The Dickinson press., 1906-05-26
Com menced. .

Dickinson IS to have IS acres OF land,
an absolute gift from james c. Young,
set aside for park PURPOSES. The only
conditions are that 81 900 shall be ex-
pended the first year in improving the
grounds and an average annual expendi-
ture thereafter of $500. 49,
The site donated to the city is the high
point northwest of the city commonly
known as Rocky Butte. The Is acres
includes not only the butte, with its
jagged and picturesque rock formation,
but extends down into the valleys on the
east and west sides and south to land
that will soon be plated portion of the
city. The plan is to make grand
boulevard on Marguerite street north to
the entrance to the park, where it will
fork and go around the hill, thus forming
a beautiful driveway of two and one-half
miles. The site is ideal in its appoint.
ments, giving the finest birdseye view of
Dickinson and the surrounding country
to be had anywhere.
James c. Young and his associate in
the land business, c. ]. Anderson, arrived
on Sunday from Minneapolis, and the
following day committee of business
men accompanied Mr.. Young to Rocky
Butte. The land was measured, and Mr..
Young said that he wanted to do some
thing handsome for Dickinson and stated
his proposition. The committee was
greatly pleased with his frankness and
Iiberafity, and on returning to the hotel
a meeting of the Dickinson Commercial
club was called for Tuesday night.
At the appointed hour. notwithstand-
ing the rain, large number of the club
members greeted Messrs. Young and
Anderson in the K. P. hall.
DR.. Stickney, president of the club,
introduced the guests, and, on calling the
meeting to order, stated that the primary
object Of the gathering was to listen to
MI. Young's formal proffer of city park
site.
Mr.. Young was then called upon to
address the club, and in doing SO the
visitor incidentally remarked that since
his last visit, IL or ia years ago, there had
been wondrous changes in Dickinson
and about all that he recognized on his
arrival this time was the old depot and
hotel. He hoped those too would soon
be replaced with fine new buildings.
The speaker called attention to the
great wealth of coal underlying the soil
in this part of North Dakota and said
that he believed Dickinson would yet be
known as the "Smoke Stack CITY" of the
state. Rich deposits of coal made Pitts
burg and Mr.. Young prophesied that it
will do the same for our city. He also
referred to the inexhaustible beds of clay
which have already built up large brick
manufactures and will very soon be the
means of getting pottery and other
industries started. the enormous value
of the treasure stored by nature in this
locality, Mr.. Young thinks, is not fully
appreciated.
The growing Of grain, raising of cattle,
horses and sheep should not be forgotten
either. These pursuits in Stark and ad-
Joining counties have already made many
people very prosperous.
Mr.. Young said that the start Dickin-
son had meant much, and he was sure
that its growth had but commenced. He
had large property interests here and
wanted to do something handsome for
the city. His Dickinson investments had
proved good, and he was sure that it was
no more than right that he should make
some donation to its inhabitants. Mr..
Young then unfolded his city park prop
osition. He considered this site price
less; there is none other like it. Dickin-
son desires and should have park, and
while he would not sell the land needed,
he would give it. (Hearty applause fol-
lowed.)
Mr. Young did not stop with the gift
of park, but said that as soon as the
Dickinson Commercial club, of which he
and Mr.. Anderson were made honorary
members, had suitable quarters, he
would donate 500 volumes of carefully
selected books.
Some of our readers will remember
that William E. Curtis, in the Record
Herald, some time ago, said that James
c. Young of Minneapolis has the most
carefully selected library of master
pieces in the world, so it is certain that a
man of his high literary attainments will
give the club collection of books that
will be priced highly.
l.