The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1904-07-08

- "PPSoASo III 400 - d REPRODUCTION OF a
rough sketch drawn at that time by the
writer, who then, as now, made no pre-
tensions as an artist. Its chief value is
that it represents the general appearance
and the existing buildings at that time.
Ii is bird's-eye view taken as if s'the
bird" was elevated about hundred feet
high on the St. Vincent shore of the Red
river and looking nearly to the west
ward.
The building in the foreground, on the
point, was situated on the exact spot
where the flagstaff brought here last
summer from Fort Pembina, is standing
now. 1t was historic building, as it
was the first building in connection with
the K'ttson-Hill trading and transporta-
ton business, and was for many years a
U. S. bonded warehouse. The building
itself was torn down some years ago, but
the excavation for the cellar still remains.
Back OF this building at the edge of the
timber was long, low, log house, which
at that time and tor some years after was
used as hotel and run. by l.. Geroux.
who aiterward built the present Win.
chester House. 1t was on the site of the
house owned by Mrs Gerardin and now
occupied by Barney Johnson.
On the opposite point at that time was
the business" part of the town. The
first building, with what appears to be
long low ell running towards the river
but which was really separate building
used as steamboat warehouse. was then
the residence OF F. c. Myrick. 1t was a
saw mill originally, run by MIR. McKen-
ney, and afterwards transformed into a
dwelling. 1t was quite large house and
was at times afterward used as board.
ing house and hotel. 1t was burned a
short time afterwards.
The other buildings in that bunch were
used as drug store and saloon. The
former place was run by lady, whose
knowledge of the business may be imag
med by her reply to the writer, who in
CURED it she had any sulphuric acid in
stock: Il am not sure: won't you please
look over the shelves and see if YOU car
find any,"
Across the street nearest the levee the
building partly on piles, was the "Ray.
ged Edge" a saloon and bowling alley
run by Louis Johnson, who went ives,
and some years ago was in Alaska. The
'ulding was afterwards removed and is
now the residence Of Mrs. S. Ardies.
The two log buildings together, next
up the street, was for many years Penn
bina's only first class hotel. 1t was rur
originally by Geo. F. Potter, local &c.
lebrity, sort of attorney. His fame rests
largely on the fact that while he was the
first land officer in the state, he turned
over to his successor the cleanest set Of
books ever seen in the land department.
There asn't the scratch OF pen in any
OF them. AT the time of the sketch the
hotel was run by ]. B. Fisk. Perhaps no
building in the state, if it could have
written its autobiography, could have
told more stories of wild western life
than the old Robbers Roost." The
old buildings were long ago converted
into firewood. A small building next In
line up the street was the city meat mar
ket, also run by Fisk.
Next in order, with its long sign run.
ming out over the sidewalk, or rather
where the sidewalk ought to have been,
was ''The Flat Boat Store" which was
kept by the then leading merchant OF the
town, F. c. Myrick, who was also regis
ter of deeds and steamboat agent. R.
Aylen was his right-hand man. This old
building was standing in the rear of the
house now occupied by Register Gill up
to couple of years ago. Its name orig
mated from the principal method of com.
merce with the outer world at that time.
Just across the street from the Flat
Boat store, near the centre OF the picture,
where the T. L. Price store now stands
will be seen curious structure. This
was an elevated platform on which was
placed the instruments of the US. wealth
er bureau. This platform was perhaps
II or II feet square and was about that
height from the ground. The year prev
ious. being the Centennial year, the citi.
zens sent below and got large supply
OF fireworks for the Fourth. A rood
part Of the male adult population climb
ed upon the platform with the works"
The kids and the iaeiies stood below to
see the things go on. They all went of
together, works" and men. Il must
have been an exciting time for a lew min.
utes. Most of ti.ose old pioneers have
had prejudice against fireworks ever
since. St. Vincent, 1eing in Q state. took
advantage Of our weakness in territorial
representation in con. ress, to steal our
signal station few years after, but later
lost to st. Pau, in the same manner-and
Pembins had the last laugh
At the LEFT ofthe picture is the old lor
postohlce, from which Poetuaster and