Celebrating History: Parties the rage 100 years ago

Parties have been dominating the Society column in the past two weeks of The Havre Plaindealer. Here are the best ones printed, the first four being from the Dec. 9, 1916, Plaindealer:

Mr. and Mrs. Griggs Entertained.

At the home of Mr. and Mrs. O. G. Skylstead in this city on Wednesday a party was given in honor of Mr. and Mrs. V. R. Griggs, who will leave in a few days for Washington, D. C. Mr. Griggs will attend to legal matters while absent. A very enjoyable evening was spent.

Surprise for Mrs. V. R. Griggs

A number of friends and neighbors of Mrs. V. R. Griggs gave her a pleasant surprise at her home Monday evening. The evening was pleasantly spent in conversation and music. Mr. Griggs expects to accompany her husband on his trip to Washington and other eastern cities this month, and the party was a farewell affair.

Arthur Haglund Entertained.

On Tuesday evening of this week Mr. and Mrs. L. V. Beaulieu entertained a company of young people in honor of Arthur Haglund, who is soon to leave for Minneapolis, where he will make his future home. The beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Beaulieu was prettily decorated for the occasion. The guests were: Misses Edna and Alice Burke, Harvey, Cosgrove and Mansfield; Messrs. Haglund, Cross and Kroppe. During the evening an elegant supper was served to the guests.

Youngs Give Farewell.

On Monday night Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Young gave a farewell dancing party to their friends at their home on Fourth avenue. Their home, one of the most beautiful in the city, was artistically decorated and lighted for the occasion. Thayer’s orchestra furnished the music for the evening’s entertainment. The invited guests were Mr. and Mrs. O. P. Thayer, E. C. Carruth, V. R. Griggs, A. M Grimmer, N. E. Gourley, D. S. MacKenzie, H. E. Loranger, Sidney Hirchberg, J. Fenton, L. W. Pierson, Tidey, C. C. Roper, Mrs. Charles Ling, the Misses Minnie and Edith Newmeyer, Cecelia and Geraldine Gaston, Bertha Ling, Mabel Ellison, Glenna and Ellen House, Needham, Hickle, Terrel; Messrs. Lester Webber, D. S. Wright, O. S. Cole, Arthur Lamey, Paul Gilbow, Dr. Hunter, J. Jamison, Fred Schick, Henry Bland, Moras Hill, Waterloo Berry, and Geo. Prentis of Great Falls.

The dancing began at an early hour and continued until past midnight. At the close of the evening’s entertainment, refreshments were served by Chas. Carroll.

Mr. and Mrs. Young expect to leave for Honolulu to spend the winter months and will not return until April or May. The guests departed at a late hour wishing the host and hostess a joyous and successful voyage.

Thankfully, the one thing all of these places have in common is they still grace Havre’s Residential Historic District. The Skylstead house is currently Holland and Bonine Funeral Parlor, the Griggs home is located at 514 Eleventh Street, the Beaulieu residence is at 700 First Avenue and the Young home is located at 419 Fourth Avenue, currently Yellin Law Office.

Here are three entries in the Plaindealer’s Society column for December 16, 1916:

Honoring Mrs. Needham.

Cards have been issued by Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Meyer for a ball to be given at the Meyer home, corner of Fourth avenue and Third street, on Tuesday evening next. The affair is given in honor of Miss Barbara Needham, one of the popular young lady visitors in Havre.

The event is being looked forward to with a great deal of pleasurable anticipation, particularly by the younger social set.

Eastern Star Social.

Following the regular business meeting of the chapter on Tuesday evening, the ladies of the Eastern Star entertained their husbands and a large number of friends at one of the famous social sessions given by this order. Dancing and cards were enjoyed by the guests and the evening’s enjoyment was made complete by one of those dainty luncheons for which the Star ladies are famed.

Bal Masque at Lyceum.

Lyceum hall was resplendent last evening with vari-colored costumes of those attending a masquerade ball given by Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Hanson. About fifty couples were in costume and enjoyed dancing, and there were many friends of the hosts in attendance but not in costume. The hall was prettily decorated for the event, which proved one of the most enjoyable of the season, and it was with reluctance that farewells were said at a late hour.

The Meyer residence was also known as the Pepin Mansion, which was located where the current Havre-Hill County Library is today. The Eastern Star Social took place at the Masonic Temple, today the 305 Building. The Lyceum Hall was located at 328 First Street; the site is now part of Town Square.