News you can use
News you can use
The big news 100 years ago was County Attorney Arthur Lamey’s efforts to close C. W. “Shorty” Young’s Montana Concert Hall, a.k.a. the Honky Tonk. The place had been closed in 1920 by then County Attorney C. R. Stranahan, and was known as a notorious place for bootleg liquor, illegal gambling and prostitution, with Crib Row being a short distance away. The Honky Tonk was located where the Safeway building is located, more recently the former location of IGA, with Crib Row being where the former Cenex building, now Red’s, is located today. Back then, the city limits didn’t extend that far so it fell on the county to try to control the nefarious happenings at the Honky Tonk being committed by “dissolute and immoral persons.” An article taking up a good deal of front page real estate was printed February 10, 1924, outlining the argument for closing it. And just where was Shorty? He and his wife, Margaret, a.k.a. “Mag the Rag” from former Butte circles, were in Chicago, presumably on vacation, so any injunctions would be served on anyone found in the place in order to shut it down.
In much more refined news, several St. Valentine’s Day parties and gatherings were reported in the Havre Daily Promoter. In the February 10, 1924, edition was this entry in the “In Society” column:
MRS. CHANCEY GIVES PARTY
Mrs. J. R. Chancey entertained at bridge Friday evening at her home in the Woodrow apartments.
The rooms were prettily decorated with hearts and shaded lights, the Valentine idea being carried out in the place cards and the delicious lunch, which was served at the close of the evening.
The guests were the Mesdames W. G. Alford, H. G. Amess, S. E. Coleman, F. H. Frahm, G. G. Graybill, Chas. Grau, L. Halverson, A. Mitguard, D. D. More, Dan O’Neil, F. H. Pouder, M. Woods and Zortman.
In the Feb. 13 edition, this event was recorded:
VALENTINE PARTY AT MASON HOME
Miss Mildred Mason and Miss Alice Elling entertained girls from the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph office at Miss Mason’s home last evening at a Valentine’s party.
Refreshments were served at 11 o’clock.
The invited guests were Gertrude Gowrie, Helen McFadden, Eleanor Thompson, Hazel Robertson, Nellie Mason, Florence Fox and Lila K. Peterson.
Feb. 14, another jovial gathering was found in the “In Society” column:
MARY SAUTER HAS VALENTINES PARTY
Miss Mary Sauter entertained last evening at a Valentine’s party at her home on First street.
The rooms were decorated with hearts and the favors were Valentines, the refreshment carrying out the same motif.
Those present were Martha More, Vivian Mottard, Bertha Tietema, Treasure Peck, Ella Ling, Mrs. John Hary, Marvel Willets, Ellen Johnson and the hostess.”`
Two gatherings were reported in the Feb. 15 edition:
ENTERTAIN AT AFTERNOON AND EVENING BRIDGE
Mrs. T. L. Christenson and Mrs. W. S. Davis entertained noon and evening bridge at the home of Mrs. Davies Wednesday.
There were four tables of cards in the afternoon and four in the evening. Mrs. O. L. Whitlock won the first prize in the afternoon and Mrs. James O’Rielly in the evening.
The guests for afternoon bridge were the mesdames Hillsbeck, Wallinder, Knights, Coleman, Pouder, Mitguard, Graves, Joslyn, Shepherd, Cassman, J. Martin, Decker, Whitlock, H. Smith, Tyrell and M. Wood.
The evening guests were the Mesdames Ojers, Hughes, Crawford, L. Dunham, Anderson, Ellinger, Daum, Fuglevand, Clark, Sundberg, Graybill, Bonine, Adams, May, O’Reily and Miss Kathryn O’Neil.
The house was decorated with hearts, the same idea being carried out in the refreshments.
O. R. C. VALENTINE DANCE ENJOYED BY BIG CROWD
One of the most enjoyable dances ever held in Havre was that given last night by the members of the O. R. C., in the Elks’ hall. Excellent music, a delightful program, a congenial crowd and delicious refreshments combined to assist in making the occasion one long to be remembered by the lodge members and their friends.
Music for the occasion was furnished by the Radio Five and it was enjoyed by an unusually large crowd of dancers. The members of the Ladies Auxiliary to the O. R. C. served refreshments consisting of sandwiches, cake and coffee in the room adjoining the large hall.
Each of the women guests at the dance was the recipient of a beautiful carnation.
The whole affair was a fitting culmination for St. Valentine’s day.
And, finally, Feb. 16, this article appeared in the Havre Daily Promoter:
MISS JENKINS ENTERTAINS TEAM
Miss Juanita Jenkins entertained the basketball girls of the high school at a three course dinner at her home Thursday evening.
The house was decorated in Valentine colors and hearts were used as favors at the dinner table.
The evening was spent in dancing and music.
Those present were Hazel Anderson, Doris Reynolds, Marion Holtz, Josie Anderson, Corrine Lorranger, Melba Wood, Thelma Holiday, Kathleen Barrett, Esther Skylstead, Florence Conley and Miss Theresa Mulrean, who assisted the hostess.
And, here’s one more for the “those guys” files, or, in the spirit of equity, “those gals.” It wasn’t just the men committing crimes, women were not immune, either, as recorded in the Feb. 16, 1924, edition of the Havre Daily Promoter:
THREE MEN, TWO WOMEN GIVE $500 BONDS EACH
Five alleged violators of the prohibition laws were released yesterday on $500 bond each.
They were arrested yesterday and the day before on bench warrants.
Edward Adams and William Peters were charged with maintaining a public nuisance and Mrs. Adams, Joe Lucier and Pauline Chase were charged with possessing intoxicating liquor and maintaining a public nuisance.
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