The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-11-04
GIDEON ORGANIZATION CONCEIVED !,
IN WISCONSIN HOTEL q YEARS AGO

Madison. Wis, Nov. In the quiet.
homclikc little city Of BoscObcl in
western Wisconsin. girthcd by "a
turbulent. murky river, which seems
to be ever in a hurry to join the wa
tiers OF the Mississippi. 30 miles be-
low, two commercial travelling men
conceived the idea Of u soul insur-
ancc organization, nearly a quarter
Of /, century ago. which now stands
next to tho churches in acquainting
people with the prerepts Of the Ribtc.
A tablet will be dedicated in the hotel
marking the spot Of the conceived
idea this winter.
The international organization of
several thousand members has placed
more than 5000 Bibles in the hotel
rooms of America.
Has 1000 Population
Bosccbcl, where the idea Of forming
the GidcOns was conceived, is II city
Of nearly 1000 persons with clean
business streets and trim dOOryurds
to homes, many Of which arc owned
by farmers who have retired after an
active life in the countryside
around. 1t is an old city, one Of the
first to be founded on the frontier
pioneer road from the lead mine dis.
trict, and is still reached by an an
tiduatcd covered toll bridge across
the river over which the produce for
miles around is hauled to market. II
is :. friendly community. with fine
schools, and with most Of its business
houses on the central street.
And the most conspicuous building
on Main street is the "Ccntrnl Hotel,
annually visited by hundreds Of tray.
cling men and serious indcd tour.
lists, who want to rest in IA hostclr!
that gave conception to the founding
Of the Christian Commercial Travcl.
ers Assoc citation Of Ametica.
One evening in September OF 1898
John IL. Nicholson Of Janesviilc, en-.
tered the Central hotel Of Boscobel. .
Wisconsin river town, GO miles west
of Madison. The hotel was crowded
to its limits.
I'VE are crowded tonight, Nick, and
double room with two beds, on the
second floor with finc clcan fellow
you will accommodate me very
much," declared the land lord of thu
/ hotel.
| Certainly, John, anything to helI
you out. Put me anywhere" answer
cd Mr.. Nicholson.
Found Him 1t Work
\ few minutes later S. f. Hill, Be-
lott, was introduced to John II. Mich
olson of Jancsvillc. Mr.. Nicholson
said he would 30 to his room and d.
some work and Mr.. Hill was to com.
up when ready. About nm hour latcl
Mr.. Hill entered his room, No. ~, tx
lind Mr.. Nicholson, at w0yk.
When ready to retire, Mr.. Nicholson
took from the satchcl u Bible.
n make It hnbit of reading /:
passage from the Bible and talk will
my Lord before going to bed cacf
night" declared Mr.. Nicholson.
II am a Christian also. let US hav.
our dcvotions together interrupted
Nj. HILL
After their prayers the two mo.
Ivy. awake long time talking will
each other over some plan to nc
quaint people with the Bible.
| Another year WINS to pass befor'
tho seed there planted was to b
ilurtured into termination. The tw'
men did not meet again on. their tray
cling routes through Wisconsin unit
May 81, 1899. And again It wash.
chance.
! It happened that Mr.. Nicholson
was on y trip to Northern wisconsin
when he met Mr.. Hill at Beaver Dam
mick, we should get ut It and OF
gRnize at once" declared Nj. Hill
Lets not talk about y, but &c
right at II. Start the bull rolling an
follow IL uD.