Dusting Off the Old Ones (2)

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(Created page with "'''2. A COUPLE OF "FIRSTS" in Miles City History''' The first brewery in Miles City was operated by Bill Bullard and Tom Irvine. Bullard afterwards operated a saloon for many...")
 
 
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'''2. A COUPLE OF "FIRSTS" in Miles City History'''
 
'''2. A COUPLE OF "FIRSTS" in Miles City History'''
  
The first brewery in Miles City was operated by Bill Bullard and Tom Irvine. Bullard afterwards operated a saloon for many years in what is now the Milligan Hotel lobby -- he also served as alderman of Miles City three different times, 1887-1889, 1891-1899, and 1903-1905 -- he also aspired to be mayor of Miles City, but was not successful. Irvine was an early day sheriff of Custer County, moving to Deer Lodge before the turn of century.
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The first [[brewery]] in [[Miles City]] was operated by [[Bill Bullard]] and [[Tom Irvine]]. Bullard afterwards operated a saloon for many years in what is now the [[Milligan Hotel]] lobby -- he also served as [[alderman]] of Miles City three different times, 1887-1889, 1891-1899, and 1903-1905 -- he also aspired to be [[mayor]] of Miles City, but was not successful. Irvine was an early day [[sheriff]] of [[Custer County]], moving to [[Deer Lodge]] before the turn of century.
  
The first brewery was located on the south side of the Northern Pacific tracks where the original A.B. Clarke horse sales yard was afterwards situated. It was operated in the early 80's and was replete with beer garden for summer use. They even had a zoo -- anyway they had a tame bear on a chain down there.
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The first brewery was located on the south side of the [[Northern Pacific]] tracks where the original [[A. B. Clarke horse sales yard]] was afterwards situated. It was operated in the early 80's and was replete with beer garden for summer use. They even had a [[zoo]] -- anyway they had a tame bear on a chain down there.
  
There was another brewery in the other end of town, on North Montana Avenue near the old slough. This was also operated in the 80's, but later than Bullard brewery. This later enterprise was operated by Rudolph Fritz and John Moerder. After this brewery went out of business, the building stood vacant for many years and was a great place for the youngsters to congregate and play. The last brewery venture in Miles City that is of record was started sometime in 1914 when a building was constructed where the Wilson Frozen Food Plant now stands. It ran into financial difficulties and the property was sold to Miles Milligan, who in turn sold it to the Western Creamery.
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There was another brewery in the other end of town, on North Montana Avenue near the old [[slough]]. This was also operated in the 80's, but later than Bullard brewery. This later enterprise was operated by [[Rudolph Fritz]] and [[John Moerder]]. After this brewery went out of business, the building stood vacant for many years and was a great place for the youngsters to congregate and play. The last brewery venture in Miles City that is of record was started sometime in 1914 when a building was constructed where the [[Wilson Frozen Food Plant]] now stands. It ran into financial difficulties and the property was sold to [[Miles Milligan]], who in turn sold it to the [[Western Creamery]].
  
The story just given about Miles City's first brewery applies only to the present site of Miles City. There evidently was a brewery down in "Old Town" which pre-dated either of the other two mentioned, for, there is of record a deed from Louis Bach to William L. Lansing and Fredrick Bodamer, dated March 29, 1880, which conveyed certain lots in "Old Miles City" "together with the buildings situate thereon, and also all the beer contained in said premises, manufactured or in different process of manufacture and all stock used in carrying on the business, and also all vats, tubs, fixtures, furniture, apparatus and all tools an equipment used in carrying on said business." It just could be that this same equipment was the equipment used in the Bullard brewery, for Bullard and Lansing were associated in various enterprises at about that time.
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The story just given about Miles City's first brewery applies only to the present site of Miles City. There evidently was a brewery down in "[[Old Town]]" which pre-dated either of the other two mentioned, for, there is of record a deed from [[Louis Bach]] to [[William L. Lansing]] and [[Fredrick Bodamer]], dated [[20 Mar 1880]], which conveyed certain lots in "Old Miles City" "together with the buildings situate thereon, and also all the beer contained in said premises, manufactured or in different process of manufacture and all stock used in carrying on the business, and also all vats, tubs, fixtures, furniture, apparatus and all tools an equipment used in carrying on said business." It just could be that this same equipment was the equipment used in the Bullard brewery, for Bullard and Lansing were associated in various enterprises at about that time.
  
Miles City's first race track was, of all places, right down the middle of Main Street. There has been broadcast recently the account of the first racing meet in Custer County, which was held in 1890 just northeast of present Miles City and west of "Old Town". And this first racing meet was held on a regular mile track. But in the early 80's there was considerable "horse flesh" around the country, and wherever there is horse flesh, there is always a difference of opinion as the speed of one animal over another. These early day folks had an easy way of settling the matter -- Main Street would be cleared from the courthouse westward as far as the horses were to run, with mounted cowboys stationed at the intersections of the streets to hold people off the race course. Then, when all the available money had been bet on the competing horses, a bandana or hat would be "swished" and off they'd go and the matter would be settled in a few minutes.
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Miles City's first race track was, of all places, right down the middle of [[Main Street]]. There has been broadcast recently the account of the first racing meet in Custer County, which was held in 1890 just northeast of present Miles City and west of "Old Town". And this first racing meet was held on a regular mile track. But in the early 80's there was considerable "horse flesh" around the country, and wherever there is horse flesh, there is always a difference of opinion as the speed of one animal over another. These early day folks had an easy way of settling the matter -- Main Street would be cleared from the courthouse westward as far as the horses were to run, with mounted cowboys stationed at the intersections of the streets to hold people off the race course. Then, when all the available money had been bet on the competing horses, a bandana or hat would be "swished" and off they'd go and the matter would be settled in a few minutes.

Latest revision as of 20:22, 12 January 2014

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