The North Dakota volunteer troops of the Philippine Island campaign were en route to Nagasaki, Japan today in 1899. Meanwhile, a committee of North Dakota citizens were meeting the different railroad lines with proposals to get the troops home a little cheaper.

The return of the troops caused much joy, but at the same time, sparked some controversy. Some thought the efforts to get the boys home from the ports of San Francisco were not good enough. The Wahpeton Globe stated that Fargo was going to have a special train bring the boys home for a big celebration: “was going to–. She could have done it if she had ‘a mind to.’” The Globe complained all Fargo did was provide $250 for entertainment when the boys returned. “That is all...” they stated.

At the same time, Grand Forks was working to fund a memorial for the few men who died in the campaign. The Bismarck Tribune reported that some people were criticizing the town’s efforts, because they had no company involved. The criticisms, they thought, were in bad taste and applauded the effort to commemorate these brave North Dakota volunteers.

By Tessa Sandstrom

Sources:
Grand Forks Herald. August 13, 1899: 1.
Grand Forks Herald. August 12, 1899: 6.

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