The Twentieth Century was a time of rapid change. Americans were beginning to take to the roads in their automobiles, and daring young men and women were taking to the skies in their flying machines. Advances like the phonograph came fast and furious, and talking motion pictures and the radio were just around the corner. But some people had a difficult time adjusting to the fast pace of societal changes.
John Dundon, a McKenzie County farmer, had a plan. He was quite sure that when the railroad came through the county, he would enjoy a windfall. He planned to sell the right of way across his land for a tidy sum. But the railroad didn’t come, and Dundon thought he had identified the problem. He became convinced that airships were flying over his farm, discouraging the railroad from buying his land. The more he thought about the airships, the angrier he got. He even took to throwing axes at the imaginary aircraft but was unable to bring one down. When the axe proved ineffective, Dundon began shooting at the aircraft.
Dundon’s neighbors grew concerned and approached the local authorities. Deputy Sheriff Shepherd arrived to transport Dundon to the asylum at Jamestown. Dundon claimed that James J. Hill was behind the scheme to cheat him out of the sale of his right of way. He said Hill was sending the airship after him.
After managing to escape from the asylum, Dundon made his way back home. He was not free for long. He was captured on this date in 1909, just two days after his escape. He continued to insist that no matter where he went, James J. Hill sent the airship after him. He was returned to the asylum and placed in treatment. Dundon continued to claim that there was a conspiracy against him and said he was being held in the asylum to cheat him out of his claim.
The public’s fascination with Dundon gradually faded, and his name disappeared from the newspapers. Still, many Americans could sympathize with his difficulty adjusting to the major societal changes spurred by technological innovations and social movements like women’s suffrage.
Dakota Datebook by Dr. Carole Butcher
Sources:
- Evening Times. “Shooting Airships.” Grand Forks ND. 11/30/1908. Page 2.
- Bismarck Daily Tribune. “Airship Still After Him.” Bismarck ND. 12/23/1909. Page 1.
- Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. “Shoots at Airships.” Fargo ND. 12/4/1908. Page 9.
- The Evening Times. “Flying Machine Still After Him.” Grand Forks ND. 12/21/1909. Page 2.
- Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. “Second Epistle About Wireless.” Fargo ND. 3/22/1910/ Page 8.
