North Montana Review


Selected items from the "Local News" column of the North Montana Review, J.J. Amiott, Editor - May 19, 1899 through December 1899. All opinions are those of J.J. Amiott.  Unless otherwise noted, all items are from Page 4.

Return to the Valley County home page.

May 1899

May 19, 1899
Mrs. Rush Meyer's nee Prentice, is visiting her mother in Glasgow. Miss Laura Prentice, who has been spending a month in Havre, returned home with her sister

May 26, 1899
p.1 - As we go to press the sad intelligence reaches this office that Mrs. Clarence Cook is dead, life having passed away a few minutes after 6 o'clock yesterday. ... The death of a mother is at all times a sad occasion but this one is made particularly so because it deprives two little children in tender years of a loving mother's care ... Death was due to consumption, and for the past three years her health has been steadily declining. Mrs. Cook was as native of Chicago.

A baby boy made his appearance at the home of Conductor Joe Chase Wednesday afternoon and in consequence the gentle Joe's cup is overflowing with joy.

"Saco Items": Rumor says that Bob Richards will soon take onto himself a better half. Good luck to yez Bobby. It is not well for a man to be alone.

June 1899

June 2, 1899
The funeral obsequies over the remains of the late Mrs. C.C. Cook occurred at the residence last Saturday at afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. W.D. Luther, of the M.E. Church, officiated and conducted solemn and impressive services. ... Mrs. Cook's maiden name was Susan Halsted and she was born at Lonridge, Peoria County, Ill. Her parents have been dead for some years but she has four brothers living in the old home, and a married sister residing in Iowa. Besides a husband she leaves two little girls, Florence, age 10 and Ethel, age 7, to mourn her death.

Saco Items: Miss E.A. Davis, of North Carolina, is visiting her brother, H.W. Davis, a prosperous rancher living near Saco.

DEATH OF MISS MOORE: Our quiet little town was thrown into mourning Sunday afternoon by the very sudden news of the death of one of our esteemable young ladies, Miss Blanche Moore, sister of one of our leading merchants, S.E. Moore. ... Dr. Hoyt was summoned and pronounced a case of heart failure. Miss Moore came here from Texas one year ago and by her kindly ways and easy manners had endeared herself to all acquaintances. ... The funeral took place at a late hour Monday afternoon and with gentle hands and aching hearts friends laid her tenderly at rest in the cemetery north of Saco.

June 9, 1899
p1 - News comes from Medora N. Dak., that Jack Trusty, formerly of this county, was last week found guilty of murder in the second degree and sentenced to ten years at the penitentary at Bismarck. Trusty killed his partner whom he accused of trifling with his wife's affections.

The Hurd brothers yesterday received the sad intelligence of their mother's death which occurred in Delaware at their old home. Walter Hurd left on the afternoon passenger to be present at the interment.

Jack Sutton, who for years was employed on the Great Northern as a fireman and later an Engineer, died recently in a Minneapolis Hospital while undergoing an operation for an abscess in the groin. The deceased had many friends in Glasgow who will be pained to hear of his sudden death. The remains were enterred at the family cemetery in Delano, Minn.

"Saco Items": Born to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Averill, a ten-pound girl. Mother and daughter are doing nicely and Carl is passing around the cigars in consequence.

June 16, 1899
p1 - "Saco Items": Born to Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Davis, a baby girl on Sunday, June 11th.

Richard Johnson received the sad intelligence this week of his brother's death at Grand Forks.

A telegram from Poplar announces the death at three o'clock yesterday afternoon of Clark Gregg from consumption. Clark was a promising and intelligent young man ... He was a graduate of Carylisle University from which school he emerged almost first in a large class of graduates. The deceased was married some three years ago to a sister of Mrs. Frank Hunter of this place who is left to mourn his death. The funeral will take place in Poplar tomorrow afternoon.

June 23, 1899

Card of Thanks - I wish to express my thanks to all kind friends of Poplar, Montana, whose help and assistance was so generously extended during the illness and death of my husband - Mrs. Agnes Gregg

June 30th, 1899

p1 - A large Baby girl made her appearance at the home of engineer George Harren last night. Mother and child are doing nicely and the happy father wears a radiant smile of joyful contentment that that seems to say "I'm not so lonely."

