she had not attended the Shilling brother’s bachelor party as rumors had stated. In 1902, Jennie married William Schuh who had become widowed with four children ages 9,7, 6 and 4. William owned the ranch property next to his mother Mary’s homestead on Trout Creek. 

Forrest died from Pneumonia at the Schuh Ranch on August 16, 1904, at the age of 18. By this time Frankie had wed P.W. Merrifield, leaving only Joe and Nova at home with Jennie. William died of blood poisoning on September 12, 1906, leaving Jennie with another ranch to run. She married Sidney A. Kelly in October of 1908, who owned a ranch on Fred Burr…to be continued…

The Answer

 

The wonders of the Internet never ceases to amaze me! 

In October 2023 I wrote an article titled “Why Did Lonergan Kill Duffy?” detailing a P-Burg Mail article where J.C. Duffy was shot and killed by Michael Lonergan on Saturday January 8, 1916. Under-Sheriff A.R McDonald arrested Lonergan and by March he was convicted of Murder and sentenced to not less than thirty or more than forty years in the State Penitentiary. 

Michael was a well known miner that worked for the Bi-Metallic and Duffy had been in the area since at least 1875 when the New Northwest published his sale of placer claims in the “Wilson District”. He ran unsuccessfully for State Representative in 1898; his wife Lena (McDonald) died a few weeks after giving birth in 1900 and in 1910, J.C. became State Representative for Granite County and also a Deputy State Game Warden He was also very active and held offices in the Miner’s Union. 

James was born in County Donergal, Ardsmore Turaconnell, Ireland on January 2, 1866 and had lived in Granite County for over 24 years. He was interred in the Philipsburg Cemetery. 

On July 18, 2025 I received an email on the Granite County History Blog, from Davy Caldwell in Ireland: stating: “The above description of J.C. Duffy and his death on January 8, 1916 at the hands of Michael Lonergan on Philipsburg main Street is mostly accurate but does not answer the question “Why did Lonergan kill Duffy”. Lonergan approached James as he left the Post Office, pointed a pistol to his head and said” you have done me dirt. I judge I have got you now”. He discharged one shot striking James in the head and handed his gun to a shocked passerby. He made no attempt to escape. …. Under arrest and during his subsequent trial Lonergan refused to explain his actions other than to repeat “he did me dirt”… Although there was some evidence offered of premeditation he was found guilty of only second degree murder and was sentenced to 40 years hard labour. 

The reason for the murder did not emerge until about 100 years later when Lillian Byrne, a 90 year old niece of James Duffy told this writer that Lonergan and James young sister (her mother) Maggie declared their intentions to marry. James knew and saw Lonergan as a good for nothing wastrel and gravely disapproved. He forbade any such marriage. The distraught Lonergan genuinely in love with Maggie, pleaded privately with James and begged him not to intervene. James adamantly refused and as an Irish solution to family disgrace, he took Maggie, who it seems may have been pregnant with Lonergan’s child, far away to east Montana for many months. No child accompanied them on their return. 

Lonergan then, perhaps doubly anguished by the loss of Maggie and a child of his own lashed out in anguish and despair, That he made no attempt to tell his story in the hope of gaining some sympathy from the court, and a lesser sentence, suggests that he wanted to spare the woman he loved from from being the object of scandal  in Philipsburg. 

Lonergan's action that cold January afternoon was a crime of passion. A photograph of a ruggedly handsome man was found in a bundle of personal possessions left by Maggie when she died in 1936. A prison record of a scar and an injury to this man’s left hand confirms this to be a photograph of Mike Lonergan. It appears that Maggie kept the picture of  the man who killed  her brother to the end of her days."

I have requested a copy pf the picture but so far have received no reponse.

Some Memories from Birth to Age Seven

 

I recently celebrated my 84th birthday, so am starting my 85th year of life. Many times throughout the years I have written journals, but none were written while I was a child on Ross’ Fork and West Fork of Rock Creek. As I recall that life, it is amazing to think about how many things have changed in my lifetime and continue to change rapidly. I was born at Mrs. Martin’s birthing house in Philipsburg and Dr, Knight dropped by carrying his little black bag shortly after to sign my Birth Certificate. My parents (Harry and Nina Stevens, Kammimura Bentz) took me home at a few hours of age, to the Ranch on Ross’ Fork. Grandpa, Billy Bentz and Granny (Mae Downing Bentz) had leased the ranch on the foothill of Mr. Amerine (Emerine) from Al Rupp in 1929. 

