Jan. 9, 1939: Alex Covington and Pete Noyes pose at town pump

1939, JAN. 9: A pair of men — identified as Alex Covington and Pete Noyes — gather water at the Main Street water pump. This pump provided the lifeblood for the town in those days. It was the "sole source of drinking water for those who lived in town," Lawney Reyes wrote in the book "Bernie Whitebear: An Urban Indian's Quest for Justice."

Reyes further describes: "All day long people could be seen cranking and filling a bucket to satisfy their needs. The pump also served as a meeting place for those who wanted to visit and exchange news. Sometimes, during the summer when the weather was hot, children took turns cranking the pump while others put their head under the spigot to get wet and cool off."

Donation by Tami Desautel!