I would love to know the story of Valaria cause I want to write a story about it. or where can i find it.

Supporting all those who expose injustice your friends at http://www.tomthumb.info/tt/ Yours Tom Thumb and friends.Thank you.

Hi Kelly, saw your story on "Dead Files" Here is a link for the photo of Valeria (Goodenow Sweat) Gibson. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=37392836 Like to discuss more details, have a few thoughts on where the diary could be based on the clues Valeria might have given you. Email me back at my email, prefer not to make it public.

Hi Local, The information you have written is the information that is widely reported. I have heard it too. There were many rumors about Valeria being an invalid in addition to the two newspaper articles of which one says she fell off the park hotel and the other says she jumped or committed suicide (Miles City Paper). There is very little surviving info about her. I had no idea what happened to her, nor did I really care, until I bought this house. I can only tell you what dead people tell me in pretty interesting detail. Valeria is not the only person who has revealed her story to me. There are many things the dead have shared with me and I do not know why they choose to share with me stories they do. The other mansion you refer to I have been in many times and has many stories too. Kelly

Hi Kelly, I was wondering where you have done your research at? With all do respect, some of the things that you are saying to not mesh with the traditional P.G. stories and Histories. Having lived in both SLC and GF (Both towns P.G. had planned and designed) I was wondering if you could clarify for me. You imply in the show that V.G. was murdered or committed suicide, I can find nothing that leads to this. Also, we have been told that Valeria did not actually reside in the home, that the home was built for theodore and P.G> resided there only after Valerias death and he became infirm. Before her death Valeria was reportedly living in a suite at the "Park" and fully attended too. Previous to that she was not a full time Great Falls resident. I do not want to make it seem as thouh I am questioning your story, but rather am wondering where you learned your information. I personally believe in an afterlife so have no qualms with the ghost claims, though by far the collins mansion has had the most reports (big house, servants quarters, bats and so on, you know.) :) Thanks for the info in advance.

Just wondering if any pictures of Valeria were ever found. It would be interesting to put a name and face together.

Hi Erin, I haven't really thought about it actually. It would depend on the credentials of the paranormal group or company. I would need a background check etc...

Hi Kelly. I was wondering if you ever aloud paranormal groups to come investigate your house. Aside from the Dead Files show.

Hi Scott, Yes at some point the tower will go back up. I have to get a variance from the city because it will be above current building height codes. I have to re-do the front porch and make is round or curved again too. That is the plan, just takes a while to get it all done (and lots of money). Kelly

I just saw your episode on The Dead Files, excellent! Just curious if you ever thought about putting the tower back on? And did you ever find out why it was removed?

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.