W.C. Beede loomed up Sunday morning wearing an unusually broad smile for a man who has acquired a proficiency in giving "short bit men" the cold stare. When interrogated as to the cause of it all he said, "It's a boy!" and began throwing out the cigars.

July 1899

July 7 1899
A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Mooney last Monday

Chas. Tanner, a new settler in the vicinity of Saco, was a pleasant visitor in Glasgow yesterday.

F.A. Hunter received a telegram, Saturday, announcing the serious illness of his father in Baltimore, Maryland. He took the afternoon train for that place.

July 14, 1899
p.1 - The family of Car Repairer Johnson arrived from the east this week and will make this place their future home.

A distressing drowning accident is reported from Chinook, in which three lives were lost. C.F. Haynes and son and Little, a butcher, were seining in the Milk river when the boy stepped into a deep hole and his rescue was attempted by his companions. All three were drowned in the struggle.

A dispatch from Dickinson, N. Dak., announces the sudden death of Capt. M.M. Wheeler, general traveling agent of the Northwestern Railway, from an attack of paralysis.

July 21, 1899
A ten pound boy was born to Mrs. Geo. Lure, of Tampico, on the 18th.

Clarence Cook and children leave today for Youngstown, Ohio, to visit Mr. Cook's sister who will take charge of his little girls.

Robert I. Allen, a brother of Mrs. T.B. Green, of Malta, was drowned while attempting to ford the Milk river last week. Robert was a bright boy of 14 years loved by all and gave promise of being a sober and industrious young man. When but 9 years old his mother took sick and for a long period the little fellow remained at the bedside administering to her wants. When the end came Robert gathered his mother's clothes and came to Montana to live with his sister. The interment took place Thursday, Rev. Luther officiating.

July 28, 1899
D.M. Kelly, foreman of an extra gang, died at Poplar Saturday from the intense heat.

Miss Musie Collins has returned to Pearmond after an absence of nearly a year visiting among relatives in northern Texas. She is the guest of her sister, Mrs. Blackman.

Jos. Butch was brought up from Nashua Monday to receive attention for a broken limb which has been dealing him not a little grief.

The Anaconda Reporter mentions a matrimonial complication which the parties involved are attempting to unravel in the district court of Deer Lodge County. R.W. Gillespie, of Malta, Valley county, claims to be the legal husband of a woman who passes as the wife of Chas. H. Lucus, but the latter is bringing suit to establish his right, title and interest in his matrimonial relations with the lady aforsaid. Gillespie appears as the contestant in this case.

Robert Entwisle, a young brakeman who was making his third trip on the road, fell under a ballast car at Wolf Point last Friday and was instantly killed. … The remains were brought to Glasgow, prepared for burial and shipped to Galena, Ill., where the dead man’s relatives reside.

One of the saddest accidents that has occurred on the Great Northern for years happened Saturday at Brockton, a side track and gravel pit twelve miles east of Poplar. William Gwyne conductor of a work train slipped while attempting to board the rear end of an engine’s tender [grisly details]. Dr. Atkinson, of Poplar was immediately summoned, but his injuries were too severe. The remains were prepared for burial and Tuesday afternoon the body was shipped to his widowed mother in Coatsville, Mo., for interment in the family lot. “Billy" Gwyne had worked on the Great Northern for nearly ten years, …

August 1899

August 4, 1899
Word came from Wolf Point that during a thunderstorm the home of Phillip Nore, better known as “Old Sandy", was struck by lightning and Nore's daughter and another young lady were instantly killed. Mrs. Nore was picked up unconscious and is not expected to live.

J.S. Boyer, the fireman who was severely scalded in a wreck near Vandalia some three or four weeks ago, died last Friday afternoon at 5 o'clock after suffering intense pain for eighteen days. His father and brother were present and Sunday the remains were taken to Wichita Kans., for burial in the family cemetery.

River Press: News has been received of a most unfortunate shooting which occurred in Havre about 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning. At about that time Geo. Hossick, night policeman went into “Shorty” Young’s Saloon [for an] arrest … Hossick called on one of the bystanders, Robert Finley … for assistance. Hossick drew his gun and [accidently shot Robert Finley]. The wounded man lived but half an hour. … Mr. Finley has been employed at the Merchants Hotel bar for six or seven weeks past and was very popular in the community. His relatives, who live in Ohio, have been notified of his death.

