PLEVNA MONTANA-75 YEARS            (FILE 1 of 3)

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Page 1

FOREWARD

In no sense is this historical book to be considered a complete
history of the town of Plevna. As the years have passed by, so too,
many people have departed; those who so enthusiastically built up and
invested their lives in Plevna. To both the living and the dead, we
give tribute.

We are grateful to all who shared with us stories, information, and
pictures of those bygone days. You have provided us with that which
makes this book possible. We are especially indebted for the use of
Plevna's 50th Anniversary Book of 1959, which we have tried to
complement.

We sincerely hope that you will accept our apologies for errors. We
have recorded facts and information as it was given to us, and it may
differ to some small degree from that which actually may have been.

Thank you to each one who spent time and effort to make this book
available to its readers, and may its readers derive many hours of
pleasure from it.

THE HISTORICAL BOOK COMMITTEE

Norita Fried Darlene Hepperle Ruth Sieler, Chairman/Editor

Page 2

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

COVER DESIGN Ruth Sieler

SILHOUETTE PAGE DIVIDERS Marc Rieger Elaine Rugg

PHOTO OF PLEVNA DATED NOVEMBER 20,1915 Eldon Conser

MAP OF PLEVNA Eldon Conser

MONUMENT TO A STAGE DRIVER Roger Geving

HISTORY OF THE PLEVNA SCHOOLS School Committee

PUBLISHER Fallon County Times Baker, Montana Dedication This book is
dedicated to the good people of Plevna, its churches, businesses,
public organizations and protective services, and to all who built up
and lived in the Plevna community from 1909 t0 1984,

Page 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Beginnings 7-14
	Milwaukee Railroad 15-20
	Post Office 21-30
	Businesses 31-50
	Churches 51-58
	Family Histories 59-138
	Golden Anniversaries 139-146
	Armed Forces 147-154
	Clubs and Organizations 155-162
	1959 Celebration 163-166
	Excerpts From Here And There 167-176
	Schools 177-242
	Souvenir Advertisements 243-252

Page 4

PLEVNA – 1984 Two aerial views of Plevna in 1984

Page 5

THE DEUTSCHER

I'm a broken-hearted Deutscher,
Vot's filled met grief und shame.
I tells you vot de drubbles iss
I doesnt' know my name.

You dinks dis very funny, eh!
But ven you der schtory heah,
You vill not vunder den so mooch,
It vas so strange und kveer.

Mind mudder, she had two little tvins
Dey vas me und mine brudder.
Ve looked so very mooch alike
No vun knew vich frum the tudder.

Vun of us vas Hans
Und Jacob vas de udder's name
But it made no difference out,
Ve bot got call de same.

Vell, vun of us got dead.
Ja, mine goodness, dot is so;
But vedder Hans or Jacob,
Mine mudder she don't know.

Uun so I is in drubbles
Und can't get thru mine head,
Vedder I am Hans vot's liffing
Oder Jacob vot is dead

Page 6.

Beginnings

Page 7

Page 8 blank

DEAD MAN'S BUTTE

Photo Dedication of Monument at Dead Man's Butte --1925 Senator George
McCone [left] and George McHoes [right]

Many persons living in the vicinity of Plevna have had pointed out to
them Dead Man's Butte and the grave which gives it its name. The butte
and grave are near the southwest corner of the Dave Pieper homestead,
one mile east of the Custer trail farm owned by George McHoes, and
five miles northeast of the town of Plevna. The story of the tragic
death of the stage drive whose body rests in the lonely grave is told
by Senator George McCone, of Dawson County, who was also an employee
of the stagecoach company, and who found and buried the remains of the
unfortunate man.

The only name by which the dead man can now be known is "Fritz", the
last name being now forgotten. Fritz was one of the drivers of the
stage line which then connected Fort Lincoln across the river from the
present site of Bismarck in what is now North Dakota, with Fort Keogh,
near the present site of Miles City. The section of road covered by
Fritz extended from Pennell Station, near where the present road east
of Dead Man's Butte crosses Pennell Creek to the mouth of Powder
River. Pennell Station was burned by the Indians some time later, and
was afterward alluded to as Burnt Station.

Fritz was a man of German extraction, about 35 years of age, and
inclined to be careless of his personal appearance. He had come out
from Minnesota to make a stake, and after driving stage all summer had
offered his resignation to take effect September 1, 1880, with the
idea of going back to Minnesota, marrying, and settling down. He
decided to stay an additional month, in the expectation of earning
enough more to buy two more cows for his Minnesota farm.

It was in the latter part of September, 1880, that he started on the
trip which ended in his death. It is said that he seemed to have some
premonition of his approaching end. On the morning of the day of his
death, he had gotten up early and had gone to the top of the nearest
hill, apparently looking for Indians. Minor, who held Pennell Station,
afterwards said that he seemed very uneasy. Minor called him to
breakfast, and after breakfast he asked Minor to cut his hair and trim
his beard, something he had neglected for a long time. Minor did so,
and also loaned him a razor, with which Fritz shaved himself. He also
washed his shirt and tidied himself up generally.

When the time came for him to start on his trip to the mouth of Powder
River, he hitched up his team to the buckboard and started on his last
journey west. After crossing the creek, he stopped the team and waved
a farewell to the men left at the station and called, "Goodbye,
Minor." He then turned and followed the stage road into the hills
where he met his death.

Soon after entering the hills, and just out of sight of the station, a
party of eight Indians bore down on him from the north. Fritz seems to
have lost his head from fright, and although armed with a rifle,
instead of turning his team and attempting to return to Pennell
Station, fighting off the Indians as he went, he jumped from the rig,
allowing the horses to go as they pleased and leaving the rifle in the
buckboard. Chased by the Indians, he attempted to reach the rocks at
the top of the hill, but was overtaken by the Indians between two
small hills and was killed. The Indians afterward claimed they had not
intended to kill him, and that he was killed by a chance shot, fired
merely to scare him, but three bullet wounds found on the body
disprove this claim.

Bishop, who drove a stage on the same run as Fritz, came in the next
day from Powder River and reported he had not passed Fritz on the road
as he should have done if all had been well. Sample immediately sent
word to McCone, who was the foreman of a hay crew that had been
cutting hay for the stage company and was then busy with his crew at
Little Missouri, 45 miles from Pennell Station.

McCone at once started to look Fritz up, taking with him Frank Emmett,
one of the hay crew. McCone and Emmett followed the stage road to
Fallon, and after dinner returned, watching the road carefully for any
trace of the place where the buckboard had turned off. They failed to
find any trace, but noticed a dark object which Emmett declared was a
rock. Next day they started over the same route again, and on nearing
the scene of the tragedy, McCone noticed the turkey buzzards hovering
over the place where they had seen the dark object on the hill. Here
they found the object of their search, badly bloated and decomposed
from ten days lying on the hillside, and with the flesh of the face
torn by the buzzards.

McCone returned to Pennell Station, where he found a broken shovel and
hoe, the only tools available. With these and blankets, he returned to
the place where the body of Fritz lay. Owing to the hardness of the
soil, it was not possible to dig a grave deeper than a foot, but in
this shallow grave, the remains of poor Fritz were placed. The grave
was then covered with what stones could be found handy, but two weeks
later rock was hauled by team to protect the body from the coyotes and
wolves.

Senator McCone then took up the trail of the buckboard and soon found
where the Indians had overtaken the team, had taken the rifle, the
horses, and all of the harness, except the hames and the collars. The
mail sack they had cut open, cutting off the riveted ends, but taking
with them the solid leather center.

Among the mail was a corset, which was addressed to the daughter of
General Whistler, then stationed at Ft. Keogh. The Indians took the
whalebone out of the corset, and with it constructed a small corral in
the soft earth of a pocket gopher's digging. Inside this little fence
they dumped the letters from the pouch, after having opened most of
the larger letters. Senator McCone gathered up the mail and forwarded
it to its destination, himself taking the remains of the corset to Ft.
Keogh, to the daughter of General Whistler, who, it is said, preserved
the corset as a memorial of the event.

Sitting Bull's tribes were camped on the present site of the town of
Poplar, where they were guarded by Captain Reed, with four companies
of soldiers. The Indians' story of the tragedy came out later in a
round about way. McCone had the contract for the stage line from
Glendive to Ft. Buford. At Ft. Peck, now Poplar, there was a
restaurant run by Jim McDonald, who had a Sioux squaw, Louise Long
Dog. A brother of this squaw, Johnny Long Dog, was one of the party of
eight who killed Fritz. Johnny Long Dog told his sister of the
circumstances of the killing, at first claiming that he himself killed
Fritz. The squaw, like others of her sex, being unable to keep a
secret, told McDonald, and thus the facts became known.

Page 9

Johnny Long Dog afterward became war chief of the Sioux, and with his
immediate family and following attended a Glendive Fair. Among the
other events, including a balloon ascension, was an Indian parade in
which all the Indians, dressed in their bravest finery, participated.
At the head of the parade was Johnny Long Dog, accompanied by his two
daughters on ponies.

Long Dog was acquainted with McCone, and insisted that the Senator's
two little daughters should mount on behind his own and take part in
the parade.

It was Long Dog who made the claim in behalf of the Indians, that they
had not intended to kill the stage driver, but fired merely to scare
him. It may be true that they did not at first intend to kill him, but
were carried away by a frenzy of excitement when the white man lost
his head and jumped from the rig. The three bullet wounds found on the
body could not all have been accidental.

The day of the Indian raid is past now, and the Ford chugs past the
last resting place of the last victim of the red man. This sketch is
written so that the present resident, who has nothing to fear but
drouth and grasshoppers, may have some notion of the time forty years
ago, when the shadow of death hung over the hardy pioneers who were
breaking a way that those who followed them might live in peace.

--Written by Sen. C. C. Conser & Sen. George McCone Be-enacted by the
Pleasant Valley Community Wednesday, July 16, 1924
Photos of Dead Man’s Butte and the 1924 dedication


MONUMENT TO A STAGE DRIVER

By Roger Geving

On July 1, 1881, at 6 o'clock A.M., the first official mail carrier
left Fort Keogh. The vehicle was a buckboard drawn by four or six
horss. They were driven at a full gallop most of the time. Mules were
employed when the road became impassable for horses.

Traveling eastward from the present location of Miles City, the trail
followed the Yellowstone River. The first station was "Canyon
Station", the next station was "Powder River Station". The trail then
left the Fort Buford Trail and went overland to 'Branch Creek", now
"Whitney Creek". The next station was "O'Fallon Station", located near
the present town of Ismay. Approximately sixteen miles farther was
"Cabin Creek Station", later to be known as "Pennel Station". The last
two stations were "Burnt Station" and "Lake Station", respectively.
Crossing Beaver Creek, the trail swung north and east into Dakota and
Fort Lincoln. It crosses Highway Seven nine miles north of the present
city of Baker. Fort Lincoln is located near Yule at the mouth of the
Little Missouri River.

Page 10

Map of stage route.

Through all types of weather the stages rushed, at first once
a week, then two or three times a week. The trip was hard on drivers,
so about every seventy miles a new driver took over. The first trips
took ninetysix hours. Time was shortened to seventy- three hours; the
exceptional trip took sixty hours.

To prevent road blockage due to snow, fire guards were burned off
approximately a hundred feet on each side of the trail. The traffic
soon wore ruts twelve to fifteen inches deep. A new parallel trail was
then started.

All the marvelous beauty of Montana in June was there for the beholder
in the year 1876, but it was unheeded by the men: both red and white.
Hearts and minds were filled with greed, pomp, hate, and frustration
which erupted into an event which shook the nation, "The Custer
Massacre".

In the turmoil which followed, Fort Keogh was established at the mouth
of the Tongue River on the Yellowstone River about two miles from the
trading post called Milesburg. It was soon renamed Miles City.

With both military and civilians on the move through the area, a
faster method of transporting mail, goods, and passengers was needed.
Traveling by river was slow and hazardous, as well as dependent on the
amount of water in the river, thus making travel seasonal. An overland
route was laid out, being marked by a line of mounds of earth. A cedar
post was set in the center to which a piece of canvas was attached.

Stations were established with buildings, corrals, supplies and
attendants about every sixteen miles. Sometimes emergency stations
were placed in between. The distance was about three hundred miles
from Fort Keogh to Fort Lincoln on the Missouri River.

There were many hardships besides weather and loneliness. Indians were
a constant threat. There is a monument northeast of the present town
of Plevna commemorating El stage driver who lost his life to the
Indians. He was a little known German stage driver by the name of
Henry Fritz.

The question has been raised whether Fritz had a premonition of his
death. He was by nature an unkept person. He never washed or shaved
while on a trip. On the fateful morning he rose early, bathed, shaved,
and put clean clothes on. He walked off to a nearby hill and meditated
before breakfast. He then departed westward on schedule.

He drove the stage westward three miles and began to cross between
several buttes. Chief Johnny Long Dog and eight Sioux braves, who had
been hiding on the blind side of the hill, attacked him. The Indians
raced around the hill and came in behind him. Fritz began to circle
the buttes in an attempt to outrun the Indians. They were able to
decrease his lead so rapidly that he became scared; jumping from the
stage, he began to run toward another butte, seeking shelter. The
Indians shot at the fleeing man, one shot being fatal. Chief Johnny
Long Dog then chased Fritz's stage, which had continued to circle the
hill. They captured and searched the stage for valuables.

It has been reported that when the Indians went through the mail, they
discovered a lady's corset. There are two stories as to what they did
with it. The first story goes thus: the Indians took the whalebone
stays and made a small teepee and placed all the mail in it. The
second story says an old Indian was found wearing the corset. This was
reported near Golva, North Dakota.

The old Indian said they hadn't meant to kill the driver, but in the
excitement of the chase he was shot. He said they were after the
horses.

When Fritz was overdue at "Powder River Station", a hay crew began to
search for him. A man by the name of George McCone was in the search
party. Fritz was discovered and buried on the spot with his boots on.
Fritz's burial consisted of simply having rocks piled on top of him.
It wasn't a true grave with a pit as we normally think of. It wasn't
too successful, for his bones soon became scattered.

Page 11

A monument was erected at the gravesite in 1925. The workers found
Fritz's keys, crooked pipe, and the fatal bullet among the rocks. The
body remains, which were few thanks to predatory animals, were placed
in the grave. One rib was placed in the Ekalaka Museum by Andrew 0.
Geving.

Mr. George McCone was the instigator of the erection of the monument.
He had located a rock about one mile south of the gravesite that was
suitable for a tombstone. It is an eight foot sandstone log. The stone
is oval and weighs approximately one ton. A wagon running gear was
placed over the stone. The stone was raised to the axles with jacks
and secured with log chains. It was then hauled to its present resting
place. The stone still bears the chain marks.

A bronze plaque was purchased by the community and placed on the
stone. It gives the approximate time and cause of death. It also makes
note of the fact State Senator George McCone was in the search party.

Upon completion of the project, a pageant was held. It was a complete
reenactment of the incident. They tried to reenact it as close to the
fact as they could ascertain from documents and stories from the old
timers. The local people were the actors. The pageant was the cause
for a large gathering of the people from the nearby community. One
special guest of honor was State Senator George McCone.

