Today's Headlines - Tomorrow's History

It is the end of 2011 and all of the news media are focusing on the top stories of 2011.  Natural disasters like the floods that hit Roundup and the Hardin area were noteworthy, and many sources name the medical marijuana issue as the top story of the year. In my opinion, the story that will be most remembered will be the decision of a Montana judge to grant a new trial to convicted murderer Barry Beach.  Beach was convicted of the brutal murder of a female classmate in Poplar in 1979.  The judge decided that there was sufficient evidence to grant a new trial and Beach was released on his own recognisance pending that trial.  Prosecutors are appealing to the Montana Supreme Court to overturn the judges decision and return Beach to prison but in the meantime he is enjoying his freedom awaiting the trial that he hopes will end with a different verdict.  While it must be a terrible time for the family of the victim, it will be one for the history books. We will all be watching to see how our justice system resolves this case.

Some thoughts on the vigilantes

Have you ever read a historical account of something and wondered- how can this be?  That is what I experience every time I come across another book or paper or article about the vigilantes in Virginia City and Bannack during the winter of 1863-64.  I know that most historians agree that the men who were executed or banished by the vigilantes got what they deserved, but there has always been some doubt in the back of my mind about the actions of the self-appointed justice system that prevailed at that time.

• Many accounts of the road agents and vigilantes mention that more than 102 people had been murdered by the road agents during their "reign of terror".  Who were all of these people?  I have never seen any lists of the victims of the road agents.  How did historians arrive at this number?
• How is it possible for twenty-one or more violent, dishonest people to organize into a cohesive group? Why would these men trust each other?  The expression, "there is no honor among thieves" comes to mind.
• It seems that the organization of the so called road agents, with secret handshakes and code words seems more like the characteristics of the vigilantes, who were reputed to be largely Masons, than those of a bunch of rough, uneducated cutthroats. 
• I find the hanging of Henry Plummer, the sheriff at Bannack, most disturbing.  The damning evidence against him was that he was allegedly named as the leader of the road agents by a man facing his own execution.  The only men who were witness to this revelation were the men who were out to clean up the area. The condemned man reported listed all of the other road agents, conveniently giving the men a list for their killing spree.
• According to one account, Plummer was suspected of criminal activities as early as late November, 1863 when he was identified by a young man who was accosted by some road agents. He claimed that he recognized Plummer by the red lining of his coat. The incident took place after dark, making it nearly impossible to distinguish colors. 
• Historians have justified the work of the vigilantes by implying that there was no other law enforcement or courts, other than the miners courts set up by the miners to resolve mining claim disputes.  That is not completely correct.  Sidney Edgerton, who later became the first territorial governor of Montana, held the position of Chief Justice of the Idaho Territory during that winter. It would seem that had he chosen to, he would have had authority to try anyone charged with a crime.

I am certainly not the only one who has reservations about the accepted accounts of the actions of the vigilantes and road agents. R.E. Mather and F.E. Boswell wrote two books, Hanging the Sheriff and Vigilante Victims that address the possibility that there a another side to the story.

Montana History For Kids

Montana history is not just for those of us old enough to remember some of the good old days.  There are plenty of exciting stories that would appeal to the younger generation of Montanans.  A good starting place for getting those kids and grand kids interested in Montana history is a website http://montanakids.com/  It has all sorts of interesting Montana stuff geared for the younger set.  Truth is, the stuff there is interesting for just about any age.  I liked the link to Montana Ghost Towns that has stories about the buildings that line Alder Gulch in Virginia City.The upcoming holiday school vacation would be a great time to start planning for next summer's vacation, taking in some of the historical spots listed on the site.

Christmastime in Montana

I just finished reading Christmastime in Montana.  It is a collection of stories compiled by Dave Walter and published in 2003 by the Montana Historical Society Press.  I will admit that I skipped over some of the entries, community Christmas Trees and such are probably more interesting to the community involved. The book  is arranged in chronological order, from before Montana was Montana, to the time of publication. It shows how Montana celebrated Christmas through the good years and bad.  It tells of simple pleasures and feasts one would hardly expect to find in Montana.  It also speaks to the darker side of the holiday season, with tales of lonely suicides in the mining camps.

I particularly enjoyed the section that told how Martha Edgerton Plassmann remembered her first Christmas in Bannack and how disappointed she was not to have received a book for Christmas.  Another favorite was the description of how Christmas is celebrated in a Hutterite Colony. The accounts of  holiday celebrations during the war years and the Spanish Influenza epidemic were also noteworthy.

What do you think was the most interesting event in Montana history?

For the past couple of weeks, my husband and I have been discussing what we thought were the most interesting events in Montana history.  We both agreed that the discovery of gold, the arrival of the railroads and the activities of the vigilantes both in the gold camps and later in central Montana were all interesting, but I have been wondering what others would include in that list.  So how about it, what do you think is the most interesting event in Montana history.  Please respond in the comment section.  I will share the results.

Helena as She Was

Once again I would like to share a great resource that I stumbled upon quite by accident.  It is a website called "Helena as She Was- Your Helena Montana History Wiki". There are numerous photos and postings, that are well organized.  The URL is http://www.helenahistory.org/index.htm  

Broadwater Hotel and Natatorium
Post Card from "Helena as She Was" website

This is just one of many of the pictures from the website.  The are sections covering the Capitol Building, Theaters, Hospitals, the Helena Earthquakes and many more.  I encourage anyone interested in the colorful history of our state capital, to check this one out.



Montana's Territorial Governors

From May 26, 1864 when Montana became a territory, to November 8, 1889 when it became a state, Montana had nine territorial governors as well as three acting territorial governors.  Territorial governors were appointed by the President of the United States, and as presidential appointees, had to be approved by Congress.  Here are interesting facts about Montana's territorial governors:





Sidney Edgerton


• Sidney Edgerton, Montana's first Territorial Governor was appointed by Abraham Lincoln.  His governor's residence was a one room house in Bannack, which was the first territorial capitol. Prior to his appointment he had been a teacher, lawyer, judge, sharpshooter in the Civil War and Congressman from the state of Ohio.  He came west to fill his role as First Chief Justice of the Idaho Territorial Court. 



