Havre of the Past: 100 years ago to the day

The Havre Plaindealer exactly 100 years ago today, June 21, 1913, was so full of local news, it was difficult to pick which articles to share with readers. R. X. Lewis was the president, with Sam Y. B. Williams as secretary-treasurer. A one-year subscription cost $1, six months for 75 cents, or three months for 50 cents. A single issue cost only 5 cents.

On the center top of the front page was this article:

Will Organize A Farmers’ Co-Operative Creamery

There will be a meeting of all farmers and others interested in the establishment of a creamery held in Havre Saturday, June 28th. It does not matter whether you are prepared to go into the business or not, if you are interested in this subject that is destined to soon revolutionize this section your presence will be welcomed.

This meeting is to be a farmers’ meeting, for the organization of a farmers’ co-operative creamery and has been called at the instance of some prominent farmers of this section who are alive to the importance of an institution of this character for the farmers. Those at present engaged in the dairy and milk business are also especially invited to attend.

Mr. George Forge, who recently imported to this section a carload of cattle and who has given especial study to the creamery business in both this state and in some of the large creamery states of the east, has secured copies of the by-laws and articles of incorporation of some of the co-operative creameries that have been in existence for twenty years and more and doing a successful business that will prove a great help in the preparing of by-laws for the Farmers’ Co-operative creamery of this city.

Don’t forget the date of this meeting, Saturday, June 28th.

This article was also found further down the front page, complete with misspelling:

New Saloon Opened To Public Yesterday

The Hoffman Bar is Unique in the Way of Furnishings

The Big Four system, not of railroads but of first class liquid refreshment parlors, was completed in Havre yesterday with the formal opening of the Hoffman bar, corner of Railroad street and Third Avenue. This saloon was formerly the Tom West place, which was recently acquired by Pat Yeon, owner of the Buffalo, Board of Trade and Hotel bars. Mr. Yeon now operates four popular drinking establishments, each one in a class by itself and either one equal to any liquid refreshment establishment in the country.

In the line of fixtures, those of the new Hoffman bar are unique. The entire interior, including both bars, is in white enamel, and presents a most pleasing appearance. There are three elegant boxes containing tables and chairs, and in the front is a check room where the management will care of the hand baggage of visitors who expect to spend only a short time in the city. The main entrance to the Hoffman has been greatly improved by the substitution of a small iron pillar for the heavy brick support that was formerly in place.

Mr. Yeon has the greatest confidence in the future of Havre, and the Hoffman bar, like the other places owned by Mr. Yeon, will help to make Havre famous as a leading city of Northern Montana, as it can not but elicit the most favorable comment upon the part of visitors to the city.

Some good news was lurking near the last page of this issue:

Church Building Committee Appointed

Work on $50,000 Cathedral May Start This Fall.

Work will probably start this summer or early fall on a $50,000 cathedral to be erected by the members of St. Jude’s Thaddeus Catholic church of this city.

The old church has been already removed from the site to be occupied by the cathedral and will be used temporarily for church purposes, after which it will be converted into a parochial school for this city.

The committee it is understood, will meet at an early date to devise ways and means of raising the money necessary to build the church.

There was a lot of social pages news published throughout the paper. Some of them are:

Swanton and Carnal, agents of the Fort Auto Company in this section, propose erecting a large auto garage. The building is to be on second street between second and third avenues.

Miss Jennie Pickham, who has a claim north of Havre, was shopping in the city the first of the week.

Hobo Jack Johnson, after serving a ninety-day sentence for vagrancy, was released by Sheriff Loranger this week and left for his claim north of the city.

And in the legal notices:

Bids To Build School Houses

Sealed bids will be received for the building of a school at Burnham and also one at Grain Belt, both is S. D. No. 1, Hill county. Plans and specifications to be seen at office of clerk. Bids to be opened June 28th. W. F. McDONALD, Clerk.

These Persons Will Become Citizens

The following persons have declared their intention of becoming American citizens:

Frank Black of Havre, a subject of Canada; Frank Nuis of Havre, a subject of Canada; Otto Posner of Havre, a subject of Canada; Cast Lorusso of Havre, a subject of Italy; Chris Rium of Havre, a subject of Norway; Duncan McLachlan of Havre, a subject of Scotland; John C. Duffy of Havre, a subject of Canada.

Advertisers in this week’s paper include: Wheelers “Michael Stern Clothing for men; Florsheim Shoes for the man who cares”; Private Hospital, A. E. Williams, M. D.; Boone’s Drug Store “FREE A 50 cent whip. With every purchase amounting to $1.00 on the articles in our corner window we will give free a whip valued at 50 cents”; Havre Meat Market, W. E. Wiltner, proprieter, offering “Meats, Fish, Eggs and Oysters in season.”