A CHILD'S LETTER

A letter written in a childish scrawl and without a stamp came to the
post office addressed to "God." A postal employee, not knowing
exactly what to do with the letter, opened it and read:

"Dear God, my name is Jimmy. I am six years old. My father is dead and
my mother is having a hard time raising me and my sister. Would you
please send us $500? "

The postal employee was touched, to say the least. He showed the
letter to his fellow workers and all decided to kick in a few dollars
each and send it to the family. They were able to raise $300.

A couple of weeks later a second letter was received. The boy wished
to thank God, but ended his note with: "Next time would you please
deliver the money directly to our home. If you send it through the
post office they deduct $200. "

Page 12

 Town platt

PLEVNA CUSTER COUNTY MONTANA IN SECTION 30 TOWNSHIP S NORTH RANW 5S
EAST.

SCALE ONE INCH=IOOFt

Page 13

THE 75-YEAR HISTORY OF PLEVNA

The name "Plevna" in the Russian language means "City of Churches".
Originally, the Milwaukee Railroad chose to call the new station
"Edina". Many Bulgarians worked on the Milwaukee Railroad when it was
built, and officials of the Milwaukee approved the workers' choice of
the name "Plevna". Plevna, Bulgaria, was a historical site where the
Russians were engaged in a great battle with the Turks.

Early Plevna, Montana[Picture loaned by Frank Dietz]

July 4 Celebration--1915 [Picture loaned by Matt Himsl]

"PLEVNA IS ARRANGING TO BECOME INCORPORATED CITY"

[Newspaper clipping]

The petition for the incorporation of the town of Plevna has been sent
in to the Board of County Commissioners and it is expected that the
Board will act upon it at their first meeting, and if granted, will
appoint someone to take a census of the population which must be not
less than 300 souls, which census must be presented at the next
meeting of the Commissioner's and if it is found that the required
population is here, the Board of Commissioners will call for an
election to decide the matter.

So far, the committee in charge have found no difficulties in the way,
and it is not anticipated that any difficulties will arise, the
majority of the people of Plevna being in favor of incorporation.
--Plevna Herald

The town of Plevna was incorporated in 1916.

PLEVNA MAYORS AND TOWN CLERKS

MAYOR	TOWN CLERK

Dec. 27, 1916	A. S. Lund	G. L. Stark May 4, 1917	A. S. Lund	W. J.
Markwardt Jan. 4, 1918	John L. Howe	W. J. Markwardt April 18, 1918	J.
E. Doyle	W. J. Markwardt May 20, 1918	John Weinschrott, Jr.	W. J.
Markwardt May 2, 1922	0. E. Anderson	W. J. Markwardt May 16, 1922	0.
E. Anderson	John Weinschrott, Jr. May 15, 1923	0. E. Anderson	F. C.
Riddle March 18, 1924	0. E. Anderson	N. M. Wellenstein Sept. 24,
1924	A. E. Hoff	N. M. Wellenstein May 4, 1926	C. A. Dunham	N. M.
Wellenstein May 3, 1932	Wm. Stoddard	N. M. Wellenstein May 2,
1933	George P. Susa	N. M. Wellenstein May 16, 1933	George P. Susa	F.
C. Riddle July 7, 1936	Edmund E. Leischner	F. C. Riddle Aug. 4,
1936	George P. Susa	F. C. Riddle June 1, 1937	John Schuetzle	F. C.
Riddle Sept. 9, 1938	John Schuetzle	J. E. Doyle Dec. 3, 1941	Harold
Leischner	J. E. Doyle Dec. 2, 1942	Gideon Heimbuch	J. E. Doyle Oct. 3,
1946	Jacob Oberlander	J. E. Doyle Oct. 5, 1948 Jacob Oberlander Edmund
Leischner Aug. 7, 1951	Jacob Oberlander	Ervin Huber Oct. 2, 1951	Jacob
Oberlander	Ruben Oberlander April 1, 1952	J. M. Steffes	Ervin Huber
June 2, 1953	J. M. Steffes	N. M. Wellenstein April 5, 1955	Isadore
Leischner	N. M. Wellenstein May 3, 1955	Isadore Leischner	Delphine
Hoenke Nov.20,1956	Albert Hepperle	Delphine Hoenke Oct. 8,
1957	Leonard Hoenke	Delphine Hoenke May 6, 1959	Isadore
Leischner	Delphine Hoenke Dec. 7, 1965	Gladys M. Hogue	Delphine Hoenke
April 8, 1969	Earl M. Hoke	Delphine Hoenke May 4, 1971	Leon
Rieger	Delphine Hoenke April 11, 1977	Ralph Higgins	Delphine Hoenke
May 2, 1977	Ralph Higgins	Vivian Panasuk

PLEVNA'S PRESENT OFFICLUS

	Mayor Ralph Higgins Council Members Lillian Anderson Gordon
	Heimbuch Theodore Hepperle Wilmer Huber Town Clerk and Treasurer
	Vivian Panasuk Attorney County Attorney Water Superintendent W. C.
	Geving Park and Rubbish Removal Superintendent Grace Maurice The
	Population of Plevna 200


Page 14

MILWAUKEE RAILROAD

 Page 15

 Page 16 blank

THEIRONHORSE& DEVELOPMENTS ALONG ITS TRACKS

Plevna was just a side track on the rail line in the year 1908 when
the Markwardts first traveled the line. They were both railroad men,
one the Section Superintendent, and the other a commissary man. They
were here doing the work they were detailed to. The section house was
one of the first buildings to be erected, and it was occupied by the
Joachu Markwardts for 21/2 years. It was the place where everyone came
for information and even lodging.

When Joachum Markwardt first rode the rails west in 1907, the train
was pulled by a Pacific engine to encourage experienced railroad
people to take western jobs. Returning home, he was offered the job of
Division Superintendent of the section between Aberdeen, South Dakota,
and Miles City, Montana. His son, Wm. J, was finishing school at the
University of Minnesota, and like all young men had a great idea of
the west. Wm. J. was a friend of the son of the Operations General
Manager of the railroad out of Minneapolis. When told of Joachum's
offer and of Wm. J.'s interest in railroading, he offered him the
commissary opening, which he accepted. This is how Joachurn and Wm. J.
happened to be in the same division at the same time  in Plevna.

The telegraph building and water tower came soon after the section
house. At first, however, Mrs. Markwardt carried the water from a
creek east of the railroad water tank for washing. Cooking and
drinking water came in a water car on the railroad and sometimes
wasn't too clean.

During the time of the railroad's construction, a terrible storm
flooded the area. The camp location was approximately six or seven
miles west of Plevna. P. J. Schumacher swiftly rode to the camp on
horseback and warned them of the coming flood. No lives were lost;
however, all the horses and implements were lost. It was told that
even many years later, many skeletons and tools were found.

--Information received from Lowell Markwardt Grandson of Joachum
Markwardt (For more on the Markwardts, see "Family Histories"

A little railroad ditty goes like this:

I'm not allowed to run the' train or make the whistle blow.
I'm not allowed to let off steam or see how fast it will go.
I'm not allowed to take command or exercise control,
But let the darn thing jump the
track, and see who catches H---.

Photo Mrs. Joachum Markwardt and Mrs. Wm. J. Markwardt

Other section foremen living in the section house were Frank Angelo,
who served the longest period of time. He retired, moved to Baker, and
then to Spokane, Washington, where he passed away.

Ernie E. Shear succeeded Mr. Angelo. He was Plevna's last section
foreman. He transferred to Lavina, Montana. Shortly thereafter, the
section house was sold, Ed Christman purchased it, and his plans were
to move and remodel it for a dwelling. It is now located in the
northeast comer of Plevna. The Jesse Schells, granddaughter of Betty
and the late Ed Christman, have remodeled it and are living in it with
their three sons: Jesse, Jason, and Jeremy.

Photo Remodeled section house, now the home of Jesse Schells

After the house was removed, the town leased the property from the
Milwaukee Railroad. Since water and some trees were already there,
additional trees were planted. Playground equipment, a barbecue grill,
and picnic tables were added. Many family gatherings and
organizational picnics have been held there. This year a new contract
or lease has been made with the Burlington Northern to continue the
use of this fine property as Plevna's town park.

Soon after the trains began crossing the prairies, an Indian Chief
decided to take a ride. He and his squaw boarded the train, her taking
the upper berth and he the lower. After about an hour of riding, the
Chief demanded that the squaw get him a drink of water. It was so good
that he poked her several times during the night for more water. About
4:00 a.m., he sent her again, but this time she returned without the
water. "No good, " she told the Chief. "White man sitting on well.

DEPOTS AND DEPOT AGENTS

Plevna's First Depot [Picture loaned by Eldon Conser.

Page 17

PLEVNA New Town on C. M. & P. S. Ry.

Twelve miles' west of Baker, Montana, and located in a fine farming
community, will be sold at Public auction on

Saturday, Oct. 7, 1911, at 2 o’clock

Excursion rates will be given from all points west as far as Miles
City, Montana, and from all points east as far as Lemmon, S. D., on
account of Lot Sale to be held at Plevna on above date. See posters at
ticket office for rates.  MILWAUKEE LAND CO.

G. W. MORROW, G. L. & T. A.  1125 Henry Building, Seattle, Wash.

Page 18

The first depot agent was Walter Plath. He was not only Milwaukee's
agent, but also an organizer. His interest in music led him to
organize a very fine band. He also organized the first baseball team
for Plevna.

Photo PLEVNAS BALL TEAM [Back row] First two players are Fred Dugan
and Jay Grim. The others are not identified.

Photo Donna, Marcia, Virginia, Robert and Douglas Ellingson

Photo Carting Away the Depot Photo The big depot was removed from its
spot in March of 1973.

Mr. R. T. Wilson was depot agent in Plevna from about 1931 through
1934. Three of their sons: Alan, Gordon, and Warren, were with them
while the oldest, Lyle, remained in Miles City to graduate there.

The last depot agent was Robert Ellingson. He served the Milwaukee
Railroad and the Plevna community from 1948 until he transferred to
Baker to fill a vacancy there when the depot closed its doors in
Plevna.

The Milwaukee passenger and mail service slowly came to a halt. The
last passenger train to carry passengers was in 1953. Soon other
visible signs of deterioration showed. The big depot was sold and
carted away in pieces. Finally, the Milwaukee sold to the Burlington
Northern on March 31, 1981.

Photo Morris Hoenke took part of the depot to his lots further west.
The other half was removed in pieces by Lonnie Rath.
Photo Milwaukee Engine and Caboose
Photo The little depot that was there first and now remains last. . .

Page 19
SEVEN INJURED IN TRAIN WRECK

Seven injured men, two badly damaged engines and sixteen shattered
cars are the results of a head-on collision between two extra freight
trains which occurred in the railroad yards at Plevna early Wednesday
morning. The failure of the air breaks to work is the cause of the
wreck given by one of the engineers.

The east bound freight was standing on the main track at the water
tank taking water when the west bound train crashed into it.

The engine crew of the standing train saw the other freight coming and
they climbed out of the cab but before they got out of the path of
danger the crash came. Both were struck by flying pieces of timbers
and seriously hurt. The engineer on the moving train jumped while the
fireman climbed up into the tender and was hurled about 20 feet. Both
men escaped with slight injuries.

Three tramps were riding in the cars that were wrecked, one whose leg
were so badly crushed that it is thought that amputation will be
necessary, and the others were badly bruised and crushed.

Both iron monsters were locked together but did not leave the rails.
The cars were all more or less smashed and the majority of them were
loaded with merchandise. The water tank was knocked down and
demolished.

The work of clearing the track continued until late Wednesday
afternoon when it was fit for use. Passenger trains Nos. 15 and 16
went as far as Plevna where the passengers and mail were transferred
and 15 backed to Marmarth while 16 backed to Miles City.

The latest report was that the injured men are recovering and that all
of them are alive. (Ed. Note: Two men injured in the crash later
died.)

Old railroad men say this wreck was one of the worst they had ever
seen.

Photos Water Tank and Bridge [Picture Loaned by Eldon Conser]Train
Wreck of 1916 [Picture loaned by Marion Livengood.] The Big Mogul --
Paciftc and Atlantic steam engine [Picture loaned by Marion
Livengood.]

Page 20

Post OFFICE

Page 21

Page 22 blank

Document of post office establishment. Dated December 30, 1909

Page 23

PLEVNA U.S. POST OFFICE

One of the first buildings to be erected in Plevna was a combination
post office, makeshift bank, and store. It was built by Herbert Callin
in 1909. That same year, application was made to have a post office
established, and the authority to do so was granted on December 30,
1909. The doors were officially opened for business in January of
1910. The first entry in the account book was on January 15, 1910.
Herbert Callin was the first postmaster. He served until September 15,
1911.


Photo Letta Conser, Postmaster from 191133 Picture taken in 1897 in
Minneapolis, Minnesota [Loaned by Eldon Conser. ] Home of Letta Conser
Plevna Post Office in 1912

Letta Conser took over the reigns as postmaster on September 16, 1911.
She came to this area from Iowa in 1910 with a brother, sister, and
mother. They lived on a homestead 11/4 miles south of the townsite.
She daily commuted to work by walking the distance on foot. In order
to make it easier for her to cross a fence each day, her family built
a walk-up gate, which remained for many years after her departure.

Neither rain, snow, or cold could keep her from walking to and from
work. On at least one occasion, she started for home when a terrible,
blinding snowstorm came up and she lost her way. Letta walked for some
distance off course when she saw a glimmer of a light. Following a
fence toward the light, she came to another brother's home  quite
some distance out of her way. She was exhausted and nearly frozen to
death.

Letta's little nephew, Eldon Conser, often accompanied her to town
after he started school. He dearly loved holding her hand as they
walked, but only until they came close to town. He would not have the
other children think Auntie Letta had to hold him by the hand!


Letta Conser retained her position until 1933, whe followed other
members of her family to Washington, D.C., where they were employed.
She made her home in Arlington, Virginia.

Peter J. Herbst succeeded Miss Conser. He received his commission on
June 18, 1934, and it was signed by Franklin D Roosevelt. The
appointments at that time lasted only four years and were then
renewed. Age forced him to retire on November 30, 1953. (The
retirement age was 70.)

The office in which Peter Herbst served was postmaster owned, and he
furnished all the equipment, including the post office boxes. The
office at first was heated with coal, and later was modernized with an
oil heater. It had no inside plumbing and no rest room. The water had
to be carried in to wash the grime from the hands which were soiled
from handling dirty mail sacks and printer's ink from newspapers.

(For more on Peter J. Herbst, see the Herbst family history.)

Photo Peter J. Herbst Postmaster 1933-53

Page 24 Page 25 Peter Herbst appointment as Postmaster. Dated 1934
Pages 26-28 Journals Page 29 Ruth Seiler appointment as Postmaster

Photo Post Office until 1965

Ruth Sieler's postal career began July 1, 1946, when she accepted a
position as clerk in the Plevna Post Office, a position which she did
not apply for. The postmaster needed help, and she responded to his
request, thinking it would be temporary at most.

When Postmaster Herbst retired, postal officials approached and urged
her to accept the position as postmaster. She was acting postmaster
from December 1, 1953, until July 28, 1954, when she received her
commission and has held that position until the present time.

Since she did not apply for either position, Ruth feels that God
Himself placed her here, and therefore she is making no plans for
retirement, although she is eligible. Her outside interests include
traveling, flowers, and painting. She has been to nearly all of the 50
states, including Hawaii and Alaska, and parts of Canada. One of her
trips took her to the Middle East and the Holy Land, and she has seen
at least part of Europe.

Photo Ruth Sieler Postal Clerk from July 1, 1946 to November 30, 1953
Postmaster from December 1, 1953, to present

Photo U.S. Post Office built in 1965

The Plevna Post Office has 160 installed boxes with 142 rented. The
delivery population area serves approximately 450 to 500 people.

The office has two highway contract box delivery routes which are
operated by one contractor. The mail is carried several times a week
to areas that were at one time served by the offices of Calumet and
Westmore. Calumet area is the approximate southern outer point, and
the route extends into Carter County. The Calumet office was closed in
1935. Westmore is the northwest outer point for the second route. The
Westmore office was closed in 1942, and all its records were absorbed
into the Plevna office.

The roads in the early days were rough and unimproved -often only a
trail with no maintenance. The carrier would make his rounds with
wagon or sled and a team of horses, or on horseback using saddlebags.
Many times they were unable to return the same day, so they stayed
overnight with a friendly customer on the route who was more than
delighted to show hospitality for the free mail service they received.
Many farmers and ranchers also depended on the mailman to take farm
produce, especially cream to the creamery, store, or railroad station.
He, in addition to the mail delivery, would make grocery and hardware
deliveries.

Road conditions have improved considerably since the school buses have
started transporting children from the rural areas to attend the grade
and high school in town.

DO UNTO OTHERS

A mother had been having a serious talk with her small son.  At the
end, she reminded him, "Remember, we are in this world to help others.
" Her son considered her words for a moment, then asked, "What are the
others here for?"

HORSE SENSE

A horseman went to Henry Ward Beecher and said, "Mr. Beecher, I have a
 good family horse I want to sell you. He is a good saddle horse, a
 good buggy horse, and a good carriage horse.  He works double with
 any horse on either side of the tongue. In short, he is a good
 allaround horse and a good team worker. "

Mr. Beecher replied, "My friend, I can't buy your horse, but I would
like to have him as a member of my church"

Page 30

Businesses

Page 31

Page 32 blank

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF PLEVNA

Tile First National Bank of Plevna was incorporated by E. P. O’Brien,
who also had a real estate office. The original reason for starting
banks in eastern Montana was that the Minnesota banks wanted an outlet
for their surplus money. The First National Bank of Plevna was moved
to Baker in 1924.

THE BORGERDING STATE BANK

The Borgerding State Bank originally was started by a group of banks
in Steams County, Minnesota. The Borgerdings also owned large holdings
of timber lands in the state of Washington. The bank was incorporated
in July of 1914. When Borgerding died, the bank's name was changed to
the First State Bank of Plevna.

Dr. P. A. Hilbert became the president; A.C. Mikalson was vice
president; V. S. Himsl - cashier; and Miss A. M. Engels assistant
cashier.

Photos V. S. Himsl - President Anna Engles Assistant Cashier

Photo First State Bank of Plevna Vic Himsl - President and Anna Engles
- Ass't. Cashier [Picture loaned by Eldon Conser]

[The following information is excerpted from the family history of the
Himsl family.]

In 1924 there was a reorganization of the heirs' banking interests,
and Himsl took over the First State Bank of Plevna, selling his small
interest in the Ekalaka Bank.

The years following were generally a period of pioneering growth in
the Plevna area with homesteading and sod-busting.

The little bank grew and prospered, being staffed by the faithful,
dependable and loyal N. M. Wellenstein and Anna Engels, who was a
sister-in-law to Himsl.

In the late 1920's, the whole area experienced a series of crop
failures. Borrowers could not pay their notes, and there was no more
market for eastern Montana bank notes. The Plevna bank survived the
1929 crunch only to be turned in for liquidation in 1931, when
deposits fell to only $58,456.79, with virtually no collections and no
market for bank loans.

There, however, is a happy postscript on the bank story worth telling:

From 1931 on there were few assets to be converted, and the borrowers
were unable or unwilling to pay off notes. The bank held 320 acres in
the Cabin Creek area as collateral on a note which the banking
department examiners ordered to be charged off. Hinisl charged the
note off and took title. Later when the bank closed, the department
successfully reclaimed the asset in a court action for the reason that
there was a low income gas well on the property.

For 30 years, the receivership produced little return. Over the years,
Matt Himsl shared his father's faith that the Cabin Creek asset would
someday produce. He brought up some depositor claims who had
despaired, had the family stockholder interests of 97 percent assigned
to him, and kept watch over the property. When the banking department
put the asset up for sale in 1959, he challenged the Shell Oil
Company, offering in a court action, and with the cooperation of
Robert Towle, Superintendent of Banks, successfully had the asset
retained by the banking department. He then negotiated with Shell Oil
and eventually had two producing wells on the property with the result
that by November of 1976, royalty earnings had paid off the
depositors' claims, plus interest, to total 331.7 percent. About
$47,000 escheated to the state for coverage of any undelivered claims
and the asset reverted to Matt Himsl, who in turn has it set up in a
trust to be shared by his brothers and sisters.

It is reported that this is the only bank of record to have made a
full pay-out - made possible only by diligence, perseverance,
cooperation, and good luck. Faith has its reward!

FIRST STATE BANK ELECTED NEW OFFICERS

The annual meeting of the directors and stockholders of the First
State Bank of Plevna was held in the bank's office this week. New
officers for the coming year were elected and other business
transacted. The bank's officials are well-pleased with the business
for the year just closed and are particularly optimistic for the
future. The First State has a capital stock of $30,000.00, and their
surplus fund amounts to over $14,000.00, which is an increase in
surplus of more than $2,000.00 over last year.

Photo First State Bank -- About 1926 [L-R] Nick Wellenstein - cashier,
V. S. Himsl - president Anna Engels assistant cashier

Page 33

The officers elected are: V. S. Himsl - president, A. C. Mikalson
-vice president, N. M. Wellenstein - cashier, and A. M. Engels -
assistant cashier.

The directors are A. C. Mikalson, V. S. Himsl, and A. M. Engels.

At the annual meeting of the Ekalaka Bank, Septon Cady was elected
president, V. S. Himsl - vice president, H. B. Albert - cashier, S. J.
Ernswiler - assistant cashier, and T. M. Comstock - second assistant
cashier. Directors are Septon Cady, H. B. Albert, S. J. Ernswiler, Ed
Feastead and V. S. Himsl. The capital stock of the Ekalaka bank is
$30,000.00, and the surplus was increased to $15,000.00.

"THE LITTLE BANK THAT PAID OFF"

Folks in Plevna, Montana, Lost Their Money When Their Bank Closed in
1931 -- But a Law Suit Earned Oil Royalties For Depositors

The doors of the First State Bank of Plevna were locked forty-seven
years ago on June 26, 1931. The bank was one of hundreds in the United
States to go broke during that terrible year of the Great Depression,
a year when frightened people, suspecting trouble and in need of hard
cash, had been steadily depleting their balances in the bank and
hording what little money there was to be had in Mason fruit jars and
in stockings stuffed in mattresses.

It was a time in Plevna -- a small farming community in Fallon County,
about 15 miles west of Baker -- when neighbors were drawn together in
a common plight, when people seldom refused strangers who knocked on
the backdoor of farm houses offering a day's work in exchange for a
hot meal, and when a new tune, "Brother Can You Spare A Dime", was
just becoming popular over the infant radio waves.

The failure of the First State Bank was the final evidence in Plevna
that things were going from bad to worse. Rumors the bank owned a gas
well that might bring in some money to depositors was a faint hope in
the future that nobody took seriously.

The hard reality was that the enforced closure of the bank had ruined
some of its remaining 290 depositors and thrown others on the charity
of relatives and friends who had managed to save some money. If there
was any consolation in the disaster, it was the knowledge that
thousands of other Americans were floundering in hardship in the wake
of collapsing banks.

Fifty-eight thousand dollars was the amount the insolvent bank owed
its depositors when the State Bank Examiner padlocked the doors and
appointed a receiver. The unreliable rumors of gas royalties could not
dispel the black facts. The money was gone.

But at least one man in Plevna, former bank cashier N. M. (Nick)
Wellenstein, who had lost $570 when the bank was padlocked, was
convinced gas royalties were not a pipe dream. Had he been able to
foresee the long, involved legal struggle ahead to establish the
depositors' rights to ownership of gas and oil dividends from a half
section of land, he might have been discouraged.

The litigation was to take in Wellenstein, the bank's president Victor
S. Himsl, a friend of his, W. V. Kaiser, Frank H. Johnson, the State
Bank Examiner, the Montana Supreme Court, and much later, Himsl's son,
Matt, who would appear as an advocate for the depositors in a shrewd
legal maneuver that would return their forfeited money -- making the
First State Bank of Plevna the only insolvent bank in the U.S. ever to
pay off its obligation to depositors with accumulated interest on
their money over a forty-seven year period.

The remarkable odyssey which also was to involve at one time or
another almost every soul who resided in Plevna in 1931, their sons,
daughters, and grandchildren, officials of Shell Oil Company, and the
Montana Gas and Oil Commission, began on June 3, 1930, almost eleven
months before the bank was finally closed.

The First State Bank of Plevna was in trouble already by June of 1930.
Borrowers had been unable to pay back bank loans, withdrawals
outweighed deposits, cash reserves had dwindled as the deposit base
had shrunk. Some of its loans had been discounted to a Minneapolis
bank for operating cash, but still the drain had continued, seriously
weakening the bank's solvency.

To make a helpless condition almost hopeless, Victor Hirnsl, president
of the bank, struggling to keep the floundering institution alive, was
required as a major stockholder to pay an assessment on his ownership.
In those days -- before the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
guaranteed deposits -when a bank's capital was impaired, stockholders
were called upon to put up an amount of money, often in installments,
equal to the par value of their ownership. But Himsl didn't have the
money to pay an assessment levied by the State Bank Examiner.

Acting on a resolution by his board of directors on June 30, 1930,
Himsl sold a half section of land owned by the bank through a
foreclosure and valued at $2,800 to W. V. Kaiser for $1.00. Kaiser
sold the property back to Himsl for the same amount, then Himsl
executed a gas royalty lease with an advance payment from a gas
development company of $2,800. He endorsed the check to the bank and
guaranteed the gas developers that should no gas be produced he would
personally refund the money. It was argued later in court that Himsl
had taken upon himself the risk of the gas exploration being
successful. He would suffer if the drilling came up dry.

But former cashier Nick Wellenstein did not see it that way, nor did
Frank H. Johnson, the State Bank Examiner. And it was to be seven
years before this difference of opinions was settled by the Montana
Supreme Court.

Nick had had a hunch about the half section of land for a long time.
He envisioned busy gas and oil activity on the land, and if his
intuition proved to be correct, why the depositors might get some of
their money back. Bank Examiner Johnson agreed with Wellenstein.
Johnson wanted the court to rule that when a stockholder of a bank
pays an assessment to make good an impairment of its capital, he is
not entitled to a transfer to him of any of the assets of the bank, or
in this case the disputed ownershp of the 320 acres with a gas well on
it.

If the decision on March 13, 1937, by the Montana Supreme Court to
void the sale of the land to Victor Himsl, returning it to the assets
of the defunct bank, had marked the end of the Plevna odyssey, it
would have earned no more than a few pages of judicial comment in the
law books.

Page 34

But the strange story of the First State Bank of Plevna had really
only begun.

The royalty proceeds from a gas well discovered on the property were
paid into the closed bank trust administered by the State Bank
Examiner until 1971, when those duties became the responsibility of
the new Department of Business Regulation.

When Plevna residents heard about the Montana high court's decision in
1937 which designated the half section of land as an asset of the
closed bank, they belatedly remembered Nick Wellenstein's prediction
that the land would pay off. Letters began to bombard the State Bank
Examiner requesting information. What did the court decision mean? Was
there a slim change the depositors could get some of their money
refunded? How much money was there?

The answer was disappointing: There had been some gas production, but
it had not been enough to pay the costs of receivership. Erstwhile
depositors were urged not to count on a windfall.

Plevna's residents shrugged. It had all sounded too good to be true.
Besides, as the sidewalk lawyers observed, there was no precedent
anywhere for a dismantled bank to refund money. Even the redoubtable
Nick Wellenstein was dismayed and concerned himself with other things
until three years later when small checks began dribbling in to people
whose claims against the bank had been approved by the State Bank
Examiner.

By the early 1950s, only a meager six percent of the depositors'
losses had been paid back from the proceeds of gas royalties.

Another ten years were to pass before a dramatic turn of events
occurred in which Matt Himsl, vigorous son of the First State Bank's
deceased president, became a dominant figure in the drawn-out case of
the Plevna bank.

Oil had been discovered in the Cabin Creek Field!

Talk was rampant that the discovery would yield millions of dollars.
Texas-size fortunes were going to be made in black gold. And, what
excited and thrilled speculation in Plevna was that the 320 acres
which had been transferred by the courts to the bank lay right on the
fringe of the discovery field.

But the ponderous First State Bank file had been open by then for more
than 30 years. Ledgers and legal documents on the case weighed more
than half a ton. Plevna had become a name that was almost anathema in
the State Bank Examiner's offices in Helena. The open file was an ugly
reminder of unfinished business, while the skeletons of other bank
defaults had been gathering dust peacefully in the state archives for
years.

"A. generation of children had grown up, married, and were raising
children of their own. Many of the original depositors had died, as
had Victor HimsI. The cost of receivership had run into thousands of
dollars," remarks Les Alke, administrator of the Finance Division,
Department of Business Regulation. Alke, who was a boy when the Plevna
bank was closed, started supervising the case in 1955.

It, was in the early sixties, when few people cared, or even
remembered the bank failure -- the building had become in succession a
bar and later a Senior Citizens' Center -- Alke recalls, that the
State Bank Examiner made an effort to close the file once and for all
by obtaining a court order to sell oil rights on the land to the
highest bidder. Oil activity was feverish in the Cabin Creed Field. A
cash offer, it was reasoned, would settle the bank's mouldering estate
forever.

But the Department had not reckoned with Matt Himsl. He figured that a
Shell Oil Company bid of $15,000 was merely the tip of the income that
Shell would derive if the company was awarded the sale. He marched
into court and made a convincing argument that if the land could be
included as a producing unit in the Cabin Creek discovery, it would
prove to be a valuable asset to the defunct bank. Depositors still
living could have a realistic chance of recovering what they may have
lost, and if not them, then their heirs would benefit from the legacy.

The court obligingly rescinded the order to sell the land. And Himsl,
with help from the Montana Oil and Gas Commission, succeeded in
getting the land included as a producing unit in the Cabin Creek
Field.

Immediately, royalties, based on a pro-rata share of the land's
acreage in the production area, began to flow at last to Plevna
depositors of the First State Bank.

By November 1, 1977, the little bank that failed had paid off. A
mistake in a land transaction fortyseven years earlier had proved to
be a bonanza.

According to Alke, 209 claimants, original depositors of the bank, or
their heirs or descendants, have collected $58,000 defaulted when the
bank was shut down, plus a whopping $145,560 in accumulated interest
at seven percent per year. About $47,000 -- representing royalties to
depositors for whom no valid claim has been made, or people who cannot
be traced -- will soon be transferred to the State's Abandoned
Property Division.

After almost 50 years, the First State Bank of Plevna has liquidated
its indebtedness, and through the perseverance, diligence, goodwill,
and determination of Nick Wellenstein, Matt Himsl, State Bank
Examiners and the courts, it has earned dividends for its depositors
to the tune of 331.7 percent.

