A Walk to Remember

A wonderful, sunshine-filled afternoon greeted audience members and performers at the Phillips County Historical Walk last Sunday held at the H.G. Robinson House in Malta at the Phillips County Museum.

A large turn-out of audience members sat in the shade of the Robinson House’s trees to hear a total of 11 actors tell of some of the founders of Phillips County including seven Malta Middle School students who reprised the roles they first acted out at last year’s Wax Museum in Delmer Henry’s history class (Saco freshman Jaycee Erickson was also at the event to perform.)

Anna Harms — daughter of Malta’s Ann and Ray Harms — portrayed Margaret “Peggy” Coleman on the day. Coleman was born in Everett, Wash., but grew up and attended school in Saco. Peggy, who would marry Raymond Coleman in 1948, was a mother of seven who dedicated her life to service at her church where she was a Sunday school teacher. Colman passed away in May of 1997.

Addison Ulrich — daughter of Jamie and Jason Ulrich of Malta — portrayed Roger H. Ulrich who was born in Malta and raised 20-miles south of town. Ulrich was a World War II veteran and worked for many years at Malta First State Bank where he was president for some 60 years. Ulrich passed away at the age of 81 in 2006.

Samme Gibbs — daughter of Pat and Alisha Gibbs of Malta — played the part of Eva May Grimsley Oxarart on the afternoon. Oxarart graduated from Malta High School and then married John Martin “Sonny” Oxarart. She was the mother of two sons, a ranch-wife and monitored weather for the National Weather Service. Oxarart passed away in April of 2014.

Sydney Gibbs — also the daughter of Pat and Alisha Gibbs of Malta — portrayed John Martin “Sonny” Oxarart who was born in Tampico, Mont., was a rough string rider for the Miller Brothers Ranch and became a top saddle bronc rider. Sonny married Eva in 1952 and the two moved to Content where they were ranchers. Sonny passed away in November 2006.

Madyson (Welch) Warburton — daughter of Danielle Welch and Shane Warburton of Malta — portrayed Charles E. Welch. Charlie was born at First Creek in 1923 and was raised and educated in Malta, graduating from MHS. He married Dorthey R. Miller in 1942 and then joined the Army in 1943, serving in Central Europe during World War II before moving back to Malta. Charlie and Dorthey had seven children and spent much of his life in Malta working in the auto repair industry. Charles passed away in December of 1998.

Elly Anderson — daughter of Jenifer and Shane Anderson of Malta — portrayed Ella M. “Elly” Olson on the afternoon. Elly was born in Norway in 1895, came to the United States in 1910 and in 1920, married Jens Hammond in 1915. Jens passed away in 1918 and Elly married Alvin Olsen in 1920. The two homestead and then ranched in Whitewater before moving to Forks Bench where they would live until 1957. Elly spent the last 33 years of her life in Malta and passed away in October of 1989.

Jaycee Erickson — daughter of Amber and Jason Erickson of Saco — portrayed a World War I nurse on the day. Erickson’s nurse portrayal followed classes she took at Saco Middle School last year, presenting information she researched in those classes at the Historic Walk on Sunday.

Giona Lamb — daughter of Malta’s Gina and Justin Lamb — portrayed her great-grandfather, George Lamb. Lamb, who still operates R&G Quality Feeds, the family business, was born in Saco in 1925 and worked for the Great Northern Railway before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1945. George married Stella Rice prior to joining the service and the two recently celebrated 70 years of marriage. George continues to work many hours at the family business.

Adult actors on the day were Lu Besel who portrayed Thelma Marie “Peggy” Dobson Boyce Czyeski (1906-2000), a preserving pioneer woman; Orvin Solberg told the story of Harry Austin Sr., (1893-1979) an early Whitewater sheep and cattle farmer; Becky Hould Bruce portrayed Marguerite King Hould (1900-1996) pioneer ranching woman; and Jason Ulrich played the part of Henry J. Ulrich, (1883 to 1954) Southern Phillips County homesteading farmer and rancher.