The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1905-10-18

independent are not residents OF
Ward County, it is deemed ad-
visable to give in this issue a
brief, general statement Of con-
ditions as they exist in this City
nd County.
Minot, the "City OF Destiny"
capital OF the Imperial County Of
Ward, is situated in the North
western part Of the state Of
North Dakota, about l25 miles
east OF the Montana line, and so
miles from the southern bounda-
~ OF Canada. Its latitude is
about 40 north, and it's longi-
tude about 1O1 west.
1t is in the valley OF the Mouse
or Souris River, with majestic
hills about one half mile to the
south, and about a mile to the
north Of the center OF the city.
# is about 1850 to 1900 feet
above the level OF the sea, but
somewhat lower than the broad
fertile plains, whose farmers
make Minot famous. Practically
she entire city lies on gently slop-
ing land, with natural drainage
to the Mouse River. About one
third OF the city is northeast OF
the Mouse River, and two thirds
Of the city including the business
portion, is southwest OF the riv-
er. Dense forests of oak are
found along the Mouse ttiver in
the City and on both sides Of it..
Farther from the river, both to
the north and south, are found
fertile valleys, which attracted
the first settlers to the far north.
west. ....
Minot first found itself con the
map in the year 1886. Prior
to that time Erick Ramstad,
NOW one of her wealthiest and
most honored citizens and his
mother, took homestead claims
and had their humble homes in
what is now the metropolis OF
Northwestern Dakota. Ram
stad settled on the land in
1883. In 1886 James J. Hill
lad successfully carried out his
pEan Of extending the Great
Northern Railway to the west,
and Ninot was made the end OF
she Ene. This naturally made
Of hmot a County seat of the
Gon1:ty. In 1887, the population
kad gown sufficiently for Minot
TO- become a city, it's first Mayor
being James H. Scotield, who is
StM one OF her honored citizens.
While MInot was given a very
good start: yet her growth was
Not rapid. Three years of dry
ueWsher followed it's organiza-
tiOn as q city, and the broad,
fertile plains were supposed to
~ of no value whatever az agri-
cultural land. In fact we find
thot when the census gatherer
wens around in 1900, or thirteen
years after the adoption of the
City charter, he could find only
1877 people in Minot. But,
about this time people had be-
gun to find out that there were
farming lands outside Of the
United States. The myths Of
the cattle rancher, who desired
only to have unlimited plains
for herdlng his cattle, and who
did not desire to see any land
cultivated, however rich it might
be, were shown by this time to
be absolutely false: and the
steady growth which has ever
since characterized Minot began,
and the census taken in the
spEing OF 1905 showed a popula-
tion Of 1855, which has been ra-
phaly increasing since that time.
It is practically useless to al
tempt to tell exactly what Minot
Is IN any way at thepresent time.
Hey principal commercial center
covers both sides of Main street
Tor three blocks, as well as some
81 side streets. Here the large
two and three story brick build
ngs, substantially erected, and
intended to serve for years are
taking the place of the smaller
stores and residences. CONNER
snl enterprise is found on every
hand, the main worry. of the
neychants seeming to be how to
enlarge their business. Not a
business building in the City is
for rent, nor has been for any
considerable time during the past
five years. Yet, during that
time, there have probably been
more improvements, additions
TO buildings, and new buildings
in Minot for commercial
than in almost any city
Of its size in the country.
The post Office receipts have