Billy had made many improvements over the years and the bathroom had an actual tub installed even though it only had cold water. Neighbor ladies often came and enjoyed soaking in the tub with hot water heated on the cook stove. I was almost five before the indoor toilet was plumbed and shortly after Grandpa died. The lease was not able to be renewed. Dad turned almost 40 head of horses loose to roam the mountains and we left the ranch. 

We lived for a short time in the teacherage at Porter’s Corner. Lucky Strike, Dad’s Quarter Horse put his head through the large front window one morning because we did not feed him as early as he wanted. Norman Bohrnsen helped Dad build a wooden structure in the pickup bed, then we went with Dad who participated in rodeo’s on the weekends and we camped in the parks during the week all that summer. When the rodeo’s were done for the season we returned to an old cabin on the south side of Amerine (Barney Dougherty’s) and the parents started their trap lines. Winter became very harsh and Dad decided we had to get out before we were snowed in. Attempting to navigate the very snow bound road the truck slid and the wooden structure on the back caught on a tree. Dad had to finally saw a corner of the structure off before we could continue. We made it out of the area and traveled up West Fork to the Sutherland ranch on West Fork where they put us up for the night. They informed us that the Berthouds had left the Sapphire Ranch and Dad went to town and found Walt Kaiser who gave us permission to live on the Sapphire ranch the rest of the winter. 

Amenities were few but we had shelter and were able to cut plenty of wood. Water needed to be carried in buckets from a spring about a half mile down the lane and that was my half sister Rosalie and my task every day and multiple times on wash day. A full bucket of water sloshed a lot on five year old legs and it was a miserable task. At least the out door toilet was only a few feet from the main house. Clothes were washed on a washboard placed in a galvanized tub. This same tub served as the bath tub. Clothes were wrung out by hand and then pinned on the clothes line hung out doors. Ironing was done by a flat iron placed on the wood stove until it got very warm and you wet a dish towel and placed over the area you were ironing so it did not get scorched while pressing out the wrinkles. 

When summer came Dad went Rodeoing and Mom, Rosalie, Corky and I fixed fence, irrigated and in August hayed the entire meadow. Mom used a team of horses to mow (Cap and Tom), then rake into rows and then Bull rake the hay to the hay stacker. Rosalie and I sawed down jack pine and peeled them to make teeth for the bull rake; sharpened the mower blades and assisted with the pitch fork to stack the hay. Rosie was able to drive the car hitched to the stacker really fast to carry the hay up and dump it onto the stack. It was not funny watching her try to back up to get in place for the next load, but we somehow always managed to get the car back before Mom returned with another load on the bull rake. 

By fall, even though rural schools were supposed to close, the neighbors were able to get enough students and Jewel Ball to teach us and the Berry house in the sapphire meadow was set up as a school house. Jewel and Bill were allowed to live at the Ewing bungalow (owned by Walt and Irene Kaiser) for the school season. The students were: Wesley Sutherland 6th grade, Naomi Sanders 7th grade (from Trail Gulch), Bill Christensen 4th grade (from Ross’ Fork) , Helen Christensen and Rosalie 3rd grade and Helen Sanders and I were first grade. 

 I received my one and only D in my many years of school from Jewel in Deportment. As school ended one day I still had crayons to put away and asked Rosie to wait for me. Jewel informed me she did not need to wait for me and I responded: “It is none of your business you old SOB.” (but I did not use initials, .stating the full word.) Jewel slapped me sharply across the face and I left her to pick up the crayons. Years later my oldest son was two and went visiting with his paternal grandmother and great grandmother. As they got out of the car Jewel Ball’s dog jumped up on Tim and he stated “Get down you SOB!” Jewel started laughing and said “I know whose kid that is! The in-laws brought Tim home laughing that they knew what I did in the first grade! Dad got a job at the Phosphate mine’s in Avon and we moved to a house north of Avon, after I had my 7th birthday. 

To be continued....

Most Popular Rider at the Rodeo!

