This date in history

Historical issues of the Mineral Independent are now available online at Montananewspapers.org, thanks to the efforts of the Mineral County Historical Society. Issues dating back to 1883 can be found and these are just a few of the headlines which appeared on the front pages of The Mineral Independent during this time period:

July 8, 1915

‘Stop! Look! And Listen! Taxpayers League!’

In an article by the Taxpayers League, a plea for support was made to improve the Yellowstone trail. In response to a letter written to the county by secretary Frank Guilbert from Spokane, who complained that, “If the main line highway through your county, from Missoula to Wallace, is to be recommended by us to tourists, we must have the assurances from your taxpayers that portions of the highway will be put in fair condition for travel. The report made on your section of the highway was that it was the poorest portion of the National Parks Transcontinental Highway between Chicago and Seattle.”

The Taxpayers League stated, “It is up to the taxpayers to do something and do it quick. The Yellowstone trail which is being rapidly marked by a yellow circle with a black arrow center, runs directly through our county. It is alleged that 50,000 persons will travel over this trail the coming summer, and the travel has already begun. Our roads should be placed in permanent first class shape before any other improvements or advertising is thought of.”

July 11, 1918

‘Fourth of July on the Border’

“There will be many celebrations of the Fourth of July in Montana, in conformity with the expressed wish of President Wilson, but one of the most unique observances of the great national day will be that held at the border town in northern Montana which is Sweet Grass on the this side of the national boundary and Coutts on the Canadian side…There will be no talk about Bunker Hill and Choteauguay of a century ago, but rather of the manner in which the fighting men of North America, from both sides of the line, are teaching the Hun his place, and making the liberties that both people enjoy, safe and secure...Montana and Alberta have much in common in the great war. Between the province and the state more than 50,000 men have gone forth to fight for a common cause. Alberta, having been in the struggle since it began, has the larger number of men in France, but Montana, with the larger population, is only about 5,000 men behind the province, with but little more than a year of active participation…”

July 2, 1925

‘Mine Opening is Assured: Silence of Nine Years to Be Broken by Resumption of Work of Valuable Property’

Rumors were heard around the county that the Iron Mountain mine would reopen and became a reality in the summer of 1925. “The Iron Mountain Tunnel just north of Superior is to resume work is an assured fact was stated the first week by Edwin Craighead, who with his brother, Barclay, have put in over four years at this property, resulting in the raising of a company to place the property back in a working condition. The new company is headed by Glenn Anderson, a mining engineer, and is backed principally by New York capital.”

July 2, 1925

‘Ready for Big Celebration’

St. Regis is ready for the celebration offering on Saturday. Committees have been busy and announce the work of preparation is complete. The program is extensive, and is so arranged that there is something doing all the time. No idle minutes for the big crowd which is expected to be there. The program will start in the morning at 10 o’clock and will continue until after the big ball is concluded in the following morning. A big picnic dinner will be had at noon in the shadows of the timber fringing the shadowy St. Regis River. All are invited to come to St. Regis on this big holiday, and you will meet your friends and neighbors there.

June 30, 1932

‘Two Dances to Celebrate National Day’

Saturday evening at St. Regis the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a dance, which promises to be a big feature for starting the Fourth of July celebration. Missoula music will furnish the music and a supper will be served. This party will no doubt attract a large crowd. Monday evening, July 4, there is to be a dance given by the Degree of Pocahontas at the Redmen Hall in Superior, also with Missoula music and a big supper.