The Dickinson press., 1893-12-16
Dickinson Ten Years Ago.

Dickinson Ten Years Ago.
Considering IN detail, rs we have
done this week, the resources of Dick.
inson and its recent gains in popula.
tion, business and wealth, it is but
natural to think what the town was
ten years ago. From the PRESS file
of 1888 its tirst-we CLEAN some bits
of interest to old and new Dickinso.
mans.
We find in the initial number of the
PRESS the resources of Dickinson thus
set forth: "Have we not splendid
location for town, railroad interests
in our favor. u vast and fertile agri-
cultural district surrounding, abun-
dant rainfall, inexhaustible mines of
cheap but good fuel. an enterprising
population, good material for brick,
stock ranges ut convenient distance,
good water! Heavens! is not this e.
nough?"
The first lot was sold in Dickinson
September I, 1882; and May 30, 1883
Stark county was organized with Dick.
inson rs the county seat. The first
commissioners were H. l.. Dickinson,
James G. Campbell and James Coils.
ter.
From the first, the home paper and
the state papers spoke of Dickinson as
building better than most new towns.
During the year 1883, the Northern
Pacific round house and various 9th.
er railroad buildings were erected
the Northern Pacific having been
opened September s, 1888.
The first newspaper note of relig.
ious services was of those held at the
Dickinson farm. The Baptist church
the first church edifce, was erected
during 1883.
A view of the town during the lat
ter half of its first year shows but one
side track-half mile, where now
are seven miles, and but a handful of
houses where hundreds now stand.
The opening ball at the Willard oc.
CURED August "a. 1883.
The first school report appeard the
following fall.
In the PRESS issue of December Is
l8S3,-just ten years ago-we find the
editorial a sharp reply to Editor Tut.
tie of the Mandan Pioneer, who it ap
pears had said damaging and unfair
things about Dickinson. The locals
tell that Mrs. j. Hayes was recover
ing from severe illness; that i. liter
ary and debating society was organ
lied; and that Christmas festival anG
oyster supper was being prepared, ,anG
on the committees we notice the
names of Mrs. G. F. Merry, Mrs. Kid
der, Misses Granteer and Dobson and
Messrs. Stevenson and Stickney. Ii
the advertising columns appear two
brand cuts, several wine and liquor
advertisements and the following in
dividuals and firms took space; E. j.
Tamlin, contractor and builder; Chas
Gregg, lumber; Geo. Edgar, market
Geo. Auld, notary; Bunker s Law
renee, contractors and builders; Davis
& Fowler, drugs and painters supplies
Cuskelly Bros, groceries; Dickinson
Hardware Co.; Hotel Windsor, Rich
ardton; j. B. Mcdonald, NJ. D.; Car
penter & Starr, j. G. Campbell ant
Geo. Beisigl, attorneys; DR.. Stickney
James Collister, fire insurance; A. &
F. Jopp, merchant tailors, Gladstone
Chinese laundry; Geo. Auld, Justice
j. Hayes, blacksmith; Robinson Bros.
druggists, Gladstone; S. b. Jackson
boot and shoe maker; j. Slatcher, gun
smith; j. Collister, lumber; E. Smith
Eagle Hotel; VIM. H. Holman, paint
or; Mrs. Ella Braden, millinery an,
fancy goods; Russell & Fuller, liver,
and feed stable; Northern Pacific, lot
and lands; Gurley & Vinton, hardware
Then, as now, the people advertised
quite generally.
From these small beginnings, tn
town has grown steadily to its pres
ent proportions; and because it ha
grown SO steadily, few of its own peo
pie even realize how great has beel
its progress. Now its coal, brick, ag
ricultural, and stock industries ar
only begun. Truly, as the founder
said, Dickinson has resources G
nough.''