No Blog Yesterday
For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.
Gary
.
.
Happy Birthday Merlin Espe (DHS ’59): Bottineau, ND
.
.
Happy Birthday Joanne Millang Bernstein (DHS ’70): Souris, ND
.
.
Happy Birthday Jackie Peterson Hanson: St. John, ND
.
.
Bernadette Stokes
Reply from Bill Hosmer (’48): Tucson, AZ
Gary, Please tell Bernadette that the prayer lamp is lit here. It is sad
to hear of her discomfort and of your deep concern. Those of us
who had the pleasure of meeting her this summer in ND, became
friends of hers immediately. Positive attitude and deep love are
two ingredients for comfort and healing. I know she is exposed to
both of those elements there and the throng of your friends and relatives
will give healing a chance. With concern and sympathy, Bill Hosmer
Thanks Bill,Bernadette had a restless night, but she is much better this morning. She said she wants to go the mall this afternoon. That is a good sign.
This coming Monday we are having this months “Cebu Expat Dinner” at the Marco Polo Plaza, of which Bernadette is looking forward to attending too. We currently have 97 folks signed up to attend this dinner. We have exceeded our expectations for attendance. The Marco Polo has asked that we not sign up any more folks. They need reserve space for their regular walk-in dining customers. I have now started a waiting list just in case the Marco Polo allows more or if we have cancellations. On Monday nights they normally feature a single Artist in their lounge. With us in mind, this coming Monday they have hired a band for our enjoyment following the dinner.Gary
.
.
History of Rolette County North Dakota and Yarns of the Pioneers by Laura Thompson Law
Posted by Susan Fassett Martin (’65): Spearfish, SD
.
I don’t know how many of our blog members have read this book. It is very interesting and has a lot of history. The following is from Chapter VI entitled Founding of Dunseith Business Enterprises Dunseith Flour Mill: ” It is rather difficult to determine just who was the first white man to come to Rolette County. At the trading post in St John we find as early as 1882 men such as Emil and Arthur Foussard, the LeBarge Brothers and Jasper Jeanette. But a trading post at St John is know to have been founded before 1882. In the Dunseith Territory it is equally difficult to establish with certainty the identity of the first settlers.
Giles M Gilbert, who arrived in 1882, is usually credited with being the first white man at the Dunseith Location. Perhaps not so many people know that the father of William Gottbreht of Dunseith also reached this same spot in 1882, seeking a location for his son. Mr Gilbert came from Minnesota to the site near the Willow River, near the present site of Dunseith. Chief Little Shell, then the mighty man in the Turtle Mountains, gave him “just one sun” to leave. Coming in at the same time were William Stokes, and Ed Oakes, who with Mr. Gilbert made their way to the trading post at St John where the priest, Father Malo, was located. James Bradley, a “squaw man”, was sent back with them and they were no longer bothered by Chief Little Shell. These three men all squatted on land there. When Mr. Gilbert had built a sod shack, he went back to Minnesota for his family. By the next year activity increased around the locations. Mr Gilbert built a large log house on the banks of the Willow River, the first log structure of any kind in Dunseith. Known as the Riverside Hotel, this building came to be the center of much activity in the Dunseith area and stands today as on of the landmarks of the county.
The few years following saw the influx of many men,including ,among others, JR Hamilton, Fred Schutte, the McKees, LaFrances, Darlings, Mugg, Kotschevar, AR Thompson, Nels, Gust and Ole Fagerlund, LM WElton, CIF Wagner, Luke Demo, Pat Forrest, and William Brunette.
If any one is interested I will post more of the excerpts from the book. We always as kids especially like the story of the Dunseith bank robbery. Cheers!!! Susan
Yes Susan, Please post more excerpts. I knew that my great grandfather, William Stokes, was an early pioneer to Rolette County, but I did not realize he was one of the first. He was born in 1855 and died in 1946 at the age of 91. He is buried in Ackworth, the cemetery property of which he donated to the community. Gary