Old Missoula

First ‘Real’ Fair Record [1876] by Will Cave

During the past several years it has been considerably advertised from what might be termed “official” quarters that the “first” fair in Missoula county was held in the year 1879. This erroneous impression undoubtedly has arisen because of the fact that in the year stated there was a reorganization and change of name from that of the original association.

The first fair held in Missoula county, in the Territory of Montana was held in 1876.

On file in the office of the county recorder of Missoula county may be seen the copy of the articles of incorporation of the “Western Montana Agricultural, Mechanical and Mineral Association,” dated December 29, 1874, and filed on the thirty-first day of the same month (File No. 98; also recorded in the “old” record book of corporations, at page 47); the trustees named were W. E. Bass, W. G. Edwards, J. K. Clark, C. P. Higgins, Daniel J. Welch, Thomas Foley, R. A. Eddy and A. G. England; signed in the presence of Ferd Kennett, and acknowledged before Frank H. Woody, county clerk.

Perhaps the names not specifically designating “fair and racing” may have much to do with the associations not being connected up with a fair whose principal attraction in fact was that of racing.

“Purposes”

Even the expressed “purposes” of the organization do not indicate all of its intentions in anything like direct language: “An association to promote and stimulate interest in the growth and culture of the various cereals, vegetables, fruits, shrubbery, and flowers adapted to the soil and climate, encourage advancement in the mechanic arts and the sciences; promote the development of the mining resources; exert a spirit of generous emulation in the improvement of various domestic animals; stimulate competition in the manufacture of household goods and devices of every character, and finally, that society may become instructed and improved in all things that may pertain to the dissemination of advanced and useful privileges upon the subjects, among the people.” The shares were divided into four hundred, at $25 per share. The corporation was to continue for 20 years. “Place of business: Town of Missoula, County of Missoula and Territory of Montana.”

While the project seemed to touch a popular chord from its inception, it was not until 1876 that the management was enabled to provide for and erect and enclosure, buildings, etc., required. The material for these came from the Rankin sawmill on Grant creek. The actual construction, I think, was under the supervision of William Fleet, a carpenter who had come here from Cedar Creek mining camp. One of the assistants was Benjamin Kron.

The Fairgrounds.

The wording of the “purposes” of the organization in no manner was meant to conceal the racing attractions. It was evidently taken for granted that no fair would be worth the while without races. The ground selected lies about a half mile south of the site of the present fair grounds. The character of the land there is such that comparatively little work was required to make an excellent one-mile race course. In its preparation I think it was plowed but once, then harrowed and thoroughly rolled.

In the Missoula Public library may be found a copy of “History of Montana – 1739 to 1885,” published in Chicago by “Warner, Beers & Co.”[1] in 1885. Included in the portion devoted to the history of Missoula county appears a “chronology” of happenings for several years up to and including that of 1879, prepared by Chauncey Barbour, who from 1874 to 1879, was editor and publisher of The Weekly Missoulian. He there relating to the year 1876, (appearing on page 868 of the history), recites: “The first fair in Missoula county was held on September 13.” (The fair was of four days duration). On page 871 of the same book the first item relating to “1879” reads: “Fair Association Reorganized.”

The following is copied from the minutes on file with the secretary of the present Western Montana fair:

“We, the undersigned, hereby agree to organize an association to be known as Western Montana Fair association and to pay into the hands of the treasurer one hundred dollars each on the permanent organization of said association.”

Signed: F. L. Worden, R. A. Eddy, William Kennedy, J. P. Reinhard, Alfred Cave, John Rankin, Thomas M. Pomeroy, C. P. Higgins, G. A. Wolf, William E. Bass, Benjamin Kron.

Missoula, December 30, 1876.

“At a meeting of the subscribers of the Western Montana Fair association held in Missoula, January 13, 1879, on motion the following named persons were elected officers of the association: William E. Bass, president: Alfred Cave, vice president; Gustavus A. Wolf, treasurer; Thomas M. Pomeroy, secretary.

