A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 61

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

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It was at Bannack that Olivia Hoffman Graeter saw and heard more of the so called "wild and woolly west," for the atmosphere of that particular time seemed laden with terrible accounts of much that had trans- pired by the unlawful, and the instantaneous work of the vigilantes in the protection of life and property, with the restoration of law and order. In comparison there seemed to be but little to be feared from the In- dians, although the little fort on top of the mountain, just back of their home, looked ominous and sugges- tive. Bannack, originally the capital of the territory of Montana, is located between two high mountains, with but one well defined street-most of the traveled ways being winding trails and footpaths. It was here she met Robert Pollock Hopkins, a mine operator who came from his native state of New York in the early sixties, after he had served his country in the Civil war, having been in the service during almost the entire period of contention-and was always there-

after an active member of the Grand Army of the . homes for a little needed rest and something to eat, Republic.

They were married in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, January 28, 1874, and lived in Syracuse, New York, for two years, when Mr. Hopkins returned to Bannack to resume his mining operations, and to pre- pare to build a home for themselves. After attending the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, Mrs. Hopkins followed him, arriving in July, 1876. The new home was almost ready for occupancy, but it was not long to be enjoyed, for misfortunes, trials and tribulations followed hard upon one another,

and considerable of frontier life was experienced in the following two years.

In 1877, about August, a sharp battle was fought on the Big Hole by General Gibbons with the Nez Perce Indians, in which many were killed and wounded on both sides. General Gibbons gave orders to his men not to molest the squaws or papooses, but on re- connoitering and seeing a squaw with hot irons pok- ing or burning the eyes of a dead drummer boy, he did not hesitate to change his command to "shoot and kill everyone." The Nez Perce Indians fled and Gen- eral Gibbons, not knowing if they were heading for the town of Bannack or for the ranches of Beaverhead valley, immediately dispatched couriers to notify all the ranchers and people they could find. The courier on reaching the valley late in the evening made a sur- vey of the country while on a high knoll to ascertain if possible the whereabouts of the Indians, but could see nothing. He continued on his way and when com- ing down the hill, saw at a distance Indians at the big gate waiting and courteously holding it open for him to drive through. He took in the situation instantly : the Indians had arrived before him. He quickly turned and with the reins in his left hand and holding his gun with his right hand under his left arm, pointing it backward and shooting at random, made a wild dash down the other side of the hill, over the bridge and into the willows. The Indians gave a close chase, but halted at the willows not daring or risking to fol- low farther. The courier took off his boots to avoid making a noise treading on the dry sticks, and waded into and down the stream,-the only move he could have made to save his life. The depredations that night throughout the valley were terrible. One fam- ily succeeded in making their escape by a swift drive in a two horse wagon, the rattling noise of which they feared would attract the attention of the Indians, but they were too busy on the ranches, a fact which en- abled the refugees to drive into town safely, arriving about midnight. A little earlier, in the little town of Bannack, when all was hushed and still, there came a most thunderous knocking at the door of every home, a knock that portended haste,-danger,-to be up and doing, filling every heart with consternation, anxiety and fear. A courier was at the door with the tidings of Indian warfare of the Nez Perce tribe on the valley fifteen miles away. Apprehensive of an attack on the town, the people of the settlement were admonished to provide better protection. In less than ten minutes everyone was hurrying and scurrying to and fro, every available horse and weapon was being brought into use, scouts were sent out to keep a watch on the move- ments of the Indians and all the women and children were hastening to the courthouse, which was being barricaded as best it might, but little could be done at that hour of the night, and no one was allowed to stand in a door or near a window for fear of being the target of the Indians momentarily expected on the mountains just opposite. The hours of the night dragged heavily and all was extreme restlessness. In the early morning hours one scout returned to let the people know that the Indians were not yet coming that way, so that most of the weary ones ventured to their

and to collect their most valuable articles and bury them in shafts, prospect holes or any such places they thought most safe.

