The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-11-04
FORT TOTTEN Is A MODERN
GOVERNMENT SCHOOL

North Dakota has always been cele-
brated for its historic forts and mill
tary posts on Indian reservations
Most OF these have been situated
along the banks of the Missouri riv-
er and stationed at convenient dis
tances Tor the use OF The government
In protecting the frontier from Indian
raids. These Missouri river forts date
back to an early date and figure con-
spicuously In the history OF the state
both in fits earlier and more recent de-
velopment. Along the Missouri river
were the old forts that sheltered not
only the soldiers, but gave a refuge
to the trappers, explorers and early
settlers who ventured into the dam
gerous enemys country; to the wood
choppers crews who supplied to the
government steamboats,, and protected
also friendly Indians.
These tospitable old forts, made the
settlement OF North Dakota possible
many years before it could otherwise
have been accomplished Fort Rice,
Fort Lincoln. Fort Stephenson, Fort
Berthold, Fort Buford and old Fort
Union all marked the various stages
OF the white mans progress and grad
ua11 control of a vast region once DOM
mated wholly by warning Indian tribes.
and the home of countless herds Of
elk. deer, buffalo and valuable fur
bearing animals.
One Of the most picturesque forts OF
the state was located In the interior
Of the state out of the easy path Of
river travel. and has been less Visited
perhaps, by the traveller than any of
the other forts. This Is Fort Totten,
situated on a gentle rise on the south
bank Of Devils Lake. and whose sur
roundings are extremely interesting
not only to the resident of the state
from an historical point. but to one
who admires natural scenery typical
of the western prairie combined with a
fringe of western forest, and beau
tiful western lake.
Fort Totten was established in 1857,
to connect Fort Abercrombie in the
eastern part of Dakota Territory, with
the lines Of forts on the Missouri riv-
er beginning with Fort Stephenson,
the nearest government post, about
100 miles distant. Fort Totten was the
only military post for many years be-
tween the Red river settlement and
the Missouri river Indians Il was or
iginal1y a three company post but the
present buildings with their modern
improvements bear little semblance to
the first fort or stockade built closer
to the lake from native logs and which
served as the midway point Of travei
between the Missouri and the Red riv-
er for many years.
No more romantic or suitable spot
could have been selected for the 1oca-
ton of government fort. To the
north lies the irregular body OF Dew
lis Lake, much smaller in area now
than II was when the fort was estab-
lished; to the south. the east and west
illimitable stretches Of rolling prairie.
The lake, with it's indented shores.
making many beautiful bays, skirted
by groves of timber and inhabited by
millions of wild fowl. is still one of
the most noted bodies of water In the
northwest. Here just prior to the To-
cation Of Fort Totten, herds of bison
ranged around the shores Of the lake.
feeding on the rich grasses In the
summer, and migrating southwark in
the winter. Even after the fort was
established the soldiers gathered in
supplies OF buffalo meat and there
elk, deer and antelope and all manner
of wild fowl to be had for the killing.
Near the fort rises the rough and not
ed Sully's Hill, named after General
Sully, one OF the pioneer soldiers of
the state and concerning which there
are many Indian and white traditions
as well. Here. 1t is said. that dis
patches were buried which had an i'm