Christmas Edition 2015 - Celebrating the History of Central Montana (2024)

. 2015 Christmas Edition Celebrating the History of Central Montana Special supplement to the Lewistown News-Argus.

PAGE 2C LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS CHRISTMAS EDITION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015 . From the Editor A look back at Lewistown’s Midland Bowling Alley By DEB HILL News-Argus Managing Editor Elden Kennedy, who now Deb goes by his nickname “Al,” was Hill one of the original pinsetters at the Midland Bowling Alley in Managing Lewistown. Kennedy remem- Editor bers the work as “hard” but “fun.” editor@ When cold weather drove lewistownnews him from a career as a newspa- .com per carrier, Kennedy got a job at the bowling alley located underneath the Powers Mer- Merry Christmas and welcome to the cantile building on Main Street annual News-Argus Christmas Edition! As (most recently the location of Reid’s department store). Herb is our tradition, in this year’s version you’ll and Bob Libben owned the find stories about local history mixed with bowling alley back then. recollections of Christmases past, some “There was a six-lane bowl- creative writing and many marvelous ing alley under the Powers historic photographs. Our writers are Mercantile building,” Kennedy remembers. “To get there, you amazing, as almost all the stories are went about half way down the submitted by people just like you, many of Third Avenue side of the build- whom say this is their first attempt at ing, opened the door, walked This photo from New Jersey in the early 1900s shows young pinsetters at work. Photo courtesy of viralnova.com writing for the public. Well, we think they down the stairs, and there it do a grand job! was.” was dangerous work.” Before or after our work, we Pine Street house was torn Kennedy worked at the Some say Christmas traditions have alley as a pinsetter, a profes- Once the pinsetter had could sit on the seats and down some years ago, and the changed through the years. But for over retrieved a ball, they sent it watch the bowlers or use the bowling alley is no longer sion that vanished with the 100 years (102 years, to be exact) the back on a 12-inch wide return pinball machines.” there. But Kennedy still retains invention of mechanized bowl- track, lifting the ball up and Times were different then, a piece of that history. News-Argus Christmas Edition has been a ing equipment. Prior to mecha- shoving it to start it rolling Kennedy said, and earning his “A few years ago I was visit- tradition you can count on. This year we nization, however, pinsetters back to the bowler. Crawling share of household income was ing in Lewistown and I went are excited to present stories highlighting were key to the success of the on hands and knees, pinsetters important. down to the Powers Mercantile game as they manually reset how the families of some long-time local quickly picked up all the scat- “It wasn’t uncommon for basem*nt to take a look,” Ken- the bowling pins to their cor- residents arrived in Central Montana, tered pins and inserted them me to be out very late on a Sat- nedy said. “You could still see rect positions, cleared up the into vacant slots in the pin set- urday night in the bars selling the marks of the lanes there, recollections of a young boy growing up in fallen pins and returned bowl- ting equipment. newspapers to drunks,” Ken- and many of the fixtures were Lewistown, the history of Central ing balls to the players. “Nothing was automated. nedy said. “It was all about still there. The smell of pin lac- Montana’s most notorious outlaw, and Kennedy and the other pin- We had to do it all by hand,” making sales. I might not get quer was everywhere. While I setters worked in the “pit” more. located at the end of the lanes. Kennedy explained. “We had to home until 3 a.m. My parents was down there, I noticed the In addition, we present a collection of pull the pin setter bar down, knew me and trusted me.” old original hand-painted Mid- To get there they walked down stick the pins in the empty “For a while we lived at 201 land Bowling Alley sign that antique Christmas tree ornaments, some the right hand side of Lane 6, slots, wait until all the pins had Pine Street,” Kennedy said. once hung on the glass door at of which probably will look very familiar, and jumped down into the stopped wobbling, and then lift “We didn’t have a dime. Mom the top of the stairs where you bringing back memories of Christmases darkened pit. the bar back up. We earned 10 made apple pies to sell to the entered from the street. It had “When the bowlers were long ago. If ornaments are not your thing, bowling, we sat up above with cents a line, so a bowler would bachelors. Our house was tiny, been taken down, and the back maybe you’d rather take a look at pages bowl ten frames, and I would and had only an outhouse. We of it used to make another sign. our legs pulled up to avoid get- from Fergus High School’s very first annual earn a dime.” were at war with Germany and I asked one of the floor manag- ting hit by the ball,” Kennedy For the important bowling Japan at the same time but I ers if I could have it, and he yearbook, produced in 1917. See anyone said. “The pit is where the ball leagues, only the best pinset- was spared all that and only agreed. I brought it back to you know? and any pins go after the play. ters would be assigned to work, remember playing, and waiting South Carolina with me, and it There was a big leather cush- The staff of the News-Argus and all our ion at the back of the pit to perhaps only three of them for the sun to come up on has been in my office ever contributors work very hard every year to taking care of the six lanes. another new day. I wish all lit- since.” stop the ball, which would put together the most interesting bits and Each pinsetter had two lanes to tle kids could be as fortunate as “The sign was painted by drop down onto a rubber mat.” take care of. I was.” Ed McGivern,” Kennedy added pieces of local history for this edition. Do In the days before automa- “If both balls came down Kennedy recalls saving up “I saw him shoot when I was a you have a story to tell? Have you found a tion, returning the ball and your lanes at the same time, for a .22 rifle he wanted to buy boy. He was so good I thought box of photographs from long ago in the setting up the pins fell to these you had to be using both from Nate’s Sporting Goods, it was a trick. Obviously he was agile youngsters, whose job attic? Got an interesting collection of was made more difficult by the hands, setting up four pins at a using some of the money he also a sign painter, and this thing-a-ma-bobs? It’s never too early to time,” Kennedy said. “You had earned setting pins and selling sign is probably a collector’s need to stay out of the way of to stay focused.” papers. item now.” start thinking about next year’s Christmas other balls and pins while set- Pinsetters worked evenings. “They put a tag on the rifle Kennedy recently contacted Edition, so give us a call. ting up. The bowling alley closed at 10 that read, “Sold to Elden Ken- the Central Montana Historical Meanwhile, grab a nice warm cup of “You could jump from one or 11 p.m., or, during league nedy,” he explained. “I made Association about donating lane to another from above,” something relaxing, turn your reading Kennedy said. “You had to play, at midnight. payments. I put 25 cents down the sign to the museum, and it lamp up and settle in for some entertaining “It was a fun place to be,” and paid off the rest over time.” appears that transaction will keep your eyes open. Lots of hours with this year’s selections. This is Kennedy said. “It smelled of Kennedy said the family’s take place soon. kids got hurt. They could be the lacquer on the bowling our Christmas gift to you, our readers. bending down in the pit to pick pins. It was a great environ- Enjoy! up pins when another ball ment. There was a confection- would drop down on them, or ary stand that made burgers, a pin. Sometimes a ball would sandwiches and desserts. fall down on a kid’s head. It Midland Bowling Alley was a large part of Elden Kenne- dy’s experience as a young worker in Lewistown in the 1940s. Kennedy was a pinsetter at the bowling alley, which was located underneath the Powers Mercantile building. On a trip to Central Montana a few years ago, Kennedy found the original Midland sign, which he is now considering donating to the Central Montana Historical Society. Photo courtesy of Elden Kennedy You’re On The List … Of People We’d Like To Thank! The list may be long, But one thing is true … We wouldn’t be here Without all of you! With gratitude and greetings for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Especially For You at Christmas Have a Happy Holiday! Universal WIER FURNITURE Heating, Cooling COMPANY & Refrigeration, Inc. Garrett, Kayce, 116 W. Main • Lewistown • 535-3443 Quincy & Joe Workman “Serving Central Montana for over 64 years!” .

. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS CHRISTMAS EDITION PAGE 3C A story of three well traveled houses By MAXINE MELTON 1941 pickup to Iowa, dis- ing in a strange country, mantled the house board and suddenly losing your “This old house once by board, labeling each young husband on knew my children, piece, (lower sash, sec- Christmas day, called for This old house once ond floor window, east comfort from some- knew my wife. room, etc.) loaded the where, wouldn’t you This old house was lumber, windows and think? Hopefully the home and comfort all, hauled it back to newly built house As we fought the storms their farm south of Den- brought a measure of of life. ton and reassembled it comfort to Anna Men- This old house once like a jig saw puzzle. It gler and her children. rang with laughter...” was, when finished, once That fateful Christmas H again the fine house day would be forever ow true. These Harry had enjoyed in his saddened for the Men- old homes pos- childhood. Eventually gler family as she remem- sessed a charm, son Edward and his wife bered her Anthony dying an ambiance, not Jean painted it yellow of a heart attack as he sat found in new construc- and raised their six chil- in their living room there tion. There is a certain dren in it. The house is in Chicago. something missing in still in use, and I suspect Anna and her little newly built abodes. still offering comfort, family didn’t stay in the After the Menglers moved on, the house was moved to the Bard place south- Character has to be lived and laughter. house on Main Street, west of Lewistown, and some improvements were made to it. into them. For that rea- The Harry Morses also however, for she needed Photos courtesy of Maxine Melton son many old houses are moved another house a work to provide for her being restored, and many few years later, this one children. It wasn’t long lection of rooms begin- and had 11 rooms if you The name Fred Zier of of them have been for their son George and before Frank Strouf ning with the original counted the bathroom, Ryegate came up as a moved to facilitate the his wife Dora. The house hired her to cook for his structure, a 12 x 12 home- entry and a glassed-in reputable house mover. restoration. Our home in had been flooded and sat crew which could num- stead shack. As each porch. Better yet, it was We met this little old guy south Denton, as well as in water too long. They ber 30 to 40 men at har- child was born they structurally sound. These and his boys at the scene. several other old homes moved it just two miles vest time. She moved added another room abandoned buildings He deemed the move “a in our community, were from Louse Creek to into his eight bedroom until the home was com- could usually be pur- piece of cake” so to well traveled homes and their farm in the Dan- home south west of Den- posed of a living room, chased for very little, speak. It was the loading had to be moved long vers area. Because the ton, and was the head kitchen, three bedrooms, and that was the case and unloading that was distances to be salvaged. lower part of the house cook for Mrs. Strouf. and porch, plus an with this house. In 1958 tricky. Our hired man, After WWII there was a was water damaged, they Unfortunately, that attached coal shed. True we paid $500 for it. The John Berger, set about surge in house moving cut it off at the pockets, grand old home has now to his English roots, my house was very well built dismantling the brick because farms were get- so to speak, making the gone to ruin. father-in-law, Mark and traveled well to our chimney before the ting larger and farm windows set low in the After the Menglers left Melton, covered the farm south of Denton. move. machinery more effi- building. Even though the house on Main whole conglomeration We bought it... though it cient, as in the tractor vs. George was a tall man, it Street, it was moved to with matrimony vines, sat 50 miles away. Continued on page 4C horses, hence many an worked for them. They the Bard Place southwest and surrounded it with old house was aban- painted it purple. of Lewistown. Bard tulips and hedges. doned, or sold for a song. Our home, the Wil- reconfigured the floor By the time my hus- One of those houses liam Melton home on plan, adding a wrap band and I had lived in it located in Iowa, was the the farm south of Den- around that included a seven years, that matri- childhood home of Harry ton, was another “well glassed in porch, a din- mony vine was taking Morse of the south Den- traveled house” that ing room, kitchen, entry over the place. It not ton community. The brought strength and and stairwell, but no only covered the house Thank you outside, it had crept Morses raised their six comfort to several fami- electricity, running water between the wallpaper for your support! children in a small log lies and in several differ- or sewer. Worn flooring cabin but his wife Mable ent locations. The first and stair step traces indi- and beaverboard walls, Merry Christmas longed for the fine home occupants were Mrs. cate the first kitchen was and between flooring and she had left in Iowa. In Anthony Mengler, and in what is now the front and linoleum. It crunched when you Happy New Year! their retired years she her two young children, bedroom, and the stair- and her husband once Joe, age 4, and Elsie, age way originally ran up the walked across the floor, again were to live in the 2. Anna was a recently wall dividing the living and the walls were get- two story home her hus- widowed immigrant room and the old kitch- ting lumpy. My efforts to band had inherited. No, from Czechoslovakia. en. tame the beast were they didn’t return to After burying her hus- In 1945, Franz Wein- futile. You can’t always Iowa. The house came to band, Anthony the tai- heimer bought the Bard salvage an old house. It them. It was dismantle lor, she moved from Chi- place for $80 an acre. was time to look for bet- stick by stick, and stick cago to Lewistown in The house by that time ter accommodations. by stick Harry gave his 1902 along with her two was badly run down and My husband’s brother wife her dream home. young children. They neglected. Franz installed Dory, suggested we buy a In 1948 Harry’s sons moved into a house built running water, a bath- house his friend Franz George, and Edward, and in 1900 which sat just room, a sewer and elec- Weinheimer, southwest neighbor boy William below the present tricity. His family lived in of Lewistown, wanted to Melton drove a 1936 McDonald’s burger eat- the house until 1958, at dispose of. Franz was International truck and a ery on Main Street. Liv- which time they sold it building a new brick home and this old house Merry Christmas to all to my husband, William Melton, and me. As was the case ‘til wasn’t the view he want- ed out his new picture our valued customers. then, we had lived seven window. We checked out the “junker.” Compared The Pantry Health Foods years in my in-laws homestead house south to what were living in, it & Sweet Thyme Boutique of Denton. It was a col- looked like a mansion. It was a story and a half Ross and Karla Butcher and Family Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas! From all the crew at Winifred Grocery “Serving all your grocery and convenience store needs” DELI ~ FRESH BAKED GOODS ~ BEER Merry Christmas and The Mengler home, as it stood in Lewistown near the site of the current day McDonald’s, was later moved to the Melton farm south of Denton. WINIFRED GROCERY Since 1913 www.winifredgrocery.com Happy New Year! Mon. - Sat., 8 am - 7 pm, Sun. 10 am - 3 pm Thank you for 19 years of business. May your 2016 be healthy and prosperous. Mark, Anita and Lane Smith and Curt Fogle Central Drilling, Inc. 538-7355 Happy Holidays! a e a sa e a ha ho i a seaso rom ite rai . 13 vest r s t5 4 4 3-5 10 united grain corporation 1-8 -4 3-5 10.

