City Whisperings in Butte

I write these family stories, but I never consider them final—even after I’ve published them on SECrie.com. Sometimes, late in the evening, or just as the sun is coming up, I’ll get a wild hair and follow a hunch. Sometimes I find something small—a detail that adds a paragraph. Other times, it leads to a discovery large enough to become an entirely new chapter in an ancestor’s life.

Family historians know that our work isn’t linear, and it has no real end.

Recently, I added an entirely new chapter to Down the Salmon River, the story of Annie Crie Graves’ life. For decades, twelve years of her early adulthood remained a mystery. By following a hunch—and subscribing to Newspapers.com—I was able to account for two of those missing years, 1884 through 1885, and better understand what she was doing in 1886. You can read more about that in Chapter Four, On My Own Account.

While searching the Butte, Montana newspapers, I came across a column in which Annie’s name appeared. As I read the entire column, a thought took hold—was Annie the author of City Whisperings?

So I began reading more of those columns, and the impression didn't leave me.

Surely, when she began writing for the Idaho Recorder in Salmon, Idaho, it was not her first experience putting words for print. I’ve long had a quiet suspicion that she may have worked for a newspaper at some point—or at the very least, contributed to one. And she never held fast to society’s norms, having written in 1887:

“Today in every city in the United States there are women doing all kinds of work on newspapers, until now it is the exception to find any papers, daily, weekly, or monthly, without women on the staff, who do editorial or reportorial work, unless it is in some of the most rural districts.”

Butte City was certainly not a rural district.

If you have read Annie’s story, and are familiar with her voice, perhaps you will see what I have seen in the Daily Town Talk of Butte City.

The writing reflects a range, tone, and observational quality consistent with Annie’s later work in Salmon. While authorship cannot yet be proven, the parallels are difficult to ignore. Whether this column marked Annie’s first appearance in print in Butte, or the moment she was given a regular place of her own, remains uncertain. But the progression—from general contributions to a named column—would not have been unusual.

What I do know is this: Annie began writing for the Idaho Recorder not long after her arrival in Shoup in late 1886, frequently opening—or interspersing—her work with original verse. The cadence and voice of those later pieces echo in the brief poems that introduce each installment of City Whisperings.

The new column appears on June 17, 1885, and disappears about six weeks after Annie C. Graves opens her own restaurant.

A thought took hold, and wouldn’t let go—could this newspaper column have belonged to Annie? Certain habits of language begin to repeat themselves—rhetorical questions, flashes of humor that turn suddenly toward judgment, and a vocabulary that is at once playful and precise. These are not isolated occurrences. They appear again and again, across columns written months apart.

Below are a few examples of City Whisperings, beside proven columns that Annie Graves Callahan wrote from Shoup, Idaho to the newspaper in Salmon City. One writing from a city, and one (perhaps the same) writing from an isolated mining camp down the salmon river.

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Note: Some lines within the City Whisperings columns—often marked with asterisks, daggers or other symbols appear to be paid insertions, a common newspaper practice of the time. These brief mentions, typically naming local businesses or services, were woven directly into the prose rather than set apart as traditional advertisements. Their presence reflects the blended nature of editorial voice and commerce in 19th-century journalism, where columns served not only as commentary, but also as a subtle vehicle for promotion and newspaper income

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Daily Town Talk, (Butte City) June 17, 1885

City Whisperings

A balmy day.

The streets are dry.

Mushrooms in the market.

A little more like summer.

A quart and four at Tudor’s.

Tearful eyes show a warm heart.

Dr. Todd, Dentist, Opposite P. O.

Spring chickens 40 cents each in market.

The Union Guards expect to turn out 70 men on the Fourth.

The street sprinkler man is preparing to go to work again.

The water company is extending its pipes down Arizona street.

The new front at the “Elite” saloon is a decided improvement.

“She never strikes as we pass by.” Dedicated to the town clock.

A fine furnished room is offered for rent. Apply at this office.

The injunctions in the German gulch cases have been modified.

