Brown Co., SD - Description and History, 1884 This file is a complete transcription of the descriptive information about Brown County as found in A. T. Andreas' "Historical Atlas of Dakota", 1884. BROWN COUNTY. Brown County is centrally located in the James River valley, about equi-distant between the Missouri River and the head-waters of the Minnesota River. It contains forty-eight congressional townships, equal to 1,105,920 acres. Brown County is in the center of the great wheat-belt of the northwest, far enough south to insure weather favorable to early planting, and far enough north to preclude the possibility of danger to the growing crops, from a hot and blighting atmosphere. The soil is peculiarly adapted to the production of this cereal, being generally a rich loam or mold, warm and yielding a generous growth. The James River flows in a general southerly direction through the center, expanding in the northern half into what is known as Lake Columbia. The affluents of this river on the west are Elm River and Moccasin Creek, which, with Willow, Maple and Foot creeks, thoroughly drains this portion of the county. Mud Creek drains the southeastern portion of the county. Lake Columbia, which is mostly the result of damming the river at Columbia, averages something more than a mile in width, and is navigable for small steamers to Hudson, in Dickey County, a distance of thirty miles or more. A considerable marsh extends from Yorkville toward Detroit, and there are two or three small lakes in the southwest part of the county. The surface of the county is generally an undulating prairie. SETTLEMENT.--The following statement of the early history of Brown County, is taken from the pen of Wm. Hickman, of Bath: "In the year 1877, August 10, Clarence D. Johnson, William Young, Miss Hattie Young, sister of the latter, and Benjamin Arrendall, located on the right bank of the James River, in Section 35, Town 124, Range 62, then unsurveyed, except the Standard Parallel, running through their claims. They brought with them from Fort Sully, 2 horses, 2 mules, 2 wagons and fifteen head of cattle. During that fall they built 3 log cabins, 14x16 each, and cut, with scythes, about 30 tons of hay, using home-made wooden forks, and a home-made horse hay-rake. In September, the same year, C. D. Johnson and Benjamin Arrendall started back to Fort Sully, 175 miles distant, after a load of provisions, and to settle some money matters and visit J. S. Johnson, (brother of C. D. Johnson) who was then clerking for a trading establishment at the Cheyenne Agency. Nothing of much interest occurred on this trip, except that the Indians attempted to steal one of their mules but failed. On one occasion they were aroused about midnight, to find themselves nearly enveloped in the terrific flames of a prairie fire, and barely escaped death by back-firing. There was not a single habitation of man on the entire route and, in one stretch, no water for 60 miles. Soon after their return, William Young, Benjamin Arrendall and Miss Hattie Young, the first white woman in Brown County, made preparations to start for Fort Sully. On the very night before their intended departure, the Indians stampeded four of their horses. Mr. Johnson found two of them where Aberdeen is now located. They having evidently escaped from the Indians. The other two he found in an Indian camp, about 30 miles below, on the Jim River. When he arrived at their camp they denied having any stray stock, but finally admitted having his horses. He was invited into a large council-tent, where a number of Indian braves (horse thieves) were seated, and invited to make a speech. He modestly refused, stating, in the Indian language, that he had not come to make a speech, but wanted his horses. Drifting Goose, the Chief, then arose, and with majestic dignity, told Mr. Johnson that they were pleased with his appearance, and if he would come and make his home with them, do their writing to the Great Father, it would be all right; but he would never be allowed to remain where he had settled. Mr. Johnson replied that he had lived among Indians for 12 years; that he intended to live by himself, and would remain where he had settled. He finally secured his horses, by giving the Indians a sack of flour and some tobacco. After the horses were recovered, the party started for Fort Sully, whence Miss Young departed by steamer for Omaha, where she married. During the absence of the above parties, Mr. Johnson was the sole occupant of Brown County. While alone, he ran short of flour and groceries, and having his stock to look after, he could not leave. At this juncture two trappers arrived, and being in the same dilemma regarding provisions, a council was held, and it was decided that Mr. Johnson should go to Fort Sisseton