Our Town 100 Years Ago: October Part I

1896 was winding down but not without turmoil in October of that year. A miners' strike was continuing in Colorado, a child is killed by rats in a Baltimore home, the upcoming presidential election was causing a division in the democratic party, and troops were sent to Tuskahoma in the Choctawcountry to guard against possible trouble from the selection of a new tribal chief. People of Montana were insulted by John Sherman, Senator from Ohio, when he called us an "undesirable state" and we were in need of civilizing and Christianizing. When he spoke to a group of "uncivilized Montanans," he was listened to with close and respectful attention. Compare that to the reception Mr. William Jennings Bryan received in New Haven, Connecticut when he was rudely interrupted by a mob of about 1,000 Yale students and a brass band. As the Zephyr editor wrote, "We may indeed be glad, here in Montana, that we live in an uncivilized state, and are destitute of that education and refinement manifested by the pampered offspring of the plutocrats . . ." The following articles are taken as written from the October 2nd and 9th, 1896 editions of the Jefferson Valley Zephyr.

ZEPHYRETTES AND PERSONALS: The railroad track on the north side of the depot is being placed in first-class condition, and a much-needed improvement was made by raising and leveling the ground alongside it so that ore other teams can get to the cars to unload their freight. The latest prospective millionaires are Messrs Ouimet, Schilling, and Claypool, through the discovery of a big ledge by the latter which had been uncovered by a recent cloudburst in the Sunlight camp. Charlie Reed, the real estate man, fell from the second story of the Zephyr block Wednesday, landing on his back with a dull sickening thud that he will not forget in many a day. Dr. Sam Wade has changed his headquarters from this burg to Boulder, where he will re-engage in the livery business, retaining his business here, however. The doctor will have to visit Whitehall occasionally, though, for a touch of real life. A. Ouimet, the popular blacksmith, is enlarging his blacksmith shop by making it 54 feet in length, shingling the roof, and "siding" the building. Improvements are soon to be made on other buildings in town.

GAYLORD: Recently the bottom fell out, or dropped down, in the big ditch at Point of Rocks. It seems that at that place the ditch crossed a big cave and when it reached that point the water soon found its way into it as it came down from the river, and after traveling underground several hundred feet, came out near the river, flowing into it. Engineer McDonald and Contractor Beemer with a force of men finally got it under control.

RAILROAD: Roadmaster Adams met with an unpleasant experience with his four-wheel railroad bike while coming down the hill a few days ago. He was coming at a good clip when one of the axles broke, letting the roadmaster come on ahead for a short distance on "all fours." Fortunately, beyond severe sprains and bruises, he met with no injuries. He dumped the new machine in the ditch, after invoking a number of strong blessings upon it; about that time it could have been bought very cheaply.

In October 1922, there was still turmoil and tragedy in the world. Forest fires in Canada had killed 43 people and scorched 650 square miles; in Russia, a young man turning 20 faced conscription into military service; and France released the last Germans still being held as prisoners of war from WWI which ended nearly four years previous. Here in the U. S., President Harding directed U. S. Attorney General Harry Daugherty to order all liquor taken off U. S. ships around the world and any foreign ships carrying liquor to be stopped from entering American waters. Miss Lillian Gatlin, an airplane passenger, became the first woman to cross the continental United States in a plane. The flight was part of her campaign to get March 2nd declared a holiday in honor of deceased U. S. flyers. Here in the valley, things were a lot more hometown slow. The accompanying photo is the WHS football team.

The Miles Tuttle family held a grand family reunion. While Mrs. Hugo Klinghammer was not able to travel from LaGrande, Oregon, other family members made the trip to the valley. They included Mrs. Ross Edwards from St. Helens, Oregon; R. S. Tuttle from Cameron; Elvan Tuttle and Alice Opie from Whitehall, Eugene Tuttle from Butte; Ted McPherson from Piedmont and three grandchildren.

The Women's Club District meeting had scheduled a debate between Governor Dixon and Will Campbell, editor of the Helena Independent Record on the proposed constitutional amendment; but it was unfortunately canceled. Otherwise, the meeting went well, and the Whitehall club has a busy calendar set up for the coming year.

The general election is only a few weeks away. There are currently 538 registered voters in Whitehall Precinct 4.

The curse of the dairy has struck again. Mr. Pace just cannot seem to keep businessmen operating his Sanitary Dairy. It is once again empty and can be rented or purchased. It includes a barn, outbuildings, and 340 acres.

Our football team is still trying to get the hang of this new football game sport. At least they are scoring. The Dillon game ended with Dillon 38 and Whitehall 6. Against Anaconda, we lost 13 to 40. But wait! We beat Belgrade with Mosier, Potter, and Miller scoring touchdowns. The final score was 25 to 6.

Apparently, the 9:00 PM curfew for anyone 16 and under may be helping.

The Cardwell mail route is in need of an additional deliveryman. The Civil Service exam will be given later this month. Pay will be $1800 per year for the 24-mile route. Applicants must live within the territory covered. Women are welcome to apply as long as they are a widow of a serviceman or of a physically disabled veteran.

It was reported earlier that there it was believed the Point of Rocks Cave was used by road agents. Further evaluation of the cave seems to confirm this theory. It certainly is a great vantage point from which to observe travelers and is still a great place to hide.

James Burgoyne has passed away. Mr. Burgoyne was born in Devonshire, England on February 1, 1849, and immigrated to America in 1869. He lived in Butte for a while, working as a shift boss at mines owned by W. A. Clark. He then lived in the Bitterroot for a while before moving to Whitehall in 1900. He remained active throughout his life and was not only a stockholder in the Whitehall State Bank but served several times as a director on the board. He is survived by Albert of Whitehall, James of Stevensville, and Mrs. May of Salt Lake City, Utah. He will be buried in the Mount Moriah cemetery in Butte.