Celebrating History: Havre Chamber of Commerce meets

By Emily Mayer

The meeting organized by the Havre Chamber to discuss the promotion of the welfare and prosperity of Havre was successful. A “program for community betterment and the advancement of the material prosperity of Hill county” had been proposed, as well as a committee to encourage former Chamber members to rejoin the Chamber and recruit new members was formed. Reorganization of the business club was at stake, and another meeting had been called for Jan. 23, 1919.

Also reported in the Jan. 18, 1919 issue of The Havre Plaindealer was the advancement of the Havre Rotary Club becoming part of the International association. Havre Rotary President Frank T. Merrill and Secretary Treasurer Frank W. McCarthy, along with members the Reverend L. J. Christler, Sidney Hirshber, L. V. Beaulieu, Lou Lucke, J. P. Grandy, A. E. Wilkie, E. C. Carruth, C. B. Koepke, James G. Holland, Earl Becwar, G. N. Funk and C. C. Brundage were at a lunch meeting at the Havre Hotel to welcome the Great Falls delegation. The Great Falls Rotary Club came up to Havre to hand deliver the Havre club’s International Charter.

Reports of two local funerals were printed.

FULL MILITARY HONORS AT LORANGER FUNERAL

Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Loranger Laid Away Today

The funeral of Sidney Raymond Loranger, who died in the service of his country, will be held this afternoon with military honors. Mr. Loranger died at Los Animas, Colorado, and his parents arrived in Havre Thursday morning with the body of their son about 2 a.m. They were met at the station by an escort of 18 soldiers in uniform and escorted to the home on Third Avenue.

Out of respect of the deceased and in recognition of the manner in which the community should honor such a military occasion the stores and business houses will remain closed between the hours of 2 and 4 o’clock p.m. The two theatres will also not begin their usual matinee performance until 4 o’clock. A firing squad will perform the usual military duties at the grave. The church proper was placed in readiness yesterday by a band of workmen for today’s services as the chapel was deemed inadequate to accommodate the large circle of friends and neighbors who will desire to attend the obsequies.

MANY ATTEND FUNERAL OF MRS. W. E. WILTNER

Simple and Impressive services at St. Marks Church

The funeral of Mrs. W. E. Wiltner was held from St. Marks Episcopal church Monday afternoon, Rev. L. J. Christler conducting the simple and impressive services assisted by the vested choir. The church was filled with neighbors and friends having their last tribute to the departed and showing sympathy with the husband and son so sadly bereaved. The burial was in Highland cemetery where the services at the grave were in charge of the Rebekah lodge of which Mrs. Wiltner was an honored member. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wiltner of St. Paul, parents of W. E. Wiltner, arrived early Sunday morning to attend the funeral.

The woes for Rev. E. J. Huston, O. G.Larson and Henry Kurtz continued. In the Commissioners’ Proceedings, the following was recorded:

The following resolution was presented to the board:

Resolution

Whereas authority has been heretofore granted the county attorney to employ special counsel to prosecute the case of the State of Montana vs. E. J. Huston, O. G. Larson and Henry Kurtz, the county to pay a fee of $50.00 for such special counsel, and

Whereas, the county attorney has appointed as such special counsel to prosecute the case, Mr. O. W. McConnell of Helena, Montana.

Therefore, be it resolved, that this board herby confirm and ratify the appointment and employment of said W. O. McConnell, as special prosecutor in the case of the state of Montana vs. E. J. Huston, O. G. Larson and Henry Kurtz, the county to pay the said special prosecutor fee of $50.00.

The above resolution was approved of by Commissioners Jos. T. Berthelotte and Wm. F. Watters, Commissioner Abe Crosson objecting.

In this day and age, Crosson would have had to recuse himself from the resolution, being as he bailed Huston out of jail not once, but twice, related to this very issue.