 

                                                Bus Hess at Frog Pond (photo courtesy Bob Hess)

During the years the Bentz family worked the Rupp/Shoblom ranch, Harry and Bus (T.R.) Hess became the best of friends. Bus lived on the Olaf Sandin ranch just around the bend and east of Ross’ Fork Creek, north of the Kaiser Hill and Kaiser homestead. The Kaiser homestead was owned by Chauncey Kennedy, at that time. 

 

Born on the Higgins bridge in Missoula, Montana, Bus was known as the ambulance baby because he was born during his mother’s transfer from the train depot to the hospital, on March 10, 1922. Cecil who was the wife of Raymond Hess was only seventeen when she died of peritonitis in Missoula, according to her obituary in The Missoulian December 10, 1922, when Bus was nine months old.  Cecil is buried in Superior, Montana, where the family lived, at that time.

After her death, Ray and Bus moved from Superior to Granite County to live with the Olaf (Ole) Sandin family. Ole’s wife Beck (Hess) and Ray were two of the many children born to the early Pioneer and Trout Creek settlers, Theodore R. and Rebecca (Shortley) Hess. 

When World War II broke out Bus joined the Coast Guard and served his time in the Pacific Northwest. An article found in the Mail, July 14, 1942 stated Bus won first place in a Rodeo while in his service uniform. I was able to illicit the following account from the cowboy. 

 While Bus and a friend were hitch hiking to Portland from Astoria, Oregon, where they were stationed, the servicemen saw a sign about a rodeo in Hillsboro, Oregon. The friend suggested that Bus compete in the rodeo. All the money Bus had was $20.00, the cost of the entry fee. The friend assured him he had enough money for the two to get a room, eat and buy drinks so Bus paid the entrance fee and attended the first day of the rodeo. Realizing they had to be back to base or be AWOL they hitch hiked back to Astoria and told the commander the rodeo was continuing through the next few days. The commander said as long as he did not see anything no one knew what was going on, but Bus must perform his nightly watch. Bus agreed and found another friend with a car so they did not have to hitch hike to the rodeo every day. Bus feared he would draw a horse that was difficult to ride and sure enough that was the horse drawn. He used all his knowledge learned at home on the ranch and stayed on the horse and won first place. This amounted to a purse of $80.00 and another $114.00 for the rider with the most total points for the rodeo. 

For someone spending their last $20.00 for the entry fee he was a rich man after that Fourth of July weekend and as stated in the paper: “…the only rider in uniform and as a result was the most cheered and popular rider of the rodeo.”

Interesting Costs of items in 1890 and 1891

I have written numerous articles about John D. Kennedy, who was an under-sheriff, sheriff, State Representative and Senator in Granite County. Recently his grandson John K. Olson sent me a leather bound 5 x 7 note book containing notations by John. The dates in the notebook were for 1890 and 1891 and consisted of daily, weekly and monthly expenditures. I had already reviewed many dairies, John had kept in his later years, consisting mainly of expenditures, loans and daily ranch work and temperatures. 

This book contained two recipes to make shoe restorer and shoe dressing: “Restorer contained 1/2 ounce sug lead ?, ½ ounce sulfuric lac., 4 ounces bay rum, ½ ounce glycerin and ½ ounce rose water. The dressing was made up of 2 ounces Borax, 4 ounces G… Shelac. Dissolve in 1 quart hot water. Moisten two packages of Diamond Slate die with a little water and add to above liquid while hot. Then add ½ ounce of glycerine and mix well.” 

 For the years 1890 and 91 almost daily expenses were listed but I never found any income listed or itemized. I know that John had a steam engineer certificate and worked both on Missouri steam boats and for a time in North Dakota with steam threshers prior to his arrival in Montana in 1888. After arriving here, he worked as a stationary engineer at Southern Cross, Gold Coin, Wyman Mill, Granite and then in Philipsburg until 1896, when he bought a ranch south of Philipsburg that currently is known as the Michael Munis Ranch. 

The first newspaper article found was in August 1893 when John won the bid for building a flume ditch on Sansome for 33 cents a foot, then was paid $245.88 in October for completion of the job. In September 1894 he was elected as an alternate for the Republican primaries. Also, in 1894 he made a trip “Back East”, so this document was new to family knowledge and my research. Census records show him living with his parents in 1880 and married, living in Philipsburg in 1900. He had married Anne Anderson November 21, 1899 in Wisconsin and brought her back to Montana. 

