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By Erik Sietsema The Mountaineer has been serving the community of Big Sandy since 1911, when it began publishing under the name The Bear Paw Mountaineer. For two years in its early days, the Mountaineer faced competition from a second local paper: The Big Sandy Sentinel. Published from 1915 to 1916, the Sentinel styled itself as the progressive Democratic local paper. Openly political and featuring a substantial German-language section with news of the war in Europe, the Sentinel engaged in an...
1 Years Ago — Aug 19, 1926 The paper reported that Montana had shipped more than 2½ million pounds of dressed poultry during the previous year to markets in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Closer to home, harvest was bringing extra hands into the country. Emil Milke of Great Falls arrived in Big Sandy and planned to work with Lloyd Kulbeck’s threshing rig for the season. The Lonesome Prairie Rifle Club held its Sunday shoot at the 8th. Frank Lloyd took high score with a 45. Ole Pete, Carl Chri...
1 Years Ago — Aug 12, 1926 The August harvest season was in full swing as Big Sandy families balanced farm work with community celebrations. Arthur O. Butler and Howard Allderdice families welcomed new additions, with the birth of a son to the Butlers and a daughter to the Allderdices. William James returned from Sioux City, Iowa, after delivering several railroad cars of cattle, demonstrating the importance of livestock marketing to the area’s economy. Fashion also made local news when nationally known hatmaker John B. Stetson delivered a s...
Sunday, July 26th sixteen players played eight rounds of pinochle in the Mint family room. Rod Courtnage had the top score of 8270 earning $30. Next high of 8080 was played by Maggie Cline for $20. $15 went to Joe Landinger for his 7900. Nora Grubb cashed in for $10 with her score of 7630. Linda Osterman had low of 3360 for $5. Rod and Maggie had the highest round score of 2300. Lowest was a negative 530 for Sue Knight and Roberta Whetham. Next play dates will be August 9th & 23rd (always subject to change depending on Mint’s schedule). P...
1 Years Ago — Aug 5, 1926 Dean Shepherd and his wife departed for a week’s vacation in Glacier National Park, leaving the Golden Rule Store in capable hands until their return. At the same time, J.W. Barnett and his family arrived from Lewistown to establish their new home, where Mr. Barnett assumed management of the elevator at Verona. The continued arrival of new residents reflected the confidence many families placed in Big Sandy and the surrounding agricultural country. Florence Vallie, who had been serving at the Deaconess Hospital in...
By Ruth Hlavnicka I left Big Sandy Wednesday morning, March 18, with Tom and Ruth Hlavnicka. We headed out the Kenilworth Road in a fully loaded pickup and headed toward Shelby. Just north of Shelby, we crossed into Canada at Sweetgrass. Some things change in Canada. The highway speed limit is about 110 kilometers per hour (around 68 mph). Gas is sold by the liter and costs about $6–8 per gallon. The weather and landscape are very similar to what we are used to—vast prairies and farmland. We tra...
1 Years Ago — July 22, 1926 As another harvest season approached, the countryside surrounding Big Sandy reflected the optimism of a community built upon agriculture. Across the Inga neighborhood, early grain fields were beginning to ripen, and farmers carefully prepared machinery that would soon be working from sunrise until long after sunset. Among those preparing for harvest was Dan Bahnmiller, who proudly purchased a new Massey-Harris header, one of the latest advances in harvesting equipment available to prairie farmers. Nearby, Ed B...
Sunday, July 12th sixteen players completed seven rounds of pinochle in the Mint family room. Dave Schwarzbach and Dick Thornton tied with the top score of 7430 earning $25 each. Next high of 7270 was played by Joe Landinger for $15. $10 went to Vance Butler with his 7210. Charlene Silvan-Moravec had low of 4170 for $5. Dave and Dick had the highest round score of 1720. Lowest was a negative 60 for Rod Courtnage and Linda Osterman. Next play dates will be July 26th and August 9th & 23rd (always subject to change depending on Mint’s s...
