davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
Western Tradition
Passing Into Discard

MISSOULA, October 25.-What has
happened to the West, which once
valued its unlocked doors as its great
est possession?
There was time, not so far in the
past, when one seeking shelter needed
only to open the door of the first house
or cabin he found. He needed not to
feel abashed because no one was at
home-the visitor merely prepared
necessary food and, if he left before
his unknown host returned, cleaned up
the place and replenished fuel. In
other words, the premises were left
in the same condition in which they
were found.
Prospectors, trappers and national
forest officers cannot help but wonder
although they have definite ideas
as to why the latchstring no longer can
beckon to all who may pass by. They
have had first-hand experience with
those who have dissipated one of the
finest traditions the world has ever
known
BY far the greater number Of forest
visitors are careful, but there is a
recalcitrant minority to whom nothing
apparently is sacred-they hide be-
hind the screen of anonymity and care
naught about the effects of their de-
predations on the future. Region One
of the national forests has suffered Sc
verely at the hands Of such persons
during the winter months in past
years.
II is not unusual for forest ranger,
in the course of travel in his district,
to come upon an isolated guard or
lookout station which has been broken
into. Such places are not manned in
winter. Investigation has revealed
full occupants have used furniture for
firewood and even have chopped UP
the floors Dishes usually are left
dirty and sometimes they are de-
stroyed
Such wanton destruction and viola
ton of Western tradition are laid at
the doors of those persons, particular
ly among the hunters, who do their
roughing in automobiles. Before the
widespread use of motor vehicles, per-
sons making extended forest trips
WeiiL cQulpptQ W Cart LOT lfl6illStIReS,
but they realized the value of the
shelter of cabin in an emergency.
They respected property, and doors
were always unlocked
AS the Individual has been forced in
recent years to barricade his shelters
when he is away, SO has the forest
service been compelled to deny access
to its outlying stations to the passers-
by, all because of few who are not
cognizant of the worth of the old
frontier tradition whereby the latch
string was always out to one needing
shelter so long as he washed his dishes,
replenished the woodpile and left
things as he found them
Forest officers encourage recreation
al use of the national forests to the
fullest extent practicable, but warn
that government property must be re-
spected
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
Pay Back Taxes
Now and Save Money

Big savings are being made by Lin
coin county taxpayers who are paying
up their back taxes before the
emergency law expires. Until De-
cember / penalty and interest will
not be required. Since the law became
effective and up to October LIST, ST.
042.00 delinquent taxes had been paid
and taxpayers had saved themselves
S459.00 according to County Treasurer
Vernon Bessey Approximately $4,000
of the total was paid prior to June Both
and the balance since then. The treas
urer expects heavy payments in No
vember for most Of the delinquent
taxpayers viii wait as long as possible.
This delay is certainly going to make
November busy month for the treas
urer's office for current tax payments
due before November Both will take
most Of the time Of the office force. As
it requires some time to figure up
these back taxes taxpayers should
come in as soon as possible in order
to avoid loss Of time
Altogether approximately SAT 800 de-
linquent taxes were payable without
penalty and interest between the time
the emergency law went into effect
and December |, 1895 Most Of this
still remains unpaid. A possible saw
ing Of about $1,000 can be made BY
property owners If all back taxes are
oaid up before the expiration Of the
law
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
Auto MiShap
Kills Two;
One Injured
Rexford Woman Instantly
Killed, Husband Fatally
injured Near Kalispell.
TRAILER CAUSE OF
DREADFUL TRAGEDY

REXFORD, Oct 29.-Mrs. o It's
Thompson was killed instantly and
Mr.. Thompson fatally injured when.
their car was wrecked on the Happy's
Inn road, Monday evening. Mrs. Mil
dred Larson, sister of Mr. Thompson,
suffered broken back, and her hus-
band slight injuries. The accident oc-
Cured one mile out of Kalispell, short
ly after the group had left on a hunt
ing trip. A trailer attached to the car
swerved in the heavy wind and caused
the awful tragedy. Mr.. and Mrs.
Thompson have lived here for the past
six years, having came here from Kali
spell. Mr.. Thompson was a baggage
man on the Fernie local They leave
three children Elizabeth, age Is; Doro-
thy Jean, 13; and Donald. IL Mr.. ard
Mrs. Larson are of Whitefish. The
accident was great shock to every
one, for the Thompsons were very
we'll liked and very we'll thought of
family.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
Snow Storm Stops Fire Threat.

