9/3/2010:
Today, we recognize Jamestown as the home of the buffalo. The city is marked with the world's largest buffalo statue, recently named Dakota Thunder, by the two resident white buffalos, and by the National Buffalo Museum. But the city of Jamestown has more history than the cultural significance of bison.
Originally a Northern Pacific railroad town, Jamestown was founded in 1871. The post office was established in December of 1872. It was incorporated as a village in 1881, and became a city in 1883. That year, and in 1932, Jamestown made unsuccessful attempts to become the state's capital.
Many improvements were implemented over the years. The State Hospital and Jamestown College were built, and the town gave itself the name, "The City Beautiful."
On this date in 1933, the Jamestown was organizing for its fiftieth anniversary as a city. As part of the celebration, the men organized a Whisker Club. This club was exactly what it sounded like, and more. Not only did it encourage the maintenance of some fine facial hair, it promised "terrible fines and penalties"-such as inducing grown men to ride tricycles from the post office up Fifth Avenue to the Whisker Court, because they had not done their duty and grown their beards.
The whole premise of the club was in fun, of course, and encouraged the formulation of a pioneer atmosphere for the upcoming celebration. Even other cities around the county offered to promote this whisker club to their populaces, to support the great celebration.
The club even traveled around the state. Prior to a visit to Kensal, this word was sent ahead: "Kensal and community had better grow whiskers-Jamestown hard-boiled deputies out for pale faces-Fines will range from 10 years in jail to selling peanuts on streets of Kensal dressed like Mahatma Ghandi." By the following week, "Considerable apprehension ha[d] sprung up in the pale face ranks.... Several belated attempts are now being made to promote a hasty beezer growth, while others will resign themselves to the mercy of the court." Some of the clean-shaven men faced such punishment as walking around town in pajamas, being told to stand on their heads, or pay cash fines or forfeits, all as the women and onlookers watched.
If you were wondering-women were asked to wear old-fashioned gowns. Whiskers didn't really work for them, after all.
Dakota Datebook written by Sarah Walker
Sources:
http://www.webfamilytree.com/North_Dakota_Place_Names/J/jamestown_%28stutsman_county%29.htm
"North Dakota of Today," by Zena Idena Trinka, p. 33-4
The Jamestown Sun, August 30, 1933
The Kensal Times, Thursday, August 24, 1933
The Kensal Times, Thursday, September 21, 1933
The Kensal Times, Thursday, September 14, 1933
The Kensal Times, Thursday, September 7, 1933