Voices From The Past

October 5, 1923

All Powder River Bridges In County Out of Commission

All three steel bridges across Powder River in this county are out of commission, unable to withstand the onslaught of water attacking them. At Moorhead both approaches were washed away. At Broadus it was feared that the entire structure now nearing completion would be destroyed but it remains intact. The high water here came just to the top of the concrete piers which was three feet higher than during the flood in the spring of 1920. The approach to the west end has washed out and temporarily one has to walk over a plank for a distance of thirty feet. On the eastern side the bridge is reached also by walking up an inclined plank. The long fill west of the bridge was washed through in two places. Mrs. Draine crossed the plank Wednesday when she had come to town with a cream shipment but she was unable to deliver the can to Broadus. At Powderville the approach on the west side is gone for a distance of 200 feet. On the east side a 36-foot wing dropped when its concrete base became undermined. The Powder River bridge near Mizpah in Custer County was washed out. The commissioners intend to have the approaches replaced at the earliest possible time and at Broadus it is said the bridge and fill will be ready for traffic within a week. The emergency exists now more than ever for prompt action for the benefit of the country to the east of the river.

Editor’s Note: The railroad bridge across the Powder at Arvada, Wyoming was also washed out during the flood. An Associated Press article noted that twenty-five passengers on the railroad who had been marooned on the east side of the river during the flood were snaked across the river on a steel cable before continuing their journey to Sheridan.

November 2nd, 1923

Broadus Bridge Restored to Use

The steel bridge across Powder River at Broadus was finally restored to public use Friday morning of last week when automobiles and wagons were allowed to cross unrestricted. The dirt fill had just been completed on the east side and planks were laid leading up to the floor of the bridge.

Thursday morning of last week the dirt work was temporarily halted when it was believed that the weight of dirt against the concrete abutment was causing it to lean toward the center of the bridge with a consequent buckling of the steel trusses. For precautionary measures several loads of rock were dumped on the west side of the concrete pillar to protect it from undermining. After an inspection it developed that the one steel truss had been bent before it had been connected to the other steel work.

There was an insufficient supply of planks to floor the bridge laying them crosswise, so they were arranged lengthwise to a width of about nine feet in the middle of the bridge that gives plenty of space for automobiles and wagons to pass. This arrangement is only temporary but must suffice until more bridge planks are secured.

A crew of men was engaged in road work on the eastern end of the bridge, completing the work last evening. A rock wall was built from the end of the wing on the concrete abutment to the bank of the river that will prevent high water from flowing around the abutment and also will keep the river from washing the bank further in that direction.

November 6th, 1948

Jerry Brown is Hunting Victim

Jerry Brown, 27 year old Powder River Rancher was instantly killed late Saturday afternoon when his rifle was accidentally discharged. Jerry had been hunting with several friends and had returned with them to the ranch house at the Brown place near Powderville when the accident occurred.

Standing in a circle with the friends and discussing the day’s hunting, Jerry had the barrel of the old 30-30 rifle in his hands with the butt of the rifle on the ground. Jerry laughed at a joke and hit the butt on the ground at the same time as he leaned forward. The gun fired and the bullet hit him in the middle of the forehead and came out the top of his head. He died instantly.

November 8th, 1973

Cattle Die When Trailer Overturns

According to Deputy Sheriff Owen Cartwright of Birney a semi load of cattle overturned about 100 yards west of the Tongue River Road and Highway 212 junction on November 3rd. The truck and its driver are from Sioux City, Iowa and were enroute from Billings with 92 head of cattle.

Cartwright says it appears as if the truck went out on the shoulder of the road and then into the ditch. The truck cab remained on its wheels, but the trailer overturned and 22 head of cattle were dead of smothering and other injuries. Another two head had to be shot because of their injuries. The driver was treated for cuts and bruises. The remaining cattle were returned to Billings in another truck from the same Iowa company.

This accident occurred at the same place where Leonard O’Brien was killed a short time ago, and where many other accidents have taken place.