An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 100

Author: Miller, Joaquin, 1837-1913. cn
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis pub. co.
Number of Pages: 1216

USA > Montana > An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 100

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In his youth and early manhood Mr. Holter often cher- ished the idea of coming to America, hoping that he might by some chance find his father; and then, too, he thought that in America he might find wider and better opportunities for success in life without being hampered by some of the objectionable features of society which existed iu the land of his nativity. These thoughts ma- tured into plans, and April 8, 1834, he was one of a num- ber of emigrants that sailed for Quebec, Canada, at which place they landed May 25th of the same year. These emigrants came by rail from there to the United States, and on the way met with a fearful railroad accident, in which five of their number were killed. This was his first introduction to railroad travel, and the experience was a severe oue. Upon their arrival at Rock Island it was reported that some of the emigrants had been sick with cholera, and all were refused admission to any of the public houses. Mr. Holter seized his trunk, and, fighting off the quarantine officers, rushed on board a boat, not knowing which way it was going. At this time he did not know a word of English, and his situation was indeed

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and undecided when talking of it, their in- herent superstition having been thoroughly aroused.

"'Sitting Bull is high priest and leading apostle of this latest Indian absurdity; in a word, he is the chief mischief-maker at this agency, and if he were not here, this craze, so

a most embarrassing one. He finally succeeded in reach- ing Freeport, Indiana, where he had a friend and where he immediately secured employment at his trade, at $20 per month. This small sum at that time seemed big wages to him. Carefully saving his money, he speculated in town lots a little, and at the end of a year he had ac- cumulated $300. He continued to work hard and also to speculate in real estate, and in a remarkably short time he was able to estimate his worth at $3,000. Being what he then considered rich, he began to think of returning to Norway. First, however, he wished to see more of the country: so he went to St. Louis, and there spent the win- ter of 1855-6, working at his trade and on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, then being built to Jefferson City. Re- turning to south Iowa the following spring, he remained there four years, making his headquarters at Osage. He made several journeys into western Iowa and Missouri, a country then practically in the possession of the Sioux Indians. On one of these trips he was one of the first to arrive at Spirit lake after the Indian massacre there. In 1859 he was sick nearly the entire year with malaria and brain fever. Times changed, values shrunk, and his ac- cumulations rapidly disappeared. In the spring of 1860, having partially recovered and having paid up his bills, he joined the rush of fortune seekers en route to Pike's Peak. Ilis brother, Martin M. IIolter, joined him in Colorado, and they engaged in farming and mining with fair success.

In the fall of 1863, in company with a Mr. Evanson, Mr. Holter started with a sawmill for Virginia City, Mon- tana, leaving Denver on the 16th of September, and ar- riving at Alder Gulch on the 1st of December, having ex- perienced many difficulties in the snow and cold aud having to abandon much of their freight by the wayside. They located their mill eighteen miles from Virginia City, and although they met with many difficulties in getting it in running order, they did a good business the first season. Being in want of more machinery, Mr. Evanson was sent to Colorado for it; but, instead of buy- ing it as intended, the stories of the fabulous price of flour, nails and other supplies induced him to invest the money in those things and start back with them. On his return trip misfortune overtook him in the way of storms, and he lost much of his freight and some of his teams. Although he received a high price for his goods at Hel- ena in the spring of 1865, the venture proved a losing one.

Soon after the incident above narrated, Mr. IIolter bought out his partner and established a mill on Ten

general among the Sioux, would never have gotten a foothold at this agency. Sitting Bull is a man of low cunning, devoid of a single manly principle in his nature, or an honorable trait of character, but on the contrary is capable of instigating and inciting others (those who believe in his promise) to do any amount of

Mile creek, eight miles from Helena. His brother Mar- tin then became a member of the firm, the name of which was A. M. Holter & Brother. In the summer of 1865 they set up the first planing-mill in Montana, which they ran in connection with the sawmill, and in 1867, in addi- tion to these, they also opened and ran a general mer- chandise business. After a few years the general mer- chandise was discontinued, the business being changed to hardware exclusively. This was successfully continued until the spring of 1887, when Mr. Martin Holter retired from the firm and our subject organized the A. M. Holter Hardware Company, which is still in active operation, being one of the largest establishments of the kind in the city. Mr. Holter is also still engaged in the manufacture of lumber, being president of the Montana Lumber & Manufacturing Company, of Helena, and also of the Hel- eua Lumber Company, of Great Falls. During the finan- cial crisis of 1893, owing to the failure of Helena banks (endorsements of corporation notes to the extent of $700,- 000), he was, however, enabled to settle all matters so as to withdraw his assignments within a few months,-illus- trating the perfect faith the business world had in his conservative, able management and thorough integrity.

