I can see a great desire to know about your family, The Kelly’s were part of a group of interesting people who lived on an insignificant piece of land about 1 mile north of Kelvin Store.  To give you an idea of Mary Kelly’s spunk, we had to go through her yard to get to Grandma Evan’s place.  One day she caught Little Martin Evans at the gate and told him his brother-in-law, Paul Byre had left her gate open and he was in deep trouble.  Martin told her that really Paul was a pretty darn good guy.  She said, “Yes, but I don’t know what for.” As you said about Raymond, he never came back very often, but on a nice summer day occasionally he would show up and tell stories of rideing with Pancho Villa during the Revolution.  Raymond claimed to be a first class bum, thus his alias “Bum Kelly”.  Now Harold Kelly was a close family friend, our barber and wood cutter.  He was almost as good with a double bit axe as Bing Evans.  He was probably #2 in personality in the whole area.  No wonder Harold’s son, Randy, did so well in politics.  I think he was Mayor of St. Paul, Mn.  Harold’s brother, Allen Kelly was another brother my folks knew, but I did not.

Gus Hackman lived on 40 acres next door and was one interesting bachelor.

Bill Lamb you brought up Len Guilbert’s name.  He lived where Gus lived for a short time in the late 40′s.  He was an old man when I knew him, had been around the world.  No end to his stories.  He had St. Vidas Dance or something like that.  Len claimed to have been someone to reckon with in his early years.  It’s been so long ago I don’t remember who was even along with me, but Tootsie Peterson was the driver and we wound up in Len’s yard, he drew us a picture which he titled “A Bloody Fine Rooster” and he was!  Dunseith is in Guilbert township, which was named after his father, Giles Guilbert.

Bill Lamb I know you have a wealth of knowledge about how things were in early times.  What were you doing at Central School when Hilltop was much closer.  I can’t imagine  that Bobby Stickland went to Hilltop School, maybe you can shed some light on that.  I do think I remember someone saying that on the blog.

Request/Message from Blanche Wicks Schley (42):

Do you have a master list of DHS alumni by address?  I have the e-mail list printed out.

My neighbor asked me today if I would like to live in a smaller town.  My answer was that I would not mind that al all — residents in smaller towns tend to be more caring and concerned about their neighbors.  I am not saying that is not true of areas in larger towns,  and Grand Forks is not that large a town (or should I have said “city”) the attitude of indifference is more predominate.

Harvesting of sugar beets as started here in the Red River Valley…and now the rains will slow this project for a bit.  The leaves are turning colors and everyone is raking lawns in hopes of getting that chore done before the vacuum truck comes around )they do two swings of the city).   Snow has been reported in the southwesternI  part of ND as well in the more western states.  Doesn’t that make you lonesome for the fun job of snow removal, etc?

Does anyone know about Gladys Melhouse who taught in the grades.  I can’t remember just what grades she had or how long she taught in Dunseith.

Thanks again for orchestrating such a good idea and bring so many “players” together.

Blanche, I do have a combined Alumni list inclusive of classes 1930 thru 1977. I will send that out with a separate mailing today.  Gary

Newpaper clippings provided by Neolo Kofoid Garbe:

Folks, I know many of you know Clayton & Dorothy Gagner. I’m sure some of you are probably related to them too.  My folks were very close friends of Dorothy and Clayton’s.  Lloyd Awalt, I know you know them well too.  They are wonderful folks. Gary

October 7, 2008

                                  Dunseith High School Class of 1953

Folks, These are several pictures that we took of Salem Church, inside and out, last year. As I

mentioned several days ago, Leonard and Arliss Rude Hagen did a fantastic job refurbishing

the church.  Salem Church is located 7 or 8 miles east of Lake Metigoshe on #43.

That is me standing inside the church.  Gary