Weinsteins: One of the First General Stores

When miners immigrated to the remote western region in the 1860’s, they needed supplies and sustenance and the need was filled by stalwart entrepreneurs, not afraid to take a gamble. Often they were also miners or invested in the mines. One of these families was the William Weinstein’s. William is credited with opening one of the first General Merchandise stores, in Granite, in 1885, with his main store in Philipsburg built in 1877, at 210 E. Broadway. 

The story goes that he came from Cable, in 1866, with a wagon load of supplies. Whether he came in 1866 or 1867, as the following article stated we know he was one of the very early merchants. According to his obituary, Mr. Weinstein, came to the United States from Poland in the year 1855 as a young boy, and lived at Leavenworth, Kansas, then other western localities, until he arrived in Montana in 1865, where he started a small store in Cable, some time afterward. Next he moved to Philipsburg in 1867, and started a small store, which grew to be one of the largest and most important in the state. I also found where he ran a small store in Corvallis, Missoula County, for a short time, with a man named Block. 

Emphasizing the fact, he was an astute businessman, the New Northwest, in 1882, had an article discussing the shut down of the Algonquin Mine and stated “…Mr. Weinstein had secured a judgment and execution against the Algonquin Co. for about $8,000 and was proceeding to sell certain personal property” when a motion was argued and sustained. End result was being awarded the judgment, though I doubt he ever collected it. 

William Weinstein and his little son Harry returned from an eastern visit, April 28, 1887. There he had bought and promised the townspeople to shortly exhibit for sale at his Broadway store, the most complete and select stock of general merchandise, notions and ladies’ dress goods that was ever brought into the territory. 

Weinstein was an Alderman, for the City of Philipsburg, in 1893 and the June, 14, 1893, Citizen Call, stated their son Harry Weinstein, visited Philipsburg and would be back at Ann Arbor, by Thursday for the resumption of school. Harry had no sooner returned to class, when on July 2, 1893, (a Sunday) his father William, rode up to Granite from Philipsburg:”…in a buckboard drawn by one of his black horses. When he got through with business at his store there he started home and met John Foley, of the Bi-Metallic, who had gone up on horseback. He invited the gentleman to ride down the hill with him. The invitation was accepted and all went well for a short distance. When they got down below the Bi-Metallic mine the horse started to run away, but was controlled, by Mr. Weinstein. They had not gone very far before the horse started again. This time Mr. Foley became very anxious and jumped out of the vehicle while the horse was on a dead run. As he did so he noticed that the horse he had ridden up on and which he had tied to the rear of the buckboard had broken loose, and a man on the road had caught him. In the meantime the [Mr. Weinstein’s} horse had run down near the roadhouse with Mr. Weinstein, and as there was a rut in the road, it is supposed that he was thrown in such a manner when the vehicle struck it that his head hung out and he was either struck by the horses hoof or the wheel. At any rate he was picked up and taken into the roadhouse and physicians were summoned and everything possible was done, but to no avail, and he died two or three hours later. Dr. Heine says that the scalp injury itself was not sufficient to cause death and is of the opinion that it was the concussion which killed him. He also lost considerable blood, as the scalp was badly torn.” His wife and many friends were summoned immediately and went to his side. He never regained consciousness and shortly, after they started home with him in one of their carriages he died. 

The funeral took place from the residence Tuesday morning and his body was escorted to the train by a large delegation of the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows. Internment was in the Helena cemetery, following the performance of Jewish rites. Survivors were: his widow, and three children: Harry, Alice and Abe; and a brother Hymen Weinstein, a Philipsburg businessman. After William’s death, F.J. Wilson, was named to replace him as vice-president of the Merchant and Miners Bank. 

On August 24, 1893, the Weinstein family’s, sorrow was still raw when another accident befell them, again on a Sunday, just seven weeks after William’s death. Little Abe, the youngest Weinstein child, was not yet fifteen when he drowned at the Bi-Metallic plunge bath. Apparently youngsters were not supposed to go to the area, so he talked Johnnie McDonald and R.L. Desourdy, to accompany him. His reason for begging his mother to let him go was because he wanted to learn to swim. His companions stretched a rope across the plunge for Abe to hang onto as the water was twelve to fourteen feet deep.. “Abe evidently had gained enough confidence in himself to attempt getting into the water alone, but he missed the rope and went down”. His remains were taken to Helena, and laid to rest beside his father. 

 Demonstrating that William’s business was continued on by his heirs, the Mail had a full front page advertisement for Weinstein’s in the December 19, 1895, issue. Through out the Mail, that year, are full column ads, advertising prices and a raffle drawing for a dress.. They not only advertised in the Mail, but also in the Granite Mountain Star. 

In 1895, the Citizen Call, stated Harry Weinstein, who was attending college at Ann Arbor, returned home Tuesday, looking well. Then, an article stated “John W. Dawson (Tessy’s Brother-in-law), the genial manager of the Weinstein estate, remembered the Mail, office with some substantial goods that cheer the weary, and makes the ordinary citizen feel that he had no trouble on earth”. Obviously the New Year, toast was not lemonade! 

John’s wife, Rebecca died at the, age of thirty two years, in May of 1898. Survivors were: her husband, two children: aged twelve and nine; parents: Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Silverman; brother Sam of Spokane Falls; and sisters: Mrs. Tessy Weinstein of Philipsburg and Mrs. Benjamin Pizer of Helena. 

Tessy continued her social life as evidenced in the November,1901 Mail where: “Mrs. Tessy Weinstein, Mrs. Anna Kroger, Mrs. Conrad Wipf, Mrs. G.W. Young, Mrs. L. J. Hartzell, and Miss M.C. Ryan comprised a party of ladies that visited Mrs. T.G. Botscheider at Sunrise, Tuesday. The ladies were driven out by way of Combination, leaving the city about nine o’clock in the morning and returned home the same evening. Notwithstanding the storm that prevailed during the afternoon and evening, the ladies had a very pleasant time and greatly enjoyed the trip. 

Then Tessy (Silverman) Weinstein died from heart problem’s in October 1903. A native of Poland she had arrived at Fort Benton, Montana, 35 years earlier. Burial was at Forestvale Cemetery in Helena on October 19th. Her Life insurance paid $12,114, to her heirs. Next, a notice of dissolution stated: “The co-partnership heretofore conducted by H.I. Weinstein of Seattle, Washington and Alice Weinstein of Philipsburg, Montana, under the firm name of T. Weinstein & Company, at Philipsburg, Montana, is this day dissolved by mutual consent. Mr. H. I. Weinstein retiring from the business and Alice Weinstein retaining the entire business. Alice will be responsible for all liabilities of the co-partnership and will collect all notes and accounts due the aforesaid co-partnership. Dated at Seattle, Washington this 21 day of June 1904. Signed H.I. Weinstein and Alice Weinstein. 

Alice Weinstein, married E. Archer Hannah, January 30, 1906 in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Hannah was a former clerk at the Bi-metallic. They made their home in an apartment in the Weinstein Block. Their son Eugene Archer Jr. born in 1907 died in 1914 according to Philipsburg Cemetery headstone. Next, Miss Emma Weinstein, the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Weinstein, married Frank Burke, in Anaconda, on September 5, 1908. Mr. Burke was employed as a blacksmith at the Hope mine. The newly weds made their home in Philipsburg, after a brief honeymoon. 

The July 19, 1918, Philipsburg Mail, headlines stated “H. Weinstein dies Thursday”. Hyman, sixty five years of age, came to Philipsburg in 1888 and ran a general store for almost thirty years, before he retired. He was survived by his wife Freda and daughters: Miss Lena, of Philipsburg and Mrs. Frank (Emma) Burk, of Florida and son Victor, the Philipsburg City Treasurer. Hyman’s funeral was performed in Helena and he was interred beside a son, who died several years before. In 1922, Victor Weinstein, was appointed by the School Board, as an election Judge for the upcoming school election. Research has failed to reveal Victor’s death. Hyman’s wife Freda, died at the age of seventy four, in Missoula on February 3, 1928, and was buried next to Herman (Hyman) and two of their sons, in the Home of Peace Cemetery, in Helena. Survivors were: daughters Miss Lena Weinstein and Mrs. Emma Burke, both of Missoula. Alice’s death has not been found.

