Custer County Area History: As We Recall (2025)

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Custer County Area History: As We Recall (3)[...]n who have already pur-
chased two or more copies of our new local history book, As We Re-
call, to help defray the cost of publishing the large, beautifully bound
volumes which we feel will be a great advertisement for all that is
good in our community - past - present - and f[...]rierson
First Security Bank and Trust of Miles City

Once again, thank you for your support.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (4)[...]:
AS WE RECALL

A CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF
CUSTER COUNTY, MONTANA
188[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (5)[...]It is exciting to be writing this - the last page of my book I traced Mr. W.B. Mahoney from western Montana to Africa
- but I view its coming to an end with mixed emotions as I and back to the east coast to get permission to use his maps.
realize I have only scratched the surface of a subject that reaches I traced E. Kay Kirkham through the Salt Lake City[...]to obtain permission to use the maps from which I took the
To those of you who contributed the use of your precious section showing old fort[...]rmer
pictures: they are now labeled and preserved for posterity, and days. The land use maps wer[...]Planning office. This excellent group of maps can be found in
alive for generations to come. Without you my efforts would the back of the book. I hope you will find them as interesting
have been[...]and informative as I did.
The members of the Range Riders, Inc., cooperated with me I'm sure black and white will not do justice to the[...]ering innumerable questions to paintings of the steamboats by James Trott of Fort Benton, but
allowing me to use the stories from the Memorial Hall and to I really appreciated his sharing his considerable t[...]photos. I also want to thank the North Dakota State Historical Society
The president of the Range Riders during the time I was for the photos of the early-day steamboats and the information
comp[...]s wife, Edna R., about them. Blair Chicoine of Sioux City helped me with most
were often called upon when I had questions as were Del and of the material for the captions on the boat pictures.
Bernice Carey, who have a large collection of early-day histories. I would like to thank Mary Haughian and Mildred Waldie
The[...]dlery passed out brochures, collected for offering to help proofread some of the stories from the
stories and pictures as well[...]Irene Gresens submitted the title chosen for the book which
Diana Davis and Margie Nelson. was the one of many preferred by the majority of those who
John Riggs, Elaine Swanson, and Ward[...]did a helped select it.
fabulous job of reproducing photos. Most of the pictures in the Bob Barthelmess wr[...]Christian stories, previewed much of my material, and wrote many letters
Bsarthelmess, or L.A. Huffman, courtesy of the Range Riders in quest of stories, pictures, and information. Thank you, Bob.
Museum and John Riggs of Riggs Camera and Gifts.[...]n, Tara, Kimber, Piney, Mianne, Justin
calls than I did, besides helping in so many other ways.[...]l played a part - typing, stamping, recording,
I appreciated the announcements made by the local r[...]lped with this, too.
Thanks to Bill Perschillo for providing the painting of the My heartfelt thanks to all those[...]e many more
Bradshaw barn, a well-known landmark, for the cover of this who helped in various ways to make this book possible. I hope
volume.[...]you enjoy reading it even half as much as I enjoyed compiling
Bill Wilkerson did an[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (6)[...]PREFACE
Southeastern Montana, as the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition first
saw it, was a vast virgin region of hills and prairie. Pine trees grew in the rough
c[...]and the Indians developed, signaling the advance
of the military. The Indian would never again have u[...]er degree) rested with the people. There was'need for government, public
transportation, schools, churc[...]torical events were all steps in the civilization of Custer County. They
furnished the backdrop for the lives, adventures, and progress of its people. The
adversities encountered produced the kind of person who became the pride and
joy of this country.
It is for these individuals that our book is published.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (7)[...]tion, Dallas, Texas. All rights reserved. No part of this work
covered by the copyright may be reprodu[...]he publishers regret they cannot assume liability for errors
or omissions.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (8) TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE ...............................[...].................................. 151
Overview of an Area ..................................[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (9)[...]mals left by 1883.

Men hunted in groups of from two to six, and were accompanied
by thei[...]des were left to dry until
moved to the banks of the Yellowstone to be picked up by the[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (10)The abodes of the buffalo hunters varied a_ gread deal from thi[...]pile of buffalo bull horns) and Dr. Hornaday (right). Huf[...]ie, the wolfer. The tent on the right is the home of wolfer
Brown. Brown's horse is shown carry[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (11)[...]t Keogh was established in 1877 by General Miles (for whom Miles City was named) as a result of the
disastrous Battle of the Little Big Horn, June 25, 1876. The story of the fort is eloquently told in these
photos b[...]Custer's Battle. The fort was named for the captain and the
county was named for Gen. Custer.[...]The original cantonment area was at the mouth of the Tongue[...]permanent base moved to the site of the present U.S.Range and[...]stock Experiment Station. It housed six companies of[...]location. ote sundial in front of him.

Squad room of L Troop, 6th Cavalry at Fort Keogh, Montan[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (12)[...]The Fort, 1896, looking SW with Sargent Wood of the Second Infantry. Left
building is the guardho[...]mill to cut wood before
the sawmill burned. Piles of cordwood surrounded the fort in lieu of a stockade.

Company of 22nd Infantry soldiers in full military dress in front of their
barracks in 1890's.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (13) "M" Troop of the 6th putting up shelter halves while on a marc[...]re staked in background.

A practice march of the Fort Keogh unit trying to maintain battle rea[...]t camped in the Powder River breaks 25 miles east of
Miles City, 1889.

6

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (14)After the back of the Indian rebellion was broken and the white men[...]d shelter,
the Indians moved closer to the supply of government issued beef. Early day La.me
Deer in b[...]Lt. E. Casey (right) and Lt. Getty at the head of the famous "Casey's Scouts". These
Cheyenne Indians were very useful as part of the fort's military compliment.[...]he and his Northern Cheyenne Indian Scouts leave for Pine[...]Ridge, South Dakota, to assist in the aftermath of the Wounded Knee incident. Lt.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (15)[...]d men's wives living on the Row often did laundry for the officer's, so[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (16) Capt. Powell (center) poses in front of one of the 12 officers' quarters built at Ft. Keogh in 1[...]dvertising is always with us - upper right corner of picture!

10

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (17)The band is leading a column of troops on a practice march, 1896.[...]helmess.

Picnic along Yellowstone River north of Keogh. Tarpaulin was pegged to ground for
dancing.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (18)[...]A buggy ride often provided an interesting outing for the ladies at the fort.

The parade ground wa[...]Early Day picture of Keogh Indian camp.

12

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (19)Ft. Keogh troopers view the scaffold of a Crow Indian grave in 1890.
Bodies were p[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (20)[...]s tepee. Meat is drying in the sun.

Some of the Indians in this winter camp near the fort abo[...]here appears to be a stovepipe coming out the top of the tent. The bark has
been peeled fr[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (21)Fire Wolf, a Northern Cheyenne, once in the bitter cold of No words can tell the story of the Indian and the white man
winter hunted for and found a lost soldier some 60 miles south as effectively as the look on the face of this once proud Indian
of the fort. The trooper's feet were frozen, but his life was saved. who was head of a band of Cheyennes. The cross Little Chief
In appreciation[...]he rifle he wears is an emblem of the four directions. It was made from
hold[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (22)[...]Old Milestown grew up under the protective wing of Ft. Keogh on a steep bank of the Yellowstone
River which provided an ideal landing for the steamboats on which almost all merchandise (a[...]as people) arrived. The town was composed of hastily constructed log buildings. Its inhabitant[...]men who were interested in relieving the soldiers of their paychecks. When, in[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (23)The office of the "Yellowstone Journal" in Miles City in 1882.[...]No one had to be told that the Yellowstone had 'gone out', as it was[...]ous to all. (Huffman Photo)

Fire claimed many of the buildings in Miles City, in this photo by
Schlickting, fire ravaged the Gray Mule. Many of the saloons had
'ladies of the evening' as it was considered an acceptable thing in an
area of so few women.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (24)[...]ir
schedules to allow them to take advantage of its
luxurious accomodations and gracious rep[...]picture? Because a sheepherder with
the help of a good dog, could herd a large band of sheep,
he had his own year around "home". However, it took
many riders to handle a like number of cattle, so the
hapless cowboy had a bedroll[...]roclaims 'The Commercial Club - headquarters
for visitors'. (Photo courtesy of Tom Zook)

18

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (25)[...]h its stately columns was
the new home of the first National Bank when it was
constructed in 1910.

Fire in June of this centennial year of 1989 completely destroyed the Glass
building built soon after the turn of the century. It housed the
Coast-to-Coast store w[...]Firemen here are shown cooling the embers of the fire at the[...]adjoining building precipitated the liquidation of yet another[...](Photo courtesy of Hank Shaw)[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (26)[...]ontana until it closed its doors. (Photo courtesy of Tat Cain)

Miles, Strevell and Ulmer (Mil[...]s in Miles City to be continuously run by members of one family.
Passage of the open range is clearly indicated by the stacks of barbed wire on the right. A sewing machine is sho[...]s and teakettles adorn the right. (Photo courtesy of Bill Jones)

20

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (27)[...]tlight
from above. In the back is the office of a coalway company and an architect. Above[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (28)[...]o told Floyd he had seen many such loads in front of the Shore ewcom Co.[...]purchased by McFarlands, and had, until that time been owned and
operated by members of the Shore family.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (29)[...]t 510 Main Street in Miles
City which he ran for many years.

In 1894, H enry C. Smith open ed a jewelry store in the front corner of the
drug st ore. Eventually Mr. Smith took o[...]e had t he
finest jewelry store in the state of Montana.

24

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (30)[...]itted glasses in his establishment. With the help of his two
sons, Bill and Marshall, Mr. Smith operat[...]e store from Smith and
operated it under the name of 'Smith Jewelers' for a number of years but later
changed the name to 'Mann Credit Jewelers'.

In June of 1978, Manns sold the store to Donald[...]merchandise and closed the shop, ending the era of
H. C.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (31)[...]travel (Courtesy of Bernice Carey)

Since, at the time this photo was taken, this machine was on the ground, I think it Come on now, Bob. Be[...]d 'land' travel. (1-r) Bob, Ward and Dick Barth•i!lmess.[...]via Newfoundland. This Christmas photo (191 0) is of 0-r in[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (32)[...]This photo speaks for itself.

Oxen were sometimes used to transport freight. The Diamond R Bulltrain
is shown in front of the Commercial Hotel, Orschel's and the Miles and
Strevell Hardware Co. Some of these bulls were turned loose to seek
shelter in a blizzard one winter. It is said that most returned in relatively
good condition[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (33)[...]A smaller freighter of later days.

1920 Photo of (1-r): Johanna Dunlap Colvin, Andrastine Rasmusse[...]built in 1924, and was probably one of the first interstate hauling[...]businesses at that time. Motto was, "We haul everything from an[...]elephant to an ant". (Photo courtesy of Verna Benasky)

Mr. Bickle, Dave and Bo[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (34)[...]t to the Custer County area as it was to the rest
of the nation in the days prior to the emergence of the railways. The steep banks near
Milestown were ideal for unloading cargo and passengers from the sternwhee[...]ly the only steam powered boats to ply the waters of the Yellowstone. The
Buffalo Rapids ten or twelve[...]m from Miles City, and the Wolf Rapids just
below that, increased the risk of navigating the Yellowstone, but pioneers accepted challenge
as an integral part of their existence. These risks caused insurance on the boats to cost as
much as one tenth the value of the vessel as the average time for them to go without some
sort of accident was about ten years.

The 'June rise'[...]about the upper Missouri boats (above St. Louis) that came up the
Yellowstone:

"The white boats slowly making their way between the green trees on the banks of the
Yellowstone River, which is the second swiftest navigable river on the globe, were beautiful
in the eyes of the early settlers and seemed to be all that kept a living link between cities,
homes and civi[...]hich boat had arrived. Many experienced something of the feeling of John Alden and
Pricilla as they watched the Mayflower start back to the old homes. The departure of the
boats made them think of the long hard winter, the dangers, privations and scarcity of food
before these white messengers returned".

The statistics I quote concerning the boats on the following pages[...]ACKET DIRECTORY by Frederick Way, Jr. (University of Ohio Press, Athens, Ohi9)[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (35) The Far West, 190 ft. by 33 ft., was one of the more famed steamboats on the Upper Missouri R[...]ped down as much as practical
so every pound of payload possible could be hauled. Swiftness was of the utmost importance as everyone was
eager[...]comfortable boat, as can be seen by this picture of the
interior, it was[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (36)[...]e in the Indian Campaign when it became the scene of the conference between Generals Terry, Gibbons, a[...]was moored on the Big Horn River
(near the mouth of the Little Big Horn) with supplies. Two sets of four litter bearers, traveling at night to avoid[...]eighteen or so mile journey starting the evening of the 29th and arriving at midnight the 30th. The F[...]coln (across the river from Bismarck), a distance of about 700 miles. Captain Marsh of the Far West
made the trip in 54 hours.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (37) The Eclipse was one of many steamships to be so named. The one which was[...]Indians were moved from Miles City by a fleet of steamboats to the Standing Rock Reservation (near[...]d down - September 3,
1887. (Photos courtesy of orth Dakota State Historical Society)

32

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (38)[...]overseen by Captain C. W. Batchelor. It was named for Fanny
Batchelor, wife of Joseph Leighton who, along with his brother-in-la[...]e. Some sources say they owned the
Big Horn which I can neither deny nor confirm. It was not built for them and the 178 X 31
Ft. boat wrecked in the spring of 1883 below Poplar, Missouri. It was build in 1879[...]in the early 1880's, the
F. Y. Batchelor prepares for its trip downstream. Supplying settlements as well as trading
posts along the Yellowstone (many of which belonged to the boat's owners) provided it with
furs in addition to hides for its return trip. She was one of the boats used to transfer the
Indians to the Standing Rock Reservation. Sold in 1885 after the advent of the railroad, it
made what is believed to be the[...]recked by ice in 1907.

(Photos courtesy of orth Dakota State His torical Society)[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (39)[...]·· ··· ------~.

I/

rr

' ,·..
•.,• ...., /I
_,. -:,. .·

Taken from: National Archives · Records of Adjutant General's Office Medical History of Fort Buford.

34

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (40)[...]n 1875, planting the flag and inscribing his feat of accomplishment on
the rock. He ascended the Yello[...]June 7, 1875. Josephine Park in Billings is named for the boat.[...]say she was bought by Leighton and Jordan, a fact that
is not recorded by Fredrick Way, Jr., whose principle source of information was insurance records. They may have only
owned her for a short while. The 183 X 31 X 4 ft. boat w[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (41)[...]to Fort Benton which was considered the
head of navigation on the Missouri. A steamboat weighing[...]ch less than the Yellowstone, used about 25 cords of
wood a day. Even at $2.50 a cord this was approximately one-third of the expense of operating a boat. The Yellowstone, though
ca[...]Riders Museum and many local businesses can boast of having wood from
the Yellowstone incorporate[...]ck on the big steamboats which carried passengers for long distances.

36

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (42)[...]AD

President Abraham Lincoln signed a charter for the Northern Pacific Railroad July 2, 1864.
Following years of exploring and surveying, construction was begun i[...]oats in the summer. This R. . Morrison
picture is of the bridging of a smaller river. The East and West branches of the railroad cam
together at Gold Creek, M[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (43) The Northern Pacific received 47,000,000 acres of land extending in alternating
sections on both sides of the track. This extinguished the titles of land awarded
the Indian tribes within the area of the grant. General Custer was assigned to
Fo[...]mostly Sioux) who highly resented the advancement of the iron horse.
This famous Huffman photo speaks more loudly than words of the intrusion.

The Northern Pacific Railroad arrived in Miles City in November of 1881, soon
bringing to a close the era of the steamboat. Trains were faster, cheaper[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (44)[...]kerson

The Milwaukee Road was an important part of Miles City for 75 years from 1907 to 1982.

Miles City was loc[...]5 miles to Tacoma. This made it an ideal
location for a mojor repair shop.

They built a 24 stall roundhouse, two large shop buildings that measured 110 ft. by 270 ft.
with a transfer table[...]round 1910 to 1953, Miles City was the major shop for
repairing steam locomotives on the lines west fro[...]was around 1000 and held pretty steady to the end of the
steam era in 1953 when the first big lay-offs took place.

Besides the locomotive repair facilities that employed around 300, there was a large rip
track complex for repairing freight cars that employed 200 to 400. Miles City was the
headquarters for the Trans-Missorui division that extended from Mobridge, South Dakota
miles post 8[...], Montana miles post 1335, and included 299 miles of branch
lines. The Superintendents office, the Div[...]d
Brakemen operated trains both east and west out of Miles City. There were Switchmen,
Section men, Di[...]City. It was a busy Railroad terminal.

The end of the steam operations in 1954, reduced the shop fo[...]ouse and made some engine stalls in the north end of the
Machine shop. They also tore down the large brick store department that had employed as
many as 36 employees, and every other building they could get rid of.

In December 1959, the Division headquarters was closed with the loss of the
Superintendents office and the Engineering de[...]ulling heavier trains steadily reduced the number of engine and train crews. There had
been two passen[...]er train was discontinued.

All operations west of Miles City were discontinued April 1, 1980. After that, they only
had three c<i?al trains a week that the Burlington Northern transfered at Miles City. A
provision of the merger agreement that created the Burlington Northern March 1, 1970, was
that all interchange with the Milwaukee would be at the first point of interchange instead of
the last. This would have given the Milwaukee 6 c[...]r plant. These were unit coal trains and required that the Milwaukee put 24
diesel locomotives into the[...]to show a loss as it took a
deadhead crew one way for each train operating east of Miles City. It was either deadhead
crews back and[...]Miles City April 1, 1982, there were only a total of 35
employees left.

One employee was kept working for several years pumping over 500,000 gallons of diesel
fuel out of the ground around the shop, that had leaked in for over 35 years. They had to
drill shallow wells at[...]ions and install an oil seperator in the basement of the old
oil house to comply with Environmental Pr[...]ldings and repair freight cars in Miles
City. All that's left of the Milwaukee is pictures and memories.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (45) Feltons survey party camp east of Miles City, Montana, during the winter of 1904 and 1905. They ran the survey in the winter[...]asurements.

Grading along the North Bank of the Yellowstone River west of Sheffield on what was called Look Bluff. It looks like this was all done with
horses which w[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (46)[...]supplies out on the ice. Note the two men on top of the bridge.

Looking east from the up river si[...]verhead spans each 270 feet long. The photo shows that they h ave already
started to pull the pil[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (47)[...]where he replaced the rods which had been removed for the move. The 1299 had 16" by 24" cylinders,
4 dr[...]0,130 pounds, was 13 l/2' tall. It carried 4 tons of coal
and 2000 gallons of water. It was retired in 1910. Frank Windsor (in gangway), to his left is Fireman Edwards and to the right of him is Conductor John
Kittenger. Jan. 1908.

42

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (48)[...]rn table. The first ten
stalls were ''Hot Stalls" for working locomotives.
The next 10 were overhaul stalls, then two drop
pit stalls for taking wheels out from under the
locomotives and[...]y were used to carry 8,000 to
9,000 extra gallons of water for the L3
locomitives. The long building was the san[...]ce on the right. The high tower
is the sand tower for putting sand on the
locomotives . The only buildi[...]s the
oil house behind the white tank to the left of
the roundhouse .

Miles City shop and yard loo[...]dock in 1942. G6 No. 1103 is next to No. 24
stall of the Roundhouse. Machine shop and
Boilers shop are[...]on a
storage track. Smoke stack and coal dock are
for the 6 boilers in the power house. The three
loads of coal are for the locomotive coal dock.
The switch engine is ma[...]rom the long lead switching into the
yard. The L3 for the train with a desert tank is
going down the ma[...]ast end. The
yard office is on the right set back of the lawn.

L3 No. 396 is being turned o[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (49)[...]the turned both wheels at the same time to insure that both treads and flanges were exactly the same
siz[...]y Shop could completely rebuild steam locomotives of any size. This included everything from ro[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (50)[...]to
November 1937. It was the only one of its
4-8-4 wheel arrangement for 7 years, so was
called "Orphan Annie". The picture shows it
just out of the Miles City shop after being
overhauled with some of the bosses and
inspectors.[...]X978 was the Miles City shop goat for about
20 years. It was used to move lo[...].

X978 being loaded into a gondola to go east
for scrap in March 1954. Smoke box and
cylinde[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (51)[...]. Frank Baldwin and George Miles bought this herd of
slightly over 1000 head in the spring of 1877. Hard winters and a[...]Sheep and Wool Growers of Custer County[...]Clemm , Sam'I. .... . ........ . Alzada Nelson , David .[...]tzer & Co .............. Ro ebud
Marqarel B. Kemp
I. C . Loyd[...]Reprin ted by permission of James Drummond from his book , MONT[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (52) Al Wright's wether band of 3,013 sheep, October 18, 1905. Since sheep at this time
were used mostly for producing wool, it was not uncommon to see large bands of
wethers.

Here range sheep are being[...]ssing the Yellowstone at Scott's Ferry just north of Terry.
This is the only way sheep cou[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (53)[...]locations fuel was hard to find and a great deal of importance was
placed on having a warm bedroll.[...]This sheepherder of the late 1930's lived in much the same way[...]rders did. A radio antenna is the main indication of the[...]the protected area under the wagon for the dogs .

(1-r): Ewen Cameron and Evelyn Cam[...]). Undem is chopping wood perhapls in preparation for cooking
a meal. I hope that water barrel isn't empty! (a Cameron Photo[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (54)[...]early wool handlers seem to take a rest and pose for Lady
Cameron.

Jack Hagen and his distinctive five horse hitch are leaving for the woolhouse with
Renn's wool.

Wit[...]ne this tractor was able to haul many wagon loads of wool at
once. Les Fluss is driving the 'trai[...]his method
certainly made the transportation of wool much simpler in the Terry community i[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (55)[...]an sheep. From 1897 to 1917 they ran wether bands of 5000 for wool
and ewe bands of 2500.

Sheep grazing on the Bickle ranch. The[...]rder, Ben Bickle (brother to Dave and
grandfather of Gordan Bickle), Art, Dave Bickle (owner), and Emil (son of Ben).

(Photos courtesy of Art Bickle)[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (56)[...]been decorat-ed with one of thes famous Montan~ irons.[...]8uq •
79 i., nfv nm· ·N ft, ht..tr, qj SMlllnfJ Muq 17 Ooorler «de (I
l>5 D (l S[...]oi Thi' crn:I V Mo<11X1rom TUI I.J.' l. V bcr ~ MMoqram SH[...]><. Loti11 llr>cRm1J choir 'i' f!:!:Orhl'Od (:, F4/i114 D ·
~Roi/r0[...]ho.r ~1•n X Hoar gltH Q J>kl't of p1r
J.J Jo,irri[...]Nill' ,ron
W I' IMr O Circlr tr' U fo111 ,I XIT[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (57)[...]der River according to the Stockgrowers Brandbook for 1915.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (58)[...]e foreground. E2 corrals were built high for horses.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (59)[...]angle. Abner R. Farnum, who had been the manager of the E2 Some E2 cowboys enjoying a lit[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (60)[...]unch and Riley. Bill Sutter was wagon boss for the TN on the Powder
River. He also worked for the 79 later, and went on to
become Deputy Sheriff of Custer County, 1919, and
eventually Sheriff of Powder River County.

Joe Jackson was horse wrangler for the TN. Jack Taylor on Mosb[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (61)[...]Part of the TN crew.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (62)[...]ing up to leave the wagon. The roundup is through for[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (63)[...]0. C. Cato was range foreman for the Dalhart, Texas, XIT Ranch[...]to make the trip so they arrived around the first of
July . They had to wait to start until the[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (64)[...]nts. Some
ot hers who worked as wagon bosses for the XIT were Bob Duke, Ab Blocker, Scandla[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (65)[...]gentlemen from Massachusetts, acting as agents for[...]adquarters after they moved to Foster Creek. Some of the other men who rode for the outfit
were; Eben Daily, Charlie Hay, To[...]ourtesy Bob Shy)

Some of the SL crew is displaying much appreciated[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (66)[...]Hitzfeldt were brothers-in-law. Ike
worked for the SL for many years. Ira Carey also rode for the SL even after he[...]established a place of his own on the north fork[...]of Foster Creek. The SL ranged on Foster[...]rses .

Throw that rope gently but true and don't rile the herd![...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (67)[...]order: Charley Taylor, cook; Jack Whitbeck reped for
Ed Whitbeck; Jim Gibson - LO; Billie Glenn - boss of Horkan Ranch and also the wagon boss; Billie Craw[...]fied on picture from two different sources . Some of the other riders have been tentatively identified[...]- Hitzfeldt, SL; Font Hitchcock - TN; Joe Gaskill for Sam Shy as horse wrangler; George Liscom - Beaver[...]Ludolph; and Ord Ames - Riley Tyler.
The story of the pool is told in the history of Ira Carey and the following pages are copi[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (68)[...]I:.\ I, I•: I, I: I~!,:-,;., IL I'. Cu1,1:1,;1a
:--:. K \\". :\11111..[...]G:lrl :u1d, :-.1,111t ;111a . Lee, i\luul:llla. ·
Gurland, ~loutau;i..

~ kfl hip[...]hu1 : ld\'r Id~ rill.s and l1i11.

~
:A1l1I ~[...]left ribs
Beebe, 111ontana.

Et.I lcrt ribs[...].

['i!J1ert[...]llii~h hip

I[...]right hip

m h:ft si<h i
mm[...]St.'\CCY, Montnn:i.[...]ht 11houtder lert e\,lo

l!I 1cft :-:1,k an(I hip[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (69)[...]ldt ribs
Lre, i\tontana. ·,[...]I.
HEN?':I~G & SUEPKE
Stacey, Montana.[...]right side

ila..:I', BJ[...]I Stacey, Montana.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (70)[...]I[...]~ left slde

l'P.:'i
W. WT crrctt. & Sons. Continued

~ left side

m[...]f:1 h,ft ride

right ribs

I left hip ~ b[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (71)[...], Sept. 29, 1902. (Cameron Photo)

Living room of Cross S house, 1903. Fireplace is still center at[...]Picture of the ranch house as it looked in 1939 when Robinso[...]and dining room. The bunkhouse burned in spring of 1943 or 1944. (Courtesy[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (72)[...]1897. Mrs. Lindsay once sent her
valet to the LO for some meat they had traded for. The valet greeted Joe
Cole, the cook, saying "Mrs. Lin dsay sends her regards." Mr. Cole replied,
"I are lay them on the table u ntil I'm done here." Mr. Cole started all
sentences with 'I are'. (Cameron Photo)[...]found dead July 18, 1930. When he did not arrive for Casey[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (73)Floyd Robinson's sheep headed for the Cross S Ranch from Teckla, Wyoming.
Started M[...]Crossing the Montana-Wyoming State Line south of Biddle, Montana.[...]Ralph Wilkerson driver of the sheepwagon. Floyd Robinson, Jr. drove[...]aking off nose bags. pry up wagon. Sacks of cake were used to prop up wagon while broken[...]wheel was removed for_repairs.

The dispersion of Robinson's sheep from the Cross S in the fall of 1943.[...]L. Stephenson Photo) (Photos courtesy Floyd
Load of wool leaving the Cross S in 1939.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (74)[...]ns turned to ra1smg cattle. Here they've gathered for John Robinson bringing in calf. Other members of family holding herd.
branding. John Robins[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (75)Gathering wood for heating and cooking.[...]Grieve II, Dolly Hammond. Mrs. Bill (Mom) Grieve I,
Colgate Robinson, Floyd Robinson I, and Jean Robinson. Seated: Bill (Dad) Grieve I, Burt
Grieve, J[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (76)[...]O buildings.
John M. and brother Ben Holt (father of Elmer who became Governor of Montana) brought 2000 cattle
from the Stillwater[...]les above Miles City in 1879. Due to the crossing of
their cattle with the large herds of buffalo in the area along with the fact that the buffalo calves robbed
from the native calves,[...]a where John managed the Mizpah Livestock
Company for a group of Missouri investors.

(1-r): Casey Barthelmess, ''Bugler" Law and unknown standing on the porch of LO.
The ranch was expanded after the hard winter of 1886-7 by the addition of the WL
(now owned by the Miles Family). As John Holt had made so much money for his
investors, they deeded everything t[...]88. He took John T. Murphy as a
partner for a while, but eventually operated with only[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (77)[...]ays. (Courtesy Jo Anne Fox)

Aerial photo of LO taken in late 1950's. (Courtesy Jo Anne Fox)[...]nded by LO land, has played a part in the history of this area since the
Indians sent smok[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (78)[...]e LO
for 15 cents to $1.25 per acre. Dr. Ivins sold land i[...]Hardy moved in with three hundred head of cattle and two hundred head of horses .

(1-r): Bob Hardy and Ed Robinson (Brother of Floyd, Sr.
who was killed when a horse fel[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (79)[...]•

Hardy, shown above, also moved in 3700 head of sheep in two bands. Dr. Ivins also had sheep.[...]In addition to their own sheep, the LO ran sheep for Bill Taylor, Floyd Robinson and Bill[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (80)[...]nghorn on the LO. Hardy at one time ran 1100 head of The LO also ran steers on shares for Earl Clarkson for several years .
steers for Mc eirney .[...]rices hit a slump, Hardy bought cows and went out of the[...]fter Dr. Ivins' death expanded to 110,000 acres of deeded land and 40,000 acres of lease. Upon
the ranch was divided and indi[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (81)[...]Creek trail pasture, October, 1954. The location of the Scott
holdings can be found in the maps in the back of this book. They include, but are not limited to t[...]John Scott's crew on this occasion consisted of (1-r) standing: David Gilman, Bob Pierce,[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (82)[...]ere 1250 head, weighing 694 lbs ., selling for $18.50
weighed up in Miles City. Riders from le[...]gue River at the flume. It is interesting to note
that this is the same place the picture of Robinson's sheep was taken in
the preceeding story. (Photos in this section courtesy of Mary Emily
Barthelmess)[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (83)[...]1907 picture by Huffman shows calves being roped for branding on have cattle of their own, thus giving them more worthwhile goals than the
the open range. The massive size of the herds as well as the distance 'flings' most were noted for. Thus many small ranches came into being
they often ranged would have made corraling the animals for this where herds were of a size to provide with the supplemental feed the[...]rs proved necessary, and the cattle were corraled for brandings.[...]owboys shown holding this herd undoubtedly worked for area has roped a calf just their size,[...]as the handle.
ranches, but it must be remembered that soon after the buffalo were
destroyed, many southern cattlemen and several eastern interests
moved in for the summer, ravaged the plentiful graze, sold the[...]ven establish a headquarters.

Many, realizing that range which supported buffalo should also be good[...]als, which used to be roped by head and heals and
for cows, established permanent outfits in the area.[...]ed in a chute.
working with the open range method of branding. Lacy Speelman is
facing the camera. Hard winters soon scaled down most of these large
herds somewhat.

84

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (84)[...]burner to heat irons. The temperature of the[...]irons can be kept more even in this way.

Maybe the wrestlers have gotten better looking? Paula S[...]Some things will always be the same. A cup of cowboy coffee and a
feeling of a job well done follows a day of branding. (1-r): Tom Zook,[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (85)[...]roving Farming Methods

They di d it a ll! One of the Mallett teams. (Courtesy of Malletts) Sam Jarvis, with a four horse hitch, is disking down a field of sod which[...](Courtesy of Tom Zook)[...](Courtesy of Cookseys)

6

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (86)A sling was placed in the bottom of the hayrack and the hay was pitched Ira Carey is headed for the hay field
onto it. The sling was in turn hitched to the boom pole stacker and was
pulled to the top of the stack by horses (or, in later years, a pickup[...]Del Carey, son of Ira, takes out a jag of hay accompanied by Mrs. Dunlap, teacher, and a[...]when the scoops were made of aluminum instead of steel. Then, of course, came the[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (87)[...]cattle than ever before. It shortens the process of 'cut and rake' used which load a stack and then[...]wathed, it can be bailed either by a small bailer like Combines similar to this one skim through th[...]shown, or by the big round or big square hailers. For the of the harvesting. Herb Barrett at the wheel with Peggy Carey Barrett
larger machinery more than one row of hay is often raked together. as[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (88)[...]The Eyes of the Beholder

I stood on the spongy, soft carpet of pine needles that had I left the tree and walked down the hard packed tra[...]-stix pattern from the towering pine trees of the house.
overhead. It was so peaceful standing[...]on a rock strategically positioned at the corner of
childhood home. My eyes lovingly caressed the old rundown log the small "yard", I rested my chin in my hands. About two hundred
house with the tar paper roof sprinkled with jagged chunks of yards down the hill from the house was the[...]standing at attention in their new location. As I focused on this
boards underneath.[...]new and different aspect of my old home, a picture floated across
The weath[...]w deserted sanctuary had grown my memory. I thought of the night my father had returned from
nearly white and were showing signs of deterioration. To the town with two pair of second-hand ice skates.
right of the front door, the third log from the bottom was rotting We had to try them out that night! My father with two small
in a ribbon sized strip all along the front. The small bits of girls in tow started through the crunchy, white snow down to the
corklike wood were flaking out of the log, being carried away ice . Mother followed carrying a big flashlight. The circle of
with each caressing touch of the wind or disappearing one piece yellow-or[...]n the hard packed
at a time to make a snug, downy-like nest for the family of pack snow. The ice was slick. Thud- down I went. Almost magically the
rats housed within.[...]thered out from under my clumsy, skate clad feet. I screamed
The old screen door, with the tight, snapping spring that long and laughed as I once more sat down on the unyielding ice.
ago gave that door such a sharp "bang" when slammed, now[...]first lesson was over, we all trudged to the top of the
hung spiritlessly from the hand polished, sli[...]ed, wet, and cold but satisfied with my progress, I tumbled
rusted, red hinge sagged miserably. The o[...]The slamming of a car door broke my nostalgic spell and
Beyond[...]ave one a cold, impersonal, almost eerie feeling. I They see an old house, neglected and dead; I see a happy home full
shuddered. Ignoring the empty feeling inside, I started down the of laughter and adventures. They see trees; I see forts, Indian
trail.[...]raids, and mountains. They see a mud hole; I see a skating pond or
As I look up, a sharp, bitter odor assailed my nostrils nearly a place for the abundant wildlife to water.
taking my breath away. Pine - oh, how I had missed the smell ''Beauty" is truly in the eyes of the beholder!
of these majestic, towereing overseers. I leaned my head against
the sandpaper rough bark and remembered the many hours my
sister and I had spent with these trees. We played hide and[...]by Margie Rae Nelson
seek. We climbed to the top for that breathtaking view and
picnicked in the cool shade of the protective branches. Or we
simply lay on our[...]sometimes wild and frantic race to
the other end of the far away, unknown horizon.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (89)Home of Howard and Lydia Cummings and family, about 1912,[...]ntana. (Courtesy Mildred Brooks)

Are you sure that log fits?[...]urtesy Ike Shy, Jr.)

This homestead was North of Miles City near Stone Shack. (1-r): Lon and[...]ndeberg, Sina Reno, John needed lots of fresh air. Taken in Miles City. (Courtesy[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (90)[...]Mollie Daly and friend in front of Charley Daly House .
Daly ranch.
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (91)[...]bin in its original location Jenny Jerrel, wife of Frank Jerrel, taken in the 1940's by the cabin he[...]orin, and Adele and
Alice Gilman. (Photo courtesy of Gilmans)[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (92)Mrs. Frank Murphy and Mrs. Murphy in front of their log home. (Photo by
Cameron)[...]·FtR 1' HOUSB I Kit, CITY.[...]This house has the distinction of being called the first house[...]The homestead of Leo and Rex Gresens built on Ash Creek,[...]south of Miles City.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (93)Beebe, formerly located south of Miles City near Powdervill trunoff, gets a
new ha[...]A 1979 photo of the former Abbey Maternity Hospital at 819 South[...]ty, Montana.

Farnum ranch home in Yellowstone Valley. (Courtesy Abner Farnum)[...]Don Stanley, ''Mayor of Volborg" - population[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (94)The Monogram FVF (?), ten miles east of Fallon. FUF was on the Rosebud.

The log building built by the Irion brothers about the turn of the century. (1-r); Ira Carey,
who bought the bui[...]In front of the Crosby holdings on the Mizpah are, left, Ord[...]Bennetsen Brothers had two houses. They used one for a summer kitchen to keep
from heating up their sl[...]Jess Bennetsen, Ira Carey, and eil Bennetsen pose for a 'spoof with
deluted coffee in a whiskey[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (95)The Beebe road ranch. All that's left is the remnants of the old barn which are on the
right side of the Powderville road just after it turns off high[...]tmistress in 1890. According to NAMES ON THE FACE OF MONTANA
by Roberta Cheney, the office closed in 1935. (Courtesy of Tom Zook)[...]Gresens for their homestead. The place is now owned by[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (96) This is a r emuda wa tering on Power River.

I believe these are Archdale horses corraled to be sold for Army Remounts.
Horse sales were very active during WWI, but it was not until about 1962
that Miles City was officially proclaimed to have the[...]e plentiful in south-eastern
Montana because of the quality of its grass. This and the altitude make
Montana raised horses some of the most sought-after animals in the world[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (97)[...]These ladies seem to be having fun, but I'm not sure about the horse! (Photo by[...]Lady Cameron)

A Huffman picture of cowboys at work.

100

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (98)[...]at Baggotts branding
lying over the log in front of him, wondering just what happened![...]tesy Bob Shy)

Lee Warren taking the kinks out of a rough one.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (99)Patrick Lee Davis, son of Heavy and Mary Lou Davis and father of Tara, was drowned
in Tongue River on the 15th of June in 1970, at the age of 25. His brother Bruce in on
the left.[...]ver.

Del Carey at his place on the north fork of Foster Creek.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (100)[...]Dragseth, Mildred Cummings, Mildred Crosby. Left of Clara Walters -
Lena Dragseth and[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (101)[...]SCOT.

Class reunion of former Junior High students of 1915.
Picture taken in[...]hidden) Grace Norman. Picture taken in front of Met
Cafe.

A dearly loved matron of Miles City, Mrs. Genevieve Rehn. Mrs.
Rehn[...]wn. She was Miss Genevieve
Thompson to many of her pupils, who revered her for her great
compassion and impartiality. An expert at bridge she taught
many classes in the art of bridge playing. A good neighbor. (Photo[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (102)[...]pictured). It
was located a short distance south of the Lowe buildings.[...]udents Mary and Emma Schlappert standing in front of[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (103)[...]passed since this old truck traveled the streets of Miles City with the gray horse from Al[...]the Range Riders Museum.

Shown in front of the State National Bank are (r-1): Claude Slater,[...]rl Powell, Claud's sister who is holding the hand of her daughter, Blanche. (Photo Courtesy Ker[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (104)[...]Another 1913 photo shows a number of cowgirls parading before the Bullard Block[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (105) This 5-hitch string team passes in front of Shultz Bakery, Miles and Ulmer
Hardware, Or[...]y and the Olive Hotel.

1915 - No Fourth of July parade was complete without the entries of the Indians.
Besides their bands (this one[...]and dances. The
Indians received gratuities for their contribution to the festivities in the form of
coins tossed onto the dance floor. This exc[...]picture was taken and one year before the picture of the Fort Peck
Band. Buster and Gladys Deibel of Olive, Montana, drove it in the Centennial[...]and
brakes on the rear wheels only. Oh, and of course, a crank!
110

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (106)[...]s, ancy, and Lorna. Hitched to the McGuire's team of mules was the Old Standard Oil
delivery wagon bro[...]r)

August Jens is waiting for the activities to start. He[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (107)[...]Justin Kalloch, great-grandson of Ira Carey, proudly presents the colors for the
Future Farmers of America. This photo was taken 55 years lat[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (108)[...]kgrowers Centennial horses moved down the streets of[...]her than reminiscence this scene provoked a sense of awe in the onlookers as
Jerry Olson of Belle Fourche, South Dakota rode his six y[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (109)[...]Elmer (Nibs) Allen was the Grand Marshall of the
M[...]and was accompanied
by Darrel Hanson, his nephew. I can't tell who the 'ladies of the evening'
are who are riding in the stage.[...]This hitch consisted of six poines who were more than ready to get[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (110)[...]lead horse. The line ran through the ha.me ring of[...]of the driver who rode the left hand wheel horse.[...]I'm told a steady pull caused the left hand lead[...]right.

Parading down main street with a team of mules is Ira Carey accompanied by Mrs . J .M. Ven[...]llowing is a prairie schooner.

And at the end of the line there was food!. The Range Riders[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (111) Edgar Loomis of Brusett with his 14 horse hitch which
pulle[...]above picture, thi~ picture gives a better idea of their size.
When spontaneous applause from[...]heel horses
were scooted along the pavement for a distance.

These are two of the four freight wagons the teams were
hitched to. The men drove the horses to Miles City for the
affair, a trip which took twelve days a[...]at deal to
help get the horses in readiness for this tremendous
undertaking.

116

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (112)Lyle Lockwood (driving) and Joe Stevenson, behind a team of
Gary Haughain's Belgians, pass down Main Street w[...]atherine Mathis
and Ava McDonald.

As Don Cain of Volborg, goes to join the parade I'm sure he's
totally unaware his team is pl[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (113)[...]TIME!

Walter Sumer on Tornado. King of them all, Skyrocket, the notorious bucking[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (114)QODEO IiAI L Of rAME
ttO OQ.EE INDU 1ION
1978

The Board of Direc or.· and Tm Lee3
t Lh · alional owboy Hall of fame
nd We Lem tlerilage enler
r que l lhe honor of your presence
j

al Lhe formal enshrinement of
BOB J\&Kl
and
PADDY QYA
inlo Lhe Qodeo liell of fame
Thursday evenin8, ovember 30, 197
l 7:30 PM

ow boy Hall of fame
Oklahoma ily[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (115)[...]IN One of the most famous rodeo cowboys in the[...]-1975 history of the sport of the cow country, Paddy Ryan[...]ifetime in
Perhaps the greatest bronc rider of all time, Bob the Rodeo Hall of Fame.
Askin of Ismay, Montana was certainly one of the most Raised near Miles C[...]and after service in the cavalry during World War I Francisco with Hippy Burmister and No[...]in earnest and was soon recognized as That fall he and his travelling partner Bob Askin split
one of the toughest bronc riders on the road.[...]c riding at Madison Square
He had the scalp of just about every famous buck- Garden. By 1924 Paddy hit the top in rodeo. That year
ing horse in the business on his belt, No Na[...]y, rodeo's most coveted award
none the less ahead of his time with his long spurring the[...]pionship of the World.
Bob won practically every big riding in the game Paddy was one of the biggest winners in rodeo ever,
during the 192[...]gary Stampede in 1927, '28 and '30. During that time,
averred by many of the most initiated rodeo hands who Paddy captured the ~agination of the press and was
have observed the sport of the cow country over the the mos[...]n is
past fifty years as the greatest bronc rider of all time. recorded as one of the greatest rodeo hands of all time.

When these[...]Askin and Paddy Ryan, were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978,
it was interesting to note that the national anthem was sung by Reba McEnt[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (116)One of the rides that put Bob Askins at the top was the ride on[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (117)[...]Little Miss Wilkes looking for a soft spot. In 1914 when this photo was[...]riding, it is surprising to find that the event in which they most often took[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (118)I think there is a flaw in this cowboy's technique[...]discomfort in the very near future.

It looks like the steer is holding the man down - maybe it's a case of role reversal.

Double decking a steer[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (119)[...]ill Roberts, Dan Lockie, and Babe Cross - a bunch of really good hands.

126

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (120)In 1910 in Terry, arenas were not necessary. This 4th of July, Charles Clements won the
roping. Ste[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (121) NRCA roper Bob Barthelmess, son of Casey, won over 50 belt buckles and three roping[...]es, team roping champion once and all round of the Denver Stars, a participating team of the Major League of Rodeo - a
once. The horse he is riding, Niger, was named NRA calf roping horse of short lived program which was dissolved after t[...]the team for only a short time.

128

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (122)[...]rse 'Speedy Trip', not shown, has career earnings of
over $40,000.

Cinde won NRA All Around in 197[...]won
16 saddles, and well over 180 buckles, twelve of which Cinde, a silversmith, has made herse[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (123)[...]rk. He
qualified for High School National Finals while attending schoo[...]Casper Berger holds a horse without the use of its tender ears, while[...]Doug Wall and Walt Secrest get into the spirit of things as the two pickup
men race across the arena. The Miles City area has boasted of many good
pickup men besides these two: Bob Paul[...]y Whitlock, Ord Ames,
and Jack Voll in are a few of them.

130

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (124)[...]Beverly Pauley Knuths, wife of Terry and daughter of Bob and Laverne,
Bill Pauley, son of Bob and Laverne, won awards from 1964 to 1968 ~n[...]mpeted in rodeos winning all
(1970). He qualified for National College Rodeo Finals in 1971, and[...]high school. He married rodeo girl, Janet Essex. Of their three
ational Finals in 1975-6. He marrie[...]lso started with children's Paul Pauley, son of Bill and Susie, started in children's rodeos and[...]tional College Final, and the year's standing for bareback riding and steer riding in the Yo[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (125)[...]n
those early days one had to show evidence of having ridden the open range (before fences)[...]reputation far greater than its need. It was used for good and for bad, but
usually it created more problems t[...]his working tools, and his bed roll and a change of clothes generally
constituted his life's be[...]late cross legged on the prairie, and reaped most of his pleasure from his work. He was a
hard m[...]ned up, and he made life somewhat miserable
for the free wheeling cattle barons. The plow, post h[...]'go where you will and do what you want' attitude of the past. Perseverance,
however, and the desire for elbow room and a free life granted many of these farmers the will
to stay.

The rural woman of that day either came with her husband, moved West to t[...], and
friend. Her life was much harder than that of her counterpart in the towns, but her
impor[...]nificant part in the
growth and development of this remote area.

The Range Rider Museum[...]e experiences recorded in
the Memorial Hall of many of the people associated with this great period of time in our
history[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (126) GUARDIANS OF
THE PAST

Deciding they would like to have a reunion of old
friends to reminisce about times past, a grou[...]s and
Orschels old store. There surfaced a desire for a
home of their own. Logs were donated and cut in
Western M[...]is. The stage coach stood in the shelter
provided for it at the left of the picture. Eight
buildings now grace the museum[...]ed in a beautiful
pole fence. Annexed to the rear of the building is
the Memorial Hall. It is by the continued support
of the community that the museum has been able
to come so far.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (127) Officers' quarters surrounded much of the diamond
shaped parade ground at Fort Ke[...]at the northwest point. There
were thirteen of the duplexes like the one shown
here which has been restored[...]eum (donated by
the Cain family) is typical of the homes of the early
days. It has one room and is furnished with the
conveniences of the era. The new addition, the one
room country school, is also representative of those
earlier times. The school was added i[...]ces displayed in this exhibit
span a period of over 300 years of World and
American history. From a 1600 wic[...]e
fire arm significance. It is most unusual that
weapons from the Old Country join our Revolution
and Civil War's, the Indian campaigns of the early
West, the trail herd drives of the 1880's and the era's
of the two World Wars to make this collection[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (128)[...]buggies, a 1917 Dodge car and other of the more bulky museum artifacts.[...]This tepee is located on the grounds of the Range Riders[...]y roamed far and
The first officers and directors of the Range Riders, Inc., Back row (1-r): Ha[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (129) Early officers and directors of the Range Riders
Organization (1-r):[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (130) Interior of the Range Riders Bar and Grill showing a portion of the 'Wilson
collection of Old Timers' in their original setting the 1960's.[...]Museum.

Nearly 500 plaques honoring residents of an eariler day adorn the walls of the Range Riders
Memorial Hall. Each plaque contains a summary of that pioneer's life and is preserved for posterity.
The museum board has a continuing commitment to seek out and provide a space for future
inductees. At the annual dinner, a tribute is read during the plaque unveiling for each honoree.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (131)[...]ficers
and their families and became a part of the museum complex
in 1966.

A small portion of the Bert Clark Family gun collection[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (132)Interior of the Shore Newcom store on the mainstreet of 'Old Milestown' at the
Range Riders Museum. All of the wall showcases, wood railings, and sliding doors
came from the basement storage area of Russel Shore's store in Miles City in 1983.

Replica of the 'McQueen House' lobby in Milestown exhibit at the museum.

Blacksmith shop is one of the interesting ones to be found on 'Old M[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (133)Jack Lewis was the second curator of the Range Riders Museum. Willis O'Connell wa[...]never curator, but he donated a tremendous amount of[...]the fourth curator, is ready to saddle his horse for Sonny, are shown at the time when horse and rider were at the top of
the Stockgrower Centennial Parade, 1984. He gave 20 years of their game.
service to the Museum.

140

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (134)[...]displays early day lady's dress and hat for the local pioneer[...]event. Carol is secretary of the Range Riders organization.

Range Riders'[...]the coach which is drawn by Bob Barthelmess' team of
blacks.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (135)[...]Roundup, on the Adolph Ranch was the staging area for They were to be trailed from the banks of the Musselshell to the banks of the
the mass of cattle bearing the trail brand M over 89. (Courtesy Fritz Yellowstone, a distance of 60 miles. (Photo by Ella Mae Howard)
Zook)[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (136)Two longhorn steers, a red roan and a black, competed for the title of 'lead Some cattle, like the Leachman's were donated to the non-profit Lat[...]corporation. Some riders, I'm told never saw the cow they leased to[...], and consigned at least one critter to the drive for the Preceding the main herd were the longhorns. (1-r): Fritz Zook, Tom Kempt,
privilege of riding along. I think all agreed that never had so little bought and Mike Story are the riders. Mike Story is the great grandson of elson
so much in the line of entertainment. In the olden days $40 was about Story who brought the first herd of 600 cattle from Texas to Montana over
what cowboys were paid per month to ride behind a herd of longhorns the Bozeman Trail in 1866.[...]fence is one of the support group without which the drive could n[...]been staged. Right of ways, feed and water were just a fraction of the[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (137)[...]d Barry Mc Williams who first dreamed up the idea of the cattle drive and formed the Latigo Corporation had to
have had the thrill of a lifetime to see the 2700 head of the main herd wending their way across the Big Sky Country. (Photo by Carolyn Fraser
of ''Drovers Journal")

It has been estimated that about 70% of the cattle in the larger herd was of longhorn decent. This accounted for
the most part for their mottled coloring. They proved a frightening sight for a few horses who had not been
worked around cows before. A small number of cows were in turn frightened by the unfamiliar sight of a man
on horseback! (Ph[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (138)[...]zette", was 3,500 horses, 200 Wagons strung out for two miles where the traveling was good. (Photos
wagons, 2,400 riders, and the 2,700 head of the main bunch of cattle plus the courtesy Fritz Zook)[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (139)Some of the wagons were antiques and most riders were att[...]ntains. Little did the drovers
manner reminiscent of days long gone. It was estimated that the average dream that "rustlers" were taking advantage of the rough terrain ahead to
value of the horses on the drive was between $1000 and $1500. (Photo by cut 34 head of longhorns from the lead group. The steers were re[...]they This wagon had a four horse hitch. Some of them which hauled the
presented a timeless panorama. This picture might well have been taken by gear of the drovers had four or five teams. Fritz[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (140)One of the several stagecoaches in the drive. The Bull M[...]r coded circles as can be seen in the
the undoing of one of these vehicles, as it upset, slightly injuring a[...]ng a were shared by several counties as I believe all 56 counties were
great deal of excitement as well as some long gaps in the train[...]including six women. They had a cavvy of 300 horses under the care of[...]ed early in the day so the animals could be cared for and Some exhausted individuals 'hit the hay'[...]rved, profits from which went to the L atigo fund for rural development.
were set up to provide power to the camp and to provide refrigeration for Part of the crowd danced and sang to a western band while[...](there were many on the drive) told tales of the olden days, many of which[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (141)[...]te
meals prepared by Chuck Wagon Catering of Red Lodge or by Yellowstone
Kelly's Catering of Billings.

Some counties an[...]stove.

(1-r): "Last of the old time sheriffs", Bill Damm, former Custer County
Sheriff and member of an early pioneer family, Homer Holmes, and[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (142)[...]eft) and local poet, Waly McRae, visit over a cup of coffee.[...]reported on the cattle drive from the scene of the
action. Rademacher of White Sulphur Springs
printed the front page of his newspaper on an 1880[...]Webber wagon. The remaining pages of his paper
wer pre-printed on subjects of historical interest.

See the small sticker at the base of the tail on the nearest horse? This
method of numbering helped the wranglers keep the ho[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (143)[...]I

Besides having its own paper the drive had its own Pony Express and I doubt that the former Pony Express was a bit busier! The rid[...]cally) from 13-18 years old. Each rode a distance of 4 miles.

Lyle E. Johnson of Big Tember, assisted by
nephew, Dale Wood,[...]ding two longhorn steers Alexander Road north of Billings, down Main and ended at the two livestoc[...]poration.
It has been placed on the grounds of the
newly constructed Billings Chamber of
Commerce.

150

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (144)[...]as well as improving springs and roads.

Most of the work was done by horses. Men were paid extra for the use of
their teams. Most of them knew more about horses than machinery and th[...]Dams were constructed with ditches and headgates for flood irrigation.[...]from a den. She fought valiantly for them and would have smothered
This beaver got caught in a trap of his own making. (Courtesy Floyd them had her wing spread been of a size adequate to do so. The story
Robinson)[...]happy ending, however, as when they grew up, one of[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (145)[...]olding granddaughter, Janet Taylor, 1918.

A 4th of July celebration. (Famous Lady Cameron photo)[...]The adoption of Casey E. Barthelmess into the Cheyenne Indian tri[...]ceremony held during the Diamond Jubilee of the Montana Stockgrowers[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (146)A vocal recital of Madame Maria Lorenz pupils taken about 1933 in Miles City Presbyterian Church. Ester Benson standing to left of Madame Lorenz,
sixth from right. Among the pupils[...]bout 1933 - neighborhood children at play, corner of Fort and Merriam[...]Spot. The Hyslop children were sons and daughter of Thomas and Iva
A group of members of Royal Neighbors of America, dressed Hyslop, early day residents of Miles City. Bud Holter, son of Everett and Emma
for a play. (1-r): Fanny Kraudy, (unknown), Po[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (147)[...]Had this been for real, I doubt that Lady Cameron would have stopped to[...]pictures!

Cowboys on the ranches did play cards for entertainment, but with the setting
they're in, I wonder if this wasn't a play being put on?[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (148)[...]tta Brayton Zook elegantly displaying the fashion of[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (149)[...]he Buddy LaBree with the still he found that had once belonged to
background. Snells operated the wool house for years. Frank Jerrel. I[...]e and Janice Todd.

Neil Bennetsen showing one of their Hereford bulls at the Eastern
Montana Fairgrounds. The first Custer County Fair was held in
September of 1894. Green and orange ribbons were given for 3rd and 4th
places, moving white to 5th place. Entrance fee for one person with a
horse or double team was $2. Fifty cents was charged for a single person
and children under eight w[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (150)OVERVIEW OF AN AREA

157

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (151)[...]I[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (152)Drought so bad sage hens and turkeys, like these grouse . . . and this wild duck, came to the yard for a drink[...]. . . Failing corn crops . . .

. . . Snow that gets so deep . . .[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (153)[...]''Big Sky" sunsets

A wide variety of scenery

And fantastic fall colors
(P[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (154)[...]A century is not long in the history of a nation, but
it is a great expanse of time in the life of a person and
very few survive that mark in time. For this reason,
our Family Story Section is dedicated to five centen-
arians who have achieved that goal and have shared
with us a few of their memories in the first five stories
of this portion of the book.

164

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (155)[...]ta, about 1901. Later some of her brothers
BIRD, JULIA[...]Ray came to Montana in the spring of 1911.[...]Cohagen and north of Crow Rock. Not liking[...]where they filed for their homesteads. Ray[...]born in January, 1913. That spring they came[...]for gas. If the light went out it was not safe[...]the poisonous gas that had seeped in during[...]Most of their supplies were hauled from
Bird family (back[...].
and Lyle. Taken at the 60th wedding anniversary of Ray and Julia in 1962.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (156)[...]Rosanne of Jamestown, North Dakota, have[...]e days Needless to say she could not use that coop
round trip to get the supplies. Enough food for the rest of the year.
had to be bought to last all winter. On[...]There was an owl sitting in the midst of them.
Creek made a bend where they had to cross[...]someone else take care of it.
Ray had a thrashing machine and thrashed Ray and Julia bought a boarding house in
for the neighbors. While he was gone Julia[...]. Julia lived there
fixed a box on the stone boat for the smallest while Raleigh and Wayne were i[...]lege education to serve in the U.S. Navy and
for jam, jelly and sauce. About the only fruits[...]Their 50th wedding anniversary was in 1962,
of the children's clothes. She did a lot of the same year as the World's Fair, so in July
crocheting and quilt making. Flour sacks of that year, relatives and friends gathered
came in handy for many sewing projects. for a fmaily reunion celebration.
As time went by[...]Ray became sick with cancer and died of
Lyle, Raleigh, and Harold, born on the farm,[...]until 1985
and Wayne, born in Miles City because of when she moved to the St. Vincent and[...]party for her 95th birthday and promised her
Ray bought a Model T truck in 1919. It just one for her 100th birthday which took place
had stakes for sides. No one needed a box on December[...]nd wives
because grain was all hauled in sacks at that were there including 10 of her 21 grandchild-
time. Later he did make a box for it. The ren, 7 of her 22 great grandchildren and
truck was last sta[...]e to Yellowstone Park. Ray built a some of her fiddle music. She is still fairly Laura C[...]r, 1988, to Georgia, Montana, and
used as a table for their lunch stops. North Dakota.[...]n. Lyle and Betty (Emmons) have 4 I was born in Stockton, Cedar County,
chicks in an[...]commotion she went to see what was of Atlanta, Georgia, have 4 children, Wendell, A[...]my brother Jack
happening. The chicks had run out of the Warren, Melanie and Milton. They[...]ea- grandchildren. Harold and Ann (Doran) of Washington to work in a logging camp and[...]tte, shortly after Jack was born, Dad sent for my

166

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (157)[...]Family of Laura Crosby gathered to celebrate her 100th birt[...]shack on the banks of Powder River between[...]to use the Dutch oven. Later Dad worked for[...]on Ash Creek. That place later belonged to[...]were living at Maxwell Buttes at that time.[...]There was a spring on their place, and that[...]the mouth of Stump Creek and just opposite[...]The first school I remember was in a[...]teacher and a cousin of Mr. Crosby. Most all[...]of us kids went to school there and Kenneth[...]place you wanted. You could clai'!Il a piece of
mother to come to Washington. She bundled[...]land merely by setting on it, and as a sign of
up us kids and with Dad's younger brother,[...]ownership we'd place four logs in the form of
Tom, to help her, she got on the train and[...]square on the property. It was risky to go
headed for Washington. We were met at Dick Cros[...]off and leave the site for any length of time,
Portland, Oregon, and taken on to Vancou-[...]your claim', as
The folks became great friends of the Silas on Powder River.[...]ney were Mother Crosby's brother nephews of Mrs. Mahoney. (Hod used to tell In 18[...]sister. me that I squalled all the way out to the our school. Hod had quit school by that time,
In a few months, Old Mac, as he was call[...]but he decided to go again and the next year
(I never did hear any other name for him) From that time on for years the Hills and he married the teacher[...]were few and some quite a distance apart, but
and that suited him just fine. He liked to be the oth[...]d good times.
on the go, too. Mac sent word ahead that we went back to Missouri and 1895 he came[...]old fashioned dances.
were coming and in November of 1891 we got with his bride and they settl[...]ons, bob sleds and horse
on the train and started for Miles City, and joined the movers! I believe those three back, depending on what time of year it was,
were met by two teenaged boys, with[...]than any other ranchers and think nothing of riding fifty miles to a
and wagon and a ca[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (158) times about time for the midnight supper and and Carol moved to[...]ight after trouble as she was.
usually stay for breakfast before starting on that and in 1903 as they were going to Sometimes, some of the animals do things
the long ride home. Those[...]Powderville after the mail, Leo Rodman, that just make one want to kill them. I made
in someone's home; there were no halls then[...]He and Leo had been having a quarrel. for dinner, I set them on the back steps and
ones really close[...]b over them. We had a couple pigs,
think up ways of entertainment and that was months. Carol had been a snake charmer in and that of course, would be the time when
usually riding st[...]snakes all over the place. they would break out of their pen. When I
houses. One afternoon Bill Crosby and my I got so scared and jumpy, I didn't know when went out to get the pies, th[...]Jack rode out where the cattle were. or where I would run onto a snake. A little we didn't have dessert that day, for the pies
Sid, Bessie, and Carsie Crosby and I thought later Dad traded places with a bache[...]s down the creek from In 1946, Hod died. I stayed in my little
we armed ourselves with fire[...]e lived there two or three years and in home for a few years and made several trips
spoons and headed for the river, just a short 1905 Dad sold it to Sol Heren, and we moved out to Washington for the summer, as two of
distance from the house. There was the nicest[...]dig in - (but we forgot about In 1909, I was married in Ekalaka to living there, also brother Jack and his family
the road that was right above us!) Soon we Harvey Watkins whom I had met at the old and Mother.
had a ni[...]Washington School. We lived in Ekalaka that Then my family got a place in Miles City[...]er, and in the spring we moved to Fallon and I moved where I would be close to them.
and wagon and several big barrels and haul to his folk's place. Then all of us went to the My daughter, Dorothy Todd, lives[...]to haul water. Everything went fine summer. That fall the Watkins started a store Mother are gone now, and I live at 602 Palmer
until they were coming back w[...]ad and post office called Watkins, Montana. I in Miles City. My sister-in-law, Bessie Cr[...]layhouse - wagon, horses, men and and I never went back, and Watkins went his and we are the last ones in our family.
barrels of water. What a mess! The horses way, too.[...]harness. When they In 1913 Hod Crosby and I were married, help of Nora Bradshaw. I took it from Laura's
finally got everything strai[...]e and we moved to his ranch on Trail Creek. I papers just as she wrote it in her beautiful
men laughed and went back for another load. filed on a homestead joining[...]ged now. Her sister-
There was so much excitement that we there quite a few years and we d[...]either is
completely forgot about our play house. I of moving, too. Our last ranch was on the Dorothy's first husband, though she has
didn't remember it for quite a while and then Mizpah.[...]remarried. Laura resides in a home. Dick lives .
I didn't tell Mother for a longer time than A brother of Mother's, John Tarr, used to in Miles City now, also, which reminds me of
that! be at our house a lot when Jack and I were a story Laura once told me. She had s[...]to the creek to get a willow as he was to be
and for a while we couldn't afford a herder arrows, stilts and cottonwood whistles. So, punished for some infraction of the rules.
so Jack and I did a lot of the herding while when our family were growing up I did the After procrastinating about as lo[...]er worked on the ranch. If a same thing for them. We always had swings deemed wise, D[...]house. In hot weather the sheep to ride. I think they had a pretty good thorns (in[...]is mother with a
late, and it made such long days for a couple place to raise children. beautiful wild rose on the end of it!)
of restless kids. We decided we would train[...]Wilson and Five Mile on the Mizpah.
thing else that came in handy. It was a lot of In the spring there were always a few bum
fun for us, but not for Dad. It was always lambs around the place that we were trying
Jack's and my job to wrangle the horses every to save. One spring when one of the lambs HUGHES, TRESSIA
morning, bu[...]died the kids decided to have a funeral for it.
in and he went after the horses. He got on my I don't think they had ever been to a funeral,[...]y did was jump an old log. dug a little hole for a grave, and picked some
Of course, Dad wasn't expecting anything wild sweet peas and were singing a song. I was I was born in a little dug-out on Pumpkin
and got u[...]f the Creek on March 26, 1888, the daughter of
told Mother about it and he didn't know what song was 'Billy Boy' as that seemed to be the John and Bertha Damm. I went to a school
was the matter with that horse - jumping favorite of all the kids at school. Our old down by the bridge on Pumpkin Creek where
everything. Of course, Mother didn't know sheep dog was[...]t runs into the Tongue River. My brothers
either. I was awake by that time, but thought covered the lamb, and plac[...]the and sisters were: John, Matie, Ed, Matt,
I would keep still.[...]My mother died when I was thirteen years
of the horses. This was done in true rustler I remember another time when we were old[...]we stopped at then, it was very hard for dad to keep his little
had a perfect brand picked[...]nd got a half-grown pig. It family together.
I rode in to the ranch one evening for supper was dark when we got home. During that Immigrants in great numbers moving[...]back to the sheep to let night we had one of those early spring storms different localitie[...]ack come in, the folks were just going to the that covered even the sagebrush with snow. dayl[...]iver after water, and Dad spied the new I don't know where Hod had put that pig, but sit on the porch of my father's house, and
brand and called Mother. I couldn't underst- the next morning it was g[...]on his watch them as they passed in caravans of nine
nad why he hadn't noticed it before. I got horse to track it through the snow, s[...]wagons at a time, followed
tickled and called out that we had put it on. it and got it back to the buildings. Dorothy by some of the children driving a few cows
For a wonder, he laughed, and I heard him went out to help; she always did everything and a goat or two to furnish milk for the
say, "Those little devils."[...]ace. Dick Standifer had having a bad time and I heard her say, Many babies were born during these travels,
built up a ranch at the mouth of East Forty "Daddy, I don't know how to drive pigs." It and there were always plenty of women of
Creek (later the Alex McCullough place), and was funny, for Hod didn't know how to drive experience to care for the mothers and their
Dad bought it from Dick that summer. Dick pigs either, and was having just as much babies. The number of these children born is

168

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (159)[...]Tressia was raised. It now belongs to her
unheard of. Many people were also rolled in brother Frank's family.
their blankets and buried at the side of the
trail.[...]e camping
vehicles called buck-boards, built more for at the water and had fallen from his hors[...]han comfort. They could carry all the was at that time the husband of Bessie Hey, I will never forget my first experience with
heavy mail pouches, besides articles of who later became the wife of Tom Jones, a Indians. It was during one of their camping
merchandise ordered by people living along prominent business man of Miles City in trips across the creek[...]withstand the earlier days. The mail at that time was being and I had been husking corn in a little barn
wear and tear of muddy roads, as there were carried by Lou[...]ions at Lame Deer and Ashland imagination of Indians at that time was not
miles, and it was the duty of the ranchers who to Miles City several times[...]year, too pleasant, as not being very old, I had
cared for these horses to have them fed, usually in spring and fall, and again on the heard of several gruesome murders commit-
watered, curried, and harnessed when the fourth of July for the celebration in Miles ted by them, and[...]s children in the cellar
April, a man by the name of Joe Hey lost his to the occasion. The bridge at the mouth of to sleep while they stood guard on these[...]back to my story, Dad decided it was time for[...]a cup of coffee, so he went to the house, and[...]I decided to keep on husking as the little barn[...]was cool and pleasant, but had I known what[...]I would have been out of that barn and at the[...]As it was, I was quietly husking away when[...]suddenly I noticed the barn becoming darker[...]and darker. Looking up, I saw the window[...]ing in the sun. My only means of escape was[...]among what I considered bitter enemies, but[...]As I grew older, I learned to love them, and[...]to this day I consider them the most fascina-[...]to the point of envying them their comfort-[...]able style of dress. We used to visit them at[...]spoiled meat for blankets and beads or[...]whatever they had to trade, more for the[...]pleasure of associating with them than[...]class of people.
Seven Damm brothers and sisters, Back row[...]the round of the neighborhood about twice a[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (160) year selling both men and women's clothing. of the cowboys were spending the week-end in[...]antly. The
a heavily packed cart, but one worthy of "Twenty-five dollars offered to any man bullet also passing through the hock of the
particular mention did not have a cart, so[...]a bundle on his loudly announced by one of the circus owners, useless for future use. After a long court
back. It resemble[...]him when he would dressed in a suit of clothes, cocky straw hat defense. Dick's grav[...]his huge and oxfords stepped down out of the top others in the little cemetery o[...]ers, walked over to the horse, which north of Powderville.
he placed under the pack at times t[...]as estab-
the weight from his shoulders and back for tient manner, head high in the air. Look[...]t different places man's hand and said, "I'd like to give him a Mrs. Clarence (Elizabeth) Bee[...]lay his goods which he kept in a light try. I can always use twenty-five dollars." the p[...]amed, and although it
tarpaulin, and rolled much like a cowboy rolls The circus owners glanced[...]owing grin. The arena was quickly passing of road ranch days, the place is still
His name, which I have never forgotten, cleared and onlook[...]re is nothing left
was Oliver Greenblock. He was of Jewish seats. Bringing the reins up o[...]an old collapsed barn.
birth, not very tall, but of pretty stocky build. neck, the rider was seated before the horse Beebe was at one time pretty much of a
One of my favorite dresses at that time came was aware of what was taking place. The rider business center as, being at the forks of the
from his portable store, which when unrolled[...]ds, one leading toward the Powder-
in the middle of the floor, took up the full horse's head a[...]ville community and the other leading up
length of the room. His clothing was of good with a loud whoop. The horse was a wi[...]rly, as a large hall had been
always raised a lot of watermelons and unseat the "dude" in the saddle, but the built there by one of the owners. It was also
muskmelons, and every fal[...]s a public dance hall and to hold rallies
outfit, of which John Holt was the owner, defeated and proved to the onlookers and the of the different parties on election years.
took a shipmment of beef to Miles City, they circus owners that the horse could be ridden. In May of 1929 a dance was held there. A
camped about a quarter of a mile north of our In the spring of 1903, I went to the G.F. newcomer by the name of Tex Walsh had
house, always stopping at our place to fill the McKenzie ranch to work for Mrs. McKenzie. recently cqme to the Beav[...]choicest Powderville post office. During that summer ing the name he carried, but little was known
of his melons in the root cellar for some of his a murder was committed which shook the of his history. Being of a sullen nature and a
favorites among the LO cowb[...]unding county. It took place about a man of few words, no one ventured to
Holt. Among these w[...]entering the property of Joe Brown, a rancher with no apparent intere[...]We were often invited to have supper at the of the community. Toward the wee hours of the morning
wagon. We girls usually accepted the invita- Dick Standifer, a brother-in-law of Mrs. following the dance it was noticed Te[...]heir way to Powderville on this particular for his horse.
of this world, but the real treat was we didn't[...]ough the As· the people filed out of the hall to go
have to wash the dishes. With supp[...]different ones sing their favorite cowboy for some time. entered the back and severed the spine of
songs. The ground around about the camp Dick, being known to be of a quarrelsome Charlie Beck, a well known,[...]gentleman, who was employed by Andy Nash,
rinds for the enjoyment of the birds. As the was saddling her horse, also in preparation of owner of Beebe at that time. Seconds later in
evening wore on the hour getting late, we going to Powderville for the mail, as was the the twilight, a man was seen running toward
would go home, as the nights are short for a custom of the people who lived too far from the barn[...]y mail carrier service. him. Then the sound of horses's hoofs
some of the cowboys carrying a quarter of The quarrel led to violence, and Dick,[...]not been for Leo's faithful bulldog, would heard.
O[...]egs with fresh water, and the had a firm hold of Dick's coat collar. arrived at the scene. Tex's horse being absent
empty spaces of the wagon would be filled Carol and[...]aw officer,
into pickles to add to his collection of other was a busy center on Sunday, as many of the went to the Beaverslide Ranch, while t[...]ent at round-up mail and pass the time of day, chatting with ing was intense, but spe[...]le, or week before, but with the lowering of the sun, The sheriff found Walsh in bed, f[...]yone sleep, but was soon back at the scene of the
these horses were full of pep and could easily was homeward bound. Di[...]ding, but those who were but the event of the morning was still fresh hospital in Mil[...]in every Hearing the rapid approach of horse's was sent to Deer Lodge to serve[...]time later. No motive
1900's. The owners boasted of having a horse morning's event. The quarrel was again was ever known for his strange act, but some
that no man had ever been able to ride. Many resumed and this time became of bitter said the shot had been intended for another

