Graves in the Gulch

Grim Mourning and Welcome to the Grimm. I'm your host, Kristin, and today's episode will be opening the gate and entering Benton Avenue Cemetery, located in Helena, Montana. So grab your favorite mug, cozy up, and let's take a dig into history. In the recent years, we've seen the revival of the cowboy in American culture, why they've never truly disappeared. The rise of urban trends pushed the ways of the West out of focus for many. However, Montana has seen a resurgence, thanks in part to the national sensation Yellowstone. The drama reignited interest in the state, its cowboys and its rich history. It's spinoff 1883 Further showcased the American frontier depicting settlers journeys and the brutal challenges they faced. Coming off of last week's episode on the Grimm, I know some might be a little weary of America's Wild West narratives. But with Yellowstone concluding, it seemed fitting to feature a cemetery from Montana, one with its own rich and haunting history. Although it's located on the outskirts of a city rather than on a ranch, its story is long, fascinating, and reputedly just as haunted, making it a perfect fit for the Grimm this week. The cemetery is located on the west side of present day Penn Avenue, now within the city limits of Helena. However, when it was established in 1878, lay outside the original townsite directly southeast of the cemetery. Across the street is Carroll College, a Catholic liberal arts institution that began as a boys high school in 1910. To the north, a large open area is intersected by train tracks running perpendicular Tibetan Avenue and parallel to the northern edges of both a college campus and the cemetery grounds. Beyond that tracks residential neighborhoods a stretch further north, with several homes and yards bordering the cemetery's immediate southern and western edges, integrating the historic site into its modern day surroundings. The history of Benton Avenue's cemetery is deeply tied to the contributions of women and Helena's early development. Back in 1870, Montana at the time was still a territory when the cemetery began. Thanks to two sisters, Rachel and Elizabeth, Brooke, who sold the land to the Lewis and Clark County commissioners for use as a burial ground, they in turn set aside ten acres just outside Helena to accommodate the area's growing population. This growth stemmed from the 1864 discovery of Gold and the Last Chance Gulch, which brought a diverse influx of newcomers into the region. The cemetery takes its name from the historic Benton Avenue, which borders its grounds. The land is divided into four quadrant like sections. Family plots occupy much of the southern half, often outline with stone or wrought iron fences. In 1872, the Masons purchased most of the north eastern section. So many of the burials there had Masonic affiliation. The northwest corner of the cemetery tells a darker story of unmarked graves and reinterred remains. This area stands out from the rest of the cemetery, lacking upright headstones. These graves are infrequently marked, suggesting that many of the original tombstones were either made of non durable materials or burials were intentionally left unmarked toward the western edge. The evidence of graves become less defined. Hinting at a pauper's field for the indignity or an area where unmarked graves are unknown, individuals were transferred during the early historic period. This section likely served as a final resting place for individuals of lesser means, as the gravestones are smaller and closely grouped together rather than being arranged by family plots. From 1875 to 1890, it served as Helena's primary Protestant cemetery. However, with Montana achieving statehood in 1889 and the opening of a more refined Forest Hill cemetery, then Avenue gradually fell out of use. The cemeteries. History, though, stretches even further. Back then, its establishment as some of its burials pre-date its founding. These early graves dating to the 1860s were reinterred here from an earlier cemetery, a detail we'll revisit shortly. What makes an avenue particularly fascinating is how it grew along St Helena and the state of Montana, offering a snapshot of the region's transformation from a rugged frontier to a more settled and structured community. Today remains a final resting place for many of Helena's earliest residents, particularly women whose stories reflect resilience, sacrifice and survival. In Montana's pioneering days before entering, visitors are greeted by a large wooden sign honoring vigilantes, legislators, builders, gamblers and those who met their end at the hangman's Tree nearby. It's a stark reminder of Montana as a rough and tumble pass, a land shaped by tough people taking their chances on the frontier from all walks of life. I personally appreciate how history, if properly retold, doesn't sugarcoat the imperfections of those who came before us. Most of history is written by the victors, leaving out the darker details of how success was achieved. The residents of Pen Avenue Cemetery are no exception. Some had honorable lives, while others carried far grimmer stories, both worth uncovering. Before Open Avenue Cemetery was established. How does original burial site was a mining cemetery on Warner Street. However, when the land was deemed a prime location for Central Elementary School, the burials were Re-interred Tibetan Avenue In 1890, during a sewer pipe construction in Helena, workers unexpectedly unearthed a wooden coffin. There, curiosity got the better of them, and after struggling to pry it open, one workers swung a pickaxe at the box, splitting it open. Housebuilder decaying