The Priority Of Education

 

After the silver crash, believing there was a great loss of students, Granite decided to keep only Miss M.I. Wolfe, as principal and Miss S.K. Coonan, as Assistant and to open the school October 2. The two teachers were retained at a lesser salary of $110 and $75 a month. Then the Granite News column, October 5, 1893, published this article: “When school opened Monday it was found that two teachers could not control the large number of pupils in attendance, and the services of Mrs. J.E. Trumbell were brought into service. Miss Sligh was employed temporarily, awaiting the arrival of Miss Wolfe from Anaconda…over 100 pupils were enrolled and the attendance is swelling daily."

 The only change noticeable was the large attendance of children who had appeared for the first time in the Philipsburg School. Demonstrating examples of the mettle that kept the community of Philipsburg alive was the issue of education. and was discussed with many different means explored to raise the needed money for a permanent building. As early as May 4, 1893 The Mail stated “The whole (school) Board is a unit on the question of increasing the school facilities, but the manner of doing it is where the difference of opinion comes in. A committee has been appointed…Trustee Pizer, of the committee, reported at the meeting that Angus McDonald wanted $2,000 per acre or $6,000 for three acres out where the baseball grounds are. Mrs. H. Schnepel, wanted $8,000 for five acres nearer to town. The Board was unanimous…that these figures were too much for the district to stand…Trustee Chris Jacky thought that the present site could be made to answer every purpose and suggested that steps could be taken to have the town board of Aldermen condemn the street between the two pieces of property owned by the district in order that they might be in one parcel of land. Then a good substantial brick building could be built, and there would be plenty of play ground. Trustee, Huffman agreed with Mr. Jacky.“ 

Ultimately, a mill levy was passed by the City of Philipsburg and  Contractor Charles Suiter won the bid to construct a High School Building. By early December the Citizen Call, announced the new school was almost completed and should be turned over to the school trustees by the fifteenth with a new term of school starting by January 4. Finally, The Mail, happily announced on January 9, 1896 the:” ...school house was completed and Mr. Charles Suiter turned the building over to the school board. The board accepted the building with an agreement that $5 per day equaling $275.00 does not have to be paid to Mr. Suiter due to the building not being completed on the agreed date. School will open next Monday. The teachers hired are: Prof. J.S. Gifford, Miss Annie Price, Miss M.C. Ryan, Miss Amy Short, Miss Madge Short and Mrs. Eugene Smith.” The janitor hired was Harry Rust, at $50.00 per month. 

To fill in the void while the school was being constructed, the Citizen Call October 30, 1895, made a comment about some one starting a private school and”…Mrs. F.H. Titus and Julius Hansen will open a private school in the private buildings owned by A.S. Huffman on California Street. They have secured the seats and other furniture of the old school house and will probably be ready for children on next Monday morning. There will be two departments, Julius Hansen will teach the grammar and Mrs. Titus the primary department. The terms have not been fully decided upon as yet, but it is believed that the tuition will be $2.50 per month." 

The following week there were twenty students in attendance on Monday and thirty were expected by the end of the week. I did not find any more reference to the private school once the new building was completed. The original frame school house was then “remodeled for court house purposes.” When the modern current Court House was erected, this still solid frame building was put on skids and moved to Porter’s Corner where it became known as the Vince and Maxine Fessler house (November 23, 1934). 

The Philipsburg High School dedication was held on February 21, 1896, and the entire front page of the Philipsburg Mail was dedicated to the event. A.R. Dearborn gave the opening address. It was originally named the Philipsburg High School. The first graduating ceremony was on May 27, 1898, comprised of Clara D. McDonel, Mary A. McKenzie (Burks), Pearletta M. Scott (Kroger), Lulu B. Rust (Lively), Fredrick W. Kroger, William H. Loughrin, and Vincent D. Doody. A classmate William B. Calhoun enlisted in the Spanish American War shortly before graduation, so did not attend the services.

By January 1904, school enrollment was looking up. An open letter to parents from Principal, G.T. Bramble, asked them not to send children that recently turned six years of age to school in January. as the teacher already had nearly seventy first graders. To add more students would make it impossible for her to give the new comers enough attention to pass them on to the second grade that spring. He continued on to explain there were plans to make two first grade classes in the fall. 

In March of 1904, the School Board of District No.1, decided to again submit to the voters of Granite County the concept of a County Free High School, that was voted down by fifty one votes in 1900. The County Free High School election issue passed, with a majority of seventy five votes, needless to say the votes all came from the southern part of the county. There were only fourteen votes for the school in Bearmouth; one in Stone; one in Garnet; and two in Drummond. There was a rumor that the election would be contested but the Mail felt the rumor just gossip. Trustees appointed were: R.R. McLeod, Valentine Jacky, John Kaiser, Albert Schuh, James McGowan and Edward Lannen and the County Superintendent would also be a board member. 

The May school report showed attendance of fifty eight students in the High school; twenty nine in the eighth grade; forty three in the sixth and seventh grade; thirty eight in the second sixth and fifth grade; forty six in the third and fourth grade; forty two in the second third and first second grade classes; fifty three in the other second grade class; and sixty five in the first grade. This made a total of 372 students in the Grade and High School. The newly appointed Free High School Board set out to establish the school faculty, by electing Prof. G.T. Bramble as principal and Miss A.H. Price as his assistant at a salary of $1,500 and $900 respectively. They would hire two more teachers and secure about $700 in equipment. They obtained a lease for the upper floor of the District School building for a term of three years at $1,025 annual rent which included janitor and heat 

Then Colonel George Morse from the lower valley (New Chicago) brought suit to restrain the newly elected board to establish the High School. The lengthy complaint basically stated that less than one hundred people had signed the petition to put the issue on the ballot; that two signers were county commissioner; that the other school districts did not have time to file a petition to have the school located in their district and so forth. After much legal wrangling, in 1905, The County Free High School was established with a business department in which bookkeeping, stenography, and typewriting would be taught. Three Remington Typewriters had been ordered and the other necessary apparatus were installed. A number of the graduating class of the previous year signified their intentions of attending the county high school and it was believed quite a large number of students from various parts of the county, would also attend. The lease was signed and school started on January 16, 1905. 

Of this beginning class fourteen students graduated in 1908. In 1910, there was discussion of erecting a building for a County High School. Since the high school had been established the county has been renting from Philipsburg School District No.1, the rooms and equipment necessary to conduct the school. The lease now in force was entered into in 1909 and would expire July 1911, and the facility was overcrowded. In 1909 a tax was levied for building purposes as provided by The High School Law. Four Mills were levied and created $10,052.22, available by 1910. The plans discussed at that time were for making another levy to provide funds to equip and furnish the building. A site, the high school trustees had secured an option on, was 270 by 256 feet and surrounded on all four sides by streets, in the Churchill addition. The site was practically donated, the cost to the county being slightly over $100. The Mail articles never stated who the land belonged to, but August Greenheck owned the majority of lots on Church Hill, at that time. The district was in need of the room and the present lease would probably be the last one the county would be able to secure. There was on hand in the high school building fund the sum of $10,052.22, which was not available for any other purpose. Within a few months and careful consideration the school board decided to build a new Granite County High School.

The school was completed in 1912 and served well until enrollment dropped during the second World War and it was discussed in 1946 to abandon the County High School. The citizenry arose to meet the crisis and the enrollment increased allowing the school to stay open. The High School at that time only received money per student and no other operating funds. 

After many good years the building was sold and is now a residence and museum of sorts and a new high school is located next to the original Grade school on School Hill. The grade school is a Historic Landmark and the oldest continuing operating school in Montana.

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.

The 1893 Silver Crash

                                                     Magnolia Blvd in Granite, Montana 

The mining camp of Granite was resilient, surviving more than one mine closure. There were many merchants and numerous substantial buildings. Weinstein had a mercantile store and Cain and Thibault were Grocers in 1889,according to the March 14, Mail. Also branches were established and the D.J. Hennessey Store, remained in Granite through more than one downturn in the economy. An article in the September 14, 1893, Philipsburg Mail stated: “This firm was one of the first to locate in Granite and although the town had previous setbacks, they have staid loyally by and have not made a lot of money but also built up the confidence among permanent residents-a thing that cannot be attained by those who came here to clean up and get out-We hope for the Hennessey Company continued success and when Granite resumes its normal conditions again we predict for them and all other business men who staid with the town a greater season of prosperity than they have heretofore enjoyed. J.P. Sullivan was the store manager.” 

