Nestled in a cottonwood grove on the Little Missouri River is Marmarth, North Dakota. It’s located in the southwest corner of Slope County. Montana is only five miles to the west. It was established in 1907 along the new Milwaukee Road transcontinental railroad line. It was a popular site for homesteaders. By 1920, the town had 1,300 inhabitants. The old railroad depot and the Barber Auditorium still stand as a reminder of the town’s glory days, but they are boarded up and silent now. The population in 2014 was 143.
On this date in 1908, the Dickinson Press reported on some excitement that occurred along the river. Charles Pendergast was a blindpigger, gambler, and “an acknowledged bad man.” His partners in crime were his brother Bert and Richard Traversie, known as Indian Bill. The men terrorized the area around Marmarth, starting numerous fights and creating general mayhem. Deputy Sheriff Rouse finally decided it was time to arrest the men.
Rouse and his posse found the Pendergasts and Traversie at Charlie’s blind pig outside of Marmarth. Rouse shouted that every person in the building was under arrest and should come out peacefully with their hands up. Charlie, speaking for the entire group, said they would not come out. Rouse said that if they didn’t, the posse would open fire. Charlie responded with “all kinds of bad language” and again refused to come out.
The posse opened fire. The newspaper reported that the building was “pretty well shot up.” At that point, most of the men in the building surrendered and came out peacefully. Charlie tried to escape out a back door, but was shot in the foot and captured. Traversie also tried to escape and was shot through his hips.
The wounded men were transported to the hospital in Aberdeen. On the way, Traversie died of his wound. Pendergast made it to the hospital, but died of blood poisoning from the wound in his foot.
The Dickinson Press noted that there were many responsible businessmen and nice families in and around Marmarth. The paper said it was unfortunate that the convenience of the railroad had led the “rough elements” to choose the town as their rendezvous point. Deputy Sheriff Rouse was applauded for making the town safer.
Dakota Datebook written by Carole Butcher
Sources:
Dickinson Press. “Wild Times Out South.” Dickinson, ND. 21 March 1908. Page 1.
Ghosts of North Dakota. “Marmarth, North Dakota.” http://www.ghostsofnorthdakota.com/2007/05/01/marmarth-nd/ Accessed 26 January, 2018.
City Data. “Marmarth, North Dakota.” http://www.city-data.com/city/Marmarth-North-Dakota.html Accessed 26 January 2018.
