East Portal in Mineral County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Pluck and Good Fortune
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, July 22, 2011
1. Pluck and Good Fortune Marker
“I won’t die here in this creek… [I’m] getting out of here.” - Pinkie Adair, homesteader and camp cook
During the 1910 Fires, perseverance often meant the difference between life and death. At 26 years old, Ione “Pinkie” Adair could ride, shoot and cook. She lived about 10 miles from where you are standing. When a fire crew set up camp nearby, Adair hired on to cook for the 74 men, including 60 prisoners released from jail to fight the fires.
On August 20, heavy smoke descended into their camp. The ranger ordered everyone to take blankets into the river and cover their heads. They all did as ordered and ran for the water as the fire roared and trees crashed to the ground around them. But Pinkie would not stay. She scrambled up and over the riverbank and disappeared.
Thirty miles away, Pinkie finally staggered into Avery, Idaho, as the last train was leaving. The engineer spotted the exhausted young woman with singed eyebrows and tattered clothes and told her to climb aboard. Clinging tightly to the caboose, Pinkie rode to safety.
Erected 2010 by Lolo National Forest.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 47° 23.792′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Battle That Could Not Be Won (here, next to this marker); Life Along the Line (a few steps from this marker); Substation 13 (a few steps from this marker); When the Mountains Roared (a few steps from this marker); An Unlikely Safe Haven (a few steps from this marker); Building From the Ashes (within shouting distance of this marker); Douse the Flames and Climb Aboard (within shouting distance of this marker); The Route of the Hiawatha (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Portal.
More about this marker. On the lower right is a photo of Pinkie Adair with the caption, "With her strength and spirit intact, Pinkie lived to tell about the fires. “It was exciting,” she recalled. “You never knew when you got up in the morning whether the wind would bring the fire your way.” Pinkie died in 1977. She was 94."
above photo: Robin Tokmakian
right photo: Latah County Museum
Also see . . .
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, July 22, 2011
2. 1910 Fire Markers
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, July 22, 2011
3. Route of the Hiawatha Trailhead (markers on left)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 854 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 3, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
