Mettle of Granite County Book One Chapter six

Chapter Six

More businessmen, merchants and miners

Table of Contents

Bowen, Thompson and Murphy......................................................1-7Haverty.................................................................................. .....5
Mclees.........................................................................................7-8
Courtney......................................................................................8-10
Steber..........................................................................................10-11
Hyde...........................................................................................11-12
Patten.........................................................................................13-18
Sprague......................................................................................14-16
Kistle.........................................................................................16-17
Albright......................................................................................18
Charmichael...............................................................................19-21
Featherman................................................................................21-23
Horrigan....................................................................................23-24
Cartier.......................................................................................24-25
Endnotes....................................................................................26-27.

Bowen, Thompson and Murphy

Business men, investors and merchants in the early history of Philipsburg were the Bowen brothers. One of the first news articles found concerning the Bowen family was:

Died: In Philipsburg, Mont., Sunday March 23, 1890, Irene infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bowen. The funeral took place from the Methodist Episcopal Church last Monday morning. Irene was a bright little child seventeen months old, and her death was very sudden. Dr. Ray was called in on Friday to attend the little one, and on Saturday it was supposed that she was not in any danger. On Saturday, however it was found necessary to lance the gums to allow some teeth to come through. The little one then began to convulse and remained in that condition until death relieved her at 10 o’clock Sunday night. 

In the same issue of the Mail, as the above obituary was a notice: Strayed or Stolen-From the Philipsburg iron works, about a month ago, three horses: one dark brown, one bay and one iron gray, all shod. One bay has white star on forehead and A on right shoulder. A reward of $5 on each head would be paid for their return to Bowen Bros. and Thompson, of Philipsburg.

Under the headline Over 170 students in attendance, the Mail, May 11, 1893, the Editor wrote a full column article describing the Philipsburg School, students, and singing skills of “sixty pairs of lusty lungs”. He was impressed with the fact the School had just added the Encyclopedia Britannica, from funds raised by the proceeds of entertainment a few months ago. Students listed in the First Primary Department being taught by Mrs. Eugene Smith, included Annie Bowen and Clara Bowen, with Lottie Bowen listed in the Second Primary Department, under the teaching of Miss Edna Bowie and Lizzie Bowen was listed among the children in the Grammar Department, under the teaching of Miss E.J. Ware, Principal and teacher.

A cantata programme would be presented at McDonald’s on Friday evening November 16, 1984, included the following young Philipsburg residents: Good Fairies--Lizzie Bowen, Lottie Bowen, Annie and Clara Bowen; and one of the Spirites was Willie Bowen. Other children included Tina and Minnie Brown and Rose Winninghoff and Mary Huffman.

In the same issue of the Citizen Call, on November 14, 1894, was this news item:

A small blaze was discovered in the foundry of Bowen Bros. and Thompson last Saturday evening, and was extinguished before any damage was done. The foundry whistle attracted a large crowd who gathered upon the scene, ready to assist had the fire been more extensive. It has been but a short time since this same firm’s works were destroyed by fire at Marysville.

 The next reference found was that Fred Bowen, Will Bowen and E.R. Thompson had incorporated the Philipsburg Iron Works with a capital stock of $45,000 according to the Philipsburg Mail, January 17, 1895. 

At the end of that year was the announcement The King’s Daughters would meet at the residence of Mrs. Fred Bowen on Saturday December 21, at 2 o’clock p.m. A full attendance was desired as important business was to be transacted. Then in 1897, Will Bowen, was installed into the office of Right Supporter, of Noble Grand in the Cable Lodge No.9, I.O.O.F. 

Mrs. Charlotte (Parfitt) Bowen, wife of William of the Philipsburg Iron Works, died at the age of forty two, at the family home, on April 29, 1898.  She was a native of Blueford, Wales, who immigrated to America in 1872. She married Mr. Bowen, in Ohio and they came to Philipsburg, from Butte, in 1887. That was the date the Bowen Brothers and Thompson Foundry was established

Survivors were: her husband and seven children: Thomas, Lizzie, Fred, Lottie, Annie, Will and Charles; a brother, Harry Parfitt; an aunt, Mrs. M.M. Clapp and in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bowen and family, all of Philipsburg. Her funeral took place on May 1, at the family residence and was conducted under the auspices of Ruth Lodge No. 4, Daughters of Rebekah. Mrs. Z.C. Princey was Marshall of the day. Pallbearers were: G. W. Suppinger, J.T. Shearer, George Schmidt, William Ripple, and Joseph Sorenson, with Rev. J.B. Butter, performing the funeral service and songs were performed by the Presbyterian choir.[1

On May 24, 1904, the following article was published in the Mail:

Mrs. Bowen again in Evidence: Sunday’s Missoulian published the following story: “Auditor Coleman is hunting a home, for a sweet little girl baby that has evidently been deserted by its mother. There is a story connected with the little one which is interesting and furnishes the earmarks of abandonment. On Wednesday, June 15, a lady registered at the Rankin as Mrs. Bowen. She had a baby with her, and also a little two year old boy, who she said had been in the orphan’s home in Helena. The following day she visited a family on Toole Avenue and made arrangements for the care of the little one, agreeing to pay $4 per week for board of the baby. Here she gave the name of Mrs. Schilling, and stated that she expected to go to work in the city. That is the last that has been seen of the woman in Missoula.

 Subsequently the Missoulian carried the following: 

There has been some new developments in the matter of the baby which was deserted by its mother last week. Its mother’s name is Mrs. John Bowen, and her home is in Philipsburg. It is said that she has some property there and is divorced from her husband, the court giving her the property at the time she secured the divorce a few years ago. The Granite County authorities have been communicated with and the sheriff of that county stated over the telephone Sunday that the woman seems to feel that she has all the family she can care for; that she does not appear to be anxious about the infant and if it goes back to Philipsburg it will probably have to be sent to the Orphan’s Home in Twin Bridges. The auditor intends to keep after the officers of Granite County and have them do something in the matter. The baby does not belong to Missoula County. Granite County or its mother do not appear to want it, and the question as to what will become of it is the all-absorbing one at present. 

 I found no other articles concerning the baby and believe John, was the brother of Dave Bowen, who owned the Kaiser Homestead on Ross’ Fork of Rock Creek, discussed in the Amerine chapter in Book II. These Bowen’s were not related to the Bowen brothers, being discussed.

Two major brick residences, still standing in Philipsburg, are credited to Fred and William Bowen. The homes built as mirror images of each other have beautiful maple woodwork. They are listed in the Philipsburg Historic Walking Tour.

The first reference found for Thompson was when the August 10, 1893, Mail published the following news:

E.R. Thompson, Wm. Bowen, Fred Dankowski, C.O. Reed, and M.H. Bryan started out this morning on an overland trip to the national park. Their outfit consists of a covered wagon, four horses, plenty of provisions and bedding together with a newly equipped camping outfit. They expect to be gone about six weeks.

 Next, research revealed a funeral notice for Mrs. Elizabeth Farrell, the mother of Mr. E.R. Thompson. She died at the age of 62 at Lancaster, Wisconsin on July 23, 1896.

Then a social note in the Philipsburg Mail, April 29, 1904, stated:

Mrs. E.R. Thompson, at her pleasant home in North Philipsburg, Tuesday afternoon delightfully entertained the ladies of the Eastern Star, in honor of Mrs. Alice Sorenson of Glendive, Grand Matron of the Order, who has been a guest at the home of L.C. Brickell since last week. Delicious refreshments were served.

 In 1908, Mr. Bowen from the Philipsburg Iron Works appeared before the (City) council and explained that his firm had taken steps to resurrect the electric light plant and had under consideration estimates for new machinery. To enable then to look into the matter more fully he asked for thirty days extension of time which was granted, according to the Philipsburg Mail, March 6, 1908. 

Then in August the City Council “gave notice which is to be final, to the electric light company to move their poles and wires from the streets of the city”.  But according to the following paragraphs the removal did not happen.

In 1909, The City Council meeting on January 4, announced they could not legally award a contract for a term of more than three years, without first submitting it to a vote of the people, concerning the lighting issues, so they were planning on submitting the matter of granting a new light franchise, to a vote in the annual city election in April.

I found no further information about the electric light company again, until the headline was “Lighting Bids Turned Down” with the following article was published in the April 9, 1915, Mail:

 besides giving attention to routine business the matter of electric lighting was taken up. Bowen Brothers Electric Light and Power Company submitted the only bid which was about $24.00 a month higher than the present contract. Action therefore was deferred until next Monday night…Bowen Brothers proposal is a flat rate of $196 per month for the lights called for in the City’s advertisement. The council figured this to be the same as the Bowen Brothers bid of two years ago exclusive of the electric lamps added since at $10 per month each. On this basis the new bid is $24 a month higher than the present rate contract. The council decided to lay the matter on the table to be taken up at a later date. In the meantime the Public Service Commission will be petitioned for a hearing and an effort is to be made to have an equitable light rate established.

The tone of the article makes it obvious that the Bowen Brothers had been providing the city lights power for at least the previous two years. Since no other entity is described in any of the researched newspapers I am fairly certain, the only power provided during these years was by the Bowen Brothers.

Of interest, is the election in April 1915, was the very first vote cast by women of Philipsburg. N.B. Ringling was elected over L.C. Degenhart and Wm. Parsons, for first alderman; A.W. Lindstadt, won the second ward and Charles C. Baker, won the third ward election, with Judge J.J. Henzie, re-elected as Police Magistrate, for the city.

On January 7, 1916, the Public Service Commission rendered:

Its findings in the Philipsburg Electric Light rate hearing. No changes are made excepting in the minimum rate which is reduced to $3.00. The commission will exercise special supervision over the affairs of the lighting company for one year after which an equitable rate is to be permanently established……This contract for street lighting was entered into May 28, 1912, for a period of three years, and under this contract the city paid $202 per month. Bids for new contracts were submitted in 1915, but were not accepted, and the lights for the municipality are being furnished in the same manner as under the old contract, except that the question of price remains open. Under the old contract for street lighting the city was obligated to have furnished, among other lights, twelve arc of 2000 candle power, and to pay for same at a rate of $172 per month. The complainants allege that these lights were feeble and insufficient and were not more than 500 candle power each.

