by Mary Buchholz
These articles come from newspaper microfilm from the Belle Fourche Public library, using a new microfilm reader and printer. The photographs are from the Tri-State Museum.
126 years ago Northwest Times October 5, 1899 It Was Expected Geo. Evans broke jail Tuesday evening. Sheriff Sweaney took him to the jail after supper, and while absent a short time, Evans broke out. The instruments found near him plainly showed that he had assistance in getting out. Evans took a pony from Lou Knights’ stable and there is no doubt but that he has made good his escape. Evans should not have been sent back to Butte Co. jail, as everyone knows it is insecure. No one seems to blame the Sheriff particularly, but many remarks have been heard to the effect that provision for the safe keeping of prisoners has not been made in the part. Several parties predicted when Evans was returned here that he would escape and so it is. The record of Butte County in dealing with prisoners and criminals in the last few years is not one calculated to create much pride in the average citizen, and as long as the law is played with and as long as we have a playhouse for a jail, it will be difficult to bring guilty parties to justice. There is not a fair-minded citizen in Butte County of whatever creed, but must recognize that law and order has been as nearly a farce in this vicinity as is possible to bring it. The record of the last few years proves it conclusively. When proper attention is given toward bringing criminals and law-breakers to certain justice, then and not until then will life and property be safe in Butte County. Fer what is law? It is made to be obeyed in order that life and property may be safe.
100 years ago Northwest Post October 8, 1925 SUGAR FACTORIES ALL AROUND US When we think of the better-than-20-tons-peracre crop of sugar beets now being harvested in the Belle Fourche valley – and then think of the efforts made in the past six or seven years to induce some sugar company to locate a factory in this promising territory – it makes us a trifle “warm under the collar” to read the following item just printed in the DenverPost: “No question about the Great Western Sugar company’s faith in the future of sugar beet business. With two new factories in course of construction in Colorado, it is arranging to put up another million-dollar plant in Scottsbluff county, Nebraska. Due to a combination of circumstances, this year’s beet crop is smaller than usual. The company knows that the condition can’t last, and it encourages larger production by providing factories to handle additional beets>” And elsewhere in this same issue of the Denver paper appears the announcement that the Holly Sugar corporation is planning the construction of another factory in northern Colorado in time to handle the 1926 crop. By the way, the editor of this paper, while in Minnesota last week, learned that the sugar refinery at Shakopee, near St. Paul, had been closed down on account of insufficient beet acreage to operate the plant at a profit. Maybe we can induce the owners of that refinery to move its equipment to the Belle Fourche district. We just can’t get over the idea that SOME sugar company is overlooking a good bet right here.
The circuit court for the fall term will convene in this city on November 5, the jurors being ordered to report for duty on the 9th. Following is a list of jurors drawn by County Auditor Fry, Treasurer Ellis and Sheriff Craven: Belle Fourche – A. C. McClure, G. F. Slaugher, J. H. Widdoss, Jr,. Walter Cunningham, Ben E. Fink, Charles Douds, R. F. Voyles, E. H. Davis, Elmer Richards, Jay McClure, G. G. Gilber, G. W. Gibson, J. O. Fenton, Floyed Cook, Thomas Eaton, Homer T Couch, David Richards, Frank L. Hubbard, G. W. Creamer, Chris Larson, Roy Congden, John Gates.
75 years ago The Belle Fourche Post October 5, 1950 SOCIETY Mrs. J. H. Davis Heads Library Board New Officers of the Belle Fourche Library Board were elected Wednesday night at the board’s October meeting. Elected to head the board was Mrs. J. H. Davis, She succeeds Mrs. W. P. Friggens. Mrs. Frank Evans was reelected secretary of the board. Appointments made by the new president included Mrs. Max Vigoren as treasurer, in the absence of Mrs. David Evans, librarian who is on leave of absence, and Mrs. Howard Wilson, reappointed in charge of the calendar.
MRS. TRAVIS STEEN HEADS LOCAL JAYCETTES Mrs. Travis Steen is the new president of the Belle Fourche Jaycettes. She was elected this week at a meeting of the organization in the home of Mrs. Dalton McMahon. Other new Jaycette officers, to serve the ensuing club year, are Mrs. R. E. Brandenburg, vice president; Mrs. Clifford Pluimer, secretary; and Mrs. Louis Steen, treasurer. Mrs. Louis Steen was president of the organization the past year. Only other business at the executive board meeting was a discussion of ticket sales to the community concert series, being sponsored in Belle Fourche by the Jaycettes.
Armies Wait While Diplomats Wrangle. The pen is mightier than the sword. Apparently, that old adage holds true in the case of General MacArthur. It’s a flood of oratory that has stopped him for the time being. The oratory took place Friday far from the battlefront – in New York, at the general assembly meeting of the United Nations. The meeting started Friday morning and ended at dinnertime. For most of those eight hours the topic of discussion was Korea – specifically, the peace plan advocated by Great Britain and seven other western nations. The western plan, opposed by the Russians, authorizes MacArthur’s troops to sweep across the 38th parallel. He has about 150,000 of them on the line, waiting to cross with the knockout punch of the war, but diplomatic quarters believe he’s waiting for the UN to give him the go-ahead. As things are now, the vote probably will be taken Saturday.
49 years ago – Belle Fourche Post October 6, 1976 City Council Approves Appropriations for ’77. Final approval of the 1977 appropriations ordinance was given by the Belle Fourche city council Monday night at their regular October meeting. The board also approved a $24,600 supplemental budget for this year, and approved a planning commission recommendation which makes minor changes in the building permit ordinance, but does not affect the fee or exemption schedule. The new budget general fund figure was reduced slightly so that the general fund levy will drop to 14.53 mills from the 15 mills levied for 1976. The 1977 appropriation totals $1, 133,586. This is about $139,248 more than the amount appropriated for the 1976 budget.
Read the full issue of the Belle Fourche Beacon by clicking here.
