P a g e 6 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r There was no follow-up in the Philipsburg Mail. Much of her early life story, however, is given in a 1906 story about her in the Canton Weekly Register, which reveals that her maiden name was Owens, and that she immigrated to Illinois with her grandparents when she was just a child. Her census records indicate she was born in Indiana to a father born in Ireland and a mother born in Ohio, and newspaper obituaries indicate her given name was Catherine. After a brief and unsuccessful marriage at age 16, she crossed the plains to Pike's Peak, Colorado. From there she appears to have joined the exodus of many Pikes Peak "goldrushers" (among them, W.A. Clark) to Montana, and, in the summer of 1867, she landed in the silver boomtown of Philipsburg. By winter, she had apparently moved to winter quarters in the lower Flint Creek Valley, since on December 14, 1867 The Independent newspaper stated that travelers who stop at Gird's Ranch will be treated "most hospitably" by Mrs. Dustin. Kate was apparently at one point married to a man named Dustin. Gird had a ranch on Lower Willow Creek near Hall, as well as at the mouth of Gird Creek near Stone, with a roadhouse at the latter ranch (see Flint Chips No. 35). Another service needed by the new residents along Flint Creek was mail delivery. The March 1, 1868 Weekly Independent states: "The Philipsburg and Helena Express runs as regular as a clock-arrives at this place precisely at 11 o'clock, and departs at 2 p.m. on Friday. Perry has for sale all the late eastern, western, northern and southern publications, including the LaCrosse Democrat, Illustrated. He will deliver in person all letters, packages etc., entrusted to his care.” While running her way station for the hungry or weary traveler at Gird's, Kate made the acquaintance of Mr. Perry. On Feb 22, 1868, Correspondent K.D.C. of the Deer Lodge Independent reported the first wedding for which we have record in Philipsburg: I was surprised not to see the notice of our energetic expressman L.S. Perry's union to the amiable Mrs. Kate F.A. Dustin, in your last issue. They were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony at the 'Traveler's Home,' near this place, on the 26th of last month, by his Honor, J.B. Van Hagen, Justice of the Peace. I always entertained a high opinion of friend Perry's good sense, and I must say it is not in the least lessened, but 'muchly' increased by this last act of his; for no one can, without experiencing it, imagine the difference between a cheery smile, a hearty welcome and a fond embrace from the being we prize the most on earth, at the conclusion of a hard day's ride across the hills and snow drifts of this northern clime, to the coarse 'helloa is that you' from the bachelor landlord of some of our way-side inns. Friend Perry, we do not blame you much for arming yourself with that shot gun when you started from town on last Monday morning, but if the boys had 'smelt the mice' one shotgun would have been 'nowhar; they'd have taken the chances against half-dozen of 'em to have wished you and your blushing bride 'much joy at the proper time.' We will leave the deciphering of the final paragraph to the reader, noting only that the "Traveler's Home" where they were married was located at or near what became "Porter's Corner", a short distance south of Philipsburg on the road to the Cable mine, at the mouth of "Travelers Home Creek", which flows into Flint Creek from the south at the junction of Highway 1 and the Skalkaho Highway (MT38). Barn at Porter’s Corner by Jolene Ewert-Hintz
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