Celebrating history: Plans for the federal building

Emily Mayer

There were several interesting articles in the Feb. 20, 1915 issues of The Havre Plaindealer and the Hill County Democrat regarding buildings. Both newspapers carried information about a proposed federal building, but the one in the Plaindealer had more information, complete with misspelling:

ASKS FOR FEDERAL BUILDING IN HAVRE

Tom Stout Seeks an Appropriation of $100,000

Telegraphic advices from Washington are to the effect that Congressman Tom Stout this week introduced a bill asking the appropriation of $100,000 for a federal building in Havre. In introducing the measure Mr. Stout called attention to the urgent need of such a building in this city, pointing out the fact that Havre is one of the centers of the state for federal employes, having a weather bureau, land office, sub-customs office, immigration bureau through which a large volume of business is transacted, besides the postoffice, all of which would be quartered in the proposed building.

Congressman Stout is very hopeful for favorable action on the measure by the appropriations committee.

It would be several more years before Havre got its federal building, and when it was open for business in 1932, the post office, immigration bureau and sub-customs office were the ones mentioned that were located in what is now the Havre Historic Post Office. Also worthy of note was the strong local desire to have this public building constructed.

The courthouse was another public building mentioned in the newspapers. The following is from the Plaindealer:

SECOND SITE CHOSEN BY COMMISSIONERS

Would Place Court House in the Pepin Addition

At a special meeting last Saturday the Hill county commissioners selected lots 1 to 9 inclusive, and lots 18 to 16 inclusive, Block 2, Pepin's second addition to Havre, as the site for Hill county's court house. The matter will, it is understood come up for final consideration at the regular meeting of the board in March.

The lots in question are on or near the ground that was formerly used as a ball park, and while nearer the city than the first site, the selection is opposed by many people. The belief is freely expressed that this opposition will crystalize into a formal protest before the selection of the commissioners is affirmed.

The Democrat had this to say, complete with misspelling and grammatical errors:

THE COURT-HOUSE SITE

The selection of a court-house site for Hill county has been made by the board of county commissioners. There will no doubt be a disappointment to many. It is impossible to please everyone. The board had a difficult task to perform. There were petitions filed galore. Much discussion was had. The board have studiously tried to do what is right and for the best interests of Havre. Geographically speaking no better selection could have been made. It is in the center of the city, near the old ball-grounds.

We understand one of the members of the board was opposed to this site, he was consciencious about it but he was in the minority and in all such cases the majority rule. We think the board as a whole have done what they think was right and are pleased with the selection. It will not be long until Hill county will have a court-house of which all may feel proud.

There will be more about this issue in upcoming columns.

And in "The Social Whirl" by ARSEE, we find:

Little Folks Entertained

Mrs. Zeal Pepin entertained a large number of little girls and boys at her beautiful new home on Tuesday for her little son, Zeal, who attained the dignity of six years. The guests were bidden for five o'clock and spent the hours dancing through the spacious rooms of the Pepin home. The rooms were lavishly trimmed in pretty pink and white blossoms, with vines running about the arches and mantels. At six the hostess served a delicious lunch and seated with the little host were: Robert Hanson, Francis Black, Edmond Burke, Geraldine Burke, Alice Webber, Lillian Bossout, Francis Beaulieu, Lawrence Devlin, Margaret Mary Devlin, Leroy des Rosier, Stuart des Rosier, Eileen Carnal, Jimmie Carnal, Lucretia Archibald, Katherine Morris, Annabel MacKenzie, Janet MacKenzie, Joe MacKenzie, Ruth Donelon, Lela Campbell, Dorothy Langston, Olga Whalen, Simonette Meyer, Elizabeth Clack and Earl Nelson.

The Zeal Pepin home is located at 606 3rd Avenue.

Another public building getting a lot of use was the recently opened Carnegie Library. Here is one of those activities in "The Social Whirl:"

Washington Birthday Tea

All arrangements have been made for the Washington birthday tea to be given in the lecture room of the Carnegie library on Monday next. An excellent program of music has been arranged and the public is cordially invited to attend. Vocal solo, Mrs. John Sanderson; paper, Mrs. J. A. Wright; piano duet, Mrs. Wilkie and Mrs. S. Y. B. Williams; violin solo, Mr. O. B. Thayer; vocal solo, Mrs. P. A. Brainerd.

Here is a little information from Hingham way in the "Of Local Interest" social pages:

Miss Elsie Lawrence, principal of the Hingham high school, visited in the city last Saturday and Sunday, as a guest of her sister, Miss Emily Lawrence, who is cataloging the public library.

The new school building which was recently constructed in Hingham will be formally opened on Friday evening, February 26.