 The next article researched, stated the wife of H.A. Murphy of the Electric Light Company died February 21, 1917. Mr. Murphy had taken over the management of the Electric Light Company about one year before. His wife’s name was Helen Leahy Murphy and she left behind a two year old daughter Helen Marie. This statement was followed a year later with:

As a past master of the camouflage art, H.A. Murphy, manager of the Bowen Electric Company, demonstrated his ability in this line in no uncertain manner the fore part of last week when he quietly slipped over to Butte on a supposed business trip. He went to Butte alright but tarried there only long enough to make connections with an Oregon Short Line Train, which carried him to Salt Lake City, where he was married to Miss Susie McDermott, of Butte.[2]

Susie was the daughter of Mrs. Susie J. McDermott, of Butte and an accomplished pianist. The newly weds returned to Philipsburg, on July 22, 1918.

In 1916, Miss Clara Bowen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Bowen Sr., married Rev. C.B. May of Poplar, Montana in Helena on May 24 . Rev. May, was the Methodist Minister in Philipsburg prior to moving to Poplar. The ceremony was performed at the Eddy Hotel by Rev. W.H. Calvert, current Methodist pastor, of Philipsburg. Witnesses to the ceremony were Rev. J. D. Wolfe of Philipsburg and Mrs. McAllister, of Missoula. Rev. May, had given up the ministry because of his health and is now engaged in ranching in the northeastern section of the state. The newly weds would make their home on the May ranch, in Sheridan county.

Mrs. E.R. (Nellie Farrell) Thompson died at her home in Missoula, on December 26, 1918, of pneumonia. Born in Wisconsin, she moved to Philipsburg in 1892, then for two years, worked for the Philipsburg Mail, before marrying E.R. Thompson, in 1894. As described in a previous paragraph, he was in business with the Bowen Brothers, beginning in 1894. They had one daughter, Helen and the family moved to Missoula, in 1906. Nellie was a member of the Pearl Chapter of the Eastern Star and Ladies Macabee and Past Worthy Matron of O.E.S., and Grand Matron of O.E.S., in Montana, during the year 1910.

Her remains were brought to Philipsburg with the intent of having the funeral at the Masonic Hall, but due to the health quarantine from the Spanish flu epidemic the Lodges conducted the service at the cemetery. Pallbearers were: A.R. McDonald, Geo. O. Burks, C.C. Mersereau, A. Johnston, John Kaiser, and G.L. Atwater.[3] 

Nellie’s husband Ezra R., born on November 24, 1857, died June 22, 1948, and was buried next to Nellie. Also in Ezra’s grave, was the Thompson infant son, with no birth or death dates and the inscription on the headstone, "Son of Nellie and Ezra R".

On July 10, 1914, W.C. Bowen, of the Bowen Hardware Company had purchased the Miltenberger residence in the North side. The property transfer was going to happen sometime in August. This is the home his grand daughter Barbara Bowen Silvey’s family now lives in.

In the Tex Crowley collection of pictures in the possession of LouAnn Sichveland is a picture of the three Bowen brothers: Fred, William and Charlie, sitting on the running board of a new Maxwell sedan. The picture was probably taken about 1915 or 1916, as there were many ads in the Philipsburg Mail, for the Maxwell during this period of time, selling at the price of $665.00, with an electric starter. 

Haverty

Automobiles became very popular and articles such as the following were frequent topics:

C.A. Metcalf has bought a 1914 model Reo touring car, from F.G. Haverty, of Hall who has the agency for Granite County. The 1914 Reo is by far the most attractive of moderate priced cars shown here this spring.

 In the same June 12, 1914, Mail was the comment: 

Contractor F.G. Haverty is making good progress with the new Degenhart building and notwithstanding frequent interruptions on account of rain the walls are going up at a rapid rate.

 F.G. was also credited with building Mrs. Granville Stuart's house, on the homestead in the lower valley, so he was a busy man, building and selling cars at the same time.

By January 9, 1920:

“Fred G. Haverty, agent for the Dodge and Buick automobiles and one of the most enthusiastic automobile men in Granite County, has purchased the Dixie Garage and will move the modern equipment from the Courtney Garage to his garage on upper Broadway. Mr. Haverty, will be located at the Dixie Garage until he can remodel the big brick building now occupied by Carmichael’s Livery. According to Mr. Haverty, he will have one of the most modern and best equipped garages in the state when he is located in the brick building. He will have room for storing about forty cars, a wash rack on both floors and a modern machine shop in the basement. Only expert mechanics will be employed and Service will be the guiding word for the garage.

 Mr. Haverty, continued as the Buick agent in Hall according to the January 17, 1920, Philipsburg Mail, and J.D. Norris was selling Fords in Drummond.

By March, Mr. Haverty sold a Dodge Brothers, three quarter ton truck to Charles J. Anderson, of Hall and a Dodge Brothers touring car to Mayor S.E. McLees. McLees had won the Mayors race again, in 1918, and also was the owner of a Jewelry store, in Philipsburg.

In the March 12, issue of the Mail, Haverty, sold a Dodge Brothers touring car to Hoyt Van Norman. Interesting that the Mail, was documenting all the Haverty sales, but there is no comments about the other car agents during this period. A good example of free advertising.

As evidence of how busy he was, F. G. Haverty, paid $589.42, in taxes for the year 1927.

Bowen’s, Thompson and Murphy cont’d

Returning to the Bowen family, a birth announcement stated Thomas R. Bowen, head of the Manual Training Department, at Manhattan School, had a new daughter in the January 2, 1920, Mail. Thomas was the son of William and the late Charlotte (Parfitt) Bowen.

The family is unable to recall the history of Thomas, but believe he was involved for some time with a ranch on Rock Creek.[4] I found where Mrs. Harry Smith was a sister to Mrs. T.R. Bowen. This leads me to assume that when Harry died and his wife was alone on the Smith Ranch, Tom probably helped her run the ranch, until she moved with the three children to Anaconda. The Smith family is discussed in the Mt. Amerine chapter in Book II. Born in 1876, Thomas R. Bowen died in 1949 and is interred in the Philipsburg cemetery. I do not know his wife's name or where she is buried.

Fred Bowen, became ill and sold out to his brothers and moved to Portland, where he died the week of January 18, 1929. Survivors were: his wife Anna, daughter Clara May and Irene Carter of Portland; brother William of Philipsburg and nephews: T.R. and Charles.

William Bowen Sr. died January 7, 1930, at his home on Granite Street, after a brief illness. He suffered a paralytic stroke after complaining of not feeling well for a few days and the next day, suffered a fatal stroke. Born in Wales on November 18, 1853, he came to America, at the age of eight, locating in Cleveland, Ohio. He married Charlotte Parfitt, in 1886, and then came to Montana, first locating in Butte, then, moving to Philipsburg.

As discussed in previous paragraphs, William and his brother established the Philipsburg Iron Works, then the Bowen Bros., Electric Light and Power Company and at the time of death, he was vice-president of the company. He was a member of the Odd fellow’s Lodge for more than fifty years and for thirty five years, was their secretary.

The funeral was held January 9, at the family home, with Rev. W.G. Rees, of the Presbyterian Church officiating. William was interred in the family plot in the Philipsburg cemetery and pallbearers were: S.E. McLees, John Hickey, E.T. Irvine, H.A. Featherman, George M. Mungas and A.W. Lindstadt.[5]

By the end of 1930, Montana Power bought the Bowen Brother’s Electric Light and Power Company. The news article stated new rates would be effective as of December 30, 1930. Bowen’s, early partner John Maroney, had left the group many years before, after becoming involved in Montana Power and was instrumental in the purchasing of the Philipsburg company.

H.A. Murphy retired after thirty six years with Montana Power, as a manager. He became associated with Bowen Brothers on March 25, 1916 and left there in 1931 to join Montana Power, according to the Philipsburg Mail, August 8, 1952. Harry born in 1887 died in 1965 and is buried in the Philipsburg cemetery. Sue McDermott Murphy, Harry’s second wife was born in 1891 and died in 1977. She is buried next to Harry.

Harry and his first wife Helen Leahy Murphy’s, daughter Helen Marie born May 21, 1914 died on April 30, 2008.  Helen was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother and half brothers: Thomas C. age 2 in 1923, buried in the Philipsburg cemetery and Robert death date and burial unknown. Helen Marie graduated from the Philipsburg Schools and then attended Loyola University and Mercy Hospital in Chicago for her nursing education. In 1935 she attained a certificate in Public Health Nursing at the University of Washington. She then worked as a public Health Nurse in Choteau and a nurse consultant for the State of Montana. In 1944 she received her Bachelors Degree in Nursing from the University of Washington and became the first director of the Division of Public Health Nursing for Montana. Next Helen Marie became the Associate Chief of Nursing Education for the Veterans Administration in Oakland, California, Dallas, Texas, Fort Harrison, Montana and Walla Walla, Washington. When she retired in 1971 she divided her time between Helena and Philipsburg. Helen Marie was buried in the Philipsburg cemetery, after a service at St. Philip’s Catholic Church on May 7^th.

After the Bowen Brothers sold the Electric Light Company they invested in the Bowen Hardware Store and the store continued to be operated by young William C. Bowen after the first generation retired.

Descendants of the original Bowen family continue to live in Philipsburg. William C. and his wife Mary (Mae) Huffman Bowen’s children were: Leonard and Lucy Mae. Leonard worked for Sparky White at the service station on the west end of town, originally owned by Robert Metcalf and then bought out the service station and operated it for many years. Children of Leonard and Virginia Brooks Bowen were: Barbara, Janet, David, Don and Larry. David died in Anaconda on February 21, 2005; Barbara and her husband Jack Silvey, Janet and her husband Chuck Gaddis and Don and his wife Jan still reside in Philipsburg, where Don works at the Candy Store. Larry and his wife Kathe live in Wisconsin.[6]

McLees

S.E. McLees, spoken of in a previous paragraph, was a very active merchant jeweler and politician in early Philipsburg days. The 1901, Philipsburg Mail’s, have frequent references to his Jewelry store, such as October 4: “S.E. McLees, the jeweler, has added to his already extensive stock, a complete line of cutlery--razors, pocket knives etc”.

While campaigning for his re-election in 1914, McLees, was cited by a large article in the Philipsburg Mail, as doing an excellent job of cleaning up the City Sewer problems, also the contamination of Camp Creek, causing unhealthy issues in the lower part of the city and had increased the property owned by Philipsburg, while cutting taxes coming into the town, by $1,000.00. Property now owned by the city included City Water Works, valued at $40,000.00; $5,000.00 worth of building and furnishings for City Hall; $200.00 for the jail and pound; $1,525.00, worth of hose, hook and ladder wagon, four wheel and two wheel carts, Bell and Fire tower; City Sewer, worth $15,000.00 and thirty cement street crossings and eight cement alley crossings, for a total value of $64,835.00.

