RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF MISSOURI RIVER CROSSING, FORT YATES, N. DAK. We, the Board of Directors of Fort Yates Public School District No. 4, Sioux County, North Dakota by our president Dean A. Barker, present this resolution supporting the Construction of a Crossing on the Missouri River at or near the Town of Fort Yates. Whereas the Fort Yates High School competes in interscholastic activities with Schools in all areas of the State; and Whereas many of the Schools with which this type of competition is carried out are located on the East Side of the Missouri River, soon to become the Oahe Reservoir; and Whereas present conditions make it necessary for our school and visiting schools from that eastern area to travel North to Highway No. 10 and cross the Missouri at Bismarck and Mandau or to travel south to U.S. Highway No. 12 and cross the Missouri River at Mobridge; and Whereas the two above-mentioned Crossings are approximately 70 miles distance up and down stream from the town of Fort Yates, or a requirement of approximately 140 miles additional travel each way for the school and visiting schools to cover or a total of 280 miles more or less for each exchange of school competition: Now therefore be it Resolved, By the Board of education of Fort Yates Public School District No. 4, Sioux County North Dakota, that we favor the construction of a Missouri River Crossing at or near the Town of Fort Yates in order that these and many other difficulties for the Fort Yates community will be overcome. DEAN A. BARKER, President. AFFIDAVIT STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, Ardell Hansen duly sworn, states I am the traffic manager of Melroe Manufacturing Company of Gwinner, North Dakota. We are in the business of manufacturing and distributing of farm machines and attachments to implement dealers for resale throughout the state of North Dakota. We have salesmen and service men on the road as well as our trucks delivering our products. A bridge across the Missouri River, mid way between Bismarck, North Dakota and Mobridge, South Dakota, would eliminate approximately six to eight thousand miles of driving and hauling for us per year. A direct result of time saved would be much improved service to our customers in the southwestern part of North Dakota as time is always an important factor in sales and service. I therefore emphatically support the building of a bridge at this point as an economic step forward in time saved and reduced expenses to ourselves, our dealer customers as well as everyone else in the area. ARDELL HANSEN. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 10th day of October 1963. KENNETH J. PUTMAN, Notary Public, North Dakota. AFFIDAVIT OF SOUTHERN NORTH DAKOTA IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, County of Grant, ss: Reuben O. Heupel, being first duly sworn, deposes and says that I am the President and operator of Heupel Chevrolet-Oldsmobile Co. Inc. of Elgin, North Dakota. We are in the retail business of selling and servicing of Chevrolet and Oldsmobile cars and trucks. We feel that we could and would benefit greatly by having a bridge built across the Missouri River near the town or in the area of Fort Yates, N. Dak. The southern one-third of the State of N. Dak. is completely or almost so, isolated from each other due to the Missouri River. By having the availability of a bridge we of the west would be able to do business with the people of the east and of the reverse is true. We make about 12 to 14 trips to Minneapolis, Minn. per year, therefore it is necessary for us to make approximately 125 to 130 miles more each time we go. Another very important factor, we believe is the fact of bringing more out of State traffic through our part of the county. By having more traffic naturally increases business for all of us. We therefore strongly urge anyone and everyone who is someway affiliated or interested in this project to promote the construction of a bridge across the Missouri River, somewhere between Fort Yates, N. Dak. and The Beaver Creek inlet. REUBEN O. HEUPEL. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 28th day of August, 1963. ETHEL W. PIGORS, Notary Public. AFFIDAVIT STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, Anton Lauinger and Dave Colquhoun, being first duly sworn, depose and say: that we are the proprietors of Lauinger's Lanes, a combination bowling alley and cafe with our place of business in Linton, North Dakota in the County of Emmons; that we are desirous that a bridge be built across the Missouri River within Emmons County as at present it is necessary to travel to either Mobridge, South Dakota or Bismarck, North Dakota to find a bridge, both a distance of in excess of sixty miles from Linton; that we feel that such a bridge facility in our area would open that country lying just across the river from Linton which is now inaccessible to us; that we feel our trade would greatly increase as the result of a bridge in our area not only through the acquisition of the area trade just across the river, but through increased tourist trade; that much of our trade is derived from customers actually residing greater distances from Linton than many of those people just across the river; that we could and would be happy to provide our facilities to the people across the river for their enjoyment and pleasure. DAVID A. COLQUHOUN. Subscribed to and sworn to before me this 10th day of September, 1963. LARRY M. HATCH, Notary Public. AFFIDAVIT STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, In your endeavor to promote a bridge across the Missouri River in the Fort Yates