History of Hughes County, SD (Part 1) This file contains the full text of the book "Hughes County History" published in 1937 by the Office of County Superintendent of Schools. This file created by Joy Fisher with the permission of the Hughes County School Board, minutes of May, 1997 meeting, according to Dan Elwood of the School Administration Office. Rights to copy this file or any part thereof, are reserved by the Hughes County School Board. =========cover============== Hughes County History Dedicated to the Hardy Pioneers Who Wrought Homes Here and Contributed to the Development of this Territory Help this project by securing copies for yourself and Persevering friends who dwell here =========Page 1============= Hughes County History Compiled and Arranged in the Office of County Superintendent of Schools Hughes County, So. Dak. Published in Spring of 1937 Articles contributed by pupils, teachers, pioneers and historical authorities. Appropriate newspaper clippings are acknowledged. Price $4.00 per copy These books make acceptable gifts. Send orders to Bert L. Hall, Pierre, South Dakota. [photo - Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Building, Pierre Completed, 1932 Museum and State Historical Office, Lawrence K. Fox, Secretary] ==============Page 2============== [photo Barrett Lowe, City Superintendent, Wessington Springs] An Appreciation You have honored me by asking that I contribute to your County Historical Project; and I assure you that I am more than pleased to do what little I can to promote such a worth-while activity. When boys and girls set out in search for the romance of the past they are intellectual voyageurs in the good ship "Adventure". Perhaps no history equals in interest that of our immediate vicinity. Events close to us are always comparatively of more importance than those far away. The knowledge that historical events took place on the very spots so familiar to us lends enchantment to the story. But when we ourselves go in search of history, and have the pleasure of putting it in writing for the first time, a double interest results. Original research in local history offers us opportunities heretofore reserved for the professional historian. In opening these opportunities you render great service to yourselves as well as to your county and state; and in making the project possible your County Superintendent contributes admirably to the cause of education. Both you and he are to be congratulated. I wish such activities could be carried out in every county in the state. -Barrett Lowe, Pres. Junior Historical Society. ================Page 3======================= History Projects History Projects, of this character are most commendable and should have the cooperation and support of every one. They assemble for use and analysis a volume of historical data not available by another method. As educational processes they are unsurpassed. The young citizens who have engaged in them are receiving a training of inestimable value and out of them there is certain to emerge a battalion of thinkers, writers, philosophers, historians and statesmen whose names will be held in pride and veneration by the generations to follow. There is something especially fascinating about the history of one's own neighborhood. There is scarcely a yard of it that has not been impressed with some historical circumstance that is worthy of preservation. I know of no other plan for gathering and conserving these important data comparable to turning the student body of the county into enthusiastic search for them. I am sure the result will justify the methods employed. We of Hughes County are proud of your achievements. -Doane Robinson, Secretary Emeritus, State Historical Society A Just Tribute A record of the history of Hughes County can well include the growth and value of its educational institutions, and a portrayal of the high standard of its schools would be incomplete if no reference was made to the teachers thereof. The majority of their students oftentimes dependent upon them for an incentive to attain scholarly success, while others absorb graces of character and moral worth as exemplified in the daily life of their beloved teacher. Faithful teachers! Theirs is more than solving mathematical problems or explanation of fixed rules. They have large groups whose individual dispositions and ideals are as varied as all the colors of the flower kingdom.. there comes the question of how best to make a personal contact with a youthful mind that will bring desired results, and how and when to praise or punish. Great is the honor due to that teacher who can discipline and at the same time command the effection of the student. The worth of such instructors cannot be gauged in terms of dollars and cents. Unlike those in other occupations, their years are limited as to length of service in their chosen profession, due to present-day decrees, and their months of work each year is curtailed, hence lessened income. ===================Page 4=============== Society places in their hands its greatest possessions - children whose habits, minds and character are in their formative period - then too often it is loth to pay a just recompense. That Hughes County has recognized these facts and acted wisely is proven by the high character of the products which its schools have given the world. -Chas. H. Anderson [photo - Utilizing the swings at Hillview, De Grey district, 1930] A Dream Realized At the meeting of the Hughes County Rural School Assn. On September 19, 1934, held in the basement of the Congregational church, the compiling and ultimate publication of a HUGHES COUNTY HISTORY was designated one of the objectives of the organization. The officers at that time were: Carol Gunnison, president; Katherine Bruce, vice president; Stella Stephenson, secretary; Zetta Laughlin, treasurer. The executive committee consisted of Harriet Woodard, Creta Grandle, Delila Bane, Carol Gunnison and Bert L. Hall. Progress was slow at first; people weren't much interested when no definite assurance