Class Book_ ._. COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT •—•-t^/^OF^tftv^--* zELkMM mjm mmA'' •oITS»»- -*®>- Geographical Boundaries, Township Organizations, Soil, Improved and Unimproved Lands, Early Settlers, Leading Farmers, Bonanza Farms, County Officers, City and Town Officers, Professions, Business Firms, Mechanical Industries, Schools, Churches, Benevolent Societies, Public iMPRcfVEMENTs, Railroad Advantages, Etc., Etc., Etc. Thoroughly and Impartially Written and Compiled r-*-'*vi^B"S"^2/e»<-»-» I3:OISuf^OE B- OIS-A-ItTID^^ILiIj. COLFAX, DAKOTA. PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 1886. (^"Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1886, by Horace B. Crandall, in the oflSce of the Librarian of Congress at Washingtpn. All rights reserved. J^ HISTORY RICHLAND COUNTY GEOGllArHIOAL BoUNnAllIEa, ToWNSIIIP ORGANIZATIONS, SOIL, IM- PROVED AND Unimpiioved Lands, Eaiily Settlers, Leading Farmers, Bonanza Farms, County Officers, City and Town Officers, Professions, Business Firms, Mechan- ical Industries, Schools, Churches, Benevolent Societies, Public Improvements, Eailroad Advantages, Etc., Etc. Thoroughly and Impartially Written and Compiled — BY— HOEACE B. CEANDALL. colfax, dakota, published by the author. 1886. To All Persons AVno Have fhom the Eauliest Beginning Labored for the Cultivation oe Our Eic'H Virgin Soil, for the Material Development of the Natural Eesources of Eichland County, Also for the Thorough and Priceless Cultivation of Mental. Endowments by Educational Agencies, And the Growth and Culture of Moral and Keligious Forces, and All Others Who Will in the Future Work with Muscle, Brain, and Heart to Make Our Fair Land "Bud and Blossom as the Kose," and Thereby Invite Thousands to Settle within Our Borders And Enjoy the Eich Inheritance That God Has Given Us, This Historical Work Is Most Respectfully and Heartily Dedicated By The Author. PRESS OF E. K. MORRILL. Wahpetox, Dakota. TO THE PUBLIC. Having lived in this Territory since the 3'ear 1878, and in Richland County since 1880, and being- thoroughly identi- fied with its interests; having learned b)-- experience and care- ful observation the advantages of the same; being heartily in- terested in getting as many as possible to settle within our bounds, we concluded that the best way was to write a history of the county, carefully and specifically, to publish in pamphlet form and scatter two thousand of the same, or more, like leaves of the forest, hoping thereby that hundreds might be Induced to settle in this goodly land. We have a rich soil, cheap lands, a healthy climate, an intelligent population, pub- lic Improvements, etc., and all are invited to come and share with us our many advantages that bat few new countries can offer. In presenting this work we have the satisfaction of knowing that we have endeavored to give a fair and unvar- nished statement as it respects the many advantages of one of the best counties in the Red River V^alley. If this book is the means of inducing many to settle in our midst, and pro- viding all of the inhabitants of the county with historical items that will prove valuable to them, not mc:rel}- for the present, but for the future, we shall consider that we are fully compen- sated for our labors. We know there are short-comings and mistakes, but our good intentions must be our earnest plea for the exercise of a charitable construction by all of our readers. To all persons (and they are man)-) who have taken such a lively Interest In the work, and have furnished the writer with material aid and many historic facts, v.-e take this opportunity to express to each and every one our most hearty and unbounded thanks and appreciation. H. B. C. Territorial Government. . GILBERT A. PIERCE. €:0VEiiN0K. - ^ - OAPT M. L. McCORMACK. Sechetaky, - - - J ^ RAYMOND. TRE..SUBEK, - - - - ^^, CALDWELL. Auditor, - - ' ^ GEO. RICE. Attorney General, - - GARLAND. IT. S. District Attorney, ^ - - 'J'-'^^- TONES SnrERINTENDENT or PUBLIC INSTRUCTION ^ - ^^^-^^"^^ \ ^ _ ' . . ALEX GRIGGS. Railroad Commissioners, -I _ _ . W. H. McVAY. ^ ' I. E. AVEST, Sec. L 4 UREN DITNLAP. Commissioner OF lMMiGR.vrioN, - - - "^^^j^j^^.; .^^^YLOR- Suryeyor General, - - - ^ D. W. MARATTA. U. S. Marshal, " ' " e M DARROW, M.D., Supt. Board of Health, - - - ■' tHOS. S. FREK Adjutant General, - - - JUDICIARY. Chief JnBtice-Bartlett Tripp, Yankton. \ssociate Justice- C. S. Palmer, Siotix Falls. Associate Justic(^W. H. Francis, Bismarck. Associate Justice-W. B. McConnell, Fargo Associate Justice- W. E. Church, Deadwoo.l. Associate Justicf-- L. K. Church, Huron. LEGISLATURE. COUNCIL. President J. H. AVestover, East Pierre. Secretary^ A. AY. Ho^vard, Yankton Assistant Secretary- AV. G. Eakms, Deuel ( ount.>. f^lr-Tilain- Rev. C. B. Austin, Bismarck. sLiant-at-Ar,n.-Andrew Thompson, »mekal.a County Emt.lUng and Engrossing Clerk--M. B. Kent, XJmon L„unt>. Post-office. Post-office. , . /-I J- T^,^ VP Kennedv. .. .Columbia A. C. Huetson 'i.^p'^^^'l ? T AVashaWh . . .Deadwood AVilliam Duncan Elk Pom F. J. ^^«-f '^^ \- 3^ i.l city John R. Gamble Yankion S. I . NN eiis f .^, T2K11IT0KIAL GOTEKNMENT. jk. 8. Joiio^i Olivet A. M. BoA'dle Mitchell B. K. Wagner Springfield Eu r. Pettigrew Sioux Falls Geo. E. Farmer Howard W. B. Cameron Madison H. H. Natwick Brookings J. P. Dav Mellette •X3ol. A. B. Smedley Milbank Johnson Niekens Jamestown C. F. Eichardson Valley City D. H. Twomey Farg» C. D. Austin Lisbon Geo. H. Walsh Grand Forki John Flittie Mayvill* P. J. McLaughlin Grafton Jud La Moure Pembina HOUSE. .Speaker — ^George Eice, Flandrau. Chief Clerk — -Cassius M. Eeed, Sully County. Assistant Clerk — J. G. Hamilton, Grand Forks County. Chaplain — -Eev. P. Clare, Bismarck. Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk — ^H. H. Pierce, McCook County. Sergeant-at-Arms — John A. Monroe, Eoberts County. I'ost-oftice. Ole A. Helvig Canton John Larson Spink Eli Dawson Lodi Hans Myron Liiicoln A. L. Van Osdell Yankton Hugh Langan Centerville J. P. Ward....: Marion J. H. Swanton Menno J. A. Parshall Alexandria Mark Ward Kimball C. E. Huston Huston B. M. Clark Plankinton P. L. Eunkel Salem J. M. Bayard Canistota H. W. Smith Sioux Falls W. H. Eiddell .... Valley Si)rings John Hobert Egan J. C. Southwick Denver V. V. Barnes DeSmet J. A. Pickler Faulkton John T. Blakemore .... Highmore George W. Pierce .... Castlewood M. L. Miller Altoona vQeo. H. Johnson Groton I'ost-onicc. M. T. DeWoody Ipswich Eugene Huntington .... Webster F. A. Eldridge. . . .Big Stcme City A. L. Sprague Custer E. W. Martin Deadwood H, M. Gregg Spearfish A. McCall. Sturgis City E. A. Williams Bismarck W. F. Steele Steele Henry W. C'oe Mandan Julius Stevens Cooperstown S. E. Stebbins Mooreton P. J. McCumber Wahjjeton H. S. Oliver Lisbon T. M. Pugh EllendaU Dr. E. T. Hutchinsim .... Lakota W. N. Eoach Larimore C. W. Morgan Caledonia J. W.Scott Gilbj Donald Stewart Minto Henry Strong Fort Thomas H. H. Euger Grand Harbor Patrick McHugh Lougdon The Territory of Dakota. Ill writing a, history of Kieiilaiid County it will be proper and in harmony witli the fitness of things (Richland CJonnty being an im- portant factor therein ) to write a short chapter on Dakota. When we take into consideraticm the vastne^s ol the Territory and its rich- ness in agricultural and grazing lands, together with its mineral wealth and unbounded natural resources, we feel impressed that it is our duty to make a record in its behalf, so that all into whose hands this work shall fall may learn, if they never have, the great^ Avorth of this broad and inviting domain. And, while we speak of its advan- tages, we also know that it has some disadvantages; and what place on earth this side of the "better land" that has not? AVe believe there are thousands, and even liundreds of thousands, in the United States and foreign lands that can and do appreciate the natural ad- vantages of this ''"Western Canaan," and desire to make it their future home.'' Already the yearly progress of this Territory has opened the ■eyes of many who were determined not to see; but facts are stubborn things to deal with, and consequently the scales of unbelief have fallen from the eyes of those walking in the mists of eastern darkness and superstition, who not willingly see and acknowledge that the half was never told them, and, if told them, they did not believe. AVe have heard of the many visits of "tenderfeet" to this goodly land, who, v-hen they first stepped on our shore of ocean prairie expanse, walked hesitatingly, as though they had stone bruises on their heels nnd corns on all their toes; but, after tarrying a few months and be- holding our vast out-door work shops, were completely cured so that they walked with elastic step; and, benig thoroughly permeated and enthused with the rush, rattle, and rollicking style of the country;, being convinced that l^rahis of the finest culture were employed here,- as well as those persons of physical force and industry -they have become our able advocates wherever they go, and say to doubters and procrastinators, "We believed and acted as you do, once; but we have been cured, and our capital has been planted in the fair land of the Dacotahs, as an evidence of our conversion and the faith we have in its possibilities." All persons, in fact, that can appreciate true greatness and understand the worth of unnumbered natural advan- tages must be advocates for the settlement of our millions of acres of unoccupied lands. While the settlement of our Territory and its THE TEEEITOEY OF DAKOTA. 7 prosperity in the past are almost fabulous, nevertheless many mill- ions do not believe it a fable now, consequently, others are coming to share a part of our rich inheritance, coming from every state in tiie Union and the Canadas, as well as from the old monarchies across the sea, where the right and might of kings are acknowledged, and where they are felt too keenly by the laboring classes, who prefer to come and enjoy the freedom aui advantages of our Grand American Re- public, that stands as a b ,acon light to all of the old aristocratic mon- archies of this whirling planet— a republic that is doing more to in- fluence the foreign powe -.^ of earth to adopt better laws and estab- lish a higher type of per.:onal freedom than any nation on the globe. It is generally conc3ded by all who are fully posted as it re- spects the development (,c any new country, and its future possibili- ties, that the managers of the railway lines in America are among the first to weigh in correct business scales the advant^Tges and disadvan- tages of all new countries, and Avhere they see a chance for a golden future they stretch out their iron arms across miles of territory to objective points, where, with their local traffic along their lines, they are ready for the development of the country and to assist those who desire to do their part in making the wilderness and the solitary place to bud and blossom like the rose and thereby amass a competency for themselves for the 6ncoming years. In this respect no land in the world has had the confidence of railroad kings to that degree that Dakota has had, and even now enjoys, as it respects paying invest- ments; and the great network of railroad tracks in Dakota by many trunk lines is proof that their confidence in the future of this vast- Territory has never weakened: Let us see. If we measure the num- ber of miles of railway lines in Dakota, we find that we have as the aggregate 2,657-more, in fact, than Massachusetts, New Jersey, Nebraska, Kentucky, or Georgia can boast of. The Northern Pacific', the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba, the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul, the Chicago and Northwestern, are already reaching out their long arms in our Territory and feeling after, with their fingers of steel, our golden grains, that can only be numbered by millions of bushels. The Burlington, Cedar Eapids, and Northern, the Chicago, St. Paul and Omaha, also the Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Pacific^lis well as the Rock Island, combinations are creeping Dakotaward, and will soon help make a more perfect network of railway lines thaii we now have. The aggregate earnings of the railroads in Dakota for the past year is $8,783,873, and the taxes paid into the Territorial treasury were $286,468. It is a well known fact that there cannot be any kind of public improvement in a new country that will enhance the value of land like the building of railroads; furthermore, it 8 HISTORY OP RICHLAND COUNTY. affords facilities for marketing grain that are fully appreciated, es- pecially by those who have lived for years, perhaps, far removed from these important inland highways. Again, one of the most potent agencies in the growth and pros- perity of Dakota has been the speaking and persuasive power of her 275 newspapers, leading in numbers all the New England States, ex- cept Massachusetts. Viewed from an educational standpoint, we see 2,000 school- houses, where 2,911 competent teachers are leading their pupils up the hill of science, leaving in the rear Vermont, Ehode Island, Flor- ida, and any one of fifteen other states that might be mentioned. The amount expended for education is $1,786,677. The post-offices in Dakota are greater in numbers than twenty odd states that might be named, and she furnishes more revenue to the Po,st-office Department than thirty-three of the United States. Such a record as this we defy the world to match. It affords unmis- takable evidence that the inhabitants of this grand territorial empire are a reading people. Churches are being built on every hand, whose temple spires- point heavenward, where the saints of all ages in harmony meet. The^ history of church building in Dakota for the past five years is with- out a precedent in any territory of the Union. Colleges and univer- sities, together with all necessary benevolent state buildings, have been and are receiving that Care and consideration to which they are entitled, and which is a sure word of prophecy for future growth and greatness. The capitol building at Bismarck is worthy and in keep- ing with our Territorial grandeur and progress, and will ho sufficient for years to come for the gathering of our law-makers. "^Mr. Dodge, the statisiician of the Agricultural Bureau at Wash- ington, gives us the following summary. He says: "The progress of settlement in Dakota has been a marvel of activity and enterprise. In 1880 the population was 135,177. The present territorial census makes it 415,664, of which there is in southern Dakota 262,515 and 153 149 in northern Dakota. The number of farms in 1880 was 17,- 435! They are now reported at 82,467 of which 44,656 are in the southern section and 37,811 in the northern section. So eager has- been the quest for free homes in this easily cultivated and fertile re- gion that the Territory outranks 17 of the 38 states in the number of existing farms. It will be a surprise to many that the number of farms in Dakota in 1885 is greater than was the number in Nebraska in 1880. It exceeds the number in Maine and, of course, that of every other New England State. It surpasses the aggregate of Cal- ifornia at that date, and of Maryland and Delaware. It is greater THE TERKITOEY OF DAKOTA. 9 tliaii the combined number of Massachusetts, Ehode Ishind and Connecticut, and more than all the farms of Oregon, Nevada,' and Colorado m the west, and Ehode Island, Delaware, and Florida in the east, the six states taken togetiier. Nor are these farms all skel- etons. There are five times as many people in the Territory as there are farms, and productions loom grandly. In the estimates of this department of more than 500,000,000 bushels of wheat last year Da kota took position as the eleventh in rank in wheat production. No state east of the AUeghanies or south of the Ohio stood before it, and even ^^ isconsm held a lower place."' With such a showing as the above It IS no wonder that thousands are at a loss to figure correctly what Dakota will be at the end of the next decade. Of course, there are, as we have stated before, some objections to some things here; but as a whole she is the most deserving and attractive queen of all the territories, and offers superior advantages to all who may desire to settle within her borders. To give a con .cise statement of what Dakota is and has accomplished we append the to lowing statements, so intelligently arranged in the Areing the figures for all of Dakota as presented by the census of ISSO, and the second those of the six counties of the tied River A'alley from the census of lSS-5: Datoia K. R. Valley in 1?S». in ISSw Num]>er of farms 17.135 13,583 Xum1>er of acres of improvetl land 1.15roduction3 of Cass County, which were S5.'202.153. These comparisons alone show the great development of Dakota in fi.ve years" time. THE VAIXEY vs. COX^TICTICrT. " The result is just as astonishing when comi^ared with any other state, either in whole or in part; it does not matter what state or ter- ritory is chosen. Take Connecticut, which has 1.612.18S acres of im- proved land against 1,725.21:S in the Bed Biver Valley, the former is valued at 8121.C>63.910, three times the amount of the Valley; value of maehiner}- is placed at 83,162.128, al>out a million less than the six counties mentionevL while the Xutmeg State leads on live stock by 83,500,000, the figures l^eing given as $10,959,296. These well culti- vated acres and the stock thereon return an annual product of 818,- 010,075, while the Bel Biver Valley produces 818,8C»9.058. " The Xutmeg State paid 8197.118 for fertilizers, while the Val- ley expended nothing for this purpose. •• The value of land per acre in the State is 871. here it is 821; the pro-luct per acre in the former is 811, and in the latter 88. "The Connecticut farmer, with the market at his door, realizes not quite fifteen per cent on the value of his improved land; the Val- ley farmer, thousands of miles from market, realizes more than twice this amoxmt, or thirty-three per cent on the value of improved land- 16 HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. The Latter has a population of 82,998, while Connecticut has 622,700 to support. THE VALLEY VS. DELAWARE. "Take another of the small eastern states — little Delaware brags about her wonderful fertility. The census shows these facts: 746,- 858 acres of improved land, about one-half of the amount in the Valley; but the value is nearly equal, the state showing $36,789,672, against about a million more here. Of farm machinery and live stock the Valley has twice the value in both that Delaware can boast of, but the entire agricultural product of the state of Blue Hen's Chickens is only $6,320,645, against over twice the amount here. "This little State expends nearly a half million dollars for fertil- izers — §467,228 — and still, with land valued at §50 an acre, the farm- er receives a return of $8.50 an acre, or sixteen per cent, while in Dakota it is twice that amount. THE VALLEY VS. NEW HAMPSHIRE. "Take the more eastern states. New Hampshire, for instance, which has 600,000 more acres of improved land than the Valley, val- ued at $75,834,389, twice the amount for the six counties here. The value of machinery and live stock is nearly equal, and the total ap- praisement of the product is almost identically the same, New Hamp- sliire being $13,474,330, and the Valley §13,809,058. The former paid $165,393 for fertilizers, against the latter not one dollar. " In the Granit''> State the average value of improved land is $33, and the product $5.50 ■>or acre, or sixteen per cent — one-half of the returns in proportion to value in the Red River Valley. "There is anotn^jr feature which shows the superiority of the Territory. The counties mentioned have 7,325 square miles, and the State 9,005, showing more unimproved land in New Hampshire than in its Dakota prototype, and it is reasonable to suppose that the most of this in the State is not capable of production, while nearly all of the land in the Red River Valley will prove just as productive as that already developed, while the Granite State has 346,991 people to sus- tain against 88,998 in the Dakota counties. THE VALLEY VS. WESTERN STATES. "It may be intimated that it is unfair to compare this new west- ern land with the worn-out land of the East. Take three of the rich- est western agricultural states — Ohio, Iowa, and Illinois. "In Ohio the average value of improved land, as shown by the census, is $60, the product averages $8—13 i^er cent, against 33 in Dakota. "Iowa shows improved land valued at $30, and the product is $7, $1 less per acre, and only 23 per cent, against 33 in the Red River Valley. THE TERBITORY OF DAKOTA. 17 "Illinois does not show even as favorably as her sisters mentioned. The average value of land is $39, the product is only $4 per acre, making the per cent a little over ten, and the Valley is three times as high. It is therefore no wonder the Suckers come to Dakota. " The percentage of agricultural product to the value of improved land per acre is 25 in the boasted State of Missouri, the value per acre being $23 and the average product $6. STOCK COMPARISONS. "The number of horses and mules in the six Dakota counties equals the number in Colorado, Montana, and New Hampshire, and is four times the number in Rhode Island and seven times Arizona's equine census. " Of working oxen the Red River Valley has more than either Illinois, Indiana, or Iowa. "In the way of milch cows even tliis new country excels Rhode Island, Arizona, or Montana; and of the number of other cattle the two States last named are left in the rear, and also Delaware. "Though sheep raising is but in its infancy, the Valley has nearly as many animals in its herds as Rhode Island. "There are more swine in the Valley than in Washington Terri- tory, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, or Nevada. "More butter is also manufactured than in Colorado, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Utah, or Washington Territory. GRAIN COMPARISONS. "AVheat is Dakota's great crop, and the amount raised by the six Dakota counties is exceeded by but ten states and surpassed the amount raised by the State of Kansas in 1880 by one million bush- els, Kentucky by seven millions, Nebraska by five millions, New York by seven millions, and is one thousand times the crop of Massa- chusetts. "The hay crop is more than that of Kentucky, Tennessee, or Vir- ginia, and most of the smaller states. " The potato crop is four times that of Texas or Georgia, three times that of Mississippi, and forty times that of Arizona. "Iowa and Kansas people delight to state that 'you can't raise •corn in Dakota; not a single kernel will grow in north Dakota.' Not- withstanding this, the census shows as much corn raised in these six counties as in Arizona or Washington. "The oat crop of the Valley exceeds all but eleven states and territories, and is equal to the crop of the whole State of Nebraska. " Dakota is proud of the quality of its barley, but as yet the in- dustry is still in its infancy; notwithstanding this, the barley crop of ihe Red River Valley was equal to the aggregate raised by the fol- 18 HISTOllY OF RICHLAND OC'UNTY. lowing iiiiipteen states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ehode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Georgia, Texas, and Missouri." Richland County, Being situated ni the head of the ramoxis Red Eiver Valley, it is really the Tip-Top County of one of the most remarkable and pro- ductive agricultural belts in the world, and is the great railroad gate- way to the rich and inviting grain and grass fields of north Dakota by tho Breckenridge and Devil's Lake Extension of the great system of the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba Railway line; also for tho Northern Pacific, Fergus, and Black Hills southwestern rail- way ; and it also furnished an open door for the extension of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul combination, the Fargo and South- ern Division, by which that famous trunk line system entered the RvhI River Yalley of the North, making its way to Fargo, and in the near future, no doubt, will push to the regions of No. 1 hard that lie beyond. It may be truthfully stated that for "beauty of situa- tion," and offering the most inviting advantages, not only to the farm- ing fraternity, but to all those who desire educational and church privileges, she cannot be excelled when we taJce into consideration her juvenile years. Her schools, churches, business houses, mechan- ical industries, and the general make-up of society as a whole, with its wide-awake population and pushing, industrious, and never-tire spirit, all bespeak a bright ami successful future; and these excellent advantages are offered to the thousands who intend to seek new homes and desire to possess themselves of these extraordinary advan- tages on the most encouraging and equitable terms. Richland County is bounded on the north by Cass County; on the east by the Red River and the Bois des Sioux — the outlet of Lake Traverse — the dividing line between Minnesota and Dakota; on the south by Roberts County and the Sisseton Reservation, and on the west by Sargent and Ransom Counties. It contains, since the southern addi- tion, about fifty-five townships and, in round numbers, 1,08G,800 acres of land, nearly one-half being originally owned by the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. Taken as one comi)let8 whole, these lands, for grains, grasses, and vegetables, also for small fruits, are unsurpassed; and now thousands of acres besides those occupied can be secured at such rates as will warrant great profits in the future. The eastern border of the county, -being washed and drained by the Red River and Bois des Sioux, with their tributaries the Wild Rice and its branches, as well as the Sheyenne— by these, with many coolies con- 20 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. nected therewith, and scores of lakes in the southwest part of the county, the lands are quite thoroughly drained; and those that are not are susceptible to thorough drainage at but little expense, com- paratively speaking, when we take into consideration the benefit to be derived therefrom. While there are a number of sections of low, flat land in the county, the time is not far distant when these lands, with proper drainage, will be the most valuable of any. Other states, that have been settled for a long time, verify this fact. Judging from past experience, we knoAv of no investment that can be more profit- ably made than that expended for thorough drainage; and in many parts of the county farmers who fully believe in the drainage system are giving evidence of their faith by their works, and reaping tlie re- ward of their doings. The entire length of the eastern border of Richland County, along the Bois des Sioux River and the Red, with their serpentine fiowings, is some fifty-five miles from south to north, the width twenty-four miles from east to west, and about forty-two from north to south on the west line, and thirty-eight miles wide at the southern extremity. In the southwestern part of the county there are numerous lakes, some being skirted with timber and beautified with shady groves, in and around which, in the sj)ring and autumn, countless fiocks of geese and ducks are found, constituting something akin to a hunter's paradise. Fishing and hunting along the rivere and watercourses has proved many times to be a pleasant and profit- able exercise and a grand opportunity to create a good appetite, even for chronic dyspeptics. The wheat fields in the fall, after harvest, give a wide scope to those who delight to bag prairie chickens, grouse, and snipe. The jack rabbit species are diminishing, and the prairie antelope and deer not often seen. Judging from the many bleaching bones of the buffalo scattered over the plains it is evident that the very nutritious grasses of this county afforded fine pasturage for the numerous herds that roamed at pleasure over the jjlains of Dakota years ago, before civilization claimed their grazing pastures for the home of the pale faces. As it respects our rivers and streams, to be somewhat specific, we remark, that the AVild Rice with its main channel and circuitous way, travels full sixty miles in our county from its place of entrance to the place of its departure. Along this river are some of the oldest settlements in the county, settlers being attracted along its inviting- shores by the many beautiful groves and belts of timber and the su- perior richness of the soil and its perfect drainage. Of this river, with its headwaters in Sargent County and the west and southwest part of Richland County, the main channel runs across townshii) 132, range 52, southwest corner of township 132, range 51, and northeast corner THE COUNTY. 