Montana Electro Gold, Silver and Nickel Plating Co., 68 East Park st. 12-tf.

The ladies were out to-day enjoying the balmy air and warm sunshine.

The Critique made its appearance again last evening, on highly colored paper.

J. C. Singer is making some improvements to his Park street business house.

If you want money, call at A. Pincus’ Loan Office, next to Centennial Hotel. tf.

To-day is the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill and not a banner is seen floating.

We apologize to our readers for being late to-day on account of a deluge of new “ads.”

“A piece of lemon bound upon a corn will cure it.” A sort of a lemon-aid, as it were.

Talmage says “flirtation is damnation.” This narrows the circle of the elect very materially.

Where pluck and perseverance go hand in hand prosperity is found within hailing distance.

Who is to be the Goddess of Liberty is the question agitating the minds of our society young ladies.

Captain Shepherd is preparing an extensive programme and order of the day for the coming Fourth.

Services will be held at the St. Johns Episcopal church this evening at 8 o’clock, Bishop Brewer officiating.

The rumor that W. H. DeWitt, United States attorney for Montana, has been removed lacks confirmation.

The Fourth of July committee is succeeding handsomely in gathering in the shekels for the coming parade.

Hereafter a copy of the Town Talk will be placed on the bulletin board in front of our office immediately on its issuance.

Some “kids” fired a pistol shot on Main street last night about 9:30 o’clock and narrowly escaped landing in the cooler.

The Emmet Guard picnic has been postponed until the 19th of July on account of the unsatisfactory state of the weather.

We are informed that Judge Borie has been selected as orator, and C. J. Walsh as reader for the Fourth of July literary exercises.

The best critics of other people’s actions, we have noticed, are usually those who themselves have failed ingloriously all around.

Will power is the young man’s fortune. It is the essence of the man. A young man with only a little will power is a foregone failure.

The Moulton Mining Company shipped to-day by Pacific express ten bars of bullion valued at $16,000.

The “City Whisperings” columns should be read by all. They contain all the local news so condensed that it is no tedious task to read them.

Before Justice French this morning J. P. Robinson and John Hearne; profane language, $5 and costs each; Thos. Williams, drunk, $2 and costs.

Don’t forget to call and see James Donaldson at the Arbor saloon, west Park street. He keeps the finer of liquors and cigars. j13-1w.

A gold bangle padlock bearing the initials H. A. S. has been lost. The finder will confer a favor on the owner by leaving it at this office.

Sodawater and ice-cream business was brisk to-day, at the various establishments where these cool refreshments are dispensed.

Secure your seats for “Virginius” and each succeeding play. No one should miss the opportunity of seeing Frederick Warde in each of his plays.

The heavy excavations requisite are proving a serious drawback to the erection of the bank building at the corner of Park and Main streets.

The hand, which casts into the waters of life a stone of offense, knows not how far the circles thus caused may spread their agitations.

Under the head “High Water Mark,” at the top of this column, we flaunt our banner to-day. Watch it closely and see the figures increase week after week.

Business men who fail to advertise in a newspaper that has a daily circulation of 650 copies are doing an injustice to themselves and their business interests.

The Butte City hotel on the corner of Arizona and East Park streets, is receiving a new coat of paint, which improves its appearance wonderfully.

An exciting runaway occurred this forenoon on Main street, resulting in the total wrecking of Dr. Hiller’s buggy. The horse ran into Owsley & Carr’s stable and was unhurt.

Messrs. Bryan & Kine have opened a neat saloon on West Park street, opposite Pinkham’s store. Call and see how they handle the liquid substance in the cylindrical glasses.

Pell & Lewis have closed their engagement at the Comique and will leave for Fargo, Dakota, in a day or two. They are clever artists and do their business in an excellent manner.

Richardson, of the Pavilion rink confectionery, has just received another lot of toothsome and luscious delicacies, and visitors to the Pavilion are requested to call and partake of the refreshments there temptingly offered the public. tf.

