The Carbon County chronicle. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1924, 1924-10-08

John fianerty, NJ years old,
one of the best known OF Montana's
pioneers, met death recently. when
flames of an undetermined origin,
RACED his ranch home at Cold
Springs, ri miles from Boulder.
James Murray, his brother-in-
law, who was residing with him
at the time of the horrible disas-
ter, was awakened when the smoke
and flames burst through the
door OF his room. He leaped from
a window and ran around the
house 20 the window of the room
where MIR. Flahcrty was sIeeping
but had only succeeded In remove
Ing the screen when the roof fell
In and the spray of burning embers
drove him back.
Mr. Flaherty had a host OF
friends among the residents of that
section of the state in which he rec
sided, and II was his delight TO dis
cuss the early days OF territorial life
In Montana lie took up his home
stead. naming II the Cottonwood
ranch, in 1860, and In the early days
was identified with the stage line
AilAA ANnHtAAtA Aluna WIN
Helena. The Flaherty homestead
was stage station, where IN the
days before the advent of the rail-
roads many weary travellers we're
welcomed, lodged and fed
The old log building which served
as a stage station and hotel until
the recent fire, constituted the main
part OF the home as It was known to
the many friends of the family.
All who live In the territory adj
joining Mr.. Flaherty's home loved
and admired the industry Of the old
pioneer. He was one of the very
first postmasters In what Is now
Jefferson county. From the days
when the log house was first erect
ed until a few years ago, when fall
ing health demanded a lessening OF
duties, Mr. Flaherty was postmaster.
He also served his community for
eighteen years as road supervisor
and for an even longer period was
a school trustee.
A Pioneer Woman.
Mrs. Flaherty died about two years
ago. She was the mother OF seven
children and known throughout the
state as one of the kindlieat and
most active of the pioneer women
who brayed the rigors Of homestead
life to assist in building an empire.
Mr.. Flaherty was born in County
Donegal, ireland on November 10,
1870. and came with his parents to
America In 1851, locating In Van
Burensburg, H., lie attended grade
and high school In Illinois and join
cd the westward trek OF homeseek
ers In 1865, but had had only reach
ed FGort Leavenworth KAN, when
called home by the death OF his
father.
Virginia City In 90.
A few months later he again turn
toward the west and picked Mon
tana as his destination. With
prodders stic kat the head Of an OK
train, he wendell his way over the
plains TO Salt Lake City, but then
pushed on arriving In Virginia City
on October %, 1865.
The following spring, with the
spread OF news that gold had been
struck In the Salmon river country
In Idaho. no Joined the rush and T.
30 days had reached the new dig
gings at Leesburg. over snow
bound, icy trail. With the coming OF
summer, Mr.. Flaherty started back
for the Treasure state, and with a
party OF IA worked his way TO the
headwaters OF the Big Hole river, In
Homestake gulch, where they took
up placer claims. After attaining
fair luck the party again headed for
Virginia City and arrived there In
the fall OF 1867 Here he worked as
a miner for time and then started
ranching with his brother, who had
made the trip overland In 1864.
Alone In The Valley.
In the spring OF 1859 Mr.. Flaherty
moved into the fertile valley which
Is now Jefferson county. Not cabin
was in sight the entire length of the
valley when HIS party arrived and
took up Cottonwood ranch.
Cattle was his main activity and
through thrift and industry became
we'll known as a stockraiser. Three
years after his arrival MIR. Flaherty
married Miss Ellzaeth A. Murray,
daughter of old Kentucky and Vir-
ginia families, who had just come
west with her parents.
Mr.. Flaherty was familiar with
the ontlre country from Helena to
Virginia City and watched its pro-
gress from the days OF the pack
horse trail or rugged wagon road.
He was always confident in his
chosen state and never refused o
hand In any movement for the better
ment OF his community or the COM
monwealth.
Six sons survive Mr.. Flaherty.
They are G. d., Jefferson county
surveyor; James D., clerk of court
In Jefferson county; William OF Will
low creek; DR.. G. f., OF Fort Worth,
Texas; Richard, who resides at the
home, but who was In Whitehall at
the time of the fire. and John Of
Seattle.
o.