Antique firearms stolen from Historical Society

MINOT, N.D.-- Seven or eight antique shotguns and rifles plus a Civil War-era sword are missing from the Ward County Historical Society museum after a break-in Dec. 30.

According to the Ward County Sheriff's Department, the museum personnel were not able to provide makes and models for the firearms, but have provided the sheriff's office with a photo (at right) of the missing items.

Historical society member Sue Bergan said the rifles apparently date to the late 1800s and one was a flint lock. However, she wasn’t able to give an exact value for the missing antiques.

If you have information on the missing weapons, please contact authorities.

Bergan told the Minot Daily News that other items may also be missing but the museum is in such disarray following this summer's flood that it is difficult to determine what else might be gone. The museum on the North Dakota State Fairgrounds sustained about $1 million in damage during last summer's flood and every building on the grounds was flooded.

The museum board is down to three members and is seeking new members and donations to the museum to aid in the recovery effort. A planning meeting is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Jan. 12 in the Minot City Hall. Donations to the museum can be sent to Ward County Historical Society, P.O. Box 994 ,Minot, N.D. 58701.