Index to the Fargo City Council Meeting Minutes, 1875-1910 (Mss 42)

CITY GOVERNMENT

Fargo created by territorial legislature: Date was January 5, 1875.

First Fargo election: Held April 5, 1875.

First Mayor: Captain George Egbert elected April 5, 1875. He defeated Patrick Devitt, 86-51.

Organization of Fargo city government: 'Was on April 12, 1875 at 2 p.m. in S. G. Roberts office. See minutes of that date.

First Fargo ordinances: Passed May 3, 1875.

J. B. Chapin takes offices as mayor first time: Declared elected May 4, 1880.

Hook and ladder company building for council meetings: Decided on by council May 4, 1880.

First ordinance on street railways: Passed November 1, 1880.

J. B. Chapin elected mayor: See minutes April 11, 1881.

Beginning of a city hall project: Voted May 18, 1881 to look for site for "calaboose (sic) council room and city clerk's office."

Lot bought for city building: On June 14, 1881 bought lots 19-20-21, Roberts Addition, for $3,150. Size 93 x 140 feet.

J. B. Morse gave up all his rights in connection with the street railway: See minutes September 5, 1881.

New city hall: First meeting held there April 19, 1882.

How to get on and off a streetcar: Council asked city attorney to draw an ordinance July 3, 1882. It also was to regulate "obstructing of street car tracks."

First franchise for Fargo & Southern, Second Ave. N. right-of-way: See minutes of May 7, 1883. Franchise covered from western end of Second Avenue to Harwood Street.

Furniture for city hall and jail: Paid E. G. Ohmer $284 for it June 19, 1883. This building evidently just built.

New city hall: Council on November 7, 1883 paid various bills for its construction.

Scotch capitalists buy Fargo bonds: See minutes November 26. 1883.

Council asks territorial legislature for a municipal court for Fargo: See minutes January 7, 1884.

Death of the horse-drawn street cars?: On May 5, 1884 a council committee reported on the removal of the street railway tracks. No subsequent reference, but see preceding.

City gets bill for damages to steamer Grandin and service from steamer Pluck: This bill was received September 1, 1884 "on account of failure to open the north side of bridge."

City refuses to pay claims of steamers Grandin and Pluck: On October 6, 1884 city attorney recommended this action. See previous minutes.

Fargo & Southern right of way on Second Avenue: Council considered repealing this franchise November 17, 1884. Referred to city attorney. Minutes of November 26, 1883 indicate the road was given the right-of-way.

Steamer Grandin and it barges: On January 6, 1885 council learned that these craft had been properly assessed in Traill County for 1884.

City charter: On January 6, 1885 city charter was declared inadequate. Plan another.

Fargo's new charter failed in legislature: See minutes March 16, 1885.

New school law in effect: Mention of it in council minutes April 7, 1885.

Fargo Street Railway Company: This company asked for a franchise September 6, 1886. It was granted on final passage October 14, 1886. Nothing seems to have come of it, as per subsequent minutes.

Fargo asks legislature to incorporate city: Council made this move January 25, 1887.

Fargo, Duluth and Black Hills railroad: Wanted right-of-way in Fargo March 3, 1887, planned to build into city within a year. Council said it would give right-of-way to any railroad that will build into city in a year.

Maj. A. W. Edwards elected mayor: Council canvassed vote April 8, 1887 and Maj. Edwards had been elected mayor.

Fargo under a new incorporation plan: Council canvassed vote April 20, 1887 that was 852 to 12 for incorporation. City had adopted it. The election apparently was April 18, 1887. Under this plan the mayor presided over council meetings, instead of council president. Edwards took the chair and began presiding. (Was the 1875 incorporation of a town, and this one in 1887 of a city?)

Ask steamboat owners to lower stacks: This was on July 6, 1887. Hoped they could pass under bridges without opening draw. Street and bridge funds of city about exhausted.

Manitoba Railroad threatens to move depot: Opposing opening of Cass Street, present (1950) Eighth St., over its track, on August 1, 1887, company said might move.

Aldermen drew lots for long and short terms: See minutes of April 17, 1888.

William Mackenzie of Dundee, Scotland: He apparently held some city bonds. See minutes July 6, 1888. Apparently a cablegram sent him July 2, 1888.

William O'Neill was in tax arrears: Doubt on his right to hold office as alderman expressed at council May 6, 1889.

Alderman O'Neill could he hold office or not: Long discussion of this point at council meeting July 1, 1889. See also previous minutes. Another alderman charged he had been.

Police ordered to spy on railroads: See how long they block crossings: This was ordered by council August 19, 1889 after agent Bates of Manitoba railroad said "Broadway crossing never been blocked over 5 minutes."

Effect of prohibition of Fargo: On March 24, 1890, Alderman Gearey said city would lose $14,000 in license fees "in coming year" cannot pay more than $2,500 for lighting city during year. Much controversy over lights revealed in minutes around here.

