Yesterday's Phillips County News Memories for September 25, 2019

100 years ago

September 26, 1919

The North District of the Montana Federation of Woman's Clubs was scheduled to meet in Malta. On the program, Mayor E. Sklower was slated to make the address of welcome. Mrs. F. W. Hall was to sing and Mrs. J. F. Kilduff, president of the state federation, was to make the principal address.

◘◘◘

Jack Mabee, Havre aviator, cracked up his plane in an attempted landing south of town. Neither he nor his passenger was injured. Small boys collected most of the plane for souvenirs.

◘◘◘

A boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Sam Lodmell.

◘◘◘

A daughter had arrived at the Frank Szymanski home.

◘◘◘

Fred Robinson was down from Wagner attending the big "jazz" dance.

◘◘◘

Lester Hartsock of Bowdoin was a Malta business visitor.

◘◘◘

Adolph LaFond reported a yield of 350 bushel of potatoes per acre.

75 years ago

September 28, 1944

Jim Murray was champion of the Long Line 'Skinners'

The passing of James M. Murray of Content decreases the ranks of the very few left who pulled the long line (jerk line) over their strings of 10 and 12 horses, their three wagons loaded with freight into Lewistown from Fort Benton, Great Falls, and Billings.

There were 150 of these long line skinners on the roads leading to Lewistown in the latter part of the last century and lapping over three years into this one, not counting the numerous four and six-horse teams hauling to the mining camps of Maiden, Gilt Edge, and Kendall.

Jimmy began freighting in 1897 at the age of 18. He and his brother, Bob, two years older, were known as the Murray boys and gained the respect of some of the more colorful characters carried over from the bull whacking days. There were Big Foot Sturman, Press Lewis, Ben Swaggart, Al Hutch, Fred Reid, and Windy Emerson and a score of others.

50 years ago

September 25, 1969

Boots and Saddles event a success

The second Phillips County Boots and Saddles Day was held last Sunday and in spite of the record high temperature was a big success with 135 entries.

Winners on the day included Audie Simpson and Nancy Oxarart in the barrel and stake races; Levi Doll and Ludell Orahood in the pole bending; Brian Robinson and Clint Simpson in calf roping and Walter Harms Jr., and Lyle Hones in key races.

Saddle blankets were awarded to the first-place finishers in each age group.

Helping out at the event were Kathryn Elliot, Eva Oxarart, Eva Robinson, Nancy Robinson, Mayo Slaught, Allen Crowder, and Henry Compton.

Only 69 pupils attending County's Rural Schools

Mrs. Ruth Abbey, County Superintendent of Schools, reported this week on the rural school enrollment for the 1969-70 school term. The total rural school population is 69.

There are two pupils at the Hammond School which is taught by Nancy Peterson. James Ward at the Midale School has five pupils. The Phillips School with Emma Hoverson as instructor reports three pupils.

Sarah Oscarson, Wagner School, has seven pupils. Hazel Didier, Zortman School, has four pupils. Erma D. Luedtke, Beaver Creek School, has four pupils. Vera Black, Robinson School, has six pupils. Gary Kirby, Second Creek School, has four pupils.

The Landusky and the Sun Prairie Schools have the largest enrollment with 11 students each.

25 years ago

September 28, 1994

City pool's undergoing facelift

The Malta swimming pool is a mess these days, but it'll look better come spring.

Workers spent the weekend tearing up the deep end wall out of the City Pool as part of a major renovation of the facility.

The renovation will include lengthening the pool by 2.5 feet. That will extend the current 80-foot long pool to a length of 25 meters, turning it into a regulation pool for competition.

The primary purpose of the work is to redo the pool so that it stops losing water through carious leaks which up the cost of heating the pool.

The work represents phase 2 of the project as in phase 1, accomplished last spring, a new boiler was installed and the pool house was renovated.