The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-04-07
Appropriate That Bismarck Pa.
per Should Publish His.
torical Edition
ESTABLISHED IN JULY, 1879
In Face Of All vicissitudes, Trib.
uns Has Appeared on
Scheduled Time

xVuIlOSO UOg0 tu8U " yS8C8 &SC
by Colonel Clement A. Lounsberry
the Bismarck Tribune II North Da-
kotaS oldest newspaper.
The Tribune plant was established
July Q, 1873, and . trial number
printed, but the first regular issue
Of the paper, bearing the Significant
vol. l, No. l." was published July IL
It appeared q . seven column, eight.
page weekly.
Never has the Tribune missed au
issue since its first regular publica.
ton day July IL, 1873.
The only villages In the state q
the time Of the Tribune's founding
were Pembina, Grand Forks, Valley
City, Jamestown, Bismarck and the
settlement at Fargo, then unceeded
Indian LANDS.
There was no farming because there
were no farms In the state, except II
connection with Indian agencies q
military posts: no roads, aside from
military or Indian trails: no railroads
(though the Northern Pacific was un.
der construction): no public schools;
no banks; and no organized churches
outside Of the Catholic missions. A
land office had been established a
eembinA.
Was 'Edwinton' Then
Dennis Hannafin, Bismarck pioneer
met Col. Lounsberry In st. Paul and
told him Of the fine opportunity that
presented itself for = rising young
Journalist In the town Of Bismarck
then known a "Edwinton'.
From 1873 until 1881, when the Bis
marck Daily Tribune was established
the weekly Tribune took . leading
part In territorial politics and die
much to attract settlers to this sec.
ton Of the state. It gave to the
world tho news Of the Black HILL
district q thousands on their way t.
that section passed through the little
frontier town Of Edwinton. The Trib-
une published the first authentic &C.
count Of the ''Custer Massacre.
Through fire, snow blockades and
other vicissitudes, the Tribune always
appeared on scheduled time. Once
when its paper supply was held ur
BY snow blockades, It was printed
upon wrapping paper.
Charles Lombard was tho first
mechanical foreman. Mark Kellogg
who represented tho Tribune and the
New York Herald on the Custer ex.
petition to the Big Horn and wal
slain with Custer and his men, a.
sisted in the editorial work Of the
early numbers. Amos G. Jordan and
Theodore F. singhiser were respon-
sible for the articles which led to the
midnight raid on Bismarck by the
Seventh q. s. Cavalry, resulting IN
the death Of Dave Mullen.
Mullen and Jack O'Neil were oper.
ating q wild" dance hall, where
shootings occurred often, and THU
condition was attacked in the Tribune
editorial. Both died as they them
selves had predicted, violently. Null
len was killed by the cavalry. which
came In search Of one accused 81
numbering one Of their comrades, and
O'Neil was slain by one lying In walt
Tor him on q street.
Jewell Came In 1881
Marshall H. Jewell, formerly Of the
Chicago Telegram, became associated
with Col. Lounsberry and the Tribune
In 1881 and purchased full control
IN 1884.
Besides Lounsberry, who gained I'd.
ditional fame through his publication
Of . History Of North Dakota" and
Jewell, other writer's who have beer
connected with the Tribune included
A. T. Packard, who later established
"The Bad Lands Cowboy" newspaper
ct Medora, made famous by the resi-
dence Of the French Marquis de Morea
and Teddy" Roosevelt: Stanley Hunt.
ley, best known as the author Of
"Spoopendyke Letters (the original
epoopendyke was Dennie Hannafin)
James w. Foley. famed North Dakota
poet now living In California: Colonel
w. q. Plummer, friend Of the lat<
Alexander Mckenzie and striking 20.
litical leader; Kirk La shelle, who
later became dramatic critic for the
Chicago Herald and author Of plays
Including the stage version Of 1.-THE
Virginian"; Edward Henderson, from
Minneapolis: q. ]. Small Of Minot
who later arrived In the newspaper
game In Judith Basin, Montana;
frank Tracy Of the Boston Tran
script: Fred Hendershoot: Dan Scott
Of Deadwood. 8. D.: Kit Adams Of
Eau Claire, Wis.,: Captain w. A