Green Clay Smith

• Green Clay Smith, who was appointed by Andrew Johnson, later ran for President of the United States on the Prohibition Ticket. At the time of his death he was the pastor of a Baptist Church in Washington D.C.



Thomas Francis Meagher

• Thomas Francis Meagher filled in twice as Acting Territorial Governor. Probably one of the most well known of the Montana Territorial Governors, he died under mysterious circumstances, falling off of a steamboat into the Missouri River at Fort Benton. His statue stands in front of the Montana Capitol Building in Helena.




Samuel Hauser


• It wasn't until 1885, that a territorial resident, was appointed as governor.  All of the earlier appointees had to travel to the territory to fulfill their office duties. Samuel Hauser, appointed by President Grover Cleveland, held this distinction.



Preston Hopkins Leslie

• Preston Hopkins Leslie had served as Governor of Kentucky before he was appointed to be Montana's eighth territorial governor.
• Five of the Montana's territorial governors and acting territorial governors finished out their lives in Montana.  Three of them, Potts, Leslie and Hauser are buried in Forestvale Cemetery in Helena.  Benjamin White is buried in Dillon, the town that he founded and Thomas Francis Meagher's Meagher's body was never recovered from the Missouri River.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Montana History Enthusiasts

I am one of the few people that does not look forward to Black Friday. While I realize that in this economy it is important to make your dollars go as far as they can, I just can't embrace the idea of a shopping frenzy the day after Thanksgiving. For those of you like me, who like to do their shopping at a more leisurely pace I have some suggestions for the Montana History enthusiasts on your list.

The Montana Historical Society offers a good selection of books and other history related gifts, that would be good for family, friends, teachers or gift exchange gifts. Here are some of my favorites:

• Books, those published by the Montana Historical Society Press as well as others. I am proud to say that my book, Montana Disasters: Fires, Floods and Other Catastrophes, is available both in the online catalog, as well as the gift shop at the Montana Historical Society Museum in Helena.
• Montana Historical Society 2012 Calendar. Most of us use our computers and phones as calendars, but this one has photos from the archives. It is more than a calendar it is office decor.
• Vintage Postcards from Montana and several Montana Cities. These would make a great gift exchange gift since they priced within the limits of many exchanges.
• DVDs One of my favorites is Evelyn Cameron: Pictures from a Worthy Life
• Bookmarks and other Stocking Stuffers

To access the Montana Historical Society Online Catalog go to https://app.mt.gov/store/cart?storeID=mhsonline

If you are in Helena, the Museum Gift Shop is located at 225 North Roberts The hours are available at their website http://mhs.mt.gov/

Thanksgiving, Bannack, 1863

Thanksgiving, 1863 was a notable day for some of the citizens of Bannack.  At the boarding house of his sister-in-law, Martha Vail, Henry Plummer hosted the first turkey dinner ever in the mining camp.  A turkey, delivered at the considerable expense of $40, had arrived from Salt Lake City. It was a feast with vegetables and the first butter that some of them had seen since they left the states for the west.

Among the guests were the family of Sidney Edgerton, who would in a few months become the first territorial governor of Montana.  His nephew, Wilber Fisk Sanders, and his family were also guests.  Sanders, too, made a name for himself in the pages of Montana history.  The host, Henry Plummer, did not fare so well.  Within less than six weeks of that famous Thanksgiving dinner, Henry Plummer was hanged by Vigilantes, allegedly for his leadership in a band of road agents.  It is ironic that some of those responsible for his fate were his guests for Thanksgiving dinner.

Cat-Griz Foot Ball Game "The Brawl of the Wild"

Divide Trophy, source Photobucket, Greg Rachac



While I really enjoy watching football, I am not enough of a fan to tough it out at the stadium to watch the 111th Brawl of the Wild, as the MSU Bobcat -UofM Grizzly Game is known.  Kick-off is in just a few minutes and fans and players will have to endure freezing temperatures to see who will possess the Divide Trophy for the next year.

This year the game is particularly important because of the ranking of the two teams, #1Bobcats, #7 Grizzlies. 

The football rivalry between the two schools, began on November 26, 1897 in Bozeman, but it couldn't have been the Cats-Griz rivalry in the old days because originally MSU was the Montana State College of Agriculture and the team was known as the "Aggies".  I don't know when the name changes took place but the one thing that has prevailed over all the years is the fierce rivalry between the two schools.  It is hard to find someone who has lived in Montana for very long, that doesn't have a Bobcat or Grizzly preference.  I wish both teams well, and for those of us enjoying the game in warmth of our homes as well as the loyal fans in the stands, it will be game for the history books.

Chico Hot Springs

The howling winds and the prediction of a snow storm moving in tonight makes me want to leave my desk behind and head to Chico Hot Springs to soak away my aches and pains and forget about the fact that winter seems to be here.  Not only is "Chico" the favorite hangout for relaxing in the hot water, it is a great historical site for those of us who like to mix in a little history with our recreation.  (It doesn't hurt that there is great food available.)

For more information about the history of Chico Hot Springs and to find out about the food and accomodations available visit their website: http://www.chicohotsprings.com/history.html

Chico Hot Springs was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, nearly one hundred years after the hot springs hotel was built.  It's history goes back even further. 

