Our Town 100 Years Ago: November 1920

The election is over, winter is setting in and homes and businesses are changing hands – one hundred years ago in Whitehall. Jefferson County voters selected Mr. D. F. Riggs as a new member of the Montana House of Representatives. Mr. H. R. Houghton defeated Mr. M. L. Tuttle for county treasurer and James Flaherty is the Clerk of the District Court. 367 voters turned out in Whitehall. Our town orchestra provided the music at the big election dance in Virginia City.

There are several changes and additions among our community residents. Edward Harden and his family have moved back to town after being in Glendive where he worked as an assistant cashier. He will be the main office man here for the Pace Insurance Agency. Unfortunately, the Harden family lost all their household goods and clothing when the Northern Pacific train carrying their belongings from Glendive derailed and caught fire. Mr. A. J. McKay has sold his home to Harry Huber. Several people are having auction sales including John May, Charles E. Davis and R. V. Wright. Mr. Wright's sale includes an Elgin Six Roadster and will be held three doors west of the Methodist Church. Our local newspaper is now under new ownership. Mr. J. R. Baird of Powell, Wyoming will be covering all the valley news. There is a new watchmaker at the Modern Pharmacy. Mr. G. W. Sugden is there to take care of all wearable time pieces.

Our little community was featured in the Anaconda Standard with a headline of "Whitehall, a Small City of Large Achievements." In short, this nice article describes our town, 38 miles east of Butte, as having enthusiasm and civic spirit in the land of good potatoes and plenty with memories of hundreds of characters from the pioneer days and their desperate deeds and heroic tales.

It is incredibly sad to report the death of Mrs. J. T. Bradshaw. Her husband is Professor Bradshaw, principal of the Cardwell High School. Mrs. Bradshaw and Miss Morris (an instructor at the Cardwell school) were walking along the road near the slough bridge north of the school. When they stepped aside to let a car pass, Mrs. Bradshaw stepped directly in front of another car and was killed. She will be buried in Big Timber.

Local attorney Ike Pace has finished his defense of Dave Kuns at the trial in Virginia City. Mr. Kuns was charged with assault in the first degree with intent to kill. The jury returned a verdict of guilty of assault in the third degree. This carries a maximum six months in jail. The punishment is left to the discretion of the judge.

The second annual Armistice Ball, hosted by the American Legion Post No. 24, was a great success. Many say it is the most successful event held so far this year both socially and financially. The K. P.s served Army Chow about midnight and the dancing continued until 2:30 AM. A program of twelve dances was held before chow time. Each dance was named after military terms, French and American. Music was provided by the seven-piece Whitehall orchestra. There were 110 couples who danced and a goodly number of spectators.