2018 Celebrating the history of Central Montana - SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO
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Celebrating the history of Central Montana
2018
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE
PAGE 2 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018
.
Ten years in the making: Lewistown’s Carnegie Library
a lasting treasure
By DEB HILL presentation to plead the
News-Argus Managing Editor cause for a public library.
In those days, libraries
A
growing town miles often ran by subscription. To
from any other pop- borrow books, one had to be
ulation center needs a member. But in Lewistown
a library. the goal was a free library,
In the late 1800s, that was accomplished on March 5,
the thinking in Lewistown, as 1897 when the first library
with many other small towns. opened with, according to
But in Lewistown, they did Kettering, 269 books and
something about it. It took $126.50 in contributions for
almost 10 years to accom- operating expenses.
plish, but the result has ben- Initially the library was
efitted residents for over a located in a millinery shop
century. (also known as a hat shop)
According to Florence Ket- on the corner of 5th and Main
tering’s history of the library streets. Mrs. Mary Hanson,
in the “History of Lewis- volunteer, was the first librar-
town,” edited by Robert Diss- ian. In 1899 the library moved
ly and published in 2000, the to the office of the county
first serious discussion of a superintendent of schools,
public library for Lewistown under the care of Superinten-
was a lecture given by local dent Elizabeth S. Peebles.
attorney Frank E. Smith in But the community could
January 1897. Smith used his do better, some felt.
Another
Christmas
right on
schedule... The original main entrance of the library shows the construction date of 1905. While construction did begin
that year, it was not completed until 1906. Photo courtesy of Kari Albertson Denison
Another The argument for a youth of our little city. While library using a 1-mill levy to the 1,193 books and periodi-
library tax a free public library would fund it. Two-thirds of the cals. Initially the Lewistown
chance to Local attorney Rudolf not entirely meet this require- amount collected each year City Library was housed in a
tell you how VonTobel wrote eloquently ment, it would do much to
supply this defect,” VonTobel
from the tax would be used
for purchase of new books
portion of the main (Haw-
thorne) school building,
about this on the front page
much we of the Fergus County Argus wrote. and periodicals, the ordi- according to Kettering, with
newspaper, March 20, 1901. He encouraged the City nance required. Mary A. Sloan in the position
appreciate “It will be admitted with- Commission to put on the The action by the City of librarian. This was the first
ballot the question of levying Council inspired the trustees paid librarian, at the rate of
your out argument, I presume,
that a free library is a most $1 per $1,000 of assessed of the existing public library $10 per month, Kettering
value for property within the to donate all of their library reports.
support. desirable institution in any
City limits in order to “… materials to the City of Lewis- By mid-1902 the library
community. Long experience
has demonstrated that, next keep the library abreast of town, an action that was contained 1,300 books and
to our common school sys- the times, by purchasing all accepted by the City Council periodicals and things were
HAPPY tem, no public institution of the really first-class litera- on May 8, 1901. going well, it would appear.
exerts a wider educational ture published from year to Of course, there was still
HOLIDAYS influence than a free library, year.” the question of where to put
where old and young, rich VonTobel suggested the
and poor alike may have free library be kept at City Hall, Continued on page 3
CENTRAL access to the best literature. which, he said, is convenient-
No complaint in regard to our ly located, would avoid hav-
MONTANA RAIL city is more often heard than ing to pay rent, and a city
Denton, MT the lack of places where clerk could be appointed
harmless amusement and librarian. The tax, if approved,
recreation may be had by the would, VonTobel estimated,
be more than enough to keep
such a library going.
“I venture to say there is
not a taxpayer in the city who
does not expend, every year,
more money for books which
he does not care particularly
to preserve, than this one
mill tax would amount to for
the average individual tax-
payer of the city,” he wrote.
VonTobel’s plea must have
worked, as on April 24, 1901 A tinted postcard features Lewistown’s Carnegie
(as the Fergus County Argus Library sometime in the early 19-teens, judging from
reported in its May 1 edition)
the City Council unanimous- the small size of the trees. Note the fanciful roof
ly approved Ordinance No. tiles and the lanterns marking the front entrance
30, establishing a free public steps. Photo courtesy of Montana Memory Project
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.
. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS PAGE 3
Lewistown Library continued
Whether that’s what got
Smith started or not, he is
quoted as saying he would
apply for Carnegie funding
every six months until it was
granted.
Funding success
Eventually, Smith con-
nected with Senator Thomas
H. Carter and asked him to
write Andrew Carnegie on
Lewistown’s behalf. Senator
Carter did so on June 13,
1904, and in August of 1905
the library board received
notice of a gift of $10,000
from Andrew Carnegie for
constructing a library. The
city was required to raise
$1,000 a year for mainte-
nance and provide a suitable
site.
The Aug. 8, 1905 edition of
the Fergus County Argus
reprinted the letter to the
City, written by R.A. Franks,
secretary to Andrew Carne-
gie.
“…You have complied
most satisfactorily with all
the conditions of Mr. Carne-
gie’s offer of $10,000 for
erection of a library building
at Lewistown, and funds on
this account are available at
any time you are ready to
proceed with the work of
construction.
“Payments will be made
from this office in install-
ments of $2,000 or $3,000
each, on the certificate of
architect, as needed from
time to time during the pro-
cess of construction, and will George Tubb, along with his brother, T.J. Tubb, was
be forwarded to the treasurer the contractor for many of the buildings in Lewis-
of your library trustees upon town, Montana. They built the Carnegie Library (701
receipt of notification signed W. Main), the Knerr-Tubb building (116 W. Main), the
by the president and treasur- first Fergus County High School, and the Masonic
ers. Temple in Lewistown.
“Architect’s certificate, to Photo courtesy of Montana Memory Project
the effect that the funds are
called for and are required
for carrying on the work, bid on the project – Lorenz & is imperative to get the build-
should accompany all McRae, George S. Wells and ing under cover at the earli-
requests for remittances. Tubb Bros. est possible date and ground
Thomas H. Carter, elected to the United States Senate in 1895, supported Lew- “Very truly yours, Tubb Bros. had the low was broken this morning.
istown’s bid to get a Carnegie library grant by writing a letter to Andrew Carn- R. A. Franks” bid at $9,950. The story noted The contractors state they
egie touting the finer points of Lewistown and Fergus County. no time was lost between the will have the roof on by Dec.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Citizens granting of the contract for 1 and then be able to push
donate to buy site construction of the library the inside work,” the article
George Stafford offered a and the beginning of the said.