PAGE 4C LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS CHRISTMAS EDITION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015 .Well Traveled Houses (continued)The bricks slid down the On the day the house other side, warning usroof and shot straight arrived, the children and upstairs, “Don’t jiggletoward Weinheimer’s big I shivered at the south the house!” The childrennew picture window window in the back remember me notonly a few feet away. bedroom, anxiously allowing them to runFranz nearly had a heart waiting, eyeing a stretch though the house whileattack when he came of road 10 miles south it was up on jacks... asupon the scene. The where it ran for a mile we continued to livewindow was spared. along the horizon. there as they worked. Holes were cut in the Finally, the house The full pouredfoundation, two huge appeared sailing along basem*nt under thebeams were run under all by itsself, or so it house added four morethe house and it was seemed. It was too far rooms to the original 11,jacked up onto dollies. away to see the truck. plus an extra bathroomMr. Zier hooked his We watched as our house and a storage room. Overtruck on and took off cruised down the long the years we continuedlike a kid pulling his winding Benchland hill to make improvements,little red wagon. Like I and out of sight. How changing the roof linesaid, it was a 50-mile trip exciting it was! and finishing twocross country from When Mr. Zier set the upstairs rooms, where in The Melton place in 1923 shows the family’s English heritage in the vines andWeinheimers place to house down on the new the process I found in hedges. Photos courtesy of Maxine Meltonour farm, up and down foundation and we the attic an old fruitcakesome very steep winding checked it out... there tin containing antiquehills. Power lines had to wasn’t a crack anywhere. jewelry. We suffered twobe lifted, the highway It was in perfect house fires, one minorand railroad tracks condition, and the move and one major, butcrossed, but Zier did it had only cost us $2,000. nothing was damagedall with grace and Now, I’ve read, a that couldn’t be restored,aplomb. This was in the comparable move might and so the house hadfall of 1958. The house run $60,000. Time to morphed into awaited several months start revamping our new comfortable andon dollies near a home. We hired Reed respectable home wheretransformer somewhere Redman to put in new we raised our sixbetween Weinheimer’s windows and cupboards. children.and Highway 87 while On the outside, it was At present, son Rosswe finished the new something of an “ugly and his wife Laura livebasem*nt. duckling” and we there, having raised At home we chose a suffered that for several their family of five in it,rise on the Cranbring years. Then the and as is the nature ofplace, south of our unexpected happened. nesters, they’veoriginal home, where Our professionally built continued to make The Melton’s dubbed their house “the ugly duckling” once it was moved to theirwater would drain away basem*nt walls began to changes and farm south of Denton.from the house and the bulge inward. improvements. Amongview was good, but it Man of many trades, other things, Ross haswas on the far side of a Harold Dover, moved in moved walls and built aplowed field so we had with us that winter, wrap-around deck. Andto wait for the ground to jacked up the house on so the original house,freeze before it could one side and cribbed it the house from thesupport the heavily while we poured cement bottom of Main Streetloaded dollies. We had a basem*nt walls. When hill in Lewistown,professional cinderblock the cement was set, they Montana, lives on,basem*nt constructed to lowered that side of the improving with eachbe sure it was done right. house and jacked up the new occupant. Like other old restored houses, it has developed multiple characteristics, Leen n’ Bottles and gathered a host of State Liquor Store memories accumulated over a period of 115 years in the Winifred Grocery of giving happiness and comfort to each new Be responsible and Have a Merry Christmas! family along the way. The Melton’s continued to make improvements to the house, changing the roof Liquor ~ Wine ~ Discounts on Full Cases line and finishing two upstairs rooms. Here it is in the late 1960s. Open Mon - Sat, 8 am - 7 pm Closed Sundays & State Holidays Beaver Creek Fire Hall newly improved By SARAH SPRINGER put new metal siding and windows Club thanks all who helped with For the past two years the on the Beaver Creek Fire Hall. fundraising and donations. The Beaver Creek Ladies’ Club has The old wooden and rotting Beaver Creek Ladies’ Club will be raised funds through garage sales, siding would no longer hold holding additional fundraisers to meals, grants and donations to paint. The project is finished. The refurbish the inside of the Hall. The Beaver Creek Ladies’ Club has provided fund- ing to replace the aged siding on the Fire Hall, which was so old it would no longer hold paint. Photos courtesy of Cathy Hart Christmas Blessings from our Family to Yours C e n tr a l C ity A u to & R V Peace on Earth... Goodwill Towards Men... Bob & Vicky R uckman; Shane & Shannon R uckman, At this season of quiet reflection, Brooke, Mylee & A ndrew; we recall our many blessings and Shaun & J odi R uckman, realize just how fortunate we truly L ani, K alli & Miles; are to receive the friendship and Brad & T ina Y aeger, goodwill of people like you! A mber, A lyssa & K ylee; L isa T ucker & Dusti; J eff & Cheri K jersem The Sport Center 320 W. Main • 535-9308 Open Sundays, 10 am - 4 pm .

. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS CHRISTMAS EDITION PAGE 5C Christmas show and tell By JENNY GESSAMAN | Staff Writer CreatingChristmasbypreservingmemories It starts the day after Thanksgiving with round Santa and a bubbling light. Tom Wojtowick plugs in the merry man and keeps him lit through Christmas, following a tradition started over six decades ago in 1948. The figure was given to him for his first Christ- mas and set off a love of the holiday and its memo- rabilia. That memorabilia now lines the walls of a 15-foot closet. Tom has enough Christmas “stuff” to deco- rate multiple trees and a two-story house. “I have always loved Christmas,” Tom said. Thinking back, he supposes his hoard started with a gift for someone else. As a 10-year-old, Tom started showing his propensity for Christmas collecting by buying a Woolworth’s nativity set for his parents. He remembers buying it at 19 cents a character. His grandparents reinforced his love of the holi- day. “I think that my grandparents really liked Christ- mas,” Tom said. John and Hazel Wojtowick, his father’s parents, lived in Lewistown and always had a beautiful tree. Decades later, in an antique mall in Kirkland, Wash- ington, Tom received a shock. “I almost fell over backwards,” he laughed. He found the tree topper his grandparents always used, a blond-haired cherub on top spun glass clouds and halo. The only difference was the price. Bubble lights sit in their original box, their glass tubes full of methaline chloride. Both vintage and modern “It went up from 29 cents to $32,” Tom said. bubble lights contain this fluid and work because methaline chloride has such a low boiling point, according to The tree topper added to a constantly growing col- “The Christmas Tree Book.” Photos by Jenny Gessaman lection. Tom and his partner Paul Huff lived in a large Victorian in Seattle. Paul remembers Tom lov- ingly decorating their home each season, including precisely measured outdoor lights. Tom’s Christmas collection spans ages and bor- ders. “I love all the traditions from all the countries,” Wojtowick said. A box of glass Many of his antique ornaments have origins in Christmas ornaments Germany, the main glass-blowers of the American cradles its contents in Christmas market until WWII. tissue-paper nests for His obsession for the holiday goes beyond deco- the coming Christmas rating. Wojtowick saved five or six decades of Christ- season. Phillip Snyder’s mas letters from friends and family, going back to “The Christmas Tree read them from a large binder to remember the past. Book” cites the town He considers it as building part of his family history. of Lauscha, Germany, Tom admitted he has changed over the years. as the birthplace of While his love of Christmas at first centered on blown-glass ornaments. things like ornaments and tree toppers, now his sea- son’s enjoyment comes from events such as meals, gatherings and church. Luckily for our readers, we can tour Tom’s antique ornament collection right here in the Christmas Edi- tion. May the beauty of the season stay with you throughout the year. 106 E. Janeaux • 535-7478 www.fergusfcu.com.

PAGE 6C LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS CHRISTMAS EDITION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015 .Show and Tell (continued)Two German mercury-glass deer cautiously eye the camera as theywander out for the Christmas season. According to the Glass Encyclo-pedia website, mercury glass refers to double-walled glass that has asilver coating poured inbetween the layers. Created in the 1840s tohave the look of silver without the cost, the first silvering solutionscontained the medium’s mercury namesake. Silver nitrate became thestandard, however, and was used on these deer: the black noses cameabout as the silver in the solution tarnished. Photos by Jenny Gessaman Santa holds a bubbling light to show the way to Christmas in the home of Tom and Paul. Tom received the decoration from his parents for his first Christmas. For the 68 A Christmas “scrap” ornament holds onto its last bit of wire. years since, the jolly figure has brightened According to “The Christmas Tree Book,” scrap was a term for the his home each December. romantic images printed from the late 1860s to early 1900s. It earned its name because these images were produced for the four- decade scrapbooking phenomenon that swept Europe and America at the time. Many Christmas scraps became tree ornaments in the late 1800s. C O M PL E T E O F F I C E S O U R C E ishing you a Merry hrist as! ere s ho ing your holiday season is ell su lied ith fa ily, friends, festivity and lenty of good ti es to go around Thank you for your continued and loyal business e ho e you ll sto by and visit us again 2 0 3 3 rd Ave. N . ~ L ewistown “Across from the Post Office” 5 3 8 - 5 7 0 0 A golden-haired angel peers out from spun glass clouds and halos. Her innocent face shocked Tom Wojtowick. The exact same topper watched from the top of his grandparent’s tree in Lewistown when he was a young boy. Christmas Bells Are Ringing Your belief in us has made our dreams come true. Merry Christmas and many thanks to all of you. Pete & Linda Peterson and the Crew We’re chiming in with our best wishes for a happy at McDonald’s and harmonious season! May the sights and sounds of the holiday fill you with resounding joy. Thanks to our loyal customers for your friendship and support. We look forward to ringing in the New Year with all of you! Alpine Floral Greenhouse & Nursery 302 East Lake • Lewistown, Montana 538-8758 • (800) 344-8575 • www.alpinefloralmt.com .

. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS CHRISTMAS EDITION PAGE 7C Preserving Memories (continued) Light reflects off of Czechoslovakian beads and beadwork. The ornament is one of many antique ornaments Tom Wojtowick bought. Dated around the 1890s, “The Christmas Tree Book” writes ornaments like this one were made in the homes of Czechoslovakian glass-bead makers, who crafted A set of colored spring-clip candleholders sit ready to adorn a Christmas tree as part of the hand-blown glass and then strung pieces Tom Wojtowick’s vintage ornament collection. “The Christmas Tree Book” says candles on together. Photos by Jenny Gessaman trees grew from Christian symbolism, where candles represented Christ. However, the lights were a fire hazard and spring clips holders were invented in 1879 to safely hold candles in one place. These holders have small decorative trays to catch wax. With heartfelt thanks and best wishes at this splendid time of year. From the staff at Central Several figural bulbs in a 1930s strand show off the vivid colors Montana Variety: painted on their milk glass forms. “The History of the Christmas Tom, Carissa, George, Figural Light Bulb” relates the explanation of Louis Szel, a player Peggy, Steve, in the early Christmas-light industry, on why thick milk glass was used. Szel said the Japanese knew paint was lost during shipment Mary Jean & Erin and used milk glass to hide the filament and provide a warm light CENTRAL even when paint chipped. Although the strand is cut, Tom Wojto- M NTANA wick bought it out of fascination. ”I just find them so interesting VARIETY because they’re made of a heavy glass,” he said. 315 W. Broadway • Lewistown • 535-7652 A hand-blown glass ornament from Tom Wojtowick’s antique Christmas collection hangs from a Christmas box. From our shop to yours, sending our best wishes for a picture-perfect season filled with lots of love, laughter, joy, and serenity. Your business means a lot to us, and we thank you for your friendship and support this year. Please stop by our new location! Tor g er s on ’ s , L L C 9 0 C ot t on w ood C r eek Road L ew is t ow n , M T 5 9 4 5 7. 4 0 6 - 5 3 8 - 8 7 9 5

