davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14
One of Our Young Settlers Engulfed Be-
meath the Raging Waters--Eis
Body Not Found.
A Bit of History--A Beauty Spot Changed
From Fort Site to Delight
full Capital Site.
The Body Of the Drowned Man Recovered
and Proves to be J. F. Hunter---The
Coroner's Inquest.
Synopsis of Lecture Delivered by B.
8. Russell Before the Literary Society
Tuesday Evening.
Drowned.


Soon after noon Monday rumor
reached town that man had been drown
ed in the creek between the river and
bluffs down by the mill. An Alert re-
porter was soon on the ground with Sheriff
McKcchnie ana learned the particulars
The water is some three feet above the
bridge which spans the creek, but teams
have been crossing. Between II and 12
yesterday forenoon Mr. Weideman's OK
team, from Eldridge, came down the hill
and was coming to town in charge Of
VIM. Lockwood. a stranger, who was
waiting at the foot OF the hill, requested
to be allowed to ride across, and getting
into the wagon asked permission to drive
the oxen. which was granted. Morgan's
team was just ahead, and the oxen fol-
lowed all right until about half way over,
when they go1 out of the road and the
force of the water lifted the body of the
wagon off the fore axle and carried it over
into the creek, or slough, the oxen going
safely over Lockwood and the stranger
were in the wagon body at the time and
both jumped out, the former getting back
safely to the west shore and the latter
after struggling in the water a short time
sank under AS soon as apparatus could
be got ready graphing for the body was
begun and continued until 6 O'Clock, but
without finding the body. The work of
search will be continued, but as part of
the water is covered with ice it will be
slow work. Mr.. Severn's son and one or
two others witnessed the drowning, but
none of them knew who the stranger was,
though it has been thought from the des-
cription given he may be John Hunter,
formerly employed on the Northern Pa
citic, but who recently went on a farm
south of town with his parents.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14
VIM. G. White, ATTORNEY.

The following communication we take
from the last issue of the North Dakota
Capital:
Editor Capital: rarely care to answer
the petty attacks OF an irresponsible man,
yet they sometimes do harm If unnotlced.
The editor of the Alert, this morning,
asks himself question and answers 1t
with a falsehood. The proceedings Of
two Of the last three OF the meetings OF
the village trustees were ready for publ-
cation before last weeks issue OF the
Alert, and Mr.. Mcclure called to get
them, and was handed the book contain
ing them. In one half of them the Or
diHanccs were stated in full and request
ed Mr.. Mcclure to save the tax payers
money by cOndensing them to mere
statement of their contents as l had al
ready given them to him to publish else
where IN full. He said he could not take
the time to condense, which would be
about two minutes, but asked me to re-
copy the proceedings, which would take
over an hour, and l promptly refused.
will be pleased to give you the proceed
ings for your paper, which the official pa
per has refused to trouble itself with.
WM. g. WHITE.
What Mr. White lacks and needs most
is good horse sense, backed up by rea
sonable degree of manhood and honesty.
The practice of attempting to cover
black and villainous heart with a mantle
of religion and respectabiiity will work
wonders in country made up of unsotis-
ticated citizens, but whenever the game is
attempted in frontier town, it proves too
thin, and the party who practices it, is
despised more sincerely than the most
outspoken villain that treads the earth
If MIR White has any desire to continue a
public controversy with the Alert he can
be accommodated and we will give him
the free use of our columns for one week
for that purpose.
The Alert called upon Mr.. White as
stated above. Mr.. White said he would
not copy the proceedings and that we
must pick them out from among the ordi-
rances, all of which were copied in a
book. We simply told him tnat we would
not do so. We were not getting paid for
doing his work, consequently did not pro-
pose to do it for him. When we are paid
for editing the the proceedings of the vii
lage council from book, and more es-
pecially when they are mixed up with a
number of ordinances, we will do so with
Measure Mr. White said nothing about
saving money for the village and lies
Nhep he ipsipUates 70 the coaEsry. yhe
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14
Down South.

There have been many surmiscs as to
the course of the Northern Pacific rail-
road in the country south of jamestown,
and the following you'd seem to throw
some light ON the subject and lead to the
belief that the road would start a town in
the vicinity of Columbia:
The Ouway Times states that the
Northern Pacific Railroad company last
week scripped at the land office in Wa
tertown, 800 acres in township 1876, of
range 81, on the west side of the James
river and about thirteen miles northeast
Of Ordway, near Sand Lake. There have
been many rumors during the last few
months that the Northern Pacific COM
pany Lad made proposition to the Chi
cago & Northwestern to go no farther
south than Ordway if they would build
no farther noth; the seripping of this land
at Sand Lake by the Northern Pacific for
a town site, taken in connection with 24O
acres scripped and partially surveyed on
the other side OF the track here, and ad-
joining the plats of the Chicago &
Northwestern seems to confirm these ru-
mOrS.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14
Our Fruits.

