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Celebrating History: Courthouse, roller rink, shoe shines and temperance

by Emily Mayer

Like last week, news of buildings in Hill County could be found throughout the newspapers 100 years ago.  On the front page of The Havre Plaindealer’s May 15 issue, there was this announcement regarding the Courthouse:

THREE SEPARATE BIDS ON COURTHOUSE WORK

Three bids for courthouse work will be considered by the Hill county commissioners on May 24th, one for construction, one for plumbing, and one for electric wiring of the county structure.  Many contracting firms have had representatives in the city to look over the plans of the proposed structure, and it is expected that many bids will be submitted.

At a meeting this week the commissioners let a contract to O. E. Peppard for the repair work on the Simpson bridge over Milk river. The board also appointed Norbert DeKerchove as supervisor of road district 24, known as the Kremlin district.

In its issue of the same date, The Hill County Democrat chimed in with their views in the editorial section about the Courthouse and a Federal Building:

During the vacation of congress it might not be amiss to keep hammering Tom Stout about that Federal building for Havre.

If you will attend court now and see how every one is cramped for room you will see the real need of a new court-house for Hill county.  We hope it will be built soon.

What has become of French Gus since the latest selection of a courthouse site?  He must be rather celebrating the latest selection.  When Gus quits, he quits. When he commences, he starts.

Other building news was found on the Democrat’s front page, complete with misspelling:

ROLLER RINK OPENED

The Casino Roller Rink on Third street was opened to the public on Thursday, May 12.

The building is a large one and well adapted for this purpose, having good ventilation and plenty of room.  The proprietors have remodeled it through out, putting in a new floor, burlaping the walls and fixing up rest rooms for the skaters.

The management intends to use the rink for roller skating every night except Saturdays.  On Saturday night a ten cent dance will be given from 7 until 12 and muic will be furnished by Hilla’s Orchestra for these dances.

A dance was given on the opening night and was well attended.  All present enjoying themselves and it is said to be the best dance hall in the city.

Cunningham and Erickson, the proprietors intend to run a first class place and cater to the trade of the young people of Havre.

NEW SHOE SHINE PARLOR

What is said to be the best shoe shining parlor in the state has opened for business next to the Grand Hotel.

Mr. Mitchell is the proprietor and has a very good proposition to offer anyone wishing to buy a ticket for a number of shines at his place.

Here is some news regarding the Commercial Club in the Hingham Review’s May 14 issue:

Social Meeting a Winner

The members of the Commercial club with their wives met at the new hall Monday night and had an exceptionally pleasant evening.  Whist was indulged in till about eleven o’clock, with some excellent piano selections by Mrs. Wollan and Mrs. Walker.

Those present then went to the hotel, where an elaborate dinner was served, and then speech making was the order until 2 o’clock.  Rev. O. P. Shenefelt was toast master and delivered a brilliant address.  Others who spoke were Dr. A. A. Husser, Oluf Rovreit, M. A. Johnson, P. A. Peterson, D. D. More, F. L. Spaulding, H. E. Kruse, Boris Aronow, Mrs. W. J. Minkiewitz, Mrs. H. W. Wollan.  All expressed optimistic views concerning Hingham’s future, and all showed by their manner that Hingham is their chosen home.

At 2 a.m. all returned to the hall, where an impromptu program was rendered, consisting chiefly of popular and patriotic songs.

The Box Elder Valley Press issue of the same date reported the people of Box Elder were busy forming various offshoots of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.  In addition to the WCTU, a young people’s branch of the WCTU was formed,  as well as a Loyal Temperance Legion, which was the children’s branch of the organization. While mostly made of women and girls, men and boys were also members. Hingham and Havre also had WCTU organizations, and their activities are starting to appear more and more as prohibition in the state of Montana was starting to gain momentum. Of course, not all were impressed by the WCTU or its mission of “eliminating the scourge of alcohol.” The Democrat was quite vocal of its opposition to that particular mission.

 

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