The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1923-09-06

experiences, Wucu MOuIdud
was young, and he was laying the
foundation of a career that has few
parallels in western history. This
series of addresses, which have con-
tinued now for the past five or six
years, constitute an unusual cOntri-
button to the written history of Mon
tana. The earlier addresses dealt
with his trek across the plains from
Colorado to Bannack, in 1863, his
first successful venture in placer min
ing, and then of his engaging in mer-
chandising. Senator Clark said in
part:
AT the last meeting Of the society my ad-
dress covered the period up to my return
from a visit to the states in the spring of
1867 by the stage line from the terminus of
the Union Pacific railroad, which at that
time was at North Platte, Neb. Notwith-
standing the return trip, as described by
me, was disagreeable to some extent, there
was always comfort in the thought of re-
turning home, as / had long before con-
cluded that Montana should be my per-
manent abiding place, and / have never
for one moment experienced any regret
therefor.
Currency Replaces Dust
1 received a cordial welcome from my
many friends upon my return to Helena.
At that time gold dust had to a consider
able extent ceased to be used as a medium
of circulation in Helena, as it was to a
large extent bought by the banks and paid
for in United States currency, which them
became largely the circulating medium at
that place. AT the same time l made ar
L - -l G- rN-N--l ~
the merchants on the west side of the
mountains, with whom I had been ac-
quaipted for many years, to attend to their
business at Helena.
Having been informed that Mr.. S. S.
Huntley had obtained a contract to convey
the United States mail from Missoula in
western Montana to Walla Walla, in Wash
ington territory, and as / was quite fami-
liar with the route that would have to be
adopted, I made a proposal to Mr.. Huntley
to take a subcontract for carrying the mail,
which in due course was satisfactorily con-
cluded. I then went to Missoula and eff
fected arrangements for carrying out this
project. l went over the proposed route
horseback by way of Pend Oreille lake,
which was the adopted route, to the town
of Walla Walla, taking with me my bro
Their, Joseph K. Clark, with whom 1 ar
ranged to take care of the eastern end of
the line, with a station at Horse Plains. /
also secured the services of Mr.. Warren
Whitcher, who was familiar with the coun-
try, and placed him in charge of the line
from the west station on the Pend Oreille
lake to the town of Walla Walla, the west
destination. l made all arrangements,
and purchased a sufficient number of cay
uses, which were essential, as there were
only trails over a large portion of the
route. The contract called for a tri-weekly
mail so that stations had to be arranged
for the accommodation of the riders to per-
form the services in the most expeditions
manner. The distance across the lake,
boats had to be operated, was about
Sc miles. To perform this service I made
4 contract with the Pend Oreille Indians
and furnished them with what was called
4 "Whitehall' boat. By reason of the deep /
water the lake was never frozen over dur :
the winter season. This contract was =
'or a period Of four years, and after it was a
thoroughly organized and put into opera .
ion gave me very little concern. +
Father RavaIIi
Occasionally l went over the line for in Ii
and on one of these trips I met "
Father Rayalli, a Catholic priest of Italian Fl
and a man of great ability and cele- il
'rity. He had been with the mission in the il
Bitter Root valley and was on his way to Ii
he st. Ignatius Mission, over which he had u
for a great number of years. He e
vas a man of large stature and pleasing II
ddress and was one of the most prominent N
Missionaries connected with the Indian SER il
ice. B
In addition to acting as agent for several L
t the merchants in Helena, / also made Sc
ONE loans at a rate Of interest ranging at pI
nat time at about 2 per cent per month. Il
here were many opportunities for ad- re
antageous purchases of gold dust, of
'hich 1 availed myself, and there was no
lex OF opportunities for those who were
a the alert for making money. For in l
,ance, Mr.. Dan. Flowerree had about 100 m
cad of cattle which he had used in freight ca
lg goods from Fort Benton and also from tn
alt Lake. There was a lull in the business co
wing to a stringent period that had pre- m
iiled, and freighting became Improbable. ca
r. F1owerree Turned his cattle out on the en-
issouri river, about 80 miles east of Hell |
"a. where there was abundant pasturage. wi
hiding that they were for sale I looked Ws
over ana purchased LHem LOT d lump %
m, and had them driven to the Nevada tn
eek valley, west of the Blackfoot, where M,
knew the grass was high and luxuriant. co.
a few weeks they were fit for the MI
and I sold them out in lots of cal
yht or ten at a time to the butchers in ne
e surrounding mining camps, Lincoln, WE
,p Of Deep and Blackfoot.
Looking to the Future
Notwithstanding I had met with satisfac- -
~ results in my trading operations, and =,
d secured a favorable mail contract, l pe
IS anxious to embark in a permanent 's
siness, looking to the future. Th firm Nc
Tut & Donnell, the largest wholesale ean
.rchants in Helena at that time, had dis eos
we'd partnership, Mr.. Tut retiring. Mr.. iou
nnell, then living at st. Joseph, Mo-. pa
ewise had a large branch mercantile aus
use at Deer Lodge. on the west side. For .an
-eral years I had considerable dealings T
h the Helena house. Mr.. Donnell re- ord
ested me to visit him at st. Joseph, Mo-, rive
h g view of my taking an interest with tioI
q in the Helena business and to manage shil