If the speeches weren't enough of a draw when the North Dakota Legislature convened Tuesday, maybe a chance to slurp up punch from a 115-year-old silver punchbowl once used on a battleship did the trick.
The 45-pound punchbowl — part of a 40-piece custom setting purchased and made for the USS North Dakota — was carried under guard when lawmakers began their work in the capital city of Bismarck. Those National Guardsmen watched carefully as people lined up to quench their thirst at the punchbowl.
