[Courtesy: Tim Roberts.]

On Mar. 14, 1941 the people of Radersburg and vicinity gathered at the community for the purpose of organizing a Sportsman’s Club.  A. E. Riegal of Helena took charge of the meeting. Several reels of wildlife pictures were shown- afterwards which a business meeting was held.  It was decided that a president and a sec. treasurer should be elected.  Jack Ralls, James Holling, Bob Seaman and Harold Sitton were nominated for President.  Jack Ralls was elected President and Harold Sitton Secretary-Treasurer.

March 19, 1941:

Meeting called to order by President Ralls. Minutes for preceding meeting read and accepted.  Nomination for vice-president- Bob Seaman. Bob Seaman elected.

Name for club— Radersburg Sportsman’s Club. Motion made and seconded [that we should] set aside money for purchasing membership cards. George Pennell was appointed chairman for committee to look after club cards.

Hugh Roberts was appointed chairman for membership drive. Bob Seaman and George Harris [were appointed] committeemen.

Meeting will be called in the first Tuesday in April, 1941.  George Gittens chairman of fish committee; Henry Holling and Jack Ralls committeemen.  Bob Seaman chairman of bird committee; James Holling and Rudy Schmidt committeemen.  Charles Hough entertainment committee; W.E. Van Volkenburg, Winfred Cowell committeemen.

Apr. 8, 1941:

Meeting called to order by President Ralls. Motion made that membership cards [will cost] $2.60.  Motion made and seconded that we pay I.O.O.F. $1.00 every 3 or 4 months for the use of [the] Hall.

A letter was written to the Fish & Game Commission. Radersburg Sportsman’s Club goes on record as recommending that Crow Creek be open to [the] Falls and all tributaries be closed except Tizer Creek. [It should be that] South Creek Lakes be closed for a period of 2 years.

Motion made and seconded that we put on a contest among grade school boys to gather magpie eggs. Five prizes to be given of: $3 for first; $2 for 2nd; $1.50 for third; $1.00 for fourth; and 50¢ for fifth— to end June 30, 1941.

Frank Krevich [was] appointed chairman of a commission to investigate possibilities of ridding Plunket’s Lake of carp and having it stocked with Black Bass.  James Holling and George Gittens committeemen.

Motion made and seconded that meeting adjourn.
 

April 29, 1941:

Meeting called to order by President Ralls. Motion made and seconded that membership card purchasing committee be dismissed.

Motion made and seconded that sec’ty write to Warm Spring to see about getting show birds.

Motion made and seconded we adjourn.
 

July 1, 1941:

Meeting called to order by President Ralls.  Minutes for previous meeting read.

Motion made and seconded that we pay prizes for a magpie egg contest.

Motion made that we pay bills for ice cream and accessories— $4.70.

Motion made and seconded that there be no open season on sage hens or prairie chickens in Broadwater county, and recommend a 30 day season on Chinese pheasants.

Lawrence Leach, N. E. Van Volkenburg, Bob Seaman, Chas. Hough and Paul Green [were made a] special committee for a picnic July 27, 1941. 

Motion made and seconded that we adjourn.
 

Oct., 14, 1941:

Meeting called to order by Vice-President Bob Seaman. Minutes of last meeting read and approved.

Motion made and seconded that we put on a buck contest— 50 cents entry fee.  One prize for the largest deer to be judged by weight.  George Harris, Bob Seaman and Harold Sitton committee.

Dec. 2, 1941:

Meeting called to order by President Ralls.

Motion made and seconded that we order 100 1¼ inch buttons at $10.15 per hundred.

Nominations open for president: Nominated: Bob Seaman and Jack Ralls for president- Jack Ralls elected president.

Nominated James Holling and Harold Sitton for vice-president. James Holling [elected].

James Holling, Bob Seaman and Harold Sitton appointed for Turkey Shoot Committee.

Motion made and seconded that we adjourn.
 

May 5, 1942:

Meeting called to order by President Ralls.  Minutes of last meeting read and approved.

Motion made and seconded that we have a magpie contest. Prize- $3 for first; $2 for second; $l.50 for third; $1 for fourth; and 50¢ for fifth.

[The only minutes available for the next two years are a list of members. The Radersburg Sportsman’s Club disbanded for a couple of years because of the war.]

May 8, 1946:

The Club was re-organized and officers were nominated and elected as follows:

Nominees for President:
 1. Bob Seaman
 2. Bill Hossfeld
Bob Seaman elected.

Nominees for Sec’ty
 1. Ellen Toma
 2. Dorothy Seaman
Dorothy Seaman elected.

Nominees for Treasurer:
 1. Art Sitton
 2. Henry Holling
Art Sitton elected.

