Voices From The Past

June 30, 1922

Bentonite Goes to $24 per Ton

Numerous deposits of bentonite are to be found in Powder River County and are known to exist generally throughout southeastern Montana and with the announcement that this mineral clay has been given a new commercial use it is quite likely that local and outside interests will exploit and develop these bentonite fields to their full capacity.

A new use for bentonite has recently been discovered in the removal of ink from printing paper and it is expected that when this process has been fully developed it will result in a saving of nearly two-thirds of the print paper now used. The price of bentonite has recently advanced to $24 a ton on the Chicago market. Bentonite perhaps is better known as Denver mud.

In Wyoming a company has already been organized to produced bentonite and northwest of Belle Fourche seven men are now employed in the bentonite fields, using it in the manufacture of soap to the delight of the housewives who find that it leaves the clothes much whiter and softer than common laundry soap.

June 27, 1947

Girl Scouts to Have Vacation

Eight members of the Broadus Girl Scout troop plan to spend the week of August 3-10 at Camp Paha-Sapa, located 14 miles south of Deadwood, S.D. The girls who will attend camp are: Betty Huckins, Mary Lynn Stabio, Mary Ann Irion, Twila Jo Chiesa, Charlene Daily, Phyllis Johnson, Mary Helen Pemberton and Carrie Allen Helm.

The camp is under the supervision of the Black Hills Girl Scout Camp Association which is composed of members from Belle Fourche, Deadwood, Lead, Rapid City, Spearfish and Sturgis. Camp Paha-Sapa is open for four weeks beginning July 13 and lasting through August 10. Mrs. Tom Williams has accepted a job as Handicraft Director at the camp for all four weeks and plans to leave Broadus July 7 as staff members must be in attendance before camp opens.

The local Girl Scouts are planning a Food and Candy sale to be held in the Broadus Merc June 28 for the purpose of raising the rest of our camp money. Contributions of baked goods will be gratefully accepted and we hope to see all of you at our sale.

Ancient Carving was Found on Fire Gulch

Jim and Ann Lei found an ancient piece of carving while riding on the head of Fire Gulch last week. Their father, John Lei, brought the piece to Broadus Tuesday and loaned it to R.D. McCurdy for identification. The carving is in the shape of a small bowl being approximately 6 inches wide at the top. The carving depicts a man in a prone position with his dog and other possessions lying near. Mr. McCurdy believes that it pictures an ancient Indian in his burial basket. Growth of lichens on the buff sandstone piece would indicate considerable age, Mr. McCurdy said. He will make an investigation to determine the origin of the carving.

June 29, 1972

Local Rainbow Girls at Grand Assembly

The Montana Grand Assembly of the Order of Rainbow for Girls was held in Helena, June 11-13, at the Civic Auditorium. The Grand Worthy Advisor, Jane Alexander of Harlowton, presided over the sessions Monday and Tuesday, after a vesper service Sunday evening. Over one thousand girls from all over the state attended the 1972 Assembly, which ended with the installation of Barbara Weston, the 1972-73 Grand Worthy Advisor, from Missoula, on Tuesday evening.

Broadus Assembly, No. 75, had twenty-two girls and three chaperones in attendance. Among them was a Grand Officer, Carolyn Heidel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Heidel, who was Grand Love; Grand Representative to Wisconsin, was Bonnie Jo Irion, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Irion. Also, Miss Cindy Carter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Carter, was a member of the Grand Choir. Mrs. Phyllis Wilson, Mrs. Donna Hensley and Mrs. Don Heidel, Mother Advisor, were chaperones.

The assembly had a rare opportunity to be accommodated in the barracks of Fort Harrison. Even though “privacy” was a foreign word, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and met many other Rainbow Girls staying there. While in Helena the girls visited the Shodair Children’s Hospital, the state Capitol, CM Russell Museum, and the St. Helena Cathedral.

Miss Earline Henlsey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hensley, and Miss Mary Heidel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Heidel, were appointed as Grand Representatives to Georgia and Oklahoma, respectively. They will be representing Broadus in the 1973 session which will be in Missoula.

June 26, 1997

By Ken and Sheryl Ann Syndergaard

Over 300 Attend Belle Creek Reunion

The Thirty Year Belle Creek Reunion was a success! Over 300 people attended the June 7 reunion at the community hall in Belle Creek. They enjoyed the beautiful weather, reminiscing, dining, entertainment in the afternoon, tour of the school, and the dance that evening.

Entertainment was provided by Dale Benge and his son-in-law on the fiddles, Cody Morris, who sang, and former Belle Creek residents Luwanda Taylor, Jim Stephenson and Rob Kennelly who joined in. Butch Samuelson and his band played for the dance.

People came from Texas, Oklahoma, California, Washington, Indiana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Colorado and Montana. Over 35 of the “ole” Denver Employees were on hand (even Elmer, the retired pilot flew in to say Hi)! Sam Gary, the one who hit the first well in Belle Creek, gave a great speech that was enjoyed by all.

The Belle Creek Community did a great job of welcoming everyone with a lot of hours spent mowing, cleaning, painting and sprucing up. The school also did their part and had displayed pictures of all former students. They also had a map to pin-point your home on. The kids sold lemonade during the day. Pat Sanburn made a beautiful cross stitch picture that was raffled off with the money going to the school for a new computer.

After expenses were paid, the school and Powder River Nursing home (for the Belle Creek Chapel) will each receive $910.90.