The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1916-01-13
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> LITTLE STORIES OF THE
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II At least one of the Independent
subscribers pays attention to our ed
itorials (?). Last week, in comment
ing on the fact that the citizens of a
certain nearby town had contributed
$1OO for flowers to be displayed at a
young mans funeral, we remarked
that we'd rather have one lonely car,
nation given us while we are alive and
to enjoy it, than whole garden Of
posies after we have returned to dust.
And 10 and behold, we found beauti-
full carnation on our desk Monday af-
ternoon with the following touching
lines accompanying it: ITO
the one who writes the sob stuff in
the Independents editorials. Here's
the carnation you asked for"
w. A. Peck, Better Farming Expert,
received fine looking, fat turkey
shortly before, Christmas, at least the
bird was left on his desk, and think
ing that one of his country friends
had sent it in for his Christmas din
ner, he took it home, had it roasted to
perfection, and enjoyed it as he has
relished no turkey before or since.
Imagine his CONSERVATION when few
days ago he received the following
note: "Dear Mr.. Peck: We want you
to settle a dispute that has arisen
out in our neighborhood. I left a tur-
key on your desk the other day when
you were out. Will you please look it
over and let me know what, in your
opinion, it died off,"
Marius Erickson, the efficient and
good-looking local manager of the j.
|. Case Co., is known far and wide for
his originality and he has pulled off
some great tricks on his friends. Once
he attended convention and the no.
tells were crowded. Marius likes to
sleep alone, in fact he insists on
sleeping alone, for he just can't sleep
when he has to share his bed with
anyone. His friend, Halvorson, the
Rugby Case representative, could not
get a room and there was but one
thing to do and that was to sleep with
Marius. Mr.. Erickson retired first and
as he was getting ready for his downy
couch, he began scratching himself
numerically. "Halvorson, what's
good for lice?" he inquired. Halvor-
son said he didn't know but if it was
all the same to Marius he believed he'd
sleep on the floor, and he did. Of
course, Marius and lice are complete
strangers, but he enjoyed good sleep
just the same.
Atty. Willis F. Doherty tells us this
one, concerning lawyer and polite
ian over in Burke county. The lawyer
persistently referred to himself as
"the leading lawyer of Burke county"
His confreres made no objections for
several months. Finally young man
who had looked into the records, in
terrupted him one day with the query,
"What proof have you that you are
the leading lawyer in Burke county
What notable cases have you won?"
"Proof," said the leading lawyer with
fine scorn. 81 don't have to prove it.
I admit it."
A few years ago very economical
candidate ran for Office in Ward coun-
ty. He was in the Independent Office
one day and we introduced him. to a
farmer living up towards Glenburn.
The candidate smiled, asked about the
wife and babies and handed him his
card. The farmer said he was sor-
ry that he couldn't vote for him, be-
cause he lived just across the line in
Renville county. swell, would you
mind giving me back my card, for
think know where I can use it that
will do me some good?" he remarked.
o @
Probably not many residents Of Sur
rey know how near that town came to
getting the 500 line instead of Minot.
Back in 1893 when the 500 was built
west, the line was surveyed out onto
the prairie crossing the spot where
Surrey now stands. The 500 didn't
care to go down into the valley. John
Wallin was one of the first to take the
matter up and suggest that conces-
sions be made to get the 500 to come
down the valley. He offered free
right of way across his land and 9TH
ers followed suit. The 500 thereup-
on changed it's plans and built to this
point.
In the early days of the state, there
was law providing for sheep inspec-
tor. Each county was supposed to
nave Sheep inspector TO drive ABOUT
and inspect the droves Of sheep to de-
termine if there was any scab affect
ing them. The job could pay in the
neighborhood of five or six thousand
dollars if the inspector was pretty ac-
tive, but fortunately Ward county
had an inspector who was careful of
the funds and he drew but a small
amount each year. The inspector was
none other than our townsman, Peter
Ehr. Pete didn't know sheep scab
from the pip but he managed to keep
grafters out of office. 1t wasn't long
after that that Cleveland took the tar
if off from wool and soon there were
no sheep and the services of the sheep