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Missoula, Oct. 21--Officers and enlisted men of Fort Missoula who were on leave Sunday evening, were called back to the fort.
During the evening a roundup of officers and men was made in the city and those in theaters were called out to report to the Milwaukee depot. From there they were taken in motor trucks to Fort Missoula.
Information from the headquarters at the fort was that the men were being called to their headquarters to be in readiness for any emergency which might arise. This was taken by civilians to mean that Fort Missoula troops are to be in readiness to go to the earthquake area in Helena, if needed.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
Condition Of All Is Improved; Many Released
The victims of last Friday night's great quake who were received at Helena hospitals were yesterday reported as well on the road to recovery, with only one person still in a condition which might be considered serious. Most of them have been released.
The condition of Major Sol Peterson, United States army, who was injured when the roof of the armory collapsed, was yesterday reported as improved, at St. Peter's hospital where he was taken following the accident.
Miss Marie Kirwin, Union bank stenographer, and Miss Julia Patten, teacher at St. Vincent academy, both of whom were seriously injured by falling debris, were reported last night as improved at St. John's hospital, where they were taken following the Friday night shake.
The condition of Mrs. Margaret Barnes of 1220 Eighth avenue, Mrs. Annie Boyer from Camp Cooney and Mrs. Lenora Jones of 534 Broadway, who were admitted to St. Peter's hospital Sunday, was greatly improved last night, but not to such an extent that they might be released.
The three elderly women were suffering from shock and were all without permanent shelter.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
BRICKS FALL FROM BIG STACK
Damage done at East Helena by Friday night's major earthquake will reach about $75,000, it was estimated by officials of that place yesterday. The principal damage was in the business district where brick and stone structures were considerably shaken and wrecked.
Four homes in East Helena, all brick places, were uninhabitable. Most of the houses there are frame, and withheld the strain of the terrific shock in good shape. Frame houses were damaged only to the extent of wrecked and near wrecked chimneys, most of which will have to be replaced.
As a result of the big quake, 45 feet will have to be removed from the top of the East Helena stack, J. D. MacKenzie, superintendent of the plant said yesterday. The American Smelting and Refining company will send a crew from Salt Lake City to do the work.
Mr. MacKenzie estimated that the damage to the smelter will amount to about $10,000. There were 10 men on shift when the quake occurred, all of whom escaped without injury.
The Anaconda Copper Mining company plant at East Helena was not damaged the slightest, officials said.
The big stack on the A. S. and R. property was shattered for about five or six feet at the top, dumping 100 tons of bricks to the ground. A hole, about three by five feet, was in the stack about 25 feet from the top, and a crack runs around it for 45 feet from the top.
Mr. MacKenzie said that the plant would be closed for about a week the last of this month or first of November to do this work.
The entire staff was at work yesterday.
When the 45 feet are removed from the big stack, there will be no replacement, but a new lead cap will be placed on top of it. The stack is 400 feet high at present, but will be cut down to about 355 feet when repairs are finished.
Two obsolete stacks at the plant, each about 125 feet high, were damaged beyond repair. They will be removed, but will not be replaced, said Mr. MacKenzie.
The superintendent said that 25 feet of flue in back of the furnaces fell in, and that a crew got to work on it Saturday morning, and operations were able to resume late in the afternoon.
The East Helena schoolhouse was damaged considerably, and will be closed for at least a week, a school official said. The replacement and repair work on the building will probably cost between $1,500 and $2,500. The building was damaged by the quake of Oct. 12, and repairs were under way when the big quake came Friday night.
In the schoolhouse, plaster was knocked off the walls and ceiling in every room, and the metal roof was torn apart. There is a large crack in the north wall of the structure, and the south wall is bulging.
An engineer will make an estimate of the damage within a few days.
All public gatherings in East Helena have been called off, although an official order has not been issued by city officials.
John Gough of East Helena said that the water department was undamaged by the earthquake, and that all of the mains were in good shape. The city office in East Helena was damaged together with other structures in the business section. The fire station was damaged so equipment had to be removed for the time.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
Superintendent Milo F. Dean, of the Montana Children's home and hospital, announced Sunday that the institution had weathered the shocks splendidly.
The Helena home for babies, younger children and girls sustained only slight damage. Plaster was cracked in some of the rooms and chimneys were shaken down. The home for boys in the valley was undamaged as far as could be ascertained, Superintendent Dean said.
"The children took it just fine," he declared. "Of course, they were frightened at the time but they soon became calm and I think their morale is better than that of most adults."
Tents were obtained and the girls of the institution are being housed outside, with bonfires to keep them warm.
"They are in excellent spirits and the morale is of the best," said Mr. Ives. "In fact they seem to be on their mettle and determined to demonstrate the fact that they are not worried in the least. They are even better behaved and easier to handle than in normal times."
St. Joseph's orphans' home in the Helena valley suffered damages to the extent of $50,000, but all of the occupants escaped injury, it was announced last night by Father J. J. Connolly of that institution.
Instructors at the school stated that the children were bearing up splendidly under the strain of the last few days, and that they are kept busy at something continually in order that their minds be occupied.
The building used as the school was damaged so that it is impossible to use it, he stated, and for the present it will be abandoned.
The dormitory building was badly shaken and its walls cracked in many places, but it is still inhabitable. The main stack on the building was cracked all over and will be torn down.
About three tons of bricks fell from the rear sustaining wall of the dormitory building, and it may be necessary to remove the top floor of the structure in order to repair the wall, it was said.
The children have been moved to the barn where emergency quarters have been established. Those in charge of the school intend to resume classes sometime tomorrow, in the dormitory building.
According to a statement yesterday by the mother superior of the Good Shepherd's home, Catholic institution for girls two miles west of the city, none of the occupants were injured, but the walls of the institution were badly cracked by the quake, and one wall is sagging outward at a dangerous angle.
The smokestack of the laundry building was shattered and will be replaced with a steel one sometime this week.
The sisters and the girls of the school are camping out in a small summer house on the grounds, and are getting along as well as can be expected, the mother said.
Occupants of the Odd Fellows' home in the Helena valley were shaken up and considerably frightened by the temblor, but the building was not harmed in the least, according to an announcement by Mrs. E. B. Jones, matron of the institution.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
Liquor Store Closed And Bootleggers Boost Prices
"Sure, we're open for business. People need stuff and we're the ones to give it to them," was the keynote of statements made yesterday by business and professional men of Helena.
Those buildings which were considered unsafe, however, remained closed to the public, but workmen and in some instances women, were actively engaged in cleaning up the debris and bringing about a semblance of order.
In the Sixth ward, where the fury of the earthquake seemed to center, building fronts were boarded up, but large signs indicated that rear entrances or entrances from adjoining buildings were open to admit customers.
The H. Earl Clack garage, completely ravished by the shake, displayed a large sign stating that the service station in front of the building was "Open for Business, We Need It."
The Northern Pacific depot, yards and roundhouse were the scene of much activity as large crews of men kept up a fast pace in the work of getting things back to normal.
Helena's main business section wore a comforting and reassuring look as people went their many ways securing foodstuffs, dry goods, haircuts, permanent waves, hardware and the numberless things which are necessary at all times.
The state liquor store remained closed, and it was reported that opportunists from other Montana cities, quick to take advantage of such a dire situation, were bringing in large supplies of the bracing spirits which found a ready and lucrative market. Low-priced brands were not lacking takers, although the price paid for them was considerably higher than that usually asked for the topnotch grades.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
The major earthquake of Friday evening was felt only slightly at Alhambra Hot Springs, State Senator Mike Sullivan, proprietor of the Alhambra hotel, said yesterday. Every room in the hotel is occupied, and Sullivan said that he had to turn some people away. The quake he said, opened the hot water spring about three inches, and doubled the flow of water. At Alhambra, he added, the quake was "barely felt" and did not displace a single article.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
Butte, Oct. 21--Ed Perkins of Butte blames the earthquake for the accident which wrecked his automobile Friday evening, friends reported yesterday.
Perkins was driving along the reservoir road when the strong tembler came. The agitation caused him to lose control of the machine and it went over a bank and overturned. The driver and a companion were uninjured.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
Trustees of Helena school district No. 1 last night adopted a resolution to apply to the Public Works administration for an outright 100 per cent grant to replace and repair damage done to the property of the school district.
A the same time the board adopted another motion, declaring the existence of an emergency, and authorizing the expenditure of at least $3,000 for the immediate protection of school district property, and for temporary building repairs.
R. C. Hugenin, architect for the new high school, associated with Norman DeKay of this city, was authorized to arrange with the various contractors on the building for repairs that will make available about 30 classrooms. Expenditure of the money authorized by the emergency resolution must be approved by Chairman E. M. Hall of the board.
