Old Missoula

Latimer Tells Story

John R. Latimer, 95, celebrates Birthday Here Tells Story of His 70 Years in Western Montana

John R. Latimer, dean of Missoula pioneers, celebrated his ninety-fifth birthday Sunday.

The day was a notable one for Mr. Latimer and he was at home to scores of friends. Mr. Latimer is one of Western Montana’s best-known citizens and he has spent 70 years of his life in Missoula and the immediate district.

Despite his 95 years, Mr. Latimer has a keen remembrance of early days in Missoula and Western Montana and enjoys talking over the earlier days with friends. That happened Sunday when old friends dropped in at 336 South Fifth street west, to extend greetings to Mr. and Mrs. Latimer.

Mr. Latimer was hale and hearty Sunday, although he is somewhat deaf and blind. Always an active man, the burden of the two afflictions of recent years has prevented him from going about as he would like.

During the 70 years Mr. Latimer has lived in Western Montana he did much toward its development. Most of his life was spent at farming. In earlier days he was a member of the board of Missoula county commissioners. That was when Missoula county took in also what is now Ravalli, Sanders, Mineral, Lake, Flathead and Lincoln counties. In those days it took almost a week to travel from one end of the county to the other.

Handled Fine Stock.

Stockraising, farming and threshing were the pursuits followed by Mr. Latimer. Early he saw the value of blooded stock and brought the first Percheron stallion and mares into Western Montana. He also brought the first purebred Shorthorn cattle into the district. The Percherons and the Shorthorns are said to have been the first blooded stock brought into Montana.

Mr. Latimer was one of the early threshing operators of Western Montana, working throughout the Missoula district and the Bitter Root valley as far south as Skalkaho, near Hamilton.

When Fort Missoula was established in 1867 [1877], Mr. Latimer had a contract for furnishing 250 tons of hay to the post at $18 a ton. Upon completion of the contract he received a complimentary letter from the commandant upon the way he had fulfilled his contract. Mr. Latimer also had a sawmill contract and cut some of the lumber used in the building of Fort Missoula.

“I always made money farming,” Mr. Latimer said, “but managed to lose it farming.” In speaking of mining he recalled a story of a development work during the Helena-Anaconda fight for the state capital. “A man had a very promising property at that time in this district and had interested Marcus Daly in it. Daly had sent one of his best mining engineers to the property and equipment and material were being delivered and things were progressing in a big way.

However, the owner of the mine was one who meddled in politics and was for Helena for the capital, while Daly was supporting Anaconda. It developed that the mine owner was not a politician, and surrounded by Daly’s influence for his mine was fighting Daly’s town of Anaconda for the capital. The mining man went so far as to say that anyone on the camp who was going to support Anaconda for the capital would be chased down the gulch and creek and out of the district.

“That story got back to Daly. He had the report verified for veracity and when he found it to be true ordered all operations at the mine to cease. If the owner of that little mine had not talked so loud, the mine might have become a big producer, for the Daly people did not go into the thing until their engineers and geologists had given favorable reports upon it. However, nothing has ever been done with the property since except a little puttering around. It has never since been financed with sufficient capital to work it.”

Mr. Latimer said he recalled that back in 1870 he made a trip to Stevensville to get some fat steers from George W. Dobbins, one of the oldest residents of the Stevensville district, bought 10 head from Dobbins and paid him $500 in gold for the animals.

Mr. Latimer was born at Bloomfield, Iowa, and came west across the plains in 1863, landing at Walla Walla. Two years later in 1865 he came to Missoula. Mr. Latimer said he was broke when he landed in Missoula and got a job working in the Worden & Co. sawmill. Later he purchased a ranch in the Grass valley, west of Missoula and engaged in the hay business and handling of livestock.

He recalled Sunday that the summer of 1877 was one of the warmest he ever experienced in Montana – the year of the Big Hole battle.

