Reply from Kay Hildebrandt (Pritchard cousin):Murrieta, California
Gary,
Thanks for the replies about Somber. Now I have a little more information–Homen Township. Maybe someone has a little history about that?
My grandmother Candace Thompson was sister of Ella and Ida. But when she married Charles Torbert, she said her name was Candace Tennyson. Supposedly, Anthony Thompson’s name was originally Tennyson. Scandinavians seemed to change their names if they wished to do so. I hunted for years for my paternal grandmother’s marriage certificate, thinking it was “Kall” as her brothers used that name. She used “Johansdotter.” Correspondence since with a cousin in Sweden, I found that branch changed from Kall to Johansson. Research in the Scandinavian countries is a challenge. Kay
Somber, ND located in Bottineau County Homen Township
Reply from Kaye Lystad-Kirk Fargo, ND
Note: Reposted to include the whole message.
Hi Gary,
I’m a little late but I finally read Ginger LaRocque Poitra’s reply to my query about both the Seidel murders and the town (community?) of Somber. Thanks, Ginger! (Note: It was Kay Hildebrandt who had originally thanked Ginger for the information on Somber, not me. I just want to make sure Kay gets the proper credit!)
Isn’t it funny that a place like Somber existed in our own Turtle Mountains–it found out it was in Homen Township…and most of us have never heard of it. I have found nothing written about it in any of the books about Bottineau County either. (Such as the blue hardcover Bottineau County Diamond Jubilee book or the big red Bottineau County Centennial book.) How interesting it would be to see what, if anything, remains there now. I also wonder if the Bottineau County Historical Museum has any photographs of what the “community” or “town” or whatever it was called looked like back then?
In the meantime, I have also found more information on these two topics on the Internet. And in case your readers are interested I’m including them below. (I, at least, thought it was all interesting. Of course, I love all things historical, geographical and geological about Bottineau County, especially the Turtle Mountains!)
SOMBER, ND:
http://www.webfamilytree.com/North_Dakota_Place_Names/S/somber_(bottineau_county).htm
This was a rural post office established April 15, 1904 with Rudolph T. Jacobsen as Postmaster. It was located in the northwest quarter of section 3-163-74, Homen Township thirteen miles northeast of Bottineau, and named to note its isolated location. In 1905 it moved two miles east to the country store operated by new Postmaster Frank W. Seidel in the northwest quarter of section 1-163-74. On June 21, 1908 the store was robbed, Mr. Seidel and his niece were killed, and the store/post office was set afire. The post office was officially closed August 31, 1908 with mail to Ackworth.(2, 3, 40, 53, 153, 379, 414, 415)
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SEIDEL MURDERS: (To me, this is extra sad as one of the people murdered was Alexandra Seidel from Finland. She was just 16 yrs old and was only visiting her uncle, Frank Seidel. Can you imagine relaying the news and the manner of her death to her parents? Just awful! ….Kaye)
http://files.usgwarchives.net/nd/towner/newspapr/pi08jude.txt
The Hansboro Pioneer (Hansboro, Towner County, ND); July 9, 1908:
“Concerning the murder of Frank Seidel, the postmaster and his niece, Alexandra Seidel who were killed in the Turtle Mountains near Bottineau Sunday, June 21, the Turtle Mountain Star has the following: “Mr. Seidel was not an old man, as commonly reported, being only forty-nine years of age. He was unmarried, the lady to whom he was engaged having been drowned at Astoria, Oregon, where he formerly resided. Her loss was a great disappointment to him and he remained single. Last fall his niece, Alexandra Seidel, a girl about sixteen years of age, came out from Finland to keep house for him. She also was brutally murdered and her body burned to a crisp in the house which was set on fire by the murderers. The post office was situated in a very secluded spot in the Turtle Mountains and the suspected criminals were well acquainted with the place, having passed there frequently in going and coming from Manitoba. The supposed perpetrators of the horrible deed are three half-breeds; Alex Peltier, Charles Peltier and Joseph Peltier, and a son of Rising Sun, a full-blood. They have been arrested and taken to Bottineau where their preliminary hearing was to be had today. It is reported that they have practically confessed that they committed the murder.”
The Hansboro Pioneer (Hansboro, Towner County, ND); August 13, 1908:
“Joe and Chas. Peltier, who were on trial for the murder of Frank Seidel at Bottineau, were convicted and sentenced to hang on February 9, 1908. Young Rising Sun, who was also tried for the same murder, was acquitted. Upon being arrested and arraigned for the killing of the girl, Alexandra Seidel, he pleaded guilty and for the reason that he was only sixteen years old was sentenced to the penitentiary for life. He confessed that while Chas. Peltier held her arms behind her back to keep her quiet, he struck her on the forehead with a shotgun and knocked her brains out, after which they threw the body on the bed and covered the bed with kerosene before setting the house on fire. It is reported that relatives of the Peltiers are making threats against the lives of those who helped to hunt the murderers down. If this is so they should be looked after before they have any chance to carry their threats into execution. Rolette County Herald.”
