The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1910-03-04

Medina Citizen: The movement fol
the organization of new county
which has been quietly agitated for
some time past in the western portion
Of Stutsnnan county, has finally as
sumed definite shape. and an organized
effort is now being made to accomplish
this result at the next general election
which takes place in November. The
first definite steps in this interesting
enterprise were taken recently at a
well attended meeting Of the enthus-
lastic citizens OF Medina and vicinity
on the eve Of Feb. IL, the anniversary
OF Lincolr's birthday. In view of the
latter fact and upon the happy sug-
gestion of Mrs. w. J. Dwyer, 1t was
unanimously resolved to give the pro-
posed new county the name Of Lincoln
county. And the coincidence OF the
inception OF this movement for county
division coming on Lincolns birthday
was felt by all to be a lucky and aus
picious omen for the success OF the
new undertaking.
The meeting was an important one
and held in the office of w. J. Dwver
who has fathered so many enterprises
and done so much to build up and de-
velop the western portion of Stutsman
county. Mr.. Dwyer, of course, was one
of the most ardent advocates Of the
formation OF new county and his
enthusiasm therefor was generously
seconded by all those present, consist
ing OF farmers as we'll as buiness men
too numerous to mention here individ-
ually. The general sentiment clearly
was strongly in favor OF a new coun-
ty.
Atty. Otto Grethen of Harvey was
present at the meeting, having been
called here for the purpose of ex-
planning the necessary legal steps to
be taken for the formation of a new
county. Mr.. Grethen was retained by
the meeting to look after the legal
side Of the coming contest owing to
his practical experience in a number
of different contests of this kind in
other parts Of the state
After celebrating upon various
propositions as to what should be in
cluded in the new county of Lincoln
1t was decided that it should be com
prfsed of the three western tiers of
ranges in Stutsman county, namely
ranges sixty seven, sixty eight and
sixty mine. This will make a county
of twenty -four townships, which will
fulfill the legal requirements as to the
size of a county. Under the law no
county can be formed with less than
twenty-four townships.
This portion of Stutsman county
has until recent years been only
sparsely settled, but during the past
seven or eight years II has been de-
veloped rapidly and has today a large
population OF industrious and pros
porous farmers as we'll as several
good towns. 1t is claimed by the pro-
moters Of the movement for county
division that Stutsman county is too
large and the residents In the western
portion of the county are obliged to
go too far to get to the county seat
at jamestown, and there is much dis
among them for this
reason. And in true western spirit. |
instead OF complaining about the con-
the inhabitants of this part of
the county have resolved to right them
and the only way to do this is to have
a county Of their own. They feel
that they have the numbers and in
he justice Of their demands will be
by the older portion of the |
county. They know that their por- |
ion Of the county has been somewhat |
neglected by the county authorities, |
'ut they do not charge this to any |
Eillful intention of the county fathers |
% do this, but blame it upon the con- |
litions and unwieldly size of the coun- |
" They feel that Stutsman county
will be at least as well off. or even |
,etter off, without these western |
ownships than with them, as there |
Ire so many respects in which they |
Ire difficult to administer properly.
The whole thing in short is merely a
business proposition making for better
government for both the proposed new
county and for the portion remaining,
which latter would consist of forty
ownships, which still leaves a large
county.
Petitions are now being prepared to /
'e circulated among the voters of the |
new county in order to bring |
he matter properly before the board !
# county commissioners of Stutsman |
county. The law requires that these |
be signed by a majority of |
he voters living in the proposed new
county, based upon the vote cast for
Governor at the last election. Every
'oter must be a duly qualified elector
1t the time of signing such a petition |
Ind this fact must appear by proper |
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