September 22, 1922

Railroad Strike Ends; Local Workers Return

Tuesday night several local men who have been working in the railroad shops at Miles City returned to Broadus. They have been taking places of union men on strike and preferred to resign their positions since the strike has been settled and the former employees have gone back to work. Local men employed at Miles City for different periods since the strike became effective were Milton (Shorty) Turley, Harley McLain, Grant Shipley, Fred Russell, Elmer Larvey, Glen Ames, Kenneth Bliss and John Daut. The latter went on to Chicago, following the termination of the strike. The strike ended without the least sign of commotion or disorder and the organized and unorganized men worked together one day without friction.

Fred Rapp, a Miles City man, accompanied the local men to Broadus Tuesday night for few days’ visit here before going to Seattle, Wash. It is said he has received $300 in wages from July 11, the date the strike was called, until it was settled.

By the terms of the strike settlement, it is said the employees will receive 70 cents an hour instead of 77 cents as before. The seniority right is discarded, it is said, and no overtime will be allowed after eight hours.

September 19, 1947

Broadus has Whistling Post without Railroad

Most towns with railroads are familiar with whistling posts but Broadus claims a whistling post without a railroad. Mr. Lyman of the United States Geological Survey discovered the post which is on the highway about three fourths of a mile west of town. It is a steel pipe that had been used at some time to hold up a road sign. Holes bored through the pipe emit melodious tunes whenever the wind is blowing. During the heavy wind storms of the past weekend, the whistling pipe sounded like a pipe organ.

September 21, 1972

Lots of Talent Makes a Good Show

By Jean Hough

Over forty people pooling their talents and good sportsmanship put together a program of songs, drama, and varied happenings for a two hour show on Tuesday evening during the County Fair.

Drawing from the talents of the very young, the old timers and the in-betweeners the audience of over 300 had a chance to see and hear their friends and neighbors and family members in some lighter moments.

The theme, “Narrowing the Generation Gap” was introduced by a skit at the beginning of the program with returning stars Don and Bobbie Heidel playing the part of exasperated parents asking “What’s the Matter With Kids Today?” to a chorus of “Kids” done by Bill Burton, Cindy Carter, Terry Lynn Minow, Mona Holst, Louise Capra, Emily and Jim Sampson, Gaylene Phillips, Cheri Smith and Sandy Russiff. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Traub demonstrated how a dance “ought” to be done.

Community singing was led by Keith Stevens and the old folk tune “Lollytudum” was sung by the audience as the action was played out on stage by Illa Dee Talcott, Jean Hough and Susie Earley assisted by Bobbie Heidel at the wash tub, Carolyn Heidel peeling apples on the floor and Bill Burton as “Handsome Sam”. This skit showed that one way to narrow the gap was to get rid of part of it by getting your daughter married off. Osborne Pemberton “tickled the ivories” and Archie Richards kept the banjo humming to accompany his group.

People over 30 do try new things and to prove the point Buzz Cooley surprised and delighted the audience playing the accordion with which he got acquainted about 5 years ago.

To acquaint the younger generation with an idea of the older generation the poem “The Shooting of Dan McGrew” by Robert Service was read by Donald Manker. During the reading of this vigorous and violent saga these talented folks played out the action.

Dan McGrew played by Charles Patten; his lovely lady Lou, Nancy Espy; the miner from the creeks, Clifford Thex; bartender at the Malamute Saloon, Harry Mitchell; piano player, Bob Stickney; borrowed for the evening from his vacation in Miles City at brother Ed’s; patrons of the saloon, Lloyd Carter, Bob Chrisman; enjoying a game of cards, Burt Sullivan, Cap Williams, Joe Irion, Cap Hough and a person whose back was to the audience but later identified as Eleanor Crane by ambulance driver Ken Jesse. This is a tale of love and betrayal, danger and murder in which both Dan McGrew and the miner from the creeks died violently.

Marlyn Janssen presented the Jack Jeakins scholarship to a surprised Cindy Carter near the end of the evening. A deserving young woman, the audience seemed to say with their applause.

Another surprise was Jeff Stickney who came down from Miles City to play a piano solo for us, illustrating that kids often do “just what their fathers do.”

Welcomed back this year to fiddle for us were Bill Traub accompanied by Archie Rich-ards and Clifford Thex accompanied by Carol Wash.

Interpreting the music of the younger generation, Mike Earley sang two songs. His sister Susie, accompanied him on the piano for “Country Comfort” and Mike accompanied himself on guitar for “Teach Your Children”.

Coached by JoAnn Cunningham, Miss Heather Sullivan delighted the audience with a display of acrobatics. Some of the movements in the routine she learned in one or two days just preceding the program.

Providing that the younger generation can stick and stay and really finish a job, Robin Heidel, Barbie Burton, Leslie Mace and Steve Hough sang a song with 99 verses… all the way down to verse 1.

A special feature of the evening was the presentation of the four and five generation families. Pictures will appear in next week’s Examiner.

These family groups were photographed by Bruce Keil and Jim Sampson, and the photographs will be given to the families.

Drawings during the evening won prizes for the following people: Couple who have the least age gap- Charles and Marla Patten; Couple with the youngest child at the program- Bob and Illa Dee Talcott and Curtis; Couple married the longest- Carl & Freida Emmons; Family with the most children- John Earley family; Family with most generations- Mary Weipert family.

So, that is the way the Generation Gap can be narrowed. All ages of people sharing good times and music and fun, celebrating together, enjoying each other; each person being himself part of bridge between the years.

To end the program, Mike Earley sang the beautiful “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”.

The program was planned and directed by Jean Hough and Cindy Carter who want to express thanks to all the participants and to Dick Jesse for lighting and sound technical help, Bonnie Irion and Rachel Lancaster for special help and to all those who provided props.