davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
Five Hundred See
Ghosts Friday Eve

Five hundred baseball lovers
turned out to watch the Colored
Ghosts in action last Friday even
ing when that noted team played
the Libby All-Stars softball team
here. The black and tan team
seemed to have pretty good control
throughout the game, the score be
ing to 0.
The Ghosts put on a show which
pleased the big crowd. A big kick
was gotten out of Red Strickland
trick ball pitcher whose wind-ups
and delivery were unpredictable
The inning of shadow ball again in
trigued the grandstand, highly a
musing the spectators.
The Libby Battery was Bud Peck
and Don Stanley. Ghost battery
consisted of Popeye Smith and Red
Strickland, while Two Ton Pom
Pom Favor furnished the heckling
on the sidelines and was the catch
er for the shadow ball. The visitors
carried IL men on their team.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
Bro. Van Tells
About Lincoln
Co. in Letter

A copy of the Sylvanite Miner
published May Il. 1898 or approx
mately fifty years ago when this
was all Flathead County, was hand
ed to US a few weeks ago by Mrs
George Pike.
The whole paper is of interest
because Of its time Of publication
but one article in particular will in
trigue the attention of those who
knew Presiding Elder Van Orsdel
brother Van). Il contains a reprint
from an article which he had writ
ten for the Christian Advocate con-
corning a trip he had made into
this section in April of 1893 (T'he
article):
Presiding Elder Van Orsdel, Of
Butte, who visited this section early
in April with Rev Eastland of
Troy, has written an interesting &C
count of his trip for the Montana
Christian Advocate, from which we
take the following:
Taking a freight train at Bonners
Ferry about II o'clock p. m, we
arrived at Troy at 400 a. m. Bro.
j. T. Lewis had made arrangements
were to go to Sylvanite, a new min
ing camp about twenty miles north.
The horses were the property of
Messrs. More and Swesey, and
proved to be the finest riding horses
we had used in the mountains in
an experience of twenty-five years
The road goes through a noun
famous country, part of the way
heavily timbefed Ten miles out
we came to Lake Kilbrennan, where
we were Hospitality entertained by
Messers. johnson. That morning
they had caught a large number of
trout, which were pre-
pared and relished at the noon hour.
About two miles of the way the
snow was from two TO three feet
deep. and rapidly thawing, which
made it quite difficult travelling
The new bridge over the Yak,
which was just completed, is a fine
structure. The river IS a source of
great curiosity, because of its swift
ness and continuous rapids. We ar
rived at Sylvanite about o'clock
and were very much surprised to
find that a great majority Of the
buildings were frame in place Of
logs, which had greeted our eyes so
often at mining camps on the from
tier.
There are two quartz mills in op-
Grafton. One is the Goldflint. hav-
ing twenty stamps, and the Key
stone, which has ten stamps. There
IS a sawmill in operation, which
turns out an abundance of fine lum-
Der. We consider il a good outlook
Tor a new town.
We were royalty entertained at
he Doran hotel Mrs. Doran kindly
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
Libby Chamber
Sponsors Many
Good Projects

During the past year activities of
the local Chamber of Commerce
showed a great increase over pre-
vious years. This increase was made
possible chiefly by the membership
fees being made larger. The ad-
ditionaI amount received from dues
made the revenue available for
projects much greater during the
year. That increased activity makes
additional costs may be found IN
the fact that the amount spent dur
ing the past year is slightly IN eX-
cess of the income.
The desire expressed by some
reople for further activity by the
Chamber could have been carried
On only by having additional in
come. Additional income can only
be obtained in two ways, by fur
Their increase in membership fees
to those who are members, or by
greater percent of community mem
bership, particularly that of busl-
ness men. Last year as in previous
years only a little over fifty per-
cent of the business establishments
in the community were members.
II the Chamber is worth while and
its activities are of benefit to the
community, particularly to business
establishments, it seems that a lar
ger percentage of this group should
become members. Because benefits,
such as they are, are shared alike
by members and non-members.
For the year l948-1949 member
ship was in three claSsifications,
$500 for individuals, $1,000 for pro-
fessional men and small business
and $500 for large business places
or for those of a type benefitting
from Chamber of Commerce work.
For the coming year an additional
classification has been created, that
of the medium sized business at
membership fee Of $3.50. This adj
ditional group it is felt will make
a much better distribution of bene-
fits and costs than the plan used
last year For the drive this year
each business has been placed in a
classification by the board of di-
rectors. Those soliciting member
ship will not be authorized to col
lect a fee different than that deSlg-
mated by the directors.
Activities For Year
ACTIVITIES Carried on Dy the Ni1di4l-
Der this year and which it is hoped
may be increased next year by adj
ditional membership are as follows:
Meetings with other groups, COM
munities or Organizations
1. Highway meeting in Kalispell
to help set up Governors Highway
Advisory Committee.
2. Delegate to Helena meeting of
the Governors Highway Advisory
Committee.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
Mrs. {. NybIon1
Dies July d