James Orton and Abe Cohen returned last night from Helena. The roller race to have taken place between Orton and Hyer and Rogers fell through on account of the latter parties backing out.

John Farrell, a nephew of Marcus Daly, and shift boss at the Anaconda mine, had a narrow escape yesterday occasioned by a premature explosion in the mine, but fortunately escaped with only a few severe bruises.

The various societies, military companies and other organizations that expect to take part in the coming Fourth of July celebration are requested to notify the committee of arrangements at once in order that they may be assigned places in the procession.

Harris & Lukey, of the “Gallery” saloon, advertise with us under the head of “New To-Day.” The name of the saloon is significant, as it really contains the finest gallery of sporting and miscellaneous pictures ever seen. Give the place a call.

A lawyer walked down the street to-day, with his length of arm taxed to hold a lot of law books. To him a friend, pointing at the law books, said: “Why I thought you carried all that stuff in your head?” “I do,” quickly replied the lawyer, with a knowing wink, “these are for the judges.”

It is claimed that a successful type-setting machine has at last been put in operation. We go right smart on machinery, but we want to see it trot around the office hunting sorts and stealing leads before we take much stock in it. If it does that it will take the bakery and scrape the flour barrel.

The Idaho Recorder, February 28, 1889

SHOUP LETTER

Editress of the RECORDER:

The judge says, "Who'll be the next?" A good boom writer would find this location a favorable locality just now.

Dan Hurley has taken a wood contract for the Kentuck Company. Henry Westfall will move his family to his Big Creek ranch in a few weeks.

Many have taken advantage of the river being frozen over, and their wood piles have developed most wonderful dimensions.

Tom Palmer's grey hound Bing, made the best time on record from here to Pine Creek with a tinware attachment to his caudal appendage.

Two young men disappeared from here quite mysteriously a few days ago. Investigation proved that Salmon City and the 22nd of Feb. had something to do with the cause which drew them away with such magnetic force.

Jim Welsh is in town direct from Butte and is domiciled at Hotel de Sandilands. Mr. Welsh is one of the Standard miners of the Kentuck and meets with a universal welcome for the sake of "auld acquaintance."

Henry Roach and George Hurst started on the ice to go to Middle Fork but found the river so broken about 15 miles below they returned.

There is a beaming satisfaction on the countenance of Eli Suydam that is daily expanding, whether of consequence of what he has on the hill -- or expects to have we are unable to state.

The Grunter mine is still conducted in the "Good Old Way". They have not the encumbrances of "boss" or "boss-ee", nor the superfluous Supt. to maintain in dignified positions, as fitting their exalted positions in life, consequently when they have occasion to employ men they can afford to pay them living wages.

W.W. St. Clair has put up ice enough to keep a city delivery wagon running all next Summer. We have never yet had occasion to patronize such a business as Mr. St. Clair’s but on one occasion since September 6, we have been informed by a very fastidious friend that the wielding of our faber was considered one of our degenerating principles. Granting this and also that we may still continue in our downward course and so far partake of our surroundings as to acquire a taste so depraved that only the imbibing of the ardent can subdue - we will then take the opportunity to test a few mint juleps of Mr. St. Clair's.

Mrs. Z.L. Merritt, who met with such a terrible accident a few months ago, is able to be out among her many friends again and is now visiting Pine Creek, the guest of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Parfet.

Mrs. Merritt is not one to succumb to obstacles however great their magnitude and with cheerful resignation has borne her suffering without a word of complaint. Her left arm, which it will be remembered was broken in three places and also the wrist badly crushed, she is now able to move a very little and it will in time, be of some benefit to her but the full use of the wrist will never be restored.

J.A.C.____K. (One of Annie's pen-names

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The Idaho Recorder, (Salmon City) April 25, 1889

PINE CREEK LETTER

Apr. 15, 1889

Pine Creek predicts a booming as it never has boomed before. J.M. Parfet is building a hen coral.

Frank Hopkins has gone to work on his mining claims up the river above Indian Creek.

