The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-11-27
STORY OF THE EARLY DAVIS
The Flour Riots of the Sixties, as Told Inv
Pa McGoyern.

Virginia City Madisonian: Pat Nc
Govern was In town yesterday and in
reminiscent mood. He was looking for
tobacco cure and that brought back
20 ms mind the days when everybody
IN tnese parts were goldbugs. On one
occasion he gave AN ounce of gold for a
pound or tobacco. The fact that he did
1t has nothing whatever to do with the
present monetary question, but II that
wasn't 10 to i proposition, what is?
one ounce OF gold for 16 ounces of to-
the trade
Then the mood was fairly on and he
told or other matters, finally leading
up TO the famous bread riots, concern
ing Wnlcn many I'm Virginia will re-
member because of actual participa-
ton. Notwithstanding the fact that II
is repeater Mr.. McGoyern's version
win be interesting.
Ine year OF the big storms, when the
Irelenters were tied up about half way
between Virginia and Salt Lake Citv
corners" were numerous and nrIces
proportionately high. That is the wear
when Harry Warrington bulled the
candle market by purchasing a dozen
boxes. Harry will tell the gentle reader
al apout IT on the slightest provoca-
ton Fay Harrington, then in the
neydey or his youth, made a stroke of
Napoieonic financiering and laid the
foundation of the wealth of the Silver
BOW National bank by cornering ali
ene matcnes in town, in consequence
on winch birthstone went out of sight
The local merchants formed a flour
trust. The combine was so successful
tnat hour, which in the fall was slow
at Jig per hundred weight, rose TO the
nelghoorhood of 81 per pound. There
was was, d surncient supply of flour to last
until spring, and the various members
OF the combine. in order to keen the
price UP, had -four cached" in every
conceavable hiding place. As the nrice
went up the poor devils who were get
ing bread but once a day rebeiled.
ala resorted TO socialistic methods. A
MOB or about 200 visited one establish
ment, and demanded flour at a reason
do.e price Shotguns behind a barri-
cade OF flour drove them awav. Ahont
a week later they organized in Nevada.
uney matted at Mr.. McGoverns cabin.
lnar une Ola brloiyard, and to him ii
esemeo tnat the procession extended
clear TO Junction, three miles below
Iney were out for flour, and for blood
N they didn't get Ii. They wanted 70
know or McGovern If he had anv fionr
ana ne told them he had three sacks. |
unlocking the cabin door and teI1in1
them to help themselves. They evf |
IDENTIFY didn't expect so generous q |
proposition, and told him to keen his |
hour, but wanted him to accornrsanv
Them to Virginia, where they proposed |
10 cream up every store in town. Nc I
Govern didn't go but the crowd ala |
and what they did subsequently, Is q
matter OF history. Every store in town
was forced to give up the precious
preadstun. but received credit for n
.[ym tne peoples committee, which
49,. 800 "ne nour 10 al corners at about 40
cents pound, while consumers reioiced
az the tall -four had taken and the no.
tells added to the cuisine by furnIsbinr
Dread twice. and in some instances
tnree times day. without raising the
price of board-S1s per week.
The -four riot was a bowling succas,
ana there are many men in Virginia
and Montana who participated in IL.