Mr. Holter was one of the first to erect and experiment with ore-concentrating machinery in Montana, an indus- try which has grown to one of the largest and most profit- able in the State, and it has been said of him by another that "he is one of those rugged, indomitable spirits to whom the coming generation inhabiting the Northwest, and especially Montana, will owe in a large degree the magnificent heritage that awaits them." He is not only capable of planning vast enterprises, but also of carrying them into effect. He is a pioneer of Helena than whom no man stands higher in the esteem of his fellow-citizens.

In politics, Mr. Holter has always been a Republican, and has the honor of being the first Republican ever elected to office in the city of Helena. Many are the positions of prominence and trust that he has creditably filled. He was elected to the Territorial Legislature in 1878, and in 1880 was elected a member of the Helena Council, of which he was chosen president. In 1889 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the State of Montana, in which he likewise rendered efficient service. IIe has served as president of the Hel- ena Board of Trade. At the annual meeting of the So- ciety of Pioneers of Montana, of which he has served as president, he delivered a very able and interesting ad- dress. He has made two trips to Europe, one in 1879, and the other, with his family, in 1892.

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mischief. He is a coward and lacks moral cour- age; he will never lead where there is danger, but is an adept in influencing his ignorant henchmen and followers, and there is no know- ing what he may direct them to attempt. * *

"' On Thursday, the 9th instant, upon an in- vitation from Sitting Bull, an Indian named

Mr. Ilolter was married in Chicago, in 1867, to Miss Mary Pauline Loberg, a native of Norway. A record of their six children is as follows: Norman B., born in Feb- rnary, 1868, is a graduate of Columbia College, New York city, and is now a stockholder in the hardware business referred to; Clara M. is the wife of Perey II. Kennett, stepson of ex-Governor S. T. Hauser; Edwin O., a gradu- ate of Yale College and student at Columbia Law School; Albert L., engaged in hardware; and Aubrey and Percy, at home. Mr. Holter built the beantifnl residence in which they live, and he also erected the Holter Block, in which their hardware business is located. Mrs. Holter is an Episcopalian.

Fraternally, Mr. Holter is a Knight Templar Mason. He is a man of pleasing address and is an interesting conversationalist, his opinions always carrying weight with them. Of his life much more might be given, but enough has been said to serve as an index to his charae- ter and place him where he belongs, among the front ranks of the most prominent pioneers of Montana.

JAMES GOURLEY, who dates his arrival in Montana in 1862, and who is ranked with her successful miners, forms the subject of this article.

Mr. Gourley was born in Ireland, May 4, 1840, a de- scendant of Irish ancestors and the son of a farmer. In his native land he was educated and there learned the dry-goods business. He emigrated to America in 1859 and settled at Amboy, Illinois, being there in the employ of Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co., the noted Chicago whole- sale house. For this firm he opened a store at Palo, and afterward one at Galena. From Galena Mr. Gonrley started west, intending to go to Australia, but upon ar- riving in Montana and prospecting a little, he decided that he had reached a goud mining country and would remain. In speaking of his early mining experience, he says that in Prickly Pear Gulch were the first mines in Montana that gold-mining paid wages. He and the men that came with him worked with pick and shovel and dug a ditch to bring water to their claim. After mining and prospecting for some time, finding a fair show of gold in varions places, he finally came to Prickly Pear Gulch, making the journey on horseback. Here he found the miners working with long toms, and he put up the first set of sluice boxes. Ile mined right along during the summer months, and in the winter followed packing goods with pack horses, making trips from Fort Benton. In this business he was engaged during all the time that the country was infested with road agents, murder and robbery then being freqent. His packing business

Kicking Bear, belonging to the Cheyenne River agency, the chief medicine man of the ghost dance among the Sioux, arrived at Sitting Bull's camp on Grand river, forty miles south of this agency, to inangurate a ghost dance and initiate the members. Upon learning of his arrival there I sent a detachment of thirteen

paid him about $600 per month, so he kept it up regard- less of danger and inclement weather.

