Celebrating History: Havre was the place to be

Emily Mayer

Lots of good news was reported in the Havre Daily Promoter 100 years ago. Work continued on the reorganization and reopening of the Security State Bank. The June 8, 1924, edition carried this article on its front page:

“RAILROAD UNIONS WILL GET BACK OF REORGANIZATION OF SECURITY BANK

“Committee Named to Receive Stock Subscriptions and Plans Are Made to Have a Labor Bank in Havre

“Representatives of the various railroad labor organizations at a meeting of the brotherhoods banking committee last night in the city hall, attended by 22 railroad employees, decided to back a labor bank and take over the reorganization of the Security State bank under the contract signed by the depositors.

“A substantial amount of the capital stock which it is necessary to raise was subscribed last evening by men present at the meeting. An agreement has been made whereby the railroad men can have control of the bank by raising $25,000 worth of stock, the old stockholders taking the balance of the $60,000 capital.

“It was decided to send out a committee at once to place the stock as the matter has to be completed by June 16. A portion of the committee was named last night and the membership will be enlarged by adding representatives of organizations not included in the appointments.

“The personnel of the committee named last night is William Goggins, O. R. C., Carl Johnson, B. of L. E., Ralph Delapp, B. of L. F. and E., W. N. Trudeau, B. of R. T., Frank Adams, dispatchers, M. M. Zartman, clerks, S. Otto, agents and operators, William Holdorf, machinists, A. Lunberg, bridge workers.

“Deputy State Bank Examiner Geo. F. Bonine who made an examination of the affairs of the bank, its liabilities and assets, for the railroad men’s committee, was present and made a report recommending the acceptance of the proposition to take it over and make a labor bank.”

The Promoter published their thoughts in the editorial section of the June 12, 1924, newspaper.

“LABOR BANKS

“The movement to organize a labor bank in Havre is one that should prove a great profit to the community, if successful, and indications are it will be.

“In recent years there have been a number of brother hood banks formed in the country, the largest of which is the Engineers’ bank at Cleveland. There are such banks at Great Falls and Spokane. All of these institutions are making a marked success.

“They got deposits from a large territory from people who are not borrowers, but are depositors and savers, and they are able to invest the min gild edge securities with assurances that their deposits will not be called at once.

“If the boys get back of the bank it can be put across for the benefit and for the benefit of the community.”

A very lengthy article was published in the June 13, 1924, edition regarding Fourth of July activities. The state Elk’s convention was convening during that time in Havre, so our town was guaranteed to have a good audience for the holiday. “Baseball games daily, swimming contests, boxing, parades, Indian Pow-wows, horse racing, Indian races, fireworks, outdoor sports, dancing each night, community sings, golf matches, sight seeing tours and many more exhibitions and spectacles too numerous to mention” were planned for the three-day fete.

In preparation, a boxing ring was being constructed and the Promoter carried this article in the June 12, 1924, edition:

“FINISH BOUT ARENA FOR JULY 4TH PROGRAM

“The arena for the Schauers-Currin bout to be put on here July 4 by the American Legion in connection with the Elks’ convention is finished.

“Diagrams of the arena with the seats numbered will be placed in the Yeon pool hall, the Oxford pool hall, White Brothers pool hall, the Imperial cigar store, and Joe Murphy’s pool hall. Seats will be $3.00 for ringsides, $2.50 and $2.00. There are five sections of seats.

“The seating capacity of the arena is well over 2000, and every seat will be reserved, so that when ticket sales have reached the limit no more will be sold. Requests for seats are coming in from all the neighboring towns, with Chinook asking for the largest number so far-a block of 150 general admissions and 25 ringside. Tickets will be sent to Great Falls, Helena, Lewistown and Butte.

“Word has been received from both Schauers and Currin that they are working every day and will arrive here by July 1` for public workouts, which will be held at the Elks’ dancing pavilion at 3 o’clock every afternoon after the boxers arrive.

“At the Legion meeting last night a committee was appointed to arrange for the entertainment of National Commander John R. Quinn, which will be in Havre June 22.”

The same issue announced the return of a popular gathering.

“CHAUTAUQUA GIVES GOOD PROGRAM THIS YEAR

“The Ellison-White six-day Chautauqua, which will be held in Havre this summer, will bring a strong program this year. While the official dates have not been received and there may be some changes, the six days program is outlined for the northern Montana circuit as follows:

“1st: P. M. Eliss Day Entertainers. Evening: Comedy “Six Cylinder Love.”

“2nd Day: P. M. Prelude, Going-Bell-Epperson Entertainers. Lecture: “A Yankee in the Far East”, Dr. Hulbert. Evening: Concert company and “When East Meets West”, Dr. Hulbert.

“3rd Day: P. M. prelude: Vernon Quint. Lecture: “Give the Boy a Chance”, H. Leo Taylor. Evening: Vernon Quintet and Frank L. Cowan, Tenor.

“4th Day: P. M. Lecture: “The Making of an American”, Bagdasar Krekor Baghdaglan. Evening: Play “The Molluse,” Clark-Brown Players.

“5th Day: P. M. Concert: Australian Trio. Evening: Prelude: Australian Trio. Lecture: “The Man with one Widow”, Dr. E. T. Hagerman.

“6th Day: P. M. Junior, featuring the World’s famous clown, Hughie Fitzpatrick. Evening: McDonald Birth in Artistic Magic.

“It might be mentioned that the Vernon Quinet is one of the highest priced musical companies that Affiliated Bureaus are offering in Lyceum next year.”

Even the weather was giving cause for good news. With only nine days into the month, total rainfall was 4.17 inches. The June 10, 1924, Promoter printed an article that had a chart of the total amount of rainfall for the month of June starting in 1882, the first year that records were kept in this area. In 1923, 5.89 inches fell in June, but the previous year, 1922, saw only .36, one of the lowest amounts recorded since 1882.

Seems like Havre was the place to be for the summer of 1924!