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Story
June 22, 1937
The Bismarck Tribune
Bismarck, Mandan, Burleigh County, Morton County, North Dakota
What is this article about?
Otis P. Dunham, a 70-year-old Bismarck lumberman, locks himself out of his home in his nightshirt due to a new lock installed amid phantom attacker fears. After failed attempts to get help, he climbs a ladder to break in, observed by passersby.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Dunham Latest Victim Of Bismarck Phantom
Otis P. Dunham, Bismarck lumberman, is the latest victim of Bismarck's phantom.
For years the Dunham home at Mandan St., and Avenue B has been unlocked, filled with the spirit of the Old West, Dunham has never worried about open doors.
But with all the agitation now centering about the phantom attacker of Bismarck women, Dunham figured that perhaps he wasn't showing the best judgment so he got the latest in locks and keys. The old keys had long since disappeared.
If Mrs. Dunham and other members of the family had not been away Dunham would never have been victimized.
Sunday morning he stepped outside his back door to take in the milk—when along came a gust of wind and slammed the door shut.
"Snap" went the new lock, and the honest householder was left outdoors.
Yes, you have guessed it, he was in his nightshirt.
The lumberman chuckles as he remembers his discomfiture. He tried to rouse a neighbor but either that worthy was away from home or was deep in the extra 40 winks of Sunday morning.
People went by and stared.
Despite his 70 years and wide experience Dunham blushed right down to the ankles.
More folks went by and sighed.
Dunham got pink down to his toes.
But desperation is the mother of invention. He got a ladder from the garage and put it up on what he hoped was the blind side of the house. Crawling up the ladder he broke a screen to effect entrance to his own house.
Some folks in a car drove by just in time to see the flash of bare legs and the swirl of a night shirt as Dunham regained the privacy of his domicile.
Otis P. Dunham, Bismarck lumberman, is the latest victim of Bismarck's phantom.
For years the Dunham home at Mandan St., and Avenue B has been unlocked, filled with the spirit of the Old West, Dunham has never worried about open doors.
But with all the agitation now centering about the phantom attacker of Bismarck women, Dunham figured that perhaps he wasn't showing the best judgment so he got the latest in locks and keys. The old keys had long since disappeared.
If Mrs. Dunham and other members of the family had not been away Dunham would never have been victimized.
Sunday morning he stepped outside his back door to take in the milk—when along came a gust of wind and slammed the door shut.
"Snap" went the new lock, and the honest householder was left outdoors.
Yes, you have guessed it, he was in his nightshirt.
The lumberman chuckles as he remembers his discomfiture. He tried to rouse a neighbor but either that worthy was away from home or was deep in the extra 40 winks of Sunday morning.
People went by and stared.
Despite his 70 years and wide experience Dunham blushed right down to the ankles.
More folks went by and sighed.
Dunham got pink down to his toes.
But desperation is the mother of invention. He got a ladder from the garage and put it up on what he hoped was the blind side of the house. Crawling up the ladder he broke a screen to effect entrance to his own house.
Some folks in a car drove by just in time to see the flash of bare legs and the swirl of a night shirt as Dunham regained the privacy of his domicile.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Bismarck Phantom
Locked Out
Nightshirt
Embarrassment
Ladder Entry
What entities or persons were involved?
Otis P. Dunham
Mrs. Dunham
Where did it happen?
Bismarck, Mandan St. And Avenue B
Story Details
Key Persons
Otis P. Dunham
Mrs. Dunham
Location
Bismarck, Mandan St. And Avenue B
Event Date
Sunday Morning
Story Details
Otis P. Dunham installs a new lock due to the Bismarck phantom scare but gets locked out in his nightshirt when a gust of wind slams the door while fetching milk. Embarrassed by passersby, he climbs a ladder to break a screen and re-enter his home.