1870
VICTOR, Chief of the Flatheads, is dead.
NEW NORTHWEST, Friday  August 19, 1870


1871
FROM MISSOULA TO GIRD’S CREEK
    Mr. A. S. Blake, the mail contractor between Missoula and Gird’s Creek, is now running a regular line of tri-weekly two-horse coaches between here and Stevensville, and a semi-weekly line from the latter place to Gird’s Creek, via Corvallis.  The distance to Stevensville is 28 miles, and from there to Gird’s Creek 20 miles, making 48 miles in all, for which a fare of $3.50 is charged.  The stages of this line start from Missoula on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, at 6 o’clock a.m.
THE MISSOULA PIONEER, March 16, 1871

1872
***Personal***
…..Mr. Wm Fairweather, one of the discoverers of Alder in ’63, has been in the city several days, and is looking as natural as in days of old.  He has been on some huge tramps the last three or four years.  He is now from the Colorado river mines and Pioche.  He reports Pioche as a good country but full of people.  Before going to the Colorado he was up at Peace River and into Alaska prospecting.  He now goes to the Yellowstone satisfied that Montana is the best country yet to prospect in.  We hope he will find another Alder and get the best of it for himself, for he richly deserves a good “strike”…..
THE NEW NORTH WEST, Saturday Morning, September 14, 1872
Deer Lodge, Montana

The Post Office at Gird’s Creek has been discontinued.
THE MISSOULA PIONEER, February 3, 1872 

***Among the Farms***
    On the West side of the river from Stevensville and above, we find Sweathouse Creek, where resides a number of thrifty, well-to-do farmers, prominent among whom are Messers Nelson and Blake.  Their farm is a model one, and produces most astonishingly.

     Take the Bitter root Valley from Stevensville to the Sleeping Child, a distance of about thirty miles, and we venture the assertion that it cannot be excelled in productiveness and improvements by any other valley in the Territory.
(Robert Nelson & Abraham S. Blake)
THE MISSOULA PIONEER, April 6, 1872

1887
    Mr. Hackett is a bachelor and miner and occupies a cabin adjacent to the Ballard residence, where the latch string is always out.  Of course he could not feed all the visitors, but the auctioneer and the writer were told they could get in at the spread.  The dinner was fine, the menu being oyster soup and spring chicken cooked a la well, rolled in flour and smothered in bacon grease, with all the delicacies of the season.  John Landrum and A. S. Blake were the honorable gentlemen that served up the meal and with our stomachs so well treated we did indeed feel thrice happy.
THE WEEKLY MISSOULIAN, October 7, 1887

***VICTOR VARITIES***
    Deputy Ike Abernathy came up from Missoula Friday evening to serve some papers on Victor parties and drove a blooded team of thoroughbreds to a sleigh.  About two o’clock in the morning, while Ike was taking a big dose of nature’s sweet restorer, sleep, Mac Stevens, the stable boy, was seized with an insane desire to sleigh ride and hitched the $500 span to the cutter and in a minute later plowed the snow when the sleigh upset and the flyers flew, and along toward day-light Abernathy was informed of the disaster.  The horses were found later in the day, little the worse for wear, but the deputy swore a blue streak, just the same.

1889
    Hon. A. S. Blake was at home on Saturday.  He is getting very tired of high life in Helena and so much legislative honor and longs for his old quiet life of quietness in the Bitter Root.
  (A. S. Blake was elected a Member of the House of Representatives at its first session, 1889-90).
BITTER ROOT BUGLE, Grantsdale, Montana
December  1889

1890
***BITTER ROOT MINES***
    In the Curlew mine near Victor a rich strike was made last week which will without a doubt settle the future of the mine.  So far the find has not been prospected but a heavy vein of galena ore was found which gives evidence that there is an immense quantity of it.  The spring will find lively times in the Bitter Root valley in regards to mining matters.
BITTER ROOT BUGLE, January 10, 1890
Contributed by Pat Close

1891
***THE WONDERFUL CURLEW***
    Manager Geo. Kilbourne, writing under date of May 24 to President Hauser, says:  “Referring to the mine I can say that, at present, every stop in the mine from the 100 foot level down, so far, is yielding the usual quanity of good concentrating ore, and also a fair proportion of first-class; no letting up at any point.  There is no doubt, from the surroundings and showing in our present workings, but the mine will continue its present output for a year or more.  In the meantime should the great number of smaller veins now yielding a large proportion of the ore, come together, forming one large vein or body, as depth is attained, and as all indications are pointing now, on the 300 level, and as mining experience has generally found to a certain depth, the Curlew mine will be second to none as a producer in the country.  I expect and am anxious to get to sinking again to prove it.” -- Missoulian.--
THE WESTERN NEWS, June 9, 1891

1895
A TRAGEDY OF THE MOUNTAINS. Fate of a hamilton Prospecting Party at Last Made Known. Jack Craig, the Only Survivor, Returns After Ten Months in The Mountains.
THE WESTERN NEWS, June 12, 1895

1906
H.S. LORD TO SURVEY ELECTRIC LINE
    It is expected Engineer H.S. Lord of Hamilton and a party of men will begin the survey of the line for the electric railway from Missoula to Hamilton next Monday. About three weeks will be required for the survey and accurate estimates of the cost of construction of the road will be compiled. George W. Dougherty, the promoter of the road, and A.A. Jones are still interviewing the farmers and securing the right of way. It is not known yet exactly the route the road will travel, but very little difficulty is being experienced in securing the right of way. Only one farmer, a man living near Lolo, has objected to giving the road the right to cross his land and this man is definitely refusing to donate the right of way. Mr. Lord is the engineer in charge of the construction of the Dinsmore canal on the east side of the valley, but will have a few weeks of comparative leisure before the actual construction work begins and has agreed to devote this time to surveying for the electric line.
Stevensville Register, April 24, 1906