Obviously, he continued doing a good job, as in 1917, he was still Mayor, when his mother died in Taylorsville, Pennsylvania, on June 8. Mr. McLees, arrived at her bedside before she lost consciousness, so was able to speak with her.

In June of 1926, S.E. presented an interesting paper to the Rotary Club, describing precious stones and where they were found. At that time, he was still an active merchant of the city and the Mayor.

Samuel E. McLees died of cancer, October 4, 1930, in a Butte Hospital, after having surgery. He declined to run for Mayor, in 1928, after serving for seventeen consecutive years in that position. His favorite cause was the municipal water system. Prior to serving as Mayor, he served as City Alderman for four years and served both the District and Granite County High School Boards, through the years.

Samuel Edward McLees, born in Taylorstown, Pennsylvania on August 1, 1867 to Alexander E. and Belle Hodgens McLees, was one of three children. The parents were both natives of Pennsylvania and followed the mercantile trade business. Sam’s, father died at the age sixty, in 1877 and his mother lived until 1917. From the age of fourteen to eighteen, Sam served an apprenticeship, in a jewelry store in Washington, Pennsylvania, and came west, when this ended, to Fargo N.D. After working as a jeweler, for two years, he returned to the east and took a course in engraving, then became employed by the Elgin Watch Factory. Next he moved to Butte and opened a store that burned down within thirty days. He re-opened and stayed in business there for two years, then moved to Philipsburg. “Both he and his estimable wife were of a social nature” according to the Philipsburg Mail, February 20, 1931. Sam was actively involved in the Masons, Odd Fellow’s, Selish Tribe Order of Red Men and the Philipsburg Rotary Club.

The funeral was held from his home on California Street, to the Episcopal Church with Rev. Lawrence Rose officiating. Internment was in the Philipsburg cemetery, with pallbearers: John Yenter, Freeman Tinklepaugh, Chauncey Kennedy, E. Irvine, Fred Geiger and Walter Kroger. Honorary pallbearers were: Hon. D.M. Durfee, Frank Winninghoff, A.S. Huffman, Thomas Botscheider, Hon. J.D. Kennedy, W. Albright, John J. Orr, R.E. McHugh and Roy Neitz.

Survivors were not listed in the obituary, but I found where Eunice McLees married Walter Jarvi on December 25, 1935 and the wedding announcement stated she was the daughter of Mrs. Samuel McLees.  

The McLees Jewelry Store was purchased by Charles B. Lawrenson, of Missoula in February of 1931. Mrs. McLees operated the store after Sam died until it was sold. Lawrenson operated a jewelry store in Missoula and Hamilton, before working for Frank Borg Jewelry Store, in Philipsburg.

Courtney family

The Courtney Brothers, were not pioneers of the area, but were instrumental in building a substantial hotel, on Sansome Street that took up the entire block. The brothers, Charles and Humphrey, came from Butte and leased the Coyle Mine at Hasmark in 1913. Numerous pictures are in the Tex Crowley collection, showing ore being hauled from the Coyle mine by The Metcalf Four team, with Fred Barbour, as the team driver. Another picture shows this same team and driver parked, on the platform of the Northern Pacific Depot, with a crew shoveling the ore off the wagon into the train cars. The notation on the back of the pictures state this venture was what made the money for the brothers to build the Pintlar (Courtney) Hotel.

Charles Courtney married Elizabeth Marie Steber, on September 26, 1914 at her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Steber’s home. After the wedding the newly weds went to Butte and then eastern Montana for their honeymoon, which included Yellowstone Park. A month later, they returned to Philipsburg to reside in an apartment, at the hotel.

In 1919, the Courtney Block was completed by Clifton, Applegate and Lawler, contractors. The original plans were started in July of 1918, for a two story building. For an unknown reason, a third story was added “making it the best and most substantial modern building in the city” stated the Philipsburg Mail, February 14, 1919.

Tragedy struck the family in October 1919, when Miss Florence Courtney, died at the age of twenty, in Chicago, where she had been receiving medical care for a lengthy illness, on October 10. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Courtney, of Philipsburg, attended the Butte schools and then entered the Montana Normal School, at Dillon. After graduation, she taught for one year in Philipsburg, then the current year, in Butte. Survivors were: her parents, a sister Mildred of Butte and two brothers: Edward of Butte and Humphrey of Philipsburg. The funeral was held in Butte where she was interred.

The February 13, 1920, Mail stated:

Workmen this week started to remodel the lower floor of the Courtney building which was formerly occupied by the Granite County garage. When the work is completed the Hotel will have a spacious lobby and 14 additional rooms which will be on the ground floor. Large well lighted sample rooms will be located in the basement. 

 Through out the 1920’s Ad’s in the Mail state “Courtney Hotel Rates $1 and up”.

Research found a Resolution, in the April 20, 1925, Mail, written by the High School Board and signed by Mrs. W.E. Albright, Dan Smith and L. T. Irvine, for Michael Courtney, who obviously was a member of the High School Board, before his recent death. I have failed to find a death or funeral notice for him and there is no headstone or file card recording his burial in the Philipsburg cemetery.

The graduating class of Granite High was four boys and eight girls on May 27, 1921 and included in those graduates, was Humphrey Courtney. Then in September, Humphrey “left on Thursday morning for Helena, where he will attend Mount St. Charles College during the coming year”.

Demonstrating their social life, Mrs. Michael Courtney entertained three tables of bridge Tuesday, May 15, 1928, at her apartments in the Courtney Hotel. Mrs. Charles Courtney received first honors and Mrs. Otto Helix, second. At the close of the evening the hostess served dainty refreshments. In the same issue of the Mail, was an article about the Grade School Annual Field Meet which identified Ellen Courtney, as the winner of the fifth grade oral reading contest.

The hotel was a prominent building, when I was a child and my grandfather lived there in his final stages of brain cancer. This allowed him to be close to the family doctor and receive injections of pain medications. I vividly remember visiting him as his disease progressed and the final night my half sister Rosalie and brother, Harry Jr. (Corky) were put to bed in an adjoining room while Granny and my parents sat with Grandpa. When mom came to tell us that he had died, Rosie and I were very anxious that they had left a window open so the angels could come in to take his soul to heaven. When I happened on the book A Room for the Night, I was reminded that our family was not any different than most in the west, as the author spoke that in “these hotels’s life was acted out--birth, marriage and death…a hotel was a convenient place to die”.[7]

Ellen Courtney, married Ben Walkup on June 8, 1935 and they moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1978. Ben, born on December 14, 1908, to Albert and Laura, in Anaconda worked in the mines at Black Pine. He died February 21, 1996, in Scottsdale, Arizona.[8]

Ellen born in 1917, died in 1991 and both have headstones in the Philipsburg cemetery. Ben's father Albert, born in 1874 died in 1935 and is interred also, in the Philipsburg cemetery, but I do not find Laura there.

Father Humphrey Courtney, born in 1926, the son of Agnes and Humphrey J. Courtney, graduated from Granite County High School on May 20, 1943. He became a Catholic Priest, ordained on May 19, 1951, at the Helena Cathedral. He died in 1999 and is buried next to his parents in the Philipsburg cemetery in block twenty, lot thirty seven.

Lois Elizabeth Courtney celebrated her ninth birthday in December 1934, with friends at a dinner party. The friends included Margaret McDonald, Margaret Dean White, Irene Hoehne, Jerry Johnson and Cleo Courtney. Lois graduated from the Granite County High School with nine other students on May 20. 1943.

Julia E. Courtney, suffered a stroke on May 19, 1951, a short while after witnessing Humphrey’s ordainment at the Cathedral and died in the Helena hospital on May 21. She was the widow of Michael and seventy eight years of age. The death notice does not detail her funeral or where she was buried.

Charles D. Courtney, born in 1882, died in 1959; Elizabeth born in 1896 died in 1957; Humphrey, born in 1876, died in 1961; Agnes born in 1895 died in 1993; Daniel J., born in 1879, died in 1948; Maurice born in 1868, died in 1940; Patrick A., born in 1866, died in 1946; Charles (either O. or D.), born April 9, 1921 served in the U.S. Army during  World War II (WWII) and died October 31, 2001; John Daniel, born December 27, 1915, served in the U.S. Coast Guard in WWII and died on March 21, 2003; June Courtney, born July 27, 1922, died May 9, 1981. They are all interred in the family plot in the Philipsburg cemetery.

The Courtney name is still present in the school notes of the 2008 Philipsburg Mail.

Steber

The Steber family, mentioned in a previous paragraph was headed by Henry, a miner around the area. A news article on June 13, 1913 stated Henry was injured at Maxville when a wagon ran over him while going to the North Star Mine where he was employed. Noteworthy was that his injuries were not serious.

In July 1915, Mrs. Charles (Lizzie Steber) Courtney and her sister Miss Marguarite Steber gave a party for Miss Eva Huddleston, at the Steber family home, on Sansome Street. The party attended the theatre, where special seating was arranged and then returned to the home to play games, sing and dance. At a late hour refreshments were served and a group picture was taken.

Miss Marguerite Steber and John Wallace Frost married in Anaconda on June 16, 1916 in the Methodist Episcopal Parsonage.  Rev. J.A. Meeke officiated and Mrs. Meeke and Mrs. J. Hauser of Philipsburg were witnesses. Wally was the second son of Mrs. Blair King, and Marguerite was the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Steber. The newly weds made their home near the Bi-Metallic, as the groom was an employee of that company.

Wally became the beloved janitor of the Granite County High School for many years. I found his smiling picture in the 1955 Granitonian and know he was still working there in 1956, when I attended my freshman year.

Eleanora Steber married Asa Naef and to that union was born: Ronald, John and Marie Naef. Helen Steber married George Davis and to that marriage was born Jim, Scott and Nancy Davis. George died in 1959 and Helen died in 2004.  Ellen Steber married Ben Walkup and born to that family was Loretta (Walkup Miller) Mazza. Ellen died in 1991 and Ben died in 1996, both are buried in the Philipsburg cemetery.

