3/25/2008:
In 1951, today was Easter Sunday. It arrived as a lovely day in the midst of a cold, snowy, blizzard-packed spring. Though the new warmth still threatened freezes and thaws and floods, all reminders of rebirth, new growth and new life were likely very welcome.
The traditions of Easter were perhaps calming, amid the fears and trials brought on by weather. The familiar things—the Easter bunny, Easter dresses and bonnets—were a welcome change. And, of course, on Sunday morning, churches rang their bells in joyous peals, welcoming the holiday.
In Bismarck, the ringing of the church bells—especially for one church—had a special appeal for the residents of the city.
The bell in the St. George’s Episcopal Church would be ringing again, “after a two-year absence.”
This bell was historically linked both to the city of Bismarck and to the roots of the state. Originally, the bell was on the old Red Cloud river boat, a “stern wheeler of 355 tons that operated from Bismarck north on both the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers” back in the ever-so-romantic “pioneer days.” The boat was named for Red Cloud, the Sioux Indian Chief, and was given to the people of the city by citizens in a community in Nebraska in honor of the chief, “who had done many favors for them.”
On July 11, 1882, it was reported the Red Cloud hit a snag in the Missouri and it unfortunately sank, near Fort Peck, Montana. However, the bell was salvaged by an insurance company. It was sold to the man who owned the ship, Captain I. P. Baker.
Captain Baker had many other jobs besides being a river boat operator. He was also a banker, farmer, merchant, and even served as a Mayor from 1892 to 1896, and he was a longtime member of the Bismarck community. So it was Baker himself who gave the bell to the Episcopal Church, at the time, called “The Church of the Bread of Life.”
This bell was given a new life as a church bell. It was used for years—though most were unhappy with its “cacophonous” sounds—later discovered to be due to improper installation.
So it was given another new life when it was used again in 1951, after it had been newly modernized: it had been improved by a new electric ringing system and time clock, and was given a proper installation.
And today, in 1951, it rang again for a third first time.
By Sarah Walker
Sources:
Bismarck Tribune, Friday, March 22, 1951, p.5
Bismarck Tribune, Monday, March 26, 1951, p.1