PAGE 8C LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS CHRISTMAS EDITION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015 .Some fun history of the Moore Woman’s Club By MARION HERTEL constructed. In 1916, the town, doing such things presidents have been Vir- organization became a as checking on old aban- ginia Melichar, who has On July 17, 1915 a group part of the Montana State doned basem*nts and been a member for 71of civic-minded ladies of Federation of Woman’s having them filled in, and years, Izzy Janicek, Flor-the Moore community Clubs. town cleanups. In 1949, ence Borcherding andmet for the purpose of The library was first the District Convention Dixie Hertel. Our officersforming an organization housed in the National was held in Moore, and in for 2014-2016 are Presi-having an objective of Bank Building. In 1931 it 1954, Moore celebrated its dent Dixie Hertel, Viceimproving the town of was moved to the City 50th birthday with the President Gertrude Barta,Moore. Hall or “Old Jail” as most Moore Woman’s Club, Recording Secretary Mar- With Mrs. J.H. Morrow remembered. The Old Jail which sponsored the ion Hertel, Treasureras its first president, a is still standing just event. It included a street Joanne Lamb, Corre-Constitution was drawn behind the Moore Farm- program in the afternoon, sponding Secretary Sha-up and signed by 52 char- er’s Oil Coop. Construc- a chuck wagon dinner ron Greenwood and Par-ter members, three of tion of the present library and a program and dance liamentary Advisorwhich are still residents building began on April in the evening. Roberta Belden. We meetof the Moore area. Dues 14, 1969 and the library Over the years since, the second Thursday offor the organization were opened at its current the Moore Woman’s Club each month, September$1 and today the dues are location in September of has sponsored worthy through May.$25. No one was to be 1969. The Moore Wom- activities in town, such as On Oct. 8, 2015, we cel-barred from membership an’s Club donated the T.B. tests and dental clin- ebrated our 100-yearbecause of the inability to land and building. It ics for children, and has anniversary. There werepay. Roll call was wasn’t until two years supported worthy legisla- 25 women there. Weanswered by reports of later, November of 1971 tion as well as the school enjoyed music from ourwork done since the pre- that the bathroom was and children’s organiza- Moore School with theirvious meeting with a 5 added. In July of 1974 the tions. Members serve on music teacher, Brent Volf.cent fine imposed on library was insulated and town committees and Two ladies, namely, Bar-each member who had carpeted. In July of 2000 boards, and participate in bara Hickey and I,no work to report, and a the phone was installed work for their churches. received 50-year certifi-25 cent fine was to be and the Gates Computer Our Woman’s Club cates and pins. Virginiagiven each member who soon followed in Septem- built the new library in Melichar has been arefused to do the work ber. We now have DSL 1963 with Doris Key as member for 71 years. Sheassigned to her. high-speed Internet president. Our Club main- is 94 years of age and still The ladies began to ful- access, a fax machine and Virginia Melichar shows off the flowers she received tained it for several years lives in Moore.fill the objective of their a copy machine. in October, 2015, in honor of having been a member until we weren’t able to Our State President,club by cleaning alleys, Getting the library to of the Moore Woman’s Club for 71 years. finance it any more as it Joyce Rogers, attendedgetting rid of tumble where it is today was no Photo courtesy of Marian Hertel was turned over to the and gave out all theweeds, having open wells easy task. The library has City of Moore. They have awards. Our clubhousein the town covered, and always depended on assessed a two-mill levy worthy causes and the their own Board Mem- was beautifully decoratedbegan working with the memorial and private for library expense. This Club House was pur- bers. The library is used in yellow and white bal-local Chamber of Com- donations to operate. In generated around $250 chased. The first street today by the community loons, and yellow carna-merce to have sidewalks the early days the city per year. To supplement lights in the Town of and the students of the tions. A beautifully deco- this, the board regularly Moore were installed dur- Moore Public Schools. rated cake with carna- had teas, carnivals, danc- ing the early part of this tions in yellow, pictures es, bake and rummage period under the instiga- The Club of our library and club- sales and musicals. In tion of the Moore Wom- continues today house was printed on top 1936, the library had addi- an’s Club, which raised a We have 20 members of the cake. We served Merry Christmas tional help from W.P.A. major portion of the workers. money. in Club our now Moore and Woman’s are a very cake and ice cream with nuts, mints, coffee and active club, one of the tea. Our President, Dixie & Many Thanks! Dedicated to In 1939 the Modern Matrons of Moore and more active clubs in the Hertel, had wine boots community service the Junior Woman’s Club, state. We were honored to made with the 100th During World War I, began what they called have two state presidents: Moore Woman’s Club Club members knitted their “Book Club.” This Mrs. J.H. (Marion) Mor- logo engraved on them, sweaters for each boy in was a project to put new row, who was our club’s with a bottle of water in Nothing makes us prouder than the service, purchased books into the library. first president in 1915- them. Each lady that knowing we serve good people Liberty Bonds, raised Vic- One half of the member- 1916, and Dixie Hertel in came got to have one for tory Gardens and partici- ship dues were donated 1981-1983. District III a keepsake. like you! We feel truly blessed pated in the Red Cross to buy books. by your friendship and trust. program, “Setting Hens During WWII, boxes of for the Red Cross.” In 1919 gifts were sent to the boys the Club participated in in the service, and an the State Federation’s Honor Roll of Service as project for the establish- made by a Club member. ment of a Girls Reforma- The Club held a War Bond tory in Helena, and spon- Week program, at which sored a clinic at the local time $3,000 in bonds and hospital where school $68 in stamps were sold. children and babies were Other War Bond drives given health examina- were held, and the Club tions. also sponsored a paper 535-2737 During the 20s, regular drive for the war effort. 216 W. Main St. donations were given to After the war had ended and things had returned to normal, the Moore Woman’s Club The current Moore Woman’s Club building stands again began directing it’s next to the Moore Library. The Women’s Club donat- activities toward the ed the land and building for the library. improvement of the Photo courtesy of the author One of the real joys of the Holiday Season is the Opportunity to say Thank You Create a and to wish you the Stress-free Holiday Season very best for the - Keep your expectations rational New Year. - Take care of yourself - Take control of your time and limit your commitments - Embrace your family and friends Proudly serving Montanas for more than 130 years 401 West Main St • Lewistown MT 406-538-7448 www.bankoftherockies.com T r f u an nn t n . Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender .

. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS CHRISTMAS EDITION PAGE 9C ‘She just wanted to ride’ By CHARLIE DENISON 1974, Lenita Drew called ThestoryofJaneBurnettSmith Staff Writer her “a living legend of the rodeo circuit.” W hen Jane Bur- Through her rodeoing, nett Smith was Jane made many friends, a young including legendary woman of 11 actor and cowboy singer growing up on a ranch Gene Autry. east of Lewistown, she “They met at some knew her destiny. rodeo and every once in “There was always a a while they’d bump into note to her mom and dad each other,” Camille said. on the kitchen table that “He connected her to the said, ‘Gone to a rodeo,’” movie business and she her daughter, Camille scored a few roles. She Smith, said. enjoyed the movie Jane would ride a thing.” horse three miles up the Acting was a fun road, and then hitch a venture for Jane, as she ride out of town, Camille had roles in “Dr. Kildare’s said. Victory,” “Wrangler’s “That’s how her par- Roost” and doubled for ents would know she’d Dorothy Lamour in the Jane Burnett rides “Crying Jew” at the age of 19 in left for the rodeo,” movie “Hurricane.” Beaumont, Texas. “Crying Jew” had the reputation of Camille said. “She’d leave However, it was being one of the toughest rodeo broncs in the game. the bridle on the fence.” writing that continually Photo courtesy of Ted Murray That was Jane: a cow- remained a passion for started playing tennis unknown…live my life girl through and through. Jane when she wasn’t and won many the same, you ask? You “She was quite the riding. tournaments in her damn betcha!” character,” said Margaret Her interest in writing senior years.” Camille said she hopes Seilstad, a friend and for- began early. After Well into her seventies some day to get her mer Central Montana graduating from Fergus and eighties, she contin- mother inducted into the Historical Museum vol- High School at the age of ued to be competitive National Cowgirl Hall of unteer. “Near the end of 15, Jane studied and active, winning a Fame. her life I had the privi- journalism at the Senior Olympic billiard “When my mom was lege of taking her University of Montana. tournament four straight bronc riding, there were through the museum She did not complete her years. only five or six other and I enjoyed doing that. studies, as she chose She passed away at women doing it,” Camille She was a fascinating In the early 1930s, at the early age of 11, Jane Burnett instead to pursue found her calling, as she started heading out to the age of 91 in Novem- said. “She was a real cow- woman, and she had a rodeoing full-time. ber of 2011. girl, and that’s all she very strong bond with rodeos all over Montana. Eventually she’d compete Nevertheless, once in rodeos from the Canadian border to Mexico City, Even at that age, she wanted to do. She just pioneer Montana.” Jane started pursuing her remained untamed. wanted to ride.” Her strongest bond, Los Angeles to Madison Square Garden. writing, it was well Photo courtesy of Lewistown Public Library In her autobiography, however, was with the received. Her short story Jane wrote the she was rodeo, as there was noth- Square Garden in New Although she never “The Trophy” was “in and out of fights, Rejoice... ing she wanted to do York City. won a world published in an hospitals, jails and mar- more than ride broncs. “During my rodeo championship, Jane anthology of best short riages.” She “hired out as “Rodeo was an obses- years I had a few more certainly made her stories from 1955. a tough hand…asking sion for her,” Camille disappointments than rounds, competing all Jane also submitted said. “She always wanted some, a great deal more over the country. She articles and photos to for no sympathy and giv- It’s Christmas! ing no excuses.” to be a world champion. fun than most, and never was also a rodeo queen, newspapers and “Occasionally some- She always wanted to at any time doubted that trick rider and rodeo magazines and published one will ask if I had it all win.” I would eventually hold announcer. Her presence a few books. to do over, would I live And win she did. the title of World’s Cham- was known as she made “She was very my life the same way?” When she was 19, Jane pion Woman Bronc her travels, appearing in intelligent,” Camille said. As we herald another Jane wrote in her autobi- holiday season, we’d like placed among the top in Rider,” Jane wrote in her papers and magazines all “She wrote several books ography. “Many of the a women’s bronc riding in Spanish, including an to take the opportunity autobiography, “Hobbled over the west. Many rough parts, I’ll admit, I to thank you for your competition at Madison Stirrups.” considered her a star. In English-Spanish could certainly have friendship and the textbook that is still used managed without. But I privilege of serving you to this day. Unbeknownst still get a tight feeling in this year. Wishing you to the publisher, mom all a most memorable my chest when I hear a and joyous Noel. didn’t actually speak band playing Grand Spanish. She used a Entry music, and my Spanish-English dictionary to do all the vision is always a little blurred when I see a car- Denton research. She wrote a few Spanish-to-English load of laughing, carefree Foods rodeo hands heading out Denton, MT crossword puzzles, too. of town for points 567-2331 She loved to write fiction, too, especially rodeo- based murder mysteries.” Jane was an extraordinary woman, Camille said, and could do anything she set out to accomplish. “She was always, always learning. She was never happy knowing how to do something. She’d have to know how to perfect it,” Camille said. Whether bronc riding, acting, singing, joining the Women’s Army Corps, taking photos, writing or picking up a new sport, Jane was always trying to master something. “That’s just how she Through her travels and her rodeoing, Jane Burnett (left) befriended singing was,” Camille said. “She cowboy legend Gene Autry. Through Autry, Burnett made her way into the never stopped. At 60, she movie business, where she landed small parts in films and doubled for Dorothy was learning how to Lamour in the movie “Hurricane.” Photo courtesy of Ted Murray scuba dive. She also RING IN THE Blessings of the JOY! Season At this season of festivity, we’d like to chime in with our best wishes and gratitude to all of those who have made this past year a merry one for us! Have a happy holiday! Wishing you all a Blessed Holiday season, Jim, Cynthia, framed in Beauty, Peace, Love and Joy. Karen & Crew at Fergus Auto PArts 403 1st Ave. s. CREATIVE VISIONS 618 W. Main, Ste. 103 • Lewistown, MT 538-8774 406.538.7138.

