-
A Square Deal: the Story of William “Bill” Johnson
Published in the October 2024 edition of the Cowboy Chronicle: For Love of Country “A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards.” – Theodore Roosevelt Rural cemeteries dot the North Dakota prairies. Many of the towns they belong to have long since vanished; succumbing to the elements and dissolving in to the prairie. Along the outskirts of what little is left of Charbonneau, North Dakota, lies one of these cemeteries. In the corner of one side, a simple cross stands marking the grave of William Johnson, a Spanish- American War veteran. In the weathered wood…
-
Grandma’s Recipe Box
Published in The Cowboy Chronicle; North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame August 2024 Lila was briefly mentioned in the article Staking their Claim: Women Homesteaders in North Dakota. After homesteading with her sister, Lila went to secretarial school and was working at the courthouse in Williston, North Dakota where she met C. F. Martell. They were married February 27, 1929 The old little wooden box was nothing fancy, but it held a treasure of history and love. It represented much of Lila’s life. At one time it sat in the cupboard of a ranch house with Charbonneau Creek out the back. If it wasn’t windy, you could hear the gentle…
-
Staking Their Claim: Women Homesteaders in North Dakota
Published in the June 2024 edition of The Cowboy Chronicle We have read the books and seen the movies about the pioneer families making their way across the prairies hoping to make a new life. We have heard of the grizzled lone pioneer arriving in uncivilized territory to stake his claim. These adventurers faced dangers and hardships but ultimately settled the west. The Homestead Act spurred settlement like never before. As with all important moments in history we learn the overarching concept, but there are many details and nuances we may not know. When we think about the Homestead Act, most do not realize that a significant percentage of American…
-
Looking Through the Life and Lens of Frank Fiske
This article was fun to write – wait until you learn the history this man saw! Frank Bennett Fiske was an early inductee into the NDCHF. In 2001 he was inducted in the Arts and Entertainment Division for his extensive and noteworthy photography of the people of the Standing Rock Reservation. He was the first photographer inducted. Fiske’s work was mostly known to historians and collectors, but in 2021 a book with a 100 of his Standing Rock portraits was released, giving the general public a chance to see his extraordinary work. Fiske lived most of his sixty nine years on the Standing Rock Reservation. His remarkable photography was part…
-
The Battle to Save Roosevelt’s Horses
https://dakotahorsemagazine.com/articles/the-battle-to-save-roosevelts-horses/ Update: On April 25, 2024 Senator John Hoeven announced that he had “secured a commitment” from the National Park Service to maintain the wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park Sierra Schmidt grew up visiting and getting to know the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP). She says the memory is still in her mind as clear as the day she first saw ‘Cloud’ and his band walking down the road near the prairie dog town in the park. She was ten and had been coming to the park since she was three to see the horses. Cloud was an amazing stallion with a big white face…
You May Also Like
Rex
-
The Letter
As we began to take stock of all that was in there, I came across an unopened letter postmarked 1918. At first I was spinning tales in my head as to why he would have not opened and read this letter. With a closer look I saw that it had been addressed to Pvt. Sam Dagg and was stamped “returned to writer.” Martell didn’t open the letter because he knew what was inside, he had written it. There were many other letters and papers in the trunk pertaining to Samuel John Dagg.
-
On Sitting Bull’s Vest
While there were many important Indian leaders during the expansion of the West, Sitting Bull is one of the most familiar. He was an important political and spiritual leader. His leadership was integral to the success of the Lakota at the Battle of Little Big Horn, and his final surrender at Fort Buford was a true turning point in American history. In an interview with Darrell Dorgan in the summer of 2004, Ron His Horse is Thunder (formerly Ron McNeil) reflected on his great, great, grandfather, Sitting Bull. His great grandfather was Sitting Bull’s nephew and adopted son One Bull. He said Sitting Bull is often called “Chief” and…
-
The Last Cattle Drive II
This story was written and posted with many pictures in Writin’ for the Brnd’s Tales of the Ranch in 2022. North Dakota Horizons magazine has published an edited version in their last summer issue; sadly this is the last year of the magazines publication. I am grateful for the numerous times they published a story of mine. They always brought my articles to life with beautiful layouts. It’s fitting that my last article for them is The Last Cattle Drive. Author note: This story was told to me by Lloyd Lester in 2017. He typed the original story and in subsequent conversations added details. Lloyd worked on the Martell ranch…
-
Pioneering Women in Rodeo
Published in the Cowboy Chronicle; Publication of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame June 2023 Theodore Roosevelt, attending the Wild West show that was part of the entertainment for his Rough Riders reunion, graciously bowed to the diminutive teenage girl and applauded her success. Roosevelt had watched in awe as she roped a running steer and beat all the cowboys for first prize. He told her none of his Rough Rider troops could have done a better job. It was 1900 and the vice-presidential candidate had put together the second Rough Riders reunion in Oklahoma City. Roosevelt’s brief but transformative ranching career in North Dakota set in him an…
-
Western Artists: Preserving our History
Published in The Cowboy Chronicle December 2022. Following is a more detailed version that was not published. Stories and art have always been part of human history. The written word evokes powerful images and emotions. The visualization of a story brings new clarity and a sense of reality. When Theodore Roosevelt chronicled his life in North Dakota with the book Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail, Frederick Remington was commissioned to do illustrations for the book. Roosevelt wanted the artwork to bring his experiences to life. The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame has recognized North Dakota artists since its inception with the Arts and Entertainment category. Since then, five…