A school day romance was culminated, when Philip Steber, married Miss Eunice Carmichael, of Seattle, in Philipsburg on August 19, 1934, at St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. A.J. Smith performed the ceremony. Eunice graduated from Granite County High School, in 1929, and then moved with her mother to Seattle, where she had recently graduated from Nursing School. She was employed at the Firland Sanitarium, at Richmond Highlands, Washington. Mr. Steber, also graduated in 1929 and was working in Missoula, where the couple made their home. Eunice was the daughter of Mrs. J.J. Carmichael, and Philip the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Steber.

Carl Steber married Miss Frances Jemison, of Arlee, on Labor Day, September 2, 1935, in Wallace, Idaho, by Rev. John H. Huggins, pastor of the Congregationalist Church. Mrs. Walter McCoughlin and Robert McDonel were the attendants. The couple kept the marriage a secret, until a short time before the paper announced the ceremony. A charivari was given December 7, for the Steber’s and the Henry Hull’s, also recently married. The couple made their home in Philipsburg, and according to headstones, Carl died, in 1936.

In 1938, Walter Steber, ran unopposed for Granite County Treasurer, receiving 1211 votes according to the Philipsburg Mail, November 11, 1938.

Henry Steber died at the age of eighty, at his home on March 6, 1952. Born in Germany on October 20, 1872, he came to New York, at the age of fifteen. Two years later he came to Granite, then moved to Philipsburg after a few years, making him a resident of Granite County for sixty three years. His marriage to Marie Steir, in 1896, produced nine children, of which seven survived him: Mrs. Charles Courtney, Mrs. J.W. Frost, Mrs. Asa Naef, and Mrs., George Davis, of Philipsburg; Mrs. John McKenna, of Darby, Walter Steber, of Chula Vista, California, and Philips Steber, of San Diego, California. Other survivors were: five sisters, two brothers and an aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth Schneider, of Philipsburg, plus seventeen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Preceding him in death was Marie, in 1937, son Otto H., age fourteen in 1917, and son Carl, age thirty one in 1936. There is a headstone for “Steber Baby” in the same grave as Carl, but no birth or death dates.

Henry's body lay in state at the family home for two days before the funeral was performed at the Wilson Funeral Home on March 5, 1952. Rev. Robert L. Rusack of the Deer Lodge Episcopal Church conducted the service. Internment was in the Philipsburg cemetery, with pallbearers: Herman Hauck, Harry Hanifen, Henry Bohrnsen, Allen McKenzie, Max Oberhauser, of Helena and Edmond Donnelly.[9]

Hyde

Banking was an important aspect of any community and the name of Joseph A. Hyde, was prominent in the banking business.  On January 10, 1895, it was announced in the Philipsburg Mail:

The annual election of officers of the First National Bank took place on Tuesday and resulted as follows: President, Joseph A. Hyde; Vice President, J.M. Merrell; Cashier, James H. King; Assistant cashier, Allan P. Bowie; Directors--Joseph A. Hyde, J.M. Merrell, James H. King, Dr. W.I. Power and Allan P. Bowie.

Refer to Chapter I for the story on the Granite branch of the bank, which closed in 1893, and Hyde’s association with Freyschlag, Huffman & Co.’s store.

Then on January 27, 1897 was the following:

Joseph A. Hyde, president of the First National Bank of Philipsburg, arrived from Deer Lodge last evening, and at once began the work of closing up the business of the First National, which will go into voluntary liquidation on February 10, with sufficient funds to meet all demands.

As successors to the business of this institution, Mr. Hyde and Mr. King will at once open a private banking business, and will undoubtedly meet with success due them as business men of unusual ability.

Mr. Hyde began the banking business in this city in January 1888, which he conducted as a private institution until January 1, 1892, when it was merged with the National Bank, with that gentleman as president, which honorable office he now fills. Mr. King has been the accommodating cashier of the First National Bank for a number of years, and by his close attention to business, together with his ability as financier, has assisted in making it one of the solid institutions of the state.

 The next reference I found on the front page was: “Notice to Depositors. Having decided to discontinue the banking business, all customers are requested to call for settlement. Hyde & King Bankers, Philipsburg, May 26, ’97, Citizen Call.

In another column of the same edition, also on the front page was this article “Hyde and King, Bankers, have decided to go out of the banking business in Philipsburg. See notice to customers elsewhere in the Call.

The first reference I found of the Joseph Hyde family was, “Born to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hyde, Deer Lodge, August 18, 1875, a daughter”, in the New Northwest, August 27, 1875.

The Philipsburg Historic Walking Tour,[10] stated the Hyde Block, was built by Joseph and Mary Hyde, in 1888, and it housed the First National Bank, until the silver crash in 1893, which is in direct conflict with the previous articles, stating the bank closed in 1897.The Granite branch of the bank closed in 1893, as detailed in another chapter.

Joseph Hyde died at his home in Seattle, September 25, 1921, according to word received by his niece Miss Clara D. McDonel.

Joe traveled from Missouri to Montana in 1866, on a river boat and settled in Helena, for four years. He then moved to Deer Lodge, where he managed a hardware store. Next, for three years, he managed a livery business, with the late H.G. Valiton. Then, moved to Butte, where he managed a hardware business for three years, after which he sold his interest and became president of the Miner Publishing Company. Two years later, he became Cashier, of the First National Bank of Butte and served in that position for five and one half years.

In January 1888, he came to Philipsburg and opened a bank, which was later incorporated as the Joseph A. Hyde Banking Company. In 1892, this was succeeded by the First National Bank of Philipsburg, with Mr. Hyde as president. He was a large holder of real estate, in Deer Lodge County and owned considerable business property in Butte…Married in 1873, to Miss Mary Hammond, daughter of the late Mr. William and Jane Hammond of Philipsburg.[11]

 His lodge affiliations were the Masonic Lodge, Knights of Pythias and the I.O.O.F. After retiring from business in 1903, he and the family moved to Seattle. He was survived by three daughters: Mrs. Alfred Ayerest, Mrs. Wilbur Strange and Miss Elizabeth Hyde; two sons: Joseph A. Hyde Jr. and Thomas Hyde, all of Seattle; and nieces: Miss Clara D. McDonel of Philipsburg; Mrs. John Cole of Anaconda and nephew Robert McDonel of Philipsburg. I was unable to find Mary’s obituary. 

There are two Hyde’s buried in the Philipsburg cemetery: E.B. “Doc” Hyde born November 19, 1852, died December 7, 1918 and Geo. W. Hyde born 1892, died 1939.

E.B. (Doc) had a memorial written about him in the December 13, 1918, Philipsburg Mail. The article spoke of his kindness and giving nature and though he never had a child or a wife, always treated women and children with the greatest of reverence. “Industrious, honest, unimpeachable integrity was his proudest possession” were the words used by F.D. “Sandbar” Brown in the eulogy. The article continued on stating:

If he accumulated no wealth it was because men of his type have no use for it...He envied the prosperity of no one. Of his means he gave help to the needy and without comment.

I did not find any obituary or funeral service, but found where E.B., ran for Granite County Public Administrator in 1908 and lost by forty four votes to Louis Hendrickson, according to the November 13, 1908, Philipsburg Mail.

Patten

The Patten family was also very involved in the prosperity of Granite County. The first news article I found was in the Citizen Call, October 31, 1894, which was addressed:

To James Patten Esq.: In behalf of the city of Helena. I accept your challenge for joint debate on the evening of November 5.  Helena will have two speakers, as yet unknown to me. Very truly, Lon R. Hoss, for the city of Helena. 

Lon Hoss was the owner of the Citizen Call, newspaper, but I do not know what the debate was to be about. Probably political since the Citizen Call, was a democratic oriented news publication.

Then on August 21,1896 was the announcement  that James Patten’s five stamp mill, which had been running for some time past on Home Sweet Home ore, closed down on account of an insufficient supply of water for power purposes.

The next news I found was the legal statement on March 19, 1897:

In the case of James Patten vs. D.M. Durfee, which came up for trial in the District Court yesterday, a motion for non-suit was sustained by Judge Brantly and the case was thrown out of court. This is the case wherein Judge Durfee was convicted by the cotem and its allies during the recent campaign when he was a candidate for representative.

 Patten was not listed as running for any office in 1896, and Durfee lost to Israel Clem, so I have no idea what the lawsuit was filed over, and I did not find any news articles that refer to any friction between the two.

The next article research revealed, was James Patten’s, Sweet Home mill was closed for clean-up after a four week run estimated at $20,000 from ore taken out by G. B. Ballard  according to the Philipsburg Mail, December 23, 1898. Then in 1899, an article was written, that discussed the addition of a seventeen horse power steam engine being added to the Sweet Home Mill to assist with daily work, since water was in short supply during the winter months. The article goes on to describe the five stamp mill and that it was producing three bars of bullion per week, on average, from Cuno ore, being hauled on contract by George Metcalf. The mine, located on Hope Hill, a short distance from Porter shaft, was owned by G.B. Ballard, A.A. McDonald and the Hope Mining Company, of St. Louis.[12]

In 1899, James was injured in a mine accident by a falling rock. He was quickly rescued and brought to the surface. Injuries included a cut at the temple and a broken collar bone. Attempting to ride his horse home proved impossible, so Charles Sprague rode the horse to town and brought a buggy back to carry Mr. Patten, to his bed. A physician was called and the family expected James to be able to resume work in a few days, stated the November 10th edition of the Mail.

Another more elaborate description was written on December 20, 1901 about the “…neatest and most compact little quartz mill in the country”, and how it was erected:

at a point below the pipe line of the M & J. Kaiser Water Company, beyond the reservoir from which the city draws its water supply. A fall of several hundred feet is here secured and after running over a Pelton water wheel the water is conducted in an underground flume to the reservoir…For several years the mill was successfully operated entirely by water power, but during January of 1899, an exceptionally heavy run of ore from the Cuno Mine, made it necessary to install additional power. A steam broiler and a seventeen horse power engine was added and both steam and water have been employed for motive power since that time…Three men is all the force required to run this mill--two on day shift and one at night.

On August 7, 1908 the Mail, announced that work commenced at the Two percent, one of the famous old mines of this district, which was situated about one mile from the city. The property was owned by the Patten Mining Company, comprising James Patten and son Earle, of Philipsburg; U.S. Senator W.A. Clark and brother, J. Ross Clark of Butte. The gasoline hoist formerly of the Trout has been moved over to the two percent, and a lot of additional machinery and tools had arrived on Wednesday from Butte and was being moved to the mine. James Reynolds and John Manuel, of Butte, had charge of the work, and their engineer, Louis Dietrich, had also arrived from Butte to assist in getting things started.

