The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1936-03-27

The Town Of Norris As It Appears Toda
For, whether wise or not, he was a dic-<
tator and a one-man rule seldom wins
universal popularity. After IS years
senses, up in Norris, a breath, here
and there, of the hot bitterness that
once stirred men, pulses.
Alexander Norris must have been an
outstanding character in those days of
lax morals in the wilds OF Montana,
for he didn't believe in drink nor
gambling and he remained staunch IN
his convictions. He scoffed at the no
ton that a man couldn't stop drink
ing whenever he chose. I'll prove to
you that I'm right, Dick" he said. And
so, deliberately, as an experiment, he
began drinking, and for months no N
saw him sober; Wherever ne wen ne
said to Dick Lands: "Dick, I'm going
to quit today" and he was known
to touch another drop of liquor. True
to his ideals he visioned q clean town,
free Of the vices prevalent at Red
Bluff. He believed that a town, built
stood a better chance OF survival than
one springing into mushroom prosper
ity nurtured by evil.
He was a young man when he came
from Pennsylvania to homestead On n
land where later his town sprang into
existence. He built himself a little log
cabin which is still one of the land,
marks of Norris. He prospected, as d1d
almost every mar of that time, finally
locating the famous Revenue mine
which he sold for $4,000. With the pro-
ceeds from his mine he went into h
cattle business, for he saw greater and
more certain wealth in the vast Mon
tana plains covered with rich range
grass than in gold dust panned from
though doubtless his fortune was never
as large as it was reputed to be, or as
large as it might have been. Very slow
ly the little town of Norris grew, too
slowly to suit the impatient residents,
never o than a modest rival 70 n
ander sold lots, but only when he chose,
and only to his %favorites. The reputa-
ton of his town meant more to him
than profits on sales. A prudent, far
seeing man, his every deal was re-
stricted by the stipulation that no
saloon should be erected on the town
lots.
However, despite his caution, Norris
did eventually get its saloon. Alexander
sold a lot with the understanding that
a butcher shop was to be built on n
ground, The purchaser wanted an extra
lot and Alexander, for reasons of his
own, refused to sell. The man., indlg-
nant, transferred his site to announcer
who erected the one n only saloon
never wild" It v knew a boom.
Never did it enjoy the unsavory pros
perity that made Red Bluff for a time
the metropolis of that region. Nor was
it, in the true sense, a mining toWn:
Rather, as today, it was the center OF
a rich range country, the logical mar;
ket for incredible pounds OF cattle ana
wool shipped east.
Alexander Norris was a quiet man,
going his WordleSS way, aware OF the
resentful hatred in the hearts of those
who felt he wa Sitting the growth OF
their community, yet never waverlng,
although almost friendless and perhaps
lonely at times. He remained a bache-
lor and, as years passed, ,l 1t negan gan. 70 oa pc
ting queer" It is difficult now, with so
few Of his old-time companions left,
to get down to the heart Of the story.
There Is just that vague impression
that the old, friendless, lonely man,
whose pride had been the building. OF a
clean, moral town, did, or was said 10
ming commencement to that vague i'm
PRESTON, another rumor persists,
whether based on fact n cannot de-
termine, that Alexander Norris was the
victim of foul play and that those
false hints of an unbalanced mentality
were but propaganda, part OF g scheme
in later years, he was deemed a wealthy
Dick Lands, famed as locator and
one-time owner of the rich Stuart
mine, still living on his ranch half way
between Norris and Ennis, was n of
Alex1ander's few loyal friends; Many a
back Of the Morris Club" and Dick
has nothing but pleasant memories OF
the unpopular man. Norris was dis
liked. Dick maintains, because lie was
misunderstood. He was an all-round
good man who loved to argue heatedly
about every subject under the SUM- and
One day Dick was to have dinner
with Alexander. When he got to the
cabin his host was not there. For an
hour or more he waited. When Norris
did come in from somewhere out in
blood was gushing from his nostrils.
There was no doctor within call. All
that day and night Dick worked with
his friend, doing everything he knew
to staunch the flow of blood. And after
that, he believes, the "q~ueerness" which
many had noted became more pro-
nounced. It Is Dicks theory that I'll
Alexander Norris did suffer from some
mental trouble, that incident markell
the beginning Of his tragic end. Dick
lands, with many others, Is convinced
that the fair play which was the creed
Of his life may not have been metedl
out to Alexander. A mystery clouds the
last years Of the man who fathered the
town Of Norris, q mystery no one was
sufficiently interested In to probe.
All that Nnn ~ Aofinika1v 1aornAd