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TOOL TALK # 15
(by Bud Bolt - March 11, 2008)
Some years ago, we were doing some serious “Junkin” (tool hunting) and had worked our way from Oroville, Calif. to Omaha, Neb. Might be a good time to mention we found a real special treasure in Laramie, Wyom. Will have to deal with that one in another story. Anyway, while checking over our schedule and road atlas, it was obvious we had to change directions and head Northwest as we had a date to meet our Death Valley Stragglers group in West Glacier, Montana and was down to only 5 weeks to get there.
Now, allow me to clear up what we mean by Death Valley Stragglers. We are a group of old friends that meet for a week or so each year and camp together – play golf – pot luck and the men set around the camp fire and listen to the women tell tall tales. The reason we call our selves Death Valley Stragglers is because we all met in Death Valley. You may have met them at the dedication. Not to dwell on this bunch too much, but I must say the men are as good a friend as anyone could have until you get them on the golf course–they become a bunch of sand bagging cut throats.
Well, let’s get back to “Junkin”. We worked our way Northwest through Nebraska then South Dakota and entered Montana on Highway 212 at Alzada – another 60 miles or so we see a sign “Welcome to Broadus, Montana” A very small town. They weren’t proud enough of their population count to post it.
We spot an old timer sitting on a pondering bench in front of a small shop. The evidence that he chewed tobacco was all around him. I introduced myself and he said, “Howdy, glad to meet you” We visited a while and finally asked him how many people lived here and he responded “all of them. Those that don’t are in the cemetery” That didn’t exactly answer my question but it was obvious we weren’t going to get much more. He did allow us how around 1936 on a Saturday night they had a free outdoor movie and he thought there may be have 50 or more – even 100 people in town.
I told him we were tool collectors and asked if there was anywhere we could find some old tools. He directed us to a so-called antique store. Wasn’t hard to find, as it was visible from where we were.
We checked the place out and not finding anything of interest, we asked if they had any old tools in the back room. The lady said no, the old tools are out at our other store. I’ll call and see if the old man is out there. He was, so she drew us a map (good thing as we would never have found it), it was a good distance down a dirt road in a shed behind a barn. Well, I have to tell you, this was the answer to every tool hunter’s prayers. We couldn’t have hauled all those tools in a 3-ton truck.
We spent several hours looking these treasures over and loaded up about 75 or so (would have got more but Laila wouldn’t let me), so will just have to go back when we get time. Sure hope we can find it. I still remember one International Harvester wrench in a pile on an old bench. It’s probably still there. Should have got it while we were there. Laila will just have to loosen up with those purse strings.
Sure hope you can drop by for a visit. We are located at 1650 Broderick St. in Historic down town Oroville, Calif. Open Tuesday thru Sunday 11:45 A.M. to 3:45 P.M. We will look these beauties from Broadus over and talk tools – Antique Tools, that is.
By Bud Bolt
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