Reserve, MT
Reserve History
as extracted from Sheridan's Daybreak: A story of Sheridan County and its Pioneers
Used with permission of Sheridan County Historical Association/Magnus A &
and, kindly typed by Charlotte Peebles.
Reserve (page 827)
Reserve on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation had been surveyed and plotted by the
Indian Department and called &Wakea.& There are different versions as to the
such as shelter, look and thunder. An authority on the Sioux language
says shelter is the correct meaning. Reserve is situated in the lee of the hills providing
excellent shelter from the old &northwester.& Brush and trees along the river
would have been considered shelter by the Indians. 'Reserve' from Reservation was logical
and acceptable.
Railroad depots were located about seven miles apart to accommodate the slow means of
transportation of the times. The surveyors very likely thought this the best halfway
location between Medicine Lake and Antelope. Evidently the surveying was done in the dry
season and no one foresaw that floods would be a problem. The local residents however were
an ingenious lot who worked hard to have attractive yards and gardens in spite of alkali
and gumbo soil.
In 1910, the Great Northern Railroad was built as far as Plentywood and a siding was
graded at the present site of Reserve. A boxcar was left as a depot. The people were
dissatisfied and a portable station was moved into town. This also proved unacceptable and
with pressure applied through the Railway Commission, a new depot was built in 1918. This
was often used as a community gathering place until larger quarters were available in the
new schoolhouse. Lou Gilbert was the agent until 1917 when Jack Gibbons took over
until 1936.
The Victoria Company shipped in used lumber and began construction of an elevator in
1910. It was completed the following year. One of the construction crewmen, H. C. Riley,
became the first manager, a position he held until the elevator closed in 1947.
In 1912, Estelle Kallak became the first postmaster in Reserve. This position
she held until 1954 when she retired.
Liquor was forbidden on the reservation, so a saloon was built east of the river by H.
P. Anderson. Rooms were provided on the second floor as the law required these
establishments to have sleeping quarters. Beds were provided but no stairway. On the west
side of the river, Mr. Anderson built a livery stable.
In 1913 Nels Hagen opened a general merchandise emporium across the road from the
saloon. He was joined in this venture a year later by A. N. Ronaldson who sold his share
to Hans Tjomsos in 1915. That same year a group of farmers organized and built the Farmers
Elevator. Mr. Getwell was the first manager.
The first school, Reserve, the town, and immediate territory was established in 1913
and located about 1/4 mile east of the Muddy Creek. Mary Taylor was the first teacher and
pupils attending the first year were: Wayne and Margaret Aasvedd; Lucille Anderson,
Joyce, Ivan, Flora and Harvey Carpenter. Two other schools farther east in the same
district had been in operation for some years.
In 1914, Erling Svaren established a hardware store beside Hagen's store. Mr.
and Mrs. Tony Slice had a cafe beside the saloon. This was later operated by Mrs.
Tina Husted and Mrs. Cornelius Englestad.
In 1915, Halvor Everson built a lumberyard west of the river. Louis Horstman
built a home with connecting barbershop and was Reserve's first barber. These were the
first two building on the present townsite.
Montana Dakota Grain Company, later bought by the Occident, built a new elevator in
1916 with Viggo Petersen as manager. In 1916, A. N. Eidsness and Son of
Williston opened a general merchandise business. The post office which had been in a small
building beside the Victoria Elevator was moved into a corner of the store. He remained in
the store for many years.
In May of 1917, the First National Bank opened its doors with W. H. Westergaard
of Williston the president, a position he held until his death in 1947. Halvor Everson
O. L. Hydle, and Oscar Midstokke, clerk. George
Lund joined the institution in 1918.
During the winter of
the businesses east of the river were moved to the West
Side. Because of prohibition the saloon became known as the Reserve Novelty Company. The
Svaren Hardware store was sold to Carl Holje in 1919. Hans Tjomsos became the sold
owner of the Hagen Tjomsos store in the early 1930's. It was a typical country
store with a wide variety of merchandise.
In 1918 the school was moved across the river to the southwest corner of the present
schoolyard. Because the old school was becoming crowded, a movement was started to bond
the district for a new two-room building. The eastern part of the district agitated for
the formation of a separate district. District No. 66 with three schools was formed in
1920. Reserve built the two-room school in 1920 and this was the only time that the
district was ever bonded. Three other schools were started west of Reserve: Rock Springs
(1922), Thornwood (1924), and Rose Valley (1928).
Walter and Roger Hage built a garage west of the bridge in 1918 on the north
side of the road. Later it was moved across the street and a little west. This was
operated by George Andersen.
The first bridge was built across the Muddy in . Prior to this a rock crossing
was used. By co-operative effort dikes were built and roads that served as dikes were
graveled. But even today when the river is high, residents keep a watch on the water level
for a possible leak.