Fire got away from ]. Neils Lumber
company crews while burning slashing
south of town, the first Of the week, and
for time threatened considerable dam
age. Monday the sawmill was closed
down and the crew put to fighting fire.
A snowfall Monday afternoon of two
or three inches was great aid in con-
trolling the fire The fire covered
some 500 to 600 acres of cut-over land
said George Neils, logging superinten-
dent
The burning of the slash was net
started until after a snowfall some 10
days ago, when it was thought it would
be safe to start the burning. But a
strong wind whipped the fire out Of
control Of the men who were in charge
Of the burning. For time it was
feared the blaze would get into gov
eminent cut-over land but the storm
helped materially in preventing that.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
LIBBY TOWNSEND DELEGATE
BREAKS INTO PRINT

The Chicago American, in one Of its
daily articles covering the Townsend
Old Age Pension convention, had the
following to say regarding the delegate
from Libby.
4Ten-gallon hat towering above the
crowd, Oscar B. Anderson, vice presi-
dent Of the Old Age Revolving Pension
club, Of Libby, Mont. drew crowd by
denouncing Upton Sinclair and Nor
man Thomas alike as traitors to the
people for their failure to fall in line
with DR. Townsend.
Mr.. Anderson's convention badge,
of purple ribbon, with his credentials
embroidered in gold by Mrs, Anderson.
was greatly admired She pinned the
badge on him, he said, then stayed
home to look after their silver and cop
per mining properties.
Mr. Anderson's audience turned. in
the tickle way audiences have, toward
W. l. billiard, 48, of Calf. Tex, when
he began to say entertaining things
about the present administration.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
IMMEDIATE HELP FOR
THE MOST NEEDY

Joining hands in the task of caring
for distressed farm families in the
mountain states, the Resettlemept Ad-
ministration and the Works Progress
Administration today reached an agree
ment on rural rehabilitation program
which means almost immediate help for
the most needy.
The agreement is part of plan by
which the Resettlement Administra-
ton will assume responsibility for an
additional 175,0O0 families throughout
the nation, with preference for those
in drought and other acutely stricken
regions.
Emergency needs created by recent
storms, floods and droughts brought
about the new plan which was worked
out in Washington by DR.. Will W. Alex
ander acting administrator and other
officials. The families involved will
be given temporary subsistence funds
pending development of plans which
will place them on self-supporting
basis.
Colorado Wyoming, and Montana
will each have Central Application
Bureau, with operations scheduled to
start by November /.
State relief directors, it was ex-
planned have been instructed to begin
an examination Immediately through
county case supervisors, of family re-
lief records, SO that farm families may
be certified promptly to the state rural
resettlement directors.
Families not accepted for rehabili-
tation by the Resettlement Administra-
ton will continue to be cared for by
other state and federal agencies.
Addition of the 175.000 new cases
makes total of $4,000 farm families
on the Resettlement Administration
rolls 1t was emphasized that families
qualifying as standard or permanent
rehabilitation cases will be given pref
erence in making loans.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
Points Out
Cause OF
High Taxes
County, City and School
Debts Are Responsible,
Says Report.
LIBBY'S TAXES
ONE OF LOWEST

