A brief history of Butte, Montana, the world's greatest mining camp; including a story of the extraction and treatment of ores from its gigantic copper properties, Part 5

Author: Freeman, Harry Campbell
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago, H. O. Shepard Co., printers
Number of Pages: 146


USA > Montana > Silver Bow County > Butte > A brief history of Butte, Montana, the world's greatest mining camp; including a story of the extraction and treatment of ores from its gigantic copper properties > Part 5


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Besides his interests in this property, Mr. Daly was responsible in great measure for the develop- ment of the great agricultural possibilities of the Bitter Root valley, in Western Montana, where he established his famous Bitter Root stock farm, as well as putting countless acres under cultivation, and today his stock and fruit ranch in that valley is one of the handsomest and most complete in the entire country. He was a great fancier of blooded racing stock and his colors have led the way in many of the large Derbys of the East for many years past. Mr. Daly was also interested as large stockholder in many of the leading mercantile establishments of both Butte and Anaconda, besides many manufacturing enterprises scattered throughout the State. No instances are known where he engaged in mining operations on an independent basis, although the Washoe Mining Company's stock was largely held by him. The constantly enhancing values of the great Anaconda properties, however, yielded him a princely fortune, to say nothing of his other immense holdings.


Mr. Daly has made his home at Anaconda in recent years, althoughi spending a portion of his


time in the East in consultation with other large stockholders of the Anaconda, and on his Bitter Root ranch with his family, who have made it their permanent headquarters for some time.


Mr. Daly was married at Salt Lake, in 1872, to Miss Margaret Evans, who survives him, and has a circle of friends larger than the borders of the State, who mourn with her in her dark days of affliction. Four children also survive Mr. Daly - Misses Margaret, Mary and Hattie, and a son, Marcus.


He was an enthusiastic lover of Montana, and had he been spared for further years would have been an invaluable agency in bringing forward the resources of the whole commonwealth, as he so loyally did in the past. Mr. Daly's fortune has been variously estimated at from $15,000,000 to $50,000,000, but it is believed that the first figure is more nearly correct, though the broaden- ing of his opportunities and the working out of plans known to have been formulated by him previous to his death, in a few years would have added immensely to this amount.


To few men is given the privilege of gather- ing around him so many warm friends as Mr. Daly possessed, who saw in him the personifica- tion of many virtues, of which not the least was his kindly consideration of friends of early days, many of whose widows today have reason to bless his memory. Mr. Daly was an extremely mod- est and retiring gentleman, who aspired to no elective or appointive political preferment, and seemed happiest in the pursuit of his business duties or in the quiet of his home.


PATRICK A. LARGEY.


(DECEASED. ]


When the present shall have become crystallized into the past and a more accurate view of events shall permit, few names will stand out in such relief as will that of the late Patrick A. Largey, in connection with Butte's development. Born of modest parentage, he took into life the ster- ling qualities of integrity and business ability, and with these wrought out for himself a handsome heritage, besides leaving behind him throughout that life - thirty-three years of which were spent in Montana - a path of kindly deeds and en- nobling examples.


Mr. Largey was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1848, and, as a young man, engaged in mer- cantile pursuits in Iowa. In 1865 he crossed the plains at the head of a wagon train of sixty


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wagons, having as a business associate John A. city, yet he went far beyond the most exacting Creighton, at present a large property-holder in Montana and a resident of Omaha, Neb.


Arriving at Virginia City, Mr. Largey became engaged in merchandising and invested quite extensively in placer properties adjacent to that famous camp, which he operated for many years. He continued in business in Virginia City until 1879, and in 1881 adopted Butte as his future home. Meanwhile, Mr. Largey had broadened his field of activity and usefulness, and in the year 1878 constructed overland a telegraph line from Virginia City to Butte and hence, by way of the Deer Lodge valley, to Helena and Boze- man, thereby preceding the railroad by three years, and affording the isolated people of the State the first opportunity for rapid communica- tion with the outside world. Hon. Lee Mantle was at this time engaged as telegraph operator in Mr. Largey's service, and, to his connection with Mr. Largey and the benefits arising there- from, Mr. Mantle's later success in life is, doubt- less, no little due.


