Text of "Tyndall, South Dakota Centennial 1879-1979"

	This file contains the complete text of the book, "Tyndall, South
	Dakota Centennial 1879-1979" by Maxine K. Schuurmans.

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	Uploaded with the kind permission of the author, Maxine K.
	Schuurmans.

One Hundred Years of Tyndall

-A Centennial History-

by

Maxine K. Schuurmans
Historian


The Tyndall Centennial Committee
Tyndall, S.D.
June, 1979

I. The Beginnings

	1.	The New Town of Tyndall
	2.	The Little City of Bon Homme
	3.	The Railroad
	4.	Early Businesses
	5.	Business Pioneers
	6.	Politics and  the  Reins of Government
	7.	Agriculture and the Weather
	8.	The Doctor's Role
	9.	Entertainment and Recreation
	10.	The Role of Women

II. The People Meet Their Social And Religious Needs

	11. Elliott Hose Co. No.1
	12.	The Czechs
	13. The Churches
	14. The Wars and Those That Served
	15. Groups and Societies

III.	Our Youth

	16.	The Tyndall  Public  School System
	17.	The Country School
	18.	The 4-H Clubs

IV.  Update

	19.	Tyndall Today
	20.	Recreation Update

 Appendixes:
	Map of Bon Homme County

	Map of City of Tyndall
	  Pearl Street, 1910-1914
	Index

page 2
Author's Preface

	"Give it a go, what can you lose, 
	you're far from home anyhow, and you 
	can always go still farther."
		Based on an original idea of Robert 
		Frost. . . Wm. Saroyan, "New Republic"
		p.29, March 4,1978



[ drawing -COURT HOUSE]


B & H Publishing
Tyndall, S.D.
May, 1979

	Four ways are my roots deep in the Tyndall-Tabor community. There 
may be a rare Rehurek-Vavruska on my mother's side, or a Souhrada-Petrik 
on my father's, who do not trace their background to the same hearty pioneers 
who homesteaded in this area, bringing with them little more than a few 
belongings and a deep faith in the lonely land they came to claim.

	My children share this rich Czech blood with their father's sturdy 
Dutch heritage on one side and strong German ties (Beringer and Dahloff) 
on the other, with a lightening of Irish and French besides.

In a way this is also the story of our community, the blending of many 
cultures, each contributing its uniqueness toward the whole, while still 
retaining its own individuality.

	But this story of Tyndall is not meant to be complete, it does in 
fact only concentrate on the first two-thirds of our little city's history. 
Let it remain to another person some years hence to write tomorrow's 
history based on the activities of today. We are sorry that the names of 
so many who have left their imprint here have been left out in the random 
search through old newspapers, documents, and dusty places.

	Most of the memories recorded here are pleasant ones because, by 
the grace of God, we tend to nurture the good and put aside the bad. But 
there are the hard times too-the depression, the wars, the untimely losses 
of loved ones-all the tests of hardship which help cement a diversified people 
into a community which cares, our community.

	Caring is sharing, and share many have in compiling writeups and 
photos for this book. Special mention needs to be made of the Tyndall 
Centennial committee for its supportive effort and especially the 
two young couples, Don and Grace Rothschadl and Rich and Diane Tiahrt 
who have worked for so many months for the success of the Centennial.

page 3

I	The Beginnings

(1) The New Town of Tyndall

	When South Dakota was officially organized as a territory by 
Congress in March, 1861, the site of Tyndall was just part of the great 
rolling prairie. As a town it came into being when the railroad came 
through the county. The first building was the depot and the first 
freight shipment was a box of rabbits, weight 100 pounds, shipped by Alois 
Zienert to Portage, Wisc. M.E. Talcott, agent for the Milwaukee railway, 
issued the receipt which was dated Dec. 9,1879.

	However, previous to that time, Dan Currier, a pioneer of imagination, 
had moved into the vicinity at the first signs of the building of the railroad, 
and built his home and store on the very spot where he thought the railroad ties 
would be placed, four miles west of Tyndall on Emmanuel Creek. But the railroad 
missed Danbury when it came through so Mr. Currier put his buildings on wheels, 
and moved them to the railroad. He then proceeded to survey and plat the townsite, 
located near the geographical center of the county at the junction of the Running 
Water and Charles Mix County branch (otherwise known as the "Squaw Central") of 
the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway.

	Tyndall received its name from Oregon Richmond, the son of an early settler 
of Bon Homme. Mr. Richmond had received his own name as the result of being born 
on a Man-of-War off the coast of Oregon. His father had come to Bon Homme with 
the title of Reverend, but did much dental work and caring for the sick, and was 
known as "Doc". The son, Oregon, had studied to be a scientist and physician, 
and as a result of that study named the new town after John Tyndall, the British 
scientist, who had toured the U.S. in 1872. There is no other town in the United 
States with the same name.

	Originally the town of Tyndall had two business sections. Martin J. Roose 
had a grocery store, J.J. Sperb a wagon shop, and D.W. Currier a drug store and 
grocery in the present business section, but some expected the main street to be 
located in north Tyndall on State Street, and Alois Zienert started a merchandise 
store there. He was joined by Anton Castka with a saloon, and Mr. Markley with a 
blacksmith shop, but finally the business section on the north part of town was 
moved to the present location. Some buildings were remodeled into dwelling houses, 
and remained there. The dwelling place of Alois Zienert was occupied for many years 
by the John Cole family; (in fact, Mr. Zeinert was Mr. Cole's godfather and often 
handed him a ten dollar bill which he accompanied with words of advice.)

	The following might be mentioned as some of the other first business 
establishments in Tyndall: F.A. Morgan, first lumber yard, Jan. 1880; Bouza and 
Bouska, general merchandise; H. Goepfert, agricultural implements; G.T. Rounds, 
livery; L. A. Haight, meat market; and Mrs. M.E. Congleton, hotel. By 1880, the 
city was in the boom stage, and continued in growth. Mr. Currier built the Grand 
Central Hotel, which was the pride of this section and the territory, and was 
referred to in the press as the "greatest hotel this side of Chicago". It was 
opened to the public in 1884.


	The first Congregational church of Tyndall was organized in 1880 when 
the town was a mere infant. Meetings were held in houses, the depot, in a tent, 
and in stores until a new building was occupied in 1897. The first church 
building in Tyndall was the M.E. church built in 1881, followed closely by the 
Presbyterian church in 1881-82. However, prior to that in 1876 a congregation 
of German Baptists had been formed 7 miles southwest of Tyndall, in 1879 a parish

[photo - F.A. Morgan birdseye view of Tyndall.]

page 4

[photo - Birds eye view of Tyndall looking west on Main St. one block 
east of Pearl]

of Catholics 4 1/2 miles southeast of town, and in 1885 a Czech Presbyterian 
church 8 miles east toward Tabor.

	The first school in Tyndall was held in a building about 16x20 owned by 
Martin Roose and located on the lot now occupied by the apartment house which was 
formerly a part of the old Good Samaritan home. The first teacher was America 
Rounds (later Mrs. J.P. Serr), there were about 15 pupils, the eldest of whom 
was Mattie Miller, and the only visitor recorded during the term was F.A. Morgan, 
Tyndall business-man, educator, golden-tongued orator. After one season this 
building was found to be too small, and was moved to Main Street by the owner 
to be used for a grocery store. Another frame structure was built, this time 
on the present school grounds which had to be reached from the east by boats, since 
the land between the school and the next two streets to the east was a lake bed. 
That same year a high boardwalk was built so that boat transportation was no 
longer necessary.

	Before long this school also proved too small and certain grades were held 
in different places, among them the present funeral home. (The history of ZCBJ Tyndall 
lodge Pravda No.80 states that in 1908 the lodge had the privilege of buying the 
old high school building from Tyndall Independent School Dist. No.3 for $2500.00 
for their use as a lodge hall.) However in 1888, when the enrollment reached one 
hundred, the people decided that a new school must be built and so the brick school 
came into being. Later this was destroyed by fire, (in 1929) and replaced with another.

	For several years the railroad ruled the economy of the town, dependent on it 
as were both rural and townspeople for nearly all their needs. However when the 
county seat was moved to Tyndall from Bon Homme in 1885, prosperity was assured. 
The court house provided positions for many as well as being the reason for many 
to come to town. This is still true.

	The Tyndall Tribune was established in 1881 by S. W. Wilcox and in 1885 the 
Tyndall Register was published by Frank Richmond; these two papers served the city and 
county under various publishers and editors until 1937 when they consolidated under 
the name of The Tyndall Tribune and Register. Today it is published by Wayne L. 
Bertrand and Marvin A. Blaha of B & H Publishing, Inc.

[photo - East Pearl north of Oliva's store, Joe Hisek]

page 5

	After incorporation in 1887, city government took a firm hand in the affairs 
of its people, a charge it has never neglected. Prime on the list of needs for the new 
community was a fire department, and Elliott Hose Co. No. 1 was formed. There was a 
need for graded streets, cement sidewalks, sewer and water, lights, parks, and police, 
and all were met in their time. With the growing number of ordinances came a kind 
of protective parochial order which still prevails today.

	In 1910 the city voted bonds for a municipal light plant and this plant was 
quite an improvement over the old privately owned plant, giving the citizens 
twenty-four hour service. In 191/the city with a donation of $7000.00 built a 
splendid Carnegie library, and in 1920 it voted bonds to improve the municipal light 
and water plant and sewer system as well as voting to provide for a city auditorium. All 
these improvements were completed and presented quite an undertaking for a city the 
size of Tyndall. About that time a new dial telephone system was installed to replace 
the old system, an improvement that very few of the larger cities and none of the cities 
the size of Tyndall had at that time. And in 1930 the city paved five blocks on Pearl 
Street, the main business street, and gravelled the balance of the streets, thus 
lifting the city out of the mud.

	We cannot forget the rural community without which there would be no town, 
and conversely, without the town, the rural community could not prosper. This 
interdependence of its people has justified the growth of this one hundred year 
young city which looks to the future with a confidence born of the pioneer spirit 
which contributed to its founding.

	A description of Tyndall as printed in Springfield Times May 27,1882

	Five years ago there were but three families residing within three miles 
of where the town now stands, and nearly all the land was unclaimed for miles 
in every direction. Tyndall is therefore one of our new railroad towns. The records 
of the original town plat and the two additions thereto, bear date, respectively, 
April 12, Nov. 1st and Nov. 29th, 1880. Its present dimensions have thus been attained 
during the year last past.

	It has at present a population of about one hundred. It occupies a beautiful 
and commanding location midway between Scotland on the northeast and Springfield on 
the southwest. Almost every branch of business connected with the necessities of life 
is effectively and profitably conducted. There are five large and well-stocked store 
rooms and the daily sales of merchandise are most respectable in value. Large invoices 
of goods are received from the east every morning and the shipment of local productions 
bears emphatic evidence of the vast productiveness of the surrounding country and the 
thrift and industry of its population. Besides the mercantile establishments above 
mentioned there are a first class livery, two drug stores, two farm implement depots, 
a meat market, a blacksmith shop, two large frame churches, two saloons, a sale stable, 
a book store, two hotels, a restaurant, a boot and shoe manufactory, an extensive 
lumber yard, a printing office (The Tyndall Tribune), a fine railroad depot building 
and station house. A school house worthy of the promise of the town will be erected during 
the coming summer, also a block of brick business houses and a public hall.

	The surrounding country is thickly settled, and excepting the school lands, 
nearly every quarter section has its resident owner. The soil here as elsewhere in 
southeastern Dakota is abundantly fertile and productive. The agricultural population 
are year by year becoming more comfortably conditioned, and with proper industry and 
foresight, competence is within their grasp. All the elements of prosperity and 
progress are here awaiting utilization by capital and labor. No better location for 
business can be found in southeast Dakota.

	Of the population contiguous to Tyndall, the English speaking people 
preponderate; but two miles to the northwest on Emanuel Creek and tributary to 
Tyndall, is a large settlement of German Russians, an enterprising, industrious 
and law-observing people, who are rapidly adopting the social and political and 
business customs of the native born.

[photo - On Pearl looking north from the Grand Central hotel (no water 
tower)]

[photo - The V.J. Ptak home built in 1885, now the Petrik Funeral home]

[photo - Early north Tyndall home, later John Cole home]

page 6

	Tyndall is destined to grow into a large and wealthy town, perhaps the largest 
and wealthiest in the county, and will no doubt eventually become the county seat of 
Bon Homme County. Property purchased or erected here cannot fail to prove most 
profitable ventures on the part of men of business and capital.

(2)    The Little City of Bon Homme

	Through no fault of its own and certainly with no forethought on the part 
of its citizens, the little village of Bon Homme played a large part in the growth 
of Tyndall. It was not that the railroad came to Tyndall that contributed to the 
demise of the friendly little community to the southeast, but that it overlooked 
Bon Homme entirely.

	Bon Homme was settled in 1858 by a colony of settlers from Mankato, Minn., 
which entered the territory immediately after the consummation of the Treaty of 1858. 
This settlement prospered, and Bon Homme became one of the important places of the 
early territorial life. Here was built the first school house in the territory, but 
when the village was left out of the calculations of the builders of the Chicago, 
Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad, its prestige began to depart and its stores, shops 
and hotels followed each other in closing their doors. The buildings that had been the 
former homes of the hopeful and contented pioneers were being moved away until at 
last the final blow came in the spring of 1885 by way of the removal of the county 
seat of Tyndall.

	The following news items (taken from the Tyndall Tribune unless otherwise 
noted) give an indication of the good times as well as the frustrations enjoyed by the 
local citizens of that once-busy town.

	Tyndall is figuring on the capital of Bon Homme County, and the proprietors 
of her town site are just now figuring on how they can get ahead of each other. 
Springfield and Scotland smile and hope the war will continue.
		      	-Yankton Press and Dakotaian, Jan. 1882

	Tyndall is not making any move towards getting the county seat, neither are 
the townsite owners in a wrangle. There may be some truth in the statement that 
Scotland and Springfield consider Tyndall a formidable opponent for county seat 
honors, but just at present our people are talking of nothing but building and 
improvement. When the proper time comes, Tyndall will take a hand in the county seat 
contest.
                         S. W. Wilcox, Jan. 7,1882

	The social dance at Bon Homme on Wednesday was well attended, sixty couples 
having participated in the pleasures of the evening. The supper was gotten up by 
Mrs. Cogan and enjoyed by all. There will be another grand ball at Bon Homme in 
the court house February 2, everybody invited. Ticket for dance and supper $1.50. 
Pike's band of Yankton will enliven the occasion with good music.
		        	-Jan. 7,1882

	We have not lost heart for Bon Homme yet. The old adage is still on the books 
of the present. "He laughs best who laughs last" The day for Bon Homme is coming; move

[drawing - Map of old Bon Homme area taken from 1906. Bon Homme Co. 
atlas, showing old town site.]

[photo - The old Bon Homme cemetery located one mile west of the old 
town site, Lewis and Clark Lake and the Nebraska hills in the background.]

page 7

[photo - Old hotel in Bon Homme operated by Mrs. Cogan.]

among your balloon frames it you will, yet, the day will come when Bon Homme will 
have its boom. All things will come right to him who can wait So we say to our Bon 
Homme friends, "be of good courage, don't give up the ship, success will crown your 
hopes in the future."
			-D.B. Nichols, Jan. 28, 1882

	Will Seaman started his store building from Bon Homme last Friday evening and 
arrived in Tyndall Saturday morning at 2 o'clock. It was quite a surprise to our 
citizens

[photo - The Lady Maccabees of  Bon Homme 1902: Back row, K. Mulleague, 
Mrs. F.C. Byrne, Mrs. H. Silverwood, Nellie Torrence, Mrs. H. Beaman; middle, 
Mrs. Fanny Cogan, Mrs. Kountz. Mrs. A. Gardner, Mrs. W. Hanrahan, Mrs. Jack Glynn; 
front, Carrie Petrik, May Hanrahan, Lizzie Kelley, Ethel Mallory, Eva Cogan.]

Page 8
to wake up in the morning and find that Tyndall contained one more business 
house than when they retired the night previous.
				-Feb. 11, 1882

A.  J. Cogan was in the city last Tuesday. He said every thing was as it 
should be in and around that ghost of what was at one time one of the most 
promising towns of the Territory.
					-Nov. 20, 1887

	The old hotel in Bon Homme was one of the places moved (from Bon Homme to 
Tyndall) and is still today put to very good use, being the home of the Harold 
Hoffman family. Prior to that it had been the home of Mrs. Anton Chastka, and 
is located on West Pearl three houses south of Lawler. This home is steeped in 
the romance of the pioneer days. Mrs. Bridget Cogan, who owned and operated the 
hotel was one of the most rugged and inspiring of the pioneers, and was known as 
a wonderful hostess to travelers and as a friend to the Indians who named her 
Tonka Waseche Utah Tape (the big white woman who keeps the eating house). Upon the 
removal of the county seat, Mrs. Cogan closed her hotel, and took up residence in 
Tyndall, where she spent the rest of her life.

(3)  The Railroad Its Growth and Decline

[photo - Fighting snow near Tyndall in early 1915]

	Tyndall was first and foremost a railroad town. It was born because of the 
railroad, grew because of it, and now after one hundred years, ironically is faced 
with the very real prospect of its loss. A letter asking for historical information 
was sent late in 1918 to the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad 
Company and Jim Scribbins, Communications Resources Manager, replied as follows:

	It is sincerely hoped the information contained in this letter will provide 
you with a reasonable account of the Milwaukee Road and its history in Tyndall. The 
first route through Tyndall was constructed in 1879 by the Chicago, Milwaukee and 
St. Paul, as our company was then known, and extended from Marion Junction to Running 
Water.

	An undated letter written probably in 1931 by a retired employee who had been 
a conductor assigned to construction trains at various locations on the Iowa and 
Dakota division mentions some of the earliest operation on this branch.

page 9

	He says, "I was hauling material for the construction crew when, six miles 
west of Marion Junction, we received a rush order to hurry the work because the 
company had secured a big shipment of Texas steers which had been grazing on the 
Nebraska side across from Running Water. The track was laid directly onto the grade 
with very little surfacing done except on the worst places, and I should judge that 
in approximately 80 days the track was extended into Running Water. There were 
several train-loads of steers in this shipment which was considered a big bunch 
of business for this branch.

	"Late in the fall of '79 there was mixed (freight and passenger) train put 
on, and it was all the regular service on the branch for some time. As I remember 
it, that initial shipment of stock was the biggest event the Running Water line 
ever enjoyed. During the Winter of '79 and early '80, we stored freight to go 
up-river as early in the Spring as possible."

	The reference to river steamers was confirmed by the current issue of 
Journal of the West which states that upon completion of the line into Running 
Water, steamers began operating north to Fort Pierre. Running Water was designated 
as the official shipping point for government supplies destined to upper Missouri 
River points. In 1881, the main line of our Iowa and Dakota division had arrived in 
Chamberlain, effectively ending this activity for the Running Water branch.

	I can outline our "passenger train" service between Marion Junction and Running 
Water, commencing in 1886 - the earliest year for which we retain timetables. A 
single train in each direction Monday through Saturday required five hours to 
negotiate the 62 miles; and this schedule prevailed at least through 1900. These 
trains were undoubtedly "mixed"; that is, combination freight and passenger 
trains. In 1905, the mixed trains required 30 minutes longer for their trip; but 
an additional complete passenger train was added making a Tyndall-Marion Junction 
round trip in but half the previous time. In 1910, the passenger train operated 
the entire line and made a one-way journey in three hours, compared to six hours 
for the mixed.

	Within three years, however, both mixed train and passenger train service began 
to be curtailed somewhat, at one time or another being reduced either in distance or in 
frequency or both. The portion of the line between Springfield and Running Water was 
abandoned in 1930, by which time service consisted of a single mixed train six days 
a week. Through service from Marion Junction ceased in March, 1933, and only a 
Tyndall-Springfield freight train was scheduled Monday- Wednesday - Friday, and that 
was by means of a side-trip performed by the Yankton-Platte freight train. On the 
north end of the branch there was service performed by a Marion Junction-Scotland 
freight Any would-be passengers were carried in the caboose. The 11.6 miles between 
Tyndall and Scotland were abandoned in November, 1936.

	Through at least 1945, it was possible to travel by freight train Tyndall-
Springfield as mentioned, but by January, 1950, that portion of the line was simply 
listed in the time folder as having freight service only, no longer carrying passengers. 
In September, 1965, the 5.5 miles between Kingsburg and Springfield were abandoned, as 
were the six miles Springfield-Tyndall in July, 1971.

	The existing 82 miles of branch between Napa (six miles west of Yankton) and Platte 
were constructed in 1900 by Chicago, Milwaukee and St Paul and intersected the Running 
Water branch at Tyndall. As I am certain you are aware, application for abandonment of 
this branch is now pending (Dec. 7,1918) before the Interstate commerce Commission. 
This line was open as far as Wagner by October 1, 1900, with a train requiring 4 1/2 
hours to travel 52 miles from Yankton; and a month later opened to Platte with the trip 
taking 8 hours and 20 minutes. I will mention that Platte line trains have always 
operated from and to Yankton. Tyndall was listed as a lunch stop for these early trains. 
By 1905, this mixed train had been quickened to a 6 hour 15 minute schedule, and a 
Yankton-Tyndall passenger train made the run in 1 hour and 10 minutes.

	In 1910, there was one Yankton-Platte passenger train in each direction 
scheduled at 3 hours 40 minutes; and five years thereafter there was again a mixed 
train as well as a passenger. At least some of the time, the mixed train rather 
than coming direct from Napa remained on the Sioux City and Dakota division mainline 
to Scotland, thence using the Running Water branch to Tyndall, and on to Platte.

	The next change occurred in 1930 when a self-propelled motor train replaced 
the steam-powered passenger train with the added advantage of operating between Sioux 
City and Platte. At that same time, the existing mixed trains were reduced to the 
status of a freight train that would carry passengers in its caboose. The motor train, 
by the way, was approximately one-half hour faster than the one drawn by steam locomotive.

	In 1935, the freight train (or at least its passenger-carrying trips) were reduced 
to Monday - Wednesday - Friday westbound, and returning from Platte the following days, 
while the motor train was changed to a Yankton-Platte operation. This scheme of operation 
remained in effect until 1950 when the freight train no longer accepted passengers.

	The final trip of the Yankton-Platte passenger train was Jan. 8, 1951.

[photo - In 1925 the water tank which provided the steam for the 
railroad was located north of the depot 
near the Old Mill.]

[photo - Mike Beck, water tender for the CMSP RR in 1925 waits for the 
train.]

page 10

	At no time on either the Running Water or the Platte line was there a Sunday 
passenger train operation.

	In appreciation of your interest I remain,

	Cordially,
	Jim Scribbins
	Communications Resources Manager
	Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Company

	The railroad looked at Tyndall with ideas of profit and loss in mind. 
Tyndall on the other hand looked at the railroad in an entirely different way. 
From the railroad came the goods its people needed as well as provision for 
transportation to places either too far or too inconvenient for horses. There were 
other uses also, as the Tyndall Tribune reported on Dec. 31,1881:

	Rev. D. B. Nichols of Bon Homme entertained a good audience at the 
depot waiting room last Sabbath.

	Succeeding issues of this paper and other sources recorded the growth and 
decline of the Milwaukee Road, each in a personal way. All news items appearing 
below are taken from the Tyndall Tribune unless otherwise noted.

[photo - Tyndall depot in 1917, Lillian Vavruska, left.]

	Dec. 31,1881: Notwithstanding the fact that Monday was observed as a 
holiday, "Market Day" was well attended. A great many sales were effected and 
considerable money changed hands. An objection is raised by some to holding it 
on Monday. Saturday is the day usually set apart for farmers to come to town.. . 
While at Running Water on Monday we (the editor, S. W. Wilcox) were requested to 
consult the farmers and businessmen of Tyndall and ascertain if Saturday would not 
give more satisfaction. Parties living north of Tyndall could come down on the 
morning train and return in the evening. . . Let there be a general waking up among 
the farmers of this section and with the upbuilding of this enterprise (Market Day) 
will come many more.

	Jan. 1,1882: We would like to impress upon the minds of our readers the 
magnitude of the receipts and shipments from Tyndall during the past eight months 
ending Dec. 31st - 2,122,690 pounds of freight received, and 1,172,554 lbs. were 
shipped from this point. During the same length of time there were tickets sold 
to the amount of $1625.45. How many stations on the Branch can show up a larger 
railroad business? We are indebted to Agent (M. E.) Talcott for the above 
information. The majority of the freight shipped from this point was grain and 
livestock. Cut this item out and show it to the next croaker who intimates that 
the track will be torn up. The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul company do not own 
or operate 60 miles of better paying road on any of their western lines!

Page 11

[photo - Trouble on the tracks more than 50 years ago.]

	Jan. 21,1882: A new timetable went into effect on the Branch on Sunday 
last. The train from the north is due here at 5:15 a.m., and from the south at 
9:10 p.m. Passengers going east or west on the main line make direct connection at 
Marion Junction, a feature which will be appreciated by all.

	Feb. 11,1882: Two elegant settees now adorn our railroad waiting room.

	Apr. 1, 1882: Several thousand pounds of miscellaneous freight was unloaded 
here on Thursday morning, besides two full car loads of merchandise for our merchants.

	Apr. 15,1882: The Milwaukee company is sinking a large well at this place this 
week. The run from Jon River to Running Water is too great a distance to carry a supply 
of water for the engines and a well at this place was considered necessary. A wind mill 
and water tank will be erected as soon as the well is completed.

	Apr. 15,1882: There were only 50 empty beer kegs on our depot platform Thursday 
evening. They were returned to Milwaukee by Anton Castka. It must be that somebody 
drinks beer in our burg.

	May 6,1882: Passenger traffic is increasing rapidly. The train on the Branch is 
crowded every day. A motley crowd of Hollanders "just over" came in on Thursday 
morning. They looked as if they might enjoy a day in a bathroom.

	Apr. 15,1882: Mrs. Henry Brooks, the milliner, arrived by train and is exhibiting 
her goods to the ladies today. She is accompanied by her sister, Mrs. M. W. Bruce.

	Apr. 15,1882:1. W. Seaman arrived yesterday morning with three car loads of 
fine steers and several yoke of oxen. As soon as he sells this lot, he will go east and 
purchase a large herd which he will drive through.

	Aug. 26,1882: The railroad fare from Tyndall to Sioux Falls during Fair Week is 
$4.75 for the round trip. Tickets good from the 11th to the 16th of September.

	Feb. 18,1892: Postmaster Colburn asks people to stop mailing letters directly on 
the train as with only $20.00 more per quarter (in stamps) the post office would qualify 
to become a presidential office.

	June 9,1892: Between May 1,1891 and Apr. 30,1892, the railroad shipped 580 cars 
of grain and 285 cars of stock.

	June 23,1892: The people of Tyndall and vicinity turned out in large numbers 
Wednesday to attend the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) reunion at Scotland. The 
one coach furnished by the Milwaukee company was packed so full as to make moving 
about utterly impossible. Two empty freight cars were also filled and many were compelled 
to ride outside on the top of the cars.

	June 30,1892: There will be a special excursion train from Scotland to Tyndall, 
allowing those people in the northern part of the county to attend the 4th of July 
celebration) without being compelled to drive overland. (A later issue reported that 
over 100 people rode the special train into town where they were met at the depot by 
the band.)

	July 28,1892: The train is from two to four hours late nearly every night. This 
causes a great inconvenience to business firms who are desirous of receiving their mail 
in time to reply to all letters that require prompt attention. What is needed is a 
through passenger and mail train, and something should be done...

	May 14,1904, Tyndall Register: The excursion to Platte last Sunday over the 
Milwaukee road was a success in point of numbers. There were two trains, one of 
fourteen coaches and the other of twelve, all well-filled. Both were late and did 
not arrive at their destination until noon. It was a jolly crowd going but a tired 
one returning.

	Spring, 1911, Tyndall Register: The city is grading the street running from 
the depot to the ball grounds. This will not only improve the street, but will drain 
the stock yards which are in a bad condition after a heavy rain.

	July 12,1912, Tyndall Register: The new stockyards near the Y are removed, the 
eastern part of town will present a cleaner appearance, and the residents will draw a 
sigh of relief.

Page 12

	July 10, 1919, Wagner Eagle: (Headline - Milwaukee would be late if it dropped 
from the sky). If all were dynamited up at the same time - it's a safe bet the Milwaukee 
would be from twenty minutes to five hours late. As it is, no one knows just when to 
expect a train, and the force at the depot never know when they are going to eat a 
meal. Perhaps the rails sweat during hot weather and cause the wheels to slip; or the 
train crew stops in the shade out in the country to play poker with the passengers

	Oct 3, 1929, Bon Homme Register: A new motorbus is expected to start a regular 
run on the Platte line the first of next week... the motor and baggage compartment 
will be together and a separate car for passengers will be pulled by the motor bus. 
There was much dissatisfaction with The old arrangement, the noise and excessive 
vibration making travel unpleasant 

	Jubilee Edition, 1954, Tyndall Tribune and Register: A crew of carpenters sent 
out by the C. M. St. P. & P. Railroad Co. began remodeling the Tyndall depot last week. 
The old freight house, a two-story portion of the building, is being dismantled and 
disposed of. The south portion of the building which comprises the office, waiting room, 
and the old original freight house will comprise the overall proportions of the 
remaining building.

	Depot Agent B. L Dwyer explains that the office and waiting room will not be 
changed. That portion of the remaining building at the north end which was at one 
time the office, will serve as freight house.

	Mr. Dwyer recalls the days when the whole south portion of the building now 
comprising the office and waiting room, served as waiting room and was often taxed to 
accommodate the many passengers traveling by rail. The second floor rooms of the depot 
originally housed the depot agent and his family.

	Dimensions of the original building were 90 feet long and 24 feet wide. That 
portion of the building being removed is 42 feet, so that when the building is 
remodeled, the overall length will be 48 feet with the same width of 24 feet.

	As we have seen, the C. M. & St. P. Co. was concerned with profit and loss, 
and the town was concerned with its special needs, but the employees of the Milwaukee 
Road saw the railroad as a profession and a way of life. The first depot agent was said 
to have been M. E. Talcott, and among others were J. J. McDonough, Matt McCormick, 
N. Scanlan, Geo. Meaters and Bernie Dwyer. Following are news items about some of 
the men who worked on the railroad, concluding with the memories of one of the 
railroad wives who still resides in Tyndall. These items are from the Tyndall 
Tribune unless otherwise noted.

	Jan. 28,1882: A new and very important addition to the train force on the 
Branch is the position of express messenger. Charley McNeill is the successful man 
and no better selection could have been made as he is competent, courteous and 
strictly reliable. We congratulate Charles on his good fortune.

Feb.11, 1882: The south bound passenger train met with quite a delay on Tuesday 
morning. While they were switching at this place the engine jumped the track and 
although the boys worked faithfully they were unable to move it An engine was 
telegraphed for which came whirling along about 6 p.m. The train boys were so 
exhausted from loss of sleep and an overdose of work when they arrived at Running 
Water that they did not return until the following evening.

	Apr.15, 1882: John Griffin is now following the profitable occupation 
of "Shacking" on the Branch. He has the signals down "pat."

	Apr. 15,1882: Our telegraph office has received a new key and relay and 
Charlie McNeill is once more a happy man.

	May 6, 1882: The C.M. & St P. R.R. Company want to hire 100 men immediately 
at $1.50 per day to work on the railroad, board $3.50 per week. Pass both ways. Apply 
to M. E. Talcott, agent, Tyndall, D. T.

	And in 1979 Mrs. Ella Beck, Tyndall writes:

	My husband (Mike Beck) started as a section man in 1916 for the Milwaukee 
railroad then as a pumper. His job was to supply and soften the hard Tyndall water 
for the steam engines. Then the trucks took some of the business away from the 
railroad so he had to also shovel coal to supply the steam engines.

	The one advantage working for the railroad was the free pass which we used 
most of the time in summer. We would drive to Sioux City, take the evening train on 
Friday and be in Chicago in the morning. Did some shopping in the morning, then the 
Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field in the afternoon. Sunday to church, then two ball 
games in the afternoon. Took the evening train back to Sioux City and were back at 
work in the morning on Monday.

	Then the diesel engines took over, so Mike started working for the Farm Bureau 
Service Station in 1931, which position he held as manager until he passed away in 1964.

	(Note: Mrs. Beck has. suffered from a kidney disease for several years, and 
for some time has undergone the thrice-weekly agony of dialysis in her home. In 
addition, she has recently submitted to major heart surgery, but her indomitable 
spirit serves her well as she continues to enjoy each day at a time. We thank her 
for her reminiscences-)

[photo - C.M. & S. P. Railway depot today 1979, on Randy Skorpik farm.]

page 13

(4)

The Early Businesses 

	S. W. Wilcox, first editor of the Tyndall Tribune, was one of Tyndall's first 
and biggest promoters along with D.W. Currier and Alois Zienert, principal owners of 
the town lots. In the Vol. 1, No.3 issue of the Tribune dated December 31,1881, Mr. 
Wilcox writes, "When we came to Tyndall, Mr. Currier exhibited his generosity by 
tendering us the use of the building we just vacated free of rent until April 1. 
We found it necessary to get a larger room and more light and moved to Geopfert's 
building. We wish to express our warmest thanks to Mr. Currier for the use of his 
building as well as for the interests in the success of the Tyndall Tribune."

	Through the vehicle of his newspaper, Mr. Wilcox continually urged people to 
come and invest in the town he felt would become "the future metropolis of Bon Homme 
County". The following are excerpts from the early issues of the Tribune and include 
ads from the early businessmen as well as editorial comments.

Tyndall
Good Prospects for its Future Progress
Business Men, Capitalists, Mechanics
AND OTHERS DESIRING TO ESTABLISH A BUSINESS HERE
will be offered special inducements
Parties Desiring any Information Respecting Business
Prospects, Terms of Sale, etc., Will Call on or
Communicate with
D.W. CURRIER, TYNDALL, DAKOTA. 

	Also from the December 31, 1881 Tribune:

	I. W. Seaman-Dealer in horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and grain.

	G. T. Rounds-Proprietor of livery, feed and sale stable. Teams let 
on liberal terms. I also run a feed stable in connection with my livery.

	Rockwell and Morgan-Lumber yard.

	Bouza and Bouska-First class general store.

	A. Zienert-Cash mercantile establishment. Always was and always will be the 
popular trading place for everybody in the county. General merchandise, hardware, tin 
ware, drugs and furniture.

	J. Taggart-New restaurant, apples, cider, nuts, candies, canned goods, 
crackers, cheese, a good lunch, fresh oysters always on hand.

	E.S. Ensign-The Pioneer store of Tyndall, commonly known as the Roose store. 
Buys all grains brought to this market. Ensign and Roose handle agricultural implements.

	Levi A. Haight-Choice fresh meat.

	The Tyndall Hotel-Mrs. M.E. Congleton, Prop. My table is supplied with all the 
delicacies of the season and my beds are neat. Headquarters for all commercial men.

	Gustave Halb and Co.-Dry goods and everything usually found in a 
first-class store.

	Anton Castka-Dealer in liquors and cigars, runs a billiard hall.

	Frank Markley-First class blacksmith and horse-shoer.

	Jacob Sperb-Wagonmaker and general repairer.

	Williams and Blair-We sink wells to a depth of 130 feet, $1.00 per foot when 
we furnish curbing and finish the well, 65 cents per foot for boring alone.

	D.W. Currier-Groceries, drugs, glassware and crockery.

	That Tyndall was growing was evident. In January, 1882, Herbert Goepfert, 
seeing the necessity for a town hall, was planning to commence building one in May 
which would be 34x80 and two stories high. The lower room was to be occupied as 
a store and the entire upper story would serve as a public hall. In February the 
Tribune carried the following item from the Yankton Free Press:

	Tyndall is a village but its growth is permanent. Her people do not believe 
in making a grand parade, but if any one desires to learn of Tyndall, they say they are 
satisfied 

[photo - Mike Schmitt's men's clothing store "Mikehasit" opened in 1922 when the 
Schmitts and Jack McNeill came from Minnesota. In 1925, above, from left, Jack McNeill, 
Hayes Koenig, Mike Schmitt, and traveling man, H. Kiestra. from Nell Schmitt)]

page 14

with her prospect The farmers around Tyndall increased in numbers last year and 
this year many new firms will be opened. The young folks are working hard for a 
start, each one thinking he will provide himself with a home and the old folks 
are willing to aid them as best they can. The best business man is our friend 
Half. His store is always thronged and he sells large quantities of goods. His 
place of business is near the depot. Our friend Zienert has laid out lots 
adjoining his business place where he has a very nice store built He is postmaster 
and gives free box rent to all his patrons.

Alois Zienert

	From the 1954 Jubilee edition of the Tribune and Register comes the following 
information about Alois Zienert which was provided by Hazel Abbott. Alois Zienert had 
since 1872 conducted one of the finest stores in the village of Bon Homme, and 
realizing the value of the land, also became the owner of many acres east of Tyndall 
as well as 50 acres within the townsite. When the railroad came to town, he built 
his first store on the north side, but soon moved to Pearl Street where he operated 
a large and well-equipped store. He sold his store in 1887 when it was established to 
J.W. Sturtevant. At that time his thrift and good sense allowed him to lend money at 
10 percent interest, as well as realize good profit from his seven farms and many 
other buildings and stores.

	After retirement, Mr. Zienert and his wife developed one of their farms into a 
country estate, to become known as Shadelands. It had a fountain supplied with an artesian 
well, lakes stocked with fine fish, and everything possible to make a home modern and 
comfortable. However, the cold Dakota winters and various business interests in 
Wisconsin coaxed the Zienerts to Portage, Wisc., where he became a great banker and 
capitalist, and where they lived until an auto accident claimed them years later.

	In April, 1882, the Tribune observed that, "Emigrants still continue to come. 
The class of settlers who are now coming in have means to push everything they undertake." 
This followed an earlier announcement that said, "the outlook for a crop the coming 
season is very flattering and all seem jubilant. Tyndall has not built up in advance 
of the country surrounding. Trade is drawn from a radius of 15 miles and the enterprise 
exhibited by our dealers in holding this trade is very commendable.

	By June of 1882, cellars were being dug for business places with the dirt then 
used to "grade up" the street. In August, D.W. Currier personally had a force of men 
working to fill up the low places on Pearl without any aid from the citizens, and had 
also built at his own expense a bridge over Emmanuel Creek on the township line. One 
month later he commenced surveying his 80 acre tract on the west side of town, laying 
it off in business and residence lots, his faith in the community being so great that 
he went south to Louisiana to dispose of property there in order to re-invest it in the 
erection of business houses in Tyndall.

	A short two years later in 1884, first mention was made of what for many years 
was to be an unpleasant subject in the city-the slaughter houses. All private parties 
having them were notified to move same outside city limits (City Council Proceedings) 
and the marshall was instructed to build a yard to hold stock running at large, and 
set appropriate fines for the offenders. (First offense for loose cattle or horses 
was 50 cents, sheep and hogs, 25 cents, to be doubled for each additional offense.) 
Levi Haight, butcher, posted a $200.00 bond in 1885 with The promise of "keeping 
clean and inoffensive a slaughterhouse within city limits for business purposes". 
Later that summer,

[photo - Urban Meat Market slaughterhouse, still standing, east Tyndall]

page 15

also according to city council proceedings, a fine of $5.00 was fixed for 
"each and every person watering stock at city well".

	Several new businesses were advertising by the summer of 1882:

	S.C. Conrey-Dealer in agricultural implements and school furniture.

	T. B. Case-Carpenter and builder, Prop. of Tyndall Restaurant and Confectionery Store.

	John Weisser-Handles flour, feed, lime and cement.

	Loesel and Son-Make and repair boots and shoes.

	Chas. Bingman-General draying business.

	D. P. Bradford-Will insure your property, sell your real estate or loan you money.

	Prosser Bros.-Practical plasterers who do fine work.

	M.J. Roose, I.W. Seaman, Half and Co., and Herb Goepfert buy all the corn that comes in.

	Julius Voigt-The Pioneer store of Tyndall, formerly known as the Roose store.

	From A Composite History of the Descendants of Julius and Carolina Voigt by 
Mrs. Ray Voigt, comes the following information: Julius and Carolina Voigt immigrated 
to America in 1872. They lived in Henry Co., Ill., for two years, then in 1874 came 
to Dakota. They were among the earlier pioneers in this area and set up what is believed 
to have been a small general store, and in one corner of the store was an area set aside 
for the post office. This all took place in what is now Tyndall before it was a city some 
15 years before South Dakota became a state. (Contributed by Ted Schwarz)

	From the same source comes information about the Martin Roose whose store was 
among the very first in Tyndall, this in the form of a letter written to Mrs. Olga 
Trevillyan sometime after 1948 by Rebecca Schroder of Makanda, Ill. She writes, 
"My parents were Mr. and Mrs. Martin Roose. They told me I was the first white baby 
girl born in Tyndall, October 10,1880; they said there were other white babies but 
I was the first one born there. Neil Rounds was the first white baby boy born. I 
think the little home where I was born still stands; it was when I left the state.

	"If I remember right, the home for elderly folks (just can't think of the name) 
was formerly the John Kiehlbaugh Sr. ,home facing east and north. (Authors note: The 
first Good Samaritan home was the former Dr. Moore, later Thompson home, and is now 
gone) Well, the one I was born in is right across the street north, facing east and 
south, small one-story house and Mother told me Dr. Moore was the doctor. My Dad told 
me about a small store and in one corner they had a few boxes for mail; they called it 
Tyndall P.O., and many other things."

	In 1881 a home beside Julius Voigt was bought by Martin and Ottilie Roose 
in Tyndall where they lived until 1890. This is probably the home which still stands 
somewhat remodeled on the corner directly west of the Tyndall Carnegie Library.

	Before we leave the '80's, more mention must be made of perhaps the most 
important man of the period, "Uncle Dan Currier", who in 1879 platted the town, 
operated the first drug store, and in the beginning owned as many as fifteen buildings. 
His greatest achievement, however, may have been planning, building and operating 
"the greatest hotel this side of Chicago". The Grand Central was built in the fall 
of 1883, opened to the public on February 28,1884, and was looked

[photo - Early Tyndall businessman, Julius Voigt, and his wife and daughter.]

[photo - Home guard at Grand Central Hotel 1918.]

page 16

upon with awe and wonder. It had cost the builder the immense sum of $8,000 to build 
the commodious 38'x80' building furnished in the latest design.

	In 1976 as a Bicentennial project, Marvin Meyer, Tyndall, wrote the "Story of 
the Tyndall Hotel", from which the following excerpts are taken. Mr. Meyer wrote the 
account as if the hotel itself were speaking.

	"They had a large open house for me in February, 1884, and my first name was 
the "Grand Central Hotel" and I can tell you I lived up to my name. I was the pride 
of Dakota Territory and people said I was the greatest hotel this side of Chicago-now 
that's something to be proud of! Through the years my name has been changed several 
times to conform with the desires of my various owners. After Dan Currier sold me to 
George and Caroline Trumbo, I was known as Trumbo's Tavern and in 1904 I was sold 
to Anna Minier and my name was changed to Minier's Tavern.

	In addition to sleeping rooms for my guests, there was a large and luxurious 
dining room where about fifty guests could be seated at one time. This room has been 
the setting for some "classy" entertaining. People were proud to be able to entertain 
guests in such style as I provided. I also had a room on the south side of my main 
structure known as the "Sample Room" where traveling salesmen could display their wares.

	In my early days traveling salesmen traveled chiefly by train, and to 
accommodate them as well as others who wished to spend a night or two in my 
comfortable rooms, Mrs. Minier, when she was my owner, employed a gentleman to 
meet all four trains and bring the traveler's luggage in a baggage cart. This 
friendly and helpful gentleman was affectionately known as "Uncle Jimmy". The 
same baggage cart, trundled by Uncle Jimmy, transported luggage from me to the 
depot (across the street) when my guests left this city. Oh yes, Uncle Jimmy also 
kept the pot-bellied stove in the lobby supplied with fuel during cold weather 
and he was a willing listener to the tales that were told around that stove. Then 
there was Colonel Morris whom I housed until he got into a friendly brawl and shot 
one of our local citizens. After that he was asked to take up residence in another 
institution at the tax payer's expense!

	About the turn of the century, croquet was one of the games often indulged 
in by my people of all ages. A grassy plot south of me provided a fine place to 
set up the wickets and knock the croquet balls around, but one of my owners didn't 
think much of all that noise so he put a stop to it. I might add that all the noise 
wasn't caused by balls and mallets. Tempers were apt to flare and sometimes things 
got pretty hot.

	I have had my share of activities, some festive, some very sad as the days 
after the blizzard of 1888, when I served as a temporary morgue for the unidentified 
victims of the big blizzard. I also helped with many patriotic endeavors from being 
a voting place to being the Home Guard Center during World War I. On Armistice Day 
back in 1918, November 11 was the date, I did my bit by inviting the guards in 
to warm themselves in my lobby, it being a cold rainy day outside. But in my lobby 
it was cozy and warm, and all were jubilant that the war was really over!

	I've seen a lot of changes in my time, and I've had to change too to keep up 
with the times. My dining room was remodeled into guest rooms, and the sample room 
became a comfortable apartment. When the need for apartments increased and the need 
for rooms decreased, my rooms were converted into apartments. Yes, sir, I've had a 
long and interesting life. And do you know-I still feel like the "Pride of the 
Midwest!"

	Other owners since Mrs. Minier sold the hotel to R.H. Trombley in 1922 were 
Lucille Barber in 1925, Frances Bride in 1951, Leonard Chastka in 1956, Henry 
Peterson and James Trantina in 1970, and the present owner Evelyn Soukup since 1972.

	In 1884, D.W. Currier bought more land and divided it into city lots. As soon 
as he sold a lot, he built another house or a store. He even designated a section of 
town for tenement housing, and soon people were living in some of those East Side 
Tenement Houses.

	Interested in the culture of the community, Dan gave certain lots for the 
building of churches and schools, and even allowed the Tribune free use of one of 
his buildings until they "got a


[photo - Above right: The Grand Central Hotel today, a comfortable apartment home 
owned by the Frank Soukups.]

[photo - Above left: Grand Central Hotel, trees have grown.]

[photo - The Tyndall Tribune in 1906 (recently Beringer's Cafe and now Millie's). 
Purchased by W. L. and R. R. Robinson from their uncle F. P. Glasner in 1903 -  the 
Robinsons lived there for some years.]

page 17

[photo - The T. V. Ptak Lumber Co. in 1917, from left, Joe Horkey, Check 
Bollinger, and T. V. Ptak.]

[photo - Bottom right: Office of T. V. Ptak Lumber Co. with salvaged counters from 
old court house. (Interior today is as much like original as possible) From left, T. V. 
Ptak, Check Bollinger, Emil Ptak.]

start". In 1887 when the town was incorporated, he was made the first mayor. 
Mr. Currier's family also made contributions to the civic and cultural life of 
the village, his wife endearing her-self to many of the young people as a good 
neighbor and friend. His elder daughter, already the wife of Thad Sutliff, was post 
mistress for a time and the younger daughter Edith, her able assistant.

	During the late '80's and '90's however, times were not so kind. It was in 
1897 that the one-time county judge and police justice built a house on State 
Street that for some reason aroused the ire of some of the Tyndall citizens and 
another man built his own home almost up against the windows, duplicating them 
in appearance. The Currier home has gone, but the "duplicate" house remained 
and was the one lived in for many years by Mrs. Wm. McBurney. The city council 
proceedings of April 5,1886, suggested that the $36.00 bill Mr. Currier 
presented for surveying the townsite be allowed but credited to his sidewalk 
tax, and also that the $100.00 paid to him for Currier's Lot 2, Block 38 for 
jail grounds also be credited to sidewalk and town taxes. His daughter then moved 
to Hawarden, Iowa, his health began to fail, and when in 1901 his wife died, 
Dan somehow couldn't carry on with the old spirit. Although he appeared 
occasionally on the scene, from Prescott, Ariz. in 1902 came the sad news that 
Uncle Dan "had ceased his plunging". He was buried by the I.O.O.F. lodge in the 
cemetery west of town. (Most of the above information appeared in the Jubilee 
edition of the Tribune and Register as researched by Hazel Abbott.)

	Several changes were noted in the business community in the '90's. Clark M. 
Young was in 1892 editor of the Tyndall Tribune, at this time an eight column folio 
in its 12th year, and the Tyndall Register edited by H.A. Pike was a 6-page, 6-column 
paper. In the town which now numbered 1200 souls and whose surrounding lands were 
selling for $8 to $12 per acre, new names appeared in the business field as follows:

	Colburn Bros.-Furniture and burial cases

	Dr. Hamlin-Veterinarian.

	Chladek Bros.-Farming implements and hardware. (The brothers Lewis and Frank 
also owned 4000 acres of good improved land, 200 head of cattle, 50 horses, two 
business lots and each had a good residence.)

	Mrs. C.F. George and Mrs. D. E. Maynard-Millinery, dressmaking.

	B.W. Burnett-Photography, artesian wells, farms.

	Dakota House-15-room hotel 1 1/2 blocks from depot. Prop. Mr. Haight 
is owner of a patent for a fire escape simple enough to keep in a grip, and 
also a flour bin sifter called "Climax".

	L. Schwerdtmann and Co.-General merchandise.

	H. Thornber-Shoes, millinery.

	Elmer George-Real estate, $9-$20 per acre.

	L.E. Ellicott-Druggist.

	F.A. Morgan-Lumber.

	John Moser-Merchant.

	Swett and Williams, Lawyers-Equipped with a large fighting law library and 
a new Remington typewriter.

	V.J. Ptak-Clothier.

	J.W. Sturtevant-Dry goods, shoes, carpets, has the only cash register in the city.

	Joe Halva-General store.

	J. D. Elliott-Lawyer.

	Jos Kiehlbaugh-Groceries and general store (came in 1874).

	John Kiehlbaugh-Buggies, wagons, sleighs.

	A.V. Bridgeman-Harness maker and saddler, horse millinery and mule jewelry.

	T.J. Libertin-Tyndall meat market.

	Joseph Setzer-General merchandise, mechanic, harness maker.

	Martin Sykora-Implements.

	Wagner Bros., H.H. and W.W.-Livery and sale stable, 10 good rigs, 60x90' barn 
with an addition 20x40', also buy and sell horses. city dray line.

	Civic societies at this time included the A. F. & A.M.; I.O.O.F.; Knights 
of Pythias; C.S.P.S. Zaboi No.118; Tyndall Alliance; Grand Army of the Republic; 
WRC (Women's Relief Corp).

[photo - Bottom left: Possibly the Kiehlbaugh hardware store, (on auditorium site), 
late 1800's, from Bill Wittmeier.]

page 18

	At least two banks were serving the town. The Bank in Tyndall had been 
established in 1884 and was located on the corner where the present Peschl's 
Market is. In 1892 the owner was J. A. Albright, and L. I. Smith was the manager. 
The Security Bank was even older, having been established in 1879. It was located 
on West Pearl between Main and Cherry, later when the new quarters were built 
across the street, the old business became the city hall and fire department 
headquarters, and in the 1950's a bar. The officers were President F.G. Hale, 
Vice President Jos. Kiehlbaugh, Cashier Jos. Zitka, and on the board of directors 
were J. D. Elliott, Lewis Chladek, J.P. Cooley and Peter Byrne.

	At this time there were five churches active in the community. They were the 
Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, German Congregational, Roman Catholic, and 
German Baptist.

	Winter storms were always a problem, especially when the streets were not 
graded and a plan for the disposal of garbage had not yet been devised. Clark M. 
Young, editorialized in the November 10,1892, Tribune, "Large drifts of snow 
obstructed the sidewalks on some of the principle streets. The walk on Broadway 
from the depot as far west as C. H. Stilwill's residence is unsafe in places to 
walk over. Pearl Street is also made the dumping ground for a large amount of the 
dirt, etc., that constantly accumulates in the stores and business houses. One 
of our prominent citizens has said, "Tyndall can boast of having the best streets 
of any town in the county and to keep this street in perfect order, just empty all 
your coal ashes and slops out in the street and allow the wind to blow the dust 
where it pleases."

	Editor Young left three months later to begin a brilliant career at the 
University of Dakota, Vermillion, as Professor in Political Economy, and his 
place as editor was taken over by Jas. K. Dunwoodie. In July of that same year 
the paper was sold to E.H. Benedict and Co.

	The year 1892 was notable for the organization of Tyndall's first Commercial 
Club, 40 members responding to the call, and Jos. Zitka was elected president. Mention 
was made of an effort to secure electricity for the town, and bids for laying sewer 
on the main business street were advertised. Before summer was over, men and teams 
were hard at work grading Pearl and putting in culverts, all of which added greatly 
to the appearance of the street. As a matter of fact, in August the Tribune claimed 
that, "If there is anyone who thinks Tyndall don't get to the front, let them drive 
into town any Saturday afternoon and try to find a hitching post!"

	Tyndall's famous photographer, B.W. Burnett, that summer of 1892 ordered 
175 sq. ft. of plate glass for skylights in his gallery. His granddaughter, Ruth 
Robinson Chastka writes of Mr. Burnett in the 1967 issue of the Bon Homme County Pioneer:

	"B.W. Burnett was born September 24, 1858, near Wysox, Penn. and came to 
Yankton in 1876 where he worked as a miller and cabinet maker. Later he studied 
photography with Louis Janousek. After he married Effie B. Griffith, the daughter 
of a Methodist preacher, he bought the Janousek studio in Tyndall which was 
located on Pearl in the middle of the block west of the

[photo - Myrtle Burnett in the original Burnett gallery about 1895. Taken by the 
large north skylight built into the roof.]

[photo - Below right: The First National Bank came into being in 1906, was located 
in the building which is now Peschl's Market, moved to its new location in 1909. It 
failed in the 30's, became the Security State Bank in 1932.]

[photo - Above right: Interior of Old Security Bank before fire, Chas. Bohac, 
assistant cashier, Geo. Pfeile, cashier, Helen Byrne (Isaak), secretary.]

[photo - Above left: The brand-new Security Block, 1905, from the 1906 Bon Homme Co. Atlas.]

[photo - Below left: The original Bank of Tyndall building, organized in 1884, became 
First National in 1906, moved across the street in 1909.]

page 19

[photo - The new oil stoves in the Tyndall Hardware: Left, Ollie Trotter, and John W. Flamming]

Grand Central Hotel. The building had a large skylight in its northeast corner 
which furnished the bright daylight necessary to take pictures in those days, and 
the family lived in the rear of the building.

	For the rest of his life, Mr. Burnett was in and out of the photography 
business in Tyndall. Names associated with his business were Bellow, Glassing, 
Unruh, Marek, Wilcox, but he always returned. He was associated with the first 
long distance telephone in the county, first building the Springfield Telephone 
Exchange and later (in late 1900) the Tyndall Telephone Co. The Tyndall Tribune 
of December 6,1900, says, "The switchboard for the new local telephone that is 
being put in by B.W. Burnett has arrived, and the line will soon be in working 
order. Some 75 subscribers have been secured as a starter and this will be 
largely increased as citizens see the benefits derived by putting in private 
phones."

	Although the first switchboard was located in the reception room of the 
photograph gallery, before long the telephone company occupied a building on a 
lot west of the First National Bank building. (The building which today houses 
the Dick Ekern Bottle Shop and Laundromat was for many years the telephone office 
in Tyndall.) Mr. Burnett later sold his Bon Homme County holdings to the Dakota 
Central Telephone Co., and served as the District Manager for a number of years.

	In 1903 the Burnetts purchased a residence on South Pearl. This was a large 
frame house built for Geo. T. Rounds in the summer of 1881 by C.M. Forrest. Much of 
the lumber had been salvaged from the old inn (Cogan Hotel) at Bon Homme. The 
house occupied lots three and four of Block 65, Currier's Addition. In 1907 Mr. 
Burnett added a picture window, enclosed the front porch, and screened a porch on 
the second floor. (This house was later sold to Mrs. Anton Chastka, and is now 
the Harold Hoffman home.)

	The Burnett Photograph Gallery burned the morning of June 18,1906, suspected 
to be the victim of an arsonist. Of the two side-by-side buildings which the family 
owned, the south one with the gallery was sold to M.W. Brooks, and the north one 
with the vacant lot was sold to Annie Kirk who ran her famous restaurant there.

	Before we leave the early 90's, mention must be made of another energetic 
early businessman whose main interest lay in livestock and related industries. This 
enterprising pioneer moved his store from Bon Homme on a cold February night in 
1882, surprising the Tyndall community in the morning with a new business place. 
Immediately afterwards note was made in the paper of a first class warming given 
Seaman's business house. By spring of that year parties wanting stock were urged 
to call on I. W. Seaman and specify grades, size and age. He constantly used the 
railroad to purchase cattle of all types in the east, dispose of them here, and 
purchase more, sometimes even driving them home.

	From the October 16,1930 issue of the Bon Homme Co. Register comes the following:
I. W. Seaman, one time owner of the townsite of Tyndall, was honored at an unusual 
gathering of county pioneers at the home of H.E. Seaman. Reminiscing of his youth, Mr. 
Seaman declared, "I was a good man then. I could make a 13-foot standing jump. I 
could run a hundred yards in 10 flat. I was stronger than most men and could endure 
any hardship, afoot or saddle. I never drank, smoked or chewed in my life, although 
I was constantly associated with the roughest of men."