and they remain in charge of the stock. He was gone 5 days, bringing back with him 6 chickens and 2 pigs, the first poultry and hogs in the county. On his return, and at 2 o'clock in the morning, he was stopped at the old government crossing of the James River, where Mr. York lives, by a camp of Indians directly in the road. This was very unexpected, and although no coward, it fairly made his hair stand on end when stopped and ordered to unhitch his team. A meal of ducks and feathers, more feathers than ducks, was hastily prepared for him, and then he was detained by them until morning, when he was requested to pay for his entertainment in sugar and coffee. He cheerfully complied and went his way rejoicing. The two boys who had gone to Fort Sully, returned on the 27th of October, 1877. A council was then held, and it was decided that Johnson take two teams and depart for Fort Sully in search of a job. He started, November 8, making the trip in 8 days. At the fort he got a job of teaming, hauling goods from Yankton, a distance of 175 miles, and made the round trip in about 6 weeks. The winter of '77-'78, except the month of December, was comparatively mild and pleasant. On his return to Fort Sully, he sold his teams and purchased 2 yoke of oxen[,] a breaking-plow and a harrow, and arrived on the Jim, February 12, '78, finding Young and Arrendall closely resembling Robinson Crusoe, with their long hair and beards. During the month of March, they cut rails enough to fence 5 acres of Johnson's claim, and the same on Young's. On April 1st, they hitched up their cattle to break the first furrow in Brown County. The day before, a party of Indians had pitched their tents between Johnson's and Young's cabins, having brought with them a plow, they declared their intention to take the claims, as a nice lot was all ready to fence. Mr. Johnson told them they would not, and forthwith they stuck their stakes. One of the Indian's tepees or tents was in a direct line with the stakes. They started their team, Johnson driving, Young holding the plow, each having a pair of revolvers in their belts, ready to draw and commence operations in the shooting line, at a moment's notice, while Arrendall stood with a Winchester rifle, covering his companions, ready to assist in case of trouble with the reds. They drove along until within a few rods of the tent, when they shouted for the Indians to remove it. They refused. The team was again started, with a view to drive over the tent, when it was suddenly removed by the squaws. The next day the Indians buried most of their effects in the banks of the Jim, and went over on the Elm, hunting; were gone two weeks; returned, took their effects, and disappeared. Under these difficulties were the first ten acres broken. They planted it with corn and potatoes, and sowed about two acres of wheat. The above crops, including watermelons and squashes, did well that year, considering the new breaking. About May 25, the same year, Mr. Slack and family, consisting of his wife, 3 daughters and 2 sons, came from Wabasha County, Minn., and settled on Section 13, Town 121, Range 63. They had been settled about 2 weeks, when the Indians threatened to massacre every settler in the valley. Mr. Slack immediately gathered his movables and went east as far as Wahbay, [Waubay-JJL] where he remained until the next spring, when he again moved to Brown County. Miss Sophia Slack, the second eldest daughter, was married to Mr. C. D. Johnson, May 31, '80. In April, 1878, the 3 Everson brothers and William Hawes arrived, the latter trading Benjamin Arrendall 5 yearling heifers for a claim. The Everson brothers took claims adjoining. Benjamin Arrendall soon after left the country, going to the Missouri River. The same year Mr. Johnson brought his younger brother Nathan H., from Fort Sully. Mr. York arrived in June, and located at the old government crossing of the James. About the last of June, the Eversons, Hawes and Yorks, left the county temporarily, leaving about 4 men in possession of Brown County. C. D. and N. H. Johnson and Wm. Young were living on their claims, and Lester Blackman was 6 miles down the river, in charge of Mr. York's property. About this time, or a few days prior to York's departure, Blackman cut his foot and was unable to leave the cabin. He had quite a large stock of provisions in his charge. Occassionally a few Indians would drop in to beg or trade. On the 6th July, 1878, Drifting Goose and four of his braves arrived at Johnson's cabin, and ordered him to leave in 20 days; that he was on his way to Fort Sissiton to participate in a grand Sissiton Sun Dance, and if, on his return, he still found him there, he would resort to means that certainly would remove him for good, from the valley. Drifting Goose, however, did not