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FALLON COUNTY
O’Fallon Flashbacks
Copyright 1975 O'Fallon Historical Society, Baker, Montana. ALL RIGHTS RESEVED
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Copyright 1975 O'Fallon Historical Society, Baker, Montana. Printed by Western printing & Lithography
BAKER DIAMOND JUBILEE
July 1-4,1983
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Foreword - Dedication 3
Jubilee Committee 4
Baker, Montana 5
Postmasters & City Officials 6
Baker Lake 7-9
Baker 1958 Jubilee - O'Fallon Museum 10
Baker Law Enforcement. 11-12
Baker Fire Department 13
Baker Schools 14-16
Hospital and Doctors 17
Churches 18-22
Press and Communication 23-24
Clubs and Organizations 25-32
Fallon County Library 33
Baker Aviation 34
Fallon County Fairs 35
Fallon County Cemeteries 36
Fallon County History 38-39
Fallon County Senior Citizens 40-41
Historical 42-44
Early Electricity 45
Gas Development. 46-47
Early Oil 48
Shell Oil 49
Butte Pipe Line Co. 50
Medicine Rocks 51
Baker Businesses 52-54
Notes on Jubilee 57
FOREWARD
In honor of achieving 75 years of growth, citizens of Baker pause to make a firm note of their progress. Many people contributed information assembled in this booklet, and our thanks go to them for their assistance in providing a fitting tribute, a record of those who were daring, who struggled, whose lives integrated in this area of western development.
Because of the success of our 50th Jubilee in 1958, many people have suggested that we should have a similar celebration for our 75th anniversary. July 1, 2, 3 and 4, 1983, are the dates selected for our Diamond Jubilee. We hope that you all enjoy your visits!
Many thanks to everyone who has helped make this celebration a success; it couldn't have been done without people and organizations working together. It is with confidence that we look forward toward new goals in this changing world.
The Baker Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of this Diamond Jubilee, hope that you will find this an exciting and enjoyable occasion.
DEDICATION
To those sturdy pioneers, whose courage, fortitude and self-sacrifice enacted the first chapters of the history of Baker, and to their offspring who have made Baker a better place in which to live.
DIAMOND JUBILEE COMMITTEE
General Chairman Gwen Setinc
Historical Book Committee Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Russell
Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Bruggeman
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Olson
Mr. and Mrs. Fred C. Williams
School Committee Mrs. Harry Hanson
Secretary-Treasurer, School Committee Mrs. Esther Jones
School Coordinators Mr. L. Fredric Bruggeman
Mrs. Verne Hitchcock
BAKER, MONTANA
The beginning of Baker was in 1908 with the coming of the rails to Sandstone Flat. The Milwaukee Railroad built the lake, and water was piped from the lake to the pumphouse, a point west of the depot. From this, Baker has progressed, a little slowly at times, but with continued growth.
In January 1911, a petition was filed with the county commissioners of Custer County asking for the incorporation of the town of Baker. An election was, held with 51 voting for and I against. R. R. Pearce was the first mayor. The first jail was built March 17,1909.
The city of Baker lies a few miles west of the North Dakota line on Highway 12, a main entryway into the state of Montana. It is the county seat of Fallon County in the southeastern part of Montana. While the east-west highway is now the main route of travel and cuts through the center of town, Main Street, roughly paralleling the old Wibaux-Ekalaka Trail, divides the business district from north to south. The location of Baker, originally named Lorraine, was determined by the excellent dam site for railroad water supply.
Fallon County was created by petition and election December 9, 1913. Baker boasted a flour mill and a carbon black plant in its early years. One-day fairs were held as early as 1909 as the forerunner of the Fallon County Fair. Newspapers came to the area very early. The school bells rang first in 1908. District No. 12, which was in Custer County, included Baker, Plevna, Ridgeway, Pugh, Tonquin and Morris, north of Baker.
The churches played a big part in the life of the community with the Baker Lake Congregational Church the first in 1908, St. John's Catholic in 1911, American Lutheran in 1928 and the others coming in later years.
The public library was organized in 1921 by a group of interested neighbors.
Oil has been a reality since 1912. Baker is noted for its natural gas wells that are located in all directions from the city.
