Voices from the Past

August 22, 1924

Plunder Search Reveals a Still

While using a search warrant in quest of missing garage tools, Sheriff L.R. Warren and Deputies Claude Anderson and Ernest Culbertson uncovered a liquor still at the place of Joe Brinski of Camps Pass at 7 o’clock Saturday morning. Their search further rewarded them in finding the missing tools in Brinski’s car. As evidence against the man there was taken four gallons of “moonshine” whisky, two copper containers and other parts. In a smoke house was found a barrel of corn mash about three-fourths full, and in another locked room was found a full barrel of mash. The still had been dismantled but all parts were found except one small connection. Incidentally it may be mentioned that a dead mouse was found in one of the barrels of mash, probably for the purpose of giving the complete product a “distinct” flavor.

Brinksi quietly submitted to arrest and was brought to Broadus for his arraignment before C.B. Lewis, Justice of the Peace. To the charge of illicitly manufacturing liquor Brinski entered his plea of guilty and against him was imposed a $100 fine but this sum was reduced to $65, for that sum was all the money in his possession.

Brinksi pleaded not guilty to the petty larceny charge and his trial was set for August 30 at 10 a.m. He was released under $250 bail bonds signed by DeLos Selway and Sam Houghlan.

Brinski was here driving a car for Mrs. Maude Trevaskis and had occasion to visit Culbertson’s garage. When the tools were missed “Cully” suspicioned Brinski. County Attorney Blenkner was absent from town so Judge Felt assisted Justice Lewis in preparing the search warrants. The officers did not reach their destination on Friday evening until almost dusk and as the warrant was only for a daylight search they returned to Broadus until early the next morning when they retraced their track to Brinski’s and made their wants known. Brinski resides on an old road leading to Stacey.

Hauling Gravel to the School Building

Harry Lunn and Eddie Barker have been employed this week in hauling gravel to the grounds around the high school and grade school buildings for use during muddy weather. Gravel was also hauled to the Peterson building for use in plastering the interior to repair the damage caused by the explosion there when occupied by Franklin and Grumpe’s welding plant. This building will be used as an auxiliary school building, to contain seventh and eighth grades.

Crow Creek and Powder River Stock to Market

Crow Creek and Powder River stockmen of the Powderville country have ordered thirty-four cars for their stock shipments to be loaded at Belle Fourche on September 5. At first the order was given for 24 cars but later increased ten cars to 34 cars. This shipment will comprise a solid trainload of cattle to be consigned to the Omaha market.

August 19, 1949

Forger Escapes from State Pen Saturday

Notice was received by Sheriff Claude Anderson this week that Alva Dexter Powell, 38, had escaped from the Montana State Penitentiary at Deer Lodge. Powell who was sentenced to prison in June from this county was a trusty at the time of his escape. He was serving a sentence of 1 year for forgery. Powell was captured here by Sheriff Anderson soon after committing the forgery of the name of Chas. Aldrich, Hammond rancher. He was sentenced to prison by Judge S.D. McKinnon.

Frank McLain Was Old Timers Hitter

The Old Timers baseball game was a success although a lot of the old timers didn’t come due to other games at their home diamonds.

The old outcast team was represented by Pikkula, Dick Creek by Daniels, Coalwood by Bill Janssen, Powderville by Gunther and Klein, Sonnette by Glen Sterling and Broadus by McLain, Doeden and Crane, Doyle Creek wasn’t represented. Other old timers who played Sunday were Isaacs, Severovic, Newton, McLees, Skeel, Denson and Draine. Others who helped to keep the game going were Washington, Vandever, Cook, Linville, J. Sterling, Ross Denson and Harrington.

The game was all tied up in the eighth inning and had to go 10 innings to break the tie finally ending by the score of 13 to 15 in favor of the old timers. McLain brought in the winning runs with a home run. There was some argument about McLain batting too many times but he explained it by saying he had to bat for Pik and then for someone else and then for himself.

Oh, yes, a word for the umpires, Les Rowsey was doing his best, also Bidwell, Pik and Ross Denson.

The scorer was Fred Trautman.

August 22, 1974

Suffers Injuries in Crash

Keith Stevens and student pilot, Mrs. Larry (Madge) Pilster of the Alzada-Hammond area, suffered injuries when Stevens’ plane crashed late Monday afternoon. A truck driver reported to Bob Morgan that he had spotted the wreckage and Morgan reported it to the sheriff’s office in Broadus.

Sheriff Grant Gatlin and Ken Jesse went to the scene of the accident which was one fourth mile off Highway 212 in the back yard of the Lester Tate place. Mrs. Pilster was in the front cockpit of the plane but Stevens was out of the plane, though whether he was thrown out or got out unassisted is not known. Stevens was taken to a Belle Fourche hospital where he was found to be suffering facial cuts and possible internal injuries. No broken bones were found.

Mrs. Pilster was taken on to a Rapid City hospital suffering from a bad cut on her head, a broken jaw, and a broken knee and other severe knee injuries, according to Gatlin.

Gatlin said it appeared that the plane came down flat on its wheels, lit very hard and bounced. One wing was torn off and landing gear was badly damaged and all the windows were broken out of the plane. The FAA will investigate further to determine the cause of the accident, Gatlin said.