The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-07-28

- ~ Il ~os 1o
ent hotels, we hurried with our dinners
and then gathered at the lake. Several
gasoline launches and big excursion
steamer took on the party, and about
two or three hours were spent in pleas.
ant voyaging.
AT half past seven the editors and lad
les, and body of Grand Army vets sat
down to tables set in room in the fine
brick school house. The menu provided
by the good people of Bemidji was am
pie in quantity and elegant in style, and
no one needed to go hungry.
After supper short program of toasts
and responses was given. Among the
speakers was an address of welcome by
the Mayor; "Our Nation," by Senator
Hansbrough; "The Press and Politics,
by Representative Spalding; and others.
There was ball after the supper, and
also G. A. R. campfire, to which cord
ial invitations were given and generally
accepted, according to inclination.
Before retiring almost every fish-crank
in the party, and mostly all we're fish
cranks, had arranged for boats and
guides and bait for early morning, some
as early as three. All parties we heard
OF were very successful and caught great
strings of fsh-according to their own
stories, and some of them certainly did
get some fsh-somehow.
The writer and editor Carruth of the
Plaindea'er, left the fish for others, and
took cruise with their ladies, looking
for. water-li;ies of which there were but
few and scattering. However in about
three miles OF row we gathered suffi-
cient for two large bouquets for our
selves, and enough to excite the envy
and Jealousy Of the people who went
fishing. There are but few lilies near the
town in Lake Bemidj,, but we were told
that within few miles some of the
smaller lakes were covered with them.
Bemidil is town of about seven hun.
dred population and is only two years
old. 1t is situated on the bank of the
lake, its main street running to the shore.
There are number of good hotels, and
large number of business places vel
stacked with goods. The land immed.
lately about the village is pine land and
the soil is sandy. The natural timber
still standing makes beautiful shade,
and there is but little underbrush. The
main lake is about seven miles long and
two to three miles wide. Almost any
place along its shores makes an ideal
camping spot. The lake is part of the
Mississippi river and where the river
comes into the lake it is about the size
of the Pembina. There are MANY sna.-
ler lakes i'll the near vicinity, and it is
probable that no better fishing grounds
are to be found in Minnesota than about
this immediate locality. There are plenty
!of boats and other conveniences for hire,
and owing to the short distance away, it
is bound to .be a lavorite resort for ex.
cursionis:s and tourists from Northern
Minnesota and Dakota.
Fourteen saloons have already put in
system OF waller works for the village
and are now engaged in building large
| city hall. However, the village is quiet
and orderly, and the saloons hurt no one
who stays away from them.
We regret space and time forbid fur
t!ler mention of our trip at this time.
We can only add that several former
Pembina county residents are there do
ing well. ''Billy" Roberts formerly of
Hamilton has gotten rich they say, and
at present lives the life of Il retired gem
teman, and mostly employs himself sail
ing in his gaso'ine launch.
John Goodman, formerly of this city,
is engaged in the drug business and |
doing vel.
MIR. Spinning, formerly of Bowesmont |
has farm about four miles from the |
village and is also doing well.
We will close by advising any one who
wants to take fishing and outing trip
to try Bemidji.