Also known as: Viets House
RICHARDSON HOUSE, W. H. Topping, prop., 311 S. Third. (Grand Forks and North Dakota Manual for 1885, William L. Dudley, Plaindealer Book and Job Rooms, 1885, Page 119)
Reception of the Governor. Today Grand Forks entertains Governor Pierce, Mrs. Pierce and daughter Nettie Pierce, Territorial Treasurer J. W. Raymond and wife, Auditor Caldwell and wife, and Secretary M. L. McCormack and wife. These officers arrived on the Crookston train at noon today, on their tour of inspection of the territorial institutions. The city council of Grand Forks, desiring to pay due respect to their rulers arranged a complete programme, engaged the services of the Cadet Band, and the business houses decorated in holiday style, and Willis A. Gorman Post G. A. R., seeing that Gov. Pierce is himself a veteran, turned out in uniform with banners flying. The procession formed on Third street and proceeded to the station where the band and post were drawn up in line to salute the governor and officers as they left the train. Mayor Holmes, President Bosard of council, the committee, members of council and city officials greeted the governor and party in the car and were introduced by Secretary McCormack. They then left the car and passed down along the line, the post coming to a “present arms.” Marshal Byrne then formed the procession, with the band at the head, then the post, next the mayor and council, then the distinguished party in carriages.
When the procession arrived at Fifth street the carriage containing the governor was driven out of the procession, followed by the rest of the carriages and proceeded to the Richardson house as rapidly as possible, a movement which the veterans viewed with a good deal of silent indignation and as wholly at variance with discipline. Marshal Byrnes attempted to overtake the fleeing carriages, but did not succeed in catching the Governor’s. The remainder of the procession continued orderly to Grand Army hall, where it dispersed without carrying out the balance of the programme and the band marched to their quarters. After the Governor had gone to a barber shop and got a comfortable shave, which he had seriously missed for about three days, the Governor’s party and citizen’s committee took dinner at the Richardson house. After dinner, which was served as sumptuously as the Richardson house is famed for, carriages conveyed the Governor and party to the University, where they were cordially welcomed by professors and students. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Saturday Evening, May 22, 1886, Volume 10, Number 19, Page 1)
The Richardson house is closed. In all probability this house will be remodeled and equipped as a first class boarding house. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Monday Evening, October 14, 1889, Volume XV, Number 293, Page 4)
Col. Topping desires to state that he is anxious to dispose of his furniture, beds and bedding at private sale. This is an excellent chance to make a cheap purchase of good material. The furniture and all the rest of the material is in good shape. Call around to the Richardson house and see it. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday Evening, October 29, 1889, Volume XV, Number 306, Page 4)