In the middle of the intersection between the present hall and schoolyard was the
artesian well and watering tank-a community accommodation. The pipe that flowed water to
the tank had a tee with a short piece of pipe attached. If you wanted water in a pail, you
would turn the pipe down, when the pail was full you turned the pipe up and the supply
went to the tank where many a farmers thirsty horse and town cow had a cool drink. The
winter months found the well surrounded by a big mound of ice, as the flow of water was
never shut off. A small house was built over the well. The water vein was lost when W. P.
A. crews tried to divert it from Main Street.
The twenties and early thirties saw an influx of people to Reserve. New businesses
were started, some flourished for a short time, and others survived many years. The
Reserve Implement, later the Farmers Co-op, was active until 1962 when the manager was
killed in a plane crash. The Community Oil is still in operation as is Jack's Service,
originally Henderson's Garage.
An early highway fatality was the &Watkins Man,& James M. Nielsen. Hen
made the first rounds with a team and special buggy. A few years later he traveled by
automobile. One day he rolled the Model T into a ditch of water and drowned.
Before 1920, A. R. Rice, Frank Dupee (also a homesteader on the
reservation) and Viggo Petersen were early draymen hauling coal and freight, and
delivering mail to the Post Office. Gust Tannert started a blacksmith shop east of
the river. Mr. Kirkoff was another early blacksmith. The shop was moved to the West
Bank of the river. It was run by several different men until it closed in 1950.
1926 saw Reserve all 'lit up'. Montana-Dakota Utilities had brought in electricity.
The N. B. Eidsness store was operated as such until 1944 when it was sold to
Soren Rungborg who sold it to Joe Walikonis Jr. in 1946. Joe expanded,
adding a freezer -locker and meat processing plant and later a modern cafe. Joe also built
a new building beside the store which was the post office from 1955 to 1969.
The Post Office is now located in the First National Bank building. Olga Strand
is the present postmaster. The Star Mail Route to Dagmar was established early. The
fifty-two mild Star Route west of Reserve was established in 1933. Cliff Hansen was
the first mail carrier. Winter roads were often impassable and relay teams of horse were
kept at farms enroute.
Gust Wagner, a farmer west of Reserve, built two elevators. One was located
north of the Occident Elevator and is now owned by the Twedt Brothers. The second
south of the Victoria has become known as the Sheridan Grain Company.
During the depression years of the thirties the W. P. A. and other programs were
responsible for the construction of the Holje Dam, Neiser Dam. Cement sidewalks and
various other projects such as road graveling and preliminary work on a park project. The
unusual rock wall in front of the community hall was built at that time by Nick Kittlesen,
a stone mason of great ability, and will most likely outlast all other sign of work done
in Reserve.
Reserve had its fun and dramatic incidents! There are endless stories of practical
jokes, manhunts, and kangaroo courts held in the winter when youthful energy was high and
work short. Farmers would drive long distances to be in on the fun. Phenomenal were
accomplishments such as serving oyster stew for a dance supper. It was made in a wash
boiler. What is a wash boiler?
An incident on January 30, 1922 which could be known as the &The Shooting of
Barber Lou& resulted in the case of the State of Montana vs. Jack Gibbons,
which was later dismissed. What started as a practical joke by some of the fellows around
town ended with a bullet in Lou Horstman's ankle. Lou suffered a handicap of the
limb foe the rest of his life.
Baseball teams were on the diamond in early spring wherever it was dry enough. One
year the team had a no-loss record. Basketball was the winter sport and an occasional
bloody nose and black eye were not uncommon. Large rabbit drives were common. No foxes
were in the area at that time but an occasional coyote was shot with the rabbits. Usually
a noon meal was served at a convenient farm home.
Once a large toboggan was built and used on the old curved hill road. With a good
helmsman and a load of passengers who would 'lean' when told to, the trip would end in
Main Street. If they did not lean, then into the snowdrifts they went.
Brides were given showers. Silver anniversaries were celebrated with grand
flourish. An anniversary party usually included a program, dinner, and dancing until the
early hours of morning. Golden weddings were also big events as were the seventieth
birthdays that were especially honored.
The Reserve Dramatic Club was started. It presented home talent plays as a fund-raising
activity. The money was to be used for a community hall which became a reality in 1955.
The Commercial Club sponsored the 'Annual Night' which started with a big banquet
(reindeer and buffalo meat were sometimes served), entertainment and dancing. Everyone in
the area was welcome and nearly all came. This club sponsored 'Good Roads Day' for several
years. Farmers and townspeople helped to improve roads by digging and hauling rocks,
loading and leveling gravel, and anything which would improve the roads.
4-H work has been sponsored in Reserve since it was started in the county. Scout
work was encouraged when there were enough boys to make it interesting. During the war,
many people willingly gave their time to the Red Cross projects.
