From the Past . . .

From the Past . . .

From the files of The Jamestown Sun...

Dec. 4 – Dec. 10

1887 – 125 Years Ago

The Recent Convention

The Stutsman county delegation at the Aberdeen convention sustained, as usual, the county’s record for capable and progressive representatives in all public conventions in the territory.

At the convention it was apparent at a glance that Dakota territory had sent her representatives from every nook and corner of her boundaries to join in this request to congress for admission into the union. It was probably the largest convention ever held in the territory, certainly the most important in general purposes of any ever held. The minor questions of the chairmanship, etc., wherein the honors and wreaths of territorial fame where to be delicately donated to various and distinguished gentlemen from the territory, having been disposed of leaving perhaps the usual heartburnings, the main object of the attendance of the 400 delegates, representing within that body over 670 votes, became prominently manifested.

The main idea of getting into the union and becoming a parcel of the United States overwhelmed every other issue and its predominance effectually squelched any disastrous wrangle for the fleeting honors of the convention.

1912 – 100 Years Ago

The Gladstone Hotel

The Jamestown Hotel company is much better satisfied with the business done this year than last. A glance at the books of that prominent institution of the city shows a vast amount of money received and expended for the last twelve months. Manager Klaus while considerably reducing expenses, has kept the house up to its usual high standard, and it is known as one of the best conducted and most satisfactory hotels at which the traveler in the northwest can obtain ease and comfort. Travelers will run into Jamestown a hundred miles to stop at the Gladstone if business or pleasure keeps them in Dakota any length of time. Many traveling men make the hotel their headquarters and their wives and families are frequently seen there. The transient business of the hotel consists almost entirely of traveling men and a small proportion of visitors looking the country over. It was hardly to be expected that their business would be as good this fall as last, but it seems it is considerably better.

1937 – 75 Years Ago

Jackson Named President of Figure Skating Club; Nathalie Smith, Sec’y

Prof. T. W. Jackson was named president and Miss Nathalie Smith, secretary-treasurer of the Jamestown Figure Skating Club at the meeting held Sunday afternoon.

A large number reported for membership. The minimum requirements for membership in the club is that one be interested in doing figure skating, to be able to do simple forward figure eights and the simple waltz step with a partner. “Members of the club will be pleased to assist young skaters in qualifying for membership,” Prof. Jackson said. “It is the desire of the club to pool the interests of all the figure skaters in Jamestown and to cooperate with the recreational directors for the best interests of this winter sport,” Mr. Jackson said he will meet the beginners, especially school children on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons between 4 and 5 o’clock from now until Christmas to give them instruction free in the fundamentals of figure skating.

1962 – 50 Years Ago

Announce Talent For Fund Drive

A long list of talent, including six orchestras and combos, is booked to perform during tonight’s American Legion Christmas Basket fund drive which will be aired over KEYJ radio, beginning at 8 p.m.

The show takes place at the Legion Clubrooms, with Jim Rohn of KXJB as master of ceremonies. Legion members will be spotted all over the city to pick up the pledges as they are phoned in to CL2-1540 and 252-5822.

Rev. N. E. McCoy, radio pastor, heads the list of performers. He is one of the old-timers on the show, which will mark up the 33rd year tonight.

1987 – 25 Years Ago

Santa gets some help

By John Damien

Sun Staff Writer

Santa’s helpers sporting Legionnaires’ caps are busy pounding nails, drilling holes and dipping paint brushes for about 250 needy area children this Christmas.

The volunteers from the Ernest D. Robertson American Legion Post 14, Jamestown, are completing a six-month project this week to collect and repair hundreds of toys for needy area children, according to project coordinator Don Wenaas, Jamestown. The toys will be distributed by the Salvation Army, which hasn’t had such a donation in years.

“We enjoy working on the toys,” Wenaas said. “We’re taking something that would have been junked and making it useful again for some little kid who maybe wouldn’t get a toy for Christmas.”

The project was launched this summer after Wenaas attended the state American Legion convention in Fargo, where a local post was conducting a toy drive. Wenaas brought idea back to Jamestown and quickly formed his own toy repair crew.

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