Page 121 - Flathead Living Fall 2014

The Civilian public service camp filled a gap left open by the abrupt conclusion of the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1942, and signaled a progressive tolerance by the united states of conscientious objec- tors – as recently as World War i, those who objected to conscription for religious, philosophical or political reasons were jailed in great Britain.
The glacier Civilian public service camp at Belton, called Camp no. 55, housed more than 550 men during the four years of its operation, but the two- dozen men who worked on the heaven’s peak Fire lookout accomplished a rar- efied feat in remote territory.
an august 1945 Cps newsletter titled “project takes Men to side Camps, some in isolated areas,” signals a departure from terra firma for the crews:
“The heaven’s peak side Camp is unique in that it is located at an eleva- tion of 6,000 feet on the side of a moun- tain, namely heaven’s peak. The project of this camp is building a lookout, materials for which have to be packed up entirely by mule pack, 1,200 feet above the camp site. setting up the camp and repairing the trails leading to the lookout was the main project for about a month.”
according to crewmember Josh Mish- ler, “the boys enjoy fishing, swimming, ping pong and many other sports which add to the camp life. harvey often brings in a nice catch of fish which, when fried, soon find their spot. looking towards the head of the lake, the campees have one of the most scenic views of the park. The deep blue water with the towering mountains going almost straight up on each side of the lake is a sense that is most magnificent.”
in his book “rather than War: The story of Civilian public service Camp #55, Belton, Montana,” Dave Walter described the Civilian public service camp as a means for conscientious objec- tors to perform work of national signif- icance and “contribute to the welfare of the nation without bearing arms against another human being.”
other than a little bit of federal money, the project was funded by the glacier national park Fund and cost approxi- mately $40,000.
the most striking in the park. The entire lewis and livingston ranges lie to the north, the intricately folded strata of Mount Vaught to the south and, beyond, even Cannon Mountain cannot eclipse the colossal dome of Mount Jackson. to the east is the garden Wall and, below, the verdant McDonald Valley, while to the west lie a string of lakes bejeweling
the Camas Valley, including Evangeline lake at the foot of longfellow Mountain and paul Bunyan’s Cabin.
“There is this feeling that you get up there. it’s exhilarating,” headings said. “it’s hard to explain. But it’s the same feel- ing my dad and those men had back then. For myself, for my family, there’s something to gain from that.” FL
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