Celebrating History: Court, politics and chamber reorganization

By Emily Mayer

In last week’s column, I mentioned a couple of issues in the Feb. 8, 1919 edition I didn’t get to and they would be mentioned this week.

A mystery meeting had taken place in the office of the county assessor, but no one seemed to be talking. Was it a Non-Partisan League meeting, or a combination of newly elected Republicans? The article noted Hill County Commissioner Wilson and Non-Partisan League Organizer McLeod were present, but T.J. Troy, County Attorney Stranahan, and the Rev. E.J. Huston were notably absent. Some said the meeting was about the “general welfare to the county,” but others said “considerable attention” was given to Huston’s libel case. Others still stated the Hill County Leader, the Non-Partisan League newspaper out of Joplin, was looking at moving its operation to Havre. But no one was talking.

The Feb. 15, 1919 issue reported the case against Assistant State Attorney General Grorud was set for trial that day, and more news about the case would be forthcoming. The issue also stated the Non-Partisan League felt “double crossed” by recently elected U.S. Congressman Carl Riddick, who said he was for the Non-Partisan League during the election, but was now against it.

Seems our great-grandparent’s generation had plenty of political drama. One of the great things about being a historian is finding out how guilt-free previous generations were not, that there were people back then engaging in dubious and illegal actions just as they do today. Some get their noses bent out of shape when facts are presented and the truth comes out, but those who did the wrong actions shouldn’t have done them in the first place.

A case that also brought attention in the Feb. 8, 1919 Plaindealer was the arrest of Mike Spanos under a charge of statutory rape, as well as the arrest of Fannie George, sister of the victim in the case. The week before, George had been granted a divorce from her husband, who was serving time in the Montana prison. Her maiden name had been restored. Immediately after her release, she married the owner of the “rooming house where she was employed.” It was in this “rooming house,” code for house of prostitution, where the alleged offense against her younger sister took place.

The ill-fated Nitro issue, where many men across the country including several from Hill County, went to Nitro, West Virginia, in search of a great job advertised by the U.S. Government, was still making news. A claim agent was coming to town, and Judge Pyper was urging those with claims to meet with the representative, who would be setting up an office in Great Falls to settle all those claims.

The Feb. 15, 1919 Plaindealer announced that, due to poor attendance, the Havre Chamber of Commerce would meet next week to continue its reorganization.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING IS CONTINUED

Definite Reorganization Steps Expected This Week

Havre Chamber of Commerce reorganization efforts were rewarded with a slimly attended meeting in the city council chambers Thursday evening. At a meeting two weeks ago two committees of five members each were appointed which were expected to report at the meeting Thursday night. James Holland who was chairman of the committee on financing was present but V. R. Griggs who headed the committee on revision of the constitution did not attend although F. N. Utter who was a member of the committee was present. After some discussion by those present it was decided to continue the meeting until next week Thursday, when efforts will be made to secure a larger attendance. Because of the comparatively small number present it was deemed inadvisable to take any action at the meeting Thursday but next week it is expected that definite steps towards reorganization will be taken.

Also reported were verdicts of trials of the new session of the District Court. B. B. Robinson was found guilty of burglary, Fred Gassert was found not guilty of grand larceny, and Barney Simpson and two of his employees were found not guilty of stealing A. K. Prescott’s sheep. It was noted Simpson spent $2,000 to prove his innocence in the case.