Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1903-05-28
FROM FORT SMELLING.
Excellent Letter From Clyde w.
Knapp-Interesttng Points Al bout
that Historic Place-He was
Former Bedding Boy.

from 1lyue w F.. hudpp ol tuls city. Il
young man well know here, He en-
listed last October for three years
and is now in the hospital corps at
Fort Smelling doing duty and fitting
for advancement. His many friends
here will be glad to know that he is
well situated.
Fort Smelling is situated at the
junction of the Minnesota and Missi-
ssippi rivers and stands on high
bluff rising up on the north
nearly 300 hundred feet above the
water. The country around the fort
is prairie, soil sandy and very produ C.
tive especially cereals.
In 1906 Lieut.. l. M. Pike command
ing an exploring expedition held con-
ference with the Sioux Indians, on the
island which now bears his name at
the mouth of the Minnesota river. BY
this conference a tract of land was
obtained for military purposes, ex-
tending from the junction of the Mis-
sssippi and Minnesota rivers to the
falls of st. Anthony now known as
"Minnehaha Falls" and nine miles on
each side of the Mississippi. In 1919
nothing being done in the meantime,
Lieut.. Col. Henry Leavenworth of the
9TH u ). Inf. arrived with his Regt.
ordered to locate fort upon the mill
tary reserve selected by 1t. Pike. In
May 1880, 1T Col Leavenworth moy-
ed his Regt across the Minnesota to
the west bank of the Miss. and en-
camped II near a spring half mile
above the present post.
The site then chosen for the fort
was the present military cemetery,
and preparations were made to com
mence the work, but Col Josiah Smell
ing 9Th u. S. Inf. arriving in August
assumed the command and selected
the location where the fort now stands
The work was actually commenced
in Sept. 1920 and steadily progressed
until Oct 1922 when it was first occu-
pied During this time Col. Smelling
was in command. and his Regt. engag-
ed in the work. Upon the recon-
mendation of Col. Smelling the fort
was called Fort Anthony, and was so
known until 1854. when ii was visited
by Gen. Scott, at whose suggestion
plimentary to Colonel Smelling
the name was there changed to Fort
Smelling. The defences and some of
the store houses and shops were built
of stone, but the quarters were gen
orally single log huts until after the
Mexican war when the fort was gar
risoned by the 9th U. 5. Inf, and the
interior opened its present appear
ance
AS we approach the fort from st
Paul we get our first view from Fort
Smelling bridge, grand structure of
iron over 600 feet long and 80 feet
above the water. This bridge is not
inapproprIately called "Lovers Lane"
from the large number of couples who
come there on pleasant days and es
pecially Sunday evenings during the
summer and truly ii is a spot that
veil might attract the most prosiaC,
for on either side stretch the placid
waters of the Mississippi, while soft
zephers from along its course and
across the Minnesota plains fan the
feyered cheeks.
Crossing the bridge we first come to
the "Old Fort" as it is called with its
antique tower and its long low brown
houses of model of the 18th century.
In its day it was one of the finest forts
in the northwest but when we pass it
>
houses until we get a glimpse of the
"New Fort" it is like stepping out of
the middle ages into modern civiliza-
ton
First the hospital is seen. a large
brick building erected at
a cost of $4,000 surrounded by a
spacious lawn and in the midst of
many beautiful shade trees making it
-, i'm nd al fnt si..ly
soldiers: next to come into view is the
administration building a two story
structure facing the parade ground,
place where all drills, parades and
mauoeuvers take place, beyond which
is a long row of barracks on one side
of a well shaded macadamized drive,
and surrounded by very spacious
lawns and stone sidewalks, on the
other side is a row of twenty officers
houses extending half mile, all front
ed by large lawns and many shade
trees, some being kept in an immacu-
late condition At the head of this
row and in front of the administra-
tion building is flag pole from which
old glory flies from sunrise to sunset
Adjoining the reservation on the
northwest is " Minnehaha " park, so
called from the Indian name for
" Laughing water T"
Minehaha Falls, natures curiosity is
the center of attract ton at the park
and with the Improvements it is a
delightful place to spend few hours
in rest too, being connected with
by electric cars, the ride,
a distance of six miles is enjoyed by
many.
Electric car lines from both Min
eapolis TO st. Paul run to the fort
each giving thirty minute service
day and night.
Bicycle paths run to both cities be.
sides there are bicycle and cinder
paths around the greater part of the
reservation, which involves something
like 1000 acres of land.
For amusements there is nothing
lacking, the post has an excellent
base ball team which while it has |
played holly contested games with |
the leading colleges of the northwest |
is yet unbeaten.
Two games week are played on |
the home grounds, each being en-
Iivened with music furnished by the
regiment band. Four band concerts
a week held also To relieve monotony |
Of garrison duty The post has a Ii