Voices from the Past

March 9, 1923

No More Bounty on Wild Animals

Montana is paying no more bounty on coyotes, wolves or other predatory animals killed in the future, according to word received by Sheriff Hi Farnum, advising him not to accept any more pelts, the state having abandoned the system which has been in use for a number of years, and which encouraged farmers, ranchers and hunters to help rid the country of predatory wild animals that each year destroyed a great amount of livestock, says the Miles City Daily Star.

The reason the state has made the change, it is said, is that the employment of professional trappers and hunters in other states has proved most successful, and it is believed the state of Montana would likewise be benefited by employing men who would give their entire time to the work. Since other states and Canada have abandoned the bounty plan, it is claimed that pelts of wild animals have been brought into this state and the bounty collected from Montana counties.

Each month for several years large numbers of coyote pelts and some of wolves have been brought in here from the surrounding country, but the wolves and coyotes have been growing fewer each year until now there are not the large numbers of such beasts to be found as once roamed this region.

March 5, 1948

Commercial Club Members Discuss Hospital

Jack McLees, president of the Powder River Commercial Club, presided at the regular meeting of the club Monday evening in the Community Church basement at which 56 members and guests were in attendance. The business meeting followed a dinner served by the ladies of the Community Club.

Steve A. Holt, Jr., reporting for the hospital committee told of attending the health meeting in Miles City last week. He said that Dr. Kilbourne of the state board of health stated that Broadus was one of the ten towns in Montana with an A1 priority ranking for hospital construction. Dr. Kilbourne said that the state plans of the health committee contemplated a community health clinic for Broadus. This would mean an 8 to 10 bed hospital with maternity and surgical facilities.

Plans have been submitted by the J.G. Link & Co., Butte and Billings architects, for a ten bed hospital in Broadus which would cost an estimated $110,000.00. The federal government would participate to the extent of one-third of the cost of such a structure. Powder River County would have to raise approximately $75,000.00 to build this hospital.

It was pointed out that the county would have to be bonded in order to raise this sum. To pay off the indebtedness and the interest over a twenty year period would mean the levying of a 2 and one-quarter mill levy for the twenty year period. Or if the debt was to be retired in 10 years it would require a levy of 3.7 mills.

The hospital committee was authorized to prepare a sample petition that will be necessary to present to the county commissioners in order to get that body to place the bond question on the ballot at the election in July. The committee was requested to have additional information at the next meeting.

Because of the danger from flood waters of Powder River, the president asked for opinions from members as to the best method to hurry the construction of Moorhead Dam. After some discussion the members voted to write to Congressman Wesley A. D’Ewart urging the speedy construction of this flood control dam.

Orval Gentry of Ashland, president of the Tongue River Electric Coop, told of the difficulties being encountered getting the co-op started. He said that the question of power was paramount and that sufficient power would not be available until the construction of the Yellowtail Dam on the Big Horn River was an accomplished fact. No money was appropriated by Congress for construction of this project in 1948. The club voted to write to the Montana Congressional delegation urging the early construction of the dam and asking for information concerning congressional plans for appropriation of construction funds.

Joe Dent, chairman of the airport committee, said that his committee has received donations of $313 with which to make needed improvements at the airstrip northwest of town. Tom Williams told of contemplated work on the airstrip which would increase the length of the landing strip by 300 feet.

March 5, 1998

Four Win at State Bumper Sticker Contest

Four local students placed in the 1998 Montana State Ag in Our Schools Bumper Sticker contest, according to local coordinator, Powder River County Superintendent of Schools Charlotte Miller.

Kimberly Williams, a second grader at Broadus Elementary, and Elliott Barnhart, a sixth grader, both won second place. John Elgin, a fourth grader, and Cortney Riggs, a fifth grader, both at Biddle Elementary were named as honorable mention winners for their entries, Miller said.

The state winners will be honored by Montana dignitaries at Jorgensen’s in Helena on March 20. In addition to the luncheon tours of the Capital, Museum, Cathedral and Old Governor’s Mansion are planned for the students. They will also meet Montana Governor Marc Racicot.