The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-10-07
(By The Associated Press)

(by Inc Associated PreSS)
However stirring may be the events
which may take place in the new
North Dakota state capitol, the
cornerstone of which is to be laid
Saturday, they can hardly rival the
wild happenings that marked early
legislative sessions in the old building.
The Bismarck to which 1882 visi-
tors will come will be larger and more
modern, but it will lack the glamor
OF the Missouri river steamboats,, still
running throughout the '8Os, the old
Sheridan House, palace of the frontier,
and many other historic points. But
still around Capitol Hill and the frag-
ment OF the territorial capitol that
remains there always will cling an
aura of the past for in the Liberty
Memorial building are preserved pic
lures, documents, and relics of the old
days.
Much of this atmosphere which will
be re-created on the occasion of the
cornerstone laying for special down.
town window displays are arranged by
the historical society. Many extern
sive private collections, of which that
of Captain I. P. Baker probably is
the largest, also will be drawn upon
for mementoes of the old forts, the
river days, the capital removal, the
picturesque frontier figures, and the
territorial politicians.
Sheridan House Interesting
If the halls of the old capitol re-
sounded with spread-eagle oratory
that will never die, the bar rooms,
parlors, and secluded rooms of the
Sheridan House were of almost equal
interest, for in them many deals of
far-reacfing consequence were con-
Summated. Located first on the
Northern Pacific right of-way facing
the tracks, it was moved later a short
distance, remodeled and named the
Northwest. 1t burned in 1921. When
it was built in II at what was then
the farthest west railroad point in
the country, it at once became the
mecca of army officers and soldiers
going to the Indian country or en-
route to their posts at Yates, Clark
or the nearer Lincoln. To the tray
eler coming from the cattle ranges or
the forts up and down the valley, the
Sheridan House was the first place
of civilization.
Sturgis, Miles, Merritt, Terry, Sher-
man, Hancock, CroWder, and Sheri-
dan himself wrote their names on
that register while the Indian troubles
lasted. There were occasional visits
from the Northwest Mounted Police,
territorial and national officials; pres
idents, ex-presidents, and near presi-
dents frequented the old hosiery and
helped to make history within it's
walls.
When the capital was removed to
Bismarck in '83. the hotel at once
became legislative headquarters. From
1t carriages proceeded for the corner
stone laying that September. In it
later the last territorial legislatures
and many during the statehood period
found their winter homes and held
their momentous conferences.
First Session In 1890
The first session of the legislature
after North Dakota was admitted to
the union, was held in 1890. When
the session opened, Gilbert A. Pierce,
former governor, and Lyman r. Casey,
Darlington bonanza farmer, had just
been chosen the first U. S. senators
after much excitement and dead
lock of many days. The Louisiana
lottery, conducted by that state and
extended to other localities which in
Guided Frankfort, KY, and to which
many Dakotans had contributed
throughout the territorial period, was
being offered as a means of replen-
ishing the new states treasury. A
strong lobby led by an Alabama sena-
tor had come to Bismarck in its in