Bonner Bootleg
The stories and poems in this anthology of Bonner are stolen -they have been previously published, but permission to republish has not been sought or received. All selections have something to do with Bonner and the lower Blackfoot. They include fiction excerpts, nonfiction, essays, poetry, newspaper features, a transcribed interview. Please let me know what's missing.
For no particular reason, the writings are in roughly chronological order. Several are from books that come highly praised: A River Runs Through It and Other Stories by Norman Maclean; Richard Hugo's poetry books; Homestead by Annick Smith; The Baron, the Logger, the Miner, and Me by John H. Toole; John Medicinewolf by Michael Moon.
I recommend A Grass Roots Tribute: The Story of Bonner, Montana which was published in 1976 in conjunction with the Bicentennial. It contains much insight in and historical information about the Bonner area and gets better with age. The Bonner School library has several copies and the Missoula County Public Library has at least one.
By Kim Briggeman
Bonner Bootleg, Part 1
Richard Hugo, Where Jenny Used to Swim (poem); Table of Contents; Arthur L. Stone, from Following Old Trails: Names; Meriwether Lewis, from The History of the Lewis and Clark Expedition; Patrick Gass, from The Journal of Patrick Gass; Addison Howard, from Capt. John Mullan; Arthur L Stone, from Following Old Trails: To Bonner; Kim Briggeman, When Thy Summons Come -Daniel Bandmann, Bonner eccentric; Traditional Log drive ballad; John H. Toole, Log Drive/ from The Baron, The Logger, The Miner, and Me.
(Download Bonner Bootleg, Part 1, PDF)
Bonner Bootleg, Part 2
Rita Lavoie, Interview: 1981
(Download Bonner Bootleg, Part 2, PDF)
Bonner Bootleg, Part 3
John H. Toole, Wobblies / from The Baron, The Logger, The Miner, and Me; Missoulian, Bonner - On the Blackfoot (1922) and Lumberjacks Return to the Blackfoot (1927); Norman Maclean, Logging and Pimping and 'Your Pal, Jim' from A River Runs Through It; John H. Toole, Blackfoot Forest Protective Agency from The Baron, The Logger, The Miner, and Me; Richard Hugo, The Milltown Union Bar: You Could Love Here from The Real West Marginal Way; Jenny Herndon, A Celebration of Dick Hugo from Cut Bank 20; Richard Hugo, The Milltown Union Bar (poem) and To Die In Milltown (poem); Michael Moon, from John Medicinewolf.
(Download Bonner Bootleg, Part 3, PDF)
Bonner Bootleg, Part 4
Paul Zarzyski, Graveyard Shift at Bonner Mill (poem); Annick Smith, from Homestead; Richard Hugo, Making Certain It Goes On (poem); Index
(Download Bonner Bootleg, Part 4, PDF)
When Bonner Was Young
To celebrate the republishing of A Grass Roots History: The Story of Bonner, Montana, Superintendent Doug Ardiana asked Kim Briggeman to teach an adult education class on Bonner history. Kim obliged and, for four Wednesdays in March, delighted the class with insights into our past. Unfortunately, the classes weren’t recorded, but the notes from Kim’s History Forum “When Bonner Was Young” remain.
Purchasing a copy of A Grass Roots History: The Story of Bonner, Montana was the only class requirement. These are available today, as then, for $20. Copies are available at the Bonner Milltown History Center and Museum, Bonner School, and the River City Grill. Still only $20.
When Bonner Was Young
Download a PDF
Week 1: 1806-1862. The Lewis Blackfoot Leg
Week 2: Native trails, Stevens Railroad Survey, Mullan winters at Milltown, The Song of Bonner, Bonner Timeline
Week 3: Couching 1886, Why Bonner?, The first school
Week 4: School Days, Shakespeare in Bonner, Bonner School, Log Drives, Parting shots
Publications
The Bonner Milltown History Center and Museum has produced or collected many publications. These include newsletters, reports and memories, and books written by Committee members and friends of the BMHC. Also included in this section is a list of books, reports, and collections compiled during the preparation of Minie Smith's script for Just Add
Water: An Exploration of the Milltown Dam and Its Communities for the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula.
