Old Missoula

Missoulian’s ‘Old Reliable’ 50th anniversary edition – Laced with Local History

MISSOULIAN CELEBRATES FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY

HALF A CENTURY IS ITS RECORD OF GOOD DEEDS

History of Old Reliable Since Its Life Began Just Fifty Years Ago.

It was back in 1873, during the financial and industrial panic of the Reconstruction days following the Civil war, that The Missoulian was born. Other publications had flared above the horizon in Montana journalism before that time, but in the majority of cases their existence was of short duration, and they perished before they had attained influence of any moment.

The history of The Missoulian in a broad sense is a history of the development of western Montana. The comparison between the early struggle for existence, when the paper was a weekly, and the battle for life on the part of the inhabitants who braved the dangers of the wilderness and Indian treachery in the frontier days is striking. So, too is the comparison today. The “Old Reliable” has made itself secure in the area which it serves as has become the life of the people with the advantages of abundant transportation facilities with law taking the place of mob justice and with the red man submissive to the just dictation of his big white brother.

Rivals of The Missoulian.

Competitors to The Missoulian have entered the field since its birth fifty years ago, but today none of them remains. Among them were The Gazette, The Times, The Journal, The Democrat, The Silverite, The Item, The Herald and the Daily New Northwest. Some of these, especially those of more recent date, are well remembered. The others have been forgotten.

Judge Frank H. Woody, the editor, in the first edition of The Missoulian announced: “The Missoulian will be devoted to the general and material interests of Missoula county and will at all times advocate any and all measures that may be calculated to advance the interests of our county and her citizens.” That promise has been kept half a century.

At that time Missoula county embraced the larger part of this section of the state. Since then various other counties have been carved out of it, but in the dissecting process the influence of The Missoulian has not contracted with the territory included within the county’s boundaries. The increase of population and the constantly multiplying interests of the people who have elected that western Montana shall be their home have broadened, rather, The Missoulian’s field of influence and usefulness.

The Oldest in Montana.

Not another paper in the state has been published under its present name for as many years as has The Missoulian. The Old Pioneer, established at Cedar Creek[1] in 1870, was published continuously until the plant was moved to Missoula and its name changed to The Missoulian. The old Helena Herald, subsequently merged with The Montana Record, was started in 1866. Its name, however, was lost in the merger. The Independent originally was published in Deer Lodge in 1867. It was moved in 1874 to Last Chance gulch and its name changed to The Helena Independent. The Avant-Courier of Bozeman was founded in 1871, but within more recent times the Avant was dropped and the paper has been known since as The Courier.

The Missoula and Cedar Creek Pioneer was established in 1870 and the first issue came from the press on September 15 of that year. Its proprietors were Joseph Magee, who afterward went to San Francisco, and I. H. Morrison, a well-known printer of early Montana history. In January 1871, the name of the paper was shortened to The Missoula Pioneer. In November of that year the plant was sold to W. J. McCormick and its name was further shortened to The Pioneer. W. S. Scribner was Mr. McCormick’s partner.

Late in 1872 Mr. McCormick was required to go east and Frank H. Woody was installed as editor. At this time the paper broadened its field and became known as the Montana Pioneer. The next year Mr. Woody and T. M. Chisholm purchased the plant from Mr. McCormick and the name again was changed, this time to The Missoulian. Since that date there has been no change in the heading across the page. In after years Mr. Woody became judge of the Fourth district court of Montana and held the position for many years. He enjoyed the distinction of being the earliest white resident[2] in Montana and from the beginning of his newspaper life he gave a personal reminiscence turn to the publication of which he had charge.

Later in 1873 W. R. Turk purchased Mr. Chisholm’s interest and the firm name became Woody & Turk. Mr. Woody retired in 1874 and in the spring of the next year Mr. Turk succumbed to tuberculosis. Then Worden & Co., took possession of the plant and in May of that year Barbour & Aspling became the publishers. Chauncey Barbour, one of the best known of early Montana newspaper writers, had charge of the editorial department and Aspling was business manager. The following November Mr. Barbour bought out his partner and for five years, until August, 1879, was the sole owner.

Then Came Duane Armstrong.

