pls pray 4 our soldiers protecting USA
against new 911's that would hurt us if we waver

�Supergirl� in �The Green Sun Supergirl!�, written by Otto Binder and drawn by Jim Mooney. � This 12-page back-up story starts at Stanhope College, where Linda Lee Danvers� dorm-mates watch a special TV broadcast, announcing NASA�s new �astronette� program. Little do they realize that the first astronette is their classmate�s secret identity � Supergirl! Flying to Florida at super-speed, the Girl Of Steel dons her astronette test-suit and blasts off into outer space. While testing the experimental spacesuit outside, it becomes punctured by passing �micrometeorites�. Re-entering her capsule, she doffs the space-togs and prepares to return to Earth. But when her capsule becomes caught in a �warp stream�, she immediately finds herself transported to another solar system. With her capsule�s automatic guidance system inoperative due to a lack of radioactive fuel, she finds herself plunging toward a planet with a green sun! Since Kryptonians� gain super-powers only under a yellow sun, this means she�s as frail as an �ordinary mortal�, which explains how she�s helplessly flung out of her capsule when it crash-lands. Bruised, battered and bleeding, Supergirl is revived by a pair of friendly human-like aliens, who treat her injuries with a miraculous �golden nectar�. Communicating through telepathy, they explain that their planet is called �Lumal�. Taking to their village, Supergirl is fascinated by the music created by their �singing crystals�, a mineral phenomenon that�s guarded by winged �dragomonsters� in their glass-pit lair. Her tour is interrupted when a tax collector (from a civilization of �evil-eyed� subterranean creatures) strong-arms their community by incinerating a cottage with heat-beams from its eyes. All that survives from the conflagration is the plastic material the Lumalians uses for their windows. Since she has no superpowers on Lumal, Supergirl uses Earth science to create an electro-magnet to take the singing crystals right out from under the dragomonsters� noses. She then uses the crystals to pay off the cruel tax collector, earning the thanks of the locals. Seeking radioactive material to power her capsule�s automatic guidance system, she undertakes a quest to travel to the distant location of a natural deposit of radioactive �fuel�. Following a map given to her by the Lumalians, she encounters menacing �soldier plants�, migrating ant-men, giant acorns (!) and the �evil-eyed ones�, defeating each obstacle to her goal by replicating aspects of her superpowers with her quick wits and scientific knowledge. Supergirl even manages to seal the only passage to the �evil-eyed peoples� underground civilization. She finally reaches Lumal�s radioactive deposits, and re-powering her capsule�s guidance system, she hitches a ride back to Earth on the same �warp stream of space� that got her in trouble in the first place! Back on Earth, Supergirl uses her telescopic vision to check on her Lumalian friends, she sees that they�ve erected a statue in her honor of her for freeing them from their cruel masters. Surprisingly, her lack of actual superpowers on Lumal didn�t dissuade them from regarding her as a super-powered heroine -- thanks to those �non-super- tricks� she was forced to devise while under that green sun!

If U don't understand and U want clearIFication, join the club .. !

This page preceded the structure which has become the basis 4 an entire set of websites and the PAGErank which came from the precident to 'google". As such this is neccesary to hold the blocks that are built upon it. As 'internet' evolved primal digital memories have become obsured but not forgotten by the collective GRADE. Why do I grade so high across a wide board and how can U B found? Yoda knows but he won't tell.. "YEARS AND YEARS ... . .oh where have they gone (seeds have turned to TREES) So here again I type and millions find me or a corner of thee. All the while the spiders crawl and the "DR.'s" cook the algo. They will always need and cater 2 these as ME & mine ,one and the same

experimental development of media production and publishing / printing & internet services from Kirk Evan Maillet"
Einstein theory of relativity is REALLY a theory of reality
what is real subjectively to an observer
physists NOW work on the basis of assumptions based on current exspectations of REALITY
observing nature affects nature is a universal truth CURRENTly

particles move generally but UNIQUELY they do whatever U want them 2 as U observe them IF U want

