The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1908-01-16


OF Fort Abercrombie. Col. John Aber-
crombie built in 1857 the fort on the
present park site. As TIL, fort was the
old| gateway thru which the settlers
came into our county, it seems natural
that the county as such ought to do
something to commemorate such an
important event. It is not right that
the whole work should rest only on
private people. The State Historical
society will do all it can to make the
celebration of our 5Oth anniversary q
Mr. Gilbreath, commissioner of
agriculture and labor. has also prom
ised . to have long writing up about
Richiand county for this occasion.
Pres. Worst and the agricultural COL
lege will also aid US. and Prof. Libby
will work hard, so the state University
shall aid Us. Norway will aid in
planting a monument of its dearest
son in bronze. made by it's greatest
sculptor, and send a representative to
Richland county. Senator Hansbrough
as president of the Old Settlers of Red
River Valley, will be here and do all
he possibly can to promote the work.
Senator McCumber will represent
the soldiers at this occasion. Nord-
mandforbundet. q large Norwegian
socie ETY. in the old country, is doing a
great work for our Wergeland monu-
meat. Norwegian papers in this
country. as Skandinaven. Decorahpos-
ten Nordmanden. Fran. Reform, ETC., 4,
have every week an ad to contribute
money to the statute. And these
papers are read by million people.
Fargo Forum has daily an ad about
the soldiers and settlers monument to
be erected.
This is very good beginning.
This advertising of Richland county is
done by people outside of the county.
The Abercrombie people have shown
their patriotism in 1903 by raising over
a thousand dollars for our state park.
Now i: is therefore time for the coun-
ty as such to show it's position toward
our work, our purpose and objects.
Halvor Hagen's guarantee has been
instrumental in securing for US finL
statue in bronze of one of the best
men, in history for about ZOO. 90.
How much can Richland county Off
cially guarantee towards the soldiers
and old settlers monument? Can it
guarantee for instance s2.00O.O0? This
is the probable cost of this stone arch.
Such guarantee will of
be material aid in help.
ing US in ordering the work
done in the right time. As the
case is now, we have to collect
the money first from the farm.
ers in each township, but this
is slow work, and we cannot
very we'll start with this before
right after New Years. We
will also have to ask every
in the state how much
each county will contribute to
have it's most deserving citi
zens' name carved in this his
torical arch. I do not at pres.
ent ask for donation towards
the old settlers monument, but
for a guarantee.
If the honorable board can
help US in such way we are
willing to meet the board and
make the necessary agree
ments.
Awaiting your answer.
Most respectfully yours,
The Soldiers and Old Settlers
Monument Association. by
III 0. Fjelde.
DR.. Fjelde, VIM. House, Ole
Lcvdokk~n, Hon. Erick Stafne,
Olaf Bjorke, spoke to the COM
missjoners in favor of the peti
ton.
Geo. Wallace, assistant states
attorney. explained the law
covering such emergencies.
The following petition was
read and on motion was grant
ed. Petition.
Wahpeton, N. D., Jan. 8, 1908.
To the Honorable Board of
County Com missioners:
Gentlemen. We, the under
signed tax payers of the city Of
Wahpeton, respectfully ask
that you abate the 1907 taxes.
both real aud personal, of Mrs
c. Boudiette, ex-ept sc wer tax
q