The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1890-07-23
Some Facts Connected With the Early
History of this Young and
Thriving City.
FIRST STORES AND ENTERPRISES.
Thompson Acquitted of the Alleged
Assault on Edward Vance and
Discharged.
The County of Cascade has $500
People - Happenings in and
Around the City.

~ can't find the town which | left
three years ago because there are so
many buildings remarked a visitor a
few days ago. 1t is true with many per-
son who have been here more han three
years. The growth has been so rapid
that they have forgotten what buildings
were first erected.
Early in 1884 VIM. Wamer, who now
lives IN Upper Sand Coulee, erected the
first building on the site of Great Falls.
1t was Il small board shack and was used
as a restaurant. 1t was located on what
is 10Y Second venue South. 'The build.
ing stood only about a year, when it Was
burned. Those who slept in the loft or
on the floor of this, the first hotel, can
best appreciate our first class hotels and
restaurants.
In March of this year Howard Criss
bought lumber at Gainesville for n shop
and tloaled it down the river and built
the blacksmith shop which he still oc-
clpies on the corner of Third avenue
South and Third street. Mr.. Crisis saws:
81 listened to Mr.. Gitson's story of how
the place would grow into a town, be-
lieved it and staid with the place. | wish
that l could have had money to invest
then, but l am not kicking. This shop
was at that time considered a very good
building, although now it is only a board
rooted shack. 1t is the oldest building
in the city,"
Soon after Chris. Dickinson built his
meat shop on First avenu South. At
this time his place seemed a long way
out of town. The butcher business was
not then what it is now. The boys say
that "Dick" would kill one sheep and it
would last for a week and he delivered
the meat from a basket on his shoulders.
Ii he killed a beef a part of it would
spoil before it could be used. For the
most of the warm season the people lived
on antelope and mutton. Now 40 beeves,
200 sheep, 20 hogs and a large amount of
fish and poultry are consumed in one
week.
About the same time Thomas Carter
ohu AhS fathCl SOulu1cuCcu UulluluH
the first brick structure in the town. It
was appropriately named the "Pioneer"
hotel which name it still bears. f.,
Neitzling is the present manager. The
building was not completed until late in |
the season and during the summer Car
ter u Walker conducted their restaurant
in a tent.
Soon after L. W.. Peck built the store
Dol now occupied by Frank Erwin,
Murphy, Maclay & Co. moved a stock of
goods into it in the fall and were the
first grocers in the town. During the
winter and following year W. P. Wren.
assisted by WI. Kennedy, managed the
establishment.
Chandler d Clark put up the building
now occupied by G. II. Clark, late in the
fall of 1884. Mr.. Chandler has since re-
and Mr.. Clark continues ut the old
stand.
Spurgen u .Crowder also opened a
saloon on the corner of Third avenue
south and Third street. Here they clear
ed enough in a short time to build the
brick now occupied by W. j. Caste.
SpurgeOn is nov in Alaska and Crowder !
S living on Belt creek.
During this year the Townsite office !
vas in a tent pitched near the boat house.
In 80 the building in which Frank Err :
Yin resides was erected and used for an s
office: During these years the plan of ,
:oundlng a city at this point was the sub :
ect OF many unkind remarks. Especi- n
lily did the residents Of Benton delight v
n making sport Of the infant.
The second meat shop was built by {
)odd & Smith, on First avenue south, +
ext to Clark's place. 1t is now occupied c
" Nelson Bros. & Co. I
W.P. Beachly's building, now occu- v
lied by Mardis, the grocer, was also f
IN "a, and is among the oldest r
andmarks. In its day it was considered
fine establishment.
About this time also Mollie Durkin,
afterwards Mrs. Wilbur, put up a build. "
als on First avenue south, which was
burned. Il
At the close of 1884 there were pro. t,
ably lO houses on the town site. fl
In 1883 Mr.. Gibson began making :,
of land and considering that the -
abroad to Helena was built in 'S2, and y
was no railroad for 1000 miles Sc
asst, it was certainly a good record. Fl
Many stories of the hardships endur-
might be added. During the winter b,
1854, the snow fell to a great depth ~
nd the poorly constructed houses and ~
70 dlthculty Of securing supplies were =,
'enly felt. 70