In Wahpeton, there is a regal-looking house built for Ellen Seely by renowned architect Eugene Schuler. Mrs. Seely came to town in 1881 to establish residency for a divorce in the Dakota Territory. Known locally as "Madame Seely," she was a Rockefeller in-law and an opera devotee. Her son, W.A. Seely, had arrived in Wahpeton earlier and prospered. To help pass the time, he built the Seely Opera House downtown. On this date in 1885, Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice had a successful run there.
Mrs. Seely eventually returned east, and the J.A. Richert family moved into the house. Later, coal tycoon J.E. Morris, a memorable character who gave coal to widows at Christmas, acquired it. Mr. and Mrs. Morris had four daughters. Marcella married but died young. Her sons, Paul and Jim Radde, were raised by Mrs. Morris and her three surviving sisters: Mercedes, Geraldine, and Angela. Jim became a Catholic priest, while Paul went on to become a distinguished psychologist and author.
In an enlightening talk at the Red Door Art Gallery on Dakota Avenue, Dr. Radde shared colorful stories from local history and his childhood with the cultured Morris sisters. He confirmed an old rumor: Mr. Morris had really stipulated in his will that his daughters could do anything they wanted—except get married.
Mercedes served as Dean of Students at the local college, where Geraldine also taught. Someone who attended grade school on the Morris block recalled the fabulous hats made by New York designers. Some featured silk flowers, beading, veils, and feathers. The Morris sisters wore mink coats, hats, and gloves to Mass.
By 2013, all the Morris sisters had passed away. Their iconic vintage hats were auctioned off at a fundraiser for the gallery. The sisters enjoyed world travel and fine art, and they had once organized a reception for famed artist and Wahpeton native Fritz Scholder, whose works are now exhibited locally.
The gallery was created by Roger Jenson, community volunteers, and donors in a vacant old Classical Revival bank building. It now serves as the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. Visiting National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Rocco Landesmann called it "creative place-making at its finest!"
Dakota Datebook by Lise Erdrich
Sources:
- The Wahpeton Times, May 16, 1885, Page 1
- FORD-LOOMIS WEDDING. Brilliant Social Event at the Residence of Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Seely, Wednesday Evening. The Richland County Gazette, January 21, 1887, Page 5
- The Wahpeton-Breckenridge Daily News, September 15, 1980, Page 9
- Wahpeton native now prominent Indian artist. The Daily News, 1972, Page 12
- The Skyride column by E. Donald Lum. The Richland County Farmer Globe, March 9, 1951, Page 22
- The Skyride column by E. Donald Lum. The Richland County Farmer Globe, June 19, 1951, Page 5
- Hat and Tea Fundraiser. Wahpeton's history shared at Red Door Art Gallery Fundraiser. By Carrie McDermott, Wahpeton Daily News, September 24, 2013. Updated September 25, 2013
- Gallery to hold vintage hat and tea fundraiser. By Carrie McDermott, Wahpeton Daily News, September 17, 2013. Updated September 18, 2013
