Celebrating History: Parties galore a century ago

Emily Mayer

In the April 17, 1915 issue of The Hill County Democrat, three bid openings concerning the Hill County Courthouse and Jail were advertised. One was for the wiring, another was for the plumbing and the third was for the actual construction of the building. All bids were to be sent to Hill County Clerk and Recorder John H. Devine.

Parties dominated the news this week 100 years ago. I guess everyone was in a gathering mood after the Lenten season ended. Here is an entry from the Democrat:

ENTERTAINS IN HONOR OF MRS. FERGUSON

Mrs. Ernest Hays, Mrs. Jas. Ferguson and Mrs. Robert Rathbone entertained Wednesday afternoon in honor of Mrs. Matt Ferguson, who is visiting in the city, at the home of Mrs. Hays.

The house was charmingly decorated for the occasion with carnations and Easter lilies. Cards furnished the entertainment for the afternoon.

Mrs. John Ferguson won the first prize, a cut glass sugar tray and Mrs. Matt Ferguson was awarded the guest prize, a piece of needle-work.

In the Society column written by Arsee in The Havre Plaindealer, here are a few of her many entries:

Woman's Club Ball Brilliant Success.

One would have thought that a corner of the once-gay Paree had stepped over into Havre on Tuesday evening, for seldom has anything more beautiful been given than the Woman's Club annual ball. Always the most eagerly anticipated and delightful function of the post-lenten season and which culminated in a most brilliant success. The hall was converted into a veritable garden, a lattice work of yellow and white covered the ceiling and the many drop lights, above this effect, were subdued in shades of yellow. Under the balcony, which was handsomely decorated with greenery and quantities of spring flowers, a cooling punch was served. It was a really beautiful ball, with hours of entrancing music and the gaiety enhanced by the smiles of the beautifully gowned maids and matrons. In the receiving line were Mrs. Harold Archibald, Mrs. J. C. Benson, Mrs. D. S. MacKenzie and Mrs. F. F. Bossout, past presidents of the Woman's club. Among the guests were: Messrs. and Mesdames Morris, Williams, Richards, of Chinook, Ackerman, Forge, Grimmer, MacKenzie, Schlitz, of Kremlin, Langston, Carnal, McCormack, Benson, Kendig, Lynam, McKenzie, Bossout, Aldrich, Haglund, Berthelote, Griggs, Lange, Wright, Holland, Hulfish, Brundage, Carruth, Hirshberg, Hanson, Millson, Loranger, Archibald, Jordan, Skylstead, Allen, Holland, Swab, Rudy; Misses Ling, Cosgrove, Burke, Holland, Kennedy, Smith, Jamison, Broadwater, Cosgrove, Gaston, Smith, Collum, Gaston, Graham, Code, Broadwater, Allen, Boyle, Handy, Carrier; Messrs. Devney of Malta, Lamey, Schick, Erickson, Giboney, Allen, Larson, Horton, Runkle, Oveson of Chinook, Hunter, Robinson, Stellar, Elliott, Joslyn, Brader, Bronson, Nelson, Smith, Nemetz, McClintock of Big Sandy, Runkle, and Penny of Butte.

Senior Promenade.

The Senior ball, an event in high school circles which is always elaborately planned for and absorbs the attention in all circles, occurred on Friday evening of this week in the spacious assembly hall of the high school. Youth and vivacity were the predominate notes, the pretty girlish gowns in all the light dainty colors made an extremely lovely picturesque scene. The hall was decorated with the class colors purple and gold, over the balcony hung dozens of the class banner 1915 in white on a blue background, the colors of the high school. Punch was served from a prettily decorated booth by a number of the young maids from the freshman class.

There were sixteen numbers on the program with several extras, each of which was enthusiastically applauded and graciously responded to. It was an evening long to be remembered in high school circles.

Arsee added the guest list of the Hays party in her column. I know many readers love to read people's names in the paper, so here is the list of guests:

Mesdames Benson, Griggs, Sanderson, Wilkie, Williams, Webber, Moore, Hutchinson, Archibald, Doyle, W. L. MacKenzie, D. S. MacKenzie, A. L. Ritt, Leo Ritt, Smith, Carnal, Devlin, Allen, Casman, Devine, L. W. McKenzie, Grimmer, Clara MacKenzie, Black, Hamilton, Campbell, Fuller, James MacKenzie, Roper, Cronin, F. Meyr, Daoust, Raymond Hulfish, Langston, Whitlock, Mathews, Bradley, Almas, Broadwater, Decker, Iverson, Sundahl, E. T. Broadwater, G. Haglund, Miss Mae Pipen and the honoree.

Shortly after this party took place, Mrs. J. F. Mathews was confined to her home due to a very bad case of pneumonia, as was her little son, John, who had bronchial pneumonia.

In the April 16 issue of the Hingham Review, we find:

Starts New Store Building

Thos. Sedivy is tearing down the lean-to on the south side of his store building and will begin the erection of his new building, which will be considerably larger than his present quarters. The new building will be either 48x48 or 24x80 ft. Mr. Sedivy not having fully decided yet which to make it, and it will be one story high. Every new building we get helps to make the town grow.