Voices from the Past

November 3, 1922

Grade School Teachers Raise $92, Halloween Entertainment

Mrs. Gertrude Ross and Miss Bernice Peasley, Broadus grade school teachers, are happy over the financial and social success of the Halloween entertainment given at Shorty’s Hall Friday evening under their direction. The gross proceeds of the entertainment and dance amounted to $87 and with a $5 private donation; the total receipts were $92. The expenses totaled $54.50, itemized as follows: $20 for hall, $20 for music and $14.50 other incidental expenses.

There was a lot of fun for old and young alike and we have never before seen so many children assembled together here at one time.

The fun started with bus rides from the Powder River Hotel by circuitous and devious routes to the hall. The auditorium had been specially decorated with Halloween colors and emblems by the two teachers with the assistance of volunteers. Two clowns in disguise entertained from the stage with impromptu stunts. There were three charades, but nobody guessed them correctly. Three contests were on the program and there were complete entries for all. Mrs. C.C. Craw and H.R. Straiton won the apple-eating contest, E.A. Blenker and Mrs. Laura Einsel won the prune-eating contest, and last but not least, Pat Sandall won a chocolate-pie eating contests with 11 other boys competing, each with his individual pie.

There were several booths that were more or less patronized. A booth was labeled “For Men Only”, and contained a pair of suspenders; the “bridal chamber” contained a horse bridle; and then on the stage the unsuspecting were given a “limousine” ride in a wheelbarrow that was bumped up and down until it finally broke. There was a “punch” booth with unsweetened lemonade, a fish pond and a candy booth, all presided over by high school and grade scholars.

The dancing started about 10:30 o’clock and continued until about 3 o’clock. The “eats” consisted of sandwiches and coffee in abundance, donated by the ladies of the town and this was supplied free of cost.

The teachers wish to extend thanks to scholars and patrons alike for the success that attended the entertainment. They will use the $37.50 balance in buying needed grade school equipment.

Four Youngsters Garner Strychnine and Calomel Tubes

Some time Saturday afternoon while Dr. C.H. James was absent from his office, four small boys of Broadus not yet of school age, happened to be playing nearby and thought to extend a visit there. The doctor was absent at the time but as is his custom had left the door unlocked for the benefit of patients who might call during his absence and leaves notes for his information.

The youngsters in question had temporarily escaped attention of their mothers and with no restraining hand took possession of the doctor’s office. They ransacked his desk and in one drawer found and appropriated three tubes, one of them containing calomel tablets. One of them contained small white strychnine pellets of different sizes and another tube had contained such poison but was empty. A box of matches was also taken from a drawer. The stoppers were pulled from the bottles and the contents poured into a slop jar. The children were entirely innocent of the death lurking in the contents of the strychnine tube and their escape is regarded as miraculous for with children of such age it would be only natural for them to eat the strychnine tablets. Perhaps they tasted of the poison and finding it extremely bitter threw it away in disgust.

A few minutes later, one of the mothers discovered the empty bottles in the children’s possession and at once became frantic with fear. She immediately sought the doctor who reassured her that if the children had taken the poison it would have resulted in almost instantaneously in convulsions.

October 31, 1947

Costume Party Great Success

The Community Club sponsored costume ball held at Gilmore Hall last Saturday evening proved to be splendid entertainment for the 125 couples who attended. It is believed that the club will make a profit of about $100 from the dance and supper.

First prize for the best costumes went to Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Pemberton who were attired in Spanish costumes. Mrs. C.A. Rowe and Robert McCurdy were given prizes for the funniest costumes. At least half of the couples were in costume which added to the gaiety of the occasion.

During the evening, a floor show proved very popular and the various acts won wide acclaim. Mr. and Mrs. Chris Nehlich won the first prize in the waltz contest and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Janssen won the jitterbug contest.

Ila Dee and Verla Edwards, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Ogden Edwards, entertained with several songs while Louise Edwards, daughter of Mr. and Mr. Dale Edwards, twirled her baton during the songs. Mrs. Edwards was the accompanist.

Paul Halleck accompanied by his sister, Bettyann, sang two numbers. Five girls dressed in Gay Ninety costumes entertained with songs and dancing. These were Joyce Bandy, Lois Bartholomew, Louise Yarger, Vivian Dent and Mary Preston. Bettyann Halleck was the accompanist. Paul Hanson, Broadus High School band instructor, played two saxophone solos “Twelfth Street Rag” and “Star Dust”. Vernon and Joyce Bandy in blackface entertained with a jitterbug dance. Mrs. Lucille Randall sang a Swiss yodeling song.