Memories

The pretty young lady that “Jimmy” Johnstone visited at the Anderson Ranch was Inga Senrud who was born June 4, 1895 at Laton Hegemark, Norway being an only daughter, along with two brothers born to Johan and Olive Audensons Senrud. Remember Jimmy was born in Scotland.

It was reported that Mrs. Olive Senrud felt that her family would have a much better life if they were to move to the U.S.A. Her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Heggen, lived near a place called Ekalaka, Montana, and were urging them to come. So in 1909 the family of five packed up and moved to America. They arrived in Ekalaka late on July 3rd.

The next morning they were awakened by the sound of gunshots to which “Aunte” Heggen told them not to be alarmed as this was the way “Doc” Hedges let the “good people of Ekalaka” know the Fourth of July had arrived.

Inga knew very little English and the new way of life made her a bit anxious. She always held close to her heart a special young friend who was most helpful to her. This friend was Anita Ewalt. They remained friends, and later after both were married, they became neighbors. They also shared many things in common, one was that they celebrated the same birthday. Anita Ewalt graduated from Carter County High School in 1919 and later married Harry Rose.

Reading these familiar names reminded me of Ed and Regina Heggen who homesteaded just three or four miles east of Ekalaka. The ranch moved on to Tom and Jo Heggen and then on to Tommy and Gloria Heggen and family. I was privileged to work for the Heggen family during my high school years.

The other names, “Doc” Hedges and Anita Ewalt Rose, are remembered by some of us.

Inga was very ambitious. She worked at several ranches, in town and for the Hiscock Ranch. In 1914 it was discovered that she had appendicitis and the nearest hospital was Camp Crook, South Dakota where she was taken for surgery. After her release from the hospital, she stayed and worked to pay her hospital and doctor bills. Her life dream was to become a nurse, but her parents felt she should be closer to home. How many of you remember that Camp Crook at one time had a hospital and doctor?

In 1916, two years after her appendicitis, she went to work for the Eddie Flasted ranch. She worked there for about a year and then worked at the Anderson ranch. Guess who she met while in this employment?

“Shifting Scenes” states: “On July 29, 1918, Jimmy Johnstone and Inga Senrud were united in marriage at the Union Congregational Church in Ekalaka, Montana, with Reverend W.S. Bowden officiating. Jimmy’s best man was Elmer Heggen and Inga’s maid of honor was Esther Vedell. They came to the Spring Creek community to make their home on the place that Jimmy had filed earlier.”

This husband and wife worked side by side over the years with lots of long, hard work days to follow. Inga often reminded him, “We didn’t even have a honeymoon, as we had to get home so you could stack hay.”

More about the life and history of this family to follow.