The Dickinson press., 1916-08-19
PROMINENT NEW ENGLAND
MAN KILLED IN ACCIDENT

Seldom has death caused a greater
shock to this community than in the
case Of Asa Gardner Of New Eng
land, stricken down in the full flush
of his vigorous manhood.
When the news reached here Tues
day afternoon that New England's
leading business man had lost his
lie IN an automobile accident down
IN the Black Hills county, near the
town of Beulah, in the northwestern
corner of Wyoming, it could hardly
be realized that this man who for
the past thirteen years had been so
closely identified with the business
Life of the hustiing little city in the
Cannon Ball country, has passed to
another world.
Details of the accident were still
lacking on Thursday morning when
our representative was in touch with
New England people from whom he
learned some facts in connection with
Mr.. Gardner's life since coming to
this state from South Dakota about
thirteen fears ago.
|
Dickinson people when he obtained
the contract from the government for
carrying the mail from Dickinson via
New England and Saltwater, to
Haley, near the South Dakota line,
which contract he held until the main
line of the Milwaukee was built in
1908. At that time the service was
discontinued south of New England
but the Dickinson-New England part
of the contract held until the Cannon
Ball branch of the Milwaukee was
completed in the fall of 1910.
During the time Mr.. Gardner held
the mail contract he made his home
in New England, where he conducted
a general store (from 1903 until
1919, and it may be truthfully said
that he sold everything. Until the
advent of the railroad several six
horse teams were kept on the road
the year around to haul out supplies
for the store and farm machinery
for the implement yard. When as
many as 180 binders were sold in one
season it will give some idea of the
business done in other lines by this
pioneer when the settlers commenced
marketing their first crops.
AS town builder Mr.. Gardner's
record will never be duplicated in this
state. He built everything but
church and he paid his full share
toward the building of the several
churches in his town. Before auto
mobiles were in use Mr.. Gardner
built the largest livery barn in the
state at New England. Before his
town had population of 200 souls
he built a hotel that would accommo-
date half that number of people. He
could see in advance and was not
afraid to go ahead with any propo-
sition that promised fair return on
the investment He built general
stores, meat markets, jewelry store,
opera house, barber shops, cottages,
blacksmith shop, garage. and electric
light plant and was always ready to
match his dollar with the best of
them for any public Improvement.
When the Milwaukee Townsite Co.
purchased the New England town
site, Mr.. Gardner took i1..lrd in
terest in it and was the company's
agent at the time of his death. If
a man wanted to start in business
Mr.. Gardner was always ready to
help, even if the newcomer was to be
his competitor. He helped the busi
ness people to get started and he
grub staked hundreds of homestead
ers who would have been compelled
to quit the country if he had not
tided them over when they were up
against hard luck.
Mr.. Gardner had the respect of
everybody who knew him and it will
be impossible to fill his place in the
country south. A man who had the
courage to do things and always
boosting for western North Dakota.
His loss will be felS all over the
state because men like Asa Gardner
are very scarce.
The deceased, who was fifty years
old, is survived by wife, five sons
and three daughters. George, Gordon
and Harry Gardner make their home
in New England. The second oldest
son, DR.. Charles M. Gardner, is To-
Gated in Portland, Oregon, in veteri
nary practice. Mrs. Gardner and the
four younger childen, Henry, Hazel,
Yea and lola, have made their home
in California the past year. He also
leaves a father, M. D. Gardner, of
Portland, Oregon, and sister, Mrs.
H. Sherwood, of the same city.