An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 84

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 84

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In 1866 Mr. Cruse came to Montana, and at first was engaged in prospecting at Virginia City. The following year he came to Helena, but soon afterward went to Trin- ity and engaged in placer mining and prospecting for quartz mines. For some years he was thus occupied. In April, 1876, he discovered the famous Drum Lummon mine, aud continued its development, taking out considerable gold, the mine being a success from the start. In 1882 he sold it for a million and a half dollars, retaining one-sixth interest in it. Since then it has been further developed and is to-day one of Montana's famous and best-paying

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mill; four wagon tires welded together fur- nishing the crank, and a fifth one, with plenty of filing and hammering, the saw.

He remained here at St. Mary's a companion to Father Mengarini, from the fall of 1845 to the fall of 1850.

The Fathers' manner of living, in the main, was like the Indians, their ordinary fare being roots, berries, dried buffalo meat with its tallow, and game when they could get it. As to fish, the river flowing by, a fine, beantilul stream, whose waters are clear as crystal, and were then alive with mountain trout, sup- plied them in abundance. They had enough to eat, but isolation and continual daugers on every side rendered their life far from pleasant. Their mail was brought to them once a year, or rather, they had to go for it themselves as far as Fort Vancouver, when once a year, with an escort of Indians and a few pack animals they would go for their mass wine and what little other pro- visions they were in absolute need of. And these they were not even then sure to get. For three years Father Ravalli received not one

mines. Mr. Cruse has all these years continued his mining enterprises and owns several valuable properties, among which may be mentioned the Old Blue Cloud, which Mr. Cruse thinks will equal or surpass the Drum Lummon, and also owns the North Star, which is an ex- tension of the Drum Lummon mine.

Besides his mining operations, Mr. Cruse has also of recent years turned his attention to other enterprises. In 1887 he established his own bank, the Thomas Cruse Sav- ings Bank of Helena, the first savings bank organized in Montana. From its beginning it proved a success and is now one of the most prosperous financial institutions of its kind in Montana. Mr. Cruse is also the owner of one of the largest sheep and cattle ranches in the State.

Ile was married in 1886 to Miss Margaret Carter, who died in December of that year, leaving an infant dangh- ter, Mary. He resides with his little girl in their pleasant home in Helena.

Mr. Cruse has been an ardent Democrat all his life, and is a devout member of the Catholic Church. IIe has the highest confidence and good will of his fellow citizens. He is a man of too much solid sense to be injured by his prosperity, and he understands making a laudable and judicious use of the things of this world which it has been his good fortune to acquire.

THE THOMAS CRUSE SAVINGS BANK, of IIelena, is one of Montana's most solid financial institutions. It was founded by Mr. Thomas Cruse in 1887, with a capital of $100,000, its organization dating prior to any other sav- ings bank in the State. Its officers are as follows: Thomas Cruse, president; Frank H. Cruse, vice-president; W. J. . Sweeny, treasurer; and W. J. Cook, assistant treasurer. The bank has constantly grown in favor ever since it was

single letter, and twice in five years the Indians carrying the goods were attacked by hostile bands, wounded and robbed of all they had.

Nor was it safer at the mission than on the road. Both the Bannacks and the Blackfeet, then two powerful nations, were mortal enemies of the Flatheads, whose country they would raid time and again, band after band running off ponies and murdering some of the Flathead nation almost every other day. It was not safe for the Fathers to venture even a short distance from the stockade they had built for self-pro- tection. The valley was then covered with thick, high underbrush, and there the Blackfoot or Bannack robber would Inrk, hide and lay in am- bush for days biding his chance to come out, steal and murder and then run off, if he could, with the scalp or ponies of some Flathead. The Fathers from the stockade, late every night, would fire off a couple of shots in the air, as a make-believe to the robbers prowling about, that within there was somebody on the watch and always on the alert to give the alarm.

It happened by this time that a Blackfoot

founded, and has met with marked success. It has a very large deposit account, and in addition to its large savings business also does general banking and makes a specialty of handling State, county, city and school bonds and war- rants, for which they pay the highest cash price.

