The McKenzie Gazette reported on this day that in 1911, an “attack” was made on the Golden West Hotel.

A group of boy and girl basketball players returning home to Steele from a game in Hazelton arrived there on a peaceful day. The paper reported the chaotic scene as a play by play, tongue-in-cheek battle.

“General” Jack Friddle tried to keep up and help with orders amidst the bedlam, but finally, the paper reported, “the General’s nerve gave out and securing a table napkin he attached it to the stove poker and advanced trembling into the room frantically waving his flag of truce and was immediately taken prisoner.”

Both teams had won in Hazelton; one suspects they won against the inn-keeper, too.

WRITTEN BY: SARAH WALKER

Sources:
The McKenzie Gazette, Thursday, Jan. 26, 1911, p.1

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