They had a good time at Valley City on St. Patrick's day, according to the Advocate, which says: The 17th of March was observed in the usual manner this year. Beer, beer, a jolly good time to end with a whooping big dance in the evening. At one place eight kegs of beer were on tap and all was as free as water. After the dance the janitor of the Academy of Music picked up 22 empty whiskey bottles to throw at the birds. He says this does not include a great number of bottles smashed on the ground back of the hall. There was a large crowd at the dance and all join in saying it was a big time, in fact one of the biggest times Valley City has seen for many years. Mayor Smith was at the helm which in itself was a guarantee of success. The music was furnished by the Moriety and Minnaugh boys and the fun continued until 4:30 Saturday morning.
Bismarck Tribune, 3/30/1899
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A special to the Tribune from Fort Yates, Dak., says Private M.B. Swepstone of the
Seventeenth United States infantry band, shot himself through the head the 21st inst., with a revolver. He was found the next morning in a shack near the post in a dying condition and conveyed to the post hospital, where he is expected to die any moment. He left a letter stating that he was tired of life and directions as to the disposition of his personal effects.
Valley Herald (Chaska, Minnesota), 3/6/1884
Simply Tired of Life.
Sergt. Swepstone, of Ft. Sully, arrives Monday evening from Fort Yates with the body of his brother M.B. Swepstone, who committed suicide a few days since by shooting himself through the head. The remains are being taken to his old home in Creola, Ohio, where his parents now live. The suicide is a strange one. The deceased was only 18 years old and had always seemed to be in good spirits. He had a good education and assigns no reason for committing the act other than he was tired of life. He left the following letter for his brother:
Fort Yates, Feb 26, 1884.—Friend Lester: I intend to kill myself and wish to leave some directions concering the disposal of my things. The small box on the shelf that contains my pictures will be given to Sergt. Forte, as I wish him to send them home for me. You will also give him my large box. You can take my eye glasses for what I owe you, and perhaps you can dispose of them for as much as they cost. My overcoat I wish to be given to Private Bichon of company "D". My clothing and blankets can go to Al. Bartley, and Kolby. Perhaps they can get enough to partly pay them the amount of my indebtedness. If my pay is not forfeited by suicide I wish the amount due to me to be paid to Mr. Douglas, posttrader. There is enough due me to pay him, if it can be gotten from the government. It is of no use for anyone to conjecture as to why I did this, as no one can possible have any idea of the truth. The simple truth of the matter is, that I am simply tired of living and I think half an ounce of lead is as easy a way as any to get a rest. You know I am an infidel and have no belief in a future state and consequently am not afraid of death. I look at it only as one long undisturbed sleep. I wish to be buried with the same clothing I have on me if possible. Whatever else is done I want the tie left on me which I am now wearing. It was given me by the truest friend I ever had, and I wish it to be buried with me.
Friend Jake, I think I have said all that is necessary, so I will close. Please get all my requests granted if possible. Wishing you and all the boys a long and happy life I remain
Yours in death,
M. Bundy Swepstone.
Bismarck Tribune, 3/7/1884
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FARMER ARRESTED.
Oluf Domeir, a Roseville township farmer, was arrested and brought before Justice Kelly last week on the charge of using profane and improper language over his telephone towards a telephone operator and others. He was fined $1 and costs. The incident led Supt. Chas. Tolan of the telephone company to have a bill drawn up and forwarded to Bismarck for introduction in the legislature, imposing severe penalties for such offenses. The bill was introduced in the house by Rep. Sorley. — Mayville Tribune.
Ward County Independent, 3/14/1907
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Ivan Rattegan, the colored porter who was arrested at Devils Lake recently on a charge of robbing a passenger on a Great Northern train is now in trouble with the U.S. government at St. Paul, being charged with selling liquor on a reservation, white slavery, and other alleged crimes.
Valley City Times-Record, 2/6/1913
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Engineer Reed met with an accident last night which resulted in the loss of two toes of his right foot. He was starting the feeders which work between the
cross-head of the locomotive and stepped so that his foot was caught. The accident occurred near
Eldridge and he was brought back to Jamestown on the
helper. Dr. Rankin amputated the crushed toes today.
Jamestown Weekly Alert, 3/16/1899
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W.P. Kirk started out to the house on his claim, last week, and found a prairie fire had been there since he had been gone. He has now the pleasure of putting up a new one. He commenced
breaking yesterday.
Bismarck Tri-Weekly Tribune, 4/9/1878
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