Voices from the Past

September 29, 1922

Many Bee Swarms Taken From Trees

This summer many farmers have captured swarms of bees that they found inhabiting hollow trees along the course of Powder River. Perhaps fifty such swarms have been discovered in such haunts of their own selection and most of them have been placed in captivity. In most cases care has been exercised to capture the bees without injuring them though in some instances all the honey has been robbed from them and the little industrious insects left to starve and freeze to death with the first wintry blasts.

Up and down Powder River in proximity to alfalfa fields, nearly every hollow cottonwood and pine tree has been found to house hives of bees. Roy S. Geer, the Broaddus’, Horace Garr, Frank Pierce, O.C. Cramer, J.D. Rumph, H.D. Frankforter, Ray Tarbell, Leonard Riebe and many others have captured the bee swarms. The bees invaded a bunk house at the Tarbell & Orschel ranch and were not molested. A farmer in the vicinity of Stacey reported the capture of thirty swarms of bees this year.

Frank T. Kelsey, the original bee man of the county, states that he has only lost a very few swarms this year from the apiary at his Moorhead ranch, and is at a loss to account for so many unowned swarms. In previous years several swarms of bees have got away from him and it is a theory that those been have gradually increased their swarms unnoticed by the farmers until the last year or two. Nearly every farmer who has acquired bee hives has taken up the study of bees and honey-making with their intention to enlarge the number of their stands and to closely follow the industry. Bert Osgood’s son even now is seriously considering a venture into the honey business on a fair scale, starting next year with 50 hives.

September 26, 1947

Football Team Lost 1st Game

The Broadus High school football team lost a hard fought six man game to the Ekalaka six on the Broadus Field Friday, September 19.

Coach Phil Langston’s Broncs found themselves in a game from the start when Coach E.E. Short’s men went through for touchdowns. The first half was all Ekalaka, the team leading by 19 to 0 at its close.

Broadus came back during the second half to hold the invaders to one touchdown while picking up one themselves.

The Bronc tally came in the last quarter when the attack they had been attempting all afternoon finally started clicking. From a series of end runs and short passes the Broncs soon hit pay dirt that began with a lateral from Wayne Leff to Howard Smith, with Howard going over standing up. Chris Mangen passed to Leff to score for the extra point.

The starting lineup for Broadus was Wayne Leff at right end; Dallas Slayton, center; Vernon Bandy, left end; Howard Smith, half back; Joy Rogge, full back; and Chris Mangen, quarterback. Substitutes were Gene Wice, for Bandy and Buzz Jones for Rogge.

Broadus plays the unbeaten Colstrip squad at Colstrip Friday, September 26.

September 28, 1972

In Horseshoe Tourney

The horseshoe tournament held recently at Belle Creek was a huge success according to all who attended. About fifty persons participated or just stopped by to view the action. Francis Kindt furnished the refreshments.

Winners of the events were: men’s, Dick Miller and Francis Kindt, Jay Matthews and Ernie Nelson, and Jim Hoffman and Pat Beckley. There were twelve teams in the competition.

In the women’s and children’s over twelve division there were eight teams in competition. Winners were Darla Healy and Alice Beckley, and Jeannie Kindt and Bret Schuetzle.

The recreation committee of Belle Creek Community Association under the direction of Dick Miller was in charge of the tournament.

September 25, 1997

Museum Season Winds Down; Attendance Up

By Don Heidel

September marks the conclusion of the Powder River Historical Society’s Museum active season which started on Memorial Day, and the visitors’ registrations indicate a record breaking year, according to President Ann Carroll. Compared to the registration in its 1996 opening year, the numbers have doubled, approaching the 3200 person mark through last week. This can be attributed to several factors, among which include increased participation by school projects, the addition of Mac’s Museum to the complex, increased volunteer host programs and continued advertising efforts by word of mouth, brochures, swap meets, etc.

Reviewing the summer’s activities, receiving financial reports from efficient treasurer’s Gladys and Margaret and a report from Ann and Bob on the recent Eastern Montana Museum meeting in Jordan will be heard at the regular monthly meeting of the Society this Friday at 7:30 at the museum. All members and visitors are welcome to attend and be part of the Society’s activities.