Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-03-27
BY ELMO

by EAAINO
Ohm G.. "Jack" BarOnette, world
wanderer and soldier Of fortune,
had one brief moment as hero.
Then he sank back to ObScurfty,
poverty and, finally, to the ranks
Of forgotten men Of the old west. To-
day BarOnette lies in a grave in Noun
tain View cemetery near Livingston, its
location forgotten by old acquaintance.
1t is recorded only In the jungle OF
30-year-oId cemetery records
Jack Baronette'S greatest moment
was In 1870, when he rescued Truman
G. Evarts, who had been lost for. 81
days in the wilderness. Evarts was lost
from the WaShburn-Lang ford-Doane
party, which had been exploring the
present Yellowstone park area.
The story of Evarts' wanderings,
hungry, almost crazed and completely
exhausted, after he became separated
from the party near Yellowstone lake,
has been well told, both by himself
and by his companions who sought
him for some time before reluctantly
leaving the area for their own preser-
walton. The remainder Of the party
left the park by way OF the Madison
river, then to Virginia City, where
news Of Evarts' plight was made known
to friends.
Evarts, In his wanderings, finally
made his way down the Yellowstone
river to a point below Tower Falls,
where he became too exhausted to con-
tinue. Meantime, Jack Baronette and q
companion named Pritchette, both able
mountain men, started into the wilder
ness to find Evarts. travelling up the
Yellowstone along the route originally
taken by the exploring party. They dis
covered Evarts none too soon, for he
was In a critical condition after 81
days alone, without normal FOOD or
means Of securing 1t.
The Rescuers Come
EyartS recorded In the story Of his
experiences that where he lay near the
river he was warmed by the heat from
q warm spring formation nearby, rest
ing as best he could before consider
ing further effort to travel. He saw
Two men approach.
Are you Mr.. Evarts?" he was greet
ed.
yves, all that is left Of him."
1--WE have come for you"
who sent you?"
Judge Lawrence and other friends"
God bless him and them and you!
I am savedl"
Then Evarts tainted
Baronette and Pritchette made as
comfortable q camp as was possible on
the spot. Pritchette started on the TO-
mile trip back to Fort Ellis for reme-
dies and an ambulance. Baronette re-
NAMED two days with EvartS at the
camp, and then helped the weary man
to move down the Yellowstone to a
miners cabin, probably in the vicinity
Of the present Gardiner, where he
cared for Evarts until help came to
~ kanlr - hnrga0 QT1H frfnYaHc
Glory Was ShOrt-Lived
Neither Baronette nor Pritchette re-
ceived much mention of their part in
the rescue, nor, apparently, did they
care. A mountain trail and wilderness
hardshipS were all in the days work for
them, and they gave 1t little thought.
To Evarts and his friends OF the ex-
ploring party, however, the 81 days
EvartS spent In the wilderness were an
event which they gave nationwide pub
Jack Baronette, leader and principal
figure in the rescue, had perhaps as
wide q stamping ground and as varied
a career as any adventurer in history,
and he was both prosperous and pow
ertv-stricken many times before his
death at the Park county poor farm.
Born at Glencoe, Scotland, in 1929,
his father was in the British naval
service. Jack went to sea early in life.
He was on the coast Of Mexico during
the Mexican war in I84S. In 1850 he
was on the coast of China, where he
deserted ship TO make his way to San
Francisco. He was In Australia seek
ing gold in 1852 In 1858 he was in
Africa after gold. Then back to Aus
traIia and again TO San Francisco. He
was next second mate on q whaling
ship In the Arctic.
Re was back Ia California In 1856.
re was q courier for General Albert
Sidney johnson in the Mormon war In
Utah. Then he was In Colorado. and