The Dirty Dozen

From Left to Right top Row: Percy Barney, Fanny Harris (lower Torso on Fence), Gus McDonald, Bob Kaiser, Big Mac McDonald, Walt Kaiser, Ed Kaiser (on horse). Bottom Row: Jim Young, High Pocket (Miles) Williams, John Schuh, Cecil Fessler, Pat Sharkey

A dozen young men of Granite County earned the nickname of the “Dirty Dozen” during the mid 1910’s. They were all born between 1885 and 1897. A group picture of them after they performed a rodeo at the Degenhart Ranch for the investors and relatives of the Granite Mountain Bi-metallic Mining Company shows very handsome spirited young men. It is assumed this picture was taken prior to World War I as research reveals most of them were drafted or signed up beginning in August 1917. Of interest, there is no record of any of this group graduating Granite County High School, probably secondary to lives of hardship and the War. 

While researching “Mettle of Granite County” books I read a story about a group of rough necks from Philipsburg desiring to attend a dance in Drummond and were unable to find transportation. Being ingenious they “borrowed” the Northern Pacific hand pump railroad car and quickly made it down the valley. When the pump car was missed Sheriff Fred C. Burks wired a notice to Drummond that the pump car was to be returned pronto or the men would be arrested. Finding it much harder to pump the car back uphill the clever guys hitched a saddle horse to the rig and made it back before charges were filed. The article did not mention any names, but “Pat” McDonald verified the story as one of the Dozen’s escapades. 

Research has failed to reveal Percy Barney. I did find a Percy Lawrence Brydon who was rejected for our Army June 1918 because he was a Canadian Citizen. 

I believe Fanny Harris was Frank B. Harris Jr. He was born to Frank B. and Charlotte Harris in 1898 and was one of seven children. He worked as a copper miner; married Agnes Murphy and had daughters Jean and Helen Harris. Frank died at Galen, Montana (Hospital) October 2, 1973 of lung cancer. 

John Schuh (1896-1953) was born to William and Ollie Schuh (who died in 1900). His father then married Jennie Porter with four children, in 1902. William died from blood poisoning in 1906 and I assume grandmother Mary raised Joe, his brother and two sisters. Mary sold 5,000 acres in 1910 and moved into Philipsburg where she died August 22, 1918. John was called by the draft for WWI August 16, 1918. In 1930 he was working in Deer Lodge as a Road Department Mechanic and married Esther Christopherson in 1940. He is buried in the East Helena Cemetery. 

Walt (1892-1980), Bob (1890-1982) and Ed Kaiser (1894-1977) were son’s of John and Jennie (Suppinger) Kaiser. Ed a veteran of WWI,WWII and the Korean Campaign served in the Navy. He worked many years for the State Highway department. Walt, drafted for WWI October 3, 1917, was co-owner of the Hardware store and involved with Charlie Carpp in the Sapphire Mines. He married Irene (McDonald) Bob received his draft notice for WWI August 24, 1917. In 1948, Bob married Beck Hess, Sandin. They are all buried in Philipsburg. 

Gus (Angus) (1897-1962) and Big Mac (John W.) (1895-1956) McDonald were son’s of John J. and Louisa (Kolkschneider) McDonald. Gus served both in WWI and WWII. He married Blanche Kneale in 1920 and Clarice Superneau in 1941. He served as a well loved County Sheriff from 1928 until he resigned to serve in WWII. Clarice (the only woman sheriff), served out the remainder of his term. They had two children: Darell and Colette. Big Mac, married Agnes Maehl in 1926 and continued running the original Schnepel/McDonald Ranch. They had two children: John W. “Pat” and Margaret “Peggy” (Collins). They are both buried at Philipsburg. 

Cecil Fessler (1895-1969) one of eight children born to Wilbur and Etta Fessler, moved to Oregon after WWI and became a logger. He and wife Velma (Abraham) had children: Gerald and Eva Faye. Cecil died in Grants Pass, Oregon. 

Pat Sharkey ( 1893-1975) born to Grace (McGee) and James Sharkey, married Ina Fessler in 1918 and they had a son: Cecil. He was a truck driver and died of Colon Cancer with burial in Philipsburg. 

Jim Young (1895-1956) the son of Sam and Annie (Carten) Young was listed as a Boarder age 15 in the 1910 Census in the John Carmichael household, working as a farm laborer. He received his draft notice August 16, 1918. He became a miner and married Ida Barker June 30, 1934. They had Evelyn and James W. He is buried in Philipsburg. 

High Pocket (Miles) Williams (1890-1942) parent’s were Grant S.(Frank) Williams and Nellie Jenkins. He was employed in grocery stores and as a chauffeur. In 1913 He married Gertrude Madigan and later Marie (Amelia?) Smeberger. He died in Seattle, Washington. 

Tough, spirited men they were!