The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-08-10
PEMBINA5 AND ST. VINCENT


Towns" and Records his I'm.
Observation-Disclosures
Model Town.
Mr.. P. Begg, of the Emerson Ihterna-
tional, made a tour of observation
through st. Vincent and Pembina last
week, giving his impressions in that
paper as follows: After skirting the
natural amphitl.eater, we strike directly
through the woods for st. Vincent, pass
ing many beautiful spots, on the winding
road. As we near st. Vincent we pass
several half-breeds, but we cannot say
much for their success as farmers. The
houses are principally logs, and are
needed for the cold winter weather. As
we near St. Vincent the view is very fine.
On the west we see the Red River, and
the prairie beyond-and in the distance
the comfortable homes of. the settlers of
Northern Dakota. To the southwest
Pembina looms up grandly, the Steam
Mills, County Buildings, the School
House, the Churches, the Geroux House,
and others standing out in bold relief
among the. clumps of timber, which is of
dark green. To the south we see the
residences in st. Vincent pecping from
amongst the trees, which are of q larger
growth than is usually found ON this
section of the Red River. The whole
scene is one well worthy the brush of
the painter. On arriving at St. Vincent
We find it. composed of one main street,
built principally on the northern side,
and several smaller Streets. Nearly all
the business is transacted on the main
street, and we find several we'll filled
stores, with gentlemanly attendants
ready and willing to do far larger bust
ness than they are at present enjoying.
The present depression of trade has
reached them, but they are hopeful
class, and "there's good time coming"
We notice that st. Vincent has an extra
supply of hotels and saloons, and they
appear to be doing the principal busin ess.
The station of the St. p, NJ. & NJ. r. r.,
is in the center of the town, and near it
is very fine looking hotel, apparently
too large to be profitable to the one run
ming it. Near the river is an excellent
elevator, the only one in this section. 1t
is visible for long distance, and is a
landmark to those out on the prairie. St.
Vincent has its bank, church and school
house, and the people are energetic and
ambitious. Part of the Kittson county
officials have their headquarters here,
and part are at Ha!lock, fifteen or twenty
miles south OH the st. p, NJ. & NJ. R.R.
To reach Pembina we have to cross the
Red River by ferry boat, foot passen-
gers having to pay five cents. The boat
is on pulleys and is self propelling, and
the river haylng at this point a pretty
good current, the trip is short one. The
banks of the Red at this place are very
fine-on the st. Vincent side especially,
where you come down winding fbad
from level to level until you reach the
rivers edge, whilst Oh the Penbina side
the banks are steep, and showing a bluff
almost to'the water. The road has been
partly cut out, and on the left as we as
cend we see some large trees, with
number of Indians lounging beneath
them. They are quiet and lazy lot.
Pembina is delightfully."- situated on high
grounds. at the confluence of the Penn
bina river with the Red, and for situation
stands second to none for beauty, the
ground sloping gradually to both rivers,
but with high banks to each, SO that the
rivers have to be very high indeed to
trouble the residents. The town is
compactly built, and being the county
town Of Pembina County tile public
buildings are here, and are built of brick
They are large and thoroughly fitted in
side. The County officials are affable,
and it is pleasure to do business with
them. The school buildings are nicely
situated, built of brick, and excellently
arranged inside. The Methodist Church
is handsome new edifce. The town is
well built and most compact, and every
thing shows care and taste in the owners
Paint has been used, except in very few
instances, to the best advantage. In
short, Pembina is model town. The
citizens are pushing and dull times do
not daunt them. The Geroux House and
the Winchester are the two principal
hotels, but there are a number of smaller
ones and plenty ofsaloons. The Geroux
House is new frst-class house, and is
the best in Northern Dakota 1t is three
stories in height, elegantly furnished
throughout. The Office is most commo-
dious and arranged in the most modern
style. On the second floor are several
balconies, and the view from the roof is
very fine. The house is heated by steam,
and as it is brick-cased it must be warm.
Mr.. Geroux, who owns the building, is
also landlord, but on account of the large
amount of business he has to transact he
has little time to attend to hotel business.
1T will be an excellent opening for some
energetic man. The Post Office is new
building, and it has an excellently ar
ranged set of letter boxes, and is got up
regardless of expense. MIR. Cavileer, the
postmaster, is the oldest resident and set
tier in this section having been now
thirty-fye years in Pepbina. He is an
intelligent gentleman, and his reminis-
eences of olden times and of the Indians