The other several men on horseback had continued their journey to see what assistance they might render to the more unfortunate ones. They found the places looted, houses and haystacks burned, stock run off, ranchers murdered, two with the contents of straw and feather beds covering their bodies, and others shot while running for their lives to the willows, the only shelter to be had. One man killed was buried where found near the Hamilton ranch; one found in

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the willows, seemingly scared to death, was also buried on the spot; another, severely wounded, was found barefooted wading in the stream and was brought to Bannack on horseback early next morning.

The delayed return of the scouts caused much alarm and others went in search of them, and they too deemed it best to keep to the willows, and discarded their boots for safety. Late in the evening, however, all hands came in barefooted, footsore, hungry and tired, bringing with them four bodies, viz., Smith, Cooper, Flynn and Montague. The burial took place the following afternoon, the cortege wending its way along a deep gulch to the cemetery located on top of a steep high hill. Two of the bodies had been lowered in their last resting place, side by side, and the final hymn was being sung when suddenly was wafted to their ears the piercing, terrible warwhoop, and looking in the direction whence it came, far away could be seen a great cloud of dust circling the riders. The war- whoop continued. The burials were only half com- pleted, and such a stampede from the cemetery to the homes of the improvised fort can better be imagined than described. One can also better appreciate the haughty indignation of the people on learning the de- ception that had been perpetrated upon them at such a time by a band of Indian scouts from General How- ard's command. The settlers suffered all the agony, all the terror and all the suspense, and even greater than that which was endured the previous day and night, and the prayer on the lips of all was that such scenes might never be enacted again' in an already terror stricken community. But this was not to be, for two days later, while partaking of the evening meal, again came the terrific, demoralizing yell, re- sounding from one end of the town to the other, the mountains on either side reverberating the sounds, and in a moment every one was rushing into the streets; women fainted and fell; the women of one family were given a gun and told to run to the willows at the rear of 'their home, for there was no time to reach the fort. The riders were upon them, galloping through the town, and when they halted at a corrall they proved to be an Indian in the employ of one of the townsmen, and four whites, cowboys, dressed in Indian garb. The inhabitants were beside themselves with terror and indignation, and there was talk and threats of lynching.

General Howard's command marched through the country via Bannack two days behind the Nez Perce Indians. The soldiers were weary and footsore, and the people of Bannack conveyed as many as they could by wagon to their next camping ground. The Indians were familiar with' every foot of country here, and with their alertness and extreme cunning- ness, never allowed themselves to be surprised, much less overtaken. Among the Indian scouts in General Howard's command was a son of Tendoy the chief of the Bannacks. Tendoy was friendly to the whites and succeeded in keeping his tribe in subjection to his or- ders. But in less than a year, in June, 1878, the inhab- itants of Bannack were again thrown into a tumult of apprehension and terror by the restlessness of the Bannack tribe. The young warriers of this tribe were determined on an attack on Bannack, and again the courthouse was fortified and every precaution taken for the protection of life and home. But Chief Ten- doy again prevailed, while he and his followers camped on the banks of Grasshopper creek, just across the way from the Hopkins home, awaiting the coming of Major Maginnis, who had been to Washington, D. C., to see the "Great White Father" in their behalf. On his arrival a treaty was entered into. The pipe of peace was passed around and again all seemed quiet and peaceful.

Mr. Hopkins had befriended Tendoy in early days, giving him biscuit and tobacco when he happened to

pause at his cabin door. An Indian never forgets a kindness ,or a friendly face, and when he learned there was a "squaw" in the home across the way, he was very anxious to see her, so the chief of the Bannacks was brought to the home to say "how" and to pow- wow in Indian fashion for a few moments, when he left, seemingly quite pleased and satisfied. Tendoy was a very large and tall Indian. He died about 1909. Here ended the Indian troubles of this little household. Mr. Hopkins prospered in his mining operations but a few months longer, when his fortune was entirely swept away by a cloudburst, which tore away the reservoir, undermining the mill and several cabins, besides doing much other damage. This mis- fortune left him without a chance to financially reestab- lish himself, and it was almost imperative to seek new fields. Soon an opportunity presented itself in being allowed to bring a load of merchandise to Butte for some of the mines.

