Memories

Bob Renshaw reported that during the winter of 1911 he broke his axe handle and replaced it with a right-size sapling from an ash tree that was growing along Ramme Creek. His tools consisted of an axe, saw, pocket knife, and a piece of broken glass. Think of all the tools you have today in comparison.

The spring of 1911 ushered in a dry year so Renshaw hired out again to General Sweeney to work and ranch on the place he had south of the home ranch. He stated that he lived in a small frame house (probably better than his log house on the homestead).

Mr. Sweeney kept him busy and when planting time came they broadcasted some grain from the back of a wagon, going back and forth across the field.

At harvest time, Tom Johnson was sent to help Renshaw mow the hay crop, cut all the wild grass and buckbrush that they could get, and save every little bit of hay. The mower they used had a basket attached. The type of mower with a basket that Renshaw described is not familiar to me.

Bob continued, “We had fifty tightly tromped hay racks full to end up with enough hay to allow Mr. Sweeney to winter his stock safely.”

Renshaw was wanting to return to Oklahoma to visit his folks and, of course, Grace. His desire to do this came about when he learned that Joe Hoffman and Reuben Winchell were looking for a man to drive the cook wagon and prepare meals for their cowboys, Walt Gundlach and Julius Benoit, as they drove cattle to Marmarth, ND. The cattle would eventually go to Chicago.

Some of the names Rewnshaw wrote about don’t ring a bell, but the name Walt Gundlach does. I knew Walt and Marjorie and their five children, Wayne, Myrtle, Louis, Earl, and Boyne. Some of you certainly do to. The last two men I graduated high school with.

Renshaw’s pay was a ticket on the cattle train to Chicago, and on to Omaha. After seeing the sights and skyscrapers in Chicago and taking a tour of Lake Michigan, Renshaw finally boarded the train for Omaha and then to Oklahoma to see his family.

After only a short time, he headed back. First to Belle Fourche and then on to the homestead. The names, places, and mode of transportation are of definite interest. Also, keep in mind the time of year.

“I caught a ride homeward with Louie Richmond and his father who drove week horses to two wagon loads of supplies. I furnished my part of the food for camping out. Two nights out we were caught in a spring blizzard the next day. We walked most of the way in order to rest the horses and to keep warm, barely making it to the Bye Ranch on the Little Missouri by dark. The storm continued through the night growling in intensity. Next morning I started out alone, faced the storm all day, arriving at the Ray Allan Ranch where I was invited in, given dry clothes and a good meal—things I needed badly. After a hearty breakfast and in dry clothes I started out, again alone, thankful the storm was over and reached Billie Gross’ homestead by noon, ate dinner with him and his Uncle Ben, arriving at my homestead that afternoon, April 15, 1912, thankful and happy.”

Again, some familiar names appear in his text. What he wrote is also a reminder of just how bad April weather can be.

Renshaw needed to improve on his homestead and he reported that the winter and spring were bad with old time ranchers being on low funds. The hard winter caused great losses of cattle, horses, and sheep. He had no money to buy wire needed for fencing either so he rode to Ekalaka and signed his first note at the Ekalaka State Bank with John Oliver, cashier. Oliver is remembered by many. He passed away February 16, 1960.

Mr. Renshaw still needed money for his homestead and by a stroke of fate, Robert Ridgway hired him to teach school in their home. Later he was hired to haul material, help build a school house, and teach there. He taught the first term in the new school in 1912-1913.

In my next article I will describe how Bob and Grace Renshaw got together.