Darrell Delorme consolences
From Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND.
Gary and Dunseith Friends,
I recall Karen and Pauline Hetle as we were all class mates at Dunseith School.
I wish to offer sympathy to Karen and the family of Darrel Delorme on their loss.
Thanks.
Vickie M.
Dear Karen,,
Sincere sympathy to you, on the loss of Darrell, your beloved husband.
Although, I did not know him.
In reading the memorial you wrote, it sounds as if your husband was a wonderful patriot and role model.
My parents always had a great deal of respect for Clarence Delorme and his sisters Francis and Mary.
Karen, I wish you much peace and wonderful memories of your life together.
Sincerely,
Vickie L. Metcalfe
San Haven
Posting from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):Belcourt, ND
Hi Gary,
Maybe this has been brought up before. I remember a news pamphlet being written of ( I think) happenings at San Haven.The covers were done in pale colors.
I have one or two, salvaged from my mother’s papers from her house. She had kept them in a shed at the old house and I don’t know if they were thrown away at the time they moved to the present house. She did have a lot of them. I sure wish I had those that were in their old shed.
Just remembering and wishing that I would have gotten them from her long before they moved. I used to go out and straighten up the old shed once a year when I was a young girl.
Well Gary, I am so grateful to you for keeping up with this blog, giving us all a chance to do our remembering when something comes to mind.
God Bless you and Bernadette,
I will always keep both of you in my prayers. You both have inspired us to remember and to share our inspirations with so, so many others. This that you do keeps our minds busy. Thank you so very much,
Ginger
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Blog (624) posted on November 16, 2009
Posted on December 16, 2009
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Reply from Erling Landsverk (44): joannanderling@charter.net Portage, WI
Hi Gary and All the Great Dunseith Alumni folks
I heard Bonnie Awalt Houle Christmas message this morning and I simply had to thank her for her eloquent way of describing everyone’s attachment to the members of the Alumni, and to all the wonderful people within the area as well. Thank you Bonnie. If I may, I would like to add a Merry Christmas greeting of my own. I feel very fortunate to have lived with and known so many great people such as the Awalt family. Naturally Gary, you and your wife Bernadette are also included in this wish even though you don’t have to shovel snow this Christmas. Have a super New year everyone Erling Landsverk
Reply from Colette Hosmer (64): colettehosmer@gmail.com Santa Fe, NM
Thanks, Dick, for the information about the green and red boat trailer. We spent many summer vacations at North Thomas while using that trailer as a table/buffet. Mom served “thousands” of fried perch from it. She also converted wooden orange and apple crates from the store to use as camp cupboards. All five of us used to sleep in a heavy canvas tent — Mom and Dad on one side of the pole and we three girls on the other — in big cotton & canvas sleeping bags … remember those? Another wooden orange crate used to separate us and also held a coleman lantern. We bought big blocks of lake ice kept in sawdust from a Ukranian man on the way to the lake for our cooler — 25 cents.
The days of camping pre- Gortex. I think the red Jeep was a ’54 — am I right, Dick?
I read this blog in China — I fly home tomorrow after six weeks here.
Colette, It’s great hearing from you. Having not heard from you in a while, I kind of figured you were out of country. I’m assuming you have another art project that you are working with over in China? Gary
Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57): moniesue@yahoo.com Forsyth, MO
Reply to Mongeon Family
I certainly wanted to recognize Adrian Mongeon before his passing. I knew that he was a real war hero, but like most of that generation, they did not want to talk about it anyway. His dad, Pete, was a pretty amazing guy. I think Margaret Seim could vouch for that.
To Gary Stokes
What ever happened to Paul Peterson from your neck of the woods? He used to herd cattle for Johnny Myer.
I think the Fassett girls are still sitting on some good family history. Just once I saw how your dad could enjoy a good party. It was a wedding. With that deep voice and those plumb pitiful songs. By the way, “All Around The Water Tank” is one of my favorites. How about a copy of one of his tapes?
Thanks for keeping the BLOG going everybody. Gary Metcalfe
Gary M, First off I second your comment thanking everyone for keeping this Blog going. It’s everyone’s input that has kept this going nearly two years now. There has been a lot of Dunseith history reveled in the past two years and we’ve got it all saved.
