Burleigh County Pioneers, and Sibley Expedition

File — Box: 1, Folder: 3

Staff Only

Scope and Content

From the Collection: The Falconer papers consist of four homemade, string-tied booklets containing the handwritten writings of Mr. Falconer. The paper used is pre-printed personal property tax forms from 1928 to 1932 on which he wrote on the back side. On the cover of each is the statement “Property of W.A. Falconer, 202 Avenue E, Bismarck, North Dakota.” Whether they are written in his own hand or by someone else is not known.

The Bismarck Tribune booklet contains excerpts of a number of articles printed in the newspaper. Articles include extensive material on the laying of the Territorial capitol cornerstone in 1883, as well as several military items including regarding Gen. George A. Custer. The next booklet has a one-page item on the formation in 1873 of the Bismarck County Pioneers association, and quite large articles on the Sibley expedition and the New Ulm massacre. The reminiscences of Mr. Falconer are recorded on twenty-three pages and begin with his train trip from Brainerd, Minnesota to Bismarck, D.T. in 1874. This booklet also contains fifteen leaves regarding the Sibley expedition. The final booklet contains excerpts from the Bismarck Tribune of interest to Mr. Falconer regarding 1877 events in the area. At the end is a copy of General Custer’s testimony in an 1876 U.S. War Office investigation.