21 of township 131, range 51; nlso across township 131, range 50, and township 131, range 49, and, flowing easterly, touches the northwest corner of township 131, range 48, thence, bearing northeast across township 132, range 48, it runs north, or nearly so, across township 133, range 48, and township 134, range 48, thence across the east i^art of township 135, range 49, and nearly through the center, north, across township 136, range 49, where the river crosses township 137, range 48, Cass County, and the southeast corner of township 138, range 48, where it empties into the Bed River nine miles south of Fargo. This crooked water artery of our county has a few tributary streams and feeders, the Antelope Creek being the principal one, the headwaters of the same beginning their flow in the vicinity of the sand hills, in the northwest and western part of the county, its two principal branches forming a confluence in township 133, range 48, west of the village of Dwight, the headcxuarters of the great New York farm, through which the Antelope runs eastward with its valuable and high- ly prized water supply, thence, suddenly turning its course a little west of north, it crosses township 133, range 48, leaving said town on the west line of section 5, thence running two miles north, where it empties into the "Wild Rice River in township 134, range 48. Along the course of this stream and its brandies there are farms of great worth being cultivated that would eclipse many farms '^way down east,'' towards sunrise, where so much unbelief is entertained, where farmers have labored for half a century to make the improvements that can be made here in ten years with the greatest ease, and not wear out one generation to make a good place for the following one. We will state right here, lest we forget it, that lands in Dako- ta that have been rated three and four on a scale of five would be called number one in the New England and Central States. The principal stream that cuts across the northwest corner of Richland County in a hurried manner is the Sheyenne River. Dakota has a Cheyeime River west of the muddy Missouri, towards the Black Hills; but our Sheyenne for northeastern Dakota is one of great im- portance, seeming to have taken special pains to travel a long way in a zigzag and seri)entine manner just to touch us and measure a few miles within our lines, and then on to the north. Its source is in the vicinity of Devil's Lake, and, flowing nearly south, it crosses the Northern Pacific at Valley City, in Barnes County, then, sweeping across Barnes some twenty-five miles after leaving the Northern Pacific crossing, it enters Ransom County in a sou.theasterly course, and in township 134, range 56, visits our enterprising western metrop- olis, Lisbon. Passing on southeastward for a few miles, it turns its course, and, running east across townshii) 134, range 55, it sweeps ■ 22 HISTOIJY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY. nortliwnrd, after swinging around the circle, or hall' circle, thereby forming the great elbow, or the "Big Bend" of the Sheyenne, as it is sonietiuies called, llnnning in this direction for some twelve miles, it turns its course eastward, crossing township 135, ranges 54 and 53, ■where it strikes the west line of Kichland County. Then, crossing the iiorthwost corner of townshii) 185, range 52, barely touching the south- east corner of township 13G, range 52, it enters toAvnshii) 130, range 51, at the southwest corner, and, running nearly northeast across townshij) 13G, range 51, und the northwest corner of toAvnship 136, range 50, it enters Cass Comity, traveling about twenty miles in llichland, then, continuing its course in nearly a northerly direction, it empties inti> tlie Eed Eiver nine miles north of Fargo, traveling in Cass County fully thirly-tive miles. This river, with its tributaries, is the natural drainage for millions of acres, and sometimes in the spring of the year its volume of water is too great for its banks, and carelessly slops oA-er, just like many folks in the world. On the borders of this stream there are tine bodies and groves of timber that are quite ex- tensive within the bounds of Richland County, frcnn which thousands of cords of wotnl and rails have been cut and some buildings construct- ed. The farms along this watercourse are celebrated for wheat cul- tivation, also growing a variety of crops and being good for stock raising. For stock raising no hner or better locality can be found in the Bed River Valley. The grasses, the timber, the water, all con- spire to make it a very inviting field for those living here, also for stock breeders from the East who may visit the West for the purpose of engaging is such a lucrative enteri)rise. As we have been speaking of the lesser rivers and watercoiu-ses in our county, we feel, as we approach oiir eastern Avater-washed boundary, that it has an importance that is not easily measured with words ov described by them. The Bois des Sioux River is the oiitlet of Lake Traverse, a beaxitiful sheet of water resting lazily on the lieaillands or the tlividing ridge between north and south, whence its waters run north until they are mingled with the Avaters of the Otter- tail RiA'er at AVahpeton, the marriage of the tAvo taking the name of the Red River, that, Avith its strong, deep ciu-rent, hurries along iu its northern roiite, kissing the sloping borders of prririe meadoAA^s and beautiful AAoodlands, slaking the thirst of the loAving herds and of the thousands of men, Avomeii, and chikb'en scattered along its winding Avay, in the Avilderness and prairie Avaste and city full, bear- ing frequently on its SAvelling bosom Avater craft Avitli hundreds of tons burthen, hurrying Avith other mingling waters to the great Win- nipeg reservoir, and then iloAvn the I'hannel of the Nelson River and out into Huilson's Bay, the Avaters of Avliich are finally carried into THE COUNTY, 23 the broad Atlantic Ocean, the great water liighway between Europe and America. As it respects Big Stone Lake, with its ti'ibutary streams and rivulets, the sister of Lake Traverse, it moves in an opposite direc- tion within its stone -walled slun-es, along its bower-like groves and woodlands, that are visited for pleasure in the summer months, mitil, finding an outlet in the Minnesota River, with its many feeders to swell the volume of its current, it hastens to the Mississippi, the "father of waters," and is taken in by the same. This broad river expanse, with its mighty current, bping the great water-way of the continent, is finally, after traveling thousands of miles, absorbed in the great southern reservoir, the Gulf of Mexico, where the ships of all nations ride at anchor and their flags are mirrored in the azure depths. Whether the lied River, that is now barely navigable as far south as Wahpeton, the capital town of Richland County, will, with the Bois des Sioux and the lakes just mentioned, together with the Minnesota River, ever become a navigable waterway to the Missis- sii)pi River by receiving appropriations from the government, to be expended therefor, we cannot tell; but, if the route is feasible and the water-w^ay opened, it woiild be worth millions of dollars to the great Northwest as a competing highway in shipping grain from the great xlmerican wheat belt to the grain centers of the world, loosen- ing very materially the thumb-screws of railroad kings. This pub- lic improvement is being discussed very thoroughly now by thous- ands of interested men, the most of whom claim it to be wdtliin easy reach of an accomplished fact. If it is i)ossible, there being plenty of money in the United States Treasury, the inhabitants of the great Northwest would favor very strongly an ai)propriation sufficient to make the work complete and thereby give employment to thousands of unemployed men. In fact, we, personally, favor all necessary ap- propriations iov all necessary improvements of our rivers and har- bors north, south, east, and west, making us as a nation what we ought to be, and which we are justly entitled to be. As it respects the soil along the Red River in Richland County and the many valuable and productive farms that have been and are being cultivated, llie heavy belts of timber and inviting groves and woodlands scattered along its border, that haA^e proved to be so necessary for the comfort of the early settlers, all these facts are well understood by those who have taken pains to look, and can be fully realized by those who live in other parts of the country, if they will but deign to come and see (for seeing is believing, as it respects the advantages alluded to ). The great Apostle to the Gentiles de- 24 HISTORY OF KICHLAND COUNTY. clared, nearly two thousand years ago, that "faith was the substance of tilings hoped for and the evidence of things not seen," but the or- der is reversed somewhat in this fast age, so that now Jews and Gen- tiles and their numerous progeny, the most of them, at least, must see the advantages of this wonder-land before they dare believe. As it respects the many inducements otfered to those who may desire to settle in this county, they will be noticed more specilically when we wTite up the different towns and villages along the lines of our railways. However, as it respects the assessed value in the dif- ferent toAvns and villages in the county, including the city of Wahpe- ton, for the year oi 1885, acconling to the abstract of the tax roll as furnished by the CountA* Auditor, it gives tigurcs that must interest all at this time and will be valuable for future reference. The fol- lowing table from said report tells its owni story : TOWNSHIPS. Ave VALU.A.TION. _ !Farmiag-; Acres S Lauds i Vilhiire [Personal! Lots Property! V Total aluat'n Eiijrle Wak'Ott township. Wiiloott villasre... Colfax Slieyemie Helendiilo West Eml Grafton Altoivrombie Dwijrht Oontt Danton Dexter Brandenburg' Be 1 f o rd Sununit Fairniount De ViUo IJrisrht wo od township Independent Sehool D. No. 1 of Briahtwood I'ark Wahpeton Total in covinty 2L8:5»K'y5!f 27 .347-10; 4t>.0:>i)-5«l Ui,l«>-74i 52,l>7-l-37l iU.197-V>5| 2y.;Jo6-14i 42.24^-22; 4o,822-J>7 3S,T15- ]7,lKVH)2 25>,iK)t>-lti 27,S9«>-70 ;$0.344-52 ;5.SKI0.8,J 2S,345-«> 55o-^ 07,l>2."> ; • 4.5m) 76..Vt(> i:5ii.;iir> 42.r)«iO 16t.l,l>44 lltJ.OtO llS>,S>SK), liv.,0.->U 2'>.">,.v>t); 12o,SS'»i 1112, ir.^ &>.:«;,■ ia;$.7ti llCi.tHt"; 4">,7S-) 10I,71U ii7,5}0. 11,267, 7(>,.")»7: 18.270: 7,9S?I 7,«a> 4.!^79; 4.r.{.i, 4.4t>5: I 1.475 ;!12.9t^ 47,9^ $ 51,5 7,5S5| 10,660 4(\403 ti2,8S5! 5(i,5;JS! 13,S09i 1H,1S1J 2;5,l>77 ;U,977' 25,328 251,000 20,5711 S,183 ji,083' 16.»(0 277.71!> 145,907 l,')6,9St) 27,4*7 108,266 158,829 50,490 168,229 116.730 171.372 252,670 296„->5:i 139,194 119,811 87.019 i;>8,737 127 ,3? to 83,010 122,275 65,763 16.300 98..T37 6118.977 ; 589,971-48 $2.073.4;X);;? ;!.->2.4831f 82S).496 $ 3,2.^5.409 RICHLAND COUNTY SCHOOL REPORT. Ill giviiig a correct report as possible as it respects the schools of Eichlaiul County and the laws in force respecting the same, we asked Mr. W. M. House, our efficient County Superintendent, to give us a statement, which he kindly consented to do, and we have it in tlie following report, which speaks for itself: EICHLAND COUNTY SCHOOLS. BY W. M. HOUSE, SUrEKIXTEXDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Ill making this sketch I have availed myself not only of the rec- ords of the superintendent's office, but also of Territorial reports and other soiu'ces of information. At the beginning of the school year commencing June 80, 1884, there were 1.781 children of school age in the countA" ; of this number 1,312 were enrolled in schools. At that time the value of the school property of the county Avas ^34,587. There was paid out during the year for school property $8,652, making a total valuation of school property in the county of more than 843,000. The census of June, 1885, makes the number of per- st>ns, fi-oni 7 to 10 years of age, '2,120. There are now 90 schools in the county, with an average attendance of about twenty pupils. By an act of the Legislature, approved March 8, 1883, a radical change and entirely new departure was made in the law for the main- tenance of common schools. The provisions of this act applied throughout the Territory with the exception of eighteen specified counties. Eichland was not one of the excepted counties, but the law aj^plied here, and has occasioned a wonderful amount of dis- cussion ; and oi^inion has generally been outspoken against the new Inw. The new law abolished school districts andrequii-ed the organ- ization of school townships. The township system is the creation of a large permanent school corporation, containing fiom thirty-six to iiinetA* square miles, called a school township. Every organized school township is declared a distinct municipal corporation for school purposes, and by the proper corporate name of the school toASTiship has power to sue and be sued, to hold and dispose of any real or personal property, and to manage as many schools therein, through one boai'd, as the people may need. Throughout each entire corporation taxes, school privileges, and choice of schools are equal to all. It is many schools in one corpo- 26 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. ration, with free choice between the schools by the people, thus saving entirely the contests about boundaries and changes of area, divisions and subdivisions of school districts. Each head of family sends to the school of his choice. It leaves the cost of building each and all the school houses upon all the township. The district plan made large districts and cjiitinually divided them and arranged their boundaries, causing one part to help build a school house for the other and then securing division in order, as a last resort, to secure the privilege of building another house for themselves. In time a part of the two districts would secure separation and form a new one to secure the right to build another house. Often other subdivisions and rearrangem3iits were male with like effect. There was no divi- sion of property, seldom even of money on hand that had been raised by tax upon all. Often great struggles occur to keep the district entire and thus to secure the taxes, in disregard of school privileges of the part seeking separation. The school district plan demands a separate school corporation for every school and an isolation of this school by barriers of boundary from every person outside, however convenient to him it might be. Sometimes the district of least as- sessment has the largest number of children. The ability of these to maintain schools varies greatly; some would have nine months, while other districts could have but four with the same tax rate. I have mentioned some of the disadvantages of the old district system. And although in some cases the township plan has worked injustice to some in this county, I believe the greatest difficulty has been in making the change from one plan to another. The new law provided for an equalization of the property of the old school districts imme- diately on the organization of the school townships. The law pro- vided that where a district had taxed itself to build a school house, it should be credited with the value of its property, and a correspond- ing tax remitted. But as there was, in this county, a more or less general belief that the township school laAV would be repealed, in many cases the equalization was not made and it became too late to legally make it. Now that the change has been fully wrought, I believe the town- ship system will be found superior in many respects. If school dis- tricts be the corporations and three officers required permanently for each, we have a vast array of civil officers. The township system will not make men more honest or more capable, but it will and does select better and more capable men as a rule, and it will continue to improve in this respect; it gives fewer occasions for controversies relative to boundaries; it equalizes among a large community the burdens imposed in the erection, repairs, and outfit of school houses; COUNTY SCHOOL REPORT. 27 it amriliilates forever the possibility of cutting up a population into small districts; it leads to tlie erection of more commodious school houses, Avith larger accommodations and means of instruction; lastly, it is now established and can be made of great benefit to all who come within its influence. W. M. HOUSE, Superintendent of Schools FOE • BICHLAND COUNTY. Office at the Court House, WAHPETON. - - DAKOTA. WAHPETON. This prosperous town, the gateway city of the upper Red River Valley, is worthy of being the county seat of one of the very best counties in Dakota ; and its history is quite interesting — in fact, really romantic in many respects, and many incidents connected with its be- ginnings are stranger than fiction. In conversing with Captain Rich, •jone of the earliest settlers and present town-site proprietor, also with William Root, proprietor of Root's addition, Hon. Folsom Dow, ex- sheriff Moses P. Propper, Hon. J. W. Blanding, and John M. Rug- gles, Register of Deeds, and many others v.ho in an early daiy set their feet for the first time on the eastern border of Richland County, they liave given items that in the aggregate cannot but be interesting to all who now are living in Richland County, and in the coming years Avill interest those who may conclude to make their homes in Wahpe- ' ton and the surrounding country. We do not expect to make a record of all interesting events that have transpired since the first or earliest settlement, nor even all facts that have been communicated, but will endeavor to spread a few of the most value on the pages of this work. Wahpeton, before the year 1869, had been visited by many per- sons, but not many real settlements took place until 1869, except Blong the rivers, when, in fact, all the lands were included in the Sisseton Reservation belonging to the Wahpeto'n and Sisseton tribes. The first settlement where Wahpeton is located was called Richville until the first post-ofiice was established in 1871, taking the name of Chahinkapa (the End of the Woods), and Folsom Dow appointed postmaster. But in 1873 the name of the ofl&ce was changed to Wah- 'peton, and John Kotschevar appointed as postmaster, at which time the county was organized. Some of the persons who were living in the place from 1871 up to 1873 were M. T. Rich, Folsom Dow, D. Wilmot Smith, Ransom Phelps, William Root, Samuel Taylor, Albert Chizek, Simon Woodsum, Matt Lawrence, and a few others. The ferry boat for the Bois des vSioux River commenced running on the 4th of July, 1871, and was run five years under the control and captaincy of M. T. Rich, when a new bridge was built, by subscrip- tion, across the Bois des Sioux, or the "Wood of the Sioux,"' just above its confluence with the waters of the Ottertail River, that sweeps down from the northeast, draining the vast territory of the Park Region of Minnesota, the union ol the two constituting the Red WAHPETON. 2&. JRiver. Mr. Bich built the first house, in the year 1871, on the same lot where his present commodious residence stands. Said house was 14x18 feet, with a lean-to or addition to the same 12x18 feet. The building was made of hewed logs and sided with pine siding floated clovn\ the Ottertail. Jacob Movrin erected the first store building in town in 1874, and engaged in general merchandising, following the same only one month, when he was instantly killed by lightning during a severe thunder shower. Mr. John Kotschevar purchased the goods and building, and carried on a successful trade until 1885, when he sold out to his brother Jacob, who is doing business at the old pioneer headquarters, one of the real historic places in town. The next building was constructed by M. T. Eich and John Q. Bur- bank on the south side of Dakota Avenue at the corner west of Schmitt's Commercial Hotel, where the building now stands. This building, although small (16x22 feet), was used by all the county officers for their respective duties until the first court-house was con- structed. There being no better room for a jail, the attic was used as a cooler and reformatory apartment, and was looked upon as a terror to evil-doers; but when prisoners were impressed that their punish- ment might be too severe, they looked at the attic window as a hope- ful way of escape. The first school in the early days of Wahpeton was kept in a building 12x12 feet in size, and taught by Miss Mary Keating, now the wife of Mr. Shea, u prosperous farmer on the Wild Eice Eiver; Mnd the second teacher v/as Miss Sarah Eich, now the wife of Hon. John C. Pyatt. The number of scholars at the first, as reported, wa« fi'om four to five; and, when the weather was extremely propitious, a half dozen or more were in attendance, enjoying the great privilege of taking their first lessons in climbing the hill of science. If we knew the names of these early Dakota pupils, we certainly would give them, for they may possibly be heard from in the great arena of politics and the intellectual conflicts of life, or become the presiding spirits and bright examples for imitation in the well regulated house- holds A\here no name is spoken that has that charm which the name of mother has. In the year 1871 the railway now called the St. Paul, Minneap- olis, and Manitoba reached v,dth its iron arms and commercial and ho[)efnl interests the village of Breckenridge, now the county seat of Wilkin County, Minnesota, where the end of the western division was located, round-house and machine shops built that now remain, not, however, without the strong probability of their being moved over the river to Wahpeton, an event warmly cherished and discussed by live Wahpetonians. What the future ^Yi\\ unfold and make mani- 30 HI8T011Y OF KICHLAND COUNTY. fest is lockeil up in the "brainy work and tliong^lit sliop" of James J. Hill, Esq., and those associated with him in other plans and projects where the most ducats can be seen -and future •■ x)ossibilities the most sparkling and inviting. . This pioneer railway., reaching so far to the northwest from St. Paid, and then running, north towards Queen Victoria's American possessions, afforded great advantages to the early settlers, and encouraged thousands ,to settle along its iron path- way and work up farms on the vast i)rairie lands of the great North- wests, that would have remained untouched fpr years by the farmer's plow,- and the soil and sod uncombed by his harrows and drags. As heretofore statod, in the year 1871: the Manito])'! raihvay touched the Red River Yalley at Breekenridge, . and this hurried up the organization of Richland County, which took jAace in 187H, and the Indian titles in the county were extinguished. Governor Pennington, occupying the gubernatorial chair, ap- pointed the county commissioners, design; vting the following named gentlemen: J. AY. Blanding, Chairman; 1). Wilmot Smith, M. T. Rich. The following officers were appointed to serve until the No- vember election of said year, ( 1873 ) : Register of Deeds, Hugh R. Blanding; Treasurer, John Quiney Burbank; Sheriff, William Root; County Register and ex-officio County Clerk, John M. Ruggles; As- sessor, Hans C. N. Myhra. At the lirst election, in 1873, there was but one voting precinct, and that was Wahpeton, where the i)olls were opened and about sixty votes were cast. Reckoning the population at five for every voter, there was a population of 300 in the county at that time. The follow- ing officers were elected: County Commissioners, John Smidt, Chairman; Alex McCall, John Kotschevar; County Treasurer and ex-officio Judge of Probate, John Q. Burbank; County Register and €x-officio Clerk, John M. Ruggles; County Assessor, Hans 0. N. Myhra; Slieriff, Job Herrick; County Sui)erintendent of Schools, John M. Ruggles; Justices of the Peace, S. H. Fowler, John Hasle- hurst, William Weiss. From the year 1873 up to the year 1879 the County of Richland was being filled up quite rapidl}^ by persons from all sections of the country and representing all nationalities, especially so during the years of 1877 and 1878. Wahpeton, during these years, by her desirable location and the exceedingly rich farming lands surround- ing, enjoying as she did the benefits afforded by the Bois des Sioux and the Red Rivers, was adding to her population that class of per- sons who have the ambition to go and get to the fi'ont, using their combined labors to make of sparse settlements villages, mould and erect cities, putting them on the gi-eat highway of prosperity by that WAHPETON. 31 public spirit without wliicli the Avorld would be a hive of drones. The writer remembers very distinctly his lirst visit to Wahpeton in the spring of 1879, Avhen the beginning of the boom for Dakota and its towns began to be felt very sensibly. We were out looking for land, having the description in our pocket. Well do we remem- ber meeting, for the first time, the county officers as they were sand- wiched in their 7x9 court-house, where elbow room was held at a premium. Not a single soul amouilg them had a sad countenance, but all were affable and extended the right hand of fellowship and seemed anxious to talk about lands that were being offered cheap for cash. At this time the fathers of the town that I met were as f o 1- lows: Messrs. Blanding, Ruggles, Haslehurst, Propper, Eich, Boot, and others. They were all as well acquainted Avith the towns, ranges, sections, and quarters as a bright school-boy with his alphabet. The land that I wished to look at was in the German settlement, in the vicinity of Lubinow's, I believe, and, although it was rather late and the sun was sinking fast in the west, I inquired for a rig, and Smith De Silva was called as being ready for such jobs. We were soon on the move, and, when night overtook us, we were at the farm house of our mutual friend Mr. L. J. Moore, one of the earliest settlers on the Wild Eice. When we asked for lodgings, we found we could stay, but it might be a little noisy for us, as there was to be a dance there that evening; but our host informed us that there were beds in the granary, and we could occupy them. I saw instantly that De Silva, our guide, was pleased to think he had a good opportunity to trip the " light fantastic toe" to the sound of the violin, which he pre- ferred rather than sleeping with his eyes open. Of course, we, be- ing called a Methodist and more advanced in years, left the company to their own enjoyment, and were soon under cover, half sleeping and waking in a kind of musical mood, thinking about the land that we were searching after. Our sleep for the night was good, the music perhaps acting as a lullaby for us, and we were ready for an early start in the morning, De Silva being already up and dressed and anx- ious to engage in an exciting day's work to keep the curtains from falling over his eyes. We swung around the circle in a somewhat zigzag style, feasting our eyes on prairie lands as level and as rich as a garden, crossing and recrossing the Wild Eice, making a few calls, but gene.-ally finding the farmers gone, and, De Silva not be- ing a German linguist, and the writer ditto, by reason of which we could not always converse with the ladies, started for Wahpeton, concluding that the land was very rich but too far from Wahpeton, and to market grain and secure fuel would be too much for any on© who was a novice in farming. As a result of our labors we found 32 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. ourselves in Wahpeton that evening on time for tlie early train, no land purchased, and De Silva perfectly satisfied. He never gave us any credit for being the means of taking him to a country dance, but we parted as good friends and have never seen him to recognize him since, but understand he lives in Richland County and is a tiller of the soil. This year we visited the section of country that we visited at that time, and the change is wonderful. We have seen, of late, Mr. Moore, and he did not know that we were one of the twain that found comfortable quarters at his homestead on said occasion. It was a wonder to us where so many young people came from. From the year 1879 up to this year, 1886, it is really wonderful what a change has taken place. Then the population of Wahpeton could not have been over 200 souls, all told; but the census for 1885 gives us nearly 2,000, and the county at large a population of over 9,000, a population, to be sure, strongly foreign in the country, but in the towns along the lines of our railways there is an increase of American nationality, a mixture that warrants great activity of brain and muscle for the future. For a toAvn not more pretentious than Wahpeton was in the years of 1878-80, looked at as she really appears in the beginning of 188(>, with her 2,000 population, railway advantages, improved highways public buildings, school houses, and churches, her benevolent and civic societies, banking institutions, steam elevators, and patent roller ilour- ing mill, wheat warehouses, hotels, manufacturing establishments, and scores of business places, the shoAving is really marvelous. When we look at the map of the original townsite oAviied by M. T. Rich, and Root's addition, also a number of additions and sub-divisions besides, we can see that Wahpeton's growth has attracted the attention of capitalists to an astonishing degree, and that its future jirosperity must be in i)erfecfc harmony with its past progress and present busi- nesslike statiis. As it respects deals in realty or real estate for the past twelve months, they have not been many, but the erection of new churches and residences and the repairing and additions to those that were already built, are signs of a healthy condition not found in many towns whose population even exceeds the population of our county capital. In approaching Wahpeton from any point of compass one of the most stately buildings in appearance among other imposing struc- tures is the brick court-house with its stone facings, w'hose fine arch- itectural completeness for a structure of its size and cost is admitted by all to be quite satisfactory, although there are some who would prefer to look at a tower with its dome a little nearer the clouds, a WAHPETON. 