Our Town 125 and 100 Years Ago - November, Part II

125 Years Ago - November, Part II: In late 1897, the fledging State of Montana was becoming a little more civilized every day but also facing some of the same problems found in large eastern cities. The Woman Suffrage Association of Montana elected 1898 officers, with Jefferson County well represented by Mrs. Sherlock of Boulder as the vice president. A young druggist in Butte (who has recently come from New York) committed suicide by prussic acid due to unrequited love for a young woman who had no interest in him. John McQueen of Bozeman was sentenced to a year in the penitentiary for conducting a stud poker game. Germany was facing a famine crisis due to poor crop production and the actions of an unpopular emperor. A London manufacturing district was devastated by a massive fire that destroyed at least 20 million dollars of property. Fortunately for our valley, life was a little slower and less hair-raising. The following articles are taken as written from the November 19 and 26, 1897 editions of the Jefferson Valley Zephyr.

HOME NEWS: There was a pleasant dance at the home of John Patrick, on the South Boulder, last Friday evening, and about twenty-five couples were in attendance. The dancing continued till the very small hours, and everyone present seemed to be having a splendid time.

Mr. Giles was the victim of a pretty good joke which he played on himself on Monday. While in Dobyn's drug store, he saw a pair of handcuffs lying there, and they reminded him of some of his war experiences when he was taken prisoner and was compelled to wear the irons. He tried the handcuffs on and they fit all right, but he inadvertently locked them. Harry Dobyns, the constable and owner of the darbies is in Sheridan, and the services of a locksmith had to be called. It is likely that Mr. Giles will be somewhat careful before he again tries on a pair of the clinchers.

The matter of additional school facilities for Whitehall is just now commanding the serious attention of the officers of the district. There is not enough desk room for one thing, and there are too many pupils for two teachers. In the higher grade, there are fifty-eight pupils, and in the lower sixty-three, making a total of 123.

We will trade a very fine new Kimball organ, worth $125, for a thoroughly well-broken horse, six or seven years old, 1400 lbs or over. Good color and a good build. Orton Bros., 305 N. Main St., Butte.

A dispatch says: "The postmaster general is about to establish a post office at Buckeye, Jefferson County." Wherinell is Buckeye?

Hunters who have sought the restless deer and antelope in this vicinity report that the game animals are very scarce. Two Butte sportsmen put in three days last week and failed to find even a track. Such is the experience of several parties who went out this fall. Charley Perrine is about the only man who got a lot of big game this fall, and Col. Johnson and Mr. Faulkner assert that he cornered the deer and talked them to death.

A score of friends surprised Dr. and Mrs. Davis last Friday evening and took possession of their commodious home. The doctor, as is his usual custom, went to bed at about 7:30, but he hastily donned his dress suit and acted as host.

100 Years Ago - November, Part II: 1923 had headlines like today with politics and disasters making the news. Fourteen members of the American schooner Grace N. Pendleton died while sailing in the North Sea. Gale-force winds and rough seas caused the schooner to break apart. The governor of Oklahoma was convicted by the state on eleven charges of corruption and abuse of power. Germany went back to the gold standard and their hyperinflation crisis finally ended. 66,000 fans watched the Army-Navy game end in a 0 to 0 tie after playing in very muddy conditions at the Polo Grounds in New York City. The first American astronaut, Alan Shepard, was born in Derry, New Hampshire. Local news was, of course, happening at a slightly slower and happier pace. The following news items are based on notes made by Roy Millegan, Sr. from November 22 and 29, 1923 editions of the Jefferson Valley News. The photo is of the WHS 1923 debate team.

A library in Whitehall is coming closer to fruition after 126 books were donated during the Library Shower event last week. The library committee is very thankful to Guy Williamson, Mrs. Martindale, Mrs. H. Schmidt, William Sacry, James Brennan, Mrs. S.H. Wolverton, Mrs. Emma Jones, and F.C. Fessenden for their generous contributions. The Modern Pharmacy is encouraging local residents to buy books and donate them to the library. They are really losing money on these books by selling them at 75 cents or two for 80 cents.

CARDWELL NEWS: The Cardwell high school gals showed up the guys by winning their basketball game against Willow Creek. The girls' team members are forwards C. Shaw and D. Sparrel; centers F. Hart and E. LaHood; guards H. Wegren and G. Douglas; and subs C. Campbell and E. Woodside. The boys' team has forwards Hansen and Patrick; center A. White; guards N. White and Dawson; and subs Carpenter and Kyle.

The Cardwell Athletic Association provided a very entertaining minstrel show. Mr. Dillet, who lives about 1½ miles west of Cardwell on the Yellowstone trail will have an auction sale next week. Robert Mack is the substitute mail carrier on RFD route 2 until Paul Dillon returns from vacation. Mrs. A.G. Crane is holding the Union Sunday school meeting at the Cardwell school.

WHITEHALL BUSINESS & AGRICULTURE NEWS: William Fox raised a fine gaggle of turkeys this year and has shipped several crates to Butte just in time for Thanksgiving dinners.

The fence line at the cemetery will be changed after the survey completed by C.D. Flaherty and S.H. Wolverton showed it was in the wrong place.

The Pleasant Valley Drainage district has issued a legal announcement that affects a number of farmers in the area and starts in Section 36, 1N 5W going in a northeast direction to outlets at either Fish Creek or the Jefferson River. The following people need to read the details of the announcement carefully. T.J. Bennetts, R.G. Toothaker, James Kane, Katie Hamilton, J.W.

Lineberry, John Couch, C.G. Gregson, Anna Sleeman, U.W. Elmer, Hugh Toomey, Charles Elmer, and the estate of Tom Barry.

Young women from the valley have been selected by various groups to attend the Vocational Congress in Bozeman. The Whitehall Women's Club is sponsoring Marguerite McFadden and Lois Wolverton. The Liberal Club is sending Ette Jackson and Theresa Zimmerman. The Cardwell Country Club has selected Ruth Wegren and Whitehall High School selected Alpha Houghton and Frances Hixson.

From the editorial staff at the Jefferson Valley News, we hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving.