1853: $150,000 was appropriated by Congress for exploration of the best railroad route from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.

1857: Fort Abrercrombie, just 12 miles north of Wahpeton, became the first regular military post established in what would become the state.

1890: The senate judiciary committee attempt to seek revenge against newspapers who had opposed the state lottery scheme. Attempting to silence Eastern newspapers, who had criticized and uncovered some shady dealings, the majority of the committee favored a bill that would require non-resident newspaper publishers to appoint a resident agent in order to receive service in actions at law.

1892: Director Fallon, of the state weather bureau, was busy rapidly increasing the number of crop reporters and signal stations.

1896: Louis Sitting Bull, only son of “old Sitting Bull,” was on trial before the U.S. district court. Louis was charged with criminal assault, which had the penalty of death. It was incorrectly reported that Loius was the only living descendant of Sitting Bull.

1897: Alexander Condot, who was French and American Indian, and Blackhawk, half African American and American Indian, who were accused of murdering the Spicer family at Winona, were being prepared to be transferred to Bismarck, with a strong force of Indian police. They were being moved to Bismarck in order to insure their safety.

1901: Edward Patterson fires back at the Bismarck Tribune. Having been accused, along with the police force, of violating and protecting violators of the prohibition laws, Patterson fired back by claiming his innocence, as well as suggesting that the Tribune had been working with individuals who were willing to do “dirty work.”

1913: A man who had disappeared in December had returned home. Max Thiel, of Judson, had been in Mandan in the middle of December, when he traveled to Bismarck with a stranger. He was not seen since then. As Thiel was carrying a large amount of money, foul play was suspected. When he returned, he was largely silent of where he had gone, except mentioning that he spent a bit of time in Montana.

– Stephen South, a youthful horse thief, less than 20 years of age, was captured after stealing a livery team and buggy from Palermo. He was making his way to Canada, when he attempted to sell the outfit to a farmer. With the price being ridiculously low, the farmer became suspicious, and learned that the team was stolen. He notified authorities, and South was captured.

1920: A woman is placed on the ballot for the preferential primary, after the state supreme court unanimously rendered their opinion on the subject.

1933: Governor William Langer made a proclamation prohibiting the forced sale of real estate, that was occupied by owners, and of personal property, used for farming.

1936: Following a strike by more than 200 workers, protesting extra working hours which were mean to make up for time lost during cold weather, forced all WPA projects in the state to close.