JOHN McDERMOTT, Leeson's Hist. of MT 1739-1885, Jefferson Co., MT

USGENWEB NOTICE:  These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in
any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or
persons.  Persons or organizations desiring to use this material,
must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal
representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb
archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied
for personal use only.

"List transcribed and organized by Ellen Rae Thiel, thieljl@aol.com All rights 
        reserved."

  Copyright, 1998 by Ellen Rae Thiel. This file may be freely copied for non-profit 
        purposes. All other rights reserved.

JOHN McDERMOTT - pg 1184

From Leeson's History of Montana 1739-1885 published 1885

John McDermott, P. O. Radersburg, present sheriff of Jefferson
county, was born in the North of Iceland, June 24, 1843; made a
trip to America in 1848, remaining until 1852, when he returned
to his native country. In 1855 he came to the United States,
locating in Wisconsin and remaining until 1860, when he emigrated
to Pike's Peak, thence to Bannack, arriving at the latter place
June 14, 1863. In a few days he left for Alder, locating in
Nevada and owning the "Discovery." there were two other parties
interested with mr. McDermott and together they were proprietors
of seven claims. Some of these claims proved to be quite rich,
the net proceeds of Mr. McDermott and one man's work being
$60,000. This was in the summer of 1864. After remaining at Alder
Gulch for two years Mr. McDermott engaged in mining at Blackfoot,
Ophir and Deep and Bear Gulches, tributaries of Deer Lodge river,
remaining at the latter place three years. He abandoned mining
and after acting as deputy sheriff of Deer Lodge county for a
time was elected to that office for one year. Leaving Deer Lodge,
went on a stampede to southern California, coming back by way of
Pioche, Nev., which had recently been struck. After a three weeks
stay at Pioche he returned to deer Lodge and engaged in
butchering in Deer Lodge City for fourteen months. He remained in
that vicinity until 1881, when he became interested in the placer
mines on the Big and Little Boulder, and coming to Jefferson
county was elected sheriff in the fall of 1882. Mr. McDermott was
an eye witness to the hanging of Collins, one of Slade's
teamsters, at Virginia City, who was the first man hung within
the limits of Montana.