A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 12

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883-
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002

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As previously stated. Judge Stapleton was called to his final rest 'on April 25, 1910. He had been ailing for several years, but his trouble was not such as to compel him to take to his bed, although preventing him from taking any active part in business. Two days be- fore his death he was out walking with his son, laugh- ing and telling stories.

"I have lived long; I have had a good time; I am not scared to die; the game's over." These were the last words he uttered shortly before he threw his arm around his son, Guy W. Stapleton, and passed into the beyond.

He lived to see the fruit of his labors in the pros- perity and happiness of the people he so faithfully served, and the established success of valued public institutions to whose creations and development he so essentially contributed. It is high praise, but only a just meed to merit to say, that he deserved in full measure the public esteem he so richly enjoyed.

The Anaconda Standard, at the time of Judge Stapleton's death, editorially, said of him in part : "Loved by more than a few, feared by some, he was esteemed by many and respected by all."

In 1870, Judge Stapleton was married to Miss Cora E. McIntosh, a native of Missouri. Their only son, Guy W. Stapleton, received his academic education at Deer Lodge, Montana, and his technical professional training in the law department of the University of Virginia, from which he was graduated in 1895. He at once became associated with his father in active practice, at Butte, where he has since been located. He served as county attorney of Silver Bow county and has also served as a member of the Montana state legislature.

He is one of the well known of the younger profes- sional men and capitalists of Montana, whose private interests are varied and extensive.

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

GEORGE W. IRVIN. The passing of George W. Irvin on March 18, 1907, deprived Butte and the state of Mon- tana of one of her pioneer citizens, and of a man who made history in the state from the days of his earliest connection therewith until his death. He was a man of strong character, possessing all the attributes which in- variably make for success of the highest and most last- ing order, as well as citizenship of the finest type.

A native of Chicago, Illinois, George W. Irvin was born on February 22, 1844, the son of John B. and Ellen M. (Walton) Irvin, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was an early settler in Chicago, in the days when it was not more than a cabin village upon the lake front; indeed, so unpromising was the place that in . 1848 he removed his family to his native state. But in 1853 he returned once more to Illinois, this time locating in the southern part of the state. He later removed to Dubuque, Iowa, which for years represented his home and the center of his business activities.

George W. Irvin diligently attended school until he was seventeen years of age, that period bringing him to the opening of the Civil war. He sought to enlist in a Kansas regiment for the three months' service, but with his entire company was rejected, the regiment hav- ing been filled before it reached Fort Leavenworth. In July, 1863, when not yet twenty years of age, he assisted John Bozeman in organizing a party to make an over- land trip to Idaho, western Montana then being a part of that territory. Thus early in life did the bold and venturesome spirit which ever characterized the actions of Mr. Irvin assert itself in his connection with this expedition. When the company reached the place now known as Buffalo, Wyoming, they were greeted by a band of Sioux and Cheyenne Indians, several hundred strong, and things were made interesting for their party for some time. After a few days' detention Mr. Irvin and a companion were sent to Fort Laramie, a distance of 175 miles, to secure relief for the beleaguered party. They made the trip in three nights' riding, passing through a hostile Indian country, and on reaching the Fort were refused aid by the post commandant, as a re- sult of which the party returned to the Platte river. Certain hardy spirits of the party, however, including Bozeman, Irvin and eight others, refused to be deflected from their original purpose, and set out alone, eaclı equipped with a horse, a rifle and ammunition, and ra- tions for a day, looking forward to bringing down suffi- cient wild game to suffice their needs in that respect. It was in late August that they reached the summit of the Belt mountains, there getting their first view of beautiful Gallatin Valley. Mr. Irvin gave to the gap the appellation of Bozeman Pass, a name which it has since continued to bear, and upon the site where they camped is located the city of Bozeman. At the conflu- ence of the three branches of the Gallatin river the little party encountered two men who informed them of the discovery of gold in Alder Gulch, now Virginia City. On August 22, 1863, Mr. Irvin reached that place, im- mediately engaging in mining operations, to which line of enterprise he gave his attention there and in Cali- fornia Gulch for something like two years.

