Frank L. Anders Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 1417

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Frank L. Anders collection consists of correspondence, and four subject series: Public Utilities, the Lucky Strike Coal Company, the Board of State Capitol Commissioners concerning the construction of the North Dakota Capitol, and the Missouri River Diversion project, as well as subject files.

The Correspondence Series is arranged by subject and chronological thereunder. That on public utilities concerns a proposed water plant at Bemidji, Minnesota, the Bismarck water department, construction work at Camp Grafton, N.D., a water plant at Clark, S.D., and the McClusky, N.D. water supply. Concerning Fargo, N.D., there is correspondence on water problems, the building of the new purification plant in 1911 while Anders was city engineer, later correspondence when he was water commissioner and concerning flood control. There is material on a proposal light and power plant at Mayville, N.D. and of the plant built in 1928. The Lucky Strike Coal Company correspondence deals with Mr. Anders’ years as receiver and manager of the bankrupt company and covers a variety of matters such as legal issues, labor problems, equipment, finances, and attempts to dispose of the mine (1921-1937). Letters from John Moses (later governor), Judge J. M. Hanley, Judge J. L. Berry and Commissioner R.J. Murphy are included. The Board of State Capitol Commissioners correspondence covers Anders’ years as Secretary and deals with the organizing of the commission, the selection of a site, architects and contractors, trips by the commission to study other buildings, various suggestions from state officials on the design, and numerous matters involving the construction of the building. The correspondence on the Missouri Diversion concerns the early days of its promotion and includes communications with the Missouri River Diversion Association, Isaac Walton League, National Rivers and Harbors Congress, Greater North Dakota Association, state officials and others. The Public Utilities Series contains a large amount of material on Fargo (1903-1954). There are the city’s annual reports (1913-1916), and pouring specifications and cement reports (1917). Concerning the sewer system are blueprints on inlets, manholes, information on sewer sizes required, areas of drainage, slope per thousand feet, and data on the streets and avenues. There are diagrams showing discharge of pipes by Kutler’s formula, charts of rainfall intensity according to gauges at N.D.A.C., and U.N.D. (1912, 1915), and maps of sewer district 2762 and of the trunk system along the Red River. Also included is data on R.T. Jacobsen’s old elevations of sewer grades, articles on Fargo sewers by Anders (1916), information on a sewer system proposed by R. B. Blakemore (1916) and specifications for a number of sewer jobs (1916). There is also a report on Fargo’s street lights (1909). Concerning Fargo’s water supply, there are charts, graphs, reports (1903-1911), and material on the new water purification plant which includes the contractor’s agreement (1911), blueprints of the plant and of the Red River bottom, and reports and data on the operation of the new plant (1912-1913). There are descriptions, reports, articles, and a booklet, The Water Purification Plant at Fargo, North Dakota, by F.L. Anders, (1916) on the new water plant. There is a scrapbook of clippings on Fargo’s water plant (1909-1917), and specifications for the water plant, an electricity plant, and water mains (1911). Concerning the Water Department, there are reports by R.B. Blakemore and F.L. Anders (1913-1917, 1930), and clippings (1931-1936, 1954). The material on Mayville, N.D. includes sketches, reports, and specifications for a proposed light and water plant built in 1928. There is material on other water systems in North Dakota, including Bismarck, Grand Forks, McClusky, Minot, Mott, and Rolla (1909-1927). There are the North Dakota Board of Health instructions for water and sewer systems (1920), and booklets on damming in Eastern North Dakota (1907). There is the Sixth Biennial report of the Water Geologist on Artesion Water (1933), and a report on a Water Works Conference (1931). Concerning out-of-state utilities is material on San Francisco and the Hetch-Hetchy Valley (1912), Waukegan, Illinois’ Water Works, specifications on a proposed water plant at Bemidji, Minnesota (1918), information on Crookston, Minnesota’s Water Works, and others in Indiana, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Montana, and Tennessee (1910-1915). Also included, is the Specification Digest form “Sweet’s catalog” (1914), and other advertisements and information. The Lucky Strike Coal Company Series includes audits and balance sheets (1920-1925). Also found are the By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation, lists of stockholders, minutes of directors meeting (1920-1921), and Gold Notes (1921). There is an agreement with Northern Pacific Railroad (1929), a lease agreement with Dakota Collieries (1931), and a loan agreement (1921). There are papers of foreclosure, and receivership notices, inventories (1922, 1927), a record of sales and expenses (1921) as well as reports by F.L. Anders; P.J. Cahill, A.L. Farr, and others (1921-1930), including financial, legal, and historical information on the company. The Board of State Capitol Commissioners Series has material on the organization of the Board, including clippings, reports, and a copy of H.B. No. 79 authorizing the new Capitol (1931). In regard to the selection of architects and contractors are reports, speeches, submissions of qualifications and clippings (1931). There is material from several inspection trips by commissioners, George Bangs, Gen. Angus Fraser, Fred Conklin, and Secretary F. L. Anders to Minnesota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Louisiana, with clippings, booklets, reports, magazine articles, and post cards. There are also articles, reports, and specifications on various