Mercy in Hard Times: Mrs. Harriet E. Carrier

The following story was inspired by a recent research request. It is dedicated to Georgia Lapier Elhana, Jordan Lapier, the Lapier Family, and the Native Americans who lived on Hill 57.

The Depression came early to Montana with the end of WWI. Many men did not return, farms struggled as crops succumbed to drought, and industry suffered the loss of wartime demand. Families became destitute and welfare organizations strived to provide assistance. Here began the work of Harriet Carrier.

Harriet Carrier came to Great Falls in 1917, as the first public health nurse in the area employed by the Montana State Tuberculosis association. Within her first month, the American Red Cross requested her services, and she became executive secretary for the county Red Cross organization. In this position she supervised the extended activities of the county chapter in the World War days and as soldiers returned and aided them in rehabilitation work. In 1919, she secured $150,000 from the National Red Cross Organization for the relief of drought-stricken farmers in Montana, $20,000 of which was used in Cascade County. In 1923, the Red Cross returned to peacetime work, but struggled due to a lack of funds to handle all the veteran cases. Mrs. Carrier made a personal donation of $2,500.

She had great enthusiasm in her work. The Great Falls Tribune reported on June 7th, 1920:

“The Home Services department of the Red Cross reports 1,563 services rendered during May. Five hundred and forty telephone calls, more than 17 a day are reported. Fifty-three new cases were brought to the attention of the department. Two hundred and ten persons visited the office asking for assistance of various kinds, and the secretary, Mrs. Harriet Carrier, made 70 visits to different homes to give assistance. Thirty-two insurance forms for returned soldiers were made out. Various other forms that passed through the office numbered 45. Five hundred and nine letters were written in the interests of persons whom the home service were assisting. Compensation forms for soldiers were made out to the number of 12. Traveling expenses were paid for four people. Liberty bonds were also looked up and taken care of for four persons.  Four veteran’s welfare forms were looked after by the office. Financial assistance was given to the amount of $95. Nine hundred and six families were dealt with and information was given to 547 families.”

Also in 1923, Mrs. Carrier established the Family Welfare Society with the union of the Associated Charities and the Red Cross. Its main purpose was to assist persons who are in need, to find work for the unemployed, and to act as an advisor to the discouraged. They distributed clothing and shoes to needy families. Winters were especially harsh and required distribution of fuel and groceries as well. Assistance was given by the society to all persons regardless of color, race, or creed.

In 1924, Cascade County had its first recorded cyclone disaster near Benton Lake and Power. Mrs. Carrier personally went and made a survey of the damage done to farms and land. It was assessed that $2,000 would be needed to help those effected. At the end of that year, Mrs. Carrier took 35 undernourished children and 3 mothers to the Strain family camp near Monarch for a week filled with food, play and sound sleep. The year before, the children gained a pound a day. By 1928, over the 10-year period of Mrs. Carrier’s tenure, the local Red Cross chapter had assisted 2,300 disabled veterans and 3, 756 families.

Clipping from Great Falls Tribune November 24, 1929 “Prominent Welfare Worker.” Portrait of Carrier in cloche hat taken by Heyn & Keeley studio. The caption reads “Mrs. Carrier, executive secretary of the Family Welfare association, returned Friday from Billings, where she attended the Montana State Conference of Social Workers, at which she was one of the principal speakers. Mrs. Carrier is also executive secretary of the local chapter of the American Red Cross society.”

In 1930-31, she worked with the Earl Woolridge, superintendent of the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation, and the Department of the Interior to do a survey of the approximately 35 Native families living on Hill 57. There was discussion to establish a government Indian colony by purchasing land adjacent to Great Falls to provide water, electricity, and sewerage for houses that would be built. If established, it would have been for county residence. Despite a gallant effort, this dream was not realized.

Mrs. Carrier resigned her posts in 1932 after 14 years of complete devotion. Both organizations adopted a resolution expressing their appreciation:

“Be it resolved: That in regretfully accepting the resignation of Mrs. Carrier we acknowledge the debt of gratitude which the city of Great Falls and Cascade County owe her for her years of honest, loyal and outstanding labor in the cause of charity and social service; a labor attended with much personal service and discomfort on her part, but always performed cheerfully and thoroughly in the noble effort to alleviate human suffering and to supplant despair with hope and confidence. We cheerfully attest that her record for success in her vocation is most enviable.”

From Great Falls she went to Roundup, Montana to work for the Musselshell County office of the federal emergency relief committee. Two years later was transferred to Havre. She retired in 1941 and returned to Great Falls. She passed November 29, 1950 at the age of 79.

We share this story with you, as we wish for those who endeavor to help the helpless be not forgotten. May Mrs. Carrier’s compassion and efforts live on in our community today.

Clipping from Great Falls Tribune February 21, 1954. Caption reads: “Water Problem — Above, Frances LaPier, 5, takes a drink form a pail in the LaPier home on Hill 57 while her brother, Joey, also 5 but not a twin, pretends to wash his hands. Hill 57 water is packed from a tap near the Russell school. Above (right) the water situation in some Mt. Royal homes was solved when water was piped into homes. Billy Lee Henderson, 5, and his sister Sylvia Fay, 4, get a drink from the tap in the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Henderson. Mt. Royal conditions are better than Hill 57 ones. (Tribune photos)”

-Megan Sanford, Archives Administrator