Text of the National Register of Historic Places sign at Chico:

Chico Hot Springs (#1 Chico Road)

Generous verandas, period furnishings, and healing waters invite the visitor to experience turn-of-the-century hospitality under the shadow of Emigrant Peak. The hot springs, long appreciated by native peoples, got their commercial start during the territorial period when miners stopped by to bathe and “wash their duds.” In 1876, an inventive settler tapped into the 112 degree water, piping it under his greenhouse to grow vegetables for local residents. A hotel was planned in the 1880s, but in 1892, there were still no facilities and families camped nearby to enjoy the springs. Percie and Bill Knowles inherited the property in 1894. They ran a boardinghouse for miners and, in 1900, built the long-awaited hot springs hotel. Under Knowles’ active promotion, uniformed drivers ferried such guests as Teddy Roosevelt and artist Charlie Russell from the Emigrant depot to the springs. When Bill Knowles died in 1910, Percie and her son Radbourne transformed the luxurious hotel into a respected medical facility. Dr. George A. Townsend joined the staff in 1912 and under his direction, the hospital and healing waters gained renown throughout the northwest. After the 1940s, new owners and new directions included gambling and dude ranching. In 1976, Mike and Eve Art began recapturing the once-famous hotel’s turn-of the-century ambiance. Chico Hot Springs, with its Georgian-inspired architecture and warm Craftsman style interiors, is one of Montana’s best preserved examples of an early-twentieth-century hot springs hotel and health resort.

The Yellowstone Gateway Museum, Bill and Doris Whithorn Collection Online Database http://yellowstone.pastperfect-online.com/00052cgi/mweb.exe?request=ks
has several historic photos of Chico Hot Springs.

A Couple of Resources to Share

This afternoon I was doing some research for the book I am working on and it occurred to me that I should share some of the wonderful resources I was able to access on line. One of them is the Montana Memory Project. If you have never visited that site, you have been missing a great online experience. I was able to search complete texts of several county history books as well as enjoying many photo collections. To get to the home page of the Montana Memory project go to http://www.mtmemory.org/


The other site that I used (for the very first time) is the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. I was looking for background information for one of the locales in my book and my search led me to this site.  It is worth checking out if you are like me, fascinated with place names. http://geonames.usgs.gov/

Veterans Day - Remembering Two Montana Veterans

Today is Veteran’s Day, a day to honor the men and women who have served our country. I think we sometimes forget that it is more than an excuse for a three day weekend, or the Veteran’s day sales we see advertised in newspapers and on the television.

Montana is proud of her Veterans, with Veterans Memorials in many locations. The airport in Three Forks is named for Col. Dean Andrew Pogreba, who grew up in Three Forks, graduated from High School in 1940 and enlisted in the Air Force after graduation. He flew in World War II, the Korean Conflict and was shot down over Vietnam on October 5, 1965. He was a highly decorated pilot who flew more than a hundred missions and Three Forks has never forgotten his sacrifices.

The portion of Montana state highway 78, from Columbus through Absarokee and Roscoe to Red Lodge, was designated by the state legislature as the Donald J. Ruhl medal of honor highway.  Donald J. Ruhl was a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor. He was born in Columbus in 1923 and graduated from High School in Joliet. By throwing himself on top of a grenade at Iwo Jima, he saved two of his fellow marines. Hopefully those driving along that highway today will think about the sacrifice of Donald Ruhl and his family and all of the other veterans who do what they do to protect the freedom that we enjoy every day.

Impending Post Office Closures in Rural Montana

Evening news programs might seem like an unlikely source for Montana history topics but when you think of it, what is news today will be history tomorrow.  For the past few days, KULR First News at Five has been covering some of the smallest of Montana towns that are likely to lose their post offices if the USPS moves forward to cut billions of dollars from their budgets by closing rural post offices.  According to the report, 85 post offices in Montana are on the list of possible closures.  Sarah Gravelee's coverage of the history of Igomar, Ringling, and Martinsdale, and the effect of the impending post office closures on their citizens, brought to mind just how many towns have come and gone since Montana became a state.  In her reports Ms. Gravlee mentioned that the final decision on the closures will likely come in January, I am looking forward to her coverage, no matter which way the decision goes.

None Wounded, None Missing, All Dead

On April 2, 1933, at the age of 89, Elizabeth Bacon Custer suffered a heart attack and died. She had lived a long full of adventure and hardships, living in military housing while her famous husband, Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, was off fighting the Native Americans who resisted the idea of being rounded up and taken to the reservations. She was incredibly happy when the two of them could be together, and fearsome when they were apart, until that day in June of 1876 when her worst fear became reality, her Autie had been killed at the battle of the Little Bighorn. She spent the remainder of her life, defending her late husband’s actions.

None Wounded, None Missing, All Dead; the Story of Elizabeth Bacon Custer by Howard Kazanjian and Chris Enss provides a look at the personal lives of George and Libbie Custer. It could be more aptly called the story of Autie and Libbie Custer, because it not only tells the story of Mrs. Custer, but it shows that there was more to Custer that the horrible disaster of the Little Big Horn. Its pages reveal a man who was a persistent and romantic suitor, a Civil War Veteran who fought with distinction at Bull Run and Gettysburg and earned him the rank of brevet General.

Mrs. Custer’s Last Will and Testament which appears as an Appendix gives an insight to the character of Elizabeth Custer. The book is fast read and I recommend highly to anyone who enjoys biographies.

Best Halloween Party Ever

In Kalispell, Montana, on the evening of October 20, 1910 Lettie Conrad and her daughter Alicia were preparing to retire for the evening when a man pounded on the door to alert them to a fire in north side of the house. While Lettie notified the fire department, eighteen year old Alicia tried to fight the fire with one of the mansion’s built in fire hoses. The fire department arrived but not before the house was damaged extensively. At first it looked like the Halloween party that the ladies had been planning would have to be canceled, instead it turned into one of the most unique Halloween parties that Montana has ever seen.
During the next ten days, workmen were busy at the mansion, but not to do repairs, at least not until after Halloween. Carpenters, electricians and others turned the disaster into the best Halloween setting ever. The damaged roof was left open, and rubble was left where it fell.

