davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-11-26
How BELT Came Into Beings Mines
Developed BY DAILY amid Shields

reservation; at the Indian post he met
his old friend, Pat Byrnes. Rested and
fed, he set out 100 miles over the froz-
en- prairie for Shelby. In three days
he struck the Great Northern construc-
ton camp, and took the train for Great
Falls.
He said: when I got there I found
a young, hustling town, the prettiest
country I ever put eyes on. I heard
Of large coal deposits near the Belt
mountains, so l took stage for the
nearest point (now BeltJ. I found a
stage station. a store and saloon and
blacksmith shop. No one was trying
to farm, though it was the best farm
ing country in the world. Those who
did anything raised sheep. Range cost
nothing, for 1t was all government land.
Shields found coal groupings every
where, reported, and advised DAILY to
get hold of the land. DAILY agreed, and
sent Shields to Red Lodge to report
that region. A blizzard caught him in
the bad lands. Just as the storm broke
he saw smoke rising from a coulee, and
made for 1t. After two hours he found
the cabin. Five men were there, husky
big fellows, except n lad of 10, suffer-
ing with sore eyes. Shields stayed
stormbound six days, and Jared we'll
after he had persuaded his hosts he
was not q sheriff. The men had plenty
of grub. I'VE laughed and talked"
said Shields, and when the storm
roared We hollered, Go to it, old boy!
We we're here first!'"
Shields suspected that he was with
a gang Of horse thieves, and knew it
when the Prentice gang was captured.
Only the boy was freed. The four men,
and a woman accomplice across the
wyoming line were hanged by the Wig
ilantes. The gang knew every part Of
the bad lands. and the directions they
gave Shields were invaluable to him.
After four hard weeks Shields wa back
in Butte, ready to start work in Belt.
II picked up trusty men," he said.
land located them on coal lands; filed
and recorded claims, and did little de-
velopment work, the sno was too deep.
We smoked u pipes till May. In May,
1892, I commenced operations. The old
settlers got busy, which hampered me
a great deal, but / was overcoming all
that nicely when I received a telegram
to stop operations and come to Ana
conda."
Something had happened. The Rock
Springs Coal company had come to
terms, with q reduction Of 81. rs on coal,
under a f~ive-year contract. This meant
a saving Of $3.50 a day on coal. Coke
was down IS a ton. DAILY gave Shields
credit for soaring the companies into
being good" and called off the Belt
development. He sent Shields into
Deep Greek and Shields river, in Smith
River country, and then to Crows Nest
Pass, B. c., In the interest Of DAILY and
James j. Hill.
On the northern trip Shields went
by rail to ~Lethbridge. overland 125 miles
to Calgary, doubling back to pincher
creek, near Crows Nest, where he out
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-11-26

10. On July 26. his report was ready
and he was preparing to quit, when
a cave-in caught him and his COM
panion, crushing him horribly. His
ankle, knee and thigh joints were
crushed, his right arm broken and his
ribs crushed.
Shields was a fighter. He fought for
life during AZ helpless, seemingly hope
less months. Doctors despaired Of his
life, but he lived.
He fought for damages from the min
ing company, until they asked his law
yers what that fighting Irishman
would take to call the suit off" He
named $40, 0O0-and got it. He was
permanently famed, but otherwise
sound in health, and when he died in
Great Falls, Nov. 9, 1928, he died n
defeated.
Mrs. Shields passed away at her
home in Great Falls, April %, 1880.
Mr.. and Mrs. Shields enjoyed the CON-
forts and companionship Of eight child
rem which were born to this union.
They we're Daniel Patrick, Mollie, Ed
L., who is now sheriff Of Cascade oun-
ty. Grace, Gordon, Basil and Stewart
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-11-26
(By MRS. T. A. WICKES)