	Mr. Seaman, who was only 20 when he first landed at Yankton, D. T. in 1860, 
moved to Mitchell from Tyndall in 1892 at the age of 52. The Tribune said in tribute, 
"I.W. is a hustler and the right kind of a citizen to build up a town."

	Another account of I. W. Seaman appeared in the Jubilee edition of the Tribune 
and Register and contained this additional information as researched by Hazel Abbott. I. 
W. Seaman came to Bon Homme County in 1874 with his shoes slung over his shoulder 
"to save 'em from wearin' out". It wasn't long before I. W. owned acres of land, 
houses and other buildings in old Bon Homme, but as soon as Tyndall appeared on the 
map, he moved his buildings up to the north side of town and began selling lots. The 
northwest corner of the townsite became known as the Seaman addition, and at one 
time he sold lots as fast as Currier. That was the time he sent his family off to 
his ranch at Oak Hallow near Tyndall for a rest. Although at one time or another 
he was a livery man, merchant, real estate agent, and sportsman, more than anything 
else he was a cattleman. Even after leaving Tyndall for Mitchell and later Chicago, he 
made annual visits to Tyndall to look after his business and often to sell car loads 
of cattle from one of his productive ranches.

	The years 1895 and 1896 were building years, according to H. A. Pike, editor 
of the Tyndall Register. Two new artesian wells had been built creating an abundance of 
water for domestic uses, fire purposes and garden irrigation. George Lehr's new 
elevator was built, the second of 1896 and now making five as well as a warehouse 
to receive grain. Unfortunately the streets of Tyndall were still in a deplorable 
condition with teams and wagons being mired in the mud in various parts of town-the 
streets said to be even worse than the country roads!

	Several new businesses were now advertising in the Register, including 
Srstka Bros. blacksmith shop and Matt Weisser's general hardware, wagons; buggies and farm 
machinery. Other businesses (including some in the Czech language) included:

	Frank Post Farm Implements (also the celebrated I. X. L. castor machine oil).

	Matt Oliva-General goods.

	Jas. Zieser-Stone mason and bricklayer.

	H.A. Pike and Co.-Real estate.


[photo - The Bouska building built in 1898 by Jim "Philadelphia" 
Bouska.]

page 20

	H. Thornber-Will soon have the basement of his building in shape so that hot 
and cold baths will be furnished the public at reasonable cost. One day in the week 
will be reserved for ladies. A barber shop will also be in connection with the rooms.

	Murray Colburn-(formerly Colburn Bros.) Dealer in furniture, wood and cloth 
burial cases, linings and robes, a fine hearse run in connection.

	A short ad in the March 12, 1898 issue of the Register gave only a hint of the 
capabilities of a multi-faceted businessman. It read, "Tyndall Roller Mills are now 
ready to grind feed, corn meal, rye and graham on short notice. John Bouza." Mr. Bouza 
apparently paid no attention to an item which appeared the following month in Mr. 
Pike's paper which stated, "Before the talk about electric lighting becomes 
materialized into the substance of fact, would it not be the part of good common 
sense to reconstruct and repair the sidewalks, which almost everywhere are in miserable 
condition, speaking eloquently of false economy or reckless disregard of the public 
convenience and safety?" A subsequent item only four months later stated, "Tyndall 
will soon be provided with electric lights. John Bouza telegraphed Tuesday for an 
experienced man to come and put in the plant. The new plant which will be located 
at the mill will be able to furnish 400 lights, although the engine is of much 
greater capacity. It costs $1.50 for the apparatus for each light, and the monthly 
charge will be 50 cents per light thereafter."

	Mr. Bouza was first associated in partnership with Jim "Philadelphia" Bouska 
in a general merchandise store in Tyndall shortly after the town was founded, but the 
partnership dissolved in 1882. (This business was located in the building where Don's 
Clothing is now located.)

	Mr. Bouska then opened a saloon which nicely survived the tough times through 
the prohibition movement of the 80's and 90's. "Philadelphia" (a name he acquired 
because of his frequent use of the word when things went wrong) once cheerfully 
donated $55.00 to the town for entertaining his friends in his saloon on Sunday. 
The two-story brick building with the outside stairway on the southeast corner of 
Pearl and Cherry which he built in 1898 still stands and is the upstairs home 
of Mrs. Jean Wysuph, and the downstairs location of the Lupton L & D Ceramics 
Shop. Mr. Bouska brought up one family, among them Mrs. Antonia Proks, Mrs. 
Vellek, and Mrs. Kaftan. Mrs. Sylvia Janele who lives in Tyndall remembers her 
grandfather "Vaclav" very well. Many people spoke kindly of this pioneering Bohemian.

	In the meantime, John Bouza continued to run the general merchandise store 
and soon became involved with a greater enterprise, the Tyndall Flouring Mills. (This 
firm, later known as the Tyndall Reliable Milling Co., had been built in 1888 for 
$16,000 and was first owned by Knoudle, Troester and Kaul. Its specialty product 
was Red Seal Flour although it milled many products.) In July of 1895 the city 
council proceedings noted that John Bouza had petitioned for the privilege of 
grading Walnut Street in front of the Tyndall Roller Mills. By 1897 he had bought 
a new Corliss engine for that mill, and by 1898, he was mayor of Tyndall. That 
same year he put an electric light plant in his flouring mill for the use of 
his store, and also for the city if they so wished. They did, and John Bouza was 
given credit for bringing "light" to a city of darkness. One of his two sons, John, 
returned home from Chicago as a full-fledged electrician to join him in work at 
the mill. The other, Frank, was in 1903 studying medicine in Nebraska, but being 
a musician of great talent, trained the boys of the Tyndall band during his vacations 
from school. He went on to lead an adventurous life, practicing his chosen 
profession later at White River. Another account credits John, Jr., with great 
musical ability also. This second son was highly respected for his bravery and 
service during World War I for which he had enlisted. Part of his life after the 
war was spent in the Battle Mountain V. A. facility in Hot Springs where he 
later died. Mrs. Bouza and her daughter Emma ran the store when John, Sr., faded 
from the picture. Several years later, according

[photo - Tyndall Flouring Mill, built in 1888, provided first electricity to Tyndall in 1900.]

[photo - The T. V. Ptak Lumber Co. in the early teens: from left, Lodge 
Ptak, Thomas K. Ptak, Frank Bohac, Charley Bohac, T. V. Ptak.]

page 21

to the city council proceedings of August, 1907 it was she who provided the 
electricity for the extra lights (which would run till 5 a.m.) that were needed 
for a celebration. When the city built its own municipal plant in 1910, little 
more was heard of the family electric operation.

	In September of 1935, the city council was discussing means of wrecking the 
Old Mill building. Its foundations may still be seen just east of the John Jochims home.

	The early 1900's saw the first installation of concrete sidewalks, including one 
badly needed to the courthouse square, the telephone, and the inclusion of new names in 
the business directory-the Star restaurant of P.A. Page who also offered meals and 
board, lawyers Elliott and Stilwill and Barney Cole, the Krall brothers who were 
carrying a full line of watches, and Robert Hall now running the tonsorial parlors 
and bath in the basement of the Thornber building. Soon Wm. Metzger's New Emporium (new 
goods, fresh groceries, late styles in hats, etc.) appeared on the scene, and Anton 
Hajek was describing his service as "city dray and express proprietor (good teams 
and wagons and good men conducting them). Mrs. Frances Pletka has the original ledger 
for the dray line her father, Oliver Plumb, and Lem McBurney were running in late 1902. 
Among the many entries neatly entered are several for the Hann Brewing Co. hauling 
"beer to depot" and "beer to storage." Evelyn Curl reports that her father, John J. 
Taplett managed the Gund Brewing Co. located east of the watering trough for a time. 
Could these be the same?

	Civic societies early in the new century included the O.E.S. Elizabeth 
Chapter No.54; the Tyndall Macabee Lodge (all Sir Knights cordially invited); the 
Brotherhood of American Yeoman No. 672; and meeting in the Gissell block, the 
Tyndall Knights of Pythias Lodge No.77, H.L. Taplett K.R.S.

	The firebug, always a threat in the days of lanterns and oil floors, was very 
active in early 1904. The January 30 Register printed the following:

	Again a portion of Tyndall looks black and vacant. The firebug did it. L. 
Schwerdtman and Co. are again the victims of an incendiary. Frank Dite's tailor shop 
and Mrs. Roose's building also destroyed.

	Three months later the fire bell rang again in the morning of April 20, 
and drew a small crowd to the bowling alley of Reiley and Son. The proprietors had 
been oiling the floor and in some manner the oil became ignited.

	The Tyndall businessmen were not to be held back however, and soon mention was 
made of a movement to erect a brick block on the lots swept by the fire, this to cover 
four lots. An opera house would be on the upper floor with the lower floor reserved for 
stores or other business. It was in the spring of 1904 that Mr. L. Chladek began work 
on his new brick building located next to Pechous's on North Pearl. Nick Zieser had 
the contract for the 24x90 foundation but joined up with C. J. Ribble, another stone 
mason for the foundation for the new Methodist Church. Frank Post tore down an old 
machine warehouse in order to erect a new solid concrete building in its stead 
adjoining the north wall of Oliva's store and extending beyond.

	Several business ventures showed up for a time and then disappeared, among them 
a cigar factory and a pop factory. The city council proceedings of June 2,1906, 
listed the assessment of cigar factory, H.L. Taplett, for $120.00. Among the 
recollections shared by Herb (Doc) Jones, now of Kemmerer, Wyo., are memories of 
Jimmy Stanicek rolling and licking the cigars in a building located just south of 
where Mrs. Bea Beringer's newly remodeled home is today. Mention of the cigar factory 
appears again in December, 1910 when the Register said, "James Schema, who conducted 
a shoe shop in Tyndall two years ago is again located in the city. He can be found in 
the building formerly occupied as a cigar factory." Floyd Spohn, local historian and 
owner of Midway Museum 5 miles south of Tyndall, says without a doubt Harry Fuller 
bought the building in 1894 at which time he started the cigar factory.

[photo - Gund Brewing Co., east Main, operated by John J. Taplett, probably around 
the turn of the century.]

[photo - Hogandike's store, 1930: From left, Zeke Matuska, Jess Hogandike, 
Josie Hogandike, Mary Holopirek, Helen Bambas.]

page 22

	According to the Register Milo Kucera purchased the pop factory of Chas. 
Sedlacek in September, 1910, with immediate possession and planned to "improve 
the plant to best deserve the patronage of the public." Two years later in May, 
1912 it was observed that Henry Hokuf was now in charge of the plant which he 
and Rauch of Avon had recently purchased with expectations to put it in 
operation again. Gilbert Colgan, who today lives on the lot two houses west 
of the Catholic Church where the Tyndall Bottling Works was first located, 
remembers it well as he worked there as a young man. His home is built partly 
from the salvage from the plant, in fact he remembers where the three wells were 
which provided the large amount of water needed to make the pop, and the 
cistern as well which provided the soft rain water needed to make ice cream 
which was sold also. The Bottling Works was later moved to the east side of 
Pearl into the building which now houses Mel Winckler's Body Shop. Another source 
says that the original owners may have been Leo Schuett, Mr. Byers, and Frank 
Scoblic, and yet another, J. W. Schaefer.

	By the end of 1910, the new municipal light plant was ready for operation. 
The new structure which cost the city $17,000 was soon serving 125 customers and 
providing not only an all-night street light but also 24-hour water pumping 
instead of the previous five.

	It's true that iron hitching posts and chains were still being authorized 
by the city council on the street east between Oliva's and Bouska's (1908), and 
the mud holes on Main Street had not gotten any smaller, but new and definite 
signs of progress were showing. One was the first Round Oak furnace stove to be 
sold in Tyndall. J.B. Flamming performed this service for Frank Blazek in September 
of 1910 for the price of $70.00 with the promise it would furnish sufficient heat for 
his place.

	Another definite sign of progress, in fact, the dawn of a new business came 
with the announcement in May, 1912 that the McCormick Auto Co. now was selling 
the Buick machine, there being none better on the market. Their garage and repair 
shop, a very commodious one, was located west of the Dakota House. (This fine hotel 
which was built by L. A. Haight in the early 80's was destroyed eventually by a 
ravaging fire which left only two of its many gables. Also known as the Jewel House, it 
was located on Broadway in the locality of the present Ford-Mercury dealership, 
probably on its car display lot.)

	Mrs. H.A. Pike, who had assumed editorship of the Register in 1912 when her 
husband died, found that by 1917 at least one old business had made the change to meet 
the new needs. The paper said, "The Robinson Auto Co. are busy remodeling the stone 
front livery barn and preparing it for a garage. (This is the livery barn where the 
Farm Bureau now stands.) This will give the firm more room and when completed make 
a first class garage." Although the Robinson Co. continued to handle Case tractors, 
the Overlands which they unloaded by the carfull changed their business habits as 
well as those of the other dealers in town who were receiving cars of different makes.

	One of the first evidences of the many gasoline pumps which were soon to be 
installed in town came in the city council proceedings of May 6,1918 when the 
petition of R.M. Radak for a permit for a gasoline pump station in front of his 
place of business was granted. (Location was Lot 1, Block 28, Currier's 1st Add.)

	The first gasoline service station in Tyndall was that one known later as 
the "Little Standard", owned from 1961 by John J. Pletka. It was built in 1920 or 
1921, its 12'x14' original structure costing $2818.14 and the 4'6"x7'6" addition 
built in 1938 another $421.91. Immediate fixtures included gasoline lines and a 
20-barrel underground tank. Mrs. Frances Pletka recalls that it cost more to 
dismantle the building (no buyer could be found) in the late sixties, than 
their original purchase price!

[photo - Bottom right: The Hrachovec and Proks Dodge Garage, from left, Martin Daub, 
Emil Raabe (today Frank Schneider's building)]

[Bottom left: The "Little Standard" built in 1920 or 1921 was Tyndall's first gas 
service station. It was located just south of the hotel on Pearl.]

[photo - Tyndall Hardware (note wooden tub washing machines): From right, Orrie 
Britton, Gus Holberg, Anna Ryan.]

page 23

[photo - The Security Block after the disastrous fire which occurred in extremely 
cold weather, late December 1918.]

[photo - Below right: The Post sisters, Clara and Anna, investigating the ruins 
of the Security Block fire, New Year's eve, 1918.]

[photo - Below left: The Security Block building, "just before the New Year's Eve 
fire in 1918.]

	One of the biggest catastrophes of the late teens was the disastrous fire 
which destroyed the Security Block in the wee hours of New Years Day, 1919. A little 
before three the fire whistle sounded, flames shooting from the rear of Chastka Bros. 
general store having been discovered by a train crew. Chastkas, Hoch's Drug, and the 
post office on the main floor, Dr. Scheffel's dental office, the Knights of Pythias 
lodge, Woodmen and Royal Neighbors on the second floor all lost all their working 
material. Although the Security bank fixtures were nearly all saved, Dr. Klima was 
entirely cleaned out, Anna Ryan's abstract books which she had just purchased of 
B. V. Fletcher, and F. M. Scoblic's law office were a complete wreck. The total 
loss was figured at $200,000 To help out, the city hall was rented out to the 
Security bank for temporary quarters for a minimal rental of $25.00 per month, 
until the block was rebuilt.

	Our next random look into the mirror of local events, the newspaper, 
comes a decade later when we look into the pages of the Bon Homme County Register. 
Although there was a brief attempt to combine the Register of J. W. Bordewyk 
(purchased from Delos Hall in 1927) with the Tribune newly purchased by J. T. 
Trevillyan from Dr. Klima and Attorney C.C. Puckett, both newspapers resumed 
separate publishing for a time.)

	In the late 20's the city was still attempting to prohibit free-running 
chickens, ducks and geese within the city limits as well as the keeping of swine 
in certain portions. Col. Edward Post was advertising his real estate and 
auctioneering services, and J.L. Hoch celebrated his 15th year in business 
(May 4,1929) by giving to his men customers a free John Hornick cigar, to the 
ladies a package of gum, and to the children a Buckeye rootbeer. (J. L. Hoch 
retired from the drug business in 1960, and when his beautiful old home on 
South Pearl burned to the ground, he made his home in the now empty drug store, 
remaining in the community he loved until his death in 1978.)

	Another well known business came to the community in 1928 which served the 
community well through the hard times, especially the farmers who brought in their eggs 
and feathers to trade for tokens and groceries. The Register said on May 17. 
"Rivin Bros. to open general store here. The well-known merchants of Lesterville 
and Scotland have purchased the building which for several years has been occupied 
by the New Way Cleaners, and expect to open a general merchandise establishment here 
within the next few weeks." Attesting to the perils of grocery-retailing, the 
following item appeared in the paper of September 14,1933:

page 24

[photo - Farm Bureau, established 1931, formerly a livery barn, then Robinson Auto garage.]

	Dave Rivin was stung last Saturday by a tarantula while busily engaged 
cutting off a bunch of bananas and was rushed to a physician where the hand was 
treated. A gash was made and the wound profusely bled. Two more tarantulas were 
found on the same bunch.

	Another Jewish family operated a family grocery store in Tyndall at that 
time. Gelfand Bros. was located next to the First National Bank, and many local 
people patronized that store as well as all the local businesses, people doing 
almost all of their shopping locally in those days.

	It was in 1930 that the first paving of streets was done, but not before 
the city council took steps to see that all streets would have gravel. This had 
been much needed as Tyndall had allowed itself to lag far behind other towns 
in that respect. The five-block paving project was celebrated by a free pavement 
dance on October 3 to celebrate the town's most recent progressive step. 
The following summer the State Highway Commission designated the road through 
town as State Trunk Highway No.50.

	In the spring of 1931, the city council approved a bulk station for the 
Farmers Union by the railroad tracks, and then another Tyndall business began 
its operations. Mr. and Mrs. Warren Curl have contributed the following 
information about the Bon Homme County Farm Bureau Service Company which made 
its first gas delivery May 16,1931.

	In 1931 the company began its operations in Tyndall and surrounding 
area. Frank Reidinger (deceased) owned and operated a garage in the building 
now occupied by the Farmer's Union and he handled the products of the company 
for about two years. The first directors were Dewey Thompson, Frank Monfore, 
Victor Thomas, Denny Murphy, and Bill Flamming. Two years later the business 
was moved to the Charles Curl garage building (now Tyndall Motors). In 1934 
Joe Schanel was hired to remodel the Fred Robinson garage, a former livery 
stable, and in 1936 the business was moved there. Warren Curl was hired as 
manager and tank wagon operator for one month but remained until 1941 when 
he resigned. The present manager is Melroy Hofer, formerly from Yale, S.D. A 
few years ago the company became a member of Farmland Coop Industries.

[photo - W.R. Glenn's harness shop, 1918 Left, W.R. Glenn, Van Kirk, barber 
Bill Busch, Mr. Balvin (barber shop moved temporarily after Security block fire, 1918)]

page 25

[photo - A relief project of the WPA, outdated, but occasionally still in use.]

The Depression

	Miles A. Empey, editor of the Bon Homme County Register heralded the 
depression in this manner in October 1,1931.

	"Local Relief Board organized as per President Hoover's organization 
on Unemployment Relief Directives. L.V. Ausman, H.K. Stilwill and W.G. McCann 
named as members. We all know that in every community there will be those out 
of employment this coming winter. It is through no fault of theirs that they may 
be unable to keep warm, meet their house rent or enjoy the necessities of life. 
Therefore the Unemployment Committee of Tyndall are calling a meeting at the rest 
room to get organized and in shape to help any needy in Tyndall and community. 
This committee is working under the Hoover Unemployment Commission that is 
nation-wide. Every dollar earned in any way by these workers is spent right in 
the community where it is raised. Thus each community is able to look after its 
own people. We have in Tyndall 21 social and fraternal organizations. All these 
have been urged to appoint a committee who are expected to be present Friday 
evening and help perfect the organization. The big work of the organization 
will be to create jobs and get the unemployed and the employer together. Another 
way of contributing individually would be contributions of clothing.

	'Let us all work and stand together and see that no one in Tyndall and 
community suffers on account of the depressive times that are making employment 
hard to procure. We want everyone warm and well fed even though the times are hard."

	By Christmas of 1931, Mrs. H.A. Pike, who was editor of the Register, had 
this to say: "The Christmas tree is in place (middle of intersection) and the colored 
lights strung across the street. Our new electric star at the top of the tree shows 
up nicely and with the windows of the business places lighted, our streets present 
a very pretty appearance. However, owing to the depression, it was decided not to 
have the usual treat and program. Money is scarce and it is feared many unemployed 
may need assistance before the winter is over, hence the decision to save on the 
candy treat and at some future day when times pick up, again resume our holiday treat."

	By August of 1932, the city was without banking facilities and so the assurance 
of the opening of a new bank the first of November was pleasant news. The Security Bank 
building was selected as the best location for the business place. Still in trouble 
the following March, the Security State Bank had however resumed normal operations 
following a ten-day forced closing. The state banks were not restricted as to 
withdrawals, but all bankers were urged to exercise great care so as to prevent 
withdrawals and the possibility of hoarding, which was accompanied by a heavy fine.

	The bank closing forced a special meeting of the city council in October, 
1933, to issue $115,000 in Refunding bonds (115 in number) to take care of present 
defaults and to extend the maturities of the outstanding bonded indebtedness, bonds 
to bear interest at 5 3/4%.

	Earlier that year the government's CCC (Civil Conservation Corps) came into 
being, providing opportunities for many young men for at least something to do. The 
newspaper stated the following:

	-April 13,1933: State quota is 1500 men for service in the government's 
reforestation projects, and many from Tyndall have sent in applications to the county

page 26

auditor, LA. Plumb, relief director for the county. Only unmarried men between 
18-25 who are American citizens or have made application for citizenship may sign 
up for a period of six months at $30.00 per month. Of that sum $22. to $25. must go 
to the dependents, and the remaining $5-$8 will be ample because everything in the 
way of necessities will be furnished gratis.

	Other relief work was the continued graveling and other labor for the county. 
The men were able to get in three and four days work per week, which was a help to 
them and their families. In the meantime the women were allowed room in the southwest 
corner of the basement of the auditorium for sewing for the poor, and there were night 
classes as well. At the end of the year 1933, the total amount spent in the county 
for civil works labor was $13,689 to the 342 workers. Many of these were Tyndall people.

	As late as March 1, 1941, there were still 303 certified W.P.A. cases in the 
county, of which 220 were working at the time. Getting direct county relief during 
the month of January, 1941, were 86 families representing 229 individuals.

	Thankfully those sad days ended and before long, both farmers and businessmen 
were to enter another era, the war years and the prosperity that followed.



(Written especially for the Tyndall Centennial by Shirley B. Griesbach, Springfield)

		SMALL TOWN
	Don't worry about the problems
	Of the city and its crime,
	Or the ills of over-crowding,
	Or the frantic race for time.

	Choose a small town for the interest
	Of the people who live there,
	Sharing in each other's triumphs,
	Encouraging when there's despair.

	In a small town folks are friendly,
	Where you know news travels fast,
	And there's always time for helping
	Any neighbor to the last.

	Cities hold a fascination
	With the thrills that they can give,
	But you're wise to choose a small town
	When you want a place to live.


[photo - An abandoned farm eight miles southeast of Tyndall]

page 27

[photo collage - Multi-businesses         The Burnett Composite, 1890 
($2.50 per business or family)

Top row:

1)	C. M. & S. P. Depot
2)	L.E. Ellicott drug store, 1888, located on W. Pearl between Broadway 
		and Main. (had a swearing parrot)
3)	M.E. Church, 1881
4)	H. Wittmayer Grocery Store, located next to Jos. Kielbaugh store.
5)	Tyndall Flouring Mill, 1888, $16,000, first owned by Knoudle, Troester and 
		Kaul, run by John Bouza, first electric power in Tyndall
6)	N. H. Hopkins store, Pearl Street
7)	Presbyterian Church, 1882
8)	Biersdorf and Burgstahler Meat Market, 1890, later Biersdorf Brothers
9)	Court House 1885-1914

 Second row down:

1)	Joe Stone house, later H.O. Sanford, now James Kniffen
2)	Tyndall School, erected in 1883, burned in 1929
3)	H.F. Henton spectacle shop (torn down when First National Bank built)
4)	Double store owned by J.W. Sturtevant, located on E. Pearl where Coast-
		to-Coast and Sunset Inn are located. A. Zienert built store in 1884.
5)	Street view on Pearl, north from Broadway
6)	Dr. Cotton's Drug Store, W. Pearl between Cherry and Main. Doctor in Tyndall 
		between 1886-1913
7)	C.M. Young home (former editor of Tyndall Tribune) later Trevillyan, now Leo Hisek 

Third row:

1)	J. Van Sommer residence, later Arneson family. "Dyed-in-the-wool" Englishman, 
		taught tennis, artist, (painted picture of Jerusalem in Presb. Church), 
		speaker, teacher.
2)	Moore and Elliott Office, 1888, built by Dr. W.E. Moore, Attorney Elliott, 
		who became a federal judge. West of First National Bank.
3)	Dakota House, built by L. A. Haight in early 80's, later Jewell House, just 
		east of Ford-Mercury Garage.
4)	Interior of Sturtevant store (No.4, 2nd row)
5)	Grand Central Hotel, 1883 by D.W. Currier
6)	Schwerdtman "The Famous" general store
7)	Colburn Bros. furniture store, 1888-1917, E. Pearl between Broadway and Main

Fourth row:

1)	T.H. Abbott home, 1883, near court house
2)	Bouska block. built by James Bouska 1898, Wysuph's present home upstairs, 
		ceramics shop below.
3)	Rounds and Aitchison managed Stone Livery Barn, 1890, fire once burned upper 
		part with loss of horses, now Farm Bureau.
4)	Bank of Tyndall, 1884, became First National in 1906, moved across street. 
		Old bank became feed store, Glassners, now Peschl's Market.
5)	S.M. Cook Livery and Exchange, faced depot, checkered career, fire hazard 
		and razed in 1902 
6)	Sycora Bros. Store, 1886, at upper end of Pearl. Before 1900 Martin Sycora 
		had gone back to farm.
7)	I.W. Seaman home, formerly Mrs. J. Plihal, northeast of court house

Fifth row:

1)	A. C. Seaman home, could be the 1886 dwelling north of Presb. Church
2)	House built by Sheriff Petrie. Later home of Matt Placek, since remodeled, 
		perhaps home of Pletkas, north Tyndall.
3)	C.H. Stilwill home, 1886, then apartments for teachers, built sidewalk to 
		bridge lake to school house.
4)	W.C. Dunlop home, later Wm. Edwards, now John Hajek's home
5)	L.I. Smith home, South Pearl
6)	C.M. Smoyer, 1880's, corner where Bud Janssen's house is now.
7)	C.S.P.S. Hall, Czech Lodge, torn down in 1940's, now location of Emil Trunec home]

page 28

(5) Business Pioneers

Abbott, Thomas H.

	Mr. Abbott who had been a school teacher and carpenter near the town of Bon 
Homme, moved to Tyndall when the town was in its infancy in 1881. He was a member of 
the board of trustees at the time the town was organized, and continued to be a member 
of that body until the town was incorporated. In 1882 he became interested in the 
lumber business in a yard occupying the location now occupied by the Ptak lumber 
yard. The large maple tree growing near the lumber office was planted by him about that 
time. Mr. Abbott occupied many positions of honor and trust during his long residence 
in Tyndall, being a member of the school board which built the first school house (1907-
1909) and the school in 1928, and also oversaw the building of the new court house in 
1914. He was county auditor and also county commissioner. As a carpenter he had part 
in building many buildings in Tyndall, including three dwelling places for himself 
during the 60 years. the Voigt dwelling in the west part of town, the home occupied by 
his son Henry, and the dwelling he occupied at the time of his death.

Biersdorf, Robert

	Robert Biersdorf left his native Germany, going to South America where he made 
his home from 1893-1895, after which he decided to come to Tyndall and join his 
brother, Theodore, who was engaged in the butcher business. During his life he 
followed the butchering business, having learned the work in Germany. The two 
brothers also worked together as livestock dealers and their work along both 
lines was hard to exceed. On June 27,1928, while working around the butcher shop, 
he received a severe injury, which later compelled him to retire from business. 
On June 5, 1929, the Biersdorf brothers sold their business but continued to buy 
and feed livestock. Robert never fully recovered from his fall.

Biersdorf, Theodore

	Mr. Biersdorf conducted a meat market in this community from 1884 until his 
retirement in June 1929. He was of the industrious, frugal and temperate type that 
built so solidly the foundation of civilization in this state. His reputation as 
an honest and plain-spoken character was widespread. Born in Suhl, Germany, 
December 23,1859, he came to America in 1878. He was an expert maker of firearms, 
and worked in that trade for several years before coming to Tyndall in 1884. He 
opened a meat market in a building occupied by Robert Wick (1933), but later 
transferred to the substantial quarters later occupied by the Blachnik market.

Byrne, Peter

	Peter Byrne came to the U.S. in 1851 at age five and to Bon Homme County 
in 1870 where he filed on a pre-emption claim near Tyndall, and later a timber 
claim near Bon Homme. Together with William E. Bardwell, he operated a saw mill 
there for several years. Near the saw mill his son, Frank C. ("C" for centennial) 
was born in 1876 and two daughters followed. The family built a two-story home on 
land Mrs. Byrne had previously filed for a homestead claim and lived there for 
many years. Mr. Byrne was a politician, serving both county and state positions. 
For several years he was president of the Security State Bank in Tyndall. He was 
always a rugged individualist, always finding a way in bad times of which there 
were many to pull himself through financially in his extensive farming and 
livestock enterprises. In 1921 he moved from the family farm to Tyndall with 
his daughter Alberta where he lived until his death in 1931.

	His son, Frank C., married Estella A. Petrik in 1898 after which they farmed 
in the Bon Homme-Tyndall vicinity until 1920 when they moved to Tyndall. After his 
sudden death in 1926, his

[photo - Biersdorf Brothers Meat Market]

[photo - Biersdorf Brothers butcher shop, present Tyndall Hatchery building.]

page 29

wife continued to live in Tyndall until she died in her nineties. Their daughter, 
Helen, widow of Dr. Otto Isaak, still lives in Tyndall during the summer months, 
continuing in winter the practice of going south to MacAllen, Texas, which she 
enjoyed with her sun-loving, golf-loving dentist husband before his death in 1977.

	Mrs. Estella Byrne had this to say about the year that her daughter Helen 
was born. Helen was born in an unplastered house on the Missouri River bottom where 
they fought mud, water and mosquitoes until fall when they moved house and all to 
what is now known as the Gordon McCann place. From there they moved to what is now 
the Wayland Dempster place, and in 1921 to town.

[photo - The Chastka store built in the first  Security block. Joe, Emma Pletka, 
and Steve Srstka. This store burned to the ground New Year's Eve, 1918-19.]

Chastka Family History

	The first Chastka to come to Dakota Territory spelled his name Castka as 
they did in Bohemia where he was born in 1853. Anton Chastka, Sr. first landed 
in New York where he worked as a tailor. Soon after he became a citizen in 1875 
he married Mary A. Oliva, also born in Bohemia in 1856, and who worked in this 
country as a cigar factory worker as she had been trained in the old country.

In 1881 Mr. and Mrs. Chastka and their two children Anton (Tony) and Emal migrated 
to Tyndall where her brother, Matt Oliva, lived. Plans were made at once to open 
a saloon, and by March 1881 Anton had a contract with Ferdinand Cach of Scotland 
for a dwelling place 24x40' with a front room to be used as a bar. In May, Anton 
purchased from Alois Zienert Lot 3, Block 2, where the Chastkas lived for many 
years running the first saloon. This was on a lot just north of where the Catholic 
Church used to be.

	Mary Oliva Chastka worked as a midwife in Tyndall. She was a bright, 
energetic and dependable woman and highly regarded by the early settlers.

	Three other children were born to this union in the 80's, the girls Emma 
and Marie later moving to Oklahoma. Anton Sr. died in 1905, his wife in 1934, and 
son Emal in 1900, and all three are buried in the Czech National Cemetery.

	Joseph (born in 188D and his older brother Tony attended the Tyndall schools. 
Tony worked as a clerk in Schwerdtman's store and Joseph in Metzger's store. With this 
mercantile experience the young men began what was to be over fifty years in 
partnership as "Chastka Bros. General Merchandise Store". They began their enterprise 
with the purchase of the general merchandise store of Wm. Metzger in 1901, but soon 
built the large brick store which burned with a complete loss in the early morning 
of January 1,1919. A New Year's Eve party had been held by a lodge group on the 
second floor of the building. The fire alarm sounded first in the middle of the 
night. It was bitter cold, below-zero weather. The firemen were helpless as the water 
dropped in blocks of ice from the hoses.

	Chastka Brothers met this disaster by making arrangements immediately 
to buy the business of Byers and Schuett in the store next to the First National 
Bank. Here they remained while the present store building (now the Coast to Coast 
store) was rebuilt on the site of the fire. Besides their store, the new brick 
block included the former Post Office, former Security State Bank, Hoch's Drug, 
Tyndall Bakery and the former Hermanek's Clothing Store. Chastka Brothers remained 
there until their retirement in 1952.

	Joseph was a charter member of Elliott Hose Company No.1, and also a member 
of Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Columbus. His wife Anna (Hrachovec) 
and her family had come to Tyndall in 1893 to be near Anna's sister, Mrs. John Bouza. 
Anna was a trained seamstress and many lovely old dresses treasured by Tyndall 
families were made by her. Their sons Leonard and Harold grew up in Tyndall, and 
after college educations at Creighton University, pursued careers in government in 
Washington, D.C. for several years. Leonard and his wife later returned to

page 30

[photo - Businessmen about town: From left, B. Bussey, A. Chastka, C.C. Stoddard, 
Bill Thompson, L. A. Eads, Billy O'Brien]

[photo - William and John W. Flamming and wives going fishing at Rest Haven.]

Tyndall and purchased the hotel which came to be known as the Hotel Chastka. 
Leonard served as mayor until he moved to Oklahoma City where his only son, 
Joseph and family lived. Harold and his wife, Ruth Robinson Chastka, joined 
Leonard in the insurance business in Oklahoma City but later returned to live in 
Washington, D.C. with their son John and daughter, Ruth Anne.

	Anton (Tony) took great interest in civic affairs and in the progress of 
the community. He served as president of the Commercial Club in 1912, as city 
councilman in 1913, as Mayor of Tyndall for a term beginning in 1918, again in 
1932 for two terms, and again in 1938 until 1948, as well as other offices in 
the community. He married Albina Janda in 1918, and their two sons Anthony and 
Ralph grew up in Tyndall. They now live in the Washington, D.C. area with their 
families. Some years after Albina died, Tony married Emma M. Pletka, daughter 
of John J. and Maria Hrachovec Pletka. She had been a clerk in the store from 
1917 to 1934 when they were married. Their daughter, Mary Jo Davenport, is now 
living in Yankton, the only descendant in the Tyndall vicinity.

	After Tony's death in 1954, Emma managed the Hotel Chastka until her death 
in 1967, the elderly residents there finding her a kind and helpful friend and 
listener. She was active in several civic societies in Tyndall but the church 
was her special love. She was a charter member of Holy Rosary Court, National 
Catholic Society of Foresters and served as president for many years until her 
death. She also served the altar society, took part in a church study club, St. 
John Bosco's, and sang in the church choir. Emma's final contribution to Tyndall 
just a few weeks before her death was to write the story history of the city she 
loved for the Bon Homme County Pioneer Association for 1967, in which she included 
these words, "God Bless America and the Pioneers, all of them, of the Community of 
Infinite Opportunities, Tyndall."

Chladek, Alois

	Alois and F.F. Chladek came to Chicago from Sadska, Bohemia in the early 
seventies. Alois found time from his cabinet making there to scout Dakota Territory and 
file a claim near Tabor. After he married he farmed there and with his brother Frank, 
carried on an implement business in Tyndall in the early 80's. By 1888 the business 
was thriving with two car loads of machinery arriving at one time. That year "Lou" 
Chladek, Jr., was born, destined to play a large part as business and sportsman in 
the city. The son of Frank, F.F. Chladek, was the cashier in the Security Bank for 
many years.

	Lou's wife Helen is still very much a fixture of Tyndall today, even though 
she herself is only a few years short of that centennial mark. She lives alone in her 
beautiful home filled with a life time's treasures at the far south end of West 
Pearl. Even before she married Lou, her life was adventurous, as Helen French 
had in 1911 "proved up" a claim in Stanley County, living by herself in that lonely 
county near Phillip where rattlesnakes were common and horseback was the only 
mode of travel. She remarked, "We had a lot of fun. For the first time in my life 
I went to dances where I could dance all night. You see, you didn't dare go home 
while it was dark because you couldn't find the way. Everything looks the same when 
you get out on the prairie, and so we danced until daylight."

The Cole Pioneers

	Sons Bart, Tom, Barney, and Tim, and daughter Bridget(Cogan) lived with their 
mother in an Irish colony in Clarksville, Missouri, during the years of the Civil 
War. Barney was the first to venture

page 31

west, saw Bon Homme, and liked it and soon established the first blacksmith 
(sod) shop in the county in 1867. His sister Bridget soon joined him, establishing 
herself in the hotel business there. By 1869 many laughing, dancing, singing Irish 
soon made the little community a lively settlement. Barney loved entertainment and 
besides holding races of all kinds, called for and played dances in the hotel. 
Studying law all the while, he became in 1872 one of the first pioneer attorneys 
in Bon Homme County.

	Among the families who made up the Irish wagon train from Missouri to 
Bon Homme were the Coles, Mulleagues, Dwyers, Glenns, McDonalds, Donnely, 
Williamson, Richmonds, Berrys.

Cole, John Aloysius and Mary (Benesh)

	John, born April 1,1875, was the oldest boy in his family which came 
to Dakota with the "Irish wagon train". The family homesteaded in 1869 north 
of Bon Homme. John taught school in 1892, attended Yankton College Academy the 
next year, and later attended what was to become Midland College in Freemont, 
Nebr. He then filed a homestead in Charles Mix County, continuing to teach in Bon 
Homme County during the required time to live on the claim. He married Mary Benesh 
in 1902, farmed on the parental farm until 1912 when he moved to the farm 3 miles 
southeast of Tyndall which he lived on until his retirement. In 1946 he was named 
Eminent Farmer of South Dakota. During World War II he and his wife proudly 
displayed a service flag with six stars as all first six sons served. The seventh, 
Basil, was "special" to his family, and remained with his parents the rest of 
their lives. He resides today at the Good Samaritan Home in Tyndall.

The Curls

	John Watson Curl, descendant of Quakers who lived in Pennsylvania in the 
middle 1700's, came to Dakota Territory in 1871 accompanied by his wife and son, 
Clarence, to homestead. They arrived by ox team in the fall, cutting wood near 
old Bon Homme to make a living the first winter. His mother and his wife's aunt 
and uncle also filed a claim a few miles southwest of Tyndall, but during the second 
year grasshoppers ate up the crops, so Mr. Curl went to work for the railroad 
and also threshed for the farmers around the county. Being musically inclined, 
he organized a fife and drum corp consisting of himself and several of his six 
sons, of whom Charlie and Bert played the snare drum.

	About 1910 he purchased a merry-go-round which he took to various celebrations 
about the state, shipping by railroad until other transportation became more convenient. 
In 1925, Warren Curl, son of Clarence, went to Crill's Park north of Elk Point to buy 
a ferris wheel which he ran at many celebrations in South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, 
Kansas, and Minnesota for several years before selling it to his uncle, Art, who by 
now owned the merry-go-round, and had formed the Curl Amusement Co. Warren Curl lives 
on a farm seven miles south of Tyndall with his wife, the former Evelyn Taplett.

Elliott, J. D.

	To the members of this community Judge Elliott is still plain "Jim", 
notwithstanding the honors that have fallen on his shoulders in later years. He 
took a keen interest in the early day development of this city. The fire 
department boys especially hold his memory green. He was an active member of the 
company while here, and upon the purchase of new equipment, the company received 
a substantial check from the judge with the request that it be used for "spending 
money". The boys held a social meeting on the proceeds. In the engine house, 
printed in large letters is the name "Elliott Hose Company No.1", the company 
having chosen this name in honor of Judge Elliott, or "Jim" as the older members 
still call him. - June 20,1929

Glasner, William A.

	William Glasner moved to Springfield in 1902, where he worked with his 
brother Frank in publishing a newspaper. He lost his eyesight there in an 
unfortunate accident. Later he conducted a newspaper in Tabor for two years, 
and then moved to Tyndall where for a year (1904) he published the Tyndall 
Tribune. He sold it and for 19 years he operated a restaurant business first 
where the First National Bank building now stands, and later the Corner Grocery 
across the street in which building the family lived (the Peschl's Market 
building). Although blind for many years, he was a man of keen mind and a 
fine conversationalist.

Hajek, Anton

	Born in Rencovin, Bohemia, Anton Hajek came to America when a young man. 
He married Anna Bouza of Tyndall in 1887, to which town they moved in 1895, and 
where they resided since. Being of an industrious nature, he was always busy. 
He was city drayman, engaged in farming and had a threshing machine whereby 
he helped many farmers in this vicinity to care for their grain. He was adept 
as a carpenter and house mover. During the early hours of his life in 
Tyndall he was reporter for the Dakoty Pokrok, published at Omaha, a Bohemian 
language paper enjoyed by many local subscribers who enjoyed his news of Tyndall 
and vicinity. During his 45 years residence in our city, Mr. Hajek made many 
friends, was of a friendly disposition and a man who could tell early day 
stories in an interesting manner. All enjoyed his conversations, as he was 
honest and upright in all his dealings. (Obituary, January, 1936)

[photo - Below: Anton Hajek moving equipment at work.]

[photo  - Flamming family: John W., left, Baby Rose (died at 18), May (Reynolds)]

[photo - Above: Anton Hajek house-moving service.]

page 32

Kiehlbaugh, Joe

	The Joe Kiehlbaugh family were among those Germans who refused to live under 
the Russian yoke after being threatened with conscription after having been promised 
freedom. Like other Germans who had enjoyed that freedom in the southern Russian 
villages which they had built and in which they had lived after leaving Germany, 
they came to America in 1874 to escape the draft. The sons Joseph Jr., John and 
Henry settled in the Clear Lake area where they enjoyed the hunting and fishing. 
However, when Tyndall was established, Joseph Sr. went into partnership with 
Gustave Halb in the general merchandise store, and soon moved into town with his 
family. He soon went into business for himself in a frame building but in 1899 
he built the "brown stone front" which still stands today, now occupied by 
Maureen's Dress shop. Although a fire broke out next door in 1901, the almost 
fire proof store saved the town from going up in flames. A quiet man of integrity, 
the man who had ruled over 17 villages in Russia described his store simply, 
"Mr. Joseph Kiehlbaugh has a general store which suits our people."

	The frame building first operated as a store by Joe Kiehlbaugh may have 
been located on the property that is now the auditorium site, and his brother 
John was said to have had a hardware store next to it. They each built their 
homes across the street, John on the north corner of the block (now occupied by 
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Wittmeier) and Joe on the south end of the block (formerly the 
home of Mrs. August Houk and recently razed to become part of the beautifully 
landscaped lawn of Mr. and Mrs. Dick Mudder).

Koenig, August

The life of August Koenig of Tyndall illustrates what may be accomplished in 
the land of freedom by one who comes as a stranger to our shores but is possessed 
of the attributes of thrift, industry and sterling honesty. He was born 
November 2, 1845 in the city of Mainz, on the Rhine, his parents being John and 
Susan (Hoffmann) Koenig, who were lifelong residents of Germany.

	August Koenig passed his boyhood and youth in his native city and there he 
learned the stonecutter's and mason's trade. In 1864, not liking the idea of losing 
three years of his life serving in the army, he made his escape in a boat down the 
Rhine as far as Cologne and with six companions crossed the border into Belgium 
and embarked at Antwerp in a sailing vessel bound for New York. Having purchased 
a ticket through to Chicago, he proceeded at once to that city where he 
secured employment at his trade at good wages. In the spring of 1876 he made 
a prospecting trip as far west as Bon Homme County, Dakota Territory and in 
1880 purchased 480 acres of land in Albion township, four miles southwest of 
Tyndall, to which he added from time to time until his ranch contained 1440 acres 
devoted to the raising of grain and stock. For many years he shipped cattle and 
hogs, often disposing of ten or twelve carloads during the season, the ready money 
at his command making it possible to purchase and ship even during the dry years.

	Mr. Koenig was married in Ackley, Iowa, in 1870 to Miss Caroline Minow, 
and they had five children: Louis, Clara (Biersdorf), Elizabeth (Bussey), Johan 
and Emil. All became well established in life and an honor to their parents and a 
credit to the state in which they lived.

	Mr. Koenig took a very active and influential part in public affairs and was 
thrice elected on the Democratic ticket to represent this district in the state 
legislature, although normally it gave a majority of from 300 to 400 to the 
opposing party. He served during the sessions from 1891-1895 and again during 
1903. His official record is a credit to himself and the district which he 
represented, for he left office as he entered it-with the entire confidence of 
those he represented. He and his family were members of the German Lutheran Church 
and he was also identified with the Knights of Pythias, and at one time was on 
Odd Fellow.

	When the family first came to Bon Homme County, Mr. Koenig built a log house 
in which the family resided until a few years later when it was replaced by a good 
frame residence. By the time they left the farm, he had one of the best improved 
places in the county. Stables had room to accommodate 24 head of horses, while 
180 head of cattle found ample shelter in buildings provided for them. Sheds for 
machinery, cribs, and a granary completed the equipment of this model farm.

	"To be rounding out a well spent life such as Mr. and Mrs. Koenig are doing, 
to have peace and plenty on the journey through, and to feel and know that one's 
neighbors hold them in the highest esteem is to have attained the best that may 
be enjoyed by pilgrims on life's journey," was the tribute paid to this pioneer 
couple in the History of Dakota Territory, Vol. IV, by George W. Kingsbury, 1915, 
from which this information is taken.

The McBurney Family

	When the Milwaukee railroad extended its lines through Bon Homme County 
it crossed through the present site of Tyndall. The village was platted in part 
on the homestead of William Miller. The youngest of the three Miller daughters 
married William McBurney, and they settled in Tyndall. They had met at Dakota 
Wesleyan University. Their two children, Laura and Howard, spent their childhood in 
Tyndall and were graduated from Tyndall High School.

	The Consumer's Supply Company was established as a grain and feed store by 
William Miller in the very early days of Tyndall. William McBurney was taken into the 
business and continued with it as owner and manager throughout his adult life. His 
daughter, Laura, married a local boy, Leon Serr, and Leon was taken into the 
business. Leon survived Mr. McBurney and managed this

[photo - Anton Hajek, left]

[photo - August Koenig, farmer, politician]

page 33

[photo - McBurney home, north of St. Michael's, now Rick Klawiter's]


"family" business for many years.

	Howard McBurney (who contributed this information) has been away from Tyndall 
since his high school graduation. He says, "My early memories of Tyndall before 
automobiles, radio and television include muddy streets, four passenger trains 
a day (two on the "Platte line" and two on the "Running Water line"), Indian 
encampments on Emanuel Creek west of town, trapping and hunting and a rewarding 
high school education.

	"I am now retired as Professor and Dean Emeritus from Northwestern 
University in Evanston-Chicago, Illinois. We now live in a beautiful little village 
in the mountains of western North Carolina. It may be relevant here to note that 
my professional career was given early direction and impetus by men of extraordinary 
ability and dedication with whom I had close associations in Tyndall well over a half 
century ago - Reverend Lloyd Rising, Oscar Phillips (Superintendent of the high 
school) and Principal Harold Card."

	A note from Mrs. Lois Souhrada, Vermillion, who was familiar with the McBurney 
family, gives this added information. Mrs. McBurney, mother of Laura and Howard, died 
quite young and some years later Mr. McBurney married Adelle Merrill who came to 
Tyndall when she was hired to teach the second grade in the school system. The family 
contributed much to the education, business and religious facets of life in Tyndall 
during their lives.

	The Serr family itself appeared upon the scene in the early seventies when a 
mother migrated from Russia with her large family of children after the death of her 
husband. The name of Serr was in the business life of the community for the next 
three generations, namely: August, Leon, and Maynard. (Maynard moved away when 
Consumers Supply Co. sold out to the Coop in 1954.

Miller, Mr. and Mrs. William

	In 1877 Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Miller came to Bon Homme County with their family 
after having lived in Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin. During their first winter 
they lived in a sod shanty with its leaky roof, suffering all the hardships of the 
pioneers of those days, but the next spring Mr. Miller built a frame house on the 
edge of town in the southwest corner which in 1954 still stood. (-1954 Jubilee edition, 
Tribune and Register) Their homestead claim was the land behind the Chladek, 
Anolda Post, Al Wacker, etc., properties. When the railroad came, Mr. Miller sold 
a portion of his land to D.W. Currier who straightway cut it up into town lots. 
His daughter Mattie had the distinction of being the oldest pupil in the first school 
in Tyndall where she became a distinguished pupil. Later she taught, first in the country 
where she was caught during the great blizzard and had the good sense to keep her 
children with her in the schoolhouse during the long stormy night, and later in the 
town school. She became Mrs. Wm. McBurney and with her husband were leaders in the 
educational and cultural life of Tyndall until her death in 1912. Miller Addition and 
Miller Street, which are located to the south of the school were named for Wm. Miller.

Morgan, F.A.

	Mr. F.A. Morgan was an outstanding educator, statesman, and businessman. 
He came to Dakota Territory in 1879 from Wisconsin with ample experience in 
education and was made county treasurer. He also held other political positions 
in the city and county as well as being mayor in the 20's. Although he owned many 
acres of land, the lumber business he founded in 1879 was his first and last concern. 
It was the first retail lumber business in Bon Homme County and his name was 
associated with it for some years after his death in 1925 when the management 
shifted to his ____ law, H.K. Stilwill and his nephew Charles Morgan. This business 
is now Fullerton Lumber.)

	He and his wife, the beautiful widow Mrs. Catherine Griffith McAuley of 
Springfield, with her two daughters and a third of their own played a large part 
in the social life of the town, often

[photo - Mrs. McBurney, long-time 2nd grade teacher in Tyndall Public 
school, Jubilee celebration, 1954.]

page 34

hosting social activities for the young people of the day. Mr. Morgan was rated an 
outstanding speaker and always delivered the speech on Memorial Day, few once having 
heard his "Logan's Orders" able to forget the golden tones and the effective delivery 
of that address and many others.

Nedved, A.S.

	Resident of Tyndall for many years before his death, A. S. Nedved would 
tell of the terrible three-day blizzard during his family's first winter in Dakota 
in 1869 when he was but eight years old. Mules were taken into the log cabin with 
the family to keep from perishing. Mr. Nedved's father, Frank, Daniel Cap, and 
Anton Pechan were the first three Bohemian families to settle in the territory 
between Yankton and Tyndall in what was known as the Lakeport area. First Bohemian 
Catholic services in the country were held in the Nedved cabin. At the time of the 
Tyndall jubilee celebration in 1954 Mr. and Mrs. Nedved were the longest married 
couple in South Dakota having been married 70 years. It was a common sight to see 
them driving around town in the immaculately kept-up Dodge touring car with the 
handsome windmill propeller ornament on the hood, of which the couple were so proud.

Oliva, Matt

	It was at the suggestion of Matt Oliva that his sister and her husband, 
the Anton Chastkas, came to Tyndall in 1879. Mr. Oliva and family lived on a 
farm northeast of the town site. He later moved to Tyndall and ran a general 
merchandise store in the spot later occupied by Post Produce as a warehouse. 
His son Joe built a new store on the corner, and the two buildings were known 
as Oliva's. The three daughters of Mr. Oliva who lived in Tyndall were Mrs. John 
Taplett, Mrs. Rothschadl and Mrs. Rose Proks.

Phoenix, Henry B.

	When Tyndall was in its infancy the Phoenix family moved to this city and 
during the early years, Mr. Phoenix taught school in what was known in the 30's as 
the Zolnowski school. He later bought out a furniture and undertaking business 
which he cared for until 1887 when he sold the business to Murray Colburn. He 
continued working for Mr. Colburn as long as he remained in the business. After this 
Mr. Phoenix followed his trade of painting and paperhanging at which he continued to 
work with his son Charles the rest of his life. Mr. Phoenix was truly a Christian man. 
When he came to Tyndall he united with the M. E. church of this city and was a 
consistent and faithful member since 1879. He was one of the first trustees of the 
church and did much to make it what it is today.

Ptak, T. V.

	The original lumber company was purchased by T. V. Ptak and his brother 
Frank from the Fon du Lac Lumber Co. of Madison, Wisc. on September 19,1890, on 
the present site, but the buildings constituted only a small office building, 
a lime and plaster shed, and only an open front shed to house the new supplies of 
lumber. The Ptak brothers continued partnership until about 1907. In the meantime 
they had established lumber yards in Tabor in 1901, and in Avon. Upon dissolution 
of their partnership in 1907, T. V. Ptak took over sole management of the Tyndall 
and Tabor yards and started a new branch at Neiburg, later known as Blaha, and Frank 
Ptak assumed the Avon company. In 1940 when T. V. Ptak celebrated his 50 years in 
the business, his sons Ladimer and Thomas K. took over the business. It became 
known as Ptak Bros. Lumber Co. In 

[photo - T. V. Ptak home, just north of court house]

[photo - Mr. and Mrs. T. V. Ptak and Ladimer, standing, and Thomas K., about 1912]

page 35

1965 Ladimer retired and sold his interest to his brother and at the present time 
the company is known as the Thomas K. Ptak Lumber Co. His second son, Richard, is 
associated with him in the business.

	This family lumber business has furnished lumber for many homes, farm 
buildings and commercial buildings in Bon Homme, Yankton, Hutchinson and Charles 
Mix counties. Many of these buildings remain standing yet and are being used in 
1979.-Contributed by Thomas K. Ptak, 1979

	About one mile west of the big Tabor curve where Highway 50 turns 
directly east toward Yankton and a little north on a country road lies a peaceful 
country cemetery bearing the name Ptakov Narodni Hrbitov. This family cemetery is 
bounded by wind-caressed pine trees which along with a slightly ailing link fence 
mark its ample boundaries. At one time when the Ptaks first came to Dakota Territory, 
they lived not far away and found solace in having so near such a peaceful place 
for their loved ones when they died. Others too are buried there, including one 
Frank Petrik, grandfather of the author.

Ptak, V.J.

	Mr. V.J. Ptak bought his home in 1885, while it was located on the spot on 
which he later built his new business place. He moved the house over onto the next 
street, and it is now the Petrik Funeral Home. He built the new store in the year 
1893. He and his son Emil had a clothing store in this building for many years. It 
was in 1950 the home of the DeLux Cleaners.

The Richmond Family

	Rev. John P. Richmond was a missionary among the Indians, and was more 
familiarly known as "Old Doc," yanking teeth at $1.00 a pull in Bon Homme during 
the 70's where he also took care of the sick. He had two sons and a daughter. 
Oregon (so named because he was born on a man-of-war near the coast of Oregon) 
studied medicine in Louisiana, edited the Bon Homme Democrat with Andy Cogan, later 
a newspaper in Scotland, and was a scientist. While practicing in the county 
(he claimed to be the second doctor in the county), Oregon named our town Tyndall 
after John Tyndall, great British physicist and scientist of the 19th century. 
During the blizzard of 1888, it took Mr. Richmond half a day to go from his 
office to his home in the north part of town. He later practiced medicine in 
Chicago. Frances, a captain in the Civil War, was county superintendent and teacher, 
lived on his claim on the east side of town. The daughter, America, was the first 
teacher in the town of Tyndall, later became Mrs. J.P. Serr, living in Rapid 
City in 1954.

Robinson, Wm. James

	Mr. Robinson was born November 14, 1854 in Delaware Co., Iowa. The educator 
and Methodist minister and his wife, Emma Glasner, moved to a farm near Kingsburg 
in 1891 with their four sons. In 1902 Mr. Robinson bought the Clarion in Avon, 
his sons W. L. and R. R. acquired the Tyndall Tribune from their uncle, F. P. Glasner, 
who at that time also published the Springfield Times. W. J. was elected county 
superintendent of schools in 1894 and 1896, became postmaster at Avon in 1903, 
continued in politics and teaching, and retired to Arkansas where he died in 1933.

Robinson, Myrtle Burnett

	Before Myrtle Burnett was married she, being very musically talented in 
piano, organ and voice, furnished appropriate music for the first motion pictures 
in Tyndall. She would improvise in the dark as the movie plot developed in the 
theater owned at that time by the Lower family. When she and W. L. Robinson were 
married, they made their home in the Tyndall Tribune building in an apartment 
behind the newspaper office. The east yard of the property facing the railroad 
tracks became a beautifully fenced and tree-shaded garden where pansies, roses 
and sweet peas were seasonal shows. The top floor of the building was leased to 
the Minier Hotel for an annex. Faintly on the east wall could be seen for many 
years the sign painted in 1903, "Robinson Bros. Real Estate." She died in 1950 in 
Washington, D.C. where she had made her home with her daughter Ruth, Mrs. Harold Chastka.

	The building mentioned above was until recently the Beringer Cafe and now 
is Millie's Cafe.