Champion International The Tamarack Newsletters
Champion International published a series of newsletters about the mill and mill employees. "The Tamarack is a source of communicating information of interest and of educational value to Champion employees and their families." Glenn Max Smith was asked to write articles for the Tamarack as mill historian. Issues with "Early Times at Bonner" articles are listed below. If you have additional issues of the Tamarack, please share. The newsletters give a good insight into the times and employees' activities.
Download a PDF Newsletter
1990-1992
1990 March - no history article
1991 October - no history article
1992
February - Shay Engine Operating Requirements
March - Shay Engines Work Records
April - A Bench Mark for Progress, 1962-1988
May - Old #7 Helps Preserve Montana History
June - Bonner baseball in full swing 1920s
July - A new baseball park, uniforms, and two broken heels
August - The Bonner Highlanders (Baseball Team)
September - The Margaret Hotel
October - They don't build'em like they used to
November - Sawmills, Steam Engines and freshly laundered items
December - no issue available
1993
January no issue available
February - Yard Mules, McGifferts & Slide Asses
March - An old competitor becomes new home for a forest of super trees
April - Predictions from Prophets of Gloom and Doom
August - 30 Years and Counting
September no issue available
October - Stow the Rods & Oil the Guns
November no issue available
December no issue available
Newsletters
Newsletters of the Bonner Milltown History Center
p1 "A New Year (our 15th) and new Roundtables," "Blackfoot River Legacies" by Cheryl Hughes; p.2 "Welcome, new volunteers (Cheryl Hughes, Joyce Morgan, Kali Zaglauer)" by Judy Matson; p3 "Tuesdays = coffee and conversation" by Andy Lukes, "Old Roads and Rabbit Holes" by Tony LIane, "Outside exhibit invites exploration" by Judy Matson; p4 "If these walls could talk - a look at historic buildings (St. Ann Catholic Church, Bonner depot, Milltown Library, Finn Hall)" by Kim Briggeman, "Missoula hosts the Mullan Road Conference" by Kim Briggeman; p5 "A few of our favorite things - "A Grass Roots Tribute" by Cheryl Hughes, "True-to-life dioramas" by Dennis Sain; p6 photo stories "History walks popular with all ages (Bonner first graders, Old Cowboy Trail, Marshall Grade, Bandmann Flat);" p7 "A glimpse into the past: Kenneth Ross" by Kim Briggeman; p8 "A nightmare in a logging camp: A Hooligan Recollection" by Glenn Max Smith; p9 "2023 Roundtables highlight popular subjects" by Minie Smith, "Roundtables transcribed thanks to a Missoula County Rural Impact Grant" by Judy Matson; p10 "George's Cafe sign donated by Guy Trenary," Bob Lamley and Ken Peers honored" by Judy Matson, "Feeling grateful" by Judy Matson; p11 "Recent donations enrich our collection" by Minie Smith; p12 "Thank you to our donors and supporters!"
"Welcome the New Year with 2023 Roundtables;" "Visioning project identifies priorities" by Judy Matson; "Old Roads and Trails members visit areas in Gold Creek/Belmont Creek with BLM" by Tony Liane; "Ninemile Prairie mystery tour" by Kim Briggeman; "History Center offers the best free coffee - Get yours on Tuesday!" by Andy Lukes; "Bob Lamley honored as a Forestry Pioneer by DNRC" by Tony Liane; "Bonner first graders take a stroll through history" by Kim Briggeman; "Jack Demmons was a giant in preserving Bonner history" by Kim Briggeman; "Bonner memories: A Hooligan recollection" by Glenn “Hooligan” Smith; "Roundtables and programs make welcome return post-pandemic" by Minie Smith; "BMHC’s outreach enhanced by generous grants" by Kim Briggeman; "Recent donations enrich our collection" by Minie Smith; "Thank You!;" "Bonner History Tidbit - Bonner Dam;" "History buffs talk Old Roads and Trails on Fridays" by Tony Liane; "The Bonner spirit carried us through hard times - we appreciate your support!."