Early in life Mr. Irvin formed his first connection with affairs of a public nature, being but twenty-one years of age when in 1865 he was appointed clerk of the commission to codify the laws of the territory. In the following year he became assistant assessor of internal revenue for the district comprising Deer Lodge, Mis- soula and Beaverhead counties, also serving as deputy United States marshal. In 1866 Deer Lodge reached the dignity of a post office, and Mr. Irvin was appointed to the office, retaining the post for two years. From 1874 to 1876 he was under-sheriff of Deer Lodge county, and he was public administrator of the county in 1876, and clerk of the second judicial district in 1879. After his removal to Silver Bow he was county sheriff from

1882 to 1884, and he was United States marshal in 1889 and 1890, being the last man to hold that office under the old territorial regime and the first incumbent after Montana became a state. As a result of his connection in that respect he was superintendent ex-officio of the territorial penitentiary, but when the territory became a state he resigned the office. In 1893-4 he was state com- missioner of mineral lands, and while the incumbent of this important office he employed counsel and fought the Northern Pacific Railway successfully in the case of the Northern Pacific Railway vs. Richard P. Barden, et al. Following the decision of the supreme court in favor of the defendant, through the aid of the senators and congressmen from Montana, Mr. Irvin brought about the enactment by Congress of a law for the subsequent examination, classification and segregation of 17,000,000 acres of land within the Northern Pacific land grant, thus saving for the prospectors about one-half of the land involved and relegating it to the public mineral lands of the United States.

In 1881 Mr. Irvin changed his residence to Butte, which continued to represent his home until his death. The public offices named above of which Mr. Irvin was the able and efficient incumbent are sufficient in num- ber and importance to convey a somewhat adequate idea of the mental capacity and executive ability of the man, and they show clearly the character of his services to his party and the regard in which he was ever held by those in high places, as well as those in the less import- ant walks of life. In March, 1898, Mr. Irvin was ap- pointed postmaster of Butte, a post which he retained until his death. In his capacity as postmaster he won high commendation for his ability and skill in the administration of its affairs, and the many improvements he brought about in the service. Under his regime the office was brought to the very highest standard and many innovations for the good of the system originated in his mind and were carried out under his supervision, later becoming adopted and standardized in postal cir- cles throughout the country.

On October 23, 1867, Mr. Irvin was united in mar- riage at Deer Lodge with Miss Bettie H. Irvine, the daughter of Thomas Howard Irvine. One daughter was born to them, Mary B., wlio died on September 17, 1904. Of the marriage ceremony a local chronicle records that "three hundred citizens of the territory attended the reception at the Deer Lodge Hotel, among whom were many Indian women, wives of white set- tlers," a commentary which is eloquent of the freedom and joyous abandon of those early days.

Mr. Irvin was buried in Mount Moriah cemetery, in Butte, Montana. The widow of Mr. Irvin still retains her residence in Butte, where she is regarded as one of the city's most estimable ladies. She is prominent in the Episcopal church, in which she is one of the leading workers, in addition to which she carries on a deal of charitable work in a great many directions.

Concerning the passing of Mr. Irvin, many interesting testimonials to his life and work were published at the time, some of which we shall here quote as being representative of the general regard and esteem in which the deceased was held. In speaking of him to the Standard, United States Senator Lee Mantle said : "His long and efficient public service in numerous im- portant positions, his active interest in public affairs and his prominence in Republican politics long since made George W. Irvin a distinguished as well as a familiar personality in the official, social and political life of Montana. No man was more widely or more favorably known throughout the length and breadth of the state. I think, perhaps. it was in political conven- tions that his impressive personality, his clear percep- tions, his strong individuality and dominating force of character made themselves most distinctly felt. On such occasions he exerted an influence peculiarly his own, and when aroused gave evidence of great power.

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If he believed an injustice was likely to be done, no considerations of tact, no pandering to expediency, no appeal of clique or faction could stay him from giving vigorous and often caustic expression to his dissent and his condemnation of what he deemed to be wrong; and upon such occasions he usually carried his point. At the same time, he was a sagacious counselor, possessed of a vast fund of strong, practical common sense, all of which made him a potent factor in shaping the policies and destinies of the Republican party in this state.