The demise of this neat little Sweet Home mill was described in an article on March 26, 1937, that stated:

Fire destroys the Patten Silver Mill at 10:30 Sunday night. No water at the site so the fire department was unable to extinguish the blaze. The mill was built in 1894, by James Patten, Dr. W.I. Power and Thomas Trivail. It milled silver for ten years and ceased operations in 1905.

 Obviously, it was a bad year for mills, as the Moorlight Mill, which produced $100,000 and employed fifty workers burned to the ground on May 14, 1937.

James,’ occupation of mining, led to his demise, and he drew his last breath at 11:55 o’clock, on Wednesday morning, June 19, 1912. The cause of death was miner's consumption. He had spent some time in Arizona and California and appeared in better health. His old time energy and ambition was in evidence when he returned. He had resumed operations at his mining properties adjoining the Trout mine and was “about to commence reaping a rich harvest when death’s summons came”. [13]

Mr. Patten, born May 14, 1855 in Wilmington, Will County, Illinois, came to Montana in March 1878 and arrived in Philipsburg, in April, of the same year. His life in Philipsburg was consumed with mining, milling and included some mercantile and banking affairs, during the down side of ore markets. Survivors were: wife (Louella Sprague) and two sons: Earle and wife Alta (Albright) of Libby, Montana and James of Philipsburg. Another son Harry, aged seven months and twenty four days, died on February 14, 1885 and was buried in the Philipsburg cemetery.

The funeral took place at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, on June 22, with internment in the Philipsburg cemetery. Pallbearers were: N. Noe, S.L. Walker, Angus Johnston, C.T. Huffman, E.A. Hannah and W. W. Kroger.

Luella (Sprague) Patten born 1867, in Illinois, died on April 26, 1932 in a Butte Hospital. The funeral was from the family home on April 29 with Rev. Lawrence Rose, of the Episcopal Church officiating. She was buried next to her husband James, whom she had married in 1884.[14]

Sprague

The Sprague family was involved in the community from an early time and the father, Samuel, fought in the Civil War and is discussed in the Patriots chapter. He and Catherine Smith Sprague were married in Wisconsin in 1866 and they came to Montana in 1877. To this marriage was born eight children: Louella, Bessie, Elizabeth, Will, Charles, Frank, LeRoy and Edgar. One of the first references I found in the news paper was on December 24, 1897 when: “Mrs. Samuel Sprague has been confined to her home during the week with a severe attack of neuralgia”. 

Samuel died December 11, 1899 and is buried in the Philipsburg cemetery. The same year as Samuel died, Edgar caught a young rattlesnake in Brown’s Gulch. He lassoed it with a string and brought it home to Tower alive. The snake was about nine inches long and those that saw it claimed it was a rattler, but the reptile was too young to positively determine what specie it belonged to stated the Philipsburg Mail, July 21, 1899.

In 1914, Charles traveled to Santa Monica, California with friends and liked it so well he planned to return to Philipsburg and get his mother and sister and make a permanent home there..[15]

The January 1, 1915, Mail announced:

Miss Grace Sprague, one of Philipsburg’s most popular and loveable girls was married in Missoula, last Monday December 28 to Mr. Fred Cyr, a prosperous young business man of this city.

 Reverend J.N. MacLean performed the ceremony at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Westfall (former residents of Philipsburg). Attending the couple were Mr. Paul Cyr, brother of the groom and his wife Mrs. Laura (McRae) Cyr, who had married only a week ago, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. D. McRae. Grace taught school for several terms at Princeton and Granite after graduating from the Philipsburg schools. The newly weds made their home in Missoula, at 1000 south Third Street.

Frank Sprague, Sid Odgers and Chris Mandich, were bruised and shaken when they suffered a car accident near Maxville and rolled the car three times, over a fifty foot embankment. The top and side curtains being up, caused the victims to be unable to free themselves. Frank received a cut above the eye; Mr. Odgers, received bumps and bruises and Mr. Mandich, broke his shoulder blade, according to the April 19, 1918, Philipsburg Mail.

Obviously Charles did not move the family, as he had implied in a previous paragraph. As Catherine R. Sprague “for more than forty years a resident of Philipsburg” died Sunday evening (December 19, 1920), at her home in Philipsburg, after a long illness brought on by advanced age, was the announcement December 24, 1920, in the Mail.

Born in Potosi, Wisconsin on January 11, 1847, she married Samuel in 1866 and he left for the Gold Rush, five years later. Catherine brought the family from Galena, Illinois, up the Missouri River, by boat. They then followed the “Old Trail” overland and arrived in Philipsburg on June 15, 1878, where she re-joined Samuel. The children born before Samuel left were William, Charles and Luella. Frank’s headstone gives 1878, as his birth date which is probably incorrect, since she did not arrive in Montana until June of that year.  The family lived in Tower and stayed there after Samuel died until 1911, when they purchased a house in Philipsburg, where they remained. Elizabeth and Grace were only fifteen and nine years of age, when Samuel died, so Catherine had her work cut, to raise the small children.

When Catherine died, survivors were: daughters, Mrs. Luella (Louella) A. Patten, Mrs. (Bessie) Roderick McRae, and Mrs. (Grace) Fred Cyr and the five sons: Charles, William, LeRoy, Frank and Edgar, all of Philipsburg. The funeral was December 21, at the family home. Rev. Fred Anstice, of the Methodist Church, officiated with burial in the Philipsburg cemetery. Pallbearers were: Frank Beley, Grant Williams, Angus Johnston, F.A. Taylor, E.L. Perey and Vatis Page.

Charles Sprague, born in 1873, died November 16, 1943, after a two week illness at his home and the funeral was conducted in the Wilson Funeral Home. Reverend D.A. Corbett, of the Presbyterian Church officiated. Charles, followed the occupation of mining and was survived by: William, Frank, Edgar, Roy (LeRoy) and Mrs. Grace Cyr all of Philipsburg. Pallbearers were: J.K. Polich, Vatis Page, John Ingman, Alex Morrison, James Kistle and Ernest Maehl, with internment in the Philipsburg cemetery.

Only a few months later, Edgar died at the Galen Hospital, January 20, 1944. There is no birth date in his obituary, or on his headstone. Although it is not stated, he must have died of miner’s consumption. Except for the years he spent serving in WWI, he lived his entire life in Philipsburg, as a miner.  Military services were conducted at the cemetery where he was interred in the family plot. Survivors were his siblings: Grace Sprague Cyr, William, Roy and Frank.

Elizabeth “Bessie” Sprague McRae, born 1884, died 1938 and is buried in the McRae family plot and Luella (Louella) Sprague Patten, born 1867, died in 1932 and is buried in the Patten family plot. Grace Sprague Cyr born 1890 died in 1970 and is buried next to her husband Fred.

Henry Leroy “Roy” Sprague died of a heart attack at his home at the age of sixty nine, on August 29, 1951.  He was bachelor and a life long resident of Philipsburg, having been born there on October 30, 1881. He graduated from Granite County High School in 1902, was a miner and served as General Deputy in the Granite County Court House. Survivors were sister, Grace Cyr and brothers, Frank and William. The funeral was conducted at the Wilson Funeral Home, on September 3, by Rev. Warren Pardun. Pallbearers were: Arthur Taylor, James Kistle, Bryan Hynes, Wallace McPeters, Ed Hanifen and Ben Walkup, with internment in the family plot, of the Philipsburg cemetery.[16]

William Sprague, born in 1870 died in 1953 and Frank Sprague, probably born in 1879 died in 1967.

Kistle

The Kistle family was mentioned as pallbearers for the Sprague’s. Research revealed Miss Lillian Kistle, about seventeen years old, was on her way to the J.J. Carmichael’s home, near the depot about 9 pm on July 30, 1911, when she was:

brutally assaulted by Jack Morrison, who has been employed near Philipsburg as a ranch hand the past year. The villain made his escape and is still at large.

 Although bruised, choked and her clothes almost torn from her she got away and made it to the Carmichael’s. Arthur Fessler was coming down the rode on horseback at that time and thought he heard someone scream. He stopped his horse and when he heard nothing else continued on. Probably, the noise his horse made was enough to scare off the assailant. I did not find any follow-up to the case, so imagine the hired hand hit the road.

In 1913, the Mail carried a descriptive article:

Capt. T. H. Kistle, of Granite had a fine chance to capture a prize wolf last Sunday afternoon, but he did not think of it until it was too late. While four others beside himself were at work just north of the old Granite mill a big wolf came stalking along the side of the mountain not more than 150 feet above them. The wolf was headed north toward Stuart’s Lake, and appeared tired. The men yelled at him but that did not disturb him at all and he kept on his leisurely way. Later on some of the men went up the hill to examine the tracks and found them to be as large as a bear’s tracks. It never occurred until supper time how easy it would have been to kill the wolf and collect the bounty.[17]

 T.H. Kistle, “one of the oldest miners of Granite” died at the age of sixty one, on April 13, 1915. He started mining at the age of nine and one half. Born in Cornwall, England on February 15, 1854, he was a political Socialist and left a widow and ten children: John, Elza, Henry, Lily, James, Minnie, Ethel, Alice, Ruth, and Mary. There were no particulars published about his funeral, but he was buried in the Philipsburg cemetery and has a headstone.

Mrs. Kistle was active in the community as a midwife and is known to have delivered Jeanne Kennedy in 1916.

James, born in Granite, on December 13, 1893 (tombstone says 1894) was a miner his entire life, until illness forced him to retire. He married Julia Bennett, on July 8, 1927, at her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Bennett‘s home.  Rev. Fred Anstice, of the Methodist Church, performed the ceremony. Attendants were Mrs. Bennett and Dr. W.I. Power and the couple honeymooned in Butte. Mr. Kistle was employed at the Trout Mining Company.

James died after seven years of declining health at the Granite County Memorial Hospital, on October 20, 1957. Survivors were: his wife Julia; sons, James of Philipsburg, John and Tom, both students at Montana State University in Missoula; brother Henry of Philipsburg and six sisters Mrs. John Taylor and Miss Ruth of Monrovia, California, Mrs. Ethel Meyers of Santa Barbara, California, Miss Minnie of Burlingame, California, Mrs. Ruth Schroeder of Larksburg, California and Mrs. Alice Colvin, of Noxon, and a grandson Terry Kistle, of Philipsburg.

