Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-04-29
Williams County.
Devils Lake Free Press.1

sss5 WlIlla1lS county, Ine eAtTeulos HOTTIE
western county Of the state of North
Dakota was organized in 1891 and is
one Of the most fourishine counties in
the state. 1t has population of about
j, 500 people,, majority Of whom are
engaged in stock-1aising, many in cat
tie, others in sheep and some i'll horses.
The Missouri river bottom affords good
opportunities for farming, but very lit
tie grain is raised. There are about
$4,000 head of cattle in the county,
several thousand head of horses and
sheep.
Williston is the county seat and the
only town in the county. The writer
struck Wiliiston in May 1887 and at
that time found boom ''wlld and
woody" western town. 1t contained
about 1900 inhabitants and with the
exception Of three log buildings, al of
them lived in tents. The town at that
time contained II saloons, six music
halls, two hotelstseven restaurants. two
drug stores, two harness shops. five
general stores and one newspaper,
"The Little Muddy Optic" owne, by
w. w. Mabee and run by i. D.
Mccain. Board was $1,000 week
and between boats was tometimes a
hard proposition even at that figure.
The railroad struck the town on June
llth 1887 and from this time on for
several years the town Grew back
wards" A TOWNSHIP was pi"tted and
few including, Bruegger Bios, g. B.
Metzger, Carl Widmeyer. G, orge New
ton, John Heffernan. Leiton, Jordon &
Hedderich, Phil Calls. Bob Pontet,
George Marelius, and McGnhan u Will
son pu up buildings on the new town
site, Lots sold from $4,000 Up, and the
buildings were of brick, ram and
logs. The county was u organized
and the town was OF the "wlde open"
policy but as rule very orderly. Only
two or three killings marred the peace
full and social advantages and they
were in self defense. A large number
of the old timers are still there and
prosperous. Jimmy Costello is sheriff
and conducts a very orderly institu-
ton. The sheriff is one of the "whitest"
fellows on earth-but a man that will
not stand any nopsence. We remem-
Der Jimmy we'll and could relate several
incidents regarding him and cid times
but space forbids Doc Zahl IT, county
treasurer is another old timer and. years
ago Doc. held the. medal for shooting
more buffalo on one stand tlan any
other man in the Northwest. Doc. also
runs a meat market and is doing we'll.
He is liked by everybody and is one of
the "salt ofthe earth" kind Of fellows.
George Newton and Mickey" Farrell
are two more Of the old inhabitants and
both of them furnish cheer and comfort
to old and new ones alike and our visit
would not have been complete without
partaking of the hospitality extended
by these two early day friends. Both
are doing we'll, own cattle and horses
and are making money. W. S. Dunn
another old timer and the first post
master in the town, who halls from
Cleveland, Ohio, but who went to that
country so many years ago that he has
forgotten when, was glad to see us--be-
cause we are both Buckeyes" Win"
as he was Familiarity called was married
last summer and report says that he
was supremely blessed and he deserves
it. We couldn't meet his wife owing
to the fact that high water took out
the bridge between his ranch and the
town, but there is six months grub
stake for us any time we put in an APP
pearance. F.S. Barnfather is another
friend who was glad to see us-and,
who has crossed the hill between pres
perity and poverty and is on the win.
ming side. The Great Northern shipped
Fin" in as marchinist in ~ and he is
still with the company and has ITO acres
Of land within mile of town. He has
inc residence with water works run
ming through his house and stables. He
has horses and cattle. and family that
he is proud of. We might mention hun
dreds Of others with just as good feeling
but space and patience will not bear us
out.
Williston consists Of two large general
stores, carrying stock Of about $50 900
each, one belonging to Bruesger Bros.
and the other Hedderich Bros. The
former firm came to Wllston in 1887
and at that time had less than $500
worth of stock. Today they are rich
and doing a fine business, having store
also at Culbertson, Montana They
carry $40 900 worth Of stock III the two
stores and own several thousand head
of cattle. Both are married and have
two fine brick residences, heated by
steam and modern in style. The boys
deserve every dollar they have got.
Hedderich Bros, have large brick
store and carry an immense stock OF
goods. Clint. the younges member Of
the firm was with his brother at Fort
Buford for years, going there in the
early SOS. He is a shrewd business
man and we'll liked. About the first of
May Mr.. Hedderich will leave Williston
i'll company with Tom Forbes and make
one of the longest freshwater trips on
record. They will have steam launch
and will 90 down the Missouri river to
the Mississippi then up the Ohio to
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