Eugenia Antoinette Nyblom (nee
lO'DonnelD was born in Saginaw,
Michigan. The family moved to
Midland, Mich, when she was very
young. After teaching school in
Michigan, she came to Montana and
taught at Anaconda and Butte. She
was principal of the Garfield School
in Butte, resigning on her marriage
to A. W. Nyblom July 18th. 1915.
The family resided on a ranch on
Pipe Creek since 1915 although had
lived in California, Washington and
Butte from time to time.
Death occurred July %, l949 at
Rochester, Mimi, from a blood clot
of long standing. A month previous
she was in an automobile accident
and had been in the St. Cloud,
Minnesota Sanitarium but was re-
covering nicely. Being close to
Rochester, it was decided to 60 there
for a general checkup but on ar
rival she passed away suddenly. An
autopsy revealed the nature of the
death which had no relation to the
automobile accident.
Burial was from St Brigid's
Catholic Church at Midland, Mich,
at 900 a. m. July 9th. High Mass
was celebrated and six nephews
acted as pall-bearers. Interment
was in the O'Donnel family plot
where five generations are buried.
Besides her husband and his
daughter, Dorothy, she leaves three
brothers in Billings, a sister, Teresa
O'Donnell, in Butte, and three sis
tiers in Michigan.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
GAMBLE STORE TO
HAVE LARGER QUARTERS

F. J. Simurdak of the local
Gamble Store has leased the build
ing belonging to Harry Bevins and
formerly occupied by the Hambur-
ger Stand. The building which
Joins the Gamble Store is being en-
larged and remodeled. When COM
pleted the building will be Is x 102
feet in dimensions. The building
is being done with cement blocks
manufactured by Leo Kyser & AS
sociates.
Mr.. Simurdak plans to use the
new building for floor covering and
furniture This will give him OPP
portunity to enlarge this depart
ment and devote additional space
in the present building to the hard
ware and other merchandise. The
two rooms will be connected by a
door midway of the buildings.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
Continued on Page Four)
lContlnued on rage Eour)
Miss Inez Rotekin
Presents Pupils
In Piono Recital

Eight students of Miss Inez Rate
kin appeared in a recital Thursday
night of last week at the home of
their teacher. The playing of all
the pupils showed the ability of
their instructor to inspire in them
the. determination to do hard work
Those taking part in the recital
were Andrea Agatner, Gail Guern-
sey, Bruce Switzer, Eleanor Jewell,
Alice May Martin, Barbara Rice,
Barbara Rawlings and Merrill Part
low. Merrill Partlow was given the
honor of playing the last three num-
bers. Miss Ratekin appeared in
piano duets with Andrea Agather,
Gail Guernsey, Eleanor Jewell, and
Alice May Martin.
Following the recital refresh
ments were served the young play
ers and the guests
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
MAN TREES BEAR CUB; OLD BEAR
TREES MAN; FISHERMAN BREAKS
ROD OVER BRUINS BACK