skeleton, accompanied by a foul, nauseating stench. Rather than alerting the authorities, the workers thrust the bones back into the coffin and left it where they found it. A news report at the time explained the logic behind the actions, stating The contractor for the work is building sewers, not hunting skeletons. So unless the city wants to have a box placed in a regular cemetery, it will be allowed to remain where it is. As construction continued, more coffins were unearthed by digging and flooding incidents at the school, but had luckier circumstances for those found. The city took many and reinterred them properly within Benton Avenue. Still, the unsettling reality remains is likely. The forgotten burials still lie beneath the grounds, near the school, undisturbed and long forgotten. But Button Avenue Cemetery also holds moments of reverence and celebration. In 1883, Helena hosted its first Memorial Day parade, which fittingly concluded with a ceremony at Benton Avenue to honor those who helped establish Montana. Of the 1473 graves. Of the ten acres, 737 belong to individuals who died before statehood. These graves are marked with an empty, signifying their origin in the Montana territory, a unique detail not often seen in cemeteries elsewhere in the United States against the backdrop of Mount Helena. The cemetery offers a striking view of Montana's vast roaming fields. The grounds are dotted with headstones made of various materials. But to grave stand out, located side by side, they're surrounded by intricate cast iron bassinets, a rare and touching tribute to two young children lost but forever remembered. While fencing or cast iron headstones are common, the Bassinets design is a unique Tibetan avenue, blending artistry with somber remembrance among its residents. 52 veterans rest within the cemetery. Many are easily identified by their government issued tombstones, while others blend in with private headstones placed by family members. Notably, two of these veterans, James Milligan and John C Gilman, served in the War of 1812. For many years, the grave of Civil War veteran Albert, he Haskell remained unmarked. But thanks to generous donations, he now has a proper grave marker. Albert D Haskell, often called Abe, was born in 1842 to Edward and Sarah Haskell in Tarago, New York. He began his early years as a farmer before enlisting in Company D of the 106 New York Infantry Regiment on June 2nd, 1862, where he quickly rose to the rank of corporal. Haskell service was marked by both bravery and hardship. On July 9th, in 1864, during the Battle of Markazi in Maryland, he was severely wounded and captured by Confederate forces, held prisoner in Danville, Virginia. He remained there until being exchanged on March 25th, 1865. During the war, he reportedly endured six gunshot wounds and was run over by gun carriage, yet persevered. His resilience earned him a promotion to First sergeant on May 25th, 1865, before mustering out on June 22nd, 1865. It's unclear whether Albert arrived in Montana with his parents or if they traveled separately. By 1870, all three Albert, Edward and Sarah were living in Silver Gulch, Montana, with Albert and Edward working as clutch miners. The Haskell's financial status ably reflected a stark contrast of Albert versus his parents. Edmonton's heir reportedly had a modest personal estate of $300, while Albert's estate was valued at an impressive $7,000, making him the wealthiest man in the. Whether his fortune came from a military pension, successful mining or a combination of both remains a mystery. Sarah Haskell passed away on January 11, 1872, at the age of 58. Edward then purchased a family plot in Benton Cemetery, where Sarah was laid to rest. Today, her tombstone remains illegible, weathered by time, still marking her final resting place by 1880, Census records show Albert and Edward living together in Belmont, Montana. Their household included a female housekeeper, a young Chinese laborer, both close to Albert's age. All three men were listed as laborers. By this time, Edward was noted as maimed a cripple, disabled or bedridden, and likely passed away shortly after. Like Sarah's Edward's tombstone in the family plot at Benton Cemetery has become unreadable over the years. On December 9th, 1898, Albert tragically passed away at the age of 56 after being accidentally shot in a hunting accident. He had no headstone, but a cement base was later placed by members of the campus of a terrace. Hundreds of years later, prepare to hold a suitable marker. Volunteers working together decided Abe needed a headstone. The stone costing a total of 1750 was provided when 500 was generously donated by Darren Romo of Montana Granite. Then the remaining 1250 was raised through contributions Raised by the clamp is for us. Unfortunately, military tombstones for veterans can only be provided by the government if requested by a direct descendant, which is why he wasn't requested one. Now Haskell's gravestone shines brightly in the cemetery where his memory lives on for hundreds of years to come, thanks to those volunteers. If you're searching for a Yellowstone style drama, complete with cowboys, a sprawling ranch and a family that loses it all look no further than the story of W.C. Child and his historic ranch. The W.C. Child Ranch, also known as cleft or ranch, or the child cleft New Ranch is a nationally recognized historic site located just south of East Helena, Montana, along state Highway 518. