An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 125

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 125

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"Our irrigating canals are equal to the best, and water is cheaper than in any section of the west. Water here costs less than 50 cents an acre, while in Utah and Colorado it costs from $1 to $3 per aere, besides paying for a costly water right. The valley tributary to Billings,

chased 160 acres, on which was a small log cabin, with a board and dirt roof, and their nearest neighbor was four miles distant. The Nez Perces Indians were plentiful, and camped near their home. Mrs. MeClain was much loved by the Indian women, and, as the settlers were leaving the valley because of the fear of being mas- sacred, one of the squaws gave her a bracelet, after first pressing it to her heart in token of her love. While iu Missoula Mrs. McClain was petitioned by Whitehead, one of the chiefs, to return to them. Mr. McClain now owns 760 acres of fine farming land, and is considered one of the leading farmers of the valley. During the present year he sold cattle to the amount of $5,025. In 1891 their residence was consumed by fire, but they have since erected a large frame building. In political mat- ters Mr. McClain has been a life-long Democrat, and has had the honor of serving his county as Commissioner.

Three children have been added to the family at thelr present home,-Albert Perry, Charles A. and Frederick Homer. Mrs. McClain died of heart failure during the

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known as the Clarke's Fork valley, is destined to be the great feeding center of this section of the country, and it is here that range calves will be fed during the winter instead of being left to take their chances on the vicissitudes of the weather and the constantly increasing over- crowding of the range. Alfalfa hay can be fur- nished at from 83 to $5 per ton, which is cheap feed for the stock man and leaves a handsome remuneration for the farmer. The farmer can raise from four to six tons of alfalfa to the acre and can harvest it for less than $1 per ton. He can feed it to the young stock at a time when labor is cheap, and as an additional profit he will have the manure for his land. Alfalfa is a most excellent feed, stock fattened exclusive- ly on it having turned out equal to corn-fed. Taken altogether, hay farming is a good in- dustry in a country like this where labor is a considerable item.

" A man can buy land on time, and, by irri- gating, without further cultivation can raise sufficient natural blue-joint hay to pay for his land in three crops. This is not guess work, but has actually been done and is being done at the present time. By paying $1 per acre down, 81

present year. She was a loving wife and mother, a kind- hearted neighbor, and a worthy member of the Methodist Church.

THOMAS NAUGHTON, one of the prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of the Big Hole valley, is located three miles south of Melrose. He is ranked with the Montana pio- neers of 1864.

Mr. Naughton was born in Athlone, county Westmeath, Ireland, in the year 1837, son of Thomas and Bridget (McCormack) Naughton, both uatives of that county. In their family were six sons and two daughters, Thomas being the third born and one of the three who are now living. The father died in his sixtieth year, the mother having passed away some time before. They were honest and industrious people, and were faithful members of the Catholic Church.

The subject of our sketch was married in 1858, to Miss Catherine Cummings, one of his neighbor's daughters, and soon after their marriage they set sail in the De Witt Clinton for America, where they landed after a success-

per acre for fencing, he can purchase land under ditch. For $80 he can obtain water to irrigate the whole farm, and the second year he can cut 160 tons, or one ton per acre of natural blue-joint hay, which will net the farmer $5 per ton on the cars at last season's prices. He will pay for his farm in the three crops, and will have land worth $25 per acre for his profit.

" The land grows magnificent'crops of wheat, oats and potatoes, which have been the crops chiefly grown, and the quality is unsurpassed. Barley grows well, and the dry season at har- vest time insnres it against discoloration, so objectionable to brewers. Bright barley, equal to the best California or Canadian product, will one day be a staple crop. Hops grow wild in many parts of the valley, and it would naturally follow that the hop culture may be an im- portant industry of this valley. Small fruits and vegetables grow to perfection, and always command a good price, as besides the local de- mand there is a call for these products from Anaconda, Butte, Helena, Bozeman, Red Lodge, etc. Melons do well and have a fine flavor. Corn grows abundantly, 125 bushels having been raised on an acre. Experiments have been

ful voyage of thirty-one days. They remained in New York three months, during which time he worked at whatever he could get to do. Then they removed to Leavenworth, Kansas. There he was employed with a surveying party, laying out the new towns of the State. After a residence of three years in Kansas he purchased two yoke of oxen and a wagon, and with them made the perilous journey across the plains to Pike's Peak, landing at their destination in safety. In the mines at Black Hawk he secured employment at $3.50 per day, and worked there until 1864, when news of the rich gold mines in Montana induced him to direct his course hither. Again he purchased an ox team and outfit and started on another perilous journey. Ten families formed the com- pany with which he traveled. They camped out every night and swam their oxen across the rivers, and in due time landed at Virginia City in safety. Alder Gulch at that time presented a scene of great activity. It was just after the road agents had been hung, and everything was quiet and orderly. There Mr. Naughton mined for fifteen