At midnight, October 31, more than five hundred masked guests were delighted to find Spanish moss, with stuffed bats hanging by threads, suspended from the rafters and banisters of the burned out main hall. To add to the effect, the bats were kept in motion by electric fans. From the un-walled inferno of the main floor, guests wound their way up a spiral staircase, built just for the occasion, to rooms decorated to resemble witches dens with steaming cauldrons, and a sign reading “All hope abandon, ye who enter here.” The third floor, which was only slightly damaged, became paradise, with walls and furniture draped with fishnets with flowers attached. In the true Conrad family tradition of generosity and gracious hospitality, nearly everyone in Kalispell enjoyed music and refreshments until dawn.

Grand Re-Opening of The Yellowstone Gateway Museum

This weekend marks the Grand Re-Opening of the Yellowstone Gateway Museum in Livingston Montana. The museum has been closed for several months to give the place a face-lift and to upgrade the heating and cooling system. The Grand Re-Opening Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, October 29 with a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Park County Commissioners at 10:00 am. Other presentations throughout the day include:

• A Presentation by Norm Miller, Rediscovering the Lewis and Clark Trail at 11:30 am
• Sheep Wagon history Presentation by Don Ellis and Jem Blueher at 1:00 pm
• Visions on the Great Bend of the Yellowstone presented by Shane Doyle at 3:00 pm

Additionally there will be educational programs and entertainment for the kids. All of the days events are free and open to the public

The Yellowstone Gateway Museum is located in the old North Side School at 118 West Chinook Street. The school was built in 1907 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Like most county museums, it’s focus is the history of Park County as well as Yellowstone National Park. The museum takes it’s name from the role Livingston played as the “Original Gateway to Yellowstone National Park.”

Montana Ghost Towns

By definition, a ghost town is a once thriving town with few living inhabitants. Montana has many towns that fit this description, most of them old mining towns who died out when the gold and silver played out or other diggings promised richer returns. There are people, usually those who have little interest in history, think that if you have seen one ghost town you’ve them all, but Montana’s ghost towns are diverse and each has it’s unique story to tell.

Bannack and Virginia City are the best known of Montana’s ghost towns, probably because they are well preserved, protected and easily accessible to everyone. Their histories are also entwined, making them almost sister ghost towns. Bannack is a true ghost town, with no inhabitants except the caretakers who work for the state of Montana. Virginia City is very much alive, being the county seat of Madison County, but it too, is a real ghost town, with buildings that have been there since before Montana became a territory, and with a population of about 130, one could still say there are few inhabitants.

Scattered across the state are other fine examples of ghost towns, not all as accessible as Bannack and Virginia City but worth the effort to visit.
Elkhorn, (the turnoff is between Boulder and Whitehall) flourished during the 1880’s and 1890’s with nearly 2500 citizens.
Pony, near Harrison, is another example of a ghost town that is still living but with remnants of an earlier time.
Marysville, about 30 miles north of Helena, was also a thriving cold camp during the last two decades of the nineteenth century.
Jardine sits in the Mountains above Gardiner, has seen more than one gold rush, but it lies quiet again.There are many other ghost towns, lesser known or not as easily accessible; Castle, Kendall, Landusky, Zortman, Giltedge, Glendale, Comet, Radarsburg, to name a few, that have a tie to the mining history of Montana.

Marysville Meat Market 1886

To explore the histories of these and other Montana ghost towns I recommend these books: Montana Ghost Towns by Donald C. Miller or Montana Mining Ghost Towns, by Barbara Fifer
　
　
To do a little ghost town surfing on the web you can visit:
http://ghosttown.montana.com/
http://www.visitmt.com/experiences/history/ghost_towns/

Things that go bump in the night

While shopping this afternoon I made my usual check of the Montana History book section and I discovered six books about ghost stories and haunted places in Montana. I guess Halloween must be just around the corner. These books claim to contain collections of true events and I am open minded enough to check them out. I will however be reading them during daylight hours, just in case they scary enough to keep me awake at night.

In case you are looking for a little of spooky reading to get in the mood for Halloween, here is the list of the books that I found:

• Haunted Montana and More Haunted Montana both by Karen Stevens
• Spooky Montana by S. E.  Schlosser
• Montana Ghost Stories by Debra D. Munn 
• Montana Chillers and Spirit Tailings: Ghost Tales from Virginia City, Butte and Helena both by Ellen Baumler

Chief Joseph's Surrender at the Bear's Paw Mountains, October 5, 1877

Historical Highway Marker near Chinook, Montana





On October 5, 1877, the Battle of the Bear's Paw ended five days after it began.  The non-treaty Nez Perce Indians trying to reach Canada and their freedom, made it to within forty miles of the Canadian border but the harsh weather and their fatigue wore them down and the Seventh Cavalry prevailed.  It was on that date that Chief Joseph made his famous speech that ended, "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."



Chief Joseph



Rolling hills in Blaine County Montana, site of the Battle of the Bear's Paw



Chief Joseph in 1903, about a year before his death.

Recommended reading: Nez Perce summer, 1877 : the U.S. Army and the Nee-Me-Poo crisis / by Greene, Jerome A. published in 2000 by the Montana Historical Society Press; and The flight of the Nez Perce by Brown, Mark Herbert, published by Putnam in 1967















A Movie Recommendation

Over the weekend, my husband and I had a little free time so we decided to watch a movie. Since it was my turn to chose, I went the REDBOX with the hope of finding a good romantic comedy, or at least an action film with a limited amount of gore. Instead, I discovered one of the best movies I have watched in a very long time. The Conspirator, Produced and Directed by Robert Redford dramatized the trial of Mary Suratt, the woman who ran the boarding house that was frequented by John Wilkes Booth before he assassinated Abraham Lincoln. I was immediately drawn into the story. I came away with a reassurance that history is relevant. I believe the movie is rated PG-13.

While I usually focus on Montana history when posting on my blog. I think this movie deserves a mention.

Livingston's West Side Residential Historical District.

