"In the (Even More) Years Gone By" has arrived

Press release

It's here! The long awaited and much anticipated update to the book "In the Years Gone By" - "In the (Even More) Years Gone By" has been completed and printed. The shipment of 750 books arrived Wednesday, July 5, to the H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum.

The book will be sold exclusively through the H. Earl and Margaret Turner Clack Memorial Museum Foundation and may be purchased at the museum, located at 2 Fifth Ave. in Havre. The cost is $60 with an additional $10 requested if they are mailed. Checks should be made out to "Clack Museum Foundation."

The original book was compiled by the Cottonwood Home Demonstration Club in 1964. The original book contains approximately 100 histories of individuals and families who homesteaded in the Cottonwood and Simpson areas north of Havre. Approximately 600-650 homesteads were taken up in the area mostly between 1910 and 1916. Each homestead consisted of 320 acres. Homesteaders were required to build a house, cultivate some land and stay for three years. By 1964 only 100 families could be contacted for information.

The book includes a very special cover by local artist Don Greytak, a grandson of one of the original homesteaders. The cover is a drawing of the original Simpson Store. The book contains the original 1964 book, as much updated information as was found, a short history of three churches, records of five cemeteries, the schools in the areas with lists of the students and the teachers. Also featured are an explanation of the Homestead Act, Bootlegging and Prohibition, and because so many of the stories in the original book include mention of "Long George" Francis, a story of his life. The Simpson Bachelor's Club and the Anti-Horse Thief Association-Simpson Chapter are fascinating reads.

In November of 2021, a group of third- and fourth-generation homesteaders met at the home of Ila and Rod McClenahan and made plans to update the original book. Various entities were contacted about publishing the book but for whatever reason they could not do so. When Ila contacted Keith Hanson, owner of the Blaine County Journal, his response was, "We'd love to work with you. I know the area you are writing about and many of those who are descendants and are still living there. They take a great deal of pride in their heritage and the legacy they have been given."

Blaine County Journal worked tirelessly to compile everything. It was sent to Minnesota to be printed. And when the boxes and boxes and boxes were delivered to the Museum July 5, Keith was there to welcome the shipment with Elaine Morse, Arleen (Morse) Rice and Ila (Whaley) McClenahan. What a joyous, incredible moment when their eyes caught sight of the long-awaited and much-anticipated "In the (Even More) Years Gone By."

The dedication says:

"Sometimes a person asks, 'Why are some homesteader families still in our community today and others left many, many years ago?' The answer to that question is as varied and diverse as the approximately 650 individuals who took up the challenge of coming to a far-away location in northern Montana known as the communities of Cottonwood and Simpson, leaving family and friends to come to a place where they often knew no one. Some had no intention of staying, only planning to stay as long as needed to 'prove up' and gain title to the ½ section. Others believed that they had found the paradise they had dreamed about. Numerous homesteaders died trying. Too many infants and children are remembered as one walks through the cemeteries. Many homesteaders simply gave up and went 'home' or possibly went to a more alluring location.

"Shame? Regret? Disappointment? We certainly hope and pray there is none. Those that left within the first 10 or 20 years have nothing to be ashamed of. How wonderful it would be to meet them personally.

"But pride? Most definitely! Pride of being a descendent of one who persevered the freezing cold and the blistering heat that this land is so well known for. Pride of those who endured loneliness and isolation. And worked and worked and worked, never giving up in their pursuit of making 'life all that it can be' for their children and generations to come.

"And so, we dedicate this book of updates to those who have gone on before. We stand today grateful for the tenacity of this first generation of homesteaders. They were brave and courageous in their desire to make life the best it could possibly be for themselves and their families is humbling.

"We also want to dedicate this book of updates to the second generation, whether they moved on or they stayed on the original homestead and enlarged it to what it became for the next generation. Their sacrifice, hard work and values paved the way for future generations. We owe a good portion of any success to them.

"With grateful hearts and admiration, we also dedicate this book of updates to the ladies of the Cottonwood Home Demonstration Club who organized and tirelessly composed the original book. Thank you!

"We've learned a lot as we put this book together. We've laughed and been amazed over and over. As we met together, we would often remark, 'If we don't write this down, who will?' And so, we have done our very best to reach all possible family members. We are not perfect and neither is this book. But we have done our best. We beseech your grace if we have neglected any. Like the homesteaders, we have done our best. Enjoy."

Ila (Whaley) McClenahan

Arleen (Morse) Rice

Elaine Morse

Don Greytak

Sandy (Patera) Spinner

Leroy Keller

Pete Velk

Julie (Greytak Faber) Verploegen