Harmon's Histories Vol. 1
The 'Sneakin'est' Man that Ever Was
Headline stories of Montana’s Early Days
$19.95 (+ shipping & handling*)
*We are only able to ship in the USA at this time. If you are out of the country and would like a copy, please contact the author below.
The quill-drivers of early-day Montana documented it all – the swell-set entertaining lavishly, enjoying Herr Daniel Bandmann’s Shakespearean productions at the opera house, while the saloons and houses of Missoula’s “Midway Plaisance” gave the city a reputation as one of the worst places in the state for drug-related crime and murder.
Unfortunately we don’t know most of these early journalists’ names. It’s a shame – what great writers they were. Many of the more biting articles were likely penned by the editors of the papers but that will have to remain a mystery. There were no by-lines back then.
If you always thought history teachers and history classes were boring (with notable exceptions like U-M’s K. Ross Toole and a few others), you’re in good company with this author.
What follows is not a history book – It’s a collection of Jim Harmon’s short stories based on actual newspaper accounts from the latter 19th century in the Western Democrat, Northwest Tribune, Missoula Weekly Gazette and other papers. Also included are some tales passed along from family and friends.
You’ll meet characters like Missoula’s Coyote Bill and Libby’s Dunn Creek Nell. You’ll read about visiting celebrities Al Jolson and Mark Twain. You’ll likely be both impressed and troubled by accounts of progress and prejudice, while being delighted by quirky accounts of a kangaroo in St. Regis and chicken fanciers in Missoula – and, you’ll need to know the lingo of the day.
Author spotlight
Jim Harmon is a retired journalist whose near-fifty-year career included three decades in Missoula, in roles ranging from TV reporter and news anchor to weather forecaster. In retirement, the Montana native is a history buff who’s spent a decade researching long- forgotten stories in Montana newspapers.
It started with an 1894 microfilm. “I couldn’t stop reading. I went through everything from the front page to the classifieds. Thirty old maids secured adjoining quarter sections in the Cherokee Strip. Harry Thompson’s nag was stolen. Then, there was the hilarious story of a local turkey heist – all this, on the front page!
“I discovered a Missoula and a Montana I’d never known – everything from train hijackings to a tongue-in-cheek society column under the non de plume, ‘Violette Gleamer.’ I was hooked.
“I started transferring the microfilm to digital files, cataloging the stories and sharing them with friends. In 2016, I began sharing them more widely through a weekly column in the Missoula Current newspaper (missoulacurrent.com). Readers encouraged me to put some of these long-lost gems into a book. So, here you are – 46 stories from Montana’s early days!”
Jim Harmon
Chapters
Characters
Chapter 1 Coyote Bill – The Sneakin’est Man That Ever Was
Chapter 2 Daniel Bandmann – Missoula’s Great Tragedian
Chapter 3 Dunn Creek Nell – A Most Cantankerous Woman
Chapter 4 Swede John, Rastas Reed & the Cedar Beasts
Celebrities
Chapter 5 Mark Twain – Takes a Wrong Turn on Way to Ft. Missoula
Chapter 6 Al Jolson – An Instant Hit in Montana
Wicked Times
Chapter 7 Mary Gleim – Queen of the Midway Plaisance
Chapter 8 End of the Badlands – The Night the Red Lights Went Out
Chapter 9 Saloons – “Segar” Smoke, Stale Whiskey & a Fresh Croissant
Chapter 10 Gunfight on the Higgins Bridge – Train Conductor & Dentist Near Death
Chapter 11 Murder of a Native Son – Maurice Higgins Fatally Shot
Chapter 12 Train 58 Hijacked – Heads for Missoula at Breakneck Speed
Chapter 13 Scandal & Murder – The Bon Vivant Barber & the Deceitful Dressmaker
Progress
Chapter 14 The Missoula & Cedar-Creek Pioneer – Missoula’s 1st Newspaper