Mr. Largey's interests developed rapidly and his entire fortune, as well as thought, were loaned to the city's development. Both mercantile and mining pursuits received his attention. In the former he was associated with many men who were at the head of different mines of the local- ity, and in this manner opportunity was offered him to secure valuable properties. It is said by many of his old associates that he was the pos- sessor of more patented mining claims than any other man in the United States. The most valu- able of his mining acquisitions was undoubtedly the Speculator mine, and the returns therefrom are supposed to have made him one of the largest operators in the State. With two other gentle- men, Mr. Largey established the first electric light plant in the city. He also established the Butte Inter Mountain, and for many years was the president of the company publishing that journal, and was stockholder in many other leading establishments of the city.


Mr. Largey's most useful and successful career was brought to a sad termination on January II, 1898. Some three years previous had occurred the direful explosion of giant powder which re- sulted in the death of some three-score persons. Many others were injured and much ill-directed feeling was engendered thereby. Mr. Largey was least responsible for the explosion and its calamitous results than, possibly, any man in the


requirements of duty or public spirit in appeasing the suffering caused thereby. He was especially annoyed by one Thomas J. Riley, who repeatedly called upon and demanded assistance from Mr. Largey, after the latter, in connection with others, had contributed $1,500 to compensate Riley for the loss of a leg in the explosion. Riley's demands at last became threats and, while engaged in his duties as president of the State Savings bank upon the day mentioned, Mr. Largey was cruelly shot down by the former as a revenge for his injuries - injuries for which Mr. Largey never was in any way responsible.


Mr. Largey left a widow, formerly Miss Lulu Sellers of Chicago, to whom he was married in 1877, who accompanied him in those rugged early days wherever his interests took him, and who today is administering his affairs where his in- terrupted life laid them down. Four children also survived him. To the stricken family, how- ever, was not confined the grief caused by his death. Not only the city, but the whole State recognized and mourned the loss of one of the best types of the men to whom all time must ac- cord the honor of having achieved the develop- ment of the great West, as well as a man, who, with a few others, made Butte's future possible and attracted to Montana the causes and events, which, in their unwinding, are making and will continue to make it one of the greatest States of the Union.


F. AUGUSTUS HEINZE.


The last, though not least, of the prominent characters to whom special mention is due as one who has done much to develop Butte's wonder- ful resources and who, as one of the large owners of its mining properties, stands as joint sponsor for a still greater future, is F. Augustus Heinze.


Some eleven years ago Mr. Heinze came to the city as a mere boy - about twenty years of age. Of means or resources he had but little, so far as is known, although he had the advantage of the subjects of the preceding sketches in that he had received an advanced education in the very things necessary to successful mining operations. He was well versed in metallurgy, geology and the other essentials to mining, and to this learn- ing was added the keenest of intellects and shrewdest of natures.


Mr. Heinze first entered the mining field in a moderately humble capacity -that of mining


F. AUGUSTUS HEINZE


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engineer for the Boston and Montana Mining Company - but his quick perception soon dis- covered the larger possibilities which were pre- sented to him, and he concluded to try for higher things. Before a year had passed he had a most thorough knowledge of the intricate mineral formations of the entire mining district, and was so sure that there was roon for him in this great industry that he shortly returned to New York to facilitate matters. Even at this extremely youthful age, before a year had passed he had succeeded in enlisting capital sufficient to erect a large smelter at Butte for the purpose of reducing ores from some of the independent mines not provided with such plants.


A company was formed under the style of the Montana Ore Purchasing Company, and Mr. Heinze passed to its official head and directed its operations. Old heads looked askance at Mr. Heinze's temerity in venturing upon apparently so hopeless a course, but before the smelter was completed he had leased a mine and had begun operations therein. Powerful influences were brought to bear in the hope of eliminating Mr. Heinze from the field as a competitor for smelter business, but his young genius was not easily balked. Obstacles, seemingly overpowering, were met by bolder enterprises until he soon had acquired sufficient mining property to keep his smelter running to its full capacity independent of business from other sources.