33 few feet higher fi'om "terra tirma." This is the second court-house and jail built, the first, destroyed by fire soon after its completion, costing about 825,000, and the present edifice costing in the aggre- gate nearly as much. The inhabitants of Eichland County have good reason to feel proud of their commodious court-house, which is far superior to many in counties that have been orgr.iiizod for a quarter of a century. The high school building, built of brick, costing about $10,000, crowned with a fine bell tower, is a grand educational mon- ument that speaks in language too plain to be misunderstood, that the thorough mental culture of the rising generation is not and will not be neglected. Professor Crocker, with his able corps of teach- ers. Miss Austin and Miss Bandall, in the several departments, is giving that vigilant oversight to the educational convention that war- rants mental health, strength, and progress that can only be assured by the most untiring efforts. The moral and spiritual culture of the people is not neglected but well cared for. Wahpeton has six churches, two Catholic, one Congregational, one Methodist Episcopal, one Baptist, and one Protestant Episcopal. There are four hotels, sis boarding houses, two restaurants, one opera house, three banks, three steam elevators, besides a number of wheat warehouses; one novelty works establishment, four farm machinery agencies, four lumber yards, also coal and wood yards, eight stores of general mer- chandising, two groceries, three hardware establishments, three clothing stores, tw^o furniture warehouses, two drug stores, two hos- pitals, two jewelry stores, three millinery and dress-making bazaars, three fruit stores, tw^o photograph galleries, one regular boot and shoe store, and three boot and shoe shops, two flour and feed stores, one roller rink, two livery stables, two wagon and carriage shops, four barber shops, two harness shops, one wooden cistern manufactory,, one brewery, fifteen saloons, and one beer bottling establishment. Wahpeton has three railroads and three well built depots; one grand system of waterworks costing about $50,000, one of the best evidences of a healthy public spirit, economy, and convenience; two hose companies, and one hook and ladder company, whose members are ever on the alert and ready for service at the first fire alarm. The three weekly newspapers, the Gazette^ Times, and Mercury, since their establishment have contributed largely by their able advocacy to the growth of our gateway city for the Upper Eed Eiver Valley. There is a Masonic Lodge, one Odd Fellows Lodge, and one Grand Army Post of the Kepublic, all well cared for by their respective memberships, and each increasing in influence and abounding in good works. The Farmers' Association for Richland County has its headquarters in the city and its branches established and oflicered in 84 HISTOKY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. . other towns. The members Jiave a A^ery important work on their hands, one worthy of all praise and requiring unity of effort. As it respects one of the musical departments, it is represented by the members of the "Wahpeton Cornet Band," that have gained very en- couraging proficiency since their organization, and are capable, as they have done in other towns, of sustaining their good name abroad as well as at home, where, with their choice selections and artistic touches, they have discoursed sweet and appropriate music on many occasions. There is nothing in this world like thorough training in the arts and sciences, and, in fact, in all professions and callings of life, to warrant that perfection, the jn-ice of which is far above rubies in the eyes of a critical world. There are six insurance agencies in the city, besides a home insurance company with headquarters at Wahpeton, the "Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company." It is prepared to do a full line of insurance business. It insures against loss by fire, lightning, tornados, cyclones, or hail. The by-laws and regulations of this company ought to warrant a safe and profitable business, as it is officered with men who understand the work thoroughly. The legal profession is ably represented by sou^e twelve laAvyers, or more, and eight law' firms, all ready for busineiis with their legal briefs and Blackstone's lore and literature, and those who have written since his day. The followers of Esculapius, who are practicing the healing art in Wahpeton, are attending strictly to their profession. The medical fraternity is composed of such skill- ful men as Drs. Swaine, Keno, Eockwell, Nuckolls, and Wiensma. Both schools are represented. All have been engaged in their call- ing for years, so that with the theory of medicine there is coupled that other important qualification, a "practical knowledge," that ought to insure success in treating the many diseases to which the human race is exposed. No blessing is fully enjoyed without good health. SOCIETIES. CATHOLIC CHURCH. The following historic items respecting the Catholic Church in Wahpeton were furnished by the Eev. Father Hepperle, present pastor of the society: A few Catholic families came to Dakota in the vicinity of Wahpeton in the year 1871. In the year 1872 Rev. Father J. G. Tomazin visited the Catholic families for the first time, and celebrated mass in the house of the well-known Mr. Albert Cliisik. In 1875 the Catholic congregation was organized and num- bered about twenty-five families. A parcel of land containing four acres was secured fi'om Mr. F. Dow for a cemetery. Services were WAHPETON. 35 held monthly for some time at Mr. John Kotschevar's store. After the school- liouse at Breckenridge was finished, that building was used for divine worshij). In 1877 funds were raised for building a church, for which purpose Mr. M. T. Rich donated three lots. The members of the congregation, in deciding the location of the church building, formed two parties, the one being in favor of having the church built on the four acres secured for a cemetery; the others, considering the place too far away from the town at that time, suc- ceeded in securing the present location for the church building. This building which has since been somewhat enlarged, was located on the lots which have been lately destined for a new large church, and for which purpose rocks for a foitndation are on the ground. The first resident priest was Rev. Father A. Bergman, who arrived October 1, 1878. He visited occasionally, from this place, Elizabeth and Mc- Cauleyville in Minnesota, holding divine service. After two and a half years of hard labor he left in July, 1881, and was succeeded by the present Rev. Father George Hepperle. The number of Catholic families having increased since the building of the Catholic church, ^he edifice was enlarged in the year 1882. The spire and point of the ,;hurch being struck by lightning May 17, 1883, were repaired, and the spire greatly improved in appearance. The church building and parsonage were removed to the present location in 1884. In that year the Bohemian families, about fifty-two in number, by consent of the Rt. Rev. M. Marty, D.D., built a good-sized and fine appearing church for those speaking the Bohemian language. It is only to be ascribed to the scarcity of priests that speak their tongue that they have not got a priest for themselves, independent from those that speak English and German, and who form the original St. John's congregation. The number of Irish and German families of St. John's church is about ninety-five. Besides the daily service held usually at a quarter past 8 o'clock A. M., St. John's congregation has service three Sundays a month. In 1881, under the direction of the present rector and with the consent of the Rt. Rev. Bishop St. Bon- iface, a congregation was organized; and a little church was Ijuilt, accommodating the nine families near Barney Station, in the year 1883. The same year, 1881, Sts. Peter and Paul congregatiiin was organized with nine families, and a little church was built in 1882. The same year, 1881, St. Joseph's congregation was organized with fiiteen families, and a little church built. In the year 1883, the Northern Pacific railroad having been finished, and Mooreton Station being a matter of fact with a prospect for a little town, four Catholic families living there petitioned the Rt. Rev. Bishop for his consent to have a little church built at that place. The petition was granted. '>f» HIHTOKY OF IHCHLAI^D COUNTY. the cliurcli built nivl linislio, I Thero are now nine tV.milies there, forming the congregation. The Catholic school was c>T)'Mie(l in 1881 by Rev. Father A. Berg- man, twenty-three scholars atlejiding. January 2, 1882, school again opened, sixty-seven cliildren b-; iag enrolled during the term. From September 11, 1882, until June 29, 1883, eighty-nine children Avere attending, the average attendance being forty-eight. From Sei)tem- ber 10, 1888, to June 80. 1884, ninety-one cliildren attended, the average attendance being lifty-f(uir. From September 1, 1884, to June 80, 188;'), 118 children attc-nded, the average attendance being jifty-six. PlHsr ('ONGi;i-:(i\TIONAL CIIUIUIT. The First ( Vingregfitional Church of Wahpett)n is in a healthy condition ami, considered as a poAver for good, exerting an influence that si)eaks in unmistakable language of the saving leaven of the Gospel of peace, the moulding a.nd assimilating truths as proclaimed by him "who si)ake as never man spake." The following is the report furnished by the clerk: The First (Congregational Church of Wahpeton, Dakota, was organized with twelve members, on the 22d day of April, 1881. At the i)resent time there are sixty-one members. This society has a line church building, lately repaired and l)eautili(Ml internalh*, having been papered iuid painted in the most modern and artistic style. The bell that has been placed in the toAver is <.)ne of fine tone, and used foi' the. benefit of all the churches in the cit}-. The cost of the church building was, at the time of its completion, i:?2,200. The parsonage is one of decided merit, costing the society full $l,f)00. The first i)astor Avas the Eev. M. 8. Hall, Avho serAed the chui-ch from the time of its organization up to April, 1882. Then tlie R^v. E. D. Curtiss Avas employed, Avho began to officiate July 1, 1882, and remained just cme year, Avhen the ^e,\. G. B. Barnes, the j)resent ])astor, Avas employed, who com- menced his ministrations on tlip 2d day of September, 1888. The officers are: Trustees. Sauuiel Taylor, Folsom l)ST BAPTIST OHUIU'H. The First Baptist Clui'ch in Wahpetoji Avas organizcHl October?, 1882, Avith nine mend)t>rs, under the able superAisit>n of the ReA*. E. E. Tyson, avIio also t)rgani/.e(l a church in Breckenridge, and, as re- p<_)rted, the nine members here Avitlnlrew and j\)ined the organization in Breckenridge in the month of November, 1885. Then the Rev. C. B. RockAA-ell, M. D., As-as chosen pastor. • This st)ciety bought the WAHPETON. 3T school-house i:i Breckenridge after the new oue was built, and by thorough rep firing it was changed into a very convenient meeting house, whe:- ; the society holds divine service regularly. The society also purchased the school-house in Wahpeton, and the same is used for church purposes, where a goodly congregation attends the ministry of the word by the pastor, Eev. Mr. Rockwell. The past history of this church, its zeal according to knowledge, and present prosperity, is really a sure word of prophecy for its future growth and iniluence, and at no distant day we hope t(^ see the tens multiplied by thous- ands. PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. AVe are under great obligations to Mrs. C. M. McNaughtovi, one of the elect ladies of the Protestant Episcopal Church, for the Pollow- ing facts respecting the organization and growth of this important and churchly organization . This society wjis organized by Bishop Walker, D.D., at the time he lirst visited the city, on the 15th of No- vember, 1881. The first rector, Eev. H. J. Gurr, held service in the Opera House, September 17, 1882, and for nearly two years worked earnestly for the best interests of the church, endearing himself ic* many by his Christian deportment and genial nature ; but this climate proved to be unsuited to the health of Mrs. Gurr, and he left for the Pacific Coast, where he was in liopes to find for her a more congen- ial climate. He left in the month of March, 1884. We will state that, previous to the visit of Bishop Walker, Bisho}) Clarkson had ■\dsited Wahpeton, also Rev. E. S. Peake had held service a few times, but Mr. Gurr was the first rector of the society. After the removal of Mr. Gurr, Mr. Peake preached a few times, then Rev. flolin Trena- man officiated sis months, then Rev. D. Flack five months. There are now about twenty communicants. Rev. Mr. Dickey, of the Moor- head school, officiates in holding service, and will continue so to d* until a rector is secured. The church building is located on the coi-- ner of Pembina Avenue and Fourth Street, osting, including jot, about $2,700, nearly all of which is paid. The society organized by the ladies of this church hns worked so thoroughl}^ that a very respect- >ible and encouraging revenue is secured, which has been and is used with great discrimination for church work. The m;ile members of this congregation, who give their money and iufluence for the inter- est and prosperity of the same, are Charles Damerel, Dr. Swaine, A. J. Goodhue, W. A. Seely, and J. A. Smith. These persons, together with the treasurer of the ladies' society, Mrs. McNaughton, who is also the treasurer of the church proper, constitute the church officers. We judge from the foregoing and what we have learned from other reliable sources that Mrs. C. M. McNaughti^]! lias been a power iia 38 HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. the work of the chnrch in this place, and is hij^hly respected for her unselfish and well-directed efforts, INDEPENDENT OKDER OF ODD FELLOWS. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as an organization, is one of the most prosperous and popular orders in America, its mem- bership is numbered by thousands and tens of thousands, its thorough workings and deeds of charity have caused thousands to rejoice as it exemplified the principles and significance of " Friendship, Love, and Truth," the strong bond of union by which the members of the order are bound together, not only in America but throughout the world. The following report gives the history of the order in Wahpeton, present membership, time and place of meeting, etc., as furnished by Mr. Charles Damerel, the Secretary of the order: Wahpeton Lodge, No. 38, was instituted May 26, 1882, by Deputy District Grand Master Cantieny, with eight charter members, to-wit: Brothers James Purdon, Charles Damerel, H. W. Mackie, Stephen R. Dunham, Eufus B. Myers, C. K. Farnsworth, Daniel E. Rice, Godfrey B. Zillgitt. It holds its weekly meetings in a fine hall, tastefully furnished, every Tuesday evening, over Howry's store. It has two ante rooms conveniently arranged for sociables, anniversaries, entertainments, etc. The society is represeiited by several of the prominent business men of Wahpeton. Its progress as a society has been marked by constant accession to its membership, which to-day numbers about seventy, and v.'ith cash and personal property belong- ing to the Lodge of over §1,500. The present elective officers are: J. R. Buxton, N. G. ; G. B. Zillgitt, V. G. ; Charles Damerel, Secre- tary; B. C. Wilson, Treasurer. MASONIC. The organization of the Wahpeton Masonic Fraternity is given in the following report as furnished by the Secretary: Wahpeton Lodge, No. 58, A. F. & A. M. Chartered by Grand Lodge of Dakota Territory, June 12, A.D. 1884 Charter Members— Charles H. Sleeper, W. M.; H. S. Hyatt, S. W.; E. Dunlap, J. W.; A. J. Good- hue, Sec; J. W. Blanding, Treas. ; W. A. Seely, Geo. D. Swaine, Henry W. Mackie, A. M. Maxfield, W. F. Crafts, B. L. Bogart, M. T. Stevens, R. N. Ink. Present Officers— E. Dunlap, W. M.; H. S. Hyatt, S.W.; M. T. Stevens, J. W.; Geo. T. Propper, Sec; J. W. Hay ward, Treas. Present Membership — 44. Hall in Howry's Block. Meetings — 2d and 4th Fridays of each month. SUMNEK POST. Sumner Post, No. 57, Grand Army of the Republic, was organ- ized April 10, 1884, with a membership of fifteen. It has steadily increased, and its present membership is eighty-four, of whom the WAHPETON. 39 following are the officers: John W. Gregg, Commander; R. B. Car- son, Senior Vice Commander; Frank Herrick, Junior Vice Comman- der; A. L. Eoberts, Chaplain; H. C. Eeno, Surgeon; C. A. McKean, Adjutant; A. Bessie, Quarter Master; C. E. Hinman, Officer of Day; S. M. Price, Officer of Guard; W. M. House, Sergeant Major; C. K Farnsworth, Quarter Master Sergeant. The Post meets every Thurs- day evening at Odd Felk ws' Hall. CHAMBER OF COMMEECE. The Chamber of Coramerce at Wahpeton was organized May 26, 1882. Its object is to give public questions organized attention; to correct as far as possible public WTongs, abuses of public trust, wherever they exist against the welfare of the city. Also to secure all necessary city improvements. The present officers of this asso- ciation are: A. J. Goodhue, President; James Purdon, Treasurer; Charles Damerel, Secretary. Real Estate and Loans, Money always on hand to place on approved loans for long or short time. and wild lands bought and sold. Eed River farming lands for for stocks of goods or any good property. Correspondence Solicited. WAEPETOJV, - - - DAKOTA. Proprietor of Excelsior I City Markets. Dealer in all kinds of Fresh and Salt Meats, Fish, Vegetables, and Oysters, Wholesale and Ketail. Horses, oxen, young stock, bought and sold. Liberal advances made on commission stock. Sales made on small commissions. Highest price paid for hides and furs. References, Wahpeton Banks. 40 HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY.. J. M. RUGGLES, m ?tS^" m-' %^'^i-^ -FOR- ]Riclilaiid Co^l^ity, -SINCE 1S76. — Titles to Lands Ctiret'uUy and Critically Examined and Correct Abstracts Furnished. TAXES PAID FOR NON-RESIDENTS. Collections Made and Promptly Remitted. Lands Bouglit and Sold. Information Correctly Given When Solicited. W^AMPETOW, mAMOTA. W. A. SEELY& CO., I'KOPRIETORS AMJ MANAGKRS OF THE Well arranged in all of its appointments. ,|r^r0|Jt^iiite mtd ^ximtxc ■i-i=»^*- Seati^ng- Oapacit3r aloo-at Si2^ KC-and,reca.. A popular resort, under the able and judicious management of W. A. Seely & Co. WAHPETOJY, - - - DAKOTA. WaHFETON. 41 One (il the Urst settlers in Walipeton. Has done mucli for the town. PHOPEIETOK OF "mm ^Tm * ABDITI« Has been honored with the office of Sheriff. Now an industrious and Successful Parmer five miles south of Mooreton, Center Township, Dakota. r>. OLIA'ER., Dealer in all kinds of Wood, Brick, Lime, Cement, Hair, and Plaster of Paris. ^j9 Lumber by Iho Car Load a Spoc'ialt.v. Also Afrent foi- the Celebrated McGORMICK HARVESTING MACHINES, For Richland County, Dakota, and Wilkin County, Minn. Twine, Wire, and Repiurs always on hand. Office and warerooms at Wabpeton, Sixth Street Betwce* St. P. M. & M. and Northern Pacific Railroad Depots. Justice of tl One of tlie hrst settlers in the county, Has held a nuuabci- m n wr Wahpeton, Now County Commissioner. Dakota, All work done in the Higlaest Style of tl:i.e ,A.rt. Oftice in Peirce's Block, up Stairs. 42 HISTOKY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. OFFICIAL i^OUNTY BAPER. POPULAR, COMPLETE, , RELIABLE, Ridilaiid County Gazette. I 5-S!^ —{5^ <;^2/7/!^-|r-', sa?-^TI02srEI^"5^ ^ oi^i^ioe s-ctp^ifxjIes. Adcliess E. K. MOKEILL, W^AHPETON, - - Dakota. WAHPETON. 43 Attorney and Counsellor at Law, AND CITY mm w Office in Howry's Block. WAHPETOJV, DAKOTA. CITY MARSHAL and POLICE DETECTIVE, E22:-sz3:e:ri:f'^. One of the oldest settlers in Eicliland County. His home farm near the city of Wahpeton, containing 160 acres all improved, situated on section 6, township 132, range 47. Farm No. 2, located on section 31, township 130, range 52 ; 160 acres. WFAMPlET&m M'AMOTA, J. ^%V. BT^^^WI^IIVl^. Attorney # Counsellor at Law, Negotiates Loans on Real Estate Securities. All work connected with Surveying Town Sites and Plaiting the same. Tracing Boundary Lines as Surveyed by the U. S. Government, a specialty. WVAMJPMTOm mAMOTA. s:WAHPETON 4 POST I OFFICE^ Complete in all of its appointments. ->t ^— ^ t- ij Mails quickly distributed and delivered. All employes afPable and obliging. WAHPETON^, DAKOTA. 44 HISTORY OF BICHLAND COUNTY. M. T. RICH, fii'sst ToAVTi I»vopi-ietor, -CO) y-UTM^l. Choice Lots fok Sale. Small I=a.3rraerLts IDo-VsT-n, balance on Wahpeton, Dakota. O. K. ULSAKER, ouNTY Treasurer ELECTED FOK THREE TERMS. M M o " The Riuht Man in the Rioht Phice." - H. B. 0. EFFICIENT. HONEST. ACCOMMODATING. WAHPETON. 45 CITY DRUG HEOTJSE, -i;v HENRY MILLER, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in GSMM H H Boolsis, Station.er3r, IFapers, Paints, Oils, Window Glass, Bird Cages, Toys and Fancy Goods, Also JKWELBY and PSCTirRE FltAlTBES. r AT^ JLi AND- JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, Makes Loans. Land Business A Specialty. Pays Taxes for Non-residents, Etc., Etc. WARPJETOJV, DAKOTA. JOHN NELSON, ■DEALER IN- M GENERAL MERCHANDISE HAS A FULL LIXE OV DRY GOODS, GROCERIES, PROVISIONS, Ladies' and Gentlemen's Furnishing Goods, Etc. All heavy goods shipped by car loads at special low rates, therefore can compete with east- ern dealers that handle the same goods. Having been a long time in business am prepared to give satisfaction to all new and old customers. Corner Dakota Avenue and Sixth St. WAHPETOJf, D, 1. 46 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 1879. 1886. CLOSING ITS SEVENTH YEAR, The Wahpeton Tiines (Formerly Red River Free Press Established April, 1879), is The Leading Newspaper in Richland County, Dakota Territory. THE TIMES is a Seven Column Eight-page Newspaper of Broad- G-aiige and Upright Principles, Re- serving its Kight to Criticise and not Desert a Friend. Subscription, $2.00 per Annum. GEO. P. GARBED, Editor and Proprietor. -^yAHPETON. 47 Mercury started by Mercury BUSHING Company, Dn April, 1884, with J. C. Greig as editor. Upon the 18th of June, in the same year, the paper was consolidated with the Breck- enridge Record under the name of the Mercury, with -#^"GRE1G & GLASIER' As its Publishers. Although starting out in the face of much opposition, it has had phenomenal success and at the present day has a oipj-oxjzjJ^tion" of eao. It is Republican in politics, and the only dollar weekly in the County. GREIG & GLASIER, Editors and Publishers. The above statement tells in most emphatic language what a well directed effort will accomplish in any laudable and praiseworthy undertaking. The very name of this lively publication, (Mercury), is very significant. Mythologically s^Deaking it represents eloquence and trade and in fact performs this work. It is in an astronomical sense the name of one of the stars nearest the sun and ought to shine with great brilliancy. It is, what it purports to be by its name, "a messenger and a news carrier," We earnestly hope to see this paper succeed, and we know if the same vim and industry marks its future years as in the past it will, even in the near future, warrant grand profits to its publishers for the capital invested and the brain power employed. Its circulation ought to increase rapidly. — H. B. C. 48 HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. CHARLES E. WOLFE, Attorney at Law, AND SECRETARY OF THE Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company, WAHPETON, - DAKOTA. J. H. MILLER, v.^'MmMm, mm w -OF- i^iaia:ij.^^nsrnD coTjnsrT"5r. ALSO, FIEST ]\: AYOK OF THE CITY OF AVAHPETON. M^AMP'IETO'N, M'AJKQTA, THEO. J. HINQTG-EN, p^«,FMEF Prices Eeasonable. Pictures of any Size or Style Taken. Corner Third Street and Dakota Avenue, Wahpeton, Dakota. WAHPETON. 49 //. All Collections Proinptly Loohecl After. 10,000 Ect e6 o^ S'CB Jt'VDei VaUe^j ^and |ot Safe, Improved and Uniuiproved. Front room, ttp stairs, Pcircc's Block. W^alhpeHomf MmlkaitGii* Edwards & McCulloch Lumber Co., -DEALERS IN ALL KINDS UF- L hR, H Xjatli. iDoors, and. Sasli. P^PER, P^TISTT, and COAL. Come aud See XTs. .60 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. John Nelson, Pres. E. R. Davenport, Vice Pres. A.J.Goodhue, Sec. and Treas. Wahpeton Water Co. WORTHINGTON PuMPS. DiRECT PRESSURE. -A. i 0-FiJiL.le,o##. Opei-ating steam Elevators and Grain Houses at Milnor and Mooreton, on the Northern Pacific Railway, and Erie, Clifford, Pag-e City, and Kin-dred on the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway. (j-:3r^MANUFACTURERS OF^-j^e BCtB 0tir. WAHPETON. - - - DAKOTA. -Pays Special Attention to- Suppiying Iron Tubing for tlie same. Handles Machinery, and agent for the best Wind Mills. WAHPETON, DAKOTA. WAHPETON. 51 Jacob Xiotsclievai*, PROPRIETOR OF THE J. H H nDr3r O-ood-s, O-roceries, Boots and Shoes, Paints, Oils, Medicines, Hats and Caps, Flour, Feed, Wiiliinetoii, - Dakota. PIONEER And Manufacturer ot Everything in Tin, Sheet ® Galvanized Iron, Tin or Zinc Koofing- and Guttering-. Finest Assortment of Furnishing: Hardware in Dakota. JWAMJFJSTdDW, MAMOTA. A. L. ROBERTS, -DEALER IN- fi -:33g>-C>. Hffl a -=3og>-i>. lf'10)J[mJf/.Mi>\. -=^®g^'H'- Oi-eeii, I>i*ie4i, {iiicl Camiietl Fi-ixits*, :CiGARS AND Tobaccos of the Very Best Brands, A larg-e stock of Choice Goods at Low Prices. "A Nimble Nickel is better than a Slow Dime." Assorted Candies, Etc., Choice Goods th; Opposite Damerel's Hardware Store. WAHPETOJf, DAK. CHICAGO * store; REEDER & MURNIK, Dealers in mm% Groceries, Crockery and Glassware. For Low Prices we Propose to lead the Van. WAHPETON, - - - - DAKOTA. 52 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. HOUGHTON & MUGGLEY'S Watch and Jewelry Store, WATCHES. DIAMONDS, CLOCKS. SILVER WARE, ETC. Repairing a Specialty. Give us a call. WAHPETOJY, - - - - DAKOTA, iL, m. ewemldjejlij, H Office with Adolphe Bessie, Dakota Ayenue, WAHPETON, - . . - DAKOTA. Loans J\''egotiated and Collections Made. "W^alipetoii, - - Dakota. mm^, M, meilTM, _g_^ (©.^jf 11 Hi MiBife^ All work done promptly in a fashionable style. 'S9 Notions and Ladies' Underwear. Stamping done to order. Terms reasonable. Centrally located. North Side, Dakota Av. WAHPETON, - DAKOTA. WAHPETON. AVnlipetoni CJity 53 UVEEY, FEED ,m SALE KAY3IO & LAFAVOR, Props. The Best of Kigs Farnislied on Short Notice ami at Keasonable Eates. F. B. Lafavor, STRICT ATTENTION (IIVEN TO ALL WAHFJETOJV, - - - DAKOTA, Mc CUMBER S- BOGAET, LOANS t'ONTEAC'TED ON REAL ESTATE SECURITIES. All Business Accurately and Promptly Executed. WAHPETOjY, B. T. BEt; HIVK BLOCK *^.ts:F*I01VEET?.©fc.£ -tgaj^o. 3aS>- -c3el?i>- s-::^^-^ PIUS HENGEE, Proprietor. Has been in businosB since 18TS, imd keeps constiintly on hand one of the largest and best stocks of Boots and Shoes in the citj'. jMakinj;- and Repairing' a specialty. Wahpeton, - - - Dakota. 64 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. W. A. SEELY & CO., DEALEKS AND JOBBERS OF Lumber, Coal, Lime, Hair, Cement, Farm Macliiiiery-. Paints, Oils, Belting, and Mill Supplies. :BES«»T seed OTiAIlVS AL^V^A^irS 0]V HA]Nr>. AGENTS FOR standard Oil Co., American Lubricating Oil Co., and Philadelphia & Reading Coal Co. CAR ORDERS SOLICITED. REAL ESTATE DEALERS. Improved and Unimproved Farm Lands for sale on very reasonable terms. Desirable city lots for sale. Taxes paid for non-residents. Special attention given to renting improved lands and looking after the productions of the same. WAHPETON, - - - DAKOTA. mHE t CASH t BEE t HIYE f STORED" W^- E. HO^Via^", I^i-oprietor, DEALER IN Dry Goods, Groceries, Boot"^ and Shoes, And a Full Line of Yankee Notions. All as busy as bees in this hive of mercantile industry. A good place to get the worth of your money. Walipeton, » _ - _ Dakota. DEALER IX Stoves, Tinware, Farming Tools, Pumps, Lead Pipe, Carpenters' Tools, and eTei-ytlilnei*!^' and S^teaiix Eitters' Goods. WAHPETON, - DAKOTA. WAHPBTON. 55 J. R. BUXTON, ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR Suits prosecuted and defended in all courts in Minnesota and Dakota. Money to loan on Real Estate and Chattel Securities. Also Judge of Probate for Richland County. Office in Bee Hive Store, Wahpetoji, D. T. S. H. SNYDER, m m, EOANS liONTRACTED, iiOLLECTIONS HaDE. Office up Stairs, Peirce's Block, WAEPETOM, DAKOTA. .J- ^. HIVIITH, Ji-., Negotiates Loans on Unincumbered 11 ^», T^ P Hi Jll IP ' AND CHATTEL PROPERTY. Terms Reasonable. Real Estate Exchange. Buying and Selling Farm and ciiy property for all who may desire. WAHPETOJI, DAKOTA. Dakota Avenue. Freight, Ticket, t Express »:r=t: Northern Pacific, Fergus Falls, and Black Hills Railway Office, WAHPETON, - - DAKOTA. ^6 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. G. P. THOMPSON, BLACKSMIHING. All work done promptly and in a workmanlike manner. Horse Shoeing and Plow Repairing a Specialty. WAHPETON, DAKOTA. ANTON MIKSCHE, —DEALER L\— GENERAL MERCHANDISE, A GREAT STOCK OF Dry Goods, Groceries, Provisions, Hats, Caps, Boots and Shoes. 'Choice Potatoes, Butter, Eggs, Etc., always on hand. Goods delivered free of charge. Don't forget to look at our New Style of American Sewing Machine. Agent for " North German Lloyd." Wahpe^&m^ m^alk. MT^J A V W. H. VVILLARDT, Corner Dakota Avenue and Fourth Street. Itoops Ooixftstixiitlj^ oil IlaiKl ti Full X^iuo oi" FRESH;nD:SALT Meats, :E=o-u.ltr3r, <3-am.e, a-n.d. IPisli. -Cash Paid for Hides and Furs. ADOLPHE BESSIE, — DEAI.KR I\ — ' MTiJ mJLJf ^^ i IMfii y/J Customers will find our prices low, and satisfaction warranted. We believe in the motto "Live and Let Live." Also Deals in REAL ESTATE, MONEY LOANED ON REAL ESTATE SECURITY. Terms Keasonable.' WAHPETON, D. T. WAHPETON. n (^\ err Full Stock on Hand. w'ahpetoj^, - - - dakota, F. H. BUTLER & CO., Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Coal, Lime, and Hair. LUMBER, SASH, DOORS, ETC. Wahpetou, Wyiiclinere, unci Miliior, Dakota. & KELLER & OOODHUE, DEALEBS IN Dry Goods, Groceries, Hats, Caps, Boots. Shoes, Clothingr, Carpets, Oil Cloths, Kugs, Etc. ROBERT W. BEATTY, coisriPEoarionsrEiRXES- Wahpeton, Dakota, GREEN FRUITS ALWAYS ON HAND E. TV . J^IIT^X^BTJIMV. Dealer Tu Fruit, Confectionery, and Cigars, M'A MJFIETQ'N, MAM Oj TA , 58 HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. NOVELTY WOOD AND IRON WORKS, CONTRACTOR m BUILDER, Manufacturer of Building Finish and General Woodwork, Doors, Sash, Interior Finish for Banks, Stores, and Dwellings. Plain Moulding, Wood Tiirning, Jig and Circular Sawing. A Machine Shop in connection with this establishment. A complete stock of Brass Goods and Steam Pipe Fittings. Engines, Boilers, and Farm Machinery repaired. Mill Supplies constantly on hand. Plans and specifications furnished on short notice. All work guaranteed. At the old stand- — Whitehouse Novelty Works, WAHPETOJ^r, - - DAKOTA. CONTEACTOES AND BUILDEES. All work done on SHOR-T ISrOTIOE and in the best and most =MODEIlN STYLE= Orders Solicited. Office, East side of Sixtli Street, near Headquai-ters Hotel. WAHFETOJ^, - - - - DAKOTA. WILLIAM RIDDELL, For all kinds of Mason Work needed, from foundation to cap stone, inside and out. Manufacturer of First-class Brick, and furnishes all I3uilding Materials. STE^M BOILERS set in brick and a specialty made of putting in mantels and fire grates for wood ai;d coal. Lime, Flair, and Cement always on hand. All work promptly and thoroughly done. Terms reasonable. Wahpeton, - - - Dakota. WAHPETON. 