After the high school is covered with canvas at the necessary places, the contractors on the building will proceed to get the heating, lighting and water ready for use. It was brought out that the building must be heated, or further damage may result.
In regard to the PWA application for an outright grant to repair all of the school buildings in the Helena system, the clerk was instructed to assemble all authentic data and figures as to the cost of the repairs and replacements in order that there will be no delay at Washington due to insufficient information.
In its resolution the board did not specify any sum, but chose to wait until definite figures have been obtained here.
Opening the meeting last night Architect Hugenin outlined the damage at the high school, stating that it was not as extensive as rumors have it.
From his examination it was apparent that the major damage occurred in the north wing, which is the auditorium. A great deal of brick, tile and partition must come down. It appeared the damaged wing will cost in the neighborhood of $90,000 to put back into shape.
It will not be necessary to tear down the entire wing and replace it.
Thirty classrooms can be utilized while the repairs are being made.
Architect Hugenin pointed out that the building is not designed for an earthquake zone, because Helena was not considered in an earthquake zone. He added, however, that "you can't keep up with an earthquake."
Rooms in the building that can be used were designated by Architect Hugenin when questioned about the matter by Principal W. W. Wahl.
It was proposed that, if necessary, the gymnasium can be used for classes, as can the cafeteria.
When school opens, high school students will probably have to study "college style" as some of the study halls will not be available right away.
The boilers of the high school are undamaged, as are the concrete floors above them.
It is possible that classes in aeronautics will be held at the airport if the arrangements can be made. The possibility of using the old ship in the auditorium for the purpose was also discussed.
Hugenin advised the board, after conferring with a PWA auditor, to close its account with the PWA make application for the grant, and then accept the building. Outright grants, he said, have been made in the past in the case of destructive fires to new buildings.
Stewart Bingham, Montana representative of the Reconstruction Finance corporation, appeared before the board with J. F. Seeley of Los Angeles, representing the RFC, to ascertain if the school district would be eligible to receive a loan from that agency for the needed repairs and replacements. Seeley said that congress had set aside $5,000,000 for such an emergency, but that definite requirements had to be met.
It will take from three weeks to a month to get the high school in shape for occupancy. Other buildings in the system, except Bryant, may be ready in from two and a half to three weeks.
Bryant school, built at a cost of approximately $80,000 is considered a complete loss. The application for a grant from the PWA will include the cost of replacing the Bryant school buildings.
At Hawthorne the damage may run about $2,000, and at Central, probably less than $2,000, it was estimated. Plaster damage was all that was done at the smaller schools.
Bryant school pupils will perhaps attend Hawthorne, Central and Broadwater schools, and some arrangements may be made for using Coburn Memorial hall, in the Sixth ward.
Architects Hugenin and DeKay will today begin a thorough investigation of repair and replacement costs of the entire school system.
Montana congressmen will be asked to pledge their full cooperation in securing the grant for the Helena school district.
At the suggestion of the architects and contractors, a competent engineer will be called in by the school board to inspect the damage at the high school and determine whether or not the injuries were caused by faulty construction or the severity of the major earthquake.
All insurance policies on the new high school and the Bryant school were canceled yesterday by the companies that had issued them. A new appraisal will be made today, new policies issued, and the difference in the premiums remitted to the school district. The new high school carried $388,000 worth of insurance on the building and $12,000 worth on the equipment.
The board requested that the works progress administration make the necessary repairs at the old high school, now occupied by that government agency, and assured the WPA that it would not ask for the use of the structure for school purposes.
All members of the board were present at last night's special meeting.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
WORK OF RECONSTRUCTION
Helena, always prideful of its ability to take care of itself and meet its problems squarely in the face, yesterday drew a deep breath of relief and settled down to take stock of its situation and to make plans to rebuild for the future.
The tension of Friday night and Saturday was greatly lessened Sunday and by nightfall many persons had returned to their homes to spend the night. Saturday night the town was almost entirely dark.
Yesterday morning, bright and early, the mopup was started and scores of men were employed cleaning up debris and making such repairs as could be immediately undertaken.
All relief clients are subject to call to go to work on rehabilitation projects should they be needed, and the county organization is prepared to meet any future emergency.
Chairman Sam Roberts of the Lewis and Clark chapter of the Red Cross announced last evening that the survey of the city to determine those who needed assistance, had been practically completed.
Mr. Roberts also stated that both Red Cross national officials now in the city would remain for some time and would be joined by two more trained workers to speed up the work of rehabilitation.
A group of public school teachers comprised the group that continued the city-wide survey yesterday. They were Phil Albertson, Roland Dietmeier, C. H. Marple, Dan Buck, George Leger, Fred Robinson, William Fahrer, Tate W. Peak and John Grosse.
The chapter chairman also announced the appointment of a disaster committee to supervision reconstruction plans. It is composed of R. E. Towle, chairman; Dick Tobin, John G. Brown, Quay Painter and John D. MacKenzie.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
Pasadena, Calif., Oct. 21--(AP)--Carnegie institution seismological experts said today there is nothing unusual in the aftershocks of the Montana earthquake being reported from Helena.
"The only unusual factor in the situation up there was the occurrence of a strong foreshock a week in advance of the earthquake which caused the damage," said Dr. Charles Richter.
"As to the aftershocks, if there is anything that could be considered unusual, it might be that there are less than usual after a big earthquake."
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
At 12:30 this morning the 343rd distinct tremor was recorded at the Helena weather bureau, although there was every indication that the frequency of the interruptions was lessening.
Ten were recorded during the six-hour period from 6 o'clock last night until midnight, perhaps the least number in a six-hour span of time since the major quake Friday night.
The major quake was the 60th since Oct. 12, so there have been 284 distinct disturbances felt since 9:52 Friday night.
There were three tremors felt between 8:42 and 11:21 last evening, the least there have been over a similar period since Friday night.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
Helena, Oct. 21--Many Helena residents, having relatives or friends in Billings, continued to flock into the city Sunday to take temporary refuge during the continued tremors that have been rocking the state capital.
All report the fearful sight of seeing buildings crumble under the constant quakes and they claim that the entire populace lives in dread that any moment a bad tremor might bring death.
Hotel blotters here showed several Helena entries but it could not be ascertained whether the parties were in Billings on business or because of the earthquake.
Anxiety of local residents for the welfare of the Helenans was evidenced by the influx of calls received at The Gazette office Sunday from persons desiring news of the earthquake-stricken area.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
Cleanup Is Under Way On Campus And Grounds
Intermountain Union college will resume classes as soon as permission from the state fire marshal is given, President Jesse W. Bunch said yesterday as almost every available student on the campus worked to clean up the buildings and put them in habitable shape again.
Five contractors have examined the college buildings closely during the past couple of days, President Bunch said, and every one of them has said that the substructure is perfectly sound and that the buildings are safe for further use.
Meanwhile work is being rapidly pushed to get the plant in shape to open whenever the order is given. It will cost from $10,000 to $20,000 to fix up Mills hall and Helena hall for occupation, Mr. Bunch said, the estimate covering only the interior finishing work. It does not include the repair of cracked or bulging walls on the outside of the structures. A meeting of the board of trustees will be held Friday. President Bunch said his estimate on the complete repair of the buildings is roughly $100,000 or possibly more.
"All we can do right now," the president said, "is to put things in working shape, fix up the class rooms in Helena hall and 40 or 50 dormitory rooms."
Most of the students left for their homes after being informed by authorities that the college would be closed for a week. President Bunch said he expected it would take some time for them to round up their belongings and get back on the campus after being notified that college was resumed.
Focal points of activity at the college today were the lodges on Eleventh avenue which are being rushed to completion. Heat will be turned on in one of the buildings tonight and the others will be ready for occupancy shortly. Students from the dormitory have been sleeping in the partially completed structures since the earthquake.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
Livingston, Oct. 21--Folks driving between Livingston and Gardiner Friday evening were warned not to use the highway on the east side of the river because of a slide from the chalk cliffs about 24 miles south of Livingston that had made the road impassable. They were instructed to go to Emigrant and travel that way. It was said the slide consisted of several tons of the cliff that broke the telephone wires and endangered travel. The slide was said to be directly the result of the earth tremor that visited Montana shortly before 10 o'clock Friday night.
Inspection by road maintenance crews Saturday morning showed the slide not to have been as serious as at first reported, but it was necessary to bring out a crew to clear the highway of rocks and dirt. The road was put in shape for safe travel by noon Saturday.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
If buildings are not seriously damaged, people should move back into their homes, advises E. S. Transue of Denver, disaster relief representative of the Red Cross, who arrived here yesterday to conduct a survey of the quake losses in the city. He said that slight tremors would perhaps continue for some time, but none should be serious.
After touring the city he issued the following statement:
Home owners who are not in a position to make their own repairs are urgently requested to register at the Red Cross headquarters in the Montana Livestock Loan office at Main and Edwards streets.
"Anyone having bedding or stoves they can spare are asked to call 888 or 2507 and advise where same can be picked up.
"Red Cross officials and the local committee of the organization feel that if people will move back into their homes, one of the biggest problems will be solved."
The local Red Cross is urging those who are unable to meet their needs to register there right away. In order to properly give out the relief desired, it is necessary that family heads register.
A survey is also being conducted by the Red Cross to determine the total damage of the quake to Helena homes. High school teachers are doing this work.
Yesterday Secretary O. C. Lamport of the Helena Chamber of Commerce received the first call from a family without a home, and the six people were taken to the home of Paul Flint, 502 Monroe avenue. The family was that of George W. Langdorf, 821 Eighth avenue.
Lamport said that the chamber of commerce is in a position to help other families who call telephone 37.
At the state FERA offices yesterday, F. H. Marvin, special representative of the FERA from Washington, said that the agency is in shape to handle those on relief rolls. He said that funds can be expended to help those on relief who were made homeless, but that the FERA cannot provide money to repair homes. The FERA arranged for the housing at Camp Cooney.
FERA workers will also help in clearing away debris around homes.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
Kalispell, Oct. 21--"What I was doing at the time" furnished fuel for many an earthquake yarn here the day after and stories came thick and fast.
Those who were affected most by the quake were prisoners in the county jail. When the steel cells began to creak and crack the prisoners made a real disturbance. The brick jail sounded as though it was cracking and distinct thuds were heard in the courthouse just a few feet away.
An examination of the courthouse building showed that a crack on the east side had widened. A crack in the Hileman building also opened up slightly, but so far as could be learned there was no damage of consequence in Kalispell.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
Senator Murray Wires For Permission To Give It
U. S. Senator James E. Murray last evening sent a wire to Washington, D. C., to the chiefs of the emergency relief association asking for permission to hand over to the board of county commissioners of Lewis and Clark county the federal transient camp at the fairgrounds, to be temporarily utilized as a county hospital.
During the heavy quakes Friday night, the county hospital building was virtually destroyed and the inmates and patients forced into make-shift quarters. U. S. Senator Murray held a conference with the county commissioners yesterday and agreed to make the request for the transient camp in behalf of the county.
Today the junior senator from Montana will be supplied with accurate information concerning the extent of the damages, and will wire Washington accordingly, it was announced. It was hoped to have the figures yesterday but those in charge decided to wait until today.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
The federal building was closely inspected yesterday and found to be in splendid shape, following the major earthquake on Friday night, although Postmaster Harry Hendricks has asked that an engineer be sent here to look over the situation.
During the tremor of October 12, Hendricks said that the principal damage was plaster cracks in the partition, the heaviest being in the stairway leading to the attic, and on the fourth floor. Damage was confined to the new wing of the structure.
On last Friday, Hendricks advised the public works branch of the procurement division for the treasury department, the plaster cracks on the upper floors were extended and several new ones appeared.
He said that the only damage to an outer wall was just outside of the disbursing office on the fourth floor, and this was slight.
The roof, Hendricks reported, was in good condition, but the smoke-stack was rocked, and was slightly damaged.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
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Streets Filled With Sightseers
Main street was thronged with people Sunday afternoon but they were not residents of Helena.
Several thousand visitors flocked into the city from Butte, Great Falls, Anaconda, Missoula and other cities on sightseeing tours.
Attracted by the reports of the heavy damage here, they came to view the ruins and many of them spent hours driving about the city.
"It was the biggest day I have ever had since I have been in business," said Tom Curtis, proprietor of the Curtis cafe. Other restaurant men open for business agreed with him.
"I sold more gasoline between Friday night, following the quake and Sunday night, than I have during any other 48-hour period since I have been in the garage business" was the comment of Otto Krieg of the A-A garage. "At one time there was a line of cars more than a block long waiting for service."
His story was repeated by all other garage men contacted.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
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Beer And Rum Shops May Open
Deeming the danger past, Amos M. Shellady, commissioner of public safety, issued an order to Police Chief Roger Smith for the lifting of the ban on beer parlors and the state liquor store.
In the wild confusion following the initial tremors, the commissioners of public safety ordered the closing of such establishments. With the quakes virtually subsided and the morale of the people regained, Commissioner Shellady said he saw no reason to continue the ban.
He also issued an order to the police chief to limit the restricted area on Main street to only that sectionbetween Broadway and State streets. This morning at 8 o'clock all ropes but those guarding against the traffic on South Main will be taken down, the commissioner said.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
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Quakes Do Not Stop Wedding
Although the earthquake Friday night disrupted things generally, it did not interfere with the plans of David Carlton Shope and Bernice Roland, employees of the Nash-Finch company, to be married Saturday, it was learned yesterday.
They merely hopped into their car and drove to Missoula. The wedding was performed at the home of Mr. Shope's mother, Mrs. Emily Shope, 425 South Fifth street west, at 8 o'clock Saturday evening in the presence of relatives and immediate friends. Rev. Thomas W. Bennett of the Church of the Holy Spirit performed the ceremony at 8 p.m. Before the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Lindquist sang "O Promise Me."
company's office when the quake struck Helena Friday night. They escaped when the quake started and got to safety in the street before the walls started crumbling. Mr. Shope's car was damaged by falling bricks, which ruined a fender and a headlight.
The couple were accompanied to Missoula by Mr. Shope's brother, Irvine (Shorty) Shope, Mrs. Shope and their daughter, who were here for the ceremony. The latter Mr. Shope, employee of the state highway department, was in the department offices at the time of the quake.
Their home was wrecked by the quake but Mrs. Shope and the daughter escaped injury.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
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Helena Bengals Will "Carry On"
Football will continue at the Helena High school.
Trustees of Helena school district No. 1 at their special meeting last evening authorized that practice be continued.
If necessary, the Bengal gridsters will use the field at the high school for practice, and the showers at the old gymnasium.
E. J. Decker, representing the West Coast Construction company, said that the showers at the new high school could probably be used within the next 10 days.
Next Saturday Helena plays the up-and-coming Great Falls team at the Electric city.
Missoula plays here November 2.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
With all our scares, losses, woes and fears, as a result of a major earthquake last Friday evening, Helena is the most fortunate place on the American continent where temblors of such proportions have occurred.
Not a fire in the Helena era; not a broken water main; not a broken gas line; telephone and telegraph service overloaded but still working; no floods to record; no dams broken; electric light and power service continuous except for a few minutes following the quake which shorted some high-voltage wires; mild weather and bright sunshine except for a few hours Saturday and Monday when rain and snow were threatened.
So we cannot refrain from saying to "That First Great Cause, least understood," that His bounty is beyond our speaking, and although our mouths be dumb, our hearts shall Thank Thee.
According to scientists and those who have given earthquakes serious thought and study, there is no record in history where, when a major earthquake occurs, there is a repetition at all likely. The vibrations which we hear and feel may continue for several days, a month or more, but another severe temblor is not at all probable.
Elsewhere in The Independent today is a list of the great earthquakes as far as recorded since the beginning of the Christian Era.
Look at their lists of dead and wounded!
Then consider that in the major earthquake which visited Helena, only two lives were lost. And Helena is a city with many old buildings; many homes which were not constructed to stand the power of earthquakes. Don't let anyone tell you that the Helena "quake" was one of the worst in history. It was bad enough. We are not discounting its shocking and seemingly supernatural power.
The almost universal succession of phenomena recorded in the case of notable earthquakes, is first a trembling or vibration, next a severe shock or several in quick succession and then vibrations which gradually but rapidly become insensible. No second severe shock or major earthquake is recorded. The quake of a week ago Saturday morning would not be and is not by scientists, classed as a major earthquake. It was a shock which preceded the disturbance of last Friday night.
Up to the time this is written, this has been the experience in the Helena area, and is said by scientists to have been the same as in other notable earthquake disturbances, except that the Helena temblor was insignificant compared to some of those in volcanic regions, where the earth has opened and swallowed up tens of thousands of people, or where an eruption as in New Zealand, covered the landscape for many miles around with suffocating dust and ashes many feet deep.
Let us be calm in the face of our troubles, real and imaginary. Our losses are financial--they will be quickly healed. We can pay for repairs and rebuilding, but we cannot bring back loved ones from the graves dug by the countless earthquakes since the world began.
[Helena Independent; October 22, 1935]
HOMELESS AND DESTITUTE ARE ALL TO BE CARED FOR
Senator Murray So Notified By Washington Officials;
Governor Cooney Announces WPA Is Delegated To Clean Up Wreckage;
PWA Asked To Increase Grant Of School
Wires buzzed between Helena and Washington, D.C., yesterday as strenuous efforts, some successful, were being made to bring financial assistance from the government to this quake-ridden city.
U. S. Senator James E. Murray, who has taken an active part in getting Helena in position to receive federal funds for the emergency, received a wire yesterday from Aubrey Williams, assistant federal emergency relief administrator, to the effect that there is now en route to Montana a sum sufficient to take care of the destitute and homeless.
The telegram, addressed to Montana's junior senator, said: "Fund being transferred today. Everything being done to take care of situation."
The senator said that the amount mentioned in the FERA wire was at least $100,000 and was to be used by the state relief agency in furnishing food, clothing and other necessities to the destitute and shelterless.
Governor Frank H. Cooney announced that successful negotiations had been consummated between James H. Rowe of Butte, personal representative of Frank Walker of the New Deal national emergency council, and Washington, and that assurance was given that the WPA would be delegated to take full charge of cleaning up dangerous conditions, wrecking damaged buildings and hauling away debris.
On Thursday, the following morning, Williams will meet with Administrator Hopkins and Secretary Ickes, and will urge the speedy cooperation of the PWA in coping with Helena's vast rehabilitation problems, principally in connection with schools and other public buildings.
U. S. Senator Murray has asked the PWA to extend the grant for the Helena high school from 30 to 45 per cent. Full details of Helena's plight is being furnished Washington by Mr. Rowe.
Two important conferences were held yesterday at the capitol with Governor Cooney presiding and representatives from state and federal agencies and city organizations in attendance. Wires were kept busy all day to Washington as the skeleton form of a comprehensive program took shape.
Governor Cooney submitted a plan to the group which was adopted and will prove satisfactory if government agencies join hands in helping a city crippled to the extent of approximately $3,000,000.
Many solutions are offered those rebuilding and repairing their homes; the American Red Cross to handle the small rehabilitation cases; the Reconstruction Finance Corporation with its offspring unit, the Montana Rehabilitation Corporation, to make secured loans; the Federal Housing Administration to insure loans from private loan agencies, and the various private loaning agencies such as banks, building and loan associations and insurance companies to make sound advances.
Governor Cooney also took initial steps towards the correction of two evils--stopping exaggeration of news being sent out, particularly to broadcasting stations, and getting rid of all the transients in the city.
Ray Hart, works progress administrator for Montana, assured the gathering that the WPA would take an active hand in the rehabilitation work. There was no doubt in his mind that it would be allocated funds for the clearance of the city's debris. "If we can't do it, the relief commission will," he said.
Portions of the city remained restricted and under patrol, while beer parlors and the state liquor store were allowed to re-open.
During the days of the quakes, the Wishbone cafe on North Main street, owned and operated by C. J. Cullen, proved to be a helping hand to the police, patrolmen and members of the national guard. Free coffee was served to those in uniform at any time they wished. Hundreds of cups of coffee were provided during the quake period.
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
Business Houses Enjoy Lively Trade From Purchasers
Helena's downtown business section yesterday took on an appearance which closely resembled that of normal times as thousands of people, in acute need of foodstuffs, wearing apparel, drygoods and numberless other articles, went about their shopping as though nothing had ever happened.
Some folks displayed absolute composure by visiting dentists' offices to have dental work performed, and, in some cases, to have teeth pulled.
Nearly all of the city's business establishments were open for business, and nearly all enjoyed a good trade. A few buildings as yet not inspected, remained closed, but displayed signs signifying their intentions of opening as soon as they were given an O.K. by the building inspector.
Wholesale houses maintained a lively pace, supplying the retailers with needed merchandise.
Cafes and lunch counters enjoyed rushes of customers larger in numbers and larger in appetites than on ordinary days.
Hotel registers became once more pieces of paper covered with names, and the fact that the signers have overcome their timidity was proven when it was shown that the legibility of the names was the same as usual.
There were still many visitors in the city, and as they asked directions from Helena citizens they marveled at the orderly and composed manner of the people going about their daily tasks.
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
CALLED BY THE GOVERNOR
Helena's needs following the major earthquake last Friday night were presented to Governor Cooney, federal officials and Red Cross officials at a meeting called by the chief executive at the capitol yesterday morning. This meeting was preliminary to the one yesterday afternoon where the recommendations of the general meeting were carefully analyzed.
Governor Cooney presided at the meeting. He opened by saying that there were two main things to be accomplished--the rebuilding of homes for those who owned them, and the immediate relief of the needy. Because the county hospital was destroyed he strongly recommended that the transients now being housed there be sent to other parts of the state so the aged people of this county can be taken care of.
Barclay Craighead, state director of the Federal Housing administration, explained that his agency could not help in relief cases, but that it can perhaps increase the credit possibilities of individuals whose property was damaged by the quake. He explained briefly how loans can be made through the FHA, both for the individual, and for commercial places.
He said that he had asked the RFC for $150,000 as an initial advance for repairing quake damage. This agency expects to loan money to people to rebuild their homes, running over not more than a 10-year period, although the government prefers five years. Money loaned under these conditions will bear 4 per cent interest.
T. O. Hammond, Helena banker, said he did not believe the federal agencies, for the most part, would reach the people who most need help. He suggested an outright grant of a million dollars from the Federal Emergency Relief administration to meet the situation. He said that a direct appeal to the FERA should eliminate a lot of "red tape."
Governor Cooney said, however, that the money could only be used for relief, and he believed that FERA funds for building homes was out of the question.
E. S. Transue of Denver, representative of the Red Cross, said that his organization was interested only in the family and home problem. He does not believe that the "home problem" here will be as complicated as was anticipated.
He said that there are two classes of people who suffered from the quake--those who can, and those who cannot take care of themselves. In case of the latter, he said that the customary investigations would be made, after which the Red Cross would begin to spend the money. The matter of how much will be expended, he said, does not come into it, as the emergency such as is in Helena is exactly what the organization handles.
There was considerable discussion in regard to public institutions and near-public institutions that were damaged by the quake. The most tangled problem presented was in regard to getting aid for such places as St. John's home, the Deaconess school and similar institutions.
J. F. Seeley of Los Angeles, representing the RFC, said that under the set-up of his agency; loans perhaps could not be made for long terms, but said he believed the application for funds would go through with the least delay.
He assisted in handling the earthquake loans at Long Beach, and said that 650 loans were made for two and one-half million dollars in between 12 and 14 days. The first application for $150,000, he said should be approved in four days time. The RFC will then be in a position to accept applications for loans from those who can give a first lien. Seeley said that there is still about three to five million dollars in the federal earthquake fund. RFC loans can be made on any type of real property where a valid lien can be obtained, and the property does not necessarily have to be inside the city limits.
Later in the meeting, Mr. Seeley said that he had talked over long distance to a member of the RFC board in Washington, and he assured him that the agency would act immediately in the Helena matter, approving requests by wire where possible.
It was then proposed that one agency be designated to act in the emergency, and assign those who suffered losses to one of four agencies as follows:
(a) The Red Cross, for those who have no means of rebuilding.
(b) The RFC, for those with credit on the "border-line," requiring long terms.
(c) The FHA, for those who wish to have their loans insured by this agency.
(d) The banks, for those who prefer to deal directly with these institutions.
It was generally believed that the Red Cross could handle the situation better than any other organization, because it has the necessary workers available.
FERA clients who suffered by the quake will be helped by the FERA.
Col. E. H. Williams, state adjutant general, emphasized the need of temporary shelter for those whose homes are uninhabitable. He said that it was getting too cold to use the tents at Camp Cooney, where about 500 are being cared for.
Alex Cunningham, treasurer of the Montana Life Insurance company, said that every mortgage his firm is holding on Helena property is being checked, and that the Montana Life will be willing to increase loans on property damaged by the quake on which it holds mortgages. He said also that the company had resources to make loans for repairs.
J. H. Rowe, representing Frank Walker, suggested a meeting in the afternoon for the consideration of the recommendations made, and the general meeting adjourned.
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
Up to midnight last night a total of 372 tremors had been reported by the Helena weather bureau including and since the major earthquake on last Friday evening. The last one was recorded at 10:59 last evening, and was described as a long rumble, lasting for two or three seconds.
There were only five tremors between 6 o'clock last night and midnight, all but the last being very light. Others were recorded at the weather bureau at 7:11, 8:08, 10:18 and 10:30.
This brings the total since October 12 to 432, which number includes 60 before the big earthquake. A check on the records yesterday revealed that the big one was the 61st since October 12, and not the 60th as previously reported.
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
San Francisco Men In Helena Represent U.S.C. And G.S.
Instruments for the recording of earthquakes and tremors were set up in Helena yesterday morning by representatives of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic survey, who arrived here from San Francisco.
The two men are Dean S. Carder and Franklin P. Ulrich, both of whom have had extensive experience on the west coast in operating the seismographs.
They will remain here for several days, depending on the activity in this area.
One of the machines is a "strong vibration" instrument, and will only record a quake of some intensity. The other is a "vibrator" and will measure a vibration of much lesser intensity.
It is not possible for the public to see the instruments, as they are carefully covered, and if light were allowed on them it would expose the sensitive paper on which the recordings are made. On these types of machines the activity of the quake is recorded by light on a paper similar to that used in making photographic prints, contrary to public belief that a sensitive needle records the tremors on paper with ink.
The "strong vibration" instrument requires a fairly heavy quake to record. A pendulum is suspended inside of a platinum ring, and if the tremor is strong enough to cause the pendulum to touch the ring, the machine begins to operate, and will record the activity for several seconds. There are 51 of these machines in California, located at various points.
The material on the earthquakes is gathered by the U. S. Coast and Geodetic survey not only for the various reports that are compiled, but also for the benefit of engineers and builders who desire such information in constructing houses and buildings in an earthquake zone.
The instruments are in the basement of the federal building, placed there in order to avoid the vibration of the building when tremors occur.
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
CARRIES NO PROTECTION FOR LOSS FROM EARTHQUAKE
Under the proposed state insurance law, suspended by petition and submitted to a referendum, public buildings insured there under would not have been protected from loss by earthquakes.
This was disclosed Tuesday by insurance underwriters who have made a study of the state insurance act, and it is made plain in two sections of the act that school district and county property would not be protected. But it provides that officers of such units, may insure public buildings against earthquake damage with private companies.
Section I which enumerates the perils against which state insurance is effective, provides:
"That all public buildings of this state and of each and every political subdivision thereof, and the contents of all such buildings, except as hereinafter provided, shall be insured by the state against all direct loss by fire, lightning, tornado, windstorm, cyclone, hail, explosion, flood and water damage, under the provisions of this act, which said insurance shall be provided for, determined and paid for as provided by this act. Provided, however, that officers and authorities having charge of buildings and contents above described may insure against earthquakes and, or other perils not above enumerated in this section."
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
Helena's state liquor store and the beer parlors, in buildings which were in safe condition, reopened yesterday by permission of Councilman Amos Shellady, commissioner of public safety. Business was good.
The ban on automobile traffic on Main street was lifted with the exception of that portion between Broadway and State streets.
No automobile traffic is yet permitted in the vicinity of the cathedral, in an area near the Northern Pacific station, on parts of State and Jackson streets and several other places where danger of buildings falling still exists, Mr. Shellady said.
Motorists must come to a full stop in front of buildings where the sidewalk has been roped off and pedestrians are obliged to walk in the streets, according to the order.
"This rule will be rigidly enforced," Mr. Shellady stated, "and violators will be severely dealt with in police court."
Theaters, churches and other public gathering places will remain closed until they have been officially inspected and pronounced safe by Oscar Baarson, city engineer and temporary building inspector.
Inspection work is being carried out as rapidly as circumstances will permit.
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
Any Red Cross supplies that may be required for citizens of Helena who suffered loss in the earthquake will be transported free by the Northern Pacific, M. S. Gunn, division counsel for the railroad, was notified yesterday in a telegram from President Charles Donnelly, then in Creston, Iowa.
The telegram follows:
"On behalf of Northern Pacific Railway company please express our sympathy to the people of Helena on account of the great catastrophe which has befallen them, and assure them of our readiness to transport free all Red Cross supplies."
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
Reports about the Rio theater opening in a few days are entirely erroneous, according to Paul McAdam, manager.
In a statement yesterday, Mr. McAdam said: "The show will not open until everything has quieted down, the tremor ceased, and the building carefully inspected by the authorities. An examination of the building indicates there is no apparent damage done.
"The quake did not seem to strike as hard on the downtown section of town as in the residence district, and we even continued the show for a few minutes when the power was on. Not realizing the extensive damage done, we made an addition to an ad prepared for the morning paper. However, upon reaching home, the real force of the earthquake was apparent; our brick dwelling was in shambles, and our folks nearly hysterical. In forgetting about the ad, we no doubt caused considerable confusion, which anyone experiencing the quake can easily understand."
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
In contrast with the disorder which usually follows a major disaster, discipline in Helena since Friday night's giant earthquake has been commendable, due to the co-operation of the people with the police force, the highway patrol, the national guard and American Legion volunteers.
Only two cases of theft have been reported to the police. One was that of a pocketbook from the wrecked home of Policeman Martin Foley while he was on duty down town. The other theft was that of a bicycle belonging to Prescott Towle.
Police officers investigated two reports of prowling, one at 535 Breckenridge street and the other at 710 Power street. No one was found who could be connected with the reports.
One slight car accident, with no one hurt, was reported between E. V. Colwell and Donald J. Rowe.
Bobby Smith and a man giving the name of John Doe were arrested yesterday afternoon for drunkenness and fighting on Main street. They were taken to the county jail and later released on $10 bonds. They are scheduled to appear in police court this morning.
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
Courage and initiative were displayed by Helena boys Monday and yesterday when there was a temporary shortage of men for the task of taking down quake chimneys which were considered hazardous.
Boys, many of them only of high school age, equipped with ropes, picks and other instruments, canvassed houses all over the city looking for jobs tearing down damaged chimneys.
Some chimneys, considered extremely hazardous, had been taken down by the Helena fire department, and some by the home owners themselves.
It was, however, difficult to locate grown men in sufficient numbers to make much headway, so the boys stepped in and filled the bill satisfactorily.
Some of the boys were reported as doing well in their emergency jobs, many of the thankful residents generously rewarding them for their brave services.
Fire Chief Juhl was kept continually on the run yesterday as house-holders all over the city called the station house and requested an inspection of flues or chimneys.
Toward last afternoon a number of men and boys, estimated by some people at 100, were busy in all sections of the city climbing ladders or ropes, ridge-walking roofs and leaning far out of adjacent windows in the task of taking down the ruined chimneys.
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
Possibility that the eight grades of the Bryant school will be handled at Broadwater and Central was announced last evening by City Superintendent R. O. Evans, following a meeting in the afternoon of school principals.
No definite plan was adopted, Mr. Evans said, but the proposal most favored was to have the first four grades attend school at Broadwater, and the upper four at Central. Those in the first four grades would be taken to Broadwater by bus.
Bryant school was a total loss as a result of the major quake last Friday.
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
Although the latest has been by far the worst, disaster and misfortune are nothing new to this city, once one of the richest gold mining camps ever opened and now the political center of the state.
Nestled among the foothills of the Rocky mountains, self reliant and optimistic, Helena has always taken pride in its ability to stand on its own feet and come back with renewed vigor and determination after each serious reverse.
Seventy-one years ago, Last Chance gulch was discovered by pioneers as rugged as the Rockies towering around the city. With unquenchable spirit, they forced the gulch to yield its gold and created the city that became the capital of Montana.
Today the rugged buildings of the business section of Main street, many of them erected when the city was an infant, show scarcely the semblance of a mark of the great earth disturbance, reflecting the massive strength of the surrounding mountains and the spirit of the pioneer prospectors.
Already federal and private relief agencies are rallying to the assistance of the stricken city. They will provide the initial and immediate impulse to set reconstruction in motion. From that point the city will carry on itself, and it is confident of its ability to do so.
With each disaster the loss mounts higher, but with each disaster comes improvement in building construction and a firmer determination in the minds of the people.
The terror of Friday night's earth-bouncing is leaving, and the people who stared at the walls about them and wondered which would go out first or if it would be a tie between the ceiling and the floor, were today smiling through the ruins and knocking together some sort of an abode before snow flies and the temperature slumps to the small figures on the scale.
On April 28, 1869, four years after the town was founded, a fire broke out in a Chinese gambling house, say the histories, and raged through the lumber shacks, log cabins and the few stone buildings then in "Last Chance" gulch. There was no figure on the loss at that time. The Helena theater was destroyed and a San Francisco theatrical company lost its entire wardrobe.
The town was rebuilt.
On an August afternoon in 1872, fire started at the rear of a Main street hotel near Broadway and raged eastward for six blocks and part of another. Forty men operated the water pump and finally the blaze was controlled. The next afternoon ox-carts began hauling away the ashes and the banging of hundreds of hammers could be heard.
The town was rebuilt.
In 1874, on a bitter cold January morning, another fire started in a Chinese gambling house. Half of the business section went up in flames for a loss of about $850,000. Feeling ran high against the Chinese in this fire and residents armed with six-shooters cowed most of the orientals and made them man the big pump. The ice in the fire reservoir was broken and the pumpers had to stand in that water. Sheriff Seth Bulock arrived to quiet the crowd that was abusing the Chinese as they pumped.
The town was rebuilt.
On July 16, 1926, the fourth of the disastrous fires occurred. It destroyed a number of buildings on one side of the main street business section for a loss of a million and a half dollars.
The town was rebuilt.
Frances Marie Antoinette Rose, in "Army Letters From an Officer's Wife," tells of the flood that ravaged Helena in August, 1878. There were a few drops of rain, she wrote, a blinding flash of lightning, "then the deluge." Oceans of water poured down the gulch, her account said, and the little gold-washing stream became a "roaring, foaming, black river." Shacks, cabins and furniture swirled down the gulch.
The town was rebuilt.
There is record of an earthquake of five seconds duration on December 10, 1872, and another of about the same length the following day. Another was felt here in 1925 but the damage was nominal.
More than 80 per cent of the 3,500 homes in the Capital city suffered from the quakes of last week, said E. S. Transue of Denver, Red Cross disaster director. The value of the average home is about $5,000 and the average damage to each is more than $100.
The loss to the owners individually, however, runs from total to none. One home suffered $10,000 damage. The entire quake loss is two and one-half to three million dollars.
The town will be rebuilt.
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
Buildings, gravestones and monuments in Helena's cemeteries came in for their share of damages during last Friday night's giant earthquake.
Many small stones were tipped over while the larger monuments, although some were twisted on their bases, seemed to have weathered the shake better than the small ones.
The granite arch over the main entrance at Forestvale suffered numerous cracks, the top row of blocks being shattered into bits.
The west wall of the Sexton's house was cracked to such an extent that it may have to be torn down, and the chimney and stone pillars on the front porch were damaged.
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
One of the queer things accomplished by last Friday night's large earthquake was the opening of a good-sized spring on the ranch of Frank O. Gumprecht, between Birdseye and Silver.
The Gumprechts last spring dug two shallow holes in a low piece of ground in the hopes of finding water but none was forthcoming, and they forgot about the matter.
After the quake, the holes filled with water, the flow of which is not heavy but seems to be continuous.
Although a thorough inspection of their land has not been made, no cracks in the earth have been discovered in the immediate vicinity of the holes.
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
John Mountjoy, former state fire marshal, was returning to his home in Boulder the night of the quake. As he was approaching the overpass this side of Clancy, the major tremor rumbled through the valley. "Such a cloud of dust arose I had to stop the car until it passed," he said.
One of the Helena Chinese was brave enough to
continue selling vegetables on Saturday, following
the big quake and was putting up quite a sales talk to
Mrs. J. Burke Clements of 11 S. Benton avenue
when one of the medium-sized temblors rocked the
porch.
"Carrots. Holy Clee. Lettuce. Clistamighty.
Aspasaspasagusags . . . . " the Chinese shouted as he
leaped from the porch and headed for his truck.
M. J. O'Leary, proprietor of a South Main street barber shop, declares that a man rushed into his shop Saturday morning shouting out, "Helena's been turned around completely by the earthquake." The man, unidentified, insisted that the barber shop was now on the wrong side of the street and that the sun was setting instead of rising.
Speaking of quakes. Here is a portion of the
newspaper account of one occurring in Helena
December 10, 1872, according to the Helena Daily
Herald of December 11 of that year. "The quaking
was experienced in all parts of the city alike, and was
accompanied by a rumbling noise, resembling that of
a heavy freight train rolling through the streets. . . .
The massive granite building in which The Herald
office is located, shook as violently as the frame work
of a gaunt Hoosier, assailed by a fit of Wabash ague.
. . . Considerable alarm was felt for some moments
by numbers of our citizens, who conceived a notion
of the efficacy of an airing, outside their houses and
places of business."
The same quake in 1872 in Deer Lodge "broke
chinking from some of our oldest houses. There was
a general jingling of glassware in the drug stores, and
the liquid contents of the furniture slopped up against
the sides of the jars like so many little seas. . . The
courthouse swayed first to west, and then rocked back
and forth until court, jury and spectators made a
complete stampede from the building."
Al Andreason, who operates a grocery store on North Rodney, is not conducting the inventory he figured upon. When the quake struck Friday night, he decided that his entire store and stock must have been ruined. He found this damage: Four eggs broken, one can of milk toppled from a shelf.
Leave it to Los Angeles to send up the nuttiest suggestion on the Helena earthquake. One M. E. Twining expended a few of his hard-earned shekels to send the following telegram to Secretary O. C. Lamport of the Helena Chamber of Commerce: "Send for F. J. Bielsky, 924 N. Western avenue. Will stop earthquakes."
From Seattle to Mayor Bausch came the offer of
a hotel range for possible use in feeding the
homeless.
It was from Frank Lang, a former Helena citizen.
Montana Boy Scouts through Gordon A. Day district Scout executive, offered "any assistance our organization can give."
One tourist camp proprietor notified the building inspector he would help relieve the housing situation by immediately erecting eight or ten three-room houses.
The earthquake was credited with speeding the cause of justice today when eight federal prisoners confined for months in the well-torn Lewis and Clark county jail asked that they be permitted to plead guilty to various offenses and were taken to Butte for arraignment.
When the quake struck, residents of the Charles
H. Morrison home dashed to the street. They
remained outside quite a while and later returned to
find this had taken place:
Dishes in the pantry had fallen to the floor and
were broken. A full box of matches tumbled out of a
cupboard and was ignited. Every match burned. A
sack of sugar spilled over the flaming matches and
put the fire out.
One of the afternoon shocks toppled a portion of
the rear wall at the city hall. The fallen section left a
hole 25 feet long and 12 to 14 feet high extending
from the top of the two-story structure to the top of
the first story.
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
What a mess the taxpaying citizens of Helena have created in a city, which for more than seventy years, has been considered conservative, by listening to and doing the bidding of non-taxpayers and trouble makers.
The recent earthquakes have done some damage, but it is nominal compared to the mess into which this city is getting deeper and deeper by turning its affairs over to men incompetent, unfaithful to their trust, sometimes we think mentally unbalanced.
Last Saturday--the day following the major earthquake, Commissioners Shellady and Evans saw the necessity of having an emergency declared in the city that officers might move freely to enforce regulations and that a commission might be appointed to deal with the federal government. The City Attorney and another lawyer of eminent standing, drew up the necessary special ordinance. Commissioner Shellady called on the Mayor at his home. The Mayor flatly refused to sign such a resolution, saying that when he got ready he would draw up an ordinance himself.
Saturday was the Mayor's Sabbath, so nothing could be expected from him--homeless people, citizens living in tents expecting every moment to experience the final crash, could not be permitted to interfere with the Saturday devotions of His Honor.
Senator Murray came to Helena and offered to take a plane to Washington and present Helena's case to the Relief Administrator in person, if he could get a commission of reputable citizens appointed on whom the government could depend.
All day Sunday Senator Murray waited.
Norman Weinstein, president of the Chamber of Commerce, conscious of the pressing need, spent all of Sunday afternoon and evening hunting for Mayor Bausch. He had disappeared.
Senator Murray agreed to wait over until Monday or Tuesday if necessary that a committee or authority might be named to handle the rebuilding and housing work in Helena.
Monday morning dawned. The nerves of the people were all shot. Hundreds were homeless. Snow began falling and the temperature dropping. Misery, suffering, even death faced scores of families.
Mayor Bausch appeared at the city hall with a resolution declaring an emergency existed and said he was willing to sign it on the condition that it be accepted as written and on the further condition that Noble P. Evans, commissioner in charge of streets, be given the entire job of handling the departments of public safety, fire and police, as well as streets, parks and the relief work.
At that moment the City Attorney moved in and informed the Mayor that such a resolution was not only ridiculous but illegal.
After a quarrel lasting nearly all day, during which the Mayor denounced his enemies, cried, orated, pleaded and otherwise made an ass of himself, an ordinance was passed in regular order as suggested by the City Attorney. Noble Evans was not placed in charge of the city as proposed by the Mayor, but a committee of nine citizens and business men, with former Gov. S. V. Stewart as chairman, was named.
Some idea of the efficiency of Noble P. Evans may be gleaned from his own actions during the three days.
The first thing he did Monday morning was to take a big crew of city employees and begin tearing down a one-story stone building, located behind the Marlow and the Federal Reserve Bank--a building formerly belonging to Pat Smith, condemned years ago, not occupied since; an eye-sore but if it had fallen down it would not have caused the loss of a dollar nor damage of fifty cents.
To this old building Noble P. Evans, street commissioner, devoted the first hours of Monday morning, until an Independent photographer began taking pictures of his "rescue squad." Then he explained that he was trying to make more parking space for automobiles.
More parking for automobiles!
What a humanitarian thought!
Why not take a crew of men with ladders and start up Fifth avenue or Breckenridge street; or Rodney street, or Lyndale or Boulder and inspect every flue and throw down every dangerous brick?
Why not pitch 100 tents and bank them up so terrified people would have some shelter?
No. Noble P. Evans never thought of finding places for families to park. His only thought was to give jobs to eight or nine of his political friends, and he gave them jobs tearing down a harmless old building, which would have made room for parking at least five automobiles.
Ye, gods, what an idea!
Tuesday morning broke bright and warmer, so Noble P. Evans thought of the leaves blowing around among the earthquake ruins, and he put out a crew of men to sweep up the leaves in the gutters.
Leaves are so much lighter to gather up than bricks, so Noble P. Evans put the boys to boon-doggling with some rakes and push brooms.
What a mess!
That made by the earthquake is not a circumstance to what we are going to have if we continue to place incompetent men in charge of our public affairs.
[Helena Independent; October 23, 1935]
INSPECTED AT CITY EXPENSE
COMMITTEE TAKES OVER HELENA RECONSTRUCTION
Mayor Seeks To Block Rehabilitation During Gravest Crisis City Ever Has Faced; Score Of Engineers Engaged By Committee, To Make Inspection Of All Damaged Buildings
With the city facing its gravest situation since the major shock, by reason of Mayor C. J. Bausch's refusal to permit City Engineer Oscar Baarson to employ engineers to inspect damaged buildings or to expend money for their transportation about the city, Helena's Emergency Reconstruction committee took over complete charge of rehabilitation affairs yesterday at a special meeting called to consider the new emergency.
Stepping into the breach, the committee, of which S. V. Stewart is chairman, on its own initiative and responsibility, wired outside points and secured the services of nearly a score of competent engineers and building experts. Several of them arrived last night and before tonight at least 15 will be on the job.
"What we want now is action," asserted Mr. Lamport. Human life is at stake. We do not know how many buildings in the city may be so badly damaged that they are likely to collapse at any time.
"It is imperative that every structure in the city suspected of having sustained damage, and particularly the larger business, public and semi-public buildings, be inspected at once to determine whether or not they are dangerous.
"This must be done! Hang the expense. We are not interested at this time in who will pay the engineers, the city or the government or some other agency. They will be paid alright, whether by the city or not. They are glad to help us out on that assurance and the main thing is to get the work done and prevent a possible further loss of life."
Both requests were flatly refused by Mayor Bausch, who said that the city had no funds for this purpose, that no allowance for it had been made in the budget and that therefore no city money could be used. He apparently forgot momentarily that employees of the water department, and many other city employees, regularly have been filling their private cars with city gasoline and obtaining other city supplies for their personal use.
It was pointed out to the mayor that an emergency had been declared and that the council had full authority to appropriate money for this or any other purpose it deemed imperative or necessary, but the city chief remained adamant.
"You can have all the engineers you want if the government will pay for them, but the city cannot pay for any assistants," he informed Mr. Baarson.
"Those in charge of city expenditures cannot allow the taxpayers of the city to be plunged into indebtedness," Mr. Evans stated, "but, if the WPA, the highway commission and cities in the state want to send engineers here on a no charge basis, it's all right with me.
"Senator Murray stated that he would secure funds for the rebuilding of the city; the WPA and the Red Cross can give us money for this work, so why should the city go into debt?" he added.
In conclusion he said, "The streets of the city are in passable condition and that is as far as my work goes."
With several hundred property owners waiting for inspections, and pressing for action, with more filing requests every hour and with only four full-time volunteers to help him City Engineer Baarson in desperation finally appealed to the Emergency Reconstruction committee and a meeting was hastily called.
This was done and by the middle of the afternoon, Mr. Lamport had assurance that nearly 20 would be on their way to Helena as soon as they could get ready to leave. Fully half a dozen had arrived last evening and the remainder will reach the city this morning.
Wires also were sent to the war department in Washington and to Senator Murray asking the services of as many of the army engineers at Fort Peck as could be spared. Word from this effort is expected today.
When informed of these developments, City Engineer Baarson breathed a tremendous sigh of relief and said, "A great burden has been lifted from my mind; for the first time in three days I am able to see light."
Others who have arrived or will be here to inspect damaged structures include: G. E. Osterberg, chief designing engineer for the A. C. M. at Butte; the city engineer of Livingston; Carl Nepper, Butte contractor; the city engineer and one or two others from Billings; Art Cooke, city engineer of Great Falls; two engineers, one the city engineer, and two contractors from Missoula; Mr. Lovering of the contracting firm of Lovering-Longbotham of St. Paul, builders of the First National Bank and Trust company building and other structures; and Carl Johnson, a partner in the West Coast Construction company.
In addition, Mr. Baarson has the assistance of Sigvald Berg, supervising architect of the Federal Housing administration, who has had wide experience in the earthquake centers of California, and two structural engineers from the bridge department of the state highway commission. These have been on the job from the start.
John Grosse, a member of the high school faculty, offered his time and that of an assistant for clerical work in the city engineers's office. The office has been swamped with appeals for inspections and other assistance and their help will relieve a tremendous burden.
Yesterday one of the tremors shook down a large chimney at the home of R. J. Quigley on the west side. The chimney crashed through the roof and destroyed practically all the furniture in the living room, including an expensive piano.
"This is a good example of the seriousness of the situation," Secretary Lamport pointed out. "Had we had sufficient engineers, this could have been averted. An inspection of the place would have resulted in an order to take the chimney down. It is only a miracle that no one was in the room. Had there been, it is almost certain that more fatalities would have been chalked up."
[Helena Independent; October 24, 1935]
FERA Will Supply Labor And Operations Are To Start Today; Several Tremors Are Felt; Reconstruction Forces Open Effort To Avert Further Casualties By Quake
As an FERA project, the city of Helena will this morning commence actual work on a broad scale in dismantling damaged buildings, removing hazardous chimneys and walls, and starting this quake-distorted municipality back on the road to normalcy, it was announced last evening by Amos M. Shellady, commissioner of public safety.
Commissioner Shellady received word yesterday that F. H. Marvin, director of transient relief, had been given authority by Washington to supply relief labor for such projects, and immediately afterwards called the city council into session at the water department.
Director Marvin was present at the meeting and informed the council that he would have at least 50 men ready for work by noon today. Although the city has not officially applied for the project, the ERA director said that he would supply the labor at once and the council could follow with its project.
Marvin yesterday gained authority by long distance call from A. Williams, assistant administrator, to use relief and transient labor in dismantling damaged buildings, private or public, tearing down hazardous walls and chimneys, and removing the debris from the city.
"We are ready to furnish this labor as soon as the city or county file formal applications asking for aid," Director Marvin said.
With the city, county and possibly the reconstruction committee scheduled to file applications for such projects, actual work of rehabilitation will swing into action shortly.
State Fire Marshal Arthur C. Parsons; his assistant, Jack Carney, and Acting Fire Chief Martin Juhl have been busy almost continuously since the major quake last Friday night and have either taken down or ordered the demolition of more than 200 chimneys.
"Helena has been extremely fortunate so far in that there has not been a fire of any consequence. We are trying to remove every possible hazard created by the earthquake," the state fire marshal said.
Where chimneys knocked down or damaged by the quake are found and where the owners are in poor financial condition, the fire truck with the hook and ladder are being used to remedy the situation, while others are notified to do their own work, but the names of available workmen are supplied, the state fire marshal explained.
Recurrent earth movements added little loss to Helena yesterday although they developed several hazardous structural defects in buildings previously rocked. Helena's reconstruction forces moved quickly to avert further fatalities or injury by an accurate check of possible hidden dangers lurking in some of the larger buildings. Skilled engineers from Butte, Great Falls, Livingston, and Missoula volunteered their services while three of the cities, Livingston, Missoula and Great Falls, voluntarily assigned their city engineers to the Helena reconstruction committee without cost. They will begin today, with City Engineer Oscar Baarson, an exhaustive survey of the entire city.
That some buildings not damaged, as far as the eye could see, would be found with structural defects was indicated in the case of the Gans-Klein building, at the northeast corner of Main and Broadway, and the Kohler art store building. At the time there appeared danger of collapse and the area was roped off and traffic halted. Pedestrians were warned to not walk near the builds. The Gan-Klein building was found weakened with one wall on the Broadway side bulging out. Contractors and architects, however, who inspected the building said that it was not a great hazard and there was no danger of its collapse.
With various state and government agencies ready to cooperate in lending money for the rebuilding and repair of damaged property, the newly organized Montana Reconstruction corporation completed its set-up speedily and yesterday held a meeting, explaining to the public its system of loans under the RFC, it was said by Norman Winestine, one of the directors.
Many inquiries were received by it and applications for loans will commence shortly. Mr. Winestine said that the $150,000 applied for would be "earmarked " in Washington and forthcoming in a few days. Several big loans are being contemplated in the city from the RFC offspring. Application blanks have been printed and the new headquarters of the corporation in the office of the RFC on Edwards street will be open today.
The latest gyrations of the earth failed to make any further imprint on an already hardened citizenry and the chore of rehabilitation went steadily ahead. Lineman were stringing new wires for the utility companies; furnaces were being placed in useable condition; nearly every house had a brick mason or carpenter at work and load after load of material was being hauled out of building supply depots.
As heavy as was the earth movement, only three homes thus far have been found with broken plumbing connections.
E. S. Transue, Red Cross disaster field worker, estimated that 90 per cent of the distressed householders would be back in their homes within 10 days. He believed one of the major problems was in determining the structural defects in the business section.
"Helena was exceedingly fortunate for it seemed the earth movement was of a vertical type instead of from side to side," he said.
Though Helena's schooling problem remains acute one situation was solved when it was determined that several departments might be moved back to the old city auditorium. There was no indication schools generally would be resumed before two weeks.
To provide accommodations for its many trainmen in view of the uninhabitable condition of Sixth ward hotels and rooming houses where they generally stay, the Northern Pacific moved in 10 bunk cars, all heated and equipped for immediate occupancy.
Though scores of nerve-racked persons who left town Friday and Saturday had returned, the tension was tightened somewhat by yesterday's tremors but in spite of it the Camp Cooney refuge center sheltered but a relative few last night.
[Helena Independent; October 24, 1935]
Most Of Them Asking Aid In Repairing Their Homes
About 75 persons have registered at the Red Cross headquarters set up at the old National Bank of Montana building, most of whom are seeking aid in repairing their homes, E. S. Transue, disaster relief representative of the American Red Cross, said yesterday.
Three investigators are supposedly on their way here from St. Louis, and when they get here it is the plan to begin on the home repair and replacement problem. An accountant is also on his way here from Washington, D.C., Transue said.
About two of the heads of families who have called at the Red Cross this week have been looking for temporary shelter, while others wanted assistance of other types. It appears, Transue said, that the emergencies arising in other disasters just did not occur in Helena.
He said that Mrs. A. T. Hibbard is organizing a motor corps to aid the Red Cross investigators when they arrive here. The investigators will be taken from place to place by people somewhat familiar with the situation here at the present time.
A total of 338 houses were investigated in the area where the most damage was done, and besides the 29 houses demolished there were 36 damaged, 13 slightly damaged, 94 that could be classed as medium wreckage, and 45 badly damaged.
Chimney damage was found on 213 places; 146 had interiors damaged; 31 foundations damaged, and three had plumbing in disrepair.
Transue estimates that 80 per cent of Helena's 3,000 homes were damaged by the quake, many of which can be repaired at a moderate cost.
[Helena Independent; October 24, 1935]
Two lads at the Montana Deaconess school, through their calmness and courage during the major earthquake at that institution last Friday, proved that they had the "stuff" to do the right thing during a crisis when they kept perfect order among 17 boys who witnessed the great disturbance from the top floor of the institution. Both are Boy Scouts.
The boys were John Roach, 13, of Wenatchee, Wash., and Arthur Kennedy, 14, of Plains, both of whom are "captains" in the school government. When the building began to rock and rumble, some walls falling in and others falling out, the captains got the boys together with the instructions, "Wait for the house mother."
One of the officials at the school, from a floor above, heard one of the captains say, "Stay where you are or I'll knock the tar out of you."
The children at the school, about 60 in all, left the building in perfect order, and it was entirely evacuated in six minutes' time. All of this was done in the dark, and not a single child even so much as cried.
Besides the 60 children, there were 12 women, house mothers and school officials, occupying the building.
Miss Helen C. Piper, principal of the school, said yesterday that the Salvail home on North Madison avenue is being put in shape for the school, and it is expected that they will be all settled by Saturday.
She said that there is now no need for furniture or bedding at the Deaconess school, as every bit was saved.
Despite the violence of the earth shock, which made the school building uninhabitable, not even so much as a dish was broken, Miss Piper said.
[Helena Independent; October 24, 1935]
Many quake refugees have enjoyed the comforts of home, at least as far as sleeping quarters are concerned, during the last few nights as a result of the Northern Pacific Railway company's placing seven or eight coaches and a number of bunk cars in their yards for the use of homeless Helena residents.
The coaches are heated by steam and the other cars are equipped with stoves. They have been filled each night by homeless folks and railroad employees who must lay over one night here.
There is no charge for the use of these cars.
[Helena Independent; October 24, 1935]
Firemen Go To Garage, Police Are In The Black Maria
When the rear wall of the city hall collapsed Tuesday afternoon, the problem of finding safe and well-located quarters for the city's police and fire departments was quickly solved by Otto Krieg, proprietor of the A-A garage, who generously donated space for the department in his establishment. It has been partitioned off.
The A-A garage, which was damaged little by the quake because of the steel framework supporting the structure, now houses the fire trucks, firemen's beds, signal boxes and the balance of the fire-fighting equipment.
Also headquartered in the A-A are the national guardsmen who patrol by night the city's danger zones.
When asked last night how the fire department was making out in its new quarters, Acting Fire Chief Martin Juhl gazed fondly up at the strong steel girders supporting the roof of the building and said, "Swell."
Roger Smith's police headquarters were transferred to the Black Maria, which was parked in a vacant lot across the street from the city hall.
Telephone and light service were quickly installed and the back end of the "wagon" now serves as a small office with room enough for the desk man and one or two officers.
It was stated last night that the department was contemplating moving into the empty building next door to the A-A garage.
[Helena Independent; October 24, 1935]
Townsend, Oct. 23--Property damage in Townsend resulting from the major quake of Oct. 18 was slight. Plate glass windows in the Connors' mortuary and Tony Peterson's barber shop were broken and a few chimneys were shaken down, including one on the Guild hall and the old bakery building.
The Methodist church, Holy Cross church and St. John's church were not damaged. The Star printing office suffered the most damage. The south wall was cracked somewhat and part of the fire wall on the west side bulged out so that it will have to be replaced. The office of E. H. Goodman, adjoining the Star office was badly cracked as was also the State bank building on the opposite side of the printing office.
The high school has been inspected by Carl Hov and one door is temporarily braced. The damage to the public school building has been estimated at about $300 by Supt. H. C. Good. The chimneys were unhurt but the plaster in many of the rooms has fallen.
No quakes have been felt here since Friday and Helena residents have been welcomed in many homes, commuting to Helena for their work.
[Helena Independent; October 24, 1935]
County authorities are appealing to the better nature of Helena youngsters and their parents in an effort to halt any pranks which might be played as Helena draws near to Halloween.
The officers said they had received no reports of depredations as yet but they asked the cooperation of all residents of the city that they keep their children from "celebrating" this Halloween in the traditional fashion.
"Sufficient damage has been done and more than enough suffering has taken place in Helena already," County Probation Officer Frank Thefault said, "without youngsters of the city causing any more discomfort and disturbance."
With the city just recovering its nerves and making the first attempts to bring some order out of the wreckage where homes have been destroyed, authorities were of the opinion that needless pranks were not to be tolerated.
Apprehensions and stringent discipline for any offenders caught, were promised by officers.
[Helena Independent; October 24, 1935]
Bozeman, Oct. 23--(AP)--Montana has again been spotlighted on the earthquake map of the nation by a series of tremors entailing millions of dollars of damage at Helena, in the first major earth disturbance in the Treasure state since Three Forks and Logan quakes of June, 1925.
The recent shocks at Helena, according to Professor Erick Therkelsen of the Montana State college engineering department, in charge of the delicate seismograph, are much milder than those of a decade ago.
The 1925 quake in Montana, he said, ranks with major known quakes in the nation for intensity and had the region been heavily populated widespread property damage and loss of life would have resulted, Prof. Therkelsen believes.
Helena's first shock at 12:51 on the morning of October 12, when the current series of disturbances began, was clearly recorded by the State college seismograph, but the succeeding tremors were of such short duration and mild nature that they failed to register distinctly on the apparatus.
[Helena Independent; October 24, 1935]
Return to Newspaper Summary for Articles 50-99.
Return to Helena Earthquake Summary.
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