Celebrating history: Abandoned babies, runaways and undesirables

By Emily Mayer

There were a couple of news stories in the papers 100 years ago that caused quite a stir. Two appeared on the front page of the March 25, 1916 issue of The Havre Plaindealer, complete with misspelling:

BABY ABANDONED IN

HOTEL DOORWAY

Mother Aprehended and Arrested at Poplar

A bright little girl baby, abandoned in the door-way of the Windsor hotel, in First street some time during Thursday night, is now at Sacred Heart hospital awaiting whatever action the state department will take upon it. The baby was found about midnight Thursday by one of the roomers at the Windsor, who almost trod upon the little bundle of humanity as he was ascending the stairs. Night Policemen MacKenzie and Sunday were called and took the baby in charge, and upon instructions from L. K. Devlin, deputy humane officer, it was later taken to Sacred Heart hospital. Coos of contentment emanating from the little throat attested the baby’s gratitude for being properly nourished and warmed.

The mother of the babe, which appears to be not more than six weeks of age, is now in custody. She is Sophie Clifford, aged 25, and living at Poplar. The woman came to Havre on No. 1 Thursday, and throughout the afternoon sate in the waiting room at the depot. Every care was bestowed upon the baby by the mother. In the evening the woman applied at the Mansfield hotel for a room and there being no vacant rooms at that hostelry, she was directed to the Windsor. Here she abandoned the little mite, and going to the depot, purchased a ticket for Poplar. Upon telegraphic instructions from Chief of Police McKinnon she was arrested there, and was returned to Havre on No. 3 this morning, to appear before the authorities and divulge the reasons for abandoning her baby. It is understood the Clifford woman readily acknowledged that she had placed the infant where it was found.

UNDESIRABLES ARE RETURNED TO CANADA

Immigration Inspector Samuel B. Walker and Sheriff H. E. Loranger left Thursday for Regina, Sask. Having in custody Wm. Hess and Mrs. Shum and three children, who were ordered deported after investigation of their case. Hess and the Shum woman came to Havre several months ago from Canada, the former bringing her three children. It is said that Hess deserted a wife and child in Canada, and the Shum woman a husband, and that they had been living together in Havre.

This third story causing comment in Havre appeared on the front page of the March 25, 1916 issue of The Havre Daily Promoter:

RUNAWAY BOYS FOUND

Word was received that Will Hedge, Jr., and Herman Timmons, two boys about 15 years of age, sons of well to do farmers residing some two miles south of Havre, who ran away from home several weeks ago, are in the land of the living and doing well. The Timmons boy was in Culbertson and youngeHedge was in Minot. Both of them had jobs and were getting along nicely, it was reported.

Under Sheriff Crites left last evening for the east to get the boys and bring them home.

Speaking of the Hill County Sheriff’s Office, there was some good news reported in the newspapers regarding the new county jail. This short article was found on the front page of the March 23, 1916 issue of the Promoter:

STEEL FOR NEW JAIL

The steel for the new Hill county jail has all arrived and there are two experts here from Canton, Ohio, to install the steel.

It will occupy some two or three weeks to get the steel in place, but when the work is done the jail will be ready for occupancy and Sheriff Loranger will then remove to it with his prisoners.

Serving as undersheriff was not the only work Crites was engaged in performing. The Plaindealer reported:

NEW ENTERPRISE TO START IN APRIL

Early in April a machine and general repair shop will be started in Havre by John Crites and Ed. Stokke, the firm name to be in the order named. The shop will be located temporarily on Second street between Sixth and Seventh avenues, in a new building that is now going up.

The firm is made up of John Crites, at present under sheriff in the office of Sheriff Loranger, and Ed. Stokke, an old timer of Havre. For a number of years Mr. Stokke was connected with the Great Northern in Havre as a machinist. Prior to coming to Havre he was for three years with the National Brass and Metal Works and the Minneapolis Iron Works as tool maker. Mr. Stokke’s reputation as a machinist is well known in Havre, and his expert knowledge will no doubt be heavily called upon in the new business that he and Mr. Crites will launch in April.

In addition to the new building being constructed, the completion of the Hill County jail, and the continuing work on the Masonic temple, several residential homes were either being started or in the planning stages in new subdivisions around Havre.

Of course, I cannot forget my personal favorite part of the newspapers-the “Society” column in the Plaindealer. Parties were scant during the Lenten season, but planning for a gala was taking place:

Woman’s Club Notes

Plans for the Leap Year ball given by the Woman’s club on Tuesday, April 25th, are nearing completion. Efficient committees have been named and are working hard to make this annual event one of the most beautiful as well as the most successful evening given. The committees are as follows:

Decoration-Miss Mabel Richmond, chairman; Mesdames LeRoy McKenzie; Bimrose; Britton; Lewis; Meyers; Whitdock; Davis; Ferguson; Berthelotte; Wilson; Griggs.

Reception-Mrs. A. D. Smith; Boone; Benson; Wilkie; Bossout; D. L. McKenzie; Archibald; Allen; Lewis; Bimrose.

Invitation-Mrs. Bobbout, chairman; Hamilton; McClintock; Wilkie

Refreshment-Mrs. D. S. MacKenzie, chairman; Carruth; Grimmer.

Thayer’s Orchestra will furnish the music.

The annual meeting and election of officers of the Woman’s club will take place the first week in April.

Preparations are being made for the entertainment of the District Federation of Woman’s Clubs which will meet here in May.

There are six Federated Clubs in this district and a few others have been invited to join in the meetings. A great many delegates are expected.