carry out his threats, and, soon after, disappeared altogether. In the fall of 1878, Mr. York brought out his family: his father, his mother, wife, and 3 children. In November, of the same year, Mr. Johnson received a letter from his brother, J. S., wishing him to come to Fort Sully, after him. He started about the 20th of November, with a team and camping outfit, and met his brother about half way. They returned to the Jim, and J. S., took a claim. In the spring of '79, when Mr. Slack and family returned, or just before, B. M. Smith arrived, looked over the country, and, soon after, scripped the land where the town site of Columbia is located. About the same time, a Mr. Spencer arrived, and built the dam just below Columbia. Robert Love and James Humphrey, Ed. Tiffney and C. H. Dayton, came with Mr. Slack. The well-known Tom James, and John Everson's family, came about the same time. The same spring the mother and sister of C. D. Johnson arrived. Our present Register, D. C. McKenzie, and J. R. James, Clerk of the Court, also arrived the same spring, and started a store at Columbia. The first white child born in Brown County, was Estella, daughter of Mrs. and Mr. John Everson, in December, 1879. The first death in the county, was that of Miss Ida Cole, of Columbia, in 1880. The first death of a Brown County citizen, although it did not occur in our county, was J. S. Johnson. While on his way to his claim, on the James River, he was foully murdered by an Indian, named Brave Bear, in the summer of 1879. Brave Bear escaped with Sitting Bull, to the British Possessions, and was captured September, 1881, below Standing Rock agency, on the east side of the Missouri, while on his way to secure about $800 he had taken from his victim, Johnson, and had buried near the river. He was convicted at Yankton, in the January term of court, last winter, and sentenced to be hanged, March 9, '82. His case was appealed to the the Supreme Court of Dakota, which affirmed the sentence, of the lower court, and ordered it to proceed with the enforcement of the sentence. Mo-to-ohi-li-ki, or Brave Bear, was re-sentenced, and suffered the extreme penalty of the law, July 20, '82. In July, 1880, Brown County was organized, and polled at least 100 votes, actual settlers." In August 1880 the following persons were appointed by Governor Ordway as Commisioners to organize Brown County, viz.: Jno. R. James, Clarence D. Johnson and D. C. McKenzie. The first meeting was held September 14, 1880 at Columbia. J. R. James in the chair. The following county officers were appointed: Register of Deeds--Jno. D. Lavin. Sheriff--A. G. Warren. Assessor--Wm. H. Slack. Judge of Probate--G. B. Daly. Treasurer--Marvin Douglas. Surveyor--J. R. James. Coroner--Dr. S. O. Bassett. School Superintendent--E. J. Allen. Justices--Marvin Pierce, Jno. Campbell, A. H. Dayton and Jas. T. Tallman. Constables--H. C. Howland, N. H. Johnson, Wm. Wilkinson and Benoni Slack. At this meeting Columbia was made the county seat temporarily. At this meeting also the first county warrant was issued in favor of Messrs. Kingsbury & Bowen for $354.85. The first election for county officers was held Nov. 2, '80, there being only one polling place, Howland's Hotel, Columbia. At this meeting the following officers were elected: Register--D. C. McKenzie. Sheriff--A. G. Warren. Treasurer--T. A. Boyden. Judge of Probate--Jas. Barnes, Jr. School Superintendent--A. J. Allen. Assessor--Wm. Hickman. Coroner--J. G. Evans. Surveyor--J. R. James. Justices--L. J. Goddard, R. S. Ellis, N. H. Cole and W. J. Moore. Constables--Smith, Wm. Ellis, R. Love, C. L. Deming. PRESENT COUNTY OFFICERS. Commisioner. 1st dist.,--C. D. Johnson. " 2nd " --R. R. Hurlbert. " 3d " --C. M. Cannon. Reg. of Deeds and Co. Clerk--D. C. McKenzie. Clerk of Dist. Court--J. R. James. Sheriff--C. S. Munger. Treasurer--M. P. Stroupe. Judge of Probate--E. L. Spence. Supt. of Schools--R. W. Jones. Assessor--J. D. Mason. Coroner--Dr. V. P. Kennedy. Surveyor--H. R. Blanding. ABERDEEN--Prior to the summer of 1880, the site of this thriving city was wild prairie. In the month of August of this year Mr. O. A. Fowler built a sod hotel about half a mile west of the original town site and called it the Alpha House. This building was a frame and sod shanty, and as its name indicates, was the first hotel here. During the fall Messrs. Rice Bros. of Watertown established a store in the vicinity of the town site for the purpose of supplying the navvies, one Thomas A. Boyden taking charge: the firm being Rice Bros. & Boyden. As soon as the Milwaukee road reached the town, July 6, '81, Rice Bros. Store was moved to the corner of 2nd St. & 1st Avenue and the Alpha House was moved on to the town site. Messrs. Jumper & Bliss came from Minneapolis about May 20, '81 and in