Voices From The Past

July 27, 1923

Cement Caravan

A caravan of wagons loaded with cement for the Yellowstone Lumber company ended their long trip from Miles City when they drove into town Thursday afternoon. There were six wagons in all, each one drawn by four horses and the drivers were G.C. Houser, Arthur Houser, Henry Phillippi, Ernest Waldusky, Tom Wetherelt Sr., and Tom Wetherelt Jr. Each wagon averaged 5,200 pounds of cement, making a total of about 35,200 pounds of about 370 sacks, each sack weighing 95 pounds. Previously, the lumber company had received 240 sacks of cement that were delivered here by truck. The cement is to be used in the reconstruction of the Powder River bridge at Broadus with the county standing the expense of the material used.

The six men had taken loads of wheat to Miles City and were on the road during the days of excessive heat, compelled to resort to more rests than usual for relief to man and beast. The wheat averaged 85 bushels to the load and was sold in Miles City Friday at 84 cents a bushel. The wagons were loaded with cement and the homeward trip started Saturday shortly after 6 o’clock. They were on the edge of the heavy rain storm that struck Miles City that evening and although each load was covered with tarpaulins the rain soaked through and damaged a few of the sacks.

Later in the day Jess Gorsuch “rolled” into town with team and wagon bringing 85 more sacks of cement and toward evening Seth Clark brought an additional 30 sacks. Of the total number of sacks twenty were spoiled by the heavy rains out of Miles City. Clark was the only one who did not bring damaged cement to town and Gorsuch had the most spoiled cement. Each freighter stood his own loss. The lumber company now has 775 sacks of cement on hand, most of which will be used in construction of the new pier and abutment for the Powder River bridge. All of this cement stored at the lumber yard is protected from the weather.

July 23, 1948

Lucky Number Three Held by Mrs. Dan Klein

Number three was the lucky ticket number on the saddle horse given away Sunday at the Coalwood-Klein ball game. Mrs. Dan Klein was the holder of the ticket. The drawing was conducted by Dewey Stewart and Rudy Amundson at the close of the game. The club lists expenses as $100.00 for the horse and $5.95 for printing of the tickets. The drawing was a method of fund raising to equip the Klein ball team and further promote baseball in Broadus. The club, in a prepared statement given out this week, extended their thanks to the people and business houses in Broadus who contributed to the program.

July 26, 1973

Old Timer’s Story

County Commissioners Leland Cook and Floyd Irion formally dedicated the new park Sunday on Old Timer’s Day. Cook explained that the park facilities were financed through Bureau of Reclamation and County funds. The land and lighting facilities were purchased from Stanley Damm, he said, for Damm’s original cost. After pronouncing his dedication he turned the microphone over to Irion.

Irion brought back memories of some of the old timers when he said that 18 years ago left field was eight feet lower than home plate, and when a ball went out in the field, it took a mighty arm to get it back into the field (if it wasn’t lost in the sagebrush). The sod was laid last fall after the field was leveled and is now in beautiful playing condition. Irion noted that not only participants of the past were honored on Old Timer’s Day, but a lot of the buddies to be honored included umpires who were many times asked out of the spectator area to take on the sometimes unpleasant task, either behind the plate, behind the pitcher, or on the base lines. The honor also included all the spectators and crowds who have gathered at the park in the past. He then called for a moment of silent prayer for all those who were not there.

Irion then pronounced his re-dedication---Powder River County Sagebrush Park.

July 23, 1998

Arrival of Soda Fountain Highlights Museum Week

By Don Heidel

After reposing for years in the Montana Bar and Café basement and the J.L. Wilson Ranch, a classic soda fountain found its way to the Powder River Historical Museum to take up new residence in one of the new display rooms depicting the old drug store days.

The exact origin of this article is not known, according to the Sterling sisters, Betty and Billie, as it had been acquired when their parents, Emma and Bob, purchased the bar and café from Marvin and Lena Adams. It is in practically mint condition, particularly after young volunteer Lee Randall applied a coat of paint on its back side. The drug store room will be located next to the barber shop area, reminding both young and old of how some of the past Broadus business houses were situated.