Memories

I would like to continue with my memories of our early and special neighbors, but first I want to share about the reminiscing section from the Eagle dated December 15, 2017.

In that section, there was an article from 70 years ago headlined "BAKER MEETS BULLDOGS IN OPENER HERE TONITE." It listed the names of the basketball players, all a part of my high school years, and very special friends of mine over the years. Yes, I have a couple pictures of that team, and yes it was a good team. The team won twelve games and lost 8 with a 39 point game average. Mr. E.E. Short was the coach and I'm sure it the pictures at right will bring back some memories for many of you.

Now, on to another neighbor family just up the street from us; Leslie and Nelle Dean. Again, Nelle has a family history in Shifting Scenes Vol. 1 with interesting and informative information I would like to share..

"Les" was born in Ward, Iowa on May 20, 1913. His parents were George and Alma (Larson) Dean. His family came to Montana in the spring of 1916 and filed on a homestead. Les, his mother, sister Olive, and an aunt came the same year by train to Baker, MT. His parents built a sod house and papered inside with newspapers (real up-to-date but probably didn't have an automatic dishwasher or garbage disposal).

In 1921, Leslie, his mother, Olive, and his brother Rankin had been in South Dakota came back to Montana. His mother filed on a homestead claim 12 miles north of Ekalaka on the Plevna road.

In the fall of 1926 they moved to the Francis B. Freese place. On November 22, 1927 Alma and Francis were married. Leslie, Olive and Rankin attended the O'Fallon Creek School riding horseback the four miles. Olive married Magnus Markuson and Rankin to Helen Stitser. A half brother, Francis J. Freese, was born on August 15, 1930. He married Patricia Dillon.

Now some information on Nelle and the family: She was born on February 11, 1918 at the family home in the O'Fallon Creek community. Her parents were Walter and Frances (Johnson) Guyer. She had one brother, Charles, and two sisters, Shirley and Dorothy.

Nelle went to Ekalaka her first grade and the next seven grades at O'Fallon Creek School. She did everything there was to do on a ranch at the time. 1934 was a dry year and she, along with neighbors, made the three day cattle drive to Ismay where the cattle were loaded on the train for Sioux City.

Les and Nelle were married in June, 1937 at the St. John Church in Baker, Montana. They lived on several places and finally moved to the Francis Freese place. They had seven children: Phyllis, Robert, Larry, Jay, Lois, Dale, and Barnet. All graduated from Carter County High School except Larry who graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Miles City, MT.

Les learned to play the banjo and violin and played for dances for many, many years. Les and Nelle learned square dancing which they enjoyed very much. They even attended national conventions and international conventions. Many of you may remember Les as the school bus driver, which he did for nine years.

To say the least, they were interesting and dear neighbors, and many of us miss Les' laugh and chuckle.