June began hauling material from Bristol, a distance of 45 miles, for the construction of their business house, a frame structure, 2 stories, 24 by 56 feet. This structure was the first one built on the town site with the exception of a drug store by R. A. Mills. At an early date E. O. Mead opened a general store and W. J. Brewster, a harness dealer, erected a business house. The Fischbein Bros. came in June and in July erected a 2 story frame building, 22 by 40 feet. In June Mr. Brock put up a tent boarding house on Main street near the railroad. During this month Dr. Summers opened an office in a tent near the Brock house, and in July, S. Cross, of Ortonville, Minn., opened a lumber yard in the northwest part of the town. In July J. C. Hauze, of Red Wing, Minnesota, erected a small building on Main street, and during this month Frank M. Harper & Messrs. Bliss & Jumper opened lumber yards in close proximity to Mr. Cross. In August Messrs. Garland & Randall, of Ortonville, Minnesota, came in and erected a fine appearing frame building on Main street, 2 stories, 20 by 30 feet. O. Daly completed a building 24 by 30 for a restaurant, and in the same month Messrs. Cornish & Stuart completed a 2 story block 20 by 30, on Main street. SCHOOLS--The citizens of Aberdeen have reason to be proud of their public school advantages. They have the graded system under the supervision of a corps of experienced teachers, and a handsome and imposing brick building has recently been completed costing some $10,000. A second university has been projected at Aberdeen and there is every probability that it will be successfully established. A number of wealthy citizens of Chicago have agreed to endow it with a fund of $100,000 providing the people of Aberdeen will donate the sum of $10,000 in the shape of buildings, land or money. It is to be free from all sectarian bias. CHURCHES--This city is abundantly supplied with religious organizations, there being six denominations, two of which the Catholic and Presbyterians have church edifices. The Baptist, the Methodist Episcopal, the German Lutherans, and the German Evangelical association hold regular services. THE PRESS--The Dakota _Pioneer_ was first issued by Jno. H. Drake, August 4, '81. The first issue was printed in a building the walls only of which were completed. It is a six column quarto and has a circulation of 1800, among the largest in the territory. It is all printed at home, and is a well filled and ably conducted paper. The Aberdeen _Republican_, originally known as the Aberdeen _Pioneer_, was first issued in the early part of August 1881, by Messrs. Wheaton & Wadsworth, the firm name being soon after changed to Wheaton & Jackson. In the spring of 1882 the paper was purchased by W. A. Morrell, and the present name given it. In January, 1883, the present proprietors, Messrs. Spence & McChesney became owners. It is a six column quarto, with a well equipped job department and possessed of unusual facilities for all descriptions of printing. It is decidedly an efficient and well conducted paper. Both these papers claim priority of issue. BANKS--The bank of Aberdeen was organized early in the summer of 1881, and is the pioneer banking institution, not only of this city, but of the surrounding country within a radius of 40 or 50 miles. The officers are C. A. Bliss, President; J. K. Sidle, Vice-President, and J. C. Simmons, Cashier. The Vice-President is president of the First National Bank of Minneapolis, and one of the leading capitalists of that city. The institution transacts a general banking business, dealing in foreign and domestic exchange, making collections etc. The Brown County Bank was established in December, 1881. The management consists of the following persons: Wm. F. Graves, President; M. E. Vinton, Vice-President; Jno. T. McChesney, Cashier, and R. Moody, Book-keeper. The two former gentlemen are residents of St. Paul, and the responsibility of the management rests with Mr. McChesney. A general banking business is transacted, and the office is provided with a first-class burglar and fire proof safe secured by a time lock. Hagerty & Maple's Bank. The above institution opened its door for business June 6, '82. It was first organized under the firm name of Hagerty & Pierce, which continued for a time when Mr. Pierce withdrew. In September, 1883, the present organization was effected. In October, 1883, they built a handsome block, 100 feet in length by 24 feet in width in part of which they carry on their banking business. The establishment transacts every variety of legitimate banking business. First National Bank. This institution was organized July 1, '83, with a paid up capital of $50,000, and is the only national bank in Brown County. The bank is under the management of