Now the file can be closed officially by the courts. And the law
provides that finally the land will revert to Matt Himsl and the other
heirs of the original stockholders of the bank.

As for Nick Wellenstein, the ex-bank cashier who was appointed first
receiver, he earned a lot of satisfaction. He also got his $570 bank,
plus $1,800 in interest.--Thorn Bacon

Photo Nick Wellenstein in front of Plevna State Bank the year it
closed -- 1931

Page 35

STORES

Plevna had three general merchandise stores. One was operated by 0. B.
Lund. The second was owned by Dugan and Andy Wolfer. The third was a
general store that was built by A. C. Mikalson in 1914.

	The Andy Wolfer Store was sold to Jacob Stoller, who came here
from Eureka, South Dakota. When Mr. Stoller passed away, his
son-in-law, Wm. Stoddard, combined the Stoller General Merchandise
Store with his drug store. They sold out their stock and went into the
Willys Knight garage business with Otto Meyer. They eventually
disposed of their business, and Mel Herbst used the building for a
time to do mechanical work. It is presently owned by Mrs. Ed Christman
and looks very abandoned and forlorn.

The third general store was built by A. C. Mikalson in 1914. Mikalson
came to Plevna from Dagmar, North Dakota. He was also in a partnership
with Jim Pepper, who was in the gas and oil business. Jim Pepper was
one of the first County Commissioners of Fallon County for the Plevna
District. Mikalson sold the store to Dick Johnson of Baker and Frank
Zook managed it. The store was later sold to George Buergi, and in
1925 it was run as a grocery store, creamery, implement, and hardware
business. the store was sold to Albert Hepperle and started up again
in January of 1941.

George Buergi also published the weekly newspaper, "The Plevna
Herald", had a hotel which is now owned by Mrs. Louise Hoenke, and had
a restaurant which the Assembly of God Church made into a worship
chapel for a short span of time. He was Justice of the Peace, and at
one time a minister of the Congregational Churches. After selling out
his grocery business, he moved to Miles City and again was in the
grocery store business.

Plevna Herald Published Fridays by G. J. BUERGI At Plevna, Montana
Subscription: $2.00 / yr. Advertising rates submitted on application.
Entered as Second Class Mail Matter at Post Office at Plevna, Montana
May 15, 1914, under the Act of March 3rd, 1879.

"FIRE IN BUERGFS STORE"

The explosion of a gasoline torch which happened last Friday at
Buergi's Cream Station caused much excitement. The torch was being
used to heat water and accidentally exploded. Mr. Soper, who was
present at the time, rushed for a fire extinguisher but found upon his
return that John Weinschrott had hurried to the scene and put out the
fire. There were no damages other than some scorched paint, and no one
received injuries, with the exception of a few minor burns.

The last store to close its doors was one originally built by Bob
Anderson of Ismay. Jacob Ridgway had a bar in the building until the
United States went dry, then Robert O'Brien opened up a hardware store
handling the Marshall Wells hardware line. They sold out to Adolph
Hoff, who formerly was manager of Midland Coal and Lumber Company. He
sold the business to Nick Wellenstein and moved to Hettinger, North
Dakota. Wellenstein operated it as a general merchandise store and
insurance agency. He retired after selling the business to the Robert
Dietzes. It is now closed.

Photo George Buergi standing by his scales [Picture loaned by Caroline
Herbst, an employee at the store.

HEPPERLE'S STORE Written by Ted Hepperle

The structure which houses the Hepperle Store was built in March of
1914 by A. C. Mikalson. In 1925, George Buergi

Page 36

 began operation of the business as a grocery store, creamery,
implement, and hardware store.

George Buergi sold out in 1940, and the business was purchased by
Albert Hepperle and started again as a grocery store in January of
1941.

It was difficult starting a business in the 1940's, since World War II
was in progress and merchandise was difficult to purchase due to
rationing and quotas. Hepperle expanded his line to include hardware,
and the business was once again a general merchandise store" selling
everything imaginable.

Following the end of World War II, the community entered a time of
growing and prosperity which included the introduction of electricity
to the entire farm area. Residents and businesses alike were eager to
enter this "peaceful era", and the struggles of war-time were soon
forgotten. Photo Albert Hepperle

The store remained in the hands of Albert and Louise Hepperle for many
years, growing with the area. Then on October 14, 1957, Albert
Hepperle was taken seriously ill while performing the duties of Mayor
of Plevna. (At that time, the sewer system was initiated and being
installed.)

Following Albert's death, Louise and son Ted took over the business,
running it jointly for several years. Ted, his wife Darlene, and their
sons Milton and Dean continue to operate the store under the original
name of "Hepperle's Store" at the present time.

Photo Ted Hepperle

Photo Milton Hepperle

Photo Dean, Linda, and Deana Hepperle

Photo Ted and Darlene Hepperle

Page 37

The style of business at Hepperle's Store has changed considerably
over the years, influenced by the shift in lifestyles, the ease of
travel, and of course, television. At the present time, the store
still offers the same basic home goods as have always been sold during
its existance.

The actual store building has withstood several hardships, including a
direct hit of lightening which burned out most of the electrical
fixtures. A fire which occured in the building devastated the back
room and the portion of the building which was used as a creamery in
Buergi's time. (This same creamery room also experienced a fire during
Buergi's ownership.) The Hepperles have attempted to maintain the
original appearance of the building, while adding some necessary
improvements.

"We have witnessed and experienced many joys in the serving of our
community, and at times some hardship," says Ted. "The greatest reward
is seeing our community and the school system still in existance, as
well as watching the youth of our community grow up and prosper. We
enjoy being citizens of this wonderful country where freedom of speech
and living is still provided.

HOTELS

Plevna at one time had three hotels. The largest of them was erected
by Charles McGarity and was located on the east side of main street.
It had 42 sleeping rooms, a big dining area, and a lobby.

Farmers and ranchers in the early days didn't have cars, and since
most of them lived more than a day's travel time from town, they would
stay overnight. Many times there weren't enough rooms, so the two
livery barns were used for the night's lodging. Those living closer to
town would begin their trip as early as four o'clock in the morning,
arriving by 11:00, and then beginning their return trip, often
arriving home at four o'clock the following morning.

Since the hotel also served meals, it was one of the most popular
places in the community. When the Rudi Hoenkes operated the hotel,
they leased the restaurant to Miss Sturn and her lady friend, Sadie
Saski. Miss Sturn later married Mickey O'Brien, and Miss Saski
returned to teaching school in South Dakota.

Photo Steffes Hotel – 1934 [Picture loaned by Martha Rediskel

While they operated the restaurant, business was very good. Mrs.
O'Brien, who is now a resident at the Manor in Baker, stated that on
many Sundays they served 200 guests, since most of the church people
ate there. Business during the weekdays was also good. They served
from a menu on week days; however, on Sunday there was no choice. The
menu generally consisted of chicken dinners with all the trimmings,
including homemade ice cream or the people's favorite, pineapple
sherbet. The desserts were made with a handcranked freezer. In the
interview with Mrs. O'Brien, she stated she looks back to her service
at the McGarity with much pleasure. She enjoyed her stay at Plevna
very much.

The Steffes Hotel was located on the west side of Main Street and was
operated by Mr. and Mrs. William Steffes for many years. It was
primarily run as a boarding house, serving 35-cent roast beef dinners
to the residents. The last boarders to live in the hotel were Mr. and
Mrs. Otto Stockfish. After their deaths, the building was razed, and
the lot now stands empty. Joe Steffes and Mrs. Lawrence Ferrie were
the son and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Steffes.

Photo The Hoenke Hotel

Plevna's remaining hotel or rooming house is owned by Mrs. Louise
Hoenke. Its history began with Mrs. Joe Ballinger, who built it.
Several years later the Breckenridges operated it, then it was
purchased by A. C. Mohr and again changed hands when George J. Buergi
became its owner.

The Rudi Hoenkes have owned it for the past 44 years. The rooms were
made into housekeeping units some years ago. Because of ill health,
Mrs. Hoenke had to curtain much of the room service, but occasionally
people come in for short periods, and she keeps one of the front
apartments for a single teacher. This hotel was at one time called
"The Commercial Hotel".

OLD - TIME BUSINESS PLACES

Excepts from The Golden Jubilee Book of 1959

The first cream station was operated by Adolph Mehlhoff. Since the
cream station couldn't command a decent price, a meeting was held at
The First State Bank of Plevna, and it was

Page 38

decided the bank would finance and organize a Farmers' Cream Station.
Andrew Wenz was the first buyer, and when he died the crearn station
was moved to the Farmers Elevator and Phil E. Huber, who was then the
manager of the Farmers Elevator, also took over the management of the
Farmers Cream Station. The business was finally abandoned when Homer
French built the new creamery in Baker.

One of the original barbers in Plevna was E. L. Jackson, who in turn
sold out to a barber from Minneapolis, having been brought out to
Montana by Ole Hoffman. Mr. C. A. Dunham took over and operated the
only barber shop for many years. He was especially active in school,
having been clerk for many years, but more so in town plays, where he,
Miss Anna Engels, and Leo Riddle were usually the stars. Mr. Dunham
also was mayor of Plevna. He finally moved to Lavina, Montana, having
sold out to Ed Leishchner.

Lee Biffle, it is believed, was the only legal policeman in Plevna.
For a few years, the community did possess a jail, but for the past 40
years Plevna never had a jail, although at one time there were as many
as six churches.

Dr. Baskett was one of the first doctors. He was followed by Dr.
Storey and then by Dr. Blakemore. Dr. Baskett still resides in Big
Timber, Montana. The Blakemores moved to Baker, where Mrs. Blakemore
still resides. Dr. Blakemore passed away several years ago.

William Baker built the first and only harness shop in Plevna. When
modern machinery came in, the shop was closed down.

G. E. Wilson started up the first electric light plant at Plevna,
which burned down several years later. After the Wilson Light Plant
was destroyed by fire, the town of Plevna decided to install a light
plant. First a secondhand light plant was shipped in, but it never
did generate any light, and a tractor was purchased from Pat Kaiser.
Rodger Carrington operated the same for a short time, and later Otto
Stockfish had the job.

Only a part-time light was furnished during the winter months, from 4
to 11. Wash day was Monday morning for several hours, and then several
hours on Tuesday mornings were set aside for ironing. Of course, some
of the women didn't get their ironing done in the morning, and it
wouldn't take many irons to pull down the power. Otto often tried to
discover the "culprit" who was using their iron at the forbidden time.
(Indidentally, the charge per K.W. was 25 cents.)

The Mountain States Power Company eventually took over the line, and
the power is now furnished by the MontanaDakota Utilities Company.

At the time the town was incorporated, there was no decent drinking
water. There were a few shallow wells, but they were not fit for
drink, so the Milwaukee Railroad brought water in tanks. In the latter
part of 1916, the school board, together with the businessmen,
undertook to finance the drilling of the first well, which was
completed in February of 1917. No pipe lines were laid; Jack Doyle
hauled the water to consumers having water tanks. At a meeting in
1946, it was decided to pipe the water around town. This project was
accomplished without a bond issue, as enough money was advanced by the
residents to pay for the installation of the pipe line.

Several years ago, the town of Plevna purchased the water tank and
artesian well from the Milwaukee Railroad. Two wells now furnish the
majority of the consumers, with the balance being supplied by the
wells of Gideon Heimbuck and Karl Hepperle, who each have a separate
well.

Ruth's Cafe was originally built by Ole Hoffman as a club house and
dance hall. In turn, many different establishments, such as a pool
room, barber shop, and finally a restaurant operated by Crowe were
located there. Elwood McLeod and Askins from Ekalaka had it parttime.
It is now being operated by Leonard and Ruth Hoenke as Ruth's Cafe.
Recently the building has been completely remodeled as a home and
cafe.

Photo Ruth's Cafe was closed as a restaurant in 1980. It is still
being used as a home.

Bernard May opened up a meat market and was known for his good German
sausage. He eventually sold out to a repair man, whose name is
unknown.

Originally, there were two bars in Plevna; one was operated by O'Brien
and Rabe and the other by Ed Jackson. Ed Jackson's building was
originally owned by Ballinger, and finally the building ended up as a
meat market operated by Jacob Ridgway.

Photo [Back] Ole Hoffman and Ms. Ballinger [Front] Mr. and Mrs. Ed
Rabe – 1914 [Picture loaned by Frank Dietz.]

Page 39

LIVERYBARNS

Plevna at one time had two livery barns. The one on the west side was
owned by Harrington and Clark. The one on the east side by Frank
Riley. Riley disposed of his property by selling it to A. W. Kimpton.
It was later destroyed by fire. The Harrington and Clark property was
torn down to make room for progress.

Photo Livery barn being burned by fire

The purpose of the livery barns was to provide shelter and feed for
the teams of horses that came to town. People coming in to look for
homesteads could rent a carriage and team of horses much like car
rentals are available today.

The Model T Fords and Willys Overland cars soon replaced the horse and
carriage and made the livery barns obsolete.

Plevna also had two drays. One was operated by Bert James, and the
other by Jack Doyle. Jack Doyle came to Montana from Nebraska, and he
also served as the town marshal for many years. The newlyborn town
had to abide mostly by.the laws of Nebraska and according to Jack. He
maintained a law and order which we, in our modern times, would do
well to emulate.

Jack was also the mail messenger for the post office for many years.
The mail pouch was hung on the railroad crane. As the train came by,
an arm came out and snatched the pouch into the mail car. The pouch
containing the first class mail and registered mail was dispatched
from the speeding train by tossing it out of the mail car, with Mr.
Doyle retrieving it as it dropped. He would then deliver it to the
post office. The wheels of train cars were real "shredders" if the
pouch was not thrown out far enough. There was no respect for
valuables or registers.

''THE RED BARN LIVERY'' [1922 Newspaper Clipping]

Mr. V. S. Himsl has had a force of men busy this week tearing down the
big, red barn which was, before the advent of the truck, the scene of
great activity in these parts. Remember those good old days, when
dozens of farmers, coming to Plevna for supplies, freighting or
hauling their wheat and other farm produce to market, put up there
how they used to congregate on the hill, trade horses, and chew the
rag in speaking of the possibilities of the new wheat belt. Some have
passed over the great divide, others have married and flown away to
the cities, while a goodly number have stood pat, meeting adversity
with a smile when rain failed to come and the hot winds or hail wiped
them out. These men, the back-bone of cities and towns, are now living
and enjoying themselves as men a few years back woiuld have
thought impossible. And it has now come to pass that the old-fashioned
red barn must go, to make way for the newer and more up-to-date
methods of transportation of farm products, which this great state of
opportunities has to offer.

TELEPHONE OFFICE

The first telephone line and office was installed in 1912. It was a
joint project of the businessmen of Plevna and the businessmen of
Ekalaka. Later the line was purchased by G. E. Wilson. A. C. Woods
became the owner some years later, and he in turn sold to Walter
Sieler, a farmer west of Plevna, in 1948.

The switchboard operation became a family affair, with every member of
the Sieler family taking their turn sooner or later. For a while,
Emmanuel and Betty Sieler ran the business, and some time later George
and Shirley Sieler handled it.

