3/24/2010:
"Mecca of Homesteaders; Thriving Villages, Prosperous Farmers." That's the headline for a story found in a late March edition of the Dickinson Press, extolling the virtues of life in Hettinger County in 1907. One has to wonder if the article was written for the locals, or for people back east, still contemplating a move out west. Bragging up the county, the article continues, "The soil is rich and is watered by springs, the Cannonball River, the Cedar and Chanta Peta Creeks and their numerous tributaries. It has inexhaustible beds of lignite coal, enough to supply the entire state of North Dakota for the next thousand years; and it has fine clay beds for the manufacture of bricks and all kinds of pottery."
In March of 1907, Hettinger County was one of only three unorganized counties in the state and the village of Mott was vying for a prize position still up for grabs. The article continues; "This thrifty prairie village and a strong aspirant for the county seat is located 40 miles south of Richardton. Probably 500 families get their mail at this point. The country around Mott is rolling, well watered and very productive. At present the farmers of this section are under the necessity of hauling their fine crops of grain 40 miles to the nearest railroad, but it is expected that the N.P. will get its Cannon Ball extension up to Mott within a year or so."
Ernest Strang and his father-in-law, C.W. Herstein came from Iowa in 1901 with practically nothing, and located on claims in the Black Butte area, 22 miles south of Dickinson. 6 years later Herstien had a herd of 125 cattle, and together they purchased a half section of land connecting their homesteads. The article explained that Mr. Strang intended to build a new house of bricks made from the clay on his own ground, firing the bricks with home-mined coal. In the bottom of a 30 foot well on his farm was an eight foot vein of lignite coal, and the water was excellent.
Articles like this in the 1907 Dickinson Press weren't written just for the homesteaders already living there, or for people contemplating a move out west. An adjoining article about Stark County gives us a clue as to the intended target of the message. The headline? "Possesses Great Natural Wealth. Good Schools; Taxes Low; Financial Condition Sound." Then the article begins, "Stark, the central county of North Dakota, is in a highly prosperous condition and excites the admiration of would-be investors.
Then, like now, community leaders were looking for investors to help make their towns and counties grow. And they weren't shy about bragging up their piece of paradise. One final word from this March, 1907 edition of the Dickinson Press... "All in all, there is no place in the entire state, or in any state, better fitted for an ideal home."
Dakota Datebook written by Merrill Piepkorn
Source: Dickinson Press, March 23, 1907