Our Town 100+ Years Ago: May, Part II

125+ YEARS AGO - May, Part II: Late May 1898 had headlines about the Naval warfare near Cuba, dozens dead after a tornado swept through Clinton and Jackson counties in Iowa and parts of western Illinois, and five masked men made off with $25,000 of valuables when they held up a passenger train near Cuba, Alabama. Whitehall had many good things happening, some of which people were unhappy about. The following articles are taken as written from the May 20 and 27, 1898 editions of the Jefferson Valley Zephyr.

SUMMIT VALLEY GEMS: The farmers are getting anxious to see the result of the introduction of fall wheat in this valley. Should fall wheat grow successfully, a large acreage will be sown each year, as thousands of acres of tillable soil cannot be irrigated. Among those who will make the first experiment are I.A. Westmoreland and the Rundell brothers. Mr. Westmoreland will seed thirty acres this fall.

A large force of men has been repairing and widening what is known as the Missouri ditch, which is now in excellent condition.

HOME NEWS: Deputy Sheriff Tom Sherlock came over from Boulder yesterday and reported a flood in that part of the country. If possible, the rainfall around Boulder has been greater than in this part of the county.

As soon as the sun comes out and the rain is over it will be well to look up your tin suit. The mosquitoes are coming, and there will be a good crop unless signs fail. There can be no complaint among the farmers and stockmen as to the amount of rain this season. It poured down steadily all Sunday night and a part of Monday and seemed as though the story of Noah might be repeated.

John Brown will make his first load of telephone poles from Parrot to the Cedar hills, at which place the line starts, today. Silver Star will have a "hello" by June 1.

WORTH MENTIONING: Whitehall's experience during the past few months seems to indicate that people who live in unincorporated towns have no protection against petty nuisances unless they desire to pay for them.

During the past month, there have been a dozen transgressions of the law that have annoyed a number of citizens. On Monday evening, which lasted for two hours, a drunk and disorderly made the main part of the town hideous. Indecency and blasphemy were the only incidents of the event. Later in the evening, a denizen of the shady part of Butte belched forth indecent anathemas in the upper part of the main street. All this is due to the fact that Whitehall seems to have fallen into the habit of standing such things without a murmur. Citizens are discussing a plan to stop some of the nuisances and violations of the law that are so common, and it is none too soon.

100 YEARS AGO - May, Part II: The second half of May 1924 was full of celebrations with proms and graduations. The Memorial Day program would be well attended, with plenty of patriotism to fill Yellowstone Hall (now the Star Theater). The Jefferson Valley News front page was filled with photos of the graduating class and snippets of information about each student. Teresa Zimmerman was crowned Prom Queen, and Jack Potter was voted the most popular boy. The Old Men's Club made front page news for their political discussion during the May birthday dinners. The following articles are taken as written from the May 15, 22, and 29, 1924 editions of the Jefferson Valley News. The photo is an ad for a movie at the then Yellowstone Theater.

WHO'S WHO IN CLASS OF 1924: Henry Lloyd Lovelace, born in 1901 in Whitehall, attended school here and plans to attend the School of Mines in Butte. His occupation will be that of mathematics instructor. Leell B. Covert was born at Whitehall in 1905 and attended school here. He is as yet undecided as to what his future occupation will be. Teresa Maurine Zimmerman was born in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1904 and attended school there and in Whitehall. She plans to go to Colorado and become a private secretary. Glen L. Stephens was born in 1905 in Butte, Mont, and attended school in Conrad, Waterloo, and Whitehall, Montana. He plans to attend Montana State University and fit himself into the profession of forestry engineer.

GRACE NEWS ITEMS: Miss Douretta Guay motored to the Mining City Saturday evening to attend the grand opening of Columbia Gardens. William Fitzsimmons, who has been critically ill at his home near Grace, is slightly improved this week.

JEFFERSON ISLAND: The cattle were started for the upper Madison Monday. John Gibson and George Woodside are helping drive. The Junior Promenade was a decided success. The hall was beautifully decorated, and Mr. Johns and Mrs. Dave Ogan led the grand march. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the fine music furnished by the Whitehall orchestra. Arthur Shaw returned last Saturday from Butte, where he served on the federal jury for a week. Mrs. Moon moved from Willow Creek to one of Mrs. Sparrel's houses on Jefferson Island last week.

TOWN COUNCIL IN REGULAR SESSION: The following bills were read and, upon motion duly made, were approved, and the treasurer ordered to draw warrants for the same. H.H. Waldo, marshal salary, tending pumps, barn rent...$97.00. Yotter & Sons, 28 gals. Gas...$4.05. R.G. Stretch, burying dog...$1.00. Roy Winslow, unloading two cars of cinders...$16.00. Montana Power Co., lights and power...$17.00.

REPORT UNTRUE: A report has been recently circulated to the effect that the stairway in Morrison Cavern is unsafe for traffic. I wish to state that the stairway IS in good condition and entirely safe. Also, I wish to state that hereafter a federal tax of 10 cents will be collected in addition to the usual entrance fee. D.A. MORRISON.

WANTED: Anyone having ordinary chairs will do a good deed by donating same to the Whitehall library. All other furniture has been contributed, but the furnishings do not include a single chair.