Indeed, a landmark can mean different things for different people. For many, the Porter Ranch Barn (aka the “Blasdel Barn”) seems to be a forlorn heirloom of Flathead history (but still a great place to take graduation and wedding photos).
Yet, for others, the barn is a reminder of deeds far more nefarious.
As mentioned in a previous Landmarks article (Sept. 10, 2014), the “big red barn” along North Somers Road in Somers was originally built in 1908 by Frank W. Porter, a successful businessman in the early 1900s.
Porter’s success blossomed as America became enthralled with wealth and all things material. So when Porter held a hoedown on Aug. 29, 1908 to commemorate his building of the largest barn in the Flathead Valley, it was also a celebration of newfound prosperity – and a whitewash.
Some folks believed Porter needed such grand façades and galas to hide behind – especially considering his involvement in the “mysterious” death of Miss Susie O’Neil.
In 1906, Susie O’Neil came from Milwaukee to help her brother “Jack” O’Neil, who kept the butcher shop at Somers (the company town owned, operated, and ruled by John O’Brien). Miss O’Neil worked as a bookkeeper in the butcher shop for about four months before realizing that her brother Jack had been implicated in the Somers stagecoach robbery.
Miss O’Neil began to investigate her brother’s innocence. And some perceived that she was close to discovering the truth of the matter – when she unexpectedly met Frank Porter.
On July 1, 1906, Miss O’Neil struck up a conversation with Porter, took a short ride in his buggy – and insisted in her ensuing delight that Porter take her to Holt in the buggy. This was quite peculiar to many, as Miss O’Neil never met Porter before and never traded a word with him.
Porter tended a few errands, met his wife at home, and then traveled with Miss O’Neil to Holt, likely taking a few sips of his blackberry-flavored whiskey along the way.
Porter drank at the Holt Saloon while Miss O’Neil visited someone nearby. As uneventful as their trip to Holt was, their return would prove most shocking.
So as not to bother the ferryman, Porter launched the river ferry at Holt by himself, as he had done several times before. The river was calm. Yet the horses were somehow startled – they bolted – and ran off the ferry plunging the buggy and Miss O’Neil into the river. Porter who was fortunately (if not curiously) unharmed, saw only the silhouette of Miss O’Neil’s dress as she sank to the bottom of the river.
A coroner’s inquisition regarding the drowning of Miss O’Neil was held a few days later. Porter testified he was the last person to see Miss O’Neil alive (although he had just met her the day before). Porter also testified that Miss O’Neil gave her watch to him (although it would have been quite the odd gesture considering he was a married man). And Porter testified that he did not know what became of the $300 of butcher shop funds that Miss O’Neil had been holding (although, Porter was listed on her brother’s jail bond).
After the “mysterious” drowning of Miss Susie O’Neil, her body was shipped back East. Her brother faced unimaginable torment. And Frank W. Porter built this barn.
And much like the red barn paint, so too has the memory of this tragedy faded as well …
Jaix Chaix is a columnist and author of Flathead Valley Landmarks and other local history books that are available for sale at the Flathead Beacon at 17 Main St. in Kalispell.