Ghost Towns and History April 27, 2018 Ghost Towns and History of Montana Newsletter C a s t l e T o w n , M o n t a n a ONE ENJOYS Both the method and results when Syrup of Figs is taken; it is pleasant and refreshing to the taste, and acts gently yet promptly on the Kidneys, Liver and Bowels, cleanses the system effectually, dispels colds, headaches and fevers and cures habitual constipation. Syrup of Figs is the only remedy of its kind ever produced, pleasing to the taste and acceptable to the stomach, prompt in its action and truly beneficial in its effects, prepared only from the most healthy and agreeable substances, its many excellent qualities commend it to all and have made it the most popular remedy known. Syrup of Figs is for sale in 50¢ and $1 bottles by all leading druggists. Any reliable druggist who may not have it on hand will procure it promptly for any one who wishes to try it. Do not accept any substitute. CALIFORNIA FIG SYRUP CO. -ad from The River Press (Fort Benton, MT), August 9,1893 With nearly 1,000 claims in the area, miners were drawn to the silver ore around Castle Town. Prospector, Hanson Barnes found some silver here in 1882 but it would be a couple of years before Barnes recorded his discoveries. The first mine, the North Carolina, was built in 1884 and got the ball rolling. Small operations started popping up all over. Veteran miner, Lafe Hensley came on the scene and prospected gulch after gulch. In 1885, his hard work paid off and he staked the Yellowstone Mine. Hensley’s brothers; Ike, Joe and John, would then join him to work the mine until 1887. Additionally, the Hensley brothers opened several other mines including the Morning Star and Belle of the Castles. These, along with the Yellowstone were bonded to Messrs and others for $75,000. Castle today by Jolene Ewert-Hintz The next big discovery by the four brothers would be the Cumberland, which would go on to become the top producer of the district. As numerous miners were finding employ
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 Montana Historical Society Photograph Archives, 940-607 ment with the company. Families started moving in and businesses sprang to life along Main Street. Before long, 2,000 residents made Castle their home. To serve their needs, nine stores, two butcher shops, two hotels, fourteen saloons, two livery stables, a dance hall, a schoolhouse, a church, a bank, a doctor’s office, sporting houses and a photo gallery all thrived. There was also a justice of the peace, a deputy sheriff and a brass band. The town’s first newspaper, “The News” started reporting in 1888. One major problem would slow down the hustle; transportation. The streets were jammed with freight wagons and bull teams working to get supplies and ore, in and out. The prospects in Castle convinced Richard Austin Harlow to build a railroad line to the town but, plans were delayed with the Silver Panic of 1893. Shortly thereafter, the town’s population dropped to a couple hundred. There were a couple of short revivals but the town would never bustle as it once had. By the 1930’s, Castle was down to her last two residents; Joe Kidd and Joe Martino. Each year, they would alternate the duties of Mayor and Town Constable. One blistery winter, Mayor Kidd walked into town (Lennep) for supplies. He made it back but later that evening, his buddy Martino found him dead after collapsing in the snowbank outside his cabin. Martino left town the following year, leaving no one but the ghosts to occupy the townsite. Current photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz Some fifteen or twenty of the town people have organized a coasting club for recreation and pleasure, the coming winter. The “Flexible Flyer”, a new kind of sled, will be used. -Castle Reporter, November 5, 1892 The ladies of Castle did the gallant this week and gave a grand ball at Odd Fellows’ Hall. About forty couples were in attendance and all had a nice time. The girls made all the arrangements, paid the bills, etc. and every one agreed that they made things hum as they usually do when they try. -Castle Reporter, December 3, 1892 The ranchmen are not bringing in vegetables enough to supply the demand here. A good market can be found here for potatoes, turnips and cabbages. -Castle Reporter, November 12, 1892 A number of frostbitten ears and noses are the result of the present cold snap. At 2pm Monday, the thermometer registered 11 above 0; two hours later, it was 11 below; sometime Monday night, 41 below; at 8am Tuesday, 39 below; at noon, 30 below. About 18 inches of snow has fallen which is somewhat drifted. -Castle Reporter, February 4, 1893
