Winter in North Dakota has a history of some great experiences and traditions. During the month of January, Dakota Datebook has celebrated winter in conjunction with the Northern Plains National Heritage Area and the Sons of Norway Sverdrup Lodge, as part of the inaugural \“Vinterfest\” a celebration of all things winter. Today’s topic is skiing.
Anton Covlin and Alec Panasuk were neighboring farmers in Dogden, North Dakota. In September 1917 the two men got into a dispute over horses. Witnesses from each family told different stories, but could agree on one thing, Alec Panasuk died.
The Wild West wasn’t as wild as portrayed in the movies, but there were plenty of desperados to go around. Although the more famous outlaws like Billy the Kid and Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch did not spend much time in Dakota Territory, there was no shortage of lesser-known criminals. Train robberies and stagecoach stick ups were not unknown in the territory. The Washburn Leader described one such situation by saying: \“The Missouri and Knife River districts are overrun by a clique of horse thieves and murderers who have infested these localities for years.\”
Bismarck and Mandan residents had a lot to look forward to at the Mandan Fair in 1912. The fair was an important enough event to prompt Bismarck’s public schools to close for Bismarck Day. A ferry operator cut the fee for crossing the Missouri in half during the fair, and special trains were put into service.
Wildfires are not new to North Dakota. With the vast expanses of grass, fires can spread easily. On this date in 1900, the Washburn Leader lamented the numerous fires that swept through the western part of the state in recent months. The concern centered around the destruction of farmland and crops, but the flames also struck businesses like the Little Missouri Horse Company barns in March of 1900.