Funeral services were conducted from the Wilson Funeral Home with the Rev. Raymond Cheney of the Federated Church performing the service. Pallbearers were: Robert McKinley, Bryan Hynes, Norman Sichveland, Earl Bellm, Frank Conley and Jake Schneider. At the time the obituary was written the school of higher education in Missoula was called Montana State University and Bozeman, was called Montana State College.[18]

Julia, born in 1906, died in 1988 and is interred next to James, in the Philipsburg cemetery with other Kistle’s: Frances Agnes, daughter of John and Agnes, born November 4, 1905 and died August 1, 1915; Henry born in 1891, died in 1960; and Terry born January 24, 1956, died December 18, 1982.

The Kistle family descendants continue to live in Philipsburg.

Patten cont’d 

Returning to the Patten family, in 1983, the Mail, wrote an extensive article on the life of James Jr., son of James and Louella Patten, born May 25, 1888, in Philipsburg. He was still residing at the home, where he was born, over ninety five years later. James, followed his father’s love of mining, and in 1907, began his mining at the Hope Mine. Using candles to see and earning $3.00 a day was his initiation to a life of hard work. In 1920, James married Phyllis McLeod, daughter of J.C. McLeod and they raised a son James and daughter Jean. James lived in California and ran a real estate business. At the time of the article, on October 20, 1983, James was the oldest resident in Philipsburg, and continued his active life in Philipsburg, until September 27, 1989, making him more than 101 years of age when he died.

Phyllis (McLeod) Patten, born November 18, 1890, in Philipsburg, died on July 30, 1980, and James, is buried next to her, in block one of the Philipsburg cemetery. The rest of the McLeod family is spoken of in the Ranchers near Philipsburg chapter, in Book II.

Daughter, Jean Patten graduated from Granite County High School in 1941.  She then attended St. James School of Nursing in Butte and after graduating from Nursing School served two years in the Navy. Next, Jean attended college for about one year at the University of Michigan.  She was employed as a public health nurse in Boise, Idaho. Then, Jean returned to Philipsburg and was married to Frank Waldbillig on September 1, 1949, in East Helena, by Father LaGree. Besides raising a family of three children she was the Public Health Nurse, in Philipsburg.

The Waldbillig children continue to live on the family ranch and surrounding area. Raymond Frank married Jan Graybeal, originally from Utah and they are raising Jan's son from a previous marriage; Helen Jean married Bernard McCarthy, from Helena and they have two adopted boys; James Joseph married Jill Todd from Denton in 1991 and they have Zachary, Austin and Josephine[19].

Albright

A good demonstration of the inter relationships of the population was the following. Mrs. W.E. (Sallie) Albright died after a lingering illness, at the family home on January 27, 1937.  She was the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. David Walker, of Anaconda. The Albright’s, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on November 25, 1935. Sallie, a member of the Eastern Star, Pearl Chapter, was active in the Presbyterian Church. Survivors were: her husband; daughter: Mrs. E.B. (Alta) Patten, of St. Louis, who was at her bedside when she died and one granddaughter, of St. Louis; two cousins: Ira Walker of Anaconda and Frank McKenzie, of Butte.[20]

Alta (Albright) Patten, wife of Earle, born in 1887, in Philipsburg, and currently living in University City, Missouri, died of pneumonia, while in Philipsburg, attending to her ill father, William E. Albright (Granite County Assessor), on March 9, 1938. After a service in the Presbyterian Church, officiated by Rev. Harry Shirk, she was interred in the Philipsburg cemetery.  Pallbearers were: A.S. McKenzie, R.L. McLeod, Glenn Reed, Herman Lindstadt, E.T. Irvine, and W.C. Bowen. Her husband, Earle Patten, born in 1886, lived most of his adult life, outside of Montana, and was buried next to Alta, when he died in 1980.

Alta’s father, William R.E. Albright, was ill for several weeks, when his daughter died on Wednesday and he died the following Monday, on March 14. Born on September 2, 1859 in Clay County, Missouri and educated at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, he came to the lower Flint Creek valley in 1882 and was a rancher in that area for the next twenty years. During that time, he was invested in several mines in the area. On November 25, 1885, he married Miss Sallie Walker, the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. David Walker, old time residents of both Anaconda and Philipsburg. Sallie was a school teacher at Stone Station and they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in (1935), although the obituary says 1936, and she died January 27, 1937.

Mr. Albright was the first elected Granite County Assessor (1893), and served two terms then left politics. In 1900, William, sold out his ranch and moved to Philipsburg where he again became active in politics and civic affairs, as a staunch democrat. He was re-elected to the position of County Assessor in 1908 and held the position for the next thirty years. Although, a member of Flint Creek Lodge No. 11, A.F. & A.M., his funeral service was at the Presbyterian Church, with graveside services conducted by the Masonic Lodge. Pallbearers were: A.J. Murray, Ralph L. McLeod, John Hickey, William C. Bowen, Herman Lindstad and Edwin T. Irvine, when he was interred next to Sallie.

The earliest reference I found for the Albright family was while living near Stone Station, their house burned to the ground, while they were at the Ed Heilman family home, enjoying a Christmas Dinner, in 1888. After dinner Mr. Albright sent the hired hand, to make a fire in the stoves and after he started the fires, he went to the stables to care for the animals and when he returned fifteen minutes later, found the house full of smoke and then it burst into flame. Within an hour the entire building was gone. The only thing salvageable was $250 in gold, found in the ashes and the family had only the clothes on their back according to the Philipsburg Mail, December 27, 1888.

Carmichael

References have been made frequently throughout these chapters concerning J.J. Carmichael, so I feel it is necessary to provide an overview of this man’s life. The first news article I found was in the Philipsburg Mail, January 8, 1897:

John J. Carmichael and bride (Maria T. Jenkins) arrived from Stevensville, during the week and have taken up their residence in the house recently occupied by Dr. and Mrs. Wm. Ray.

  Then, on August 5, 1898, in the Mail, I found:

Last Wednesday J.J. Carmichael found in his livery stable a bunch of skeleton keys--all kinds and sizes. This may have been a part of some burglar’s outfit, and the owner can have the same back by calling at the office of the Sheriff F.J. McDonald, in whose care Carmichael left the keys.

Next I found where someone with a knife considerably damaged J.J. Carmichael’s bus harness. They cut a number of straps in order to get the ivory rings which served as ornaments. Mr. Carmichael had an idea who done the mischievous work and the guilty individual had better make himself scarce around the livery barn, stated the news article in the Philipsburg Mail, June 1, 1900.

In 1908, J.J. Carmichael, bought a tract of land from A.A. McDonald, located below and between the Schnepel ranch and the Northern Pacific Roundhouse. He stated he was going to fence the land and build a house and other buildings. It would be known as the Carmichael Flats and he may set aside a portion of it for a race course and automobile boulevard where novices could exercise their machines without danger of going over an embankment. The fencing of the flats would necessitate changing of the county road back to where it was originally laid out, on the north side of the railroad tracks from the foundry.

The article continued on, to discuss the need for the county commissioner to hold a special meeting and review the report of the Board of Appraisers so that the grading of the new road could be completed before cold weather.

It is possible that the new road down the valley may be graded along the north side of the railroad past the oil-house in order to avoid the crossing at James Schoonover’s place.[21]

 Maria’s mother, Sarah Jenkins, died October 16, 1912, at her daughter, Mrs. H.J. Wright’s home, in Butte. Born in Pennsylvania, she first moved to Iowa, then, in 1888, came with Reverend Jenkins, to Philipsburg, where they lived for five years. After the Reverend died in 1901, she lived in Butte. Survivors were: daughters, Mrs. Wright, Mrs. D.R. McRae, of Anaconda, Miss Cora, of Butte and Mrs. J.J. Carmichael, of Philipsburg, and son W.S. Jenkins, of Hall. Services were held in Butte then the body was brought by train to Philipsburg, where a service was held at the Methodist Church, before internment in the Philipsburg cemetery.
The January 22, 1915, Mail carried the following reminder concerning the risk of the times:

Philipsburg this week had another fire scare and lucky escape from disaster which for a time seemed imminent. At 4:20 o’clock Tuesday morning the city was aroused by alarms of fire which started in the loft of J.J. Carmichaels, Kentucky Livery Stables, a large brick building on the south side of Broadway. The hay stored there was ablaze and the flames were coming through the ventilators in the roof. To those who saw it before the firemen got to work the building appeared doomed.

 The article went on to describe in great detail how all the different fire equipment was utilized.  The fact that water pressure remained strong through-out the two hours they fought the fire. Also that people assisted and were successful in removing all of the horses from downstairs and all the vehicles, harnesses and other equipment. Because the hay was burning so hot in the loft no one could get in and place water directly on it. Finally, long pitchforks were used to lift the layers of burning hay and get water hosed onto them and by daylight, all signs of a fire and smoke had disappeared. The building was owned by Valentine Jacky, of Missoula and insured, but only about $100 of damage occurred. One of Carmichael’s, best horses was kicked in the front leg, during the melee and a couple of trunks stored upstairs were burned, besides all of the hay.

Sixteen people ran in the wide open election for County Coroner of Granite County, in 1914 and J.J. won with a plurality of nineteen votes. Then, J.J. ran unopposed for Coroner, of Granite County in 1916. In 1917, he continued picking up bodies as evidenced on June 19:

 Coroner J.J. Carmichael was called to Bearmouth Monday to take charge of the remains of a man killed by a train on the Northern Pacific tracks three miles west of Bearmouth. Both legs were cut off and the neck was broken. The man was about twenty five years of age and unknown in this part of the country. On the body was found an I.W.W. membership card bearing the name of James Kinney. The remains were shipped to Philipsburg for burial. 

