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1916 City Map 1916 Township Map Manning - Main Page |
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The below articles, The "Heart and Pulse" Of Manning Some Forty Years Ago and As I Remember Manning are from Dauntless Dunn - 1970.
SOME FORTY YEARS AGO By Emmett T. Ophus Time marches on and folks often confused by the "happiness or heartbreak" of it’s Passing Parade. Time also has a tendancy to dim the memory and create a blur on the picture of the past. Even so, we are all subject to moments of nostalgia when our mind races back "across the years" and momentarily revals in the recollection of the long, long ago. Such is the nature of this little epic and although it may not be historically correct, because memory is never infallible, it is basically true. The names of persons mentioned are those of actual residents of Manning or adjacent thereto, during the era to which I am going to allude, so take a seat on the "reviewing stand" while the "Parade of the Past" marches by.
Just prior to and at the beginning of that era which we sometimes refer to as the "Roaring Twenties", Manning was in it’s "Hey Day" and basking in the limelight of it’s prosperity. Situated on the main arterial highway between Dickinson and Killdeer, it might well have been called the "Main Street of Dunn County". It was a way station and stopping place for most of the through traffic between these two points and afforded the traveler the opportunity of rest and refreshment. It had a fair sized population, business flourished and all of it’s citizens were proud of their town. Now for a look at some of those who resided there and how they contributed to the welfare and
prosperity of this thriving metropolis.
Manning had only one thoroughfare running North and
South, so there was no danger of getting "crossed up" by side streets. Using the south end of town as the point of beginning, the first business enterprise was that of W. L. "Bill" Boyd. His wife was noted for her cuisine ability and the fine table she set in her restaurant, and when Bill wasn’t busy running for Sheriff, he occupied his time in his garage, along with his sons Sam and Bob. Bill was an "old timer" in these parts and could tell many tall tales, was always jolly and a solid citizen.
Practically next door was the financial institution known as the First State Bank of Manning with Charles G. Kapelovitz at the helm, along with his son Nathan or "Nate" as he was affectionally known. Charlie was the stabilizer or backbone of the firm, while Nate attended to the greater part of the banking activity. The third man behind the counter was my good friend of many years standing Clifford Sennes, who was Teller and Bookkeeper. He and I shared the same living quarters and were just about inseparable.
Next in line was the first grocery store. This one was owned and managed by "old reliable" Martin Olson. In addition to having a fine store, his establishment served as a place to drop into for just conversation or a friendly game of cribbage. Martin was as steady as they come and had a host of friends.
When in need of items of hardware, Perry Marker
usually had the answer, and if one needed gas for the Model T or what have you, he had that too. In the modern day vernacular, Perry was a "good Joe" and liked by everyone who knew him.
In those days, as well as now. it was necessary to have shoes repaired, so Jim Pokorny was the man to see. In addition to being a good cobler, he was always good for a laugh and often bore the butt of jests and jokes.
Bill Dawes was a familiar figure about town. He engaged in various lines of endeavor and worked for the County at times. He was a great outdoor’s man and sort of a "Davey Crocket" of his day. A real nice fellow to know. His young daughter Jeanette had red hair which was usually done up in long braids.
Horses were still very much in evidence and to accomodate them, especially in winter, there was the Livery Barn in charge of a most interesting and unforgetable character by the name of John Shew. He was a man of many moods, usually on the jovial side but on occasion, could also be quite contrary. He was also owner of a funeral hearse and when occasion required, would officiate in the "last ride" of the deceased. In spite of some of his failings, John was a great guy.
"Bishops Place" run by genial Elmer G. Bishop and
his wife Nina, was a combination of several things including light refreshments and solid meals. It was a "Tavern" type place where "tops" in hospitality prevailed. Alcoholic beverages were prohibited by law, so it was just soda pop or near beer at the bar. The local gentry would gather here for refreshments, a friendly game of cards or just plain talk. It also housed the telephone switchboard and was a "Port of Call" for the Dickinson Killdeer Stage.
