Celebrating History: Home guard

By Emily Mayer

Havre was wasting no time in showing its patriotism this week 100 years ago. On the front page of The Havre Plaindealer’s April 21, 1917, issue was this article:

HOME GUARD WILL BE ORGANIZED HERE

Organization Perfected at a Meeting Thursday Evening

In conformity to preliminary steps taken at a mass meeting of Havre citizens on Monday afternoon last, when resolutions were adopted in support of any steps the president may take in connection with the war with Germany, a meeting was held in the city hall on Thursday evening at which the Havre Home Guards were organized. Briefly, the aims and purposes of the new organization are outlined as follows:

We, members of the Havre Home Guards, hereby pledge our allegiance to the United States of America, and the Stars and Stripes, and ourselves to the defense and protection of the principles they represent.

We further pledge ourselves to perform promptly and punctiliously any and every duty that may be allotted to us by the duly constituted authorities of said Havre Guards.

1. The name of the organization shall be the Havre Home Guards.

2. Its object shall be to seek out and bring punishment of any offenses against the United States, the flag, the government, and the duly constituted army, navy and civic authorities, to defend life and property against enemies of the state, and to foster and further patriotism among our citizens.

The initial membership of the Guards is about twenty, and it is expected that this number will be augmented to the strength of at least one hundred within the next week.

Actions such as this, coupled with the strong anti-German sentiment sweeping the country at the time, led to sedition laws. Montana led the country in passing one of the toughest anti-speech laws in the country and was the model for the federal Sedition Act. Say anything bad about the president, the war, the armed forces or the flag, and you could find yourself in jail for quite some time. Don’t think it didn’t happen? Seventy-six men and three women were convicted in Montana under its Sedition Act. Most were of German descent. Thankfully, this unconstitutional law is no longer on the books and in 2006, Gov. Brian Schweitzer pardoned all who were convicted of sedition laws.

Many of us today have heard of Victory Gardens during World War II, encouraged by the government to provide food for the home front. However, World War II was not the only time this concept was adopted. The generation before was doing the same thing, and this article also ran on the Plaindealer’s front page:

HAVRE GARDENING TO BE ENCOURAGED

Association Formed to Help in Every Way Possible

A concrete response to the pea of the United States government authorities that intensified gardening be practiced this year as one way of supplying food stuff for the country during the progress of the war, was the formation of a city gardening association at a special meeting held in the high school auditorium on Thursday evening. A committee will call upon the people of Havre who have vacant lots or garden plats, and under the direction of Prof. Potter, of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, will outline plans for the intensified gardening. Heads of the various city schools, and the Chamber of Commerce, will assist in every way in the necessary work.

News wasn’t all war-related. Here is one article of several found in the Society column:

Church Wedding Thursday

In the presence of friends to a number that taxed the capacity of the Presbyterian church, and amid an abundance of cut flowers whose fragrance hung densely over every corner of the edifice, one of Havre’s most popular couples Thursday evening plighted their troth. Judge W. B. Pyper officiated, using the solemn ceremony of his office. During the marriage that old but ever pleasing plaint, “O, Promise Me,” was rendered as a solo by Mrs. Armstrong. The bride was given away by Mr. Ed. M. Allen, and both bride and groom were attended by numerous friends.

The contracting parties were Rev. and Mrs. Prentiss Hovey Case, and the occasion marked the 12th anniversary of their wedding. All arrangements for the event were made by members of the congregation and were carefully kept from Mr. and Mrs. Case, who, until the last moment, did not know of the affair planned for their anniversary.

Immediately following the ceremony a musical program was rendered by members of the congregation, and at its close the bridal couple were presented with an electric percolator and a large rocking chair as a remembrance from Rev. Case’s church members. Presentation of these gifts was made by Mr. W. D. Lawson, and aside from the material gifts Mr. and Mrs. Case were showered with congratulations and good wishes.

Elaborate refreshments, prepared by the ladies of the church, were served at the close of the evening.