Stilwill, C. H.

	Mr. C. H. Stilwill came to Tyndall with the court house from Bon Homme 
when he was Clerk of Courts. He was a member of the first city council, and 
was the first to construct a high board sidewalk on his property leading to 
the school. He was postmaster for a number of years, and contributed continually 
to the best interests of the community, as did his sons and daughter, Minor, 
Hiram, Hayes and Agnes. His daughter became Mrs. James Elliott. His son Hayes 
lived in Tyndall as manager of the Morgan Lumber Yard until he retired and moved 
to Sioux City.

The Sycora Family

	Frank and Martin Sycora were two of several children of Franz Sycora who 
filed on land in Bon Homme County in 1871. They had a general merchandise and 
hardware store in Tyndall in 1885. One year later they built a brick store at 
the upper end of Pearl Street. Martin sold his share in

[photo - Ptak country cemetery south of Tabor]

[photo - Above: F. M. Scoblic, long-time county judge and lawyer, came to Tyndall 
in 1906. In 1954 he celebrated his 75th birthday while nearing the anniversary of 50 years 
in law. (Above) Frank and Helen in 1917.]

[photo - Below: The F. M. Scoblic home when first finished in the early teens. Today 
the Jim Fryda home.]

page 36

[photo - Below: The Matt Weisser hardware and harness store (on the corner where 
Gene's G.W. is) around the turn of the century. Matt Weisser fourth from right, the boy 
to his right, Jacob Weisser.]

1923, moving to Charles Mix County where he filed a claim, and was associated with 
building in Wagner and Dante. Frank stayed on in business for some years, selling out to 
Joe Oliva.

	Mrs. Mary Sykora Koupal was born just before midnight on December 31, 1880. 
Her parents moved to Tyndall from rural Scotland when she was three years old 
because her father wanted to join his brother John in operating a store. As the 
family circle became larger in the crowed rooms at the rear of the store, her 
father decided so many children should be on a farm so they returned to the 
country life which she loved. Mrs. Koupal was 13 at that time, and her only 
living sister, Mrs. Rose Souhrada, now 89, was three.

	The Sioux Indians had camped near the farmland years before the Sykora moved 
to this location and for a long time family members could see bare rings on the ground 
surrounded by thistle which were left by teepees.

	Farm life was more important than school to the early pioneers in the Territory, 
and Mary had to help her father in the fields, first harnessing the horses. During the 
evenings the children would help strip feathers for pillows and feather beds. Round 
loaves of rye bread as big as the oven itself were baked every other day. Pigs were 
butchered and the pork was fried and stored away in crocks, home-made bologna was 
stuffed and canned, and it was part of the usual summer chores to can apples, 
tomatoes and ketchup.

	An important part of Mrs. Koupal's young life was learning the harmonica, 
which the children were all required to learn, and the family singing.

	Mary Sykora married Joseph Koupal when she was 18, and the couple had 8 
children. On Sunday or holidays when all the children descended upon the two-room 
Sykora home, she said there would often be 33 present, and if it happened to be 
Christmas, the grandparents would give each a sackful of candy, apples and cookies.

	Mrs. Koupal resides in the Good Samaritan Home in Tyndall, where her Roman 
Catholic faith provides her with much comfort and solace. "I pray and pray and 
if I feel lonesome, I pray again," says this charming almost-centenarian, 
Tyndall's oldest resident.

The Weissers

	Emma Weisser Miller was born in Tyndall December 25,1896 to Matt and 
Magdaline Weisser. She went to work in a general merchandise store as a clerk 
on Saturdays, and began working full time in the Chastka Bros. store when 
she graduated from high school. After she and her husband Albert Miller 
returned from Iowa where they lived for a time, she began working for Gelfand's 
store when the children were in school.

	When she was about 15, her father asked her and a friend to come to his 
hardware store to demonstrate the Majestic ranges he was selling by making baking 
powder biscuits. Although she had never previously made them evidently they were 
okay, she laughs, because nobody died! Emma is a resident of the Good Samaritan 
home in Tyndall.

Zieser, Nicholas

	Following his trade as a mason, "Nick" as he was familiarly known by his 
many friends, had a part in the construction of a large portion of the buildings 
and homes which make up Tyndall today. He died in April, 1936.

Zitka, Joseph

	Joseph Zitka came to Dakota from Bohemia by way of Iowa in 1871, filed a 
claim west of the present town of Tabor, married Mary Bohac in 1876, and had a 
family of seven children. Soon he was holding offices in the court house at Bon 
Homme, sometimes walking there from his home. He was the first teacher in the 
Tabor district, and moved to Tyndall with the county seat where he became cashier 
of the Security Bank. He was a great banker, a skilled speaker, an efficient office 
worker, and he knew farming. Mr. Zitka was elected to a number of public offices and 
even found time to be treasurer of the Bon Homme Pioneer Association in 1902 and 
president in 1905.

	There were so many people associated with the early history of Tyndall one 
cannot mention some without neglecting others. There was the Joseph Urban who dealt 
in fresh and salt meats who built the slaughterhouse which still stands in East 
Tyndall by the railroad tracks. Attorney C.C. Puckett who later became Judge Puckett, 
Yankton. Mrs. Minier of the Minier Tavern who married Colonel Morse, said to have 
been involved in a fracas with Gus Halberg, manager of Flamming's Hardware. The 
Flamming family itself, interested in the fire department from the first, 
sportsmen, still in business. J.J. Hrachovec, early blacksmith and wagon shop 
owner. Another blacksmith F.F. Srstka whose shop was called the Star Blacksmith 
Shop. Rudolph Radak's daughter Josephine who had a beautiful voice, became soloist 
for a symphony orchestra on the west coast. The firm of Byers (W.W.) and Schuett-
one cold winter day some customers were kidding them about their name and Mr. Byers 
said as he held the door, "On days like this it means, 'Buyers shut the door!"

	What will be said tomorrow about the business men and women of today? 
Will there be some as now we will remember with a chuckle, perhaps a tear or 
a sigh? We leave that for future historians to answer.

[photo - Mrs. Mary (Sykora) Koupal, Tyndall's oldest resident]

[photo - Above: Emma (Weisser) Miller, daughter of pioneer Matt Weisser, 
resident of Good Samaritan 
home.]

page 37

(6)

Politics and the Reins of Government

	Before Tyndall was incorporated as a city in 1887, it was governed by a 
City Board of Trustees. The first president was S.C. Conrey, the first clerk 
was George T. Rounds, and the first ordinances dealt equally with offences 
against peace and order, regulating saloon closing times, and setting license 
fees. An early order of business was to purchase a town seal with the words "Town 
of Tyndall" around outer edge, the word "Seal" in the center, and the cost was not 
to exceed $5.00. This information comes from the first official book of records 
owned by the city, first entry dated August 4,1884.

	South Dakota was not yet a state and it was necessary to choose a delegate 
to represent the territory in Congress. The lively art of politics was flourishing, 
and the pages of the Tyndall Tribune contributed fuel to the fires already present. 
Within the January 28,1882, issue of the Tribune appeared this fiery blast originally 
from the Sioux Valley News. It dealt with the convention in Grand Forks where a 
certain Charles T. McCoy was running for U.S. Marshall, a choice political plum indeed!

	The Tyndall Tribune fearlessly exposes the gigantic swindle perpetrated by
thieving scoundrels upon the county of Douglas-in this Territory. The St. Paul 
Pioneer Press last week gave a list of bonds and school warrants that had been 
negotiated by Charles T. McCoy and others, and yet this same McCoy is the man 
that is being pushed for United States Marshall for Dakota! Have the corruptionists 
no shame! They place a premium on dishonesty by trying to foist upon the people a 
man so notoriously corrupt. McCoy cannot claim that he supposed the bonds were 
all right for he is intimately acquainted with county affairs in this territory 
and he must have known the Douglas County bonds he handled were fraudulent. Will 
Delegate Pettigrew persist in his support of such a man? We hope most sincerely 
that the honor of our Territory may not be so marred and tarnished.

	Soon local and area attacks were being leveled at one of the most fervent 
supporters of Mr. Pettigrew, as per the following items which appeared in the 
August 19 and 26 issues of the Tribune:

	Heading the list of Pettigrew's followers were . . . and included Oregon 
Richmond, a crank gifted with oratorical powers equal to those of any other lunatic.

	From the Menno News: Bon Homme County turned out her usual quota of bond 
swindlers, machine note frauds, etc., but the most conspicuous member of this 
band of crooks and the one attracting the most attention was the glass-eyed crank 
from Tyndall. When he arose in the convention to reply to Mr. Bogert's statement 
of fact, his mouth was so full of tobacco that his words sounded like pouring water 
into a jug, and when he entirely forgot on what subject he was to speak, even such 
hardened cases as Grant, Stilwill and Alexander could not repress a smile. It maybe 
truthfully said that Bon Homme County contains many natural curiosities, and not 
the least among the number is the glass-eyed crank of Tyndall.

	Such a vitriolic attack was not to be ignored by Mr. Oregon Richmond, namer 
of the town of Tyndall, and on September 2,1882, the following comment by Editor 
Willcox appeared in his newspaper:

	They call it Libel. Complaint, "George T. Rounds being by me duly sworn on 
oath complains and charges that the defendant, S. W. Willcox, at the town of 
Tyndall, on the 19th day of August, AD 1882, and on the 26th day of August, AD 1882, 
did libel Oregon Richmond, of the town of Tyndall. D. T. by publishing in the 
Tyndall Tribune a weekly newspaper published by said defendant against the peace 
and dignity of the Territory of Dakota and contrary to the form of the statutes 
in such case made and provided, and praying that the said S. W. Willcox may be 
arrested and dealt with according to law."

	Since the above event transpired, we have eaten our rations and relished 
them with the appetite of an epicure, taken our regular hours of sleep, and 
transacted our routine of business without a thought of playing checkers with 
our nose. The prison bars have no terrors for us and our language will be just 
as plain and truthful as in days past. We speak the truth and if it happens 
to touch a tender spot in the hearts of anyone, we are glad of it. We propose 
to prove every statement we make and never retract or apologize.

	Notwithstanding the adverse publicity, from the September 16,1882, county 
commissioners proceedings, it was disclosed that Oregon Richmond was appointed 
county physician for one year from October 1,1882, his bid being the lowest, 
$200.00 per annum.

	It was in July of 1882 that notices were printed in the paper of upcoming 
political gatherings. The Republican County convention of that year was held at 
the Odd Fellows Hall in Springfield August 2, while the Democratic Central 
Committee of Bon Homme County, D. T., met at Day's office in that city a few days 
later. Ten years later the Republicans were meeting in Tyndall, according to the 
Tyndall Tribune which said, "Too much praise cannot be given the Tyndall Cornet 
band for the sweet music dispersed to the waiting crowd at the grand rally of 
the Republicans and Independents of Tyndall and vicinity."

First city election

	The biggest non-political event of the 80's in Tyndall was the special 
election of May 11, 1887, in which 99 voted for and 3 against incorporation. In 
the first election for city officers on

page 38

July 16 of that year, D.W. Currier was elected mayor; John Bouza, city treasurer; 
James Sharon, city justice of peace; and Henry B. Phoenix, city auditor. The first 
aldermen were J.E. Markley and Peter Hahn, 1st ward; C.H. Stilwill and S. W. Willcox, 
2nd ward; and V. Kaberna and L. I. Smith, 3rd ward.

	People being what they were (and still are), it soon became evident to the 
new city officials that there was a need for a jail with provisions and regulations 
for prisoners, and for city marshalls to guard them. And so one of the first acts 
of the new city auditor was to make a quarterly payment of $45.00 to the chief of 
police and likewise to the policeman, $30.00.

	Peace-keeping was not either an easy or a safe career, as evidenced from the 
following writeups in the Tribune. In late 1882, one said, "There has been considerable 
thieving in this vicinity the past week and much valuable property stolen . . . 
It strikes us that a vigilance committee should be organized at once and these 
midnight depredators hunted down. We are of the opinion that a well organized band 
of pilferers are now operating in this county who have confederates in all the towns.

	Then there was the sad telling of the tragedy of David Roose, peace officer, who 
died in the line of duty late July, 1895.

	About 11:30 on Thursday evening last the citizens of the usually quiet and 
peaceful town of Tyndall were thrown into a high state of excitement over the report 
that City Marshall David Roose had been shot and probably fatally wounded by one 
Thomas Du Fran, who has been staying at the home of his sister, Mrs. Geo. Trumbo, 
in this city for some weeks. . . . Drs. Moore, Berry, and Cotton were summoned and upon 
their arrival it was found that the ball had entered the left side and had taken a 
downward course. They were unable to locate the bullet and he was taken to his home 
in the eastern part of town. . . . About Friday midnight the life left the body and 
the soul went out to the great beyond, leaving sorrow around his bedside and in many 
homes at his untimely taking away, for Dave, as he was called, had legions of friends 
outside the family circleThe funeral was held on Sunday . . . was conducted by the 
Modern Woodmen of America, Knights of Pythias and members of the Tyndall Fire 
Department, of which organizations the deceased was a member. Services were held in 
Forrest Bros. Hall. A beautiful wreath and other floral offerings were placed upon 
the coffin by the ladies of Tyndall. It was the most largely attended funeral ever 
held in the county, and the remains were followed to their last resting place in 
the cemetery west of town by a large concourse of people, there being over one 
hundred and twenty-five teams in the procession.

	The deceased was born at Loraine, Ill., on August 24th, 1861. He leaves a wife, 
two small children, an aged father and mother, brothers and sisters to mourn his 
loss. It was a sad affair for all concerned, and while there is much sympathy for the 
near relatives of the deceased, there is also great sympathy for the near relatives 
of DuFran in this county. Mrs. Geo. Trumbo, of this place, and Mrs. Frank Trumbo, of 
Choteau Creek, sisters, are among the oldest settlers in the county, and are held in 
high esteem by all who know them. To the aged mother and to them the deed done is 
worse than death.

Born August 24, 1861, married on October 4, 1888, died July 24, 1895.

	Certainly peace keeping was rarely dull in the early days, law officers being 
asked to do such diverse things as impounding livestock running at large, and 
advertising such unclaimed stock to be auctioned off. (In May 1898, Chief of Police 
Anton Hajek had that duty with a billy goat, according to city council proceedings, 
and in 1944 goats were still "running at large, causing depredations" and the owners 
were warned to take care of them or they'd be destroyed!)

	A job of a different sort given to the marshall was the enforcing of the 
curfew. In November, 1895, the firebell was to be rung for three minutes at 8:00 
every evening for curfew, no children to be out on the street unchaperoned or 
they were to be apprehended by the Marshall and locked up! By 1906, the curfew 
bell was rung at 9:00 p.m. (We wonder if it worked any better then than it has 
since to coax the children off the streets.) 

	Justice Barney Cole was faced with a domestic affairs case in 1903, which 
he proceeded to settle in the following way:

	...A man from northwest of town was arrested for maltreating his wife and 
brought before Justice Cole. A sentence of ten days was commuted. The man in 
question (Brokofsky) says he has two boys who refuse to work and that his wife 
sides with them in all controversies. He says that his wife and the boys all 
need a good threshing occasionally....

	And in the late 1901 the chief of police was instructed to use all possible 
means to prohibit the running of the Chas. Phillips house as a "house of ill fame"!

	There probably never has been a time in the history of Tyndall when the 
saloons haven't been a target of controversy. Even as early as 1892, the then 
Mayor Kaberna was subjected to the following criticism in the March 31 Tribune:

	Mayor Kaberna has done a good job except for keeping the saloons closed on 
Sunday and allowing them to remain open at night to a late hour. It is generally 
conceded that the saloon has come back to stay and it now remains for us to see 
that they are kept as orderly as possible.

	It was in 1910, however, that several saloon keepers from Tyndall found 
themselves embroiled in a court contest which was to cost several of them not 
only dollars but time. A December 1910 account goes as follows:

page 39

	Of the Tyndall saloon keepers that went to Sioux Falls Monday charged with 
selling liquor to Indians, four pled guilty and were fined $100.00 and were sentenced 
to jail for 60 days. John Berringer, Ben Loesal, Frank Blazek and Frank Stanicek were 
sent to Yankton to serve their time, while James Uherka will board with Sheriff Kelley 
in Tyndall. The sentiment of this community is to a large extent in favor of the men 
from Tyndall as it is generally conceded that it was a put-up job on the part of the 
deputy U.S. Marshall. All are old residents and taxpayers. August Zolnowsky and James 
Austera pled not guilty and were found not guilty by the jury. Witnesses from Tyndall 
were J. J. Maus, Aug. Koenig, Geo. Robinson, T. V. Ptak, J. R. Wheller, C. J. Kelley 
and L. L. Wagner.

	Only a few months later in the spring of 1911, those five saloon keepers who 
served 60 days in jail and fine were pardoned by Pres. Taft, and fine was remitted.

	The Bon Homme County Register of November 17,1927, (with tongue in cheek) 
printed the following recipe for those who did not wish to patronize the local 
saloons for their favorite beverage: 
(Miles Empey, editor)

	The best home brew recipe: (This is the kind August makes.) Chase wild 
bullfrogs for three miles and gather in the hops. To them add ten gallons of tan 
bark, half a pint of shellack, one bar of common laundry soap. Boil 48 hours, 
then strain through an I. W. W. sock to keep it from working. Add one grasshopper 
to each pint to give it a kick. Pour a little into the kitchen sink, if it takes off 
the enamel, it is ready for bottling. Wash bottles before and after use.

	The jails have always been a concern. justice Barney Cole in 1903 had little 
sympathy for prisoners who he felt should not be living off the fat of the land but 
should receive only bread and water. When the new city municipal building was built 
in 1910, a jail was soon part of the plans, and in the spring of 1911 that jail had 
its first quota of inhabitants. Marshall Breisfore "ran in" four strangers who were 
too loud on the streets. Because the, night was warm, he allowed them the use of the 
corridor, a bad idea as it turned out, because an outside member of the bunch 
evidently handed in an implement with which they easily gained their liberty.

	When the new court house was built in 1914, a good jail was soon a prime 
consideration. The Tyndall Register of September 27,1917, reported that the 
county had just installed a steel cage with heavy cement floor over a steel 
floor with three compartments, each containing two berths, one above the other. 
The doors were operated by a lever which was placed inside of a box which was 
locked by a combination lock.

	(A modern update on peace keeping-Tyndall's first woman peace officer, in 
fact the first female highway patrolperson in South Dakota is Sheila Ellston, wife 
of Sheriff Dan Ellston who before the family's recent move had been Bon Homme Co. 
sheriff for several years.)

Lights, water

	Lights, water and streets always have been recurring topics of discussion 
at the city council meetings. As early as May 16,1898, J.B. Flamming, manager at 
the Tyndall Roller Mills, asked the city for permission to erect electric light 
plant, set poles, and stretch wires for electric light and telephone purposes. The 
city hall was wired for power to its alarm whistle and electric bell in October 
of that year, and early in 1899 the city entered into a ten-year contract with 
John B. Flamming to furnish necessary steam power to operate a steam pump 
belonging to the city for protection in case of fire, at the fee of $365.00 per 
year. (This contract was terminated in November 1906, reason being that it no 
longer furnished adequate fire protection and said Flamming had ceased management 
and operation thereof.

	The city started with three arc lights, all on Pearl in the squares where 
Pearl intersects Cherry, Main and Broadway, but two were already replaced in 
November 1900, with 32 candle power incandescent lights and another 12 added. 
Before long, residence corners were lit, those at the August Koenig and Frank 
Chladek corners being among the first.

	When the new light plant was built between the Srstka Blacksmith shop and 
the Tyndall Feed store in 1910, electric meters were dispensed to residential 
consumers and minimum rates were set at $3.75. The city records show that in 
November of 1935, 27 iron electric light poles at $6.00 each were purchased 
(could these be the ones that ran down the center of South Pearl from the railroad 
crossing to the edge of town?) T. V. Ptak Lumber Co. furnished a carload of them 
for the sum of $803.50 one year later. (Update-In 1943 the council decided to 
move the lights on what they called "Lower Pearl" from the middle of street to the 
sides-no doubt because the days of the narrow Model T and A were over and replacing 
those poles which seemed to regularly become victim to the greater speeds and wider 
vehicles was becoming a monetary concern.)

	The water supply in Tyndall was not unlike that of any little city with growing 
pains. Artesian wells were the source and new ones were constantly dug as the old ran 
out. As early as 1894 water restrictions were enforced, private residences qualifying 
for tap water in either of two categories-"One," those with less than ten head of stock 
and twenty head of hogs, and "two," those with more. One interesting request for our 
city water in those early days came in 1893 when the chief of police was instructed to 
send a gallon jug of it to the World's Fair.

	When T. V. Ptak was mayor in 1906, the city decided to build a water tower 
and tank 90 feet tall, the contract for $8373.00 issued to W.T. Bruce, and almost 
immediately found it necessary

[photo - New city power plant built in 1910]

page 40

[photo - Emil Raabe in old light plant]

to pass an ordinance prohibiting climbing on or tampering with it. Before long a 
need was felt to place a stand pipe (which in cold weather often froze) for the 
purpose of washing ice. It cost the city the great sum of $130.00 to paint the 
tank and tower in 1915, Frank Hagarty being the lowest bidder.

	During the mid-thirties, community gardens were the vogue and probably a 
necessity, and the city granted the overseers their petition to the city water for 
irrigation with the following provisions: once a week only and only under reliable 
supervision, between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. (later changed to 6-10:00 p.m.), using 
city hose and reel with the understanding that the hose be reeled up after use and 
placed in Robinson Auto garage.

	Garage disposal was not a problem in the early days when food scraps (if 
there were any) were neatly disposed of by the stock everyone kept, and wooden 
crates and burlap and muslin sacks and bags were used over and over. An early 
mention of meeting a growing need for at least one public dumping ground appeared 
in the city council proceedings in 1910 when the city purchased two acres of land 
from Louis Chladek for $200.00 to be deeded to Tyndall for garbage purposes.

	For many years the city dump on the southwest edge of the city limits served 
its purpose well, providing employment for some as well as being a favorite hunting 
ground for many a lad with his first BB gun intent on bagging one of the many rodents 
which soon frequented the place. That time too came to an end when increased 
governmental regulations forced the city to close the dump in the 70's and in 1975 send 
its garbage to the sanitary landfill a few miles northwest of town. The old dump was 
filled in by the National Guard unit from Springfield in 1973.

Streets

	Like most midwestern pioneer villages, the streets of Tyndall were first made of 
dirt, no curbs, and had board sidewalks to lift people out of the dirt. After 
incorporation in 1887, the city council busied itself with constructing sidewalks 
(cement in 1900), assigning curb lines and fixing grades.

	In 1893 the city took action to open Pearl Street south to the city limits but 
first it had to secure permission from land owners along the way. Although most were 
willing to donate their portion in order to locate the street, it required $50.00 
each to secure the right-of-ways from Mr. Chladek and William and Olive Miller.

[photo - Early Tyndall looking south on Pearl Street from the water tower 
which was built in 1906.]

page 41

	In 1894 another strip land was desired for street purposes, this time 
alongside the railroad tracks between Broadway and Main. The land in question was 
along the east side of Block 40, and the committee on streets and highways which 
at that time consisted of Aldermen Schwerdtmann, Kiehlbauch and Terpenning, was 
instructed to correspond with John D. Lawler, the original proprietor of the original 
town of Tyndall, and get from him a quit claim to the strip of land. The person 
named in the suit who refused to remove from the property was Marcellous P. Steel. 
That same block 40 figured in a transaction with Wm. McBurney in 1897 in which the 
city sold to him for $200.00 a portion of the triangular strip. (Could this be one 
of the feed stores now a part of the Coop property?) One of the businesses along 
that same block, this time further south in the location where Jon Flamming has 
his heating and plumbing business today, had already outlived its usefulness by 
1901 and was condemned as a fire hazard. That was the famous or was it infamous 
Cook Livery Barn, in its prime brightly checkered on its exterior, but with some 
hints of a checkered interior as well.

[photo - Colonel Thatcher preached good roads to the citizens of Tyndall, 1914.]

	In the fall of 1914, Col. Thatcher came to Tyndall for the first time, driving 
his span of Spanish mules, and preaching the gospel of good roads. He taught the men 
of Tyndall how to grade the main street. Both farmers and businessmen worked on the 
Washington Highway east of town (later Highway 50). The women of the Improvement 
association served hot lunches to the workers at many points of the roads, and served 
a banquet at the close of the work. The high school boys had time off so that they 
could work on the roads too.

	In 1924 it was decided to gravel Pearl Street. Soon manholes were approved 
for fire hydrants, and by 1930 most streets were gravelled and five blocks of Pearl 
were paved. At that time the first Stop and No U-Turn signs were placed, a signal 
of the automotive era which the city had just entered.

[photo - McBurneys Feed Store located on a strip of the railroad triangle in Block 40 
bought for $200.00 in 1897 by Mr. McBurney (Note tower for drying fire hose at right.)]

page 42

[photo - 1890 maple tree alongside Ptak Lumber Co.]

	The beautification of the city was always of prime importance and trees by the 
hundreds were planted as early as May, 1886, when 1580 elms, ash, and box elders, 
eight to nine feet tall. were purchased from R. P. McLaughlin for $107.85. Replacement 
evergreens were planted in the park in 1904 to replace those which had died. In 
1927 fifty bridal wreath bushes were ordered for the auditorium, and in 1935, several 
hundred Chinese elms were provided for the school children on Arbor Day. Who would 
have thought that the beautiful elm trees which had survived drouth and dust storms, 
would eventually fall victim to a disease? (In 1970, Extension Agent Don Boone 
informed the city council that there was no fast remedy to Dutch Elm disease, only 
to remove the trees as they became dead. Die they did by the hundreds.)

	Dr. S.G. Berry, long-time Tyndall physician, for many years had a hobby of 
growing shade trees in his small private nursery. In April of 1941, he made financial 
arrangements with Alva Phoenix to carry on his hobby by planting one Chinese elm tree 
in the yard of each home in Tyndall each year. -City council proceedings, October 7,1941.

	There are several varieties of beautiful evergreen trees in town including some 
very old specimens. One of the prettiest shelters the Tyndall Clinic, and one of the 
most unusual is a split-trunked pine near the Bill Wittmeier home which "Bill" claims 
is the oldest in town. It may have been planted by the John Kiehlbaugh family who built 
his home and whose early hardware store was located across the street east on the 
auditorium site in 1880.

	However, the most majestic of all and one of the oldest, is the maple tree which 
is almost part of the Thomas K. Ptak Lumber Co. In 1881 Thomas H. Abbott, respected 
pioneer, school teacher, and carpenter from the city of Bon Homme, moved to Tyndall and 
became interested in the lumber business. He planted the maple tree at that time on the 
location then occupied by the Fon du Lac Lumber Co. T. V. Ptak and his brother, Frank, 
purchased the business in 1890. During the drought of 1937, the trunk developed a large 
hole extending up about a yard from its base. A visiting salesman named Haas suggested 
it be filled with cement (something his nursery-man father had had experience with in 
Iowa) and the bark might grow over the wound, and thereby save the tree. Today 
almost 100 years later, the tree, while not so healthy as before, still provides haven 
for squirrels and birds and plentiful shade for all.

West Side Park

	At the northwest corner of the city West Side Park is located. This is an area 
of approximately 17 acres which in 1889 was deeded to the city for $665.00 by Dr. 
A. A. Dye and wife, F. M. Stratton and wife, and I. W. Seaman and wife. At the time 
it was secured, it was mostly a deep slough with only a few acres of dry land on the 
east and west. For many years the school boys fished in the "lake" and the city 
accepted bids for pasturage purposes of the grass, among others in 1894 the bid of 
Ben Lousal for $12.00. Trees were planted on the dry land and sometime in the early 
90's, a race track was constructed for horse racing, and was used as such. One evidence 
of that was that at the city council meeting of October 2,1900, the report of I. W. Hitt 
as committee on race track was read and filed.

	An interesting story in connection with the race track in the park is told 
about W. L. Robinson who was described this way in the Tyndall Tribune of 
December 17,1908:

	Bill Robinson, farmer, philosopher, educator, journalist, grain dealer. 
and who, if days enough are vouchsafed him. will have taken a turn at everything 
else in life's

[photo - William L. Robinson, sprinter, humorist, clerk in First National, 1909-1924]

page 43

repertoire, traded horses four times Monday, studied the map Tuesday and Wednesday 
hopped to it as a full-fledged mail carrier on Route #4.

	Mr. Robinson married Myrtle Burnett, daughter of photographer B. W. Burnett, 
in 1906, and their only daughter, Ruth, was born on September 29,1908. He joined 
the First National Bank of Tyndall in 1911, working there the rest of his life. 
He especially enjoyed his work as clerk of many farm sales, priding himself on the 
speed and accuracy of his records. His athletic skills included sprinting and the 
following is an account of his part in a celebrated horse race in the Tyndall park 
in which Barney Cole had entered his trotter:

	...	Being very hot, Will was holding a very large umbrella over Mr. Cole, 
continuing to hold it as the horse ran the race, pacing easily along with the .......

	This man who had been outstanding in scholarship, debating, and athletics 
in Tyndall High School, also played baseball for many years as catcher on the 
Tyndall team. He was a gay and witty man with a high sense of humor. For example, 
one day a great sewer pipe came rolling out of the lot where it stood, and apparently 
unaided, went merrily down Main Street. Will and a friend were walking inside it to 
furnish its momentum!

[photo - Above right: Lake Tyndall, 1979 from beneath a picnic shelter on the east side.]

Lake Tyndall

	As early as 1927, there was a movement afoot to improve the city park and 
build a swimming pool, and at that time a board of managers was created. Again 
in 1933 a committee was formed consisting of delegates from the Commercial Club, 
the Legion, and the Tyndall Rotary Club. By December, decisions had been made 
and plans laid. A committee of citizens headed by Dr. S. G. Berry, M.F. Schmitt 
and Henry Kiestra suggested that citizen labor be utilized in building the pool 
and that council should proceed to excavate a site-how to procure water to be 
decided later.

	By the summer of 1934, the pool was a reality. Donations of $993.00 had been 
collected from various civic societies, groups and individuals (including $210.60 
from the Tyndall Improvement Association), season tickets had been sold to the 
amount of $367.50-the receipts surpassing the bills by $120.00! Some of the labor 
costs were taken care of by patrons who were in arrears in light bills, working 
off the bills until the lake and bath house were finished. Ornamental sand stone 
which had come originally from the old Tyndall brick school was purchased from Mr. 
Lewis Musilek for $147.00 and placed about.

	Attesting to the popularity of Mayor Anton Chastka, a petition of 107 
signatures asked that the pool be named in his honor. The mayor declined, however, 
saying that it had been a community effort and therefore Lake Tyndall would mean 
more to people at large.

	Edward Mazourek was the first life guard (salary $30.00 per month), and he 
was assisted by Francis Scoblic, Raymond Murphy, and W.L. Wagner on busy days, of 
which there were many, for 50 cents per day. The large pool required lots of watching, 
the fine 3-tiered diving platform at the deep end of the lake no exception, and it 
was there the first accident occurred. The newspaper reported it as follows:

	Lambert Hoch, the young son of Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Hoch, was passing 
the time diving and had gone up to the highest diving board from which he made 
three successful and pretty dives. The fourth one proved too much and he missed his 
distance, doubling up he struck the water in such a way that his knee struck him 
in the mouth. Three teeth were knocked out and a deep gash cut in his knee. It is 
quite a height to the upper board, and swimmers should be experienced divers before 
trying to make the dive.

	For many years Lake Tyndall served the community well, but when the new 
swimming pool was built in 1965, its use in that capacity ended. It was then stocked 
with fish, and continued to give pleasure to the young fishermen of the community, 
as well as provide a refreshing spot of beauty to all.

	Just as a parade is not a parade without a band, a town was not a town in the 
early days


[photo - Above left: Lake Tyndall, built by community labor in West Side 
Park in 1934. Three-tiered diving tower in background.]

page 44

[photo - Tyndall's first band (Jubilee edition) 1899, only four identified. 
Third from left in back, J.P. Serr; 3rd and 4th from left, middle, Dr. C. M. 
Keeling (who practiced medicine in Springfield) and Si McNeill; cornetist in 
front Hiram Stilwill. (from Frances Pletka)]

[photo - Glenn's "kid" band, carnival parade, W.R. Glenn, director, front left, 
Ptak's Lumber Co. in back.]

without its own band to boast of. As early as 1882, an effort was being made in 
Tyndall to organize a brass band. Editor Willcox of the Tyndall Tribune made the 
following remarks on July 3:

	We have the material for a first-class band and we hope the town will contribute 
towards the purchase of a set of instruments. Everybody toot!

	It appears they "tooted", because by October 13,1882, it was reported that 
the band boys who had been out in full uniform earlier in the week, were said to 
be improving as plainly realized by those that from time to time listened to the 
music that was so freely dispersed on all occasions.

	In 1904, mention was made of the Tyndall cornet band which togged itself out 
in Dutch uniforms to attend a July 4 parade in Platte.

	The people of Tyndall felt so strongly about the importance of a city band 
that in 1910 a band fund for the purpose of furnishing free musical concerts was 
provided for by direct taxation.

	In early 1912, the indications were that Tyndall would that year have a 
first-class band as W.R. Glenn, expert musical director, became head of the new 
organization under the auspices of the Commercial Club. The following summer the 
city band began Saturday night open-air concerts, the band said to be in "fine shape."

	Although others also served the city as band directors, among them James 
Stanicek, Lee Buroker, Floyd Williams and Prof. H.W. Clausen, Mr. Glenn performed 
capably as a popular and proficient leader for many years. His daughter, Lois, 
(Mrs. John Souhrada of Vermillion) writes, "We went to Tyndall in 1909 and Dad ran 
the harness shop for Matt Weiser who sold it to _____ Radak who was Rudolph Radak's 
father. He had a brother, I believe, who ran a

[photo - Tyndall Commercial Club Band, Director W.R. Glenn, far right. Center with 
long white beard, Uncle Jimmie Colgan, and just right, Tom Abbott. Band members from 
left, Henry Abbott, Geo. Thompson, Peter Hahn, Harry Thompson, John Pletka, Frank 
Hajek, Martin Bochman, Check Bollinger, Ed Hajek, Joe Bollinger, Norris Curl, Billy 
Flamming, Leo Phoenix, Bill Bollinger, John Bouza, Chas. Davey, Lou Chladek, Jack 
Flamming, Jim Stanicek, Geo. Schanel, Frank Stanicek.]

Page 45

dray line. His name was Emanuel Radak. I believe he had a one horse rig and Dad 
handmade his harness of which he was very proud." Mrs. Glenn ran her famous popcorn 
stand on Main Street for many years. The two sons and daughter contributed their 
talents to the community until they all moved away.

	During the teens, the city engaged a man to move the band wagon on and off the 
streets when used for the concerts. (Grant Spohn received 75 cents for that job in 1917.)

	Early in 1926 a committee from the Commercial Club composed of Chastka, L. F. 
Chladek and Otto Isaak appeared at the city council to request new band uniforms, 
and the request was granted provided the cost did not exceed $625.00. In 1930, the 
city drew up a contract with the band (Mike Beck was secretary at that time) for 
$1500.00 to be paid at the end of the season for a definite number of concerts and 
a definite number of musicians, but by 1933, arrangements were being made with the 
high school to perform the summer series. Under the direction of Prof. Claussen, 
these were to be given at three main intersections, alternating each Wednesday at 
8:00 p.m. For years these concerts continued, the high schoolers sometimes aided 
by alumni being presented "treats" by the local businessmen (at the city's expense) 
at the close of the performances.

	The times were a-changing for the city band, although it appears that for a time 
in 1934 George Schanel helped with rehearsals and concerts until Thomas K. Ptak took 
over for the rest of the summer. In 1942, surplus city property was disposed of, 
including "old band wagons."

City Auditorium

	Although it is impossible to record here everything the city of Tyndall was 
involved with in the early days, mention must be made of two important building 
improvements which occurred in 1917 and 1922. The beautiful Carnegie library appeared 
first and was made possible with the donation of $7000.00. The rest room in the basement 
is still used frequently for many small group gatherings as well as being the meeting 
place of the Tyndall Rotary Club every Monday at 6:15.

	The city council proceedings of April 28,1922 say simply that a bid of $25,000 
was awarded to Harry Velten of Sioux Falls for auditorium. Shortly a committee made up 
of a representative from the city council, Mrs. Helen Scoblic of the Tyndall Improvement 
Association, Mr. Eads of the American Legion, and Mr. Schuett of the Commercial Club met 
to fix auditorium charges. These

[photo - Tyndall City Auditorium built in 1922 for $25,000.]

[photo - Above right: Carnival parade band: Driving truck J. Meyers, W.R. Glenn in 
high top hat, Bill Busch, center with hand to brim, and Norris Curl with small drum.}

[photo - Above left: An early "kid" band, from Frances Pletka, probably 
at turn of the century.]

[photo - Tyndall Band in parade, west Pearl in background.]

[photo - Band concert on Pearl and Broadway, 1922]

page 46

were as follows: Basketball, $50.00 per month plus $15.00 for games when admission 
is charged; public dance $35.00 (amended later to $25.00); Legion club dances $15.00 
(amended to $20.00); and school entertainments $15.00 plus $5.00 for each rehearsal.

	Skipping rapidly through the years, electric fans were installed in 1926 at 
the request of the Legion, to be paid for from proceeds of dances, the bridal wreaths 
appeared in 1927, the new upstairs piano in 1934 (the one formerly in use there to be 
moved downstairs); the new curtains as time demanded; and eventually the major 
remodeling of the ceiling upstairs in an attempt to keep up with the times. All to 
no avail for in 1972, mention was made in the city proceedings that the city was 
willing to consider leasing the auditorium to any business.

	The building still stands proudly, still the clubroom of the American Legion; 
the scene of the annual St. Leo's bazaar, an occasional high school play and home 
extension fair or style show, but more often than not, simply a liability to the 
city and its taxpayers, a monument to the past.

Mayors of the City of Tyndall

	1887	D.W. Currier
	1892	Vincent Kaberna
	1894	W. T. Williams
	1898	John Bouza
	1902	H. B. Phoenix
	1904	Peter T. Unruh
	1906	T. V. Ptak
	1910	F. A. Morgan
	1914	Wm. Thompson
	1918	Anton Chastka
	1920	L. F. Chladek
	1922	J. J. Krall
	1926	Dr. J. L. Barber
	1932	Anton Chastka
	1936	Dr. W. E. Scheffel
	1938	Anton Chastka
	1948	I. H. Dunn
	1954	John Kleinsasser (resigned September 7,1954)
		Robert F. Bouska, acting mayor)
	1956	Mike Schmitt
	1960	Leonard Chastka
	1964	Robert F. Bouska
	1968	Wm. Edwards
	1970	Woodrow W. Kelley (resigned December, 1974)
	1975	Basil Murphy (special election)
	1976	Glen Duncan
	1978	Emil Jilek


[photo - W.R. Glenn's harness shop, 1910, W.R. standing in rear.]

page 47

[drawing - Map of Old Bon Homme County (copyright 1902 E. Frank 
Peterson)]

The Bon Homme County Courthouse

	The court house, a beautiful structure in the northwest part of the town, 
with the beautifully grassed and shady block on which it is located, was presented 
to the county by Daniel W. Currier, the owner of the townsite, in 1885 in 
consideration of the county seat at Tyndall by the voters of the county, and is a 
monument to the public spirit of "Uncle Dan" which his kindred and friends may 
justly view with gratifying pride." -Tyndall Tribune

	A history of Bon Homme Co. would be incomplete without mention of the troublous 
times of the middle 70's, when it was afflicted by grasshoppers and county bonds. For 
two or three years the grasshoppers were so numerous that little was grown on the 
few small farms then under cultivation, and many who afterwards became wealthy on what 
was then barren lands, were

page 48

[photo - Above right: Possibly a scene in the old court house, from Anna Ryan's papers.]

[photo - Gerrit P. Schuurmans (pictured here in 1911) arrived from Holland in 1892 with 
wife and young son Peter. Applied for "second papers" in 1918 at age of 51, several 
years after wife died, leaving a young family of five children. from documents in 
Clerk of Courts office, Bon Homme Co. court house)]

[photo - Vavruska family, Czech pioneers. Frank (with hand on father's shoulder) 
applied for citizenship in July of 1873, renouncing allegiance to the Emperor of 
Austria. (from documents in the office of Clerk of Courts)]

obliged to ask help from their friends in the east, and many gave up the fight and 
left the county, never to return. County bonds were issued to defray the expenses 
of the county, and rumor had it that the proceeds were also used to defray the 
personal expenses of certain county officials. C. T. McCoy, county clerk at the 
time, was accused of being one of those to profit by the transaction, and although 
several investigations were afterwards held, nothing was ever discovered to prove 
that Mr. McCoy was guilty. The records of the county were kept in such a manner 
that it was impossible to tell where all of the proceeds of the bonds did go to. 
The question of the legality of the bonds was raised and it was fought out in the 
courts with the result that the county was compelled to pay the bonds, some $25,000. -
Bon Homme Co. Atlas 1906, History of Bon Homme Co., J.C. Young, Springfield.

	The county commissioners met in the early days in the two-story brick building 
and conducted business concerning bonds, roads, and bridges then as they do now. The 
May 13, 1882 Tribune mentions that Charles Stilwill and Peter Byrne were appointed to 
measure approaches to Snatch Creek bridge. Early in 1898 the commissioners ordered 
11 new steel bridges, cost to exceed $4,000, to replace the wooden bridges which had 
become unsafe for travel. Like the city, the county tried to keep up with the times 
with the roads, and in 1919 were talking about furnishing the gravel and getting the 
road beds in shape if the farmers and others that had teams would put the gravel on. 
First for consideration were two cross country roads, one from east of Tabor and 
following the Washington Highway to west of Avon, and one starting at Springfield 
on the south and going north to the county line at Scotland.

	But no doubt the most common use of the old court house was to serve the needs 
of the immigrants who came to Bon Homme County to homestead. The naturalization 
record book No.1 in the Clerk of Courts office lists approximately 157 entries of 
people who filed for "First Papers" from 1871 to November 1876. Of this group 
(the following figures are approximate) 66 were changing their allegiance from Austria; 
25 from Britain and Ireland; 1 from Denmark; 53 from Russia; 1 from Prussia; 5 from King 
William of Orange; 2 from the King of the Netherlands; and 1 from Germany. The second 
book of "First Papers" dated 1876-1888 lists 686 entries and the third book dated 1888-
1906 contains 741 entries. It is likely that most of those immigrants

[photo - The old court house was not removed until the new one was built 
immediately behind it. Thomas Abbott in foreground.]

page 49

[copy of document - Cost of Court House
BON HOMME COUNTY
Completed in December, 1914.            Dedicated Aug.26, 1915.

Commission paid on bonds                                   $550.00
A. M. Wold Company, general contractors                   74925.53
O. J. Oyen, decorating,                                    2328.00
Van Dorn Iron Works Co., steel furniture                   1681.60
Brown & Saenger, wood furniture                            3711.15
Tyndall Light and Water Plant, electric fixtures           1232.67
A. Schwartz, architect                                     2050.00
Thos. H. Abbott, superintendent of construction             978.00
T. V. Ptak, sewer connection and merchandise                234.85
Tyndall Hardware Co., merchandise                           280.78
Berger Mfg. Co., vacuum cleaner                             596.45
Miscellaneous items                                         880.35
                        Total                            $92449.38

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND OFFICERS DURING PERIOD OF CONSTRUCTION:


Commissioners
H. G. Gunn, 1st District,
Chas. Dirks, 2nd District,
T. H. Abbott, 3rd District,
Jos. V. Wagner, 4th District,
Chas. N. McCollum, 5th District.

County Officers

C. E. Stoddard, County Auditor,
C. L. Bohac, County Treasurer,
C. E. Bixby, Register of Deeds,
R. R. Robinson, Clerk of Courts,
W. W. French, States Attorney,
L. L. Wagner, Sheriff,
G. G. Fites, Superintendent of Schools,
Oliver Plumb, County Assessor.]

remained in Bon Homme Co. to complete their requirements for citizenship in spite of 
whatever hardships they may have encountered. Many of us can trace our own ancestry 
by perusing the pages of several of those old books.

	The county in 1882 had a total population of 5,269 which was broken down in 
the following manner: Males over 21, 1231 and under 21, 1526; females over 21, 1057, 
and under 21, 1455..

	Eight years later in 1890 there were 1663 families and 1624 dwellings in the 
county with 5.58 persons to a dwelling and 5.45 to a family. That year the county 
recorded 131 marriages, 44 naturalizations, 13 divorces, 284 births, births 
acknowledged 8, and 101 deaths. The men still outnumbered the women by a couple 
of hundred, and of the males 21 and older, 710 were native whites, 1,345 were 
foreign whites, and 3 were "colored." Of the 3,390 foreign born, the largest 
group (1,316) came from Russia, and the second largest (1,032) came from Bohemia. 
Others came from Canada and Newfoundland, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Holland, England, 
Denmark, Scotland, Sweden and Wales, in that order.

	The old court house was replaced in 1914 with the beautiful building still in 
use today. The move this time was not nearly the step the previous one from Bon Homme had 
been, as the new flat roofed three story building grew immediately behind the old 
two-story brick building. The new structure departed from the traditional steeple 
tower, favoring instead huge stone columns, tons of top quality marble, a rotunda 
with stained glass skylight above, and intricate designs and ornaments

page 50

[photo - Bon Homme County courthouse built in 1914 for total cost of $92,449. 38, 
dedicated August 26, 1915.]

planned in minute detail by county officials. Included in the total cost of 
$92,449.38 was about $2,300 for paintings executed by O.J. Oyen which included 
pioneer scenes, an Indian buffalo hunting scene, and in the court room a scene of 
justice being served on which appears a double of the court house as it first looked 
when built-no trees on the grounds.

	Unusual design features of the new building included four main offices all 
located on the second floor, each of which had vaults with rolling steel shutters on the 
windows and each a circular staircase leading to additional storage on the first floor. 
Except for minor changes (the circular staircase was removed from the treasurer's office 
to make room for the jail below), there is an attempt to keep the building historically 
accurate.

	The large flag pole reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower in France was probably planned 
as early as the 1880's, at least the commissioners were working on building one at that 
time, according to Jerry Hermanek, County Auditor, in an interview with the Yankton Daily 
Press and Dakotan December 12,1975. The beautiful open work metal structure is close to 
being the tallest structure in town and the flag flown every day from its lofty height 
can be seen from all approaches to town.

	The county commissioners during the period of construction in 1914 were H. G. 
Gunn, 1st district; Chas. Dirks, 2nd; T. H. Abbott, 3rd; Jos. V. Wagner, 4th; and 
Chas. N. McCollum, 5th.

	The county officers at that time were as follows:
		C. E. Stoddard, County Auditor
		W. W. French, States Attorney
		C. L. Bohac, County Treasurer
		L. L. Wagner, Sheriff
		C. E. Bixby, Register of Deeds
		G. G. Fites, Supt. of Schools
		R. R. Robinson, Clerk of Courts
		Oliver Plumb, County Assessor 
	
	Today's officers are:
		Jerry Hermanek, County Auditor
		Jack Freidel, Clerk of Courts
		Clarence Powers, County Treasurer
		Elton Rokusek, Register of Deeds
		R. James Zieser, States Attorney
		Steve Auch, County Extension Agent 
		Lyle O'Donnell, Sheriff
		Margaret Hornstra, Director of Assessments
		Leo Deurmier, Veteran's Service Office
		Jos. Sykora, Highway Supt.
		Michelle Muller, Public Health Nurse
		Martha Flamming, County Home Agent

	1979 county commissioners are:
		Allen Sternhagen
		Ron Wagner
		Clarence Tjeerdsma
		Art Clough
		Chester Fees

[photo - Register of Deeds office in "new" court house, Anna Ryan at far left, August 1915.]

page 51

The Mail

	Mail first came to Tyndall on the train, businessmen being able to fill orders 
received in the morning and send them off by return train in the afternoon. Martin Roose 
was said to have been the first postmaster. Earliest post offices were located in the 
Julius Voigt store and the Alois Zienert store. Postmaster Colburn in 1892 asked that 
people stop mailing letters directly on the train because with only $20.00 more per 
quarter Tyndall would qualify for a presidential office.

	An item in the February 3,1898 Register said that the Tyndall post office had 
been robbed for the second time, this time of $700.00 in cash and stamps and probably 
was the work of an organized gang that was operating all over the state. Eugene Koenig 
believes that his present insurance office may have been the site of those early 
robberies.

	In 1895 unclaimed letters were advertised by Postmaster H. A. Pike, who said if 
they were not called for they would be sent to the Dead Letter office in Washington. 
That year star route service between Tyndall and Lesterville began, the stage line 
leaving Tyndall at 9:30 a.m. and arriving at Lesterville at noon. After a two hour rest, 
it returned to Tyndall at 4:30. The first stage driver was J.P. McCollum who held that 
position for two years until his untimely and sudden death at age 30 of hemorrhage of 
the lungs.

	Box rents were already collected in 1898 by Postmaster C. Stilwill whose salary 
was raised from $1000 to $1100 that year. 

	But the major change in postal delivery came in late 1903 when the new free 
delivery system went into operation. The route extended from Tyndall in a 
southeasterly direction going south to the river ten miles and east about five miles, 
making a drive of 30 miles altogether. George Ames had the contract for which he 
received $40.00 per month from the government. James Murphey was the deputy and did the 
driving.

	Traffic problems occurred as early as February 6, 1904, according to the 
Register which reminded drivers of wagons that all U.S. mail carriers had the 
right-of-way in public highways when on duty. They were not to be driven into 
the ditches by heavy loaded wagons without violating the U.S. Mail law and under 
threat of prosecution. The law applied not only when meeting a vehicle but also to 
those in front of the mail when the mail carrier made an attempt to pass. Farmers 
were reminded also to cease using their rural mail boxes as repositories for sale 
bills or other medium of communication unless proper stamps were fixed.

	By May of 1904 the fourth route out of Tyndall was established, this one 
running north and west, and by 1911 all mail carriers on rural routes received 
$1000. per year if their routes were over 24 miles in length.

	Joseph Hisek, one of Tyndall's early rural carriers, remembers his early days 
on Route #1 very well. He says it was 1914 when he began, and he covered the 30 miles 
on horseback until roads and cars made it easier. At that time John E. Wright carried 
on Rt.#2, Bill (Star) Robinson on Rt. #3, and Jim Zieser on Rt. #4.

	In the late 1800's the Security Bank moved from its first location on the west 
side of Pearl to its new corner location across the street east and the post office 
made its quarters in the back part of the building. Mrs. H.A. Pike was postmistress 
when the bank block was destroyed by fire in January 1919. As soon as the building 
was rebuilt, the post office returned and stayed in that location until it moved to 
Main Street in its own new building in 1961.

	The post office suffered through the depression as did everything else in 1933, 
losing the 2nd class status it had enjoyed since 1921, thus reducing the status of its 
clerks to non-classified civil service with a 50% decrease in pay. People were buying 
less of the 3 cent stamps and more of the 1 1/2 cards.

	Today Cletus (Pete) Szymanski is postmaster assisted by clerks Wally Wright 
and Marie Hisek. Rural routes have been reduced to two and are served by Ray Herman 
and Al Winckler.

[photo - Joe Hisek began carrying mail on Rural Route No.1 in 1914, cars 
such as this came later.]

[photo - Martin Roose, first postmaster in Tyndall, and his daughter 
Blanche (from Ted Schwarz)]

page 52

(7) Agriculture and the Weather

[photo - Whitely farm yard northwest of Tyndall, friends of Ed Beringer's. Note 
Buff Cochrins, Plymouth Rocks, ducks and turkeys.]

[photo - McBurney elevator alongside railroad tracks.]

	"The prospects for Tyndall to become one of the best and most prosperous 
inland towns in southern Dakota are very encouraging. Why? Because it is surrounded 
by an agricultural region which is unequaled for fertility and beauty. The soil is 
a deep black loam, very productive, and requiring no fertilization for years and is 
especially adapted to raising small cereals, corn, and vegetables. Our climate is the 
most healthful on the globe. Water can be had at a comparatively short distance below 
the surface." So said the Tyndall Tribune in December of 1881.

	Certain typical things happened that year as they do today. Bill Seaman sold 
60 head of fine hogs to a gentleman in Chicago, realizing $910.00 from the sale of 
that fine lot! Chicken cholera had invaded the area and one Frank Markley found 
quite a number of his Plymouth Rocks and Buff Cochrins turning up their toes. It was 
said that his apothecary bill for the relief of those chickens amounted to a 
considerable sum as he purchased and gave them everything recommended. And a great 
many farmers of the vicinity had been taken in by one Solomon, a Sioux City buyer who 
purchased considerable stock, giving in payment his check on a Sioux City bank. The 
check was not worth the paper it was written on. . . The newspaper said, ". . . if 
that fellow Solomon values his scalp, he had better keep clear of Tyndall!"

	South Dakota was not yet a state in 1882 when Governor Ordway of Dakota 
Territory published the following agriculture statistics in the Minneapolis Weekly:

	1879	Cereal production of the Territory	2,830,289 bu.
	1880					            4,830,289
	1881				            	8,830,289

	We are sure the cereal production around Tyndall reflected that growth. 
By the summer of 1892 the land surrounding Tyndall was worth $8-$12 per acre, and 
the wolves had become so cheeky they were even coming into the doors and closing 
in on the chickens for their morning meals without leaving any consideration 
whatever. "The early bird often does get caught that way!" -Tribune, September 29,1892

	According to R.G. Lehr, father of Larry Lehr of Tyndall, his grandfather 
George Lehr, Sr., was the first grain buyer in Tyndall. Before his death, "Bob" 
Lehr supplied the following information to the Jubilee edition of the Tribune 
and Register. He recalled that his father, George Lehr, Jr., would tell how the 
senior Mr. Lehr bought grain from farmers who delivered their wheat in sacks, 
and in turn he delivered these sacks of grain to Yankton by team and wagon. From 
there the wheat, which was the major crop, found its way to the eastern markets. 
Prior to the railroad, Mr. Lehr had his grain headquarters in a building located 
approximately where the Ranek appliance store is or just south, but later he 
constructed a long storage shed beside the railroad right of way and his shipments 
were made by rail. About 1889 he finally built an elevator, followed by a second 
one. His son, George Jr., continued operation of the grain business until the 
mid 30's when he retired. One elevator burned and the other was moved to the 
Emil Kaftan farm south of Tyndall where it remains today.

	In July, 1911, the stockholders of the Farmers' Elevator Co., Tyndall, 
met and decided to purchase an elevator in Tyndall for the buying and selling 
of grain. They finally selected the Felton elevator owned by Matt Weisser which 
they purchased for $2750.00.

	(A far cry from the 160' tall Coop elevator built in 1954 whose strong 
conspicuous white concrete exterior can be seen from many miles away. The 
220,000 bu. capacity structure became a farmer cooperative when all facilities 
and rights were purchased from Consumers Supply Co. in

page 53

early 1963 for $230,000. The first board of directors included Dewey Thompson, 
Pres., and Wm. Raabe, Vice President The first manager was Henry Van Velzen.)

	At one time there were at least five operating elevators ranging along 
the railroad. Gradually as their usefulness declined, they disappeared. Times 
had changed.

	In 1954, only 25 years ago, a different sort of storage was being provided. 
The Tribune and Register of August 6,1954 reported, "A total of 165 new steel grain 
storage bins are being erected in Bon Homme County this week by the Commodity 
Credit Corporation of which 48 are being placed on land belonging to Joe Kadlec 
along the east side of the Bohemian highway directly across the road from the 
Fred Plattner farm. Each are of 3250 bu. capacity. Addition of these new bins 
to the already large number, brings storage capacity in the county to a trifle 
more than 2,000,000 bushels. The CCC anticipates the delivery of approximately 
1,200,000 bushels of 1953 corn for bin storage.

	Today the CCC bins are gone. Those across the road west of the city park 
were converted for use by the Bon Homme 4-H clubs, and those directly across the 
road north of the swimming pool were replaced by the fenced horse show grounds.

	There was another harvest in those early days quite unlike that of the 
traditional cereals, but one that was an important part of many people's lives. 
The towns people had cold storage in town for this "crop" but farmers had to 
provide their own. This crop was the harvest of ice. In 1910 a partial list of the 
number of loads of ice packed during that winter included the following: 
Anton Hajek put up over 400 loads for the dealers in town; Frank Sisler 93; 
Frank Blazek 54; Jos. Urban 76; M. Reidinger 30; Michels 44; Gund 60; and 
Biersdorf 20. The weather did not always cooperate and in 1912, owing to the warm 
weather, the ice was not quite as good as usual, but rather than take any 
chances on poorer ice, most of the ice houses were being filled. Men went to 
the river usually with specially constructed ice saws, but ice was also cut 
from local lakes. As late as 1937, the city asked that no ice be cut from 
Tyndall Lake because it would make ice skating hazardous and also be unsanitary 
due to animals being driven on ice.

[photo - The day of the elevator in Tyndall, from the 1906 Bon Homme Co. Atlas.]

