Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-02-07

WllEA MI. NAA4 D I'LL AaARtfaA~A -
Dickinson were married in Great Falls
in December, 1891, that city was a
little more than seven years old But
young as 1t was, there had been a
railroad there four years, building Of
the silver and lead smelter at Giant
springs was beginning, Cascade county
was in existence and Great Falls had
begun its career as an incorporated
city.
For many years Mr.. and Mrs Dick
inson and their family have lived at
327 Fourth avenue north, the palatial
residence built by Phil Gibson, son Of
Paris Gibson. founder Of Great Falls.
Barring perhaps few temporary
dwellings, this was the first house on
the north side. For in those days tust
about everything was on Central ave-
nue. or south.
Chris Dickinson has been in Great
Falls longer than anyone else now liv-
is the only one stin living who made
his home there as early as he did.
There are persons yet who wandered
over the citys site before Great Falls
began, but they are few. Some Of
them camped on or near the site and
then went on.
Dickinson, who after his arrival at
Fort Benton in 1888, worked for Paris
Gibson, went to Great Falls in 1884
He hauled the first load Of lumber ever
used on the toWnsite. He had the first
butcher shop in the town.
In First City Council
He was a member of the first city
council, alderman OF the fourth ward
For years he has been associated with
the Great Falls Meat Co.. which was
the name of the business he operated
more than half century ago
Dickinson was born March 8. 1853
at Marlboro, Yorkshire, England For
generations his family had been en-
gagged in raising livestock. The new
world attracted Dickinson as it did
many others at that time. He crossed
the Atlantic to visit a cousin In New
York and to seek employment. Condi-
lions were not favorable in the east
so he decided to go west. And the west
that he went to was sti1l the untamed
west.
Young Dickinson Travelled by rail to
Bismarck, N. D. That was the end of
the rails-where the west began. In
those days much of the surge OF men
and cargo into the wilderness of Mon
tana-the Montana Of gold and fur
was up the Missouri river. Many q
romance cltngs TO boats that braved
the moody river from st. Louis to
Fort Benton, head Of navigation. At
Bismarck, Chris Dickinson made a
deal to work his way to Benton on
one Of the boats of the Block P line
and so 1881 found him in Montana
The young man didn't have to wait
long for a Job. Paris Gibson, then liv-
ing In and out Of Benton hired him
to look after some sheep on Pablo
island about seven miles above Fort
Benton. Dickinson took up squatter
claim near where Iona now Is But
when an ice gorge took fence posts
and all. Dickinson sold his rights to
a DR.. Turner. He considered returning
east.
Gibson induced Dickinson to cast
his lot In this new country Already
Gibson's dream Of a city near the
falls of the Missouri was unfolding into
reality. The townsite was being sur
yeyed. Needing GibSon's suggestion,
Dickinson saddled his horse and COW
cred the long miles from Fort Benton
to Great Falls. So on a summer day
in 1883 he forded the Missouri from
where west Great Falls now is and
after a near escape from drowning he
was on the site Of the town about to
start.
Later that year came Mrs. Kate
Beachley, now living at Hardy, and
w. P. Wren, who died last year. All
three participated in the first Christ
mas tree festival held in Great Falls.
It was in a building that still stands
on Third avenue south and Fifth street.
The structure also was the place Of
worship Of the Presbyterian congrega-
ton.
Dickinson built a butcher shop at
First avenue south and Fifth street.
If he wanted meat for his counter he
had to go get it. This meant long
horseback rides over sparsely settled
country. AS a livestock buyer he rode
many, many miles over Montana hill
country.
Charley Russell and Chris Dickin-
son were good friends. One of Dickin
sons proudest possessions Is paint
ing Russell made for him The artist
used to visit the Dickinson home and
keep the household in an uproar with
his humor.
Much admired by Dickinson was
Paris Gibson, whom the founder Of
Great Falls referred to as one Of his
boys. Dickinson had many contacts
with Gibson and saw many Of his
plans materialize. Gibson, Dickinson
said, was intimately aware Of the vast
resources in the area Of which Great
Falls was to be the commercial center
and worked with foresight and energy
to bring about their development.
Chris Dickinson has been so years
In Montana, 81 years In Great Falls.