Voices from the Past

April 29, 1921

Broadus mail 63 tons a year

Justifying a daily mail service from Miles City south to Powder River County is the great bulk of mail now being carried on the tri-weekly service. On each trip south from Miles City, John Witcher carries on an average of 1,200 pounds of mail, equal to 187,000 pounds for the year or approximately 94 tons for the year. His route of 50 miles ends at Volborg and from there the mail is relayed by two routes to this county, Girk carrying the mail to Epsie, Stacey, Camps Pass and Selway, while Dick Witcher supplies Coalwood, Olive and Broadus. Approximately two-thirds of the mail matter handled from Miles City to Volborg is transferred to Dick Witcher for the destination to Coalwood, Olive and Broadus, and oftentimes his truck comes to its terminal here with the sacks piled high. It is estimated that Dick Witcher carries 800 pounds of mail matter to the trip, 124,800 pounds to the year or nearly 63 tons.

The mail route from Miles City to Volborg is 50 miles in length, and from Volborg to Broadus, 42 miles, according to government figures. The contract for the former was let at $6,000 a year and for the latter at $3,332 a year. Both contracts expire July 1 of this year.

April 26, 1946

Broadus Nine trimmed Olive Club on Sunday

Behind the excellent pitching of Dick Potter, the Broadus Nine won over Olive last Sunday on the local diamond.

The game was called at the end of the fifth inning because of rain.

The longest hit came in the top of the fifth when Chuck Alderman, Olive 1st baseman, hit a home run.

Lineups: Broadus: Yarger ss, Christianson 1b, Potter p, R. Denson, c, D. Denson 2b, Leff lf, Rumph cf, Powell rf, Huckins 3b. Olive: T. Smith 2b, Emmons p, K. Smith c, Alderman 1b, Miller 3b, Isaacs cf, Neiman ss, Clauson ss, Eddleman rf, Klein lf.

Broadus 10 R, 12 H, 3 E. Olive 2 R, 5 H, 4 E.

April 29, 1971

Box Elder School wins talent show

The Box Elder School, taught by Miss Laura Gay Elgin, took first prize at the amateur talent contest held at Alzada recently. The children sand three western songs. The contest was presented under the sponsorship of the Ridge School with five schools participating.

The Hammond School, taught by Mrs. Vida Landa, was awarded second prize for a skit, when they presented. The Ridge School didn’t enter the contest, but entertained the crowd with their fine singing.

April 25, 1996

Gardner wins Star State Agribusiness Award

Broadus high school senior Tyler Gardner won the prestigious Star State Agribusiness award, during the annual Montana FFA Convention at Bozeman recently.

The award is given to a member who has excelled in business practices related to agriculture. This program is designed to help students develop the skills needed to work with people in the agriculture industry. Jobs in that area range from marketing a project to working in an agriculture-related service.

Gardner is the son of Dave and Pat Gardner of Broadus.

“It’s a very deserving award,” said Marshall Williams, Broadus high school teacher and FFA Advisor. “It’s so good for our community and our local school. It reflects well on what goes on – what the kids can do in the program.”

Gardner has been involved in his chapter’s operations for the past four years. He has also been very active with both school and community events. His SAE program originally started out in production, with a loan to buy eight heifers. After taking classes his junior year at Broadus in starting his own business, Gardner decided to broaden his SAE program to involve his love for woodworking.

In 1995, the young man opened his own furniture manufacturing business, which has grown from nothing to a very successful endeavor. In one year, Gardner has put in over one thousand hours of his own time and has accumulated over $9,000 worth of assets.

Following graduation this spring, the talented young man plans to not only continue, but to expand his furniture manufacturing business as well.