Voices from the Past

March 25, 1921

Powder River County Now Two Years Old

Powder River County on April 1 will have attained its two-year milestone and incidentally it may be mentioned that the age of Broadus as the county seat is the same.

It was on March 17, 1919, that Chas. Decker, John. H. Morris and Wm. H. Peays as commissioners designated in the legislative act that partitioned Powder River County off from Custer County, met at Olive and F.T. West, appointee as county clerk, was likewise present. John H. Morris was elected chairman of the board upon organization.

Frank T. Kelsey presented proposition for the designation of Broadus as the temporary county seat, with 100 acres of land and use of two buildings.

Charles Daly nominated Olive as the temporary county seat, offering 80 acres of land and use of the A.J. Smith building.

L.J. Wilson nominated a location at the mouth of Cache Creek as the temporary seat of county government.

The board recessed to March 18 and upon convening that day adopted the following resolution:

“That whereas, the legislative assembly of the state of Montana, during its sixteenth assembly, passed a bill creating the county of Powder River and said bill directing the county commissioners to organize and designate the temporary county seat, under chapter 135 of the laws of 1911, and

“Whereas, at a meeting of said board in accordance therewith, the matter of designating the temporary county seat duly coming before the board, on a ballot being taken Broadus received two votes and Olive one,

“Wherefore, it is hereby resolved that Broadus be, and the same is herby designated the temporary seat of Powder River County.”

Within the biennial period that followed, Powder River County and its county seat at Broadus have shown considerable strides in development unequalled perhaps anywhere in the state and the prospects are good for an even better record the next two years.

March 22, 1946

Christie Watts Takes Over Bar

The Montana Club, only saloon in Powder River County, was sold last week to Christie Watts of Deadwood, S.D., according to M.D. Gilmore who has been the proprietor of the business since October 1943.

The new owner of the Montana Club lived in the Alzada community for many years and is widely known in southeastern Montana. He has been engaged in the livestock business as a dealer for the past few years and has made his headquarters in Deadwood.

According to Mr. Gilmore the new owner will completely remodel and redecorate the present building. The present bar will be removed and a new bar installed on the other side of the room. A door will be cut into the room at the west of the bar-room and a cocktail lounge will be installed in that part of the building.

Mr. Watts will spend part of his time in Broadus but the business will be managed by Carl Jones of Deadwood who will move to Broadus next week to assume his duties. The actual transfer of the property will take place on April 1st.

Mr. Gilmore, who has been engaged in the livestock business for many years, plans to get back into the stock business. He will continue to make his home in Broadus.

March 25, 1971

Local FHA Chapter receives honors at convention

“Dare to Reach Out” was the theme of this year’s FHA State Convention. Great Falls was the meeting place for delegates, friends, and guests of the convention. The first session began on Friday morning with almost 600 FHA girls, advisors, and guests present.

At Fun Night, four girls from Broadus, Diane Engel, Jody Rogge, Patti Barbero, and JoAnn Buck did a modern interpretive dance. They did an outstanding performance and were given a standing ovation. Four girls who received the highest number of points within their chapter attended the convention. These girls were Sandy Moore, Mary Janssen, Mary Heidel and Mary Smith.

Laura Lee Irion read a tribute to those who are fighting for our country. It was a very impressive poem which she wrote herself.

The highlight of the convention came on Saturday evening with the banquet and announcement of Senior Degree winners, honorary members and honor chapters. Carol Yonkee, State Historian, presided over the banquet. Broadus had the largest number of girls who received Senior Degrees. Six girls, Rachel Lancaster, Bonnie Irion, Mary Faye Rolfson, Carol Yonkee, Cindy Carter, and Barb Study received their Senior Degrees. Mrs. Nancy Espy, who has done much work on FHA, was named an honorary member of the Montana Association of the Future Homemakers of America. For its outstanding work this year, the Broadus Chapter received an honorable mention as honor Chapter. It was picked as one of the three chapters to receive this recognition from among eighty FHA Chapters.

While in Great Falls, some of the FHA girls visited the School for the Deaf and Blind. Brenda Wetherelt gave the group a tour of the school. A visit was also made to the Charles Russell Museum and Gallery.

Chaperones who attended the convention were Mrs. Nancy Yonkee, Mrs. LaVeta Irion, and Mrs. Clo Wiltse, Chapter Advisor. Chet Holst, who drove the bus to Great Falls, deserves a tribute for his capability to put up with twenty gabby females!

March 21, 1996

Barnhart and Dunning Artists of the Month

By Kim Urick and Marnie Andrews

Powder River High School is proud to present its artist for the month of March, Erika Barnhart and DarAnne Dunning were selected for this month, and last month Kim Urick and Katie Russell were chosen. Their beautiful pieces of artwork are currently being displayed at the high school.

Last month’s artists, Kim Urick and Katie Russell, are both sophomores, and both use art as a way to express their talent and ideals. Art will continue to be a hobby, but will also add to the fields of work that await them in the future.

Here’s the scoop on this month’s artists.

Erika is a ninth grader and enjoys art as a pastime. She hopes to continue to express her artistic abilities in the future, although she does not plan to pursue a career in the field.

DarAnne is also a freshman at the high school and said art has played an important role in her life. She plans to pursue a career in art, but not sure of the field at this time.

Both are actively involved in various school activities such as sports, band, and Art Club.

Come see this month’s exhibit, while looking forward to the display next month featuring Dana Brownfield and Jeromey Baker.