Voices from the Past

April 4, 1924

Clamor goes Up for Holmer on High School Faculty

When the information was given out this week that the services of Earl C. Holmer as instructor in the faculty of the district high school would be dispensed with for the next school year, the student body and Mr. Holmer’s host of friends in the community arrayed themselves in his support with the purpose of retaining his services for another year. A petition to that effect was circulated amongst the students and signed in a hurry by all but two of the students. Another petition was immediately circulated amongst the residents of Broadus endorsing the attitude of the students and this petition is being numerously signed. None of the petitions were circulated with the knowledge of Mr. Holmer.

Selection of the teaching corps for both the high school and grade school of Broadus is vested in L.L. Brown, superintendent and principal and it is on his recommendation that the appointment of teachers is made by the district school board.

The petition itself shows the esteem in which Mr. Holmer is held by the student body of 35.

“We, the undersigned students enrolled in the District High School at Broadus, MT., respectfully petition your for the appointment of Earl C. Holmer to succeed himself in the faculty for the school year commencing September, 1924.

We personally know Mr. Holmer and admire him for his efforts on our behalf. We believe him to be a most competent and thorough instructor and we have no hesitancy in stating we have profited by his work with us. We know him to be interested in us. We know him to be morally clean and one whom we well could follow in precept and example. We want him back with us next year. Respectfully submitted.”

April 8, 1949

Powder River County Land is Highly Priced

Grazing land in Powder River County reached an all time high price last Friday morning when a half section of state land sold at auction for $20 an acre (ed: Using an inflation calculator, that $20 would have the buying power of about $260 today.). The sale was conducted by J.W. Walker of Helena, commissioner of state lands and investments in the courtroom of the Courthouse. Hebert Hagen, son-in-law of Levi Howes was the purchaser of the land. The 320 acre tract divides the H.J. McCullough ranch on Taylor Creek and Mr. McCullough had asked the state land board to put it up for sale. The land is under lease to the purchaser.

Very Little Interest in Municipal Election

The municipal election was held in Broadus Monday. About 15% of the eligible voters went to the polls. There were 34 votes cast out of a total of 210 registered voters. Ashton Jones was elected mayor, R.T. Amundson and Richard Shamley were elected council members in Ward I, while Tom Daily and Joe Chiesa were elected council members in Ward 2. All are incumbents and will take office on the first Monday in May.

April 4, 1974

Ask for 30 Skunk Heads from County

In 1973 a record total of 36 rabid skunks were diagnosed in eastern Montana. In the first two and a half months of this year 8 rabid skunks have been reported from the same eastern Montana counties. As a result, Chief Deputy State Veterinarian Dr. James Glosser, has asked that ranchers and farmers assist in the collection of 30 skunk heads from each of 25 eastern counties to aid in determining the magnitude of rabies.

The entire skunk need not be submitted for a sample–only the head is needed. The head should be placed in a plastic bag and turned into the nearest local veterinarian, or if you live in Petroleum, Carter, or Treasure Counties, turn your skunk head into the Sheriff’s Office.

Avoid shooting skunks in the head for the cells of the brain must be examined to determine the presence of rabies. Don't let the skunk's head freeze, and if you submit a roadkill please make sure the head wasn’t squashed by the vehicle.

One final note that may be of interest; one part household Ammonia in 20 part water is better than tomato juice for neutralizing skunk odor. The mixture can be used on skin as well as clothing.

April 8, 1999

Mitchell, Richards buy Montana Bar and Cafe

Floyd Mitchell and Donna Richards have purchased the historic Montana Bar and Cafe in downtown Broadus from long time owner Jean Sterling.

Floyd and Donna are doing a top to bottom renovation of the old building. The red wallpaper in the “Red Velvet Room”, believed to have been in place since the 1960’s was scraped off and the conference/dining/dancing room has been repainted in a light airy blue. Paintings of wildlife adorn the walls of the Blue Room, along with mounted heads of large antlered white tail and mule deer, including Levi Mitchell’s huge non-typical white tail bagged several years ago. Other renovations have also been done.

Floyd and Donna are grateful and appreciative to Jean for her start to finish cooperation, during the remodeling and transition.

The Montana Bar and Cafe was built by the pioneer Gilmore family in 1941 and operated by Mike and Louis Gilmore. Bob and Emma Sterling purchased the business in 1960.

In 1964, Jean started work at the cafe as a waitress. “I started out waiting tables. The cook quit so I told them I’d help out with cooking until they could find somebody else, and they never found anybody else,” she said.

After Emma’s death, Jean married Bob and they continued to operate the business. Bob passed away 11 years ago, and Jean has continued to operate the business alone. For 11 years she has arrived at work at 4 a.m., goes home for a while in the afternoon, comes back at 5 pm and works until late at night.

“I think Floyd and Donna will do great,” Jean said. Jean will always hold a special place in the hearts of people of the community. Few business owners worked longer, harder hours, yet remained optimistic, with a kind word or gesture of kindness for everyone.