The city of Baker is noted for its wonderful soft water which always passes a high purity test by state agency. In the winter, the five wells produce an average of 314,000 gallons daily, and in the summer, 768,000. Many landmarks have disappeared, such as the railroad water tank, the board walks, the cattle chutes and pens, the slaughter houses and ice house. In their place we have fine banks, a theatre and improved buildings. All streets are paved. We boast of exceptionally fine schools with various teacher and student organizations, a well-equipped hospital and a swimming pool. All these things add up to making Baker a fine place in which live.
Baker has had sixteen mayors:
R. R. Pearce 1911-12 George Randash 1949-53
R. W. Sparks 1912-16 Fred N. Morrow 1953-55
J. L. Barstow 1916-19 W. J. Campbell 1955-57
George E. Hough 1919-21 Ervin H. Keirle 1957-65
E. G. Heinrich 1921-26 Ronald Shepherd 1965-67
Emil Ravey 1926-36 Ervin H. Keirle 1967-71
G. R. Moshier 1936-37 Walter Kreager 1971-76
L. B. LaCross 1937-47 Herbert W. Varner. 1976-82
G. R. Moshier 1947-49 Fred C. Williams, Jr. 1982-Present
POSTMASTERS
Bob Pearce Berry Morris Karl Lentz
George Daugherty L. E. Baker Drury Phebus (Present)
Roy Moshier Ted Bergstrom
BAKER CITY OFFICIALS
Mayor Fred C. Williams, Jr.
City Council Members Walter Ehman
Thomas McGonigal
Foster Harris
Clarence Schell
City Jane Smith
City Treasurer Florence Kreager
City Attorney Russell Culver
Chief of Police Charles 0. Larson
Water Superintendent Donald Hinman
BAKER LAKE - AN OASIS ON THE PLAIN
Long before professional planners were hired in Eastern Montana, fraternal organizations, service clubs, and youth groups were providing community leadership in the development of projects to enhance the local environment. Parks, swimming pools, downtown beautification and a variety of other worthwhile projects were accomplished without grants or professional help. At the appointed time on Saturday morning, all the Boy Scouts would turn out with shovels in hand and the playground would be prepared for seeding by the Lions Club.
Every now and again, however, the task became a little more complicated and costly. This is the story of a project that gained its impetus from the earlier We can do it ourselves" era, but needed a "kick in the pants" from the more contemporary "planners and grants" era to get the job done.
BAKER WOMEN'S CLUB PROJECT
The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad had little knowledge that the construction of Baker Lake Dam in 1908 would change the face of history in Fallon County - at least the history that has been made in coffee shops and saloons over the past 70 years.
The lake was originally constructed to provide water for steam locomotives, but the excessive sodium content of the water damaged the engines and caused the abandonment of the lake as a railroad reservoir. In the years that followed, sediments from the drainage area decreased the lake volume by one percent a year until 1974. In that year, Upper Baker Lake Dam was constructed as a sediment and flood control project. The construction of Upper Baker Lake was a primary step toward the completion of a recreation oasis in Eastern Montana.
The restoration of Baker Lake has long been in the thoughts of area residents as evidenced by excerpts from an article of August 16,1951, in the Fallon County Times. The article is aptly entitled, "The Story of the Lake," and describes a nationwide contest to combat un-American attitudes and activities through civic improvements projects. The article reads, in part:
"Obviously, to qualify for one of the larger prizes, the project would have to be a large and worthy one. A meeting of the B.W.C. Project Committee with a representative group from the high and junior high schools brought out the fact that what Baker young people want more than a bowling alley, more than a recreation center, more than a swimming pool, is the restoration of Baker Lake, making possible the swimming, boating and fishing of former years.
"A further argument in favor of the adoption of the lake project was based upon two indisputable facts: namely, 1. The lake is Baker's one claim to scenic beauty; and 2. It is rapidly filling with silt, which, in all too short a time, will destroy it completely, leaving in it instead, an eyesore and a public health menace.
PLAN GOES TO CITY
The story further describes how ownership of the lake by the Milwaukee R. R. Land Company frustrated possible restoration actions due to liabilities from trespassing. Accordingly, contact was made with the Land Company and Mr. J. F. Grier, acting as its personal representative, came to Baker to learn the exact nature of the request being made by the Project Committee.
On May 10, 1951, at a special session of the city council, the advantages and disadvantages to city ownership of the lake were discussed at considerable length. The council then voted to accept a dedicatory deed should one be offered. This deed would give the lake to the City of Baker and all remaining Milwaukee property adjacent to the lake. There were but two stipulations concerning the deed: 1. The property could never be sold for commercial purposes, and 2. The mineral rights were to be reserved.
