Celebrating History: Havre has its own Chautauqua

Emily Mayer

The big news in the papers 100 years ago this week was Havre's first Chautauqua. Various musical and vocal groups, lecturers and performers put on a six-day show in Havre and appealed to people of all ages. There was a very interesting article in the spring 2015 issue of "Montana, the Magazine of Western History" about the Chautauqua in Montana. Please give me a call if you would like to know where to purchase this award-winning magazine, and read about the Chautauqua and other interesting articles.

In building news, in the July 31, 1915 issue of The Havre Plaindealer was a short article about the Courthouse:

COURT HOUSE WORK PROGRESSING RAPIDLY

Construction work on the new Hill county court house has taken rapid strides forward during the past week. Cement and iron work on the basement, front steps and floor to the first story are completed and the forms are ready to push the structure to the second story. It is hoped by the supervising contractor to have the cement roof on by August 15th, after which the inside work can continue with no interruptions caused by inclement weather.

Several social events were described in Arsee's "Society" column. Here are two of those articles:

Birthday Party

Miss Josephine Broadwater was a gracious little hostess of Tuesday, when she entertained a number of her playmates, in honor of Katherine Mathew's birthday. Games were played on the lawn during the afternoon and at five the hostess assisted by her sister, Miss Charlotte, served an appetizing birthday feast.

Dinner Party

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Meyer were hosts to a handsomely appointed dinner Tuesday evening, having as their guests young men who represent the Havre Base Ball club, of which Mr. Meyer is president. A crystal vase of pink roses centered the table and an elaborate course dinner was served."

Josephine was the daughter of Edward Broadwater, whose residence still stands at 500 2nd Avenue. During their high school years, Josephine and Katherine would team up with 10 other girls to form Havre's first and only girl's football team.

Mrs. Frank Meyer was Elizabeth Pepin Meyer, daughter of Simon Pepin. After Mr. Pepin's death in 1914, she and Frank inherited the Pepin Mansion, which once stood at the southeast corner of 3rd Street and 4th Avenue, where the Havre-Hill County Library is today.

In the "Of Local Interest" social pages were these two entries:

T. E. McClintock and family have moved into the new Sutherland bungalow on Fourth avenue.

Rev. W. J. Hilgendorf and bride arrived in the city the first of the week from St. Louis, where their marriage occurred July seventh. Rev. and Mrs. Hilgendorf will be at home to Havre friends in their new home on Fourth street.

In The Hill County Democrat from the same date was this column on the front page, complete with misspelling:

A BAKERY THAT IS MAKING GOOD

A short time ago a notice was inserted in the columns of this paper to the effect that A new enterprise to be known as the Havre Steam Bakery was launched. A brief sketch of their steady and rapid growth may perhaps be of interest to some of our readers. On July 1st, the first batch of bread was turned out of their new establishment. Since that time, less than a month ago the daily output has increased until they now turn out an average of 250 loaves a day, besides 200 dozen fancy pastrys. Two wagons are employed besides a special delivery vehicle. In a recent interview with A. F. Marcinkosski, the head baker we were able to learn the reason for the growing demand of "Steam Bread". Owing to a secret and peculiar construction of the oven the back is allowed to be about 18 inches higher than the front. This allows the bread to bake more thoroughly and all the way through. The oven if bought in the open market would cost approximately One Thousand dollars. But A. F. Martin the head of the institution, conceived the idea of constructing an oven like the one used in Warsaw, Russia, that being the place where he served ten years learning his trade, graduating with a master's degree. With his thorough knowledge of the requirements of a good oven and the proper materials at hand he has constructed an oven that will stand the discerning eye of even the most critical. The shop is always open for inspection and is claimed by those who know to be the best in the State."

The Hingham Review's July 30, 1915 edition was chock-full of all kinds of buildings news:

Jos. Koukol has begun work on his new bungalow and same will be pushed to completion.

Smith Bros. of southwest of town are building a new barn. The lumber is now all on the ground.

The Equity meeting at the Duesenberry school house was postponed until Monday evening, July 19th, on account of the rain. Eleven new members joined the Highland local at this meeting.

Another Elevator

A. L. Warner, who built the St. A. & D. elevator three years ago, arrived at Hingham Tuesday, this time to unload the material for another elevator which will be built at Hingham now by the Rocky Mountain Elevator Co. The new elevator will be built where the Rogers-Templeton coal shed now stands and the work of construction will be at once.

We can't forget about The Box Elder Valley Press. In its issue of the same date, we find:

Regular Meeting Next Week.

"The regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. will be held at the school house, Wednesday afternoon, August 4, at three o'clock. Montana laws relating to temperance and public morals and those relating to the legal status of women will be discussed. Rev. Nelson will address the Union and all members and those interested in the cause are earnestly requested to attend this meeting."

Perhaps one resident should go to the meeting:

"James Nolan was assessed a fine of $8.00 in Justice Hafdahl's court on Tuesday morning for boisterous conduct and using obscene language on the streets of Box Elder to which charge he plead guilty."