The story repeated in numerous articles was that a huge rush of people left Granite when the silver prices fell in 1893. Referring to Arthur R. Stone’s original article March 9, 1912 re-published in Following Old Trails “it was one of the interesting experiences of my life that I was present during the exodus of the miners from Granite Mountain…There were not enough vehicles to transport those who wished a ride down the mountain and many of them walked; trunks were piled high upon great hayracks and shipped down to the railroad station; there were tears in a good many eyes, for Granite people loved their town.” But I did not find him giving any numbers of those leaving. Researching the newspapers of the time, I found no report of an exodus, just a steady stream of people leaving to find another paycheck. On September 14, 1893,The Philipsburg Mail published a list of residents “who have gone away pending the monetary financial panic.” The list contained a total of eighty seven names. I do not know if the name listed represented an entire family or only the male of the household. 

Reading the newspapers of 1893, it was apparent there was a high level of anxiety before any actual word of the silver price crash. There was a run on the First National Bank, for $75,000, beginning Monday afternoon, May 21, 1893. Before the run on the bank other incidents occurred. First, (May 4th) M.E. Doe & Co., served an attachment, enacted by Sheriff John Cole, causing the Standard Theater in Granite to be closed on May 4, 1893. The stated liabilities of owners Risch and White were $2,000 to $3,000 and F.T. Wilson held a $2,000 mortgage on the building. The article stated the sheriff sale would probably not realize much more than the mortgage. The May 4, 1893 issue of the Mail is the first paper available for that year at the Montana Historical Society Research Library. Therefore the information I have may be less panicky than the population had demonstrated. But articles like the following made the mood seem upbeat: “Hynes and Lynch continued work on the Puritan Extension and their prospect is looking better every day. Also, the Board of Aldermen and Mayor-elect Allison requested the businessmen of town to shut down their stores during the hours of the Memorial Day parade. Acting Mayor Ringling stated he would personally ask the business men to close. 

Then, during the week of July 4, it was decided to cancel the Fourth of July celebration. The committee announced subscriptions would be returned to the donors, less the few dollars spent building the dance platform. The article stated the cancellation was due to the business depression, caused by the low price of silver. 

In contrast, The People’s Hotel, erected directly across from the Northern Pacific Depot, was opened the first week in July and a full column was written about the décor and convenience for the railroad clientele. The hotel was under the management of Albert Paquin a businessman known in the Coeur D’ Alene area. 

 A news article on July 27, 1893 stated: “Orders received during the week for closing Granite Mountain, Bi-Metallic, Combination and other mines in the district secondary to a slump in silver prices. In August, hope was being expressed that Congress would pass a Silver Bill to control the price.. They discussed the various bills and legislators supporting them, in a vague way. There was an article published regarding the Windom Plan being superior to the Sherman Law, because the plan proposed using silver as a money basis while retaining gold as the sole standard.

A rumor in May (1893) stated “the (First National) bank was unsafe and its doors were likely to be closed to its depositors. ”The depositors did not wait to question the rumor but immediately began to draw out their money and before the hour for closing arrived several thousand had been paid out on time certificates. During Monday night the rumor spread like wildfire and when the bank opened its doors on Tuesday morning the eager crowd stood in line to draw out their money. 

Apparently, Mr. Hyde transferred some of his stock in the First National Bank to Freyschlag, Huffman and Company, and after doing so he departed for a visit to the World’s Fair. He was the President in both Granite and Philipsburg branches of the bank. Monday night, the banker’s ordered and received another $100,000 from Helena and were ready to give out all money requested, even keeping the bank open so the day shift could remove their money after usual banking hours. By Tuesday evening there had been $74,600 paid out, but during that afternoon people began returning to re-deposit their money and by Wednesday evening nearly “two-thirds of that taken out the day before had been put back on deposit”. 

Then on July 6, published under the headline "Two failures", was a column that stated: “Last Friday our people were surprised when the fact became known that the large mercantile firm of Freyschlag, Huffman & Co. had closed its doors. The firm assigned to James H. King, cashier of the First National bank, the cause being the rapid decline in silver values and the consequent stringency of the money market. It is said that the action was taken to secure home creditors. The store remained closed until Monday, when it was again opened under the charge of the assignee on a cash basis. Then Saturday morning the still more startling disclosure was made that the First National Bank had suspended, and upon investigation this fact was found to be true, as a notice attached to the door testified “that owing to the stringency of the money market, consequent upon the low price of silver, and the drain upon the institution it had been found necessary to close its doors for a time until matters could be adjusted.” 

By July 13, 1893, the bank was closed with an auditor showing that the total assets were $194,000 in Securities and $124,000 in deposits and “The stockholders claim positively that every dollar owed to the depositors will be paid in full, no matter what the outcome”. It was rumored that Freyschlag, Huffman and Company, comprised of Hyde, Freyschlag, Dr. J.M. Merrell and James Patten, who were the head of the Granite Bank, owed the bank $66,000, “but the truth of the matter is that the sum is only about $3,000.” 

A short notice, printed under the Combination Notes, in the July 20, 1893, Philipsburg Mail, stated Freyschlag and Huffman had re-opened.” Then, “Freyschlag, Huffman and Company, was closed by attachment last Thursday night (September 28, 1893) and that extensive establishment is now in the hands of the sheriff. When the late crash first struck Philipsburg, this business, was temporarily suspended, but they managed to reopen about the first of August, by arranging for an extension of time on some indebtedness. The firm was heavily indebted to Hyde, Freyschlag & Co. the banking firm at Granite and owing to the failure of the First National Bank, in which the same parties as those connected with the Granite Bank were interested, and the subsequent and urgent request from the receiver of that institution for a realization of funds, the attachment was forced. It was preferred by Messrs. J.M. Merrell, Joseph A. Hyde, and James Patten, who composed the banking firm of Granite and who have claims against the store to the extent of $67,000 (October 5, 1893)". 

In October, the big news was the entire stock and property had been bought by Josiah M. Merrell. Merrell paid, at a sheriff’s sale $17,500 for the stock in the Philipsburg store; $7,500 for the stock in the Granite store; $300 for eight horses and $2,000 for stock in a warehouse. The buildings and real estate were to be sold in about two weeks, and it was estimated that the total for all stock and buildings would represent not less than $200,000. I did not find the sale of the property published in the newspaper, so it probably remained in his possession until his death on April 28, 1913 in California. His obituary stated he made a fortune from Granite Mountain which he sold at $45 a share. Walter Kroger managed Merrell’s assets after his move to California.

During the period of the silver crash a wage issue developed at the Puritan Mine. The Union Secretary of Granite Miner’s Union notified all underground workmen that if they were receiving less than $3.50 a day, they were to discontinue work immediately. The mine manager, John McKechney informed the Mail that he was making no attempt to reduce union wages.  Since the silver disaster had set in the workers had agreed to accept two-thirds of the union wage in cash and take a company certificate for the other one-third. This certificate would be redeemed by the company when the silver market was restored. The twenty men employed all had families and felt quite fortunate to continue working in the financial downturn.

Alluding to the financial situation, the Ladies Guild of the Episcopal Church stated they had helped at least two families who were in need and had set up a small fund to continue assistance for the families in need. They also stated it was known the people would not ask for help until forced to do so because of hunger.

By November 1893 preparations were underway for the Bi-Metallic Mill to do considerable work during the winter. Apparently a vast amount of tailings had accumulated in the past four or five years while milling only for silver and they planned to re-work them once they had the necessary equipment.

As this issue continued to be worked on by the mine manager, union leaders and the community, miners were sitting with out any work. Before long the Bi-Metallic employed twenty five men at $2.00 a day and the merchants of Philipsburg called a meeting to discuss whether or not they should get involved in the matter. There was much discussion, including town pastors explaining how business and wage earners run parallel courses and should not be interfered with by one and other. Finally the Knights of Labor explained they would assist any family that needed help, as they did not want anyone working for that wage. Needless to say, the men who had families with mouths to feed, saw the writing on the wall and knew if they were not wage earners they needed to become contractors. This way they would bear the risk as the mines could not continue to operate at the wages previously paid.

Later in January 1984 the Bi-Metallic announced work was to commence immediately and they were awarding contracts for the opening of the drain tunnel. The first division of the drain tunnel was awarded to David Balentine & Co. to work a distance of about 2,075 feet. The grading contract for the Bi-Metallic Mill was awarded to George Metcalf. The contract for stone work of the foundation to the addition was let to Joseph Tiefenthaler. The machinery for the luxivation plant would be furnished by Fraser & Chalmers of Chicago. The second division of the tunnel would be worked by the company. Colonel Hart of the Bi-Metallic stated the local residents would be given preference over outsiders for the jobs.

