The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-08-31

years as register of deeds, being a
close second. J. N. Edwards. judge of
probate, is now in his fifth term. j..
B. Anderson, custodian of the county
funds, is serving his second term,
while Michael Romstad, county audi
tor, and Julius Thorson, register of
deeds, are in their first terms, but like
their older official associates in the
county building, are popular with their
constituents, having won their way to
public confidence by faithful perform
ance of duty in other callings. Mr..
Romstad taught school for fourteen
years before being asked to audit the
accounts Of the county.
Swift county was organized in 1870,
the same year the st. Paul & Pacific,
now the Great Northern, reached the
county, and four years after the set
tiers put up the little sod shanties on
their claims and began pioneer work
which has developed into comfort and
prosperity for thousands of people.
Fortunate in It's Newspapers.
Benson is fortunate in having news
papers, three of them, the editors of
which pull together in harmony for the
upbuilding of the county and town.
The Times, owned by, Poland & Nc
Cune. is the Oldest paper. The editor,
w. A Poland, is also an attorney, be-
sides preaching Republican doctrine
to his long list of subscribers. The
Monitor, a Democratic sheet of more
than local reputation, Is owned by
Matthews & Thorson, both of whom
are natives of the county, their parents
having taken homesteads there before
Swift county had a place on the map.
Leslie Matthews, the senior member of
the firm, is cashier of the Security
State bank and also secretary of the
Commercial club, a position formerly
held by w. A. Poland. The Review.
the third paper, published by o. e.
Hogue, came to Benson in 1900 from
the neighboring town of Murdoch,
where it was established five years
earlier. 1t is Republican in politics.
The city owns the light plant and the
waterworks, with mains running
through it's business district and much
of the residence sections. There is also
an excellent sewer system draining to
the Chippewa river "a mile away. The
streets are well graded, with broad flag
stone crossings and much of the side
walk is cement, to encourage the build
ing of which the city bears 25. per cent
of the cost. The telephone system
extends to neighboring towns. The
lighting of the streets Is by electricity.
The fire department is an efficient VOL
unteer one.
The Masons, Odd Fellows, knights
of Pythias, Workmen and Woodmen
have a union hall, amply furnished for
Individual lodge work, besides. Access
series in the form of banquet rooms,
dancing halls, etc. Four of the lodges
have lady auxiHaries. The Maccabees
and Woodmen of the World have sep
arate lodge rooms. There are six
churches, all having good edifices and
pastors, and a new society was re-
Gently formed. Two school buildings
furnish quarters for 600 pupils pre-
sided over by Prof. H. S. Hilleboe, as
sisted by corps Of twelve teachers.
The manufacturing interests are
represented by 125-barrel roller -four
ing mill, cooperative creamery, a
brickyard, a WOODEN mill and bicycle
factory and repair shop. The latter is
operated by deaf and dumb man, J.
B. A. Benoit. whose skill as a work
man and repairer of bicycles, guns.
sewing machines and anything else in
the form of machinery. has extended
far beyond the limits of Swift county,
Mr.. Benoit is not only good workman
but useful citizen and reads he
G l O b e.
Has Commercial Club.
The Benson Commercial ol,,h ic ono