vicinity, we would like to add our support. If such a crossing existed, the normal trade area for the town of Fort Yates would be nearly doubled. Such an increase in trade area would certainly be a benefit to all Fort Yates business men since it would open a shopping area to the people on the east of the river much closer to them then they presently have. Grocery trucks and other wholesale distributors would be able to combine Fort Yates deliveries with these on the east side of the River without the necessary backtracking, presently incurred by the distance between crossings. This could mean lower freight rates on merchandise delivered here. These savings could be passed on to the customers. The salesman traveling for the various concerns would be greatly benefited by cutting their travel distance between the Fort Yates area and other areas west of the Missouri River with those to the east. We are hoping that some of these suggestions and reasons may help to bring about the earliest possible action towards the final end that being a bridge across the Missouri River in the Fort Yates area. FERDINAND LUGER. Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of August, 1963. K. S. ENGEL, Notary Public. AFFIDAVIT STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, County of Sioux, 88: We are taking this means to support your promotion of a bridge across the Missouri River in the Fort Yaes area. Such a crossing would shorten the travel distance for all people living in the South Western area of North Dakota and North Western South Dakota to the recreation area to be constructed at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek and other such areas on the east side of the River. By the same token, such a crossing would shorten the distance for people on the east side of the River to cross to the West side to enjoy any Recreational developments and to partake in our deer and antelope hunting and other things that we have to offer. In short, it would build up to tourist travel through this southern area of the North Dakota and of course, tourists and travelers are our business. We wish you success in this venture and we will be here to take care of the people when they come through after the bridge is complete. VIRGINIA LUGER Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd of August, 1963. K. S. ENGEL, Notary Public. AFFIDAVIT STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, County of Emmons, ss: Les R. Renschler, being first duly sworn on his oath, deposes and says: That he is the owner of a business titled the Willows Restaurant, operating in Linton, Emmons County, North Dakota. I feel that if a bridge was constructed over the Missouri River somewhere between Mobridge, South Dakota and Bismarck, North Dakota I could render immeasurable services to these people on the west side of the river and for all the tourists that would be using the bridge over the Missouri River. LES R. RENSCHLER. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 10th day of September, 1963. AFFIDAVIT STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, Wayne M. Rockne, being first duly sworn, deposes and says that I am the Manager of the General Adjustment Bureau, Inc. of Bismarck, North Dakota. We are in the business of adjusting insurance losses. Adjusters from this office handle losses in Emmons County on the east side of the Missouri River as well as Morgan and Sioux Counties on the west side of the Missouri River. I would estimate that we would use a crossing between the eastern and western side of the Missouri River in the Linton and Fort Yates area a minimum of once a week. It would be a great benefit to our or ganization as well as to the people of the general area for a crossing such as this. WAYNE M. ROCKNE Subscribed and sworn to before me this 22d day of August, 1963. STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, AFFIDAVIT HELEN Notary Public. County of McIntosh, ss: Walter R. Sayler, being first duly sworn, states that he is new President of the Wishek Lion's Club, McIntosh County, North Dakota. The Lion's Club is the main Civil Organization of the City of Wishek, representing the greater portion of the business men thru its members, with its main project being the promotion of Wishek, for the betterment of all. We believe, and have gone on record to this effect, that a bridge across the Missouri, as is being promoted by the Southern North Dakota Improvement Association is important to the Area. We believe that long ago a bridge should have bridged the river between Mobridge & Bismarck. It has divided the State of North Dakota long enough. A bridge as is being promoted would bring the people on both sides of the river together, save countless miles for tourists and local residents, promote business for all. So in summary, I will state that with a bridge as outlined, we will have better towns, a better area, a better state, and better Lion's Clubs. WALTER R. SAYLER, President, Wisek Lions Club. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 29th day of August, 1963. WM. H. SCHMAGEL, Notary Public. AFFIDAVIT STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, County of Emmons, ss: Martin Schumacher, Being first duly sworn on his oath, deposes and says: That he is a farmer in the County of Emmons some twenty miles southwest of Linton, North Dakota. That as a farmer and rancher who lives not far from the Missouri River west of Linton, North Dakota, he is interested and concerned about having a bridge across the Missouri River. That he is interested in the welfare of the Indians and believes that a bridge constructed over the Missouri River would help the Indians become more industrious. That the Indians on the reservation now are destitute and need some incentive to make them better citizens of the United States and the State of North Dakota. That the United States Government and the State now is spending millions of dollars on the Indians in order to help them financially. That what the Indians need more than money is something to do and a bridge constructed over the Missouri River somewhere between Mobridge, South Dakota and Bismarck, North Dakota, would bring a new industry on the reservation and that would be selling souvenirs to the tourists that would be using the bridge over the Missouri River. That it is time that the Indians receive every consideration to make them good honest product Citizens of the United States and the State of North Dakota and thus help them to maintain a good balanced economy. MARTIN SCHUMACHER. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 28th day of September, 1963. STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, AFFIDAVIT F. C. ROHRICH, Notary Public. Sioux County Cattlemen's Association in support of bridge in the area of Fort Yates, North Dakota. We, the members of the above association do hereby go on record in support of said bridge for the following reasons: The greatest source of income in Sioux County on the Standing Rock Reservation is derived from raising and feeding cattle. At the present time, to sell cattle in the most advantageous way, we must transport them across state lines, therefore, encountering many state laws in both North and South Dakota; namely, we must have health certificates to transport livestock across the line; all cattle must be vaccinated; we must have brand inspections; and also it is very costly for truckers to haul into the adjacent state which has the closest sales ring. Truckers must purchase license plates for both states for hauling the cattle approximately 12 miles. This is becoming more troublesome and costly in our operation, therefore, we wholeheartedly support the crossing which would enable 52-248-71———16 us to sell our livestock in adjacent sales rings across the Oahe Lake in the state of North Dakota, and in drought years, which often occur in this area, it would give us an opportunity to return with feeds which are so very important to maintain our foundation herds through the long winters. The savings would be almost unmeasurable in what it would mean to the economic and social welfare to the people of this area. STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA AFFIDAVIT Robert Traver, being first duly sworn, deposes and says: that I am the owner of Traver Implement and sell and service farm machinery; that at present because of the lack of a bridge across the Missouri River in Emmons County, the County wherein by business is located, I am unable to serve the many farmers who reside but a distance of 18 miles just across the Missouri; that many of my customers this side of the river live a great deal further away from my business place than do the farmersin Sioux and Morton counties; that a bridge spanning the Missouri River in Emmons County and preferably in central Emmons, would enable me to serve a large area now inaccessible to me as well as to the other area merchants; that a bridge located as aforementioned would also be a great boon to those desiring to travel east or west and would open the west area in particular as it is now quite isolated. ROBERT TRAVER. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 10th day of September, 1963. STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA Vernon A. Veitz, being first duly sworn, deposes and says that he is the operator of the Standard Service Station at Elgin, in southwestern North Dakota; that as a businessman in this area, he is greatly interested in the construction of the proposed new crossing across the Missouri River north of Fort Yates, because he believes that such a crossing would benefit the people of his and other nearby communities in many ways. To list a few of such benefits, such a crossing would-Shorten distance between south central and southeastern North Dakota and southwestern North Dakota. This would permit motorists on either side of the river to cross over without going a hundred miles or more out of their way. Encourage development of tourist attractions west of the river. Historic Fort Yates and many other historic sites in southwestern North Dakota would attract thousands of tourists each year if such a crossing would permit easier access to such sites. Increase traffic to and trade in small towns in southwestern North Dakota. Because there is not crossing across the Missouri River north of Fort Yates. much of the traffic across southern North Dakota is diverted elsewhere. The growth-the very existence of small towns today is dependent on trade. Any increase in traffic is accompanied by an increase in trade and aids the small towns to grow and prosper. VERNON VEITZ. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 13th day of August, 1963. STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, AFFIDAVIT County of Emmons, ss: Joseph Volk, being first duly sworn deposes and says: That he is of the age of 72 years; that he is a resident of the State of North Dakota. County of Emmons and resides in the Old Folk's Home at Strasburg, North Dakota. That he operated the ferry for four years, during the years of 1926 to 1930 and stated that he enjoyed the work very much. The boat was a ten ton boat and could haul three cars or one truck and one car. The cost was one dollar per car and $1.50 for a round trip if they came back that same day. The income |