Celebrating History: Bank reorganization and midwinter fairs

By Emily Mayer

The predominant news in the Havre Daily Promoter this week 100 years ago was the reorganization of the Security State Bank, which had recently closed its doors. The Jan. 29, 1924, edition reported several hundred depositors along with bank officials and creditors in the courtroom in the Hill County Courthouse. It was agreed an organization of depositors would be formed, with Phil Jestrab, George Wheeler, W. S. Davis, Ben Hillsback, and F. A. Buttrey for the executive committee. Mrs. Hillsback, however, stated that due to her husband’s job as a railroad conductor, it would be impossible for him to attend meetings, so Ed Burke was named to serve on the committee. It was voted a letter would be written to Judge Rose that if a receiver was to be appointed in the future, the depositor organization would like to be notified.

In other business, it was voted and approved that for six months to no longer than one year, the depositors would leave their money in Security State to assist in its reorganization, in the hopes that the bank would reopen its doors. Should the bank fail to reopen, it was voted and approved to liquidate the bank’s assets instead of appointing a receiver. The Promoter stated the mood was “optimistic,” and meetings were announced in the Promoter later that week.

Another much more fun event was reported throughout the week. Buttrey’s was hosting a mid-winter fair, and the Promoter had the scoop.

MID WINTER FAIR AT BUTTREY’S BIG SUCCESS

LARGE ATTENDANCE FIRST DAY; NOBODY IDENTIFIES MYSTERIOUS WOMAN WITH A MASK

Hundreds attended the first day of the Mid Winter fair and carnival at Buttrey’s yesterday and in attendance and business it exceeded the fair of 1923.

There was an optimistic air about the store all day and evening and hundreds were served with coffee, cookies and doughnuts and everybody had an enjoyable time.

One of the surprises of the day was that no one recognized they mysterious masked woman, who was in the store for an hour. Another masked woman will be featured tomorrow afternoon.

The free basket was given to Mrs. F. M. Finn who lives seven miles south of Havre on a farm. Mrs. Richard Thorma of Havre won the sack of Occident flour.

There was a misunderstanding about the case of vegetables. No. 43975 being the lucky number. F. W. Bruhn, whose name was called did not hold the number, and if the party holding it will call at the store this case of mixed vegetables will be delivered.

Many compliments were received by the Buttrey management over the success of the opening day of the fair and every indication is that the whole carnival period will prove more interesting and more successful than the one last year, which gained fame for the store and Havre in mercantile circles in the country.

The fair would continue for the remainder of the week with several drawings taking place, more “mystery masked women” showing up at the event in the hopes they would be recognized and more prizes given, and an overall show of community camaraderie for a beloved local business.

Another carnival was being planned, this time at the Elks. The Feb. 2, 1924 Promoter carried this article:

ANNUAL CARNIVAL BEING PLANNED BY ELKS

Committees have been named for the annual Elks Carnival which will be put on this year, February 27, 28, 29 and March 1.

Earl J. Bronson will be chairman of the Carnival. He has his various committees already at work. Mr. Bronson says the carnival this year will be more of a fete for the people of Havre than ever before Plans for the booths, dance, music and contests are more extensive and elaborate than heretofore and enthusiasm among the committee members is running high.

The committees follow:

Booth No. 1., fish pond-Tom McKenzie, Chris Fuglevand.

Booth No. 2., dolls-Joe Murphy, H. H. Doliver.

Booth No. 3., jewelry-A. O. Baker, Lou Lindberg.

Booth No. 4., blankets-Al Lucke, Al Hoglund.

Booth No. 5., candy-E. F. Dodds, Jas. Kelly.

Booth No. 6., dolls-Bob Lucke, Doc Hunter, Henry Ohland.

Booth No. 7., grab bag-Kenneth Mc Carter, E. J. Delahoyde, C. C. Moody, W. C. McKelvy.

Booth No. 8., country store-Art Williams, Leon Chouette, Geo. Bowery.

Booth No. 9., canes-Jas. Holland, Jr., Sid Irwin.

Booth No. 10., soft drinks-H. A. Teel, Geo. Wilson, Andy Anderson.

Booth No. 11., Dance-Frank Alexander, Abe Gleason, Ernie Hayes.

Booth No. 12., piano-Wm. Sinclair, Guy Funk, Claude Olson, Bert Administer.

Cashiers- A. C. Larson, Frank Franta.

Printing-F. E. Martin.

Local law enforcement continued to be busy. This article was in the Promoter’s Jan. 27, 1924, edition, one for the “That One” file:

ENGLISH KITCHEN IN WEST END RAIDED

Informations have been filed against a number of white men and Chinese charging gambling as the result of a raid conducted Friday night by Sheriff Timmons and Deputy Herron on the English Kitchen in West Havre.

When the officers appeared a game of fan tan was in full progress and there were between 25 and 30 men in the place.

The officers were obliged to use threats of arms to persuade some of the alleged gamblers to come out of hiding.