Jack Young is one of the new employees of Pine Creek Mining Co.

Mr. Ortez of Gibbonsville is delivering beef for W.W. St. Clair on this route.

New onions the size of hen eggs were brought here on the 10th instance from Henry Westfall's ranch on Big Creek.

Including Messrs. McLeod and McCullough and ladies, five families were represented in visiting at Z.L. Meritt's ranch near Shoup on the 7th instance.

Since Frank Hopkins departure the male fraternity have engaged in progressive amusements as a means of diverting their thoughts from dwelling too longingly on their closed retreat.

A species of wolf or wild dog or some other diabolical mongrel has taken up his howling abode in this vicinity making night hideous with his demon like yowls. The night shirt militia have been very persevering in their endeavors to annihilate him but his "dogship" still roams at his own sweet will.

J.M. Parfet of the Pine Creek Mining Co. now holds the position of General Manager in place of O.W. Mintzer. Mr. Parfet has already employed a few men and he is also authority for the announcement that work will be resumed by the Co. at once, or as soon as the extensive consignments of supplies can be safely floated down river.

Our camp has presented a most picturesque scene for the past two weeks reminding one of the "Good Old Times,” when sturdy Yeomanry tilled the soil as the primitive occupation of man.

Firs of fallen timber have burned day and night, irrigating ditches have been cut around and across "the flat", old fences taken down and new ones put in their places, and if this wilderness doesn’t blossom as the rose, it will not be because our grangers have not been enthusiastically performed their part.

One of the company oxen died a few weeks ago and his lingering mate only survived him a few days. An inquest was held by Dr. Johnson and a verdict rendered as follows: Animals of the bovine genus are not constituted on the Dr. Tanner principle,[13] consequently, death was caused by prolonged starvation. It is not probable that the ghost of Henry Berg will ever come down the Salmon River, but a certain party should pursue a pact of Holy Writ which teaches that a "merciful man is merciful to his beast."

Mrs. J.A. Callahan

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The Idaho Recorder, April 25, 1889

SHOUP LETTER

Shoup, Idaho Apr 18, 1889

Among the new arrivals in town are Messrs., McLaflin and Dyer, of Butte. Henry Johnson from Big Creek, Johnnie Gibbs - who has just returned from a trip to Dillon - and Thos. Wright.

The bold navigators, Messrs. Gilmer and Sandilands, safely landed their cargo of freight for the Kentuck Co. and four passengers on the morning of the 3rd day from Salmon City.

A raffle will be conducted at the Saloon of Roach and Gibbs after 6 O'clock on the evening of Saturday May 4, 1889. This is no old horse raffle with only his hide to bequeath to the winner, but all "straight goods" of marketable value. No postponement on account of the weather, politics, or religion or any other raging element.

W.W. St. Clair has completed a Summer residence on Spring Creek above Merritt's ranch and has been living there since the 20th of last month. Mrs. Grundy says another wedding is on the tapis,[14] but this statement cannot be proved by your humble servant.

Property transfers are not too numerous to mention, Tommy Pound has bought of "English Harry" the thoroughbred buckskin steed Indian, who will probably introduce his new owner to a few acrobatic performances which he spasmodically indulges in.

To Let. One bath house, one laundry, one saloon, 2 stables and 3 dwelling houses. Inquire of downtown agents. Owners have gone into the country for the summer.

Mrs. J.A. Callahan

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Daily Town Talk, (Butte City), January 14, 1886

City Whisperings

It makes a man hysterical,

And likewise mean and queer

When the snow that’s squeezed till it’s spherical

Takes him just behind the ear

Babcock the hatter. *

Where will the next fire be?

A snow carnival is in progress.

Babcock the furrier and furnisher. *

H. Barrett says another reduction 1-9

Conrad & Co., jewelers, 311 Main st. *

Eagle Rock is to have another newspaper.

The Amphitheater will re-open this evening.

The third fire has occurred and the spell is broken.

Is a paltry box of cigars worth the loss of a man’s life?