 Again in 1918, the official election returns show J.J. re-elected as coroner, unopposed with 205 votes, in the primary.[22]

Their son, M. Merle Carmichael, born September 17, 1900 died February 11, 1923, after a lingering illness from heart disease. He dropped out of High school due to his ailment and spent his time on his father’s ranch “west of the city”. Then, in 1921 he traveled to Caldwell, Idaho where he stayed with his aunt for several months. Then he went on to Portland Oregon, where he visited with Mr. and Mrs. John Duffy, until his ailment put him in the hospital. His mother went to Portland and as soon as he could travel he was returned to Philipsburg. The funeral was held from the family home on February 14. Next the body was transported to St. Paul’s Church where Rev. Fred Anstice, performed a service. He was interred in the Philipsburg cemetery with the inscription “son of J.J and Maria Carmichael”, on his headstone.[23]

Daughter, Alice Ruth Carmichael married Lyle Frank Wilson, at St. Paul’s Methodist Church on September 18, 1923. Cora L. Williams was the maid of honor and Fred D. Gallagher, of Spokane was the best man. The ushers were: Robert E. Perey and Herman L. Hauck; flower girls: Arlette Williams and Barbara Blitz and ring bearer Margaret Carmichael. Mr. Wilson was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Wilson and Alice was the eldest of the J.J. Carmichael children. Both families were pioneers of Philipsburg. The newly weds had attended Philipsburg schools.  Alice then went to Montana State Normal College and had taught school for the past five years.  Lyle, attended University of Montana and then the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia and currently had a position with the Ferris and Hardgrove Bonding Company, of Spokane and Seattle. After a honeymoon in Banff National Park the couple made their home, in Seattle.[24]

Maria Carmichael’s sister, Miss Cora Jenkins, daughter of Mrs. Sarah Jenkins, married Ernest R. “Ernie” Shepherd, on January 13, 1926, at the Mountain View Methodist Church, in Butte. Rev. Dr. C.L. Clifford performed the ceremony. Cora was employed at the Mountain States Telephone Company, in Philipsburg. Ernie was superintendent at the Montana Prince Mining Company, in Frog Pond Basin, near Moose Lake. Their friends surprised them, with a charivari the week of February 5, according to the Mail. This marriage must have been short lived as Cora was referred to as Jenkins, in 1928, when J.J. died and again in 1932, when elected President of Montana teachers Welfare Club, at a meeting held at the Butte High School.[25]

Maria’s sister, Nellie May Jenkins was married to Grant S. Williams, on October 7, 1890, with her Reverend father, G.W. Jenkins, officiating. Nellie died in 1897 and was survived by her husband and three children: Cora, Miles and Ralph. Their aunt Cora Jenkins, of Butte, helped raise the children. Their father, Grant moved to Alaska in 1906, where he worked as a carpenter and stayed there until 1918, when he returned to Philipsburg. Grant died from pneumonia at Mrs. J.J. Carmichael’s home on February 4, 1929 and was interred in the Philipsburg cemetery.[26]

The Williams family is also discussed in the Ranches around Philipsburg Chapter in Book II, because of their relationship with the J.J. McDonald family and in the East Fork chapter, also in Book II, because of the relationship to the Hickey family.

J.J. (John) Carmichael died October 26, 1928, of pneumonia, after being ill a short time. Born in Aberdeen, Nova Scotia on January 27, 1865, the fifth of nine children, he attended schools in Nova Scotia and at the age of eighteen went to sea for two years. Next he traveled to the Northwest Territory for another two years, and then traveled to Montana, where he teamed in Helena and Butte, before returning to Aberdeen. A few years later, he returned to Montana and operated a stage line between Granite, Combination and Anaconda, for five years. His next venture was running a livery stable until automobiles took over the scene. Teaming again became his livelihood, with him building up a contract business for hauling ore. During this period he also operated the Funeral Parlor and filled the elected position of Coroner for the county of Granite, from 1914 until his death.

J.J. and Maria were married on December 31, 1896 in Stevensville with her father presiding, according to the January 6, 1897, Citizen Call. As stated in an above paragraph, J.J. brought her home to Philipsburg in January 1897. To this marriage was born six children, whom with his wife Maria survived him. They were: daughters, Mrs. Lyle F. (Alice Ruth) Wilson of Seattle, and Eunice and Margaret of Philipsburg; sons: Clayton and James of Philipsburg and Howard of California and two brothers: Murdock of Whitehall and Malcolm of Butte. The funeral was held from the Methodist Church, with Rev. Maris, performing the service on October 28^. There are no pallbearers or statement of the funeral in the November 3^rd, issue of the Mail. J.J. was interred in the Philipsburg cemetery, next to Merle.

Also in 1928, Hugh J. Wright, the bother-in-law of J.J. Carmichael, died at the Veteran’s Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington. He was a veteran of the Spanish American War and married Maria’s sister, Miss Belle Jenkins in 1906. Survivors included his wife Belle, Maria, and Cora Jenkins Shepherd, and niece Miss Cora Williams, of Butte and nephew Ralph E. Williams, of Philipsburg.[27]

J.J. and Maria’s son, Clayton D., born March 10, 1904, ran for the office of coroner in 1928, after His father died, and won the office. The results were: 764 votes for Clayton, Floyd Whitsett seven votes and E.G. Wilcox’s eleven votes.[28] Clayton was buried in the family plot in the Philipsburg cemetery, after he died January 22, 1994. His headstone is inscribed with the statement Major Corp of Engineers WWII.

Their other son Howard J., born December 5, 1905 was a WWII veteran and died September 6, 1958 and is buried next to his mother, Maria. Maria T. Carmichael was born April 16, 1875 and died May 19, 1956, with internment next to J.J.  After J.J. died she spent the rest of her life in Washington, but returned to Philipsburg on special occasions, such as the 50^th anniversary of the Methodist Church her father built.

Featherman

Not to be forgotten is the Featherman family. Prominent both in Philipsburg and the northern valley, I will speak mostly about the family in Philipsburg, in this chapter.

Oliver F. Featherman, born at Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, on February 3, 1869, came to Montana in 1885. First he was connected with his uncle and brother in a general store, in Philipsburg and New Chicago.  Then he became the book keeper and assistant cashier, for the Merchant’s and Miner’s Bank, until the bank closed. He ran for Clerk and Recorder of Granite County in 1894, as a democrat, against E.B. Hyde of the people's party and George Reek, a republican, with George winning.[29] Next he was county treasurer for two terms, from 1898 winning a majority over J.K. Pardee and in 1900 winning over Henry W. Lehson.  Oliver then served as under sheriff for F.A. McDonald, until he was appointed to the position of chief clerk at the Granite Bi-metallic Mining Company office. About 1909, he purchased the interest of S.L. Walker, in the Walker Commercial Company and became the president and general manager. He was married April 5, 1899, to Miss Hardin Bacon, of Peaks Mill, Kentucky and had two children: Olive May and Graham.

Oliver died February 11, 1910 of apoplexy, after he reported to the store as usual and about 10 o’clock complained of a headache and stated he was going home to rest. He left with the statement that there was some work to attend to at the Bi-Metallic office, so not to expect him back until after noon. He walked home and told his wife he was going to lie down. She helped him remove his collar and tie and made him comfortable. About noon E.E. Blumenthal, came by and when told by Mrs. Featherman, that he was asleep, he instructed her to let him sleep. After several more hours passed and he did not come out of the bedroom, she went in and found him unresponsive. She immediately called the Bi-Metallic and Mr. Lucas and Blumenthal hurried to the house. They were not able to rouse him, so called both Dr. Power and Casey, but there was nothing they could do and he died without regaining consciousness at 5:45 pm.

The funeral was conducted by the Masonic Lodge: Flint Creek Lodge No. 11, where Oliver had attained high standing in both the Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter, prior to his death. After a brief service at the Featherman home, the body was moved to the train depot where it was conveyed by train to Drummond where a service was held at The M.E. Church, with Rev. J.A. Fulford, officiating. Internment was at the New Chicago cemetery where he was laid to rest next to a sister, who had died a number of years before. She was not named in the obituary. Survivors were: his wife, daughter Olive May, age nine and son Graham, aged seven;  brother, H.A. Featherman, Granite County Treasurer, of Philipsburg; sister Bertha, brother James B. and uncle Hon. John A. Featherman of Drummond; plus several sisters and brothers in Pennsylvania.[30]

Oliver’s brother H.A. Featherman married Sadie Burt, on December 31, 1888, at Drummond, with Rev. S.E. Snyder, performing the ceremony. The January 3, 1889, Mail article stated they were planning on publishing the list of wedding gifts but had not received the information, by print time.

H.A. ran for Granite County Treasurer, in 1906, against T.E. Carey and won with a plurality of 124 votes, then repeated that victory in 1908, winning against Joseph Degenhart, by 265 votes.[31]

In 1916, Miss Daisy Featherman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Featherman, married Mr. Frank Reavley, in Helena. The wedding was at the home of Mr. and Mrs. F.E. Heller, relatives of the Featherman’s, on April 24th. Her parents and sister attended the wedding. Mr. Reavley was a former druggist of Philipsburg and the prescription clerk with M.E. Doe and Company. A few months prior, he went to Great Falls to establish the Reavley Drug Company. The newly weds made their home in Great Falls. Prior to the wedding there was a shower, at the William Bowen home and a luncheon at the W.E. Albright home, for the bride, by friends that shared her happy secret, according to the August 15, 1916, Mail.

On December 6, 1918, research revealed, Frank Reavley, of the Rexall Drug Store, had found time to set up a splendid Christmas display, “Now that the war is over this Christmas will be observed more than ever before and suitable gifts will make it more easily realized”. Obviously, they had returned to Philipsburg, from Great Falls. But, he did not stay at the Rexall, because on January 9, 1920, I found where:

Mrs. Frank Reavley is here from Ryegate, Montana for several weeks visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Featherman.

 Then in July, Mrs. Featherman traveled to Ryegate to visit with Daisy, Frank and family. I never found the date Reavley, returned to Philipsburg, but research revealed ads in the Philipsburg Mail, for Reavley Drug Store, during February 1951. Neither Daisy nor Frank is buried in the Philipsburg cemetery.

The January 3, 1919, Mail, announced the home of Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Featherman was the setting for a social affair where “the gentler sex" of the school faculty participated with Miss Edith Featherman, as girls dressed to represent the ages of 10 to 12 years of age. No men were allowed at the party.  Then the following news announcement that Francis W. Horrigan and Miss Edith Featherman, one of the most popular young couples in the city were united in marriage, Wednesday, June 4, 1919, at one o’clock at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Featherman.

Rev. E.L. Moore, of the Presbyterian Church performed the ceremony with Mrs. Frank (Daisy) Reavley and Claud E. Herring, as witnesses. Both Mr. and Mrs. Horrigan attended the University of Missoula. The couple left shortly after the ceremony for a honeymoon to an undisclosed destination and they would return to live in a “cozy little home on Granite Street”.[32]

Providing evidence of his business success, H. A. Featherman, paid $561.88 in taxes for 1927, plus was the receiver for $227.34 of taxes the same year according to the Philipsburg Mail, January 20, 1928.