Wages continued to be an issue through out the next decade. There were frequent intervention of union leaders such as J.C. Duffy of the Granite Miner’s Union and the Silver Lake Union, which covered the workers at Gold Coin, insisting that workers must be paid $3.50 a day

In April of 1904, James Willoughby, the foreman of the Bi-Metallic for seventeen years, resigned. Shortly after Sam Arthur who was in charge of the tramway resigned. These resignations were followed by Dan Smith and William Willoughby. Julius Wiegenstein a former shift boss took over the foreman position. Then one year later, Granite Bi-Metallic officials announced the mines were worked out: “Famous properties that have made many men wealthy are to be abandoned. Tracks and pumps taken up and workings left to fill with water. The long predicted end has finally come. Granite will be dead, in fact too dead to skin, but this is accepted as a matter of course. The announcement that the end has come is really a relief to everyone. In the meantime the business men and property owners of Philipsburg are not losing any sleep. They will go right on doing business as if the Granite and Bi-Metallic mines had never been known.”

Obviously, the writer of the news article knew the mettle of the population. Booms and busts continued for many more years and sometimes they included the Granite and Bi-metallic re-opening.

 

 

The Discoveries at Cable Mountain

The mining property of Cable known as the Atlantic Cable Quartz Lode was located on June 15, 1867, according to the Montana State Highway Historical marker on Highway 1 on Spring Hill. The name commemorated the laying of the second trans-Atlantic cable. The locators were Alexander Aiken, John E. Pearson and Jonas A. Stough. They were camped on Flint Creek and their horses drifted off. In tracking then to this vicinity the men found float that led to the discovery. 

Machinery for the first mill was imported from Swansea, Wales and freighted by team from Corinne, Utah, the nearest railroad point. The mine operated with indifferent success until 1880 when extremely rich ore was found. A 500 foot piece of ground produced $6,500,000 in gold. W.A. Clark, paid $10,000 for one chunk of ore taken from the mine in 1889 and claimed it was the largest gold nugget ever found, stated Wolle in Montana Pay Dirt. While researching her book, Wolle visited the cable ghost town and stated three cabins were then occupied and the woman at home said the ore averaged about $18.00 a ton. But when they would strike a rich pocket it would assay from $100 to $1,000 a ton. The woman also told Wolle the first mill was rigged with a steam boat whistle that could be heard for 12 miles, on a clear day. Wolle stated the next mill was built by Plaisted and was not a complete success. A large amount of gold was unable to be recovered by the amalgamation process and passed down the canyon. Even with the loss, $30,000 was earned within a one year period. 

As close as I can interpret the articles researched, Plaisted built the Mill, known as the Wm. Nolan Mill. The property where the mill was built had a mortgage originally owed by James Brown II. James was the spouse of Fannie Brown and the father of Alex and Alice. The mortgage owed was for $1,725.76 and is now known as the Cable property. Plaisted caused this mill to be transferred to Brown to secure the above mortgage. Then The new Northwest, September 10, 1875, stated the First National Bank of Helena filed a summons against a group including Fannie Brown, Alexander Brown, Alice and Daniel Welch and George Plaisted, for the mortgage originally owed by James Brown II. Next, apparently William Nolan, the Helena Banker bought out the other parties, to get rid of the lawsuit and mortgage. Unfortunately, Nolan was not a skilled miner. He failed to properly timber the mine and in April 1869, the shaft sunk to a depth of 148 feet, caved in and completely closed the mine. I found no record of miners killed in the cave in, but found evidence of numerous lawsuits. During the next ten months, Nolan died and almost everyone left the camp. In 1878, it was reported there was only one inhabitant. 

As described in the paragraph about Plaisted, litigation was extensive and drawn out in the Helena court system. J.C. Savery, a brother-in-law of Nolan after lengthy litigation secured the entire property and struck another rich body of ore in 1883. As the story goes in Montana Pay Dirt, Nolan reimbursed his expenditures to the extent of $150,000 within thirty days. The total amount he was said to have mined up to 1891 was in the tune of three to four million dollars. A short news article in the Mail, stated James C. Savery, owner of the Cable Mine died August 20, 1905, at his home on Cable Mountain. He was buried in Des Moines, Iowa. 

During the time George Plaisted was at Cable running the mills, his wife operated the boarding house in the ‘Burg. After the cave-in he lived the rest of his life around the Philipsburg area and died January 13, 1900. His funeral was at his residence on the south side of Philipsburg. He was laid to rest between his wife and two small sons, in the Philipsburg cemetery, on January 15. 

Conrad Kohrs and Salton Cameron also worked a placer digging below the Atlantic Cable Mines, from 1871 through 1874. Kohrs constructed a ditch, costing $10,000 to work the placer and in the first year they washed out $18,000 in only eight weeks before winter set in. In the second year they earned $37,000. Then, in 1874, the water from the ditch Kohrs’ constructed was diverted to the Georgetown Placers In 1873, Wolle states, Salton Cameron erected a twenty stamp mill, with financing from a Helena banker, named L.H. Herschfield.. A one hundred ton lot of ore was worth $20,000, but his lead ran out and the mill shut down. There is still evidence of this venture..

Henry Imkamp: Town Savior

Henry Imkamp could possibly be the one person that kept the town of Philipsburg from being relegated to the history books as a Ghost Town. In 1869, the Hope Mill experienced a recession and almost caused the death of the camp: 

“Its streets were empty, its buildings tenantless, the mines deserted. Silence and solitude reigned almost unchallenged. Of 1500 people, only three remained: Henry Inkamp, E.B. Waterbury and J.M. Merrill (Merrell). For one day Henry Inkamp was alone in camp. Alone in the little city with its hundred of closed doors and cheerless windows, the great mill towering like a specter of departed life and the broad street grass-grown and deserted.” stated the New Northwest August 27, 1875. 

Questioning whether it was one or five days, in the Philipsburg Mail on November 29, 1894 was the following article: 

“The familiar face of our former townsman, Henry Imkamp, was welcomed in the ‘Burg last week, having arrived from St. Louis, Mo., his present home, to attend to some business here. Mr. Imkamp is one of the pioneer settlers in Phillipsburg, and his association with the town is characterized by the fact that for five days in the early history of the place he was the only resident here. All the other settlers at that time has stampeded for the gold digging but Mr. Imkamp remained and for five days was “monarch of all he surveyed.” One by one the settlers came back and from that day to this Phillipsburg has gradually been going ahead. Mr. Imkamp, like several of his comrades, became rich, and now he lives in the height of luxury in St. Louis.” 

Henry Inkamp, born in Prussia came to Philipsburg as a merchant in 1867 and opened a saloon.. In the 1870 Federal Census, Henry was one 30 people interviewed in the 195 residences in Phillipsburg. At that date he was 37 years of age and worth $1,700. In the 1880 Federal Census Henry was still listed as a saloon keeper and married to Caroline with a one month old daughter named Lilla. The Pioneer Association records show that Henry arrived in Montana in 1856. He built the Imkamp building in 1887 as a business block. Various articles state that since 1890, businesses in the block have included a Gentleman’s Clothing Store, a Grocery and Fruit Market, a Tailors Shop, Doctor’s Offices, Printing Office, Utility Office and Post Office. Reviewing Sanborn Maps of 1890 through 1908, it is hard to determine which side of Broadway between Sansome and Montgomery, this would be, as the variety and buildings changed frequently 

Recent research found Henry Bernard Imkamp’s death record in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born on June 19, 1838 and died on October 16, 1898. Survivors were: wife Caroline (Doerge) and daughter Lillie. Cause of death was stomach ulcers and he is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery at St. Louis. His occupation is listed only as Saloon Keeper. Sadly he was never credited as an owner of real estate and town savior. 

In 1870, Purvine and Schnepel leased the mill and the town began to come back to life. Then in 1872, George Plaisted and Brown, leased the mill and ran a considerable amount of ore. Colonel Lyons crushed 500 tons of Trout Ore, for the Imperial Company that same year. 

Politically active citizen’s watching the camp of Phillipsburg survive for twenty more years, wrote articles of incorporation in October of 1890. Elections were held the first week of November, with a positive vote, formally declaring, it was now a town. This town, no longer supported by mining, has transformed itself into a tourist destination. I wonder if Henry could ever imagine that his keeping the town open has continued to be the impetus in residents and new comer’s blood now for 153 more years.

