Margaret Price Daly
Margaret Price Evans was born in Ohio in September, 1853; one of seven children. Her family moved west between 1860 and 1870, ending up in Ophir, Utah. Zenas Evans, Margaret’s father, was a lumber man and prospector. He visited a mine in Ophir, owned by the Walker brothers and managed by Marcus Daly, in order to offer a proposal for lumber. Margaret accompanied her father to the mine, as she was interested in his business. While descending stairs into the mine, she tripped and fell, literally falling into Marcus’ arms. Following a courtship, they were married in the Walker
home in Salt Lake City in 1872. The 5’4”, blue-eyed Margaret was 18 and Marcus was 30. The newlyweds lived in the mine manager’s house in Ophir. It was a dismal bachelor’s house, but Margaret turned it into a respectable home. This is a pattern she followed throughout her life – making the best of the situation. In 1875, Marcus Daly was sent to Butte by the Walker brothers to manage the Alice mine. Margaret joined Marcus in the spring of 1876, traveling by train and coach with a two-and-a-half year old and a three month old. Once again, they lived in a dismal mine manager’s house, upon which Margaret performed her magic. Mr. Daly left the Walker brothers’ employ, investing in the Anaconda mine. But there was a time before he started making money from the Anaconda, so Margaret took in laundry to help with expenses. As income began coming in, the Dalys moved into an “upscale” home in Butte, then Anaconda and finally New York City in 1889. At the same time, Marcus had “discovered” the Bitterroot valley and, in 1886, bought a farmhouse. This began the Bitterroot Stock Farm, which ultimately ended up consisting of 22,000 acres, raising crops, vegetables and fruit, beef cattle and race horses. Again, Margaret “fixed up” the farm house, going through three major remodels. Margaret, who had become interested in business at an early age, had remained inte
The Daly’s second child, Mary (known as Molly), was born in Ophir, Utah on January 13, 1876. Like her mother, she had blue eyes and was 5’4”. Molly was referred to as the most handsome of the Daly children and was the one who possessed many of her father’s characteristics, especially his sense of humor. Molly was bright, well
educated and highly accomplished with a remarkable memory.
Following a two year stormy courtship with her future husband, James Watson Gerard, they married in June 1901. In James’ words, “We were individually strong minded and our idyll was punctuated from time to time by spirited disagreement.” But they worked through their issues and had a long, happy marriage.
James was appointed Ambassador to Germany from 1913 to 1917. Molly was a favorite at the German Emperor’s court and became a friend of the Empress. As World War I started, a large number of people from many countries came to the U.S. Embassy
for assistance to get out of Germany. Molly organized the staff to assist in getting passports, visas and transportation out of Germany. James commented “Molly has been not only a devoted helpmate, but also a charming companion, a skillful hostess, and a
great aid to my career.” Molly was very tactful and because of her diplomatic skills, she was responsible for the peace that reigned in the embassy. Like her father, Molly was a democrat and chaired a committee to repeal the 18th Amendment, doing away with prohibition and taxes on liquor.
Molly owned her own stock, as well as the house where she and James lived in New York City. She supported many causes and charities, to include: several hospitals, the Red Cross, art museums, tuberculosis research, the Democratic Committee, and a
number of children whose parents were having financial problems.
Molly loved to entertain and frequently hosted lavish dinners. Moving in high society circles, her friends included Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, President Hoover, John Rockefeller, the Vand
Do You Know?
Harriot Holmes Daly Sigray
Called Hattie as a child, Harriot was born in Butte on July 12, 1884. Hattie was the youngest of the Daly’s four children and was known as her father’s favorite. Standing at 5’5” with blue eyes, Hattie was quiet but musically talented, often playing the piano at charity events. Hattie was raised in high society, was a debutante in New
York City and attended school both in New York City and Europe.
Harriot met her future husband at her friend Gladys Vanderbilt’s wedding.
Following a two year courtship, Harriot married Count Anton Sigray on March 30, 1910. Following the wedding, they moved to the Sigray family estate in Western Hungary, with a large townhouse in Budapest. During World War I the Count was imprisoned because of his royalist beliefs. Harriot stepped in and ran the estate in his absence. She also set up a hospital for the wounded and purchased an x-ray machine from the US for the Hungarian hospital.
Harriot and her husband loved to travel, visiting much of Europe and often traveling back to the States to visit family.
