Celebrating History: Historic buildings and 'The Social Whirl'

Emily Mayer

For this third installment of the Year of the Buildings, I found this curious article in the Jan. 16, 1914 issue of The Hill County Democrat. A couple of years ago, a friend asked me if I knew anything about Havre pianos. He said a relative of his had a piano that said "Havre, Montana" on it. I said I didn't' know anything about it. This article might have something to do with it, so Randy and Laura Martin, this one is for you:

MANUFACTURER'S AGENT LOCATED IN HAVRE

Among the well known businessmen who have visited Havre recently is R. L. Pettit, of the Piano Manufacturer's Adv. Agency, who is interested in several of the famous old makes of pianos of Boston and Chicago. Offices and sample rooms have been engaged in the H. Earl Clack beautiful and modern building in Havre from which some special advertising is being conducted and where one of the finest lines of old well-known makes of pianos will soon be on display.

Indeed a wonderful opportunity awaits all music lovers, especially those who have no piano, but who hope to possess one sometime in the future. It is seldom, if ever, an occasion like this presents itself except in the larger cities and piano buyers here will have a cause for congratulations.

The eastern factories Mr. Pettit is representing are the most complete on the American continent. This fact coupled with their enviable buying powers places them in a position to successfully compete with factories in all parts of the world, offering as they do, a piano that cannot be excelled in point of tone and superior case construction. Still there are thousands of people living in Montana who know nothing of these famous old makes.

The Plaindealer announced there was going to be a "Publicity Contest" to introduce the company and their products. The contest will be in next week's column.

The Women's Club had been busy putting together an opera in Havre. The article is complete with misspelling:

GOOD ATTRACTION IS THE ASSURANCE

When "Pinafore" is Rendered by Local Talent.

After long weeks of strenuous practice and other work of preparation, the company that will present the opera "Pinafore" has reached a degree of proficiency that assures one of the most pleasing musical attractions ever rendered in Havre. The opera will be presented at the Orpheum next Thursday and Friday evenings under the auspices of the Woman's club, and the flattering sale of tickets indicates that the S. R. O. sign will be displayed early in both evenings.

Below is a synopsis of the operatta that is to be rendered:

ACT I.-Following the custom of the time, Sir Joseph Porter had been made ruler of the navy without regard to ability. To strengthen himself with the admiralty he desires marriage with Josephine, daughter of Captain Corcoran. The captain is willing, but Josephine loves Ralph Rackstraw, the common seaman, who returns her love. Because of the difference in rank, Josephine at first spurns Ralph, but later is led to declare her love by his attempted suicide. To escape parental opposition, they plan to elope. Dick Deadeye, a friend of the captain, overhears and thwarts their plans.

ACT II.-Sir Joseph, thinking Josephine is hesitating to marry him because of his "exhalted position", assures her that "love levels all rank". Josephine applies this rule to her love for Ralph and determines to carry out the elopement. Captain Corcoran, acting upon the timely warning of Dick Deadeye, frustrates their plan. The captain is reproved by Sir Joseph for using unseemly language, and is sent in disgrace to his cabin. Ralph is consigned to the dungeon for his ill-advised love. At this point Buttercup throws consternation into the assembly by telling her secret and explaining that owing to mixed identity, Ralph is really the captain and Corcoran a common sailor. Thus all obstacles to true love are removed. Ralph, now captain, and Josephine are united. Former Captain Corcoran now a common seaman, declares his love for Buttercup. Sir Joseph is consoled by Hebe, who exultantly bids "good buy to your sisters and your cousins whom you recon by the dozens, and your aunts.

A paragraph in the "Of Local Interest" social pages column stated the proceeds from the opera would go to furnishings for the newly built Carnegie Library. Some of those same furnishings can be found today in the Havre-Hill County Library.

In "The Social Whirl" column by ARSEE, we find:

Box Party

Mrs. A. J. Brodrick was the inspiration for another delightful evening, which brought together a number of the former close friends of the honor guest. The guests were entertained at an Orpheum box party, with Mrs. George Forge as hostess. Following the show the ladies repaired to the Grill café where a splendid supper was served. A bowl of cut flowers formed the centerpiece and dainty place cards marked places for Mesdames Brodrick, Turgeon, of Superior, Wis., Moore of Kentucky, McClintock, Griggs, Blair, Williams, Wilson, Grimmer, D. S. MacKenzie, Benson, A. J. Broadwater, Bourne, Hirshberg, Lynam and the hostess.

Mrs. Brodrick had been the honored guest at a luncheon for the Bridge Club at the home of Mrs. D. S. MacKenzie the Saturday afternoon prior. Mrs. Brodrick had lived in Havre, but had moved to Malta by 1915. Her husband, A. J., ran the Plaindealer with R. X. Lewis for a time. Many of the same guests were at the MacKenzie home. Those guests and more were entertained at the home of L. K. Devlin the following Friday afternoon. Auction bridge was played at this event, which also included the husbands.

The Grill Café was located on the north side of the 300 block of 1st Street. The building is now vacant; it is the one where the second-hand consignment shop was formerly located. The Orpheum was located almost directly across 1st Street, further to the east.

The Jan, 15, 1915 issue of the Hingham Review had:

Coming to the Front

One of the rural schools of this vicinity which has been making rapid progress, both in the matter of acquiring proper equipment, and from an educational standpoint, is the North Rudyard school No. 26. Last fall the school building and equipment were in very bad condition, but recently the building has been improved and furnished with the best of everything needed in the way of school supplies. On Saturday, Jan. 2nd, a stable was erected on the ground by Mr. Ditterich, Adolph and Otto Dittrich, John Kuble and Mr. Segebald. Miss Frances Swails teaches this school.