170

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (161)[...]us a friendly
It seemed a strange coincidence that boy dodged them, but it could be seen[...]the last opportunity we were to
become first lady of the house and first tone of voice, walking back and forth in the enjoy[...]w and interesting
postmistress. She had been dead for some wet sand.[...]fair-sized rock which was by coincidence that in reading the
was in 1903 during the time I worked for the squarely hit the mark, at which the boy[...]him and took to the water with years back, I came across the obituary of
Powderville, which was operated by W.E. a loud splash, heading for our side of the Peter Littlebird which reads as foll[...]ved by his son Joe, and two daughters,
ming river for the mail. The river in the spring about a quarter of a mile south of our house Julia and Teresa. He was present as a little
usually remained at the swimming stage for on a grassy flat, and it seemed it was the chore boy at the Battle of the Little Big Horn in
weeks at a time from the melting snow in the of one of the young men to keep them from 1876."[...]ing too far, so every morning he swam I first met Bill Hughes in 1904 when he was
spring.[...]on horse back to bring them back. working for John Kimes at the old Hog and
they just considere[...]wim the river. for the house one morning when our newly n[...]n friend rode up, the water still to work for Tom Grey, on what was later the
about the ranch,[...]black horse. He Huston Rogers place. I used to go up there
how would you like to go after the mail this stopped to visit. after cream and Bill and I started to go
morning?" This was like a bolt from the sky After having chatte[...]together then. We went together about a year.
for me. Me, crossing that swimming river! the back of his head and took a comb from He had come up from Texas with a cattle
I guess he realized my fear, so assured me his[...]a place on Pumpkin
there was nothing to be afraid of, as old Dutch placed it in my hair. It came as[...]her one would take me safely me, but not of disappointment. He said he had once belonged to Bob Cross.
across and back if I did as he told me to do. had found it on the way out of town. Bill and I were married December, 1910 at
He went out to where old Dutch was I made excuses to take the milk to the Dad's ranch. Matie and John stood up for us.
staked, and having saddled and haltered him,[...]house and told me to get on. As soon as I reached the kitchen I snatched home. Bill had built a two-room log house for
I would have refused if I had dared. He the comb from my hair and looked it over, us and it looked like a mansion to me. He had
walked along beside me as we headed for the and it was not until then that I noticed its real a new bed, a new dresser, a ne[...]nd decorated with glass doors, a new set of dishes, new
house.[...]had made and a sheep-
As we reached the river I became spee- at that time was called a "back comb." herder stove, polished up so you could see
chless, and I know I had no color left, but I During their stay at the camp ground this yourself in it.
tried to hide my fear. "Do you see that tree young Indian became a daily visitor us[...]ght after breakfast. I told him I couldn't as the oven in the stove
asked pointing to a tree on the opposite side One morning as I gathered up the breakfast wasn't high enough to bake a cake in. He said,
of the river. I nodded. "Well, you just keep dishes, and was just about to break the "I bet I can make a cake in it." He stirred up
your eye glued to that tree till you reach the leftover pancakes into bits for old Whitey, the a cake and I think he put as much baking
other side. Remember, I said till you reach dog, who was standing[...]put it in the
the other side," he added. "If you don't you'll wagging her tail, I noticed our Indian friend's oven and it stuck[...]d jacket and moccasins. and I thought I was the richest woman in the
the river and was so[...]the pancakes, he strode over to the world. I made cakes and cookies galore from
and my eyes we[...]sking if then on.
opposite side, although I could see Dutch's he could have them. Old[...], lay flat down in the doorway married and I had to be alone quite a bit of
ahead as if he enjoyed it. My fear decreased[...]with me.
after several trips this became an event I the young Indian.[...]23, 1912; Mary, born November 19, 1913;
I was also called upon to pilot herds of became conversational. Ed, wondering if he[...]to which he nodded his head, 1921. All of our children went to the Monte
My main regret when I left Powderville ws pointing his thumb towa[...]School until it closed in 1934.
when I breathed "good bye" to Old Dutch and I could feel the color creep to my scalp as Bill and I had a hard time making a go of
Shorty and the rippling waters of Powder the others 'haw-hawed'. On leavi[...]onto it during the depression. Scott left for
During early July, 1905, a four-day rain[...]it 'Teresa' the army in 1942 and Bill and I ran the ranch
had brought the waters of Pumpkin Creek to but I didn't bother to correct him. Then as while he was in the army. We had managed
bank-full for almost a week. he left he a[...]is pencil and wrote his to get a little band of sheep and keep them
A caravan of Indians was camped across name on the kitchen door, indicating that it going. Bill's health was failing, thoug[...]reek from our place. My two youngest was for me he wrote it. Peter Littlebird was when[...]d our place to him but we continued to
sister and I spent a lot of time along the creek As soon as he was out of hearing distance live there in our own house.
bank visiting the Indians and watching them I was called Mrs. Littlebird and Birdie and[...]ect with the paralyzed down his right side for nearly two
One of the Indian boys who was about Ed's name of Littlebird. month[...]lked to us from his side, On the morning of their moving day, we all kept him out at the ranch and took care of
although it was hard to hear words above the[...]him until he passed away on July 8, 1953.
noise of the running water. as the creek was still at the swimming stage. I stayed out at the ranch for awhile and[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (162)then I got an apartment in Miles City and
lived there for a few years. I really enjoyed my
little house where I could cook for my family
and friends. I kept myself busy entertaining
my friends and goin[...]kids on their ranches.
Due to failing health, I was forced to sell
my house. I have been dividing my time
between the homes of Mary, Kay, June, and
Scott.
(These stories wer[...]es
at various times when she was between the
ages of 82 and 96. Her mind is still as sharp
as can be. I got many interesting bits of
information for this book from my interviews
with her. She now li[...]rname as was the Norwegian
custom from the island of Haavik where he a nursing supervisor of the Glasgow Hospital.
lived. He and my mother, Maran Severson, I was a farmer. At age eight I started
set sail for America on their wedding day to milking cow[...]hew who lived in Iowa. Iowa and that is a lot of land to farm with a
I, Emma Hovick, was born January 17, four horse team and a gang plow. Since I
1890, in Winnebago County, Iowa. I joined learned to farm at an early age t[...]s: Marie, Bertha, Lawrence, and little time for play. My father would drop
Clara. The oldest chil[...]y as when he had an opportunity to
children, nine of whom were living. preach the gospel even if he had to walk for
We attended a country school near Forest[...]akota when
teacher taught us the English spelling of our I was fourteen. Father was not well so I still
Norwegian name. farmed with him until I was eighteen.
Marie in time became a teacher. She and In 1911 my sister and I filed on adjoining
Bertha were milliners when they were young. hometeads in North Dakota. I lost mine.
Lawrence was a carpenter, and Clara died There I met Lawrence Luke who had a nearby
when she was o[...]Carl Hovick, father of Emma Luke, loved to preach[...]excellent ball player and I still like a good[...]I was 25 when we were married. We rented[...]had died at the age of five months of crib[...]I did practical nursing, taking care of obstet-[...]rics cases for two doctors as, due to lack of
0-r): Emma, an unknown nurse, and Anna, sister of Emma. Anna is 95 years old and resides in a home dependable transportation, it was risky for
in Stevensville.[...]for them to deliver. At least fifty babies were

172

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (163)[...]was an invalid for several years. He passed[...]away of a heart attack in 1948. He was never[...]ways that mattered he was the most wonder-[...]I worked until I was eighty-five caring for[...]elderly patients in their homes. I was often[...]older than my patients. I took care of Mrs.[...]Leonard for four years. She was the wife of[...]Two of my sisters are still living. Dora is 97[...]1980. I have three grandchildren, six great[...]My son and I made a trip to Norway to visit[...]met many relatives. I received birthday cards[...]from several of them and some wonderful[...]My cat, Snowflake, and I live by ourselves.[...]I cook my own meals, do my laundry, and[...]keep my house in order although I have to[...]a Luke and her husband, Lawrence, and I am happy I'm still able to read my Bible[...]Hamilton). and the papers. I have crocheted afghans for[...]. When an old friend wrote in a
Harold Luke, (son of Emma) loved to ski. He[...]ng she always remembered
became a flight engineer for Eastern Airlines, and me by the afghan I'd made her, I didn't even
is now retired and living in Bozeman,[...]remember I'd given her one! I've made[...]two more. I made over one hundred pairs of[...]slippers for patients in the county home. I[...]spend quite a bit of my time crocheting.[...]I get the church services on TV but find[...]for the children as there is no way they can[...]grow up innocent like we did on the farm. In[...]I tried to raise my family as we children[...]wouldn't like.[...](1-r): Larry (son of Emma's sister, Anna), Emma[...]anybody's home. I played second on the organ 100 Years Old[...]about 1928 I moved with Harold and Dorothy Massachusetts, then a suburb of Boston, on[...]sband came later. March 1, 1889, the son of Jesse A. and[...]cis Scoda really helped them. I will always be was a civil engineer on the New[...]thankful to that fine womman for what she Haven & Hartford Railroad. Dad p[...]did for my children. away when I was 9 years old and mother,
born in my house. The[...]d my work Laurence drove an oil truck for John brother Earl, and I moved to Prince Edward
and wanted me to open a hospital, but I said Kuilman's oil station on North Seventh Island, Canada. I came to Fallon, Montana,
I couldn't as I had no formal training. At one Street, and[...]in April, 1905 to my uncle Henry Connell's
time I had four mothers with babies and one where I still live. and soon went to work for Will Manis as a
expectant mother as well as my own two I raised a mentally disabled boy named chore boy and sometimes filled in as a
children in my home. I had four single beds Richard Fouth who was brought in to the sheepherder, for $30 a month. This was near
in my dining room and had one mother hospital in Glasgow. I raised him from the age what is now Marsh, Montana. While I was
sleeping on the couch. I was very happy on of two. He was surely God's child. He brought working for Manis I became acquainted with
the occasion of my one-hundredth birthday such a bless[...]. He wrote articles
to receive cards from several of the people in his early forties. for popular eastern magazines and she took
who were born in my home. I worked as night nurse at the County Farm photographs for his stories and for friends
Our main entertainment in those days was for four years to make a living as my husband[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (164)[...]View of the ice jam showing Yellowstone River.[...]they were laid in such neat rows. I knew![...]I helped build the dam at Baker and then
England an[...]. They left Scotland to come to er and I went to work for them and mother Hosford when they built grade for the Dan
Montana. I brought their mail to them each cooked for the work crews. The machines Patch Elect[...]rge horses who were and low pay were cause for my Prince Edward
In 1906 Engstrom & Hosford, engineers of tied and fed each night in 3 large te[...]and return to Miles City and work at
mile grade for the Milwaukee Railroad from of Sandstone Creek and an eight-foot wall of shoveling concrete for the platform for the
Baker west and I returned from a brief visit wate[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (165)[...]1914 and lived just a few days. That same[...]and worked off and on for the Milwaukee for[...]During slow periods on the railroad I[...]worked for different contractors, including[...]Sidney, and next working for the Findlaters[...]waukee laid off so many, I worked for Ft.[...]Keogh for 9 years, then worked for plumbers[...]of passenger service altogether.[...]In 1921 I bought the Harper Place from[...]1927. I last "touched base" with a school[...]when I worked for 4 years as a janitor at the[...]Lincoln School in Miles City so I could be
Grandchildren (l-r): Keith Trafton, Shan[...]In my retirement years I kept busy build-
Harv Glover, brother Earl, and a[...]a tent we purchased thing or another and I returned to Prince at 421 No. Winchester and my wife and I
and put up behind the Milwaukee Shops, Edward Island. I married Elizabeth Hazel moved to Eagle[...]Cotton December 18, 1912 and we after I had what the doctor thought was a
gang". We cooke[...]eepwagon stove and our bed "frame" was I again went to work for the Milwaukee ber. We lived there 8 V2 years before my wife's
made of snow fence and a mattress of hay. running their pumping plant on t[...]we tone. Three big tanks held water for the shops nursing care was needed, and then[...]I broke my hip and have been in a wheelchair[...]for over 4 years. I am unable to read with my[...]cassett player. I enjoy visitors and do lots of[...]My 100th birthday was cause for a family[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (166)[...]On the tenth day of May, 1862, Katherine
Marian Jewell, Charles Emil[...]Gerlach in the city of Hesse, Germany.
29, 1945, and bought unit 54. The[...]Together they had 12 children. George
of cattle.[...]as a shoemaker, and Katherine was
In September of 1973, they bought a house[...]1912 and set sail for America on the ship, S.S.
All three of their children are married.[...]George, left for America a couple of months
home by Seelly Lake. Carlene lives _in Mil[...]ast foreign residence upon reaching the Roundup valley, they
in Japan. Aastroms have ten grandchildren[...]he boarded the settled, and farmed the land for many a year.
and two great grandchildren. ship bound for America in Bremen, Germany. George passed a[...]5, from cancer. On the twenty eighth day of March, 1913, after George's death, Katherin[...]wife and children shortly thereafter. The two of them had no[...]a remained in Russia. Upon the death of Anton, Katherine went[...]George and Katherine farmed northeast of to live with her children in their various[...]F7 George died at the age of 61 on the twenty died in May 1940 at the home of her beloved
second day of December, 1923 in the place he daughter, Mary A[...]shed, as she and Mary
Russia on the sixteenth day of June, 1862. His (The George Adolph presen[...]abel. photograph were submitted by four of his Story
In 1886, George Adolph married[...]Williams (children of Mary
George set sail for America with two[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (167) I married Kurt Wiel of Seattle, Wash- Robert (Buzz) Aitchison w[...]e worked in the Stock Exchange and Bank
freighted for the government from Miss Montana[...]great competition, and this She also worked for the Government in
Street - ½ block, where the Mo[...]na Aitchison
Post Office was housed when the work of Kurt Wiel, husband of Dorothy Aitchison passed away Sept. 1940 a[...]ion was done on the Post Office, and father of Joan, came to Miles City in 1927 family lot in[...]Boltz and Dorothy M. Wiel are the
owned a quarter of a block across the street as city engineer i[...]Joe only living children to date (1969) of Bob and
east, where the bowling alley is now, 7th[...]Jr.) Aitchison was a police-
Bob built a barn for horses just as people ning of the new year, retired under Mayor man in[...]days. (7th We have lived, Mr.Wieland I, at 605 South man in California. A first cou[...]e). Lake for thirty three years here in Miles City. Aitchiso[...]'s Kurt Wiel is a Mason, Elk, and a member of son of Pete Aitchison, who was the fire chief
bride at the age of 16 in Feb. 1882 at Fergus, the Country Club. He is still a practicing in Miles City for forty years.
Ontario, Canada. The Aitchinsons and[...]is what my memories are of the Aitchison
close in Canada. Bob returned to Mo[...]ng cards,
Bob also owned ranch land - hundreds of when Wild Bill Hickok was shot. He saw thi[...]River. Emil Prahl act in Deadwood as one of the pioneers of that
bought it and I believe N.S. Woodard, from lawless period[...]had a ranch south in the Pine Hills where he of Miles City. Calamity Jane stayed in the
raised an[...]horses. He had many saddle horses and said that Jesse James stayed over night in In 1901[...]ated). Mexico. 1905 found Charles heading for
hobby.[...]time. Fourche, South Dakota, then by mail stage
of Bob and Christina's children were born. Bo[...]born there were Euphemia Aitchi- covered for a week before the storm let up and
son Seitz, who had seven children; Robert, Jr. they ran out of food. They were trapped by
(Buzz) Aitchison (marr[...]y men were
Aitchison was married to Joe Forrester of reported to have eaten an entire calf. Th[...]motive engineer running freely on the range.
for the Milwaukee and they had no children;[...]Christina Aitchison
later married Elizabeth Zuber of Missoula. had encounters with Indians and[...]ed them away. It
youngest, Dorothy May Aitchison; I was born seemed when threatened by this fea[...]Many years later the Indians would come to
When I was two, the family moved to 1203 our house for food and clothing and were
Pleasant St. We lived in town and on ranches friendly.
in my growing years. I attended Miles City When Bob retired and sold his ranch
schools. We lived in California for 12 years holdings and cattle, he was worth two
where I also attended school. hundred[...]3 South Strevell was a Mason and stockholder of Miles City
and for about 25 years we lived there. Dad Lodge No. 26 AF&AM. Christina Aitchison
owned south of Wilson Street also, the was an Eastern[...]thy Aitchison is an Eastern Star, joined
is where I, Dorothy Aitchison Wiel lived at White Shri[...]Allen and children Elmer and
1113 South Strevell for twenty five years. was a Mason, Wal[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (168)[...]ranch. Charlie worked for different cattle[...]Ocean to Nova Scotia. They settled for a time[...]Miles City and found employment at one of
the train depots as waitresses. That is where[...]work for the SY Outfit and they moved to the[...]SY Ranch 45 miles south of Miles City on[...]s brother, Gus, on the Murray Ranch recalled that that is where he should "stake
as ranch hand for the lambing season and his claim." He rode back to the ranch, caught
then started riding for the Milliron Ranch on the stage into Miles City, and filed on a
Box Elder Creek. It was during this time that homestead - 160 acres, including the spot
one of the cowboys he rode with (Rufe where he had been pitched off of his horse.
Branch) started calling him " Curlew".[...]bridesmaid; Edna Rose Allen, bride; and E.O.
for many years he was affectionately known hom[...]ine V. Allen
Volborg Post Office, which was named for his the first postmaster.[...]They had four children; Elmer, Thelma, for all functions and get-togethers. Elections a to[...]Christmas programs, and end of school and the hired man at the end of the day.
In 1938 he turned his ranch over to h[...]reacher would come "Nibs" being a derivation of the word "nob",
Elmer and that fall was elected sheriff of out from town and hold a Sunday service in the knave of the same suit as the card turned
Custer County. I[...]During the summer of 1931, our mother As a young schoolboy Elmer loved to sing
He was sheriff of Custer County until 1955 became very ill. Our[...]s diagnosed as perni- choice was his to make. I believe his favorite
In 1952 he and Lydia move[...]few years later Charlie retired from sense of memory retention and could recall
He was well known throughout the state of ranching. Elmer and his wife Edna Rose took instances of major or minor importance with
Montana, giving of himself unselfishly to any over the ranch.[...]Shrine, Elks Lodge, Range Riders and the for the Office of Sheriff of Custer County and Sunday, June 2, 1935: "Beebe[...]Methodist Church. - A Range Riders held that position for 18 years. Later he was Couple Wed Saturday. Mi[...]term as State Representative becomes bride of E.O. Allen." The article[...]from Custer County. He was a member of the ended with the following sentence: "Bot[...]nic and Mrs. Allen are popular young people of[...]joyed them is extended the congratulations of their[...]family. His life on the many friends who wish for them a long amd
ALLEN, CHARLES W.[...]Elmer was a member of the Masons,[...]board of directors for the PCA, First Security
1905, he left Texas and c[...]d the Montana
Fourche, South Dakota, and the rest of the Stockgrowers. He served as president of the
journey was made by stage coach. He tr[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (169)[...]e worked on ranches in
ture. He was grand marshal of the 1989 Smokey, and King Tut.[...]ing Horse Parade. The sounds of cars driving up and down the Broadus where he[...]in Broadus/Miles City Highway, the smell of the summer months then later was a deputy[...]new mown hay, the feel of a horse's warm livestock inspector which[...]ibute to Uncle Nibs breath, and the sight of picturesque sunrises as long as his health per[...]1968.
Uncle Nibs included me in his activities of Perhaps the most enduring lesson of all has
milking, feeding, shearing, riding, herding, been the hard work, the enjoyment of day to by Hank Dy[...]he love which Uncle Nibs and
He taught respect for all things by statem- Aunt Edna shared.
ents such as: "Don't be riding through the
field. You '11 ruin the seed. Here now, don't be by Thelma L. Green[...]Alfred Anderson, a son of Nels M. Ander-
your horse a drink now, and get one for AMES, ORD CLINTON[...]10, 1889, forth, a sheep man.
gan, "Now, you don't want to . .. " It ended at Lawn, Box Butte[...]want to do is . . ." oldest child of Clinton and Margaret B. stead at Sutherl[...]City, Montana, and is buried in the Valley- ary 19, 1916, and lived on the Homestead
wa[...]s wife, and three
ing. One summer we found scraps of wood married to Nellie Irene Yarger i[...]rvoir. Nebraska on April 8, 1914. The children of moved to his father's ranch at Calabar,
Whe[...]Montana.
us posted by writing letters in the form of a Lloyd Huckins); Montana I. (Mrs. Leland A daughter, Ellen Marie,[...]1894, moving November 16, 1932.
Because I loved them, I wanted my two to Wyoming near Thermopolis. In 1898 they In the spring of 1938, Alfred and family
daughters to know them to[...]by the At an early age Ord went to work for J.M. until 1942, when he invested in the Hort[...]worked from 1904- Ranch, nine miles north of Ashland, on
the kitchen, looked into the bucket, touched 1912. He always spoke with great respect of Tongue River. He was operating this ranch
an[...]nder. Nibs was pleased. Mr. Holt because of Mr. Holt's interest in him until he passed away, May 16, 1957.
After breakfast, consisting of Edna Rose's as a young boy just starting[...]here Kelley and Kerry rode Missy north of the Yellowstone. In 1913 he worked Riders Mu[...]w, after they had tried to milk her. They for Riley Tyler on Little Pumpkin Creek. He
adored he[...]p won a saddle at the rodeo held at Stacey that by Alfred Anderson family
themsel[...]ssy meat. They During 1915-17 he worked for Osborne
gave him a grimace and I knew they, too, had Pemberton on the TA Ranch. He worked for
had their lives enriched by their great Uncle[...]to my Uncle Nibs and Aunt He worked for Phil Keffler on the Frank
Edna Rose written by Li[...]Nibs and Edna kept an open door. One and of 1919. Geo[...]ners and owned a plantation. He was the
the lives of their nieces and nephews who out whenever he could until the spring of youngest of three children, two boys and a
spent many summers[...]ivil War.
At 4:30 in the morning the day began like the oil fields near Borger, Texas, for a short After the war his mother tried to carry[...]Carpet Baggers, they lost control of the
jumped into the middle of the bed shared by The family moved to[...]sister Toby. Immediately our feet did any kind of work he could find until he sensing no futur[...]er was known to return). went back to work for the LO (McIntosh worked as a cowboy and traildriver until
We got dressed and headed for the kitchen Bros.) from 1933-36. 1936-4[...]1 he came to Montana with a trail
in anticipation of a hearty breakfast consist- in Wyoming. herd of cattle for the Box Tee ranch.
ing of a table laden with eggs, sausage, beef H[...]ch until they
steak, cereal, juice, pancakes, and for us, east side of the Big Horn Mountains, then closed out in the 90's. He worked for the YT,
Aunt Edna's famous turtle pancakes. We[...]d Ranch on the west the JO and other ranches for short periods.
knew if we got hungry before noontime, there side of the mountains at Nowood, Wyoming. In all h[...]2 years in Montana,
was always a plentiful supply of Rosie's He returned to Montana and[...]. worked for John McNeirney who brought in mined, then[...]d George Hand, who he was cattle foreman for Ven Savage, north never satisfied away from Montana so in 1898
spent their days in the hay field, I experi- of Forsyth. he[...]dhood joys as gathering eggs, He worked for Harold Burt north of Terry and there for the next two or three years, then
milking cows, a[...]th Ed Lovein 1947. he took over the management of the Cross S
climb on, and ride a horse. I have fond He worked again in Wyoming 1948-49. ranch for Major Phillip Dowson, an English
memories, also, of going antelope and deer From 1950-52 he worked for Cofield and outfit. This outfit was runnin[...]th my father, Bill Green. Gayhart north of Forsyth and spent the head of horses. In the deal between Amos and
A lifelong respect for animals began with winter 52-53 at Marfa, Texas, for Cofield and the Major the ranch was to be stoc[...]cattle also. Amos was to get 20 percent of the[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (170)[...]fter all expenses were paid.
This was a good deal for both sides - when ANDERSON, JO[...]d the Elles and the Miles City Club I was born - January 29, 1909 in Lamoure Rob[...]County, Jud, North Dakota, the oldest of ary 19, 1868 at Mark, Creetown, Scotland.[...]children to Mr. Anshelm G. Anderson the age of ten years he moved with his father's
the WL ranch[...]as family to Drumboe Farm near the village of
business. The cattle business went into a[...]ther was born in Skane, Sweden, in 1881 age of 18 years he left Ireland and came to the
they disposed of their outfit and charged and cani[...]enter business with his cousin Wil-
Montana today that owe their success to and machinery in the first of 1900, before liam Anderson, Jr., contractor and builder.
Amos' timely aid when they started outfits of there was a Jud, North Dakota or the[...]any friends. His death was a blow all of us, the seven sons and one daughter. tana, ar[...]knew him. I left home in 1928 and worked out on formed a quartet of cousins, two Andersons
A bursted appendix cause[...]Range Riders Museum June 8th I married Emmie Bergeson from ~nced farm l[...]killed in a head on car widen their knowledge of the country and of[...]In 1938 I worked for Inland Construction another. One of their early engagements was
ANDERSON, EMMIE[...]Company up to 1945, outside of three and with a firm who freighted suppli[...]one-half years. I was called to the 13th Navy different trading p[...]District as a welder. I came back to my old Their outfit consisted of two four-horse[...]e where we built the Anderson in the middle of Powder River and the loads
North Dakota, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Iron Works and th[...]. Mrs. Alma Olson Bergeson east of Miles City. We ran cattle and other back and[...]loads. They
Bergeson was born at Oslo, Norway one of has been good to me and my family. We had had many experiences for boys so young,
thirteen children. They had ten gi[...]th Dakota, a shop at which was all a part of their life in a new
three boys. I am the third to the oldest and Glend[...]les City, country.
have a twin brother. I was born in a sod house Montana. One of the trading posts was Ekalala - it
on my mother's homestead. Six of the We are retired as of now and we enjoy life consisted of a hotel, a store and a saloon.
children were born[...]ty, Whiskey was 25¢ a glass and had the kick of
moved to a place about three miles north of Montana. - A Range Riders Museum Story. a mule. Ekalala is now a town of about 1,000
the sod home.[...]toffice was 50 miles distant
We milked fifty head of cows with dad having[...]ighbors, three, five or ten miles apart
Mabel and I were the cowboys of the farm. were all mail carriers for one another and
We would break horses for people around the ANDERSON, NELS went miles out of their way to deliver.
county. If some one would h[...]home ranch as much as 200 miles. All had
cowboys.I could do any farm work and D[...]spring roundups the calves were branded and
I was married to John R. Anderson June[...]to the United States he had married Miss for the market. The outfits consisted of 10 or
We had one son, Dee Wayne Hans Ander-[...]On coming to Miles City more cowboys from each of the various
son, born September 19.[...]ed Walter Prambert; sphere is dry,all part of cowboy life.
20, 1973. - A Range Riders Museum St[...]ade a happy home pastures green and waters of a flowing stream
for the children, making them all good - no drawing water for 1,000 cattle as
by Emmie An[...]American citizens - having the respect of all Rebekah had done in patriarchal days of long[...]Mrs. Alfred Anderson which he made ready for occupancy by the[...]lives. Like unto Jacob and his sons going[...]crime) a happy reunited family except Walter
- ... --"..[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (171)[...]certainly was worth heed- to the prosecution of his studies during the
During the intervening[...]one In 1896 he married Miss Corms Ireland,
kind of work that called for action on the back from the other unless you were close to them. one of Miles City's fairest daughters, and to
of a pony, with their coming he found a[...]rriage one son was born.
change in the atmosphere of his life. He was banquet was held in his h[...]es and Hugh Hunter in a little talk that he gave he said - 'that he of the city council and in 1899 he was elevated
driv[...]hadn't accumulated material wealth but that without opposition, to the mayoralty of the
along the line of the Northern Pacific Rail- his life had be[...]fast - mostly all, what more could one wish for in a Dr. W.W. Andrus died in 1935 an[...], born Story, 1963.
James Hunter, by word of mouth, which July 1, 1864, at Gatehouse, Scotland. She
lasted for a number of years. They bought a died Feb. 28, 1897.[...]18, 1904, he married Mary
the OX Ranch - so named for the brand on Sproat, born June 5, 1874[...]Dalbeattie, Scotland. There were born of this ARCHDALE, JIM AND
thousand head of cattle, made a fortune and union five chi[...]aukee, St. Paul ter, born May 9, 1914. All of these children Jim Archdale and Hattie Aye[...]leaving in the same immaculate state of repair, is the son of Lionel John Dawson Archdale
they sold 160 acres of land to the Milwaukee always ready to welcome any and all of the and Elinore Daly Baker Archdale.
Townsite Company for $15,000 on which to children who, afte[...]rother, Mervyn Montgomery (Monty) Arch-
daughters of an official of the railroad. Bob, as he was known t[...]here a year or so earlier.
They bought a tract of land on their return passed away in the family home where he and They were younger sons of a large landed
to Montana, near Ismay, of between 11,000 his wife spent the remaining years of their gentry family. Their uncle, Frank Arch[...]quipped with livestock, lives. The date of his passing was July 20, started the Crown W[...]n in the 1880's. Frank sold the Crown
partnership for a number of years, subse- Mrs. Anderson passed a[...]City W to J .H. Price and a man by the name of S.E.
quently Robert L. bought James Hunter's[...]daughter, Mary, at Gilliet a fellow graduate of Oxford College,
interest and operated the ranch many years, the age of 73, on February 22, 1947. and until 1[...]h are buried in the family plot in the horses for Price and worked as ranch hands.
After he beca[...]In 1896, the brothers went into business
for the tract of land where his father after- Museum Story.[...]ear Knowlton.
The foregoing is a brief account of their[...]d, as did his
coming to the West and is a glimpse of the w.[...]F20 the sister of Heywood Daly who owned the
interesting tales coul[...]Knowlton. The Dalys were
prevents - he was a man of many parts. Dr. W.W. Andrus was born in Orono, from the Isle of Man. Elinore had three sons
In addition to his[...]evelop the country. He served four is of American parentage, and in every Elinore often played piano for dances in
years as a deputy assessor together wit[...]l She and Lionel had four children - Jim
that time six new counties were carved out of education in the English branches, he began[...]- Rosebud, Powder River, Prai- the study of medicine in Trinity college, born in 1916 in Bismarck, North Dakota, and
rie, Fallon, Carter and part of Wibaux. Their Toronto, graduating in the class of '92. twin boys who died as infants. Lesli[...]- the Choosing Montana as his future field of lives in Federal Way, Washington.
roads[...]they had to ford and swim the classmate of his - the late Dr. Henry Chappel They were part of quite a community of
rivers. He was a member of the Montana - had preceded him, and[...](who sometimes had polo matches at his
President of the First National Bank in Shortly af[...]established himself in a practice that grew killen) , a man named Parry who cooked for
He was elected County Commissioner of steadily, occupying his whole time, wi[...]unty in 1924 and served 12 years. result that Dr. Andrus and his associates were Even thou[...]ding doctors in eastern cultures than many of their neighbors, the
at Ismay. He fulfilled his d[...]great equalizers.
to his fell ow citizens, a man of fine character, From his boyhood days he was[...]d and became Montanans.
he possessed a great fund of knowledge - his attached to athletic sport[...]player that his services were sought in a character. H[...]he and his brother professional way, and for several years he was named Bruce and if Lance w[...]this field, devoting his summers and fall out of the cart, Bruce would stop and
a dry wit, not a great deal of conversation but to the game, and the money that he earned wait for him to get back in.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (172)[...]from the death of her husband in Minnesota,[...]While her mother cared for 7 year old[...]cafe at the wage of 25 cents per hour. She also[...]een Baker and Miles City. Archer, a native of Kansas. He was in the dray[...]and other jobs, but has spent most of the past also went by the name of Archer. Because of[...]as a fencing contractor. the span of years between them the children[...]Hattie is the daughter of Frank Ayers, a were never at home at the sa[...]then came to Ismay was an active town of the old west[...]Mildred, Bernard of Miles City, Harvey who Being the eldest of a large family, Harry's
died in 1986, Clarence of Los Angeles, and formal schooling ended wit[...]his help was needed at home. Some of his[...]a mother. One of the biggest events he remembers[...]also have four from Bismarck flew a World War I biplane
recliner at the Archdale's so Jim .took I[...]ty and trouble developed and they looked about for
When Lance went to wash up for supper, he are still active in the E[...]see what looked like a low white cloud on the
"Lionel, you better thum[...]by Jim Archdale find that it was a flock of sheep. By the time
said he was asleep. Lionel replied, "I guess[...]treated like heroes and given a warm welcome
Leslie and Jim also tell of another form of ARCHER FAMILY[...]pond. Lionel didn't find Of Ismay Harry went to work in 1923 for Mr. and
that so funny.[...]hey moved to a ranch near Clear
1930's, he worked for a short time with the[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (173)[...]to all whom he contacted. The qualities of
niece and a granddaughter.[...]etimes led him into obligations
farmed and worked for the Kohler Co. of 187 4, where he received his schooling[...]and livestock profession. Great Depression of the 1930s. No greater
Mildred or "Millie" was valedictorian of In 1900 he came to Montana to the Crow[...]ency where he gave the Store Manager that he was loyal an true to his family, his
girls bas[...]received a scholar- some three hundred dollars for safe keeping, friends and his home town, M[...]t did not take saying he was going to ride for some cow His friends were limited only to the great
advantage of it because of the distance. She outfit and wouldn't need the money until he circle of people who admired him.
came to Miles City and married Dick Wright went into business for himself. Family in North America - Mr. Arnold
in 1932. He worked for the Milwaukee In the early 1900's[...]d sweetheart, Sophie
Railroad and they spent most of their years business with Walter Braezeale.[...]me to Forsyth from in 1895 at the age of 355 due to an asthmatic
April '86.[...]studied civic engineering at the University of
after her father's sisters. She went out to[...]with Walter Braezeale and con- Michigan for one year before joining his
Seattle to work in th[...]on, and still carrying on (Maisie) Courtenay of Miles City and they
ue to live and work in the Se[...]old died and is buried at financial editor of the Oakland Tribune,
received most of his schooling in Ismay. Forsyth, Montana[...]piano at the Cincinnati Conservatory of
Archers so graduated from South Shore High[...]Miles City before moving to
married Jean Thompson of Colorado in '44.[...]Chicago area. The von der Heydts had two
for Walters garage until 1963 when they[...]ern University professor of orthodontia in
'81. Joe married Vera Silvester in[...]om Ismay in '41 Edmond August Arnold, one of five sons of James Eddy Arnold, the youngest, graduated
and enlisted in the army that fall. He spent August Arnold, immigrated at the age of 18 from Rush Medical College of the University
most of World War II in Italy. The Archer in 1878 to the United States. He worked as of Chicago and married Laina L. Laury, a
family moved to Miles City in the summer of a tailor for two years in the East before surgical n[...]Arnold served as a First Lieutenant in the
Decker of Miles City in '46. They adopted a owned a t[...]ana began Medical Corps during World War I, practiced
baby girl in '53 and later had 2 sons. They to attract the attention of easterners and Ed medicine in Miles City an[...]then to Conrad Arnold sailed on a steamboat for Miles City of Medical Relief during the 1930s. Later the
where[...]ife - Eventually, eight daughters, three of whom were born in
Falls where they manage an apar[...]department store of a bakery, a delicatessen, sional Secretary;[...]dry goods, furniture, glassware at Library of Congress and Harvard Univer-
home of Mrs. Ryan as were all Ismay babies and cro[...]es A. Arnold and and Tertre, publisher of a New Orleans fashion
perfect baby she had ever s[...]uster, escrow secretary;
him was 50 cents instead of the usual 25 cents. cian, Mr. Arnold served as City Treasurer Cathryn Thompson, hostess for husband on
He served in the navy in the' 40's and married and Secretary of the Custer Building Loan foreign service assignments; Joan Payne,
Margaret Smith of Miles City in 1949. He Association. He was a prominent member of university graduate nurse; and Jamesine
worked for Cook Sign Co. and later they the Masoni[...]ub, a (Ginny) Brambilla, vice president of family
moved to Billings where he is still in the neon financial backer of the Miles City Junior leasing business.[...]ampions Some years after the death of Sophie
Barbara Fay, the adorable little sister of and Northwest Champions, and a patron[...]n in '28. She married Irvin saint and sponsor of the Commercial Club. married Mary Eliza[...]in 1946; they raised their 4 children The love of music inspired Mr. Arnold to in the tr[...]ukee Railroad acci-
in Miles City where he worked for Walters finance the organ of the Presbyterian dent near Terry at the age of 83. Edmond
Garage, and then as a mechanic for the Church. US President Teddy Roosevelt and August Arnold died of a heart attack on
Highway Dept. Barb and Irvin mo[...]e honorary November 4, 1934 at the age of 74 and was
Lewistown in '84 where he was transferred. members of the Miles City Club. buried i[...]schools in Ismay and Miles City. At the age of Mr. Arnold. He became known as One Per for the duration of the funeral services with
of 20 he was killed in Korea shortly after his Cent Ed, a title that was at once highly people lining the s[...]placed him in the forefront of every endeavor Updated by Dorothy A. Max[...]ter County Rest Home to secure advantages for his community. If a Harry A. Arnold, Jr., Grandchildren.
in 1970 and Hazel died in 1986 at the age of subscription was to be raised on a project that
96.[...]always contributed one per cent of the total
by Mrs. Walter Dane amount needed. For example, the horse[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (174)[...]Charles Clarke Construction and later for outside a corral. Bob was a good hand wit[...]himself. He died suddenly of a heart attack a bronc; he could take a horse that had never
on Oct. 10, 1965 at 56 years of age. been handled and in a short tim[...]on a quarter section of land just wasn't going
Phil. Artz was born at S[...]ted. Cora took in washing, was
Montana at the age of twenty-one, taking up[...]lping out managed to raise the smaller
1,000 head of cattle when he sold out in 1960.[...]he would saddle up one of the horses and put
seum Story.[...]on a private rodeo in back of the stable. Well,[...]that it was a show worth watching, so starting[...]betting anyone that Bob could ride anything[...]good deal out of it. Like most any youngster,
ASHLEY, IRA[...]Bob kind of liked being the center of[...]to Miles City for the 4th of July and entered[...]"Daddy of Them All" to break. When World War I broke out, Bob[...]decided that he was meant to serve his[...]k in 1900, Bob country and hopped the train for Baker and
Askin was to grow up to be one of the greatest was all set to enlist when his mo[...]ailroad he understood best even if half of them were[...]stead 14 miles south of Ismay. Bob's mother Uncle Sam. For starters they looked so much[...]them the following year with the alike that no one could tell them apart and[...]two girls, Edna and Bob being the scraper of the two set up bets
Jenny. At that time, Ismay was one of the on a boxing match with Hank and then[...]m Ismay, and wrangle a date with this gal that both he and
Cora, who was always fond of folks, had the Bob had been wooing. Well Bo[...]coffee pot on and hot doughnuts for whom- so he went and took the girl out ne[...]on he wasn't Hank ... as the saying goes, I[...]O'Fallen Creek. Like most ranchers, everyone out ever leaving the[...]nd the following spring Bob took up
Nebraska, son of Arther Dean and·Anna Mae They raised potatoes so that meant lots of rodeoing full time. He mostly rode saddle[...]as in steer wrestling.
had four sisters; Kathryn, of Spokane; Vir- scared to death of a horse as a small tot and There was another great bronc rider from
ginia Fudge of Long Beach, California; Sally how they put him on the big old work horses. Ismay, and good friend of Bob's (Paddy
Saldin and Susie Findley who are deceased. I guess it worked to get him over being scared, R[...]around horses. Like most of the other youths circuit a couple of years and so was a great
The Ashley family came to Montana when living in that part of the country, as soon as help to Bob. Bob's style of riding was unusual
Dick was four or five years of age and lived Bob was old enough, he went to work on for that era. Most of the bronc riders rode
on Crow Rock near the N-N r[...]Meredith and graduated from ing horses. That was a rugged schooling, to using their l[...]had a smooth spurring stroke, from
Dick worked for Jim Masterson on his than average strength and had respect for the the shoulders to the cantle. He had the knack
ranch and also for Bill Jenson. Then he horse and a sort of hind-sight to know just of making a horse look better than it really
worked for the Haughian family during what they[...]re points doing this.
World War II. He was a jack of all trades did.[...]iked operating the Caterpillar Cowboys that rode the range with Bob said every rodeo the[...]on money at
tractor best. After the war he worked for the horse never lived that could buck him off most of them. The first three years the New

184

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (175)[...]as well as the dry years didn't spare timing for rides. There were many other
Gardens, Bob was the[...]they had a nice 20 section outfit. (Two middle of the arena and the action went until
Fort Worth, P[...]trailer caught Such a raw start accounted for Bob's
silver cup when he won the 1924 bronc ridin[...]anticipating what could be expected
won the hand of the gal he called the belle of and steer ropes.) from the many styles of mustangs.
Ismay, Helen Fulton, daughter of a very During the late 20's and all t[...]big rodeos. He was well liked helping the sport of rodeo progress locally
Presbyterian manse, with t[...]ex Austin got a rodeo promoted in a pride of Fallon County, a standard young
John F. (Paddy) Ryan and Gladys P. Cloud, London, Bob was on the list of hands that cowboys and fans look up to.
friends of the bride and groom. were taken over for it, also he was a big winner Perhaps there is[...], her father coming over from Scot- much so that he was asked to perform for sure, they left behind a legacy for others
land at the young age of 19 and going to work especially for the Queen. Bob rode a lot of to follow.
for the McKay outfit and in the course of great bucking horses in his time, two of the
years ended up in partnership and then[...]with his rodeoing. This was Telegram Sports of the New York Times.
also the year that Bob drew the notorious Along the way, his[...]st place wins in as on April 20, 1907, son of Purl and Eva Baber.
Round-Up. No Name had been fe[...]y moved
Ripley's "Believe It Or Not," and was one of Then there was his getting together with[...]bronc riding, winning his cowboys thought of him as an unridable homestead, George[...]Wellston. In 1925 George joined the Army
time that Bob was winning every where he drawing hi[...]blew, he was still in the saddle, and that Infantry. This included service in the Ph[...]year on the road rodeoing, mighty ride was the kind of stuff that makes lippine Islands. He was honorably discharged
Bob and Helen bought a couple of sections you champion.[...]from the service on August 6, 1928 and came
south of Ismay on O'Fallen Creek. Bob still The fe[...]d. Later Bob got George went to work for the Milwaukee
August 9th. At this time, Helen's f[...]stayed with them until 1930,
in Miles City dying of stomach cancer. The to Midnight" at Omaha and put the first then worked for several ranchers in the area.
little girl was bor[...]utheastern there he made friends with several of the men
and they sent her to Miles City to Dr.[...]the horse Tipperary was earning an and one of them introduced George to his
Garberson, but she[...]went to California to
worked hard at it with lots of dry years and recorded.[...]returned to
with the government coming to the aid of Even though Bob Askin made it to the H[...]in the Boiler house at
ranchers, there was plenty of work to be done. of Fame, he was never a world champion as t[...]n to bigger and further away such. His era of cowboying came before the Boys School.
work, Det worked with him for a good many present Rodeo Cowboys Associat[...]14, Bob and Helen rodeo circuit. After that he was a familiar face In 1942, George and Sadie bought a farm
became the proud parents of a boy, Bob Jr. as a spectator and he never lost interest in the south of Miles City, where they raised two
The following year in August, David Turner sport. For a few years he produced rodeos children,[...]at the Pine Hills
baby but it was soon discovered that he was riding career that lasted some 8 or 10 years School for Boys.
mongoloid. They spared no time and went[...]have two grandchildren,
East and all over but at that time nothing was and trick riding went out.[...]joined them. A year later their first daughter That is a tribute to some luck and a lot of corn, and raised alfalfa at one time or
ar[...]family, Marjorie He lived to see the face of rodeo competi- George always liked[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (176)[...]ast Fork to teach in a one
George was a member of the First Lutheran BADGETT, KIRK[...]rriage to Kirk,
Church. He was also a life member of the[...]DON intendent of Schools in District 32 for many
the late 1930's and was in the Moose League.[...]s extremely capable in any project
longer had use of his tools, George used them City, Montana on January 8, 1913. He was the she undertook. She did all of her own
on the farm. They can now be seen in the youngest son of Lee Sherman and Carrie carpentry work[...]as well as sewing clothes for the family.
seum, So when you look into the shop[...]the O.U. Ranch on Otter She was an invalid for her last 22 years, but
note the following tools:[...]ett Land and home ranch in January of 1977. - A Range
tools and soldering iron, several[...]chool at the Willow Cross-
holder, and then think of George P. Baber, ing near Ashland and had t[...]ange Riders when Kirk was fourteen years of age. BADGETT, LEES.
Museum Sto[...]In the early thirties, Kirk worked for the
Chappell Bros. Cannery (CBC) north of (SHORTY)
by Baber Family Miles City. The CBC at that time was the[...]cowboys rode for the CBC. Lee S. (Shor[...]BADGETT, GEORGE W. for Waggoner, Garrison and Abbot, a live- ge[...]He was there for two years. farming until h[...]Creek, and the 1936. Lora was the daughter of Ebon and from the public schools of Kentucky and
family home in Miles City. The O.U.[...]anched on the Illinois. At eighteen years of age he came to
originally owned by Colonel Bryan, then East Fork of Otter Creek. Lora was a teacher Wyoming, de[...]n the local county schools. that awaited his efforts.
Bryan became partners and that was the Kirk bought a ranch from his brother He took up the life of a cowboy and
origin of the Bug Ranch. Shorty Badgett George that same year. This ranch was three followed it steadily, riding all portions of the
eventually owned the ranch outright.[...]roke, and sold horses. He raised many for various companies, becoming acquainted
put up hay. It was during this time that horses for the Army Remount. In later years, with all portions of Southeastern Montana.
George met and married Florence Ellen Kirk often said that the horses made it In 1898, he deci[...]gh, who had migrated to Montana possible for him to get into the cow business. business for himself. He secured the ranch
from South Dakota.[...]George and Florence owned and operated of Kirk's fondest memories. L[...]ther was engaged in ranching and
were born during that interim - Georgina, in 1943. Wallace Kirk[...]Joanne, who died at Kirk loved all types of livestock. He were born, Ina Elizabeth, George W. (Kirk);
the age of six weeks. The three remaining enjoyed exp[...]daughters now live in California. Florence of cattle, and was a shrewd judge of horse- Mr. and Mrs. Badgett were noted for their
and George had four grandchildren.[...]y, were civic minded and were an
In the summer of 1936, George moved the In 1957 Lora suff[...]n. His brother She was an invalid the rest of her life. Until In 1927, Mr. Badgett died[...]her death in 1977, Kirk took care of her, the family plot at Miles City, Mont[...]t Miles City,
Wallace, Lee, and Kirk Badgett, all of whom Kirk and his brother Wallace bought[...]Four children now survive the death of
George was known by his friends and[...]ents - Ina Elizabeth (Badgett)
neighbors as a man of integrity and loyalty Kirk enjoyed rodeos. He especially liked to Collins of California; George W. (Kirk) and
and never turned[...]on Otter
always able to lend a helping hand. Many of children compete. He also enjoyed baseball[...]said he was and football and got a kick out of a friendly stock Experiment Station at Miles City,
one "hell of a good cowboy" which, I am sure, wager.[...]roud. Kirk had an infectious sense of humor, 1963.
We, his family, have alw[...]oved a practical joke and would do anything
dream of one day returning to the ranch and for his family. by[...]assed away in September 19, 1986 on
death changed that. - A Range Riders the ranch he loved.[...]daughter of Ebon and Margaret Daily. The
by Carol[...]racio Daily's ranched on the East Fork of Otter[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (177)[...]ased the old ed a log buildjng at the mouth of Lame Deer.
SHERMAN[...]irk's place on the north later librarian for many years at the Carnegie[...]llace and Kirk operated the two places wife of Charles Taber, early day surveyor who
ber 1906 an[...]es tember 27, 1977, just three miles north of the ern Pacific Railroad in Montana; J.C.
south of Ashland, Montana. His father owned place[...]eastern lawyer,
the OU and Bug ranches, and part of this Museum Story.[...]County for many years.
of six children.[...]oor life, but she became proficient in
third year of high school. He was very athletic[...]married, Ali<:e took over the duties of caring
sophomore year. Then he was known as the for her aged, parents.
biggest little fullback in the[...]t to the (Callen) Lynch. She was one of eight children good times and bad tim,s, this pioneer couple
elements of extremely hot and cold weather. who were[...]always patient with animals and members of her family will be remembered ranch home was one day replaced by a
little kids. He was a big fan of prize fights and as Mary Mahoney; Katherine Too[...]Sullivan; Mar- ranch itself became ,one of the best stock
Lee was a good cook in the wint[...]band in the Lee cemetery on Rosebud
Lee worked for his father, and for the James, were located. They got work[...]Illinois Central R.R. and remained there for
for the CBC Horse outfit in 1931 and 1932. m[...]wn and raised thorough- the West telling of the golden opportunities
bred horses. He worked a[...]Montana territory. Uncle Jack Lynch in
in Chicago for the Montana State Brand partnership with Marcus Daly, historically
Commission. He worked for Ed Love and known as the Copper Magnate of Montana, BAILEY, HENRY M.
then for many years at Fort Keogh. After were i[...]F35
retiring from Fort Keogh, he worked for C.M. mouth of Lame Deer creek. The Lynch and
Coffee and for the Miles City Livestock Gaffney fami[...]bud, over the newly St. Joseph, Missouri, son of John Wesley and
Story.[...]by Badgett Family instructions to two of his men, R.P. Colbert moved to Mankato, Kans[...]and Milt Beam, to prepare three wagons for years old. At nine years (1880) the family[...]to the station to meet the prospective started for Oregon, but stopped at Laramie,[...]took up land and built homes for themselves. a year started for Montana with horse teams
Wallace E. Badgett wa[...]attended One day the Indians brought word that from the Tom Penson Ranch, near Kirby,
s[...]k Robes", (Jesuit Priests) had settled camp that night but found water next
school. He was on the[...]1923. mission for the conversion of the Cheyennes. Snider Ranch, who was his uncle.
Wallace was a devoted fan of baseball, It was not long until the[...]sketball and football. He was an exception- of the Lynch family were enrolled and son who was owner of the Diamond brand and
al player of all three of these sports as a young received instructions and training in the ranch. He punched cows for Robbie (Robin-
man.[...]lic faith which was to be Alice's comfort son) for eight years and four years as horse
Wallace lived much of his life alone even and inspiration throug[...]s creeks. He
Wallace was married only eight years of his language, and many times in after yea[...]with each wagon.
John, died in their second year of marriage Older members of the tribe visited with her Henry's brother[...]Cheyenne history and the Indian's way of life his late teens.
married only six years.[...]ined. Henry's range was parts of Armells, Sarpy,
Wallace was at his best handling cattle. He A petition for a school for white settlers Rosebud and Tallie creeks. He started with
was stock manager for Ed Love ranches for children was presented to the Co[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (178) He received his Patent for his homestead in continued to operate both[...]death. He still ran a modern combine for his trying to make a living for his family. He was
In 1902, Henry N. Bailey married Miss last harvest at the a.ge of 80 years. a dryland farmer but had ma[...]with grasshoppers, gophers, rabbits, and
for years. To this marriage wats born four They are Norma Jean Power of Fort Smith, other pests, as well as the lack of rain and
children, John, passed away at 26, in 1930, Gloria Gail Hert of Billings, Alan Glenn ofof Fort Smith. horses for himself, and others. Adolf also
engaged in the ma[...]ting the two farms left by route areas north of Roundup, with his wife,
to Miss Nugent of Miles City; Margaret (Mrs. Albert. At the time of his death Albert had Mary. They also ran a[...], (Mrs. J ,oe Egan), all increased the size of his ranch to 15 ½ ranch. Additionally, he worked for 11 years
of whom settled near the paren1tal home. sections known as the Red Butte Ranch near for the State Highway Department, as well
Henry te[...]rees and selling them in Roun-
with Henry recalls of a cloudburst causing by Ballensky Family dup. With the help of children taking orders
them to move all their bel[...]stmas, the whole family delivered
ground; stating that, " My next house was the[...]HEINRICH for sport as well as insurance his family would
at6\t[...]uld also go elk hunting in the
through a painting of the 'old home ranch' .[...]wife, Mary canned most of the meat.
ming, but he always referred to the Hen[...]enjoy being in the midst of crowds. He
Henry N. Bailey diecil on October 9,[...]instilled the virtues of hard work in his
and is buried at Lee· cemetery[...]children, and for them to always do the best
Rosebud. - A Range Ri,[...]H.
ary 4, 1889 at Yankton, South Dakota, the son
of George and Margaret BaUensky. At a[...]F38
most of his adult life. Albert had three
brothers and thr[...]Baringer developed it into one of the finest
area.[...]29, -1900 in Oklahoma territory the was one of seven children: Julius, Bertha, Horton Brothers, finally selling his interest
daughter of Steven and Minnie Pfeifer. They Freida, Au[...]In 1926 Fred H. Baringer with the aid of
moved to Montana. They came by train to[...]ours. On the irrigation system which is one of the most
County near the Vail Creek area.[...]and ranched in to keep food on the table for their family. tone River, irrigating over 1[...]rea till 1939. Theresa cooked They did not like the German government, electric pumps.
many meals for the passengers of the stage but lacked the money to leave t[...]The stage route went right by the headed for America. He worked his way on They ar[...]ouse was about half way a cattle ship for 12 months and later finished the Tongue River[...]ruscott (1874-1939). - A
Case combine. He was one of the first custom U.S.S. Cincinnati and came[...]ie Adolph and they were married October
southeast of Hardin. The family moved to 23, 1924 in[...]rviving . . .
different individuals over a number of years. including, Margaret Cheledinas[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (179)[...]except my little brother Randall and me.
BARNUM, FRANK[...]F40 I can remember a huge garden and lots of
pioneer family on January 16, 1901 in[...]lphos, Kansas. His parents, Gordon and I, Peggy Lee Carey Barrett, was born in the[...]and Oklahoma. Gordon Barnum fifth child of Ira and Bessie Trainer Carey. We fed wit[...]Marshal during the My folks ranched west of Volborg which is and Del came to school after Randall and me
turbulent period of the settlement of the south of Miles City. I spent my next 11 years with a sled full of hay to bury ourselves in
Indian Territory, which[...]n as on the home ranch on the north fork of Foster when an unexpected blizzard blew i[...]Creek. Dad died when I was five years old and temperatures took a nose-dive. I attended the
Only six months old, Frank and his family the running of the ranch fell to Mom and my Carey-Malo[...]were still in school teaching all grades. I went to school with the
family established a home[...]10 saw the Barnum family relocate to the
Flathead Valley near Kalispell. It was a two
week journey aboard[...]ence at Montana
State College in Bozeman in 1924. For the
next three years, Frank managed the family
ranch. 1926 witnessed the marriage of Frank
to Gladys Lee; a marriage which eventually[...]one Park.
Soon after, Frank joined the faculty of
Montana State College to establish the State
Range Experimental Station for sheep near
Bozeman. Frank was appointed as the
County Extension Agent for Rosebud County
five years later. After another fi[...]on his
own, feeding lambs and serving as a buyer for Peggy and Herb Barrett on their wedding day wi[...]nd her husband,
Swift and Company. At the request of the Newton Hollowell. July 3, 1982
Miles City Chamber of Commerce, Frank
purchased the Old Horse yard in o[...]s acreage was used as
a feed lot and winter range for his sheep
operations, while he summered his stock[...]Indian Reser-
vation near Browning. At the height of the
operations, he was running 10,000 head over
an area of over four townships near lngomar.
After ten ye[...]an sheep and cattle and developed a large
acreage of flood irrigation for raising hay.
With the sale of this ranch, Frank retired but
continued to trade[...]Children of Peggy Barrett (l-r) Back Row: Barry, Rick[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (180)[...]they were married at the home of her parents,[...]twenty miles south of Broadus, Montana.[...]part of the ranch and community. The[...]home in Miles City in 1941 and with that[...]purchase started fifteen years of living apart[...]for nine months out of each year while the[...]College became a part of the lives of several[...]of the family, but their vocations were quite[...]nt Row: Amanda, prominent part in the education of her
Denise and Melissa Fuller[...]children and served as president of the[...]tion, reading and enlighten-
were neighbors. Some of our teachers were BARTHELMESS,[...]ment in her home.
Rexa Gresens (mother of Neal and Arlyle[...]en in winters to
ship), Janet Ayres, and an uncle of the Wood[...]storical related
children, Tom Watson substituted for a time.[...]the country. She helped Casey
These are the ones I can recall, but I'm sure[...]on the life of Christian Barthelmess, Casey's
Helen Jones. We wa[...]way October 8, 1972, after
shetland pony, Popeye. I remember crossing[...]ally to visit her family and cares for herself
the horse and he swam across. Though it[...]and everyone else in need in her 89th year of
wasn't far, it was too deep for us to wade. life, still this 15th day of November, 1988. She
When I was ready for the seventh grade,[...]rson we're
send us to school, leaving Del to care for the Casey and Toby Barthelmess, 1962 all proud to have had so near for such a long
ranch. I graduated from Washington Grade[...]the town of Huff, Morrison County, Minneso-[...]tate when Mom ta. She was the second of four children born
married Newton Hollowell. My h[...]and Amos Oby. Her three brothers,
Herb Barret and I live in Bothel, Washington. Harry, Charles and Donald all died very early
I am a payroll specialist with the Edmonds[...]She began her schooling in Parker Town-
I have six children: Richard Fuller married[...]Becky, North Dakota, before two years of high school[...]she Bob Barthelmess, the second of six chil-
and daughter Mellissa; Barry Fuller and passed an entrance exam for admission to dren born to Mr. and Mrs.[...]Washington, January 9, 1924, at the home of
vacations in Montana.[...]schooling, he went to work for his parents on[...]northeast of her school. On January 26, 1921, mar[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (181)[...]Betty Ann was the first president of the musician and photographer.[...]result of her dedicated work, she was elected attended[...]state secretary of the Montana Cowbelles in tutelage of Laura Ritner, daughter of the post
1960. In addition, and typical of country chaplain until 1898. At that time the Keogh[...]Bob taught by his parents to work for his simply a big wagon pulled by a team of mules[...]came a national officer of F.F.A. in 1943, Field now stands. When the[...]President of the Montana Stockgrowers they just di[...]Association in 1963, President of the Miles Casey to think of those high water days.
Community College Board of Trustees in For a boy, life at Fort Keogh was exciting[...]1975, and served as chairman of Montana's and interesting. There was much[...]Board of Livestock for six years beginning in activity, sports, picn[...]livestock industry problems inherited a love of music, and through his[...]ed County Commission- father, too, a sense of history and a high
er for Custer County. regard for the American Indian. The North-[...]family, they served as 4H leaders, coach of numbers along the Tongue and Yellowstone[...]Rivers near the fort held great fascination for[...]964 as she boarded the Bob roped at rodeos for 30 years and won Casey, the West Point graduate who orga-
train for Portland to attend the National Cattlem- three[...]ength in Fort Keogh in 1890. A great respect for and
served as State Secretary of the Montana Cow- the family.[...]They are happily situated, caring for and Christian Barthelmess to take his many f[...]ciation, and Bob to become an absorbing part of his son
is presently serving on the E.M.I. advisory Casey's life.[...]board. Betty Ann still plants, cares for and The summer of 1901 spent at Quartermast-
exhibits the products of her large, beautiful er Sergeant Cogan's ranc[...]Family powder biscuits, Casey applied for and got a[...]job as chore boy beginning in the spring of[...]1903 and lasting until the fall of 1904. In so[...]doing he missed a year of formal schooling,[...]camp cooks, an exposure that would sooner[...]Upon the death of his father in 1906, then[...]Casey Edward Barthelmess, one of eight almost 16 years old, Casey quit sc[...]children of Christian and Catherine Barthel- joined his[...]annual meeting in Miles City that spring and[...]he landed a job with John Holt, owner of the
Bob Barthelmess taken at the Range Riders[...]experienced hands the fine art of breaking
of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Carey. She too received[...]winter of 1908-09 riding his broncs the three
attended high[...]In the winter of 1909-10 Casey, who had
marriage from Miles Commun[...]critical of the work of Montana artist Charlie
School and attended colleg[...]of the LO Ranch on Mizpah Creek in 1913,
Ranch 18 miles east of Miles City. They[...]ame year the Miles City Roundup was
ranched there for 26 years and in 1986 sold[...]up man for the Roundup and in 1915 entered
became managers of the Range Riders Mu- a variety of contests and staying atop the ill
seum.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (182)[...]France and was Casey died in October of 1972 after a brief years he was in the Army and until his
discharged in the spring of 1919. He returned illness at age 81, but not b[...]agued and fulfilled a very personal dream, that of 1906.
decided again to try his hand at rodeoing. At publicizing the life story of his soldier-musi- His first great love may[...]ure horse, Skyrocket mess. Culminating years of collecting, re- his initial enlistment a[...]e Frink, the book "Photographer On use of his considerable knowledge of music
home with winnings that year of $1,150.00. An Army Mule" was published by t[...]oney he bought a good team and University of Oklahoma Press in 1965. rose quickly[...]the alto horn, the tuba and the
they were saving for him. When he got back made that cowpuncher on his horse and no French h[...]Toby" Oby and if it hadn't doubt a part of his heart remains out there Infantry when he retired. He formed a
been for her he might have stayed with on the range. A sister sign stands in front of German singing society at Fort Keogh and as
rodeoing for a few more years. Instead, he this Range R[...]l the while working his be felt here, too, for there's nothing he'd have carry a tune, he orga[...]ventually a quintet
county to build roads, a job that lasted on and share a story, faced with his rich sense of . . . enforcing discipline with a gentle rap
off for six ye_ars. humor, of the old west he loved. - A Range from his viola bow if one of the younger
On January 26, 1921, he and "Toby[...]ly on detached service for photographic
and a daughter Rosemary.[...]haversack on the back of an army mule. His
days in by wagon, a day in tow[...]pictures covered a wide range of off-duty and
out - the trip was not made more th[...]social, as well as military activities of the
or three times a year. Fortunately, Casey an[...]nd Northern Cheyenne. He had studio
Schooling for their large family in such an[...]he enjoy the luxury of a studio of his own.
1932 became a temporary school and a ye[...]Misfortune plagued the preservation ofof his glass
miles from the ranch and renamed the C[...]storage when he was on duty in Cuba, and
for seven additional years. There were few[...]large numbers, temporarily in the custody of
neighbors and most of the student's names[...]fireproof but portable safe in the family
of the 30's, and as did IQ.any rural families,[...]home, were stolen. The thief, unaware of
withstood the fragmentation required to[...]known that Christian assembled at least two
Twenty years lat[...]other albums, the contents of which are now
Casey and "Toby" moved to town for good.[...]City, New Mexico on April 12, 1886. To that
president of the Southeastern Montana Christian B[...]Dinwoodie), Casey, Sophia (Kerrigan), Ade-
member of the Board of Directors of the[...]d and Marie
Miles City Saleyards, and as a member of the Christian Barthelmess was born April[...]His second son, Casey, inheriting his
first Board of Directors of the Range Riders. 1854 in a Bavarian town in Germany called father's sense of history, devoted much of his
Casey received three honors he particular[...]life to collecting and preserving the work of
cherished. In 1954 a night was dedicated to[...]undoubtedly will through the next and next)
of his contribution to the livestock industry tion, and learning of the Indian Campaigns as is evidenced by t[...]nd in particular the development on his own of the Southwest, he enlisted on November at the Range Rider's Museum in Miles City,
ranch of an effective flood irrigation system. 15th, 1[...]ilable
During the Diamond Jubilee celebration of Cavalry at Fort Apache, Arizona, and subse- reproductions of his work. - A Range Riders
the Montana Stockgrowe[...]and the Second. In addition to Fort Apache,
of few white men ever to be so honored. The h[...]exico), Lewis (Colorado) and Keogh
A resident of southeastern Montana all his (Montana). He se[...]and the history's preserva- Keenly aware of the significance of the
tion. He was especially pleased in 1960 when[...]re he found himself, he
he was named to the Board of Trustees of the soon developed an avocation for photogra-
Montana Historical Society. phy. This interest was to continue for the 30

192

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (183)[...]a to settle also always endure in the joy of living.
BARTHELMESS, the Western Montana branch of the Barthel- Younger generations could d[...]study and ponder the qualities that sustained
FREDRICK JAMES For the remaining 56 years of his life, Fred that remarkable group. Fred's book makes[...]th Zoe's unfaltering loyalty and compa- that rumination very possible.
AND ZOE DA WES[...]Raising a family of three boys, and in time dent, appears to[...]shing a lifelong home along the Rattle- life of churchmanship.
snake Creek in the valley north of the city "He spotted me as a stranger[...](still the family home as of this writing) Fred other youngsters. He put h[...]wned its (From then on) he watched over me like a big[...]older brother Casey, brother and his concern for my welfare and[...]th Fred's conduct marked the beginning of a lifelong[...]his lifestyle friendship, and the nurturing of my spiritual[...]in the employ of Herrick's Ice Cream (later The Methodist's saw to it that Fred
Hansen's) both as manager of the earlier firm finished high school when[...]and delivery salesman for the latter. With his the war. They arranged[...]warm greeting (he could melt to a state of glee enjoy his loyalty from that time on, and he
the sourest of customers!) he was truly the benefits of the community. Married by[...](wholesale, of course!) for nearly 40 years. la, Fred and Zoe raised t[...]raising of three active boys, Fred was civically members in that parish all their adult lives.[...]member and once president of the Missoula committees and commissions,[...]Lions Club, as a World War I w~teran, and as mas decorations, repaired t[...]an active Methodist lay person. For 40 did not pay lip service to his God[...]easons running, he organized and "emceed" of prayer, he lived his life with a sense of
the entertainment for a special Christmas being side-by-side[...]celebration for Missoula's aged needy, a party hears clearly all of what God has to say, all
Fred Barthelmess[...]fondly called the "Mrs. Santa Party," for his the time, but Fred was rarely guilty of not at[...]tening.
These words, partly reporting the days of organizer of the Snaker's Greater 1\1:instrel The biographies of all of Christian and
Miles City native Fred Barthelmess, must be Shows (glimmers here some of McIntyre and Catherine Barthelmess' chil[...]Heath, Miles City Opera House, 1910!) that clude the common mention of evenings of
biographical data alone, any true worded[...]y spectacular entertainment requir- fetes of boisterous proportion, but beauti-
following: (1) his unfaltering love for family ing full stage with sets, full chart D[...]and witnessing a father who as a
and deep respect for lifelong friendships; (2) Band as well as cho[...]faith; (3) his life-long mixed countless dozens of amateur and voice, and his penchant for organizing singing
enchantment with music and ent[...]in the army," audiences and pump thousands of dollars per him. That musical foundation (environment
as he reports it,[...]rthelmess, both German gathering some of the old Minstrel cast and pittance-a-week[...]Opera House started Fred on a
photographic duties for the U.S. Army kept passing, and raised so[...]song-and-dance routine as an avoca-
him away much of the time, the family was payoff on a new elevator for Missoula's First tional entertainer. The Ope[...]n Fred's future musical life. In his
the memories of "fort life," finding the cave relationships.[...]opportunity to rub elbows with many of
and hearing the thunderous roar of the ice friends, and cared for friends and acquain- theater's greats: Joe[...]a Held,
"going out" in the mid-to late Winter, or of tances as if they were family. He posses that Lillian Russell, Bert Williams, . . . Mcintr[...]riding along on the wagons rare trait that let him share both the joy and and Heat . . . Will Rodgers, and many
bringing huge amounts of that ice back for the suffering or disappointment of those others."
summer use. When Fred wa[...]d On the Miles City scene, these years of
was accidentally killed, and the family moved[...]Fred organized the DAM NUTZ POW-
Fred felt later that of his experiences there his brothers and siste[...]And with their in the Elk's Club production of MISS
House and his involvement with the Metho-[...]CHERRY BLOSSOM.
dists were the paramount events for him, tion never ceased.[...]Medical Corps Fred's personal scrapbook of photographs, his schooling in Helena, he began a series of
during World War I. clippings, and personal memoirs held docu- glee club involvements that would take him
At War's end, Fred finished his[...]chooling at Wesleyan College in Helena, of years of friendships with schoolmates, entertaine[...]he met Zoe Dawes, his future even teachers of many years passed. His and as a legiti[...]interest in recording the deeds and stories of (Fred and his brother Casey both enjoyed
bacc[...]n Evanston, Illinois, Fred returned to efforts of his last years were spent largely in different[...]At Montana Wesleyan
Montana, and due to the onset of the Great recording and sharing the frien[...]were married on June 9, 1928, and record is of a generation of folks who could whose impeccable mus[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (184)[...]g Champion and All Around
named -their firstborn for this favorite in- Custer County District Hi[...]ng made his permanent started roping and that became a major All Around Champion. In[...]a Barrel Racing Champion and Montana
member of the Missoula Mendelssohn Club, rodeo s[...]set a money
From the house in the drivers seat of the activity. Each had been in rodeo previously. record that year for the MBRA. All in all, she
Hanse's Ice Cream truck[...]oper. has 9 saddles and over 100 buckles, five of
programs, ceremonies, quartet routines, full[...]won back! Mike has 7
length shows, and pageants, that would touch Miles Community College, and later that saddles and over 50 buckles. Rodeo is so[...]ren can go and enjoy it with them.
Yard" in a way that could bring a tear and raised mostly on[...]n, was born in 1981 at Miles
a smile to the cheek of the same listerner Texas, Kansas, California, and eventually to City. That was also the year Mike started
within moments of each other. Fred's musical Idaho. She was the daughter of Carl and developing his hunting outfitti[...]and mother both helped him - ~d still do.
flow of human emotion - and put that very famous professional trick rid[...], or performed in rodeos all over the nation for 22 The whole family is involved and very much
even a single phrase of a simple song. years. In 1944 she be[...]he met bareback rider (and in Miles City.
of "loving son's bias," but if a few words were[...]judge) Carl Dossey and both The sale of the Bastion place brought
to summate the person w[...]Lincoln, in western
Barthelmess, they would read that "he was back Champion in 1939. People i[...]eaven!- runaway team. He saved the life of his son colts out of Speedy, and raising their kids
A Range Riders Mus[...]old at the time. Soon after her mother pieces of silver work since she began her
by Casey[...]er two children. winning a buckle she has made for a rodeo.[...]inde competed in her first rodeo at five Most of her orders come from rodeos or
years of age and was in Jr. rodeos in Arizona Associations that give them for awards.
BARTHELMESS, MIKE[...]ls in the states Others are from folks looking of a custom
mentioned with two years of high school in designed gift.
AND CINDE[...]F46 Rupert, Idaho. She was in 4-H for ten years to help with whatever the family i[...]nal High three and has won three buckles for his
Miles City and raised at the head of the School Rodeo in the Breakaway Roping. That efforts.
Mizpah at the old Ivins place. He is the son year she met an old rodeo friend of her Blair loves to ride and spends her play time
of Bob and Betty Carey Barthelmess. Soon[...]At four she
they·moved to the Bastian place east of Miles · decided on college at MSU. won -her first buckle and trophy for Princess
City. He called that home until May of 1985. Both Cinde and Mike were on the rodeo of the Mini Rodeo in Helena. At the ripe old
He at[...]S and the team (alternate) in the spring of 1972. Cinde age of three she rode her own horse into the[...]attended the College Finals that year. The Wilderness camp to have a family[...]next spring she and Mike began 'going for Mike who was back there working. It was[...]together'. Cinde was Regional All Around for a fun trip for Bryan and Blair and Cinde to[...]975 was Runnerup National surprise Mike that way, and something for all
Champion Goat Tyer. Mike was the 1974 of them to remember.[...]Bachelor of Arts in silversmithing and Mike
a Bachelor of Science in Ag Economics.[...]After their wedding in December of 1976,[...]their rodeos. She has been on the board of Mary Marguerite Maitland came here be-[...]oping director at different Bill, the son of Reuben Swift Bartley and[...]in 1977. He roped most of the year with Gary Illinois, on June 25, 188[...]Mike. He and Cinde tried out that spring. Dakota.[...]They had bought a Triple Chick stud for He was working for the Alabama and Great
Cinde to run barrels on so that she could try Southern Railroad in 1906 when[...]nde was the 1979 NRA The daughter of Henry Irving and Kather-

