Sunday, October 28, 2007

A House in Noyes

There is a house in Noyes (I think it is still there...) that a good friend and her family used to live in. They weren't the first family to live there, nor probably the last. But this story isn't about the residents; it's about the house itself.

The house was two full storeys plus a full attic with dormers, large enough to serve as another bedroom or a study. It was spacious and well laid out. It was a shock when I found out it was a prefabricated home...and that it was made by Sears!

Prefabricated homes have never been widely popular due to many reasons, but this example made a positive impression on me. I spent many days there, riding my horse from St. Vincent over to Noyes to visit my friend during summer days in 1975/1976.


Thursday, October 25, 2007

Lynch Mob

Louis Olson, also known as Louis Gunderson, was lynched in Olga, Cavalier County’s largest city. Olson was said to have murdered Susan McEwen at her homestead shack by Rosa Lake. Before the four special constables could take Olson to the county jail in Pembina, a crowd of angry Rosa Lake folks showed up. This mob of supposed justice-seekers somehow managed to pull Olsen from his constable escorts and, with rope in hand, headed to a nearby grove of trees.

From Dakota Datebook

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Sheriff Charley Brown: Chapter XIII

Chuck Walker, aka Charles Harris Walker, emailed me on Sunday past and in passing mentioned his book is in print. Well for Pete's sake, I didn't know it was actually out! He mentioned earlier in the summer it had been accepted for publication, but it's actually out there now. Congratulations, Chuck!

And now, for the next installment from the book...

It was the day after Christmas when Charley learned of Marguerite's drive to Emerson with the tall machinery salesman. Jim White, the proprietor of the hotel at Huron City entered Charley's saloon shortly after the noon hour.

He greeted Charley loquaciously as he removed his heavy coat. "Must be thirty below outside; the wind tears right through a man. I'm going to thaw out and have a shot before going over to Myrick's store to stock up."

Charley had never warmed to White, considering him bluff and overbearing, prone to run roughshod over any dissenting voice or person. The fact that he pimped for prostitutes at his hotel also gritted Charley. He could see a woman running that sort of business, but not a man. "How come you're shopping in Pembina? Thought you bought all of your supplies in West Lynne or Emerson."

White tossed his coat over a nearby chair before answering. "Business has been slow and I was getting cabin fever. Just had to get out for a change, besides, I have to see Booker over at the bank." He grinned maliciously, "See you've lost your girl friend."

"What girl friend?"

"Don't you and that Grant girl go out together?"

"Occasionally. Just what are you driving at?"

White was still smiling. "Driving is what they were doing Christmas afternoon. They went by my place on the way to Emerson. Didn’t see them come back either."

Charley was bemused. "Who are they?"

“Your girl friend and that machinery salesman who’s been hanging around town. That's who!"

This news failed to surprise Charley. He looked defensively at White. "I guess she's got a right to go with any man she chooses. She's not married."

White snapped his fingers as he turned to John who was puttering behind the bar, "Gimme a shot of rye, Johnny. Better yet, bring the bottle and an extra glass for Charley."

Charley held up his hand. "Hold the extra glass." Lifting his eyes to White, he said, "I never drink when I'm working. A bartender who drinks doesn't last long."

White had hoped his news of Marguerite's outing with Paul Evans would pique Charley, wounding his pride. Charley's apparent lack of concern nettled him. "Figured you and that Grant girl would get married some day. She's a good looker."

"You figured wrong, furthermore it's none of your business."

"Oh hell!" White tossed off his drink and arose to his feet. "Thought you might want to know about it."

"Well, I don't. People should mind their own business and stay out of mine."

White angrily reached for his coat, then he approached the bar to drop a coin. Stopping at the door he turned to face Charley, "I'll come back when you're in a better mood." Chortling to himself he closed the door, knowing he had accomplished his purpose; he had stuck it to Charley.

"Don't let that joker bother you." John spoke from behind the bar.

"I've given it a lot of thought, John. Marguerite is a fine girl, but I'm not cut out for marriage. I'm too old, and it's too much of a change to hitch up. She wants marriage and kids; it's best she has a chance at it. That Evans seems like a good sort and he's got a promising job. I spoke with Webb, he handles the McCormick line of machinery. He said Evans seemed a square shooter -- said he kind of took to the chap."