Before he left for Butte, Mr. Hopkins decided that if the city pleased him, he would immediately return, or send for his wife, and in accordance with this de- cision in another three weeks, she, with all the cour- age and seeming conviction of success, happily found herself with a four horse load of household goods, seated on feather cushions, and with a couple of heated rocks with which to keep warm, winding her way slowly but surely to the greatest mining camp in the West, arriving safely about four o'clock in the afternoon, on December 24, 1878. This was a severe winter, but with the comforts described above, they drove "in state" to the hardware store on Main street, where she found her husband in the employ of the company. So ended a novel trip. After a few days of rest they set about to locate a place they might call home. Houses here were scarce, but they were finally offered a hut of logs and mud, without a floor or a window, answering to the name of either stable or house, at a rental of $25.00 the month. They de- cided that they would not be in a hurry to choose a home, in the hope that something else might be avail- able, perhaps with fewer "modern improvements" and at a more reasonable price. It so happened that within two weeks' time they were able to secure a little two room palace, one of the rooms ten feet square and the other six by seven, with twelve foot ceilings,-the merest shell of a cabin, and lined with cloth inside. This they occupied until the completion of their little cottage at No. 121 West Silver street, a most preten- tions home for Butte in those days. This home still stands and remains a part of the family estate. Mr. Hopkins again engaged in mining operations, though he lived but a few years and passed away on March 7, 1883, survived by his widow and two sons, the eldest being but a little more than three years old at that time.

Mrs. Hopkins in her own right owned a very com- fortable estate, and being a thorough business woman, managed all affairs successfully, and was able to give her sons those excellent opportunities of education, travel and a start in the business world. She is the descendant of a long line of German ancestors of which she has a record from 1549. Her father was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, on March 16, 1803, and was educated in Leipsic and Stuttgardt, coming to America in 1828. He died in Warren, Trumbull .county, Ohio, on March 8, 1863.

Mrs. Hopkins completed her musical education at the conservatory of music at Painesville, Ohio, and has done much charitable work in that line during her residence in Bannack, rendering musical aid on all occasions wherever required, and assisted materially in the building of the first and only church edifice, which still stands and serves its purpose to all denom- inations.

After coming to Butte it was her heart's desire to

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continue in the same kind of work, and as providence prospered her in her late business life, she in a quiet way assisted several along educational lines, furnish- ing scholarships through the several colleges and help- ing her proteges in getting a business start. Since her two sons are married, in addition to looking after the business part of life, plans to devote much of her time to club work. She is an active member of the Silver Bow chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and identified with the Woman's Club of Butte.

The family was reared in the Episcopal faith and have always remained among its active members. Her eldest son, Clarence Victor Hopkins, was born Feb- ruary 20, 1880, and after finishing a course in the ele- mentary schools of Butte and graduating from the high school in 1898, he was sent to Houghton, Michi- gan, where he entered the Michigan College of Mines, there completing a course in engineering. He has been connected with the United Verde Copper Com- pany since February, 1904, during which time he has received several promotions, and is now chief engi- neer of the mining field division of the company. He is also chief engineer of the United Verde and Pacific Railroad, with general supervision of all engi- neering work. For the past three or four years much of his time has been given to the engineering prob- lems which usually attend the selection of a site suitably adapted for a large smelter with standard gauge railroad connections, in a mountainous coun- try, also to the preliminary work preparatory to con- struction. This new plant is now being built at a point on the Verde river, nearly one half a mile lower than the mine, and five miles to the northeast of the old works. About three miles from the new works, the site of which has not yet been named, he has many acres of land with the best of irrigation facilities, with all kinds of fruit, vegetables, grain, live stock, etc., and on his ranch home his family, comprising a wife, a daughter and two sons, are living happily and comfortably. The children are named as follows : Anna Dorothy, who was born July 20, 1904; Robert Pollock II, born November 15, 1906; and Clarence Victor, Jr., born August 17, 1912.

