News you can use
News you can use
by Emily Mayer
The news for the most part was not that great for Havre and Hill County 100 years ago. The Havre Plaindealer ran an article in its Oct. 4, 1919 edition stating that wheat was estimated to be two bushels an acre. Winter rye was 2 ½ bushels to the acre and in Hill County it was reported “practically no crops harvested except in the northern tier of townships.” A committee of the Hill County Bankers Association scheduled a meeting with the Hill County Commissioners to see what could be done to hasten action regarding the relief bond issue passed by voters to help local farmers with their crops.
United States Weather Bureau observer for Havre, C. W. Ling, released his monthly weather report and that, too, didn’t bode well for the area. September’s moisture was below normal and combined with previous months, the area was short 4.74 inches for the year and it didn’t look too promising in the future, either.
In the Oct. 11, 1919 edition, the lack of moisture was being blamed for preventing the fall seeding cycle.
Things were looking really bad for Havre doctor Carl Foss and his cohort Jacob Bjornstadt. Both men, along with Herman Olson and Eddie Foss, brother of Carl, were named in the sordid murder of Jacob Krause, postmaster at Hydro, Montana, located in Blaine County. The core issue was homestead rights vs. public domain and the Fosses, Bjornstadt and Olson were accused by Hydro area residents of intimidating those seeking to prove up on their claims. Krause blew the whistle on their antics and wound up being shot in his home after dark, the shot being fired outside and the bullet going through his head. After two spectacular trials, Carl Foss and Bjornstadt were found guilty of conspiracy. Foss was sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of $500 plus all costs of the trials, and Bjornstadt was sentenced to thirty days in prison and a fine of $100. Olson was found not guilty, and Eddie Foss died after he was indicted. Cost estimates of the trial were between $6,000 and $7,000.
The Havre City Council was busy, passing a few resolutions with regard to special improvement districts for streets, water mains, curbs and sidewalks.
REGULAR SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL HELD
Ordinance Levying Tax for Special Improvement of City Streets Passed
The city council met in regular session Monday evening, Alderman Morris presided in the absence of the Mayor. All members present except alderman Cruzen. After routine business had been disposed of, the council proceeded to the consideration of Resolutions 334 to 344, these resolutions relating to the levying of city taxes for installing water mains, and sewers for sprinkling in the various districts, for maintaining ornamental lights, boulevards and for constructing sidewalks and curbs. These resolutions were all passed upon final reading.
Ordinance No. 162, to vacate certain streets and avenues in the Ken-Wright Hills second addition was placed upon its first reading.
A special improvement district petition was presented for sidewalk and curb on the north side of Ninth street between 2nd and 3rd avenues.
The petition was allowed and the city clerk authorized to advertise the legal notices relative to the same.
The petition of Roy Oxford to resume his city work was referred to the water committee and the city engineer’s office.
Bids were opened for the winter’s supply of coal for the city. The contract was given to Carnal and Heeter their bid being the lowest, $4.50 per ton.
A communication was read from public utility commission relative to water for the hospital, and was referred to the city attorney.
Mr. Swearington recommended the extension of a six inch water main from Park Drive and First Ave. to the park pumping station for fire protection and park irrigation. This was duly ordered.
An adjourned session of the council was held on Wednesday evening for the final consideration of resolutions Nos. 346, 348, 350, 87 and 89. These were all passed with the exception of No. 348 which was referred to a committee for some further information before final action should be taken.
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