"Cripes Charley, to me marriage is a piece of cake. Some men think nothing of dipping their tally in a honey pot when they're young, but 'taint until he becomes older that he appreciates a real woman. Lots of men wait until they are thirty before getting hitched. Puppy love is fine when you're a kid, but as the years go by you realize and appreciate your commitment to a real woman. Why, I can hardly remember being single, and that old saying: When I was single my pockets did jingle, is all crap. I was always broke before I met Hannah."

Charley reached up to press his temple. "I'm going to try and forget her -- give her a chance to meet others. She wants children, she's told me so; she'll marry one of these days."

Sunday, October 21, 2007

A Little Independent TV Station

A reader contacted me this week about my posts on KCND-TV. I've gotten several responses about those posts; evidently that little independent station touched many people's lives...
Hello, I came across your blog while searching for KCND-TV again. It was me who edited and/or put in some information about the switchover from KCND to CKND, especially regarding the signal going off on Sunday August 31, 1975. I remember the day when the screen went black - I was 14 years old then. I think it may have been me who sent in a KCND logo but Im not sure.

This is probably an unusual request but would you have any North Dakota newspaper articles on computer you would be willing to email me about this. I found some neat articles at the Newspaperarchive website that I was able to download and save. Two, since you might be interested, are in an attachment.
Indeed, I am, and many thanks for sharing with us.

By the way, if anyone reading this knows of any existing video of KCND broadcasts, I'd love to get ahold of some clips!

Profile: Dr. Anthony S. Berlin


Anthony Berlin was the only child of Theresa and Nicolas Berlin, born in Chicago in 1907. His parents came to this country from Italy at a very young age. The family name was Berlingieri, but his father changed it to Berlin.

When Tony was three years old, his parents moved to St Paul, Minnesota. He grew to manhood there. He was active in sports and during one of his games, he sustained an injury to his leg. He developed Osteomyelitis and was hospitalized for many weeks. His Doctor brought him gifts and gave him encouragement and he was so impressed that he decided to become a Doctor when he grew up.

He attended the University of Minnesota and received his degree from there. After completing his Internship, he planned to go into a Specialty, but his Father became ill at this time so he changed his plans and proceeded to look for a place to practice. About this time, Dr. Joseph Stratte was looking for a young Doctor to assist him in Hallock. He convinced Tony that Hallock was the place to go. On a winter day in 1936, Tony arrived in Hallock on the train. Dr. Anthony Berlin served at the Kittson Memorial Hospital from (1936-1956)

In 1940 he married Mildred Finney who was employed by the Northwest Bank. They had three children, John Nicholas, Mary Susan and James Anthony.

In 1956, due to failing health, the family moved to Anaheim, California where Tony practiced until he passed away on Dec. 7, 1973. It was reported that he died from Rabies contracted from a patient.

Written by his wife Mildred Berlin for "Our Northwest Corner" Histories of Kittson County, Minnesota 1979

NOTE: Mildred's mother was my great aunt Mary Margaret Fitzpatrick, who married into the Finney family...yes, it does sometimes seem like I'm related to everyone in Kittson County! My Mom used to joke about that...

Easter 1955


EASTER PROGRAM – April 10, 1955

Evangelical Free Church – St Vincent, Minnesota


Song – by Congregation – “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” #113

Prayer – Mrs Winnie Lapp, Sunday School Superintendant

Piano Prelude by Janice Kockendorfer as Beginners & Primary classes appear to recite Bible portions & sing

Recitation – “A Great BIG GREETING” – Bobby Gaetz

Beginners Class – “In God’s Garden”

Primary Class – “I Thought I would Make a Garden”

Song – “Happy Easter to You!” – by both classes

“Two Ways to Conquer Faults” – Intermediate boys

“Near the Cross” (dramatized) – Intermediate girls with a Trumpeter (Ed Lapp) & Pianist (Janice K) used in interludes

“The Easter Story” – by older boys and girls

Mixed Quartette – Mary K, Winnie L, Roy C & Eugene W

Easter Carols & Scripture presentation by following group:

