The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-22
THE IRON BOOT.
Its History in the Past and the Storm TIL
1t Has Weathered.

1t Has Weathered.
We republish the following history of the
Old Iron Boot, from THE INDEPENDENT OF
July II, 1882, as sketch worthy to be pre-
served, not only on account of Mr.. Millen,
who over 20 years ago had it constructed
and swung aloft over his noted shoe store
on upper Main street, but also because Of
Mr.. John R. Drew, his successor, who has
recently removed his vast stock of boots
and shoes to new and easily accessible
store opposite the Grand Central hotel on
Main street, where he has raised the old
iron boot high overhead. from whence it
can be seen by all from either end Of Main
street. It is the same familiar sign, re-
newed with gliding and paint, and is known
like an old friend to all the present genera
ton of Helena. But to the story:
HELENA, June ALTO the Editor of The
INDEPENDENT:-Sir-I noticed an item in
your local columns the other morning that
caused, ME, as an "old-timer," more grief
than you can imagine. It was simply that
friend, Nick Millen, to compel him to take
down his sign of the Iron Boot, that has SO
long waved to the force of the free winds
of the mountains, in front of his business
place in the metropolis of Montana. I read
also that hearing of the case was postponed
until next Thursday. because of the illness
of the defendant and his counsel, save one
who came to the rescue and had the case
postponed. did not wonder at this, for
as realized the fact that the vandal idea
OF improvement, as moved by our august
city council, had decreed that this ancient
landmark, which is coeval with the founda-
tion of our town. should be lowered to the
earth, almost turned sick myself.
thousand recollections rushed through
my mind, as sat down to think such a
sacrilege could be committed. "Great
heavens!' said, twill Helena be Helena,
when that grand old monument of early
days is gone forever?" As we'll might the
Peak, the Falls of the Missouri, the grand
geysers, and the whole Rocky range to dis
appear, and then expect people to call this
land Montana, as to remove Millen's Iron
Boot, and then call this city Helena.
No, MIR. INDEPENDENT, it cannot be done.
Not an Old-time miner, ranchman, cowboy,
bullwhacker, or stage driver, but will rush
signs. Why, sir, for seventeen years they
have gazed on this orifamme of St. Girls
pin, when on a pilgrimage to Helena to buy
equipments for their feet. It is the first
object to arrest their gaze when they come
up Main street, and its clear cut and grace
sky as it sways and gently creaks from it's
lofty swing. Not to see it, they would at
once become bewildered, and swear there
was no more a Helena.
All other landmarks are gone from Main
street. The unsightly wooden awnings are
gone. the low wooden signs that so COM
pletely obstructed the views are gone. the
wooden cutters that SO frequently con-
Quoted water from the roofs on to the
passer-by below are gone. the rickety
wooden steps in the sidewalks, that were
30 dangerous to all, are gone. Not land
mark but the old Iron Boot is left of all
that for years were SO familiar. It is iron
and can't burn, then why remove it?
Almost the entire population of Mon
tana, the bold pioneers, with their wives,
sweethearts, and little ones, have shuffied
into Mr.. Mullen's store in we'll worn shoes,
and again walked out proud and glad, with
new understandings.
BY long association, inaninate things be-
come to us as familiar and loving friends.
Can such songs as 1.-THE Old Oaken Bucket"
.'Woodman, Spare That Tree" or "Old
Arm Chair" ever be forgotten?
If some one among us would just now
write in glowing words song to 1.-The Old
Iron Boot, that swings in the air." he
boot. Cannot Eddy or some of the poets of
Helena come to the rescue. Pray heaven
they may.
Sir, that glorious old boot must still
wave. When, in 1874. the fire fiend in his
terrible wrath rode down Last Chance
gulch in a whirlwiud of fire, car
rying desolation before him and leav-
ing but cinders and sorrow in his
path, where was the fame stayed?
Go look at the scorched side of Nick Mil
ler's store and the warped figure of the old
iron boot, and they will tell you. The fire
fend had respect for his grim highness and
stopped just under his heel. /, for one,
who was witness to this grand spectacle,
say, forever let it wane.''
w. F. WHEELER
It is singular fact, that has been re-
marked by almost every one who has ever
bought footwear from John X. Drew, that
he feels that he has new sole and solid
understanding, and that he has the whole
world under his feet.