Devils Lake weekly world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1914, 1912-06-28
MNNEwAuKAN.

cifc, ninety miles north Of jamestown
and on the west shores Of Devils Lake.
It lies in the famous lake region, and
the soil in the country tributary is
considered by soil experts to be the
most productive in the world.
The name Minnewaukan is taken
from the Indian, meaning esprit wa
ter" which was at one time applied
to the present Devils Lake. In his.
toric sense the city and territory trib.
utary is rich in experience, lying part
ly in the Cut Head Sioux reserve and
close to Fort Totten and Sully's hill,
the scene of many conflicts between
the early settlers and soldiers and the
native Indians, General sulley giving
his nane to the hill upon which he
lay entrenched for three days while
besieged by the Sioux.
The first settlement of what is now
the city Of Minnewaukan was made in
1883 when Captain Herman landed
the first passengers from his steam
boat, the Minnie H. in 1885 the rail-
road entered from the south and we
became the terminus Of what was then
the jamestown Northern. Several RI
val towns sprung up in close vicinity
New Chicago and others, but these
were quickly outdistanced by the pres
ent city. From that time until along
in the CO.'S all the territory west to
the Montana line was attached to
Benson county for judicial purposes
and Minnewaukan was thu seat of gov
eminent for a territory composing a
quarter Of the entire state. As we'll
as being a great business center the
early town had great ambitions for
the location of summer resort The
Arlington hotel, built by R. R. Wise,
a 10o-room strictly modern hotel, was
built close to the lake front, a boule-
ward laid out and very nice wharf
and landing dock was built. The lake
at that time abounded in fish and the
old timers still relate the experiences
with the "sea serpent"
As the country developed the boom
also subsidized into steady, prosper.
GUS growth which Minnewaukan and
vicinity still enjoy the settlers be-
ing in greater number Scandinavian.
although nearly all nationalities are
we'll represented. In 1908 the reserva
ton just south and east Of town was
opened for settlement and added
greatly 10 the territory Of the city.
Minnewaukan now boasts of more
substantial business blocks and tasty
dwellings than any city Of twice its
size as well as court house that has
but one equal in the state. There are
four general stores, two banks, one
drug store, one harness shop, two res
taurants, three hotels, two hardware
stores, two implement houses, one feet
mill, five elevators, two auto garage
and two blacksmith shops, one jewel
~ store, three barber shops, two alb
stract companies, five real estate ant
lawyers, and Two doctors and the mos
enterprising set of business men i,
the country.
In educational affairs Minnewauka1
has always taken lead, their graded
and high schools have been marked
for special credit by the state edu
cational officials. We employ eigh
teachers with monthly payroll O.
nearly $500. Our high school at tn
present time is the holder of The
Herald cup, trophy won in compe
tition with all Of the large hig]
schools of the state. For a city O.
its size Minnewaukar has enjoyed al
extraordinary and musical talent, it
Lyceum course and lecture connec
tions give it the advantages which
otherwise would be enjoyed only i,
the very large centers.
The commercial club Of nearly 10l
!! members is associated with the Farm
ers' club and these two organization
are wide awake and active to the in
terests Of Minnewaukan and Benso,
county; they have arranged farmers
institutes and better farming schools
until the city is recognized as fore
most in agricultural study.
The churches of our city, Catholic
Lutheran, Presbyterian and Episcopa
are well attended and supported ant
their effect upon the community is 81
great that lawlessnes; and disorder
are unknown.
The fire department consists Of two
chemical engines, hook and ladder
company and volunteer company Of
sixty members; within the past yea1
the department has been called upor
to extinguish two or three fires and
as result we are entitled to mum
Der Of Carnegie medals for bravery.
In fraternal circles Minnewaukan
is we'll endowed with the Masons,
Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows. Eas
tern Star, Rehekahs. Yeomen. NJ. W
A., A. 0. q. W., and Degree Of Hon.
or; the J.. J. Crittenden post Of the
G. A. R. is also located here.
Located as Ninnewaukan is, in the
most fertile farming country in the
state. among intelligent farmers and