When we read Bozeman Daily Chronicle’s Managing Editor, Michael Wright’s article headlined, “New book examines major disasters of Montana’s past,” on the very first day of 2022, we just had to find out more.

The piece was about Butch Larcombe and his book, MONTANA DISASTERS: TRUE STORIES OF TREASURE STATE TRAGEDIES AND TRIUMPHS, published in December 2021 by Farcountry Press in Helena.

Butch Larcombe is a fourth-generation Montanan who grew up in Malta. He worked for more than thirty years as a reporter and editor for Montana newspapers and at Montana Magazine.

We spoke with him from his home near Bigfork on January 12, 2022.

Articles pertinent to this interview:

New book examines major disasters of Montana’s past https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/dailyfeatures/new-book-examines-major-disasters-of-montanas-past/article_abee918f-01b6-5839-80ff-f2c074716883.html

Groups request independent investigation into Hebgen Dam malfunction https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/environment/groups-request-independent-investigation-into-hebgen-dam-malfunction/article_44784f51-0113-5f11-b766-c6e07bdc95fe.html

‘Worst in history’ https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/worst-in-history/article_3574a1c0-ab7e-588b-a183-34e972994c60.html

Authorities identify victim from explosion https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&t=pubname%3ABZMB%21Bozeman%2BDaily%2BChronicle%2B%2528MT%2529/year%3A2009%212009/mody%3A0309%21March%2B09&action=browse&year=2009&format=text&docref=news/126D81DE4E5DFE68

30 homes destroyed in Bridger Foothills fire https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/30-homes-destroyed-in-bridger-foothills-fire/article_538b6f6e-3508-51e7-a8f9-7e39c2a1f860.html

The Hebgen Lake Earthquake http://kgvm.org/show/the-hebgen-lake-earthquake/