Our Town 100 Years Ago: January 1896

There was plenty to celebrate at the beginning of 1896 and 1922 even with winter still keeping people close to the woodstove. Whitehall was rebuilding after a series of serious fires during early 1895 and it had survived the "greatest depression ever known in the United States..."

At the start of 1895, there were 20 businesses and professionals in town. At the start of 1896, that had grown to more than 32 and the Zephyr listed details on 60 new buildings in town, all built during the previous year. By 1922, most of the 1895 buildings were still in use and more structures had been added. The town only had one fire in 1921, so in that regard, it was a very good year. The accompanying photo is the WHS boys 1921-22 basketball team.

From the January 3rd and 10th editions of the Whitehall Zephyr, as written: The dance at the Whitehall Hotel on New Year's Eve was postponed on account of the heavy wind storm, but in the evening following the dancers gathered at the hall and music and mirth was the order of the evening. The dance was largely attended, highly appreciated, and successful in every respect. Attention Saloonkeepers. The Good Templars of Jefferson Lodge of this place, calls attention to the fact that the laws of the state impose a fine of $500 or imprisonment for six months or both, as the court may determine, on any saloon keeper allowing minors to frequent his saloon. At the last regular meeting of the lodge, it was decided by a unanimous vote to press such cases.

A BROKEN LEG. Miles Tuttle of Fish Creek, met with a serious accident last Tuesday, near Gaylord. While riding horseback the animal fell on the rider breaking his right leg below the knee. Dr. Davis was summoned and set the bones of the injured member.

Why become as ignorant as a pig and retrograde beyond Darwin's comprehension, when you can buy magazines at Joe Morris' and become posted

HUCKLEBERRY'S ROW. Off Hand Remarks and Matter-of-fact Conclusions of the Man With the Red-headed Moustache. Brush Beckwith is once more happy. He wears a smile like the Pearly Gates of Paradise and pink shoestrings. He says the Zephyr did it. Fred Warren is rapidly becoming a shining light of moral weight. He has not only swore off mixing water with his whisky, but he actually leans toward piety. Fire Chief Miller met with quite a mishap, recently, while practicing with a scaling ladder on the Gaffney block. He slipped and shot downward like a meteor, and all that saved this town from an embrionic earthquake was that his coattails caught on the telephone wire, suspending the unhappy chieftain in midair. However, Charlie Perrine soon went up on a toy balloon and cut his unfortunate partner loose and he was caught on a load of hay.

THE JEFFERSON BRIDGE. J. M. Luke, superintendent for the bridge company having the contract for bridging the river at Jefferson Island, expects to have the contract complete before the end of the month. The material is all on the ground, but the non-arrival of necessary tools which were shipped three weeks ago has prevented the beginning of operations. The same company is also engaged in putting in a pier for the protection of the bridge at Iron Rod and also overhauling the bridge otherwise.

SILVER STAR. The winds in and about Silver Star have been terrific of late, and while we have learned of no casualties or serious disaster there, the Zephyr's phone and telegraph connections with the Star being put off whack, we are fearful that our correspondent at that point must have gone up in one of the whirls of Old Boreas, as we have not heard a word from him this week. Henry Weingart took a 2xL last week and came down the tramway. It is nothing when you get used to it Henry. J.R.C's toenails are coming off, on account of being foundered on fresh oyster soup, Christmas eve.

From the January 5th and 13th editions of the Jefferson Valley News, based on notes made by Roy Millegan, Sr.: There is good news for businesses, even here in Whitehall. The mines in Butte will be re-opening soon after being shut down for nearly a year.

Our fire department is to be commended for an excellent year in 1921. With only one fire last year, a lot of credit goes to Mr. Smales and Mr. Beaver. Our fire chief for the coming term is James Brennan. His assistant chief is Francis Clawson. Other officers are F. C. Greene, secretary; T. P. Greene, treasurer; Bert Beaver, fire marshal; and Mr. Smales will remain the inspector.

With all the snow this winter, everyone is very thankful to C. W. and Roy Winslow for keeping the county roads open. They have been using that big Cat and tractor to move the annoying white stuff off the roadways.

The Farmer's Short Course will be held during the first four days of February. Classes are expected to fill up fast so register soon or get left in the chaff pile. Day one topics include alfalfa, hogs, and diversified irrigation. Day two will cover poultry, bees, and rabbits. Potato school will be held on the third day and the course will close out the fourth day with dairy. Instruction will include moving pictures to show good and bad examples of farming practices.

The school dormitory is still a bone of contention with locals. Many are of the opinion that educating students from outside of our district is a detriment to our own pupils. Others, however, point out the benefit of increased revenue coming into town. All the deep snow does not seem able to bury this controversy.