Harmon’s Histories: Double the trouble, and four bears on the trail, in Libby
Jim Harmon writes, "Today’s column seems more like a “Meanwhile” segment on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert than my usual fodder of old newspaper stories."
Missoula history
Harmon’s Histories: Vacations are for change, not rest, advises early UM prof
It was the end of the inaugural year of classes at the University of Montana. The students were about to take their first summer break from college, and one of their professors had some advice.
Harmon’s Histories: Keep Thanksgiving pies off the porch, safe from felonious felines
“DUFFY vs THE CATS” was the headline, describing the warring parties: Anaconda Prosecuting Attorney John H. Duffy versus a neighborhood covey of cats, a flock of felines, owned by Johnny Horn.
Harmon’s Histories: Homestead Act proved difficult for political parties, governance
Consider this response from a Bitterroot Valley editor to the 1894 presidential election: “I look upon the result of the election as a forerunner of Republican success in the future. I regard it as an endorsement by the people both of the declared policy of the Republican Party and in its ability to do some thing in the line of its policy when in power."
Harmon’s Histories: Barney’s was a deluxe downtown store … and robbery target
If you’ve been in Missoula for a very long time, you’ll may remember the store on North Higgins, next to Woolworth’s, before it went out of business in the 1950s. Back in 1912, the Barnhill brothers, Garnett and Hyatt, bought Joe Fitzgerald’s menswear store, closed briefly for remodeling, then opened “Barney’s” for business at 222 North Higgins on August 1 with “new stock.”
Harmon’s Histories: 1918 U.S. Senate race warned of excessive campaign spending
There is “a growing national concern about the need to regulate the use of money in political campaigns.” It could be a headline from today – but it isn’t. It’s from 1918!
Harmon’s Histories: Trying to track teen-speak through the ages, daddy-o
When it comes to slang, I know just about every reference to the teen-speak of the 1950s, but as an old dog, I will be quick to admit I don’t know a thing about today’s youthful figures of speech. Let me share some of my research.
Harmon’s Histories: Let’s sing a song of presidential campaigns
Might I suggest – at a minimum - all presidential candidates be required to have their campaigns write some new, original songs supporting their cause?
Harmon’s Histories: Missoula County High School’s 1928 yearbook was ‘all Lindy’
“We have done our best and have endeavored to make this book worthy of him and to whom it is dedicated, Charles Lindbergh and the Missoula High School. It is with the hope, that every graduate of our institution will go through life conscious of Lindbergh’s spirit and ideals, that we present this 1928 Bitter Root.”
Harmon’s Histories: Early newspaper took aim at Big Arm’s ‘poisonous tongues’
“Big Arm needs a banking house, a general drugstore, a gents’ furnishing establishment, a shoe store, a jeweler’s store and a food store!” So proclaimed the editors of the Big Arm Graphic in their 1912 salutatory issue.