The younger son of Mrs. Hopkins, Henry Chester Hopkins, was born on November 7, 1881, and received his preliminary education in the schools of Butte, graduating from the high school in 1899. He entered the University of Virginia and completed a three-years' course in the law school, graduating with honors, and in the autumn of 1904 he was admitted to the bar of the state of Montana. He then became associated with Judge W. M. Bickford, who was then the legal adviser for the interests of Senator Clark. For six years Mr. Hopkins devoted his time entirely to looking after these interests, then decided to sever his connection with this office and establish a separate probate busi- ness. This move proved to be a successful one, as he has built up for himself an excellent practice.

He was married to Miss Alberta Reid Speers on November 8, 1911. She is a Canadian by birth, and they were married at her home in Brandon, Manitoba. In his political belief Mr. Hopkins is a. Democrat, and manifests a keen interest in the success of that party. He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and also holds membership in the Silver Bow Club, as well as in the University Club of Butte.

NELSON STORY, JR. Holding prestige as a leading rep- resentative of that class of business men who are mak- ing the city of Bozeman one of the leading commercial and industrial centers of the Northwest, and taking a prominent position as proprietor of the largest jobbing house between Minneapolis and the Pacific Coast, that of the Story Motor Supply Company, Nelson Story, Jr., has for the past twelve years identified himself with

various business enterprises of great magnitude and im- portance, and also found time to serve his city and county in positions of public trust. He has resided in Bozeman all of his life, having been born in this city May 12, 1874, a son of Nelson Story, Sr., one of Boze- man's foremost business citizens.

After attending the public schools of Bozeman, Nelson Story, Jr., entered the Shattuck Military Academy, at Faribault, Minnesota, and after remaining there for three years became a student in a St. Louis commercial college. After one year in the latter institution he be- gan his business career as an employee in his father's flouring mill in Bozeman, where he was employed six years, but in 1900 embarked in business on his own ac- count as proprietor of the Story Iron Works, located at the corner of Main street and Grand avenue, the plant being completed in September of that year. This struc- ture, 50x125 feet, was completed at a cost of $10,000, its equipment including highly improved machinery and ac- cessories for general iron working business, and from time to time improvements have been made both to the building and fixtures. At the present time Mr. Story is proprietor of the Story Motor Supply Company, job- bers in motor accessories, parts and supplies, and the largest jobbing house between Minneapolis and the coast, and vice president of the Bozeman Milling Com- pany. Possessed of much more than the average busi- ness ability, Mr. Story has so managed his various en- terprises as to make them the leaders in their fields in the city, where he bears the reputation of being an alert and progressive citizen.

In political matters Mr. Story is a stalwart Republi- can. In 1901 he was made chairman of the Republican central committee of Gallatin valley, subsequently served five years as alderman of Bozeman and in 1904 was elected mayor and gave his native city a clean and business-like administration. In 1906 he was the re- cipient of the election for state representative from Gallatin county, being the incumbent of that office for one term. Fraternally he is connected with Bozeman Lodge No. 463, B. P. O. E., Bozeman Lodge No. 18, A. F. & A. M., Zona chapter No. 12, R. A. M., and St. John's commandery No. 12, K. T. He is popular in fraternal circles and has many friends throughout the city. On June 10, 1895, Mr. Story was married at St. Louis, Mis- souri, to Miss Etha L. Mayo, daughter of William H. Mayo, secretary of the Missouri Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, in which fraternity he has at- tained the thirty-third degree, the highest in the Scot- tish rite. Mr. and Mrs. Story have two children: Nel- son Story, III, who was born in January, 1900, and Mayo, born in August, 1902. The family residence is located at No 601 Grand avenue.

THOMAS SWITZER. Fortunate environments encom- pass nearly every man at some stage of his career, but the strong man and the successful man is he who realizes that the proper moment has come, that the present and not the future holds his opportunity. The man who makes use of the now, and not the to be, is the one who passes on the highway of life others who started out ahead of him, and reaches the goal of prosperity in advance of them. It is this quality in Thomas Switzer that has made him a leader in the business world and won him political honors in Libby, Montana, where he has resided since 1892 and where he is now incumbent of the office of mayor.