A budget of just over $800 work a few days later.
was reported to the City two-lot site on Main Street Continued on page 4
for the construction of the “Tubb Bros. lost no time
Council, with most of that in arranging the details, as it
spent on books and supplies. library. The lots were valued
at $2,000 but Stafford offered
them for only $600, total, to
Going the next step support the cause.
But, according to Ketter- The committee in charge
ing, that was not enough for of getting donations to pay
some Lewistown residents. It for the library site reported a
was about this time, Ketter- total of $740 was donated.
ing reported, that Attorney “As the site cost only
Smith again began lobbying $600, there is a balance of
for a stand-alone library $140 which will come in
building. handy in beautifying the
Perhaps it was an article grounds,” the Argus noted.
that ran in the Fergus County A list of donors was pub-
Argus on April 9, 1902 titled lished, a mix of individuals
The first Lincoln School is shown in the background “The Carnegie Libraries: the and businesses, with dona-
on the left. The “manifest desire” for a public library Millionaire is Busy Giving tions ranging in size from $5
stirred early in Lewistown, Montana. In January 1897, Away His Immense Wealth” to $50.
two full years prior to Lewistown’s incorporation, that inspired Smith’s cam-
paign. In that article, men-
Frank E. Smith, a local attorney, delivered a lecture Construction begins
and during its course he “deviated from his subject
tion is made of 43 new Carn- The library stands surrounded by large homes and
egie libraries started in the In the Sept. 19, 1905 edi-
so far as to plead for the establishment of a public tion of the Fergus County mature trees in this undated photo. The vehicle at
U.S. that week alone. States
library.” The cornerstone of the library was laid Oct. receiving funding for Carne- Argus, a front-page story pro- the curb is likely a 1928-1930 DeSoto or Chrysler,
31, 1905. gie libraries included Mon- claimed, “Ground Broken for which helps establish the time period.
tana. Library.” Three companies Photo courtesy of Montana Memory Project
Photo courtesy of Moore School
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.
PAGE 4 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018
.
Lewistown Library continued
front of the library;
• A copy of the Resolution
of Thanks adopted by the
City Council and sent to Mr.
Carnegie;
• The letter from Andrew
Carnegie informing the City
of his donation;
• A copy of the City’s letter
accepting the donation;
• A roster of City officers
and library trustees;
• A roster of the Masonic
Lodge members;
• Coins minted in 1905;
• A Culver photograph of
the city of Lewistown; and
• A copy of the speech
given by Grand Master Smith
The library stands in the background of this undated that very day.
photo taken from the grounds of the Fergus County
Courthouse. Construction proceeds
Photos courtesy of Montana Memory Project but not speedily
After the excitement of
However, as with most where ceremonies were the laying of the corner
construction projects, these conducted by Masonic Grand stone, things settled down,
goals were somewhat Lodge Past Grand Master with Tubb Bros. crews Laying the cornerstone for the Carnegie Library Oct 31, 1905 at 701 W. Main. The
optimistic and it would be Frank E. Smith – the same gradually making progress. Fergus County High School (built 1899) is in the backround on the right and the
1907 before the interior of Mr. Smith whose pleas to A small article in the May Lincoln School (built in 1889) is center left. The library stills exists today (2016)
the building was finished. Senator Carter resulted in a 18, 1906 edition of the as the Lewistown Public Library.
But, nonetheless, the Carnegie grant to build the “Fergus County Argus Photo courtesy of Montana Memory Project
groundbreaking ceremony library. The Knights Templar, “suggests the library building
was seen as huge progress. with Elmer J. Carter of was nearing completion.
Missoula commanding, “The Carnegie library thoroughly up-to-date basis,”
Corner stone laid escorted the officers of the building will be fully the article said.
Oct. 31, 1905 was a red- Grand Lodge to the library. completed and ready for The story also noted the
letter day for library fans as The proceedings included occupancy about July 1,” the City’s library would be closed
the library’s corner stone was placing various materials paper said, quoting the for two months to allow time
laid. “In the presence of a inside the corner stone, contractors. “The outside for cataloging the books and
great crowd…the corner including work is now practically transferring them to the
stone of the Carnegie Library • Copies of both the finished except for the Carnegie library building.
was laid with imposing “Fergus County Argus” and placing of a portion of the
ceremonies this afternoon,” the “Fergus County metal cornice and the metal Finally ready
the Argus reported in a large Democrat” newspapers; roof. This will be out of the In Dissly’s book “History
front-page article. • A Bible; way in a few days and the of Lewistown,” Kettering
Just before 3 p.m. the • A copy of the City contractors will be able to gives the completion date of
Masonic fraternity gathered Ordinances; give their entire attention to the Carnegie library as Aug.
at their hall and marched to • A photograph of the finishing the interior.” 18, 1906, or at least that is the
the library building site, perspective drawing of the It also noted, and perhaps date the library board
this contributed to the accepted the building. The
slowness of construction, idea was for the books to be
“The contractors did not moved in and the library to
An overview of Carnegie libraries expect to make any money open around Sept. 1, 1906, Summertime in Lewistown shows the library grounds
on it, and it is now certain but, Kettering said, the
Andrew Carnegie emmigrated to America in they will lose something.” furniture didn’t arrive. In shaded by large trees in this photo circa 1935.
