Old Missoula

Daly, the Copper King, Claimed by All Montana

Marcus Daly, the Irish boy who became Copper King, is claimed by all Montana, although he is closely associated with Butte, Anaconda, New York, Nevada, Salt Lake City, Ireland and the Bitter Root.

Through his efforts to develop the mines, other industries in western Montana that supplied mining and miner’s needs were given impetus. These industries included coal and lumber, railroads, banks, clothing stores, newspapers, hotels, restaurants – in short, all the businesses which make a city.

The Anaconda Co., which Daly founded, contributed millions of dollars in wages, alone, to miners. Then, too, Marcus Daly was the first to realize the agricultural advantages of the upper Bitter Root, and to demonstrate the feasibility of irrigation which gave an incentive to the raising of grain and fruit.

Though he maintained a stable in England, his chief pride was his racing stables in the Bitter Root. He brought sires and dams from Kentucky and England and built an enclosed track about one-eighth mile long for the winter training of his harness horses.

In the Bitter Root Daly left a massive summer estate, a trout hatchery, a hospital and the town of Hamilton. He was considered a great power behind politics. There was a long-contested political rivalry between the Daly interests and W. A. Clark, which reached a climax in 1894, when Daly led the fight to make Anaconda the state capitol, while Clark supported Helena.

Donates Lumber

Daly was always willing to assist others less favored than he. He donated all the lumber for the building of Sacred Heart Academy in Missoula. He was known as a great organizer and manager, and a friendly and sociable man. He would quickly discharge anyone who sided with him to gain his favor, but he respected those who defended their own beliefs.

Characteristic of his humor is the flashing reply in the anecdote told of him when he was once called to the witness stand. When cross-examined as to where his home was, he replied that he had a place in the Bitter Root, a home in Butte and one in New York.

To the question “Where do you spend most of your time?” Daly replied, “At Garrison, waiting for trains.”

Daly was born in 1841 and died 44 years later in New York City.* He married Margaret Evans in 1872. The couple had four children – three daughters and a son. His success is attributed to native intelligence and chance, as he was a man who had little formal education. He combined industry, initiative, perseverance, technical knowledge and ambition to rise from an immigrant lad to a multimillionaire.

*Daly was born in 1841 as the article states, however, he died in N. Y. in 1900. His “native intelligence,” was probably indicative of an extremely high I.Q. – witness the smelters he built in Anaconda.