C. S. Getchell, pioneer settler and self-styled poet, in between farming and freighting supplies for the government to Fort Totten, wrote advertising poetry for the editor of the newspaper as follows:
"Ringing, blowing and sparking away
is M. E. Mason from day to day,
With nails in his box, shoes on his hooks,
He ain't near so mad as you'd think by his looks."
"A painter here, mixes a mess-up,
For inside or outside to order.
This painter's name is L. L. Jessup and he'll give you any shade of border."
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 317