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made with broomcorn, peanuts, ground cherries and sweet potatoes, and they have been grown successfully, but only in small quantities. Among industries that yield splendid results are the raising of poultry and pork and the manu . facture of butter and cheese. Butter averaged 35 cents a pound and eggs 35 cents a dozen for the last season. Hogs can be successfully raised on alfalfa, and require grain only to complete the fattening process. The fall exhibition of the Yellowstone Fair Association, of which two have been held, were like a revelation even to many residents of the county, as demonstrating the varied and vast resources of the soil. They were probably the only successful fairs, from an agricultural point of view, held in the State. and each was held without special preparation by the exhibitors. Our next one, to be held September 18th to 21st, will no doubt greatly surpass the former ones, as special efforts will be made to produce exhibits of more than usual merit. Taking it altogether, the farmer who has used irrigation will not willingly return to farm- ing in a country where the climate does not re- quire it or the conditions do not favor it.

years, a portion of the time working by the day and at other times operating a claim of his own. He had the usual luck of a miner, nearly always getting some gold, but as the expense of mining was great his operations were not on the whole successful. Finally in 1880 he de- cidled to quit mining and turn his attention to stock- raising, and accordingly came to his present location. Here he homesteaded 160 acres and pre-empted 120 acres, and to this has since added forty more, all of which he has developed into a fine farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Naughton have three children, Edward H., Mary C. and Catherine, all at home. The family are members of the Catholic Church, and in politics Mr. Naughton votes with the Democratic party. Ile takes an active interest in local affairs, and has served efficiently as School Trustee and Judge of Election.

J. G. SMITH, one of Montana's earliest pioneers, was born in Georgia, October 7, 1827. His grandfather, Charles Smith, was a soldier in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war. Our subject's father, John Smith, was born in South Carolina, where his ancestors were among the early pioneers. He married a Miss Kittle, a

" Appended are a few reports from farmers as to what was actually done by them last year:

" Daniel Lamy, Billings postoffice, on his homestead of 160 acres produced in 1893 the following: Alfalfa, 100 tons; 50 tons of blue- joint hay, which he sold loose for from $8 to $9 per ton ; 5,000 pounds of potatoes; 22,000 pounds of oats; 240 bushels of wheat off seven acres; sold 780 pounds of butter at an average price of 333 cents; 312 dozen eggs at an average of 30 cents; besides raising all vegetables needed for his family and some to sell. Wintered 50 head of stock. Bought 35 inches of water, at a cost of $70. Himself and small boy did all the work.

George Murr, Billings postoffice, has 160 acres and farms 55 acres, balance to pasture. IIe raised in 1893 100 tons of alfalfa; 240 bushels of oats on five acres; 41 bushels of wheat on one acre; 150 bushels of corn and fodder. He also raised $1,500 worth of small fruits and vegetables as follows: 2,100 quarts of straw- berries; 1,200 quarts of raspberries; 1,900 quarts of blackberries, which sold on an average of 20 cents a quart; 300 dozen bunches of cel-

native of North Carolina, and her family were also among the first settlers of that State. They had ten children, four of whom are now living. The mother died while comparatively young, and the father lived to a good old age.

J. G. Smith, the second child in order of birth in the above family, was reared to manhood in his native State, and his advantages for an education were very limited. He began life on his own account when quite young, aud also aided in the support of his family until thirty years of age. February 24, 1860, he left his home for the Colorado gold excitement, in company with seven others, secured passage for $60 each, and crossed the plains with horses and wagons, having spent only eighteen days in going from Leavenworth to Denver. After arriving in the latter city Mr. Smith followed placer mining at Gregory Point one year, for the following year mined for wages at Gregory Gulch, went with the Swan river stam- pede, but, meeting with only moderate success there, re- turned to the Arkansas river, below California Gulch, where lie was engaged in rocking during the winter. After spending a short time at Denver, he came to Mon-

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HISTORY OF MONTANA.

ery; 8,000 cabbages, besides potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and several hundred melons. He wintered 3,000 sheep last winter on his alfalfa and pasture.

