Voices from the Past

February 16, 1923

Powder River Slogan How It Got Started

Biddle, Mont., Feb. 17, 1923

Editor of the Powder River County Examiner:--“Powder River Let ‘Er Buck!” is a slogan that will never die as long as the United States has virile men - men who have the grit and perseverance to meet and overcome all difficulties and dangers.

Many of the citizens of this county consider the article on this subject which was copied by the “Examiner” from the “Miles City American,” as derogatory to the traditions of Powder River County, but also to the brave and noble soldier boys who shouted it as they went “over the top” in France. We who have lived in the west for years are proud of the name of our county and also of the above mentioned slogan, knowing as we do its true meaning. It originated in this way:

In the early days of the cattle range industry nearly all the stock was bought in Texas and driven north to Montana over the trail to Powder River through a country besot with hostile Indians and over alkali plains where grass was scarce and water scarcer. It was not a trip for cowards or weaklings to undertake; only men of nerve and bravery and grim determination to surmount all obstacles were fitted for the task.

Ask these men when they were starting north what their destination was, you would get the emphasized reply, “Powder River! Let ‘Er Buck!” which meant that they were bound for Powder River and no matter how many “lions” were in the path they would get there, or rest eternally on the lone prairie as the result of the attempt (as many of them did) and they applied this to their various vocations. For instance, when a cowboy mounted a mustang (whose ancestors had run wild on the plains for hundreds of years), he would shout “Powder River! Let ‘Er Buck!” because no matter how hard the task, the rider would stay with it until he conquered the animal by his indomitable courage and it became gentle and fit for service.

It meant that those who used it would never yield until success crowned their efforts.

Coming down to a later date we find that when our heroic, unconquered and unconquerable soldier boys went to France to protect the rights and liberties of our nation that they, knowing of the courage and grim resolution that has always characterized the users of this no-surrender slogan, adopted it as their battle cry, when they went “over the top” and showed the world that no matter how hard or difficult the task undertaken it was always accomplished.

When this dread cry was heard by the Germans they knew that it was the gallant American boys, who had never known what defeat was, that was meeting them in deadly conflict; and as they never succeeded when they met the men who used this slogan, they got to dread it, well knowing that defeat was certain.

This cry instead of being a disgrace (as the scribe in the American put it) is an honorable one and is known by all nations as the slogan of the best soldiers that the world ever saw.

This grand old battle cry has done more to make our county favorably known throughout the civilized world than all other agencies combined, the writer for the “American” to the contrary notwithstanding.

John L. Scofield

February 15, 1973

Neiman Wins Checker Tourney

About twenty people gathered at the Community Center to take part in the checker tournament Saturday evening. Each player played one game with each other player, using a point system; five points for a win, two points for draw, and minus three points for a loss. Jim Neiman was the winner and received a nice prize.

A number of the younger set turned out and surprised some of the oldsters with their ability on the checkerboard. There are also some women in the community that are not strangers to the board.

Hubert Rumph says anyone interested in another tournament should contact him as to the possibility of another get together.

Many thanks to Iris Neiman for providing coffee and cookies.

February 12, 1998

List of Artists Growing for Cowboy Gathering Here This Sunday

The list of artists confirming for the Powder River Quarter Horse Breeder’s Association’s first annual Cowboy Poetry and Art Show scheduled for this Sunday is continuing to grow day by day, according to co-organizer Norman Turnbough.

The event will get underway at 12 noon at the Broadus Community Center with music and poetry. The work of a very prestigious list of artists indeed will be shown throughout.

Turnbough said Monday evening that agent Bonnie Hespe has confirmed the showing of pieces from the artists she represents. Two of Jackie Sevier’s works, “Let’er Buck and Chokecherry Moon Gathering, will be at the show. Sevier has several pieces displayed at the Smithsonian Institute. Several oils of Mick Harrison, whose works have been seen on the front covers of Western Horseman and other publications, will have several pieces at the show. Sculptor Tony Chytka of Spearfish will have a half-life size sculpture of the Garrett Brothers and several other pieces including “Some Day Soon”, “Elk”, “Newborn on the Prairie” and “Knot in the Devil’s Tail”. Local artist Francis Hayes will bring a number of pieces, Turnbough said, including “Larry and the Team”, “Rob”, “Ed” and “Gary and Mule”. Sis Kreuter will also bring several of her prints, and Karen Nisley Knutson, Powder River County native artist now of Minnesota, will have several pieces.

Other featured artists at the show will include: Brian Tarter, Ashland; Susan Nisley, Spearfish, SD; Stanley and Georgia Damm, Broadus; Sandy Lee, Miles City; Alfred Hutchinson, Aladdin, WY; Carl Ogaard, Belle Fourche; Wally Badgett (Miles City Tin Star - Earl); Ed Lawrence, Alzada; and the Stitch and Chatter Quilt Club, Broadus.

Poetry and music will be by Butch Samuelson, Broadus; Nelseena Lehman, Ekalaka; Jean Hough, Broadus; Cody Morris, Biddle; Stacey Sue - Helen Cossitt, Laurel; Larry Thompson, Lame Deer; Ann Secrest, Miles City; “The Prairie Singer” - Celia Yates, Hammond; Sonny Stangle, New Underwood, SD; Darrel Hanson, Ashland; Tedi Jo Elgin, Biddle; Seth Heinert, Hulett, WY; Jack Owen, Hammond; Bob Lantis, Rapid City, SD; and last but certainly not least - “The Old Sheepherder” Norman Turnbough.

Indeed, it will be a talented, diversified group on hand for the gathering. “We’re very glad to get this kind of talent here in Broadus,” said Turnbough.