GRANITE COUNTY
MOUNT EMERINE
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
5N-16W-8
5N-16W-8
September 26, 1917: "It was a lonely spot, that look-out station of the forest rangers at Mount Ermine, 22 miles from Phillipsburg, and the man who had been stationed there earlier in the season grew so lonesome that he gave up and returned to civilization.
The need of a 'smoke-chaser' was serious. Forest fires were breaking out every day, and there was none to take the job.
It remained for a pluck woman to volunteer for the service--and she was accepted.
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Kelley were driving across the state in a spring wagon, when they stopped at Phillipsburg and received the news that a look-out was wanted at Mount Emerine.
With her two dogs for protectors the nervy woman climbed to the lonely point on the mountain top, and watched throughout the summer for the tell-tale wisps of smoke. She remained until the danger was over, and reported many a fire, while her husband was kept busy as a forest guard miles away from her camp.
The Missoula forestry offices ring with the praise of one lone woman's faithful service." (The Daily Missoulian)
The need of a 'smoke-chaser' was serious. Forest fires were breaking out every day, and there was none to take the job.
It remained for a pluck woman to volunteer for the service--and she was accepted.
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Kelley were driving across the state in a spring wagon, when they stopped at Phillipsburg and received the news that a look-out was wanted at Mount Emerine.
With her two dogs for protectors the nervy woman climbed to the lonely point on the mountain top, and watched throughout the summer for the tell-tale wisps of smoke. She remained until the danger was over, and reported many a fire, while her husband was kept busy as a forest guard miles away from her camp.
The Missoula forestry offices ring with the praise of one lone woman's faithful service." (The Daily Missoulian)
September 22, 1921: "The lookout on Mount Emerine overshadows the extreme southern part of the forest overlooking the Medicine lake and Moose Meadow territory." (The Missoulain)
July 6, 1922: "That 1,500 feet of telephone line leading to the Mount Emerine lookout station in the Missoula National forest was destroyed by a 'terrific bolt of lightning,' was the report brought to the city yesterday by John H. Clack, who recently made an inspection trip through that territory. Emerine is 25 miles south west of Philipsburg.
Foresters claim never before to have observed a like damage from lightning. The wire was broken into pieces averaging from 3 inches to half an inch in length. They were trimmed as neatly as if clipped with powerful wire cutters. The charge grounded before it reached the lookout station." (The Daily Missoulian)
June 22, 1931: "The stricken forms of an entire pack train of seven horses tumbled in grotesque positions along a steep mountain trail with their wrangler fallen at their head was the sight which met Assistant Ranger M. E. Skillman's eyes after having been struck by lightning on the slopes of Mount Emerine last Thursday. The Deer Lodge national forest officer, accompanied by Richard Richtmeyer, pack train wrangler, had just left the lookout station on the mountain's summit when the experience, considered unique in forestry service annal, occurred. The men are receiving treatment at the Murray hospital here, but physicians report that their condition, except for shock is not serious.
'We were packing in material for a new lookout station to replace the old building,' Skillman said, 'and had just left the station on our return journey when the bolt struck. The sky was purple with thunder-heads as we hit the trail. Lightning was flickering about the horizon, but the storm had not yet reached Mount Eremine, when the world disappeared in a blinding flash of light. We never heard the crash of thunder which must have followed.
'The next thing I remember is looking up from the bottom of a 'lake.' The water was full of colored light--green and purple and gold and scarlet. It was fascinating to watch. But while I lay there wondering what it was all about, the lake disappeared and I saw the green pine bows waving overhead. A gentle rain was falling, but the storm had passed. I struggled to a sitting position, but found that mu left arm was completely paralyzed. Before me on the trail lay the horses tumbled every which way. I thought that they were all dead.
'I rose dizzily to my feet and found Richtmeyer, sprawled on his face with arms spread eagle, fists clutched deep in the pine needle litter. I could see that he was alive, but could not rouse him at first. Finally I heard a rustle behind me and turned to see one of the horses rising to his feet. Then Richtmeyer came to, but for a long while neither of us could speak.
'After a long hour all of the horses recovered and were ready for the trail. They did not appear to be frightened, but were quiet and subdued, which was fortunate. We helped each other aboard out horses and made our way to the West Fork ranger station, from which aid could be summoned.
'The bolt completely demolished one side of the old lookout station and consumed more than a quarter of a mile of telegraph wire, we found later.
'Both of our watches stopped when the bolt struck, so we have no idea how long we lay unconscious, but it must have been well over a half hour.'
The men were given first aid at the ranger station and brought to Butte for treatment late yesterday afternoon. The paralysis passed from Skillman's arm within a few hours and except for minor burns both men are in good condition. A curious phenomenon observed by physicians was that each man bore a red mark in the shape of an inverted tree. Skillman in his chest and Richtmeyer on his back. The marks disappeared within a few hours.
Mount Eremine is located about 18 miles southwest of Philipsburg, from which Ranger Leon L. Lake of the Philipsburg district and James N. Templer, assistant supervisor of the Deer Lodge national forest, rushed aid.
'We'll be back on the job within a day or so,' the forest men agreed in the hospital today. 'Except for jingling nerves we are just as good as new.'
'But I'll never forget the sight I saw when I first came to,' added Richtmeyer. 'It reminded me of the battlefields of France.'" (Independent - Helena)
June 29, 1931: "Forest rangers will not be allowed in lookout stations which are not protected by lightning bolt insulators. John N. Templer, acting supervisor of the Deer Lodge National forest announced yesterday. The order was made recently by Major Evan Kelly, regional forester at Missoula as a result of the burns sustained by Ranger M.B. Skillman and Wrangler Richard Richtmeyer on the slopes of Mount Ermine a week ago when they and a pack of 12 pack horses were struck by a bolt of lightning. The lookout station which they had just left was completely destroyed by the same bolt. All lookout stations will be immediately equipped with lightning protectors, it was announced." (Independent - Helena)
1937: At this time the round timber tower was topped by a 14x14 gable roof cab (R-1).
Removed