194

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (185)[...]ate legislative committee. He bought a ticket for San Francisco for $140.00,
ran for office twice, campaigning for ever- taking along a sample of cigars. He arrived in[...]running statewide campaigns for Sens. Bur- Simon.[...]ton K. Wheeler and Thomas G. Walsh and for In 1877, the firm moved to Miles City,[...]D. Roosevelt. where they stayed for 17 years. The Miles[...]In 1933, Bill was appointed collector of City firm (a general merchandise business) of
customs for Montana and Idaho. Casey Balinski Bros. became one of the leading[...]m Custer County firms in Custer County. I was located in the[...]High School and was off to the University of Commercial Block.[...]class valedictorians. The rest of the family Owning one of the few safes in town,[...]the University of Montana, Pat from the On March 23, 1[...]College of Great Falls and John from Rocky Bruce in N[...]of the Treasury to from a volunteer organiza- Ap[...]n in he finally began getting paid for his work Portland, Ore.
Neenah, Wisconsin,[...]ew up in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, where she of the Treasury Savings Bond division. Later[...]he became regional director for the western
They didn't exactly rush into anyt[...]eymoon spent with spent in Florida during that state's worst English and her father Scoti[...]hey moved to Tacoma,
decided to come back and try for a job on the lived after that. After his retirement, they Washington in 18[...]September 30,1958. She left two
who lived in one of only two houses in the commuted back and[...]ved in Miles City when he turned 90 he decided that was and Bruce Basinksi, Portland, Ore[...]Range Riders Museum Story, 1967.
the idea that cowboys riding up and down the Manor.
stre[...]Basinski and children
and it is a sign of her character that she didn't left it or how far he'd gone away fr[...]ey grandchildren. Casey died in 1950
the only one of the children to be born in a and John in J[...]Jean B. Freese Arthur R. Bastian, learned of a ranch on the
John, were born on April 23, 1926.[...]Mizpah that was for sale. Art was getting
In addition to raising f[...]to retirement from his job as a Rural
also cared for Pat after she was so seriously[...]Mail Carrier and we were looking for a larger
burned she spent three years out of school. BASINSKI, JULIUS[...]found it to consist of only two sections. Mr.
organization's first presi[...]BRUCE bered that the Dominy Ranch was on the
daughter marrying, as[...]t. They went on to see the Dominy,
man the height of whose ambition is to run[...]buildings all quite old, but it had
over the top of boxcars," but Bill did other Julius Basi[...]ell. province of Brombergh, Germany, on June were not home but they chanced upon them
He served as a lobbyist for the train service 17, 1844. He left Germany, a[...]les City.
brotherhoods at the Montana Legislature for York, October 6, 1866 and spent 4 years there. The property at that time was owned by
seven sessions and was secretary of the Wanting to go to the mines of Montana he Kenneth Weckert and comprised of seven[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (186)[...]it on the ranch and from Poland who fled ahead of the Russians patents from the U.S. Gov[...]Burtner, Thomas Burtner, J.W. Lehnhart,
mer of 1945. We then added to these holdings welfare agency that had come from North William and Lulu Dominy.
by the purchase of the Lenhart place and the Dakota. A note in t[...]een which were owned by anyone by the name of Wittmieyer receives then moved to the[...]house which had been used as a stop for early
over and our service men and women were[...]two younger children were sponso- City for supplies. The place also had a large
lives. Our[...]tian, returned red by the Peter Wittmieyers of Miles City. barn to accommodate horses for the travelers.
from Okinawa in the fall of 1946 and shortly They landed in New Orleans a[...]Miles City. to Miles City and were with us that winter. the family home at Vincent, Iow[...]German so could communicate child of Theodore and Metha (Schwenck)
homes so the famil[...]stian. Theodore emigrated to the United
the four of us, Art, Jim, our foster daughter, 16 after com[...]States with his family as a young man of 18
Emma Lou and myself.[...]from Mecklenberg Schwerin, Germany. Me-
I recall Thanksgiving that year. We were coming to America, and they ha[...]tha was born in New York, the first child of
new in the area. Mr. and Mrs. Evans from associated with Transworld Radio for many Hyacinth and Elizabeth (Benz) Sc[...]adjoining us on the east. Rev. and Mrs. James for twenty years. They came to see me in[...]e Pine Hills but lege (Iowa) the spring of 1909. During
family were developing their ranch p[...]Chugwater, Wyoming and filed on a home-
Dominy for the feast. The house needed practice.[...]ut we each furnished something Barthelmess for twenty-five years. In June of Cheyenne-Deadwood Stage Express Line
for the dinner, got acquainted and became 198[...]and also headquarters for the Swan Land and
close friends. Our son-in-law,[...]Cattle Company which covered two-thirds of
karn, and James Hunter had roomed together May of 1963, the result of an automobile a million acres across[...]had worked building the massive accident. I live in my home in Edgemont, Chug[...]of Education and other boards, and was a
a large roo[...]rural mail carrier for many years. He was
wood flooring, wall paneling,[...]ARTHUR Master of that Order. He was fondly known
shelves for lots of books. We stuccoed the[...]as Judge Bastian after a short period of
exterior.[...]D Justice of the Peace. He enjoyed Teading and
The Pine Hil[...]learned from it and wrote for the local
I met Mrs. Dominy some time later. She[...]_,I Arthur and Eva Fern Rodgers were
bedrooms on[...]in Cheyenne's
was large enough to stable a number of[...]ir children
horses. It made a good stopping place for are Metha E. (Mrs. Walter Blenkarn) of
ranchers farther east and south on the[...]man) of Custer, South Dakota; Dr. James C.
into Miles City for supplies. Big Mike's Place Bastian, Veterinarian, of Edgemont, South
on Government Hill was also used[...]Ekstrom(Mrs. Howard Moths) of Miles City,
nity. There were the Smokoffs, Jones,[...]was due, right a wrong,
nys, Ostendorfs are names that come to mind.[...]a chance to make good, help them to get a
of 1949, a fire was started by lightning on the[...]start with something of their own, helped
Bircher Ranch and burned throug[...]s hono-
sections, destroying hay stacks, two sets of red by Morningside College of Sioux City,
farm buildings and on two sections of the[...]1955, for his efforts to correct some of the
Department from Miles City. It was devasta-[...]that area during World War I. He felt that
flowers on the prairie we had never seen[...]es. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Miles City the summer of 1946. Art had school.
Miller, Orvi[...]njoyed Miles City and his contact
Heiss are names that come to mind. Orville iny Ranch located 20 miles southeast of Miles here. He appreciated the Pine Hills[...]eryl and City from Kenneth Weckert in August of trees and wild game. He delighted[...]1946. Powderville Stage Mail Route out of Miles
one winter. They were a displaced family Known original owners of the property with City increase[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (187)[...]and Hills. The Moths ranched southeast of Miles
loved to show them around the ranch and taught at a newly constructed school that fall. City for some years but now live in Miles City.
around the area. He enjoyed people, was a In the spring of 1915, a homesteader wanted Their children a[...]missed Church, to relinquish his homestead of 320 acres a John. They lost one child, Bec[...]stance from Chugwater. She pur- married except John.
A favorite Bible passage was the first Psal[...]et the postmaster, Arthur side College of Sioux City, Iowa with an
counsel of the wicked, Bastian,[...]Degree in 1955. His alma
Nor stands in the way of sinners, not sits They were married on Thank[...]mater has merged with Morningside.
in the seat of scoffers; November 25,[...]at the Arthur passed away in May of 1963
But his delight is in the law of the Lord and Historic Interocean Hotel.[...]ried in Cheyenne, Wyoming in the Bastian
He is like a tree planted by streams of was remodeled and added to through the[...]ily lot. Eva Fern continues to live in her
water, that yields its fruits in its season, years. Thi[...]birthday
And its leaf does not wither. In all that he Metha Ellen born Christmas Day 1916, Mary[...]1919 and James
The wicked are not so, but are like chaff Calvin born August 24, 1923.[...]s home-
judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of stead on weekends by horseback. He and his[...]brother, Wesley, were among the founders of
For the Lord knows the way of the the Iowa Flats Methodist Church[...]t BENDER, ALBERT R.
righteous, but the way of the wicked will of Chugwater on the Flats. This was in 1910.
perish.[...]. Gausman operated the Chugwater News for a number
of years, too. During WWII, copies were sent[...]he loved to meet people.
the Pine Hills area east of Miles City in the Arthur noted in his diary, April 16, 1945,
fall of 1946. They had lived at Chugwater, that Bob Ekstrom died. Bob was a patron on
Wyoming for more than 30 years. They were his mail route who had lost his wife some time
very active members of that community. previous. There were three[...]est, Emma Lou, about 12.
1, 1881, the third child of Theodore and None of the family were able to provide a
Metha (Schwenck) Bastian. Theodore had home for her. Arthur was very concerned. On
emigrated to t[...]Monday, July 30, 1945 he notes in his diary,
man of 18 with his parents and sisters from "Emma[...]Metha was today. This is her home and I hope she likes
born in the area of New York City which is it with us. She is[...]many who had come to this University of Wyoming, taught school one
country, met, married[...]west, year, then married Walter Blenkarn of
first to Minnesota then to Eagle Grove, Iowa.[...]Richard and James. Walter
lege in Iowa the spring of 1909. During the passed away in 1977 and D[...]- Mary also attended the University of Washington in 1944, t hree years after[...]John, Kristine and Harold Arthur (Hal). of Sumatra, Montana in Rosebud County. Re
Battle of Bunker Hill and serving with They moved to Custer, South Dakota when is a graduate of Sumatra High School and
George Rogers Clark as well as in the War of Dr. Gausman retired as president of Central complete the B. Ed. degree at Weste[...]Eastearn
orphaned at an early age but were cared for service in the Pacific. He and Jean Freema[...]y loving relatives. Eva went to Normal of Miles City were married in 1948. They had three summers of advanced study at MSU,
School in Maryville, Misso[...]special training to
several terms in the vicinity of Stanberry, Lynn and Terry Jean. Jim worked[...]hn B. David, had gone and Art on the ranch for several years, then gratifying. His strong d[...]education, and he loved to work with boys
that it would be better for her to go to Gausman were married June[...]agement he gave to teachers for improvement
family had purchased land in 1913. He[...]er. She was enspiring. The Sumatra Board of School
afraid that Montana was still too wild for a moved to Miles City with Arthur and Eva i[...]schooling there. She town. His first year of teaching was in the
After the close of the school term in 1914, was married to Howar[...]the rural school in which he
Eva boarded a train for Chugwater, Wyo- ceremony at the[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (188)[...]on the farm. There were times when Grand-
of teaching as he had inspired a number of BENDER,GEORGE[...]was needed on the farm during very busy
that grade and enter high school the following[...]from pneumonia on Jan. 6, 1929 at the age of
teacherage. The following four years he[...]g extra work in
William completed the four years of high town for other people in order to help add to
school as t[...]the needed family income. At the time of her
few years later Albert was asked to be Supt.[...]death William was only seven years of age,
of the Sumatra Schools. He served as princi-[...]agers. After the passing of Amelia, it felt like
principal at Park City, Montana, principal at[...]amily.
Laurel, Montana, and finally as principal of[...]monia in 1937
Miles City he also taught a number of boys at the age of 92, and George died in 1947 at
and girls one sum[...]the age of 80. Alma and Albert trained for the
with the conventional method of teaching,[...]by using George and Amelia Bender, parents of Albert, College at Dillon, Montana, and Geo[...]1941 during a seven-college
Ethel Blanche Guthrie of Absarokee, Mon- on July 30, 1866, and at the age of nine settled state track and field meet at Hele[...]Iwo Jima, Feb. 27, 1945, while serving as an
mer of 1938 at Dillon, Montana. The inspir- age h[...]Corps at the young
ing affection and friendliness of Ethel, her threshing. At the age of 18 he worked on the age of 23. His death was heart-breaking to
parents and b[...]William was educated by Albert
ging toward a life of happiness with the Thereafter he starte[...]with Albert, and he was given the
friendly people of Miles City. They are active River Valley in eastern North Dakota. They essential f[...], they are also active married Amelia Bott of Lincoln, Nebraska. death was a blow from[...]mother. In 1912 he came to Montana to
and for their coptributions to society. Both homestead 15 miles north of Sumatra on by A[...]ld furniture, machinery and live-
Dillon, Montana for his outstanding contri- stock from Friend,[...]were built by
ed in the 14th edition, 1974-1975, of Who's him in 1913. While he was building t[...]es operated a threshing machine near Sutton for
graduates at that time. During the high of gardening, raising chickens, milking cows, m[...]contest he ranked in the top and the feeding of animals were all vitally finally a corn and wheat farmer. He was
2 percent of the nation. As one of 125 college important. The dry years, severe winters, and known for his development of a high-yielding
freshmen he ranked the highest in[...]f a challenge faced him. When the "Great of 1919-1920. Because of the distance from On April 29, 1909, h[...]and
entering college, Albert did not let his lack of keep two homes provided in order for Alma, had arrived in the United States in[...]d George R. to attend school in the age of 17 to live with her aunt at Lincoln,
work, althou[...]George and Amelia lived on
study his lessons much of the time. However, born. That spring George accepted employ- a farm near Friend, Nebraska, three of their
whenever he found enough time for study, he ment at Elko, Nevada in order to[...]dren were born. The first two were
felt confident of superior achievement. For family income. Albert developed a severe e[...]thematics courses he Garberson in Miles City for treatment. and delicate, Amelia kept[...], and he helped his during the whole trip. That fall Grandma In 1912, George Bender,[...]kept house for George on the farm while miles northwest of that town, on Breed
Amelia kept house for the children in Suma- Creek, about a hundred miles west of Miles
by Albert R. Bender[...]hildren, and shipped by rail three carloads of machinery,
during the summer all of the family was back horses and cattl[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (189)[...]lth broke in 1943, and
been built during the fall of 1913 by her during the following years,[...]uch knew him during his prime years, As the
of which was a struggle through summers of "Gentleman from Breed Creek," who was
drought and severe winters. It was during the kind to his wife Amelia, loved his children,
month of March in 1913 that their good herd- and provided for his mother.
defending bull from Nebraska was killed by It was unfortunate that Amelia (or Molly
a pack of wolves. During the severe winter of as she was called), did not live long enough
1919-1920 more than half of the cattle died. to realize and enjoy her c[...]Brett, Kevin and Todd
miles to the town of Sumatra and rented a sacrificial efforts[...]the children had completed teachers, and that finally Albert served as
grade and high schools. During the first year supervising principal of two schools in Miles
in town, on March 7, 1921, William, the City. The success of George, Jr. in Chicago as
youngest of the children was born. It was an a special[...]her. Alma's four children, which Molly
the moving of furniture and household goods did not have[...]g was no easy task. might have been· a source of satisfaction for
It also meant that George and Amelia were her. She was not[...]final consolation re-
cattle on the ranch. During that time George mained - Molly did not live to[...]Range Riders Museum Story.
Amelia died at the age of 42 and left the
family without the excellent moth[...]by Albert R. Bender, son
cook, and housekeeper that she had been. She
was missed so much when she was[...]e, Sr.'s mother died on April
11, 1937 at the age of 92, and he passed away BENGE, MILTON AND
at the age of 80 on January 14, 1947. The
youngest son, William[...]while going to high school in Miles City,
Because of that fact, the father had deeded Montana in 194[...]row: Chad and Christa.
the present owner of the homestead, (1975). April 30, 1925 and[...]tstanding character- Montana, the daughter of Hugh and Chloe
istics about George and Amelia cou[...]ber 16, 1887 on the plains of Kansas in a sod
hard workers and thrifty. Both ha[...]Main, told her that their house had a dirt
education. They loved and cared for their floor and that the roof, windows and doors
children. Amelia was[...]aid to his sons,
"When you get married, always be kind to
your wife." Amelia and George were helpful
fri[...]n"
were not uncommon. One school teacher
remarked that he was the only rancher that
tipped his hat to women as he passed them
on the[...]." In addition
to the superior personal qualities that he
possessed, he was also a great horseman.
Many of his neighbors asked asked him to
break the[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (190)[...]Milton was drafted into the Army in Febru-
race for a claim when Kansas was opened for ary, 1945. While he was home on furlough i[...]1886 and came to Montana Missouri at that time and spent 5 months
with his family by wagon[...]ome ranch after his
ence (twins) and Loren. Five of the boys discharge and lived there for 12 years farming
homesteaded on the East Fork of Otter Creek with his brother, Dale, and ope[...]enge Bros. Hughette had many things to
quishment of the George Daniel's place on learn as she[...]ved on a ranch but Neil Bennet.sen with one of the registered bulls he
East Fork. He filed on t[...]rightful owner.
Ashland where Hugh worked for a grocery 1954. In 1958, Milton, Hughet[...]to his brother, Miles City in 1906, and worked for ranchers
worked for the forest service until his retire- Dale, and[...]loe taught school many years appraisal work for two years in Powder River and his brother Je[...]Chloe in April, 1975 and Hugh operated it for 13 years. He then went to work ranching operat[...]n January, 1976. Amy graduated from high for the Custer County Rest Home as Assis- log houses situated in banks, and used one for
school and nurse's training in Miles City. She[...]ry, 1984 when a summer house, and the other for a winter
married Harold Oliver and lived in Miles[...]St. the Custer County Treasurer's office for 4 ½ married, but their living was blessed w[...]g in Miles City. County Rest Home for the past 13 ½ years as thirties" took thei[...]ed their cattle, getting $4.00 - $8.00 for calves,
25, 1926, the son of Flossie and David John Lucy Carranco and they have 3 sons, Kevin, $14 to $16 for yearlings, and $14 to $20 for
Benge, near Coalwood, Montana. Flossie[...]ified Public Accountant and gram. In January of 1935, they purchased 35
brothers, Ray and Percy B[...]They were
filed on homesteads on the divide north of who is presently working for the Forest quite successful in this ran[...]sold quality animals to ranchers in a 150 mile
of Eliza and John Bird. John Bird was born t[...]in England in is a consulting engineer for an engineering raised chickens when the coy[...]at night, and the cow out in the
their 9 children of which Flossie was next to and Hughette prese[...]at the Custer County Rest Home and are except what the calf swiped when the was
Sept. 13, 1879[...]ng its mother. He'd feed you ham or
Iowa, the son of Catherine and David Richard Miles City has[...]ire there. hot baking-powder biscuits for supper. For
Benge homesteaded near Flaxton, North[...]F56 Neil was always hard of hearing, and late
their place. They had four chil[...]erett Highgate, Missouri. he was one of ten chil- carpenter next door every stopped[...]the United States from clock. Because of its miseries, he seldom wore
Robert Archer and th[...]rk. He attended elementary school (and I quote) "the dam thing."
cattle ranch near Olive.[...]life there. He said teamsters would years of hard work had taken their toll on his
ber 19, 192[...]way a bird person.
through the hard years of the 30's by herself would fly when it left i[...]979. of salt, then running off, leaving him to the Sa[...]tte, Milton and Family - After privacy of his own profanity, and related how, to partake of the Holiday Season. He des-
graduation from high[...]ome place helping with the farm a pair of new overshoes from another man,

200

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (191)[...]napolis Conservatory of Music, and South[...]advantage of any opportunity to study[...]The titles of some of Esther's compositions[...]tunes for the young pianist). She also com-[...]posed a special piece, Gethsemane, for East-[...]thea Martin, is a Doctor of Children's[...]Northwestern Conservatory of Music and at[...]consisted of triangles, tamborines, drums,[...]violins, assorted instruments, and a group of[...]at one time in the auditorium of Custer
Neil Bennetsen getting ready to mount up.[...]nge Riders Museum Story. The methods of instruction of this studio are one piano, or six to eight at[...]up to the requirements of a strongly progres- gave love and inspiration[...]ess and Don sive and modern standard of efficiency. We of students, many of whom went on to
Robin[...]adopted from four of the leading conservato- years in Indiana, Esther would play for[...]teachers of national and international fame. organist at[...]F57 on April 24, 1894, an only child of Leslie and Presbyterian. She was one of the first three[...]ane Cox. She attended schools in graduates of Miles Community College.
In the summer of 1911, the Esther C. Anderson, Indiana, and after her senior year Esther was well known for her sense of humor
Benson Music Studio was founded in Miles[...]After the first 15 years of teaching piano, by Dr. Phyllis Benson[...]"While she specializes in the training of very[...]There are perhaps very few teachers of the[...]lege of studying directly with so many famous July 10, 1865, a son of Seth and Ellen[...]asily understood why it is (Rhodes) Berry, both of whom were born,
that the pupils of Mrs. Benson are always reared, married and[...]among the leaders of their community." Albert C. was the seventh child of a family of
During her career, Esther took time for eight; six boys and two girls. He grew up a[...]study, with a degree as Bachelor of Music Saco, and obtained a limited educati[...]l College, in piano, schools. At the age of 23 he struck out for[...]School of Chicago and American Conserva- Creek, for one year. In 1890 he came to
tory of Music in Chicago, and Teacher's Montana, working for Charles Daly, as
Certificates from New York School of Music sheepherder for 2 ½ years. He spent a winter[...]vatory of Music, Chicago; Chicago Musical driving a[...]College of Chicago; Sherwood Music School spring he became a shepherd for Geo. Horkan
of Chicago; Emil Leibling Piano Teachers and for fourteen months renewed his ac-[...]urse. She also attended India- this period of hard work Mr. Berry saved his[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (192)[...]akota in 1887 settling in
able to buy a few head of cattle and began BERTHER, FATHER[...]try school teacher.
At the beginning his bunch of cattle[...]Dakota.
shoulder. After a few years in that region he[...]Father Pat's hobbies are fishing, stamp
disposed of all his holdings and changed his[...]likes to play cards at and with Senior
of Bebee, buying the Clarence Bebee entry,[...]Oh, there are a lot of stories in the past 53
dropped down the creek, 1[...]years! Deo Gratias!
entered 160 acres of land, built a log cabin
and subsequently proved[...]ultimately moved to Bebee and
put it at the site of the Road Ranch of Bebee.
After living and running the road ranch for
four years, they rented the road ranch[...]ame house. About this home they developed
a ranch of 7,000 acres which was being used,
in connection with open range, for the
production of range raised beef cattle. Hav-
ing sold his pione[...]n the left rib. He also used the
Bridle Bit brand for horses.
The stock was graded up much beyond that
of the pioneer cattle he had handled. Blooded
Herefo[...]ther Pat arrived in Miles City July, 21,
Mill Co. of which he is a director; is a 1935 via the Milwaukee Railroad. Madison,
stockholder of the Miles City National Bank, South Dakota was his birthplace, May 18, Wedding Picture of David Bickle and Caroline
of which at one time he was a director; he is 19[...]) Fluss taken in November 1899
also a stockholder of the Billings Mortgage State Normal School u[...]first Bickle moved to Montana in 1881. He
and for three years was in this business on Big with a[...]o the was to see a land much different from that
Pumpkin Creek, but hard winters and lack of University of Detroit High School for two where Dave Bickle's roots lay in Wales[...]story begins with his father, William.
ged him that he abandoned that industry and Institute, Blessed Sacrament P[...]and in 1827. After her
success proving the wisdom of his action. August 9, 1927 he entered[...]three sons
united in marriage with Miss Eva Burns of Capuchin habit to begin his novitiate. A[...]ame to Custer County, thon, Wisconsin, for philosophy and theologi- the Falkland Islands.[...]s and trav-
Mr. and Mrs. Berry had no children of their His first year of parish work was at St. eled to Wisconsin.
ow[...]d to Susie
this date, is married and has a family of his Station in New York City. In July of 1935, he Alvard in Wisconsin and purchased a g[...]n at mill. He milled grain on shares, in lieu of any
Albert C. Berry died March 9, 1937. **Mrs.[...]ment as cash payment. David, the oldest of their four
Eva (Burns) Berry died September 7, 1935. pastor for St. David's in Broadus until July, sons, was b[...]times and has about 15 places each month: that is, in homes, ards Kansas. Grandfather Al[...]Mass was at Ekalaka at 9 a.m. Kansas the summer of 1871 and settled on
May God's Blessing rest up[...]bstituted at farm ground in the Soloman Valley near
Range Riders Museum Story, 1960.[...]In June of 1982 with Brother Leo Wollen- David left[...]the canonization of Blessed Crispin of Verti- dollars. He found work at Fort Laramie[...]inally winter. Next, he worked as a cow hand for the[...]his Bar T Ranch, and by 1880, was working for[...]ther Pat's father was born at the 777. The fall of 1880 found him participa-[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (193)[...]of the southern half of the original ranch,[...]The younger son, Arthur, became owner of[...]1902, the oldest child of David and Carrie[...](Fluss) Bickle. The early years of his life were
Oldest picture of the Bickle Ranch on Pine Creek taken about 1890[...]come Fallon
Dave came to Montana in the spring of of 80 miles. Shortly after 1896, a few settlers County. With the coming of the Milwaukee
1881 and found work on the TD Ranch[...]omas Dewey and Mile M. Realizing that the days of the open range along the Milwaukee right-of-way, the
Marshall, silk importers from Boston. Th[...]sed 60 sections. Since purchasers were that David Jr. was ready for school. He
was a stage station on the route to Ekalala. required to buy one section off water for every attended grade and high school in Isma[...]ll, Dave was hired to stay on as ranch section of watered land, his purchase includ- graduating with the first class to graduate
manager, a job he held for the next seven ed as many sections on Pi[...]ve and his brother George and an even number of dry sections. A sity, he came home[...]n and Harold Lee. With his father's
The summer of 1886 was dry and the severe trees, type of soil, and unique characteristics retirement[...]vid Jr.
winter came much too early. By the spring of of each section. These records remain in the becoming the owner and operator of the
1887, the TD's 12,000 head of cattle had possession of the Bickle family. south half[...]he married Daisy
hides anc. uvrn:::S floated out of every draw. out much of this land. Dave Bickle's purchase Correll and upon retiring from active man-
In the fall of 1887, Dave used his savings became the nucleus of land still ranched by agement of his ranch, he bought a home in
to invest in sheep, which were run in partner- members of the Bickle family. Miles C[...]lambs, Illinois. Carrie was the daughter of Fred and David J. Bickle, 11-15-78
both men had enough sheep for one band Melissa Fluss and a granddaughter of the
each. Dave stayed with the TD for one more Henline-Hainline family who came[...]ge. Yadkin Valley of North Carolina. Members died Monday i[...]In 1889, Dave left the TD to start his own of this family migrated to Kentucky with a Born in Miles City, he was the son of David
ranch, located on a branch of Pine Creek. He neighbor who was a hunter an[...]J. Sr. and Carrie Bickle. A graduate of Ismay
spent the next seven years there, living in[...]ch in Ismay and
wool producers, were run in bands of 4,000, livestock included some 9 bands of sheep, 600 Plevna, later ranching primarily in Plevna. In
ewes in bands of 2,500. 1898 was an open to 800 head of Standardbred and Morgan 1956 he mar[...]Billy Whipple ("a horses, and over 300 head of cattle. Born member of Montana Stockgrowers, Range
good man with a broad[...]Survivors include his wife, Daisy; a daugh-
for doors, windows, and flooring was pur- an[...]ter, Mrs. Bill (Lynn Jo Ann) Gillison of
chased from Stith hardware in Terry, a round With the coming of the Milwaukee Rail- Billings; two sons, James David of Plevna and
trip of over 120 miles. The house still stands, road, small towns were built along the right Harold Lee of Terry; three step-daughters,
and is used occasionally as a guest house. of way. In 1907, the Bickles built a home in Mrs. George (Yvonne Kay) Humphrey of
A store was maintained on Dave's ranch Ismay, as David Jr. was nearly ready for Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mrs. Lewis (Anna
with supplies for the men, as well as food school. Mrs. Bic[...]some local businesses, Adrianse both of Kenwood, Michigan,; two
Jordan. The Orschel firm[...]y, Baker and step-sons, Dave Correll of Portage, Michi-
and wagon to make periodic trips to outlying Terry. He was president of the Bank of Baker gan., and Mike Correll of Miles City; two
ranches with clothing necessities[...]estment sisters, Mrs. John (Nina) Powell of Baker and
The government had originally grante[...]eral merchan- Mrs. John (Ora) W einschrott of Billings; 17
Northern Pacific Railroad every other sec- dise store established by a group of local grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
tion on each side of their tracks for a distance citizens.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (194)[...]Miles City, Harley found work in abundance; for both couples in 1930.
the old part of Holy Rosary Hospital was in Howard Farnum[...]a Landman who told him of the homestead- both the eldest of big pioneer families. Their
F62 ing. In later summer of 1914 the Landman marriage on July 12, 193[...]ckle was born September 9, 1890 northeast of Miles City, now known as the at dances, picnics, holidays and work times.
in Mankato, Kansas, the son of William Flowing Well. A number of pieces of land The first years of marriage, they lived
Benjamin and Molly, and came to Montana were available for homesteading and Harley wherever Howard's w[...]City, and
Hard times in Missouri and the promise of a did minor improvements to substantiate h[...]daughter Patty starting
to Montana in the spring of 1909. In the summer of 1915 Harley moved his school. Howard and Tessie dedicated their
Mrs. Bickle taught two terms of school, one family to the homestead, plowed a[...]e on November 20, 1909, garden. The winter of 1915-1916 Harley schools, church, 4-H,[...]s City and worked as a always took time for country dances, rodeos,
homesteaded on Powder Riv[...]more enjoyable to them than a good visit and
of the Pine Hills School and later operated cows. He returned to the homestead for keeping up on all that was going on!
a dairy on Haynes Avenue east of Miles City. Christmas and again returned to Miles City Teresa was the daughter of Daniel Hau-
In April 1941, Mr. and Mrs. Bickle pur- to work for the remainder of the winter. Each ghian and Susan Quinn Haughian of Kilkeel,
chased a ranch on the Tongue River south of winter this pattern was followed to secure[...]ity near Garland, residing there until monies for the necessities. Sheep Moun[...]5 raised hay and cattle, until the dry years of the spot a bit before 1900 and her parents
S.[...]Bickle on November 5, 1978 and were buried for Taxes, at fifty cents (50¢) and seventy- ex[...]eaders. Howard was the son of Reginald Billing of
was killed on November 26, 1943, while on a[...]War IL of his life. Harley passed away June 28, 1953 Ed[...]dan; Ruby Bickle, homestead taking care of the livestock, in Garfield County in 19[...]en are Patricia
by Vivian Harbaugh and Ruby I. 1983. The monies for her living was provided Anne (1931) who marr[...]Bickle from the lease of the land her husband left and has four chil[...]ntana, was 6 miles by saddle and died in 1979 of cancer. Susan Edla (1943)
BRACHT[...]Howard and Teresa were proud of their
to work as an electrician and carpenter. In[...]heritage with parents and grandparents in
spring of 1907 Harley met, Marie Marta[...]Now they
Pracht. Marie had come to Akeley to work for are part of our well loved Montana history -
a girl friend's[...]6. 1928. Howard was working for Percy Wil-
Harley's cousin who lived in Glendi[...]the N-N Sheep Ranch and had
Montana wrote telling of the building and arrived early at the "Republican Rally"
settling of this new land of opportunity, dance. Teresa and teacher fr[...]dn't arrive at the dance until nearly
description of the land of plenty, moved his midnight. Howard an[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (195)[...]and fed sheep there. In the spring of 1937, we[...]to live permanently. In 1938 I started to be[...]a sheep shearer. I ran a shearing crew for[...]about 25 years. Vic Taylor and I broke in on[...]the machines in about 1940. Before that we[...]I was in Dakota, in 1931, with the First[...]Bank taking care of sheep and cattle that[...]they had sent down for pasture due to the[...]drought from July through September. For[...]four months in 1932, I herded for Charlie[...]Forbes who had sheep that belonged to the[...]for them until he passed away in 1979. Edla,[...]a nun. Afterwards she worked
I I l at the Mental Health i[...]ohn McKerlick. They have one

I[...]worked for the N-N until he leased it in 1979.[...]We ran a few cows and sheep of our own[...]now. I retired in 1976 but I'm still a fixture
BILLING, HOW ARD Dad came down to work for his uncle, Ben around here; I do the chores that no one else[...]ivery stable in Miles wants to do. One time I thought I was a bronc[...]1870's. We moved was four hours coming out of it.[...]Norman. Dad got a band of ewes from Percy 1981. After that time he stayed on the ranch[...]no range left for the sheep. He bought cattle sheep in a May s[...]In the fall of 1922, we moved to Wolf Point, 1883 in Sherbroo[...]because of drought, and bought feed for the came to Montana in 1905, to work for his[...]for two years and had sheep on the reserva- Mi[...]tion, north of Wolf Point. In the spring of In 1908 he married Edla Farnum, daughte[...]924, we moved back to the Big Dry. It was of Mr. and Mrs. Abner Farnum of the[...]I went down to work for the N-N in August Creek, near Miles City. S[...]of 1924 to hay for six weeks and am still here 6, 1886 at Miles[...]for winter quarters with about six thousand un[...]d Teresa Haughian Billing sheep. I was the camp tender and general there the rest of their wedded life on a stock[...]Reg. passed away November 25, 1958 and
I was born in Miles City, Montana, July 20, r[...]d Edla Billing and was the In 1928, I met a good looking, redheaded buried in the Pioneer Cemetery, Jordan,
oldest of eight children. My Dad, Reg, was school[...]Canada and came to Meredith, by the name of Teresa Haughian, Eight children were[...]904. My Mother, Edla Farnum, the daughter of Dan and Susan Haughian. On Howard, Edith,[...]and Bruce, 40 grandchildren and many
the daughter of Abner and Mary Farnum. O'Carroll in[...]In 1935 and 1936, Teresa and I, Frank and[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (196)[...]Mary (Bauer) Bircher died of pneumonia[...]were a credit to original John Damm place south of Miles[...]raised his family there. It is probably one of[...]It was also a road ranch for travelers. Being[...]Damm place was rented out for a brief period[...]of time until Ed and Rae Ellen moved there
BIRCHER,[...]Fork of Otter Creek in 1933. This is the place
Glendive a[...]as well
trade in Switzerland, worked as a butcher for[...]dparents, Ray and Julia Bird,
area, near the head of Mill Creek, where he (l-r): Lou and Frank Bircher homesteaded on the divide north of Coal-
started to build a ranch.[...]Harold
(It should not be remiss here to state that Frank Bircher was born in the Pine Hill,[...]dmother, Julia Bird, lives in Seattle,
consisting of 160 acres had increased to a There were ten[...]hington, and will be 100 years old in
large ranch of over 40,000 acres at the time and 4 girls. Af[...](1988).
it was sold in 1953 by Frank Bircher, son of education he rode and ranched for his parents Ed's mother, Ann Doran Bird, was[...]belonged until their death. After the death of their at Crow Rock, north of Miles City. Her father
to the Bircher family for 71 years.) parents, the girls married[...]1883, Emil Bircher married Mary Bauer homes of their own; the two younger boys was a sheepherder when he first came to the
of Walnut, Iowa. From this marriage ten (10) married, making homes of their own. Two area. Later he homesteaded[...]have remodeled most of the house, although
Fred - at his father's dea[...]rian (Bircher) Monte, sister some parts of the original house still exist.
assumed managership of ranch. In 1913 he[...]think that after this year (1988) we should re-
ship. This continued until the time of his BIRCHER, LOUIS[...]the creek 'Dry' Creek!
death in 1951. At the time of Louis' death he[...]by Rae Ellen Bird
through purchase, of the ranch and built it Louis Bircher was b[...]as known as the double B
had purchased the rights of their brothers ranch. There were 10 childre[...]rted 6 boys and 4 girls. After the death of the
homes of their own elsewhere. Frank sold the parents,[...]and living in married and established homes of their own.
Miles City.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (197)[...]carbide lights. I also had a carbide iron that
BIRD, HAROLD AND[...]plugged into a gas outlet in the wall. I didn't[...]headache so I finally got a gasoline iron. We[...]For a few years we had leased the Percy[...]O'Daniel place along with a section of land[...]rd taken December 17, 1988. lease the rest of her land. We raise wheat and[...]After being discharged he took same school that Harold attended, the Divide[...]California. He worked there for a short time County High School, which because of our[...]in 1949. location, was much closer for us than going
I, Ann, was born June 3, 1927, in Miles City, t[...]Doran who lived in the Crow Rock area of University of Montana at Missoula, Mon-[...]Jack, now lives. I attended grade school at the Montana State Un[...]d went to and is married to Keith Kerbel of Billings,[...]in Miles City. Montana. Keith is manager of the Water
After graduation I worked at the First Resources Office[...]National Bank for four years. Harold and I C.P.A. with her office in her home. They[...]over managing the Bird farm at that time. the Charles Abbott place in Powde[...]taken November 3, 1949. The first year I lived here our home had County. He farms[...]Feb. 1953, works for Honeywell Co. in[...]married Terri Riley, daughter of Leroy and[...]cattle. Terri works for the A.S.C. office in[...]married Kelly Price, daughter of Harry and[...]Gail Price of Miles City. They have one[...]daughter of Ray and Wanda (Damm) Gaskill[...]of near Ashland, Montana. Tht:ly will have a[...]in Miles City. Ed works for East Montana[...]Communications of Miles City and does a[...]er), south of Miles City. Jim, born Sept. 1961,[...]married Linda Gaskill, daughter of Andrew[...]and Betty Gaskill of Miles City. Jim farms[...]married Kathy Urick, daughter of Joe and[...]Marge Urick of Miles City. He works for[...]Kathy works for the Bureau of Land Manage-
Harold and Ann Bird family {1[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (198)[...]nd happy ranch life. that they always had lots of fun while they
a home in Vancouver, Washington.[...]ebruary 3, 1960 were getting educated! Maybe it was because
following a lingering illness of Leukemia. He there were so many Bitle kids g[...]City, Montana. - A Range Riders One of my father's sisters, Edith, grew up[...]They stayed in The Dalles for a few years,[...]F73 where my father had a job waiting for him.
widowed mother to a homestead in North[...]When that job ended, they moved into Miles
Western North D[...]e kids came along. Fred was
wanted to strike out for himself, so he came[...]Miles City in 1917. Emerson was born in
south of Miles City on Section 34 Township[...]Miles City in 1919, and I, Mary Luise, was
1 South, Range 50 East, five mi[...]born in Miles City in 1924. Then came the
of the Coalwood Post Office. lean years of "The Great Depression" of the
Carolyn May Janssen was born in Beatrice,[...]from then until the beginning of the construc-
In 1911 they came to Montana whe[...]tion of the Fort Peck dam. There was a good
dad had filed[...]job there for my dad, because he didn't mind
the Coalwood Comm[...]spillway of the world's largest dirt-filled dam.
taught four[...]He had that job until the dam was completed.
holding down a claim, one mile northeast of When I was in my last year of High School
Coalwood.[...]World · War 11 by the bombing of Pearl
married in Miles City by the Rev. J. Forsyt[...]Harbor. That is also the year I met Bernard
Smith.[...]"Bud" Vonderheide, whom I married 2 years
They established their home on[...]later. He is the son of Charles and Maud
homestead. As time passed they a[...]ich is another story.
acreage so they had a ranch of 3100 acres.[...]ngland and
Percy soon built up a sizeable herd of cattle[...]sions over Germany as an engineer
and farmed part of his land.[...]returned to the United States, and we were
crops of registered Grimm alfalfa. In the 30's[...]married on May 25, 1944. At the time of this
crops became nil, and many cattle were[...]writing, we have been married for 44 years
shipped to Chicago and sold, so herds we[...]be our home. Since Bud and I had no
crickets and grasshoppers a thing of the past, Arthur Bitle's old home now on the[...]brought up
he again began to build up a new herd of[...]young man named the Garfield School and I, Mary Luise am still
principal crop was wheat.[...]as blessed by two darling from the Port of Bremen, Germany. He was
daughters: Gladys Irene born on May 26, 15 years old at that time, and came with his by[...]F74
rented the ranch to Arthur Kalka for the four parents. They were married 17 years[...]y Ab. Blocker was born three miles south of
back to the ranch until illness forced Percy[...]Yellowstone Valley, Arthur thought that that 1876 he went to Blanco county to work for his
On June 10, 1937 Gladys was married to land looked good for farming, so that is where brother, John R. Blocker, on his ran[...]ut down their "roots". He wild steers out of the brush and mountains,
home on a ranch near Bro[...]wo daughters, stands about 4 miles east of Miles City on the fifteen miles south of Austin.
Doris and Ethel.[...]ity School, then went to Seattle to stories that that house could tell if it could to John Sparks, forty miles east of Cheyenne.
assist in Boeings for war work. just talk![...]name was Fred William. These worked for his brothers, John R. and W.B.
in Seattle.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (199)[...]west. He came up the Yellowstone in June of
In 1896, he married Miss Florence[...]TER in Company C of the 5th Infantry which was
at their Chuparedo ran[...]Eagle 5, 1874 in Clark County, Iowa, a son of became a cook at the well known McQueen
Pass and worked for his brothers until 1912, Angeline Fenton and[...]urned down. During this
when he commenced working for the Cattle He passed away February 17,[...], married Margaret Fox. He built a home for
1959, at the request of the family and friends. her at 322 N. Eight. Th[...]when a boy of 17, working in Nebraska; and to it over th[...]for Moorcroft Ranch Co., of Moorcroft, were born. John Henry, Edwa[...]the 101 trail herd of 1891. The Half Circle L and Margaret passed a[...]worked for them. to Miles City at the urging of friends. She
MICHAELS[...]town consisted of one house, one store, and Reform School whi[...]7 on the one saloon. He ran a livery stable for about girls at that time.
old Blum ranch south of Miles City to Alvin a year and broke horses for Jim Hunter, John and Ellen had two d[...]ildren born to this union.
ranch five miles south of Miles City where he BO Bar until he sold in 19[...]oined with his father in War Two, he lived for a time on the West bakery in Miles City[...]his was known as the Miles City
a commercial herd of beef cattle. Boyd has returning to spend the rest of his life in, and Bakery. Later he ran a butcher[...]forced him to quit his job at the Club
In July of 1947 he and Margaret Michaels ed as deputy sheriff of Custer County after ten years. He also worked for O.C. Cato
were married and to this union three sons stationed at Ekalaka, having charge of all the and for the Montana Lumber Company.
were born: William Robert of Issaquah, country from Powder River eas[...]civic affairs and served
Washington; Michael Boyd of the home Montana, Wyoming and Dakota[...]irst ward. He was active
ranch; and Richard Alvin of Bozeman. Wil- served by appointment as she[...]ented County was established in 1917, filling that He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and
Boyd and Margaret with thei[...]1922. the Knights of Pythias. He enjoyed playing
child, Charles Albert[...]ffectionately known as "Uncle
Boyd is a member of the First Presbyterian Rodger Hedges in 1896. She passed away in John".
Church, a 50 year member of the Elks and at 1932. His second marriage, t[...]eth Crone. While he had no family of his own, he left by[...]Michaels was born September 4, a multitude of friends and relatives to long
1919 in Miles City[...]hryn Greisheimer Mi- community a part of Montana's history. -
chaels. She attended Lincoln[...]ter Respectfully submitted in Honor of my
County High School and attended the Uni- Great-uncle.
versity of Montana at Missoula. She worked
for the Midland Coal and Lumber Company[...]has since
resided there. She is a 53-year member of the
Presbyterian Church and is active in that BOHLING, JOHN
church's woman's organization. She is also a
member of PEO, Chapter K. H[...]hn Bohling didn't believe in compulsory
and Green Valley, Arizona, having retired military training[...]Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and homeland of Germany so at the age of 14 he
Pacific Railroad in 1987.[...]was the only member of his immediate family
to head for America.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (200)[...]George states, "I owe her everything that I am[...]large family of her own. I know God will[...]ranch he did the work that all ranch kids did[...]American for their Round-up edition in 1919.[...]and ink drawing of a bucking horse.[...]That fall he went with a cattle train from[...]There he soon found out that going from the[...]Cow Country in Montana into a city of[...]the place. Being that he was not one of the[...]rich students, he had to work in cafeterias for[...]his meals, along with a lot of other poor[...]he worked for stockmen in the mountains in[...]and most of the ranchers used mules for[...]sense of humor was a "must".[...]F78 of humor. Oh[...]He bought horses for England before the various jobs for about a year, but the "East
Luther Boies was b[...]He also operated and owned didn't fit me or I it, so 1925 found us back in
at Shelbyville, illinois, the twelfth child of a livestock sales yard in Moorcroft, Wyoming.[...]n Boies. He He was a lifetime member of the Presbyte- Things were not good around[...]. In 1947 he the following fall we headed for Seattle,
and later in Iowa where his family moved[...]ght land at Angela Washington, where some of my relatives
when he was still a young boy. It was here that and was a loyal booster for eastern Montana lived. For the next three or four years I
the father was badly hurt when his horse was[...]arious jobs around Seattle, ma-
frightened by one of the early motor cars. He married Georgi[...]k, with survey parties and
This made it necessary for Luther to leave children were born in Wyom[...]reat Northern
school and take over the management of his Mary Boies Saunders and LC. Boies. - A[...]s a dangerous job, lots
In later years he told of going a few months of poor fellows got killed in the construction
to school after the work of the ranch was over by Mrs. Luther Boies of this job.
in the Fall.[...]1928, we had a son and daughter and
At the age of twenty-one he started West, at that time I decided my drinking days were
as he said - 'to fi[...]ession came
have no cows to milk or cream to care for' - . BONNER, GEORGE on in 1930 and there were no jobs of any kind,
His father had given him $250.00 and his[...]worked in my favor, as it put me in where I
He spent his first winter in the West in[...]I free-lanced Art work in Seattle for a year
winter there was a hard and cold one, with[...]r was born on the old YT and the family and I either feasted or famined
lots of snow, so he felt the urge to go on Ranch,[...]My father, usually not so hot. In the fall of 1931 I was
The land he finally chose was on Cabin[...]who moved from hired as a staff artist for a firm in Salem,
Creek, twenty miles north of Moorecroft, one part of the country to another, trapping Oregon, on[...]salary. The wages
Wyoming, which was then a town of one wolves and coyotes for both cattle and sheep weren't high but we co[...]outfits. Dad was known all over Eastern I was on this job for eleven years.
there until 1946, adding all the ti[...]"Tom the wolfer". During World War II I went to work for the
land and livestock, till ill health forced him My mother died when I was 9 months old. I Army Engineers in Alaska, and during the
to retire for several years. was taken, to raise, by the Suepke Family who War, I worked all over the U.S., both East and
His was a true pioneer spirit, as no had 5 children of their own. They lived then West, as Illustra[...]omb Creek, later they moved to a neers.
of his livestock he owned after he started his ra[...]ear Stacy. After the war a partner and I went into an
own business.[...]and Silk Screen printing business in
The story of his life was colorful and full that he owed the Suepke Family more than Portland, Oregon, for several years, and later
of all the adventures that falls to the lot of he can ever repay and that if it wasn't for I was an Art Instructor for two years. I am an
those who choose the way of the cow, sheep them he wouldn't, even, have lived to be a Illustrator and Commercial Designer, I don't
and the horse for a livelihood. He lived yearling. He was[...]ppers took him to raise and if it hadn't been for the Years ago I asked Charles Russell what was
and all the adversities that can befall those care and love of Mrs. Suepke, his foster the best way to[...]he told me to draw from nature whenever I[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (201)[...]s put up. In the
practice and keep on practicing, that was half ardson, Wisconsin, on March 15, 1893, to Spring of 1915, the Bovees filed for a
of it. I then asked him what the other half was Willi[...]st plain, honest hard work. the oldest of four children. His brothers' acres, southwest of Angela, Montana. During
After being in the Art business for thirty names were Robert and Lloyd and his sister, this time, they kept up their business of
years now, I know how right he was. Myrtle. T[...]buying and selling horses. In the years of 1915
My children have grown up and married,[...]and 1916 the English government came to
and I have three grandchildren and I am very school through the third grade in[...]Miles City and bought horses. They were
proud of all of them. lis. After h[...]he lived allowed to buy 100 head a day, for 10 days,
I was never jealous or envious of anyone mostly with his father.[...]move on. The Bovee horse
is always somebody else that has more than went to visit his mother[...]business did very well. The horses bought by
you, I never got mixed up in that kind of rat ington. When he left Seattle, he trave[...]the Bovees got the contract to shoe these
I have been on TV, etc., with my picture o[...]st everyone liked my as a laborer for the Milwaukee Railroad, two each shoe. It was after this that the Bovees
Wes tern & Frontier stuff best and I rather got weeks later he became second-cook in the began blacksmithing for other people. Prior
a kick out of being on the shows. kitchens a[...]to this time they did only their own work, on
For the past three years I have been quit his job and used his[...]their own horses.
working as Illustrator for the State of Oregon, pass to continue east to Miles City,[...]to stay with some distant relatives, name of Leo "Lee" Berry, William, Truman
Some of it regular Illustrating work which Major and Nora Hamlin. Miles City, in that and Robert moved their horses to Wibaux,
requires quite a bit of original work, other year of 1914, was "a lot of wooden sidewalks." Montana. Truman went to w[...], a blacksmith who had been blacksmith for Charles Dahl. While trading
Among the various work I have done, was living in Montevideo, Mi[...]lliam picked up a horse
a new official State Seal for the State of Miles City in 1913, as did Truman's you[...]as the Bovee Gray. Robert
Oregon in 1959. On this I worked direct with brother, Robert Bovee.[...]sons went attempted to make the Gray one of his team
Mark Hatfield, present Governor of Oregon. into the horse trading business together. In horses for hauling hay. He needed four horses
I had many friends in Montana, both 1[...]tched the Gray horse in
whites and Indians and as I sit here writing to market in Minnesota.[...]memory drifts back over 50 years, a ticket for himself, but his sons stowed away drove the team, the Gray sat down and
maybe I am getting old or my memory is in t[...]ull, and so got dragged and wore
getting bad, but I can't think of anyone or along the way, hay was loaded into the top of the hair off of his tail and backside. More
anybody in the whole state of Montana that the cars through a chute into the mangers for than once wagers were made in the saloon
I don't like. - A Range Riders Museum the horses to eat. Not long after the train was that a certain cowboy couldn't stay on that
Story.[...]had broken out in one of the boxcars. William that he was "sharp shod", made him a[...]out, Truman and (rodeo). A picture of Bob Askin riding the[...]his horses to Minnesota at the wrong time of While living in Wibaux, Truman met[...]the year. They arrived too late to be of use Rosetta Lewis. They were married Octob[...]that the attendants could not make it to the[...]Lewis home for the wedding. Rose's parents,[...]for two days to reach the homestead sight,[...]which was southwest of Angela, Montana.[...]They lived that winter of 1916 in the sod[...]sagebrush as kindling. For water they dug a[...]In March of 1918, Truman and Rose left[...]that Rose could be with her mother while[...]they awaited the birth of their first child.[...]birth of their son, Truman, Rose and baby[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (202)[...]As a cowboy he secured employment with
In July of 1927, Truman moved his family tions. Rose e[...]h held his Powder River, below the mouth of the
blacksmith. In 1930, with the Great Depres-[...]uilt a Mizpah. He spent two years there. For a year
sion tightening its grip, the Bovee family total of forty-two 2-wheel trailers to sell, and or two[...]where Truman built small scale bobsleds for his grandchild- entered a homestead at the mouth of Sheep
did his best to provide for his family. Truman ren and others, donating 3[...]d and she there. He then became the manager of the
measles and died in April of 1932. Truman passed away on May 27, 1977.[...]arried Mary Wil- about five miles east of Knowlton, where he
Progress Administration (W.P.A[...]nd Alisha), William (his children, Christo- of Knowlton. He was in this business about
to Miles City for the Montana Stockgrowers pher and Elizabet[...]Pamela. three years. During the last year of his saw-
Golden (50th) Jubilee. They were brought[...]two brought with him a small bunch of cattle (23)
Street. Truman went over to look at t[...]dren, Eliz- and the proceeds from the sale of his
horses and noticed that one of the horses had abeth and Jonathan), and Ronal[...]egan his
a sore foot. He inquired about it to one of the Ruby Irene married Samuel Annalora on[...]an. This was in 1899.
horse handlers and was told that the horse August 24, 1940. They have four[...]dchildren and two great-grand- 350 head of cattle from the Hon. J.R. McKay
came along about[...]hildren, Brandelle and Jeremy) , Jill and of bulls of a registered Canadian stock of
tion, was bleeding and the heel cracked.[...]Shorthorns.
Truman pulled the shoe off for them. Because Pearl married Gary Martz on April 21, In 1913 Mr. Bowman formed the Spear-
of the size of a Clydesdale's foot, shoes that 1942. Gary was killed in action during W.W. head Stock Company, consisting of himself,
size were not common, but a pair was loc[...]n January 2, 1947. Pearl died on May owner of the Bowman Ranch and stock
able to put the new sh[...]and two grand- interests. The boundaries of the estate had
no problem. Because the Clydesdale[...]children, Michael and grown from the claim of a half-section
not put his weight on the sore foo[...]y located the headquarters, to an area of more
of horse. It was during the Stockgrowers Mi[...]an 20,000 acres.
Diamond (75th) Jubilee, in 1959, that the children, and nine grandchildren: Dav[...]to Miss Lillie
Miles City. Truman approached one of the children, Sheri, Jana, Michelle and Angela), M. O'Dell, relative of B.B. 'Dell, a former
handlers and began to tell h[...]nd Judy (her children, Jessica, governor of New York and ' a republican
episode, the man excl[...]nd Travis). leader of that State.
Montana cowboy who shoed that horse!" Truman is currently living[...]Mrs. Bowman had one son, Elbert
Truman explained that he was not a cowboy, County Rest Home. He[...]Montana, June 23, 1889, was reared on the
that the shoes Truman put on that horse in ranch and was president of the Spearhead Co.
1934 were still hanging in the[...]Range Riders Museum Story, 1966.
the archway in that home. In 1936, Truman
was hired by the Montana Hi[...]HUTCHISON
ment. He continued working for the Highway F81
Department for 22 years, retiring in 1958.
Both sons, and two so[...]y years county schools. From his native state of[...]these years, their children tana on the 18th of June, 1882, the NP Arthur Edward Boyes was born on March
grew up, married and had families of their Railway having been completed at that point 24, 1874 at Upper Heyford, Northampton-
own. Truman has 17 grandchildren, 20 great- about that time. He was then a youth of shire, England. He was a son of Richard
grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchil[...]ter, Mrs. Geo. W. Myers. The only descendant of the Boyes family, yeoman of
After Truman's retirement, he and Rose[...]oyment was on the Myers ia, prospecting for gold, but he only stayed
S.E. "Bud" St. Peter, and son Jeffrey, who Brothers sheep ranch at the mouth of Sheep there for 10 years.
were living in France, stationed with the U.S. Creek, a tributary of Powder River. The next Arthur Edward Boy[...]He finally went into partnership with of his brothers Henry 0 . and Herbert to
lived at th[...]oyed their children, friends and spring of 1867, following the disastrous After working for wages, he was backed by
grandchildren, who visited frequently. R()se winter of 1866. Dan disposed of the few head the bank to prove up on squatt[...]and Truman celebrated their 50th (1966) and of stock left over after the terrible losses of land at the Six Mile Timber, west side of the
60th (1976) Wedding Anniversaries with[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (203) The town of BOYES, Montana derives its[...]tern Montana. - A Range
on Crow Creek and was one of the early day[...]Riders Museum Story, 1960.
mail drivers, on part of the Deadwood to
Miles City Stage.[...]ay back to England in 1912,
he asked Ellenor Barr of Heyford, North-
amptonshire to marry him and go b[...]F84
for Arthur to do, was to go back to Montana
and sell[...]. His education
Richardson lock stock and barrel, for $25,000[...]father, James C. Brackett, a native of Aroos-
Arthur leased a farm in Harpole, North-[...]daughter of Issac Ball, a member of an old
with the proceeds of his time in Montana (22 Maine family of Colonial times, as were the
years). He enjoyed hu[...]Bracketts of Portland. This family consisted
Hunt, and used th[...]of four daughters and two sons - Oscar being
back wi[...]December of 1875, he was a member of a
Boyes, and Arthur Robbins Boyes, who both party of 35 which started for the Black Hills
followed him into farming. These[...]settlers, but despite that fact the little party
shire England, after Arthur[...]evaded the watchful eye of Uncle Sam's
His younger son A. Robbins Boyes a[...]worked on this ranch for 12 years, handling and kept in the wake of the flames the rest
by A. Ro[...]horses his chief duty during this period. of the day, went into camp that night[...]g Elmhurst ranch he worked two prepared for a strong defense in case they had
years for J.M. Holt, an extensive pioneer been fo_l[...]outfit he began ranching for himself with it was felt they were satisf[...]der above where Rapid City is now located. That
of the farm could acquire. He was 20 years old Riv[...]shed himself on his home- winter they found that their claims were not
when he arranged with Captain Elmhurst to stead at the mouth of Little Hawkey Creek. producing in sufficie[...]and take a place He entered a half-section of land and added digging. Oscar, after going[...]it on both cattle and horses. In his day Henry for Bismarck. During the trip they had a few[...]3, 1904, to Miss Annie Davidson, a native of On arriving at Bismarck, Oscar hired out[...]educated beyond the common schools of her with the Government to establish a "h[...]chool in Northum- wood camp" at the mouth of Tongue River.[...]United States under auspices of the Girls' Fort Union overland, escorted b[...]lived in the home of L. W. Stacy for more than ded in putting in the wood for the Camp, but[...]d Mr. Boyes were there was no hay to cut that season. Mr.[...]The extent of their ranch holdings was 2,500 hunter.
acres of owned land, thousands of acres The hunting party selected, as[...]ng, unlimited open the region near the mouth of Little Porcupine[...]To this marriage were born three girls: of 1876-7, but in the meantime changed their[...]avocation from buffalo hunters to trappers of[...]wolves and beavers, as there was no sale for[...]ed several buffalo hides. In the spring of 1877, Oscar and[...]The Boyes Family were members of the Cavalry, which they boarded[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (204)[...]eastern Montana in 1885. He was one lunch of cake and sandwiches was served at
In 1878, Oscar established yards, at the of a family of thirteen children, ran away midnight, but the dancing continued till
mouth of Tongue River, for supplying wood from home in his earl[...]ats, also put up hay during the ship that made its way to Australia, then to 1980.
summ[...]the island of Mauritius. From there he went Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs.
In the fall of 1878, he and his partner, Peter to Bombay, I[...]arly caught in a hurricane off the Cape of Good between the two sons and their familie[...]one Hope. The crew subsisted on a cup of coffee Joseph passed away in 1945 and Allie in 1977.
of the big "flat-bottoms" which had brought[...]the Yellows- picked up by another ship that landed at
tone to the Indian Reservation at Berth[...]rck. He then returned to Maine bound for Nicaragua, and eventually his sea BRAD[...]e he became infatuated with the life of the ALEXANDER
hired out as a stat[...]out twenty cowboy, and worked first for the Christian
miles from Bismarck, on a mail and[...]the WILLIAM (ALLIE)
route. The winter of 1879 he made his way Matador Company.[...]o on Fallon Montana with a trail herd of Matador cattle
Creek, covering the region about Ismay and bound for the 777 ranch at Mingusville, now
Brackett Butte[...]ides. The following winter he worked for the 777 outfit off and on for three
hunted at Tepee Buttes on the Grand River,[...]and later went to
ranch on Brackett Creek, north of Terry, and work for the E2 outfit, whose cattle ranged
remained in that locality until the winter of all over Fallon and Custer Counties.
1886[...]e next spring with Locate Creek, on land that had been opened
2,400.[...]t Creek, Oscar crossed "hard" winter of 1886, and had abandoned
over to the Yellowstone,[...]rely by taking possession.
in the cattle business for two years, when he The C7 brand was obtained from Mr.
sold his cattle and engaged in the raising of Coggshall, a local saddlemaker, who in tu[...]ntil 1907 had obtained it with the remnant of the old
when he abandoned the livestock business outfit. By 1892 he had a herd of 15 cattle, but
and built the Brackett Hotel at Ismay. rustlers that year reduced his herd to one
Oscar Brackett wa[...]uster head. So he went back to work for the E2
County to Miss Ella V. Hibbs, who was born outfit for another year or two to earn enough
near Cadiz, Oh[...]'s birth in England, Margaret Ross was
at the age of 85. He is buried at Ismay, born in the neighboring country of Scotland.
Montana. - A Range Riders Museum Story,[...]to visit her cousin Kenneth McLean and son of William J. and Margaret (Ross)[...], in 1861, posts covered with dirt for roofing. there were no schools for miles around, so
William J. Bradshaw travelled a[...]fences for boundaries, and cattle roamed ranch, (Al[...]that calves could be branded, and again in the at K[...]elling, with running water, a coal After that, Allie attended College at Boze-[...]ock shelter. The large would find him homesick for the cowboy life,[...]ggie, Allie and Billy Bradshaw in was the scene of many a barn dance. The His responsibilities as a cowboy came early
front of first home in 1908. pian[...]ians came he could hold his own with the best of them.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (205)[...]ty, Montana, to visit the
a way from home caring for the cattle. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge, the McLean family. Two[...]he found the George and Elsie at the tim~ of his death was on the Board of It might be well to state here (1960) that
Griffith place a " home away from home," and Directors of the Half Century Club. - A Billie Brad[...]n Decem-
know Bill Follis well. Seasoned cowboys like[...]th rest, side by side, in the cemetery at
riders of the range were his heroes; if he could[...]tory.
These were happy, though rugged, years
for him - years spent in the saddle and[...]BREWSTER, GEORGE
of the amount due from the State Highway William J. Bradshaw was born in Lancash-
Department for damages to the ranching ire, England,[...]ons from the proposed Highway No. a son of Joseph and Mary (Stanton) Brad- F88
12. That's how he met Nora Fahey, Mr. shaw.
Leonard's secretary, and on September 30, Of a family of thirteen, William J. and a George Warren[...]on the brother Thomas, were the only ones of this Boston, Massachusetts, December 18,[...]r to come to the United States. son of Nathan C. and Mary (Beaton) Brews-
and wife (the[...]s, and Allie and Nora on to the island of Mauritius. He subsequent- mother came to Mas[...]ith her
established headquarters three miles west of ly continued his wanderings to Bombay,[...]material who owned a trading vessel, working for him bury Academy and grew up in an intellectual
and labor for building a house, so they one year, t[...]over atmosphere, and proved himself worthy of
purchased an old abandoned house that to Madagascar. the traditions of his ancestry. He inherited
stood on the Bill Grie[...]Highway 10 to the hurricane off the Cape of Good Hope, which leadership in the Plymouth Colony of Massa-
Crossroads, then east to Locate on Highway cleared the ship of masts and caused her to chusetts is a fact know to every student of
12, crossing Powder River a short distance[...]y were picked up by ped the impress of their characters upon the
developing the new setu[...]pment and have been repre-
and building up a herd of Hereford cattle to mouth, England, returni[...]sented in the professions, the sciences,
be proud of. He loved the Hereford, and took years abs[...]Virginia City, Nevada, and in the fall of 1880
Allie and Nora had three children: Willia[...]nd Thomas Joseph born in 1947. living. For a time he worked among his region which was his home for thirty years on
When son Bill was ready for school in 1947, relatives, and then became a[...]ive- the rifle, and was not only a hunter of big
Dougherty for $30.00 a month, Signe Ringen stock until[...]ifted West and joined game but his prowess in that sport made him
was hired as school teacher and th[...]to the
Bill, and Marion and Jack Laurie, children of herd from the Matador Company to the 777[...]ux, Mr. Brewster is remembered as a man of
the ranch. For the first two years the school Montana. Wil[...]courage and independence, with a faculty of
district contributed only half the teacher's outfit, working for three years, at different reaching proper co[...]en went with the Ryan outfit on the process of reasoning, and his honesty of
increased, and Allie was elected to the school Musselshell river. He then went to work for purpose won him leadership among his
board (a position he held for twelve years) - the E2 outfit, at Miles Cit[...]fellows. He was three times sent to the Lower
and that summer of 1949 he moved the old ranged over the region around Ismay and all House of the Montana Legislature, and
Wilson school house[...]s and daughters have three years with that company. thoughtful and logic[...]leased to him. They contin- in the winter of 1886. She was born at[...]In 1892, after acquiring a small bunch of a Normal school graduate. Her father, John[...]ortune to lose all but Sanborn, was a native of Vermont, and one
years saw trips to the South in the winter, and one head of rustlers. He then went back to of the founders of Union Colony, which
trips to foreign lands. And it was in one of work for the E2 for a year or so, then went settled in Colorado under the leadership of
these - Paris - that he suffered a fatal heart back to his C7 spr[...]eptember 7, 1977. ranch so that, until just before his death, it Sanborn married Jerusha Davis, a sister of
Allie joined the Masonic Lodge at Ismay as was considered one of the best developed General George W. Da[...]served as military governor of Porto Rico,
president of the RANGE RIDERS, INC., and Mr. Bra[...]general in the Philippines, and still
a direct or of the Miles City Saleyards Co., of the United States at Miles City, Montana. later was a member of the Interstate Com-

216

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (206)[...]In 1865 and 1866 he acted as guide for the AND LAURA YATES
Bradley, who had taken hold of the ranch and Powder River Expeditions and[...]n the Bozeman Trail from Fort
ment and management of it. Kearney, Nebraska to[...]born in Howard
George Warren Brewster was one of the tana, a distance of 967 miles. County, Missouri, N[...]Tongue Montana has a particular affection for Jim of John and Bettie (Haston) Broaddus. John
River, and made a distinctive place for Bridger, fur trader, frontiersman, and[...]oaddus moved from Louisville, Kentucky
himself in that region of Montana. From 1882 He was the first white m[...]is death, April 12, 1912, he shed a mouth of Tongue River (Miles City) area. rounded[...]influence as a citizen With the exception of a few Mormon contem- 1905, at the age of 66 years. His widow, who
upon those about him and rarely has a poraries, every one of the scores of pioneers was the daughter of Jesse Haston, survived
community suffered a greater loss than that and sportsmen with whom he came in contact him and at the age of 78 came to Montana and
which befell the Birney lo[...]fe living with her sons on
Brewster was taken out of it. Jim Bridger retired to[...]y 17, 1881; Oscar Broaddus was the eldest of seven
her husband, George Warren, by thirty-two leaving a record as being, 'one of the most children - 4 boys and 3 girls, nam[...]mother, a able, lovable frontiersman of his time'. - A Horace, John, Julia, Mallie, William and
gracious hostess and having an awareness of Range Riders Museum Story, 1960.[...]the wife of James R. Allen, of Howard
mansion in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Mrs.[...]County, Missouri.
Brewster became the wife of John Arnold.[...]F90 rural schools became a student of the Glas-
ginia, where his family is one of old and highly[...]High School.
connected prominence. He was foreman of Haden H. Bright was born November 7[...]old Mexico and spent
young sons as directing head of the property, Kemper Military Academy in Boo[...]pany in the states of Chihuahua and Du-
ing the area and business activ[...]ng rango. Knowing there was no future for a
Range Riders Museum Story, 1964.[...]Missouri, Later Montana in 1885. He stated that Montana
by Warren Lyman and Burton[...]was just the place he had been looking for, a
Brewster, sons member of a group of Boone Countians who white man's country with plenty of oppor-[...]In 1913 he and a partner ran a herd of cattle dating back to November 1, 1885. He was[...]s. range rider and hand for twenty years. He[...]to Mary Dwight then engaged in ranching for himself in the
(OLD GABE) Eaman of Garden City, and in 1916 they went same nei[...]Montana, where he orga- the present site of the county seat of Powder[...]taken over by the First National Bank of Broadus, having dropped one Din spelling[...]20. Haden was connected name).
vicinity of St. Louis with his parents in about with the F[...]d to his native State in 1936 and miles south of said Broadus, Montana, where
West with a fur-trapping venture of William served as President of the First National he proceeded to establ[...], and began a career which was to make Bank of Mexico, Missouri, until 1937. Then the time of his death, in 1932, consisted of a
him more familiar with the vast area between[...]family moved to Columbia and he large herd of cattle, branded RB, and enough
the Canadian boundary and the southern line became Vice-President of the Boone County land holdings to round out his set-up.
of Colorado and from the Missouri River T[...]Miles City in April, 1892, when he was united
man of his time. for awhile Mr. Bright was President of the in marriage with Miss Rhoda Moorhead,[...]Insurance Company. Banking was daughter of W.W. Moorhead, who came to
employee of, or a partner in, various fur in his blo[...]yoming b0rder; Moor-
territory. After the decline of the trade, which office he held until his[...]recorded their now Ms. D.M. Kerridge of 403 Lawrence Mexico, he is now a ranchman and is married;
indebtedness to him for reliable information Place, Columbia, Misso[...]and Esther, who is married.
about the country and for hospitality at Fort Mr. Bright served as trustee for 17 years of Mr. Broaddus was again married to Mrs.
Brid[...]olumbia, Missouri. Laura (Yates) Bidwell of Powder River
To obtain a monopoly of the emigrant He was a member of Royal Arch Masons, County in 1903. She[...]m his Knight Templar, and a life member of the 1898 to join her brother, George Yates, who
holdings in 1853. Retiring for a time to a farm Elks Lodge of Miles City. came to Monta[...]as a scout. In 1857-58 he guided hearts of my daughters and me. - A Range Reverend[...]by Mary E. Bright Mrs. William Gibson of Lead, South Dakota[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (207) and Mrs. Robert Evans of Casper, Wyoming, I started taking piano lessons from a lady who[...]eded her in death, two sons, J. lived in that country Mrs. Ira Snider. She was from lack of feed and the cold weather. The
Horace Broaddus of Weston, Wyoming, a a newcomer in that community and was a same conditio[...]t the Broadus
prominent rancher; and Ray Broaddus of talented musician. I rode horse back for nine ranch and Bill turned in his cattle[...]ere four children by a former then when I got in high school I continued He decided he should try for something
marriage, two daughters-Mrs. Adolph Mon[...]else and he enrolled in a Military training
tell, of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico; When I graduated from high school I school in Salt Lake City Utah for two terms,
Mrs. Ben Toennis, of Miles City, Montana. thought I wanted to be a school teacher but then[...]t the State University at
Two boys-George Bidwell of Eugene, Oregon; couldn't make up my mind w[...]ana. He also spent time at the
and Luther Bidwell of Bismarck, North be Missoula or Dillon Normal College. I Milwaukee Shops learning the trade of
Dakota. Besides the four children listed[...]my old friends the ceship.
Broaddus of Springfield, Oregon and Oscar Howells fro[...]oming, asked me During the reign of Hi Farnum as Sheriff
Broaddus deceased.[...]me and stay with them and attend the of Custer County Bill was appointed Deputy
During[...]s on the Sheridan Business College. The fall of 1928, Sheriff. When that term expired he took
ranch, their home carried the western hospi- I attended the Johnston School of Business employment with the Northern Pacific Rail-
tality. She had said many times that she was taking up Bookkeeping, Shorthand, Ty[...]s Special Agent and was deputized in
proud to say that she lived on Powder River Business Arithmet[...]Rosebud County under Sheriff Patterson in
for fifty-five years. and at the finish of that course I acquired a Forsyth, Montana. He worked in that capa-
Mrs. Laura (Yates) Broaddus took an[...]orking in the Rosebud County city for about 2 years and during that time
active interest in her church activities and[...]o Margaret Bailey, daughter
reared a large family that was a credit to her Clerk and Recorder. It was given to me with of a prominent rancher and family of the
and to the community. She passed away the idea that it was a short term position upper Ro[...]e else when Community 55 miles south of Forsyth,
quences, New Mexico. their other position terminated. I was there Montana.
Oscar Broaddus died in 1932 and is buried from the first of February until the last of Margaret and Bill were married Nov.[...]metery, preceed- September. In the meantime I met Bill 1929, in Miles City, Mo[...]Range Broadus, and we were to be married that fall in Forsyth for a time. The fall of 1929 Bill's
Riders Museum Story, 1960.[...]While living on the Ranch I learned how to following May of 1930. Then in April, 1930
by J. Horac[...]harness a team and drive them, too, as I had Margaret's father Henry Bailey and[...]quite a lot of experience in that line. I was brothers John and James were stricke[...]known for having one of the worst run-away a severe illness.[...]teams of any one in my day. in[...]ROADUS, Bill and I lived in Forsyth for a time until their respective home in June[...]F92 and I had three children, a son Hugh, two[...]becom.e theirs at some later date anyway. So
I, Margaret Cynthia Bailey, was born at have[...]they decided to do this.
home, the daughter of Alice and Henry Bailey grandchildren. The fall of 1930 they moved to the ranch.
early day ranch family of the upper Rosebud After Bill passed away I took up the organ It needed the meadows[...]d seeding it to alfalfa hay.
tana, 55 miles south of Forsyth, Montana. played the organ at the[...]few years it was producing about 200 to
The date of my birth was October 29, 1907. Hardin, Montana. I still believe that ranch 300 tons of hay a year. They also built up the
I was named after my two grandmothers, l[...]can be many. All in all, it is a great life. I still several good saddle horses and teams. Then
When I was six years old I started to the continue to live on the ranch[...]985. During the reign of President Roosevelt, they
home and also attended[...]drilled from time to
about 5 miles from my home. I sometimes[...]nge. Although
walked to the school nearest me and I[...]tural springs, the wells were
sometimes rode, but I always rode horseback[...]ent. They built 2 new
to the one five miles away. I went to these BROADUS, WILLIAM[...]modern facilities. During the last
schools until I finished my eight grades. The[...]war Bill was appointed a member of the
law was, at that time, that all children in the JR. Selective Service Board of Rosebud County
State of Montana who attended the eight[...]F93 and also served as Stock Inspector of this
grades in the country schools had to take an[...]community and was a member of the Elks
examination from the state. We were re-[...]scheduled time and Missouri, the eldest son of Dixie and Wm. Hugh, Betty Imer and Ellen Caruso, daugh-
place. I chose Kathleen McKay a neighbor Broadus Sr. of Broadus, Montana, in Powder ters, and 7 grandchildren and two great
lady to give me the exam. I went to the school River County. Soon after hi[...]Story.
to enter a high school in the state of Montana. Broadus Ranch, 17 miles south of Broadus,
I passed my exam. M[...]ation in the country
in Montana. My freshman year I enrolled in school near his ranch home. When he entered
the Forsyth High School and went there for the eighty grade, his father and mother BRODSTON, JOHN
a year. Then the second year I attended the purchased a home in Miles City making it
Ashland High School. Then I attended the feasable for their family to gain a good AND AN[...]High School and graduated from there in
While I lived on th Ranch I spent most of 1925. He spent time off and on at their ranc[...]back helping my father in between sessions of the school year. During were married in Broadus and ranched next
and was on a horse the biggest part of the this time he accumulated 50 head of cattle. to the Powder River southwest of Broadus.
year. When I was in the 6th, and 7th grades, During the severe weather of 1918 many John was born[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (208)[...], who never married, lives in Miles sheep that he loved and liked to work with.[...]February 14, stroke, which bothered him for the rest of his[...]out of Billings.[...]Ed was very fond of Bud, as Bud always[...]H. Bobby took care of him all through his bad[...]passed away, at the age of ninety-three, on[...]Cattle Ranch of many acres. Ed's childhood[...]As a young man of twenty, Ed left the ranch CARROL AND HELEN[...]to work for Douglas Mead and Company[...]red-haired cowboy soon became foreman of Winx Brooks, was born in Wolf Point,[...]the ranch he worked for and in the course of Montana, August 30, 1915, daughter of
United States when he was 25 years old. His events met the blonde beauty of the country Colonel and Gina Martinsen. She[...]other Thor had come over earlier and he at that time. In 1906 he married Violet F. brother[...]iolet Brooks, at Glasgow, Montana. Most of their
Dakota. Her relatives came from Canada.[...]miles SW of Cohagen, Montana. They had
climate for his health, her father started to After working for the ranch for a few years, one son, Jack M. Brooks and one da[...]Pat Irish, and Ed
ranch they had bought southwest of Broadus. first they worked for a wealthy eastern man Brooks.
John's ranch[...]r married. the name of Clarence Senaught. As time went known for her hospitality and sense of humor.
In 1925 they moved to Miles City and lived by they bought a ranch of their own there on She loved cooking and entertaining friends.
for a while and then moved to Fort Keogh. the head of Cedar Creek, where they raised Gardening,[...]. She belonged to the Prairie
they lived the rest of their lives. John was a There were four children born to this Chicken Home Demonstration Club of Coha-
carpenter and did a lot of building around couple: Eddie, who drowned in a cloudburst gen, Montana. In June of 1977 she had a
Miles. They eventually bought a bi[...]ol, Bobby L. severe heart attack and died of a stroke on
which they made into an apartment hou[...]John passed away, Della sold the Terry for school and he started his law Montana.[...]career, serving as stock inspec-
well as a number of others. tor, deputy sheriff,[...]John and Della had seven sons and one for many years.
daughter. One son, Seth died as an infant. With the help of a hired man, his wife
Their son Carl and his wi[...]from a former Ed was elected sheriff of Prairie County in[...]ons and became a Master Mason later on. I was born in Kansas May 1, 1901. I moved
Stanley and they ran the Volborg Store and[...]led in, and also was thrilled when he ers. I went to school at the Knowlton school.
Dick, Jay,[...]gers, My first teacher was Clara Walters. At that
band passed away June 27, 1984. which at that time he would catch quite time Knowlton had a store, a hotel, a hall for
George and his wife, Leola live in Omaha frequently. Along came the big depression of dances, and a stage station where the stage[...]Mary folding in 1929 took any savings that was had. and rested up. It also had Doc's hous[...]se and Bradshaw's
City where they manage a number of apart- Ed helped List C. Brook to build[...]t to live with his On June 12, 1918 I married Carroll Brooks.
Vaunda, Darla, Debbie, Bo[...]Kramer and helped them to build one of the Montana in 1917, where he homesteaded
Melvin and his wife Pat live in Rio Vista, greatest horse ranches in the nation. about 40 miles south of Miles City. About
California where he has[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (209)[...]Christmas before she could get a shoe on that[...]foot. She was very ill for about three weeks.[...]had a lot of good years, and then came the[...]several years of drought. Millions of gras-[...]about that time and helped eat anything in[...]the country that the hoppers had left.[...]our range horses for $30 a head and sheep for[...]Washington state, first spending a couple of[...]us. Our children all live within 20 minutes of[...]versary in June. All of the family attended[...]Thinking back over the years, I remember[...]many different kinds of wood, even sageb-[...]rush. He is classed among the best of violin[...]makers of these times. My hobby is oil[...]ed (Cummings) Brooks

70th wedding anniversary of Carroll and Mildred Brooks, June 12, 1988.

