Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-05-17
NJ 0iler Scene So Plelur-
esqIl Klsxl ID The
World
SOON 70 BELONG TO \. ..
Gov. Dlnna Makes Purchase
lld aold; TILE for ais-
torlcaI Society
~ w. A. sTickLEY.

3 . r. i . i A . / = 3 : . .
If the writer were I, tell you that moi
far from North Dakt.tas capitol build
Ing, at the city of bismarck, are the
remains Of an ancient. Indian village,
the only one of its l,ni known in the
world; that with it goes a weird but
interesting tale, and further shat this
odd property has been secured to the
State Historical s0c.cty, some day 10
become 4 celebrated park--you would
undoubtedly be surprised.
Well, such is the case, and no fairy
tale.
This peculiarly constructed village;
this relic of by-gOne days, where once
there dwelt in child-like simplicity a
band Of aboriginies, is now known as
the W0Ditch Mandan Village" How
long ago it was founded, how long it
was inhabited, what transpired within
its limits, or how long it has been since
its inhabitants were forced from some
cause or other to abandon it, is not
known; nor do the traditions of the
remnant tribes along the Missouri shed
light to penetrate the shroud of mystery
which mantles the scene. But little re.
mains to tell the story of this prima-
tive and mysterious people, save their
trenches, the ruins of their mud hous-
es, and principally the numerous and
extensive heaps Of rubbish which ac-
cumulated on the premises during the
years Of their abode.
Way Leads Through Jungle.
@ Accompanied by H, G. Fish, curato.
4Of tk6 State FiIstOFieaf Society, the
writer recently visited the scene which
forms the subject Of this article Driv-
Ing along the historic old river rold
which threads its way through brush.
jungle and dense timber at the foot of
the frowning bluffs which overlook the
mighty Missouri, we passed the cosy
and unique homes Of the Wards, Crit
fins, Sperry's and BURGESS and stop
ped on the flat about three miles above
the last mentioned place. Here we as
cended the bluff and beheld the scene.
It is a most beautiful site, fit for a
citadel, overlooking the raging Muddy
in It's wild wierd turbulence, while 10
the left and down the valley lay u most
magnificent flat, mile wide by four
or five long, level as floor and car
peted with thick short grass.
The Dsssr&sd Village.
Back from the brow of the bluff for
q distance of about 80 rods, and COW
erins q width Of about equal distance
are to be seen the ruins Of this vii
lase, or rather, the heaps of debris left
by the former inhabitants, for there
is little left of the huts which once
stood there.
Circling from the brow of the bluff
towards the east and back again to
the edge of the bluff is deep trench
around the village site, and back sew
eral rods within the semi-circle of the
first ditch is a second. These. evil
IDENTIFY were several feet deep at one
time, but the winds and waters of
years have filled them partly. At in
tervals can be seen the outlines of'the
huts; and here and there are found
the sinks where once deep holes were
dug for the storing of corn. All about
the plat of ground are large mounds
of rubbish, which is Enthusiastically the
sweepings and accumulations of debris
from the village. These are made up
of loose earth; chips from flint used
in making arrow heads; pieces of brok-
en- pottery and animal bones by the car
load. These mounds vary in size, the
smallest being about the size of a
large box-car, to others so or go feet
at the base, and over 100 feet in length.
The average height is probably 10 or
IL feet. These, of course, must have
been much higher when created, but
the ravages of time have reduced them.
No Money Available.
Realizing their historic value to the
state and to coming generations, Cura-
tor Fish had been desirous for some
time to acquire these premises in the
name of the State Historical society.
But there was no money with which to
buy them, the desecrating hand Of the
white man would soon destroy them,
and their historic value and their fas-
cinating interest would in time have
passed into oblivion.
Secured by Gov. Hanna.
Through the appeals of Mr.. Fish and
others, Governor Hanna was sufficiently
interested in the subject to make a>vis;t
to these mounds. Their value to the
Historical Society and the Importance
of immediate preservation impressed
the governor, whereupon he made a
proposition to the society that he would
take the land over at i reasonable
price on his personal funds, and hold
it till such time as the society could
take it off his hands at the same price
which he paid for It. MIR. Burgess, the
owner, made price Of $3.50 for the
Continued on Page Two.)