Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-11-28
MANY PRESENT
At DEDICATION
Governor Hanna Speaker Of
Day at Leonard Before q
Large Audience

Leonard, N. D., Nov. 27,-Ded cation
and formal opening Of the first township
library in North Dakota was the magnet
which drew to this village yesterday 4;
large crowd of enthusiastic citizens of
Leonard township as well as many from
other parts of the county and state.
Governor l.. B. Hanna was the speaker
of the day and praised the citizens of
this active little town in one of the
stae's best agricultural sections, for their
progress and for he example which has
thus been set to other North Dakota COM
munitieS,
Credit for this new evidence of North
Dakota progreSsiveneSs as pointed out
by Attorney J. l.. Smith,, first speaker to
the day, belongs wholly to Egerton Watts
one of Leonard pioneer citizens who for
many years has had in view something of
this nature, something which would
serve to aid and assist his %neighbors and
fellow townsmen and also serve as a to-
ken of esteem to his friends and asso-
ciates who have made this part of Cass
county what it is.
The plans of Mr.. and Mrs. Watts We're
interrupted by the death of Mrs. Watts a
fe wyearS ago but were later taken up
by Mr.. Watts who decided to carry out
the plans which meant so much to his
wife.
Accordingly he set aside a plot of land
in 1911 the erection of the library Guild
ing. a modern tireproof structure and up
on che completion of same presented it
with it's contents, consisting of seven hun
ship.
Accordingly he set aside Il plot of land
to the northeast of the village and began
in 1911 the erection of the library build
ing, a modern tireproof structure and up
on the completion OF same presented 1t
with its contents, consisting of seven hun
dred volumes, to the people of the town.
ship.
The people at the last general election
voted a small tax upon themselves to
provide for maintenance also electing a
board of directors who serve without any
compensation.
Mrs. MINIS Budlong of the State Lib.
rary board followed Mr.. Smith as speaker
books to be found in the travelling library
loaned to the local people by the state.
Part OF her message was particularly for
the little folks and it was noted during ,
ing hat many ofhe boys and girls We're
already looking for he books of which
she spoke.
The speaker also had Il word for the
books as a source of inspiration and the
means of creating vision 50 necessary
to the building of a successful life.
Rev. Charles \. Macnamara, the next
speaker, delivered a very interesting ad-
dress. pointing out the fact that many |
of our students are forced to leave the
school long before hey nave absorbed the
necessary knowledge to face the world.
Continuing he stated that a library such
as Leonard can boast of makes up for
the handicap they would otherwise be-
compelled to endure.
he illustrated in a telling manner the
influence of the character of Mrs. Watts
upon the coming generation. referring to
past achievements of those whose inSpira.
ton has been nothing of greater moment
than this.
Hon. Roher, NJ. Pollock in a speech of
much interest on account OF the fact that
Mr.. Pollock ha shared in many of the
early experiences of most of the old set
tiers present, paid a high tribute 10 Mrs.
Watts whom he had known from he time
when she was a teacher in the public
Leonard public library a greater manu-
Inent TO the memory of Mrs. Watts than
the most costly slab hat nigh be had.
The value of he libary as an evidence
OF progTessiveness and of is relation to
the young people was also touched upon
and Mr.. Pollock closed with the prophecy
that the seven hundred books now owned
by the organization would only be the
start towards much better things.
At this poin ne male quartz rendered
selections which received much
applause The Casselton quartet was eN-
TO be there but owing to business
reasons two members were unable 10 be
present. r. c. Kittie of Casselton. DIR.
~ 4 4 a. cs-A IL
A. Whitman compose the organization.
Governor L. s.. Hanna was the last
Of the day. The governor said he
was not very sure as TO VIA ne had to
talk about as most of the speakers had
over the same ground he intended
to cover.
The governor continued at some length
giving many personal experiences dating
the time when he first made the ac-
of Mr.. Watt. He spoke of the
In dedication ceremonies he had at
recently. mentioning that OF the
later the dedication of Cavalier county
the western part of the sac ard SaIesi3
further that he believed he eyens were
getting MOI important each time
The governor paid an eloquent tribute
the women of our country in the part
called attention o the value of books as a
means of Forgetting self and the troubles
of life Also their value as q substitute
for travel.
VIVA vs. say here today will be for
thing viii live for all time" he cortiH-sI
ued as he Illustrated. the actio..s and M
achievements of the Wright E-Ds-. Of
John Erickson. the nveusof cf tie Mo,i-
tor. and others who mad trfaa 10 do tiainSs
with the achievement nj MIR. Watt WHO in
his own ray as also trying 10 ID some
thing.
Governor Hanna concluded by yentur.nE
his opinion that Mr.. Matt did as ninch for
Leonard as Andre Cacaesfe did for the
limited 8tufeS ~ 81