Tidbits and Tales, Part 4, March 2001- From the Big Timber Pioneer, March 5, 1931: Peter M. Peterson, who has been railroading at Laurel for the past six years, moved back here this week to occupy his dry land ranch on Tin Can hill. A.L. Phillips has purchased the jewelry stock of Bailey & Lamb and will open in the building occupied by them, opposite the post office. He will add to the stock and do a general jewelry repair business. Born, at Big Timber hospital, March 4, to Mr. and Mrs. L.T. Swiney of Gibson, a son. The appointment of Robert A. Bray as postmaster of Big Timber, made by President Hoover last June but tied up by the committee on postoffices and postroads on objection of Senator Walsh was confirmed by the Senate last Saturday, Senator Walsh having withdrawn his objection. The term is for four years. W.D. McKenzie, for nearly half a century prominent rancher, sheepman and cattleman of this county, celebrated his sixty-eighth birthday last Monday. He comes from a family of nine children. A party of friends and relatives surprised Mr. McKenzie at his home Monday evening and helped celebrate his birthday in proper style. Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Ullman returned last night on the North Coast Limited from a visit to the Pacific coast. They attended the lumbermen's convention at Tacoma, then went to Seattle and Victoria, taking numerous side excursions from both places. E.L. Smith of Reed Point, father of Burton S. Smith of Grey Cliff, was here Tuesday to advertise his lands in the Pioneer. For fourteen years Mr. Smith managed the Reed Point elevator, then he resigned and it closed. Concluding he would take his first vacation in years, visit his old home in Iowa and see his early day schoolmates, he made the trip. Of a total of many he expected to see he found but three. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, March 12, 1931: Mrs. Irene Phillips, well known to the traveling public by reason of her former ownership of the Big Timber cafe, has rented the Whalen building, adjoining Citizens Bank & Trust Co., and will open a short order eating place and soda fountain in about two weeks. Cornelius Skaarland returned Sunday night from Camas, Mont., where he took the hot mud baths for three weeks. As evidence that the treatment helped he now walks without canes. On the way back he stopped at Missoula and took an electric bath, two and one-half pounds of avoirdupois disappearing with one treatment. John Watt has moved his tailor shop from the Steiner building to the rear of the Kellogg store. C.E. Fahlgren of Grey Cliff saw the report in the Pioneer of the chicken brood with ten chicks at the C.W. Voges ranch, and has a report of his own. In January one of the ranch hens made a nest in the brush and hatched out a large flock. She is still going it without housing assistance, raising her brood in the brush. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Grande of Big Timber, Feb. 22, a son; to Mr. and Mrs. Rosco Barton of Reed Point, Feb. 24, a son. Hubert O. Kellogg, of the Kellogg Mercantile Co., and Miss Alda Beals, of the public schools, were married at Bozeman Monday. Reed Point Notes: The county commissioners and Road Supervisor Ellison were Gibson visitors Tuesday and had lunch with the Ladies club. Return to the top of the page. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, March 19, 1931: Acting on complaint of a committee of citizens, the sheriff's office closed the soft and hard drink places in the city Saturday afternoon, four in number. In connection with the closing Earl Watkins was placed under arrest for possession of liquor, a federal charge, and was turned over to the federal officials for trial. City Treasurer Nelle O. Lamb announces that hereafter her office will be in the city hall, upstairs, in the city clerk's room. She can be found there in the afternoon. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Lee Smoot of the Boulder, Tuesday, March 17, a son. Doris E. Webb, daughter of Fred A. Webb, who has been teaching school in the White Beaver district, and Victor J. Erickson, a rancher of the locality, were married in Billings Sunday. Reed Point Notes: Postoffice Inspector Coonan was brought over from Big Timber by Postmaster Bray Saturday morning. He checked the local office and lined us up properly in regard to the new star route which was to begin Tuesday with Arthur Nutting as carrier. The route goes out over the north divide and is the first Star route from this office. