Making that last delivery

The history of Martin City is interwoven with Mrs. Clara Verrall, who served as its postmaster for 26 years. Her career began May 16, 1947, when the post office was only two months old. Clara succeeded Mrs. Grace Zurn, who served the first two months.

When Clara retired in 1973 she commented, "This community has certainly supported the post office." She was capable, courteous, helpful and known as "Clara" to postal patrons.

Irene Baeth, postal clerk for 21 years, became officer in charge when Clara retired. Maxine May, who had been clerk nine years, became assistant and was later named as officer in charge.

Postal duties grew with the new town. Bids to establish a star route from Columbia Falls to Martin City were advertised in December 1947. Mrs. L. R. Smith, Hungry Horse Village, was lowest bidder at $1,175 per annum. Announcement was made by Columbia Falls Postmater Dudley Greene.

The new star route would serve about 1,000 patrons. Breakdown showed nearly 400 residents in Martin City and vicinity, 275 in Hungry Horse Village (Government Town), with another 275 residents in South Fork, Wagsmith, Damtown, Columbia Heights and vicinity.

Mail services to Martin City increased in July 1948, when twice daily, six days weekly, star route services started. Mrs. Eula M. Mason won the bid for $2,250 per annum.

Those were exciting times for the new communities being created with Hungry Horse Dam. Contract for construction of the 520-foot Hungry Horse Dam was awarded April 21, 1948, by J. A. Krug, Secretary of the Interior. The $43,431,000 contract, second largest in Bureau of Reclamation history, was given to General Construction Co., of Seattle, the Shay Company, of Alahambra, Calif., and Morrison-Knudsen Co., of Boise, Idaho. Only the contract for Hoover Dam exceeded that amount.

Clara Graham was born March 23, 1910, at Crary, near Devils Lake, N.D., and graduated from Tokio High School in Benson County. Tokio is the correct spelling-not Tokyo. She worked in the county agent's office at Minnewaukan for six years.

She married Gottlieb Frederick, and they moved to Cut Bank, where he worked in the oil fields. Next they moved to Coram in 1945. Her brother Chet and wife Jerry took over the Deer Lick saloon in Martin City. This was the first business in the new town. Clara worked there until she became postmaster. Gottlieb died in 1952.

She married Richard (Frenchy) Verrall in 1953. He was employed as a cook by the Forest Service, working at the Anna and Betty Creek Work Centers. Frenchy died of cancer the week of Clara's retirement.

When she retired, Clara planned to do some traveling and spend time with her grandchildren. Her son, Larry Frederick, wife, Margaret (Margie) and family lived in Coram.

Clara Verrall, 94, died Aug. 27 in Portland. Memorial service was conducted by Pastor Tom Baker at Mt. Scott Funeral Home with private inurnment.

Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Margie Frederick, Eagle River, Alaska; one granddaughter, Terry; three grandsons, Ken in California, and Joe and David in Alaska; and eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Larry, who passed away in February 2002, and one grandson, Rich.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.