Chapter 15 Engine # 452 Arrives – Missoula Becomes a Railroad Town
Chapter 16 Rails Expand – To Bitter Root
Chapter 17 Snap & Prince – Missoula’s Famous Fire Horses
Chapter 18 The Bee Hives – Bargain Stores of the 1800s
Chapter 19 A Bridge – A Leopard Skin – A Dead End Street
Government
Chapter 20 House Bill 105 – Missoula is Officially a “Town”
Chapter 21 City Council Civility Lost – “I’ll Mash Your Face, You Little Pinhead”
Schools
Chapter 22 Teachers Institute – Penmanship, Hygiene & Boys of Rawhidable Age
Chapter 23 Montana’s New University – 1st Graduating Class of Two
Chapter 24 The Janitor & The Football Team – The Beginning of The Griz
Chapter 25 Cat/Griz – Talking on the Sidelines Cost Griz the Game
Society
Chapter 26 The Smart Set – Civility, Culture & Social Order in Early Montana
Chapter 27 The Bioda Club – Ladies’ Kazoo Orchestra
Chapter 28 Man In His Proper Place – A Columnist Named “Glitter”
Chapter 29 Violette Gleamer – Scandalous nom de plume Columnist
Chapter 30 Proper Etiquette – Never Pass Plate More than Six Times
Chapter 31 Helena’s Broadwater Hotel – Luxury and Comfort for the Elite
Chapter 32 Rag Time & Tango – Intolerable, Immoral Dances
Just For Fun
Chapter 33 Hijinks – The Royal Order of Mystic Hijis
Chapter 34 Hijinks Gone Bad – The Great Turkey Theft of 1893
Chapter 35 Lou Lou – Lo Lo – Or, Lolo?
Chapter 36 What’s In a Name – Cracker City & Baby County
Chapter 37 Today’s Weather – Flies, Ants & Forecaster Fawcett
Chapter 38 Working Girl – The Curious Case of the Crocheted Tidy
Chapter 39 Polson’s Cowboy Band – Clarinets, Trombone & Six Shooters
Chapter 40 A Fowl Affair – The Great Poultry Show
Chapter 41 Baseball Fever – Potatoes & Rutabagas Fly Through the Air
Chapter 42 Dieting Advice – Walk in Snow, Move to Denver, or Commit a Felony
Chapter 43 Snake Oil – Restore Manhood, Clean Your Liver & Stave Off Insanity
Chapter 44 Bicycle Trip to Bitter Root – “God Bless The Man That Discovered Beer”
Chapter 45 The Garden City – Does Missoula Ever Giggle?
Chapter 46 A Cold Breath on My Cheek – A Kangaroo in St. Regis
Readers say...
Jim Harmon is single-handedly responsible for uncovering and presenting gems of local history, fascinating characters and events that would have otherwise been buried. Jim’s contributions to tracking down and documenting our area’s interesting history provides an important—and entertaining—service by helping ground we citizens in our community’s heritage.
Ted Hughes - Curator of Collections
The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula
When it comes to preserving the history of Montana news and the headlines our ancestors read, Jim Harmon in unsurpassed. Weaving past news stories with today's current events is a gift to the Treasure State and a continuous reminder that the past really does repeat itself.
Martisa Georgiou-Hamilton
TV/Anchor/Reporter, NBC Montana
Just in time. We're damn near dying for something good to read! Our history is fun because
of Jim Harmon. He knows how to write and does so with grace, interest & humor.”
Gary Gillett
Director, Missoula City Band & Author
Want a story? Jim is the most excellent resource to find it for you. Montana's past at his fingertips.
Kay Strombo
Mineral County Museum
Harmon applies his wit and humor to tales of Montana’s past. He ably digs into the
dustbin of history to reveal some of the most unusual characters that lived in our state.
Diana L. Di Stefano, Editor
Montana The Magazine of Western History
Get your copy today
The 'Sneakin'est' Man that Ever Was
Headline stories of Montana's Early Days
$
19
95
-
+ Shipping & handling *
-
*We are only able to ship in the USA at this time. If you are out of the country and would like a copy, please contact the author below.
Get In touch
© 2020 Harmon’s Histories. All rights are reserved
Website and Book Design by GridSix