Our Town 100 Years Ago: March 1922

Headlines in March 1896 bear a similarity to what you might read today. There was political unrest, murders, suicides, concerns about grain prices, and a horrific storm in the Pacific Ocean that devastated Fiji. Here in Montana, people were hoping for early spring and a Montana Congressman is hailed for standing up to the president for saying some very disparaging remarks about people out west. The following is taken as written from March 20 and 27, 1896 editions of the Whitehall Zephyr.

WATERLOO: On the occasion of the birthday anniversary of the Hon. Pat Carney, who previous to the assemblage of the visitors, was in total ignorance of what was about to take place, so the surprise prepared for him was complete. There was also vocal and instrumental music rendered by Miss Cora Grantier, L.G. Foster, Ed Beall, D. Morris, and James Foster, and recitations by Miss Grantier, Ed Beall, and H.J. Foster, all of which was very entertaining. Judging from the manner in which he appeared to enjoy it, the Hon. Pat must have been wishing his birthday rolled around once a week.

Choice Beef Cattle: B. Weingart, one of the most substantial ranchers and stockmen of Jefferson valley, justly prides himself on the quality of his beef cattle; knowing this fact, the Horace Noble Meat Company last week availed themselves of an opportunity to purchase 40 head of Mr. Weingart and will furnish their patrons with the same.

Echoes of the Rail: Conductor Walters, the celebrated champion pretzel eater, escorted by his troupe of beerhall jugglers, made a trip over the branch one day last week. Joe James is figuring on quitting pulling the throttle for a living and starting an ice cream parlor; he says he recently found a soda-water spring, and he is now advertising for a cow that gives ice cream.

Zephyrettes: The Ladies Aid will hold a maple sugar supper in the church on Wednesday evening, March 25. A good square meal for only 25c. "Pete" Wade, the young son of Tom Wade, is acquiring quite a reputation on the home ranch as a "buster" of the fiery and untamed bronco. They say Pete can get off from a bucking bronco quicker and oftener, making more turns in the air and lighting right side up with care, than any other lad with his experience in the valley. Microbes can't make Jefferson valley their abiding place. There are nearly 100 children in attendance at the school here yet such a thing as contagious or epidemic children's diseases are unknown.

Personal Chat: J.B. Welcome, the well-known attorney of Butte, was recently the guest of Harrison Jordan, of Fish Creek. We understand Mr. Welcome will occupy or purchase one of the ranches at Fish Creek recently purchased by the Butte Water company-probably the Postmaster Tuttle ranch; in that even he will beautify it for a summer residence and enter extensively into the propagation of thoroughbred chickens. The Zephyr would advise him to surround them with a very high, close-wove barb-wire fence, and as his spring crop ripens to environ the roost with spring guns and a few bulldogs. Jap Jordan lives close by, and the attraction a "yaller laig chick'n" possesses for Jap is simply irresistible. Jap Jordan was in town Tuesday a.m., and after getting the editor holed up in a mail pouch in the post office quietly informed him that he was going to sue the Zephry for damages; he says all ranchers in the valley are surrounding their chicken ranges with spring guns and deadfalls.

After a hard, long, cold winter, Whitehall residents were ready for the spring of 1922 to begin. With ice still three feet thick in places on the Jefferson, a spring thaw would be welcome. But with the good often comes the bad and that was true in the second half of March. The following news items are based on notes made by Roy Millegan, Sr. from March 16, 23, 1922 editions of the Jefferson Valley News.

It took several postponements; but, the High School thespians will finally be able to present their version of the operetta "The Pennant." The 24 seniors who will graduate in just a couple of months are having a tough time focusing on their classes; but a little fun may help to ease these last few months. The boys and girls who play basketball will be holding an indoor carnival to earn money to buy their school sweaters. The event will include a candy booth, a luncheon and six-side show attractions. You will be able to see the Fat Lady, Hula Hula Dancer, Minstrels, the Fortune Teller and enjoy a "Trip Around the World."

There was a terrible train wreck near Welch (west of the Pipestone Spur line) last week. The No. 1 westbound and the No. 220 eastbound trains collided last week, leaving several dead and many injured. Witness accounts tell of the two train engines looking like two collapsed spy glasses. Known dead is Don Caldwell. Carl Peterson, Dave Nielson, Thomas Barry and Frank Shrauger are known to be among the injured. Face lacerations are reported as a common injury among most of these men. Mr. Nielson, who has been with the Northern Pacific since 1893, said that orders were misread by the fireman. He thought the trains were to meet at Spirerock instead of Welch. The Alder Branch train immediately responded after picking up Whitehall's available physicians. To help record testimonies of the survivors, the Whitehall High School shorthand and Civics class students will be listening to the accounts.

There are a few changes to several local businesses. Jim Asher has purchased Mr. Cresaps interest in the Farmer's Market and will be offering fresh and salt meats. The market is located in the Dick Common building on Whitehall Street. Andrew Less will be adding a second story to his business block located between the Borden block and Whitehall Street. Mr. George Paul of Cardwell has a tractor and can be contacted if you need custom farming done. If you want to start raising chickens or just add to your flock, Mrs. C.H. Markell has eggs that ready to take to your coop for hatching.