Jamestown alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1882, 1879-04-10
to the judges "glasses you know"
Mr. Larribee has to haul his wood from
Lake Coe, IA miles to the north.


! An easy drive Of 18 miles brought US to
Brenner's ranch at the crossing Of the
Sheyenne River, where E. w. Brcnner,
Post Trader at Fort Totten, has 80 acres
we'll under cultivation, with large and
comfortable log house or ranch as it is
called, with which to accommodate weary
travellers. the Sheyenne River at this
point is we'll wooded with oak timber,
and is settled by several other families q
Mr. 'Murchie and family among them.
Eighteen miles more brought US to the
beautiful spot where is situated In full
view Of that splendid sheet of water,
M'nne.wa kan Esprit Water, or as it is
called in plain English, DEVILS Lake; the
military post of Fort Totten, the agency
buildings of the devils Lake Indian
Agency the sutler store Of Brenner &
Terry, the agency store of J. w. Cramsie
and the buildings of Ed. H. Lohnes the
nail carrier, and of the attaches of both
the military and indian departments.
That the officers stationed here are losth
to be transferred to any other post in the
department., is not At all to be wondered
at. IS here they have commodlous and com
Portable brick quarters for themselves,
their families, and their men; pure
drinking water; and in summer what is
nearly the equivalent of sea bathing, in
the briny, and As it is claimed medicinal
waters of Devils Lake; bathing in it,
having been said to have effected relief
and been instrumental in curing, in cases
of rheumatism. Yachting both by sail
and by next summer, by steam yacht now
building, employ many leisure hours;
beautiful scenery delights the eye, especi-
ally from. Sully's hill, about mile and a
half east Of the post, from which the lake,
with its wooded promontories and its bays,
are laid out before the gaze of the behol
der, the largest aud most beautiful lake in
Dakota, glittering gem on the wide ex-
pause Of prairie; and with the pleasant
!! amenities Of society, between the ladies
and gentlemen Of the post and agency,
made the days glide into weeks, weeks
to months, and months to seasons, so rapid,
~, that their ends are 1t hand, before
their approach has hardly been noticed.
That civilization here claims ito children,
cannot be doubted; but they also possess
that virtue of the barbarous Arab, that free
hearted, generous quality so much extolled,
and yet SO comparatively little to be met
with in these pushing rushing modern
days; Hospitality. They take thir friends
and strangers visiting them, "in aud do for
Them" not in the sense that the word is
used the other side of the Missouri River,
aud forsooth sometimes east of said river,
yea, verify; in which the party being done
for feeleth ''that every prospect plcaseth,
and only man is vile;" but on the contrary
in that perfect way that makes the rec,pl-
ant feel that he wishes that he was worth
tht figure one, with half dozen ciphers
annexed to it representing even buzzard
dollars, SO that he might spread himself
and return the Kindness, in kind many
fold.
The buildings of the fort enclosing a
parade ground of about 400 feet square,
are of brick; and for the most part two
stories high. The stables are situated
south Of the post. A gymnasium and
library, which Is to be Of logs 10Ox30 !,
and on one end two story high, is to be
built this year to serve as before mentioned,
also as general hall for theatricals and
other amusenents, such as dancing, socials,
and upstairs for lodge room for such
societies as ma, be formed at the post
There are at present lodge of Good Tenn
plers,a ,and recently organized lodge oft'dd
Fellows, both in fourishiug condition.
The post is now garr;soned by two
companies of the 7th Cavalry; the non
commissioned staff. band and one company
of the 18th Infantry.
The following are the officers of the
post: a.
Commanding Officer, Major r. E. A.
Crotton Of the ,7thInfantry: Post Adju-
tant, 1st Lieutenant w. P. Rogers, Regi-
mental Adjutant 18th Infantry; Post
Quartermaster, 1st Lieutenant w. W..
Robinson, Company G. 7th Cavalry; Post
Surgeon, w. B. Davis Assistant Surgeon,
U. s. A.; Acting Assistant Surgeon, H. H.
Ruger, U. S. A.; Captain Malcolm Near
thur, lst Lieutenant f. D. Gsrretty, 2nd
Lieutenant J. D. Nickerson, Company G,