Entry from Journal #1: October 28, 1930

I walked to the extreme top of Mt. Helena, around the volcanic cliffs.  It’s a grand sight & study to my brain and mind with its large and several openings leading to the interior to somewhere.  The top is a place for that and meditation after casting your eyes over the population & surrounding country.  I had my field glasses I got from Mrs. John Bowhay.

Mrs. Albine Setzer, Mrs. Mary Miskel, Mr. Wallace Burkhead died in those weeks.

This is a photo of my mother – from the summer of 2014 – standing in the Benton Avenue Cemetery in Helena, with Mt. Helena in the background.  It was a beautiful evening as we visited the graves of her great grandfather and grand aunt.

Searching in Ancestry.com, I located the following records and information for the individuals referenced by Mary in this journal entry:

Mrs. John Bowhay.  I wasn’t able to find any records on Mrs. Bowhay. However, the surname sounds familiar to me – I believe she might be mentioned several times in either Mary’s journal or some photos.  So I may be able to update this in the future.

Mrs. Albine Setzer.  (1) Per the 1930 U.S. Census, “Balbina Setzer” was 79 years old when the census was taken on April 26, 1930.  She lived in Silver, Lewis and Clark County, Montana.  She was a widow, born in Germany and came to the United States in 1874.  (2) Per the Montana Death Index, she died on October 13, 1930.

Mary Miskel.  (1) Per the 1910 U.S. Census, “Mary Miskell” lived with her husband Edward in Marysville.  She was born in Ireland, was 51 years old, and emigrated to the United States in 1877.  Her occupation – “nurse”.  (2) Per the 1920 U.S. Census, Mary was living with her daughter Bina and son-in-law Arthur Carpenter in Anaconda, Montana.  She emigrated to the United States in 1868 and was a widow.  (3) Per the Montana Death Index, she died on October 30, 1930, in Lewis and Clark County, Montana.

Mr. Wallace  Burkhead.  Per the Montana Death Index, “Wallace Birkhead” died on October 28, 1930, in Lewis and Clark County, Montana.  No other information was given.