From the Past . . . Feb. 3-9

From the files of The Jamestown Sun...

Feb. 3– 9

1888 – 125 Years Ago

Electric Lighting Progress

The poles have all been set for the arc lights for the city illumination, and the heavy wire over which the electrical current for these lamps will be conveyed is being strung at a rapid rate. Yesterday the workmen succeeded in stringing several miles of this wire. Secretary Rattinger of the company, states that applications from private parties to have their residences and stores wired are constantly received, but are temporarily pigeonholed until the arc system shall be completed. Four poles one on each corner of the intersecting streets are required for each of the city’s large lights. Wires will be strung from each of these poles, and the lamp hung in the center. A pulley arrangement by which the lamps can be raised and lowered for repairs, etc. will be attached to one of the poles for future convenience. It is impossible to state just when these lights will be ready, but work is progressing as rapidly as possible.

1913 – 100 Years Ago

Jamestown Wins Y. M. C. A. Contest

The big tri-city membership contest between the Young Mens Christian associations of Fargo, Grand Forks and Jamestown ended Tuesday evening. The final score was: Jamestown 8,390 points, Fargo 4,371 and Grand Forks 3,189. Jamestown is on the Y. M. C. A. map. It has a paid up charter membership of 165. This is but a start at the record that will be made before the end of the year. The membership by January 1st, 1914, should number over three hundred.

1938 – 75 Years Ago

Nat’l Guard To Cooperate With AM. Red Cross

Mapping a program to coordinate efforts of the American Red Cross and North Dakota National Guard in case of disaster will occupy officers during one session of the training school beginning here Monday.

Adjutant General Heber Edwards of the North Dakota National Guard said a representative of the Red Cross from the Midwest branch at St. Louis will address the school, carrying out a policy for affecting closer harmony in an emergency between the national guardsmen and the Red Cross workers.

Headquarters for the national guard officers here will be at the Gladstone Hotel. Lt. Francis E. Murphy of Battery F. 185th Field Artillery, is billeting officer.

1963 – 50 Years Ago

Motorists in downtown Jamestown early today were confronted with a weird sight — the movement of two massive livestock barns up First Avenue. Stutsman County Fair Association is transporting some of its buildings from the former fairgrounds location to its new site west of Jamestown Dam.

1988 – 25 Years Ago

Blaze destroys plant

By Sun Staff

Fire investigators sifted through the rubble of the Bieber meat processing plant southeast of Jamestown following a late-night blaze Wednesday that totally destroyed the building.

All Jamestown Fire Department companies were called to the scene about 8 p.m., according to fire chief Mel Kachel. The Jamestown Rural Fire Department was also called to assist with their water trucks. The nearest hydrants were several blocks from the fire.

The building was a total loss, according to Kachel. There were no reports of injury. Firefighters were at the scene for about three hours.

Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the blaze, but their efforts were hampered by ice and snow, he said.

The fire was reported by an employee who saw smoke from his house about a block away.

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