[photo - Scene on the farm of Mr. August Koenig, southwest of Tyndall 
(Bon Homme Co. Atlas, 1906)]

[photo - Ice harvest on Merkel Lake, northeast of Tyndall.]

page 54

Weather

	Weather is and always has been an all-important factor in an agricultural 
area such as ours. The following statistics provided by the Scotland Soil 
Conservation District tell us at least on paper what the weather was like before 
1940 and what we could expect for our district which comprises all the townships 
surrounding Tyndall:

	Average rainfall:   1911-1919       25"   Average temperature 46 degrees
		              1920-1929 	21"	                    48 degrees
	                    1930-1939 	18"	                    50 degrees
	Greatest rainfall is one year - 34.65 (1911), lowest 14.11 (1936)
	Temperature extremes - 40 degrees below zero to 115 degrees above
	Average wind velocity is less than 10 mph
	Number of frost-free days is from 135-145 days
	(All statistics before 1940)

	Weather made the news way back in June of 1882 when a severe rain storm was 
described in this manner: "About 9 o'clock Wednesday evening a severe rain storm swept 
over this section. A high wind prevailed at the time and the rain descended in torrents. 
No damage was done in Tyndall but southeast of town they were less fortunate. A log 
house belonging to a Bohemian who lives a half mile east of Thos. McCrea's place was 
blown down, a falling timber striking the old gentleman inflicting a very bad wound 
on his head. The same gentleman had a wagon lifted by the wind and landed some 20 rods 
distant, breaking one of the axles in two. At Mr. McCrea's place the wind hurled his 
corn crib to pieces and scattered the corn promiscuously. The Catholic Church in the same 
neighborhood was moved off its foundation and a portion of the building was badly shattered."

Blizzard of 1888

	What is generally conceded to be the most notable calamity which ever struck 
the county is the blizzard of 1888, on account of the great loss of life thereby, 
eighteen people having lost their lives in the storm. So said an account in the Bon 
Homme Co. Atlas of 1906, which continued, "It struck the county about noon on 
January 12, changing almost instantaneously from a warm, damp day to one of the worst 
storms which ever visited the state. It required only a few minutes to obliterate 
every sign of road or trail, and whoever was caught out in it could only guess as 
to his course and trust to luck to bring up against some habitation. The storm lasted 
into the following night, when it cleared up but was very cold. The following is a 
list of the persons who perished: Nels Haliburton, a farmer living about ten miles 
west of Springfield; J. A. Winters and J. O. Robinson, traveling man and driver, 
found dead in P. Byrne's grove near Bon Homme; Mrs. Bouza, Mrs. Frank Bombus, three 
children of Chris Kaul, one child of Mathis Weiser, five children of Geo. Geishert, 
one child of Michael Hoff, Jos. Hirsh and Mrs. Anna J. Wilson. There have been other 
storms which have been called blizzards, but the main reason for their being noted 
was in the fact that they were out of season, coming early in the fall or late in 
the spring, rather than their severity, and although sometimes herds of stock were 
lost, there was little or no loss of life."

	From a writeup about August Koenig, Tyndall pioneer, in the History of 
Dakota Territory, Vol. IV by George W. Kingsbury, comes this account of combating 
unpleasant weather conditions. "In the early years of their residence in this 
state, the Koenigs experienced many of the hardships and trials which fall to the 
lot of the pioneer. They had a taste of the middle western climate during the 
"winter of the deep snows" and saw the devastation made by the floods the 
following spring, which however, were not as disastrous to them as to the dwellers in

[photo - A typical log cabin, cold and smoky in winter, hot in summer, this one 
from papers of Anna Ryan appears sturdily constructed.]

page 55

[photo - Wind and rain storms could find their way through log cabins. (Original 
home of R. DeRoos family, 1903: from left, father Rudolph, Annie, mother Gertie, 
Bessie, Maud (Mrs. Floyd Spohn), Tillie)]

[photo - Diseases would sometime beset livestock, forcing a farmer to begin again. 
Whitely farm, northwest of Tyndall.]

the valley. At the time of the blizzard of January 12,1888, Mr. Koenig was forty 
rods from the house, but managed to reach home without difficulty. The prairie 
fires often threatened destruction, but were beaten out without serious loss."

Dust storms of the 30's

	Attesting to the extremes in temperature in our area, a storm of a different sort 
was the subject of an article in the Register of November 16,1933. The headline simply 
stated "Dust storm sweeps state".

	"All northwest was in darkness Sunday as the greatest dust storm within the 
memory of white man struck. Tyndall was in the path of the heavy dust storm that 
visited the northwest Sunday. The early morning opened with a strong wind, which was 
warm, and little was thought of the storm, until about 10:30 when the wind seemed to 
increase and the air was filled with dust. The wind continued to get stronger and the 
dust thicker, until at 2:00 everything was in darkness for about two hours. Homes were 
lighted and the air had a peculiar appearance where the sun was trying to shine 
through. It was a weird day and many people were greatly disturbed. Cars driving 
had their lights on and they showed but dimly through the heavy dust. Everyone drove 
carefully and there were no accidents.

	"Weather bureaus and old-timers all agree that it was one of the worst dust 
storms to sweep over this section. The light plant had several calls of poles blown 
down and some sections of the city were without light part of the time during the 
darkest period. -The street lights were kept burning throughout the day . . . Every 
building and home is filled with dust and the housewives have been busy cleaning out 
the fine dust that sifted into their homes. The east side of Main Street caught most 
of the dust and goods on display in the windows were badly soiled. Reports from the 
country are that hay stacks were torn open and scattered and owners are busy 
restacking. While the dust storm abated toward evening, the wind continued to blow 
until well into the night. All were glad when the wild, eerie day was over."

	Dry weather, Russian thistles and grasshoppers seemed to go hand in hand. 
Even before Tyndall had become a city, grasshoppers had afflicted the area, and again 
in devouring hordes in the 30's. The Bon Homme Co. Register reported the start of the 
fight against the infestation early in the summer of 1931: "L. V. Ausman, County Agent, 
and a committee of farmers called on the county commissioners the first of the week 
and had them secure the poison for the grasshopper fight. The poison is here and 
everything in readiness to get after this pest, which is reported in many parts of 
the county. The havoc wrought by the grasshopper (the farm of C. E. Gardner and others 
in that vicinity) is as follows: the corn is eaten off, some a short stump being 
all that is left, while other stalks are cut off clear into the ground. 
The trees are completely peeled of bark, each limb as though you had taken a 
knife and stripped off the bark. Some farmers report that they have to stop several 
times during the day and take the canvas off the binder so as to clean out the rollers, 
the crushed hoppers acting like grease on the rollers causing them to slip."

	Farmers were advised to plant sorghum in infested areas because of its resistance 
to the pest, but the only remedy for the pesky thistles seemed to be to cut and rake the 
prickly weed into piles and burn them. Many of us who fought those thistles in that 
manner can still smell the black smoke which billowed from the fat rolls and feel that 
sudden rush of heat as the dry piles flared.

	Then there were the livestock diseases. A fatal horse malady had found its way 
to South Dakota in 1912, and upward of 200 horses had died in Bon Homme County within a 
two week period. Authorities pronounced the disease cerebral meningitis, saying it was 
caused by eating a fungus that grew on weeds. In 1932, Veterinarians Dr. Fostermann 
and Dr. Colgan were busy vaccinating for anthrax, and felt they had the outbreak 
under control which had hit the cattle of Frank Kucera, Dennis Murphy Jr., and V. 
Plavec farms. When the horse barns were still full in the 30's sleeping sickness 
struck, and many farmers suffered the loss of at least part of their teams.

Page 56

	This is of course only a partial list of the problems which could suddenly 
beset an apparently successful livestock producer and either set him backwards to 
begin again or look elsewhere for a livelihood. Such was the nature of most that 
they stayed through all diversity.

	What would a farmer be without his machinery to plant and cultivate his crops? 
As early as July of 1898, a hint of the mechanical era to come appeared in the Register. 
It said, "A fair sized crowd gathered at L. I. Smith's farm near town on Tuesday to 
witness the trial of the Craver Harvester Binder, for which Frank Post is agent in 
Tyndall. This machine cuts 12 feet and binds the grain. With six horses we believe 
the machine will give the best of satisfaction."

	Machinery dealers were having problems in 1904, the Register said on May 14 
in this way: "It appears that all of the farm machine manufacturing companies have 
entered into a combination for their natural protection. A Tyndall machine dealer 
said that in the course of a year or so there would be but one machine dealer in a 
town and he would sell the machinery for all the companies. One general agent now has 
charge of the business that was heretofore represented by a man for each company. It 
is also reported that all the machinery on hand must be sold before a new supply 
is sent out."

	That machinery must have been causing the city of Tyndall some consternation 
was evident in 1906 because an ordinance was passed prohibiting the running of 
threshers and traction machine across sidewalks unless properly protected by planks.

	Early in 1917 interested farmers came out in large numbers to see the 
demonstration of the new Case tractors on the C. J. Haijsman farm joining the city 
on the west. Six of the little engines were at work at one time plowing up the 
field-a sight well worth going to see. These tractors were handled by Robinson Auto Co.

	By the 30's the production of machinery had been somewhat refined, and a local 
inventor had been awarded a patent for his efforts. Joe Fridrich, known as a high 
class mechanic and extensive farmer and cattle feeder, had developed a manure loader 
to be used with his Farmall tractor, but which also could be used for loading gravel, 
earth, and the like by the substitution of a shovel arrangement for the fork arrangement 
used in the case of manure. The apparatus was used to load up several hundred manure 
spreader loads in but a mere fraction of the time required to work the older method. 
Henry Halla, local lawyer was associated with the Washington patent lawyer in the 
securing of the patent.

Corn husking contests

	The mechanical corn picker was yet to come in the early 30's, but men had 
developed their ability to husk corn by hand to such a level that they were 
challenging each other in contests. In

[photo - Above right: Sutera threshing rig, joint family operation]

[photo - Above left: H. Heilesen, threshing with an Aultman-Taylor outfit, 1896.]


[photo - Below left: First elevator, made by S. E. Spohn, 1904, on farm 5 miles south 
of Tyndall. From left, Dr. Gambel, (Bloomfield, Nebr.), Charlie McCollum, Spohn, Cliff 
Gambel.]

[photo - Below right: Harvesting corn the old way, Blazek farm]

page 57

October, 1932, the farm of Ed. A. Minow was the scene of the first corn husking 
contest ever held in Bon Homme County. Sixteen contestants entered the affair which 
was a big success, each husking 80 minutes. Each contestant was furnished with a 
wagon and driver. All corn left in field and husks left on corn were weighed by 
local judges who deducted the amounts from gross loads husked, as they did the 
weight of the corn left on the ground between the two rows. No coaching by friends 
was allowed. Clifford Cox was announced champ by picking 17 bushels in the 80 minutes, 
and went on to place third in the state contest, gleaning a net load there of 19.35 
bushels against the winners 20.26.

	These contests continued for several years. In October of 1941, the contest was 
held at the Sampson Thomas farm, and August Kowalski of Scotland won with 29.07 bushels 
(42 ears per minute). Theodore (Petey) Petrik of Tabor who was county champion in 1938, 
crowded close for second place with 28.43 bushels net during the 80 minute contest.

Shelter belt program

	The drouth of the 30's prompted great concern for measures to stop the blowing 
dust. Although Bon Homme Co. was originally left out of the federal shelter belt 
program, Henry Halla, Tyndall lawyer, who was greatly interested in trees and water 
conservation, pushed local citizens into signing petitions to include our area, 
and 2144 people responded within three weeks. By April 1936 shelterbelt crews were 
busy in the county. The first shelterbelt close to Tyndall was planted five miles 
south of town on land belonging to Bill Schuurmans and still remains in good condition.

	From the early history of the Scotland Soil Conservation District comes the 
following information. The U.S. Forest Service through its Shelterbelt Program 
planted approximately 171 miles of standard shelterbelt plantings between 1936 and 
1938. Plantings varied from 7-10 rods in width with the majority of them running west 
and east along the south side of each farm. In 1940 the A. A. A. made payments on 380 
acres of trees planted by the farmers in the county, and that same year saw the approval 
of 111 stock water dams. The average per acre evaluation for farms in the conservation 
district showed in 1940 a decided decrease from the period of 1910-1925, being worth $25-
$55. The average sized farm was 262.4 acres, (a growth of 23 acres in 10 years) and an 
average quarter section of improved land valued at $40. per acre with the average tax 
levy of 8 mills was taxed at $52.20 per quarter or 32 cents per acre. There were still 
6800 horses and mules in the county, 23,700 cattle, 226,000 chickens, 16,000 hogs, 
8,500 sheep and 10,600 cows and heifers.

	What was it like to grow up on a farm in the 20's and 30's? Vernon Frank 
Petrik was born in 1921 on a farm six miles east of Tyndall, the first of six 
children of Sylvester and Lillian Petrik. From random recollections he jotted 
down in May, 1978, come the following:

	Early childhood- the Edison phonograph with thick disks, Sousa marches, Victor 
Herbert music. . . player piano, "Dardanella". . . gathering mulberries by knocking 
them onto canvas spread under the trees, purple. . . bathing in one inch of water 
in portable flat bottom tub, Saturday night. . . bedrooms icy, a dash up to get 
under covers.

	Gathering cobs from the pig yard for the kitchen stove, smelly . . . pasturing cows 
barefoot along roads. . . visiting tornado site near Tripp . . . cultivating corn, one-
row horse drawn, then two-row, then tractor . . . Mom working as hard as Dad in farm 
yard, fields, while also doing housework, cooking . . . her kolaches, rohliky, 
chicken soup - . . Grandma Petrik's kroupi, kuba, jitrnice.

	Climbing windmill, milking cows, turning cream separator, hand pump. . . hauling 
manure, from cow barn, horse barn, pig sheds, chicken coops. . . gathering eggs, 
feeding chickens, slopping hogs, hay for horses, alfalfa for cows, oats for horses.

	Harvest, horse drawn binder . . . shocking grain, then at threshing time 
loading bundles on hay racks, bundles slide off if not loaded just right, but still 
competing with cousin Allen as to who could bring in highest load, (he always 
won) . . . tossing bundles into thresher, tractor powered, long drive belt, joint 
Sutera venture. . . lunch breaks with cream-white sweetened coffee ....hay making 
on Grandpa Vavruska's 80, mowing, raking, stacking, horse-drawn hay power from

[photo - Above left: Frank Vavruska drilling grain, before 1920.]

[photo - The open prairie and no trees caused great problems during the dry 
30's. (a claim shack from Anna Ryan's papers)]

[photo - Above right: Stacking grain in the 30's, Alice Ruman]

page 58

team horses pulling out rope or cable, Dad stacking hay, later I and Edwin 
(or Mom) . . unloading into hay mow in barn, again using team of horses to 
pull cable to lift slings of hay up and roll along overhead till in right 
place to dump.

	Cows breaking into alfalfa fields, bloating, Dad would stab their belly 
to relieve gas pressure, some died . . . play house in the trees, walking barefoot 
in creek after rains . . . climbing and rolling down straw piles. . . watching 
corn crib burn after hit by lightning. . . deep snow, blizzards, below zero 
temps, high drifts, dig tunnel to get out of house to other buildings. . . John 
Deere tractor, steel wheels at first, then rubber with cement weights on rear wheels.

	Shopping trips to Yankton, J.C. Penney's, Montgomery Wards, Gurneys and 
WNAX. . . visit "Russian" Mennonite colony, take wheat to be ground for flour . . . 
battery-powered Atwater Kent radio, outside aerial 30 feet high 50 feet long, 
listening to Wayne King, market reports . . . wind-powered electric generator, 
bank of batteries in cellar . . . gas-powered Servel refrigerator.

	Dad, pride in his having been Marine in World War I, his purple heart, 
his uniform, and little bulldog figurine, had been to business college in Omaha but 
no high school . .  always in forefront in new developments, milking machine, 
wind-powered electricity with lights in house, powered milking machine, cream 
separator, shelter belt, terraced fields, planting drouth resistant crops, 
converting to tractor from horses, school district officer, early into soil 
conservation, officer in AAA, Farmers Union . . . usually dozed off evenings after 
supper reading newspaper . . . we took Sioux City Tribune, Tyndall Tribune, Tabor 
Independent, Successful Farming, Dakota Farmer, Nebraska Farmer . . . American 
Legion, Memorial Day ceremonies, funerals....

[photo - Chipping in to help a sick neighbor at the Beltsford's home in 1914. Ed 
Post in dark shirt with white suspenders, Bill Schuurmans 4th from right in front.]

[photo - Large farm home of J. P. Cooley, east and south of Tyndall from 
1906 Bon Homme Co. Atlas)]

[photo - Air view of shelterbelt planting on the Sylvester Petrik farm. Mr. Petrik 
was early into new agricultural developments and always interested in soil conservation.]

Page 59

(8) The Doctor's Role

	The methods and the instruments with which medicine and dentistry were 
practiced one hundred years ago may have been different than today, but the 
personal concern and dedication to duty was as strong then as now.

	The first physician to locate permanently at Tyndall was Dr. W.E. Moore who 
came in 1882 and occupied a commodius office on Broadway Street (later known as the 
Moore and Elliott office building just west of the First National Bank.) Dr. Moore 
practiced medicine for 30 years, and introduced the X-ray machine to Tyndall which 
helped to locate metal needles, pins and bullets lodged in the bodies of some of 
his patients. He built the beautiful residence at the corner of State and Broadway 
(which much later was to become the first Good Samaritan Home, and still later, 
razed as a fire hazard.) Dr. Moore added partner Dr. Hiram Stilwill in 1898. It is 
possible that it was he who delivered the first white baby girl born in Tyndall, 
Rebecca Roose, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Roose, whose birthday was 
October 10,1880.

	Volume I of the Tyndall Tribune records news items about other early doctors 
whose stays in town were either brief or only occasional.

	-January 7,1882. Dr. George P. Dix, the itinerant tooth extractor, was in 
Tyndall last Friday. Doc. is known to all old-time Dakotaians as a gentleman who 
takes exquisite pleasure in "yanking" out either a molar or incisor, and while 
performing the inhuman act will relate an anecdote that will cause his victim to 
smile despite the pain. He can supply a toothless head with ivory masticators, or 
fill a cavity with gold, silver or any other precious metal, and carries instruments 
to fit the largest or smallest facial orifice. He will do a job of dental work and 
warrant it, for just as few of "the dollars of our dads" as is necessary to ply his 
favorite avocation. Doc. is an expert and should have been summoned in the Guiteau case.

	-March 25,1882.  Dr. S.C. Torpy, Practicing Physician, has located at Frank 
Richmond's one mile east of Tyndall. Professional calls promptly attended.

	In 1892, W.O. Robinson, dentist, was making his regular visits of ten days 
or more to the Grand Central Hotel, accepting engagements at Cotton's drug store. 
The following is information gleaned from an obituary of this talented man who died 
in March of 1934:

	William Obed Robinson, dentist, homesteaded in Dakota Territory in 1880 
near Freeman, then entered the service of the C.M. & S. P. Railway company, 
working in the station at Menno. Having completed a course in dentistry, he served 
in several communities, visiting the smaller towns in this vicinity regularly, 
including Tyndall, to practice dentistry. After a few years away from his profession 
to work at capturing sea lions off the San Miguel Island for the purpose of sale to 
zoological gardens, he and Mrs. Robinson moved to Tyndall in 1904, where he practiced 
for many years. The last 15 years of his life he was associated with his son, Fred, 
in the garage business. Dr. Robinson was a man of unusual interests and talents. 
Besides being a professional photographer, he was a great lover of music and had a 
talent for it which without a special musical education, enabled him to interpret 
on the violin some of the musical masterpieces with the art of a born musician. He 
loved to play the violin and in years past, often contributed to church and lodge 
and other community programs in violin numbers.

	In late 1897 there were several physicians in Tyndall. Dr. F.A. Sedlacek, 
whose office was located east of the C.S.P.S. hall near the court house, came with 
excellent credentials. This man

[photo - Home of Dr. Moore, State and Broadway, later Good Samaritan 
Center, now vacant lot from 1906 Bon Homme Co. Atlas)]

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who promised to attend all calls day or night (from his residence in the old Frank 
Markley dwelling) had studied two years at Prague, three at Vienna, and one year at 
State U. of Chicago.

	The week of October 9,1897 was said to have been a "banner week for the surgeons 
of Tyndall" according to the newspaper, for Drs. Berry, Sedlacek and Fox operated 
upon ten patients. The Tribune bragged, "Our surgeons go east and 'brush up' with 
the most advanced surgeons and physicians in medical and surgical treatment of 
disease, thus affording this community excellent scientific service."

	That same year of 1897 Frances Fricrich, Midwife, who claimed attendance 
at Medical College at Chicago, advertised herself in the business directory of 
the paper as "Porodni Babicka," attesting to the need in the community for the 
Czech-speaking professional.

	There were many deaths in those days. Diphtheria took five of the nine 
children of Mike Bart in 1892, and ulceration of the stomach took a young mother, 
Mrs. C. J. Ribble at the age of 29. Other common illnesses of the times, too many 
leading to early death, were La Gripp, typhoid, consumption, and cholera infantum.

	Four children at one time of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Slama, Czech homesteaders who 
lived 7 1/2 miles southeast of Tyndall, were taken by diphtheria in 1876, leaving 
but three. these were Mrs. Joseph Vavruska, Joseph J. and Adolph.) The father of 
this family lived to be 96 years old, and his son Adolph, the one who survived 
the diphtheria epidemic, lives today at the Good Samaritan home, alert at 93 despite 
the loss of both his legs due to diabetes.

	The newspaper reported at that time that efforts were being taken by some 
of the physicians to stop the illegal practice in the county of several "bone 
setters" whose supernatural or "Mysterious" knowledge had either been handed 
down from God or some grandmother in the old country for treating fractures 
that would make the most skillful surgeons tremble. "This is not only a disgrace 
to the medical profession but a disgrace to civilization and this attempt to enforce 
the law is certainly to be commended."

	Doctors came in all kinds and to fill all needs. In 1897 there was a 
veterinarian in town who had as many as 19 horses under treatment in his barn 
at one time. Dr. Hamlin, according to the Nov. 27,1897 Tribune had that week 
performed a difficult surgical operation. He had made an incision in the chest of 
the animal 14 inches in depth, and removed a piece of wood which had been imbedded 
there for some time. (We trust it was successful!)

	Dr. William Black, M.D., who had set up his office in the Moore-Elliott 
building, left town prior to 1915. Dr. R.M. Cotton (Cotton's Drug Store) 
practiced from 1886-1913, and then left for Belvidere. A. D. Darling, D. D. S., 
an early dentist whose office was over Serr's drug store advertised nitrous oxide gas 
in 1903. And Dr. Cecil Collins practiced dentistry for a number of years in Tyndall, 
but eventually moved to California where he taught dentistry. While Dr. Collins was 
practicing here, his wife, who was the daughter of the businessman W.W. Byers, and 
a frail and lovely woman, died in the flu epidemic when their son Dick was only a 
baby, leaving him and sisters Eleanor and Marjorie. Because no indoor activities 
were allowed at that time, the funeral had to be held outdoors, even though the 
weather was very cold. E.H. Boon, M.D., Physician and Surgeon, came to Tyndall 
after World War I with a captain's commission and set up a medical office above 
the post office. He became the first commander of the American Legion post.

	As early as 1890, a shop by the name of the H.F. Henton Spectacle 
Shop was pictured on the famous Burnett Composite of that time; however, 
early legitimate evidence of a professional optician appeared in the 1910 
business directory of the Tribune. This advertisement read:

		Tyndall Optical Co.
		J.J. Krall, Mgr.
		15,600 Customers our Best Advertisers 
		We give you the best at the lowest Cost

	Dr. and Mrs. Krall had several children, at least one of whom became an eye 
doctor also, and all going through the school system. The family moved in later 
years to Mitchell. Dr. James was associated with his brother John in a jewelry 
store in town (his brother being a clock and watch repairman as well) and also at 
one time owned a music store east of McCann's Ladies Ready-to-wear.

	New names appeared in the professional directory in succeeding years including 
Dr. Herm. Klima, physician and surgeon who set up in the Security block; in 1928 
Dr. Otto lsaak, D. D. S., X-ray examinations (office over Mike's Clothing Store); 
Dr. W.E. Scheffel, Dentist (office over Fergy's Clothes shop); Dr. J.G. Kleinsasser, 
Chiropractor (office first door north of the Bottling Works); and L.C. Colgan, 
Veterinarian (Farm 1 1/2 miles southeast of Tyndall.)

	But one of the best known names in medicine in Tyndall in the early years 
undoubtedly belonged to Dr. S.G. Berry, Surgeon, whose hospital was located over 
Mike's Clothing Store. In late May, 1934, the Tyndall paper had this to say about 
his efforts:

	The Tyndall hospital was a busy place last Saturday when Dr. S.G. Berry, 
assisted by his son Ralph and two students from the State University, performed 
18 tonsil operations. The county nurse and four high school girls also assisted 
the parents in caring for the patients. The work was done in four hours, an 
operation being performed every 15 minutes and the little folk were taken home 
as soon as possible. This group work gives the college students a fine opportunity 
for taking notes on the operations. Many of the children operated on Saturday will 
be in good condition to enter school next fall, having the warm summer months to 
recuperate and build up.

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	From the salvaged papers of Ann Ryan, deceased aunt of Larry Lehr, comes the 
following paper written by Dr. Berry, apparently for presentation by him to a medical 
gathering. The final portion is lost, but the picture of early medical activity in 
Tyndall is complete.

Recollections of S.G. Berry, M.D., Tyndall, S.D.

	During the period I was on the claim I had plenty of time to meditate and 
decided upon my career in life. For some unknown reason to me I was inclined 
toward medicine so in a few years I returned to Missouri and obtained what medical 
training they had to give us at that time, and in 1892 came back to Tyndall in the 
wide open spaces where God dwells, and the place I had learned to love so well. 
Tyndall was then, indeed a frontier town, being on the border of our frontier 
civilization, as the country between Tyndall and Rapid City, 400 miles west was 
made up entirely of Indians and the last of the great cattle range country and 
a few cowboys.

	An internship was not required at that time for doctors, so my internship was 
served among the people of the community where I settled. It matters little what 
school you graduate from after the first 5 years, if you are made of the right kind 
of stuff and are studious and conscientious, you will make good from any school. An 
over-trained doctor that isn't blessed with enough good horse-sense to apply his 
training and meet the conditions as they arise is pityable. Like many other country 
doctors in the west and northwest, along the frontier border, the first few years 
my calls were made on horseback or horse and buggy. Even then we had some dreams of 
the "horseless carriage" which was being talked of in the papers and eventually came 
to our rescue, and believe me, the model T Ford was a great boon to the country 
doctor! We actually drove 25 miles an hour! (and I still think it's the safest speed.) 
I almost immediately had plenty of work to do which is always a good thing for a young 
man in the medical profession, or in any other profession, making calls from 1 mile to 
50 miles distant.

	Soon after locating I had the good fortunate to meet what I thought to be the 
best looking girl in the world, who was born and raised within a stone's throw of 
a monument that now marks the spot where the first school house was built, in what 
is now North and South Dakota, Montana and Idaho. The opportunity seemed mutual and 
we have been married for 40 years. She soon became a diplomat, not of the type that 
we have in Europe today, (some of which are Neros instead of heroes) but the type that 
became a good mother to our family, which she naturally thinks is the greatest in the 
world and naturally I am inclined to agree with her. (And she thinks she manages a man, 
too, and maybe she does, but diplomacy works both ways. It's sometimes a good plan to 
let them think so.) One of the greatest joys in life is the family home which is the 
foundation of our democracy, and the rocks of which must be well buried to maintain 
our good government. Naturally, early in my professional life I was called frequently 
to the homes of mothers during the births of their babies, and the expressions of joy 
of the young mother when she hears the cry of her first born no artist could paint, 
was among the early pleasures of my professional life, and I am glad to say has 
remained all through the years. It was then that I realized that the child is first 
born to its mother, then into the family and later expands to become a necessary part 
of the world to assist the Creator in the process of creation and evolution, which 
goes on as much today as any time since the creation of the universe.

	Soon my responsibilities began to grow heavier and more important. A few years 
before this, by the advancement of science, we learned what proper sterilization would 
do for the surgical patient. Rather than see my patient die from a ruptured appendix 
or other serious surgical conditions, who could not be transported to a hospital, 
I learned that water would boil and sterilize instruments in the country home as 
well as in the well regulated hospital. So I soon found myself doing carpenter work 
on the human body to relieve these conditions with a great deal of satisfaction to 
myself and at the same time, in most cases, with as good results as when our surgery 
was done under more modern conditions.

	It may interest you to know that along in the horse and buggy days and before 
there were any telephones, I established a loft of carrier pigeons and on long calls 
would take one or two along with me. I left instructions on how to fasten the message 
on the bird, also what time to liberate the pigeon. The door was so arranged in the 
loft that on its return the door made an electrical connection that communicated with 
my office and rang a bell which enabled me to get word from my patient as to the 
condition and when to call again.

	Our work was not all hardship in those days. For instance, for many years 
during my horse and buggy days, I had a pack of greyhounds that I kept near my barn, 
and on calls of any distance, I would liberate 4 or 5 of them to follow me, and 
frequently I had a good jack rabbit chase and occasionally a wolf. My team was trained 
to follow the chase and which was a real thrill and would be yet if it were possible.

	One thing I learned early in my professional life. and I think most doctors 
learn the same thing, is that our patient is a fellow-man in distress and we soon 
learn to get joy of our efforts to relieve him. We also learn to enjoy the practice 
of medicine, and I want to say here that I enjoy it as much today as in any period 
of my life. I find it a mixture of pleasure and responsibility, with an occasional 
disappointment, but if we put all of the pleasures in one pocket and all the 
responsibilities in another, the disappointments would soon be crowded out and 
forgotten. By the way, it is a good plan when you call upon a patient to be sure that 
your pockets are full of good cheer and horse sense. I like that last term. It might 
sound a little more refined to say a well rounded-out judgment, but I think I'll just 
stick to the "horse sense", for your pockets will be full again when

page 62

you make your next call, even though it may be the next room in the hospital, or the 
next block, or 20 miles in the country. Get the habit and keep it. I find in this paper 
that I am quite inclined to advise which is probably due to the fact that all during 
my professional life I made it a point to call younger doctors in consultation and 
exchange my experiences for their advanced thoughts and always felt that I got the best 
of the bargain.

	The best investment I ever made was the education of my family. The price of 
land and property could go up or down and the banks failed but the value of their 
education has remained the same and enables them to get their share of pleasure 
and development in life as they go along. I am glad that my 2 sons took to medicine 
for their life work of their own accord, and each one worked with me for a year 
before going to the army and navy as medical officers. At that time I enjoyed 
getting on the assistant side of the table, and was naturally pleased that their 
home town friends had confidence in their work. I want to say to their everlasting 
credit that a considerable share of their education was gotten by their own 
efforts. That is one of the things that make men.

	By the way, I am supposed to say something about medicine, and as these are 
just a few sidelights that have crossed the path of a country doctor during the last 
half century, the path has sometimes been a little crooked, so if my notes don't 
just harmonize, the trouble is the path has not always been straight. If I were to 
mention one of the conditions that I think confronts the doctor of today, I would say 
it is the treatment and management of the common cold. People don't take colds from 
going without their overcoat or overshoes, but they catch it from going in crowded 
places from somebody else who has a cold, just like you take measles and scarlet fever. 
Unfortunately, the education of the public on this question is a slow process. If the 
time ever comes that we can put our patients to bed with a common cold until the evidence 
of an infection has disappeared, and give them whatever medication appeals to you at 
the time for relief of distress and pain, we will prevent a lot of pneumonia for much 
of our pneumonia is the result of exercise during the period of a cold and the 
blood becomes saturated with the infection and pneumonia is the result, as most 
pneumonia is the evidence of infection in the blood stream. One more thing I want to 
mention is the treatment and general management of older people. First, we can't change 
the habits of older people too suddenly or too much unless we make them uncomfortable; 
a thing we should always keep in mind, but there are many things that can be done 
and they expect relief the same as younger people and they are entitled to it. Among 
the first things to be done with older people is to make careful inquiry about their 
diet, which we often find deficient in some of the vitamins. We have already learned 
that a deficiency of Vitamin B and G are the usual cause of dragging of the heels 
and legs and . . . 
(remaining pages lost.)

	The wife of a small town doctor lives a unique life filled with situations 
different from those of the average household, and when that life is occupied as 
well with the raising of seven children it is indeed an interesting challenge. 
Mrs. Phyllis Foley, wife of Dr. Robert Foley and mother of six sons and one 
daughter, presents here some interesting memories of the 28 years she and her 
family have made Tyndall their home.

	"What was it like, over a quarter of a century ago, arriving in Tyndall with 
a physician husband to open a medical practice? Thinking back over that span of time 
is somewhat like taking a sentimental journey that has lasted 28 years!

	"The changes in medicine have been as great as is the contrast between my 
husband's first office above the old post office: two rooms complete with house 
calls and Saturday night hours -and his modern clinic next to the hospital today. 
Some of the changes are the obvious ones you notice yourself or are as explained 
in newspapers, magazines and TV documentaries. Yet the not so obvious changes perhaps 
affecting the doctor even more include the increasing governmental regulation, the 
staggering amount of time that must be spent filling our forms and records and 
finding the space to file them! Our space age research has brought utilization 
of undreamed-of devices like the pacemaker and the doctor must keep up with these 
almost daily changing scientific developments. Now as never before, research can 
change almost overnight what has been accepted procedure for years.

	"Life seemed less complicated then as I remember it. In fact, one of our biggest 
obstacles was Bob's youthful appearance. People wondered how someone so young could be 
an experienced doctor. Well, the years have managed to take care of that nicely! From 
the very beginning we were made to feel welcome in Tyndall. I think back with great 
affection to our first Thanksgiving here. A newly met acquaintance thoughtfully sent 
us all the ingredients for that dinner: fruit, vegetables, fresh bread, a fat little 
duck and a mince pie! We had just moved into our home here- three rooms, all in a row, 
above Kostel's Furniture store - and were surrounded by our worldly possessions 
contained in an assortment of boxes and barrels shipped through the courtesy of the 
United States Navy. Our first son had been born just weeks before and we must have been 
the happiest couple in the world. How we laughed when our rug was laid down. It looked 
about the size of a postage stamp on the floor of that huge room.

	"Fall turned to winter and winter into spring. Then it was June and time to leave 
for Bob's residency assignment. Again we packed the boxes and the barrels. But the very 
afternoon we were to leave, Bob was summoned to come to a meeting in Matejousky's garage. 
There a group of citizens had assembled and asked what they could do to influence Bob 
to change his mind and

page 63

remain. Touched by their great sincerity and recognizing their need for a physician, 
he promised to reconsider and that he did.

	"As time passed the needs of the community taxed the existing health facilities. 
Construction of the Tyndall Clinic was begun and through the efforts of a group of 
dedicated citizens and the Benedictine Sisters, the present hospital became a reality.

	"Tears and laughter, successes and disappointments, good times and bad are all 
shared in this community of ours. This awareness of the needs of each other gives a 
special quality of life here and God willing, there will be another celebration to 
enjoy another 100 years from now!"

[photo - Tyndall Clinic, 1979, Drs. Robert Foley and Herb Saloum]

page 64

(9) Entertainment and Recreation

[photo - A B. W. Burnett photo of a home talent show cast, including possibly Maud 
Eads, Nell Lehr and Floss Muller.]

	For almost everyone, hard work was a necessity in the early days, and so the 
people looked forward with pleasure to the various forms of relaxation available. 
Among the earliest forms of entertainment were the balls which served a tri-fold 
purpose. Not only could one exercise the body, one could be entertained by good 
live music and usually a good supper, and where else could one better get to know 
a member of the opposite sex?

	The Tyndall Tribune on January 7, 1882 reported that several from Tyndall 
and Springfield had taken in the annual Masquerade Ball at Scotland the previous 
Thursday night at which place they had had a very enjoyable time, a good supper, 
and "white" treatment at the hands of the Scotlanders. The report of a dance given 
by Peter Hahn in Castka's new hall late in November, 1882, was said to have been a 
complete success and enjoyed by 41 couples. Nothing occurred to mar the harmony of 
the affair and Mr. Hahn is entitled to great credit for the manner in which it was 
conducted. The supper was splendid.

As early as 1892, Bohemian music was furnished for those who preferred that style, 
their dance being held at the same time but in a different place from one for those 
who had different tastes. On November21, 1903, the high school band of 30 pieces 
gave a dance which for pleasure and profit was satisfactory. The Yankton harpist 
with Asa Grant kept the participants in lively exercise until 2 o'clock in the 
morning, and C.C. Bowers catered to the several wants of the natural appetite with 
oysters and other necessaries as ordered.

	When the war machinery which ushered in World War I began rumbling in Europe, 
a hard times dance was held in Tyndall in the hall over Hoch's drug store. The public 
was invited to put on its worst and oldest clothes to dance to "the best and latest 
music in the land" played by the Stanicek orchestra. However, because the band had 
joined the International Dancing Union, it was forced to charge the union price of $1.00, 
all proceeds going to the war babies.

	Among the earliest entertainments were the literary exercises which provided 
opportunity for men of resolve to debate questions such as "Resolved, that pride and 
ambition has caused more misery than ignorance and superstition." A question ably 
debated at Goepfert's hall early in 1882 by Frank and Oregon Richmond in the affirmative 
and J. A. Gier, Benjamin Ferguson, and O. P. Haight in the negative was "Shall women 
be allowed the right of suffrage?."

	Home talent shows became very popular, perhaps because so many could take part. 
"Cupid's Capers or Lost Will" was presented at Sturtevant's hall January 22, 1892, after 
much preparation. Scenery had been especially painted for the piece by Mr. Van Sommer and 
Mr. Burnett. A fine concert early in 1898 at Reidinger's hall featured local talent 
including oration, vocal selection, recitations in English and Czech, guitar solo and 
German songs. A slight admission was charged. In early 1912 Amateur Night was held 
every Thursday at the Cozy Theatre, giving all a chance to show what they could do 
in the way of entertainment and develop latent talent. Helen Glasner drew first prize, 
Florence Spohn second, and George Berringer with his violin won third. In March of 
1929, the young people of the Federated church presented a three-number local talent 
show fashioned after the Chautauqua. The first number consisted of declamations, a 
reading by Miss Edscorn, "Life pictures from an old album," and music. One feature was 
"Susie's Band". The second number was a lecture on "Touring Europe" by Dr. Klima, 
prefaced by some music and an exhibition of magic by Tyndall's amateur magician, Wm. 
Scheffel. The third number was a concert consisting of vocal and instrumental 
numbers. Much preparation went into the series.

	The depression days of the 30's encouraged charity shows for the relief of the 
needy in Tyndall and vicinity, and one of the best was presented in late January, 1932. 
A cast of fifty took part in a minstrel show superintended by George Gay who was ably 
assisted by T. V. Ptak, president of the Commercial Club and W.W. Byers, secretary. 
Forrest Glen worked night and day to make the stage setting equal to the setting of the 
show. There were solos by Josephine Radak, L. J. Schuett, George Berringer, Ed Rehurek, 
Gus Koenig, Mike Oliva and Wesley Hersman. Besides these, the Tyndall Rotary quartette 
composed of L. V. Ausman, L. J. Schuett, Otto Isaak, and M. C. Mullenburg did some 
excellent work. The THS orchestra under the leadership of Prof. Claussen received many 
fine compliments. The team dancing of Jerry Kruger and Anolda Wright was well received, 
and the tiny tapper, Vivian Vilhauer, was the favorite when she did her solo work.

Page 64

	If home talent was not always prepared to perform for the public, occasional 
outside performers were. On December 12, 1882, Goepfert's hall was the scene of the 
"Great Eastern Panorama" under the management of Prof. Eugene Nelson, doors opened 
at 7p.m. and performance commenced at 7:30 sharp. The "California Big 4", a colored 
minstrel troupe, sang and danced to a large audience in Fireman's hall late in July, 
and were perhaps considered a success by the large audience, as they made more or 
less fun. The opera house became a popular place for traveling companies to perform.

	Tent shows were traveling through Tyndall in 1910, one of which was a high class 
vaudeville with numerous attractions including trained ponies and dogs which performed 
under 5000 yards of canvas! One of the highlights of that summer was to be the exhibition 
of the Santa Dumont airship which was to be demonstrated on the day of the Yankee 
Robinson shows. (Whether it showed or not, we do not know)

	The Chautauqua grounds in Tyndall were said to be in the area just south of 
where the Methodist parsonage is today in the area of the present Farmers Union Coop. In 
August of 1917 one came to town which was said to be a success in a financial way, some 
of the entertainers having been better than others but all appreciated by everyone and 
a good attendance had been had at nearly every entertainment. The featured program at that 
five-day affair was as follows:

	Aug.30: Introduction in charge of local people, concert by Metropolitan Musical 
men, novelty musical instruments. 25 cents -15 cents

	Friday: Children's day, afternoon-music and magic, historical 
lecture. 25 cents -15 cents Evening: Full program-The Floyds-a company of three 
in magic, mind reading and music, 35 cents-15 cents

	Saturday: Afternoon-Full program-Harper's Concert Party, instrumental and 
vocal, popular and classical music. 25 cents -15 cents Evening: Concert by Harper's 
Concert Party, Lecture "Chickens Come Home to Roost" by Dr. L. B. Wickersham. 35 cents 
-15 cents

	Sunday: Community singing, Joy night with Mark Twain.

	Monday: Afternoon-Selections from Carmen, Stratford Operatic Co.; Lecture "The 
New Skyline". Evening: Grand Opera "The Mikado", Stratford Operatic Co. in beautiful 
costumes. 50 cents -15 cents

	By then another form of entertainment was available in the form of movie shows. 
At least as early as 1911, a moving picture show at the opera house descriptive of the 
slums of Chicago had been witnessed by three or four dozen disappointed people who 
wished they had had their 25 cents back. The editor of the local paper expounded that 
there was a reliable moving picture show in town conducted by Tyndall men which could 
be seen for ten cents, and that local people should patronize home entertainment.

	This new theater had been fitted up in metropolitan style in the Bouza building 
by E.H. Lower and was opened to the public September, 1911. Although the hall was a 
large one, it could not contain all who desired admittance. The "Star Spangled Banner" 
was well received, and a song by Master Ernest Lower also delighted the large crowd 
present. This new "Cozy Theatre" assured the public of a place in which to pass a 
comfortable and interesting season.

	Herb (Doc) Jones of Kemmerer, Wyoming, who lived in Tyndall from 1910 on for 
several years, remembers the following about the early movies:

	"Hattie Simek's dad ran the picture show. He gave me one of the Edison cylinder 
phonographs that they used for music. I used it for a motor for things I used to 
build with my erector set. Then Ed Lower ran the show. Him and his son, Ernest, used 
to sing during the show. Fauver's got the show for a few years and then sold it to 
Roy Metzger. I pumped the player piano for him and later ran the machines. The machines 
had a heavy flywheel like a cream separator and once you cranked up speed, they were easy 
to keep at the right speed. You had to glance at the picture to judge the right speed. 
The left hand would be busy keeping the arc light adjusted. There was generally four reels 
to a show. Between reels we would show a slide saying "next reel will follow immediately" 
while we changed reels. We had all kinds of advertising slides, including one that said 
'Ladies, please remove your hats'."

	Mrs. Hulda Lubbers, Tyndall, also shares some personal memories with us. She 
remarks, "The Cozy Theatre gave prizes for home talent variety shows; Mr. Scoblic was 
one of the judges when I won a first prize, which was a beautiful jewelled HAT-PIN in a 
box. The Lowers were our neighbors and before they sold the theater, I played 
piano-receiving $1.00 for the two hours."

	Mr. Ed Metzger, high school athlete, outstanding ball player, scholar son of 
an early merchant, operated the theater from 1919 on, providing many hours of 
entertainment for many years. An announcement was made in the paper early in 1929 
of "talking pictures" coming to the Cozy. "You see what you hear." To be featured 
first on screen was vaudeville, and then June Collyer and Conrad Nagel in "Red Wine", 
all for 40 cents -20 cents. In June of that year, Manager Metzger was busy remodeling 
the theater for installation of the modern outfit he had recently purchased. The 
newspaper had this to say, "The Cozy with its spacious accommodations, a pipe organ, 
and many other conveniences not usually found in a city of this size, has long enjoyed 
an enviable reputation in this region. And now, with the latest invention of the age, 
the talkie, Tyndall will have a theater that will rank with the best in the state.

[photo - Dressed for a home talent show are John Stilwill and Joy Shurtleff in 
the Midgets' Wedding]

page 66

[photo - Looking south toward Pearl and Broadway, Old Settlers Reunion 
in Tyndall, August28, 1907]

	With the advent of the outdoor drive-in and other reasons for declining attendance, 
the Cozy eventually closed. The theater today is still owned by the Metzger family 
(managed by Roy Metzger of Winner) but is for sale. The back stage area is reasonably 
intact beneath the large screen, and the projection booth above the lobby, albeit dusty 
and filled with nostalgic bric-a-brac, could easily be put to use again, but there is 
something about the rain-soaked spots on the wall, the scurrying of tiny rodent feet 
(imagined?) and the poufs of dust from the well-worn seats that give the feeling of a 
time gone by.

	Mrs. Hulda Lubbers, who before retirement shared an interesting and exciting life 
with her husband, the Rev. George, as missionaries in the Far East, continues her 
reminiscences of the early days. They include the 15-day tour of the Black Hills which 
was sponsored by Rev. Rising in 1919.

	"When he and the lads returned, the girls went supervised by Mrs. Bixby and Mrs. 
Pike . . .also the mechanic Davey and Leon Serr going along in a private car. We 
cooked most of our meals by the side of the road. Some of the ones I recall were Laura 
McBurney, Lydia Bixby, and Plumb girls, Ruth Linka, Louise Serr. We went through Wind 
Cave and Crystal Cave holding torches, also down into the mine at Lead, and then into 
the waters of Hot Springs, Deadwood Cemetery with Calamity Jane, etc."

	Mrs. Lubbers, whose maiden name was Lehr, says that the young people enjoyed 
skating in the wintertime, sometimes on a pond fixed for them in town, and sometimes 
they hitch-hiked to Merkl's or Clear Lake. She has this to say about fun times in 
the school days. "Fifteen of us graduated in 1915. I remember debates re women voting. 
In high school, a group of us had candy sales, gave plays to finance both tennis and 
basketball; I remember being 'funning center' . . . we played other teams, Wagner, 
Springfield, and Aurelia Sturtevant and Nettie Kiehlbaugh were our leaders. We also 
had chorus."

	Of her enjoyable memories of school, she says, "I remember going to the old 
opera house for the first four grades of school, about 1903-07. Emma Sutera was one of my 
classmates and now lives just south of me. Mr. McDonough was the depot-agent and through 
his daughters I entered school at age five. I also chummed with Mary Muller (Joan Lee's 
aunt). Miss Lulu Morgan whose parents owned the lumberyard was fourth grade teacher."

	From the first days of Tyndall, perhaps above all else the people loved 
celebrations and the attendant parades. From miles around, by train and by horse and 
even on foot, everyone came. The Tyndall Tribune had this to say about the upcoming 
celebration scheduled for July 4, 1882:

[photo - Below right: Carnival scene, Tyndall, on Pearl Street, 1914.]

[photo - Below left: Old Settlers Reunion in August of 1907, on Pearl 
Street looking south. Security Block 
building at left.]

page 67

	A Fourth of July celebration will be held: a basket picnic, good speaking, vocal 
and instrumental music, horse racing, Calithumpians, Indian pow-wow, foot racing, sack 
races, a match game of baseball, dancing, and a grand display of fireworks in the 
evening. This is a free celebration.

	It was decided to hold the celebration in the Presbyterian church and the tables 
will be spread in the Methodist church. It was decided to engage the Tabor brass band to 
play. The members of the pioneer Farmers Club will march from the school house in the 
McNeill district to Tyndall. At the railroad crossing a grand procession will be formed, 
headed by the Tabor brass band and will march up Pearl Street, cross over to State, 
thence around town and return to the Presbyterian church.

	The horse races of those days were closely followed affairs and were probably held 
on the track in West Side Park which was built up for that purpose. Late in July of 1882, 
six horses were entered in a race which was won by Seaman's pony; coming in second was 
Silas Jones' Broncho Dan; third was Wash Carpenter's Texas Dick; fourth, P. Byrne's 
Dolly Varden; fifth, Goepfert's Wild Bill; and the sixth horse was distanced. 
Considerable money was said to have changed hands. How quickly times could change was 
evidenced by a news item in the paper of April, 1898, which reported that the horsemen 
of Tyndall had engaged George Philipps to put the old race track east of town in order, 
as it would be a fine place to exercise good drivers.

	The Fourth of July celebration in 1892 was even more elaborate than the one of 
a decade before, including new events as presented in the following program:

	One hundred guns at sunrise; grand parade at 10 a.m.; the famous White Horse band 
of Yankton Indians in war paint, and more. Afternoon events: sports 1:30 (races, 
etc.); baseball between the first two clubs entering to play-the winners to receive 
$20; wedding ($10 in gold to be paid to the first couple presenting themselves to be 
married in the bowery in the presence of the public-license and minister to be furnished 
free). Wedding bells will ring at 2:30 p.m., names to be given to the chairman of the 
committee not later than 9 a.m. July 4th; hose contest, bicycle race, horse race 
1/2 mile; pony

[photo - Above right: Tyndall Carnival parade, probably in the teens.]

[photo - Above left: Tyndall band at a carnival in Tyndall, 1914, "Uncle Jimmie" 
Colgan (white beard) far left.]

[photo - Left: An early Tyndall Hardware float showing a new water system.]

[photo - Above: Ruth Robinson dressed for a parade, 1918(9 years old)]

page 68

race 1/4 mile; fireworks; dancing will begin in the bowery in the afternoon and 
continue the remainder of the day and during the night.

	As you can see, the Fourth of July was traditionally a special occasion in 
Tyndall, and the parade of the year 1898 was no exception. It included the Tyndall 
fire company, the Modern Woodmen, industrial display, and three bands (the Springfield 
band, the Tyndall coronet band, and the Curl military band). Although the display by 
the business men was not large, making up for it was the representation by young ladies 
of the 48 states and territories. (For many years these young ladies, dressed in white 
carrying flags, were part of the parade, led by one who represented the Statue of 
Liberty. How hard it was to keep steady the arm holding the torch, but what a thrill 
to be chosen for the honor!)

[photo - Right: Jubilee celebration queen Anita Murphy on parade float.]

[photo - Frank Hagarty as "the old prospector'; Jubilee celebration, 1954]

[photo - An early parade entry prepared by Byers and Schuett.]

[photo - A 1923 parade entry by the Catholic Ladies]

[photo - Tyndall women dressed for the Jubilee celebration in 1954, among them 
Barbara Taplett, Estelle Byrne, Myrtle Schneider.]

page 69

	Transportation to and from the celebration or anywhere else one wished to go 
was in itself a form of recreation unless things went wrong and there were always a few 
instances of that. S. W. Willcox tells a rather good joke on a certain Mr. Alois Roth 
in the January 28,1882, issue of the Tribune. It appears that the young man in question 
concluded to take a drive out in the country and as darkness overtook him ere he got to 
his destination  (we have forgotten her name.  .) he found himself lost and without a 
star to guide him in either direction. Being loth to return when on so important a 
mission, he drove on and on, encountering many obstacles and impediments, including 
Emmanuel Creek. Finally he saw the faint glimmer of what he supposed was a 
homesteader's "glim" and on his arrival at the house, discovered that he was "forninst" 
a residence in the suburbs of Tyndall. His anger knew no bounds and he then made a 
solemn vow to never try the dark prairie again on a dark night.

	Before the turn of the century, a new form of transportation appeared on the 
scene. Editor Pike of the Register reported that the bicycle riders of Tyndall had 
become in numbers almost an army, and every evening and morning the highways to town 
were thronged with the "swift and silent steeds".

	But the horse was still the mainstay of transportation, and a certain team 
figured in a tragic accident very late in 1903 which occurred within the city 
limits. The Register reported:

	C.W. Reynolds, whose home was two miles east of Tyndall was killed at about 
6 o'clock when he drove to the watering trough in town preparatory to his departure 
for

[photo - Along with the cast iron cooking ranges, the Tyndall Hardware provided the 
new two-wheel bicycles, which had become so popular in 1897.]

[photo - Horse and buggy, Frank Hladky family Emil, Alice (Ruman), Matilda July 4, 1910]

[photo - Winter country school transportation for the Syl. Petrik children, 
early 30's (later milk delivery vehicle for Bud Welfl)]

page 70

home. His team became frightened and dragged him some distance. He sustained injuries 
which caused immediate death. Dr. Sedlacek found the unfortunate man's neck had been 
broken. Just how the accident happened will never be known as no one was a witness. 
He evidently had fallen and probably became entangled in the lines and was dragged 
a short distance, his head struck the sharp corner of the cement walk at the entrance 
of the residence of Mr. Frank Post. The team did not run away but being free, they 
trotted on home.

	It was soon after that the first signs of what was to prove to be a mighty 
revolution in transportation appeared on the scene. The city council proceedings of 
June 2,1906, listed changes in personal property for two individuals in town. 
The sum of $40.00 was added on the total for B.W. Burnett for 1 locomobile, and 
$60.00 onto F.F. Chladek's total for 1 automobile.

	It was said that B.W. Burnett, the photographer and telephone pioneer, was 
the first in Tyndall to purchase an automobile. The machine, which was called a 
Locomobile, was operated by steam and steered by a handle instead of a wheel. The 
machine was shipped in by train, and a large crowd gathered at the depot to watch 
this strange vehicle unload. Young John Bouza was the only person present who knew how 
to operate the car so with Miss Myrtle Burnett as his passenger, he took the car 
which had no top nor windshield for its first tour of the town. For several years 
after, Mr. Burnett took anyone interested in trying this new mode of travel on a 
round trip from the Stone Livery Barn south to Sanford's corner (Andy's Service 
station south of the Dairy Queen) for the sum of one dollar.

	There is another story about the Locomobile concerning Will Robinson and 
Miss Burnett. One Sunday afternoon she persuaded Will to take her for a ride 
in the car instead of his buggy. A short way out of town they ran out of water, 
and since the car was a steamer, they were stranded. He pushed the car home. Their 
route was down Pearl Street which was lined with jeering Tyndallites. Mrs. Robinson 
(yes, she married him) often recalled later her mortification, perched high above 
the crowd as she was, and Will's delight as he issued a stream of witty comment and 
propelled the car before him with the greatest of ease.

	The Ptak brothers, T. V. and Frank, favored the Reo auto, T. V. probably 
purchasing his first in 1906. In the spring of 1911 the Register reported that 
Frank was the happy owner of a Reo auto, recently purchased from Wm. Cobb at 
Scotland. The machine was said to still exhibit some of the instincts of a 
broncho under Frank's management.

	Ads appearing in the paper in 1912 included one by the McCormick Auto Co. 
which claimed that there was none better on the market than the Buick machine which 
they sold in their commodious garage and repair shop located west of the Dakota 
House. Soon the Robinson Auto Co., Fred Robinson, prop., was advertising three 
best cars, including the Overland, and by and by the Tyndall Auto and Supply Co., 
C.A. Curl, prop., was advertising Buick, Reo and Overland cars, also second hand 
cars, and tire work of all kinds.

	Hand-in-hand with the increased activity on the highways and roads came the 
reports of the accidents that inevitably followed. One was reported in this way in the 
Register in July, 1911:

	Another auto accident is to be recorded and it is fortunate that it is not 
more serious. Jos. Forrest, Max Goldberg and Glen Maynard, the latter driving, 
were returning from Dante. When passing Dennis Murphy's farm three miles west 
of town, the machine left the road and turned completely over, lighting squarely 
with four wheels on the ground, the only one seriously injured being Jos. Forrest. 
Those who saw the machine passing say that it was going at the rate of 50 miles per 
hour. Of course such speed was entirely uncalled for, but will the experience be a 
warning to others?

[photo Below left: 1906 Reo, Mr. and Mrs. T. V. Ptak and Ladimir]

[photo - Below right: 1906 Reo, T. V. Ptak and family]

[photo - Center parking on Pearl between Broadway and Cherry, 1917]

page 71

[photo - Left: The Model T, 1914, Leonard Jones, Hartford Ribble, Sam Schuurmans]

[photo - Below left: Airplane at carnival, September 5, 1914]

[photo - Below right: Tyndall Gun Club, 1915 Second from left, Hayes Stilwill]

	There were other dangers besides speed as Dr. Klima found out in July, 1912, 
when the tire of his auto exploded while he was examining it. His glasses were broken 
and his face cut by pieces of glass but he was fortunate not to have been more 
seriously injured.

	Parking and traffic problems were already plaguing Chief of Police M. W. Brooks 
in March, 1917, and he urged people to take care regarding the speed limit in the 
city. Furthermore, cars left standing on Pearl Street between Broadway and Cherry 
were to be parked in the center of the street and not left standing lengthwise of 
the street. Attention was also called to the fact that drivers were to keep to the 
right side of the street and turn the corners squarely and not cut them.