G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y P a g e 3 Once the center of town, we were all aglow. The parties, the drinks, the dancing and shows. We created memories that few could forget. As the years have passed, we mostly just sit. But our stories live on through tales and laughs, and forever captured will be our photographs. Adored by many for our structure and style, we're glad that folks still visit awhile. Photo: Gillian and Fraternity Halls- Elkhorn, Montana Photography and Poetry by Jolene Ewert-Hintz Gallatin City, Montana. The Gallatin City Hotel was constructed in 1868. Built by Jarvis Akin, the Hotel was originally a one-room building of hand-hewn logs. It was the center of Gallatin City's social life; travelers sometimes complained of not being able to sleep because of the ruckus. As the town died, the Hotel was turned into a barn; later, sections of it were torn down and carted away to be used elsewhere. Photo by Jolene Ewert-Hintz Please be sure to share this newsletter with a friend! Subscribe to our Magazine for just $12 a year! Do you enjoy ghost town stories and photos? Grab yourself a print subscription to our magazine, Ghost Towns of Montana and Beyond! We publish quarterly and feature not just Montana but several other states as well! Also makes a great gift! Visit the following link to order via paypal: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/ webscr?cmd=_sxclick&hosted_button_id=GHCYS7MES5K9S Or, send check or money order in the amount of $12 to Ghost Towns and History of Montana, LLC, c/o Ghost Towns and History of Montana , P.O. Box 126, Warm Springs, MT 59756 Be sure to write MAGAZINE on your check. Thank you!
P a g e 4 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y To Kill Ground Squirrels and Prairie Dogs A Missoula county man writes to a home paper and gives the following recipe for killing ground squirrels. To get rid of ground squirrels procure a quart of bisulphide of carbon and round pieces of horse manure. Saturate a piece, set fire to it, roll it into the hole and close up the mouth of the hole with a clod or anything convenient. The River Press is fully satisfied that the same recipe can be effectively used in killing prairie dogs. Every farmer should make it his business to rid his place and adjacent lands of the pests; and the stockmen ought to combine in an effort to rid the ranges of prairie dogs, as they destroy large sections of valuable range country. The plan given above is cheap, effective and speedy. -The River Press Newspaper, Fort Benton, MT June 24, 1891 SPOTTED PUP 1 cup rice 2 cups water Handful of raisins ¼ cup molasses or sugar Cinnamon to taste 1 tablespoon vanilla Put everything in the pot and bring to a boil; stir frequently until water is absorbed by the rice. Good by itself or add a topping. P a r k e r H o m e s t e a d The Parker Homestead- A Kingdom of Hope. Like the cottonwoods that shelter this cabin, the Parker family who built it dug their roots deep, weathered many seasons of hardship, and drank what sustenance they could from the soil. The Parkers were among the thousands of Americans who took advantage of the Homestead Act of 1862 to stake their dreams on the arid Montana plains. Like so many other families, they notched out a living with sweat and optimism, and enjoyed little in the way of material comfort. In the 1890's, newlyweds Nelson and Rosa Ellen (Harwood) Parker refurbished a miner's shack on nearby Antelope Creek. A few years later they built a cabin for their growing family on the Jefferson River, but a spring flood washed that home away. The Parkers escaped in a rowboat, Rosa clutching the youngest of her three children between her knees. They vowed to move to dry ground. In 1910, Nelson filed a patent to homestead 160 acres here. They built this sod-roofed cabin, and hauled water from creeks and ditches for years before they could afford to dig a well. Eventually the Parkers built a larger home near Three Forks, and abandoned this cabin. In 1939, Orville and Josephine Jewett bought the place for their family of four children. The Jewetts farmed, hunted, trapped, and sheared sheep through the Depression and World War II. When they lived here, the cabin had three rooms, all painted with calcimine or white-wash. Bright linoleum covered wide-plank floors, curtains softened the windows, and the laughter of the Jewett's four children rang across the fields. The Parker Homestead lies along the Jefferson River southwest of Three Forks. It was formerly a state park but now lies on private property owned by a local family. Barber’s Itch: A type of fungus infection forming on the face of an adult male’s beard. It affects the hair follicles and causes itching and burning. Apply a mixture of equal parts of alcohol, peroxide of hydrogen, and 4 grains of bichloride of mercury.
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