From the Past . . . 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

Agr. Col. Students Tour of State

The agricultural college special student life train, the first of its kind ever run in America, reached Jamestown today at 11:30 a.m., from Bismarck. The train was held at Bismarck all day Wednesday and during the evening. Both houses of the legislature were adjourned on account of its being a legal holiday, and to give the members, students and faculty an opportunity to mingle and get acquainted. There was a joint assemblage of both houses, and President Worst of the college delivered an address on Abraham Lincoln. In the evening a student’s concert and entertainment was given at the Bijou theatre, which was crowded to overflowing.

The train stopped at Steele, Dawson, Medina and other points between Bismarck and Jamestown, and at each one of the towns there was a large gathering of people to greet the students and inspect the train. At Dawson the school pupils greeted the train, marching in a body, each pupil carrying an American flag. At all the towns where the train had stopped, schools were dismissed for a short time, and the pupils given an opportunity to meet the students and college faculty.

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

Change Of Institutional Control Needs 2/3 Vote

Legislators determined to take three institutions away from the State Board of Administration may find it a lot tougher than they first thought.

A bill is pending before the Senate Committee on State and Federal Government to shift the Jamestown State Hospital, Grafton State School and San Haven Tuberculosis Sanatorium to the State Health Department.

It turns out it will take a two-thirds vote – 33 in the Senate and 76 in the House – to turn the trick.

A citizens’ committee appointed by Gov. William L. Guy has recommended that Jamestown Hospital, at least, be put under control of the Mental Health Authority in the health department.

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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