“May Blossom” is an immense play, immensely rendered.

Remember the great race at the Amphitheater to-night.

A three days delayed eastern mail arrived last evening.

Fire and water, strange to say, do not harmonize well together.

“Every quarrel, be it ever so trifling, leaves a scar.”—May Blossom.

Prof. Couture’s social hop at Renshaw hall last night was largely attended.

The water question was again the bone of contention at the fire this morning.

Go to the Granite street drug store for anything in that line; also for a fine cigar.

Montana and Dakota will walk hand in hand through the portals of the house of states.

A group of dogs always agree until a solitary bone is thrown them, then trouble begins.

The Miner, like the Leadville Chronicle, says “what it doesn’t publish, doesn’t happen.”

Conflagrations of late seem to have been expressly provided for our morning contemporary.

Our fire boys should be presented with new suits of clothing for their manly efforts this morning.

A number of water pipes are frozen up tighter than the proverbial hinges of eternal damnation.

Early morning fires forcibly expose the locality of some lodgers who are supposed to sleep elsewhere.

[F. K. ?] & Joyce have rented the bar fixtures in King & Lowry’s saloon, and will open the same on Saturday night.

“Married Life” to-night at the Grand. Wedded couples should go and see whether home life is properly exemplified.

Snow has fallen all day and cutters, sleighs and sleds of every description have been speeding through the city in all directions.

Graduates from the dime novel school are rapidly increasing. Nearly every day the youths turn up in some romantic manner—and usually land in jail.

Ladies’ night at the Pavilion last evening was a grand success. The fair sex turned out in full force and with their escorts had an enjoyable time.

It is possible that a wise and good man may be prevailed on to game; but it is impossible that a professed gamester should be a wise and good man.—Lavater.

William Lean, an engineer, is being searched for by his friends. Any information as to his whereabouts will be thankfully received at this office.

The Butte fire boys are dandies. Some of them are even not possessed of a carpet-sack, yet they work like beavers fighting a fire as though they owned the city.

The firemen’s ball to be given on the 22d of next month, should be largely patronized. It would only be a just recompense for the able assistance they have rendered at fires of late.

T. K. Murphy, a miner, died at Burlington last evening after a few days’ illness of pneumonia. He was a native of Ireland, 43 years of age, and leaves a wife and children in Nevada.

William Pierce, a co-owner of the Clipper mill has skipped with $1,000 worth of bullion. His partners last night were piercing the darkness in their efforts to discover his whereabouts.

Last evening, Venus the evening star was in appearance only about fifteen or twenty feet from the moon. She maintained her superb brilliancy, however, notwithstanding her proximity to the lunar luminary.

The Centerville Mining Journal, W. J. Penrose, proprietor and editor, will make its first appearance Sunday morning. It will be a thirty-two column folio, 26x40, and replete with local, territorial and mining news.

The sympathy of the community goes out to photographer Dusseau for his loss sustained by the fire last night. The gentleman has just recovered from a three months’ sickness, when a new disaster is added to his misery.

C. Smelser, manufacturing agent, is introducing the Johnson patent storm doors or weather strips in Butte. They cost $3 each and are as nearly a perfect protection as we have seen. Orders may be left at Louis Bocquin’s on West Broadway.

Mrs. Curtis emphatically denies that she saved anything whatever except a very few articles of clothing, from the fire in which her stock was burned. She is led to say this by the report that she shipped some goods away.

We are in receipt of a pamphlet copy of the local official Postal Guide for New York and Brooklyn, published by A. M. May & Co. It is an extensive publication, newsy and replete with valuable postal information concerning the locality where it is printed.

Idaho Recorder, June 6, 1889

PINE CREEK LETTER

Pine Creek, May 29, 1889

Editress Recorder:

See us boom! First a matrimonial boom, then a grangers' boom, and now a mining boom.

If you want any information or advice morally, socially, financially or otherwise, ask Frank Ferguson.