Among those who called upon Mr. Latimer Sunday were Mr. and Mrs. Carl L. Bratton of Sidney, both of whom were here last week for the meeting of the Masonic and Eastern Star state gatherings. Mr. Bratton was grand master of the Masons during the state meeting of 1931 here, and Mrs. Bratton was then grand worthy matron. Both of them called upon Mr. Latimer on the former occasion and Mr. Bratton arranged for him to attend the grand lodge sessions of 1931. Mr. Latimer was unable to attend the sessions here during the week just passed.

The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on August 26, 1935.

John R. Latimer died on Oct. 31, 1937

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Mrs. (Eliza Bills) Latimer

Mr. John Latimer married Eliza Bills in 1873. She died in Missoula in 1936. Her obituary from The Daily Missoulian on May 3, 1936 appears below:

Called By Death

Mrs. Latimer Passes Upon Anniversary of Her Birthday.

Mrs. John R. Latimer, aged 79 years, resident of Missoula for the past 78 years, died Friday night at the family home, 338 South Fifth street, west, following an extended illness. She was born at Colville, Wash., May 1, 1857.

Born at Colville, Wash., May 1, 1857, Mrs. Latimer passed away on her seventy-ninth birthday.

Brought here by her parents at the age of 12 months, she had made her home here ever since, marrying John Reuben Latimer, prominent Mason and pioneer resident here, 63 years ago.

Mrs. Latimer had been a prominent member of Eastern Star, Electa chapter No. 7, and was also a member of the White Shrine and the Neighbors of Woodcraft.

Taken ill early in January, the widely-known pioneer matron’s condition grew slowly worse.

Besides her husband, Mrs. Latimer is survived by six children. Six other children born to them now are dead. Those surviving include: Ralph and George, both of Missoula; Frank and Harvey, both in California, and who will be unable to attend the funeral services, and two daughters, Mrs. Lavina Thompson of Seattle and Mrs. Mamie Dyson, Missoula.

There are also 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Monday at 2 o’clock with White Shrine ceremonies at the Marsh & Powell chapel and Eastern Star services at the grave. Rev. D. E. Jackson will officiate, and burial will be made in Missoula cemetery.

Pallbearers will be J. T. Walford, M. Marcure, John Flynn, Charles Sturm, Charles H. Marsh and Guy Trenary.

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Mrs. Latimer was also the subject of a long article in The Daily Missoulian on May 10, 1936:

The Story of A Pioneer in This Region

By C. O. Marcyes, Historian, Montana Pioneers Societies.

On May first, the seventy-ninth anniversary of her birthday, Mrs. Latimer, well-known pioneer, passed away after a long and useful residence of 78 years in Missoula county at the family home, 338 South Fifth street, west, following a prolonged illness.

Another link in the chain of historic Montana pioneers is broken, and another member will not answer at roll-call when this venerable body of old-timers meets in annual convention this summer.

To Mrs. Latimer was accorded the honor of the all-time record of having lived longer in Western Montana then any other lady member of the Montana Pioneer society, of which she was a loyal member.

Three score and 18 years is a long time to live in one frontier settlement, and at the time of our pioneer’s arrival, no one resided here except for a number of Hudson’s Bay trappers, a few traders, and the native redmen from many tribes.

Preceding 1858 there were but two groups of white people in this vicinity: The Canadian trappers at Fort Comah [Conah] on Post creek, and the settlement at Fort Owens [Owen], founded by Fathers De Smet and Ravalli, and purchased by John Owens [Owen].

The trading point for this little community was Walla Walla, Washington, and transportation of merchandise was by pack train, for no wagon roads existed over the mountains at that time.

Excessive cost limited the purchasing power of the new settlers to actual necessities. Meat was the staff of life, for wild game and fish were plentiful, and the skins and robes produced clothing and shelter.

To illustrate the hardships and privations of our pioneers, the conditions at that time, and the changes which time has wrought, are worthy of comment.

The Northwest in 1858.