Then came Duane Armstrong and purchased the plant from Mr. Barbour. Armstrong was a printer, a writer of note, a keen politician and a lover of Montana. His tenure, however was doomed to be short. During a blizzard the next winter he contracted an illness and was forced to retire and his brother, John, assumed editorial control.

These were important days in the history of the Treasure state, and more particularly the western section. The Northern Pacific railway was reaching westward, bringing with it a large transient population. No one knew much concerning those with whom he came in contact. The town of Weeksville[3], now abandoned and almost forgotten, was headquarters of the west-end construction crews. There scenes were enacted which rivaled the old Vigilante days of 20 years before. It required a man of John Armstrong’ strong nerve and ability in surroundings like these. His editorials were so vitriolic that frequently he was called upon to defend them with his fists. One edition was so hot that it had to be suppressed and only three or four copies got outside the office.

Harrison Spaulding, who at that time was publishing The Missoulian Times, then made a proposition of purchase which Armstrong accepted and The Times and The Missoulian were united under the name of the latter. Soon after the merger Spaulding acquired membership in the Associated Press and The Missoulian became a daily. On August 14, 1892, he disposed of the plant and its goodwill to Lambert Molinelli for $15,000, Molinelli becoming editor and publisher. He was a pastmaster in the use of invective and under his regime the days of Armstrong’s tempestuous career were revived. He, also, had a marvelous power of description and he made the paper a widely-read publication.

George E. Boos Came Next.

The next transfer of The Missoulian came at the time the fight for the state capital was at its height, Helena capitalists in 1894 acquiring Molinelli’s interest. George E. Boos, whose death occurred only recently in Seattle, came here from the Helena Journal, of which he had been manager, and took charge. He remained here until 1901, when a combination was formed in the interest of the Republican state campaign and it took the paper over. George E. Harris and later E. J. Willis conducted it under lease.

In 1902 The Missoulian Publishing company was organized. T. E. Butler was placed in charge of the business office and Harry O. Collins became managing editor. The leased wire service of the Associated Press was secured and The Missoulian enlarged its plant and equipment. The editorials of Mr. Collins gave new strength and attractiveness to the paper. Mr. Butler sold his interest in August, 1907, and Joseph M. Dixon secured active control, with several of the employes of the plant owning stock in the corporation.

This combination continued with A. L. Stone first as business manager and editorial writer and then editor, Sherman Leach succeeding to the former position, and later with Mr. Dixon in active charge of both departments when Mr. Stone became dean of the school of journalism at the State University, until May 1, 1917. On that date Martin J. Hutchens, Lester L. Jones and George C. Rice purchased the plant. In the spring of 1920 Mr. Hutchens acquired the interest of his partners and since then he has been editor and publisher.

 

PERSONALITIES OF OLDEN DAYS

Stories of Men Who Made the Old Reliable in Its Younger Years.

The special edition of The Missoulian which marked the beginning of its fortieth year of publication and which was published on May 5, 1912, contained much that was interesting, historically, concerning the paper. Judge F. H. Woody, who died only a few years ago, and was its first editor, in that edition gave an account of his entrance into the newspaper game. He says:

“It was a year or so before the paper was named The Missoulian – they called it the Pioneer – when I first came in touch with it. W. J. McCormick, one of Missoula’s well-known pioneers, owned the paper then. When he was called to Washington on a business trip, along about November or December, 1872, he came to me and asked me to take charge, during his absence. I did so and before McCormick got home, a printer named Chisholm and I decided we would like to purchase the paper and run it ourselves. We made the deal, but Chisholm didn’t stay long with me. He went to Butte and I think he afterwards worked on the Miner. He died there. Then I took in Warren R. Turk, a practical printer, who came here from Iowa for his health, later dying here. He was the father of George, Frank and Emil Turk. We disposed of the paper while Turk was my partner.”

Print-Paper Expensive.

“It cost something to print a paper in those days,” continued Judge Woody’s account, “I remember that our print paper cost us 12 ½ cents a pound. We had to ship it from Helena by stage. We were always shy of cash and I can tell you that the shipments of paper came over on the stage in very small bundles. Whenever we expected a shipment it made us hustle like blazes to raise the necessary cash. There was never any money in the newspaper business then and everybody who had anything to do with The Missoulian lost money. There were only 400 or 500 residents here then and our subscription list was not very big. I remember, however, that we sent a good many papers up the Bitter Root valley, as there were no papers in that section then.

