Helena High School - Vigilante Yearbook (Helena, MT)

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PAGE SIX HISTCRY CF HELENA About the middle of May, l864, a party of four men, now known as the Four Georgians staggered into the Helena Valley. They had been searching for gold and were tired and discouraged. When they spied the tiny stream trickling into the valley they decided to make one Last Chance. lt soon was evident that gold was abundant in the creek and the find of these four men, R. Stanley, Iohn Cowan, I. Miller, and Iohn Crabb, laid the foundation for the present city of Helena. Soon Last Chance Gulch, as it was appropriately named, was teeming with life. Drinking became the main occupation of the camp and brawls were not infrequent. Occasionally a grizzly bear or an Indian would stray into the camp keeping the miner's life rich in excitement. ln 1866 R. Stanley built the first cabin and more followed his example. Buildings sprang up everywhere to accomodate the flow of miners. The same year the first murder in the busy camp took place. Slater was hung on the famed Hanging Tree for killing his friend Keene. By 1874, the miners had drained SSl70,UUO in gold from the gulch and little remained. This was the year of the worst fire in the history of Helena. It de- stroyed over Sl0,000 in property. In 1876, the capital was moved from Virginia City to Helena, and Helena was recognized as the leader of the Montana territory. ln l889 Montana became a state. Everything became more citified and the mining days came to a close. Now, in this year of 1960 certain buildings are landmarks that will never be forgotten. Our division pages depict some of these: The capitol, a most important edifice, establishes Helena as the political center of Montana. She is renowned for her colorful frescos in the Senate and the House, and for her pretty rococco interior. The Cathedral rises high above the city. She lifts her ornate arms to the heavens as though asking God to protect her beloved people. Her doors are forever open, beckoning all to enter. The Civic Center, once the Shrine Temple, has provided us with many an entertaining evening. She also houses our alert fire department and police force. All day her typewriters are kept busy typing her civic deeds. Beautiful Carroll College distinguishes Helena as having a high academic standard. Her fast-growing fame keeps her busy. The RB. Stand has been kept bustling with life by the Helena High stu- dents for many years. Who will forget cruising the stand on Saturday nights? The new Charles Russel Museum has expanded and grown to become one of Helena's best tourist sights and has revived the history of Helena for natives of Helena. The Library, a peaceful and serene place of study, is one of Helena's oldest buildings. It offers volumes of books to avid scholars and curious students.

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Vigilante Parade Q 5 M ,R H , Sponsor NX it ffffifilii 1 N, t P ii! Btn animation To Mr. Sam Cappious, who has unseltishly devoted himself to the better- ment ot the youngsters ot our town, we, the Senior Class ot 1960, respectfully and earnestly dedicate this book, in appreciation tor his contributions to our school. Teacher - Q 7 rf ,vi . ww QM' if fail f -ss, ' tiifrtiii 40-Q A if 0 4 . if 1 A, s V . ' :ffl 'R- Driver's Training ,. . ' , fi, - itst ff , if g - fir' p M 1 'ki ,sgtgj sg . ,,.,..,. i Q f E ah, A 7' - ,. if ff s 'M ,1 M . Q t 'X N, w,,y:k4 ..,E y i-in 1 RX K, fy , . i 'iill If 5 as ' 5 it K if E' 5 iskww ' PAGE FIVE

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