The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-07-31
OLD LANDMARKS
OF The VALLEY

Walcott Reporter: Early settlers in
the northern part of Richland county
and of Cass, Ransom and Sargent
counties will recall the land marks
that guided the early pioneer to his
destination. In those early days the
government trails, with high
mounds at short distances, in which a
stake was placed to aid the govern
nient troops M others In find;ns
their way across the bleak unsettled
prairie during winter billiards., with
the early landmarks that had found
their name by reason Of some dis
tinctive fe~ature--and were known and
recognized by travellers from far and
near--were the only means at the
command of the pioneer travellers and
those in search of lands for ~settle-
ment, or reaching their desired destin-
alton. Many of these old landmarks
have been obliterated by the avage
OF time. Homes have been located,
trees planted and the old trails long
since lost to view by reason of the
farmers pillow and the general mark
of advancement that has taken place
In North Dakota in the past thirty
v years. The younger generation
know nothing of these early land
marks-and it is we'll that this Is
true, for civilization has given to, them
well graded highways that are marked
to guide the traveller on his way and
added to this are the telephone lines
connecting the farm homes the rural
mail route and now fast coming are
the meridian roads with their lateral
branches and at every turn the re-
CURED sign pointing the way to. prin-
ctpal places, hence. the necessity for
the old landmarks has, with the fast
advancing tide Of modern progress,
passed from use. However, these old
landmarks will live in the minds Of
the pioneers, but like them. are pass
ing away to give room for the new
order and younger generations. .
Well does the writer recall the
scenes of those early days: the old
trails; the government; the sod and
log shanties n the old landmarks,
especially, that landmark of land
marks, "The Seven Trees" located
about half way between Fort Ransom
and Fargo on the old trail connecting
these two outposts in pioneer days, in
what is now Barrie township. How
many times-yes, how. many times in
those early days has the writer re-
piled to the questions: 'Is this the
road to the Seven Trees?' How far
to the Seven Trees? 2" and like queries
from those seeking locations or max
ing their weary way across the un-
known prairies. There were other
landmarks. but none other that was
known by every traveller as was this
one. The Lone Tree" on what was
then the f'Fiske farm near Colfax,
not far from the old trail leading
from Fort Abercrombie westward, was
known only by those making their
way into Dakota through the old fort,
but the great bulk of emigration, espe-
cially by railway, anne through Far
go, thus was ""The Seven Trees a
guide to that great army Of pioneer
settlers vending their way to the
southwest from Fargo into the coun-
tries Of Richland, Sargent and RAN
som, all following the old trail that
led by this landmark.
THE Seven Trees have served
their purpose for which, by the hand
of God, they were planted as a mark
to the weary traveller journeying into
a new and unknown land that he
might upon the broad sunkissed prairie
of the Dakotas build for the wife and
little ones a home. Yes, this landmark
pointed the way to thousands who
found here homes of plenty and have
lived to see a n barren plain con-
verified into one Of the richest and most
productive spots on Gods footstool.,
They furnished shade to the travels
in summer; pointed him the way
across the unmarked prairies in win
ter--and like great sentinels on duty
they welcomed to the Dakotas that
great host of hardy pioneers and have
stood guard over them and their chill
dren until newer and better methods
havep laced them in the background
and now the ravages of age and time
are making their imprint on this once
useful landmark, and one of the num-
Der that made THE Seven Trees" no
longer puts forth Its leaves in sum-
rler, but it's dry and withered branch
es give evidence that 'like, the sands of
time in the hour glass 1t is passing
away. Likened unto man this land
mark Of the pioneers has served its
time, but it has stood for something
and will go down in history as an his
toric mark that has been of value to
mankfnd-and If every MAJ that has
been guided toward his destination by
1.-THE Seven Trees" shall leave to the
world a record of good deeds toward
his fellows, shall have, as has this old
landmark, pointed the way to the way
faring traveller, his life shall not have
been for naught,