County farmers didn't mess around with crows in 1935. Some 500 pairs of crows' feet had been turned over to the county by June from the Grand Forks Sportsman's League, and a bounty of 10 cents a pair was paid, the Herald reported.
The crows had done considerable damage before June. One farmer said the black birds had destroyed all but three of 15 settings of turkey eggs on his farm. Members of the league made crow-hunting excursions to wooded areas of the county almost every day when weather permitted. The league cooperated in a statewide effort to reduce damage by crows.
The swimming pool at Riverside Park opened at the beginning of June 1935. Mrs. M.B. Kannowski, superintendent of parks, said improvements included new shower baths with thermostatic controlled hot water. Children younger than 10 were allowed to use the pool free. Adults were charged 5 cents apiece for a locker, towel and swimming suit and an additional 10 cents to use the pool.
Season tickets could be purchased for $2.50, and the pool was to be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
An item written by E.C. "Bill" Eyler of the Herald said Mae West films were few and far between. So "Going to Town" was big news with the "Gay Nineties" actress starting both as a tough-and-ready cattle queen and as a society leader. Theaters of Grand Forks 75 years ago were the Dakota, Paramount and Forx.
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Harvey Anthony's novel, "Anthony Adverse," was in most demand of the fiction category, and "Skin Deep" by Mary Phillips led the nonfiction list in June 1935. That was according to Ruth O. Brown, city librarian.
The month began with 207 seniors at Central High School getting diplomas at the school's 49th commencement. Graduates formed behind the school band and made a procession to the city auditorium. Diplomas were presented by O.H. Bridston, president of the school board. Superintendent Elroy Schroeder presented a medal to James Glyer. He was winner of the oratorical contest, "An American Ideal Government."
Commencement also was held at Wesley College and at UND, where 268 students made up the class of 1935.
In other news 75 years ago:
** A 9-year-old Crookston girl was crushed to death, and nearly 50 other people suffered minor injuries when a performing elephant went berserk in a circus tent during a performance. Margaret Ann Francis was the victim who had tumbled into the animal's path.
** Vegetables for needy families grew in 42 gardens in 40 North Dakota counties. The counties supplied the land, and the federal government provided the seed.
** Some 145 young people here enrolled in Civilian Conservation Corps Camps and were assigned to posts at Park River and Lakota, N.D.
** Traffic signals were to be installed in the center of the four corners of Fifth Street and DeMers Avenue in downtown Grand Forks, according to Harry Reff, city commissioner. The signals were to be "rubber" post signals -- signs that would turn over and return to place when struck by a car.
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June 1935 ended with the North Dakota State Fair here from June 25-29. There was an auto show, 4-H club contests, harness racing and the United Shows of America on the midway with 12 big rides.
The fair also included auto racing, a flower show, band contest and horse races. And the "Fascinations of 1935" were on the midway along with dancing to Everett Perrin's great 10-piece band.
Between 150 and 200 prize rabbits were displayed at the rabbit show of the North Dakota State Fair, according to a report from George Keller, president of the Northern Rabbit Breeders Association of Grand Forks.
Along with the fair, June ended with the North Dakota American Legion convention here. There was a parade and a drum contest. The annual peony exhibit was held in the lobby of the Ryan Hotel.
And during all of the celebrating, there was a cyclonic gale that caused damage to the north end of Grand Forks.
