The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-07-12
A Fortnight in North Dakota
(prof. Z. VIC. nydc.)

(PrOf. Z. VIC. Nydc.)
1t was my good furtune to visit the
Teachers Institutes of Pembina and
Walsh counties in North Dakota, which,
began June 8, and June 10, last, respect
lively. Ihad read of the land Of the
midnight sun, but lad never before been
in country where the summer twilight
lasts to within two or three hours of day.
light,
The first evening session of our insti-
tute at Pembina began at $50 y. m. and
Pres. Sprague ofthe North Dakota Uni.
versity told me lie once began an even.
ing lecture in that region at half past
ten.
Pembina is the oldest town tn the
Northwest, having been settled in 1850.
1t is one of four towns known rs the
"four corners" Of these four towns,
Pembina is in Dakota, st. Vincent in
Minnesota, and West Lynne and Emer-
son in Manitoba. Emerson and st. VIM
cent lie OIL the right bank and the other
two OIL the left bank Of the Red River.
A favoritc evening drive is to make the
circuit of the "four corners" crossing the
bridge between Emerson aud West
Lynne. and tile ferry between st. Vim
cent and pembna.
One evening, the members of the In.
stltute (about so in number) were treated
to this ride by the citizens of Penbina.
Twenty-Five carriages filled with jolly
teachers made quite lively picture as
they passed through the sleepy villages
of the Dominion. When strangers APP
proacll the line separating Uncle Sans
land from that of Victoria Guelph, they
are told that they will be able to note
the precise moment of crossing by per-
ceptible change i'll the temperature.
l fancied l could feel this change, but
l kept my eye OIL the line of iron posts
that determines the boundary that
l might not experience the sensation too
early or too late. On each of these posts,
which stand ut intervals of a few rods,
We read the following inscriptions in
raised iron letters: Convention of Lon
dor" and October Goth 1915" Dismount.
ing from my buggy at one oftl,esc posts, l
stood with one foot in Canada and the
other in the United States. Fancy INC
thus standing and rcciting the Declara-
ton of MISUNDERSTANDING some.
what toward the American side that l
might speedily throw myself under the
protection of the Stars and Stripes in
case the spirit of George III, or Lord
North should suddenly start from the
ground.
Most of the teachers and many of the
other citizens of Pembina county ure
Canadians. They have come to the
United States because they can secure
better wages and because they prefer
the institutions of this country. The,
become naturalizcd and most of then
seem to have imbibed spirit that ii
thoroughly American. They sing "Aneri
ca Will, much spirit-a song well fitte,
for a border people, as the music is Brit
ish and the words American.
Supt. e. L. Jackson of Pembina Co. AM
Supt. X. NJ. Evans of Walsh Co., are tw,
energetic, intelligent faithful and pro
gressive officers. and their teachers com
pare well with those in our good coun
ties.
One of the enterprising citizens &
Pembina is +. A. WardwelI, editor ofth
PIONEER EXPRESS. who was student @
tile st. Cloud Normal School in 1877. Nj
and Mrs. Wardwell entertained til
teachers Of the Institute very handsome
ly OH Friday evening after the lecture.
wish every Minnesota teacher migl
hear the lecture OH Milton by Homer
Sprague, President of the North Dakot
University. Illave seldom if ever listel
ed to anything more grand and snspi
Ing.
"Thc Common School" is the name {
T. new educational journal published i
/ Grafton, N. d. its editor, A. J.. Wood
@ Principal Of the Grafton school is a gr,
!. duate of Dartmouth and las alread
f achieved a success as teacher an
j. principal. Tho best praise l can Civ
, '"Tlle Common School" is to say that It
worthy of its editor.
One OF the many pleasures of IN
: Dakota trip was the opportunity 10 b,
= come more thoroughly acquainted wit
!. the veteran educational worker and a,
}, thor, Prof. John Ogden. Prof. Ogden