Celebrating History: Celebrating Independence Day

By Emily Mayer

The week of the Fourth of July 100 years ago was much different than it is today. A century ago, this town was abuzz with activity in preparation for the myriad of gatherings and events to take place that week. There were so many articles in the newspapers, it was hard to pick the ones to include in this column. Many of these articles were quite lengthy, detailing the schedules for the multiple gatherings and letting people know when and where to meet. Here is a sampling of all those great activities.

A parade was planned for both the Fourth of July and for the visiting Elks convention. This article was on the front page of the June 29, 1924, Havre Daily Promoter.

LINE OF MARCH AND ORDER OF PARADE

Plans for the Fourth of July parade were completed last night and the formation and line of march were given out.

The parade will form at the High school with the fire department and marshal in the lead. Then will come the Elks’ float and the members of the Havre lodge, B. P. O. E., and in order will be the American Legion float and post members; boy scouts; Rotary float and Rotarians; Kiwanis float and Kiwanians; Knights of Columbus and K. C.s; Odd Fellows float and Odd Fellows; followed by other floats and lodes and organizations, autos and individuals.

“In between the floats will march the Elks visitors, and their bands and their drum corps.

The line of march will be along Third avenue to Main street, one block east to Fourth avenue, south to Second street, east to Eighth street, west to Third avenue, thence to reviewing stand for decision of judges.

The judges will be grand lodge officers.

Another local group was having its district meeting in Havre that same week. This article was in the July 1, 1924, Promoter.

R.N.A. District Meeting of Northern Montana

Members of the R.N.A. of Havre are making preparations to welcome visitors to the district meeting of Northern Montana on Wednesday, July 2.

The opening of the session will start at 2 o’clock p.m. and will be followed by a large parade.

The parade will form at the I. O. O. F. hall at 5 o’clock and will take in the principal business parts of the city, going then to the Presbyterian church where dinner will be served.

The evening session will start at 8 o’clock. A class of 75 will be adopted after which there will be a social session and dancing.

The R.N.A. is the Royal Neighbors of America.

Local cooks also saw opportunity, and this article was in the same edition.

Ma Plaz Preparesfor Big Crowds

Ma Plaz, noted for her southern cooking, will serve meals in the Chestnut building south of the old Farmers’ State Bank during the celebration and will specialize in “Fried chicken dinner”.

Anticipating the convention crowd and knowing how her appetizing meals appeal to hungry carnival folks Ma decided to move to larger quarters, so yesterday she served her first dinner in new quarters. The building is commodious and Ma will be able with the extra help she has employed to serve promptly.

Another local cook also set up shop. This article was in the July 4, 1924, paper.

AUNTIE TIBBS ON JOB

Aunt Nat Tibbs is going to sell her famous brand of home made potato chips and lemonade during the convention in her booth which is located next door to Ma Plaz’s fried chicken restaurant.

Another woman, Mrs. A. G. Anderson, took out an advertisement in the July 3, 1924, issue detailing the food she would be serving from her delicatessen during the big festivities.

The boxing match hit a snag, with the local American Legion trying desperately to find someone to fight Charlie Pelchie, as his opponent, Swede McLaughlin, had his jaw smashed while working out. They tried to get Kid Leo from Great Falls, but this fell through and an article in the July 2, 1924, newspaper called off the bout and instructed those who bought tickets where to go for their refund. But the other boxing match was a go, with Schauers and Currin talking smack against the other over who will whup the other in the match at “Broadwater’s Half Acre,” which I still don’t know where that was located. If you do, give me a call.

Members of the Rocky Boy Chippewa Cree Tribe organized a pow-wow for the Fourth of July. This article was on the front page of the July 2, 1924, Promoter.

300 INDIANS DUE HERE FOR BIG POW WOW

Three hundred Indians from the Rocky Boy reservation will attend the celebration the Fourth of July.

They will have their camping grounds south of the Sacred Heart hospital. In connection with the Elks celebration they will have a big barbecue, Indian dances and horse races, and will be dressed in their native costumes.

Mr. Finebow and Wm. Buffalo, two officers were sent to Havre yesterday to make arrangements for final grounds.

The results of the horse races was published in the July 6, 1924, edition.

WINNERS OF HORSE RACES

The horse racing proved one of the most interesting events of the celebration. Under the direction of T. J. Troy the events were run off smoothly every afternoon.

Rocky Boy Indians, cow boys and local lads entered their mounts and Mr. Troy said last evening some excellent horses and riders contested.

Mile race, first Charlie Dog Sleep, second J. Parker.

Other events going on included a picnic for vacation Bible school attendees, dances every night in the newly built outdoor pavilion, a “tag day” for the Kennedy Deaconess hospital took place (little blue tags were sold for whatever the donor wanted to give, with the proceeds going to the Deaconess hospital building fund), the local Rotarians held their regular meeting with a “splendid spread” for visiting Rotarians to enjoy, diving and swimming contests were organized by the aquatic sports program, bucking exhibitions were arranged by the American Legion, foot races took place on Third avenue, even the newly formed turkey club got in on the action. A fireworks display topped off the Fourth, with the Brainerd studio experimenting with photographing the event. There were so many people in town, another call for rooms was pleaded for in the newspaper. And there was even time for Sheriff Timmons to conduct a raid on one of “Those Guys”. This article was in the July 2, 1924, Promoter.

ANOTHER RAIDING PARTY CAPTURES LIQUOR

Federal authorities and Sheriff Timmons conducted a raid last night on the real estate office in the first block on Third avenue said to have been conducted by Henry Loranger on a federal search warrant and confiscated a large quantity of liquor, most of which was found in a building in the rear.

I hope you all enjoy a happy and safe Fourth of July!