News you can use
News you can use
The Fourth of July was well-recorded in the July 11, 1893 issue of The Havre Advertiser. This account describes the festivities at Fort Assinniboine.
News From The Fort
FORT ASSINNIBOINE, MONT., July 6, 1893.
The glorious Forth was celebrated with a burst of patriotism better felt than described. The band and field music in full force paraded at first call (5 a.m.) and aroused every one to animation by stirring national airs. A salute of 44 guns, one for each state, was fired at noon, and from that ‘till evening mirth and jollity beamed on every countenance. The pyrotechnic display surpassed in brilliancy anything of the kind ever witnessed before. An open air concert was given in the park for the amusement of all who felt inclined to attend. A temporary stage was erected embellished with bunting and streamers. A large audience listened attentively to the numerous songs, both comic and sentimental which were rendered in capital style.
Where all did well it would be invidious to name any particular singer, nevertheless, some of the old favorites surpassed themselves, notably Sergt. Hannen with his most humorous song, “It’s a pity to waste it,” and responded to an encore by singing, “I could do, could do with a bit” in his usually inimitable style. Private Smith, who made his debut caused great fun with his song “I wish there were no prisons.” He seemed perfectly at ease when singing “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean” which he rendered in a true martial spirit, and to a hearty encore, sang “Ireland a Nation.” He has a fine baritone voice, and his articulation and delivery are really good. Miss Maggie Desmond sang “Ever of Thee,” and was vociferously encored, when she responded by singing the last verse again.
J. J. Burns read the Declaration of Independence with thrilling effect. Jimmy D———n, “the comical soldier” was next to amuse the audience. He advanced to the center of the stage with that dramatic gesture so well known to his acquaintances. Ladies and gentlemen, he said: “I am not as you see in a fit condition to sing or dance, but if you would be pleased with an elaborate exposure of the ‘silver question’ now is the time to say so.” While roars of laughter and applause greeted these remarks, several voices could be heard. A more enjoyable Fourth of July has rarely been witnessed here.
In the city and state social columns, we find:
The school building is being pushed forward with great expedition.
This school was the first Washington School, located on the southeast corner of 1st Avenue and 3rd Street. It was a four-room school, complete with bell tower. It burned in 1912 due to an overheated furnace. Instead of rebuilding the school at that site, Devlin School was constructed to replace the burned Washington School.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Leonard, of Fort Assinniboine, were among the many visitors who spent the Fourth with us.
Quite a bevy of ladies from the Fort escorted a number of officers were in town last Thursday doing a little shopping.
Numbers of people have been paying a visit to the Indian encampment on the top of the bench in the outskirts of town to see the sun dance, which was being held during the latter part of last week.
The members of the Fort Assinniboine band, who were with us on the Forth and gave such general satisfaction in every way, were, Harry Laing, the director, Fuller, Westphalinger, A. Leonard, J. Leonard, Arnold, Davenport, Krapp, McDermott and Mehlamann. The musical repertoire arranged by Mr. Laing for the day was as follows: Tara boom dera, Hornpipe, Sober las Olas, Capt. Allan, Meditation, Dicks, My Country ‘Tis of Thee, Red White and Blue, Star Spangled Banner, Hail Columbia, Chief Spark, Algerine, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Whistle and Wait for Katie, Havre Gallop.
The large building known as the Sam Wah restaurant, which has just reached a stage of completion as far as the carpenters are concerned, is now in the hands of the painter. Mr. Pratt who is putting the finishing touch to the building has also been entrusted with the church, school house, and other painting contracts.
The ladies presiding over the ice cream festival held on the Fourth in the old Harvey building in financial benefit of the Roman Catholic church building project, while not kept quite as busy as might have been expected upon such an occasion were pleased to have very credibly netted the substantial amount of $102.00 during the day towards the fund.
Barney Matthews, we learn, has moved from his old quarters at the corner facing the bridge in Fort Benton to the Overland hotel sample rooms. Barney, who is about as well known as any man in the country in his line of business, and about as decent all round as they make ‘em, is bound to do well anywhere, has our best wishes for increased success in his new location.
Because Havre was located in what was then Chouteau County, several Fort Benton businesses advertised in The Havre Advertiser. They include: John W. Tattan, attorney-at-law; Thomas W. Murphy, attorney-at-law and U. S. commissioner, “Land Filings and Final Proofs Taken;” John C. Duff, land, pension and claim attorney; M. S. Darling, civil engineer and county surveyor “Irrigation work a specialty;" and B. J. Matthews, dealer in wines, liquors and cigars, “First-class house. Open day and night. The patronage of the travelling public solicited.”
And if anyone knows the “Havre Gallop,” I would love to hear it.
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