S. H. Jumper, President, and Geo. L. Cadwell Jr., Cashier, both men of extensive business experience. The business of the institution includes general banking, the purchase and sale of domestic and foreign exchange, and government and other first-class securities. It occupies a handsome office in a building centrally located and provided with a first-class burglar and fire proof safe. LUMBER BUSINESS--The lumber interests of the place are represented by the St. Croix Lumber Company, under the management of W. A. Doe, which commenced business in March, 1882; the Dille Bros., who commenced operations in Jan., 1882, and the Jim River Lumber Company, under the management of C. H. Caryl. This last mentioned firm began business in May, 1883; and the Barnes & Parsons Lumber Company, which began business in May, 1883. The railroad facilities of Aberdeen are exceptionally good, and there is no doubt that the rapid strides made by the town are largely due to the railway lines which converge at this point. It is a station for four divisions of the C., M. & St. P. R. R. and a station on the line of the Dakota division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. Already no less than ten passenger trains arrive from and depart daily, in six different directions. This is the more remarkable when we consider that hardly more than three years have passed since not a single habitation marked the spot where now stands a flourishing city of 2,500 inhabitants. It is the seat of a government land office which has undoubtedly contributed materially to the present surprising prosperity of the city. The Aberdeen Roller Mill is owned and operated by the Aberdeen Mill Company. It turns out at present 125 barrels of flour every 24 hours, and has room for machinery sufficient to increase the product to 250 barrels. The building is a substantial frame structure 60 by 40 feet in dimensions and four stories high. The engine house, which is entirely detached from the main building, is of brick, 34 by 40 feet. A Reynolds-Corliss engine of 100 horse power furnishes the motive power. The boilers, two in number, are 14 feet in length by 54 inches in diameter. The stack is three feet in diameter and 75 feet high. The establishment contains seven double sets of the Allis Rolls, inclosed in Grey's patent, noiseless frames; five Geo. T. Smith, Jackson, Michigan, purifiers; four "Childs" and "Fir" centrifugal reels, 3 Kirk & Fender, dust collectors, one Morgan scourer, one Kurth cockle machine, 2 Barnard & Lea's separators, a flour packer, besides bolting and scalping chests, elevators, conveyers, shafting, etc., necessary in a complete milling establishment. The mill is situated on the C., M. & St. P. Ry. track, and every convenience is provided for receiving wheat and shipping mill products. The mill is owned by C. F. Hatch, Wm. Tennant and L. C. Mitchell, constituting the Aberdeen Mill Company. It is under the management of Mr. Tennant, a practical miller of over 15 years' experience, formerly from Faribault, Minn. HOTELS--Aberdeen is well supplied with hotels, the principal being known as the Sherman, Artesian, and Park. There are several others, among which are the Commercial, Central, American, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Hazard, all doing a good business. The town is finely situated and presents a very solid and substantial appearance. In many instances handsome brick buildings have been erected, among which are the public school, the government land office, Stroupe & Townsends building; occupied by the First National Bank; Hagerty & Marple's Bank Block and numerous others. An artesian well, 980 feet deep, has been sunk by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. The water has a pressure of 127 pounds to the square inch by actual test, and is said to have the second largest flow of any artesian well in the world. A magnificent tract of country is tributary to this point and there is no doubt, taking into consideration its splendid railroad facilities, that Aberdeen will always be in the vanguard of the leading cities of the territory. Situated nearly midway between the Minnesota line and the Missouri River it occupies an excellent geographical position and must, in the nature of things, maintain its standing of one of the best and most prosperous inland cities of Dakota. COLUMBIA.