Mr. Gourley had prospected all over the country and had discovered many valuable quartz mines. He was one. of the four who discovered the New World mining dis- triet, where Cook City is now located. They also pros- peeted to the head of Stinking river. At the latter place they had an encounter with the Indians, their horses be- ing taken from them and they themselves making a nar- row escape, being two days without food before they reached the Crow agency. The new mining law was snch that a certain amount of work had to be done on a claim each year in order for a man to hold it. Mr. Gour- ley, however, had so many claims he was unable to comply with the law.

In February, 1874, he was one of a party of 149 men who started to explore the Rose Bud country. The party was composed of the best men in the country, among them many old Indian fighters and trappers. They were well armed, having one piece of artillery and a twelve- pound howitzer. They had pack animals and twenty- two wagons. After crossing the Yellowstone they fol- lowed a trail that led in the direction of their destination, and when about eight miles out from the river a few of the men who were in advance were attacked by seven- teen Sionx Indian braves. Upon seeing the large num- ber of whites, however, the Indians withdrew to the hills, but soon with re-enforcements they again attacked the party. To give a detailed account of their repeated attacks, the bloody battles that followed, and the brave and daring adventures of the whites, would be to write a thrilling story that would fill a whole volume. Suffice is to say that during their absence of twenty days these 149 men stood off 1,500 mounted Indians and 500 Indians on foot. A braver resistance against such odds has seldom if ever been made. Thinking it best to return, the party came back, having lost only one man.

After this Mr. Gourley was engaged in sawmilling in the Gallatin valley for two years. While there he en- tered suit against a man for stealing logs from him. They lawed until each had spent all he had, the lawyers get- ting the benefit of their trouble; and having lost all his property Mr. Gourley turned his attention to mining again. In his mining operations he prospered, and has accumulated considerable property. Ile was nine years with A. Lamme & Company of Bozeman, and for a time was manager of the wholesale grocery house of J. T. Murphy & Company. Of later years, however, he has given all his attention to mining interests. He is a mem-

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policemen, including the captain and second lieutenant, to arrest and escort him from the reservation, but they returned without execut- ing the order, both officers being in a dazed condition and fearing the powers of Kicking Bear's medicine. Several members of the force tried to induce the officers to permit them to

ber of the Montana Club, is one of its trustees, has charge of furnishing its supplies, and lives at the club rooms. Mr. Gourley has an extensive acquaintance throughout Montana. All his life he has been a Republican, and he has held the office of County Clerk and Recorder.

JOHN JOSEPH FANT, one of Montana's brave pioneers and one of her most successful farmers, dates his birth in Warren county, Kentucky, December 24, 1838. His fore- fathers were Scotch people, some of his ancestors emi- grating to Virginia previous to the Revolution. Ilis grandfather, William Fant, moved from Virginia to Ken- tucky and settled on the frontier in Allen county, among its earliest pioneers. He and his wife were devoted members of the Baptist Church, and both lived to a ripe old age. They had a family of four sons and four daugh" ters. Their son, William T. Fant, was born in Allen county, Kentucky, in 1805, and December 6, 1831, was married to Mary C. Perkins, who was born in Warren county, November 14, 1813, and who was also a descend- ant of one of the old Southern families. They became the parents of fourteen children, all of whom, except a twin, reached maturity. William T. Fant owned a large tobacco plantation, and in addition to running it also pur- chased and handled the tobacco raised in his vicinity. In his religious views he was a Presbyterian. For many years he was a Magistrate, and was a man of great influ- ence in the community. His death occurred in 1872, in the sixty-seventh year of his age. His wife died in 1865, aged fifty-two years. All of their large family are now living except two.