"VHE OfEN lLS
and hospitality, color and dynamic
action OF the old west, as well
as its tragedy and comedy, are being
made further tradition in the pen and
brush Of Irwin Shorty" Shope, Mon
tana artist. Irwin was born in the state,
lived and studied the subjects of his
pictures here, and Is winning his grow
Ing recognition as q western artist from
his studio at his mothers home In Mis-
soula. AS he likes the west he has
found 1t no hardship to follow the ad-
vice given to him by Charles M. Rus
sell, the cowboy artist, "Stay In the
west, boy. The men, the horses and the
country you like and want to study
are here. not back east"
Irwin was born on q small ranch near
Boulder in 1900 and today uses his
fathers brand, q circle arrow, as his
signature mark. After the death of his
father, his mother moved her family
to Missoula where they have since lived
except for S years in Fargo, North Da-
kota.
Perhaps events during the five years
from 1913 to 1918. from the seventh
grade through high school, had the
most formative influence Upon Twins
work. Colonel E. 8. Paxson, painter Of
Indian and western pictures, became
Twins good friend and he read Pax
sons extensive library and other rec
commended books on western lore; also
studied his historical Indian relics and
collection OF all the old guns such as
thu 1irt1nCG nrd h,yffoln NM Irv11
yves to Paxson his thorough and &C
curate education in western detail, Of
which he says: HE taught me the
mannerisms of Indians, the detail OF
Indian and trapper costumes so thor
oughly that I could still make a war
bonnet or moccasin today. He gave me
my first lessons In anatomy and would
correct and trim up my drawings, IL
lustrate on the side Of my paper, and
ever let me watch him paint. I used to
60 to his studio two or three times a
week and he told me once that I was
adopted into his family.
The winter Of 1890 I went to the
Portland Art Academy and Reed Col
lege, Portland, and that summer and
until December I worked on a large
cattle ranch In Idaho. Then / studied
two quarters Of art, drafting and Eng
lish at the University Of Montana and
the following summer went to Jordan
on a draftsman's job. There I met Boyd
Van Horn, son Of q well-to-do cattle
man. Because OF the drouth he had to
move his fathers cattle north into the
Missouri river brakes. I went with him
and there learned the winter procedure
in q COW camp. Cattle were kept out
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-11-26
DRvlM SH0PE, OF MlSS0ULA, NATIVE OF TREASURE STATE,
is GAINING RECOGNITION AS A WESTERN ARTIST; COLONEL
&. S. PAXS0M AND CHARLES RUSSELL WE'RE INSTRUCTORS

work. My first year with them, q
"Bucking Bronco" won second prize IN
figure drawing and story illustration;
next year 'Stagecoach' won first for
animal drawing" Entrees In their prize
exhibits were made from many parts Of
the world.
Twins first illustrations were Is hum
orOus and typical western sketches for
q History of Valley County," compiled
by Vesta Robbins of Glasgow. Perhaps
the first big work was for H. J. Justin
& Sons, Fort Worth, Texas, makers Of
cowboy boots, for whom Irwin wrote and
illustrated four frontier skits called
"Stirrup Stories" an advertising book
let. The four Illustrations we're hung
In the office Of the advertising man.
ager where they were noticed by Pub
Usher Carter of the Fort Worth Tele-
gram, who selected one and sent 1t to
his friend, Will Rogers, who wrote r.
win a letter Of appreciation.
Another big illustrating job was done
for q serial In Farmers Wife, published
by the Webb company Of st. Paul.
Irwin sold his first color work as ov-
ers to Triple x, then to Lariat, western
magazines. He also did page filters,
private paintings, and Illustrated some
Of his own feature stories. Burton c..
MoSsman paid the highest price for q
private painting. He is manager OF the
Diamond A Cattle company, n Of the
largest and oldest ranches In U. S. his
tory. Perhaps 1t is the oldest as 1t vas
started about 1850 and still runs the
Diamond A brand on big herds on the
company's western ranches. Irwin was
a roundup guest on the Eagle Butte,
South Dakota, ranch and while there
learned much of its early history.
For the past two years various art
and calendar houses have become In
terested and are watching the growth
of his work and encouraging him. 1r-
win considers that the past two years
have brought him the greatest develop
ment in color, also In anatomy. He
said, when in my earliest work I put
men on my horses my mother asked
me why l wanted to spoil q good horse?
1 improved my figures, and as my pic
lures developed I added background"
Action and story interest are out
standing in Twins pictures. He seldom
draws still figures. He knows horses IN
every conceivable mood and action.
Critics say that his drafting and model
ing Of animals is superior to Paxson,
and many horsemen have said that they
never saw truer drawn or better pro-
portioned horses. Others have COM
mended his fidelity to western atmoS-
phere, and the accuracy and vigor Of
his drawing. He can also write stories
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-11-26