Reserve, having gone through fifty years growth, decided to throw a big
&wingding& in June of 1961. The order of the day included a huge parade (and a
good one) barbecued beef, home talent chronology, dancing and general merry-making--truly
a gala event. All of the day's entertainment was free. It is sad to say that this proud
celebration nearly marked the beginning of the town's decline. A town that had served the
community long and well was beginning to feel the pinch caused by better roads, faster
cars, larger stores in distant towns, and a affluent economy that made everyone a
Reserve has been very fortunate in having people who because of their ability and
desire have unselfishly given more than their share of time for the betterment of their
community.
CHURCH HISTORY OF RESERVE (begins on page 832)Church history in Reserve began with services in homes and available public meeting
places. Pastors from neighboring communities assisted at these services. The women began a
Ladies Aid organization about 1918. Sunday school classes were held whenever possible and
Aid supported a Summer Bible School. In August of 1924, a community Ladies Aid was
organized. This group was dedicated to one goal--a community church in Reserve.
In September of 1933, Pastor Simundson was invited to held services in Reserve. The
community Ladies Aid amended their constitution that year and became the Lutheran Ladies
The people of Reserve met in March of 1937 for the purpose of organizing a Lutheran
church. In April a constitution was presented and accepted. A petition from the Ladies Aid
asking to be accepted as the official Ladies Aid of the Church was granted. The twenty
years of labor and devotion of the Ladies Aid of Reserve had now become a reality and
their goal was accomplished.
The first Lutheran Church building was purchased in 1938. It has since been
remodeled but still stands on it original site.
Many hands and many hours of labor went into making our church a place of worship. Mr.
and Mrs. Carl Twedt had presented the fine work in the pulpit. Mr. and Mrs. Joe
Vogel built and hand finished the altar. Paul Paulson and Eric Lyngaas
completed the altar rail and kneeling stand.
Karl Kildahl became our first interne, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Summers became
the Music Director and Sunday school Superintendent. Confirmation classes and summer Bible
School classes began.
A Reserve Parish was organized in 1943 with Reverend David Struxness as Pastor.
This Parish included Antelope Creek, Reserve, and Wanso. A parsonage was bought in 1944
and by 1945 the Reserve Parish was debt-free. A new $10,000 parsonage was built in 1951.
The old parsonage was sold and moved.
Realignment of the congregations in this area was again discussed. Reserve together
with Medicine Lake and Homestead was set up to comprise a parish, with Medicine Lake to be
the pastor's home. The Reserve parsonage was then sold and moved to Antelope.
Pastors serving since our parish was organized in 1943 include Pastors David Struxness,
M. J. Mikkelson, Ronald Jensen, Theodore Mendenhall, Evans Knutson,
Sheridan Erickson, Kenneth DeFour, and Ronald Nielsen. At present we
are without a pastor.
It is interesting to note the salary comparisons. In 1938, our share of the pastor's
salary was $200.00 and this year, 1969, it is $1375.
Sunday school enrollment reached a high of 53 in the mid 1950's to the present low of 9
The Ladies Aid, now known as A.L.C.W., is still active and supports the Vacation Bible
School and other projects as needed.
The Luther League, a young people's organization, is also a part of the church
activities.
Our Little church in Reserve has been faithful to us. Within its walls we have shared
God's word and promises, joys and sorrows and we find a peace that no man can take from
ROCK SPRING CONGREGATION
(begins on page
By Mrs. Merlin Andersen
Rock Spring Congregation, Reserve, Montana of the Norwegian Lutheran Free Church,
was organized November 14, 1920, with 14 charter members. They were as follows: Mr. and
Mrs. Ole Halvorson, Mr. and Mrs. Magnus Mork, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Kampsen,
a Mr. and Mrs. Engebret Kampen, Mr. and Mrs. Nils Knudsen, Mr. Jens Lund,
Mr. Jens Lind, Mr. A.O. Totdahl and Mr. Alfred Stadstad. The Rock
Springs Ladies Aid held its first meeting November 27, 1919 and the above named women made
up its membership. The meetings were held in various homes. After a school was begun in
the community, worship services were held at the school. Rev. Edward Sand was the
pastor who instrumented these endeavors.
The first child baptized into this Congregation was Mathilda Kampen (Jones)
on November 14, 1920, followed by Lief Mork on May 29, 1921. During the next 39
years, forty children were baptized with the last one being Lori Kay Vik in 1960.
The first deaths in this group were the Nils Knudsen sons: Arthur, age 9,
and Lief age 8 in January of 1921. They were buried on the Knudsen homestead and on July
6, 1923, this portion of land was deeded to the Congregation for the Rock Spring Cemetery.
In May of 1968, Rock Spring Cemetery Association was formed for its upkeep as the
congregation had disbanded. This cemetery is non-sectarian and people of several faiths
are buried there.