Photo Walter Sieler at the old-fashioned switchboard

Photo The entire Sieler family took a turn at running the switchboard.
[L-R] Frieda, Tabitha, Emmanuel, Walter, Loraine, Carol, Caroline,
George, Leona, and Verna

After Walter's death in 1955, daughter Loraine continued to give the
community the needed service. Kenny Cole was her right-hand man,
maintaining the lines and equipment for her. The Wes Lausch family
purchased the exchange in 1956.

In January of 1960, Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative purchased the
franchise, and it became a rural cooperative. First-class service is
now rendered. All lines are private, and the cables are buried
underground.

Page 40

Photo Mid-Rivers Cooperative Station

TOWN HALL

The Plevna Town Hall was built in 1917. It was constructed with the
town paying for the main building, and the Ladies Booster Club
shouldered the cost of the kitchen, dining hall and furnishings. They
raised money for these expenses by serving suppers for the dance
crowds. The assumed cost was $1800.

In 1937, the N.Y.A. boys, under the supervision of Otto Leischner,
built the addition to the town hall which was to be used for
bleachers. Until the high school built their new gymnasiurn in 1957,
the town hall was also used as the sports arena. Many exciting high
school basketball games were played there, and several drama
presentations were staged.

In later years, the building was used for wedding and anniversary
receptions. On election day, it was the polling Place. For years, it
was considered to be the largest dance hall in western North Dakota
and eastern Montana. In most recent years, it was used as a roller
skating rink. Although it is not abandoned, it has been closed now for
some time.

The fire hall, with its spacious accommodations and kitchen
:Facilities, has taken its place.

Photo Plevna Town Hall

BLACKSMITH SHOPS

Mr. Silvernale was Plevna's first blacksmith. In 1914, John L. Howe
heard of the need of a shop, so he came here and built one during that
winter. He later sold the business to Chauncey Ettles. They, in turn,
sold it to George Susa.

In 1937, the business was sold to Jacob Quincer, and Gideon Heimbuch
joined him in a partnership, with both doing mechanical work. The
business was dissolved, and Jacob Quincer sold his shop to Jim Perry.
The building was later razed. Its location was where the Morris
Hoenkes now have their home.

In approximately 1924, George and Josephine Susa and three-year-old
son Ervin moved from North Dakota to Plevna, Montana, where George was
in the blacksmith business for several years. Chauncey Ettles, a
retired railroad employee, joined him in partnership. The Ettles
family moved to Washington state in approximately 1934, and George

Photo John Howe in the doorway of the blacksmith shop built in 1914
[Picture loaned by Leonard Howe.]

Photo Ervin Susa and windmill he built in front of blacksmith shop

Photo Susa's House [L-R] Little Friend, Irene, and Ervin Susa

continued with the blacksmithing, and he also sold International
Harvester farm machinery, Mobil oil and gas.

Page 41

In 1926, a daughter, Irene, was born. The family were members of St.
Anthony's Catholic Church, where Ervin served as an altar boy.
Josephine was a member of the Altar Society. Ervin attended Plevna
grade and high school, and Irene attended the first five years of
grade school before the family moved to Alberta, Canada, in 1937.
George and Ervin were members of the German band under the direction
of George Rediske, and the Plevna band, respectively.

Photo Main Street Plevna [Picture loaned by Irene Susa. ]

Photo George Susa Blacksmith Shop Selling Mobil gas and International
Harvester farm implements [Picture loaned by Irene Susa.]

Photo [L-R] George Susa, Chauncey Bttles, and Albert Christman
[Picture loaned by Irene Susa]

George Susa served as mayor, councilman, and constable for a number of
years while living in Plevna.
--Submitted by Irene Susa Mt. Angel, Oregon

Photo [L-R] Melvin Ludwig, George Susa, Albert Christman, Chauncey
Ettles [Picture loaned by Irene Susa.

HEPPERLE'S STANDARD SERVICE

Although Mr. and Mrs. Karl Hepperle came to Plevna in 1910, they did
not enter the business arena until 1915. That year, he built one of
the largest grain elevators of that time. He was in the grain business
until 1928, when he sold his business to Leo Reich and Cullen. They
managed it until it burned down in 1931.

After selling the grain elevator, Mr. Hepperle purchased the bulk
gasoline business from Jim Pepper and A. C. Mikalson. The bulk plant
at that time was located on the west bank of where the swimming pool
now is. Hepperle delivered bulk fuel to farmers with horses. He later
moved his business closer to the business section of town, locating on
U.S. 12, where it still stands today. He donated the parcel of land
where the bulk plant had been to the city to be used for a swimming
pool only.

Hepperle operated his business, seeing it grow into an immense
enterprise. He purchased the John Deere line of machinery from John
Weinschrott, sold G.M.C. trucks and pickups, and Buick automobiles. He
sold gasoline and all the products that Standard Oil Company produced,
dealing in both bulk and pump service. Many short line company needs
were sold also, including refreshments of soda pop and candy bars to
the weary traveler, as well as the tired farmer or rancher.

Karl Hepperle's friendly disposition and hearty handshake to both
young and old, friend or stranger, were his trademark.

Photo Karl Hepperle at his business

Page 42

Many little children in their parent's car remember receiving a warm
handshake and a treat from the candy counter. His business acumen was
indicated by his trade slogan, "Always a square deal."

The machine shop next to the service station took care of all the
mechanical work for his trucks, cars, and tractors. He maintained a
well-stocked parts department.

The business was operated by his son, Arthur, after his death in
February of 1971. Arthur sold it later to Wilmer Huber, who operated
it for several years. At last it was sold to Lawrence Dubose. The
business now stands empty and abandoned.

Photo In the business office -- Karl Hepperle and George Huber

"CRACKSMAN BLOWS HEPPERLE OIL STATION SAFE"

Gets $25. Leaves enough debris for a big job. Theft follows close
after Ismay robbery.

Apparently in need of funds to celebrate the Fourth in a "safe." but
hardly sane way, a cracksman or cracksmen blew the safe of the
Hepperle oil station here early Thursday ,morning. Somewhat illpaid
for their pains, the burglars left sufficient debris in their wake to
warrant a much larger haul than the $25 that the theft netted them.

Entering by the south window, which they evidently forced open with
little difficulty, the men -- whose number has not been ascertained
--hammered the dial knob from its bolt and filled the cavity with
nitro-glycerine. This charge, seat off by means of a fuse, a remnant
of which was found later, was sufficient to blow the safe door
entirely off from its hinges against a desk standing approximately
four feet from the safe. The inner sheet of steel on the door was
completely severed, ,and the explosion spread the concrete filling of
the door in fragments over the office floor.

No clues as to the identity of the burglars have been found, nor are
authorities able to determine their number. However, the robbing of
the safe of the Ismay Motor Company the previous evening when a loot
of $300 was captured has led to the belief that an itinerant cracksman
and his confederates, if any, were the perpetrators of the theft.

THE PLEVNA AUTO COMPANY

Ole Hoffman opened the first garage in Plevna. It was located on main
street, opposite of the town hall. An interesting note from the 50th
anniversary book states that the Mr. Hoffman was quite a character,
that he used to go back to Holland and would always bring back
diamonds. He was also a horse trader

Hoffman sold the garage to Ed Wilson, who was also the owner of the
telephone exchange and the electric power plant. He sold the garage to
Pat Kaiser. Kaiser went into partnership with Henry Huether, and they
had Frank Riddle as their manager.

It was during Kaiser's ownership that Gideon Heimbuch came to Plevna
and began working for him. Gideon states that one of his assignments
was to unload new Ford cars from the railroad cars. He unloaded 36 new
Fords, and they were all put inside the garage.

Harold Leischner and Bill Thielen purchased the garage from Kaiser,
who moved to Forsyth. They lost the building when fire destroyed it on
July 8, 1940.

Harold Leischner didn't let such a thing as fire discourage him.
Instead he ventured out on his own. He used the experience he had
garnered while working with Plevna Auto Company, and in 1943 started a
gas station where the fire hall now stands. It was at this site, where
the large gas storage tanks were, that the Plevna Auto Company used.
He built a small two-room building which housed his office, etc.

In late 1945, his brother, Izzy, returned from his military service in
World War 11. The brothers started a partnership together. In 1947
they purchased the Midland Lumber Company, where the Charles Neumann
home now is situated. They paid the grand sum of $200 for it, tore it
down, and built what is now 4-U Husky. Their moving day from the old
location to the new place on U. S. 12 was in 1948. The large storage
tanks were moved to the new site later. They operated the service
station and garage until 1958, when they sold it to Richard Pinnow.

Richard Pinnow continued the place as the Leischners had left it for a
brief four years. Wishing to expand, he moved to Baker and sold to
Leon and Robert Rieger. They operated as a partnership for only a
short time, then Robert took over. They

Photo The Leischner business

Photo Sale Meeting at Plevna Auto Company – 1939

Page 43
added Allis Chamers and Hesston machinery, and made bulk
deliveries of fuels.

Charles Neumann purchased the station in 1972 and is presently in the
business of supplying pump service and doing mechanical work. His wife
has the Parkside Beauty Shop and works in Baker. Their children, Paul
and Jo, are talented musicians and are in the music making business.

Photo Plevna Auto Company -- destroyed by r1re on July 8, 1940

1929 SUPERIOR WHIPPET, INTRODUCING THE NEW FINGERTIP CONTROL, SHOWN
HERE"

Motor is started, horn sounded, lights manipulated, by button at
center of steering wheel. Many other improvements. Model arrives
Wednesday night, driven in from Bismarck. [1929 Newspaper clipping]

The new 1929 "Superior" Whippet made its first appearance at the S.M.
Motor Company sales room Thursday morning in the form of a coupe, and
has created a tremendous stir along Main Street since its arrival.

The outstanding feature of the car is the new finger-tip control -- a
single button located in the center of the steering wheel. Downward
pressure on the button starts the motors; an upward pull sounds the
horn; a twist of the button to the right turns on the lights --
parking, dim, or bright. The dash light remains on with all of them.

The new Whippet is the first car to offer this innovation, which marks
the most notable advance in driving convenience since the self
starter. It does away with all foot fumbling for the starting button;
it avoids changing from a comfortable driving position to reach a
light switch on the board. It allows one to keep the hands on the
wheel and eyes on the road at all times.

Other distinguishing features of the new car are a longer body, higher
radiator and hood, greater roominess. Low graceful lines, harmonious
colors, and sweeping full crown fenders add to the car's appearance of
smartness.

John Schweigert, John Schuetzle, and Ben J. Kuhl went to Bismarck
Tuesday to get the car. It was driven back by Mr. Schuetzle.

"PLEVNA AUTO CO. SELLS 32 CARS SINCE FIRST OF THE YEAR" [1929
Newspaper clipping]

Since January 1, the Plevna Auto Company, Ford dealers, has sold 32
Model A units, according to an announcement made yesterday by W. V.
Kaiser, manager. Prior to the first of the year, adequate deliveries
on Model A machines were impossible, thus curtailing sales and
impeding the activity of dealers. However, the full-time operation of
Ford plants after that date has rendered almost possible the
convergence of supply and demand, and Ford sales have mounted as a
consequence. With the increased production of units and the enlarged
capacity for handling sales, the Plevna Auto manager anticipates an
autumn of unprecedented activity in Ford sales and service in this
territory.


GRAIN ELEVATORS

Plevna has had four elevators. The Columbia Elevator was operated by
Mr. Scott. It was later torn down. Eugene Kearney built the elevator
which is now the Equity Cooperative. The 0 & M Elevator was opposite
of Kearney and is now part of the Equity Coop. The elevator built by
Karl Hepperle was sold to Reich and Cullen in 1928. They managed it
until it was burned down in 1931.

Photo Elevator under construction -- built by Eugene Kearney Lumber
was pulled up with a rope and pulley. Clifford Howe is pulling the
timber up with the horse. [He is designated by the-X" mark.] This
elevator is now the Plevna Equity Elevator. [Picture loaned by Leonard
Howe.]

"PLEVNA ELEVATOR RAZED BY FLAMES WEDNESDAY"

Baker, Plevna firefighters wage three-hour battle against blaze which
endangered city. Nearby buildings damaged.

Another fire loss was marked to spontaneous combustion as a casual
agency when the dust collected in the cupola of the Plevna Grain
Company's elevator started a fire that completely destroyed the
building Wednesday morning.

The fire was discovered about 10:30 Wednesday morning and in five
minutes everything movable, including the office fixtures, was
transported to safety by the crowd that had gathered to assist in
quenching the fire. However, the inadequacy of the fire apparatus made
it impossible to save the elevator and the efforts of the fighters
were directed to save the property of th.e railroad and the residents
north of the Milwaukee tracks.

When the hopelessness of combating the flames with the scant apparatus
owned by Plevna became apparent, the Baker fire department was called
and responded with a fire engine and a crew of efficient fighters.

Fearing a change in the wind and the possibility of the ignition of
the piles of dry lumber in the Midland yards, the Baker truck was
stationed there to prevent a greater conflagration. In the meanwhile,
the grass north of the tracks had begun to burn, and the flames,
fanned by a wind from the northwest, endangered the homes in the
eastern portion of town. In the course of an hour, six buildings were
ignited by the sparks carried from the burning structure of the
elevator. Wooden roofs, dried by weeks of blistering sun rays and hot
winds, supplied excellent food for the vagrant sparks which travelled
as far as two blocks. However, bucket chains and

Page 44

water lines prevented great damage to the residences, and sack
brigades forestalled any extensive grass fires.

Along with the Plevna Grain Company's elevator was destroyed the
Milwaukee tool house, the freight platform, several dozen ties and a
portion of the stockyards. By means of tractors, the wheat cars
adjacent to the burning elevator moved to safety, while trucks were
employed in hauling water to quench the ravaging flames.

Although the elevator was covered by insurance, the owners, Collin and
Reich of Elgin, North Dakota, suffered a substantial loss as a result
of the fire. At the time of the catastrophe, the structure contained
4,000 bushels of wheat, 850 bushels of flax, and a like amount of
barley. Including the building, machinery, equipment, and grain, the
fire involved a loss ranging in extent from $15,000 to $18,000.

According to the statement of Leo H. Reich, manager of the destroyed
elevator, no decision has yet been made regarding the replacement of
the structure.

Word was received Wednesday afternoon by Leo Reich, the manager of
the Plevna Grain Company, that the elevator was sold Wednesday
morning. Evidently the question to be decided now is who was the
legal owner of the property at the time of the fire Wednesday morning.

EQUITY COOP OF PLEVNA

The first locally owned farmer cooperative began in 1916 when several
local farmers purchased the elevator from Mr. Kearney. This elevator
was built in 1913 and was operated privately until 1916.

The first available records date back to July 10, 1920. The first
board of directors included C. C. Conser - president; Matt Ehret -
vice president; George McHoes - secretary/treasurer; and board
members: Jacob Krausz, George Huber, John Leischner, Fred Livengood,
Frank Stout, and Phil Huber. Charter members of the first co-op were:
Amos Greenlee, Art Kuehn, John Wenz, A. 0. Geving, Henry Huether, Wm.
Rabe, Pete Christman, Andrew Schaefer, Wm. Burkle, John Thielen, John
Fried, Steve Hager, Fred Boble, Joe Steffes, and many others.

There were no major building projects for several years. In 1933, the
first radio was installed in the elevator, and 1934 saw a hay shed
built. In 1935 the board of directors met on the installation of
electricity. The board voted 7 to 1 in favor of gasoline engines to
supply power for the elevator, as they were quite skeptical of
electricity. Electricity was finally installed in 1939.

