The Rise and Fall of Frank Durand

 

As stated in an earlier article J.M. Merrell had taken over the Freyschlag, Huffman and Company merchandise store during the Silver Panic and in November, 1893 “ Merrell made Frank Durand general manager of the store. Frank had been engaged in the general merchandise business in Granite and before its failure, was also one of the principal owners of the store. Mr. Durand had the reputation of being a careful and attentive business man and it was everyone’s belief that if there was any prosperity in the area, the store would flourish under his management.” 

Frank had arrived in Montana in the early Alder Gulch days and was engaged in wood contracting and teaming. He next moved to Butte where he had a General Store and in 1887 took over Jack Hall’s extensive wood contract for Granite Mountain Mining Company and moved to Granite. This was a lucrative contract that yielded over $75,000 in next couple of years. This money was invested in numerous businesses including the merchandise store and a blacksmith shop in Philipsburg. A large advertisement in February 1896, stated: ”Durand will sell more goods of better quality for a $ than any other house in town. ...Fresh creamery butter…Ceretana Flour,…Columbia River Salmon, 1 lb. Cans, 6 cans (for) $1.00. Mackerel per pail, $1.60, California tomatoes, 10 cans, $1.00.” 

By January 8, 1897, The two sons of Frank Durand, were attending college at Deer Lodge, and spent the holiday vacation with their father. In this same issue of the New Northwest, was the court case of John S. Axtell vs Frank Durand and the charge was grand larceny. Mr. Axtell employed as book keeper in the Durand store during 1895 and last summer, he had severed his connection with Durand and obtained employment for L.C. Johnson, as book keeper, in Quigley. Mr. Axtell was arrested in Quigley, during the month of October and told that the books, at the Durand store had been examined by expert accountants and the books were short $12,000. Axtell posted a bond and returned to his job at Quigley. 

The majority of the case was based on the personal character of the two individuals. The court decided the shortage was only $900. Axtell, did not deny making false entries into the books. The outcome of the above case, probably influenced Durand’s decision a couple of weeks later. “Frank Durand has decided to go out of the mercantile business, and this week began a genuine closing out sale in his dry goods, clothing and gent’s furnishing departments. 

Then in March, 1897, things became even more complicated for Frank, when a news article stated: “Frank Durand Arrested….A warrant was issued last night for the arrest of Frank Durand on complaint of the M. & J.K. Water Company, charging the defendant with turning on water where the company had shut it off for the non-payment of water rent. Frank posted a bond and was released from jail while the case went to trial, Outcome: “Frank Durand vs. M. and J. K. Water Company--a Jury returned a verdict for the defendant company in the sum of $3.00”! 

Things did not quiet down, “Frank Durand Attached… the large mercantile establishment of Frank Durand had been closed by Sheriff McDonald. The suit had been commenced by Joseph A. Hyde and James H. King, doing business in Philipsburg under the firm name of Hyde & King, bankers. .Mr. Durand furnished bonds for the release of his property until the matter was settled in court. The final outcome was a certified check for $35, 442.25 to satisfy the judgment brought by Hyde and King for principal and interest due. 

During this time Frank was involved in racing horses. as indicated in the following article that occurred while all the legal issues were being addressed: “Philipsburg horses in Anaconda. Frank Durand has five entered for the races…”. 

By 1900 Frank disposed of a large amount of his businesses and left with Jack Hall for Nome Alaska, where he engaged in teaming, packing, merchandising and had a lumber yard and livery stable and acquired valuable mining property. He was believed to be close to amassing a large fortune before his health failed and he died from cancer of the stomach in July 1903, at the age of 48. Survivors were his current wife of one year, Millie and two sons Fay (Frank Jr. 1893-1937) and (Milton) Oscar (by his first wife Emma). Oscar (1887-1961) was in charge of the Nome properties and Fay was living in Seattle, Washington. 

The widow Millie was to control the estate estimated at $38,000. Apparently Arthur was born after Frank’s death. The Oscar Durand ranch became Enman, then Hill and then Lacey Ranch.