Sweet Grass County MT Archives Newspapers.....Oct., 1935 – Jan. 1936 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mt/mtfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joan Shurtliff, dirtdoc@hur.midco.net Tidbits and Tales, Part 14 October 1935 - January 1936 +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, October 3, 1935: Mr. and Mrs. Bud Deeney of Reed Point entertained Sunday at a birthday dinner for Mrs. Deeney's sister, Miss Helen Wullum, teacher at Huntley, and John Petersen, of this city. The guests were Miss Wullum, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wullum, Mr. and Mrs. Nils Petersen and sons, John and Ernest, Herbert Wullum and Floyd Farr. Two lovely birthday cakers were cut, Mrs. Wullum's white and yellow, and John's white and green. J.H. Burns, melon man from Grey Cliff, was hard hit by the frost of last week. His melon crop was about a month late this year, and as a consequence he lost about 1500 out of a total of 2000. He marketed some fine watermelons and cantaloupe in town. Bridger Creek Breezes: O.P. Terland purchased a new V-8 Ford last week and Anton Nepstad a lovely new Chevrolet coupe. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, October 10, 1935: Mrs. Louis Beley and daughter Ruth returned yesterday morning from New York, where they visited after accompanying another daughter, Mrs. Tracey Cross, her husband and two children to their home in Rushville, Ind. George O. Mosby has on exhibition at his Second avenue shoe shop a rock outlining a human foot, found on the Yellowstone river bank near the old fair grounds. It is about 12 inches long, six inches across the ball of the foot, if it is one, and perfect in every way. It is hard to place the ownership of it as no Negroes ever lived in this locality. Threet Bros. are nearing the last lap of their new water system contract, McLeod street being impassable today on account of trenching and business house connections from the library to Cort hotel. The old Arthur T. Ellison ranch on the Boulder, above this city, has been purchased by Representative Claude C. Gray from a bank of Red Lodge. Mayor A.P. O'Leary, who was taken to the hospital Monday suffering from a severe heart attack, is reported much better today. Mrs. A.F. Rice, a sister, is here from Butte helping care for him. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, October 17, 1935: Among wild game hunters out are Rev. C.E. Tate and W.K. Amery, operating from the Amery cabin on the Boulder, and Ray A. Traver and Arthur T. Ellison in the Crazies. Raymond Ommundson, son of Amund Ommundson, fell into the water trench on McLeod street last week and came out with a fractured left arm. Monday he was seriously ill, but is now recovering. So far as known two autos have fallen in, but the boy is the first to be seriously injured among hundreds of lads who have climbed, jumped or sun along the trenches. A dinner party given by Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Furstenberg on Saturday evening celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary, and the tenth one of Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Tetlie. Covers were laid for 12 for a delicious dinner. Members of the Legion Auxiliary enjoyed a Hallowe'en party at the Dugout Monday evening, cards, a program and lunch being on the card. There were 33 present, outside guests being Mrs. E.O. Orleman, district membership chairman, Mesdames Greene, Ruegg and Baumgart, all of Livingston. Residents of Big Timber listened intently to the story of Nels Sandstol, a herdsman, who claimed to have found hidden gold of a bank or train robber in the Crazy mountains. The cache, so his story went, was unearthed from under a marked rock. He brought several rings and other trinkets to town to confirm the find, but did not divulge the amount of gold, supposedly in $20 coins. Rumor has it the discovery amounted to as much as $30,000, but there was nothing upon which to base the report. Floyd Bailey, Clive W. Haas, Dick Mjelde and Ceryl O'Leary started Saturday with pack outfit for a wild game hunt in the Hell Roarin' country. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, October 24, 1935: A slight tremor Friday night, following the big jolt at Helena, was felt in every home in Big Timber and in the county in general. All Red Cross chapters are being asked to contribute funds for the stricken residents of Helena. Anyone wishing to donate may communicate with Mrs. C.F. Ullman or Mrs. A.A. Holbeck. Covers were laid for 40 guests at Big Timber cafe last evening when Mrs. Sam Cohn, Mrs. Harry Wordal and Mrs. Marice Traver provided a delightful evening with dinner and auction bridge for many of their friends. A stock judging team from the high school, composed of Sigurd Lavold, Clarence Lamp and Ronald Schulz, won second place at district contest at Townsend last week, Lavold high point man for the district. Morely Lamp and Bob Thompson accompanied them. Floyd Bailey, Dick Mjelde, Clive W. Haas and Ceryl V. O'Leary drove in Tuesday evening from the Buffalo Fork country at the head of the Boulder, with plenty of wild game and whiskers. They bagged six elk and three big bucks. They report snow every day during the ten they were gone, two feet deep on top of the divide, and cold of nights. But they had a good trip. To Mrs. Maurice Traver goes the distinction of being the only woman big game hunter here. She bagged a fine deer on Sunday. About 75 friends of Mr. and Mrs. Sivert Breck honored them with a dinner party at Parish hall, Monday evening, it being their wedding anniversary. H.B. Tetlie presided at the table and presented the honor guests with a purse of silver on behalf of their friends. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, October 31, 1935: William J. Oliver, highly respected resident of the East Boulder, met a tragic death Sunday afternoon while returning with logs for the new W.W. Ewan home, the latter driving with a load ahead of the one on which deceased was seated. How the accident happened is only a guess, the best one being that he arose on the logs to tighten a brake rope, scared the team and when they started was thrown from the load and crushed across his chest and neck by the wagon wheels. A pleasant birthday party was given Mrs. Ceclia Turcotte by the Surprise club at its meeting on October 16th at the home of Mrs. A. A. Lamp. Many gifts and a lovely birthday cake were given the honored guest. Halvor Orrestad and Omund Ostrem are leaving tonight for their old homes in Norway, sailing from New York City on November 6 with Jacob Urdal. Mrs. Maurice Traver served a venison dinner to eight of her women friends on Friday evening, the product of her own hunting. Reed Point Notes: Bovee's orchestra will play for a dance at the gym November 9. A valuable door prize will be given. Eight students making the honor roll were Fay Hawkes, Philip Bare, Doris Groth, Bernice Bue, Phylis Baxter, Ruth Askwig, Ole Orrestad, Geraldine Newmann. Honorable mention were Frances Wagner, Avis Hawks, Helen Anderson, Vivigette Cain. Joseph Bare, an eighth grader, was the only junior high student to make the roll. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, November 7, 1935: Boots Mjelde, Floyd Bailey and Thorvald Simonsen were in Billings Monday night to attend the pugilistic program. While hunting pheasants at the Allestad ranch Sunday, F.F. Henry of the Golden Rule received two shots in the upper lip and one near the left ear from a gun fired by another hunter. The injury is not serious. Tommy Armstrong was host to 17 school friends with a real Hallowe'en party on Thursday afternoon. Reed Point Notes: Mr. and Mrs. Harry Weamer took their son, Stanley, to a Big Timber doctor. He had tonsillitis. The Minstrel show Monday evening sponsored by the Library club was well attended and enjoyed. Characters were Mesdames Shutes, Brumfield, Mettling, Fraser, Askwig, Groth, Hiner and Cornelia Schuyler. Specialties were songs by high school students, jig by Dwain Booth, and saxaphone solo by Frances Wagner. A quilt made by the club was worn by Zillah Brumfield. The Evangelical church was the scene of a very pretty wedding on Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock when Miss Maudie Cain, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S.M. Cain of Reed Point, became the bride of Arthur Vork, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Vork of Big Timber. Rev. H.A. Thiele, pastor, performed the marriage ceremony, assisted by Rev. A. Roukema, of Big Timber. Mrs. Vork graduated from the Reed Point high school with the class of 1935. She was the first child born in the community known as "The Hills South of Reed Point" and has the distinction of being the first to be married in the Reed Point Evangelical Church. Mr. Vork is a prominent young rancher of Big Timber. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, November 14, 1935: A son was born November 9 to Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. McComb of Big Timber. Mr. and Mrs. Ragnvald Berland, who have been at Springdale, have moved back to Big Timber for the winter. Twenty-five of their neighbors and friends surprised Mr. and Mrs. Hans Tjaaland on their joint birthdays Monday at their ranch home. They were presented with a table cloth and other articles. The visitors brought a delicious lunch. Mrs. Effie I. Stole yesterday closed a deal for purchase of the place known as the Ed Gibson ranch on Little Timber creek, from the Arneson estate. It comprises 740 acres, 100 under present irrigation. The consideration was $11,000. Added to her own ranch, this gives Mrs. Stole over 2,000 acres and a front on the Yellowstone river. The ranch is now occupied by Sven Allestad. Paul L. Van Cleve III, who lives at the Lazy K Bar ranch, killed a black bear recently while looking after his cattle. He was told by the taxidermist to whom he took it that it is unusual to see one of its size this side of Alaska. When Thorval Krone of Reed Point paid his subscription the other day we told him of one subscriber who said he learned to read English "on the Pioneer". "Well," said Mr. Krone, "so did I." We have often remarked that this paper is a good aid to education, now we have at least two persons who admit the truth of the statement. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, November 21, 1935: Ten boy friends were invited to help Fred Benson, Jr., celebrate his eighth birthday, Tuesday. They came to his home after school, for lunch and games. John Boe, Sr., lost a good work horse last week. It was struck by train No. 2, and 1600 pounds of solid horse flesh skidded 300 feet along the right of way. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lunceford of Big Timber, November 15, a boy. Thirty men started work Monday morning on landscaping the public school grounds and riprapping Fireman's Island. E.H. Ellingson being foreman at the school house, Fred Tucker at the island. Twelve are on the first job, 18 on the last named. The highest wage to be paid is $40 per month. E.J. Husebye and Louis Rapstad are time keepers. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, November 28, 1935: Lee Smoot, wife and children started the latter part of last week for Downing, Mo., boyhood home of Mr. Smoot, to visit his father, John D. Smoot, and other relatives and friends. They are traveling by auto and expect to return to this city by was of Denver. On Monday old time friends of Mr. and Mrs. John Hoff gave them a housewarming and came laden with baskets of good things to eat, and in place of gifts, presented them with a purse. A pleasant time was had visiting and recalling the old times. Mrs. Walter Kennedy was hostess to 24 friends at dinner and cards, Friday evening, at the Big Timber cafe. Neighbors and friends surprised Mrs. J.L. Rapstad at her ranch home Tuesday afternoon, the occasion being her seventy-fifth birthday. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, December 5, 1935: Mrs. S. Oie and Mrs. William Magelssen entertained at luncheon this afternoon at the Big Timber cafe, with cards at the Magelssen home. There were 24 guests. Joe Widdecombe was before J.A. Lowry, justice of the peace, Friday of last week on a charge of shipping white fish, made by Deputy Game Warden Salor of Absarokee. He pleaded guilty and was assessed a fine of $27.50. Jesse Murphy and Genevieve Benson were married at the Lutheran parsonage Sunday afternoon by Rev. A.A. Holbeck, attendants being Mildred Espe and Kenneth Benson. Following the ceremony a wedding dinner was served to immediate relatives at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred N. Benson. Tuesday the newlyweds left for Fort Peck. The groom is a son of James Murphy, for several years followed ranching in this locality, but for many months has held a good position in the construction of the Fort Peck Dam. The bride is strictly of Big Timber, known and admired by everybody for her ladylike manners and the further fact that she has been a real home girl all the time. Reed Point Notes: Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Ferguson entertained at dinner Thanksgiving daay Mr. and Mrs. P.L. Mettling and sons and their guest, W.F. DuSell, Alex Howitt, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Ferguson, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Miller, Mrs. Mabel Farr and daughter, Ruth, and son, Floyd, and Stier Findley. Mrs. Bernard Deeney, Jr., entertained at a luncheon Wednesday afternoon, honoring Mrs. Dick Mjelde of Big Timber, guests included Mrs. L.L. Walker, Mrs. B.T. Deeney, Sr., Mrs. Ray Leckie, Mrs. Eva Mae Deeney, and Mrs. Wullum, and the honor guest, her mother, Mrs. William Muir, Jr., and her aunt, Mrs. Jake Plaggerman, of Big Timber. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, December 12, 1935: Olaf Maland, John Vaaland and Arne Vasbo left the first of the week for New York, from which port they will sail tomorrow for Stavanger, Norway, to spend Christmas season with relatives in their old homes. Dr. L.W. Baskett, county health officer, is quarantining some Big Timber homes this week for scarlet fever. There are also a number of cases of mumps. Two families, Busch and Barnett, have both epidemics in their home. Mrs. Josie Cline, early day resident of Big Timber, now a noted hitch hiker, spent Monday at the John Boe ranch four miles east of this city, Tuesday with Mrs. Lydia Gates in town. She left Livingston early in the morning and when on the outskirts of that city a traveling salesman picked her up for a ride to where a gate opens into a road to the Boe ranch. She had not left the trail 100 yards when Pete Egeland, going to his ranch near the Boe ranch, picked her up and carried her the rest of the way. Officers elected by the Pythian Sisters at their Thursday night meeting, and to be installed in January are: Mrs. Pearle Bishop, most excellent chief; Mrs. Hallie Mjelde, past chief; Mrs. Signa Bailey, excellent senior; Mrs. Gladys OŽLeary, excellent junior; Mrs. Addie Lowry, mistress of records and correspondence; Mrs. Laurel Crest, mistress of finance; Mrs. Edna Paulson, manager; Mrs. Edna Lamp, protector; Mrs. Mabel Olson, guard; Mrs. Ellen Boe, manager for three years; Mrs. Margaret McKenzie, captain of the degree staff; Mrs. Emma Rees, musician; Mrs. Mabel Smart, installing officer. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Robert Rose of Big Timber, December 7, a daughter. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, December 19, 1935: Lee Smoot, accompanied by his family, returned last week from a visit to his old home at Downing, Mo. According to his report Missouri is still muddy, but that is not news. One of the nicest parties ever given at Grey Cliff was put on at Nepstad hall Saturday night with Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Murphy the honored guests. The affair was planned and supervised by Mrs. G.W. Cook and son, Gus, and they did a good job. Friends numbering more than a 100 spent a delightful evening with dancing and lunch, and enjoyed vocal numbers by Mrs. Rudolf Forster, Roy and Oscar Esp. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy were presented with a chromium teaset and a purse of nearly $40. The annual Christmas tree of the Knights of Pythias, brought down from the Boulder this year instead of from the Crazy mountains is the tallest of any set up on McLeod street. It measures 40 feet, and is symmetrical from top to bottom. The tree was selected by Albert Wagner and George Tronrud and brought down on a truck and trailer. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, December 26, 1935: Born to Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hammersmark of Big Timber, December 17, a son; to Mr. and Mrs. George Nute of Reed Point, December 20, twin sons. Bucking a cold east wind, but with a warm Christmas spirit, 12 boys and girls did Big Timber Christmas eve, singing carols wherever colored lights gave evidence of a true Yuletide observance. Those in the party were Mary and Jean Patterson, Josephine Connolly, Dorothy Nicholson, Margaret Jo Webb, Alice Kellogg, Victoria O'Leary, Charles and Robert Chase, George Shaver, Harry Kellogg and Walter Nicholson. Ideal weather, warm, not even a wind, marked successful staging of the annual Christmas tree of the Knights of Pythias. The crowd was unusually large, nobody believing that this city had so many little tots, and parents were lined along the walks and into the street. The crowd was easily handled; the little ones coming first through a line protected by high school students, then the elders. About 800 baskets of candy were distributed. Arne Hoem, coming from the south in a decorated truck, made a good Santa Claus, and his assistants, members of the lodge, took good care of the crowd. Fear of a bad night canceled the proposed Christmas carols, but the City band finished the evening with a short concert. Reed Point Notes: A Christmas tree program was held at the Alexander school on Thursday afternoon. Mrs. Alexander treated the parents, children and visitors to a three course turkey dinner. Nineteen were present. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, January 2, 1936: Angina pectoris ended the long and eventful life of Mayor Albert P. O'Leary about 2:30 Saturday afternoon at the rear of his office and home building, the Old Commercial Bank & Trust Co., stone structure adjoining the Perrine barber shop. At 1 p.m. he had attended a special meeting of the city council, climbing the long stairway to the council chambers, and about 1:30 left the council meeting with Alderman Harvey Coit, whose place of business is directly opposite the old bank building. It is presumed that he went to the rear of his office to gather kindling, as he had on cotton work gloves when his prostrate body was seen by James Benton, who cooks in the Gem cafe, nearby, lying near a pile of rubbish. Help was called and Dr. D. Claiborn summoned, but death, apparently, had been instaneous as he was gone when the doctor arrived. The City pool hall, operated by Ed Howard and Amund Ommundson, has changed hands, the former buying the interest of Mr. Ommundson. He will be assisted in the management by "Bones", who has been with the place for several months. Among those from this locality who visited the Lazy K Bar ranch New Years day to extend congratulations to Paul L. Van Cleve, Sr., on his 80th birthday anniversary, were Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Ellingson, Mr. and Mrs. O.J. Ellingson, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Campbell, Mr. and Mrs. A. Whitney, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Utermohle. They found the honor guest in the best of spirits, extending a hearty welcome to all, and giving promise of reaching the century mark, at least. Mr. Van Cleve was in Billings when it was almost a tent town, telegraph operator under G.A. Loasby of the Boulder. Later he was at what is now Park City, then in the 80's, located at Melville and has since resided there. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, January 9, 1936: If there is any protest against the selection of O. Nordstrom as mayor of this city, it is silent. Evidently the choice of the city council has an unanimous ratification. Mr. Nordstrom is a businessman, trained in the agencies of the Northern Pacific Railway, Co., where a man makes good or is shown an open gate. He is also possessed of sound judgment, conservative in all matters, solid as a rock in what he believes to be fair and just. Misses Clare Frang and Geraldine Hale left this morning for Los Angeles, Calif., where they will attend the Wolfe school, taking a course in costume designing and fashion illustrating. A jack rabbit hunt, sponsored by the Rod and Gun club and the American Legion, starts now and will continue until February 7. Opposing sides are captained by E.J. Husebye and Ross Snyder. Penalty to the losers is to provide a feed for the winners and cheerfully take all the insults the winners can conjure up at the first regular Legion meeting the first Friday in February. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, January 16, 1936: A truck early Monday morning picked up six dead dogs, poisoned sometime early Sunday evening, in the blocks between First and Second avenues, with the exception of that of Harvey Colt, his fate being sealed Monday after the drug store opened at 8 a.m. Others poisoned were the Labrador of Dr. L.W. Baskett, the finest dog in town; collie of John Watz, living north of the depot, the handsomest; bird dog of Dr. J.B. Herries, Spitz of Harriet Harvey, and black pet of Arthur T. Ellison. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Silas Hatfield of Reed Point, January 13, a son; to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Harper of Melville, January 13, a daughter. Jacob Wagner's 74th birthday anniversary was made the occasion for a delightful surprise party last evening. About 24 neighbors attended, all having a good time with cards and midnight lunch. Reed Point Notes: Sidney Fraser, Jr., had the misfortune to lose five head of fine cattle as the result of an ice gorge in the river last week. Lester Faw and brother, John, of Hardin, returned last evening from an elk hunting trip and brought home their game. The 17 day old infant of Gus Westerhaus died of scarlet fever Tuesday evening. The funeral for the mother had been held just a week to the day before. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, January 23, 1936: Sheriff Bartels has closed Riverside Inn, at the Boulder bridge, under orders, the proprietors having failed to provide a peace officer for the resort in accordance with a promise made some time ago. The Cecil Braley and Fred Benson homes are quarantined by scarlet fever, Sonny Braley and Freddy Benson being the victims. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Helmer Stubbs of Big Timber, January 16, a daughter; to Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Tetlie, of Big Timber, January 22, a girl. Mrs. Kate Schilreff sold her ranch claim just south of Grey Cliff the last of the week to Leonard Esp, consideration $500 cash. Monday's Billings Gazette has a good story of 5 year old Junior Brinkel of Grey Cliff, who with his parents was in that city Saturday for the John Forster funeral. While the family was eating in a restaurant two of the Brinkels left the place with Joey, the 9 year old boy. Junior decided to follow, slipped out and walked around the corner to look for the others. Not finding them, he kept on walking. The father later asked the police to find the boy. He had been seen on North 27th street, where he darted from behind a parked car in front of a moving one, was knocked down but kept on going. About 2 p.m. he was found out by the Midland Empire fair grounds, headed for the Forster ranch at Grey Cliff but going the wrong way. Amund Ommundson, formerly in the City pool hall, has purchased the beer hall of Jesse B. Scyphers, adjoining the Perrine barber shop. +++ From the Big Timber Pioneer, January 30, 1936: Mr. and Mrs. Bunny Beley were honor guests at a party at the Dugout Saturday evening, about 30 friends being present. Mrs. C.F. Ullman, Mrs. L.W. Baskett, Mrs. A.L. Schump and Mrs. May Witten drove to Billings Monday to attend a meeting of Daughters of the Nile. At the election of officers Mrs. Ullman was chosen Princess Badoura. The home of Roy Osburn is now under quarantine, the youngest son, Charles, being the victim. Ban on the home of Mrs. Fred Benson and Cecil Braley will probably be lifted Saturday. Mumps are still going, but no bad cases. Ten hostesses, entertaining at nine homes in this city Saturday afternoon, provided a few pleasant hours for 80 women friends, and the receipts for the afternoon go to aid the local Girl Scouts in carrying out the program outlined for them for the coming year. The girls pay their own dues and other small incidental expenses. Each hostess was responsible for two tables at bridge, and provided low score prizes. One high score prize was given for the several tables. This was won by Miss Nell McCarthy with a score of 2133 points. Hostesses were Mesdames Harvey Coit and Herman Utermohle at the Coit home; D. Claiborn, J.D. Herries, Afton Ryan, J.D. Greenshields, J.N. MacFarlane, Dorman Kellogg, Paul Snyder and Witten. +++ This page was last updated on 11 February 2006. It was created on 13 October 2005. Copyright © 2005, 2006 by Joan Shurtliff.