The steel tank was erected in 1939, and the annex was built in 1949,
bringing the total capacity to 70,000 bushels. The first grain cleaner
and seed treaters were installed in 1947. In 1957, the 0 & M Elevator
was purchased for $36,000.00, bringing the total capacity to 134,000.
With the addition of the quonset building in 1978, the total capacity
is currently at 224,000 bushels.

The value of the plant and equipment has increased dramatically over
the past 68 years. The figures from 1941 indicate plant and equipment
were valued at $16,029.00, compared to $98,528.00 invested in plant
and equipment in 1966, the year of the co-op's 50th anniversary. The
1984 figures exceed $255,000.00, a substantial increase since 1916.

In August of 1981, the Farmers Cooperative Association of Plevna
merged with the Equity Cooperative Association of Baker. The merger
created a stronger local cooperative, more efficiently able to market
grain, and better serving its patrons.

In 1916, our forebears had a vision and saw the need to build a strong
local cooperative. Through their dedication and tireless effort, they
planted a seed which has grown into the cooperative as we know it
today. On behalf of the board of directors and management, we wish to
thank you for your support past and present, and look forward to
serving you to make your tomorrow a better today.

Photo Equity Co-Op of Plevna

THE HEIMBUCHS AND THELR DAIRY FARM

Gideon Heimbuch came to the Plevna community from South Dakota in 1930
and began working at the Pat Kaiser Garage and later for R. B. Freight
Way, among others.

In 1934 he married a local girl, Emma Schell, who grew up on a farm
six miles south of Plevna. They are still living in the house they
purchased as newlyweds, although they remodeled it in 1947.

In the late 30s, he went into partnership with Jake Quincer, who had a
blacksmith shop. Gideon purchased the shoe repair shop from A. C.
Woods and continued repairing shoes, and they both did mechanical
work. The partnership later dissolved.

In 1938, Gideon accepted a contract to carry mail on the south route
and did so until 1946. It was also in 1938 that the Heimbuch dairy
business began to develop. It began with one milk cow which belonged
to Emma's parents, and they shared the milk. The Heirnbuchs purchased
19 acres of land from John' Weinschrott and moved a barn on it, which
they had located in Ismay. They began selling cream after their herd
increased and kept adding land and cows until they peaked at 75 cows.
Some of the land they purchased was the Schimmel place, land from John
Leischner, and Bill Thilen which was located south of Plevna and a
pasture northeast of town.

Photo Heimbuch Dairy

Page 45

Photo Heimbuch Dairy

Photo Emma Heimbuch with a dairy cow and twin calves

Since it was necessary to have a good supply of water for their
operation, they drilled for an artesian well which was over 1,000
feet, and it also supplied running water for the resident living on
the east side of main street.

They soon needed a better outlet for their milk, so they began selling
grade A milk to French's Dairy and also bottling raw milk for local
consumers. After French quit, they sold to Sanitary Dairy of Miles
City. At first, the milk was put into cans, but in 1952 an automatic
big cooling and holding tank system was installed, and they raised the
stalls. They were selling grade A milk for 20 years. The Heimbuchs
sold out to a man from Rosebud, Montana, in 1968.

Son, Gordon, then began working for P.C.A. as a loan consultant in
Glendive. Gideon and Emma, however, continued to farm and ranch. In
1974, Gordon returned to help his parents. He married Gaile Langly in
1970, and they are the parents of three boys. They live in Plevna and
are presently building a new home there.

Daughter Thelma went to college and became a teacher. She married
Charles Hamby, and they have two daughters. They are presently living
in Billings, where he is in business for himself.

Gideon served as Plevna's mayor at one time, and he was also a member
of the fire department.

Photo Emma and Gideon Heirnbuch Thelma and Gordon

DAT ROOSIAN TISSLE HAY

Dear Mr. Editor:

I shust know you hef your troubles, like ve all hef our own, but mine,
0 meester editor, shust make me stop and groan.

My horses von't get fat, my cows vill make no milk, my hens dey vill
not lay, und effery day I giff them all de choicest Roosian tissle
hay. All summer long de hot vinds blow und burn ar crops up slick, all
ve planted could not grow, but up came tissel tick. Ve mowed and raked
dis magic feed from early morn till lake, und now mit all dis lofely
hay my horses von't get fat, my cows vill make no milk, my hens dey
vill not lay, und effery day I giff dem all de finest Roosian tissle
hay.

Please tell me meester editor vot should I do each day to make der
ribs stick oudt less, to make dem shump und play. I'm doing all I
know, for effery day I fill dem oop mit all de finest Roosian tissle
hay.

Must I deforn dem tissles or chop dem oop some vay, make dem into
kraut or pickles, or vot to do, please say so dat my stock get beeg
und vide like dey should be alvay. For I tell you very plainly my
horses von't get fat, my cows vill make no milk, my hends dey vill not
lay, und effery day I fill dem oop mit choicest Roosian tissle hay.

--Geo. Sisson, Butte Co., S.D.

(NOTE: The above article was published in the 1930s in a South Dakota
paper. Submitted by Phil Schwiegert.)

PLEVNA PROPANE

W. C. Geving worked for a propane company during the years of 1960-63.
In 1969 he decided to start his own business, Plevna Propane. He
serves not just Plevna, but many of the outlying areas.

W. C., or "Bill", as he is better known, was born in 1927.

Page 46

He was raised on a farm northeast of Plevna. He served in the
Armed Forces from 1945-48 and spent 27 months in Korea.

His family includes a daughter, Barbara (Roberts), a son, John, and a
deceased son, Keith, who drowned in a swimming accident in 1967.

Photo Bill Geving

PLEVNA BAR AND CAFE

In 1974, after many previous owners, Hallie Bickle, son of Davie
Bickle, owned and operated the Plevna Bar, which was located uptown on
main street, on the comer across from the l3ost Office. Hallie decided
he needed more room, so he built a new building down on Highway 12,
across from the 4-U Husky gas station.

In December of 1974, he opened his new bar up for business. Poker
having just been made legal in Montana that November, Hallie decided
he needed a poker dealer. Ambrose Thielen loved to play cards, so he
was asked to deal. He started in January of 1975, and after dealing
cards for three months, Ambrose decided to buy the bar from Hallie.

On March 15, 1975, Ambrose and LaVonne Thielen became the new owners
of the Plevna Bar and are still there every day, along with their
youngest son, Bobby. Their older children all helped them until they
were married and still continue to help when needed.

The Plevna Bar is the gathering place for all the community,
especially after ball games, etc. The younger children can play pool
or video games, and everyone can have a delicious meal -anything from
hamburgers to a shrimp dinner.

In 1976, Ambrose and LaVonne built on a 50'x6O' addition, which is
used for dances, banquets, reunions, or private parties. Everyone is
welcome -- from the tiniest tot to the oldest grandparent.

Photo Plevna Bar and Cafe

PLEVNA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

The original Plevna Fire Department was formed in 1927. It consisted
of two 25-gallon chemical tanks, more commonly called the comical
wagon. The tanks were mounted on a four-wheel trailer and were driven
by man-power. Every business house had its own chemical containers.

Fires at that time were as numerous as times were hard. Many fires
started * from defective chimneys and, of course, sometimes the owners
preferred disposing of the same to the insurance companies. A good
share of the time, the businessmen with their fire hand chemicals
would partly keep the fire under control until the comical wagon would
arrive. A good share of the time they managed to save the building.

Photo The first man-powered fire rig

Photo "The Comical Wagon"

This all changed when, through contributions among property holders, a
fire truck with an 800 gallon tank was purchased and a fire hall was
built. In 1959, a one-stall garage was built to the original fire
hall, and another truck was purchased by the county.

In 1971-72, a fire district was formed, and a new 60'xllO' fire hall
was erected. A new 4x4 Dodge fire pumper was purchased. The new fire
hall has a large, modem kitchen and a large training room which is
often used for community affairs.

Page 47

Photo Plevna Volunteer Fire Department -- 1955 [L-R] Harry Young, Dan
Thielen, Pete Thielen, Jerry Maurice, Arlin Anderson, Lawrence
Steffes, Matt Thielen, Otto Schaefer and Hallie Bickle

At the present time, there are five well equipped fire units, with
control over three forest service units.

In 1955, the Plevna Fire Department held their first pancake and
sausage supper, with about 200 people being served. More recent
suppers have served between 800 and 900 people. An average of 1400
pounds of sausage are made for the suppers.

Photo Fire Hall built in 1971-72

Photo Fire Chief Gene Vennes and present-day trucks

During the past number of years, the Plevna Fire Department has
sponsored a community 4th of July celebration with entertainment,
fireworks, refreshments, and a potluck supper with the Department
furnishing as many as four barbecued pigs for the occasion.

There are currently 32 department members on the roster. Gene Vennes
and Charles Neumann are the present Department Chiefs.

Photos from 4th of July Celebrations

Page 48


THE MAILBOX

One of the landmarks living still that graces the rural scene Is the
friendly country mailbox that long has reigned supreme. It sat on top
a cedar post a half a mile away; All painted white and proudly bore
our name and flags so gay, It brought the daily paper from the city
far away. We read each page and wondered at the things it had to say.
On Saturday the "funnies " came . . . what a joy they held for. us! We
hurried through our chores that day without the slightest fuss. The
catalogues came twice a year to brighten up the hours. We scanned the
pages filled with toys and dolls and hats with flowers. The farmer's
special magazine kept everyone informed Of what to feed the herd and
hens and when to plant the corn. The almanac was highly prized; it
told amazing things, Concerning weather, moon and stars and patent
medicines. The mailman always made his rounds; it took him all the
day. Through muddy roads in springtime and snow drifts with his
sleigh. He mailed our cards and packages; ran errands without pay. And
brought us bits of local news he heard along the way. Of all the daily
happenings in years that used to be, The most exciting was to get the
mail out on R.F.D.
--Author unknown

Page 49

THE PATRIOT'S PRAYER

I thank Thee, Lord, for such a land, With rivers fair and forests
tall; For fertile plain and desert sand, For mountain height and
waterfall. I thank Thee, Lord, for guiding men Who met to mold a
nation free; For heaven's hand upon the pen That drew the plan for
liberty I praise Thee, Lord, for plenteous years, For ripened fruit
and golden grain; Thy blessing surely here appears In gifts of
sunshine and of rain. I praise Thee, Lord, though great or small, For
churches spread throughout the land, Where sinners hear the Savior's
call And never feel the tyrant's hand. I pray Thee, Lord, restore the
love That once burned in our nation's breast For that old Book that's
from above, That keeps a nation clean and blessed. I pray Thee, Lord,
oh, hear my prayer In this our nation's gravest day. Awaken people
everywhere And let them know it's time to pray.
--Roger F. Campbell

Page 50

CHURCHES

Page 51

Page 52 blank

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

In the first two decades of this century, southeastern Montana was
settled by homesteaders. This area, one of the last in the country,
was known as the rush of the homesteaders, including the area of
Plevna.

The area around Plevna was settled by German-Russians, people whose
ancestors had gone from Germany to Russia to prove that the Russian
steppes could be made productive. Now they had a new challenge: the
dry land of the northern great plains. They helped some of the friends
and family in South Dakota and then moved on to the west to get lands
of their own. Plevna was begun as a stop on the Milwaukee Railroad, a
debarkation point for people in search of land.

As their ancestors had done, these people brought the church to Plevna
as early as 1910. Lutheran pastors from Scranton, North Dakota, came
to conduct worship services and administer the sacraments in the homes
of Lutheran families. The home of Joseph Markwardt was one of those
frequently used. In 1914, on April 26, the congregation was officially
organized with Philllip Janz, Julius Zerbst, and Joseph Markwardt as
the first trustees. Worship services were held in a school house with
Pastor Wm. Gevers coming from Scranton, North Dakota, to serve the
congregation. A year later the church building was constructed. Among
family names in the beginning were: Bergmann, Bolinger, Buchholz,
Disterheft, Drews, Koenig, Janz, Lund, Markwardt, Mehloff, Ohlrich,
Schimmel and Zerbst.

As the years passed, it became apparent that families could not live
on a half section of land. Many families moved, and the church
membership changed drastically from a baptized membership of 117 in
1917 to only 56 remaining in 1923. From that time on, membership
became fairly stable; old names disappeared and new members were
added. Communion records show names which are more familiar: Ehret,
Hoenke, Leischner, Bohle, Pinnow, Christman, Schweigert, Quincer,
Schuetzle, Ketterling, Rieger, Duneman, Ellingson, Wiseman, Petersohn,
Schell.

During these years we had frequent changes of pastors. Sometimes the
pastor was a resident of Plevna, but more often services were held
with the Fallon or Marsh preachers.

In 1965 we decided to call interns. They are students who have one
year left before becoming a preacher. Pastor Barnard from Baker helped
to sponsor these interns, and he was a great help to many of them.

In the years when Plevna was served by Fallon, it was possible to hold
services every third week only. Often the service; were held in the
intervening weeks with a layman conducting the service. Memory recalls
several who did this: Gottlieb Ehret, Phillip Janz, Adolph Janz, Peter
Christman, Ervin Ehret, and John Schueffle.

In the late 1940s, church membership grew, and in 1941 there were 56
confirmed members. By 1953, the number had grown to 86 people. It
became apparent that the church building was not large enough, so it
was rebuilt. A new basement was added, and the church was lengthened
to nearly twice its former size. Dedication services were held July 6,
1952.

We had several parsonages throughout the years. A small building on
the same lot on which the church stands served single pastors, and
sometimes a house was rented. In 1955, the members purchased the house
near the school, and in 1979 it was sold and a new trailer home was
purchased and put on the church grounds near the church.

The women have done their part. They have had dinners to honor the
confirmation classes, to welcome new pastors ' and also for funerals.
We hold meetings for Bible Study once a month.

Current membership is in the Southeast Montana Conference of the Rocky
Mountain District of the American Lutheran Church.

We thank God for the many blessings we have received.

Pastors Who Have Served Peace Lutheran Church

1915	H. Groth 1914-15	Wm. Gevers, Scranton, ND 1915-17	Theodore
Hermings, resident 1918-19	J. F. Girkensmeyer, resident 1920-23	A. L.
Heine, resident 1924-33	Henry Janssen, Fallon 1933-37	R. H. Schwindt,
Fallon 1939-41	Emil Reinking, Fallon 1942-46	A. A. Krause, Fallon
1947-48	William Gevers, resident 1949	Martin Obst, student
194951	Herbert Schuler, Fallon 1952-54	Henry Verrath, Fallon
1955-63	G. T. Kern, resident 1963-64	Edward Roe, Baker [Intern program
begins] 1965-66	R. Menchofer 1966-67	Dave Schugert 1967-68	Dennis
Schott 1968-69	R. Scott 1969-70	Jim Wilken 1970-71	R. Hetzel
1971-72	E. Kern 1972-73	Glen Schacht 1973-75	John W. Orwig
1975-76	Donald J. Gordineer, Baker 1976-77	Kenneth K. Hagen, Plevna
1977-78	Donald J. Gordineer, Baker 1978-81 Miles E. Renaas, resident
1981-84	Gary Rohde, resident

Page 53

Photo Peace Lutheran Church


Photo Phillip Janz and Julius Zerbst on the steps of Peace Lutheran
[Picture loaned by Robert Janz. ]

Photo Peace Lutheran Church as it presently looks

ST ANTHONY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Plevna St. Anthony's Catholic Church was opened for service in
1914 by Bishop Lenihan and the Rev. J. B. Moskop was the first pastor.

