Charles V. Basye, McIntosh County, North Dakota Charles Valentine Basye was born at Racine, Wisconsin, February 14, 1854. He completed school there and took a claim, at Hope, Dakota Territory, where he made his home for two years. In 1883 he disposed of his interests at Hope, and in company with a party of friends including his sister, Mrs. O. J. DeLandrecie of Fargo, spent considerable time exploring this part of the Dakota Territory as far west as the Missouri River. Mr. Basye was seeking a location for a stock ranch, and for that purpose desired a spot that would not be troubled by near settlements for many years. He found no place that suited him as well as the lake to the southeastern part of what is now McIntosh County. Early in April, 1884, he returned and established residence beneath the shade of the cottonwood trees along the bank of what is now known as Coldwater Lake. Mr. Basye thus became one of the first white settlers in McIntosh County, antedating Clare Johnson's settlement at Green Lake and the coming of the party from Bismarck to Hoskins Lake by about two weeks. Florence Coyle arrived in Ellendale from Jackson, Ohio, on April 11, 1884, and on the same day was joined in marrage with C. V. Basye. The ceremony was performed by Reverend Witman, at a little hotel in Ellendale called the Mitchell House. On the following day they started their honeymoon trip on a load of lumber and supplies which they were taking to the ranch. They lived in a tent until the completion of the three story structure which was to be their home for twenty-six years. As other settlers entered the county, Basye's Ranch soon became the principal stopping place for freighters between Hoskins and Ellendale. It was always an objective to be reached either at noon or at night, and it is said that for three or four years scarcely a day passed that the house presided over by the man who sought settlement in the wilderness, was not taxed to its fullest capacity. There probably was no person who settled in the county in early days who did not at some time or other visit Basye's. Passengers on the stage line from Ellendale to Bismarck, settlers coming into McIntosh from the east, parties on the way to points farther west, freighters hauling goods from Ellendale, hundreds of them were at this well known place for either meals or lodging or both, and were always hospitably received and entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Basye. The spot selected for the ranch buildings was on the bank of the lake beside the old government trail leading to Fort Yates and old Fort Lincoln across the river from Bismarck. The ranch was a stopping place also for the carriers of the mail between Ellendale and Bismarck. The contractor believed that he would receive more pay if there were more postoffices along the route and was therefore anxious for the establishment of a postoffice at Basye's Ranch. After this was accomplished, the name of Coldwater was chosen after Coldwater, Michigan. Mr. Basye was appointed by Governor Pierce as one of three commissioners to organize McIntosh County. Charles Basye passed away on September 21, 1909. He was a member of the Scottish Rite bodies and of El Zagel shrine and was buried at Detroit, Minnesota, under the auspices of Pelican Chapter of the Rose Croix. (Material from Mrs. Basye, now of Los Angles) Extracted from: Along the Trails of Yesterday A Story of McIntosh County by Nina Farley Wishek Author of Roseberries in Autumn The Ashley Tribune Froh, Pohl, Moench 1941