The first to receive instruction and be confirmed into the congregation was Signe Mork
(Chittle) in August of 1922, and the last was an adult, Vera Mork, in 1960. Thirty
six have been confirmed during these years.
Pastors serving the congregation were: Rev. Edward Sand, beginning in 1920,
followed by Rev. Austin Stowell and Rev. P. O. Laurhammer who served for a
short time, followed by Rev. Warren Hansen in ; Rev. Oliver Sidney,
; Rev. Morris Eggen, ; Rev. Bernhard Bretheim, ;
Rev. Raynard Huglen, ; Rev Richard Hagestuen, ; and Rev
O. J. Haukeness in 1961.
In 1961 the members decided it was not practical to expect a pastor to come so far to
serve so small a membership and voted to disband in December of 1961 and become members of
Reserve Lutheran and Faith (Wanso) Congregations. At the time we disbanded there were two
sons of charter members in the group, being Carl Kampen and Maurice Mork.
The church building was sold and the proceeds went to various Lutheran causes.
&WAKEA CLUB (begins
on page 833)Article 1. The name of this organization shall be the &Wakea Club,& a Home
Demonstration unit for the Reserve Community.
Article 2. The object of this organization shall be to follow the study of home and
community problems, with consideration of methods of meeting them and to provide
recreation and entertainment for its members.
Under this banner and with these objects in mind, the club was organized in June of
1927 at the Reserve School with Mrs. George Hunter calling the first group and elected the
first president. Forty-two years of continuous activity makes the Salea Club one of the
oldest continuously active clubs in the state.
Paging through the carefully assembled history book brings list of many
accomplishments. Handcrafts, basketry in reed and raffia, picture framing, felt flowers
and all day sewing sessions at the school basement. At one of these meetings a member was
ready to try on a dress when the young county agent tripped gaily down the stairs. The
young lady was slender, but even when she ducked behind the 4x4, a quick cover-up was
necessary to avoid embarrassment.
Books were purchased for the school library, bridge parties, whist parties, picnics,
show parties, baby layettes made, plays presented, were listed in the first ten years. In
1938, neither floods nor storms could keep the members from attending. Mrs. F. W.
Carpenter, Mrs. Claus Strand and Mrs. Carl Casper drove to Medicine Lake and came up by
From 1941 throughout the war years, the Wakea Club functioned as a unit of the Red
Cross. The 1941 Reserve Community Red Cross report listed 41 articles of which 18 were
large hand knitted sweaters.
A dance was sponsored in 1946 for funds for the Sheridan Memorial Hospital maternity
--bed--raising $100. About midnight a local bachelor slightly inebriated assured the
committee that even though he might never need this equipment himself, he wanted to
contribute.
Twenty navy blue wool dresses for girls were sewed and sent to Foreign Relief. In 1947,
another $100 was contributed to the hospital. The club sponsored the first visit of the
Mobile x-ray in Reserve. When the new wing of the hospital was being furnished, a donation
of $500 was made.
The Woman's Home Companion 1954 Honor Club award for distinguished service and
improvements was presented to the Wakea Club--one of three such awards in Montana and one
of 250 in the nation.
The highlight of the year 1955 was presenting a check for $1,000 to the Reserve
Community Hall Project. That year the members met with the County Commissioners to ask for
dikes to be built to avoid the annual flood threat. With county machinery, local trucks
and fine lunches, these were built. Where used as roads, these were immediately graveled
and as dikes only, they were seeded to grass by club members, Boys Scouts and 4-H members.
The First National Bank of Reserve was host to the District 4 Montana Bankers meeting
in May of 1957. The Wakea Club served the banquet to 140 persons in the Community Hall.
The Reserve Community Booth ate the Sheridan County Harvest Festival--Wakea Club
sponsored--won first place for the fourth consecutive occasion and the trophy came to
Twenty card table and chair sets were purchased for the hall in 1960.
The Golden Jubilee for Reserve was celebrated in 1961 with Wakea in the thick of
it. A parade, a free barbecue lunch, an historical exhibit, a pageant, baseball game, a
coffee hour and a dance filled a memorable day for a large crowd of old and young
--pioneers and newcomers. A fine collection of the pictures is on file.
The Montana Children's Home at Boulder was the club's special project in
1962--sewing articles of clothing and sending Christmas gifts. Another year, twenty-six
pairs of pajamas were sewed for the Shodair Hospital. With the new wing of the hospital to
be furnished in 1964, $107.75 was presented from Wakea.
With annual contributions to March of Dimes, Red Cross, Tuberculosis Association, Heart
Fund, Cancer S with membership of thirty in the 30's to 12 in the 60's, the Wakea
group still goes on. Christmas parties and steak fries to entertain the husbands, benefit
activities to raise funds, the younger women now member are still moved by the same spirit
that motivated those of yore. The history of the Wakea Club is an integral part of the
history of Reserve.