"He was a man of unflinching courage and great independence of character. I do not think he knew the meaning of fear in any sense or under any circum- stances. He possessed a broad and keen intelligence; had read and studied extensively, and was gifted with a most tenacious memory, which rarely ever let go of an event or fact of interest or importance, either local or national. He was a thinker, and held decided views upon questions of public concern. He had the courage of his convictions and gave them forcible and effective expression whenever occasion required.

"As a potent factor in the pioneer life of this commu- nity, in the early establishment of law and order and the rule of justice, and later in the advancement of the moral, material and intellectual development, he ranked in a class with that great Montanian, the lamented Wil- bur F. Sanders. In manner he was dignified, courtly and affable; a fine conversationalist, always interesting and entertaining, whether talking in private or speaking in public. His fund of information was inexhaustible, and it was indeed a rare treat to listen to his recital of early experiences, interspersed, as they always were, with stories told with a humor and in a manner pecul- iarly his own. In all Montana no man was more wel- come at the banquet board, and many there are who will recall with sentiments of genuine pleasure, now mingled with profound regret, his felicitous responses when called upon for a toast. No one could be happier on such occasions, and his remarks were always a source of unmixed delight, teeming with interesting reminis- cences, sparkling with kindly, genuine humor, and always accompanied by a story or anecdote to give pith and point to the subject.

"George W. Irvin might have had almost any political honor, within the gift of the people had he so desired. Of his abilities and capacity there was no question. But apparently he did not desire it. Neither did he care for great wealth, nor seek to pander to it. At the same time, no man's counsel was more sought or valued than his in times of stress by those holding positions of great responsibility in the community.

"I never knew a man so absolutely free from envy and I never heard a word fall from his lips except in gratification over the good fortunes of others. He was an optimist; always hopeful, always seeing the bright side of things, always holding out encouragement to others. If he had trouble and worries he kept them to himself. He was punctilious in the discharge of every obligation, no matter how trifling. Added to these, he was a genial, companionable, manly man; a loyal and steadfast friend, and a patriotic, true American citizen. Death had no terrors for him; he feared it less than any one I ever knew; and no one was ever less con- cerned for the future. He believed that the surest pass- port to whatever of happiness or salvation might be be- yond was in being square and honorable here.

"These, somewhat hurriedly and imperfectly expressed, are a few of my impressions of one of the best men I have ever known, and one of the best friendships I have ever had. Our friendship ran through more than a quarter of a century, and my regret at this moment is that I have not the power of expression to put into words all that I think and feel, and all that his useful life and sterling character deserve. His death leaves a void in this community and in this state which it will be hard

to fill, for his was a commanding presence and his life was a potent force for good."

An editorial in a Butte daily speaks in the following terms of Mr. Irvin: "It would be hard to name a citi- zen of those actively identified with Butte's community life whose death would be more keenly felt by men, women and children in every walk of life than has been the passing of George Irvin.

"For almost half a century, or since the days when white men began to people what is now the state of Montana, George Irvin's erect figure has been as famil- iar as the noble outline of the hills which encircle Sum- mit .Valley. Built upon big lines physically and men- tally, he became while still a young man a forceful fac- tor in the growth of the territory, and it is recorded of him that from those stirring days when, with John Bozeman, he looked upon imminent death in every form unflinchingly until that gray dawn when peacefully and in the slumber like unto that of a babe, his kindly soul passed out to his creator, he was the same frank, fear- less, generous, lovable gentleman.

"Disdaining show and ostentation of any kind, his undisguised analyses of men and situations were at times almost startling in their candor, but to those in suffering or in distress, to all who were in need of the sincere condolence or assistance of a friend or counsel- lor, George Irvin was as gentle as a woman, as gracious as a courtier, with a heart full of human sympathy and kindness.