In 1858, the entire Northwest was a series of Indian reservations inhabited by the various tribes who for generations had made the mountain valleys their ancestral homes. The exact boundaries of the few territories are unknown, save that the natural barriers such as mountains and rivers served as division points. The Canadian boundary was as yet unsurveyed and Flathead lake was assumed to be in British territory.

Chief Victor, the noble leader of the Flathead tribe, and his followers, were at home in the beautiful Bitter Root valley, and at all times were at peace with the white settlers who invaded their lands.

Hell Gate Ronde, five miles west of Missoula, was founded by Francis Worden and Captain Higgins in 1860. It consisted of a store, a saloon, and a few other buildings. Frenchtown was not founded until 1864.

The immense valley of which Missoula is the center was uninhabited by white people. It served the Indians in the spring as a fertile spot from which to gather the bitterroot bulbs which were converted into flour. In the fall, present Missoula was the gathering place for the various tribes to arrange for the big annual buffalo hunt east of the Rockies. It was necessary to prepare for war as well as the chase, for east of Mount Jumbo there lurked the wily Blackfoot Indians, well equipped and trained as warriors to intercept, on the going and return journeys, the peaceful Flatheads and their allies, and rob them of their well-earned game. Many a desperate battle was fought a short distance east of us, hence the name Hell Gate canyon.

Missoula Mills, or Wordensville, the present Missoula, was established in ’64, and in ’65 the name was changed to Missoula, which marks the founding of our present city. A sawmill, later a flourmill, operated by water power taken from the Rattlesnake river, provided our first industries. These were owned by Worden and Higgins.

In 1858, Granville Stuart had just discovered gold on Benetsee creek, and the news had not leaked out to the outside worlds; thus the romance of gold had not been developed in this territory.

East of the Rockies, Fort Benton and a few fur trading posts on down the Missouri river to Fort Union encompassed the white settlements of this vast territory. No wagon roads had yet been built. The steamers had not yet started to ply our rivers, and the thought of a railroad to cross Montana and the mountains was as vague as an idle dream of autos, the airplane or the radio of today. The open fireplace for cooking, the tallow candles for light, the oiled skins for windows, and robes for doors and bedding were luxuries of that day and age.

Pioneer Environment.

Such was the environment of our first pioneers who came to the valleys when the West was young.

Miss Eliza Bills was the daughter of Worthington and Lucretia Bills. She was born at Fort Colville, Washington Ferry, on May 1, 1857. In the spring of 1858, the Bills family, the Frank Van Doran family, Bob Pelkey, and a few other venturesome pioneers emigrated by pack train from Fort Colville to Grass creek, “Washington,” about 10 miles west of present Missoula. It was named Grass creek because a luxuriant crop of grass could be relied upon annually. Let it be noted that the Bills family and their companions passed through the period of three territories, Washington, Idaho and Montana, without moving their residence. After 1858, the settlement of this rich little valley was rapid, and every rancher who located here started off his farming career with the use of oxen. Mr. Bills was a blacksmith by trade, and by his skill, he fashioned one of the first, if not the first, walking plows ever used in Western Montana.

The beam and frame he carved out of native wood, and the bottom and plowshare were made by fashioning worn-out wagon tires to suit the purpose. A living for the family was soon produced from these fertile lands.

In 1864 when the Georgians discovered gold in Last Chance gulch, now Helena, a great stampede was on to that district. Almost everyone was too busy prospecting for gold to think of farming, and Mr. Bills conceived the idea that the raising of vegetables and delivering them to the miners would be a profitable industry. Success rewarded his venture, for the rich soil of the valley would raise almost everything planted.

By Packtrain.

First he delivered his produce by packtrain. Then when a passable road was built, ox teams laden with the fruits of the farm were readily disposed of at a high price.

On her father’s farm, Miss Eliza Bills grew to young womanhood. Here she formed a friendship with a progressive neighbor, John R. Latimer, which resulted in their marriage on October 10, 1873, at the Jim Minesinger place. Mr. Minesinger was noted as one of the first resident surveyors in the West.