Debt for county, municipal ano
school district purposes is the primary
cause of high taxes in most of our
cities and towns, is the conclusion OF
the Montana Taxpayers association AT
the end of this year the owner of a
$1,000 home with $500 furnishings liv-
ing in Libby will have paid out S11819
for local public debts since 1927. This
represents approximately 10 per cent
of the entire tax bill for all purposes.
Lincoln is the first county in Montana
to pay off all its bonded indebtedness.
Unless city, county and school people
contract new obligations, Libby will
continue to be one Of the lowest taxed
cities in the state.
The home owners in Virginia City
has the satisfaction Of knowing it will
take but $40, or about 2 per cent IF
this years tax bill of $500 to pay for
debts and that all the balance can be
used for the cash payment of needed
public services.
Other county seats with low debt
charges are Big Timber, Thompson
Falls, Anaconda, Boulder, Dillon, Har-
lowton, Libby, Livingston, Missoula
and Bozeman. In contrast to this the
home owner in Cut Bank has paid out
S591.20 for interest and sinking fund
requirements to meet debt obligations
In the past ten years. This year $45 As
out of the total bill of $11122, or Al per
cent will 60 for debts. Other cities
with high taxes due to debts are Baker,
Chester, Conrad, Deer Lodge, Forsyth,
Hysham, White Sulpher Springs and
Wolf Point
Montana cities and towns are grad
ually coming out Of the red and unless
they are again plunged into debt
through feverish demands for public
improvements. that in some. cases are
not needed, or taxpayers cannot at
ford, property owners will soon see
Substantial Relief.
Where debts have been incurred to
secure essential court houses, city halls
and school buildings they have probably
been justifiable. even though ex-
pensive, but debt incurred through
failure Of taxing units to live within
their incomes is little short Of criminal.
Since 1923 Montana city debts have
been decreased from SGT 1895 to S.
755,5OO. or 69os. School districts have
also made substantial reductions. The
record Of the medium sized cities and
towns is also pretty fair. but most Of
the larger cities have made less prog
reSS
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
Small Fire on Granite Creek.

A small fire on the ridge between
Granite and Prospect creeks made
necessary the sending out of crew of
fighters Sunday by the forest service.
However, the snow storm Monday put
an end to any danger from this blaze.
1t was probably started by hunters. II
burned over about 20 acres in repro
duction area consisting of slash and
Windfalls.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
No New Ruling on Relief Work.

D. O. Mount and Cliff Mortensen Of
the Lincoln county unemployment of
flee returned to Libby last night from
attending meeting OF unemployment
officials at Great Falls Mr.. Mount
says he and many other unemployment
officials had desired to get a ruling
whereby they could offer work to men
who are not on relief but who need
employment, This was discussed at
the meeting but the rule still holds that
employment given must be % men on
-elief lists.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
'Earthq uake
Shocks Felt Here Today
Strong earthquake tremors were

Strong earthquake tremors were
felt in Libby this morning, The
exact time being 11.40 o'clock.
Numerous people felt The shocks
throughout the town. electric tights
suspended from ceilings swung
back and forth. and 2 high school
student said, 1--WE thought 1t was
going to shake us out Of our seats"
No damage was done here.
Wire reports state the tremors
were felt in Missoula. Kalispell
and Spokane Western Union
could not contact Helena from The
time Of the quake here up TO The
time Of our going to press. Radio
reports are that The quake was
fully as bad if not worse than the
one that did 50 much damage IN
Helena two weeks ago.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
Sewing Club Showers Bride

A sewing club Of eight young ladies
joined In a shower for Mrs Martin
Botchek last Thursday night the affair
being given at the home Of Miss
Marjorie Stevens Mrs. Potchek was
presented with a lovely coffee table,
and then the evening was devoted 10
hemstitching and monograming linen
towels, after which they were all
presented to the bride. A game was
also played in which the high prize was
won by Mrs. John FINLAND Re-
freshments were served.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31

In district court yesterday, Judge
]. E. lockwood announced his decision
in the case of Blackboard VS.. the City
of Libby, which had been argued some
weeks ago and which the Judge had
taken under advisement. The decision
was in favor of Blackford, granting
him a judgment of s58210 and costs.
This was the case in which Blaclford
sued to collect $500 warrant issued
by Improvement District No. Is, the
district having defaulted on some Of
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
So in His Possession
Checking on Game Kills.

In following out its program of game
studies, the local forest service has
number Of men stationed at strategic
points throughout the district whose
duty it is to keep count Of the number
Of deer taken out by hunters. Forest
officials say this work has no reference
to game law enforcement but is merely
part Of program that Is seeking de-
finite information regarding the game
resources Of the area.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
s ub-zer0 Storm

The cold visitor that came down from
Canada Monday afternoon and spread
all over Montana resulted in sub-zero
weather last night, when the mercury
dropped to below as reported by the
weather observer at the local forest
service office
A delightful fall that was being
praised by everyone came to an end
Monday afternoon, with drop in the
temperature and the beginning of a
snow storm. Sunday night the mini
mum was Ia above, Tuesday night Q
above and last night 4 below The
total snowfall during the storm was
AIS inches; total precipitation 81 Of
an inch Today the sun is shining
brightly and there is no wind.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
Give Shower for Bride.

