The producers news., 1927-04-01
THE NAME "PLENTYWOOD"

AS IuG udIIlo OI d place, L IISuIy-
wood is most unique. There is prob
ably not another town in the United
States known by that name. To
those who have never visited the
town, it is suggestive of tall timber
and plenty of wood. But upon arriv-
ing for the first time the traveller
and visitor begins to gaze about for
the mighty forest Of trees. After
gazing about he will sooner or later
discover a narrow fringe of small
trees and shrubbery along Box Elder
Creek which meanders through, what
is at the present time the northeast
part of the town.
The selection of the name "Plenty-
wood" for town located on the end
less plains of Montana is perhaps as
interesting from a historical view
point as the name itself is unique.
Those who are familiar with the dia-
lects Of various language will at once
discern in the name the peculiar
manner of a "Dutchman" expressing
himself about something. And in
deed, according to the version as the
writer has received it from the old
timers, a "Dutchman" was respon-
sible for the coinage of the word
"Plentywood."
1t is related that about the year
1898 an individual who was known as
Dutch Henry was engaged as fore
man in a cattle roundup for the Dia-
mond Brand Cattle Company At
about the noon-hour, as was custom
airy with such outfits, the crew be-
gan to look about for a suitable spot
to camp. The cook car was ordered
to stop at certain place about six
miles west of the present town of
PlentyWood in a coulee. The cook
objected to the place for the reason
that there was no wood there with
which to build fire. Dutch Hen
ry" looking about discovered a small
pile of wood which some other par
ties had prepared for the coming win
ter, but which had not been removed.
dutch" " pointing to the pile said to
the cook plenty wood here" Some
one in the crew having a sense either
Of humor OF propriety casually re-
marked, eve will call this Plenty
wood Creek"
About the year 1900 some Of the
old time ranchers who were then liv-
ing up and down the Muddy River
petitioned the post office department
for post office to be located some
where in the neighborhood, and as is
usual, the government will entertain
suggestions for a name. G.. N. Ator,
who still lives here, went to Culbert-
son with the petition and had a man
by the name of Zeno Bruegger, the
post master at Culbertson, prepare
the petition for delivery to Wash
ington. When the proposition of
name came up, Mr.. Ator suggested
to name it 'Plentywood." The post
office department selected the name.
The wood pile dialogue above men
toned took place about six miles
west of the present townsite of Plen-
tywood. After the government had
ordered the establishment of a post
office by the name Plentywood. Will
liam Stewart Postmaster, Mr.. G. N.
AtOr and Mr.. George Mccoy were the
first mail carriers. The post office
itself was sheltered in Mr.. Stewart s
ranch house about four miles west of
the present site of Plentywood and
remained there for about four years.
On May 5th, 1905, Mr.. George E.
Bolster was appointed Post Master
for Plentywood. He moved the post
office from the Stewart ranch house
about four miles east into his own
ranch house. This house is still
standing in the old part of the pres
ent townsite and is familiarly known
as the Bolster Residence.
LOCATION
If Henry Ford were called upon to
use his business genius to locate a
place for the transaction of the bust
ness of an industrial plant within the
limits of established facilities, he
could not have selected a more CEN
traIy place than the location of Plen-
tywood bears to the people of Sheri-
dan County for county seat purposes.