Our Town 100 Years Ago: December 1921

The year was coming to an end. People in 1895 and 1921 were dealing with a tough winter, illness, and politics. The December 1895 news is taken as written from the Whitehall Zephyr December 6 and 13 editions, and the 1921 news is based on notes made by Roy Millegan Sr. from early December editions of the Jefferson Valley News. The accompanying photo is the Huston Barber Shop that was located in the west side of the theater building.

December, 1895: THE SONS OF REST. A new order formed at Whitehall, last Saturday Night. On November 30, the initial meeting of Whitehall Lodge, No. 10, United Sons of Rest, was held in Sam Wade's hayloft; visiting members from Boulder Lodge, No. 7, and Sheridan Lodge, No. 9, were present, and several charter members of the Grand Lodge took part in the organization.

Applications for membership from F. Miller, Johnnie Bray, Alex McKay, Col. McFadden, Sam Wade and Gene the Cat Fancier, were received and considered. Wade and McFadden were rejected on account of rustling about town, and also that of Miller for painting the town red. George Bowles was admitted by card from Toston Lodge, No. 13.

Complaints were entered against charter members Ed Yule, Harry Miller and Jo Morris for moving faster than a walk, and against John Moore and Fred Eckelson, for working up a stand-off. Also Jim Morgan, for driving a bargain. At this juncture, word was passed by the outside guard that Sheriff Gilliam had been seen prowling about the stable below, and the meeting adjourned in great confusion.

Why Some People Gave Thanks. There were many thankful people in Whitehall Thanksgiving Day; to be sure, some were more thankful than others, and if the reasons assigned hereafter for the thankfulness evinced by the people mentioned are not in line with their reasons for feeling so, it is simply because they did not know as well as the Zephyr why they should be thankful. No one has been quoted as being thankful that Grover Cleveland is President for the simple reason that there is no person in the country toward whom the Zephyr cherishes any animosity, hence it would not lay so terrible a charge at anyone's door.

Worthy Noble was thankful for the reason that Whitehall has made wonderful strides in the past year. Frank Miller because Thanksgiving comes but once a year. Ed Woolverton because he killed enough coyotes to pay his taxes.

George Franks because his racing stock is developing into good milch cows. Jo Swenzrath because the goat's horns had knobs on the tips. Tom Hind because he had not fell in the river lately.

From Boulder: We have been favored of late with quite a number of Whitehall people. Mr. Noble ("our Worthy"), the redoubtable Col. Sam Wade (your charming postmaster who creates such a fluttering among the fair sex), Mr. Fergus (your A. J. Stewart), and Major Brooke (whose hearty hand shake and healthy greeting is worth a whole drug store.)

It is a pleasure to meet Whitehall people, for they are like the Zephyr-they "blow for all," and it won't hurt this town to have a good blowing up once in a while.

What with Col. Sweet telling Christian stories, Judge Warner attending all church meetings (his family is here again), Ira Vatan visiting all the pretty widows, Doc Leighton quoting scripture at whist parties, and the "Court House gang," going to Sunday school, this place is sadly degenerating; even the dogs and felines retire early and no one speaking above a whisper, "After nine, after nine!"

December 1921: Our high school football team was honored at a dinner last week sponsored by Dr. L. R. Packard and Professor Lowry. The boys have been doing well considering they had never played football before this fall. They won their last game against Boulder, 14 to 2. The snowstorm helped to keep the scores for both teams on the low end.

The Waterloo boys now have a basketball team and are ready to win some honors for their part of the valley.

The Women's Club completed their vote gathering for the official flower of Whitehall and the winner is the cosmos. There is now an effort to organize a Cosmos Club which will focus on dancing get-togethers for the young married couples in town.

Until the organization is well established, the temporary officers will be Mrs. W. P. Coghlan, President; Mrs. Art Needham, Vice-President; Howard A. Johnson, Secretary and M. F. Jelinek as Treasurer.

A valley pioneer has passed away. Mary Beall came to Montana 57 years ago with two small children and has resided in the southern part of our valley ever since. She was 82.

In business news, McKay and Carmichael will be selling ice from the platform at the ice pond but they will not haul it or pack it so bring some stout help if you cannot handle it yourself. The self-serve ice will cost you $1.50 per ton.

Carl Good and Clarence Gorden from Ryegate have purchased the Huston Barber Shop and will be charging 35 cents for haircuts and 15 cents for a shave. There will be no extra charge for services provided on Saturday.

Rumors are on track again for the Gilmore-Pittsburg railroad to build a line between Whitehall and Dillon. Will this be derailed, again?

Harold Donohoe has made a rather cheap sale of his prize, a very big Poland China boar, to the Montana State College for only $100. The 950-pound swine will become head of their herd of Poland China hogs. Mr. Donohoe had been offered $500 for the brute.

Members of the Liberal Culture Club want our community to be as festive as possible this Christmas season. They are promoting the addition of a community Christmas tree in the city park that will be illuminated each evening through the holidays. They are also planning an outdoor Christmas program that will include Silent Night, Holy Night being sung by an invisible choir. If the snow gets any deeper, the choir may be singing from the top of the tree.