Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-07-02

cent; Sheridan, about 63 per cent, and
Emmons with about 81 per cent. In
eight other counties the Germans rep
resent from 80 to 43 per cent; Oliver
with about @43 uer cent; Morton, Al;
Stark, IS; Dunn, So; Logan, 36; Wells
so; Mclean, 81, and %Eiettinger with
about 80 per cent. Stutsman, Rich.
land, LaMoure, McHenry, 'Kidder,
Dickey, filings Nprior to the formation
of Golden Valley county,, and Walsh
counties have a German population
which represents from 20 to q per
cent Of the whole white population.
In the remaining counties the Ger
man element represents from 3 to 1!
Per cent Of the entire white popula-
ton. Walsh and Richland counties
are the only counties in the rich Red.
River Galley that contain a"consider-
able number of Germans, a number
that is at all commensurate with the
Scandinavian element there repre-.
scented. When the food tide OF Ger
mar immigration struck the state.
most hof the rich land: in the Fed
! Piver valley had been claimed, and
SO twas necessary that, for 1econom-
ic reasons, they should go where gov
eminent land was still available. . AS
| q consequence, we find them in great
est numbers in the southern, western
and central counties. There they
found a task vastly more difficult
than that encountered by their Scan
dinavian friends in the valley of the
Red river. The land is less fertile.
and, in part at least, semi-arld condl-
tons obtain. In characteristic fash
ion they have there done, and are
still doing, the trying but important
work of the pioneer. just as their
kinsmen have done in this country
since the latter part Of the 18th cen
fury, for all along the line the Ger
mans have borne well their share Of
the h%ardships Of frontier life, all along
| the line they have helped to blaze the
path of civilization.
Notable Contribution.
The limits of this article preclude
an adequate record Of the notable
contribution which the Germans have
made to the life of this state. Suf-
llCt ~ W odJ l1dt lACli dtIol1iIl1CAlo
are numerous and worthy. Germans
are to be found in every line OF work
and endeavor, their inherent charac-
teristics of honesty, industry and
r"ugali1y making them desirable set
tiers everywhere. .
THAT class of Germans in North
dakota which represents an unexplor-
ed, indeed an almost undiscovered,
mine of culturo-historical research, is
that which has come to us from Rus
sla. They call themselves Rusz!aend.
er and not Russians. Though five
generations of Germans have grown
up in Russia they have stubbornly
and successfully refused to become
! Russianized. They think German,
they speak German.
Go to Russia.
1.-THE question as to- how it hap.
pened that the ancestors Of these
interest, thougil.the facts are not gen
orally known. On the 4th Of Deem
Der, 1852, that is to say, before the
Seven Years war had been brought
to a close, when there was a great
deal OF discomfort in western Europe,
Catharine II. Of Russia issuedta man
ifesto in which she invited the people
Of Europe to settle in her widespread
realm. This invitation generous as
it was, did not meet with any appre-
ciable response, for the reason that
the manifesto did not contain any as
surances of definite rights and privi
leges to be accorded the newcomers.
who were to face the hardships of
%jioneer life. On July rs, 1883, Catha-
rine II. issued a second manifesto,
which stands unique il point Of liber-.
atty of terms and generosity Of in.
ducement.
These remarkably liberal terms
brought thousands Of Germans to Rus
sia after the Seven Years war had
come to a close. Almost all of those