" Hesper Farm (Bailey & O'Donnell, Bil- lings) consists of 640 acres. In 1893, 100 acres used as pasture; 200 acres to alfalfa, cut 1,000 tons in three crops; 200 acres in blue- joint and timothy, from which were cut 200 tons of hay, which was bailed and shipped at $9 per ton; 100 acres of oats, which produced 168,000 pounds, sold surplus oats at 85 cents per hundred-weight; 100 bushels of wheat; 100 bushels of corn; 30,000 pounds of potatoes; 50 bushels of apples; 320 quarts of currants; 500 quarts of berries, and vegetables needed on the ranch for the year. Bought 150 inches of water, at a cost of $300. One man did all the irrigating, which for the season did not amount to over two and a half month's work. He win- tered 10,000 head of sheep at 50 cents; 1,100 head of calves at $2.50, and 100 horses at $10.

"W. O. Parker, Billings, farms 160 acres; crop in 1893-1,300 bushels of oats, 1,500

tana, arriving in Bannack, June 2, 1863, where he worked for wages during the first month. Mr. Smith then had charge of a mining claim for J. M. Wood, at Alder Gulch, for over a year, and during that time took out about $30,000 in gold. He then formed a partnership with Jesse Bean, later mined on his own account; in 1865 purchased claims at Last Chance gulch; also en- gaged in lumbering, and spent about thirteen years at that place. Iu 1879 he came to Boulder valley, and at that time the place contained only a hotel and saloon, the former kept by Hiram Cook, and the latter by William Deacy. Mr. Smith immediately purchased claims and mined on the Little Boulder, and has ever since continued in that occupation, but his claims are now leased. Since 1880 he has been engaged in other pursuits in Boulder, and has a valuable lot in the business part of the town, 100 x 150 feet, on which he has erected a brick block and livery stable. Mr. Smith has the honor of having been the first Mason in the Territory of Montana, having joined that order in Nevada City, in 1864, has filled all the offices in his lodge, and is now a member of Boulder Lodge, No. 41, and also a Royal Arch Mason. In polit- ical matters he is with the Democratic party.

500 bushels of corn in the ear. Raised all his vegetables and some to sell; keeps small dairy and poultry, which give weekly income all the year; also keeps from fifteen to twenty-five bushels of wheat, 1,500 bushels of potatoes, hogs, which pay a good profit; buys 75 inches of water, at a cost of $150. This ranch was new three years ago.

"Frank Summers has 100 aeres near Forest Siding, Billings postoffice. Farms 70 acres, balance to pasture. Raised in 1893-55 tons of blue-joint and timothy; 70 tons of alfalfa off 13 acres; 200 bushels of shelled corn off 4 acres; sold blue-joint at $9 per ton. Wintered 300 head of sheep and 12 head of horses, aud had 20 tons of alfalfa left; also had some butter and eggs for sale; used 30 inches of water, at a cost of $20.

"Edward O'Donnell, farin of 150 acres. Raised in 1893, 125 tons of alfalfa and timothy ; sold most of his hay for $7 to 89 per ton, loose; had 150 bushels of wheat; 600 bushels of bar- ley, large yield and bright; 400 bushels of oats; 300 bushels of corn; 2,500 bushels of potatoes;

JOHN S. ROBERTSON, a prominent farmer of the Bitter Root valley, was born in Tennessee, September 25, 1839, a son of James and Nellie (Niece) Robertson, natives also of that State. Five sons and a daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robertson in Tennessee. In the fall of 1845 the family moved to Missouri, where the father died in 1850, at the age of thirty-five years. The mother sur- vived until sixty years of age. She was a worthy mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church.

