Celebrating History: Long George on the lamb

EMILY MAYER

It seems Long George didn’t like the verdict handed down to him by a jury of his peers last week. The Havre Plaindealer in its March 9, 1918 edition carried the following:

FRENCH LEAVE TAKEN BY GEORGE FRANCIS

Failed to Appear in District Court for Sentence

George Francis, who was convicted by a jury in district court last week of horse stealing, is now a fugitive of justice.

Following the report of the jury, Francis was given until Monday to attend to business affairs, and for that purpose was released under bond of $2,000. He was to appear Monday for sentence, but this tie was extended two days on the plea of Francis that he could not close up his personal affairs before that time. When the hour arrived for his appearance on Wednesday there was no “Long George,” nor has he been seen since, so far as known.

Judge Rhoades immediately issued an order that the bond be collected and turned over to the proper county authorities.

Horse stealing was still a serious crime 100 years ago, but it pales in comparison to what sickos and dirtbags do to the most vulnerable in society. They have been around since the dawn of civilization, and Havre was not immune to them. This article was also on the Plaindealer’s front page.

WINGERD PROUNOUNCED GUILTY BY A JURY

After deliberating for about sixteen hours, the jury in the case of the State vs. C. G. Wingerd on Thursday morning returned a verdict of guilty, and recommended a sentence of from three to six years in the state penitentiary. Wingerd was charged with a statutory crime against a girl below the age of consent. There are several other cases in the same nature, involving the same girls, and the salacious character of the testimony causes a congestion of the seating and standing room in the district court.

In war news, it was announced that Montana would be selling War Bonds starting March 20 at denominations of $500. The U.S. Army needed more engineers, and those between the ages of 20 and 40 were encouraged to sign up for service for training and deportation to the Front. Herbert Hoover, head of the U.S. Food Administration and the future president, issued a release regarding food consumption, continuing efforts on the home front to be mindful of the food supply and promoting his “meatless, wheatless and porkless” days, called “Hooverizing.” He released a list of which days were meatless, wheatless and porkless, with Saturday being the most challenging — no meat, wheat or pork products for that day. Except Montana. This announcement was on the Plaindealer’s front page.

LESS STRINGENT RULE FOR MEATLESS DAYS

Restrictions on the use of pork on Saturday and all meatless meals each day except Tuesday are removed for the present in Montana. Tuesday remains meatless so far as beef and pork are concerned. Mutton and lamb may be served at any meal during the week. This does not change the order forbidding the sale of freshly killed hens and pullets which remains in effect until April 30.

On the Society page, the Havre Commercial Company ran a large ad promoting Gallatin Oat Flour, milled in Bozeman. You could get 9 pounds for 75 cents and the ad contained a starter (not unlike sourdough), and a recipe for oat bread, which uses the oat flour in conjunction with wheat flour. The Ceretana brand was a trademark of the Bozeman Milling Company and used “select hard wheat.” Conagra owns the trademark today. If you are interested in the recipe, just give me a call and I will get it to you.

The Society column entries were quite varied this week, so here are a few of them, complete with misspelling.

Surprise Party.

Miss Marcia Lange, a most popular nurse of Havre who has been called to the colors, was complimented on Tuesday evening, when the members of the Nurses’ association gathered at the home of Mrs. W. C. Lange and succeeded in completely surprising Miss Lange. It was a costume affair and many different characters were represented. The evening passed pleasantly with music and dancing.

“Miss Lange was presented with a large boquet of cut flowers.

Red Cross Teas.

A series of teas given for the benefit of the Red Cross has been inaugurated in Havre and a great many ladies are planning on doing their “bit” in this way.

The first hostess was Mrs. J. A. Wright who entertained four friends on Tuesday afternoon.

Mrs. Ed. Broadwater is hostess this afternoon at her home on Second avenue.

Grain Belt Red Cross.

Grain Belt Auxiliary of the Red Cross met with Mrs. Guy Chase at her home last Thursday. They have some thirty members nearly all of whom were present at the meeting. Eight sewing machines were in constant use during the time. They intend to hold meetings every Thursday.

“Entertain at Dinner.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carleton entertained a few of their friends at an informal dinner on Sunday evening. The guests were: Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Rhoades, Mr. and Mrs. V. R. Griggs, Mr. and Mrs. B. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Donnelly.