of a finished volume could be given. It required time and persistent effort to make the contacts that should be made. Repeated follow-ups were necessary in many instances to get desired results. All parts of the county should be covered yet the financial element limited the scope of the undertaking. Co. Supt. Carlos E. Westover had made a beginning in this field before leaving office in 1933 by mimeographing and assembling in loose loaf form the best articles submitted by pupils in a Young Citizen League essay contest on the topic "My County." In fact, the Pierre "Days of '81" committee had previously stimulated research in pioneer lore by offering prizes to pupils for true local frontier stories. ==============Page 5===================== After the September meeting referred to above, the schools in each school district were to secure a brief history of the early organization of such; also about first schools, teachers, patrons, etc. The early day settlers still alive were to be solicited for reminiscences. Persons especially versed in local history were to be invited to assist in the compilation. So during the intervening months which have now grown into years, gradually and quietly the desired material has been accumulated and arranged and made ready for the printer. We hoped a good crop might bring the opportune time for such a financial venture. The laborious task of compilation is drawing near completion as copy is turned over to the printer and proof is being checked for correction. The experience has been a pleasant one for the writers, making new acquaintances with the "builders" of our county, and becoming more intimate with those already known. We have enjoyed and been enriched in spirit by the undertaking. An orthodox historian may be disappointed with our product. We sense that there are imperfections both in fact and in structure with information gleaned from innumerable sources. Would you be one of those to discount the willingness of pupil effort in attempting to help in this enterprise? May you peruse this book with the attitude of one wishing for quiet adventure and reverent reverie, having as companions those rugged home-seeking men and women of a half century and longer ago? What if 50 or 55 years have dimmed memory so that there is a momentary slip of fact? Go back in anecdote with gray haired sires and dames for the sheer enjoyment of living again in that generation whose actors are fast passing from life's stage. I cherish the vision of a mother, resting after work is done, sharing with somebody's grandmother, the aspirations nourished in arranging a claim shack home; a tired father with pipe and easy chair, experiencing the thrill of building a new business in a new town, in a new Empire, without the attendant hardships. Or I see a freckled boy in a rural school vitalizing the "Pioneer Unit" by becoming engrossed with the struggles of our forefathers. We acknowledge assistance from the talented pen of Mary Giddings, Ft. Pierre artist, and to various parties for the loan of cuts. In closing we wish to express appreciation for the many hands and minds and hearts which made this volume possible. The cooperation of the business and professional firms has been of inestimable help in the realization of this dream -- this volume. March 28, 1937 -Amy B. and Bert L. Hall ===============Page 6======================= Geological History Hughes County is largely covered with glacial drift underlaid by several hundred feet of the Pierre shale formation and the chalk of the Cretaceous age. The soil, being largely glacial drift, contains large amounts of sand and many boulders, some of huge proportions. The border of one of the last thrusts of the great glacier is the eastern bank of the Missouri River which is the western boundary of Hughes County. The great mass of ice and snow that formed the body of the glacier carried with them, or pushed before them, great masses of boulders from bedrock where it was formed far up in Canada. In the moraine which runs along the bank of the Missouri in Hughes County, stone cutters find a good source of many kinds of fine granite useful for tombstones and building materials. The stones of the County Courthouse in Pierre were cut from the boulder found in this great moraine. As is true in all glacial drift countries; many lake beds remain to show the visit of the great ice sheet. In Hughes County, practically all of these have been drained or the water has evaporated. However, in recent years impounding dams have been built across the outlets and artificial lakes are being formed in some of the old beds. As was mentioned above, the soil is underlaid with what is known as the Pierre shale. This shale underlies most of the state in the formation somewhat like a saddle, with the pummel being headed in the Black Hills and the cantle being near Sioux Falls. Underlying this is found the Dakota sandstone beneath which is the granite layer. The sandstone is the water bearing strata and varies from a thousand feet below the surface in the western side of the county, to sixteen hundred feet in the highest portion of the northwestern part of the county. Wells dug in the vicinity of Pierre and Harrold on the two borders of the county range in depth from 1,160 feet to 1,537 feet; the later having penetrated a few feet into the granite. The greatest pressure from these wells is reported to be 210 pounds to the square inch, which is capable of raising the water to 1,900 feet above sea level. The water yields considerable gas, which has been utilized as the source of the city supply in Pierre. In the Cretaceous strata are found many fossil crustaceans. These are remains of ancient forms of fish, and show that while this layer of the earth’s surface was being formed, it was covered with water. There are only a very few places where lower strata rock protruded through and above thisstrata in South Dakota. The main one of these places is the Black Hills. The layers above this sandstone and chalk contain the fossil of the vertebras and the members