Missoula

“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.”

“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.

I see in the local paper that a new grocery store is opening in Missoula. The ad says, “Don’t forget to bring your ticket and vote for some institution to get a cash donation. Any child coming in with their parent will receive a treat and a pair of scary eyes” for Halloween. The trouble is, the ad is from one hundred years ago: September 27, 1924. So I’m a little late for the grand opening of Missoula’s Piggly Wiggly store.

The wheels of justice can turn rather slowly these days. In some cases, months and months can go by between the time a complaint is filed and a case is finally adjudicated. What we need is a good football game to speed things up!

By Jim Harmon Autumn is my favorite season, except . . . Except for what follows: WINTER! Wouldn’t it be splendid if fall lasted a full six months, then transitioned effortlessly into spring? The poets know of what I speak. ...

In Bozeman, Mrs. S.M. Emery led the effort to create the Montana State Housekeepers Society in 1895, with the aim of “promoting better housekeeping throughout the state.”

Glen Hansard has a long history with Pearl Jam and in particular with supporting Eddie Veder on his solo tours. Thursday night was yet another musical wonder under the fading summer light.

In the 20 years between 1880 and 1900, the number of shop girls exploded. By the dawn of the 20th century, female sales clerks outnumbered male clerks. The Historical Society noted that “working as a shop girl was considered one of the best jobs. It was a respectable position in a clean, safe working environment.” There was a dark side, though. Shop girls tended to make less than female factory workers, they worked incredibly long hours and faced harassment from male managers and customers alike.

“We print anything the others won’t!” declared the Montana Kaimin. The Kaimin also declared itself, “Montana’s Unreliable Newspaper.” The January 16, 1923 spoof-edition included headlines like “BOMBASTIC GAS BARRAGE BEGINS LIFE IDEALS CONFERENCE MEETING” and “CAMPUS GREEKS WILL SHED BLOOD IN EARLY GYMNASIUM-MASSACRES.”

Jack Puckett is a good friend of mine, and as I mentioned back in 2018, a great storyteller. He turned 97 this year. Recently, Jack told more of his stories to the Missoula Senior Forum and I had a chance to record the presentation, from which I will share today.