Part 4

Depicting the Croatian pioneers in Central Montana as dedicated solely to hard work, without any pleasure or fun, would not be entirely true. The plain fact, well known among the members of this ethnic group, was that the Croatian stonemason played just as hard as he worked. But he did so only on special occasions, such as national and religious holidays and weddings. In times of relaxation, Croatian men loved to sing, dance, and above all, to imbibe, usually all three – beer, whiskey and wine. They purchased beer at the local saloon, either in gallon enamel buckets or ten-gallon kegs, and whiskey by the bottle. On very special occasions and holidays, they served whiskey with a fig, a tradition brought from Bribir where the fruit grew in abundance.

Wine, usually served with bread at meals, was homemade. The propensity of the Croatian men for wine must have become a matter of common knowledge rather quickly, for Daisy Monkelin remembers that shortly after their arrival, wholesalers from Great Falls sent salesmen to solicit orders for California wine grapes. It was not long before small wine pressed, borrow or purchased, appeared on the scene. Croatian wine makers aged their product, both white and red, in fifty, and, one hundred-gallon barrels. Wine making, which later also utilized chokecherry, dandelion, and wild Oregon grapes, was a time consuming activity, but one considered vital for one’s soul and good health.

There were many joyous times for the people of Bribar. Peter Kovacich often offered his house and barn for festive gatherings, while Vinko Kalafatic and others provided accordion, tambourica, windpipe, and other instrumental music. In the Kalafatic household, among others, handcrafting the traditional Croatian tambourica and windpipe from wood were wintertime family projects.

The ancient pre-Lenten festival, the "Mesopost," engaged all of Lewistown’s Croatian community. A combination medieval morality play and a one day and night observance, the event featured the hanging of a straw effigy representing the community’s sins, which was first prosecuted by an attorney-like character and then condemned to an incendiary death by a judge. On some occasions they burned the effigy at midnight.

Written in Bribir, and mailed in time for the local festivities, came poetic epitaphs and scripts used in the "Mesopost." John F. Plovanic usually read these epitaphs while acting in the dual capacity of attorney and judge. Other participants formed a ring by holding hands and sang chants as they danced the "kolo" around Plovanic and the effigy.

Once the celebrants disposed of the sins, depicted by the hanging and burning of the effigy , they danced, drank and sang until the early morning hours.

Other important social events included the celebration of St. John and St. Peter saint days and the Fourth of July. Birthdays, commonly celebrated by Americans, did not carry such importance for Croatians, but they did celebrate saint days as name days. Reflecting the environment of their new home, as well as tradition, Central Montana Croatians took time out to celebrate on St. John and St. Peter saint days.

On December 27, St. John’s Day the Croatian community celebrated in honor of John Plovanich, Sr. at his Ruby Gulch homestead. A large dinner and dance highlighted the festivities, and dancing was even more important in celebrating St. Peter’s day on June 29. Peter Kovacich was a gifted dancer, so it was natural that friends and neighbors who were not Croatian came to watch him dance the "Hrvatski". The St. Peter gala came after the long winter months and all participated in a mood of cheer and merriment.

Having remembered St. Peter’s day, the Croatians next observed the Fourth of July with a barbecue and a dance. Although this was a national holiday unknown in their home country, Croatians quickly adopted it as their own. America’s birthday had a special significance to them, for they were from that part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire where there had long been agitation over the rights of the individual. To them, the Declaration of Independence was not a document of empty words, and Thomas Jefferson became real to those who were told, or who had read, that he was the one responsible for the abolition of primogeniture and entail. Many of the Croatians had come from large families, whose property had passed on only to the eldest son, leaving the other children without inheritance. Lewistown’s Croatians were loyal to their adopted county, and most hastened to become naturalized citizens. Studying the federal constitution for an oral exam, however, was a grueling affair. Since few of the stonemasons read English with ease, it was necessary to receive instructions. Often applicants devoted three to four days and nights to an intensely concentrated study, tutored by one who had already passed the exam. There was also group instruction. One concerned official, John Ritch, clerk of the District Court, volunteered his services as an instructor using his home for a classroom. Prior to his death, "Andy" Kalafatic recalled that he served as an interpreter when he was barely sixteen years old. Listening carefully to what Mr. Ritch had to say, and then translating accurately to the students in Croatian, was difficult and exhausting. But the teachers, interpreters, and students made no complaints, and there were never any instructional fees charged.

Once a Croatian became a citizen, he voted, regardless of foul weather, poor roads, or even illness. To these people, as with so many other immigrant groups, America’s opportunity was more than symbolic. "What more could anyone expect out of life?" asked one old-timer as he realized that his own death was near. His faith in America, a living symbol of honesty and decency, as well as economic opportunity never failed. The Croatian stonemason in Lewistown was grateful because with his own hands and ancient skills, he had helped build a new town that still bears his imprint, carved in stone.

Part 5