The rest of the Dingwalls, Plus Jack Nelson

           Jack Nelson photo cropped from the Jill Brody Book "Drummond: Ranch Life in the West"

Earl Duncan Dingwall was born on October 22, 1892 in New Chicago and was the only son born to Duncan and Lodema ( Lomeda). He attended schools in Granite county and graduated from Intermountain Union College in Helena, then went into the mercantile business with his father. When Duncan died Earl moved into the ranch home south of Hall and lived there until becoming ill and moving to a house in Drummond. He died at his home in Drummond after being ill for a year according to the February 7, 1936 Philipsburg Mail. An active member of the Masonic Ruby Lodge in Drummond assured him of burial with Masonic rites at the Valley cemetery, after a funeral service performed by Rev. Musket at the Methodist church in Drummond. Survivors were: aunt Mrs. Ella Baker of Rollins; cousins: Freeman Tinklepaugh and Mrs. Vatis (Eva Tinklepaugh) Page of Philipsburg, and cousins: Leona, John, William D. and James Dingwall of New Chicago. 

William and Catherine’s son, William Duncan who was born on October 26, 1881 died October 15, 1943 shortly before his 62nd birthday. He is buried in the Valley cemetery. William’s wife, Catherine died at the age of 86 on April 15, 1945, in Missoula. from pneumonia. She had lived 67 years on the ranch in the Flint Creek valley, before moving with her daughter into the Palace Hotel in Missoula on December 20, 1944. Born at Lawrence, Kansas October 15, 1858, Catherine (Kate) Price crossed the plains three times in her early life and at 18 traveled to Corinne, Utah and then by way of stage arrived in Montana in 1876. She lived both in Deer Lodge and then New Chicago (with aunt Lucy Coberly) until she married William Dingwall on December 20, 1877. Catherine was a member of the Montana Society of Pioneers and the Methodist Church in Drummond. Besides her children Catherine was survived by three brothers and three sisters. 

John Dingwall, the son of Catherine and William, was born on October 18, 1878 and died June 6, 1956 at the age of 76. He is buried at the Valley cemetery. The September 6, 1957 Philipsburg Mail District Court Notes stated: 

“At a session of the District Court on Tuesday September 3, Judge William R. Taylor approved the final account of Leona Dingwall and James A. Dingwall, executors of the estate of John Dingwall, deceased and signed a decree of settlement of said account and distribution of estate. The distributes were Leona Dingwall, James A. Dingwall and John Arthur (Jack) Nelson, each of whom received a one-third of the residue of the estate; the inheritance tax due the state of Montana was fixed at $2,208.10.” 

John Arthur (Jack) Nelson was born to Carl and Johana Peterson on December 5, 1920. Carl had a butcher wagon and sold meat to the ranchers, farmers and miners in the area. They lived on the Nelson place on the edge of New Chicago when Jack was born and then moved to what is now Verlanic’s next to the Dingwall’s. It was then that Jack began working for them and was basically taken under their wing. 

Onita was born to Henry and Ellen Kolbeck Sept.7, 1920 in Hall and began driving as chauffer for Leona Dingwall while in High school. She had met Jack in the first grade at Hall School. At the age of 21 they carved out enough time from their respective ranch chores during haying season and told their parents they were going to attend the State Fair in Great Falls. They were married there on August 6, 1942 and lived in Hall at the Heady house until the Dingwall’s built a house for them on the ranch. Born to Onita and Jack were Gordon and Joy (Wetsch). 

Leona (1879-1966) and James Dingwall (1885-1960) left the William Dingwall Company to Jack when they died. A beautiful Coffee Table Book was published by Jill Brody in 2004 titled “Drummond: Ranch life in the west” that carries many stories including Jack, Onita, Joy and husband Ron Wetsch’s life. in text and photographs. 

Jack died on August 2, 2010 and Onita moved about six or eight months later to Granite County Nursing Home where she died July 4rh 2012 at the age of 91. Survivors were: son Gordon and wife Mary, of Michigan, daughter Joy and Ron Wetsch of Drummond; Grandsons: Jon Nelson of Seattle, Shawn (Toby) Wetsch of Drummond, Justin Wetsch of Big Sky and four great grandchildren: Jacklyn and Trice Wetsch of Deer Lodge and Twins-Piper and Kameron Wetsch of Drummond. The Wetsch’s: Joy, Ron, Shawn, Toby and the twins continue operating the original Dingwall ranch that Jack and Onita dedicated their entire life to.

The Dingwall Brothers

The Dingwall brother’s were early pioneers of the New Chicago area. Brothers, Duncan, born March 31, 1847 and William, born October 14, 1844, in Ontario, Canada, immigrated as a young men. 

William first to Buffalo, New York where he worked as a clerk in a lumber company for six years, then decided to come west. He returned to Canada for a short visit with his family and then with brother Duncan traveled to Sioux City by rail. They then traveled overland on horse back to the Missouri River and booked themselves on a boat up the Missouri to Fort Benton. William and Duncan joined a group of 18 and engaged a freighting party to bring them to Helena,. They arrived at the bustling mining camp in 1868. After working for six months in Helena, Duncan went to Henderson Gulch where he was involved in placer mining for about three years. William remained in Helena and worked in the lumber business. 

Next, William and Duncan bought a herd of cattle and drove them into the Flint Creek valley in 1871. There they set up the Dingwall ranch which acquired more than 4,000 acres in the New Chicago area. Both brothers were members of the Montana Society of Pioneers. During the winter of 1873 the Dingwall herd of cattle scattered during a severe storm and Duncan froze his feet while rounding them up according to an article in the Missoulian on July 3, 1955. The result of the incident “was amputation”, but I never found any other reference to this fact. 

Duncan Dingwall was involved in the very heated election campaign of 1886 against the Sligh-Durand ticket for Montana State Senator. After Duncan won the election Sligh by manipulation went to Helena and occupied the Senate seat. The December 4, 1896 Mail carried the District Court happenings where:

”On Saturday the case of Sligh vs Reck came up at the district court. Dr. J.M. Sligh instituted injunction proceedings against G. J. Reck as county clerk of Granite county to restrain him from issuing a certificate of election to Duncan Dingwall as senator from Granite county. The case was ably argued by Honorable W. B. Rodgers, counsel for Dingwall and W. E. Moore of Philipsburg, counsel for Sligh. The court took the case under advisement and on Monday rendered its decision, in which the injunction was denied. Judge Brantly, in rendering his decision held substantially: …that Duncan Dingwall, having received a majority of all the votes cast at the last election, for that office, was regularly and duly elected as such senator and is entitled to receive a certificate of election from the Clerk of Granite county.” 

Dingwall won out and research revealed many notes in the Philipsburg Mail addressing him as Honorable Duncan Dingwall during 1897. Also found was the following: 

“Dingwall Brothers sold fifty head of cattle Monday last to a Helena firm for the smug sum of $2,125.00, or $42.50 a head.(March 5, 1897) The Philipsburg Mail posted a list of the county taxpayers who paid over $100 for the year 1896, on December 31. The Dingwall Brothers paid $665.24. As a comparison The First National Bank paid $827.63. The October 15, 1910 Mail published taxes owed by Duncan Dingwall as $287.00 and the Dingwall Brothers owed $290.33. Then in January 20, 1928 the William Dingwall Company was assessed $1,575.30 

Duncan was the first president of the Drummond Commercial Club when it was organized in 1912. Duncan married Lodema Tinklepaugh and they had son Earl D. He became an assistant to his father in the merchandising business a year before Duncan died from the effects of Bright’s Disease on November 9, 1919, at the age of 72. Survivors beside wife, son and brother of New Chicago, were brother Ewen of Lancaster, Ontario and an un-named sister at the same local. Internment was in the Valley cemetery. 

William took an active interest in republican politics and was elected Granite County Commissioner in 1908. He was chairman of the Board when the Granite County Court House was built in 1912 and was one of the organizers and stockholders in the First State Bank in Philipsburg and the Deer Lodge Bank and Trust Company in Deer Lodge. He died on the ranch where he had lived for the past 58 years on July 16, 1929, at the age of 84, after a short illness. His funeral was held at the family residence. Internment was in the Valley cemetery. Survivors were wife Catherine (Kate Price) and children: Leona, John, William and James. 

 None of the children married, but they took Jack Nelson under their wing. Jack inherited the asset after helping them run the Dingwall ranch, until their deaths.

