Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-08-27

Social diversions were many In
the towns which grew up almost
over night along the route Of the
Northern Pacific as IL was bnilt
across Montana from 1881 TO 1888.
The society of Miles City consisted
Of newly established merchants,
professional men, promoters, and
the manager and the clerks Of the
stores. Nearly all were from vari-
Gus eastern states and hoped TO
profit by the rapid Development
OF q new country.
In the winter time one Of the chic
diversions was skating. Each night TIT
ice along Tongue river would be flood
ed at the foot of Main street in Mile.
City Lights were put on posts frozer
into the water One of the chief sports
was TO form a long line of skaters anC
play whip-crack The more daring al
the end Of the line would often bt
flung against the river bank In the
vigor of the play.
Getting the idea from the ice carni-
val at st. Paul, the young men OF the
town one winter built toboggan slide
and that was the craze of one entire
winter. A tower about is feet high was
built and then the slide, after the
thrilling start as the toboggan was
pushed off the top, extended for three
~1@eE1
gan sleds on which a whole crowd OF
fnerrymakers made the dizzy spin.
Many of the young men had sleds for
two, however, and they and their best
girls took the spins together. Gay
colored blankets we're purchased for
costuming. On dark nights large bon
fires were lighted along the way OF
the slide.
StOcIxmen's Meeting
once there was a blizzard for three
days and the snow was banked high.
Paths were broken from place TO place
only about wide enough for one person
to walk along. The young men at the
stores put up signs In the snow, Keep
Off the Grass" Boat Landing" and
''Tie Your Boat Here" and other funny
posters.
one Of the big social events Of the
year was the stock growers meeting
which was held every April. Stock1nen
came In from all parts Of the range
country and also railroad commission
men and eastern representatives OF
cattle firms. The annual ball at the
MacQueen house on the last evening
was an event that was looked forward
to for months by the young ladies OF
the town. The local boys had to take a
back seat during the big event Accord
ing to Mrs Decker Theodore Roosevelt,
then ranching IN North Dakota, was
in attendance two different years.
Meetings of lodges and other big af-
fairs at the MacQueen house were all
the occasion for ball. Later the Miles
City club held dances regularly there.
Canvas was placed over the beautiful
carpets to protect them from the dane
erS. There was at one time dancing
club with about 80 members. For in
formal dances, the banjo and guitar
soE. cd fhAra
an Italian band consisting Of three
Nigri brothers who played the harp,
banjo and guitar Costumes were quite
elaborate and the gentlemen always
came in full dress and wore white kid
gloves. Nearly everyone, men and
women, wore diamonds on dress oc-
caSions.
Amateur theatricals were another
amusement that was taken up with
great deal of enthusiasm one season.
A dramatic club was formed with ID
members which included the Burleighs,
John j. Graham, Billy Courtney and
A. @. Logan, the superintendent OF
schools. One of the plays given was
"Neighborhood lakewood"
The Cosmopolitan variety show gave
the amateurs the use Of their stage
one evening week. The show house
had boxes built along the sides where
beer was served to parties during the
progress of the variety show. The Of
ficers and ladies at Fort Keogh also
had a dramatic club, giving perform |
ances on the second story of barrack.
When the Miles City club gave per-
Torrance the club from Fort Keogh
was invited over as special guests and
they returned the compliment when
they performed, sending over the army
ambulance for conveyanceS to and from
the fort.
The Fifth infantry and later the 22d
infantry orchestras often played for
the dances of the Miles City club. The
people Of Miles City often went to the
fort to hear the music at parades or
concerts. At such times, the ladies' of
the fort sat out on the porches Of the
officers quarters and in their fine
dresses attracted the admiration and
perhaps the envy of the young women
from the town. When the band played
at military formations, the music could
almost always be heard quite plainly In
Miles City.
Uncle Toms Cabin
Occasionally musical comedies and
other shows travelling across the country
would stop at Miles City. Once Uncle
Toms Cabin was given at the rink,
which had originally been built during
a fad of roller skating. To increase the
stage, two-inch flooring was placed on
beer kegs. The flooring was so pre-
carious that it was necessary merely
to indicate the most perilous part OF
ELIAS flight over the river, the blood
hounds being held one side Of the
stage.
Once a musical comedy was adver-
tised and the young men invited their
best girls to go with them. Then it was
rumored about town that some of the
costumes we're not exactly modest. The
young men we're in a quandry for II
there was any indecency Of dress their
taking the girls to the show would be
matter of scandal. There were hasty
consultations and all decided that they
would go and If the costumes proved
too improper, they would get up and
leave. AS the curtain began to be
raised, more and more Of the stockings
Of the stage women began to show, but
Just below the knees skirts also began
to be seen and the dresses proved to be
those appropriate to a gypsy scene. 1t
was decided that 1t would be proper