The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-08-04
4SQCIETY News

Early Day Photos Are
Viewed by Visitors
4 At c.. F. Pearce Home
;, More than 80 friends of Mr.. and
Mrs. Charles L. Pearce, 322 First St.
most Of them pioneer residents Of the
city and county, called at the Pearce
home Thursday afternoon and eve
ming to offer congratulations to Mrs
Pearce, who was celebrating the 60th
! anniversary of her arrival in Bis
marck. Others unable to be presen,
sent messages and flowers.
Old acquaintanceships were re.
rewed and many incidents Of pioneer
days were recalled during the day
Henry Richholt, an early resident
gave toast to Mr.. and Mrs. Pearce
Another feature enjoyed by everyone
was a collection Of old-time photo
graphs, Mrs. Pearce having possibly
the finest and most complete private
collection Of pioneer pictures Of any
one in the city.
Recalling that this year also marks
the Goth anniversary OF the found
ing Of the First Presbyterian church.
Of which Mrs. Pearce is a member
she said construction Of the church
was begun in the early fall after
their arrival here.
The church was built of cotton
wood slabs, gotten from the Bly, saw
mill on the river bottoms south OF
the city. Lacking money for further
construction, the first year a tent
formed the top Of the structure. Two
government stoves, presumably do
mated, comprised the heating system
In "a, shingles and other lumber
were obtained to finish the upper
part of the church, which served the
congregation until the late 70s when
part of the present brick structure
was built. Rev. Sloan, known far
and wide as Father Sloan," was the
first pastor
The first Christmas was a gala
occasion. Mrs. Pearce recalls, because
a huge buffalo berry tree was used
in lieu of an evergreen and candles
were stuck on thorns since no suit
able holders were available. Gran
berries and popcorn, provided by the
government, were its decoration. Of
ficers and soldiers from Fort Han
cock participated in the celebration,
during which Father Sloan was pre-
sented with a buckskin purse con-
tanning $500 In silver.
These and many other remi-
niscences of pioneer days were re-
viewed by the visitors.
A miniature prairie schooner cen
tered the table in the dining room
during the reception. It was spread
with red and white cloth IS years
old and adorned with old silver which
had been handed down for several
generations in the Pearce and Mich
oils families. Many baskets and bou-
quets Of flowers, sent by friends In
remembrance of the occasion, deco
rated the rooms.
The four daughters of Mr.. and Mrs.
Pearce assisted in serving refresh
tents. They are Mrs. H. A. Halver-
son and Miss Gladys, Bismarck, and
Mrs. G. S. Novak, Tulsa, Okla, and
Mrs. j. A. Graner, Dillworth, MINI.
Among the guests were the follow
ing from out Of the city: Mr.. and
Mrs. James D. Wakeman, Hollywood,
Calf; Mrs. j. y. Schmid and Mrs.
r. Ferry, Wilton; Mrs. G. j. Peterson,
Driscoll; and Mrs. Warren Watson
and Mrs. Fay Sloan, Mandan.
X X X
Mrs. L. P. Wedge and son Lucius,
922 South Seventh st., have left for
Albert Lee, Mimi, where they will be
guests of relatives for about two
weeks.
Mr.. and Mrs. r. L. Mathewson and
daughter, Vera, 4l6 Fourteenth ST.,
returned Tuesday from two-weeks
vacation spent in Clearbrook and
Thief River Falls, Mimi, where they
were guests Of relatives and friends.
y y +
Mrs. John McDonugh and son Jun
Tor of Miami, Fla, arrived in Bis
mack by plane Friday morning to
spend week or more as the guest of
Mrs. John r. Scher, 418 South Elev-
enth st. Mrs. McDonugh is former
resident Of Bismarck and Mandan.
X X =
Mr.. and Mrs. L. D. Stickles and
daughters Helen and Leila, Red Wing,
Mimi, will leave Saturday for their
home after spending about two weeks
N Bismarck. as the guests of Mrs.
Stickles' sisters, Misses Laura, Mae
and Matilda Sanderson, 500 Eighth
st.
Mrs. Everett O'Nejl, Grand Forks,
has arrived in Bismarck to join her
husband, civil engineer who is in
charge Of a group of c. G. G. workers
at Fort Lincoln. Mrs. O'Neil expects
t. remain for the balance of the sum-
ner and will be guest at the home
of Mr.. O'Neil's parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
J. e. O'Neil, 414 Ninth st.
X X \
Mr.. and Mrs. M. J.. Bleth, 6l9
Twelfth st. have returned to their
home from vacation trip to Chicago
where they attended the Century of
Progress worlds fair. They were gone
two weeks. Here to visit Mr.. and Mrs.
3leth for few days are Mr. and Mrs.
Fred Deeken of Taylor. parents of
Mrs. Bleth. They also have been at
the worlds fair in Chicago.