Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1939-05-26
Helena's First Fire Bell, Once
at Falls, Is Restored to Tower

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on Tower hill will be restored,
Miss Marguerite Greenfield, presi-
dent of the Helena Landmarks as
ISOLATION, has announced. The
first bell to be used-an historic
relic which came up the Missouri
river on a steamboat-was for
mally presented to city officials
by Mayor Julius ]. Wuerthner of
Great Falls. It had been purchased by
Great Falls years ago and its return
to Helena was voted by the Great
Falls city council as a gesture Of good
will and interest in this city's diamond
Jubilee celebration. Miss Greenfield
said that restoration of the fire tower
ate future.
This work is made possible first
through the many large and small sub
scriptions received when the associa-
ton began work after the earthquakes
in 1885," said Miss Greenfield.
THE first donations were devoted
to reinforcing the corners OF the old
bell tower with heavy concrete under
pinnings although the solid rock used
by the builders made a good natural
base.
Then booklets giving the history of
the tower from the earliest days of the
gulch and many colorful incidents
during the long years the fire tower
has stood guard over Helena and her
destiny were printed
The fire tower was more than a
guard 1t was the social center of the
city. Here the beaus and bellies of the
seventies and the eighties were wont
to meet and exchange the news of the
day and the sweet nothings of TO
nance.
THE rank and file of Helena, nearly
all the labor unions, most of the So
funds of the association. Loyal Helena
ties, many of them gone years from
the city, sent in subscriptions.
But even If the response was gen.
eral and from a civic standpoint most
gratifying the Landmarks association
still lacked enough to complete the
work.
But through the generosity and be-
cause of the love and generation of
those who cherish the tower enough
money has been put in the hands Of
the association to complete everything
but the incidental work.
Still Need Money
In order to have everything fin
ished the Landmarks association will
the fund. 1t is hoped that those inter-
ested will make it point to buy one
of the fire tower booklets which will
be placed on sale next week or to mail
any subscriptions they feel inclined to
make to James E. Norris, secretary of
the Montana Pioneers and treasurer OF
the Landmarks association, who re-
sides at ITO West Lyndale avenue"
The association is now DESTROYS of
having some public spirited lodge or
group undertake the work OF suitably
marking the site of Hangman's tree
in Dry gulch, Miss Greenfield said.
She pointed out that such an under
taking would involve but little expense.
Mayor Roberts, in accepting the bell,
said:
IT do not know much OF the his
tory Of this bell but I notice on the
frame the name of the manufacturing
company, the Gould Bell Co. of Seneca
Falls, N. Y. I have learned further
that this is the bell Of the Missouri
aground in 1870 near what is now Fort
Peck.
Salvaged By Edwards
I'm the following. year, or possibly
in 1872, A. j. Edwards, father of
Frank Edwards of $40 Clark street and
three time mayor of Helena, went to
salvage the boat and brought back
UEllS Dell WHICH was uSeu lOl I4IlBuIS
fire alarms and for other civic pur-
poses until July. 1887, when 1t was pur-
chased by Great Falls. 1t has been
stated the purchase price was SlOO but
the question has been raised as to
whether this money was paid for the
bell or whether it was the cost OF
transporting the bell by boat and
freight to that city.
while in Great Falls it was used
at least part of the time for fire alarm
purposes. 1t had been there altogether
SO years.
THE people of Helena are glad tc
have it returned in such a delightful
way and especially when we are max
ing very definite preparations to cele-
brate the 18th anniversary of the dis
covery of gold in Last Chance gulch
In the future whenever it may
ring out. let its voice proclaim amity
and good will between the cities OF
Great Falls and Helena"
The high-scoring star Of scholastic
thts yeor ic POhhy CiferS nj