The last remaining pair of oxen belonging to the Pine Creek Co. are now in the yoke eleven hours per day working on holy language and goad-stick persuasion.

Splinney & Slaven's pack train started for Salmon City this morning via the Hot Springs, Big creek and Leesburg. Break the news gently and tell him Biddy got the 100 pounds of "pertnters" gratis cartage, which makes her feel almost of as much consequence as if she lived in a house with a big C appendage.

Mrs. Spinney was obliged to abandon the ill-fated freight boat at North Fork and made the remainder of her journey here on horse back, which was preferable to a passage with a cargo of Salmon river water.

The last remaining pair of oxen belonging to the Pine Creek Co. are now in the yoke eleven hours per day working on holy language.

H.G. Rood now has the contract for furnishing beef here. He made the first trip of the season over the divide from Leesburg with jack horses loaded with beef, starting at 12 o'clock at night. He got here in time for breakfast, although having to shovel his horses out of the snow a number of times on the way.

The Salmon river is about a thousand pounds sweeter than it was a week ago and corned fish can be caught anywhere between Deadwater and Pine creek.

Thos. Palmer and James McCullough returned from Napias creek where they have been doing the assessment work on some claims which they have there.

Eli Suydam will make a run of ore from his mine at the Pine Creek’s Co. mill.

The Pine Creek Co. is now employing a force of from 15 to 25 men, and will make their first clean-up tomorrow. Report says that the result of this clean up is to decide as it did before as to whether work shall be resumed or discontinued, but this remains to be proved.

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Idaho Recorder, October 17, 1889

PINE CREEK LETTER

Pine Creek, October 12, 1889

Editress Recorder:

At last the smoky veil is lifted and the clear blue canopy of heaven greets our unrestricted view.

A number of the Pine Creek Company employees are migrating to other quarters for the Winter.

It is reported that J.M. Parfet will have a freight boat constructed in Salmon City, and brought here with supplies for the company.

Joshua Brown and wife are at present occupying rooms in the company house. This is Mrs. Brown's first experience in a mining camp and for her sake, we would gladly welcome a few more neighbors as genial as she.

Mr. and Mrs. Nieman, returning from Salmon City a few days ago, encountered a snow storm on the divide, which some-what congealed the ardor of a pleasure trip.

Who knows what has become of W.W. St. Clair? The sonorous voice of the well-known stock, lush with the "black snake" accompaniment, is no longer heard in the land, and cattle roam where so'er they will.

Johnnie Gibbs, of Shoup, has returned from a Summer trip East, and now bears the more polished manner of one who has associated with the residents of the metropolitan towns.

Apparently there is not a more amusing surprise for two men than to be visited by a representative of the press, when thinking themselves located so far within the continuous wilds as to afford a sufficient barrier to such intruders. Messrs. Couiter and Ervin, miners and prospectors from Montana, have made a camp on upper Pine creek and will remain for the Winter.

The arastra owned by Bell & Sandilands is nearing completion and they will commence running ore in a few days.

E.S. Suydam is cleaning up another run of his ore from the Clipper Bullion mine and from all accounts he is reaping a golden harvest.

O.B. Gross is the first to break the schedule of exorbitant prices, and supplies from his store are now being shipped in here at rates that are a boon to all.

Henry Roach and C.V. Gilmer were the only parties from Shoup to attend the auction sale at the Haidee Mine. H.G. Rood drove them to Shoup and sold them on sight to J.T. Gilmer for the Kentuck Co.

F.W. Nieman had the misfortune to lose a valuable horse which was found dead on the range.

Your correspondent also grieves the loss of a favorite pony that was too securely tethered by a picket rope. The fervent benediction of her owner and only adorer, will accompany her to that eternal paradise of her kind, where picket ropes are unknown, and the voice of command never heard.

"And had she not high honor?


The hillside for a path


To be in state while other wait,

With stars for tapers tall!

And the dark rock pines,

like tossing plumes,


Over her bier to wave,


And her owner's hand


in this lone land,


To lay her in her grave."

J.A.C__K