We dedicate our newsletter to Jimmie Willis (1930-2021); "Tuesday morning coffee" by Andy Lukes; Roundtables return after COVID delay; "Bonner Junction sign donated by Taylors" by Kim Briggeman; "New ownership of the B Hill" by Minie Smith; "The Book of Andy features local setting" by Kim Briggeman; "Milltown's 'Black Bridge' reaches 100" by Kim Briggeman and Judy Matson; "Donated items 2020-2021" compiled by Minie Smith; "Items sought for restoration of Engine #7" by Larry Ingold; "Memories of Jimmie" compiled by Kim Briggeman; "Northern Pacific Railway Historical Assoc (NPRHA) train convention" by Dennis Sain; "Keeping great memories alive: Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and Hooligan – mixed with reality" by Glenn "Hooligan" Smith; "BMHCM awarded grants" by Judy Matson; "BMHCM and Milltown State Park present Labor Day program" by Robert Dunlop; "Mullan Road walks on Marshall Grade" by Kim Briggeman; "The Bonner spirit reaches far and near."
2019/2020. December 2019/January 2020 (PDF)
Roundtable schedule for 2020. "Engine #7 restored and running? Can you help?" by Kim Briggeman; "Bonner's Willies" by Glenn (Hooligan) Smith; "Remembering the Western Lumber Company," by Andy Lukes; "The quality of our collection grows thanks to generous donors" by Minie Smith; "Hardy history hounds pursue local history at Community at the Confluence" by Judy Matson; 2019 Roundtables reviewed; "I Love Airplanes" from Memories and Short Stories by Willie Bateman; Thank you; "Missing a new friend: Gwen Keller."
2018, December/2019 January (PDF)
Roundtable schedule for 2019, "The Mysteries of a Bonner Woodshed" by Glen (Max) Smith aka "The Hooligan;" Woodsheds: there's more than meets the eye; A busy and productive year for accessions; Bonner first graders take a walk through history; Season 10 Roundtables explored new aspects of our history; "The Toboggan Ride" by Willie Bateman; Milwaukee switch installed; A winter memory; The MEC Solarshare K3 Garden; Woodworth by Dennis Sain; The Two Macs; Encouragement from the Historical Museum keeps us growing."
2017, December (PDF)
"Search reveals whereabouts of childhood home of 101-year-old Canadian lady;" "The Hooligan speaks to P.EO. International - Rosie the Riveter meets Paul Bunyan," by Glenn (Max) Smith aka "The Hooligan;" Special volunteer projects; Hellgate Lions disbands; BMHC news and updated donations; Bob Bateman donates research materials; New website and photo collection; Roundtable schedule for 2018.
2016, December (PDF)
Roundtable schedule for 2017. "An Honest Day's Work for an Honest Day's Pay," by Glenn (Max) Smith aka "The Hooligan;" Grant Provides New Technology for History Center; "The Water Wheel" by Willie Bateman; A Visit with Iva Rose MacKenzie by Dennis Sain; BMHC news and updated donations; Red Bridges Over the Blackfoot by Bill Demmons.
2015, December (PDF)
Roundtable schedule and The Bonner Mill Today and Tomorrow Roundtable; "Bonner's Community Gardens," by Glenn (Max) Smith aka "The Hooligan;" Hotel Margaret fixture donated; BMHC news and updated donations.
2014, December (PDF)
Timberjack showing; Roundtable schedule and Hammond Roundtable; Volunteers' presentations; "An Unforgettable Christmas," by Willie Bateman; "A Tired Old Sled," by Chuck Erickson; Willie Bateman donates rare book to HMFM; Jack Demmons donates research to BMHC; BMHC news,
2013, December (PDF)
Bonner houses, Roundtable schedule, Mullan Conference, Christmas in Bonner, 4th Grade Field Trip, Photo Book at River City Grill, Life at the Confluence, on-line book.
2012, January (PDF)
Milltown State Park: Our New Park Follows an Old Tradition Marshall Skiers' Reunion
2012, December (PDF)
Photo of Model T, "The Red Rubber Tire" by Glenn Max Smith, aka "The Bonner Hooligan"
2011, December (PDF)
Painting of "Bonner Alley" by Bob Phinney, Preserving Eggs in Water Glass by Nina Petroff and Willie Bateman
2011, April (PDF)
An Historic Milltown House
Boots - Manly Footwear - Millworkers Choice - or Attitude Adjusters (conclusion)
2011, January (PDF)
Boots - Manly Footwear - Millworkers Choice - or Attitude Adjusters (part one)
2010, December (PDF)
Photo of Margaret Hotel, History of the Bonner Milltown History Center, Living in a "Chicken Coop," quotes by Lu Waddington