public buildings. Included are clippings on the old capitol covering the fire and also much historical information. There is a report on the disposal of the fire debris, clippings on Jamestown’s campaign for the Capitol, and on the selection of the building site, also clippings, programs, and reports concerning the ceremony of laying the cornerstone (1932). In regard to the construction of the building, there is the cube data (1932), clippings on the selection of the design (1932), reports on elevators, on electrical roll calls, page calls and voting systems, on brick vs. Limestone as facing material, and on heating and ventilating including gas vs. Lignite coal, the Kolflat report on boilers and a discussion of that (1934). Also found are reports on light and power, furniture, marble work, wood and stone finishing and the water supply, as well as progress reports and charts (1932-1933), the Board’s report to the Governor (1932), a report on soil tests for the foundation (1931), and a questionnaire to state officials for suggestions (1931). There are reports on specifications (1931), the Specifications for General Work (1932), and Specifications for Mechanical Work, (1932). Included is information for a souvenir publication, Secretary Anders’ final reports to the Board of State Capitol Commissioners (1934), and clippings on the final work. In regard to the Legislature’s investigation of the Capitol Commission, there is a book of minutes of the hearings, clippings, subpoenas, a report on concrete construction, the majority and Minority reports in the Journal of the House, a reply by G. G. Bangs to the charges, and a program for a satirical play by the Jamestown Lions Club. On the subject of labor, are included an opinion on minimum wages, (1932), an article on wage cuts (1932), clippings on the labor strike during construction (1933), and a pamphlet, “The Three Renegades of Labor”. Among Anders’ Annual reports (1931-1933), are reports on architects’ fees and travel expenses, audits on the total cost of the building (1933-1934), a description of work covered by various budgets (1932), Enabling Acts for building fund certificates (1932, 1934), certificates of expenses and guarantees by Lundoff-Bicknell, and listings of charges made for changes from Dearborn Electric. There are several contract forms, a Book of Contracts, and the contracts and budgets for general and mechanical work (1932). There are a number of financial reports by auditor Lester Diehl (1932-1934), a list of railroad freight costs, items concerning insurance coverage, notices of price changes and notifications of extra charges or credit from Lundoff-Bicknell. Also included are order slips to Lundoff-Bicknell and other contractors, certificates of entitlement to payment, requests for payment requisition slips, statements from Lundoff-Bicknell and a list of their unit prices (1932). Of special interest are Books of Minutes of meetings of the Capitol Commission, March, 1931 to December, 1932; February to December, 1933; and December, 1933 to July 1934, as well as the Book of daily memorandums, April, 1933 to August, 1934. The Missouri River Diversion Series contains programs, articles and other items from the Missouri River Diversion Association. There is a booklet by Elwyn Chaudler, Missouri River Diversion in North Dakota, (1933), and one by Earl Buell, Drought Relief by Flood Control (1933). From the National Rivers and Harbors Congress there is a directory to agencies in various states having jurisdiction in water matters, programs, addresses, bulletins, and reports (1930-1934). Also included are numerous newspaper articles on Missouri Diversion with visits by Secretary of War Hurley, Patrick Fleming and President Roosevelt (1929-1934). There are the preliminary reports on the Missouri River Dam and Diversion in North Dakota by State Engineer, Robert Kennedy (1928), and the Report on Missouri River Dam and Diversion Project in North and South Dakota, (Burns and McDowell, engineers, 1933). Concerning flood control on the Mississippi River are three publications, Reports on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers (1822), Spillways on the Lower Mississippi River (1928), and Flood Control (in lower Mississippi Valley, 1928). Reports on various dams under construction in the United States are in Engineering News Record (November, 1934). In the Subject Files Series contains much biographical information on Major Anders’ family. There is a typed manuscript, Bataan, an Incident, by his son Col. Franklin O. Anders, as well as clippings and awards. There are numerous clippings, awards, programs, etc. concerning Major Anders. Also found are newspaper articles on the N.R.A., the Farmer’s strike, Governor Langer and the 1933 North Dakota Legislature, including a resolution that Western United States secede from the East. There are also items on public works with a speech by William Lemke (1933), and instructions to engineers. Added (2006) is a ninety-seven page manuscript on the early history of Bismarck, N.D., likely in the handwriting of Major Anders. Added (2009) is a photocopy of a letter to Anders from Omar Bradley, Oct. 22, 1948 that accompanied a publication on Medal of Honor recipients. Added (2010) is a file of miscellaneous requisition forms (blank) of Consolidated Mercur Gold Mines Co. of Mercur, Utah, and typed notes for ‘Classification of Mineral Deposits’, likely done by Anders. Documenting Anders’ being a Mason are two small leather-bound booklets (3rd,, 106 p.) and (4th edition 106 p.) for what appear to be used as part of Masonic rituals. The initial chapter heading is ‘E.A. Deg’ with the text consisting of letters, although not legible words. The 4th edition book has inscribed, “Frank L. Anders, 32°, Fargo, N.Dak., Shiloh Lodge No. 1, April 1900, Dakota Consistory, A. A. Scottish Rite, Fargo, N.Dak., 32° July 23, 1901.” Also included in this book are two cards, one admitting Anders and lady to HAPAC Grotto No. 71 M.O.V.P.E.R, and the other handwritten greeting on calling card by Bertha Breyman.