Mrs. August Sleizer, Mrs Louis
Baker, ST., and Mrs Louis Baker, Jr,,
joined last Friday in entertaining at
a shower for Mrs. Martin Botchek, a
recent bride. The pleasant affair was
at the home of Mrs. Sleizer and aM the
ladies of st. Johns Lutheran church
were the guests. In addition to show
ering the bride with many lovely gifts
pinochle was played, with high score
prize won by Mrs Glen Smell and the
consolation by Mrs. John Cormier
Dainty refreshments were served by
the hostesses.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
Will Play Saturday at Poison.

The Libby high school football team
will play Saturday at Poison with the
team Of that city. Considerable ne
gotiations had been carried on, states
Supt A. A. Wood, in an attempt to
have the game here but authorities
finally ruled that the game should be
played either this Saturday at Poison
or next Saturday at Whitefish. The
Libby team chose to play this week at
Poison.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31

Mr.. and Mrs Donald Hargreaves
were hosts at pleasant evening at
bridge at their home last night, en-
tertaining the members of the Four
for One club High score prize win
ners were Mrs Leo Becker and Harold
Miller, low score prizes went to Mrs.
Forrest DeRosia and Paul Church,
while Mr.. and Mrs. Harold Miller
were winners Of the couple high score
prize. Dainty refreshments were served
by the hostess.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
Mrs. Olson Is Hostess.

Mrs. L. J. Olson entertained the
members Of the Entire Nous club at her
pleasant home yesterday afternoon. at
bridge dessert, Following the serv-
ing. the afternoon was devoted to
contract. Mrs Walter Neils won the
high prize, Mrs. James Christie the
consolation while Mrs. Leslie Leigh
won guest prize.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
State News Briefs

Emil Keel II, son of Mrs Amelia
Keel, widow, living on a farm near
Great Falls, was fatally injured Sat
urday when shotgun he was carrying
discharged, the shot striking him in the
head and shoulder He died at Great
Falls hospital that night.
Montana is coming back to normal
faster than. any other state in the union,
judging by the record Of the Home
Owners Loan corporation, which has
found It necessary to institute but one
foreclosure action in the state, out of
slightly more than 3,400 loans made to
date. In the nation as whole more
than 2,100 such actions have been COM
menced.
Butte high school scored two touch
downs on passes last Saturday to elini-
nate the Anaconda high school foot
ball team from the southern district
championship; score II to 0.
The Fort Benton Kiwanis club is
giving all the kids and youths of Fort
Benton a Halloween party on Thurs
day evening.
Baker suffered $4,000 fire Satur-
day night, origin not exactly known.
Buildings destroyed housed the Burns
garage, the Baker Journal, the Hub
bard apartments and the Masonic
rooms The Baker Hardware store suf-
fered the loss of most of its stock Ex-
ploding gasoline in a garage and am
munition in the hardware store caused
blasts that were heard for miles out
side the town.
CT. Rohrnan of Kalispell brought a
big silvertip grizzly bear hide into
Karstetter Bros. shop last week which
he got with just one shot Rohrman
saws he was within 10 feet of the bear
when it charged him They met I'M
expectedly direct in the trail just as
they were rounding sharp curve.
Good for Rohrman that the one shot
was sufficient.
Figures provided by the state board
Of equalization disclose that there was
q net decrease in the assessed value Of
all real estate and Improvements III the
state of Montana of S20,386 002 for
1895. The total assessed value was
S627. 986, 632. compared with S648,872,634
in the year 1884
Following a conference Of the geo
logical staff of the Montana School of
Mines and other biologists. a statement
was given out which said that it seems
safe to say that we'll constructed build
ings situated on or close to bedrock are
not likely to be seriously damaged by
earthquakes. Good frame buildings,
regardless of their location, are COM
paratively safe except for minor falls
of plaster or chimnevs. Chimnevs
may fall from any buildings and should
be securely braced. Old dilapidated
brick buildings constitute hazard at
all times. ID
When Charles Hevosmaa opened his
shoe repair shop the other morning IN
Red Lodge, he found prairie chicken
comfortably roosting on the power
drive shaft. The bird had crashed
through a window during the night.
Rita Mae .Fromey, nee LYMAN, self
asserted gin marriage bride, was de-
MED an annulment in district court at
Kalispell by Judge j. E. lockwood
after testimony of witnesses tended to
prove that she was sober at the time
she married Charles f. Fromey, Bolton
CCC camp man. The bride claimed she
was drunk at the time Of the marriage
and did not know what had happened
A new chasm, 40 feet wide and
quarter mile long, was reported by St.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31

