P a g e 2 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 different faiths during the early period of Bannack's history. Among these early preachers were Rev Riggins and Rev. William Van Orsdel or, Brother Van as he was affectionately known, the circuit rider. When these two men started their ministry in the Beaverhead and Jefferson area, there were 18 church members but at the end of their first year in this Territory, during which they travelled over 4,000 miles doing the work of the Lord afoot and on horseback, they had 134 new members in the church and they had established eight Sunday Schools. In August of 1873, the battle of the Big Hole was fought and the Indians were on the warpath in this area. They headed for Horse Prairie and Bannack after the battle. On the Sunday after this battle, near hysteria reigned in Bannack. Refugees crowded into the town for protection and assistance. That night a great crowd of people gathered in front of the Bannack courthouse to attend a prayer meeting and to listen to Brother Van’s sermon. Crude barriers had been erected across the main street and grim men stood as volunteer guards. Brother Van preached from the courthouse steps with his Colt 45 strapped across his black frock coat He repeated his scripture lesson from memory the same pasPhoto by Jolene Ewert-Hintz sage which his aunt read to him and to his brothers and sisters on the eve of the Battle of Gettysburg. He that dwelleth in the Secret Place of the most High shall abide under the Shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God, in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noisome pestilence. When Brother Van prayed that Sunday night, all of Bannack knelt in prayer with him -the bearded sourdough, the gambler, the rancher from Horse Prairie and sad-faced women with babies in their arms. His calm courage was a tonic for all and as he prayed all felt better and all found renewed courage to face whatever the long night ahead might bring. Before the end of his sermon a rider arrived with news that some of the Indians were on Horse Prairie. A group of men were organized, Brother Van among them to ride out and help the men and women still at their ranches in the valley. The Indians nevertheless left some ranch buildings destroyed and some men killed. After this discovery a quiet but quick appeal to General Howard was decided upon at Brother Van’s suggestion. It was made and brought an end to the ravaging of the Indians. When the excitement died down, Brother Van again turned to Bannack and its lack of a church. He was never one to let an opportunity slip by. He enlisted the services of many volunteers from neighboring
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