--We are indebted to the Brown County _Sentinel_ for a portion of the following sketch: "The first settlement upon the site of the County Seat of Brown County was made June 15th, 1879, by the Richmond Town Site Company, composed of M. R. Baldwin, M. S. James, J. W. Brigham and Wm. Townsend. Eight hundred acres had been covered by scrip for the company a short time before, by B. M. Smith. As there was another Richmond in the territory no post office could be secured under that name, and in March, 1880, the name of the town was changed to Columbia. When the county was organized, July 20, 1880, Jno. R. James, Don. C. McKenzie and C. D. Johnson were appointed Commisioners, and at the first session of the board, Columbia was declared the county seat. At the fall election the action of the board was sustained by the people. About the time of the first settlement a man named Spencer built a dam on the James River, near Columbia, over which a wagon road was run until the spring of 1883. The first building in Columbia was a store erected in the spring of 1879 by Jno. R. James and D. C. McKenzie, the lumber in which was carted from the Northern Pacific R. R. and the cost was $45.00 per thousand laid down here. In 1880 the building occupied as a court house was put up by Marion Douglas, and several other buildings were erected, but its real growth cannot be dated back of the present season, '83." The honor of starting the first general store in Columbia is shared jointly by Diment Bros. and J. D. Lavin & Co., who located in May, 1882. Diment Bros. began in the room which was occupied by Place's saloon at the time of the Colwell house fire, but removed to their present location in the spring of 1883. Next came John Gaskin in the fall, who built the first store building on Broadway. W. F. Neeley & Co. and Jefferson Couch are others who carried general stocks. In 1882 there was not more than a score of houses where now stands a promising town of about 150 buildings, and among this number some of the finest business blocks in Southern Dakota. Several business firms, when they were assured that the road would be built from Ordway here, lost no time in securing building lots, and some of them began drawing lumber for their buildings from Ordway and Bath, and in October, 1882, when the trains began delivering lumber and supplies the real activity commenced and did not stop during the whole winter and summer following, the total cost of improvements amounting to nearly $200,000. SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.--Good school and church accommodations are already provided; a large and substantial school building, costing some $6,000, is one of the most conspicuous features of the place, and a Baptist Church built during the summer of 1883 at an expense of $2,500 is another. The Congregationalists, Presbyterians and Episcopal Methodists have also organizations here. The Columbia Post office was established in November, 1879, and Jno. R. James appointed Post Master. During the summer of 1883 a very handsome block was built by Mr. James at a cost of $8,500, in which the office is located. The corner room, 21 by 35, is devoted to the Post-office and over $1,200 were expended in fixtures. The boxes and drawers are all of the latest patterns, and the arrangement not only convenient but attractive as well. THE PRESS.--The Brown County _Sentinel_ was established in July, 1882, by J. D. Reeves, and in April, 1883, C. E. Baldwin purchased an interest. The firm is now Reeves & Baldwin. The _Dispatch_ was first issued May 19, 1883, by Thomas & Mosher. ROLLER MILLS.--In 1880 M. R. Baldwin, Wm. Townsend, the former from Minneapolis, Minn., and the latter from La Pere, Michigan, made the purchase of the site upon which the mill is located. In December, 1881, F. H. Townsend, formerly of Sibley, Iowa, came here and secured an interest in the water power property. In February, following, they commenced procuring material for a mill and dam, both of which were completed the following summer, and on November 20th the mill was started. The mill proper is 40 by 40 feet and four stories, or 55 feet in height. The elevator department is 40 by 60 and has a storage capacity of about 25,000 bushels. The mill is a 200 barrel mill, is equipped with the roller system, and has one set of buhrs for grinding feed. BANKS.--The Farmers and Merchants Bank was established in May, 1883, by Chas. R. Hannan; and the building was erected during 1883 at an expense of $4,000. It is neatly and conveniently arranged, the office being provided with a 10,000 pound fire and burglar proof safe. The Bank of Columbia was opened by Wm. Davidson during the fall of 1882, and is the oldest bank in the town. The office is centrally situated on Broadway and is provided with a good burglar and fire proof safe secured by a time lock. Loomis & Corry, bankers, established their business in April, 1883. The institution does a legitimate banking business including the purchase and sale of foreign and domestic exchange, collections, etc. The office is provided with the necessary burglar and fire proof safe secured by a time lock. The place is well supplied with hotel accommodations, the Grand, especially, being worthy of mention. This house occupies one of the most eligible locations in the town. It is four stories in height, surmounted by a mansard roof. There are fifty-one rooms for guests beautifully furnished and large and well lighted. The total cost of the structure was about $30,000. GROTON.