The Anaconda standard., 1895-12-14
DAVY The CARRIER
The Old Man Is a Familiar Figure in
Western Montana. 20 y
In the Early Days He Used toCarry
the Mail Between MissouIa =.
and Horse PlaIns-An Aoor .
commodating Man. 'TDS' !

Missoula, Dec. 13-One of the familiar
characters in Western Montana in ear
ly days was Davy Graham, who car
ried the mails between Missoula and
Horse Plains. He was well known and
well liked and there was nobody in the
county that would not aid Davy II he
could. There was nothing that he would
not do for a friend, and there are many
instances of his kindness. Oftentimes he
would travel several miles out OF; the
way to deliver some mail to a lonely
settler whom he knew, even though
his contract called for nothing of the,
kind. w. II. II. Dickinson was post
master in Missoula at that time and
would let Davy have what he called
his way mali whenever he wanted 1t.
At that time Major Roman was In
dian agent at Jocko and Harry Lam
bert was chief clerk. The postal au-
thorities would not include in the con-
tract a route to the agency. but Davy
always drove out there with the pack
age of mail. every trip. although 1t
meant five miles additional travel. for
him. ssn Y
Last night the old man was in Mis-
soula for the first time in several
years, and Mr.. Lambert recognized
the latter did not know him. 1t had
been 16 years since they had met. But
when he knew that he was speaking to
Harry Lambert, his joy was unbound
ed. He squeezed Mr.. Lambert's hand
until 1T ached. talking all the time.
His characteristic expression is. me,
onion" when addressing a friend and,
as he held Mr.. Lamberts hand last
night ii was Harry, me onion, me seal
lion, 1t does me good to see you" Then
followed a rehearsal of all the many
incidents of the old carriers visits at
the agency.
Davy is a great admirer of Major
Roman and there were tears in his eyes
last night when he spoke of the ma
jor's death. The old mans mind is
fresh and clear and he recalls many
incidents that have been forgotten here.
For an hour he talked of the good old
times and of himself He is now min
ing on the lower Missoula river, where
he has some rich placer ground which
he expects to yield abundantly next
summer. Davy has mined in all the fa- |
Prickly Pear. Butte, Cedar creek and \
Bear gulch. In all these places he had
many friends and he has something In |
teresting to tell about all of them.
Among the friends of his old days, |
whom he never forgets, is Uncle Bob |
roster, ana MT. fOSter teiiS plenty fOl |
stories about Old Davy. He says that |
years ago, Davy. though small in stat !
ure. was one of the strongest men he |
ever saw. One day in Butte butchers |
wagon loaded with dressed hogs was |
backed up in front of market when |
Davy came along with a party of |
friends. In the load on the wagon was |
one porker that weighed about 400 |
pounds. and Davy bet 500 that he could |
carry ii into the market and hang 1t |
up, unaided. The bet was promptly |
taken by one of his friends and Davy |
as promptly won the wager. Then he |
blew in not only the 500 that he had |
won, but the 500 that he had staked
as well. no. .fs
Mr.. Graham will spend few days in |
town and then will leave for the noun
tains again. F....-. /