Voices from the Past

June 10, 1921

$5 prize for riding “Examiner” named for our county paper

The six-year-old black gelding on which Dick Rayburn took first prize in the riding exhibition at the Broadus Roundup last fall, has been named for this paper by its owner Cramer & Sons and will be a feature of a Fourth of July celebration this year at Frank Reder’s place in the B-Divide country.

“Examiner” is one of the best “buckers” in the county and so far as known no rider has ever “scratched” on him. So the management of the Powder River County Examiner feels perfectly secure in offering a $5 prize to any cowboy who rides and “scratches” “Examiner” on the day of the celebration.

Broadus to have electric lights

Within the next two or three weeks a lighting plan will be installed to Broadus with sufficient capacity to provide electric lights for present needs.

Milton “Shorty” Turley has taken over the lighting plant formerly operated at Piniele and has transferred it to his Broadus garage. He is now overhauling the equipment and will install it in the garage basement. The equipment consists of wiring, brackets, meters, 125-volt generator and a 35-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline motor. The plant has a capacity of 400 lights.

Turley states that he has ordered poles and additional equipment for the Broadus plant. It will first be necessary for the Broadus residence to be wired for the electric current and it is said most of them have signed up for electricity.

There are four individual lighting plants operated in Broadus at the present time, one at the courthouse, one at the Powder River Hotel, one at the Powder River County Bank and one at the Powder River County Examiner. From the hotel plant electricity is supplied the Broadus Mercantile Company and the First National Bank. It is said all these private plants would be discarded and service taken from the central plant once it is in operation.

June 10, 1971

Storms hit wide area

Tornadoes, torrential rains, hail and high water struck a large area of Powder River County last Wednesday and Thursday evenings causing an unestimated loss of property and raising havoc with trees, fields and ranch buildings.

Wednesday evening hail damage was reported in the Biddle area and up the Powder River. Several residents reported damage to their gardens and said leaves were also knocked off shrubbery ad trees.

The most devastating storms, though, hit Thursday evening about 6:30 when funnel clouds were sighted and at least four full-blown tornadoes touched down causing various degrees of damage.

Tornadoes were sighted in a 15-mile long area along the Powder River beginning near Little Powder east of Broadus and extending to the Wallace Ranch near Powderville. One touched down and twisted off an REA pole causing power outages down the river.

A severe tornado swooped down on the Lex and Alex Denson ranch at 6:30 p.m. with extensive and freakish damage resulting. Both the families saw one funnel cloud and the Lex Denson’s sought shelter in the basement of their home. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Denson stayed above ground and watched while a second funnel cloud formed and raced over part of the ranch.

An airplane, belonging to Lex, Pete Trom and Wayne Hagedorn was twisted and torn from a hangar. The hangar was scattered over a rather large area and both were totaled. All the shingles on a barn were ripped off and a tin roof on a shop building was torn off. A travel trailer belonging to Alex which was parked in the yard was also damaged extensively. The airplane, a Cessna 170, was valued at about $6,000. Some of the damage at the Denson ranch was reported covered by insurance and some was not covered.

A tornado was sighted on Little Pilgrim Creek by residents in the area. Trees were broken, torn off, and pulled out by the roots and deposited on the county road.

At about 7:00 p.m. a funnel cloud tore the roof off the trailer home belonging to Tom Wallace, on the Wallace Ranch. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace and baby were in the house at the time but no one received injuries. The roof was scattered in broken pieces about 200 yards from the house. Other damage at the Wallace Ranch included a small shed which was tipped over and a hay frame that was turned over. No estimated has been made yet of the loss at the Wallace Ranch but it was reported by Tom Wallace that at a least portion of the loss is covered by insurance. The walls of the home were loosened and all contents drenched by rain water.

June 6, 1996

4-H Fashion Review tonight

Several young 4-H’ers will be showing their talents at this evening’s 4-H Fashion Revue, “Spring Time in Montana, It’s 4-H Fashion Revue Time.” The event will also showcase fashions from area businesses.

4-H’ers participating in this year’s revue are: Lanissa Fortner, Megan Dinstel, Brittany Dice, Heidi Butts, Heather Butts, Susan Brimmer, Krista Minow, Lynelle Brimmer and Jennifer Wiltse.

Businesses displaying their fashions include Powder River Taxidermy, Fran’s Clothing, Broadus Boot & Tack, From Fabric to Fashion and hand decorated clothing by Charlee Mills. Music for this evening’s event will be provided by Butch Samuelson. Decorations and corsages are being provided by Klein’s Floral and Sharyn’s Flowers and Leann Brimmer will emcee. Cookies are being provided by families of 4-H participants.

Susan Brimmer is chairing the planning committee. Adult volunteers include Annie Brimmer, Cindy Butts and Lori Dinstel.

The revue will be open to the public at 7 p.m. in the High School Auditorium.