Examples of the itemized costs show in 1890 John was paying $3.75 a month for Life Insurance. On February 25th 2 meals were 45 cents; lodging for 2 cost 50 cents; theater tickets for 2 were 20 cents and 2 breakfasts were 30 cents. A coat and vest cost $6.00. Coffee was $4.00 but no poundage was entered; Tea was $2.00 for six pounds and 20 pounds of corn meal was $19.00. Twenty eight and 1/2 pounds of oats was $5.70; Four bushels of potatoes cost $25.44. Total expenses for January and February were $329.89. 

 Post office Box rent was 10 cents which looks like a yearly charge and he bought stamps of unknown amount for 20 cents. Sixteen yards of gingham was 80 cents and his taxes were $49.40 for 1890. Five gallons of Kerosene was 60 cents; two bars of soap cost 16 cents with a wash tub costing 90 cents. Total expenses for 1890 was $1199.70. 

 Life insurance (1891) increased to $6.55 a month. A mare cost $155 and colt $12.00; shoes were $2.00. Four pounds of block ice was $1.44 Twenty pounds of lard cost $2.25 and a sweater cost $4.50. Two hogs cost $15.00 ; 15 dozen eggs cost $3.25; twenty nine pounds of butter at $5.80. The total expenditures for 1891 were $1544.00. This included a large expenditure of $348.00 to CaffB, but I have no idea what or who that was. 

News articles show where he started a stage run from Philipsburg to Harvey Creek area in October 1895, which took 8 hours to haul 8 people to the Alps mine. I know he also did stage routes between Bearmouth and Coloma via Garnet in 1897. Maybe some day I will be able to find information in the New Northwest about his employment activities in 1890 and 1891.

Coberly now known as New Chicago

 Lucy Coberly is known to have been in the New Chicago area prior to 1872. Dan Meschter wrote a column named Flint Chips in the Philipsburg Mail during 1986 and stated that Lucy Ann Coberly was the valley’s first permanent resident who settled on a ranch on the west bank of Flint creek as early as mid-1865, “..possibly collecting tolls for the Hell Gate and Deer Lodge Wagon Road Company. Her ranch then became a tavern hotel, meal stop on the stage line, and not least a junction where Philipsburg stages connected with the Deer Lodge-Missoula trunk route.” 

The first post office was named Coberly, after Lucy and opened in 1872, with Green Kirtley named as Postmaster. Meschter stated that Kirtley apparently had worked for Lucy. He resigned at the end of 1872 and returned to Los Angeles. According to Ivy Hooper Blood Hill (in The Flint Creek Valley: Montana) Lucy and her husband may have lived in the vacated Mormon town of Nauvoo, Illinois for a period of time after the Mormon’s left. They then headed for Montana. It is unknown where Mr. Coberly died but there is no history of him being with Lucy in the New Chicago area. Lucy and her son set up a stage stop on the Mullan Trail. Legend has it that she would leave a gold scale sitting out on the table when she was away from the stop and passerby’s would take the supplies they needed and weigh out the gold they owed for the transaction. At the stop was a warehouse and livery stable, according to Richard Lacey. Colonel George W. Morse built his 24 room mansion off to the west side and in front of Lucy’ s stage stop. 

Ivy Hill states that originally Lucy built a four room log house near where Joe Henderson lived (in 1962), where the road crosses the railroad tracks. The irrigation ditch still bears the name Coberly Ditch. At a later date Lucy sold her land rights to Joseph Henderson and then established the freighter’s station on the Old Mullan Road. Her log building still stands across the road from the Richard Lacey home.

 August 31, 1872 the New Northwest reported “the Town of West Chicago, on Flint, is growing rapidly, and Huson and Company are doing a thriving business.” The location on the east bank of Flint Creek was where the Philipsburg road was located and because the ‘Burg was showing prosperity this site became more strategic. The name West Chicago was used until November 1872 when the post office was moved from Coberly and named New Chicago with John A. Featherman appointed Post Master. 

Apparently Lucy saw the writing on the wall as she sold out on October 31, 1872 to Charley Erick who had just left Beartown, after operating a hotel there for three years. The second week in November, Gilmer and Salisbury moved their stage office and stables and the office of the Wells Fargo Express Company over to New Chicago. John A. Featherman was the “and Company” of the Huson and Company business. “Uncle John” never married and the other Featherman members that settled in New Chicago, Drummond and Philipsburg were children of his older brother Territorial Jacob Featherman. 

