Name: The Montana Stranglers in Dakota Territory
Brand: Ron Berget
SKU: 9781467149716
Price: 17.99 USD
Availability: InStock

The Montana Stranglers in Dakota Territory

9781467149716

$23.99 $17.99 Save 25%

The saga of The Montana Stranglers in Dakota Territory embodies the violence and vigilantism of the Old West

In the early 1880s, desperate characters left over from the fur trade began robbing arriving settlers in the wilderness of Eastern Montana and Northwestern Dakota Territory. Gangs of horse thieves sprang out of camps from the Musselshell in Montana, along the Missouri into Dakota Territory, up into Mouse River-Dogden Butte country and ending at Turtle Mountain. Cattlemen and homesteaders formed vigilance committees, including Granville Stuart's Montana Stranglers, resulting in the violent death of fifty-four people from September 1883 to December 1884. They weren't all guilty and there were probably more. Author Ron Berget shares this thoroughly researched, true story of the Montana Stranglers' bloody pursuits throughout the northern plains.

Grand Forks Air Force Base

9781467104081

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In February 1952, the Air Force announced its plans to build Grand Forks Air Force Base to support Strategic Air Command bombers and tankers as well as Air Defense Command fighter-interceptors. On February 8, 1957, Air Defense Command activated the 486th Fighter Group on Grand Forks Air Force Base. In December 1957, the Air Force activated the Grand Forks Air Defense System of the North American Air Defense Command. This sector became operational with the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment system to cover the air space of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota and one Canadian province (Manitoba). The first Boeing B-52H Stratofortress arrived on April 29, 1962. In 1983, the B-52Hs were replaced with B-52Gs, and on December 4, 1986, B-52Gs departed the base, replaced by B-1B Lancers in 1987. The 321st Strategic Missile Wing became operational to administrate, man, and operate the Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in December 1966. The Air Force made the formal announcement that it would remove 150 Minuteman III ICBMs with the inactivation of the 321st on July 2, 1998. After that, the Detachment 1, 9th Reconnaissance Wing arrived with the Global Hawk.

North Dakota

9780738507637

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During the early years of the 20th century, American families witnessed amazing changes in their daily lives--the arrival of plumbing and electricity in their homes, the first automobiles, and thanks to the Eastman Kodak Company, the first affordable, portable, photographic instrument, the box camera. Many families purchased the box camera (for $1) and began to document their own histories. It is upon these histories that North Dakota places its focus.
Nowhere were the changes so dramatic as on the Great Plains, and in the state of North Dakota especially. Due to the huge influx of immigrants, mostly from Scandinavia, the state's population more than doubled from 1900 to 1940, roughly the period covered in North Dakota. But this was also a time of
hardship and struggle, as the Great Depression, the
Dustbowl, and war took their toll on North Dakota
families. But through hard work and perseverence, most of these families survived, and thrived, and now
share with us the story of that time.

Mandan

9780738550862

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The late 1800s and the early 1900s brought tremendous changes to Mandan, as well as all of North Dakota. The 1880s through the second decade of the 20th century saw much of the new state's population growth, as English, Irish, Scandinavian, German, and many other ethnic groups joined the Native American tribes that had been in the Mandan area for centuries. Later arrivals of Germans from Russia resulted in even more diversity in the young city. First inhabited by the Mandan Indians, the city of Mandan has become a vital center for Morton County government, agricultural activities, and various industries. The "city where the West begins" is accessible from many directions because of its location near the Missouri River, along a main railway line, and near an interstate highway.

Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park

9780738551296

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In 1883, two notable individuals traveled along similar, yet later diverging paths from the eastern United States to a hamlet located on the west bank of the Little Missouri River in southwestern North Dakota. Both men, the Marquis de Mores and Theodore Roosevelt, were to distinguish themselves as wealthy cattle ranchers within months of arriving on what was then the western Dakota frontier. The names of both individuals continue to resound through the historical chapters that shaped this part of the American landscape.

Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Minot Air Force Base

9781467102926

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The Strategic Air Command equipped the 4136th Strategic Wing at Minot Air Force Base with B-52Hs in 1961. The first landing of the first B-52H was part of a celebration on the base referred to as "Peace Persuader Day." Over 10,000 area citizens came to the base to witness the historic landing. The wing was redesignated as the 450th Bomb Wing on February 1, 1963, and then again on July 25, 1968, as the 5th Bomb Wing--the name that it retains today. The base's location in the geographic center of North America made it perfect for a Minuteman missile wing complex to be built in 1961. This is the story of the Cold War-era construction of Minot Air Force Base and its continued operation as an Air Force Strike Command B-52H bomber and Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile base. With new nuclear threats arising from countries in Asia and the Middle East, Minot once again assumes an important role in the nation's defense.

