1880 Letter From An Investor In Montana Territory

[MONTANA—MINING]. Gallant, W., ORIGINAL LETTER FROM AN INVESTOR IN MONTANA TERRITORY AND THE SEARCH FOR AN ELUSIVE MINING CLAIM. Deer Lodge, Deer Lodge County, M.T. June 24, 1880. 2pp. manuscript letter composed in ink. Very good.

Deer Lodge is the county seat of Powell County, Montana and is the second oldest town in the state. The Deer Lodge Valley was in the path of all travel through the northwest from the beginning. It was used by the Indians on their hunting journeys and the white men followed the road of the Indian.

The Blackfoot River was known as the Cokallanishkit of “the river of the road to the buffalo.” The engineers of the Stevens survey of 1853-1855 crossed by way of the Cadotte Pass, Lewis and Clark Pass and Mullon Pass. The Mullan Military Road built in 1858-1862 from Walla Walla, Washington to Fort Benton, went through Powell County up the Deer Lodge River to the Little Blackfoot. The discovery of gold at various points in the western part of the county, Ophir, Blackfoot City, Pioneer, Bear and Elk Gulches resulted in the moving of the county seat from Silver Bow to Deer Lodge which was sometimes mentioned as the “little town on the way to Bear”, a roaring mining camp in Bear Gulch. Any of these camps was more populous in those years than Deer Lodge where the count seat was located in December, 1867, but it was older and more accessible.

This letter, written by W. Gallant to his son G.H. recounts his trip by rail to Montana where he is staying at the home of W.J. Galbraith known as Deer Lodge. The lodge was located 4500 feet above sea level in the mountains. Gallant writes of his attempt to ascent one of the highest peaks surrounding the lodge but failed because of the depth of the snow. He relates that the territory surrounding the lodge is vastly unexplored and that there is an allusive gold mine some of his associates are in search of. It was founded six years prior by an old miner who eventually died. The mining company he had worked for has failed to locate it since that time. A rare first-hand account from Montana mining country. Transcribed below:

(The letter in full)

June 25th, 1880

Deer Lodge - Deer Lodge County M.T.

“Dear G.H.,

You see I am here in Montana at Hon. W.J. Galbraith’s in a very pretty little town of some 800 or 900 inhabitants. Deer Lodge is situated in a valley about 4500 ft above the level of the ocean. It is almost entirely surrounded by snow capped mountains. Mt. Powell 20 miles to the west is 11,000 or 12,000 ft high. I tried, in company with Johnny to ascent one of the peaks but failed on account of the depth of the snow. I expect to mount the highest peak before I leave. It is yet uncertain how long I shall remain, perhaps till Fall. I would have called to see Mary and the children had I known that I passed so near them. I came up by the U. Pacific R.R. I could see the snow range in Colorado. Perhaps I saw Long’s Peak. There is a vast amount of unexplored territory here yet. Parties are prospecting on the heights a few miles east of this. W.J. will go in a few weeks in company with an old miner in search of a mine supposed to be very rich discovered 5 or 6 years ago by an old man who died on his way to the mine in company with 2 or 3 men who were going with him to locate the mine. He had sent them forward to a spring where they were to encamp for the night while he had deflected to
the right to shoot grouse for supper. He had fallen dead form heart disease. They were to have reached the mine at noon the next day. He had left his pick and shovel in the digging. The mine tho diligently sought for has never been found. W.J. Smith & Groves will start out in a few weeks to search for it. They intend to stay until they find it. Groves says it is worth $100,000—he saw specimens.

Write immediately.

(In the border)

Since the death of your dear mother it Seems very dreary at the old home. I do not know how they will get along she is at times intolorable. I would like to see Mary and the children if they are ___ near ____ when I return if it is high water. Are you going to come here I went out with Will to Shoot ___ but did not it or rather it did not get me. All well and sent greetings ____ gets $3,000 a year Your Father

W. Gallant.