A committee of three- James Holling, Bill Hossfeld and Bob Seaman, was appointed to take care of the fish when they arrived.

A motion was made to have Bob Seaman get membership cards printed at the Star office. Motion carried.  It was decided to hold the next meeting the second Tuesday in June.

A motion was made that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried.
 

June 11, 1946:

The Club held its second meeting. It was called to order by the President.  A letter was received from Thomas Kramer concerning the distribution of fish.  The committee previously appointed met the truck at Toston and planted the fish in Eureka Creek.

A letter from the Fish and Wildlife Service was received concerning the planting of lake fish.

A motion was made to elect a vice-president. Motion carried. James Holling elected by acclamation.

A motion was made to have a picnic at the head of Swamp Creek so the members could investigate the streams and lakes leading to South Creek Lakes.  Motion carried.

It was decided to hold the picnic June 16.  Jack Ralls was to buy the wieners and rolls as the Sportsman’s contribution.  The members to bring salads, pickles, etc.

A motion was made for the club to pay $2 for anyone using their car for Club business. Motion carried.

Disbursements: $2 to Bob Seaman for car use in planting fish; $2 to Bob Seaman for printing of cards; $5 to Dorothy Seaman for dues to Montana Wildlife Federation.

A motion was made to appoint a membership committee.  Motion carried. Jack Ralls, Opal Edenfield and Henry Holling were appointed on the committee.  Five cards were issued to Jack Ralls.  The membership fund totals $29.

Motion made the meeting be adjourned.  Motion carried.
 
 

Aug. 2, 1946:

The Club held a meeting. It was called to order by the President.  A motion was made to pay all bills. Motion carried.

A motion was made that Bob Seaman see Chuck Morgan about playing for a dance. Motion carried.

It was decided to have the dance Aug. 31st and to serve lunch in the hall.  A committee was appointed to oversee the dance.  James Holling and Bob Seaman were appointed to clean the hall.  Opal Edenfield and Ida Bly are to attend to the lunch.  Bud Harris and Lewis Kramp were appointed to sell tickets.

Secretary was directed to write to the State Fish Hatchery in Bozeman asking to have the trout fish arrive on a Monday.

Motion made the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried.
 
 

Sept. 17, 1946:

The meeting was called to order by the President.  A motion was made to write the State Fish and Game Commission asking about making a game reserve of the Limestones.  Motion seconded and carried.

It was decided to have a Big Buck contest.  The entrance fee is $1.  One half of the fees go to the Club and one half for the prize.  All contestants must be entered by 12 PM October 14th.  The last buck will be weighed Nov. 15.

A motion was made that the Club meeting be held on Mondays and to have a keg of beer at the next meeting.  Motion seconded and carried.

A motion was made that the Treasurer take the Bonds from the bank.  Motion seconded and carried.

A letter was received from the Fish and Wildlife Service in Bozeman stating that the lake trout would be in Radersburg at noon Monday, Sept. 23.

Motion made the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried.
 
 

Oct. 14, 1946:

The meeting was called to order by the President.  The Club planted 7,000 fish in South Creek Lake and 20,000 fish in South Creek at Bill Grey’s.

Nothing was decided about the closing of the Limestones to deer hunting as we did not hear form the State Fish and Game Commission.

The next meeting is to be held Sunday November 17th and the winner of the Big Buck contest will be paid.

Motion made and carried that the meeting be adjourned.
 
 

Nov. 17, 1946:

A meeting was called to order by the President. Entries for the Big Buck contest totaled $59.00.  A motion was made and carried to make the prize $30.00 instead of $29.50, which is half of the entry fees.

Motion was made and carried that the bills (for beer and Big Buck prize) be paid.

Jack Thompson attended the meeting and gave information on closing the Limestones.  He is to get a petition for the Club to make the Limestones a Refuge for deer.  The Club’s vote being favorable.

A motion was made and carried that a $25 reward be paid to anyone turning in someone shooting elk above Radersburg.

Members are in favor of fixing the Barker cabin for the Club and its members.  Bill Williams is appointed to see the ranger about the Club getting the cabin.

Two new members joined the Club— Harry Johnson and Jack Thompson.

Motion made that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried.
 

Feb., 1947:

Meeting was called to order by President Bob Seaman.  A correction was made on the minutes of Nov. 17, 1946 as to the reward offered by the Club for reporting anyone killing elk in the area west of Radersburg. The report must be followed by conviction.

A motion made and seconded [was] instructing the Sec. to write a letter to Sen. Murray and Rep. Mansfield against the “Pop Gun” law, Bill S-332.

Election of officers was held.  Nominations were H. Sitton and J. Holling for president, and Henry Holling and L. Kramp for sec.-treas.

