Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1936-04-18
William Parks, Pioneer ProspsctOr,
ForesaW States Mineral Resources

William PaKixs was 3 urosDeck0r Of
Il the old school. one Of the vanishing
type Of happy -go-lueky individuals
who aid SO mach 90 bring the ntten-
ton Of the world 70 the mineral re-
sources Of the state. He claimed 60
have been the first Butte miner 70
ship copper ore by OK team 60 Cor
rine, Utah, thence by rail TO San
! Francisco and By ship around the
Horn to Swansea, Wales.
This ore was taken from what was
known at that time as Parks Parrot, .
claim which had been taken I'D under
a law Of congress passed some time In
the COS, which greatly restricted the
area OF mineral land that could be To-
Gated as compared TO the laws Of today.
Billy gave full account Of his early
mining experiences In Butte when called
as witness 30 years ago in the case
Of the Colusa-Parrot Mining Co. ver-
suS the Anaconda company, an action
involving the veins underlying the
Neversweat mine Of the Anaconda COM
pany, and the original Parks Parrot,
which then belonged to the Colusa-
Parrot company owned by Senator
CLARK.
Billy was called as witness to prove
the location Of the claim he originally
owned, the trial being conducted by
y
There was wonderful array of coun-
sci and expert witnesses retained on
both sides, for among the Anaconda
attorneys was Charles S. Thomas. then
governor Of Colorado, also MIR. Vail,
Of the firm Of Wolcott and Vail of Dem
yer, and the leading counsel for the Col
usa-Parrott Co. was Charles J. Hughes
Jr., Of Denver, who afterward became
United States senator from Colorado |
and who died while holding that posi-
ton.
Among the famous expert witnesses
we're Clarence King, generally looked /
upon as the leading geologist of his
time, Professor Shaler Of Harvard uni
versity, Winfred Scott Reyes of San
Francisco and nine others, for six ex-
perts were allowed on q side.
At that time Billy Parks was pros
pecting out in Madison county, and
when he came to Butte to testify, he Il
found so many convivial friends who II
we're glad to see him that 1t was sew
eral days before he was considered in
proper shape to take the stand.
Finally, John w. Cotter, one Of the
local counsel caught Billy over at the
Butte hotel early In the morning and
to make him the first wit
ness that day. The United States court
was then held In the Fl. L. Frank
block on West Broadway. MIR. Cotter
with Billy to the court room
)ut in going down the hallway, Billy
Noticed a sign. on the door, reading
Judges Chambers" and he immedi-
ltely decided that it was up to him to
all upon Judge Knowles. L
Mr.. Cotter did his utmost to dis :
uade him, but without success. Billy
opened the door without knocking and !
ound Judge Knowles deeply engaged, :
Gated at his desk. The old prospector
Tipped UP behind the judge and gave
lim q reSounding slap upon the back, /
accompanied by the greeting:
We'll, you old shygter, how are y0u2"
MIR. COtter, In relating the incident
Ifterward, said he was never more
hooked in his life, and expected that
Billy would be committed to jail In
tead of that, the judge swung around
n his chair, and when he saw who 1t I
vas, smiled and stuck out his hand
nd gave Billy hearty greeting, for !
Judge Knowles had a warm place In
is heart for all the Oidtimers. In
Billy and the judge commenced rem :
1isciug, and among other things that l
fir. Cotter recalled afterward was Billy
SAY. judge. do you remember when
on and John Forbis used to run :
Lreet here?" +
The converting Of court was delayed :
little that morning, while Judge
movies and Billy exchanged old-tinle =
sminiscences, but when 1t did cCn- d
enc, Billy was Immediately sworn and r
aIled to the stand. He had TO ten hts =
sory in his own way, and it included
good deal of the early history Of Mon y
ana, including the Nez PerceS Indian y
aid during which time Billy claimed Il
e came to the rescue Of Judge Davis =
ank, for 1t appeared, on account OF II
le Indians being in the Horse Prairie =
alp any money up from Salt Lake. Il
, that there was beginning to be q =
1ortage Of cash. ~
Billy related how he went down tOl =
Is shack and dug up $4,000 or $50, 600 Y
. had buried in his cellar and de- II
oSited it with Judge Davis He told :