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 23rd, 1977, and its history is filled with ambition, tragedy and resilience. WC Child purchased the property around 1885, originally naming it Whiteface Farm was a pioneer in Montana territory, becoming one of the first ranchers to raise purebred Hereford cattle. After enduring the devastating winter of 1886 87, which wrecked havoc on ranchers across the region, child responded by constructing an impressive 27,000 square foot barn, standing 50 feet tall and built a sturdy Fieldstone foundation. The park had shelter, 500 head of cattle and holds up to 350 tons of hay, a monumental feat for its time. In 1888, Child also built a distinctive octagon house on the property. The second floor of the home featured an open ballroom, which became a venue for lavish meetings and parties. Interestingly, Child himself lived in Helena and primarily used the ranch for entertaining rather than a full time residence. However, the property was short lived. The silver pandemic of 1893 sent a child into bankruptcy and then led to his passing later in October. According to his obituary, he worried himself to death. His financial ruin led the ranch to changing multiple hands over the next five decades. By the mid 20th century, the property had fallen into disrepair. Enter Paul Kufuor, who lease the ranch in 1943 and purchased it outright in 1946. Clever and his family worked tirelessly to restore and maintain the property, keeping its history alive. The rancher remained in their care until 2005, when it was sold to Dennis and Stacy Young. Today, the W.C. Child Ranch has found a new life as a premier event venue, hosting weddings, parties and other gatherings amidst its historic charm. From its cattle grazing roots to its opulent ballroom and dramatic rise and fall story, the ranch remains a symbol of Montana's rugged history and enduring legacy. Among the countless stories of the American West, there are always fearless women, some well-documented, others forgotten by history, but each leaving an indelible mark on the past. One of the most notable women interred in this cemetery is Calista Gay Ingersoll. Just north of the main gate, stands a monument marking her final resting place. Calista was the wife of Dr. Silas Stone. Ingersoll Helena's first homeopathic doctor. And she arrived in Helena during the early wave of settlers. Although few records remain to tell her story. One pioneer remembered her as a dedicated midwife, describing how she bathed the feather brows of her patients in soothing waters of Last Chance stream. Her work as a caregiver would have been vital in those ragged early days. When Callisto passed away in 1875. Her death received no mention in the newspapers. A common fate for women of her time. Yet her quiet contributions endured, leaving behind a legacy of caring courage in the heart of a growing frontier. One of the infants, Calista, may have delivered was Tallulah Allen, born on April 5th in 1865. Tallulah holds the distinction of being the first white female born in Helena. Tragically, she died at the age of 15 in 1884. Her life cut short like so many others during that era. Another heartbreaking story is that of Gussie Park, who died in childbirth in 1889 while delivering her third child. Her grief holds both her and her newborn she lost during childbirth. With a heartbreaking tribute etched into her tombstone, thus clinging to that site spa within her arms, the mother drifted out upon the dark and unknown sea. The cemetery is also home to stories of selflessness and sacrifice. Northwest of the Conner Mausoleum stands a tall monument of Mary Dunphy, who died on December 24th, 1885, during a devastating diphtheria outbreak while caring for the sick human children. Mary contracted the disease herself. An unusual occurrence as diphtheria rarely affected adults. Despite her efforts, the children also succumbed to the illness, and Mary was laid to rest alongside them. Not far from these graves lies Mary Agnes Merrill, a woman whose life reflects the era's complex cities. A business associate of the prominent Madame Lilly McGrath. Mary Agnes was buried within a wrought iron enclosure, its decorative gate bearing her name known as Belle Flinn, at the time of her death. Probate records reveal her prosperity. Real estate, elegant furniture and a lavish wardrobe that included a mink coat, velvet garments and silver accessories. These remnants of wealth hint at her life as a lady of the evening and the cemetery's northwest corner. The landscape shifts to anonymity, where rows of unmarked graves hold the remains of women and infants. Some of these may be tied to the early Florence Crittenton home, a refuge for young mothers and their children during times of hardship. These resting places, silent and unadorned, remind visitors of lives often overlooked. Yet deeply connected to Helena's history. Workers at Benton Avenue Cemetery are made of various materials, including stone, wood and cast metal, although stone is the most common. These markers differ greatly in size, type condition, shape and age. Obelisks and tapering shafts inspired by ancient symbols of eternal life are particularly prominent and reflect the cemeteries. 