Main Street, North Dakota in Vintage Postcards

9780738507262

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The postcard has always been a popular form of communication, but as we look back, it also serves as a valuable historical document. The views of our past offer us a unique insight into the people and places that came before us. Main Street, North Dakota offers us an intriguing look at that uniquely American street, where business was transacted, goods purchased, and information and stories shared. Some of the towns collected here have disappeared off the map, but the majority have survived and continue to grow and prosper.

Main Street, North Dakota in Vintage Postcards

The Fargo Fire of 1893

9781467142632

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Fortitude after the flames

In 1893, Fargo was simply trying to thrive amid an impending national depression. One Wednesday afternoon in June, a ferocious fire quickly devoured hundreds of businesses and more than thirty blocks in the heart of the fledgling city. Residents were stunned, but they weren't defeated. Through perseverance, grit and some helpful insurance money, owners immediately began rebuilding. The arduous reconstruction ended up protecting the city against unemployment and poverty.

Author Danielle Teigen describes the efforts and individuals who helped rebuild a stronger, better city. More than a century later, that resilience and determination continues to be a hallmark of the Gateway to the West.

Bismarck, North Dakota

9780738520001

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The late 19th and the 20th centuries brought tremendous changes to Bismarck, as it did to all of North Dakota. The 1880s through the 1910s saw much of the new state's population growth. In this time period, English, Irish, Scandinavian, German, and many other immigrant settlers joined the several Native American tribes that had been in the Bismarck area for centuries. Later arrivals of Germans from Russia resulted in even more diversity in the young city. Originally named Edwinton for Edwin F. Johnson of Vermont, who first suggested the building of a transcontinental railroad, Bismarck became the territorial, state, and county seats of government. With the governmental functions came related businesses and industries, as well as employment opportunities for Bismarck's citizens. Its location on the Missouri River and a main railway line meant that Bismarck was accessible from all directions, and many of today's landmarks and streets are named for those who arrived by water and rail.

1957 Fargo Tornado

9781467126731

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On the evening of June 20, 1957, a tornado ripped through Fargo, North Dakota. It caused the deaths of seven children and five adults and left 116 injured. The tornado destroyed 359 buildings and damaged 2,543 more. The nine-mile path of destruction covered over 66 blocks in town, leaving more than 2,000 people homeless and causing approximately $20 million worth of damage. Following the tornado, first responders quickly united to aid those in need, setting up disaster headquarters, finding shelter for over 600 people, and distributing more than 100 tons of clothing and bedding. Dr. Tetsuya Fujita, a meteorologist, studied the Fargo tornado when creating the Fujita scale (F-scale) and later rated it an F5, the most destructive rating. Images of America: 1957 Fargo Tornado, shines a light on the tornado's destruction and the rebuilding of a united and vibrant community.

Main Street, North Dakota Volume II

9780738507606

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Whether you consider the postcard a work of art, or a simple means of connecting with loved ones far away, there is no denying it has become something more enduring-a historical document. Journey with us to Main Street-the center of business, trade, culture, and information in towns up and down the expanse of the Great Plains. Many of the towns seen in Main Street, North Dakota Volume II, have disappeared off the map, but many more still stand, and continue to thrive.

Jamestown

9780738599878

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Jamestown's history began long before its appearance on railroad maps in 1872. Nomadic clans occupied the region thousands of years ago, hunting the icy edges of glaciers for bison. Evidence of mound builders from around 2,000 years ago is found in Stutsman County. Modern tribes claimed the territory, including the Dakota (Sioux), and by the early 1800s, explorers and trappers had encroached upon the region. With the Civil War, the United States began operations to suppress tribal people as pioneers moved west. Uncle Sam's expansion brought railroaders, adventurers, homesteaders, merchants, and others to the Upper Plains. Images of America: Jamestown introduces a wide assortment of local characters: Anton Klaus, the "father of Jamestown"; Peggy Lee, the feverish singer and bluesy jazz artist; and Louis L'Amour, the prolific writer of Western novels. Discover Jamestown's rich history and dynamic people, from farmers and newspaperwomen to soldiers and bankers. Longtime residents will enjoy rediscovering places and personalities they may only vaguely remember.

Fort Abraham Lincoln

9781467126861

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Established in November 1872, Fort Abraham Lincoln was part of a larger complex of military forts throughout the United States. Named in memory of President Lincoln, the fort protected railroad workers as they continued westward construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Famous figures associated with the fort include George Custer; his Arikara scout Bloody Knife; and individuals from the Oceti Sakowin, what in the 19th century was called the Great Sioux Nation, including Rain-in-the-Face, Long Soldier, and Thunder Hawk. In the late 1870s, the fort also served as a place for Nez Perce POWs. In 1891, the fort was decommissioned. The nonprofit Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation spearheaded reconstruction in the 1980s. Several earth lodges from On-A-Slant were also built, and world-class interpretive programming was developed.