History is often remembered through great events, but communities are built through ordinary days. The pages of The Mountaineer tell the story of Big Sandy through schoolchildren and teachers, ranchers and merchants, weddings and anniversaries, harvests and holidays. Each week we revisit those pages, not simply to remember the past, but to celebrate the people whose lives became the foundation of our community. This week’s journey reminds us that whether constructing a new water tank in 1926, celebrating a ninth birthday in 1951, welcoming t...
By looking back through the pages of The Mountaineer, we discover more than names and dates—we rediscover neighbors, celebrations, hardships, accomplishments, and the ordinary moments that became our community’s history. This week, our journey spans a remarkable 100 years, from the summer of 1926 through 2001. Across those decades we find ambitious students, growing families, weddings, harvest preparations, military veterans, civic leaders, and volunteers. Though the faces and fashions changed, one thing remained constant: Big Sandy’s stren...
Sunday, June 28th twenty players gathered to compete in seven rounds of pinochle in the Mint family room. Tammie Szarynski had the highest score of 9620 earning her $35. Second high of 8690 went to Susan Knight giving her $25. Taking third and $20 was Cathy Gregoire with her 8630. Rod Courtnage had 8520 for fourth and $10. Vance Butler won $5 for his fifth high score of 8340. Karla Whetham had low of 5210 for $5. Vance and Linda Schwarzbach had the highest round score of 2210 which included 1000 aces! Lowest was a 0 (zero) for Karla and Linda...
By Your Accidental Journalist A 3,000-Mile Journey Through America’s Heartland Some adventures are measured in miles. Others are measured in memories. This week, Sheldon the Traveler returned home after an incredible 3,000-mile road trip with one of Big Sandy’s favorite people—our longtime UPS driver, Mark Rowlatt, and his family. In just one week, Sheldon crossed five states, explored some of America’s most famous landmarks, and discovered that every community has a story worth telling...
By Your Accidental Journalist As fireworks light up the Montana sky this Fourth of July, Americans from coast to coast will celebrate a milestone unlike any other in our nation’s history. This year marks the 250th birthday of the United States of America—a quarter of a millennium since the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. For many of us, Independence Day means family barbecues, parades, rodeos, community gatherings, and fireworks. Yet behind the festivities lies a remarkable story of courage, sacrifice, and the end...
1 Years ago July 1, 1926 Summer had firmly arrived across Chouteau County, and residents were busy with harvest preparations, community gatherings, and holiday celebrations leading up to Independence Day. Otto Finke spent part of the week assisting Louis Anderson with hauling his Ford automobile. In an era when automobiles were still relatively new and road conditions often presented challenges, helping a neighbor with transportation was simply part of rural life. Miss Marie Kulbeck enjoyed a visit with the Nelson girls before accompanying...
By Erik Sietsema This week marks the 115th anniversary of the first Big Sandy School play. On June 30, 1911, the school staged *The Rescue of Princess Winsome* by Annie Fellows Johnston. The performance kicked off a proud tradition of school theater that continues to this day. The production was covered in a brief article in the July 6 issue of the *Mountaineer*, which lauded the show as deserving “all and more credit than we can give it.” Auditions were described as “drills” meant to prepare the children for their roles, and the paper noted t...
By Your Accidental Journalist Each June, families across America pause to celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures who have shaped their lives. While Father’s Day is often marked with backyard barbecues, cards, and gifts, the holiday has a rich history rooted in honoring the importance of family and recognizing the vital role fathers play in raising children and building communities. Father’s Day is observed on the third Sunday in June. In 2026, it falls on June 21. Like Mother’s Day, the holiday grew from a desir...
1 Years ago June 24, 1926 Heavy rains and lightning struck the area, damaging telephone lines near the Andrew Nelson corner, while hail was reported but caused little lasting damage. Farmers welcomed moisture as summer fieldwork continued. Local anglers enjoyed success on the Missouri River, including Charles and Gordon Tyler, who landed a 7½-pound sturgeon measuring over three feet long. Sheep shearing was underway at the Osterman ranch. Several births were announced, including daughters born to the French, Miller and Hettrick families....
