Starting with Nothing

 I’m always amazed by early settlers and pioneers who struggled to make a living when they arrived in the undeveloped territory of Dakota. Here is how one man established himself. Gustave Baquol Metzger, born in Alsace-Lorraine France,  came to America in 1876 where he worked as a bookkeeper and eventually worked westward to Montana by 1885 to manage a sheep ranch. The next year he decided to go into business for himself and bought a stock of groceries in St. Paul which he shipped by rail to Bismarck and then by boat to Big Muddy, now Williston, where they were thrown off on the bank of the Missouri River. He set up two tents, one of which he used for his store and the other for his home. After six months he was able to build a store and prospered there for several years before selling the business. He went on to establish a sawmill, a brickyard, and a ranch operation. He also served as the postmaster for 24 years. Lounsberry spoke highly of him in HISTORY OF NORTH DAKOTA when he wrote “His business developed in most gratifying measure and success attended the intelligent direction of his efforts.”