GOD works in mysterious ways AS we collectively ask (AKA pray thru our hearts desire) him 2
Jesus told us so. AS we believe so we achieve
WhatEVER The Mind Can Perceive So WE Can Achieve(my DAD told me so)
Mustard seed FAITH AS IN
Power of Faith need not certainty of KNOWLEDGE
More than can be know IS
FAITH IS MANIFESTLY better,
Inspiration Einstein QUOTED as BETTER than knowledge
knowledge is worldly and cool 4 time being
FAITH IS HEAVENLY here on earth on purpose
faith is heavenly...
The search motors rank everything on LUMAL

In a more complete sense this started when my parents named Me- "Kirk" after their baby Doctor, Dr. Kirk McGuire all 6'8"
Dr. Kirk C. McGuire 23800 Amapolo Court, Cupertino, California
of him. Planning a whole heard, all 4 letters all starting with "K" 5 children in all. Kent , Kimm , Kris , Kary 5 IMAGE ICONS (see image names in source), LUMAL begins and ends w/ "L", Kirk begins and ends with "K", I the first, Kirk was born 12/30/56, seven years and a day later Kary the fifth and last was born. Almost exactly 9 months after my mom's birthday (she got lucky with the man she loved first and last on her birthday) 7 years apart! I think about my parents alot and I publish this because I can out of respect for them that made me and my siblings! It's just a 5 letter address to you, it's precious to me!

P.S. this "lumal.gif" logo is cour�te�sy Mr. Joe DeMarco back in 1996

Joe retired from "SAS Airlines" after working w/ me on his data processing needs and drove headfirst into the deep end of this graphical TCP/IP delivery of content for his previously P/T Entertainment Production Ventures. I showed him the networking side I knew and he "SAVED ME COUNTLESS HOURS" finding all the land mines. THX MUCHO, credo to you Joe D !~~!

Grandma Helen (ann marie richeson her MOM)
GrandPa Eugene Lyon Maillet, Montana Pioneers
Two Maillet brothers married two Richeson sisters. My dad and Lilian Maillet Wills were their sole children by birth, first cousins.
These two Maillet boys had more brothers. The Richeson sisters may or may not have had other siblings.

Grandma Anne Jasper (Busco)
Matto Jasperica, janJine Jugoslavia
Frank , Gabrilla Matto's siblings

We are excited to provide you with this history of Hot Springs Montana, generously provided by Hot Springs local, Joe Orr.

Mr. Orr's original article includes a detailed map. We will post this this map and legend as soon as possible.

Joe also provided us with his rich collection of Hot Springs memorabilia from his amazing scrap book. We will post this information as time and resources allow.

Hot Springs Montana

A Forgotten Speck on the Map

The history of the Hot Springs valley goes back before the written word The native people (Pend d�Oreille Indians) had known of the healing powers of the mineral waters found here for generations prior to the arrival of the early trappers, explorers and settlers Until their arrival, the only history of this region comes from the stories and legends of the native people, artifacts, and the geological lay of the land.

Thousands of years ago the area was part of the last Ice Age, as can be determined by the roundness of the surrounding hills. As the ice retreated, it left an enormous lake covering the entire area, now known as Lake Missoula. The melting glaciers caused the lake waters to recede, and the step effect of the receding waters can still be seen on those hills, especially in the Camas Prairie area.

Local Indians, and some traveling bands, used the �Big Medicine� springs for who knows how many generations, often staying several weeks to cure various maladies. During the latter part of the l800ts, the springs became known to white men. Even then, people would travel for the cure from as far as Kalispell or Missoula With the arrival of homesteaders, who demanded privacy, tents (and later, bathhouses) were erected over or near the springs, and water was piped to tubs.

Some of the following history of Hot Springs has been published previously in journals of the early settlers, newspapers, and books about homesteaders, which are on file in our local library. Some unintentional mistakes may have resulted from contradictions in those stories as to who did what, and when or where. Memories have a bad habit of dimming over time, so some dates may not exactly coincide with events.