PAGE 10C LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS CHRISTMAS EDITION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015 .Incident at the Golden Rule – It looks like murder By SAM PHILLIPS through the smoke, he en Rule and received $850 cabin. Some 20 witnesses stood next to the mangled for this sale. Chisolm stat- were called to testify overI nterest in mining remains of Robert Somers. ed that he should get half four days in sometimes a properties was at a Somers was obviously the proceeds. Later that heated exchange as the high level in the Judith dead with his body miss- night Chisolm stated to attorneys challenged the Mountains of Central ing most of his head in a Ridell “what’s the matter testimony of some of theMontana, especially in the grizzly array of blood and with killing a man in a witnesses. There weredirection of the town of tissue displayed before cabin alone?” Those state- large crowds of peopleGilt Edge. However, Maid- him. Henry Wirth was ments would reach the attending the trial anden remained the primary next to observe the scene office of County Attorney more than normal werehometown for miners in at the site of Somers’ Frank E. Smith, along with the number of womenthe Judiths. Some mines demise. The only task other information that led who were present.had cabins that provided remaining was to leave Mr. Smith to make a visit The defense countereda temporary home close things as they were to on Monday, Oct. 14 to the that the statements madeto the job site. In October allow the coroner to make Golden Rule mine. Smith by Chisolm to fellow min-of 1895 a tragedy at one of his investigation. A min- determined there was suf- ers in a Maiden saloonthese small claims ing windlass would be ficient evidence to charge were just talk and that heoccurred that would required to remove both Alexander Chisolm really didn’t know at all ifrequire the mining com- Somers from the site of and Kate Meredith with Somers had actually soldmunity to unearth more his last acts on this earth. murder in the first degree the mine. Chisolm wouldthan ore-laden rock, but, Mr. William Vantil- in the death of Robert take the stand on his ownrather, the truth of the burgh, the acting coroner, Somers. On Wednesday, behalf and testify that hesudden death of 58-year- was quickly summoned to Oct. 16, 1895, undersheriff was merely talking non-old Robert Somers at the the site of Robert Somer’s Simons and Fergus Coun- sense. He also deniedbottom of the drift of the This map shows the approximate location of the untimely demise. Forty- ty Sheriff John D. Waite making the statementGolden Rule claim. Golden Rule Mine. Map courtesy of Sam Phillips five-year-old Edgar Boling arrived early in the morn- regarding killing a man in Robert Somers was a of Gilt Edge was trusted to ing at the Keystone/ a cabin. The 57-year-oldlongtime resident of the der Chisolm sought out horribly wrong. Wirth and take the body of Somers Comet mine and arrested Chisolm was born in Scot-area east of the Judith Mr. Wirth for immediate Langdoc’s first concern to Brady’s Hall at Maiden. Chisolm and Meredith. land. He was an experi-Mountains. He was well help. Victor Langdoc, was to assess the condi- There Boling prepared the Both were held at the enced miner recentlyliked by those who knew another Maiden miner, tion of the miner at the body for the inquest, county jail pleading not hired by Robert Somers inhim. Hugh Green had was also working at the bottom of the drift and to which was held at the guilty at the preliminary August of 1895. Chisolmknown Somers for some Butcher Knife and heard rescue him as soon as pos- drug store in Maiden. At 4 hearing. F.A. McGowan also testified his arm had20 years. Green noted that Chisholm’s frantic pleas. sible should he still be p.m. Robert Somers was was appointed the defense been injured days beforeSomers had been a soldier Miners help other miners alive. Wirth called out for laid to rest in the Maiden attorney even though the incident and that heat Fort Maginnis, a ranch- when in distress, and this some gunnysacks to cemetery west of town. Kate Meredith was against was incapable of commit-man and a sheepherder was obviously a serious smother ominous smoke The inquest held deter- having McGowan as their ting the crime againstprior to his venture in incident. The three men stubbornly stirring at the mined that Somers met attorney. Depositions Somers as described bymining. Somewhere along made their way some 300 entrance to the drift like a his death at the blast of were taken while informa- the prosecution. Katethe trail Somers met one yards northwest to the thick morning fog. Several dynamite he was using at tion was fresh in the Meredith also took theAlexander Chisholm with location of a drift carved sacks were tossed down the bottom of his mine. minds of the witnesses as stand and had little ofwhom he would partner into the exposed outcrop into the blurred abyss in Rumors began to circulate County Attorney Smith substance to add to thein a mining claim known of rock called the Golden hopes of smothering the over the following week- thought the trial in Mon- case. She had been to theas the Golden Rule. It is Rule claim. The Golden source of the smoke. After end that Alexander Chi- tana vs. Chisolm and Mer- Golden Rule on two occa-ironic a mine with the Rule was at the peak of some 20 minutes, Lang- solm and his new girl- edith might not occur sions and was only recent-name the Golden Rule barren rock about 300 feet doc slowly took the fixed friend, named Kate Mere- until the first term of ly familiar with Mr.would be the subject of higher in elevation than ladder at the entrance and dith of Gilt Edge, were court in March of 1896. Somers.intense scrutiny by the the surrounding mining began the descent into responsible for the death Eventually, Fergus County On Tuesday, Nov. 18,local legal authorities as properties. Wirth and the drift. The opening of of Somers. Somers had Attorney Smith managed 1895, the case was sent toto what exactly happened Langdoc observed a thick the Golden Rule drift was hired Chisolm to work for to get the trial on the the jury at 9:15 p.m. tobetween Chisholm and smoke emerging from the roughly 7 feet by 7 feet him at the Golden Rule. docket for November of decide the fate of the twoSomers on Oct. 9, 1895. depths of the drift, mak- wide and some 25 feet in Kate Meredith had recent- 1895. A great deal of inter- defendants. Of interestWhat began as a day of ing it impossible to see depth. Victor Langdoc dis- ly moved from Gilt Edge est was generated in this was the fact that threeroutine activity among what lay below and too covered Robert Somers to a house at the Key- murder case with intense sets of brothers served onthe miners in the heart of dangerous to make any laying on his back motion- stone/Comet Mine about media coverage unusual the jury. The jurors delib-the Judith Mountains rescue attempts. Chisholm less at the bottom of the a mile northeast of the in that a woman was one erated all night until noonwould be interrupted by was catching his breath drift. Halfway down the Golden Rule. Chisolm had of the co-defendants. Wednesday the next day.loud noises, frantic cries and relating the circum- drift the tunnel dipped in a habit of boasting after The Tenth Judicial Dis- There would need to be afor help and the eventual stances to Wirth and another direction where a drinking. He made men- trict case of Montana vs. new trial, as the jury couldgruesome task of retriev- Langdoc, claiming that he temporary ladder was tion to Charles A. Ridell, Alexander Chisolm and not come to a verdict. Iting a mangled body of one and his partner Robert used to make way to the another Maiden miner, Kate Meredith was called was obvious that Kateof their own profession. Somers were readying to bottom. Langdoc bravely while in an inebriated to order by Judge Dudley Meredith had no evidence Wednesday morning do some planned blasting continued his descent state of mind, that Robert DuBose of Fort Benton. of substance against herbegan as a beautiful day, at the bottom of the drift into the abyss by way of Somers had sold the Gold- The trial began on Thurs- and charges were dropped.considering it was an when something went the second ladder where day, Nov. 14, 1895, and Several jurors told theOctober day among the would run until Tuesday media that they couldhigher peaks of the Judith evening when the jury have reached a verdictMountain Range of Cen- would take its turn in the should they have beentral Montana. Most min- process. The prosecuting allowed to visit the site ofers arose early at Maiden team consisted of County the mine and investigateand made their daily Attorney Frank E. Smith the condition of the bot-trudge upward to the and Lewistown attorney tom of the drift as to loosemines to perform their Rudolf VonTobel. The rock, powder burns, andtasks in keeping the mines defense attorneys were where tissue and bloodin some status of opera- J.C. Huntoon of Great Falls might be visible. The out-tion. Thirty-three year old and the law firm of Cort come of the case hinged,Henry Wirth was a black- and Worden of Lewistown. in the minds of the jury,smith working at his shop Frank Smith gave the on whether Robert Somerslocated at the mouth of opening remarks to the was already dead and lay-the tunnel of the Butcher jury stating he would ing prone when a blastKnife Mine. He heard show that Chisolm and occurred which wouldwhat he thought were sev- Meredith had reason to indicate a murder cover-eral shotgun blasts, each murder Robert Somers to up. Or, was Somers aliveblast about 10 seconds obtain $850; that Chisolm and standing or kneeling,apart. The first blast was murdered Somers that preparing to place a sticklouder than the following Wednesday morning at of dynamite into a previ-blast. A few minutes the mine with no witness- ously drilled hole whenelapsed when, around 10 es around by either a blow the blast went off prema-a.m., a breathless Alexan- to the head or a gunshot turely causing his untime- to the head of Somers. To ly demise. All testimony cover up the deed Chi- aside, the jury wanted to solm placed the body into see hard evidence. But the the bottom of the mine jury never got to the mine and placed dynamite near and a second trial was in the head and set off the order for early 1896. blast to destroy any evi- Alexander Chisolm A warrant dated Oct. 15, 1985 accuses Chisolm and Meredith of murder in the dence and blame the remained in the Fergus first degree. Document courtesy of Sam Phillips death on an accident. County jail at a cost of Smith also stated that wit- roughly $24 to the county. nesses would testify that Chisolm stated openly about killing a man in a Continued on page 11C n this season of iracles, ay you and your fa ily nd love, eace, and oy Wishing you a Christmas that’s a perfect “10.” The past year has been from great fun, thanks to you! Dan & Shelly Gertge 535-2690 Dr. Randy Orley, Lori and Laurie S owy a es 322 W. Main 134 Wunderlin St. • Lewistown 3 34 3 .

. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015 LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS CHRISTMAS EDITION PAGE 11C Golden Rule murder, cont. The first trial was estimated to cost the county about $1,600. On Tuesday, March 24, 1896, the second trial of Montana vs. Chisolm commenced in the Fergus County Courthouse again, with Judge Dubose attending as well The Sawmill Detective By DENNIS as the same prosecution and defense teams. Much of NOTTINGHAM the same testimony was given during the trial, with With research one huge exception. Judge DuBose decided it was by Lori Nottingham important to get the jury to the site of the Golden Rule O Mine in hopes of shedding more light on the events of ver the period that tragic Oct. 9 of the preceding year. from about 1860 Teams of horse and buggy were leased to transport to 1890, steam- the jury, three witnesses, Judge DuBose, Sheriff boats brought J.D.Waite, UnderSheriff H.M. Simons, the defendant supplies up the Missouri and the attorneys. The legal procession left Lewistown at 9 a.m., making the long journey to the Golden Rule River to Fort Benton for mine. The route was by way of Alpine Gulch. At the distribution throughout point where the road would no longer allow the teams the Northwest. After an to continue further, those present had to walk up a upriver trip, often taking steep hill some 900 yards distant to reach the site of two months, each boat the Golden Rule. The weather was windy and cold, unloaded 200 to 400 making for a difficult day. The judge, sheriff, attorneys tons of cargo on the Fort and prisoner were squeezed down the mine allowing Benton levee. Arrival of only a few jury members at a time to view the site of the railroad in the late Robert Somers’ last moments on earth alive. The jury 1880’s spelled the end of was allowed to ask questions and then exit to make the steamboat era room for other members until all the jury had a chance because railroads to view the rock-bound bottom of the Golden Rule. A required only a few days deputy had made arrangements for those in the gath- travel and an estimated ering to have dinner at Maiden prior to returning to half-dozen rail cars car- Lewistown at 7 p.m. that evening. ried as much freight as a At the bottom of the mine the jurors observed a hole steamboat. drilled some 7-11 inches deep into the rock. That hole Out of necessity, early- could indeed hold a stick of giant dynamite. That day heavier materials observation together, with the fact that the hands and used for building were neck of Robert Somers were torn by pieces of sharp produced locally. These rock, appeared to support the argument that Somers was very likely placing dynamite into the previously included mud brick, con- prepared hole when the blast went off prematurely ventional brick, lumber killing Somers instantly. After a seven-day trial, the and others. In the course jury deliberated 12 hours and came to a verdict of “Not of ancestry research, the Guilty” on the 7th ballot. Judge DuBose later noted authors came across that the prosecution did its task skillfully and that obscure information there was cause for a trial, but that he believed there regarding a sawmill in also remained “reasonable doubt” as to the guilt of the the upper Shonkin. defendant. Chisolm thanked the jury and his attorneys, My uncle, Oria Not- was released by the court a free man and was not heard tingham, 60 years ago, from again in Fergus County. Kate Meredith had a showed me where this separate case against Joseph Kidd for owing her $35 but sawmill was located and the case was dropped later that year. The estate of Rob- tried to explain what it ert Somers amounted to $28.08. The second trial cost was. However, at the time Fergus County around $3,200. The two trials were hotly I had difficulty envision- contested by both the prosecution and the defendants A small patch of concrete foundation is about all that is left at the sawmill site. ing how it possibly could Photo courtesy of Dennis Nottingham reflecting a high level at which both parties performed have operated. Modern their vitals tasks. Justice was the end result. computer document H.A. Nottingham, came 1882, he married George River Press article sheds research methods, on the by steamboat to Fort Ben- Wareham’s daughter, Ida light on what powered a ground observations, old ton in 1870, and, over May, and moved to Upper sawmill. It stated that memoirs, and conversa- time, experienced a vari- Shonkin. George Wareham had Headlines tions with old timers now ety of work, including Upper Shonkin Creek ordered a sawmill and from the time paint a clearer picture of bison hunting, steamboat is relatively small, but turbine water wheel. He trumpeted a once important Mon- woodhawking, freight- slopes rather steeply at had 80,000 board feet of “Not Guilty” tana industry. ing, trading post opera- about 1.5 percent (1.5 feet log lumber ready to be following the Starting at the begin- tion and sawmill experi- each 100 feet). cut. jury’s decision. ning, my great-great- ence near Helena. In One 1881 Fort Benton grandfather, George Continued on page 12C Document courtesy of Sam Phillips Wareham, came to Mon- tana in 1875 by covered wagon and settled in Upper Shonkin in 1878. My great-grandfather, To all our kind and loyal patients, we wish a very merry holiday season and a healthy and prosperous New Year. Your business and goodwill mean WITH THE VERY BEST OF WISHES FROM a lot to us. Thanks, everyone! OUR HOME TO YOURS Dr. Turk and Staff at May your home be blessed with peace, love & joy. Caslen Living Center, Inc. 611 N.E. Main - Lewistown formerly New Horizons 538-7703 221 McKinley • 538-9853 • www.caslenlc.com Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men -- Luke 2:14 With exceeding great joy, we wish you and your famiy all the blessings of this holy season. From all of us at Birdwell Builders.