Our Town 100 Years Ago: September

The following is as written in the September 6 and 13 editions of the 1895 Whitehall Zephyr. The paper contained local as well as news from other parts of the US and from the world.

The Zephyr would suggest that when it is desirable to break a drought in the Jefferson Valley the manager of the Twin Bridges fair set their dates for that time. It has been proved beyond all doubt that persistent bicycle riding results in enlargement of the heart. What a pity Grover Cleveland, John Sherman et al cannot be induced to spend most of their time riding a wheel.

Frank Robson has established a stage line between Whitehall and Gaylord, having purchased an elegant new hack for that purpose. Two trips a day will be made, leaving Whitehall at 8 a. m., and 2:30 p. m.; returning, leave Gaylord at 10:30 a. m. and 5 p. m. This is a precursor of the electric line

Dr. Haviland was up in Mammoth gulch, Sunday last, to the Boomer camp, where a large number of men are at work on the flume which is to take the water from the head of Fish creek and convey it to Butte. The Dr. has charge of the physical welfare of the men, which is equivalent to saying there will be no sickness to speak of; of course, if any of them allow a cayuse to come up with a rock in one of its hands and smash him in the mouth, laying his lip wide open, that is no fault of "doc's.

There was a troupe of performing bears in town Tuesday, and it was only by the strictest discipline that Agent Kenedy could keep Ed Rule, the baggage smasher from following them away.

Ray Houghton must have certainly got the worth of his money while at the fair, for he says he "saw half of the world" while there. And now he's hunting for the other half.

Outcast Woman Badly Mangled, Another Alleged "Jack the Ripper" Murder in London, Sept. 8 – Another supposed "Jack-the-Ripper" murder was discovered this morning at Kensenal Green. The victim was an unfortunate woman of the outcast class and her throat was cut from ear to ear and her head fearfully battered with a stone. No trace has been discovered of the murderer.

J. O. Wallgreen, of Cold Springs, was in town yesterday. He is the only man we have seen from that region who did not feel the earthquake shock last Friday morning. He must have a clear conscience, as he is certainly a sound sleeper.

News from September of 1921 is rewritten from notes taken by Roy Millegan, Sr. The accompanying photo is of the bakery and confectionary from 1938.

With school resuming, there are several items of interest to report. Our high school boys are being taught the fine art of football for the first time. WHS superintendent Lowery, Professor Harper and Dr. Packard are directing the program. Forty boys turned out for the first session, and it is expected that the final number who make the team will be 25. We have 121 students enrolled in the high school this year, 61 boys and 60 girls. The grade school has 149 students. The school reported expenses for the previous year of $71, 719.92. An accounting of these expenses can be viewed at the school office or the Jefferson Valley News office. At the Waterloo school, Mrs. Florence Bryan is the teacher and principal.

The county is looking at abolishing the county agent position which would save about $4500 per year. This is a cost of about $0.85 per capita. However, the commissioners met with great opposition when 150 ranchers and farmers showed up to protest the proposal. Those complaining of the cost are not affiliated with agriculture, businesses, or corporations. In other agricultural news, Mrs. Houghton has green tomatoes for sale at 4 cents per pound or 3 cents if you buy over 100 pounds. Hereford bulls are currently selling for $125 per head. The Farmers Market is still being held at the Dick Common Block in town.

Several deaths were noted thus far in September. Thomas J. Whissiel lost his life while engaged in government Air Service in California. He was 21. Thomas was born at the South Boulder in 1900 and the family moved to Butte when he was 12. There will be a double military service for Mr. Whissiel and Mr. Robert Cummings at the Whitehall Gym. As you may recall, Mr. Cummings body is being returned to Whitehall from France where he died during the war. Also passing away this month is Mrs. Charles Newkirk. Adella and her husband resided in the Summit Valley.

Mr. W. A. Zimmerman will be leaving Whitehall and moving to Tabernash, Colorado; but, his daughter Theresa will be staying here and living with Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Yotter.