This stage was owned, operated and driven by Charlie
DeFoe whose headquarters were in Dickinson. He used a Model "T" touring car which, in addition to carrying
passengers. was also equipped to carry baggage and mail and most of the time was loaded "to gunwales". He gave efficient and dependable service, had a great sense of humor and added much to the prestige of Manning.
Across the street was the Manning branch of Reed
Bros. Store managed by H. J. "Pat" Patton. The main store was in Dickinson, with another branch in Killdeer. Here was another place to "loaf" and discuss the topics of the day, as well as to obtain the necessities of life from his well stocked store. Pat was a great guy and a credit to the community.
Robert W. "Bob" Sweetman was a leading citizen and a "tower of strength" in this Capital City. He was engaged in the Abstract business and maintained an establishment known as the Dunn County Abstract Company. It was the only one of it’s kind in the County, so at times, Bob was quite busy. He had a "flair" for Hudson cars and usually had a new model every year. Being also an avid cribbage player, it was not uncommon to find him engaged in this pastime with some of the other townspeople during off hours or when there was a lull in business activity. Bob was small in stature but made up for it in his bigness of character.
The legal profession was represented by O. J. Jolley
and William Alva "Bill" Carns. O. J. had already reached his "three score and ten", therefore, most of his practice was confined to proceedings which could be handled solely in his office. Bill Carns was still actively engaged in all the aspects of his profession and if one happened to be about late at night, it was not uncommon for him to be seen burning the "midnight oil" working on a case or doing legal research. He was also one of the early day State’s Attorneys for the County.
Art Funk, the town barber, was another interesting
personality. In addition to claiming to be a barber, he also dabbled in other ventures and was a "trader" of sorts. He could give a cold water shave which was actually enjoyed because of the "chatter" that came with it. On special festive occasions which attracted large crowds, he and his brother (Killdeer’s barber) would team up with a hot dog concession. Their favorite spot was the Annual July 4th Killdeer Mountain Rodeo.
The Manning Hall came in for it’s share of the "social spotlight". This two story building served many purposes, the upstairs being used for dances, box socials and various other functions. The downstairs was originally intended to house business enterprises and now and then such was the case. Most of the time it was vacant, and because of this and it’s close proximity to the Court House, the sessions of the District Court were held there. This was always a big event because it drew important people from all over the County, as well as outside of it. District Judge Thomas H. Pugh the presiding Judge, the Court Reporter being R. V. "Dick" Boulger, also of Dickinson. When petitions for citizenship were to be heard, Government Examiner Paul Werner of Dickinson, would be on hand to interrogate and rule on the applicant. As Clerk of the District Court, it was also necessary that I be there. Some of the prominent attorneys of
Dunn and Stark Counties usually present were State’s Attorney T. H. H. Thoreson, Dunn Center, Thomas G. Johnson, Killdeer, H. L Malloy, Halliday, the two local barristers Carns and Jolly [sic] and T. F. Murtha, L. A. Simpson, H. A. Mackoff, Otto Thress, and a representative of the firm of Crawford and Burnett, all of Dickinson. The Court Calendar was usually small, therefore, the sessions never lasted more than a few days, but for those few days, Manning’s population just about doubled.
Being the County Seat of Dunn County, it’s "Landmark" and "Trademark" is the Courthouse, which, up to and including the present day [1970], has housed the County Offices and Records for nearly half a century. Officials have come and gone during this span of years, but those occupying it’s offices in the years 1921 and 1922 were Treasurer Gunder O. Sanden and his deputy Nels Pierson; Auditor Charles J. Hempftling, with either Lars Johnson or Ruth Fisher as Deputy; Register of Deeds Campbell "Scotty" Scott and Deputy Mrs. Annand; Sheriff John H. Brown and his right hand man Albert Blecha; Superintendent of Schools Murl L. Hill and her red headed deputy Hazel Barton; Judge J. D. "Jake" Harris and Clerk of the District Court Emmett T. Ophus, the latter sharing space in the same office. The County Commissioners were Tom Anders, Werner, Charlie Pugh from down Emerson way, and Joseph Hushka, New Hradec. States Attorney Thoreson lived in Dunn Center; Coronor Dr. Oscar Smith in Killdeer and the Killdeer Herald enjoyed the status of being the official paper for Dunn County, a distinction which it still [1970] holds.
