The Dickinson press., 1912-02-10
HISTORICAL
INCIDENTS
Fourth Installmentby G. S. Gryne,
Historian of Stark Co. and
Member of Gladstone
Colony of 1882.

proven u tue people mOSt Interested,
that wheat of a very superior quality
could be raised cheaply on the virgin
prairies, the railway companies that
were building in advance of settlement
took heart, and issued literature, and
cast ii broadcast over the United States
and Europe as we'll then it was that
the fever of going west attacked so
many people in the east. and a regular
stampede was inaueuraled. which lasted
until 1888, at which time it reached its
highest point. The N. P. people printed
a little sheet entitled THE Golden
Northwest 1t contained in every
issue startlinely graphic pictures of the
life in the Northwest, and was profuse-
ly illustrated with characteristic scenes,
and many of the new towns that sprang
up as it were in a night.
Referring to an issue of that little
paper entitled Summer Supplement
of the Golden Northwest in 1884,"
there is seen a picture of Tower City at
three months old where a single house
represents the village in May. 1879:
another in May, 1880, when there are
shown II houses and shacks. IE May,
1882, there are pictured as being sixty
buildings among which are shown two
rather %pretentious buildings, probably
hotels and a large building with a BEL
fry, probably the school house the i'm
mediate vicinity is all cultivated. and
there are many shacks in evidence in
the environment of the town in the
main this little sheet gave a faithful
history of the growth of the RED
River Valley at that time.
A little later the statehood cry was
the all-absorbing question that interest
ed every citizen. and the different Sec
tions and factions. were busy as could
we'll be, in fostering townsites, colon
les, and most of all the idea of separate
statehood.
When people in the east considered
the question of emierating to some
place in the Dakotas. there was ever
this point 10 decide, viz: what is the
climate? can we settle west Of the river
(meaning the Missouri) and be sure
of enough moisture to grow the cereals?
is the season long enough to raise gar
dens and corn? can we raise hay? In
view of the experiences of old timers
now, this latter question sounds like
childs prattle; but it must be remem-
bered that we had our minds filled
with the false statements of the army
men regarding the scarcity of veaeta-
ton and water in the West Mis-
souri, Country and so when Custer
was ordered to canvas the situation in
the Black Hills, he started out with
the idea that he would have to trans
port his water supply, and carts were
brought into requisition for that pur-
pose only to be abandoned before the
expedition had reached the Cannon ball
river.
Clusters personal narrative of this
interesting expedition relates the fact,
that he picked within the area of his
private tent on n occasion when it
was pitched for him for the night, 16
varieties of wild flowers, and he makes
especial mention of the ex%uberance of
vegetation. and says that the foot pres
sed so thick a growth Of grass in
walking that it seemed more like
walking on a good Brussels carpet
than on the ground. Army mems idea
that there could not be anything
raised, seems to be something marve-
lous in view of the fact that they con-
stantly came in contact with Indians
that raise everything that is raised in
any northern country except the cereals;
corn. potatoes, squash, pumpkins. and
beans were to be seen growing in many
places and Lewis and Clark relate that
these things were furnished to them by
the Indians the winter they were at
Fort Mandan. However these stories
were exploded n by one. until at pres
ent we know: and knowing, we will
maintain that there is no land that the
sur shines IN, that can furnish a bet
ter record. of health. and the acquisition
of wealth from so small beginnings.
as the land bounded within the great
bend of the Missouri river in North
Dakota.
In the meantime the railway COM
panies did everything that they could
do to further the interests of intending
settlers, Offering liberal freight ,conces-
sions. and giving half fares. The
selection committee of the Christian
! colony came to the present site of Clad
stone in the latter part of March. 1882,
and after looking Stark county over
pretty thoroughly az we'll as many
other points as far north as Pembina,
selected Green river as their choice Of
loo alton. There came during the season
of 1882 one hundred and nine persons,
more than eighty of whom stayed and