1909
MAN HELD UP IN HAMILTON
Wm. Baker Claims to Have Been Relieved of Goodly Sum by Footpads.
    W.L. Baker, about 2 o'clock yesterday morning, notified Officer Higgins that he had been held up and robbed to $295. According to Baker's story, he was rooming at the Montana house, South Second Street, and, feeling ill, he left his room about 1 a.m. to go to a drug store. He passed two men loitering near the high school building just south of the Ravalli Hotel. Upon returning from the drug store, he was confronted by the same two men, one of who shoved a big gun in his face and told him to unload, at the same time remarking to the shorter footpad, "now's your chance kid." Baker says they took a roll containing 4295. from him and then told him to move on. The last he saw of the footpads, they were walking rapidly along the street south of the Ravalli.
    Officer Higgins and Sheriff Ward and deputies scoured the town immediately after the alarm was given but thus far have been unable to run down a single slue that might lead to the apprehension of the holdups. The town, and, in fact, entire valley, is attracting all kinds and conditions of people of late, the employment agency making a common dumping place here on account of the construction of the big ditch and occurrences of this sort, heretofore so uncommon, may transpire at any time.
    Baker is a recent arrival from South Dakota. He formerly resided here, about ten years ago holding a position as night watchman with the A.C.M. lumber department.
THE WESTERN NEWS, July 15, 1909

1916
AUTOMOBILE CRANK BREAKS BOYS ARM
    Robert Johnston, the 13-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Johnston, of North First Street, suffered a painful injury Saturday morning while cranking his father's automobile. The engine kicked back and the body's forearm was broken by the force of the blow. This is the second time Robert has had the same arm broken.

STOLEN BICYCLES ARE RETURNED
    City marshall John Grush reports that the three bicycles picked up by him have been restored to their respective owners, Jesse Wadell, Lloyd Thompson, and James Stevens. It is suspected that some body took the wheels in order to indulge in a joy ride down the valley on the occasion of a dance recently held north of Hamilton.
THE WESTERN NEWS, April 18, 1916, page 1

PLANS WELL UNDER WAY FOR SUGAR FACTORY
Offices Opened in Coulter Building - Dates Set for Meetings - Farmers are Invited
    The Montana-Utah Sugar Company now occupying offices rooms in the Coulter building have plans well underway for the opening up of the sugar beet industry in the Bitter Root Valley. The gentlemen are enthusiastic in their praise of this particular portion of Montana and of the great benefit which the farmers and business men will derive from this new enterprise. Mr. Smith, the soil expert and field man is making a systematic canvass of the valley, investigating conditions and getting the growers interested. The company will issue literature and also invite all interested to confer with them at any time. Dates for a series of meetings have been set and farmers of the Bitter Root are earnestly requested to be present.
    The first meeting will be held at Darby tonight and a large crowd of Bitter Root boosters are expected to motor there this evening. Automobiles are expected to leave here for Darby at 7 o'clock, the meeting taking place at Miles hall at 8 o'clock.
    At all these meetings, strong committees from the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, as well as committees from the local Chambers of Commerce, in the various towns will be in attendance.
THE WESTERN NEWS, July 21, 1916, page 1

SUGAR PLANT FOR WESTERN MONTANA
Missoula, May 23 - Unless some unforseen circumstances arises, the Great Western Sugar company will erect a sugar beet factory in western Montana next year.
    Judge Henry H. Rolapp of Ogden and William L. Lawson, manager of the company's Billings plant, are making a tour of the western prt of the state to report to the board of directors on the advisability of building one or more plants in this part of Montana next year.
    The visitors investigaed conditions in the Bitter Root, Missoula, Blackfood, Flint Creek, and lower Flathead valleys, and have proceeded to the Polson and Kalispell regions.
THE WESTERN NEWS, May 30, 1916

TO BUILD BRIDGE AT TUCKER
    H.S. Lord was awarded the contrct to build the bridges, culverts, and make the road connecting the east and west sides at Tucker spur. The contract price is $9,500. For this amount, Mr. Lord agrees to do the grubbing and clearing of the right of way, build all bridges, approaches, and culverts across the several channels and deliver the road complete according to plans and specifications.
    Mr. Lord was the only bidder. O.E. Peoppard came to Hamilton examined the plans and specifications but did not submit a bit.
    The contract was awarded at a special meeting of the board held last Saturday. The board also at this time unanimously passed a resolution confirming the issuance of bonds to the amount of $150,000 to fund or retire outstanding warrants in general, road and bridge funds. The warrants draw a six percent interest while the bonds will draw 4 1/2 and 4 3/4 percent. The bonds were purchased by the Wells-Dickey Company of Minneapolis, the Citizens State Bank acting as their local agents.
    The local bonded indebtedness up to this time ws $55,000 of which $4,000 are old court house bonds and $51,000 refunding bonds. The new issue will increase the total bonded indebtedness of the county to $205,000. But all warants will have been retired.
THE WESTERN NEWS, December 28, 1916, page 1