In fact, T.J. Tubb, while Photo courtesy of Montana Memory Project
1848 from Scotland, along with his family. fact, the delay was such that
Although they were not well off, Carnegie devel- embroiled in union concerns, the library reopened in it’s
oped a knack for business and founded the Carn- had noted elsewhere he old quarters in City Hall and History of Literature, two years of construction,
purposefully bid the library it was Feb. 1, 1907 before the Howells, William Dean, ending in 1907. The building
egie Steel Company in Pittsburgh. He sold his project low to ensure he
company to J.P. Morgan for $489 million upon furniture was installed and “Heroines of Fiction.” is on the National Register of
would be the builder, noting library could finally open to In the end, the creation of Historic Places, and still in
retirement, and thereafter devoted his life to his interest in creating a the public. the Lewistown Public Library use as a library, a testament,
charitable and philanthropic causes. building of which the Probably it is no
His 1889 book, “The Gospel of Wealth,” was the result of five years of perhaps, to VonTobel’s idea
community would be proud. coincidence that Feb. 1, 1907 community discussion, three that “no public institution
espoused a philosophy emulated by some dot- is the date when the full years of funding requests to exerts a wider educational
com billionaires today: the wealthy have a moral Professional help catalog of library books was Andrew Carnegie, and nearly influence than a free library.”
duty to use their money for the benefit of their arrives but library published, or at least the first
community. still not open installment of it was, in the
Starting in 1881, Carnegie embarked on a plan Of course, a library is “Fergus County Argus.”
to increase the number of libraries, as he felt more than just a building, “The need of a catalog for
access to information was the best way for people and there was the matter of the public library is one that
to improve their circumstances in life. the books and periodicals has long been felt and this is
Altogether, between 1881 and 1917 when the contained in the City’s library now to be met, in a measure,
program ended, Carnegie funded the construc- collection. by the publication of a
tion of 2,509 libraries. Of those, 1,689 were built In the July 17, 1906 edition complete list of the books in
of the “Fergus County the institution by the Argus,”
in the U.S. Seventeen were in Montana. the story said. Readers were
As of 2013, according to Wikipedia, 15 of the Argus,” it was noted “Miss
Mary A. Sheriff, the instructed to cut out all
original 17 Montana buildings were still standing, installments and keep them.
but only nine were in use as libraries. professional librarian of
Helena” had arrived the “It will take but a moment to
In addition to Lewistown, Carnegie funds were preceding Saturday to catalog do this, and the convenience
used to build libraries in Big Timber, Bozeman, the books in the Carnegie of having a catalog will amply
Chinook, Dillon, Fort Benton, Glasgow, Great Library and install the card repay you for your small
Falls, Hamilton, Hardin, Havre, Kalispell, Livings- catalog system. She was trouble,” the article said.
ton, Malta, Miles City, Missoula and Red Lodge. assisted by Librarian Archie Lists of books organized
On Aug. 11, 1980, the Lewistown Carnegie Farnum. by category were published The large windows provided light for patrons read-
Library was listed on the National Register of “Miss Sheriff’s task will in the Feb. 1, Feb. 8, Feb. 15 ing at the tables and chairs inside the Lewistown
Historic Places for its significant architecture and occupy some weeks, and and March 22, 1907 papers,
beginning with Adult Fiction, Carnegie Library in this undated photo. This area,
social history. when completed, will place
the Lewistown library on a Adams Mary, “Confessions of formerly the main entrance and book stacks in the
a Wife,” and ending with library, is now the library’s “upstairs” meeting room.
The Ole Mercantile
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.
. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS PAGE 5
Nutcrackers open holiday season
By MIRIAM D. CAMPAN
Reporter
From Germany by way of
Seattle and into the home
Tom Wojtowick, the annual
tradition of the nutcracker
continues into the 21 century.
“I have been collecting
nutcrackers since 1990,” said
Wojtowick.
His favorites are notably
from his Steinbach collection.
Steinbach, a company in East
Germany, has been handcraft-
ing nutcrackers for two centu-
ries. Steeped in German folk-
lore, with their wide mouths
and teeth bared, nutcrackers
ward off evil and are said to
bring good luck and fortune
to the owner.
Wojtowick said, “Nutcrack-
ers come in all shapes and
sizes.”
His collection honors the
traditional straight-backed,
PEACE
wide-mouthed wooden nut-
cracker, as well as other nut-
crackers of varying shapes,
materials and sizes. His col-
& JOY
lection also includes a charm-
ing metal device, a wooden
gavel and stand, an acorn-
designed screw type and an
interesting contraption (made
in Montana) that uses castra- With heartfelt thanks
tion bands and wooden dow- and best wishes at this
els to crack the nut.
Nutcrackers have en- splendid time of year.
thralled collectors, writers,
musicians and weary WWII From the staff at Central
soldiers alike. Tchaikovsky’s
Nutcracker Suite (1892) was Montana Variety…
inspired by E.T. Amadeus
Hoffman’s 1776 and 1822 Tom, Carissa, George, Heidi,
book, “Nutcracker King of Lacy, Kevin, & Dottie
Mice.” More than 50 years ago
American soldiers, captured
by the nutcrackers’ charm,
brought them to the United CENTRAL
States as souvenirs. M NTANA 315 W. Broadway
For nearly two centuries,
families gathered around the VARIETY Lewistown • 535-7652
nutcracker for conversation
and a dessert of pecans and
hazelnuts. Wojtowick is
delighted, every holiday sea-
son, to gather with his friends,
family and his favorite nut-
crackers in this celebrated
annual tradition. May the peace
(Photo above) The benevolent owner, and joy of
Wojtowick, smiles above his grimacing
and formidable collection of Nutcrackers.
An annual holiday tradition, Wojtowick
Christmas
has been collecting nutcracker soldiers
since 1990. fill you with hope
Photos by Miriam Campan
and promise for
a wonderful
New Year.
(Photo left) There is more than one way
to crack a nut. Non-traditional nutcrack-
ers balance Wojtowick’s collection.
Wooden nutcrackers can screw or ham-
mer a hardened nut. Four dowels, with
the assistance of castration bands, pro-
vide little resistance to the hardened
shell. A brightly colored metal nutcracker
employs downward leverage to release United Country and
Moccasin Mountain
the morsel. Shobe Auction & Realty Art Gallery
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To all our good friends everywhere go
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.
PAGE 6 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018
.
Nutcrackers continued
Sitting atop his white steed, this nutcracker gently
rocks into the lead position. Photos by Miriam Campan
The stockings In hopes that
were hung by the Saint Nicholas soon
chimney with care, would be there!
Merry Christmas!
Ready to lasso in the holidays the Cowboy, or as
Christopher Columbus nutcracker, distributed in Wojtowick lovingly calls him, the “caboy” nutcracker
1992, commemorates the 500th anniversary of the is fully attired with six shooters, bullets and tall hat.
discovery of the new world.
NGS Sales Denton, MT
It’s Beginning to Look
A Lot like Christmas!
With glad tidings from our entire staff this holiday
season. We thank you for your kind patronage
and look forward to seeing you again.