of the animal kingdom between the vertebras and the earlier forms. Along the banks of rivers in the cuts, they make through the rock, are often found the bones or fossil remains of some of these forms. In the Memorial Building in Pierre there may be found the bones of a turtle, that was found on the bend of the Missouri above Pierre, which in life was almost as big as a small horse. Numerous other ================Page 7================================== types have been found from time to time by different expeditions from our own state, or college and museum collectors from the East who are making geological collections of the great western plains. The soil in Hughes County is rich as a result of the disintrgration of the bed rock of shale, mixed with the rich materials deposited by the glacier, the wind-blown materials, and decayed vegetable matter, found in the numerous water holes and lake beds of the post-glacial period. One place for studying the different formations is in the deep railroad and highway cuts, particularly those near the Missouri River where the cuts are often very deep. If one cares to distinguish between the soils before the glacier covered them and afterwards, one has but to look at the great hills of gumbo on the western bank of the Missouri, and the sandy boulder-strewn hills on the eastern side near Pierre. No geological study has been made of the Pierre or Hughes County quadrangle, but a very interesting topographical map can be secured from the Department of Geological Survey at Washington, D. C. for $.06, to show the contour of the land and other interesting features, in which one who is making a study of the county would be interested. A. G. Wright, Principal, Pierre H. S. Brief Description and History of Hughes County There are twenty-one and a half congressional townships consisting of 774 sq. mi., 495,360 acres. About seven townships are on the former Winnebago reservation in the southeastern part. The Missouri washes the entire southern border including 75 miles of the windings. The islands are: Echo, Lost, L. A. Framboise, Wood, Cedar, Dorian, Okobojo and Farm. There are two creeks of consequence, Medicine Knoll and Chapelle. The county was named for Alexander Hughes of Elk Point; created in 1873 and readjusted in 1879 and was organized November 20, 1880, by Gov. Ordway. The county seat was located at Pierre. The Governor appointed three commissioners: George L. Ordway, Wm. R. Ledwich and Joseph Reed. The railroad reached Pierre about that time. Exploration dates to earliest Missouri river navigation. Several French men married Indian women and settled within the county as early as 1830. Chief settlement and trade was at Ft. Pierre on the west shore. Three Rousseaus settled at the mouth of Medicine creek 1860. In 1855-6 Gen. Harvey established three military camps on the east side of the river for wood and pasturage. In 1863 Gen. Sully built Ft. Sully, five miles below Pierre. The first American settlement of prominence was made in 1873 when Thos. L. Riggs established an Indian Mission at Oahe which continues. In 1889 Pierre became the state capitol. Government Indian School, U. S. Land Office, Dist. Court and Federal Court are located here. =====================Page 8============================== Company A, First South Dakota, recruited at Pierre for the Phillipine war in 1904. -Doane Robinson’s Hist. Of South Dakota and Alfred Theodore Andreas’ Atlas (1884) A Few Fragments of History Hughes county lies in Central South Dakota. It begins where the tenth guide meridian intersects the Missouri River; thence northto the third standard parallel - its northern boundary. The Missouri River lies to the West. Its area is 485,760 acres. The Chicago & North Western reached Pierre in 1880. There was a ferry at Pierre and much freight was hauled to the Black Hills. Freight and mail were hauled by wagon to Gettysburg from Blunt until 1887 when the railroad was completed between Gettysburg and Faulkton. In 1910, it was completed between Blunt and Gettysburg. - Irma Howard Hughes County was organized in 1880. The first commissioners were: Mayor Ledwich, Joseph Reed, S. S. Laird. The court house was built in 1882. Bell was lynched in 1885. Judge Shanon held court in 1881. The first school building is now owned by Mrs. Louis Kehr. The great Pierre flood was in 1881. There are now six people living in Pierre who were living here in 1880: Mrs. Carrie Farnum, S. D. Blair, Burt Dickey, Palo Bianchi, Hank Hausman, and M. P. Martin. -M. P. Martin, 1935. Who Teaches In An Older Schoolhouse? According to records found in an old record book Mentor Standard school was built sometime between August 2, 1884 and July 3, 1885. Philip Pickering was hired to build the schoolhouse for $575. J. K. Hamilton was clerk of the board; Samuel Strayer, director. Miss Maggie C. King was employed to teach a term of 3 months beginning Sept. 14, 1885 at $30. Per month. -Orva Roda Olson State Superintendents Territorial and State Superintendents of the Department of Public Education James S. Foster (ex-officio) 1864-1868 T. McKendrick Stuart 1869 James S. Foster 1869-1870 J. W. Turner 1870-1871 E. W. Miller 1872-1874 J. J. McIntire 1875-1876 W. E. Caton 1877-1878 ===============Page 9======================= W. H. H. Beadle 1879-1885 A. Sheridan Jones 1885-1887 Eugene A. Dye 1887-1889 Leonard A. Rose 1889 Gilbert L. Pinkham 1889-1891 Cortez Salmon 1891-1895 Frank Crane 1895-1899 E. E. Collins 1899-1903 Geo. W. Nash 1903-1906 M. M. Ramer 1906-1907 H. A. Ustrud 1907-1911 C. G. Lawrence 1911-1915 Chas. H. Lugg 1915-1918 Fred L. Shaw 1918-1925 C. G. St. John 1925-1929 E. C. Giffen 1929-1933 I. D. Weeks 1933-1935 J. F. Hines 1935- County Superintendents The following people have held office as County Superintendent in the Hughes County Schools since the first school district was established and organized in 1880. 1880-1882 William B. Williams (Resigned July 25, 1882). 