1923
NARROW ESCAPE BY ROBERT HAY AND HARRY HALL
    Corvallis, August 30, 1923 - Robert Hay and Harry Hall narrowly escaped death last Thursday afternoon when the automobile in which they were riding was struck by the passenger train near Bass spur. Mr. Hall was driving the car and had progressed too far up the incline to the track when the noise of the approaching train notified him of the danger. Hay grasped the steering wheel and turned the auto until only one wheel was on the track. He then jumped and was attempting to drag the older man from the seat when the train hit. Mr. Hall was thrown some distance, but was not injured. Hay also escaped injury. The car was a wreck.
    The two men were returning to their homes after an absence of several months during which they had been in business at San Diego. He is a Corvallis boy, and the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hay . They had made the trip from California by automobile and the accident was the only unusual happening on the entire route. Mr. Hall was formerly a merchant at Victor.
Ravalli Republican,  August  31, 1923

ALL INSTRUCTORS HAVE BEEN HIRED FOR THE 1923-24 SCHOOL YEAR
Building and Rooms Have Been Cleaned, and Coal Placed in the Bins for winter heat.
Corvallis, August 30, 1923 - The Corvallis school will open for the fall term September 4. The school buildings have been cleaned, 120 tons of coal have been stored in the bins and the teachers and truck drivers have all signed contracts to be on hand that day. P.F. Felker as Superintendent has been on the job most of the summer preparing for the new term, and he has given careful attention to details connected with his office. Superintendent Felker will be assisted in the high school by C.A. Jackson, Mrs. George Dally , and Miss Gillespie of Freeman, Missouri. The grades will be in charge of Miss Alice Hall, Miss Oro Phillips, Miss Marie Sutherland , Miss Winnifred Frogge, Miss Cora Jenkins , Mrs. Gene Evans , Mrs. E.R. Bay, and Miss Ruth Waddell .
    A reception for the teachers will be given Friday following the opening of school, with members of the women's organizations in charge. All patrons of the school will be invited.
Ravalli Republican,  August  31, 1923

1928
A LONELY PIONEER
Aged resident "Never Had Time to Get Married."
    Now and then in the everyday walk about town, one finds that people they have been accustomed to greet have a most interesting background and one that is little suspected. In a ward of the Hamilton hospital, Bert Reed, who celebrated his 72nd birthday last Thursday, has been a patient since September 10. Mr. Reed had been a resident of the Corvallis community for three years prior to his illness and he came to the hospital with no one knowing much about him, except that he lived alone.
    From his chair in the convalescent corner, he told the story of his life, which he said had been such a busy one, that he never "had time to get married." His first debut in Montana was made at the age of one year, when his father, John Reed, came to Virginia City from Pike's Peak. His father was a freighter and the family did not remain long in Montana, but traveled on to the beckoning fields of Oregon and California, later reaching Old Mexico. A good bit of his early life was spent in Mexico, and then in 1887 he came back to Montana, locating in Butte. Here he spent much of his time until 12 years ago when he began to wander about the state, and the Sun River country attracted him, but he always considered Butte as home.
    Reed's travels have not been confined to the United States and Mexico. He has toured Japan and the nearby islands and exchanged impressions of that country with George Yammakuchi, a Japanese who has been a patient at the little hospital since an operation for ruptured appendix ten days ago. Reed avers that he is not done with traveling, in spite of his long confinement at the hospital.
    A third member of the hospital party who was enjoying the accounts of Reed's travels and the impressions of the land of cherry blossoms was Martin Kurpies of Grantsdale, who Saturday took his first steps after an unusual operation performed several weeks ago on this thighs. In 1918, Mr. Kurpies suffered an attack of infantile paralysis which left his legs in a peculiar condition. He was able to walk only by crossing them. He walked normally Saturday for the first time in nearly ten years and there is every indication that he will entirely recover the proper use of his limbs, hospital attendants say. He returned to his home yesterday.
    The little hospital with its force of a half dozen nurses and four physicians is at present caring for 13 patients and one infant, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Duus, who arrived a week ago.
Ravalli Republican, January 5, 1928


TWO FAMILY REUNIONS
Victor, January 4, 1928 - Christmas day was the scene of a family reunion at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Stanley, their guests numbering 24. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Guy Clark and family, Mr. and Mrs. James Helm, Arthur Clark and W. Satterlee of Missoula, Mr. and Mrs. E.O. Stanley and Owen Stanley of Stevensville, and Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Briggs and family, Mr. and Mrs. E.T. Stanley and family, Miss Elsie Stanley and Miss Versa Grimstead . The home was nicely decorated with Christmas colors.
     The home of Mrs. Jennie Williams vibrated with a family reunion Christmas. Her home was beautifully decorated with holly and mistletoe and red and green decorations, including a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Her guests were Mr. and Mrs. George Bishop and Mr. and Mrs. Ben Rowe of Missoula, Mr. and Mrs. William DeVeber and son of Stevensville, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Winters, Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Bickell and daughter, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Williams and children of Victor.
Ravalli Republican, January 5, 1928


HOUSEWARMING: NEWCOMERS INTRODUCED TO VICTOR COMMUNITY
Victor, January 4, 1928 - Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Flowers had a house warming and neighborhood party at their home Thursday night. The main feature of the party was to introduce their new neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Lundy , who moved here from the eastern part of the state and live on Mr. Flowers' other ranch. The present home of Mr. and Mrs. Flowers was moved from a location east of the railroad track this fall and has replaced the old shattered structure that formerly occupied the place beside the main road.
     Besides the guests of honor those present were Mr. and Mrs. George Robinson and family, and Mrs. C.S. Parkill , Mr. and Mrs. Martinell and family, Fred Simonson, Harry McStay, Mr. and Mrs. George Schweitzer, Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Schweitzer and family and the son and daughter of the guests of honor.
Ravalli Republican, January 5, 1928