Tree trimming in residential district: Council got hot on this for first time July 6, 1891, threatened to do at owner's expense.

City finances bad: On September 14, 1891 mayor said he was against installing more streetlights. City cannot afford, he said. He objected to a light being put at Seventh and Front Street.

Electric street railway wants time extension: On November 2, 1891 this company wanted to change its proposed route and wanted until January 1, 1892 to complete line. Mr. Finney said line would be in operation by July 1, 1892.

J. H. Finney and J. W. Smith get street railway franchise: They got it October 19, 1891. See this and subsequent minutes. Line was to run from Front and Eighth streets to Grand Pacific hotel and back. Entire route shown there. This line probably never materialized. Reasons could be poor streets, weak bridges, or finances.

City financially embarrassed: On May 2, 1892 Alderman Schuyler said city can lay no more water mains due to its finances.

Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Waterway: First mention of it January 9, 1893. Council is asked by Duluth board of trade to support plan.

Completion of Great Northern Railway to Puget Sound: City council was asked April 10, 1893 to take part in the celebration June 7-8 1893, and to place a Fargo exhibit at St. Paul, etc.

City financially strapped: Council minutes August 9, 1893 show city funds $5,000 overdrawn and mayor will sign no more warrants except salaries. This resulted from burden of 1893 fire.

Contract for city buildings after 1893 fire: Phillips and Bartlett got contract for $7,700 on September 5, 1893.

First mention of unfair railroad rates: See minutes October 2, 1893.

New city building accepted by council: January 8, 1894 council approved this city hall, built to replace the one destroyed by 1893 fire.

Plans for a new city building: Presented to council May 11, 1896. City building was getting overcrowded. See preceding minutes.

Postpone construction of city building; bids too high: Five bids opened August 3, 1896 were from $9,534 to $10,150. All rejected.

Municipal court fines to go to school: City attorney ruled June 22, 1896 must go to school funds as before.

Judge W. H. Barnett found short in his accounts: Reported at council meeting August 31, 1896. He was ordered to remit balance. There is a further reference to this September 8, 1896.

First concerted action for legislative help for cities: Council hears reports from Alderman Hill of meetings in Fargo December 22, 1896 and December 30 1896 in Grand Forks of representatives of a number of N.D. cities to get together on wanted legislation.

Formation of Municipal League for North Dakota: Council hears January 11, 1897 of plans for such an organization meeting in Fargo October 19, 1897.

Failure of Citizens National Bank of Fargo hits city for $16,000: Council heard of and discussed this development February 2, 1897. From this date on there are many references to it. It indicates final loss to city written off at something over $4,000. The city treasurer's bonds became involved and there were protracted dealings with him over it, minutes show.

Committee on "retrenchments": City council and mayor voted for and established this committee on May 10, 1897, when the city was almost broke from 1897 flood expenses.

City about broke after 1897 flood: Council informed by city attorney July 6, 1897 that city about broke, could incur no further indebtedness. Street commissioner ordered to lay off men.

Fire city engineer, hire another: Act of the council June 8, 1897 and July 13, 1897 cover the removal of J. Tudor Groves and appointment of Samuel F. Grabbe.

New Northern Pacific depot: W. F. Ball, representing Northern Pacific, told council October 4, 1897 that Northern Pacific would build a new depot in spring. He got permission to erect a temporary building for a waiting room.

Important lawsuit directed against city: On January 10, 1898, two men, Rolph and Cadbury had started suit to test right of city to levy special taxes for paving. A number of references to this suit but not much of the fine detail. Council hired extra legal talent. Apparently city lost.

Free water for the improved Northern Pacific Park: On April 18, 1898 Northern Pacific showed city council plans for lawns, flowerbeds, lake, small fountain on grounds of new depot being built. Council authorized free water.

A street railway proposal that did not materialize: Street railway franchise ordinance failed of passage June 6, 1898. This was composed of a group including Johnson Wagner and Robert Clendenning, Moorhead; John W. Van Neida and John B. Lockhart, Fargo and associates. There seems to be no further reference to this outfit following June 6, 1898.

Benton Power and Traction Company: This company asked a street railway franchise May 22, 1899. On June 5, 1899, council got a report on this outfit that was filed and this apparently ended this venture.

New Great Northern freight depot: Being built May 12, 1902, says council minutes.

Beginning of the first electric street railway in Fargo: On August 11, 1902 the council received and filed the acceptance of M. E. McDonald, George H. Rice, R. H. Patterson and F. E. Donnelly of the city's franchise ordinance granted June 11, 1902. (There are many previous franchises, which did not materialize into construction.)

Bridge for Fargo-Moorhead city street railway: Meetings of October 20, 1902 and November 5, 1902 refer to work of Fargo-Moorhead committees on this project.

