Lögberg-Heimskringla - 03.06.1988, Síða 8

8-LÖGBERG CENTENNIAL YEAR, FÖSTUDAGUR 3. JÚNÍ 1988
Icelandic settlers Pembina, N.D.
Though most of the Icelandic land
seekers turned west for land, there
were a number who settled at Pem-
bina, both in the town and on lands
in the area.
The arrival of settlers lasted for a
number of years. It will not be esti-
mated accurately, how many Ice-
landers Uved there during the period
of greatest numbers. From 1890 to
the turn of the century, there were
probably not less than 60 families in
the town and 10 to 12 families farm-
ing land to the southwest, know as
the rolling country.
The reasons Icelanders chose lands
in this rolling "country was due to the
wet low spots at this time. All low
areas were full of water and rotten
grass, because there was no drainage.
After the land was settled, roads
were built with drainage ditches. The
land dried quickly and it soon be-
came evident that the low lying land
was the most productive. The higher
land became less productive in time
as the area as whole dried up.
This undoubtedly was the reason
why many of the settlers moved out
of the area after a number of years.
Others came and bought the land
from those who left. A number of
Icelanders continued to stay there
but they decreased over the years un-
til in 1920 there was only one Ice-
lander left on the Icelandic rolling
plain area.
It is not possible to say, that Ice-
landers at Pembina became well-to-
do. There were few opportunities in
the area, the town had few people,
and no satisfactory employment.
In spite of this, most of them lived
fairly well. They were able to live in
a manner according to Icelandic cus-
tom, better than if they had been in
a large city. All of them appear to
have arrived penniless. However,
they quickly became independent
financially. They acquired fairly good
homes. They were able to have
vegetable gardens, domestic birds,
and even a few head of cattle.
During the early years there was
plenty of vacant land around the
town, where it was possible to put up
hay cheaply, and plenty of pasture
lands. They were able to obtain
plenty of firewood by purchasing
rights to cut down standing trees.
During those years there was a
good supply of fish in the Red River.
Red River, especially catfish.
Many Icelanders made fishing an
a occupation. They sold the fish to
the townspeople and the farmers by
the wagon-load. They often earned
more money during the fishing sea-
son which lasted two months, than
those who worked as day labourers.
In addition they had enough fish for
the home all summer.
During the first years there was
sometimes so much fish, which was
mainly catfish, that the drag nets
came in full with each throw. It was
said that once 90 good size catfish
were hauled in during one single
cast. The size of catfish in the Red
River varied from two to 15 pounds
each and even larger. The fish was
sold for two to three cents per pound
and sometimes more.
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in the market for credit.
Rates vary greatly and the methods of
calculating interest and services differ
from one institution to another.
It is your right—and in your best interest—
to know precisely how much credit is
costing you!
You should always compare carefully
such things as:
• the interest rate being charged
• the amount of time allowed to pay in full
before interest is charged
• how the interest charges are calculated
• the non-interest charges such as
transaction or service fees
• the competitive benefits offered by one
institution over another
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