was Shields life. The shock of this &C.
cident, on top of three years hardships
brought on swamp fever while he was
walking from st. Louis to Chicago. Dan
Delaney and his wife, Girard, ILL.,, cared
for him, set him on his feet, and be-
came his lifelong friends. Into the
Illinois coal fields, and back to the Mis-
souri, mines; stricken again with fever;
robbed by a tramp miner and prize
fighter, his partner, whom he had sent
for medicine; running across his
friend" again, at Girard, and licking
him to a FRAGILE; marrying, at 20, his
first love, Catherine Breene, aged 16;
ten months later christening his first
son, Daniel Patrick Shields!
Miners strikes made times hard in
Illinois, and Shields went to the Kan
sas coal fields. He raised the first
bucket Of coal In Carbon, Kansas; be-
came superintendent of mines, and To-
Gated the P%ittsburg field. In Carbon
he lived in the usual miners dugout,
with powder kegs for chairs; but he
moved to PittSburg, built a snug house
and installed his family.
One child died and his wife became
sick. After cleaning up 10000 on a
wears contract at Rich Hill, he spent
two years prospecting In the Ozarks
and seeking his wife's health. He op-
ened a hotel at Arkansas Hot Springs,
and was wiped out in the gamblers
war; of 1883.
Seven years work in Colorado found
him still broke. Foreign labor made
conditions there intolerable, so he
started north. In Butte, his brother.
James. whose wife wa Mrs. Days sis
ter, introduced him to Marcus Daily.
DAILY had packed his blankets into
Butte ten years before, and had lost
neither his democracy nor his shrewd
Judgment Of men.
Their meeting was fortunate. DAILY
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-11-26

ed partnership. They formed the Cast
ner Coal and Coke company, J.. B. Hog
an, president; DAILY, vice president,
James Shields and P. j. Shields, super
intendent and director; and John Lind
say and others, trustees.
Shields started to work in earnest.
He located more land, built 100 coke
ovens, a $50, 900 coal wash house and
new headhouses; engaged hundreds Of
mine cars, and put in a big department
store. BY summer, 1894, there we're
1000 persons in Belt. BY spring, 1895,
he had deeds to $500 acres, his coke
ovens were running full blast, and
mines were shipping 1880 tons of
coal daily. In this, and the department
store, Shields had one-third interest.
Then things broke. The capital fight
put a crimp in the Anaconda crowd.
The A~malgamated absorbed the Ana
conda, the Butte e. Boston, and the
Boston 81 Montana companies. Reors
ganization swept over mining proper
ties, and left Belt stranded high and
dry. In 1896, Shields left Montana,
broke but undaunted. Years afterward
he quoted DAILY as saying:
Shields was the best man / ever had,
but all He'll couldn't handle him in
combine" Shields believed if DAILY had
lived he would have reimbursed him,
and rated DAILY as n of the greatest
benefactors of the West.
Shields prospected the Canadian
Northwest for two years with fair sue
cess. His partner, Liant Sprolle, died.
and Shields returned to Great Falls,
March Is, 1893. The Klondike excite
ment was on, and he went to Butte to
get funds from Patrick Largey. He
was successful, but just as he was ready
to start for Alaska, Largey was killed.
No other help was in sight. S he went
to work with pick and shovel to grub
stake himself. Once more he was ready
to start, when he received word from
Great Falls of the death of n Of his
children. F. Augustus Heinze helped
him through this emergency with a
check for 500, and a Job as timber
boss at the Rarus mine. Here hard
luck struck him, and struck hard. A
cave-in fractured his skull. After six
months at the st. James hospital he
started for Great Falls, discouraged for
the first time. He was not a mar to
remain inactive. Senator Lee Mantle
helped him to a foreman's job at the
B. & M. smelter. Soon he was off to
the Gilt Edge mines at Moccasin-boot-
lessly, it proved. He went into politics
(early contact with democrats had
made a republican OF him) and he serv-
ed on the Great Falls police force until
1905. A settlement with the Anaconda
company gave him money for a good
home.
But he was still restless. He cleaned
up 81 500 in Idaho ON q railroad con-
tract, and went to Seattle. Here he
met John L%aughren, agent for the
Guggenheims. Laughren proposed an
Alaskan trip. as 500 as he should re-
turn from a bushes trip to Denver.
Shields agreed.
While he was waiting in Seattle for
Laughren, Shields met Ambrose Collins,
formerly Of Belt. Collins told him Of
a coal mine near Tacoma, on which a
report was wanted. Shields undertook
the work, taking a job as a miner. July
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-11-26

