Demise of Ole Beck, Military musical, Vanishing grizzlies, More dams, Editor files for statehouse

From the Flathead Courier, March 28, 1918

Ole Beck dies on French soil

In the casualty list, cabled from France Tuesday, appeared the name of Ole Beck as having died from diphtheria there.

Ole left Polson early in December enlisting at Spokane in the 13th company of motor-mechanics. Friends here received cards from him a couple of weeks ago saying that he had landed in France.

He was well known here. He at one time drove a stage car for the Williams company and later worked at the Saxton machine shop and at the time he left to enlist was employed at the Silver Garage.

He was 28 years old and is survived by a mother and a sister, both of whom live in Missoula. He had a large circle of friends in Polson who will be grieved to hear of his demise.

Military Musical to be repeated

The Military Musical given by the Hawaiian String Orchestra of the Polson High School at the Liberty Theatre, Friday, March 22, made a “hit” and will be repeated this coming Saturday night, March 30.

Everybody come and hear the “peppery” music of the High School girls. The proceeds are to be used for clearing up the expenses of the Basket Ball Team.

From the Flathead Courier, March 20, 1958

POI hears report on grizzlies

Montana is the last stronghold of the mighty grizzly bear, members of Polson Outdoors, Inc., were told by Dwight Stockstad, special project biologist with the State Fish and Game department at the regular meeting of the club Tuesday evening.

Of all the states Montana alone has the only huntable grizzly population, and, of the some 700 of the species left, most of these roam over the rugged mountains of northwestern Montana, Stockstad said.

Stockstad, who is with the research unit of the State University, recently completed a study of the mountainous area east of St. Ignatius, and illustrated his report with colored slides depicting the rugged beauty of this part of the Mission range.

The research party observed nine grizzlies, but saw evidence of more, with little other wildlife in the higher altitudes except goats.

Stockstad told the POI that this was one of many such trips he has made, and reminded the club that the situation was fast becoming acute for the preservation of the prized grizzly bear.

Undeveloped river sites biggest asset

“The current slump, with at least 25,000 Montanans out of work, points out our crucial need to diversify our economy through bold development of our water resources,” Paul Harlow, president of the Committee for Paradise Dam, said Wednesday.

“These undeveloped river sites are our biggest assets. Until we move ahead to build dams like Paradise and Yellowtail, we will continue to suffer from the crash and crisis type of situation that faces us now.”

Ronan editor files for state representative

Ray M. Loman, Ronan editor of the Ronan Pioneer, filed for the Republican nomination for State Representative for Lake County Wednesday. Loman was second to file on the Republican ticket.

He is a Montana native, being born in Missoula. He graduated from Ronan High School in 1938 and from Montana State University with a journalism major. With the exception of serving four years in the Navy, he has been engaged with the Ronan Pioneer since 1938.

He is also serving for his second year as president of the Upper Columbia Development Council, a member of Montana Council on Corrections, director of the Montana Reclamation Association, member of Lake County Development Council and many civic and fraternal organizations. In 1957 he received the Distinguished Award from the Ronan Jaycees.