An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 119

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 119

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The legislative assembly which convenes in January, 1895, will be delegated with the re- sponsibility of electing two United States sen- ators,-one to fill the existing vacancy and one to succeed Senator Power. An entire new house of representatives will be chosen at the fall election in 1894, and thirteen State sena- tors out of a total of twenty-one will be elected, by reason of the creation of five new counties by the Third Legislative Assembly. A repre- sentative in Congress and one member of the supreme court will also be elected. The con- test will be a triangular one between the Republican, Democratic and Populist parties.

husband and daughter. Mr. Hamel is a respected, in- dustrious and intelligent farmer, has always been identi- fied with the Democratic party, and both he and his daughter are members of the Catholic Church.

EDMOND LACHAPELLE, one of the successful farmers of Prickly Pear valley, settled on his farm in said valley in the year 1870, and as one of its representative citizens is entitled to mention here.

Mr. Lachapelle, as his name indicates, is of French an- cestry. His people were early settlers of Canada. His father, Nelson Lachapelle, was born near the city of Montreal, and spent his whole life on the farm on which he was born, this farm having long since become a part of that great city. He lived to be eighty years of age, and his widow still survives, being now in her seventy- seventh year. They had a family of nine children, six of whom are still living. Edmond being the youngest child.

Edmond Lachapelle was born at Montreal, October 15, 1840. He remained on the farm with his parents until he reached manhood, and for five years was engaged in farming on his own account in Canada. He was married there in 1864 to Miss Mary Chonet, also a native of Can- ada and of French ancestry. Three children were born to them in Canada,-Edmond, Hennick and Harter.

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CHAPTER XXXII. HISTORY OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN MONTANA. BY SAMUEL WORD, ESQ.

- HAT portion of the Northwest embraced within the limits of Montana was a part of the Louisiana Purchase, ceded by Napoleon the First to the United States in 1803, during the administration of President Jefferson. No attempt was made to give local government to any portion of the present limits of Montana until March 3, 1863, when Congress passed an act organizing the Territory of Idaho, which embraced within its limits all of the country known as the State of Idaho and a large portion of what is now known as Montana. Soon after the passage of the organic act of Idaho, the president appointed Sidney Edger- ton an associate justice for that Territory. In the summer of 1863 he came with his nephew, W. F. Sanders, and stopped at Bannack in Beaver Head county in this State, which was then a lively placer-mining camp. Until gold was discovered in Alder gulch Bannack was the most populous section of the country. In the winter of 1864. Judge Edgerton went to Wash- ington, and, with others favoring the division of

Believing that there were better opportunities for a man to attain success in the United States than in his na- tive land, Mr. Lachapelle came to Montana, making the journey alone in order to prospect and see the country before bringing his family hither. He came up the Mis- souri river, went to Holmes Gulch, near Helena, and en- gaged in placer-mining. Here he met with fair success. He and three others in a single day got out no less than $250 from the mines. In 1875, having accumulated a nice little sum, he returned for his family, sold his prop- erty in Canada, and came back with his wife and chil- dren to Montana, this time making the journey by rail. He continued his mining operations until 1878, when the

Idaho, secured the passage by Congress of the aet organizing the Territory of Montana, em- bracing the limits of country now known as the State of Montana. The president appointed Judge Edgerton Governor of the new Territory, and he returned to Bannack soon after the pas- sage of the aet and entered upon his duties.

The organie aet authorized the governor to cause a census of voters to be taken, also to di- vide the Territory into Council and Legislative districts, and apportion the qualified voters as nearly equally as practicable among the several districts. After the eensus was taken in the summer of 1864, the governor made his proela- mation apportioning the Territory, naming the legislative and council distriets, and designating the offices to be filled at the general election in September, 1864. Madison county was then the most populous county in the Territory, and was required to return to the legislature more members than any other section. Among other things provided for in the governor's appoint- ment was that all portions of the Territory not

mines gave out. About this time he met with a good opportunity to invest in a farm, which he did, purchasing 160 acres of land, with improvements and stock, includ- ing cows and horses, for the sum of $2,800 in cash. To this property he moved, and on it he has since been en- gaged in the dairy business. At present he milks forty- five cows and finds a ready market for his milk and cream in Helena, the city being only four miles distant from his ranch. Prosperity has attended his efforts here. He has built a good brick residence on his farm, and has from time to time purchased additional farms until he now has 1,500 acres in the Flat Creek country, on which are no less than 6,000 sheep. His two eldest sons have

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mentioned as being in any legislative or council district named by him were "attached to Madi- son county for election purposes."