John S., the third child in order of birth, was raised in Missouri, and received only limited educational advan- tages. He began life on his own account at the age of twenty years, as a farmer, in Missouri, and became a land owner before the great Civil war. September 20, 1861, Mr. Robertson enlisted in the Confederate army, in the Third Missouri Battalion, served in Missouri and Ten- nessee, and was appointed commander of an expedition to take horses to Texas. After returning home he re- joined his company at Vicksburg, and took part in the battle of Champion Hill, where he was taken prisoner, but soon afterward paroled. Having then served a longer time than his enlistment required, Mr. Robertson returned home, but two months afterward, with a mule

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500 bushels of onions; 2,000 head of cabbage, besides small vegetables, ete. Wintered 300 head of his own stock; used 80 inches of water, at a cost of $80. Farm is two miles west of of Billings.

" From one aere of ground, Charles King, near Laurel, prodneed over 1,200 bushels of potatoes in 1892. The ground and potatoes were measured by three disinterested persons, who made affidavit before a notary publie, giv- ing this the aetnal yield. This is believed to be the largest yield of potatoes ever grown in the United States npon a single acre of ground.

A number of other erop reports from this valley are on file in my office, but the foregoing gives an idea of the result of farm irrigation. The erops are prolitie and increase from year to year as the scientifie principle of irrigation be- comes more thoroughly understood."

The church history of Montana, Catholie and Protestant, early and recent, would alone fill the lids of this book; but, as we approach the conclusion, there is space only for barely an ex-

team, crossed the plains to Denver, Colorado, having spent two months on the road. After arriving at that city he learned of the discovery of gold at Alder Gulch, Montana, whither he came and where he worked for wages four months. In the fall of 1864 he located on his present farm in the Bitter Root valley, then Government land, and has added to his original purchase until he now owns 406 acres. Mr. Robertson lived in a log house until 1888, when he erected his fine brick residence, one of the best in the valley.

In 1869 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Eva Arnold, a native of California. After her father's death her mother married a Mr. Price. Mr. Robertson was made a Master Mason in Arkansas, in December, 1862. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church, in which the former has held the office of Steward for a number of years. In political matters he affiliates with the Democratic party, has held the im- portant position of County Commissioner, but resigned that office to give his entire attention to his family and farm. Mr. Robertson is a self-made man, having received his education in the dear school of experience, has suc- ceeded in all his undertakings financially, and has won the good will of his fellow-men.

ample of what has been done and is being done now, at the end of the nineteenth century of the Christian era. Here. in brief, is the story of the work in this one place, Billings, a spot where battles were fought and buffalo fed on the treeless, alkali plain only yesterday,-this is Billings:

The following review is by the Rev. P. B. Jackson, pastor of the Congregational church, and from the same publication:

" Immaterial forces elnde definite measure- ments. A man's body you may measure or weigh to the fraction, but his love, patriotism, mental power,-these will not submit to such definiteness. Yet these immaterial forces are very real. We feel them, we see their work, we bank on their reality and power. The re- ligious life of a community is one of these forces. It can only be estimated, and estimated from what it has done and is doing. No just estimate of a community ean be had until we take into account the religions life of the com- munity. The church is as much an integral

WILLIAM KELLY, a successful farmer of the Bitter Root valley, was born in Ireland, in 1837. When only a lad of fifteen years he voluntarily left his native land for America, and his first work here was in a factory in Con- nectient, for which he received fifty cents a day and boarded himself. Being an active and willing worker his wages were soon advanced to $2 a day. From 1857 until 1861 Mr. Kelly worked in a woolen factory, where he also received $2 per day. In the latter years he crossed the plains to California, via the Isthmus, immediately began gold-mining in Yreka, from 1862 to 1868 mined with good success in Florence, Idaho, and in the latter year joined his brother Owen in Deer Lodge county, Montana. They mined for a time at the head of Deer creek, afterward went to Cedar creek, and then decided to purchase land in the rich Bitter Root valley. The brothers located side by side, our subject securing 320 acres, on which he has ever since resided. For the past three years his wheat has averaged forty bushels to the acre, his oats sixty bushels, and during the present year his potatoes yielded 300 bushels to the acre. Since their residence in Montana, the brothers have been extensively engaged in the stock business, and have met with the success that their enterprise and fidelity deserve.

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part of the public life as the bank or the store. Its success or want of success is a pretty fair index to the drift of the moral life of a com- munity. * *

" There are four churches in the city,-the Congregational, the Protestant Episcopal, the Methodist Episcopal and the Roman Catholic, established in the order named. All except the Catholic have services every week, conducted by a resident pastor. Father Coopman, of Livingston, Montana, supplies the Catholic church once every month. The life of these churches is a fair register of the moral and re- ligious life of the town. A short sketch of each of these is all that can be given in this brief article.

