This Week In History - May 16
 | Author:
Linda Huth, Broadwater County Musuem Curator
Linda Huth: MT43 News Board Member and Copy Editor |
“What Happened this Week in History”
Submitted by Linda Huth; Sponsored by: The Broadwater County Historical Society and the Cotter Foundation
May 16
1912
“Siebold Some Sprinter”
It seems that Townsend is the proud possessor of a record breaking sprinter, all unknown to the people. Jay Siebold is the boy with the limber legs, and that he can run some W.J. Hayes is willing to take oath on a stack of almanacs. This is how it happened: Siebold was going to Helena the other morning and got away from home a little late, and when he got to the courthouse hailed a passing farmer with a buggy and asked him to get him to the depot in time for the train. The farmer cheerfully complied with the request – or tried to - and started old Dobbin down the street on the gallop. At the butcher shop, the horse was in a dead run and the train was just pulling by the lumber yard. “Good Lord” says Jay, “this rate of speed won’t do for me,” and out over the dashboard he went, and was half way to the Commercial Hotel before the surprised farmer realized that the was riding alone. Hayes says the last he saw of Siebold he was swinging onto the tail end of the train at the bridge. Anyway, he caught the train and established a train catching record that is going to be hard to beat.
1940
“Lower Valley Slow to Sign for Electric Power”
Howard Babcock, manager of the Vigilante Cooperative Rural Electrification Association at Twin Bridges, attended a meeting last Saturday of 20 Broadwater County people to discuss various phases of the proposed rural electrification project in Broadwater County. The Crow Creek community has made very rapid progress in signing memberships and rights-of-way and the Toston, Townsend and Canton areas have also made progress, according to W.O. Zirnstein, county agent, who assisted a local committee with the details of signing.
Community leaders active in the sign-up work include Mike Masa, Cleveland Wallace, Will Sherlock, James Kitto, George Mitchell, D.D. Davis, W.H. Venekolt and W.G. Kirscher. Many other folks are contributing their time and efforts toward making the rural electrification dream come true.
If memberships and rights-of-way are signed immediately, it is possible for at least part of the rural electrification line being constructed this year. Delay in signing will postpone building the line for a year and possibly indefinitely.
Success of this proposed project depends upon the decision of each prospective user, said Mr. Zirnstein.
“Personal News”
Mrs. Harry W. Mackey departed for Wooster, Ohio today to attend the graduation of her son, William, from the Wooster university where he is finishing a three-year course. She will be away a month.
“Honored by Surprise Birthday Party”
Miss Edith Agnes Ballard was honored on the occasion of the eve of her birthday anniversary Saturday by a party in her honor. A group of young people were invited and card games were the chief diversion. Mrs. Ballard was assisted by Mrs. Chas. Mongrain in serving the guests at a buffet supper, the table being centered with a cake and colors and decorations in green and white and spring flowers.
The invited guest list included Miss Viola Walter, Miss Doris Whaley, Miss Ann Marie Zimmerman, Miss Irma Daniels, Mrs. Mary Ann Leh, Miss Dorothy Doggett, Miss Irma Sass, Miss Zetta Patterson, Miss Phoebe Kearns, Miss Lois Balhiser, Miss Dale Cook, Miss Vera Ramspeck, Miss Ruby Larson, Glenn Kirscher, Bill Stiner, James Gill, Lowell Miers, Ralph Simons and Heinie Huth.
“Opening New Store”
Two former Townsend men, D.L. Hollaway and H.M. McCormick, are adding a branch grocery store in Neihart and have engaged Stanley Olsen to work for them. Mr. Olsen and his wife have gone to Neihart to make ready the store building for the stock of goods, cases and counters expected to arrive this week. The men are now in business in Boulder and will continue to operate two stores. F.L. Hollaway, father of Mr. Hollaway, is with Mr. Olsen assisting in piping the store building for modern conveniences of water this week.
1968
“Junior Prom”
Amidst the setting of “Love is Blue”, Joan Huth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Heinie Huth, was chosen Prom Queen. Princesses were Karen Walker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Walker, and Shirley Page, daughter of Mrs. Milton Page. The girls were escorted by John Rains, Tim Ragen and Russell Karhoff. Music for the annual Junior Prom was provided by the Rich and Poor Boys of Bozeman.
“Four Qualify for State Track Meet”
Four members of the Townsend Bulldog track squad placed at the divisional track meet in Billings last Friday and will go to the state meet which will also be held in Billings May 17–18. They are Tim Evans, George Gabisch, Dave Cameron and Gary Richtmyer.
Others on the squad who placed in the District 8 track meet held at Three Forks were eligible to go to the Divisional meet were Fred Moudree, Mike Longacre and Joe Jepson.
Evans placed 2nd in the 220-yard dash, Gabisch was 5th in the two mile run, Richtmyer was 5th in shot put and Cameron was 5th in high jump.
Accompanying the boys to state will be coach Jack Gillespie, assistant coach William Flechsenhar and manager David Waling.
“Virginia Fischer in Top Hundred in National Test”
Supt. John McLellan of Broadwater County High School received the following letter this week from the United Nations Association of America: “It gives me great pleasure to inform you that Virginia Fischer, one of your pupils, has submitted an examination which has been selected as one of the top one hundred out of 50,000 entries in the National High School Contest on the United Nations.”
Miss Fischer is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Fischer of Townsend.
The test was administered recently by Supt. McLellan and about ten students participated. The students were tested on the functions and purposes of the United Nations.
The school library has been given subscriptions to the UNES-CO Courier and Vista.
“Local News”
Tim Holling was eleven years old Tuesday and in honor of the occasion his mother, Mrs. Charles Hollings entertained at a supper for him. Guests arrived at 5 for supper, with decorations and the birthday cake in a clown theme. The evening was enjoyed with games. Invited guests were Mike Sullivan, Phil Ryan, Jim Foster, Jim Booher, Danny Holling and Doug Ellis.
1996
“Around Town News” by Mary Pat Martin
Marion Forrey hosted her annual Bridge party May 9. Attending were Verna Adams, Rita Watkins, Alice McGaw, Gudrun Hensley, Loilla Flynn, Jeanne McElwee, Charlotte Bailey, Agnes Thompson, Eileen Perry, Eli Magnant, Betty McArthur, Myrtle Geisser, Hilma White, Grace Berberet, Louise Flynn and Kay Ragen. Eileen Perry won slam and high prize; Charlotte Bailey earned 2nd high and Louise Flynn received low.
Tuesday Hilma White took Linda White and Edith Alex to the Fireside for dinner.
Pearl Barraugh and Doris Huth enjoyed the Mother’s Day weekend in Helena at the home of their son and daughter, Judy Barraugh. Others attending were John and Chris Huth; Kelly and Don Kessler, Brian and Kendra; Rhonda DeMars, Stephanie and Cassidy Ann; and Ed and Joni Sittler, Brandi, Brian, Melissa and Susan.
Sunday Ed and Blondie enjoyed a Mother’s Day lunch with Felica, Greg and Kimberlee. That evening they attended a program at the Faith Baptist Church.