This afternoon I decided to combine a little exercise for myself and my dogs with a quest for historical information to pass along. Our outing took us to the West Side Residential Historical District here in Livingston. I have been meaning to walk along Yellowstone Street to read all the historical plaques and today turned out the be the perfect day for it.

Yellowstone Street is probably the best known street in our little town. On the southern end of the street, leading from the main highway to Yellowstone River, lie some of the nicest old homes in town. Nothing says elegance to me more than wrought iron fences and stately stone or brick homes. For the youngsters in Livingston, Yellowstone Street has a different appeal, it is “the” place to go trick-or-treating on Halloween.
All of the homes along the street are interesting to look at, their historical register plaques telling of their architectural design and the history of the people who designed, built and resided in them. There are examples of Queen Anne, Italianate, and Colonial Revival. While all of the architectural stuff is interesting, the best part is the stories of the men and women who lived there.

I think my two favorite houses of those we saw today were the Hefferlin house at 224 South Yellowstone and the brick house at 128 South Yellowstone. If you have been following this blog, the name Hefferlin will sound familiar.  In my August 2, entry I mentioned Gary Fish portraying Charles Hefferlin during the Cemetery Walk. I learned a little more of the Hefferlin family by reading the plaque on the family home. The brick home at 128, was, for a time, the Lott Birthing Hospital, run by local nurse, Edith Lott. I am hoping to find out more about the history of birthing hospitals in the 1920’s.

For more information about the West Side Residential Historical District or any other site in Montana on the National Register of Historical Places, you can go to the Montana Historical Society Research Center’s website and click on the Montana History Wiki. http://mhs.mt.gov/research/

Triumph and Tragedy, Cromwell Dixon July 9,1892-October 2, 1911

September 30, 2011 marks the 100^th anniversary of Cromwell Dixon’s flight from Helena to Blossburg. Dixon was the first pilot to fly over the Continental Divide. The feat was especially noteworthy when you consider that his airplane which resembled a motorized bicycle with wings. This daring flight, in addition to establishing a world record, netted him a reward of $10,000 which was offered by local aviation enthusiasts for the first airplane to fly over the Divide, among them Louis W. Hill, President of the Great Northern Railroad, Lewis Penwell, president of the state fair and land dealer, and John Ringling, of circus fame.

The Exhibition flight was part of the Montana State Fair and a large crowd gathered at the fairgrounds to watch. At 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, in less than perfect flying conditions, Dixon took off. He circled the field once and headed west into strong headwinds, his destination seventeen miles away. The townspeople of Blossburg, excited to be a part of history, had built a fire to provide smoke to guide the aviator to their location. At 2:34 pm Cromwell Dixon landed in a grassy field, a short distance from town and delivered a letter of appreciation from Montana Governor, Edwin L. Norris to the people of Blossburg,. After sending a telegram to the Curtiss Exhibition Company in New York, advising him of his accomplishment, he climbed back onto his airplane and took off, flying back to Helena.

Cromwell Dixon’s next flying exhibition was not so triumphant. The Curtiss Exhibition Company, Dixon’s sponsor and booking agency, had booked him along with another aviator, to make three flights daily at the Interstate Fairgrounds at Spokane Washington. On October 2, 1911, just two days after his record breaking flight in Montana, Cromwell Dixon died from injuries sustained when his plane crashed to the ground during his first scheduled flight of the engagement. The horrified crowd watched as his plane fell more than a hundred feet. He was still alive when pulled from the wreckage but died less than an hour later at the Emergency hospital in Spokane. At the time of his death, he was only nineteen, the youngest licensed pilot in the country.
　
You can read more about Cromwell Dixon and other aviators in Montana history in Frank W. Wiley's book, Montana and the Sky, which was published by the Montana Aeronautics Commision in 1966

In Memory of those who lost their lives. Fort Peck Dam, September 22, 1938

Sometimes the only way to make your way into history books is to die doing something noteworthy. On September 22, 1938. A huge section of the Fort Peck Dam slid, killing eight workers. Two of the bodies were recovered, the others still lie beneath the dam.The slide set the work on the dam by almost an entire year.  Fort Peck Dam was part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal to put Americans back to work during the Great Depression. The huge dam was planned to provide flood control. Thousands of workers moved to the area to be a part of the huge project. After the job was done, most moved on. Those eight men, who died that September Day were just doing their jobs, but they will be remembered by every visitor who sees the memorial at the Dam. Their deaths remind us of the price that sometimes has to be paid to conquer and harness nature.



Aerial view of the Slide at Fort Peck Dam, September 22, 1938

 There is much information about the dam on line, one source that gives a pretty good general picture is http://www.fortpeckdam.com/ .  To learn more about how the workers lived, I recommend the book, Fifty Cents an Hour: The Builders and Boomtowns of the Fort Peck Dam, by Lois Lonnquist

 

Before Manhattan was Manhattan

On my way home from Helena last weekend, I decided to stop and check out an interesting historical story tip that I received recently from a clerk at Walmart. (It never fails to amaze me how many people are interested in history and how often the subject comes up in every day conversations) To check it out I needed to exit Interstate 90 at the Manhattan exit and follow the sign directing me toward Amsterdam. Just a mile or two, on the left hand side of the road, I found the turn-off I was looking for- the road to Meadow View Cemetery. At the entrance to the cemetery I found a historical marker placed by the Gallatin Historical Society, From this sign I got a brief lesson on the history of Manhattan Montana.

Text of Sign

Hamilton

Early Day Manhattan

This location of an early day (1860’s) stage stop provided over-night accommodations for the Bozeman-Virginia City -Helena Stages. Hamilton was named for Ted Hamilton. The town was most active in the 1960’s and 1970’s. There was a hotel, churches, stores, blacksmith shop, post office and cemetery. No saloon due to an active “Good Temperance Lodge.” From 1875-1878, a Female Seminary (Girl’s boarding and day school) operated one mile east on the Heeb Lane. A stone church was built there in 1878. With the coming of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1883 the town moved to the railroad and was renamed Moreland. New York investors started the Manhattan Malting Company. They encouraged Holland Immigrants (farmers) to come and raise Barley. The name changed again from Moreland to Manhattan. (1891). Prohibition closed the malt plant. The Meadow View Cemetery remains at the old Hamilton Site.
　