"The Congregational Church was the first church organized. It was started in the spring of 1882, and is, consequently, as old as the town. Hon. A. Fraser, Colonel Lucius Whit- ney and Edgar B. Camp were the first trustees and incorporators. Rev. Benjamin F. Shuart, a missionary of the Congregational Church, was the first pastor. He began his work in the early spring of 1882 without a church, a con-

When the Nez Perces Indians threatened the lives and homes of the settlers of the Bitter Root valley, Mr. Kelly volunteered in the service, and served at the Lo Lo, under Captain King. They succeeded in preventing a fearful massacre.

Mr. Kelly has never married. His mother made her home with him until her death, at the age of ninety years. The Kelly Brothers are among the many brave sons of Ireland who have sought and found independence and a competency in a foreign land.

CHARLES THOMAS STARK, who resides on a farm near the city of Deer Lodge, is ranked with the early pioneers of Montana and has an extensive acquaintance all over the State.

Mr. Stark is a descendant of Welsh ancestry and springs from a family who were early settlers of the State of Vir- ginia. His father, Lewis Stark, was born in Tennessee in 1808, and was reared and married there, his wife, nee Nancy Lawrence, also being a native of Tennessee and a descendant of one of the old Southern families. Some years after their mrrriage they removed with their fam- ly of three children to Missouri, where Mr. Stark was en-

gregation or a home. Inthe latter part of that year the trustees, acting for the young church, had a small frame structure, '20 x 22, with 12- foot posts, six windows and one door,' erected on the lots where the present church building stands. This structure was of the erndest kind, not ceiled or plastered, the cracks being stopped . with battens. At the back of this building a 'lean-to' of two rooms was built, and this served the purpose of a parsonage, so that the reverend gentleman could walk out of his bed chamber into his pulpit, after counting the stars through the roof of his ' lean-to ' at night. Such was the birthday of the church.

" In 1883 Hon. Frederick Billings, of Wood- stock, Vermont, donated $12,000 for the erec- tion of the neat and commodious building. The Minnesota & Montana Land and improvement Company and the owners of the Foster addi- tion donated thie lots, the church raised the rest of the funds necessary, and October of this year saw the dedication of a beautiful church, which cost $14,000, and work begun on a com- fortable parsonage. About this time Mr. Shuart resigned and Rev. A Stryker Wallace

gaged in farming up to 1852, at that time crossing the plains to California. That was known as the cholera year. While the Stark family was en route to California the loving wife and mother was a victim of that dread disease and died within twelve hours from the time she was stricken with it. Her death and burial out on the lonely plains is the saddest event within the memory of onr sub- ject. An uncle of his shared the same fate. The remains of both rest near the Little Blue river. From these new- made graves by the wayside the sorrowing family turned away and proceeded on their long and tedious journey, finally reaching their destination in safety and locating in Plumas county. There the father was engaged in mining for a number of years. He then removed to Santa Bar- bara county and remained there until 1890, when he re- turned to Plumas connty. At the latter place he spent his last days, and died in the eighty-third year of his age. Of his seven children, five are living, Charles T. being the second in order of birth.

Charles T. Stark was born in Tennessee, December 8, 1833. His early life was spent in that State and Missouri, he being nineteen at the time he made the journey with

6 O10 Bucks

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succeeded him as pastor, taking charge of the work November 1, 1883. Mr. Wal- lace was pastor for eight years, resigning his office in October, 1891. Mr. Wallace is, perhaps, more fully identified with the history of the church than any ouc else, while Mr. Shuart may be called its founder. In August, 1892, Rev. Charles Hall Cook became the pastor. His pastorate lasted eighteen months. On February 1, 1894, the writer of this article succeeded Mr. Cook, and is the present incumbent. The church now has an active membership of about seventy people, six lots, a comfortable and well-arranged parsonage, and an elegant church building, well-seated, lighted by electricity, and centrally located. The entire property is valued at $20,000. Its history has been one of hard work, with a fair measure of progress, and it is now thoroughly established, and faces the future with conrage and purpose.

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An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 125

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