Our Town 100 Years Ago: January 1896 part 2

January 1896 was starting out cold and snowy but that did not stop people from getting out and about. The following were written in the late January 1896 editions of the Whitehall Zephyr.

Died. John Bray, formerly of this place and of the firm of Fox & Bray, died at Red Rock, Montana on Jan. 23d, 1896 of consumption. Mr. Bray was 33 years of age and was well known in this portion of Montana. "Lill" Phillips, a well-known woman throughout the camps of Jefferson Valley, died Wednesday morning, Jan 29, 1896, of chronic troubles of long-standing. She came here about a year ago, from Dillon, where it is reported she left considerable property. She bore a better name than most of the women following her avocation.

Thanks! To my friends of Summit Valley, Waterloo, and Whitehall, who presented me with a magnificent fur coat recently, I desire to express my gratitude for the same. H. Warman, pastor of the M.E. Church.

Silver Star. N.C. Anderson left on Monday's coach for Sheridan. He says he made a big mistake (I reckon) and wishes to hide his mug for a few days from the fair faces of Silver Star until his behavior is forgotten.

Personal Chat. "Tom" Cooney, N.P.R.R. attorney, was in town several days during the past week, in the interest of the company in a land contest case wherein Maj Brooke is one of the principals. Under Sheriff Sherlock and Professor McAuley, were over from the county seat, Tuesday. They located a large tract of our mountain scenery, winked at our girls, and departed for home the following day as happy as pigs in clover. Ernie McIntyre, the young man who has presided with such grace and hauteur over the bacon and molasses counter of the J.V.T. Co's store at Gaylord, has gone to Wicks for a brief visit. We have not been able to learn her name. There is such a thing as being drugged to death, but when you want fresh and pure drugs, go to Fosselman. While they are facing blizzards in the East, and bucking snowbanks in the West, we are basking in the sunshine here at Whitehall, and our average brave walloweth in warmth and murmureth yum, yum! We will bet our old hat against a postage stamp that there is water enough on the flat between this shop and the depot to float her Majesty's flying squadron. Dan Morrison was up from Lime Spur Wednesday evening. He came up to help add to the miseries of Doc Haviland and Alex McKay. Tom Hind departed for Three Forks. Tom will probably not fall into the river this time as it is frozen over.

In 1922, winter was not any kinder and temperatures were dipping well below zero. The following are based on notes made by Roy Millegan, Sr. from the January 19 and 26, 1922 editions of the Jefferson Valley News.

Obituaries: Whitehall has lost a very favorable businessman to a painful illness. Lot Borden passed away on January 13th after undergoing surgery for very bad ulcers. Mr. Borden was born in Falls City Nebraska on February 25, 1872. He married Hilda Showers in Minneapolis, Kansas on December 26, 1899, and they immediately settled in Whitehall. Being successful businesspeople, the Bordens had their Borden Block constructed in 1913 and added space for their hotel in 1919. Mrs. Borden has been in charge of the popular café for many years. Mr. Borden is survived by his wife, mother Mrs. C.B. Shrauger, brother J.M. Borden and half-brothers Lloyd Sherman and Frank Shrauger.

One of the earliest settlers of our valley has passed away. Mr. Patrick Wickham moved to the Waterloo area in 1864 and has lived there since. He is survived by his son Frank.

School News: Our young ladies basketball team is doing a bit better than our young men. They won over Three Forks 13 to 1. Beulah Aiken made all of the points for the Whitehall team. The boys lost to Anaconda 21 to 20 and to Big Timber 24 to 12. A group of high school thespians presented the musical comedy "The Pennant" during the Farmers Short Course over the weekend.

Ag Related News: The Farmers Short Course weekend was not all about farming. Those attending also had an opportunity to enjoy a band concert, movies, and an Old Folks Dance that featured waltzes, polkas, schottisches, French minuets, three-step, two-step, and square dances. Some people had enough energy to keep their feet moving through each change in tempo and dance type.

Charles Davis has moved on to the ranch land recently purchased from Mr. Frank Elmer. We had to say goodbye to James Bertoglio and will be welcoming Mr. R.E. McAllister. Mr. Bertoglio traded his 2760-acre ranch to Mr. McAllister for a three-story brick apartment building in Kansas City. Not sure who got the best deal in this transaction.

Horse prices are good right now at $100 per head; but, with our -20 degree weather you had better have a good barn and lots of hay to keep them worth their price.