Our Town 100 Years Ago: July Part 1

In early July 1896, a general election was just months away and backing our dollar with silver was in debate. In Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania more than 40 miners were killed in a cave in. United Confederate Veterans were holding their 6th annual reunion in Richmond, Virginia; the Equal Suffrage Convention was being held in Boise, Idaho; and horseracing was a big draw in Anaconda, Montana.

Here in the Jefferson Valley, there were changes in businesses, people getting married, and construction on the smelter at Gaylord was in full swing. The following articles are taken as written in the July 3 and 10, 1896 editions of the Jefferson Valley Zephyr.

Good Work: During the three years' pastorate of H. Warman of the M.E. Church, the inside of the building has been finished, (work unreadable) and lighted, and the debt of $1700 reduced to $146 with a fair prospect of even that being wiped out during the few weeks that remain before the convening of the annual conference, which will meet Aug. 13 at Dillon. The parsonage, which had been unoccupied prior to his coming, has been finished, out buildings added, and the property fenced in. The membership has more than doubled.

Zephyrettes: Twelve car loads of cows and calves were shipped from here to eastern Montana ranges Tuesday. During the past 15 days about 12,000 head have passed through here to the same destination. Two circus trains passed through here Wednesday morning for Butte. Joe Morris was busily engaged in looking at the paintings of the mermaids and sea lions while the engines were taking water, and it was with difficulty he was restrained from striking up the track and following the show to Butte.

"Oh, you sons of guns!" is an exclamation to be heard almost every minute of the day in the streets, and the remark is followed by a wild waving of a handkerchief through the air. Surely the mosquitos just now are as pestiferous as gold bugs, and much thicker. Jo Swenzrath has discovered a mosquito exterminator which is sure death to the musical little kuss. There's nothing selfish about Joe, as everyone can make one for himself; he will give all asking information how to proceed to manufacture it.

Personal Pointers: By the Butte Miner of Sunday last we learn that a marriage license was issued to Julian R. Norval and Miss Olive Townsend, both well-known young people of Jefferson Valley. Mr. Dave Reed has gone to Salt Lake City to spend the Fourth. Will "Tud" was going too, but he says he is having too much fun with the Gaylord skeeters to think of going anywhere else in search of amusement. E.R. Stewart was in town a few days since, and reports that a cloudburst recently carried out the reservoir on his ranch between the Big and Little Pipestones, besides doing great damage to his growing crops. The same storm also did considerable damage in Frank Lemoyne's placer camp.

A Startling Experience: A few days ago Louie Herrick, foreman at the Spire Rock stone quarries, met with a happenstance which he will doubtless remember for many a moon. Mr. Herrick had gone to the bunk house and "turned in" for a brief rest, laying his hat on the side of the bunk, within a few inches of his face. In a little while he observed something which set him to wondering whether he had been on a big drunk or not, and if so, why he could not remember anything about it, for coiled up between him and his hat was a rattlesnake looking him in the face, its head swaying in the air, and evidently bent on scraping a closer acquaintance. The situation was very uncomfortable for Louie, as a sudden move was almost sure to cause the snake to strike. Louie made a grab however, and caught his snake's back of the head, the reptile twining itself around his arm. In the meantime assistance came, and the creature was killed before doing any harm. It was a young one, 20 inches long, or Mr. Herrick's escape would not have been effected so readily.

In July 1922, a lot was going on around the world and here at home. The younger brother of the Red Baron, Lothar von Richthofen, was killed in a plane crash; the Great Railroad Strike began with 400,000 rail workers walking off the job; the American Appliance Company was founded, initially to manufacture quieter refrigerators but would become Raytheon three years later; and, Johnny Weissmuller became the first man to swim 100 meters in less than a minute.

In Whitehall, people were more concerned with business, crops, and starting families. The accompanying photo is of the Yotter parade float entry. The stories are based on notes made by Roy Milligan, Sr. from July 1922 editions of the Jefferson Valley News.

There are several business updates to report. With Mr. J.M. Asher heading to Spokane, the Farmers Market will no longer be open. Tait and McMurray have sold Whitehall Drug to Mr. Williamson, a druggist and pharmacist from Big Timber. Mr. McMurray is moving to Roundup. For those making a trip to Butte, it will be a much nicer ride with the new route over Harding Way just opened for traffic.

Those who have purchased a plot in the Less Cemetery are requested to attend the meeting about adding water to the cemeteries near town. A proposal has been made to pipe water from the Jefferson Canal north of town to the two cemeteries. It will require about 2600 feet of pipe. If people want grass and trees in the cemetery, it is suggested that they come to support the proposal.

Several marriages have taken place this month. Forester John Richard Jon will be taking his new bride, the former Annie Laurie Miles, to their home in Watson, Montana. Winifred Taylor of Cold Springs is now going by the name of Mrs. Anderson. Also celebrating nuptials are the former Mary Cox and Charley Johnson.

Water is a critical asset here in the valley and several men play a key role in keeping water flowing to the farmers. Mr. C.W. Winslow is the water commissioner for the Pipestone Canal and Mr. W.A. Stith is the water commissioner for the Jefferson Canal Company. For those who just want to go over the water, Mr. Lepp has completed a bridge over Fish Creek at the Welcome ranch.

Farmers and ranchers on the Parrott Bench will be having a big shindig in Renova at Johnsons Grove on July 23rd. Lots of food and races are planned. Maybe they will have some of that head lettuce crop for salad – it is reported to grow to perfection here in the Jefferson Valley.