In this land of pure delight, where
strawberries grow all round the year,
wucre luscious peaches daily grace the
| Dakota house tables, and where the
| guests of the Northwestern and CONNER
cial are fed with pomegranates and figs,
| here in this marvellous milk and. honey
| Canaan Of the new world we must raise
apples if we don't raise the other kinds Of
fruit. The soil of our valley is really par
ticuIarlv we'll adapted to the raising of
ample trees. Shrewd tree culturists have
frequently called attention to this fac,
and some of our people are gong INTO the
orchard business quite extensively. Mer-
rick Moore who was SO successful IN MS
valley garden last season has purchased
several varieties of app.e trees and has set
out an orchard on portion OF his Ian u
Among the varieties secured by hlm are
the the duchess of Gutenberg, Tetofsky,
Fameusc; ;Aucubafolia, and Weatherby, All
hardy varieties of the original fruit--the
same with which Eve got us all into
trouble. Co jerome j. Flint, late pro-
pr1etor of the Dakota house has also gone
into the business, and recently sent quite
a number of young trees to his farm on
the south side of the James, from Which
can be had such a commanding view OF
the valley and town. Col. Flint has had
much experience and among his selections
is the Transcendant crab, variety which
he considers not only hardy but which.
will also yield very prolific crop. Col.
Flint will be only too glad to furnish any
information that may be desired upon
this subject Two or three years hence
the golden Pippin, the mellow Russctt
and The famous Spitzen5erg will greet the
be tempted to shake the limbs and gather
the first fruits Of the apple harvest. Sue
cess to Flint and Moore and others who
thus endeavor to fill long felt want, who
thus seek to furnish food and cider and to
stimulate us towards raising the only kind
of fruit now lacking in this magnificent
domain, namely: the succulent and juicy
apple.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14
Old Fort Seward.

AS old land marks pass out of existence
the records of their history possess an in
terest and are frequently valuable. Old
Fort Seward, that held the hilltop COM
manding the beautiful panorama of river
and valley at jamestown, Dakota, is prob
ably the most interesting land mark of the
James river. valley. But ten years ago in
February, 1872, Companies and X of
the Goth regiment moved up from
Fort Abercrombie and chose this location
the most desirable and the most delight
full in the vicinity. No ncighbors had the
soldiers, save the red men, and they pro-
ceeded with the construction Of their fort,
little thinking how soon they would ap-
pear upon an important page of the records
of jamestown, which now plays so con-
splcuous part in the affairs of the n orth
west.
Civilization came slowly at first, but the
little band vi soldiers stood their ground
through the exciting early days. Game
was plentiful, and with good water and a
dry, healthy location, they enjoyed their
pleasant quarters aud bade defiance to the
menaces Ot their enemies.
At nrst they called their fortiication
Fort Cross, then they, changed the name
to Seward. Representatives of the n North-
ern Pacific railroad and the Puget Sound
Land Company added few to the coura-
geous white men Of the place. Soon
came the iron lines OF The great
Northern Pacific route across the conti-
nent which reached jamestown in the
fall OF 1877, when the population was in
creased to l 800 by the railroad workmen
In October, 1877, the fort was abandoned
and its bindings were moved to the town
near by.
On the vacation of the fort wishful
eyes turned 10 Its site which, situated so
| near jamestown, would become very val
| liable. Among those who coveted the
spot were the hon. ID. Nj. kelleher, then
| Territorial representative and the honored
| Henry +. Elliott, late Judge of Probate Of
Stutsman county. LII igations followed
! this conflict between these men Of fore
sight which, settled but a short time ago
| by the payment of $4,000 for two small
fractions OF the property, have decided
the question of title, and now what
jamestown people have chosen to call
Capital Hill because Of its admirable
grounds for capital buildings, has come
| INTO the possession of men who will
develop its beauties. A few days ago the
Register OF Deeds of Stutsman county
Geo. W. Nennum, bought half interes,
in the most valuable part of this property
which will soon be added to jamestown
excepting such part as Mr.. Nennum will
haye reserved for government buildings.
| Should the scheme of this energetic
citizen, who has done so much to develop
North Dakota, be carried out the old set
tiers of jamestown will look with pride
upon the site of the fort and more thar
ever give credit to those who made such
an excellent selection.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14
John Hunters Death.

In the pond near the mill the body of
day was discovered Tuesday morning.
The body was recognized as that of John
+. Hunter. His body had been carried
under the ice by the current several rods
from where the accident occurred. Justice
Steinbach, acting coroner, impanneled a
jury consisting of VIM. II. Dunno, Jos.
Mason and Geo. Foster. They viewed the
body at the scene of the accident. 1t was
then removed to Decker's Fifth Avenue
Hotel, whe1e the inquest was held. The
testimony of VIM. Lockwood was to the
effect that he met Hunter near the bluff
west of the Touring mill on his way to
Jamestown. Hunter got into the wagon
and offered to drive the oxen, as Lock
wood was timorous about crossing. He
drove on the road until they got to the
center Of the pond when the oxen went
sideways into hole, the wagon box was
displaced and tlOated down the current
When the box seemed to be sinking the
young men jumped into the water ana
Lockwood succeeded in gaining the shore
after great eXertion. He saw Hunters
hands above the water for a moment, and
only for moment, then he was carried
under the ice and nothing could be done
for him. The oxen swan across and were
secured
Mike Helm testitiad that he stopped the
oxen after he saw nothing could De done
to save the man. Helm, with Mr.. Nor
gan, had crossed the same place in safety
only few minutes before the accident,
although the water came up to the wagon
box.
There was no evidence Of anything like
foul play, and the jury found verdict of
accidental death by drowning.
On Hunters person there was found
$3.50 in money, besides his watch and
chain, letters and papers. He formerly
had been a conductor on the Northern
Pacific railroad and was % years of age,
active and bright. Many friends will
miss him. He was returning from his
claim near town when this misfortune
overlook him.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14
The Literary Society.

Another interesting meeting was held
by our Literary Society Tuesday eve at
the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Il. A.
Bill favored the meeting with lively in
strumental solo. Two recitations by w.
H. Dunno were we'll received. Mr.. Fow-
Ter and friend sang duet which was
highly appreciated. The leading feature
OF the evening was the lecture on the Mex
ican War by B. S. Russell, which was so
excellent that we will give an extended
report of it tomorrow. MIR. Will H.;
Burke used his melodious voice to good
advantage in the solo Come back to
Erin Some may have thought that his
chorus was not quite strong enough, but
altogether his singing was delightfully."-
sweet and was listened to with intense in
terest. During recess business was
transacted. A committee on programme
was elected consisting of Mrs. Lloyd, Miss
Lizzie Wells, Mrs. r. A Bill, with Messrs.
Nickeus and Fowler. Several new men,
bers were also elected.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14
Overdrawu.

AS will be seen by the following letter
Eastern papers have taken advantage OF
our late storms to prejudice their readers
against Dakota. But for the benefit of
those who are willing to learn the truth
the Alert will say that our worst storm
came in the latter part of March; was of
short duration and free from fatalities eN-
cent in very rare instances In and
around jamestown no one suffered, ana
of the instances reported of people freez-
ino. if was from sheer carelessneSs and
foolhardiness, IN starting out when the
storm was OF its worst. Not single per-
son was frozen in going from their houses
TO their barns. or vice versa: and from
very large list of exchanges covering
of the whole of the territory we can learn
of no parties who went out and have
not been heard from. The letter referred
to reads as follows:
EDITOR ALERT-l our paper OF last
week was not to hand on time. L hope
that the blizzard was not as bad as report
ed in our provincial papers. A telegram
from St. Paul reports several deaths by
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14
A Term of Court,

Judge Hudson has ordered the clerk to
call term Of court on the 24th of this
month, at which term will be tired by
court and jury some very important and
interesting cases, in preparation of which
the members of our bar are busily en-
gagged. At this term will be tried the
savory and romantic case entitled Mary
Mcdonald vs. e. W. Brenncr, for breach
of promise and seduction. Bill for plain
TIN; Allen u Dodge for defendant; also the
celebrated Vennum divorce suit, same at
torneys; the replcvin suit OF Mathew
Mvrick VS. Rose n. Bill ct al; Powell u
Douglass Pump w orks VS.. a. Mckeohnie
both ut which involve some very nice law
points, and are represented by Messrs.
White " Hewitt ana Allen u Dodge. j.
G.. Nlckeus is also interested in seve raj
important matters; and our spring term
bias far to be a lively one. 1t Will un-
doubtedly be held in the old court house,
as the new one is not yet completed.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14

Alert had no desire to print the ordi-
nanccs. 1t only wanted the proceedings
which he, as faithful officer, should
have furnished IN proper form some weeks
ago. Again, he has no authority to give
the proceedings to any other paper unless
he can show that he constitutes the en-
tire board of village trustees.
The Alert is almost constrained to use
the words Of r. +. Wallace, president of
the First National bank, who said at the
school meeting last Tuesday that he could
not find words III the English language to
express his contempt for hlm (White) and
later in the week said that he never ex..
pected to find the words
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14
Side Tracks.

