Missoula history

I see that Missoula is, once again, without a plan for any large fireworks show on the Fourth of July. Lack of money seems to be the problem – again. There was no such issue in 1898.

Today’s article might be titled, “A Dozen Clues You’re Not From Montana.” Newbies to the state quite often mispronounce one or more of the following place names or family names: Olney, Pablo, Choteau, Havre, Worden, Ronan, Ravalli, Pondera, Helena, Meagher, Wibaux and Deschamps.

One hundred years ago, it looked like the Missoula City Band was done. Kaput. All washed up. Finished. Out of business. Down the drain. Wiped out. Or as announced in the local paper, “The Garden City Band has disbanded and presented its instruments to the University Band.”

Happy 100th birthday, Lake County, Montana! While the formal celebration won’t happen for another two months or so (Saturday, August 19), the groundwork was laid for the creation of the new county between 1911 and 1923.

Lewistown’s parade in 1910 was advertised as one you shouldn’t miss. “The most striking features will be the auto parade, in which a long line of handsomely decorated autos will participate.”

In 1919, Missoula lagged a bit behind. I’m sorry. That was actually an understatement of rather generous proportions – Missoula was downright unwelcoming to the coming wave of auto tourism!

Today’s parents are irresponsible and indifferent about the raising of their children! And it is that indifference which has caused the children to drift from parental influence into “the modern maelstrom of pleasure.”

Moonshine, magpies, trolley tracks and a new theater headlined the news 100 ago this month in Bozeman. Quite a crowd gathered on May 8, 1923 to watch officers dispose of “40 gallons of moonshine whiskey by pouring it down a manhole near the courthouse corner.”

Florence Matthews was something else, a strong-willed teenager. In 1908, she had been home for days, battling a severe illness, but (against her doctor’s orders) still participated with the Missoula High School debate team for state honors.

Once upon a time, there was a man who lived on an island in the Missoula River, right under the Higgins Avenue Bridge, near the Snead-Simons Building. (FYI, the Missoula River is now called the Clark Fork and the building is now called the Wilma). The man had two companions, a pair of white rabbits.