Harry Barber Smith, came to Granite County possibly running from the law. Harry located his family in a remote meadow southeast of Medicine Lake on the North side of Ross’ Fork. The story goes that he would walk out to the J.A. Naef place and go to town with them when they needed supplies. Right before a blizzard Harry left home to go to the Naef’s. His wife did not become concerned until a week later. thinking he was at Naef’s waiting out the storm. Walking out to Naef’s, she realized he never arrived and a search was mounted, but his body was never found, according to “Bus” Hess, in 2003.
Mrs. Smith remained in the remote area for a time, then moved to Anaconda, where she raised Foster, Lawrence and Ione. I found in the July 30, 1915 Mail where “Mrs. Mabel Smith was in the city Tuesday from Rock Creek to visit at the home of her sister, Mrs. T.R. Bowen.” I also found in the Mail January 19, 1917: “John Johnson of Anaconda…employed by J. Forsman to feed stock on the H.B. Smith ranch… was found dead on Thursday of last week by Howard Naef. Johnson had evidently been dead several days as horses were gnawing each other’s mane and tails and the wood of the manager and stalls.”
Harry’s daughter, Ione married John Albert Forsman in August of 1926 and that is why the ranch is now known as the Forsman Place. Descendants of the original Forsman family continue family reunions at the ranch.
On the south side of Ross’ Fork, south of Amerine is a valley named after Vesper “Zeke” Judy and sometimes referred to as Big Moose Meadows. The meadow was settled by Judy about 1898. Zeke was known to be a congenial host and spent every penny he could earn improving his tranquil setting. Every winter he worked in the mines around Philipsburg, to have money to improve the property in the summer.
While working at the Algonquin Mine. May 9, 1922, Zeke was at the 600 foot level. Miners hearing a rock fall, ran to see what happened and found Zeke pinned under a corner of the rock. It took two hours of work with jacks and levers to get the body released.. Zeke was interred in the Philipsburg cemetery.
Zeke’s was bought by Al Forsman from an unknown woman and apparently failed to pay the agreed price. Without knowing this Bob Christensen bought the meadow from Forsman. To obtain a clear title Bob had to take the case to court. Bob’s son Steve continued to pasture cattle in Zeke’s Meadow until selling the property in the spring of 2008.
Southwest of Zeke’s is another meadow known as “Cow Camp.” This camp was built by Alex “Speed” Glover, a local rancher. It was used as a round-up cabin for people with cattle grazing in the area in the summer and for trappers to use in the winter. In February of 1921 Alex and his brother William, took off from the Glover Ranch to hike the fifteen miles to the camp. After about ten miles on the trail Alex told William he was not feeling well and to go on to the cabin and he would follow. William took the heavier pack and went on to the cabin. After a while becoming concerned., he walked back down the trail about four miles and found Alex dead. Knowing he could not pack his brother in the deep snow, Will walked to the J.A. Naef Ranch and Naef helped him build a stretcher and they carried the body out to the ranch. Then they took the body by sled and wagon on to Anaconda. Alex was 46 and had ranched and trapped on Ross Fork of Rock Creek for the past ten to twelve years.
The Creeks are a beautiful place, but very remote and test the very best of mankind!
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