The First Board Meeting – 1915 Tales From Old Timers –

 The first State’s Attorney was one Preston, by name, and strange to relate, a lawyer without political ambitions. He was elected in 1885. The election took place in the office of the Occidental Hotel. To avoid being elected, Preston sneaked upstairs to his room and went to sleep. When he awoke, he started to descend the stairs, (as the elevator was out of order), but he tripped and fell the entire length to the bottom. One of  his friends rushed over to assist him, at the same time remarking, “You had a narrow escape from getting you neck broken.” Preston replied, “Yes, I reckon it was the will of God.” He was helped to his feet and informed of his appointment. Looking over the assembled crowd he solemnly replied, “That’s the will of God also, but I guess the Devil had a hand in it.”

The first man to hold the seat of Mayor in Minot was James Scofield. He was elected in the spring of 1887.