Lucy then opened up a hotel in American Fork and when that camp closed operated an establishment in Pioneer. She died in 1892 and is buried in Deer Lodge. 

Another one of the first articles research revealed about New Chicago was the New Northwest August 27, 1875 with the following descriptor: “It is a delightful 65-mile drive from Deer Lodge to Philipsburg. Down the Deer Lodge and Hell Gate and up Flint creek takes in the nervey, energetic young town of New Chicago and glimpses of broad, arable valleys as yet with only here and there an improved ranch but with opportunities for thousands to have happy homes and productive acres.” That same issue of the newspaper announced that “Travel is increasing so rapidly between New Chicago and Philipsburg that Phil Lynch has had to put on a fine horse coach and will trot it through nicely.”

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?

Granite County First Graduating Class

 

Drawing of

 

                                   Drawing of  Historical Granite County School built in 1894

The First graduating class, from the newly constructed Granite County School, occurred on May 27, 1898 at the McDonald Opera House. Headlined in the June 3rd Philipsburg Mail were the following remarks: “ Success in every particular-Seven young ladies and men receive diplomas-the first in the history of the school. The graduation exercises at the Opera House last Friday evening were highly entertaining and showed that a great deal of hard work had been gone through by the graduates. Before the hour for the exercises to begin the house was completely filled, and in fact a crowd had congregated on the sidewalk before the doors to the building were thrown open to the public. Promptly at 8:15 o’clock Prof. Cook appeared on the platform and announced that the program would begin and as the orchestra had not yet arrived the opening piece was a quartette composed of Miss Lucy Paradise, Miss Mary A. Harrison, Fred Geiger and Walter W. Kroger who sang “Who Knows What the Bells Say?” in a manner that was highly appreciated by the vast throng present. 

 An essay entitled “Look Both Ways” by Frederick W. Kroger was the next on the program and the way he handled it showed that he had taken a keen interest in the subject and had weighed carefully all details relating to it. 

“The Womanly Woman” by Miss Mary A. McKenzie showed that young lady’s ability in dealing with a subject so familiar to us all. 

Mrs. R.L. Kelley sang a solo, “Among the Roses”, which was very acceptably received.

“Influence Left behind”, an essay by Miss Lola B. Rust, left the impression on all of deep study and careful preparation. 

William H. Loughrin’s essay on “William J. Bryan” followed, and the impression given its delivery was appreciated by all. 

“Dangers and Dangerous Classes”, by Miss Clara D. McDonel, was a treat inasmuch as so much truth and undeniable fact was embodied in it.

“Gunpowder as a Civilizer”, by Vincent DeP. Doody, came next on the program and the way the audience received it made it apparent that they were also of his opinion. The recollections recalled to mind of the causes which brought on the present American-Spanish war were made manifest in the essay. 

Tom Morton sang the solo “The banks of the Wabash”, in his usual excellent style. 

“The Tyrant Flower Shall Cast the Freedom Seed”, by Miss Pearlette M. Scott, made it apparent that the young essayist possessed the faculty of being able to reason well and to commit it to paper in and entertaining manner. 

Jonas Cook, principal of the school then delivered the address of the evening in a manner that showed his entire familiarity with the question. His remarks were in the point and were delivered in a common-sense manner. That the address was appreciated was made plain by the applause from the audience. 

Miss Hilda Noe followed with an ably rendered piano solo, entitled “The Dying Poet.” 

Dr W. I. Power. president of the school board, in awarding the diplomas to the several successful students did so in a manner highly pleasing to all….(and the musical part of the program continued). 

This being the first class to graduate and to be awarded diplomas the school board has been anxious that the commencement exercises should prove as great a success as possible…The board as at present constituted is as follows: Dr. W.I. Power, Chairman; Frances M. Durfee; George Metcalf; Josiah Shull; Walter W. Kroger; Allan Dearborn and G.B. Ballard.” 

Not present at the graduation ceremony was class member William B. Calhoun who had enlisted and been shipped out to serve in the Spanish-American War shortly before the graduation, according to the Granite Graduate Year Book 

 Besides Jonas Cook serving as Principal, he was also faculty with Miss Anna H. Price.

