This week’s episode was to have been the conclusion of our series on Marie (Mary) Angelia Thibeau McWhirk Buker Drouillard. But wouldn’t you know it – we’ve uncovered a few more unexpected details relating to this woman whose marriages to three prominent Missoula men in the 1870s all ended badly. So we’ll have to make this our second to last installment. You’ll recall … [Read more...] about Harmon’s Histories: Did the sheriff shoot himself, or did his wife try to cover up a murder?

Moses Drouillard, Missoula’s 11th sheriff (1877-78), has been painted as a power-obsessed, conceited ass – not only that, but an abusive husband. Others considered him a courageous man, going up against the worst of society in a Wild West town. But a grand jury indicted him for criminal negligence on the job. Oh, did we mention he was also the third husband to Mary Angelina … [Read more...] about Harmon’s Histories: Missoula’s 11th sheriff was murdered in the jail by his wife

Today we continue our series of reports about three high-profile, early day Missoula men and their connection to a young French-Canadian girl. It is a web of marriages, divorces, scandals and, eventually, murder. Last week, you learned about Cyrus McWhirk, a prominent businessman in the community who the records reveal was a wife-beater and drunkard, and who died … [Read more...] about Harmon’s Histories: Missoula’s first doctor married, divorced, died mysteriously

This is a story I’ve put off writing for more than three years because, well – it’s so complicated. But there comes a time when you just have to let go, and accept that you may never be able to solve all the mysteries or answer all the unresolved questions. One main part of this story – the death of Moses M. Drouillard, Missoula’s 11th sheriff – has been told and re-told, … [Read more...] about Harmon’s Histories: Who shot the sheriff? Solving Missoula’s great murder mystery of 1878

I admit it. I read a lot of newspapers. I mean, a lot of newspapers. As a result, my wife, for good reason, believes me certifiable. Grudgingly, I can see her point but there are extenuating circumstances. The newspapers are, for the most part, not today’s fare – they are from the mid- to late 1880s. Yes, there are times I may read for hours and hours, finding nothing … [Read more...] about Harmon’s Histories: A page from early Missoula … Honest Abe’s tutor, winter’s provisions, a drunk’s poem