Havre of the Past: Spanish-American War in full swing

In continuing this series celebrating Havre’s 120th anniversary of incorporation, we find ourselves in this week 115 years ago, in 1898.

For the 40th installment, the information comes from the Oct. 7, 1898, edition of The Milk River Eagle. In 1898, we were embroiled in the Spanish-American War, and many troops from Fort Assinniboine were sent to fight the Spanish in places such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. While the war lasted only 10 weeks, it certainly put the United States on the map militarily. In the “Town and Country” social pages section, we find the following entry:

A report was current on the streets of Havre, Thursday, that the detachments of the 10th cavalry stationed at Fort Assinniboine, had received orders to pack up all the regimental and troop property at the post for immediate shipment to the south. The men composing the detachment at the post are also ordered to rejoin their respective troops.

The 10th U. S. cavalry has been assigned to fighting Joe Wheeler’s corps, with headquarters at Huntsville, Ala. The regiment will start for Cuba late in October or early in November.

The host of friends and admirers of that brave, gallant, courteous and distinguished officer and gentleman, Lieut. E. L. Baker, 10th U. S. V., will be delighted to learn that he has been further honored by an appointment on the personal staff of Major General J. C. Breckenridge, U. S. A., with headquarters at Louisville, Ky. Lieut. Baker is rapidly recovering from his wounds received in the desperate charge up San Juan hill, and he hopes that he will be able to start for his new sphere of usefulness on or about October 20. He was a welcome visitor to the city, Thursday, hopping around on crutches, receiving congratulations for his good fortune. The Eagle is indebted to Lieut. Baker for souvenirs taken from the trenches at San Juan.

The 10th Cavalry were African-American soldiers also known as Buffalo Soldiers. For more information about the Buffalo Soldiers, a tour of Fort Assinniboine is recommended.

War was not the only fighting reported in The Milk River Eagle. Seems like there was plenty of trouble brewing right here in Havre:

A gang of drunken hoodlums tried to take possession of the town last Monday night. They started at the corner of Broadway and Main streets and so did Marshal Peter Gowrie. Peter landed three of the belligerent booze-fighters in the Hotel de Rats, where they had ample time to cool off before appearing before his honor Judge Meili.

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The Hotel des Rats, presided over by mine host, Marshal Peter Gowrie, has had a star boarder during the past week in the shape of Jim Hendric, who has been afflicted with imaginary visits from Brooklyn boys with tin hats, snakes, bats, cats and white mice. Cause — booze fighting. Marshal Gowrie has lost a whole lot of sleep taking care of his unfortunate ghost and the county commissioners ought to see to it that Jim is sent to the former head of navigation for proper care and treatment. The Hotel des Rats is not a fit asylum for individuals suffering from lim jams, especially at this season of the year

The peaceful slumbers of John Hammond were rudely disturbed by Marshal Gowrie last Thursday afternoon. John pre-empted the sidewalk near the Merchant’s hotel for his sleeping apartments. Peter espied the festive John and rushed him to the Hotel des Rats. After Judge Meili had figured out the costs of the daylight snooze, Hammond found himself poorer by $X. John paid up and decamped.

Of course it wasn’t all war, fighting and other illegal activity. Havre was growing, and here are a few entries, complete with misspelling:

Photographer O. S. Goff is now prepared to make the finest photographs ever made in Havre. Studio near Gussenhoven’s.