Voices From The Past

September 16, 1921

Inhuman Practice Evade Stock Law

Rather than invade the stock laws which forbid the “dogging” of cattle, it is said that a rather sharp practice is being adopted in this county which gets the same results but are diabolically inhuman and innocent beasts are suffering instead of their owners. In one instance it is reported that a three-year old steer persisted in the tearing down the barbed wire fences and the aggrieved party feared prosecution of the law in driving the animal beyond the line of his fence. Instead of notifying the owner of the steer of its depredations, the party or party is said to have roped the steer and with it lying on the ground, securely bound, to have gouged both of its eyes out. The owner eventually was notified that he had a blind steer wandering around and it was recovered nearly starved to death. It was killed to end its misery.

Another practice is to keep cattle from trespassing onto forbidden pasture is to “block” them. Such procedure is to fasten block of wood to the animals’ necks, fastening them with wire driven through their hide. The recipe is a good one for preventing cattle from going through, under or over the wire fences.

1000 Head of Cattle Shipped to Market Under Ord Ames

Under the supervision of Ord Ames, with the assistance of Tom and Mike Gilmore, Matt Benti and others, 1,000 head of cattle from the Mizpah and Little Powder, left the Fred Rue ranch a few days ago and were to be loaded on freight cars at Moorcroft on the Burlington, destined for the market at South Omaha. It is said that several hundred more cattle from this county were to be loaded at the Kendrick station by other shippers.

September 13, 1946

Famous Kellar Ranch is Sold

One of the biggest real estate transactions of recent years was recorded in the office of R. D. McCurdy, county Clerk and Recorder, last week showing that Chambers Kellar of Lead, S.D., has sold his ranch holdings in Custer, Powder River and Carter Counties to D.E. Love of Miles City and L.R. Hines of Billings.

The Kellar Ranch, located in the northeastern corner of Powder River County with adjoining land in Custer and Carter counties is one of the pioneer large outfits of the county. Only the real estate was involved in the deed recorded but it is understood that Mr. Kellar had also sold his cattle. DeEstin Collins of Powderville has been the ranch manager for a number of years.

The Kellar Ranch contains 5,320 acres of deeded land in Powder River County, 320 acres in Custer County and 10,720 acres in Carter County. The selling price of the ranch was $75,000. Mr. Kellar retained one-half of the mineral rights in the land.

For many years the ranch was known as the Curran & Kellar Ranch, but upon the death of Mr. Curran, Kellar took over his partner’s interests. Mr. Kellar is the Chief Counsel for the Homestake Mining Company of Lead, S.D., and is one of the outstanding citizens of the state of South Dakota. He has visited the ranch on many occasions in the past and has a number of acquaintances here.

September 16, 1971

Teenage Rodeo Draws Crowd

The annual Teenage Rodeo was held at the Broadus arena on Sept. 5. The rodeo was a big success as it drew quite a large crowd. The livestock was the best obtained for quite a few years. Despite the muddy arena and the cool weather the contestants competed well.

The FFA president, Tim Fortner, crowned Rita Fleming queen.

All around cowboy was Jerry Small. All around cowgirl was Pam Smith.

First place results are as follows in the different events: Bareback – Jerry Small, 42. Pole bending – Rita Fleming, 22. Jr.-Sr. team tying – Scott and Jock Sanburn, 14.5. Calf roping – Mike Barthelmess, 16.4. Teen team tying – John Teigen and Dave Nisley, 23.9. Barrel racing – Pam Smith, 19.2. Bull riding – Floyd Mitchell, 45. Ribbon roping – Gene Robinson and Bonnie Nesbit, 17.1. Saddle bronc – Jerry Small, 36.

September 12, 1996

Randalls Top 4-H Beef Carcass Contest, Again

The Randall steers, for the second consecutive year, placed at the top of the Carcass Contest. Ross Randall’s Braunveih X Saler steer made quite a move from 25th place in the live show to first place in the carcass contest. Ross won top honors in the carcass show in 1995, and was recognized on the state level for winning third place. Ray Randall followed in second place finish in the carcass contest, compared to fifth place on the hoof. Ray’s steer was half Braunveih, 3/8 Saler and 1/8 Longhorn.

Tying for third place honors were Philip Emmons with a Simmental steer and Mike Allen’s ½ Charolais X ¼ Angus X ¼ Herford. These top three steers will split the Jack Jeakins Memorial Carcass Contest cash award sponsored by Charley and Doris Jean Emmons. The Grand Champion steer from the Powder River County Fair, exhibited by Art Allen, placed fifth in the carcass contest.

Kelly Madsen captured first place in the hog carcass contest, moving up from a sixth place live placing. Kari Randall moved up from tenth place live to a second place finish and Jessica Reaves eighth place hog in the live show ended up in the third slot in the carcass contest. These three hog exhibitors will split a cash award sponsored by the Farmers Coop.