ATTENDED FUNERAL OF BENJAMIN STRANGE
Corvallis, February 1 - A number of Corvallis people, friends of the late Benjamin Strange, and of his daughter, Mrs. Jasper Frogge, attended the funeral of the aged man at Hamilton Tuesday. Mr. Strange lived in this community many years and had made his home with his daughter until he prferred to go a few months ago to the soldiers' home at Columbia Falls. He was an inventor and throughout the community are scatered gates made from a patent he secured may years ago.
Ravalli Republican, February 21, 1928

PURCHASED PROPERTY
Corvallis, February 1 - Charles Johnson has sold 76 acres of land just west of Corvallis to Jasper Frogge of this place. The deal was closed a few days ago. Mr. Frogge will erect a residence on the property this year. Mr. and Mrs. Frogge disposed of their ranch south of town last year to a family from Iowa and have since been living in rented property.
Ravalli Republican, February 21, 1928


BOY STRUCK BY TRAIN
Lawrence Wanderer, son of Ralph Wanderer, is being treated at the Hamilton hospital for a broken right leg and a bruised head. He was in the bak part of a Ford sedan driven by his grandfather, Lawrence Wandereer, Saturday, when the car was struck by the afternoon passenger train on the first crossing south of town. The rear of the car was demolished, throwing the boy several feet. The driver was not hurt, and retained his seat in the car until he rushed to the aid of his unconscious grandson.
Mr. Wanderer was returning with a tire to replace one that had been punctured on his coal truck and did not notice the approaching train at the crossing. He says he heard no bell or whistle. The car was loaned him by D.O. Cripps to make the trip to Hamilton.
The Boy was taken to the hospital, where it was found that five teeth were missing from the upper jaw and a cut on the right cheek as well as a broken leg. He is about 12 years of age. He is improving and his complete recovery is expected.
Ravalli Republican, March 1, 1928


VICTOR & VICINITY, Ravalli Republican, March 15, 1928
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Griffing have received the announcement of the birth of a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph E. Winkler at Helena March 8.

E.W. Downing and family arrived Saturday from Deer Lodge and have rented the north ranch of Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Flowers. The later have moved to town and ar living on Mrs. Brothers' west place, Mrs. Brothers having moved to her smaller place.


HOLIDAY VISITORS, Ravalli Republican, January 5, 1928
Sula, January 4, 1928 - John McClintic Jr., who is a freshman in the Hamilton High School, spent last week at his home here.

Miss Daisy Tucker, who is training to be a nurse at St. Patrick's hospital at Missoula, visited her parents holiday week, returning to her work Saturday. Reginald Tucker, who is employed at Missoula, was also a guest of his parents a few days.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wetzsteon and daughter of Missoula were New Year's guests at the home of the former's parents. Mr. Wetzsteon has purchased the Fred Francis ranch on the upper East Fork and will take possession soon.

Ray Wetzsteon and George Vogt Jr. have returned to Bozeman after two weeks' vacation from their work at the Montana State College.

Miss Elsie Blake spent a few days last week at her home here.

Ronald and Fritz Blake of Missoula were Christmas guests of their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Wetzsteon.

Mr. S.C. Motley and two sons of Conner, as well as the Marvin Warren and W.R. Wetzsteon families of this place, spent Christmas at the parental Wetzsteon home.

Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Lord and son have returned from Corvallis, Oregon, to which place they motored in November. Mrs. Lord stopped at Hamilton to visit her parents, Mr. and Mrs. P.R. Hicks.

Miss Mary Burke, who is teaching at Conrad, left for that place Monday after being with her parents during holiday week.

Michael Burke and Elsie Wetzsteon left Monday for Hamilton to continue their work in the Hamilton High School.

Mr. and Mrs. William Locke and daughter of Missoula visited the former's mother, Mrs. C.W. Fox, and sister, Mrs. W.R. Wetzsteon , a few days. Mrs. Fox accompanied them to Missoula on their return.

A Christmas tree with an entertainment by the school children, under the leadership of their teacher, Miss Ida Mecum, was held at the Community Hall Christmas eve, Santa Claus appearing at the proper time to dispense gifts.

Miss Carrie Tessler, who is a student in the Darby High School, spent her vacation with her parents here.

Mrs. H.A. Briggs and son and daughter of Victor were Christmas guests of Mrs. Raymond Lord and family.

The community was shocked and grieved beyond expression to hear of the tragic death of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Gibson of Missoula, who visited here often and made friends with everyone, being intimate friends of the Gallogly family. Miss M.A. Gallogly and Mrs. M.A. Blake went to Missoula Monday to attend the funeral.

Miss Ida Mecum returned Monday from a vacation trip to Butte and other Montana cities.


