Called to the Prairie

"Called to the Prairie" is a rare and unique account of early 20th century life in western North Dakota as recorded in the journals of Richard C. Jahn. A young seminary student from St. Louis, he came to McKenzie County in the winter of 1915 to minister to five small Lutheran congregations there. Over the next year, Jahn's daily entries provide an intimate view of life on the prairie and the homesteaders and ranchers he encountered. Between blizzards and floods, wolf attacks and hazardous journeys, he writes about late night card games, cowpunchers, dirty dishes, prairie hospitality and a much-loved feisty pinto. Discovered in an old shoebox in 2002, Jahn's journals were accompanied by a treasure trove of personal photographs of the very people, places, and events he wrote about-faithfully reproduced in this unusual account and enhanced by extensive footnotes for historical reference. "Called to the Prairie" is a must-read for anyone who loves North Dakota history or the pioneering spirit.