1890 - 1910

T. G. DeMers and the Maillet families were among the earliest ranchers in this area. DeMers was half Indian, and Maillet was married to a woman of Indian descent. An Indian allotment was also authorized for Ed Lamoreaux, his wife and son. These original land allotments, and additional allotments given to their children, would eventually encompass the entire Hot Springs valley as far east as the present Highway 28.

The original DeMers allotment boundaries were the current Michelle Street on the west, to the present Second Avenue North, east along what is now Spring Street, and to the bottom of the hill on the south. With the addition of his nine children�s allotments, the DeMers property eventually extended from the northern and southern boundaries clear to Highway 28. The original DeMers house was located at what is now the corner of Orchard and First Avenue North. Part of the original building still exists, but has had numerous renovations over the last 100 years. The DeMers outbuildings and corrals were located where the Symes Hotel is now.

The Maillet property, including allotments to five children, extended west from Michelle Street into the timber, north to include the major part of the hillside as far as Camas, abutting DeMers� property to the south, and portions extending east to Highway 28. The original Maillet house was built approximately one-half mile west of town on the north side of Hot Springs Creek. He later moved, and built a home about one mile due north, which is called the Maillet place to this day.

The Lamoreaux allotment started near the first house in Camas, on the west, and encompassed all of Camas and portions to the east. Ed Lamoreaux built a two-story log house on the western boundary of what became Camas. This house was occupied until it burned down, sometime in the 70�s.

Following passage of the Homestead Act, DeMers platted his original allotment into individual lots, which eventually became the town of Hot Springs. Maillet also offered a small portion of his allotment north of Second Avenue North for sale as lots, thus completing the present configuration of Hot Springs.

In the outlying Lonepine and Niarada areas allotments were granted to ranchers of Indian descent, or married to tribal women. Those areas were not wilderness, just waiting to be tamed by homesteaders, but prosperous ranching domain, 20 to 40 miles from the nearest town of Horse Plains.

A private school was started in 1903, bringing a bit of civilization to the country. The first teacher, Miss Stella Gillard, later married Nick Schmit, brother-in-law to George Maillet. This school was operated with the combined support of the DeMers and Maillet families. DeMers started selling his lots to the newly arrived merchants, tradesman, and entrepreneurs who followed on the heels of the homesteaders. Lamoreaux did the same with his allotment in Camas and, by 1911, Camas could boast a hotel, store, post office, newspaper, black smith shop, livery, and other businesses. At the same time, Hot Springs (then called Pineville) was becoming a town within its own right.

1910 - 1920

Many of the homesteaders who came to this area had no knowledge of ranching or farming, thinking only of the wonder of owning their own land. As a result, many of them were unable to complete the required improvements within the set time frames, and either had to sell their holdings or lose them. Others, even with the necessary knowledge and experience, were wiped out by droughts, lack of operating funds, or the poor soil and location of their homesteads. Those who did survive suffered many of the hardships associated with the early 1900�s. The lack of roads, subterranean water, lack of irrigation, and the weather itself were all instrumental in toughening those early settlers so they were able to withstand their hard life.

Many of the original homesteaders who survived bought adjoining homesteads from those who failed. By the 1920�s some of these holdings became ranches or farms of a thousand acres or more. Much of the added acreage was not fit for farming, but was used as grazing land for their livestock.

Those who came to the valley as merchants and tradesman providing services, were more fortunate. They had the foresight to see how the area would develop and grow. Many of those early businesses still exist, although often under different names, as they were bought and sold. Some changes came about through progress, i.e. blacksmith shops and liveries became garages.

Fire was one of the greatest dangers to business in the early days. Buildings were constructed with wood frames, shiplap siding, and shingle roofs. The potbellied, wood-burning stoves used for heat resulted in numerous fires over the years, most notably the fires of 1918 and 1931, both of which destroyed most of Main Street.

