It was Christmas Eve of 1891 when the Duffy family from Missoula moved north to Kalispell. Their journey was extraordinary, fraught with motion sickness, freezing waters, and a blizzard. I’ve heard it said that it takes a certain breed to withstand a harsh Montana winter. The Duffy family certainly exemplify that. History speaks for itself as we learn of the Duffy’s difficult trip as they traveled by train, stagecoach, and steamboat one cold winter’s night over 100 years ago.
"On December 24th, 1891, my father, mother, and five children came by the Northern Pacific train from Missoula, Montana to Ravalli. From Ravalli we took the stage to Polson. The stagecoach was lined with red damask, and the color of the lining and jolting of the stagecoach made the whole family sick. From Polson we took the steamboat Montana across Flathead lake and up the river to Demersville. The weather was very cold and the lake was freezing over, so it was necessary for the men to break the ice so the boat could get through. We were very late getting to Demersville, where a blizzard was raging, and from there, we took another stage to Kalispell. One of the horses drawing the stagecoach balked, which delayed us even more. We arrived at the Hillside House (an early day Kalispell hotel run by Mrs. Parsons), at nearly midnight where a Christmas Eve party was in progress. Our hands and feet were nearly frozen, so Mrs. Parsons and some of her party guests helped thaw us out with the aid of a tub of water. We stayed at the Hillside House for about a week until our household goods arrived from Missoula". ~Gregory Duffy (information from Central School Museum)
The "Little Red Dress"
It was Christmas Eve and quite cold when Margaret Duffy traveled with her family 120 miles from Missoula to Kalispell. Upon reaching their destination, the family discovered a party was going on. Mrs. Duffy took out the “Little Red Dress” and let three year old Margaret wear it to the party. Now on display in Central School Museum, it remains delightfully charming.
The Little Red Dress on display at Central School Museum
This story has enchanted me ever since I read about it 3 years ago. It is a wonderful holiday story as it inspires and serves as a reminder of the strength and endurance of the human spirit.
