“Pretty Bill From Yam Hill” – Woody the Wise Guy

“Pretty Bill from Yam Hill – He never worked and he never will.” That is the way Frank H. Woody (now Judge Woody) introduced William C. Darnold to Mrs. Jim Buckley at a dance in Missoula in the fall of 1866. Jim Buckley was sheriff. He and Woody didn’t care Read More

Keim Family- Missoula Pioneers

Missoula’s Pioneer Keim Family One of Missoula’s most fascinating pioneer family stories began with Levi Keim who arrived in Missoula in 1870’s. He had mined in California in the 1850’s, in Florence, Idaho in the early 1860’s, and later in Montana’s Beartown area. He then traveled back to California for Read More

Last of Missoula’s Blacksmiths – John Doll & James West

Last of the Blacksmiths in Missoula Blacksmith of Many Years in Missoula Quits John Doll Says Days of the Trade Are Gone. Succeeded by Garage. After being engaged in the blacksmithing business in Missoula for nearly 50 years, John Doll has turned the key on his shop at 221 West Read More

“J. P. ‘Perry’ McClain” – Unique “Fort Fizzle” Volunteer, Friend of Whitebird, Refused Big Hole Battle, C. P. Higgins Partner in Big Cattle Ranch Near Choteau

J. P. “Perry” McClain – Lolo Pioneer (1846 – 1935) – Missoula – “wee village”   “Perry” M’Clain Lives Active Life, Although 82 Years Old Works Large Ranch in Lolo District. Came to Montana With Second Wave of Civilization, the Miners. When one thinks of 82, one thinks of senility Read More

Naughty David J. Maclay’s Lolo History Letter

How Naughty David J. Maclay Got In Trouble With A Letter Allen’s death sparks memories of old Lo Lo The recent death of William Allen, former president of Boeing’s Aircraft Co., calls to mind not only his superb accomplishments but opens a bit of history as well. Bill Allen, his Read More

Will Cave Finds Lost Father After 43 Years

Will Cave Finds Lost Father After 43 Years – 1912 Missoula Man Finds Lost Father Will Cave Discovers Parent Whom He Thought To Be Dead. Forty Years Separated George Harland, Pioneer of Bitter Root, Leaves Wife and Boy and Has Life of Adventure – Discovered at Last in Idaho Mining Read More