Celebrating History: Groceries and burglars

By Emily Mayer

As winter was turning into spring 100 years ago, people were asked to grow food to feed the home front during the war effort and the Gardening Association decided to host a contest on various subjects, ranging from children's to adults' topics. A suggestion of growing only vegetables "that will be most valuable as a supplement to the food supply of the country" specifically requested that one-fourth of the plot be dedicated to potatoes. The Havre Chamber was overseeing the effort for the Havre community, and the judging would be done by the Fort Assinniboine experiment station staff in the autumn. A plea to use vacant lots was also made, and local implement companies were willing to donate the use of their equipment to till large plots.

Havre was getting a new grocery store as announced in the April 28, 1917, issue of The Havre Plaindealer:

NEW GROCERY TO OPEN IN HAVRE

The Corner Grocery is the name of a new enterprise that will shortly open in Havre. The new store will open in the building now occupied by Wiltner's meat market, just as soon as the latter concern takes up quarters in the new Wiltner building on Second street. Geo. Langston, a man well known in Havre and who knows the grocery business from the ground up, is the senior member of the firm, which will be styled Langston & Sherbeck.

The news wasn't all good 100 years ago. As sometimes happens, community malcontents ruin the party:

BURGLARS RANSACK HAVRE COMMERCIAL

Every Department of Big Establishment Suffered Loss

Sometime between midnight and daylight of Thursday morning burglars effected an entrance into the Havre Commercial company's store at the corner of Second street and Third avenue and ransacked every department of the store. The marauders entered through an opening made by breaking the plate glass of one of the doors, and they selected the best of everything in each department. Goods to the value of several thousand dollars were collected, but much of it was abandoned when the robbers evidently became frightened of detection. Choicest silks, the most costly clothing, and hardware and groceries formed the bulk of the goods the culprits secured. Though no definite figures have been given out, the officers of the company estimate that the value of goods stolen approximate $2,000. This sum would have been doubled many times had the robbers been able to make away with all the materials they selected and stacked ready for quick transfer.

It is understood that authorities are now tracing the whereabouts of two suspicious characters who frequented the store for several days prior to the robbery and seemed intent upon examining all stocks and ascertaining their value. That the robbers had an excellent idea of value is shown from the fact that they selected the best of everything in the store.

Arrests are expected soon in connection with the robbery.

Let's get away from the bad news and check out the happenings in the Society column. The war obviously had an impact on these two entries:

Cards and Kensington.

The largest social event of the week was given on Tuesday afternoon with Mrs. Lou Lucke acting as hostess.

The national colors were used as a color scheme in decorating and cut flowers and potted plants were in profusion throughout the spacious rooms, adding beauty to the occasion.

Auction bridge and Kensington were the diversions of the afternoon and at five o'clock a delicious menu course was served.

K. of C. Dance.

The first annual ball of the Havre lodge Knights of Columbus took place at Lyceum hall on Thursday evening and proved one of the most enjoyable affairs of the kind occurring this spring. The hall was comfortably filled with dancers and all enjoyed the occasion greatly.

At :30 p.m. the entire company assembled on the floor and joined in singing "The Star Spangled Banner," in such a way as to stir patriotism to a high pitch.