Name of street railway company: First mention of the line as the "Fargo and Moorhead Street Railway Company" shown in minutes of November 26, 1902. Ordinance amendment that date gives to November 1, 1903, for completion of line.

Wooden approaches on Northern Pacific bridge being replaced by metal: On April 8, 1903 council authorized sale of wooden material on approach to N.P. Ave. bridge that was being replaced. This evidently was for the purpose of strengthening bridge for street railway crossing.

Extension of time for completion of Fargo-Moorhead street railway: Council granted the extension July 27, 1903 on request of F. B. Morrill representing the company (McDonald, Rice, Patterson and Donnelly were line owners.)

Stop giving city police court fines to board of education: This was ordered stopped by the council on September 29, 1903.

Transfer of street railway franchise: Frank W. Larned, president of Fargo and Moorhead Street Railway company notifies council of transfer of franchise from the original grantees to the Fargo and Moorhead Street Railway Company, October 15, 1903. So many street railway franchises were granted (none of which materialized into actual construction) that a special study of council minutes we have will be needed to clarify. They date far back. On November 6, 1903 Attorney Morrill and Mr. Sickler, secretary of Fargo and Moorhead Street Railway company explained to council the delay in starting operations for construction of plant. The council that date approved the extension of time and made final passage of it November 10, 1903.

Controversy over wooden poles for trolley wires: Many references to it during this period April 19, 1904 council minutes for instance.

Route changes on Street railway: Many references for changes pro and con beginning with minutes of April 19, 1904.

Automobiles appear on scene: First reading of an ordinance to regulate speed of automobiles and motorcycles was read July 6, 1904. However there is an earlier ordinance on automobiles only, April 29, 1903, first reading.

Street railway to agricultural college, Moorhead Normal School: Final passage September 12, 1904 amending street railway ordinance to extend lines to colleges.

Street railway waiting station: January 3, 1905 council grants Fargo and Moorhead Street Railway Company permission to erect a waiting station on south side of N.P. Ave., just east of Broadway.

Motorcycle speed regulation: First reading resolution June 5, 1905.

First attempt to regulate streetcar operations: Resolutions June 12, 1905: Attempts to make streetcars stop at certain corners so passengers can use rear platform for entrance or exit.

Turnout for streetcars on Broadway: Council approves plans for one in N.P. Ave. vicinity June 12, 1905. Details given.

Regulate conduct of streetcar passengers: Final reading of conduct ordinance June 12, 1905.

New city hall: Contract for its construction was let to Schlanser & Ostbye for $17, 251 on October 16, 1905. There were several city halls, as subsequent leads will go. One was burned in 1893 fire. The reason for a new city hall - lack of space - is closed in previous minutes running some time back.

Streetcars extended to fairgrounds: On June 1, 1906, the council gave first reading to amendment of streetcar franchise to permit extension to fairgrounds.

Deaths of ex-mayors Egbert and Seth Newman: On August 27, 1906 the council appointed Aldermen Emery, Lewis, Van Horn and Marsh to draw appropriate resolutions in connection with "recent" deaths of these two ex-mayors. The resolutions were adopted September 12, 1906 and state "George Egbert who died in Portland Oregon recently."

New Great Northern depot: On October 15, 1906 the council heard of plans for a new Great Northern depot but it is not certain from the minutes whether it was for freight of passengers.

Citizens National Bank failure: On February 18, 1907 the city "wrote off" $4,791 as a loss, affairs of this bank having been closed up. There will be one or more earlier referenced to this bank failure, which will be included as I come to them.

City buildings moved: Council on June 12, 1907 ordered all city structures except water pumping station moved out of Island Park. Previous council minutes indicate these probably included superintendent's residence.

First city commission form of government election: It was held July 22, 1909 and the city commission plan was turned down 967 to 868.

Great Northern Surrey line: The city council on June 6, 1910 final passed a right-of-way ordinance giving the Great Northern a route through Beardsley's addition for its Surrey line.

Automobile speeding: Must have been some trouble around June 13, 1910 When the council ordered 10 miles per hour speed at intersections.

First trouble with automobile speeders: Must have been around July 22, 1910 when the council authorized hiring of an auto and a driver for use as "either the mayor or police" in enforcing the auto speed limit.

Subject Categories:
Aid to Distressed Cities   |  Bridges   |  City Government 
Electricity and Light, etc.   |  Fires and Fire Protection   |  Floods  
Health Institutions   |  Military (Fargo connections)  
Parks  |  Prostitution   |  Public Library   |  Oddities    
Opera Houses, Theaters   |  Police and Jails   |  Scandals  
Sewage System   |  Sidewalks  |  Streets (Paving, etc.)  
Telephone, Telegraph & Mail   |  Water Supplies  |  Weather

 Fargo Board of City Commissioners Records   |  City of Fargo