The Courthouse Custodian was genial and jovial Bill Beaty who always had a smile and pleasant greeting for everyone. He was always on the job and kept everything "ship shape". There was no such thing as a "coffee break" but when Bill had a few minutes to spare, he could usually be found in a certain corner of the Treasurers Office, enjoying a smoke. He seemed to get the full measure of pleasure from a pipe full of tobacco. He also had two daughters, who figured in the "makeup" of Manning.
One was Helen, who was the local postmistress for several: years and Alice, whose talents stood her in good stead as typist in Bob Sweetman’s Abstract Office. Mrs.
Annand’s two adorable young daughters Lois and Faye were the Courthouse sweethearts and when "Jake" Harris’ daughter Sadie happened to stroll in with her Spitz she momentarily captured the spotlight. Sadie was a very lovely girl who spent most of her time keeping house for her father.
Turning the "Pages of Time" back a few years further, such names as T. LeRoy Evans, Jerry Palmer, C. L. Melby, Mr. Bugbee, W. P. Owens, Harry Kasper, W. P. Brooks and Frank Partridge appear on the horizon. Some of them were the original County Office appointees of Governor John Burke, when the County was first organized and in their official capacity, played a very important role in laying the groundwork and making the County what it is today. Manning also boasted a newspaper at one time, it being the Dunn County News published by E. K. Jenkins. His rival and competitor was Henry R. Young of Emerson who published the Dunn County Settler. A copy of either would be a rare collectors item today.
The advent of the railroad to Dunn County might well
have spelled "doom and disaster" to Manning and relegated it to the "relics of the past." Efforts were made to have the Courthouse relocated in a town served by the railroad but all attempts failed and Manning retained it’s status as the County Capital and since then has sometimes been referred to as the "inland County Seat". The Courthouse is well rooted there now and may never again be threatened with removal.
Lars Johnson was a musician in his own right and as
such undertook the task of devoting his talents to organizing a musical group or band. It was difficult to
create interest in this venture and not too many to draw from so in order to round out his organization it was necessary for him to reach out to adjoining locale for participants. One of these was my brother Harold Ophus from Emerson who learned to play the cornet and gained considerable musical knowledge and experience. The band developed into a fine musical unit and had playing engagements on many occasions where public festivities were being held.
Beatniks, Sputniks, Rockets and "squares" were unheard of and what may have been the forerunner version of the modern day [1970] "hot rod" was a little made over car owned by Bill Nemitz. Bill was employed on a nearby farm and had occasion to be in town quite often. This car which he called "The Bug" was a stripped down Model "T" with a home made one seated, fenderless bullet shaped body into which two people could barely squeeze. It was "souped up" in accordance with the times, painted a fire engine red and might well have been dubbed Bill’s "Red Rocket". He covered ground with it fast snd gave his riding friends a real thrill. Other autos to be seen about town which are now obsolete and nothing more than "conversation pieces" were the Case, Essex, Franklin, Harroun, Hudson, Hupmobile, Jewett, Paige and Star. Alex Fowler used a Paige when he was running the state line between Manning and Dickinson.
