The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-08-12

Years Ago
Three former MOntanans n a
fourth man, still resident in this state,
h started fishing together over in
the Madison country % years ago, are
still doing so, although il requires that
two of them travel from California and
n from New York each year to keep
the tryst. They are now in their
camp over in the neighbOThOOd of the
West Yellowstone and will remain to-
gether for 80 days.
They are Charles S. Henderson, former
sheriff Of Silver Bow county, who has
just resigned a position as city manager
Of Long Beach, Calf, Ben Calkins, now
of Los Angeles but for many years a
leading merchant of Butte; William
Thornton, now Of New York but a pio-
neer son Of Montana n owner of the
Thornton hotel in Butte and Malcolm
ellis, formerly postmaster Of Butte and
for many years prominent in mining
circles.
The camp on the Madison belongs to
Thornton. Malcolm ellis as the only
one Of the four who now resides in Mon
a each year acts as scout and when
the fish begin to bite sends out the glad
news to the other three: Do they re-
spond? They do. At the Thornton camp
there are half a dozen cabins, a mess
hall, lounging room, library and every
convenience. The New York and Chicago
papers are received daily and all sorts
of magazines.
This year the cook was ordered on
duty in May to have the camp in readi-
ness.
This fishing quartet is unique in that
no one Of the four cares for fish as a
diet, yet each of them is eager as a boy
for the feel Of a rod in his hands
Each day will see the catch cleaned
n distributed to tourists, section men,
dining cars and West Yellowstone restau-
rants and hotels. If luck serves, friends
Of the four will receive a box or two of
hnny beauties, but it all depends on
Lady Luck.
The Thornton camp is on the head
waters OF the Madison, only a few miles
from West Yellowstone. To send fish to
Butte means that they must be carried
by auto the Gallatin Gateway for ship
ment or brought direct to Butte by auto.
The time required to make the shipment
by rail-and an auto Butte is not al
ways available-is two days. "A lot can
happen to a fish in two days" says NAL
colin ellis.
Were it not for regulations governing
shipment Of fish through two states, it
might be possible to send them by way
of the Union Pacific. AS matters stand,
the shippers find it advisable to conhne
their shipments to Montana.
The 6nonor of catching the largest fish
Of all lime among the quartet now be-
longs to Will Thornton. His top catch
last year weighed 7h pounds. This fish
was being prepared for mounting when
a hungry dog seized the skin, which had
been laid for a moment in a -wheelbarrow,
and made of with it. This season a de-
termined effort will be made to beat
l ~Thornton's record.
These veteran fishermen have a couple
l OF tnViOlate rules. These are: mo SPIN
ners" and nc worms" The fly, in their
: opinion, is the only lure fit for a fisher
man who seeks the noble trout in its
mountain home.
, The four, Thornton, Henderson, Calk-
l ms n ellis are well-known men in
Montana.
l Will Thornton's father was one of the
Z leading men Of Butte in the early days.
1 He was identified with mining and other
business ventures. His son, who is own
! er OF the Thornton hotel, has added to
, his fathers estate. While his business
Z requires his presence in New York he has
1 always been loyal to Butte, in which city
{ he played as a little boy in knee pants.
Charles S. Henderson, former sheriff
: OF Silver Bow county, with heavy realty
4 and business interests in this state, has
just resigned his position as city man
8 ager Of Long Beach, in which Office he
made an enviable record. When he as
sumed the management the city was
S2,5OO,OOO in debt. At the conclusion OF
his ID months Of Office the debt is paid
and there is $500,000 in the city treasury
Ben Calkins is a pioneer business mar
: and veteran of the Spanish-AmericaI
e War. While Ben was in the PHILIPPINES
. as a soldier Of Uncle Sam, Tom R.. Kinds
conceived the brilliant idea Of nominal.
ing him for county treasurer. Other DO.
lttical manipulators arranged" a "cable.
gram" from Ben accepting the nomina.
ton. The first intimation Ben had O.
his nomination was when he received th,
message advising him that he had beer
triumphantly elected. i,
Malcolm ellis is one OF the few Living
Montana men who can boast Of thl
friendship Of Theodore Roosevelt.
ri When Teddy came to Butte Malcolm
4 was chairman Of the reception commit
"A zee. The meeting was at Columbia Gar
dens. 1t was in the horse and bugg,
age. Malcolm caused to b built aIoni
the road to the Gardens. at intervals o
100 yards, huge piles Of cordwood which
were saturated with kerosene and lightel
as the presidential procession advanced
SO That there was a continuous blaze o
: brtlliance to light Teddy on his way. tn
president was much impressed by tn
Jhoroughness Of the arrangements an
when there was a vacancy in the Butt
+, postohce Malcolm ellis was given tn
l appointment.
: Such are the four men who have ken
their annual tryst for more than a quar-
, Ter OF a century, hale and hearty, eacl
one OF thems with present prospects tina
another quarter Of a century will I'm
them arranging for their annual outin
"on the Upper Madison"
This year there are 70 additions t
the party. Charles Mills, Of the Apach
~ Powder company Of Benson, Ariz., an
Thos. H. OBrien, general manager Of til
~ Inspiration Copper company, at MAN
- Ariz, came in by way Of West Yellow
~ stone and joined the quartet.