The contract for the church amounted to $500. The first altars were
shipped in from Wisconsin and were furnished by Otto Meyer and Ed
Herde. The parish house was built in 1918, and the first resident
priest was the Reverend J. B. Moskopp.

The first trustees of the parish were V. S. Himsl, Pete Herbst, and
John Weinschrott.

Baker, Ekalaka, Beltower, Mill Iron, Mildred, Terry, and Fallon were
its missions

Photo St. Anthony's Catholic Church and parish house

Photo Plevna Altar Society meeting at Bill Thielen's

Photo Solemn Communion

Page 54

The second pastor of St. Anthony's Church was Rev. T. J. Rocque, who
came in 1.918. He was succeeded in 1919 by the Rev. A. J. Richards. In
1926, Baker was made a parish in its own right, but Plevna still had
the missions of Mildred, Terry, and Fallon to take care of.

In 1928, the Rev. Theodore Korphage replaced Father Richards as pastor
of Plevna, and in 1930 the Rev. Thomas Starkle succeeded him.

The last pastor to live in Plevna was the Rev. H. D. Ciebattone.
Father Ciebattone retired in 1948, and Plevna then became a mission of
Baker.

The Rev.. Thomas Tobin is now the pastor for Baker and Plevna. He was
born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and came to America in 1959 and on
to Montana, where he was the pastor in several towns in Montana before
coming to Baker and Plevna in 1977.

ENGLISH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

The English Congregational Church was built in the comer south of the
present VoAg building, about 1917. Mrs. George Buergi, Mrs. A. C.
Woods, and Mrs. Otto Stockfish seemed to be the leaders of the
activities which took place at the church. Rev. Frazier was one of the
earliest ministers. Mrs. Dunham taught Sunday School and played the
piano. She also gave piano lessons. Other ladies helped with the
Ladies Aid.

In February of 1922, members of the Bible Class held a social on
Saturday evening.

In March of 1922, a notice appeared in the "Plevna Herald" announcing
there was to be church services held at 7:30 on Sunday evenings.

In 1923, Pastor A. W. Seebart was serving the parish, with regular
church school each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and morning

Photo Early members of the English Congregational Church

Photo Parishioners from the 1940s

worship at 11:00.

Some of the other pastors who served the parish were: George Buergi,
Philippi, Meyers, and Reinhold Opp.

The basement of the church was used for school rooms in 1930 to 1932.
Delilas Korth taught third and fourth grades there.

In 1956, the church building was sold to the Assemblies of God people
from Plevna and Baker and the structure was moved to First Street in
Baker and used as their church home. It was later sold to Richard
Schueler, who made it into an apartment building.

Familar church family names included Dunham, Korth, Carrington, Reib,
Koschel, Schimmel, Wilson, Huber, Hoff, Ohlrich, Mikalson, Leischner,
James, Livengood, and Rieger.

A newspaper clipping from March of 1931 stated that the Rev. H. Roy
Phillippi of Baker was to be in Plevna that Sunday to hold services at
the English Congregational Church at three p.m. ''He has a very
interesting message for the people of this community, and everyone is
invited to hear him," stated the clipping.

EMMANUEL EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

The Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church of Plevna was first organized on
November 19, 1911, as the First Emmanuel Congregational Church by
eight families. They were: Andrew and Margaretha Wenz, John and
Johanna Wenz, Gottlieb and Barbara Klukas, Friedrick and Louisa
Allerdings, John and Elizabeth Karch, Friedrick and Emilia Schrott,
John and Christina Fried, and John and Katherina Allerdings. The
worship services were held in the homes of these families until 1916,
when they voted to build a church in Plevna.

On May 20, 1916, the parish was incorporated as the German
Congregational Church of Plevna. A 22'x3O' structure was built at the
cost of $1,500. A year later, a parsonage measuring 24'x28' was built,
costing $1,200.

The Lord blessed the congregation and its work so the membership grew
and prospered. With this growth, the facilities became inadequate, so
in 1927 the congregation voted to build a new church. The old
structure was sold, and the new church building, which measured
30'x84' gave joy and added enthusiasm to the growing congregation.

After being remodeled several times, the parsonage also became
inadequate, and it was decided to build a new one. In 1951, the old
house was sold and a new home built and completed in 1952. The modem
and beautiful home measured 32'x54' and is still serving as a
comfortable home for the present pastor. In 1954, a new double garage
and breezeway were added.

Because of the continued spiritual growth and fruitful relationships
between pastors and congregation, the Emmanuel Church was awarded the
"Rural Church of the Year" award by the Montana Council of Churches in
1957.

In 1957 a committee was chosen to again propose plans to alleviate the
crowded Sunday School facilities and deterioration of the basement. It
was decided to move the church off the basement to its present
location south of the parsonage with an annex on ground level to
replace a basement which would better serve as a Sunday School
facility and also for fellowship needs.

In conjunction with annual Mission Fest Sunday in September of 1958,
ground breaking services were conducted. The Rev. W. Hillier was guest
speaker. Construction began the next day and continued until the
project was complete the following summer. Dedication of the new
church complex was held on July 19, 1959, with the Rev. Edward
Grauman, pastor-at-large, giving the dedicatory sermon.

The entire construction was done by members of the congregation. An
addition of 16'x3O' was added to the sanctuary and the annex of
34'x75' was built to the southeast of the church and connected by an
enclosed entrance and

Page 55

Photo German Congregational Church built in 1927

Page 56

coatroom.

On May 20, 1979, after much prayerful consideration, the church voted
to affiliate with the Evangelical Free Church of America, and was
received into the denomination on April 23, 1980, during the district
conference held at Colorado Springs, Colorado. The denominational
headquarters are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Following is a list of pastors and dates during which they served this
church:

1910-11	F. Brenicke 1912-15	H. Reiteman 1916-19	Jacob Schatz
1920-23	Jonathan Weber 1923-27	Richard Otto 1928-33	Karl Haemmehnann
1933-39	Alber Hausauer 1939-47	Robert Dobeck 1947-53	Reinhold Opp
1954-61	Eugene Ketterling 1961	Everett Schoessler, student
1961-62	Howard Locke 1962-64	Everett Schoessler 1965	Al Windelburg
1965-69	Art Wetzel 1969-71	Roger Fines 1971-74	Eldred Bagley
1975-76	Lyle Birdsall 1976-80	Bill Wohlers 1980-81	Lyle Birdsall
1981-	David Johnson

The purpose of this church is to proclaim the gospel of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ to the end that souls may be saved, the Christian
strengthened, and that all may grow in grace.

This church extends a most gracious welcome to all Services on Sunday
mornings include a prayer time at 9:45 a.m.; Family Sunday School at
10 a.m.; Morning Worship at 11 a.m.; Prayer and Praise Service at 1:15
p.m. (on the first and third Sundays of the month); Christian Endeavor
Program at 1: 15 p.m. (on the second and fourth Sundays of the month);
or a Singspiration at 1:15 p.m. (on the fifth Sunday of the month.)

Photo Evangelical Free Church today

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Our story begins as early at 1911 and 1912, when various traveling
missionaries visited pioneer homes, encouraging them
in the Lord. These early homesteaders brought with them a strong faith
in God and a desire to have their children reared in the fellowship of
a Baptist believing church.

From 1912 to 1916, Rev. Edward Niemann conducted meetings in the
homes, schools, or wherever he was invited. Many times it was in a sod
house. People came from far and near -- even in terrible blizzards.
These revivals gave encouragement to go ahead in the organization of a
church.

The First Baptist Church was organized on November 25, 1917. The first
meeting was held in the Plevna school house. The Rev. H. P. Kayser was
the organizing pastor, with eight charter members. Ludwig Bechtold was
elected the first deacon and served until his death in 1934. Mr. Fred
Quenzer was elected as church clerk. Today, as then, members bring
their lunch to church and stay for morning and afternoon service.

New members were added, and the meeting places were not adquate, so in
1919 the first church was erected. Jacob Opp was hired as caretaker in
1923 for $100 a year, and he had to supply the fuel (wood and coal).

The church progressed spiritually as well as otherwise. One of the
greatest highlights of the church was the revival in 1933 with Rev.
Stelter as pastor. The Holy Spirit moved mightily, and as a result, a
large baptismal service was held in June of 1934 out at the Sandstone
Creek, with 53 people being baptized.

Photo 53 people were baptized in 1934 in Sandstone Creek

Page 57

As the membership grew, room was needed, so in 1939 the church was
enlarged. In 1944 the church reached its highest membership: 153. In
1953, a new parsonage was built on the church grounds, and in 195859
a beautiful church building was erected to the Glory of God.

Throughout the history of the church, the German language was used in
services. However, during World War 1, due to state regulations,
pastors used the English as best they could. As tension relaxed, the
German was again adopted. Later only morning worship was in German,
and only recently has the Senior Sunday School class dropped the
German.

During the years, the following pastors have served: H. P. Kayser
(191720); Edward Niemann (1920-26); Emil Huber (1926-33); Albert
Stelter (.1933-38); Jacob J. Renz (1938-44); David Littke (1944-48);
Gottfried Beutler (1948-55); R. H. Zepik (1955-62); Edward Kopf
(1962-69); Richard Lawrenz (1970-81); and Greg Odell (1981-84).

Three sons of the church serve in the ministry of the gospel: Daniel
and Fred Fuchs, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fuchs, and Henry Lang, son
of Mr. and Mrs. John Lang. Mary Ann Fuchs, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
William Fuchs, served as short term missionary in Africa. Donald
Hepperle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hepperle, and Colleen Huber,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Huber, served with God's Volunteers.
Judy Sparks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cliff DuCharme, served in
Guatemala with Teen Missions. Robert Burkle, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Edward Burkle, is presently attending North American Baptist Seminary.

The First Baptist Church of Plevna is affiliated with the North
American Baptist Conference.

Our church is very dear to us. We pray it will always remain a
lighthouse pointing the way to Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Photo Young people of the German Baptist Church

Photo First Baptist Church, built in 1958

ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH

The Assembly of God Church has only a brief history in Plevna. It was
started in 1943 by Pastor Ray Newby. The building used for a meeting
place was previously the Buergi Restaurant. It had been purchased by
the few families attending there. The church was active until 1950,
when it closed its doors because most of the families had moved away.
It had four pastors during its short existence.

In 1956 they, together with some of the Baker Assembly people,
purchased the English Congregational Church building in Plevna and
moved it to Baker. That was their meeting place until they built a new
edifice there in 1969. They sold the old church building to Richard
Schueler, who made it into an apartment building.

Photo CONGREGATIONAL COUNTRY CHURCH

The rural Congregational Country Church was located at first about
seven miles southwest of Plevna. It was later moved to about five or
so miles further west and located on the Christ Krausz corner.

CEMETERIES

Plevna has almost as many cemeteries as it has churches. The Catholic
Cemetery is located one mile south of town. The Lutheran and Community
Cemeteries are located one mile west of Plevna. They border each other
except for the county road which separates them.

In the early 70's, a Cemetery District was formed. All three
cemeteries were improved with county funds. Running water was piped to
all areas of the cemeteries, and trees were planted. A caretaker is
now hired and paid for with county funds. He keeps the grass cut, the
trees watered, and the cemeteries in general good condition.

"PASTOR HALLEY'S CHURCH"

Pastor Halley's services were always very well attended, and his
sermons inspiring. Emma, however, felt that the pastor's eyes were
upon them all too often, but try as she would, Henry continued taking
his morning siesta.

One day she approached her pastor saying, "Pastor, what can I do? I
nudge him, I poke him, I whisper to him, but he keeps on sleeping. I'm
so embarrassed. "

The pastor answered with true wisdom, "Emma, there is one thing I
think may work. Next Sunday come prepared with a small piece of
limberger cheese securely wrapped. When Henry is sound asleep, unwrap
the limberger cheese and hold it under his nose. "

She could hardly wait for Sunday so she might try the pastor's advice.
She carefuly did as she was told, but was totally unprepared for what
followed. As soon as Henry was sound asleep, she unwrapped the
limberger cheese and held it under Henry's nose. With a push and a
bawl, he shouted, "Emma, get your feet off my pillow!
Page 58

Family Histories

Page 59

Page 60 blank


FRIEDRICH AND LOUISA ALLERDINGS

Friedrich and Louisa Allerdings came to the United States from Russia
in the year 1906. They settled in Eureka, South Dakota, and farmed
there three years. In the fall of 1909, Fred (as he was called) and
his brother John came to Montana and filed homestead claims. They
hauled lumber from Baker and proceeded to build a house to live in,
sleeping under the wagon at night. Many times snow was found on their
blankets in the morning.

Mrs. Allerdings joined her husband in the spring, when they started
farming 91/2 miles south of Plevna.

One of the problems facing them was the fact that they could not speak
the English language and had to have an interpreter in their dealings,
which mostly were done in Miles City, Montana, since there wasn't a
courthouse in Baker at that time. Also, the cowboys who roamed the
prairies gave them a ot of trouble, beating up John severely one time
when he was on his way home from Fred's place. The cowboys didn't want
homesteaders in the area, because they were grazing the land free of
charge with their cattle and large herds of horses.

The homesteaders needed a place to worship, so they met in the homes
for church services. Later they met in a building near he John Wenz
place. They organized the German Congregational Church around 1911.

Mr. and Mrs. Allerdings reared seven children, six of whom are still
living at present. The Fred Allerdings homestead is now owned by son
Maurice and wife Helen, along with their sons Allen and wife Bert and
Clinton Allerdings.

Photo THE FREDAND LOUISA ALLERDINGS FAMILY [Front L-R] Annie, Fred,
Louisa, Maurice [Back] Lydia, Frieda, George, Alvina, and Emelia

JOHN AND KATHARINE ALLERDINGS

My father, John Allerdings, emigrated from Odessa, Russia, in 1906.
John, his parents, Fred and Elizabeth Allerdings, his five brothers,
two sisters, and his grandfather, George Allerdings, went first to
Germany. They sailed from a harbor town on the SS Kaiser William in
late October. Also on board were Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Wenz, friends of
theirs. They could take little with them when they left Russia, except
their clothing, and had to be examined for illness before they could
leave Germany. On the ocean voyage, they endured rough weather, sea
sickness, and the small quarters in the ship.

They arrived in New York on John's twentieth birthday, November 7,
1906. They spent three days at Ellis Island, where they were again
examined for illness. The family was finally allowed to leave after
Grandfather George Allerdings bribed an official.

The Allerdings family went by train to Artas, South Dakota. They
stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Fischer and aunt and uncle Jacob
and Katharine Schmidt for a week, then moved on to Eureka, South
Dakota. Fred Allerdings then rented some land and began farming.

In 1909, John and his brother Fred traveled to Montana to stake out
homestead claims near Plevna in the early spring. They returned to
South Dakota until they received notice their claims were accepted.
John's homestead was 13 miles south of Plevna, in Fallon County. At
the time, Plevna had a bank, grocery store, post office, grain
elevator, and lumberyard.

John and Fred had to file their claims in Miles City, Montana, because
there was no courthouse in Plevna or in nearby Baker. During these
early years, John needed a translator for all his business, since he
could not speak or read English. Fortunately, the owner of the Plevna
grocery store was able to help him.

