Old Missoula

Prof. Hamilton and Missoula’s Feckless Juveniles – 1896

Missoula Barn Stormers

Goats in the Velvet and Kids Still Flock to the Old Resort.

From all accounts the truant officer should be given the authority to use a whip on some of the lads in Missoula who are not simply mischievous and full of animal life, something that all boys should possess, but really vicious.

The raid of Constable Houtchens on the Dierman barn, where he caught a number of boys playing faro, it was thought would break up that resort but it didn’t. Notwithstanding the fact that a number of boys made the most solemn pledges to Mr. Houtchens and their parents not to return to the barn, to copper the king and play the ace straight up, and the other cards in different ways, they did not only put their beans on the keards[1] but shot the festive crap.

Some of the parents, fearful that the boys would return to rendezvous and be placed under arrest by the truant officer, followed them Tuesday night and found them in the barn, the same as on Monday night and marched them home. There were boys there whose parents did not call for them, and they continued the game. Yesterday afternoon a few minutes before 4 o’clock Prof. Hamilton[2] left the Central school building and went straight to the Dierman barn on the North side, to see for himself what kind of a place it is, as well to find out whether any of the pupils from the school would go there as soon as school was out. When he arrived there he found two school boys from the Central school building, who had reached there before him, along with a number of other young men who do not go to school. A fire had been lighted in the stove and other preparations were being made for a gathering. Prof. Hamilton requested his pupils to accompany him to the school house, which they did reluctantly. Arriving at the school house he gave them reasonable advice and received from them a promise not to frequent the resort any more.

In the barn where the boys congregate, they have rigged up a stage in one end of the structure where they hold concerts and other kind of performances. Then they have the faro table which is the chief attraction. A supply of tobacco and paper for cigarettes are kept on hand, and as long as they are not permitted on the streets they propose to enjoy themselves, and do in their way. It is thought to be a poor way.

The above article appeared in Daily Missoulian on December 17, 1896.

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