Title
PAULINE (POLLY) BELDEN
Creator
Polly Belden as told to Ann Corkery
Coverage
TOWNSHIP 139N RANGE 96W
Text
PAULINE (POLLY) BELDEN
I was born in Neillsville, Wis. 1887 and was 14 years old when I came out to Dickinson, N.D. My sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Max Lange, came out looking for a spot to set up a bakery, thinking they wouldn’t stay long, but it turned out to be better than three years.
There were no side walks or paved streets, on which now is “Villard” Street. He delivered bread to the Northern Pacific and they sent it west as far as Butte, Mont. And east to Fargo, N.D. This was one reason why I came out, they needed help, so I went to work the first day here. I had received some telegrams wanting me to come to Butte, Mont. To manage a restaurant in the N.P. Depot so I thought, if they thought I was that good 1 could open up my own café, which I did. It was located next to the St. Charles Hotel and I purchased it from Mr. Charley Hughes. All the railroad men and others patronized my place and complimented me on the good meals I served. My reputation for good meals spread around. I had a colored cook, everyone called her Mother Turley.
There were three Greeks that came down from Minot to buy me out and John Berringer said he would put up a new building next to his meat market on Sims St. in which I could set up a café, so I did. He too had found out what a good business woman I was and it was another good venture. I also opened up a café on First Ave. West, known as the “City Café” before I started to build a dance hall, known as “Bagdad” What a beautiful place this was! I also built some cabins along the river, this was west and south of Dickinson. My son Dorman and I did our own surveying. Had many traveling, well known dance bands, such as “Eli Rice” and his cotton pickers. For some added attraction, I bought a camel from the Ringling Brothers Circus, that had been here. I had him for quite a few years, used to ride him once or twice a day. But one day, someone left the gate open and he walked to the railroad track, guess he thought it was time to go traveling again, but he got run over, so that was the end of Charley.
Then after a few years I sold Bagdad and opened up Palm Beach Club where I served meals and also had a few groceries. People who rented the cabins needed food so that gave another idea. This place I later sold to Walt Gayda and wife. I thought I needed a rest.
I had the blue prints for a new house but seemed to be too busy to do anything about it. In the meantime I bought a house to store my furniture, which I bought one piece at a time, and moved into it, which is also my present home. I have a beautiful apartment in the basement, which is always occupied.
My son, Dormon, lives in Austin, Tex. With his wife. They have one daughter, two sons and one grandchild. Dormon is also retired.
By Polly Belden
as told to Ann Corkery
I was born in Neillsville, Wis. 1887 and was 14 years old when I came out to Dickinson, N.D. My sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Max Lange, came out looking for a spot to set up a bakery, thinking they wouldn’t stay long, but it turned out to be better than three years.
There were no side walks or paved streets, on which now is “Villard” Street. He delivered bread to the Northern Pacific and they sent it west as far as Butte, Mont. And east to Fargo, N.D. This was one reason why I came out, they needed help, so I went to work the first day here. I had received some telegrams wanting me to come to Butte, Mont. To manage a restaurant in the N.P. Depot so I thought, if they thought I was that good 1 could open up my own café, which I did. It was located next to the St. Charles Hotel and I purchased it from Mr. Charley Hughes. All the railroad men and others patronized my place and complimented me on the good meals I served. My reputation for good meals spread around. I had a colored cook, everyone called her Mother Turley.
There were three Greeks that came down from Minot to buy me out and John Berringer said he would put up a new building next to his meat market on Sims St. in which I could set up a café, so I did. He too had found out what a good business woman I was and it was another good venture. I also opened up a café on First Ave. West, known as the “City Café” before I started to build a dance hall, known as “Bagdad” What a beautiful place this was! I also built some cabins along the river, this was west and south of Dickinson. My son Dorman and I did our own surveying. Had many traveling, well known dance bands, such as “Eli Rice” and his cotton pickers. For some added attraction, I bought a camel from the Ringling Brothers Circus, that had been here. I had him for quite a few years, used to ride him once or twice a day. But one day, someone left the gate open and he walked to the railroad track, guess he thought it was time to go traveling again, but he got run over, so that was the end of Charley.
Then after a few years I sold Bagdad and opened up Palm Beach Club where I served meals and also had a few groceries. People who rented the cabins needed food so that gave another idea. This place I later sold to Walt Gayda and wife. I thought I needed a rest.
I had the blue prints for a new house but seemed to be too busy to do anything about it. In the meantime I bought a house to store my furniture, which I bought one piece at a time, and moved into it, which is also my present home. I have a beautiful apartment in the basement, which is always occupied.
My son, Dormon, lives in Austin, Tex. With his wife. They have one daughter, two sons and one grandchild. Dormon is also retired.
By Polly Belden
as told to Ann Corkery