JOHN J. ELLIS, one of the County Commissioners of Cascade county, and a Montana pioneer of 1864, now re- siding at Great Falls, is a native of Illinois, born in Sum- mer Hill, February 5, 1846.

He comes of English ancestors who settled in America previous to the Revolution. Daniel Ellis, his father, was born in Massachusetts in the year 1800. IIe married Miss Jane Hazleton, a native of England, in 1834. After his marriage he emigrated to the then new State of Illinois, took up land from the Government and improved the same and made it his home for the rest of his life. He died in 1845. IIis good wife survives him and is now eighty years of age. John J. was the fourth born in their family of seven children. He was reared on their frontier farm, having limited opportunities for an educa- tion, and consequently got what he has learned in the dear school of experience.

When he was sixteen years of age, Mr. Ellis started for Montana. Ile drove an ox team across the plains and was four months in making the journey to Virginia City, where he arrived in the fall of 1864. At first he mined a little, but soon engaged in hauling freight between Vir- ginia City and Salt Lake, and continued in this business for six years, during this time visiting nearly every min- ing camp in the Territory and camping out most of the time. A part of his time he had Government contracts, taking supplies to Fort Shaw. In 1880 he retired from freighting and turned his attention to stock-raising in the

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thus hiding in the brush was captured by the Flatheads. They took him to their camp and after a short consultation amongst themselves shot him. There was at the same time in the camp another Blackfoot, who had received the hospitality of the Flathead nation, Afraid now himself of his own life, he at once started off on a run to get away, and, by thus falling into suspicion with the Flatheads, was shot at and wounded, and three days after died, instructed and baptized by Father Ravalli.

The killing of these two Indians, particularly of the latter, who was a favorite with his tribe, was soon to be avenged by the Blackfoot nation, who, mixing np in the affair also the Fathers, resolved to come in force and kill as many Flatheads as they could and also the " Black Robes" that were amongst them. It was in September, and the Flatheads had started off on their annual buffalo hunt, leaving behind only one old man, two boys who were staying with the Fathers, some old women and a few children-all helpless and defenceless. These, every evening, would move in with their lodges and pass the night within the stockade for pro- tection. Father Mengarini had gone to the

Sun River country. He has since been largely engaged in raising cattle and sheep, at which he has been very suceessful, having owned as high as 2,000 head of cattle and 12,000 sheep. He has been the owner of about 3,000 acres of land besides considerable real estate in Great Falls, and has built in Great Falls a very fine brick resi- dence, which he and his family occupy. He is also a stockholder in the Montana Brewing Company, of which he is president. This company have a large and valu- able plant, are running night and day, and make a choice article of beer, for which they have a ready sale. Mr. Ellis was one of the organizers and is a director of the Cascade Bank.

Mr. Ellis was married in 1869 to Miss Ida A. Sykes, a native of Missouri, and the daughter of Mr. H. E. Sykes, a Montana pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have three chil- dren, all born in Montana, namely: Charles J., Alice A. and Laura E.

Mr. Ellis has always been a stanch Republican. In Lewis and Clarke county he served two terms as County Commissioner, and after locating in Great Falls he was in 1892 elected County Commissioner of Cascade county, in which position he is now serving, and is doing his best to conduct the affairs of his county with the same econo- my and good judgment with which he has always manag- ed his own business. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow. lle is one of the many men who came to Montana with- out means in the pioneer days and who have by their own unaided efforts accumulated a good property and at the same time have aided in the improvement and devel- opment of the State.

Cœur d'Alene mission to consult with the gen- eral superior, and at St. Mary's there was only Father Ravalli left with Brother Claessens, who is still living and is now stationed at St. Peter's mission.

Early in the morning, September 12th, a Blackfoot yell from outside the stockade rent the air around as well as the ears of those who were within, and Father Ravalli, the Brother and the rest now expected every moment to be attacked, killed and scalped every one. But the Blackfeet not knowing how many there might be inside, did not dare to come to an attack. One of the two boys mentioned above, and who was helping the Fathers in the kitchen, ven- tured out of the enclosure and fell dead as soon as he was spied. He was the only one killed, and soon after the Blackfeet left without doing further damage than driving off all the horses that were on the place.

To-day, we here mention it in passing, and as a contrast, Blackfeet and Flatheads send their children together to the Fathers' school at St. Ignatins mission.