creek. We were married a few days and he got bunch of cattle and horses and at different
word Uncle Sam needed him so most of the times sheep. They were pastured an[...]bitten twice
Building up a homestead took a lot of work on her leg by a rattle snake.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (210)[...]was sheriff of Prairie County. She was a lover[...]of good horses, played the harmonica like a[...]that she rode and looked after. Violet and her[...]parable for many years and after Violet[...]passed away in October of 1946 the ranch was[...]to become one of the greatest horse ranches[...]under the management of Bobby and her[...]there were relatives, worked for a time then[...]the spring of 187 4. He moved on a small farm[...]shoppers flew in like a cloud and ate every-[...]mity he decided to go to
50th wedding anniversary of Carroll and Mildred Brooks. Back row: {1-r) Bob, June, Evelyn and Howard, Pierre, South Dakota, to look for work,
Front: Mildred, Carroll and Grace.[...]ligious and a work at the Indian Agency for a time, then[...]on the girls growing up hired out as a driver for a freighting outfit
FLORANCE DAVISON[...]a habit that stayed with Violet until her dying made frien[...]his came sometimes. He also stopped at Gen.[...]race horses, loving every There was talk of gold in the Black Hills;
Her parents, Ovidia J[...]he throughbreds. They got to be he said that Sitting Bull had warned him not
Davison had homesteaded at Devil's Lake, well know for their ability to ride a good race to go to th[...]they continued on to Fort a picture of her and her favorite horse, Black homestead.[...]Montana. Bill Davison became a law Hawk, that hung in the Capital Building at ditch out of Rapid Creek. Later the railroad
man in the area around Fort Benton and was Helena for many years. came and[...]rs old when her H. Brooks, claimed Violet for his wife on ings were. They lived there[...]g December 2, 1906. He was a foreman for a They then came to the Little Missouri
rancher and race horse man by the name of Cattle Co. and they lived there for a time River country, near what is now C[...]e County which was Montana, in the fall of 1883. There were four
run race horses and give his last dime to the to become home. Here they worked for a children when they arrived there.[...]ssed in rags who had his ranch at the head of Cedar Creek. lived there for about twenty years. Seven
and bare foot. John wou[...]p more children were born to them, one of
store and outfit him from the skin out, head[...]essee
to foot." Violet's stepdad was loved by all of and Violet ran the ranch as Ed had started for eighteen months.
Ovidia's children and Vio[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (211)[...]time her mother and
Fairfax, Missouri at the age of 87 years. He grandmother, both widows and of the Mor-
was buried at Camp Crook, South Dakota[...]there they found that bigamy was being[...]s C.E. or "Iceman" Brown, was born in that, they moved on to Council Bluffs, Iowa.[...]Connecticut and left home at the age of 14 for They lived there for a time, then went by
BROWN, CHARLES[...]later in Illinois where he took up the trade of years later (1874) Hannah met and married[...]children.
tely known as "Old Charlie Brown", was for West; for a time he worked as freighter She ha[...]essee. The move to
tana history, being a pioneer of 1861, a man up a homestead northeast of the present 'old Missouri did not help the asthma and as the
of sterling character, a keen judge of human- refinery' site and bordering on the Ye[...]so she came to
ity, charitable in his judgement of his fel- tone River. There he built an ice s[...].B. Padden at
lowmen, and one whose life was one of plant, cutting ice from the Yellowsto[...]ry, 1879, Mr. Brown returned to was better for her there. She became quite ill
The data rega[...]e is meager. Illinois and married Margaret Hart of Rock- and died there on January 9, 1928. - A
He was born in Germany. At the age of ton, Illinois; in the early Spring (1[...]by the Brown Family
statesman, remaining for a few years in the him in June; leaving Bis[...]able gold Yellowstone was very high at that time of
excitement of 1849 in California, he went year and trav[...]Miles Town in
arriving there before the discovery of gold in February, 1880. The second child, Edn[...]s born at Yankton, South
Alder Gulch, and was one of the first to work born in April, 1881. In July of that year (1881) Dakota on March 21, 1875. He and his
in the placer mines. Later he was one of the Mrs. Brown made a trip to Illinois with[...]tana Territory in 1883, on
Chance Gulch, the site of the present state daughter, going to Glend[...]rawn the Little Missouri.
capital, the City of Helena, and was among stage. On the retur[...]he worked, upon leaving
the first prospectors in that gulch. He could reach Miles Town on an[...]k in Custer Co. Dry
the State and was a good type of the sturdy In 1883, Mr. Brown built a h[...]rs. corner of 7th & Washington (in the present a branch of Tie Creek. He sold the homestead
Mr. Brown finally returned to Sioux City, town of Miles City). At that time the Old to John Buck, whose boy sti[...]on land where Jordan, Montana, is
livery business for six years. In 1876, Mr. as of today. now located. Jordan's wife was a sister of Fred
Brown returned to Montana and became[...]er children were born in this new McKinsey of Powderville, Montana.
wagon-boss for the United States govern- home - France[...]it Jordan.
waiting to bring them up, at the time of the Milwaukee wool house now stands. Joe had a contract for one year to put up
historic Custer Massacre.[...]1898 the Brown family moved to Salem, hay for his dad and the Hash Knife.
In 1878, Mrs. Brow[...]n 1936 and the son in 1925. Edna still stage for Leverage; this from Miles City to
engaged in business for many years, there lives in Salem and Flo[...]Ashland and return.
rearing his family of four children - Flora, PS - Mr. Brown did own cattle that ranged He left stage driving and went to work for
married George Ulmer, a prominent .business on the North-side in charge of Jack Woodliff, the LO outfit, thence to the Cross S, where
man of Miles City; Laura, married John I. using the C-Bar as his brand. Before leaving he worked for several years.
Zook, a prominent cattleman on Lam[...]enzie. -A Range Riders and went to work for the Harris and Green-
Emma, who engaged in the ca[...]oe married a girl from North
ness until the death of his father in 1900.[...]he was always spoken of as a good neighbor.
by Mar[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (212)[...], Josephine and Albert Wallace Jones, of Miles City. - A Range
BROWN, CAPTAIN[...]Virginia Military School, is now manager of by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Jones and Miles[...]F104 the stock department of the Brown Cattle[...]Joseph T. Brown, a ran- Powell, a sister of Albert's wife, and a
chman and widely known settler on the daughter of William Byrd Powell of Utica,
Tongue River in the community of Birney, Mississippi.[...]BROWN, WILLIE RAY
came to Montana in the fall of 1886. He Natalie Humphreys is the wife of Gilbert F106
arrived with 1,000 head of cattle which he had Woodward, a ranchman near[...]them Captain Brown possessed a liking for books South Dakota in 1886, the son of Albert
through or across Kansas, Nebraska and and owned a library of no mean proportions. Pierce and Hannah Eme[...]His fondness for history was proverbial, and, Brown. He atten[...]ppreciated grew to maturity in the vicinity of Camp
part of the family estate; this estate is one of to the full the literary efforts of able writers Crook. Besides working on his fath[...]as interested in all he worked mostly for the CY outfit.
nity, extending for twenty miles along the manner of questions coming before the body He died in 1908, at the age of 21, and is
river. His recorded brand was and is s[...]ther
interest in politics and was chosen a member
of the Legislature from Custer County and
served a term in the Lower House. He was
captain of a cowboy company of Rough BROWN, MARION[...]BRUBAKER,
Riders, which company formed a part of
colonel Grigsby's regiment during the Span-[...]Brown was formerly a Texas man
and resided there for many years, having gone Marion (Ulmer) Brown, daughter of Mr. Caroline Ethel Brubaker, daughter of Mr.
there as a young man of twenty-two. He and Mrs. George H. Ulm[...]A. Ferris, was born in Medora,
became claim agent for the Texas and Pacific 26, 1902. Her childho[...]. To this union were
he eventually found a friend of means who graduated in 1920.[...]a, the president, and Harold is cashier of the State
Circles cattle which his partner, John Wyeth, University School for Girls in Chicago, and Bank of Terry, an institution founded by
owned in the Ind[...]y were gathered one year at the University of Montana. In their father.
and driven by[...]arleton Stephenson Caroline served for several years as head of
as above noted.[...]League and was the
Captain Brown was a native of Copiah having lived in Rapid City, South Dakota and organizer of the first Cemetery Association.
County, Mississip[...]h 'Carrie' Brubaker was a charter member of
A college man, he graduated from the place of their only child, a daughter, born in Terry Chapter #7 4 O.E.S. and a member of
University of Virginia, and also from the 1930. the Royal Neighbors of America.
Kentucky Military School. During the lat[...]aker are buried in the family
service as a member of General Forrest's entering the hardware[...], Montana. - A Range Riders
command. He was a son of Hezekiah George livestock business with[...]nd Museum Story
David Brown, a sailor of Hazelhurst, Missis- brother. She remained a[...]s Mary Peachy Marion became president of Miles and Ulmer
Taliaferro, her surviving son bei[...]mer BRUBAKER, W. A.
Rice Brown of Deer Park, Dallas, Texas. Sheep Compan[...]ranch business was
Captain Brown was a member of the liquidated. (BERT)
Masonic fraternity and of the Knight Tem- Marion had been conti[...]iles City. In asthma since the flu epidemic of 1917, and in
church matters he was a Methodist.[...]Carlisle, Ohio on April 1, 1878, the son of
Texas, December 13, 1883, to Mary G.[...]rubaker. He spent his early
Humphreys, a daughter of Daniel and Cath- at Holy Rosary Hospital[...]in the Philippines as a telegrapher
granddaughter of Ralph Humphreys, who Cemetery, next[...]rom Virginia and was an She was a member of the Presbyterian 1902. He came to Montana that year and
officer in the Colonial army during the war Church, the drove of does, the Soroptimists, worked as a telegrapher for the Northern
of the Revolution. S[...]rie Ferris,
He and Mrs. Brown were the parents of She is survived by her daughter, Jane daughter of Joseph Ferris, a business asso-
three children. A[...]Brown) Jones, and two grandchild- ciate of Theodore Roosevelt.
trained under his father to r[...]adley Jones and Richard He was one of the founders of the State
educated in the Virginia Military Schoo[...]Bank of Terry which opened in January 1906
was business manager of the Brown Cattle[...]Mr. Brubaker was chairman of a 19-man[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (213)[...]Colonel Bryan was the first president of the[...]April 4, 1885, and was re-elected for three[...]home in Illinois when about 18 years of age[...]States for some time working with cattle[...]harvest and threshing crews in Day County,
out of portions of Custer and Dawson Coun- the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After South Dakota.
ties in 1915. For several years he served as a graduation he serv[...]eon in the In 1888 he married Susanna Byer of
trustee of school district No. 5. He also Louisville[...]City in the children were born.
construction of the bridge across the Yellows- spring of the following year, where he took up In the late Fall of 1894 he and two friends,
tone River at Terry. He, with the assistance the practice of his profession. Jim Johnson and Orin Titus, made up a
of C.H. Williams and ex-governor Sam B. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American camping outfit on a light buggy and drove
Stewart re-wrote the State Banking Code of war he was one of the early volunteers and through to eastern[...]was commissioned by Governor Smith on the for his wife and three small children; they
legislature. He aided in the securing of staff of the First Montana Infantry as first . lived on an old cattle ranch on upper Cabin
federal funds for the establishment of the lieutenant and assistant surgeon. In th[...]e 15 miles down Cabin Creek, near the
bond drives for Prairie County during the two field surgeon, was present at each of the site of the Hog Eye cow-camp, where he built
World Wars as well as serving as trustee of twenty-four engagements in which the Mon- his main ranch. It was here that a son was
the Terry Community Church.[...]ily in 1903.
Mr. Brubaker was a charter member of In October of 1899 the regiment returned In 1915 when P[...]was created,
Terry Lodge No. 74, A.F. & A.M. and of Terry and Dr. Bruning resumed his practice of Frank G. Buckley was elected to the Montana
Chapter No. 27, R.A.M. A member of Damas- medicine and surgery. House of Representatives. He continued to
cus Commandery #[...]ican War ing was the only representative of the town Mrs. Frank Buckley died on June 6, 1932.
veteran, and served as the first presid~nt of or county in the First Montana.[...]ied in the family plot at Glen-
the Terry Chamber of Commerce. He was the He brought with hi[...]Montana. - A Range Riders Museum
first president of Group 2, Montana Bankers a splendid collection of trophies, souvenirs, Story, 1963.
Association and a vice-president of the some fine examples of Filipino, Chinese and
Montana Association.[...]rubaker passed away January 2, pictures of scenes in the Orient, in which he
1956. - A Range[...]and Cowhands
In 1889 he came to Miles City and for four Thomas J. Bryan was born in Iowa in 18[...]Savage drug on a farm. He was a war veteran of the Union Fay Olin Buffington was born in I[...]ville Army during the Civil War. At the close of September 23, 1885. At the age of 12 or 13
to complete his studies in the University of said Civil War he returned to Iowa and[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (214)[...]es. This MAE
Elk, on the south side of the Missouri River brand belonged to John McKay of Lee,[...]Montana, a close friend of the Buffingtons.
For a time Fay rode for the CK spread. Resourceful was the only term for their My dad, Merton Elwood Houghtaling[...]heep operation on Armells raised hundreds of turkeys, butchering and on a four-acre farm. When Merton was four
Creek overlooking Castle Rock out of Forsyth shipping them to eastern markets i[...]The partnership was In the earliest of their homestead days, they Esbon, Jewel Count[...]he grew
dissolved when the brother began to think of raised sheep. The wild fruits were canned[...]and they
It was while he was in this location that he trapped. Deer hides were tanned for home continued farming and ranching. In[...]nted with velvet pad- they had the first of their 14 children - seven
called an opera house i[...]balcony. Many a dance was provide a place for cowboy guests to hang years and one at tw[...]ed away when my
nity gathering place. It was used for years as In Katie's memoirs, she describe[...]Mother was raised by
an auditorium and gymnasium for the school. bull and branding him on the range. An adept Ben and Lettie Horten. I can remember going
In 1937 at Christmas time it b[...]ed him out. Mom's -brothers and sisters when I was young.
Fay left Forsyth for the north side in 1913 The sagebrush fire bu[...]we had to sit down and be
with only a sheep wagon for an abode. Fay the critter was secured. A ring carried for the quiet in the back of our Model T Ford with
squatted and Katie later fi[...]the roof down.
on Hell Creek just at the mouth of Reid moved and manipulated by green c[...]e we got the car, my folks had to go
Coulee north of Jordan. Today the place may wood twigs as[...]Hell Creek Recreation- flinch and movement of the bull was restrain- one-seated one. We you[...]on frame down the hill and across a bridge
corner of one claim to the corner of the one was terrified that the cinch would fly sending at the bottom. One[...]bull tangled in the ropes! As it seat of his pants.
In 1915 Fay married Katherine Helen[...]on October 13, 1891 doused with a hatful of water from the nearby Gypsies came when my folks were gone.
of Irish immigrants. At the age of one year, spring, the ropes coiled and str[...]complete. twin and I were hidden in one of Dad's corn
Rosebud Valley settling near Lee. She was a Fay train[...]ater seed boxes in the corn crib. The rest of the
true pioneer woman. A day never held[...]stounded by kids hid where they could watch for the half-
anything she and her God couldn't get his horses that would "back up." He deligh- hour or so the[...]me a skillful horsewoman. ted at telling of roping a bobcat on the themselves to egg[...]including some chickens.
cattle. One might say that she was a genera- The Buffingtons had four children: Amy Another time a bum came asking for food.
tion ahead of herself, doing the outdoor Rose, Wilbu[...]ation long Theresa. Schooling was a problem. For the to heat water in. He went under a bri[...]d we sneaked down and
At first, Fay ran cattle for Mr. Hudson children out. After the dam w[...]place just below the graveyard. Only one of
out, Fay's deeply ingrained integrity was[...]estioned by Mr. Hudson, placing a nearly of the Fort Peck Reservoir. Every 40 acres at this time, as well as my twin and I. It was
unbearable stress on his nervous system a[...]an army cot in the kitchen and my twin and
For those reasons of health, Fay and Katie bottomland, land that could produce more I slept in iron (not wooden) cribs. We had a
were f[...]o Tacoma, Washington. profit in one crop of alfalfa seed than the large orchard on this[...], Fay worked in the government payment for the entire acreage. my sister and I would climb the trees and eat
shipyards. World War I was in its final throes. 1939, after more than 20 years of back- the different fruits every summer, a[...]tana to begin again. This time the place I remember watching Dad shell the corn for
four weeks later.[...]ngton's deep-seated desire to In May of 1957, Fay rode out to get a bull. the crib, an[...]re used to load
to the Missouri breaks. So a herd of cattle was an old mare. She went out to find[...]elp from a neighbor boy, they to the top of the stack where it was dumped
the Lazy K H. The b[...]. He had "gone home" to be with by means of a trip rope.
Later Katie and Fay acquired the[...]r. When I was six I walked two miles to
Reversed B brand. At that time, the Lazy K Katie sold the place[...]ending some time in a nursing home, the way of the neighbor kids' homes and by
brand changing an[...]tricks, Fay she died in her sleep in June of 1975. - A our Uncle Ben's. We only had six months of
would use the running iron to brand the Bar[...]school, getting out in the middle of April. We
Nine Reversed B in huge letters across[...]had a big dinner to celebrate the last day of
side of the critter, making it impossible to[...]at home got a
his livestock was the wattle, a tag of skin cut[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (215) sometimes. When walking one day, we came I were the only ones to go to school in one[...]y twin place, and the school was close enough for us Colonel Miles was putting up his canton[...]run fast and he couldn't catch us. to go home for lunch. The house was dug in near the mouth of Tongue River and advised
The teacher was surpris[...]the next spring sold the
My sister Geneva and I would pile up a big cedar tree by our so[...]nd jump into the pile all our washing under that tree with a hand John's dad returned to[...]the hill to hang the clothes to dry. worked for different outfits until E.S. Newm-
used to play[...]left there. Sis had on some high heeled bank. I realize now what a terrible fall we N ranch at the mouth of Cache creek, Johnnie
ones, and coming down the s[...]f we had missed and gone went to work for the N outfit. He took two
through a gap in the boards and fell. between the bank and the back of the house. herds of cattle to the Big Missouri in
Dad wanted to l[...]od and sawed it Downs ranch at the mouth of the Mussellsh-
house. The second time around, he ran into by hand for winter heating and for cooking, ell. The second herd was traile[...]ummer. We carried water from distance of any herd ever driven to Montana.
One night my[...]ight. A storm awakened us and on the side of the cook stove so we would have Texas and t[...]and then set back down. The wind uprooted I wasn't able to go to high school and I got when it went out of business. He then went
two apple trees and four cottonwoods which a job making clothing for the welfare. This to work for Joseph Scott and Mr. Hanks
left holes in the ground several people could helped with the food. I worked there for two outfit known as the SH. - from the ea[...]ings were not hurt. years at which time I met and married my to 1899.
When[...]ried Mrs. William A. Bowles,
'30s, it was so bad that although the moisture he passed away and I came to Custer County, (Whose husband wa[...]gh died and Mother passed away at 75 years of his family went to ranching on his own[...]rn would get about knee high and we would I married Harry Bumgardener in Decem-[...]it with a corn binder, and we helped the ber of 1954, and we had two boys: Charles und[...]snow was my husband passed away in October of 1964, Johnnie's place asking for protection. Moses
deep. The men spent hours tryi[...]. When Charles was sixteen he found a job, that he wanted to see his wife, John answered
In 1936-7, I remember the summers were so and went to high school when they were that Mrs. Moses did not want to talk to him
hot we sle[...]f days. (Moses) and that it would be best if Moses
quilts on them or somet[...]Charles is married and has four children of would leave her alone for a time, giving both
mattresses. Our dog slept on[...]own and a step daughter. George is still of them time to think it over. Moses stated
so we we[...]gle. My daughter married and has four that he was seeing his wife immediately and
storm that darkened the sky until we had to grown boys now. Duayne Neilson married that nobody was stopping him. He came
light the lamps[...]coming so Johnnie killed
many more times.) It was like a large black I've been alone for some time now, but him. Johnnie was cl[...]nt door open. Mother was unable to hold at that time. His wife escaped out a bedroom Ride[...]herself and my brother had to help window on that early forty below morning,
her.[...]we were plagued by out with his life, and that is all. I thank the
grasshoppers. The neighbors stuck their Lord that their four wheel drive started as
pitchforks into a pile of wheat straw, and the they had frostbitten hand[...]flew out. They and is still farming here. I sold all my cattle
would blot out the light just[...]sun, and then they me nearly every day and I enjoy my grand- received his education[...]children. I have 3 sisters left. My cat and I live schools. On reaching maturity he went to
That summer most of the days were in the alone and a little gardening is about all I do. Alliance, Nebraska, where he homesteaded[...]for the Reverse E2 cow outfit where he
keep us going. That winter the WP A paid worked for ten years (wagon-boss for seven).
men to clear the roads. With a trail clea[...]He was married to Miss Cecil Hillman of
only wide enough for one car, the roads were[...]ep from Oregon to moved to the north side of the Yellowstone
ing one year in town when I was nine, we Montana. They arrived on th[...]re Dad worked called Fort Keogh) the fall of 1876, it was the father, Albin Burke, died Jan. 26, 1921.
for different farmers. Geneva, Elizabeth and their intention to graze up Tongue River for Mrs. Burke and family then moved t[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (216)[...]land and more land. Much of his land was
December 18, 1962.[...]was elected a member of the 8th, 9th and 12th[...]sessions of the Montana State Legislature.
BURKE, JOHN[...]He was always a booster for Custer County[...]project. In 1907 the State Bank of Terry
Oxford Junction, Iowa, on August 14, 1883,[...]opened for business, headed by Mr. Brubaker
a son of Clarence and Sarah Burke. When he[...]time, so there was much activity and
they farmed for many years. He was married[...]ch on Fallon Creek
to Catherine Warner in October of 1910 at[...]two daughters of one of the railroad officials,
where they homesteaded. L[...]Isabell and May. For a short time it was called
to Lavina and Ismay, w[...]moved to Ismay, built on the site of the old
three children, a son, Jack, of Seattle, stock raising. He died in 1908, at the age of shearing pens, sold to the railroad, and he[...]ghters, Mrs. Verne 63 years, a member of the Christian Church, also built a new home for the family in Ismay
(Margaret) Jones, of Miles City, and Mrs. politically a Whig,[...]This in 1908.
Harry (Catherine) Kirkpatrick of Spokane, was the father of George Washington Burt, Being a bit ahead of my story, let's turn
Washington. They had four gr[...]His mother was Emma Tenney Burt, year of 1905, in November. A new addition
Mr. Burke was a member of the Ismay daughter of a physician and a native of to the family arrived, a little girl n[...]y and Miles George was educated in schools of Tazewell baby was but one week old George Burt
City. He was an elder of the Presbyterian County and the University of Michigan at suffered a stroke, at 37 years of age, and from
Church in Miles City. Ann Arbor. Reared to the life of an agricultu- then on until his passing the o[...]0s, when he home in Terry was sold and for a time we
following a long period of failing health. - located near Terry in East[...]ge Riders Museum Story. love of the West was partially due to his made p[...]ons from college, which he always spent time I cannot but mention that Uncle Lon[...]never Fluss and Aunt Irva lived with us for many[...]George married years, and it worked well for both parties
Miss Delia Mae Fluss, of Armington, daugh- concerned, and my memor[...]BURT, GEORGE ter of Frederick and Melissa Fluss, also ones[...]natives of Kentucky. To this marriage were traveled[...]of land values has served to advance the M[...]ught a stern-
A grubstake to start with, years of work and interests in Custer County. He served[...]boat, completely
self-denial, and a little luck - that is the city, county and state, and proved that he was furnished, even to a piano, and we continued
beginning of the story of George Burt, my pre-eminently a capable m[...]corn George Burt's first ranch was bought for around the point of Florida and through the
belt of Illinois, he was inspired and followed $300.00[...]rglades, up the eastern coast as far as
the words of Horace Greeley, "Go West, crude log ho[...]man, go West." The West in the 1890s boxes for furniture. This was not for long, for a time. While there the entire fleet of thP-
was one of wide open spaces: with opportuni- however, a[...]tates was on parade, passing near by
ty to be had for the asking, and George Burt further up the hill, and that was his ranch where we were anchored, and[...]oresight, ingenuity, ability and with home for the next few years, or until he had gun salute to the President of the United
borrowed capital and good management he to move to Terry for the schooling of the two States, Teddy Roosevelt. The World's[...]children, Lucille and Paul. It was in 1895 that was in Norfolk that year, and from there we
space of six years and George Burt was in the he bought 1200 head of sheep at $2.00 a head; returned to the ranch on Whitney Creek. The
front ranks of Montana Wool Growers. every one was[...]acht, the
Illinois, on February 22, 1868, the son of to realize a return on their investments. In Lucille Burt, of LaSalle, Illinois. The yacht
William and Emma (Tenney) Burt, and the Spring of 1896 he bought 3000 more sheep was built in Muskegon, Michigan. From
grandson of William and Elizabeth Burt, at $1.75 a[...]LaSalle we went down the river under the
natives of Kentucky. The grandparents foun- of Montana made millions from the free expert guidance of the famous Captain Grant
ded the family in 1827,[...]ty range. It was easier to run the chances of Marsh, the river captain who on the steam[...]n to put The Far West brought the first news of the
ment, and also from Logan County, and they up feed for the Winter, buy and fence land. Custer Mas[...]rld. At New
spent their lives establishing a home for their As the country was settled and as the[...]fenced in, were anchored on Lake Ponchetrain for some
youngest, born on the old homestead and[...]ve live in farming and grass so it was then that George Burt bought far as Mexico, bu[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (217) up Mexico, as it was a treacherous stretch of George and Della enjoyed their lovely lo[...]we left the Lucille Burt and often used for community dances. For miles
headed home to Montana. I believe the around they would come[...]dance until midnight and then Della would
and maybe it is still on display in the State serve[...]r, cakes, coffee and BUTLER, CHARLES
Bank of Terry. The Lucille Burt we heard was many tantalizing dishes. It was at one of these
taken over by the Government and was used dances, when about 9 or 10 years old that my WARNER AND
as a patrol boat during World War I. It is now father tired to teach me to squa[...]ICA RAWSON
the children attended the Burt School of and George was a joker and loved to p[...]Also about proud and tender and loving of his family. son of a prominent druggist, Charles Henry
that time he went out of the sheep business The baby Jessie he se[...]s and compassion, his in the schools of Oswego and later as a young
25 miles east of Miles City, on the Yellows- interest in t[...]gation and level as small and big projects that he would arrange business as an employee of the Bank of
the floor. It was a great farm country and he for the pleasure and joy of his children, family Minnesota, of which his uncle, Mr. Walter
was intrigued with t[...]nd the lay and friends, here are but a few of them: His Mann, was president. In 1890 he went out to
of the land, so he was inspired to build a huge idea of travel was far more important for his Glendive, Montana, to become an executive
cement silo, now quite a landmark of the children than schooling, though we usually of the Merchants Bank of Glendive. While in
Kinsey valley. His foresight paid off, as at the had a gove[...]ive, Mr. Butler was raised in the Blue
same time of the purchase of this ranch he We attended the St. Louis[...]puffed rice shot met Miss Jessie Rawson of Lisbon, North
amused at this purchase of such poor land, from a gun and on and o[...]on on June 6, 1900
pit to the Milwaukee Railroad for $25,000.00. small. Papa ordered from Montg[...]he accomplishments, the a red harness for a goat and we had such home.
foresight[...]and some mishaps from this wily Born of this marriage were three sons,
dynamo, I will list them briefly. The FIRSTS: goat. Papa fixed a tennis court for us; he Charles Willis Butler, Walter Raws[...]in Eastern Montana, a sawed off a 22 gun for Paul, when Paul was and Richard Slocum Bu[...]wned a kodak, the old glass About March of 1900, Pierre Wibaux,
2. The first to build reservoirs for irrigation plates and dark room type; he took us to renowned French cattleman and rancher, for
purposes, on the ranch.[...]ovision to Miles City as managing cashier of the State
returned from Chicago, after shipping stock, wagons and a string of horses. And inciden- National Bank. At Mr.[...]s to Della tally Della rode horseback most of the way 1912 Charles Butler became presid[...]all bicycle to Lucille (me), an oddity and of course she used the side saddle. He later chairman of the Board. Mr. Butler knew
on the streets of Terry. taught me to drive a car at 13 years of age and and understood the cattlemen and ranchers,
4. The original builder of the sheep wagon. when in High School I had a one cylinder and numbered a host of them as his close
I watched my father built a model from[...]king was some-
wooden cigar boxes, with pins used for nails. high school kids. And, finally, in[...]igured on were approved as much on the basis of the
stored in the attic, and it wasn't until I was new projects, and his last prediction[...]and reputation as they
older and wrote and asked for this model, did interesting. Would that he could have seen it were on the amount of collateral.
I realize it was a real relic, but it had been[...]and predicted that some day someone would ed much to the bu[...]uild a boat which could be used on land or of Glendive and Miles City. Among his many
time, built big enough to drive a wagon and water, and as I remember it he practically activities, he served as president of the school
team in and out. While the cellar was[...]ing barges used in World board, president of the Chamber of Com-
new and filled with fresh straw, one night w[...]foresight was unbelievable. merce and of the Miles City Club. He was on
all (the family) s[...]ls and the Fraternally George was a member of the Board of the State Industrial School as
pack rats flourish[...]iles City Commandery, Nona Lodge, of the Montana Bankers Association, the year
would reach for his gun and clip them off. I.O.O.F., and Terry Lodge, M.W.A. He is that Miles City was host to the bankers of
6. For a year or two Papa sold his baked surviv[...]ow retired and living on the a life member of Yellowstone Lodge No. 26
Fallon Creek ranch, near the site of Ismay. Flathead at Polson; Jessie Gordon of Califor- A.F. & A.M. in Miles City.
Those bi[...]well-adverti- nia and Lucille Middleton of Butte. There are In 1923 Jessie and Charl[...]n, where he
ing pens to Terry, 25 miles, 65 sacks of wool George Washington Burt passed away in a joined the staff of the Security National Bank
at a time, with a stea[...]private hospital in Miles City in April of 1923 as trust officer. He remained with this
b[...]urt was residing in Everett at the time of his
an Oliver, which my father gave me when I passed away in December of 1961 in San Jose, death in 1948.
was very young. California. For many years Della had lived Granting the petition of the Grand Lodge
9. I was the first depositor in the State with Jessie and she was buried in a beautiful of Montana to Alpha Lodge No. 212, A.F. &
Bank of Terry. cem[...]nce from San Jose. A great man was pin that denoted 50 years of membership in
tana, under a huge shed, well roofe[...]the fraternal organization, was held in Ev-
of rain, the ten shearers with their shearing;[...]live and build. It is with erett the evening of May 13, 1942.
the shearing job lasted for six weeks at least, deepest love and emotion that I have pre- Final rites for Mr. Butler were held under
in early spring[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (218)the auspices of the Masonic Brethren of that to the doctor in Glendive. He died at the age wagon headed for the Black Hills of South
city. - A Range Riders Museum Story. of 67 years, and is buried at Glendive, Dawson Dak[...]he next year he spent on a ranch on the
territory for 50 years. He is well-known and Nicholas H[...]ud River and while there he visited the
respected for his business ability and integ- time Montana[...]tizen. His ranching efforts state and territory for over 69 years. He was battle. He then migrated to Powder River
have been in Dawson County, Montana, for well-known for his business ability and and for a time worked at the stage station at
the entire time except for three years spent integrity as a man and cit[...]rville assisting in having horses in
at the ranch of his uncles, George and Henry efforts have be[...]located at Willow Creek, Montana. Montana for the greater part of the time. His Meade-Fort Keogh stage line arri[...]and south home being 35 miles west and south of which time he also served as assistant
of Glendive, Dawson County, Montana on Glendive, Dawson County, Montana, on Bad Postmaster of Powderville and clerked in the
Bad Route Creek.[...]his Minnesota, near his childhood home, for a
He grew up and received his education in education in Germany. At the age of 14 years, year or more and in 1884 became a me[...]he came to the United States, and after one of the Masonic Lodge at Winnebago City,
in 1884 at the age of 16 years. After two years year in New York, cam[...]spent in working in a grocery in the year of 1883. He found employment on His Uncle a[...]s. Samuel
store, he came to Montana in the spring of the ranch of his uncle, George Gerdes, near L. Foster, th[...]sted in coming
1886, where he worked on the ranch of his Willow Creek, Gallatin Co., Montana.[...]89, he George Buttelman, took a large herd of south of Ekalaka about twenty miles, where
with his brothe[...]ater moved to a ranch adjoining
took a large herd of Diamond "G" horses and in Dawson County, Mo[...]sidence at the present place was opened up for settlement, he home- death occurred on[...]f education and experience he
the area was opened for entry, he home- When land became restri[...]e herd to what the land would accommo- a man of fine personality and physique, 6 feet
the land wi[...]system and later took up raising beef cattle for the a cowboy and stockman most of his life he
in eastern Montana. During his active[...]ry 7, 1897, Nicholas married it was said that if he could not ride a horse
brother, Nicholas, a[...]rty, jovial manner
raising, producing beef cattle for the market. Nicholas Buttelman retired from active that was a part of him.
Buttelman Brothers were among the large[...]ve, Dawson He served on the school board for many
cattle men of Montana. With restrictions of County, Montana, where he remained until[...]d, he took
range, they had to cut their herd down for the his death on January 12, 1952. He is buried a great interest in children and it was not an
land that would support the cattle. They also at Glendi[...]his Ford
did some general farming to produce feed for man, and their wives. - A Range Riders with a group of youngsters and take off for
their livestock. They used the registered[...]was never dull for him and he had several
Montana. They had three ch[...]hobbies, one of which was helping young
Alice was born Aug. 10, 1[...]ber of the Half Century Club of Miles City,
married Oct. 16, 1927 to Russel Lewis[...]ttle near Minnesota, on December 4, 1862, son of thrifty and successful financially and[...]yne wa_s interested in the organization of a bank
Nicholas was born Sept. 6, 1912 and married Cady. His father, a veteran of the Civil War, in Ekalaka, later becoming its[...]y, which capacity he was serving at the time of
Deputy Sheriff and Under-Sheriff of Gallatin his mother passing away very shortl[...]e still lives in Bozeman, ter. Septon lived for a few years with his spirited, was a member of the Ekalaka
Montana.[...]e ranch on Bad Route Creek, At the age of sixteen, wishing to try his as Deputy Sheriff and as Justice of the Peace.
John Buttelman was overcome by the hea[...]t out with another He was a charter member of Ekalaka Lodge
and suffered a heart seizure, and died enroute man, with a team of horses and a covered No. 120, A.F.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (219)Treasurer for many years. A bequest in his
will aided the Masonic Lodge materially in
the building of its Temple at Ekalaka.
Dating from early assoc[...]the
mines in the Black Hills when he made a
study of mineral ores and stimulated by wide
knowledge of the lay of surrounding country
and its geological formation he became a
student of paleontology and archaeology,
making many excursions and spending many
days digging for and collection bones and
fossils of prehistoric dinosaurs and other
prehistoric anima[...],
became a reality through the vision and
efforts of these three fine men.
Septon Cady was a conserv[...]ed
much time to the advancement and develop-
ment of Southeastern Montana, for years a
real landmark of the Town of Ekalaka and his
personality was characteristic of its spirit in
his hardihood, integrity and lovabi[...]growing up, Sal worked local fairs for cooking. Most people would
CAIN, GLADYS[...]d on the Horkin Ranch and in the agree that Gladys Cain bakes the best pies in[...]spring they would shear sheep for different our area. Those early cookin[...]. In 1925, Sal the Sutton Ranch insured that anyone who[...]Cain's table will be well taken care of.
construction site of the White Tail Ranger Five childre[...]Custer National Forest for several years. in May 1931, Gene in[...]hand for the Sutton Brothers Ranch near the spe[...]head of the Little Pumpkin Creek. On March ca[...]co and was family lived in this log cabin for 12 years[...]mer, Sal met Gladys raising much of their food. This isolated[...]1923, she came with until 1936, so for the first eight years, the[...]and Sal made one trip a year to Broadus
sections of Northern Pacific land near the After th[...]to pay the taxes. They had one team and two
head of the Little Pumpkin Creek in Powder for the Sutton Ranch caring for the cattle and saddle horses, one of whom was called
River County. They paid $3.50 an acre for the breaking horses. Gladys became the cook for "Hank."
land. This was the start of the Cain Ranch the ranch. Although she had[...]ar Cain bakery, she was not prepared to cook for a children spent most of the time alone, as Sal
family.[...]money from the
Texas on March 26, 1907. In April of 1915, he to those who sat down to her meals that she ranch. The log cabin did not have[...]and sisters came to Miles City on an immi- that the Sutton bachelors did not like biscuits nearby spring. Gladys washed clot[...]dry. Coyotes and bobcats made it nearly
opened up for settlement. In December of biscuits.[...], Gladys's cooking improv- often a part of their meals.
Sal's dad had made on their homesteaded ed with the help of the neighbor ladies and Alon[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (220)[...]to move the family, but Bessie (he called her
for the WP A hauling shale for roads to make was only four years old whe[...]the boys farmed a lot farther away than that!"
can remember one night when she heard a[...]o kill Park, Texas, where they raised cotton for the up for claims in Montana. In a few days he
it; it was go[...]and days later, the conductor called out that they
Cains moved about three miles to the Ernest[...]City, Montana.
Shy ranch. They leased this place for a while and traveled north. After a misera[...], dry Oklahoma weather they arrived look for a job. Unable to find work, he caught
cattle and farming, and Sal spent all of his safely in Beaver County, Oklahoma, bu[...]hile Horace, horace's glowing stories of the big beautiful
office in 1971 with Leland Cook[...]their mother moved to Childress, State of Montana with free range and
Wilson. He was in office for three years when Texas.[...]ut in West Texas to In the spring of 1915, Horace ordered a box
In 1976, Zola Stone[...]car on what was known as an immigrant train
of the Range Riders Reps wanted to get a log[...]tock and household
building from the western part of the state to Wilbur, Earl, George, Walter,[...]isters, Maud, Myrtle, take along, but that was against the rules, so
told Zola that she had an authentic log cabin Mat tie and[...]they loaded it at night and piled the house-
and that she would give it to them. The Myrtl[...]hold goods around it. Horace and a couple of
original Cain home was transported to Miles[...]essie and the younger children rode in a
now part of the Range Riders Museum went to[...]tin and algebra. She went with her father of them were bought by the French Govern-
Platte, Ne[...]r in Childress, Texas. He built many waited for their seventh child to be born. Roy
by Gladys Cain of the brick buildings, including the court- Miles was the only one of their children to be[...]liams. Horace went to work for Walter's families that lived in the box cars parked on
CAIN, HORACE AN[...]For ten years Horace and Bessie lived on I[...]ess, Texas. Joe Ben, to the homestead south of Miles City in what[...]and with life on the cotton farm, and, maybe home for the next four years. Two more[...]coiled up in the far end of the dugout. She[...]killed it with a hoe much to the relief of the[...]Horkan Ranch. He stayed there for five years.[...]where they were shipped ~o Nebraska for the[...]winter. He started back for the ranch and[...]made camp for the night between Alzada and[...]round up the other horses. One of the best[...]in for dinner to find Tour with a pair of horse[...]Bessie Cain holding Gertie. Son Buster is in back of wagon. Taken at Loesh in the late cowboys broke[...]Tour explained that he was trying to cut his[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (221)[...]ection the family lived with Bessie's folks
rep. for the SH Ranch and on this occasion ice. Ice[...]n. William Horace (Tat),
Simpson Ranch, when one of the big four year sawdust was put between th[...]spurred his horse after Mrs. Cain made most of the families In the fall of 1929, Bessie's father passed
the steer, trying to get the animal back. clothing, and of course, clothing was handed away. In the spring of 1930, Horace anxious
Seeing that the animal was not going to turn, down. The[...]or boots but to get back to Montana, took one of the boys
the cowboy jerked out his rope and caught the some of them hated to wear them. A neighbor and went home to Montana. That fall he
steer. The slack went out of the rope and the came by one day and saw the[...]regained his feet, but Little Tex didn't news that the Cain kids had no shoes. It got was born, completing a family of 15. She was
move. Horace arrived shortly and knew[...]old, just before Thanksgiv-
before he dismounted that Little Tex was over that. ing, when[...]The trail herd continued Miles and consisted of one room built of logs. It was Pulling herself together, realizing she
way with a sad bunch of cowboys. a mile over the hills[...]e in the little log school. sent home to Texas for money to help them
of adjoining land and a big frame house was T[...]Maude (Gertie) and Alton Buster make room for dancing and the back of the past summer and many of the neighboring
were born there. One fellow that helped to desks were used for the sleeping babies and families moved away[...]everyone went to Broadus to get the
religious man that believed the Sabbath day those days. The w[...]s the government was giving
to be on Saturday and that he must be home sandwiches, cake and coffee for the midnight away.
before sundown on Friday[...]ced all night and when the Late summer of 1935 a hail storm wiped
would get him. The older[...]eek. Hail driven
a little mischievous and looking for a little hat to collect money to persuade th[...]chunks stuck together the size of a steamer
couldn't go home. They wanted to see if[...]no drinking in this school, but trunk. Some of the children were caught in
devil would get him.[...]n there were no dances close by, the older That fall, Roy (Fatso) and Charles (Short)
operated a[...]rd parties, quilting bees years. It was part of President Roosevelt's
Traveling twenty miles a day, they could and of course, the Christmas programs were Recovery Program. The boys were paid a sum
transport eight ton of freight for each of the held in the school house. Horace played for necessities and the rest of their wages
wagons. Horace liked to put a 9ronc in with Santa Claus for many years and was once were sent home[...]Mackin had the only thrashing ma-
freight wagon. That's when the fun started. on.[...]obstacle to the freighters. On wagon over for a visit. As they were leaving fall. Once, wh[...]er elderly
wagons taken across and then come back for on their way again. Horace was the only o[...]d whatever there was to bind. to the dance.
of the White Tail Ranger Station near Stacy. In 1923 the Cains acquired a section of Bessie took the three youngest girls to
"That's the year the chicken house burned farm land on Big Pumpkin Creek and a few Texas for a visit and made them white linen
down and Sal's[...]years later a section north of the home place. coats for the trip. Grandma Williams had a
Bessie alway[...]lled 35 in the hills up Stacy was negro maid. Of course, the girls had never
canned the surplus. T[...]ws. Deer and antelope They ran sheep for a few years, which town to shop and left the children with Marie,
were plentiful and much of this meat was Horace was not too fond of, so cattle soon the maid. She rocked the y[...]there were trips to the replaced the sheep except for a few bum sleep. When the shoppers got[...]sheepmen gave away. Later were informed that she, the maid, held the
currents and many other b[...]decided to have a dance in the upstairs of
stored on the rafters in the grainery away[...]ed them to move back until the wee hours of the morning. It was
most of the time. Mrs. Cain made bread every to Texas. He promised to give them a half good that they had a fine time because when
day. Cottage cheese was made from skimmed section of land if they would come home to Mama got h[...]live. Bessie being a none too happy with any of them.

232

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (222)[...]ldren grew up, married, and had At the time of her death, Horace and Bessie Eighty years ago, Oscar Cain and his
families of their own, the younger ones took had 57 grand[...]d an immigrant train from
over the responsibility of the farming and and great-great grandchildr[...]ived in Miles City. The Cain family
ranching, and of course, the chores. There Riders Museum Sto[...]stead in the new land of Montana. In
be turned. Wood had to be cut and hau[...]by Cain Family December of that year, the Cain family,
and coal to be carried. Wa[...]which at that time included seven children,
always empty. Many[...]homestead seventy miles south of Miles City.
to power the windmill. Hogs had to be[...]In 1920, Horace, with the help of Oscar and
the summer ice had to be gotten out of the[...]as much as eight ton of freight with their
Grandma Williams, from Texa[...]where living quarters were built for the forest
with the boys, they sure thought it wa[...]Cain Family had grown to eight
younger ones were, maybe not terrified of her,[...]Oscar, at the age of 16, started shearing
visited. She was sure to commandeer one of[...]Stone Shack Shearing Pens north of Miles
long, white hairs that grew on her chin). This[...]his proved to be a valuable trade as he
was a job that was viewed with mixed[...]continued to shear sheep for many years to
emotions - fear - and the reward -[...]1928, Oscar married Gladys Venable and
The 4th of July was usually celebrated at[...]County. Oscar was the ranch
Ranger Station. Lots of fried chicken, casser-[...]young couple stayed with the Suttons for four
many other goodies were consumed. Horsesh-[...]born.
and of course, a big baseball game made up[...]head of the Little Pumpkin Creek and
Bessie collected for the Cancer Fund in her[...]wanted to get started in the ranching busi-
area for a number of years. She was an active ness for themselves. In 1931, Oscar bought
member of the Powder River Business and[...]two Northern Pacific Railroad sections for
Professional Women's Club. She was named[...]aken at the $3.50 per acre. With the help of his two
State "Woman of the Year" for B.P.W. Sutton Ranch.[...]logs for the cabin were cut with a crosscut saw
City so some of the youngest could go on to[...]and skidded with a team of horses to the
school and she would have a place to stay
when she came to town. Several of the
children and their families lived in
"Grandma[...]t times. These
grandchildren were especially fond of their
grandmother and looked to her for guidance.
She loved children and was very good to[...]s her word was law.
She knew the favorite goodies of each
grandchild and always kept them on hand.
No[...]Most all the holidays were spent there
as so many of the "kids" lived in Miles City.
As many as 50 or 60 attended these celebra-
tions.
Mrs. Cain lost two of her children, Oscar
Sal in 1973 and Anna Maude (Gertie)
Peabody in 1975.
She lived and cared for herself until she
was in her late eighties. Her daughter,
Myrtle, came from California to care for her
until she passed away in November of 1980.
Jessie (Mrs. Ernest Tucker) resides[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (223)[...]spring Oscar sheared sheep from
about the first of May through June and the
money he earned helped[...]having leased the neighbor-
ing Ernest Shy Ranch for 5 years, Oscar
bought it and the family left the[...]to support the family
and Oscar devoted the rest of his life to the
ranching business. He added more[...]with him.
In this isolated country, schooling for the
kids was often a challenging situation. The[...]Thomas Calder
for thirty-five years, Oscar was a School
Trustee in District 29 of Powder River[...]with the Gold Rush to
Sal passed away in April of 1973 at the age[...]Alaska and the Klondike during the years of
of 67 years.[...]He was naturalized a citizen of our country
family man. He was very much a man wh[...]member of the Masonic Lodge in that town.
respected others. As a rancher, he probably[...]y in 1915 and purchased a
was best known early on for his ability to Tracy[...]"Tom" was president of the Powder River
drive and in the process had sev[...]s born April 15, 1926 on the ranch Chamber of Commerce for many years and
aways. He really liked a good team of horses at Volborg, Montana, the son of Horace and it was an annual event for many of the
and always had one on the ranch. During all Bessie Cain, being the 12th child of 15. He business and professional men to take steaks
the times of riding broncs, only once did he went to cou[...]freshments from their homes in Terry
get hurt and that was at the Sutton Ranch grade, at which[...]ferred to and travel to his ranch home for a big feed
when a horse kicked him in the leg. He[...]repre-
spent a week in the hospital and the rest of operated the Courthouse Service Center until senting the people of Prairie County in four
the summer on crutches.[...]the U.S. Army in 1953 through 1955. sessions of the State Legislature.
Besides the ranch and family, Sal probably He was then employed as a salesman for Thomas Calder remained a bachelor
got as much pleasure out of hunting and Northwestern Auto Supply of Billings, Mon- throughout his life and as of 1983 is survived
fishing as he did anything. He l[...]les City Sad- by a nephew, John B. Calder of Asheville,
deer and antelope and once broke a lea[...]r was born April 20, 1931, Thomas Calder of Charlotte, North Carolina,
of antelope. Although he never used a scope, only child of Alonzo Mervil and Grace M. and Donald Stuart Calder of Plantation City,
he was as good a shot as there w[...]28, 1951 at 77 years
area, Sal hunted and hunted for one of the School, Washington Junior High School, of age, at his ranch home at the mouth of Coal
wiley turkeys. He finally got one with his d[...], Tim M. Cain, born January 10,
two younger girls for catfish in a muddy 1955 and daughter, T[...]3, 1874 and came to He was the oldest of a family of five boys and
Montana in 1896 at the age of 22 and located two girls. His parents were D[...]near Lewistown. He remained a resident of (Matheson) Cameron. He walked two[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (224)[...]a cup of tea; attending the Presbyterian[...]a home-away-from-home for six of their[...]town for high school.[...]John was named honorary Shriner of the[...]board member of the Caledonian Society for[...]of 97. A Range Riders Museum Story.[...]F128

to school for 11 years where their education awfully cold but he was so proud of his car
included English, French and Latin.[...]ie played
over and were ranching there. He worked for the bagpipes for entertainment. In the spring
various sheep ranche[...]rthside and the yearlings ran on the
his own band of sheep. He summered the Fulton Range.
sheep on the northside, but often wintered The fall of 1931 they moved the sheep to
them on the Rosebud. He homesteaded in the North Dakota because of no grass in Mon-
Crowrock area for a time. Some of his tana. Don was born in Miles City in[...]They stayed two years
He went home to Scotland for a month in near Medora on the Little Missour[...]o born at home in Duirinish, August 10, head of sheep, so they decided to return to
1901. Her par[...]September, 1933.
also walked two miles to school for 11 years Chris was born October 1933. This was their
learning Latin, French, and Knitting. The home for eighteen years. Dunkie was a
school day started with everyone together for partner until 1940 and Donald until 1949.
praye[...]e was 21, working at estates in the sum- two of the Scots who worked for them.
mers. On the estates, girls worked in the[...]d they During the depression the thing that Jessie Kenneth and Lloyd; Front: Bernice, Ma[...]slaughter 300 ewes, and received a dollar for
visit. e[...]youngest In order to get winter feed for the sheep was born November 12, 1900, in S[...]ounty, Iowa, in the Princeton area. He was
spring of 1926 and John decided to stay so he some of the winters where John bought silage the son of Dave and Bell Carter. He had four
sent for Jessie. Because of immigration she and beet tops.[...]ng a -place. Dave decided he wanted a place of
days to come across to Montreal, Canada w[...]ree weeks going to hockey ten miles south of Miles City for five years, bought a place on the Mizpah an[...]Tibbetts Ranch north of Terry for five years. Margaret Weipert Carter was[...]country friends, as well as city, stopping in for Ferdinand Weipert died in 1910 of a heart[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (225)[...]went to Sioux City on the cattle train and I[...]road looked long as I was not yet 12 years old.[...]I guess I still hate to sell a cow. In the years[...]when I was growing up, I just assumed dry[...]ing back now (1988), makes me wonder if I[...]I spent five of my eight years of grade[...]After graduation, I moved back home as
Back row (1-r): Karen, Ira, Be[...]my dad was killed at the age of 64 when a
Front: Julie, Frances, Patsy and Collee[...]horse fell with him in July of 1941, leaving my
November 4, 1966[...]mother with six of us kids ages three to 18[...]Much of our grazing land was leased from
moved to Montana[...]rter) Carey at 25th anniversary In September of 1947 Mother moved to[...]Randy, to school, so I was a bachelor - but
dren: Lloyd who married Bett[...]not for long.
Kenneth who married Delores Bone, Bernice[...]On November 20, Bernice Carter and I
who married Del Carey and Doris who[...]were married. It was the best deal I ever
married Ed Irion. Margaret and Ted lived[...]made. She is the daughter of Frank and
east of Coalwood where they farmed until[...]margaret Carter of Coalwood.
1975 when they retired. They leased the[...]Bernice and I stayed on the home place,
place and moved to Mile[...]lly concentrating more on feed and
active part in that community also.[...]been substituted for the Hereford cows we
November 20th, but years lat[...]raised when I was a boy. Bernice says,
est daughter, Frances, was also born on that however, that we are too old to raise Salers.
date. Del was bor[...]ve added more land to the place - land
is the son of Ira S. Carey and Bessie Trainer[...]payments again. When I bought the land
Carey (story given elsewhere). Be[...]Uncle Walt Malone originally owned, I
Del live on the ranch Del was raised on. They[...]visited with a banker friend. I wanted
have six children:[...]someone to hold my hand, I guess. I will never
Mrs. Marvin (Karen) Wallace lives o[...]forget what he told me, "I don't know how
farm near Terry, Montana. They have thre[...]you can ever pay for it, Del, but remember,
children: Brian, Michele a[...]no one has made a bad deal in real estate for
Ira and his wife, Christi Tanner Hinkel[...]at that time. I told my wife that we would
Jamuel, California. He works on construc[...]n, Delanie, Micheal and Douglas. I was born in Miles City, November 20,
They live on[...]Broken Bow, 1924, the second child of six born to Ira and
Nebraska.[...]ives on a We lived on a ranch west of Volborg that CAREY, IRAS.
ranch at Shell, Wyo[...]bulk of the cattle in 1934 when cows brought born[...]$16 to $20 a head. Dad moved the rest of his with both his mother and father's par[...]summer pasture that year. I was along with in 1983. This is where I[...]ld saddle horse, riding He was the oldest of six boys: Pearl (who died
her saddle. I remember I couldn't reach the in infancy), Frank Ro[...]stirrups as I was small for my age. Eva E., and Alva M. He h[...]In 1936 most of the rest of the cows had to Helen Webb (French). Severa[...]go as the bad years continued. I was allowed ers spent some time in this a[...]ong with the Bennetsen brothers (Jess turn of the century.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (226)[...]he worked for Judge Loud and Fred Hitzfeldt[...]at the SL, then for J.M. Holt at the WL in[...]1899. 1900 found him on the north side of the[...]Yellowstone working for L.W. Stacy, man-[...]ager of the LU. Lawrence Higgins was the[...]near what is now Cohagen. Ed Lemmon of the[...]by the head for Pierre Wibaux. After leaving[...]there, Ira went to work for the N Bar (N)[...]of Mosby as pony wrangler and worked there[...]first of July, 1904. Lim Stone and later Dick[...]in 1904 many of Ira's letters which are still[...]in the spring of 1906, Ira found more[...]on Pumpkin Creek, 49 miles southeast of[...]Miles City. Ira remained here for six years.[...]er Carey, March 6, 1920 an organization made up of area ranchers.[...]number of cows it ran and to share the
of his cane which caused Ira to leave home at expenses of the roundups accordingly. At one
Ira S. Carey the age of twelve. He never returned home time 40,000 head of cattle were listed with the[...]with the group were Fred
especially the crossing of the Missouri. The worked for various neighbors and relatives Hitzfeldt,[...]nly Ira's until he came to Miles City in May of 1896. Charley Simpson and Al Berry. Billy Glenn
Uncle Bud House to bring Ira and his mother For the first few years, Ira hired on at was th[...]e wagon across different ranches as most of the work was wagons with Tom Horton on the[...]yed in 1896 by The directors were in charge of the activities
experience for Ira, and he assured us he beat Steve Darnall who lived ten miles south of of the roundups and the wagon bosses were
everyone t[...]y and then by Mr. Farnum at the in charge of the men. Each cowman furnished
tually Ira's grand[...]me to reverse E2 in 1897. This had earlier that same cowboys and horses according to the number[...]year been the Concord Cattle Company. Next of cattle he owned. This method proved to be[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (227)[...]operated - from 1904 organization told some of the older cowboys her homestead, moved them[...]his they would take their horse to town for them Later, they bought a half section from[...]e SL to Hitzfeldt. Hitzfeldt ran if they would like to ride as a group in the Carter and still later when Otha's father
it until, because of failing health, he sold it parade. Ira refused,[...]ran cattle with the Pool marked with horse for the occasion. On the way to town he and bough[...]ing A which he first recorded in commented that if nothing went wrong, he In the early years Otha had a truck and
1902. He acquired a place of his own on the was finally going to get to do something he hauled quite a little freight for neighbors.
north fork of Foster Creek in 1909, while he had always wa[...]y were lining There was farming with raising of alfalfa seed
still ran with the Pool and worked for up for the parade, Ira's horse reared a little and ha[...]nearly every year they raised some
who was a cook for the SL. Ira paid Billy a curb, and a few[...]gs. - A Range Riders Museum Story.
Crawford $500. for his holdings. This was a the life of this man, who was a friend to all
little over a year's wages for a $40. a month who knew him, quietly slipped[...]by Gladys Carter
cowboy. One of the buildings on his new Range Riders[...]building had a progress chart showing
the growth of several Irion boys carved on the[...]ALBERT
doorsill. I am told another Irion brother CAROLAN[...]married and a fancy new log home with two
rooms of generous size was built for him. Ira (RED)[...]rn November 19, Seven active children of the Dave Carter
the first year he came to Montana[...]ornia. His family spent the early years of their lives
buffalo, which were plentiful at that time, parents were of Irish stock who pioneered to going to school[...]in 1882 - enjoying life as was the custom of those times.
related another incident about shipping in bringing shipments of cattle for Judge Loud In 1910, the family moved to[...]bulls. John and his brother and one shipment for Zook & Alderson and Dakota. Six years later, in March of 1916, Otis
Ben had brought the bulls from Missour[...]ed trailed horses from Oregon to Montana for of Powder River County. Otis worked on
the bulls on[...]late Theodore Roosevelt and Pierre section of Mizpah land next to his father's
so he could have the horses ready to take the Wibaux in a transaction of over $100,000 in homestead. He developed th[...]Soon after leaving Bismark exchanging cattle for horses. able alfalfa farm.
th[...]re cargo than He was a livestock operator for years and May 5, 1935, wedding bells rang for Otis
he could pull, so John had to walk! was a member of Montana Stockgrowers and Grace Cushi[...]Gilmore place was our first home.
years that time. Bessie's oldest sister had McHugh on[...]Days, selling our cattle to the government for
Malone. Bessie stayed with them when the[...]$20.00 a head, having been infested with
rest of the family returned to Missouri. Upon A Rang[...]practically no rain, we braved the odds by
for the ranch. I suppose they made the first by Lou Wheeler[...]contracting to buy the Sam Hudson place.
leg of the journey on the stage, as they[...]ically nothing
stopped at the Charlie Allen ranch that night. except the will to work, it was gratifying to
The weathe[...]observe progress. More land was added as
of going home in Ira's 1917 seven passenger[...]time went on, and one of the finest little
Studebaker, Ira rode home and g[...]ranches in the county was enjoyed.
of grey stallions behind which they finished[...]ied in much time as he could on the place that he
Having bought some railroad land and the spring of 1925 and came to Montana that had worked so hard to develop. He served as[...]had come out when his folks, Dave a Justice of the Peace in Broadus for a couple
a desert claim, Ira had a nice little pl[...]Carters had come a few years earlier, but had of years. Cancer of the spine and heart
this time. In 1922 a daughter[...]nly one night in the log Gladys. They decided that Montana was When we were married,[...]nted to make their home. in realizing that his 104 lb. bride was neither
frame house they ha[...]d experienced nor blessed with the aptitudes of
came along in 1928 and rode home from the house on land that John Lehane had which hardy ranch work,[...]efore retiring to Miles City
had mastered the art of driving quite well, but was there that their first child, Phyllis, was in the winter of 1972, she had had 40 years
a mechanic he was not,[...]born. Later they rented a place Macodonskie of experience in education. These 40 years
on the St[...]eaded and which had a sod house consisted of 27 years classroom teaching, nine
rendered it qui[...]es, Allen, and Beth. It then belonged to dent of Schools, and four years as school
1938 respectively. That completed the fam- the McIntosh holdings.[...]bered as "Smiley Car-
Ira was a charter member of the Range been homesteaded by Charley LaRiviere. ter," a nickname that well describes this
Riders, and looked forward to[...]ad log house had been moved, so they
one. In July of 1941 the Range Riders bought[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (228)[...]Mr. Cato held the position of manager with Territory in 1866. He took the name of Joe
CASTLEBERRY,[...]FRANK purchasers of the XIT horses and cattle Prior to that time he was employed along the[...]F134 remnants, this in the firm name of Cato & Missouri River as a wood cutter for steam-[...]20, 1881, he married Miss Julia the exception of two years spent in Miles City
March 6, 1870. He w[...]in the early 1900's. He married an Indian
the age of 14. He had an uncle in Texas and children, E[...]and settled down near Oswego, just
went to school for a short time after arriving Leo. east of where the old fort once stood. He went
there. He started herding mares after that In 1898, Mr. Cato was persuaded to accept[...]885, came to the Democratic nomination for sheriff and Nashua or Glasgow.
Montana wit[...]In was elected, and in the administration of the It was said that until near the end of his
the fall of 1885, Frank and a friend named office had g[...]tockholder and director in fearing punishment for deserting the army.
detouring by the way of Arkansas, spending the State National bank of Miles City. By Assured he would not be punished, Joe
most of the winter near Little Rock, and appointment of the governor, was the repre- confided his st[...]in Texas the next spring (1886) in sentative of Custer county on the State Board augment his w[...]time to come back to Montana with another of Livestock Commissioners. H[...]He was also a Mason, a member of the full military honors, with some of Valley
In the spring of 1887, Frank or the AOUW and the Elks.[...]n Bros. horse ranch in
Colorado during the winter of 1887, returning
to Montana the spring of 1888 to resume work CHESWORTH,
for the Hashknife (with headquarters on Box
Elder Creek, twenty-five miles southeast of CATRON, BRIT AND[...]T ARTHUR
Ekalaka). He worked there until the fall of
1895, when he homesteaded on Russell[...]AND LUCILLE DALY
Creek, two miles northwest of Ekalaka, and[...]s City,
this union were born five children. Three of in 1879, coming with his parents to Montana[...]His parents, having established a daughter of Chas. and Abigail Daly. She had
Myrtle (the on[...]y were there, and as a young man, worked for the lived with her folks on the Daly Ranch[...]He later went into ranching for himself and 1889 on a ranch near Washburn, Nort[...]in Baker, Montana. Dakota. Robert was the son of John and Clara
Vivian Fulton; they have three son[...]F137 for several years.[...]F135 for two years then returned to his family in wife[...]home where he suffered a heart attack.
age of fourteen he left home, and for the four[...]led and
years succeeding he followed the fortunes of by John B. and Solomon Catron,[...]red a broken hip and passed
accepted the position of manager for John[...]Home on
Lane, later serving in the same capacity for December 18, 1973. - A Range Riders
"Bill" Day, for "Ike" T. Pryor and for J.W.[...]y, 1977.
Driscoll, finally accepting the position of CHAMBERLAIN,
manager for the XIT outfit (or the Capital[...]by Eila Schulz and Sadie Glover
Syndicate Co. of Texas) that was to be JOSEPH BUTCH
launched in Montana.
In 1890 the XIT people were looking for a (UNCLE JOE BUTCH)
responsible man to take charge of the big[...]g up in Custer
county, Montana, on the north side of the Joseph Butch Chamberlain, kn[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (229)[...]rtainment, visiting, cards,
Possibly the love for adventure and inde- games and dancing. T[...]This In 1922 Annie had moved to Miles for
trait was an inheritance from her English education for the two younger girls, spending
father, William[...]d stock sharp mind so she never lacked for employ-
raising.[...]and boarded teachers, did home care for
1882. She was the oldest of four children - two invalids, helped in homes and for many years
girls and two boys. Her mother, Hannah worked at the State School for Boys.
Tindall Davidson, passed away when Annie[...]ver re- Childress, a long time good friend of the
married. A devoted father, with the help of family, formerly from the Olive-Mizpah a[...]many nice friends. They truly enjoyed the
that helped her immensely in her later life.[...]n 1962 and she lived alone, in
Davidson household for her father. When her their comfortable[...]Frank. She continued in her endless spirit
chose that town, arriving May 1, 1901. She with r[...]Barney & Mamie (Berg) Helvik, parents of Mamie[...]for a twenty-five dollar fee, and nurse Elsie[...]Flinn for five dollars, in attendance. Their[...]built in a bank with a sod roof. He is one of[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (230)[...]old, her mother died of Typhoid fever and she at the same place in N[...]Elmer was a farmer; he also did thrashing for[...]ovember 21, 1936, came from Hole Ringeri- of his brothers-in-law filed on homesteads in[...]ugust 24, 1869, died January 20, 1951, came of 1921, Elmer and Persis and their children
From le[...]n (Clark) Comstock, Persis went by the name of Berg. She started school Dakota. With their party of two wagons
(Geist) Clark Clifford Clark. Taken wi[...]a. In 1920 they moved to pulled by a team of two horses each (some-[...]Mamie finished school cows and two crates of chickens, they then
and worked on various ranches[...]ion from high took a four day trip by way of Devils tower,
during the summer. In 1926 he start[...]the Square Deal Garage was closed added on for additional room.
Bert worked there until July 193[...]rage. This was during the depression, he for ten years for a building for a museum, born in Miles City. Elmer painted cars, he
traded some labor for coal, eggs, potatoes, moving back to Miles City for the winters. In had the first spray paint gu[...]e building and equipment
However, cash was needed for parts. This was[...]ed. Elmer and his oldest son, Sam, then
the start of Bert's gun collection, which was[...]in Miles
provided by the Range Riders and people of[...]d Persis spent the
Barney and Mamie (Berg) Helvik of Calabar, AND PERSIS (GEIST)[...]celebrate their
a farm called Helvik in the area of Sunde, There were ten children in his fa[...]rk was born March 25, At this time five of the children and their
Norway. Barney Helv[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (231)[...]of her death.[...]Ladies Aid. She was also a member of the[...]and Custer Chapter No. 25 of the Order of the[...]gust 1987, celebrating a fiftieth
anniversary and for a family picnic, which has
been held every year s[...]ril 12, 1888, near Stephen,
Minnesota, a daughter of Sam Sanderson and
Carrie Benson Sanderson. She was the fourth
of five children, four of whom accompanied
their parents to Sweet Grass Cou[...]W.B. (Laura) Clarke
tana, in the early nineties. For several years[...]William B. Clarke, who was at the time
slope of t he Crazy Mountains, where the emplo[...]ber. On Lowestoft, on the east coast of England not
The family moved to Big Timber to obt[...]ear Great Yarmouth, on Aug. 13,
the country north of Terry, Montana, one of The couple took up their residence in[...]born to this union - while
which was at the mouth of Duck Creek, where small brick house at 5[...]in England - one daughter, Maude, who
the town of Circle is situated. In the fall of 1911 they purchased the home at 703 South[...]1921, and the large home on the corner of Herbert, who was still born.
attended high school, which was, at that time, Stower and Jordan (519 South Jordan)[...]ngland, in 1882, arriving in Miles City,
block 11 of Darling's Addition. They purchased and moved into the house at Montana, on one of the first passenger trains
While attendi[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (232)[...]dam was a half-thoroughbred bay that the[...]Dad rode Prince on the streets of Miles City[...]for many years until he and my mother[...]moved to California in 1920. At that time[...]Prince was taken to the ranch of my brother,[...]Charley, on Cherry Creek north of Terry,[...]where he died at the age of 29 years.[...]maturity with the exception of Walter New-[...]ell, who died from being hurt i~ternally by a[...]slough some half mile or so north of the[...]On November 30, 1909, I took, as my future[...]of her life in Sweet Grass County, although
Richard[...]r coat. 1913. Survivors at the time of her passing,
and three (3) girls - (names and dates of birth[...]granddaughter Roberta Rae and grandson
of writing this history, there are surviving one cember 1876 in a village near the city of Great Thomas Warren, and her sister Cora S[...]e girls - Emily Yarmouth on the eastern coast of England. son.
M.; Elizabeth W., and[...]ter Maude, who died in infancy, a son of the century one ofmy schoolmates, Joseph
rado, an[...]ompanied them to Bateman Jr., and I formed a partnership
given above.[...]erbert who was still under the name of Bateman & Clarke and
Richard R. Clarke became[...]Sale Yards. We purchased a section of land
time he landed here, his principal activities trade, but as far back as I can remember he in the Pine Hills (section 5-7N-49E) from
being - plowing paths in the winter for owned a horse; at first they were Indi[...]ponies, then, as they were disposed of, he for a corral from Henry Klunder, built a good
School[...]corral right near a splendid spring and we
that time and which stood on the south - half hor[...]roan were in the horse business. I do not remember
of the block now occupied by the present ([...]red first.
Washington School), and being a member of quired from N.P. Sorenson. Prince's sire[...]ter we acquired other horses, sometimes
the board of School District No. 1 for many a Morgan owned by Randolph Deibel, and his purchasing the remnant of a herd and getting
years.
Alice Boyce Clarke was known as "an angel
of mercy" in that she had studied a text book
on homeopathic medici[...]Boyce Clarke has been active in
civic affairs, in that he has been a member of
the school board of School District No. 1, and
also a member of the city council, the latter
for ten years. To the union of William B.
Clarke and Laura Sanderson Clarke, the[...]iam Boyce Clarke, Jr., who is
now the active head of the Clarke Insurance
Service. - A Range Riders Mu[...]The Courthou e I cro s The treet[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (233)[...]ay, the Aitchisons, the Neece McCowns, for Billy Clarke. He celebrated his 80th
crease with[...]y the the Earnest Stewarts and a host of others who birthday on April 19, 1964 and a host of
Joseph Bateman Sr. horses branded (brace from time to time worked that little spot of friends came to wish him well. There were[...]ch is now all fenced. In any ordinary myriad of greeting cards. He thoroughly
Weaver remnant wit[...]sed a (reversed K) on the in the time when I was enjoying sitting on a his home at 211[...]We would purchase a gumbo hill looking for horses through my able there alone until the spring of 1969,
saddle horse at the sale or from a horse field glasses or riding in a cloud of dust when he suffered what proved to be[...]a buckskin and a bay from behind a bunch of horses from the Bob heart attack. It was no longer practical for
Randolph Deibel, and, when Butler & Wilder[...]and him to live alone and in the fall of that year,
disposed of their cattle, we bought seven head Mill Cree[...]on he moved to the new Custer County Rest
of well broke horses from them. One was a[...]turn most any bunch or growing all kinds of flowers and vegetables in nition of his 85th birthday and again, he was
range horses. I never saw a more willing the garden.[...]aphy written receiving congratulatory cards for days. All
Our horses ranged on both sides of Pump- during the month of November, 1964, and in all, a good li[...]quaw, Mill and in a memorial story when I yearn no longer Riders Museum Story.
Log Creeks to the Pine Hill country. It was for those good old days so long past - this will
our[...]ure them during the breeding the story of my "lady", which, together with
season and then t[...]the range Memorial Hall, along with those of my CLAUSON, AXEL AND
again, brandi[...]lasted until December 31, From the time of retirement in 1961, W.B.
1912, which was soon aft[...]Axel Clauson was born in Karlstad, Minne-
I purchased his interest in the partnership[...]on Sep-
holdings (which included some town lots). I affecting Miles City and the people of the tember 27, 1891. He came to Montana in
was getting too many horses for my one community. He continued to attend all of the 1912. He worked in Miles City for a short
section pasture, so I sold that to Judge C.H. official meetings of his church, the Republi- time, then filed on a homestead, northwest of
Loud and purchased three other sections[...]c Rites, Garden Club during World War I, being in France at the
and sections 25 and 35-8N[...]eldom missed the Wednesday night time of the Armistice. In 1925 he bought a
Preller the W ½ of section 30-8N-49, and stag at the Miles City Club. He carried on piece of land in the Cohagen area, where he
leased section[...]ed his home. He added more land to
from the State of Montana. These lands were world. He publi[...]by roads, but were so Old Ones" made up of a series of authentic . Holton, December 14, 1926. They lived on
fenced that there was a good spring in each stories a[...]shack on surrounding area. The manuscript for a four children, William and Nick, who ranch
the Lou Preller place but I never used it. I also second book, tentatively entitled "My 60[...]mond, who live in Miles City. During
but disposed of them to Fred Krueger. I did completed up through 1954. Ultimately[...]ook, at least in commissioner, a member of the draft board
known as the Cleever section); it[...]the "Fritz" road, which ran south from the
"top" of the Government Hill to the Fritz
ranch and then o[...]pread. There was about 100 acres on the east
side of the Fritz road with a real good spring
on it. I sold this piece to Mr. Fritz after I had
used it a couple of seasons, and a little later
I sold him the balance of it.
When I sold my horses to Louis and Frank
Bircher in the fall of 1918, I sold sections 25
and 35 and the W ½ of section 32 above
mentioned, together with the lease on section
36 to the State of Montana for pasturage for
their " dry" stock of the State Industrial
School. Before purchasing the property, A.C.
Dorr, then superintendent of the school and
Governor J.E. Erickson accompanied me to
"The Hills" and we drove over much of the
property. I brought my saddle horses in to
one of the sales, except Skiddoo. I turned him
and my saddle over to C.A. Walker, who was
operating the Gilmore section for Judge
Loud, and that was the last time that I ever
saw horse or saddle, and also the end of my
actual range life.
I then turned my full attention to the
abstract and insurance business, but to this
day, in my eightieth year, I yearn for the
range and such friends as the Birchers[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (234)during World War I, tax appeal board, and
various other community ac[...]ime to his hobby, cabinet making. He was
a member of the Masonic Lodge, Veterans of
World War I and the Baptist Church. He
passed away on February 7, 1980, at the age
of 88.
Caralynn Holton was born in Sioux Falls,
S[...]1906. She moved with her
parents to a ranch south of Livingston,
Montana in 1907. They moved to Miles City
in 1910. Her father filed on a homestead at
that time in the Cohagen area, where she
spent her gir[...], 1926, and since then has
lived the typical life of a farm wife. - A
Range Riders Museum Story.[...]State Nor-
mal school, graduating with the class of 1889.
After taking a course of study at the Curtis
Business College in St. Paul[...]gaged in the cattle business.
In 1895 he disposed of his livestock and
purchased an interest in a larg[...]l article
was in demand. It was no uncommon thing
for orders to come from Texas, New Mexico,
Arizona an[...]ove all else".
Charles E. Coggshall is the son of Eri
Coggshall one of the pioneers of Custer
County, who came to Miles City in 1880 and[...]Beverly. There were no neighbors my life. I was going to be a librarian but
moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin where he for the first years. We didn't know how to became a teacher instead. A group of young
died in 1943. - A Range Riders Museum[...]for an exciting ride. We didn't get to ride very se[...]n years old. Our jaw together when he set it. Of course I was
F148[...]oo many accidents. on a liquid diet for two months. This occurred[...]Mother was a teacher and taught all of us the week before I was to go back to school in
Margret Anna McKelvey Cole was born until I was ready for high school at 11 years. Missoula, missing th[...]hen moved to Baker, Montana and I then decided I'd make my first million
Kathron Hannon McKelvey went to her Daddy stayed on the ranch most of the time teaching so I went t o t he new Normal school
mother's home for the occasion, Mrs. Law- for two years. Then we were sent to California that later became Eastern in Billings. I
rence Hannon. In those days you planned[...]onths to the new teacher. My senior year I graduated from class. However, I did go to Eastern the winter
father, Jud (Jird) M[...]ranch Custer County High School at age 15. I went and spring quarter in 1928. I took a teacher's
ten miles south of Ashland, Margret grew up to Missoula for a year then. test to[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (235) country school for four months.[...]ake two trips a day with a wagon, 5 ton rack,
I looked out the school window and[...]most time off the wagon.
for three days and I was 17 and I had an I went to Montana State winter and spring
eighth g[...]quarters in 1927 then to Montana Normal at
old. I taught for 14 years but he was the most[...]llon and graduated in 1929 but never
appreciated of all my pupils. He hauled[...]e land was added
played with the first graders - I have no idea to the ranch so I decided to stay on the
what I would have done without him. homestead. I have always been interested in
My mother had[...]the land, government and people. I served
Christmas time so I resigned to be with her.[...]several years on Treasure County PMA (now
I next taught school at Armells Creek. I met[...]that I was elected County Commissioner of
community were quite a curiosity so he[...]Treasure County and served 20 years in that
claimed he had to get acquainted with the[...]I've always enjoyed hunting and fishing. I
miles west of the school.[...]tion, serving as president or
nia. My father and I went out to visit her. She is wearing her black leather fringed riding outfit. director for over 40 years and have helped to
had gone to Los[...]host the annual fish fry held on the ranch for
for cancer treatment.[...]In the 1920's and 1930's there was always
of its pupils due to families moving so it was[...]somewhere. A ticket
closed in January. Norris and I planned to be on February 24, 1875 on his fa[...]d owned a general store. On take a girl for $1.00 and dance all night. One
January 23, 1931 a[...]night at a Kline's Dance Hall, just west of
Ashland. My mother and father were married[...]e Forsyth, a new teacher was there. I met her,
there on January 20, 1907 and my two sis[...]Creek School. We went together for 1 ½ years
Goe Delmeire), were also married at th[...]rris was Montana. A sign read, "Register for the and at the Mission in Ashland i[...]nd Mrs. D.E. drawing on the Ceded Strip of the Crow afternoon. Margret was ra[...]Dad did register and in the Tongue River valley. I have been a very
are still on the same ranch; a different house, the spring of 1906 he was notified he could lucky guy to have met that teacher.
but for 68 years, our home place. file o[...]fter he sold the "Rocking Chair" in 1944 of the Yellowstone, reaching to the river, eight of the best grandchildren and one great
until he died in 1958. I kept my mother's north of the hills in the valley. It is three miles grandchild in all the "Big S[...]east of Sanders, Montana, a railroad siding. I love Montana and the ranch where I was
We have three children: Norris McKelvey,[...]as and on October born here "On the Banks of the Yellowstone."
Kathron Priscilla Moorhouse and[...]6 he landed in Sanders in an immi- I have a pin I fasten on my coat. It says
Albert. We have eight[...]dle mare from a mare colt Montana."
I finally received my Bachelors Degree in his[...]on 40 years later in 1969. My mother old - I still have a mare from this blood line[...]lways said your education was something that has been in the family for over 100 years
you couldn't lose or have taken from you. Our - a wagon, plow, piano and things that would
children all have their degrees and the[...]ed a thorough and liberal education -
on a number of tours from Alaska to Austral- January 10, 1[...]at Sarpy Creek. Morris and I went three years tury. In a later generat[...]were so happy - we thought we record of both families include soldiers of the
EDWARD[...]F149 a team and lumber wagon and 12 or 15 of us Amos Morris Collins, grandfather of John[...]ers. The West Sanders school B., was for many years in the wholesale dry[...]s business at Hartford, Connecticut,
On The Banks of the Yellowstone Sanders - all eight grades and high school. served as mayor of that city and his remains
I attended there three years of high school are buried there. He marrie[...]ed in 1925. and they were the parents of six children.
1907 in a two-room house on the "Banks of I worked on the farm; in the fall I hauled The second child was Morris Collins, father
the Yellowstone" on "the Ceded Strip of the sugar beets to Finch, 2 ½ miles east. I would of John B., who was born in Massachusetts

