davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24
Samuel e. McELe7'u.
Correspondence of the Record.

correspondence OF the Record.
GAYToN, Emmons County, D. t.
June %, 1884
This gentleman, who now lives in the
southern part of this county, was the first
man to build house in what is now EN-
mons County. The building was made of
logs andwas used as trading post 1t
stood where William Badgers cattle
ranch now stands, opposite old Fort Rice.
This house was built in 1852 80 years
ago, and was used only one winter. In
the spring of 1858 came flood, and Mr..
McElery and his men were compelled to
take to the housetop, where they were
forced to remain prisoners for six long
weeks. They cut hole through the
roof and fished out corn which foated in
side the house, and this was all they had
to eat during their Imprisonment 1t
was cold, but of course they could make
no fire. Mr.. McElery says no ship
wrecked crew was every more happy to
reach dry ground than he and his men
were. The old gentleman is now "a years
of age, and has lived on the Missouri
River since he was 10. He says most of
the boys who came to the river region
with him have gone; but he looks and
acts as though he were not more than IS,
and bids fair to live to see great improve
ments in this country. He says that, had
any one told him twenty or thirty years
ago that he would live to see the day
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24

when the best of grain and all kinds of
vegetables could be grown in this county.
he would have thought the man crazy.
He can remember when the American
Fur Company cleared off what is now
known as Flories Island and planted it
three successive seasons, but had to aban.
don it on account of total failure each
year. How different things are since set
tlement and cultivation began Where
but few short years ago was the silent
and unbroken prairie and woodland are
now to be seen the fields of growing
grain and the happy homes of prosper
GUS and contented people. Mr.. McElcry
traded for the American Fur Company
many years, and then started in business
for himself. He became quite wealthy
in few years, and went back to the
States to educate his children. He re.
mained east several years, when long
ing for his old stamping grounds brought
him back to Emmons County. He is
now breaking up a large farm, and also
has herd of cattle, which he says seem
to thrive quite as we'll as the buffalo
formerly did. The other evening as he
talked of old times, he seemed to live
them over again, when he traded with the
Indians all winter, and then foated down
| the Missouri River in the spring with his
harvest of buffalo robes and nearly every
kind of furs. His face would Tighten up
with smile as he related something
amusing he had seen among the Indians
long ago; and, as he told of some poor
fellow who had starved, drowned, or had
been tortured and killed by the Indians,
his smile would change to sad, far-away
look. He can remember seeing trains of
as many as 1,500 carts come down from
the Red River country. They were
owned by the Red River half breeds, who
made the trip for the purpose of procur-
ing buffalo meat and robes. They either
worked an OK or one pony in each cart.
and they sometimes came in even larger
numbers than above mentioned.
MIR. McElery was born and brought up
in Maryland, came to St. Louis at the age
of 18, and Immediately started up the
river in the employ of the American Fur
Company. He would like to see some
good Democrat at the head of our govern
ment, but thinks Mr.. Blaine and John A.,
Logan are capable of keeping the boys
straight Any one who calls at Mr.. Nc
Elery's home will find him good enter,
tainer, and one who can relate some inter
esting stories of frontier experience and
hairbreadth escapes in the early days.
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24
We BeZieye Him.

Mr.. J. w. Shannon, of Wolsey, was in
Bismarck recently, and stated that he is
confident the Chicago, Milwaukee s. St.
Paul Railroad will be extended to Bis
marck at an early day. Indeed, he thinks
much of the grading on this extension
will be done this fall. The line passes
through an exceedingly rich country, that
will settle rapidly just as soon as people
learn of its value and beauty. 1t passes
through the counties of Beadle, Faulk,
Edmunds, MCPHERSON, Mcintosh, EN-
mons, and Burleigh. Fifty thousand
people will follow the extension of the
Milwaukee & st. Paul into this region,
and the head of every family can here
find government land, which can be occu-
pied underithe homestead, pre-emption or
tree-cultnre laws. Bismarck Journal
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24
The School Election.

The election for school-township Off
GERS took place to-day, and resulted in
the choosing of the following ticket:
Director, Jacob Kalberer; Treasurer, J.
L. Boutillier Clerk, William L. Yeater.
"Williamsport" was unanimously voted
for as the name of the township.
Returns from the school township east
of Williamsport show that the election re-
suited as follows: Treasurer, J. N. Roop ;
Director, L. A. Couch Clerk, j. L. Ken
nedy. Name of township, Logan"
Township north of Williamsport Di-
rector, F. D. Walker; Treasurer, John
McTavish Clerk, J. H. Stevenson.
Name of township, Cherry Grove"
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24