1882-1883 T. L. Riggs (Completed term) 1883-1887 J. C. Collister 1887-1891 Crosby G. Davis 1891-1893 Margaret C. King 1893-1897 Lizzie D. Laughlin 1897-1901 Emily F. White 1901-1905 Maude Russell Carter 1905-1909 Ida M. Hatch 1909-1913 W. E. Calhoun 1913-1917 Margaret Linden 1917-1921 Daisy Solberg 1921-1925 Grace E. Matteson 1925-1929 Bert L. Hall 1929-1933 Carlos Westover 1933-1937 Bert L. Hall 1937- C. E. Westover it is interesting to note that each of our County Superintendents was held over for two terms in office. -Harriet Woodard ==================Page 10============================= The Early Schools of Hughes County A little over fifty-three years ago, December 23, 1880, when the Dakotas were known as the Dakota Territory, Wm. B. Williams accepted the appointment as the first superintendent of the public schools of Hughes County. After taking the oath of office he proceeded to attend to his official duties, one of which was to form the entire county into one school district, which was called School District Number One. Then in his own words, “I issued and caused to be posted up in five conspicuous places in the county, a notice, declaring the county as District One, and calling a meeting of the said School District for the purpose of electing district officers and attending to such other business as might lawfully come before it, to be held on January the 10th, 1881, at 8:00 o’clock P. M. at the Waiting Room of the Passenger Depot at Pierre.” Upon that date the officers were duly elected and the business of the meeting attended to. October 10, 1881 the county treasurer turned over to C. W. Richardson, the treasurer of the school district, the sum of $820, which amount had been allotted to the school fund. The first teacher’s examination was held Nov. 3, 1881, with three candidates seeking certificates, namely: L. E. Penny, Louise Cavalier and E. L. Bundy. Miss Louise Cavalier taught the one school open in the district, at Pierre. The first school house was a small frame building, the material for which had been hauled to Pierre by teams, by Louis Kehr, a young business man who was opening up a general merchandise store at the corner of Dakota Ave., and Coteau Street. He had freighted in the material for his new store building and from the left over material the first school house in Hughes County was built. The school house was built just north of what is known now as the Pioneer Store, on Coteau Street. Today this first school house stands east of the store building on Dakota Avenue, a quaint reminder of those first school days enjoyed by the children of those first pioneers who did much to build up our community. Among those listed as the pupils of Miss Cavalier’s school are: Carrie Herbison, Will Cessane and a sister Maude Shirtliff, Myrtle High, Max Kehr, and Glenn Store. A year later, L. E. Penny conducted the school in a very acceptable manner according to the notations of County Supt. Williams. April 12, 1882 Supt. Williams hired a rig and visited the territory north and east of Pierre, and helped to organize two new school districts, to be known as School Districts Number Two and Three. These districts correspond to the districts now known as Peoria and Mentor. Peoria became district number three with a total of 27 children of school age, while Mentor became District Number Two with 21 school children to accommodate. These districts were carefully bounded by ribbons of red ink upon a map of the county, and kept on record by Supt. Williams. =====================Page 11============================ The following officers were elected for these districts: Peoria: Yellow Hawk, Director; H. M. Riggs, Clerk; Arthur Ward, Treasurer. For Mentor District: J. M. Kleinfelter, Director; F. C. Bullis, Clerk; and Pete Alleman, Treasurer. The fourth school district was formed after some delay as muddy roads prevented a successful first meeting, but on January 20, 1882, the Rousseau District was lawfully organized with the following officers installed: Desirie Channie, Director; Wm. O’Donnell, Clerk, and M. C. Rosseau, Treasurer, with 26 children eligible for school enrollment. Miss Tina Heron seems to have been the first teacher in that district. July 25, 1882, Supt. Williams resigned. According to his records he had received a total of $21.75 for his work as County Supt. This included incidental expense for stamps, and the hiring of rigs for travel to the places of meeting for the organization of the four districts that had been formed during his term. T. L. Riggs completed the term for Mr. Williams. It was not until April 9, 1883 that the school districts named were renumbered and given their present boundary lines. School District History Arnott School My family came to Raber Twp., March, 1907. At that time no school was established in this community; however, there were two families living here with school children, Margaret Kalish, who attended Snake Butte school; Paul and Hoyt Wiley, who were attending school in some shack in the Giddings locality. The first school established in the Arnott District began the fall of 1907 in an old house belonging to Lon Hanks. Miss Nellie Monroe, from Howard was our first teacher. We attended school only six months per year - all in one stretch. The old house was cold but we had a good attendance. Billy Roach, and the Mathewws, Wiley, Swift, Kalish, Daniels, and Whaley children. William, Gladys and I attended school part of the year, as the winters were long and time hung heavy on our hands those first two years. J. P. Laughlin, Junkman and Billy Congdon were our school officers at that time. The fall of 1908 we commenced school in a claim shack owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Milligan which stood just across the road from our present Arnott school site. The land is now owned by Mr. Frank Harbaugh, of Pierre. Eva Dix was homesteading the land our school was located on and the 80 acres just west was our teacher’s. We had a large enrollment and were very crowded. This sounds laughable, but is true; when the teacher wished to send the class to the blackboard, those sitting near the board had to be excused to make ==========================Page 12=========================== room. It was very difficult for the teacher to keep order under such crowded conditions. During the late fall or winter the contractor started work on the school building where it now stands. The rough lumber in the Arnott school came from P. J. Laughlin’s timber on the river. By the latter part of March our Arnott school house was ready for use. I remember so well that nice fresh paint smell. I can’t just remember, but I believe I was in the 4th grade; it might have been the fifth. We still have the same heating system, but some changes have been made in the school house as the walls are plastered now and were tin sheeted when constructed. I can’t say exactly as to teachers’ salaries then, but I think $35 per month. My mother finished a term of school in the Black Lakes district that year or the year before and it seems to me that was the salary. Arnott school has been in continuous session since 1907. There has been an attempt a time or two to move the school house but in each instance it failed and the structure remains exactly where it was established. Mrs. Kathryn Pool was not one of the earliest teachers of the Arnott school, yet I consider her a pioneer and also Miss Laura Blake who is living in Pierre. My father served on the school board for a number of years. I can’t remember exactly the year, and those records have been destroyed. The school received its name from the Arnott post office. -Grace Steiner Valley School District The first record of the Springdale School is in 1892 when the school board was composed of Richard Brown as clerk; H. H. Brekke, as chairman and William H. Hillmer as treasurer. William H. Hillmer was the father of the present chairman of the school board, J. W. Hillmer. The teacher at that time was Miss Mabel Dean, who received a salary of $30 a month. The school at that time was located on the now graveled road which is a mile west of the present location of the school. Later it was moved to about a quarter of a mile from where it now stands. Five years ago it was moved to its present location. -Springdale School Pleasant Valley Township Mrs. Addie B. Jackson was the first school teacher of Pleasant Valley schools that we have records of in the superintendent’s office. The term began March 28, 1887 and ended June 17, 1887. Records are shown of a School Board in 1883 which consists of: J. H. Vanhorn - President, Blunt. J. C. Tansey - Clerk, Blunt. Patrick Kelly - Treasurer, Blunt. =======================Page 13============================== The census for 1884 shows that there were 17 school children in Pleasant Valley township at that time by actual enumeration. Some of the family names found in this census were: Nafe, Brewster, Jackson, Dunn, Wheeler, Vanhorn, Brown and Mann. Pleasant Valley Jim Ryan, who homesteaded here in the ‘80s, was one of the earliest residents of this district. Beth Eden school was previously called Ryan school. At that time it was situated a mile and a half north of the present location. Beth Eden School is now on the quarter section which was originally the Dunn homestead. Miss Barkdoll gave the name of Beth Eden to this school soon after it was moved to the present location in 1923. The earliest settlers of the district have now either retired or have passed on from this world. Most of the residents of this district at the present time have located here since 1920, with the exception of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Pool. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pool were teachers in this vicinity as young people, and since their marriage have made it their home. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have been in the country since 1912 and in this district for many years. A new school has taken the place of the old Sunnyview school building. This old school house is now the farm home on the Otto Burki place. The tornado of June 1924, took the lone ash tree which stood near the corner of Beth Eden schoolyard. -Minnoise Hoyt, Beth Eden, teacher. Webster District On the 9th of April 1883 the Co. Commissioners divided Hughes County into 21 School Districts, of which the Congressional township, No. 111, range 74, was known as Webster School District No. 8. The first school election was held on May 13, 1884. The following officers were elected: Clerk - A. J. Webster Treasurer - Albert Jordan Chairman - G. W. Giddings The first school census was taken in 1884. The census listed 7 girls and 11 boys, with the following family names appearing: Thomas McNulty, G. W. Giddings, Albert Jordan, J. J. Kelley, Robert Miller, Mrs. L. E. Freres, Charles Schuster and A. J. Webster. The first school term began under the supervision of Co. Supt. Crosby G. Davis and teacher, P. E. Chase. The school term began Aug. 8, 1887 and ended Feb. 29, 1888. A month elapsed and school again started on Apr. 23, ending for the year on June 22, 1888. ======================Page 14============================== The following pupils were enrolled in the first school. Grade number is shown following name. McNulty Maggie 5 McNulty Mary 4 McNulty Nellie 3 Jordan Earnest 3 McNulty James 2 Nothdurft Edward 2 Nothdurft Earnest 2 Weatherwax Frankie 1 Nothdurft Tony 1 Westminster Township Westminster was organized on the 9th day of April, 1883. Congressional Township No. 112, range 74. The number of it was No. 7. It was later organized in with the territory now taken in by the Harrold District. Bretton School District In compliance with section No. 24 of the school code approved March 8, 1833, the county commissioners divided the county into twenty- one school townships. No. 6 was named Bretton district and consisted of Congressional Township No. 112, Range 75. Three schools were organized in the Bretton District, namely East School in the S. W. corner of the E. ½ of Sec. 11;the North school or present Little Daisy in the S. E. corner of the W ½ of Sec. 4; and the South school or present N. R. G. in the N. W. corner of the W ½ of section 17. The North school was moved