“Committee on by-laws appointed January 13, 1879: J. P. Reinhard, G. A. Wolf, Thomas M. Pomeroy.”

There appears no record in the county recorder’s office that this organization was ever incorporated. The success of this association was rather short-lived. The fair under its management in 1879 was very satisfactory. In 1880 my step-father, Alfred Cave, was made president of the association. During the week prior to the date of that set for the fair there was the usual activity in connection with arrangements. One feature of this recurs somewhat vividly: There having been no racing or other stock using it that summer, the track had become overgrown with short, matty weeds which it was necessary to have removed. A man hired for the purpose and myself was placed on the job. With grindstone sharpened garden hoes the weeds were taken care of, but, about the end of the week an extremely virulent type of smallpox struck the town suddenly, with two victims (Thomas McManus and Matthew Hayes, I think, who succumbed after a very brief illness in each case, resulting in the fair for that year being called off.

In 1881, possibly partly because of there having been no fair in 1880, the popular interest therefore languishing and partly on account of rather unfavorable weather conditions immediately preceding, the attendance and consequently the proceeds, were so unsatisfactory that the association thereafter discontinued.

Grounds “Located.”

The land upon which was located the enclosure and buildings was government land, and, in 1885. R. Mercer Morrison “located” upon the larger portion of it, appropriated and subsequently held most, if not all of the improvements.

An attempt to revive the fair was made in 1887. The “Missoula Fair & Racing association” was formed and incorporated; the incorporators being Richard A. Eddy, Christopher P. Higgins, Marcus Daly, Andrew B. Hammond, John M. Shopp, William C. Murphy, John L. Sloane, William J. Stephens, Telesphore J. Demers, Thomas C. Marshall and J. H. Mills. The articles were filed in the County Recorder’s office on November 22, 1887, (File No. 52). Personally I have little knowledge of the intentions of this corporation, except I am of the opinion that when it was formed there was something of an expectation that the new association might arrange in some manner to recover the land and improvements of the original fairground. Failing in this, there was no further accomplishment. At any rate there was no fair at the old grounds or elsewhere just then.

County Fair.

On January 3, 1889, the “Missoula County Fair & Racing association” was formed and incorporated. The incorporators were: C. H. McLeod, Donald Mitchell, C. P. Higgins, C. F. Hawks, D. J. Heyfron, G. Marotz and A. B. Hammond. (File No. 118, February 11, 1889, county recorder’s office). This organization built track, fence and buildings on ground just north of the present Beet Sugar factory, where fairs were held more or less successfully pretty much until the county built the present fair grounds.

It is not my intention to endeavor to set forth anything like a chronicle of the various fairs of the county, but some few of the incidents attending the very early fair meetings may be of general interest.

The Grandstand. [1876]

The main building or grandstand at the first fairground was a two-story affair, rather pretentious for the times. Entrance to the second floor was by means of a broad stairway at the rear of the building, while a wide portico running the full length of the front provided room for the small crowds of that day to view the races. The lower floor was devoted to the exhibition of grains, vegetables, mechanical things, etc., while on the second floor were exhibited products of feminine hands, as well as garden flowers. One would scarcely believe that the exhibitions of vegetables and the like of 1876 could vie with those of today, yet, placed side by side, except as to quantity exhibited, mighty little improvement would be shown by those of recent years. W. E. Bass and brother, of the Pine Grove farm, near Stevensville displayed the greatest variety; and from this farm came (from today’s standpoint) an unbelievable variety of flowers, grown by Mrs. D. C. Bass. Melons, coming from several points in the Bitter Root valley, equaled in flavor those grown anywhere. However, as yet there was no fruit. This came later. There was quite a showing of livestock, and well worth while at that, though not at all to compare with the present day exhibits. The racing, however, was the magnet which attracted attendance.