59 Post-office Block, B. C "W^IL?^OIV, I*i-opi-ietoi-. Daily Papers and Leading Publications always on Hand. Sheet Music and Stationery, Ruljber Stamps, Scales, Etc., Furnished on Short Notice. A Mucli Needed Institxition. etoii ®iti ll00ipfitHl Private Infirmary. Doctor Swaine's Private Sanitarium for the treatment of diseases of both sexes, located on Pembina Avenne, between Fourth and Fifth Streets, AVahpeton, Dakota. The Infirmary is handsomely furnished throughout, heated with furnace, well lighted and ventilated. A competent nurse is in con- stant attendance and both German and Scandinavian Language spoken. The culinary department is under the supervision of Doctor and Mrs. Swaine. Competent and trustworthy cooks employed. Every patient is provided with a diet suitable to the requirements of the case. The infirmary is provided with a choice library for the use of patients. Every effort made to make it as little like a public hospital as possible. Dr. Swaine, in charge, has aimed to furnish all the com- forts of a home, and all the advantages and facilities of a liosx)ital. The result is a model institution, a credit to the city, an honor to Dakota, and a monument to the enterprise of Doctor Swaine, who has his office in the building. The terms are from $10 to $20 a week, ac- cording to the case, location and size of rooms, nursing, etc. Write for particulars, giving a history of the case. Address, Geo. D. Swaine, M. D., Wahpeton, D. T. Pioneer Shaving Parlor AND Dakota Avenue, Near Post Oflice. C3-. B. ZILI-iOITT. Frop.. WAHPETON, DAKOTA. m HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. ALEX STERN, AARON STERN. y^ MAX STERN. H i^^a CLOTHING, GENTS' FURNISHING GOODS, HATS, CAPS. BOOTS, SHOES, TRUNKS and YALISES. Walipeton, Dak. Fargo, Dak. J. N. JITRQENSElSr, MAXUl''At:TUKKK OP AND DEALUll IN Saddles, Blankets, Whips, Boots and Shoes. KEPAIKING DONE NEATLY AND WORK WARRANTED. WAHPETON, DAKOTA. Fearer Brothers' ©S3^ ■^'w li*l\ ^ ^^^@^ W All work Rrtistically done and satisfaction given. Also dealers in Picture Frames. Prices as low^ as tlie times will war- rant. Studio over Northwestern Bank, in Peirce's Bloct. WAHPETON, - - _ - DAKOTA. JAMES PURDON & CO., DEALERS IN ->t ^ ■ ^ h CLOTHING, HATS AND CAPS, W'^ Boots and Shoes, Groceries^ Etc. Green, Dried, and Canned Fruits. A Specialty Made of the Choicest Brands of Tea. Opera Hous^e Block. WAEPETOM, DAKOTA. WAHPETON. 61 Ileal gstitte GENERAL INSURANCE AGENT, Eepresentiiig some of the best companies doing business in the Ter- ritory. Special attention given to Real Estate and Chattel Loans, (Collections made and remittances promptly attended to. And all information pertaining to business freely given. H. E. GROTTEM, DEALER IN aRA-TI^T, FLOUR, and FEED, Full Supply Always on Hand at Business Established in 1880, and Trade Constantly Increasing. WAHPETO.'N', - DAKOTA. SCHULER & MACKIE, DEALERS IN Lime, Hair, Brick, Cement, PLASTER PARIS. General Contraclors and Builders. Builders of Coniljinatioii and Wood Bridges, Evidences of Work in the City that as Mechanics they are First-class. TWAMPETQN, - - » MAELdDTA. 62 HISTORY OP RICHLAND COUNTY. WILLIAM F. ECKES. PROPRIETOR. =1First-Class A_ccomm.ocLatioiist= First Hotel Built in the CoTintv. Well Patronized. 4- Charges Moderate. M^AMP^MTON, = ^ MAMQ>TA. Er^I "^"^^CHOIV. J Proprietor of the ;^ Meals furnished at all hours. Choice Cigars, Candies, Green Fruits, Bread, Pies, Cakes, in fact, a general and choice stock of goods always on hand needed in such an establishment. For parties, wedding occasions, etc., meals furnished in the best style of the season. All kinds of cake furnished on short notice and in the most artistic and toothsome manner. A.t tlTe Old t^tancl. WAHPETOJf, DAKOTA. GJ-eoi^oe lir-eidlei-'s Popular I Boarding I House, Well patronized. Special pains taken to make all guests welcome. Tables abundantly furnished with substantial luxuries. Terms for week and day board Reasonable. Centrally located, South Side Dakota Avenue. Mr. George Kreidler Manufactures AVooden Cisterns of all sizes, sets the same and puts them in working order. Cisterns shipped to other to-\vns if desired. Prices low, orders solicited. ^i^rrON^ GILLES MANUFACTURES Of the Best Quality. All of his wori: Avarranted to give satisfaction. Gives special atten- tion to repairing. Shop near the Times office, WAHPETON, DAKOTA. WAHPETON. 63 COUNTY SHERIFF of Riclilaiicl County, Dakota. -o- R. N. INK. E. H. CARTER. Have money to loan on first-class securities, at reasonable rates and long time. Both members of this firm have been residents in county since its early settlement. Have made a specialty of locating settlers and giving valuable information. Are acquainted with the people and thoroughly posted as it respects the quality of land in different parts of the county. No loans made only in Kichland County. All lands offered as security personally inspected by us. In all our business transactions reasonable satisfaction guaranteed,- and patronage respectfully solicited. Wahpeton, - - Dakota. FRED E. STAUFF, AN EFFICIENT Foi- three years up to March, 1886. Mr, Stauff owns a productive farm in the south part of the county. His home is in Wahpeton. J^. U. SIVO^W^, Esq., ASSISTANT County Treasurer ^^ ••=• A TvT T^ n^ T?lO> T^*- >- ::AND clerk Has been an honored citizen in town for years. An excellent scribe and pei.oi. all bis work with precision. WAHPETOJV, - - - DAKOTA. THE ST. PAUL. MINNEAPOLIS. AND MANITOBA RAILROAD. This great railway of the Northwest, with its main lines and many branches, has been worth millions of dollars to the inhabitants that occupy the farming lands along its iron tracks, by increasing the price of the same and affording ample facilities for shipping the productions of the soil to a ready market. The country through which the main lines run, with ramifications of their branches through Northwest Minnesota and the Eed River Valley in Dakota, all lie within the world-renowned wheat belt of No. 1 hard. In many in- stances the managers of this great system of railway traffic and inter- state commerce did not wait for the settlement of the country first, but with great forethought they planted their lines in advance of the settlers, and left them to follow after, affording a grand opportunity for thousands who were anxious to possess the rich lands of the North- west, to get near their future homes by riding in palace cars and shipping their stock and household effects on fast freight lines. This great railroad enterprise seemed to fairly enthuse and give new life to the population moving west, and to the great wheat belt of the globe, which was the principal cause of the rapid settlement of the country. It seems, really, that the managers of this comjoany were very grasping, and, some might say, avaricious, when with their long iron arms and steel fingers they reached across a stretch of country vast enough to carve out empires, running from St. Paul and Minneapolis to the very threshold of Queen Victoria's Ameri- can possessions, taking the golden grains from the wheat fields of Manitoba and the many towns along their line of marching to the front, and also are laying down their iron bands on the pebbly shore of Devil's Lake and reaching out to the Turtle Mountain region, and will soon tap the Queen's dominion in that region to gather up and control the increasing local trafiic of that rapidly growing land; and we would not be surprised if in the near future there would be a con- nection of this line with the Canada Pacific, in which event this would be the shortest route from the Pacific Coast to St. Paul of any now in existence, and everybody knows that the shortest lines from and to great commercial centers and objective points are the most popular and the best patronized. The great traffic between Amer- ica, Japan, and China and the growing Asiatic countries of the old world will be on the shortest routes by sea and land. These THE ST. PAUL, MINNEAPOLIS, AND MANITOBA EAILROAD. 65 facts have a great significance, that tell what the logic of events will bring to pass for the vast and rapidly developing country that is yet really in her swaddling garments. This company is not shut up in the great twin cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, but from the great wheat fields of the Northwest they have an outlet to the proud Zenith City that is now sw;iying its scepter over the great growing commerce of the unsalted sea of America, whose waters are the great highway by which the millions of bushels of grain shipped at Duluth find their way to the grer.t -grain centers of the Eastern world. It was really a red letter day for Wahpeton and the Upper Eed River Valley when the railroad bridge was constructed across the Bois des Sioux river and the iron rails laid down for the steam engine to cross over, drawing its palace cars and heavily loaded freight cars. Yen, more than this ; when the rails were stretched out to the north- west in the direction that the eyes of the managers of this tliorough- f are had been looking for years from the Breckenridge outlook, this iron gateway to the rich lands of Eichland County and the regions beyond that afforded connections with the great railway systems of the East was fully appreciated by the early settlers. The Brecken- ridge extension of the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba railway crossed over into Dakota in the fall of 1880, and Wahi:)eton, Dwight, Colfax, and Walcott all began to be talked of as stations that would be good trading points in the future. Wahpeton, being the - only town really in existence, felt the pulsations of the new life imparted to her by this grand movement on the part of the railroad managers and her popidation increased rapidly, and her business houses and fine residences multiplied to an astonishing degree. Dwight, Colfax, and Walcott were really but embryo towns at that time; but during the five years that have elapsed they have been established and all are good trading points; and, being situated in the finest wheat sections of the Valley, with their steam elevators, where many thousand bushels of wheat are sold annually, we see steam mills, hotels, stores of general merchandising, groceries, drug stores, meat markets, machine shops, etc., besides a wonderful increase in productive acre- age, and farm buildings multiplying. Of course, as in all new coun- tries, the settlers have to undergo many privations; but the worst is past, no doubt. Since the great boom of 1880, '81, '82, and '83, the business in real estate sales and exchange has been light; and there has been a shrinkage in values, but the check will prove at the last to be a valu- able experience, and the people of the country Avill learn how to manage their affairs with greater economy and forethought, which will insure permanent growth and prosperity. While these facts are 66 HISTOllY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. quite significant, as a whole the county at the present time has very inviting iiekls for those who may desire to settle in our midst. As an evidence of what progress there has been made in Eichland County along the line of the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba Railway, we publish the report of Mr. A. Manvel, the general manager of the road. He says that they "have in Eichland County 38.18 miles of track, the laying of which was completed about November 1, 1880. The elevator capacity on our line in said county is given to us as 340,000 bushels, and the shipments of wheat from our lines in the county on the crop of 1884 were 600,000 bushels." Of course, this report from the general manager refers specially to the shipment of wheat out of the county, and nothing else; but there must be a great amount of business done on this railway in other commodities shipped into the county, such as lumber, farm machinery, dry goods, and miscellaneous freights, which could only be expressed in the aggregate by large figures. However, the traffic in wheat is very significant. DWIGHT, The village of Dwiglit is beautifully located on the line of the ■St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba railway, about seven miles nearly west of Wahpeton and about 225 miles northwest from St. Paul. It is the headquarters of the great New York farm owned and ably man- aged by the Dwight Parm and Land Company. The tov\'ii bears the name of tli3 president of said company, the Hon. J. W. Dwiglit (recently deceased), of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York, wlio was a member of Congress from the Twenty-sixth Congressional District for a number of terms. The buildings for farm purposes are all first-class, with all necessary appurtenances thereunto belonging. All these are built on the south side of Antelope Creek, occupying a fine and elevated site. But the village proper is. located on the north side, occupying a very tine location overlooking the prairie landscape that in the sum- mer time is decidedly picturesque. At this i)lace there is one large round elevator run by steam, the capacity of which is fully 60,000 bushels, and a feed mill connected therewith, all belonging to the New York company. There are two wheat warehouses besides, one belong- ing to Cargill Brothers and the other to private parties, where thou- sands of bushels are marketed. The entire aggregate of shipments from this point is large. There are man}' })rosperons farmers living in the vicinity, their business being naturally tributary to this point, besides the business connected with the great wheat x>lfiiitation. There is one large double store of general merchandising, Johnson & Company ( formerly M. O. -Tohnson ) being proprietors, the rooms of which are crowded full of all kinds of goods and wares needed in a country town. Mr. Johnson came from Chicago at the very begin- ning of business operations at this point, and, being full of Norwegian vim, and having an eye to business in all departments of trade needed in a country store, he has succeeded admirably, and the company prob- ably sells as many goods over its counters as any dealer in Richland County, and its efficient clerks are ever ready to wait on customers at a moment's notice. There is one hotel, the Eureka House, built by the New York company and run successfully by William T. Ward, who is ahvays ready to wait on customers. There is one lumber yard, two blacksmith shops and one wagon shop, one harness shop, two saloons, and three farm machinery agencies. 68 HISTORY OP EIC'HLAND COUNTY. If ihe tliousanus who live in the land of the Pilgrim Fathers along the once "wild New England shore," and in other eastern and south- ern localities, could look ux:)on tho fair face of these jjrairie farms and the beautiful hnid-.i (Uj of which good farms can be made in live years, the soil astonishingly productive, there would be the greatest exodu» from the places referred to that was ever known from any country. The time will come when there will be more enlightenment da^aiiug upon the minds of those who now look at this broad expanse of prairie-ocean through mists and fogs that gather around their Doubt- ing Castle's outlook. Time is the great interpreter of facts and their legitimate sequences. The following report, as furnished b}^ Mr. John Miller, the Superintendent of the Dwight Farm and Land Company, together with valuable items given by Mr. John E. Yerkes, the pres- ent book-keeper, is v/orthy of a careful and candid perusal. This report, in the aggregate, is very remarkable, and speaks in very plain English what can be accomplished by well- directed efforts in such an enterprise as herein described — an enterprise that has attracted the attention of thousands of close observers living east and west. THE DWIGHT FARM AND LAND COMPANY, Dakota, was organized in the fall of 1879, in Richland County, own- ing about 19,000 acres, with a cash capital of !?150,000. The company also purchased in the year 1880 about 8,000 acres more, making a total of 27,000 acres in this county, which is the amount, or nearly so, now owned. In the year 1882 the company pui-chased, in Steele County, Dakota, 32,000 acres more. The managing officers began to open up the lands in Richland County in 1880. That year they broke and backset about 5,000 acres, and commenced their building operations on a large scale the same year. They have continued from year to year to add to their farm buildings as their necessities demanded, and contin- ued to increase the number of acres cultivated, so that now they have in complete order 8,500 acres ready for crop for this year, 1886. This well-managed company now has a storage capacity for grain aggregat- ing 150,000 bushels, and included in this storage capacity it has two steam elevators and several large granaries. The Hon. J. W. Dwight, of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York, after whom the company and the village — the headquarters of the company — were named, was the originator of the comx)aiiy and its able and efficient president since the time of its organization until his unexpected death, which occurred on the 26th day of Novend^er, 1885. The officers of the comjjany, up to the time of th^ demise of its distinguished president, were as follows: Hon. J. W. Dwight, Presi- dent; Hon. F. M. Finch, of Ithaca, New York, Judge of the Court of Appeals, Yice-President; Hon. H. B. Lord, of Ithaca, New York, DWIGHT. 69 Secretary and Treasurer; and John Miller, formerly of Dryden, Tompkin.i County, New York, but now a resident of Dwight, the efficient Superintendent. The Hon. Douglass Boardman, Judge of the Supreme Court and president of the First National Bank of Ithaca, New York, was elected President after the death of Mr. Dwight. The operation of the company in carrying on the great work necessary to be performed has been highly satisfactory, and the growth and phenomenal development of Richland County have sur- passed the most sanguine expectations of this land company. The crops of the company have been uniformly good, and, Avhile during the past tv^^o years the price of wheat has been rather low, the net results of each year show a handsome ijrofit, and at no time have the members of the company felt more confident of the future growth and rapidly increasing wealth of Kichland County than they do now. They are thoroughly convinced that stock can be raised warranting great profits to all persons who may engage in the same. Their attention was first called to this great farming industry by their own experience in wintering the horses and mules used on this great Avheftt and grain plantation. It was found that they thrived exceedingly well upon hay alone, and although the weather was cold, yet, with a .slight protection, owing to the dryness of the climate they came out in the spring in fine condition — much better, in fact, than they would in a v.'^armer climate with damp, chilly atmosT)here and deep winter mud. The company has built a long barn that will hold 150 head of cattle, and intends to engage in the business of raising horses and cattle, believing fully that in a few years Bichland County will be knov>'n as one of the best stock counties in the Red River Valley, as well as a great grain-growing county. In use on this farm there are about 200 horses and mules, 44 bintl- ers, 8 steam threshers, 50 gang and sulky plows, 45 seeders. The com- pany has graded about fifty miles of road, and has four railroad sta- tions upon its own land in Richland County. It successfully raises wheat, oats, and barley. The cultivated portion of this farm is in three diviRions, with headquarters at Dwight. The subordinate force is made up of a head book-keeper, an assistant book-keeper, a general foreman of division one, a general foreman of division two, a foreman of machinery houses, one foreman of stables, and one gang foreman for about every -fifteen laborers. O. J. Wakefield is the wheat inspector at Dwight and over- seer of the 60,000-capacity elevator at that place. The elevator busi- ness of this company consists largely in handling its own crop, but it handles besides a large amount for other farmers. 70 HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. i '11F 18^ W¥ "^(Y cM <^^si^^ii Mm !^ liU jm .» jiT^ .^ JM M.. V/::. 7. WARD. PROPRIETOR m. 1^' ''a^ All guests made welcome and their wants well cared for. Accommo- dations ample and terms reasonable. In connection with the hotel, Blacksmith and Wagon Maker, mmM ^Mm I ''^:iraip SIM Plow work and repairing farm machinery a specialty. Terms reasonable. DWIGHT, Dakota. Proprietor of GHT Meat Market. A full line of meats kept on hand to suit customers. O-i-v^e izs a Oa.ll. B WIGHT, - - - DAKOTA. 3. Xv. OLtTI^s?riiETV, DEALER IN LUMBER, WOOD, AND COAL Sasli, Doors, and MouUliiigs, DWIGHT, Dakota, DWIGHT AND COLFAX. 71 PROPRIETOR OP^ City Meat Market. A clioice selection of meats always on hand. i^OsLslx I^E^ldi. for Hides:^ DWIGHT, - - DAKOTA. IVt. O. .TOHTVSOIV A^ CO., DEALERS IN RY Goods is Clothin BOOTS, SHOES, HATS, CAPS, and CEOCKEEY, A full line of HARDWARES AND ^FURNITURE. Foreign tiiicl Domestic EXCHANGE BOUGHT f SOLD, Passage tickets to all European points. Collections promptly made and accounted for. A full stock of Flour, [Feed, Seed Wheat, Grass, Clover, and Flax Seed. General agent for Farm Machinery and Twine. DWIGHT, - - - DAKOTA. ]\£attlii£is «fc IJ-VTcIoIpli, Practical II Millers, AND DEALERS IN COLFAX, ^ . . DAKOTA. COLFAX. Colfax is located on the line of the St. Paiil, Minneapolis, and Mani- toba railway, twenty miles northwest from Wahpeton, about eight miles west from the Red Eiver — the dividing line between Minnesota and Dakota — and three and a half miles west from the Wild Bice Eiver. This town is fully thirteen miles northwest from D wight; nearly seven miles southeast from Walcott, and eight and a half miles from Aber- crombie. The townsite is on section 32 (east half of the northwest quarter), township 1'65, range 49. The land was entered as a tree claim in 1879 by H. B. Crandall, who also entered the northeast quar- ter of the same section as a homestead. Mr. Crandall at that time was pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Fargo, and a resident of that city. Then there Avere thousands of acres subject to entry belonging to the government; but by 1883 the chances were all gone, or nearly so, and the lands now owned by those who made entries or purchased from first settlers. Then the population in the county was very scattering, the largest settlements being along the rivers. The first house on said homestead was moved thither from Fargo on two wagons side by side dravv'n by two teams, a distance of thirty- five miles. The house was 12x14 feet, double roof. It had been used on a homestead in Cass County, but after final proof was moved into Fargo and purchased by the writer for a residence in Eichland County. The building was firmly fixed on square timber supports, 6x0 inches 24 feet long, which were used as reaches or couplings for the wagons. Loading, placing, and arranging stove, bed, feed, breaking plows, chairs, tables, and stools, not forgetting the necessity of a full larder, was really no small job. Spectators looked on with a good deal of curiosity, and said that to move a building thirty-five miles across the country was rather a doubtful undertaking. Starting late in the after- noon on the 19th day of May, 1880, seven miles were measured by sun- down—the writer and Mr. Stack, of Fargo, accompanying the expedition to see that no serjous mishap took place. It was near the school- house on the old Norman road where we put up for the night. A kind Frenchman furnished hay and stable room for the teams, as well as milk for our coffee. Our cook was not a Frenchman, but rather of a Hibernian type. Supper was prepared and disposed of quickly; and, appetites being good, no fault was found with the edibles. In a short time the members of the crew were off in the land of visions, dream- COLFAX. 73 ing, perhaps, of western homes, bonanza farms, Dakota villages and cities with their bustling thousands, the click and hum of farm machinery and threshing machines with their steam engine attach- ments, long trains of cars loaded Avith No. 1 hard thundering along to reach the eastern grain markets ; or, perhaps, di'eaming of a general break-down of our wagons and oiir itinerating house dumped in the ditch. Nevertheless, the dawning of a new and beautiful day appeared, and at an early hour we were all moving toward our point of destina- tion, and, there being no serious detention during the day, between sundown and dark we were safely landed on the homestead. Another night was passed comfortably, and early in the morning of Maj^ 21, 1880, the land for our building site being broken, the house was placed in position, points of compass observed, and a general leveling up took place, and our move for so many miles came to a successful termination. The additions to said house since that time have fur- nished room enough so that the original room is used now for the parlor, all of which is still occupied by the writer. During the year 1880 the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba railway was surveyed, running across section 32, and the station was located, Mr. Crandall granting the right of way. A large depot v^'as built at the close of the year, and a good side-track placed in position. A section house was erected about the same time, and the construction and freight trains with passenger cars were moving up and down the line as lively as the exigencies of business traffic demanded. The telegraph line was soon in working order, and the wires fairly throb- bing and pulsating with messages. William Finney, from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, vras the first operator and station agent, keej^ing the liooks and doing the lousiness for stations farther north until said towns were supplied with station agents and operators. Mr. William Johnston, from Kingston, Canada, now deceased, was the next station agent at Colfax, and the next was Mr. John H. Lewis, from Iowa, who is now the one that manipulates the electric key, keeps the books, and acts as American Express agent. February, 1881, the townsite of Colfax was surveyed by Mr. J. S. Stack, and the plat, containing eighty acres, was recorded on the 19th day of March of said year. The first building put up on the original townsite was the store and hotel block, size 36x60 feet, two stories, being at that time one of the largest buildings in the county. It was erected in the winter of 1880-1 by Mr. Stack, and located on lots 11 and 12, block two, corner of Broadv/ay and Second Avenue, the same being donated by the town proprietor. The south half below and all the room above was used for the Headquarters Hotel, and the north 74 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. lialf below was put in order for a store room and filled with a large stock of general merchandise. The hotel and store were owned and managed by Mr. Stack, S. G. Hofford and O. T. McCormac being employed at tlie first as clerks. The business done at this stand and the amount of goods sold were great, being on an average yearly, as we have been informed, $30,000. The stock of goods was sold by Mr. Stack to O. W. Lind in 1882, Avho continued in business until the fall of 1884, when he closed out and went to Billings, Montana. A general business of merchandising is carried on now by Mr. H. E. Crandall, from Cresco, Iowa, The hotel property was sold by Mr. Stack, including furniture, to Meyers and McCormac for $4,500. After the death of Mr. McCormac Mr. Hofford became a partner in the business. However, they finally dissolved and ga.ve up hotel keeping. Mr. H. E. Crandall, who rented the hotel from Farnham & Lovejoy, is now having a good patronage. The steam flouring-mill was erected 1881 by Matthias & Eudolph, who came from Menomonee, Wisconsin. There are three run of stones, them achinery being di'iven by a 30-liorse power engine, Mr. Crandall, in order to secure the permanent location of this mill, donated six lots for the millsite and three lots for residences to the said firm, besides a donation of $1,000 bonus. The Hon. Schuyler Colfax, through the agency of Col. Tyner, paid $100 of the $1,000, and the farmers about $150 more; the balance was paid in full by the town proprietor, who took a receipt for the same. While drilling a well for r water supply for the mill a vein of coal was pierced at the depth o" about 100 feet, from three to four feet deep as nearly as could be measured by the use of the drill, Avhich fact created such an excitement that a coal company was organ- ized at once, and a shaft was put down some forty feet, near the mill. The members of this coal company, not having a practical knowledge of the work and the material necessary, and the workmen being inex- perienced and the obstacles to overcome more than had been antici- pated, the work for the time being was abandoned, to be renewed again by a new organization, which also proved to be a failure for nearly the same reasons. The question has been asked by many, and a correspondence has been carried on by other parties with the writer, respecting this reported coal-find. The answers have been " that some fifty men were witnesses of the work of the drill while passing through the vein, and specimens of the coal were abundant and the quality tested and pronounced good by experts employed in Pennsylvania coal mines. We noAV say, it is our firm conviction that there is coal at Colfax in paying quantities, if in searching for the same the work could be done by men of experie^ice, who under- COLFAX. 