Over six decades, Miss Briggs was likely the most frequently mentioned name in the Wahpeton papers. Her advertisements and activities were regular fodder.
Never married, she was a successful businesswoman and an early adopter of the automobile. Her road trips, both regional and coast-to-coast were often reported. She drove to World’s Fairs in Chicago, San Diego, and Buffalo.
On this date in 1924, she was enjoying an extended trip through five western states. She came to Dakota Territory from Wisconsin in 1880 with $150 loaned by her father, John F. Briggs, a Civil War veteran and “Uncle Sam” portrayer.
Since childhood, she’d been an expert seamstress, knitter, and decorative enthusiast. Ladies’ hats were in high demand and suited her artistic interests. She opened a millinery shop, operated in several locations, then built the Briggs Block on Dakota Avenue, with the upstairs devoted to physician offices.
She sold it in 1911 and later operated across the avenue, behind Aaron Stern’s iconic men’s clothing store. In 1922, she retired and had her building moved to 6th Street at the entrance to the State School of Science.
It was remodeled into a beautiful home. The house was painted white with a red roof, shutters, doors, and latticework. The ornate college entrance lights showed it off to lovely effect.
Miss Briggs employed over 100 girls, was active in civic and patriotic work, and made a home for her aged parents until their deaths.
She remained active in church matters after giving up Sunday school work and often welcomed calls from young people and children, with whom she was a great favorite.
She had kept several parrots in her shops and later in her home, some even developed amusing lingual abilities. One day, a little girl from the Wahpeton Indian School stopped to admire the pretty house and flower garden. Miss Briggs came out onto the porch with a parrot and invited her over. The girl was astonished by the gorgeous bird that could talk.
Later, visitors to the school asked some girls their names and marveled at their wonderful surnames like Bluebird, Pretty Lightning, Rising Sun, Medicine Horse, Eaglestar, Dreaming Bear, and Pumpkin Flower. The little girl, who had a French name, proudly declared her last name was “Parrot!”
Miss Briggs died at home in 1947, leaving several historical artifacts to the Richland County Museum, including her father’s “Uncle Sam” portrait.
Dakota Datebook by Lise Erdrich
Sources:
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY DINNER. Miss Briggs Entertains a Party in Honor of Her Parents' Birthday. The Globe Gazette, July 11, 1907, Page 1
- Millinery Opening. Beautiful pattern hats on display for five days only at Miss Brigg's Millinery Parlors. The Wahpeton Times, September 14t, 1916, Page 3
- Miss Briggs has moved into her new millinery store on Sixth street. The Globe Gazette, September 21, 1916, Page 5
- MISS BRIGGS WILL MAKE EXTENDED WESTERN TRIP. The Wahpeton Globe, October 14, 1924, Page
- Wahpeton Woman Completes 52 Years In City. Miss L.C. Briggs, Early in Business Here, Now Retired and Lives In Her Own House. Came to Wahpeton in 1881 As Pioneer. Many recollections of City In Gone Days Recorded in Heirlooms. The Richland County Farmer, April 28, 1933, Page 1
- Miss L.C. Briggs has returned. The Richland County Farmer, September 29, 1933, Page 8
- Miss Briggs Returns From Convention Trip. The Richland County Farmer Globe, October 5, 1937, Page 3
- Eldon Lum. The Skyrider -- Fun, Facts, Features. The Richland County Farmer Globe, September 26, 1941, Page 20
- Miss L.C. Briggs Dies Saturday at Home on North Sixth Street. Came to Wahpeton in 1880 to Enter Millinery Business; Retired from Shop 25 Years Ago.
- Richland County Farmer-Globe, February 11, 1947, Page 1
- Metha Parisien Bercier, "TOMORROW" MYSISTER SAID, TOMORROW NEVER CAME. Xliblris Publishing, 2013. Little Old Lady and The Parrot. Time Kept Passing. Pages 22-24.
- Metha Parisien Bercier Interviews, 1987-1988. Lise Erdrich