Civil War Patriots in Granite County

                             Patriot Son of America and Grand Army of the Republic members 

                     standing in front of first courthouse in 1892 from the Fan Harrington Collection

The history of patriotism in Montana is well documented. Prior to immigration to Montana a large portion of the population was involved in the Civil War. This is apparent in the disagreement over the name of the first territorial capital. Varina was the name chosen by some of the Confederate sympathizer’s among the miners; even though they were far removed from the battlefields of the Civil War these men were, for the most part, intensely interested in the conflict and had definite allegiances. Jefferson Davis being as much a hero to those whose sympathies were with the south as Abraham Lincoln was to the others, it occurred to the town company to name the new camp after Davis’s wife. The papers were presented to Dr. Bissell (Giles Gaylord Bissell of Connecticut had been named Judge on June 12, 1863), whose sympathies were just as strong for the northern cause. According to the Bissell family legend, the doctor struck his makeshift desk and exclaimed, “I’ll be damned if I’ll sign it that way”. Crossing out Varina he substituted Virginia, allegedly with the further remark that “…no such blot as this shall stain the honor of the camp.” 

Other definite feelings, regarding the beliefs of the north and south, were apparent in the Montana Territorial Assembly of 1872. Section 34 stated: "The education of children of African descent shall be provided for in separate schools…” Plus the Montana Legislature passed, without comment the following law: “Every white male inhabitant over the age of twenty one years, who shall have paid or be liable to pay any district tax, shall be a legal voter at any school meeting, and no other person shall be allowed to vote.” The interesting fact is, individual opinion was allowed to be held, while the hardy individuals worked for the common good, of the land they were settling. 

Tombstones in the Philipsburg Cemetery, Valley Cemetery and newspaper obituaries, attest to the presence of military men living in Granite County, who served in the early military and Civil War and the attached picture, although names are not included portray 41 men who were either Patriotic Sons of America or Grand Army of the Republic members. Although hard to read I believe the date on the picture is 1892. The picture was taken in front of the first Granite County Court House. 

In my years of research I have been able to identify 30 men who may be in the attached picture. They are: John Jeffrey (__-1890), John Hart Williams (1842-1913), Rev. George Jenkins (1836-1901), J.K. Pardee (1842-1914), Albert Tinklepaugh (1845-1920), Lawrence Pence 1840-1916), L.C. Degenhart (1843-1922), Robert Anderson (1845-1928), John A. Periman (1845-1929), Francis Thomas (1833-1921), Joseph Case (1846-1930), Eilisee E. Thibault (__-1920), J.H. Loomis (1840-1914), Elijah Powell (1845-1899), John A. Spencer(1844-1921), Norman A. Eddy (1848-1917), John Hendrickson Sr. (__-1901), Thomas Long (1839-1917), Rodney Charles (1843-1917), L.A. Matthews (__-__), Paul A. Fusz (1847-1910), Charles Weitfle (1826-1921), William Irvine (1842-1901), T.R. Hess (1844-1926), F.D. “Sandbar” Brown (1845-1931), Henry “Hank” Snyder (1850-1928), George Terrell (__-1895), Samuel Sprague (1835-1899), Bernard Dougherty (1848-1916) and John Buhler (__-__). 

One thing is certain, without these men of staunch character and unfailing Mettle, Granite county would not have been what it was and their descendants have contributed to what it now is with continued undying patriotism.

Flint Creek Falls and Georgetown Dam

 

The fertile meadows would not be in this valley if it wasn’t for the creeks that flowed into Flint Creek and part of that water source is from the Georgetown area. First known as Georgetown Flats and then known as the mining camp of Georgetown, the area was flooded when the Flint Creek Dam was built by The Montana Water, Electric Power and Mining Company. The company was owned by Paul Fusz et al, at the time the dam was completed. They bought out the previous owners and incorporated in May of 1899 with principal stockholders being: Paul A. Fusz, M. Rumsey, C. Jagels and L.M. Rumsey. These same persons were large stockholders in the Granite Bi-Metallic Consolidated Mining Company. The work of utilizing the water of Flint Creek was originally commenced in 1891. The expected outcome was to form a reservoir that would hold millions of cubic feet of water. At that time a crew of over 200 men were employed on the ditch and flume. The dam was built of solid masonry and was started at bedrock then extended from rim to rim of the canyon. A crew of fifty carpenters was hired at the town of Bonner in October 1899 to frame timbers for the Power House. The October 13, 1899 Mail, detailed the following: 

“The company is confident that it can depend upon about 3,000 inches of water for use from the Georgetown flats to the falls. To utilize this a covered plank flume nearly 6,600 feet long has been constructed. The flume is three and one-half by four feet in the clear and there are two tunnels, one 350 feet long and the other 700 feet. At the end of the flume is a penstock or tank with a capacity of 35,000 gallons, to be built. From the penstock a pipe 38 inches in diameter and about 1,500 feet in length will extend down mountainside to the power house. The penstock will be about 200 feet higher than the power house…[the fall of water is expected to create energy equal to about 2,500 horsepower]. Pelton water wheels …are high pressure and capable of a like number of generators. The power will be transmitted to the mill of the Granite Bi-Metallic Consolidated Company a distance of seven miles, over heavy copper wires and will be put into use by means of an electric motor at the mill. The site of the power station is a short distance below the Flint Creek falls and is almost perfect for the purpose…the company expects to have power generated by next February. The contract for lumber to be used in the construction of the powerhouse has been awarded and the electrical machinery is now being built by the Westinghouse Company. A large shipment of insulators has already arrived at the depot and the work of setting the poles will be commenced at once and be completed before the frost will interfere. The heavy copper wires which are to convey the powerful electric current will also be strung before snow falls and most of the outdoor work will be completed before the first of the year…Ultimately the electricity generated at Flint Creek falls will be utilized in the operation of the company mines at Granite and in lighting that town.” 

The dream became reality when power was finally generated in 1901. Remnants of the flume are still visible along the walls of the Flint Creek gorge and this little power plant furnished the Company and the local area well. Although a money pit, an upgraded plant continues to provide power. 

There were at least four ranches on Georgetown Flats before the dam was built. The Pullar Brother’s, Ike and John Sanders and W.T. Hull were relocated to Upper Rock Creek, apparently by Paul Fusz obtaining the Rock Creek ranch sites and consummating a trade. Also located on the southeast side was the remains of the Thomas Stuart Mill, built in 1873 and 1874 by Stuart and O.B. Whitford. The milling venture was said to be a loss to the men of at least $25,000 as their mine failed to yield high grade ore. This area is now known as the Stuart Bay. Thomas was the younger brother of James and Granville Stuart. The mill, built without any nails was still partially standing in 1924.

                               Thomas Stuart Mill Remains from The Circle Banner article in 1924

Reminiscing about the Philipsburg Women's Club Camping on Rock Creek

                Philipsburg Women's Club on Rock Creek 1904 from Fan Harrington Collection
 

 As I have stated earlier, I was graced with a large box of pictures and memorabilia from historian Fan Titus McKenzie Harrington, last year. In this box are a number of notes jotted down by Fan on the back of printed papers. I understand this frugality as I know how hard writing paper was to come by when I was a child and I continue to save every sheet of paper I receive, that has a blank side. This is used for all my research notes and thoughts. Fan was Chairman of the Granite County Seal Sale for the 48th Annual Christmas Sale to promote The Montana Tuberculosis Society in November, 1954. The paper had the TBA letterhead and stated: 

“Dear Granite County Citizens: Holiday Greetings. The season which brings out our best feelings of friendliness and unselfishness is again with us. Once again we appeal to you to continue your help in the Annual Christmas Seal Sale. Tuberculosis is no respecter of age, or race or creed. Here in Granite County this year, at a cost of $565.82 in Christmas Seal Funds, 1,718 people or 79 percent of our x-ray-able population were given tests by the x-ray mobile unit. Early discovery of Tuberculosis is the least expensive time [?type] of treatment. Therefore, less tax money is needed to operate the State Tuberculosis Sanitarium, The State Board of Health, Welfare and Rehabilitation Departments, if Tuberculosis is discovered and treated in the early stages. The enclosed seals are $1.00 a sheet. Please buy what you can. To those that help, we say, “Thank You.” Sincerely Yours; Mrs. Fan Harrington, Seal Sale Chairman, Granite County."

