Memories

We have been gone to Idaho to visit our daughter Arlene and family, so there no articles.

I want to (must) share a couple of experiences that I had on the way to Twin Falls and my time there. On the journey there, we stopped in Idaho Falls, Idaho to take a break and to put drops in Phyl’s eyes. The restaurant is just off the interstate and we had eaten breakfast there a couple of times.

We ordered and the waitress served our small order. She returned shortly to give more coffee and said to us “I see by your license plates that you are from Montana—what part of Montana?” I said from the very far part of eastern Montana in a little place called Ekalaka. She said “I have been to Ekalaka (correct pronunciation) and the Medicine Rocks Park. I lived in Miles City and Ashland.” She continued “I took my young daughter to Medicine Rocks and they said the rattlesnakes wouldn’t be out yet—they were.”

Idaho Falls is the second largest city in Idaho.

Well, one more.

We had been in Twin Falls several days and needed a few groceries so I went to a business by the name of Fred Meyer. Fred Meyer is a huge store that has everything including men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing and shoes, some hardware, groceries, bakery, meat, pharmacy, jewelry—it has it all. I finally found my items and went to a checkout with only one customer ahead of me. This store has at least six to eight checkouts plus a couple of “self checkout” counters.

As I placed my items on the conveyor I noticed the checkout lady. She was short and probably middle-aged (whatever that is). When she checked out my items she said to me “do you have a Fred Meyer card?”

I said “No, I’m from Montana visiting and I don’t have a card.” Where in Montana are you from?” she asked. I replied “from eastern Montana”, and before I could say anymore she said, “From Ekalaka? I lived there one time.” She continued, telling me her father was Robert and her grandparents were Clifford and Florebelle Elmore.

I wanted to get her name, but looking behind me customers were starting to come and I didn’t want any problems for her. She came from behind the counter and gave me a big hug. Her statement: “I’ve got to get back to Ekalaka some time.”

Well, you give me the percentage of chance that such a connection as these two could happen. I still can’t believe it.

I must get back to Bob Renshaw and his position of clerk and recorder and his very descriptive information about the dry, depression years and the effect on many of the Carter County residents.

“No crops in 1931 forced many people to come to our office for help. The Red Cross shipped in flour and potatoes which were distributed by the county commissioners and records kept in our office. The county furnished money for food and burial expenses for many needy people. Many could not pay their taxes.”

In 1934 there were an estimated 191 tracts of 51,107 acres with appraised value of $1.00 per acre. As Bob writes this article he tells of land being offered for $250.00 per acre for farm land and $150.00 for grazing land. Many lots were also taken for tax deed—37 in Ekalaka, 16 at Alzada, 24 at the old townside of Piniele, and 66 at Belltower.

“The drought lasted from ‘34 to ‘40 and the depression was affecting everyone. The government set up Montana Relief branch, and commodities shipped here and were stored in the building now occupied by the post office. The 1937 Welfare Act with an office staff to care for people’s needs with a sewing room in the court house furnished work for several women and provided new clothing for the needy. Road and work projects gave work for men and a C.C.C. Camp was established in Custer National Forest where Camp Needmore is now located. Ekalaka Park was built and forest roads were built—these projects furnished jobs for local lads as well as others from other states.”

A few of my memories during this time: The Welfare Act provided a job for Fred Yates and my father, George Townsend, and later for Carter Elmore. That office and space were in the old Post Office building, the north part of the building. It later became a clothing store and now is the Community 1st Federal Credit Union business.

Oh yes, I remember the C.C.C. Camp boys coming to Ekalaka on Saturday night for the dances at the Old Stand (Playhouse) hall and the New Life dance hall. Lots of local musicians played. The New Life dance hall, owned by Price Purdue, was a two-lane duck pin bowling alley. Myself and some of you remember setting up those pins for several hours.

Well, we sometimes complain about our present living times now but just think about these 1930-40 years. I for one, can say with appreciation “Thank you LORD.”