10 Years Ago – 1999

Mandan’s RC Roofing has defeated Minot Peterson Maintenance, Dickinson Bucks II, New Town Lakeside and Mandan’s Engelter Tax Service to get into the championship game of the Rec IV Men’s Slowpitch Softball Championship held in Williston. RC was leading the Beulah Eagles, 12-8, before the game was called by the umpire in the bottom of the fourth inning due to heavy rain and lightning. In a flip of a coin to determine the champion, RC called “heads” and took the first place trophy.

Members of the RC Roofing team are: Steve Rennich, Ray Schirado, Kinley Vetter, Scott Yantzer, Shane Lennick, Pat Voigt, Brett Charvat, Steve Ressler, Mike Bentz, Jay Voigt and Arni Voigt.

25 Years Ago – 1984

The fundraising effort to install lights and expand the seating capacity at Braves field has been a big success, thanks to donations from the Mandan fraternal clubs, service clubs, individuals and businesses, totaling $55,393. The remaining $21,000 of the $76,000 total cost of the lights and bleachers will be paid by the Mandan School District. Before the first home football game on Sept. 21, a large plaque will go up containing the names of 78 people or groups who donated at least $100 to the project.

“On behalf of the whole community, thank you… you people have done a wonderful job,” said Mandan High Athletic Director Lefty Faris. Members of the fundraising committee are: Harry Kautzmann, Matt Froelich, Val Heck, Carl Lantz, Jerry Engel and Gene Beechie. It took six months to raise the money.

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Summer has officially ended for Mandan kids as school began on Tuesday, Aug. 28.

The Mandan Lady’s Golf Association held their tournament this week, and the winner was Karen Weber, who shot a pair of 43s for an 86. Taking second place was Geri Heinsohn with 46/47 for a 93, followed by third place, Joan Nelson, 49/44 for 93. Winning the first flight was Leonie Smith, 48/50 for 98; Lorna Dombeck won the second flight with 60/57 for 117. The third flight went to Ollie Arenz, who ended with 55/50 for a 105.

50 Years Ago – 1959

An error and a triple decided one of the best ballgames of the Midget League when DeLuxe Barber Shop edged Foremost Dairy, 2-1, in 10 innings for the league championship of the 8 and 9-year-old division. Two well-matched pitchers, Wally Koch for DeLuxe Barber Shop and Bernie Graner of Foremost, went the entire distance for their respective teams. Koch stuck out 18 and gave up 10 hits; Graner also struck out 18 with seven hits and three walks. Batting honors of the long contest belong to Deluxe’s John Standal, who had three hits in five trips to the plate, including the triple in the 10th inning that drove in the winning run. The DeLuxe team was coached by Jake Koch and Ken Kugler; coaches for Foremost were Dale Erickson and Ted Keys.

Emil Kautzman, president of the Mandan United Community Fund, has announced that Bruce Bair will served as general chairman of the 1959 campaign, beginning in October. Bair is an attorney and member of the law firm, Lord, Ulmer, Bair and Daner.

Bishop Hilary B Hacker, bishop of Bismarck, has announced the appointment of three priests to the two Catholic churches in Mandan. Rt. Rev. Msgr. A.J. Galowitsch will be the first pastor of the new Christ the King parish and the Very Rev. Sylvester W. Treinen, will succeed Galowitsch as the new pastor of the St. Joseph parish. The third appointment sends Rev. Father Maurice McNeely as assistant pastor at Christ the King.

The North Dakota Supreme Court is wearing black robes for the first time in its history. According to Chief Justice P.O. Sathre, the North Dakota tribunal is the first State Supreme Court to adopt the use of robes.

75 Years Ago – 1934          

Fred Kist Jr., owner of the Kist Meat Market at 318 West Main Street, has announced the opening of a grocery department to his meat market. Harry Bunker, Keokuk, Iowa, experienced in both chain and independent grocery and fruit stores, will manage the new department.

After nearly three months of work, the Sixth Avenue widening project has finished and the street is now open to traffic. The street project, which included new curbs, gutters and street lights, has added 8 feet of width to Sixth Avenue, was sponsored by the federal government through federal highway relief funds.

Funeral services were held at the Elks Hall for 70-year-old Henry L. Henke, pioneer resident of Mandan and Morton County. He came to Dakota Territory with his parents in 1883 and was for many years engaged in the coal business. After serving as a justice of the peace, Henke was elected to the Mandan city Commission, serving 12 years and was its president for eight years. During his term as mayor, and despite much opposition, he championed the paving of Mandan’s main streets in 1911 and the installation of a modern lighting system. Henke was a charter member of the Mandan Elks Lodge 1256, serving as Exalted Ruler in 1919.

Mrs. Lydia Langer has been endorsed as a candidate for governor by the state republican central committee, following the resignation of her husband, former Governor William Langer. Langer resigned following conviction by the federal government on a charge of defrauding the United States. He is appealing the $10,000 fine and the 18-month jail sentence.

A grocery store newspaper ad from the summer 1934. The O'Rourke-Fitzsimmons store was located at 204 West Main St. During the early 1930s, Mandan had 15 grocery stores listed in their telephone directory. All, but four of them, were located on Main Street.

100 Years Ago – 1909

“Many people, who have noticed an old black and white bulldog around the passenger depot, have wondered where he comes from. His name is Boomer, and he is a tramp.

“About ten years ago, one of the engineers of the Northern Pacific while in Glendive noticed a young bulldog on the platform. After the engineer stopped to pet the dog, it tried to get into the cab without success. On the return run, the dog was again at the depot and greeted his friend, the engineer, with canine enthusiasm. The engineer thought no more of the dog until he climbed back into the cab and discovered the dog curled up on his cushion. When he tried to put the dog out, the pup looked up at him with such a mournful look in his eyes that the hearts of the railroad men were touched, and they let him stay in the cab.

“On their return trip to Glendive, the men advertised in the local paper for the owner, but no one ever showed up to claim the pup so he was adopted by the roadmen and named “Boomer.”

“Boomer’s run is between Glendive and Mandan. He is well known to all the trainmen on this division and for years, they have paid his license fee. The dog also seems to have a charmed life for he has been in three wrecks, but has come unscathed through all of them.”