Aug 11, 1899
Mrs. Nannie Shelton has filed a complaint in the district court of Choteau County praying for a divorce and alimony from her husband, E.C. Shelton, of the Merchant's Hotel in Havre. The document states that she has at all times behaved as a wife should while her husband has abused, assaulted and threatened her, and is habitually intemperate. She wants her maiden name back and the custody of their 13 year old daughter. Those who are conversant on the case say the plaintiff is a "plum rank stranger to peace" and the defendant should consider himself a lucky man.

Aug 18, 1899
Mrs. H.W. White has gone to Manitoba in response to a telegram announcing the serious illness of her sister.

Conductor Clarence Cook returned Wednesday morning from a month's visit to relatives in Youngstown, Ohio.

August 25, 1899
Jas. Fox is paying his two little children at St. Louis Park a short visit.

Edgar B. Eastman and Mrs. Ada Eastman, both of Nashua, were united in the holy bonds of matrimony by Rev. Luther at the Coleman house Monday afternoon. The young couple recently arrived here from North Dakota and have taken up a ranch near Nashua.

September 1899

Sept 1, 1899
A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Cotton, of this place, Sunday.

Rev. J.A. Martin, pastor of the Methodist Church of this city, arrived home last night from Fort Benton where he was recently married to Miss Lillie Lewis, daughter of G.F. Lewis, a liveryman of that place and one of the commissioners of Choteau County. The bride was formerly a student at the Wesleyan University of Helena and of Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill. - Hamilton Republican

A curious pagan ceremony was held over the grave of Kunk Kee yesterday by the Celestials of the town, says a Havre correspondent. Kee is the chinaman who committed suicide last winter. His friends yesterday decorated his grave with broiled chicken, roast pork and other delicacies. A bottle of Chinese gin, turned upside down, was placed over the head of the grave, so that the liquor could drip slowly down to the departed Chinaman.

September 9, 1899
An Italian track hand, who died at Nashua last week, was buried from the Catholic Church here Saturday. His death was ascribed to the poor water which the crew had been drinking.

Died: at their home near Saco, September 1, 1899 at the age of 7 months, Frank the infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Tanner. Frank was a bright little fellow the joy of his parents and sunshine of the household.

After a very hard fought trial, Patsy Dwyer, who shot and killed "Panhandle Bob" Thornton at Gilt Edge on August 18th, was convicted of manslaughter in Lewiston last week and sentenced to two years and a half at the penitentiary.

September 15, 1899
John Aune, a locomotive fireman, had his leg broken at Hinsdale tank early yesterday evening by falling from the tender while in the act of watering his engine. He was brought to Glasgow and Dr. Hoyt and Atkinson decided the member was too badly mangled to be reset and the leg will be amputated this afternoon.

September 22, 1899
p. 1 -That was a pretty wedding which occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Vaag, of Saco, Wednesday evening, when Schuyler C. Small and Georgia Florence Wilson were united in matrimony by Rev. W.D. Luther. ... At seven o'clock the groom, accompanied by Mr. R.L. Conatser as best man and the bride by Miss Lillian Harris as bridesmaid, appeared at the altar. ... Mr. Small is the gallant and efficient undersherrif of Valley County. ... Miss Wilson is a sister of Mrs. H.A. Vagg, of Saco, and though a resident of Kalispell, is not a total stranger here.

News came from Culbertson that the two-months-old baby of Mr. and Mrs. Brugger died last week.

Married - At Fort Benton, Saturday, Sept. 16th, at St. Paul's Rectory, by Rev. H.E. Robbins, J.J. Amiott, editor of this paper, and Miss Alice Gamas.

Mrs. Henry White is home from a visit to Canada, where she was summoned by the serious illness of her sister who died about fourteen hours after her arrival. Mrs. White brought back her sister's thirteen months old baby boy which they will adopt.

September 29, 1899
A divorce has been granted Nannie Shelton, of Havre, from her husband Eugene Shelton the proprietor of the Merchant Hotel.