Dr. Richard B. McMaster
(406) 538-2020 • (406) 538-8988
(800) 278-8988
www.drmcmaster.net
821 W. Main • Lewistown, MT 59457
(Photo above) With his
We Wish You a wheel turning and hands
busy crafting, the Potter
Nutcracker, crafts makes
Merry Christmas...
clay bowls for the Christ-
mas feast.
(Photo right) Ahoy all
Christmas revelers.
Chapped by the salt air,
the Sea Captain stands
ready to anchor at any
buffet. His curly mous-
tache and beard will not
stop him from his nut-
cracker’s voyage.
(From left) Trent, Carl, Mike, Greg, Neal, Terry, Wanda, Dan, Dennis, and Jarred.
Thank you for your amazing support.
We are grateful to be your neighbors and
proud to be your Employee Owned Hometown
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...& a Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas!!
Thank you for your
80277 US Hwy. 87
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.
. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS PAGE 7
Nutcrackers continued
These two soldier nut-
crackers are ready to
stand guard over the hol-
iday feast.
Photos by Miriam Campan
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Diminutive nutcrackers
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Behind them is the Stein-
bach book with nut-
cracker information for
casual and serious collec-
tors.
Happy Holidays!
from
Moore Farmers Oil Company
Merry Christmas
and Holiday
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.
PAGE 8 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018
.
Local schools attend educational and fun visit to the county museum
By GEOFF CASEY ton boys and at least one
Judith Basin Museum Curator of their Vann cousins
and Henry Keating rid-
I want to give the ing into the saloon in old
reader an idea of what a Stanford firing their six-
school history guns. At least
class tour of the one rider and
Judith Basin his horse are
Museum is like, seen falling
as we are often through the
visited by local wooden walk-
classes and their way.
teachers. Another Rus-
With the high sell print has
school history the title “A
classes, I Quiet Day in
attempt to give Geoff Casey Utica,” which
brief histories was far from a
that are represented in quiet day since some
the museum - education- prankster decided to tie
al history, world history, a tin can to a dog’s tail
geological history and and set him free into the
Stanford history. street, upsetting a num-
Here are some high- ber of cowboys and their
lights. horses. The result was a
First of all, we have circus in the middle of
the Charlie Russell the street, as anyone
prints, which give us a knows who has seen the The Sourdough School, shown above and below, is one of the one-room school houses that once operated
good idea of how life was print. in Central Montana. Photos courtesy of Geoff Casey
100 to 150 years ago. One I point out the pic-
of his largest prints that tures of a number of the
we have is titled “In early people of Stanford, County. The earliest set- seems, was out to get that were found, I one point the German
Without Knocking,” Utica, Hobson and other tler along Running Wolf him. Using a Browning believe, on an island in blacksmith said, “Virgil,
which features the Skel- towns of Judith Basin was Bill Skelton, whose 12-guage shotgun and the South Pacific. The dat hurt.”
family still lives in the the help of two dogs, one zero was the plane with Tours for younger stu-
old homestead and in of which was called which the Japanese dents are similar. I just
other places. Bill Skel- Patches, Al Close shot fought the allies. They scale things down to
ton, I believe, was the the wolf. That same were used in the infa- their level. I put in things
first sheriff here. Then, Browning gun had been mous attack on Pearl also that would be of
there is the Galt family used by Charlie Russell Harbor. more interest to them,
that owned a number of and “Teddy Blue” Abbott. Then we see the Model such as the stagecoach
Stanford businesses, We have a fair bit of T Ford originally owned operated by Clarence
including the Ford deal- war memorabilia. One by Ira Snow of Wind- Goodell. Millie Goodell
ership and the hardware case features the artifacts ham, and the last owner was his wife and when
store. Another early pio- belonging to Lt. Robert being, I believe, Mr. Lar- she was a little girl she
neer was Kid Amby Hurst, who was reported son. The old timers could met Abraham Lincoln in
Cheney who could rope missing in action when a count on two or three a candy store in Spring-
anything except, it Japanese sub sank the flat tires on a trip to Lew- field, Illinois. She
seems, the White Wolf. U.S.S. Indianapolis. The istown. The Galt broth- remarked to her dad later
Even with the help of his “Indy,’ as it was called, ers sold them out of their how homely this very
five hounds he could not had carried the main garage. They would give tall man was.
catch the wily beast, who components of the atom- the new owners some- With the third grade
easily got away. ic bomb to Tinian Island thing of a driving lesson. group I make sure to
This brings us to the in the South Pacific. It However, the new own- spend time on the one-
White Wolf that killed was when it was on its ers were used to driving room schools, since they
thousands of dollars next assignment that it a horse and buggy. Some- are learning about them
worth of livestock during was struck by two torpe- times in Stanford, the in the classroom.
his reign. Thousands of does. new owner and his or The third graders can
dollars were placed upon We also have some her car went through the be more of a challenge as
Have A Jolly its head, and everyone, it parts of a Japanese Zero garage and out the other their hands keep going
side with the driver hol- up as they think of some-
Good Season! lering, “whoa!” thing else to ask me. And
I do some educational I get the question, “Do
history with each group. you know my parents?”
We look pictures of one- a few times.
We sure do room schools, which The tours are very
appreciate your include the Skelton enjoyable and the teach-
dropping in this School, the Merino ers always say they want
School, and the Sour to bring their classes
past year. Dough School. I point back again next year.
Merry Christmas out there were a lot of One thing that makes
and many thanks! students at the Lehigh these tours special is the
School when it was in teachers and some of the
operation. Mr. Neumann students can relate to
said he lived 1 mile from some family names in
the Merino school. the museum, and see
The tour continues something that grandpa
423-5560 downstairs, and we see did or that great-grand-
Home of the Famous the Coffee Creek fire ma and great-grandpa
3/4 lb. Burger engine. We also look over did.
the many types of barbed Please note, we wel-
wire in one of our dis- come other schools to
plays. When we came to call for a tour even after
You’re On The List … Virgil Stewart’s dental
equipment I tell the story
of the German black-
the museum is closed for
the season. I will gladly
open it especially for
Of People We’d Like To Thank! smith who made forceps
out of the tines of a
each school. I can be
reached at home at 406-
The list may be long, pitchfork. Virgil took 10 566-2445, or on my cell at
But one thing is true … Jolly, Happy infected teeth out. At 406-350-0599.