	Before we leave the teens, mention must be made of yet another form of 
transportation. In early June of 1917 an aeroplane flew into town, lighting in a 
field north of town. The following afternoon after the lecture in the Chautauqua 
tent the crowd gathered in the pasture of A. C. Haijsman to witness the flight. 
About 5:30 the machine went up in the air but did not stay but a few minutes as it 
was not working in good shape. Later it made another flight and flew over the town 
several times. L.F. Chladek went up the last time and said that he enjoyed it very 
much. Perhaps the first thing we know Lou will have one of his own. Straight flying 
was done and no fancy stunts. It was the first time that most of the people had seen 
anything of the kind and it was greatly appreciated.

	While some looked to the roads and to the skies for entertainment and pleasure, 
others, especially men, chose a more traditional outlet. For these, sport with a 
shotgun or rifle suited their purpose well. The local paper said in 1903 that the 
rabbit hunting industry was creating quite an interest with the nimrods as were the 
prairie hen and the quail. The woods were said to be full of the elusive game. And 
in 1912 the discovery of a large covey of pheasants showed that the birds were alive 
in South Dakota after all. Earlier an effort had been made to colonize the birds in 
this county by the shipping here of several pairs which were turned loose on the 
James River, but they were seen only at long intervals.

	In the meantime the Tyndall Gun Club was enjoying matches with Springfield, 
and in July, 1912, hosted a larger affair. Amateur sportsmen from Mitchell, Delmont, 
Avon and Lake Andes participated in the shooting event, but the best of the amateurs 
proved to be H. K. Stilwill with 142 out of a possible 150.

	It was the "Legion boys" who by the late 20's were arranging for "a sport that 
is enjoyed by every man who likes to hunt or is possessed of a spirit of competitive 
skill or chance and a bill which was promiscuously around the city announced that 
they would conduct a turkey, goose and duck shoot at the city park on the 20th and 
21st of November, 1927, to commence at 2 p.m. "A good field hunter is not always a good 
clay pigeon marksman. Get your guns and shells ready, nimrods, and attend this shoot!"

[photo - Above right: Joe Rezac family, 1930's]

page 71

	The "Legion shoot" of that year was a successful affair, and was attended by 
some of the "old timers" who had been members of the gun club. These men recalled that 
there were few if any better shots than Frank Reidinger, but that one time he met his 
match. In a duel between him and Bob Moravec, also a crack shot, Frank managed to 
lead by secretly removing the shot from ten shells, filling them with paper and 
re-crimping them to look natural, and sharing them with Bob. However, in shooting 
off the tie between the two, he discovered that in his own gun was one of the 
doctored shells and he lost!

	Some years later (October, 1939) the Tyndall Rifle Club was enjoying its 
first shooting match of the season at the Wm. Raabe farm. Eleven of the club's 
membership of 15 were present at a Sunday afternoon match during which Emil Raabe 
won the regulation competition but lost by only one point to L. A. Krall in the 
special rapid fire contest.

	Whether there was a Walton League in the area before 1929 is not known, but 
at that time President Fred Robinson and Secretary Frank Chladek had developed the 
happy. idea of getting the sportsmen of the county to talk over where the location 
of a lake should be.

	There were various other entertainments, some to partake in and some merely 
to view. One of them which the children especially enjoyed was the merry-go-round 
for which the city collected $3.00 a day in 1900. In May of 1912 J.M. Johnson had 
one in operation on the lot where the Farm Bureau Co. is now, and about that time 
the Curls owned one also, shipping it by rail as needed to the area carnivals.

	As a matter of fact in May of 1915 the city found it necessary to prohibit 
all parties from roller skating or running coaster wagons and bicycles on the 
sidewalks within the business section of the city, as well as playing ball or 
throwing ball. Evidently this type of recreation was creating a nuisance to 
prospective customers!

	A spectator sport which was becoming popular with the public early in 1912 was 
the sport of wrestling, and one interesting contest which lasted one hour was pulled 
off one Monday evening at the Cozy Theatre. The feature which ended in a draw took 
place between Nick Zieser of Tyndall and Bob Parker of Marshalltown, Iowa.

	Quite a number of years later in 1930 Tyndall had produced at least one 
outstanding boxer. The tougher they are, the wider they crack" is how one Ted 
"Irish" McKenna rewrote the old maxim in a match in Sioux Falls with "Kid 
Socko" (Holden) Caldwell of Sioux Falls in an American Legion convention boxing 
show. This same "Irish" appeared as a headliner in the main bout of a card put on in 
Tyndall the last days of 4-H Achievement days in the baseball park under the lights. 
Again the 148 lb. welterweight won, this time by a knockout to the jaw in the third 
round. Another Tyndallite, Walt McKenna, also fought under the ring name of Tommy 
McCann at that time. In 1932-33 Frank Maus, light heavyweight, and Dan Shroll, 
lightweight, were participating in the sport, and in 1934 two Tyndall boxers, Sam 
Kitterman and Albert Slavik, were fighting their way through the eliminations of the 
American Legion Golden Glove boxing tourneys.

	For the less physically inclined, there was another outlet. Chess was played in 
tournament in Tyndall in 1929. L.F. Chladek sponsored the meet which was held in his 
drug store. Not only did he arrange the affair but also provided suitable prizes for 
the championship and consolation winners.

	A sport which provided a little more activity for the participant and a 
different sort of skill appeared on the scene for a brief time in 1930, the result 
of a popularity which was sweeping the area towns. This "latest thing in sport" as 
it was called in the newspaper was a miniature golf

[photo - Trap shoot, West Side Park, Tyndall. Fred Philippi house in background]

course owned by Elmer Cole and M.R. Oliva, and was laid out on the Dr. Dye lot just 
north of the Register office. This centrally located course consisted of 18 holes 
with a sufficient number of artificial hazards to make the course as interesting as possible.

	A revolutionary innovation in the entertainment field came at that time, and 
perhaps was a foreshadowing of the passive rather than the active participation in 
any sort of activity. Radio station WNAX was granted full time on the air in November 
of 1929, and would operate each day after December 1 from 6:00 a.m. until midnight. 
The station had been granted the right to use programs from the blue network of the 
National Broadcasting Company for four hours each night, which placed the station in 
line for the best chain programs available. How great it was to gather around the set 
in the parlor, taking turns with a set of headphones and hear "live" some of the 
exciting happenings in the world! The world championship boxing matches and the 
World Series of baseball soon fell into this category.

	And no one who lived through those times in the thirties can forget the visits 
to the WNAX studio in the Gurney building in Yankton, and the free "Pancake Days" at 
that place where families waited in mile-long lines twisting back and forth between 
ropes for the free pancakes and syrup which were never really quite enough, but were 
served with that magical word, "free".

	For those who could afford it, there was a special sport available which has 
retained its popularity yet today. Situated just three miles west of Tyndall along the 
meandering Emmanuel Creek is probably the longest-lived recreational facility in the 
community. These 60 acres or so which today boast grass greens and watered fairways 
are the home of what was in the mid 20's called the Tyndall Golf Club. The newspaper 
made the following announcement the summer of 1928:

	Local man makes hole-in-one on the Tyndall course -first to accomplish feat. 
Making a hole-in-one on any golf course is the thrill that comes once in a life-time, 
but to make it on the Tyndall course is a feat worth bearing in mind and passing on 
to the grandchildren in the form of a bedtime story. Nevertheless, that is just what 
L. F. Chladek did on the 7th hole on Tuesday evening, driving the ball a distance of 
127 yards from the tee to the cup. Local golfers might be inclined to question 
Mr. Chladek's story, were it not for the fact that the feat was witnessed by a 
number of other players.

	An even more spectacular event took place three years later when the 20-year-old 
Frank Maus performed the remarkable feat of driving the ball 307 yards for a hole-
in-one. Teeing off on the first hole with Dr. Otto lsaak and Leon Serr on a Sunday 
afternoon early in September, 1931, he made his tremendous drive that rolled into the cup.

	The Tyndall club members engaged in matches with the Springfield club in the early 
days of the sport, playing both places. The scores were as follows in a match held in 
early September, 1928, in which Tyndall came out on top 924-947:

	F.F. Chladek               87
	R.  Berry                  92
	L.V. Ausman                82
	F. M. Scoblic              86
	E.  Cole                   79
	L. Serr                    80
	L.F. Chladek               78
	H.  Rose                   83
	O.B. Phillips              91
	O.  Isaak                  78
	L .J. Schuett              88
		Tyndall             924

[photo - Tyndall Golf Club, Mr. and Mrs. Lou Chladek, owners]

[photo - Lou Chladek (upper right)finds himself in an unusual predicament as the 
result of a misfortune with his new Curtiss Jenny. The house was said to be in the 
vicinity of the George Provecek home, the time was in the teens.]

page 74

	The depression affected the golf club as it did everything else. The 
association decided in 1932 to reduce the family dues to $10.00 that year 
from the previous $15.00, by so doing hopeful of enlarging their membership 
by that move.

	The ladies of the golf club organized in 1926, at that time electing 
Mrs. L.F. Chladek president, an office which she filled for seven years until 
declining to serve again. Among other things, the ladies were responsible for 
the pleasant picnic suppers held at the shady grove near the highway at the center of 
the course.

	By 1948 the city found the $100.00 annual rent for the grounds 
insufficient for its interests and sold the club to Lou Chladek for $3200.00. 
His wife, the charming and ever-young Helen, consented to write her memories 
of the years she and her husband, Lou, shared as owners of the golf club.

	"The city in the beginning owned the golf course land. And several men 
from Tyndall rented it from the city and made it into a golf course. Lou brought 
in a shed from his farm and they made it into a club house. They screened it in 
and it made a real nice place. We did lots of entertaining there. It was on the hill 
which is now (number) five. At that time five was number one.

	"In 1949 Lou sold his store and he said he had always wanted to own the 
golf club. So the city was having an auction on the golf course land and Lou 
put in his bid and got it. Lou then built the (present) club house, an outdoor 
kitchen and a machine shed, also a shuffle board. People liked the shuffle 
board very much.

	"At first he (Lou) had planks for bridges, one foot wide, but some of 
the women were afraid to cross them, including me, so Lou had to put in larger ones.

	"We had a very picturesque cart that stood in the yard. Lou planted 
flowers in boxes and placed them in the cart, which was an old wagon a neighboring 
farmer was happy to be rid of. Many people admired it, it was a real antique.

	"We owned the golf course for eighteen years. Then when Lou got sick and 
died in 1967,1 sold it to the men's corporation in Tyndall."

	Popular as golf was, it was for the few, but there was another sport 
which appealed to the many, spectator and participant alike, for it afforded 
the opportunity to vent intense emotions one ordinarily might contain, and do 
it safely in the company of others who were doing the same thing. The sport was 
baseball.

	"Tyndall has the material for a first class baseball club. Why not meet 
and organize?" said Editor S. W. Willcox of the Tyndall Tribune in April of 
1882. Just when the first team was organized is not known, but already in the 
spring of 1904, the Tribune reported that Tabor and Tyndall had crossed bats, 
Tyndall victorious as usual with the score of 2-13.

By 1904 the baseball association had erected a grandstand which would seat 
400-500 people on their leased grounds east of the depot, that many people 
being expected for the July 4-5 celebration. The home grounds were the scene 
of many games including the games with Armour

[photo - Lou and Helen Chladek playing shuffleboard at golf club]

 [photo - Above: Lou and Helen Chladek on new golf cart in front of 
their clubhouse, late 40's]

[photo - Left: Tyndall carnival baseball team, 1906]

page 75

[photo - From left, Charlie Morgan, Mgr., (out of picture) Jim Zieser, Frank 
Kelley, Ed Metzger, Bill Pavel, Leo Kiehlbauch, Charlie Cooley, Bob McKenna, 
Tom Murphy, John Pavel]

in 1910 when the Tyndall Maroons defeated them 5-2 on Saturday (batteries 
Kiehlbaugh and Taplett) and again on Sunday 3-2 with Conger pitching. Will 
Robinson umpired both games to the satisfaction of all. That summer the baseball 
association was compelled to buy the ball grounds from I. W. Seaman ($800.00) 
because he objected to Sunday baseball. The club was then put to it to 
raise the money by subscriptions, dances, and other lawful and pleasant ways.

	Soon neighborhood baseball teams arose, and in the spring of 1911 the 
local paper recorded a game played by the Tyndall Packers and the Jackson team 
at the Anton Bambas grove a few miles north of town. This grove was the scene 
of many a picnic and social affair. A generation later, the tall cottonwoods 
with their attendant shade at the Gardner bridge-Snatch Creek area (Levoyd Kreber's) 
provided another good place for neighborhood athletes to square off, including 
the Bambas boys, the Hiseks, and others These games were followed by watermelon 
feeds when the season was right.

	The heyday of official baseball for the town team probably began in the 
20's, and the following reprint from the December 28,1972, Tribune and Register, 
provides a fitting introduction to what was generally conceded to be the most 
thrilling game of baseball ever played in Tyndall:

	The coming of the robins might mean the approach of spring to some 
people but to that great army composed of baseball fans, it means nothing more 
than the rolling around of another baseball season. Already the veteran of last 
year, who, with stiffening joints and aching muscles, hung up the old glove with 
the solemn oath that he had played his last game of baseball, is out in the 
back yard limbering up the old arm in preparation for another season-just one more. 
The main topic of conversation at the official gathering places is naturally turning 
to the great national past-time and the balmy and invigorating spring air has a 
strange effect on the old timer. The younger generation listens with mouths agape 
while these old timers, men who are respected

[photo - All Stars, May16, 1929: Wm. Pavel, (p.), Herman Belitz (p.), Ed 
Metzger (c.), Nathan Leach (c.), Bob McKenna, John Taplett (p.), Noel Pinard, 
Hig Ambroz, Ray Janda, Jack Kaberna, Fuzzy Heil]

page 76

and whose veracity has long been established, tell of the prodigious deeds of the 
diamond heroes of their days- Already, the singles of last year are doubles, 
and no doubt the doubles of years ago have been retold until they are now home 
runs. While these yarns often lead to arguments as to the exact number of miles 
that some of the home runs of the 49'rs traveled or the number of stubble fields 
and pastures that certain fleet4ooted outfielders unknown to the present milk-fed 
generation had to travel before overtaking the flying horse hide, there is one 
thing that all the fans seem to agree on and that is on Tyndall's one baseball 
epic.

	The contest in question took place in 1922. In that 18-inning game between 
Tyndall and Tabor, Bill Pavel pitched for Tyndall against a fine Tabor pitcher, 
Louis Koupal, in a duel which baffled to a 1-1 tie. Pavel struck out 18 men and 
allowed just one walk the entire 18 frames.

	Louis Koupal was almost as good. He had 12 strike outs and played the greatest 
fielding game that we have ever seen a pitcher play. Louis handled 12 chances without 
a slip throwing out such fast men as Kelley, Metzger, and Oliva on perfect bunts a 
feat that few big leaguers could have accomplished.

	Besides the great pitching of these two stars, the wonderful stops of Geo. Cooley 
and Theodore Petrik of Tabor kept Tyndall from scoring and the magnificent catching 
of Metzger and a great throw by Kelley kept the local fans talking the rest of that 
winter.

	Bill Pavel continued to pitch for Tyndall, and in 1928 for the South Dakota 
All-Stars who that summer enjoyed quite a winning streak. They defeated the fast 
Randolph, Nebr. team 8-2 on the brand new Rest Haven baseball park before 800 people, 
Pavel allowing but 5 hits and striking out 9 men. The same week they won from the 
Kansas City All Nations 4-3 at Armour.

	The mythical baseball championship of southeastern South Dakota in 1933 featured 
a contest between the Tyndall club against an all-star aggregation from Gayville, 
Mission Hill and Yankton. Said to be the most exciting game played in Tyndall at 
least in a couple of seasons, the game was packed with tense and thrilling moments, 
marvelous pitching, and sparkling fielding. Bill Pavel pitched, yielding only 5 hits 
in the 11-inning struggle, and was supported by teammates Bob McKenna, 3rd sacker, and 
Ed Metzger, catcher. The game was won finally by a home run by sturdy batsman Jerry 
Hermanek which cleared the left field fence by nearly 10 feet.

	Bill Pavel was born and grew up on a farm near Tyndall and began pitching in 1921 
when he was about 18 years old. In July, 1925, the "big Bohemian country boy" as he was 
called by the sports writers (6' tall, 180 lbs.) refused offers from the Western league 
to play professional ball finding the rows of corn on his own farm and pitching for 
Tyndall more satisfying. He was the "pitcher of the day" in the great semi-pro ero of 
the 20's and the booming amateur days of the 30's. Lou Koupal of Tabor, one of the few 
South Dakota natives who ever made it to the big leagues, always contended that Pavel 
was a better pitcher than he was and that if Pavel would have just wanted to, he 
could have become one of the pro baseball greats.

	Bill played ball until he was in his fifties, and was known as a dangerous hitter 
as well as a fine pitcher. He was a gentleman on and off the field. He was inducted 
posthumously into the South Dakota Amateur Baseball of Fame November 9,1978. His wife, 
Rose, one of Tyndall's most loyal sports fans, was present to receive the award for 
her husband who died of cancer several years ago.

[photo - Baseball, 1933: Back, Mgr. Matt McCormick, Ed Metzger (s. s.), Frank 
Kelly, (o. f.), Leo Kiehlbauch, (c., o. f.), Bill Pavel (p.), Chas. Morgan, Mgr.; 
front, Chas. Cooley (c.), Emil Oliva (o. f.) Tommy Murphy (o. f.), Ralph 
McKenna (2 b.), John Pavel (p., o. f.), Bob McKenna (3 b.) Won 43-lost 16]

[photo - Bill Pavel, outstanding pitcher, South Dakota Baseball Hall of Fame, 1978]

page 77

(10) The Role of Women

	The role of women in the early days was more limited than today. A few 
ventured early into the business world or the teaching profession, but most 
busied themselves (and busy they were) with the very important duties of raising 
the large families and keeping the large homes that were so common those days.

	The society affairs were not so different from those of today-the entertaining 
of guests in the home, weddings, and balls. Fashions were important for these 
affairs, and millinery was chosen carefully to complete the costumes which were 
so painstakingly hand-sewn.

	Weddings could be very gala affairs and the one which united Miss America 
Richmond, first teacher in the Tyndall school, and George T. Rounds was no 
exception. The nuptials took place December 29, 1881, in the home of the bride's 
parents, Dr. and Mrs. Richmond, Rev. T.O. officiating. The bride was tastefully 
and elegantly attired in a beautiful white silk dress trimmed with brocaded silk, 
silk cord and pearl buttons, and wore six-buttoned white kids. The groom was arrayed 
in the customary costume of black broadcloth with black kid gloves. Quite a large 
number of friends and relatives of the bride and groom were present, and after the 
ceremony the happy couple received the congratulations and best wishes of everybody. 
The company was then ushered into the dining room and seated at a table laden with 
choice eatables. After regaling the inner man, the ladies and gentlemen assembled in 
the parlor and chatted, sung and played the remainder of the evening. The groom is 
well known to all Dakotaians and he is to be complimented on his good fortune in 
securing so valuable a prize in the lottery of life. The bride is one of Dakota's 
fairest daughters, and in the acceptance of her life partner she has shown excellent 
judgement and good taste. -Tyndall Tribune, December 31,1881.

	It was the custom to print in the newspaper all gifts presented to the honored 
couple at weddings and anniversary celebrations. At the crystal wedding celebration of 
Mr. and Mrs. John R. Petrie, of Bon Homme but reported in the Tyndall Tribune, the 
presents numbered to the tune of 152, and made quite a list indeed.

	After the commodious and beautifully appointed Grand Central Hotel was built in 
1884, weddings were often held there. More often than not, the newlyweds were serenaded 
by the "cowbell brigade" who then received the traditional cigars.

	The spacious country residence of the William Abbots was the scene of a large 
gathering in August, 1892, honoring the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Williams. Mr. 
Abbott escorted the Tyndall Band to his home at an early hour, and soon the spacious 
home was thronged with two hundred guests. The upper story of a large new barn that 
had just been completed was converted into a ball room, and there a large number 
enjoyed themselves in keeping step to the excellent music. At 12 o'clock all were 
invited to partake of ice cream, cake and all the good things imaginable. Guests 
departed by 2 a.m.

	Home-entertaining of a different sort was reported in the Bon Homme County 
Register 35 years later. The ladies of the Jolly Bridge club and the Merry Makers 
Bridge club were hostesses to the husbands of the members at the hospitable home 
of Mr. and Mrs. M. E. McCormick. The invitations read that it was to be a "coon" 
party and the guests, forty in number, all came in regulation coon costumes and 
were a sight to behold. Prizes were awarded for the best costumes and Mrs. 
Geo. Mueters captured first for the ladies and "Lem" F. Chladek toted off the 
first for men. When the wee small hours began to appear, the guests wended their 
way to the various chicken roosts in the neighborhood and gradually found their 
way home, all voicing they had had a powerful good time.

	It is sometimes said that in truth women dress for women rather than for 
men, but there was evidence to the contrary as early as January 28,1882, when 
the Tribune reported: "Stille and Talcott drove to Springfield on Sunday last 
and interviewed the church-going people of that town. They report "banged 
hair", "Saratoga waves", "frizzes", "French coils", etc., as being the fashionable 
head ornaments worn in that city."

	That which adorned the ladies from the neck up was very much the interest of 
Mrs. Henry Brooks, the milliner, who arrived by train in April of 1882 to exhibit 
her goods to the ladies. She had with her trimmed hats, all prices from 75 cents 
to $8.00. Lace ties and collars were from 5 cents to $4.00, and her assortment of 
goods included Torchon and Spanish laces, watered lace ribbon, etc.

	White for women and black for men seemed to be the correct colors not only for 
weddings, but for the high school graduation exercises which were described in this 
fashion: "The room was beautifully decorated with flowers and bunting and the music 
was exceptionally pleasing. Five happy young ladies attired in beautiful white gowns, 
with a modest profusion of roses, were seated upon the platform with the seven hopeful 
young men dressed in black." -Spring, 1897.

	In the one hundred years of our town's history, the length of ladies' skirts 
has gone up and down more times than one can count, and each time the skirts become 
shorter, it seems to be with the approval of the men. In September of 1919, the 
Register said, "The short skirt is again coming into fashion among women, although 
at present it is not quite so full as it was a year ago. Our masculine ears may perhaps 
catch a scarcely audible sigh of relief when the fairer sex learns that Dame Fashion 
no longer decrees the awkward hindering instep-length."

	The earliest literary societies in Tyndall debated the question of suffrage 
for women, at least the men did, but there were some ladies in Tyndall who were 
taking steps themselves on behalf of the status of women, Mrs. Celestia Brooks, 
Scotland, and Mrs. Carrie E. Dollard, Running Water,

[photo - Wedding snap of Hattie and Bill Simek]

page 78

made announcement early in May, 1897 for an Equal Suffrage Convention to be held 
later that month for all of Bon Homme County in the Grand Central Hotel.

	There were women who came to Tyndall early in the 1900's to make their own 
livings, some preferring not to marry, and Anna Ryan was one of them. Anna came to 
Tyndall in 1913 with her mother, Maria, and her sister Nell, and worked around for 
a few years until she purchased the abstract business from B. V. Fletcher. Although 
all the books were destroyed in the Security Block fire early in 1919 (30 
years lost), she rebuilt the business and continued to operate it for many years, 
all the while contributing in her own inimitable Irish way to many affairs in town, 
and especially to the Catholic church which she loved.

	It was noted in 1932 that Miss Elizabeth Barber had been librarian in the 
Tyndall Carnegie Library since its founding 15 years previous and had been the only 
librarian to serve the Tyndall patrons up to that time.

	For many years another single lady with an Irish surname and a salty tongue to 
match served the public in quite a different manner. She was featured in the Sioux 
City Journal in 1932 in an article headlined in this manner: "Carry your own dirty 
dishes! -Annie's Cafeteria." The article said, "Miss Annie Kirk has operated the same 
cafe in our city (Tyndall) the past 26 years. The place is known as Annie's Cafeteria. 
During war times when cost of labor was high, she converted her cafe into a cafeteria. 
Miss Kirk and her cafeteria are known to traveling men the state over for her serve-
yourself methods. Each person goes to the kitchen with a platter and waits on himself. 
After eating, the dishes must be carried back to the kitchen or the customer is likely 
to be reprimanded by Miss Kirk. Not many traveling men escape the eagle eye of Miss 
Kirk and leave without taking their dishes back to the kitchen.

	Miss Kirk was born in England but came to this country at an early age. Her 
father was Rev. Robert Kirk, Congregational minister at Springfield, and Miss Kirk 
attended school there. Later she studied oil painting for some time at Cavour, S.D. 
For four years before coming to Tyndall, she was domestic science instructor in the 
Santee Indian school at Santee, Nebr. After coming to Tyndall, Miss Kirk worked for 
a time as cook in the hotel and then opened a cafe and home bakery shop. Until this 
year she has always maintained a large garden and raised most of the vegetables 
needed. She cans all the pickles and preserves which she serves."

	(Annie's Cafeteria was located across the street west of the Grand Central 
Hotel in one of the two buildings salvaged after the Burnett Gallery burned down in 1906.)

	Not exactly a native of Tyndall, but so close as to be almost a part, Miss 
Hazel Abbott contributed more than her share to the culture and historical research 
of the community. Born on a farm southwest of Tabor on October 29, 1889, the teacher, 
director, writer, poet, world traveler, editor-delighted in doing historical research, 
especially family histories and Bon Homme County. She wrote and produced The Pageant 
of Bon Homme, 1953, and The Pageant of Tyndall, 1954. She published the first Bon Homme 
Co. Pioneer Association Bulletin. One of her poems was published in the 1970 bulletin 
in tribute to her memory.

	Dakota-a place of contrasts
	Dakota-land of the plains and rugged mountains
	Dakota-with its blue skies and radiant days 
		Its dark clouds and terrifying nights...
		A place of placid lakes and quiet streams
			a place of gentle and protective trees 
			of simple modest flowers,
				the violet, the wood sorrel
				and the pale wild rose. 
		A place of blue skies
			of rosy sunsets
				of grey unobtrusive dawns.

	Whether one was single or married did not matter for women to succeed in 
Tyndall. It was more a dedication to service, a looking outward from the self to 
the community, and of that caliber there were and are far too many to list in 
the history of a city.

	However one who found time to do many things was Mrs. H.A. Pike, wife, 
mother, publisher, postmistress and many other things as the opportunity 
presented itself. Mrs. Pike assumed editorship of the Register in 1913 when her 
husband died, and received the appointment for postmistress early in 1917. Her son, 
Stillman Pike, was among the first to volunteer when World War I broke out, and 
Mrs. Pike had this to say in her paper.

	"When calling at the (post) office you would refrain from asking me of my 
boy. He is one of the number, he goes with his mother's consent, but against my 
advice. I know my mother's love is selfish, and I find I can bear grief better 
alone without sympathy or discussion. When a mother gives up her son for her 
country, she is making too great a sacrifice to be lightly discussed."

	Those were almost prophetic words, because not too long after came the 
extremely sad news that Stillman Pike had died of pneumonia in DeLouza, France, 
on February 3,1919. The first news received here was that he was dead and his 
mother did not know that he was even sick. The American Legion named its post 
in honor of Stillman Pike, and his mother went on to become the first president 
of the American Legion Auxiliary.

	In the early days, especially after the turn of the century, certain 
women of the community became concerned about the betterment of the city in 
ways that only women could know about.

[photo - Anna Ryan, senior citizen]

[photo - Anna Ryan, young business woman, about 1918]

page 79

One of these women was Nettie Louise Berry, wife of Dr. S.G. Berry. Mrs. 
Berry was ever a public spirited woman, at all times interested in any 
civic movement for the betterment of the city. As a member of the Thursday 
Circle of Tyndall, she was instrumental in organizing the Improvement 
Association to include all women interested in civic affairs. As a 
result of her efforts, the association was organized in December, 1913. 
She was elected president, an office she held several times. Mrs. Berry, 
whose maiden name was Barber, (daughter of David W.), graduated from 
Tyndall High School in 1894.

	Many women left their imprint on the young students of the community, a 
few among them being Mrs. Elsie Brelsford, 8th grade teacher in the early 20's; 
Mrs. McBurney, 2nd grade teacher; Miss Eads; and much later, Miss Ella Srstka.

	Ella Srstka taught 3rd grade in Tyndall Public School for nearly fifty 
years. She was very particular with penmanship and her students soon learned 
to be particular also. Her contagious humor infected both her teaching and her 
students' lives, and many remembered their year with her with affection. Ella 
was honored at a "This is your life" program September 12,1963 at a meeting of the 
American Legion Auxiliary on completion of 24 years of continuous service as 
Legion Auxiliary secretary. Her niece and nephews were her pride, Steve John 
("Huck" as he was affectionately known) a casualty of World War II, and Ione and 
Merrit. After her death and her brother, Leo's, the long-time family home on north 
State street was razed and the lot remains vacant.

	"If no one else in Tyndall does it, Mrs. Bixby will." These words were 
spoken about another long-time Tyndallite whose memory tugs on the heart strings 
of everyone who knew her. Known to everyone in the vicinity as "Aunt Carrie," 
Mrs. Bixby held every office in the Old Settlers organization, helped build the 
Carnegie library, and was active in church and civic affairs up to the time of 
her death. Her affiliations included the Order of the Easter Star, the Methodist 
Church, Farm Bureau groups, the Red Cross, the Cemetery association, the Thursday 
Circle, W.C.T.U., the Bon Homme Pioneers Association, the Tyndall Improvement 
Association, Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls and the Republican party. She had been 
active in her church's Ladies Aid Society, now the W. S. C. S., for almost 60 years.

	What more can you say about this diminutive woman who never walked slowly, 
who always had a smile on her face, who never said, "No?" Well, she donated to all 
causes, helped plan banquets for numerous community affairs (providing often her 
special touch to her "Bohemian" sauerkraut-2 T. lard plus?), and helped her neighbors 
at births, weddings, and deaths. Mrs. Nell Schmitt recalls her helping her bake 
a dozen pumpkin pies "just to help out" in those days in the 30's when hosts 
entertained "the whole town", a group in the afternoon for a full dinner, and 
then the remainder in the evening.

	Carrie Bixby, who was named Woman of Achievement in 1955 by the Sioux City 
Journal-Tribune publications, was born on April 21,1874 in a sod house near Tyndall, 
which was replaced later by the first frame rural dwelling in the county. It was built 
by her carpenter father, Conrad Eymer, and is the present rural home of George Broz. 
Daisy Valley is the picturesque name of the place where the family lived. Halt a 
mile across a field from home they and their neighbors built a log school house 
and that's where the children went. "The only time I ever graduated," laughed Mrs. 
Bixby in an interview, "was when I went from the log school to the new frame school 
building, also on my father's place and three quarters of a mile northwest of the 
home. Mother made overshoes out of sacks-grain sacks, gunny sacks or anything she 
could find-we wore them high up around our knees."

	Following her marriage to Charles Emerson Bixby February 24, 1889 (he was a 
farmer and carpenter like her father, who also taught school), they moved on land 
near the Eymer home, soon buying their own land a couple of miles west. (This was 
along today's Highway #37, just north of Jerry Slade's home.)

	Mrs. Bixby died at the age of 84 in 1958, active up to the hour of her death 
in her little home in southeast Tyndall where she was found dead of a heart attack, 
by a friend.

	There is no better way to begin the description of Mrs. Helen Brown Scoblic 
than to repeat this poem believed written by her, and which so aptly presents the 
beautiful philosophy she lived by.

	Lord, keep me working, keep me fit.
	At windows I don't want to sit
	Watching my friends hurrying by.
	Let me stay busy till I die.
	Grant me the strength and breath and will
	Some useful niche in life to fill.
	A need to serve Thee, a task to do.
	Let me each morning arise anew,
	Eager and grateful that I can bear
	My portion of the morning's care.
	Lord, I don't want to sit about
	Broken in spirit, and all worn out
	Afraid of wind and rain and cold.
	Let me stay busy even if I am old.

[photo - Ella Srstka, long. time 3rd grade teacher]

[photo - Carrie Bixby wearing brown grosgrain silk dress made and worn by Mrs. W. W. 
Byers in 1884. Worn May 13, 1941, at 50th anniversary of Rachel Chapter No.11 O. E. S.]

page 80

	Altho' I walk at slower pace
	Still let me meet life face to face.
	Let me a garden plant and sow
	Set phlox and peony row on row.
	This is my prayer as time goes by
	Lord, keep me busy till I die.

	Helen Brown was born in Minneapolis, Minn. on December 1,1890 and came to Tyndall 
as an elementary teacher. She married a young lawyer from Tyndall, Frank M. Scoblic, 
on June 26, 1912, and they made this town their home for the balance of their lives. 
After building their own home, Mrs. Ellen Brown, Helen's mother, came to live with them, 
as did many of the teachers in Tyndall and other young people employed in town. Their 
home was also the temporary home for several nephews who attended school here.

[photo - Mrs. Carrie Bixby, Tyndall pioneer, Sioux City Journal - Tribune Publications 
Woman of Achievement of 1955]

[photo - Helen Scoblic, far right, with a group of involved citizens in the early 50's: 
From left, Ann Wacker Jean Wilkinson, Cecelia Schuurmans, Maude Slater, Olga Trevillyan]

[photo - Always involved in several organizations, Helen Scoblic, here front row left, 
relaxes with old friends Nell Schmitt, Estelle Byrne, and in back, from right. Hazel 
Laird, Helen Chladek and Myrtle Edwards]

[photo - Helen Scoblic 1924]

page 81

	Helen and Frank were promoters and supporters of anyone or any project for the 
good of the community and were always active in seeking additional enterprises and 
professions for the town. She assisted her husband during his career as local attorney, 
city attorney, states attorney and county judge until his death in 1959. Their one son, 
Robert, died in 1970.

	Helen Scoblic was an active member of St. Leo's Catholic Church in Tyndall, and 
had been Junior Choir director for 50 years, retiring from that activity only short 
time before her death. She was an organist and a member of both the Senior choir and 
the funeral choir when she died. She had been a teacher of religious education for 
nearly all of the years of her residence in Tyndall and although she had tried to 
retire, she continued to be called to assist and substitute.

	Her life touched the lives of many who remember her with affection and respect. 
She died suddenly in her home on January 2,1974.

	In the very early days of Tyndall, before it had become fashionable, there 
was said to have been a "liberated women" in town. This lady was Mrs. McPherson who 
left her husband when her children were grown to make her own way in life.

	Another woman of the present time who is not afraid to make her own way in 
life, but who has combined her very unusual occupation with a very successful marriage 
is Mrs. Elsie Holy, gravedigger and caretaker of the Tyndall Cemetery. It was back in 
the 30's when she first started digging graves, helping her father Martin Bartikowsky, 
and now she does all the digging for the Petrik Funeral Home.

	The Mitchell Daily Republic interviewed Mrs. Holy early in 1971 who had this to 
say about herself, "I like to keep busy". And busy she is, for she does the work 
entirely by hand, in the winter using a thawer which is run by bottle gas to take the 
frost out of the ground. The average time to dig each grave is eight hours, as she says 
the dirt in the Tyndall Cemetery is unbelievably hard. After a funeral she covers 
the grave and hauls away the excess dirt and plants grass. Her husband Joe has helped 
her whenever he can, and the couple have a son, Jim, who also digs graves at Yankton.

	The Daily Republic phrased this question at the conclusion of its article-"Where 
does this petite grandmother find all her energy, pep, enthusiasm, and optimistic outlook 
on life?" We suggest from an inner resource, a reservoir of strength that is not uncommon 
to the women of our community.

[photo - Virginia Plihal, present-day world-traveler, AAU official, Tyndall-booster]

[photo - Ladies of Tyndall, Jubilee celebration Sunbonnet C1ub, 1954, on bleachers 
at high school athletic field]

[photo - Mrs. Elsie Holy, Tyndall grave-digger]

page 82

II.  The People & Their Social Needs

(11) Elliott Hose Co. No.1

[photo - Below right: First Tyndall Fire Department, 1887: Front row, from left, 
Geo. Barker, Howard Hitchcock, Wm. Flamming, Fred Sturtevant, John Petrie, J.B. 
Flamming; Middle row, Albert Plumb, Tom Frawley, Wm. Nobles, Silas Jones, Pete 
Wagner, John Aitchison; Rack row, A. A. Thompson, J.P. Serr, Sil Wilcox, Asa 
Grant, Ed Anderson, Alex Berry, Dave Roose]

[photo - Below left: Elliott Hose Co. No.1, 1894: Front row from left, V. J. Ptak, 
Henry Orth, Joe Loesel-Chief, T. V. Ptak, S. J. Srstka; Second row, Wm. Metzger, 
W. M. Flamming, J. J. Chastka, Frank Dostal, V. J. Base, Anton Hajek; Third row, 
Morris Moser, Adolf Pesek, F.F. Srstka, Anton Musilek, James Austera, J.J. Hrachovec, 
V. S. Pechous; Back row, L. A. Krall, J. F. Oliva, Joe Novak, John Teutsch, Fred 
Moravec, Jim Hersman]

	Tyndall has the distinction of being the first town in South Dakota to have a 
volunteer fire department with a charter issued by the state. In February, 1887, 
under the able leadership of J. D. Elliott, an organization of Tyndall men applied 
for this charter the same year the state was admitted to the union. The company was 
named Elliott Hose Co. No.1 in honor of the untiring work of Judge Elliott, who not 
only was first chief, but was also instrumental in obtaining a hose cart for the unit.

	Although the unit posed for their first picture in a uniform in 1887, it 
was in 1889 that a standard uniform was adopted, and each fireman was appropriately 
outfitted in attire befitting his membership in the organization.

	In 1912 a 60-gallon chemical engine became the first mechanical equipment for 
the group, and in 1927 the city assisted the firemen in financing a triple combination 
fire truck with a cab. The Luverne Fire Co., from whom the equipment was purchased, 
had never before put a cab on a fire truck, but agreed to build to the firemen's 
specifications. Following the disastrous school fire in 1929, need became apparent 
for bigger and better equipment and an American LaFrance truck equipped with a 
500 - gallon pumper was purchased. In 1947 a rural fire truck was obtained as well 
as a rescuscitator, thus responding as always to the needs of the community.

	The present fire hall was erected in 1948, replacing one on Main street 
which had become outmoded. Prior to 1952, membership was always confined to 
25 members, but was raised to 30 at that time.

	The following letter dated November 6,1933, sent by James D. Elliott, Judge of 
U.S. District Court, to Thomas V. Ptak, Esq., tells of the special fraternal feeling 
shared by the firemen of the early days.

Dear friend,

	I saw by the Tyndall Tribune an account of an entertainment recently featured 
by a pheasant feed and roll call of all members on the records of the Tyndall Fire 
Department.

	I was especially interested in the printed list of members past and present. 
Mr. Stilwill phoned me and if it had not been that I had to open a term of court here 
the next morning, I certainly would have driven over.

	I remember very kindly the experience of the membership of the early days and 
cherish an abiding affection for those who so loyally gave the best that was in 
them for the protection of the lives and property of the little city. The old 
organization was more than a Fire Department. We had so much in common and in those 
days so little outside to detract from the home interests that we came to know each 
other intimately, and each to depend upon every other member doing just the right 
thing at the right time, not only in the performance of our duties as Firemen, but 
also in the close contact of everyday life. Be it said to the credit of those 
pioneers they rarely failed to measure up to their responsibilities to each other, 
judged by that high standard.

	I extend to you, arid you will please convey to the other members, my kindest 
good wishes. May the Tyndall Fire Dept. continue to be a credit and protection to the 
lives and property of your city, thus rendering a real service worthy of the record 
of those who have gone before.

			Sincerely,
			Q.  A. Elliott

	There were many fires in those days of kerosene lamps, oiled floors, and 
wood stoves, among them in 1906 the fires at Matt Weisser's store, and Burnett's 
gallery which may have been set by, an arsonist. One year later August Serr's buggy 
shed was beset by flames as was Moser's and the Charles Curl building. But the 
biggest of the new century may have been the disastrous fire which destroyed the 
Security Block in 1919, very early on a New Year's morning.

Page 83

	Among the special events the firemen partook in, in those early days, 
were the "entertainments" sponsored to raise money. Dances were always popular, 
and one of the first was held March 8, 1888 at O. Richmond's, at which the men 
were to appear in full uniform. All men not attending were to be fined 10 cents. 
Oyster suppers were popular after the dances. Before long the annual Easter dances 
began, usually featuring two bands at a time, one for the Bohemians and one for those 
with more modern tastes. An example of this was the Easter dance of 1935 when the 
firemen paid $75.00 to Jimmie Barret and $20.00 to Sejnoha's, with ticket prices of 
50 cents -25 cents and 35 cents-15 cents reflecting the difference. (We wonder who 
had the better time.)

	Although the first official annual Firemen's Picnic was held July 25, 1937, 
picnics had been held long before. It was a popular way to raise money and have a 
good time as well. As early as June 11, 1899, one was held at the Anton Musilek 
grove two miles north of town which showed the grand profit of $6.13. Expenses 
included draying and building fence-Anton Hajek, $7.75; Lumber for floor-Morgan's, 
$25.35; Lumber-Ptak Bros., $10.88; and fruits, bread, hams, beverages, etc. The 
receipts for this affair were $189.05, and expenses $182.92.

	Elliott Hose Co. No. 1 celebrated their 25th anniversary in 1912 at Jim 
Uherka's grove one mile south of town, using the large tent owned by the city for 
a bowery. The tent proved too small to contain the hundreds present but the receipts 
were very satisfactory. Ball games, foot races, Bingo stand, orchestra and band, 
taps and equipment were all part of the picnic activities.

	The firemen always enjoyed good food and special feeds were an important part 
of their activities, both for regular meetings and special events. These bounteous 
meals often contained such delicacies as pheasant, venison, duck, pig and oysters.

	The annual Firemen's State Tournaments were looked forward to and special 
effort was made to attend as many as possible, even as early as the 9th Grand 
Annual Tournament held in 1892 in the city of Watertown. In 1905, Tyndall's 
famous sprinter W. L. Robinson was elected to take a lead in the running contest. 
For several years W. L. was anchor man on the Tyndall team of men who pulled the 
hose cart, more than once winning the championship for Tyndall in that race. The 
first time Tyndall won the overall state championship was in June, 1928, at Tripp, 
and the fire boys repeated the victory again the following year.

	The proper apparel was important in the early days. Badges were worn with 
pride, and belts, caps, and gloves were chosen with care. At a special meeting on 
January 9, 1899, twenty-five suits were ordered at a cost of $354.32. There was to 
be gold braid and trimmings on the coats and pants, and gold buttons with F.S. 
imprinted, and a 3 1/2" high cap style.

	One of the formal occasions for wearing proper attire was when the firemen 
gathered at the funeral of a member of the company. The following instructions for 
correct funeral procedure were included in the minutes of a regular meeting in late 
1933, and referred to the upcoming funeral of Anton Musilek which was to take place 
on December 24;

	As many as possible to go to Lake Andes for the home services at 10:30 a.m., 
and then escort the remains to Tyndall ZCBJ hall where services will be conducted at 
2 p.m. After services the exempt and active firemen will march, proceeded by both 
fire trucks and followed by hearse beside which the Honorary and Active Pallbearers 
are to march. The line of march will be south from the hall to the corner west one 
block from Thompson's house, then east two blocks to McCann's

[photo - First fire bell in Tyndall was in the Presbyterian church, the firemen 
paying half. J. W. Flamming sitting by sign made by his father J. B., City Hall 1890]

[photo - Tyndall fire team pulling hose cart at Mitchell in state fire tournament, 
Will Robinson anchor man, early 1900's]

page 84

corner, then north to Gleason's corner on Main Street, then east one block to 
Benesh's corner and halt.

	The marchers are to get into their cars and proceed to the cemetery with 
pallbearers so that they will be ready to receive the casket when the funeral 
arrives. A double line to form from the hearse to the grave. The firemen are to 
separate, then remove the green from their coats, and march in single file past 
the casket and lay it upon it as a sign of him who was so loyal and faithful 
to our department.

	Other instructions: The Department salute is the head bear, the hat on 
the left breast held by the right hand (white gloves) and should be given when 
casket arrives in view at the door and when the casket is being removed from 
the hearse into the hall or home and at the lowering of the casket into the grave.

	The bell on the fire hall is to be tolled upon the arrival of the funeral 
from Lake Andes at the city limits until it arrives at the hall. Then again when 
the funeral leaves the hall and is continued until the marchers in the procession 
break line to enter cars. Tollers, ushers for the hall, and drivers for the trucks 
to be appointed by Chief. The ushers are to be sure and see that all relatives are 
seated together and allotted chairs. Also that the pallbearers remain in their places 
seated while the others file past the casket and then to form in double line outside 
door to the hearse. The pallbearers are then to follow past casket and then into 
anteroom, and close the door so that the relatives who have remained in the hall 
may be alone. Every fireman is to wear his badge and the sprig of green (evergreen) 
is to be worn pinned along side of it. The black crepe is to be worn as an arm band 
and is to be on the outside arm on the pallbearers and on the left on the firemen.

[photo - State fire convention, 1914, hose cart race]

[photo - Hose race, Fire convention in the hills, 1927]

[photo - Robert R. Robinson, Hose Co. No.1, early 1900's]

page 85

[photo - Firemen, 1951 (New hall) Front, from far left, R.F. "Bob" Bouska, 
Anton Bambas, James Zieser, (kneeling) Chris Bechtold, Joe Maruska - Chief, 
Don Wysuph, Ken Korader, John Post, Mike Beck, Ray Bambas; Back row, Charles 
Hajek, Ben Pipal, John Mans, Emil Raabe, J. W. Flamming, Ray Post, Chas. Cokely, 
Art Vilhauer, Dutch Wagner, Bernie Barn bas, Will Robinson; seated in truck, 
F.E. Metzger, Cliff Cox]

[photo - Firemen in auditorium basement: back, from left, George Schanel, Lou 
Chladek, John J. Mans, Frank E. Soukup, Geo. Robinson, William Flamming, Hayes 
Stilwill, William McCann; Front, Wm. Hahn, James Uherka, John Wurtz, Anton 
Hermanek, Joseph Setzer, Andy Rosen burg, Joseph Chastka, Thomas Ptak.]

	The following is a list of fire chiefs from 1887 to the present. Dates 
are not exact but should be close enough to be satisfactory.

	1887 Asa A. Grant, chief engineer, Secr. S. W. Willcox, Asst., John Aitchison
	1888 J. D. Elliott
	1890 J.P. Serr
	1892 Wm. M. Flamming
	1894 Andrew Roseberg
	1895 David Roose
	1896 Wm. Flamming
	1898 A.H. Roseberg
	1899 Wm. M. Flamming
	1900 S.J. Srstka
	1904 Jos. Leosal (resigned, Anton Hajek appointed to fill out term)
	1905 T. V. Ptak
	1908 C. L. Bohac
	1911 James Austera
	1912 J.J. Maus
	1915 Henry Hokuf
	1917 L. L. Wagner
	1927 L. O. Kiehlbauch
	1929 Wm. M. Hahn
	1931 F. Ed Metzger
	1933 Ted R. Wagner
	1935 W.M. Hahn (took leave of absence, Ed Metzger took over)
	1936 F.E. Metzger
	1940 M.E. Beck
	1942 F.E. Metzger
	1949 Anton Bambas
	1950 Joe L. Maruska
	1953 L.W. Wagner
	1954 F.E. Metzger
	1956 Chas. Cokely
	1957 Chas. Hajek
	1960 Ken Kornder (resigned 1964)
	1964 Chas. Cokely (resigned 1969)
	1970 Frank Soukup
	1979 Frank Soukup

[photo - Tyndall Fire Department, 1978: Front, Rich Hermanek, Ron Wagner, Frank Soukup 
(chief), Don Wysuph, Rich Ptak;.2nd row, Ray Bambas, Ray Bares, Felix Petrik, Al 
Novotny, Mike Williams, Frank Bult, Harold Hoffman, Jon Flamming, Dale Ranek, Merv 
Zwanziger; Back row, John Rodenberg, Leroy Sorenson, Rich Hanten, Wayne Slama, Duane 
Hill, Ray Herman, Lyle O'Donnell, Royal Koch, Tom Peschl, Wayne Sutera, John Lee, Tom Logue]

[photo - Old fire truck on parade, Jubilee celebration]

page 86

(12) The Czechs

[photo - John Hrachovec and his sister Anna, taken about 1898 in Burnett studio. They 
were close friends and acted the leading parts in Bohemian plays produced in that period.]

	Among the earliest mentions of the Czech people in the Tyndall Tribune were the 
affairs of the C.S.P.S. Lodge which was flourishing in the 1890's with regular meetings 
and Bohemian entertainments. At the turn of the century, the Z.C.B.J. lodge formed to 
help meet the growing needs of the large segment of Czech-speaking citizens in the 
Tyndall community.

	To understand the home life and other characteristics of a people so essentially 
individualistic as the Czechs, it is necessary to glance briefly at their old world 
history and their reasons for emigrating to a new land.

	At the time of the first century the Boii, a Celtic tribe, crossed the Alps from 
northern Gaul and settled in a fertile mountain-encircled valley to which they gave their 
name derivative, "Bohemia". Four centuries later they were driven out by another Gallic 
tribe, the Marcomanni, who in turn were displaced in the seventh century by a Slavic 
tribe. The leader of this tribe was Cech and the so-called Bohemians of the present 
day are in reality Czechs, descendants of this tribe rather than the earlier Boii, 
or Bohemians. For a thousand years after, the country was a battleground of the nations 
as each larger nation sought to gain control of the rich and fertile land. All this time 
the Czechs, never completely subdued, maintained a form of local government and a constant 
rebellion against their conquerors.

	In the ninth century the Czechs were converted to Christianity and in the 13th 
century, John Hus became a leader in the fight for national and religious freedom.

	The Czechs have always maintained their own nationalistic and cultural life in the 
face of almost overwhelming obstacles. They have developed their own literature and 
maintained schools and were the fourth to establish a university. Theirs was one of the 
first native tongues into which the Bible was translated and in which a hymn book was written.

	In the sixteenth century emigration to other Countries began, first to the 
surrounding European nations and then to America. The noticeable trend to emigrate 
to this country began in 1854. Because of their poverty-stricken condition, the 
majority of the immigrants were forced to stop in the larger cities of the east 
and work there awhile before they could go to the agricultural regions which were 
their destination. New York, Philadelphia and Chicago each acquired a large and 
permanent colony, and it is interesting to note that the great Chicago fire began 
in the Czech district.

	A large number went to Nebraska in 1860 where they fulfilled their longing for 
land by taking up homesteads, but by 1865 most of the good land there was gone so the 
Czech immigrants looked across the Missouri River into Dakota Territory. They were 
very much impressed with the land north and west of Yankton and in Bon Homme County, 
and they soon filed on homesteads in these counties where they built their sod shanties 
and dugouts and commenced to break up the prairie.

	While the Czechs are law abiding and conscientious in the performance of their 
national duties, they maintain an interest in continuing the customs and language of 
their mother country. They are an industrious and frugal people with a passion for 
freedom and thought; they are very fond of music, and dancing is one of their favorite 
past-times.

	While the majority of Czechs are devoutly Catholic, there are some Protestants 
and even liberals or free-thinkers. Although the earlier Czech settlers were subjected to 
much ridicule because of their strange language with its jarring consonants, and their 
music with its wild notes of passion, despair and defiance, they were able to retain an 
intense racialistic and individualistic outlook on life. They are sensitive and emotional, 
to a great extent the result of centuries of repression, resentment and struggle for 
existence and freedom against great odds.

	Much of the above information comes from an article found among the papers of 
J. J. Maus, Sr., and was contributed by Mr. and Mrs. John Maus.

C. S. P. S. Lodge

	"For every sunrise we may greet in peace, 
	For every twilight that leaves us with hope, 
	Let us give our thanks .
	-The Casa Journal, 1978

	The above prayer might well summarize the philosophy of the few remaining members 
of the Tyndall C.S.P.S. lodge. It comes from the official publication of the still 
functioning national Czechoslovak Society of America and was provided by Frank 
Peterka, 87, Tyndall resident who is recorder for the local Czech National Cemetery, 
and who was before the dissolution of the local lodge its treasurer for many years.

	The official Czech name of the lodge was "Ceska Slavansky Podporujici Spolek 
No.275". Some of the charter members were Louis Chladek, Jos. Zitka, Joseph Peterka 
(Mr. Frank Peterka's father), and Anton Bambas, Sr. The last president when the lodge 
dissolved in the early 40's for lack of interest was Thomas K. Ptak, and Mrs. Frank 
Peterka was the secretary.

	The lodge building was located southeast of the court house where the Emil 
Trunec home stands today. Money making projects were picnics (at Anton Bambas, Sr., 
grove a few miles north of town), dances and plays, proceeds of which went to 
establish and maintain the Czech National

page 87

[photo - The Czech CSPS Lodge at a picnic outing in 1894]

Cemetery established in 1902. It is located on the oil road 1/2 mile northeast of town. 
(Besides Mr. Peterka, the caretaker committee consists of Joseph Hisek and Sylvia 
Janele.)

	Although insurance was an important benefit of lodge membership, friendship 
and caring for the needs of its members was the prime purpose. Also the Czech language 
was taught at the hall for many years by Czech teachers who came from out of town, 
Mr. Peterka said.

	The Tyndall Tribune early in November of 1892 recorded that the members of the 
C. S. P. S. lodge were building an addition to their hall. An item five years later 
reported that the local group had entertained the state meeting, the large crowd being 
entertained by a laughable production in three acts which was presented on the stage. 
In February, 1898, the Register made mention of the three funny farces to be presented 
by the Bohemian Amateur Dramatic Society that month at the C.S.P.S. hall. They were 
entitled "Dynamite", "Treasure Hunting", and "Mr. Franz and Farmer Smarty".

	"Everything went fine," says Mr. Peterka, who was born north of Tyndall nearly 
88 years ago, and who taught himself to read and write. Then why did the lodges quit? 
"I think it was the cars. The young people could go from town to town."

Z.C.B.J. Lodge

	Unlike the C.S.P.S., the Tyndall Z.C.B.J. Lodge Pravda No.80 is still functioning, 
in fact has even since the sale of its hall remained active insofar as having regular 
and district and state meetings. The lodge also helps in promoting 4-H activities and 
also presents an annual scholarship to a graduating senior. The present membership now 
stands at 227 adult members and 34 juveniles, a total of 261 as of December, 1978. 
Mrs. Viola Slama and Mrs. Mary Mejstrik supplied the above figures.

	The letters ZCBJ stand for Zapadni Cesko Bratrska Jednota which in English is 
Western Fraternal Life Association. From the official journal of this association 
comes the following history of the local as written by Rudolph Barkl, Recording Secretary.

	"Way back when" there were many Czech immigrants to the U.S. as well as people 
from other European countries. The Czechs who came to America wanted a better future, 
but the devotion to their homeland was solidly in their hearts. Many Czechs settled 
in groups or communities and joined the ZCBJ lodges. Charter Lodge Jan Rosicky No.26 
was founded near Lesterville, S.D. on July 4,1897, and in 1961 merged with Lodge Star 
of SD in Utica.

	Our lodge was organized by Vaclav Benes on February 4,1900, and he had quite a 
time getting the lodge started as he had to compete with another association CSPS. He 
did get 36 members, but only 25 passed the physical examinations and they are charter 
members: Anton Hajek, Vincence Cacek, Matej Homolka, Josef Horky, Josef F. Jilek, 
Karel Klufa, Frank Novy, Anton Pavlish, Adolph Pesek, Anton Plihal, Josef Plihal, 
Josef Oliva, Frank Sip, Josef Vavruska, John Stekly, Sr., Anton Bohac, Fred Moravec, 
Anna Hajek, Josefa Homolka, Frantiska Moravec, Josefa Stanecek.

	It was customary that a newly organized lodge would get aid from an older 
lodge. Lodge Hvezda Zapadu No.41 of Tabor sent seven members to help with initiation, 
ceremonies, and election of officers. This event on February 4,1900 recommended that 
our lodge be named Lodge Pravda, and the recommendation came from Bro. Benes. 
Officers were elected quarterly, and for the first quarter officers were Vaclav 
J. Ptak, President; Anton Hajek, recording secretary; Frantisek Ptak, financial 
secretary; Anton Pavlish, treasurer. Meetings were held the first Sunday of each 
month and the password played a main role, as well as the correct meeting procedures.

	In 1908 the lodge had the privilege of buying an old high school 
building from Tyndall Ind.

[photo - CSPS Cemetery 1/2 mile northeast of Tyndall]

page 88

[photo- A Czech play cast by members of the ZCBJ: Among the group are Anna Hrachovec, 
Mr. Hartwald, Ruth Srstka, Ted Svanda, Lillian Souhrada, Kamilia Svanda, Milada Shima, 
Mae Hajek, Rose Hajek, Jerry Hermanek, Mrs. Ed Hajek, C. Mejstrik, Anton Hermanek.]

[copy of playbill Czech Play at ZCBJ, courtesy Viola (Svanda) Slama]

[photo - The Tyndall Sokol unit in synchronized drill, promoted and aided by 
Joe Hisek and Charles Mejstrik]

School Dist. No.3 for $2500. Shares were offered at ten dollars each and the members 
responded so well that the sum was easily attained. The building was repaired and a new 
stage was added to provide for dances and operettas. In a relatively short time the 
lodge was able to pay off the shares. Besides dances, programs, and plays, the 
Lodge had a Czech school, and at a later date the Sokol athletics were organized.