In the province of Ontario, Canada, near the city of Ottawa, February 3, 1853, occurred the birth of Thomas Switzer, a son of Charles and Mary (Sykes) Switzer, the former of whom died in 1880, aged sixty-five years, and the latter of whom passed away in 1878. Charles Switzer, Sr., grandfather of the subject of this review, was born in Germany, whence he immigrated to America as a young man, settling in Canada, where he was a farmer by occupation. John Sykes, maternal grand-

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father of Thomas Switzer, was a native of England and was the founder of the Canadian branch of the Sykes family. He, too, was a farmer during his active career. Charles Switzer, Jr., married Mary Sykes in 1852 and they became the parents of eight children, of whom Thomas was the first born.

Under the sturdy and invigorating influences of the old homestead farm in Ontario, Canada, Thomas Switzer was reared to maturity and his educational training consisted of such advantages as were offered in the neighboring public schools, which he attended until he had reached his sixteenth year. About that time he secured a position as clerk in a mercantile house and for his services received the meagre salary of six dollars a month and board. Later his wages were raised to twelve dollars per month. In 1872 he became a mem- ber of the northwest mounted police and after serving in that organization for sixteen months he was made senior sergeant of Troop A, First attachment of the mounted police. In 1874 he resigned his position and came to Montana, settling in Sun River, where he was variously engaged. In 1876, with John Manning the first sheriff of Deadwood in the Black Hills, he went on a stampede to Wind River valley, Lander, Wyom- ing and remained there about eight months and then returned to Montana over land. He again settled in Sun River and there opened a livery business. Later he established his residence in Butte, where he followed mining and prospecting and whence he removed to Helena eighteen months later. In 1886 he went to Cascade and opened a drug store, having previously learned the trade of pharmacist under the preceptorship of Doctor James at Chestnut Valley. He erected the first house in Cascade and lived there six years, at the end of which, in 1892, he came to Libby, where he was a pioneer druggist and where he was appointed post- master, in which capacity he served four years. Here he was chairman of the school board from 1892 to 1904 and he has also served two terms as mayor, being incumbent of that office at the present time, in 1912. He is proving unusually efficient as administrator of the municipal affairs of the city and during his last term he has been instrumental in putting in over five miles of cement walks. He has also secured for Libby the city water works, an electric lighting plant and a fire department, all of which improvements make Libby the most up-to-date city in Lincoln county. During Mr. Switzer's term of office as mayor and as the result of his energy the population of Libby has just doubled. In addition to his drug business and his work as mayor Mr. Switzer also conducts a book, stationery and music store. In politics he is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, in the local councils of which he is an active factor. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, being charter member of the lodge at Libby, and in religious matters he and his family are devout mem- bers of the Protestant Episcopal church. During the Spanish-American war Mr. Switzer received a letter from Governor Smith asking him, in case of another call for volunteers, to become head of a company of cavalry. The second call was not made, however, and so Mr. Smith was not called upon to serve.

In Helena, Montana, in October, 1882, Mr. Switzer was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Porter, who was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, and who is a daughter of Henry Porter. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Switzer, as follows: Esmond C., Lela, wife of George L. Brown, of Lincoln county; Elmer T., married to Sara McGingan of Millville, Minnesota; Viola, unmarried and assistant postmaster at Libby; Leona R., wife of John H. Noble, of Kellog, Idaho; Earl and Elwyn, both at home.

JOHN EYNON LLOYD. One of the last of the old-time pioneers who makes Butte the home of his retirement is John Eynon Lloyd, who has seen an eventful and

strenuous as well as a materially successful life. He is of Welsh origin, his family being one of a long line in Wales. Mr. Lloyd's great-grandfather was a ship's captain in the years before the era of steam navigation. His grandfather and his father were both coal miners and mining engineers in their native country. Thus a heritage of sturdiness, of energy and initiative came to the son of Richard and Annie (Eynon) 'Lloyd, whose family consisted of nineteen children, thirteen of whom grew to adult ages. Three of these were boys, among them John Eynon, born on April 14, 1834. The home atmosphere was a religious one, of loyal connection with the Methodist church. The education of the chil- dren was necessarily chiefly one gained from experience. The child John was put to work in the mines at the age of seven years, with the result that the knowledge of books was all but denied him.

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A history of Montana, Volume II, Part 61

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