246

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (236) but was reared in Hartford, Connecticut. In member of the Knights of Pythias and the
1849 he established his hom.e in St. Louis, Pioneers of Eastern Montana. COMBS,[...]At St. Louis, Dec. 14, 1874 he married Miss
of lead pipe and sheet lead. During the Civil Nellie Davis, daughter of Christopher and (BILL)
War Morr[...]F152
Mississippi Valley Sanitary Commission, two sons were born - Morris and Charles
which in that war did the work performed in Blatchford. The second wife of Mr. Oollins
recent wars by the Red Cross. was Miss Nellie Thompson, daughter of T.J.
Morris Collins married Martha Wicks[...]pson, an Ohio family. She
Blatchford, a daughter of Rev. Dr. John died at Forsyth on June 18, 1903 and had
Blatchford of New York, a prominent Pres- lived in Monta[...]rents established their home there. - A
minister of that church in Chicago. Range Riders Museum Story, 1964.
John Blatchford Collins was the oldest of
seven children of his parents. From the time
John B. finished his education until 1883, he
served the dry-goods house of Dodd, Brown
& Company of St. Louis, Missouri, until 1873. COMBS, HELEN
As a commission man handling pig-iron and
iron ore for the firm of Spooner & Collins (MINIFIE)
until[...]e lines. I, Helen Minifie, was born in Ceballos, I, William (Bill) Combs was born in Miles
In 1883, John B. and his brother Amos Cuba, the daughter of William (Jack) and City, Montana on Feb. 10, 1918, the son of
Morris Collins came out to Montana for the Verna (Witham) Minifie on April 26, 1918. William A. and Edith (Mann) Combs. Home
purpose of entering the livestock business. Shortly after I was born the family moved to was a small ranch six miles east of Crow Rock
They failed to make the arrangements they Portland, Oregon and, before I was a year old, Post Office on Whites Creek. I lived there
desired, while his brother returned h[...]9 the family moved to a ranch near until I was eleven years old, attending school
John B. Co[...]ich cast Paulina, in central Oregon. There I attended at the Washington School for two years and
his lot permanently with the destiny of grade school in a one room school house. The then going to school in Terry for four years
Montana. first year I rode horseback with my brother until we moved to a ranch south of Miles City
His first connection at Miles City[...]our in the Stacey area finishing two years of grade
assistant postmaster under Major N. Burk-[...]d to wrap our school at North Stacey School. I started high
hardt, discharging his duties for three years. feet with gunny sacks to keep the[...]ut after my father died in
He then became manager of the mercantile freezing. The next year the school was moved 1933 I finished my high school education at
house of Capt. William Harmon, with which about on[...]ter County High School in Miles City.
he remained for three years. Following that could walk, which was a good thing for me as In the spring of 1936 it was a tough time
he was clerk to William[...]graduated from the eighth to get a job so I spent my time with short time
estate and insurance business, and in 1892 grade and I wouldn't have had him to ride ranch jobs[...]his active political service as secretary with. I finished grade school there and then In late winter of 1937 I went to work for
to Thomas H. Carter, commissioner of t he went to Crook County High School in[...]d Office at Washington, D.C. Prineville for my freshman year. In May, for $10 a month and my room and board, for
With the change in national administra- 1934 we moved to Miles City, Montana. I was a couple of months. It wasn't much for pay
tion Mr. Carter resigned and took the very unhappy about leaving all of my friends but it got my feet out from under my mother's
chairmanship of the National Republican in Oregon and I cried all of the way to table. Then I got a 300 percent raise and this
Committee. Mr. Collins then returned to Montana. I look back on that now and realize salary continued until hayin[...]Miles City. that must have been very difficult for my I got $45.00 a month. I worked there until the
He then formed a partne[...]ts to see me so unhappy, but after we fall of 1938 when I went to work as a mechanic
Towers, in the livestock, real estate and were here for a while and got acquainted I for Chuck Walters in Miles City, Montana.
insurance b[...]ch better. My dad came to In 1940 I was wealthy enough to take on a
& Co., a firm that did an extensive business Montana to manage a ranch near Volborg for bride, who I fell in love with at the Minifie
until 1898 when[...]on and we had ranch, namely Helen Minifie. I continued to
office of superintendent of the Federal Forest a neighbor named George Gosselin who took work for Walters Repair Shop until I pur-
Reserve at Missoula, Montana. In 1901, he my sister and me to all of the dances in the chased the place in 1975. I continued to
resigned and re-entered the livestoc[...]y- operate it as Walter Repair Shop until I
mission business at Helena. In 1903, to[...]fun time and soon forgot how lonely March of 1943, twin sons were born to us,
Forsyth. After her death he continued in the we were. I attended school at Custer County William A.[...]h School in Miles City and graduated in I went to the service in the fall of 1942,
1905. He once more returned to Miles City, 1937. In August of 1940 I married Bill Combs serving in the Army Air F[...]and we made our home in Miles City where of Las Vegas, Nevada, for which I received no
In 1914, he was elected to represent Custer he was a mechanic for Chuck Walters. We commendations or deco[...]a son, John H., in August, 1954. Our
'old-timer' of Miles City has stated that John youngest son was born in 1954. The childr[...]sons grew up and became medical
B. was president of the Miles City Chamber were our pride and[...]doctors, our Linda a nurse, and son John a
of Commerce for a considerable number of all immensely and enjoyed going to all of their teacher and band director. We have eleven[...]all grown and grandchildren.
was chairman of the Custer Co. Council of married now and have children of their own,
Defense and was commissioned as one of the which we adore. We only wish they all[...]by William Combs
"four-minute" men. At the time of the live so far away from us but we go to see them
Victory Loan drive he was chairman of the whenever we can and they come to see us
Speakers Bureau of his county. when possible.
He was a member of the American Histori-
cal Association. He was pro[...]Church, serving as elder and
secretary-treasurer for more than twenty
years. Fraternally he was affiliated with the
Sons of the American Revolution and was a[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (237)[...]away of blood poisoning April 3, 1933. He was year[...]June 14, 1893. She spent her summer of 1897 the Family moved to La-[...]was married to William Combs, spring of 1916 he moved, with part of his[...]ster would come from Alonzo worked for a time at Fort Keogh,[...]she lost her husband in 1933 the Spring of 1921 they bought a tract of land[...]17 grandchildren and one great- remainder of their days, maintaining a[...]ill owns the ranch (Daly) "Headquarters" for their family to gather[...]Alonzo died September 17, 1931, of a heart[...]attack at age 75. Leanetta died of cancer on[...]City Cemetery. All their children, except[...]Of their children who lived in Miles City,[...]LONZO Johnson, of Miles City, no issue. Carmen[...]married Elmer Weaver of the pioneer family[...]daughter of Harry and Olga Boast of Miles[...]isconsin. He married deceased. Bob died of a heart attack on a

Edith Mann Combs

Will[...]te teens he came north
to Wyoming where he worked for Senator
Kendrick on his ranch, for two years. He
came to the Miles City area and worked for
different cattle outfits. About 1911 he took
up a[...]ttea Jean and Elmer Weaver, (daughter and husband of
Robert Sydney, Norma Jean (Mrs. Lester[...]Weaver). Back row: Ruth (Johnson) Comstock, wife of Ross Comstock, and
Howard), and Earl Randa[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (238)[...]de near Missoula, Montana while
dressing some Elk that he and his son
Douglas had shot.
According to[...]years before the death of their mother.[...]them around him. He was Pine Hills area for the children of these[...]od was cut to make the barn and families. For many years he printed the[...]sod roof. Union Messenger, a little paper that gave a[...]Edna helped out with money later Sidney, for 16 years called The Everlas-[...]Earl's first jobs away from home for short a teacher from Moon Creek. Earl's fo[...]l N. Comstock was an American Sun- tures for money to live on. with 2[...]Salem,
day School Union missionary to 6 counties of Earl came to Miles City in 1915. His Oregon.
southeastern Montana and part of Wyo. for brother John had homesteaded here and[...]60, Earl retired and moved to
Street, Miles City, for all those years. stead was about 14 mile[...],46E. He lived in a tent, then a and fruit that he loved in his yard. He always
H.W. Comstock family in Hager City, Wisc., dugout, both of which seemed to leak His marveled at how green everything was and
the third of 7 children. The village was across Dad later mo[...]a homestead on Dead Man Creek - kinds of fruit. He lived alone in a small house
parents were farmers in that area. Crow Rock Rd. Earl raised sw[...]as 12, the family sold flax. In all, 5 member of the family had to the Willamette Lutheran Home, a retire-
the farm and took a homestead of 160 acres homesteads in that area. ment complex. H[...]arm was sold and Earl In 1917, during WW I, Earl enlisted in the passed away August 9[...]y Lucy Etchison
immigrants and got a special rate for Sister Edna and Earl enrolled in N[...]nneapolis, Min-
feed and water along the way. One of these nesota in 1922. Upon graduation in 1[...]On arrival at Richardson, N.D., some things of miles in southeastern Montana holding
were loaded[...]tian services were held. A lot
the railroad fence for a second trip. Others of these roads were dirt or gravel and not ve[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (239)[...]In 1917 Carmen and I entered Custer with her parents.[...]F166 I worked with the Janitor. Both my sister and th[...]I graduated in 1921. In 1922 I started working time he is a small instrument m[...]for the Milwaukee Railroad as a Stationary Brem[...]Engineer. Later I obtained my Steam Engi- In March of 1968, I retired from the
neer License First Class. In 1930 I moved shipyard at age 65, and Fern retired[...]back home to help take care of my parents. I worked for a couple of years at private[...]In the summer of 1930 I met Fern Clark, into a variable routine, hu[...]daughter of Elmer and Persis Clark, whose maintenance,[...]graduate of Custer County High School. On between.[...]April 22, 1933, Fern and I were married by In August of 1978 we sold our home and[...]ay School and Vacation Bible School. work for the Coast Guard. Our travel exten-[...]ens, and Highway in a pickup camper by way of Prince[...]gathering place for members of both our At age 85 and 77 we are both[...]Both of our boys were born in Miles City. sleep. We d[...]The Spring of 1943 I received a Civil[...]to Washington. We lived in Government
Summer of 1948, our home at Watauga Beach, on
Rich Passage.[...]housing until the end of World War II. JEAN HART[...]School, eight years apart.
I was the sixth child of Alonzo and Besides being a home[...]omstock, whose history is given Treas. of the Watauga Beach Community
separately. I was born February 13, 1903,in Water Company for a number of years. She
Ladysmith, Wisconsin. I graduated from the worked part time at Fitz's mens store in
8th grade in 1916. That Spring I accompanied Bremerton doing Tailoring. Fe[...]president of the Port Orchard Garden Club
and past president of the Jr. and Sr. High[...]married Myrna Jeppson of Salt Lake City in appropriately named "Till[...]1970. All the members of Herb's family live
in Clovis, California except Nancy and her[...]{1-r): Herbert LaVern Comstock, Jr., and of Seattle, on March 23, 1963. They have 3
Sa[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (240)[...]We enjoyed the growing up years of our[...]Roberts lived with us for about seven years.[...]Supply in Billings for many years, and is now[...]the joy of these seven grandsons. Finally, we[...]of Sean and Tisa Conley.[...]Losing Ralph in 1985 was like losing half[...]of me. I lost my mother, Blanche in 1989. The[...]memories are many. Spring of 1989 I was[...]voted Woman of the Year by the Custer[...]County Extension. I won a week's trip to[...]Entirely too many of us get up in the[...]morning at the alarm of a Connecticut[...]clock, button a pair of Ohio suspenders[...]to Chicago overalls, put on a pair of shoes
Wedding picture of Ralph Lee and Dorothy Jean (Hart) Conley married[...]wash basin using Cincinnati soap, and a
I was born in Healdsburg, California and my Aunt Myrta. During this time I taught the
came to Montana when I was a year old. My Brandenberg School, 3 miles south of the cotton towel made in New Hampshire,
g[...]was living on the Tongue River, Hart ranch. I taught there two years. My next sit down to a Grand Rapids table, eat
60 miles south of Miles City. My folks built teaching position[...]e with Minneapolis flour
a homestead 5 miles west of there, where I Ashland. I taught there four years. During and Kansas City bacon fried on a St.
lived for 3 years. This was the necessary time these summers Ralph and I lived on Liscomb Louis stove, buy food put up in New
to prove up a homestead. I then returned to Mountain; Ralph was fire guard for the forest
the Hart ranch, where I grew up. service there. We lived[...]We decided York, seasoned with Rhode Island
I attended first the Trail Creek School and to m[...]or lubrica-
Creek. My Aunt Myrta Hart taught both of to combine the work of a large Hereford ted by an Oklahoma oil and powered by
these schools. I rode horseback to my next business, and other areas of work. We built a California fuel, hitched to[...]ooms in addition to the old homestead.
through 8. I attended C.C.H.S. in Miles City I then started teaching at the Overgard plow, and work like heck all day on a
my freshman year and on to Mt.[...]our fire insurance
(this was a parochial school). I returned to June 28, 1946, and our daughter,[...]to New York, San Francisco,
C.C.H.S. to graduate. I wanted to be a Loretta Conley, was bor[...]any in my family before me, so Only because of the doctor's request, when I
I went to Eastern Montana College in w[...]under a New Jersey blanket and be kept
Billings. I needed money to complete my Ralph worked for the Milwaukee Railroad awake by a damned dog, the only home
college. I accepted a contract with the SH and the V.[...]ndering all the
School. After their funds ran out I returned Water Plant Operator for many years. We while why business isn't[...]continued running the ranch on days off and
so I sent out many applications and finally summ[...]uietus, Montana. the Hart Ranch was leased for several years
This is where I met and later married Ralph and sold in abo[...]ley. We decided to make our home on I taught grades 1-4 at the S.D.A. school in
Little Alfalfa, a homestead relinquished by Miles City and I also taught at Angela,[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (241)[...]Wyoming border, in the year of 1935, the[...]to school that day. Dorothy and Ralph felt[...]and they were unable to walk for months.[...]every day, for as long as they lived and they[...]their horses at the foot of the mountain. The[...]night of the day they had left the mountain,[...]had a plan for Ralph's life and he fulfilled it.[...]Minnesota, the eldest child of James and[...]to go the extra mile for a neighbor, friend, as an office clerk in Ja[...]riends, who Mr. Hill was the president of the Great
As a boy growing up on a Kansas farm[...]econd job was as a
Ralph L. Conley always dreamed of being a on their face. How beautiful all ou[...]boy. After visiting his uncle in been because of him. his job brought[...]n 1935, the sement in the St. Paul newspaper for a
enjoyed people so much it was decided on his[...]was going on. Ralph hung his bookkeeper for the Miles City Saddlery
and Dorothy's wedding day that all who wedding shirt on the wall and th[...]ge. Ralph was charivari. They rode the range that summer home and raise their family of three sons,
" Papa" to his grandchildren and many other gathering a collection of rattlesnake rattles. Bob, now of Scottsdale, Arizona; Dick and
children; he was lo[...]obby was then to put your brand with Luke of Miles City.
filled wit h loyalty and affection.[...]During the Depression years Joe, like many
Ralph worked 24 years as Miles City Water[...]airie dog, and find work as Office Manager for the well-
see Ralph reading "Fanning the Embers"[...]oks from his Montana collection. He brown hen that raised a baby pheasant, a ting "horse-ra[...]gosling, a baby sage chicken, along with tana for the purpose of supplying "horse-
preserving the freedom and t he heritage of chickens and turkeys. People came many meat" for their packing plant in Rockford,
this country. Ra[...]th her Illinois. They were packing the meat for sale
greeted everyone expecting to like t hem. He st range menagerie following[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (242)[...]king plant to the Quaker Oats hamburger for a dime. As the business
Company.[...]In 1936 still harboring the desire to run an
that date on he acquired additional shares irrigated ranch, H.R. purchased the Broadus
whenever any of the original owners passed Place on the Pow[...]he and his following, H .R. and Ella disposed of the Bear
sons finally acquired the entire stock of the Skull holdings, purchased several adjoinin[...]pump and started irrigating his hay and
health for nearly 15 years with diabetes, he grain. By 1[...]sons sold his last herd, 150 pairs of cows and[...]passed away July 21, 1982 at the age of 91.
RUSSELL AND ELLA[...]December 2 at the age of 90. Their sons, Milo
IDA KANT[...]and dreams. At the time of their deaths, they between Miles City and the[...]ren, six great grandchildren, a comfortable of tombstones. When he was nine years old,
their mar[...]on Wolf Creek, east of Miles City. He learned
Miles City where H.R. barb[...]a lot about ranch life, milking up to 14 cows
of 1918. Pursuing a dream to farm, the Cooks[...]each day, taking care of horses, and the
and their growing family, Milo, 2[...]harvesting of crops. The family was self-
and Leland, 8 months,[...]F161 scene of up to 25 people dropping in for a
1919 was hot, dry and bleak for the homes-[...]out and nothing Jerome Forest Cooksey, son of Jesse and cream, and chocolate cake.
was[...]owbrook in the Pine
Broadus was in its first year of existence, so family to Montana in 1917. He rem[...]Hanson,
quarters in Broadus, someone had to care for[...]ate exams from Jesse Scott McCoy,
the hard winter of 1919/20 began with a Custer County Superintendent of Schools,
blizzard. Ella had never lived on a farm[...]h school in Miles City and
now there were 20 head of livestock to feed[...]four head of horses on a fresno trapping
ride anyway) and the[...]oxen to drive in the Jubilee parade,
twice a day for the cattle while anxiously later working for the Shurgee ranch near
wondering what the two tod[...]Lodge Grass. In the fall of 1934, he went into
alone in the house. On Sundays[...]surveys of farms and ranches, was hotel clerk
When drifts we[...]which he worked a year for the city, then for
still had their 20 head of livestock despite[...]r when the shops closed. He then
In the spring of 1920 the family all moved[...]School in the
to town. Ella was the first pianist for the[...]fireman working up to 1st Class Engineer,
ones of rapid expansion. The homestead was[...]86) and Ada. His
pool tables were added. Hundreds of Ella's Muriel and Jerome Cooksey[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (243) I, Muriel Josephine Dahlin, daughter of[...]1906. They lived in Ericson and in Beaver
1914. I came with my parents to Miles City ROSA[...]Jesse and Rosa came to Montana in 1917
except for a brief stay in Casper, Wyoming.[...]in a Model T Ford, taking a trip through the
I went to school in Miles City, beginning in[...]iller ranch including live-
in the new building. I spent a year in Casper, stock with brands Bar HF for horses and Bar
Wyoming with my sister Amy Pooley[...]Heart T for cattle which brands are used by
finished 7th gra[...]his son, Jerome. This ranch was west of the
and finishing the 8th grade at the Wash-[...]head of Pumpkin Creek in Powder River
ington School, goi[...]e also
School and graduating from there in 1932. I[...]lso owned and operated a
414 South Lake, working for my lessons and[...]Shop which was on the
Hatfield who was director of the Progressive corner of Tenth and Main across from the
School of Music. She was a very strict teacher.[...]blic library. They ranched on Wolf Creek
She was like a second mother to me and I about 20 miles east of Miles City, raising
hope she knows how grateful I am to her remount horses for the U.S. Cavalry and
because music has brought s[...]anch on Pumpkin
to me as well as others. In 1932 I began[...]1969), who married Ruth Fear of the Ashland
organ until the late 1960's. I worked from[...]ged the Yellowstone
1933 to 1936 at Woolworth's. I married[...]ho rode
Jerry, was born in 1942 and died in 1968. I bucking horses for the 101 Show for three
worked in the store department at the State[...]Selma Venable, daughter of the J.M. Ven-
1953 to 1959, then began junior col[...]ksey was born in Stron- ables, old-timers of this area; Mrs. Mary
receiving an Associate of Arts in 1962. In 1960 ghurst, Illinois March 2[...]Danver (1908-1986); Mrs. Ada Alvarez (1913-
I began working in the children's department b[...](1915-) married Muriel Dahlin; Frank J.
At that time, one was able to take summer Beaver[...]Mrs. Alvin (Mamie) McMil-
tary education courses, I was able to get most John and Rozella Scriven[...]lan and her husband homesteaded on John-
of my teaching credits here and only attended C[...]red son Creek about 20 miles southeast of Miles
Eastern College for one summer, earning my wagon. They had be[...]in 1928. She is buried in the Custer
it possible for me to study for an MA degree born in Lander. They went back[...]sold the Pine Hills
in Library at the University of Denver during Before her marriage, Rosa work[...]h and he and his family again came to
the summers of 1972 through 1974. I took millinery shop in Omaha.[...]City on South Prairie. In 1937,
over as director of the Miles City Public
Library when Clare Smith retired in 1972.
She continued on, taking my place while I
took leave of absence each summer to attend
the University, receiving my MA degree in
1974. I owe Clare Smith so much for being
both mentor and friend through the years.
I am a member of the Miles City Woman's
Club, Sons of Norway, and life member of the
Montana Library Association. Both Jerome
and I are members of the First Lutheran
Church, Range Riders, and are active in the
Senior Citizens Center. I have always loved
music. The organ has been one of my favorite
instruments. I had to let music fall by the
wayside while I was working at the library
from 1960 to 1985 when I retired. Since then,
I have taken up the accordion and have been
playing[...]er,
at rest homes, and at the Veterans' Hospital.
I began organizing accordion jamborees in
the fall of 1985 and since then there have been
two each year. My other fun thing was the
beginning of a skiffle (or rhythm) band for
senior citizens. I am enjoying my retirement
and there are so many things I want to do
before age takes over.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (244)[...]then to Vancouver, Wash- ing, operation of the ferry at Glendive before Ed Brandon lived just below Micky Cotter.
ington, where they resided for 12 years. There the Northern Pacific Railway w[...]ooksey passed away in 1953 and Jesse tours of duty as sheriff of Williston and sheared sheep each spring.[...]George Costello who has failed in health for fought Indians. He said all he had to do was[...]mechanization ruined the value of horses, he that were true.
operated a horse-camp southeast of the Once when it was haying time on[...]line and north of the Yellowstone to the but he loved to p[...]line. nothing that hurt anyone. He had a green kid[...]r horn. When he showed
Miles City, Montana, a son of Sam and Mary the U.S. Department of Justice in the service the horn to Bud, that was it! Bud said, "Quiet,
Cooley. He attended school in Miles City, of the F.B.I. Since 1961 Mr. Costello has my boy, that horn is from a rare type of
Montana, graduating in 1936 and attended[...]He was a Master Mason and a lifelong a lot of money." Bud told him to hide it and
1941. On September 20, 1941 he married member of the North Star Lodge 46 of not say a word to anyone about it.
Betty Jean Doebele, then was ranching for a Glasgow. Surviving him is one daughter, M[...]le, John Dayhoff, near Rock Shirley Franklin of Gladstone, Oregon. He someone so he showe[...]s Museum Story, "Hell, man," he said, "That's just a plain old
suddenly on March 15, 1972.[...]young fellow as angry at Bud and told
Glena McGee of Ridgecrest, California, Mrs.[...]the ranch foreman he didn't like the way he
Marcie Eathorne, of Missoula, his mother,[...]d to. "Say, boy," Bud protested,
Mrs. Mary Cooley of Miles City and sister COTTER, MICKY AND "Don't tell me you believed that lying
Mrs. Helen Dawson of Helena and one[...]s would give a lot
grandchild. Glenn was a member of the MR. PECK for that horn. Where is it now?"
RANGE RIDERS. - A Range R[...]F166 "I threw it over the river bank." replied the
seum S[...]Where I was raised in Montana we had a to the hay[...]by Mary Cooley, mother variety of characters throughout the country that evening, to slip down there, get the horn[...]sailed wind put it in Coragon's bed roll. That evening the
COOLEY, SAMUEL I. jammers 25 years and been in every port of boy made a bee-line to the cutbank to retr[...]164 any size in the world and around the tip of the horn. When he could not find it he went[...]e funny but with his "Sure," snapped Bud. "I bet Coragon saw
illinois March 8, 1874 and came t[...]it away, went and got it and most
in 1901 to work for his uncle, Bill Case. Later He said once they t[...]bunkhouse, found the
road house, a stopping place for cowboys, the ship. He could hear the crew[...]re engine too friendly toward Coragon after that.
north of Miles City on the "Dead Man" Road. and look[...]sked what they did to him and he
until the spring of 1925, moving to Miles City replied, "Be jasus, I thought they would hang
on account of his ill health. They had two me but they j[...]F167
in Helena, Montana. After 25 years of being in the 1880s with a trail herd and li[...]He was the best roper I ever knew and a real education in the excellent public schools of
by Mary Dayhoff Cooley great cow and horse hand. Mr. Peck was also that city. At the age of fourteen he entered[...]ry teller but we never knew which the employ of a butcher and learned the[...]EORGE year, word for word. He said he ran away from working on a f[...]back. He said he worked for a farmer in "Dude E" outfit and with Pa[...]Kansas who had a pet bull snake. The farmer of Billings as freighter through various parts
North Dakota, on October 30, 1890, son of had a potato patch. He put Peck to picking of Montana. In 1888 he went to work on a
Mr. and Mrs[...]survivor from the family. The elder Costello of a row he rattled his pail and the snake, w[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (245)[...]ild was born.
Mr. Cotter was a sterling example of a self- When the government opened land for
made man, who owed his good fortune not[...]annah got a piece
only to the royal opportunities of the North- of land on Pumpkin Creek near the Tongue
west, but t[...]River dam, about 25 miles south of Miles
He was a stockholder in the State National[...]h and the two girls would live in
Bank and was at that time concerned with the[...]the two-room shack during the summer
welfare of Miles City.[...]For a number of years, Don worked with
COTTON,DONALD[...]of mules. His motto was "We Move Anything[...]that - For instance, pulling a piano to a
Records were de[...]second story, up the outside of the building
believed Donald Alonzo Cotton was bo[...]In the summer of 1918, during World War
divorced and his mother ma[...]I, Hannah began making plans to come back
Pembroke, resulting in the birth of Don's[...]met Don. age of three months. John "Jack" James was
Snelling, Minnesota, and was in Troop H of Donald Alonzo Cotton and Johannah Voe[...]4, followed in 1931 by Gary Dean
the 4th Regiment of the Cavalry. He served met in Minneapoli[...]and in 1933, by Hannah Jean, making eight
most of his three-year enlistment in the marri[...]court in 1910. When he got a job, he sent for hand store) most of his life in Miles City.
Hannah.[...]Hannah. After her arrival, she also worked for Both Don and Hannah loved people and
Joh[...]born in Mook, Hol- a time in the home of the Miles family. They children and belonged[...]and enjoyed card
was the second child in a family of fourteen In 1913, they moved way out of town, to 112 clubs. Don called for square dances, liked to
children. When Hannah eve[...]which remained the be in parades and for many years was an
home, she found work in Minneapolis, where family home for many years. In 1914, Berdina auctioneer.[...]the thorough manner peculiar to that day and[...]which regiment he served three years, and for
Back row O-r): Vernon (Sonny), John (Jack) and Ga[...]row: Edith Cotton Coffman, Verna the major part of this term was sergeant of
Cotton Benasky and Berdina Cotton Choate.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (246) then the head of navigation on the Missouri at Lebanon, plus a business course at Nash- the first judge of Alabama when it became a
river and a very bustli[...]rived Calvin Roberts married Sarah Frances
for the steam-boats at $25.00 per cord. He i[...]is status when he Taliaferro, a daughter of Peachy Ridgeway
also traded with the Indians.[...]Brenham and remained a short time as a of seventy-four having been born June 15,
department for one year; then to Fort farmer, and[...]eburne where he 1842. Mrs. Z.T. Cox is one of four children
Berthold where he entered the Indian Service took charge of the books and accounts of J.V. born of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin
and served as Ag[...]in his employ until he Roberts - Hiram T. of Havana, Cuba; Mrs.
Acting Agent for nine years. abandoned Texas to come North in search of Cox; Emma Elizabeth, who died as Mrs. L.D.[...]limate and to become an Indian Alderson, of Sheridan, Wyoming, leaving
first as bookkeeper for Leighton & Jordan, Agency farmer. He cam[...]ed as Irruic N., and Sara A., the wife of James
and started in the livestock commission agent of the Cheyenne Indian Agency by Hackley, of El Paso, Texas.
business. The range stock busines[...]this section, and Mr. took the position of farmer at the agency. He arrival in the state of her future husband, on
Courtney's experience led him to believe that was connected with the work for four years a visit to her cousin, Captain Brown of the
there was room for a man who could bring and introduced t[...]e" ranch. She entered the U.S.
buyers and sellers of livestock together. tary work of agriculture and its principles. Government s[...]his married soon afterward.
employment of a clerk and stenographer to home there,[...]il 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are the parents of four
keep pace with its demands. In addition to He handled cattle for beef purposes and ran children -Percy Rober[...]did a general agency business, a ranch of 560 acres of deeded land. He and has a daughter Helen Percy; Richard
including fire insurance, and for years had shipped out of the county to Omaha and Taylor, who is also a ranchman here, un-
the largest line of fire insurance in the county. Chicago markets;[...]e to failing health he dropped the products of this locality, during many years, Mr. and[...]the past Birney in 1913, as successor of W.P. Smith, - Episcopal services held in the Birney
fifteen years consummated some of the this being the only trading emp[...]ade in the State, with twenty-five miles of Birney. When he left the on the ranch.
comple[...]both buyer and Agency it was the last of politics with him, Mr. Cox joined the Independent Order of
seller.[...]d this time is a member and Past Master of
among the Indians Mr. Courtney met with[...]e same party-faith until his Birney Lodge of this Order. Zachary T . Cox
many adventures and s[...], Mr. Cox's father, Jack Cox, was one of the Bros. Ranch) east of Birney. Mrs. Mary P.
he was shot by a Yanktonianis Indian who first settlers of Tennessee, and went into that (Roberts) Cox died in 1960 and is buried
was "r[...]Courtney's thigh. Although severely most of his life, and was past the age for Bones Bros. Ranch. - A Range Riders
wounde[...]en the Museum Story.
to be at hand and made for the Indian, who States. In his early pol[...]aspirations or career. He lived to the age of and Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Cox
and esca[...]boat Georgia who died soon after the birth of her
was attacked by a large party of Sioux, who son, Leb. She was the mother of ten children, CRAWFORD, ELMER
for a time disabled the boat by making it nine of whom grew to mature years. The sons
impossible for pilot or crew to attend their who served u[...]Jack P.; Edwin J.; and Jess B., a resident of F171
armed, breastworks of flour sacks and boxes Pyersburg, Tennessee who died recently. A
of freight, after a lively skirmish the war sister, Mrs Mary Record of Paris, Texas, and Elmer E. Crawford was[...]bested. Zeb V., of Birney, Montana, being the only County, n[...]united in marriage at Missis- South Dakota, for his health. He drove the
with Mrs. Courtney, made[...], October 17, 1887, to Deadwood-Pierre stage for several years
circle at the Courtney residence at the corner Miss Mary P. Roberts, a daughter of Calvin before coming to Miles City in 1882 when he
of Washington and Ninth Streets, in Miles[...]at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Z.T. Cox. His raise. The on[...]death occurred in 1890. He was a native of _the couple, is Mrs. Irene Williams, Ham-[...]His father, a native of Connecticut, was Dr. There are also three g[...]ted on his interest in the daily events of Miles city
Zachary T. Cox was born in Giles Cou[...]ty, but was buried at Jackson, horse sales. For years during George Miles
was spent, largely, at[...]Doctor Roberts married Emily presidency of the First National Bank, he
education was obtained in the public schools L. a daughter of Judge Obediah Jones, one of acted as Mr. Miles's fieldman.
and as a student in Cumberland University the able jurists of Alabama, who was named He walked[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (247)[...]attend school. I built a couple of houses and
bearing, slim and erect, looking 20 ye[...]In 1968, that service for the Lord took
December 10, 1953 and is buried bes[...]worked for fifteen years. I worked in general
1966.[...]In 1984, I retired, and we came home to
CREE, A.[...]Our son is a Pastor in Helena and our
One of the most successful sheep raisers in[...]ive in Santa Clara,
the county was A.M. Cree, who for many[...]Last week around sixty of our relation
Mr. Cree sold his sheep and retired[...]k, when steam boiler engineering. The places of
not attending the public schools of his employment have been varied as well[...]ident such as the Big Hole and Centennial Valley, CROSBY, E. FRANK
Lincoln's first call for volunteers, first with in Western Montana, CBC[...]nety-day men, later with Company H, north of the Yellowstone, Montana State AND[...]ays' Battle, but two College in Minnesota. I sheared sheep in DAVIS
months lat[...]F174
in the thick of the fray at South Mountain tana.
and Antietam, and was with Meade at the In April of 1942 I married Kathleen Braley
memorable battle of Gettysburg. On August and at this time ou[...]sted over
8, 1864, he was taken prisoner in front of forty-six years.
Petersburg, and until his[...]h my parents
following March, endured the horrors of I was able to work away from home, except
Libby prison, Belle Isle and Salisbury, North[...]a. In all he served his country four spring of 1943 I went to Oregon to shear sheep
years and two months. and in April that year Dick, Jr. was born. The
In the spring of 1868 Mr. Cree located in next spring my wif[...]ontana in 1883, pickup. In December that year, 1944, our
establishing himself at Bozeman.[...]he came to Miles City, and engaged June of 1946, was a very sad time in my life
in the sheep business, running about 17,000 because of the death of my father. I not only
Oregon sheep, which he had followed with missed him a lot but the responsibility of the
marked success.[...]iss much profit. Ranch life is a good way of life,
Elva Thomas of Michigan, and had one especially for kids. My sisters and I were not
daughter living, the wife of Dr. Hauge of bored, nor did we lack ways of entertaining
Miles City. He was a prominent member of ourselves. We didn't have T.V., radio, e[...]ied at his home, near St. Paul, reminds me of an incident that proves the
Minnesota, in 1923, and is buried ther[...]Milligan House. At that time the toilets in the E. Frank and Martha Dav[...]person got up from the seat. We, as kids, of E. Frank and Martha J. (Davis) Crosby[...]F173 course never saw or heard of such a contrap- were both born and reared in[...]where they received their schooling. They
I was born June 26, 1916, to Harvey (Hod) inve[...]and married in Wisconsin where they lived for
and Laura (Hill) Crosby. I have seven sisters: whichever one was first, g[...]thy and Dixie Eaton and Betty Pederson one of us held it down and the other ran for five sons: Emmett, Harvey (Hod), Montie,
are still living. help. I'm sure our parents had a good laugh William and Carsey. Three daughters:
Dorothy, Dixie, Betty and I along with our on us.[...]ere engaged in stock raising and
movers, but most of our lives we lived in the American Sunday Sch[...]preached at our Easter Community gathering of Powderville.
girls left home. We did live a short time in and I gave my life to the Lord for salvation They lived at Knowlton prior to[...]road-ranch, blacksmith shop and instigated
I have worked at many types of work, We left the ranch in the earl[...]hall. He was
including sheep shearing, all types of work moved to Miles City, so our chi[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (248)[...]He selected a here with other members of her family in
miles east of the Mizpah P.O. where they beautiful si[...]they moved to Canada in 1920 southeast of Miles City, where he and his Ontario and[...]them Stacy, Montana about sixty miles south of
were buried in Custer County Cemetery. -A overland by way of the Black Hills over the Miles City.
Range[...]m Story. government trail of 500 miles and also bought Elizabeth attend[...]Crosby, called Frank, had a continued this for about five years. and December of 1891, and January of 1892.
very busy useful boyhood. He was one of the On November 17, 1873, Frank married In September of 1892 she came to Miles City
leading citizens and prominent sheep men of Martha Jane Davis, who was born either in and attended school here for five years, and
Custer County, Montana. Frank was[...]Wisconsin. She was the daughter in November of 1897 secured a certificate to
September 1, 1852 in Adams County, Wis- of Elias H. Davis and Mary Ann (Alexander) teach school. In January of 1898 she went to
consin, and is the son to Edward[...]grandson to Michigan and afterward was one of the teaching a three month term with[...]n Adams's County, Wisconsin, scholars. That summer she studied to get a
Crosbys came to Ameri[...]hotel higher certificate, also taught for five weeks
three brothers: Simon, Solomon, and Jo[...]d, was born in in Ireland. After the loss of his wife, he came of teach at Fallon, Elizabeth came back to
New York[...]tute, and early in September she went out to
West that then was partially an untraveled Frank[...]They were: Emmett, Harvey (Hod), Libbie, for three terms. There she had six scholars.
the litt[...], William, Bessie, and Carsie. In the spring of 1899, she got a three month
swamp that has developed into one of the Frank was Knight Templar Mason, hav[...]Falloh, which was April 1st to the
great centers of the world, the city of Chicago. membership in Yellowstone Lodge, No. 26, middle of July.
Edward pushed further west and after reach-[...]ent out to
stop there, clearing up a virgin tract of land a member of chapter No. 25, O.E.S. Powder Rive[...]n and also Frank was elected assessor of Custer above the Powder River bridge ne[...]Harvey, known as "Hod", had
Bailey, the daughter of another settler, who 1902 and in 1904. Frank died April 13, 1923, a small herd of cattle and rode with other
had come from Pennsylv[...]cowboys and stockmen. After living there for
moved to Adams County. There he repeated[...]e meantime their
and lumbering) and then disposed of this[...]d Ethel, born October 30, 1904, had
consin, where for the third time he cleared[...]in their
land and put it into favorable condition for[...]ready to use that same year. Marie attended
to Brookings County, So[...]about fifteen miles) on the east side of the
years of his life. He was the second son in a[...]th and Hod had
Fidelia had eleven children, eight of whom father died of ruptured appendix, when she their third da[...]jah F., was seven years old. She left for Miles City lived on the ranch again. She and[...]sity and lived there until 1946, as
the hard work of lumbering in the Wisconsin[...]here. from 1946 to 1958,
forests year after year. For seven summers he[...]oved to Moon Creek to live
the dangerous business of riding logs on the[...]and son-in-law
rafts annually sent down the river that his[...]ere until in 1964,
name became known from one end of the[...]of hot water. Marie had to put her in the
to attend[...]for Elizabeth (her mother) very well. Eliz-
did not accept. He was twenty-one years of[...]1964 at the rest
age when he entered a homestead for himself[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (249)[...]us to Whitewood near the northeast end of[...]the Black Hills. Pa showed us a trail that led
(HOD) headed for the Powder River in eastern to the top of quite a ridge and told us to wait[...]F176 Montana with about 100 head of farmer on top as that was where we would camp.
cattle. For about 200 miles we trailed through What a relief to know that there was no more
Harvey H. (Hod) Crosby was born at grain fields, a great part of the time. Having night guard.
Menomonie, Wisco[...]foot. As the cattle were tame forward to. As I had heard my father speak
When he was a few months old, they moved we got by all right, except for having to get of him, I was curious to see him. He owned
into what is now[...]settled near Estelline. we felt more like swearing, or wishing we were under one roof, a[...]ing seven miles below Hocket Basin on out of the farming country, we made Pierre, there were Indian tepees galore. Well, I didn't
Powder River. Hod married twice. His first[...]out 15 days. lose my scalp but I could feel it moving
wife was Elizabeth Doonan who bore him When we came to the edge of the plateau around on my head!
three daug[...]el and Helen. and looked down on Pierre, I thought we After crossing the Cheyen[...]which meant more anxiety
Betty. Hod died in June of 1946 at the age of there was a branding chute there we put a[...]er. sight for us kids. From there we trailed
Hod's story.[...]ouri River on Captain through the outskirts of the Black Hills
Written January 27, 1940.[...]ferry, we landed just above Fort headed for Belle Fourche. The railroad grade
On about July 10, 1890, at the age of twelve, Pierre. Our father had to go back to get the was also headed for the same place. Belle[...]father had traded with him for some horses[...]and had brought him 20 head of heifers in[...]Flats, a distance of about 12 miles, and were[...]in sight of antelope the whole day. That day[...]we camped on top of the Powder River Divide[...]about 12 miles above our log shack that my[...]loaded and really red for a distance of a half[...]mile. That was really a cow heaven - clear[...]shade of the trees and never switching a tail[...]as there were few flies at that day and age.[...]by rail to Miles City late that Fall and joined[...]uncle George Crosby and I started back to[...]Dakota with about 125 head of horses. This[...]meant more night guard . As I was a kid of[...]finished at 11 o'clock. I had a blue paint[...]horse. One night I woke when I fell to the[...]A few nights later I again went to sleep on my[...]horse and fell off. That time my horses were[...]of sorts. But Pa told her the circumstances[...]and said that he would pay the damages. I[...]home about the first of October. The next[...]about all gone on that job, I won't give any[...]The Spring of 1893 I took my string of[...]sby. George father's cattle back. The same Fall I worked
Crosby (Frank's brother) was also a[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (250)[...]b carried them close enough to the bank so that there left him paralyzed from the waist down,
eef herd also. There was plenty of work. For Donald Schilling threw a rope on the horse and he was in a wheel chair the rest of his life.
about 10 days the weather was fine. The[...], was born in 1903.
came a cold rain which lasted for 24 hours, It took about three days to w[...]ght. There were no tents with a pool. By that time the river had run down Dakota, as Mr. Fordyce could find work,
roundup at that time; you could roll your bed somewhat, but[...]bed and clothes were wet. number of the hands went that way. As we 1911 another sister, Lucy Gertrude, was born.
The Spring of 1894 I went to the general started back with our cattle, there was quite Tired of moving around so much, Mrs.
roundup which started out at the mouth of a few who had cold feet. This meant anot[...]ek just below Powderville. There failure, except that Hi Farnum and Harry examination and taught school in Wyoming,
were 7 wagons started work at that point. Brown and myself got 50 head star[...]The following season, which was 1908, I Mrs. Fordyce's father and a brother, the[...]on our first circle, horses again worked for the Powder River Pool, and family came acros[...], some also with the SY wagon. We finished that year Wyoming, through Alzada, Montana and
with[...]Powder River was swimming, on the Fourth of July. The boys from the finally to Strevell Creek, west of the Powder
with me mounted on a small horse and n[...]gy, two
able to swim. Just as we came to the bank of went to town that night. The business men covered wagons, a[...]lk cow.
the river a half-breed Indian by the name of welcomed us in and the "Star Crew" (law[...]askins filed on land there.
Joe Busch asked me if I could swim. Then he officers) welcomed us[...]right away and taught the Kinsey school
take care of me. Right there an Indian made more cowboy[...]acherage, however Etta stayed in Miles
In 1895 I began work for Ben Woodcock, the wagons gradually disappeared, save for a City, working for her room and board with a
who was running the WL, and I worked few large outfits which had managed to family by the name of Johnson, while attend-
through 1896, then went back to my father's accumulate enough territory so that wagons ing the eighth grade. When her mother got
ranch. I helped him and broke horses for were necessary. - A Range Riders Museum[...]cided to
different horse outfits until 1899. Then I Story. stay in that area. Her dad ran the little
started ranching for myself and bought a[...]store, but again Etta had to stay in
small bunch of Southern heifers from O.C.[...]t o go to High School. She got home
Cato. By 1907 I had accumulated quite a[...]at Christmas time, by taking the train to
bunch of cattle. AB there were not more big[...]day to make the 30 mile trip.
Powder River Pool. I was sent to the SY[...]6, while
wagon as a rep, furnishing my own string of ELLEN FORDYCE[...]tion, and the following
horses, consisting mostly of broncs I was[...]r they spent much time together and with
breaking for other parties. J.R. Hutchison[...]young people in the community. There
was foreman of the SY. We camped in what Etta Ellen[...]t in Jewell County, Kansas, the daughter of she accepted his engagement ring. They wer[...]Fordyce. When she was about six wards for Eldorado, Kansas.
with lots of driftwood coming down, and it months old,[...]home-had their rent and meals paid for the
of others, rough-locked. The rest of us crossed[...]one quarter left. So they spent that to go to
where both forks were swimming. When we[...]t morning at breakfast,
started back with out cut of about 100 head, someone approached them with a offer of a
we struck the river about 8 miles below, as we[...]job on the King Ranch, which at that time
were working down the river. Our horses and[...]as the cook's helper at one of the cow camps.
Hutch asked me to take the lead, t[...]e and contracted
perhaps the cattle would follow. I took to the[...]left her weak and depressed
river, but two-thirds of the way over my horse[...]some land and settled down.
strings - and I still can't swim. After floating[...]Their first baby only lived about three
down for about a quarter of a mile, my horse[...]art c011dition caused by
had rested and swam out. I then rode back[...]for telescoping of the intestines.
twelve riders, and we took to the[...]hool at Knowlton,
bunch. The horses all swam well except[...]made a home for them while they went to
about midstream and went[...]returning to the farm each
river. Tommy got hold of his tail and would[...]d after
describe how horrible the site was to see that[...]il ill health forced her to move to Miles
torrent of rolling water filled with quicksand,[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (251)husband, and all four of her boys proceeded just received his notice t[...]ied Jan. 21, 1982 and is board, when World War I ended in Nov., so angry at a cow or hors[...]are 8 grandchildren and several great helper for awhile, then as a cowhand on the Kansas. S[...]by Frances Grasky about five miles east of Knowlton, where they Iowa, then to Kansas. T[...]raised wheat and a few head of cows. April 16, 1897. Here three of us children were[...]about born, Harold, Byron, and myself. When I was[...]months, due to a heart general. About that time Dad got a letter
condition caused by the Flue that Etta had from his brother Byron, who with[...]telescoping of the intestines at one year of age dad to come out there too. Mother was very[...]not survive the operation. Donald scared of cyclones so they had a sale, then[...]r County High Dad got work there for a time helping to[...].) graduated from high change the channel of Tongue River near[...], where he Miles City. Later on he worked for a sheep[...]In addition to farming during the War, I remember having the sheep wagon door
Harold also worked for the Triple A Office in slam on my thumb, mas[...]City, surveying dams, etc. However he When I was bawling one of the lambing crew[...]eekends, even walked by, told my mom that he had some[...]many miles (and the sweet chewing tobacco that would be just the[...]rold did love to hunt and to roam wad of tobacco and my mom put it on the[...]und Knowl- thumb and bandaged it up good. I quit[...]to visit and to tell stories. His bawling and I guess the tobacco worked as I
g[...]uld sit by the hour, listening have no memory of any more hurting, tho I've
to him tell about things that had happened always had a wrinkled thumb[...]ther "Bub". In the fore part of June Dad and Uncle[...]but he and Etta remained living consisted of 8 miles of fence and a couple of
their mother, Lydia Collins taken in 1946. t[...]er Byron about midway between the mouth of Horse
Harold Kenneth Cummings was born in[...]is sister Kathryn Creek and the mouth of Meyers Creek. Dad,
Hamilton, Kansas Feb. 18, 1898, the son of Griffin in 1977. The other sister, Mildred Mom, and us kids lived in a house there for
Howard and Lydia Portman Cummings. His B[...]gon. a while. My uncle moved some of the
dad farmed there in Kansas, until a cyclone[...]good bottom land for growing hay, and always
settled on Powder River,[...]eight grandchildren and several put up hay for winter feed for cattle.
"Squatter's Rights" from a man named Dale[...]by Frances Grasky a half west of the little town of Knowlton,
cottonwoods along the river.[...]which was about 20 miles east of the ranch.
Harold was the oldest child. There[...]A couple of years later Dad bought a relin-
also Byron and Mi[...]quishment of some land from Mrs. Hyde's
was born in Dr. Hyde's[...]er, a Mrs. Alberry, built a log house
little town of Knowlton, about 15 miles east[...]there and moved there, as there was a school
of Powder River. Howard liked that area, so AND LYDIA[...]d Jane Cummings. When my Dad lasted for years. We had lots of games to play
granddaughter, Lou Etta Cummings An[...]reenwood County, cats, and Dad gave each of us a horse for our
school in Knowlton, then Harold went to Kansas. Laban built houses of stone for very own. Those were very happy days.[...]red more land adjoining what he
Pharmacy. Because of financial reasons, he shoemaker. My dad and his brother Byron had; he farmed that place, raising good crops.
was unable to continue[...]help his dad, who was by this made the run for land when the Oklahoma and a few turkeys, which my brother Bub
time farming quite a bit of land. strip was opened for settlement but failed to helped her with. Th[...]nd office. A Sooner was an individual came for miles around to the shoot. By night
ter, E[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (252)[...]'beaver t ree' on Powder River a few miles south of Locate,
Montana.

and smoked; they made deliciou[...]o eat. Dad butch- passed away in 1936 of "dust pneumonia." John and Mary Dahl[...]aka rancher. In 1941 they sold out and
north side of the house, wrapped in tarps so moved to[...]by Mildred (Cummings) Brooks
section of land about 6 miles east, so raised
more wheat whi[...]th
horses and wagon. He always made a good
living for his family. He passed away in 1924,
and is buried[...]Clara Dahlin, daughter of John and Mary Dahlin.[...]1917. As far as I know, they did not home-[...]and cement worker. All of the family came to[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (253)[...]chunk of ice for a dime or so. All the kids in[...]wagon and getting pieces of ice on which to[...]suck. Other things I remember was the ice[...]cream cart and running to my mother for a[...]nickel to buy an ice cream cone when I would[...]perhaps much better for raising children.[...]at the age of 88 and Mary passed away on[...]November 14, 1958 at the age of 85, both in[...]ing children: Anton December 15, 1881, the son of Christopher[...]n brought their family to the East Fork of Otter[...]ception of Mary and Anton, they all took up Loren; Floy[...]the rest north of Miles City in the area of a southeast of his parents. He rode for the SL[...]called Stone Shack. Anton stayed on outfit for some time.[...]John and Mary lived for many years at marriage two girls were bor[...]Hilmar Gustav (1896-1980) who for many Percy and Eben at the time it was[...]gent in Miles City Perry Hansen. It consisted of the original[...]rragut, Idaho, and married Ann homestead of their father, their own homes-[...]25. It also
Hilmar, Casper and Henry Dahlin, sons of Mary California; Amy Ovida (1901-), married Earl consisted of a place called "The Shorty
and John.[...](1908-1981), veteran of WWII, and for many (Shorty) Clark, from Illinois, who was[...]years head of the purchasing department at in World War I in 1918. His sister sold the[...]ine The Dailys' had close to 40 head of mares[...]r and made They had a very good bunch of cattle, which[...]had to be sold during the drough of 1934-36.[...]became members of the First Lutheran get as good a cow[...]Church in Miles City. At that time, services "No, I don't have time."[...]es still had a hard Sales Yards.
(l-r): Three of the Dahlin daughters, Gertrude time making ends meet. I remember as I grew Eben M.J. Daily died on December 11,[...]Montana. -
taken in 1970 when we all got together for a fishing coal range which together with a coal[...]rooms were closed off from the rest of the Julian Terrett,[...]July 6, 1912. make doughnuts like my mother. A good
Marit (Mary) Olsen Reno was[...]5, 1873. Her parents sitting in front of that range with my feet
were Gurine Oxstad (born in Se[...]the village refrigerators were unheard of then. The ice
of Renaa, north of Oslo Norway. He was born wagon[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (254)[...]Daily's mother lived with her for 13 years, to him. She had three children,[...]until her death at the age of 89. One by one and two sons. Charles was th[...], 1967, California; Anne, who became the wife of
at almost 94 years of age. Lewis M. Griffin, an[...]name given the influx of new people, espe- Charles Daley, the y[...]spected and adored her. Both John schools of Hancock County, Illinois, and[...]useum Story. for eighteen months did not let his father[...]know anything of his whereabouts. He board-[...]owed the Union Pacific Railroad for that ride[...]freight forwarding point for Montana, as at
) ...[...]F183 that time not a rail of railroad had been laid[...]lle, Missouri. in 1900. Their home- outfit of mules.
John Overstreet Daily was born October stead on Powder River south of Broadus was Liking the locality, he de[...]1910 the father died leaving quite a large site of Dillon, finding employment as a sheep-
and he att[...]o Newman worked out and helped his herder for the Poindexter & Orr and for R.A.
married to Mallie Broaddus, daughter of mother raise the family.[...]ttie Haston Broaddus Septem- He worked for the Cross S, Laurel Leaf, Falls locality, engaging there with the firm of
ber 7, 1893. She was born December 23, 1873[...]umpkin Creek Pool Roun- until the fall of 1880, at which time he trailed
brother Henry (who[...]was a good bronc cattle and sheep for Poindexter and Orr to
sister Kathryn) came to Mon[...]Ranch, but he returned
homestead on the east side of Powder River buying the Upper N - Ranch fro[...]nty, and remained until
about fifteen miles south of Broaddus. They Wilson, brother of Ted. the spring of 1881. At that time he came to
put up log cabins and sent for their families. Newman married Mildred McAll[...]920, had two daughters, Larraine Schulze of sheep, and this marked the beginning of
county as carpenters. Oscar, Bill and Earnest[...]ea. His first winter was
Broaddus also settled in that vicinity. Hudson.[...]spent on Powder River, but in the spring of
Bennetta, Rosa Lee, Herbert and Emma He became a brand inspector in 1936 for 1882 he located near the head of Little
were born on the homestead. Emma died at the State of Montana, inspecting in Chicago, Pumpkin Creek and remained there until he
the age of 21, John was accidentally killed St. Paul, B[...]During the first three years he was here, he
head of the household and the family contin- he retir[...]VVV. Newman was hunted buffalo with some of the other old
ued to live on the ranch. He worked on the a member of the Range Riders, Methodist timers. Some of the hides he had made up
roundups for his uncles and others. At that Church, Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star. He[...]8, 1981 and is buried at As the nucleus of his ranch, he home-
the year around. Eventually h[...]until the fall of 1883 when he was joined by
Lorraine (Mrs. Dick Sc[...]old one stood. Four rooms were of logs, and
and Stanley (who died in 1967). Lorna[...]near Hamilton, a large store room out of lumber, was added
married Ned McLees after Glen's[...]9, 1858, a son lE!,ter. Then in the spring of 1909 he tore down
married Ellen Rogers. They have two daugh- of Charles (mothers name unknown as she t[...]ited States in young manhood. A stone part of the house was sixty feet long and
Yarger, they ha[...]they homesteaded and there spent a number of nearest Post Office. Prices were very[...]young lady who made it almost impossible for him to carry on.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (255) He also lost heavily on account of the severity ever went away from her table without having
of the winters, but he persisted in his al[...]r. No
endeavors, and at one time had 8,000 head of cowboy, grub line rider or any one else ever[...]n she would invite
ued until he had a large herd of Herefords. them to ,p ut their horse in th[...]to eat. As
Chicago market. He later raised a lot of I said before, she was a wonderful cook, fine
Thor[...]e first World War. always dressed just like she came out of a
When he began to realize the changes which band box.
were pending owing to the closing of the open The children of this couple are as follows:
range, he began to curtail his stock produc- Marion G. Loesch wife of the late Valentine
tion and turned his attention to grain grow- Loesch and now Marion Briggs of Sacra-
ing, and was quite successful in it, as h[...]and Genevieve; Lucille who married
boundary line of any kind, he had developed Robert G. Chesworth live[...]ren; Melvin, who passed away
upon to assume some of the responsibility of in New Orleans in Oct. 21, 1958 and Mildred[...]iated with the who married Frank Cooksey of Miles City,
Republican party, he has often times[...]county commit- who married Ray Bartholomew of Broadus
tee of his party. For two years he was under Montana, had two children: Echo Eleanor
sheriff for Sheriff Gibb, and in 1910 was who married Victor Daugaard of Miles City Bertha Bohne taken in 1875 (wh[...]efore her marriage to John Damm.
He was a man of kindness and would help Burke of Miles City where they make their
any one at any[...]helping some Charles Daly was a Mason of prominence, loaded her in a wagon and took her to the
family either giving them a team of horses, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapt[...]e he helped out had paid him back member of the Elks Lodge of Miles City Minnesota, for treatment, Tom Bonner, the
what they owed him, h[...]d Bless them both. - A raise the money for the trip. Mom returned
with Abigail E. Payette a daughter of Lewis Range Riders Museum Story, 1962. to the ranch for a little while, but the pain was
and Grace Payett[...]ack to the
Montana in 1876, four years in advance of his by Lucille Chesworth, Marion Briggs[...]and she rode out horseback to tell us of her
children came to Miles City from Bismarck[...]F185 death. She took the rest of us in in a buggy.
the spring of 1880 up the Yellowstone River[...]ficulties Since the story has been told of my parent's Miles City in 1901. I was 13 years old.
of navigation, it appears like a dream that a arrival in America from Germany in my[...]ough. father, John Damm's story, I will not repeat back to the ranch and Matt a[...]back to their jobs. The rest of us still lived at
for her father 'till the time she was married.[...]This was where they
cake and they sold a big dish of ice cream and children and her brother and t[...]e who traveled by wagon on horse-
a large helping of cake for 25 cents. Many a live in a little dug-out without a floor. I was back to Miles City and back. They also fed
time a drunk cowboy just having some fun born in that dug-out on March 26, 1888. This the horses.[...]ear after Miles City was incorporated, living for his family. He worked on the road
shoot things up. She used to tell a lot of and a year before Montana became a state[...]a frame house. (Babe) and I did the work at the road ranch.
the name of Cohn who was a Jew owned the In about 1899 Dad and Mom were chasing Ma tie did most of the cooking with Babe and
store next to them. It was a general store and a steer out of the corn patch and Dad threw me helping. Af[...]sell them and buy groceries her trouble for a long time. In December of sickness in the cattle, it was a tough year for
from him to take back to camp. He always 1900, Mom discovered she had cancer of the our family but Dad never lost his fait[...]at home and sent us to
down, down, down but bacon like - ell has what caused the cancer.[...]to help make a living.
As a result of her working in the store in from the table[...]she Dad stayed on the place until all of his kids
her teen years her Mother had never taught couldn't get up or walk. We had noticed for were married and he spent his last few years
her to cook, and I have heard her say many some time that she had been bracing herself living with Bi[...]Beebe. He was buried beside Mom in the
knowledge of the fine art of cooking. No one the night she fell[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (256)in August of 1927. moved to Miles City for safety until the
(This was taken from a tape m[...]now celebrated her one- at a distance to see that their homes were not
hundredth birthday, and alth[...]d her only last night, May 17, 1988. scared in that cellar.
She is truly a remarkable woman.)[...]by Tressie Hughes headed for the North country. They usually
camped just north of our place, and if you got[...]tion of the garden produce he shared so[...]We had three months of school in the fall[...]a mile from the little log schoolhouse that[...]built. They made long wooden benches for us[...]well, but she did wonders with us for her Dane Family 1939. Back row (1-r): Bur[...]salary of about $40. per month. She paid $15. Front: Mr[...]for room and board and walked to and from[...]e to the stores eled the remaining distance of about 200[...]ities to supple- on North Sunday Creek. Some of their
ment our winter's supply of canned foods, our neighbors were Ben Pollis,[...]15 gallon barrel of sauerkraut, and our barrel and Oscar Achamire[...]of dill pickles. One could buy 8 pounds of reputation of being a prize biscuit maker).
John Damm who ran a road ranch south of Miles unground Ar buckle's or 4 pounds of coffee for In 1918 Fred decided to "prove up" and
City[...]Creek bridge on highway 59. a dollar. We lived like kings! To thrash our move to town where he b[...]beans, Father would make each of us a flail for Charlie Brown at Midland Lumber Co. He
John Da[...]ght, hang our lanterns on married in November of 1919.
Henry Bohne went back to Germany and[...]1901 and it was terrible to and was surprised that she survived the first
1884. be without a mother. That same year a night.
John Droste cam[...]elper.
brother came in the spring after the birth of meals, but no one complained. We could[...]n his little log cabin. always go to our father for whatever help or as opposed to 40¢ per hour[...]e The worst chore was pumping water for the with his family and in the yard and gard[...]o see on Tatro Street temporarily. It was here that
harrowed with a harrow made from poles and[...]son, Burton K. Dane was added to
rake. Since none of the older men ever rode Bill Hughes where h[...]mily there. In
is still in use where it has stood for 90 years[...]remodeled the house. On Sept. 21, 1931,
south of Miles City.[...]The children all went to school at Garfield
fear of Indian raids. When they went on the[...]Washington schools; Grace and Walt
rampage, most of the women and children[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (257)Navy at the age of 16 and completed his[...]of their lives.
and a foster son. She died in 1971.[...]minister and at present Episcopal Bishop of
the Assembly of God church for several years. the Diocese of Western Kansas, and John H.
He married Lenora Pahl of Kulm, North[...]d now lives there.
Burt married Helen Lawrence of Miles[...]sed away October 29,
City and lived in Idaho most of his life where[...]milk cows when he worked for L.W. Stacey
ment in 1985, where he was a Project[...]l does land sur-
veying. He married Jo Ann Archer of South[...]idson, 1945.
Leona Dane died in 1955 at the age of 69.[...]n propeller was being repaired.
St. the remainder of his life. He died in My ticket was booked[...]EDWARD
March, 1974 at the age of 96. Miles City on the Elder D[...]by Mrs. Walter Dane I came by emigrant train to Sudbury and[...]crossed into the U.S.A. at Sault St. Marie. I known son of Lewis Yardley Davis and Sarah
got on a N.P train at Valley City and came A. Williams. He was born 23[...]Marvel who lived on the head of Little Powder River area of South Eastern Mon-
Steve Darnall was born on a[...]59. He attended the public schools and now. I stayed there 11 months and then got in Mil[...]r Ben came to Montana and according After that, I went to Miles City and got a job months though[...]ght the May, 1897 after Mamie left him.
for life. Naturally, coming from a farm, Steve Judge Strevell place where Wibaux Park now That same year, Howard remarried a
took up a place at the mouth of Squaw Creek, is. I stayed there for 10 months, but as I Margaret Cora Hockett from the Hockett
a tributary of Tongue River, and developed couldn't save any money, I came out to Basin area in Montana. Her[...]Selby (Mrs. Mary D. Tate) lived. I heard abeth Cook. She was born 4 March, 1879,
Steve was known for his open-hearted there that Mr. P.S. Richardson wanted a possibly a[...]Clay County, Iowa, or in
hospitality; it was said that he fed more man, so I went there and got a job. After being the Powde[...]night stoppers - than any other there a year, I went to work for Mr. W.E. Margaret Davis moved to Baker, B[...]He remained a Barnard at Powderville. That fall I went County, Oregon in 1897 by covered w[...]but moved back to this area in 1900.
anything that was sensational, he was one of the present brand from S.E. "Chunky" Howard was employed for 34 years as the
the caliber of pioneers that helped hew an Kimball and wintered them with H.O. Boyes, head of the farm at the State Industrial
Empire out of the Northern Great Plains. He who had become my brother-in-law that year. School (Pine Hill). During this time[...]d is buried in the cemetery at In the spring, I made a deal with Jack Margaret had three (3) children that we have
Miles City. - A Range Riders Museum[...], who lived where Ben Jurica is now, record of. The first was Lewis Nathan Davis.
Story, 1963. whereby I would do the riding on his and my He was bo[...]Lena Shy. cattle and he would take care of any cattle married Bertha Alice Kaiser in M[...]Another brother, John, ran the Darnall that needed feed in the winter. I also received 4 Sept. 1924.
Hospital on the corner of Leighton and $20.00 per month. I stayed there almost three Bertha was the daughter of Charles Kaiser
Knight streets which closed soon after 1901, years and then decided to get a place of my and Adelia W esterstrom. She was born 11
I've been told.] o[...]up their holdings so I bought their Buck North Dakota. Lewis N.[...]1909. I moved there in the spring of 1910 and Roberta Louse was first; she was[...]MAS was surveyed, I homesteaded on the Crow Wellems in Mile[...]1927. I became a citizen of the U.S.A. in 1912 Lewis Nathan Davis, Jr.[...]rn 19 January, 1932. He moved to Arizona.
account of how he came to America and In 1912[...]and while visiting the family of his friend final child born in Miles City to Lewis N. and
"I was born in Northumberland, England, John[...], was born in was in Virginia at the time of his mother's
June 1902. I landed in Quebec on June 20, Durham County, England, June 7, 1890. death.
1902. I was at sea 11 days; we drifted two days[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (258)1975, in Miles City of a heart attack and ter of Bob Kimball (Kimbel) from Kentucky. be farm[...]n about 1903, and married a Helen reports of homestead prospects. Mary recal-
child and only d[...]mione Harmon in Miles City on 16 April, led that the railroad circulated brochures and
She married[...]rmon and Cora silver dollars from a map of eastern Montana.
Walter Samuel Davis is the on[...]in the railroad's interest to promote
known child of Howard & Margaret. His only five (5) childr[...]City. They were: !- settlement and development of the empty
record is his headstone which lies besi[...]born 7 December, 1935, 3- In the summer of 1911, the family loaded
1904, and his death less[...]and piano on an immigrant train and headed for
Margaret Hockett Davis passed away from[...]ave moved from the area. homestead sites for the parents, Grace, John
Howard lived on for almost fifty years Frashier Cornell[...]er. He never did remarry. He known son of Lewis C. & Effie Davis. He was about a mile away. The Dayhoffs built their
worked for 17 years for the Holy Rosary born 15 June, 1905, in M[...]nd died 27 prove-up houses at the intersection of the
Hospital in Miles City and was a member of August, 1947, in Miles City as a bachelor. He corners, within shouting distance of each
the Range Riders Organization. He finally[...]other.
passed away 2 October, 1966, at the age of 94 accidentally strangled in his hotel room.[...]Effie M. Kimball Davis died in Miles City that winter, then came back out in May of
and son in the Custer Cemetery in Miles City.[...]would have taken the next train out of Miles[...]buffalo range. World War I pushed the price
born 16 March, 1835, at Utica, M[...]of wheat to $2.23 a bushel. They also raised
County, Michigan; the son of William A.[...]and they went to town maybe once or twice
County, Michigan, or New York state[...]e and wife and woman, but she caught the eye of Sam
ca county, Wisconsin. The third child was[...]in Miles
consin. The fourth and last known child of and his brother Clarence passed away. In[...]on their honeymoon in a lumber
family moved west except for the oldest son much the winters there. They lived there wagon, dragging streamers of old boots and
Fred; who stayed in Wisconsin.[...]race was confined in a wheel Sam's place, and for amusement went to
On 23 July 1893, in Miles City, Custer chair for a number of years, passing away July country dances and pla[...]hoff and Mary Mary once said she felt that folks were
Vermont. His parents were Hiram D. Woo[...]summer followed by one of the worst winters
Luise Wood born 9 November, 189[...]mber 1921 in Springs during the last wave of settlers the homestead. They eventually m[...]nia attracted by the Enlarged Homestead Act of Miles City, where Mary served several terms[...]29 September, 1909. She was the youngest of 11 children, as city and county treasurer.[...]Mary was an active generous woman all of
known son of Lewis Yardley and Sarah Davis. minister. The[...]ked twice a week as a
He married Effie M. Kimball of Mizpah, to Sioux City, Iowa.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (259)[...]LDEN At the age of twenty-two, after teaching for[...]four years, she felt the urge for a change;
by Dayhoff Famil[...]Waupaca seemed to offer little for her and[...]9, 1871 at Wilmington, North Carolina. He of employment as teachers were very scarce
F194 was the youngest of five children. When he in Montana in those days. In the fall of 1909,[...]n to George and they lived near the village of Hope Mills Augusta, she departed for Montana, arriving
and Susan Deibel on September[...]lmington. teach in a rural school. Some of the first
dolph had four brothers and three sist[...]went to work for the XIT cattle outfit. At the at whose home s[...]andolph arrived in Fort Benton, Mon- age of eighteen he came to Montana with the pupil[...]children, Ruth, Allen
tana, in 1885, at the age of 22, presumably by first herd of XIT cattle, in the spring of 1890. and Janet. Her schoolhouse was a dilapida[...]. In recalling this he said, "We loaded out of log cabin with holes in the floor through
L[...]he Marias River Channing, Texas, the tenth of May and which the bullsnakes sometimes came and
Valley where he remained for about a year. shipped to Wendover, Wyoming[...]ions to drift resided.
on land just east of the city, where he north into Montana.[...]her adventure to Montana began, and
irrigated out of the Tongue River Irrigation on the head of Cedar Creek, Custer County, it was to continue for sixty more years. She
Ditch. Montana, the first of August 1890. taught at the Yale School for two years,
Randolph established a horse camp i[...]wder River. There he again with four herds that were trailed all the with other people in the[...]gan horses, shipping them to East way. From that time on until 1909 when the including amo[...]XIT closed out, Denby worked off and on for Louis, and their children Goldie, Silver
C[...]RD the XIT in Montana. His last job was that of (Babe), and "Dee", Ed Weisner (a suitor) wh[...]established in the seven miles northeast of Fallon, Montana. In A.L. Denby, a rancher a[...]ped to Chicago, Illinois, by cattle northeast of Fallon. When the XIT closed out complete he[...]northeast of Fallon.
Rena Mae was born March 8, 1883, in Tama,[...]1, he married Miss Vida At the time of their marriage, A.L. Denby
Iowa, to Frank and Cor[...]eaching the Yale School had a small herd of cattle; however, he sold
family came to Miles City in 1893 when Rena about five miles east of his place. They raised these in 1912 and becam[...]ars old. Her father, Frank, was a a family of five children; three boys and two farmer. Th[...]rs, and other
at Dillon, Montana, until the death of her at the old place. He passed away May 6[...]903. Rena then returned to Miles at the age of seventy-five years. His widow the homestead was retained and a family
City to work in town. That is where she met still lives on the old hom[...]he early years, the L.D. McMakin
South Jordan, so that the children could get[...]p togeth-
affairs and belonged to the local Lodge of the (MONTEITH)[...]for the most part as there was no radio or
member of the House of Representatives Vida Anna Montieth was born August 5, television of course, and only horse drawn or
from Custer Count[...]a died in Miles City, November 28, child of Joseph and Gertrude Walton (Cor- neighbors. Reading was a great pastime, as
1939 at the age of 56. Randolph died March nell) Monteith. Sh[...]g and other games, jigsaw and
4, 1948, at the age of 84. Both are buried in ert, Clarence, Grover[...]Riders Museum sister, Mabel. Three of her brothers passed phonograph. The few co[...]away before she was born, Robert in 1874 of looked forward to with great anticipation,[...]Grover in particularly the annual Fourth of July picnic.
by Jack Deibel 1886 of diphtheria and scarlet fever.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (260) The depression years of the 1930's were in the deep mud, and he h[...]dal in Miles City in 1951. They live in
difficult for the Denbys, as they were for and wagon to take them to their destinati[...]They arrived on April 1, a few days ahead of Their 5 children are: Gary, the father of 2
children worked out part of the time, chick- John and Win. Lena took up[...]s taking mining engineering at
years a small herd of cattle were again the First Cavalry of the United States Army Butte, Montana and K[...]d additional grazing land ob- in Octo her of 191 7. They served on the border training at Ca[...]ained. Farming was eventually abandoned of Mexico for the duration of World War I. to Ralph Cercy who works with his father
for the most part and attention centered on Th[...]dups, especially in Miles City. Both were of the hill where he had sat on Old Dan that
tion with her youngest son, Alden Jr.[...]n Dennis and Lena Iholts were married ranch that was now his and Lena's. She was
three principal characteristics: A love for her in Miles City on June 4, 1921 at the home of seated beside him. "Don't look back," Lena
adopted state, a keen interest i[...]smiled, "We've had a good life. The children
of the state and their activities, and an S[...]termination to make a living and presence of a few friends. Everett Iholts and sell". "Yes[...]Miles there. John worked all his life. He died of a
second son, Donald and family. She moved[...]eir first son, John Frederick, was born care of that livestock. He is buried in the
Colorado, where sh[...]Ford car. That was not the place for them. married in 1921. -A Range Riders Mus[...]John filed on 320 acres of land on the[...]Miles City they RANDI (KRAGNUS)
On top of a hill they stopped in the shade of went to educate their children. John worked[...]F198
some trees and looked down into the valley. as a policeman for the next eight years. But
"Some day that ranch is going to belong to he never lost sight of his dream of long ago.
me!" John Andrew Dennis told his friend[...]as he had promised Win Aldrich 20 years
ghed. "We don't have more than $20.00 earlier. Event[...]was X slash J.
Brandenberg Country. That was on April 7, During World War II b[...]. went into the Army Engineers and
John was one of the 17 children of William Everett went into the Army Air Forc[...]n he was young, and in 1906 he went School of Mines and married Evelyn Sankey
to Canada with some of their friends, Mr. and in Miles City. They l[...]They homesteaded near engineer working for Humble Oil. Their
Clarahome, Alberta in the Peace[...]Everett graduated from the University of
Police, and rode in the Calgary Stampede.[...]his own business as an
Missouri Breaks. He worked for J. Grantier Agricultural Agronomist. Thei[...]g wild horses. One was old Dan. works for him. Their son, John L., is attend-
The family of Jesse and Hattie Iholts ing college in[...]ds. Everett was his family lived in Brazil for several years when
special pal. Lovely Lena was h[...]rain. Jess hired an teaches in a school for deaf children.
automobile to take them to[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (261)[...]F199 Hill. That winter I worked as a mechanic for
Dawson County) with Fred and Steve Loom-[...]the International dealer and then for Lee's
is. Dents homesteaded right across the roa[...]Machine Shop. In the spring of 1949 I went
north of where the Brusett community hall to work for the City of Miles City and retired
is now.[...]working my way up to
Edgar told about a trip that he, his dad, his[...]seat to rockhounding. I acquired some equip-
when they left Miles City t[...]arted cutting and polishing
Just a few miles out of town he dropped a rein[...]agates and other stones. When I had enough
and had a runaway. The horses and wag[...]good material, I started displaying and
piled up in a washout. By[...]te and Federation
untangled it was time to camp. That night a shows. I also displayed at two national shows,
blizzard s[...]hington, and Lincoln, Nebras-
with a strong wind for several days. They just ka. I have won several trophies, one best in
holed up[...]Yellowstone is a great part of the hobby. I am
Miles City. When the storm was over, they[...]now in the process of learning to facet.
walked into Miles City, got t[...]from our 50th anniversary.
That night the horses got away again and[...]In August 1984 I married Susan Haughian
went back into Miles City[...]Ashley. Since our marriage I have learned to
ing them this time, they made an[...]and that all rocks are not for throwing at
In 1915 he married Randi Kragnus[...]nest Robert Dent. Front row O- We do a lot of traveling and visiting my two[...]The story of my two children;
Randi was born in Norway in 1889 and I was born in 1916 at my grandparents'[...]1912. After living in place on the banks of Tongue River west of children. Crystal married Kevin Snyder and
Minneapolis for a year or two she came to the cemetery.[...]ontana to take up a homestead. of Broadus (no relation) (later) lived on this[...]assengers were met at the depot by a at that time was part of Dawson County. In children; Norman Mollner and Nita Lyn
bunch of riders who were shooting their 1920[...]wntown at the hotel where she stayed that summer and hauled coal with a team and G[...]uch better so she slept very little wagon that winter. That was the winter I Wayne Vinson and they live in Quincy,
that night. tr[...]t, Charlie, Mary (died at 18 days), I started school while we lived on Tongue t[...]e and Bertha. Ernest married River west of the cemetery. Since the river four child[...]by Ernest Dent
Hagen of Seattle, Washington. Oscar died in cows o[...]les City and moved out in the Yellowstone Valley and DENT, SUSAN
had a truck farm, first with his father on attended Kircher School. I went to the 8th
Tongue River west of the cemetery where Joe grade at Washingto[...]ved (no relation). Then they had Fort Keogh that year.[...]itchison place, now Country Club I attended Custer County High School and
Estates. While living there his mother passed in the fall of 1934 I married Elsie Arnoldt. I, Susan E., was the seventh child of Susan
away and his dad went back to Michigan to The next year I worked on a Milwaukee and Dan Haughian who was born at home. I
live. section gang. Our son Gerald was born that was a month early. My dad had gone for an
Randi passed away in February 1935 and[...]carpenter until 1942 when he spare time. That fall we moved to town and While they were gone I wa born. My poor
went to Washington and worked in the Navy I worked on W.P.A. part time. In 1936 I again mother took care of me by herself. She told
Yards in Bremerton, Washi[...]o stay in the other
when he married Maggie Weaver of Brusett, of 1937. Our daughter Ruth was born in 1937.[...]urned to Montana where he Until 1941 I worked at anything I could get. never peeked once! (Can you see kids do that
farmed her place until retirement. Maggie That year I operated a Cat and scraper on the now?) Sh[...]10, 1980, and Edgar Dec. 12, Glendive Unit of the Buffalo Rapids project We lived 4[...]till fall when I enrolled in a welding course from Miles City at the head of Custer Creek[...]r daugh- big 10 room house the year after I was born[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (262)[...]daughter in Drama and Oratory for all the[...]track meets in that area. In 1936 Zona Gale[...]February 16th, 1895. The family moved to for his coaching skills, and his teams always[...]near Bladen during the grade-school and high that era, schools were not divided, as now, by[...]ded then played against Custer County High for
Richard and Susan Ashley - August 9, 1937[...]until World War I began, and served with the decided until the[...]Argonne Forest in France. he was one of eight expected the very best from his athlete[...]oved to tals and his eyes were kept bandaged for three hesitate to drop a star player, even it[...]ly, his sight returned. Back in mean the loss of an important game.
also.[...]y contacted their senator morning, rush home for a twenty-minute
it. We did have programs, dances and social in Washington, D.C., who learned that he had lunch, then be back at the "Hall" whe[...]teams until
My sisters Kathleen and Helen and I went Aft er the war, Glenn returned to B[...]er school, there
to school in Terry and took care of ourselves and he and Maysel were married in 1919. would be basketball practice, then some kind
while mother stayed at home and helped the Glenn and a partner ran a department store, of community or church meeting after
boys with the r[...]n and he played baseball at $25.00 a Sunday for supper. There were lots of trips with the team
1931. I loved to sing, sang any chance I got, anyone who asked. He also began coaching[...]young players, and found that he really to stay with Uncle John and Auntie Otto at
In 1937 I married Dick Ashley. We had enjoyed work[...]ain Street. The Ottos
seven children. Dick worked for my folks returned to college t o become[...]Bladen a few
until after the war. He went to work for the war had interrupted his schooling. H[...]Bell Telephone Company. By age nine, Zona
died of a heart attack on Oct. 10,1965. We track w[...]plugging into a number, and turning the
there. I was involved in many church, school Meanw[...]al was dedicated
Denver; Sandra, Mrs. Ed Helgeson of Tope- Edith Schuman, whom they had known[...]ildren; Joan, Mrs. in Nebraska, ment ioned that the School by his patience, help and in[...]chil- Board was seeking a superintendent for the ip, has guided us." The Dentons began[...]first hot-lunch program in that part of
town, Iowa, three children; S.F.C. Bonnie[...]ol basement, where children
Broomfield, Colorado. I have nine grand- Hysham, and everyone th[...]going to the end of the earth, but to them, it removed free of charge.
In 1980 I sold my home in Terry, came to was an opportunity for adventure and a In 1937, Glenn and[...]to Miles City, where he was to be
Drop-In Center for three years. I enjoyed my of all sports, and taught high school classes as[...]take him long to become involved in
In August of 1984 I married Ernest Dent. sel had taught for awhile when she was only American Legion baseball. He was the man-
Ernest and I do a lot of traveling. We have sixteen, after passing a state exam in Nebras- ager-coach for Legion ball from 1938 to 1947.
a travel trailer.[...]es. In 1945 his team
singing, fishing and looking for rocks. Gale was five years old, Maysel[...]to Billings, Montana for a year while Maysel Through his efforts, the[...]e went to first grade coincided with the end of World War II, and[...]and Maysel was given the job of teaching bells and car horns greeted them. That same[...]ourth graders. year, four of his players - Dick Mitchell,[...]ctivity and organization in the were picked for tryouts with the Brooklyn
little town of three hundred fifty people. Dodgers[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (263) Glenn was military director for the Civilian mental faculties, which are God-[...]s a right to tear down."
elected State Commander for the American Glenn died at eighty-eight in full control of
Legion, he remembered how he had orga-[...]Maysel at eighty-
nized and been first commander of the little nine. They left this world bett[...]d War found it, _a nd their legacy to all of us shall live
I. He became the coach of all sports at the on. - A Range Rider Museum Story
Pine Hills School, and then principal of the
Kinsey School for four years, and in 1966[...]FIELD was named after him. He
has been secretary of Rotary Club,a member
of Veterans of Foreign Wars, a sixty-year
member of the American Legion, was given DERSH[...]ce Award, Scobey HAROLD
Award for Youth Work, National Veterans[...]and Mrs. John Dersham (R. Harold's
the Volunteer of the Year award from the VA parents) homes[...]in 1983. Glenn had served as miles north of Terry in 1892. Harold was only
elder in both Hys[...]the time, having been born
terian churches, and for many summers in Glendive June 12, 1[...]s later in the
1947 to 1949 and sports announcer for station sheep and cattle business. His father ran two
KRJF (now KATL) for ten years. To help bands of sheep at one time.
during the war, he also took o[...]CHS an unusually bad blizzard. Many of the sheep
until he and Mayse! both retired in 19[...]ept busy at home and her many disaster that John Dersham never really
community and church activities. In 1940 she recovered from, so that when Harold took
joined the teaching staff at the[...]s built up again, the
Glenn then taught at Kinsey for five years, mortgage paid off, and the r[...]rried Jessie Phipps in 1915, and When I grew up we were married. We have
dent of the American Legion Auxiliary, and to t[...]y Cecile Dodge
1976, and National Poppy Chairman for undergoing several operations, she[...]stern states, including Hawaii, January of 1931. In June of 1933, Harold
Alaska and the Phillipines. She was[...]rried Helen Ross. They continued in the
president of the Custer County Rural Teach- sheep bus[...]l served gradually began building up a herd of cattle
in many capacities - Sunday School super-[...]F204
called upon to play for many functions and for wool and it was increasingly difficult
give drama[...]William Dominy, was born in McHenry
year of her life, she was still playing her organ. of 1948-1949, Harold hauled hay nearly every County, 50 miles west of Chicago, Illinois,
Their daughter, Aona Gale, was married in day for his cattle at the ranch. The following Ma[...], Nathaniel William
1946 to Everett James Dennis of Braden berg, fall, his heart was beginning to feel the strain, Dominy, was a native of France who came to
the son of John A. and Lena Dennis. The so that the doctor ordered him to move to Am[...]spring to go back was the daughter of James Ward, a pioneer
company in Miles City for five years. Both and oversee the calvin[...]State to R.L. Tibbetts in the fall of 1951. died when he was an infant. His mother
College, University of Nebraska and later A Range Riders M[...]carried on, spending most of her life in
earned her M.S. in Special Education[...]widowhood and died at the age of 85 years,
teacher of the deaf. The couple went to Brazil[...]nty, homestead.
as Methodist missionaries in 1955 for a five-[...]William Dominy (Bill) had the spirit of
year term. Everett attended Miles City[...]adventure and a restless energy, and to that
Junior College, University of Nebraska and as well as the circumstances of the family he
earned his Ph.D. from Kansas State[...]owes the fact that he received a scant
sity. Marc married Lynn Thramer of Kear- F203 education. At the age of fourteen he left his
ney, Nebraska and John a Mon[...]Illinois home in company with a Mr. Barnes,
of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Each couple has a[...]an old neighbor, and crossed the plains that
daughter at this writing.[...]ugh countless from Indiana in April of 1921. We traveled by and into Colorado, consuming six weeks
hours of dedication and patient community train for three nights and two days. We three cros[...]several camps where
impact on this town and area that is far- had to sit up all the way. Our[...]e individ-
reaching and deep-rooted. To the youth of who was born in Foster, Indiana, set u[...]Glenn neighbors could build our home of logs cut being attacked, but had seve[...]Pontiac, Illinois The destination of the party in which Bill
person . . . take care of your health and your and came to Mon[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (264)[...]ted by the brands as belonging to the for 6 volt lights. In 1949 they bought a 32 volt
taki[...]them into the juris- light plant and used that until the REA came
When Leadville mines were opened he diction of the court and advertised them for in 1956. He raised registered alfalfa seed for
freighted into the district from Denver for a sale. This brought on a suit which tested[...]ft freighting to go into livestock as validity of the county's authority. The county and oats. He had cattle and sheep. The alfalfa
a cowboy, and that was his regular occupation was victorious and for several months each was planted in the creek bottom of Crow
until 1882. For several years he was on the year Bill had[...]d his hired man grubbed
Baldwin ranch, just north of Denver, and the authorities.[...]ut by hand. He then hired
later was made overseer of the Baldwin ranch Bill was a deputy sheriff under Jack Charlie Hirsch to plow it for him.
at Longmont, Colorado, where he stayed[...]. Gibbs. Bill was Chief of Police of Miles City Model D, bought from a farmer in[...]off and had
Montana and inspired by the prospects for his Pine Hill home. He was affiliated w[...]n Miss Lula Armbruster, a step-daughter of Deere A with rubber tires and power take off
the spring of 1882. He came through Chas. Young. She was born at Omaha, and at that time the horses were retired.
Cheyenne to Buffalo[...]marriage, but they did adopt a government for the Works Progress Adminis-
City, then as now the metropolis of eastern daughter that is now married and has tration (W.[...]ild a large dam, size
Montana, contained a number of log shacks established a home of her own. William 10,000 yards. Its p[...]be able to
and perhaps 500 people. It was a "free for all" Dominy died January 6, 1942. Mrs. Dominy[...]horses. It was a failure as far as irrigating
For a brief time he ran his horses on Muse[...]ment.
Continuously for over thirty-five years he[...]yn, who married Ted Rautio and now
In the fall of 1900 he established a ranch DORAN FAM[...]sed away
in the Pine Hills by buying two sections of[...]in 1907 and Tammy.
land, the nucleus of his ranch, built his first from County Down,[...]d Bird and
home in Montana. The Dominy ranch, one of for Arthur Cunningham. A year or two later they live at Volborg, Montana. They have
the landmarks of Custer County (at that time he went back to New York and got a jo[...]s, Stephanie, Robin,
ably known to every resident of that county. to earn enough money to go back to[...]the Charles Abbott place in
he became recognized for the typical virtues and worked for Cunningham, Pope, Vessey Powder River Country and farms and runs
of the old time stockmen; courageous, inde-[...]N ranch. He also cattle. Gary works for Sperry Avionics in
pendent and resourceful. Along in the early worked for John Viall on the Little Dry. Phoenix,[...]was selected by the county treasurer One of these sheepmen told their herders Riley,[...]collect delinquent taxes on personal that if they would homestead they would buy Kevin and Jeffrey. They also live at Volborg.
property of stockmen who had neglected or the land,[...]s married to Rae Ellen Gaskill, both work
refused for some years to fulfill their obliga- broke. Jo[...]to Linda Gaskill and is farming with his dad.
for a roundup, and with his bunch of cowboys John married Mary Cull in[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (265)[...]Knowlton; here he spent the rest of his life.
Ruth Patricia is married to Raymond[...]Miles City.
W yttenhove of Yellowstone Valley and they Major P .S. Dowson was born in[...]ed better than an average the many kinds of work which it involved. He
place at Crow Rock. Da[...]lived to see the many changes from open
Dunbar of Yellowstone Valley, they have two having an adventurous nature,[...]ren, Heather and Ryan. They lease the tired of a sedate form of living, so in 1867 he ers, the drought of the thirties, and then, once
Jake and Elsie Wolff[...]ranches. During this
Jerry married Linda Gardner of Denver and foundry or metal works business. In 1897 he time he improved the quality of his livestock
they have two boys, Rob and Patrick[...]eing dissatisfied he tion. After the shortage of water in the
Lake Charles, Louisiana. Suzanne is[...]ivestock (horses) located in the advent of R.E.A. wells with electric
lives in Houston, working as a cosmetologist. Montana, United States of America. The pumps were installed.
Joe[...]g at to his ranch, located at the mouth of Elm- change, was one of the first to use a header
Northern Tank Lines in[...]hurst Creek on Mizpah River, some forty for cutting grain before the days of the
tana. miles southeast of Miles City. Walter Lindsay combines, and was[...]an Associate at Stallard and was a partner of Major Dowson and ran the care of tractors and other mechanical tools of
Dent. She lives with Frances in Miles City.[...]modern farming.
John passed away in April of 1962. It was never the Major's intention to live After the death of his parents he continued[...]the management of this ranch. This with the work the old home[...]understanding that Amos would run cattle Andy developed[...]also; Amos to get 20 percent of the profits. passed away August 2, 1958. The[...]F206 England the fall of 1900 and each year came[...]one, there. Amos Anderson retired as manager of
Iowa, and moved with his family to Wyoming[...]or then
while a child. He was only about 14 years of hired Dan Rogers as foreman. The Major sold[...]F210
for the Pony Express and Telegraph station in t[...]stiansund, Norway in the
Later he ranched south of Douglas, Wyo- 1968. spring of 1889. For a time he herded sheep.
ming, and prior to the au[...]One of the ranches where he worked was the
noted for being a large horseman.[...]worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad at
30 years ago. He owned a large number of[...]MAS In the fall of 1894 he and Elizabeth Liabo,
ranched with his son[...]was born at Rouses Point, at Conlin, east of Fallon, where he was a
business, purchased a home[...]utfits such Parlor. However, this was not the kind of life
Mr. Dorr was a member of the Range as the N, SH, TA, etc. He took up a they wished and in the spring of 1898 they
Riders, the Elks Lodge, and was a member of homestead about three miles south of Broa- took squatters rights on a ranch on Locate
the Selective Service Board for 11 years in dus and married Emma C. Brown of Miles Creek, about fifty miles east of Miles City.
Miles City. He is survived by his wif[...]s born one child, Here they lived the rest of their lives.
D. Dorr; two sons, L.C. (Dutch) Dorr of Miles Miss Brownie Doyle. The Doyles had a goo[...]ild, Elizabeth was born at
City and Percy J. Dorr of Sidney; two ranch, stocked with cattle[...]s in their neighborhood. They were noted for nah, Petrena, and Selma after they move[...]A Range Riders Museum Story. among some of the larger ranches of that
on April 9, 1962 and is buried in Sunset[...]time. He was one of the first settlers in the
Gardens, Miles City, Mo[...]area to raise oats for horse feed and also
Riders Museum Story.[...]He was postmaster of the Dragseth Post
by Do[...]gseth was born in Miles With the coming of homesteaders, like[...]of Stinus and Elizabeth Dragseth. When su[...]to a ranch on Locate Creek six miles east of The Milwaukee Railroad coming to Ismay