The date fixed for the first election was Sep- tember, 1864, for the election of a member of Congress for the short session, for members of the legislature and district and county officers. The country was sparsely populated by people from all parts of the Union, from Maine to California, from the South and from the North, who were attracted hither by the desire to bet- ter their fortunes in the golden placers of this region, which had become famous throughout the country. Many came from Colorado, Cali- fornia and the Territories west, who were ex- perienced in mining; many from the different States who did not care to enter the armies on either side; some few who had had a taste of war in one army or the other, after the term of their enlistment expired, came here to get away from the confusion and hard times incident to a state of war, and to better their fortunes. They had become generally tired of politics, and seemed contented to be where they could en- gage in lucrative employment, free from the turmoil and political excitement of communi-

charge of the sheep business. Four other sons have been born to them in Montana,-Levi, Ohert, Docty and Jo- seph. Their home is within a short distance of the Montana University, and the sons are attending this insti- tution. The farm for which he paid $2,800 is now worth $10,000, the growth of Helena having largely enhanced the value of property adjacent to the city.

Politically, Mr. Lachapelle is a Republican. He is ranked with the early settlers of Montana who have been prospered by coming to the Territory and growing up with the country. During his early career here he worked hard to accumulate property, and now he is able to rest and take life easy.

DAMIEN LEDOUX, a prominent farmer five miles west of Frenchtown, on the Mullan Road, was born at St. Charles, Canada East, February 4, 1826, a son of Peter and Louise (Seenic) Ledoux, of French descent. They had nine children, only two of whom are now living. They were honest, industrious farmers, and both lived to be over seventy years of age.

ties involved in the rebellion. Without tele- graphic or railroad communications with the East or West, twenty to thirty days' time was required, by slow mail service, to get the news from the East. With few exceptions, none cared to talk politics. The acquisition of gold was the prevailing excitement. Neighbors often did not know, nor did they care to know, one another's politics. Realizing their isolated situation in a new country infested with high- waymen and murderers, and liable to depreda- tions of hostile Indians, with no protection from the general Government and little afforded by the law, they were drawn together as a band of brothers in the interest of mutual protection and individual prosperity.

Such was the situation in 1863 and 1864, up to that time, that initiatory steps were taken looking to governmental organization under Montana's organic act. Prior to May, 1864, the laws of Idaho were enforced to a limited extent by officers who had been appointed to their positions by the governor of Idaho, who was a Republican. All such officers were Re- publieans without a single exception. So little interest, however, was taken in politics at that

Damien, our subject, came to the United States when fourteen years of age, and, after spending four years on a farm in Vermont, traveled over the Western States. In 1850 he crossed the plains with ox teams to California, and in 1854 went from Sacramento to Oregon, where he followed farming and sawmilling. He was also one of the discoverers of gold at Fraser river. At that time the Indians were very troublesome there, and Mr. Ledoux was several times shot at, but was never wounded. From Oregon he went to Washington, having been obliged to ferry across the Columbia river ; afterward went to Idaho, and then located on 160 acres of land six miles west of Missoula. Five years later he sold his land and moved. to the latter city, where he was engaged in tanning until 1884, and since that time has resided on 160 acres of land west of Frenchtown, Missoula county. He has built a good residence on his land, and made many other im- provements. At one time Mr. Ledoux harvested 640 bushels of oats from fourteen bushels sown.