First Christmas Mass in Montana Territory

 

Hugh O’Neil was a devote Catholic, as documented in many Montana history accounts. Hugh is credited with finding a place for Christmas Mass to be held in Virginia City in 1865. The story was told many times and finally documented in The Magazine of Montana History. The facts of the story were validated by an unpublished sketch written by Father Francis Xavier Kuppens S.J. and was preserved in the Archives of St. Louis University. The sketch details how Father Giordia arrived in Virginia City a few days before Christmas in 1865 and lodged with a Catholic miner. He and the miner looked in vain for a building to hold Christmas Mass. The plight “reached the ears of many late one evening in a place where the youth and sporting fraternity of the town amused themselves at cards and dice”. Leader of the group was Hugh O’Neil who felt “it would be an everlasting shame if the Catholic religion could obtain no place for worship on Christmas Day”.

Hugh took the issue to the Acting Governor, Thomas Meagher and the two formed a plan. They awakened the proprietor of the theatre (the largest building in town), and presented a business proposition. A large amount of gold would be paid to rent the theatre for two weeks and all the scheduled performances would be cancelled. Hugh convinced the proprietor that the actors all needed a vacation over the holidays. 

Father Giordia was presented first thing in the morning with the news he was to meet the Acting Governor and Hugh O’Neil at the theatre immediately. Hugh took charge of the alterations of the theatre and the Governor took charge of the Priests’ comforts. By the end of the day, news of the upcoming Mass had been sent by riders to all the distant communities and the theatre had been renovated. In fact to such an extent that the proprietor came and declared that he could no longer use the building as a theatre. Not to worry. Funds were raised when the collection plate was passed after Mass, to buy the building and it was established at that moment as the first Catholic Church in Montana Territory. So as history goes, not only did the citizen’s of Virginia City and the surrounding area have a Christmas Mass in 1865, but they also had a “church established and paid for by raw gold mined from this virgin earth.” 

 “The priest tried to express his thanks, but was overcome by tears. Hugh O’Neil, his strong attendant, supported the frail form and guiding his faltering steps, led him away that Christmas Day of 1865 in the rough, uncouth, wicked frontier mining camp of Virginia City, Montana (Territory)--tempered and tamed by the spirit of Christ’s birth.(Magazine of Montana History Autumn, 1953).”

The Building of West Fork Sapphire Mines Flumes

Anaconda Gulch is listed as the richest gulch by the Mt. Gov. DEQ site, but local knowledge and archive documentation show Sapphire Gulch, producing the most gems. The Web site, goes on to describe a sixteen mile wooden flume from Stony Lake being constructed to serve the McLure Placer, Aurora and twenty-two other claims in 1901 and credits these statements to “Expert Miner” McElroy in 1911. The cost was stated as $75,000.00. The article states the McElroy article is on file at DLNF. E-mail requests for the document have went unanswered. Staff at the Montana Historical Society Library interpret DLNF as Deer Lodge National Forest and contact with that office is unable to reveal any such document in their files. The following is what I have been able to research about the flume. 

A letter from J.R. Lucas to Paul Fusz of August 17, 1904 raised the question whether the flume was built in 1901. Lucas had a discussion in August 1904 with Joe Sorenson regarding the feasibility of an 18 inch wooden pipe being built, instead of a wooden flume. This would run from Stony Lake and Lucas discussed a wooden gate as a dam at Fusz Lake instead of a cement dam, because of the slide rock in that area. Foreman Sorenson also stated he was widening the road up Basin Gulch that fall. Then on September 4, 1904 the conversation continued “…In regard to flume from Stony Creek: he [Sorenson] suggests and I think his suggestion is right, that a “V” shaped flume from Stony Creek to Cralle Ditch would be the proper kind of a flume put in, having same properly braced.” As evidenced by the flume that still remains the “V” shaped plan was never carried out. The letter continued: “He also suggests that if it is possible for us to get a small saw mill up in there it would be much cheaper than hauling lumber. That is one of the things we have got to consider in building a flume. He states we can get a small saw mill up in that country at a very small expense, as there is plenty of timber sufficiently large to cut flume lumber out of it. However will take the matter up when you arrive.” Their conversation when Fusz arrived is not documented in files available. 

