Simplicity marked the laying of the cornerstone of the first unit of the new sixth normal school of the state Saturday afternoon, and the first official act which marks the progress of such public structures was performed by Judge C.W. Stanton of Bemidji, judge of the district court, while Governor J. A. A. Burnquist delivered the address.
The ceremonies took place on an improvised platform erected at the main entrance to the building. It was draped in the national colors while the national emblem was much in evidence. The Twenty-first battalion Home Guard band played the musical numbers and Rev. B. D. Hanscom, pastor of the Methodist church, gave the invocation. The close was the singing of the national anthem by the large assemblage of Bemidji people and visitors present.
Stanton’s Address
Judge Stanton presided and after the opening stepped forward and made a brief address, incident to which he performed the formal rites of setting the stone in its allotted niche. In his address, Judge Stanton said:
“Ladies and Gentlemen: About ten years have passed since the city of Bemidji began its effort to make this occasion possible. A retrospect of that period brings to our minds many interesting historical events connected with that effort.
“It recalls the worthy ambition of our neighboring village of Cas Lake which, in the year 1909, through the loyalty to his home county and prowess of Senator P.H. McGarry, then a new member of the house, wrested from Bemidji the coveted prize, except for the exercise of veto power of Governor John A. Johnson. It reminds us, too, that Northern Minnesota has other aspiring cities and that Thief River Falls has been and is one of these, as verification of which we cite the record of legislative enactment in 1913 and the subsequent proceedings and official acts of the commission, which was clothed with the power to designate the site of Minnesota’s sixth normal school. It also brings distinctly to our recollection today the splendid, unselfish and thoroughly public spirited efforts put forth by scores of public men of Minnesota, members of the legislature and others, to aid in the unanimous effort made by our own citizens to increase the educational advantages of our great state by establishment of another Normal and to place it on this particular attractive spot on the shores of beautiful Lake Bemidji.
Refers to Pendergast
“And our thoughts revert especially upon this occasion to the active part taken by our lamented townsman, the Hon. Lloyd G. Pendergast, in inducting the final legislative act which provided the means with which to carry out and render effective the efforts of a decade. We are profoundly regretful that his life was not spared longer to permit him to participate in this joyous occasion and witness the actual attainment of the crowning ambition of his legislative career.
Implied Resolution
“The city of Bemidji is proud of the distinction conferred upon it by the state of Minnesota. It recognizes the responsibilities thus imposed upon it and this section of our great commonwealth. It regards as a sacred trust the establishment here of an important state institution of learning. And I am able to state with assurance that the people of this state and county, and neighboring counties, comprising the vast area—the empire—Northwestern Minnesota have resolved … (continued on page 4)