from Sec. 4 to the S. E. corner of the E. ½ of Sec. 5, Sept. 20, 1913, and the So. School was moved from Sec. 17 to the S. E. corner of the S. E. corner of the SE ¼ of Sec. 18, Aug. 7, 1924. It was rebuilt and the lighting facilities changed to conform with modern ideas. (The North school still stands as built.) The east end of Bretton consolidated with Harrold, June, 1920, thus leaving only two schools in Bretton. In 1934 the South school was closed, there being only 2 pupils. These two went to Little Daisy. The first school term of the early nineties began in Nov. and lasted until March; the second began in Apr. and was out in June. The average number of days taught was around 50 and the average attendance 14. The pupils’ ages ranged from 5 to 20. The teacher’s salary was $30.00 per mo. A man teacher was hired during the winter term and a woman for the spring. Names commonly found on the reports of the 90’s were: Seeley, Clopper, Brekke, Lewis J. Borger, A. Enstad, Markus, Fred Foote, Plin Foote, Bert Foote, Elmer Knight, Blacks, Philips, Garrets, John Lottie and Carey. Books found in the first libraries were - Swinton Readers, Swinton Spellers, Robinson and Fish Arithmetic, Harney Grammars, Swinton’s Geography and Pathfinder Physiology and Hygeiene. -Little Daisy =======================Page 15=================================== Dry Run District (This material was taken from records filed in the office of the County Superintendent.) In an early "Clerk's Record Book" we find the first account of Dry Run District, which states: "School township number 12 shall consist of congressional townships number 111 range 78; and fractional congressional townships number 110 range 78." The oldest term reports of teachers were for the year 1886-1887. Found were four term reports for schools number 2, 3, 4, 5. The County Superintendent at this time was Mr. Crosby G. Davis of Blunt, South Dakota. School number 2 began November 1, 1886. The term report was dated March 25, 1887 evidently the close of school. This school was taught by Kate Cronan who received a salary of $30 a month. There were seventeen pupils in this school. School number 3 began November 15, 1886 and ended March 18, 1887. The teacher J. M. Porter received $35 a month. Five pupils attended this school. Comments on the school were "no dictionary and no globe." School number 4, taught by Nellie Donahue began November 22, 1886. The term report was dated April 8, 1887. The teacher received $35 a month. Ten pupils attended this school. Comments on the school were "no dictionary, or text books but has globe, maps, charts, etc." School number 5 began November 3, 1886 and ended March 35, 1887. William J. B. Sherwood taught the school. School was in session one hundred days. Comments report "a coal and storm cellar; also charts and globe but no maps or dictionary." Seven pupils attended this school. In a note and also a letter sent the County Superintendent J. C. Collister by John Rand, Director acting as Clerk of Dry Run township, on July 20, 1884 a report was made that there were fifty-six children over seven years and under twenty years of age and unmarried in Dry Run township. The teacher's term reports and the school census for 1884 written by enumerator, Mrs. Jessie Hardy, listed such familiar names as these: "Mark, Jessie, Walter and Ralph Burton; Mike, Peter, Tracy, and Katie Biwer; Thomas, Laura, Joseph, Willie and Leon Chaussee; Leonard and Olive Scovel; Joseph Minnie and Mary Bruiette; Frank Babcock; Wallace Alexander, Frank and Justin Calhoun; Mable Taylor. Account written by Norma D. Larsen History of Logan District In looking over Teachers' Reports a report was found for Logan School District of Dakota Territory dated Sept. 20th, 1886. It had been sent to J. C. Collister, presumably the County Superintendent at Harrold. The teacher of school No. 2 was Florence M. Henderson. Jessie ===============================Page 16=========================== Hunting, Lettie Veal, Della Veal, Mary Darling, Este Veal and May Veal were the first pupils of whom we have any record. A report of the Clerk of Logan School Township, B. A. Tozier, in 1887 shows the school census to include 18 children. A notation gives the census of 1883 as 25. In a Supt's report of 1888 there is a rating of Mrs. Henderson's teaching as follows: Order of Gov't - 100%, Methods of Instruction - 90%, Gradation of School - 90%, Thoroughness of Work - 85%, Neatness of Work - 80%, Condition of Room - 80%. On July 9, 1889 the minutes of the school board meeting revealed the hiring of three teachers at an approximate monthly salary pf $33.33 for six months. The school tax levied was 10 mills. The district's income for the year amounted to $685.07. Natural philosophy was a subject listed but no one enrolled. The first school apportionment that we have any record of was made in 1892 to the school treasurer, J. P. Youngberg and it amounted to $35.71. The school board minutes that were recorded for March 31, 1903 were the first detailed report to which we had access. The school board consisted of Wm. Hopkins, Thomas Whalen and J. P. Youngberg. At this meeting it was recommended to allow professional Interest Certificate teachers $1 per month more than non-professional teachers. The wages in 1907 were raised to $40 for a 6 month divided term: 3 mos. In fall and 3 in spring. In 1909 by a petition the location of the north school was moved from SW ¼ Sec. 20-112-77 to S. E. corner of Sec. 2-112-77. It was moved again in 1911. In 1910 a seven month term of school was adopted and in 1912 the term was lengthened another month. Medicine Knoll or which is better known as Medicine Butte is a high butte near Blunt in Logan Township. It is a landmark on the route from the Minnesota River to the Missouri. Fremont celebrated July 4, 1839 shooting rockets from the butte. There is a Sioux memorial in the form of a serpent to commemorate the bravery of a young man who once was keeping his fast upon it when he observed Ree enemies approaching. He was praying in such a loud voice