Herbst Department Store

9781467114479

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Herbst Department Store held sway on Fargo's Broadway for nearly 90 years. In 1887, a young merchant named Isaac Herbst came to Fargo to seek his fortune. He proved to be a dynamic salesman, and by 1892 he had founded Herbst Department Store. The business was destroyed a year later in the Great Fire of 1893, which wiped out most of downtown. Isaac rebuilt his business and expanded it until his death in 1910. The department store was continued by his widow, sons, grandsons, and a large group of loyal employees. The Herbst family took great pride in the community and was active in civic affairs. In the 1970s and 1980s, many customers abandoned downtown Fargo for West Acres Shopping Center and other large retail chains. Herbst was the last large department store remaining downtown until it closed in 1982. Images of America: Herbst Department Store shines a light on a business that had a great impact on Fargo's vibrant downtown and community.

Red River Floods

9781467113175

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Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota, have existed on opposite sides of the Red River of the North since 1871. Ever since, heavy moisture from melting snow has combined with spring rains to threaten both towns with a rapidly rising, twisting river. Minor flooding is almost an annual event, and on six occasions the two towns experienced major floods requiring evacuations of large numbers of residents. The history of these floods is covered in the photographs contained in this book, including many provided by residents, local flood-fighting crews, and state and federal agencies. These images tell the story of how the two communities deal with one of nature's most common dangers.

Hidden History of Fargo

9781467136594

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Fueled by ambition and pipe dreams, Fargo's earliest residents created an entire city out of the dust of a flat, desolate prairie. Roberts Street might not exist if it weren't for Matilda Roberts, a resourceful pioneer wife who encouraged her husband's cousin to set up his law firm on that important downtown thoroughfare. O.J. deLendrecie generated so much success through his retail store that he was able to buy President Theodore Roosevelt's ranch in western North Dakota. Oliver Dalrymple may have been the bonanza farm king, but the better manager was his rival, Herbert Chaffee of the Amenia and Sharon Land Company. Author Danielle Teigen reveals the intriguing true stories behind many of the most engaging characters and what continues to make the "Gateway to the West" unique.

Abandoned Eastern North Dakota: Pure Decay of the Peace Garden State

9781634994774

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When we see abandoned buildings, it's our natural instinct to wonder why they have been left behind to the intense elements of North Dakota. Come along with author, Katherine Rose Bingham, down a dirt road to see the workmanship of the past. Walk into a room and discover layers of wallpaper, the years peeling away one at a time. Drive by an old barn and look inside to see a treasured old vehicle left covered in dust. Observe a steeple towering over the trees, the cooing of pigeons the only noise coming from the choir loft.

Katherine Rose Bingham moved to a North Dakota farm in 2014. The farm had been in the family since 1938. She has always believed she was born in the wrong era, and these old pieces of history hold a fascination and wonderment for her. Katherine finds joy in capturing a town that was once a booming oil field, seeing the hills divided where a train once trudged, and trying to preserve what once was in these vastly changing times.

Abandoned Eastern North Dakota: Pure Decay of the Peace Garden State

North Dakota Air National Guard

9781467109437

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The North Dakota Air National Guard's (NDANG) 119th Wing boasts an illustrious 60-year history of flying fighters. The NDANG can trace its roots back to the 392nd Fighter Squadron, which fell under the 367th Fighter Group. Many of its charter members began their careers in the Army Air Corps during World War II and brought their expertise and experience to their home station unit in Fargo, North Dakota. People like Alexander Macdonald had a hand in nearly every success from 1950 through the F-16 years as a pilot, commander, adjutant general, and then as a civilian advocate. Duane "Pappy" Larson is credited with being the namesake for the unit nickname "The Happy Hooligans." The 119th unit's history is a story about the people who achieved unprecedented accomplishments within the Air National Guard and, sometimes, even among the active duty US Air Force.

Fargo, North Dakota

9780738520179

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Established in 1872 when the Northern Pacific crossed the Red River from Moorhead, Fargo quickly became an important town. The combination of the railroad and the wheat boom created a flourishing frontier city in the 1870s. The railroads brought goods into Fargo for sale, and established it as the area's major retail, wholesale, and service center. From 1880 to 1940 Fargo grew consistently with substantial immigration. Many of the early city leaders were Yankees from states such as Maine, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois, as well as Canadians. European immigration before 1900 was predominantly from Scandinavia and Germany, but after 1900 it broadened to include other countries. These immigrants brought strong traditions with them that became evident in the religious and cultural life of the city.