As in this modern and more sophisticated age [1970], the youth of that generation also had it's "fling" and took it's place in the "social whirl" of the times. Television had not yet been invented, radios were still in their infancy, so, for "house party" entertainment, it was "crank up" the Victrola and have a "ball". Dancing held the spotlight form of amusement and on occasion, such festivity took place in the local Hall, but for the most part it was
necessary to drive to Killdeer which lived up to it's reputation as the "City with the Pep" by holding regular dances which were exciting and peppy. The only Theatre Attractions within easy reach were also in Killdeer, so it was not uncommon for "theatre parties" to travel there for an evening of "silent movies". The young folk had their share of fun and the "roster" those days included Hazel Barton, Sadie Harris, Florence, Grace and Ruth Fisher, Frances and Martha Palmer, Mildred Eger, Florence O’Grady, Emma Blecha, Hope Hampton, "Nate" Kapelovitz, Bill Nemitz, Harvey Rainey, Sam Boyd, Johnny Hledik, Clifford Sennes and Emmett T. Ophus. Martin Olson's two nieces Bertha and Florence Knutson from Chicago, vacationed one winter season in Manning and because of their musical talents, added much to the entertainment of everyone.
The "political picture" differed some in comparison to the one of today [1970], inasmuch as politics hinged mainly on whether one was affiliated with the Non-Partisan League (NPL) or the Independent Voters Asociation (IVA) and not so much on being a Democrat or Republican. The "balance of power" seemed to be vested in the NPL which furnished statewide and was the "brain child" of A. C. Townley. Judge ‘Jake’ Harris was a firm believer and exponent of this political "philosophy" and a dominant figure in County Politics.
Manning also had it's church services and public school facilities and juvenile delinquency as we know it today [1970], simply did not exist. There were just too many "chores" and honest jobs for the youngsters to do, so they just didn’t have time to get into trouble, or think up malicious mischief and were not exposed or tempted by the "crime influence" which is so prevalent today [1970]. Proper educational instruction, the reading of good books and strict parental
supervision started them on the "right road" to becoming good citizens.
Encompassing a perimeter of some six or seven miles
from the City Limits of Manning were farmers and ranchers who were diligent workers, highly respected and
staunch supporters and contributors to the popularity and growth of the County Capital. Some of these "tillers of the soil" included Joe Heiser, Oscar Helgeson, Tom Johnson, Tom Fisher, E. E. Smith, Ed Palmer, Otto Doerner. George Morton, the Blecha’s, George Metcalf, Kit Young, Dan and Jack Brew, Sam Sampson and Joe Conner, John Rebsom, Louis Dinehart, Fred Egar, V. Materna, Frank and Rollin Deming, Sam Christopherson, Oliver Otterson, the Reicherts, Glen Mineah, Matt Regeth and Jim O'Grady.
Many of the wonderful people named herein have long
since passed on to the Eternal Sanctuary "beyond the veil", others have moved on to different locations but there are still [1970] a few around who many remember.
As long as it continues to be the County Capital,
there will always be a Manning. Should it’s status as such ever change, the final chapter of it's "Saga" may have a different ending. Time Marches On.
By Mr. or Mrs. Gunder Sanden This will be an abbreviated or capsule type of story of Manning, North Dakota, Dunn County Seat for the period from 1915 through 1922, the period of time the writer lived there. A new Court House was being built in 1915, the former one having been burned down January 19, 1914, and the county offices being housed in various buildings around town. The county officers at that time were C. H. Guttman, Auditor; Ray Cuskelly, Deputy; and G. O. Sanden, Clerk; C. J. Hemptfling, Treasurer, with G. O. Sanden (transferred from the Auditor’s Office) Deputy; Campbell Scott (Scotty), Register of Deeds, J. D. Harris, Deputy; John Bang, Sheriff; Jack Simpson, Deputy; Lois Viall Sanden, Superintendent of Schools, Minnie Siverts, Deputy and later Cora Christerson. Miss Christerson became Superintendent following Mrs. Sanden, with Clarissa Evenson as Deputy. George Morton was Judge; Jim Joslin, Clerk of Court; Mr. William Beaty, Custodian; Tom Johnson, States Attorney; Charley Pugh, Tom Anders and Joe Hushka, Commissioners.
