The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-03-16
Tribune Reporter Descr b e S
How RemovaIists Took Bit
ter News of Defeat
GATHER IN OFFICE OF SUN
Most Enthusiastic Of Instigators
Maintained Hope Until
Returns Came in
(By Tribune Staff MANI

jamestown, N. H., March TO-
Jamestown's capital removalists sat
in the office of the jamestown Sun
Tuesday night and saw their bright
dreams tarnish and their high hopes
fade.
They were glum, indeed, as the
voice of North Dakota's electorate
rolled across the prairies, gathering
new power in every precinct, to
hurl a deafening mo" into the ears
Of the removal band.
This reporter was an unnoticed
visitor and, like a mouse in a COR
ner, saw many things.
Looming large in the foreground
was Percy M. Hansen, publisher of
the jamestown Sun, who inaugur-
ated the removal boom, persisted in
carrying it through despite opposi-
ton from all parts of the state and
who, Tuesday night, saw it come to
its unfruitful end.
1t was chastened Percy who
watched the returns come in over
the leased wires of the Associated
Press. He made brave struggle
to smile in the face of defeat and
to "shrug off" the overwhelming
failure of his cause. But the smile
was panied and twisted, the shoulders
which shrugged also were noticeably
sagged.
Around Hansen the other removal
conspirators sat or trooped through
the office. At first they were hope
full, if not optimistic, but within an
hour after the first returns came
from outside of jamestown the place
was sink of despair.
Crowd Gathered Outside
Outside crowd gathered to hear
the returns read through a loud
speaking system set up to advise the
Jamestown faithful of the progress
Of the election. It was q jolly if
not jubilant crowd which gathered
to hear the oracle do his stuff. Cir
culating through the gathering one
gathered that few expected to win
but that all thought the race would
be close.
When it developed that there
really was no contest but that the
removal scheme had been slapped
resoundingly in the face, the temper
Of the gathering changed. Spirits
dropped and they turned away to
their homes to think it over.
AS If in sympathy with their
changed mood, the skies opened and
a gentle rain began to fall.
Both among the crowd and inside
the Sun office there were numerous
uncomplimentary references to those
cities who not only refused to en-
dorse the capital removal idea but
"a more bitter pill - refused to
contribute financially to either the
For Capital Club or the
Logical Capital City Association.
Later in the evening Hansen sat
almost alone. The crowd had left
the front of the place and only few
of the faithful remained to help him
drink the last bitter cup.
All through the evening he had
been subjected to the omni-present
question, "How are we stacking up?"
and, as the towns source of infor-
nation, he was continually called
upon to confess in public the fact Of
his failure.
His usual answer was ooh, He'll,
we're being beaten" Then he would
change the subject.
Gets Congratulations
He took sardonic amusement, how
ever, in exhibiting a telegram from
4 Bismarck businessman giving the
result Of the vote there and extend
ing congratulations"
A little later a telephone call
came from Bismarck. Only one end
Of the conversation was audible to
those in the Sun office but the state
nents from the other end must have
been sarcastic for Hansen remarked
on turning away "Well, anyway it |
cost him dollar to say that to me"
Among the removalists there was
one victor-and he was q doubtful |
one. It was Oscar Zimmerman, head
Of the jamestown For Capital Club,
who was elected mayor.
This morning, however, there was
. tendency on the part Of the popu-
lace toward repentance. A railroad
man, who was favorable to removal
Tuesday, voiced the general thought |
when he said: II wonder why they |
ever started such a fool thing in the |
first place. I'm acquainted all over
the state and I never heard the SUBJ
ject treated otherwise than as a |
joke, except in jamestown"
It is belated recognition of this
fact which gave Jamestown such a
and q good many citizens
are beginning to wonder just how
the whole thing came about. What
their attitude will be. If and when
they find out, remains to be seen.