History of Glendale, Beaverhead County, Montana

01/05/2024

Vern was an integral part of this project. His dedicated search for the history of Glendale and the area, as well as the people who lived there, have given us the great gift of family pioneers. Thank you, Dear Friend.

Vern William Pomeroy, Age 83, of Deer Lodge, Montana
September 14, 1940 – December 10, 2023
Vern William Pomeroy died in Anaconda, MT on Dec. 10, 2023. He fought a long, hard battle with serious health issues beginning in the 1990s. He loved life and all things associated with his family and the mountains of Montana.

In 1958 Vern graduated from Powell County High School, Deer Lodge, MT. From there he proudly entered the Marine Corps and was stationed in San Diego, CA. Upon his honorable discharge in 1964, he returned to Deer Lodge and worked at the post office as well as a couple other jobs. Vern fathered four children in Deer Lodge: Greg, Glen, Jack, and Grace, while married to his first wife. He then moved to Spokane to begin a career in radio sales and advertising, which eventually took him to Ft. Worth, TX, where in addition to sales he managed a country western dance club. He returned to Spokane in the mid 70’s. He met his wife, Shelley, in 1984, married and became a step-father to Jason Sorini. His work transferred him back to Montana in 1985. Vern was also the family genealogist for over 35 years. It was his passion and he loved sharing family history and Montana history.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Venita Pomeroy; infant brother, Wayne; and his older brother, Phil Pomeroy. He is survived by his children, Greg (Monica), Glen (Cathy), Jack, and Grace Pomeroy; Foster and stepson Jason Sorini; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Surviving siblings include Lorraine (John) Watson, Bill Pomeroy, Lorlyn Joy, and Judi Whitney.

Vern chose not to have a memorial service, instead wanted a quiet gathering of family to scatter his ashes at his hunting camp in the mountains. This will take place at a later date.

10/29/2020

Idaho Semi-Weekly World
8 Jun 1886
George Ferguson, a stage driver, was shot and killed by road agents between Melrose and Glendale, Montana, recently. Thomas S Merchant, the well known commercial drummer, was a passenger on the stage, and was shot through the hat. The discharge of fi****ms frightened the horses, and they broke into a dead run. A passenger seized the reins and drove the stage into Glendale.

08/19/2020

As diphtheria was spreading throughout Glendale in 1879, the following home remedy was published in the Helena Weekly Herald on May 1.

08/05/2020

Legh Freeman was the owner, editor and publisher of Glendale’s only newspaper, the Atlantis. It was printed at Glendale for about 1 1/2 years between 1879 and 1881. Freeman was born in Virginia in 1842, and at the time of the Civil War he was a telegraph operator for the Confederate army. He was captured in 1864 and swore his allegiance to the Union for his immediate release and agreed to serve in the West. Freeman moved to Nebraska and started his newspaper enterprise and kept relocating to each new railroad construction town along the way. He sold ad space to the new businesses and reported the happenings of the area. He eventually located in Glendale before moving to Butte. Yakima, Washington became the final stop for Freeman. He was unsuccessful in running twice for a senate seat and ran a failed campaign to become Yakima’s mayor. Legh died on February 1, 1915 and is interred at the Tahoma Cemetery.

08/05/2020

This was an ad which appeared in the Glendale newspaper, the Atlantis, in 1880.

07/26/2020

02/11/2020

Nellie Boyd Troupe visits Glendale, Montana
Wood River Times (Hailey, Idaho)02 Oct 1882, Monday, Page 3

01/16/2020

I found an article in the Dillon Tribune that went along with a visit to my great grandparents in Hecla, Jim and Luella Maddox. Here are the photos that went with the visit.

12/31/2019

New from the Quilici Collection - Miners on Lion Mountain, about 1895. If any of you recognize anyone, please let us know.

11/06/2019

Hecla County? Hmmm

11/03/2019

The Madisonian, December 16, 1893, Page 3
After the avalanche at Lion City
Deserving of All Praise.
Butte, Dec. 7.- In conversation with a reporter, H. Knippenberg, general manager of the Hecla Mining company, at Glendale, a day or two ago remarked with considerable feeling and earnestness: "Now that the great sorrow and fright caused by the terrible snow slides are in part, at least, past and the people are beginning to recover from the horrible blow, let me say that the two men deserving of all the credit for cool judgment, encouraging, cheering and fearless leadership and untiring devotion in rendering help are Samuel Barbour superintendent of the mining department, and Edward H. Harvey, manager of the Hecla Mercantile and Banking company store at Lion City. When the men grew weak and faint these men cheered them on to the rescue, and but for these two men many of those buried in the snow would have perished. Mr. Barbour is a natural born leader, his men respect and love him and where he calls his men follow. The experiment of using giant powder to move the snow was Mr. Barbour's suggestion and I told him to spare neither money nor labor
to make life safe. My idea is that every man should receive the credit he deserves. Too often credit is given to the general when it justly should be given to his staff."
Mr. Knippenberg stated that Sappington & Co. rendered much generous aid by furnishing their entire outfit to remove families and attend the several funerals from Lion City to Glendale free of cost. Will Knippenberg, president of the Hecla Mercantile & Banking company took entire charge of the funerals. The people of Glendale gladly, opened their homes to those in need. General Manager Knippenberg has been for a year and more a sick man. Some ten days ago he had a small surgical operation performed on his neck by Drs. Leavitt and Noyes, welch added to his general ill feeling and made it, very important to guard against any exposure. In consequence of this, he has been but very little at Hecla for months. Mr. Knippenberg said: "From a financial standpoint it would be best for my company to shut down, but a monthly pay roll of even $25,000 in Glendale is a great help in feeding and clothing several hundred women these hard times. We shall run even at a loss, just as long as our bank account will hold out or until better times come to the rescue." —
Anaconda Standard.

10/21/2019

Hecla, Montana, 2010 with my family and 1924 with my ancestors.