mer and Fernie alone were mining 5000
tons of coal daily, and producing 800
tons of coke.
DAILY offered Shields a "bossing job"
with the Anaconda and Shields count
cred with a bid for Days friendship
and influence with Jim Hill, and a
chance to develop Belt mines on his
own account. DAILY commended his
pluck, and offered financial help.
Shields took lease and bond on the
Cashier Coal mine, 800 acres, with
frontage on the Neihart Branch rail-
road. Where the old stage road house
stands. he requisitioned sidetracks;
built a headhouse, and commenced
drifting for coal. He had bad luck;
struck faulty ground and heavy water,
but came through, took the name of
Belt Coke and Coal company, and in
duced DAILY to try SO cars Of his coal.
1t filled the bill SO well DAILY propos-
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-11-26

away to Liverpool,
threatening suicide If
his father took him
home; six months a
lackey boy in q brew
cry: then emigrant
to Boston, New York
"a four days trip to
Chicago (where Irish
and German grading
crews staged pitched
battles in the streets
--blacksmith's p
prentice, farmland,
woodman on the Mis-
sissippi, passenger on
a riverboat that blew
up at Memphis, kill
ing 80 DerSOnS-Such
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-11-26

looking over Twins work said that all
but one of a group Of drawings we're
very workmanlike.
Irwin has exhibited at Bozeman,
Great Falls, Missoula, Minneapolis and
the Montana and Minnesota state fairs.
The American photographic company
of New York exhibited two OF his can
vases In their show room for a year.
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-11-26
(By r. STONE COATES
Author Of BLACK Cherries"

"ORTY YEARS AGO, p. j. Shields
arrived In Butte with his blan-
kets and fifty cents. He had
known ups and downs. and Mon
tana was to hold for him more joy and
grief than falls to most men.
"A prodigal son of the Emerald
ISLE" he called himself, born in Coun-
ty Tyrone, 1854. At fourteen, a run
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-11-26

fitted with five pack horses and a
companion, a soldier from the Riel re-
belion. They broke camp Aug. II, and
made IS miles the first day, camping
at Turtle mountain. years later a
town was located here. The mountain
split. slid down, and buried the town,
killing hundreds of persons, among
them Shields cousin.) Travelling was
hard. Some days they made only five
miles. In the headlands Of Coal, Elk
and Marshall creeks they examined
$4,000 acres of land on which Ed Fernie
had made initial report.
Shields report to DAILY was so favor
able DAILY objected. Jim Hill back in
ST. Paul won't believe half of it," he
said. But Hill got busy, acquired the
land, and built a railroad in. In seven
years the population around Crows
Nest increased from 100 to $4,000. Hos
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-11-26

and anecdotes to accompany his pic
lures.
Frank Lnderman, authority on west
ern and Indian lore, has praised his
Indian pictures. Will James, Charles
Russell and Joe DeYong have given
valuable criticism, encouraged and en-
dorsed Twins work. This summer, Her
bert NJ. Stops, famous illustrator, in
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-10-09
Treble Cleft Club
Begins New Year

