Dakota Datebook

It’s the Fourth of July, and on this date in Minot in 1907, the independence festivities were well underway. It was the midpoint of a five-day horse race, and large crowds were in attendance.

Rodney Kephart was born in Spencer, Iowa, on this date in 1917. He and his family later moved to North Dakota.

This date in 1975 was the last day when homosexuality was illegal in North Dakota, a change that came with little fanfare as North Dakota newspapers focused on other things. A tornado had killed an infant; there was flooding in West Fargo; a civil war in Lebanon; a new adoption law; repeal of the margarine tax, two FBI agents shot dead on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and the old governor's mansion being set for renovation.

Shopping on the frontier was a far different experience than shopping in the cities out east, which could support shops that could specialize in items like shoes, baked goods, cloth, cheese, tea, books, and hats. The bigger cities might also have so called “Cheap Shops,” an early version of the discount store.

One century ago, in June of 1923, Ford, the automaker, was having a heyday of celebrations in the Bismarck/Mandan area. Mandan had a “Ford Day” first, at the beginning of the month. A large throng turned out in the city to celebrate—replete with automobiles. An estimated 800 Ford owners and their vehicles attended, perhaps drawn by the prizes being offered.

The wild oat is a common weed in North Dakota. Wild oats like damp soil and are often found scattered along ditches and at the edge of fields. They are described as “a fierce competitor.”

On today's Dakota Datebook, we'll hear about the importance of interconnectedness from Dr. Teresa Delorme, educator and enrolled member of Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.

On this date in 1917 the Fargo Forum announced that Cleon Nash would finally be put on trial. The sensational and tragic story of a murder, a frozen fugitive, and amputated feet had gripped North Dakota since December.

When the battleship Maine blew up in Havana harbor in 1898, Spain was immediately blamed. The United States declared war, and Americans assumed the war would take place in Cuba. So, it was surprising for many to learn that troops would be sent to the Philippines on the other side of the world.

Dr. Steven Fisher was a well-respected physician who practiced medicine in New Salem. On this date in 1928, Fisher’s friends and neighbors were shocked to learn he was wanted for murder. The sheriff arrived in New Salem to arrest Fisher, but the good doctor had disappeared.