Mercantile and livery/blacksmith shops were of extreme importance during that period. However, the numerous sawmills which dotted the area were also much needed enterprises. Timber was plentiful, but had to be cut into lumber, as log cabins were no longer practical. Most of the lumber produced was studs, shiplap siding, or shingles. Several of the mills cut lodgepole for fence posts and rails. Scrap lumber was cut into lengths for firewood, and given away to those who were willing to haul it. These mills also provided employment to many of the area people who needed to supplement their income. During this period mail came from either Elmo or Plains, and the original post office was in Camas. All the freight had to be hauled by horse and wagon from the McGowan Mercantile in Plains, on over 20 miles of very poor road which took two days to traverse. Several freight and mail lines were established.

When DeMers divided his allotment, in 1910, into the individual lots which would eventually become Hot Springs, avenues were to run east and west, and streets to run north and south. As well as the lots he sold, DeMers later donated some of them for churches, school property, and public administration. Ironically, today we have a street named after the DeMers family, but no Maillet Street, which leads me to believe that the Maillet allotment did not start within the city limits on the west side of town.

Some notable events took place between 1910-1920, including: 1. The arrival of Al Papenfuss, who was to become the most prominent carpenter in the area, in 1912, 2. The establishment of the Hot Springs Post Office in 1913, thus consigning Pineville to history, 3. Primary work on the present irrigation system in the valley was begun in 1916, and 4. The Towanda Hotel was built in 1916/17. At that time it was a very modern hotel for this part of the country, boasting indoor plumbing, steam heat, a cafe and lounge, stables, and large lawns and gardens. During this decade Hot Springs could boast of a bank, four grocery stores, two drug stores, two creameries, a laundry, a 10-cent store, a meat market, several hotels, and several garages with gas pumps to service the ever increasing number of automobiles in the area. There were Catholic, Baptist, and Presbyterian churches, and an elementary school. Many transient workers moved through the area, working in the mills, on the ranches, in the woods, or in other seasonal employment.

1920 - 1930

Hot Springs continued to grow in the 20�s. With the increasing popularity of the automobile and improving roads, more people came to partake of the mineral waters. With this influx of visitors came a need for accommodations other than hotels, which largely catered to short-term stays. Numerous cabins were built during the mid-20�s for people who planned to stay for more than a few days, and for seasonal workers. These early cabins often were hastily constructed, many of them being single rooms with outdoor plumbing and one stove, used for both cooking and heating. Thankfully, most of these shacks didn�t last too long.

Louie Beauregard and Fred Symes were two of the founding fathers who saw the need for decent rental units. Louie owned the blacksmith shop/garage in Camas, and in 1926 he bought half of a city block on Spring Street from Albert Maillet. He later purchased the remaining half of the lot. He started to build the first of three cabins in 1927. These cabins contained two rooms, indoor toilets, cooking facilities, and a front sitting porch. Seven more of these units were built in 1928-29. They still exist, on First Street, between First and Second Avenues North. With the coming of the depression, and bank failures, Louie had to postpone his dream of constructing more rental units until the 1930�s. He added six more cabins and a four-plex, now all part of the Hot Springs Spa. Symes built a bathhouse and some adjoining cabins. Symes and Beauregard were the first to envision the �motel� concept of connecting units and apartments. Some of the earlier cabins, usually built in units of 4 to 8, are still in existence as rentals, but have been renovated over the years.