Piano Prelude (as orchestra & readers march in)

1st Reader – Douglas Ward – I Tim 1:25

Reading – Kay Babcock “There is a Green Hill” #458 – piano

2nd Reader – Bill Clow – Isaiah 53:5-7

Solo – Doretta Rachuy “Hail, Thou Once Despized”

3rd Reader – Danny Erickson – Psalm 22:6

Orchestra – “There is a Fountain” #115 with the 2nd verse sung by Helen Gatheridge

4th Reader – Bill Dykhuis – Acts 13:29-30

Violin Solo – “Christ Arose” – Pastor Erickson

5th Reader – Dean Rachuy – Acts 2:24

Orchestra – “He Lives” #124 with 2nd v. played by trio

6th Reader – Charles Clow – I Cor 15:20-22

Duet – “In the Garden” – Janice K and Doretta R

7th Reader – Bobby Feick

Instrumental Sextette – “Lord I’m Coming Home” #105

8th Reader – Kay Babcock – John 14:3

Solo – “O Zion Haste” – Grace Dykhuis

Remarks & Benediction – Pastor Erickson

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” – Romans 10:9-10

DO YOU KNOW JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOUR?

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

In the News

From the Grand Forks Herald, circa 1880, comes these excerpts from the "Pembina Points" sections:

(Alas, the crucial portion was clipped so we will never know what the rivalry was about!)

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Profile: Enos Stutsman


Enos Stutsman - a Pembina pioneer - was one of those characters that people told tales about. Some of them were tall tales, but many of them were true...

He was friends with another major pioneer of Pembina, Charles Cavileer. His physical challenges did little to slow him down. In fact, most who knew him said they didn't really think about him as a "cripple", because his words and actions made more of an impression than his disability did.

Attorney of the Frontier, Stutsman practiced law, participated in politics, took a turn at journalism during the Metis Rebellion...not to mention dabbling in land speculation both as an agent and as a savvy investor.

To say Enos Stutsman was a colorful figure in our area's tapestry of individuals, is not an overstatement.


From Strange Empire: A Narrative of the Northwest By Joseph Kinsey Howard

Pensioned Off

The sign on the cow-catcher of this early Canadian engine reads as follows: "This was the first railway locomotive to operate in Western Canada. Brought to Winnipeg from United States by barge on the Red River in 1876, and ran between St. Boniface and Emerson." - From Mike's Railway History

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

The Pembina Chippewa


The Genesis of a Trading Post Band: The Pembina Chippewa
By Harold Hickerson
Ethnohistory, Vol. 3, No. 4 (Autumn, 1956), pp. 289-345

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Ghost Trail

This is a trail I used to walk, bike, and later ride my horse on many years ago. It doesn't exist anymore, all traces of it long grown over. Most doesn't know it ever existed. Well, I'm telling you it did. It was once much more than a trail along a highway, bordered by a small lake. It was a railroad bed for rails that brought in the first settlers by the hundreds and even, yes, thousands, for a period of time in the late 1870's and early 1880's. It was rush, a rush of people, flowing through St. Vincent, with a handful staying on. It was wounded by the 1893 flood, but it wasn't until the 1950 flood that it was given up for dead. My great uncle saw many a train come and go on those tracks. The train brought the world to St. Vincent's door. How many people eagerly awaited catalog orders, relatives, or entertainment, all coming down those tracks?

Friday, October 05, 2007

Passing of an Era

The old section of Humboldt-St. Vincent High School, goes down in flames (1999); the only thing saved was the school bell and it's tower...

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

The Faces of the Gamble Family

Alexander Gamble
Long time readers of this blog will know the Gamble family well. Have you wondered what they looked like? Well, wonder no longer.

NOTE: A key to who's who, is at the bottom of this post...







1) December 1890 - Ellen, Jane, Alice, William, and Samuel Gamble

2) "This is and awful bad taken photo will send you a better one of myself later. That is me with the Badge on Coat" - James Gamble

3) Alex Gamble, 1878

4) Sam, Grandma, Winnie, Grandpa, and Willie