Mrs. Joe Chase and children leave today for Minnesota, where they will spend the winter.

Engineer C.C. Smith had the misfortune to have both hands and his face severely scalded Wednesday evening by the bursting of the water glass on his engine. His condition is painful and it will be some time before he will be able to resume his duties on the road.

Indians Ship Cattle – Chicago received a consignment of 20 cars of cattle last week, in charge of Major C.R.A. Scobey, of Fort Peck Indian Reservation. The cattle were shipped from Oswego and sold at $4.40 to $4.65 for steers, and $3.50 to $4.25 for cows with a car of bulls at $3.50. They belonged to the following members of the Yanktons, Sioux and Assiniboine tribes: Big Head Little, Medicine Cloud, All Tobacca, Fine Fish, Plenty Mollie Toaxler, Chester Arthur, Frank Redstone, Growing Thunder, Young Man, Bird Dog, Circling Eagle, Mosquito Hawk, Black Tail, Afraid of the Bear, Kills Spotted, Nick Alvares, Martin Mitchell, Bear Shield, Walter Clark, Little Santee, James White, Crazy Bull, Long Fox, Johnson Ryder, Deer Tail, Gives the Blanket, Sharp Eyes, First Eagle, Peter Bad Temper, Musk Rat, Broken, Barney Madden, Laughing Face, John Lone Dog, Chase the Bear, Little Dog, Made to Run, Yellow Boy, Chas. Thompson, Joe Lonzbia, White Man, Beats His Wife, Sailing Hawk, Standing and He Wets It.

Two Great Northern Trains Collide at Tampico and Four Men Meet Tragic Deaths – Engineer Kenneman escapes with broken leg – By far the most appalling and disasterous wreck that ever occurred on the Montana division of the Great Northern for years took place at an early hour on Tuesday morning about eight miles west of Glasgow and directly opposite of the Geo. White ranch, when a light engine and a stock train collided where the track is straight for miles and three men were instantly killed and another has since died from injuries received in the wreck. The dead and the maimed are as follows:
Harry Messingale, engineer on the stock train, died twelve hours after the wreck
Albert Neitzke, fireman on the stock train, killed instantly
C.P. Strahan, head brakeman on the stock train, killed instantly
Jas. Kennahan, engineer on the light engine, leg broken at knee

Conductor [John] Keeley and Brakeman Franklin escaped with sprained ankles and slight bruises. [grisly details here] The remains of the two firemen and brakemen, killed in the wreck at Tampico, were entered in Highland Cemetery Wednesday morning, it being impossible to keep the remains until relatives arrived. The remains of Engineer Messingale were accompanied by his wife and children to St. Paul Wednesday afternoon, where the relatives of the dead engineer are buried.

October 1899

October 6, 1899
p. 1 - Mr. William Bannon and Miss Anna Campbell were quietly married at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Manley at 8 o'clock Monday evening. Rev. Luther officiated and the ceremony was performed in the presence of only a few invited guests. The groom is a popular brakeman on the road and the bride has a wide circle of friends.

October 13, 1899
p. 1 - The River Press says that coroner Crutcher returned Wednesday with the human remains found in the Missouri River on Sunday last, and which were identified as those of Col. J.J. Donelly, who mysteriously disappeared four weeks ago. The remains indicate a determined case of suicide. Col. J.J. Donelly was a native of providence R.I. and was about 60 years of age. When the War broke out he helped to organize the Fourteenth Michigan Volunteer infantry and served as Captain of that Regiment until appointed on the staff of Gen. Thomas as an engineer officer, in which capacity he served until he became assistant general superintendent of the military railway service in General Sherman’s Department. After the War he was appointed by Secretary Chase as special agent to the Treasury. … He soon afterwards came west to Pembina N.D., and in 1872 became a resident of Fort Benton.

A marriage licence was issued this week by deputy clerk Fox to P.J. Nacy and Miss Eva Cooper, both from Culbertson. The happy event will occur on the 25th of the month.

October 20, 1899
Typhoid fever is said to exist in the city in several places.. Mrs. George Gephardt and Brakeman Cooper being reported down with the disease.

October 27, 1899
Charles McIntyre, of Spokane, and Miss Mabel Baldwin, a sister of Mrs. J.L. Atkinson, were married at Poplar Wednesday evening.