A dedicatory deed assumes that the property will be developed solely for the pleasure and recreation of the public.
LAKE GOES DOWN DRAIN
With Mr. Grier's assurance that this type of deed was possible, and with the council's vote that such a deed would be accepted by them, the project committee took steps toward restoration of the lake. The construction of silt control dams and the removal of silt already in the lake were major concerns of the committee. Several other arguments concerning ownership of the lake pertained to maintenance of the spillway and liability of the dam and the bridge over the spillway.
Evidently, the project committee of the Baker Woman's Club (B.W.C.) had come under fire from local concerns relative to their intentions. The project committee reaction to this concern is revealed in the conclusion of the story and the end of this attempt to acquire the lake -for restoration:
"The Project Committee submits that the B.W.C. is not an irrational and visionary organization. It has established a fine record of worthy accomplishments. At one time, it owned and operated tourist cabins. The proceeds of this enterprise were used for the purchase of playground equipment which was presented to the City of Baker and which may be seen in the playground immediately south of the ball park. The Baker Public Library, an invaluable asset to both city and county, was brought into existence by the B.W.C. and is now operated by an independent honorary board made up almost exclusively of members of the club.
"The foregoing, together with sizable donations to the Miles City Veteran's Hospital and the new Baker Hospital comprise but a few of the B.W.C. accomplishments. To add to these the restoration of Baker Lake and the creation of a centrally located park overlooking it would have been entirely in keeping with the spirit and purpose of the B.W.C.
"On July 6, the dedicatory deed to the lake and adjoining property, as before described, was offered to the City of Baker by the Milwaukee R.R. Land Company. On August 7, at a regular meeting, attended by all members, the city council reversed its original decision. The deed was rejected, thus abruptly concluding the entire project.
"This report is respectively submitted by the B.W.C. Project Committee:
Mrs. C. F. Hogeboom, Chairman
Mrs. Fred Morrow
Mrs. L. F. Bruggeman Mrs. Ray Corey
COUNTY PICKS UP BALL
As was pointed out in the newspaper article, the acquisition of the lake and adjacent property was necessary before restoration could begin. Seeing that the city did not have the financial resources to carry out this part of the project, portions of the project site were acquired in 1960 and 1975 by the county. In the spring of 1975, a survey of the Baker Lake was filed, yet it was not until October of 1977 that the title was cleared and merchantable in Fallon County.
The county, at this point, took over the reins of leadership. The oil boom, associated population growth, and a spunkv desire to beautify the area encouraged the county commission to lay plans to see the lake project completed. Not wanting to fall prey to earlier mistakes, a planner was hired to manage the project.
Thus, after the site acquisition, a plan was developed for restoration of the lake to its original volume and for the development of adjacent properties. The recreation potential of the lake was expected to serve as a drawing card for tourism in addition to serving local recreation needs.
A county-wide bond issue was passed to finance the restoration project. A floating dredge was purchased to loosen deposited silt and pump it to a settling area where it precipitates as the water returns to the lake. The system has been effective, economically and mechanically. Unfortunately, when the project was undertaken, the amount of silt present and practical operation of the dredge had been misrepresented in determining costs and completion of the project.
GRANT FUNDS ACQUIRED
In March of 1978, Fallon County entered into a new phase of the project with the purpose of implementing the "Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965." The total cost was $226,000 to complete the dredging of Baker Lake, with 50 percent provided locally. The total project costs will actually exceed the $226,000, as well as the 10 percent extension for the project. The rising cost of fuel, the change in labor management, the weather, and changing political conditions all have had an effect on the restoration project.
The dredging of the lake is 80 percent complete and a dragline was commissioned to clean shore areas and develop recreation activities directly related to the lake.
A LESSON
Even though the project has had difficult times and will have more of them, the potential is there and will be developed for the local citizenry. But without groups like the Baker Woman's Club in the 1950s, the initiatives of contemporary local elected officials who stand by their, convictions, and a plan to follow, the lake project would never have become a reality. And the civic spirit is catching fire over this project again. Local groups are pursuing locating a baseball complex and golf course in conjunction with the lake.
The spring of 1982 brought with it a $100,000 project to construct recreational facilities around Baker Lake.
Included in this project were a multi-functional playground, covered picnic areas, restrooms, exercise trails,
barbecues and landscaping with an irrigation system. This project was the beginning of structured recreational activities around Baker Lake.