Amongst all these dangers the Fathers kept on cheerfully in their good work of improving

HON. PARIS GIBSON, the founder of Great Falls and one of the most prominent citizens of Montana, capable, far- seeing and enterprising, is a native of the State of Maine, born at Brownfield, Oxford county, July 1, 1830. On his father's side he is of Scottish ancestry, while his mother's ancestry were from England.

Timothy- Gibson, his grandfather, came from England to the colonies and was a soldier in the English army in the Colonial-French war. Joseph Howard, maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, fought in the Revolutionary army for independence, taking part in the battle at Saratoga and the surrender of Burgoyne. Abel Gibson, our subject's father, was born in the State of New Hampshire, married Miss Ann Howard, a native of Maine, and was a farmer and lumberman. He reared to years of maturity seven children, and died in his sixty- second year; his wife lived to be nearly ninety years of age. Of this family, however, only three of the daugh- ters and the subject of this sketch are now living.

Mr. Gibson was educated at Bowdoin College, Maine, and graduated in the class of 1851. Soon afterward he was elected a Representative from his county to the Leg- islature. After this, his father having died, he returned to the old home and for a number of years conducted the farm.

In 1858 he set his face toward the West, locating in Minneapolis, Minnesota, then a village of but a few hun- dred people. In connection with William W. Eastman he built the first flouring mill of that city (the Cataract. Mill), and afterward built and operated the North Star Woolen Mills, which became noted for the excellence of

Cari Gibten

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spiritually and temporally the condition of the Indian children, whose good will, docility and affection were to the Fathers a sufficient compensation, and all they expected here below, for all their toils and hardships. But even in this the Fathers were sorely tried.

A band of woolfers and trappers, whose only religion was whisky and women, when winter was about to set in, would flock to the mission from the woods, and under the pretext that they had come to attend to their religious duties, expected and claimed to be supported at the hands of the Fathers. On not receiving all they wanted or craved for, they went to work to poison the minds of the Indians and set them up and turn them against the Fathers. They knew the language, being married to In- dian women and went around speaking against the missionaries, inventing vile, nasty stories and circulating them amongst the Indians. The mischief was soon done, and the Flatheads, who had been thus far so willing, so docile and so affectionate toward the Fathers, became care- less, indifferent, insolent and pretentions to a

their products. Mr. Gibson met with business reverses during the panic of 1873, and in 1879 he came to Montana, locating at Fort Benton. IIe engaged in the sheep busi- ness that year, being interested with Henry Macdonald in one of the first flocks of sheep driven into northern Montana. Ile has since been engaged, to a greater or less extent, in this business, and no man in Montana has done more to promote the welfare of the flockmaster and advance this industry, which has grown to be one of prime importance in the State.

In 1882 he first saw the falls of the Missouri river and examined into the resources of the surrounding region. He was deeply impressed with the advantages of the sit- uation, with its unlimited water power, inexhaustible measures of coal and vast extent of agricultural and grazing lands, and from that moment set for himself the task of founding and building a city at the cataracts of the Missouri. In November, 1882, b. laid his plans be- fore James J. Hill, of St. Paul, who readily joined inter- est with him in the enterprise. Two years were spent in acquiring title to townsite and coal lands, and it was not until 1884 that the foundation of the new town was laid, although in the correct sense, its start was not made until 1887, when the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Rail- road, now the Great Northern, was completed to that point. Since that time Great Falls has made marvelous progress, and is now a city of 12,000 people. With the exception of the Niagara Falls, it has the greatest water power in the United States. It has already large smelters, refineries and flouring mills, and the day seems near at hand when it will be the leading industrial city of the Northwest.

Mr. Gibson has been connected with the affairs of Great

degree, that from this on, all the exertions of the missionaries in behalf of the Indians availed little or nothing.

Consequently, with this and what was said above, all the particulars of which are from notes in Father Ravalli's own hand, in the fall of 1850 St. Mary's was temporarily abandoned, and Father Ravalli was then transferred to the Cœur d'Alene mission, of which shortly after he became superior. Here he planned and built the large and bold chapel that, like a spell of fairyland in the midst of dense, intermin- able forests, has filled many a gold-seeker with surprise and unwonted emotion.

