April 8-11, 2016

[Soapweed]

Pioneers from 1969

Gathering cattle to brand calves

One more drink for the road

Head 'em up, move 'em out.

They are in the corral, so now the cows are sorted away from the calves.

Plenty of help arrived.

Cows and kids. Disclaimer: These are not all my grandkids.

Other friends also arrived.

We are happy with the Cow Country calf table.

The pushing crew did a fine job.

Black helicopter scouting us out.

Our night calver is pretty much done, since calving has really slowed down and the weather has become more mild. He has his horses loaded, and is packed and ready to hit the road. Here he is taking one last break, before seeking greener pastures.

Explanation of big event on Monday, April 11, 2016--the dedication of a new highway sign historical marker on Highway 83, near the Brownlee turn-off south of Valentine, Nebraska

Big crowd on hand

Speaker whose ancestors lived in the DeWitty community

Another speaker with ties to the area.

Stu Magnuson, whose book about Highway 83 sparked the idea

Photographers were in abundance.

It was a great day in the neighborhood.

Local area rancher

Cool cake for the occasion

Upcoming event to be held in Thedford, NE on Sunday, May 1, 2016

Pond at dusk

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

There was an article in the Western Producer last winter about a couple of Black communities in Alberta similar to Dewitty.
We only had one black couple live near Big Beaver. Jim Dixon and the Mrs. When they died they left their house to the local municipality.

 

[mrj]

There were quite a few individual black families who homesteaded across SD, but I've not heard of specific nor segregated communities like that one.
Several families came to this general area and descendants remain today. They were, and are, good neighbors and friends.

mrj

 

[Sandhills boy]

Did you quit the foremost? We were branding Saturday too when the 2 Blackhawks came over. Was it windy enough for you, sure was here.

 

[Soapweed]

Did you quit the foremost? We were branding Saturday too when the 2 Blackhawks came over. Was it windy enough for you, sure was here.

We branded on Friday, and that was when the Blackhawks came over our corral. It wasn't too windy that day; in fact, it was a very nice day. That is what I really like about not having a big crew. You can watch the weather report and have the flexibility to brand on the milder less windy type of days. We liked the Foremost, but had heard of these Cow Country calf tables. They are made in Rapid City, and have an optional little mini-alley with a stop at the back. These Cow Country tables are the cat's meow. They really work well, and there is lots of open space on top of the calf. There are two levers--one operates the curved pipe that catches the calf's neck, and the other secures the calf at the heart girth and flank. You push to catch the calf, and then pull to tip the table. There is no wasted motion, and it works like a dream. We would definitely give the Cow Country table a "thumbs up." :cboy: Woops, wrong hat. Doing it this way, it should be :kid: or maybe even :dunce: Whatever, it does work well. :cowboy:

 

[gcreekrch]

Did you quit the foremost? We were branding Saturday too when the 2 Blackhawks came over. Was it windy enough for you, sure was here.

We branded on Friday, and that was when the Blackhawks came over our corral. It wasn't too windy that day; in fact, it was a very nice day. That is what I really like about not having a big crew. You can watch the weather report and have the flexibility to brand on the milder less windy type of days. We liked the Foremost, but had heard of these Cow Country calf tables. They are made in Rapid City, and have an optional little mini-alley with a stop at the back. These Cow Country tables are the cat's meow. They really work well, and there is lots of open space on top of the calf. There are two levers--one operates the curved pipe that catches the calf's neck, and the other secures the calf at the heart girth and flank. You push to catch the calf, and then pull to tip the table. There is no wasted motion, and it works like a dream. We would definitely give the Cow Country table a "thumbs up." :cboy: Woops, wrong hat. Doing it this way, it should be :kid: or maybe even :dunce: Whatever, it does work well. :cowboy:

:tiphat: :tiphat: :tiphat: :tiphat: :tiphat: