Sec. B Pg 12 Missoulian Centennial Captions of 2 Photos
2 Photo’s on Page 12
Telephone Messenger Boy
This is the first uniformed messenger boy for the Rocky Mountain Bell Telephone Co. in Missoula, W. W. Keith, who got his unusual job in 1897. There were many homes in the city in those days not equipped with phones, so when a call came for someone who didn’t have a phone the messenger delivered the message. (Photo courtesy of W. W. Keith)
Crowd Gathers to Watch Athletic Competition
Hundreds of Missoula residents turned out for this summer competition around 1900 in the 500 block on North Higgins avenue. Apparently the program included high jumping, races and weight tossing. This block bounded by Higgins, Spruce, East Alder and Pattee is now occupied by the Missoulian Publishing Co. plant and the Westmont Tractor Co. (Photo courtesy of Robert E. Jones)
Comment on this picture – this might have been taken several years previous to 1900. There are no vehicles in this picture, only a solitary wagon with horses present. However, there is a power/telephone pole in the foreground. It would be interesting to know how late the city was able to use this field as it was host to many things, including skating in the winter. I believe the Robert E. Jones mentioned here was a brother of Deane Jones, the Missoulian editor.