75 stand and Avould use the materials necessary. Coal has been found along the Sheyenne River and other localities in ilichland County, and we have no doubt but that the time will come when coal in abund- ance will be found in the Red River Valley and other portions of Dakota. Also there are those who firmly believe that there are hid- den reservoirs of petroleum that will be reached in the future. Natural gas has been discovered in a number of places, as well as coal, and where gas and coal can be found it would not be strange if this natural illuminating and lubricating oil could be found in the bosom of Mother Earth. Consolidated capital, well employed, is necessary to be brought into use to make thorough work, not only in searching for coal but for all the valuable treasures of mineral wealth locked up in the hiding-places beneath our feet. The wheat warehouse of James F. Cargill was built in 1881, with a capacity of about 15,000 bushels, and Clarence Hurlbut employed as the first wheat buyer, taking in about 45,000 bushels the first year. Since then repairs have been made, a steam engine and machinery employed to elevate the grain, and the capacity of the building en- larged so that some 25,000 bushels can be taken care of. A flowing well ninety feet deep supplies the water at the elevator. The receipts at this station annually since the beginning have been from 75,000 to 150,000 bushels, including mill trade. Another elevator is needed at this point, and the competition thus created would be healthy and profitable. The post-ofiice at Colfax was established in the beginning of the year 1881, and H. B. Crandall appointed postmaster. In July, 1882, Mr. Crandall resigned and recommended the appointment of Mr. McCormac as postmaster, he having served as assistant. He was appointed and commissioned and held the oflice seventeen days, when A. H. Tyner, son of General James Tyner, Postmaster General under Grant, was appointed, and the oflice removed to the Tyner store on the Colfax addition to the original townsite; and he held the oflice until 1883, when he sold out and Mr. William Johnston was appoint- ed. He soon died, and Mr. H. E. Crandall was appointed, and the office and store building, goods and all, were moved on to the original townsite. Mr. Crandall is the postmaster at the present time. He was in the war of the Rebellion over four years, engaged in many battles, was wounded twice, and is now a pensioner. Mr. A. H. Tyner went to Ellendale, Dakota, and was appointed postmaster there , and held the oflice until the new administration appointed a man to take his place. He was an eflicient and accommodating oflicer of the gov- ernment. The land platted on the north of the original townsite through the agency of Colonel N. N. Tyner, the active agent for Mr. Colfax, ex- 76 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. Vice President and the remainder of the half-section, we understand has been disposed of to Hay & Co., of Minneapolis. Also the half- section belonging to Mr. Colfax on section 33, joining Mr. Crandall's homestead on the east, has been sold to Potter & Thompson, Minne- apolis real estate agents. Mr. Colfax, ex- Vice President, visited the town that bore his name in 1881 in company with Colonel Tyner, his agent at Fargo, and at that time manifested a good deal of interest, not only in the prosperity of Colfax, but in the development of Dakota as a whole. However, to have a town named after him was no new thing for this was the sixteenth town in the states and terri- tories that bore the name of this distinguished American that had such a sudden and sad taking off. Colfax has been quite appro- priately called the "Fountain City," as it has four artesian wells, the one lately put down by the railroad management being the greatest of all. It is 130 feet deep, about the same as the one at the steam niill, and has flowed five barrels a minute. The water-tank holds 1,600 barrels. The hotel and elevator wells are not as deep. The steam mill has been sold of late for $10,000, being purchased by par- ties in New York, and it was understood at that time that patent rollers v^ould be put in during the present season. This mill has been largely patronized by the farmers in exchanging wheat for flour and getting feed ground for their stock; but the flour in an open market could not compete with the patent flour of the country. If patent rollers had been put in at the first, and a more economical engine used, the driving of which would not have taken more than half the fuel, the owners thereof would be thousands of dollars ahead of where they are now. It is folly to suppose that the old process of making flour can compete with the new patent process. This is an age of improvement, and the industries of the world move at light- ning speed, controlled by men whose brains are on fire with th& activities of life, born of thought well beaten like gold. The soil where Colfax is located is of the black sandy loam varie- ty, and the same west, northwest, and southwest. East of the rail- way track along the Wild Rice river is a heavier soil. There is a large amount of rich vegetable mould in all the lands of the Red River Valley. Where there is a mixture of sand it is a warmer soil , and for a variety of crops is considered the best, especially for corn, oats, small fruit, and vegetables. The flat hea\^ lands along the riv- ers are considered the best for wheat, and a stronger soil. There are but few acres in Richland County, however, but what with good cul- tivation will richly repay the tiller of the soil. There are excellent chances in this locality to secure good wheat and grass lands. The booming time for most towns in Dakota that have passed through one COLFAX. 77 fever boom is ended, and the towns along the railway lines must grow, perhaps, less rapidly, jbut much more healthy as the country improves in wealth around them. A patient, after having a high run of fever, is in great danger of having sinking spells and congestive chills, unless carefully watched and the right kind of remedies time- ly administered. In the business world, when the booming spirit runs high, it is very safe to calculate that there will take place, sooner or later, a business chill. If all necessary remedies are at hand and used at the right time , many business disasters may be avoided. Busi- ness, however, like water, finds its proper level periodically, and all the financial and commercial doctors in the world have not learned yet "the how" to steer clear of the breakers and rocky shores when the waves run high. Even a Jay Cooke with all of his experience in in financial piloting, not only for himself, but for the government, did not get into harbor where there were safe moorings as soon as he ex- pected. While there are thousands of business men who with all their push and vim in financial matters have failed, and many now suffering, we have thought that these very men were entitled to a great deal of credit from the fact that just such men keep the com- mercial world in motion, and even although they may fail, many get on their feet again in short order and push to the front. Judging from the present indications, from a business stand point, we think there must be, in the the near future, a healthy business revival, but it will be of the conservative, discriminating kind. It seems that for months business stagnation has not been confined to any particular locality, but in fact it has been felt in all the civilized portions of the world. It is one of the great causes that is now disturbing old Eng- land, Germany, Kussia, Austria, Italy, and Spain. All are anxious for a healthy business reformation. 78 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. -DEALER IN H pr: H 11 H Orelers promptly filled and hay shipped to any point on railway lines. THie Nutritious Grasses of Kichlaiicl County are un- surpassed, &OLFAX, - - - DAKOTA. Olivei* I>a>icls«;on, And Steam Eleyator Manager, For Cargill Brotliers. An expert at the business, popular with the farmers,and has a big run. Golf 0,03 s - - McchaCa^ CAKGILL BROS., PROPRIETORS OF THE 9MiM miM Mm m Lar^e Dealers in Wheat. HLIGHEST PRICES F»^ID, COLFAX, - - - DAKOTA. JAMES S. STACK, SEAL ISTATE J^GENT All papers in realty transactions, final proof, and conveyancing made out on short notice and according; to law. COLFAX. DAKOTA. COLFAX. 19 PETER STEOHAUER, =^ 1W '^M 1W All kinds of work done in the best and most substantial style. Repairing a specialty. COLFAX, DAKOTA. 1#J KANUTE GUNNESS, IP 31 J m And Machinist. Sjjecial attention given to repairing plows and farm macliinery. ALL WORK WARRANTED. Colfax, - - - Dakota. M. M. CMANJDjAJLIL, vm w^mwrnsmm im ISToteir-y F"u.TDlio, -AND- u ICE OF THE PEAC H Improved and' unimproved lands for sale at reasonable rates. Any information respecing lands and the advantages offered to settlers freely given. COLFAX, DAKOTA, 80 HISTOET OF RICHLAND COUNTY. H. E. Crandall, -DEALER IN- Dry Goods and Groceries, HAEDWAKE, CROCKERY and TINWARE, BOOTS AND SHOES, HATS, CAPS, BEADY MADE CLOTHING, I3Pe.XJC3-S AND l^EXDIOinSTES. Paints, Oils, Books, and Stationer ALSO PROPRIETOR OF r^^ -mtr^Mfr^imw m 1^)1 And Postmaster. COLFAX, - . . DAKOTA. JOHN H. LEWIS, THE EFFICIENT Station and Express Agent Tele8:rai>h Operator, and Book Keeper. In tlie enii3loy of tiie Ooiiipanr tor two j eai-s, COLFAX, - . DAKOTA. WALCOTT, Walcott is located on the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba Railway — Breckenridge Extension, twenty-seven miles northwest from Wahpeton, twenty-five miles southwest from Fargo, and two hundred and forty-four miles northwest from St. Paul. It is within some live miles of the Sheyenne River, about four miles west of the Wild Rice, and nine miles west of the Red River. It was located in the year 1880 by Frank E. Walcott, and surveyed by J. W. Blan- ding, Esq., and the village j^lat recorded in the month of January, 1880. The location of this town is in a good section of wheat and grass lands and surrounded by a farming community that has fur- nished a good business from the beginning. The soil where the vil- lage is located is a dark sandy loam, warm and productive, but along the rivers the soil is heavier, consisting of a black vegetable mould rejnited for the growth of No. 1 hard, and yet, as the prairie lands away from the rivers are being more thoroughly cultivated and drained the crops are growing better every year, and for a variety of crops — mixed farming, the black sandy loam land of Richland County is unsurpassed. Stock raising in the vicinity of AValcott is receiving more attention every year as well as in other parts of the county, and this industry is bound to be one of the leading ones in the Red River Valley. As a wheat market and place of business Walcott has been one of the best from the beginniiig. The leading men of the town, who at the first began business operations at this point when it required strength, nerve, vim, and capital, when there • was a broad expanse of wild prairie land, a grand play ground for the antics and breezy freaks of old King Boreas, when the country was sparcely settled and many would inquire, "Where are our customers coming from?" were the following: Frank E. Davis, Gilbertson, Nipstad, Hagen, Helling, Judy & Furber, Steelhammer, C. W. Childs, Brunson & Johnson, and others, who from the beginning and since that time have been among the most active business factors of this lively town. The following summary of the business represented and carried on at Walcott tells its own story: It has two steam elevators, Avhere there are thousands of bushels of No. 1 hard marketed every year. The M. and D. Elevator has a capacity of 30,000 bushels, the North- .w astern elevator, 30,000 bushels ; H. M. Kellogg, general merchan- 82 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. dise; Johnson & Co., general store; Exchange Hotel, C. AV. Childs, proprietor; Scandinavian Hotel, H. B. Home, proprietor; meat mar- ket, C. AV. Childs; farm machinery, represented by three active agents, H. M. Kellogg, C. Gilbertson, and Nipstad Bros.; black- smith, A. G. Steelhammer; milliner, Mrs. Hendricks; drugstore. Dr. J. H. Johnson; hardware, furniture, etc., Frank E. Davis, agent; carpenters, K. Thompson, K. O. Garness ; post-office, F. E. Walcott, P. M., also notary public and express agent; H. B. Rome, station agent; also three saloons. The members of the Walcott brass band know how to use their horns artistically. Walcott has suffered, since her establishment as a business point, a heavy loss by fire ; one large hotel, on the south of the track, built by F. E. Walcott, where pas- sengers took their breakfast for months, also one of the steam ele- vators, which has been rebuilt, besides a commodious depot that Avent uj) in smoke, and now rebuilt. The country around Walcott as well as other towns along the railway lines has improved greatly during the past six years, notwithstanding the late death of the big boom. At the present time it is still more encouraging for a healthy growth in the future. At Walcott there is a fine school house where in the past there have been religious services and a flourishing Sunday school. For some months they have had no pastor. The village of Walcott is incorporated, and the schools and town government are carried on and conducted according to the specifications and grants .of their charter. WALCOTT. 83- JOHNSON & C03IPANY, Dealers in Dry Goods, Groceries, Boots, Shoes, Hats and Caps, Ready ]\{Iade Clotliirig. Walcott, . - - - Dakota. JAMES KOGERS, ^®i^ xT^tZ <■- iraiLI r^w- AND A Faithful Worker and Time Observer. Walcott, - - _ Dakota. rHAlVIi: IK. WALCOTT, Original Town Proprietor, C^l . jC J. C^f' IN'otai^y Fiiblic, Postmaster and Collection Agent. Steamship Tickets Sold, Etc. WATLOOTT, - - - I>AI£OTA.. i^ o; C ^V. CHILI>S5«, IPi-opi-ietoi-, A good place to stop. Special attention given to the wants of cus- tomers. A liberal patronage solicited. TKIRMS REA-SOISr^BLE. Also proj)rietor of City Livery Stable ^) ]>d:eat Market Walcott, - - - Dakota.. 84 HISTORY OP RICHLAND COUNTT, Dealer in all kinds of Farm Machinery, WAGONS and CARRIAGES. All customers will find a full line of goods at reasonable rates. Give us a call and we will satisfy you as it regards quality and price. "Walcott, - - - I>tiliota, .A.. Cr. HteelliaiTiniei illT ILlOl ! fiHBIi i Mi Special attention given to Horse Shoeing, Plow and Machinery Repairing. A lively nickel better than a slow dime. TT^LCOTT, - - . DAKOTA- STATION AND EXPRESS AGENT. TELEGRAPH OPERATOR, In the employ of the company thirteen years, also proprietor of the Scandinavian hotel, where all guests are well cared for. Ta- \ bles well supplied, clean beds and a homelike resort. Walcott. - - - Dakota.. DEALER IN Hats and Caps, Boots and Shoes, Groceries, and Crockeiyware, Also a general dealer in farm machinery, etc. WAIiCOTT, - - DAKOTA. WALCOTT. 85^ J§. A. HEBEL., IS' f AND WHEAT BUYER Village Clerk, School Secretary. Wl^AlLCCDTT, - - MAlKdDlPA. Walcott Hardware and Furniture Store, EI?,j\TSrii E. I>.^"\^IS, .^g-ent. A full line of At reasonable prices. Farmers and all avIio desire goods in oi^r line will be liberally dealt with. Walcott, Dakota. J. H. JOHNSON, M. D., Also Proprietor of m '^M^W'' Prescriptions carefully i)ut up, and professional calls l)romptly answered. Walcott, Dakota. NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY, The Wadena and Fergus Falls branch of this great trunk line from St. Paul and Duluth to the Pacific Coast was the second road to enter Wahpeton and pass through the country almost directly west. It is another competing line to the great grain centers o£ the East, and is of incalculable advantage to Piichland County, Wahpeton its county seat, and the towns located along its line, and will enhance the value of real estate in the county many thousands of dollars. No doubt but that in the near future this line will be pushed beyond Milnor and soon touch the eastern bank of the great Missouri River, and eventually will have a continuous route to Southwestern Dakota, when millions of gold and sih'er and precious metals will be brought out of their hiding places and help to make up the immense traffic that must pass over this anticipated but projected highway of com- merce to the great objective points towards sunrise. A company that has accomplished such herculean feats in build- ing a great trunk line from the points we have mentioned to the Pacific slope, in the face and eyes of destructive financial panics such as the world never witnessed before, and many oi3stacles that were not in the count of general railway possibilities, surely has the abil- ity, when the time comes, to extend its iron arms to the Black Hills, giving them a very Avarm commercial embrace that will put a new business life into that far away but very rich jiart of our grand territorial empire. A railroad company that has a grant from the government of near 50,000,000 acres of land can do even more than this. When this is accomplished, the inhabitants of this county will realize more than ever the worth of this great branch of this great anaconda railway that nearly spans the American continent. Then all will begin to realize the true significance that was foreshadowed when it entered the eastern portals of our county, and passed on to shake hands with our western neighboring city, Milnor, and looking to the objective points above mentioned. The following report was furnished by assistant General Manager Odell, concerning the shipments from the different stations for the last ]S^OETIIERN PACIFIC RAILWAY. 87 fiscal year, ending June 30, 1885. From Walipeton, 73,403 bushels; Ellsworth, 96,003 bushels; Fairview, 142,583 bushels; Mooreton, 87,496 bushel; Barney, 15,300 bushels; Wyndmere, 57,760 bushels; mak- ing a total for the fiscal year of 472,545 bushels. The total amount shipped from the said stations commencing July 1 and ending Novem- ber 30, 1885, five months inclusive, is as follows: Wahpeton, 4,710 bushels; Ellsworth, 49,446 bushels; Fairview, 61,220 bushels; Moore- ton, 73,925 bushels; Barney, 16,275 bushels; AVyndmere, 32,216 bushels; making a total for five months of 237,832; for seventeen months, 709,377 bushels. Capacity of the elevators and warehouses at stations on the Northern Pacific, Fergus, and Black Hills Railroad in Kichland County: AVahpeton, 30,000 bushels; Ellsworth, 20,000; Fairview, 60,- 000; Mooreton, 25,000; Barney, 15,000; Wyndmere, 55,0000; total, 205,000 bushels. LIST OF LANDS OWNED BY THE NORTHERN PACIFIC li. E. CO. TERMS OF SAT.E. One-sixth down, remainder in five equal annual installments, with 7 per cent interest. No discount for cash. The preferred stock of the Company will be received at par in payment of principal or interest. A rebate of one dollar per acre will be made for the area broken and put under cultivation within the first two years after sale, or up to time of final payment, if such pajanent be made before the expir- ation of said two years. The amount of such rebate must be deduct- ed from the last payment on the land, and no rebate will be allowed for breaking done after full payment has been made. The Company reserves 400 feet for right of wayalong ii;s main line, or 200 feet for any branch or ojjerated line that may be built ■across this land; also reserves the right to take Avater from, over, or through the land sold. Purchasers will be required to fence the right of way of the main, branch, or operated lines of the Company, when built across these lands. The "ratings" shown on this list are those fixed by the Laud Examiners to show the quality of the land, the best land being rated a,s 1, and the poorest as 5. Prices subject to change without notice. To purchase these lands, apply to R. J. WEMYSS, Gen'l Land Agent, St. Paul, Minn. m HISTORY OF RICHLAND (TOUNTY. TART OF SECTION. 4^ ■2 2 If 1 3 2i 2i 2| 2i 2 2* 1| 2 1^ n 2 1| 2i ■2-J 21 1§ 2i 3 u u ll 1* 2| 3 3H 3Jr 3| west half oi: northwest quarter ~~~~ southwest quarter, northwest quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, northeast quarter, nw quarter, sw quarter, and se quarter, east half of southeast quarter, southwest quarter of southwest quarter, northeast quarter, southwest quarter and southeast quarter, whole, sw quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, ne quarter, northwest quarter, and northeast quarter, south half of southwest quarter, northwest quarter, southeast quarter, northwest quarter, ne quarter, se quarter and sw quarter, northwest quarter, east half of southeast quarter, northeast quarter of northwest quarter, southeast quarter and southwest quarter, northeast quarter and northwest quarter, northeast quarter and southeast quarter, northwest quarter, southwest quarter, whole, ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, whole, whole, se quarter, ne quarter, sw quarter, nw quarter, ne quarter, nw qurater, se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, northeast quarter, nw quarter, se quarter and sw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, 3i;ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, 3^ine quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter E Acres Price per Acre. 3^ ne quarter, n^v quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, Si 2^ 3 ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, ne quarter, northeast quarter, southeast quarter, southwest quarter, northwest quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, o 5 29 3 5 5 15 15 3 3 5 7 9 13 17 25 25 29 29 ■do 35 :l 1 5 il31 it 132 131 132 133 47 80, 160 160 643, 161. 481, 80 40 160. 320 563. 618. 320 80 160 160 160 480 160 80 40 320 318, 321, 160 160 634, 160 640 636 640 640 640 640 640 160. 480 642 641. 623 640 640 640 640 640 633, 160 "i320 "1160 "i640 24 F,9 28 7. 7. 7.50 10. 10. 9. 10. 8. 10. 10. 10. 10. 8. 8.50 8. 8.50 10. 10. 10. 9.50 9. 5. 10. 8. 6. 10. 10. 10. 10. 10. 6.25 6. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 7. 5. 6.50 5. NORTHERN PACIFIC LANDS. 89- PART OF SECTION. S T R Acres 3 |sw quarter, ne quarter, se quarter, 2i^! northwest quarter, 3 ise quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, 3 se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, '2| northeast quarter, northwest quarter, 2| southeast quarter, southwest quarter, 2'i se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, 2^^ se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, 3 northeast quarter, 2^ northwest quarter, 2 'I north half of northwest quarter, 2 w half of se quarter, se quarter, of se quarter 2ie half of sw quarter, sw quarter of sw quarter 2ine quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, |1.> 2 I southwest quarter, 23 9, south half of northwest quarter, l-^-^ 133 125 25 27 29 31 31 33 35 7|134 7 " 521480 160 640 Price per Acre. 2i 3' 2^ 3 3-1 2l 3 3 ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, whole, whole, whole, whole, +111 ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, 11 whole, ,, whole, 2^ ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, 3 I whole, 2^:northeast quarter, 2'|sontheast quarter, 3 Iwhole, 2i ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, 2|- se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, 3n,ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, 3;^ine quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, 49 50 51 3 3 3 2 91" n half, ne quarter and se quarter, ne quarter, s half of se quarter, ne quarter of se quarter, w half, nw quarter and ne quarter nw quarter, w half, sw quarter and se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, northeast quarter and northwest quarter, southeast quarter and southwest quarter, ^., northeast quarter and northwest quarter, 2i southeast quarter and southwest quarter, 3'inortheast quarter and nortliwest quarter, 2=^ 'southeast quarter and southwest quarter, se quarter, sw quarter and nw quarter, northeast quarter and northwest quarter, southeast quarter and southwest quarter, se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, northeast quarter, 2Jf 3 3 2-1 15 17 19 21 25 25 27 31 1 3 5 7 7 7 7 9 11 11 13 13 15 15 17 19 19 21 23 640 319.67 319.87 640 640 160 178.76 80 120 120 628.06 160 80 640.50 637.48 633.34 634.40 640 640 640 640 634.78 640 660 660 660 "1637.80 521638.98 641.36 642.24 120 120 106.20 106.84 640 320 320 320 320 320 320 480 307.99 308.07 640 160 6.50 7. 6. 6. 7.50 7. 7. 7. 6. 7. 10. 10. 10. 8. 8. 6. 5. 5.50 5. 5. 6. 5. 5. 6. 5.50 5.50 6.50 5. 7. 6.50 6. 5. 6. 6. 6. 7. 6. 6.50 6.75 6.75 6.50 6. 6.50 6.50 7. 6. 6. 6.50 90 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY • 0) be p PART OF SECTION. S T E Acres Price per Acre. 3 southeast quarter, i23 134 '5"2 160 6. 2i northwest quarter, 23 a 1 (( 1160 7. 32 southwest quarter, 23 u " 160 5. 3i se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, 25 a 1 ii 1 ,640 5. ^ se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, 27 a i " '640 5. 4 se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, 29 a (1 ,640 4. 4 se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter. 31 a " 620.02 4. 3| se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter. 33 it li 640 5. 4 ne quarter, nw quarter, se quarter, svr quarter, 35 11 11 640 4. 3 west half of northwest quarter, 1 135 50 82.36 5. 3 southwest quarter. 1 a (£ 160 5. 3| whole, 3 li li 641.04 5. 3 whole, 11 a 11 640 5. 3 whole, 13 iC 11 640 5. ^ north half of northeast quarter. 25 a 11 80 6. 2i north half of northwest quarter, 25 a 11 80 6. 3^ northwest quarter aiid southwest quarter. 3 a 51 323.51 5. 3^ northeast quarter, 5 a u 163.38 450 4 sw quarter of nw quarter, w half of sw quarter, and se quarter of sw quarter, 5 " (( 160 4.50 3-i whole. 7 a li 62496 4.50 3 whole. 9 a 11 640 450 3 southeast quarter and west half, 15 a 11 480 5. 3i whole, 17 iC li 640 4.50 3 whole. 19 a ii 628.56 5. 2f whole, 21 u 11 640 5. 2^ whole. 29 a 11 640 5. 2^ whole. 31 a li 633.76 5. 22 se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter. 33 a ii 640 5.50 4 e half, sw quarter, and s half of nw quarter. 1 li 52 560.78 4. 4 southwest quarter of northeast quarter. 3 a " 40 4. 4 southeast quarter. 3 a li 160 4. 4 southeast quarter of northwest quarter. 3 u ii 40 4. 4 w half of sw quarter, se quarter of sw quarter. 3 a 11 120 4. 4 s half of ne quarter, nw quarter of ne quarter, 7 a 11 120 4. 4 northwest quarter and south half, 7 a u 435.68 4. 4 whole. 9 a 11 640 4. 3f whole, 11 a a 640 4. 4 whole. 13 li ii 640 4. 4 whole. 15 ii ii 640 4. 4 whole. 17 a (1 640 4. 4 whole. 19 a a 600.16 4. 4 whole. 21 a 11 640 4. 3i whole, 23 li ii 640 4. 2| whole. 25 a li 640 5. 3| west half and southeast quarter, 27 ii 11 480 4. 4 whole. 29 ii 11 640 4. 3^ whole. 31 ii 11 607.36 4. 3| whole, 33 li a 640 4. NORTHERN PACIFIC LANDS. 91 PART OF SECTION. s Price R Acres per Acre n 3 2 21 3" 3i 4 3 3 3 3 24 4 4 4 4 'a 31 2! 2i|northeast quarter and southeast quarter, 35jl35 3^lnortliwest quarter and southwest quarter, 351 " 3 s half of nw quarter and sw quarter, 15 136 4 southwest quarter, 17! " 3 whole, 19j " 4 sw quarter of nw quarter and sw quarter, 2l| " whole, 29 whole, 31 whole, 33 northeast quarter, 7 southeast quarter and northwest quarter, 7 southwest quarter, 7 northeast quarter, 9 southeast quarter, 9 northeast quarter of southeast quarter, 11 southwest quarter of northwest quarter, 11 northwest quarter of southwest quarter, 11 south half of southeast quarter, 13 3||northeast quarter and northwest quarter, 15 3|- n half of se quarter, sw quarter of se quarter, 15 3| n half of sw quarter, sw quarter of sw quarter, 15 3 se quarter, ne quarter, nw quarter, 17 3 east half of southwest quarter, 17 2| s half of sw quarter, nw quarter of sw quarter, 19 southeast quarter, 23 se quarter, sw quarter, ne quarter, 27 south half of northwest quarter, 27 south half of southeast quarter, 31 south half of southwest quarter, 31 3^! south half of northeast quarter, ' 33 3^ southeast quarter and southwest quarter, 33 3-J; south half of northwest quarter, 33 2h northeast quarter, 35 northwest quarter, 35 s half of se quarter, ne quarter of se quarter, 15 south half, 25 52 320 15.50 "1320 1 4. 51 50240 "|l60 622.14 200 640 618.08 640 160 279.40 119.64 160 160 40 40 40 80 i320 120 120 480 80 87.49 160 480 80 80 b. 4.50 4.50 4.50 5. 5. 4.50 7. 6.50 6.25 5. 7. 5. 5. 5. 5. 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 6.50 6.50 4.50 4.50 I 4.50 75.101 4.50 80 320 80 160 160 52,120 ^'320 4.50 4.50 4.50 6. 4.50 5. 