Celebrating History: Dealing with sanitation

By Emily Mayer

One of the unseemly facts about living 100 years ago was the lack of sanitation. It was not uncommon for communities to have piles of garbage in back yards, and water and wastewater treatment plants were in their infancy in the early 1900s in rural America. Havre was of no exception. Dangerous outbreaks were not unknown at the time, and this article found in the Editorial section of the Feb. 24, 1917, issue of The Havre Plaindealer reminds people of the dangers of disgusting habits:

LET HAVRE INVESTIGATE

Again the dread malady of typhoid has reared its hideous head in the Milk river valley, the scourge this year manifesting itself in Harlem, about forty miles east of Havre.

Several times in the past Chinook has been visited by this scourge, as well as other points along the Milk river to the east. At each recurrence, the charge has been made that the epidemic was due to the use of Milk river water, so it is alleged, and this contention is sustained in a measure by the findings of authorities of the state medical board. In each case the affected districts have charged contamination of the river water to the dumping of Havre sewage into the stream. This year, the protests have taken the form of resolutions against this city using the river for a dumping ground.

An investigation of the facts relative to these epidemics should be demanded by Havre. If it is found that the contamination of the stream is not due to causes charged, then this city is due an open apology from the towns to the east, and also from the members of the state board who by their findings have lent color to the belief that the contagion had its inception in the pollution of Milk river water by sewage from Havre.

If, on the other hand, it is proven that Havre sewage pollutes the stream and thereby subjects residents of our neighboring towns to typhoid, the humanitarian reasons demand a change of present conditions. Havre can ill afford the expense of an additional system at this time; but if the present system is in the least responsible for deaths from a scourge that might be prevented by the construction of an incinerator at this point, this city should be large enough to overlook the monetary cost and make the change.

The photograph accompanying this column should be proof enough that Havre was dumping raw sewage into the Milk River just east of the Milk River bridge and is dated 1919. While Havre did make efforts to curb the pumping of raw sewage into the Milk River, they certainly weren’t getting all of it.

Seems the “good old days” weren’t always good.

In much better news, here are some entries of several social gatherings in Havre reported in the Plaindealer:

Bridge and Kensington.

A brilliant affair was that of Tuesday afternoon when Mrs. Peter Wallinder and Mrs. A. E. Wilkie entertained about one hundred guests at bridge and Kensington at the Masonic hall.

Cut flowers were used in the decorations, adding to the beauty of the reception rooms.

During the afternoon Mrs. J. Keene sang two solos.

After the game the hostesses served a delicious two course luncheon assisted by Mesdames Lucke and Campbell and Misses Skylstead, Swartz and Wilson.

The charity ball given by the Havre lodge of Elks at Lyceum hall last Monday evening was a decided success, and only the limitations of the hall prevented the guests from enjoying one of the best dances of the season. A large number of outside residents were present at the affair.

The only complaint that could possibly be made in regard to the Colonial supper in the M. E. church basement by the Ladies Aid society of the church, on Thursday evening, was the fact that the church basement lacked about twice its present size to care for the number of people seeking to take advantage of the excellent viands served. However, all were served and left the church vowing never to miss a similar event in future.

Mrs. Devney Honored.

Mrs. R. E. Devney of Malta, who is visiting in the city with her sister, Miss Harriet Carrier, was the honor guest at a party given by Mrs. H. O. Wheeler on Thursday afternoon. Bridge made up the diversion of the afternoon, four tables being in play.

In observance of Washington’s birthday, the hostess arranged a unique service for the luncheon served at the close of the afternoon. Salted almond receptacles were formed from hats of the Colonial period, and in the ice cream bricks which completed the luncheon were tiny American flags. The guests at the affair numbered about twenty.

Valentine Party.

Mrs. W. T. Wunder was hostess to a large number of friends at her home in east Havre on Monday evening at a Valentine party. Decorations were carried out in red hearts, which were festooned in each room. Nine tables were necessary for the card games which made up diversion for the evening, at the close of which a most delicious lunch was served.