One of the college lads working
during vacation for the J. Nells
Lumber Co, has decided that he
amt lost no bears and amt look
ing for more bears"
This particular young man was
cruising timber on Bobtail Greek
Thursday of last week when he
heard a crash in the nearby timber
followed by several succeeding
crashes. He paid little attention to
the noise for in spite of much spot
lighting and illegal hunting, 1t IS
quite common to see or hear deer
in the woods.
AS the woodsman took several
steps forward a small black bear
cub raised up on its hind legs and
after inspecting the student, decided
he didn't like the smell of man, so
let out a miniature but sturdy bawl
and started up a nearby tree. This
would have only amused the young
man had not the cubs mother hur-
ried back to see what was wrong.
The old lady evidently decided
that this stranger had mistreated
her young son, so voicing her in
dignation, she headed for the Of
Tending timber cruiser. The lad
quickly gained a nearby tree and
with the She bear too close for COM
fort, went up the trunk in close to
nothing flat. His pursuer reared up
to her full length on the tree, claw
ing it while she snapped her teeth
and swore in approved bear Ian
gauge at the freed human.
It was over an hour before the
three bears Ga second cub also show
ing up and taking to a tree) de-
cided to leave the scene and allow
the young man to come down. Our
young friend will have an interest
ing story to tell the gals next winter
at school, and best of all, it needs
but little blowing up" to furnish
plenty of thrills.
And speaking of bear stories, G.
F. HallStein had an experience last
Friday which he prefaces by stating
no one will believe his tale but it
is true, nevertheless.
The Libby man had gone afishing
up Parmenter Greek and about 4:30
was returning home. He was on
the trail above the gorge below
the old bridge when to his surprise
a large black bear stepped out into
the trail about eight feet ahead of
him, having come up out of the
gorge. The bear stepped sideways
in the path and turned his head
to look the man over.
HE sure gave me mean look,
said Hallstein, who added, he was
so scared, he never stopped to
think, but yelled, cit out of here
you blankity-blank such and such!"
as he raised his fishing rod and hit
the bruin across the back. The bear
decided he had seen enough and
further formalities, dashed
1own the trail like a scared rabbit,
each jump being little faster than
he one before.
The fisherman regrets striking
oruin so hard-he broke his pole!
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
Twill Ask For Doe
Season in Fisher
River Drainage

A recommendation for the taking
of 500 antlerless deer during the
regular big game season in a section
of the Fisher River drainage will
be made for this coming deer sea-
son. Sportsmen hunting in this sec
ton would be allowed either one
antlerless deer (doe or fawn) or one
buck.
The foregoing decision was made
at a meeting of sportSmen, mem
bers of the Rod & Gun Club and
of the Libby Chamber of Com
rnerce, called for Tuesday evening
by E. M. BoyeS, State Game Com
missioner from this section. A study
of the Fisher River Herd has been
made by Jack schmautz and AIDE
Zajanc of the States Game Restor-
alton Department, who recommend
ed the proposed antlerless deer sea-
son and the number to be taken.
The state men have made check
ups of the herd and brouse condi-
tons as reported in the last issue
of The Western News. Briefly
summarized, they found an approx
innate 7,215 to 1880 deer in the
herd During the 1913 season 90
Whitehall bucks were checked out
of the area, the estimate of the total
legal kill being placed at 100. This
spring in a check-up of deer car
cases in a small locality, 116 dead
deer were found About 1870 of
the winter kill were fawns, and the
winter kill for the area is estimated
by the men at 2,400. Lack of suit
able food is credited for the most
of this loss, that also making it
easier for coyotes to run down and
kill the undernourished deer.
Game studies indicate that take
of 20% to $50 of a deer herd dur
ing the hunting season is about the
perfect take for a maximum harvest
without reducing the herds average
size. All these angles of the situa-
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
AL UITHOF COMPLETES
LARGE BULK PLANT

Another new bulk plant has just
been completed in Libby to add to
the progress of the community. The
new plant which belongs to AIS
Carter Service is just west of the
Great Northern Overpass and is
completely modern in every re-
spect
The distributor, AL Uithof states
that the station with seven tanks
and a capacity of 10000 gallons,
will haxe sufficient storage room
devoted to No. l fuel oil to supply
TIE towns demands through an en-
tire winter-even the kind exper-
fenced last season.
Mr. Uithof has been engaged in
business in the community for the
past three years, and has conf
dence in the areas future. The an
nouncement of the new station ap-
pears on another page in this issue.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
No Fires In Forest
Over l0-Doy Period

The fire situation on the Koo-
tenai Forest has been very quiet for
the past ten days with no new fires
starting since July %. There are
no fires burning at the present time
Generally fair weather over the
past weekend and during this week
has been ideal for fishing and camp
ing trips. Forest areas are drying
rapidly again and will present a
greater hazard from smokes and
campfires if fair weather continues.
A fire started from one cigarette
or one camp fire can start a con-
flagration that would cost the people
of Lincoln County great losses in
resources, opportunities for earning
a livelihood, needed expansion of
home building and general COM
munity welfare.
The Forest Service urges that
particular care be given camp fires
and cigarettes to be sure that they
are out when left.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
Mrs. Robertson Will
Serve as Co. Supt.