H. Sitton received  11 votes
J. Holling    "  "       7     "
H. Holling   "  "       8     "
L. Kramp    "  "     10     "

Motion made and carried to write Ivor Jenkins, Pres. of the Toston Club about making a game refuge out of the Limestones.

A motion was made that the Club buy refreshments for the meeting.

Eleven members paid dues for 1947.  Motion was made and carried to close meeting.

May 11, 1947:

A meeting was called to order by the President, Harold Sitton.  A letter was received from the State Department of Fish and Game which was read by the President, regarding the planting of the fish.

An interesting talk was given by Deputy Game Warden Jack Thompson on wild life.

Disbursements: There was $8.40 to be paid to the Townsend Star for advertisements.

A motion was made the meeting be adjourned.  Motion carried.

June 29, 1947:

A meeting was called to order by the President, Harold Sitton.  It was decided that someone ought to go to see the Fish Hatchery about the fish which were to be planted.  Bob Seaman was appointed chairman for it.

A motion was made that George Harris was to order the material to build a tank to put the fish in.

A motion was made and seconded to screen the lake with about forty feet of one inch hardware cloth.

A letter was received from Sam Mitchell, Secretary of State, regarding the incorporation of the Club.  It was read by the President.

A motion was made to have the Club incorporated and to have three directors chosen.  Motion carried.

The directors that were chosen were: Jack Ralls, George Harris, Art Sitton.

A motion was made to have a dance July 4th.  Motion carried.

The committee chosen for the dance were: Bob Seaman and Bill Williams.

A motion was made that meeting be adjourned.  Motion carried.
 

August 8, 1947:

A meeting was called to order by the President, Harold Sitton. A motion was made to pay those who won prizes in the Magpie Contest.

                                                  Points
First Prize — Bill Hossfeld   $15   1775
2nd Prize — George Sitton   $10   1100
3rd Prize — J. Kenner           $5    555

A motion was made that Bob Seaman call the Star office tomorrow to see if there is anything billed for the Don Williams’ Orchestra August 30.  If not, it was decided to hold a dance on that date.

A motion was made that the meeting be adjourned.  Motion carried.
 
 

Sept. 10, 1947:

A meeting was called to order by the President, Harold Sitton.  The annual dance for the Sportsman’s Club will be held on Saturday, September 13th.  It was decided to have a door prize offered that night.  A motion was made that the door prize would be $5.  Motion carried.

A petition was read by the President.  Two members of the Toston Rod and Gun Club came to explain what the petition was about. 

It was to open a season on elk where they were doing damage to the farmers.

A motion was made to help the Toston Rod and Gun Club carry out this petition.  Motion carried.  All members signed the petition.

A motion was made and seconded to pay all debts.  Motion carried. $32 for picnic expenses and $1 for phone calls.

A motion was made the meeting be adjourned.  Motion carried.
 
 

Sept. 19, 1947:

A meeting was called to order by the President. The proceeds on the dance were read by the President were as following:

 Tickets sold- 62 @ $1.25       $77.50
 Supper proceeds                      43.00
                                            $120.50

Orchestra         $55.00
Door Prize           5.00
Rent on Hall         5.00
                        $65.00

A motion was made that the following rules be made for entering the Buck Contest.  Motion carried.

• $50.00 for the first prize on the largest buck, and 50¢ out of every $1.00 ticket sold over 75 tickets.

• $25.00 prize on the smallest buck, and 25¢ out of every $1 00 ticket over 75 tickets.

• $1.00 will be charged to enter the contest. 

• The heart and liver must be taken out before it is weighed.

• All entries to the contest must be made before midnight Oct. 14th.

It was decided to see the Gold Diggers on the next meeting about the Hall. 

The Toston Rod and Gun Club and the Radersburg Sportsman’s Club will give a Turkey Shoot in November.
 

Dec. 12, 1947:

A meeting was called to order by the President, Harold Sitton.  The main purpose of the meeting was to have the haystacks belonging to Bob Harris fenced where the wild game were doing damage.

A committee was chosen to go to Helena to see the State Fish and Game Dept.  The committee chosen were: Lewis Kramp, Bill Hossfeld, and Bob Seaman.  Their expenses are to be paid by the Club.

A motion was made the meeting be adjourned.  Motion carried.
 
 

Dec 16, 1947:

A meeting was called to order by President Harold Sitton.  A letter was read by the President from the Montana Wildlife Federation regarding the annual convention of the Federation which will be held in Great Falls, Jan. 10th.  A motion was made to choose a delegate to send to Great Falls. Bob Seaman was chosen as a delegate.

A letter was written to Billings to try and get some snow fence to fence Bob Harris’s haystacks.  In the meantime it was decided to form a drive, and drive the wild game a couple miles back.

Disbursements: Dues of $5 were sent to the Montana Wildlife Federation.