Scribner.

“I think often of W. S. Scribner, who was W. J. McCormick’s partner when they first took the paper. They purchased it when its name was the Missoula and Cedar Creek Pioneer. Scribner came to Montana as territorial secretary. He served out his time and then was a trader on the Flathead Indian reservation. After leaving Missoula he went back to Chicago and was county clerk of Cook county. He was a bright and capable fellow. He died in Chicago some years ago.”

“Little Frankie, Too.”

It was shortly after the paper started that Judge Woody left to make a visit in Deer Lodge and Helena with his wife and son Frank, then a few months old, now a resident of Helena. Mr. Chisholm was left at home to run the paper and his story of the departure of the editor and his family was as follows:
“Off on a visit – Frank H. Woody and wife – and little Frankie too – left on the Deer Lodge coach last Sunday and will be absent some two or three weeks. Mr. Woody will visit in Virginia City, where he has many friends; returning by way of Helena. We have no doubt Frank will meet with a kind welcome – it will be many a day before the people of those places will welcome a better man. Mrs. Woody will remain visiting friends in Deer Lodge.”

The First Devils.

Frank Keim and R. A. Pelky were the first printer’s devils in The Missoulian print shop. Mr. Keim is still a well-known resident, while Mr. Pelky lived here for a good many years and later went to Butte. Judge Woody said that both of these boys were bad and mischievous, especially Mr. Pelky, who was known to throw away a stick of type to save himself the trouble of distributing it in the case. Frank Keim soon settled down to business however, and an early issue of the paper speaks of him as follows:

“Master Frank Keim, a boy of 14 years, commenced work on The Missoulian office about six weeks ago. He can now set a column of this paper per day; but, what is more, he can set it without an error – his proof often coming from the proofreader without a scratch. If any other office in the territory has a boy of that age and experience who can size up to that, give us his name.”

William Spurgin of Orchard Homes was the first man in the world to receive a copy of The Missoulian. He ran a blacksmith shop at the time the first issue was printed. There had been some trouble with the press and he had been sent for to repair it. He got the press fixed and waited for the forms to be placed. Then, when the first copy of the new paper appeared, he grabbed it and went across to his shop.

A Famous Extra.

On July 25, 1877, word reached Missoula that the Nez Perces, under Chief Joseph, were on the warpath and were coming toward Montana, evidently by way of Lolo Pass. The news was brought by way of Cedar creek and was ahead of the war party. The Missoulian of that afternoon – July 25 – issued an extra which was dispatched eastward to Deer Lodge as quickly as possible, and from there was sent to Helena and Butte. This was the state’s first news of the Nez Perce war. The headlines on that extra show that Missoula was alarmed. Across the front page was a line: “Help! Help! White Bird Defiant, Come Running!” The extra did the work; there were armed men in the saddle within a few minutes after the news was received in Dee Lodge.

Valedictory.

When Judge Woody died an editorial death, laid down his quill and stepped out of the newspaper game, he wrote his own obituary in which he stated that he had “died” for private purposes and commercial reasons. This was in March, 1874, when Mr. Woody left the paper to the tender mercies of his partner, announcing the change as follows:

“Warren R. Turk, Esq., will assume full control of The Missoulian, both as editor and publisher, and, being a vigorous writer and a practical printer, the patrons of the paper may rest assured that they will continue to receive a paper well worthy of their support.

“To our brethren of the pastepot and pencil of the territorial press we tender our sincere thanks for the many kindnesses and courtesies received at their hands.

“We hope our friend Turk may never be a ‘Sick Turk’ and, laboring like a Turk, will continue to make The Missoulian a lively and interesting sheet.”

“One incident I recall, which was tragic,” said J. H. T. Ryman, according to this special edition of 1912, “happened on the night of February 2, 1887. That was the night of the great storm – the worst I remember. Our place was a few doors below and in the evening I walked through the snow to The Missoulian office. There was nobody there. Duane Armstrong had gone home – he lived in a brick house on the east end of Pine street. There was a roaring fire in the old round stove and a lighted kerosene lamp stood on the imposing stone. Under this lamp was a note: ‘Gone to Lehr’s – Louie.’ Lehr’s was a German drinking place and Louie was Louie Lubecki, an old-time printer. I made a couple of trips to the office and there was no change in conditions. The storm had grown worse and to prevent the office from burning up, I put out the fire and poured water on it; then I extinguished the light and closed the place. The next day we learned that Duane Armstrong had gone home through the storm and had reached his house insane. He never recovered. His brother, John, took charge of the paper.”

