The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-11-13
TOTTEN AN
HISTORIC SPOT
Early Day Link in the Chain
Connecting Red and Mis-
rouri River Posts

~ pa ~
gradual control of Il vast region once
dominated by warning Indian tribes,
and the home of countless herds of elk,
deer. buffalo and fur bearing animals.
One of the most picturesque forts
or the state was located in the interior
nj of the easy path OF river travel,
n has been least visited. perhaps. by
the traveller. This is Fort Totem. sit
uated on a gentle rise Of the south
bank of Devils Lake. Its surroundings
are interesting not only to the resident
OF the state from Il historical point
but to one who admircs natural seem
cry typical Of the western prairie COM
hlned with n fringe of western for
est and IL beautiful western lake.
History of Old Post
o Totten was established in 1867
to conncc Fort Abcrcrombie in the
eastern part of Dakota territory. with
beginning with Stephenson. the near
est government post. about 100 miles
distant. Totten was the only military
post for many ear between the Red
river settlement and the Missouri river
Indians. 1t was originally a three
company post. but the present build
lngs with their modern Improvements
bear little semblance to the first fort
or stockagc built from native logs and
wv 10 NlS tlIuWdS pOlut Oh
travel between the Missouri and the
Red river for many years.
NO more romantic spot could have
been selected for the location of a gov
fort. 70 the north lies the
irregular body of Devils Lake, much
smaller In area now than it was when
the fort was established: to the south,
the east and west illimitable stretches
OF rolling prairie. The lake, with its
in0enteN ShnroS r,oEjpu ~,or,, ha.,.a,
full bays. skirted by groves of timber
n inhabited by millions of wild fowl.
is still n of the most noted bodies of
water in the northwest.
Early Day E~Hreighlin:
Freight In early days was hauled
to the fort from Breckenridge, Mimi,
but after 1873 when the Northern Pa.
ciflc railroad was completed to James,
town, a line of freighters' wagons car.
ried government supplies and passen.
gers to the fort from the little city on
the Jim about eighty miles distant.
Many OF the old ruts and trails can
vet be distinguished between James,
town and the fort.
Inc present fort consists of a square
of well painted government buildings,
lnclosing a pretty little parade ground,
nc ny fine old box elder trees.
brick buildings have been nut in
good shape and arc heated with
steam and lighted with electricity. In
stead of the bugle call for the soldiers
10 light savage Indian hordes, Is heard
the sound of the school bell calling the
Indian children to their tasks.
Fort Iotten Is now known as a gov.
eminent Indian school and some three
hundred children are being taught the
useful branches of knowledge. This
annOt be done at once, however for
the Indian traits of character arc deep
~ 1ngrained. Tho natural love of the
old HE is still shown in the tepee of
the Indian farmer or land owner.
standing nearby the comfortable frame
house which he has been able to build
from the sale of his lands. The tepee
win us smoke stained walls is the
summer nome of the Indian,
reservation Ready For Settlement
n general character of the reser-
tatlon lands is rolling and there are
many trails and wagon roads leading
in every direction. There are two
churches on the reservation, some dis
lance from the fort. One is in charge
OF the Catholic society and the other
the Presbyterian. The Epfsconalians
have a small edifice.
Therc is Il good deal OF livestock m
n reservation and this year the
a crop as we'll as other grain crops
proved wonderfully productive. The
reservation is now open to white set
tlemen and an occasional settlers
house and farm are to be found
among the Indian residents of the res
erfatlon. Much of the land yet re-
mains to be broken.
h Indian children are in the rama.
pie charge of Major Ziebach, superin.
endcnt The advantages Of teaching
Indlan children useful arts and in
structing them in school work on the
reservation are many. and the results
at Fort Totten are more lasting than
where the children arc taken from
their homes and taught at Carlisle, and
their parents and relatives.
II Indian girls are taught house.
work. cooking. sewing and given a
good start in life. They are encour-
aged to adopt the way of the whites.
u boys are taught agriculture and
stock raising and given a good ele-
mentary education by competent
Many of the young are be-
coming valuable members of the com.
munity.
Some OF the employees at the fort
have been connected with the work
among the Indians many years and
take a natural pride in the good record
they have made and in the changes
for the better that have occurred.
among these is Mr.. Blake, who Is
clerk of the Indian school and who
has resided on the reservation twenty.
one IA
Among those whose interests have
long been identified with the business
department Is former State Senator
Frank Palmer. who Is the oldest resi-
dent at the fore and whose recollec-
tions Of early day history Of North
Dakota contain valuable data for the
historian. Mr. Palmer was for
many years post trader at the fort.
He was n of the early day mail car.
riers between Stephenson and Totten
and a chapter OF North Dakota his.
tory, printed in Taylor's Frontier and
Indian Life" tells of a lucky escape
of mart nf a rr.vornponsrt rooll on..s...,