Powder River Examiner -

August 10, 1923

Makes Record Trip to Miles in Two and One-Half Hours

W.J. Schoeder, local manager of the Yellowstone Lumber Company, established a new time record between Broadus and Miles City when he drove a Dodge coupe over the route of 81 miles in two and one-half hours. His average was a trifle better than thirty miles an hour. He left Broadus at 5 o’clock Saturday evening when very little traffic was on the road and arrived at Miles City before darkness, at 7:30 o’clock. The car’s speed was not slackened by the few washouts and curves were negotiated with but little slackness. In Custer County a detour was made around a washed-out bridge that was being repaired. The road was generally smooth and in good condition and stretches of it were covered at a rapid pace.

Four hours running time between the two points is considered a good trip.

River’s Antics

Powder River the last few days has been “cutting” out of season. One day the water in its channel would lower and then the next day it would raise again, all in a very few hours. Heavy rains southward from Moorhead and on into Wyoming are responsible for the fickleness. The river’s water has receded so low that automobiles could ford it on rock-bottom crossings and then the next few hours the river would make a horse swim to get from one side to the other.

The latest “flood” report was yesterday afternoon when a report came to Broadus that a five-foot raise was coming down the river. At the Billy Broaddus ranch the river was going out of its banks and rapidly going back to the old channel that was under the steel bridge there. It was feared that the heavy steel girders that had been laid on the bank would be washed into the river for the bank was being cut in that direction.

Billy Broaddus lost improvements at his ranch valued at $3,500 by the river changing its channel there and taking buildings, sheds and corrals downstream. The demolition started with the high water of three years ago and ended this year with the river channel at least 150’ west from its former location. The home had just been completed and was regarded as one of the best on the river.

Ernest Preston was compelled this year to have it torn down and removed to a new location to prevent the river taking the property by its bank-cutting antics.

The crest of the latest “flood” reached Broadus about 3 o’clock this (Friday) morning with the high mark a few inches from the top of the level bank. By 7 o’clock the water had receded a foot. William Leitner from his ranch on Powder River, 30 miles above Broadus, reported the water was higher there than it has been for fifteen years. Cache Creek was running bank full of water. Bloom Creek was so high that it required a horse to swim from bank to bank. At the N Bar ranch the water was up to the trough near the house and at the W Bar ranch the water had overflowed the meadow and was almost up to the flooring of the house.

Little Powder River Friday morning was running bank full of water and at places had overflowed onto meadows. Two wooden bridges were washed out on the road from Pemberton’s on Little Powder to Broadus Thursday evening but temporary repairs. Little Powder inundated fields at the ranch of Chas W. Miles near its junction with Big Powder. The water of Big Powder Thursday and Friday morning was flowing over the Lane field and into the young cottonwoods near the courthouse. The river here was not yet up to the high water mark established in the spring of 1920 but it was carrying more water than then. The ice gorges that year swelled the river to unusual proportions.

No mail has been received in Broadus for several days from Arvada and because of the impassible condition of the road on that route especially through the corner of Campbell County, Wyoming, following the course of Powder River it is doubtful whether the mail will come through for several days to come. The daily mail service from Broadus to Miles City continues to function regularly.

Across the river from Broadus is a family or two of Indians stranded there on their return trip to the Cheyenne reservation, waiting for the river to again become low enough for a crossing.

August 6, 1998

4-H Youth Model Fine Sewing at Fashion Revue

“I’m impressed with the diversity in the clothing,” noted Connie Rumph, 4-H mom, “it really shows the different personalities and interests of our seamstresses.

From camouflage pants with a hunter orange vest to a shimmering, green evening gown, Powder River County 4-H youth modeled their garments at the annual fashion revenue event held at the Powder River Manor last Sunday.

Amanda and Megan Dinstel, Lynelle Brimmer, Nicole Rumph, Kayla Tescher and Jenny Wiltse modeled their hand sewn garments while Leann Brimmer narrated the summertime program.

The 4-H youth and Jonni Dinstel also modeled fashions provided by area businesses Fran’s Clothing and Western Wear, Broadus Boot and Tack, and Shirt Shack.

Annie Brimmer began the program with her beautiful accordion music. Programs for the Fashion Revue and gifts for the participants were provided by Lori Dinstel, Key Clothing Leader, who also organized the event. Connie Rumph and Sue Wiltse provided feedback to the participants on their modeling, and Laura Lee Ullrich provided gifts.

Cali Hilliard, Kristy Bowers, Jessica Reaves, Lyndsey Merchant, Kristal Lemke, Jill Rumph and Kathy Bowers, Key 4-H Foods Leader, served refreshments the 4-H Foods youth had made, which included homemade cookies, mints, brownies, iced tea and lemonade.