On the blank back side of three of these letters Fan jotted down in a somewhat rambling style the following:

“ some people, I am one of them, seem just to never know when to leave well enough alone. According to Hawthorne’s poem which begins- The dark and melancholy days are here- the saddest of the year this is the time to abandon hope while sitting down to await a long hard winter -but what does this optimistic elderly person do but let her mind wander back to the years where November meant an old-timer’s party with the Woman’s Club of Philipsburg acting as sponsors. Picture me there, as spending much of my time this last week looking over stacks of pictures many of them photographs of people I knew long ago. Some are snapshots which remind me of the occasions on which they were taken- Seeing pictures of a camp on Rock Creek just above the Wyman ranch was a source of joy for nearly sixty years to members of the group who as young people camped there each summer for several years. Today as one of the very few remaining members of this party I remember many of the details of those happy times. Every day the young men and boys cut and dragged in wood for the evening camp fire which blazed away far into the night as the voices of the group and visitors sang one old song after another. There was story telling also - many of them about the big one that got away for fishing was very good back in the good old days. The family of an English Clergyman camped down on Stony Creek one year and almost every evening they came to visit at out camp. Now it happened that one young man who came from out of town brought, what he thought would be a treat for all of us, a case of queen gage plums. They were so hard and so green that no one could eat them. How the boys did delight in passing baskets of plums to the English guests, who were too polite to refuse them and who strove mightily to eat and not show the facial expressions of their distaste from this bitter fruit.” 

The writing continues on into another string of thoughts I will share later. Because this was written in pencil and has many crossed out and re-worked sentences it takes some time to decipher. Fortunately this treasure trove of memories was placed in a cardboard box and put in a dark closet many years ago, so the paper and writing are still in remarkable good shape. I can only hope that by the time I get to the bottom of the box I will find notes jotted down on family histories I have been told she made while interviewing old timers.

The Wickberg's of The Lower Valley

Walter Wickberg, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Wickberg of Maxville was home on a furlough from the Navy, the first week of November 1918. Walter came to Maxville direct from Newport, Virginia where he had an assignment on one of the merchant ships. Previous to this assignment, he was twice across the pond on a convoy vessel. He said that on the first trip to France they sighted two submarines and destroyed both. On the second trip one more submarine was added to their success. Walter had enlisted one year ago last June and according to his appearance the Navy was agreeing with him. He had only fifteen days on furlough and had returned to Newport by the publication of the November 8th Mail. 

Walter’s parents, Louis and Sofia Wickberg bought the Jake Franzman ranch in 1902. Prior to moving to the valley the Wickberg’s had lived in Princeton. Many of the homes in Princeton were built by Louis Wickberg according to the Montana Standard July 5, 1976. They then moved to Helena where Louis worked at the Smelter until 1902. 

Louis was found dead at the Snow Cap mine on February 14, 1944. The mine was located about six miles east of Gird Creek at Stone. Walter Wickberg found his father and told the authorities he had accompanied his father to the mine to do some prospecting and development work. Louis went into the cabin to start a fire while Walter walked to the mine to inspect it. When Walter returned he found his father dead on the cabin floor. Coroner Wilson and Sheriff Bryan Hynes said the death was due to a coronary embolism and there would be no inquest. 

Louis was born in Sweden on May 10, 1862. At the age of 21 he immigrated to the United States and came directly to Montana. After working on a ranch and the smelter in East Helena, he left for a short time for Iowa where he operated a ranch. In 1889 he returned to East Helena and married Miss Sophia Lundgren. According to the obituary Louis and his wife moved to the Maxville area fifty two years before the time of his death (1892). Sophia died in Maxville in 1925. Louis’s life was spent in agricultural operations, mining and prospecting. Survivors were: sons: Walter and wife (Marie) of Maxville and Ryan and wife (Margaret) of Philipsburg; plus six grandchildren: Floyd, Mary and Dorothy of Maxville and Mildred, Marian (Tony) and Patricia Wickberg of Philipsburg. Louis was interred in the Philipsburg cemetery next to Sophia in Block 6, Lot 30 grave 3. 

Walter Wickberg (1895-1975) married Mary Johnson (1898-1983) the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Iver Johnson in Missoula September 4, 1923. Both families were residents of Maxville. Marie is buried next to her husband Walter in the Philipsburg cemetery. Ryan and Walter’s family are all buried in Block 7, Lot 28, graves 2,4,5,6,and 7. 

Marie and Walter’s daughter Marie Sigrid Wickberg was born February 1, 1926 at the family ranch near Stone Station (14 miles north of Philipsburg). She grew up with her siblings Floyd and Dorothy and attended school in Philipsburg. After high school Marie attended Everett Business School in Washington state during WWII. Immediately after the war she married child hood sweetheart Allen “Scotty” Morrison. To this marriage was born Gary (1946) Larry (1950) Russell (1954) and Jeannette (1957). Marie worked for 25 years as the Granite County Clerk and Recorder. She moved to Missoula to live in the Village during her last years and died December 8, 2011. Survivors were: brother Floyd of Missoula; sons: Gary of Alaska, Larry of Washington, Russell of Maxville and daughter Jeannette of Missoula and their spouses; 8 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. 

Margaret Durfee (1906-1986) married Ryan Wickberg (1898-1977) on February 20, 1926. She was a teacher at Stone at that time. Their infant son named Ryan died of pneumonia and was “several days old”(February 21-March 10) according to the March 18, 1931 Philipsburg Mail.. They had three other children: Marion (Tony) (1928-2015), Mildred (1927- 1973) and Patricia (1930- ). Margaret and Ryan are buried in the Philipsburg cemetery. 

Louis and Sophia’s descendants from the Morrison family continued the family residence in Granite county. Marian known as Tony lived his entire life there except for his military service in the Army. Neither Floyd (who lived in Missoula) or Tony had children so they were the end of the Wickberg name in Granite county. 

Patricia married Cart Hamilton on April 9, 1950 in Philipsburg. They had two children: Judy (1952) and Dan (1956) before they moved to Missoula in 1962.    

Mildred married Ted Sauer and had two children: Bob Sauer and Margorie (Feback)..

The Durfee Name

The First Durfee to arrive in Granite County was Francis M. Durfee. He was born in New York, relocated to Colorado in 1861 and in 1864 arrived in Alder Gulch. His exact date of arrival to Granite county is not certain but persons attempting to take over claims of Francis are posted in the Montana Post on February 12, 1869 leading me to believe he may have left Alder Gulch before then. Newspaper articles have him prospecting near Clancy in September 1873 and according to the Helena Weekly, November 29, 1877, “F.M. Durfee. who furnishes lumber to the Philippsburgites, was in the city today. Mr. Durfee will leave for the West Side tomorrow.”(Note the correct spelling of Philippsburg.) 

 It is known that a Durfee (usually spoken of as a Judge) brought Annie Morgan to Granite county to care for an uncle with a drinking problem, and located them in a cabin on Rock Creek.. The story goes that Durfee had met Annie during travels between Fort Benton and Alder Gulch, but the dates are not certain. We know that Francis’ brother David who did become a judge arrived in Montana after he completed Law school and passed his Bar Exam, in 1882. He was elected Deer Lodge County Attorney in 1886 and served two years. Then he was elected the First Judge of Deer Lodge County in 1889 and served three years. It was not until 1897 that David was elected Judge for Granite county and then became Attorney for Granite county in 1900. He was also elected Mayor of Philipsburg in 1901. David’s election history was full of wins and losses. Losses for county attorney: 1904, 1908, 1920, 1938; Wins for County Attorney: 1906, 1910 through 1918, 1922 through 1936. 

Francis was very involved in mining and was often mentioned in the newspapers because of law suits over mine shares, such as the Sunrise Mine during 1894 and 1985 when McLure and Sherman were in a dispute about 95,000 shares that McLure, representing Combination Mining Company gave Sherman two $2,000 checks for and Sherman refused to present them to a bank for collection. The Montana Circuit Court refused the injunction against Sherman so he continued to hold his stock. Francis was a Trustee for Sunrise and was elected president according to the January 25, 1894 Philipsburg Mail. 

Francis had returned to Lorain County, Ohio in February 1882 to marry Miss Eve Eliza Rohrbaugh and the newly weds returned to Granite county where Francis set up ranching west of Philipsburg. To this marriage was born three children: Marion (1882- 1980), Ruby (1887-1904) and Leonard (12,1888 – 8,1889). 

