Celebrating History: mechanics classes in session, public schools have to cut

By Emily Mayer

Winter is a great time to focus on planning for the warmer months ahead, and with this area being prime agricultural land, the case was no different a century ago. Learning courses were very popular, with various subjects ranging from new crop growing techniques to animal husbandry being taught. This year, maintaining farm vehicles was the focus of two different gatherings in Havre this week 100 years ago. The following two articles were printed on the front page of the January 18, 1925, issue of the Havre Daily Promoter.

“FARMERS SHORT COURSE OPENS TOMORROW

“INSTRUCTION WILL BE GIVEN IN FIXING THE OLD CAR AND IN SHOP WORK REQUIRED ON FARM

“Classes in auto mechanics, shop mathematics and mechanical drawings will be offered at the second annual Farmers Short course which will start this week. The schools will be of six weeks duration and will be under the supervision of County Agent E. B. Duncan and C. R. Mountjoy, Smith-Hughes instructor at the High school.

“The course in shop mathematics will commence at 4:30 Monday afternoon, January 19, and the work will be of the same nature as was given last year. Classes will be held in the Agricultural room of the high school and C. R. Mountjoy will be the instructor.

“The mechanical drawing work will be held under the direction of Chas. G. Grau, city engineer, and will consist of a thorough training in the art of drawing. The first meeting of the class will be held Tuesday evening at 7 o’clock, January 20, at the high school.

“The auto mechanics course will commence January 19 and will be conducted at Devlin Motors. Instruction is gas engine and blacksmithing will be given in connection with the automobile repair work.

“The sessions will begin at 1 o’clock each afternoon and will continue until 5 o’clock, Saturday and Sunday excepted. Though the course will last for six weeks it is arranged so a person may take a week’s work in any line he is particularly interested in.

“Tractor School At Devlin Motors Success

“The International Harvester company’s tractor school held Friday and Saturday at Devlin Motors, under the direction of the H. Earl Clack company, was well attended.

“A thorough practical course of instruction was given in which the uses of tractors and repair was taught.”

Another agriculture-related article was printed in the same day’s newspaper.

“Willner Elected Head Farm Loan Association

“B. N. Willner was elected president of the Havre National Farm Loan association at the annual meeting of the organization held Saturday afternoon at the high school. Hazel O. Newby was elected vice president.

“The directors of the association are B. N. Willner, Stephen John, Edward Redwing, A. S. Saunders, Hazel O. Newby and C. L. Johnson.”

I don’t think I’ve ever met a farmer or a rancher who hasn’t said something to the effect “Get them started early”. The High School certainly was, and this article was found in the January 23, 1925, Daily Promoter.

“RASKOPF ELECTED HEAD AGRICULTURAL CLUB

“Ben Raskopf was elected president of the High School Agricultural club at a meeting of the organization held the first part of the week. Hazen Lawson was elected vice president, Tom Chestnut secretary, Louis Hary treasurer and Siguard Belland sergeant at arms.

“After the regular business session oyster stew was served and this was followed by a boxing program.”

Regarding schools, not all the news was good. This article was on the front page of the January 18, 1925, edition.

“10 MILL TAX LEVY FOR SCHOOLS BEATEN BY 49 VOTES

“Proposal To Increase Taxes To Take Care of Forecasted Deficit in Expenses of Schools Fails

“The proposal to authorize the board of school trustees of school district No. 16, including the city of Havre, to levy an additional 10 mills tax for school purposes was defeated at the special election held yesterday by a vote of 195 to 146 according to the unofficial count.

“Unusual interest was manifested in the contest and the vote recorded was the largest that has been registered at any of the special elections in recent years.

“Opponents and friends of the proposal to increase the levy were busy all day getting out the voters.”

Cuts were immediate. This article was published on the front page of the January 20, 1925, issue.

“SCHOOL BOARD STARTS CUTS TO REDUCE EXPENSES

“Members of the board of trustees of School District No. 16, at a special meeting last evening canvassed the vote of the recent city election wherein the proposal to authorize an additional levy of 10 mills for school purposes was defeated and then proceeded to cut down the expenses of the district to avoid any larger registration of warrants than absolutely necessary.

“It was decided to drop immediately four married women, who are on the teaching corps, making a saving thereby of $1,850 for the remainder of the year.

“The ban was placed on all social senior and junior high schools, except such athletic games as have already been contracted and such money making entertainments as have been arranged. It is thought this action will save the price of a couple of teachers.

“No beginners class will be started at the second semester, children eligible therefore being forced to wait until next year before going to school, which will make a saving of about $650.

“A number of items on the budget were reduced, including elimination of repairs and upkeep on buildings saving temporarily about $1,820 and extra janitor service about $200. It was decided to cut the purchases of supplies to only the amount immediately required.

“Superintendent L. R. Sherwood presented his resignation effective June 1.”

Thankfully, the days of firing women simply because they were married are gone forever. Do that today and lawsuits would be filed, with the plaintiff winning, and the defendant deserving to lose.

Successful communities cannot operate without banks, and this good news was printed on the front page of the January 23, 1925, edition.

“HILL COUNTY BANK WILL PAY FIRST OF CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT

“Ten Per Cent of Indebtedness Taken Over From Old Security State Bank Will Be Paid Now

“Announcement was made yesterday that ten per cent of the certificates taken over from the old Security State bank under an agreement with the creditors with interest would be paid January 26, six months before they come due.

“When it took over certain securities from the old bank the new institution under the terms of the reorganization agreement was to pay therefore in certificates of deposit, ten per cent payable during the first year, 20 per cent within two years and 40 per cent within four years. 30 per cent within three years. In event if the bank desired it was privileged to extend the date of payment one year. Interest was set at 3 per cent.

“The announcement that the first certificates will be paid now means they will be paid six months before due and 18 months before the bank had to meet them, which speaks well for the management of the new institution.”

R. G. Linebarger, editor of The Havre Daily Promoter, had this to say in his editorial of the same day.

“MAKING GOOD RECORD

“The announcement of the Hill County State bank that it will make a ten per cent payment on the certificates of deposit which it gave in payment for a portion of the assets of the old Security State bank of Havre will be welcome news to the community and shows the wisdom of the directors of the organization, of the depositors and creditors of the old bank, in negotiating the reorganization of a new bank to take part of the assets of the old institution.

“In the record the new bank is making in thus meeting six months ahead of the time decide on this obligation it has set a mark not achieved by any other such institution in the state.

“Looking over the last report of the Hill County bank the reader is impressed with the firm foundation on which the local financial institutions now rest.”