Two 'rookies' in Roundup

The recent death of Tom Ask of Polson caused me to reflect on the start of a long friendship in Roundup dating back to 1954. 

Tom was the newly elected County Attorney for Mussellshell County and I was the new rookie reporter at the weekly Roundup Record-Tribune, my first job after four years in the Air Force.

One night shortly after I had just finished putting things away in my boarding house room, my landlady said there was a phone call for me. It was Tom Ask and said there was a multi-fatality accident near the cemetery east of town and would I like to ride with him to the scene. I said I would.

Quite a scene it was. A carload of young people had collided with an oil tanker and there were still some bodies on the road. We two “rookies” went about our duties – Tom discussing the situation with authorities and my gathering information and trying unsuccessfully to get Polaroid pictures of the vehicles.

That Polaroid was the only camera used by the paper at the time. It left a lot to be desired, although I soon found it relatively versatile to illustrate stories. That’s a story in itself.

In the days following the accident, I learned the basics of how a coroner’s inquest works.

I was only in Roundup a little over two years but gained valuable experience. After that came 18 months with the Sioux Valley News in Canton, S.D. and six months in Bishop, Calif., with Chalfant Press, and then to Polson  and the Flathead Courier in 1959.

During my time in Roundup I watched with interest the example Tom Ask gave Roundup people to make newcomers in town feel welcome.

Years later our paths crossed again, this time after Tom had retired and moved with his wife, Peg, to Polson. After I began attending Sons of Norway lodge meetings, there were Tom Ask and his wife making new members feel welcome and extending hospitality at occasional meetings in their west shore home.

I appreciate so much that long friendship.