5. The terms offered by this comi:)aiiy, as above stated , will prove to be to any jjurchaser about as liberal as the terms offered by the gov- ernment; especially when all the disadvantages are tfdcen into con- sideration in securing a patent, put through the regular government mill, and all the red tape requirements of the same. Within the lim- its of the government grant to this company, all persons are required to pay the maximum price, §2.50 per acre, instead of the minimum price $1.25 per acre. The rulings of the land commissioners of late as it respects entries or filings on public lands are a source of a great deal of distraction, causing a delay in securing titles which is work- ing a great injury to many. MOORETON. This station on tlie Northern Pacific and Black Hills Railway, is twelve miles west of "Wahpeton and bears the name of Hugh Moore, Esq., proprietor of the Antelope Farm. It is situated in the midst of a fine agricultural district and one of the best wheat stations on this line in the county. The town plat was recorded on the 17th day of June, 1884. It has a fine elevator and one patent roller flowering mill run by steam under the careful management of Mr. J. M. Kra- mer; two wheat warehouses, one hotel, one Catholic church, one store of general merchandising, two saloons, and two blacksmith shops. Mr. Butala settled at this point in 1882, and has been en- gaged in mercantile business ever since. Mrs. Butala, the devoted wife and affectionate mother, was killed by lightning during a thun- der storm in the summer of 1885, leaving an interesting family of children and a sadly afflicted husband. All were standing near her side in the upper story of the store building where Mr. Butala and family lived, Avhen the unexpected summons came. The Catholic church at Mooreton was erected in 1884, and there are some twelve families who are connected therewith. The prosperity of this sta- tion depends largely on the individual efforts of those who ought to be particularly interested. ANTELOPE FARM. Hugh Moore, Proprietor, contains 5,000 acres, with 2,500 under cultivation. The land is a warm, sandy loam and well adapted to variety of crops. Expects to engage in stock industry, raising the short horn breed. Has now 200 head and will increase his herd to 1,000, and reduce the acreage of wheat to about 1,000 acres. This farm is situated on the Antelope Creek. There are about fifteen buildings on this farm well constructed and sui'rounded by a fine grove, maple^ ash, Mountain oak, spruce and evergreens, with a nice ANTELOPE FARM. 9S plant of small fruits, currents, gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc. One barn, 30x120, one 32x80, one 25x40, one granary and office 40x45, men's quarters 20x30 with addition 16x20. There is a large pig pen, poultry house and root cellar, also a blacksmith shop where the work of the farm is done. The residence is a double house, one 20x24, the other 20x36. The farmers cottage 20x24 with a conven- ient addition. Mr. Moore is from NeAvburgh, N. Y., and since he as- sumed the proprietorship and superintendency of this large farm has taken sjjecial pains to make this large capital plant a success. The crops growing on this place in 1885 and just ready for harvest was nearly all destroyed by a hail storm that was unusually severe at this point, although not wide spread. The loss was carefully estimated at $20,000. However, Mr. Moore is not discouraged, but full of am- bition to make up his loss in the near future by the "try, try again," go-a-headitiveness, principle. No doubt but that success for the fu- ture years will fully make up for past short comings. No man has been more thoroughly imbued with a public spirit than the j^roprie- tor of the Antelope Farm. This plantation is about two miles north- west from Mooreton, a station on the Northern Pacific Railway, where Mr. Moore is largely interested, having built a patent roller flouring mill that is now being run successfully. Proprietor of the Mooreton Steam Roller Mills. Capacity Seventy-five Barrels Per Day. The flour made at this mill is of a superior qualit}' and the volume of business is i: creasing. A fine elevator in connection with this mill where many thousand bushels of wheat are marketed every year. MOORETOJy, - - - DAKOTA. MATTHIAS BUTALA, Dealer in Ready Made Clothing, Boots, Shoes, Crockery, Hardware. Also buys and sells wheat, and carries on a full line of business necessary in a farming district. Prices as low as tlie times will permit. MOORETOJf, - - - -. DAKOTA. WYNDMERE. Wynclmere is the most westerly station in E,ichland Connty, sit- uated in the township of Dexter, on the Northern Pacific Railway about twenty-six miles west of Wahpeton, the county seat. The orig- inal town plat was filed on the 16th day of January, 1884, located on the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 12, town- ship 132 north, of range 52 west; Joseph D. Meyer, proprietor, J. Hansman, proprietor of the addition to the original townsite, filed his plat for record on the 27th day of May 1884. AVyndmere is a central trading point for a large section of excellent grass and wheat lands. In this locality farming lands can be bought at reasonable rates, from four to ten dollars an acre, and there are many fine open- ings for stock raising, besides wheat growing, where the grasses are of the most nutritious varieties. The many tons of buffalo bones that have been gathered and shipped from this locality^ are sure evi- dence that these animals knew where their best pasture lands were located. There are two stores of general merchandise at this point, where a large amount of goods are sold annually; good hotel accom- modations in the large section house, kept by Mr. Tilley, one l)lack- smitli shop and one saloon. Hilliard Borthers sells farm machinery at reasonable rates. There is a very commodious depot at Wynd- mere. ■ The steam elevator at this point has a capacity sufficient for the needs of the place. Nearly all the wheat shipped over this line of railway finds a market at Dulutli. For the next ten years the im- provements in this town and the surrounding country must be very encouraging. The Hilliard Brothers, W. H. Morgan, the Carltons, Barnes, aiid others are laboring to accomplish this hopeful result. There is no school house at Wyndmere, but Mrs. Capt. Wilcox is em- ployed as the efficient teacher, who occujjies a school room, provided by the school board, and is devoting her time to the thorough training of the students. A good school-house will soon be built, which is greatly needed. ^HILLIARD^BROTHERS, ' Dealers in DRY GOODS, GROCERIES, Hardware, Boots, Shoes, Hats, Caps, Tobacco, Cigars, and Notions. Also Flour, Feed, and Fuel. WYJVDMERE, - - - DAKOTA. AVTXDMEEE. 95' LEWIS PFOFFENBACK, ill All work done in a workuiaulike manner. Special attention given to HOFISE SHOEIl^TO. Plow and farm machinery repairing. Als— Postmaster, Justice of the Peace, and Notary Public. FAIRMOUNT, DAKOTA. JOHNSON & TWETO. PROPRIETORS OF -fef Plenty of room for all the guests. Tables well supx^lied, and special pains taken to accommodate customers. AMMm^mOMMTLm, IBAMBTA. FO.^7 ABERCROMBIE. There is no plac i vvitliin the bounds of Eichland County, and, in fact, none in the Northwest, that has more historic facts and interest cdustering around it than Fort Abercronibie. It has a military record that is exceedingly interesting; but all of its history never can be written only in what might be called a fragmentary style. And if we can only gather up the most important fragments, they even will be read with great interest by those Avho desire to know more of frontier life and the early dawn of advancing civilization that seems to be marching wdth quickened pace towards the golden sunset lands of the far West. It seems almost impossible to realize that but a few years ago there was such an important military i)ost as Fort Abercrombie, that figured so largely in the settlement of the country, having been a point where millions of supplies were shipped from St. Paul; where many soldiers were stationed, commanded by officers of the Government who made a grand record for themselves; a place where the maddened warlike Sioux besieged the citadel with the flourish of tomahawk and war-club and the ringing volleys of the best riiles made in America , as they, from ambush and tree-top, used them with the precision of trained sharp-shooters, making many brave Ameri- cans bite the dust; and that now there is hardly a trace or sign of those important events. The fort has disappeared, and so have many that were engaged in the conflicts. The old military reservation is now covered with farm-houses , and the tillers of the soil with plow^ and harrow^ are making the soil laugh with golden harvests; and the X^lace wdiere the United States cavalry a few years ago made the eai-th trenil:)le with their furious haste to meet the foe; where the skulking Sioux with their war paint meant, mischief; where the thousands of buffalo roamed at i)leasure, now can be heard the hum, rattle, and music of farm machinery; and the military camps have given way to growing towns and cities, and instead of the Indian war-whoop we now hear the shrill whistle of the steam engine, as it passes over the iron track, with its villages on wheels heavily freighted with the traveling thousands w^io, in palace cars, are crowding our great North- west to find homes and business worth looking after. Fort Abercrombie was established in 1858, on the west bank of the Eed Eiver, now in Eichland County, and about fifteen miles from where Wahpeton is located. The post was abandoned after an occu- pancy of a little over a year, and the property sold at a great sacrifice. FOET ABERCKOMBIE. 103 It was rebuilt in July, 1860, under command of Major Day. In July, 1861, the major with his two companies were ordered to AVashington. Major Markham with his two companies took command. In 1862 all full regiments were ordered south to join the United States forces, and Captain Inman, a Baptist clergyman, was the next in command, with companies from the 4th regiment, stationed at Fort Snelling. He soon left for the front, crossing the Red River on the ice, and Captain Yanderhock, with two companies of the 5tli Minnesota voL unteers, took command. On the 19th day of August, 1862, the Indian massacre began at the old town of Breckeinidge, where the hotel was burned and a number lost their lives, among them one by the name of Russell. In cue week the attack was made on the Fort. The stage-driver, Charlie Snell, was killed in the hotel at Brecken- ridge, and, a chain being fastened around his body, the Indians dragged it around the well with demon hate until a deep path was made by the repeated operation. The Saskatchewan and Fort Garry mail bags 'weve gutted and the mail scattered in every direction over the prairie; mail from the McKenzie River was also intercepted. The soldiers, with Judge McCauley, gathered up as much of the mail as possible, and it was forwarded to its destination. A family at " Old Crossing," on the Otter Tail sixteen miles from Breckenridge, was at- tacked, and a man by the name of Scott was killed; his mother was badly wounded, but was brought to the Fort and cared for until she- fully recovered. A boy about twelve years oi age was captured by the Sioux and carried into captivity, but finally ransoined through the agency of a Catholic priest, and sent to St. Louis to his grandparents. It is reported that Mr. Stone and Judge McCauley weie lodging together in the Fort when there was an alarm that the Indians were about making an attack, and all were up and ready in a short time. None were more deliberate and thoughtful at this time than Judge McCauley, who got out of bed and carefully attended to his toilet, putting on his paper collar with excellent precision and correct adjustment of neck-tie, when the announcement was made that the alarm was false. " No doubt," he said, " I was impressed that it was unnecessary to hurry much." The Judge has heard of his respect for toilet many times since; it is a good joke, but he takes it all in good part. At this time some seventy persons had come to seek pro- tection in the fort, and all were ordered to do military duty. A train of seventy teams with Indian goods and supplies that was going to Red Lake came to the Fort for protection, and all the men were organized into a company. It was estimated that there Avere 1,500 Indians surrounding the Fort waiting for a good chance to make a furious assault For weeks there had been no mail from St. Paul or 104 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. the outside world, and everybody was anxious to know the facts about the extent of the Indian massacre and the progress of the Rebellion. A In-ave citizen by the name of AY alter S. Hill offered to take the chances of carrying the mail to St. Paul, providing he could lie fur- nished with a fleet horse and an escort of soldiers to protect him until he was out on the broad prairie beyond the strip of woods on the creek east of McCauleyville. A call was made for volunteers to act as an escort, and thirty-two responded to the call. At this time there were Indians in ambush just across the river from the Fort, and some had been using their sharp-shooters from the tops of trees. An attack on the outward bound escort was expected, but all was still and not the turn of a leaf was heard. Hill was soon flying toward St. Paul with his fleet charger, loaded with news from afar for many anxious ones who had become weary of looking in vain for many long weeks. Hill was successful in his undertaking. As the escort was returning, an attack was made on the brave thirty-two, and two of the number were shot, Edward AYright and a soldier by the name of Shulty, and the remainder scattered and came straggling into the fcn-t as best thej^ could. /_Mr. Shulty, when found, had his head cut off', also his arms and legs, and he had been disembowelled liy the incar- nate demons, his head being coflined in the abdominal cavity. Mr. Y^'^right was also badly mutilated, and his father was exceedingly furious at the post commander because he had not prevented the awful tragedy from taking place. At one time a party was organized to go and drive in stock that was some twelve miles below the ferry crossing. A half-breed Chippewa gave a war-whoop which was well understood by the Sioux, and he Avas riddled Avith bullets. A Mr. Lull was in advance, and was shot through the leg. All turneil back without venturing farther. The firm of Harris, AYliitford «.V: Bently, who were engaged in the transportation of goods from St. Paul to this point and thence by flat-l)oat to Fort Garry, had a farm south of Al)ercrombie on the Minnesota side. This was in 1862. They put in the government herd fourteen yoke of oxen and eight head of horses for protection; but the wily Sioux surrounded and took posses- sion of them by driving them to the Indian headquarters. The total number of the herd was three hundred. The first attack having been made, Mr. AYhitford, in company with Mr. Harris, was killed on his way from Fort Garry to Fort Abercrombie. He had .'5o,000 of the Hudson Bay Company's drafts. This firm was ruined by the loss of $14,000; afterward, however, the government paid the company $9,000. The Fort was besieged full seven weeks, when about 2,000 men under Ca}:4^ain Burger came to relieve the imprisoned and strengthen the fort. On the return of a part of this force to St. Paul FORT ABEPiCIlOMBIE, 105 .about seventy -live Avomen and children were transported. It appears tliat Edward A. Stokes, the man Avho assassinated Jim Fiske, had been out on the plains hunting, and he came to the Fort with others for protection, and was Avith the escort Avhicli was under military protec- tion enroute for St. Paul. Truly wonders will never cease! There were four companies left at the Fort to protect it after the escort had left, which took place in October, 18G2. Captain Burger vras relieved, and Major Camp took command; he was shortly relieved by Captain Chamberlin of Hatch's battallion, who was finally superseded by General C. P. Adams, now of Hastings, Minnesota, who was in com- mand until 1866. Then Major Hall, of the 10th United States In- fantry, took command, and General Adams was ordered back to be mustered out of the service. The United States mail was carried under military escort until the year 1866. The fort was kept up un- til 1877, when it was abandoned, and in 1878 the government buildings were sold and scattered over the prairie, where, with repairs, they made homes for some of the early settlers. The following-named persons were the post commanders at Fort Abercrombie from the time of its establishment until it was aban- doned: General Abercrombie, Major Day, Captain Markham, Captain Inman, Captain Vanderhock, Captain Burger, Captain Pettier, Major. Camp, Captain Chamberlin, General C. P. Adams, Captain Whitcomb, Major Hall, and General Slidell. Changes were frequent at first be- cause all were needed south as fast as they could be spared. The military cemetery near the Fort was the resting jjlace of many who had laid down their arms forever, and not a few think it would have been much more in keeping with the fitness of things i£ the ground had been i^urchased by the government, and the city of the dead put in order and a monument erected in memory of the fallen heroes, and all surrounded with an iron fence. The govern- ment, however, carefully exhumed and removed the remains to Fort Lincoln. Seventy-three graves were opened, and all that remained of the earthly tabernacles was placed in pine boxes and transported to the cemetery on the Missouri slope. Colonel Tyner, with great care and tender affection, superintended the removal of the remains of the departed; and noAv the place where our country's brave defenders slept for a season is furrowed by the plov,^ for the production of wheat and other grains. John Haslehurst, deceased, an early settler, was born in Oneida 'County, Nev/ York, in the year 1833, and died September 6, 1881. He Avas post trader and postmaster at Fort Abercrombie, wdiere he settled in 1875. He was Notary Public, County Commissioner, Judge 106 HISTORY OF RICHLAND GOUNTY. of Probate, Clerk of tlie Court, and Justice of the Peace. His remains were interred in the government burial ground at the Fort; but at the time the sqri.diers' remains were removed to Fort Lincoln his were taken to Minneapolis and buried in Lakewood Cemetery, The new town of Abercrombie is located on the Fargo & South- ern railway line — a part of the great railroad system of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, about one-lialf mile west of the Fort Abercrombie grounds and the old ferry waterway. The town is about fifteen miles north of Wahpeton and thirty-two miles soutli of Fargo. At this station there are a good depot, steam elevator, two stores, one hardware store, two hotels, one drug store, one meat mar- ket, one blacksmith shop, two lumber yards, one law and justice's office, three farm machinery agencies, and a weekly newspaper just started. The Abercrohihie Scout. There is a good school-house about half a mile south. Eev. AVilliam Edwards, pastor of the Congrega- tional Church, holds regular weekly services in Hutchison's Hall. The society contemplates building a church in the near future, as some hundrecte of dollars have been subscril^ed for the purpose. This church was organized on July 16, 1885, by a council of ministers and laymen from sister churches. The present membership is nineteen. The pastor, William Edwards, formerly of AYalcott, has been labor- ing with this church from its organization till now. The deacons are J. LaValley and E. M. Hackett; church clerk, Mrs. E. M. Hack- ett. It is rather discouraging in all new countries to get all church machinery in mot: on, and yet when the motive power is fully under- stood the battle is h: If fought. Gosx)el leaven is always at work, and its ])rovince is to leaven the entire mass. David McCauley, although living at McCauleyville, Minnesota, opposite the site of old Fort x-Vbercromljie, is one of the best posted men in respect to the history of the Fort there is in the West; and in the write-up of said interesting military post, furnished the editor Avitli many valuable items. Mr. McCauley was born on the 27th da}^ oi: July, 1825, in Merrimac, Hillsborough County, NeA^' Hampshire. He was educated at the Nashua and Hancock high schools. A machin- ist l)y trade, he moved to Boston in 1846, and removed to Manches- ter, New Hampshire, in 18o0, and engaged in the book and stationery and paper-hanging business. In the fall of 1858 he went to St. Paul, riding in a stage from LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and was employed as distributing clerk in the post-office. In 1861 he came to Abercrombie and took charge of the sutler's store, express and post-office business, and Avas post sutler until 1864. Then he settled at McCauleyville FOKT ABERCEOMBIE. 107 and engaged in the mercantile and transportation business, and bought 620 acres of hind located by minor half-lireed scrip, taking quit-claim deeds. When the heirs became o»i' age, the land according to law still belonged to them ; and over 400 acres of this land are still in dispute. Mr. McCauley purchased again from said heirs over 200 acres. In 1867 he built a saw-mill at the Fort costing 5it;l2,000, and run it four years, cutting 5,500,000 feet of lund)er out of logs run down the Otter Tail Eiver into the Eed River. Lumber sold for §40 pev thousand. Lumber from this mill was used in building Forts Pembina, Totten, Ransom, Wadsworth, now Sisseton, and much found a market at Fort Garry. The lumber used in building the first hotel at Moorhead was made at the Fort and sent overland at a cost of iii^SO per thousand. Also that used in Imilding N. K. Hubbard's first store at Moorhead and other buildings. He put up from 800 to 3,000 tons of hay yearly for the government, and from 500 to 3,000 cords of wood. "When the international l)oundary line was being surveyed, all supplies were sent from Fort Abercrombie. The inen employed wintered at the Fort; and there were also 1,800 mules and horses wintered at the same place, consuming 3,000 tons of hay. In fact Fort Abercrombie was the great distributing point for the great Northwest, and the headquarters and center of civilization, under the fostering care of the United States government. Mr. McCauley, hav- ing lived at McCauleyville since the early days, has held important offices, such as court commissioner, county superintendent of schools, town clerk, justice of the peace, and postmaster. JOHN EGGER Settled on the Red River in 1869, moving from Minnesota. He owns in all 480 acres on section 28, the west one-half being railroad land. Over 200 acres are improA-ed. He has a house, barn, and granary, the total cost of which is about $3,000. He is engaged in raising wheat, the greatest yield being 35 bushels per acre, and the least 27 bushels. Mr. Egger has stock and farm machinery in abund- ance. THOMAS C. THORESON, A farmer living half a mile north of Abercrombie, has 160 acres on section 32, town 135, range 48, of which 120 acres are well improved. He has a good house and convenient outbuihliugs. His wheat went 3'^^ bushels to the acre. JOB HERRICK, ^Ylio is a farmer, came from Tioga County, Pennsylvania, and settled in 1868, on his farm, the southwest quarter of section 20 and north- 108 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. east quarter of section 29. His farm is finely situated on tiie Eed Hiver, and lie has 180 acres improved. There is a good house and barn on this farm. The average wheat production is eighteen bush- els per acre. E. M. HACKETT, A farmer, has 160 acres — southwest quarter of section 5, town 134, range 48. One hundred and fifteen acres of this farm are improved. It is supplied with house, granary, and stable; also a famous artesian well, 132 feet in depth, which flows twenty-four gallons a minute. Mr. Hackett settled on his farm the 20th of May, 1879. Mrs. Lydia and Miss Cora A. Sears have nice farms on the southeast quarter of section 6, town 134, range 48, of which eighty acres are improved. Abercrombie, D. T. JOHN WOLD, A farmer, settled in 1871. He has a total of 400 acres, of which 260 are improved, on section 18, town K4, range 48. He has a good house, an extra granary two stories high, and other convemient out- buildings. Stock-raising a specialty. His pasture is an excellent one of 80 acres; average yield of wheat 24 bushels per acre. Aber- crombie, Dakota. ATTORNEY AT LAW ^ LOANS NESOTIATED AND COLLECTIONS PEOMFTLY ilABS. ABiEMCMOMMlIlS, - » =■ U^AMOTA, S. C3-. HOFFOPIID, -SUCH AS- Saint Paul Binders, JOHN DEERE PLOWS, Harrows, Horse Rakes, Lumber Wagons, Audi WuTst-Clccss O'peiL a/iicl Top Mugc/ies. L TWINE FURNISHED AT THE LOWEST RATEslv ABKKCKOMBIE, DAKOTA. ABEKCROMBIE. 109 m. <^. MAMNAMir'-'S Addition to Ab ercrqmbie, FiHE AND WELL-LOCATED LOTS For Sale at Eeasonable Prices. Terms of payment can be ascertained by addressing E. G. BABNABY, - - - MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. DON J, CLARK, TtK MM WMAmS LOANS NEGOTIATED. Set i. led in 1880 on his farm, sontheast quarter of section 5, township 134, range 48. All improved. Buildings: A good House, Barn, and Granary. ABERCROMBIE, - - DAKOTA. C. T. HUGHES, PROPRIETOR OF !ITY MEAT M A GOOD SUPPLY OF And Terms Reasonable. Give us a call. ABCRCROMBIIi:, ------ DAKOTA. ■1 \Oi) ^^^6> \m CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL RAILWAY STATION AND EXPRESS AGENT. ALSO TELEGRAPH OPERATOR. ABERCROMBIE, - - - - DAKOTA. 110 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. DEALERS IN HARDWARE, STOVES, TINWARE, A Full Line of Goods always on hand, at Low Prices. GEORGE A. HAMMER, DEALER IX TTamislies, ID3rest\:Lffs, Oa,r"bon Oil, LAMPS AND CHIltlXEYS. j^^Prescriptions Carefully Prepared. ABERCROfVIBIE, D. T,^ CAKRIAGrE AND WAGON WORK Done and Satisfaction AVarranted. Special Attention to Horse Shoein(^ and Plow Repairing. ab£j? cr ombie, dako ta . HIKE WICKLEIN, PROPRIETOR OF Merchants Hotel, i<7:e:.bj:e^ the hdex^oi:. Customers Avell Cared for at Reasonable Rates. ABERCROMBIE, DAKOTA. ABEECllOMBIE. Ill Kindred & Tyler, ^^ Village Lots, Finely Located, offered for Sale at Reasonable Terms. :j|dcj3s hem ^pomin-Mn U ^m parattr^lr uu^ M^^^i ^telfers. For particulars address R. S. TYLER. - - FARGO, DAKOTA. John F. Hutchison, Choice Lots for Sale, near Original Townsite. .Settled on liis homestead six years ago. Has a fine grove of timber on the banks of Red River. Soil exceedingly rich. -<§o8> ^ci,a^ <30g>- Mrs, Nellie Hutchison, Postmistress. Post-Office north of De})ot, in a building erected for the purpose. J^ Choice Line of aROCERTES At the Post-Office, sold at Reasonable Prices. AmiSM€MQ'MMEM, . . . IDAM&TA. CHRISTINE. Christine is located on the Fargo & Southern railway, about twenty-two miles south of Fargo, on section 25, town 136, range 49, m the midst of a fine farming district. This is the railway station for the town of Eagle, and must be a good trading point. Christine has one steam elevator, a lumber-yard, two stores of general mer- chandise, one hotel, and one boarding house. We have endeavored to get a statement from the railroad officers giving the number of bushels of wheat shipped at different i)oints on the line for the past year, but have utterly failed. Other railroad reports were quickly given. We were anxious to have the county get the credit of all the shipments, so that the aggregate could be published in due form. Parties visiting Christine will be pleased with the fertility of the soil and the general appearance of the country. There are well located town lots for sale at very reasonable rates. GENERAL DEALER IN Dtj Goods and Groceries, Hardware, Crockery, Glasswa:;', Boots, Shoes, Ileady-made Clotlung-, Yankee Notions. GOODS CHEAP FOR CASH. CHELSTINE D T '■^a Oo H iri ^J.Ml '9 D rROPRIETOR -(^nd. ZSeal Estate iDealer. Parties who desire to purchase Town Lots can get all necessary information by adcbessing J^. S. TYLER^ FARGO, D. T. CIVIL TOWNSHIPS. TCIAGLE. — The town of Eagle is finely located, nearly all of the -*-^ area lying bstween the Red and Wild Rice Rivers. It was set- tled in an early daj^, and the towns and the improvements taken as a whole are very creditable. The soil is very rich and the surface level .and smooth, with good drainage along the rivers. It is enough to say that the township of Eagle is one of the very best in Richland County. HANS KINDE Settled on his farm on the Wild Rice July 3, 1873, on section 4, town 135, range 49, having 320 acres, of which 210 are well improved. On ■this farm are a house, horse and cow barns, granary, etc. There is .a pasture of 80 acres in connection. The highest amount per acre raised is 26 bushels, the average of wheat about 15. Mr. Kinde has .been very successful in his farming operations, and is fully prepared to do all farm work in time. K. E. FLAA 'Came to America in 1870, moved from Wisconsin to Richland County in 1878, and settled on section 26, town 135, range 49. The farm buildings are on section 25. There are 240 acres in this farm, 130 acres being improved. This farm is situated on the Wild Rice ; and the soil is very productive. Mr. Flaa has a fine herd of horses, cattle, and sheep. EINER S. HOEL Came to America in 1868, and spent two years in Wisconsin, then moving into the far famed Red River Valley in 1870. He made a choice of farming lands on the Wild Rice River, on section 34, town 136, range 49, having 400 acres, all improved. Mr. Hoel has a fine herd of stock numbering 63, consisting of horses, cattle, and sheep. There are a good house, large barn, and capacious granary, all cost- ing about $4,000. The average yield is 18 bushels, but as high as 40 bushels per acre has l:)een raised on this finely located farm. ERICK SKAUGE Came to America in 1868, and moved to the Red River Valley, Dako- ta, in May, 1879. He has a farm of 320 acres on the Wild Rice, located on sections 20, 22, and 27, town 136, range 49, all improved. The buildings are a good house, barn, and granary, costing about 114 HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. .§2,500. He owns sixty head of horses, cattle, and sheep. Soil, ex- ■ cellent; average yield of wheat 22 bushels to the acre. There is a line grove of timber on this farm. ANDREW POSSUM Came to America in 1868, and settled in Eichland County in 1871. His farm contains 400 acres of choice land, over 200 being improved. The house, barn, and granary cost about !i?o,000. He has forty head of cattle and horses. Average yield of wheat, 20 bushels The farm is situated on the Wild Rice, sections 21 and 22, town 136, range 49. >0n this place is a fine body of young timber. "OARRIE. — The Sheyenne River, with its deep-cut channel and -^ skirtings of fine belts of timber, and the rolling lands, with springs and occasional rivulets, in the vicinity of Barrie, make the place more like a down-east location than any other })lace in the County, unless it be in the vicinity of the Helendale farm. Barrie was settled quite early — in fact, at the beginning of the settlement of Richland County. The old settlers like Messrs. D. A. Knuppenburg and sons, Lancaster, Worthington, Morgan, Page, and others were the volunteer and pioneer settlers that have worked up fine farms, and assisted in the work of civilization. It is quite evident that there is not a more pleasant locality in the county for an interior town than Barrie. There, are wood, water, wheat, corn, and grazing lands that make the owner of the same feel very much at home. No place in .the county has produced as fine corn as has been raised in the vicin- ity of Barrie, and buckwheat has been grown very successfully. Among the bluffs and in the timber stock is protected from the storms; and it is really a wonder why people will move their caravans of stock to the far away Montana, instead of possessing the very inviting grass lands of the Red River Yalley, where railroads can be found on every hand and a good jnarket even at their door. Who- ever lives to see the end of the present decade will witness the order and practice now prevailing quite significantly reversed. There is at Barrie a school-house where religious services are held quite fre- quently, and if the })eople would unite they could build a church at this point, with the help that could be secured from the Church Ex- tension Society. In sparsely settled districts less of the sectarian and more of the fraternal spirit would work a reformation that would be a sufiicient reason for the appointment of a special thanksgiving day. Then churches would be built, that are now so much needed, and a new order of things inaugurated that would l>e a harbinger of a new dis})ensation which would practically interpret the Biblical declaration, "Peace on earth, and good will to men." Even in some WEST END AND GKAFTON TOWNSHIPS. 