Will Cave was born in 1863 near Virginia City, Montana. At the age of ten he moved with his parents to Missoula, Montana, where he lived the rest of his life. He fought at the Battle of Big Hole when he was only fourteen years old. Cave graduated from the College of Montana (Deer Lodge), and worked for the Missoula Mercantile Company from 1884 to 1891. He served as the auditor of Missoula County after leaving the company, but left in 1887 to explore the Yukon Territories in Canada.
The steamship on which Cave was traveling wrecked off the coast of British Columbia, forcing him to return to Missoula. There he learned of the imminent war with Spain. Cave has the distinction of being the first volunteer for the Spanish-American War, where he served as First Lieutenant in the Third Cavalry. Later in life, Cave wrote historical articles for the Missoulian from his vast knowledge of local events. Cave died in Missoula in February 1954.
From the guide to the Will Cave Papers, 1892-1950, (Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections)