1870s to 1880s period early markers are primarily made of light colored imported marble, which later give way to local granite. Starting in the 1880s, local monument makers like A.K. Prescott, Montana Marble Works and the Kane Brothers Company contributed to the shift in these materials. Simple carved blocks and flushed to the ground Markers were also prevalent in the Masonic section. Traditional symbols of the organization appear frequently as apple leaves and carvings. Other distinctive decorations include tree trunks, floral and fontenelle motifs and unique memorials for children. One notable example is a carved chair with a hat placed upon it and tiny shoes tucked underneath. A touching tribute to children who died in 1885. Three similar imported tombstone does mark the graves of children who passed away that same year likely order to gather from a catalog. One such marker honors the current children, a brother and sister who died of diphtheria in December of 1885. The uniformity of such gravestones, along with the intricate carvings like those on the children's monument, suggest these customized markers were not always readily available, with temporary markers, often replaced by more substantial ones later on. Some gravestones, including military markers, were imported in 1891. Crates of marble headstones and foot stones were shipped from Washington, DC to replace deteriorating wooden markers at the graves of union soldiers buried in the Helena cemetery. Spanning both Benton Avenue and Forestville, a few wooden markers still remain in the cemetery. Rare survivors of what was once the most common form of monument. As family fortunes improved, these temporary wooden markers were often replaced with more durable stone memorials. Several metal markers are still holding up well against. The elements can be found throughout the cemetery, particularly in the Masonic section. A small group of these markers also appears in a pot in the southeast quadrant. Unlike the standardized small markers in the Masonic section, these are larger and more intricate in design. Some metal plaques on stakes are placed in various pots, identifying individuals as members of the military or social organizations. In the Masonic section. Joseph and Lettie HORSLEY erected a distinctive metal and stone monument, a memorial of their 15 month old daughter, Josie, who died in April of 1886. The monument features a lantern like metal structure originally enclosed with glass sides where the family could place small offerings of food or trinkets. At the center of the southeast quadrant stands a one story granite mausoleum, the only structure of its kind in the cemetery, likely built by the Kane Granite Company, which operated the ten mile quarry in the early 1900s. This mausoleum is a striking example of craftsmanship. The building faces south and is constructed from a large granite ash floor blocks with granite slabs notched to direct water and serving as the roof. The bottom row of stones at the ground level extends slightly outward, creating both a watercourse and a focal point for the structure. The mausoleum has a rectangular plan with Gable ends at his narrow sides, and it's devoid of openings on the third and fourth of its sides. The south facade features an entrance flanked by engaged columns set up by the foundation. These columns are flat faced in a simple classical design, supporting the large radiating vessels that display the family's name Connor and Dingle. The entry gates are set back within the arched opening consist of an iron grate and a massive inner doors. Above the entrance, the granite roof cap is inscribed with the date 1908. The overall design blends of classical and Celtic influences of subtle echoes of early Irish or Anglo-Saxon chapels. Yet not much else is known of the Connor and Dingle's, at least according to my researching limits. Tibetan Avenue Cemetery remains astonishingly active to this day. With the most recent interment being of James Kinnaman, who was laid to rest in 1994, it's no surprise that cemeteries like Benton Avenue would be home to its share of unsettling ghost stories. One tale that has haunted the grounds for years involves Mary Dunphy, who we mentioned earlier, dying during the diphtheria epidemic of 1885. Today, visitors claim to see the eerie specters of a woman and two small children drifting silently through the cemetery. Could it be the restless spirits of Mary Dunphy and the children still bound to the place of their untimely deaths? One chilling photograph taken at Dumfries grave at night reveals a strange mist hovering over the site. Some say it's ectoplasm. Others call it a ghost. Ms.. But some dismiss it as nothing more than dust on the lens. Whatever it is, it only adds to the unsettling atmosphere of the cemetery. Another spine chilling account centers on the grave of Fern Mary Wilson, a 15 year old girl who died in 1911. School groups often visit an avenue as part of their lessons on Helen is history. And at least on two occasions, groups of fourth graders have reported seeing a teenage girl and a yellow dress, standing motionless, staring into the distance before vanishing without a trace. Could this be the ghost of Fern Mary herself? Forever watching over her final resting place, the mystery remains unsolved, leaving a lingering sense of unease in the air. The ending of Yellowstone might make for good TV drama, but Montana's true stories run much deeper. Organizations like the Benton Avenue Cemetery Association work tirelessly to keep its history alive, restoring teaching and preserving the cemetery grounds. While one Avenue cemetery might not draw the crowds or tourist attention of Montana sprawling ranches, it holds something equally compelling the voices of its residents, their histories and the tales they left behind are for those who believe that some of those souls might still linger. It's a place that certainly deserves a spot on any visitor's list. The grave ground for Benton Avenue Cemetery is a maple latte from Montage Coffee in Helena. For more honorary grounds in the area, please visit the dash groomed icon. For now, we're closing the gate on Benton Avenue Cemetery. We hope you enjoyed our dig into history. If you did subscribe today. Join us next time when we open the gate on the Graham.