Slowly it dawned upon the mining magnates of the camp that the Montana Ore Purchasing Com- pany was a permanent factor in the field, and that Mr. Heinze was a Richmond who had come to


stay. Mr. Heinze has commanded the admira- tion of a host of the citizens of not only the city of Butte, but of the whole State, by his nerve and daring, and, though many years behind the pio- neers in his advent upon the scene, they see in him the kind of material of which the hardiest early settlers were made.


Mr. Heinze, as before stated, is a collegiate graduate, is cultured and refined, and has in him the promise of becoming one of Montana's great benefactors. He is unmarried and spends the greater portion of his time in Butte looking after the affairs of the company, living modestly and without the ostentation common to many upon whom fortune has so lavishly rained success.


A few years ago Mr. Heinze embarked quite extensively upon operations in the Rossland dis- trict of British Columbia, but the antagonism of the Canadian Government, through the instru- mentality of subsidized corporations of that country, made his efforts extremely hazardous and he retired from the field, but not, however, before he had enhanced his wealth to a most sat- isfactory extent.


Mr. Heinze's wealth is not accurately known, but, as the largest owner of Montana Ore Pur- chasing Company stock, he unquestionably is many times a millionaire, and in his meteor-like elevation lies but another demonstration of what unwavering will and pluck will work out. Like his successful predecessors and contemporaries, Mr. Heinze has a large place in his heart for his old associates, and in this respect reflects the cus- toms of his adopted State quite as happily as ever have those whose names precede this sketch.


COLUMBIA GARDENS.


For the past year a pleasure resort of the very first class has been accessible to the people of Butte. Across the valley and three miles east of the city one of the numerous canons com- mon to the Rockies has been utilized for this purpose. It has been preserved almost as na- ture made it, with additions only of such char- acter as would enhance its inviting rusticity.


As the waters from the springs and melting snows high up the mountain side start upon their downward course, they join with others coming from different directions, and long be- fore the bed of the cañon is reached a delight-


ful stream babbles along over pebbly bottoms and gurgles over an occasional rock into inviting pools below. ' Luxuriant foliage fringes the banks of these tributary streams long ere their junction in the more level sweep below, and, as they emerge into one, a perfect Eden of green is massed about them, hiding, from a distance, the winding stream completely from the eye. Closer approach, however, but enhances the picture, and, as detail is added to detail, the withered soul creeps slowly out of its musty cave and breathes anew the joys of childhood. Willows and alders, with here and there a lonely pine, strayed from


BIRD'S-EYE VIEW, COLUMBIA GARDENS.


4


RANDOM VIEWS IN COLUMBIA GARDENS. Pavilion in center.


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GREATER BUTTE.


its mountain side, have entwined themselves into inviting bowers and cozy nooks. Here nature has been aided for the comfort of man by the supplementing of rustic seats, the creation of shaded parks, by the clearing away of under- growth, and the building of queer little bridges and aimless paths, while fountains for swans and goldfish add to the enchantment of this quiet re- treat. Proceeding further, the trees terminate abruptly, and in all directions spread away before the view every conceivable device which may de- light the heart, the mind or the soul of both old and young. Great rows of swings and merry- go-rounds attract the little ones like flies to mo- lasses, while the more sedate mind has had every wish anticipated.


A great pavilion occupies a commanding posi- tion in the center of the grounds. Within its walls are café, banquet-room, smoking-room, re- freshment booths of all kinds, and a dance floor of gigantic proportions and of ethereal surface, with its balconies for guests and orchestra, while surrounding the whole structure are broad prom- enade verandas and open-air band-stand.


The landscape gardener has given his touch of completeness to the scene by the creating of beautiful flower beds. Designs of striking like- nesses liave been worked out inside of odd- shaped plots created by the broad paths which wind about through the grounds. Still further toward the mouth of the cañon irregular paths lead through rustic ways, dotted by little pago- das of oriental style, to a delightful body of water, whereon glide lazily many boats at the will of idle pleasure-seekers.


The resort is peculiarly charming by reason of the fact that the citizens of Butte are deprived of


a close communion with nature, due to the an- tagonism of the mineral nature of the soil to vegetation, and who, but for this beautiful re- treat, would be denied the hallowing influences so necessary to the softening of natures and the expansion of the souls of men. Not only the thousands belonging to the laboring classes, but those of high estate have been quick to accept the privilege presented them to enjoy the pleasures of this bountifully endowed mountain retreat, so gratuitously thrown open to them, at no further cost than car fare, and immense picnic parties composed of people of both high and low degree are becoming daily sights within the grounds. Many excursions from about the State are scheduled for the coming year.