--Mr. C. E. Henry, in company with thirty others, left Greenville, Montcalm County, Michigan, in April, 1880, having Jamestown, D. T., as an objective point. On arriving in Watertown they stored their chattels, and the entire party moved northward. Mr. Henry did not like the country around Jamestown, but was particularly well pleased with the land in the vicinity of Groton, and on the 24th of May, 1880, located on the E. half of Section 33, Town 123, Range 61. He immediately built a shanty in which he lived during the summer, and in the fall erected a dwelling house. One N. O. Peterson, a Dane, and Hanson, a Norwegian, shortly after located three miles south on Mud Creek, in Town 122, Range 61. With these exceptions there was no other settlement nearer than York's Ferry to the West; to the East nothing nearer than Wahbay [Waubay-JJL] Lake, and to the North, no habitation for miles. The C. M. & St. P. R. R. was graded as far as Aberdeen, and ironed to Bristol, 25 miles east, during the summer of 1880. During the winter of 1880-'81, the snow laid on the ground fully three feet deep until April 16, and further immigration was checked until some time in May, 1881. Among the number who settled here were Wm. Atkins, F. D. Adams, W. Wicks, -- McPherson, Judd West, J. A. and Jno. Quingle, David Lane, H. L. Wood, E. S. and Benj. Mather, W. C. Allen, Jas. Hudson, A. Hall, and others. These settlers nearly all came in the month of May, and located in Town 123, Ranges 60 and 61. The town was platted in June, 1881, and shortly after W. B. York put up the first business establishment, a small frame structure erected near the track. This building was afterwards sold to Auguste Wagner, who moved it four miles northwest of the town. After this structure was built, W. C. Allen & Co. and Egbert Johns erected two hardware stores. J. M. Bennett, Jr., and J. F. Brown, two general stores, and O. Guernsey erected a building for Sheldon & Hutton, for a general store. The first train reached the town June 18, 1881, and the post-office was opened August 12, 1881. Groton was incorporated under the general act in 1883. The first officers were D. B. Johns, J. F. Brown and W. C. Allen, Trustees; W. L. Dow, Clerk; W. H. Johns, Treasurer; J. B. Bennett, Jr., Assessor; E. A. Bowers, Justice; Jno. Bowler, Marshal. The first meeting of this board was held September 19, 1883. SOCIETIES.--I. O. O. F.--Groton Lodge, No. 53, was organized in August, 1883. A. F. & A. M.--Groton Lodge, No. --, organized in September, 1883. SCHOOLS.--The town has a fine school house erected at an expense of $2,500, with a seating capacity of about one hundred. There is an average attendance of sixty scholars. BANKS.--The bank of Groton was incorporated in December, 1883, with a capital of $30,000. F. H. Hagerty, President, L. H. Neff, Cashier, A. J. Hagerty, Assistant Cashier. It was first opened in July, 1882, as a private banking institution under the same management. A very fine building was built in 1883 at a cost of some $4,000, exclusive of furniture, which cost $800. The Farmers' Bank is officered by R. R. Hurlbert, President; F. D. Adams, Vice-President; H. C. Sessions, Cashier; W. C. Allen, Assistant Cashier. The _Mirror_ was first issued September 9, 1881, by J. D. Reeves. The _News_ was first issued September 7, 1881, by M. V. B. Scribner. April 1, 1882, these papers were consolidated as the Groton _Advocate_, issued by Scribner & Reeves, and in September, 1882, M. V. B. Scribner became sole owner. The population of this growing town is 700 people. The mercantile interests are represented by some 40 or 50 business houses. In 1883 the value of improvement amounted to $73,000. FREDERICK.--In the latter part of August, 1881, S. D. Cone was sent here by the C. M. & St. P. Ry. Co., as their town site agent. At that time the only settlers in this vicinity were: Alvin Weaver, located on the present Weaver addition to Frederick; Horace Barnard, located on the N. E. quarter of Section 12, and J. P. Allison, who had charge of Messrs. Smith, Cobb & Co.'s ranch on Section 15, Town 127, Range 65. Immediately after his arrival Mr. Cone put up a small house now called the Farmers' Home, which he used as an office, and which became for some time a rendezvous for parties prospecting for land in this vicinity. In the latter part of December, 1881, Mr. C. F. Campan filed on a portion of Section 2, Town 127, Range 64, and erected a small building two doors from his present establishment in which he placed a stock of groceries. The next settler