In February, 1865, he was united in marriage with

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time that no attention was paid to it. These officers continued in the discharge of their duties until governmental machinery was put in motion under a new organic act.

After the governor's proclamation calling an election in September, 1864, the people com- menced to look around for candidates to fill the several offices. The Republicans got together and named W. F. Sanders as their candidate for Congress, and also named candidates for the legislative and for district and county offices. The Democrats held informal gather- ings in the different mining camps and named delegates to a convention to nominate a candi- date for Congress. They also got together in connty conventions and named candidates for the legislature and district and county offices. At the first Territorial Democratic convention Samuel McLean was named as the candidate of the Democracy to oppose the Republican nom- inee for the short session in Congress. Up to this time neither party had an approximate idea of its numerical strength.

The campaign opened. Political meetings were held by both parties in all the settled por- tions of the Territory, and in a short time polit-

Miss Louise Dainsoro, a native of Canada East, who came to Montana in 1862. They have had eight children, namely : Damien, who died at the age of seventeen years, from the effects of being kicked by a mule; Sarah, wife of Absalom Tumprie, and they have one child; Charles, Mary, Demris, George, Albert and Lawrence. The family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Ledoux sym- pathizes with the Democratic party.

JEAN BAPTISTE ROUILLIER, a well-known farmer of Grass valley, was born near St. John's, Canada, June 3, 1829. He was raised on a farm until eighteen years of age, after which he went to Boston, and a short time aft- erward returned to his home.

He next sailed around Cape Horn to California, con- suming five months and seventeen days in the journey, and during the first winter in that State followed mining at Frenchtown. In the following spring he went to Scott's river, then followed mining at the old town of Shasta until 1859, and in that year, on account of ill health, returned to Canada. Eighteen months afterward

ical excitement ran high, intensified by the peculiar campaign waged by the Republican leaders. Men who were not Republicans were called rebels, copperheads, traitors to their country. As a mass they were designated as the left wing of Price's army. This did not set well with those who were from the loyal States, some of whom had served a period in the Federal army, but did not and would not identify themselves with the Republican party. Threats were thrown out by some of the Re- publican leaders designed to intimidate voters. This mistaken policy was carried to such an ex- tent that Governor Edgerton was indneed to go to Virginia City, where the mass of voters were, and make a speech a few days before the election. lle did not discuss political issues, but dwelt in language strong and bitter upon what he called the disloyalty of his audience, and the disloyal demonstrations they had been making, threatening them with the power of the government, with arrest and punishment. This attempt at intimidation failed of its pur- pose. The opposition to the Republican party resented the intimation of his excellency that their enthusiasm for their candidates, and their

Mr. Rouillier went again to Shasta; next removed to the Humboldt mountains, and for the following three years was engaged in prospecting, in which he lost all his former earnings. After spending another year at Shasta, our subject went to the Big Bend of the Columbia river in Oregon, prospected over that entire country; spent the winter in Walla Walla, and in the spring resumed pros- pecting, but without success. In 1868 he came 10 French town, Missoula county, Montana, and, meeting with old neighbors, decided to locate at this place. In the follow- ing spring Mr. Rouillier purchased a ranch at Lincoln Gulch, where he also conducted a livery stable and had charge of the miners' horses. He spent the winter in Frenchtown; next resumed ranching at Lincoln Gulch, and in the following fall, gold having been discovered at Cedar creek, he followed mining at that place, but with poor success.

Several years afterward, by the death of his father, he acquired property in Canada, and returned to that couu- try. While there he was married, and together they re-

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opposition to his nephew for Congress, were demonstrations of disloyalty to the Government. It had the effect to intensify the excitement and solidify the opposition to Mr. Sanders, so much so that at the election following a few days later, Colonel McLean was elected to Con- gress by a large majority over his opponent. The entire Democratic ticket in Madison county was elected by a large majority .