Edna Gannaway was one of the most influential individuals of the 20�s. She arrived in the valley in 1910 with her husband, Roy 0. Billings, and homesteaded just east of the �Y�. They divorced in 1922. She taught school from 1910-1919, and was the Camas Postmistress from 1917 until 1947. Following the failure of the Camas Bank in 1924, Edna suffered heavy financial losses. The bank offered her a bankrupt newspaper plant, which she accepted, as the only way to salvage part of her losses. The equipment was old and worn out, and she had no knowledge of printing but, taking on the challenge, she started the Camas Hot Springs Exchange (1926-1959) as editor and publisher. She had a strange combination of political philosophies, which were to have a lasting impact on the political and moral standards of not only Hot Springs, but the whole of Sanders County. She was an early advocate of Social Security, public works programs, and protection of citizens from bank failures, under F.D.I.C., but openly opposed �relief� programs; and was a vehement spokesman for individual and governmental accountability. Her editorials were often stinging, always depicting her absolute conclusions on her subjects. She was not always liked, but she was respected. Into the 50�s, you could often see Edna in a dark brown or gray ankle length dress, walking between Camas and Hot Springs. The original post office, printing plant and her home still (barely) stands in Camas, just east of Camas road.

The first private telephone was installed in Hot Springs in 1920 by C. C. Bradford, who sold his lines to the Flathead Mutual Telephone Company, which in turn was sold to Richard Scott in 1930. Scott operated the lines for only a short time, then sold to Grant Preston, who formed the Hot Springs Telephone Company, still in existence. There had been telephone lines from the Dixon Indian Agency to this area since 1917, but their use was restricted to reporting forest fires.

In 1921 John Buck bought a grocery store from Charles Rose, which was located on the northwest corner of Main and Wall Streets, later occupied by Cortners� Corner. The store has been moved to the southeast corner of Main and Wall, but is still operated by his descendants, and is the longest surviving family business in town. Hot Springs was incorporated in 1929, and established a volunteer fire department. It didn�t do much good in the 1931 fire, however.

The �great depression�, which was to last for the next 12 years, made its first appearance in 1928,

1930 - 1940

The 1930�s had good and bad aspects for Hot Springs. Due to the depression, many of the men had to leave the valley to find enough work to enable them to support their families and pay their property taxes. During the men�s absence, the responsibility of running businesses, farms and ranches fell upon the shoulders of the women and children. Some men did find regular jobs in other areas, but a good many of them worked on government-sponsored projects, such as the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) or Work Progress Administration (WPA), or other lesser known government programs. The Fort Peck Dam project hired thousands of men.

The depression did seem to bring people closer together, relying on each other�s support in order to bear the hardships of those times, and survive. Rural families had the added problems of grasshopper and Mormon cricket infestations, which devastated their crops, in addition to several years of drought Some of the pluses during the 30�s were the advent of electric light and power to the town and surrounding area, brought in by the U. S. Indian Irrigation Service in 1930, and installation of the first city-wide water system in 1932, eliminating the need for the single town pump. The streets of town were oiled for the first time in 1939. This was a great improvement over the mud or dust of previous years.

Another dream began to take shape in the early 3 0�s. Fred Symes had leased out his homestead in Camas Prairie and bought property in Hot Springs, where he went into the mercantile business, which he sold to N. G. LaRue in 1929. He then bought the acreage which is now the site of the Symes Hotel. Initially he built a row of apartments on the north side, then more along the east side, and later added a bathhouse. He kept on building hotel rooms, cottages, and apartments until he could house over 100 people; then he added a restaurant.

Fred believed in a family-oriented establishment, and would not tolerate excess noise or rowdiness. He and his wife landscaped the grounds with beautiful lawns and great beds of flowers. In order to get the water he needed to irrigate the grounds he drilled a well. Hot mineral water came in at 227 feet, with 80 pounds of pressure. During this period many people from eastern Montana and the Dakotas spent the entire winter at the Symes colony. Construction began on the Hot Springs High School in 1934, and finished in 1938. Classes were held in the building before its completion. The first superintendent was Marion Lund. Construction of the gym started in 1936. The school grounds also contained a barn in which students stabled their horses in those early years.

