The Dickinson press., 1902-12-20
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO At NEW ENGLAND

1t was on the 2l.t day of April,
1887, that Capt. H. N. Bruce ar
rived in Dickinson from Vermont
City, Dakota NOW S. D.l, and as
per Encouragement was met by Capt.
J. G. Saunders who was to 20 to the Can
non Ball river, IS miles south Of Dickin-
son, and plat a townsite for the New
England Colony association. M. L..
Ayers accompanied Capt. Bruce. The
captain was a typical Vermonter, one Of
the original Vermont colony directors
who planted a New England settlement
in Edmonds county, Dakota, on the goth
day of May, 1885. Becoming satisfied
that something better could be fou nd
after a careful exploration Of 1.-THE then vast,
territory of Dakota, he became of the
opinion that HettinEer county was the
J garden spot of the world for the poor
fman. Capt. Bruce had been east and
interested Col. John B. Mead in the pro.
ject of %Colonizing western lands with
fasteners. Col. Mead was very %infuen-
tial in Vermont where he had given the
best of his life for the good Of mankind
--lecturing and aiding worthy institute
tions and enterprises,-and he entered
heartily into the e work and was able
to bring to its assistance wealthy Boston
and Providence people. A company
was formed and some $4,000 was ad-
vanccd to start the project. Buildings for
the free use of people were erected on
the new townsite, and eastern settlers
commenced to arrive in large numbers
early in May.
The Rainy Buttes Sentinel, founded
by John B. Mead and M. L. Ayers, on
June II, 1887, chronicled the doings in the
settlement and did its part toward keep
ing up the spirits of the people. By fall
there were some 90 families in town and
the country tributary. A little grain and
quite a quantity of vegetables had been
raised, and everybody was looking for.
ward to the springtime when it was ex-
pected that the settlement would be
augmented by the arrival of many new
colonists.
), The people had little idea of what the
country was best adapted for and were
doomed to many disappointments. One
of the directors told the settlers that il
would be folly to try to raise sheep be,
i, cause the needle grass would surely kill
them.
The foregoing facts are stated in ordel
! that our readers may have a clearer un
derstanding of the "Fifteen Years Ago
notes taken from the files of the Rainy
Buttes Sentinel, which appears be
low.-Ed.
He. Philbrick was exhibiting sample.
of his vegetables.-C. H. Pond was put
ting in a lotion supply of Ignite COAL
F. B. Partridge was displaying holida,
goods.-A. H. Keene was acting pasto
of the Union Congregational church,
, +. T. Chester came in from his govern
ment survey work for the winter.-Col
L. A. Dodge appeared on Bicknel
: street with his white steed attached to al
) %improvised sleigh to make the most OF
furry of snow.-E. M. Fisher was laying
. the chimney for the new Waldron store
, 1.-The people of the settlement wer.
complaining because no work toware
, the construction of a branch railroad hat
. been commenced.-J. D. Dix retired a
: a partner of E. B. Partridge in the stor'
business and returned east.-The lowe,
rooms of the Perry hotel were beinI
:. plastered.-Carpenters we're rushing
work on the church.-E. E. Cheney wa
happy because he had found a supply o
: free COAL. F. Gaunt, J. E. Sulliva,
and 0. d. Annis had arranged to liv.
together on a claim south of town.-Chas
A. Sweet began excavations east O
town for a house.-Mrs. c. H. Pond ant
> Mrs. F. M. Fisher arrived from thu
, east.-Frank Gibbs and Geo. Muzzy re
, turned from a hunting trip in the bae
, lands and reported a pleasant time not
withstanding the mercury registered 3.
degrees below zero one day while the,
we're out.-The Sentinel chronicled tn,
! death Of Col. John B. Mead which &C
, Cured at his home in Randolph, Yer
mont, on the 10Th Of December. Tn
n death of J. E. Sullivan, who was precipi
: tated into a we'll by the breaking of
windlass, was also chronicled the sam
week.-Memorial services were held ii
the Sentinel office on Sunday, Dec. 49,
Fred Spaulding was away for the winter