The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-02-17
SAYS WIMBLEDON
IS One OF BEST
TOWNS in STATE


Wimbledon, N. D., Feb. 1s.-To The
Forum: AS much has been said and
done OF I@te to boost our common
wealth by various agencies, not the
least Of which has been your widely
read paper; 1t occurred to the writer,
that the following article might not
be unwelcome at this time. In travel
ing over the state at various times,
I have always noticed with interest
and pleasure the wideawake appear
ance of Wimbledon. This view has
been strengthened by a recent visit
TO that enterprising village.
Wimbledon is situated twenty-
eight miles northwest OF Valley City,
and is, next to the latter place, the
most important town in BARNES u
ty. At the recent meeting of One Hun
dred Dollar an Acre club, at the
county seat, it was generally conceded,
that Wimbledon, as represented by
its enthusiastic representatives, was
the live wire" of the occasion. But
when it's wonderful brass band made
its appearance, and captured the con-
vention with its splendid performance,
Wimbledon certainly occupied the ZEN
ter of the stage.
Although a town of only 500 inhab-
itants, it will rank in Importance with
many large towns; and for it's size.
1t has no superior in the state. Sit
uated in the midst Of what may be
termed the richest part Of Barnes
county; having not only a very inter-
prising set of business men and a
live commercial club; but surrounded
also by a most intelligent and pros
porous lot of farmers, who are quick
to see and utilize the modern idea of
successful f~arming-it is no wonder
to note the prosperity of the com
rnunity. -
Wimbledon has -four general stores,
two hardware stores Cone probably the
largest in the state) two large Inn
plement houses, two banks, w hotels,
n drug store, one furniture store
with undertaking department, two
restaurants, one blacksmith shop, one
dentist, one photographer, eight ele-
vators ~(handIing annually over 1,000,-
900 bushels of grain) one tailor, two
lumber yards, one cattle buyer, one
first-class meat market, two harness
shops, two physicians, n veterinary
surgeon, an excellent graded school
with seven teachers; a good fire de-
partment; one of the most wideawake
real estate offices; and browning the
whole of the business community, an
up-to-date printing Office, issuing the
sprightly Wimbledon News; a spark
ling weekly paper, owned and edited
in In able name by Mr.. Carter.
The pride of the town, however, is
its splendid brass band, with a mem
bership of forty-fye, and equipped
with the celebrated Conn instruments,
at an expenditure Of over $4,000. The
band has arrived at such a degree
of proficiency, under the able leader
ship of r. j. Thorson, it not only has
a statewide reputation and ranks, to
say the least, equal to any in the
state: while some of its friends claim
that it heads the list.
Last, but not least is the remark
able Woman's Study club with mem
bership of twenty. This club has not
only been the means Of elevating the
intellectual literary and social station
of its members, but has directly and
indirectly done much to elevate the
social, intellectual and moral standard
Of the community.
But what strikes the casual Wis
itor to the town, and forms the chief
attraction, are it's many beautiful and
comfortable homes. It will be difficult
to find a town anywhere in the state
or elsewhere, that can boast of so
many fine residences for its size. With
probably one of the finest Catholic
churches in the state and parsonage
to match, and a Presbyterian; Meth
odist Episcopal, German Lutheran and
German Reformed church, the spiritual
need Of the community is we'll sup
piled.
In an automobile trip some time ago
in company with one of the citizens
through the country and adjacent to
Wimbledon, the writer was struck
with the high class residences (many
with all modern improvements) and
the high grade of cultivation. This
taken in connection with the sale of
q farm a few miles from town at 500
per acre, will explain in part at least
the quality of the land around the
town, and the unusual prosperity Of
the place.
Taking 1t all in all, it can be said
without exaggeration, that Wimbledon
is one Of the brightest stars in the
armament of North Dakota.
L. G. Warmer.