Wow all the mysteries that need to be solved. Very intriguing. I can't wait to read the book. I left a msg back in Nov. about the smelter by Giant Springs. I finally found info on it and that it was completed in 1889. The Montana Smelting Co. mined for silver. The home that Richard Ecke lives in was the managers residence and the other building that I thought was a home too was actually the general offices. The board members were Anton Eilers, Walter Gurnee and Augustus Gurnee. Anton and Walter didn't live in Great Falls that I seen. I couldn't find info on Augustus. Just thought I would share. History always fascinates me.

Wow Beth, Very nice to meet you. I look forward to visiting with you. Kelly

Hello, I am the Great, Great, Great, Great Granddaughter of Paris and Valeria Gibson. I would love to know more about the history of the house. I have never heard the story about Valeria being murdered or committing suicide. Very interesting.

Did a little more research this evening, believe I may have a strong possibility for some of Jessie's great-grandchildren, maybe even a grandchild. They are living and I don't wish to post any personal data, so write me privately if you're interested. Again, there are no strings attached with me, I just enjoy this type of research.

Thanks Susan. Jessie's relatives probably hold the secrets. Her diary would be most interesting. Theodore Gibson lost my house in foreclosure and so his family was immediately dumped from high society into working class. They apparently never spoke of him.

Feel free to write me privately, Kelly. I'm happy to help, no strings. My email should be accessible to you through your site tools (if not, tell me and I'll post it). I'm not related at all, just a genealogist and historical researcher in my other life. I enjoy researching people of this era greatly, particularly in Western States. I live in NYC, have a normal job, so I do mostly internet research, databases, etc. And four women in my family, of the Gibson son's era, were institutionalized in WA and IA. One had a political husband associated with the railroad (not nearly as prominent as Gibson!), and I believe she became inconvenient for a few reasons. 1880s-1890s, that couple was in MT, before going to WA Lots of things I can never "prove" with the entire family. Back to Valeria, women could be on deeds in the 19th Century, even original land patents. Were Valeria's in her married or maiden name? If the latter, was she already married? And, Jessie became Dean of Women at the University of Minnesota, saw it while doing newspaper research. I think everyone is interesting, but I do like these families.

Susan, You are 100% correct with your information. Jessie Ladd ended up being a widow because Dr. Ladd wouln't divorce here. She was the dean of a prominent university I think. Just can't remember which one. Dr. Ladd did die in Warm Springs too. Seems to be a reoccuring theme here. Valeria's family had the money, there is no doubt. A woman in Utah called me and she has some documents that show Valeria's name on deeds etc.. which proves that because women were not on the deeds as they had no rights back then. The story is fascinating and I am trying to write a book. I need some help. Are you related to the family? I have lots of info.

This is a story I would love to follow, so I hope you'll continue to post! So many threads. Valeria's sister and brother were in Minneapolis at the time of Valeria's death, but her sister was listed as widowed, with her children, in the 1900 US Census in Minneapolis, and seems to have lived independently, without relatives like her parents (she was also enumerated in Great Falls that year). Dr. Ladd later seems to have died at Warm Springs in the State Hospital as well, 1921. Tangential, but Paris Gibson became US Senator in 1901 after the resignation of William Clark, who was the father of the reclusive Huguette Clark who died this year. Unlikely, but maybe family papers and/or lore survive among descendants.

The interesting thing is that Valeria is talking. It just takes me a while to figure it all out. Sometimes I think it doesn't make sense then when I put it all together it does. The men dictated how it was in this town, which was not uncommon. The difference is why did they have to erase Valeria's existence? What did she know? Why did her younger sister Jessie flee while trying to divorce her husband Dr. Ladd, which was around the same time Valeria was killed? Why did Dr. Ladd refuse to grant the divorce when the court documents cite abuse, cocaine etc..? Why did Paris leave part of his estate to Jessie? Why did Paris' sons Theodore and Phillip die in the state mental hospital of syphillis? Why was my house lost in forclosure for $1800 just after Theodore Gibson was commited to Warm Springs? Where did all the money go? Why did Theo run through my house with a butcher knife just before he was commited? Why was Phillip's house kitty corner torn down and why did my house survive, albeit a rundown boarding house? I need answers? Does anyone know anything?

