The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-09-24
SENATOR w. A. GLARKS STORY OF HIS EARLY EXPERIENCES
1M MONTANA WHEN HE WAS LAYING FORTUNES FOUNDATION

lers through the western section of
the country.
| Isthmus butter was manufactured
at Goshen In New York state, made
up In rolls wrapped in cotton or lin
en- cloth, and packed in brine In kegs
that would weigh 40 to so pounds
each, and in this manner was shipped
via the Isthmus to California. Hence
the name, "Isthmus" butter. Chill
beans came from Chill, South Amer
lea. "Self-rising" flour, containing
the necessary ingredients manufac-
sively used In all the western mining
camps.
We struck up bargain with the
owner of the train and purchased his
entire cargo of merchandise. We then
hoisted our sign, California Store"
and begun business, and our SUCCESS
was at once assured. We then pur-
chased and shipped from Helena
whatever we lacked to make up the
necessary variety required to supply
the needs of the residents of the
camp. Other pack trains arrived
and we continued to buy cargoes
from time to time, supplying all de-
ficencies from the Helena market,
and thus maintained the integrity of
the title we had adopted for our
store.
Hunting Camels.
During the summer months there
came from Los Angeles, Cal, by way
of Salt Lake, an enterprising indi-
vidual with string of camels loaded
with iofx Df Of bot 10
restrial paradise, comprising lemons,
walnuts, olives and other articles,
which we purchased, and which we
disposed of very quickly. The owner
after little rest put his animals into
the service of packing goods from
Helena to the camp. One of these
animals having strayed into the tim
Der was seen by a prospector, who
Immediately shot him, supposing it
to be strange species of wild ami
NAL, which act resulted in consider
able trouble, and the departure of
the camels to more congenial climes. |
The population of the camp con-
sisted of the usual followers of new
diggings, mostly from the western |
camps, as above stated. Saloons were |
we're numerous, and gambling houses !
and notorious resorts were open day
and night, which was usual in all |
mining camps in those days.
Law Is Scarce.
The laws enacted by the recent |
and first legislative assembly of Mon
tana had scarcely become operative.
There was no organized police and /
yet the commission of serious crimes
was very rare. The character of the /
business men in those days in the
mining camps was of the highest or
Ter, and lawsuits were of rare oc-
,urrence. Amongst the residents of
he place during the season of 1865
we're Judge Bill, G.. G.. Birdseye, DR..
". w. Higgins, ]. R. Quigley, Joseph
(. Clark, S. e. Darabie, Washing
on Mccormick, Ira Myers, DR.. Click,
samuel Scott and N. j. Bielenberg,
hen well known and prominent citi-
ems of whom your highly honored
elbow townsman, Ira Myers, N. ].
,ielenberg and myself are the sole
urvivors so far as I know.
During this period there was not
1uch activity in placer mining, aside
rom the Ophir and adjacent gulches
n the west side of the mountains.
he Silver Bow and Butte placers,
iscovered In 1854, were very shall
wv and had seen their best days. g
enerally two or three seasons mark t
the limit of their activity. Ophir G
nd neighboring gulches were not ex- Il
options to these conditions. I had 8
)ncluded to watch for a favorable +
pportunity to dispose of my hold a
lRS Nv aaaOciafo WAS alao anxious "
} return to his family in Missouri. a