MAIL ORDER BRIDE ON THE BIG DRY

 

A long time ago, back in the early 1900s, there was a man that eked out a living with a coal mine on the Big Dry in Garfield County Montana. He ordered a bride through the mail. I am sure she was stunned and desperate when she saw the living conditions in this dugout. It was bigger back then before erosion silted in the living space but still this would have been crude when it was freshly dug. The husband suspected that his bride was not happy and took her shoes away from her so she wouldn't try to run away. She put in a winter there and when things warmed up in the spring she left--on foot, bare feet. The husband had to go to Jordan that day and as soon as he was out of sight she lit out. She probably walked to the Green Trail that went East and West along the Big Dry and followed it to the Ingomar road where a freighter picked her up and took her to Ingomar. She had no money, so people took up a collection and bought her a train ticket home. I don't know if they bought her some shoes or not. One of the old timers by the name of Ward Haislett said he and his dad went to get a load of coal and the lady took him to the dug out so he could warm up by the fire. Ward was born in Iowa about 1894 and was pretty young when he visited the dug out, but old enough to remember her.  So, I think the bride probably came to live there about 1900. We don't know what her name was or where she was from, which is sad. I would like to know how her story went after she walked out of the biggest nightmare of her life, at least I hope that was the worst thing that happened to her. What stories she must have had to tell (if she could stand to talk about them), and I am sure there were other mail order brides that had harrowing stories to tell. Chris Enss wrote a good account of these brave, adventurous ladies in Hearts West. People really haven't changed down through the years, only technology changed.

P.S. This is my Dad in the picture.

BRANDING AT THE DUTTON RANCH NEAR SAND SPRINGS, MONTANA

I am home in Garfield County Montana and just in time for a branding. This is late for branding, but Dave said situations in June just didn't allow him to brand that month, so here we are a couple of months later, and the calves are big.

The cows and calves are pushed into the corral and then cowboys and cowgirls sort the cows from the calves before the branding actually begins.

The best part of ranching is that it is a kid friendly business. Ranch kids are smart and resourceful. 

Reed and Malcom

This is my brother, Bill Dutton, on Ace.

Blair is four and rides really well. Here she is trying to get her hobbles off the saddle. Her dad came along and helped her hobble her horse. 

The horses are hobbled during the break so they can be unbridled and eat but not stray too far.

Dave and Bill are cousins.

Parker Liske playing with his baby during the break. Travis Brown and Tyler Noyes in the background.

Kori MacMillan, Dean Dutton and Dave Dutton

Getting ready to rope.  Noah Miller, Cowboy, Clint Potts and Tyler Noyes.

Heating the irons with propane.

Tyler Noyes

Bill Dutton holding one.

Putting the six on the lazy diamond (left side).

DaLauna Potts gives every calf a dose of ivermectin-type med which will kill flies and parasites.

Tyler Noyes, Kori MacMillan, Noah Miller roping, Dean Dutton and Dave Dutton branding.

All the bulls are castrated.

It takes all hands on deck to wrestle these big calves. Noah Miller, Parker Liske, Clint Potts, and Kyle Thompson.

Dave is ready to throw a loop on a calf.

Emma Liske and Kahlan waiting for a calf to vaccinate.

Parker Liske with a loop on a calf.

Kyle Thompson tailing; Dean Dutton pulling the rope, Clint Potts in the background.

Dave Dutton ear marking, Cowboy branding, Kori MacMillan vaccinating.

Kori MacMillan roping and Travis Brown.

Noah Miller, Tyler Noyes, Clint Potts and lots of dust.

Dean Dutton

Tyler Noyes, Travis Brown and Clint Potts

Clint Potts

Kyle Thompson roping.

Blair is ready with the medicine for castration and Ben is branding.

Lazy diamond six 

Rocky Mountain oysters.

Dean and Dave Dutton

This is just one day of branding with more days of work ahead. The crew loaded portable panels, the fire pot and brands and we all headed for the house for a delicious dinner Nancy had waiting.

DEAR MOM,

Dear Mom,

     It has been nearly six months since you left us and I miss you every single day. I catch myself thinking, just for a nanosecond, "I'll tell Mom!" I always wanted to tell you the news or any little tidbit of information that I thought you might like to hear and to hear your comments. I have discovered a website called familysearch.org, and oh, how I wish I had found it while you were here with us because  you and I could have looked up family members from long ago. I even discovered that you are a blood relation to someone you thought was only an in-law, and not one of your favorites at that! That would have been too much fun. Thank you for being such a wonderful example of a woman with morals. While some people your age were having flings, you stayed home and behaved yourself. I can't even imagine what it would be like to have a mom who was sneaking around to see someone else. You taught us to enjoy reading, and writing. We learned to write letters, which is a dying art now that we have texting and doing one line comments on Face Book. You taught us to work. Thank you for that. You taught us to love and care for animals; all the cats and dogs could talk to you. I know they did because you told us what they said. You let us use our imaginations to create things. Most of all you taught Bible school and took us to Bible school. That was my foundation to a relationship with Christ and that is the most valuable thing that could have happened to me. I could go on and on. 

     I am so thankful that you were here with us for two good months, but I sure wish it could have been longer. I am thankful that I could be there those last few days and be there holding your hand when you drew your last breath. I know where you are now, and it is a blessing to know that you are not in pain, that you can hear, and see and that you are with Jesus Christ, and to know that  I will see you again. Thanks for everything.

Love, Rosy

                                                  Margaret Dutton at home 1963.

                                          Margaret Dutton at the Billings airport 1973 seeing me off to Texas.

                                            Margaret Dutton and Boy Horse 1966

                                                Margaret Dutton and cousin Dave 1973.

THE HEADQUARTERS

 Way out here in West Texas there is a little town called Aspermont. It's not really in the middle of No Where but you can see No Where from here, and that is the way we like it. No traffic, no gangs coming in the stores to rob and destroy. None of that. It is peaceful, and the people are friendly. If you have the great fortune of coming here or are just passing through you will see The Headquarters mural, created by an artist named Lexi Haag. I recommend that you pull over, go in to get something good to drink and do some shopping.

This little oasis is owned and operated by a mother-daughter team, Lisa Flowers and her  daughter, Prairie.

This is Paige. She is a town cat, but was so friendly and greeted me at the front door. I like cats.

There is yard art for sale.

There are lovely colors and the front windows are so inviting.

Fall is so pretty in West Texas.

Don't pet the bear--he bites.

Wall art galore.

Tops, jewelry and caps.

All kinds of cool bags.

Kitchen ware

Dishes. I do so want a gurgle pot.

Lots of colorful pillows.

T

Towels

Pickles, hot sauce, and other good stuff in jars.

So, grab a latte, a home baked cookie or whatever the sweet of the day is and enjoy shopping. And then follow The Headquarters General Store on Facebook. Lisa says they do lots of mail order so if you can't come to Aspermont just order what you want. You will not be disappointed.