While this was not the information I was seeking it was certainly interesting.  Not only did Manhattan start out with a different, well two different names, but it also was like many Montana towns that changed location to be near the railroads that played such a significant role in our history.

As far as the other matter, the tip I was following, there is more investigation to do before I pass that along.

A Visit to Helena Montana

I set out Friday afternoon to do some research at the Montana Historical Society Research Center. It turned out to be a spectacular weekend. After spending a couple of hours at the research center, I spent the rest of Friday evening exploring Helena. I will have to get a bumper sticker that says: This vehicle stops at all historical markers. I found some interesting homes along Rodney Street that I have overlooked on previous visits. Most of the time I drive to the Museum, maybe hit Last Chance Gulch and Forestvale Cemetery then head home.

Saturday morning before heading back the research center. I grabbed my camera and headed back to Last Chance Gulch to do some more exploring on foot. I took the time to read all of the National Historical Register Plaques and to admire some of the details on the buildings. Downtown Helena is really quite beautiful , the newer buildings designed to fit in with the ones that have been there nearly a century and a half. There are also small parks tucked away in unexpected places and benches everywhere so you can stop and savor the atmosphere.

There are several really exceptional buildings but my three favorites are the Power Block, the Atlas building and the Securities Building.

 

Another of my favorite buildings is the Park Avenue bakery which is located in the historic Eddy’s bakery on Park Avenue. Of course I go there to do more that admire the old building. Saturday morning I enjoyed the best blueberry scone that was ever made, It had the perfect balance of texture and flavor and I am sure that it was enhanced by sitting on the patio out front, looking back toward the gulch. Anyone stopping at the bakery should take a second to look at the ceiling.

On the way back to the car, I stopped in a store called Montana Book and Toy Company. They had an excellent selection of Montana history books, the title noticeably missing from their shelves was my book, MONTANA DISASTERS, but hopefully they will remedy that small problem soon. I would encourage anyone visiting the walking mall on Last Chance Gulch to check it out. Another business shouldn’t be overlooked is the Parrot, which has been in business since 1922. I don’t know how they arrived at that name, but inside there is an old soda fountain and hand-dipped chocolates. It is a good thing that Last Chance Gulch is a walking mall, visitors need to burn off some of the extra calories they get from indulging in the rich treats.

Back at the research center, I spent a few more hours digging up information for my next book as well as some tidbits for this blog. After wrapping up there I stopped in the Museum Gift Store to see what was new in their selection of Montana books. I was pleased to see that they had a few copies of my book on hand. Then it was time to head home. Of course it took me almost five hours to make a normally two hour trip, because my van does stop for all historical spots.

The Women of Bannack

I used to wish I had been born in more exciting time.  When I first visited Virginia City and Bannack I thought that living during the gold rush would have been thrilling.  After reading some the letters and diaries written by women who lived in Bannack, I realize that I was delusional.  While men had all sorts of diversions to occupy their time, saloons, stores, dance halls, not to mention politics and hard work, respectable women had only their homes and families. 

Emily Meredith and her husband Frederick spent the winter of 18262-63 in Bannack.  She found it to be a barbaric place full of Southern sympathizers and no sign of religion.  In a letter to her father, written the following spring, she wrote, "I don't know how many deaths occurred this winter but that there have not been twice as many, is entirely owing to the fact that drunken men do not shoot well."    

In her letters to her sister "back in the States" Mary Edgerton writes of doing without the things that she had been accustomed to having. When describing her family's living arrangement, she writes: "We are all living, or staying rather in a house."  That single sentence summarizes how Mary felt about the time she spent in Bannack.  If you are able to find a copy of the book, A Governor's Wife on the Mining Frontier, the Letters of Mary Edgerton from Montana 1863-1865, it will give you a good idea of what life was like in the early days of Bannack.  The complete text of Emily Merediths Letter can be found in the book, Not in Precious Metals Alone: a Manuscript History of Montana.

Answer to last Tuesday's Mystery photo

Last Tuesday I posted a photo of a two-story outhouse.  I had several people guess that it was taken in Bannack but the actual location is Nevada City Montana.

Bannack, Gold Camp and Montana's First Territorial Capital

This is a great time of year to visit Bannack State Park.  The Park is open year round and I have visited there during every season but Fall is my favorite.  After Labor Day the Visitor Center is only open on the weekends,  but I encourage you to visit on the weekdays if you have the luxury of doing so. You can have the place almost to yourself and it is easier to let your imagination take over if the only sounds you hear are the creek, the wind and the occasional sound of a maintenance worker going about his business. 

Bannack grew up along the banks of Grasshopper Creek after John White discovered gold there in 1862.  But rather than giving the history of the town I suggest that you visit the official website of Bannack State Park, there you can view a map of the town, take a photo tour and get all of the information about the park's hours and activities.

http://bannack.org/index.htm

Watch for upcoming posts for some interesting stories of Bannack's history.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words

Frankie Miller requested this picture.  She said she had never seen a two story outhouse, but then again, how many of us have?   Anyone care to guess where it was taken?

Fort Parker Historical Site

Just a few miles east of Livingston, at Interstate 90 mile marker 343, there is a sign that reads Mission Creek, No Services. Beneath that sign is a brown sign with while letters telling passersby of the Fort Parker Historical Site. Fort Parker was built in 1869 as a result an 1868 treaty with the Crow Indians. Unlike the military forts in the area which were established to protect the settlers from the Indians, this fort or agency was a safe refuge for the Crow Tribe, from the Sioux, Cheyenne and Blackfoot tribes.

