1863: Moved to Denver-managed stake in Lumber Co. & acquired a team of horses.
1864: Contracted to haul load of clothing to Virginia City, MT. Returned to Denver & Salt Lake City – met business partner, John Ferrell, a Confederate Officer.
Blaine Spring Creek Bridge
1865: The two men packed up their team of horses & moved to Virginia City, MT, arriving in April. Varney purchased Gross & Works Ranch, a horse ranch, in the Madison valley at Cedar Creek – Bob Lyon taken on as an additional partner. They ran an “Insured” horse ranch, if lost, they paid for half of the horse.
1870: Lyon partnership dissolved. Varney moved to Yellow Barn Ranch at Mill Creek & continued to raise horses.
Midway on the Varney Bridge looking east
1875: Varney moved to Mill creek & worked horses & farming.
1880: Moved to “Scanvine”, the old VF Ranch.
1882: Varney partnered with John Ferrell to create southern Montana’s most famous horse ranch. They bought 9 sections of land.
1885: Created “Varney Springs Ranch” – two miles west of Thexton’s on Trail Creek, it was later named “Kidville.”
1892: Owned 10,000 horses, 5,000 acres & 100 cattle. They kept corrals at Eight Mile Ranch – eight miles from Virginia City. Brand was a “V”. Sold their stock to the US & Italian governments.
1897: Mutually agreed to dissolve the partnership – Varney took Section 9 & all the cattle.
1897: This was the year the Varney & Blaine Spring Creek bridges were built.Varney built a home on Sect. 9, just east of the Madison River near the Varney Bridge.
Varney Bridge - Madison River View
1902: Poor health, moved to Virginia City to room at Madison House.
1903: Died & buried at the Virginia City Cemetery.
1914: Varney Post Office opened.
1944: Varney Post Office Closed.
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