Talbotts move to C-Falls in bitter 1900 winter

Story about James A. and Jose Talbott was written by their daughter, May T. Linden, in 1957. James Talbott went to Virginia City from Nevada in 1863. He later moved to Helena, then to Butte, where he pioneered in mining enterprises.

Talbott and a group of friends became interested in Columbia Falls as a possible division point for the Great Northern railroad. The Gaylord Hotel was built by the group and its Columbia Falls Town Site Co. Andrew J. Davis, president of First National Bank of Butte, and Talbott started the Bank of Columbia Falls. It was chartered Sept. 1, 1891.

Jose Ramsdell and James Talbott were married July, 9, 1875, in Deer Lodge.

The family spent summers in Columbia Falls. In 1898, Mrs. Talbott bought property where their home was built. Construction started in 1899 and family moved in during the bitter winter of 1900. Fred Whiteside, Kalispell, was architect for the 14-room, three-story house. Bricks were made by Berne brothers at their ranch west of Columbia Falls, where there was a clay bank.

Mrs. Linden stated the house was called Shellrock by a promoter. She added name was never used with affection by the family.

Talbotts were parents of seven children but only four girls, May, Maud, Jose and Clarisse, reached maturity. Jose and Clarisse died in their early 20s in Columbia Falls.

Jose died in March 1904 and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. Her mother purchased the cemetery to correct its rundown condition. She had a fence built to keep out the cattle, repaired the gate and kept the cemetery mowed during her lifetime.

Mrs. Talbott later deeded the cemetery property to the City of Columbia Falls. Family members buried there include their maternal grandparents. 

The mansion and 185 acres of land were purchased by Antone and Caroline Hoerner in 1936.

Maud Talbott married Dr. J. A. Lamb, Kalispell, where she died in 1931. They had no children. May was married to Thomas E. Linden, June 9, 1909. They were parents of two sons, James A. and Thomas E.

Mrs. Talbott died in October 1909, and James A. Talbott died in Spokane, Aug. 23. 1923.

Other stories have described Mrs. Talbott as a generous and caring person, active in St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and civic events. 

Notice both 185 acres as future home location in Columbia Falls as well as Woodlawn Cemetery were purchased by Mrs. Talbott.