12/20/2009:
Mr. R. C. Wynn, founder of the Non-Swearing Knights of America, announced on this date in 1908 that the organization would build its headquarters in Minot. Mr. Wynn made the announcement to the Grand Forks Herald. Great Northern Railway conductor by day and Non-Swearing Secretary and Treasurer by night, Wynn related the history of the organization. The group started in 1885 after three railway men witnessed a freight train crew shouting curses within hearing distance of the women's rest room at the Des Moines rail station. The three men, including Wynn, were horrified at the scene and vowed to refrain from swearing the rest of their lives. Wynn claimed that it was never the intention of the group to spread outside of these three rail men, but soon others heard of the vow and wished to follow suit. Twenty-three years later, the group's membership included nearly 7,000 members from every state in the Union.
Dakota Datebook written by Jayme L. Job
Sources:
The Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. Monday (Evening ed.), December 21, 1908:p. 2.