Hungry Horse news., 1954-08-06
OIdtime Picnic
Is Bio Success

L
sponsored by Henry Eckelberry,
held at Lake Blaine, Sunday was
a huge success. A good number of
the "old timers" were present.
Four couples were honored, hav-
ing been married so years and
over.
Musical numbers were rend-
cred at intervals during the after
noon by various groups, couples
and individuals. Our local boy,
Barton Petit accompanied several
accordion and guitar numbers, with
the piano mounted on pickup
truck.
Gordon Rognlien gave a very
interesting history of the ups
and-downs" Montana had from
the year 1853 to 1889 in becoming
state.
An explorer, David Thompson
of Hudson Bay Co., was the first
man to make maps of this area
back in 1892 to 1915.
The first trading post was near
Libby, and a map of Flathead lake
dated back to 1910.
First settlers of any Importance
came up from Frenchtown in 1871
and cattlemen began to move in
and a post office set up in 1887.
Captain Wilson's troops were
stationed in Demersville to keep
down trouble mostly between In
dians and cattlemen.
First election was held in 1888
with fifty-three votes cast. Some
one has asked "How many of
that number were Democrats" By
way of information we find this
was the year of Chester Arthur's
term in the White House and fol-
lowing him in 1885 Grover Cleve-
land came to office, so evidently
Democrats were beginning to vote.
At any rate we can truly say "Old
Timers, be they Republicans or
Democrats, are all loyal Ameri-
cans" (There were no "off-color"
speakers at this picnic.)
The first school was built with
an appropriation of $395 near
Balls crossing. 1t was of logs and
had dirt floor with enrolment
of ten children. Rev. Fisher was
the first minister of a church built
in 1890.
The 1900's brought railroad
troubles and re-locations. Much
could be told by our older friends,
such as the tales of Jesse James,
by Mrs. Crofford age 95 who came
to the valley from Missouri at the
age of IL, Joe Eastlund and Mrs
Newhouse were the Oldest natives
of Flathead present.
Being neither an old timer or a
newcomer, we did feel honored in
being asked to sign the guest book
(passed by Mrs. Elizabeth Eek |
elberry). We are also happy and
proud to be a part of this COM
munity so loyal to the birthright
of this Nation, as well as such a
pleasant place to live and call
"Iome Sweet Home"
VISIT JOHNSTONS
Mr.. and Mrs. Fay Ryder, Spo-
kane called on Mr.. and Mrs. Roy
Johnston Friday evening. Mrs.
Ryder will be remembered by
friends as the former Stella Stone
of Bad Rock.
Mr.. and Mrs. Carl Wilke and
family and Clifford Johnston COM
bined work with pleasure Sunday
in the cherry orchard of Mrs. Nat
Boyd. They took a picnic dinner
and picked about 200 pounds of
Dan Korn and Roy Johnston
spent Monday, from dawn to dark,
exploring and fishing on the John
ston ranch near Olney. The men
caught plenty of fish and had a
delightful fry for supper in the
Johnston home.
Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Wunderlich
and son spent the weekend with
both sets of parents, E. c. Howells
and the Wunderlichs at LaSalle.
Mrs. Otis Black spent Tuesday
in Kalispell with daughter Mrs.
Jerry Peters; she also picked cher
ries.
Cherry picking is the rage now.
Mesdames Henry Casterline, Jess
Sparks, Roy Johnston and Donna
spent Monday in the
orchard of Mrs. Eva Townsley,
East Lake.
The Bad Rock Home Demon
stration club will hold their picnic