The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1907-06-27
0|dSett|ersCather atBur|ington
Annual Picnic Held on "No Mans" Land Beautiful
Weather--.Large Crowd-Three Days of Continual
Peasure---O Old Time Stories Told
(By the Independents Special Correspondent)

Special Correspondent
into the county, to the home of Allan
Tompkins. It is now the property of
Martin jacobson.
Since the foregoing was written the
piano changed han6s and has very fit
tingly gone into the first home built by
a white settler in Ward county, the old
Cotton house. Hern J. L. Cotton and
the old settlers who form the backbone
of the association, organized the county
in the days of the territory, and, while
waukon. the Vigilantes came DOVE the
Missouri and across to the Mouse river,
when they found the horsethieves they
sought, and every call they made was
remembered afterwards by those who
found strange fruit hanging on tree in
coulee up the valley, and also in
peaceful Strawberry lake. north of the
Dog Den, in McHenry county.
| One of the speeches much enjoyed and
commented on was that of Mr.. Miller,
when be told the story Of j. L. Cotton,
mot lost but only gone before" We old
folks all knew and loved him and so too
did the young folks whose debating So
ciety never lacked his bracing speech in
the early COS. He was a veteran, who
helped to make Decoration Day land
mark in Ward county. He set up the
| first store, the first brick yard, the first
mine in the county, and also the first
newspaper edited by Little Mac, and all
| this right here in burlington, the then
county seat. The first court was held
here in tho school house by Judge Fran
form carpeted. The sheriff had good
home here with few cells behind, and
yesterday one of the early sheritfs drove
up in an automobile. He hangs out his
shingle in Kenmare now, and his name
is Percy Cole. The present sheriff Lee)
came out in his auto too, but he came to
enjoy himself only for law and order
were absolute
Jim Johuson IS the mainstay of the
Association as we'll as it's President, and
he camped on the ground, tho his splen-
did ranch home is only mile away.
His sons, daughters and grandson form
ed gay company and rally-point for
all the young pt ople.
Mr.. Millar, his able wife, energetic
sons, handsome daughters, and talented
son in law formed another fine group.
He represented our mining industry
with many an interesting tale.
L. S. Foot and his bright wife who is
always equal to the occasion, had series
of tents and they added much comfort
to many table by their provident fore
thought. Miss Minnie gave us some
nice music with her nimble fingers. How
many tale such n4usic tells 1t calls
up memories of Mr.. Foot's father whom
the writer met in Burlington in the early
9Os, and whose fine old face carried a
scar, relic of the massacre of go. The
meeting of the waters seemed to be
threatened with similar affair in 81
when we all had an Indian scare. Gl:d
to add it was only scare, but Minot
gathered by night in the churches, the
Des Laos folks gathered in the section
house, and an Indian runner who hid in
the meadow near w. Gibbs spring and
was seen by the two little lads, fright
ened household of ladies into Mysteries.
No wonder But friendly indians were
the rule and scare the exception. On
many Sundayin 1890 the writer visited
Indian camps on the north side and
chatted with Chippewas on their annual
visits between Berthold and Turtle
mountains.
In those days L. S. Foot and MAJ tin
jacobson took contracts to supply good
beef and plenty of it to the Indian posts
for the usual monthly distribution Of
rations. And another contractor was on
the ground, the genial w. Carroll, whose
counting ways were an absorbing topic
in those days. 1t was pleasant to see
these folks looking so we'll, and all in
such good humor.
Martin jacobson was the master OF
ceremonies and fully equal to every oc-
casion. Where does he get his never
failing energy? And his boys are all
easily observed for they inherit. How
pleasant it was to see Mrs. jacobson
looking SO we'll
Ex-Postmaster Fugelso was very ef-
ficient secretary, and his -oll-call gave
US some delightful "reminiscences Back
OF that were his delightful talks in '92-'3
of the Land OF the Midnight Sun. Since
then he has acquired a handsome wife
and some nice children.
n Several Of the original county officers
Of Ward we're in session; among them
Michael Muir, who was also one of the
three original settlers. He tells of long
grass in 81, meeting over the backs of
CONTINUED on another psge)