Harry A. Featherman received a fifty year life membership plaque, from the Pearl Chapter No.14, O.E.S. on June 6, 1951, with Jeanne Olson, Worthy Matron and Newell Olson, Worthy Patron officiating.[33]

Harry, born in 1867, died in 1954 and is buried in the Philipsburg cemetery. Kathryn A. Featherman born March 4, 1876 died February 4, 1907 and is buried in the Philipsburg cemetery with the inscription, Wife of H.A. This must have been Daisy's mother, since she married nine years later. I will continue to look for her obituary and the wedding announcement of Harry and his second wife.

Horrigan

The first mention found of Frank Horrigan, was in the November 18, 1921, Mail, stating:

Manager F.W. Horrigan of the McDonald Theatre received a telegram Monday, November 14 from the Bert Levey circuit of vaudeville shows that on Saturday last, November 12, the Levey vaudeville cancelled Philipsburg from their circuit….Mr. Horrigan went to Butte Monday evening to make arrangements to secure a big special production for Saturday evening.

 Frank must have earned a decent living while managing the theatre as in 1927, taxes for F.W. Horrigan were: $276.76, according to the January 20, 1928, Philipsburg Mail.

The McDonald theatre, built by A.A. “Red Mac” McDonald, was bought by C.G. Moyer and Dr. V.V. Crissey in 1930 and renamed the Wilma and then C.G. Moyer, sold his interest to G.I. Crissey, brother of Dr. Crissey and the theatre was re-named the Roseland.[34]

Next, an announcement was published in the Philipsburg Mail, that Frank Horrigan was preparing to open the Roseland Theatre. The grand opening was scheduled to be July 7, 1932, under the name Granada Theatre.

Research failed to reveal an obituary for Edith Horrigan, nor is she buried in the Philipsburg cemetery. To this marriage was born a son Sidney. Edith and Frank divorced and she lived to be near one hundred, but it is not known where she was buried. Frank married Betty Groves, from Junction City, Oregon, on June 14, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri. Betty was a graduate of Oregon State College of Pharmacy and Frank owned the Granada Theatre and the wedding was announced in the Philipsburg Mail, July 27, 1934.

Research revealed, Betty, assisted by Mrs. Grover (Hazel) Bowles, entertained a group consisting of The Erick V. Johnson’s, George Mungas‘, Ed Winger’s, Grover Bowles’ and G. Jacobsen’s, of Anaconda, in honor of Frank’s birthday, in October 1939.

Then research found the article stating Lt. Sidney F. Horrigan visited with his father Frank and grandparents Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Featherman, while enroute to his home in Camas, Washington. He had recently returned from overseas and would be stationed at McChord Field, in Washington as a meteorologist in the Air Corps. Lt. Horrigan, married Miss Betty Gregory, in Camas, Washington, on February 20, 1946 and after a honeymoon in Vancouver B.C., they were on their way home. Sidney died about fifteen years ago in California and is buried there.[35]

During the years Frank, operated the Granada Theatre, with assistance from his wife and daughters, and served as a State Representative, for three terms.  Next, he became a Granite County Commissioner and was fulfilling that position, when he died at the age of fifty five, on August 7, 1951, in the Philipsburg Hospital. While serving as State Representative, Frank was chairman of Military Affairs, according to the February 24, 1939, Mail. He was also involved in other business ventures, such as having Haverty Construction build the Pix Theatre in Drummond; buying the Blue Moon in Maxville and remodeling and renaming it the Silver Slipper; and in 1946 he and Charlie Everhard bought and remodeled the Echo Lake Lodge. Frank sold out his interest in the Lodge after about one year. Frank also worked for a short period at the Anaconda Copper Company.[36]

Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts in 1896, he attended Biltmore School of the Woods, a forestry school in Connecticut, before coming to Montana and attending Montana State University, in Missoula. He was employed as Assistant District Forest Ranger, in Philipsburg, in 1918. A veteran of WWI, he was a member of the American Legion, Masonic Order, AF & AM, the Scottish Rite and the Shiners of Helena, plus active Republican affiliations.

Funeral services were conducted by Rector Russeck, of the Episcopal Church, at the Wilson Funeral Home on August 11, 1951. Military rites were performed at the graveside, when he was interred in the Philipsburg cemetery. Survivors were: Wife Betty, Son, Sidney in the Air Force, in Columbus, Ohio, daughters Trilby, Kaye and Pamela, grandson Mark, and three sisters.

Betty continued operating the Granada Theatre, with the help of her daughters and married Oswald Christensen. Ozzie died in 1982 and Betty died April 5, 2000. As stated previously Trilby married Dean Neitz, owner of the Philipsburg Mail and they had two boys and a girl. Kaye married and lives in Seattle and Pam married and lives in California.

Cartier

Research revealed in 1888, George Cartier, spoken of through out the book, pulled a fast joke on the Mail, by sneaking away to Butte and marrying Miss Carrie Squires of Denver, on November 5th. They were married at the D.L. Harris residence in Butte with Rev. Groeneveld performing the ceremony. Mrs. Harris was the bride's sister. The newly weds set up their residence on Nob Hill. The Mail, did not find out the news until they found it published in the Butte Miner and then announced it in the Philipsburg Mail, with the following introduction:

George A. Cartier is enjoying a pretty good joke on the Mail, having gone away quietly and becoming a Benedict, all of which escaped the eagle eye of the news corraler until a day or two ago.[37]

George published a campaign ad, in the Mail, August 18, for the 1916 primary election, when he ran unsuccessfully for the position of Granite County Treasurer, as a democrat.

Mrs. George (Carrie Squires) Cartier died at the family home in north Philipsburg, on June 9, 1932. Born at Kent, Canada, she came to the United States as a young child and on November 5, 1888, married George in Butte, Montana. Carrie, resided in Philipsburg for almost forty four years, and thirty of those years she taught piano lessons to many accomplished Granite county students. She was a member of the King’s daughters of the Presbyterian Church; a member of the Pearl Chapter of the Eastern Star and very active in the social community. Survivors were: her husband, George and son George “who holds a responsible position with a large industrial concern in Philadelphia” was the statement in the June 17, 1932, Mail.

The funeral was held on June 12 at the Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Roy McLeod, officiating. Pallbearers were: Angus J. Murray, George P. Nelson, M.C. Durfee, Vatis page, John D Kennedy, and Angus Johnston. Honorary pallbearers were: A.S. Huffman, Nick Noe, C.L. Schoonover, W.E. Albright, D. M. Durfee, G.L. Atwater, H.O. Flickinger, Frank Winninghoff, E.E. Blumenthal, F.D. Sayrs, H.A. Featherman and John Hickey. The Last Rights of the Order of Eastern Star were performed graveside under the direction of Catherine McLees.

Frequent reference is given to their son George Jr., during WWI, in the Patriot’s chapter. After the war, he married Miss Aileen Stier of Price Avenue Landsdowne in the Protestant Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Charles Tuke and Rev. Croswell McBee, Rector of Old St. David’s, of Radnor, stated the announcement copied by the Philipsburg Mail, from the Philadelphia North American, on July 30, 1922. The newly weds traveled to Philipsburg, on their honeymoon to visit with George’s parents and then continued on to Yellowstone, Salt Lake and St. Louis. They were to make their home in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

George Jr., born in Philipsburg on September 10, 1890, had returned from the war and was discharged on May 5, 1919.  He resumed his employment with Bell Telephone, as call circuit trunk engineer. In June 1933, he became the general traffic manager for the Western Division and in November 1935, he became traffic manager for the Eastern Division. George and Aileen had sons George Jr. and Philip and daughter Suzanne. After being injured in a motor vehicle pedestrian accident, George Jr. suffered internal injuries and died in Philadelphia, on January 14, 1938. The obituary does not detail where he was buried.

After Carrie died, George Sr. married Ida Streeter, born 1863 and she died in 1946. I believe she was the daughter of John Streeter, so was also the sister of Mrs. M.C. Durfee. George, born in 1859, died in 1943. Carrie and George are buried next to each other in block 29 and Ida is buried in block seven, of the Philipsburg cemetery.

As I close this chapter, I am well aware that there are numerous other families, inter-married, with the ones discussed, and ones that are not related, that were residents of this area. Because I have relied on news articles and other published documents for my research, the families are omitted, because little was published about their lives. The lack of documentation does not detract in any way, the contributions they made to this area. If you have information about you family, that has been omitted, feel free to contact me and I will publish the information on this blog.

 Endnotes 

---

Bowen

[1] Philipsburg Mail, May 6, 1898.

[2] ibid, July 26, 1918.

[3] ibid, January 3, 1919.

[4] Steve Neal, 2008; Barbara Bowen Silvey, 2008.

[5] ibid, January 10, 1930.

[6] ibid, February 24, 2005; Silvey, 2008.

Courtney

[7] Van Orman, 1966.

[8]  Philipsburg Mail, March 6, 1996.

Steber

[9]  Philipsburg Mail, May 7, 1952.

[10] Philipsburg Territory, 2007.

Hyde

[11] Philipsburg Mail, December 19, 1895; September 30, 1921.

            Patten

[12] Philipsburg Mail, January 20, 1899.

[13] ibid, June 21, 1912.

            Sprague

[14] Philipsburg Mail, May 6, 1932

[15] ibid, July 21, 1899.

[16] ibid, November 19, 1943; January 29, 1944; September 7, 1951.

            Kistle

[17] Philipsburg Mail, March 7, 1913.

[18] ibid, April 16, 1915; July 15, 1927; October 25, 1957.

[19] Jean Patten Waldbillig, 2008.

[20] Philipsburg Mail, January 29, 1937.

Carmichael

[21] ibid, September 11, 1908.

[22] ibid, November 13, 1914; November 17, 1916; September 6, 1918.

[23] ibid, February 16, 1923.

[24] ibid, September 21, 1923

[25] ibid, October 28, 1932.

[26] ibid, February 8, 1929.

[27] ibid, October 19, 1928.

[28] ibid, November 18, 1928.

Featherman

[29] Citizen Call, November 14, 1894.

[30] Philipsburg Mail, November 18, 1898; November 23, 1900; February 18, 1910.

[31] Philipsburg Mail, November 16, 1906; November 13, 1908.

[32]  ibid, June 6, 1919.

[33]  ibid, June 15, 1951.

Horrigan

[34] Philipsburg Mail, July 3, 1931.

[35] ibid, March 8, 1946; Trilby Neitz, 2008.

[36] ibid, August 10, 1951; Trilby Neitz, 2008.

Cartier

[37] Philipsburg Mail, November 29, 1888.