Celebrating History: Lots of building news

From Emily Mayer

All kinds of exciting news about buildings was in Hill County in the newspapers 100 years ago. Work was starting to ramp up to get the buildings done as much as possible before the snow started falling. The Sept. 25, 1915 issue of The Havre Plaindealer had this short column:

FARMERS ELEVATOR BUILDS LARGE ADDITION

The Farmers Elevator company has just completed the erection of a large seed, flour and grain house, 40x60 feet, and remodeled their old elevator building, making this elevator one of the largest and best equipped in the northwest. This institution has been established but three years, and despite the lean years it has enjoyed a good business and kept pace with the progressive policy of its owners. It is equipped with the most modern of elevator machinery, electrical power being used throughout all its numerous departments.

The Plaindealer also announced that Farmers State Bank had remodeled its interior due to its growth as well as add a fire-proof safe to the building, and William Strand was moving to Havre from Cottonwood, Minnesota to manage the Lindsay Fruit Company.

In Arsee’s “Society” column were these two entries:

Pleasing Little Hostess.

Little Amelia Jean, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Jordan, proved a most delightful hostess when she entertained a number of her young playmates on Tuesday, the occasion being in honor of her fourth birthday. A very happy time was spent in playing games and the afternoon was concluded by the dainty birthday feast. Those present: Inez Anderson, Jean and Sarah Warrick, Edna and Jessica Beaulieu, Bernice Bronson, Arbutis Rudy, Esther Skylstead, Corisia and Helen Archibald, Corine and Dorothy Loranger, Elizabeth Hanley, Mabel Jones, Buster Hyatt and Wm. McLeod.

Elk’s Dance.

On Wednesday evening of this week the Elks gave an informal dancing party, the first of the winter series, at the Lyceum hall. Splendid music was played by the Hilla orchestra and an altogether delightful evening was spent. About forty couples were present.

In the Burnham news section was this entry:

Miss Anna Nordsletten, who has a claim north of Havre is teaching the Burnham school instead of Miss Emma Lawrence, who has accepted a school near Joplin.

In The Hill County Democrat of the same date was this very fascinating tidbit of information:

HAVRE HAS A WONDERFUL VIOLIN FACTORY IN THE CITY

Havre has the distinction of having the only violin factory in the world. It was constructed by Jos. N. LaCroix and the latest and best styles of those musical instruments are manufactured by machinery by Mr. LaCroix and he can turn out quite a few of them in a day. Some outside parties visited the little factory here this week and were simply astonished at the marvelous little factory of which the owner may feel proud. Mr. J. LaCroix has spent years of hard work in devising the machinery and his plans are now maturing and his efforts will be crowned with much success.

Work was starting again on the new Methodist Church on 5th Avenue, according to the Democrat. They were hoping to use the basement by Dec. 1.

In the Hingham Review’s Sept. 24, 1915 issue, it was announced that the new telephone cooperative needed only $600 more in shares before work could start building the plant. An auction was also announced:

Will Sell at Auction

P. E. Carrier has closed the Hingham Café and will sell at public auction tomorrow, Sept. 25th, his entire outfit of fixtures, also a piano, two cows and an automobile. Mr. Carrier has disposed of the City Meat Market to J. C. Mabee of Gildford, and F. R. Colt will run it for the present. The Carriers will move to Great Falls to make their home, and Elmer will spend the winter attending business college, Bessie in the high school and Floyd in the public schools. The Carriers came to Hingham when Hingham existed in name only, the section house being the only house in town. They have done much to make conditions good while the town was in its infancy, and everyone is sorry to have them leave.

In “The Local Drift” social pages were these two entries:

J. C. Mabee has leased the City Meat Market and will do business at the old stand on a cash basis. He respectfully solicits your patronage and will give you a square deal.

Edwin Hogenson has purchased the house in which F. J. Buscher lives and will move it to the lots where the Becwar lumber yard has been. These lots will be fixed up in good shape and Mr. and Mrs. Hogenson will live there in future. Mr. Buscher will build a six room bungalow on the premises where he now lives, and the new home will be finished this fall yet.

From The Box Elder Valley Press issue of the same date were, complete with misspelling:

There will be a meeting of the school trustees of this district at the school house on Saturday evening, September 25 at 7:30 for the purpose of finding out as to how the money received by the clerk for the rent of hall has been used and any other busines that may seem necessary.

E. L. Driskell has negotiated the sale of the Pleasant Robinson farm northeast of town to a Mr. Hill of Kremlin.