Celebrating History: Many cases in court

By Emily Mayer

Local news was not plentiful in either the April 19 or the April 25, 1919, editions of The Havre Plaindealer.

What was published in the April 19, 1919, edition was the formalization of the local veterans’ organization. Election of officers took place and they were: A. L. Ward, president; Martin Foley, vice president; H. C. Hall, secretary; Maurice B. Hill, treasurer. An executive committee was also chosen, they being Martin Foley, ex-officio, chairman; Charles Emerey; Herbert Goms; Talbert Erickson; Charles Graham; Max P. Kuhr; C. B. Elwell; Charles MacKenzie; D. S. MacKenzie and L. W. Latham.

A militia company for Hill County and an armory were discussed, as well as a “real military ball” and services for the upcoming Memorial Day observance. Plans for the state convention in Malta were made, and members going outside Havre to recruit veterans in other Hill County towns would occur soon, with a group going to Kremlin the following Saturday. Area veterans were wasting no time getting things accomplished and planning for the future.

Also in the April 19 edition, it was reported the official canvass of the recent city elections had taken place. The council authorized the mayor to purchase a metal garage from Charles Boles for no more than $225. It was located on the lot in back of the Oxford Block, then located on the southwest corner of First Street and Fourth Avenue. The Plaindealer bragged, “The garage is as good as new and cost over $400.” The garage itself was planned to be moved to city hall, then located at the northeast block of First Street and Fourth Avenue, so it wasn’t going far. The building would be used to park cars and allow the city to purchase gasoline in bulk, thus anticipating a big savings on that line item expense.

The local veterans weren’t the only ones choosing their new leadership. The local Moose lodge chose its slate of officers for the upcoming year, they were John J. Nickels, dictator; John Gallus, vice dictator; Lawrence Gologoski, prelate; E. I. Blair, secretary; John M. Kay, treasurer; Chas. P. Hilla, trustee; Geo Hebert, trustee; and Sam Gallus, trustee.

What was going on in the courtroom made big news in the April 25, 1919, edition. Ernest Galavig was convicted of burglary, and Lars Tennyson pleaded guilty to deserting his wife and was given a parole sentence. The case against L. E. Johnson, the man charged with taking mortgaged property, an automobile, out of Hill County without the written consent of the bank. It was found there was no mortgage on the car. Mr. Johnson went to Wyoming for, of all things, “lucrative employment” in that state and used the car to get there.

The next cases are fairly entertaining and intriguing. The Plaindealer reports:

The case against Guy Cunningham was the outcome of a little disturbance in the Liberty Hotel block a few weeks since as a result of which, Tom Casey and Ed Wilson appeared in police court and Casey was fined twenty-five dollars each, on tow charges, and Wilson $25 on one charge. Because of their financial condition, they were given a little time by the judge in which to settle but Wilson has paid a part of his fine. If the fines are not paid before the end of the month, they will feel the arm of the law again. At this trial in police court from the testimony offered, it appeared that the two men and Cunningham and Mrs. Casey had some part in what finally ended in the disturbance. Because of statements there made about Cunningham, a liquor charge was filed by the county attorney, accusing him of giving away liquor but the evidence failed to satisfy the jury and he was acquitted.

The case against (Charles) Faun, (Louis) Sing, (Lee) Bing and John Doe for a liquor law violation was dismissed as the only witness for the state had disappeared.

When the case of L. E. Brady, Purdy, Erlandson and Robertson came up, Assistant attorney General Grorud appeared for the state and moved for dismissal for lack of sufficient evidence. L. E. Brady played a prominent part last fall as a non-partisan league leader in this county. Just why Mr. Grorud appeared in the case instead of Mr. Stranahan is not known. It is assumed that Mr. Grorud is here this time partly in connection with the case against him which is set down for next week upon appeal from justice court. Also there is considerable speculation as to whether his presences foreshadows the filing of boot-legging and clean-up cases which were promised by certain factions last fall if C. R. Stranahan were elected county attorney. It is not known whether the Rev. E. J. Huston is taking any interest in such preparations if they are being made, but it has been suggested that perhaps he will leave such matters to the present county attorney. Because of the absence of these expected clean-up and liquor cases so far this year, although prohibition is now in effect, considerable interest has been aroused by Mr. Grorud’s visit here.

Readers will recall a big bust at the Border Saloon close to the election last year. The court report stated the cases against Ova Brower and A. B. Livermore were continued. So, the saga goes on!