The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-11
NORTH DAKOTA
TRADE IS THRIVING
New Towns in the Mouse River
Country Are Having Won
derful Growth.
Westhope, a Terminal, Rushed With
Business Day and Night-A
Phase Of Lawlessness.
Special to The journal.

Grand Forks. N. D., Nov. 1.-THE past
season has witnessed a wonderful develop
ment in the Mouse river country. The
crops have been good, and tho the price
of flax is not as high as it has been, and
that is one Of the principal crops in that
part of the state yet the majority Of the
farmers have made n good profit. The
small towns In that section have eXpe-
irienced a wonderful growth
The little town of Westhope, at the
terminus Of the Great Northern extension
from Souris, is an illustration. Tho the
town is new, there are ten stores and all
have done an immense business. Every
day the streets are lined with teams, some
OF which brought grain and others pro-
duce forty or fifty miles. The elevators
resemble q land office at the opening of
reservation, as many as 300 men hay
ing been lined up on numerous occasions,
waiting an opportunity to unload. One
farmer who arrived Friday morning was
unable to unload his flax till late Saturday
afternoon. This is indicative of the inn
nense sums that are being paid out each
day. 6
T A few years ago all the new towns in
the northwestern section Of the state were
noted for their fragrant violation of the
prohibition law, but this is not the case
at present. The reward of $50 to any per-
son furnishing evidence that will lead to
conviction is certainly having some eff
feet. Arrests are being made nearly every
day, and those who have been making a
living at bootlegging in North Dakota are
finding their occupa ton growing more and
more hazardous.
Prohibitory Law Evasion.
Blind pigs can scarcely be found in the
| northern portion of x the state but a
method is pursued that is somewhat less
| risky -Four or five men will be in the
deal, all but one of whom will be wander
ing ABOUT the streets In a certain town
hunting. for the thirsty. If they chance
| 70 near. some one remark that they wished
| they knew where they could get a drink,
IN an off-hand sort of way they will
give the thirsty pilgrim a tip as to
where one can be had. The man with the
plant is hunted up, the price, 81 or SO
! a quart. is agreed upon. The money is
never paid directly. The whisky is placed
on the ground, and is picked up by the
thirsty individual, who leaves the money
IN the same place, and the bootlegge1
pockets 1T and looks for more customers
| At Souris on Saturday four were ar
rested who We're operating on this plan
and were headed by Pete Gardner. Ar
amusing feature in connection with this
case is that a prominent man of Grand
FORKS purchased some of the red stuff
from the gang, and before he could get
out of town was served with a. subpoena
to appear at the trial in district court He
was forced to put up a bond of $500 tc
guarantee his appearance whenever
| wanted.
Further evidence that many of the pro.
fessional 'piggers.' are going out of busl
mess can be found in East Grand Forks
where there are at least score Of ole
time bootleggers who have found the at
| mosphere in North Dakota q .trifle too tor
rid for sthem,t and are now devoting theil
attention to tin horn gambling. Il