"Apart from that charming, innate philosophy which made him a man with the young heart of a boy, George Irvin possessed those traits which are essential to leader- ship. Fluent of tongue, and of pen, a keen observer, a deep thinker and a studious reader, when he said or wrote anything it was worth hearing or reading. Although holding Federal office, George Irvin was neither a time server nor an office hunter. He was a bigger man than is required for the duties he fulfilled; he would have in larger fields attained a much greater measure of success. But men of his stamp are not to be measured by the degrees of their material profit, or by their acquisition of place or power of wealth They are guided by simple, human impulse rather than by cupid- ity or restless ambition; their influence is reflected in the lasting love and respect of all who come in contact with them, and there is no one who knew him who does not count the death of 'Uncle George' a personal loss.

"Butte and Montana have lost a good citizen; thou- sands have lost a faithful friend; a wife has lost a lov- ing husband; but neither the snows of the centuries nor the sands of time will ever cover his grave deep enough to obliterate the memory of his kindly personality or the greatness of his generous heart."

Editorially, the Butte Miner said in part: "Butte has been called upon to mourn the untimely death of George W. Irvin,-one of its best loved public citizens, who at the time of his demise was serving his third term as postmaster of this city.

"Mr. Irvin died after a short illness, and his death cast a shadow of sorrow over the entire community, for no one was acquainted with him who did not have an abiding affection for him, and admire his sterling quali- ties and intellectual endowments. He crossed the plains when eighteen years of age with John M. Bozeman, and although occasionally away from the state on public business, once spending some years in Washington, as mineral and land commissioner, he always called Mon- tana 'home,' and took an immense pride in the upbuild- ing of this commonwealth. With the history of early days and men he had a most intimate knowledge, for he had occupied confidential relations of friendship with all the prominent figures that have had a part in the work of making Montana what it is today.

"Those who knew him best know that it was his desire that when he crossed to the other side no ex-

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HISTORY OF MONTANA

tended obituary notices be given him, for he often expressed that sentiment which Tennyson put into verse :

"'Sunset and evening star, And onc clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar When I put out to sea.'

"The death of 'Uncle George Irvin,' as he was famil- iarly called, has left a vacancy in the business, social and club life of Butte that can never be filled, and he will ever be held in affectionate memory by all those now living who learned to know and love him."

JOHN F. BISHOP. Montana owes a debt of gratitude to its pioneers, whose stout hearts, alert minds and will- ing hands conquered the wilderness and whose cour- age, determination and infinite patience in the face of discouragement made it possible to lay in the new country the paths of civilization straight and clean. A representative of the finest type of pioneer resides in Dillon, this being John F. Bishop, one of the most honored and prominent of the citizens of Beaverhead county. He has resided in the state since 1863, and in the interim has engaged in mining, ranching and sheep- raising, his being the distinction of inaugurating sheep- raising in the state, the first stock sheep driven into the state being his possession. He is a great traveler and is familiar with many corners of the country. Mr. Bishop is a remarkably public-spirited man and there is nothing of public import at Dillon or in all the Beaverhead valley in which he is not helpfully inter- ested.

Mr. Bishop was born at Warsaw, Wyoming county, New York, his eyes first opening to the light of day on March 14, 1836. He resided in the Empire state until the age of twenty-one and then followed the tide of migration to the northwest, locating in Kilbourn, Wis- consin, where he followed teaming and rafting on the Wisconsin river for about a twelvemonth. Tiring of that, he bought forty acres of prairie land in the vicinity of Kilbourn, with the intention of cultivating it, but again he became interested in other directions and at the end of six months he built a flat boat and went down the river to Hannibal, Missouri, where he spent another six months and then went to St. Louis and thence on up the river to Leavenworth, Kansas. There he hired out to an overland train for Pike's Peak, in some useful capacity, and his subsequent journeys took him to Denver and to Nevada City, Colorado, where he engaged in mining and teaming for some three years.