Dates

1822-1965

Creator

Anders, Frank L., 1875-1966. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author’s heirs.

Biography

Frank LaFayette Anders was born November 10, 1875, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory to Frank and Anna Anders who were stationed there with the Infantry. The next year, after his father was discharged, the family moved to Fargo. His father died in 1890 of wounds suffered in the Civil War. Mr. Anders, at 15, then left school to work as a call boy for Northern Pacific Railroad and later learned the machinist’s trade in their shops. In 1894 he enlisted in the National Guard and was serving his second enlistment when his unit was sent to the Philippines in 1898. There, as a member of Young’s Scouts, he won the Congressional Medal of Honor (at his death he was the oldest living holder of this medal in the United States). In 1899, he returned to the United States where he worked for mining interests in Salt Lake City. In 1902, with only a seventh grade education and some time at Dakota Business College (1895), he decided to attend Ripon College in Wisconsin. In 1906 he was awarded the first scholarship given by the University of Wisconsin, where he studied Civil Engineering. He was chief engineer with a Utah Smelting Corporation until 1909 when he returned to Fargo. In 1910 he taught mathematics at the North Dakota Agricultural College and from 1910 to 1920 was City Engineer for Fargo, during which time he designed, helped construct, and operated the Fargo Filtration plant. In 1918 he was commissioned a captain in the Engineering Corps and stationed at Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he wrote a history of the camp. Then, in 1919 he went to Camp Funston at Fort Riley, Kansas where he was in charge of hospital facilities, also serving in Washington and at the Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan. From 1921 to 1932, he served as Receiver and General Manager of the bankrupt Lucky Strike Coal Company of Zap, North Dakota. From 1922 to 1932, he was Regimental Utility Officer and had charge of a five year construction program at Camp Grafton. He was also a captain in the Fifth Engineers. He served on the Fargo City Water commission from 1929 to 1931, and from 1931 to 1934 he was secretary and construction engineer on the Board of State Capitol Commissioners at Bismarck. He also worked during the 1920’s and 1930’s as an engineer on the promotion of the Missouri River Diversion project and was president of the Great Plains Development Association. In 1910, Mr. Anders married Mary Bertha Hargrave of Ripon, Wisconsin. They had two children, Marion and Franklin. Major Anders died January 23, 1966, and was buried in Ripon Wisconsin. Major Anders was Senior Vice Commander of the Legion of Valor, belonged to the Legion of Honor, Spanish War Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Order of Indian Wars, Army and Navy Club, American Legion, and Fargo-Moorhead Officer’s Mess. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Institute of Mining Engineers and the Society of American Military Engineers. He belonged to the Order of Scabbard and Blade and held the McKinley Congressional Medal. He was a Mason, Scottish Rite, member of the Congregational Church, and president of the Commons Club of Fargo, 1916. He was also president of the Society to Mark Custer’s Trail.

Extent

6.8 Linear Feet (6.8 linear feet.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Served as Fargo City Engineer, and secretary and construction engineer of the North Dakota State Capitol Commission which oversaw the construction of the state capitol. Also a Medal of Honor recipient.

Provenance

Donated by Franklin O. Anders, Leamington, Ontario, March, 1966 (Acc. 1417); Marianna Presler McJimsey, 2006, 2009, 2010 (Acc. 2780, 2888, 2909, 2938).

Related resources

Frank L. Anders papers, 1877-1939 on microfilm at State Historical Society of North Dakota (MSS 10073) Frank L. Anders papers, 1892-1966 at University of North Dakota, Dept. of Special Collections (OGL 43)

Separation Record

The following non-manuscript items were removed from the Frank Anders papers and sent to the section indicated. Photographs (Institute photograph collection Photo 477)

Various images including Army units in the Philippines (1899), Sheyenne River Valley, Guernsey Dam, Proposed Missouri River Dam site, Devil’ Lake showing lowered water level, Dry lake beds in Central North Dakota, Soil tests at capitol site, Bismarck, New capitol building, Bismarck, Architects, contractors, original capitol commission, Governor Shafer, Second capitol commission, Cornerstone laying ceremony, new capitol, Bismarck, Proposed architects sketches, new capitol, Bismarck Maps (Institute map collection, consult map catalog)

Geological map of North Dakota-A. G. Leonard, State Geologist  North Dakota Highway System, showing construction status of state and federal projects, State Highway Department, 1931 Books (Library book collection, consult the main library catalog for call number and location)

Building Ordnance of City of Fargo, Office of City Engineer, 1915