115 towns and cities this new order of cliurcli work would have a prac- tical fitness in harmony with the much desired reign of "do unto others as you Avould like to have others do unto you." Vl/'EST ENDc- There is not, within the bounds of Kichlaud County, a better chance to get lands cheap than in this town- shi}). It is considered that the soil is light, and yet it is Avarm and productive and full of vegetable matter mixed Avitli sand and sandy loam, that Avill, with good cultivation, produce excellent crops of oats, barley, corn, and vegetaliles. While there are some of the lands good for Avlieat, it is not, as a whole, considered as Avheat land, and yet many of our Eastern neighbors would rejoice if they could have as good soil as can be found in the above-mentioned locality. For a- stock ranch or the raising of stock, it is exceedingly well adapted to such an industry. The groAvth of the grasses is luxuriant and the nutritious qualities of the same are so rich in iiesh-making proper- ties that stock fed on this hay during the winter and well cared for, come out in the spring as smooth and sleek as the mountain deer. Kight here we A^enture the assertion that in a feAV years, Avlien the lands of the county are Avell drained and the farmers till the soil even indifferently aa^cII, there Avill be rich farmers in the western part of the county that will be capable of measuring arms agriculturally Avith those Avho live on the flat wdieat lands along the rivers. Now, to be sure, the toAvm is rather, sparsely settled, but there are a number of farmers aa'Iio have lands Avell tilled and productive. Hon. S. E. Steb- bins, AAdio Avas in the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Com- pany for nine years as one of the appraisers of their lands, made the report that even the sand hills were a good place for stock-raising and the culture of small fruits. Among the sand hills, as they are sometimes called, although it Avould be a hard job to find one a hun- dred feet high, there are large yields of the dAvarf cherry, and if this land groAvs cherries so easily, it must be a fine spot for the groAvth of the early grapes, straAvberries, raspberries, and the early Russian variety of apples. In fact, in any locality in Richland County heard from, small fruits and large vegetables can be produced abundantly. Already raspberries and straAvberries are being i:>roduced A^ery easily and quite abundantly by the writer and many others. 4"1 RAFTON is composed of two congressional townships, num- bers i;-33 and 134, range 50. This township is quite Avell drained in the central portion by the branches of the Antelope Creek. The soil throughout is a black sandy loam and about equally divided as it re- spects Avheat and grass land. It is an exceedingly fine stock range, and the time is coming Avhen it AA'ill be occupied by men of means 116 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. wlio know iiow to utilize tlie great advantages to l3e found in this township. The Antelope Farm is situated in this township, and is a fine farming center. Of course, the dry lands of this township are not as strong for the growth of wheat as lands along the rivers, and yet for a variety of crops and grasses it will be in the future fully as valuable as the river lands, if well cultivated with proper drainage. This township upon the whole is rather sparsely settled now, and there are fine opportunities for those who desire to get cheap lands to ftvnii themselves of these golden opportunities. There are farm- ers in the Red River Yalley who have in five years subdued the soil and got it in better condition than farmers East in wood}^ and stony districts can do in a full quarter of a century. This is not the country where farmers have to do a great deal of hoeing and scratch- ing to cover a hill of potatoes or to hoe the land after it is planted. All the people in the West desire of their eastern friends, and espe- cially those who have been living on the ragged edge of farming, is to come west and look for themselves, leaving their old prejudices and doubts behind. Among the leading farmers in Grafton we would notice Ole Abrahamson, Neil Campbell, Charles Ewan, the McDon- alds, Ruthford, Hugh Moore, Schnider, AVilkes, and others. There is plenty of room in this township for a colony of fifty farmers, who could plant their capital so that encouraging profits could be realized with industry and economy. Parties living East in the timbered dis- tricts who have to pay from two to ten dollars for clearing land and then have stumps, stones, and roots to wrestle with for years, can get their breaking done for two dollars and fifty cents an acre and have all into crops within one year. THE FAIRVIEW FARM. John Q. Adams, of Chicago, is proprietor; W. S. Judd, the efficient manager in opening up the farm. This is a model farm in every respect, located in town 182, range 49, in the town of Center, twelve miles west of Wahpeton. Total number of acres 4,000, all improved. The residence cost S2,000. There are a convenient office, a barn 40x200 feet, machine house 30x210, machine hall 40x80, granary of 40,000 bushels capacity, elevator of 60,000 bushels capacity, wagon shed, and all necessary outbuildings. There are 6,000 young trees growing on this place. There is a railroad track three miles long from the Northern Pacific to the headquarters of this plantation; 18 miles of ditching, and 12 miles of graded road on the farm. An ar- tesian well, 230 feet deep, flows three barrels a minute. One hundred mules are used, and 80 hands employed in the summer. Here is a full supply of farm machinery. The farm was established in 1881, W. S. Judd being manager up to Janutiry, 1886, W. P. Adams now CENTER TOWNSHIP. 117 being manager. This farm lias telephone connection with AVahpe- ton, requiring 15 miles of wire. ALBERT CHIZEK Came from the old country to America and settled in Wisconsin, coming from said State to Wahpeton in 1871. He has a grand farm of 280 acres, just north of toAvn, all imi:)roved. His buildings — house, barn, granary, etc., cost ^^,000; and his farm is in excellent condition for successful cultivation of the soil and stock raising. He has thirty head of cattle, and expects to enlarge his operations by varied farm- ing. Mr. Chizek has held important county offices, and is one of the pioneers. JAMES F. SHEA Came to Dakota in 1873, when only 18 years of age. After traveling through Dakota, Idaho, and Montana, and parts of British America, he returned to Kichland County in 1877, and there located 320 acres of land on the banks of the Wild Rice. He married. May 2, 1881, Miss Mary E. Keating, the first school teacher in Eichland County. Mr. Shea noAv has a very xjroductive farm of 800 acres, 600 improved, and good farm buildings. The average yield of wheat is 20 bushels per acre. He is thoroughly devoted to and greatly interested in ag- ricultural pursuits, and pays strict attention to raising draft horses and speedy roadsters. Horses for sale at reasonable rates. Mr. Shea is a horse doctor and veterinary surgeon. HERMAN HERMANSON Settled in Richland County in 1878, eight miles west of Wahpeton. He has a farm of 480 acres, all improved. His buildings consist of house, barns, granary, 'sheds, etc. ; cost about $1,500. A very fine location and lands very productive. Z. S. HOWE, Farmer, settled in Kichland County on the 11th of June, 1873, on the AVild Rice River, four miles west from Wahj^eton. The soil of this farm, like all the land along the river, is very i^roductive. Mr. Howe has 140 acres well improved. Good farm buildings have been erect- ed. He, like most of the farmers in Richland County, begins tc> understand fully the value of varied farming, rotation of crops, and stock-raising. He is well fixed. J. P. BRAND, Farmer, settled in the county on his homestead in 1879, moving from St. Croix County, AVisconsin. Home farm is located about nine miles west of the county seat, on southeast quarter of section 24, town 132, range 49, near the AVild Rice, with 140 acres thtn-oughly I 118 HIKTOHY OF EIOHLAND COUNTY. cultivated. Has conTenient house and barn, costing about $1,000. His total acreage is 320. When he came to ]3akota, he borrowed $100, and now has property w^orth $6,000. The school-house for Dis- trict No. 2 is on this place. FREEMAN ORCUTT Settled in Wahpeton in 1878, and the same year located his farm of 480 acres seven miles west of this town, on section 8, town 132, range 48. He has 240 acres improved. The soil is rich and well adapted to the growth of wheat and grass. S. E. STEBBINS Selected his land in 1871) on section 17, town 131, range 49. He set- tled on the same in 1881, moving from Minnesota; now has 500 acres improved, and has convenient buildings — house, barn, and granary. He intends to erect neAv buildings soon. The past year he had 320 acres of wheat — 7,400 bushels, and 3,400 bushels of oats. Mr. Steb- bins pays a good deal of attention to the raising of horses and cattle, and favors very strongly the Polled Angus (hornless) breed. His blooded horses are exceedingly fine. The farm is located about 13 miles west of the county seat, near Mooreton. DAVID JOHNSON Came from England, and settled on his farm on the Wild Eice Eiver in the year 1880, on section 4, town 132, range 48. His farm contains 150 acres, all improved; his buildings consist of a fine farm house, barn, and sheds for farm machinery. The soil is extremely rich, and the average yield of wheat per acre has been tT.-enty-seven bushels— a grand record. His ])lace is beautiful for situation and highly prized. CHARLES MALE Has a fine farm on the AVild Rice, located on section 9, town 132, range 48. In this farm there are 240 acres, all improved and in ex- cellent condition. He has a good residence, barn, granary, two machine houses, and all necessary outbuildings. Having settled ou his farm in the year 1872, he is thoroughly posted in the manage- ment of his farm, and knows how to make the most of his calling. He moved to Eichland County from Michigan. D. W. ANDRUS Settled in Richland County in 1879 on section 8, town 132, range 49, near Mooreton on the Northern Pacific, Fergus, & Black Hills rail- way. His farm contains 160 acres, all improved. This farm is finely located, and he, with the help of his sons, ig making a fine home. His house, stables, sheds, and graiiary are convenient. He, like CENTER AND DANTON. 119 many others, began farming in Dakota without many extra dollars, bvit is now nicely fixed, having a good place to spend the evening of his days. WILLIAM ROOT •Settled in Kichland Connty in 1871 on land embraced in Root's Ad- dition to the Village of AVahpeton, i)latted in 1880, on northeast quarter of section 8, town 132, range 47. He moved on to his farm in the town of Center three years ago, in July. His farm, containing 480 acres, is located on the south half of section 29 and northeast quarter of section 33, 180 acres being under cultivation. He has a house, barn, granary, machinery house, and root cellar. Mr. Root says he has tested the cultivation of low lands, and by thorough drainage, ploughing, harrowing, and rolling, found them to be the most productive of anj^, and if he was to piirchase land again would select those in preference to others. L. J. MOORE Settled on his farm on the Wild Rice River on the 18th of April, 1872. Farm is located on section 9, town 132, range 48, including 240 acres, all improved. The buildings cost fully $3,000. He makes wheat growing and stock-raising a specialty. In the year 1877, on the 28th of December, he sowed spring wheat which averaged 35 bushels per acre. On the 7tli of March, 1878, he sowed wheat, and the yield was 25 bushels to the acre. Mr. Moore, being one of the earliest settlers in the county, and ever ready for a good turn, has rendered valuable services to many looking for lands, who frequently pulled his latch string and asked for lodgings and for information. His farm, like that of many others, will be looked upon as one of the old land marks, where no traveler was ever turned away. The Editor can testify to the truth of this statement. Mr. Moore came from Michigan, and with the live dollars he had in his pocket when he came, has been remarkably lucky with his investments, and has a fine home where he can spend the sunset of life very comfortably. T| ANTON.— The Nulph Brothers, Mr. Springer, Cuslkman, Ka^m- mer, and others, are prominent farmers in the township of Dan- ton, and are interested in the material improvement and develop- ment of the county. Parties who desire to secure good farming lands in this locality can obtain all necessary information from the above named gentlemen. THE CLEVELAND FAKM. Mr. J. B. Wilcox was well known in the western part of Richland County, and i^rominently identified with farming interests in the township of Danton, until the time of his death, which took place 120 HISTOHY OF P.ICHLAND COUNTY. .after an illness of one short week with typhoid pneumonia, lieing buried on the 1st day of May, 1885, in the Danton cemetery. Mr. Wilcox was born in Chenango County, N. Y., in the year 1829, his father, the Eev. Ira "Wilcox, a Methodist clergyman, being for many years connected with a Methodist Episcopal Conference in said state. Mr. Wilcox, in his youthful days, had a strong passion to become a sailor, and following his inclination he went to sea, and for years Avas on board ship doing the duties of a sailor. But a sailor's life on the '"bounding billows" did not cure his desire for travel, and leaving the ocean he came west and settled in Vernon County, Wisconsin, in 1851. He soon commenced steamboating on the Mississippi Eiver, working his way up from the position of watchman to that of cai)tain, which office he held for many years in the employ of the well known "Diainond Jo" Company, making his home in the village o£ Yictc^ry, where he bought at different times considerable grain at his own warehouse. From this x^lnce he came to Eichland County in 1882, buying lands from W. A. Kindred, knov\'n as section 21, township 132, range 51. These lands were Thought on a wheat purchase basis. . Soil excellent, and two hundred acres were broken the first year, and within three years all broken and devoted to wheat culture. Asso- -ciated with Capt. Wilcox were Uxo gentlemen, one withdrawing, and the other, Mr. West, of Caledonia, Minn., remaining. In 1882 build- ings were constructed. Crops were good, but, the price of grain being low, there was a necessity for a change, and gentlemen from Cleveland, Ohio, bought the land, and, having thousands of acres be- sides, the plant was known as the Cleveland Tarrn, and Capt. Wilcox appointed as superintendent, who acted in that capacity until stricken down by death in the midst oi the activities of life. He was also Justice of the Peace. Mr. A. Hilliard, of AVyndmere, is now the .superintendent of the said farm. There are 1,280 acres of land under cultivation. The farm is in good condition, and the general manager, Mr. William H. Waite, makes the work of the same a success, assisted by Mr. Hilliard. The editor is under many obligations to Mrs. 'Capt. Wilccx for the historic items from her facile pen that he has recorded. X>ELFORD. — This township has some of the most productive farms in Eichland County, and the Wild Eice Eiver running through the township affords most excellent drainage for most of the land. It is astonishing how rapidly the improved farms take on the appearance of lieing settled for a quarter of a century. It is hard to calculate what the improvements will be during the next ten years, judging from what has been accomplished during the past decade. The township of Belford has many acres that can be purchased at BELFOUD AND BllANDENBURG. 121 reasonable rates by those wlio desire to secure rich farming lands, as the settlers in said township would readilj- testify. THE KEYSTONE FAEM. O. F. Schonbloni, President, Bradford, Pennsylvania; W. A.- Pullman, Treasurer, New York City; F. H. Sowle, Superintendent. - This farm is located in the township of Belford, townships 131 and 132, range 50, containing about eleven sections on the north side of the Wild Eice. There are some three thousand acres improved. . and the soil is of an excellent quality. The buildings on this farm are large and convenient. There is a commodious house, two large granaries, one with a capacity of 30,000 bushels. The management has graded some seventeen miles on the lines for the benefit of the farm, and in doing so many farmers have been greatly l)enefitted by this wise, profitable, and public-spirited improvement. Mr. Sowle has furnished undisputed eAddence of his ability to manage this lib-- eral capital investment. ORANDENBUIIG.— This is one of the best townships in Rich-- land County, which includes what is known as the German Set- tlement. There were settlements along the Wild Rice River as early as 1869. Up to the present time, during the years that have intervened, . what with the cultivation of the soil, the opening up of productive farms, . the erection of convenient farm buildings and churches, the changes ■ have been really wonderful. Among the prominent farmers we would mention, Mr. Warner and sons, Frederick Stoltenow, the Bohn Brothers, Lubenow Brothers, AVilliam Weiss, J. M. Crawford, Frank L. Dwyer, Divet Brothers, and others. George Warner, Sen., settled in 1873, his farm located on sections 14 and 22, township 131, range 49. This is one of the best farms, having about 300 acres improved, and the buildings, house, barns, granaries, and shops good. Frederick Stoltenow has a farm of 320 acres on sections 13 and 14, excellent buildings. Bohn Brothers settled in 1872, and have fine farms. In fact, during this year there Avere a large number who settled in the county along the Wild Rice River. The soil is a black sandy loam,, quite level, and in the township there are some grand natural pro- ductive meadows with very smooth surface. The prices of improved farms per acre are from fifteen to thirty dollars, unimj)roved from five to ten. There are in this township three school-houses costing about $1,500, and three churches. There are two high truss combi- nation bridges crossing the Wild Rice. This river runs through the township nearly from west to east. The population of Brandenburg is about three hundred, mostly Germans, and increasing very fast. Parties living east who desire to locate in a rich farming locality, especially those of German extraction, would be highly pleased Avith 122 HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. this locality. A large amount of wheat raised in Brandenburg is marketed at the elevator on the Fairview Farm. FRANK L. DWYER Settled in Eichland County in 1880. Farm situated on sections 29 and 32, township 131, range 49, containing 320 acres, 200 acres im- proved. Buildings — house, barn, and granary, cost about twelve hun- dred dollars. Has eleven acres set out to trees, consisting of differ- ent varieties. Soil black sandy loam. Land near the AVild Bice. Farm about twenty miles southwest from Wahpeton, in the vicinity of the German settlement. T\E VILLO. -This township has an area of two townships, join- ■^ ing Brightwood on the east and Fairmount on the west. x\s a whole it is rather sparsely settled, and there are yet opportunities to secure good lands at reasonable rates. The township is well adapted to the growth of a variety of crops. It is celebrated for its natural meadows and nutritious grasses. Messrs. Spaulding and sons, Haney, and Parsons are among the leading farmers of the township. Mr, Parsons is a gentleman of literary attainments and a writer of culture and ability. He came from the East, where most of the settlers came from. Parties who desire to engage largely in stock-raising AAould find this a fine field for operation. W. SPAULDING AND SONS Have farms in DeVillo containing, in the aggregate, 960 acres, located on sections 24, 25, and 26, town 130, range 48. They settled on this land March 17, 1879. Five hundred and forty acres are cultivated, and 90 are seeded to timothy. Number of horses and cattle, 32; value of farm buildings, S4,000. The annual average of wheat yield, about 23 bushels; oats, 45 bushels. Strawberries, raspberries, and currants are raised^successfully. On this farm is a beautiful grove of cotton- w^ood, white willow, box elder, white ash, black walnut, butternut, elm, fir, spruce, pine, and arbor vitse. This was the first place culti- vated in town; on this land the first family settled; here the first ser- mon was preached, the fii'st Sunday-school organized, the first birth and funeral occurred, and the first post-oflice established in the town. Also the first store and blacksmith sho}) were located here. Parties who desire more specific information can write to the persons men- tioned above. ORIGHTAVOOD.— The township of Brightwood includes 144 "^ square miles, and includes townships 129 and 130, ranges 49 and 50 west. It is bounded on the north by the township of Belford, on the east by De Yillo, on the south by the Sisseton Reservation, and on the west by Park township. The soil, as in all the rest of the Bed BlilGHTWOOD. 123 River Valley, is very fertile. In the eastern part it is a Avarm sandy loam, low and level, while in the western part it is high and stony. It is ready for seeding about two weeks earlier than the land nearer the Red River. beictHTWood stock farm consists of 2,000 acres, 900 of which are seeded down and 300 fenced. The stock consists of ten head of Polled Angus, imported by the owner, fifteen head of thoroughbred Short Horns, and seventy- five head of graded, twenty-five horses, fifty sheep, and much young minor stock. Mr. Hankinson makes a specialty of thorough- bred Short Horn cattle, and has also liiany tine wool sheep. The buildings cost $15,000, and are among the most imx:)osing of any in the county. His house is said to be the finest in the county. There are in the township seven fresh water lakes, namely, Dietel, Horseshoe, AVillard's, Hidden Lake, Tvdn, and Ryan's Lake, and lastly and most beautiful, " Elsie Etta," formerly Taylor's Lake. This promises to be a great summer resort in the near future. There are tAvo prominent woody points of land extending beautifully far out into the water. South of one of these points, "Towne's Cape," is the only part of the lake not having a sandy bottom. The water here is from eight to twenty feet deep. , There abound in the depths of this lake the cat-fish and minnow, but steps are being taken to stock it with pickerel. Among those who figure prominentl}^ in the early history of this township the first was "Old Joe," who built the first residence in the timber, on the site where the elegant residence of R. H. Hankinson now stands, between Lake Elsie Etta and Lake Mittag in the more dense part of timber, being in breadth from two to forty rods, and a mile in length. The first white settler was Mr. Carpenter, who surrendered his claim to Ben Taylor, of Wahpeton, from whom Mr. Hankinson ])rocured his place. Among others are Mr. Borgen, H. G. Wiilard, L. A. Towne, W. F. Marquardt, C. M. Green, William Smith, and J. W. Ryan. There are about 100 voters in the township. The independent school district was organized in 1885. First term of school commenced November 1, under the new organ iz- tion, with Miss Minneaxie A. Folsoni as teacher. There were twenty names enrolled during this v/inter term. Church services are held in the school-house at regular intervals. There are already four schools in this toMaiship, with an average of fourteen pupils. The following record as it respects the stock on Mr. Hankinson's celebrated stock farm is evidence that the most celebrated thorough- breds are receiving special attention. The finest Polled Angus bull in the Northwest, AVaterside Success, Scotch, No. 3,675, Vol. 8, III. Book, Victoria Family, stands at the head of the herd. He has a 124 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. fine herd of Short Horns, high grades of horses, Oxford Down sheep, Poland China swine. Also special attention is paid to poul- try, such as the Toulouse and Emden mammoth bronze turkeys, Pekin ducks, white Guinea fowls, and the Langshan chickens. As it re- spects variety of timber, there are sixty acres, consisting of oak, elm, bo?v-elder, ash, hackberry, willow, and basswood. Natural fruit includes plums, gooseberries, raspberries, cranberries, currants, grapes, etc. Cultivated fruits consist of apples, plums, cherries, grapes, straw- berries, currants, and raspberries. Lake "Elsie Etta" is supplied by springs on the western shore, and the surface of the water is two feet and eight inches higher than the water of surrounding lakes, and really higher than the wagon road between the lakes. The depth of this lake is from ten to twenty feet, with sandy and pebbly bottom and shore. The Avater is excellent for either stock or domestic pur- poses. The water for the house and the stock is forced from this lake by windmill power. The buildings consist of a residence, horse- barn 50x75 feet; cattle barn 32x75 feet, and one 20x60 feet; granary, blacksmith shop, machinery sheds, store, and tenant buildings. The stock of general merchandise in said store is being sold by Mr. Hank- inson at reasonable rates, and is a great convenience for the farmers in said locality. The house on this celebrated farm deserves special mention. It is of the "Queen Anne" style of architecture, large and commodious, being three stories high; has a hardwood finish, with all modern imi)rovements, such as bathrooms, hot and cold water, etc. The aggregate cost of all the buildings on this farm is nearly $25,000. The editor is under obligations to Miss Folsom and Mr. AV. M. House for many items of interest in the foregoing statements, fur- nished them by Mr. Hankinson. "DARK. — This townshij) includes four congressional townships, and the land is high and rolling, intersi^ersed with fine meadows which afford a sufiicient quantity of excellent hay. The soil is a rich sandy loam well adapted for wheat and other grains not easily affected by drought or heavy rainfalls. Good unimproved lands are worth from three to five dollars per acre, and improved lands from ten to fifteen dollars per acre. The Jewell Nursery Company, of Lake City, Minnesota, has an excellent stock farm in this township. There are no large wheat farms, but a great proportion of the land is occupied by actual settlers, each of Avliom has a farm ranging from fifty to three hundred acres. The leading farmers are Messrs. Stiles, Dare, Myers, Brewster, Smith, DeLong, and Keller, who own farms containing from 160 to 320 acres well improved. Four years ago there was not a wheat field in the township. Stiles, Brewster, Smith, and McMil- PAEK. 125 Ian Avere among the early settlers. There are seven school-houses in the township, which amply accommodate the wants of resident school children, of whom there are aboiit 135. JOHN M'MILLAN Settled in the township of Park, Richland County, 1883, moving from St. Croix County, Wisconsin. His farm contains 160 acres of fine productive land, situated on section 12, township 130 north, of range 51 west. There are seventy-live acres improved. Buildings — house 20x24 with an ell 16x24 Cost of all buildings $1,200. Average yield of wheat, twenty bushels per acre. Building stone plenty near by. Sv/an Lake and three smaller lakes in this township. Grass grown in this locality is exceedingly line. R. B. MYERS. Florendale stock farm. Park Township, is located on section 30, township 130, range 52, 320 acres. Buildings — house, barn, granary, etc., cost about $3,500. About forty-five head of horses and cattle, thirty-five head of sheep and swine. Grades of stock, Ayrshire, headed by a Polled Angus bull. UNDERWOOD & EMERY. The stock farm of Underwood & Emery, located in southeast cor- ner of Park Township, contains about 2,000 acres. Buildings on said farm consist of house, two large barns, and cattle sheds. AVind- mill power is used to elevate water supply, grind feed, churn butter, etc. About 175 head of cattle, 20 brood mares, and swine in abund- ance. Some 800 tons of hay cut annually. The proprietors of this farm own the Jewell Nursery, Lake City, Minn. KONGSBERG. Kongsberg post-office, its location and history, together with a brief statement of the country surrounding, the time of settlement, and so forth, has been kindly furnished by Mr. H. C. N. Myhra, one of the earliest and best known citizens of Hichland County, one -who has been honored by many offices and places of trust, some of which he continues to hold. H. C. N. Myhra is one of the old settlers, who on the 'ilst day of June, 1871, with his family, his brother John Myhra, and Oliver A. Erickson, settled on the Wild Rice River, he bringing with him from Rushf ord, Minnesota, a yoke of oxen, wagon, cow, household goods, and $500. Provisions were very high, and he visited Alexandria, Minnesota, in the fall of 1871, and purchased flour, groceries, salt, potatoes, ten bushels wdieat, and other necessaries for his family. The next year he raised about 200 bushels of Avheat, which Avas sold mostly to his neighbors for seed. At that time it was not deemed advisable to break up much land, as the Indian title had not been extinguished, and no filing could then be made. However, Mr. Myhra filed his homestead apx^lication. No. 84, at Pembina, Dakota. The prairie was Avild in appearance for years, but by degrees the government land was taken up and