276

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (266)about this time also gave a ready market for Nellie Edith Winfield was born in Cro[...]on, Minnesota, April 25, 1894, daughter of They ranched for several years and he later
close eighteen gates t[...]would supply beef to the worked 20 years for the Miles City Mercan-
and write English and was[...]966 he and Nellie celebrated their 50th
Knowlton. For several years they maintained At that time she was a telephone operator wedding anni[...]Drennen who changed her 1981, at age of 92. He stayed bright and
completed the eighth gra[...]l and at- 1916 they were married, and for the next 23 of First Presbyterian Church, Range Riders
tended co[...]s was handicapped by raising her family of three daughters, Hazel, Museum Story.
cataracts[...]ver the Twila and Barbara.
management of the ranch to their son She wa[...]Flanagan
ranch doing whatever work he was capable of was a fabulous cook and homemaker, and a
until his death in 1946 at the age of seventy- good friend to all who knew her.[...]ding Anniversary on Sep- DUDLEY, THOMAS I.
woman and hard working. She often helped[...]maintaining a Story
wellkept household for her large family and Thomas I. Dudley was born December 15,
a hired man or two.[...]known as Gallatin Gateway. His dad, T.J.
meals for the neighboring bachelors and[...]Dudley was foreman of the Flying D Ranch
friends who came to Sunday din[...]of the Gallatin where Tom grew up until he
ing and w[...]Army during World War I for two years.
a short illness in the spring of 1935 at the age When he was discharged he came to the
of sixty-seven.[...]Broadus area and went to work for Link
Stinus and Elizabeth Dragseth were fol-[...]of Pilgrim Creek in 1927.
an oldest daughter, Elizab[...]ra Nolan of Minneapolis. Later they ranched
den, Hannah Mahls[...]at Boyes until the fall of 1939. He then took
and Selma Pahrman.- A Range Ri[...]the job of District Manager of the Taylor
Museum Story, 1978.[...]Jordan, Asia, for two years as Chief of Forest[...]Montana. They had four children: Tom of[...]Miles City; Jeannine Martin of Troy, Mon-[...]tana: LoraMarie Scott of Veradale, Wash-[...]ington; and Roger of Welton, Arizona. - A[...]Iowa on January 25, 1889, son of Samuel and
Julia Drennen. In the spring of 1902, the AND LEOTA KIMES[...]amily had Iowa, in 1876. He was the youngest of nine
moved to Miles City for school and he children. He moved to Rap[...]He drove taxi in Miles City, After the death of his parents he decided to[...]iness and later began to drive to Broadus part of the way with a troop of soldiers, but[...]her sister, Pearl up land. He later drove truck for the West a feat for a boy of fourteen. Sometime later
Buckley, who was postmis[...]homestead 10 miles NW of Jordan because on Otter Creek, and[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (267)[...]JOSEPH present site of Ismay, Montana. Indians,
come to Miles City in 18[...]F216 probably Sioux, besieged the train for eight
an older sister and her grandmother Kimes[...]where his father, to Milestown and Fort Keogh, for help. A
Yellowstone River. To this marriage one s[...]lent rider and roper farm in the vicinity of Iowa City where United States Cavalry troops were then
and worked for a number of ranches. He was Joseph spent his boyhood[...]stationed at Fort Keogh to protect white
one of the cowboys who rode the horses the West[...]om the Indian attacks.
English buyers were taking for the Boer war. and engaged in driving a large herd of cattle Fort Keogh, established one year earl[...]building and Matthew Elgin began
always in demand for polo and also sold them about a year on the range he returned to a long period of contract hauling of materials
to the U.S. government for the Remount. He western Iowa taking contracts for breaking and supplies for the Fort. In 1880 Matt pre-
ran cattle too.[...]Walnut. Valley, immediately below the Tongue. The
homestead of Ollie McSweyn. He also bought He was m[...]1858, to Robert E. and Elizabeth T. some of the earlier homes of Miles City were
Forest. He bought the homestead of Walter Campbell. She attended grade schools and built.
Sibley, that was across the road from the the State N[...]ily, with other relatives, moved to 1882 on one of the earlier Northern Pacific
lived on his ranch u[...]er material which was, then, the end of the lain at Fort Keogh.
county, for eighty three years. She spends the railroad, though building was continuing As the citizens of Milestown moved closer
winter in Sheridan, Wyomin[...]ing at Glendive the men drove to Fort Keogh for protection from the
back to her ranch on Otter Cr[...]while the women and children the newer town of Miles City. Town records
Museum Story, 1968.[...]e up the Yellowstone River on a wood bur- show that Matt Elgin was the first tax payer[...]h filed on a homestead two miles east County at that time was a huge county
of Miles City and started in the cattle encompassing most of Southeastern Mon-[...]in the hard winter of 1886-7. He later on which were establish[...]purchased land in the valley a mile east of yards of the Chicago Milwaukee and St. Paul[...]ng and raising near the Milwaukee Station of Paragon,[...]Six children were born to this marriage of
1883 and attended the public schools there. November 19, 1880, on the farm south of Matthew and Susanna: Anna Agnes,
In 1903[...]orking on was born on the homestead east of Miles City, Elgin, Mathias Leonard Elgin, Gertr[...]Matthew Elgin died October 10,
being on the head of Sand Creek in the 9, 1947. Mrs. Josep[...]ry Cemetery
Mizpah area. In 1906, he went to work for the buried in the family plot in Custer Coun[...]and managed by Amos as well as a sister of Mrs. Eichhorn. - A b[...]came interested in
trading in cattle which he did for many years, Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Eichorn, son[...]ELLIOTT, ALBERT
who was moving large numbers of cattle from
the south and from Old Mexico into Mo[...]ale grocer. At an early age
ming. He was a member of the Elks and the[...]0, 1853 in an apprentice in the new science of photogra-
Haskell in Denver; one sister; four bro[...]ed at Sheridan, Wyoming. - A Range acres of Minnesota land for two of the first Hanchett and the family moved to Des[...]summer of 1877 Matt joined a wagon train at Maie[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (268) During the spring of 1897 Mr. Elliott
journeyed to Miles City, Montana with the
view of establishing a photographic gallery in
that town.
In October 1897 he and his family moved
to Miles City and Mr. Elliott associated for
a while with L.A. Huffman, another pioneer
phot[...]Mr. Elliott had his own
studio on the north side of Main Street
between Sixth and Seventh Streets in[...]expert hunter and
fisherman and was the organizer of the
Remmington Rifles, an organization of Miles
City hunters. He was also a Deputy Sheriff
of Custer County, Montana, and a volunteer
fireman.[...]riends, he was
drowned in the Slough, a tributary of the
Yellowstone River, on June 6, 1909. He was
bu[...]tt, Kathy (Elliott) Marcil, Gail (Elliott) Groah.
of Charles Henry Hanchett and Alwilda Fr[...]er was a
photographer and was a direct descendent of S. Strevell. They have four daughters and o[...]scharge
John Phelps and Isaac Holt, both veterans of son: Cheryl Sandefer, Lake Havasu City, from the Army in 1865. He was a veteran of
the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Elliott was a[...]the Indian Wars in Minnesota and the Civil
member of the Congregational Church. ington; a[...]o Albert Edward Elliott and Jim Elliott all of Miles City. Hank has came from Lanark,[...]e passed away on December 30, 1938 and ment for a construction company. They have Wash[...]othy Elliott One year was spent working for Johnny[...]9 Champion, Michigan; the second child of[...]y and her father worked in the
1932, the daughter of Pearl and Clarence
Preller, ranchers in the Pine[...]uly 28,
1921 in Miles City, Montana, the only son of
Matie and Morgan Elliott. He has a sister,
Margar[...]k attended first grade
in Miles City and the rest of the grades at the
Crow Creek School. After .the death of his
father in 1936, the family moved to Miles Cit[...]at various jobs until he
joined the CCC's in 1938 for 18 months. He
then worked for ranchers and the MDU,
joining the service in 1942. He was discharged
in the fall of 1945. In March 1946, Hank
began working for the Montana Department
of Highways, retiring there as Sectionman in[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (269)[...]They all filed on The same justice of the peace, Judge John
homesteads on Pumpkin Creek south of Gibb, who married her parents, m[...]7. 1977. They had three children, one of whom
They gradually built up a herd of cattle passed ·away in 1958. The remai[...]resides in Miles City. -A Range Riders
elers paid for pasture for their stock with Museum Story
meals and[...]the Deer Trail, Colorado, the son of William F.
drought areas. Morgan and Matie sold e[...]. He received his early
thing in 1936. In October of that year Morgan education at the grade school[...]living with his grandparents.
and died at the age of 56. The next spring After graduation h[...]Livestock Company at
lived in Miles City the rest of her life, pa::;sing Burns, Colorado, as range m[...]ns in YMCA. World War II.
away in 1981 at the age of 97. operated his own sprea[...]and remained with the Benton interests for had seen in Montana the summer before and
i[...]years. He then purchased the Mid- decided that was the place to be. He came
ness and a son, Henr[...]lling this Milwaukee Railroad. While working for
grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. -[...], buying the McIntosh Bros. contractors for the railroad,
A Range Riders Museum Story.[...]ily moved to Miles City in 1967. On manager of the Crescent Electric Co. and in[...]Vickie and son Wyatt remained on the ranch. of Evans-Powell Electric Shop. In 1914 Jack
ELLISON, ALFRED I. Don took over active management. disposed of his interest in the Electric Shop.[...]ed away in Denver while on a He then worked for the City Light Plant and[...]er 23, 1973. Services in 1927 went to work for the company that
Mrs. Elizabeth Ellison was born in Miles[...]kota Utilities.
City, Oct. 14th, 1890, the oldest of five City on September 28, 1973. Inte[...]metery with Masonic with the 118th Regiment of the 30th Division
homesteaded about fifteen miles south of services. A Range Riders Museum Stor[...]He was with this Division throughout
City as boss of the bridge gang for the NP[...]campaign in northern France and
Railroad. Because of his work, the family[...]ed YMCA Secretary for the Calais District.
in Big Horn where she and he[...]a house was built at 115 North 12th
only Indians for playmates. She attended[...]from the home in the valley.
School in Miles City, and attended high[...]uts in its early
school in the Washington School. For some on December 24, 1883, the eldest son of J.H. beginnings, organizing the first troop i[...]angelical minister and returned from World War I that Scouting
Laundry at 117 S 7th, but she gave this[...]rches in various towns in Ohio and became one of the main interests in his life,
when she married.[...]ack attended public schools. which continued for better than 45 years. It
liked to cook and sew, a[...]nced schooling in northern is estimated that he worked with around 700
travel occasionally.[...]Northwestern College where he was boys during that time. He held the Scout-
Alfred was born in Ea[...]100, 220 and 440 yard dashes. a Member at Large of the National Council,
and his father from Sweden.[...]nding public school he worked Boy Scouts of America. In addition to his
came to Miles City with plans of ranching in summers with electrical contractors and Scout work he was an honorary member of
the Powder River country. However, he got[...]d an apprenticeship as an the Custer Chapter of the Future Farmers of
a job with the Yellowstone Printing Co. In[...]ged by Ed Flynn to take various cities of the midwest and in 1906 Convention for three years.
the civil service exam, and he becam[...]e summer on Jack was an active member of the First
carrier. At that time the post office was in the the Gray Ranch in the Judith valley, cutting Methodist Church, as Sunday School Super-
Wibaux Building at the corner of 7th and hay and being known as "pilg[...]returned to Dayton, Ohio. During the panic that needed to be done at the church. He had
to the National Guard. He was a self educated of 1907, when wages were being paid in scrip served as Master of Ceremonies for New
man, having gone only through the third in Dayton, he thought of the hard money he Years Eve parties[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (270)directed plays for DeMolay in past years.
Jack was a member of the Miles City
Kiwanis Club serving as its presid[...]ommunity Service Award. He was also a life
member of the American Flag association and
a stickler as t[...]ater
years he presented a speech to a large group
of Scouts and adults entitled "Look Forward
to Tomorrow" or "The Mill Will Never Grind
With Water That Has Passed Over the
Dam", for which he was given a standing
ovation.
Jack and Lucretia never had much in the
way of material goods, but their life was
certainly a "S[...]o tightly it will home on the Southwest corner of 12th and rooms that had been established by the Miles
even "close"![...]Palmer. Lucretia spent most of her life on this City Womens Club. The rooms we[...]uated from the local in the YMCA building that is now owned by
Bright New Journey, high school in May, 1907, in a class of 7 girls the Eagles Lodge. These rooms were for the
As lightly as Your feet have ever trod! and 1 boy. use of women and children, who were able to
And - soon - we too, shall be following In the fall of 1907 she entered Oberlin rest and meet thei[...]inging their boys home from the war
And, as out of sight "Around the Bend" and on her eight[...]was able to play for the Methodist Church was built in the valley next to where the Star
You'll never "want" Dear Friend - be- Sunday School and from that date until Motel is at the present tim[...]to bursting - with the Love we hold playing for the Junior Choir, Lucretia was September 27, 1916. Jack and Lucretia
for You! active in the music department of the church. thought the country would be a go[...]ns and raise the boys. With the good help of Carl and
••••••[...]and at the invitation of Mrs. Cheever and the they acquired a cow, chickens, a couple of
To: Our Friend Jack Evans,[...]tacey, Montana. were good times. (I well remember Carl and[...]by Bob Evans Sheriff and a close friend of the family took game called "Pit" and some li[...]time the new Buick had been out of Miles everything that went on at the First Method-
EVANS, LUCRETIA[...]and a neighbor boy were superintendent of the Beginners and Primary
FARNUM[...]the Berry Ranch. Mrs. Berry had Department of the Sunday School for many
F224[...]nancial secretary
Lucretia Farnum, the daughter of Joseph Anderson, foreman of the Pumpkin Creek for years and spent much time visiting and
and Minnie[...]reading to shut-ins and lonely folks. Of
Cattle Co. house located on the Northeast with him arrived at the ranch home for an old course, she was always there to help Jack and
corner of Palmer and 12th Street in Miles fashioned "charivari", Lots of fun and much the hundreds of boys that were "Jack's Boys"
City on December 16, 1887. to Jack's surprise, many of the men were through Boy Scouts. Lucreti[...]ther and her Uncle Abner came to friends of the Farnums and had known January 2,[...]n 1882 to look after the Concord Lucretia for a good many years. Range Riders[...]the local business manager. evening a group of neighbors arrived and
The first six years of Lucretia's life were another "charivari". Las[...]folks who lived
Ranch, located at the confluence of Mizpah in beautiful Custer Forest.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (271)[...]K. the University of Wisconsin.[...](BUD) AND JEAN of Iowa, and their daughter, Katherine[...]Krieg is an Asst. Vice President of The First
In the spring of 1959, the family ranching Colorado Bank and Trust. Ann is part owner
business of A.J. Barta and Sons consisting of of a women's clothing business known as
A.J., father[...]sband, Steve, and son,
Grive ranch 30 miles south of Miles City to Shane, live on Eglin Air Force Base near Ft.
provide a "home for the cows". The Barta Wal ton Beach in[...]and works in Special
Dakota, had been in business for 30 years Operations as Chief of the Anti-Terrorism
with most of the grazing land located on the and County[...]Reservation. Conditions on the director of the Hurlburt Air Force Base
reservation were unst[...]continue to provide a "home
provide more security for the cows. for the cows" and, incidentally, have found
An interesting bit of trivia is the fact that a home for themselves among the fine people
the home ranch located in Custer County, of southeastern Montana.
South Dakota was purchased from a family
by the name of Grieves. The Montana[...]ty and
was owned by W.W. Grieve - no relation.
That fall Bud, Jean and children, Krieg
and Susan, wit[...]ALEX Wedding picture of Edith and Alex Fandrich.
Creek to begin their lives in Montana. It is
fortunate that we cannot see what lies ahead. AND EDITH
In the intervening years, like other rural[...]the United States
prices, escalating costs, etc. that would have with his family about 1909. He wa[...]as incorpora- After serving in World War I, Alex came to
ted with the home office remaining[...]1973, according to long- Creek, north of Miles City. His father
range plans, the parent co[...]h was originally
the Montana ranch under the name of The from Spickard, Missouri. She came to Mon-
Failings, Inc. The operation continues in that tana as a young woman and taught at the
mann[...]school and Custer County District For the next several years Alex and Edith
High School, and both graduated from lived north of Miles City. Eventually
Montana State University.[...]where Alex worked for the Montana Highway[...]Edith died in 1969 at the age of 70. She is[...]of 84 and is also buried in Miles City.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (272) I worked together for a couple of years. We Creek where they built the prese[...]1. There bar ranch. Tusler resigned to care for his large
was a lot of work on the ranch with 150 acres holdings. A[...]GLEN AND of irrigated land and all the other ranch work. dent of the Concord Cattle Co. Abner[...](MEIXNER) of Forsyth, Montana. Due to school prob-[...]ranched and ran their cattle until the Fall of[...]s City. She then went to become sole owner of the reverse E2 bar[...]at Kircher for 1 ½ years and then attended - Hi & Glenn[...]Forsyth school for two years. She finished &Edith.[...]rian of her class at Rosebud High School. She New Ha[...]I'm getting slower in my ranch work, but Hiram. Roswell died at the age of two.
as I have ranched all my life, what would I do In 1884, Abner, having come to Montana[...]le in 1883 to learn the stock business, sent for
Abner & Katherine (Katie) Farnum taken in[...]his wife and son, stating in his letter that he
October of 1987.[...]the Spring breakup, he was unable to get to
I was born on August 9, 1918, in Miles City,[...]F228 River backed up to the porch of the hotel and
married in 1915. Mother was a Birch[...]Hop- covered over with ice cakes; to top that off she
Jamestown, North Dakota, in September of kinton, New Hampshire where he spent 33[...]He married the snakes. Mrs. Farnum stated that she
line Mixner. Her father worked for the Mary Pierce Dow on Feb. 29, 1872 a[...]ampshire. Abner and his get much sleep that night. Joe Farnum finally
killed in a railroad ac[...]reversed granite quarries; moving one block of twenty Edith and Glenn, all are native Monta[...]ncord, this block was to be a and proud of it.
closed out. cornerstone of the new State Capitol build- Mrs. Farnum kept house at the corner of
My dad sold the Cottonwood Ranch in[...]rd Cattle Co. (her husband being
What a change I had coming from a one organized. In 1883, Abner and Joe Farnum Superintendent of this company). She lived
room school at Shirley w[...]would take the old
rooms and a lot more students! I attended part of the SH on Tongue River, belonging Concord[...]ids into it, and start
high school in Miles City. I didn't get to play to Joe Scott. In 1884, the Concord Cattle Co. for the ranch, Edla driving the milk cow.
in sports as there were chores of milking and branding reverse E2 bar moved to[...]feeding the cows before and after school. of Mizpah Creek and built another ranch. tr[...]r country women did. To show
Katie Meixner and I were married July 16, Henry Tusler was Superintendent; Abner that the Western pioneer women had the
1941, in Forsyt[...]e bought the moved to Miles City as bookkeeper for the condition, her son, Glenn, relates a[...]incidents in her life: "One time as we were
I had bought some land on Jones Creek so we o[...]ded the Mizpah ranch to ment hill, one of the horses dropped dead.
place fit in with the range land on Jones Mary Murphy for a script of 40 acres which There was nothing she could do but wait for
Creek.[...]wagon came along. Luckily, the driver of the[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (273)freight outfit was one of their friends, leading occurred. Being the smallest of the family
an extra horse. He dumped the dead hor[...]TH In January of 1915, Elizabeth married
"Another time when we[...]iles City. They made their home near the
when one of the horses stubbed his toe, fell[...]born on August 9, 1918, in Miles City.
I went over to the ranch, which was only a[...]and moved to the Yellowstone Valley, buying
lying on the bunk (a stranger) who, when[...]did most of the milk delivery. They ran the
stranger stated that Mr. Vine was riding after[...]Lodge. After failing health for a couple of
mowing machine in it, not being assembled[...]day a ranch hand, after making a wagon
tongue out of an ash tree, returned the
wagon".
After her hu[...]e (Hi & Mary)
where she passed away in the Spring of 1939. Joseph E. Farnum, a native of Concord,
Abner Roswell and Mary Dow Garnum res[...]New Hampshire, was born on the 14th of
side by side in the cemetery at Miles City. -[...]June, 1853, the youngest of six children of
A Range Riders Museum Story.[...]when, as bookkeeper of the Concord (New[...]come to Montana a Miles City and worked for the Concord Cattle 1893, when he came to Mi[...]ns. In 1908 attended to the office work of several large
Ranch.[...]raised on the E2 ranch and schooled working for his father. In 1913 he took up a the Insura[...]not far from the ranch. Business of C.A. Wiley - conducting the
at 10 years of age; working in summer and In January of 1915 he married Elizabeth insurance and r[...]ir only child, Abner death.
He took charge of the E2 as wagon boss in Glenn, was born on[...]905. of 1930 they sold the ranch to Paul Fetter. on the board of county commissioners for
He married Mary Johannson in 1906. Two[...]m a cowboy to many years. He was a member of the
children were born to this marriage, Clayton[...], and Hi August Rehbein in the Yellowstone Valley in treasurer of the church in Miles City and a
purchased the remnants of the E2 in 1907 and 1930. They operated the dairy until 1944. superintendent of its Sunday schools.
ran the Pool wagon one year.[...]in 1914. on Main Jones and East Jones Creeks for who was born in Vermont. To this marri[...]December 16, 1887 (Lucreita now Mrs. Jack
for Union Stock Yards of St. Paul, Minneso- Ernest Johnson place. T[...]rn July 26, 1893 and Scott,
ta. He retired at age of 70, after 33 years of with the range land.[...]rnia in 1958. Mrs. 1, 1951. In October of 1953 he married Farnum died on Januar[...]-A Range Riders Museum Story. In January of 1955 he sold all his cattle at the[...]March 29, 1894, the daughter of Emil and[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (274)[...]hundred head of cattle and many horses.
FEASTER FAMILY[...]F232 Yellowstone Valley three miles from Miles[...]Hospital so much, we sold that place and[...]until 1980. At that time we bought a place in 9, 1884 at Uphall,[...]We lost our son Paul in October of 1981. in 1906 and worked in lumber camps in[...]one daughter, Heather. Canada for about a year and came to Miles[...]Kenneth (Bucky) died in July of 1988, City in 1906 to settle the estate of his uncle,[...]miles up Tongue River. He then worked for[...]r Anna married Doug Rob- a short while for Dan Fulton and Jack Humes[...]bookkeeper for Lakin and Westfall for quite
I spend my time with a sister in Seattle, or a number of years. He then took over the[...]my brother Jack Eaton and family of Glen- management of a flour mill located at seventh[...]Miles City. If I'm not with them I stay with later the Occident Elevator. Then for quite[...]s in Miles City or my a time he was manager of the G.B. Pope Land[...]ster Wyoming, with his family of four. area. He then started in th[...]by Alma M. Feaster manager of the Wilbaux Building and several[...]of Representatives in 1932 and served several
Ken[...]terms. He then was state senator for several
tana with his mother Anna, two brothers a[...]nded in 1942 when he suffered
a sister at the age of ten. They were dressed[...]a severe heart attack. In 1946 he and his son,
for Missouri and when they got here on a cold,[...]e ill-prepared on November 7, 1886, the son of Mr. and Mrs. which he continued until his death on
for the climate, but Anna and the children, So[...]re her father ran a fruit
died in 1926 at the age of twenty-nine. Anna 2, 1908 in Miles City. Th[...]y in 1906 to stay
was the next to leave this vail of tears in 1950 People that knew Harold will remember with her cousin, Kenneth McLean. She was
at the age of seventy-one. Lynn died in the him as a kind man who enjoyed his family and married to Ro[...]at friends. He passed away June 15, 1945 of a 1911. They moved to 304 North Tenth stre[...]pine Ranch of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. same day within two hours of each other, she
Kenneth had a small place on S[...]She had met in Miles City two years later.
for area ranchers when he wasn't busy at th[...]ie Jean.
served three years. He sold the place oi:i George, Hazel, Lavina, and a baby girl wh[...]B. O'Connor December 31, 1937 in Miles
City for his mother. She[...]City. Mary was born March 23, 1915. They
I became acquainted with Kenneth and his lngomar for 1 school term. When we moved worked all over the world for Utah Construc-
mother in 1940, at my home on the[...]ys Thomas Robert and
we held Sunday School. After I left the LO, under 4 sheriffs. William David.
I took my daughter, Pansey and son, Jack to[...]indlater was born June 12,
Seattle in 1942. There I worked in the largest - A Range Riders Museum Story. 1919. He married Virginia Selby of Berkeley,
furniture store in Seattle. I stayed in Seattle[...]15, 1955.
After we married we worked one year for
Ed Love, then bought the old Hatch place o[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (275)[...]home" for the many Scotsmen in Eastern Je[...]Montana. Two childhood friends of Dun- McKenzie, had immigrated earl[...]the Highlands, recall memories of Scotland, and purchased the Acoma Hotel[...]. Finlayson, as a young lad in look for · work, make plans for their future Duncan went to work for Jim Sawyer at
Scotland, had dreams of the new land, ripe (sometimes losing their money causing that Sawyers Grocery on 7th Street and he a[...]trathcarron, Scotland on July to work for the Barley Brothers Sheep outfit But, wh[...]hospitality warmed the hearts and bodies of
that he would some day make that long a ticket to join him in Mo[...]en Jessie arrived in Montana on Sep- that humble home later graced the mantel of
fied by enthusiastic letters from friends of the tember 7, 1915, there were no sidewalk[...]eir home on North Stacy and was often the
Village that had immigrated earlier to the paved streets. Two days after her arrival, source of warmth for their many friends when
United States. They wrote glowing letters of Jessie and Duncan walked up the muddy[...]the Presbyterian Church to be have a cup of tea?" For a short time Duncan
Duncan shared these dreams[...]and Jessie moved to Billings. Quickly lone-
of his life, Jessie McKenzie, who lived in the to Jordan for their honeymoon and to see some for their friends, they returned to Miles
next Villag[...]City where they lived for the rest of their
on March 21, 1887. Jessie was one of six Both later often recalled, w[...]en born to Finlay McKenzie and Ann that "wild buggy ride" that took almost two From 1916 to 1920, t[...]days. Jessie's beautiful white hat that she had rooming house in the 500 block on P[...]in on April 6th. with dust and the back of her lovely silk are now located. Alexandra (Lex) and May-
At that time the Montana Bar, owned by b[...]Kenney, was the "home away from that dusty, rough 100 mile trail. went to work for the Milwaukee Railroad as[...]blessed the union of Duncan and Jessie in[...]home for children of the Scots to keep the[...]were set at 25 cents per year for membership.[...]Some of the Scots complained about that.[...]served at midnight. That lunch must have[...]and music were a constant part of the joy of[...]their home. The dancing was shared so that[...]about 1926. That tradition continues in the[...]Jessie was a good cook and she got lots of[...]practice. There are memories of different[...]families staying at the Finlayson home for[...]It is interesting to note that Jessie returned[...]Eastern Star, White Shrine of Jerusalem and[...]Daughters of the Nile, and he in the Yellows-[...]of Miles City and Al Bedoo Shrine of Billings.[...]They both were members of the First Presby-[...]ayson taken in Miles City in 1955 on the occasion of their fortieth anniversary. They can die[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (276)[...]so by Maruice and Donald Fleming and
tion for friends. made h[...]or six miles southeast of Knowlton. Walter[...]Holland on deep and the weather so cold that the doctor
June 24, 1880. Coming to the United States could not come from Ismay for the birth. He
as a young boy, he resided in New Y[...]good stock ranch and acquired a good for the return of Walter and his family.
reputation as a citizen an[...]i). it was necessary for three children to board
Mr. Fisher was a member of the Masonic and room with various residents of Knowlton.
Lodge in Ismay for fifty years, being one of First it was with Mrs. Lumwho kept the
its[...]In 1926 Walter bought the Weyland Wood
out of Terry. She was a member of the Order place which was right in Knowlton and there
of Eastern Star at Ismay. w[...]tory, 1968. worked for the Rosco Company building the America in[...]school board rushed to the Black Hills for gold), Edward
and was a charter member and director of the arrived in Miles City in September 1877[...]charter member of the Locate-Knowlton Edward was con[...]hout her years at Knowlton. the construction of the Fort Keogh officers'
She was also a member of the Royal neighbors quarters in 1877-78, the[...]Walter was born on November 14, 1883, at of America and a member of Custer Chapter in '81, the first Cat holi[...]ska. His parents, Tom and No. 25, Order of the Eastern Star. northeast corner of Main and Tenth Streets)
Hattie Fleming, had eight[...]nd the MacQueen House in '82.
and four girls. All except Walter and Tom many school teachers, boa[...]Catherine Golden was born August 15,
lived most of their lives in Illinois near and friends.[...]with the mail and knew that coffee and Honora Coleman Golden. In 1[...]llip. Then she and working on the construction of the State
tion in schools in Marysville, Missouri[...]sville. Here he met no longer able to care for herself, then made was born in Miles City and[...]ton, away on May 23, 1984, at the age of 93 ½ and Concrete Block (709-715 Main) in 1[...]side Edward was involved in many aspects of
He worked for several years for Dan Bowman[...]ns, James and Edward, served
homestead, he worked for Hal Schlosser who during World War I with only one of the sons[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (277)[...]ed in France. His ranch. He later disposed of all but the Powder Montana, early maps of Billings, the original
parents never seemed to ge[...]anch but retained the Bar G brand roadbed of the Milwaukee Road and all of
During the last few years Edward worked[...]d by his son, eastern Montana. An original map of Custer
for Midland Lumber Company as a shopman J[...]on December 13, 1925 Mr. Fluss was one of the original stockhol- and the copy is on the flyleaf of Fanning The
and Catherine died on August 14, 1926. ders of- the State Bank of Terry. he also Embers. He served two terms[...]served as trustee of school district No. 5 for the state legislature. At various times he had[...]laine Swanson several years. He was one of the first three large land holdings and the interests of the[...]nization of Prairie County in 1915 and him during[...]continued in that capacity until 1931. Mr. On January 11,[...]served many years as a board member Wise of Avoca, Iowa. They raised and
F239 of the Prairie County Co-operative State ed[...]as born in Clinton, He was a member of Terry Lodge #74 Kenneth Smith), Georg[...]received a grade education and came to For many years he was a member of the Terry in East Liberty, Iowa on March 26, 1872, the
Montana at the age of 12 years. He came to Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Fluss passed daughter of George and Elizabeth Meltner
Terry, Montana, in 1[...]ous Iowa farmers. She was a
school and at the age of 17 he started riding family plot at Terry, M[...]d wife and mother. Her first days in a
the range for "Red" McDonald who ranched Irva (Boot[...]new state found her maintaining a home
southeast of Terry. Mr. McDonald showed 13, 1878 in[...]rest in Rex and advised him to daughter of James and Hannah Booth. surveying f[...]She spent her childhood in Illinois. In the of transportation were the horse and buggy.
that Rex had more than the making of a spring of 1903 she came to Montana. She It was not unusual for her to face the birth
cowboy. Rex took his advice[...]married Lon Fluss on March 18, 1903 at the of a child alone. But she, like Mr. Flynn, loved
Business College in Miles City,[...]by Montana and the neighborly concern of their
After college Rex started working in the[...]d neighbors. Her devotion to caring
Security Bank of Terry. He was a member of and partner in the ranching business. To this for her husband during six long years of
the famous "Terry Cowboy Band."[...]active
accepted a position as Cashier in the Bank of Terry. Leo is now living in Idaho. Irva is[...]ry. Flynn served as chairman of the red cross,
position of President of the bank. He was also She was a member of Terry Chapter #74 chairman of the Custer County Republican
owner-manager of the Lake Theater in O.E.S. and the[...]ch. Club and was active in the Chamber of
Baker.[...]lebrated their Commerce and the Knights of Columbus.
He was known as a prominent and civi[...]is and the Flynn home was a gathering place for
all-round fellow. The following proves that he buried in the family plot at Terry, Montana. friends of their children. She was active in the
was known S[...]St. Thomas Aquinas Division
He was: President of the Montana Bankers and was a member of the Miles City Woman's
Association, President of the Montana Club.
Chamber of Commerce, President of the[...]Mrs. Flynn on August 21, 1959. Both are
dent of the Montana Independent Theater F[...]Riders Museum Story.
He was a member of: Miles City Shrine PATRICK
Club[...]by Flynn Family
Committee and Range Riders, Inc. of Miles
City.
He owned one of the oldest letter brands, Pioneer Surveyor[...]William Patrick Flynn, son of Festis and[...]rk, he tion he came to the conclusion that the West
Walter and George and daughter, Celia Ma[...]Guthrie High School, Iowa. was the place for an ambitious young man to
married to Glen Grift.[...]on the faculty of Creighton University. He He worked at t[...]went to the University of Innsbruck, Austria ranch and the SY ranch. H[...]for advanced studies. His education there was wit[...]and was short of funds. Dickenson on Dec[...]rmy and in July in 1912 he entered the employ of the Miles[...]ly 12, 1875 in Montana became a love of his life and upon he spent 31 years and was for several years
Tazwell County, Illinois to Fred an[...]ther-in-law George elected County Surveyor of Custer County in the Firemen's Association,[...]ion he held off and on the rest and a member of the First Presbyterian
married to Irva Booth in Terry, Montana. of his life. He made many of the early surveys Church.
Upon separating with[...]Bar G ranch on Whitney Creek, the Bureau of Reclamation. He is credited with Henshaw and Julie Forgey, both of Albu-
Coal Creek ranch and the Powder River surveys of the Milk River Project in Northern que[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (278)Forgey, of Seattle, Washington.[...]Montana, he had run out of money, so found
Willis Forgey died May 18, 1967[...]F244 Riley, working for his room and board until
returned to Miles City for burial. He was he found a paying job driving a team for
buried in the Forgey family plot, Custer[...]n at Fort Niobrara, Nebraska, in all kinds of weather, he drove a team,
preceded him in death o[...]associated with the hauling merchandise for $20 a month -
A Range Riders Museum Story, 1967.[...].
of the Indian Agency for a number of years. Ira D. was 14 years old now, and[...]with a trail herd. work on a sheep ranch for W.E. Harris,[...]engaged with a U.S. remaining here for five years. He now owned
FOSTER, MURIEL[...]F243 practically the whole State of Montana. he decided to move, hoping for something[...]e was born May 12, rancher, Pierre Wibaux, for some time. From dugout and hunted and trap[...]he was employed by numerous wolves for the winter. He could shoot deer
Nola Woolfe. Of five children, only Muriel ranches, such as[...]e family moved About 1918, he went to work for the Renn was, it was home.
several times.[...]ish- Bros. and continued to work, off and on, for Soon he went to work for a large cattle
ed by covered wagon. For instance, it took the Renn ranch throughout the rest of his life. ranch, the YT outfit, as a horse wrangler,
thirty days for the family to travel from He also homeste[...]. Then he was employed
father worked at a variety of jobs; lumber- bunch of Herefords in the 30's. The last few with th[...]er, cattle and sheep rancher, years he worked for Mrs. Renn and her son Powder River. Later, they too, went out of
farmer and horseshoer in places such as New u[...]1945. business because of the closing of the open
Mexico, Washington, Colorado, Oregon and At the time of his death he was placed in range, putting the old-timers out of the cattle
Montana.[...]ngs in
While ranching on Spring Creek, outside of A Range Riders Museum Story. raising horses. Like all cowboys of that
Ekalaka, Montana, Muriel's father built a[...]period, Ira D. had taken a claim located on
house of native adobe, which still stands in[...]His outside buildings were also of log.
on Dec. 20, 1925.[...]arried Ina Crinklow at Belle
Rufus was the son of James Monroe EDWARD[...]1, 1905. She
Mulkey and Myrtle Scott Mulkey, one of[...]cattle.
ranch, located about fifteen miles north of 1917, this part of his history was published They were married[...]hroughout the Depression. Their in a volume of a Montana history honoring Omaha. Myra E[...]s
were born on the family ranch. Their last of t he times, is a proprietor of the F -W Ranch assistant. This training was ver[...]ld their ranch made Montana his home and field of opera- in the early days, 100 miles from[...]after. Minnesota on Sept. 17, 187 4, a son of John In 1914, Ira D. Franklin acquired[...]ttle Powder
Clifford Maynard Foster, a carpenter, of ens) Franklin. They were born in New York[...]z- the Erie Canal. He left his native home for to be his permanent home, near a school, s[...]a modern ten-room bungalow, ligh-
Steven Serquina of Miles City, son of Patrick ness in Valley City and Jamestown, North ted by a Delc[...]wife Celia moved to Butte, only bathroom for 100 miles around. The
to Miles City, and Muriel began working for Montana, where she married Oliver Brown.[...]were freighted by teams of horses from Belle
ment, Muriel continued to live[...]Fourche, South Dakota.
and was a long-time member of the Baptist of age on account of a disagreement with his Since casting his first presidential vote for
Tabernacle Church. She died in her sleep on s[...]896, Ira D. Franklin
February 13, 1987 at the age of seventy-six. the Jamestown, North Dakota schoo[...]n off several times, district as trustee for six years, and during the
Woolfe, and beside her[...]in Chicago. war he subscribed the limit for Baby Bonds,[...]by Robin Gerber hotel furnace for his board and room. Thee a true American for advancement of his[...]duties, Ira D. is a self-made man far ahead of
A[...]ion He had developed this new ranch of 320
Army for help. They gave him clothes and a acres,[...]small amount of spending money so he could and hay for 1500 head of cattle and 800 head[...]oard a freight train going west. At Mile City, of horses. He hired men to help keep[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (279)[...]er- left the family hearth and struck out for
prise. In addition to Ira D.'s ranching inter-[...]e Powder River country
ests, he was a stockholder of Powder River and working for his brother Ira Franklin. Ira
National Bank of Broadus, Montana, as well was a horse raiser so Walter's love for horses
as the Broadus Independent Publishing[...]horses for about one year when he caught the
Ira D. Fran[...]mining fever, going to Alaska where he spent
ease for years and died December 1, 1939, at three[...]7. They are resting worked in the sawmills for three years at
together in the Valley View Cemetery at Anacortes, Washingt[...]met the girl he was to marry
The 1988 record of the Franklin children later.
is: His love for horses and other livestock
A. Gerald Ray Fran[...]between the two rivers. Here was the end of
1917; Dorothy Franklin Gritz, 1921; Beulah his roaming at the age of 37; he sent for his
Franklin Eastin, 1924; and Carley D. Frank-[...]died Jamestown, North Dakota in the year of
1983; Keats Henry Franklin, born 1920, died[...]in Kelnhofer, born town and at the age of 15 moved with her[...]worked in the fish canneries and laundry
memories of you. Your hard work, thriftiness, most of her working days at Anacortes. Prior there were no fences at that time. I did all
and the struggles with the climate of Mon- to coming to Montana to marry Mr. Franklin kinds of work when I was growing up. I helped
tana in early pioneer days, gave us a beau[...]he World's Fair then on to Miles milked cows. Of course I did house work and
good clothes to wear. The litt[...]der River where she was to helped care for the family as I was the oldest
gave most of us our education as well as being spend most of her remaining years. of seven children.
a community gathering place for dances. Our Mr. and Mrs. Franklin always worked hand As the years went by, I met Russell Claude
loving home was open to neighb[...]He attended
sharing made generous, loving people of all their fortune by raising Percheon horses and school here. As a young man, he moved West
of us. With your guidance, supervision and[...]and later in our homes. Papa, you teams of 4 and 6 horses were on the go during From[...]area. We had a family of two boys and one girl;
time violin selections and[...]ting aside time on to add to the joys of their lives. room school with one teacher doing all the
Sundays for Bible stories from the black box. In la[...]entirely; this was due to the disappearance of My son, Vernon, passed away in January
visits with each of us were enjoyable and the horse market. Here with his cattle and his of 1988. His father preceded him in death
unforgetta[...]now family he lived the last 46 years of his life January 10, 1963, in Miles City, Mon[...]ng the things he liked to do best. I have four granddaughters and two grand-
children[...]passed away after a long illness on sons. I also have eleven great-grandchildren.
tory and ou[...]ober 12, 1959, in the Holy Rosary Hospi- I just had my eighty-sixth birthday. I miss
Range Riders Museum at Miles City, Mon-[...]. He was survived the days on the farm, but I enjoy my little
tana, where you are joining many[...]ildren, home in Miles City, which Russell and I
pioneers. - A Range Riders Museum Story.[...]sister, Mrs. Frank Mills of Washington. -A
by the Ira Franklin[...]t five years in Pennsylva-
1878 in the small town of Canton, Minnesota,[...]Iowa and worked as a
living the first three years of his life there. At I was born in Archer, Iowa, (O'Brien farm-hand for ten years. He then started
the age of three he and his family moved to County, Carroll township) on June 13, 1902, working for the Northern Pacific Railroad in
Valley City, North Dakota where they lived to[...]its extension through Montana. He arrived in
for 14 years. At the age of eight he started his er.[...]on Glendive Creek, in
schooling, which consisted of the 8th grade. When I was nearly a year old, we moved to 1879, com[...]taken up in North worked in the brewery that Charles Bullard
jockeying for Scott Wylie all over the central Dakota about ten miles north of Tappen. had erected in 1880-in fact he[...]ted States. He jockeyed until he became That is where I grew up, attending a one room until about 1885.
too heavy. At the age of 17 he and his family country school where[...]rried a widow with
moved to Butte, Montana; where for eight eight grades. The school was on[...]were born.
the mines did not suit his way of life, so he I herded cows when I was six years old as In 1885 or 86[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (280)[...]ched there, running cattle under aunts, out of the party that started from the horses, wagons and every[...]olph Fritz were fine In the Spring of 1873, his mother, two of Miles City in a mountain wagon. Bob re-
neighbors and had the respect of all who knew his sisters and the three small[...]started with an ox-cart and a yoke of oxen, In 1883 Bob worked for Moore and Slater;
Mrs. Fritz died on October 5, 1925 and Mr. back to Lampasas, Texas, to relatives of his they contracted 10,000 cattle to Indian[...]are buried mother. They arrived in Lampasas that Fall. Territory. In 1884-he rode for Higgins and
in the Custer County cemetery. - A Ra[...]brother that winter. The next Spring she on the Palo[...]Taylor ranch-the 33 as this ranch with a herd of 800 horse. That was the wildest[...]At the age of 12 years, Bob started to work and night.
FRYE, ALONZO H. for Judge Taylor, who owned the 33 ranch. In 1886 he worked for Lee Moate, putting[...]man's wages in those days. Out of these wages herds, coming north with the last herd of
F249[...]his mother and little brother. 3,000 steers that were delivered that Fall to
Judge Taylor had thousands of cattle at that Colonel Mabry on Redwater Creek. Bob
Alon[...]s born in time; this was the beginning of Bob's work returned to Lampasas, Texas. In[...]s. This same Spring his married and worked for himself for seven
came to Miles City in 1888 and made a deal[...]to the buffalo range, years. In the spring of 1894 his wife died
with the Orschel store to be their country becoming a gunner for a big English outfit, leaving him the most[...]light wagon or who killed many thousands of buffalo for world. He left everything he owned with[...]h only a cowboy's outfit he
filled with clothing. I have no way of knowing When Bob was thirteen years old the left for the XIT outfit in the Panhandle of
as to the number of trips per years which were Comanche Indians made a raid on the Texas.
made. I know that we could look forward to settlement, stealing horses, and killed a In 1894, Bob worked for the XIT several
the "store-wagon" spending the night with family by the name of Parker, taking two of months before starting north; five herds we[...]children captives, a girl about sent north that year, Bob going with the last
the Fall, Johnnie Frye made a lot of friends seven years and a boy a year or two[...]t Orschel's. of living was too tough for such a small child, Montana, which the XIT had[...]by Chief Quanah, her hus- man by the name of O.C. Cato as general
cemetery at Miles City, Mont[...]illed Chief Quanha, manager; Bob states that he learned to care
Riders Museum Story.[...]trying to put the Comanche back on the for this Cato as a brother. They both worked[...]reservation. Quanah Parker, the noted Co- for the XIT for 18 years. Bob returned to
manche chief, was one of her children. Texas that Fall after delivering the above[...], BOB At the age of 15 years Bob, Marin and more XIT cattle;[...]F250 Larsin Russell broke over 100 head of horses that, working for the XIT outfit until 1912
for Esridge Bros. in Burnett County. These whe[...]horses were turned over to Williamson and for Frank Wilbur, on Powder River, for some
Texas in 1862. His old home was at the Old[...]do River, 15 years. He also ran a small bunch of cattle
Stage Crossing on the Lampasas River. Bob'[...]nch. After turning these horses while working for Wilbur. When he left
family consisted of a father, mother, two over Bob went back and started to work for Wilbur he (Bob) leased the Jimmy Duncan
br[...]a grand Pink Higgins and Al Shenklin, owners of the ranch near Biddle, now owned by Gib Sam[...]es Wineglass outfit, running many thousands of He purchased the Shorty Turley ranch
of that period, since her people were very livestock. Higgins and Shanklin sent north south of Biddle from Lee Swartz about 1930
wealthy until the Civil War. After the war, five trail herds that summer. Bob helped and moved his headqua[...]Bob north with the last herd the latter part of The old cowboy was 71 years old in the F[...]May. This herd was trailed to Hugo, Colorado of 1932 when he broke his hip. He was taken
to go to California, thinking that times were and turned over, in August, to a[...]there than in Texas. His people had name of Cheetum who also bought all the he died November 6, 1932. His body was
about 1,000 head of grown steers, which they horses except the cowboys private horses. brought to Broadus, Montana, for funeral
hoped would sell at a good price in Calif[...]hired out to services, under the direction of the Masonic
they also had about 200 thorobred horses. a man by the name of Ace Hoy, to trail about Lodge of which he was a member.
They took everything they[...]Bob Fudge was not rich in a monetary way
Spring of 1872 started for California. of twelve wagons and several families started nor was he known for his erudition, but Bob
The party consisted of Bob's father, moth- on this trip with Hoy's[...]ine until they reached the Horse and respect of his fellowmen. In the saying
and four aunts. They[...]Head Crossing on the Pecos River, when they of the West, "Bob was a great guy". - A
by ox-teams[...]by Horace Braodus
made a riad. They killed one of the uncles, In the spring of 1882 Bob went to work for
stole all the steers and all the horses but four[...]This left them without a thing in the head of grown cattle contracted to Matt
world but the fou[...]wagons Territory the Indians held them up for 20
and started for Miscere, New Mexico, about head of cattle-this as payment for crossing
25 miles away. After being in Miscere fi[...]ister, his uncle and two aunts. This left his that time as few trail herds got by without
mother with three small children and two being held up for more. Murphy bought all ,;.~;):~·:~i; --- :. ·'••-[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (281)[...]both of whom were of old Scotch ancestry.[...]The Fultons had been farmers for many[...]his life at Beith and of his eleven children,[...]school until the age of 13. When about 17[...]years old he started for the United States in[...]ed in the Custer County Cemetery. search of the opportunities of the new world,
Dutch married Davina (Dot) Peden of Fort and landed at Philadelphia on the ship[...]older brother, Glen S. Peden of San Diego, a farm hand for $12.00 a month near the town[...]California. They are the children of Earl S. of Marissa. Later he worked about a year and[...]Rosalie was born Aug. 29, 1937 in Miles City, of Mr. D.S. Mackay, who had large farming[...]Michael, and own a grain ranch south of became an employee of Mr. Mackay and was[...]d has three sent to Montana in February of 1890.[...]., was born Fallon County, but then a part of the great[...], 1942 in Oceanside, California. She domain of Custer County. Montana was then
"Merv" was born February 9, 1908 in married Ray Lundby of Miles City. They the best wage state in the Union; Mr. Fulton
Winifred, Montana, son of Frank and Eliz- have three children, Rosali[...]00 a month as a sheepherder. In
abeth Fuller, one of five children. Cameron, born in Germa[...]rests grew
11, 1910 at Bozeman, Montana, daughter of Engineer in Seattle, Washington; and Quin- into the thousands of head and grazed over
Don and Elizabeth Phillips.[...]ds MSU. They live in Miles a large area of public domain. As the public
brother.[...]City, Ray is with the Department of State domain became restricted by settlem[...]purchased from the Northern
in Bozeman, and lived for one year in Winfred Their third daughter, Bi[...]Mackay partnership.
Merv was the manager of Piggly Wiggly John Goggin of Idaho in Bozeman June 7, Before the[...]ennifer Fulton had bought a small bunch of cattle,
City until 1948. At that time he bought the born at Ft. Polk, Louisian[...]y are now stationed in Logan, chased, so that it was possible to fence winter
became a partner[...]e he instructs at the University and pastures for cattle, the cattle portion of the
Supply until his retirement in 1980.[...]ety was built through the area, and the town of
of teaching methods and certainly learning a Ismay was started. After that time Ismay was
FULTON, WILLIAM[...]We were very proud of them. In 1910 Mr. Fulton[...]see what the next place would organization of the First National Bank of
DAVINA (DOT) be like. Ismay,[...]F252 Mrs. Fulton worked for twenty years as a holder of the Baker State Bank, and was a
typesetter for the Miles City Star, retiring in subscriber to[...]ell as the first Creamery. Before
13, 1910, fifth of eight children born to reading and TV viewing. that he had been one of the original contribu-
William and Bertha E. Fulton of Ismay. He[...]by Dot Fulton Line. As a member of the Elks Lodge he
ment operator in 1934 and worke[...]bought some of the bonds that financed the
in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Nevad[...]construction of the Elks Home in Miles City.
California an[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (282)tember 7, 1877. She was a daughter of Fred always the same, smiling, good hearted and 1964 I began writing short western stories. I
Fluss, a native of Germany who came to the a great cowboy and[...]cated in Tazewell County, Illinois. There he I worked in logging camps, the Butte tana. I have had three newspaper interviews.
married Meli[...]. They had a family copper mines and in 1941 I was married to a Some of my stuff has been published in the
of eight children. At least four of these came wonderful lady, Margaret at Seattle, Wash- National Tombstone Epitaph of Tombstone,
to Montana and became prominently identi- ington and worked for Boeing Airplane Arizona. I wrote a book of 165,000 words of
fied with the livestock industry. Carrie was[...]ld the first "B-29" ever short true stories I called "Old Timers and
the wife of David Bickle of the Ismay area. built. I worked at Fort Peck when they built Montana Ranges I Have Known." I sold all
Della was the wife of George W. Burt who was the earth fill dam there. I was hauling my stories, some poems, and some of my
ranching in the Ismay area when the Milwau- foreman of the heavy duty trucks and pictures.[...](Lon) was a concrete inspector. The spring of 1937 I
well known rancher on Powder River in[...]by Ben Garthofner
Prairie County and one of the first County Missouri River where the Trading Post of
Commissioners of that County and Bertha Wilder once stood in the steamboat days. My
became the wife of William Fulton. wife had a year old[...]an (Mrs. Lee Castleberry); Mary The spring of 1943 we left Boeing and went
(Mrs. Warren St. John); William; Louise home to Rocky Point. I sold out to my In 1895 my dad, Dan[...]on passed away on May 1, 1929, and is west of Great Falls, Montana. I sold that and Nebraska, which was the state of his birth in
buried in Miles City. In 1960, Mrs.[...]udith 1873 in Butler County. Dad went to work for
moved her house (the old George Burt home) river then sold that and bought a half interest Charles Daly on Litt[...]e (1962). - A Range Riders tone River. I sold out my interest to my there for several years, he took up a squatter's
Museum Sto[...]rs, and moved right on a location northwest of Stacy,
to Forsyth where I started a cabinet shop. Montana, which at the time of this writing
by Mrs. Bertha (Fluss) Fult[...]moved to Miles City where I had a cabinet Returning to Nebraska, D[...]52 until 1957 when we moved to by the name of Mary Ellen Hassey on the
San Diego, California, where I had a cabinet 10th of December, 1896, at Chadron, Nebras-
GARLAND,[...]F254 he was older. We sold that and worked for April 16, 1965. Their issue: Joe born Sep[...]P .S.A. Airlines in their cabinet shop for two ber 8, 1897 at Glenrock, Wyoming; Tom born[...]tana;
on his father's farm until twenty-one years of contractor now, 1988. When I was 65 years old Andrew born February 3, 1904[...]ted west into we moved to Boise, Idaho, where I had a John born December 5, 1905 at Loe[...]ing Montana in 1884. He had come to where I worked as a cabinet maker until I Bill born June 8, 1911 at Loesch.
Montana with a herd of cattle purchased by retired in 1984 having made cabinets 32 I guess you could call us the seven "Sons
the SL outfit (Hereford Cattle Co.) and years. I was 79 years old. of the Pioneers". We have no sisters. All the
contin[...]avon Patrick was born boys are gone now except Charley and me. All
married and settled on Tongue[...]are buried in Miles City cemeteries.
postoffice of Garland, Montana, is names ett was born o[...]1939. Our son, We all married local girls except John, who
after Mr. Graland.[...], Ellen Carol was born October 23, raising for a living.
are buried at Miles City, Montana. - A[...]and works as a builder children in this part of the country to open[...]vada. Ellen is single and Gaskill kids got most of our education in the
works for Boeing in Seattle where I once bunk-house right on our ranch.[...]I could have been a millionaire had I met were always extra cowboys dropping in[...]valley and built the Fort Peck dam my folks supper for a large, tired threshing crew, three
When I was 19 years of age I sort of quit moved to the Jordan country on a small t[...]the home ranch and began to knock around of land. Mother died April 14, 1940, while see which could outdo the other telling
the country. I worked for ranchers, tried to Father died of cancer, 1945. My sister, Lucile, stories. One started telling about a dirty cook
hit rodeos when I could and got a lot of good and her husband, Vince Hohl, live in Cols[...]wn, a 157 Montana. My brother, Stanley died of heart hold of a hair in his food which, after pulling
mile trip from our ranch. At Miles we found failure the winter of 1975. out about 16 inches of it, he declared, had
our kind of people and felt at home. I rodeoed The Fort Peck lake covers our old home broken off. One of the threshers evidently
four times there when some of the great ranch and ends at Rocky Point[...]champions were there such as: Bobby Askin, valley. I homesteaded a section of land in the taking, drawled, "Maybe you're lucky it
Paddy Ryan, Bill Linderman and Turk breaks of the river near our old ranch and sold broke off[...]rned yourself inside out."
one time or the other. I was at Fort Worth, Margaret, went to school[...]operator and had a shop there about eating for the rest of the meal!
Slim Pickens came up to me and congratu[...]September 23, 1943, at Miles
lated me on the ride I had just made on a During my ranching days I did a little City. Mother lived with Bill[...]eat to meet Slim. Later western art work when I found time in the place.
that evening we met again when he was with winter. I worked with pen and ink and pencil. I bought Swen (Swan) Swensen's place and
friends. He put his hand on my shoulder and About 1940 I began doing a little oil painting let him live in my old place as long as he was
said, "This is Ben, I 'caint' say his 'laist' then in 1948 I started to do modeling and able to stay alone. I moved to his place and
name, he's the bull rider, the Montana kid." painting my figures with oil paints. I wrote built a house. Recently we leased the ranch
I saw Slim several times after that and he was poems from 1950 all the rest of my life. In to the boys and are movi[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (283)[...]ition. They entered as a team horse power, of course. As time went on, Joe
I remember one winter day when my three wit[...]rse race, purchased two and a half sections of ad-
youngest kids were out making a snowman.[...]e one time he did considerable cattle buying for
completed when Dan would run up, yell, "Hy for all race and in the "Catch and Saddle spe[...]ng and short
Karate," and give the snowman a chop that Race". In this latter contest one year,[...]h the other horses, sighted Joe in partnership for a joint summer pasture
in and the other two finis[...]e rope enclusure and was so northwest of Section 17, This was later
in peace.[...]divided by a partition fence so each partner
That night it turned colder than heck. friend in a confused world that she made a controlled his own part of the new pasture
Right after breakfast the next mo[...]outside. Surmising shoulder. The result was that on the order to After Tom's death in 1937, Joe acquired
what he was up to, I helped him dress and start the race, Joe[...]gh, around the track half a circle ahead of all the raising and grain farming. He was a bac[...]es, and hired occasional help, particularly for
him have it. Mr. Snowman, however, was[...]trick pony. This was not winter feeding. Some of his winter helpers
frozen hard as a statute. The[...]been taught to were Harry Evans, formerly of the Captain
backed off and came crying into the h[...]Price Horse Ranch; Ray Roberts from Ismay,
I had to tease him a little and I think he from home before or in any race circuit. son of "Montana Bill"; Emmett O'Neill from
remembers it[...]Power River; Jesse and Frank Jerrel, former
out of him. good picture of Joe on a bareback horse which Knowlton and Fo[...]own now, and by the time Brud Foster featured for a number of years ranchers.
this book is published, th[...]53, Joe formed a ranch partnership
and have homes of their own. year. The pictur[...]ued until about 1961 when Buck left for
by Andrew Gaskill[...]remarked that Joe George and Elmer Wild- ments for them at missile sites in Wyoming,
man were the best pair of chute helpers you North Dakota and Montana.[...]From 1964 to 1966, Joe had periods of
F257 In the drought year of 1919, Joe worked at failing health and in 1966 he arranged for[...]n threshing at Buck to take over operation of the ranch and
Joe George, long time cowboy and[...]hip into his
in the Knowlton Community, Southwest of corn snapping near Grinell, Iowa. The[...]r he worked some months with the For two or three years, Joe spent his
on January 16,[...]fishing with Frank Jerrel, Brother
the third son of Charles T. (Tom) and Martha Melstone. Some[...]horse Fresno team, building a roadbed for the apartments in Miles City. Later he moved to
Knowlton area in the spring of 1907, when his North and South Railroad in the Garland Port Isabel, Texas, for the winters.
father homesteaded two miles south of area south of Miles City. In 1972, h[...]ather came in an emigrant Between jobs that summer he had a three Texas. They continue[...]at Terry, Montana, with week interval of herding sheep for the Pope and summer in a trailer home at 40[...]Pope Street in Miles City. In the spring of 1979, as
furniture and household goods necessary for located Joe in the sheep wagon with a week[...]They loaded the wagons at Terry camp. End of first week - no camp tender, two periods of hospitalization after arrival
and drove overland on the old Terry-Knowl- end of second week, same story. At end of the and was a patient at the Custer County Home
ton trail to the home of two of Tom's brothers third week Joe left camp, walked to the road for a time but managed to have home living
who had se[...]onstructed into a five herd his own sheep, that he had left them in and is buried in the fam[...]rom this good hands (the sheepdog) and that Joe had parents in the Knowlton cemetery.[...]a still younger sister, which had existed for about fourteen years GEORGE, MARY
M[...]and adjacent to the home- HUGHES
of Ismay. Joe attended high school at Steele, stead was taken by Will and four sections of F258[...]former Northern Pacific Railroad land pur-
family of one of his father's sisters. chased in 1915 and 1916 with a school section I, Mary Hughes, was born November 19,
At an earl[...]by Tom with 1913 on a ranch 22 miles south of Miles City,
involved in all the various ranch chores in his a share of the livestock. The new ranch Montana, t[...]e, Range 54 East about five miles northeast of City in 1902 from Texas and homesteaded in[...]s in 4 piece sections, at the Monte School and I remember well an
particularly teaming up with sch[...]ppen very often in those days. The driver
the two of them to enter contests at the material[...]d and we all eagerly climbed in the
annual Fourth of July rodeos in Miles City, Joe and his father teamed together, contin- back seat of the Model T Ford, and immedi-
at an early[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (284)[...]"Right ers, and Jay's brother lived there that winter, George families, and the Knowlton Land and
here." We were still at least a mile from home. so I had my hands full with washing clothes Livestock Company was dissolved.
My first year of high school at Custer on the board, taking care of a small baby, Will George and his son-in-law, Ozroe D.
County High, I lived with my Aunt Mattie cooking, and k[...]med a partnership which was
(Mom's sister). Next I worked for my room We moved to Miles City in the summer of recorded in the Custer County Clerk and
a[...]e Recorder's office as "George and Finch."
out of every four if it was convenient for those finally bought a new home in 1968, at 1316 Their operation consisted of farming and
I worked for. The last half of my senior year North Lake.[...]ranching, with purebred Hereford cattle, and
I stayed with a girlfriend, Edna Whitbeck. At In June of 1959, Gladys married Art for several years a band of sheep.
this time I had never been farther from home Kuehn. She[...]George and Finch ranch consisted of
than Miles City. My folks did not own a car became a minister. Jay and I saw quite a bit Sections 31, 32, 34 and 35, T7N, R53E. They
and I had to go to the county road and thumb of the United States by visiting their family b[...]ttle, right thigh on horses.
In September 1931 I took the train to permitted us to travel. Five acres of land were given for a cemetery
Billings, Montana, to the home of some I worked as a bookkeeper for years, retiring at the southwest corner of Section 35, T7N
people my folks knew. My first day in Billings in December of 1973. Jay retired from the R53E in early years, and a parcel of five acres
I walked around town interviewing people[...]with thirty-six from the northwest corner of that section was
who wanted a girl to work for room and board years of service. deeded to Custer County for a recreational
while going to college. The second family I[...]orge Park. - A
talked to was the Huntly Downs and I knew by Mary Hughes Geor[...]by Olive Finch Rogers
me clothes. I had worn mostly good hand-me-[...]s meant GEORGE, WILLIAM
a lot to me.
I taught my first year on the Mizpah for HADLEY
$50. per month, paid $15. for room and board,[...]VID AND
and had three students - the Shooks. Next
I taught in Circle for $75. While teaching 35 William H. George was born March 21, PHYLLIS
miles south of Miles City the next year, I met 1861 in Hopkins, Missouri and died in Mil[...]F260
and married Jay George in June of 1935. He City, Montana in March, 1945. On December
was the son of W. Reece and Martha George 24, 1896, he[...]n Phyllis Evelyn Mulkey was born Novem-
of Knowlton. M[...]augh- ber 18, 1926, on a small ranch north of
Jay hooked his 1927 Essex to a home-made[...]yllis and her
the car ahead a few feet. Scott and I each had worked building a house for the Will Georges. brother, Wayne, walked, ro[...]s with. We They moved into their house later that year. to school depending on the weather. A[...]rm in order to attend high school. She
very proud of our new home - for a month - where to bury her? He built a box for her body graduated with the class of 1944.
then a tornado came along, blew it off the hill and took her to Miles City with a team of In November of 1944, she married Clair J.
and completely wrecked it leaving us with one horses and a sled for burial. It took three days Cook and moved to hi[...]area, north of Ekalaka. The couple had two
a romantic Summer![...]children, Clayton Thayer Cook, born October
That winter I taught in Circle, renting a Wood, worked to[...]February 9, 1951. Phyllis and Clair divorced
I did light housekeeping. I cooked and heated came to Montana in 1906. S[...]p-wagon stove connected by a the house for the Tom George family, while took over the management of the Bethesda
maize of stovepipes which hooked into a Will an[...]Rest Home until 1963.
chimney in their part of the house as did all pack up their possessio[...]rthern Pacific Railroad. Land Gerber.
and I had to use kerosene in the stove to make was obtained by filing a record for a tract of David was born May 4, 1925 in New
the wood burn better. One cold morning I was land from the U.S. Public Lands and living Underwood, South Dakota, one of four sons
out of kerosene so I used a little lantern gas. on and cultivating that land. Each homestead born to Harry and Bonnie Compton Gerber.
The lady of the house opened up her heating was only 160 acres, so four adults of the His early years were spent living ar[...]ection 34, 7N 53E. on many small ranches in that area. In 1945
had filled the stovepipes. There was a terrible Wayland Wood bought eight sections of land he joined the Navy, and ser:ed on th[...]achinist until 1947. On return-
but set no fires. I hurriedly opened the door sold and deeded th[...]ing to civilian life, he worked at a variety of
into their living room. The lady was dodging[...]53E, to Will and Tom jobs in the area of Osage, Wyoming until 1957
stovepipes and the husb[...]when he moved to Montana, where he was
out of the bedroom in his long underwear Kn[...]ll is going on out formed in 1911 or 1912, of which Will and Montana.
here?" The lady[...]After his marriage to Phyllis, David moved
say, I didn't say a word, but just helped put Co. b[...]gether. he was short of money to complete his Keogh Livestoc[...]esearch Sta-
We moved out to my parent's ranch that contract with the Northern Pacific Railr[...]ll George families lived and position of farm foreman.
Montana Highway Department. The wor[...]st. In October 1936 our or 1926, when all of the children had become born February 4, 19[...]ryl had born January 31, 1961.
source of entertainment for all of us at the married Ozroe D. Finch. At that time, the In 1962 the family moved to 513 Tatro and
ranch that winter. My father, my two broth- land was[...]Phyllis established the Gerber Rest Home for[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (285)[...]hn McNarie, a young cowboy,
Gerber Group Facility for developmentally would have the honor if a boy of naming him,
disabled young men.[...]le home. and became a horse lover and all of his horses
Raising a large garden, Phyllis canned much loved his kindness.
of the food the family would need during the[...]his Uncle George Farwell's ranch
After 27 years of service at Fort Keogh, until a school wa[...]That's how Johnnie and Gertrude developed[...]a romance. Johnnie and I were married,
GIBSON, BARBARA[...]Mary Minnie, February 20, 1941 and Pearl
I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in Luc[...]e Gilman on their wedding day,
1929, the daughter of William and Margaret to be school age I went back to teaching in December 7, 1935.[...]ools and we lived at the teacherages
Creek, south of Miles City in 1930 when I was and Johnnie worked on a ranch near by th[...]ecame a freshman in
My brother, Charles Jessen of Jordan, was high school we bought a home in[...]orn there in 1931. I kept on teaching in a rural school close by
We had a lot of fun growing up in the Miles City and dr[...]by then all the
My Aunt Helen Jones (Shaw) and I used girls were married so Johnnie went[...]ase our dog and he would chase us up on and I kept on teaching until 1969, when I
the corrals and not let us down. We would[...]hnnie's health was better and he
have to call Dad for help. went to work at the[...]d it very much; his last job
and me a stick horse for Christmas. We really as a cowboy. Johnnie and I both loved old
enjoyed them. I still remember mine was a history and to[...]and had two children,
We moved to Jordan where I attended divorced and then she remarried Elmer
school. While there, I later met and married Sturtz and they have[...]moved to Miles City, we have a bunch of grandchildren and also,
where he worked for the State Highway by now, we have eight great-grandchildren.
Department for years. Our last y[...]l in Miles
My husband passed away in 1986, and I City. His request was to be buried in t[...]es City with our cemetery at Ekalaka, Montana. I sold our
youngest son, Bill. Neither Bill nor Don have home in Miles City and I live with Gloria in Kenneth Gilman holding D[...]Billings, Montana. I enjoy my days by going (1-r) : David, Virgi[...]ngela and Kurt. are friends as most all of us have lost our Adele Brown) and Alice Her[...]1 Kenneth and Muggins ranched on
The background of Johnnie's parents,[...]he Range Riders Historical Book in the of town and she lived ten miles west on the three years of their married life and both
Memorial Hall. Johnni[...]ns) , and two sisters, Sloan place. Happy was like a father to ldafae