that he attracted the attention of his relatives camped on a creek below who rushed to his rescue. The Pierre Kiwanis Club has placed a bronze marker on the corner three miles west of Blunt on Highway 14 to direct interested visitors to the old Indian land mark. -Evelyn McCall De Grey District The history of Hughes County dates back many years as the majority of us already know, but unless we have made a special study of sections of this territory or by listening to tales of our grandparents or earlier settlers we do not recognize the significance of names and markings familiar to us. ============================Page 17============================== Two names which we still use and will continue to use are: De Grey and Chapelle. De Grey is the name of a Post Office and Township in the central and southern part of the county and bordering in the Missouri River. Charles De Grey (1823-1877) is the person for whom these two places are named. Mr. De Grey was not born in South Dakota, but lived for many years at the mouth of Chapelle Creek. We find by asking old residents that his home would be out in the river now, because the river has washed away so much of the land. Chapelle, a creek in the central and eastern portion of the county and emptying into the Missouri River near De Grey, was named after David Chapelle, who settled at the mouth of the creek about 1832. At the mouth of the creek many interesting things happened. We find that Lewis and Clark stopped at the mouth of the creek and spent the night. Another interesting feature that we find near is an old Ree Indian Fort. By talking to Tom White and Amos Shield, two of our older Indians, we find that this Ree camp was the permanent camp of the Rees, or it was their winter headquarters. When Mr. Hank Jones first moved there, he said that it was nearly impossible to go across the grounds with a team and wagon, but now we find that by careful driving one can go across it with a car, for the trenches and dugouts for the tepees are only four and five feet deep. Around the outside of the fort is the trench, and near the creek on the east can be seen their runway. On the other side of the creek was their burying grounds, where many interesting things have been found. Another interesting thing which few people notice are the old Government Trails. Many of these can still be seen, and from the looks of the many beaten paths a great many hours were spent on these roads, and no telling all the hardships that have been encountered not only in a day, but for many years, by both whites and Indians. An ordinary red colored rock that was in Section 14 of De Grey Township caused a great deal of comment, because of the fact that an imprint of a human hand and two crow feet could be seen on the top. Recently this rock has been removed from its natural surroundings, thus spoiling part of its historical value to people of the county and also South Dakota. No one seems to know what has become of this rock which has probably been in the same place for hundreds of years. -Wildwood School (This rock about the size of a small barrel was brought to Pierre about 1935 and placed in front of the Memorial building where historical archives are kept. It is believed that Seward Leeper of Blunt had charge of this removal, who acted in the belief that the ancient relic was being placed where many more people could observe it. - Supt. Hall.) Crocus Hill History Just north of the Will Sparks homestead a school started in the fall of 1904 in a tar paper claim shack. Mrs. Sparks was the first teacher ========================Page 18================================= and she named it Crocus Hill. She took examination on Supt. Maud R. Carter's house in Pierre. Six pupils attended: Frank, Ethel, Edna Schaap; Billy and Emma Congdon; Agnes Merickel. Edna died near the end of the term from injury on a swing board at home. Sarah "Sadie" Kelley, now McGaffee, taught the next year. Then the present building was built on the site where it now stands a mile east of the first building. Charlie Hilgenbacher, Pete Laughlin, and Bill Congdon was the School board. Hazel Johnson taught the first term in the new building. The school got its name from the multitude of Crocus flowers that bloomed in the spring. -Elva E. Sparks Hillside School of Medicine Valley The history of this school started in 1929. Formerly this was a part of the Blunt Independent School District. Then some of the families living outside of Blunt decided it would be cheaper and more convenient to have their own district. So the southwest corner of the Blunt district, reorganized into a district of nine sections, naming it the Medicine Valley district after the Medicine Creek which runs through it. The first School Board Members were: Mrs. Dave Runge, George Sias, and Wilbur Hogue. The first school which was held for two years was in a house on the Runge Ranch, only two children enrolled. It was decided to have a school in the center of the district. They bought a small building to which they built an addition and placed it where it now stands on NW-28-112-76. It has been named the "Hillside School," by the pupils. -Bernette Hertel Paradise Valley School District The first school Board of Paradise Valley School District of which we have record was in 1922. The following people made it up: M. B. Gregg, Chairman Arne Hagemo, Clerk Bernard Gregg, Treasurer The first year the school was taught by Margaret Matthews, the first half, and Ida G. Jones the second half. There were six pupils enrolled at the beginning of the year, who came from the families of St. John, Gregg, and Middletent. Buckeye School Township The first school teacher that we have records of in the County Supt. Office for Buckeye township was Kezia Voorus. Her school opened in April 11, 1887, and closed in July 1, 1887. We have records of a school board as far back as 1883-4. The members were: =========================Page 19=============================== William Cole - President F. H. Steigmeyer - Clerk Thomas Neeley - Treasurer The earliest