6/24/2008:
What is there to do in North Dakota? An honest question heard across the state, echoed by young and old alike. On this day, in 1912, today there was plenty to do for some, and plenty to look forward to for others. Because the next day was, as the Wilton News said, "a Big Day"—in fact, "one of the biggest days of the summer in Bismarck…prior to the Industrial Exposition."
"On that day," the Wilton News reported, "the 'Better Farming Special' with its demonstration cars, lecturers and experts from the agricultural college, will visit the capital." Furthermore, "Invitations have been extended to all candidates for state and congressional office, regardless of party, to be present and address the farmers." Even Congressman Helgeson was expected to attend.
The 'Better Farming Special' visited other places as well—it was a series of train cars, traveling around the state. Fifteen hundred people visited the train at Turtle Lake, and nearly the same amount of people showed up to see the train at Goodrich. But that didn't beat the three thousand-plus crowd that showed up in Bismarck.
The train, coming into Bismarck off the Mott branch at about 3 a.m., parked in what was then the center of the city, across from the Northern Pacific depot. Although the train was only supposed to stay until noon before departing for Mandan, due to all of the people traveling there, it was held in Bismarck for about half an hour longer so that everyone could be accommodated.
R.D. Hoskins Floral Company visited the dining car early that morning, bringing and distributing great bouquets of carnations, presented to the visitors with his compliments. The Bismarck commercial club treated the dignitaries to an auto ride through the city and to various points of interest and through the farming districts next to the city. And the Bismarck band "furnished a concert during the early morning hours, leading the crowds from one car to another until the institute work ... and the lectures were commenced."
Farming conditions in North Dakota were confirmed again and again to be "undergoing a revolution," and North Dakotans privately puffed their chests out, just a little more.
And, "after having sown seeds of better farming knowledge that will bear fruit during seasons to come, and will add materially to the permanent prosperity of this entire region," the train chugged away on this big—half—day.
By Sarah Walker
Sources:
Bismarck Weekly Tribune, Friday, June 21, 1912
Bismarck Weekly, Friday, June 28, 1912
The Wilton News, Friday, June 14, 1912