Bartas Brothers
Frank Barta was the first one from the numerous Barta's family to arrive to Montana, to the Danvers area. In 1906, Frank and two of his friends Josef Koutecky and John Novotny stowed away in the immigrant cart and came from Veselyville, North Dakota. Frank brought his team of horses and was able to get jobs to survive first few days. Frank and Josef moved on to set up a homestead. There was no lumber available to put up fences, or a shack. They had to haul the timber from a great distance of Hobson and Moccasin. Frank must have been greatly encouraged by his homesteading efforts. He invited his parents Frank Sr. and Mary Barta. His two brothers Anton and Josef soon arrived as well.
Other Bohemian families were leaving their farms in North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Oklahoma and moving on to Montana to file a claim and to "prove up". On May 14, 1912 there was a triple wedding of the three Barta brothers to three Bohemian brides. Frank married Josephina Tucek, Anton married Jennie Simacek, and Helen Kojetin became Josef's bride. A school house located on the Hardwood Bench served as the church for the occasion.
Josephina Tucek was born in Jezviny, Bohemia. In 1906, the same year her future husband Frank was starting his homestead in Montana, Josephina and her parents came to America. Her brother, Joe Tucek, was the first one to leave Bohemia in search of adventure and better life. He first settled in Iowa, and after his parents and his siblings joined him, they all moved to Oklahoma. Soon they were ready to try their luck further West. The area between Moccasin and Kolin in Montana became their next home.
Jennie Simanek was originally from Wilbur, Nebraska. Her family relocated to Mocassin, Montana.
Helen Kojetin came to Montana with her parents from Renville County, Minnesota. They homesteaded near Danvers where the wedding reception was held. Besides family members of the grooms and the brides many Bohemian neighbors attended: Houska family, John Krivanek, Anna Hruska Vlach and others.
All three Barta families continued to homestead, men worked the fields, helping each other and sharing many tasks - threshing grain, building projects, sharing large equipment. Woman raised poultry for meat and eggs were for sale. With the cash they were able to buy what they were not able to grow. Goose feathers were stored and in winter the feather stripping gatherings were organized. They were cultivating gardens to supply the families with vegetables, they picked berries, mushrooms, apples, and canned most of the fruits to prepare for harsh winters.
Times were hard for many farmers and Frank and Josephina family had to move to Iowa. They sold their farm and Frank got a job in a furniture factory. Shortly after they moved back to Judith Basin. Frank and Josephina kept renting different farms, but unfortunately they never earned enough money to buy their own farm. Frank's brother Anton's family also lost their homestead in the 1930'. Joseph Barta was one of the few who was able to hold on to the original homestead and pass it on to his son Francis.
Other Bohemian families were leaving their farms in North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Oklahoma and moving on to Montana to file a claim and to "prove up". On May 14, 1912 there was a triple wedding of the three Barta brothers to three Bohemian brides. Frank married Josephina Tucek, Anton married Jennie Simacek, and Helen Kojetin became Josef's bride. A school house located on the Hardwood Bench served as the church for the occasion.
Josephina Tucek was born in Jezviny, Bohemia. In 1906, the same year her future husband Frank was starting his homestead in Montana, Josephina and her parents came to America. Her brother, Joe Tucek, was the first one to leave Bohemia in search of adventure and better life. He first settled in Iowa, and after his parents and his siblings joined him, they all moved to Oklahoma. Soon they were ready to try their luck further West. The area between Moccasin and Kolin in Montana became their next home.
Jennie Simanek was originally from Wilbur, Nebraska. Her family relocated to Mocassin, Montana.
Helen Kojetin came to Montana with her parents from Renville County, Minnesota. They homesteaded near Danvers where the wedding reception was held. Besides family members of the grooms and the brides many Bohemian neighbors attended: Houska family, John Krivanek, Anna Hruska Vlach and others.
All three Barta families continued to homestead, men worked the fields, helping each other and sharing many tasks - threshing grain, building projects, sharing large equipment. Woman raised poultry for meat and eggs were for sale. With the cash they were able to buy what they were not able to grow. Goose feathers were stored and in winter the feather stripping gatherings were organized. They were cultivating gardens to supply the families with vegetables, they picked berries, mushrooms, apples, and canned most of the fruits to prepare for harsh winters.
Times were hard for many farmers and Frank and Josephina family had to move to Iowa. They sold their farm and Frank got a job in a furniture factory. Shortly after they moved back to Judith Basin. Frank and Josephina kept renting different farms, but unfortunately they never earned enough money to buy their own farm. Frank's brother Anton's family also lost their homestead in the 1930'. Joseph Barta was one of the few who was able to hold on to the original homestead and pass it on to his son Francis.
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