The Board of County Commits
'sioners announce the appointment
of Mrs. F. c. Robertson as superin-
tendent of public schools effective
September /, to fill the vacancy
which will be left by the resigna-
ton of Mrs. Jessie Fagerberg. who
will teach again in the Libby
schools.
Mrs. Robertson has had MANY
years experience in educational
work. After completing high school
she completed a two-year normal
course, graduating from the Wis
.rOnsin State Normal School She
also holds credits from the social
science department of Montana
State University She has life GER
tificates for teaching in Wisconsin
North Dakota and Montana.
In addition to teaching in the
State Vocational School for girls in
Helena, she has served as county
superintendent of schools in Con-
rad, Pondera County In addition
to much other experience Mrs. Rob
.ertSon has done substitute teaching
in the Libby schools from the First
grade on through the high school.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
Suggests Memorial
To Libby Gold Star
Vets of Lote War

The following letter was written
| by one of the boys from Libby who
"came home" from the last war
with almost three years of service
! with the u. S. Navy in the Mediter-
iranian Ocean and the Far Pacific
| He is working his way through col
lege and plans to practice medicine
as a profession. This summer he is
working with a crew at the j. Neils
Mill in Libby.
Dear Mr.. Editor:
World War II was over four long
years ago. Most of us have tried
to rid our thoughts of the peril and
anguish which fell upon us during
that time Some of us have sue
ceeded.
I do not, indeed. condone that
heartbreak and misery should be
resurrected from their respective
graVes-No-. on the other hand,
urge these things to be forgotten,
that we may gaze ahead and look
to our future.
But there are memories of the
past which we may cherish. there
are memories of the past which we
may use as a guide into the future.
The brain, the mind is not the only
essentially necessary thing in the
process of remembrance. there is an
aesthetic sense called the heart. a
place where memory can rest with
out fear of displacement.
In my heart there is placed
memory of men raised in this COM
munity, men or boys, as the men,
orY permits, who will never see the
snow on our mountains or gaze at
the color of our Kootenai, or hear
the whisper of the wind through the
trees which surround this, their old
haunt. This memory, for me, of
these lads persists because I know
they will never again see or hear
these things-you see-they were
buried on foreign soil or were lost
at sea. This memory for them per-
mits me no rest until lay before
the people of this community the
ouestion-shall they be forgotten?
Shall their sufferings, their hard
ships and finally their deaths be
passed off and forgotten as an I'M
fortunate occurance of the past war?
In the interests of those men of
Libby who have given their lives
in the past war, l should like 10
propose a plan. This plan will
cost the people of Libby very little,
for the edifice has ALREADY been de-
cided upon and the building has
begun. l refer to the gymnasium
being constructed on Libby school
property. The name of this gym
could very easily be called the Lib
by Memorial Gymnasium complete
with a gold PLAGUE dedicated to
and containing the names of our
war heroes. Simple, not costly, and
our conscience would be at ease.
Think it over friends of Libby. it
is really not too much of an effort
and the satisfaction reaped from
such a venture would be great, inn
great.
Sincerely yours,
Norman Cormier
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
Troy Pioneer Dies
Tuesday, August z

Mrs. Edwina f. Stanley, pioneer
of the Troy vicinity passed away
Tuesday morning at the home of
her son, Harry Talmadge at Bull
Lake. Mrs. Stanley was born June
81, 1852 and died at the age of 81
years, one month and five days.
The deceased has lived in and
near Troy for the past AZ years. She
is survived by two sons, Leroy
Talmadge, Libby, and Harry Tai
madge, of Troy. Twelve grand
children and seven great grand
children also survive.
Funeral services will be held Fri
day, August 5, at 200 p. m. at the
Gompf Funeral Home in Libby,
with the Rev w. c. Stearns Of
ficiating. Interment will take place
in the Miner Cemetery.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
Moy Receive MoiI
Delivery to Homes
Twice Each Day