A large number of Glasgowites attended the Nacy-Cooper nuptuals at Culbertson Wednesday evening.

SHOOTING SCRAPE AT HAVRE – … Eugene Snyder, day foreman at the roundhouse, and John Foster, night foreman, and a gambler named Hopkins got on a spree together and went into a house together where they began to play seven-up and shoot craps for beer. [long description of how the fracas started] … The day foreman raised the gun over her shoulder and fired downward at Hopkins. The bullet struck him in the side and ranged downwardly toward the kidneys. When the first shot was fired the girl fled [you knew there was a girl, didn’t you], and Foster, the night foreman rushed between the two struggling men and all three fell to the floor. During the struggle, Hopkins secured the gun and fired two shots one striking Foster in the back, the ball entering his stomache and intestines, inflicting a mortal wound. The other shot merely grazed Snyder’s hip making only a slight wound. The officers, when they arrived, took Foster to jail not knowing that he was badly injured as he refused to say anything. As soon as Dr. Almus arrived he was removed to the Gussenhoven block where he died Sunday evening. It is said that he has a wife and five children in Quincy, Ill. Hopkins is a “rounder” and gambler who had a bad reputation in Valley County. It is not thought possible that he can live.

Word was received here from Havre that Kid Hopkins, one of the men shot in the fracas Sunday morning, died yesterday morning at an early. Hopkin’s father is a well know commercial traveler for a Chicago clothing house and is a man of letters. He was not aware of his son’s waywardness and often sent him expense money.

November 1899

November 3, 1899
P.J. McClory, county attorney of Ramsey Co., N.D. was in the city perfecting proofs of Edward Pieon’s death, one of the men killed in the Tampico wreck, with a view to collecting some insurance due Pieon’s relatives.

STOVE POKER DOES IT’S WORK – And Rudolph Jasper Rests in the Cold, Cold Ground. – At an early hour Sunday morning in Branson’s saloon Rudolph Jasper, a bridge carpenter, received a blow on the head with a stove poker from the effects of which he died at 9 o’clock in the morning. The poker was in the hands of Johnny McIntyre, a young man who has yet seen little of the rough side of life and upon whom Jasper was attempting to “land” with a heavy wooden chair to the ultimate hope of establishing his reputation as a fighting man, a title to which the deceased laid claim to prior to his encounter with the heavy end of a 5 foot poker. The facts of the case … [Blow by blow account of the night]. The deceased was a German and when intoxicated very quarrelsome. He was employed by the contractors who are putting up the additional span to the county bridge. The remains were entered at Highland Cemetery Monday afternoon by the contractor who has charge of the county’s poor.

A.J. Strahan, of Lawrence, Kan., exhumed the remains of his son Charles, one of the men killed in the Tampico train wreck who was interred in the cemetery here, and took the body to his home in Kansas Saturday evening for burial in the family graveyard.

A.D. Mahon of New York City is visiting his son Archie, of this place, who has been quite ill with Typhoid Fever for the past few weeks, but is now reported out of danger.

November 10, 1899
Another fatal wreck occurred on the Great Northern late Tuesday evening in which Brakeman Sherwood was instantly killed and Conductor Bovee seriously injured. A light engine running at the rate of 50 miles an hour crashed into the rear end of number 15 and completely destroyed the caboose. ... The wreck occurred a few miles east of Culbertson and the cause has not been ascertained.

November 17, 1899
M.E. Milner accompanied by Robt. Johnson [print faded] body of George Johnson, a valued employee of the Milner Live Stock Co., who was killed about 4 p.m. yesterday at the Shonkin round up camp on Cut Bank. The unfortunate young man ... [grisly details - his horse fell on him]. The body will be taken to Holdrege Neb., where the deceased parents live, by his brother Robt. Johnson - River Press

Tom Wilson, a day laborer on the road was found dead in the rear of Griffin's saloon about 9 o'clock Wednesday evening. Wilson had been in town several days and had been drinking heavily.

November 24, 1899
Conductor Wadkins, who was badly used up in a wreck near Saco some time ago, is able to move around with the aid of a cane.