The Mail, August 31, 1906 stated: “The American Gem Mining Company which operates the Sapphire mines on the West Fork of Rock Creek has filed an application with the forestry department for a million feet of timber along the headwaters of the West Fork. The company proposes to build a ditch and flume eighteen miles in length and the timber is to be cut along the proposed line of the ditch, clearing a strip 100 feet wide. A portable sawmill is to be used to saw the lumber for the flume.” 

Rasmussen was foreman of Camp #1 which started the flume from Gem Creek with intake from Gem Creek and Little Gem Creek. Rhudy was foreman of Camp #2 which was the Main Flume on the West Fork of Rock Creek with intake at Spruce Creek and Dunshee Creek. 

On March 30, 1912 J.R. Lucas writes a request to P.C. Miller in Stevensville, Montana to submit a bid to AGMS for building a flume. Miller responded on April 1, 1912 and asked to be notified when “snow leaves so we can make definite estimates and bid.” The next correspondence I found was from J.R. Lucas to Blakeslee and Cheatham on June 3, 1912 which details that their company was “going to construct 8 miles of flume and dig 2 miles of ditch on the West Fork of Rock Creek….can either your Mr. Blakeslee or Cheatham come to Philipsburg and…run this survey line over and check it up?” 

The response on June 8 was a telegram stating someone would be in Philipsburg from the company either Sunday or Monday. Another hand written document from C.W. Cheatham recommends his brother J.N. Cheatham to be hired as the engineer of the flume and ditch digging and that he would work for $100.00 per month and expenses. Then, on July 30, 1912 J.N. Cheatham wrote to J.R. Lucas that “E.E. Rhudy started work on the 11th; G.E. Rasmussen started work on the 12th.”

J.R. Lucas requested on July 30, 1912 that Cheatham send weekly reports of the crews work so they can withhold 15% of the estimated wages as per original contract. Cheatham wrote Lucas on the same date “We need lumber delivered by the 31st as sawmill has not started.” Two documents sent to Lucas that were not signed, state the motor sent for the saw mill was the wrong size. 

Also on file are eight pages of “Monthly estimates of flume construction” for July 1912 through October 1912. The estimates describe the work in number of “bents” completed and itemized the costs: July: Main Flume starting at West Fork $ 425.05; E.E. Rhudy Foreman Main Flume starting at Gem Creek $ 620.50; G.E. Rasmussen Foreman - Intake from Gem Creek $ 9.50; Intake from Little Gem Creek $ 21.72 August: Camp #1 Rasmussen $1102.93; Camp #2 Rhudy $884.11 September: Camp #1 Rasmussen $1129.31; Camp #2 Rhudy $ 635.68 October: Main Flume $1,548.15; Intake at Spruce Creek $9.32; Intake at Dunshee Creek $37.23 Camp #1- 100% completed and Camp #2- 95% completed by November 1. 

On July 25, 1912 J.R. Lucas sent a request to Missoula Employment Agency requesting a sawyer capable of cutting 100,000 feet of lumber and a sawmill engineer. Then, on August 23 Cheatham wrote to Lucas in regard to the need for road work and that no one had authority to order supplies. Because of these problems the men were ready to leave if the situation was not resolved. He also requested another six or seven men. The situation must have been resolved, because in 1913 a request from Cheatham to Lucas for references, was responded to. Lucas gave Cheatham a positive reference for the period he worked for American Gem with the date being from April 1912 through December 1912. 

The amount of pay received by the flume crew is evidenced in a letter from J.R. Lucas to J.N. Cheatham the Supt. Of Construction dated September 19th, 1912: “Dear Sir: Calling your attention to time sheet covering Flume Camp No.2, E.E. Rhudy, we note that in three instances you have shown the total deductions to exceed the gross amount due the employe [sic].We refer to L. O’Brian, Martin McNulty and A. Miller…We have therefore altered your August time sheet to show as follows: L. O’Brian, wages due $4.87, Board deducted $4.70, Comissary deduction 17 cents; Martin McNulty, wages due $4.87, Board deduction $4.87; A. Miller, wages due $4.87, Board deducted $4.87. This leaves their accounts as follows: L.O’Brian owes the commissary 13 cents; Martin McNulty owes the board 48 cents, commissary 40 cents; A. Miller owes board 48 cents… (What) these employes [sic] owe should be included with the deductions of the September time sheets.” 

