CITY & TOWN HISTORIEs

WHITEHALL

Whitehall, on White Tail Deer creek, sixty miles south of Helena on the overland road, is one of the old settlements of 1864.  In 1879 it had a population of one hundred, which, owing to discoveries at Pipestone and other places in 1879, was reduced to forty-one in 1880.  Since the date of the census the little village has shared in the general progress of the Territory, so that in 1882 the population had reached its normal state, giving a vote of thirty-two.  E. G. Brooke, cattle-grower and hotel keeper; John Paul, A. Belcher, C. Thurston and others, stock-growers, may be named among the first who have aided in the development of this village and neighborhood.  A school-house was erected in 1879, and the first regular religious services of the Methodist church were held here.  This society erected a house of worship some time ago.  E. G. Brooke is postmaster.

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).

WICKES

Wickes, named in honor of T. A. Wickes, the leading merchant of the town, was settled in 1877, and is one of the most prosperous mining camps in the county.  The Alta, Alta South, Gregory, Rumley, Custer, and Comet mines have made a record for the district.  These mines have been operated on a large scale, and are so located in the hills that they can be easily worked.  The ores, which are rich galenas and high grade in silver, are found in true fissure veins, in a favorable formation, and the Wickes district contains all the elements and ingredients needed in smelting, and in just the proportion required for that purpose.  The elevation of the district is not high, and the mines are reached by wagon-roads of easy grade.  Best qualities of rich ore, opened and developed in these mines, will supply the reduction works for years to come.

The destruction of the costly and extensive reduction works of the Alta-Montana Company at Wickes was a prostrating blow to the camp.  Those works had been erected at a cost of over $250,000, and were in operation at the time the property was purchased by the Helena M. & R. Co.  The business of the village in 1883 comprised a half dozen of saloons, a notion store, the Wickes general store, and the post-office store by Messrs. Dean and Stout.  In 1884-5 the business circle comprised E. R. Dean, postmaster and notion store; T. A. Wickes, general store; Dean & Street and C. F. Parker, hotels; Tole & Hardin, saloon; H. D. Taylor & Co., meat market; J. T. Reynolds, shoemaker; J. A. Bailey, blacksmith; and the officers and employes [sic] of the H. M. & R. Co's works.

The Presbyterian society of Wickes completed a very neat and comfortable church edifice, 27 X 45 feet, at a cost of $2,750, in December, 1882.  Newberry & Graham, of Helena, were the contractors.  The seating of the church cost $250, paid by the Sabbath school.  The final payment was made and a deed received from the Alta-Montana Co. for the land upon which the building stands.  Much of the success of this church is due to the efforts of Rev. T. A. Wickes and his wife.  Rev. T. M. Todd is pastor in charge.

Eureka Lodge, No. 13, I. O. G. T., as organized April 22, 1880, by Geo. A. Douglass, G. W. C. L.  The number of members belonging to this lodge, in January, 1883, was 104, including the following named officers: John Andrews, Carrie Gillette, J. T. Reynolds, Geo. Clark, T. A. Wickes, Anna Dallas, John Baylie, T. N. Todd, Bettie Lampton, A. M. Morgan, and W. D. Woodbridge.

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).

WOODVILLE

Woodville, or Elk Park, nine miles north of Butte City, is a modern settlement (1883).  Here Thomas Wright is postmaster and general merchant; W. J. Ward, hotel and general storekeeper; Wm. Noonan, justice of the peace; Louis Lawrence, Noonan & Gregory, blacksmiths; James McGee, hotel; W. Parsons, lumber and wood; Wm. Givens, wheelwright; C. L. Harris, A. Than, meats; D. E. Smith, saloon; Mrs. A. Than, barber.  The population is estimated at about 170.

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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