Phillips County Museum News for April 24, 2021

It’s time to celebrate Spring and the opening of the Phillips County Museum!! A milestone happened during the first week in April 1917. On April 6, 1917, the United States entered World War I. In July 1917 twelve men signed their intent to enlist in the Second Montana Volunteer Infantry and they signed on the circus grounds in Malta. Seriously – it did happen during a circus! Army personnel seeing an opportunity to enlist men set up a tent and some old muskets and established “recruiting headquarters” on the circus grounds with the Stars and Stripes flapping over the entrance of the tent. The original list of men that signed that day for the Second Montana VOLUNTEER Infantry were (last names) Langton, Johnson, Miller, Plummer from Content ; Ginder, Rogers, Johnson, Gunderson, Lackar, Milem, Daaglo, Cody, Jordan, Foucete, Flynn, Malley, Leahy, Limond from Malta; Barrick from Townsend; Wilson from Freewater; Snow from Dodson; Jensen and Drommerhause from Regina; and Cordier and Abbott from Alkali. And yes, in case you were wondering, all of the above listed men did report for their physical examination to enter the Army. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday 10-5.