296

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (286)[...]re, on the site now owned and
gone from home most of the time as he hired and got her education[...]hool and she also attended school the spring of 1884 they went to Livingston by
make a living. Tw[...]at different ranches
there, Duane and Dolly. All of the children ranch as Adele has two sisters too. One of the in that vicinity, and returning to Miles City
were born in Ekalaka except Dolly, who was "Cowboys" who came the most[...]About this time they went to the Yellows-
May of 1946. David was born in October of Lorin Gilman and Adele Newbary were tone Valley, locating southeast of what is now
1936, Virginia in 1938, Duane in August of married on January 19, 1903. They were Kinsey, on the banks of the Yellowstone
1940 and Dolly in 1946. married by Zip Cady, the Justice of Peace. River, and in a few years accumulate[...]were married at the C.D. Newbary acres of land. Due to many dry seasons, he
and at the Crow Rock for Clarence White. Ranch. There was over one hundred people conceived the idea of putting in a dam at what
In the early 50's they[...]table with a is known as 'Buffalo Rapids of the Yellows-
place and worked for John Scott. The beautiful linen tablecloth on which all the tone River'. Some of the concrete work is still
Gilmans remained there for nine years and food was served: ham with[...]en, evident, but the ditches and the amount of
while there Idafae cooked for the ranch turkey and duck, pickles of all kinds, differ- land under irrigation has be[...]n they left the Scott ranch, they ent kinds of bread, home made butter and a proved and increased.
worked for C.M. Coffee and Mr. Nefsy for beautiful wedding cake. An eventful danc[...]kee Railroad was coming into this country
of cancer in May of 1961. Mr. Coffee sold the squatter rights, on[...]e Gilmans remained twenty miles northwest of Ekalaka from Jack to the builders of this railroad. Breaking
there. ldafae again cooked for the cowboys Kinsey. At first they lived on the Walter I. horses was a constant operation for his ranch.
and sent the kids to school. By this t[...]was just starting high school. of 1904. They then moved to their claim and a portion of which was known as the Kinsey
Gus and Don Glass[...]yed kept on improving it all the years that they Pit, which contained much of the ballast that
Kenneth and he worked for them, living in lived there. They ran cattle and horses and was used for the completion of the railroad
the Yellowstone Valley. Kenneth developed later sheep too. They[...]n passed away Jan- Prior to the advent of the Milwaukee
going treatment in Billings. Idafae[...]oad was
Miles City after Kenneth's death in March of October 7, 1958. They both are buried at across the Yellowstone River at the station of
1982.[...]Lorin and Adele Gilman had a family of get to that station for trips to Miles City and
by Mrs.[...]Rich- who came from the East. It was thought that[...]tz has three children; Valarie, this ranch sold for $200,000.00 with some
Lorin Gilman was born at[...]Mildred live in located at the junction of Taylor Creek and
Davis's ranch. They put up a sod[...]ranch, consisting of over 10,000 acres of
sixty miles from Miles City, Montana. The[...]l married. which was a great improvement for comfort,
Ekalaka, Montana. They lived there until[...]they were also able to get a good supply of
Lorin Gilman's Dad moved to the Western[...]rtesian water. This well at this date (1965)
part of Montana and settled near Tarkia. in Bake[...]ne passed away. spent for a dam on the Little Dry, near Taylor
Western Montana. He had been working for Alice and her husband, Tom Heron, have Creek, for use of the community, but high
different cow outfits. He worked for George five children, all at home. - A Rang[...]Story, 1969. figured that with water the adjoining lands
in years he went i[...]ph, born Marchi 5, 1882 at
Creek, five miles west of Ekalaka, Montana.[...]uly 15, 1885 at
Adele Newbary was the daughter of C.D.[...]April 17, 1892 at Miles City. Died - Dec. 23,
of the Chalk Buttes about twenty miles from[...]ty. Living at Terry, Montana.
Montana. Her Dad at that time was living on Rock, Arkansas, on May 1[...]cattle. Adele helped to trail married in May of 1881, and arrived in Miles by Mrs. and Mrs[...]and Mrs. Eleanor (Gilmore) Haynes
north side of the Yellowstone River and near Signal B[...]hey swam the distributed milk in Miles City for the first[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (287)[...]her, also. Her kind and generous nature was schooling took plac[...]a gift from God that she shared with ever- not for long as Bill's father had married again[...]A Range Riders Museum Story. and sent for his flock to come to Lewiston,
LUCILLE "GIR[...]in care of a man who had invented some new
Rose Lucille[...]out the explosive.
"Bud" Gay ranch, the daughter of Frank and GILMORE, THOMAS Bill states that this was a long trip, taking
Macie Madeline Gill[...]kota. They then took a
Mrs. Gilland was a sister of "Bud" Gay. This[...]er on the
Gay ranch and learned to love the ways of Chadron, Nebraska, November 3, 1893, the Snake River to Lewiston, Idaho.
that life, even though there were many third eldest of five children born to Michael Bill tells that upon their arrival at Lewis-
hardships endured i[...]n 1899 the Gilmore ton, the town was full of Nez Perce Indians.
are difficult to believe.[...]including a milk cow, some horses, a flock of these Indians; these were the famous Appa-
a[...]r River to get to the chickens, and lots of pioneer spirit and loose horses raised b[...]Bill's father had
high, also, filled with cakes of ice in the spring tana. Mr. Gilmore homesteaded[...]some mechanical ideas he wanted to carry
of the year. The horses they rode were[...]ear Olive and Broadus. This out, but lack of constructing machinery in
accustomed to swimming the river. When she was the home ranch for more than fifty years, that country caused him to plan to go East.
and Frank[...]tch string was always out and He disposed of his mine, and the following
early in the morning[...]go far true western hospitality was a way of life. fall saw them on the train headed for Chicago
up in the hills of Bloom creek above the Gay Tom lived in this area all of his life. He again.
ranch to pick choke c[...]cille, "Girlie", Gilland in Bill states that he was not happy in
They would have sackss full of these tied on 1918 and they had one daugh[...]Chicago, but had no say in the matter.
each side of their horses when they returned The Gil[...]work up they never gave up their love for the land and 1893. His diploma stated in beaut[...]wild fruit into delicious syrup, jelly, jam, for their livestock, and Tom was no ex- that he had been trough the 8th grade in
and preserves[...]s youth, Chicago Public School.
the nick name of "Girlie", at an early age, and as did many[...]next three years Bill worked at
she was known by that all of her life. was considered an excellent rider. He broke an assortment of jobs around Chicago.
After finishing grade school, she attended and trained horses for ranch work and his In August, 1896, Bi[...]nt in Spearfish, South Dakota, love for horses was a part of him until the day rolling across the plains of western South
because there were no high schools[...]arried Tom Gilmore in 1918, and Tom, like many others that have gone had the western fever. They[...]before him, was a special breed of man - a Rapid City. Their ambition was to get a job.
Tom and Girlie lived in this part of "real hand", ready and rugged when[...]at Rapid City and being
southeastern Montana all of their lives, living sary, friendly, kind and helpful to a neighbor short of funds, they hoboed back to Chadron,
on the Mizpah[...]from there to
ranch, near Olive, where they lived for 23 called home. - A Range Riders Museum Marshland; here they purchased a couple of
years. In 1951 they bought the Morris[...]Bill and his chum separated. Bill spent the
that rare talent of making a house into a[...]winter in the little deserted village of Minne-
home, filled with understanding, tendernes[...]) sella working for his board carrying mail to
happiness, and most of all, love. The Gilmore[...]mail post on the railroad a mile and a half
brand of hospitality was known far and wide.[...]o paint now; it grew to be
She could make a batch of hot biscuits that Bill Gollings was born in Pierce Cit[...]r.ead a slipping and was taken to Chicago for little pencil sketches and modeled so[...]thought he was wonderful.
remember dates, time of events, and relation- maiden name was Til[...]Spring came and Bill wanted to punch
ships of old time families. Often, persons were long time residents of Kentucky. His cows, but had no outfit. He[...]Gollings, born in sheep about 90 miles north of Belle Fourche.
or a family, and dates, which she[...]to buy an outfit, getting a job with a cow
change of the seasons, all animals, tame and famil[...]the winter helping herd a thousand head of
the first meadowlark in the spring. She[...]old Turkey Track outfit.
often helping with many of the jobs on the in Michigan. His grand[...]ng met The next spring he struck out for Montana.
ranch and her love affair with horses la[...]everses through lawsuits etc. About the 15th of April, Bill turned his pony
for a lifetime.[...]Bill's grandmother then took the children of travel. Here his brother, De Witt, was
future held for all of mankind. to New York State,[...]ocated, having left college sometime pre-
Most of all, she loved and respected her miles[...]d Bill to a fresh horse and
fellowman, regardless of race, color, or creed, They lived with a[...]he rode forth to hunt a job.
and never knew one that she did not like, and farm a mile or so from the village. About a Bill states that once in a while during those
I daresay not many knew her that did not love year later, they move[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (288)[...]as finally emerged far and
In the early spring of 1903 Bill sent to old fever returned.[...]illed it himself, but
Montgomery Ward and Company for some Bill was on and off and nev[...]il February, 1909, when he built oquently for him. -A Range Riders Museum
When the snow went of[...]here he stayed and called home, other for twelve years, Maude and Bill were
thought them wonderful. His brother had married.
taken some of Bill's first attempts to Sheri- Maude M.[...]Mr. W.E. Freeman, in a Western girl of 18 in 1907-gay, intelligent, GORDO[...], became interested and asked and possessed of a genuine wholesomeness[...]is brother to bring Bill over. The following that bespoke her upbringing on a ranch near
spring Bil[...]Shortly after her Sam Gordon was born of Irish parents in
They stayed a month and Bill mad[...]ents moved to Wyoming, she went the city of New York in 1843, and was
pictures while at the h[...]store at educated in the public schools of that city.
them in his store, stating he would sell th[...]His early affiliations were all in a line that
Bill went back to work on the roundup as[...]services; he having during the major part of
to be the largest in the world. In July, Bill[...]rated. It was not until nine years later that days, before the era of the perfecting press,
check for fifty dollars enclosed and the ad vice they were legally divorced; neither ever re- the biggest of the New York dailies had no
that he had better make some more pictures, mar[...]red; he hated to quit the to 1932, a period of twenty-nine years. When was put upon the press about 3 o'clock in the
wagon and leave his string of horses for he died his small studio held approximately morning, so that the paper might be delivered
someone else to ride[...]k to his ished, along with a multitude of etchings. It miles to the points of distribution covered by
adopted home and went to[...]is difficult to ascertain the total amount of art slow horse - car transportation, in time for
picture making. He did not feel he could[...]e paper at breakfast, and,
devote all his time to that. erally conceded that there may be a thousand to do this, the carrier boys had to report about
He broke some horses for his brother, rode in existence. Golling's wo[...]yenne Reservation fence, and generally not for sale, because those who own kindly permitte[...]ve quite large them cherish them not for the subject matter in any nook or corner of the grim old offices.
paintings by the time snow flew. alone, but almost always because of a close In 1858 the scene was shifted to the then
Now his brother thought it was time for Bill personal tie with the artist himself. One work incipient metropolis of St. Paul, Minnesota.
to branch out, so he sent some of these was aptly described by the editor of the "Sammy", as his mother called him, was
pictures east for inspection. Mrs. Marian A. Sheridan Press:[...]ith school, and presumed to be
White, then editor of the Chicago Fine Arts When the sun is shining, and the sky is blue ready for life's battle. He had an elder brother
Journal, s[...]l and green, and the located in St. Paul, so that is where Sam
She said Bill should come East and[...]employment in a dry goods store as errand
spent for a new horse, equipment, and a hair shade, t[...]es, cattle, mess wag- honorable vocation of selling calico. While in
"I will stake you," said his brother. Accord- ons, and other things that make the picture this employ, the concern[...]school Gollings gets it. The Western flavor of it, the famous as "Commodore Kittson", the posses-
very soon. He sent for money to start on. His absolute truth of it, the correctness of detail, sor of great wealth and numerous families,
brother by over-speculation had broke him- and the all else of the almost living, breathing but nevertheless a man of sterling integrity
self. Bill made a couple of pictures that he broncs and punchers.[...]and broad character, whose only mistake was
sold for two hundred dollars. His[...]iends , in in following the teachings of polygamy.
The sale of these pictures now gave Bill a mid-April, 19[...]w York City
chance at school, The Chicago Academy of same paper: and soon found employment in the office of
Fine Arts. He was there two months when he[...]Independant, which newspaper, under
was informed that he had won a scholarship Gollings, Noted Wes tern Artist the joint editorship of Henry Ward Beecher
in composition.[...]iam Gollings, more familiarly he remained for three years, during which
down to the Burlington[...]time he enjoyed the personal acquaintance of
offices and traded a painting for a pass to Bill Gollings, died following a[...]dell Phillips,
up, but his brother argued him out of it. He weeks and death came suddenly. He wa[...]other leaders in the great abolition army
won out that fall, for he was riding a string fifty-four years old. of that day.
of horses for an outfit in he northern part of Ranked among the nation's foremost west-[...]stward ho" again. A
the state, where he got fired for handling a ern artists, Gollings achieved nation wide "pull" had secured Sam the position of
bucking horse too rough. Bill went back to[...]rtermaster's clerk at Fort Abercombie on
painting for the winter, sold his outfit and western life. Four of his outstanding works the Red River of the North, at that time the
resolved never to ride again. hang in the halls of the Wyoming capitol of extreme outpost of the Western Frontier. Her
The following spring[...]eyenne, while others may be found in art for a year, keeping track of the thousand and
outfit and a job riding; taking a bunch of bulls galleries in many of the country's large cities one items of property, and then a transfer to
to the Cheyenne[...]urope. the office of the chief quartermaster at St.
quite satisfied; t[...]847 South Sheridan Avenue, until the Fall of 1865, and then quit for good.
hearted way. a one-room unpainted adobe that served him In April, 1866, he entered the employ of
The following winter he took two more[...]iving quarters. Amherst H. Wilder of St. Paul, as confiden-
months to study in the Chicago Academy of Thus this talented man, who seemed to[...]- secretary, which position he retained for
to be in school and he advanced a great deal. nized and loved by the small coterie of fourteen years, with constantl[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (289)[...]Dakota, just a few miles from his ranch. - A
ting of Mr. Gordon to Montana soil. In Range[...]1881, he came to Miles City on a
business mission for Mr. Wilder. Concluding by Mrs. Romai[...]1881, until the summer GRAMM, MARTIN
of 1883 he was a member of the firm of F271
Broadwater, Hubbell & Co. The firm closed
that summer, and in the September following[...]1880, at Worms, South Russia. She
then sole owner of the Yellowstone Journal, came to the Unite[...]She was the daughter of Michael and Eliz- Martin, Jr. and Karolin[...]10, 1879, at Kassel, South Russia, the son of moved to Miles City
In 1888 Sam became the sole owner of the Barbara and Martin Gramm, Sr. He moved[...]was ap- to the United States as a boy of 11, in 1890,
pointed register of the United States land to reside at Mario[...]. Church of which he was a member. The Eugene, w[...]kota, two infant.
1900, when the history of Sam was published, years, where a son, Euge[...]April 24,
widower, his present family consisting of a September 17, 1907. The family then farm[...]where December 16, 1912, another
being in charge of the business office of the Ruth, was born on April 24, 1910. From t[...]nd filed on
In 1887, he took over the position of city North Dakota, where they farmed. Here a[...]son, Eugene, was born on December 16, 1912. of the Little Dry. When Dad married, his
that position long into the 1900's. He was[...]came to Montana to folks gave him a team of horses, and Mother's
state representative at the[...]la- file on a homestead about 20 miles west of folks gave her a couple of cows. These, his
ture in 1895. Sam was a Mason, a[...]inery and his family were moved to
to the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. In his January 4, 1916,[...]d They built a small house partly of sod.
Gordon died on March 6, 1924 and is buried[...]nded school plastered inside with a mixture of mud and
Museum Story, 1963.[...]0 until 1955 when he sold his cattle because of sheep outfits.[...]When Mr. Gramm's family had a history of long dozen, and butter was 20 cents a pound[...]a life; his father having lived to the age of 88 On May 11, 1919, Rudolph, their last chi[...]Barbara was born.
several ranches, including that of Pierre having lived to be 87 years, 11 m[...]ham in salt brine that would float an egg or
built up a big herd. In 191[...]e house, with wood and
Leakey, a joining rancher, for $40,000.00 GRAMM, MARTIN, JR.[...]cken and
Then he went into the horse business and for[...]cans set in the ground
Bronc Champion. He was one of the all time United States in 1891 with h[...]Warms, Russia, at the age of 9. Martin we would fill the cans with[...]ring his last years, he went back into the age of 11. They came on an immigrant boat green[...]raised their was 30 and 40 degrees below O for days at a
Cemetery, south of Watford City, North families. Mother, in her teen years worked for time. There were no electric lights; we[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (290) hurricane lamps and lanterns. There was no and I moved to Miles City and helped them I. We sure used to take the square corners out
plu[...]build their home. Those were W .P.A. days - of the country school houses! We would make
house out back' and 'Ward'.s catalog'! no work! I finally got a job on the Beeler Leon Park[...]e used to go to dances Dairy. In the spring of 1937 I milked 16 cows, of fun. We went to dances at Riverview,
20 miles aw[...]or in Miles City. They charged May worked for Sawyer's Grocery until the
hay lofts of barns in the summer. 11¢ a quart for milk, 10¢ a pint for cream; 15¢ store burned on Easter Sunday in 19[...]y years hit us in the early 30's. Crops a dozen for eggs and 20¢ a pound for butter. We finally put electricity in th[...]re poor and finally there were none at all. I worked there until the spring of 1940. I was house from the Tongue River Electric Com-[...]n thistles to feed our paid $55. per month. I had to room and board pany, and added a tel[...]re was no cake to be bought, nor was myself. I then went to work for the Milwau- water. All is modern. The Occi[...]l Road, painting engines at the round- where I worked burned and we built another
In the spring of 1933, Mother passed away. house. We painted lots of engines for the war one. Five years later, it burned. Th[...]e ranch. My sister Ruth Harbor - the start of World War II. We Elevator. I worked there for 16 years, retiring
taught school at different pla[...]and night to get the engines out, in August of 1973. May, who was working at
would work wherever we could, and go to for the railroad had to have all government Te[...]leases, sold down on our
In 1934 (the deep end of the depression) My brother Karl went in[...]quit farming. We still
the government bought cows for $18. per weeks before I did. Eugene worked for the raise cross-bred cattle and some Col[...]e hundreds Lee Walker, and he, too worked for the Dad sold his cattle in 1955 as his health was
and skinned for the pelts. The carcasses were railroad, tran[...]good. He came to the Pine Hills to live
piled up like stacks of hay, and later on, the tana. Eugene was married to Esther Bickle with us for five years. In summer he would
bones were shipped. Dad kept a few head of and Karl was married to Dorothy Divine at always dry the supper dishes for May and
cows and finally built up a nice herd of the time. I was still a bachelor. My first army then they[...]lean the fish, too.
My brother, Eugene, worked for sheep and ing dinner we were all pretty 'h[...]moved to Miles City and lived with
cattle outfits for $30. per month in those 'lop-sided', for when we got on the train in Karl and Clara[...]Miles City, our friends handed us a bottle of passed away in 1967, and is buried beside
We[...]h the same brand as the mother had good use of both. On our[...]out until They decked us out in our G.I. outfits, and and I would go to Memphis where her brother
we rounded them up again for shipping in sent us to basic camps. Aft[...]d trail the cattle to the days on a train, I ended up at Galveston, Bluffs, Arkansas.[...]ity. basic for six weeks, and transferred out to our lots of fun.
Karl and I worked for various cow and outposts.[...]ave been very hard on our
sheep outfits, too. All of us were good drop- I was with the 20th Heavy Sea Coast fam[...]Artillery, South East Defense Command. I and a nephew. He was a Lt. on the Memphis
lambing camps. It was our duty to see that, was a gunner on 155 x 16" Navy guns. It w[...]rn, the mother took the a great experience for a 'country boy'! I met escaped black convict. Karl passed away in
little one and that he got his first 'meal'. my future wife, Ma[...]d was on the mother. I was discharged in February of 1946, and runs a few cows. My sister Ruth a[...]nia, planting Mabel Gall. In September 1946, I though I'd retired. Our dear friends and neighbors[...]at the Custer County better have a wife, so I had May come up from used to go dancing with are about all gone.
Rest Home. Eugene was working for Jim Memphis, Tennessee. She was a file and May and I belong to the Range Riders and
Gallagher. I was attending high school in billing clerk, and PBX operator for Bemis the Reps (women's organization). We went to
Cohagen and Dad took care of the ranch by Bag Company in Memphis. It[...]. thing I ever done in my life. During the ceremony, pictures are unveiled
I left home in 1935 and came to the We continued to farm with the Galls and one by one of the members who have passed
Yellowstone Valley, and put up hay all raised baby calve[...]away. As the picture is unveiled, the story of
summer for different farmers for 50¢ a day. In March 1948 we bought an[...]the person's life is read. It is then placed in
I went home in September and gathered my in the Pine Hills east of Miles City, and a tube under the picture[...]very sad. Loren
Duncan McRae. We gathered cattle for six shack. We started in the cattle and[...]Range Riders Museum. You can see many of
and it took us three weeks to trail them. We In the fall of 1950, we had a chance to rent the things that were part of the everyday
took turns at night-herding, working[...]- the first freight stop living at the time of our ancestors while they
hour shifts. You used your best horse for your east of Miles City on the Baker road. We still were 'winning the West'.
night horse. I had a big, sure-footed dun and, live in the l[...]rough bucking with you, you up our herds of cows and sheep. May worked by Rudolph (Rudy) 0. Gramm
were well mounted for night herding. We for Dr. Elting's Veterinary Clinic for a while
slept on the ground. Hans Forgard was cook. and then went to work for Reynold's Grocery
The Colby brothers, Jim and Jake, had a herd for two years. I worked for the Bagley
and ate in our camp. Karl rode for Harold Elevator five years, and May went to work for GRAN, THEODORE A.
Knutson and they had the third herd on the LaGrandeur's Grocery for nine years. I[...]m Gallagher and changed jobs and worked for the Occident
they were the fourth herd. We were s[...]Theodore A. Gran was born July 12, 1884
out for twenty miles. We trailed past Needle ends a[...]an. Theodore's wife, Betsy Emelia
beautiful sight for a young man. couples of us used to go dancing: George and Wall Gran, was born in Bottineau, North
That fall I helped Emil Gall winter sheep Ellafaye Wad[...]arge Dakota on July 16, 1889, one of eight children
at Rock Springs. In 1936 they sold[...]ubbard, Ralph and Ida Nybo and May and of Mr. and Mrs. August Wall. They were[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (291)[...]that capacity until he was appointed secre-
school.[...]by The Family tary-manager of the Production Credit Asso-
The left Carbury, North Dakota for Glas-[...]Miles City in 1942. He
gow, Montana in the fall of 1910 to take up was one of the incorporators of the P.C.A. in
a homestead three miles northwest of Glas- 1933. He was with P.C.A. until the change of
gow. They stayed with neighbors while the[...]F274 four years he was credit manager for Beacon
a neighbors to pick up the mail and staye[...]Carter Service, and then joined First Security
for supper. On his way home he got lost as a Bank and Trust of Miles City as real estate
terrible snowstorm cam[...]serving as a member of the Montana Oil and
In 1920 they moved into G[...]Gas Commission at the time of their deaths
Theodore ran threshing machines in t[...]and he and his
Theodore worked at the golf course for[...]chers on the Phon
several years, as a seed grader for Snell[...]some local community team every other
and manager of Lakin Seed Company for 25[...]the summertime, even playing
years until the age of 72. Then he and Betsy[...]ty. They both enjoyed cards,
worked as custodians for Montana Dakota Ray and Fannie Grant on th[...]and Fannie one afternoon at the Country
Utilities for 12 years. Due to a heart attack ry with children Ray, Jr., Dorothy, and Lyonors. Club was dealt a hand of thirteen Clubs, a
in 1968 at the age of 84 Theodore had to give[...]bid and made a grand slam (double
they had lived for 40 years. They sold their The Ray Grant family took possession of and redoubled), making her eligible for The
home and moved to Billings to be near some[...]ant Blue Moon Club. She was an active member
of their family, and where Theodore died of Street in 1942 and it has since been the Grant of the women's associations of the First
heart failure at the age of 86 on August 26, residence. The house was buil[...], a member and served
1970. Betsy died at the age of 82 on December the interior has been modernized. as president of Miles City Drove of Does
5, 1971.[...]s born July 25, 1897, (Elks Lodge), member of Range Riders Reps,
To this union were born nin[...]Eagles Auxiliary, Royal Neighbors, and
three of whom are deceased, namely, Ann Missouri, the twelfth child of John Charles Pythian Sisters - all of which she served at
Clara, who died in a car acci[...]izabeth Rathbone Dixon. He the piano.
of 23 in Miles City, Melvin Carl who died at atte[...]n Ray served as secretary-treasurer of East-
birth, and Mildred Bella who died at the ag[...]ern Montana Counties Association and East-
of 14 from complications of asthma and Missouri, and summer session[...]up. sity of Montana. trustee of Presbyterian Church and chairman
The living ch[...]Fannie M. Bryant was born June 1, 1899, of the board for several terms; member of
born in Bottineau, North Dakota on Decem- in Butler, Missouri, the fourth child of Chamber of Commerce, Town and Country
ber 15, 1915. She is m[...]May Woodfin. Club, member and president of Custer Rod
Tooley, Jr. and lives in Billings, Mon[...]he was four years old and Gun Club, member of Range Riders,
Their children are Wm. Tooley III a[...]years later. She was Eagles Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Modern
Pat (Carol) Austin.[...]r
Henry was born in Glasgow, Montana on for her keep. Fannie's education was limited of the committee affecting the origin of Miles
August 17, 1917. He is married to Ella to rural schools where she won awards for her Community College which at the time was[...]o is retired and does volunteer service for the
Arthur was born in Glasgow on September[...]rry County in 1918, somewhat in the center of the Corps as steno-typist in 1938 and reques[...]. He and his wife Jeannie live in homesteads of his three older brothers and discharge th[...]n in Glas- sister, and just three miles south of Henry's ness University in Spokane, after wh[...]was a talented tendent, where he worked for seventeen years
librarian and lives in Havre, Mon[...]Briefly with the Fish and Game Department
bers of the First Lutheran Church in Miles banjo, they provided music for dances office at Miles City, Ray then was employed
City for many years. throughout[...]o-typist
This Christian couple shared 61 years of dusk to sun-up and oftentimes gratis. Those for about four years, then as registered
married life[...]d old days. abstractor for the next fourteen years.[...]d to With his shorthand expertise, some of the

302

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (292)[...]While in bigbschool, recorded the Because of Archie's health they moved to
testimonies in a co[...]re Ida had a half-sister, but only
shooting death of a teenager; in Spokane, was stayed one year and moved back to the
selected to take the lecture of a business homestead to farm again. In 193[...]nd the boys
accounting procedures, and an address of the stayed with the ranch.
then president of the United States Chamber In 1934 they moved to Miles City where
of Commerce, Eric Johnson, and another Ar[...]rt bought "The Tav-
occasion in the investigation of a trainyard ern" and were in business until[...]recorded the testi- Again in 1937 because of Archie's health
monies at a coroner's inquest on[...]me back to
vices have been as secretary-treasurer of Montana and lived in Baker that winter.
Stockmen's Disease Control Association In the spring of 1943 they moved a house
(southeastern Montana and[...]from Ismay to the ranch and lived there that
Wyoming, North and South Dakota), the summer. They returned to Miles City that
Presbyterian Church, Milwaukee Men's Club[...]oth employed at the Range
(which had a fund drive for monies to Riders.
construct the youth[...]April 1945, and passed away two days later.
and for thirteen years as secretary-treasurer Ida continued to work there until she passed
of 50-man bowling league. Currently Ray has away in March of 1955. Milton and Donald
been secretary of the Miles City chapter of stayed with the ranch which was known as
American Association of Retired Persons Green Brothers Ranch. Milton married Doro-
since 1982 recently the secretary of the thy Riggleman, an Ismay girl, in May[...]Association until its They spent the summer of 1937 working in
dissolution a few months ago. the Bitteroot Valley near Hamilton where
Almost annually on the anniversary of Dorothy had relatives, but returned to t[...], taken in Miles City, Montana.
newspaper stories of "Where were you when Milton passed away suddenly July 31,
. . ." On that Sunday after lunch the party 1977. Dorothy stayed on the ranch until it was I first came to Miles County from Fallon
was drivin[...]high school.
very much like the 1938 Orson Wells "War Donald was married to Marguerite Myers I was born May 1, 1909 in Detroit, Michi-
of the Worlds," and to confirm the bombing Se[...]6. They lived at the home gan. About 1914 I came to Montana with my
Ray suggested driving by[...]y. The burning in the backyard and house that had been moved from Ismay. friend te[...]as a daughter, Deana, born September herd of cattle between them but lost almost
I am a supporting Presbyterian, member of 1969 who is employed at Super America.[...]born August 1950 and stayed at bank in one of Montana's famous three day
member of Custer County Art Center, and the ranch[...]on passed away October 12, 1976. Mar- I married Sam Knobf, Jr. in 1937 at Baker,[...]F276 I first met Clare when we were both[...]However, our trails had been c:ossing for[...]several years. I was living in Marmarth,[...]the signal lights for the Milwaukee were[...]camped there. I became acquainted with a lot[...]of his friends in Miles City before meeting[...], Willis and Fern Green and three
tana the spring of 1913 with their parents[...]old them to join the Army.
family lived in a tent that summer while a log Barbara Keesee (mother), Clare and David Keesee. Before that he worked for the Civilian
house was built on their homestead.[...]rvation Corp using his own team on a
farmed there for a few years and the boys[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (293)[...]from a barbed
where he received the Purple Heart for his 17 School and Montana Business Colle[...]were the two Greens
turned to Miles City to work for the Milwau- 1955. Both worked there unt[...]National Guard organized to work for local plumbers. In 1951 he started was Claude W[...]umbing and Heating. Both were built east of the Dragseth house and Mable
trative and supply t[...]-time job actively engaged in the running of the was the clerk.
and he did so for twenty years, retiring as business. The fall of 1914, Richard built on a log
Chief Warrant Office[...]ber 16, Albert Lee was born with Mrs. Eunice
for military families for many years. He was[...]N, RICHARD, SR. east of Exeland and the two older children
plot in Custer[...]and in the fall of 1921, the Greens sold their[...]charge of the store and returned to Nebraska[...]for their belongings. Mable took over the[...]Knowlton store in March of 1925, and[...]in 1972 at horse second child and first son of Ellsworth Lee Miles City.
pasture on Belmont[...]n and Caroline Isabel Clark Green.
Dick was going for a ride with his brother, Clarence Richard had f[...]married Mable Ester Hibbard,
Richard Jr., son of Richard Sr. and Mabel June 5, 1905. Mable was the daughter of
Green, was born in Exeland, Wisconsin on Martha Hibbard of North Loup. GREEN, THELM[...]him and went to to work in Miles City for Mrs. James Calvin
Knowlton to look at buying the Knowlton for $5 a week, while Mable stayed with the
store. She bought the store at that time but Frank Crosby family and attend[...]raduated from high school in 1905
miles southeast of Knowlton back to the and she and R[...]th School through 8th grade. spring of 1910 they came to Knowlton to visit
The family[...]a homestead eight miles east and south of
was inducted into the Army and served in the Knowlton. The four of them lived in a tent
Pacific Theatre over three years, returning to that summer while they built a one room log
the state[...]e married April 28, who tried to claim that he already had that
1945. piece of land and was going to run his sheep
Evalyn was[...]July, 1959, was the last group picture taken of the
southeast of Knowlton. They moved to be north of Green's homestead, in 1914, and Green fam[...]ded Clarence and Rachel started school that fall.
Foundation School.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (294)[...]Agent of Custer County, asked our dad to[...]experiment with the growing of alfalfa hay[...]and seed on the fertile meadows of Pumpkin[...]handle the livestock. Elmer and I rode six[...]miles to the S.Y. School for two terms - the[...]years that I was eight and nine and Elmer was[...]that if he had known how cold it was he[...]1932. I graduated from Custer County High[...]and I were married in Miles City. "Greenie"[...]worked for J.C. Boespflug Construction[...]for not staying in Montana until after her
1933, the[...]for the Northern Pacific Railroad.[...]I went to work on April 18, 1961, as a[...]Court. On December 18, 1963, I went to work[...]th high Jameson, United States District Judge. I[...]lou Green works for the Social Security[...]was sent to the field to tell my dad that the Lynn Gallagher, and Kerry Jane Gallagh[...]in her home. She is presently president of the[...]lborg Post Office was established in works for United Tote; Jamie Sue Shelhamer,
Theoline Osmuns[...]on 160 acres was asked to suggest a name for the new and Samuel T. Shelhamer, who is in the third
of land located approximately 45 miles south establishment. He wrote a list of names he grade at Rose Park School.
of Miles City on Pumpkin Creek in 1912. My[...]s Ruth-
brother, Elmer, was about one year old at that mother added her name - Volborg - to his[...]Rutherford Associates. Their daughter, lnge-
I was born on August 7, 1914, a hot summer report came that the name Volborg had been ri, is[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (295)[...]bout eight;
time rancher in the Ashland area, and I were the panic button, thinking we were goin[...]waiting and meet
married in Billings. Calvin died of cardiac buy all the available land, and the[...]with their outfits. This worked And tho I know she'd been worried, she
Charles M. Allen[...]nd colorful life which borrowing capacity. I was happy that it And she is just so proud of me, thinks I'm
included the occupations of ranching, being worked to their advantage, too, because we doing fine,
a county sheriff for 18 years, and representing became good friends, and when they wanted Altho the best I seem to do is barely hold
Custer County at the St[...]ure. He to sell, they would come to me and I could give the line.
loved his ranch and felt privileged that he them a good capital gain.[...]they can have
could "live in a house by the side of the road Except for Peg, I lost the best friend I ever their carefree life,
and be a friend to m[...]on January 26, 1942, when Burt Reno I wouldn't trade for a minute, I'm going to[...]reen and advice was largely responsible for what
mark of success I made. If only he could have[...]lived to see the ranch develop into one of the[...]IVE, BILL AND While I was tending cattle, building fence[...]and developing water, Peg was taking care of GRESENS, IRENE
PEG[...]F280 doubt her arthritis is the result of hanging her CAREY[...]That first winter, she would hang Janet's
How the Di[...]diapers on the line and when she ran out of I am Irene Gresens, first child born to Ira
W[...]owboy and Mother's family came to Mon-
Peg and I were married in 1930. I had been to the line. tana as homesteaders in 1916. I might add
working for my Dad on him Dumb-bell Our youngest daughter, Isabel, was born on that my great-grandmother, Melinda Als-
Ranch (no, it wasn't named for me, but for July 15, 1937. She missed out in the pionee[...]ntly lost her
the brand). His ranch was southwest of life to a point; we had a light plant[...]next to her daughter and family. The first
south of Gillette. or TV un[...]id was to
We wanted desperately to get a ranch of When we got to the point where we could[...]s Dad, afford a cook, Peg would have no part of it. thought to the fact that the vast unfenced
Burt Reno, looked around and found the old We had no problem keeping help, for she is grasslands in the area were graze[...]ul cook, never shorting anyone on cattle of all the surrounding ranchers. When
of Miles City, south of the Yellowstone River. food and we were working hard, haying one of these cattlemen, Billy Glenn, passed
Paul Fetter[...]e kitchen. It was a dandy, with cattle. "I sure do," she exclaimed, "Morning,
the potential of cheap land for sale by Custer double ovens, a griddle, refrig[...]c (now deepfreeze, dish washer and cupboards that We grew up on the north fork of Foster
Burlington Northern) lands. The prices of wouldn't quit. Again, I suggested a cook-No! Creek, my dad first g[...]to take our My earliest memories are of following Dad
payments and from five to ten years[...]t. Here is a poem I wrote for her. lost for some time. I also remember getting
There was good grass on[...]Wife delighted I was to find a teenage neighbor.
to cut his herd down at home for it was still Dedicated to Peg[...]when a downpour hit in which there was a
get rid of mine for the same reason. Wife is such a little word, for all the things little hail. Dad unhitched th[...]under the wagon. Not being dressed for this
1939 with our two kids, Burt and Janet. Janet She mends my shirts and overalls, cooks kind of weather, I became cold and complain-
was just a yearling whe[...]ed a lot. Dad came up with a pair of gloves
cold that winter. Janet learned to stay in bed And if th[...]s to quit and some black satin ear muffs out of the
until someone would come to get her. Her[...]e steps right in and takes his place, she me that I was now just fine. I had never for
breath when she crawled on the floor in the[...]te ever questioned anything Dad told
kitchen, but that kid never had a cold all There were always places for money, like me, but I must confess to having a few doubts
winter.[...]t home.
We bathed in a round wash-tub in front of And if we got a little ahead, a neighbor'[...]two years between each of the first four. The
kettle so that we could warm the water as it Then there wer[...]mowing flu was a much longer session of illness than
grew colder, since the window would[...]nd we went to town and lived
frost in the kitchen that had in the past been lot of cake. in t[...]and he
other bathroom facilities were at the end of were left for my wife; brought back food for the rest. Dr. (Ray)
a path of thirty yards, with a broom inside to Altho[...]rescription was always the same -
In the spring of 1940, Burt Reno came up folk, something that fizzed and came in about a
and we looked over a map that the Northern Tossed right into the kitt[...]wash. After a few days of it, there were no
with prices, but the County, State and private Many a morning I'd ride away, saying I'd not germs (or anything else) left in you[...]You were cured.
the former owners had used, that fitted with Find a cow a long way off and come Dad taught us a healthy respect for snakes

306

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (296)[...]he and I batched in a two-room apartment[...]too crowded either. I stayed with Mrs. Joe[...]She was so good to me. I think she was one[...]of the nicest people I ever knew.[...]On looking back, I realize there were lots[...]of things we never had, and our clothes were[...]I never felt underprivileged. Many years later[...]when a member of a minority group was[...]expressing sympathy for his race in a class-[...]from the students by stating that this boy[...]very little sympathy for people who felt sorry[...]for themselves, expressed the opinion that if[...]he was in college with the rest of the class, it[...]proved that he must not have been too[...]deprived. He then told them that he, too, had[...]an and Ralph Gresens. Seated: Neal only a state of mind to begin with. I guess I
and Irene Carey Gresens.[...]I stayed at home the year after I graduated,
and lightning. During a storm, he woul[...]e. and I have always been glad I did, because
all our metal beds away from the wal[...]us to stand in open doors. bang, our herd of over 200 head of cattle and lining up for a parade in Miles City, the
He was with a man who[...]several horses was cut to twelve head of cows borrowed horse which he was riding reared,
Other than these two things, I guess I never (including the milk cow), a team an[...]and because a tie-down prevented him from
thought of Dad as being afraid of anything. saddle horses. The government[...]getting his head up enough to gain his
I spent my first two years of school in Miles for from $18 to $20 per head, yearlings for balance, he slipped and fell, striking Da[...]y brother, Del, We were never short of food. Mother I worked for Milton Simpson and his
was starting school.[...]ellies. We mother from September to February of 1942,
After one more year, joint school distri[...]k in the winter, ham and at which time I married a neighbor, Neal
86 and 83 built a new lo[...]t in the summer. been going together for two years. War had
built it large for those days, as Dad insisted During the earl[...]icken broken out in December and Neal was
that it be used for community services as well that I have never cared much for it since. drafted March 17.
as school. It was 18 feet x 36 feet I believe. These were the days of the W.P.A., a public He had basic trainin[...]In our area they built a Kansas, and I joined him there September
second hand stove which cost $40. Being the diversion dam, three dams for irrigation, and 19th.
largest hall in the c[...]expensive' weeks with a
Malone School. Dad called for the square Road. They worked men for 11 day shifts and lady who rented out rooms for the week-end.
dances, and so the kids would not i[...]Each man received $48 She found me a place I could work for our
with the grownup's sets, he called one dance a month for the eleven days of work. Those board and room. We lived with this couple for
for adults, and while they were resting, he[...]more. Dad two years, and remained friends for the rest
called the next one for the kids. We were was one of the oldest men on the job and had of their lives.
always short of girls, and Martha Wood - one of the largest families, so he was chosen After basic, I came back to Miles City and
short, fun, and loved[...]ould dance to be foreman. He was afraid that his meager worked at Woolworth's until the[...]diffi- (about 15 months).
In the fall of 1931, the school board hired cult for him, but he worked under Louie Around the first of February in 1946, we
a girl who had just graduate[...]nto the bunkhouse at my husband's
school to teach for $80 or $100 per month and the sheets so Da[...]check them over parents' home. Neal worked for the highway,
school was on. There were eleven stu[...]and worked a few more
from five to fifteen years of age. The teacher's great deal of paper work, no matter how hours, as h[...]n, Ira Neal, was born January
afford seven months of school. The next year however, one young[...]etty father, Leo Gresens, passed away. That fall
money we would have drawn for transporta- medical problems. One day[...]ther year, but the following year it full of iodine. From that time on, Dad said two years. She taught abou[...]we always had We had a great deal of company and lots born, followed by Jerry[...]l 10,
frost bitten fingers, toes and legs, during that of good times at home, sledding, playing 1953. Next came Ralph, February 1, 1957,
terrible winter of 1935 and 6. I can remember cards, etc.[...]zero the train We moved to town when I was a freshman. Marie, born June 9, 1962.
whistle sounded like a little, high-pitched, tin When I was a sophomore I lived with my It seems that fighting to make a living with[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (297) always having a shortage of money and cattle
feed and a surplus of snow kept us too busy
to really stop and enjoy ou[...]in Miles City,
our time together was nearly over. I have
always regretted not making time for recrea-
tion, and I'm afraid most of our children are
following in our footsteps.
A[...]sold the
ranch to Norman. We saved 1 ½ sections of
land on the Rufus Jordan place that we had
bought in 1967. Neal's health deteriorated[...]heart condition, he developed diabetes and
cancer for which he had two operations,
suffering a massive[...]ranch. Having been a strong man who seldom
asked for help and indeed didn't want help,
he now could do nothing for himself. After
four months at home, he started ha[...]not operate home place. Later they bought part of the GRIERSON FAMILY
so he lay in bed for four months while it Rufus Jordan place a[...]ralyzed on his left side, but he hasn't program that remarkably increased the
changed much over the past five years. He is weight of their calves.
now 71 years old. Irene and Neal had five children:
I spent the first two years between the Th[...]children, Nataline and Neal. Ira has taught
Next, I clerked at a motel for 16 months so school in Forsyth for 18 years.
I would be closer to Neal. It was hard to take Norman married Joanne Zeitner and has
time off, so I moved in with my sister and her two children,[...]and live on a neighboring ranch
the present time, I have been here almost they have leased. J[...]Helena, Montana. of 1988. Back row (1-r): Diann and Jim. Front Row:[...]Ralph is not married. He works for Kass Krista, J.R., and Dana
GRESENS, NE[...]F282 mechanic for heavy equipment.[...]they have three children, Heather, Trenton of eastern Montana, known as Pease Bottom,
1917 to L[...]resting part in Montana his-
Montana, at the home of Mrs. Fleck who system with children wh[...]y. Fort Pease was located on the north side
cared for maternity patients. Tony worked as jailer, deputy and under- of the Yellowstone River between the present
He attended the SY School his first year sheriff for Bill Damm. When Bill retired as towns of Custer and Hysham and was built
with Gladys Whitb[...]ony was appointed and later elected by members of an expedition led by Major
rode three miles to the Ash Creek School, to that office. F.B. Pea[...]om a chronic heart condition Indians.
was made of logs. and diabete[...]several operations, It was into this area that a Scotsman,
He boarded in Miles City first with two of which were for cancer, he suffered a Robert Grierson, settl[...]one side and affected his eyesight. After nine that caused John R. Grierson to come to
After graduation he worked for Shorty months of intensive therapy, he returned to Pease Bottom with his family.
Howell in Idaho for a few months. He also the ranch. Eventual[...]hn Reid Grierson and his wife, Grace
herded sheep for Fritz Zook and lambed for Hospital in Miles City where he now reside[...]Creetown, Scotland
E.O. Allen. He worked summers for the He loves to talk about old times[...]by Irene Gresens family again left Scotland for America - this
ary 9, 1942. For two of the two and one-half time to the frontier land of eastern Montana.
years Neal was stationed in Fort[...]by train to
away and Neal took over the operation of the[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (298)[...]nd Yellowstone rivers as far as daughter of Herman and Wilma is Marion,
Miles City. The rest of the trip to Pease who is a school teache[...], who was 1983.
12 years old, assumed much of the family After her husband died, Mary Eldering,
responsibility and at the age of 16 obtained who died in 1961, lived with he[...]DeCock, a rancher in Pease Bottom, in 1942.
for her father until his death in 1924. In 1926 J[...]lings where she
with a trail herd before the turn of the owns a check collection agency. Sh[...]. They made Jack, was drowned at the age of 18.
their home there until his death in 1947, after The youngest son of John and Grace
which she lived in Hysham until he[...]a few years he went into the became sheriff of Rosebud County for many
livestock and ranching business himself. He[...]his home in Forsyth. Later
was also Deputy Clerk of the Court in Custer he was ranch manager for Swift & Company
County, County Assessor in Rosebu[...]l they came back to Montana to make
and President of the First National Bank in their home in[...]David, who also live in Janesville.
Marjorie Neil of Forsyth in 1941 and he Nancy, the daughter of Bruce and Eunice, is
managed the ranch until his[...]Family held
City since 1977. He married Mary Dana of a 100th year reunion, at which all six[...]three children - James grandchildren of John Reid Grierson and Scotland but retur[...]and the children So ends the history of the Grierson family County, Montana. He, his pa[...]and captained by his Uncle
Rebecca, a daughter of James and Rosalia, first called home in Mo[...]erson. The trip from New York
married Carl Almond of Hysham in 1941.[...]iver boat on the Yellowstone
Credit Administrator for First Banks in[...]r. Grierson, better known as Jim or
Sandra Feeley of Sanders in 1965 and they[...]river steamer. The rest of the journey was
and Katherine. James B. Grierson'[...]his home until his death.
Almond are now managers of the Grierson[...]F284 He attended schools there and worked for
Ranch.[...]outfits - among
Mary Grierson, the third child of the James Baird Grierson, the son of John Reid them the 7UK, the V quarter circle r[...]Birney, Van den Biesen and Mr. Mouat. After
of seven when her mother died. After fin- Hornsville, New York, on July 21, 1875. working for others for several years, he went
ishing school in Pease Bot[...]h the family moved to into the horse business for himself and
school in Billings and Bozeman. In 18[...]business and put together the holdings of the
Bottom and then stayed to make his home[...]comprises over 100,000 acres of land.
in 1948. The Elderings had three children -[...]was deputy clerk of the court in Custer
State Health Department in Gr[...]tion Committee for some time. He was
Wilma Kimball of Hysham in 1933. They[...]interested in banking and was President of
have two daughters - the oldest is Shirley,[...]the First National Bank in Hysham for many
who married Spencer Redland of Ten Sleep,[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (299)[...]about 1890.

Keytsville, Missouri, the daughter of Robert Dorothea and Fred were born to t[...]y Clerk and er, J.D. Scanlan, was out of town, he just went
Recorder of Rosebud County until her to wor[...]es and Rosalia Grierson had two of editor, writing local news stories and a[...]I rolled over."
children, John Grierson and Rebecca[...]aily column, The Passing Parade.
son Almond, both of Hysham, Montana and One of his special interests was researching
two Grandsons, John Robert Grierson and the history of the early settling of this part
James Richard Almond. of the country and he spent 34 years in
James Bair[...]on December recording this history for many different
18, 1959 and Rosalia (Duff) Griers[...]t rest in Rancher widespread recognition for his columns writ-
Cemetery, Myers, Montana. - A Range ten under the pen name of "Montana Lou",
Riders Museum Story, 1963.[...]newspaper fraternity. In the spring of 1953
by John B. Grierson, son, and he was initiated as an honorary member of
Rebecca Almond, daughter[...]ter in recognition of his contributions in the[...]Another area of particular concern and
F285 interest was the welfare of Indians in Mon-[...]ton, interviews and writing chronicles of the
Ohio, in 1877, on Friday March 13th.[...]profes- was made an honorary member of the
sional career began there as a rural school[...]n front
After graduation he was on the faculty of Tribe with the name of Chief White Clerk, of his shack. Is he expecting a fur buyer?
Southern[...]d he worked unceasingly to help his Indian
School of Commerce at Austin, Minnesota friends gain a rightful place in the American
and was in charge of the Commercial depart- colony.[...]not prevent his were Montana State Trappers for many
was on the teaching staff of the South Dakota having an equal concern for development for years. They lived on Rosebud Creek near
Baptist College and member of the faculty of the future and being an ardent supporter of Lame Deer. They were excellent hunters[...]Falls, civic projects. He was a member of the fishermen. Besides the hundreds of coyotes
South Dakota for four years. He was a Methodist c[...]to the South Dakota State Forum member of the Elks Lodge, a Kiwanian and many animals to ship to a Zoo in New York
and a columnist for the paper for several because of his wisdom, with and good humor City.[...]oom and Thurman Groom
It was during this period that he met and formation and organization of the Range were his nephews.[...]