On the down side of events in the 30�s was the 1931 fire, which wiped out the majority of Main Street for the second time. After the first destructive fire, in 1918, it was rebuilt quickly of mainly wooden buildings. Most of the businesses moved to temporary locations after the second fire, allowing Main Street to again be rebuilt in 193 3-34. This time, however, the merchants and owners decided to build with brick or cement building blocks. Many of these more modern structures are still in use today. Buildings which survived the 1931 fire were Buck�s Grocery and the post office.

With the ending of the depression years, in the latter part of the 30�s, many of the men who had left to find work returned to the valley. Bank loans were again available, under the protection of the F.D.I.C. Business and farm loans resulted in the improvement of many ranches, and brought new business into the area. The building of new homes helped to rejuvenate the sawmills and other construction-related industries. This �shot-in-the-arm� was to last only to the end of 1941, and the outbreak of World War II.

1940 - 1950

Following the attack of Japan on Pearl Harbor in December, 1941, most of the able bodied men in the area were drafted or enlisted into military service. Only those who were too young, too old, or in some way incapacitated, were left in the valley. A number of those not accepted by the military, but wanting to serve their country, moved to the west coast to work in war industries.

This migration to the west coast was not confined to men. Women were not allowed in the military at that time, but volunteered to serve in noncombat positions, i.e. the Red Cross, USO, or working in various war industries. World War II proved that women could do many jobs which were previously thought to be only men�s work. �Rosie the Riveter� became the new heroine of the hour. Some women, who demonstrated special aptitudes and skills, were later able to join the military services as WACs (Women�s Army Corp), or in auxiliary branches of the other services. Again, circumstances tended to bring cooperation between town and rural residents, as they struggled together to endure rationing, shortages, absence or loss of relatives and friends, and worry about the progress of the war. With the end of the war in 1945 people began returning to the area to restart their lives. Many, who had worked in war industries, had been able to save some money, which they used to upgrade their properties or start new construction. The G. I. Bill was passed, to help veterans get a new start, and many of them used their G. I. benefits to buy a house, or get a college education, or both. The many new homes built in 1946 and 1947 were a boon to the construction industry. Most of the construction was done by local tradesmen, which kept the money in town.

Around this time, it became known that the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes were going to build a modern bathhouse in Hot Springs. Those entrepreneurs who could visualize the future impact of the bathhouse quickly jumped on the bandwagon. A frenzy of building new motel-type units began. Within the next two years approximately 50 such units were constructed, many by outside contractors, but still using some local tradesmen. Of those units, only about half still exist, as many of them burned down over the years.

During the middle 40 the Florence Hotel was built on Spring Street, between Second and Third Avenues North. It was a two story structure with a stucco exterior; modern, comfortable, and featured a dining room and nice intimate lounge. Some time during the 1970�s it burned down (under mysterious circumstances) while the dining room and lounge were closed and there were no guests in the hotel. Construction of the new bathhouse began in 1947 and was completed in the fall of 1948, at a cost of approximately $400,000 (a tidy sum in those days). The first obstacle which had to be overcome was how to support a building of that size on soft ground. The northern portion of the building did not require too much support, but the raised wing to the south was a different story. To solve the problem, 75-foot cedar logs were pile driven down to bedrock, and the concrete pillars were poured on top. Again, all the contractors were from out of town, but they employed many local tradesmen and laborers. The building was opened for business in the late fall of 1948, but the actual dedication of the building would have to wait until the following year.

An advertising blitz also took place in 1948-49, as Kalispell merchants vied for the new business they expected from Hot Springs and surrounding areas, following plans to pave and improve Highway 28 from Plains to Elmo. The grand opening of the Camas Bathhouse in the summer of 1949 attracted over 2000 guests and visitors, and showcased the hospitality of Hot Springs. Which then had a population of around 800.