Libby will have two deliveries a
day of first class mail and papers,
Postmaster Forest DeRosia said yes
terday, if Jess M. Donaldson, Post
master General, approved the rec
ommendation of P. 0. Inspector
John H. Ray for postal delivery.
These deliveries will be made
every morning and afternoon Mon
day through Friday, DeRosia add
ed, with one delivery on Saturday.
A parcel post delivery viii be made
every day except Sunday and holi-
days. Business deliveries are sched-
uled to go out each day before the
residential delivery.
Parts of town will be out Of
bounds for delivery, DeRosia said,
due TO lack of improvements such
as sidewalks and house numbers.
Plans include four letter drops
throughout the city. One will be
located at the depot, one at Lincoln
Boulevard and Mineral, one south
of 9th on Louisiana, and one north
of 9th on either Minnesota or Ds-
kota
If Postmaster General Donaldson
approves Rays recommendation,
postal delivery will be established
by October LIST. Otherwise delivery
will come to Libby early next
spring, subject of course to Donald
sons approval
The recommendation for postal
delivery, DeRosia said, is based on
the agreement of the city to name
the streets, and have the houses
Before putting numbers
on their house, DeRosia cautioned,
house owners should consult city or
county officials to be sure of getting
the right number Approved mail
boxes and door slots must also be
installed, he added.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
The Tobacco Valley
Fair September 2-3

Plans are rounding out for the
Tobacco Valley Fair, which this
year will be held on Friday and
Saturday, September 2 and 8. The
Fair books are about completed and
show an attractive list of prizes for
exhibitors.
Horace Hudson, Fair secretary
urges the exhibitors to select and
prepare their exhibits as they be-
come mature and ready for harvest.
The amusement program for the
Eighth Annual Tobacco Valley Fair
has not been completed, but Hud-
son states it will prove of unusual
interest. Each year sees a steady
growth in interest and attendance
at the event.
Further announcements regarding
the big event will be published dur
ing the month preceding the Fair.
Watch for them.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
CONTINUED on Page Fivej
Continued on Page Five)
Baseball
IedmSOn PrOQ.

Advance tickets for the Western
Lincoln County Fair and Labor Day
celebration scheduled for September
3, 4, and will be on sale August
is, Chairman Lloyd Midyett an
nounced this week. Season tickets
which include Sunday and Monday
events, will be sold for $3.50. Single
tickets for each afternoon and even
ing program can be purchased for
75c.
Baseball fans will have busy
weekend starting Saturday after
noon, Sept. 3rd, when the first of
the eight competing teams contend
for the grand cash prize. Double
headers are scheduled for Saturday
and Sunday afternoons with the
final play-off Monday afternoon.
Single games will be played Satur-
day and Sunday evenings.
Plans for the final evening, Mon
day, Sept. 5, include a two hour
home talent show. Grand climax
of the fair will be the public we'd
ding Immediately after the talent
show. And here are the latest plans
which are being made for the lucky
couple. The brides gown will be
gift from the fair board. Local
1881, L & S. W., plan to present
the couple with $25 cash gift, and
Local 1862, Loggers, will give $40,
Chairman Midyett said. More an
nouncements regarding gifts for the
couple will be given next week.
Other big events will include the
children's sports program sched-
uled for Sunday morning and the
Loggers' Sports which will be the
main event Monday morning.
County Agent B. F. Robinson is
in charge of the stock and produce
exhibits. He urges all who are in
terested in contributing to these ex-
hibits to contact him as soon as pos
sible. Premium books will be out
for general distribution next week.
Another feature of the fair which
will appeal to the younger citizens
is the carnival rides especially pro-
vided for the children.
The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1949-08-04
Strive to Have
Golf Greens Reody
By September !

Another work session at the golf
course will be held Tuesday, Aug
ust 9 at $50 p. m. It is hoped there
will be another good attendance
present to help get the grounds in
shape for building the greens.
Those who cannot be present at
that time, but can get out some
other evening, are urged to do so,
and pick rocks which will be hauled
away later by truck
At last Tuesday evenings work
session a small group picked rocks
and another crew did preliminary
work on the green's. 1t is hoped
that the balance of the rocks will
be removed in time so that the
green's may be made ready for use
bY September l.