P a g e 5 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 Hum Yow and his wife Bessie Wong—both California-born first-generation Chinese—raised three children in the family living quarters in the building and housed immigrant lodgers as well. While it is true that the building has a basement entrance to Butte’s underground tunnel system, these tunnels were designed to provide steam heat to downtown buildings and are not what many call “Chinese tunnels.” Butte’s tunnels sometimes provided a means of delivery for food and messages as well as steam heat, but they were not built by the Chinese nor were they exclusively used by them. (Read more about mythical “Chinese tunnels.”) The Hums retired to California in 1952 and several more generations of the family maintained this landmark business. It was Montana’s oldest family-operated Chinese restaurant. – Ellen Baumler Butte's Pekin Noodle Parlor was Montana's oldest Chinese restaurant still operated by the same family. (1979 HABS/HAER photo by Jet Lowe, Library of Congress.) Ellen Baumler was an award-winning author and Montana historian. A master at linking history with modern-day supernatural events, Ellen's true stories have delighted audiences across the state. The legacy she left behind will be felt for generations to come and we are in debt to her for sharing her extensive knowledge of Montana history in such an entertaining manner. To view and purchase Ellen’s books, visit: http://ellenbaumler.blogspot.com/p/my -books.html HISTORY OF PARK COUNTY-continued From The Livingston Enterprise, January 1, 1900: Hunters Hot Springs. About twenty miles east of Livingston and two miles north of Springdale is located the oldest group of hot springs in the northwest. These springs were discovered by Dr. Andrew J. Hunter, o f Missouri, as early as 1864, when this region was only inhabited by nomadic and warlike tribes of Indians. While passing over these hills, seeking for a suitable location, Dr. Hunter had been attracted thither by seeing several hundred tepees built around these springs. All the tribes were here represented, for by these waters they were cured of diseases which baffled the skill of their great medicine men. Not until the coming of the first railroad in 1882 was the glad news of this panacea for all ailments published to the world at large, since which time its patronage has been slowly and steadily increased, while of the almost numberless patients who have come here, hoping to find health and strength, only a very few graves are found here which present any sign of a disappointment in the virtues of the waters.
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