The gardens are under the control of the City Railway Company, but to Hon. W. A. Clark is entitled the honor for having provided so necessary a public institution, that gentleman, as president of the system, having been its in- stigator and enthusiastic patron. Something like $50,000 has been spent within the year in adding to the general improvement of the grounds. Electric light, fire, sewerage and water systems have been extended about the en- tire forty acres comprising the gardens, the first- mentioned system rendering the grounds as at- tractive by night as by day. In addition to these improvements a fine botanical garden and zoö- logical collection are planned for the near future to supplement those already started, and which will be free to the public. Over 80,000 plants have been taken from the hothouses operated upon the grounds and have been placed in the numerous beds, and many rare trees comprise those which line the walks and paths.


SCHOOL OF MINES.


The Montana State School of Mines is lo- cated on an eminence just west of the city limits of Butte. The building is constructed of brick and stone in the Renaissance style of architec- ture. It is practically fireproof and has been considered the finest public structure in the State. It was erected in 1896-98, and has re- cently been supplied with $15.000 worth of fur- niture and apparatus. Everything that goes to make up this furnishing is of the best quality and of modern construction. The illustrations


here given are all half-tones taken from plioto- graphs and will give a correct idea of the style of the building and its equipment.


The institution was opened for the reception of pupils on September 1I, 1900, and at that time freshman and sophomore classes were formed. The courses of study adopted require four years for their completion and lead either to the de- gree of Mining Engineer or Electrical Engineer, according to the lines of topics chosen by the student. The requirements for admission and


INVITING BOWERS ANDI'COZY NOOKS, COLUMBIA GARDENS.


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GREATER BUTTE.


for graduation corre- spond closely to those of similar institutions in other States.


This school is under the control of the State Board of Education and a local Board of Trus- tees. The members of the local board are: John E. Rickards, ex- governor of the State; James W. Forbis, W. Y. Pemberton, ex-chief jus- tice: George E. Moul- throp and Joseph V. Long. The members of the faculty are: Nathan R. Leonard, president and professor of mathe- matics ; William G. King, professor of chemistry and metallurgy: Alexan- der N. Winchell, profes-


SCHOOL OF MINES.


Lecture Room of Laboratory. Lecture Room, Physics Department.


CLASS ROOMS, SCHOOL OF MINES.


Laboratory, Working Roult Drawing Room.


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BUTTE, MONTANA.


sor of geology, mining and mineralogy, and Charles H. Bowman, pro- fessor of mechanics and mining engineering.


The Act of Congress providing for the organ- ization of the State granted 100,000 acres of land for the establish- ment of a School of Mines. The legislature of the State located the school at Butte, and has made liberal appropriations for its equipment and current expenses.


The large mineral resources of Montana and the vast amount of capital employed in their de- velopment have made mining the chief industry of the State. The School of Mines is therefore an object of the greatest interest to the people


of this commonwealth. It is hoped that in a con- paratively short time this institution will be in pos- session of very large and valuable collections of minerals, mine models, etc., illustrating the re- sources of the State and the latest and best meth-


ENTRANCE AND FOYER, SCHOOL OF MINES.


ods in the extraction and treatment of ores. The City of Butte is the greatest mining center in America. The thousands of trained super- intendents, engineers, metallurgists and practical miners here employed constitute an environment that will prove of inestimable value to the School of Mines.


THE PAUL CLARK HOME.


"To help the worthy poor to help them- selves " was the motto adopted by a little band of charitable women one fall day in 1897. About three years later, or upon Friday evening, Nov- ember "16, 1900, there was formally opened, by an unqualifiedly successful charity ball, the Paul Clark Home as a fitting monument to their un- tiring labors, and but for which this beautiful structure would, perhaps, never have been erected.