cultivated. On the 19th day of September, 1879, Kongsberg post-office was established, and H. C. N. Myhra appointed postmaster. The mail route extended from Wahpeton to Fargo via Kongsberg, Fort Abercrombie, Dakota,andMcCauleyville, Miller's Sta- tion, Holy Cross, and Moorhead, Minnesota. Three trips weekly were required. After the comj)letion of the Breckenridge extension of the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba Railroad, the mail was sent to Dwight station, and Kongsberg has now its mail twice a week. Mr. Myhra still holds the office of postmaster. In the last quarter of 1885 twenty registered letters were sent from said office, which is a cred- itable showing. For years H. C. N. Myhra was county assessor of Richland County. In 1880 he was census enumerator for the Sisseton and Wahpeton Indian Reservation, and in 1885 was appointed b}' Major A. W. Edwards, Sui^ervisor of Census for North Dakota, as enumerator for four congressional townships in Richland County. His work was done in the best style, he receiving special commendation from the examining committee. Several offices of trust have been held by Mr. Myhra, and he now holds the offices of justice of the peace, notary public, postmaster, school treasurer, and county com- missioner, besides ])eing insurance agent and agent for several of the leading steamship lines, and also a member of the firm of Johnson & Myhra, doing business in agricultural implements at Dwight, Dakota, at which place Myhra owns a house and several lots. HELENDALE STOCK FARM, This well known farm is deserving of more than passing notice,, from the fact that it is the first farm in northeastern Dakota opened for the purpose of breeding fine stock. It is located in the extreme northwestern corner of Eichland County, the Sheyenne Kiver running through its entire length near its southern boundary, and is a beau- tiful combination of hill and valley, of rolling and level, wooded and prairie lands, with living springs and running brooks, easily divided into parts suitable for agriculture, grazing, and meadow; a tract of land that, in the same area and in solid body, equally Avell adapted by nature for a stock farm, cannot be found anyAvhere in the North- - west. A visitor to the farm can easily imagine that he has, in some mysterious way, been transported from the j)lains of Dakota to an- other country, the entire surroundings being so entirely unlike what is usually seen around our prairie homes. The central point, or' headquarters of the farm, section 33, township 136, range 52, is some forty miles northwest from Wahpeton, about the same distance south- west from Fargo, westward some fifteen miles from the towns of Wal- cott and Kindred, on the line of the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Mani- toba Railway, and seven miles due south from Leonard, on the Fargo ■ Southern Branch of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The owner, J. B. Power, Esq., Land Commissioner of the St. Paul, Minneapolis, - and Manitoba Railway, first discovered this particular spot while, in 1875, he was making a general tour of exploration of the country,.. and was so impressed with its beauty and natural adaptability for a stock farm, that he at once selected and purchased some 2,000 acres, and immediately christened it "Helendale," from the given name of his wife, a delicate and well deserved compliment to that excellent lady. Circumstances prevented his opening the farm until the year 1880, when, with his brother, "W. A. Power, as resident manager, preparations were commenced for carrying out the intentions formed at the time of purchase. Since then Mr. Power has added to his ■ original purchase, until now the farm contains some 6,120 acres, with some 500 under cultivation, over ten miles of fencing, and buildings ample for the accommodation of his stock. Mr. Power projoosed from the first the creation of a herd of high grade cattle by crossing the pure bred Short Horn on the hardy native stock of the country, and has consistently kept that purpose in view with the most flatter- ing results. His ideas as to this, as exj)ressed to the writer, are: 128 HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. " Our farmers need a class of improved native bred stock for general iise, stock that by natural hardiness of constitution, and brought up under the same conditions in Avhich they have to live, will be a source of profit. Cattle reared for the show ring will not do; the hardy na- tives in themselves are not just the thing, but a proper admixture of pure blood with that of the native will give what is needed, and the result from such breeding, as you now see at Helendale, says all that is necessary in favor of the course we have adopted. We have the best lot of general purpose cattle in the Northwest, and challenge comjietition with any other herd of equal number wherever it may be." At the commencement of the second season Mr. Power decided to add other stock, and is now breeding draft horses, sheep, and hogs, as well as cattle. Referring to the stock on the farm more in detail, we will first mention the herd of cattle, noAv numbering some 230 head. At the head stands Eclipse, a fine light roan Short Horn, bred by Lord Lovat, of Beaufort Castle, Scotland, and imported by Mr. Power in the spring of 1884, when but sixteen months old. Next stands Ben Butler, No. 58,931; then Art, No. 58,790; then Blizzard, No. 58,965, and some six or eight more young fellows, all registered in the American Herd Book, well fitted for the range or to lead any farmer's herd. Among the pure-bred cows, some sixteen in number, we notice Pomona, Jennie June, Hose of Bath, Florinda Belle, Maria Wood, Belle Barrington Bates, Boston Belle, Belle of Springfield, direct decendants of the imported Young Mary, Phyllis, Flora, and other noted English fam- ilies, all splendid specimens of their kind. These pure bred animals are kept as the nucleus around which to build up the herd of high grades that make up the great bulk of what is now on the farm, from which are sold only such surplus bulls as are not required for use on the place. With the exception of some fifty head of selected natives from the first purchases in 1881, the remainder of the herd are a splendid lot of grades, most of them raised on the farm, of from |- to ^ blood. The horse stock (some seventy-five in number) is principally of the Percheron-Norman breed, unexcelled in this country for gen- eral purposes on the farm and for heavy work in the toAvns and cities. At the head stands the imported stallion Grovnor Duke, next comes Prince of Helendale, a magnificent dark dapple gray i^ grade; then the four-year-old colt Brilliant, raised on the farm, a direct descendant of the noted imported stallion Brilliant, owned by M. W. Dunham, from a magnificent 1 Norman mare, owned by Mr. Power. There are noAv on the farm about fifty head, direct decendants of Grovnor Duke, and Mr. Power with justifiable pride points them HELENDALE FAKM. 129 out as being equal to any that can be found on any breeding farm in the states. The sheep, numbering aboiit 220 head, are a well bred Hock of the heavy Cotswold, one of the best known mutton breed. By use of pure bred bucks the original flock has been improved up- on until now it is, in appearance and for use, equal to one entirely pure bred. The wool clip for the past two years lin.; averaged S\ pounds per head, and the quality of mutton so fine that special orders are in for every animal that goes to the butcher's block. To improve the quality of the wool, Mr. Power purchased, over a year ago, a couple of pure bred Shropshire Downs, and the cross has proved equal to all expectations. The favorite hog at Helendale is the Berkshire, and of the number carried through the past winter is as fine a lot of brood sows as can l>e found on any farm in the cotn- growing regions of Illinois or Iowa. To still further improve this stock a pair of pure breds, Trip, No. 14,999, and Diadem, No. 11,G88, have lately been purchased. The buildings on the farm were erected for use, not show, yet are well modeled, neatly painted, grouped for convenience in dividing the different kinds of stock, also with an eye to safety in case of fire, and are nicely arranged for the uses intended. The three principal stock barns are each 30x75 with box stalls. Near by are a cattle shed 14x 200 with room for seventy-five head, with feeding trough and stanchions, for young stock; a main. building surrounding three sides of a hollow square, with four compartments, each 20x40 feet, ample room for 100 head; a hog barn 10x125; sheep shed 18x200; a hog house for breed- ing, 16x24 with wings ; granary 30x75 with storage room for 16,000 bushels of grain, barns for working stock and milch cows, store house, room for feed mill, carpenter and blacksmith work shops, ice house, and office, besides the dwelling house. The visitor to Helendile is impressed with indications of careful expenditure, close management, a permanent business, and an assurance that the proprietor has per- fect faith in his ability to work out profitable returns from his in- vestment, knowing that he has built on a sure foundation. Incairy- ing on the business of this farm, Mr. Power \\a% not been satisfied with knowing only general results, but by methods peculiarly his own, has been studying and determining many matters in detail that are of great general benefit to the people at large, for the knowledge thus gained he freely gives to the public, hoping thus to stimulate an industry that heretofore has been neglected principally from the mistaken idea that our climate and other conditions are unfavorable to the profitable production of live stock. In reply to the suggestion that his success in the business and his freedom in giving to every one the methods adopted to make it profitable will induce others to 130 IIISTOEY OF EiCHLAND COUNTY. go into it, tlms creating competition, reducing profits, and so on, Mr. Power says: '"i would like to see every farmer in Eichland County a producer of live stock ; the business cannot be overdone, the greater the interest created the better the demand for improved stock; com- petitition brings wiili it the necessity for improvement. I will take my chr.nces wiih tlie rest in the race for prizes. The more stock vv^e have the more buyers there will be looking it up, the better the stock the, better the prices we will obtain and the more money we can bring into the county for such product the more prosperous we will become. If our experiences at Helendale are of any help to any one, he is welcome to them." A farm like Helendale, and farmers such as Col. Power and his brother W. A. Power, are a benefit to any community, and Pichland County feels a justifiable pride in having such within its limits. BLANDING BROTHERS' First and second addition to City of Wahpeton. Three blocks west of N. P. depot. Four blocks from Hi. P. , M. and M. depot, and one block from the proposed site of the union depot. The land is the highest and dryest of any addition in the city, and the only addi- tion where good well water can be ol)tained. This addition includes seven acres of young timber which would make a fine public park. J. S. & W. D. Blanding, Proprietors. D.B.NEWMAN, Physician and Surgeon. Special attention given to the treatment of all eye and ear diseases. Dr. Newman comes well recommended. Abercrombie, Dakota. FEARER & GREENE'S Popular Photograph Gallery. All work artistically done and satisfac- tion given. Copying and enlarging from old pictures in India ink, water colors, crayon, and oil. Also dealers in picture frames. Prices reasonable. Studio ^n Peirce's Block, Wahpeton, Dakota. :miscellaneous matters, CLIMATE. The writer was born in Monroe County, western New York, and lived there several years during his boyhood. He spent ten years in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and a quarter of a century in Wisconsin^ before coming to the Ked River Valley in 1878. Since then he has known what out-door traveling and exposure to all kinds of Aveather means, and has experienced the extremes of heat and cold, from 90 degrees above zero, in the shade, in summer time, to 36* below in winter. Yet, he has not witnessed worse storms in Dakota than he has seen in the states mentioned. He can say that the dry atmos- phere of this country, with the mercury 25 below, is not as penetra- ting as that along the coast in the Eastern and Southern States with the thermometer marking only 10 degrees below. As it respects electrical storms and manifestations, no one can tell where they are the most frequent — certainly not in Dakota. Let any one consult, the reports sent out from the signal stations of the United States as it respects storms and storm centers, and see if Dakota is not as free from storms as any locality. An able report from Major Edwards was made in one of his statements, respecting the subject under discussion, which was as follows: " The annual mean temperature of Fargo, the commercial and financial metropolis of the Red River Valley [forty-seven miles north of Wahpeton] coincides with that of central Wisconsin, central New York, and southern New Hampshire. Its spring temperature, which is 45 degrees, is the saine as that of Illinois, northern Ohio, central and southern Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, two and a half degrees of latitude south of it. Its summer temperature is 70.6 de- grees, the same as that of middle Illinois and Ohio, soiithern Pennsyl- vania, Long Island, and New Jersey. Its autumn temperature is 45.9 degrees, similar to northern New York. Its winter temperature is 16.1 degrees and similar to New Hampshire and lower Canada. Win- ter in the Golden Northwest, if it is colder than in the middle states by the measured thermometer, is far less cold to the sense, and it is much more jjleasant than the winter of the seaboard states, where the damp coldness quickly penetrates, making apparently a slight degree of cold almost unendurable." In a pamphlet published by E. K. Morrill, in 1881, he says of the atmosphere of the Red River Valley "that it is dry and pure. A cer- 132 HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. tain railroad land agent lias aptly used the words, 'a valley soil, a mountain climate.' The words, applied to Richland Coiinty, are not devoid of truth. Fogs are not frequent or dense, and the mirage is a common phonomenon. The dry air makes persons less sensitive to' the cold. Thirty degrees below zero in the valley feels about like zero on the coast. " The summer weather is delightful, as the nights are cool and the days not sultry. The weather of midwinter is also very fine, the' air being clear and calm, and the temperature even. Thunder storms frequently occur in the summer, but a rainy day, as the term is gen- erally understood, is almost unknown. In the winter there are but few stormy days, although the dry snow often drifts when the sky is= clear." colonies; We most respectfully invite all associations or colonial societies East, who are making calculations to organize and establish colonies in the West, and especially in the celebrated Avheat belt of the nation, to visit Richland County; and in sending out this invitation we only voice the feelings of thousands living in the county, who are ready to assist in every possible manner and extend the right hand of fellow- ship to all who will come and view our inviting prairie lands and ac- cept the superb advantages offered. As stated in this book, it Avill be" seen that Richland County has wonderful advantages, such as rail- roads, schools, churches, fine county buildings, flourishing towns, .scores of business houses, mechanical industries and manufacturing establishments. As it respects the health of Richland County, it is decidedly remarkable for health, and any person who may doubt the healthf ulness of the same is most respectfully invited to correspond with any of the resident physicians, who would most gladly answer any letters of inquiry touching this vital qviestion. As it respects any information that you may desire, more than you can learn in this, write to any of the county officers or real estate dealers — in fact, to any responsible party — and all answers will corroborate state- ments or intimations herein contained. WAHPETON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Mitchell J. Courtney began teaching here in 1879, continuing until the spring of 1881. At this period the village had commenced its lively growth. The summer term of 1881 Avas taught by Miss Sarah Purdon, now the wife of the present j)rincipal, who had about fify scholars en- rolled. The fall term of this year was taught by W. G. Crocker, as was also the winter term of 1882. He had an enrollment of over 100 pupils, the largest number in attendance at any one time, however, being only sixty-three, and the average only about fifty. WAHPETON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 133 A new school-house was erected beside the one then in use, and H. B. Heninger and Miss Purdon were employed to teach the sj^ring and fall terms of 1882 and also the winter term of 1883. Mr. Heninger will long be remembered by the citizens of Wahpeton and Breckenridge by those highly entertaining contributions to the AV^ahpeton Times, entitled " Chronicles," describing in a rather satirical manner the expe- diences of several physicians during the smallpox scare which prevailed in the " city of the plain." Upon the resignation of Mr. Heninger, Mr, A. M. Maxfield was selected to complete the school year, and during this term an inde- pendent school district was organized having a school board of ten jnembers, who deemed it necessary to erect a more commodious build- ing. In the fall of 1883 Mr. Crocker and Miss Flora Austin were em- ployed for the ensuing year. Meanwhile the new building was finished, and the old ones, having been sold, Avere moved to another part of the town, where they are now used, the one as a hospital, the other as a chapel. The same teachers, with the addition of Miss Lottie Randall, entered the new school-house on the first Monday in September, 1884. During the following year 222 scholars were enrolled. The same corps of teachers was engaged for the year beginning August 31, 1885, but on account of an increased attendance another teacher was needed, and this time Miss Nettie McKean, one of the first graduates of the AVahpeton high school, was employed as princi- pal's assistant. Of th e.nuraber who have received a preparatory course in Wahpeton schools, two young men are continuing their course of study in Carleton College, at Northfield, and several teachers of marked ability are employed throughout the county. One of the surest signs of an awakening interest in educational matters among the parents of children attending school in this city is the remarkably good attendance during the last winter term, which was over ninety per cent of the number enrolled; and it is the fixed pur})ose of the present Board of Education to make these scliools an ornament to the town, an inducement to those seeking a new Western home, and a lasting monument of earnest and self-sacrificing eiforts in behalf of education. For the foregoing facts our readers are indelited to Professor Crocker. WAHPETON METHODIST CHURCH. First Methodist sermon preached in Wah})eton by a missionary in .1873, at a room over John Kotschevar's store. The Methodist people joined with others in organizing a union Sunday-school May 2, 1880, with James Boss as superintendent and Samuel Taylor assistant. First Methodist class organized Dec. 7, 1880, by Bev. J. B. Starkey, P. E., and contained ten members, with E. K. Morrill as leader. First quar- 134 HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY. terly meeting Feb. 20, 1881, when nine more members united. First meeting of Ladies' Aid Society March 21, 1881; Mrs. G. W. Nichols, president; Mrs. P. H. Hackett, secretary. Membership included Mrs. Louis Hatton, Mrs. George Pease, Mrs. E. K. Morrill, and others. Kev. B. L. Patterson, the first pastor, officiated from March 27 to Aug. 28, 1881. May 3 of that year the Methodists organized a Sunday-school of their own (E. K. Morrill being elected superintendent) at Schott!s hall, where services were held during the summer. Eev. P. J. Laird finished out the year. Kev. C. I. A. Harris was sent to this charge by the Conference of 1881, but remained only four months. Eev. A. J. Hayner served one year, beginning with the Conference of 1882, and was succeeded by Rev. H. W. Troy, now in his third year, who has accomplished a great work for the church. During his second year the society was incorporated, and a house of worship built at a cost of about $2,500, the dedicatory sermon having been preached by Bishop Foss Dec. 6, 1885. In September, 1^85, the North Dakota Mission Confer- ence held its second annual session in this church. The membership of the chvirch is at present about seventy. The Ladies' Aid Society has a large membership, well officered, and is an invaluable help in all enterprises of this church. The Wahpeton Mission of the Evangelical Association was organ- ized in 1875, by Julius Gongel. He. had three appointments, which have i:|^creased to ten. In 1883, under C. Oertli, a church valued at $1,400 was built on the AVild Pice fifteen miles southwest of Wahpeton. The other appointments are around Brightwood and Colfax and Man- ston, Minn. The membership has increased to fifty. Arnold Oertli is the preacher in charge. EICHLAND COUNTY AGEICULTUKAL ASSOCIATION. Organized Dec. 22, 1883; Samuel Taylor, Pres. ; S. E. Stebbdns, 1st V.-Pres.; J. C. Henvis, 2d Y.-Pres.; D. A. Knuppenburg, 3d V.- Pres. ; H. C. N. Myhra, Sec; L. J. Moore, Treas. ; J. M. Stevenson, Sergt.-at-Arms. Present officers: S. E. Stebbins, Pres.; E. E. Ink and Wm. Eoot, Y.-Prests. ; Geo. B. Spink' Sec; Samuel Taylor, Treas. Total membership, about 200. Eecently changed into a branch of the Territorial Farmers' Alliance. The Farmers' Mutual Hail Insurance Company for Eichland County, with headquarters at Wahpeton, was organized Feb. G, 1886, and the following officers duly elected: Hon. S. E. Stebbins, Pres. ; O. H. Perry, Y.-Pres. ; John Shippam, Sec. ; Samuel Taylor, Treas. Its plan is to assess its members just enough to meet the actual losses of the season. The names of the officers will inspire public confidence in its man- agement. . PERSONAL MENTION. J. W. Blanding, one o£ the oldest settlers, B. in New Milford, Susquehanna Co., Pa., March 10, 1819, settled in Grant Co., AVis., in 1844. Removed to Wahpeton in May, 1872. Has held important offices, Surveyor for U. S. Govt., Commissioner, and County Survey- or. Has surveyed many town sites since he came to Dakota. Al- though well along in yeers, he is very active, and has done much for the settlement of the county. M. T. Rich, B. in Albion, Oswego Co., N. Y., March 4, 1832, set- tled in Wtihpeton July 22, 1869, is proprietor of original townsite of "Wahpeton. Has been made wealthy by selling real estate. Being one of the first settlers, the county was called "Rich-Land." R. B. Myeks, B. in Berlin, Wis., 1854, moved to Olmsted Co., Minn., 1862. Graduated at Ann Arbor University Law School. Moved to Wahpeton 1879. Engaged in practice of law with John C. Pyatt, and afterwards with Pyatt Settled in Chicago, thence came to Dwiglit, 1880, engaged and contin- ues in mercantile business with great success. N. Davis, Je., B. in Delaware, June 2; 1852, remained 18 years, then took up abode in Philadelphia, where 12 years were spent in a wholesale dry goods house. Came to Fairmount, April 24, 1882, where he is now engaged in business, being Postmaster and Justice of the Peace. J. R. Haeeis, McCauleyville, B. in Ind., 1838. Came to Red River Yalley in 1857. Formed copartnership with Wliitford & Bent- ley, and engaged in transportation of merchandise from St. Paul to Ft. Abercrombie and thence on flat boats to Ft. Garry. Continued same until 1862. Is now in mercantile business with marked success. John Millee, B. in Dryden, Tompkins Co., N. Y., Oct., 1844. Educated at Dryden Academy. Early engaged in mercantile busi- ness in his native town, where he remained until 1880, when he came to Dwiglit as General Supt. of the great N. Y. Farm. Has, from the beginning to the present time, honored his position and assisted very materially in making this great enterprise a grand success. THE EICHLAND COUNTY GAZETTE Has become a great power for good in AVahpeton and the surrounding country. It is a fixed principle Avitli Mr. Morrill not to allow anything -of an objectionable character to appear in his journal. He endeavors to publish a newsy family paper worthy of the city and county where NEWSrAPEllS. 143 lie lias planted liis capital and labored so snccessfnlly in advertising tlie land of tlie Dacotalis, and especially tlie upper Eeil River Valley. He now lias a fine, capacious building on Dakota Avenue, with plenty of room for liis large and small presses, and lias every reason to feel proud of liis business quarters. He lias been fortunate in having sons trained for the work, who have at all times stood at their posts and performed their labors in the most painstaking and }n'aisewortliy man- ner. Mr. Harry Morrill, the-eldest son, is one of the most proficient young men at the business known in this section of newspaperdom. The pulilication of the lileJihiud (Jaunty Gazette was comtnenced the middle of April, 1879; by William Borgen. He sold his interest in the paper to E. K..Morrill, the present pro]n'ietor, who took control of it in season to publish one issue the same year, which was dated December 27, 1879. Quite a number of the patrons of the paper had become dissatisfied with its management, and the new proprietor as- sumed control under the most discouraging circumstances. The county w^as thinly settled, and Wahpeton contained but a, small number of inhabitants. Almost everything was crude and unhandy, whereby the task of publishing a paper was made difficult and arduous. But Wali- peton had been made the county seat, and this fact was about the only thread upon which to suspend a slender hope for future prosperity. Until July 29, 1881, the Gazette was the only publication in the county. Much earnest work had then been bestowed upcui it, making it a medium for advertising the superior advantages of the county end town, and an encouraging development had already taken place. The Gazette had continued to enlarge the circle of its infiuence and increase the number of its friends. To Folsom Dow, Esq., belongs the credit of being the first to subscribe and jiay in advance after it came into the hands of the present proprietor. THE WAHPETON TIMES, Since its establishment in Wahpeton with its new name, has been very active in its management and successful in securing a fine patronage by writing up the advantages of AVahpeton and the county and country at large. It has a fine subscription list, a well-arranged office and commodious building, and seems to be greatly encouraged by its past labors and present life-work. George P. Garred, its editor and pub- lisher, believes fully in the future possibilities of the Thnes^ from his standpoint, at the beginning of the new year 1886 and the years that are to follow. It is the hearty wish of the writer that the Times and all the papers of the county be in the future a growing success, as they have in the past, and wield a powerful influence for good, that their past success and ability would warrant. 144 HISTORY OF EICHLAND COUNTY. S -I ^ ^" :: 'i ~.: 21: c s c ? 2 ^ ?5 : : *t: : 8=2 2 2 c ^ ft • • cj: : t! = s = v; 3 B- : c- O « ^l : 5 x' ^' ^ ."''^o: . a ■ : i- ■£.'£. 2 • • *^" • -ceo . . r/j. ; : :: 3 B • ■ a ■ ..(too • ■ s ■ • • (K CK X (KSCS.^'>'^2.0Te^-^-C It 12 3 55 -".^ ST S. 3 3q 3 ~ O ?§ 5 si S S-l "I S =■ =:.c- 2oopc- = 1^ "-^ = - - - f~. . - '..J X w ■ c- 2 3 : fJ» S5 ■<£. « • £•<=-- = = -r -"^ •"10 ::^^r':^~==a^2 t; 2- = = X =Tc •'■"oo • .'^".■^."'3 o 3 ji^ ^i; ^'o y -I ';j?*02 K 2 Li ^ g £ • . •-: ■-5 o o £■ isOOo 3 O o"*? '^ "^ ■ 0*7- 2-pa = ^2 o So ^f< o Sffo o o c ex c ;; 3-oOc CI 330 sP'j !z::.^-3 33 '^ '^ 3 2 o o S • ■ o ■■< ■-< ■-: VJi>r^.■ ". M!o : 2 -^rr 33®: : Ht^ ■ £0 CO 2 c E: : 5 : : '3 5 3 o 2 * ■ ■ S- ■ • ^3 a 5 ^33- • 2 ■ o333 ^ < _ . . ^ . . — X x_ or. • • ; I ; : : ' 2 o o ': : : : : : o o o •^ - — 3 ~~KO ?3=-^-3 5 ^ s^— ■p S" 3 5 CD l-b o dq aa ^r=^^F.°c- — ^ ; -v X - 3 3 5i '■'■ '-i- 3* « 3. ^ ?= ^ ^ ^' zr* - S 3; 3" E-'t'3 T'o ' •••■ Tr'-*! — c ^3 W^3;_2.3Hg^S^^ c Oi5 V 3 X H 3 S ~ "^ S -■ p • " ~ 3q • SviT 2.u.2.;^2.2.= 3 3;Cr"o5 2.E<^2& 3 XT'13^ "-^i- 3c P P ^ ■ < o ST g ® O c-t- ii o O " o s ^- (h (~ o ff CD CO ■ o c • • 3 ■ c • 000 r-c c • • - X' - ' "^ a33f^-2K~2K-?^r_4 — ^^3-3-3'=~^3'3'i 3 t"tC— X^O^i ■* '" "" 5 °^ S re o ."^ro 05-0 T 01 1-3 Xi2^X?:5s^it^ ■5^g.'i'i2.^=2.So2|- 0(i -i oc o ^ 33 ?c Q ^ P I— » ill Official Photographer Northern Pacific Railroad, FARGO, DAKOTA. Our Palace Studio Car will Visit all R. R. Towns in Northwest Send for Catalogue N. P. Views. FAKGO. DAKOTA. The Oldest Daily in North Dakota and .Lbadino Paper of thh Territory. Lithographing, Printing, andj^gsi^s^ -^l^^Binding, in all Its Branches. i ~" — J. R. HARRIS, DRY GOODS, GROCERIES, HATS & CAPS. Ready Made Clothing, Boots and Shoes, Crockery and Glass Ware, Paints and Oils, Also Full Line of Hardware. -o- m:cO^\.ul.ey^vil.i^e, miiivivesota. 3^-1 L^IC ?^^ < HOTEL,^ '^ D. BELL, PROPRIETOR. LARGEST HOTEL IN RICHLAND COUNTY. FIRST CLASS IN EVERY RESPECT. -o- ISooiaas Hjargre and. "VsTell IFvLmislied.. Olean Bed-s. TalDles S-O-pplied. T77i.tli Best in tlie ItvCarlset- -o- All employes are affable and efficient, attending strictly to business, and every effort is put forth for the comfort of the guests. It has always been a very popular resort for the traveling public. Mr. Bell, the proprietor, succeeds admirably in making all of his guests feel perfectly at home. WAHPETON, DAKOTA: A Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. Neutralizing Agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date: ^h PRESERVATION TECHNOLOGIES. LP. 111 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 16066 (724)779-2111