The ceremonies began with the official opening of the new airport, and the landing of small planes from all over western Montana. The activities then moved into town, with a grand parade featuring floats from the Hot Springs Saddle Club, the VFW, Boy Scouts, other local organizations, and approximately 200 Indians in fill regalia, on foot and horseback; and ending at the new bathhouse. Nick Lassaw, an honored Salish elder, was the Master of Ceremonies Among the honored guests was then Governor John B. Bonner, who was born and raised on Camas Prairie, and Jim Thorpe, renowned Indian athlete and Olympic gold medal winner. Thorpe had been invited to officially dedicate the bathhouse by Nick Lassaw, and old friend from the days when they both played basketball for Carlyle University in Pennsylvania. Salish Chief Paul Charlo and Kootenai Chief Eneas Granjo were other prominent Indians attending this grand affair. Louie Thomas pit barbecued two elk and two buffalo for the free feast following the ceremonies.

After this huge celebration, the rest of 1949 just sort of eased into 1950.

1950 - 1960

Many people considered the 1950�s as a boom time for Hot Springs, and it probably was. Business was thriving, and people were still working together to improve the town through civic and social organizations - everything seemed to be on the upswing.

After the opening of the new bathhouse the townspeople had great expectations, and an extensive advertising campaign was launched to attract visitors to the baths and/or the extensive recreational possibilities surrounding the town. A bridge was built to replace the old ferry between St. Regis and Paradise, and Highway 28 was promoted as a shortcut from the west to Glacier Park.

As in every town, we had our prominent people, including the Hank Smiths, the Olin Ashcrafts, the Virgil Pitts, the Avon Pinegars, the N. G. LaRue family, the Von Segens, the Hoods, the Bucks, the Mylers, the Holts, the Beebes, the Zimmers, the Foys, the Vincents, the Getz�s, and many others mentioned before, or slipped from my memory. This doesn�t even touch on those folks who kept vigorous activity going in the surrounding areas of Perma, Camas Prairie, Lonepine and Niarada. Probably the majority of our citizens still struggled to provide for their families, however. Even though money was short, children were well-fed and sent to school in clean clothes, although they might be hand-me-downs. Our small school offered a good basic education, and basketball, football, and track programs for the boys.

During the 50�s the local people were engrossed in their own lives and what was going on here in the valley, seemingly having little interest in the world events of the time, other than the much-publicized Communist threat. The Korean war, the George McGovern campaign, the literary controversy over George Orwell�s book, �1984�, or other national or world events which didn�t directly impact the valley - all got brushed aside or overlooked.

Homesteaders� Days

The first official Homesteaders� Days celebration was held on the first weekend of June, 1950. Registration of the original homesteaders and parade entries began on Friday, as did the arrival and beginning set-up of the carnival rides out of Spokane. By mid afternoon Friday four or five kiddie rides and, usually, about three rides for bigger kids and adults would be in operation. Along with the rides, the carnival brought side booths offering prizes for winning against near- impossible chances, cotton candy and food booths. The carnival occupied Central Avenue from Spring Street to Wall Street, and the block from Central to Main Street, on Arlee Street.

During the spring of 1950 the rodeo grounds were being built on land leased from the tribes. Originally the oval ring was built of extra large posts, pig-style fencing, and pole rails. The chutes and corrals were finished, and we were ready for our first Professional Rodeo Association (PRA) sanctioned rodeo. There were no bleachers that year - the audience sat on the bank over 14 looking the arena, on their tailgates, or on the fence. On top of the bank were a hamburger/hot dog stand, run by the 4-H club, and the VFW�s beer/soda booth. Sometime in the mid-50�s bleachers were build with lumber donated by all of the area saw-mills.

The Indian village and pow-wow grounds were set up west of the rodeo grounds. The Indians would start arriving Thursday night and early Friday. Their tepees would form a half circle, and tents were erected to the rear of the tepees. The dances and stick games were held in the open area in front of the tepees, allowing visitors to watch the festivities without disturbing the Indians� living area. Gambling tents were set up away from the pow-wow area, where they were less often to our more conservative citizens. By Friday afternoon up to 50 tepees and 200 Indians occupied the village. The Tribal Council provided them with free potatoes. The local Indians, who had been hunting since the previous week, provided free deer and elk meat.