The Officers.

Christopher P. Higgins, usually designated “The Captain,” was president of the fair association. G. A. Wolf was secretary, I think. “The Captain” was very active and enthusiastic in behalf of the organization. Some time earlier he had imported from the “states” a standard bred stallion, called “Index,” with some trotting ability, a mighty worth-while piece of horse-flesh, whose progeny was known over Western Montana for many years. Index was expected to capture the best of the trotting stakes, and he did. But there was something else coming up for the backers of local runners. Thomas Frewen of Stevensville had a sorrel horse which was generally conceded as having the edge over local talent, but Samuel and Asbury Plummer, brothers, more or less residents of the Bitter Root valley, with Thomas and Truman Andrews and Al Blackburn, came over the mountains from Salmon City, Idaho, with a bunch of horses. I remember little of this stock except a sorrel owned by Sam Plummer and which, except for having white “stockings” was in appearance very similar to the Frewen horse. The Salmon City bunch were here to back this sorrel of Plummer’s especially. A day or two before the beginning of the fair, a Spaniard known as “Aeneas” slipped into the grounds with a rather unpretentious appearing, rangy grey horse named “Grey Jack.”

The Dark Horse.

No one knew much about the Spaniard or his horse, but after, in the principal running event of the meet, Grey Jack had cantered under the wire safely ahead of his closest competitor, they were then accepted as being decidedly in the reckoning. While I do not remember any of the trotters driven by Asbury Plummer, yet I can see him now sitting in a sulkey, pulling the reins over a nervous animal, quieting him down to business in a fashion unequalled by any drivers of the day; and his skill along these lines was recognized and called into play in most trotting contests during many years.

One of the incidents of the first fair was one which could scarcely otherwise than “stick” in the memory of the boy observer. There was offered as a premium, a $25 riding saddle for the best exhibition of horsemanship by a boy of 13 years of age or younger. Consider this: Such a prize in those days looked as enticing to a wideawake boy as would an automobile to a similar boy of today. ‘Tommy’ James, overly large for his age, several months past his thirteenth birthday, but who, by virtue of the peculiar wording of the requirements, considered himself entitled to enter the contest, endeavored to do so. He had been riding in some of the races, was a natural horseman, easily the best of the boys in attendance. Because the judges would not allow his entry, he became extremely indignant, vociferously denouncing W. J. McCormick (one of the judges) on the track before all assembled, which denunciation provoked much comment, pro and con, for some time after. However, he did not ride in the contest. The saddle was awarded to Frank G. Higgins, who in after years became lieutenant governor of Montana. His beautiful, fiery little dark bay pony, which he called “Marengo,” I think contributed very considerably to the award, though, as a matter of fact Frank was a superb horseman. As it happened, a majority of the onlookers did not agree with the decision of the judges, and, as a result, a purse was made up and a similar saddle was presented to “Johnny” Hull of Corvallis. The fair that year brought to Missoula, to be residents for a number of years, the entire Salmon City delegation. Thomas Andrews and Asbury Plummer purchased the livery stable then standing on the Florence hotel corner from Alvin Lent and James Osborne, and the others went into divers pursuits.

The 1877 Fair.

The 1877 fair was to a great extent, along the lines of the preceding year, “Grey Jack” again cleaning up in the running races. I think it was this year that James Murray, for many years a prominent mining and business man of Butte, brought over from the mining city a blue roan mare called “Blue –“ which drove he drove himself in a desperate endeavor to win trotting laurels at the meet, but the mare was of a nervous disposition and when settled to apparent success, she would “break” and before she could be calmed down would lose the heat. Murray was greatly disappointed with the outcome, as his was undoubtedly the fastest animal in the trotting class on the track.