Harrison Spaulding

Charles A. Harnois, who was a Missoula resident at that time, and who was for a long period circulation manager of The Missoulian, contributed a few mnemonics to the special edition. “I don’t remember much about the old paper that is not shop talk,” he said. “I was running on the Northern Pacific as train newsman and had the Bitter Root run. One day I was met at the station here by Mr. Spaulding, who asked me to quit the road and take the circulation of The Missoulian. I did it. Mr. Spaulding was a good editor; he had one failing and that was Three-Star Hennessy. But he wasn’t sociable in his drinking. I think I was the victim on the only occasion when he ever bought a drink for anybody but himself. The Missoulian and the Gazette were both trying to get the Associated Press franchise. One afternoon I was in The Missoulian office when a telegram was brought in which announced that the franchise had been given to The Missoulian. Spaulding read it and was so happy that he asked me to go out with him and have a drink. That was the only time on record.”

McCasey.

One of the fastest men at hand composition was McCasey – “Casey” he was called by Missoula. He was one of the fastest printers that ever lived, anyway. He was fast at the case and, as soon as he got off shift, he could show even more speed than at work. Casey was a great baseball fan and he played some himself when the old Missoula team was shorthanded. Also, he had a heavy bass voice and was in demand for barroom quartet work. He liked to sing and he liked to drink. By a proper combination of the two, he managed to do a great deal of drinking at little expense. One night, after he had been through a season of grand opera he was feeling tacky. He and Corey Leiser and Miss Margaret Powers were at the cases. This was before the days of the linotype. Bill Weyman, who later became ad foreman in The Missoulian shop, and died in the office, was an apprentice. The lights went out in the composing room that night. Leiser had read his copy ahead and kept on sticking type in the dark. Casey asked what Leiser was doing. “Sticking type,” was the answer. Casey asked how he could do it in the dark. “It isn’t dark at all,” said Leiser. Casey insisted that the lights had gone out, but each of the others declared it was as light as day. That night Casey swore off for six months and kept off. But it spoiled his voice and he went back when the time was up.

 

CITY VERY SMALL AS PAPER STARTED

Aviator Half Century Ago Would Have Found Plenty of Room for a Landing.

If Darius Green had been successful in his first venture at air navigation, instead of wrecking himself and his machine; if he had decided to follow Horace Greeley’s admonition to young men and had started westward; if he had selected Missoula as the site of his conquests, had surmounted the continental divide via the air route and had chosen Hell Gate canyon as the line of his course downward toward the setting sun; if he had done all those things, say fifty years ago, at the time The Missoulian was born, what would he have seen here when he poked the nose of his machine through the opening between Mount Jumbo and Mount Sentinel?

His first impression undoubtedly would have been one of thanksgiving that an open space lay before him, removing the danger of wrecking the wings of his machine on some rocky mountain peak. Off to the westward he would have seen the smoky summits of the Bitter Roots and further still the pointed summit of Squaw’s peak. Off to the southwest would have loomed the snowy crest of Mount Lolo. Then he would have shifted his gaze downward, for Darius the successful aviator would not have been the timorous Darius who landed in a heap at the barn’s foundation before he had a chance to flap his wings for the second time.

What He Would Have Seen.

The sight below him would have been beautiful. Hemmed in on every side by the mountain ranges was the valley of surprises, level, but with undulating waves as the wind played through the grass that carpeted it. Basking in the sunlight and bathing her feet in the crystal waters of Hell Gate river he would have seen Missoula, frontier village of the west, nestling on the northern bank a short distance below the spot where the Rattlesnake poured out its waters and where the Lewis and Clark expedition had camped almost seventy years before.

Missoula with her scant four hundred souls and scattered wooden and adobe buildings, whose heartbeats radiated from the 100 block on West Front street, was not a prepossessing youngster and gave little promise beyond the faith of its founders. With its activities confined roughly, between Pattee street on the east, Stevens street[4] on the west, Pine street on the north and the river on the south, life here was typical of the “wild and woolly” west. Even some of the blocks contained within the boundaries named, had little else than open spaces, and these seamed with paths and trails. The square now holding the public library, the J. M. Lucy building, the Masonic temple, the Gibson block and the numerous smaller structures interspersed, contained then but one building, the home of Maria Higgins[5], which faced on Cedar street[6] near where the rear of the Gibson block now is.

