The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-05-22
PIONEERS OF HELENA.
Who They Were and when They Arrived
To The Editor Ne,c North West =:

To the Editor Neao North West:
notice ia late number of the good old
NEW NoRTHWEsT communication from
Mr.. c. c. Clawson of Ketchum, Idaho, under
date of April 6, 1885, concerning the early
settlement Of this town and mining camp,
Offering some very worthy suggestions con-
corning the commemoration of early events,
etc. l. as An old-timer, heartily endorse his
suggestions, but desire to correct his state
ment In reference to his "perpaps being the
only person in the west to day who was on
the ground before a sluice was set" his first
appearance upon the ground being "July 81,
| 1864, at IL o'clock at midnight"
Mr.. Chas. H. Irwin and myself were on the
ground where the city of Helena now stands
| near the latter part Of the tasnth Of July in
the year, 1863 camped near the feet Of Price
street, near where Jockeys TraiP inter
sects Nam, hunting and prospecting, leaving
Geo. Dorriss, Geo. Parker, W. Y. Pemberton,
John Higgins and others, but shsrt distance
back eastward on the old Nullan Trail on
the north side Of this valley. prospected
aud found gold here, also on Greenhorn
| Gulch, but did not deem it in paying guam
ties, considering the then threatening dan
ger of trouble from unfriendly Indians.
After q short stay and feast on fat venissn,
We journeyed on to Hellgate; returned to
Cottonwood" where the pretty town OF
Deer Lodge now stands, bought fresh sup
ply Of grub from Dance s. Stuart; went on to
Bannack and enjoyed a few nights rest on
the rawhide carpet, In the leg cabin banking
house of poor old Con. Weary. From thence
we went TO Alder Creek the same season,
where we located claims and engaged In
placer mining. So you see, Captain, he Is a
little of the trail-about one year perhaps
Yours, Pioneerically,
E.w. McNEAL.
P.S.-Since writing the above In reference
to "pioneer" matters, learn that myself and
Chas. II. Irwin are left about one year.
On Sunday msrning September Is, 1862, Mr.
Z. NJ. Dunphy and party Of pioneers were
on this ground, prospected and found gold
here. About the same date in 1862 Mr.. @. L
Payne, eur worthy townsman, proprietor Of
Payne's Hotel OF this city, was encamped
upon the ground where this city now stands
Among the number present at thattime were
James King, Geo. Dstwiler, Warren @. Gil
lette, James Gurley, Warren Whitcher, Mrs
Durpau, Mr.. and Mrs. J. M. Cashier and sew
eraI Others. All these good old pioneers ar'
left TO answer to roll call except j. NJ. Cast
ner and Warren whitcher, who have an
svered to the Great Roll Call that can be an
swered but once. This party canped on Las
Chance culch near where the old Flatheas
trail crosses the same. Mr.. c. l.. Payn'
prospected both en- the east and west sides
the gulch and found gold, Mr.. james KIM
and Others looking over his shoulder as d
was Planning. After reducing the content
, sfa pan to only few small PARTICLES, one
i, the party says to him, Ills that goldg Yes,
7 saws Mr.. Payne, that is gold, and believ
!. there are paying diggings sere." About tina
time Mr.. Hamilton and Billy Heron campe'
near by, with pack train loaded with mi
ners' supplies. The night following the Ir
dams stole all their horses, leaving them In
heap of trouble. One Of them stayed vii
the goods while the ether went on to Jehel
son valley and secured relay Of animals =
carry them On to Bannack where they foun
d ALI of the above named persons. Hence, 20
see, Captain, that Mr.. Clawson will ebserv
that
There a,e a few o. us left yet
who were ON this ground "before sluice was set
E. W. Men.
HELENA, Montana, May 10, 1885.