FIRST CAR OVER HILL
Darby, May 23, 1928 - Darby claims it has the first car to go over the Big Hole mountain to Wisdom this year. Sunday, Thomas Milburn drove his Dodge Victory Six to Wisdom and return in approximately 4 1/2 hours of driving time. He says it was not necessary to shovel snow to break the trail although he noticed tracks of other cars that had only gone part way.
Ravalli Republican, May 24, 1928


SENIORS ENJOYED PICNIC AT SLEEPING CHILD SPRINGS SATURDAY
Corvallis, May 23 - Commencement week closed Saturday for the seniors with a jolly picnic at Sleeping Child Springs. The week's program, which began with the baccalaureate sermon Sunday evening, continued with the class night exercises Tuesday evening, commencement exercises Wednesday evening, the junior prom Thursday evening, and a wiener roast and picnic in farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Friday evening. The prom was held in the gymnasium which the juniors decorated in pine boughs and streamers. Music was supplied by a Hamilton orchestra and the dancers included high school students, the teachers, and members of the school board. Refreshments were served. The wiener roast took place in the pine grove on Coal Pit.
    A campfire was the center of attraction and about it the high school students sang songs, gave yells and told stories. Later, they enjoyed a lunch. The trip Saturday ws made as a grand finale to the year and was one of the happy events of the closing. The class was accompanied by the high school teachers.
Ravalli Republican, May 24, 1928

1932
PIONEER WAS HONORED
Eighty-First Birthday of Mrs. Hannah Ward Celebrated at Her Home by Relatives.
    Mrs. Hannah Ward celebrated her eighty-first birthday a week ago Sunday when her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren assembled at her home to do her honor. Mrs. Ward, who lives alone on the ranch established by her late husband, George W. Ward, 40 years ago near the Charlos Heights club house, is as active as the average woman of 60 and attends to the duties of her farm.
    During the late fall, she had an experience with a bear at her place, which she related to the company Sunday. Hearing a commotion in the yard, she rushed out to find a cub bear hiding from dogs up in a tree. She returned to the house, loaded an old shotgun and let the young bruin have the full charge, He tumbled out of the tree and made his escape, leaving a trail of blood. Some time later, a bear was killed by Henry White, a Charlos Heights youth, and the animal's back had been heavily peppered with buckshot, proving that the pioneer woman's aim was good.
    An abundance of good things to eat were partaken of at the family dinner party which crowned the day. Those taking part were Mr. and Mrs. S.M.Ward Sr and family, Mr. and Mrs. S.M. Ward Jr and children, Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Hassett and children, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore LaChambre and son, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Robbins and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Shockley and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Orville Ward and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Motley, Lysle McMahon, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Ward and family.
RAVALLI REPUBLICAN, February 4, 1932

LION FOLLOWED GIRL
Miss Ruth Dye Had a Harrowing Experience After Dark While on West Fork Road
Corvallis, February 3 - The screams of a mountain lion which came nearer and nearer as the animal followed a school teacher hurrying after dark along a lonely mountain road was described by Miss Ruth Dye, local girl, as an experience she had last week near her school in the upper West Fork district.
    Miss Dye came here to spend the weekend at her home. She stated that she had gone to a neighbor's to telephone her mother on the occasion of her mother's birthday. She was detained at the ranch by the death of an acquantance and had walked only a part of the way back to her cabin when the first scream of the big cat rent the still air.
    The mountain crowds the road against the river for a long distance and it was while the girl was on the narrow trail that the lion was heard a number of times. Miss Dye stated that she did not run, knowing that would be dangerous, but she walked fast, the cold chills running along her spine. When she reached the cabin, she realized that she was badly frightened. The next day, men o f the neighborhood went out after the lion, many tracks of which were found along the mountain side. Miss Dye is a Normal School graduate and is teaching her first school.
RAVALLI REPUBLICAN, February 4, 1932

FIRST CASE OF FEVER
Mrs. S. Jorgensen of Stevensville a Patient at Daly Memorial Hospital with Tick Malady
    Mrs. Seigfred Jorgensen of Stevensville is a patient at the Daly Hospital suffering with spotted fever. Her case is the first to be reported in the bitter Root Valley this year, although several have been noted in other parts of the state. Mrs. Jorgensen has not been inocculated with the preventive vaccine and her condition is said to be critical. She is a daughter of Mrs. Gus McInnis, cook at the hospital, and a native Bitter Root Valley girl. It is said she probably contracted the fever while on an outing west of Stevensville.
    Maybelle Eggers, Stevensville girl, underwent an operation on her right wrist, broken in a fall, and was taken to her home yesterday. Walter Iten went to his home yesterday after recovery from an operation. Mrs. Carl Printz and infant son went to their Corvallis home yesterday.
    A daughter was born yesterday to Mr. and Mrs. Pete Froelih. A son was born last Thursday to Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Coulson of Stevensville.
RAVALLI REPUBLICAN, May 12, 1932

BREAK IN BIG CANAL
Old Embankment Gave Way in Canal Southeast of Hamilton Last Friday Afternoon.
    A 75-foot break occurred in the bank of the Bitter Root Irrigation District ditch last Friday afternoon about 5 o'clock, creating a slide that opened a deep gulley in the J.M. Davis pasture below and covering about four acres of the Fred Newman ranch with sand and gravel. The break was in a stretch of high earth embankment which has been in use since the ditch was constructed in 1909. No cause could be given for the break other than a probably gopher hole. A crew of men has been at work under the direction of G.J. Hagens, district engineer. The Ward and Hedge ditches, supplying water for the Bitter Root Stock Farm, were filled with dirt and debris from the slide and irrigation temporarily cut off. Mr. Hagens stated he expected to have the canal in operation some time this week.
RAVALLI REPUBLICAN, May 19, 1932

