Celebrating History: Hill County hires county agent

By Emily Mayer

It was reported 100 years ago in this week’s Havre Daily Promoter that after several individuals and local civic groups worked hard to petition the Hill County Commissioners to create and fund a county agent position, the commissioners approved the measure. The Jan. 10, 1924, issue stated:

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL EMPLOY COUNTY AGENT

Provision Is Made to Secure Most Competent Man Possible and to Give Him Every Assistance

The members of the board of county commissioners in conference with representatives of the farm bureau yesterday agreed to approve a budget providing for the employment of a county agent during 1924 and steps to secure one will be taken at once.

The commissioners considered carefully the manner of man to be employed and decided that the salary should be around $2,700, which is more than is paid in most counties, but it is expected that by making this special offer it will be possible to get a superior county agent.

He will be provided with an office in the court house, a clerk and a county automobile in which to go into the country, in the same manner as cars are furnished in the road department of the county. Hill county has found that by providing county cars rather than paying mileage the county is able to make a substantial saving.

Jack Taylor, leader of the county agents in the state, is expected to come to Havre immediately for a conference with the board and the county extension committee on the employment of an agent. There are several very competent men on the list of available men and it is believed that a good one may be secured. It is expected that he will come to Havre for a conference with the board of county commissioners before his final employment.

Another announcement that had the Promoter excited was that of a community education class at the high school for auto mechanics. The front page of the January 6, 1924, edition contained this column:

HIGH SCHOOL COURSE IN AUTO MECHANICS

A short course in auto mechanics to be given under the auspices of the Havre High School agricultural department will begin January 7 and continue for at least five weeks with a two weeks’ blacksmithing course at the end.

The course is open to everyone who desires to take up the work. It is especially designed for those who cannot attend school but who have some spare time and who wish to learn more about auto mechanics either as beginning to the trade or for their own satisfaction. There is no age limit and no tuition will be charged.

Charles R. Mountjoy, head of the agricultural department at the high school, will sign up those wishing to take the course or will go into detail more fully in regard to the course.

In the January 10, 1924, Promoter, it was proudly announced that 17 men and boys had signed up for the course, with more anticipated. I think this course is really neat, combining the old-blacksmithing, which has been around for centuries-and auto mechanics, at the time a relatively new technology. It’s a reminder that while we move forward and develop new technologies, the old ways still have a place in our lives. It’s also neat and a reminder of what a difference 100 years makes. Women are just as good as men in the agricultural, mechanics and blacksmithing fields and plenty of women are employed in these areas. Hill County’s own Diane McLean, former teacher and county commissioner, is a farrier-she’s well-known and knows exactly what to do when it comes to shoeing horses.

And Hill County is home to many a ranch and farm woman who is an expert in running her operations, not to mention more than a few Hill County women who knows her way around an engine!

Various civic groups, church groups and crafts on the Great Northern Railway had chosen officers for the year, and Havre was visited by a popular and well-known evangelist singer, Pal Taylor from Los Angeles. He was working with the church choir as well as visiting with the year-old Havre Music Club. He was extremely popular locally, with each performance commanding a larger audience every time.

In other social news were these entries in the Promoter this week:

MRS. H. E. CLACK ENTERTAINS

Mrs. H. Earl Clack entertained a few friends at luncheon yesterday at her home on First avenue.

DANCING PARY AT CLACK HOME

Miss Louise Clack entertained a number of friends at luncheon and dancing at her home last evening.

Those present were Minnie Maresch, Dorothy Dunton, Irma Stanton, Frank Geske, LaGrande Wigmore, Gordon Sands, and Sylvester Erickson.

PARTY GIVEN FOR KATHRYN BREWER

Mrs. W. D. Brewer entertained 12 little girls at her home yesterday afternoon in honor of her daughter, Kathryn.

Erona Wigmore and Veva Brewer chaperoned the girls to the afternoon matinee after which the guests were taken to the Coffee Cup for refreshments.

Those present were Varilla Ridenour, Hazel Heigadalien, Ruth Sandberg, Irene Jourdnais, Eleanor Myers, Peggy Gromley, Bernetta and Beatrice Benson, Flor McGougan and Kathryn Brewer.

Of course, there is always “that one.” If I can find a “that one” in the papers, I will include them in my column.

HAVEY PLACE SEARCHED AND MOONSHINE TAKEN

Eight and a half quarts of intoxicating liquor were confiscated from the residence of George Havey yesterday by Sheriff Timmons.

Havey was not at home when the search was conducted but it is expected information for his arrest will be filed immediately. The Havey house in in West Havre.

George Havey likely lived in an area then referred to as “skid row,” which would have been roughly just west of Havre Laundry and toward where Coffee Hound and the NorthWestern Energy substation is today. Capping off “skid row” was Shorty Young’s Montana Concert Hall, a.k.a. the “Honky Tonk,” and his crib row of prostitutes, where the former Safeway/IGA building and Red’s is today.