We wouldn’t be here
Without all of you! Christmas
With gratitude and greetings for a very
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Universal
Heating, Cooling
& Refrigeration, Inc.
Garrett Workman & Family Wishing our customers and
Nathan Lewellen & Family friends all the best this season!
Kevin Kucera & Family
Collin Barth & Family Lonnie Mannin, Owner
Robin Godbey, Manager
406-535-5496
520 E. Main • Lewistown
www.b-bmotel.com
.
. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS PAGE 9
“Wig” remembered: Jerry Hanley honors late grandfather
By CHARLIE DENISON young, leaving so his
Reporter father could escape mil-
itary service.
As Jerry Hanley got “The Wieglendas
ready to leave his home moved to Gladstone,
in Maiden on the morn- North Dakota in 1883,”
ing of Nov. 11, he reflect- Hanley said. “He was
ed on the significance of the oldest of 10 or 12
the day. kids. They were a pretty
The snow was coming big bunch.”
down, but that didn’t Apparently, Hanley
bother Hanley, one of said, those years weren’t
the few Maiden natives. too easy for young Wig.
He was used to it, and it “His mother died and
was November, so win- his dad remarried,”
ter weather was typical. Hanley said. “He
The snow hardly crossed couldn’t get along with
his mind. Instead, he his dad, so he left the
was thinking about this house at 16.”
being the 100-year-anni- His whereabouts at
versary of the armistice this time are hard to
signed by Allied and track.
Central Powers going “At one time he was
into effect on Nov. 11, in Poplar,” Hanley said.
1918, ending World War “He was just looking for
I on “the 11th hour of something do. That
the 11th day of the 11th would have been around
month.” 1894. He ended up in
Hanley’s grandfather, Billings around 1895,
George Wieglenda – a and it was there he
German immigrant who heard about jobs open-
found his way to Maid- ing up in Maiden at the
en, Montana and enlist- mines. He didn’t know
ed in World War I – was anything about mining,
there in France when but he wanted a job.”
the battle ended, fight- “Wig” was able to get
ing against those of his a ride to Lewistown on a
own nationality. freight wagon hauling
Wondering what it lumber and started
was like to be there working in the Spotted
when “all was quiet on Horse mine.
the Western Front,” It didn’t take long for
Hanley decided – if he Wig to feel at home in
was going to stand and Maiden, so he sent for
honor those who served his sisters, hoping they
at Veterans Park in Lew- could experience a dif-
istown – he wanted to ferent way of life, as
take “Wig” with him, so well. Unfortunately, his
he grabbed his grand- father and stepmother
pa’s war helmet and weren’t supportive of
headed out the door. the idea, so he had to
Walking into Veterans make secret arrange-
Park, people started to ments.
ask Hanley about the “He told them to have
helmet in his hands. their bags packed, be
The News-Argus also ready at the stone house
wanted to know, and in the middle of the
Hanley was happy to sit night, and he’d pick
down and tell his grand- them up,” Hanley said.
father’s story. “So you’ve got this bach-
elor in his 30s that goes
Wig’s early years and grabs his little sis-
Born in Heidersdorf, ters and brings them to
Germany, Wig and his Maiden, Montana just to
family headed to the get them away from the
U.S. when he was very step-mom. I mean…
(Photo above) Jerry Hanley (center) holds his grand-
father George Wieglenda’s World War I helmet at
the Veterans Park Memorial Service this year. A Ger-
man immigrant, Wieglenda enlisted at the age of 40
and served as a sergeant in France.
Photo courtesy of Ted Murray
think about doing that. the Allied Powers of
What a challenge.” Britain, France, Russia
Wig then bought a and Italy on April 6,
cabin so he and his sis- 1917.
ters had a comfortable At this time, the U.S.
place to stay. was a young nation of
“He was just that kind immigrants, and Mon-
of a guy,” Hanley said. tana was no different.
Wig was also a hard- According to historian
working man who David Kennedy “two-
“detested working for thirds of the state’s resi-
people.” By 1915, he and dents were either immi-
four other men got a grants or the children of
lease on the Cumber- immigrants.” Like Wig,
land Mine above Maid- there were many Ger-
en. man residents around.
“They did quite well Despite his nationali-
there,” Hanley said. “If ty, however, Wig sided
you converted it to with the U.S. and the
today’s dollars, they Allied Powers.
made close to $2 mil- “We needed to go kick
lion. They were shipping butt on Germany and he
gold regularly out of wanted to go,” Hanley
there.” said.
Unfortunately, enlist-
Getting the ing would pose a chal-
run-around lenge for Wig, who was
All was going well for 41 at the time.
Wig in Montana, but the In February of 1918,
conflict overseas contin- Wig wrote a letter to
ued to worsen. After a Senator E.J. Walsh, spell-
divisive discussion in ing out why he desired
the U.S. Congress, the active service in the U.S.
U.S. joined forces with Army.
“Could I be neutral?
Bah! Even were there no
Belgium atrocities, no
Serbian barbarities, no
American massacres, no
Jerry Hanley’s grandfa- murdering of innocent
ther, George Wieglenda, American citizens on
served in World War I. the high seas by German
He enlisted at the age of pirates, I would not and
40. could not be neutral,”
Photo courtesy of Jerry Hanley
he wrote.
. Continued on page 10
PAGE 10 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018
.
“Wig” remembered, continued
“To me, Germany’s ambition of world domina-
tion were as plain when she was still before siege as
now.”
Wig wrote in the letter that he’d had volunteered
in the Canadian forces earlier but had a medical
issue. In March of 1917 he “was operated for her-
nia.”
“So biding my time and planning accordingly I
waited,” he wrote. “The grand opportunity came
when a call for volunteers for the 27th Engineers
was made.”
However, Wig got the run-around and was “dis-
missed because of German birth.”
Wig was not having it
“I’m an American citizen and entitled to a little
consideration,” he told a captain denying him. “…
my enlistment was made in good faith.”
Wig was continually turned down. The letter to
Walsh was his last effort.
“My desire to go is so strong that I cannot con-
tent myself at anything. In vain have I tried these
last two months to live down that feeling which
one must experience in order to know it,” Wig
wrote. “It is more than a mere feeling, dear Sena-
tor, it is something real, animate, that says, ‘you are
not doing your share; others are doing your fight-
ing for you…will you sit idly by and see husbands
and fathers and young men whose future is greater
than yours go and give their all for you? That ‘you’
is I.”