North Dakota Postcards 1900-1930

9780738501611

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From the 1890s through the 1920s, the postcard was an extraordinarily popular means of communication, and many of the postcards produced during this "golden age" can today be considered works of art. Postcard photographers traveled the length and breadth of the nation snapping photographs of busy street scenes, documenting local landmarks, and assembling crowds of local children only too happy to pose for a picture. These images, printed as postcards and sold in general stores across the country, survive as telling reminders of an important era in America's history. This fascinating new history of North Dakota showcases more than two hundred of the best vintage postcards available.

Cass County

9780738541457

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Cass County is flanked on its eastern border by the Red River of the North. Created by retreating glaciers, Cass County is known for its exceptionally flat topography and fertile soils. Archaeological evidence indicates that the county was home to Paleo-Indian groups as far back as 9,000 years ago. More recently, many different Native American nations foraged and hunted bison in the region. Dakota Territory was created in 1861, and Cass County was organized in 1873 with Fargo recognized as the county seat in 1875. The county is named for George Washington Cass, a former president of the Northern Pacific Railroad, which entered the county in 1872. Cass County is famous for agriculture and its bonanza farms, enormous commercial wheat farms unique to the Red River valley from the 1870s to the 1890s.

Steamboats in Dakota Territory

9781467119344

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Steamboats transformed the Missouri Valley. Enterprising men like Joseph La Barge and Grant Marsh braved financial and mortal danger to reap fantastic profits from trade in furs and buffalo robes. But steamboats also brought smallpox, soldiers and settlers to the lands of Native Americans. Although they began as agents of commerce, steamboats came to represent confinement and war to Sitting Bull and his people. Railroads made Yankton, Bismarck and Fargo rise as ports for a few years and then drove steamboats out of business, ending an era filled with colorful characters and dramatic moments. Author Tracy Potter takes an in-depth look at the boats, trade and cultural and military relations between the United States and the native inhabitants of Dakota Territory.

Prairie in Her Heart

9780738518657

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Pioneers were not always men fighting to tame the frontier. Equally important were the women who followed them, or even headed west on their own. The North Dakota prairies were home to mothers, daughters, and grandmothers who worked as hard as men to survive and prosper in the wilderness. Prairie in Her Heart: Pioneer Women of North Dakota chronicles the stories of these women, through their own words and through the enduring images which offer a brief glimpse into their lives. The interviews and diary excerpts tell of how women claimed their own pieces of land as well as document the myriad of chores which made up their daily routines. From the words of a woman who reveals the shame of buying bread at the store to the accounts of skirmishes between women and men regarding the rights of property, the voices of the past are heard with the vividness of the whistling prairie wind.

Minot State University

9780738560472

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In 1913, the State Normal School at Minot opened its temporary residence at the newly constructed Minot Armory with 11 faculty and 55 students. Site selection, reductions in funding, construction problems, litigation, and a tornado had delayed the opening of campus facilities. In 1914, the partially completed campus opened for classes. Hard economic times in the predominantly rural state delayed further construction until 1924, when the normal school received collegiate status and was renamed the State Teacher's College at Minot. Minot State University is located in the beautiful Mouse River valley on the drift prairie of North Dakota and has been inextricably linked to the landscape, community, and state of which it is a part. This volume commemorates its origin and dynamic evolution through World War II and serves as a centennial tribute to the faculty, staff, administration, and students that created this premier institution on the northern Great Plains.

North Dakota Beer

9781625859198

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Before North Dakota obtained statehood and entered the Union as a dry state, the region's commercial beer industry thrived. A lengthy era of temperance forced locals to find clever ways to get a beer, such as crossing the Montana and Minnesota borders for a pint, smuggling beer over the rails and brewing at home. After Prohibition, the state's farmers became national leaders in malting barley production, serving the biggest brewers in the world. However, local breweries struggled until 1995, when the first wave of brewpubs arrived on the scene. A craft brewing renaissance this century led to an explosion of more than a dozen craft breweries and brewpubs in less than a decade. Alicia Underlee Nelson recounts North Dakota's journey from a dry state to a booming craft beer hub.

North Dakota Rodeo

9780738582535

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Rodeos have been around in what is now North Dakota since the early cattle drives brought cattle and ranching to the Northern Plains and Badlands. The horse culture was there much earlier, as Native American tribes used horses for transportation and hunting. Simpler than modern events, early-day rodeos offered a Sunday recreational activity after six days of hard work. Today's rodeo is much different than in the late 1800s and brings out a diverse audience--not just cowboys, cowgirls, and ranchers but also city slickers, families, white- and blue-color workers, and first-time visitors to the state and country.