Friday evening the carnival opened, and the Indians started their stick games, and put on their first performance of all types of dances for all ages. Nick Lassaw, one of the tribal elders, often explained the meaning of the dances. Lassaw always performed his fire dance, during which he took hot coals from the fire and dropped them in his mouth or held fire brands to his body, without causing harm to his mouth or body. When he died, his secret died with him, as he never taught the fire dance to anyone in the next generation. The gambling tents did a thriving business into the early morning hours. I don�t know how honest they were, but people didn�t seem to worry much about that.

The street events commenced on Saturday morning. They were broken down into age groups and single or team competitions. There was a greased pole climb, a greased pig chase, three-legged races, sack races, egg races, wheelbarrow races, and at least one tug-of-war. There was a pie eating contest (chocolate cream, of course), watermelon eating contest, turtle race, frog jumping contest, rooster race and shoe race, and especially for women were the girls� bicycle race, bean bag throw, and nail pounding contest.

The children�s pet parade began around noon. Some of the animals were quite unusual, including, but not limited to the expected cats, dogs, roosters, turtles, fawns, fish, guinea pigs, and even a talking magpie. Prizes were given for the best dressed, funniest, most unusual and youngest entries.

Later in the afternoon musicians from all over the country got together to play for square dances, and the dancers came from near and far also. Some ritual Indian dances also would be performed down town. The local Lions Club sponsored bingo games. The rodeo started at 6:00 p.m., usually lasting about four hours. Around nine o�clock a dance began at the school gym, featuring live music, during which the Homesteaders Days Queen was announced. All this time the stick games, dancing, drumming and gambling were going full blast at the Indian village, making Saturday a long and busy day.

Sunday mornings were reserved for church services, catching up on lost sleep and, (probably the most difficult) nursing hangovers. Also, the grand parade was being organized by lining up the floats, marchers, horseback riders, fire trucks and old cars. The VFW and Boy Scouts always led the parade, carrying Old Glory, the Montana State flag, and any other flags being displayed. Entries included the Hot Springs Saddle Club, with up to 50 riders, the homesteaders riding in turn-of-the-century buggies and wagons, and as many as 200 Indians in full regalia riding, walking or dancing. Car dealers used their newest models to carry the Rodeo Queen, Homesteaders Queen, and the Grand Marshall. Farm and ranch machinery, and floats from nearly every business in town intermingled with the other entries. No political themes or candidates were allowed in this parade then. The parade ended at the rodeo grounds, where all the floats and vehicles would be on display the rest of the afternoon. The most important, and always the last, entry in the parade was the �pooper scooper� brigade - kids with their shovels and wheelbarrows.

The Sunday rodeo started as soon as the parade ended, with Saturday�s finalists competing for prizes. Some of the contestants were world-class buckle winners from such famous rodeos as the Calgary Stampede and Madison Square Gardens. Ed Schall, of Arlee, was the stock producer for many years.

Following the rodeo, the final judging (by age groups) of the pow-wow dancers, drummers and singers took place, based on their authenticity and performance. Sunday nights the three bars on Main Street would have live country music and, around nine o�clock, one or all of the bands would move outside, where a street dance would ensue. This went on until 2:00 am when the bars closed.

Monday morning the Indian encampment packed up and left, the carnival was dismantled and loaded on trucks for its trip back to Spokane, the city crews would be cleaning up the streets, and the die-hards would be in the bars trying to get a �hair of the dog� hangover cure. The rodeo stock was loaded up and trucked back to Arlee. By Monday evening, the only signs that a celebration had taken place were the carnival trucks, and some very tired-looking residents.

This type of Homesteaders Days celebration continued into the middle sixties, when public participation and civic interest started to wane, and somewhat less active and festive celebrations became more common. In the last few years, attempts have been made to reignite the interest in this event, and with some success. This celebration, in one form or another, has now gone on for 52 consecutive years.

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