Celebrating History: New Elks, Odd Fellows buildings, and social news

By Emily Mayer

Two of Havre’s fraternal organizations were preparing to build new buildings in Havre’s downtown area. In the Sept. 20, 1919 edition of The Havre Plaindealer, Havre Elks BPOE #1201 made this announcement:

ELKS HOME ASSURED GYM IS ONE FEATURE

Within a few days ground will be broken for the new Elks building to be erected on the lots owned by Havre lodge No. 1201, next to the Wiltner building on Second street. Plans for the new home have been completed by Architect F. F. Bossout, which call for approximately a $30,000 building, contaiing in addition to modern club rooms and lodge hall, a spacious gymnasium.

It is also the plan of the Havre lodge of Elks to start a drive for new members and it is safe to predict that within a very short time the membership will be greatly increased. The local lodge of Elks now contains some two hundred and eighty members and it is the plan to at lease double the membership by January first.

An especially attractive feature of the proposed new building is the gymnasium, in which will be installed up-to-date hand ball court and thoroughly modern gymnasium equipment. Havre has long felt the need of such an institution and those in charge of the erection of the new home are to b congratulated upon their decision to include this feature.

The building was located where Cottonwood Cinema is today.

The Odd Fellows were also making plans for a new home very close to where the Elks were building. The announcement was in the Sept. 27, 1919 edition of the Plaindealer, however, the copy I have is very dark and I can’t read it. The building was located on land that was formerly part of the Presbyterian Church. Henny Penny’s Cupcakes is in this building today.

In other news, nine women were convicted of vagrancy, this in an effort to bust “bootleggers and women of lively habits.” The 16-year-old son of George Jarvis was thrown in jail pending an investigation of his connection with a fire that destroyed the barn and chicken house of N. Nault on West Second Street. The house was also targeted, but firefighters got to the place in time and the perpetrators didn’t have time to set it, but they certainly were up to trouble as kindling wood and straw were found under the house, ready to be set.

The Plaindealer re-introduced my favorite part of the newspaper, a Society column, with all kinds of news of gatherings and the activities of Havre and Hill County residents. These little paragraphs showcase what was really going on in the lives of Havre’s residents. Here are a couple from the Sept. 20, 1919 edition:

Louise La Fournaise Returns to Havre

Miss Louise LaFournaise, one of Havre’s most popular nurses, returned Sunday morning from France. Miss LaFournaise was the first Havre nurse to reach France, leaving here 17 months ago landing in France just one month from the day she left Havre. Miss LaFournaise says she had an excellent trip and likes army life. She was discharged in New York from service and reenlisted in the Marine hospital corps. After a short visit in Havre with friends she will take up her army life again.

Entertained

Miss Virginia Stringfellow entertained at Kensington Wednesday afternoon. The rooms were prettily decorated with flowers and Virginia Creeper. A dainty luncheon was served after a very pleasant afternoon The guests were Misses Ann Skylstead, Dorothy Ann Holland, Hattie Mudeck, Gladys Mathews, Pauline Gussenhoven, Kathlyn Broadwater and Ann Wilson.

From the Sept. 27, 1919 edition, we find:

Outing for High School Girls

Last week several classes of the high school girls enjoyed a “hike” chaperoned by Miss Garnett. They left the school building during the afternoon and walked several miles along the river returning later in the evening after having enjoyed a picnic lunch with which they had provided themselves.

Master Gregg Haskins Host

Friday evening between the hours of seven and ten Master Gregg Haskins entertained his young school mates at his home at the corner of Second avenue and Third street. Many varied were the games indulged in and all had a merry time the last and we will say best part being the delicious sandwiches, ice cream and cake which were served just before the goodbyes were said. The house was prettily decorated with sweet peas and bright with candles. Master Haskins had his guests the little Misses Georgia Broderick, Jane Rhoades, Catherine Carleton, Catherine Mathews, Eleanor Mathews, Helen Gable, Adelaide Lewis, Josephine Broadwater, Helen Hirshberg, Esther Skylstead, Ellen and Virginia Haskins, and Roger Taylor, Robert Woodward, Francis Black, Earl Morris, Lowell More, Erwin and Leslie McMonagle and James Mathews.