Ignatius residents to have appeared
after Friday earthquake in the garden
WALL in the Mission range east OF St.
Ingatius. The fracture. they said, ox-
tends from the top of the garden
wall" high rock formation down the
face Of the cliff. Old-timers said they
never saw the chasm before. 1t was
reported visible from St Ignatius with
out the use Of field glasses
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
GAME POACHER FROM
IDAHO IS GIVEN s MONTHS

HELENA Oct. 27-Idaho gam e.
poachers who have been operating
across the Montana line, in one instance
for a period of 30 years, fell afoul of
the law last week, it was indicated in
reports filed today with the state fish
and game department.
One of the stiffest sentence ever
melted for a game violation was re-
corded in the case of Bill Munroe of
Burke, Idaho, who was sent to Jail for
six months for hunting without
license. Deputy Game Warden Dale
Shook, who arrested him, said he was
the ringleader of gang of Idaho
poachers and that the defendant told
him he had been doing the same thing
for 30 years. When asked for his
license Munroe replied, pointing to his
gun. This is my license, what are you
going to do about it,"
Had Established Camp.
The deputy game warden also re-
ported to headquarters here that the
Montana side of the line in the Pros
pect creek country Of Sanders county
and many poachers came over from
Idaho Munroe was alleged to have
been commercial hunter, selling
venison to miners in Burke and Wal
lace, Idaho He had Dragged, the
deputy warden reported, that he had
purchased car and was going to pay
for it with money from the sale of deer
meat The jail sentence was given by
Justice Of the Peace J. p Sheridan in
Thompson Falls.
Reports filed with the department
showed a number Of other violations
by Idaho men. Alfred Holmgren of
Burke was fined $50 for possessing
more than the legal limit of fish
So in His Possession
He had So in his possession when ar
rested on Prospect creek. The arrest
ing officer was of the opinion, he said,
that the fish had been shot with a
high power rifle.
" NJ Benson of Pocatello, Idaho,
was fined $3.50 for killing game birds
without a proper license near West
Yellowstone and similar fine was
melted out to Mrs. Benson. Ed Degnan
of Burke, Idaho, arrested for hunting
without license on Prospect creek,
pleaded not guilty and was absolved of
the charges by the justice of the peace.
Great Falls Tribune
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31
Townsend Club Meeting.

There will be meeting Of the Libby
Townsend club next Saturday night at
s o'clock in the court house.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31

Much can be learned from others, but
nothing equals experience
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31

Prestige is merely the reputation to-
day of past performance.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31

A new chasm, 40 feet wide and a
quarter mile long, was reported by ST.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31

Butte high school scored two touch
downs on passes last Saturday to e1inli-
nate the Anaconda high school foot
ball team from the southern district
championship; score II to 0.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31

Emil Keel, Il, son of Mrs. Amelia
Keel, widow, living on farm near
Great Falls, was fatally injured Sat
urday when a shotgun he was carrying
discharged, the shot striking him in the
head and shoulder. He died at Great
Falls hospital that night.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31

Montana IS coming back to normal
faster than. any other state in the union,
judging by the record Of the Home
Owners Loan corporation, which has
found it necessary to institute but one
foreclosure action in the state, out of
slightly more than 3,400 loans made to
date In the nation as whole more
than 2,100 such actions have been COM
menced.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-10-31

The Fort Benton Kiwanis club is
giving all the kids and youths of Fort
Benton Halloween party on Thurs
day evening.