GOOD BEET CROP
High Sugar Content in This Year's Beets
Factory at Missoula Running Three Shifts, Employing Over Two Hundred Workmen
    The sugar content of the Bitter Root valley sugar beet crop is considerably higher than in other years, T.D. Stephens, field man for the Amalgamated Sugar Company, said Saturday. The acreage is less than last year, but the tonnage is greater. About 4,512 acres were contracted for this year's planting. The big tonnage plus the fact that the sugar content is higher means a better price for the grower and has spelled success for the 1932 beet crop. At the time of Saturday's store, about one-fifth of the crop was out of the ground and the wheels of the sugar factory at Missoula, which started turning October 1, had ground out nearly 30,000 hundred-pound bags of sugar. Beets this year average an 18% sugar content and last year the factor average was 13.72%.
    The factory is expected to operate over a season of 100 days and three shifts have been working, which means that 225 men have been employed.
Ravalli Republican, October 13, 1932, page 12

BEET RETURNS IN
Sixty Thousand Dollars is Total for Corvallis
Checks for Summer's Work Received Last Week and Trade Circles Have Pay-Up Day.
Corvallis, November 30 - Approximately $60,000 was received in checks by sugar beet growers of the district last Wednesday when the Amalgamated Sugar Company paid 90 percent of the amount due for the season's crop to local people. The price received per ton was $4.50. Friday and Saturday were observed here as pay-up days, when growers cashed their checks or deposited them and started paying labor, tradespeople and contractors. Business was brisk every place of business and nearly everyone benefited. Many of the growers will be in Hamilton this week to pay their taxes, having waited on the checks from the sugar company.
RAVALLI REPUBLICAN, December 1, 1932

1933
CONQUERS FEVER
H.A. Sylvester Recovering From Dreaded Malady
Several Surgical Cases Reported in Week's Work at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital
H.A. Sylvester, who has been a patient in the Daly Hospital since the first of the month with spotted fever, is recovering nicely, reports day. The case was moderate, hospital attendants claim, due to Mr. Sylvester having received inocculations of the vaccine.
    LeRoy Howard, a patient at the hospital for a few days, returned to his home early in the week. The boy received injuries in an automobile accident ten days ago. He is a high school freshman.
    Mrs. Harry Kelly of Salmon City, Idaho, underwent a severe operation Monday. Her thigh, injured more than a year ago in a fall, was given surgical repairs. Mrs. Carl Shaffer of Stevensville was a patient to undergo a major operation Monday. Frank Remus returned to his home yesterday after minor surgical attention. Jerry Wilkerson of Darby is a medical patient.
    Mrs. Frank Jaquette of Victor gave birth to a daughter yesterday. Mrs. Perry Smith of Darby is the mother of a daughter born Sunday, and Mrs. Herbert Stevenson gave birth to a son the same day.
RAVALLI REPUBLICAN, May 11, 1933

BOY FRACTURES LEG
Runaway Team at Corvallis Brought Grief to Bryson Brothers and Put One in Hospital
Corvallis, May 31 - Jean Bryson, 14, sustained a fractured leg Sunday morning in a runaway accident which occurred on a side street in Corvallis. The lad is being treated at the Daly Hospital in Hamilton. Jean, with an older brother, was enroute to the cheese factory with a load of milk. The horses became unmanageable and ran into a fence, turning the wagon over near the W.D. Lear place. Both boys were caught beneath the wagon. Residents of the district came to their assistance. George was badly bruised across the back, but his injury did not require medical attention. The boys are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Bryson
RAVALLI REPUBLICAN, June 1, 1933

1938
TWO GET DIVORCES   
Judge Besancon Has Busy Court Session Here
Jury Term Set for November 28 and Venirement Chosen to Try Three State Cases and Civil Suits.
    Judge Albert Besancon granted two divorces during a session of district court here yesterday. Etta Harding was awarded a decree from William Harding on the ground of non-support and she was allowed to resume her former name, Etta Stephens. Her marriage to Harding took place at Missoula on August 3, 1937. She is a Hamilton resident.
    Goldie Neilson was granted a divorce from DeVar Neilson on the ground of mental cruelty. The marriage tooke place July 24, 1937. A property setttlement was effected out of court. The young couple figured in a highway tragedy near Victor a few months ago in which Mr. Neilson's mother and sister were killed. The action was filed by the young woman soon afterward.
    Judge Besancon prepared a calendar for a jury term of court to begin here November 28. Thirty five jurymen were named. Three state cases are listed for trial. The defendants are J.G. Ritchie, charged with wrongful dealing as a city official; Charles Smith, who is accused of a statutory offence, and Frank Foss, who appealed a city judgment of a building infraction case in which he was fined $25.
    Howard Little was named administrator in the estate of Elizabeth Little of Stevensville. Shirley Sargent , deputy clerk, served as court stenographer.
Ravalli Republican, November 3, 1938, page 1

1935
DALY HOSPITAL NEWS: CHILDREN ARE PATIENTS
     Babies and children continue to be the principal cause for action at the Daly hospital this week. Margaret Neilsen , little William Doak, and Frances Clark are listed as pneumonia patients. During the week, Betty Terrio of Darby and Pauline Boyer of Corvallis returned to their homes. A son was born Tuesday to Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Patterson of Stevensville, Mrs. M. Orpegia is the mother of a daughter born March 12. Dorothy Gilchrist and Howard Wolfinbarger have returned to their homes.
    Edward Johnson, 19-year old Victor youth, is ill with pneumonia at the hospital. J.A. Rockafellow, Mike Kratofi l and John Kleinoeder are medical patients. Mrs. Edward L. Thomson has returned to her home following several days medical treatment at the hospital.
    Robert Barrett has gone to Missoula for treatment for his eyes, injured last week in a refrigeration accident. The Daly hospital has had an average of 23 patients most of the past two weeks and Miss Lillian Franey has been added to the nursing staff during the week.
The Western News, March 21, 1935