their loads" with those whose only means
of transportation is that with which ma
ture provided them at birth. BY this
kindly action it is believed that nearly
all our people will, like the immortal Eli,
'tget there"
Pursuant to call in the RECORD of last
week, meeting of voters residing in the
school township in which Williamsport is
situated was held at the County Clerk S
office on Saturday evening last. The
gathering was for the purpose of naming
men to stand as candidates at the school
election which is being held to-day. The
gentlemen consenting to run for the
various positions were: For Director, ia
cob Kalberer; Treasurer. J. L. Boutillier;
Clerk, William L. Yeater. Williamsport
was decided upon as the name to be ap-
piled to the new township.
Travellers stopping at Mr.. SINNERS, on
the Bismarck road, have lately missed the
kind and good-natured presence of Mrs.
Burt. 1t made no difference to her
whether the tired traveller arrived at a
seasonable or an unreasonable hour; he
was always met with smile. The lady's
daughter-in-law, Mrs F. j. Burt, died on
the 9th inst, and Mrs. Burt has gone to
reside with her son for the purpose of
caring for his motherless children. For
tunate are the little ones in having such
grandmother, and the privilege of call
ing so true and good a woman by the dear
name Of mother is great solace to Mr..
Burt in his bereavement. Mr.. Skinner
has been fortunate in securing such intel
ligent and competent household manage
ment to fill the place made vacant by
Mrs. Burt's departure.
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24
ElMMONS COUNTY. 4 I

-Dakota 10 truly the abode Of wonders.
II is wonderful that in land to which
until quite recently the appcllation "Great
American Desert was given there should
noM-be found'the homes of prosperous
population. 1t is no less wonderful that
this same land has been found capable of
producing large variety of crops in great
quantity and of the very best quality.
But the most remarkable fact connected
with our territory is the rapidity with
which it has been settled and the high
grade of intelligence of its settlers, as
shown. by the last census. Counties have
been organized which at the time of organ
ization possessed but handful of inhab-
itants, and within couple of years these
same counties have numbered by thou
sands those within their borders.
During the brief period since the build
ing of the great transcontinental railroad
which traverses North Dakota complete
metamorphosis has taken place. Where
only dozen years ago roamed the wild
buffalo and the wilder red man there may
now be seen all the evidences of civiliza-
ton. The trail of the Indian has wi
dened into the wagon road of the pale
face. Where once stood the transient
tepee may now be seen the building de-
voted to the cause of education or conse-
Grated to worship of the Divine Master
The weary plodding of the cayuse has
given way to the raging whirl of locemo-
tive wheels. Long lines of freight cars
glide swiftly by where once was heard the
prayerful and vigorous speech Of, the
ox-driver as he demonstrated with the
chief propulsive power known toiprairie
transportation. Like in all cases where
machinery has filled the place of hand
workers, the easy:going passenger coach
in lieu of the blackboard stage has ruined
the profession of the energetic and pros
porous road agent. Possession of the soil
so long devoted to the perennial green
of bunch and buffalo grass has been
usurped by the waving grain, and on ev-
cry hand the wilderness has been made to
blossom as the rose." Where lately na-
ture only y;gave evidence of work may now
be found the results of the energy of art.
Villages have, been established, have
grown to towns, and developed into Cit,
les, as if by magic, and the necessities and
luxuries of humanity have come ina de-
gree proportionate, until at present q vis-
itor from the older sections of America to
this new land would hardly comprehend
that he was away from home. 4ss s
And, of all the sections of this great
territory, we believe none have exceeded
in rapidity Of settlement and develop
ment the comfy named in the heading Of
this article. One year ago, excepting the.
river neighborhood, this county was Just
beginning to receive inhabitants. There
were no towns--scarcely a postoffice
within its confines. One might travel for
miles without seeing house or human be-
ing. At no point on the prairie conld be
found the track of the breaking-plow
whereit dealt death to, the nutritious
grass tsand the flowers that grow be-
tween" But all is changed. In any part
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24
A. Fine Field of Wheut.

One of the finest fields of wheat to be
seen in Dakota or elsewhere is that of
Daniel Long, one and half miles from
Williamsport. on section 8. The field
comprises forty acres The grain is about
eighteen inches high, and its equal cannot
be found outside of North Dakota.
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24
a AaMas,ac,t,usts Esc,n,,e,

81 What might have been . very serious
accident happened to MI. Frank HanitcA
while assisting in digging a well on his
claim. couple Of miles from town. A
swcde was digging III the hole, which
had reached depth of 13 feet. Mr.. Han
itch was at the windlass when by some
means he lost his balance, and "down
came Frank the dirt-hox, and ALL The
latter article was full of soil, and weighed
about 400 pounds, The whole outfit
struck the digger On the head and the
gentleman from Northern Europe, for
getting his recently acquired E1glish, OF
finding that language Inadequate to do
justice to the subject, began energetically
to comment in vigorous Scandinavian on
the sudden descent. The Nordlander was
uninjnred, and MI. Hanitch escaped with,
IN pugilistic parlance, % tap on the
bugle.' + The dirt,box, however, was .
total wreck. The escape of both Mr..
Hanich and the Sweae was indeed re-
markable. After Frank had performed
his perilous gymnastic act the question
under debate was regarding the means by
which, the ascent should be made. After
looking at one another for . little while,
the Swede climbed up the rope, and Mr..
Hanitch was soon extracted from the
bowels of the earth.
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY

Judge of District Court-Hon. s. A. Hudson
Clerk of District Court-En1er N. Corey
ShertY-William v. Wade.
Register of Deeds and County Clerk-Daniel
Williams.
Treasurer-Joseph N Roop.
Assessor--Joseph Taipe.
Judge Of ofProbate-George Dougherty
County Surveyor-D. R. Rupert.
Superintendent of Schools--J. H. Worst.
Coroner--Henry Hodgkinson.
County Commssoners-W. L. Yeatcr CHAIR
mani, James B. Gayton, and R. S. Whitney.
Justices of the Peace--John Kurtz, A. M.
Weller, D. R. Jones, and L. A. Couch.
Constables-Ed Campbell and F. D. Walker.
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24

CITIZENS of Emmons County, when in
Bismarck, are requested to call at the
store of Bushman 6 Co., where they will
find the largest and most complete stock
of Groceries, Flour, Feed and Grain in
the Northwest. They also handle full
line of Crockery, Lamps, and Chandeliers.
They buy and 'sell'for cash, and guarantee
satisfaction and the lowest prices for
cash 1900. .t
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24

If you want any Wall Paper, Shades,
Books, Stationery, Blank Books Pocket-
books, or Sunday School Supp plies. the best
place in Bismarck to buy hem u J. W.
CLARKE's Book ssToRE, Main street
First National Bank Block
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24

Advertisements for more than one month, pay
able monthly. pro rata
Legal Observation-Disclosures rates,
Local notices-First insertion, 10 cents: subse-
quent insertions. CENTS
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24

If you want frst-olass Job Work done
call at the RECORD office.
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24

The editor Of the REcoRD wants to bet
u handful OF the small change lying
around in his scsp. CASE and covering up
his Sorts thaf within two weeks after
the coming harvest the milwaukee 6 St.
Paul Railroad win commence the building
of q line to Bismarck and it will run
through this county.
Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1884-06-24

SUBscRIBE for the RECORD.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-08-21

pect it? The most wretched married
people I have ever known were always
quite willing and even eager to see
their children settled for life in mar
riage, knowing that they would find
shelter and protection thereby. If
not in the affection, at least by the
law, which compels the husband to
support his wlfe-a support perhaps
meager enough and grudgingly be-
slowed Look around on all your
friends, married or single, and ask
yourselves the question which is the
preferable lot. If you are strong
enough to fight alone the battle of
life, to earn your own bread and but
ter, you are just in the condition to
gain the reapect at least of husband,
and, having hearty, genuine respect
admiration and love are not far dis
tant. The truth is, dear girls, too
many enter this holy condition hop
ing to find ia it only ease, adulation
and pleasure Such persons will find
the reverse Of what they seek. Read
Tennyson's princess. Had not he
the true conception of happiness IN
this condition.?
A man must be bad, indeed, that
can treat with disrespect a woman
who respects herself. AS rule a good
woman will make a good home-we
know of exceptions to this, however.
But if you have made up your minds
to follow the bent of your wills and
pave way for yourselves, you may
do well; but to those who intend to
enter the marriage state should good
opportunity come to them, I have only
to say, see to it that you individually
understand what is required of you
as a wife. Be willing to make con-
cessions at any time if in the wrong,
and above all things, don't find fault
with your husband before others.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-08-21
Women Should Marry.

Marriage with a worthy man is a
woman's privilege, and her best and
highest development, mental and
physical, can be attained in this state,
says the Rural New Yorker. Men
and women were made for each other,
and very old but nevertheless true
truism is that happy marriage is the
very garden of Eden. An unhappy
marriage is the reverse, and the great
est of all calamities that can befall a
pure affectionate and noble woman.
Faith In God and a strong resolve to
do every duty can alone Keep such a
one from absolute despair. Miss Brad
don says: "a good woman who does
not love her husband makes the best
wife" If this is true, it is because she
is controlled by duty instead of the
changing caprices of affection.
''Trouble in the flesh will come to
every married couple. Why not ex,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-08-21
Fun in Old England.
Kent Correspondence Brooklyn Union.

