The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-01
WENT OUT GROWING
The Old Year Made Hash Of the
Weather Before 1t Quit
THE CLAIM JUMPERS ACTIVE
The Mountains Around Town We're
Lighted Up. With Their Bon
fires The Elks Had
Merry Time OF 1t.

The old year had a few odds and ends
OF weather which IL worked of on the
people OF Butte yesterday. 1t was a
kind OF q patchwork day. There EVIL
IDENTIFY wasn't much sunshine left over
in the old years stock and there was
only a peep or two of sunshine during
the whole day. The thermometer kept
bobbing up and down. Sometimes 1t
was pretty cold, and then II would
become fairly warm. II would snow
for q few minutes and then stop. For
q while IL would blow hard. and then
II would stop. and then II would blow
some more. 1t seemed to be q kind OF
composite of the weather of the whole
year. q kind OF a hash day with all
kinds available except rain and ex-
treme heat. The old year had in re-
serve the flag end OF a blizzard and let
II loose late last evening as a final
ending OF 1895. II blew pretty hard for
blow. The new year did not show
much change for a few minutes. The
old year merged into the new as nat
urally as though they had been both
spit on the same bodkin. But after the
new year got the hang of things II
gIfpped the reins and held the wealth
er under control. The wind stopped
and the fiurrfes OF snow ceased. and the
new year started of In a calm.
The usual firing of revolvers and
crackers and champagne corks started
off the new year. Whistles blew and
1896 was ushered in just as 1895 had
been. A popularity of the night was
the long line OF campfires that ap-
peared on the mountain sides In all
directions beyond the city. but partic-
ularly towards the east. In that direc-
ton the hills were well sprinkled with
the fires which reached up close to the
tops. The fires were built by the claim
jumpers who left Butte last evening In
all directions to get hold of choice min
ing claims that might be lying around
loose. There was a great deal of claim
jumping during the night and most Of
the jumpers took refreshments along
and made a night of 1t. .P
The Elks danced the old year out and
the new year in. The grand Elk
masQue ball took place and was a pro-
nounced success in all respects. The
floor was well filled with merry mask
ers. and some of the costumes were
very elegant as well as unique At IL
o'clock the dancers unmasked and
there were many surprises causing
great merr1ment. The music was ex-
cellent and so couples had a most en-
toyable time. Choice refreshments
were served. .~a
The fact that the new year is a leap
year adds to its interest among a great
many Butte people. There are a great
many bachelors in Butte and many of
them have been anxiously waiting for
this year. II is expected that the new
year will show a marked increase, in
the number of matrimonial alliances
In the fusilade of pistol shots that
marked the advent of the new year,
there was fortunately only one accident
reported. and that was a slight one.
Mrs. Charles Schmidt, living in Colo
RADIO street below the school house,
was grazed on the side of the head by
a bullet. Had the bullet deviated the
fraction of an inch a mortal wound
would have resulted. The accident wa S
a fortunate one In being a mere craze.