The election over, political excitement gave way to the universal desire for gold buried in our placers. Colonel McLean waited patiently for his certificate of election. It was withheld from him and from those who were elected to the legislature in Madison county so long that it excited comment. Finally it was rumored that the returning board was awaiting the re- turns from outside precincts that had been "attached to Madison county for election pur- poses." In that connection it was stated that there was a large vote of froin 2,000 to 2,500 soldiers stationed at Fort. Union, which was said to be near the extreme eastern limits of the Territory. These returns not appearing within the time limited by law, a messenger was dis- patched for them. In this case two men, who

turned to Grass valley, spending the first two years with his former partner. In 1881 Mr. Rouillier located on 160 acres of his present farm, to which he has since added until he now owns 320 acres of the best land in the county, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

March 14, 1879, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Ada Louise Paradis, a native of Canada. They had five children,-Mary, Ada, Louise, Henry and Harry. The wife and mother died March 19, 1890, and her loss has been deeply felt by the husband and children. Mr. Rouillier has been a life-long Democrat, has served as a member of the School Board in his district, and has taken an active interest in all educational work. The family are members of the Catholic Church.

HON JOHN HORSKY, one of Helena's respected pioneer citizens, dates his birth in Bohemia, Austria, May 16, 1838, his parents being natives of Bohemia.

Mr. Horsky was reared and educated in his native land, and in 1855 came to America to make his fortune and

are now well known residents of Montana, went on this mission. Their route was by way of Fort Benton. They went accredited to a prom- inent business man, then located at Fort Ben- ton, for whatever assistance he could give them in their journey to and from Fort Union. The proposed route from Fort Benton to Fort Union was considered more or less dangerous, being infested with thieving and often hostile bands of Indians. These messengers went into per- manent camp a short distance below Benton and awaited the return of a sub- messenger dis- patched by them to Fort Union. IIe failed to reach Fort Union and returned to Benton. The two messengers then returned to Virginia City, and it soon became known that the vote from Fort Union had reached the returning board, and that there were over 2,000 votes from there that had been cast for the Republican candidate for Congress and the Republican candidate for the legislature in Madison county.

This vote changed the result and would send Mr. Sanders to Congress if counted. It was transmitted to Governor Edgerton, who resided in Bannack City, the then temporary capital of the Territory. The organic act gave full power

establish his home in the land of the free. He first worked for wages as a farm hand in Iowa, and later learned the traile of brewer. In 1859 he started to Pike's Peak, but returned to Iowa and remained in that State until 1864, when he and his brother Joel came to Montana, making the journey with oxen. Mr. Horsky at that time was still a single man and in search of a place in which he could better his condition. He and his brother arrived in Virginia City on the 31st of August, and all the follow- ing fall and winter they were engaged in mining, mak- ing, however, no more than good wages. In the spring of 1865 he came to Helena, and in company with George Butz he turned his attention to the brewing business. They built the first brewery in the city, the Helena Brewery. Mr. Horsky continued successfully in the brewing business until 1891, when, having secured a com- petency, he sold out and retired from active life. During his residence here he has all along heen more or less in- terested in mines and mining, having done much to de- velop these interests in Montana. He recently built on

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to the governor in proceeding as follows: " And the first election shall be held at such time and places, and to be conducted in such manner, both as to the persons who shall superintend such election and the returns thereof, as the governor shall appoint and direct." The whole matter was in his hands. The friends of the Republican candidate for Congress announced that he was elected, having received a majority of all the votes cast. Mr. Sanders, while wait- ing his certificate of election, made some prep- arations for his departure for Washington. The writer of this has it from N. E. Davis, now a citizen of Madison county, and James Tufts, afterward appointed Secretary of Montana, but now deceased, both of whom were Republican candidates for the legislature in Madison county, that, learning of this Fort Union vote, and believing it to be fraudulent, they repaired to Bannack and told the governor what they believed and protested against being counted into office by a frandulent vote. It can be ap- propriately remarked here that both these gen- tlemen afterward held positions of honor and trust in Montana. Mr. Davis has been several times elected to office in his county by the people, who respect him for his integrity and

Main street a fine brick block, 42 x 110 feet, three stories and basement, which is rented for stores, offices and a commercial college.