Mr. Latimer, the widowed husband, is alive today at the age of 95, and during his active career was one of the most progressive and opulent farmers in this vicinity. His vast holdings west of Missoula was a small empire in itself.

On this large estate the Latimers made their home for nearly half a century. Here they introduced and raised the first thoroughbred cattle and horses in this valley. Large quantities of hay and livestock were marketed each year from this busy farm. Twelve children were born to this estimable family, six of whom are alive today. Those surviving are: Frank and Harvey of California; Ralph and George of Missoula; and two daughters, Mrs. Lavina Thompson of Seattle, and Mrs. Mamie Dyson of Missoula. There are also 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

During Mrs. Latimer’s long and useful life, she found time for social duties, and had been a prominent member of the Eastern Star, a charter member of the White Shrine and the Neighbors of Woodcraft.

How little we realize while sitting in our easy chairs surrounded by the comforts of this day and age, how much we owe to our women pioneers who have suffered the hardships, and lived an died on the frontier.

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Another interesting article in The Missoulian on December 25, 1965 tells a story about the sales journal of Higgins and Worden on Christmas day in 1865. The owner of the journal in 1965 was George Latimer of Missoula:

Latimer Has Journal

1865 Business Brisk Here

By Al Darr

Frank Worden and Christopher Higgins did a brisk Christmas Day business in 1865.

They had no cash register, but they had a sales journal, and this same journal is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. George Latimer of 208 Dixon Ave.

The entries for Dec. 25, 1865, are pale brown but still readable. They tell, more factually than the recollections of pioneer sons, the tale of Missoula’s holiday routine when the city was in its infancy.

We know, for example, that Worthington Bills (Latimer’s maternal grandfather who ranched west of town) spent a healthy part of Christmas Day in the Missoula Mills store 100 years ago. He bought a gallon can of syrup for $7; two ax helves for $2.50 the pair; 8 pounds of apples for $4.80, 5 pounds of currants for $5; three pints of whisky for $3.75; a pound and a quarter of butter at $1.25 the pound; and 12 yards of calico for $4.80.

Bills might have paid cash. Some customers did. But instead, his buy went on the book, to be reckoned up months later and paid for with beef and produce.

Twenty-three other sales are recorded on Christmas Day, 1865. Some customers stopped back two or three times, like John Sullivan, who kept his purchases small.

Prices set down in the journal are stiff enough to make the latter-day Missoulian glad he wasn’t there. Sugar, for instance, went for 65 cents a pound. A brass back comb sold for $1; a coffee pot, $2; a pound of tea, $2.50; apples, 60 cents a pound.

For the man who had everything, including a gold mine, Worden and Higgins sold gold scales at $6.

These were the days before income taxes, when a dollar should have been worth $1 gold. But this was frontier, too, inflationland, Montana Territory.

Credit had to be easy or the storekeeper couldn’t survive.

Whisky and bacon were both cheaper then, $10 per gallon for the whisky Worden and Higgins carried, 75 cents a pound for bacon. Missoula’s first retailers also sold candy for $1.50 per pound, a deck of cards for 75 cents, knives for $2 each, prices that wouldn’t stagger the modern shopper unless he was used to the “hard” money of 1865.

Just five years later, John (Ruben) Latimer, a pioneer and George Latimer’s paternal granddad, ran up a $350 bill in less than six months at George White’s store here.

So-called gift items were either in short supply or in short demand at the Worden and Co. Store in 1865. Customers like A. G. England, Henry Van Dorn, Thomas Foley, Frank McManus and Moses Duncan bought practical goods throughout December – thing like moccasins at $1 a pair, wool shirts at $4.50, yard goods, axes, saws.

But Worden and Co. made one small sale on Christmas Day just 100 years ago that reads like a last-minute gift.

“One scarf, 75 cents,” the entry reads, and we can see the buyer hastily sneaking an extra package under the tree.

The above article appeared in The Missoulian on December 25, 1965.

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