Some of the County Officers prior to this were T. Leroy Evens, County Auditor; Martin Larsen, Treasurer; Harry Kaspar, Sheriff; C. L. Melby, Superintendent of Schools; Jerry Palmer, Register of Deeds. I understand some of these were appointed by the Governor when the county was organized.
The business places at that time were: starting from
the south going north on the west side - a restaurant operated by Mrs. Boyd; First State Bank - Mr. Kapelovitz, Cashier, his son Ignatz, Cashier, Otto Wick, Teller; a general store owned and operated by Martin Olson; a hardware store operated by Joe Miller (am not sure of that name); The Dunn County News published by Hugh Black; a soft drink and short order eating place (I don’t remember the name of the people operating that, but it seems it may have been Bishop); an abstract office operated by Charles
Kuntz; a law office, O. J. Jolley, Attorney; The Dunn County State Bank, W. P. Owens, President, Harvey Owens, Cashier, Clarence Christerson, Teller. The next building was a hotel operated by Mr. and Mrs. Scott; The Manning Hall - the second floor was used as a court room and for dances and various community activities; the ground floor was used as a combination pool room, card room and short order restaurant, operated by Julius Lauber.
Going back (south) on the east side of the street there was the Court House; Abstract Office owned and operated by R. W. Sweetman; Law Office, W. A. Carns, Attorney; a general store operated by Reed Brothers and managed by H. Patten; Post Office, Mrs. George Isham, Post Mistress; a barber shop, Art Funk, Barber; a shoe repair shop, Jim Pokorny, Cobbler.
On the west side of town a feed barn was operated by
John Shew and on the east side was the school house. There were several residences occupied by County Officers, businessmen and others. Some of the other residents were: Bill Boyd and sons Sam and Bob. and their son-in-law Hank Tufteland; George Isham and their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dawes; and Jim O’Grady and family. Some of the farmers living in the vicinity were Pete Heiser, V. Materna, Fred Eger, Oliver Otterson, "Alfalfa" Smith, Mr. Metcalf, Ed Ericson, Brew Brothers, and Others.
As time passed there were changes. In the later part
of the period spoken of, the County Officers were: C. J. Hempftling, Auditor, and later L. M. Johnson; G. O. Sanden, Treasurer, Nels Pearson, Deputy; John Brown, Sheriff; Albert Blecha, Deputy; Merle Hill, Superintendent of Schools; J.D. Harris, County Judge; Emmett Ophus, Clerk of Court. Marian Flemming was Superintendent of Schools later.
There were also some changes in the business places, such as: The hardware store was owned and operated by Perry Marker; The Abstract Office was purchased by R. W. Sweetman from Chris Kuntz; The Dunn County State Bank was merged with a Bank in Killdeer; The Hotel
was operated by Mr. and Mrs. Sam Black; The Dunn County Herald published by I. L. Doherty was moved to Killdeer; Helen Beaty was Post Mistress and Clifford Sennes, Teller at the First State Bank.
In connection with the merger of the Dunn County State Bank with a Killdeer Bank, I might add that there were thirteen banks in Dunn County. Two in Manning, three in Killdeer, two in Dunn Center, two in Werner, two in Halliday, one in Emerson and one in Dodge. Also in connection with the Herald moving to Killdeer, the last I knew it was published by sons of I.L. Doherty.
Manning was a pleasant place to live in, with nice, congenial people. Lacking modern types of entertainment we still enjoyed ourselves. We had mock weddings,
simulated courtroom trials, dances, card parties and other types of parties, all enjoyable. I have many pleasant memories of life in Manning.
If anyone reads this, some will undoubtedly detect errors and omissions as this was written entirely from memory, and many years have gone by. Much water has
gone under the bridge since then, so I hope any errors or omissions will be overlooked, and I be forgiven for making them as it has-not been done intentionally.
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