You asked me about Paul Pederson. I’m assuming Paul is Sam’s son. The Pederson’s lived 3/4 mile west of us. They moved from there when I was 4 or 5 years old. I do not remember any of the Pederson family. I heard lots of talk of them though. Dad farmed their land for several years and then Norman Hiatt purchased the land. I’m not sure if Jim, Marlys, Vickie & Lorie still have that quarter or not. Sam and his father are both buried in Ackworth. There is no history of the Pederson family that I can find anywhere. I’m hoping some of our Ackworth readers, a little senior to me, can fill us in on what they remember of the Sam Pederson family. How many children were in that family? I never heard much mentioned about Sam’s wife. I’m wondering if she pasted on early in life? She is not buried in Ackworth. Gary
Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: neolag@min.midco.net Minot & Bottineau, ND.
Hi Gary,
I’ve been waiting for someone to send a video like Pete and Verena’s. I really enjoy watching them. Last year/year before, I received several of them, including one from Eileen.
I was surprised to learn when I clicked on the arrow, the video actually played–I was hoping it would, but wouldn’t have bet money on it.
Neola
Smiea Haimour (67)
Reply from Eileen Brudwick: Fargo, ND.
Hi Gary,
I have the answer for Claudette regarding George Albert’s wife. Apparently they married. Her name was Fatima (Heymour) Albert. George died 23 August 1978 in British Columbia, Canada, and is buried at the Riverside Cemetary, Dunseith, Rolette County, North Dakota where his 1st wife, Agnes (Warren) Albert is buried. Agnes died, 9 October 1960. I found Fatima’s Social Security information.
Social Security Death Index
Name: Fatima Albert SSN: 502-86-0514 Last Residence: 953 (U.S. Consulate) Born: 20 Jan 1911 Died: 11 Jan 2007 State (Year) SSN issued: North Dakota (1974)
Apparently Fatima had a daughter, Smiea Heymour with her 1st husband, who I do not know his name. Fatima & Smiea Heymour were both born in Syria. This is all I know about them.
Eileen
Smiea Haimour (67)
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
Gary,
I think Claudette is asking about Smiea Haimour (67). The last I
heard she was married and living in Alberta, Canada. Don’t know anything
about her life after high school. She was George Albert’s stepdaughter,
daughter of his second wife. I think she came from Lebanon or Syria and
went to school with us for a couple years. She once told us she was 22
years old when we were about 16. George Albert’s first wife died in a
car wreck. She was related to Ellers. I thinks she was Ivy Eller’s
grandmother, if I remember correctly. Don’t quote me on this one though,
I might be all wrong.
Dick
Dick and Eileen, Thank you both for the information you provided about Smiea. LeaRae Parrill actually located Smiea when we were putting the class of 67 together. She provided her contact info to me at that time. I just called Smiea. She does not have email yet. She has her computer still in the box. She said she is going to unpack her computer and get on line. She still has the 67 class list that I sent her via snail mail. She remembers everyone well. Claudette, she remembers you very well and was asking for your phone number of which I don’t have. She then asked for your email address. She said she was going to send a message to you via her daughter. I have pasted her address and phone number below. She’d love to hear from any of you. Gary.
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Haimour-Himour
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Smiea
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440846th Ave |
Olds, AB, CanadaT48H1A2
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(403) 556-1799
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No email
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Pictures from Mary Eurich Knutson (62): Dunseith, ND.
Hi Gary
Here’s some pictures I thought some of your viewers might find interesting. Willliam Pritchard’s homestead was on the west side of Boundary Lake. I think Bernard and Betty Kavli wound up with that place and now I think Lars Sivertson or his son owns it. Notice the sod roof on the building. If the picture doesn’t copy real good and anybody wants one – let me know I’ll mail one out to anybody.
Ida Thompson (to become William Pritchard’s wife) home-
steaded on the east side of Boundary by the Canadian Border and after they married they apparently chose to keep her homestead as their home place.
Oh, and add Karen Larson to your Blog list. She sent these pictures for me. One of these days I’ll send a few pictures to see if anybody can identify the people for me. Thanks.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Mary K
Mary, Karen Larson, Wesley Schneider’s Step daughter, does wonderful work and provides a great services to the Bottineau community with her store. She is the owner of the Spectrum Store located on main street. She has scanned stuff for me several times with my visits back to the area. It’s always a pleasure visiting her and her friendly staff.
Karen, It is a pleasure adding you to our daily distribution. Vickie Metcalfe keeps us posted with Wesley and your mother. Gary
From Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.
XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL
If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a
thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier
that is currently serving in Iraq. You can’t pick out who gets it, but
it will go to a member of the armed services.
How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!
It is FREE and it only takes a second.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?
Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to
know we are behind them.
This takes just 10 seconds and it’s a wonderful way to say thank you.
Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others
to do. We can never say enough thank you’s.
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