World War II saw Harriot’s husband once again arrested by the Germans, spending one and a half years in Mauthausen concentration Camp. Once again Harriot managed the estate, this time with the help of their daughter Margit. Harriot refused to
leave the estate, as it was a gift to the Sigray family in the 18th century from the Hapsburg ruler at the time. Flying the American flag, she brought many of the local girls into the estate to protect them from the enemy. After being kept under house arrest by
the Germans, she was finally forced to leave in June 1946 by the occupying Russians. Immigrating to New York City, Harriot spent her last years recovering from a broken hip, taking care of her husband, whose health was very fragile following his time
in the concentration camp, and sending care packages to friends and family throughout Europe. Count Sigray died in December 1947 at the age of 6
Hey everyone!! Happy Friday!! We hope to see you tomorrow at our Volunteer Recruitment Fair!! Come and learn about all the exciting things going on at the Daly Mansion!
It’s almost time for Santa 🎅!! We are excited to be setting up for the arrival of the big guy himself!! Get your Christmas list ready, because Santa arrives at the Daly Mansion at Noontime tomorrow!! #christmas2023 #herecomessantaclaus #dalymansion #hamiltonmontana #bitterrootvalley #christmascheer #familyfuntime #christmasparty #bitterrootcommunity
The Daly Mansion's Fall/Winter Hours start today:
The Grounds will be open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm.
We are closed on the weekends unless we are hosting an event.
Tours are by appointment and based on availability.
Thank you for a wonderful summer season!
We are extremely excited to have Auctioneer Jaxon Allen returning to our Roundup at Riverside Fundraiser on August 27th!
With his engaging, interactive style...Jaxon is the Best in the West!
*Stay tuned next week for sneak peaks of the great items that will be up for auction!*
Roundup at Riverside at the Daly Mansion
August 27th at 5:30pm
Tickets $100 per person
Purchase yours at dalymansion.org or call406-363-6004
The Daly Mansion's Summer Hours have begun!
We are now open 7 days a week!
Grounds are open from 9am to 5pm and
Tours are available on the hour from 10am to 3pm.
The Daly Mansion is a participating nonprofit during the Bitterroot Gives Online Giving Days from at 5pm today through 7pm tomorrow!
As a kick-off for the online event, we are excited to share a video created for us by Hamilton High School students!
Thank you to the Hamilton High School Drone Class and their instructor, Micheal Bonnes, for capturing the footage, Ryan Jordan for producing the video, and Cheyenne London, our intern, for spearheading this collaboration!
Donations received during Bitterroot Gives will be used to fund restoration projects and to maintain the trees on our grounds.
If you would like to make a donation to the Daly Mansion during Bitterroot Gives, please visit: https://www.missoulagives.org/organizations/daly-mansion
Thank you for supporting the preservation of local and Montana History!
The Bitterroot Community Band has arrived to fill the Mansion halls with their Christmas music repertoire!
The Bitterroot Ragtime Society is ready to entertain Mansion guests with fun, spirited holiday music!
The Daly Mansion is open until 4pm today for live music and tours through the day!
The Bitterroot Community Band will be performing at 2pm
Plus, there’s hot chocolate!
Admission just $10 for adults, $5 for youth 6-17yrs, and children 5 and under get in free!
There’s nothing quite like Christmas Carols to get in the Holiday Spirit! Bitterroot Valley Chorus has started their concert, but there’s still time to come by for anyone running a bit behind!
The show will go on! ❄️ Come see the Bitterroot Valley Chorus caroling concert at the Daly Mansion at 4:30pm!
Then, warm up with some hot chocolate and take an evening tour of the Mansion!
And the winner is…
The generous attendees at the Holly Jolly donated over 200 lbs of food to be distributed to 3 Bitterroot Valley food banks! Thank you!
The Holly Jolly is winding down, but we are here until 5pm! We are very grateful to host this exceptional group of vendors ❤️
Thank you to everyone who has attended the Daly Mansion’s Holly Jolly Craft Show so far! There’s still 2 hours left to get some holiday shopping done locally!
The Holly Jolly Artisan Craft Show is under way! 36 talented vendors throughout all 3 Floors of the Mansion…
Here’s a quick tour of what you’ll see up on the 3rd Floor!
Bitterroot Community Band Concert is happening NOW! There’s still time to come listen to these talented community members and get some strawberry shortcake from the Bitterroot Women’s Club at the Daly Mansion!