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, March 26, 1931: The plumbing shop of C.O. Loftsgaarden on McLeod street was burglarized Friday night, a lock on the front door having failed to function. About $15 in cash and two checks, one for $90 and the other for $54.99, were taken. One was on a Livingston bank and the other on a local institution, but no attempt has been made to cash either. A branch of the American Legion Auxiliary was organized at Masonic Hall Friday evening of last week. Twelve ladies were present and officers were chosen: Mrs. E.J. Huseby, president; Mrs. Clyde E. Davis, first vice president; Mrs. E.O. Busch, second vice president; Mrs. Ted C. Busha, secretary; Mrs. Karl Bryan, treasurer. Mrs. Ethel K. Steensland returned Sunday from Helena, where she attended the annual convention of county superintendents. She says the meeting was an interesting one, devoted principally to forming an acquaintanceship with the new school laws enacted by the recent legislature, but would have been better if two weeks had been allotted for the meeting. Carl H. Hausserman, who lives on the divide out of Bridger creek canyon, visited in town Monday. That section had both rain and snow Sunday, but not a great amount of snow. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, April 2, 1931: Ray King and Louis McCullum drove down from Livingston on Sunday to get a car of the former which had refused to move from the road above McLeod the Sunday previous when Buster King was bringing his sister, Miss Myra, to her school duties at Contact. Born, March 27, to Mr. and Mrs. Harry M. Wordal of Big Timber, a daughter. The Hugh Overfelt family yesterday returned to their ranch on Big Timber creek to reside after an absence from it of three years. Part of the time was spent at the old home in Virginia, then they came back to Big Timber and purchased the Breck home on Fifth avenue east. This has been sold to E.F. Osterhout, who took possession yesterday. Management of the Big Timber hospital changed hands yesterday when Mrs. Florence McDonald turned over her interest in the establishment to Mrs. Nan Egeland. In the two years in which Mrs. McDonald has had charge of the institution she has built it up to a high standard and it now enjoys a liberal patronage from the community. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, April 9, 1931: Two contests featured the city election on Monday - the offices of mayor and police magistrate having two candidates each. Mayor O'Leary, who has served two terms, was opposed by Major G.H. Goosey, the latter winning by a majority of 24. For police magistrate, T.K. Baker, incumbent, received 128 votes, and his opponent, S.G. Webster, received 233. County Agent Buchanan has just completed a test of alfalfa seed and placed the display in the Scandinavian American Bank. Of one thousand seeds planted the germination score was above nine hundred plants. The seed was sown by J.E. Sadring. The Boulder Baby Beef club boys met at Walter Nicholsen's last Saturday. D.E. Richards discussed the feeding and care of the calves with the boys. He gave a lesson on rope tying and braiding. Judge J.F. O'Connor just missed going into the ditch about four miles west of town last Friday when his new LaSalle car hopped out of a rut, balanced on two wheels for an instant, then turned squarely around in the road with its nose pointed toward Livingston, whence it had come. No one and nothing hurt, but the judge doesn't relish such close squeaks. Machinery for the laying of the gas pipe line from the Dry Creek field to Bozeman has been going through town this week. The line will cross the Boulder about six miles south of Big Timber, on the Lydia Gates farm. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Opland of Gibson were happily surprised last evening when about two hundred friends from Gibson, Reed Point and Big Timber tendered them a party in celebration of their silver wedding anniversary. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, April 16, 1931: Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Morris Tronrud of Melville, March 1, a daughter; to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Baker of Glasston, March 29, a son; to Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Egeland of Livingston, April 10, a son; to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Gunderson of Big Timber, April 10, a son. Friends and relatives gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Liebel north of town on Saturday evening for the celebration of their silver wedding anniversary. Peder J. Egeland has returned from an extended visit to his old home in Norway, having been gone most of the winter. Four-H club organization is progressing rapidly in Sweet Grass County, according to Miss Orpha Brown, home demonstration agent. Two new clubs were organized and two others reorganized recently, making a total of six carrying projects at this time. The new clubs are Bridger Creek 4-H Garden club with eight members and the Happy Workers sewing club, also at Bridger Creek, with five members. Reorganized clubs are Glasston Sunshine and Smiles 4-H with six members and Howie Willing Workers with four members. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, April 23, 1931: Theodore Thompson and Carl Hausserman, both Bridger Canyon ranchers, were in town this week. They requested a change in their address from Grey Cliff to Reed Point, the new star route out of the latter place giving them right to the door mail service. Work of cementing the ditch above the cemetery was completed the first of the week. This will do away with the seepage which was causing grave concerns among those who had friends and relatives in Mountain View. J.J. Lacklen was the successful bidder out of about twelve dealers who sought to supply the Winston Construction company with all gas necessary for the construction of the highway between Big Timber and Livingston. The contract calls for 300,000 gallons, which means 38 cars. Livingston and Bozeman dealers were in the bidding also. Born, April 16, to Mr. and Mrs. Thos. D. Bouse of Big Timber, a girl; April 19, to Mr. and Mrs. William Perry Blakely of Contact, a boy; April 20, to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Burg of Big Timber, a boy. W.J. McAfree, who has represented the John Leslie Paper Co., of Minneapolis in Montana for a third of a century, drove to this city this morning from Livingston. He says the road territory between Convict grade and Hunters Hot Springs if fierce. Twenty cars were stalled during the night, and the road was cut in many places getting them out. He came early while the ground was frozen and did fairly well, but thinks those who try the drive today are going to have tough sledding. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, April 30, 1931: Residents of the East Boulder report a snowfall of three feet in that locality Wednesday night of last week. The storm was so severe that school at the old Baker ranch was tied up for more than a day, owing to the inability of the teacher to get there. At McLeod there was a fall of 12 inches and from that point up the Boulder the roads were a bear. C.A. Rupert reported the burning of the old home on the Rye & Nevin ranch, now owned by the Sweet Grass Land Co., Sunday evening. For several years after his arrival in Montana, Mr. Rupert occupied the place, but at the present time it is occupied by Lee James, who also lost his household effects. It is located on Antelope creek, in the Fish creek country, about ten miles east of Melville, and is one of the best known early day stock ranches in the Fish creek country. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, May 7, 1931: Arthur Aalgaard, student in the eighth grade of the public schools, broke an arm Saturday morning while practicing pole vaulting for the track meet at Reed Point Saturday. R.C. Ward of the sawmill firm of Ward & Parker, 20 miles northwest of Melville and two miles from the Brannin ranch, was in this city yesterday. He states they had plenty of rain on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Annual election of officers of the Alumni association of the high school was held Friday evening last week, the following being chosen: Eva Roquet, president; Clyde E. Davis, vice president; Vivian Webb, secretary, Alva L. Lamb, treasurer. Plans for the annual banquet to the graduating class were discussed, but no definite date was set. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Titeca of Shawmut, April 30, a son. Herman Frey, who lives on the left hand side of the road as you go out of Bridger canyon toward Absarokee, was a business visitor in this city Tuesday. He says grass never looked better in his locality at this time of year. Sunday they had some rain, but Monday it cut loose and rained all night. Tuesday morning there was an inch or more of snow on the range around his place. John P. Campbell, who was in Tuesday from his ranch on the Sweet Grass near Melville, states that section had a good shower Sunday, but the life saver came Monday evening and night. It rained, poured, everywhere, in the Harlowton and Fish creek countries and wherever in was needed in the northern part of the county. Sam Solberg went on the new road job yesterday as a car driver. John Schlitz of Gibson and Carl Schmidt of Grey Cliff are with the carpenter force. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, May 14, 1931: County Treasurer F.R. Hickman has received a warrant from the state auditor for $1,604.75, Sweet Grass county's share of the latest collection for auto licenses. Livingston Enterprise: Mr. and Mrs. Don C. Cowles left Friday afternoon for their ranch on the Boulder south of Big Timber. The Cowles have developed what is said to be one of Montana's finest dude ranch properties and the finishing touches are at the present time being placed on a number of attractive cabins as well as the main lodge. Annual election of officers of the Big Timber Volunteer Fire Department was held last evening at the fire hall. The following were chosen: Fred Tucker, chief; F.M. Ferris, assistant chief; Robert Rees, secretary-treasurer; J.B. Broker, foreman. Reed Point Notes: Prof. A.L. Dean left Wednesday morning in company with Wanda Weamer, Clifford Durham, Leslie Booth and Edward Whitford for Missoula where these students will enter the declamation and track events for the state contest. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, May 21, 1931: A.T. Ellison and the road crew have opened the new bridge across the Sweet Grass at the Howie school house for travel. In addition to a first class bridge, a new road has been made directly south from the bridge and a new culvert put in over the irrigation canal. It is a big improvement for residents of the Sweet Grass. W.S. Bilbro, living at the head of the East Boulder, spent Saturday in this city. That section, he stated, has had at least eleven inches of precipitation so far this year. Miss Signy Wallum was honored by a surprise birthday party Thursday evening by other members of the public school faculty. Picnic dinner was served at the island at the head of McLeod Street. A large crowd attending the school dance at Grey Cliff Saturday night saw the burning of the home of Mrs. Kate Schelreff. During the day the owner had been kalsomining, part of the furniture having been moved out. What had been left in the building and the building itself went up in the air. The structure was of log construction, also one of the earliest buildings in what in now Grey Cliff. Commencement of Sweet Grass high will be held at the school auditorium Friday evening of next week. Ida Ostrem is valedictorian of the class and James Ballard salutatorian. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, May 28, 1931: John Arthur returned Monday morning from his ranch on Big Elk, where he spent a part of last week. He states that range and crop conditions look good in that section - one place where there is something green. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Anton Vandervoort of Big Timber, May 25, a daughter. Mrs. George Green, who has been cooking at the P.A. Bruffey ranch near the head of the Boulder, was painfully injured Sunday afternoon. She had been out gopher hunting, returned to the house and started to put the gun away. Evidentally the trigger caught in something and discharged the gun. The bullet entered her chest and came out in her back. She was brought to the Big Timber hospital and is doing well. E.L. Kepler and William Burtch drove to Helena Sunday to look for an old placer claim they had seen several years ago. They found the claim, but conditions so far as water for placer mining is concerned were not good. Streams in that locality are practically dry. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, June 4, 1931: For the third year the American Education Press has sent out medals for current events. Previously a special examination was held in connection with the rural track and scholastic meet. This year the highest averages in the history and civics examinations determined the winners. Alberta Hoyseth of East Boulder won first place and Morlan Flattum of Grey Cliff second. Shearing at the C.W. Voges place was finished the first of the week, the Utah crew going from there to the R.S. Jarrett ranch. The next place will be the Carl Myrstol ranch, then to the Ebert Sheep Co. John P. Campbell, who is in from his ranch today, states that there is more water in the roads in the Melville country today than he has seen for three years. The storm came from the northeast. Every section of the country north and east of the Yellowstone got the benefit. Yule Rees opened the Northern Pacific wool warehouse this morning for the season. The first consignment was made by Henry Stole, living north of the city. Memorial Day was observed with eighteen members of the American Legion met in front of the Grand Hotel and marched to the public library where excellent addresses were delivered by Rev. A.A. Holbeck and Rev. Andrew Roukema. Then the cemetery was visited and flags placed on the graves of all departed soldiers, and a salute fired. Owing to a misunderstanding no band was present, but the remainder of the program was carried out in full. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, June 11, 1931: Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Harold B. Tetlie, June 6, a son. Federal officers were here Saturday and arrested Guy Hart, Mrs. Mattie Orr, Chris Magelssen, Earl Watkins, and Bob Jones on alleged violations of the United States prohibition act. Joe Mjolsness, Big Timber boy who is now principal of the Highwood school north of Great Falls, and Grace Lyle Curtis were married at Roundup May 29. The romance started five years ago when both attended state normal at Dillon. Gibson and Boulder valley have organized 4-H clothing clubs. Officers of the first club are: Beth Hicks, president; Mary Haas, vice president; Mary Alice Yates, secretary; Edith Hanson, reporter; Tillie Schiltz, song and yell leader; leader, Mrs. Ray Haas and Mrs. Florence Yates. Boulder chose Eva Lacey, president; Dorothy Nicholson, vice president; Mary Petersen, secretary; Alberta Hoyseth, reporter; Marguerite Bryan, song and yell leader; Mrs. Mary Petersen and Mrs. Roy Carter, leaders. