City founder's family may rest more peacefully after reunion
By Paula Wilmot
Tribune Staff Writer
Valeria Gibson, wife of Great Falls' founder Paris Gibson, might have rested more peacefully in her grave at Highland Cemetery Tuesday night.
That's the hope of the couple's great-great-grandson, Bill Dakin of Columbia Falls, whose efforts helped reunite the remains of his locally famous ancestors with those of their two children who died before their second birthdays.
Remains of Helen Gibson, who was born in 1861 and died in 1862, and her brother Paris, who was born in 1865 and died in 1867, were buried with their parents Tuesday afternoon in a touching and tender graveside ceremony.
"We know little of Valeria, except that she was an invalid for 20, maybe 30 years," Dakin said. "Many people think it was the loss of her babies that affected her health."
By reuniting his great-great-grandparents with their babies, Dakin can rest better. too. The move carried out the wishes of his ancestors, he said.
Tuesday's service was the third burial of the children's remains, this time separated from their parents since 1952. Another 45-year separation began in the 19th century when Paris Gibson headed west to start a new life.
During the years when Gibson worked hard to establish the city of Great Falls, Valeria was often in Minneapolis, Dakin said. Although photos of him exist, none of her can be found.
The story dates back to the time of the Civil War and Montana's Gold Rush, when the children were born and died in Minnesota. In1879, when Paris Gibson brought his wife and sons Philip and Theodore to the Montana Territory, little Helen and Paris remained behind in a cemetery near Lake Calhoun, Minn.
"They must have suffered deep remorse at leaving them behind. It was more common to lose babies in those days, but it was still hard, very hard," Dakin said. "It was my familie's wish that they all be together again."
That was evident in 1924, when other Gibson relatives had the children's remains and grave marker brought from Minnesota to Great Falls to be buried in the old section of Highland Cemetery with their father, who died in 1920 at the age of 90, and their mother, who died 20 years earlier at 62.
Then, in 1952, the city wanted to honor its founder and moved the graves of Paris and Valeria to a new site near the entrance to Highland Cemetery, next to an impressive seven-ton monument, made of syenite porphyry from Liberty County.
Again, the children's remains were left behind.
Dakin couldn't bear the thought of the separation and didn't want to see wasted the energy expended by members of his family who brought the children's remains to Great Falls. "Who knows why they did that? Maybe it was a deathbed promise," he said.
"Paris and Valeria were more than pioneers, more than city
founders. They were also husband and wife, father and mother, and their lives were even more remarkable, I think, when we are reminded of the personal tragedies that they endured and overcame," Dakin said.
"To place the children next to their parents adds some personal warmth to the site."
At the time of little Paris' death, Valeria wrote about it in her book of prayers. The Cascade County Historical Society has the book,and Norma Ashby, who met Dakin during the city's centennial observance in 1984, forwarded the words to Dakin: "My baby Paris died this morning at half past eight after one of the most tedious sufferings I
ever knew. Oh the desolation of this house," Valeria wrote. On the following day she added simply, "Baby buried."
Arranged by Ashby, the cemetery event attracted a distinguished group that included five Great Falls mayors. Current Mayor Randy Gray observed that Paris Gibson did more for Great Falls than the accomplishments of the five mayors - himself included - added together.
"Those who look back to learn from our past know that what this community is, is because of these people," said the Rev. Everett Bosch of First Presbyterian Church. He praised their dedication to family.