Celebrating history: Getting ready for the fair

By Emily Mayer

There is a correction to last week's column. Josephine Broadwater was the daughter of A. J. Broadwater, not Edward Broadwater. Mixing the two brothers up was easy. It is similar to a parent yelling at one of their kids, only calling them another sibling's name - or two - before getting to the right one.

A special and heart-felt thank you goes to Judy Ward for bring the oversight to my attention. A. J. Broadwater lived at 133 3rd St., right across the street from where Kathryn Mathews lived. It is now the parking lot for the new post office.

The accompanying photograph is a picture of a Lou Lucke Co. float for the 1914 Promotional Parade. One picture was taken with 124 3rd St. (Mathews Home) and 132 3rd St. (Boone Home), and the other photograph shows the homes across the street. Provided the car did not move, 133 3rd St. is more than likely the one with the lady on the front porch and round window in the gable. Arthur followed in his brother's footsteps and became one of Havre's mayors. H.J.'s brother W. C. was Havre's first mayor. Will Broadwater succumbed to illness in 1912 and is interred at his hometown in Missouri.

Havre's newspapers proudly announced that the Chautauqua was heavily attended and very popular and that it would be returning in 1916. Foremost on people's minds were the two fairs that were coming up soon, the Hill County Fair and the Hi-Line Fair in Hingham. The Havre Plaindealer's Aug. 7, 1915 issue reports this on the Hill County Fair:

ENLARGED QUARTERS FOR FAIR EXHIBITS

Hill County Show Will Be Among Best This Year.

Grain exhibits at the Hill county fair this year give promise of excelling any ever gathered for a like purpose in northern Montana. Specimens have already been received that will demonstrate to visitors the fact that Hill county ranks among the first of the state in the production of grains, grasses and vegetables, and in the line of small fruits also there will be exhibits that will agreeably surprise everyone who is fortunate enough to visit the annual Hill county show.

In the line of amusements, the fair this year promises to set the pace for institutions of like nature. There will be perhaps a dozen acts, each one a feature.

New buildings are being constructed at the fair grounds in the eastern part of the city to care for the increased exhibits and no detail is being neglected that will make of the Hill county fair the best exhibition of its kind ever staged in the northern section of the state.

Arsee's "Society" column had this as one of its several entries:

Box Party

Honoring Miss Norma Kussel and Miss Lillian Hoey, two delightful visitors in the city, Mrs. James Holland, Jr., entertained at an Orpheum party Wednesday and after the show the guests enjoyed a delicious luncheon at the home of the hostess. The polished dining table was spread with a cluny luncheon set and centered by a handsome crystal electrolier, which was surrounded by vari-colored garden flowers. Seated with the hostess were: Mrs. L. K. Devlin, Mrs. James Holland, Sr., Mrs. V. R. Griggs, Misses Lillian and Florence Lepper, Edith and Dorothy Holland, Norma Kussel and Lillian Hoey.

Electrolier is another name for an electric-powered chandelier. Originally, chandeliers were lit by wax candles. Those fixtures lit by natural gas were referred to as gasoliers. Over time, the name chandelier has come into common practice, and quite frankly, sounds much prettier than electrolier or gasolier.

The Plaindealer also noted that the local abstract company had changed hands and was now the Shepherd & Pierson.

The Hill County Democrat's paper of the same date announces under the Methodist Church news that "A new and central location for a new church has been secured and the concrete foundation wall is in place."

In the Burnham News section was this entry:

Some of the ladies of the Burnham Sunday School met Friday at the school house and organized a ladies aid society. The following officers were elected: Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Walsh and Mrs. Sterrett.

Building activities abound in the Hingham Review's Aug. 6, 1915 issue. Here two of those many entries:

Elevator Re-opened

Hingham Farmers' elevator was opened for business on August 4th, with M. E. Hanson in charge for the present. Wm. Nott of Ross, N. D. has been engaged as manager for the season. The elevator is in fair condition, and is ready to handle all your grain. Highest market and best of service. Remember this elevator is now working under the co-operative plan.-adv.

Cold Storage Plant

The Miller Brewing Co. of Milwaukee, Wis., have this week built a cold storage plant beside the Spaulding Saloon, and the new establishment is now ready for use. Mr. Spaulding will be manager, and will do a wholesale business in the line of malted goods.

In the Locals was this entry:

Messrs. W. A. Patterson, Geo. Crater, J. C. Mabee, Jos. More, Knarf Grey and Mitchel, with their wives, and Miss Angie Fox and Neil Patterson motored to the Brinkman ranch on the Marias river and were royally entertained by Mrs. and Mrs. John Brinkman on Sunday.

I recently met a nephew of Jack Mabee, and he and his wife were among the most interesting people I've ever met. I told him the next time I saw something about his uncle I would add it to the column, so here it is - enjoy!

The Box Elder Valley Press' edition of the same date contained this article:

Ladies' Aid Society Meet.

The Ladies' Aid Society of the M. E. Church held a very enjoyable meeting at the home of Mrs. David Cowan on Thursday afternoon, July 29. About thirty-five ladies were present and the hours were passed in pleasant conversation, singing several well known songs and improving the opportunity for neighbors to become better acquainted. After partaking of the usual bountiful luncheon all were cordially invited to meet with Mrs. O. L. Convis on Thursday, August 12.