Celebrating History: War rages on

By Emily Mayer

As America’s entry into World War I raged on, stories printed in newspapers across the country stressed the need to join the food campaign to help feed the nation, to plant more feed for livestock as they needed to be fed too, that there was a looming shortage in the national wheat crop, and issues were being raised by livestock producers against the suspension of the 640-acre homestead law which threatened grazing areas and therefore the nation’s wool and meat supplies, both of which were needed. A list of questions for draftees to answer was also published in the papers, these ones being found on the front page of The Havre Plaindealer’s May 12, 1917, issue:

1. What is your full name?

2. How old are you?

3. What is your home address?

4. What is the date of your birth?

5. Are you a natural-born citizen, a naturalized alien or a declarant?

6. Where were you born? (Town, state and county)

7. If not a citizen, of what country are you a subject?

8. By whom are you employed, and where?

9. Have you a father, mother, wife, children under 2 solely dependent upon you for support?

10. Married or single.

11. Of what race are you?

12. What military experience have you had?

13. Do you claim exemption from draft?

The article further clarifies question 9 with “Consider your answer thoughtfully. If it is true that there is another mouth than your own which you alone have a duty to feed, do not let your military ardor interfere with the wish of the nation to reduce war’s misery to a minimum. On the other hand, unless the person you have in mind is solely dependent upon you do not hide behind petticoats or children. Remember that this answer alone will exempt you from liability to serve.

The Hill County Clerk’s office was also busy preparing for registrants and sent out this plea:

HELP NEEDED IN THE CONSCRIPTION WORK

Registration of Eligibles is Required by Law

The county clerk’s office is very busy during the present week sending out notices and getting information preparatory to carrying out the plans for registering all parties in Hill County eligible to army service.

Patriotism demands that the work should be done without cost to the county, state or United States. The time will be set, cards furnished and probably a day set as a holiday to enable the work to be done quickly.

Here is a chance to offer your services to assist the county clerk in complying with the proclamation of the president.

The assistance of one or two persons from each precinct in the county will be needed and if you are willing to offer your services to your country, kindly notify the County Clerk.

Now for some non-war news. Plans were being made to build a new Presbyterian Church and a recent fundraiser led to promising news:

FLATTERING START FOR NEW CHURCH

Sum of Twelve Thousand Dollars Pledged First Day

Twelve thousand dollars was pledged the first day subscriptions were taken, for the building of the proposed new Presbyterian church in Havre. This sum was raised at a meeting of the committee and other interested parties, in the Havre hotel on Thursday.

Rev. P. H. Case, pastor of the church, has charge of the work, and it is his confident belief that the new edifice will be ready for occupancy by the first of September this year. Mr. Case has given out the following concerning the building:

The church is to be of brick and stone construction, arranged with Sunday school class room and social and recreation rooms as well as the main auditorium.

The Sunday school room is to be at the back of the main entrance and separated from it by sliding doors.

From the sale of the old church property there is some $12,000 available, and at the luncheon over ten thousand dollars was subscribed toward the building. The city will be thoroughly canvassed during the next ten days, and it is expected the entire $40,000 will be raised.

The Presbyterian Church had been located on the northwest corner of Fourth Avenue and Third Street. The Presbyterians first worshiped in the first Washington School (built circa 1895 and burned in 1912) located on the southeast corner of First Avenue and Third Street, as well as having a tiny Chapel located north side of First Street and Third Avenue, at about 315 First Street. The Chapel was sold in 1899, and in 1901, they built a beautiful Gothic Revival church at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Third Street. The church was later sold to the Baptists, who would eventually move the church to its current location at 625 Fourth Avenue in 1920. The Presbyterian Church outlined in the above article is still located at 701 Fourth Avenue.

Other church news was found in the “Of Local Interest” social pages:

Formal dedication of the new Methodist church in Havre will take place tomorrow. Rev. E. L. White of Great Falls will assist in the services. At 3 o’clock in the afternoon an organ recital will be given by Dr. A. E. Williams, assisted by a noted organist from Great Falls. Vocal solos will be rendered by Mrs. H. F. Schwartz of Gildford and Miss Francine Harrington of this city.

Weddings were extremely plentiful at this time 100 years ago. Mr. Guy Funk married Mrs. Edna Patterson; Robert McKenzie wed Miss Alva Wesley; and A. W. Goodman and Miss Ada Nibblick also were married this week. In other news in the Plaindealer’s Society column:

Royal Neighbors Dance.

The social lull of the past week was broken on Thursday evening, when the Royal Neighbors gave a dance in Lyceum hall. The attendance at the dance was large and everyone pronounced the affair one of the most enjoyable of the season.

Woman’s Club Notes.

All business for the year in connection with the Woman’s Club work was finished on Tuesday afternoon, at a business meeting held at the club room.

There will be no study work this summer, but interest will be taken in the “Better Baby” campaign in Havre and also in securing good moving picture films for children to be shown through the vacation months at the Orpheum and Lyceum Theatres.

Dancing Party.

Miss Cordelia Lampert entertained the girls of the Japanese Chorus in “A Night in a Carabet” and their friends at a dancing party Wednesday evening at the M. O. Woods home. The young people tripped the light fantastic from 9 to 12 o’clock when refreshments were served before the merry makers disbanded. From all reports Miss Lampert proved herself a most amiable hostess.

Dance at Lohman.

On Saturday evening a large number of the young people of Havre attended a ball at the new town of Lohman, making the trip by auto. Those attending report having a very enjoyable time.