	In February 1936 Scotland Lodge No.174 merged with our lodge. At that time our 
lodge had a membership of 208 adults and 46 juveniles. During World War II an 18-month 
campaign was undertaken by the Home Office for the purpose of raising funds to purchase 
12 ambulances. Nearly $20,000 was raised by lodges and individual members.

	In recent years as old members died, the younger generation members lost interest 
in attending meetings because of new and other activities. The hall was getting older 
and cost too much for repairs so the Board of Trustees and lodge officers decided by 
vote to sell the hall, which was done in March, 1955 to a local businessman.

	Mrs. Slama provides personal memories of those days when the lodge hall was 
still being used. She says, "Lawrence Welk played in the ZCBJ hall in the early 30's. 
It wasn't his full band, but only a few." About the Bohemian plays, she adds, "The two 
best and biggest Czech plays that were put on were "Snehurka" and "Ferda, Amerikan". The 
last one was a four-act play, the first act taking place in Czechoslovakia and the last 
three in the United States. It was about this boy named Ferda who left his girl 
friend there. As they were saying good-bye, she was supposed to cry. She really cried 
and it was impossible for her to stop crying. She really put her heart into acting 
the part as no matter what the rest of the cast said or did, she just couldn't stop 
crying The boy, Ferda, was played by Theo. Svanda, and the girl was played by Agnes Hajek."

	Long before Mrs. Slama was taking part in the Bohemian plays, the Tyndall Register 
described a Sunday lodge function which took place early in December, 1903, in the 
following way: "A grand literary program and banquet was held last Sunday, Dec. 6, by 
the Z.C.B.J. lodge at the Woodmen hall. The regular meeting was held that day and 
lasted until 4, then after a short intermission an entertaining program was held. 
The features of the program were songs by the choir, recitations, solos and an oration 
titled, "What is the Object of a Lodge", by J.F. Kreycik. He briefly stated that the 
lodges are not only for the insurance but that they also have a moral side to

page 89

[photo - A gymnastic routine performed by the Tyndall Sokol unit, early 30's]

[photo - Tabor unit in Sokol drill at Gregory, 1936.]

aid in the advancement of mankind. The program was followed by banquet refreshments 
and afterwards games were played for the amusement of all."

	In 1931 mention of entertainment of another type was made in the local paper. 
It said, "Members of the Tyndall Sokol unit are making extensive preparations for the 
staging of the second annual festival which will be held on Tuesday evening, October 
13, at the Tyndall auditorium. Besides a program of singing, there will also be 
presented a one-act comedy, and some drills by different classes, as well as a 
dance. Music for the program and for the dance which follows will be provided by 
Jerry Jarolim's orchestra."

	John Hajek, former farmer and now retired Tyndall resident, shares his memories 
of the local Sokol unit of which he was a member.

	"The Sokol group was organized in Tyndall in the spring of 1929. Lodge members 
Joe Hisek and Charlie Mejstrik were the pushers. There were around 50 in the group-
men, women and juveniles. The Sokol organization is a physical group that consisted 
of close-order drills and gymnastics such as parallel bars, spring board, horizontal 
bar, horse, rings and balance beam. The Sokols were at Tyndall, Wagner, Gregory and 
Tabor in the state of South Dakota.

	"In order to make money for the equipment needed, there were dances, Czech plays, 
etc., at the ZCBJ hall, also called the 'Cracker-box' and the 'Opera House'. It was a 
happy group of people. We would go to the other towns on Sundays to compete with their 
development (towns in both South Dakota and Nebraska.) The organized Sokols had 
instructors from Chicago, Omaha and Cedar Rapids that would come down and see that 
we were moving forward. A few of us took a short course in Omaha in the winter of 
1933-34 to bring back the new drills, etc.

	"In 1933 there were a group of us (John Hajek, Jerry Hermanek, Charlie Hajek, 
Agnes Chyba, Steve Chyba, Mamie Blazek and Joe Hisek) that went to the World's Fair 
to drill in Soldiers' Field. Altogether in the field there was 3700 of us doing the 
same drills. They were there from all over the United States and a group from 
Czechoslovakia.

	"The men wore ballet slippers, navy blue long trousers and sleeveless shirts 
trimmed with red. The women wore navy blue bloomers, white blouse, and red kerchiefs on 
their heads."

	The local Sokol ceased functioning about 1939-40. Although there was an effort 
later to revive the group, the young people, according to Mr. Hajek, simply had too many 
other things to do to devote enough time to the rigorous practice needed.

	From the obituary of one of the early Bohemians associated with ZCBJ, we 
learn the following: "From his early youth Frank (Ptak) was a lover of trees and the 
barren prairies of those days gave him an incentive to plant trees later, not only 
on his farms but on his town property, for he believed that trees are not only 
ornamental and useful but make the climate more mild and also that they invite birds 
to their friendly shelter.

	It was the suggestion of this first financial secretary of the lodge to 
name it "Pravda".

[photo - Tyndall group Czech National Folk Dance at Czech Day, Gregory, 1936]

[photo - ZCBJ hall today]

page 90

(13) The Churches

	Churches were not always handily available a century ago, and neither were 
the ministers to serve them, but the residents of the Tyndall community soon took 
steps to fill the religious needs so many of them felt.

	In late 1881 when the Tyndall Tribune first began printing, the frame 
Methodist Church had already been built, the Presbyterians had one in the 
planning stage, and it was rumored that the Catholics might erect a church 
in town to replace the tiny chapel a few miles to the southeast. However, seven 
miles southwest of Tyndall the Emanuel Creek Baptist Church was already 
flourishing; in fact, by 1877 an extension church had been added to the north 
to serve the needs of the many German Russians who had settled in that area. 
And before many years passed the German Congregational Church came into being, 
and in 1903, the Church of Christ.

	The Presbyterians and the Methodists got along very well in the early 
days, (as they do yet today) sharing facilities for their joint festivities. There 
were times when they would spread the tables for a supper (often oysters) in one 
place and conduct the evening exercises in another.

	In the meantime the Catholics were devising their own schemes to raise money 
to pay off the church debt. One popular way was to hold local talent concerts. In 
January 1898 one was held in Reidinger's Hall which raised the astonishing sum of 
$300. in one contest alone, that for a gold watch. The two bidders were Frank Bauer 
and Jack Hughes, Jr. The Catholic bazaar, always a money-maker, in 1911 was held 
in the old Bouza building, and offered as prizes a gold-headed cane and a diamond ring.

	Bishop O'Gorman came from Sioux Falls on special occasions such as 
Confirmation, and his lectures were enjoyed by the public as well as the Catholic 
congregation. It apparently seemed necessary in October of 1903 for a notice in 
the paper to remind the mothers to leave their babies at home for one of his 
eloquent lectures which was to be presented in front of the Catholic parsonage. 
The high school band was to present a free concert before the program.

	Mrs. Hulda Lubbers, Tyndall, responded graciously to a request for some 
background on the German Congregationalists. These are her recollections:

	My Mother's father was born in Wittenburg, Germany in 1830; was educated, 
knew Latin...

	Germany was very disrupted at that time. Catherine II of Russia issued her 
Manifesto inviting German Colonists, promising them religious freedom, exemption from 
military service, as well as NO taxes. Russia sent solicitors (agents) who travelled 
abroad; Russians wanted German Colonies to settle the large areas around the Black 
Sea which they had claimed from the Turks, to be as a 'buffer' state between Russia 
and the enemy. The Germans employed the serf peasants who had been liberated about 
the same time as the slaves in America, and soon the wild steppe grass disappeared 
and wheat fields in Ukraine became profitable.

	Mother was the youngest in a family of 6 daughters and 1 son - she was born 
in 1872, and at about 6 years of age, the family came to Scotland. S.D. where my 
Grandfather's brother was already living. It was when Russia decided to draft the 
Germans into their Army.

	Mother often spoke of the Evangelicals in Russia, she remembered the joyful 
songs while in ox carts, the leader would recite a line, then all would repeat. (there 
were no Bibles or song books) However, Grandfather did have a night school, where 
Mother learned the Latin letters and learned to read at an early age, just sitting 
by while the older ones were taught. So immediately they had 'church services' in the 
home in rural Scotland, and the "Congregational German" Church was built later.

	When Mother married and came to Tyndall, S.D. in 1893 Rev. John Sattler had 
5 churches to minister to in the county, so the deacons and layman took charge of the 
services. Dr. Ted Sattler, a son, is still living in Yankton, S.D. I do not know of 
any ladies' missionary society, but once a year after the Harvest, a foreign missionary 
would come and there would be an 'ingathering' of funds for Missions. The ladies did 
take part in the prayer meetings, and many were Sunday School

[photo - German Congregational Church, Hayride (Later sold to German Baptists)]

page 91

teachers. We wrote out our lessons beforehand in the German script. We also memorized 
Scriptures, from A-Z . . . I was awarded a special album which I treasure, from Emma 
Kiehlbaugh. I remember her father who was Sunday School Superintendent (Joseph. 
Kiehlbaugh) who also had a grocery store in which my father was clerk, until he 
later had his own grain elevator."

	In 1913 the Congregational Church membership merged with the Methodists to become 
the Federated Church. In 1940 St. John's Lutheran Church bought the former 
Congregational Church and rectory. This church was later sold and remodeled into a 
home, now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Horacek.

The Tyndall and Danzig Baptist Churches
	(From the Tribune and Register, October 7,1976, at the time these churches 
celebrated their centennial.)

	One hundred years ago a number of the new settlers to arrive in Dakota Territory 
were of German extraction and were drawn together by their desire for worship, 
fellowship and evangelism. On March 1,1876, twenty-seven met in the home of Ludwig 
Helwig for the purpose of organizing a German Baptist Church in their community. 
This new testament fellowship became known as the Emmanuel Creek Baptist Church 
and was located seven miles southwest of what is now the site of Tyndall. Under the 
able leadership of Rev. Johann Kohrs (1876) and Rev. John Wendt (1877-1882) the 
fellowship grew rapidly and in 1877 an extension church was begun 7 miles north of this 
first building site. Since this group was predominantly settlers from Russia the name 
chosen for the new work was Danzig, in memory of old Danzig in Russia, were many had 
come from.

	By 1891 most of the first settlers had moved from their homes and were locating 
in or close to the new town of Tyndall and it was only natural for them to move the 
church to Tyndall. In 1943 the Emmanuel Creek Baptist Church was renamed the Tyndall 
Baptist Church.

	Seventeen pastors have served this two-church parish in its 100 years of 
history. Rev. Ken Unruh, a 1966 graduate of the North American Baptist Seminary in 
Sioux Falls, S.D. is the present pastor.

	From the churches' centennial booklet comes this prayerful poem composed 
by parishioner Vern Kaul.
		OUR LITTLE CHURCH
	O Lord we're gathered here today
	To give you thanks in a special way.
	It has been a century since our little church began
	It's been a tower of strength, through the years for many a man. 
	Many people have served so faithfully, 
	They came with burdened hearts and laid it all on thee.
	They sang a song, and studied your word, then went their separate way.
	There's been some tears, but there's also been much joy.
	Like each time you joined some girl and boy.
	And Lord there's special happiness, when some sinner turns to you
	And asks for your love and guidance for his whole life through.
	Lord there's so many things we should thank you for.
	Like your grace, peace, and love, forgiveness and so much more.
	But on this day dear Jesus we give you special praise
	For guiding our little church through these troubled days.
	Be with us Lord, as we do our earthly chores.
	Remind us often that all we possess is yours,
	And Lord we have a final request on this special day
	Help our little church stand, until you come to take us away.

[photo - German Baptist Church Ladies, October 2, 1929: Front, Mrs. Herman Voigt, 
Miss Miller, Mrs. Adolph Voigt, Mrs. B.H. Lubbers, Mrs. Lang, Mrs. Vogel, Mrs. Radack; 
Back, Mrs. Lehr, Mrs. Bechtold, Mrs. Rabbi, Emma Gretschman, Freda Gretschman, Mrs. Beck, 
Mrs. Bucholz]

[photo collage - From a page of the German Baptist Centennial Book, 1976]

page 92

[Baptist Ladies, 1947: Front, Mrs. Lehr, Mrs. Beck, Mrs. Walters, Mrs. Geo. Lubbers, 
Mrs. F. Lubbers, Mrs. J. Lubbers, Mrs. Bechtold, Mrs. Itterman, Mrs. C. Rueb, Mrs. 
Bertha Berndt, Mrs. Freda Gretschman; Back, Mrs. Kiehlbaugh, Mrs. Jake Rueb, Mrs. 
Mehlhaff, Mrs. Bren, Mrs. Stemper]

[photo - The old St. Leo's Catholic Church erected in 1890, the sacristy, bell tower 
and entry added in 1899]

	The Women's Missionary Union, Baptist Church, Tyndall, was started as 
"Frauen-Verein" in 1895 by Mrs. W. Paul, the minister's wife at that time. She gave 
organ lessons to the Radack and Burbeck daughters.

	Meetings: once a month, biographies read, also the "Mission Perle" (pearls) 
giving accounts of current work, prayers and offerings given, visiting sick and 
helping the poor.

	Later: Programs, plays, guest days, special speakers (Rev. Wm. Kuhn, Kuhn 
Missionary GeBauer, Laura Reddig, and many others), an annual day of White-Cross 
sewing, sometimes quilting, annual day of canning for the seminary, often kitchen 
showers for new pastors and for missionaries returning for furlough, church repairs 
and cleaning.

	Various projects: Some ladies donated the proceeds of their Sunday eggs; 
other had garden and farm produce; one lady saved every half-dollar for her "blessing 
box"; some missed meals; one lady told how when she laundered her husband's clothes, 
she emptied his pockets of coins for her offering. Some recall a "shopping bag" filled 
with useful items which was circulated among the members, each taking what they could 
use, putting in the equivalent of cash, and again refilling the bag to pass on.

	After WWI: Many parcels of clothing were sent to Germany. One address had been 
slipped into a man's coat to which many replies were received from one who had spent 
years in Cameroons, Africa, enclosing reports of the work there and photos.

	Further interest in Africa: In the 1920's, Rev. A. Lang's brother, Fred and 
family, visited here. He'd been one of the pioneer missionaries under Sudan Int. 
Mission. Later the daughter of Rev. Lang, Margaret, also the grandsons, George, 
William, and Harold served in Africa. His son, George A. Lang was president of 
Baptist seminary, first in Rochester, N.Y., later in Sioux Falls. (married to Esther Lehr).

	Other sons and daughters from this small society: Rev. Edwin Voigt; Mrs. Martha 
Berndt Christopherson (a pastor's wife in Minnesota); James Berndt, an evangelist 
in the Chicago area; Faith Lubbers Blight still in Mexico with Wycliffe Bible Tr. 
since 1951; Rev. Paul Lubbers, a pastor in Indianapolis; Konrad and Cindy Finck, 
with Greater European Mission, now on furlough. George and Hulda Lehr Lubbers (retired) 
who were in India from.1926-1954 with the exception of two furloughs. Pearl Vilhauer 
became a home missionary and later married Sec. Bapt. Life Insurance Albert Lubbers, 
choir director in Illinois for over 30 years.

	The COMMAND to go; to PRAY THE LORD OF HARVEST to thrust forth laborers; 
to GIVE ourselves and all we have in exchange for ETERNAL RICHES; all this is 
still enjoined upon us, for GOD in CHRIST gave His ALL.
                     -Compiled from information provided by Rev. Ken Unruh

ST. LEO'S CATHOLIC CHURCH

	In 1879 Bishop Martin Marty, O.S.B. erected Sacred Heart Church, a small 
mission church 4 1/2 miles southeast of the present site of Tyndall. On the 
same 5-acre  property, which had been donated by Mary Conroy Dwyer October 21,1879, 
he laid out a cemetery. During the time Father Cronin was pastor of St. Leo's 
Church, the bodies were moved to St. Leo's cemetery west of Tyndall.

	It was in this little mission church that Mr. and Mrs. Frank Daub, the parents 
of Mrs. Frances Hopkins, were married. Here, also, their two oldest children, John and 
Catherine were baptized. The church was later moved to Springfield.

	It is not known when the first Catholic services were held in the town 
of Tyndall, but it is believed they were held in the home of Mrs. Mary Chastka, the 
mother of Anton and Joseph, early Tyndall merchants. Records also show that services 
were also held in the grammar school which was located on its present site.

	In 1890 the first part of St. Leo's Church was erected in Tyndall. This 
consisted of a box-like structure. The church was not completed until 1899 when the 
sacristy, bell-tower and entry were added. However, services were held there in 1890. 
One of the first children baptized there in October

page 93

of 1890 was Suzanna Hack, later to become Mrs. Clarence Bower.

	The women of the parish were responsible for the care and cleaning of 
the altar and church. In the summer the altar was always decorated with the 
prettiest flowers from the women's gardens.

	In 1902 the ladies organized the first Altar Society for Tyndall. Mrs. 
F.A. Morgan was elected president. Her daughter, Miss Macauley, later to become 
Mrs. Hayes Stilwill, a local teacher, was elected secretary. Mrs. Frank Chladek 
was elected treasurer, a position she held for more than twenty years.

	Many things were needed for that little pioneer church and the Altar 
Society set to work raising funds. One of their first projects was an ice cream 
social. The first one was held in the railroad triangle back of the Grand Central 
Hotel. This spot is now used as a storage lot for machinery first by Ranek Implement 
and most recently by Ritter-Walz Implement. The ice cream socials were very popular 
as the ice cream in those days was the "home-made" variety. The location of the 
socials were changed to the spacious lawns at the Morgan and Chladek homes.

	Another popular diversion in the early days was the church picnic. These 
were held at the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Daub (presently the farm of Mr. 
and Mrs. Laddie Becvar). Here a large grove and a big apple orchard combined with 
a broad expanse of lawn to provide an ideal setting. Later a bowery was added 
where square dances were called by Ed. Post.

	The principal money-making event, then as now, were the dinners served 
to the public. The first dinners were always served on or near St. Patrick's Day. 
These were changed to the fall in October as is still the custom. The reason, 
chickens were more plentiful then. No freezers in the early 1900's! For several 
years a St. Patrick's Day smorgasbord was held in addition to the fall chicken 
dinner and bazaar. It is interesting to note that at these early-day dinners, 
the altar boys, senior choir members and catechism teachers, in addition to 
visiting clergy, were guests. The prices ranged from fifteen cents for ages 
one through thirteen, twenty-five cents ages thirteen through high school and 
thirty-five cents for adults. The first dinner held in 1906 cleared $44.85.

	Money-making projects over the years besides the annual dinners have 
consisted of serving wedding dinners, farm sales, raffles, dinners for other 
organizations and formerly the Thursday afternoon lunches. The most unusual 
money-making project was probably the Sunday egg program.

[photo - Laying of cornerstone at new St. Leo's Catholic Church, 1948. Standing, 
from left, Frank Benesh, Joe Chastka, (back) Bernie Dwyer, Peter Hahn, (to right of 
microphone) Father Krause and Bishop Brady. Father Cronin in right foreground, to 
his right, Joe Hoch. Altar boys in front include a young Pletka and Hersman, 
Bud Schneider, Jim Clark and Jackie Kostel among others.]

page 94

[photo - Tyndall Foresters, 1971, present portrait to FCMC: from left, Eleanor 
Milolash (fin. secy.), Mary Horvorka (rec. secy.), Rose Teply (pres.) with portrait 
of Fr. Cronin, Msgr. Leonard Zwinger, Tillie Varilek (v. pres.), Marian Bower (treas.)]

[photo - Golden Anniversary of Holy Rosary Court, November 14, 1976: Left, Bea Beringer, 
Martha Miller, Angela Lanners, Father Ortmeier, Josephine Heitgen, Elizabeth Kniffen.]

All eggs laid by farm members' chickens were sold separately and the 
money donated to the building fund.

	The parish was rapidly outgrowing the little white church and finally, after 
many setbacks during depression years, a dream was realized. In 1949 the beautiful 
new brick St. Leo's Church and rectory was completed. The little white church was 
dismantled and the cornerstone from it was placed with the new one. In 1953 the 
priceless stained glass windows made in Germany by German craftsmen were installed.

	The first child to be baptized in the new church was Jeanne Hoch, daughter of 
Mr. and Mrs. William Hoch, and the first boy was James Schuurmans, son of Mr. and 
Mrs. Virgil Schuurmans.

	In 1970 a new parish center was completed and dedicated to the memory of 
Father Francis Cronin. Money raised at dinners and bazaars had been set aside 
for the building of this center. The ladies of the Altar Society completely 
furnished the kitchen with the latest and most modern equipment at a cost of $5781.37 
(in 1970). The center is open to use by anyone in the community. It has been 
used extensively, especially in summer as it is completely air-conditioned.

	St. Leo's Altar Society has grown from a handful of women in 1902 to 270 
members and honorary members in 1979. With the hiring of a full-time custodian, 
presently Pete Becvar, the ladies are no longer solely responsible for the care 
and cleaning of the altar and church. However they continue their work to meet 
the ever-growing needs of a growing parish.
                           -Louise Ranek (Mrs. John Ranek)

A TRIP TO AN IRISH VILLAGE

	It is interesting sometimes to see ourselves as others see us. Forty 
years ago, a young priest from Cooraclare, Ireland by the name of Father 
John Kelly came to Tyndall to visit his cousins Anna Ryan and Nell Lehr. 
It was in October and the year had been dry, and his impressions of our 
town, especially the Catholics with whom he visited mainly present an 
interesting picture. (From the papers of Anna Ryan, courtesy of Mr. and 
Mrs. Larry Lehr.)

	"Leaving the train at Sioux City, I was greeted by my Cousin, Anne Ryan, 
whom I was meeting for the first time. Her mother, Maria Kelly, had left Ireland 
in the late 70's. For over a decade we had lost touch with them, until last 
June they discovered my address and I had an invitation to visit them at 
Tyndall in South Dakota.

	Two days in Tyndall with the Ryans seems now to be a dream as I recall 
it. It was so easy to live in Tyndall, I am sure, in the good years before the 
rain ceased falling. The Pastor (Martin Fenton Dooley), who has been there over 
a quarter of a century, could speak for it, and he lived it over again for me 
during my brief visit with him in the sun porch after Mass. I know Tyndall is 
unlike any other part of America that I have seen but then it has been my lot 
to have lived always in cities.

	The folks in Tyndall feted me. There was no point in declaring a holiday 
since they have so little to do on working days. Civil holidays have no object 
there. I recall some of them now. Adam Bower, the old lonely man who was so pleased 
because we stopped to speak with him. John Hrachovec, the blacksmith, whom we found 
standing in his idle forge, fiddling with the smutted tools of his outmoded trade. 
If John dies suddenly, I believe it will be in that grimy old place piled high with 
odds and ends.

	Hattie, the Priest's housekeeper, who could boil an egg or boss the Ladies 
Aid Society with equal infallibility. Peter Hahn, the postal clerk, who joined us 
over a bottle of Coca Cola one night 

[photo - St. Leo's Cemetery, 1891-1925]

page 95

[photo - An Irish gathering at the O'Neill's: Top left, Nell Ryan, Helen Hagarty, 
Anna Ryan; in front of Anna, her mother, Maria, to her left, Frank Hagarty; others, 
Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Evers, Mrs. Dr. Kiehlbaugh, Mrs. Stanicek, Mrs. Setzer, Mrs. Burns, 
Mrs. Kreber and far right, Mr. O'Neill]

at Joseph Hoch's drug store. At least, he did not have to wait for rain. Bridget 
Delaney, the only Irish woman I met in Tyndall. She came to the sacristy one 
morning asking me to stay. Bridget lives almost in the shadow of the church. Some 
day soon they will bury her out by the highway in the little cemetery where I found 
Maria Kelly's grave.

	During eight years I had hoped to find her living, but I was satisfied now to 
kneel about her grave. It was so like Leitrim Churchyard there, I thought. Perhaps I 
was thinking of that other grave in Leitrim where Maggie lies. These two grew up 
together in Clonredden, and through the years they were in constant touch with each 
other. Please God, they and all the rest are reunited now in Heaven.

	Mrs. Kooser and Nell Ryan (Mrs. Lehr) led me along one afternoon to a Ladies' 
Aid luncheon. I suspected that neither of them had been there for years before. They 
were not of much aid to the Society except to encourage them with compliments on 
their chicken-a-la-king. We were given the table of honor. For my part I thought I 
should be there, but I could not see why these two defaulters should be honored. 
The affair passed off harmoniously, but I think there was the rumble of distant 
thunder in Hattie's eyes, which makes me curious to know what may later have 
happened in rainless Tyndall.

	My last evening at Ryan's, we had callers. I know I was the occasion and 
felt important. (It was a let-down next day when I found myself in Chicago where 
nobody cared.) The Hagartys, Schanels, and Lees were there and it was all so novel 
to hear them talk of the events of the day about Town. I wonder what they thought 
about me because I had little to say Hattie was mentioned again. I was thinking:

	"Since I have been to Tyndall
	I think it is a pity,
	That the Reverend Hattie Jandel
	Should Queen it o'er your City.
	If you could only lose her
	Out on the Plains near Marty,
	And set up Mrs. Kooser,
	Then the Aid could have a party, etc."

	Ann Ryan would be my candidate for Priest's housekeeper. I believe Nell 
and herself would soon be building a new church, according to the blue print which 
now seems destined to remain hanging fruitlessly over the stove in Hattie's kitchen.

	Leaving Tyndall was without much enthusiasm on anybody's part. We all knew 
that in two short days we had learned to accept one another. Tyndall folk do not 
have much to say, the stern duty of living in hope for ten years without crops 
has made them capable of a loyalty which is not talked of, but shown in the 
trivial kindly things they do.

	From the train window, after I had left Nell at Yankton, I found myself 
counting pheasants as they fluttered low over struggling corn fields and thinking 
how much Ignay would have enjoyed seeing them. Here and there a lifeless tree 
raised its gaunt branches heavenwards as if it would mock the advent of Autumn 
to that benighted land. Drought and grasshoppers, the twin scourge of the 
Mid-Western Plains, for a decade now have frustrated alike the bloom of Spring 
and the yield of Autumn, but they have not stilled the purpose to survive, 
which these people of the Plains have inherited from their pioneer parents. 
When it rains again in Dakota, America shall rejoice as now it sympathizes with 
the plighted settlers there. May that long-looked for moisture come this year 
for Dakota's sake, and for the sake of the kind-hearted folk in thirsty Tyndall!

	Anna Ryan added several comments of her own at the bottom of the letter 
before she passed 

page 96

it on, "My sis (Nell) didn't know how to "take" the statement that Father said 
no enthusiasm was shown when he left here, she thought Father didn't have a good 
time. I told her that the statement was perfectly okay-that he was trying to say 
that he had no "enthusiasm" to leave us and we had none to see him go and that 
that was a compliment to us."

	She also mentions that the evening Father visited with the local Irish 
at Hagarty's, one of the 'shop talk" discussed was whether or no the man, 
Charley Jones, was deaf, and that seemed to cause some merriment.

	Also that Father seemed to not have difficulty accepting that so many of our 
names are hard to say, and harder to spell as there will be 5 or 6 consonants in a row 
without a break of a vowel, as for instance, the Miss Ella Srstka we met that morning 
on the way to Mass.

	Then she mentioned the little "red headed" girl who brough Father the plate of 
cookies one noon and went home and told her mother that "Why can't we have a nice priest 
here, Mother, like Father Kelly?", her mother's maiden name was Morgan, so Maryann is 
half Irish.

[photo - Methodist Church as it looked before the bell tower was removed]

HISTORY OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

	The Methodist Church is observing its one hundredth birthday this year, 1979. It 
was organized in the Tyndall area by Rev. George Oakes in 1879, and the first meetings 
were held in the home of John Colgan on the homestead, southeast of Tyndall.

	The first church in Tyndall was the Methodist Church which was build in 
1881. By 1903, the Methodists had outgrown this church building and began planning their 
new building which was completed in 1904. This brick building is still serving the 
congregation today. It has been remodeled and refurnished during the years, keeping 
it a modern and inspiring sanctuary for worship.

	While the new building was being built in 1903, Methodist services were 
held in the Presbyterian Church. Before this, the Presbyterians had held meetings 
in the Methodist Church while their buildings were being built, as did the 
Congregationalists, also.

	In 1913 a trial Federation between the Congregational and Methodist Churches 
had proven successful and steps were taken to unite the two. Rev. S.H. Shurtleff 
was minister and services were held in the Methodist Church with Sunday School in 
the Congregational building. In 1926 the Congregational members sold their building 
and became fully merged with the Methodists and the church was known as the 
Federated Church until in 1945 when it again became known as the Methodist Church. 
It was this same year that the church basement was renovated and meeting area was 
established and called Pilgrim Hall. This has been redone and is presently known as 
Wesley Hall. It is the meeting place for the many activities of the church.

	In 1953 the exterior of the church got its first remodeling since being 
built. At this time the double doors were put in the main entrance, a new porch and 
steps made a north entrance, and the bell tower was changed.

	In 1957, Rev. John Dirks gave his farewell address after 16 years of serving 
in the Tyndall Church. This is the record for the longest period of service of any of 
the 35 ministers that have served our Church.

Page 97

	It was in 1970 that the Methodists and Presbyterians formed a cooperative 
agreement to have one pastor serve both churches. Rev. Leslie Lewis is serving as 
pastor at the present time.

	In looking back over the records of the one hundred years of growth of this 
Methodist Church, many interesting items hate been learned. As an example, at a business 
meeting of the board in 1888 a bill was allowed for one gallon of kerosene at twenty 
cents; two pounds of putty, ten cents; a broom, thirty cents; five pounds No.8 nails, 
twenty-five cents; the janitor bill for three months, three dollars. The light bill 
for the entire of 1907 was thirty dollars and eighty-five cents. In 1930 the Methodist 
orchestra played over WNAX. The membership has grown from less than seventy members in 
1879 to almost two hundred in 1919.

	The history of the church is more than the building, it is the members who 
through the years have worked to increase spiritual growth and fellowship through 
the many goals of each of the organizations, and who have used their talents, and 
money to accomplish the purpose of serving God.

[photo - M.E. Ladies Aid: (These people are on the picture) Ruth R. Lorna, 
Jay Shurtleff, Mrs. Wagner, Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Sturtevant, Mrs. Shurtleff, 
Mrs. Calendine, Mrs. Everhart, Mrs. Richmond, Mrs. Cole, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. 
Burnett, Mrs. Busch, Mrs. Eads, Mrs. Bixby, Mrs. Busch, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. 
Bowman, Miss Merrill, Ruth Shurtleff Miss Nepodal, Lorraine Bowman, Lilly 
Abbott, Miss Thomas, Miss Hunter, Rev. Shurtleff (and others)]

The United Methodist Women

	The church records indicate the Ladies Aid (its name in the early days) 
was organized and very active in 1889. It was in this year that Pastor Minty 
met with the Ladies Aid and urged the ladies to continue their good work and 
support in helping the Trustees with the operation of the church. They 
raised money for their projects by having suppers, fancy work sales, and 
apron sales. They participated in Mission programs, bought equipment for the 
church, supported the church budget and held social activities. Since there 
was no meeting area in the church, meetings were held in homes and at one time 
regular meetings were held in the Library Rest Room.

	The name of the organization was changed to Women's Society of Christian 
Service and later was changed to United Methodist Women.

	The purpose of the UMW is to be a community of women who know God and 
experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ, and to develop a 
creative, supportive fellowship and to expand concepts of mission through 
participation in global ministries of the church.

	Officers at the present time are: President, Norma Wittmeier; Vice 
President, Rita Hajek; Secretary, Evelyn Burnham; and Treasurer, Eleanor 
Fryda. The total membership is seventy-four ladies and they participate 
in basically the same programs and projects as their predecessors.
                            -Contributed by Evelyn Nohava

[photo - M.E. Ladies Aid: (those recognized by Ruth Robinson Chastka) Seated-Rev. 
Shurtleff, Richard Colgan, Tom Abbott, Uncle Jimmy Colgan, Goldie Berry. On porch: 
Mrs. Otella, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Wagner, Mrs. Sturtevant, Gladys Otella, Ruth Robinson; 
Front, Mrs. Mason, Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. Curl, Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Richmond]

page 98

[photo - Tyndall Presbyterian church built in 1882, sold in 1953]

TYNDALL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

	The Presbyterian Church of Tyndall, D. T., was organized December 20, 1880, 
at the home of John Colgan under the commission of the Board of Home Missions 
of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. Dr. D.W. Barber and 
James Dunwoodie were chosen elders, Mr. Dunwoodie, Fleming B. Colgan and William 
Little were chosen trustees, and Rev. H. P. Carson of Scotland, moderator.

	The Tyndall congregation build their church in 1881 and 1882. Rev. Carson 
drove the long and slow sixteen miles from Scotland by horse and buggy to preach 
to the congregation of 38, mostly farmers, at 2:00 p.m. The first recorded baptism 
was (infant) Marion Everett Little, son of James and Alice Little, January 16,1881. 
The church was dedicated on October 22, 1882. In appearance it was 25x41 1/2 ft. in 
size, had a 19 ft. ceiling in the clear, and a dozen beautiful windows covered with 
green shutters. With its small belfry and spire and white color it was called a "Gem".

	Although many had donated toward the building fund (including the donation of 
four lots and $50.00 by Currier and Lawler, the townsite owners), the financial 
statement indicated that there was yet to pay $750.00 of the total cost of $1875.00. 
Never has a town in South Dakota done better at a church dedication, if ever one did 
as well, as the money kept coming in until Mr. Currier rose to his feet and announced 
he would pay the last $100.00.

	In 1886, when the church began gathering money for a bell, the citizens of the 
town showed much interest as this would be the first bell ever used in Tyndall. The 
Tyndall Firemen agreed to pay half the cost if the church would be left open to permit 
ringing the bell in case of fire, and thus the bell was used for God's work and as a 
fire siren until Tyndall built its City Hall in 1890.

	Because of the inability in 1905 to get a minister, and members moving away, 
the church agreed to discontinue services, but in June, 1906, it opened again as the 
Tyndall Bohemian Presbyterian Church. First trustees and elders were Anton Pavlish 
Sr., Joe Kadlec, Wm. Youngworth and John Tomsu, and Rev. John Linka served the 
membership of nineteen. Ministers who followed were Rev. Miloslav Fillipi in 1912, 
Rev. Benj. Marek in 1918, Rev. Francis Hornicek in 1933, Rev. Benjamin Rundus in 
1943, and from 1948 to 1952 several visiting ministers and students. During this 
time the church was welcomed into the Synod of Presbytery of Sioux Falls and became 
an English church.

	In 1953, the Tyndall and Tabor Presbyterian Churches merged and became one 
congregation. The old Tyndall church was sold for $800 to George Beringer, and the 
Tabor church and manse was moved onto the same location where the Tyndall church 
had stood.

TABOR BOHEMIAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

	The Tabor Bohemian Presbyterian Church had an interesting history of its 
own. It was founded about eight miles southeast of Tyndall by Bohemian homesteaders 
who had come to the untouched prairies and settled in sod houses, log cabins or 
caves for homes. They gathered in homes on Sunday for worship. In 1878 they 
established a cemetery and the stone wall around it still stands as a monument to 
the workers of the past. The land for the cemetery was donated by Frank Uherka 
and John Sutera. In 1883, the families were organized into a church body of forty-two 
members. As the homes were small, they could not accommodate the people coming to 
the services, so it was decided to build a church of chalk rock. The chalk rock was 
cut and hauled from the Missouri River, eight miles distant. This church was finished 
in 1885. It was built without a steeple, and one was added in 1892, and a bell was 
donated by Vaclav Slavicek. In 1914, the old rock church was dismantled. and a new 
frame one built in its place. The old manse that was

[photo - Tabor Bohemian Presbyterian Church Cemetery built in 1878]

page 99

[photo - Early service at Tabor Presbyterian Church built in 1914]

located three miles from the church was sold and new manse built next to the church. 
This is the church and manse which was moved into Tyndall and placed over new 
basements, much of the work being done by parishioners.

	Ministers who served the congregation since the merger are Lee James, 
Herbert E. Ivens, and after the 1970 agreement with the Methodists to share 
a minister, Jay Funk, Gary L. Wolfer, Wally Walton, and currently Leslie Lewis.

	Much of the above information comes from a complete and interesting 
scrap book lovingly compiled by Mrs. Lillian Herman, who wrote the following poem:

	A church does not just happen, It is born
	of human need and faith and it is fed
	By tireless service, sacrifice, and prayer;
	By love and loyalty to Christ, its Head.
	It grows through vision and the zeal to dare;
	Through ministry of loving work and deed;
	By learning to forgive and to forbear;
	By fellowship of hands across the world;
	By willingness to freely give and share.
	So this, your church, was born and so it grew.
	The story of its future rests with you.

[photo - Presbyterian church being moved through Main Street going west to its new 
location on Cherry and State, 1953]

[photo - Moving the Tabor Presbyterian Church and manse to Tyndall, 1953, to merge 
with the Tyndall parish]

page 100

[photo - The original Lutheran Church purchased in 1940 from the German 
Congregationalists. Now a private home.]

TYNDALL UNITED PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN (UPW)

	The Tyndall United Presbyterian Women (UPW) was organized on September 
29,1953, but was then known as the Presbyterian Women Organization (PWO). Mrs. Gale 
Braithwaite of the Sioux Falls Presbyterial installed the first officers who 
were: President, Mrs. Louis Slama; vice-president, Mrs. Frank Sedlacek; 
fellowship chairman, Mrs. Alvin Dvoracek; recording secretary, Mrs. Lloyd Hovorka; 
corresponding secretary, Mrs. Emil L. Herman; and treasurer, Mrs. Emil Dvoracek.

	The ladies organization was formed when the Tabor Country Presbyterian 
Church building was moved to the site of the Tyndall Presbyterian Church and the 
two united as one. Prior to this move each church had circles to perform the 
functions of the ladies of the church.

	The church now still has circles that have money making projects such as 
serving lunch at farm sales and organizational groups. There are also circles who 
serve lunch after funeral services. The church did have a bazaar from 1953 till 
1957 but since then have a cash donation from members during the fall.

	The UPW provides clothing, supplies and cash for mission projects in U.S.A. 
and overseas. They also help to buy needed furnishings for the manse and church building.

	The UPW likes to co-operate with all churches in Tyndall by taking part 
in Unity Day and World Day of Prayer when ladies of all churches meet together.

	Since the UPW was organized till now the organization has added more 
officers. The present officers for 1979 are: President, Mrs. Charles Vellek; 
vice-president, Mrs. Emil Herman; recording secretary, Mrs. Leo Deurmier; 
corresponding secretary, Mrs. Fred Wurtz; treasurer, Mrs. Louis Slama; fellowship 
secretary, Mrs. Leonard Dvoracek; local world service secretary, Mrs. Arnold Gall; local 
service secretaries, Mrs. Eugene Vavruska and Mrs. Duane Simek and nominating 
committee, Mrs. Ward Winningham, Mrs. Charles Skorpik and Mrs. Marion Travnicek.
                       -Contributed by Mrs. Ruth (Charles) Vellek

ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH

	Several attempts had been made from about 1901 to 1924 to establish a 
Lutheran Church in Tyndall but it was not until 1925 under the leadership of Rev. 
J. C. Hildebrandt of Menno that a congregation was formed. About forty people 
joined to listen to his first sermon which was preached in the Bohemian 
Presbyterian Church (which had been rented for $1.50 per service). Pastor 
Hildebrandt also began a Sunday School at this time. Services continued 
in the Bohemian Presbyterian Church until 1940 when the growing congregation 
of 93 members purchased the German Congregational Church property in Tyndall 
and renovated it. It was dedicated on October 4,1942 under the leadership 
of Pastor R.A. Wegener.

	In March, 1951 the congregation bought the present church building from 
the Eigenfeld Lutheran Church which had been located southwest of Parkston (formerly 
from Armour) for $5400.00. Groundbreaking for this new church building was held 
on May 27,1951. The parsonage had been completely remodeled, and the full 
basement of the church was prepared for social and educational activities. 
A Baldwin electronic organ was installed.

	In 1968, St. John's agreed to become a dual parish with Zion Lutheran 
Church in Avon with the pastor of both congregations living in the parsonage 
at Avon. The 50th anniversary of St. John's was celebrated on November 10,1974, 
and since then the parish has continued to serve a continuing need and 
service in the community.

ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN LADIES AID

	It was on January 8, 1936 when a number of ladies and Rev, Otto Pinnt met 
at the home of Mrs. Andrew Schmidt for the purpose of organizing a ladies' 
aid society. A constitution was presented by Pastor Pinnt, and it was accepted 
and signed by the following: Mrs. Joe Pompey, Mrs. Emil Raabe, Mrs. Wm. Raabe, 
Mrs. Andrew Schmidt and Mrs. Wm. Welfl. In the election of officers, Mrs. Schmidt 
was elected president, Mrs. Wm. Raabe, vice president, Mrs. Emil Raabe as 
treasurer, and Mrs. Welfl as secretary. At the second meeting which was held 
January 23, Mrs. Em. Witt, Mrs. A. R. Johnson, Mrs. J.J. Manhalter and Calina 
Raabe became members.

	The first meetings were held in various homes. Then the Society became a 
paid-in member of the Improvement Association and held its meetings in the rest 
room. In the late 50's, the church basement being furnished, the aid moved to 
hold their meetings there.

	Through the years, the Ladies Aid assisted in numerous ways through 
various projects to furnish the church with altar paraments, hymnals, renovating 
the parsonage, sending Walther Leaguers to summer camps, giving to the mission 
fields, and other projects. The ladies were very active in raising money by 
having pancake suppers, mother and daughter banquets, bake sales, and by 
serving for farm sales.

	Current officers are Calina Marvin, Pres.; Marsha Flyer, Vice Pres.; 
Glennis Svanda, Secy.; and Norma Peschl, Treas.
                       -Contributed by Calina Marvin

page 101

THE TYNDALL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

	Pursuant to a call for a citizens meeting for the purpose of uniting the 
M.E. and G.A.R. cemeteries, and the formation of the Tyndall Cemetery Association, a 
meeting was held in the Tyndall City Hall January 18,1907. The temporary chairman 
was C. H. Stilwill and temporary secretary was Mrs. S. G. Berry.

	The proposition was presented by Rev. Jones with certain stipulations, 
one of which was that the ground should never be used for any purpose other than 
a cemetery, and another that May 30, Decoration Day be observed each year. The 
Grierson G.A.R. Post (whose cemetery was one acre in size) had one stipulation 
which it insisted on before agreeing to deed its property to the association. 
That was that the Tyndall Cemetery Association would pay $450.00 for a G.A.R. 
monument and install it. The sum of $260.00 was paid to Miss Nellie Slark for 
two and seven-eighths acres to the west of the G.A.R. cemetery for additional 
land, and the $450.00 monument was ordered from D. W. Rapalee and Sons, Sioux 
City, Ia.

	On February 1,1907 the following officers were elected: Mrs. Mattie 
McBurney, Pres.; Mrs. F. A. Kniffen, Vice Pres.; Mrs. A. G. Serr, Treas.; 
and Mrs. S. G. Berry, Secy. A 14'x16' building for the purpose of holding 
the sexton's tools and a place for rest was built with hip roof, two doors, 
and three windows. A sexton, Mr. Bitterman, was hired and soon shared with 
the Catholic Society. A row of trees was planted along the north, east and 
south sides of the cemetery, as well as along the driveway. In 1910 the 
galvanized steel wire fence with two swinging gates and a large arch with the 
word "Cemetery" at the main entrance was ordered and built at the cost of 
$425.00. To help raise money for this fence, the association served 300 people 
on Decoration Day in 1911 in the Bouza building and realized $111.28. The 
menu consisted of bread, rolls, cold meats, cabbage, potato salad, 
pickles, pies, doughnuts, baked beans and coffee.

	The first person buried in the Tyndall Cemetery was the mother of James 
Colgan (better known as Uncle Jimmie), and a marker so designates her grave 
located on the two acres donated to the M. E. Church by Mrs. Colgan and Mrs. Halliday.

	The present slate of officers are John Lubbers, Pres.; George Britton, 
Vice Pres.; Mrs. Ruth (Gilbert) Colgan, Secy. and Treas.; and Edwin Petrik, custodian.
                 -From information supplied by Mrs. Ruth Colgan

[photo - Tyndall Cemetery Association was formed in 1907, the fence paid 
for by a bazaar in 1911.]

[photo - The Colgan family at the home of Uncle Jimmy, from left, Margaret 
(Scheffield), Uncle James, William, Emma, Richard, Robert. The Colgans were 
long associated with the cemetery, the mother of James being the first person 
buried there.]

page 102

(14)  The Wars and those that Served

[photo - Home guard at Tyndall included high school boys in 1918. County 
court house in background]

	Tyndall citizens have always responded to their country's call. It was 
in April of 1898 that 80 answered the call for volunteers to go to the front 
in defense of American honor and for the protection of the Cuban patriots. 
It was a good showing for Tyndall and proved that her citizens were patriots 
of the fighting king, according to the Tyndall Register.

	A short generation later another public meeting was called for the 
purpose of organizing recruits for the National Guards. E.V. Wilcox was in 
charge of the meeting which was held early in April of 1911. Twenty of the 
22 young men who responded passed their physical exam. The boys from Tyndall 
were to unite with the Scotland organization and expected to leave in about ten 
days for training at Fort Mead.

	In May of that year forty-four men were selected to be called, and in 
September they left by train for Fort Riley, Kansas. In the spring of 1918 
another bunch of Bon Homme County boys left for Camp Lewis, American Lake, 
Washington, and a fine looking bunch they were. This made 215 boys out of 
which 149 were volunteers. From Tyndall another 123 left for Camp Douglas 
in July, 1918. This bunch were escorted from the court house by the band 
and the Home Guards to the train.

	The high school did its part in World War I by offering military 
training (instead of athletics), and the boys practiced three times a week. 
The young men who had had training in the city division were appointed as 
temporary officers.

	With war come casualties. The first one was Joseph Obr, son of Vac, who 
died of pneumonia at Camp Upton and was buried in the Presbyterian cemetery. 
Then John Mudder died of flu at Camp Warden, Wash. and was buried at home with 
the funeral on the court house lawn attended by one of the biggest crowds ever. 
Later a memorial service was held for Rudolph Pavel who was killed in battle in 
France on October 21. There were others too, but perhaps the most shocking to the 
community was the extremely sad news of the death of Stillman Pike in France of 
pneumonia. It

[photo - Food for Europe train, Tyndall depot, World War I]

[photo - Stillman Pike, World War I]

[photo - Nevele Club (eleven backwards) did Red Cross work in World War I 
Standing, from left, Anna Post, Helen Hagarty, Laura Pricket, Clara Post, Maude 
Bussey, Lydia Bixby, Mrs. Calendine; Seated ____, Anna Dwyer, Millie Curl, Christina Sykora]

page 103

[photo - Left: The Kaiser hung in effigy strung across Pearl Street in an Armistice 
Day parade, 1918]

[photo - Right: Funeral procession for Stillman Pike, casualty of World War I]

[photo - "Hang the Kaiser" parade, World War I, Pearl Street, Tyndall]

[photo - Parade of WWI veterans to memorial services at Tyndall Cemetery]

[photo - Casket bearing body of Stillman Pike arrives in Tyndall, early 1919]

[photo - Horse-drawn caisson bearing casket of Stillman Pike]

[photo - "Hang the Kaiser" parade, World War I, Pearl Street, Tyndall]

page 104

was for this very popular young man that the American Legion Post was later named. 
His flag draped casket was met at the depot by many, and was placed on a caisson drawn 
by six fine black horses. Five thousand people were said to be present and a thousand 
autos, many of which made up the parade to the Tyndall Cemetery after the funeral on 
the court house lawn.

	The end of the war was celebrated with a "Hang the Kaiser" parade largely attended 
by the citizens of the community, but before 20 years had passed, those war drums which 
were to have been silent forever, began to roll again. World War II was shortly followed 
by the Korean War, and before long the Vietnam conflict. Community people served in all.

	One local man became the focal point of a parade following his release as a 
prisoner-of-war. Eugene Vavruska was taken prisoner on the Korean front October 6, 1952, 
and was freed in a prisoner exchange ten months later. Eugene, who had lost 25 pounds 
during imprisonment was met at Tabor September 10,1953 by his parents and a delegation 
of Legion and VFW members who escorted him to Tyndall. Mayor I. H. Dunn welcomed him 
home on behalf of the community, Julius Schmidt on behalf of the VFW, and Joe Dobesh 
on behalf of the Legion.

	One has only to hear the roster called at each Memorial Day service to discern 
how many comrades-in-arms are now departed, only a slight indication of how many 
still living have served their country, many receiving wounds and others having given 
the supreme sacrifice.

	Early mention of service organizations in Tyndall include the WRC (Women's 
Relief Corps) and the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic), both of which were functioning 
in 1892 if not before.

AMERICAN LEGION

	It was on June 11,1919 that Pike Post No.2 (the second post in South 
Dakota) was temporarily organized on the lawn of the City Library with Dr. E. H. 
Boon as temporary chairman and C. C. Puckett as temporary secretary. (The only 
reason it was not the first post was because Vermillion sent a personal delegation 
to Omaha to get chartered rather than wait for the mail as Tyndall did.) The 
following is the official history of the organization up to 1924, and tells of 
its beginnings.

	A charter was applied for and received on September 18,1919. The first 
officers were E. H. Boon, Commander; Nick Zieser, Vice commander; C.C. Puckett, 
Post adjutant; Joseph Schanel, Treasurer; and Alex Geist, Historian.

	The first meetings of the post were held on the library lawn during the 
summer and fall of 1919. Then permission was given to use the rest room beneath 
the library and the post continued to meet there until January, 1923 when it 
moved into its new home in the auditorium.

	In the May city election of 1921 during the administration of Mayor L. F. 
Chladek, the city was bonded for $50,000.00 for the erection of an auditorium. 
The contract was let in the spring of 1922 and the post moved into its new home 
in January 1923. They furnished their rooms with furniture and piano with money 
which they had raised from minstrel shows and dances, costing about $1500.00. The 
membership in 1923 was 147 members.

	Pool tables and athletic equipment were purchased and a Legion band and 
orchestra, football team and basketball team were all organized. The post won 
the loving cup for four years in athletics in the Bon Homme ex-service men's 
meet.

[photo - Ceremony welcoming back Eugene Vavruska, Korean War prisoner of 
war, September 10, 1953]

[photo - First commander of Tyndall American Legion Post No.2, Dr. E. H. Boon, 1920]

[photo - Welcome home parade for Prisoner-of- War Eugene Vavruska, September 10, 1953]

page 105

[photo - The American Legion and VFW color guard at home-coming parade, 1966. The 
service organizations take pride in performing this patriotic function.]

	Today the post is still active, and very much involved in community affairs. 
Each year it sends two high school junior boys to Boys State at Aberdeen, and 
presents good citizenship awards to an outstanding eighth grader and high school 
senior. Among other activities, it takes pride in conducting patriotic services 
on Memorial Day and furnishing a color guard for local parades. The youth of the 
community are the objects of its interest and the Junior Legion baseball 
programs have been sponsored by the post for years.

	The name was changed after World War II to include the name of James 
Wagner who died while a prisoner of the Japanese.

	Current officers are:
Post Commander-Harold Hoffman
1st Vice Commander-John Rodenberg
2nd Vice Commander-Dennis Plihal
Adjutant-Col. Joe Plihal
Financial Officer-Gene Koenig
Chaplain-Andy Palsma
Historian-Joseph Hisek
Athletic-Ron Wagner
Americanism Officer-Robert Hajek
Service Office-Leo Deurmier
Child Welfare-LeRoy Sorenson
VAVS-Eddie Vavruska
Sergeant-at-Arms-Jim Berka

LAST MAN'S CLUB

	The Last Man's Club was organized on November 19, 1934 with sixteen 
original members subscribing. It was agreed that membership in the club would be 
open to all past commanders and the present commander following his election to the 
Office and continue until the death of one of the club members, thereby breaking 
the circle and closing further membership to the club. It was to meet annually 
and continue until all had answered the Roll Call up yonder to the last 
man.

[photo - Last Man's Club, 1929(10 members)]

[photo - Tyndall American Legion band at White River Frontier Days, 1922, 
(band members were presented hand-made moccasins as gifts), from Jon Flamming]

[photo - James Wagner, killed in action World War II. Post became Pike-
Wagner Post at that time.]

page 106

	When Past Commander Harry Kiestra died on August 11, 1936, membership 
was closed. However on August 16, 1945, membership was opened to all World War I 
veterans who have or will be Post Commanders of Pike Post No.2.

	The first 17 commanders of Pike-Wagner Post No. 2 comprising the original 
club were: Eugene H. Boon, Lloyd Peterson, John W. Flamming, Louis C. Eads, Paul F. 
Weisser, Michael F. Schmitt, Allan A. Dryan, Albert Kirwan, George V. Schanel, 
Leslie V. Ausman, Walter B. Mulligan, Cyrus C. Puckett, Anton J. Bambas, Roy A. 
Ferguson, Harry Kiestra, John D. Thompson and Cecil M. Dennis. The next ten, all 
veterans of WWI, were Axel L. Johnson, Walter R Bussey, Tom Plumb, Edward J. Hughes, 
John L. Lee, Lawrence H. Kreber, William J. Flamming, Joe Hisek, James C. Vlcek, 
and George R. Britton.

	It is said that George Schanel was the last of the original club, but the 
whereabouts of the bottle of champagne which he as last survivor was to have drunk 
was not known.

PIKE-WAGNER AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

	The Tyndall Unit of American Legion Auxiliary was organized May 18,1922 
with the name of Pike American Legion Auxiliary in memory of Stillman Pike, who 
lost his life for his country in France, February 1919. The name was changed to 
Pike-Wagner September 12,1946 in honor of James Wagner, World War II soldier 
who died while a prisoner of the Japanese. Mrs. Mary Ann Pike, mother of Stillman 
Pike was the first Auxiliary president.

	The charter was signed by 45 members who are as follows: Mary Ann Pike, 
Maude Slater, Laura Eads, Eveleen Davis, Susanna Hack, Lena Thompson, Emma Boon, 
Mrs. S. J. Srstka, Elizabeth Peters, Elizabeth Brooks, Mary Marks, Cora Glasner, 
Mrs. Wm. Flamming, Helen Hagarty, Gabriella Srstka, Isabel Perkins, Emma Peterson, 
Anna Piroutek, Grace Ribble, Zoa Robinson, Ann Ryan, Nell Ryan, Esther Slaaen, 
Emily Taplett, Myrtle Vaughn, Alice Wagner, Clara Wagner, Frances Wagner, Blanche 
Weisser, Kathryn Weisser, Magdelena Weisser, Celia Bollinger, Albina Dvoracek, 
Sadie Gleason, Josephine Henzlik, Lena Jones, Ella Kiehlbauch, Catherine Kirwan, 
Miss Kathryn Kirwan, Elizabeth Krause, Amy Marks, Rose McCormick, Sarah McNeil, 
Mary Metzger and Nettie Metzger.

	Of the above, Helen Hagarty and Albina Dvoracek are the only charter 
members belonging to the Unit at this time. The unit has one Gold Star Mother, 
Mary Ptak.

[photo - Last Man's Club: First 17 commanders of Pike- Wagner Post No.2, 
starting at left going up and then down; Eugene H. Boon, Lloyd Peterson, 
John W. Flamming. Louis C. Eads, Paul F. Weisser, Michael Schmitt, Allan A. 
Dryan, Albert Kirwan, Geo. V. Schanel, Leslie V. Ausman, Walter B. Mulligan, 
Cyrus C. Puckett, Anton J. Bambas, Roy A. Ferguson, Harry Kiestra, John D. 
Thompson, Cecil M. Dennis. The center ten going back right to left, Axel L. 
Johnson, Walter R. Bussey, Tom Plumb, Edward J. Hughes, John L. Lee, Lawrence 
H. Kreber, William J. Flamming, Joe Hisek, James C. Vlcek, and George R. Britton.]

Page 107

	The primary purpose of the American Legion Auxiliary is to promote 
Americanism, and to be of service to the veteran and his family and the community. 
Since the program started in 1947, each year the Auxiliary sponsors Girls State. 
This program promotes democracy and good citizenship for our leaders of tomorrow.

	In 1963 a "This is Your Life" program was held honoring Ella Srstka on 
completion of 24 continuous years as Auxiliary secretary.

	The membership is now 106 with the following slate of officers: 
President-Evelyn Fuchs, First Vice Pres-Lillian Bartunek, Second Vice 
Pres-Libby Hajek, Secretary-Helen Vavruska, Treasurer-Anne Palsma, 
Chaplain-Arda Hoffman, Historian-Helen Wagner, Parliamentarian-
Evelyn Deurmier and Color Bearers-Lorraine Rehurek and Elvina Wynia.
          -Contributed by Evelyn Fuchs

[photo - Mrs. Mary Ann Pike, editor, post. mistress, first Legion Auxiliary 
Pres., mother of Stillman Pike]

SIMEK-PTAK V. F. W. POST NO.6895 compiled by Tom Ptak

	A meeting was held May 1,1948, to organize a Veterans of Foreign Wars 
post in Tyndall, S. Dak. The members of the post elected the following: Ray Post, 
Commander; Wm. Plumb, Adjutant; Charles F. Skorpik, Quartermaster; Charles L. 
Cokely, Senior Commander.