Motion made and carried that the meeting be adjourned.
 
 

Dec. 30, 1947:

A meeting was called to order by the President, Harold Sitton.  A letter was received by the Game Warden from the Wild land Implement Company that there was no 6 ft. high snow fence to be had, although they did have 4 ft. fence.  A motion was made to get ten rolls of four feet high snow fence at $13.45.  Motion seconded.

It was decided to hold a benefit dance on Valentine’s Day Feb. 14th, if there wasn’t anything set for that day.  Dance committee chosen were: Henry Holling, George Harris, and James Dundas.

A motion was made the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried.
 
 

A meeting was called to order by the President.  A report from the dance committee was given.  The date of the dance was set for January 17th.

A report of the meeting held in Great Falls January 10th was given by Bob Seaman.

A motion was made to pay Bob Seaman’s expenses to Great Falls— amount of $4.25.  Motion carried.

Officers for the year were elected: Henry Holling— President; Eli Toma— Vice-President; Lewis Kramp-- Secretary-Treas.

A motion was made to adjourn.  Motion carried. 

Mar. 26, 1948:

A meeting was called to order by the President.  A motion was made and carried to pay bills as follows:
 
     Jolly Neighbor’s Club Hall rent  $5.00
     Townsend Star advertising          4.25
     Bob Seaman [for] cups               2.00

A motion was made to pay 5¢ a pair for magpie legs and 50¢ for owls and 2½¢ for eggs.

This motion was taken in co-ordination with the Chamber of Commerce Predatory Bird Elimination [Program].

Meeting adjourned.

June 25, 1948:

The Radersburg Sportsman’s Club held their meeting.  Plans were made to hold a picnic July 4th at South Creek Picnic Grounds.  The following lunch committee was appointed: Mrs. James Holling, Mrs. Henry Holling and Mrs. Bob Seaman.  It was decided that the Club would furnish buns, wieners, ice cream, and pop.

$56.85 was paid by check for expenses of the picnic.  60¢ paid for predatory birds.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn.
 
 

Sept. 16, 1948:

The meeting was called to order by the President, Henry Holling.  Plans were made for a Buck Contest.  $50 prize given for the largest buck killed and $25 for the smallest buck.  The buck must be killed in Montana and taken legally and properly tagged.  Dead line for entering contest was set for Oct. 14.

Plans were made to hold a picnic Sept. 26th.

The date for the annual dance was set Oct. 9.  Dance committee was appointed as follows: Art Sitton, Harold Sitton and George Harris.
 
 

Dec. 22, 1948:

The meeting was called to order by the President, Henry Holling.  It was agreed to pay the Buck Contest prizes.  First prize $50 to George Kiechbusch of Townsend and second prize to Alex White of Townsend.

     Net proceeds from dance     46.70
     Buck Contest                    102.00

     Townsend Star advertising    13.60 
     Montana Record Pub. Co.     4.60

No other business was transacted at this meeting.
 
 

Jan. 17, 1949:

Radersburg Sportsman’s Club held its regular meeting.  The meeting was called to order by the President, Henry Holling.  Election of officers was held.  Bob Seaman was elected president and Harold Sitton sec.-treas. 

The meeting was adjourned.
 
 

Feb. 4, 1949:

The meeting was called to order by President Bob Seaman.  It was planned to use our own funds to feed the ducks and pheasants and to continue the feed program which was already started.  It was decided to use cards rather than buttons and the sec. was authorized to have membership cards made.

Meeting adjourned.

May 20, 1949:

A motion was made and seconded that we pay the Townsend Star’s bill of $5.50 for membership cards.

A motion was made and seconded that the secretary write to the Fish Hatchery regarding fish for stream stocking.

A motion was made and seconded that we buy a sack of commercial fertilizer for South Creek Lakes.

A motion was made and seconded that we haul sheep manure to South Creek and put same in stream at foot of grade.  Bob Hossfeld and George Harris offered to use their trucks.  Club to reimburse them for gas, oil, etc.

Meeting closed.

July 15, 1949:

Radersburg Sportsman’s Club meeting was called to order by Bob Seaman, President.  It was decided to hold the Club’s annual picnic August 7th at camp grounds on South Creek.  Club will furnish beer (one 16 gal. keg), wieners, buns, ice cream, pop and coffee.  Members to bring remaining part of lunch and own plates, cups, etc.

Motion made, seconded and passed that Club pay $56 for one fire extinguisher and one refill for it.

Motion made, seconded and passed that we discontinue our buck contest.

A possible turkey shoot was discussed for this fall.

Sec’ty was authorized to write the State Fish and Game Commission about getting aid in ridding this area of mountain lions.

Motion made, seconded and passed that the meeting be adjourned.
 

[This was the last entry in the journal.]