John Joseph Fant, the fourth born in the family, was reared on his father's plantation and had only limited educational advantages, the most of his time being spent at work with the negroes, of whom they kept from fifteen to twenty on the plantation all the time. When he reached manhood he struck out to do for himself. In 1861 he made the journey from New York to San Fran- cisco, via the isthmus of Panama, being twenty-six days en route. From San Francisco he went to Stockton, where he was employed by a livery man. It was not long after this that the Salmon river mining excitement broke out, and he engaged with a company to pack and drive mules for the privilege of going with them. After spend- ing some days in preparation for the journey, they started up the Sacramento river to Red Bluffs and Yreka, and continued on to Jacksonville, Oregon, where they pur- chased their mining supplies, flour, bacon, picks, shovels and whisky: and when they left Jacksonville their com- pany consisted of about seventy-five men and 250 mules

make the arrest, but the latter would not allow it, but simply told Sitting Bull that it was the agent's orders that Kicking Bear and his six companies should leave the reservation and re- turn to their agency. Sitting Bull was very insolent to the officers and made some threats against some members of the force, but said

and horses. Taking a cut-off across the mountains to- ward Klamath lake, they proceeded on. At the foot of the mountains, they found about 200 men waiting for them so that they could travel together and be able to defend themselves against the hostile Indians through whose country they had to travel. Although it was then the 27th of May, the tops of the mountains wore covered with snow to a great depth. Mr. Fant was detailed with others of the company to go in advance and break a road over the mountains. They took with them their rifles, blankets and three days' rations of flour and bacon, and the first night they spent on the summit of the mountain, their beds being made of pine boughs. The next night they reached Klamath lake, where they had bare ground to sleep on, and the third day they retraced their steps to the rest of the company. Then the train started out on the snow trail, 500 animals and 200 men going in single file, every five animals being followed by a man to keep them going. Mr. Fant had in his five what was called the kitchen mule, packed with a big box of tin pans and kitchen utensils. When they were near the summit a saddle horse in front of him turned to go back, ran against the kitchen mule, pushed him out of the track and he sank into a tree-top in the deep snow about twenty feet. It was with no little difficulty that they fastened ropes to this mule and pulled him out. When they reached the lake they tound it long and shallow, only about three feet deep, and the Indian guide thought it best to ford it instead of going around. And in erossing the lake they experienced no little difficulty, being about a day in the water. Finally, after several days of hard travel, they reached "Lost Cabin," afterward named Independence Gulch, near the head of the John Day's river, where they started a camp. Water was scarce, cold weather came on, and they left that camp in November and went to Idaho City, being about the first to reach that place. Mr. Fant had in the meantime contracted neuralgia, which resulted in the loss of his teeth. The next morning after their arrival at Idaho City a man was murdered there in cold blood. Human life was lightly esteemed. Mr. Fant was in a mess of five, and inside of three years three out of that number were killed.

Out of the ground on which Mr. Fant established a camp, the White brothers afterward took $60,000. Mr. Fant worked for a Mr. Nutall and took out between two and three ounces of gold a day, and one day took out as high as $400. He remained there, working for wages until 1864. He had saved his earnings and had three purses full of gold dust, which he invested in a elaim

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that the visitors would leave the following day. Upon return of the detachment to the agency on Tuesday, the 14th, I immediately sent the Lientenant and one man back to see whether the party had left or not, and to notify Sitting Bull that his insolence and bad behavior would not be tolerated longer, and that the ghost

the investment proving an unfortunate one and resulting in total loss. Iu the spring of 1864, he, in company with sixteen others, started for the Kootenay mines, each having a saddle and pack animal. They arrived at Vir- ginia City, June 1, 1864, where they sojourned a week, the place being then full of emigrants. Then they con- tinued on their journey to the Kootenay mines, and after they had traveled about about 300 miles Mr. Fant decided to turn back to Alder Gulch, Virginia City, Montana. Accordingly, with his horse, blankets, rifle, a piece of bacon and some flour, he started back through the Black- foot country by the way of Flathead lake, IIell Gate and Deer Lodge City. The Indians were on the war path at the time. Each night he camped about a mile from the trail, not daring to make a fire for fear of the Indians. The wolves aud bears were very thick and he had much trouble to keep them off. Finally reaching his destina- tion, he was employed by a California company, with whom he remained until cold weather put a stop to their mining. Then he purchased a mule and went to Last Chance Gulch and took claims on Grizzly Gulch. After a time he went to Virginia C'ity, bought a wagon and some oxen, and took 1,000 pounds of flour and bacon to Silver City, The roads were frozen hard and the cattle's feet became sore, and when they arrived at Montana City the cattle were exhausted, but after resting there for a time he proceeded on his way, delivered his goods in Sil- ver City, received his money, and returned and began mining on his claim. He did not meet with much success, however, and the following spring sold out for $1,000. Then, with two partners, he purchased a claim in Dry Gulch, and in three months they each took out $1,500. He then started what was called the California feed cor- ral, the first in the place, and after running it three months he sold ont and purchased 300 acres of land, to which he moved and on which he made several improve- ments, and resided until 1876. That year came the Blaok Hills excitement. Times were dull in this vicinity, and property could not be sold at any price. Leaving his land in charge of his brother-in-law, giving him what he could make on it, Mr. Fant returned to Kentucky.