Mr. Horsky was married, in 1869, to Miss Louisa C. Cory, also a native of Bohemia. Three sons have been born to them in Helena, namely: Rudolph, who is at- tending the Medical College in Philadelphia; Edward, a clerk in the United States Assay office; and John, in a drug store.

In politics, Mr. Horsky has been a Republican all his life. He has served two terms as a member of the City Council, and in 1889 was elected a Representative to the first State Legislature of Montana. In 1892 he was elect- ed one of the County Commissioners. Mr. Horsky is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the A. O U. W. He has all his life been an upright, conservative and reliable business man, and he enjoys the good will of his fellow citizens.

honor. About the time the governor was visited by Messrs. Tufts and Davis, he was also waited npon by a committee of conserva- tive and law-abiding citizens of Bannack, in company with Colonel McLean himself, and informed of the attempted outrage on the rights of the people, and notified that McLean was legally elected and must have his certificate of election. Suffice it to say that Governor Edger- ton, as a wise and good governor should do, at once issued the certificate of election to Colonel McLean, who before the news reached Virginia City was on his way to Washington.

In September, 1865, another Congressional election took place. Colonel MeLean was re- nominated by the Democrats, and Gad E. Up- son, who was then an agent of one of the northern tribes of Indians in Montana, was the Republican candidate against him. He was not a strong man, and was badly defeated by McLean. Again the attempt was made to get in that Fort Union vote, but to no purpose. It was soon after ascertained that there was not, and had not been at any time, in 1864 or 1865, more than two or three hundred persons at Fort Union, and most of those were half-breeds, trappers and hunters who knew nothing abont

DENNIS SHOOLIN, Alderman, representing the first ward in the City Council of Anaconda, is a prosperous con- tractor and painter. A native of the Emerald Isle, Mr. Shoolin came from the old country to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania in 1862, where he at once began contracting and painting, and where he was suc- cessfully engaged in this occupation until 1880. That year he came to Montana and located at Butte. Previous to this, however, he had gone to California and spent nearly four years working at his trade there. In Butte he remained about three years. In 1883, when Anaconda began lo build up, he began contracting at this place and that year carried on business at both points at the same time. He permanently located in Anaconda in 1885. Mr. Shoolin is also interested in developing rich mineral property, silver and lead mines, which assay 2,400 ounces to the ton. Ever since he took up his residence here he has been active in political affairs, affiliating with the

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our elections in Montana; and still later on it was definitely ascertained that Fort Union was not in but was located several miles outside the limits of Montana Territory.

The members of the legislature who were elected in September, 1864, convened at Ban- naek on December 12, 1864, as directed by the proclamation of the governor, and organized into the First Legislative Assembly. The gov- ernor prescribed a certain form of oath which he required members of the legislature to take before he wonld recognize them as a legislative body. One member, Mr. John H. Rogers, a Democrat, who had been elected to the house from Madison county, could not take the oath prescribed, but offered to take a modified oath, which was not acceptable to his excellency. The house was organized without Mr. Rogers. This gave the Republicans a majority, and Mr. Det- wiler, a Republican, was elected speaker, and Mr. Robert Lawrence, a Republican, was elect- ed president of the council. This legislature was Republican. Among the acts passed by this legislature, which was approved by the governor, was an act giving increased compen- sation to the members and attaches of the leg-

Democratic party. He was first elected to the City Coun- cil from the first ward in 1888, and has been continued in the position ever since.

April 25, 1885, the same year Mr. Shoolin located in Anaconda, he married Lucy Mallory, daughter of Phillip Mallory of Indiana. Her mother's maiden name was Amanda Mahoney. Mr. and Mrs. Shoolin have one son, Dr. Edgar B. Shoolin.

Mr. Shoolin is a devout Catholic, having his member- ship in St. Paul Church, Anaconda. He is also a mem- ber of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, of which he is a Trustee.

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An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 119

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