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (300)[...]the time was stationed at two and a half of virus pneumonia. She is[...]north half of the state. Mary was an officer[...]MAURICE Society for eight years and she did a lot of
in Norway. He came to the United States in[...]work teaching in Lab Schools for training of
1902.[...]nday School teachers.
He worked in the vicinity of what is now[...]est daughter, Margaret, was
Weldon and Circle (at that time the O Ranch) ELSIE (OWENS)[...]Bissell, son of Rev. and Mrs. Ed Bissell of
brother, Hans, and they purchased a place on[...]in Sioux City of blood clots on the brain. She
out his brother's s[...]married to Michael Robinson of Lewiston,
Range Riders Museum Story.[...]MT. After teaching in North Dakota for two[...]years they tried teaching in Iowa for three
by Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Grue[...]toward retirement they decided that Mon-
F28[...]Church in Oregon for two years, and then
South Dakota, on July 21, 188[...]little realizing that some of Mary's heritage
Montana most of his lifetime.[...]had been here back in 1883.
An itinerary of his life is as follows: The[...]When Mary came upon the picture of her
first outfit he worked for was in South Dakota[...]began reading the microfilm of the old issues
and Mitchell Creek. From there he[...]Rev. Maurice A. Gunn and his wife Mary Elsie of the Yellowstone Journal and searching for
the Matador Cattle Company on Morgan and[...]mily she
worked from 1908-1911, then to an outfit for Maurice Alonzo Gunn is the son of Archie never knew, and to know that she is treading
2½ years on the Dry and Mussells[...]dparents once trod. See the story
on Powder River for four years and then to 1917. Most of his growing up years were spent of her great-grandparents and her grandfath-
war for 22 months, serving in France. He in Aft[...]College in Oneonta, New York in
with the TN wagon for nine months, then 1940. In 1943 he was[...]iversity, Theology Seminary in Madison,
he worked for John Clay and Company in New Jersey a[...]tock Commission Company), ist churches of Smyrna and Plymouth, New
and then spent one year working in Quarter York for his first parish. Only July 5, 1943 he HAGERTY, C.
Valley, west of Elco. After going to Seattle for was married to Mary Elsie Owens.
two years and Deer Lodge for eight months Mary Elsie is the daughter of Chauncey WILLIAM
as a guard, he came to the CBC north of Miles Wiltse Owens and Lucy Emma Knight. She[...]F290
City for two and one-half years. He was a was born May 19, 1917 on a poultry farm in
brand inspector for Montana in 1934. He had Little Falls, New[...]March 18,
a ranch at Thurlow where he then stayed for she was three months old, so her mother 1892, in Barnesville, Minnesota, the son of
six months. He returned to Chicago and again[...]iles City where he once more worked as a of her growing up years in the Utica, New fa[...], and four sisters,
Mr. Gunderson was a member of the Custer tion of Kindergarten and first grade in Esther, Anna, Elizabeth and Margaret.
Post No. 5 of the American Legion. He was Chenango Forks, New York for two years. · William came to Miles City in 1916, went
a member of the First Christian Church and Maurice and Mary served churches in the to work for the Milwaukee Railroad as a
served as an Elder. He was interested and Wyoming Methodist Conference for eight machinist, and remained here for the rest of
active in Range Riders, Inc., serving as a[...]nce covered an area in his life.
director for years, until his death. both New Yo[...]30, 1944 in Norwich, New York. daughter of Charles W. Kelly (born in[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (301)[...]He kept adding to his homestead, by for her board and room.
married December 23, 1889. Vi[...]e, until he had a ranch Betty Jane and I both graduated from
December 1, 1871, was the daughter of James with 1400 acres under irrigation. Irr[...]ditch taken from the respectively. I entered the U.S. Army Air
and ranchers on Pumpkin[...]ranch. Lieutenant and rated a pilot. I flew B-24
(Elizabeth) Ellison; Thomas; Mrs. Leo[...]is- aircraft in the Middle East Theater of
bel) Kocher, who lives at the Eagles Manor sioner of Custer County, being given the West Operati[...]ry end where his home was situated; his term of and returned from overseas as a captain in[...]igence and good May 1943. Betty Jane and I were married on
married to Farnum Denson. judgement, earning the commendation of his 1 June 1943 in the Sacred Heart Cath[...]sent to live Templar. He was also a member of the Tucson, Arizona. Our first two[...]n Tacoma, A.O.U.W., and a leading citizen of his section. in Tucson. Bill born 19 April 1944 and
Washington, until the death of her grand- In 1885, he was married to M[...]ming back to Miles City in 1931 Livernash of Forsyth. To this marriage three I was separated from the Army active duty
she conti[...]nd is buried at Miles City in late 1945. I managed the Bagley
1943, was united in marriage t[...]um, 1963. of 1946 I was appointed by Montana Gover-
in 1971. Mary A.[...]nor Ford as the vendor of the State Liquor
ington, and later to Apple Valley, California,[...]nd the Miles City area
five days before the death of Mary's father, HAND, CLARENCE[...]I was recalled to active duty during the
child.[...]nths later, Betty Jane and our three sons
working for the railroad for 50 years. He and I was one of twin sons of George and Rose joined me in England after[...]n returned to the United States in 1954. For the
William was a member of the Sacred Heart Hand was born in Miles Cit[...]were reassigned and moved
Catholic Church and one of the oldest June 1921. She was the youngest daughter of about every two to three years to various
members of the Eagles Lodge. He was 96 Charles M.[...]and worldwide locations in-
years old at the time of his passing on the 8th Allen living on a ranch 40 miles south of Miles cluding Texas, South Carolina, Philippines,
day of September of 1988. He is buried in the City. Betty Jane's[...]Creek south of Miles City. She still claims she born in Gree[...]and they would come August 1955. After I spent a tour of duty in[...]d them by name. She Vietnam (1967-68), I was assigned to a station[...]patented and the number of ladies he em- Pentagon, Washington D.C[...]o sew up the jackets from canvas and years I was assigned to Richard-Gebaur Air[...]Force Base, Kansas City, Missouri, where I
E.[...]ing her always spent the summer months of their
in Kane County, Illinois, in 1855. He recei[...]ing ranch hands on the E.O. Allen Ranch at
of Kane County and at the age of twenty-one
"Tom" started out to carve out his own[...]ture was in Colorado,
where he entered the employ of one of the big
irrigating companies. Although the science of
irrigation was new to him, he soon acquired
the n[...]loyee he was advanced to the
responsible position of "water-boss", which
he filled to the satisfaction of his employers
until he left of his own accord to join a drive
of cattle that was coming to Montana.
Montana was the place that he had set his
mind on.
Arriving in Montana in[...]uld turn his hands to, and followed the
avocation for two years, when, having accu-
mulated a fairly go[...]ings over the country "Tom"
had every opportunity of selecting a choice
ranch, and the universal verdict is that when Standing (1-r): Charles Hand, Ros[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (302)[...], and three primarily through the reign of "Toughy"
daughters, Rachel, Stephanie and Cristin[...]s. Bill is a senior The early residence of the Hand family was
agricultural economist for a worldwide agri- at 2102 Main Street unt[...]sband Tom and a bath in the basement of the Main Street part of Denmark). Economic conditions were
Mossie, and th[...]icholas, Matthew home, to make a total of six bedrooms. Rose difficult for many families at that time,
and Jonathan, live in Lee's Summit, Mis-[...]ing "bound out", or under
souri. Tom is president of the Lee's Summit teachers and nurses roomed in the neighbor- obligation to work for room and board,
Constructual Steel Company. Betty[...]education or training. Seeking to escape her
I still live in Kansas City, but all of us visit of the men roomed and boarded at the house. ow[...]raining in 1934, she to accompany the family of the German
by Clarence and Betty Jane Hand[...]ospital under would reimburse the family for her passage
supervision of Dr. Varco. Irene graduated by working for them for a specified period of[...]ana. The twins, Bill John Ahlers, the owner of a restaurant in[...]. Army. Bill Silver City and, with the help of friends of her[...]1942, at the same time Clarence was flying for married Christian Barthelmess on April 12,[...]Florence married Bernard Maguire of The accidental death in 1906 of her 52 year[...]volunteer work for the Sacred Heart Church. sota and taking he[...]Rose was chairman of the Harvest Dinner for her, she joined him and attempted, unsuc-[...]and desks for the church and school. Rose was destitute, sh[...]also president of the Army-Navy Mother's again opened a boarding house, one of the few[...]getables, milk and bakery circumstances. One of her boarders was Cort[...]ynes Avenue farm. After George died 10 Except for short periods in other neighbor-[...]s and many thelmess Hansen is representative of so many[...]unher-
Rose and George Hand standing by the side of their as "My Little Doll House." Rose took up[...]s. She died 15 under the most difficult of circumstances,
1942. August 1982 at the age of 91 at her son, keeping, as best they cou[...]HANSON FAMILY
George Hand worked for the Chicago[...]St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in
law enforcement for several years in Mob- I, Jean Hanson, was married to Douglas J.
ridge, So[...]Fleming on September 2, 1952. I lived in
to Miles City, Montana as a special poli[...]ucson, California, and back to Montana,
detective for the railroad in 1931. George[...]ved with insurance.
worked the police night shift for many years[...]Dakota where he
before being promoted to Captain of Police[...]and a partner founded and built an Insurance
of the Railroad Western Division. He retired[...]_ live on the ranch in Rosebud, Montana that
a railroad policeman he worked very closely[...]Miles City in March of 1973. I continued,[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (303)[...]r 1911. They came to the same vicinity of
of 1975, at which time I sold and moved to Montana in 1913. On[...]HANSON, M. L.
Miles City. In March of 1978,1 married daughter Jean Elsi[...]F297
known as the H Cross H Ranch. In April of settling ·on Unit 16 of Kinsey Farms, Inc.,
1979, we moved back to town a[...]ly known,
building a home, barn and arena on land I'd of the homes by late summer. First they was born near Beech Grove, Indiana, on July
invested in for development. In December moved into the basement until the main floor 14, 1872. He was one of a family of five born
1982, we went into business in Miles Ci[...]thor Hanson, pioneer
a western retail store which I closed in a convenience of the home, but electricity did residents of Indiana.
December of 1987 because of our severely not arrive until 1942.[...]22, 1875, in Binghampton, New York, daugh-
of things. I now am home as a housewife again Upon arrival, the farm land was partially ter of Johnathan and Lucinda Goyd Trues-
catching up on what's been let go; then I will leveled and irrigation canals were b[...]ed in Michigan and
pursue a job again. Since July of 1988, I have sod was still to be broken. Farming[...]o Fleming. with the aid of an Allis Chalmers Model B Indiana with her[...]grains, hay, potatoes and sugar beets. Of children: Edna in 1901, Perry in 1903,
fr[...]Edward in 1906, and Delbert in 1909. Lee
farming for a number of years. After that, Rex and milk cows helped to provide a liv[...]a small farm in Indiana and also drove
has worked for Tom Ford at Winifred Livestock[...]elivering kerosene and coal oil
farming and later for a fertilizer company, an Community Range on Muster Creek pre- for Standard Oil of Indiana at one time.
insurance company and for me at the ranch. viously used by the Chapel Brothers Com- In the fall of 1909, Lee had an auction and
In 1974 he went to work for Portable Pavers pany.[...]moved to Oklahoma- renting a farm called
of Miles City. He now runs their computer-[...]ana, where he owns an acreage, his of each unit. An irrigation system has been to[...]installed for these farms. This system was the second ye[...]ough cream Hattie, about a 2-yr-old. The rest of the[...]ice cream parties with ice from George Hall's of horses. I tell the story of this mare because[...]it plays an important part of the Hanson's[...]their tune in a couple of old houses and later had a friend, Mint Kelly[...]bay mare) died suddenly. It upset Lee so that
As years went by, many organizations were that is when he decided to move to Montana.[...]Demonstration Clubs, Builders Clubs, Far- for $175. Lee had gotten Babe from Perci-[...]cles fields in Oklahoma. It was the winter of 1915-
and Kinsey grew to be a community of action. 1916 when Hansons moved to Hardin. L[...]ur home burned to the managed a livery barn for 6 months while[...]osing all possessions, but with the aid looking for a permanent place to settle. Lee
of friends and neighbors, we reestablished - took the same wagon to Montana that he[...]50. the family and the rest of their belongings -[...]Even though there were many hours of toil, to Hardin.[...]community to have been a part of building from Nellie Coon for $300.00 which was[...]located about 15 miles northeast of Ashland,[...]1970, moved to a Montana, on the East Fork of Otter Creek.[...]being hospitalized in June of 1987. He later on June 24, 1916, after being on the road for
In 1940 life in Custer County began for Bernt, Ona, passed away the end of September and was 9 days. They traveled[...]the was a 12 x 14 building on the place. That was
Bernt Hanson was born the son of Mathias ranch with painting and carpentry. Winters used for cooking and the family slept in a tent
and Mathia[...]s he'd built himself. He enjoyed his many at that time he had all he needed to make his
to Montana[...]ortune - a wife, 4 kids and $25.00. The
northeast of Winifred, Montana. On Novem- dropped[...]building their two room log cabin that was to
daughter of Everett and Lillie Hess. She was[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (304) That first summer, Lee borrowed a plow For the greater part of the last five years ed schools in Jordan, and g[...]and planted some oats where the present hog of Lee's life he was in poor health. He passed Garfield County High School in 1975. I
lot (now the heifer lot) is. Their first garden[...]his on June 20, 1948, after only a day or two of 1975-1977 on a basketball scholarship. After
white frame house. That first summer they hospitalization. He is[...]with an Associate Arts
harvested 5 seamless sacks of dry beans. All Cemetery. degree, I moved to the state oflowa for a short
the children remember eating a lot of beans. Grace continued to live by herself after time. I was employed as a carpenter for
Lee earned some money that first year by Lee's death. She was an untiring person. Her Authentic Log Homes, of Anthon, Iowa.
doing various types of work for established huge garden was absolutely weedless, she Upon ret urning to Miles City in the fall of
ranchers. B.J. Gentry had checkrowed corn could grow melons when no one else could, no 1977 I was a car salesman for Boutelles.
and Lee got 10¢ a shock - made from a[...]keep up with her berry picking, and In June of 1978, I was hired as jailer for the
of corn stocks 10 rows wide and 10 rows long. she preserved every type of food imaginable. Custer County Jail. In the meantime, I had
Lee also got 10¢ a post for hauling out posts Grace never had indoor plum[...]ly, married Wanda
from Darling Draw. Many thought that stove, or any of the gadgets that we feel are Gresens of Volborg.
would be a slow process but Lee made a r[...]able. she hummed and whistled as By May of 1979, a Deputy Sheriff post had
with a plow and had a load of posts the first she worked and was an eternal[...]opened with the Custer County Sheriffs
day. That first fall their new home was the kind of Grandma everyone should have! Office. I became a Deputy three days before
completed and they moved in on November She made a quilt for each of her 11 grandchil- my first Bucking Horse Sale.[...]rst few Bucking
the night before - the last night of sleeping and would make her gifts and lots of home- Horse Sales were some real rip-snorti[...]made candy. She did a lot of traveling and experiences.
At one time L[...]r Lee died as she had no one at In January of 1980, I became Senior
Oklahoma, get a railroad section and raise home to care for. One luxury she did enjoy in Deputy of t he Department, and in September
hogs. They had[...]later years was the telephone. of that year, our first daughter, Heather
Grace always hu[...]great pioneer woman Marie, was born. In June of 1981, I was
home first - to make it a home and not just[...]ace on East Fork was the first stroke in April of 1961 and passed away on what the administrative workings of the
place they had ever owned and Grace said Memorial Day, May 30, 1961, at the age of 86. department entailed. Then in February of
"This is it, it's the last time I am going to She is buried beside Lee in the Ashland 1982, the stork came out of hibernation early
move". One evening it was decid[...]By early 1985, the last of the " Old Time
the kitchen table and Lee gave eve[...]Sheriffs," Bill Damm, was going to call it
of paper. There was only one vote to move;[...]thirty years in t he Sheriffs Office.
Lee said, "That's it - we'll stay" and it was[...]that month I was appointed Sheriff, to serve
The winter of 1919-1920 Lee ran out of hay. out the remainder of his term, which would
B.J.'s hired hand would acc[...]expire at the end of 1986. This meant that I
purpose) slip off a big forkful of hay when he[...]before my first elect ion.
This big forkful of hay each day got them I had thought we were done, but Canda
through the w[...]Brianne was born in July of 1985.
When Hansons came from Hardin, Perry[...]The election of 1986 was exciting and a
rode Snowball and Edward[...]major learning experience for me. With
team was Phoeb (Febe) and Terry. When[...]elections, I was fortunate enough to come out
Indian came up o[...]I am also the Coroner for Custer County,
where the white frame house now st[...]which usually leaves a lot to be desired. I am
told them he remembered that area when he a Hunter Safety Instructor, President of
was a small boy and there were elk and deer[...]Association, Director of the area Search &
Edna, the oldest of the children, left home Rescue unit, Secretary/Treasurer of Mon-
when she was 17 and went to Billings to work[...]and a member of the Eastern Montana Coal
of land a mile east of the home place. Edward Counties Task Force. I was recipient of the
bought the Billy Paine place on Marvel Creek[...]Silver Medal of Valor, presented by the
northwest of Home Creek Butte. Captain Montana Chiefs of Police Association in
Marvel had come to the area[...]1986.
ranch of Edward's is 3 miles east of the home[...]while on an air search, I have never wanted
was turned over to him and his[...]for a job wit h more excitement!
Lee was a good mi[...]ugh
area dances. Lee played a 5-string banjo. One
of Lee's great loves was his grandchildren. I'm Born in Jordan, Montana, in 1957, I grew
sure we all remember learning to 'skin the[...]original homestead. He came to Montana in
songs like "There's an Old Spinning Wheel 1908 with[...]on the ranch
Hanson's home was a gathering place for both as well. I, W .L. Harbaugh, now in my 92nd year and
young an[...]survived the depression being a resident of Montana for the past 52
wedding anniversary on February 22, 1946. years by hunting coyotes for the bounty; and years, can recount the days of pioneering with
Over 100 people were served a big dinner. by catching and selling wild horses that were my wife, Elizabeth Cathern Elbert, born
G[...]time. March 25, 1868. I courted her as a young man
ry - she was 21 on her[...]As a fourth generation Montanan, I attend- and was united in marriage at[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (305) Indiana, April 18, 1892. With her and our
family of five boys and one girl, we came to
Montana and took up residence on Sand
Creek near the village of Jordan, Montana,
in 1910.
The prime object of leaving Louisville,
Kentucky, was to find freedom and indepen-
dence while ranching and farming and I am
happy to say that we found and maintained
the same with full measure. For example
there are now a total of 40 direct descendants
maintaining homes within the state of Mon-
tana.
I've had a wide experience throughout life,
having[...]le
World War One was going on, etc.
Mother and I remained on the homestead
until 1925 when it was[...], Carl and Paul. We then moved
to the Yellowstone Valley and farmed under
irrigation until 1945. We retire[...]ors.
During the war years there was a shortage
of rural school teachers and I was persuaded
to teach the Purewater school and what an
experience that was after being away from
teaching so long and the many changes taken
place since I last taught school!
Then tragedy struck. My beloved wife
passed away January 20, 1959 at the age of
90 years, nine months and 25 days. I contin-
ued living at our home in Miles City until the
next year, and after much thought I decided
to go back to the old homestead where my
sons lived, to spend the last days of my
life.(W.L.H.)
"Grandad," as all of the younger ones and
most of his friends called him, lived to the
ripe old age of 99 years, four months and
three days. He passed f[...]ospital November 1, 1969,
ending almost 100 years of experiences and
living life to the fullest until[...]Foster Creek School where I remained until addition to substitute teaching, in 1984 I
submitted by his youngest son, Paul I finished grade school. I moved to Miles City went to work part-time for the American[...]During my high school years I boarded with 1987 I quit the card company and the school
HARBAUGH,WA[...]apartment. I had an occasional part time job, Hospital as a[...]GRESENS one of which was grounds keeper for the Holy the work was fascinating, I soon gave it up as[...]the hours did not fit in with those of our busy[...]29, 1978, Tony Carl Harbaugh and household. I returned to work full-time with
I was born June 9, 1961, in Miles City, I were married in the Presbyterian Church of the Custer County School System early in
Montana, at the Holy Rosary Hospital. My Miles City. For a year we lived at 615 S. 1988, and I am still with them. I have also
parents are Neal L. and Irene Bernice C[...]recently started a part-time business out of
Gresens. I was the only girl and the last child - only a b[...]est to youngest), Ira, Norman, Jerry, and I worked in 1978 for Wilson's Saddlery and by[...]later babysat until our first child, Heather
I was raised on the family ranch south of Marie, arrived September 29, 1980. I then
Miles City on Ash Creek. In about 1967 my worked for Jim Beeman Saddlery in 1981. I
parents purchased the Rufus Jordan ranch a[...]school system in Miles City before our son,
I changed from the Ash Creek School to the[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (306)[...]August 1, 1960, my wife and I moved to moved to the LO in Montana in 1[...]Absarokee, Montana, living out of town on Aguirre came to Montana to shear hi[...]- she as cook and they as shearers.
In 1892, I was born to George and Emma Erickson of Livingston, Montana; Mrs. Bob Bob Hardy[...]een years were spent at and Tom Hardesty, all of Miles City, Mon- Mary Joan (JoAnne), (Fox) was born Novem-
Keystone, which is in the heart of the Black tana. We have eighteen lovely gran[...]t. Besides being a long time member of the Mary was an excellent cook and no one
Rushmore. At the age of thirteen, I left home Range Riders, I have also been a member of could ever say he left the LO hungry.
and went to work for a Mr. Judson on a ranch the American Legion for a great many years, Several of Mary's brothers worked for the
and finished out the school term that winter am a member of the Elks and the newly LO, and Mary was[...]n's daughter and family organized World War I Veteran's Club, pant, having an interest in all phases of ranch
needed an extra hand on their ranch at Tom[...]in the latter. -A Range life.
South Dakota, so I worked for them for the Riders Museum Story, 1960.[...]moved to Miles City in 1958 so
next three years. I then moved on to Faith,[...]go to high school. Her grand-
South Dakota where I first met Emil Prahl[...]ther relatives and friends, kept
and went to work for him; he was a contractor[...]ppy, active place where one
and worked with teams of horses. We moved[...]a cup of coffee and a visit. She loved her
streets for the first time. I worked in and HARDY,MARY[...]rly. She also enjoyed her large
around Miles City for the next couple of F302 yard.
years. I rode in a few wildhorse races at rodeos[...]de trips periodically to Farisita,
in those days. I rode the range with Barney Mary Jane Rac[...]her parents
Colleran, breaking horses and working for the Talpa, Colorado, August 19, 1917. Her par- farm.
CK Cattle Company, also for the Diamond A ents were Nicholas Aguirre[...]Hardy died August 29, 1987, from
Cattle Co., and for Lynn Ingersoll. Garcia. Besides Ma[...]Mary's father had a blade shearing crew
World War I began, I was breaking horses for and sheared for many years all over Wyoming
Dan McKay (Miles City Sale Yard, foreman); and SE Montana. He sheared for Bob Hardy
he was selling horses to the government at when Hardy was in Wyoming. When Hardy
that time. Dan McKay's ranch was on the
North Side (north of the Yellowstone River
and Miles City).
In 1918, I enlisted in the Army. My basic
training was at Fo[...]signed (Nov. 11),
so our troop was not sent over. I received my
discharge at Camp Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa
in 1919.
After coming back to Miles City, I again
worked for Dan McKay on his northside
ranch. Later I leased a place from Tandy, a
sheepman and speculator. I lived on his place
and ran sheep on shares. After selling the
sheep I bought twelve head of milk cows. I
milked them morning and night, selling the
cream[...]oyotes were more than plentiful
in those days and I did a lot of trapping. Some
of the winters were quite severe at that time;
minus the modem conveniences of this day
and age, butan expression we hear quite[...]old days", was ever so true.
On July 3, 1921, I was married to Frances
Sullivan. We lived at Kinsey for a number of
years. In 1930, we (my wife and four children)
moved to Miles City during the depression.
That year our youngest daughter was born.
Mr. Prahl was again my employer. Then I
went to work for Custer County, grading
roads, etc. I was employed by Cliff White,
former owner of the Beacon, and later on,
worked for King & Smith, Dirt Contractors.
In 1942, I worked on the Air Base at
Alliance, Nebraska, also at the Air Base at
Jetmor, Kansas. This work lasted for three
years. After the second World War, in 1948,
my son Tom and I formed a partnership and
were self employed in th[...]g equipment and then
purchasing our own. In 1957, I retired and the
partnership was dissolved,[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (307)[...]HARDY, ROBERT state of Wyoming. HARMON,[...]F303 I as a carpenter.[...]Bessie Hardy passed away in the fall of 1934. in the old rock-bound state of his nativity. At[...]was a bad drought year in Wyoming, the age of fourteen he turned his steps[...]but in '35 the rains came and the prairie of westward, and journeyed to what was then[...]Wyoming looked like a meadow. '36, '37 and the great frontier of the great Northwest,[...]find feed for the livestock. Locating fr[...]Hardy married Alma Eaton of Glendo, ment with a stage company that plied[...]Montana in search of grass and found that railroads not having been thought of in those
the LO Ranch was for sale. He went to days, and steamboats[...]contacted Dr. R.L. between. So it happened that the diminutive[...]They formed a partnership and pur- stream of travel that was then setting towards[...]the "twin Cities" one of which was hardly[...]Wyoming on Nov. 1 of 1939, bringing 3700 accommodated by the chariot of the pioneers,
head of sheep, 300 head of cattle and 200 head "the stage coach". After one year of staging,
of horses. Thirty days later the livestock the[...]rdy started his live- quite a colony, and for several years found[...]Bob were Paul Padilla, In the spring of 1861, answering the call for
vember 8, 1892 to James Franklin and[...]his son Jack was born in Wyoming. the rank of sergeant of Company "C". Steady
farm five miles from Thayer,[...]ter time promotions had gained him the rank of
farm, the family raised broom corn, tied[...]ob married Mary won. It was at this battle that the First
Mrs. Hardy had met at the School for the Aguirre of Gardner, Colorado. Nick Aguirre, Minnesota s[...]but in
Blind - she was totally blind, as a result of her father, and his family had sheared sheep so doing it left three-fourths of its little band
the measles and he had very limited eyesight. for Hardy for a number of years in Wyoming. of patriots dead, dying or wounded. Harmon
The family was extremely poor, even for the To this union was born Mary Joan.[...]es, but, Hannabelle Hardy was an indus- For many years Bob raised his own Here- invalided out with the rank of captain.
trious woman and did all of her own work ford bulls and strongly believed in the worth At the close of the Civil War Captain
with the help of her children. of the white face cattle. He took pride in his Harmon was offered and accepted a commis-
At the age of fourteen, Bob jumped from horses, raising a cross of Thoroughbred, sion of first lieutenant in the regular army,
a swing and[...]from then on. of the last horses used in the U.S. Cavalry. Abraham Lincoln, one of the most important
Robert's brothers, who have[...]king horses. He was But army life in time of peace was not what
Eugene and Marion. He had one sister, a sheepman of renown, having owned one of Capt. Harmon had expected, and being of an
Francis Mabel. She also preceded him in the largest bands of sheep in the state. active temperment, he[...]is still called around military and
valedictorian of his class, but only went was a past member of the Wyoming Stock- Indian posts in the Northwest. Capt. Har-
through the ninth grade for he was needed to growers and W oolgrowers. He served for mon's excellent standing in the army sec[...]rlust soon was in his many years as a member of the school board him valuable privileges as[...]blood and he worked at various jobs, as a of District 16. of the military posts along the upper Mis-
carpenter[...]dy was an independent, self-made souri, and for ten years he conducted a
traveled in Minnesota, I[...]taking pride in having helped build the that we no longer find for he truly was one, interested in a flouring mi[...]erests in Dakota and on the
near Denver, Colorado for a time. rough." In the words of a friend, "the mold river. He came to Montana with his family,
All of this moving from here to there caused was broke[...]er in Miles City, and himself
his mother to worry for she found out that he He was survived by his wife, Mary, his s[...]our southeastern range, then
was riding the tops of the passenger cars on Robert John, two daugh[...]d Ekalaka.
the railroad. He didn't have the money for the Rafferty and Mary Joan Fox, ten grandchild- With the co-operation of some Minneapo-
fare and the freight trains moved[...]d in 1884 embarked in general
farming partnership for Judson had home- by J[...]ore and ranch himself. In 1890 he
farmed with Jud for a time and saved enough[...]ided and
Bob filed on a homestead tract southwest of[...]existence to date (1901).
prove up this homestead for the country was[...]for four years as county commissioner, and
moved to B[...]for several years was vice-president of the
on another homestead. At this time the[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (308)[...]drought. One time, Mabel didn't get to
is manager of the Richardson Shoe Co. of Emma Glenn Harris. At that time they lived "town" for a year. In 1935 Glenn lost the
Menominee, Michiga[...]to the bank, and they moved to "The
is in churge of the ranch, and John R., aged moved to Ekalaka,[...], Juanita Fern, born Sept. 25, Miles City. That fall Glenn worked near the
Captain ran his 22[...]r, building dams. Mabel was
near the present town of Ekalaka, until about Byers Emrick in Miles City[...]ert Byers, home, Nov. 6, 19335, Mabel died of an
going to the State of Washington to live with and Bette Jeanne. Glenn[...]She was 31 years old. 1935
his son. Report has it that the Captain died was born in Sheridan, Wyoming[...]"Horse Camp", which was Glenn's home- of 1937 they went to Conrad, Montana, to live
stead, west of Beebe, Montana, 44 miles with Glenn's s[...]south of Miles City, Montana. The horse Byers. B[...]with big pole wings, that funneled the horses Havre, Montana. Bonne gra[...]he corral. The house was dug into University of Montana, becoming a teacher.[...]the hill, supported by large poles, that were She taught in Montana, and New York, for
JANE SCRIVEN cut on the ranch. A picture of the area can be 10 years, returning to Montana[...]F305 found on page 168 of Fanning the Embers, Bonnie worked for the Welfare Dept. in Wolf
a history of the Range Riders. The ranch was Point, Montana, for nine years, and she had[...]k, which sometimes would been Director of Welfare in Sidney, Montana,[...]flood. for 11 years. Wanda graduated from Nurse's[...]Glenn went into the army in World War I training from the Columbus Hospital, Great[...]period of the "emergency" until Sept. 13, Wanda mar[...]Corps, and spent most of his army life in 1925. He is the son of Mabel and Art Wankel.[...]horses. The Wankel's were homesteaders in that
A[...]Camp", but by then there was no market for Merrill and Muriel, Joyce and Katie. Bob a[...]were seven in that family: Wilda, who McLeod, Feb. 23, 1[...]to and 1983. They live on the farm East of Raymond,[...]who died of a heart attack. She bore three dren: Gwend[...]members of that generation have died. berger. She had[...]west of the ranch. Either Mabel or Glenn rode her fam[...]grade, not missing a day of school. In 1933 Hospital, he died on Aug. 3[...]gout house about a ¼ mile lived in a lot of places, but the was always the
south of the school, and they lived there happiest when in the Miles City area. That
during the winter months of 1933-1934. In was home to him. A Range Ri[...]the spring of the year the roof of the dugout Story.
was a mass of purple crocuses. On the way to[...]main source of entertainment was the dances,[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (309)[...]mily to live twenty-five miles from age of twenty, after finishing his education,
Miles Cit[...]iles City,
Since the only boy was the youngest of the Montana, in 1878. He was one of the early day
family the four girls were the cow[...]ey were wonderful riders and, not able to of 1878-79 he hunted buffalo on the Big
afford sadd[...]he right foot around the horn and head of O'Fallon creek and shot a thousand
tucked skirts well over the toes. there.
Not like out modern girls they took care of Through grit and perseverence Charlie
t[...]wore chamois masks, Harris built up one of the largest livestock Blanche Hart (left) an[...]having several wife, Betty.
High lights of their lives were Fourth of hay ranches under the Tongue River ditch,[...]r River, at (Pennsylvania Dutch background of her
behind the cantle, dancing until dawn, riding the mouth of Spring Creek. When he sold out mother.) All[...]t was in 1907, he sold over 100,000 acres of range, wash, starch, and iron weekly. All clo[...]When necessary
had come up the Trail with a herd of long- He also sold about 120,000 sheep. she would stay up all night sewing for a
horns. She always thought he was "on the[...]occasion so her girls would be the
run" because of a shooting scrape near the River with 15,000 head of cattle and thous- belles of the ball. Theirs was a very musical,
Mexican border. His soft voice and beautiful ands of acres of land; today this ranch is fun loving famil[...]led the Diamond A. He moved to Santa For a time the mother and some of the
A friend whose mother kept a boarding[...]rothy Jean Hart; Faye Darst had no
quite a thrill for eastern people to see the girls[...]T, BLANCHE his love of Montana and his father, John,
When Grace Howar[...]Montana and get a
years old she still sat a horse like a cavalry ALICE DARST homestead. Blanche agreed. Rollo left for
officer. In a parade in San Gabriel she won[...]a leaving Blanche and Dorothy to
all the plaudits of the crowd in her old-[...]excited and fixed herself all up pretty for this
outfits in that parade, fancy horses and silver[...]Montana.
but no other old lady riding as if part of her[...]he stage came.
to normal school and taught school for a year[...]barely eighteen, she was unprepared for this
All her life she loved the open prairie,[...]ot a flower in sight. She
ed cities and the noise of traffic. She kept cried and cried for people and California.
diaries of camping trips from Canada to[...]s around her and said,
Mexico and collected books of the West and[...]"Honey, if we can just stick out the three
of those who made history in the West. Her[...]years to prove up on the homestead, I'll take
last pleasure was correspondence with au-[...]ou back." In three years her roots were too
thors of books about Early Days.[...]d, but with courage, perseverance, and
at the age of 82. She was a mother of two[...]of everything, their lives held more joy and[...]had less stress than those of the people living
by Eloise Harris,[...]Willard and Evelyn loyalty and closeness of the family units in[...]Her mother was very disappoint ed that she Blanche was very fond of animals and had[...]of July" baby, but the Doctor insisted she[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (310)[...]for their hospitality, taking everyone in and[...]be so full of cars on Sundays they called it the[...]so good he bet the president of the United[...]States didn't have gourmet food like they did.[...]and for whatever she was needed she was[...]shootin' Susie" for the speed with which her[...]courageously went on, doing for everyone, but
In about 1918, Blanche Hart is ridi[...]w Tongue
on the couch when she had a serious bout of she used the water bath method. Gathering River friends that were left: Grace Wolfe
pneumonia. The sheep contr[...]eard the hundred pound gunnysacks full of beans only to Ron and Renee - but to each of her
call of the wild, and Blanche's son-in-law, whic[...]and was Nana to many others also.
lure him out of a tree with a piece of meat. stories. Blanche's first experience[...]the Hart Ranch home were
Bobby slept on the foot of Blanche and pressure cooker was a d[...]stairs. It was An outstanding event of the year was was known for her strength of character,
Bobby with Blanche's prize rooster. Bobby branding at cow camp, seven miles west of the wonderful hospitality, and fabulous cooki[...]fullest by following the Lord and his Word.
thing that would grow in Montana. She the sma[...]Another." Each night she recited,
canned hundreds of quarts of food, including return. Checking, they fo[...]en shot Nana leaves behind a Great Legacy of
cellar was a picture to behold. She used the[...]heerful smile, laughter and love
cold pack method of canning after the mountain oysters[...]for the Tongue River Ditch for a while and[...]readied a home for his family yet in Iowa. He[...]south of Miles City. His wife and two children[...]came on one of the first trains to the area from
Season's catch of Blanche Hart's coyotes.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (311)[...]once. Later, the Indians learned that food was[...]begged for extracts. The Indians marked the[...]bridge for the benefit of other members of[...]or care for someone in need. She lived very[...]Harris, told of when her mother, Mrs. John[...]fields teaching her children the names of[...]edible. She taught them an appreciation of[...]bank caved in killing four children. Mr.
of John that he searched each person's mind small child of pneumonia and is buried on the Goodale who lived nearby came to help and
and selected the best of what he found to ranch. Rollo remembered, at the age of four, later told of the heartache of unearthing his
enhance his own life. He built a b[...]ill he built coffin in the living room of their home. The in his arms. These were two sisters of Mrs.
himself. He built a small house to live in w[...]where the old garage is now. Seven of the nine children were born on the wasted; the fat was used for soap and the hide
The couple had nine children:[...]children; Fred Hart, 1893, had the turn of the century, and Neva carried a six months[...]by paving the future for all mankind.[...]1941, leaving behind her a great life of service[...]for her Lord.[...]children a good education. For a short time[...]Porterville and Cool, California, to go to
Home of John and Neva Hart built before 1900 near the Ton[...]iles from Miles school. Rollo met Blanche at that time and
City.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (312)[...]It was often said that a man's name was as Blanche lost her baby[...]tana back in those "knew" him by the life that he had lived.
pioneer days. Over and over, as I have talked
with those who knew Rollo, I have heard the by Dorothy Conley and Renie[...]neighbor back in those days? The way of life[...]means of transportation were teams and[...]ether; common school education, Dan, who was of[...]help in ti.me of need. Those were not days of Western States. In 1901 he came to Montana,[...]prosperity; they were days of richness - days finally drifting into eastern[...]of good-neighborliness. The Harts surely did he[...]ll her father used to love hear a lot more of his wife, Susan Quinn[...]to bring her a baby bunny or a baby owl for Haughian, who really made history after Dan[...]r to feed and care died) .
Wedding picture of Rollo and Blanche Hart, 1912. for them. He taught her the love of horses, Dan brought his bride, of seventeen, to live[...]storm," he warned his decent little ranch of a few sections and a
daughter. One of her keenest memories was band of sheep. To this marriage were born ten[...]stepping barefooted in the rich damp soil as of cancer in 1931; Tessie, the oldest was[...]for the men around the clock so they could[...]They were one of twenty couples in the[...]that the island of Bermuda had the exact
same numbers of acres as the ranch!
The family often tells the story of Rollo's
Rollo Hart with pet bobcat "Bobby" in the[...]being called for jury duty in Rosebud County.[...]a. of the hardship his absence would cause his
Rollo[...]y father and mother, Dan and Susan
took advantage of the Homestead Act; this later in the week, the judge inquired of young Haughian, came from Kilkeel, County Down,
act allowed them to own 640 acres free of Dorothy where he might find her mother.[...]d My father, Dan Haughian, went to Cape-
for three years. This original homestead was j[...]th Africa, to work in the diamond
five miles west of the main ranch on Hart one of the ten cows she was having to milk mines[...]a ranch, a man wants money to get a place of his own. He came to[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (313)[...]ranch and loads of debts. Today, neighbors
after he bought a soldie[...]and friends, boast of her success as though it
Smith for around $300. It was 40 acres of[...]Montana is, inordinately, proud of Mother
which still stands.[...]d Billing, rancher
Her name was Susan Quinn, one of 16 Ireland, near Belfast. She was reared on a 16 and manager of N Bar N ranch. Son of Reg.
children; my mother.[...]western Dan - married Mary Kasten, daughter of
strange to her. It got so cold and dry. She[...]and Mary (Dwyer) Kasten, rancher.
wasn't used to that in beautiful green Ireland. sister, but findi[...]erested in Dan is vice-president & manager of Haughian
My father and mother had 10 children, fi[...]e born, as follows: Teresa, Dan, daughter of Harry Woods. Four children - 2
and the girls, Ter[...], Susan, boys, 2 girls. Henry is secretary of Haughian
Dorothy (Mrs. Roy Buckingham), Susan[...]er Mrs. Ernest Beginning from the time of Dan, Sr's death Dorothy - married Roy Bucki[...]they worked together and their and canned. For months at a time Mother of Chas. Clarke - rancher. At Home ranch.
family wor[...]ways enjoyed each others' wagon, cooking for the boys. Jerome - married Betty Gibbs, daughter of
companionship and still do.[...]Roy Gibbs - rancher. Jerome is a director of
In 1920 they went broke and lost every-[...], would be Haughian Livestock Co. and manager of Cap
thing after the bad winter of 1919-1920. The given a few head of sheep, with a record to Rock ranch. 3 childr[...]d; in the spring a cold rain killed the be kept of the increase. But when they were Susan - married Dick Ashley, son of Dean
shorn sheep and lambs. By fall, all was gone[...]moved away from the big house and ed that they (the boys) turn over their sheep Dick Ashley is a Construction Contractor.
barn and all that went with it, to a place a few to Mother Haughian and all then work for the Leo- married Anna May Ziebarth, daugh-[...]mon good; this was done in 1932, resul- ter of Ziebarth - rancher. Children - 5 girls,
were able[...]hian & Sons Co., later 1 boy. Leo is director of Haughian Livestock
again, much wiser people.[...]vestock Co. Today Dan, Co. and manager of Susan ranch.
All went well until my father died of cancer nearing fifty, is vice-president and m[...]ession had begun; no rain, They got by for a time, but then came 1934, Highway Dept. Three[...]ny people went the year when 1,000 head of cattle, out of Helen - last but not least is at home wi[...]rown. Teresa starved to death or died of thirst in July; ics of the business. She is housekeeper and,
married How[...]it was so dry and the grasshoppers so being that the latch-string always hangs on
sisters pitched in and helped with the ranch thick at the sheep camp that "they were the outside, it is a gathering place for the clan.
work and caring for the sheep, etc. rattling like hailstones on a tin roof and you Mother Susan states that Helen has a very
We enjoyed ourselves, too. My[...]n the bottom fell definite place in the lives of all of them. - A
Dorothy became a registered nurse trainee at out of a livestock market so swamped with Range R[...]al in Miles City. Kathleen disaster cattle that the federal government
and I went to high school at Terry, Mont. was[...]When World War II came my brothers for $20. or less per cow (they are now (1960)
John He[...]he Army and was in the European in terms of sheep. After Dan, Sr's passing,[...]the men came home cannily figuring that one species of livestock[...]y was wounded quite would be insurance for the other, they had
badly.[...]arted buying small scrub heifers, anything I was born on July 9, 1959 to Tom and
My mother moved to Miles City in 1944 that could raise a calf, and turning the Isabe[...]ceeds back into the herd. By named Janet Ann. I am the eldest child. My
in 1973. She was quite a[...]ok. She 1934, they had a small ragtag bunch of around brothers are Fritz and Andy, and my sisters
had some good times and bad. Life isn't kind 60 head. But for these they spurned the are Laura, Jeanni[...]one with a big family and disaster price. That summer (1934) the boys My favorite memories are of growing up in
many debts, but she beat it. She ha[...]in which we worked and played
good things happen, like the story about her outfit up to Jordan, n[...]here were still some grazing. our age for a long time who lived near us. We
and trips she m[...]the Haughian Livestock Company spent lots of time playing cards, reading
New York City and Cal[...]ding a playhouse
famous people, movie stars, etc. I asked her controls in the neighborhood of 150,000 acres, out of a gas barrel stand, walking from our
if she felt[...]d running about 3,000 cattle and thousands of house up to Neal Gresens without ever having[...]s goes to show what grit and to get out of Ash Creek, hoeing the garden,
true![...]the goal they were striving for. dancing. My Dad plas the guitar[...]ay, (1960) Mother Susan is living in played for dances. The whole family went and[...]Miles City, still president of the company. we danced and danced - we were[...]Nine of her ten children are married, giving supposed[...]to-date, 37 grandchildren and 3 great dances I remember best were the ones at[...]rock-bottom of the depression she was left a would go to bed[...]dow with five sons, five daughters, a small I went to the Ash Creek School grades 1-6.

324

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (314)[...]m Scotland. In 1888 occurred the marriage of Mr.
My four sisters and I learned to do Scottish Hawkins and Nannie Wa[...]dancing and performed at the Bobby Burns of W.B. and Elizabeth (Porter) Watson,[...]ions in Miles City. How proud we felt natives of Scotland. Mr. Watson was a
that night to be Scottish. member of the First Connecticut Heavy
I graduated from CCDHS in 1977 and from Arti[...]education. I taught school for one year at necticut, and in 1886 they cam[...]Helmville, Montana and then I married Dave Mr. Hawkins has the followi[...]of teaching first grade. We live on a ranch and si[...]ne son named Blake. We are happy Chief of Police of Miles City.
here but I especially miss my family and the The children born of Mr. and Mrs. Hawk-
great neighborhood I grew up in. ins are: Mazie, on J[...]Mr. Hawkins is a member of the K.P. and[...]In 1927, Mr. Hawkins retired, at the age of[...]ried there. J.B. (Jack) Hawkins died
Then in 1971 that school was closed and we York, July 10, 1848, the son of Martin and May 15, 1936, in Dillon, Montana and is
went to the S-Y School. I went to school one Henrietta (Ballou) Hawkin[...]attending the
school were learning how to read - I wanted district schools in winter until Apr[...]. Nan King and William
to be a teacher right away like Mrs. Salveson when he started to join a frien[...]ins, children and Julian
who taught me six years. I would go home and for whom he expected to work. At Omaha he[...]and Jeannie trip, so he took the position of deck-hand on
how to read. Also I loved getting to sled off a boat and at Atchi[...]to ice skate nurseryman. In the fall he started for Mon- HA YES, ROY N.
on the skinny cr[...]F316
We put on Christmas Programs for the which was then a distributing point for the
community with the Foster Creek School at[...]he trail,
the Carey Malone School. The only times I he hired out to take a drove of cattle north
ever remember Mrs. Salveson losing h[...]over on Saturday cattle he took the outfit of horses and wagons
mornings and practiced the prog[...]ck and forth on
other school. The program was fun for us the trail from Texas to Kansas for four years,
children and the families who came too. taking cattle north and the outfit of horses
Other great times we had growing up on[...]74, James B. enlisted
people got calf tables lots of the neighbors in the Frontier Batallion, Company D, which
like Del Careys, Fred Jeffers, Casey Jones is b[...]Gresens would come and our purpose of this military organization to quell
relatives the[...]rk. While in this capacity,
were in tanks or tubs of water and the mother where he remained thirty[...]among his friends. Jack was sergeant in the
rest of the day. Rangers[...]ds went to Catholic Church School at work in that body. After his honorable
Coalwood for two weeks in June. Some discharge in[...]xidermist and 1877, they traded their wagon for provisions Roy Nelson Hayes.
Carl Dodge shot a magpie for him to preserve. and packed their horses and started for the
Through 4-H we met lots of people and got Big Horn mountains. After pro[...]well. their provisions were low they started for the Leslie, Burl, Burwin, Leland and one daugh[...]es City July, 1922,
thought it came at a bad time of year since Since that date Mr. Hawkins has been a son to take over[...]he was busy combining. of Montana and is one of the substantial men Miles City to Brandenberg.
My parents always took us kids when they of the State. In 1882, he was appointed[...]ed as refreshment steward on the
someone's house. I have a funny memory of jailor and in 1892 he was elected sheriff of Wisconsin Dells river boats, but hired out a[...]His re-election promptly cook's helper for the Great Northern R.R.
ent around but we still h[...]went to Del ed, by Governor Smith, trustee of the State After this he ran a livery stable[...]uld sit in the dark Reform School. He held that office until North Dakota. Here he met h[...]Harriet Lake probably born in Pennsylvania,
I lived with my grandparents, John and Director and acted in that capacity until whose family was homesteading in North
Jessie Cameron, in Miles City while I went to 1910.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (315)[...], were working as waitresses at a double deck of bridge cards several years overnight and the next day, having for shelter
Carrington hotel. Louise Lake married Gl[...]was a lonely night and the story goes that
Dakota. Harriet Lake married Roy Hayes at[...]lton. To this
later carried mail on a star route for the Post HAYWOOD, JAMES[...]: Lowell, Lloyd, Ruby, and
Office Department out of Wibaux. After the F317 Bethel.
four year term of the Miles City Brandenberg[...]er, Bessie Hart, married Roy
Stage he contracted for the Miles City - James Haywood was bor[...]Don's brother. They had one child,
Broadus Stage for t he next four years. Most Prince Edward Island, November 30, 1854 Eva Hazelton Crites.
of his years after that he leased several and came to Miles City[...]ter County, one being the SY at the urging of his cousin, Archie McMurdo. heart was a lot[...]d Harriet's five children all attend- hunters for three years, supplying meat to the[...]five and Pete Jackson were held captive for a day
daughters, thirteen grandchildren and one[...]cabin on what later
great-grandchild. He worked for the Post became Pete Jackson's home place in Rose- HEDGES, JUDD P.
Office for thirty-eight years, partly at Miles bud County[...]se family later moved to Tignish. Eliz-
in Butte for fort y-two years. His daughters abeth had be[...]e the Haywoods moved to Rosebud school of dentistry in 1879. He came to
Jakarta, Indonesia. County at the head of Rosebud Creek and Dakota Territory in[...]at Hanging Woman Creek near North Dakota for a short time, before going
Blend, Chicago, Illino[...]ona grandchildren county superintendent of schools in Rosebud the buffalo moved to Ca[...]n 1909. herd of cattle which he intended to trail West,
Michael,[...]de Hayes Kryzsko has always made Perkins of La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was South Dak[...]Creek, where he established a camp
Marion Jackson of Kansas City and three order" so to spe[...]Forsyth on May 25, 1934. - The winter of 1886-7, spelled doom for
is now retired from a career in the Marine[...]where he was married to Barbara Rodger. To
shop for many years. Their grandchildren are[...]Hazelton was born on the Hart he enlisted for service with Troop I of the
Sandra Hayes Casey and two boys Lee and[...]in 1887, a daughter Grigsby Routh Riders of Montana, being
Bruce Hayes. Sandra has two girls Kelly and of John and Neva Hart. She was delivered by m[...]ist. It is reported he always regretted he
worker for San Diego County. He and his late loved to[...]e made their home in San reputation for being able to " out ride, outrun Roosevelt to[...]In 1900, he was married to Nellie Freeze of
are Nancy and Kathryn.[...]to Normal School four children, Dan J., of Walla Walla, Wash-
very funny when he meant to be[...]er. This seemed to be the ington; Owen S. of Ekalaka; Ruth W. Tweedle
way of winning an argument was to bewilder profession of choice in her family as several of Red Lodge, Montana; and Lucille Cleve-
his opponent by saying, "Why do you argue of her sisters, a brother and her mother were land of Galen, Montana.
when you know you are wrong?"[...]d by Lester Williams. In 1942, he was
disapproved of card playing. When Roy was herd cattle with it. It got out of hand one day, married for the third time to Florence
running the mail stage[...]car stopped just bia Falls, Montana.
slugs of hard liquor but never Roy! His wife short of crashing through a fence. In recent years he has spent much of his
relented enough to give Leslie and Jessie a Someone in the family tells of when her time at various Veteran's hospi[...]the sheep away July 26th, 1957, at the age of 100 years,

326

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (316)[...]short period and then drifted down to
held for him Monday 29th at the Congrega- Trinidad, some 20 miles north of the new HENN, ADOLF
tional Churc[...]ver G. and Owen S. Hedges, southeast of Kansas City, and came with her at Hertingen[...]Paul's father was working. That's where they he worked at any job that was available.
HELM,GEORGE[...]F320 Paul was the eldest of four children. He was Augustee Rehbein, and the[...]er the earned his first money "repping" for cow grocery store on Second Avenue and a son
cattle trails of the eighties, from the South- outfits at $25.0[...]oyed by cattle outfits in his He followed this for a year or so and then No regular work w[...]s a range cook, in which he was " repped" for his father who, instead of paying York City but "word" was that there was
regarded as a capable man. wages, would brand a few calves for him each work available in the West. Mr. Hen[...]when to South America in 1910, having heard that went to work for the Northern Pacific in
finished livestock from the Southwest ranges there was plenty of cowboying to do in Beach, North Dakota[...]ity, Abilene, and Argentina, but learned that local labor was railroad transferred him to Miles City,
other railroad points in Kansas for shipment not paid very high wages. They returned to Montana. At that time the railroad trans-
to eastern markets by way of Kansas City and the States, Paul going to th[...]t stockmen Dakota country where he worked for the for their belongings. Later on Mr. Henn and
began to[...]s to Montana and Matador Cattle Company for a year. He then his family lived on the Strevell ranch (the
Wyoming for finishing on pasture lands in returned to[...]t up a little herd and then moved as a foreman for the ranch and as Mr.
River valleys, and along the tributaries of the to the Apishapa country about 5 miles from[...]- employed as nurse, maid and cook.
rivers, that Mr. Helm accompanied them. east of Trinidad, where Elmus Monroe was Abou[...]ter, was teaching " homesteaded" ten miles east of Cohagen,
such outfits as the Turkey Track, Mill Iron, in Trinidad and that is how Paul and Gussie Montana. Here they f[...]and Gussie were married August 14, the age of two years he passed away and was
Mr. Helm was[...]n the Miles City Cemetery.
his home in Miles City for many years. out to return to Trinidad for two years. They Mr. Henn sold the business to Mr. Walter
During the holding of the Range Riders came to Montana in 1944, looking for a Bluhm around 1910 and bought another[...]s prominent in con- location, and dealt for the Diamond A Ranch ranch thirty miles east-north-east of Jordan,
nection with his work as cook at the mess[...]olf August Henn,
wagon feeds when he demonstrated that he with court proceedings necessary befo[...]A few years later Mr. Henn's health
had lost none of his knack in preparing food could be deliver[...]eturned to began to fail. In the spring of 1927 he passed
for former range men after the manner with Col[...]hey lived there until City.
Known relatives of the late Mr. Helm are the fall of 1949, when they sold out and Mrs. Hen[...]ch to Mr. Harry
three nieces, Mrs. L.B. Gilliland of Houston, moved into the Allen Apartments in M[...]e purchased a small piece
Texas, Mrs. W. H. Grant of Devine, Texas City. In 1950 they purchased their present of land and built a home about five miles east
and Mrs. E.R. Mauldin of Smiley, Texas. - holdings about 9 miles o[...]Yellowstone Valley on the east side of the away May 24, 1957. She is buried in th[...]F321 realm of Lineage; the ancestors of both Mr.[...]Our subject is Paul Warren Henderson, of The Magna Carta in 1215. Through H[...]on Wednesday, December 31, descendants of each, some of the "Blood" of
1884, the son of William Henry and Sally each moved to Vi[...]F323
Colorado, some 12 miles east of Trinidad. War) and then to Colorado. The last trek for
In order to get the full meaning of Paul's the Hendersons is that which has been Jesse Jerrel was bo[...]Iowa in 1895. Mary Miller in Henry County,
of his parent's. William Henry Henderson[...]united in marriage
was left an orphan at the age of 11 in Chicago, December 26, 1972.[...]13. To this union
where he was living at the time of the A Range Riders Museum Story. 10 children were born.
assassination of President Lincoln. Lincoln's[...]lived in
there before being taken to Springfield for the vicinity of Ismay. The moving took place
interment. The story is told of this lad that[...]nt, Iowa to the Knowlton
this whole situation and that he walked[...]big snow
it was there. When he was 15 or 16 years of storm was ahead of them. As they traveled
age he came to the mining town of George-[...]ery night, and
town, near Denver, where he stayed for a[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (317)[...]11, Fritz following in 1913 and the rest out for 10 years before he sold it to Richard
of the family in March of 1916. Hogan, a dentist, who is[...]'s Day (March 17th) 1914 along with acres that he purchased years before, that[...]later life. He first worked for two old maids They built a house and started[...]that lived near the cemetery and then went and[...]to work on the Sidentoph dairy for a year. vegetables and fruit. His wife raised a lot of[...]the Armistice was signed. Of the five boys, he behind his wife, 1 son, 2 daughters, 8
Jesse and Mary Miller Jerrel taken in April of 1963. was the only one to go into the service.[...]n, chickens, pigs, and some- lowstone Valley.
times sheep. They stored their food by Later he bought the south half of the
canning it. the trial was to live off the lan[...]hip as it was 100 miles to Miles City. for himself. The first building he put on the[...]- Deceased; Dick Jerrel - cowbarns for the 16 cows he was milking. He
Miles City, Montan[...]hanksgiving and
Mary Jerrel died June 14, 1972 of cancer Christmas to help pay for food and clothing
and Jesse Jerrel died June 1983 of a heart for the four children they had. The children
conditio[...]y Jerrel In 1927 they bought a house that had been[...]born in Stad St. Gollen, beets and hay for his cattle. Later, as he was
Switzerland, April 11, 1895. He was one of able, he bought a steel wheel Fordson[...]snow melt off and rain for his cattle when he[...]hills during the summer. It was in 1919 that I, Kathryn Schmitt,
He also built reservoirs for his brother John. came to work for a Miles City family as a
Carl was one of the first farmers to raise domestic. One morning I opened the door to[...]and later with the Holly Sugar Company of the first man I met in Miles City. Three years[...]Montana, when they began contrac- later, I married him. The milkman was Carl[...]s at Murn Station. He raised beets Herzog. I spent the next sixty years as his wife[...]small Allis Chalmers tractor for cultivating, emigrated from Switzerland. The[...]for hauling the beets to the dump. Sugar beet of the Crabtree property, there was enough[...]ack-breaking, so Mexicans room and work for all.[...]orld War II, Mexican help was hard a year of active service, he was discharged as[...]students out of school to help top the beets. discovered that Carl was not a naturalized[...]'t prove satisfactory. In 1944, Carl citizen of the United States. Since his[...]which saved a lot of hard work. army.[...]quit the dairy business and Carl and I had four children - Juanita,[...]started his beef cattle herd, he was one of the Carl, Kathleen and James. Juanita graduate[...]After attending college classes for a few

328

Custer County Area History: As We Recall (318)[...]on a homestead in Bent County, near
National Bank of Miles City (now called the organized here w[...]pils present. Las Animas. There were acres of free land
First Bank). During WWII Juanita worked[...]st Presbyterian Church building and plenty of open range to run livestock on.
an office secreta[...]ocation was the He acquired a small band of sheep and ran
ington for the Army Engineers. She is now same as that of the present main building on them on the open range for a few years, until
married and has one son, a Seattle University the corner of Main and Montana. The the war betwee[...]minister at that time was the Reverend so bad that he had to sell his sheep and buy
Carl, Jr. stay[...]p his Edward Payson Linnell. The gathering of cattle.
father who was no longer able to work because funds for the building had begun in 1882, and There were three children born to this
of asthma. some of the materials assembled on the union; E[...]grounds. The record states, "the first load of Hilton's wife passed away leaving him with
Scho[...], the Yellowstone Journal, Again he left for Kansas and Missouri
Lauderdale. stated at the time of the dedication in 1883, where he took up a sma[...]Miles City Electric. He is employed as a of Bismarck. The church has been built and on[...]y Yellowstone Electric in furnished at a cost of over five thousand souri and New Mexico. L[...]dollars and is free of debt." The architecture bigger contracts in Ida[...]The property still known as 'the old Carl of the building is unique in that it preserves Dakotas and finally to Montana whe[...]g farm' is now owned by Dr. Richard many of the early modes of construction - left his three children and[...]At the time of his death, in 1929, Mr. Hilton
In 1913 it was decided that a new church was known as one of the leading contractors[...]structure to the Lutheran Brotherhood for
J.D. AND EDWARD $1,000. The transaction called for the re- Mrs. Harvey Slack, daughter
moval of the building from the corner of Main
PAYSON LINNELL[...]Perhaps it is good that one generation cannot
The First Presbyterian Chu[...]Following closely upon the establishment of the congregation, having been bought back
of a post office and school in the new town once more several years ago for $7,500. It is
of Miles City in the summer of 1878, came a still a beautiful and useful b[...]Church quarters
School and Church. The foundation of the of the Boy Scout Troop, and the repository
present public school system had been laid in for the local Girl Scout Council.
old Milestown which ran for six weeks in July
and August and opened with seve[...]by Maudie Gallup
But in January of 1879, the Reverend J.D.
Hewitt, minister of the Presbyterian Church
of Helena, came to Miles City in an effort to
organi[...]erend Sheldon Jackson,
who had organized a number of churches in EDWARD
Montana and A[...]rs old he decided to go West with his son of Jacob and Annie Redman Hirsch.
It was about no[...]Hills. During Clarence White was foreman there, for $35.
Sunday came. Major Burchardt operated a[...]above at anything he could get to do. One of his big worked for Al Ballensky at Rock Springs to
the store was for the purpose of public jobs was chore-boy in the Home Stake Mine. pay for seed his dad needed for the farm.
worship. A hardware store had some empt[...]rom a Mr. John teams, freighting out of Deadwood to Ruby Fields, Ruth Thomas,[...]ished Missouri. By this time he owned a team of valley and farmed sugar beets, hay and grain.
records of that day, were the first public horses and a co[...]Eunice (Wilson) Hirsch was born Septem-
services of Christian worship held anywhere own land of his own; so after getting married, ber 26, 1920, the daughter of Len and Grace
in all Montana, east of Bozeman. Twenty-five he and his wife travell[...]Angela area
people came to hear it. On January 19 of the wagon, with a caravan, down into Colorado. in Rosebud County. She was the youngest of[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (319)[...]and their wives joined a HIRSCH, TED AND
for six months), Gordon and Spencer. Ward party of forty families and set out for
was born at Beach, North Dakota. Eunice was[...]Heiss and Teddy. for anyone. Annie died in 1951 in Miles City Her[...]ar beets, hay and grain
They went to Wisconsin for a month, then after being hospitalized for pneumonia fol- with his father, Jacob Hirsc[...]spent there - Pansy Jane, 1946 and Leslie
for her last year of grade school. She attended[...]In March of 1948 we moved to the then
She and Alfred met i[...]d corn, hay,
The next day, Alfred went to work for the[...]falfa seed. During the 15 years
McKay ranch south of Miles City for a dollar[...], 1949, Wayne Morris, 1951, and
previously worked for Carter Snell, Sr. They Dakota on June 30, 1890 the fifth of six Gail Paula, 1956. Things were pretty[...]rn to Simon and Elizabeth Freim- the S-H at that time. There was no electricity,
the spring Alfred[...]nning water and a dirt
camp. In July he got a job for the State Southern Russia and in 1884 they migrated road most of the way to Miles City. Many
Highway, where he worked for nine years. He to the United States. They t[...]h friends temporarily until they assortment of short term hired men.
In 194 7 we started farm[...]In 1951 the Rural Electric Co-op came and
acres of beets on the John Herzog place. In house in[...]1975, the place across from us where our son of Simon and Julianna to 18 children. Judy Boggs as pupils. I hesitate to mention
now lives.[...]m us in 1977. It made it They farmed there for two years, and two home for our family never giving a thought
very hard to loose a cash crop like that. The children, Edna and Edwin, were born to[...]school only five years in the future.
high price of gas and fuel and the high them.[...]Annie and their children came to Matthews of Abilene, Texas. Bush Reid was
Corn and malting barley are kind of the main Montana in 1913 and took a homestea[...]e also grow alfalfa hay. miles north of Miles City near Rock Springs. with him came[...]e were blessed with five children: Char- Two of Jacob's brothers, John and Charlie, Smith[...]veling was job was to upgrade the buildings. For the first
one son-in-law and four daughters-in-la[...]t great- horseback being the only means of transpor- house with modern conveniences.
g[...]ate our 50th tation. A trip to Miles City for supplies or to John Matthews and Bush Reid realized the
wedding anniversary in December of this market their grain took three days. Things importance of having a bridge across the river
year, 1988.[...]There was so in 1957 they bought one span of the old[...]just below the ranch buildings at a cost of
without and managed to raise a family of ten $37,000.[...]The ranch was again sold in the fall of 1959[...](Ruth) Thomas, Mrs. George (Ruby) Fields, that year.[...]h. West of Newell, S. Dak. purchased it in the
1892 at Menno[...]938 the family moved to the Yellows- spring of 1962.
information is recorded about Annie's real tone Valley near Miles City to an irrigated The winter of 1962-63 brought us the
father. She and her sister[...]father got sick and died in After the death of his wife, Annie, in 1951, Creek where we pre[...]ed to town and eventually sold his was part of the original Emil Olander ranch
alone and sleeping to go for help. holdings at Rock Springs. Ja[...]899 Annie's mother, Eva 1, 1961 at the home of his Daughter, Martha, to us. We were able to[...]ow increased to 27. Pansy
born which made a total of 10 children raised[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (320)[...]age of 91.[...]death of his parents while practically an[...]to Montana trailing a herd of cattle in 1885,[...]He went to work for the Hereford Cattle[...]and men, he was made foreman of the outfit[...]when the company sent a large portion of[...]sold the remainder of the outfit to C.H. Loud,[...]who in the fall of that year, formed a
Ted Hirsch family: Back row (1-r):[...]Front: Ruth, Gail and Ted. partnership of Loud & Hitzfeldt, which was[...]to continue for many years.
Reed Allen, 1975. miles east of Ekalaka. They ran[...]grew up with the new country and often from that time until about 1908, when Loud
1968 and they ha[...]ones were married Mr. Hiscock was one of the state's early of handling the organization and he disposed
in 1972 and their children include Ty Mar- breeders of pureblood polled Herefords, and of it, the sale being made to the SH company
shall, 1975, Stacey Leigh, 1977 and Sydney likewise of good horses. His quarter-mile under contract. Since that time he was
Maureen, 1979.[...]a Judge Loud, who perhaps knew more of
and their two children are Jamie Lynn, 1974[...]976. Wayne was married to race at the age of 20 years. high tribute to him, stating that he was
Traci Winjum at Great Falls in 1988. Judson Hiscock was one of the organizers universally respected by ol[...]Gail was married t o Kyle Wayne Shaw in of one of the first banks of Ekalaka, along of eastern Montana, and was recognized as a
1976 and[...]. Beazley, R.C. Charters, and Frank person of high character, "straight as an
1977, Jay Kyle, 1[...]All our children are in the agriculture of the R.C. Charters Company. He was He was easily one of the best riders in the
business in this area except Wayne. He and affiliated with the Masonic Order of Ekalaka old time sense of the word, when it was often
his wife, Traci, are both with First Bank in and a member of the Range Riders at Miles the duty of a cow puncher to take care of and
Billings.[...]night herd several thousand head of cattle
In the past Ted has served on several[...]1902. She and three other point, a journey that took days. At the time
Farm Home Administration,[...]tly as Custer was county superintendent of Custer County made his headquarters on Po[...]ka and "Pack Saddle Jack," who were three of the
by Ruth Hirsch also had a home about a mile east of town. finest riders this country has ever[...]Smith, an Mr. Hitzfeldt was a member of both the
early day jeweler of Miles City. The Wilson Elks and the Masoni[...]located at the time of his funeral. He was[...]England in 1630 and settled Montana College of Education. Frances
near Saco, Maine.[...]Montana in 1891 and worked Counties.
for various ranches in Rosebud County. He[...]d son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs.
band of sheep from Hunter and Bennett 15[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (321)[...]died in 1981. Gene was able to find satisfac-
of Marmarth, North Dakota on the Little[...]heir sheep, cattle and renovation of Camp Needmore near Ekalaka.
belongings in 1937. T[...]to He also served as secretary-manager of the
ceturn when the drought broke, but it wasn't Fallon County Fair for many years. Gene was
to be. active in the Lion's Club of Baker and the
Gene was in college during World[...]in a small cattle operation along
into the Bureau of Land Management. with his Extension work. After retirement he
Much of his time was spent in the Glasgow rema[...]had spent his entire life serving. - A Range
told of sowing alfalfa and other seeds from Riders Museum Story
the back of his pickup.
In 1947, he was selected as the Cou[...]by Hoff Family
Extension Agent for Fallon and Carter
Count ies. He served these counties for 34
years.
He married Margaret Zook of Miles City
and together they raised seven[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (322)[...]337
Economics. Her first employment was cook-
ing for young men training as pilots in the
C.A.P. at Mil[...]n Dickinson, North Dakota where an
officer school for Navy personnel was being
conducted. The end of the war stopped
operations for the Navy on that campus.
Margaret was then accepted for an internship
in Dayton, Ohio where she studied institution
dietetics. Upon completion of her training,
she returned to Miles City. She was then
hostess in the dining room of the Olive Hotel.
It was at the Olive that she met the man
she was to marry, Gene Hoff, who was staying
there while working for the Forest Service, at
that time responsible for all federal grazing
lands.
Margaret and Gene were married when
Gene was appointed County Extension Agent
for Fallon and Carter counties, and lived at
Baker. T[...]ter County
she returned to work as head dietician for the year book.
hospitals in Baker, Ekalaka, an[...]North Dakota.
Although Margaret died at the age of 52, High joined forces to save food by maintain-
she saw two of her children, Reg and Peg, get ing a cannery[...]born Bessie Trainer to Walter
married, the birth of granddaughter, Jamie, very worth while project for this community and Elizabeth Trainer near Kansas City,
and was proud of the knowledge that Reg was although it called for many hours of self- Missouri, October 7, 1900 with an old[...]and older brother, John, and a
Margaret's love for her family was evident regular duties.[...]years of suffering. Harry then married Irene teading i[...]from the University of Illinois. Harry's City, Montana, June 3,[...]philosophy had always been that everyone, sister both cried when they firs[...]een so lush and green
Harry B. Hoffman, the son of William A. part in civic organizations. This he did by when they left there, that by comparison
and Cynthia Andrews Hoffman, was bo[...]the Bessie worked around the area for the
raised by his paternal grandparents who were[...]He also taught Distributive Educa- Coalwood, for the Palace Candy Kitchen and
Vandalia High School[...]tion and sponsored DECA Club at CCHS. He for Mrs. Abbey at Abbey's maternity Hospi-
University of Illinois. While here he belonged received Sear[...]to several Agriculture Clubs and Alpha for 25 years of devotion to and development and brothers to[...]Kappa Lambda Fraternity. During World of agriculture in S.E. Montana. build a house on their homestead on Ranch
War I he interrupted his college studies by Hi[...]ned to the University receiving his BS time for this move was never just right. Too with Ira[...]d cattle rancher in
Degree in Agriculture in June of 1922. many things to do! He did post-g[...]920 and went to live on his ranch. Then she
State of Montana was through the Placement at Monta[...]zeman). Again there encountered the life of a pioneer ranch wife.
Bureau of the University when he was never see[...]o complete the She rode with Ira taking care of their horses
informed that a Vocational Agriculture requirements for residence for earning the and cattle. She helped build fe[...]unting and fishing. He was an avid cooking for different crews of ranch workers
Harry learned to love Montana and its reader, especially enjoying stories of Mon- and keeping her family fed, clothed and[...]tana history and lore. In the Spring of 1952 clean, like hauling water in a barrel on a sled
supervising h[...]a mile from the house to wash
The Custer Chapter of Future Farmers was check-up. After surgery he suffered this clothes.
one of the first to be organized in Montana.[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (323)[...]October 31, 1983 at the age of 83 years and[...]cooperation of the children Bessie was able[...]family and could have gotten along that way.[...]turned over the working of the ranch to Del[...]d, while Newton worked on the job, 1907, of father Emmett Newton Hollowell[...]and Cora (Davis) Hollowell, the youngest of[...]bought, remodeled and resold; a total of 25 with his wife Pearl in Columbiana, Ohi[...]brothers and three
stack with a pole stacker. All of this was hard Bessie was always the perfec[...]rom his father's first marriage to
and heavy work for men, wives and beasts, who never shirk[...]s following a mis-
as five and six hundred quarts of vegetables, woman always seeing a need of others and carriage before Newton was seven years old.
fruits and meat; all done in the heat of fulfilling it to the best of her ability. She had During these trying tim[...]wood cook the knack to see to the heart of an argument, passed around among his half s[...]tspoken when necessary, but she always of his father.
horse suddenly reared, throwing him o[...]passion. (of the dreadful disease TB which took many
Bessie[...]keep the ranch and work Her last battle of course she could not win lives in those days much as cancer does now)
it with the help of all the children. In as none of us can. But she tried so valiantly a dedica[...]went to war against to the very last. For me, her husband and Alonzo and Edith Noland of Frankton,
Germany and Japan and the war effort lifted many others I'm sure, she made the world a Indiana, took Newton to raise as their own.
the economy out of the depression and raised far better place for her presence here. She is He considers this to be one of the most
the prices of all farming and ranching greatly missed by all of us. She died of cancer fortunate things that ever happened to him.
commodities 'till it was po[...]To help repay the Nolands for their loving
from it. The next few years w[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (324)[...]aining he was transferred to farm two miles out of Miles City with an old[...]cessfully for the Marine Band as a trumpet for several years farming, building a new barn[...]miles south of Washington, D.C. traded the farm for three older homes in
Due to a rash of mail robberies taking Miles City.[...]Maryland. In the spring of 1927, President started high school and New[...]try to resolve the civil war brewing in that The family lived in one of their houses,
country. In June of 1930, after 27 months of rented the other two, improving and adding[...]he farm just about the time Newt went to work for Pioneer Sand and[...]would not support them ment where he worked for many years. Randy[...]r log buildings. foundations and of sound construction which[...]the war started in Europe and our because of neglect were not salable at high[...]prices. Bessie and Newton would buy one of
course and attended a trade school to become these for a small down payment, make small[...]rived just finished these houses would be sold for a nice
Seattle. before New Year's Day of 1950. It was -25 profit and they would go[...]Montana. ot being able to get the farmer out of the[...]of his sister, Bessie Carey, a widow who The[...]boarded Jess and some of the other men to buildings on it; however,[...]a few things in common, not the least of which eventually, and Newton went back to work in
was that neither of them were ever going to the shops again, com[...]. However, romance entered night and morning for several more years.[...]er of five. Randy was a seventh grader and where[...]for wanted him to move to Cut Bank, after hous[...]radar stations along the northern border of and bought a house which had formerly been[...]moved to Cut Bank for nearly a year. Another as a girl. This house[...]and a smaller one was purchased. Becoming
wood for cooking and heating and did any After talking to a shop foreman whom he lonesome for the lake property in Wash-
other chores which nee[...]e, the family moved ington and finding it for sale, they bought it
In 1914 and 15 automobiles[...]back in shape they were able to spend a
that. No more helping to harness horses to Newt's house in Lynwood, which, after much couple of summers doing little but sitting on
hitch to the[...]to church or shopping repair work, they traded for three pairs of the dock fishing and just enjoying the good[...]payment on a house life.
bers doing a lot of farming with horses. in Edmonds. A[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (325)[...]and in Miles City. Up to the minutes of his death
and Helen came for a visit. When her wagon to the Foster Creek area west of he continued to enjoy gardening and fi[...]930 when the Home and still has many memories of the
in Seattle could find nothing wrong with her.[...]Miles City, her house was constructed of logs cut and split by Their lives continue[...]urdy dren: Howard Holman and Arlene Nelson of
stage of cancer. Chemotherapy did not help as whe[...]Miles City, Shirley Thoney of Brockway, and
and she died October 31, 1983. It w[...]olly raised four children on Esther Culpepper of Tulsa, Oklahoma, sev-
traumatic for all and she is sorely missed. the ranch,[...]aim and fired . . . and walked around for
He deems himself fortunate to live in[...]the When a baby was to be born to the wife of
Montana and to have a loving and beloved recoil that the rifle had! Wilbur Holm[...]er the war he returned home to there. Not, that is, until too late. When the
by[...]arents. call came for him to come, Dr. Burklow left[...]Because there were no refrigerators, ice was for the Holman home, but as he started to[...]from the fat of the pigs that were butchered, And that was how Henry Holman's adven-[...]the heat was too He worked in the mines for a short time, but
worked at various ranches in th[...]then decided he was better suited for ranch
he joined the Army and served at Fort Keogh[...]irls to high school and Judith Basin area that was owned by the
City in 1919.[...]From 1952 to 1957 Clarence worked for went hunting in the Big Belt Mountains a[...]er from his
Wyoming. One job was the construction of a tractors. In 1957 he retired and enjoy[...]ut he found he had hit the deer,
In the spring of 1926 Clarence, Molly and Clarence died at the age of 86 at the home which fell dead when it had re[...]believe his eyes as a whole pack of timber[...]the echo of the shot behind them in the[...]the wrong way. Henry killed the leader of the[...]he emptied his gun but missed the rest of the[...]boss was more proud of the wolf he had killed[...]than of the big deer, for the wolves plagued[...]of Jordan, Montana. At that time the ranch[...]covered wagon with his dog and took care of[...]as many as 1500 head of sheep at a time. He[...]once losing as many as 100 head of sheep in[...]that had blown up as he slept, and he saw his
B[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (326)[...]. After while the sheep were getting
tired enough that he and his dog managed to
stop them in a somewhat[...]about his
sheep. The other sheep herder told him that
he was certain to have a lot of dead sheep by
morning. But when morning came, Hen[...]ive and allright, although
they were snowed under except their heads.
The other sheep herder had some sheep that
had bunched up and smothered.
In the middle of August of 1907, after
working in Montana for 7 years, Henry
decided to go back home to Missour[...]little stores close to the water.
He traveled for 8 days along the Yellows-
tone River and then 52[...]ok him, his dog and his boat home.
It was the end of a long, exciting journey.
Henry started farmin[...]farm. The
farm has been expanded and now consists of
800 acres of land along the Muddy River
bottom. Henry's dog re[...]d until about 1915.
Henry Holman was a pioneer of his day,
and always fascinated his son and two
grandchildren with tales of his life in Mon-
tana. His son, Robert, has made[...]Emma Mae Holman and Lorrie Holman
big open spaces of Montana and the "Big Sky Wilson.
Country"[...]by The Robert Holman Family team of horses, but after a runaway it was matter[...]F341 With the addition of Lorrie in 1964, eight took over the operati[...]children ran the hills of the homestead and Since moving to Miles[...]ummers with
Holman on August 15, 1920. At the age of 6 house stands today but is closed. A one[...]13 miles west school house with one teacher for all eight enables him to keep in touch with old friends
of Volborg, on Foster Creek. g[...]also is kept busy helping
Howard spent 45 years of his life working The community around Vo[...]activities. With
and living at the homestead and except for caring group of people. Because money was Jerry, Lorrie,[...]nawa and Japan, he never left extra hands for those big jobs, such as and Gary and L[...]ing, and during calving weekend is full of traveling or company.
he helped his parents throu[...]range of hobbies. With twenty grandchildren
were married a[...]jump into the old pick-up truck and head for football game to attend.
Montana. The two of them took over the the hills t[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (327)in our family but the memories of living and City Cemetery. - A Range Riders Museum The LO, like all other cow outfits, sustained
growing there wi[...]terrific losses and many did go out of
children and grandchildren of Howard and[...]carry-on; the LO was one of them. Mr. Holt's[...]F344 of successful operations of the LO outfit and[...]. Holt was born in Andrew County, winter of 1886-1887, the bankers decided to
Missouri in 1848, fourth of the seven children retire from the livestock[...]KINNEY AND of Benjamin R. and Sarah (King) Holt, the reward to Mr. Holt for his successful manage-
former of whom was born in North Carolina. ment, p[...]F342 ing a pioneer farmer of that state, where he The LO was among the wi[...]passed the residue of his life; his wife, Sarah, range cow outfits of the early days and owing
Elizabeth Grierson Holmes, daughter of who likewise died in Missouri, was born in to a large purchase of Northern Pacific
John Reid and Grace Baird Griers[...]Bottoms Community in what is now Treasure of the full course, he identified himself with[...]er Mary Grierson Eldering, until the Spring of 1865, when he turned his into a 10 year lease for the Omaha Distilleries'
her brothers Henry and Ja[...]el owned and ver. He had his full quota of experience with Mr. Holt was a Mason of high standing;
Captained by her Uncle Thomas Grie[...]belonged to the Elks and was a member of the
The trip from New York to Pease Bottom was[...]d in 1866-67 completed Montana Legislature for Custer Co. begin-
by river steamer from there to[...]ssouri He was elected as President of the Mon-
was 12 years of age leaving much of the until the Spring of 1870. He came to Mon- tana Stockgrowers Ass'n in 1899 and served
responsibility of the younger children to her. tana, settling on[...]Clearwater River, near Big Timber, elected for a third term in the 1900's.
Miles City where she[...]In 1900 he was elected as Vice-President of
training. At the age of 16 she began to teach His firt financial he[...]ing Water Mr. Holt was on the directorate of the
She made her home with her father until his location and having the spirit of pioneering, Miles City First National Bank[...]kholder in
very active in the Presbyterian church of East. He settled on Tongue River, temporar[...]on, also born in Missouri;
Mr. Holmes, the son of Mr. and Mrs. situated. An excess of buffalo made this range from this marriage o[...]Holmes was born June 14, 1969 untenable for cattle so in the Spring of 1880 born in 1876, he still resides in Mile[...]M. Stephenson) Holt died in 1941.
worked for several cattle outfits. He was on Mizpah Creek that eventually became Both rest side by side in the cemetary at
wagon boss for the HL Cattle Co. and later permanent. Here[...]what was in Museum Story.
Commissioner of Musselshell County for evidence, a limitless expanse of range.
many years and very active in the Masonic[...]by Casey Barthelmess
Lodge of that community. aid from two M[...]and Mrs. Holmes lived on the Melstone Barrett of Sedalia, Missouri and John H.
ranch until his death March 20, 1947; at that Maxon of St. Louis. These three organized
time Mrs. Holmes moved to Hysham, Mon- the company that became known as the HOLT, W.[...]nge Riders Museum check-book and headed for Texas where he 1882, the son of Ben Holt who came to
Story, 1964.[...]r. two or three years at the University of
Almond[...]the drought of 1886. from the uni[...]tana Livestock Ass'n and the daughter of John Howe, a large sheep[...]ganization) held a joint session it senator for two or three terms, becoming
father John M. Holt[...]the L 0 was Mr. Holt's affirmative action that consol- President of the Senate. During this time
ranch and continued[...]History records the devastating drought of and Lieutenant-Governor Cooley took over
Oc[...]ed in the Miles 1886 and the terrible winter that followed. the governorship; Cooley[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (328)Elmer, being president of the senate, took against it in favor of a more stable kind of
over the governorship, filling the office until[...]career. It was then that he moved to Miles
the next general election.[...]s apprenticeship with the
Elmer was local agent for the Northern[...]his death in 1958, which
Estate Company went out of business. After[...]in Miles City and is also known as one of
W. Elmer Holt was a fine upstanding man,[...]uring World
minded and always carried his portion of the[...]years association with Carl Horn
ned by his host of friends. - A Range Riders of the Sport Center, he became manager of
Museum Story, 1968.[...]Eagles Manor, a retirement home for senior[...]Association Hall of Fame, having served as[...]eastern Montana for 28 years.[...]pal of the high school in Medicine Lake,
EVERETT L.[...]served in the United States Army for three[...]is married to Bob Flotkoetter, a firefighter for[...]school was then located at the corner of individual lives of all who live here; lives[...]treet. In enriched by endless opportunities for growth
1919 I graduated from Montana Business in deve[...]Institute, located on the upper floor of the[...]Blodwen Dixon were the directors of t his[...]Citians for their splendid civic and educa-[...]dents were sometimes sent out for practice[...]training and I remember working in Custer
County Courthouse for a few weeks transcri- Albert Holton was b[...]parents to Dell Rapids, South
Lincoln School. Son of Everett and Emma Holter. perhaps three, that became Carter, Prairie Dakota at an early a[...]and Custer. As nearly as I remember this was received his schooling, and[...]and Carter in 1917.) lived for several years in Sioux Falls, South
place but I came to Miles City, Montana, with After graduation I worked for a short time Dakota where he worked in the cou[...]ank and Agnes Schlappert, in the office of Custer County High School, and where their o[...]ttended Wash- but soon accepted a position for the Chicago, born. They moved to Montana in 19[...]e was then in its heyday, moved to Miles City. That fall he took[...]Everett Holter and I were married in 1920 open for filing. They moved out there in the[...]we were both employed by the Milwau- spring of 1911, living there for 25 years,[...]remembered most for his fine baseball State Legislature for 14 years, 10 as State[...]playing. He played on the Miles City team for Representative from Garfield County, and 4[...]ived in Starkweather, North Dakota. he worked for the State Highway Depart-
While playing for the high school team, he ment for several years, and as chemist for the
was tapped for Minor League play by a Yale Oil[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (329) tine for 5 years, moving to Miles City in 1945, and Char[...]together they proved up on homesteads on
age of 86. Sectio[...]e she received her schooling. two miles south of the homestead. Later
She was a typical pioneer wo[...]sickness or other emergen- as a carpenter for the Milwaukee Railroad
cies. For several months, their ranch was the and later as a custodian at the Washington
noon way station for the U.S. mail, where a School. He also did some of the carpenter
change of horses was made. She cooked work on the officers quarters at Fort Keogh.
dinner for the driver and possible passengers, Hoods[...]people with very upon the untimely death of Mrs. Deaver in
little notice. She successfully took care of the the early 1920's. Mr. Deaver had preceded h[...]g her husband's absences in the in death. For many years the family would
legislature. Besides[...]n dearis at branding time in 1987.
Carroll of Broadus. She organized the first Miles Cit[...]two children,
and was Superintendent and teacher for Lois and Paul. Bud worked as a civil[...]ado, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico years of 1913 through 1915, Henry Miles
She lived the last several months of her life and retired in Austin, Texas. bought the ranch 12 miles southwest of
at the ranch home of her daughter and son- Martha married Charles Wood and they Ismay. Carl attended one year of school in
in-law in the Cohagen area. She passed away lived in the Volberg area most of their lives. Ismay and then went to the School of
August 13, 1966, at the age of 87. Frankie passed away in June 1938 and Agriculture at the University of Minnesota
Both Albert and Bertha Holton were l[...]re he graduated in 1922. In 1924, he
long members of the Baptist Church. - A[...]ZABEL for the home place; Audrey (Mrs. Harry
FOX[...]who graduated from the University of Mon-[...]iness in Miles City. Carl and Augusta have
spring of 1914 from Terre Haute, Indiana. s[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (330)[...]y. When he severed his connection with
Members of the Hopkins family served in business by g[...]otchkiss came into the
the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil Denton, on a ranch near Helen[...]d bought the nucleus
War on both sides, World War I, World War bordering the Big Blackfoot. This lasted until of the ranch he now owns, which is called the
II, Ko[...]h Harry extending along the Tongue River for two
during World War II. He was wounded in the[...]e miles. It has been an alfalfa ranch for a
Philippines and received the Purple Heart[...]e, devoted to cattle; and also in one number of years, but through the enterprise
and Bronze Star[...]ith Thomas Alexander on a stock and hay of Mr. Hotchkiss an irrigation plant has been
married Betty Kelm in 1947. They bought a ranch of 800 acres on the Yellowstone, eight installed which furnishes ample water for his
section a mile north of the home place where miles west of Forsyth. In addition to these he own needs and that of his neighbors. He now
they currently farm and ranch. They had became a partner of William McDonald in has only 150 acres in alfalfa, devoting the
William Bryan and Kathleen Marie for two ranches; one of 1,600 acres on the remainder to raisi[...]Rosebud and one of 500 acres on the Yellows- cattle, and sheep[...]arry J. Watts in 1949 and tone, at the mouth of Big Porcupine Creek. taken in the 1920's[...]g there until his demise in 1957).
currently head of the Agriculture Economics National Bank of Forsyth, and he had a half In 1896 Mr.[...]furniture store there, his partner dential vote for William Jennings Bryan. His
received his doctorat[...]Kennedy. admiration for Colonel Teddy Roosevelt led
from the University of Nebraska. He married In the fall of 1894 he was elected to him to support[...]lature, 1912 and 1916 he returned-to the fold of his
animal science from Bozeman and her mast-[...]in securing local and general legislation of Mason and a man of the highest standing in
Danial. Tamara married Mi[...]his community.
1973. Mike is the pilot for Glasgow Air Lines Fraternally he was identi[...], he was married, at
Ambulance and Tamara is head of social Masons, the Odd Fellows and the[...]ara received her holding membership in lodges of the first two daughter of William B. Chick, born at
degree in nursing from[...]y have two boys, Nick Jason and Miles City, of which he was a charter of old State of Maine stock who pioneered the
Jace Craig.[...]settling up of Maine. Mrs. Hotchkiss was
Rena Marie married J[...]dearis ranch three high place in the regard of his fellowmen, not To this marriage was born[...]m Jason married Shirlene Faye York for burial. - A Range Riders Museum Churches of Miles City, but Mr. Hotchkiss is
Schuetzle in 197[...]by Duncan McDonald he has many of the magnificient characteris-
nesses in Miles Cit[...]tics of his locality.
ties, a commodities brokerage servi[...]Myrte Chick Hotchkiss died of cancer Jan.
financial consulting firm; and the Co[...]Cherokee, Iowa for burial. Three years later[...]in Sept of 1927, Sam Hotchkiss married Mrs.[...]F351 Mae Horton, widow of Bud Horton of the[...], JAMES S. youngest of five children (Amelia, Stephen S., 1940. Afte[...]F350 Arthur N., Louise and Sam A.) of Stephen G. affiliated with the Presbyteria[...]as born June 26, 1863 Stevens families are of old English origin, Miles City, Montana. (Correction made by
in Syracuse, New York the son of Samuel L. founded in the American colonies[...]rmer in Onondago County, where he (father of Sam A.) brought the family to City, Mon[...]seventeen kin Creek. In 1892, he disposed of his ranch by Arthur Drake
years old, and then came West in search of and moved to Miles City where he lived
gre[...]his home appear- during the greater portion of his remaining
ed to offer.[...]ROSE
County, Montana in 1881. He worked for the years, hers being the first death in t[...]in 1899. schools of Custer County. At only fourteen Sarah Jane (Plumly) Shepard - one of 7
From the spring of 1883 to the fall of 1884 years of age he began working as a cowboy, childre[...]moved to Red Wing,
he was engaged in taking some of this continuing in this line of work for a number Minnesota. Rose had asthma and on the
company's cattle to Idaho and the Lost River of years, hiring out by the month to some of advice of her doctor, to change climate, she
country, and in the fall of the last named year the old-time ranchmen of the Tongue River came to Glendive, Monta[...]d L. W. worked there as a housekeeper for a lawyer's[...]
Custer County Area History: As We Recall (331)[...]of Dennis, born Sept. 29, 1839. Both are[...]members of old Cape Cod families, descen-[...]about five years of age, and at thirteen (13)[...]went to sea in a sailing vessel as did most of[...]the men and boys of the community. He[...]continued to follow the sea for 27 years. As
Bill and Rose Howard holding pictures of cowboys officer and later owner of his ship, his wife
Bill worked with in Texas and[...]pioneer spirit and realizing that the sailing
Florence (Davidson) Howard. His mothe[...]a new way of life which had always appealed
his mother's family. Bill's father and twin Due to the poor economy of the nation, to him.
brother were fiddl[...]very year to and one hired man he set out for Montana.
At the age of 14, he started work as a cow save paying rent and utilities during the They came