Original Fort Parker

The original log fort was similar in design to the military forts in the area. It burned down in 1870, only a year after it was built. The replacement was an adobe structure which was only used for a few years before the agency was moved to the Absorkee area, and later to its current location near Hardin.

You will not find any remnants of the fort left at the site, instead there are a series of interpretive signs in a ring around a symbolic teepee made of iron pipe. It is worth a ten or fifteen minute stop to stretch your legs and learn a little bit about the area’s history.





One interesting note, something that is not mentioned on any of the signs, is that the fort was named for Ely Samuel Parker, first native American to be named Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Parker served as an officer in the Civil War even though he was not considered a U.S. Citizen. While Parker’s only connection to Montana history is his name on Fort Parker, his story is one that would appeal to anyone interested in U.S. History. I encourage you to do a little research about him. There are several online sources available.

On this day in Montana History August 27, 1867

Fort Ellis was established by the United States army in response to the fears of settlers in the Gallatin Valley area. It was completed and put into service on August 27, 1867 under the command of Captain R. S. LaMotte. The fort located a few miles east of present day Bozeman was named for Col. Augustus Van Horn Ellis of the 124^th New York Volunteers, who had died four years earlier at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Major Eugene Baker, second commander at Fort Ellis and famous for his role in the Marias Massacre is near the Middle of the photo, with his hand resting on the rail. Gustavus Doane, who led the Doane-Washburn Expedition to the Yellowstone region is the fourth from the left side of the picture.  This photo was taken by William Henry Jackson of the United States Geological Survey in 1871.  Photo courtesy of the United States Geological Survey

The fort included housing and dining facilities for 400 men and had several other log buildings including a two story hospital and a rather elegant commander’s house. Fort Ellis played a prominent role in several events in Montana history, including the Marias Massacre in 1870, the Doane-Washburn Expediton to explore what later became Yellowstone National Park, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Fort Ellis was decommissioned on August 2, 1886, just shy of nineteen years after it was established.

Another good read (or listen)

A few weeks ago I was browsing the new book section in my local library. I came across the book, The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn, by Nathaniel Philbrick. I hesitated for a few minutes because it was a one-week book and I wasn’t sure I had the time to finish it with all the other things projects I have in the works. After reading a few pages I knew that this account of the most famous battle in Montana history was one I didn’t want to miss, so I checked it out.



I have never been very interested in battles. Even though I have always found the Civil War and the Indian Wars fascinating, it wasn’t the battles themselves that intrigued me. I could never get into all the analyses of who-fell-where and battle strategies. For me, the causes and outcomes are infinitely more interesting. Philbrick’s objective account deals not only with the horrible devastion of June 25 and 26, 1876, but also with the events and ideas that led up to the battle. After finishing the book, a have a much better comprehension of both sides of the conflict.

I have to admit I was right about needing more than a week to finish the book but I did find a great solution. Instead of trying to find time to sit down to read, I downloaded the audio version and enjoyed listening to it while I walked to work. Listening to a good history book is almost as satisfying as reading one, except you don't get to look at the pictures.

County Courthouse tidbits

There is nothing boring about courthouses in Montana. Jefferson County Courthouse, built in 1888 has the distinction of being the only courthouse in Montana with gargoyles on the corners of the building perched just below the eave line.

The Big Horn County Courthouse was built during the Great Depression as a Public Works Administration Project. Because the goal of the WPA was get people off of assistance and back to work, most of the laborers on the project were unskilled or semiskilled. In order to best utilize these workers the design was kept simple.

Without doubt the most interesting County Courthouse in Montana is the Daniels County Courthouse. The building started out as the Commercial Hotel. In 1915, One-eyed Molly bought the building and transformed it into a gambling, drinking and dog fighting establishment that also happened to be a house of ill-repute. Molly was only in business for a couple of years, but it was enough to give the place a character of its own. When Daniels county was formed in 1920 and Scobey was chosen as the county seat, the county bought the building and transformed it into the County Courthouse. The courthouse, with an addition to double the size of the building, is still in use.

The source of the courthouse information is from the text of the National Register of Historic Places sign texts for each respective building. If you are interested in reading more of these signs you can go to the website for the Montana Historical Society  and click on the online resources, next go to the Montana History Wiki link.  http://mhs.mt.gov/research/

Searching For Missing Information

When you write non fiction books, the research is the best part of the job. Finding a missing piece of information is like finding a picture of your first love in a box of old family photos. You don’t mind digging for it, because you never know what else you might find. Every now and then a piece of information is so illusive that you think you will never find it. I find myself in that position right now. I am working on my new book Montana History Sampler and there is an incident that I would like to include but I cannot verify that it happened or get any specific information about it.

In the book, Montana Almanac, that was co-authored by Andrea Merrill and Judy Jacobson, published in 1997, I found a brief mention of the heroic action of a teacher named Bertha Rheinhart, who saved her students and the schoolhouse where she taught by building a backfire to stop the advance of a raging prairie fire. When some of the students became frightened they ran into the flames and Ms. Rheinhart risked her life to save the youngsters. According to this source she died from the burns she suffered. The incident took place in the Poplar area in 1914.

I have searched every resource I could think of, the newspapers from that area as well as the major state newspapers, as well as historical books from Roosevelt and Sheridan Counties. I even tried contacting the authors of Montana Almanac with no success. What I am hoping now is that someone who reads this might have some information or a suggestion about other leads.

Lantern Tour of Nevada City Montana

On the evening of September 3, the last of a series of Living History Lantern tours will be presented by the Montana Heritage Commission in Nevada City.  I have never attended one of these events but it sounds like something I would really enjoy.  Imagine touring Nevada City by lantern light while a guide shares stories about the night life when the town was bustling. The Jack Slade Story is the theme of the September 3 tour.  The tour starts out at the Music Hall at 9:30pm and last about 90 minutes. I don't know how large the crowds are for this tour, but it might be wise to show up a little early to assure a spot on the tour.  Adult tickets are $8 with reduced price for youth sixteen and under.