A pole thirty feet long and four Or
five inches in diamater was laid down
with one-half its length secured on the
shore, the other half being over the
water. At the water end of the pole
a large box was suspended with a
creased pig in it. Seven men tried
for half an hour to get at the pig by
walking the creased pole. They
would ts ke step or two and then
tumble head over heels into the water.
The crowd roared with laughter. FL
nally one of the men walked about
half the distance out aud made a
jump, so that he was able to catch
hold of the string on the box, which
opened the trap-door at the bottom
and let the pig into the water. Then
he had TO jump into the water himself,
catch the pig and bring it ashore.
AS the pig was creased, this was no
easy task; but the fellow finally sue
ceeded, and walked off with the ami
r.al, which let everybody known was
alive by shrieking all ii could.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-08-21
Thackeray and the Contributor.
Cornhill Magazine.

Trollope had been hard on Thacke-
ray-just as the public has been hard
on TrOilOpe-because his mode of com
position did not chime in with his
own, and was indeed Numerically
opposite. Thackeray's habits were
anything but methOdical, and he
found the duties of editorship especial
ly irksome. Communications from his
contributors, and especially the would
be ones, annoyed and even distressed
him to an almost incredible degree.
/ remember of his complaining of one
of them with a vigor and irritation
which amused me exceedingly. A
young fellow had sent long story,
for which he demanded particular at
tention $ from the greatest novelist, :"
upon the ground that he had a sick
sister entirely dependent upon him
for support. Thackeray was touched
by the appeal, and contrary to his
custom, wrote his correspondent a
long letter of advice, enclosing also
(which was by no means contrary to
his custom) some pecuniary assist
ance. 81 feel for your position, :"
he said, "and [ appreciate your mo-
0ANO lO1 C<ACI puG L GSn 1Ou dG
once that you will never do anything
in literature. Your contributions are
worthless in every way, and it is the
truest kindness, boh to her for whom
you are working and to yourself, TO
tell you so outright. Turn your mind
at once to some other industry"
This produced a reply from the
young gentleman which astonished
Thackeray great deal more than it
did me. 1t was couched In the most
offensive terms conceivable, and end
ed by telling " the greatest novelist "
that though he had attained by good
luck "the top of the tree, he would
one day find himself, where he deserv-
ed to be, at the bottom of it."
For my part" said Thackeray,
upon my sho wing some premonitory
symptoms Of suffocation), 4" [ see little
to laugh at. What stupid, migrate
full creature the man must be! and if
[ waste another half-hour in writing
to a creature of that sort call me
horse, or worse" He was not so &C
custOmed to the vagaries of rejected
contributions as [ was.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-08-21
MAI kAUN.
The Remarkable story o. q Young
Siamese Student.
New York Tribune

New York Tribune
Mai Kaun, the young Siamese no
bleman who has been afraid to go
home for four years past, because he
was in danger Of being beheaded, is
now passing his summer vacation at
the home of Rev DR.. Samuel House,
IN Waterford. He was recently grad
uated with great honors at the Will
liston Seminary, East Hampton,
Mass. Just before the Siamese EN-
bassy sailed for home from New York
on July 5, DR.. House went to the
metropolis, where he saw the brother
of the King Of Siam, who was at the
head of the embassy, and received as
surances from the prince that Mai
Kaun would now be safe in returning
to his native land. The former regent
of the kingdom, the impIacable enemy
of Mai Kaun's family, recently died,
and the present king is liberal in his
views, and inclines to foster education
and the sciences. 1t is limited that
Mai Kaun will take a course in engin
eering at the Rensselaer, Polytechnic
destitute, and then return TO Siam,
where he will superintend the open
ing of a system of railroads and thus
restore the fortunes of his once bril-
liant family.
The story of Mai Kaun is like a page
from an Oriental romance His
father, a member Of the kings private
council. fell in love with a daughter
of the English consul four years ago,
and ran away with her in a steam
Yacht. For this he was arrested and
first fogged by order of his implacable
enemy, the regent, wAo was the prime
minister at the time. The English
consul thought punishment had gore
far enough, and threatened Bank Kok
with a gunboat from Singapore. A
Siamese envoy was sent to England to
protest against the threat of the CON
sui. He was gone eight months, and
in the meantime the imprisoned no
bleman was beheaded and every mem
Der of his family who could be reach
ed either suffered the same fate, or
was imprisoned The property of all
his relatives was confscated, and his
chief wife, the mother of Mai Kaun,
was put to work in a rice factory.
Now, in consequence of royal favor,
she enjoys an honorable position as an
attendant upon the queen. Mai Kaun
at the time was studying in the Unit
eoStates, but the prime minister made
an effort to compel the American gov
eminent to give up the boy, so that
he could do with him as he chose.
Mai Kaun's grandfather became in
sane on account of the brutal treat
ment that he had received by his gov
eminent and was knighted in order to
heal his wounded feelings. His
daughter made a narrow escape from
the country.
The new order of things which al
lows Maj Kaun's return home is de-
scribed as solely owing to the enlight-
eminent of the present king, WHO.
among other changes, has abolished
the rule compelling every inferior of
whatever rank, when in the presence
of superior, to get down on his hands
and knees and crawl.