 Whether there was only one main flume built, or if Stony Flume, Ewing Flume and West Fork of Rock Creek Flume are all different flumes and built at separate times, was not explained in the archived documents. We know water became available and as a child, I saw pictures of the placer miners working with huge pipes with nozzles knocking people over by the massive water pressure being directed at the placers. Massive earth movement and tailing dams are evident, especially in Maley Gulch and Anaconda Gulch. The drop in altitude from the beginning of the flume to the gulches, created the head of pressure. As you drive east on the Skalkaho Highway, near the Stillwater turn-off, you can still see areas of flume clinging to the steep slide rock mountainside. Building and upkeep of flumes, plus ditch digging, without considering the employment of the placer mines, provided a substantial number of jobs for the people of Philipsburg and surrounding areas, prior to 1930. 

West Fork Sapphire Mines and Conrad Wipf

 

A constant issue in mining Sapphires was a water supply and references show in 1905 water problems were becoming severe as early as June 11. By August 9 “Jamieson’s laid off most of crew in Anaconda Gulch-no water and did not get any water from Fusz Lake. Eight men left to prospect and look for source of red sapphires” wrote J. Lucas to Paul Fusz. Communication on August 22, 1905 stated water was okay in Sapphire Gulch and on August 27 Lucas told Fusz “Cralle’s survey says we should continue the Cralle ditch to the North Fork of the West Fork of Rock Creek--that would give a good supply of water to both Basin and Sapphire [Gulch].” By June 19, 1905 Wipf had worked the lower Sapphire and obtained only 100 pounds of sapphires. “Last year that would have been 600 pounds-so he is going higher up the gulch” wrote Lucas to Fusz. Obviously the move was strategic as the final shipment on November 23, 1905 totaled 3,657.25 pounds and 3,641 of these pounds came from Sapphire. 

Later that year, Conrad’s son was hired to do ranch work after graduating from high school and a letter from Lucas to Fusz, on October 9, 1905 stated “Have Sandin and young Conrad Wipf stay on ranch at $35.00 a month this winter…” Stop work by October 18. 

Conrad Wipf was born at Marthalen Canton of Zurich, Switzerland on December 4, 1843 and came to America as a carpenter in 1868. He worked in Chicago then Iowa before coming to Montana in 1871. He worked at the Kleinschmidt Brother’s lumber yard in Deer Lodge. Then moved to the saw mill at New Chicago and in 1872 moved to Philipsburg. I found where contracts bids were requested for laying sidewalk from Botschieder and Wipf’s Carpenter Shop on Sansome to the new school house. The bids were requested by John A. Spencer City clerk and Julius Hansen Assistant clerk in the January 9, 1896 Mail. 

Conrad worked at the Trout Mine and then took up Placer mining for the next fourteen summers according to the Mail, November 5 1909 (1895-1909). During the winters, Conrad continued to work in the building trade and during the mining boom at Granite formed a partnership with T.G. Botscheider. They built an extensive business as contractors and builders. Conrad was defeated for the office of City Treasurer by James H. Loomis on April 6, 1908. He served as alderman in the City Council and as School Trustee for many years, plus was president of the District Board of Education and County Commissioner at the time of his death. Con married Elise Huber of Zurich, Switzerland in 1885 and they had one son Conrad Jr. 

Conrad Senior died on October 30, 1909 at his home in Philipsburg of stomach cancer, about one month after being diagnosed. Survivors were his wife Elise and son Conrad Jr. Pallbearers were: William Dingwall, William Stahl, John H. Williams, Nicholas Noe, George Albert and Walter Kroger. He is buried in the Philipsburg Cemetery. 

Mrs. Elise Huber Wipf was born September 11, 1852. She died on June 3, 1936 and is buried next to Conrad in the Philipsburg cemetery. 

Conrad’s business partner Tom Botscheider born February 29, 1852 died February 21, 1940 just eight days short of his eighty-eighth birthday. Tom married Adelaide Durfee a native of New York in Philipsburg in 1884 two years after she moved to the area. I have been unsuccessful in finding Tom’s obituary, but Adelaide’s showed the marriage devoid of children, when she died on July 15, 1923 at the age of seventy. Tom and Adelaide are buried next to each other in the Philipsburg cemetery.

Anne Filmore was gifted a picture of Tom and Adelaide's marriage certificate when she acquired the building (Tom had owned) she made into the Silver Mill on Broadway and that picture is attached below.

g cemetery.