In the meantime, September 15, 1869, Mr. Faut had married Miss Ann R. Patterson, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and a daughter of Lewis Patterson, an old set- tler of that place. Ilis family accompanied him back to Kentucky, and there he rented a farm and put in a crop. He was not satisfied, however, and shortly afterward sold everything he had, weut to Missonri and left his wife and child there with her relatives while he went to Texas.

dance must not be continued. The Lieutenant returned yesterday and reported that the party had not started back to Cheyenne before his ar- rival there on the 15th, but left immediately upon his ordering them to do so, and that Sit- ting Bull told him that he was determined to continue the ghost dance, as the Great Spirit

But after his arrival in Texas he concluded that Montana was the best country he had yet seen; so he returned to Missouri, made arrangements for his wife to come on the boat, while he came by way of Ogden, and they met at Benton, and thus in 1878 they found themselves back on their ranch, contented to remain there and engage in farming. Ilis wife died in 1881, and after her death he sent his two daughters to San Francisco to be educated. While in that city one of them, Adda Laura, died of diph- theria; and he brought the other, Mary Nancy, home with him. She is now the wife of J. Bruce Simpson, of IIelena.

In 1887 Mr. Fant sold his land for $30,000. Ile had developed it into one of the finest farms in Montana. Soon afterward he purchased 320 acres of land near his first tract, for which he paid $8,000, and for which he was subsequently offered $60,000. He now has 640 acres in one body, located three miles and a half from IIelena. On it he is raising hay, grain and vegetables. He owns two lots in Helena, on one of which he recently erected a nice residence, at a cost of $10,000, where he now lives, retired from active business, having his land rented. For his second wife he married Mrs. Mary A. Nash, a most estimable woman and a daughter of Israel Pasco, an Eng- lish gentleman.

Mr. Fant is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the A. O. U. W., and in politics is a Democrat. Ile and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church. They are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.

IION. PRESTON H. LESLIE, of IIelena, Montana, is ex- Governor both of Kentucky andof Montana. He was born in Wayne county (now Clinton county) Kentucky, March 2, 1819, and is of Scotch and Welsh ancestry; but his an- cestors, on both his father's and mother's side, have long been residents of the South, and participated in the strug- gle for independence. On coming to the Colonies they first settled in North Carolina and Georgia, and later be- came pioneers of Kentucky, where three generations of the family have resided. Ilis father, Vachel H. Leslie, was born in Kentucky in 1792, and married Sally Hop- kins, a native of his own State, born in 1796. She was the daughter af Dennis Hopkins, a resident of Kentucky but a native of the State of Georgia. Governor Leslie's par- ents had ten children, all of whom they reared to matur- ity, eight of whom are still living. He was their second son, and was educated in his native State, under the old Field school system.

In 1838, Mr. Leslie commenced the study of law, and was admitted to the bar on the 10th of October, 1840, and

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had sent a direct message by Kicking Bear that to live they must do so, but that he would not have any more dancing until after he had come to the agency and talked the matter over with me; but the news comes in this morning that they are dancing again, and it is participated in by a great many Indians who become silly and

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An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 100

Author: Miller, Joaquin, 1837-1913. cn Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis pub. co. Number of Pages: 1216

Author: Miller, Joaquin, 1837-1913. cn
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis pub. co.
Number of Pages: 1216