Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1900-08-03

The Sheridan house has been the
headquarters Of every legislature since
1885 and if its walls could speak what
interesting political "reminiscences
would be disclosed. Under it's roof
every United States senator from
North Dakota has been made-or un-
made-and its walls bound the tomb
OF scores Of blasted hopes and ambi-
tions. 1t was IN room 1 that the most
important planks in the state consti-
tuition were drafted and agreed UPON.
and in SO that the conspiracy of the
South Dakota capitol removers was
thwarted in the memorable session of
1850 when Pettigrew and his South
Dakota warriors went down to defeat
before Mckenzie and his army of
Northlanders.
The Sheridan house was constructed
in 1877 by Mr.. E. H. Bly, and the lum-
Der and material used ii it's construc-
ton came from Mr.. Bly's mill in Brain
erd. Mr.. BLY, had met Gen. Sheridan
back in wal times-took some recruits
down into Virginia from Wisconsin
and reported to the genera'-and when
Col. Lounsberry suggested Sheridan"
as a good name for the house Col. BLY,
acted on the suggestion favorably and
at once. The opening was marked by
a grand reception and ball to the citi-
zens OF Bismarck by Mr.. BLY,, assisted
by Manager Wiley and his wife. All
the leading citizens were present and
many old timers from Fargo, Brainerd
and jamestown were present together
with the officers and ladies from Fort
Lincoln.
Soon after the opening Of the Sheri-
dan a grand reception and ball was
gotten up by the business men of Bis
marck to show their appreciation of
Mr.. Bly's enterprise in building such
a house here. The tickets cost SIS
each, and nearly all bought two. OF
course MI. and Mrs. Bly, and assist
ants received the guests as host and
hostess, and no more stylish supper
was ever spread anywhere on such an
occasion.
Gen. Sheridan happened along soon
after the opening-came down the
river from a tour of inspection of the
military posts in the northwest-and
woe mot ~ %b@ r:,.. = & i.
special car. He arrived in the morn
ing and arrangements had been made
to proceed eastward by special train
without delay. On the way up from
the river landing Agent Davidson of
the Northern Pacific informed the
general that a new hotel had been
named in his honor. The general
laughed heartily but when he saw the
character of the building that had been
erected so far out on the frontier he
was interested and gave orders to
hold the train. He renewed old ac-
Quaintances with Col. Bly-in room /
remained for an impromptu spread
and did not get away till late in the
evening. The genera was the guest
of the house on many subsequent oc-
caslons out none more pleasant than
the first.
The Sheridan has been the scene
of many gay functions. In its par
lors many of the nation's-the worlds
greatest men have been entertained.
BANQUET TO GEN. NELSON A.
MILES.
In October, 1877, a banquet was
given to Gen. Miles and his staff upon
their return from the Nez Perces cam
paign with captive Chief Joseph and
his chiefs, who occupied seats at the
banquet. After. a ceremonious recep-
tion9in the parlors the guests made the
grand march to the dining room, a
brilliant scene, the officers being in
uniform, and the ladies in full ball
costume. An elaborate banquet was
served in elegant style, and the re-
sponses to the toasts were eloquent
and witty. Col. VIM. Thompson re-
sponded to 'The Army" and John A.
stoyells to Gen. Nelson A. Miles,"
Cen. Miles himself responded to
Chief Joseph" in which he compli-
mented his captive, and spoke enter
tainingly of his Yellowstone cam
paign. DR.. B.. =. Slaughter responded,
tossDakota and Montana and spoke