Report the Sixth

Today I wandered up Broadway to the Charles W. Clark mansion. Clark was the eldest son of William A. Clark, one of the Copper Kings. The elder Clark went on to serve an undistinguished career as a U.S. Senator after being involved in a political scandal that led to the passing of the 17th Amendment. Mark Twain, in his 1907 essay, "Senator Clark of Montana," skewered him by characterizing him as an example of the Gilded Age's worse product dripping with excess and festered with corruption. Twain said, "He is as rotten a human being as can be found anywhere under the flag; he is a shame to the American nation, and no one has helped send him to the Senate who did not know his proper place was the penitentiary with a ball and chain on his leg."

The son built this lavish home for his bride Kathleen Quinn Roberts in 1898. Architect Will Aldrich modeled it after a chateau in Europe in which the couple honeymooned in 1896. It has a turreted slate covered roof and the exterior is patterned brick highlighted with gray limestone. The yard, surrounded by a wrought iron fence, is also covered in brick and limestone because the fumes from the smelters prevented anything from growing. Inside shows the details for which Clark spared no expense including stained glass, hand painted wallpaper, and a spiral staircase leading up to the four floors.

The most impressive room is the ballroom decorated with hunting scenes and the story of Pocahantas. It was here the Clarks entertained, but their stay was short-lived, and they only occupied the house for a year. Charles, in an attempt to bribe a judge to win a case for his father during the Copper King wars, found a warrant issued for his arrest. He was unaware that one of the other men had already bought off the judge. The Clarks fled to California.

The house has changed hands several times, serving as a men's social club for a period, before being purchased by the city of Butte. It now functions as an historical museum and art gallery and is known as the Arts Chateau.

There were two exhibits on display during my visit. Most interesting was the mixed media work of Nolan Salix. No where else will you find a work of art which lists its medium as "Dead E.Coli virus and watercolors," listed in such works as "Ecoli
Hamburger."

Thanks to Gretchen for the informative tour.

Next, I thought I would continue my exploration of the history of the city with a visit to the new public archives adjacent to the Butte Fire Department building erected in 1900. When I got to the door, one side read: "Butte Silver Bow Public Archives" and the other contained a posted sign: "Closed to the Public." I plan to file that with friendsofirony.com.