The Treble Clef club met Tuesday
morning at the home Of Mrs. @. Il
Landegren, beginning a new yea.
with the study of American Music
Roll call was answered giving musi-
cal topics enjoyed. Mrs. w. Y. Wcr-
ley. greeted club members with q
most inSpi-ationaI talk on %apprecia-
ton Of American music and quoted
from messages by the president OF
the national federation of music
clubs.
Mrs. Milton West was leader o:
the program on American music and
she began with the first colonistS
and their crude musical expression;
which we're not to be wondered 81
considering the handicaps. Mrs. Wesi
spoke Of metrical pSalmody. New
England's only music for e l0l
years and dated from the 10th cen
tury. Two Of the tunes used by then
and still familiar TO people today
are "Old Hundred" dated back x
1851 and deriving its name from
association with 100 psalms. and thI
OtllcIs Meal. N4Ccl VI JnC sOAA1'
were sung by the club as they ap-
peared In the first psalter by Strun-
hold and Hopkins.
The leader compared this boOl
with the song book Of today, p-inte1
so years later. She told Of the in
fluence music played on the life d
an early composer, william Tuckey
who conducted the first performance
Of Handel's Messiah in America
Mrs. West stressed the first rea,
American composer, Francis Hop
kinson. who was q signe- OF the De-
claration OF independence. Among
many o. the things was the first
dramatic cantata entitled. The
Temple Of Minerva" words Of which
were N praise Of American alliance
with France.
James Lyon. Presbyterian minister
and composer. who did such noble
work in Machis, Maine, was dis
cussed. His book. Urania. was Far
in advance Of predecessors.
A round table discussion Oh the
lesson and varied answers TO the
question what is meant by al
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-10-09
Santa Maria

PROGRAM PRESENTED
AT PIT. "A. MEET
The PIT. A. met Tuesday Ter
the regular session. Kenneth Mat
thews was elected for publicity chair
man 70 take Mrs. j. o. Duncan
place. Copies Of the bylaws were
given out and several business items
we're discussed.
Pupils Of the 5th and 9th grades
gave a pantomime and piano solo
by Regina Balm, was followed with
a talk by Mrs. j. b. Cavoll on the
value OF libraries. "A quartette gave
several numbers. Kenneth MAJ
thews gave a talk on the value 81
physical training.
OFFICERS ARE
ELECTED
The Baptist Missionary socistT
met with Mrs. ID. d. Frazier Monday
and the following officers were
elected: Mrs. B. o. Harpster. presi-
dent; Mrs. H. G. Harvey, vice-presi-
dent and Mrs. @. w. KAISER, secre-
tary and treasurer.
PERSONALS
Mr. and Mrs. o. c. Trotman of
La Fe-ia were recent guests of Mr..
and Mrs. B. M. SAMSON. Mrs. Trot-
man viii be remembered here as a
former teacher. Miss Daisy Gray.
Misses Rachel Black and Oleta
BeeSon of Brownsville spent the
weekend with Mrs. T. D. Shipley.
Ray Stay spent the week end In
Kingsville.
M. and Mrs. III. r. Kaiser drove
70 Brownsville Wednesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Chesler Deeds an.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-10-09

