News you can use
News you can use
By Emily Mayer
As our community prepared for the Christmas holiday 100 years ago, work was being done behind the scenes on a much-needed building in Havre. This article appeared on the front page of the Dec. 18, 1915 issue of The Havre Plaindealer:
ASKS FOR PUBLIC
BUILDING HERE
Bill Introduced in Congress
on December Sixth
Asking an appropriation of $100,000 for the purchase of a site and the erection of a public building in this city, is a measure introduced in the national congress by Congressman Thom Stout of this state, on Dec. 6. Copies of the bill were received in Havre this week. It reads:
A bill for the purchase of a site and the erection thereon of a public building at Havre, Montana.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That the secretary of the treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to purchase a site, or acquire it by condemnation or otherwise, in the city of Havre, Montana, and cause to be erected thereon a suitable building, including fireproof vaults, heating and ventilating apparatus, and approaches, for the use and accommodation of the post office and other offices of the government, the cost of said site and building, including said vaults, heating and ventilating apparatus, and approaches, not to exceed $100,000. The said building shall be unexposed to danger from fire by an open space of at least thirty feet on all sides, including streets and alleys.
It would take more than a few years for Havre to get this building that the people of Havre had petitioned Congressman Stout to pursue. That building today still stands and is now known as the Historic Havre Post Office. Rumblings had been going on for quite a while; this was just another step in adding this building to our town.
Someone by the chosen name of “Squm” has taken over the “Society” column, and again Miss Ruth Carrier dominated the social scene with various parties given in her honor. This week 100 years ago, 3rd Street was the place to be. The prior Friday saw Miss Esther Skylstead’s 8th birthday party at her parent’s home located where Holland and Bonine Funeral Parlor is today; Saturday saw Mrs. Frank Meyer hosting a party for Miss Carrier at Mrs. Meyer’s father’s home, the now razed Simon Pepin Mansion (the Havre-Hill County Library is there today); on Tuesday Mrs. S. Y. B. Williams threw a Kitchen Shower for Miss Carrier at her Third Street home, and Dr. and Mrs. J. S. Almas celebrated the third birthday of their son, David, at their home also located on 3rd Street. On Thursday, another party was thrown in honor of Miss Carrier, complete with misspellings:
Pre-Nuptial Dinner.
Social festivities of the week were brought to a fitting close last evening when Mrs. D. H. Boone presided over an exquisite dinner at the Boone home on Third street, given as a pre-nuptial compliment to Miss Ruth Carrier and Dr. R. E. Devney of Malta, who will wed in this city at high noon today. Appointments of the dining hall and the entire house were at once lavish but tasty, and of such a nature as to leave an indelible imprint upon the memory of those who made up the guest list. The Color scheme as planned by the hostess was white and gold, white roses and Lillies of the Valley being the flowers employed. A huge gold wedding ring formed the center of the dining table, and from this streamers of white ribbon led to the guest places. Cupids in white and gold peeping from bowers of maiden-hair fern were used as favors, supplemented by miniature slippers in white satin. Froom the chandelier in the center of the room was suspended a huge shower boquet of roses and lilies, and at the bride’s plate was a boquet in charming design of the same flowers. Around the plate rail encircling the dining room was a frieze of asparagus fern, and from this stood out in bas relief hand decorated cupids in white and gold, each cupid holding a gold bell. Unique indeed were the place cards, made up from the chosen colors and representing the mother, the bride and the groom. Each gentleman of the party wore in the lapel of his coat a pure white rose. The guest list was made up of Miss Carrier and Dr. Devney, Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Bradford, Miss Harriet Carrier, and Mr. Arnot.
The following day, Miss Carrier and Dr. Devney were married at the home of Mr. and Mrs. S. Y. B. Williams, so 3rd Street was quite busy!
The Boone home, of course, holds special meaning to me as I live there, and unfortunately I have no photographs of the interior of the home from prior residents. Any information as to what homes looked like inside are scant in the newspapers and most homes don’t have a portfolio of interior photographs to examine, so this entry is quite interesting to me — and how I would love to have that plate rail back!
The Hill County Democrat’s issue of the same date didn’t have any big articles but had several smaller ones throughout the volume:
The Gildford Roller mill is again in trouble as a result of a broken line shaft. The repairs have already been made but business is so rushing at present that Mr. Mundy is rushed to keep in the clear of his orders with the mill running 18 hours per day.
Carl Ronning, who recently returned to his claim, is making a number of improvements about his place, among which is adding to his dwelling.
A Presbyterian church is now under construction at Cottonwood. A meeting of the directors of the church was held at that place this week and many matters were discussed. Mr. T. Connolly deeded a site for the church. Rev. Moody is the pastor.
A. G. Stanton has completed the erection of a large one story building on the lot back of his residence and they will let as apartments for light housekeeping.
Pastor Dulin spent a part of the day Friday at Gildford. The new Baptist meeting house is making good progress. The rafters are up. If the weather keeps moderate the building will soon be enclosed.
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