The Cranstons

For Descendants of Christopher (Doc) Cranston & Bess Melby

by Charles C. Jett

The Cajun Condo — A Joke on Tip

He started it with Bulgarian folk songs. He should have known better! Tip loved jokes – even those on him. This is a fun story – typical of the great sense of humor that was “purely my Uncle Tip.” It’s the record of a long-running practical-joke war between Tip and me. It began with music: […]

by Charles C. Jett

Tip Melby With Echo Staff

These are photos provided by Pat Melby of Echo editor Albert Saigo with advisor Sidney (Tip) Melby and Echo Staff with Tip. (Early 1940’s). Click HERE to this link and scroll down to read about Tip and Ruth’s time at the Relocation Center in Lyman, Wyoming.

by Charles C. Jett

Tip and Charlie Discuss Pranks

This video was taken about two months before Tip died – and, incidentally, about a month before Marcia died. It was taken over a luncheon at the Glen Oak Country Club in Glen Ellyn, Illinois by Georg Mauer. Also on the video is a bit of coverage of Andreas Mauer’s graduation – speech given by […]

by Charles C. Jett

Saga of Johny Jergeson Meeting Tip Melby

This story was told to Bob Painter by Tip Melby. Bob generously passes it on to the “Cranston Clan.” ~ CC

by Charles C. Jett

Tip Melby’s Sense of Humor – The World Poetry Contest

Tip Melby was an educated man. He was fond of opera and good literature – something I think he learned from his grandfather, Giles Campbell. Tip was visiting with me one afternoon and asked me if I had watched the world poetry contest that was on TV the other night. Not being so tuned […]

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Introduction by John Ashford ~ 2003

These pages are scanned from “Tip’s Story” written by John Ashford ~ 2003 They cover a lot of fun things about his early life and his memories – these are how he is communicating with us! All stories can be found by going to the MENU bar and clicking on “Tip’s Story.” Sidney “Tip” Melby Here […]

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Childhood Memories as told to John Ashford ~ 2003

These are Tip’s Childhood Memories and Lessons of Early Life as they were told to John Ashford in 2003. He talks about Chris, Bess, Ole, building a sod house, breaking horses and herding sheep.

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Life As Lived By Sidney “Tip” Melby as Told to John Ashford ~ 2003

The collection of stories that follow in this section of the blog are those that are a result of three days of interviews by John Ashford, a writer, with Sidney “Tip” Melby. Tip was 87+ years old at the time and the stories are intended to preserve his memories for his children and cousins who […]

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Ole Melby as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003

These are Tip’s memories of Marion’s, Helen’s, Bill’s and his stepfather, Ole Melby.

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Horses & Riders as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003

Tip’s memories about the horse business and bucking broncos.

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Ted Corbett as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – 1933, Willett Place (age eighteen) as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003

This story is about the Willett Place on the Little Missouri River. It was located about two miles north of the Painter Ranch and on the west side of the Little Missouri River. The only way you could get to it was to ford the river at a crossing just a short distance downstream from […]

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Winters on the Ranch as told by John Ashford ~ 2003

Tip describes winter at the Willett Place on the Little Missouri River.

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Riding a Freight to Montana as told by John Ashford ~ 2003

A good story!

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – 1941, Farming With Horse Power as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003

Tip gets a tractor.

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Mechanizing the Farm as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003

Tip talks about the Farm All tractor and the advantages of mechanized power over horses. (You don’t have to feed or harness them.)

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – 1941 Meeting My Father as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003

Here Tip talks about meeting Chris Cranston. Ole Melby served as Tip’s father after Chris and Bess divorced.

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – The Sheep Ranch, Herders, Coyotes as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003

Good writeup about sheep herding and coyotes.

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Selling Livestock as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003

Good summary about livestock selling and the problems encountered. ~ CCJ

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Grasslands as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003

A little blurb on the Grasslands.

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Giles Campbell as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003

Giles Campbell was the grandfather of Marion, Helen, Bill and Tip. He was married to Nellie and they are both buried in the cemetery just west of Camp Crook, SD. Photo of Giles as a young man provided by Jean Melby. ~ CCJ

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Life in Missoula as Written by John Ashford ~2003

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Memories of Ruth as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003

These are Tip’s memories of his wife, Ruth Kelly Melby. ~ 2003 Ruth Kelly – College Photo Ruth Kelly Melby

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – Oldtimers as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003

by Charles C. Jett

Tip’s Story – The Shaw Horse Ranch as Written by John Ashford ~ 2003

The Shaw Ranch was legendary – Karen was born there, I think – and it was located near the little spot in the road called Ludlow and it was on Crooked Creek about 3 miles north.