The 1900 Federal Census shows the family living in South Philipsburg on Brown Street. They must have moved to town while still ranching as Francis was at the ranch dismantling a scaffold used to stack hay on July 31, 1901 when the “…framework refused to yield. Mr. Durfee then went on top and was in the act of loosening some braces when the affair collapsed. Mr. Durfee falling with the timbers, which stood thirty feet high….(he) suffered internal injuries and made his last will and testament before 4 o’clock when he passed away.” Mrs. Durfee and son Marion were at the bedside but Miss Ruby was in Anaconda and did not reach the bedside before his passing. Francis was 61 years, 10 months and 13 days of age and after a large funeral was buried in the Philipsburg cemetery. 

 Ruby became ill with tubercular meningitis in October and succumbed from the disease on October 28, 1904. Mother Eve, suffered severe grief over the loss of her husband and then her daughter and after contracting a severe cold never became well again. She died on March 3, 1907. She was a member of the Eastern Star and had become Worthy Matron in December, but was never well enough to attend to her duties. Survivors were son: Marion and brother and sister- in- law Judge David and Elizabeth Durfee. 

Marion married Myrtle Archmire from a local ranching family that was involved in the dairy business. David, either took over Francis’ Ranch or had his own beside Francis as token’s have been found on the Vietor ranch stating “Good one quart of milk E D Durfee”. Since there was no one named Ed this must have meant Elizabeth and David Durfee and given out during the time when the area was trying to become a dairy producing enterprise. 

                                      David Durfee Campaign photo in his Law Office 1936

David’s first wife Emelie did in 1902 and he then married Elizabeth Kelly who died in 1938. After David long career as Judge and County Attorney, he continued to practice law until he became ill in 1941. He died at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane on April 28, 1942.

On a Pleasure Trip To The Fair: The John D. McDonald's

John D. McDonald and his wife planned a trip in 1909 to the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition that was held in Seattle from June 1, 1909 to October 16, 1909. This was a World’s Fair publicizing the development of the Pacific Northwest. They made plans to stop over on Spokane to visit old time friends ( The Mangler’s) and that placed them as passengers on an ill fated train on July 31 at approximately 4:45pm that was hit head on near Caldwell, Idaho (small station about twenty-five miles east of Spokane). 

The accident occurred on the Coeur d’ Alene and Spokane Electric Railroad. Both of the trains were filled with tourists and others who had come to register for the Indian Land Opening. This Land Opening was occurring from July 15 to August 5 and the interested parties had only 22 days to register their desires. Of interest, is that the Coeur d’ Alene Land Office received 286,848 applications for 4,160 available claims. This exceeded the famous Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889. 

The Spokane & Inland Empire Railroad Company that began in 1906, was an alliance of small, local interurban railroads linking Spokane and surrounding communities with Coeur d’ Alene. This interurban railroads usually had three or more cars coupled together. The cars had platforms in the front and rear with seating in the center section. These platforms were standing room only and no restrictions were placed on how many persons were allowed to board the cars. The Company was transporting 6,000 to 10,000 people a day on these trains to the land rush. Among the casualties were people from every state in the Union. The stated cause of the accident was that the motorman of the west bound train had orders from the dispatcher to pull out at Coeur d’ Alene and take a siding about three quarters of a mile down the track to let the regular east bound train pass. He passed the siding either because he missed it or thought he could make it to the next siding about another mile down the track. The motorman stated he understood he was to meet the other train about five miles from where the accident occurred. 

The motormen caught sight of each other when the trains were 800 feet apart, too late to prevent a collision. Train No.20 came to a complete stop in 200 feet and people in the lead car began jumping off the train. Train No. 5 attempted to stop but being so heavily overloaded they ran into the other train still traveling about 20 miles an hour. The impact telescoped the two lead cars into each other. This immediately killed 12 people and maimed more than 100 others. The final death count in the Spokane paper was 16 persons listed as dead and these names included Mr. A.B. McDonald and Mrs. A.B. McDonald of Drummond, Montana. 

By August 4th the McDonald’s had been correctly identified as J.D. and their bodies returned to Drummond. Their funeral took place the next day. “Mrs. McDonald’s breast was pierced by a large splinter and she probably never knew what happened.” stated the August 6th Mail article. Survivors were: Daughters Flo McDonald and Mrs. Frank M. Morse of Drummond; Mrs. McDonald’s brothers: M. Wylie of Drummond and I.H. Wylie of Hamilton and Alex McDonald of Butte was J.D.’s brother. 

They are buried in the Valley View cemetery under the names of John D. McDonald and Mrs. John D. McDonald. Who knows her first name? This is what I know about them. They were born and reared in Bruce County, Ontario and after marriage moved to Duluth and lived there eight years. Sometime after arriving in Montana, J.D became employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad: first at Bonita, then Bearmouth and lastly Drummond. The earliest news article was July 6th 1893 where John was one of the delegates elected to represent the Flint Creek District at the Helena Silver Convention. In 1894, he had unclaimed letters advertised in the Philipsburg Mail in August and in December he was one of the “old timers” that arrived in Granite the week of the 13th. In 1897, he came down from Gold Coin and stayed with his cousin Murdock for a few days and was able to find employment at the Sunrise in July. In December, 1899, he received a telegram regarding the death of a brother in Canada. By 1901 John was very active in “The Order of Washington” and performed as Floor Manager in their Grand Ball February, 22 at the Firemen’s Hall. He was installed as the Porter in the Home Forum Lodge #1884 on January 11th and installed as Sentinel in Union #65 on July 3rd.

Wiped From The Face of The Earth

                                       Pencil Drawing by Unknown artist of the Algonquin Mill

One hundred and twenty two years ago, the January 6, 1899 Philipsburg Mail headlined the following story: “With the closing hours of the old year disappeared one of the oldest and most prominent landmarks of Granite county. About 8 o’clock last Saturday evening the Algonquin mill and holding works at Hasmark were discovered to be on fire and within a short space of time the entire plant was reduced to ashes and nothing remained but the stone walls and a heap of ruined machinery. The blaze was seen a long distance and the mountains for several miles were lit up as bright as day. The night was comparatively dark, but fences and buildings across the valley were almost as plainly discernable as in bright daylight. The heat around the burning buildings was intense as the woodwork was very dry and burned like tinder. Live trees some distance up the mountain side caught fire from the heat, but they ceased to burn after the fiery element had ended its furious spectacle of destruction at the works. The property was owned by the Hope Mining Company and is a total loss, with no insurance. The Algonquin Mill and hoisting works were built during the fall and winter of 1879-1880, and the mill was first started up in February 1880. Mr. John Ainsley being master mechanic and chief engineer. It originally consisted of 20 stamps, dry crushing; six amalgamating pans, three settlers, and one revolving cylinder roaster, and had an engine of 150 horse power. The machinery was constructed in Ohio by Griffith & Wedge, and when started the Algonquin was the model mill in Montana. The cost of the mill was about $82,000 and the hoisting works about $15,000, as everything had to be freighted in and wages were high at that time. About 85 men were employed by the Company, which was originally organized in 1875. The officers of the company at the time the works were built were: H.A. stiles, President: J.H. Williams, Vice President: J.K. Pardee, Superintendent and General Manager: H. S. Showers, Assistant Superintendent. Mr. Hopkins was foreman of the mill and H.K. Fairgrieve the bookkeeper. About 32,000 tons of ore were crushed during the year 1880 and the mill was kept running at intervals until December, 1883, when it closed down. During the year 1892, Mr. John McKechney, then operating the Puritan mine, procured possession of the property and set about putting it in thorough repair. The shaft house was partitioned off for living rooms and office and equipped with steam heat and electric lights. Some new machinery was added, including a small engine and dynamo. When the panic over-took the country in 1893 the Algonquin mill together with the Puritan were among the Granite county enterprises that suspended operations and since that time the property has remained closed down. About two years ago it was sold under execution and the ownership passed to the Hope Mining Company. Just how the fire started is not known, but it was first discovered in the hoist, which was about ten feet distant from the mill and there being no water about the premises the entire plant was soon a roaring furnace. It is about the cleanest wreck ever seen--every particle of wood was consumed by the fire and nothing but ashes and iron remain. The shaft has caved in and for several days after the conflagration smoke was seem issuing from the pit. The town of Hasmark seems deserted since the disappearance of the works, but the old residents who never have lost confidence in the future of their camp feel that while the fire has played serious havoc some time in the near future a custom smelter will adorn the site formerly occupied by the Algonquin and the new ores from the many promising mines around Hasmark will be successfully treated at home.”