The Bismarck tribune., 1922-05-19
RENEW EFFORTS
IN IMPROVING
CUSTER PARK
Bismarck Women Receive DO1a-
tions to Aid in Spring Work
On The Tract
MUCH AID FREELY GIVEN
History of Park Records Unsel-
fish Effort of Women to
Make City Beauty Spot

fish Effort Of Women to
Make City Beauty Spot
Women of the Wcmen's Communit
Council, who undertook the work 0
making beauty spot in Bismarc
for the benefit of all in Custer Park
have again engrossed in the task thi
season. They have already receives
support from many citizens who de
sire to see the work encouraged bu
can use additional cash contribution
which may be made to Mrs. Rober
Orr, chairman Of the park committee
of the council.
Through the efforts of the womel
of the council and the careful atten
ton of A. F. Mcdonald the park al
ready is blooming into garden spo
in the city. Many plants and tree:
set out last year are making excellen
progress, and with continued effor
and coo operation the women befevt
that they can make out Of Custer
park spot that will be attractive
not only to every resident of Bismarck
but also to visitors to the city.
Donations This Year
Donations which have been made
for the park in 1922 are given by the
committee as follows: ;Fortnightly
club, $500; P. E. 0. Sisterhood, bed
of perennials; Mr.. and Mrs. P. R.
Fields, bed Of geraniums; Mr.. and
Mrs. Mollieur, bed of geraniums; Mr.
and Mrs. Moses, bed of perennials;
DR.. and Mrs. Roam, bed of cannas;
Mothers club, cedar trees (replaced)
Monday club. lilac clusters; Mr.. and
Mrs. Joseph Breslow, honeysuckle
cluster; Mrs. Thisthethwaite, flower
seeds; C. B. Little, two flower beds;
Mrs. C. E. Will bed of dahlias and
gladioli.
There are SO geraniums wintered
from last year and these will be used
in the flower beds. The committee
states that A. F. Mcdonald is again
in charge of the park and that it is
through his careful attention and
faithful labor that the park begins its
1922 season in such splendid condi-
tion.
"Although donations or plants and
flowers have been sufficient to fill
all the flower beds in the park, any
cash donations to defray the expenses
of new trees, seed, lawn-mower, etc.
will be greatly appreciated by the
committee in CHARGE" the committee
announces. "Anyone desiring I'd make
any cash contribution, however small,
may telephone Mrs. Robert Orr, chair
man of the park committee"
History of Park
A history of Custer park is con-
tanned in the files Of the Women's
Community Council. After very sue
cessful attempt at identifying some
vacant lots at the corner of Fifth and
Main streets, during the summer of
1909, the Civic Improvement league
decided to secure plot Of land some
where in the city for a permanent
small park and during the following
winter gave number of entertain
ments to raise money for that pur-
pose. t.. .....
The Custer park site was obtained
in 1910, the purchase price being
$685.. The amount was secured in a
few hours, the largest amount dona-
ted being $10O by Col. C. B. Little, who
then said he would be pleased to give
an equal amount towards the purchase
of another park site on the east side
of the city. The land was decided to
the city.
Trees were planted that spring, 100
trees being donated by o. H. Will
1mpromptu exercises were held dedi-
eating the park to the memory of
General Custer. In October that year
the services Of a landscape architect
was secured and a plan for the park
laid out. During the summers of 1911
1912 and 1918 the Civic League ex.
pended over $l,100 for labor, trees
and shrubs, water pipes and other
minor expenses. In addition to the
money expended, donations of trees
were made by I. P. Baker and C. B
Little, H. A. Thompson donated labor
in putting in water pipes, the Bis.
marck Water Co. supplied water al
bare cost, and the work was carried
out under the supervision Of T. r
Atkinson, without remuneration.
" Much Done in Four Years
During period Of four years 40(
trees and $50 shrubs were planted il
Custer park, the retaining wall acros:
Rosser street built, Thayer street lait
out and grades across the park. walk:
and water pipes laid in the block be
tween Thayer and Rosser and NOR,
than half of the four-acre tract plant
ed in grass.
After the year 1913 there is no rec
ord Of any work done or money ex
pended by the Civic League for Gust
er park.
After 1915 the city commission wa
able to employ man for park worl
during the summer months. In 1871
A. E. Preston was appointed custodi
an Of the park and for two years tool
much interest in its Improvement
trcm Sept. 1915 to 1919 the city com
mission expended 81 400 on the park
"After ten years of such discour
aging conditions it is surprising tina
between 100 and 40 trees, fifteel
clusters of spirea, nine of lilacs, an
three Of spruce survived, and at tn
present time make beautiful show
ing for the work Of those who did tn
pioneering in park work for the cit
of Bismarck" says the council his
tory.
New Effort Made
In the spring of 1921 the Communi
ty Council decided to undertake tn
Identification of the park and appoint
ed Mrs. Robert Orr, Mrs C. w. Nose:
"