Almost directly across the street to the south, where the Western Montana bank building now stands, was the Higgins barn. The only other building in this block was the C. P. Higgins residence, which stood where the Higgins block now is located. Later this residence was moved to the east side of the block, facing on Main street. It has not been many years ago that it was torn down. A filling station now occupies this ground.

Between Main and Front Streets.

Between Main and Front streets, east of Higgins avenue, there were further indications of activity. Between Main street and the alley was a large wooden structure, used at that time as a temporary home for the Presbyterian church. Back of that, almost on the alley but facing on Main street, was the home of Judge Pomeroy. Extending from the front of the house to the street was the beginning of what later led to the adoption of the name, “Garden City,” for Missoula – a large flower garden, well kept and the pride of the judge’s heart. Still farther east, at the corner of the alley and Pattee street, was the residence of W. C. Murphy. South of the alley on Higgins was the T. G. Hathaway dwelling. The ground south of that at the corner of Higgins avenue and Front street, was vacant, but to the east stood the Eddy-Hammond company store, the beginning of the Missoula Mercantile company, which now occupies virtually the entire half block.

Across the street to the south, where the Rankin block now stands, W. H. H. Dickinson, father of W. O. Dickinson, had a cigar and notion store and in his building was located the post office. Down at the corner of Pattee street, where the Florence Laundry is situated, was the Cottage hotel. The flour mill, with a race from the Rattlesnake furnishing the power, stood down by the river bank where the Missoula Light company’s power sub-station now is located.

Both sides of the 100 block on West Front, in comparison with the other parts of town, were well built up. On the south side, on the corner where the Hammond block is located, was a saloon. West of that with vacant ground between, was the old brewery, with a saloon in front. Then came another saloon and still further on a shack, which was occupied at one time by G. A. Wolf as an office. Next was the Welch general merchandise store and west of that another saloon. A little east of where Stevens street strikes Front was the meat market, conducted by H. C. Myers. Mr. Myers and his wife still are residents of Missoula. Their home now is on Woodford street.

Where the Florence Now Is.

Across the street where the Florence hotel now is was a livery stable. A few lots west stood the Kohn saddlery building. Mr. Kohn later entered the jewelry business. His death occurred a few years ago, but the business, conducted now by his son, Irvin, still is continued under the same name. Then came the Deschamps and Kern blacksmith shop and west of it the saloon building which is still standing. Later it was converted into the Gem theater and now is occupied by the Sentinel creamery. Next to it was the Caplice, Smith & Co. store, then the Jacob Leiser store and still further west the Stevens restaurant. On the corner, where the Gardner garage is located, was the old Kennedy hotel, with William Kennedy, father of Hugh and William Kennedy, as proprietor.

The Missoulian’s First Home.

On the other half of the block, on Main street, were but four buildings. At the Stevens street corner was a fur warehouse and east of that the Jacob Leiser residence. The building first occupied by The Missoulian, a small wooden structure, was situated about the spot where the Central meat market stands now. Next to the alley, facing on Higgins avenue, was the Washington J. McCormick home.

On the Donohue Site.

In the block bounded by Higgins avenue, Main, Stevens and Cedar streets there were no improvements of any nature on the north half of the square. On the south side, facing on Main, was the Worden & Co. store, located where the D. J. Donohue company store is now. In the back of this building was the National bank of Missoula, the first national bank in the state. Later the name was changed to the First National bank. Adjoining the Worden building was the J. P. Reinhard store, where it has continued to operate during all the intervening years, although within the last couple of years the name was changed to the Cosner Hardware company. Next to the hardware was the town’s only drug store. Farther down the street was a saloon and at the corner where the Deschamps implement store now is located was the Masonic hall.

This Was About All Then.