	Thirty-nine members attended the first meeting and named the local post 
the Simek-Ptak Post, after PFC Charles Simek and Major John A. Ptak. P.F.C. Charles 
Simek was a casualty from the European theater of WWII, where he was killed in 
action in Normandy, France. Major John A. Ptak was killed in action on the Island of 
Guam in the South Pacific.

	A charter was issued to the Simek-Ptak VFW Post No.6895 May 1st, 1946. 
On June 4,1946, 62 members attended the meeting and were mustered in as members 
by Chuck Truesdell of the Ernest Bowyer Post 791 of Yankton, S. Dak.

	The Simek-Ptak Post No.6895 have sponsored or participated in the 
following civic affairs: Teenager baseball, Community summer athletic program, 
Voice of America program, military funerals, Memorial Day services, parades, 
providing hospital equipment to loan out to individuals, besides donations to 
various community organizations.

	The present 1979 officers are: Joseph E. Kostal, Commander; Joseph A. 
Zelenka, Adjutant; George Hisek, Quartermaster; Dennis A. Hovorka, Senior Commander.

[photo - Tyndall VFW Simek-Ptak Post No. 6895 established after May 1, 1946]

V. F. W. AUXILIARY

	The V. F. W. Auxiliary to Ptak-Simek Post No.6895 was organized on 
December 17,1951, after eleven eligible women had met earlier in the month to fill out 
membership cards and elect officers. Twelve ladies from the Ernest Bowyer V. F. W. 
Auxiliary of Yankton headed by Elizabeth Remp were present to install the following 
officers: President Agnes Maus, Sr. Vice Pres. Ouida Ptak, Jr. Vice Pres. 
Loretta Wurtz, Secretary Elsie Nelson, Treasurer Mary Mammel, Chaplain Sylvia 
Base, Conductress Marjory Hayward, Guard Marie Hermanek and Historian Mildred Humpal. 
Also appointed were: Trustees Doris Bambas, Elsie Skorpik and Albina Hovorka; Color 
bearers Marie Hisek; Audrey Holupka, Kathryn Peschl and Linda Schmidt; Musician 
Marie Hermanek, and Patriotic Instructor Marjorie Sternhagen. Fifteen other 
members were present.

	The primary goal of the organization was to assist in hospital work for 
veterans. Secondly, we were to aid in community projects, especially those that 
would benefit veterans or their families especially when death or sickness 
occurred. Lastly we were to encourage youth activities such as essay writing 
which would promote Americanism and respect for the flag.

	Over the years money has been raised by serving lunches, conducting bake 
sales, selling chances, and in recent years, cooking and serving the stag dinners 
for the V. F. W. post. However the most worthwhile project is the selling of buddy 
poppies which are made by disabled veterans and

page 108

[photo - The First VFW Auxiliary: Top row from left, Vera Hock, Marie Hisek, 
Marie Hermanek, Marjorie Sternhagen, Sylvia Base, Mildred Hampal, Tillie Hisek, 
Shirley Petrik, Albina Havorka, Doris Bambas, Elsie Skorpik. Bottom row, Meta 
Hisek, Audrey Holupka, Elsie Nelson, Ouida Ptak, Agnes Maus, Loretta Wurtz, 
Mary Mammel, Marjorie Mennis, Kathryn Peschl, Linda Schmidt.]

who benefit from their sales.

	Contributions are made yearly to the V. F. W. home in Eaton Rapids, 
Mich., for children of veterans whose parents are dead or unable to care 
for them, as well as to veterans' hospitals and centers. National projects 
vary from year to year depending on the wishes of the national auxiliary 
president. A community project for many years has been sponsoring the cancer 
drive, and providing flags for the schools and the Good Samaritan home. Flags 
are also available for purchase.

	The color bearers have for years been a reliable and colorful part of 
all community parades where respect to the flag is foremost, as well as taking 
part in Memorial Day programs.

	Not only does the auxiliary remember the residents at the Good Samaritan 
home with gifts at Christmas time and on their birthdays, they have always 
issued paid-up memberships to the Gold Star mothers whom they also remember 
with special gifts during the holidays.

	Socially the group sponsors mixed card parties and pot luck dinners as 
well as participating whenever possible in district meetings and state conventions.

	One of the foremost benefits of membership is low cost cancer insurance, 
but also there is the good feeling of having helped in some way the hospitalized 
veteran who is the most deserving and sometimes the most forgotten member of 
our society.

	Other women who have served as president since Agnes Maus are Ouida Ptak, 
Loretta Wurtz, Marjory Hovorka, Meta Hisek, Audrey Holupka, Shirley Petrik, Sharlen 
Hovorka, Marie Hermanek Irene Hovorka, Jeanne Wysuph, Helen Swatek, and Evelyn 
Mueller. Loretta Wurtz is the current president.

[photo - The VFW Auxiliary furnishes a flag to the Good Samaritan Center, from 
left, Helen Swatek, Administrator Bonnie Brown, Official flag raiser Herman 
Greenwood (August 11, 1977)]

page 109

(15)  Groups and Societies

BON HOMME LODGE NO.101

	The Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons is the oldest, largest and 
most widely known fraternal organization in the world, dating back to the tenth 
century B. C. during the building of King Solomon's Temple. In the 17th century, 
when cathedral building was on the decline, many guilds of stone-masons, known as 
Operative Masons or Free Masons, started to accept members who were not of the 
masonry craft, and called them Accepted Masons. It was from these groups, 
comprised mostly of Accepted Masons, that Freemasonry as we know it today 
had its beginnings.

	Contrary to what many believe, Freemasonry is not a secret society. It is 
an organization formed and existing on the broad basis of Brotherly Love, Relief 
and Truth. It seeks to make good better through its firm belief in the Fatherhood 
of God, the Brotherhood of Man and the Immortality of the Soul. Freemasonry is not 
a religion even though it is religious in character.

	With the above objectives in mind a number of Master Masons residing in Bon 
Homme County held the first meeting of Bon Homme Lodge No. 101 Under Dispensation on 
January 4, 1888. Weekly meetings accepted members through ritual until April 18, 1888 
when a charter was applied for. This cost the lodge $30.00 and individual membership 
was set at $3.00 per year. The charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Dakota 
Territory at Deadwood, S. Dak. on June 13, 1888.

	The first officers were: Worshipful Master, Vincent Kaberna; Senior Warden, 
C. H. Stilwill; Junior Warden, Joseph Williams; Treasurer, John H. Sanford; 
Secretary, Joseph Zitka; Senior Deacon, Silas S. Jones; Junior Deacon, 
Thomas Williams; Senior Steward, John Williams; Junior Steward, Thomas F. Frawley; 
Tyler, Wm. H. Nobles; Chaplain, John R. Petrie. Besides these there were thirteen 
members. (Wells Bardwell, M.P. MacArthur, J. D. Elliot, John Sherer, M.D. Gardner, 
William Van Kirk, Jos. E. Anderson, S. W. Willcox, William H. Nobles, Asa A. Grant, 
F. E. J. Warrick, Jacob P. Serr, and E. E. Fisher.)

	The first meetings were held in the C.S.P.S. Hall in Tyndall, a structure 
located on the corner where the Emil Trunec residence is presently situated. This 
was the meeting place until December 16,1896 at which time the Odd Fellows Hall 
was rented for $40.00 per annum, fuel and lights included. Two meetings per month 
were held at this time.

	In June, 1899 the lodge was moved to the C. Griswold Building. Rent was 
$100.00 per month, Order of Easter Star was accepted to have use of the hall. 
In August, 1900 the lodge moved back to the C.S.P.S. Hall. In January, 1902 
Lodge was moved once again to the Odd Fellows Hall. In March, 1913 the Masons 
considered the construction of the second floor over the Tyndall Hardware 
building. This was a joint effort with the Odd Fellows. Actual construction 
started shortly. In early 1914 the Masons moved to their present location 
over the old Tyndall Hardware building. In 1943 the Masons bought out the Odd 
Fellows share and have been sole owners ever since. The reason that the Masons 
moved so many times was because of leaky roofs.

	Some interesting highlights: A 25th anniversary of Bon Homme Lodge No. 
101 was held in July, 1913 in the form of a picnic. Masonic lodges and Eastern 
Star chapters from neighboring towns were invited. No meetings were held in 
October and November, 1918 due to the influenza epidemic. On November, 1921 
John Dewey Thompson became the 100th member of Bon Homme Lodge No.101. The 
dues had risen steadily from $3.00 to $5.00 per year till 1933. Due to the 
depression the dues were reduced to $3.00 in February, 1933. On April, 1947 
Harold D. Posey, Secretary, was given a vote of thanks for compiling certain 
historical facts pertaining to Bon Homme Lodge.

	Bon Homme Lodge No. 101 has had a number of 50 year members. They are as 
follows: Dr. Otto Isaak, John Corbin Cooley, Robert W. Griffith, L. F. Chladek, 
Charles Richard Cooley, John H. Butler, Harold J. Curl, Theran C. Halstead, Axel 
L. Johnson, John F. Weiser, Frank V. Rehurek Sr., Dr. George E. Johnson, George 
E. Wickens, David L. Wickens, Charles Davey, M. E. McCormick, H. K. Stilwill, 
Wells Bardwell, Thomas J. Libertine, Leander Eicher.

	Officers today are: Chester Fees, Worshipful Master; Steven Burtz, 
Senior Warden; Thomas Laird, Junior Warden; Rodney Skorpik, Senior Deacon; 
Lawrence Klock, Junior Deacon; Royal Koch, Treasurer; Louie Broz, Secretary; 
Marshall, Ernest Skorpik; Chaplain, Frank V. Rehurek; Senior Steward, Ludwig 
Bertsch; Junior Steward, Axel Johnson; and Tyler, John Meidinger.
                    -Contributed by Col. Joseph Plihal

CIRCLE NO.2,1914-1919

	In 1914, a lady by the name of Mrs. Sherwood saw a need in Tyndall for 
the women to get together for sociability and the exchange of ideas. It was 
through her efforts that Circle I and Circle II were formed. These groups had 
no affiliation whatsoever with any religious, political or any other faction, 
and the quota of 20 members each were received into the groups by invitation 
of the group itself. Therefore it has always been acclaimed a very high honor 
to be offered a membership in these true cross-sections of Tyndall's female 
personnel.

	The by-laws for Circle No.II were adopted on July 30,1914, but because 
the first officers had been elected in June, 1914, that date was selected as 
the birthday date. Mrs. Miller was the first president; Mrs. Wagner, Vice 
President; Mrs. Amy Glenn, Secretary; and Mrs. Richmond, Treasurer. In 1949, 
on the 35th anniversary of the group, only two charter members remained, 
Mrs. C. E. Bixby and Mrs. Glenn.

Page 110

[photo - Possible Circle II outing; Mrs. Bixby kneeling, behind her left 
Mrs. Boon, to her right Mrs. Pike; in left window Mrs. Burnett, Mrs. 
Harrison; center (right) Mrs. Berry; far right Mrs. McBurney]

	Programs at the weekly Thursday meetings were designed to promote 
literary culture and social pleasure and included book discussions, music, 
readings, current events, etc. The two circles occasionally entertained 
each other in a festive manner in the early years with special programs 
and lunches. Money making was never a prime motive, only enough as needed 
to meet expenses, do a little entertaining, and perhaps contribute to a 
needy fund. Memories include the $6.00 given to the "Soldiers Kit Fund" in 1917, 
the painful Spanish Influenza of that year when all gathering places 
were quarantined, the custom of baking birthday cakes for the members and 
presenting the honorees with "breast pins," and for many years the annual 
custom of entertaining their families twice a year. One was an outdoor 
picnic in the park in summer and the other was an indoor picnic in City 
Hall in winter.

	Mrs. William Welfl, now of Yankton, concluded the 35th anniversary 
writeup of Circle II in 1949 (much condensed above) with the following 
paragraph which still speaks today for the philosophy of the group.

	"This group has survived two World Wars, our group has been blessed by 
much happiness, prosperity and success, and has also tasted life's bitterness. 
We have been touched by death, sorrow, and catastrophe, but we bound together 
with the ties of loving friendship and human understanding and by these tokens 
we are all agreed that-LIFE IS STILL BEAUTIFUL.

	Today's officers are Mrs. Esther Zieser, President; Mrs. Leslie Bohlmann, 
Vice President; and Mrs. Frank Peschl, Secretary and Treasurer.
               -Contributed by Mrs. Ruth Colgan

[photo - Circle No.2, 1979: Front from left, Norma Peschl, Norma Biesma, Avis Meyer; 
middle row, Libby Hajek, Esther Zieser, Donna Bohlmann, Ruth Colgan; back, Marie 
Grimme, Frances Hughes, Verna Neubauer, Hilda Witt, Lillian Rehurek, Mrs. Silvernail 
and Alvina Schneider]

page 111

ELIZABETH CHAPTER O.E.S.

	Elizabeth Chapter No.54 Order of the Eastern Star, an auxiliary of Bon 
Homme Lodge No. 101 A. F. and A.M., was organized May 26, 1899. Members of Rachel 
Chapter No. 11 O.E.S. Springfield were the Instituting chapter.

	The officers elected were: Mrs. Marian Forrest, Worthy Matron; Mr. Joseph 
Zitka, Worthy Patron; Miss Evaline Baily, Associate Matron; Mrs. Mamie Pike, 
Secretary; Miss Hattie Zitka Treasurer; Miss Pauline Baily, Conductress; Mrs. 
Bussey, Associate Conductress; Laverne Forrest, Adah; Mrs. Youngworth, Ruth; 
Mrs. Chesley, Esther; H.R. Stilwill, Martha; M.H. Todd, Electa; Mrs. Chesley, 
Warder; W.G. Youngworth, Sentinel; B. Bussey, Chaplain; Lillian Tiebel, Organist; 
C.M. Forrest, Marshall.

	he Charter members were: Evaline C. Baily, L.M. Youngworth, Mrs. B. 
Bussey, Hattie Zitka, Marion A. Forrest, Luverne Forrest, Lillian Tiebel, 
Mrs. Elsie Chesley, Mrs. Mamie Pike, Pauline Baily, Joseph Zitka, W. G. 
Youngworth, B. Bussey, B.H. Wood, C.M. Forrest.

	The first meeting was held in the Masonic Hall which was in the Griswold 
Building. After a few years the Masons and Odd Fellows purchased the rooms 
located over the present Ranek Building, so the Stars paid rent and used 
the same hall for their meetings.

	The Eastern Star members have contributed to many philanthropic projects. 
Some of these are cancer research, Camp Wanzer, ( a camp for treating tubercular 
patients but now discontinued), Tyndall Community Hospital, War Prisoner Fund, 
Red Cross, March of Dimes, Children's Home in Sioux Fall, and Abbott House in Mitchell.

	The O.E.S Home located in Redfield, S.D. is maintained by Easter Star 
members. Elizabeth Chapter gave support to this home by contributing room 
furnishings, canned goods and gifts to the residents. A new and very modern 
home was built and dedicated in 1975.

	Each year all members contribute $25.00 to ESTARL (Eastern Star Training 
Awards for Religious Leadership) Rev. Wayne Rager, a former pastor of Tyndall 
United Methodist Church, was a recipient of an award from this fund.

	On May 26,1949 Elizabeth Chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary. Mamie 
Pike, the only living charter member was unable to attend. She was then residing 
in Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. George Franzen were Worthy Patron and Worthy Matron at 
the time of this observance. Visitors from Springfield, Yankton, Scotland, 
Tripp and Wagner chapters were present to enjoy the program of the evening.

	In June, 1973, Elizabeth Chapter No.54 held its final meeting. Due to 
an insufficient number of officers to continue holding meetings, the Chapter 
consolidated with Rachel Chapter No. 11 of Springfield. The first joint meeting 
was held in Springfield in September, 1973. In the year 1979 eight members of 
Elizabeth Chapter are now regular officers of Rachel Chapter.
                          -Contributed by Florence Monfore.

[photo - First Good Samaritan Center established in the old Thompson 
home (built by Dr. Moore) in late 1946, addition in 1960]

GOOD SAMARITAN HOME

The first Good Samaritan Center was opened in Tyndall on December 21, 1946, 
and Herman Oorlog was the first administrator. It was located in a large old 
house (the original Dr. Moore home) one block west of the Security State Bank 
and across the street south.

	In 1960 an addition was built (it is now an apartment home) to care for 
seventeen more residents, bring the total to thirty-one residents.

	In 1967 the new sixty-bed center in North Tyndall was completed. The 
center has four wings, three of which contain resident rooms and the fourth 
being a utility wing containing day room, office, 

page 112

[photo - Ervin Vellek, on behalf of American Legion and Calina Marvin for the 
Legion Auxiliary present a check for $500.00 to Edwin Petrik who accepts for 
the Good Samaritan Society. October 28, 1966]


laundry, personal care, employees lounge, director of nurses office, 
activity room, dining room and kitchen.

	In 1974 a supervised living wing was added with a larger personal care 
room. The old personal care room was changed to a therapy room. There are 
seventy-one residents living in the center with forty-eight full and part 
time employees working at the center.

	The first administrator of the new center was Gabe Selzler, then Charles 
Brown whose wife, Bonnie, succeeded him after his death in a tragic automobile 
accident. The present administrator is Rueben Arlt.

	Long time employees working now are Mae Oliver, physical therapist aide 
(1962-1979); Christine Winckler (29 years as cook); Hertha Losing, nurse aide 
(since 1960).

	Jan Carda, who has been activities director for ten years, lists the 
following activities recently and currently engaged in by the residents: putting on 
plays; doing crafts (string art is very popular); outings by the 14-capacity van 
including trips to the Corn Palace, the ferry at Running Water, and the dams at 
Pickstown and Yankton; movies and bowling. Several men bowl every Friday morning 
at the Tyndall Lanes. Once a week Jan reads from a book of the residents' 
choice (The Hiding Place was much enjoyed) followed by discussion. The residents 
take pride in voting in national and local elections, by absentee ballot if 
necessary. In 1978 the residents "Rocked and Rolled" for $250.00 for the heart 
fund. They have also planned teas for the people who do volunteer work at the home.

	Several community ladies have for years volunteered to wash and fix many 
heads of hair of the female residents on Friday morning. Joanne Koenig, Libby 
Hajek, Anolda Post, and Leona Becvar are among those currently performing 
this service. Other ladies come to lead singing in the Czech language, and 
about once a month bands come to play their music for the residents. Some are 
Leo Stekly's group, Florence Walloch's "Three Notes Plus", and union bands such 
as Eddie Peterka.
                                    -Contributed by Jan Carda

GOOD SAMARITAN GUILD

	The Good Samaritan Guild was organized on May 5th, 1966, to contribute 
to the comfort of the residents of the Good Samaritan Center in Tyndall. The 
first officers were: President, Mrs. Joanne Koenig; First Vice President, Mrs. 
Lois Watson; Second Vice President, Mrs. Esther Zieser; Recording Secretary, 
Mrs. John Monfore; and Treasurer, Mrs. Zeta Weber.

	The organization holds its monthly meetings on the second Monday of each 
month with the exception of the summer months and the months of January and 
February. The meetings are held in the Good Samaritan Center.

	Some of the activities the Guild provides for the residents are bingo 
parties, sing-alongs, hair dressing, mending of residents' clothing, a courtesy 
cart which includes small items which the residents can purchase.

	In December the Guild gives the residents a Christmas party with a 
program presented by churches in the community, and gifts are distributed 
by Santa Claus. The Guild is also responsible for the Mother-Daughter banquet 
which is held in May.

	Each month two Guild members furnish and serve birthday cake and coffee. 
The residents

[photo - Sing-along participants at Good Samaritan home; at piano Liz Kniffen, 
from left Tillie McCann, Barbara Taplett, Frances Hughes, Mamie Vellek]

who have birthdays during the month are seated at one table with the decorated 
birthday cake. All residents are guests at the birthday party.
			-Contributed by Florence Monfore

[photo - Help One Another Home Extension Club charter members and still active 
after more than 50 years, Mrs. Maude Schuurmans and Ruth Colgan]

HELP ONE ANOTHER HOME EXTENSION CLUB

	There are only two remaining active charter members of the original Help 
One Another Home Extension Club, formed more than fifty years ago. The two are 
Ruth (Mrs. Gilbert) Colgan who lives in Tyndall, and Maude (Mrs. Sam) Schuurmans 
who lives on a farm three miles southeast of town. Another charter member, Mrs. 
Laura Kilker, lives in Tyndall also.

[photo - I. O. O. F. Lodge was active in the early days of Tyndall. Their share of 
lodge rooms over Tyndall Hardware bought out by Masons in 1943. Sixth from left, 
back, is Oliver Plumb, father of Frances Pletka]

page 114

NATIONAL CATHOLIC SOCIETY OF FORESTERS

	Holy Rosary Court No.198 of the Women's Catholic Order of Foresters was 
organized on Sunday, Nov. 14,1926, in Tyndall, with 24 charter members. The first 
officers were Chief Ranger, Emma M. Pletka; Vice Chief Ranger, Anna C. Ryan; 
Recording Secretary; Catherine Kass: Financial Secretary, Mary B. Kirwan; Treasurer, 
Elizabeth E. Kass; Trustees, Hattie Bouska, Anna Hoch and Anne Hrachovec; 
Conductors, Clara Colgan and Vera McDermott; Sentinels, Mabel Bower and Beatrice 
Beringer. A visiting committee to visit sick members consisted of Anna Benesh, 
Kate Post and Susan Hahn. The Court's first chaplain was Rev. M.F. Dooley.

	Meeting were scheduled for the second Sunday of the month at the Community 
Center at 2:30 p.m. To raise funds, plays were put on in Tyndall and Tabor. Bake 
sales were held and banquets were served. A statue of the Sacred Heart was presented 
by the court and placed in St. Leo's Catholic Church.

	In 1936 a drill team was organized. The members wore caps and capes in yellow 
and white, the Court colors, and performed for the initiation classes.

	In 1943 thirty-three girls were organized into a Juvenile Court. The first 
officers were: Mary Slavik, Junior Chief Ranger; Mildred Bares, Junior Vice Chief 
Ranger; Dorothy Bambas, Secretary; Mary Teply, Treasurer; and Rose Mary Janele, 
Financial Secretary. Mrs. Louis Janele was appointed Junior Director.

	The local Junior Court under the direction of Mrs. Margaret Kniffen has 
recently received the merit award and a plaque for outstanding achievements. Among 
these are bonds, prizes, and scholarships to outstanding youth.

	The local Court became part of the first Southeastern District of the Women's 
Catholic Order of Foresters in 1959, and hosted the district meeting in 1960.

	In 1967 Emma Chastka, "The Forester Lady of Tyndall, S. Dak.", died. She 
loved the Foresters and had served as President for 40 years.

	In 1970 the ladies began holding their meetings at the FCMC following the 
8:30 a.m. Mass, serving parish breakfast. In 1971 the court presented a portrait of 
Father Cronin which had been painted in Italy to Monsignor Zwinger to place in 
the dining room of the center. That same year three charter members were present 
at the 45th anniversary of the Court. In 1976 50-year pins were presented to 
Beatrice Beringer, Elizabeth Kniffen, Josephine Heitgen and Martha Miller. Grace 
Cooley and Anne Piroutek were unable to attend.

	What was once a women's organization, The National Catholic Society of 
Foresters now has men, women and children as members. Among the Court activities 
are visiting the Good Samaritan Home, bringing pastries. The Juniors have 
entertained also. Masses are offered every month for living and deceased members. 
Rosary is said during the Wake Service for a member and Masses offered for them. 
The Foresters strive to demonstrate Christian love in living their motto "Love, 
Benevolence and Charity" in all their actions.

	The officers today are President, Rose Teply; Vice President, Tillie Varilek; 
Secretary, Mary Hovorka; Treasurer, Marian Bower; Financial Secretary, Eleanor 
Mikolash; Junior Director, Margaret Kniffen; Conductors, Helen Vavruska and 
Patricia Kaftan; Sentinels, Anne Humpal and Mamie Kaftan; Trustees, Mary Caba and 
Mamie Kaftan; Auditors, Anne Humpal, Evelyn McKittrick and Betty Ranek; and 
Scrapbook, Irene Koranda.
                                        -Contributed by Rose Teply

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

	Among the early record books of St Leo's Church appears the limited information 
that there was a Knights of Columbus Sub-Council formed during Father Dooley's time in 
1915 and through 1927. The Knights sponsored a banquet and served it for Father 
Dooley's Silver Jubilee in February, 1929.

	However, the Bon Homme Council of the Knights of Columbus received its charter 
April 27, 1955, with 54 charter members. The only council in the county, Bon Homme 
Council was so named because its members came from all five towns in the county.

	The first meeting was held April 18,1955, and the first initiation was May, 
1955. Francis Loetz was the first Grand Knight; Melvin Simek, Financial Secretary; 
Larry Lehr, Recorder; and William Koenig, Treasurer. Following Melvin Simek's move 
to Parkston in 1956, Paul Engel was Financial Secretary until his resignation the 
next year and James Kniffen has held that position ever since. Father Cronin was 
the first Chaplain.

	One of the first activities of Bon Homme Council was to sponsor the Cub Scouts. 
In the early years, a boat, trailer, and motor were raffled off each summer as a 
money-raising project. An annual fish derby was sponsored at Lake Tyndall. Over the 
years the council has sponsored bowling tournaments, teenage parties and dances, 
annual KC dance, memorial night for deceased members, recognition banquets, altar 
boy picnics, and have been active in the Right-to-Life and the "Tootsie-Roll" 
program. Joe Vojtisek, the council fisherman, has an annual fish fry for the 
knights and their wives.

	The following have served as Grand Knight: Francis Loetz, B.J. Post, 
Eugene Koenig, Frank J. Soukup, Elmer E. Gemar, Ralph Wilkinson, Robert Hajek, 
Frank Schneider, Wayne Schuurmans, Gordon McCann, William Koenig, Don Zimmerman, 
Dr. Glenn E. Duncan, Hayes Balvin, Charles

[photo - Emma Chastka]

page 115

Campbell, Levoyd Kreber, Dr. Edward Kniffen, George Kocer, and John 
Kreber, serving presently.

	In the spring of 1978, Father Jacques Soukup, son of Brother Frank J. 
Soukup, was ordained and said his first mass at St. Leo's on April 22.

	Bon Homme Council has grown to 93 members, this includes 59 associate, 
26 insurance, and 8 inactive insurance members.
                       -Information contributed by James Kniffen

[photo - P.E.O. at dinner party, Helen Chladek at head of table.]

P.E.O. SISTERHOOD

	Chapter AZ of the P.E.O. Sisterhood was organized in Tyndall April 
27,1939. Records list these fifteen women as charter members: Maria McCormick, 
Maxine McCormick, Nettie L. Berry, Laura E. Eads, Lurancy Kooser, Ella Stilwill, 
Laura Serr, Helen Chladek, Ruth Posey, Elvira Mulligan, Helen Isaak, Olga 
Trevillyan, Helen Scoblic, Marie E. Ptak and Hazel Laird.

	The. P. E. O. Sisterhood is a philanthropic and educational organization 
interested in bringing to women increased opportunities for higher education. 
Special grants, scholarships and loans are available to any qualified women 
to further this purpose. Founded in Iowa Wesleyan College, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, 
in 1869, there are today chapters throughout the United States, in the six 
provinces of Canada, and abroad.

	The goal of assistance to women for education is offered through these 
four philanthropies: the P.E.O. Educational Fund, a revolving loan fund established 
in 1907 to lend money to women needing it for education beyond high school; 
Cottey Junior College for Women, a full accredited liberal arts residential 
college at Nevada, Missouri, owned and supported by the P. E. O. Sisterhood 
since 1927; the International Peace Scholarship Program, established in 1949 
to provide scholar-ships for foreign students to pursue graduate study in the 
United States and Canada but are committed to return to their native countries 
to apply their knowledge; the Program for Continuing Education, established in 
1973 to provide grants to women in the United States and Canada whose circumstances 
in life dictate a return to school.
                                     -Contributed by Mrs. Phyllis Foley

[photo - Royal Neighbors: 1962, Front, Dorothy Ellsworth, Mamie Vellek, Beatrice 
Beringer, Helen Hagarty, Gertrude DeRoos, Martha Marek, Sylvia Janele; Rack, LouAnn 
Grimme, Ellen Stemper, Babe Bechtold, Marie Branaugh (Yankton); Barb Taplett, 
Ida Worpele (Winner), Rose Williams, Edna Hold, (Brookings)]

ROYAL NEIGHBORS

	This group is no longer active, but for many years dedicated itself to the 
furthering of good deeds for those in the community who required assistance. 
Meetings during recent years involved playing of cards and good-neighborly visiting.

[photo - Royal Neighbors at convention in Menno, 1936: 1st row, Sylvia Janele, 
Dorothy Ellsworth, Barb Taplett; 2nd row, Olga Janele, Gene Gross (deputy), 
Erma Boyles Thompson, Rose Hokuf, Dode Proks, Lizie Biersdorf, Violet Vilhauer, 
Helen Bambas, Ann Bambas.]

ST. MICHAEL'S HOSPITAL AUXILIARY, 1948-1979

	In 1948 due mainly to the efforts of Mike Schmitt, John Post and Ray Post, 
the Tyndall Community Hospital Association was formed. Ten local men each put in 
$1000 loaned interest free to the association. The former Dr. Klima residence was 
purchased and converted to a hospital. This hospital was operated for five months 
by the city.

	In the early part of December 1948, the Benedictine Sisters from Sacred Heart 
Convent in Yankton arrived to take over the operation of the ten-bed hospital.

	Sister Luitgard, anesthetist and administrator, Sister Ursula, R.N., and a 
dietician arrived first, followed soon by Sisters Michael and Roberta, both R. N.'s. 
These Sisters remained here for several years.

	Due to Sister Luitgard's suggestion that an auxiliary would be very helpful 
to the new and inadequately equipped hospital, a meeting of ladies who were interested 
was called by the officers of the Tyndall Improvement Association.

	This meeting was held on January 24,1949. In spite of bad roads and extremely 
cold weather, a large crowd was present. After Sister Luitgard gave a very informative 
talk on the need and purposes of an auxiliary, it was unanimously agreed to form one. 
On Thursday, January 24, 1949, St. Michael's Hospital Auxiliary was born.

	At that meeting Sister Luitgard announced that the first great need was an 
oxygen tent. The estimated cost was $650. The new auxiliary was without funds, but 
two members anonymously loaned the money without interest until funds would be 
raised. At the next meeting one month later $440. had been raised. In three months 
the loan was repaid.

	At the second meeting officers were elected and the constitution and by-
laws read and approved. A motion was also made and carried that all monies earned 
by or donated to the Auxiliary were to be used only for hospital purposes or 
maintenance. This rule is still in effect and scrupulously carried out. The 
first officers were: Mrs. Leonard Mueller, President; Mrs. John Post, First Vice 
President; Mrs. J. W. Zieser, Second Vice President; Mrs. Albert Wacker, Secretary; 
and Mrs. Art Vilhauer, Treasurer.

	In May of 1949 construction on the old wing of the hospital was started. 
Open house was held in February, 1950. The first building then became the Sister's 
residence. On May 4,1967 ground was broken for the new addition. On September 28, 1968 
the new wing was dedicated bringing the bed capacity to nine in the extended care unit 
and to twenty-five in the hospital area.

	Over the past 30 years equipment totaling over $20,000 has been purchased by 
the Auxiliary, much of it when the cost was only one-fourth of present prices. In 
addition to monetary gifts, over the years the ladies have made pajamas, hemmed 
towels, made puppets for the pediatrics department, given pantry showers and made 
tray-favors.

	The Auxiliary has sponsored baby-sitting classes, a medical self-help civil 
defense course, and a defensive driver's course. The volunteer program was also 
a much needed service. Money has been raised by holding bazaars, serving dinners 
for other organizations, soup kitchens, ice cream socials, bake sales and food 
boxes. We have sold cook books, cards, placemats and pencils.

[photo - St. Michael's Hospital Auxiliary sponsored an open house for the first new 
hospital in March, 1950. The first baby born there was Michaeline Peschl.]

page 117

	The economic impact of the hospital in the community should be commented 
upon. It is the single largest employer in Tyndall, having at the present time about 
60 employees. Everything possible is purchased locally. It also brings people to 
our community who also purchase from our local merchants.

	Every lady in the area is urged to join. Dues are only $1.00 per year as they 
have been since the organization started. The hospital needs the Auxiliary and the 
Auxiliary needs you.
                                         -Contributed by Mrs. Louise Ranek

[photo - Dedication ceremonies of the new Carnegie library built largely by effort 
of Tyndall Improvement Association]

SENIOR CITIZENS

	The Tyndall Senior Citizens were organized through the efforts of the Community 
Action Program personnel of which Margaret Ribble was the coordinator in September, 
1970. The Senior Club of Tyndall, as it was called, had twenty-two members with Mrs. 
Vaclav Plavec as president and Mrs. Mary Krcil as secretary-treasurer. They first met 
in the auditorium basement, then in the Joe Hoch building, and again back in the 
auditorium basement.

	Father Francis Cronin, after attending one of the Seniors Club meetings, 
realized the danger for the seniors having to use the flight of steps to attend their 
activities and invited the club to use rooms that were not being used in the Cronin 
Center. Soon there were no rooms available, so the Seniors Club rented the Donald 
Wysuph Recreation building known as the Panther Rec. The Senior Citizens enjoyed 
bingo, card games, and good fellowship, also observed birthdays and dancing when in 
the auditorium.

	The Seniors Club realized that there was a need to purchase a building of their 
own and secure a charter as the membership now numbered eighty-six. The Milo Novak 
building across the Post Office was bought. The Senior Citizens received their 
Certificate of Incorporation May 25, 1976.

	Many Senior Citizens devoted much in furthering the success of the organization 
(too numerous to mention) besides the officers who led the organization to where it is 
today during the Centennial Year. Those who should be mentioned and are not with us are 
our first president, Mrs. Vaclav Plavec and two all-around handy men, Fred Stolz and 
Bill Dunsmore. Many of their efforts are evidenced in the Senior Citizen's Center. 
Then there were the many thoughtful persons who helped furnish furniture and kitchen 
appliances and those who helped by money donations and by participating in the 
Senior Citizen activities such as guest days, soup kitchens, and bake sales.

	The Centennial Council consists of the following: President, Emil Plihal; Vice 
President, Ruth Colgan; Secretary, Martha Stolz; Treasurer, Hulda Vogel; Member-at-
large, Helen Swatek.

	Now the Senior Citizen's Center is a busy place each Monday and Thursday 
afternoon in the comfortable, paneled and carpeted rooms. Birthdays are observed with 
a dessert lunch served on a special table just for the celebrants. Pictures are taken 
and placed in a photo album. Of course the birthday song is sung.

	The quilt committee has quilted sixteen quilts and tied two quilts. One is about 
to be placed on the frame way from Mississippi (January 1979). Men sold chances on beef 
and pork packages -Fred Stolz's last project.

	We need no janitor nor cooks in preparing the lunches after games and parties. 
The Senior Citizens do these jobs. Regular business meetings are held each month. 
Attendance is good and new ideas are presented to further the success of the group. 
An up-to-date scrap book is kept since 1970, and weekly news put in the newspaper.
                                             -Contributed by Helen Swatek

page 118

TYNDALL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

	The Town Improvement Association was organized in January, 1913. This 
group of ladies evidently felt the need of a civic organization for Tyndall. 
The records show that at this meeting a motion was made and carried that the 
sewing circle withdraw and leave the balance of the afternoon for the 
organization of such a club. After much nominating and balloting, the 
following officers were elected: President, Mrs. Berry; Vice President, 
Mrs. Youngworth; Secretary, Mrs. Brelsford; and Treasurer, Mrs. Setzer. 
They voted the membership fee to be $1.00. The group evidently felt they 
needed the backing of their townsmen for they elected five business men to 
act as an advisory board. These men were Prof. Everhart, Mr. Morgan, Mr. J. L. 
Barber, Rev. Shurtleff and Dr. Berry. Other members present were Mrs. Sturtevant, 
Mrs. Shurtleff, Mrs. Serr, and Mrs. James Barber, and two guests, Mrs. Pike and 
Mrs. Scoblic.

	Two more meetings were held during January, one at Mrs. Barber's and another 
at Minier's Tavern. Many ladies had been invited and attended. Uppermost in the 
minds of this organization was a desire in some way to work toward a library and 
to establish a suitable "Rest Room", and to beautify the town in general. The first 
public Rest Room was located in the old Biersdorf meat market building at $10.00 
per month.

	Many projects and activities were carried out to make money. Public dinners, 
home talent plays, ice cream socials, sponsoring chautauquas, etc. One of the first 
beautifying projects was the railroad track park on south Pearl at which place they 
filled in an unsightly hole which had been filled with garbage. A comfortable bench 
still marks the place today.

	On September 14 of the first year the association moved into the basement rooms 
of the Security Bank building. Soon in this traveling library were over 300 books plus 
fifty from the State Library. A money-making project was the loaning out for two cents 
each the 96 folding chairs they owned, and the organization made $50.00 in that way 
to contribute to the library commission for book cases.

	Feeling the need for a well-stocked kitchen with dishes, stove, etc., the 
association invited the ladies aids of the different churches to go in with them. Even 
today each church organization still has a member on the Housekeeping committee.

	When the Washington Highway (the old Highway 50) was being built, the ladies took 
hot coffee to the men workers, and later brought them into the rest room at noon to 
serve them a free hot meal.

	By October 1915, the library spirit was at it again, there now being 626 books 
on the shelves, but the ladies wanted more. A committee of ladies circulated a 
petition to bring the matter of a new library before the voters, and the result 
was the new Carnegie Library which provided new headquarters for rest room and 
meeting place with heat and lights furnished.

	During WWI the Red Cross was started. Also the auditorium was built soon after 
and the Improvement Association furnished the basement of that building also. At this 
time the ladies served the Commercial Club suppers, the ladies taking turns.

	In the 20's the ladies planted flowers in the Railroad Park, put picnic tables 
in the city park, had trees planted, and purchased files for the library. In the early 
30's they had bake sales, formed a parent-teacher organization, and installed two 
tire swings and a sand box in the city park. Another project was a lily pond in the 
park which they took care of for many years. They worked especially hard to raise 
money for the new swimming pool, selling chances and holding a carnival. A new gas stove 
was purchased in 1936 to replace the two kerosene ones in the community center.

	In the early 40's the first bakes were put in the city park. The war years saw 
the ladies conducting the paper drives, doing Red Cross sewing, giving to the USO, in 
fact continually giving of themselves in every way to help the war effort. One waste 
paper drive collected over 10,000 lbs. and others over 9000 and 7000 lbs. The 
Improvement Association ran the pop stand at the baseball field for several summers 
with Mrs. Kornder as chairman.

	Although activities have declined somewhat, the Improvement Association still 
meets regularly. Rental fees for the community center and the auditorium kitchen are 
used for upkeep, and the familiar TIA is still stenciled on the backs of folding 
chairs for rent. Current officers are President, Esther Zieser; Secretary, Edna 
Dobesh; and Calina Marvin, Treasurer.
                        -Contributed by Calina Marvin

TYNDALL JAYCEES

	On November 5,1973 the Scotland and Yankton Jaycees helped charter the 
Tyndall Jaycees. The first officers were President, Tom Logue; Internal Vice 
President, Cal Tjeerdsma; External Vice President, Bob Ward; Treasurer, Gene 
Borland; State Director, Dennis Plihal; and on the Board of Directors Ray Bares, 
Dave Grieser, and Joe Potter. Ten other young men were members and James Zieser 
was chapter attorney.

	What kind of an organization would attract all these people? The Jaycees 
is an organization for young men ages 18-35. The organization offers both internal 
and external projects that benefit members and non-members, young and old.

	Some of the internal projects and programs are as follows: Drug awareness; 
Family life and development; Speak-up; Parliamentary procedure; and Personal 
dynamics. Successful external projects were the 1974 Tyndall Lake cleanup, 
1975 tree planting effort and Operation Tot-Finder, 1976 Panther Day parade 
and Tractor pull, 1977 jelly drive, proceeds going to Senior Citizens for

[photo - Tyndall Improvement Association: Helen Scoblic, left, and Calina Marvin 
in auditorium kitchen.]

page 119

a water heater, and in 1978, the Family Fun Sunday. Annual projects still sponsored 
are jelly drive in February, the bowling tournament in March, the BB gun shoot in 
April, outstanding Senior scholarship in May, Czech Day float in June, a horse show 
in August, Junior Legion football in September, and a kids Halloween party in 
October. Scholarship recipients have been since 1974 Clark Kelley, Ron McCann, 
Bruce Kocourek, Jim DeWald, and Merrill Van Gerpen.

	Seven of the present 21 members are charter members. They are Gene Carda, 
Wayne Hajek, Francis Koster, Tom Laird, Dennis Plihal, Wilmer Rokusek, and James 
Zieser. Current officers are President, Gene Carda; International Vice President, 
Jim Sip; Ext. Vice President, Wayne Hajek; Secretary-Treasurer, Francis Koster; 
State Director, Wilmer Rokusek; and on the Board of Directors, Dennis Plihal, 
Doug Johnson, and Joe Sedlacek.

	Young as this organization is, they have contributed much to the town of 
Tyndall. They have two main goals, improve your community while you improve 
yourself. As we look at some of their accomplishments, we can see that they are 
doing just this.
                                       -Contributed by Francis Koster

TYNDALL AREA JAYCETTES

	Tyndall Area Jaycettes were chartered jointly with the Jaycees on October 
20, 1973 with six members. Janae Herman was charter president.

	The purpose of the Jaycettes is to promote Jayceeism by accepting the 
challenge of our personal development as we uphold the Jaycee ideals. By 
associating ourselves together we can take a positive step toward enriching 
the lives of each Jaycette in her spiritual, personal, family, community, 
and state development.

	The Tyndall Jaycettes were very active in starting the girl scouts, held 
a babysitting clinic, helped other groups with the Easter egg hunt and bike safety 
course. Last year (1978) we did the Mother's March for the March of Dimes and 
secured money for the baby warmer at the Tyndall hospital.
                                       -Contributed by Mary Plihal

TYNDALL ROTARY CLUB

	Tyndall Rotary Club was organized late in the year of 1929 with Yankton 
Rotary Club as the sponsoring club. Rotary is an international service organization 
and Tyndall received its charter No. 3248 on January 30,1930, and has been Tyndall's 
service club the past 49 years. The first club president was L. V. Ausman and the 
last charter member was Dr. Otto Isaak. Twenty-seven Tyndall business and 
professional men made up the list of charter members.

	The regular weekly meeting time of the clubs was Tuesday noon which was later 
changed to Monday evening. The meeting place has been the Tyndall Community Center 
for 49 years since the club's organization, and Mrs. Bertha Marek has served the 
club meals for the past 40 years.

	Tyndall Rotary Club was the sponsoring club for the Springfield and Wagner 
Rotary Clubs. Some of the recent projects of the Rotary Club are the tennis courts 
and lighting, picnic shelters, playground equipment and softball field at the park, 
and bleachers at the baseball field. The Bicentennial project was the initiation 
of Rotary's "Tyndall Athletic Hall of Fame", part of which was the printing of a 
history of track and field in Tyndall High School by Howard Taplett. The Tyndall 
Rotary Club annually hosts the teachers of the public school system and their 
spouses at a get-acquainted banquet in the fall, and an athletic banquet for 
all athletes at the school in the spring.

	After a half century of service to the Tyndall community, the Rotary 
club is looking forward to the next 50 years of service.

Early Presidents:
1930  L.V. Ausman
1949  George Ulrich
1931 H.K. Stilwill
1950 Ray McDaniels
1932 Herm Klima
1951 John Kostel
1933 Dr. Otto Isaak
1952 Ralph Moore
1934 A. A. Bryan
1953 Willis Everson
1935 L. J. Schuett
1954 William Raabe
1936 J. T. Trevillyan
1955 William Edwards
1937 J.C. Miller
1938 Henry Halla
1939 Frank Dodds, Leon Serr
1940 Carl Lehman
1941 E.B. Dvoracek
1942 F.J. Plachy
1943 Jim Krall
1944 Dr. Henry E. Kiehlbaugh
1945 Frank Scoblic
1946 Harold Posey
1947 Joe Hoch
1948 Leonard Mueller
                    -Contributed by Marvin Meyer

[photo - Rotarians, 1958: Back row, Martin Carliale, Joe Maruska, Maynard Serr, 
Arnold Wittkop, Dr. Henry Kiehlbaugh, Marvin Meyer, Ray Mueller, Al Wacker; 
Second row, Leonard Mueller, Bill Edwards, John Trevillyan, Emil Dvoracek, 
Dr. Darrell Ludeman, Ernest Evers, William Raabe; Front, Ted Svanda, Arnold 
Reich, Ralph Moore.]

page 120

(16)  The Tyndall Public School System

[photo - The old brick school built in 1888 which burned in 1929-this taken about 1910]

[photo - Below left: First formal commencement program, THS Class of '93 
(First graduating class was 1892)]

[photo - Below right: THS Class of 1911: Top row, Joe Hisek, Wm. Ferguson, Aug. 
Weisser, Jim Oliva. T. Murphy, Roy Ferguson, T. Nedved; Middle, Julia Austera, 
Jane Regin, Francis Colgan, Teacher Mary Cooley, Anna Kreycik, Marie Bowers; 
Front, Bessie Robinson, Floss Muller]

	It seems to be pretty well established that the first building used for 
school purposes in 1880 was a frame building belonging to Martin Roose, first 
postmaster in Tyndall, which was located on State Street near Broadway (where 
the former Good Samaritan home once stood, now a vacant lot). For one season 
this was a school room with 15 pupils and teacher, Miss America Richmond. 
In June, 1882 D.W. Currier donated an entire block (one of the best in town) 
for a school site, and it was on this site that a new frame building was built 
at a cost of nearly $1800. The first teachers there were Jane Bell and William 
Little. As early as 1883 space was crowded, however, and certain grades were held 
in different places. The present Petrik Funeral Home (built by V.J. Ptak) did 
service as a school, as evidenced by assignments of lessons discovered on the 
walls during remodeling when the home was owned by the John Kostels.

	By 1888 the enrollment reached almost a hundred and new facilities were 
built. The structure was a two-story brick building which cost $6000, and which 
was, by 1892 housing 180 pupils and 4 teachers including Prof. W. W. Israel. 
A high board sidewalk was constructed so that boat transportation was no longer 
necessary to cross the lake between it and downtown. There were two high school 
graduates in 1892 (Grace Cotton and Paul McDonald), and in 1893 Guy McDonald and 
Kate Weisser. There were even closing exercises that year with an address by F. A. 
Morgan and a serenade by the cornet band. The 6th annual graduation exercises 
held in May of 1898 were even more elaborate. Weisser's Hall was beautifully 
decorated with the class colors of royal purple and gold. The invocation was 
delivered by Rev. J.H. Olmstead and instrumental music was rendered by Mrs. 
P. W. Smith, Miss Hattie Zitka, Miss Mamo McAuley, and the male quartette. Eli 
Burt, one of the grads, had enlisted in the Army and was not present. His

page 121

chair was enveloped with flags of both countries (U.S. and Cuba) and a gun was 
placed upon it. The six graduates presented an essay, four orations, and the 
class prophecy for the program.

	In those days it was customary for the public school to have a field day 
with school exhibits, football and other field sports arranged for the afternoon 
and a literary program in the evening. Parades were enjoyed also. Washington's 
birthday was observed with one in 1898 when 250 school children under the 
direction of Prof. Clark and assistants marched through the streets carrying 
flags and presenting a very pleasant sight.

	In 1898 a Bohemian school was held in the C.S.P.S. hall, and again 
in June, 1912 an experienced teacher in both Bohemian and English, Stanley 
Kramar, was conducting a Bohemian school during two summer months. About 40 
Tyndall children were in attendance.

	In 1904, mention was made of a recurring problem even today, that 
of unsupervised play. The February 6 paper said:

	The young daughter of Jos. Cerny, 9 years old who is living with 
Frank Srstka's family was pushed down stairs at the north school building 
Monday and sustained a broken leg below the knee. Dr. Sedlacek is in 
attendance. This accident occurred at 1:00 o'clock after the children had 
returned from their home, and there appears to have been no teacher or 
other person present to control the rough and boisterous actions of the 
pupils. Other but smaller accidents have often taken place in the building 
or on the school grounds, the teachers apparently making no effort to

[photo - Top left: Third graders in the old brick school in 1913]

[photo - Top right: First home ec class in THS, 1916.]


[photo - Below: Tyndall High School assembly hall in old brick school in 1917]

page 122

maintain order after the pupils left the school room. Dr. Sedlacek suggests that 
parents should allow their children to leave for school only in time to reach the 
building before school is called.

	There was some supervised play, however, even after hours. In 1917 a spelling 
bee was held at the school and was a big success. The assembly room was so crowded 
that a large number could not get in. In a preliminary, the best grade and high 
school spellers were chosen to represent their grades in the evening with the 
grownups. Dr. Boon was the last one on the floor, going down on "appendicitis". The 
spelling bee was followed by a two-act play from the book The Hoosier School 
Master. $71.25 was raised for the Red Cross.

	What sounded like good fun took place in December of 1919 when a bobsled, 
three horses, twelve buns, a few wieners, fourteen girls, twelve boys plus a 
chaperone, some small sleds and lots of pep plowed their way out to the hills for 
a coast one Monday afternoon. (Golf course?)

	For many years there was a Literary Society in connection with the school 
for development of thinking and speaking ability. Debate was added to the program, 
and soon dramatic programs. Hayes Stilwill, Ella Srstka, and Leon Serr, all took 
part in plays not only in high school but in grammar school (Hazel Abbott)

[photo - First THS state champions in debate, 1922: Back, Lawrence Newmark, 
Leonard Chastka; front, Mable Thompson, Howard McBurney]

[photo - Below left: THS State Debate champs 1925: Fred Wright, Ruth Robinson, 
Abbie Wagner, Joe Chladek]

[photo - Below right: 1926 Debaters, in semifinals in state tourney, Ray Post, 
Evelyn Taplett, William Lang, William McCann]

	It is not strange that with so much emphasis on speaking activities, Tyndall 
High School became renowned in forensics, winning 16 state championships and other 
honors in declamation and oratory in the early years, especially through the '20's.

	Ruth Robinson (Chaskta) was editor of the THS Megaphone in 1925, and the 
following is her description of the debate program of that year.

	Certainly, if nothing else had been accomplished by the school, the 1924 and 
25 debate season would make this a red letter year. Not only has Tyndall received 
high honors in inter-scholastic debating but a fine record had also been established 
right in the high school. Out of an enrollment of 127, 68 students signed for the 
try-outs. Two days and two evenings were given to these try-outs after which 24 were 
selected to continue the work. During the next three months these 24 working in 
teams of three debated with teams from other towns. Out of 13 debates, 9 were won 
and 4 were lost. About a month before the district tournament the first eight were 
selected after again holding tryouts. Tyndall won the district by winning 6-0, 
affirmative and negative each winning three. The first four debaters were finally 
selected then, and a month later Tyndall won the State Debating League Championship - the 
second time Tyndall has won this cup (the first in the state to do so).

	Tyndall High School became state champions in debate again in 1933, and 
the town responded in this way:

page 123

	State debate champions again! Besides winning the state championship, our debate 
squad for this year, under the leadership of Coach Mills had made a good record. The 
squad as a whole, which included 16 debaters was entered in 43 debates, they won 20, 
lost 7, and held 16 non-decision debates.

	Tyndall was proud of the honor won by our debate team and showed its appreciation 
in an open manner. Pandemonium broke loose in the best and liveliest style Wednesday 
evening and the biggest celebration since the Armistice Day celebration in 1918 was 
staged on the arrival home of Coach Glen Mills and his debaters who again put our 
school on the map. The boys of the American Legion sponsored the reception and 
homecoming. They built a mammoth bonfire near the Ford garage, the flames of which 
went high in the air and a beacon light was placed in the near distance. The firemen 
drove out their big new fire truck and loaded thereon the four debaters and their 
coach and drove near the bonfire. The fire whistle blew long and loud and all the 
church bells of the city rang out their glad appeal. The mayor, L. V. Ausman, was 
master of ceremonies and the local high school band played several selections.

	Tyndall had a right to be proud. Not only had they won first place in 1922, 
1925, and 1933, but they earned second places in 1927, 1928, and 1930. It was a 
feat not to be repeated until 1978 when Tim Kniffen and Merlin Van Gerpen became 
the state champs.

	The honors in athletics have equaled if not surpassed those in forensics. 
Tyndall is said to have had the first football team in the state, playing a game 
with Yankton in 1899. Tyndall also won the first trackmeet in the state in 1903 
so that by 1953 they could boast of 64 honors in track, 8 in basketball, and a 
champion football team for at least 8 years. (Hazel Abbott)

	A game with Yankton in November of 1912 was worthy of the following 
mention in the local paper:

[photo - Above left: State champions in debate, 1933, last year all schools 
competed together: Girls, Marjory Collins, Helen Minow; Back, Jonas Vilhauer, 
Coach Glen Mills, Robert Halla]

[photo - Above right: State champions in Debate 1978: Merlin Van Gerpen, Coach 
Scott Shephard, Tim Kniffen. (Same twosome earned a 3rd in 1979)]

[photo - Below: THS 1952 SESD 8-0 Champs, Coach Howard Taplett]

page 124

[photo 1907 football team: Reclining, J. Oliva: seated Wm. Flamming, Jake (Check) 
Bollinger, Ed. Colgan, Fr. Soukup: Back row, Steele, Herb Sidle Ed Hughes, Paul 
Weiser, Krause (from Russia), A. Kiehlbaugh, Matt (Mike) Oliva]

[photo - Below, THS football team, early 20's: Coach Card with cap in back row, far 
left, others include Oliva, Krall, Wagner, Kelly, Taplett (3rd from right standing), 
Glenn (far right standing), John Maus (sitting front, far left)]

[photo - THS l909 football team: Reclining, Captain Ed Colgan: Front row, Rog. 
Ferguson, Tom Nedved, C. Cooley, T. Murphy, J. Hisek, Wm. Ferguson, F. Soukup; 
Back, J. Oliva, Prof. Everhart (coach), L. Kiehlbaugh, J. Slater, A. Kiehlbaugh]

	The Tyndall football team played the Yankton High School second team last 
Friday defeating them 31-3. Yankton takes its defeat badly laying all the blame 
on the married men who played with the Tyndall team and their ignorance of our 
boys' signals. We are sorry to inform them only one married man played and he 
was invited only after the boys learned that three of the college boys were 
to play with the Yankton team November 1912.

[photo - First state champions in track, 1903: Front from left, F. Sperb, J. Sperb, 
Fredrich, L. Chladek, Sunderlin; Back, C. Kielbauch, Cole, Kirk, Abbott, W. Kielbauch, 
Johnson, Williamson: holding banner, Superintendent Clark]

page 125

[photo - THS Track stars of 1929: Left, Tom Ptak, and Joe Plihal. Along with Joe 
Dobesh and Jerry Hermanek, the quartet (all still living in Tyndall) ran the quarter 
and half-mile relay even competing in the Stagg Relays in Chicago.]

[photo - Ray Schamber, outstanding sprinter of '52, '53, '54, and football player]

	About the 1903 track meet held at Tyndall, Superintendent E. D. Wood 
submitted this report.

	October 24,1903: The Tyndall High School athletic association held its second 
annual meet last Saturday. The exercises were interesting and were witnessed by a 
large crowd, several visitors from Springfield being present. State records were 
broken in several events. The 220 dash was lowered from 25 1/2 seconds to 25.
440 run from 60 2/5 to 60; 120 hurdles from 21 2/5 to 20 2/5; broad jump from 
17 ft. 10 in. to 18 ft. 2 in.; hammer throw from 86 ft. 1 in. to 98 ft. 6 in.

[photo - Above left: Dick Hajek. Gene Wagner, Gerald Hermanek with trophies 
accumulated 1952, '53, '54. With R. Schamber won 40 consecutive 440 and 880 relays]

[photo - Above right: LeRoy "Lefty" Hisek, triple winner in 1967 State meet, 
100 yd. dash in 10.0]

[photo - 1967 State champions: Front, from left, Don Hinzman, Lefty Hisek, Dick 
Merkwan: Back, Asst. Coach Rob Holmes, Don Hajek, Mike Whalen, Bernie Schuurmans, 
Coach Howard Taplett]

page 126

	In 1976 Howard Taplett, TTHS principal, compiled and wrote a complete 
history of track and field for Tyndall High School. The bicentennial project 
sponsored by the Tyndall Rotary Club spells in detail the schools outstanding 
track achievements. Mr. Taplett coached the track team to seven state 
championships and two runners-up trophies in his fifteen year tenure as coach.

