Retracing Hungry Horse News roots

Origin of the Hungry Horse News name is probably general knowledge. However, it is interesting to me to read records and recall some details I had forgotten through the years.

High hopes for oil in the Kintla Lake area during the winter of 1900 and 1901 created much interest. William Prindiville was taking up the drill, casings and pipe so when they struck oil it could be piped down to the railroad. This was the beginning of the hungry horse story.

Supplies and horses were shipped from Columbia Falls to Belton (now West Glacier) on a train. After delivering the equipment, the men started out by road to head back to Columbia Falls as they did not have loads. Harnesses were taken off the team leaders and they were chained to the back of the sleighs.

After crossing the South Fork of the Flathead River, it was discovered the two lead horses, Jerry and Tex, were missing. David Prindiville, William's brother, later wrote the horses must have looked for a better place to ford because it was all ice and slippery.

It was reported the horses were still missing in belly-deep snow a month later. Searchers could not find the horses or their tracks.

Prindiville had to break a trail and pack in oats when they finally found them. The horses had been living on brush and willows. They were described as nothing but skin and bones and very hungry. It required two days to bring Tex and Jerry back home.

People came out to look at the horses when they went through the new town of Columbia Falls. One fellow remarked it was awful hungry horse country when learning the duo had been in the South Fork.

Tex was later used on a freight wagon by the Kalispell Mercantile. Jerry was traded to Charlie Ruple and pulled the Kalispell fire wagon.

It did not require much time for Mel to designate Hungry Horse News and Columbian as name for his newspaper. He later dropped Columbian.

A sign proclaiming the 150-foot triangle as future stable of the Hungry Horse News was placed in the high grass when property was purchased. Planks from the old city barn and livery stables were used by Al Nordes to make the sign. It was placed by Clarence Ray, contractor, assisted by Mart Weaver, when construction began in April, 1947.

Horses played more parts than just the name in the history of the Hungry Horse News. Mel Ruder hired Lloyd Dayton with his two horses, Dan and Rowdy, to plow grounds on north and east sides of the new building in April, 1948. We moved into the new office that year.

Biggest issue of the year was the Christmas edition with pages of photos. It required several days to hand-feed the big press.

I missed the big event when first one was printed in the new large log building. I was in John B. Simons Hospital in Whitefish for the birth of my first daughter, Gail Ann, on Christmas eve.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.