My husband knows alot about the old history. Ask Valaria if the "mob", are the men keeping her from talking. I bet the diary is hidden in the underground tunnels to the downtowner! We need to find it.

Oh wow, these stories really get me. So much history and unsolved mysteries! I saw this all the way from East Africa - Uganda. I really wonder what may have happened to that poor lady and her children???

I don't think the tunnels are really a surprize. Almost every town had them. The smelter was owned by the Anaconda company wasn't it? Richard Ecke a Great Falls Tribune writer would know because I think his mansion just down the block was moved from over there. He and his wife has restored it and it is really a showpiece.

I hope that Valeria, her 2 children and all the other residents can find some peace and be able to move on to a better place. The home is beautiful. I was quite shocked about the tunnels. Wow, didn't know my little town of Great Falls had something like that. Learn something new everyday. I have a question to put out there, if anyone has an answer. There was a smelter and 2 homes that were located by Giant Springs back in the late 1800's before Giant Springs was made a park. Does anyone know who owned the smelter and who occupied the 2 homes? Been driving me nuts since I saw a picture. Thanks.

Yes I enjoyed the show and the inside of the house. I have lived in a couple of homes here in G.F. that are occupied by others from the past. I would so enjoy talking to you about them if you are interested.

Thanks for the comments. I think that this town is full of mysteries. Gibson and his buddies owned almost all of the township lots and it seems they traded them back and forth, so his name is on most of the deeds I have seen. Valeria is most pleased that her name is being restored and that she didn't jump off the park hotel. I don't know if she has anything else to tell me. I don't know why she told me what she did or why I bought this old house because it was a total wreck when I did. Something made me buy it. I knew when I walked in the front door. There are many houses with ghosts in Great Falls. Some houses I cannot go in. My house is a very happy and is filled with light and the floorplan is very open and liveable which I though was very curious since it is so old. This house is safe for me but not everyone is comfortable here. My mother and bookkeeper just love the place, but the ghosts like them too. My painter has no issues, but his wife smelled the pipe smoke smell and will not come back. lol I actually know where the diary location is (not the area indicated on the show - but close by). I just don't feel it is the time to retreive it yet. I don't know why either. When the time is right I will go get it.

My husband and I (well, I make him watch) enjoyed the Dead Files show. My being from MT and having lived in Great Falls the show was especially interesting to me. Best of luck in finding answers to the mysteries the house contains. Valeria deserves to rest in peace knowing her home is being restored to its beauty.

Interesting. I grew up in a home -826 8th ave n. my dad found something (I was very young). It appeared that the house may have been built by Gibson and lived in by the railroad tycoon. I don't believe in ghosts but always felt stressed if I had to be in the basement. One night I woke up, was petting my cat when I saw a shadow of a man in the living room. i thought it was dad until i heard my dad cough in the other bedroom. I was scared - shut my eyes - when i opened my eyes, the image was gone. I am in WA but occasionally get back to gt falls.

Really enjoyed the show and hope you find the diary.

Oh and I know what she looks like, there is no doubt. A photograph was dropped off at the house too and it was very large with burn marks. I think it might have been saved when the original Park hotel burnt down. On the back it says "Valeria Gibson" - "Did you burn too?".

I am just setting up the blog for this site because of the number of inquiries from the Dead Files. blog.parisgibson.com 1- the ghostly experiences continue, they started before filming and haven't stopped. there are more ghosts appearing and more people have seen or heard them. Like the guy smoking the pipe in the music room or the old time music and piano music that plays from time to time. Just another day at the Gibson mansion. 2- as far as Paris Gibson goes he was born in the 1830's or something. The house was built in 1890 so there might be a typo on the Dead Files site with respect to dates.