By Your Accidental Journalist Every June 14, Americans pause to recognize one of the nation’s most enduring symbols—the flag of the United States. While often overshadowed by larger holidays, Flag Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the history, sacrifices, and ideals represented by the Stars and Stripes. Flag Day commemorates June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress adopted the first official flag of the United States. The resolution was simple: “Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alter...
1 Years ago June 17, 1926 Nearly an inch of rain brought welcome relief to area farmers after weeks of dry conditions. Residents reported renewed optimism as crops received much-needed moisture and summer fallowing began. Kenneth Ray landed a massive sturgeon during a fishing trip on the Missouri River near Spring Coulee. The fish reportedly weighed 12½ pounds and measured 3 feet, 10 inches long. C.O. Larson purchased a new Victrola and enjoyed the latest records with his family. Mrs. James Fowler served as substitute carrier on the...
1 Years ago June 10, 1926 Big Sandy High School’s Class of 1926 celebrated commencement exercises before a crowd of approximately 600 people at Community Hall. The Hopp School closed with a picnic, and teacher Dorothy Remmington departed for Belt. College students returned home for the summer, including Cora Parker from Cheney, Washington. Olga and Florence Holmes traveled to Missoula for summer school. The prairie continued to suffer from drought and high winds, with some fields completely destroyed. Albert Archibald was recovering from bloo...
Sunday, May 31st twenty players gathered to compete in seven rounds of pinochle in the Mint family room. Nora Grubb had the highest score of 8390 earning her $35. Second high of 8250 went to Jessica Sietsema giving her $25. Taking third and $20 was Sue Knight with her 8170. Shawn Webster had 8070 for fourth and $10. Karla Whetham won $5 for her fifth high score of 7850. Ken Darlington had low of 4050 for $5. Nora and Sue had the highest round score of 2190 followed by Karla and Maggie Cline with 2030, both including 1000 aces! Lowest was a...
1 Years ago June 3, 1926 The school year came to a close in Big Sandy with commencement exercises held Friday evening at the Community Hall. Approximately 600 people attended to witness the Class of 1926 complete their high school careers and step into the next chapter of life. The Hopp School marked the end of its term with a picnic for students. Teacher Miss Dorothy Remington departed for Belt to visit friends and relatives following the school year. Miss Cora Parker returned home north of Kenilworth after attending college in Cheney,...
1 Years ago May, 1926 A notice appeared this week reporting two good hats lost during one of the region’s strong spring winds. The owner requested their return if found. Sad news reached the community as John Kalanik received word that his daughter, Susan, had been killed in an automobile accident in Merced, California. Her body was to be returned home for burial. Mrs. Oscar Ray of the Inga community passed away at her home at the age of 41. She was survived by her husband and six children. Funeral services were held at her home, with b...
On May 17th, 12 people gathered at the Mint to play 7 rounds of Pinochle. Winning scores for the day are as follows. 1st was Sue Knight-Score 8470, $25.00. 2nd was Charlene Silvan-Score 8020, $15.00. 3rd was Joe Landinger-Score 770, $10.00. 4th was Dana Gasvoda-Score 7120, $5.00. Low was Vance Butler getting his $5.00 back with a score of 5150. the next planned playing dates are May 31st, June 14th, and June 28th. Start at 2 pm at the Mint. Please try to come early, 1:45pm, to draw tables and cards. Everyone is welcome. Pretty good way to...
1 Years ago May, 1926 “Sneak Day” was enjoyed by the Big Sandy High School seniors, who spent the day in the Bear Paw Mountains near the Old Miltz ranch north of town. The outing marked an early celebration for the class, and they later shared highlights with fellow students during an assembly program led by Chuck Ensley and Ted Homan. The Senior Class announced plans to host parents, the Junior Class, faculty, and friends at the Community Hall on Monday evening, May 24. Baccalaureate services were scheduled for Sunday evening, May 23, at...