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, June 18, 1931: Mrs. M.E. Mjolsness has purchased the old Alfred George home, First avenue east and opposite the Ullman Lumber yard, from E.M. Murray. Consideration $1,150. Melville is having a building boom. Andrew Johnson is erecting a three room home on the site of the old Melville store. Victor Allman, who purchased the site of the Charles Heisler home, destroyed by the fire which wiped out the store, is also building a residence. He will conduct a blacksmith business in the Heisler shop, which escaped the fire. The 4-H club of Big Timber has been organized with the following officers: Elsie Ellingson, president; Phyllis Johnson, vice president; Helen Miller, secretary; Pauline Cross, treasurer; Marguerite Alden, song and yell leader; Helen Irene Roquet, club reporter; Mrs. Oscar Rostad and Mrs. Harry Cross, leaders. The silver wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Ronning was celebrated Saturday evening at the Harvey Cort ranch home, south of the city. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, June 25, 1931: The wool clip of the Ebert Sheep Co., estimated at 120,000 pounds, has been consigned to the government cooperative association. It is reported that an advance of 12-1/4 cents a pound was given. Harold Kenison, a young rancher on the Boulder, and Miss Alma Braughton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.G. Braughton, were married in Livingston Wednesday evening of last week. They returned the latter part of the week to make their home on the Kenison ranch, near the first bridge, and Saturday evening were given a rousing home coming by neighbors. The ranch home of Mrs. Marjorie Mjoberg, two miles north of Gibson and near the Dick Rye place, and occupied by Frank Bryan, burned about 10 o'clock yesterday morning. Everything went with the fire, even contents of a root house nearby being burned. County Commissioner A.A. Lamp called the worm expert at the State college at Bozeman yesterday regarding a new form of worm at the ranches of John Boe and Howard Forsythe, east of this city. At first it was thought it was the old time army worm, but the expert states it is not. At the Boe and Forsythe ranches the worm has done great damage so far. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bliss, at Reed Point, June 19, a daughter; to Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Preston of Big Timber, June 22, a daughter; to Mr. and Mrs. Ted Kepler of Big Timber, June 24, a daughter. Attorney General Foot has notified Sheriff Brannin and County Attorney MacFarlane, as well as all other sheriffs and county attorneys in the state, that gambling in all forms must stop. Another message carries instructions regarding foreign automobiles, giving the time a nonresident is allowed to operate a car in this state under a permit, which must be obtained before he is allowed to drive it inside state limits. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, July 2, 1931: O.B. Fjare, who was in the city yesterday from his ranch northeast of Melville, states that his place was visited by a hard rain, with hail thrown in, Sunday evening. It lasted about ten minutes and did a lot of good. The county road crew is doing good work with practically a new bridge on Ten Mile, at the Leroy Webb ranch, and heavy stringers have been unloaded for a new bridge at the Otter creek crossing just this side of Melville. Judge T.K. Lee, who represents Silberman & Son of Chicago in the local market, has purchased about 200,000 pounds of wool at 15 cents during the past week. The largest clip sold at that price was from the Mauland band, totaling about 25,000 pounds, and other large clips were those of C.W. Voges and Ivar Hoiland. The remaining clips were smaller. Carl Applequist, who drives the oil tank for the Tin Can hill oil work, was severely burned last evening about the head and hands by an explosion of the tank. Hans Gerwitz, who lives across the Yellowstone river east of Big Timber, was in the city Saturday. He states that the new type of worm, green with black and brown spots on its back, did a good job of destruction at his place. He and Mrs. Gerwitz were away overnight and when they returned the garden and flower beds had been stripped. Martin Eik and Miss Alma Birkeland were married in Livingston Friday. Upon their return to this city they were extended the usual welcome. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gunder Birkeland of this city, the groom a well known young man who has worked at various ranches. John N. MacFarlane and Miss Rhea Traver were married at the groom's cabin on the Upper Boulder Tuesday morning. Only relatives attended. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, July 9, 1931: A Martinsdale dispatch says that P.J. Cooney, living on the old James Duffy ranch at Fish creek hill, lost 380 sheep while moving his band to summer range in the Belt Mountains. Paul Lamp, concrete inspector for the state highway commission on road work in this vicinity, made a trip of inspection between here and Livingston Tuesday. All work is in except a bridge across Mission creek, nine miles east of Livingston. He states the road has been closed for blasting at Elton bluff and graveling between this city and Voges corner, six miles west of town, should be finished in about three weeks. A petition requesting the state highway to complete the grading of No. 10 from the courthouse down First avenue, then across the flat to the camp ground, was circulated this week. It received may signatures. The sheriff's office broke up a bootleg camp at the camp grounds Tuesday night. It had been established in the brush, evidently for the purpose of supplying the needs of the 185 men camped there for gas line work. The proprietors escaped, but about $50 worth of booze and equipment was taken in the raid. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, July 16, 1931: Graveling on the new highway from the courthouse west to the Voges corner started Monday morning out of this city. The crusher is located near the John K. Nelson place, at the end of the Kellogg lane, and graveling from there to this city will be finished first. It is estimated that about two and one-half miles can be completed in a week. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Dean O'Leary, July 13, a son. Pipes from the main gas line into homes are being laid this week in various parts of the city. The force has been reduced to about 27 men, principally local residents. The wool market for Sweet Grass county is about closed, excepting one or two small clips, and the total amount to go east will be about 900,000 pounds. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, July 23, 1931: Two cases of smallpox in the gas pipe line crew have been placed in quarantine by Dr. D. Claiborn, county physician. Under Sheriff Whitsel received a call last night from G.E. Martin, Absarokee forest reserve supervisor, asking for 150 more fire fighters, or whatever part could be furnished from this point. Mr. Whitsel rounded up a number who were through on the local gas pipe line and sent them on. John Marmom, federal officer from Billings, assisted by local officers, made several raids in the city Friday night of last week. Monday night Sheriff Brannin, Under Sheriff Whitsel and special deputies made a second raid, and for a time the smashing of bottles, demijohns and other paraphernalia resembled a reception to newlyweds. A bridge on the county road, about one mile north of the Emery C. Jones ranch in the Gibson country, was burned Monday. Evidentally the fire started from an accumulation of tumbleweeds under the bridge set fire by some person or persons. A Martinsdale dispatch states that C.M. Bair, the big sheepman of Billings who now owns the old James Veasel ranch at Martinsdale, has leased the old James Fergus ranch near Lewistown. J.N. Blankenbaker, of the Scandinavian American Bank, returned Monday morning from Cleveland, Ohio, where he represented Al Bedoo temple of Billings at the annual Shrine convention. He found the weather extremely hot, but sleeping cars not as bad as expected. Having a day off, he took a side trip to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and had a delightful trip. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, July 30, 1931: Miss "Billy" Hostetter, a summer guest at the Briley ranch at Melville, made an unsuccessful attempt to ride Midnight, a ranch horse, Saturday morning. Result: a nasty tumble and a broken arm. John William Haas, date of arrival, July 27; future home, at the C.W. Haas residence. Thieves entered the filling station of Emmett Deegan Tuesday night and took some lubricating oil and gasoline. One day last week when Mrs. Carl Schmidt of Grey Cliff realized a slicker had short changed her for $10 and got away with the goods, she called Rudolph Forster to drive her car, overtook the man and demanded and got a return of her money. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Rex R. Rich of this city, July 24, a daughter; to Mr. and Mrs. O.B. Fjare of Melville, July 27, a son. This site was last updated August 1, 2001. Copyright (c) 2001 by Joan Shurtliff.