In March of 1983, Fallon County received another approval to construct a softball complex and golf course to the tune of $150,000.
O'FALLON HISTORICAL MUSEUM
The O'Fallon Historical Society was organized in 1968, with its main purpose to be the sponsors of the O'Fallon Historical Museum. Volunteer workers from the society, along with the help of the county commissioners, were able to open the first museum in 1970 in the Long School which had been moved into town to house the public library. The purpose of the museum is to preserve the history and relics of Fallon County.
When the new courthouse was built, the county commissioners allowed the Historical Society to have a museum in the old county jail which was built in 1915. Housed within the facilities are Steer Montana, an old-fashioned parlor, country school, an old-fashioned beauty parlor, dishes, utensils, tools,
rub-a-dub room, children's room, drug store, many pictures, 28 mannequins in period clothing, an armed services display going back to the Civil War, and many other artifacts of interest.
In 1975, the Historical Society published a book, "O'Fallon Flashbacks," a history of Fallon County, the proceeds of which go into a building fund. The museum needs to expand. A limited number of books are available at the L. Price Co. and the library. The museum is free and is open Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
BAKER 1958 JUBILEE
Homesteaders, alumni and visitors acclaimed the Golden Jubilee celebration of 1958 a huge success, with the two-mile parade, thousands of spectators, wonderful weather and lots of fun for all.
An enthusiastic crowd made the rodeo, held Saturday and Sunday, a successful event. Two hundred twenty-five attended the Homesteaders' reunion and program in the Legion Hall Friday night. They
particularly enjoyed meeting their former neighbors and friends.
The first all-high school alumni gathering was hosted by Mayor Ervin Keirle. Awards for greatest distance traveled were given to Butch Micka from New Jersey and Reva Harris Liese from Alaska, Molly Agler was crowned Jubilee Queen.
LAW ENFORCEMENT - CITY OF BAKER
F. F. Kelling, Baker's first chief of the Baker City Police, as well as state commissioner, served from May 7, 1912 to May 7,1913. Subsequently, he was sheriff of Fallon County. He was followed by J. T. Brewer, who served until October 6,1914. He was perhaps no more colorful than Kelling, but a more accurate record was kept of his comings and goings, and Lorene Hibbard Kirschten wrote in her "History of Fallon County," which is available at the Fallon County Library, the following:
"At the time when the old Bank of Baker was under construction, it was, of course, surrounded by the usual scaffolding structure. Jim Brewer, the town marshal, had a notion that he didn't want any cowboys riding bucking horses up and down Main Street, which was -the only street really, at that time. He was very strict in enforcing this ruling.
One day, a certain rider came out of the Beck Saloon. His bronc was tied at the hitch rail along with the usual string of other horses. The bronc was arrayed in a very fancy saddle and bridle and possessed a very fine nervous system. The cowboy was arrayed in regulation cowboy regalia. Casting a twinkling eye about to see if the marshal were about, he leaned over as he mounted nimbly and with a quick action of the thumb, slid off the bridle which dropped with a jingle at the pony's feet. This was enough for the pony. Did he do his stuff! He bucked corner wise across to the bank site and into the scaffolding timber, sending it crashing and flying. This only complicated matters and so more timbers crashed and flew.
Baker, being so small, could easily hear the commotion, and Jim soon appeared from somewhere to re-establish law order. By this time, the bronc had reached a state where it was possible for his rider to dismount and he piled off and offered profuse apologies, explaining that he just was disgusted with that horse and that the horse had thrown his bridle and he just lost control, etc., etc., etc. So Jim let him go, apparently convinced that it was unintentional. But the rider and onlookers had a good time, and no doubt the horse did too."
William M. Bowmer served as chief of the Baker City Police from October 6,1914, to May 2,1916. He apparently lived on a homestead south of the city of Baker, but beyond that, there is no history of his activities nor the color of his character.
The next chief of police was Ed Carey who served until May 5,1918. His life is written of in the O'Fallon Flashbacks on page 232, but little is mentioned of his exploits as chief. Believe me! He had plenty, as did the rest of these minions of justice!
He was succeeded by John Collier who served until November 19,1918. Again, no record has been found of his triumphs or travails.