	More than one THS track star went on to perform equally well in college 
and Joe Plihal was no exception. Today a retired Air Force Colonel, Joe attended 
SDSU in the 30's, and when he was elected captain of the 1934 State track team, 
this item appeared: (-June 8,1933)

	"Joe, who does so many things well that his coaches are sometimes almost 
undecided what to emphasize, is one of the most versatile athletes at State . . . the 
half mile, hurdles, the weights in field events, basketball, football . . . an expert 
rifle shot and one of the best pistol marksman ever to attend State. . . an 
excellent student who maintains a high ranking despite the fact that a large amount 
of his time is taken not only with athletics but with manual labor, by means of 
which he earns his way through school."

[photo - David Meyer triple winner in State A meet, 1971: 14.6 in 120 high hurdles, 
100 yd. dash in 9.9, and 180 low hurdles in all-time record 19.2]

	We know that THS was playing baseball in 1911 because the newspaper reported 
that Prof. Everhart had accompanied the team to Vermillion to cross bats with the 
high school team there the next day. However, in April of 1917, the team must have 
been superior as evidenced by this news item:

	April 20,1917: Tyndall has been able to boast of high school baseball teams 
in the past but the boys who crossed bats with the Normalites on the local diamond 
last Friday were undoubtedly the best who ever stepped across the Tyndall plate. 
Come and see the team work and watch Eddie (Metzger?) hit. (Tyndall won 13-12 in 
the 16th inning.)

	Girls played basketball before boys in THS. The first-ever girls game was 
against Wagner, according to the November 12,1912 local paper, and Tyndall 
lost 11-4. A game on January 6,1921 saw the girls playing their first game on 
an indoor court, this one with Scotland. It was a double-header, the second 
game being the first ever for the Tyndall boys. All twelve of the men on the 
squad were given a try-out in the successful 25-15 win, and a first team was to be 
formulated soon. These games took place in the Aerdome, a tin building formerly 
located behind what is now Gene's G. W.

[photo - TTHS Girls basketball district 25 winners, 1976-77: Front. Lori Gall, 
Jane Schuurmans Debbie Pavel, Pattie Schmidt, Susan Watson, Back. Coach Jim Stoebner, 
Genise Schuurmans, Kris Schuurmans, Susan Schuurmans, Jackie Hruska. Renae Souhrada, 
Asst. Coach John Sutera]

[photo - Girls Basketball, 1925: From left, Agnes Hanrahan. Anne Hrachovec, Margaret 
Smith, Esther Glynn, Amelia Vavruska, Ella Piroutek, Isabelle Wright, Abbye Wagner, 
Ethel Britton.]

page 127

[photo - THS Basketball 1937-1938, Bon Homme Co. Champs: Front, E. Szymanski, H. 
Taplett, D. Laird, E. Schmoll, J. Wagner; Back, Coach Val Hladky, N. Schuett, R. Ptak, 
G. Robinson, W. Minow, E. Pompey, W. Bouska]

[photo - Tyndall High School Basketball team No. 3 in state, 1969. From left, Mike 
Philippi, Ken Weisser, Mike Watson, Jim Taplett, Jim Becvar, Dale Zimmerman, Rick 
Wittmeier, Dan Winckler, Gary Schuurmans, Den Witt, Pat Philippi, (kneeling) 
assistant coach Bob Holmes and Coach Bob Brink]

	We know that in 1922 the city council agreed to allow the high school to play 
basketball in the new auditorium basement, this continuing till at least 1927.

	The girls' best teams were in the mid-20's, while the boys travelled three 
times to the State B's, 1936, 1969 and 1972. The team of 1969 under Coach Bob Brink 
was the only boys' team ever to go undefeated in regular season play. Just when girls 
basketball was dropped is not known but it was resumed in 1973.

	Only a girl could have written the following which appeared in the 1925 
THS Megaphone.

	What basketball gives you: a letter and strips of orange and black. They 
can be seen a good distance off. It also gives you dandy b.b. trips in old "tin 
Lizzies" which rattled all the time. But this noise soon rocks you to sleep on 
the coach's shoulder; if you are fortunate enough to be in the same car!

[photo - 1978 District 25 champs: P. Sutera, B. McFarland, M. Koch, J. Zavadil, 
B. Zavadil T. Schuurmans, Coach Mark Stevens, (kneeling) Asst. Coach R. Stoddard, 
T. Kortan, M. Van Gerpen, J. Carda, S. Foley, K. Holec, J. Gall]

page 128

	Tyndall High School was a leader in the development of girls track. The 
first state girls' track meet (not yet sanctioned by the State Athletic Association) 
was held in Tyndall in 1964. Tyndall won the first and second Open Class State 
Championships in 1969 and 1970, and was the first State Class B Champ in 1973.

	Sally Plihal, Class of '71, performed for Tyndall from Junior High on, 
and was named South Dakota Women Athlete of the Year for 1970, the same year she 
was named National AAU Champion for her record high jump of 5'8".

[photo - Sally Plihal's all time best high jump mark is 5'8", set in 1970.]

[photo - Sally Plihal, Class of 1971, State champ high jump, National 
Champion A.A.U. S.D. Woman Athlete of the Year, 1970]

[photo - Pantherettes win State "B" crown, 1973: Front A. Renner, S. Liveris, 
T. Mikolash, P. Gorman, J. Zwanziger, D. Ekern, D. Pavel, K. McCann, E. Sejnoha; 
Middle row, L. Sutera (stud. mgr.), M. Breck, K. Karolevitz, K. Kronaizl, S. Schuurmans, 
K. Karolevitz, K. Winckler, C. Bardwell, J. Meyer, L. Fryda (stud. mgr.); Back row, 
P. Shelman, A. Schuch, J. Schuurmans, S. Schneider, P. Novak, K. Kocourek, B. Koch, 
J. Biesma, V. Bardwell, Coach Diana Yager]

page 129

[photo - THS Wrestling Team, 1964 (first ever) Front: R. Rothschadl, L. Ehrisman, 
J. McCann, M. Zwanziger, T. Hajek, R. Meyer, G. McCann, back, Coach Jack Niesen, J. 
Hovorka, J. Post, M. Szymanski, G. Winningham, A. Hermanek, A. Palsma, D. Jordan, 
R. Skorpik, R. Svanda, R. Herman]

	A new sport was introduced in THS in the early winter of 1964 when 
Superintendent D. Jacoby received permission from the city to use the auditorium 
basement for a wrestling program. Jack Neisen was coach that year in a season that 
consisted of two matches with Canistota. Although Tyndall has consistently entered 
wrestlers in the state meet, it was not till this year (1979) that THS had its first 
state champion, heavy-weight Tom Bares.

	The four Vavruska brothers, twins Ernest and Eddie, 1968; Dave, 1972; and Steve, 
1976, wrestled all four years of high school and between them earned 11 berths in the 
state tourney.

	The THS athletic teams became the "Black Panthers" in 1928 as a result of a 
contest to choose a mascot. Bob Dobesh was the winner and received a free football 
season pass as a prize.

[photo - Vavruska brothers from left. Dave, Ernest, Ed, Steve, all wrestlers for 
THS, all state contenders]

page 130

[photo - Old THS band Front row 2nd, 3rd and 4th from left, Jim Stanicek, Frank 
Bouza, Frank Stanicek; middle, Lou Chladek, back, 2nd and 3rd from left, Check 
and Wm. Bollinger]

	Since 1975 there has been a boys golf team, and last year girls golf 
came upon the scene.

	The town of Tyndall can be proud of the athletic program its school has always 
provided, complimented as it is with good forensic, music, and academic features.

	The school board and administration have always strived to provide good 
building facilities for its students. When the old brick school became too small 
a new school was built alongside. It was described this way in the Register of 
August 23,1928:

	August 23, 1928: New school to open on schedule September 4th. New 
building accommodations make possible a lunch room, better library facilities 
and ample assembly room. Athletics and forensic activities to be given important 
place in the new curriculum.

	Largest enrollment ever in school: 143 high school, 212 in the grades.

	A short few months later, a disastrous fire struck which totally destroyed 
the old high school. The newspaper said:

	Thursday, February 7,1929: Tyndall Junior High destroyed by fire. Loss 
estimated at $47,000 and well covered by insurance - cause of fire unknown. 
The Tyndall High School with all its contents was completely destroyed by fire 
early Tuesday morning. Mrs. Wittmeier, residing just west of the school, 
discovered the old high school building on fire about 3 o'clock and turned in 
the alarm. The flames had gained such headway that the fire fighters directed 
their efforts toward saving the new building that was built last year about 
twenty feet from the old building and the two were connected by a passway.

	The new addition was heated from the plant in the old building and cannot be 
used until a heating plant is built which will require about three weeks according to 
the architect. Lodges and churches immediately offered the use of their buildings and 
the board of education and teachers formulated arrangements and school will be 
resumed next Tuesday. The first and second grades will be in the library rest room; 
third and fourth grades at the Federated Church; 5th and 6th at the Z.C.B.J. Hall; 
7th and 8th grades at the Masonic and I. O. O. F. Hall. All other classes in the 
city auditorium. The Scotland High School has kindly offered the Panthers the use 
of its gymnasium for practice purposes. A neighborly act that is sincerely appreciated.

	A new building was erected as soon as possible and was ready for dedication 
October 11, 1929. Following a program in the auditorium, 1500 people were conducted 
on a tour of inspection which terminated in the Home Economics cooking room where 
1,000 lunches were served. The total worth of the two united buildings was set at 
$180,000, and was an impressive sight indeed.

	Hazel Abbott had the following to say in the Jubilee Edition of the Tribune 
and Register in 1954, and it holds true today.

	But the greatest tribute to the educational system of Tyndall is in the 
quality of its graduates: men and women who have become famous in different fields 
of work, in radio, in television, in public speaking, in teaching, in business and 
others who have made good citizens even though they may not lead such spectacular lives.

[photo - New Tyndall-Tabor High School band uniforms, fall, 1976. Julie Brown, drum major]

page 131

(17) The County School

[photo - Bohemian country school photographed by Joe Kadlec]

	For all practical purposes the country school is no more. It was a unique 
institution in its day. Some of us remember with a fondness born of many years the 
pot-bellied stove which flushed the face of the student lucky enough to be near 
while his backside remained cold from the long walk across frozen fields, the 
double desk with the ink well, and the recitation bench up front. But there was 
something else. John Medard Cole, who was a product of Roosevelt District No.28 in 
the 30's had this to say in the Bon Homme County Pioneer, 1970:

	"Modern education could learn a lot from any "country" school. The population 
varied from year to year but, invariably one was exposed to the recitation of all 
lower grades, thus giving you opportunity to brush up on what you forgot or failed 
to learn in the prior years. On the other side of the picture, if you were too 
"smart" for the grade you were in, you could listen to the recitations of the 
grades above you and thus learned material as far ahead as you wished. Today our 
channelized curricula have gone far from the true education of our children."

	Frank Richmond was county superintendent of schools in 1882 and one of his 
duties was to organize new districts as they were needed. One of those was the 
Russian colony below Bon Homme. Another duty was to visit the schools, and the 
following report describing several of those visits appeared in the 
April 22,1882 Tyndall Tribune.

	"Yesterday I called at the school house of District No.21, and found Mr. 
Elliott Paddock in the midst of the morning recess. He has 47 pupils enrolled. Twenty 
were engaged in the study of arithmetic, six in geography and one in history. A 
spelling school was put down for Wednesday night. In the afternoon I visited the 
Bon Homme school taught by Mr. Thomas Abbott. Here I found 24 on the roll. Tuesday 
morning I gave the school near Mr. Charles Harrison a call, which is taught by Miss 
Cornelia Cooley. Here I found 29 pupils enrolled; three in grammar, 3 geography, 
3 in arithmetic, 1 in history, 1 in natural philosophy and 1 in physiology."

	From the Bon Homme Co. Pioneer Association Supplement to Tyndall Tribune 
& Register dated Thursday, Aug. 31,1939, Mrs. Carrie Bixby, Ed., comes this remarkable 
tribute to an early-day teacher.

	Ben Jaquays came to DT March, 1885 with Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Monfore, after 
being educated in Iowa. He taught one term of school at Yankton Agency, taught 
several terms in the log school house (Daisy Valley School). It was situated about 
1 1/2 miles east of the present Daisy Valley School on the Mrs. Caroline Eymer 
(my grandmother) homestead, (now owned by George Broz). This school house was 
built of logs, had benches reaching lengthwise in the room, later home made desks 
were made. (I recall four teachers prior to Ben Jaquays. George Bangs, Elliott 
Paddock, Jesse Monfore, Cora Cooley). It being the only school in the neighborhood, 
everyone went, ages from five to 25. We learned our ABC's as well as readin', 
writin', and rithmatic'. The school was graded by going through the primer, first 
reader, second reader, third reader, etc., two terms of school a year, winter 
term and summer term, or spring term.

	Mr. Jaquays taught two terms in the log school house; the districts were then 
formed and the new frame school house was built on Conrad Eymer's homestead, one half 
mile west of the log school. Mr. Jaquays made a very impressive service of the last 
day of school in the log house. He gathered the children in front of the door on 
the east side of the house, and told us what a privilege it was for us to have had this 
school, and that we are now going to a better building, but it was up to us whether 
we benefited by our having these schools to attend. He then took his pocket knife 
and whittled a souvenir of the best log for each one of us. Mr. Jaquays taught the 
first term in the frame school house, in 1888, noted for "big blizzard" 
January 12, 1888. I. W. (Bill) Seaman stopped at the school and told Mr. Jaquays 
that a bad storm was on the way, and that he would take children going north, as 
he was on his way to C. A. Paddock's home. The only children at school going that 
way that day were Philip Daub and two sisters. Oliver McNeill came with a team for 
his children, Mr. Jaquays dismissed school, and with Mr. McNeill took all the

page 132

[photo - Country school, from Mary Mejstrik]

children. We followed my father's fence to our place. We and the Mulleague children 
were led by my older brothers to our house, where the Mulleague children stayed all 
night. Mr. Jaquays and Mr. McNeill went on, Mr. McNeill living one mile west of my 
father's place, and Mr. Jaquays roomed and boarded at the John McNeill home. They 
got their bearings then and found the house. By the way, the house where Mr. 
Jaquays roomed and boarded was a one-room log house, with a tine lean-to kitchen; 
I think six children were at home at that time.

	Mr. Jaquays gave his best to the school; those who were advanced enough to 
take algebra were taught that subject by him; he also taught a class in penmanship, 
and bookkeeping for those who were advanced enough to take it at his boarding place 
in the evenings. He taught the McCrea school in 1889 and roomed and boarded at the 
Chas. Goddard home. With the coming of frame school house, frame dwelling houses 
were dotting the prairie, - Mr. Goddard lived in a fine frame house. The next year 
Mr. Jaquays taught in Bon Homme. While teaching there, he met and married Miss Cora 
Cooley, niece of J. P. Cooley.

	We loved Mr. Jaquays; no big league baseball hero had more loyal backers than
 "Teacher" had when he would come out and play ball with us in front of that log 
school house. He was everything from the alphabet to high school dramatics, sports, 
in fact, all activities that are conducted in our modern schools, from first grade 
through high school. We dug teepsins, taking our own teepsin digger to school, 
wore overshoes made by our mothers out of sacks, spoke pieces on Friday after the 
last recess, dialogues, songs, and exhibitions (now known as school plays). Our 
lunch was carried in any kind of container, sometimes frozen when we got to school. 
Older children would take the younger children by the hand, lead them through the 
snow across fields (there were no roads) to school. The stove in the school house 
would be so hot our faces would burn, while our backs would be cold; fires were made 
by "Teacher" who would rub our feet and hands with snow to take the frost out. 
During this time "Teacher" could make a likeness of Geo. Washington (to hang on wall). 
We honor you, Ben F. Jaquays.

	Securing teachers of such calibre as Mr. Jaquays was a challenge indeed as it 
was not uncommon in those days for a teacher to know very little more than his 
students. Candidates who expected to teach in the public schools of Bon Homme 
Co. were invited by Supt. F. Richmond in 

[photo - McNeill log cabin, (located on Doug Wynia farm 5 miles south of Tyndall) 
Two terms of school were held here before log school was built. Minnie McNeill 
and mother in door]

page 133

April, 1882 to bring pen, ink, and paper to the court house in Bon Homme for the 
semi-annual test.

	The results of tests for teaching certificates was again the subject of an 
item in the local newspaper of September 26, 1903. It said, "A large number of the 
applicants for teachers' certificates from Bon Homme county failed in their recent 
examinations, their papers being forwarded to the state board in Pierre for 
examination. Some of those failing were graduates of THS. There is now a board of 
examiners at the state level to grade teachers' papers in order to avoid local 
favoritism which has the debilitating effects on our educational system in the 
past. No member of the examining board is permitted to grade papers from his 
own county. 279 out of 657 applications for certificates at the recent examinations 
were rejected.

	People complained even in 1910 that teachers' salaries were too high. A 
comparison at that time showed that while rural teachers in Hutchinson Co. 
were getting $54. per month, Yankton Co. teachers were getting $50. and those 
in Bon Homme Co. were receiving only $48.90. At the same time, teachers in the 
town systems of Bon Homme were getting $54.90. The report complained that as 
long as that was so, the towns would always be able to command the experienced 
capable teachers and the country child would continue to be the experiment material 
upon which the ultimate town teachers would get experience to enable him or her to 
command a town position.

	As early as 1895 teachers showed an interest in joining together. Supt. of 
Schools W. J. Robinson noted that 50 Bon Homme Co. teachers responded to an 
invitation issued at a meeting at McCrea school January 12 to effect a permanent 
organization for the county. In 1911 the Springfield board of education gave its 
teachers full time to attend the SDEA meeting at Pierre. It was suggested that 
that action be taken by every school board.

	Another duty of the county superintendent of schools was to administer the 
final examinations for the 7th and 8th graders. In 1904 it was announced that the 
8th grade test over the course of study for common schools that year was to be 
given May 20 and May 21, and those who passed were to be presented the prized 
Common School Diploma by Co. Supt. E. D. Wood. Twenty-five years later on June 
20,1929 the results of that year's tests were released as follows:

	The examination papers for the 7th and 8th grade pupils of the rural schools 
of Bon Homme county have been corrected and the grades issued. 176 8th graders 
and 197 seventh. No 7th grade failures but a few pupils were "conditioned" into 
the 8th. Nina Janssen of Kingsburg had the highest average (96 1/9) of the 8th graders, 
and Maxine Daub with 94 5/9 was the highest 7th grader. She was also the youngest 
winner to take the examination, only 11 years old, her teacher Mrs. Helen Taplett.

	A highlight of the rural school year (next to the Christmas program) was 
the annual Rally Day. The following article describes one which took place in 
early April, 1933:

	The 3rd annual Rally Day of the Bon Homme county rural schools was held 
at Tyndall Saturday. County chorus at 9 a.m., singing 12 of the contest songs; 
then declamations; spelling contest at 11 a.m.; picnic dinner at the park; 
special numbers in the afternoon. Miss Ellen Petrik, president of the Bon 
Homme County Rural Education Association, expressed her appreciation of the 
teachers in carrying out the YCL activities and making Rally Day possible. 
An elaborate school exhibit was displayed in the basement of the auditorium, 
which would do justice to any city school exhibit and showed the excellent 
work being done in our rural schools along this line. No athletic meets as in 
previous years, due to bad weather and also to spare parents the expense of 
taking the children to an athletic elimination contest. The special numbers 
took the place of the athletics. Supt. Whiting presided over the program when the 
winning essay and declamations were given. Rally Day was instigated by the late 
Bart Cole while he was superintendent of the county.

	The last Bon Homme County Superintendent of Schools was Barbara Haase 
(now Mrs. Emil Jilek) and she has graciously agreed to describe her activities in 
that office which began in 1938. Her long-time deputy and friend Mable Bower 
assisted in the preparation of this report. The two shared an office on the 
top floor of the courthouse across the rotunda from the courtroom where for 
many years the rural declamation contests were held.

	These are her comments:

County Superintendent of Schools Office

	Following the death of Deputy County Superintendent J.W. Whiting (Uncle 
Joe as he was familiarly known) in early 1938, I was appointed the Deputy. Ernest 
B. Dvoracek was the elected County Superintendent. He continued in office until 
August 14,1942 when he left to teach Code, a service-connected position due to 
the conflict. I became Acting County Superintendent and Mabel Bower became Deputy.

	I continued as County Superintendent until the elimination of the office 
on May 31,1972, and Mabel resigned as of May 31,1971 to go into other work.

	When schools opened in the fall of 1942 we had a total of 88 school districts 
with 72 rural schools, 3 Parochial and 5 Independent districts operating in the 
county. My salary was $117.00 per month.

	It was the duty of the County Superintendent to visit each rural and parochial 
school at least once each year. If this was not done, $10 for each school not visited 
would be deducted from her salary.

[photo - The Daisy Valley frame school was built in 1888 near the Eymer (Mrs. 
Carrie Bixby) home place, but was later moved 1 mile west near the Charles Bares 
farm. The "new" brick school was removed several years ago and the school grounds 
are now farmed.]

[photo - Bon Homme Co. Supt. of Schools Barbara Haase and Mable Bower, Deputy]

page 134

[photo - Teachers' Institute, old public school, 1917]

	In addition to the visitations, other mandatory duties included conducting 
county and district institutes, stocking and selling the adopted textbooks and 
supplies (keeping an inventory of all salable supplies as well as office equipment) 
purchasing books, filmstrips, records, eye charts, projectors, etc. which were part 
of a County Circulating Library. Since the office was open 12 months of the year, 
the children and teachers of the rural and parochial schools as well as those in 
Independent schools checked them out. Often during vacations, college students 
working on special assignments came to get books for references.

	One of the most exacting duties came during the heat of summer when ALL of the 
districts were required by law to file an annual financial report to the County 
Superintendent, who in turn compiled it into a state report. In order for the County 
Superintendent and Deputy to be paid their wages for that month, the county reports 
had to be received and approved by the state office. Most of the officers brought 
all their records to the office and we made out their reports (not part of our 
duties but done as a courtesy).

	We also were required by law to hold an annual school officers meeting and 
provide the officers with the latest copy of the School Code and their supplies 
for the coming term.

	During the first years I was required to conduct the state teachers' 
examinations for anyone wanting to try to become certified by that method. 
In regard to teacher's certificate, we had to keep a continuing file of the 
type of certificate, the number as well as the dates of issuance, the number 
of months taught and where the holder taught. This became an especially 
important record with the advent of Teacher Retirement benefits in South Dakota.

	Another duty was the compilation of school census records. Each year each 
district in the county had to take their census and submit it to our office and 
again we had to certify the totals to the State. Before we could do that, we had 
to check the accuracy of the birthdate, place of birth, parents' names, etc. This 
was also one of the most used records in the office when Social Security payments 
were approved. Many people 65 and over could have provided no proof of their ages 
if the census records had not been available.

	Teachers were required to submit periodic and annual reports listing all 
of the students enrolled as well as their ages, grade and earned grades. Many 
times the combined census and teachers' reports were needed to substantiate an 
age. During the time when many young men enlisted in the armed forces or were 
drafted and the results of their tests were in question, the teachers' reports 
were requested to confirm or deny service test results.

	An endless job of making certified statements and copies was a part of 
our daily work.

	The last year of elementary school operation under my supervision (1970-
71) we were down to 28 rural and 2 parochial schools, a drop of 44 rural schools 
from my first year in office.

	Originally St. Wenceslaus, Tabor was operated by the Catholic Nuns, Avon 
Lutheran by the Lutheran Church in Avon, St. Mary's School at Springfield was 
operated under Episcopal sponsorship for Indian girls. St. Mary's was set up 
as a high school but the girls were started at whatever level they could work 
and often the level at which they were started was as low as fifth grade.

	Each fall before the opening of the schools we had to hold a pre-school 
teachers' meeting at which time the teachers got their supplies and instructions 
necessary for starting the term. In 1942 there were still a number of schools 
which operated an 8 months term but it wasn't long before all terms were 9 
months in length. I always emphasized the primary objective of teaching each 
and every child to read. I believed in and stressed the fact that teaching 
the child phonics was the beginning step to his becoming a good reader.

	Many, many problems, some not school problems technically, were brought 
to the office for solution. Some were humorous, others sad, but perhaps the mere 
fact that they were listened to eased the problem or shared the laughter.
                                Compiled by Mabel Bower and Barbara Jilek

[photo - Rural school rally day about 1940. Front 2nd from left Mavis Petrik, 
third Mildred Schuch; back 2nd from left, Evelyn Fridrich]

page 135

(18) The 4-H Clubs

	In 1976 Steve Sutera wrote the following salute to 4-H Clubwork as a 
bicentennial project for Bon Homme Extension Home Economist Martha Flamming and 
County Extension Agent Steve Auch.

	4-H clubwork had its beginning about 1925 with two 4-H clubs being formed 
with 22 members. These were girls clubs working with Home Extension members. County 
Agent L. V. Ausman and Anna Kaiser, Home Agent, worked with nearly 300 youngsters 
in 1929 and 1930 when 4-H became very active in the county. Most clubs were project 
clubs where they worked entirely on one of the main projects of clothings, foods, 
swine, dairy and other livestock projects. The first Achievement Days were held in 
Tyndall in 1928.

	The Bon Homme County Register fills us in on the details of that affair 
which took place early in September.

	"First annual Achievement day big success-many splendid exhibits are shown. 
Large crowd from all parts of the county assembled here Friday to inspect the 
results of Bon Homme County's first year in training their young people in the 
work of the National 4-H Clubs. 71 purebred pigs, 51 dairy calves and a fine display 
of sewing and canning are exhibited. The competition in every class was so keen that 
three judges worked all day placing the exhibits. A club parade led by the Tyndall 
band was held at 2:30p.m. It is estimated that over 1000 people saw this parade 
and the judging."

	One of the benefits of belonging to 4-H Clubs was the opportunity to win 
the coveted trip to the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. The first two in 
the county to receive the honors were Viola Mach and Lillie Rose Kiehlbauch. 
The Register described the honor as follows:

	"Summer, 1932: Lillie Rose Kiehlbauch is the second girl of the county 
to win a trip to Chicago where she placed fifth in judging contest at National 
4-H Club Congress. Miss Kiehlbauch graduated with honor from our city high school 
with the class of 1932. Miss Viola Mach was the first girl; she also won a trip to 
Europe. Bon Homme County is proud of these girls who have demonstrated their ability 
in home-making and merit our congratulations."

	Who knows how many local youngsters have been members of 4-H in the past 
54 years. Today there are 13 clubs with 175 members. More than likely, all have 
been better off for their membership in the program whose motto still is, 
"Make the Best Better".

[photo - Daisy Valley sow litter club, Adolph Pavel, leader, on right at first 
4-H Achievement Day]

[photo - First 4-H Achievement Day, 1928, a street crowd near depot on Broadway]

[photo - Below left: First 4-H Achievement Day parade, Tyndall Street, September 1928]

[photo - Below right: 4-H baby pork class: Eilein Glynn, Tabor, and Wm. Bambas, 
Tyndall, first Achievement Day, September 1928]

page 136

IV.  Update

(19) Tyndall Today

	Early in January, 1979, a young news reporter from Mitchell's Daily Republic 
visited Tyndall to learn what sort of a town this was which was celebrating its centennial 
year. Sharilyn Rogers saw a number of public services which she said "run the gamut, 
something for all ages."

	One of the major services is St. Michael's Hospital with its 25 beds for hospital 
care and nine beds in a skilled nursing facility. Community owned but operated by the 
Benedictine Sisters from Yankton, the complete modern facility employs about 60.

	Then there is the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center which offers 71 beds with full 
care as well as a supervised living wing. The 22,500 sq. ft. nursing home is staffed 
by 48 full and part-time people and is administered by Reuben Arlt.

	Ms. Rogers noted that the law enforcement services for the city were recently 
taken over by the Bon Homme County sheriff's office, which has contracted to 
guarantee 70 hours per week of law enforcement. Actually, since the sheriff's office 
is right in the city, it receives 24 hour protection. The 1978 report of county 
crimes just concluded listed 55 cases of larceny or theft, 19 burglaries, six 
assaults, and two forcible rapes, a total of 83 crimes.

	The home base (district office) for Bon Homme School District 4-2 is 
located in Tyndall. It includes two high schools (one at Tyndall and one at 
Springfield), three elementary schools (Tabor, Tyndall and Springfield) and two 
rural schools (Hutterische and Hoff). Only the German Hutterische Brotherhood 
school will remain open after this year as Hoff voted to close. There are 925 
students K-12 in the district with 460 at Tyndall, 330 in Springfield, and 115 
at Tabor. The district employs more than sixty teachers, a number of aides as 
well as janitors, cooks, bus drivers and secretarial personnel.

	Headed by a concerned mayor and city council, the city strives to provide 
adequate energy for the times, as well as water and sewer, and owns an ambulance which 
is staffed by trained volunteers. It maintains the still-beautiful park with its 
modern swimming pool, tennis courts, softball diamond and camping facilities. Low-cost 
housing has been provided for the elderly, and attempts have been and are still being 
made for adequate zoning laws and continued curb and gutter. Tyndall has an airport, 
located along the Bohemian Highway just north of Groveland Park. Although it runs east 
and west, and is not hard-surfaced, it adequately serves the needs (at least for the 
time-being) of the several licensed pilots in town.

	These are the visible things to be seen around town. What Sharilyn Rogers may 
not have noted is the change in architectural styles. Our pioneer forefathers built 
their neat frame homes with the feeling that this was the newest and best way to 
build. There are many of these neat box-like homes still standing and in use almost 
a hundred years later, homes without adequate closets or bathroom facilities by 
today's standards, but sturdy still and with a little attention, good for many 
more years.

	The big change has come in the outbuildings, especially in the country. 
No more the big barns with the huge hay lofts and stalls for a dozen horses or 
more. Sleek metal buildings impervious to wind and sun with color bonded right 
in now dot the countryside to house the grain products still the main agricultural 
industry. In town the all-purpose buildings house the city equipment, the county 
and state sheds, and provide shelter for numerous back yard mowers and equipment.

	The farms are not so numerous. Some stand forlorn and vacant, many have 
disappeared. Farmers must become bigger and better to survive, and keeping outmoded 
buildings is not one way.

	Not visible either but still as important as before is the strong 
interdependence between the businessman in town and the businessman in the 
country - each must depend on the other in order for both to succeed. It is 
this special small town spirit which unites the people of Tyndall into a community - 
whether they have lived here always or have only spent a while.

	It is to these people that we dedicate this book - the people who when 
they think of home, think of Tyndall.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY, 1979

An alphabetical listing of businesses in Tyndall today and the year they started.

Adolph Carda Construction
	Adolph Carda, 1957

Alan's Radio and TV
	Alan Nedved, 1976 

Al's Liquor Store
	Alvin Winckler, 1960 

Andy's Service
	Andy Weibenga, 1940 

B. J.'s Automotive
	Bernard J. Pletka, 1965

B & H Publishing, Inc.
	Marvin Blaha and Wayne Bertrand, 1971 

Bailey Refrigeration & Construction
	Lewis Bailey, 1977 

Bambas Construction
	Bernie J. Bambas, 1960 

Beringer Oil & Tire Co.
	Richard Beringer, 1963 

Bottle Shop & Laundromat
	Richard Ekern, 1977

Bouska Construction
	Robert Bouska, 1946

Bult's Market
	Franklin E. Bult, 1976

Corner Bar
	Mrs. Clara Mann, 1973

Coast to Coast
	Rex Barcus, 1977

Consumer Supply Co. Trucking
	Julius Schmidt, 1963

Coop, Inc.
	John Rodenberg, Mgr., 1965

D & D Children's Wear
	Mrs. Donna Thomsen, 1978

Dairy Queen Drive-In
	Dave Melmer, 1956

Don the Clothier
	Donald Rothschadl, 1968

Farm Bureau Service Co.
	Melroy Hofer, Mgr., 1931

Frank's Auto Repair
	Frank J. Schneider, 1948

Fullerton Lumber Co.
	Richard Ekern, Mgr. 1956

Gamble Store
	Gideon E. Muller, 1966

Gene Carda Construction
	Gene Carda, 1969

General Repair Auto Implement
	Charles F. Skorpik, 1946

Gene's G. W.
	Gene Owens, 1968

George's Shoe Shop
	George Pravecek, 1960

Gladys' Beauty Shop
	Mrs. Roy Petersen, 1967

Gregg Electric and Maintenance
	Tom Gregg, 1974

Harvey's Electric
	Harvey Beck, 1972

Hisek Plumbing & Heating
	James Hisek, Jr., 1961

Hoch Drug Store
	Wm. Hoch, 1914

Hormel Livestock Co.
	Marvin Meyer, Mgr., 1949

Isaak Welding and Repair
	Francis Isaak, 1972

J M Repair
	John Monfore, 1978

L & D Ceramics
	Merle and Karon Lupton, 1978

L 'n R Café
	Mike and Audrey Kelley, 1963

Maureen's Fashion & Bridal Salon
	Maureen Jackson, 1978

Marek's House Shop
	Mrs. Martha Marek, 1961

McFarland Motors
	Lavern McFarland, 1974

Mel's Body Shop
	Melvin Winckler, 1962

Millie's Café
	Mildred Dixon, 1976

Mr. R's Beauty Salon
	Wilmer Rokusek, 1975

Peschl's Market & Lockers
J.  Thomas Peschl, 1941

Ptak, Thomas K., Lumber Co.
	Thomas K. Ptak, 1890

Ranek Appliance
	Basil Ranek, 1967

Ritter-Walz Implement, Inc.
	Wayne Kroupenski, Mgr., 1978

Roy's Bar
	Mildred Lapaz, 1961

Schmidt's Texaco Service
	Julius Schmidt, 1950

Steve's Barber & Style Shop
	Steve Wahl, 1977

Sunset Bar
	Alvin Winckler, 1972

Tyndall Auto Supply - NAPA
	Thomas Logue, 1973

Tyndall Bakery
	Robert Rueb, 1970

Tyndall Ford Mercury, Inc.
	Joe Plihal, Jr., Ron Wagner, 1976

Tyndall Hatchery
	Wayne Sutera, 1959

Tyndall Heating & Plumbing
	Jon Flamming, 1911

Tyndall Lanes
	Wyatt, Mgr., 1960

Tyndall Lounge
	Jack Ogren, 1976

Tyndall Motors Inc.
	Harvey Stolz, 1969

Tyndall Variety Store
	Gerrit Schuurmans, 1951

Wacker Repair Shop
	Al Wacker, 1944

Weber Tractor Repair
	Dennis Weber, 1973

PROFESSIONAL AND SERVICE, 1979

Boes, Jerry L.
	Massage Technician

Bon Homme Ind. District No. 4-2
	Supt. J. W. Flevares
	Principal Howard Taplett, 7 - 12
	Principal Roger Prunty, K - 6

Bon Homme Title Co., Royal Koch

Bubak Law Firm, Edward Bubak

Burtz, Steven, D. D. S.

Foley, R. J., M. D.

Good Samaritan Center, Rueben Arlt, Adm.

Kniffen, Edward L., D. V. M.

Koch, Royal L., Insurance Agency

Koenig Insurance Agency, Eugene Koenig

(Dr.) Martha Marek, Massage, Reflexology and Therapy

Northwestern Bell Telephone

Petrik Funeral Home, Edwin Petrik

Placek Real Estate

Plihal Real Estate, Col. J. A. and Virginia Plihal

St. Michael's Hospital, Gale Walker, Adm.

Saloum, H. A., M. O.

Security State Bank, Donald D. Laird, Pres.

Shady Rest Motel, Harold E. Guy

Tiahrt, R. W. Optometrist

Tribune & Register, Marvin Blaha and Wayne Bertrand

Tyndall, City of
	Mayor, Emil Jilek
	Auditor Peggy Patterson
	Light Plant - Al Novotny
	Fire Chief Frank Soukup

Tyndall Clinic, Dr. R. J. Foley, Dr. H. Saloum

Tyndall Realty & Investments
	Duane Wynia

Tyndall Veterinary Hospital,
	Dr. Ed Kniffen

United States Government
	Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation
		Charles Campbell Director
	Post Office, Cletus Szymanski, Postmaster
	Soil Conservation Service, Gary LeCompte

Zieser, R. James, Atty.

page 138

(20)  Recreation Update

	For those who like to golf in 1979, the Bon Homme Country Club 
provides a beautiful nine-hole course with watered fairways and grass greens. 
Memberships can be purchased and are encouraged but the public is invited to play 
by paying greens fees. Lewis and Clark Lake a few miles to the south provides 
swimming and boating facilities. The latest summer sport there are the popular 
jet skis. Snowmobiling in the winter has a large following for those hearty 
enough to face the bitter cold. The sportsman can hunt pheasants, ducks and 
geese in season, and the deer season, both bow and rifle, has many enthusiastic 
takers. Catfish and walleye are there, the fishermen say, but the skill is in 
being in the right place at the right time. The Isaac Walton Club has a fine 
trap-shoot on the hill above the Apple Tree boat basin for those who like to 
sharpen their shooting skills, and the elusive coyote and racoon has enticed 
many a hunter during the winter when their pelts are worth money.

	Spectator sportsmen find pleasure following high school athletics during 
the school year, and in the summer among other things, watching one of a variety 
of softball or baseball games to be found.

	One of Tyndall's most avid softball fans and active participant, Harv 
Rothschadl, consented to write up a history of softball as he knows it in the 
community. Here is his story:

[photo - Roy's Bar's first softball team, 1968: back, C. Horacek, J. Kostal, 
K. Dewald, J. Rothschadl; middle, R. Ptak, Geo. Hisek, Butch Rothschadl, 
J. Pesek, H. Rothschadl; front, D. Boska, R. Henderson, J. Hersman, 
H. Schutt (2nd place Yankton League)]

SOFTBALL

	Softball has been an active sport in the city of Tyndall for about the 
last twenty to thirty years. Early day teams consisted of Svanda's, Farmers 
Union, and Carlson's Bar. Most of the early teams were slow pitch, but the 
Little Missouri Valley Softball league was the start of fast pitch in the 
area, with teams from Tyndall (Carlson's), Dante, Tripp, Tabor and Utica. 
Tyndall's Carlson's team was made up of Alfred Novotny, Leo Hisek, Leonard 
Hisek, Jim Hisek, George Hisek, Alvin Dvorak, Jim Hovorka, Leonard Rothschadl, 
Bob Hajek, Bill Ptak, Rich Hermanek, Ray Bambas, and many other locals.

	In 1959 a new team entered the league from Tyndall known as the Hoosier 
Hotshots, managed by Arnie Gall. Some of these members were LaVern Schneider, 
John Adel, Maynard Gall, Willard Travnicek, Jim Rothschadl, Harv Rothschadl, 
Duane Simek, and Dave Boska. Many hot Sunday afternoons were enjoyed as the 
teams battled in Tyndall as well as on other team ballparks. Dante's games 
were played in a pasture on a farm somewhere southwest of Dante.

	In the early 60's, Carlson's changed hands to Huth's Bar and then to Al's 
Bar. The Hotshots folded with some of the players going to Al's Bar. From 1961 to 
1966 Al's Bar played in the Little Missouri Valley league with Dante, Tabor, 
Greenwood, Lake Andes and the Pickstown Air Base. Al's Bar enjoyed their best 
years during this period. Some of the players were George Hisek, Bill Ptak, 
Ray Stepka, Rich Ptak, Joe Hersman, Butch Rothschadl, Jim Ptak, Butch Hovorka, 
Dave Boska and Allen Cuka. Jim Hovorka, Arnie Gall, Leonard Rothschadl and Harv 
Rothschadl handled the pitching during these years.

	In 1967 the team changed sponsors to Roy's Bar, Roy and Millie Humpal, 
and also went to Yankton to compete in their league with all of the league 
games played in Yankton. The old Missouri Valley League could not field enough 
teams to continue. Roy's Bar competed in the Yankton league for eight seasons, 
never winning the league but placing second six times behind the Mint Bar.

Page 139

	Roy's also started to compete in many tournaments throughout the eastern 
part of South Dakota playing teams from Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Yankton, Sioux 
City, Huron, Redfield and Aberdeen. The team always made a good showing and 
showed sportsmanship even when they were losing. Many times two league games 
were played during the week and four to six games on the weekend, averaging 
about 45 ball games a summer. In 1970 the team competed in the state tourney 
in Rapid City. After arriving, they found they had left all their equipment 
in Tyndall; consequently, they had to borrow bats and balls in order to play. 
They reached the semi-finals twice in state tournament play, both times in 
Aberdeen. In 1978 they were in the top twenty out of sixty teams in the 
state tourney.

	Roy's Bar also sponsors a tournament of their own on or around the Fourth 
of July. Top notch teams have always been entered, including three state champions - 
Farmers Market of Huron, Moonlight Bar of Mitchell, and the Ramona Blues. Roy's 
Bar was second in this tourney three times before finally winning it in 1978 
after coming through the losers bracket to win their last five games on Sunday.

	In 1975 Roy's left the Yankton league to participate in a new league in 
the area known as the Tri-county league with teams from Kaylor, Scotland, Tripp 
and Olivet. Dante, Avon and Springfield have now joined the league with Olivet 
dropping out. Roy's tied for first with Kaylor the first year and won the league 
tournament. With Avon and Dante joining the league, competition was greatly 
improved. Roy's, Kaylor and Avon tied for the league title in '76 with Avon beating 
Roy's in the league tournament. In 1977 Roy's won the league with a 20-1 record, 
but could do no better than third in the tourney below Avon, first, and Dante 
second. In '78 Dante and Roy's tied for the league with 14-2 records, and Roy's 
finally won the tourney taking four straight games, besting Kaylor 4-0 in the 
championship. Roy's also competed in four other tourneys this year, winning their 
own and placing 3rd, 4th and 5th in the others.

	Some of the players that have participated on the team the last twelve 
years are George Hisek,Howard Schutt, Jim Rothschadl, Don Rothschadl, Dave Boska, 
Joe Hersman, Rich Ptak, Jim Pesek, Jerry Petek, Mike Winckler, LeRoy Heibel, 
George Grourjohn, Joe Hovorka, Charlie Horacek, MikeKreber, Joe Kostal, Harv 
Rothschadl, Butch Rothschadl, Keith Dewald, Jim Hovorka, Greg Berndt,Steve 
Vavruska, Dave Vavruska, Bob Rothschadl, Bob Mueller, Bernard Kostal, Cal 
Tjeerdsma, Roger Hisek, Rich Branaugh, Scoff Winckler, Dave Winckler, Ed Vavruska, 
Dan Elston, John Rodenberg, Mike Rembold, and Don Machecek.

	Only three players remain active from the '68 team, George Hisek as 
manager, and Joe Kostal and Harv Rothschadl, players. Roy's had two good years 
in '74 and '78. In 1974 they played 45 games and only gave up an average of 2.2 runs 
per game. That same year they went 33 innings without giving up a run, five 
shutouts in a row. Their best tournament year was 1978 when they won two and placed 
well in others. The total runs allowed per game was 2.9.

	By the time this story is read, the team will no doubt be participating 
in the 1979 season. With many new teams in the area to start, Roy's will once 
again be battling to be one of the top fast pitch softball teams in this area.
                                     -Contributed by Harv Rothschadl

[photo - Left, Harv Rothschadl, MVP Yankton Tourney, 1973; Roy Humpal, 
sponsor; George Hisek, Manager]

[photo - Roy's Bar softball team, 1978, Tri-county tourney winners: back from 
left, G. Berndt, C. Tjeerdsma, D. Winckler, B. Muller, S. Winckler, R. Branaugh, 
R. Hisek; front, S. Vavruska, B. Rothschadl, D. Vavruska, J. Kostal, H. Rothschadl, 
B. Rothschadl, and Geo. Hisek, mgr.]

page 140

[map - BON HOMME COUNTY HIGHWAY MAP]

page 141

[map - City of Tyndall (Bon Homme Co.)]

page 142

[map of downtown Tyndall]

page 143

Pearl Street, Tyndall - 1910-1914
-As remembered by Mrs. Bill Schuurmans (Irene Beringer) and Herb "Doc" 
Jones

1. Tribune office
2. Glasner Candy and Grocery Store
3. Taplett Saloon and Pool Hall (Earlier Frank McKenna's Saloon)
4. A.G. Serr Implement
5. Tyndall Hardware, Gus Holberg, Mgr
6. Meyer's Furniture and Undertaker
7. Jim Austera's Cafe and Candies
8. Light Plant
9. Post Office
10  Security Bank
11. Chastka's Groceries and Market
12. Zolnowski's Saloon, later Hoch's Drug
13. Klouda's Bakery
14. Shema's Shoe Repair
15. Tom Libertine's Butcher Shop, later Urban's
16. Ptak's Mens' Clothing
17. Tumbul Cream Station
18. Blazek Saloon, later Hokuf's
19. Oliva's Grocery and Market
20. Pop factory
21. Cigarfactory
22. House
23. Krejci's Gun Shop
24. Butler's Garage
25. Hrachovec Blacksmith
26. Cream station, earlier harness shop
27. Lower's Jheater
28. Reidinger's Bowling Alley, earlier Bouska's Saloon
29. Mrs. Glenn's popcorn stand
30. Vacant lot where Watson Curl had merry-go-round
31. T. Register office
32. Filcie Skorpik Millinery Store, earlier Fire Hall
33. Coffon Drug, earlier Janke's and Hoch's
34. Joe Setzer Harness Shop
35. Sisler's Saloon, later Tony Bastemeyer's Cafe
36. Dave Malcolm's Clothing Store, later Kass Men's Clothing
37. Barber's Veterinary Barn
38. Photo Shop
39. Wittmeier's Hardware Store, earlier Weisser's, then Radak's
40. Kropenski's Barber Shop
41. Schaffhausen Jewelry Store, earlier Karas
42. Newmark's Grocery and Market
43. Billy O'Brien's Pool Hall
44. Metzger's Grocery Store and Market
45. Chladek's Drug Store
46. Biersdorf Butcher Shop
47. Byers and Schuett Grocery & Market
48. First National Bank
49. Dr. Klima's office
50. Telephone office
51. Hahn'sHotel
52. McCann's Ladies Clothing
53. Monumentshop
54. Burnett's Photograph Studio
55. Annie Kirk's Cafe
56. Charley Curl's Garage
57. Hitt's Livery Barn
58. Christian Church

INDEX
The numbers following the index entries refer to the chapter(s) in which they can be 
found. The names of those who have contributed stories, articles or poems have been 
included.

Abbot, Hazel                                      10
Abbott, Thomas H                                  5, 6
Achievement Day, First 4-H                        18
Aeroplane                                         9
Agriculture                                       7
Altar Society, St. Leo's                          13
American Legion and Auxiliary                     14
Annie's Cafeteria                                 10
Auditorium, city                                  6
Automobile accidents                              9
Automobiles, early                                9
Bank closings                                     4
Banks, early                                      4
Band, American Legion                             14
Band, High School                                 16
Bands, City                                       8
Baptist Church, Tyndall                           13
Barkl, Rudolph                                    12
Baseball, All-Star team                           9
Baseball, town team                               9
Basketball, high school boys                      16
high school girls                                 16
Beck, Ella (Mrs. Mike)                            3
Berry, Dr. S. G.                                  8
Berry, Nettie Louise (Mrs. S.G.)	              10
Bicycles                                          9
Biersdort Brothers Meat Market	              5
Biersdorf, Robert                                 5
Biersdorf, Theodore                               5
Bixby, Carrie (Mrs. C.E.)                         10,17
Black, Dr. Wm                                     8
Blizzard of 1888                                  7,17
Bon Homme, City of, history                       2
Bon Homme County Court House                      8
Bon Homme County officers, 1914                   6
Bon Homme County officers, 1979                   6
Bon Homme County statistics, early                6
Bon Homme Lodge No.101, Masons                    15
Boon, Dr. B.H                                     8,14
Bouska, Jim (Vaclav)                              4
Bouza, John                                       4
Bouza, John, Jr                                   4, 9
Bower, Mabel                                      17
Boxing                                            9
Breweries                                         4
Burnett, B.W                                      4, 9
Businesses, early                                 4
Businesses and services, 1979                     19
Byrne, Peter                                      5
Carda, Jan                                        15
C.C.C. (Civil Conservation Corps)                 4
Celebrations                                      9
Cemeteries                                        5,12,13
Chastka, Emma                                     13
Chastka family history by Mary Jo Davenport       5
Chautauqua                                        9
Chladek, Alois                                    5
Chladek, Helen                                    5,9
Chladek, Lou                                      9
Churches                                          13
Cigar factory                                     4
Circle No.2                                       15
City Auditorium                                   6
City board of trustees, first                     6
City elections, first                             6
Cogan, Mrs. Bridget                               2
Cole, Barney                                      5, 8
Cole, John A. and Mary                            5
Cole, John Medard                                 17
Cole pioneers                                     5
Colgan, Ruth (Mrs. Gilbert)                       13, 15
Collins, Dr. Cecil                                8
Corn husking contests                             7
Country school, the                               17
County superintendent of schools, Bon Homme       17
Court House, first                                6
Court House, new                                  6
Cronin, Father Francis                            13
C.S.P.S. Lodge                                    12
Curl, Warren                                      4
Curl family                                       5
Currier,Dan W.                                    1,4,6,16
Czechs, history                                   12
Daisy Valley School                               17
Dakota Territory politics                         6
Dances, Public                                    9
Debate, high school                               16
Dentistry, early                                  8
Depot agents                                      3
Depot, remodeling                                 3
Depression                                        4
Doctors                                           8
Dust storms, 30's                                 7
Eastern Star, Elizabeth Chapter                   15
Electricity, first                                4, 6
Elevators, grain                                  7
Elliott, J.D                                      5, 11
Elliott Hose Co. No.1                             11
Farm Bureau Coop                                  4
Fashions, women                                   10
Fire bell                                         13
Fire chiefs                                       11
Fire, public school, 1929                         16
Fire, Security block, 1918                        4
Fireman dances                                    11
Fireman's funeral                                 11
Firemen state tournaments                         11
Flamming family                                   5
Foley, Dr. Robert and Phyllis                     8
Foley, Phyllis (Mrs. R.)                          15
Football, high school                             16
Foresters, National Catholic Society              13
4-H clubwork                                      18
Fuchs, Evelyn (Mrs. Joe)                          14
Gas stations                                      4
German Congregational Church                      13
German Baptist Church                             13
Germans, history                                  13
Glasner, Wm. A.                                   5
Glenn,W.R.                                        4,6
Golf                                              9
Good Samaritan Center                             15
Good Samaritan Guild                              15
Grand Central Hotel                               4
Grasshoppers, 30's                                7
Griesbach, Shirley (poem)                         4
Gun clubs                                         9
Haase, Barbara                                    17
Hajek, Anton                                      5
Hajek, John                                       12
Help One Another Extension Club                   15
Herman, Mrs. Lillian                              13
Hisek, Joseph                                     6
Hoch,J. L.                                        4
Hogandyke's store                                 4
Holy, Elsie (Mrs. Joe)                            10
Home guard, WW I                                  14
Home talent shows                                 9
Horse and buggy                                   9
Horse races                                       6, 9
Hospital auxiliary                                15
Hrachovec, John and Anna                          12
Hrachovec wagon shop                              5
Ice harvest                                       7
Immigrants                                        6
I.O.O.F. Lodge                                    15
Jacquays, Ben                                     17
Jails                                             6
Jaycees, Tyndall                                  15
Jaycettes, Tyndall area                           15
Jilek, Barbara (Mrs. Emil)                        17
Jones, Herb (Doc)                                 9
Kaul, Vern                                        13
Kelly, Father John (from Ireland)                 13
Kiehlbaugh, Joe                                   5
Kirk, Annie                                       10
Kniffen, James                                    13
Knights of Columbus                               13
Koenig, August                                    5, 7
Koster, Francis                                   15
Koupal, Mrs. Mary (Sykora)                        5
Krall, Dr. J.J                                    8
Ladies Aid, Lutheran                              13
Lake Tyndall swimming pool                        6
Last Man's Club                                   14
Lehr, George, Sr.                                 7
Lehr, Nell                                        13
Library, Tyndall Carnegie                         15
Light plant                                       4, 6
Literary exercises                                9
Lubbers, Hulda (Mrs. Geo.)                        9, 13
Macabees, old Bon Homme                           2
Machinery, farm                                   7
Maps:
 Bon Homme Co., 1979                              19
 Bon Homme town site, 1906                        2
 Tyndall, 1910                                    4
 Tyndall, 1979                                    19
Marvin, Mrs. Calina                               13,15
Masons, Lodge                                     15
Maus, John J., Sr                                 12
Mayors 1887-1979                                  6
McBurney family history by Howard McBurney        5
McCoy, Charles T                                  6
McKenna, Ted (Irish)                              9
Merry-go-rounds                                   9
Methodist Church                                  13
Metzger, Ed                                       9
Meyer, Marvin                                     4, 15
Miller, Emma (Weisser)                            5
Miller, William and family                        5
Monfore, Florence	(Mrs. John)                     15
Moore,Dr. W. E.                                   8
Morgan, F. A.                                     5
Movies                                            9
Nedved, A. S.                                     5
Newspapers, early                                 1
Nohava, Evelyn                                    13
Oliva, Matt                                       5
Parades                                           9
Park, city                                        6
Pavel, Bill                                       9
Peace keeping                                     6
P.E.O. Sisterhood                                 15
Peterka, Frank                                    12
Petrik, Vernon F                                  7
Pettigrew, Richard F                              6
Phoenix, Henry B                                  5
Pike, Mrs. H. A.                                  4,10,14
Pike, Stillman                                    10,14
Pike-Wagner American Legion Post No.2, Auxiliary  14
Plihal, Joe (Colonel)                             16
Plihal, Mary (Mrs. Dennis)                        15
Plihal, Sally                                     16
Politics, early                                   6
Post Office                                       6
Presbyterian Church                               13
Ptak, Frank                                       9, 12
Ptak, T.V                                         5, 9
Ptak, T.V. Lumber Co                              4, 6
Ptak,T.K                                          4,14
Ptak, V.J                                         5
Radio station WNAX                                9
Railroad, history                                 3
Rally Day, rural schools                          17
Ranek, Louise, (Mrs. John)                        13,15
Recreation, early                                 9
Recreation update                                 20
Red Cross Workers, WW I                           14
Reidinger, Frank                                  9
Relief board, 30's                                4
Richmond, America                                 10,16
Richmond, Oregon                                  1, 5, 6
Richmond family                                   5
Rivin, David                                      4
Robinson, Myrtle (Burnett)                        5
Robinson, Wm. James                               5
Robinson, W. L.                                   6, 9
Robinson, Dr. Wm. O.                              8
Roose, David, tragedy of                          6
Roose, Martin                                     4, 6,16
Rotary Club                                       15
Rothschadl, Harv                                  20
Royal Neighbors                                   15
Roy's Bar softball                                20
Rural mail delivery                               6
Ryan, Anna                                        10,13
Saloons                                           6
St. John's Lutheran Church                        13
St. Leo's Catholic Church                         13
St. Michael's Hospital Auxiliary                  15
Schmitt, Mike (Mikehasit)                         4
Schools, public                                   1,16
Schools, rural                                    17
Schuurmans, G. P.                                 6
Scoblic, Helen                                    10,15
Scotland Soil Conservation District               7
Scribbins, Jim (C.M.S.P. & P. R.R.)               3
Seaman, I.W.                                      4,7,9
Security Block fire                               4
Sedlacek, Dr. F. A.                               8
Senior Citizens                                   15
Shelterbelt program                               7
Simek-PtakV.F.W. Post No.6895                     14
Slama, Viola (Mrs. Louis)                         12
Slaughter houses                                  4
Softball, Roy's Bar                               20
Sokol's, ZCBJ                                     12
Srstka, Ella                                      10,14
Stuwill, C. H.                                    5
Streets                                           4, 6
Swatek, Helen                                     15
Swimming pool (Lake Tyndall)                      6
Sycora family                                     5
Tabor Bohemian Presbyterian Church                13
Taplett, Howard                                   16
Teacher training                                  17
Telephones, first                                 4
Thatcher, Colonel                                 6
Track, high school boys                           16
Track, high school girls                          16
Transportation, early                             9
Trees in Tyndall                                  6
Tyndall, John (British scientist)                 1
Tyndall, brief history                            1
Tyndall Cemetery Association                      13
Tyndall Hardware store                            4
Tyndall Improvement Association                   15
Tyndall Presbyterian Church                       13
Tyndall Roller Mills                              4
Tyndall, 1979                                     19
United Methodist Women                            13
United Presbyterian Women                         13
Unruh, Rev. Ken                                   13
Vavruska, Eugene                                  14
Vavruska family                                   6
Vellek, Ruth (Mrs. Charles)                       13
Veterinary medicine                               8
V. F. W. Post, Auxiliary                          14
Voigt, Julius and Carolina                        4
Wagner, James                                     14
Wars, The                                         14
Water tower, 1906                                 6
Weather                                           7
Weddings, early                                   10
Weisser, Matt                                     5
Welfl, Mrs. Wm.                                   15
Wilcox, S. W.                                     4, 6
Wittmeier Hardware                                4
Women, The role of                                10
Women's Missionary Union, Baptists                13
World War                                         14
Wrestling, high school                            16
Young, C. M.                                      4
ZCBJ Lodge                                        12
Zitka, Joseph                                     5
Zienert, Alois                                    4
Zieser, Nicholas                                  5, 9

back cover

[drawing -Bon Homme County Courthouse Tyndall, SD]