Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1902-09-19
Devils Lake Business Men Meet
and Discuss Important
Matters.
PELICAN BRIDGE IS SUBJECT.
Only $1,000 Is Needed to. Open
This Res0urceful Trade
Channel.

A
club, called meeting of it's members
Friday evening, at the club rooms.
The mere announcement of the call,
that important business matters
would come up for discussion prov
ed to bring out goodly and repre-
sentative number of the city's fore
most business men, and when the
president called to order every seat in
the spacious hall was occupied.
Mr.. Bangs briefly stated that the
object of the gathering was nothing
less than considering the advisability
of, and ways and means for the recon
struction of the Pelican point bridge,
over the lake.
F. w. Cockburn was the. first one
on the floor to give his version of the
immediate need of taking up the mat
ter, if such thing could be accom-
plished, and at once proceed to work
and put substantial bridge at tho
point stated He was now, and al
ways had been in favor of the bridge,
and felt satisfied from an approximate
estimate made that with an expendi-
ture of 81, 900 this object could be ac-
complished, and the bridge put in good
serviceable condition for many years
to come. This amount was so small,
compared with what had already been
expended on the bridge, he thought,
that it should not be difficult to raise
the sum stated. Every business mar
in the city, he continued, would de.
rive many times over the amount of
contribution toward this work, and
money so secured was in no sense a
donation, but direct business specu-
lation. It will only be short time
probably but few weeks-before
so, 900 acres of valuable land which
had been allotted to the Indian who
have since died, and which lands are
now being probated, would fall into
the possession of white men, who will
turn it into productive farms. Be-
sides this significant inducement
many others could be cited, which
directly benefit the business enter
prises of this city. He contende6
further that if Devils Lake wants tt
progress and keep step with other live
and prosperous cities, it was necessary
for its business houses to reach out fol
business. In his opinion soliciting
committee should be appointed t.
make canvass among the business
men and citizens for the required
amount. Mr.. Andrew Stade CO
operated in the expressions of Mr.
Cockburn, and said that during th'
time the former bridge was fordable
great d cal of business was drawn II
this city from tho reservation and trib
utary points, which is now going t.
other towns.
Mayor Winem an was to the poin
and decidedly favored the project
He knew positively we'll that it woul'
greatly benefit Devils Lake bushes
! houses, as people would come iron
the Cheyenne river and Minnewauka1
to DO their trading here if they coul,
conveniently cross the lake, and ever
citizen who has the welfare of ou
prosperous and rapidly growing metro
polls at heart, would readily put hi
shoulder to the wheel to reach the de
sired end and aid in the opening Q
this trade channel from across tn
lake. He fully agreed with M,
Cockburn, and said that towns lik
Minnewaukan, Crary and other place
would exert themselves in securin
trade which would come here wit
the bridge in passable condition.
Attorney Silver Serumgard also fax
ored the bridge question and move
the appointment of committee {
three to solicit funds. This was III
animously carried. Mr.. Chas, Russo
supplemented Mr.. Serumgard's r.
marks by adding that no time shoul
be lost in beginning operations in O
der to obtain some IF this falls trad
Mr.. Henry Hale thought that tt
amount required was not excessi,
and that everything looked Favorable
as the water was low and the O.
grade fordable with horse.
There was not dissenting voice
any remark uttered which might
r construed as unfavorab1e toward tt
u proposed Improvement during the e1