FIRE DESTROYS TOEPFER HOME, THREE ARE DEAD
    Tragedy visited the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Toepfer, of Three Mile Sunday evening when fire consumed the dwelling and Stanley, a five year old son was trapped and burned to death. George, 13 years old, who was burned severly in attempting to rescue his brother after carrrying his 3 year old sister to safety, was rushed to the hospital and lived until Wednesday morning.
    According to such details as can be learned, the fire started shortly before 10:00 o'clock Sunday evening from an unknown cause. The parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Toepfer had gone to the Herman Maul place a mile or so distant and they were accompanied by an elder son. The purpose of the visit was to arrange for a binder to cut grain the next day. They were just ready to start home when the fire was noticed. The three children left a home had gone to bed. It seems that George, who was sleeping with Stanley, was awakened by the fire. He aroused his brother and rushed for his sister and carried her out of the building. The brother, whom he expected to follow, was not found and he returned to rescue him. He found that his sister had followed him back into the building and again carried her out intothe yard but was unable to return for his brother.
    Neighbors congregated but the building was then a mass of flames and nothing could be done. It was several hours before the ruins could be searched and then the remains of the boy were found where he had evidently lost his way in the smoke and gone into a closet from which he was unable to escape.
    While the little girl was burned considerably, she will recover. George was rushed to the hospital in Hamilton where there was also hopes that he would survive. His severest burns seemed to be on his back. On Tuesday night, however, he suffered hemorrhages of the lungs and it was evident that he had inhaled the flames. He passed away early Wednesday morning.
    The funeral services will be held on Thursday at the Booster Club house and interment will be at the Three Mile Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Toepfer and the family came into the Three Mile district a couple of years ago and purchased a place near the Lone Rock school. They came to the Bitter Root from Whitehall, Montana. The tragedy was a severe shock to the parents who are being cared for by their neighbors and every thing possible is being done to make the terrible situation more bearable. Neighbors got together at once and raised money to meet immediate needs and articles of clothing and household equipment have been secured and a place for the family to live has been arranged.
    It has also been arranged to give a benefit dance at the Booster Club House on Saturday evening, the proceeds to go to unfortunate family.
Northwest Tribune, August 15, 1935
Contributed by Pat Close

1943
CANNING SUGAR TO BE RELEASED ON 25 POUNDS TO PERSON BASIS
Washington, May 10 - The office of Price Administration today fixed a top limit of 25 pounds of sugar per person for home canning and freezing of this year's fruit crop. Except for the specific maximum, sugar for home canning will be approximately on the same basis as last year - one pound of sugar for each four quarts (or eight pounds) of the finished product.
    With the 25-pound limit, any family may apply for sugar to put up jams and jellies at the rate of five pounds per person. Last year, the limit for preserves was one pound. There was no nation-wide limit last year on the amount of sugar allowed each person, but some boards set individual limits to 10 or 15 pounds, while others allowed as much as 45 pounds.
    Price Administrator, Prentiss M. Brown urged those who can their own fruits and vegetables to use their processed food rations sparingly. Brown reported that families living in the South and Southwest have been obtaining sugar for home canning under last year's regulation.
    Beginning May 15, rationing boards throughout the country will begin receiving applications under the new regulation. No special form is required unless it is planned to sell the home product, and applications may be made in person or by mail.
    Each applicant must furnish a copy of war ration book No. 1 for each person for whom home canning sugar is sought, the total number of quarts or pounds to be put up, and the amount of sugar to be used for making jams and jellies.
    Home canners may make gifts of both fruits and vegetables, but no person may give away more than fifty quarts except by collection of blue stamps at the rate of 8 points per quart.
The Western News, Thursday, May 15, 1943

1945
Ration Reminder
Sugar -  Stamp No. 34 remains valid for five pounds of sugar. All other coupons outstanding have been canceled. Another sugar stamp good for five pounds will be validated February 1.
Meats, Fats - Red stamps Q5, R5, and S5, food for tend points each, continue valid, Five new stamps were validated Sunday, December 31.
Processed Fruits and Vegetables - Blue stamps X5, Y5, X5, A2, and B2 continue to be valid. Five new stamps were validated January 1.
Gasoline - A14 coupons, good for 4 gallons each, are valid thru March 11.
Shoes - Airplane stamps No. 1, 2, and 3 in book three continue valid indefinitely.
    Housewives are urged to destroy all food ration stamps that have been declared invalid, the OPA said today. Use of these stamps by consumers, as well as acceptance of them by retailers, is a violation of rationing regulations, OPA said. At the same time, OPA explained that red ration tokens continue good and housewives may use them for buying meat-fats. Grocers will continue to give them to housewives as change for the red 10-point stamps.
    Blue ration tokens, however, have not been good since October 1 and, therefore, cannot be used for canned fruits and vegetables. They are no longer needed a change for the 10-point blue ration stamps used for processed foods because point values for these items are set in multiples of ten.
The Western News, January 4, 1945

