Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, March 27, 1909, Page 15

— A BEMIDJI, BELTRAMI COUNTY AND NORTHERN MINNESOTA. good point at which to establish a trading post to barter with the Indians, who were at that time living on the south shore of what is now known as Lake Bemidji, and so it came to pass that in May, 1890, M. E. Carson blazed his way and cut a wagon road through the primeval forests to the present site of Bemidji, from his trading post called Moose, twenty miles to the west, and from that point hauled in a wagon load of supplies with which he started in trade, in the meantime having built himself a rude log house of small dimensions, in the immediate vicinity of where his prospective customers were dwelling in their teepes and wickiups on the lake shore. This building was located close to where the Mississippi river joins together Lakes Irvine and Bemidji; and has long since ceased to be a landmark. FIRST SETTLERS. In the spring of 1893 the first settlers began to put in appearance; at that time Freeman Doud came here and settled at the north end of Lake Bemidji. He was closely followed by Thomas Joy, John Spaulding, Porter and Waillis Nye, father and son, who came from near Fergus Falls. The Indians were peaceable and well disposed toward the whites; Chief Bemidji was at the head of a tribe of about, fifty Chippewas, most of whom dwelt on the south shore of Lake Be- midji or between that and Little Bemidji Lake, (as Irvine was then called) and up to their final removal to the Cass Lake reservation, always retained friendly rela- tions with the early settlers. To this fact, no little credit is due the old chief, who at all times was found to be reliable and in every way trustworthy. The present citfy of Bemidji is named in honor of the old chief, who died April 19th, 1904, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. He made his home with his son and kinsfolk on the Cass Lake reservation, and was among the most beloved Indian chiefs who ever lived, being respected, as he was, by his tribe and the white man alike. EARLY SETTLEMENT OF BEMIDJI. In 1896 Bemidji became the Mecca for many settlers from all sections of the south and west, and the tide of immigra- tion has ever since surged this way, re- sulting in one season in locating on the present site of the city a sufficient popu- lation to justify the organization of a vil- lage government, and later on incorporat- ing as a city. Ever since its organization as a village Bemidji has forged to the front, until now it is one of the most crowded marts of trade in the Northwest, boosting as she does all the modern improvements listed in other columns. So much historical lore is associated with Bemidji that it would require volumes to properly depict it in all its elements of bravery, vigor, spontaneity, romance, richness and beauty. We, therefore, mere- ly gloss over the chief historical features relative to Bemidji, only adding in con- clusion that within the span of, say twelve vears, the city has graduated from a ham- let to a first-class city and one which has now such unprecedented recognition for progressiveness and energy, that within comparatively few years it has won the nom de plume of “The Hub City of the Northwest,” a brief and appropriate phras, and one which thoroughly reflects the value of Bemidji’'s location, possibilities and possessions. BEMIDJI COMMERCIAL CLUB. In consonance with all cities which are up-to-date and doing, Bemidji boasts of a Commercial Club, which has become noted for the activity it exercises in matters of moment to the city. Nearly every business man in Bemidji is a member thereof, and by their consolidated efforts and unity of action they have caused the city to attain to its present position of prominence among the cities of the Great Northwest. There are no clans or cabals to be found in Bemidji’'s Commercial Club. Each mem- ber has appointed himself a committee of one to advance the city’s interests in every legitimate way, and no stone is left un- turned and no expense spared to achieve every laudable purpose which tends to- wards the city’s betterment. These rea- sons portray the success of Bemidji. Within a few years this commonwealth has developed from a hamlet to a city of the first class, hustling, progressive, snappy and alive to all modern conven- iences and methods. Bemidji, young though she is, has al- ready been honored with a number of im- portant conventions of varied kinds. She has induced the most important railroad systems to pass through her limits, and the best attractions for amusement recog- nize the city as one well worthy of play- ing to. It was partially through the efforts of the Commercial Club that Bemidji has be- come the recognized pleasure resort she is. Realizing her many other advantages, they did not overlook this feature for bringing money into the city, and how well their judgment was founded is apparent by the reputation Bemidji is gradually earning as an ideal summer resort. The Commercial Club ot Bemidji fully appreciates the benefit of bringing in ex- cursions, of furnishing suitable and suffi- cient amusement for its residents, of bid- ding for industries, of striving for state and federal buildings, of encouraging emi- gration, of keeping pace with the times in all things, and above all, of advertising the ponderous resources which lie at the city’s door. The officers of the Bemidji Commercial Club are: President, F. S. Lycan; vice president, E. A. Schneider; secretary, Clyde J. Pryor; treasurer, G. E. Carson. The directors are: F. S. Lycan, E. A. Schneider, G. E. Carson, W. N. Bowser, W. L. Brooks, A. P. White, J. J. Opsahl, W. E. Neal and William McCuaig. All these gentlemen rank among the first men of the city, and it is a safe pre- diction that under their able management the interests of the city will be conserved in a fitting and beneficial manner. Bemidji may well boast of her Commer- cial Club, as it not only stamps the city as one of enterprise, but one owning a galaxy of men who have no peers as men of sterling worth and commercial wisdom.