The Steamboat Helena brought Vinegar Jones to Montana in 1880.
Whitman Gibson [W. G.] Jones, commonly called "Vinegar" Jones, a colorful, common man hero owned and preserved the Cabin from 1890, until his death in 1931.
He was a master carpenter, builder, house mover, and early preservationist.
W. G. Jones, a first cousin of Great Falls founder Paris Gibson, was born in 1859 in Brewer, Maine. Jones was named "Whitman" after the pioneer missionary Marcus Whitman, a friend of W. G.'s mother and "Gibson" for his mother's maiden name.
He came to the Upper Missouri on the steamer Helena in August 1880 to help the Army build the new military post at Fort Assiniboine.
In the Fall of 1880, Vinegar traveled by freight wagon to Fort Benton. Highlighting his four years in Fort Benton, Vinegar married young Rosa Zahner and built much of the woodwork at the majestic Grand Union Hotel. His master carpentry work can be admired today in the classic lobby counter desk and the front porch of the Grand Union.
In the Fall of 1884, Jones began work in the new townsite of Great Falls. During the next three years, he built Great Falls' first store on Central Avenue, the first flour mill, the Townsite Office, and many other early buildings.
In 1890 Vinegar bought Josiah Peeper's Cabin and moved it across Fifth Avenue South. Until his death in 1931, Vinegar Jones preserved and protected the Cabin.
Vinegar homesteaded on the outskirts of Great Falls. He evolved from building houses to moving them.
He built and operated a vinegar factory. Some say his nickname "Vinegar" came from the vinegar plant; others insist the name really captured his acerbic personality.
He crusaded to preserve and mark the early Mullan Road leading from Fort Benton to Washington territory.