Then came L. E. Rushton, serving from November 19,1981, to May 21, 1921. Mention of L. -E. Rushton is made commencing on page 474 of O'Fallon Flashbacks, but again, no record or reference is made to his experience in the city police work. However, he served in a colorful era, and he was a man of character, pride and courage, who no doubt faced many of the same and perhaps even more of the challenges faced by the other chiefs mentioned in this article.
L. M. Cotbitt served from May 21,1921 to May of 1947; he was also water superintendent. His life is written of beginning at page 254 of the O'Fallon Flashbacks, and reference is made therein to the first jail for the City of Baker which is still standing on U.S. Highway 12 across the alley from the MDU office in Baker. This old jail is pictured on page 101 of the O'Fallon Flashbacks, and it is described as a 12xl2xl5' building with a rounding roof covered with a 6" to 8" layer of gravel and gumbo, with a large door built of 2x6 planks reinforced with metal bands. This was the first jail in Baker Township, Custer County, and it is, certainly a historic landmark for early Baker. Chief Corbitt's history mentions several interesting anecdotes, including one occasion when 24 hoboes spent the night in that little jail building at a time in 1924 when the banks were closed and merchants had to keep sizable sums of money in their stores and homes, and all-night policing of the business area was instituted.
Richard H. Engstrom served as chief for only two months from May to June of 1947, and was followed by Harry H. Hoke who served until 1953. Harry is mentioned in the Hoke family write-up on page 321 of the O'Fallon Flashbacks.
Thereafter, Robert Townsend served for a 1 0-year stint from 1953 to 1963, during the early part of the oil rush days, and many stories could be told of these oil boom days and the heightened criminal activity which resulted. Criminal proceedings in Fallon County increased from perhaps 30 per year to nearly 200 filings per year, and the police force was increased from 1 to 4 members over the years, following the commencement of the oil boom in 1951. Also at that time, the city became associated with the Metropolitan Police Association.
Gerald Strode served from 1963 to May, 1965, followed by Duane Bruce as acting chief for one year. Thereafter, William J. Ware served until 1969, Bruce Dahlman from 1969 to 1970, and Charles 0. Larson has served from 1970 to the present day. Many innovations have occurred in law enforcement work and in the office of chief of police. The chief is no longer water superintendent, and the police department is now situated in a beautiful new city-county administration building on the old courthouse block, the old county jail has been converted to a museum and the original jail is just a curiosity.
City police and county sheriff's offices, while not consolidated, are housed in the law enforcement wing of the new administration building and are served by a common 24-hour dispatcher who receives incoming airplane signals and reads weather and wind direction and altitude to pilots requesting landing instructions; the dispatcher also provides 24-hour fire-call service for the city and rural fire departments. The police and sheriff law enforcement agencies work cooperatively and are well coordinated and assisted by a recently installed teletype system requiring the dispatchers, who operate this system, to develop additional skills. Two city police patrol cars are maintained, and the city can well be proud of its law enforcement staff.
BAKER VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Baker Volunteer Fire Department was organized January 16,1922, with Emil Ravey being elected first fire chief.
Equipment at this time consisted of three hand-drawn hose carts that were pumped by hand. The first fire hall was located on the Baker Lake where the Bank of Baker now stands. This location was picked because a stationary pump engine was in the fire hall, and water could be pumped from the lake and hoses strung from the fire hall to protect Main Street.
As time moved on, the original hose carts were pulled to fires by the increasing number of gasoline driven vehicles. It was during an emergency that one of the hose carts unhooked from a vehicle and was destroyed. A new, modern fire engine was purchased in 1929. This; piece of equipment served the city of Baker (with a few modifications) until January 1, 1982, when it was retired from service.
During the years, the county officials realized the need for rural fire protection and made an agreement with city of-ficials and the fire department to furnish equipment to be used both in town and in the country if the department would agree to be responsible. During the 'I 940s, this agreement was honored and has existed ever since.
The current Baker Volunteer Fire Department is rated one of the best equipped in the state. Equipment now includes two 1,000 gallon per minute pumpers - a 1974 model and a 1982 - one 1983 450 gallon per minute pumper, one 1,200 gallon tanker, three grass fire fighting units and one utility truck.
During the past 60 years, many volunteers have come and gone but only four have served as fire chief. They include Emil Ravey 1922-1938, Vic Grainer 1938-1969, Bing Bakken 1969-1972 and Leon Newell 1972 to the present time.
The fire department is a dedicated group of people, but the understanding, generosity and cooperation from the elected officials and taxpayers has made this an organization we should all be proud of.
