Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-05-01


established first electric light plant.
Was one of the chief founders of the
Butte Inter Mountain-nOw the Butte
POSt-and a leading mine operator,
banker and merchant.
the head of a train of go wagons, haV-
| ing as a business associate John A.
Creighton, at present a large property
owner in Montana and a resident Of
Omaha, Neb.
Invests in Mines
ARRIVING in Virginia City, Mr.. Lar
gey became interested in merchandise
ing. He invested quite extensively in
placer mines, adjacent to that famous
camp, which he operated for many
years He continued in business in Vir-
ginia City until 1879. In 1881 he adopt
/ ed Butte as his future home. Mean
while he had broadened the field of
his activities and usefulness. In 1878
he constructed overland a telegraph
line from Virginia City to Butte and
thence, by way of the Deer Lodge val
| ley, to Helena and Bozeman, preceding
the railroad by three years and afford
ing the isolated people of the state ter
ritory) the first opportunity for rapid
communication with the outside world.
Hon. Lee Mantle was at this time
employed as a telegraph operator in
Mr.. Largey's service, and to his con-
nection with Largey and the benefits
arising therefrom, Mr.. Nantes success
in later life is, doubtless, no little due.
Develops Rapidly
'Mr. Largey'S interests developed
rapidly and his entire fortune, as well
as thought, were loaned to the cityS
development. Both mercantile and min
ing pursuits received his attention. In
the former he was associated with |
rTf1n Of the hnad nf /
different mines Of the locality and in |
this manner opportunity was offered
him to secure valuable properties. 1t /
is said by many of his old associates
that he was the poSseSSor Of more pat
ented mining claims than any other
man in the United States. The most
valuable of his properties was I'M
doubtedly the Speculator mine and the
returns there are believed to have made
him one of the largest operators in the
state.
with two other gentlemen Mr.. Lar
gey established the first electric light
plant in Butte. He also established the
Butte Inter Mountain and for many
years was the president OF the COM
pany publishing that journal and was
a stakeholder in many other leading
establishments Of the city.
His Career Ends
'Mr. Largey's most useful and sue
cessful career was brought to sad
termination on Jan. IL, 1893 Some
three years previous had occurred the
direful explosion of giant powder which
in the death of three score
persons. Many others we're injured and
much ill-directed feeling was en-
gendered thereby. Mr.. Largey was least
for its calamitous results
than, possibly, any man in the city, yet
60, oeA .otsv 1
requirements of duty or public spirit in
the suffering caused thereby
He was repeatedly annoyed by one
Thomas j. Riley, who repeatedly called
upon and demanded assistance from
Mr. Largey after the latter, in con-
nection with others, had contributed
81 500 to compensate Riley for the loss
Of leg in the explosion. Riley's de-
mands at last became threats. While
engaged in his duties as president of ,
the State Savings bank, upon the day ]
mention, Mr. Largey was cruelty shot
down by the former in revenge for his
for which MIR. Largely
was never in any way responsible.
Mr.. Largely left widow, the former
Miss Lulu Sellars Of Chicago, to whom
he was married in 1877, who accom-
panied him in these rugged early days .
wherever his interests took him, and
wiz ID tOAAy LILO al ,
where his interrupted life laid them
down. -Four children also survived him.
To the stricken family, however was Z
not confined the grief caused by his ]
death. Not only the city but the whole
state recognized and mourned the loss
Of one Of the best types Of men to {
whom all time must accord the honor
IF having achieved the development of /
he great west as well as man who,
With few others, made Butte's future
possible and attracted the causes and ,
events which, in their unwinding are
making and viii continue to make 7
Montana one Of the greatest states in
he Union. Harry G. Freeman's His i
DRY Of Montana, published in 1900
John Noyes, after IS years Of adj
TentUre and hard work can now
cad his title clear to a half million I
dollars He has an interesting fam '
" no political ambitions, likes to plav (