The Bismarck tribune., 1925-05-11
DEATH TAKES
Pl0N EBR OF
NORTH DAKOTA
Reuben Nelson Stevens Dies
in Bismarck Hospital
After Short ILL ess
LEADER IN STATE
Well known Attorney Took
Active Part in Develop
ment of Country
LEADER IN STATE


Dakota and prominent lawyer in
this state since 1881, died in local
hospital at 9:45 a. m. Sunday after
an illness of two weeks. His wife
and three daughters were at the bed
side when the end came.
Mr.. Stevens, who moved from Bis
marck to Minnewaukan five years
ago to engage in the practice of
law in the latter place, was taken
i'll two weeks ago. He was brought
to the hospital in Bismarck where
his condition grew worse until death
claimed him,
Reuben Nelson Stevens was born
in Medina. New York, on August 10,
1858.
Admitted to Bar
He was educated in the common
schools of New York and Illinois,
read law in the state of Illinois and
was admitted to the bar. In the
year. 1881 he removed from Illinois
to the then territory of Dakota and
established himself at Lisbon.
He early identified himself with
the progressive citizenship Of that
community and as a mark of their
appreciation was elected q member
of the constitutional convention,
which convened in the city of Bis
marck on July 4, 1889. In passing
from this statement, it may be re-
marked that it has been considered
that membership in the constitution
al convention was such as placed a
man among the most prominent cit
izens Of the then territory. It was
a great honor to have been member
of that body. as, without doubt, its
membership was composed of the
very highest type of citizens of the
territory Of Dakota, which was soon
to assume statehood. q. -
Following his membership in the
constitutional convention he was
elected a member Of tho first legis-
lature, on which body devolved car.
rying' into effect the mandates of
the constitution through statute law.
The basic law of the state, of course;
was the constitution, but an immens
amount of matters we're obliged to
be taken into consideration and en-
acted into law that were not men
toned or taken care of in the con-
stitution. Mr.. Stevens was an act-
i've and influential member of this
session of the legislature and his i'm.
print Is seen on a great many of the
early laws of statehood, and laws
which continue down to this day.
In Legislature
He was also q member of the leg
islature for several terms thereafter.
and held great many official posi-
tions at the close of his legislative
career. Among these positions may
be mentioned that of assistant at
torney general of North Dakota. men,
bership on commissions that were
appointed to codify the laws of the
state, states attorney of Burleigh
county, captain of Company "A",
North Dakota National Guard of
Bismarck.
Among federal positions held by
him was that of assistant attorney
general of the United States in
charge of Indian depreciation claims,
which carried him to all parts of the
United States in sitting out the facts
where claims had been filed for
damages coming to members of the
various Indian tribes. He was also
in the judicial branch of the United
States and was appointed to that
position by the President of the
United States and was on duty two
years in Alaska. in the formative
period of that territory. Another
federal position he held was over
full term as Registrar Of the United
States land office at Bismarck.
Another activity that engaged Mr..
Stevens attention for some time was
the management of the Bismarck
Tribune, which he held for a period
of about three years, during the
absence of its editor, the late Mar
shall H. Jewell, in Washington.
Mr.. Stevens was an orator beyond
the average and his speeches were
always listened to with a great deal
Of interest, as they were founded on
most extensive reading, careful
study and almost complete mastery
of any subject on which he spoke.
He was ready debater and his
antagonist was obliged to be
thoroughly prepared or he would
find himself involved in way from
which he could not extricate himself.
Brilliant Lawyer
Mr.. Stevens was brilliant lawyer,
and yet did not appear. as publicly
in cases as many others. Perhaps
the most far reaching case that he
handled was the one establishing
the doctrine Of riparian rights in
this state. Contrary to the general
impression this docttne Isl an inn
portant one in North Dakota. In the
early days Of the state we had q
large number Of lakes that gradually
receded. and the question immediate
" arose to whom the land uncovered
by the falling Of the water, belonged.
The brief that SUCCESSFULLY estab-
lished the fights Of the owner Of the
adjacent land to extend their bound
(coatiausd on pass thsss) y
f.L5 W. Ar III F rf