In the spring of 1863 Mr. Bishop's peregrinations ceased, for he came to Montana, whose advantages and opportunities appealed to him so eloquently that the wanderlust was never again able to get hold of him. He settled, on April 20th of the year mentioned, in East Bannack. then a part of Idaho, and his first occu- pation was mining in Bivins Gulch. Subsequently he followed freighting for three years between Virginia City and Salt Lake and in the summer of 1865 he freighted from Benton to Helena. He then settled in the Beaverhead valley, about eight miles below Dillon, and went into the stock raising business. This county was to be the scene of his residence for all the ensuing years. In 1869 he went to Oregon with Richard A. Reynolds and these gentlemen bought a band of stock sheep at The Dalles and drove them through to Mon- tana, thus hecoming pioneer sheep growers in the Treas- ure state, which then had a score of years before it as a territory. As mentioned in a preceding paragraph. this lot from The Dalles was really the first band of stock sheep ever driven into the state. His operations in sheep raising were on an extensive scale and pros- perity has been his from the beginning; he is a large land holder and a man of substance and wealth. In 1899 he sold his ranch and since has maintained his residence in Dillon; however his vast interests' still

occupy a great deal of his time and he is by no means retired in the usual sense of the word, retaining his pristine vigor and executive ability, and managing his various enterprises with rare good judgment.

As a citizen Mr. Bishop is interested in the success of good government, and is a Republican in his con- victions, although by no means an office seeker. He is very prominent and popular in Montana Masonry, belonging to all the different bodies and having "traveled east" with the Shriners. He was at one time eminent commander of the Dillon commandery and in his own living he exemplifies the ideals of moral and social justice and brotherly love for which the order stands. He is a member of the Beaverhead Social Club and at one time a trustee. He was formerly a member of the board of managers of the Montana State Normal Col- lege. At present he belongs to the school board and is the staunch champion of good education. He has the distinction of being the first justice of the peace in Beaverhead valley. He is particularly an authority on horses and loves good horse flesh and horse racing, and on his own property raises standard bred stock.

Mr. Bishop was married at Warsaw, New York, Sep- tember 14, 1874, the young woman to become his wife and the mistress of his household being Jennie F. Pain- ter, daughter of Edwin and Hannah Painter, the father an agriculturist in the vicinity of Warsaw. Into their home have been born three children, all daughters. Mildred E., born in Dillon, is the wife of Leslie A. Thompson and resides at Twin Bridges, where Mr. Thompson is engaged in the lumber business. Mary P., born in Warsaw, New York, died in Ogden, Utah, at the age of five years. Jean F., a native of Dillon, makes her home with her parents and is an interesting and accomplished young lady. The household is one of the favorite gathering-places in Dillon, and its hospitality is renowned.

Benjamin B. Bishop, father of the foregoing, was born in Lancaster, New Hampshire, and when you. located in the state of New York, where he engaged in farming. He died in the Empire state at the age of ninety-one years. The mother, Lydia Bishop, was a native of Warsaw, New York, where she was married and lived out her life. She preceded her husband to the Great Beyond by many years, her demise occurring at the age of sixty-nine. There were eleven children in the family of these good people, Mr. Bishop of this review being the fourth in order of birth. Mr. Bishop was reared to the sturdy discipline of his father's farm and earned his first money at the age of twelve, digging potatoes. He became a capitalist to the extent of six dollars and invested the same in a calf and by clever juvenile speculating increased it to one hundred dol- lars. This was a real start in life and he has been hustling for himself ever since. He is an extensive traveler, making regular trips to such parts of the North American continent as Alaska, California and Mexico. When the canal is finished he intends to visit Panama. He is familiar with a vast extent of country and his various experiences have made him a most entertaining conversationalist. He declares Montana to be the best state in existence and as a man of strictest honesty and unfailing good judgment he must be taken at his word.

CHARLES D. MCLURE. In the story of one of the most remarkable and most valuable mining enterprises of Montana, the history of the discovery and develop- ment of Granite Mountain, the central personality, the man whose unshaken confidence and tireless resource brought this great wealth to the uses of the world, was Charles D. McLure, of Philipsburg. The history of Granite Mountain belongs elsewhere in this work, and this brief article, which concerns the life career of Mr. McLure, will make only such reference to it as is

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 12

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883- Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1002

Author: Sanders, Helen Fitzgerald, 1883-
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002