CITY & TOWN HISTORIEs

CATARACT

In June 1862, a month after the discovery of the Bannack placer mines, the Old Bar near the mouth of Cataract creek was discovered.  The prospectors worked the Old Bar until their provisions were exhausted, when they fled to Bannack.  Subsequently this claim passed into the hands of the Stuarts and Reece Anderson, who erected their houses at the mouth of the creek, and resided there with their families while working the placers.  In 1864 the McIrwin Brothers found rich ore 2 1/2 miles above the mouth of the creek, but owing to the difficulty of working quartz at that time, they abandoned the location.  Zach Thompson's Company discovered the Big Medicine, the Susie Brown and Mt. Thompson leads in 1873.  The Mantle load was struck by Smith in 1879, and now belongs to S. T. Hauser.  Brown and Hathaway sold the Boulder Prospect to Lawson and Allport in 1880.  The numerous mines of this district now worked have been opened since 1880, and are among the leading industries of the Territory.  The population of Cataract and Basin in 1880 was 99.

Source: Transcription by Ellen Rae Thiel, from the book, History of Montana: 1739-1885, by M. A. Leeson, published in 1885; located on the website, Hathitrust Digital Library (http://www.hathitrust.org).

CLANCEY

Clancey, fourteen miles southeast of Helena, is one of the business centers of the county, settled in 1865.  In 1879 this village was credited with a population of 200, while, according to the census returns of 1880, the number has fallen to 77.  M. H. Hill may be considered the pioneer merchant of Clancey.  He carries on a general mercantile business, including hardware and drugs, a machine and blacksmith shop, and acts as postmaster, assayer and metallurgist in that district.  The sawmill and ore hoister at this point are operated by water power.  Star of the West Lodge, No. 46, I. O. G. T., was founded by Massena Bullard, May 29, 1874.  The number of original members was 27.  F. L. Gillette was elected Lodge Deputy.  Charter revoked in 1876.

The Jefferson Valley Woolen Mill was erected in 1879.  This is a two-story stone building, 50 X 100 feet, supplied with first-class machinery, and is the pioneer of the woolen manufacturing industry in this Territory - the introduction, as it were, to hundreds of large manufacturing establishments which the Territory will sustain, and for which this county is so well adapted.

Source: Transcription by Ellen Rae Thiel, from the book, History of Montana: 1739-1885, by M. A. Leeson, published in 1885; located on the website, Hathitrust Digital Library (http://www.hathitrust.org).

COMET

Comet is the name of a settlement of 1869, twenty-eight miles south of Helena, just west of Wickes.  J. T. Parkison is the postmaster.  The district is credited with a population of about 300.  The works at Wickes, Comet and Gregory have not only added to the wealth and population of Jefferson county, but have also given a strong impetus to prospecting.

Source: Transcription by Ellen Rae Thiel, from the book, History of Montana: 1739-1885, by M. A. Leeson, published in 1885; located on the website, Hathitrust Digital Library (http://www.hathitrust.org).

FISH CREEK

Fish Creek, just east of Table Mt., is an old settlement, dating back to the sixties, when prospectors looked north from Alder gulch to the quartz hills of the Jefferson, and located there in 1865.  The population of the settlement in 1880 was 12, now increased to 500.  Geo A. Bruffey is postmaster at this point.  Here a steam sawmill and crushing mill are located.  Fish Creek Lodge, No. 5, I. O. G. T., was organized August 2, 1870, by Geo. Comfort.  The present membership is 50.  Walter M. Jordan, Etta Jordan, O. J. Gist, J. W. Rundell, John A. Beall, Mattie Tuttle, A. D. Beall, J. M. Gist and H. M. Rundell hold the official positions from W. C. T. to W. I. G.  Waterloo Lodge, No. 48, I. O. G. T., was formed February 23, 1875, with 10 members.  J. S. Crissman was its first deputy.  Charter revoked in 1876.

Source: Transcription by Ellen Rae Thiel, from the book, History of Montana: 1739-1885, by M. A. Leeson, published in 1885; located on the website, Hathitrust Digital Library (http://www.hathitrust.org).

GREGORY

Gregory, twenty-four miles southwest of Helena, on the Prickly Pear, is an old mining settlement, now ranking as a postal town.  D. Freyler & Son conduct a general store at this point; T. Cullivan and Thomas & Renshaw, saloons; and Mentrum & Britt, the Gregory hotel.  The estimated population is sixty.

Source: Transcription by Ellen Rae Thiel, from the book, History of Montana: 1739-1885, by M. A. Leeson, published in 1885; located on the website, Hathitrust Digital Library (http://www.hathitrust.org).

HIGHLAND GULCH

Highland Gulch was discovered July 25, 1866, and the Highland Gold Co.'s mine started November 1, 1868.

Source: Transcription by Ellen Rae Thiel, from the book, History of Montana: 1739-1885, by M. A. Leeson, published in 1885; located on the website, Hathitrust Digital Library (http://www.hathitrust.org).

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