30 Years Ago
From the Examiner Files
November 28, 2019
Thursday, November 30, 1989
Powderville School observes Centennial
Powderville School students observed Montana’s birthday on Wednesday, November 22. Each student chose a section of Montana history that interested them and wrote a short biography of a person from this area. The students wore costumes appropriate to the character they chose, and introduced themselves to those attending.
Following the introductions, a choral reading and singing of cowboy songs, and a birthday cake baked by Jo Jurica was enjoyed.
Charlie Miles came as Nelson Story, the first cattleman to drive a herd from Texas to Montana. Missy Spence depicted Sacajawea, the famous Indian princess guide for Lewis and Clark. James Clark came as James White, a prospector who discovered the gold strike at Grasshopper Gulch. David Jurica was Anton Jurica, his ancestor who came to Powder River County as a homesteader. Kim McDowell, swathed in furs, was a fur trader and mountain “man”. J.J. McDowell, in a cavalry uniform and buckskin jacket, came as Colonel George Armstrong Custer, in search of Indians to fight. Teacher Zeda Dudley, who organized the program, was Lucia Darling, the first school teacher in Montana.
Later, the school’s “roving reporter” Kim McDowell, did a TV interview with Lewis, Clark and Sacajawea, as they arrived in Oregon after their trip to the Pacific Coast.
Larry’s IGA burglarized
The Powder River County Sheriff’s Department is continuing the investigation into an early morning weekend burglary at Larry’s IGA in Broadus.
Sheriff Ken Rogge said that there were no signs of forced entry into the store, which led officers to believe that the thief may have hidden until after the business had closed for the day. Signa Rice, who cleans the building at night, left around 2 a.m. Saturday morning and did not notice anything unusual. Rogge said he also made a security check of the store around 3:30 a.m.
The burglar kicked out a windowed front door to exit the building, Rogge said.
Around $500, mostly in paper money, was taken during the burglary according to the Sheriff. Rogge said that a file cabinet, located in the business office of the store, was broken into, but that the thief failed to gain entry into a safe where most of the money was kept. The thief did succeed, however, in breaking the dial off the safe, which prevented IGA owners Larry and Blondie Woolston from gaining access to it until three days later.
Rogge said that the fact the dial was broken off the safe led him to believe that the burglary was committed by an amateur, rather than a professional. The safe, re-enforced with a metal lining, was nearly impossible to break into without using the dial according to the officer.
In 1987 a professional burglar entered the building, then owned by John and Olive Mellor, and used a hammer and chisel to peel the door off the safe. Although the amount of money taken during the burglary was not released, it was believed to have been considerably more than the $500 taken Saturday morning. The man who committed that burglary is currently serving time in prison in Wyoming for other burglaries in the state and will later be extradited to Montana where he will serve additional time in prison.
Rogge said that there are several suspects in last Saturday’s burglary, but that no solid leads have developed.
He added that there were no apparent connections between the burglary and a break-in at Jean’s Montana Bar and Café last month, during which around $2000 in cash was taken. Despite rumors, that burglary investigation remains open, even though there is a primary suspect.
Robinson hired as new county deputy sheriff
John Robinson, long time local resident, has been hired as the new Deputy Sheriff for Powder River County.
Robinson was hired to fill the vacancy in the Department’s three full time member staff, created when Sheriff Don Pertuit was suspended from office after being found guilty of seven counts of official misconduct.
Ken Rogge, Undersheriff for Pertuit, was moved to Sheriff and will serve until the next General Election. Brett Tabolt, Sergeant on the force for the past nine years, has assumed duties as Undersheriff. David Lancaster will continue to serve as part-time deputy if he so desires, according to Rogge.
Robinson was selected for the position from a field of six applicants, Rogge said.
“John, being from the local area, knows the people. Through interviews with him, I think he will do a real good job,” Rogge told the Examiner. “I think John’s going to make a dedicated deputy… he’s real serious about the job. He’s already trying to help out in whatever he can do to become a good public servant for the county.”
Robinson said his interest in the community and in law enforcement were the primary reasons why he applied for the job.
“I have always been interested in law enforcement and our community… what goes on in the community and with our kids. I have kids of my own,” Robinson said. “I feel I can help our community by serving in this office.”
Robinson moved to Broadus with his family in the mid 1960s and attended the local school system, until 1970. He worked for Harlan Jones Drilling for several years, marrying Connie Codneys in 1971. The couple then moved to Denver where Robinson was employed as a truck driver. He worked for various oil drilling rigs from 1974 to 1976, before returning to Broadus where he became employed by Cal Gas. He continued to work for Northern Energy after that company bought Cal Gas, in 1984 and 1985. Robinson later took over ownership of the Park Super Service gas station, and continued to work as manager of the station after selling out to his brother, Dan Stark.
He purchased the Belle Creek Bus Route last spring, but will now sell the route because of the work load involved with his new position.
“One of the hardest parts of taking this job is giving up the bus route. I really enjoyed the kids,” Robinson said. “But hopefully in the future I can drive as a substitute from time to time and get to know the kids better.”
Robinson’s wife Connie has been employed in recent years at the Broadus School System Cafeteria. They have three children, Ty, a senior in high school, Vicki, a sophomore, and Heather, a sixth grader.
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