By fair time in 1878 considerable interest was being aroused in the territory over the Missoula meetings and there appeared quite a sprinkling of new horses. “Terlula,” a Kentucky thoroughbred mare, was brought in, from Butte I think, and was entered in the running race against our own favorite, Grey Jack. The race was destined to be the downfall of the grey veteran. Aeneas himself always rode the grey. In this event, I think he rather discounted the running capacity of the thoroughbred and went into the race with his usual confidence. At about the three-quarter pole Terlula easily drew past Grey Jack, and Aeneas, realizing that he could not catch up again, resorted to a ruse as his only chance to win. As they turned into the home stretch, Aeneas threw himself clear of his mount and sent Grey Jack on alone. The old Grey seemed to know what was expected of him and made a magnificent effort to make good, but failed by a length, much to the disappointment of his old admirers who were on tiptoes, yelling: “Come on Jack! Come on! Come on old boy! Come on! Come on!”

Aeneas and Grey Jack remained in the country, winning a race now and then until, in 1879, John Hammer, an early-day stockman with a ranch on Lavallie creek, bought the horse. Aeneas did not want to sell, but being hard up for money, finally yielded to Hammer’s persuasion, but told Hammer: “You be ver’careful or dat ol horse will keel you.” Evidently he knew the horse. Hammer was an expert rider, yet on November 26, 1879, while riding the grey along Burnt Fork a few miles out of Stevensville, the horse threw him; his head struck a boulder. He was killed instantly. Whether Hammer had paid in full for the horse, I do not know, but not long after, Aeneas again became the owner of Grey Jack and they left for “parts unknown.”

Competition.

As I remember, in 1878 there was quite keen competition in livestock lines except in those of one class: There was quite a substantial premium offered for the best mare and colt. I happened to own a very fair mare, which had a really fine-appearing colt. There were many better in the country, but for no apparent reason, there came no entries. At the last minute I entered mine, and, there being no competition, walked off with the premium.

Presumably because of the reorganization injecting new life into the fair, it is my recollection that that of 1879 was the best patronized of the early-day meets from all standpoints. The weather conditions were most favorable and for four days the old fairgrounds wore a gala dress of brilliant hue. There had come to the meet a better class of racing stock than before, consequently there were more interesting races. A ladies’ riding contest resulted in Nevada Miller’s carrying off the prize.

Trapshooting.

A feature of that year’s gathering was the first public exhibition of trapshooting in Western Montana, put on by the original Missoula Rod & Gun club. The shooting was at glass balls. Those participating were James P. Reinhard, Jacob Reinhard, R. A. Eddy, Frank L. Worden, W. H. H. Dickinson, Charles McWhirk and perhaps one or two others. John Kennedy and I set the traps and retrieved the unbroken balls. This was entirely a new game. None of the shooters had had practice of any consequence and while any one of them could give a good account of himself in the field, when it came to his becoming responsible for fatalities among the glass spheres, the latter at least stood a mighty good chance to escape unhurt. If memory is not at fault the high score honors were pretty evenly divided between J. P. Reinhard and R. A. Eddy.

As before mentioned, on account of a smallpox scare there was no fair in 1880.

In 1881, interest in the fair seems to have abated quite generally, the patronage was insufficient to cover the expense and it was years before there came a recovery, and yet that year developed at least one race horse which eventually made quite a record for himself in the territory. Sam Plummer had gotten hold of a runner, which he called “Sorrel Mike.” Plummer discovered that a local boy, Damien Ledoux, was something of a natural jockey, and Damien became Sorrel Mike’s rider. During the next two years Damien and Sorrel Mike pulled down more than one goodly stake for Sam. At a race meet in Butte in 1883, the horse ran away with Damien, crashed into the race-course fence and killed the rider, and I know nothing further of Sorrel Mike.[2]

Pertinent to the race meets of those days, I might call to mind that the country was “wide open” and that the “bar” and “pool” privileges were sources of revenue of powerful advantage to the financial problems to be solved.

Let the record stand.

 

The above article appeared in The Sunday Missoulian on December 13, 1931.

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