On April 13, 1918, Wig was finally inducted into
the Army, becoming a noncommissioned officer-
sergeant. He served in the Gerardmer Sector from
Sept. 1 to Oct. 11 and the Meuse-Argonne offensive
from Nov. 2 to Nov.9. Most of his service took place
overseas. He was honorably discharged June 23,
1919 and returned to Maiden.
“He was an engineer during the war because of
his mining experience,” Hanley said. “He was build-
ing buildings and digging trenches.”
Wig was not injured during the war, Hanley said,
and he returned much the same as when he enrolled.
“I never heard anyone in the family say anything
negative about how he was when he came back
from the war,” Hanley said. “I do, however, imagine
the war really ingrained his political views with
extreme patriotism. I also believe it made him more
grateful to be back home, to get back to work and to
pursue a relationship.”
Not long after his return to Montana he married
the love of his life, Helen.
“The story is – when he was 39 years old – he
stopped by his friend Eggbert’s house and this beau-
tiful teenage girl answered the door,” Hanley said.
“My grandfather said to himself, ‘I’m going to marry
that girl someday, and sure enough he did…in 1922.”
Wig and Helen had three daughters: Selma (Han-
ley’s mother), Marjorie and Montana.
George Wieglend (right) stands with his wife, Helen, in 1931.
Photo courtesy of Jerry Hanley
“They were very much in love,” Hanley said. “The worker. He did just about everything himself: black-
only thing I ever heard them argue about was politics. smithing, firing assay… he even built his own cyanide
Grandma Wig never complained, and I don’t recall plant. That was during some pretty tough years. The
him complaining, either.” wonderful thing of that was is he kept a dozen people
working up there, including nephews and other family
Wig’s legacy members. He was totally self-made; you couldn’t do
Although Hanley was only 9 when Wig passed away that nowadays with all the regulations and the cost.”
in 1957 at the age of 80, he still has some fond memo- Wig was community-minded, Hanley said.
ries of the man. “He was involved with the school board and he was
“My grandfather was the kind of guy where, if you very helpful with people who were destitute,” Hanley
threw the shovel or hammer on the ground, he’d say said. “My grandpa always managed to have something
‘no, no, that’s not how you treat tools.’ He was gruff, to give them. He’d help people out. He was a hard
and very fussy. He wanted things done right, but to all nose, but he was a compassionate man, an honest
of us kids, Grandpa Wig was a nice, loving guy. We’d sit man.”
on his knee, he’d wrestle with us and always do things Knowing his grandfather always gave back, Hanley
for us.” wanted to return the favor a little on Veteran’s Day,
Hanley said he remembers Wig smoking his pipe giving Wig the credit he deserved by taking his helmet
next to Helen. to Veterans Park.
George Wieglenda holds a 20-pound gold bar in “He wasn’t gregarious or braggadocious,” Hanley “He was quite a guy,” Hanley said. “I’d sure give
Maiden, 1931. said. “He was kind to the family, and he was a hard anything to have a visit with him.”
Photo courtesy of Jerry Hanley
.. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS PAGE 11
The gun that killed Custer: a look at armaments from the Seventh Cavalry
By W.D. NOTTINGHAM and shoot a single shot
rifle with copper-cased
J
une 25, 1876 is a date cartridges which occa-
that has triggered sionally jammed.
intense investigation, Obviously, none of
debate and research these early weapons were
regarding Lieutenant accurate much over 150
Colonel George A. Custer yards, even in the hands
and the “Battle of the of a skilled shooter. Bul-
Little Bighorn.” let velocity of black pow-
Recent field investiga- der guns was low, less
tion has defined types of than half that of a mod-
armaments, strategic ern .223. Shooting accu-
positions, and a host of racy depends on practice,
minutia regarding the practice, practice.
Seventh Cavalry and par- The opposite was true
ticipating Indians. No of the Seventh, who were
doubt, the Indians great- assigned only 20 car-
ly outnumbered the Cav- tridges per year, per man
alry, but also had some for practice. The Selec-
advantages in weaponry. tion Board, on the sur-
The question has long face, was highly interest-
been asked, “How and ed in economy and low
why did the U. S. Army cost. They did not seem
send Custer into the field to understand the sol-
with questionable arms, dier’s need for protec-
and soldiers virtually tion, mainly firepower.
untrained in the use of Many original accounts
those arms?” written about the Battle
The Seventh Cavalry’s of the Little Bighorn
primary weapons were failed to consider the The Springfield Trapdoor Rifle is what Custer’s
the .45 Colt Single Action Indian’s perspective, troops were outfitted with, and, perhaps, what led
Revolver and the Spring- especially as related to to his downfall.
field Model 1873 “Trap- Custer’s ability to defend. Photos courtesy of the author
The
All Bes
door” .45-55 carbine. The Most books and articles number 412761, model Rate-of-fire reported
carbine was a single shot, deal with military maneu- 1882, originally issued in
1873. This was a beat-up
by the Army was about 12
rounds per minute, sub-
t
using metal cartridges vers, locations, numbers,
with 55 grains of black etc., but say little about affair with a broken stock, ject to shooter skill. Our
powder for less recoil ver- each side’s firearms, screwed together, but tests found four to six
sus the .45-70 rifle ver- other than in passing. otherwise functional. It rounds per minute to be
sion with the same case I come from a frontier had been surplussed to realistically more accu-
and 70 grains of black family which came to Warner Brothers and rate.
powder. Montana in 1865 and used in early cowboy This clumsy rifle has
Typical of government, members of which have a movies. Apparently these numerous steps to follow
a board of officers in the familiarity with weapons. guns received rough when firing, requiring
Ordinance Department It always struck me as treatment during filming. both hands in odd posi- With the warmest of wishes
selected these arms after odd, the way the Army Just as the Army Weap- tions. The process is as
examining and testing looked at some of the ons Selection Committee follows: to all our patients, associates
several dozen possibili- frontier cavalry weapons, did prior to 1873, I exam- 1. Recover from previ- and friends during this magical
ties. It seems the board almost like they were still ined and tested (in a lim- ous recoil. and blessed time of the year.
selected the “Trapdoor” fighting with clubs and ited way) this rifle, trying 2. Cock hammer.
rifle for many of the spears. Their rifles had to to see just what was spe- 3. Switch trapdoor
wrong reasons, including be rugged to be selected cial. The stock was bro- lock.
some highly suspect. for use. However, func- ken due to weak wood 4. Lift trapdoor and
Even the Indians, at the tion always seemed to cross-grain design cou- eject shell casing.
times, had some modern me to be the criteria for a pled with inletting for 5. Reach for shell in
fast loading and shooting good rifle. the trigger assembly. This belt.