December 1899

December 1, 1899
[From Arkansas] Chas. Unger, of Montana and Miss Mollie Davis, of this city, were united in marriage Sunday evening at Elm Springs. Mr. Unger is a successful cattleman and an exceedingly pleasant young gentleman. The bride is one of Bentonville's beautiful young ladies. They will reside in Montana - Bentonville Sun, Ark., - Mr. and Mrs. Unger arrived in Glasgow, this morning, and will take up residence on Buggy creek, where Mr. Unger has prepared a neat home for his little bride.

Yesterday, a marriage license was issued to W.A. Black and Mrs. Sadie Jones, of Malta, both well known and old time residents of the Milk river valley. The ceremony was performed by Justice Sullivan yesterday evening. - River Press

Geo. Brodie, a man said to be between 80 and 90 years old, died on No. 3 between West Point and Kintyre yesterday morning. The old gentleman was on his way to Los Angeles to visit relatives. ... The remains were shipped to his home in St. Paul.

December 8, 1899
Mrs. Mae Willis, proprietress of the Palace Hotel in Havre, is enjoying a short visit with her cousin, Mrs. T.W. Enright of this place.

Hiram Halverson and Miss Margaret White Thomas were quietly married at the home of the bride's parents at Tampico Tuesday afternoon. Rev. W.D. Luther performed the marriage ceremony. It was some ten years ago that Mr. Halverson came to this country a penniless man. Today he has one of the finest ranches in the county.

Miss Permilla Robinson and Jas. Hill were married at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Harley, Wednesday afternoon, by Rev H. E. Robbins, of Fort Benton. The young couple are both well known throughout the county and have the well wishes of many friends. They will take up the old Harrah ranch.

December 15, 1899
News came from Hinsdale that a 10-pound boy arrived at the home of Harry Rutter last Saturday. The mother and child are doing nicely and the happy father is willing to go without a Christmas present this year.

December 30, 1899
p. 1 – Delinquent Tax List for Valley County for Year 1899.
Allison, J.C., Glasgow, Improvements on real estate and local property – $8.24
Brewster, P.O., Jamaica Plains Mass., Personal property - $556.18
Brown, John, Malta, Improvements on real estate and personal property - $6.34
Currington, Jas. F., personal property - $3.99
Cotton, Nels, Glasgow, personal property - $7.73
Christy, Wm. Culbertson, personal property - $12.57
Dunbar, Samuel, Lethbridge, Canada, personal property - $1.39
L.A. Doores, Malta, personal property - $3.43
Hunter, Mack, Glasgow, personal property - $15.95
Halleran, Barney, Culbertson, personal property - $14.65
Laxtan, Chas. Saco, personal property - $9.91
Lovell, David, Saco, improvements on real estate and personal property - $26.41
Lavatta, Louis, Culbertson, personal property - $4.86
Lantry, Barney, Glasgow, personal property - $5.24
McLain, W.H., Malta, improvements on real estate and personal property - $6.34
McDonald, Jas., Malta, personal property - $5.29
Perret, Robert, Glasgow, personal property - $4.53
Palmer, Jas., Saco, personal property - $0.83
Sweeney, Steve, Malta, improvements on real estate and personal property - $15.94
Soshuck, S.C., Arden, personal property - $2.42
Snearley, James, Culbertson, improvements on land and personal property - $21.92
Shoemaker, W.B. Culbertson, personal property - $3.04
Tierney, M.D. Glasgow, personal property - $4.40
Office of the treasurer of Valley County Montana, Glasgow, Dec. 26, 1899

p. 4 - R.H. Parrett, late of the Gazette, has secured a position as a "sub" on the Anaconda Standard. Mrs. Perrett and her daughter Ruth will join her husband next week.

After a severe illness, little Eva, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Jones passed away on Saturday last at the home of Mrs. Whittal, at Malta.

A terrific acetylene tank explosion occurred at Havre Tuesday afternoon. Chas. Howell's saloon, where the explosion occurred was completely wrecked and several buildings were set on fire. Chas. Lane, who was recharging the tank when the explosion occurred was severely burned and Frank Cowan, the day bartender, was terribly injured.

Return to the Valley County home page.

This page was last updated 17 February, 1918. It was created 11 April 2009 by Dan Shurtliff.