* *

In the fall of 1860, the mission was tempor- arily closed, and Father Ravalli was then as- signed to Santa Clara, California, where for a time he filled the important office of Master of Novices.

But the land of fruit and flowers had no charms for Father Ravalli, and, returning in 1863 to Montana, was first stationed at St. Ignatius mission, whence, in August, 1864, he

Falls since the town had its beginning, having been actively engaged in real-estate business, stock-growing, mining, etc. He is the promoter of the public-park system of Great Falls, which has no equal in the Northwest between Minneapolis and Portland. Ile has given a great deal of his time to the general development of the coal, iron and agricultural interests in the Great Falls region.

It is much in Mr. Gibson's favor to be able to say that while he has had so much to do with the founding of the city of Great Falls and the advancement of her interests to the present time, he has made such a record that he has the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens, and all joinin speaking of him in the highsst terms of com- mendation.

Mr. Gibson has always been a conscientious adherent of the Democratic party. In 1889 his fellow citizens elected him a member of the State Constitutional Con- vention which formed the present admirable State Con- stitution of Montana. Ile was also elected a member of the first State Senate of Montana, in which position he served most creditably to himself and his constituents; and it may be said to his credit that, though defeated in the measure, he was a strong advocate of the consolida- tion of all the State institutions of higher education into one, to be called the University of Montana. Mr. Gibson is convinced of the correctness of his position on this question of such vast educational interest to the people of the State, and is pleased to go on the record as its advocate.

JOHN LARSON, of Marysville, Montana, was born in Denmark, June 14, 1840. IIe was raised to manhood in his native place, but in 1863 came to America, landing in Quebec. He afterward went to Racine, where he

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passed to St. Peter's mission amongst the Black- feet Indians. Here he was when the memor- able stampede to the Sun river country imagin- ary gold diggings occurred. It was during a bitter, intensely cold winter, and many brave but unfortunate fellow had ears, nose, hands or feet frozen. Father Ravalli threw the mission buildings open to all, and with his kind atten- tion and medical skill rendered services that were never forgotten. In the spring of 1866 Father Ravalli moved across the range to the west side and was stationed for a time at Hell Gate, near Missoula, amongst the whites. This was what may be called the gold-diggings period of Montana, and Father Ravalli had now begun to do for the white man what he had done all along and never ceased to do for the Indian. He went around from one place to another, attending the sick and ministering to the spiritual wants of both the sick and the healthy. This double work of mercy, now be- gun at Hell Gate, and continued in all along in after years till he was able to move abont, won to Father Ravalli the esteem and love of

learned the cooper's trade. Being imbued with the spirit of adventure, and hearing of the gold discoveries in Idaho, he started for that country, crossing the plains on the Bozeman route. They were not disturbed by the Indians, but saw much of their work along the way, the company having buried eight men that had been mur- dered at different places. Some had been partly buried, but had been dug up by the coyotes. Mr. Larson mined at Virginia City for a time, receiving 87 per day. Dur- ing the Silver Bow stampede he went to that place and took a claim, but his work there proved unsuccessful. He spent three years in German Gulch, Deer Lodge county, where he was successful in placer mining; next he went to Blackfoot City during the excitement there, and in 1879 came to Marysville. The city at that time contained only the log hut of Thomas Cruse. Mr. Larson had a team of horses and a wagon, and immediately engaged in teaming for the Penobscot mine. He also spent four years at the same occupation for the Drum Lummon mine. He now owns about thirty head of large Norman Percheron horses, and is engaged in hauling for the Bald Butte Milling Company, in which he is very successful. Mr. Larson also owns an interest in the South Drum Lummon, and in the Cruse Mountain Consolidated Com- pany, both located on Cruse Hill. In 1883 he built his first cabin in Marysville, and in 1887 erected his present residence on the same lot.

December 24, 1887, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Kate W. Constan, a native of Hasting, Minne- sota. They have had three children: John H., Annie K. and George II. Mr. Larson is a charter member of the I. O. O. F. at Marysville, is Past Master of the A. O. U. W. of this city, and is a member of the Society of Montana

every miner, viz .: of all the whites in the coun- try, for all then in Montana were, or had been miners.

In the fall of 1866 St. Mary's mission was re-opened and one year after Father Ravalli, leaving Hell Gate, had his home again where he had lived in 1845, at dear old St. Mary's, as he would always call it. Here we may say, he had opened his missionary life and hither he had now come to close it.

His last illness was a long and trying one, and he lay four years a helpless and patient victim to intense, unmitigated suffering. But the angels had now come, at last, to take Father Ravalli to his rest on their feast day, and he peacefully passed away on the 2nd instant, in his seventy-third year of age, fifty-seven years a Jesuit and forty years a missionary in the Rocky mountains.

In his ways, manners and life he was as simple as a child. Intensely affectionate, he was no less demonstrative than sincere and constant in his affection. To a pions lady of distinction who had asked him whether, during the many

Pioneers. In political matters he is identified with the Republican party. He has made what he now owns by hard work and economy, and is ranked among the worthy and reliable citizens of Marysville.

WILLIAM O'BRIEN, one of the enterprising business men of Sheridan, Montana, was born in Washington county, New York, January 20, 1856. He is of old Irish ances- try, his father being Michael O'Brien, a native of the Emerald Isle, who emigrated to the United States when a young man, as early as 1830. Michael O'Brien settled in Washington county, New York, where he was subse- quently married to Miss Ellen Ryan, also a native of Ireland. They purchased land in Washington county, where they were successfully engaged in farming and where they reared a family of three children. Mrs. O'Brien still resides at the old homestead, her husband having died in 1859.

William O'Brien is now the only one left of the three. In 1877, on attaining his majority, he decided to seek his fortune in the far West, and accordingly came overland to Montana, making the journey in company with two other yonng men. This was just after the Custer mas- sacré. Many of the Indians were on the war path, and traveling through their country at that time was ex- tremely hazardous, especially for small parties. They traveled in a wagon until they reached the Red Cloud Agency, when they purchased ponies which they rode the rest of the way. After several encounters with the Indians and numerous hairbreadth escapes, they reached their destination in safety. For two years Mr. O'Brien was employed at farm work, receiving his board and $40 per month. In 1881 he established himself in business in Sheridan, the little building he at first occupied being

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years he had lived in the Rocky mountains, he had not felt some desire to see once more his native country and father and mother. "Yes," he replied; " and I could have had that pleasure; but then," continued he, "the sacrifice would not have been complete," and lowering his head over his breast broke out into tears and sobs like a child.

From his obituary I have gotten much that is of interest in the early church history of Montana, which might well fill a volume of itself. The one laudable thing in the lives of these pions men, next to their continual desire to lead holy lives and help their fellowmen for- ward, was their extreme modesty. Father Bronlette was at the head of the convent school

only 16 x 20 feet, but he met with prosperity from the start, and in 1883 purchased his present property which he has since greatly improved, now having a good busi- ness place and enjoying the good will and patronage of the best people in the valley. He has built a good resi- dence in Sheridan, and in the course of his business career has invested in mines and mining.

Mr. O'Brien returned to New York in 1879, and was married to Miss Mary Dooley, one of his old schoolmates. They have three children: Anna M., born in New York: Mary E. and Leah Rosalie.

Politically, Mr. O'Brien is a Democrat. He was elected one of the first Aldermen of Sheridan, and is now serving as one of its School Trustees. Ile is a member of the A. O. U. W., and is Past Master of the lodge at Sheridan. During the whole of his residence at this place he has taken a lively interest in all the affairs of the town, and has ever been ready to aid in its growth and improvement.

HENRY HARMON CLARK, one of Montana's esteemed pioneers of 1864, and one of the founders of the town of East Helena, was born in Granville, Hampden county, Massachusetts February 5, 1824. His father, IIenry Clark, was born at the same place in 1794. Ile married Irene Strong, also born in the same town in 1796, and they had six daughters and two sons, four of whom still survive. The father was a man of honor and respectabil- ity, was a Selectman of his town for many years, and was a member of the State Legislature. The parents lived and died in their native town, the father in 1859, and the mother in 1874.

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An illustrated history of the state of Montana, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 84

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