was P. G. Woodward, who came in December, 1881. About Feb'y 1st, he built a small office and shortly after put up a store building. M. T. Light built a small house where the present rear addition to the Prior House stands, and during the month of March opened to the public the Maple Valley House. During the month of April following, he commenced the construction of the present Prior House. Messrs. Haasze & Dam, in March, 1882, erected their store building and put in a stock of hardware. Among those who came during the winter and early spring months were: O. Calkins, E. L. Spence, Carl Paulson, Hans Haback, J. Lambert, Doctor Berghoff, Mrs. O. J. De Landreeis, Chas. Edwards, R. B. Bentley, Jno. Barton, -- McMillan, Henry Van Slyck, G. S. Rhoades, Wm. Milna, Jno. Way and others. NEWSPAPERS.--The Frederick _Free Press_ was first issued March 9, 1882. Feb'y 1, 1883, Messrs. Kenyon & Stoddard purchased the paper and Nov. 1, 1883, A. L. Stoddard became sole owner. The _Bank of Frederick_ was opened for business June 21, 1882, by the Messrs. Dow Brothers. The population of the village is about 500. There is one church edifice--Catholic--and the town has a fine public school building, erected at a cost of three thousand dollars. ORDWAY.--F. A. Luse first established himself in this vicinity in August, 1880. On his arrival he found Luther P. Flint and Jas. T. Tollman located on Sections 31 and 32, Towns 125, Range 63, these men having come in during the spring. To the east the nearest settlement was Columbia, and a few settlers were at Aberdeen. During this year Mr. Corporon located about half way between here and Columbia, on Section 15, Town 124, Range 63. Mr. Horsford in the same section and Mr. Hurlbert and Mr. Kilmar on Section 14, Town 124, Range 63. All these men, with the exception of Mr. Luse, wintered here during 1880-'81. This winter Mr. Luse spent in Watertown, and the following May returned in company with Mr. J. R. Williams and located on Section 32, Town 125, Range 63. On his return, besides the parties enumerated, he found one James Townsend, who during the winter had walked through from Watertown. During the summer of 1880, the C. & N. W. Ry. had been graded from Huron and the town site platted by Albert Keep. In May, 1881, H. Wynn put up a tent hotel, and about the same time R. H. Garland from Osage, Iowa, built a feed store and was the first one to sell goods in the town. Messrs. Savage & Jackson, put up a temporary building, which they soon removed and built new. During the summer, Wm. Smith put up a hotel, and Moore & Brayton a law office, and V. P. Kennedy a drug store. These were the only buildings put up prior to the advent of the railway on the 19th of October, 1881. Soon after, A. Wynn built a hotel, Jas. McArthur put up a machinery warehouse, Oscar Lockerby erected a store building, and Stephen Wade built a feed store. SCHOOLS.--A school was kept during the winter of 1881-2, in the upper story of V. P. Kennedy's drug store, by Miss Lizzie Lockerby. A fine school building, costing $3,500, was erected in the summer and fall of 1882. CHURCHES.--The first religious services were held in Garland's store in June, 1881, by Rev. George Glendenning, a Disciple's minister. NEWSPAPERS.--The first paper published in the place was the Ordway _Times_, established August 4, 1881, by Moore & Brayton. The paper was discontinued in July, 1883. The _Dakota Valley Tribune_ was started by W. A. Moore, and Jan'y 1, 1884, Mr. Moore sold out to Messrs. Torrey & Luse, the present proprietors. In 1883, Ordway made a determined fight for the Territorial Seat of Government. The Ordway Land and Improvement Co. was organized under the laws of Iowa, with a paid up capital of $400,000. The officers are: L. J. Lamson, President; F. G. Logan, Secretary. This corporation offered 480 acres of land and $100,000 in cash to secure the Capital, but failed in their effort. Other towns and post-offices in the county are: BATH, eight miles east from Aberdeen, on the C. M. & St. P. Ry., a smart, growing village, having several trading establishments; RUDOLPH, on the C. & N. W. Ry., eight miles south of Aberdeen, and also on Moccasin Creek; WARNER, a station on the James River Division of the C. M. & St. P. Ry., ten miles directly south of Aberdeen; WESTPORT, a considerable village on the last mentioned railway, about thirteen miles north of Aberdeen; DETROIT, in the township of the same name, eighteen miles northeast of Columbia; YORKVILLE, on the Jim River, one of the oldest places in the county; PECTORIA, on Lake Columbia, and MERNA, SHELBY, HUFFTON, DODGE, RONDELL, and GEM: post-offices, situated in various parts of the county, which, with its 1,728 square miles affords ample room and opportunities for a large number of flourishing towns and villages.