.44 Winchesters, or Henry Out of curiosity, I gun would not function 6. Load shell.
rifles with a 13 cartridge bought one of the caval- long as a club and could 7. Close trapdoor. Dr. Tina Berg & Kara McGuire
magazine capacity. The ry’s improved Springfield not be classified as rug- 8. Aim and fire. 624 NE Main, Suite 1, Lewistown
Seventh had to try to load Trapdoor Carbines, serial ged. Continued on page 12. 538-5072 • 888-538-5072
Examples of copper-cased cartridges show various
calibers. These cartridges often jammed.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
from everyone at
Central Montana
Veterinary Services.
Thank you for from your
family aT
your business over
The pasT 94 years!
. Hobson, Montana (406) 423-5527PAGE 12 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018
.
Seventh Cavalry gun, continued
During battle conditions in the dirt soldiers had not used all their shells.
and brush, coupled with odd positions Rifle shells were heavy and most were
without good access to shells, it would carried in saddlebags.
take much longer to operate the Trap- A competitor during rifle selection
door. How did the Army possibly think by the Army, prior to 1873, was the
they could fire 12 rounds per minute, Henry, developed in 1860. This 13-shot
when less than four is realistic? magazine .44 caliber, lever action
Use of copper shell casings by repeater was considered too fragile by
Custer’s troops resulted in jams of the Army.
unknown number, since casings need- However, owning a Henry during the
ed to be pried out, rammed out, or the Civil War was a point of pride, and
rifle discarded with the shell inside. In many federal troops purchased one.
any case, this problem added to battle Although not used on a large scale dur- This closeup shows the trap door of the Springfield Trap Door rifle. The trapdoor
confusion. ing the Civil War, the Henry rifle dem- had to be opened by hand after each firing, in order to reload.
One telling interview with Chief Gall onstrated its advantage of rapid fire at Photos courtesy of the author
and Pretty White Buffalo, as reported close range several times. although here against a peaceful vil- Independent,” (Helena, Montana) on
by author Leila Monaghan, included The Army generally rejected the lage. Aug. 3, 1877 reported: “Mr. Notting-
this interchange: “Did the soldiers have Henry; the Plains Indians did not. One In the west he however, he was sad- ham, a freighter just arrived in town
plenty of ammunition?” “No, they shot historian said, “One cavalry man armed dled with the new 1873 Springfield Car- from Gallatin, reports meeting two Nez
all they had. The horses ran away, car- with a Henry rifle was equivalent to 14 bine, copper-cased shells and relatively Perce scouts at the mouth of Boulder
rying in the saddlebag pockets a heap with a single shot rifle.” A Confederate untrained troops. At the Little Big Creek four days ago, with whom he had
more. The soldiers threw their guns Colonel called it, “That damned Yankee Horn, he tried his typical tactic, but this a talk. They said they were Nez Perce,
aside and fought with little guns.” rifle, that can be loaded on Sunday and time against a large, prepared Indian that they came by the way of the Big
Note: In this case, guns mean the fired all week.” force, many of whom were armed with Hole, and that their people to the num-
.45-55 Springfield Carbines and little Lt. Col. Custer was famous for seem- Henry or Winchester rifles. The battle ber of 250 (warriors) were coming over
guns were .45 Colt Revolvers. ing bravery by having his cavalry rush did not last long. Custer, with no fire by the same route; that they were going
This probably means carbines were headlong into battle. He was successful power and undermanned, made a huge to hunt buffalo, and did not intend to
too slow or jammed, while pistols were and made famous at Gettysburg and in mistake by underestimating. molest settlers. They said their people
faster. As some reports indicated, some Indian wars, such as at the Washita, With his aggressive personality and were well armed, and also informed Mr.
poor weaponry, he had no chance. N, that they were ‘abused on the other
Effectively the Army killed Custer by side of the mountain.’”
Happy Holidays! putting him out front with poor weap-
ons.
About one half million trapdoor-
type rifles, carbines and miscellaneous
The U.S. Army would have none of a
peaceful move, and began harassing
the Indians at every opportunity. At
the “Battle of the Big Hole,” Colonel
were the subject of a supply contract Gibbon tried, on Aug. 7, 1877, a dawn
issued by the Army. My research shows attack with foot soldiers armed with
the Trapdoor did not meet the criteria Springfield Trapdoor rifles. Firing into
advertised by being slow in firepower tepees, similar to Custer’s Major Reno
and not very rugged. Although several at the Little Big Horn, the attack started
dozen weapons, many superior to the successfully, but soon turned as war-
Trapdoor, were considered, somehow riors regrouped using Winchester
the Army selected vastly inferior guns. repeating rifles. Gibbon was left routed
Thank you for your Custer obviously did not understand in a defensive position, suffering heavy
business this past what was done to him, and he was not casualties until the Nez Perce moved
year. We look forward the only officer to suffer from lack of away. (Examples of each side’s arms
to helping you again adequate arms. The Nez Perce Indians, can be seen at the Battleground Infor-
in 2019. located generally in Oregon and Idaho, mation Center). Loss of life resulted
Back (from left): Jarryd were those that helped Lewis and Clark because Gibbon was saddled with prim-
Lahr, Arod Awbery, Dan on their journey and were supportive itive arms.
Ward, Donny Roy; Front of the early white settlers. However, as Later my great-grandfather, while
(from left): Dylan Kelly, whites took over, their greed forced the freighting, again encountered the Nez
Kristi Roy. Nez Perce to move and begin an exodus Perce at Cow Island, down river from
through Montana in 1877. Fort Benton, on Sept. 28, 1877. The
They tried to do this peacefully, as “River Press” published that his freight
evidenced by contact with my great- wagons were attacked, but he escaped.
grandfather, H.A. Nottingham, a Really? He knew those people from a
freighter operating between Fort Ben- previous meeting in late July 1877, and
206 2nd Ave. S. • 538-3236 ton and the gold fields. The “Helena all they wanted was to trade.
.. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS PAGE 13
MerryChristmas! For all of us at KFC/A&W, Christmas is
a Special Time. It’s a time to give thanks
to our God for all the Blessings in our
lives.
It’s a time to Thank Lewistown for all
your support, with a special deal (at a
time a deal is likely helpful).
It’s a time to be especially thankful
for Our Employees, Our Families and
Our Friends.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
from all of us at KFC/A&W to You and
Yours!
Buy one Buy one
$5 Fill-up, Root Beer Float
Get one FREE! Get one FREE!
11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Valid
through
Limit 2 per guest, per visit. 1/31/2019
Valid Dec. 19 & 20, 2018 Lewistown,
MT location
Lewistown, MT location
1320 W. Main St
Lewistown, MT • (406) 535-2656
.PAGE 14 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018
.
Stanford’s early history: Mail delivery, Old Town and new Stanford
By GEOFF CASEY located two and one-half
Judith Basin Museum Curator miles northwest of pres-
ent-day Stanford, just
As you might guess, below Antelope Butte
life was quite different where the Bill Metcalfe
in Stanford in the late ranch is.
1800s compared to what In those days, the post
it is today. For a short office, too, was quite dif-
while, Stanford was ferent from today. In
called Dubuque, named fact, there wasn’t really
by Tom Morgan who had any post office we would
built a hotel, saloon, recognize today. The
blacksmith shop and mail was set upon a
store. And before it was table in Mrs. Vaitleen
the Stanford we know Skelton’s house. She was
today, there was Old the wife of William Skel-
Town, which was also ton. The Skeltons were
called Stanford. It was
May the birth of our Lord Jesus
be the reason you celebrate
this Christmas season!
Have a Stanford’s first school was built in 1909, and today is used as a residence.
wonderful Christmas Photo2 courtesy of Geoff Casey
and a very
Happy New Year! one of the first settlers and forth between the ments served as the let- room and set down her
in the Judith Basin. They two places, and then for terboxes. bags. He then told her
first took up residence a while both post offices Because there were that she could find her
along Running Wolf were operating. But they buildings at the present bath two and one half
Road when Montana were much too close to site of Stanford, the rail- miles west of town in
was still a territory. The each other (within a road built a line through Wolf Creek.
mail was delivered by couple of miles) so one here in 1908, missing On another occasion a
the stagecoach, which had to go. The federal Old Town by about two rather irate customer in
C
crossed their property government recognized miles. This meant that the hotel pointed out to
coming from Yogo Min- a place as a post office if Old Town had to pick up Edwards a very dirty
ing Camp and going to it had a sufficient and move. When its towel in the hotel’s
elebration Fort Benton. Settlers
heading out to the
amount of business. So
Colonel Viall attempted
buildings were moved
that summer, the new
washroom. Mr. Edwards
told the customer that
Foursquare Church mountains to get timber to ensure that he had town really got going. 30 other people had
361 W. Frontage Rd., Lewistown • 535-3310 would stop by Mrs. Skel- the right amount of The train station was used the same towel
ton’s place and pick up business by mailing out located very close to our before him, and he was
their mail. papers and letters to all present post office. The the first to complain.
At a later time, there parts of the country. The first stationmaster was The first school in
was a bit of a battle of post office inspector Hugh Wilkins. He came Stanford was built in
the post offices that last- eventually determined in 1908 and was joined 1909 at a cost of $4,000.
ed for a while. This dis- that Dubuque should the next year by his wife It was a two-room struc-
pute was between a Col- close its post office. As Jane and their three sons ture that still stands
onel Viall and Tom Mor- time went by, our early and three daughters. today as a residence on
gan who both wanted a post office was simply One of his daughters, 2nd Ave. South, some-
post office. Colonel Viall either a table in the cor- Marie, married Leon what altered from when
wanted his post office ner of an establishment Kelleher. Jane later died it was a school. The
on his place, while Mor- on which the mail was in the influenza epidem- number of students of
gan wanted his at dumped, or it consisted ic of 1918. the Stanford school
Dubuque. For a time, the of a beer case, from The Stanford Hotel increased rather quickly
post office moved back which the compart- was located just across in those early years so
the road from our mod- classes had to also be
ern post office. It was at held atop the Gillespie
first a two-story struc- Drugstore in 1911, which
ture, and then a third was located where the
story was added. It was a Stockman Bank is today.
first-class hotel, with The grades taught there
first-class service in its were seventh, eighth,
dining room, and com- and ninth, and the
peted well with other teacher in charge at that
hotels in the west. location was Miss Edith
One of the owners of Rolfe, who later married
the hotel was A.C. to become Edith Max-
Edwards; the other owner well of Great Falls. In
was A.C. Baumgartner. only a few years, a brick
Mr. Edwards was quite a structure was built at
character. Teachers would the corner of 4th Avenue
stay at the hotel before South where there are
going out to their posi- presently baseball dia-
tions at various schools. monds.
Christmas Blessings from our Family to Yours One rather demanding
teacher wanted a room
That two-story struc-
ture became rather
with a bath. So Edwards unsafe, according to a
Central City Auto & RV took the teacher to her visitor that came to the
museum early this past
summer. She said the
bricks became loose,
Bob & Vicky Ruckman; Shane & Shannon Ruckman, Brooke, Mylee & Andrew; Shaun & and so on a windy day,
Jodi Ruckman, Lani, Kalli & Miles; Lisa Williams, Tucker & Dusti; Jeff & Cheri Kjersem some could blow off and
The crew at hit a child. The children
Brooks Market were warned against
would like to thank all of our being too near the build-
loyal customers. Without you we ing on windy days.
wouldn’t be where we are today!
Happy Holidays and thanks for Author’s Note: Most of
making this our best year ever! my material for this story
Debbie and the entire comes from the novel
staff at Brooks Market “Furrows and Trails,”
particularly the entry
104 2nd Ave. S. • Lewistown entitled “History of Stan-
535-6600 ford and its First Citi-
www.brooksmarket.com zens,” which was written
by Annie Laurie Lesley,
whose family pioneered
here.
Peace on earth- goodwill to men-
And best wishes to our customers and friends for
a blessed holiday season.
Joe, Sherry, Keith, Anita, Mary, Larry & Suzan
Greater Montana Land Company
.You can also read
