Celebrating History: Parties, prohibition, thieves and a new county

By Emily Mayer

Hill County was anything but boring 100 years ago. The Havre Plaindealer announced in its June 14, 1919, edition the folks in Gildford were planning a big picnic for farmers, complete with speakers, community singing, baseball games, foot races and an orchestra. The big party was set for June 25.

In the same issue, the Plandealer reported Havre’s law enforcement was busy enforcing Montana’s Prohibition law. Ten pints of whiskey and six cases of beer were confiscated due to raids at Shorty Young’s Honky Tonk, the Bank saloon on First Street owned by Shorty’s good buddy, Ed “Daddy” Marshall — You can still see the BANK sign on the front of the building, located on the north side of the 300 Block of First Street — and the Brewery, the former Rocky Mountain Packing location, now a vacant lot.

The following week, June 21, 1919, the Plaindealer printed an article about a car-stealing ring operating between Calgary, Canada, Havre and Great Falls. A man by the name of George Baxter had stolen a vehicle in Havre and made his way to Seattle. Along with him was a girl of 16 or 17 reported missing from her home in Calgary. Havre Chief of Police William McKinnon followed Baxter to Seattle, arresting Baxter when he was picking up his mail at the Seattle post office. Chief McKinnon brought both back to Havre, and the teenager was taken by Canadian police to her worried parents.

In happier news, the first class to graduate from the newly built Havre High School were getting ready to receive their diplomas. Twenty-eight were ready to graduate high school, and sixty-one eighth graders would receive their certificates. This was exciting news, due to the fact the Spanish flu epidemic delayed much of the school year.

Plans for the annual Great Northern Stampede were also being finalized. The big news was the appearance of an “aeroplane” at the event this year, dubbed the “Victory celebration.” Noted riders, ropers, bull-doggers and buckaroos from both the U.S. and Canada were scheduled to compete, and a herd of long-horn cattle from Old Mexico were on their way. “Notorious horses” that no man had ever successfully ridden were also coming, as well. The whole program promised to be exciting, and the festivities would take place July 3, 4 and 5, 1919. The Orpheum and Lyric theaters were also planning special shows, for “lovers of terpsichorean art.”

And, for the first time in the Plaindealer, was this announcement:

Notice

In the Matter of the Creation of Liberty county, Montana.

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been presented to the Board of County Commissioners of Hill County, Montana, praying for the formation of a new county out of portions of said Hill county and of Choteau county, Montana, and that said petition will be heard by the Board of County Commissioners of Hill county, Montana, at its place of meeting, to-wit: at the court house in the city of Havre in Hill county, Montana, commencing at the hour of 10 o’clock in the forenoon on the 10th day of July, 1919, and continuing until completed, and any and all persons interested may at said time and place appear and oppose the granting of said petition, and make any objections thereto.

Dated at Havre, Hill county, Montana, this 18th day of June, 1919.

John H. Devine, County Clerk of Hill County, Montana.