nounce the arrival Of a boy at their
home.
The following were guests at the
j. 3. Carroll home recently. Mr.. and
Mrs. West. Miss Herzog, Mr.. Terrant
and Mr.. Mattox, all Of Weslaco. Or.
and Mrs. j. D. Carroll Of Harlingen
and the j. r. Clifton and j.. r.
Mock families.
Mr.. and Mrs. wallace Harpster
and Joan, Mr.. and Mrs. Collier
Dozier and children and Miss Stella
Dozier OF Santa Rosa were Sunday
guests at the B. 0. HarpSter home
in honor OF Mrs. DoZier's birthday.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. q. Gum drove
TO Santa Rosa and Harrington Sun
day.
Mr.. and Mrs. McLain of Mercedes
and Mrs. Loving and son Of La Feria
and MI. and Mrs. j. G.. Davis visited
at the j. A. Boatman home Sun
day. /,
Mrs. Ross Seamen and Mrs. o. c.
TrOtman Of La Feria were in Santa
Maria Tuesday.
MI. ard Mrs. Carl Ford OF Browns
vile visited at the "A. O. Gum homo
Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. j. B. Brown and
Mr.. and Mrs. Ivan Gregory and
children of Harrington were Santa
Maria visitors Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry webb Of Har-
lingen spent the week end with Mr..
and Mrs. j. r. Clifton.
Mr.. and Mrs. L. M. MCGEE and
and children were Sunday guests
at the B. M. SAMSON home.
Mr.. and Mrs. j. o. Duncan have
moved to Edinburg.
South Africa's record gold pro-
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-10-09
Brownsville Club
and Social A ctipities
Mrs Schulz
QPmgreso
/. CouncilHead

MERCEDES. Oct. s.-Mrs. J. Z.
Schulz Of Progreso was elected
president OF the Hidalgo County
Home Demonstration clubs council
recently with Mrs. H. c. Yates
presiding in the absence Of Mrs.
A. G. McNallie.
A nominating committee, Of Mrs.
w. w. Allen of Donna. Mrs. j.
Wench of Edinburg. and Mrs. II. c.
Card Of Mercedes. was appointed
by Mrs. Yates, the latter adjourn
Ing and making up a roster of Of
Ulcers for the coming year which
was accepted.
Those who will serve with Mrs.
Schulz are Mrs o. (. Van Berg Of
Mercedes, vice president. Mrs. c.
M. Holland Of Donna, secretary,
Mrs. w. w. Allen, had been elected
treasurer at the last council meee-
ing.
Miss Gladys Downing. agent for
Hidalgo county, told Of plans for
the coming year, which were 10
carry on the schedule as arranged
by Mrs. Ringgold, the former agent.
She had started the following three
demonstrations: yard improvement.
wardrobe and poultry.
The All pantry demonstration
will be given when fall vegetables
come in.
Miss Bowling stated that prin-
ciples Of landscaping q yard proper
ly will be given in the club meet
ings. Renovating clothes as well as
making new ones will be stressed
In the wardrobe demonstration.
On the third Thursday in each
month Miss bowling will conduct
a demonstration class at the city
hall In Mercedes, composed Of the
GAmpacaus, Just We Neighbors.
A~DEefnate Wednesday and willing
workers clubs OF Mercedes.
Representatives Of these clubs at
the council meeting were, Mrs. r.
II. Andrews and Mrs. Ben Drew,
Mrs. z. NJ. Crockett, Mrs. Leroy
Ziegler and Mrs. o. (. Van Berg
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-10-09

Mrs. John Stokes scored low. Re-
freshments served 70 the fol-
loving: Mesdames Frank Pihlmans
John Giese. A. G. Carlson, w. VI.
George. John Stokes, and Mrs. -.
G. BaEgett.
PERSONALS
Rev. and Mrs. G. W. Hay, ana
Mrs. r. E. Bissex Of Edinburg were
visitors in Elsa Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Swanson ot
Houston were guests wednesday oI
MI. and Mrs. "A. G. Carlson.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-10-09

American composer?" followed afte.
the program. The hostess served d
salad course during a pleasant social
hour.
Mrs. ID. E. Ridpath and Miss Char
lotte Paxton were guess.
The club meets Oct. 20 with Mrs
II. L. Fitch.