Glacier County chief., 1940-03-15

this early mining town, not the least
interesting being the Chinese celebra-
tons when bad spirits were driven
away with joss sticks and much howl
ing and chanting. Sweetened pork and
| choice delicacies, such as small white
mice dipped in honey, were offered up
to these spirits, with the understand
ing that they would not disturb any
Chinese family in the forthcoming
| year.
There were the usual limitations
which the newcomers were forced to
go through, whereby it was determined
whether or not they were good sports
Many an unSuspecting victim played
the principal part in the old snipe
hunting game and all were compelled
to listen to the most exaggerated yarns
told with the utmost sincerity by the
! old-timerS.
| story is related concerning young
man from the east who arrived in
Marysville very much disappointed be-
cause he had failed to see any wild
Indians. Now. the old-timers were real
ly an obliging lot and disliked seeing
anyone disappointed if it was in their
power to prevent it. So, the night fol-
lowing his arrival, the fastener wit
messed as realistic an Indian raid as
had ever been staged in Montana
HideouS, red faces Streaked with bright
colored paint cleaned at him in the
]
| from those apparitiOnS would certainly
have frightened the devil himself
Nearer and nearer the dancing war
riorS came TO the paralyzed man, with
tomahaWks appraised and each emitting
his own particular war cry. The raid
stopped, however. when the one for
whom it was staged, tainted dead
away-nor did he voice his disappoint-
ment concerning wild Indians again
AS the population increased, the
MarysvillianS felt the need of a rail-
road. The Northern Pacific and the
Great Northern each laid tracks, but
after some dispute, the Great North
ern gave way to its rival. At train
time the depot was the scene of many
gay gatherings when newcomers were
gayly welcomed or older residents were
given a sendoff as they left for visit
in Helena.
Fourth of July Was Big Day
Fourth of July was time to look
forward to in Marysville. Everyone
was invited to take part in the cele-
bration. There were footraceS. SWIM
ming and tub races and contests of
all kinds not forgetting the baseball
game with Marysville taking the
honors. Tempting prizes were offered
for the best float and grownups and
children competed in all sports. House
wives Wed with each other in prepar-
ing delicious lunches and at the end
of the day, all went home tired out
but happy and planning even greater
events for the next Fourth of July.
Among the early settlers, one of the
first to attain success by locating a
mine was Nate VeStal, who made many
thousands of dollars from his mine,
the Penobscot. 1t was from this mine
that gold bar. reported to have
weighed $40 pounds, was taken out.
William Mayer, .old-timer,. was cred
tied with having been the first placer
miner in Silver creek. He also dis
he and Thomas Cruise co-operated in
building a l0-stamp mill.
DR.. o. NJ LanStrum was another who
flirted with Lady Luck and won. He
will long be remembered for his gen.
crosby and ability to understand hu-
man nature.
There were many others, who, though
they were not smiled upon by Lady
Luck, have played an important and
interesting part in the history of
Marysville: who have worked and
hoped and, though they missed their
footing on the ladder of success, they
leave behind them a fine example OF
hope and courage.
Years have passed and with them
have gone those glamorous days that
marked the beginning of Marysville.
The railroad tracks have long been
taken up and where they once were
there are only tall weeds and grasses.
Beside the road leading into Marysville,
like a grotesque skeleton. stands the
old Drumlummon mill where it is
slowly succumbing to the ravageS of
time. Old powder houses, mute testi-
monials of better days. are now piles
of scattered rocks. Where once were
row after row of houses, now only
ruined foundations remain. The bust
ness part of town at the present time
consists of one general store, small
candy store and postoffice. Only two
churches. the Catholic and the Method
ist, are in use.
Timers Still Hopeful
But MarySville is coming into her
own again: at least that is what many
of the old-timers will tell you, and
somehow, as you listen to their prophe-
sizes concerning the future of Marys-
vile, you. too, are almost convinced
that Marysville is to experience an
other boom. For there is an air of
expectancy within this little camp.
Since last spring; the Davies dredge
ing payroll to Marysville and sur
rounding mines, such as the Bald
Mountain, the Empire and Penobscot,
have been giving employment to many
men. The Shannon mine, which once
produced five millions and was aban-
too difficult is now, after four months
of dead work and with the help of
modern pump and equipment, ready to
produce once more
! Plans are being laid for operating
the Bell Boy within a few months and
each day a shrill whistle reminds the
residents of Marysville that work is
resumed in earnest in the Drumlrm-
mon mine. even though it is on de-
cidedly smaller scale than in its past.
Modern methods, the price of gold,
and modernized equipment are behind
this new mining interest in Marysville
territory; at least this is the logical
explanation of it. But the old-timers
are wont to disagree with it. It's that