100 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 Great Falls, accepted a transfer to the new Deaconess Hospital in Havre. Before beginning her new position, she enjoyed time visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Vallie.
Another family made Montana their permanent home when Mrs. Hilda Anderson and her daughters—Agnes, Anna, and Hilda—arrived from Long Island, New York. After spending the previous year in the East, Mrs. Anderson happily reported that even her household belongings had arrived safely, signaling that their move west was complete.
Summer travel remained a popular pastime. Merlin and Babby Bessette came from Havre to spend part of their vacation with the W. L. Kulbeck family, while Roy Hillman traveled from Wisconsin to visit relatives at the Giebel home. Grace Day of Libby spent several days with friends at Brown’s Well, and Helen Mills enjoyed a weekend visit with Ruth Green at the Green Ranch.
Business news also filled the paper. Fred Littlefield secured the Essex automobile agency for the local territory, while Walter Hurd continued prospecting for additional water at the city well, an important undertaking for the growing community.
Music lovers had something to anticipate as the Big Sandy Band announced a community dance at the Community Hall on August 14. Proceeds from the evening would help offset the band’s operating expenses, demonstrating once again how local entertainment and civic support often went hand in hand.
The community pages also chronicled everyday life across the countryside. Alvin Jenkins celebrated his birthday at the Gordon L. Crofoot home with a supper featuring moose steak, followed by evening visits from neighbors. Denny Ulmen arrived from Sandy, Oregon, to help the Cooke Brothers during harvest, illustrating how families often traveled long distances to lend a hand during one of agriculture’s busiest seasons.
Little Shirley Silvan enjoyed time visiting her grandparents, Elmer and Alice Lund, while the Bitz family welcomed visiting relatives. Several local families—including the Cooke, Kulbeck, Peterson, Boehm, Krooshus, Ulmen, and Mitchell families—gathered along the Marias River for a picnic and swimming outing, taking advantage of the warm Montana summer before harvest reached full speed.
Harvest itself was already beginning to show promise. Gordon Crofoot proudly reported finishing his oat harvest, while Loren Jenkins returned home after visiting his uncle, Ben Ophus, and cousin, Theony, who accompanied him back for a family visit.
Taken together, these brief notices paint a vivid portrait of rural Montana a century ago. Neighbors worked together during harvest, celebrated birthdays around the dinner table, welcomed newcomers, supported local businesses, and found time for picnics, music, and family visits. They remind us that while farming shaped daily life, it was community that truly sustained it.
75 Years Ago — Aug 2, 1951
Blueprints for the long-anticipated community swimming pool arrived and were placed on display in the window of the Big Sandy Drug Company so every resident could examine the plans. The project represented one of the community’s largest recreational investments and generated considerable excitement.
The annual carnival, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, prepared to open on August 4 and 5 on the vacant lot across from the bank, promising another memorable summer weekend for families throughout the area.
Neighbors Club members gathered at the Ben Welty home with fifteen members and four guests, while preparations were underway for a wedding dance at Lone Tree honoring Cynthia and Horne Duffy.
Community milestones continued with the birth of a son to Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Plenninger. Robert May departed for Seattle to begin his Navy service, while Mrs. Orie Hagen accepted employment at the local post office during the absence of the postmaster, helping ensure uninterrupted postal service for the community.
The social columns reflected another busy week across the Bear Paw country. Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Jenkins and their family were entertained at the Gordon L. Crofoot home, where Alvin’s birthday was celebrated with a memorable moose steak supper before Mr. and Mrs. I. Judy stopped by for an evening visit.
Denny Ulmen arrived from Sandy, Oregon, to lend a hand to the Cooke Brothers during the busy harvest season, while young Shirley Silvan spent part of the summer visiting her grandparents, Elmer and Alice Lund. The Bitz family enjoyed a visit from relatives, and numerous local families—including the Cooke, Kulbeck, Peterson, Boehm, Krooshus, Ulmen, and Mitchell families—gathered for a picnic and swimming outing along the Marias River, making the most of Montana’s warm summer weather.
Harvest reports also made the news. Gordon Crofoot proudly announced he had completed harvesting his oats, while Loren Jenkins returned home after spending several enjoyable days visiting his uncle Ben Ophus and cousin Theony, who accompanied him home for a family visit.
Together, these brief notes paint a picture of a close-knit agricultural community where work, family gatherings, neighborhood visits, and summer recreation all blended together during one of the busiest seasons of the year.
50 Years Ago — Aug 5, 1976
Mark D. Grosen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Knud Grosen, earned first place in the Junior Division of the Montana Scientific Achievement Program in Anaconda, highlighting the academic accomplishments of Big Sandy’s young people.
John Michael O’Malley received a scholarship in forensic science to Northwest Community College in Powell, Wyoming, while Ann Drga returned home after attending Drill Team Camp in Bozeman.
Agriculture remained the economic heartbeat of Chouteau County. Newly released Census Bureau statistics showed that operating costs had doubled while farm income had nearly tripled between 1974 and 1976, demonstrating both the challenges and opportunities facing Montana producers.
Family news filled the social columns. Jerry Brewer and Lynn attended George Bleha’s anniversary celebration at the Lone Tree Bench. Don Lendell and his family prepared to move to Cow Island School, where he would begin teaching. Tom Behan and his daughter Stephanie traveled from Helena to assist Loren Jenkins with harvest, while John O’Malley also joined the harvest crews.
The Ojala family of Stevensville enjoyed a Missouri River outing near Virgelle with relatives, while Jim and Julie Silvan, Ron and Jan Butler, Wade Rich, Mike Pursley, Cheri Knudsvig and many others attended the State Hill Climb races in Billings. Wayne Silvan captured an impressive sixth-place finish, bringing another point of hometown pride to the community.
25 Years Ago — Aug 1, 2001
Long-awaited rains finally arrived after one of the poorest harvest seasons in recent memory. Reports throughout the area described yields ranging from virtually nothing to approximately twenty-five bushels per acre, with many fields producing only six to ten bushels. Although the moisture came late, farmers welcomed every drop as rain continued across much of north-central Montana.
Young people continued making the community proud. Jolene Bronec of Geraldine received the Michelle Fell Memorial Award, recognizing her extraordinary compassion toward animals. The award, accompanied by a $100 U.S. Savings Bond, honored the memory of Michelle Fell and encouraged young people to demonstrate kindness, responsibility, and respect for living creatures.
The Big Sandy Public Library wrapped up another successful “Reading Roadtrip U.S.A.” summer reading program. Local youth also participated in a bicycle safety and maintenance demonstration presented by Greg Godfrey, with a celebration planned later in August for everyone who completed their reading contracts.
Betty Silvan’s Out Southeast column once again captured daily rural life. Harvest continued despite drought and isolated hail damage that reduced yields across portions of the countryside. She corrected details from the previous week’s wedding report, noting that family members from Great Falls, Harlem, Billings, Coeur d’Alene, and Big Sandy gathered for Susan Baldik and Brent McDonald’s reception on Bootlegger Trail. The column also shared news that Frank and Jean Baldik of Kalispell were both hospitalized, with friends throughout the community extending wishes for their speedy recovery.
The week also carried moments of sadness. The community mourned the passing of Mike A. LaBuda, a retired U.S. West employee, and Joe Vavrick, a World War II veteran whose life reflected decades of hard work on Montana farms and ranches. Their passing reminded readers that every generation leaves behind a legacy that becomes part of the community’s history.