This, virtually, was the extent of the Missoula of the early seventies. In the block west of Higgins avenue, between Cedar and Pine streets, was the residence of John Miller, blacksmith. In the square west of that were the courthouse and jail, as now located. The jail, an adobe structure, faced on Pine, but was farther east than the present structure. The courthouse was a wooden structure and was displaced when the present county building was erected. West of there more than a block was the building in which the first mass was said by Father Palladino 50 years ago this month. This served as the center of Catholic church activities for some time. On East Cedar street, almost on the identical spot occupied by the present Methodist church, was a frame building in which the Methodists worshipped. Rev. Thomas C. Iliff was the pastor.

The Worden homestead on East Pine street was built in 1874 and continues at the present time as the home of Miss Ruth Worden and Horace Worden. On Pattee street, facing west, about midway between Cedar and Main, was the residence and office of Dr. Henke, famous as a physician during the early days. An old corral stood on the ground occupied by the public market and where the Independent Oil company now is erecting a filling station.

City Incorporated in 1883.

The city of Missoula was not incorporated until 1883 and Judge Frank H. Woody was its first mayor. The councilmen were F. L. Worden, William C. Murphy, R. A. Eddy and Samuel Arthur. The officers of the Missoula National bank for several years following its incorporation were Captain C. P. Higgins, president, and Ferdinand Kennett, cashier. These two, with S. T. Hauser, Judge Knowles and A. G. England, constituted the board of directors.

An old wooden two-span bridge furnished the means of getting from Missoula to the south side. The island supported the piers for the center of the structure, which had its north end at the foot of Higgins avenue and extended in a southwesterly direction. No one at that time guessed that the day would come when Missoula would occupy many scores of square blocks on the south side flats. The bridge was completed in the spring of 1873. It was low and the high water the next June nearly carried it away. But the populace, by placing rocks about the center pier, saved it for the time being.

Some Old-Time History.

Other events of that year were the re-election of F. H. Woody as county clerk in August and the shooting of Sheriff Marion by Jim Gash, in custody for a murder committed on the Snake river. Gash escaped. The sheriff never recovered from the effects of the wound.

The first Missoula band was organized in 1874. In that year, also, Mr. Woody was elected probate judge. At the election for choosing a permanent home for the territorial capital, Missoula gave Helena a majority of 151. Rev. Hugh Duncan succeeded Rev. Mr. Iliff as the pastor of the Methodist church.

The winter of 1874 – 75 was exceedingly cold. Old-timers still here recall the blizzards and low temperatures of those months. In 1875 W. J. McCormick was elected representative, G. A. Wolf county treasurer and F. H. Woody county clerk. During August of that year the gardens of Missoula were laid waste by grasshoppers. The insects, however, did not invade the Bitter Root valley.

The events of 1876 led up to the establishment southwest of town of Fort Missoula. General Wesley Merrit was detailed to investigate the need of military protection in this section of the country. A year later Indian Agent Charles S. Medary reported to Washington that he had had trouble with several of the Indian chiefs and called for a detachment of troops. This was the beginning of the extensive military grounds here.

The legislature in 1876 passed a subsidy act giving $3,000,000 to the Northern Pacific. In a referendum to the people of the state the measure was defeated by 200 votes, Missoula county furnishing 150 of them.

In 1877 the first fire department was organized. It came into immediate use when the Kennedy hotel caught fire. The service rendered by the volunteer force probably averted a serious conflagration. Captains Rawn and Logan reached Missoula in June of that year and commenced the erection of Fort Missoula. In July the Nez Perces passed Captain Rawn’s entrenchments on Lolo and went through the Bitter Root valley. The Big Hole battle was fought the next month.

The Nez Perces the following year committed depredations in the Bitter Root and were pursued by government troops. Events of a local nature, however, seemed to make a greater impression than did the outrage of the red men. The court returned indictments against Sheriff M. M. Drouillard and Under Sheriff James Thompson, the action growing out of the escape from jail by William Brown, arrested for horse-stealing. They were charged with criminal negligence. Thompson, before the court had been in session a week, died while serving papers on the reservation. The sheriff’s case came to trial in the fall and he was acquitted. On December 15 he was shot and killed by his wife.

In 1879 the fair association was reorganized. The files show that a snowstorm and blizzard struck the valley on February 9. The territorial legislature met in extra session at Helena on July 4.

The articles above are from the special Sunday Missoulian 50^th Birthday edition that appeared on April 29, 1923. If you get the chance take a look at that edition as it has many interesting photos and several other articles.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/352381926