Scope and Contents: The Burleigh F. Spalding Papers contain two copies of a biography of Spalding taken from dictation given to his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Carleton Spalding. The dictation happened sometime between 1924 and 1925, when Burleigh Spalding was on bed rest for several months. In the 72-page document, Spalding reflected on the history of his family, his legal career, his business interests, and politics in both the Dakota Territory and the state of North Dakota. He did not, however, discuss in great detail his own political career.
The biography was given to the Department of Special Collections by Mary Nowatski, who roomed with Spalding and his wife from 1923 to 1925. She noted that portions of the biography had been printed in the Fargo Forum, and that copies of the biography were given to Dr. Orin Libby at the University of North Dakota, as well as the State Historical Society of North Dakota in Bismarck.
Also included are two copies of the report made by the Pinkerton Detective Agency regarding the Louisiana Lottery to North Dakota Governor John Miller in February 1890. The Lottery bill passed the North Dakota Senate, but after the Pinkerton report exposed wide spread bribing of legislators by lottery officials, the proposal never came to a vote in the House. (see Elwyn B. Robinson, History of North Dakota, pages 219-220).
Subjects (links to similar collections)
