The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-07-29
FORT CLARK
DEDICATION
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order and as soon as the companies
arrived they began to pitch their dog
tents. This was done with dispatch
and was done in order to show the
people the modern campaigning outnt
when in actual warfare.
The locations of all the fort build
ings had been marked with white flags,
SO that all could see where the struc-
lures had formerly stood. Pictures of
groups oftold veterans who had served
were taken and shots by kodak fiends.
Until the sham battle had taken place
at 1870 the time was spent in little
reunions, family picnics, visiting the
r~efreshment stand, and drinking what
was labeled-shall the word be print
ed?-f'lemonade".
The Sham Battle.
AT 1870 the white canvas top Of an
emigrant wagon appeared on the hori-
ION in the west. 1t had Just wound
cut OF a low defle that broke the long
range OF hills. Presently it was over
taken by a band Of Indians, who were
in all the panoply of the days OF yore.
With screeching bowls and headlong
speed they came tearing along at
breakneck speed and firing into the
wagon. The emigrants in the wagon
poured out a CALLING fire. but this did
not check the onrushing Indians. The
horses of the wagon were whipped up
in a MAJ rush to escape, but the In
dams rod about the wagon in a wide
circle, firing volley after volley, but no
one seemed to die. Four bronzed scouts
followed the Indians and also poured
much lead" in their direction, but
with little effect.
The Troops Advance.
VrJ1a %roonsr L,od NOM, onffor uyor5 of
the Indian attack and advanced on the
double quick. When near enough for
effective service they were deployed in
a long skirmish line and dropping on
their bellies opened a rattle of mus
kerry. For: some reason hi Indians
didn't pay much attention to this, but
kept on shooting and encircling the
emigrant wagon.
The order was now given for a
charge and the soldier boys rushed up
the sloping hillside at a rapid gait,
firing as they pushed along. The fight
ing now was at pretty close quarters,
and there were enough shots fired to
have killed every man, on both sides
had the mimic warfare been a reality.
The Rescue.
The emigrants were finally rescued
from the savage hordes. and it was
found that they were all alive. The
savage warriors were taken prisoners
and marched into camp at Fort Rice,
where military salutes by the firing
of their small pieces were exchanged
between the soldiers and the Indians.
Thus had been brought to close the
mimicry of bloody battle Of former
days, and taught the younger genera
ton by a practical exhibition of what
their ancestors had gone through.
The Exercises.
The exercises began at 2:45. Under
a canopy of green boughs was erected
the platform upon which the speakers
told their stories Of the past. The
stage had been well set. Picturesque
as it was the scene had been further
heightened by an improvised grove of
cottonwood trees that had been stuck
in the ground on the south and west
sides of the staging. With long rows
of seats set in a semi circle it had all
the appearance Of an outdoor drama,
which it really was. On the stage
were seated a circle of Indians in big
feathers, bear claws and bells, which
twinkled with any motion of the body.
Ray McKaig was the master Of cere-
Enonieseand first showed several old
relics that had been plowed up in a
field neal by. Among the lot was an
old pistol as long as ones arm and
three exploded shells, which had been
nred at the Indians. These were
gruesome reminders of the days Of
the past and made an appropriate ad-
dition to the thoughts and talk Of the
day. After Mr.. McKaig had happily
explained the order Of the day the
state training school band struck up
with America, and the gathering join
ed in with the words of the song for
which slips had been previously dis
tributed.
The First Speaker.
Judge Bruce or Bismarck was the
first speaker and in a very earnest
talk thought that it was beneftting
the occasion that the exercises should
be held on Sunday, for it was a
reverential occasion. AS society was
organized for the higher ideals of
human endeavor, so it must be a
reverential duty that we perform to-
ward each other. 1t was therefore.
e~nimently fitting that the theme be-
fore the crowd was sacred. and it was a
rs erential programme that could well
be carried u on Sunday.
Chief John Grass followed and was
interrupted by DR.. Beede. The old
chief is famous in having taken part
in the Custer massacre, but was GLAD
that conditions exist as they are to-
day. He said his heart swelled with
pride to see SO many good people be-
fore him, I'M he thanked God for the
conditions Of the present. The chief
wore a citizens suit of clothes and is
q handsome well preserved Indian.
Curator Fish followed and introduce
ed several veterans of 1854. These men