So generously did their motto and the high standing of the organizers appeal to public sen- timent that success followed success rapidly un- til their organization - the Associated Chari- ties - soon became the recognized leader in charitable work in the city. The charter mem- bers of the infant organization numbered about fifty, but, so enthusiastic have been their efforts, that in the short years since its incorporation the membership has increased to nearly 200 - ex-


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clusively of ladies - most of whom are leaders in social and religious life in the city. The first officers and trustees of the organization are en- titled to distinct mention, together with all honor that might go with it, for upon the proper shap- ing of the association's affairs at its inception rests, in large measure, the credit for subsequent successes. Their names are: President, Mrs. J. M. White; first vice-president, Mrs. John Noyes ; second vice-president, Mrs. A. S. Chris- tie; secretary, Mrs. Irene Morshead; treasurer,


the assisted to help themselves. In the language of its noble president, Mrs. J. M. White: “To put one family beyond the necessity of charity is more useful than to tide twenty over into next week's misery."


Truths are often best left unsaid, but it is felt to be the fact, concurred in by every one and whose relation is a pleasure to all, that if a canvass were made for an explanation of the large meas- ure of success which has attended the associa- tion's history, the unanimous reply would be


«PAUL CLARK HOME.


Mrs. A. M. Wethey ; trustees, Mrs. J. M. White, Mrs. C. W. Clark, Mrs. Annie E. Hammond, Mrs. Jennie H. Moore, Mrs. Sarah Broughton, Mrs. Ruth Burton and Mrs. John Noyes. Aside from its membership, nearly every business and professional man of note in the city is numbered among the association's list of donors.


The objects of the association are: To help the worthy poor to help themselves, to visit and assist the poor, relieve their distress by providing physicians, nurses, food, clothing, fuel and what- ever may be necessary in their particular cases.


A home was secured where those seeking em- ployment and without means could remain tem- porarily, the end sought in all cases being to help


" Mrs. White." While a score of others have loaned their every thought to the upbuilding of the association and sacrificed their personal com- forts in ministering to the wants of others, yet undoubtedly is due to Mrs. White the credit for the growing success of this ennobling work. Hers is the genius, the tact, the farsightedness, the generalship, which, combined with a sweet, pure woman's heart, has tided the association over the dark places and brought to its support assistance which otherwise might not have been enjoyed.


Mrs. John Noyes has always been a most able lieutenant, making light the many burdens and lending her best efforts at all times, and not in-


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frequently of her large means, for the success of the association.


Another earnest worker, as well as donor, is Mrs. C. W. Clark, who, as one of its first trus- tees, has been identified with the work from its start and has ever been willing with her means


wherein its plans might be worked out unham- pered. The suggestion, seemingly, took root in Mr. Clark's mind, and some months later, while in the East, he notified Mrs. White to confer with architects in the drafting of plans for a building to cost some $20,000. His communica-


SUN PARLOR


and kindly personal effort to further the best interests of the association.


Scores of others might be mentioned who have loaned both effort, thought and means to the success of this God-given task, whom many a hungry, dejected soul has learned to bless from a touched and softened heart.


As the association grew in age and stature, its needs rapidly multiplied and the small frame building originally occupied by it proved wholly inadequate to meet them. The burning question of how to meet this new demand with the lim- ited funds at its command lay heavily upon the hearts of more than one zealous member for many days before its solution was reached.


Meanwhile, Mrs. White, anticipating events, had taken the matter up quite seriously with Hon. W. A. Clark, suggesting to him the neces- sity for an ample home for the association,


tion also stated that his immediate family would supply the furnishings for the institution in all details. This was supposed to represent an ad- ditional outlay of $10,000.


Plans were drawn and work begun, and, as construction and furnishing progressed, the orig- inal sums appropriated became exhausted many times and, as often as this occurred, new appro- priations were generously made until the build- ing completed represents a total cost of not less than $50,000. The only condition imposed upon the association was that the name of the insti- tution should be the Paul Clark Home, in mem- ory of Mr. Clark's youngest son, who, during his lamentably short life, devoted so much to deeds of charity.


Mrs. White, at the request of Mr. Clark, as- sumed complete control of the plans, material, furnishings, etc., and, so great a burden did this


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GREATER BUTTE.


impose upon her, she was forced to withdraw from active charge of the Associated Charities, and, for the last two years, has given her entire thought and time to her new duties.




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