Memories

I found it very interesting that Bill Lavell shared some thoughts and experiences about Dr. Sandy in the Eagle dated Friday, March 24 and I had another article about Dr. Sandy at the same time. I believe my article answered some of his questions about the “pioneer gentleman doctor.”

I would now like to expand on Sherry Farwell’s letter to the editor in regard to Bob Smith. Bob and I played independent basketball together and, as a referee, I worked some of his games. Ken Pulse, who was a barber at the time, and Ted Hanberg, the grade school principal, worked all of the high school games. At that time, only two referee’s were used and we rotated the season schedule with local officials still in use.

I’m also amazed at the number of individuals who came to this country (homesteaders) with such a great desire to own a piece of ground.

As my article states, Dr. Sandy passed away in 1963 and his wife Laura lived three more years. Lavell’s previous written statement about baby deliveries was correct and surely reminds readers of the immense changes in facilities used for baby deliveries today.

In my article on Dr. Sandy, I also had some information on Bob Renshaw taken from Shifting Scenes Vol. II. There are over six pages in the book about Renshaw and his family. My article this time hopefully demonstrates the vast difference between homestead days and the lives we share and live today.

Bob was born December 18, 1888 in Wichita, Kansas and later moved to Oklahoma where his dad homesteaded on 160 acres of good land. He lived there until manhood, learning to help with all kinds of work and to handle livestock. I’m sure this was of great help later when he homesteaded in Carter County.

Bob attended school near his home and after a short normal school time he received a certificate that allowed him to teach in a county school. With salaries being low and school time short, he could see no future in the profession so decided to stay home and work. Soon, his life and the life of another began to take shape.

Renshaw once stated: “In the meantime I had met a girl, Grace Moles, with whom I wanted to share my life.” Her parents were from Lee County, Virginia and she had four sisters. Her family moved to Oklahoma and settled close to the Renshaw family.

He continued, “Grace was twelve years old and I nearing seventeen when we met. We became engaged after she started high school.”

Yes, even in those days, an attraction from someone could come at an early age.

The idea and thought of owning land became somewhat of an obsession for Renshaw. His half brother, Edwin, and Edwin’s wife Anita Phalen Ackley, decided to go to Montana after learning through an uncle who lived in the Box Elder area near Sykes, Montana that land was being opened to homesteaders. Renshaw joined them and came to Belle Fourche, South Dakota on the train. From there, he went to Camp Crook and Ekalaka by horse drawn mail stage. They arrived in Ekalaka on April 11, 1910.

John Gross and John Phalen took them to the home of John Gross on Box Elder. They went by foot across Box Elder to some land on Ramme Creek which showed good pasture and arable farm land.

“I found my land!” he stated, “and filed on it April 16, 1910.”

With five years allowed in proving up on a homestead, and since he had no money, Renshaw welcomed a job offered to him by General Sweeney. Sweeney owned a horse and cattle ranch on Snow Creek.

“I walked, carrying my worldly possessions in a suitcase, the eight miles to his ranch,” Renshaw states in his article.

“I slept in the bunk house, ate fine meals at the family table, and was treated as one of the family. Mr. Sweeney’s only instructions were, ‘Bob I expect my men to do a full day’s work that ends at six o’clock p.m. No work on Sundays.’”

As I read this, I thought to myself, Mr Sweeney must have been a great boss to work for. Renshaw’s wages were $4.00 per month.

I have a lot more information to share about Bob and Grace Renshaw. It speaks volumes about homestead days and their difference of present times.