If you really want to make an evening of it, you could arrive in nearby Virginia City early enough to take a walking tour before it gets dark, then drive the short distance to Nevada City to take in the Lantern tour.  What a unique way to spend Saturday night.

Third Annual Cemetery Walk Reviewed

Yesterday afternoon I met the most lively bunch of dead people a person could hope to meet. I am, of course, referring to the Cemetery Walk at the Mountain View Cemetery in Livingston Montana. Everyone of the eight “ghosts” gave me an insight into the character they portrayed. I was entertained, amused, and educated.
If your group is considering staging such an event, The Park County Historical Society and The Park County Genealogical Society could give you some pointers. The afternoon was well planned, the audience was broken down into manageable sized groups, each led by a “B Street Girl.” It is obvious by the way the actors immersed themselves so completely in their roles, their performances represented countless hours of research.
For those who could not attend I will attempt to give you a brief description of the presentations, but as they say, you really had to be there.

Gary Fish, who is active in local theater productions, used his acting skills to bring to life the spirit of Charles Hefferlin. Hefferlin was first and foremost a financier who came to Livingston in 1883. He is remembered as a banker and builder and it was he who built the Hefferlin Opera House, a theater where many famous acts performed.

Gary Fish as Charles Hefferlin

Bob Ebenger portrayed James Goughnour. Goughnour who was once, among other things, a deputy sheriff in Big Timber and the mayor of Livingston. Ebenger is writing the biography of Emannuel Goughnour, James’ father. I will be looking forward to the reading that book when it comes out and will keep you posted.

Fred Shellenberg told the story of his father Fred Shellenberg. He chose not to present his father’s story in first person. The audience chuckled when he explained that he didn’t want to put words in his father’s mouth. His father was the only one of his family to come the United States from Switzerland sometime in the early 1900’s. His role in Livingston history is the time he worked for Montana Power in the facility that was located at the end of 10^th Street.

Milla Cummins, became Emma Scheuber, a well educated, refined lady and member of the Yellowstone Club, the group instrumental in raising the funds to build the library in Livingston. I think that Mrs. Scheuber would have been proud to be portrayed by Milla, the retired director of that same library.

Milla Cummins as Emma Scheuber

Jack Luther, as George Alderson revealed how his character, born in England, took a while to decide what he wanted to do with his life. He traveled back and forth from the mid-west to the west, working at various occupations and starting several businesses before he finally settled in Livingston. At the time of his death he was the owner and editor of one of the local newspapers.

Robert Anderson stood at the grave of Emanuel Fleming for his presentation. He was quick to point out that he was not Emanuel Fleming but Aaron Anderson, aka Bob Fields, the man who was convicted of murdering Fleming. Anderson was hanged for the crime on April 13, 1894. The interesting twist was that Anderson may or may not have been the murderer.

Mardi Whitmore became the rather colorful Josephine Kline. Her witty performance gave the audience a view of an unconventional woman, a single mother who wasn’t afraid to chances. After being treated unfairly in a business deal, she and a friend hitchhiked to Washington D.C. in hopes of talking to the president.

I saved Nancy Adkins, as Nancy Roop Adkins for last. Nancy Roop Adkins was my Great-grandmother. I have to admit that more than once my eyes welled up as Granny’s story was told. It was wonderful to see photos of Granny, gone so many years, along with those of some of her children. Nancy’s performance is the only one that I can judge based on memory. If I closed my eyes for a moment, I could picture her in her little house on South M Street, her final home.I am already looking forward to the fourth annual Cemetery Walk and I am seriously considering joining the Park County Historical Society. The two groups who organized and carried out this event are to be congratulated on it’s success.

Famous Fishermen

Yesterday I took my lunch and headed out to look for a spot to park along side the river to eat.  Now that the rivers are lower and running clearer, the fishing access sites are full of floaters and fishermen.  Even though I couldn't find a prime spot in the shade to eat my lunch, what with all the drift boat and raft trailers, I was still pleased to see them, because I am aware of what a big impact these people have on Montana's economy.

Always on the lookout for an interesting Montana history topic, it came to me that fishing in Montana has an interesting history of its own.  Dan Bailey, started his fly shop in Livingston back in 1938, the same year that Al Croonquist opened Camp Senia near Red Lodge and a few years later Bud Lilly opened his famous fly shop. 

While fly fishing is not one of my skills, the sight of a fisherman gracefully casting while standing waist deep in the river, is as much a part of summer for me as the smell of fresh cut hay or the sound of rolling thunder. I am looking forward to doing a little research to see what I can find about these famous fishermen.

Cemetery Walk

This Saturday, August 13,  I will be spending an enjoyable afternoon at the Mountain View Cemetery in Livingston Montana.  The Park County Historical Society and Genealogy Society will be hosting the third annual Cemetery walk, where attendees can meet eight "ghosts" of early Livingston residents that are buried there.  I missed the first two Cemetery walks due to schedule conflicts so I am particularly excited about this one.  One of the featured personalities is my great grandmother Nancy Adkins who is being portrayed by her granddaughter Nancy Adkins. 

Cemetery walking is one of my favorite pastimes, and having the added attraction of having actors bringing the past to life makes it much better.  I hope to find other such events in other Montana locations.

Whenever I check out a town that is new to me, I try to spend at least a little time exploring the cemetery.  It really adds to the experience when you see the tombstones bearing the names that also appear on the names of city streets or buildings.  From huge ornate headstones of the prominent citizens to the tiny angels on the headstones of babies, there are so many stories waiting to be told.

Bannack Cemetery

Some of my favorite cemeteries are Bannack, Forestvale in Helena, Virginia City Cemetery, Boothill in Billings, Emigrant in Paradise Valley South of Livingston, and Gardiner just outside of Yellowstone Park.

Watch future posts for more details on those cemeteries and others, along with tips on what to look for when visiting a cemetery for the first time.

Sunset Hills Cemetery, Bozeman