Montana Disasters: True Stories of Treasure State Tragedies and Triumphs

by Butch Larcombe

In Montana Disasters, fourth-generation Montanan and long-time journalist Butch Larcombe chronicles not just the explosions, fires, floods, earthquakes, avalanches, train wrecks, airplane crashes, and other major tragedies spanning more than a century. Through careful, detailed research, in-person interviews, and more than 100 historical photographs, Larcombe brings to life the true stories--at turns gut-wrenching and heroic--of the victims, survivors, and rescuers.

272 pages, Paperback

Published December 14, 2021

Reviews

[Garvey Wood]

I just finished reading "Montana Disasters" by Butch Larcombe. Larcombe attempts through a newspaperman’s lens to distill dozens of disasters which have hit all parts of the state. He does a good job of it too. Fortunately, there are many sources listed after each section so one can pursue each story further. In the words of Paul Harvey, “the rest of the story” is there for anyone to search for more. One of those stories brought back part of my own childhood. I was visiting my Grandad in Choteau in August 1959, I was 9, and that morning Grandma had made breakfast, bacon and eggs, the earthquake had been felt the night before. Grandad was the Depot agent for the Great Northern there. Grandad remarked “Blackie’s” trailer had been knocked off its blocks (p.197-203).
Another more personal story was June of 1964. It had rained on a heavy snowpack in the mountains to the west. High water was coming down the Teton and the Marias. The Dam Manager at Tiber called Dad (and everyone else up and down the Marias valley) and told them they were not sure Tiber would hold. There were weak spots in the dam and water kept coming up. They were letting every bit of water through that they could. The Teton was flooding, and it took out both approaches to our bridge. I can remember standing in the Gap (on the county road between the Teton and Marias valleys) watching trees float down, with the water roaring under a bright sunlight day. We had packed up our house the night before and driven the loaded trucks up onto the bench behind the house. The piano was up on sawhorses. If the Teton and Marias crested at the same time, we would lose our house. We drove through water to get back to the house from the Gap. The Marias crested first, then the Teton. It seemed like weeks before the road could be used again. The Bureau of Reclamation spent years repairing the dam at Tiber.
The Democrats in Chouteau County used to have a booth under the grandstands during the fair, this was back in the late 60’s. Mom and Bunny Albers would man the booth first thing in the mornings and give away free coffee and cookies. These were days when there were big rodeos at the fair. Well, on a Friday morning this old cowboy from up at Browning came by and Mom (Norma) and Bunny gave him coffee and cookies, it turned out that this was his breakfast for that day and they did the same for the next two days. On that Sunday morning that old cowboy came by and thanked Mom and Bunny for being so nice to him. You see he had lost all his family in the Flood of ’64. He gave my Mom his mothers name, “Sings-in-Air” (p.154-163).

[Cheryle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of Montana Disasters from the publisher Farcountry Press in exchange for an impartial review.
Montana Disasters is an excellent look at some of the worst disasters the Treasure State has ever experienced. The subtitle states "True Stories of Treasure State Tragedies and Triumphs." While the disasters, natural as well as man-made are horrible in their destruction there is also triumphs in the lives saved to carry on. Many heroic acts are recounted in the book as well as tragedy. The author has named those who perished as well as rescuers, giving reality to the telling and making them personal.
The author has spent many hours researching material for this book. Each section which focuses on one disaster lists material used to document and substantiate the research. Historic photos bring to life the narrative and allows the reader to visualize the terrible destruction in each. One aspect that struck me is the difference in the reporting in newspapers and radio between then and now. The newspapers reported everything in very descriptive detail that would not get into today's news.
I have heard or read of several of the disasters but this volume brings to light in a manner that is readable and horrifying at the same time. So many of the disasters were devastating to human life and the author vividly portrays that horror allowing the reader to think of the possibility of their place in that situation.
Anyone interested in the history of the fourth largest state in the nation would find this to be an engrossing retelling of the worst disasters. The author has brought together the worst disasters as well as the best in terms of how people responded to them. I highly recommend this book giving it 5 stars.

[Honey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of Montana history, this is a book for you. Butch brings the stories of the people affected by disasters & epidemics in Montana's past to life with his words and historic photographs. He mentions of one of the best historians to ever teach & write books about Montana, K. Ross Toole. Butch, Professor Toole would be proud of you and your research that you put into this book. A well written and impeccably researched book. I highy recommend it if you love Montana and her history.

[Nicole Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I love Montana history and I was surprised at how many disasters I have never heard of. There were a few bigger disasters I wish were touched on, but I still enjoyed learning about the ones recorded. Butch Larcombe brought names and backgrounds to many of the victims in these tragedies. I truly liked this about the book, but also a little heavy at times. Montana Disasters has many sad stories about our state's tragedies, but very well written making it hard to put down. I highly recommend!

[Shelby Lodholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy & enjoyable read about several historical events that took place across Montana. Each chapter was a different type of event, like plane crashes or train wrecks, and the events in each chapter were in chronological order (big plus for me). The book was well written and the book itself had nice thick pages (another pro for me). I recommend this book, especially for history lovers living in Montana!

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book feels a bit thrown together but in all it's got indelible scenes such as the fellow outrunning a wall of mud as the Fort Peck Dam fails.

Best read alternating with other reads as it can feel kind of like a relentless fail reel.

Made me wonder if Montana had some high per-capita disaster rate or if the author just made it seem so by rounding up so many stories about them.