On their second trip to Montana, their father, Fred, returned with
John and his brother and bought lumber for their houses. Brother Fred
also got two horses and a wagon. They stayed on the John Wenz
homestead, living underneath the wagon while they built their houses.
Many times they were awakened by howling coyotes, and in the mornings
they would find a light covering of snow on their blankets.

In late 1909, John returned to South Dakota once more, where he met
Katharine Schauer of Long Lake, South Dakota. They were married on
February 4, 1910. They returned to Plevna by train in the early
spring. Katharine and Mrs. Karl Hepperle rode in the coach, and John
rode in the boxcar with two horses, a single breaker plow, four cows,
two pigs, ten chickens, roosters, and a wagon and buggy. Theyr carried
with them their homesteading goods and supplies, including flour,
flax, wheat, barley, oats, canned meats and vegetables, cooking
utensils, beds and bedding, and some furniture.

In the spring of 1910, John and Fred each planted 50 acres of wheat
and barley. Fred led the horses, and John held the single breaker
plow. They sowed the seed by hand. Then they fenced in the crop with a
single strand of barbed wire. Roaming cowboys destroyed this first
crop by driving their cattle through it.

The homesteaders were often at odds with the cowboys and the
sheepherders, because of their conflicting interests. The homesteaders
wanted to fence in the land and farm it. The cowboys and sheepherders
wanted to keep the range open for grazing cattle and sheep.
Eventually, the federal government had to step in so the interests of
both sides could be served.

The homesteaders also had to contend with rattlesnakes. John would
come upon beds of them when he was checking his land. He would kill
them with whatever was handy: a stick whip, or gun. Occasionally the
horses would get bit when a snake got in the barn. The dog would bark
to warn that a snake was too close to the house or barn or the chicken
coop (where the snakes would eat the eggs).

In 1911, John purchased two more horses and planted another 50 acres
with his single breaker plow. He planted some land by hand and then
borrowed a drill to plant the rest. That year's crop was more
successful. John's father-in-law came to visit that year, and while he
was there he helped build a barn for the cattle and horses.

For the third crop in 1912, John and Fred bought a used drill for
seeding and a used header for cutting their crops. They had a neighbor
thresh the wheat and barley, or else hired a harvester crew which came
through from the south.

When they first began homesteading, John and Katharine got their water
from a deep running spring almost half a mile from the house. In 1912,
John and Fred dug a well, 42 feet deep. They dug it all in one day.

The well was located some distance from the house, also. Katharine
would carry water in buckets for cooking and washing. When he had
time, John filled 50gallon barrels and then used a horse-drawn barge
to get the barrels to the house.

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There were other deep springs on the land, where the animals got their
water. The cowboys would water their cattle at the springs, too.
Sometimes the cowboys would throw a homesteader into the deep water to
see if he could swim; that happened to John once. Another time, when
he was returning home, John was beaten up by two or three cowboys.
They held him upside down in the spring until he begged for mercy.

Occasionally during these early years, one of the sheepherders would
shoot one of the cowboys' cattle during the night, skin and dress it,
then divide the meat up among the homesteaders. John got a large
package from a sheepherder once. It turned out to be mostly bones, but
it did make good soup. John invited Mr. Gallimore, who was a
sheepherder, over for lunch. After that, Mr. Gallimore made sure John
had enough meat and bones.

John became a naturalized citizen on November 14, 1913. He received
his deed to the homestead in December of 1916, while Woodrow Wilson
was in office. The deed was witnessed by Philip and George Huber, and
the owner of the Plevna grocery store (Emil Ensee).

John and Katharine learned English from two homesteaders, Bill Eflek
and his wife. They moved out from Chicago in 1910 and homesteaded a
mile and a half south of the Allerding farm.

John and Katharine were successful homesteaders. By the time he
retired, John purchased a total of 1600 acres and leased 320, in
addition to the 320acre homestead. He also purchased his farm
equipment over the years. In 1918, he purchased his own header for
harvesting, and in 1924 he purchased a thresher with a group of other
homesteaders. John bought his own tractor, a Fordson, in 1926.

John and Katharine had five children. One died in infancy, and Gustav
died in 1976. The surviving children are: Herbert, Emma, and Ida.

John bought his first Model T in 1920. The early Model T's were so
troublesome; they had to be cranked by hand or pushed down hill in
order to start. Because of the way the gas tank was situated in the
Model T's, they didn't go uphill very easily (not enough gas got
through the fuel line to the engine). So, John would turn the car
around, drive up the hill in reverse, then turn around at the top of
the hill. He remembers one trip to Eureka, South Dakota, which took
three days in the Model T with part of the journey in reverse.
Nevertheless, John bought another Model T in 1925.

Most of the farm buildings were erected during the late 1920s. John
built a barn in M5 and a threestory farmhouse in 1927. Then came the
Dust Bowl and Depression years. John and Katharine survived the
Depression because he owned beef cattle, as well as 35 or 40 milk cows
and some chickens. He sold the cream and Katharine sold eggs in order
to make payments on the land and taxes. The children had to go out to
the pasture to milk the cows so they wouldn't lose their milk. They
hauled the milk back in 50gallon barrels, and separated the cream by
handturning a milk separator. They also had to feed the calves by
hand from a bucket. John's beef cattle were sold each autumn as
another source of income.

There were no churches in Plevna for the homesteaders, so they
worshipped in each others' homes. In 1917, the Baptist Church was
organized; the first church building was erected in 1919. John and
Katharine were baptized on June 13, 1920, and became members. Over the
years, John served in several capacities in the church: trustee,
treasurer, and deacon. Katharine served as treasurer of the ladies aid
organization and remained a member of the Baptist Church up until her
death in August of 1945.

Two years later, John moved to Plevna and semi-retired. In 1948, he
married Emilie Feiock. That year, he also sold the farm to his son,
Gustav. Gustav died in 1976, and his widow has since sold off parcels
of land so that it no longer remains in the John Allerdings
generations. Emilie died in 1952.

John moved to Ashley, North Dakota, in 1954, and there he married
Lydia Hildenbrandt. Lydia died in 1964.

Two years later, John moved to Bismarck, North Dakota,' and lived in
an apartment retirement home for ten years. He moved to Mill Valley,
California, to live with his daughter Ida and her family in 1976. He
moved with them to Vancouver, Washington, in 1979, and now lives in a
nursing home there. He celebrated his 97th birthday on March 28. 1984,
and is doing quite well at this time.

Photo THE JOHN AND KATHARINE ALLERDINGS FAMILY [Back] Gustav, Herbert,
Ida, and Emma [Front] John and Katharine

Photo John A llerdings Celebrating his 97th birthday on March 28, 1984

DAVID AND CAROLINE BICKLE

David Bickle, Sr. was born in Wisconsin in 1858 and came to Montana in
the spring of 1881 via Iowa, Kansas, Denver and Wyoming. Summer
roundup found Dave working for the TD Ranch on O'Fallon Creek, in
present Fallon County. This became his home for the next seven years,
most of them as ranch manager for the owners, Thomas Dewey and Miles
W. Marshall, importers from Massachusetts.

After the severe winter of 1886, the TD outfit was left with 500 head
of cattle out of their heard of 12,000. Dewey and Marshall bought 600
mares in Texas and had them shipped to Lusk, Wyoming, where Dave
received them and brought them back to the TD. That same year, 1887,
Dave invested his savings in a band of sheep which he ran in
partnership with Kenneth McLean, whose home ranch was just above the
TD.

Dave continued to work for the TD until 1889, when he moved to the
head of Little Pine Creek, locating his ranch on a former bull camp of
the TD where a good spring was available. He lived there in a small
log building for the next seven years and his sheep band multiplied.

The year 1896 was an open winter, so Dave and one of his hands, Billy
Whipple, cut logs and built a large house and bunkhouse, buying the
necessary lumber, doors, windows and flooring from Stith Hardware in
Terry. That was a long trip, so a complete list had to be made before
departing, and not one item could be forgotten. You couldn't run back
to town for a pound of nails when the round trip was 140 milesl

The flocks continued to grow. All the wether lambs were kept in bands
of 4000. These wethers were kept strictly for their wool, that being a
cash crop. Ewes numbered 2500 to a band. Wethers were shipped at the
age of four or five on the Northern Pacific to Chicago to be sold.

Shortly after 189697, settlers began purchasing the land they were
using, especially the watered portions. Dave purchased 50 sections of
N.P. land that became the basis of the Bickle Ranch on the Pine, Hay
and Sandstone Creeks.

Dave married Caroline (Carrie) Fluss in Armington, Illinois, on
November 1, 1899, and they returned to the home ranch at the head of
Little Pine Creek. The house is still there and in use. It is
completely furnished and is used as a guest house. Hunters, friends,
and relatives think it is a great place to stay.

With the coming of the Milwaukee Railroad, Dave invested in several
businesses in the towns which were being built. He built the
Erlingbert Store in Ismay, which supplied general merchandise to a lot
of the early settlers. Dave also invested in banks in Ismay, Terry,
and Baker. He served as president of the Bank of Baker from the time
of its charter until his death in 1945 -- some twenty odd years.

Grandad and Grandma Bickle built a home in Ismay in 1907-08 and raised
and educated their four children there. Their children are: David
James Jr., Nina Powell, Arthur and Ora Weinschrott. Dave Jr. and Nina
are both deceased. Art lives in Miles City and Ora is in Indiana.

The Bickle holdings became cattle ranches in 1917. Grandad Dave
retired in the early thirties and the ranch was split up to become the
homes of Dave Jr. and his wife Evelyn LaBree on the original
headquarters and Art and his wife Ursella Sullivan on the Sandstone
Ranch. Three children were bom to Dave and Evelyn: Jim, Lynn and
Harold. Art and Ursella had two children: Bill, who is in the
Sandstone Ranch, and Barbara, who teaches in Poplar, Montana.

Dave Jr. retired in 1969 and moved to Miles City, selling the ranch to
Jim and Hal. In 1971, Hal sold his interest to Jim and his wife, Wanda
Atkinson. Hal now lives in Terry and Lynn is a registered nurse,
living and working in Miles City. Dave Jr. passed away on November 13,
1978, and was laid to rest beside his parents in the Custer County
Cemetery in Miles City.

Jim and Wanda were married December 21, 1945, in Miles City, Montana,
and have lived on the ranch all their lives. They have four children:
Peggy, John, Carrie, and Heidi. Peggy and John both graduated from
Baker High School. When Peggy started school there were no buses, and
her mother had to move to town, so she chose Baker, where she could
work. They lived this life for 12 years -- not enjoying one bit of it.
When Carrie and Heidi were ready to start school, they rode the bus to
Plevna.

Carrie graduated in the spring of 1983, and Heidi is a sophomore.
Carrie is attending Carroll College in Helena and hopes for a career
in the medical field. Peggy and her husband,Jim Hagadone, are at the
ranch with their two children: Scott and Kristin. Peggy has a B.A.
degree in Spanish with a minor in social studies from the University
of Montana in Missoula and enjoys substituting in Plevna High School
occasionally.

John and his wife, Jan, live at the Diamond Ring Ranch between Miles
City and Terry. They have two girls, Mindi and Micki, who go to school
in Terry. Jan drives to Miles City every school day, where she is an
aide in Washington Junior High School for physical education classes.

Photo David and Carrie [Fluss) Bickle Their wedding picture --
November of 1899

Photo Bickle Ranch -- about 1889

Photo Bickle Ranch on Little Pine Creek -- after 1896

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HEINRICH AND DOROTHEA BOHLE

Heinrich and Dorothea Bohle and their children left Odessa, Russia, in
1905 and traveled as far as London, England. An epidemic of sickness
took over and affected most of the people, and the Bohle family was
forced to return to Russia.

In 1910 they left Russia for the second time and eventually arrived in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The family traveled by train to Artas,
South Dakota, where they farmed until 1913. Dorothea died in 1911 and
is buried at Artas. The family moved to Montana in 1913, arriving on
the immigrant train.

Heinrich bought the Oscar Ness homestead one and a half miles
northeast of Plevna, which is now owned and farmed by Ed Burkle.
Heinrich farmed for about 12 years and then rented the farm to Jacob
Oberlander and moved into Plevna. His home was where Kent Ehret now
lives. The Bohle family farm was lost during the Depression years.

In 1918, Heinrich married Barbara Steinbak. Heinrich died in July of
1927 and is buried in the Peace Lutheran Cemetery.

He had seven children, and all came to this country: Fred, Theodore,
Magdalina, Josephine, William, Walter, and Alvina. Fred and Alvina
made their homes in the Pleva area.

Photo Heinrich and Dorothea Bohle

Photo THE BOHLE FA MIL Y [Back L-R] Walter, Fred, William, Theodore
[Front] Josephine, Alvina, and Magdalina

FRED AND BARBARA BOHLE

In 1914, Frederick Bohle, eldest son of Heinrich Bohle, took up a
homestead at Broadus, Montana. On March 20. 1916, Fred Bohle married
Barbara Schlecht at Hoffnungstall Lutheran Church, Campbell County,
South Dakota.

Barbara Schlecht came to the United States from Russia with her
mother, and they lived with her sister and her husband.

Fred and Barbara lived south of Plevna for six months before moving
southwest of Plevna.

In 1917, when the land southwest of Plevna came up for sale, Fred
Bohle relinquished his homestead at Broadus and took up this
homestead. They lived on their farm many years, raising a large
family.

Henry lives at Plevna. He married Mae Bostrom, and they have five
children: Mylen, Lynette, Caron, Sonja, and Kalyn. William lives at
Baker. He married Mary Lausch, and they have three children: Jack,
DuWayne, and Joann. Dorothea lives in Stockton, California. She
married Otto Schmidt, and they have three daughters: Audrey, Marilyn,
and Violet. Ann lives at Portland, Oregon. She married William
Singletary, and they have four children: Wayne, Jerry, Beverly and
Thomas. Rudolph lives in the family home at Plevna. Alvina lives at
Baker, Montana. She is married to Herb Varner, and they have four
children: William, Fred, Dennis, and Cathy. Annette lives at Nauvoo,
Illinois. She is married to William Wilkens. They have four children:
Barbara, Mary Ann, Joseph, and Vicky. Ernest is married to Barbara
Gaustad, and they live at Billings. They have two sons: James and
Edwin. Two children, Emil and Jacob, died in infancy.

Part of the time, the Bohle family lived in Plevna so the children
could attend school. In 1947 the farm was sold to their oldest son,
Henry, and they moved to Plevna. After a few years of city life, Fred
and Barbara bought a farm six miles west of Plevna from Robert Sieler.
They sold their home to Leon Rieger and Kent Ehret now owns the lots.

In later years, the Bohles bought another home in Plevna from Leon
Tague and were planning to retire. Fred sold the farm to his grandson,
Mylen Bohle, who started to raise pigs, but later decided to sell to
his father, Henry, who now farms it.

Before the Bohles could move to town, Barbara suffered a stroke and
passed away in March of 1974. Fred and his son, Rudolph, moved into
Plevna, where Fred passed away in April

Fred and Barbara celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in June
of 1966, with all their family and loved ones present. The celebration
was held at Peace Lutheran Church in Plevna.

Fred and Barbara had 25 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

Photo THE BOHLE FAMILY [Front L-R] Annette, Ann, Alvina, Dorothea,
Rudolph [Back] William, Ernest, and Henry

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