The Northern Pacific officials having
such striking proofs of the need of more
side tracks in Jamestown at once took de-
cisive action toward increasing them.
The spur which formerly stopped by the
depot is to- be extended to the river, and
work ON it was begun yesterday by gang
Of men. Walker " BIy's grading outfit
was removed and it will take but short
time to put the track in. On the south
side OF the main track Jim Winslow is to
have spur built beside the track he now
uses, capable Of holding seven cars.
These additions when completed will
help the blockade which now exists and
enable trains to pass each other without
backing mile or so towards Spiritwood
which has to be done at present.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14
location for the Court House.

CONSTRUCTION, Stutsman County, ID. T..
Messrs. Klaus, Curtin and Goodrich:
We, the undersigned residents and tax
payars of Stutsman county most respect
fully petition your honorable body to To-
cate and build the court house and jail
for Stutsman county upon the hill just
west of the James river aud north OF the
Northern Pacific railroad. Wepreferring
this location to the block seventy -one now
selected ny your body, the object OF this
petition being based upon the fact OF a
free offer of a block of land for this pur-
nose bv the owners of SAID land and thus
save to the county the cost of block sew
enty-one and receive a preferable location
in our opinion thereby.
For your favorable consideration of this
location we will ever pray.
JAMESTOWN, ID. T., April Z, 1857.
We, the undersigned, owners OF the
land above described, hereby offer to the
county of Stutsman enc block of land OF
the size of block seventy-one for the sum
Of cpe dollars tree from all ipcumbsauees,
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14
The School Board.

1t has been suggested that our school
board meet once month to audit bills,
transact business and present reports. The
suggestion is good one, for it is general
ly gratifying to have reports from those
in charge OF educational matters, and the
people should see and know what is going
on. No reflection upon the board is in
tended in this, however. Such action
would only be following out the well es-
tabllshed practice of keeping the citizens
posted. The proceedings should be pub
llshed just as are those OF the county COM
miSsiOnerS.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14
What Are You Going To Do For Us ?


Is the question the people Of Bismarck
ask the Northern Pacific railroad through
q committee of their chamber of COM
merce. This committee has prepared
long address to the company, reciting the
past history of the town, Its advantages,
ETC., and concluding as follows:
A glance at the map will enable you to
see Bismarck's commanding position; to
see that the trade of the northwest will
naturally concentrate to that point, and
be distributed from there. You will see
the importance of early constructing
line of road extending up the Missouri
valley and encouraging of line of road
from Bismarck to Winnipeg, which will
give you the California travel and traffic,
to and from that country. The certainty
of other roads coming into Bismarck from
the south should lead you to cultivate
friendly relations with the business inter-
ests of Bismarck
The encouragement given our people
by the president of the road in 1881 en-
abled us to arrange this season for the
construction OF several brick blocks, and
for other substantial improvements, and
has developed a disposition on the part
their reach untried to settle the country
and develop its resources
While not asking you to grant special
privileges or special considerations, we do
ask that early steps be taken towark max
ing whatever permanent Improvements
yeu may find necessary to make at Bis
| marck. We ask that every possible en-
couragement be given to immigration
with the view to turning the tide now so
strongly setting into Canadian provinces
to the line of your own road and to the
Missouri valley.
We ask you to regard the commercial
Importance Bismarck has already attain
ed, and to take cognizance of the fact we
have already built up large wholesale
trade, reaching Fort Benton, 1000 miles
above, Fort Sully, 800 miles below, all
western Dakota and eastrn Montana, and
points on the Northern Pacific as far east
as jamestown. A single firm at Bis
marck now ships more freight than your
entire business at this point in 1875, in
cluding cily, river and military freight.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14
The Calico Ball .

The calico ball Monday eve was a success
in attendance, financially and socially.
There was larger crowd in attendance
than at any previous dance, and the hall
and music was all that could be desired.
were also the neck ties, which were pretty
generally worn by the gentlemen. supper
was served at the Northwestern House,
at twelve O'Clock, after which the dancing
was continued until dawn. Tony goes
east on a visit to-day, and takes with him
tue thanks of all VINO attended the dance,
and their best wishes for pleasant trip.
Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1882-04-14

feeling, and 25 to 30 at Ordway. Some
land explorers have not been heard from;
several cases Of neighbors passing from
one house to the next were frozen. take
it that this thing is overdrawn; and you
will confer favor by reporting the truth
about it, as quite a number of people
from this place are preparing to go out to
Dakota. They are rubbing it in very
hard, as this stblizzard" don't agree with
my report brought from there direct a
month ago. Yours very truly,
W. r. WHIDDAN.
Antagonist, Nova Scotia, April 3.