Lieut. Edgar Scott of Corvallis Bags JAP Zero in Far Pacific
    Headquarters, 13th A.A.F. Southwest Pacific - Lieutenant Edgar B. Scott, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Scott of Corvallis, Montana recently bagged his first Jap plane in a dogfight east of Negros Island in the Phillipines. Lieutenant Scott is a member of the rampaging P-38 Lightning Dirty Dozen unit of Brigadier General Earl W. Barnes; 13th AAF Fighter Command. He tells what happened: "We were on a search mission for a temmate when we were intercepted by a bunch of enemy planes. Eight Jap Hamps took a pass at my wingman (Lt. C.S. Squire of Washington, D.C.) and myself. We went into a dogfight at 8,000 feet. Each of us took a flight of four Japs and went for them head on because that was in the direction of our home base, and we were badly outnumbered. We lost them."
    "Suddely I spotted Zeke just out of range of Squire. I dived and pulled up behind the Nip, giving him one short burst but was out of range. I gained on him until I got up about 75 yards behind him and gave him a short burst in the greenhouse. Debris from the greenhouse flew over my right wing. Looking back, I saw the Jap do a 90-degree turn. He pancaked into the water and debris was strung out all over the ocean."
    Dirty Dozen teammates got seven more Nip planes in the same day, Lt. Squire getting one in the same dog fight with Scott. Lieutenant Scott holds the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in combat missions. He won his wings at Williams Field. In civil life he was a rancher with his father in Montana.
Ravalli Republican, May 17, 1945

MORE PRISONERS EASE SHORTAGE OF BEET LABOR
    The beet labor problem for the Bitter Root valley appears to be approaching a solution with the prospect of 175 additional German prisoners of war scheduled to arrive this week. Russell Martin, in charge of the placement of this prison labor, stated that about 80 prisoners arrived last week, and with the 175 to arrive this week, this will make a total of 406 prisoners located here in the valley to be used in the beet harvesting work.
    This labor is replacing Mexican nationals who worked in the beets during the summer. Their contracts expired about the first of October and conditions of their contracts specify that they be returned to Mexico at that time. The government under agreement could not extend the contracts to cover the fall beet work, it is understood.
    Since the Mexicans have left, the camp they occupied, at the Coughenour store, has been refitted for a prison cam, during the past week and the new shipment of prisoners will be stationed there. Wire fences and guard towers, and shower baths for the enlisted men guards, have been arranged.
    The heavy work in the apple orchards and in the potato fields is now letting up somewhat and this will release some help for the beet harvest work. During the past two weeks, a great deal of help in the apple and potato work has come from the schools, which were closed so that the pupils could go out and work.
    The harvesting of beets has been slowed up, however, due to lack of help and only about 10 percent of the crop is out of the fields. The schedule calls for about 25% at this date. However, with the help now in sight and the prospects of continued good weather, it is hoped to get the beets out before the ground freezes and interrupts the work.
Northwest Tribune, October 11, 1945

1946
BIG DITCH BREAKS, CUT FIXED, WATER RUNS AGAIN, DAMAGE WAS CONSIDERABLE
    The canal of the Bitter Root Irrigation District broke at the Marshall Applebury place east of Corvallis about 5 o'clock Monday morning. The break was discovered immediately and the water shut off at Lake Como. This left the long canal full of water to the point of the break. Ditch officials turned half the northbound water out at Willow Creek but were unable to turn out more there because it would have caused havoc in that area. The other half went on down and through the break. With a break in the ditch water, water flowed back to the point of break from points north of the hold, causing a head and a half of water to roar through the gaping tear in the bank.
    The water broke out near the Applebury barn, a bit to the south. It went down through an 11-acre wheat field, washing three deep gulches through it. At least three acres of the field was ruined. The flood then passed through the Lloyd Applebury oat field, causing much damage. It washed out several small bridges and the bridge on the main county road at Coal Pit Gulch.
    As the water passed farther from the break, it flooded beet fields belonging to Elizabeth Erickson, Pete Bosket, Joe Roth, and Otto Quast. Just how badly damaged these fields and their crops are, is not yet determined.
    The Wilburn Logging Company, with operations up Willow Creek, had to re-route their logging trucks to their loading station at Quast Spur. This condition was quickly corrected.
    Ditch manager Pearl Wilcox got men to work on the break as soon as the water stopped rushing through it. The bank and bottom were rapidly repaired and Wilcox was able to report that the water was again flowing through the big canal to thirsty acreage to the north, past the point of the break, at 4 o'clock, Wednesday afternoon. The break occurred in the dirt bank. The cause is not definitely known but was probably due to gopher or muskrat work. The bank had held since it was constructed in 1908. It had been inspected the day before and appeared tight.
    The board of commissioners of the irrigation district are going to make an official trip to the scene of the break tomorrow morning (Saturday) to inspect the damage done to the canal and to property of farmers involved, as well as to check up on the repair work done.
THE WESTERN NEWS, May 30, 1946

1948
BIDS TO BE CALLED FOR EAST SIDE ROAD
    Assurance that bids woul be let not later than this fall for the completion of the east side farm-to-market black-top road linking Stevensville, Corvallis, and Hamilton was given a delegation of six state highway commission in Helena Thursday afternoon. The delegation which journeyed to the Capitol city to plead a "better roads" project before the commission was made up of V.C. Hollingsworth, C.H. Raymond, Mayor Joseph Iten, Glenn Chaffin, State Senator James Winters, and Joel P. Antrim.
    Approximately four and one-half miles between Black's corner and the Shell Service station, where the road terminates at U.S. Highway No. 93, remain to be completed, the delegation reported. Earmarked for the 1949 Ravalli county secondary roads program is the construction of a new steel bridge between Stevensville and Highway 93, the commission chairman told the delegation.
    The Bitter Root men were joined in Helena by representatives from Anaconda and Phillipsburg, who expressed joint concern over the improvement and maintenance of the Skalkaho road. Mr. Hollingsworth, spokesman for the joint groups, explained the vital need for widening of the west side portion for pasenger and truck transportation, describing it is an important link connecting the three towns.
RAVALLI REPUBLICAN, April 30, 1948