school census we have for Buckeye township dates back to 1884. The total number of pupils was 30. Among the family names recorded we find: Neeley, Cole, London, Crabbs, Herron, Keller, Young, Millen, and Horn. Joe Creek School District The first school board of which we have any record in the office of the Supt. For Joe Creek School District was in 1922. The following made up the board: Bert L. Hall - Joe Creek - Chairman W. C. Rutherford - Joe Creek - Clerk Fred Schenegge - De Grey - Treasurer Amy B. Hall was the first teacher in the Joe Creek District. There were 8 pupils in attendance at this school and they came from the following families: Barry, Rutherford, and Dougherty. Brief History of Rousseau School District Rousseau was first settled by French people who came here in 1880. There were two families who lived close together, one was M. C. Rousseau and the other a brother Romeo Rousseau. M. C. Rousseau married a French Canadian woman and R. Rousseau married an Indian squaw. Rousseau station was named for them. The M. C. Rousseau family had a trading post. The Indians brought furs to trade. They also cut trees down and traded them to the ferry boats that went up and down the Missouri River, these boats took them to the saw mills. There were many Indian camps near. Rousseau also had a post-office to handle mail for the nearby settlers. There was also a store where articles were kept, such as tobacco, foods, and clothing. -Ethel Robley Harrold Schools by An Early Teacher In 1883 the place where Harrold now stands there was nothing, but prairie. Houses or a town could not be seen for miles around. It was not to remain so very long; land seekers and immigrants came crowding out into the West, bringing with them lumber enough to build a temporary shack in which to store their household goods. Land seekers and immigrants were willing to pay what we consider a big price to sleep on the floor of a section house. More lumber was soon shipped in and business buildings and shacks rapidly sprang into sight. The Sheldon was a part of the old hotel which was torn down in 1931. Most all the entertainment which the town afforded for its residents at that time was held in the Sheldon. ===============================Page 20=============================== One of the most outstanding was the church services which were held in the dining room of the building. In 1884 a public school was opened in a building formerly used as land office. It was situated east of where Dr. Martin lives. This building was used for two years. In this school house a teacher's examination was held. Among the persons who took this examination was Mr. K. M. Foot who afterwards taught in a country school. In 1886 a large building was built and in 1922 the present brick structure was erected. In the second building the lower room was used for a school and the upper room was used for church services, Ladies' Aid meetings, Masonic gatherings, and various other entertainments and social affairs. The third and fourth year of the public school, country children were brought in and the school numbered between 68 and 70 children. All of these were crowded into one room and one teacher was to, properly, teach them, receiving a salary of about 35 dollars per month. This was a hard task because most of them camefrom different states, had different books, some having none at all and with many different classifications as to grades. The settlers, of course, had thrilling experiences. None of the inhabitants had cars or had even seen one, but there was a rumor that a car was going through. The people all gathered in what was then main street to see the great novelty which it indeed, proved to be at this particular time. Although the car went only about five or ten miles an hour people stood back in order to give it plenty of room. Another story is also told about a cyclone. Two or three men who were working on a well jumped into the well so that they might be sheltered from the storm. A little while later one of the men climbed to the top and peered over. "The town has been swept away," he told his fellowmen, after a long gaze. One of the other men then climbed up to look. "Why," he said, "you were looking north instead of south; the town is still standing." This was the laugh of the town for a couple of weeks. This information was received from an old settler, Miss C. M. Hall of Harrold. Notes From Early Records - In Superintendent's Office 1902 - Class Motto - "Will find a way, or make one." 1901 - Hattie Pietrus, Buckeye, received perfect attendance certificate. 1902 - Perfect Attendance Everett Schumacher Martin Samuelson Albert, John, and Ida Westlund Peter and Otto Lindbloom Gilbert Pearson Marion Ihli 1903 - Class Motto - "I can and I will." Only two 8th grade graduates, Lillie Pearson and Robert Riggs. 1904 - Louisiana Purchase Centennial Exposition at St. Louis - Excerpt from notice of S. D. World's Fair Commission, ==============================Page 21============================= "A great portion of the people of this nation look upon South Dakota as the home of the Indian, the cowboy and the outlaw, and wonder if we have any churches or schools. The great exposition will be an opportunity to show to all that in education, as well as the production of fine crops, South Dakota stands in the front line." 1906 - Class Motto - "Be ready." 1906 - Since the last legislature added to the requirements for teacher's certificates a knowledge of S. D. history, the announcement that the American Book Co. has just issued "A Brief History of South Dakota," a little volume from the pen of Doane Robinson will be of special interest. 1906 - Revised Course of Study. 1906 - System of Ethical Training in Public Schools Adopted - "South Dakota is the first state in the union to adopt the system of moral and ethical training." 1906 - Pres. Theodore Roosevelt causes furor by directing that 300 simplified spelling words recommended by the Carnegie committee be used in printing of public documents. Here are a few: dasht, catalog, judgment, blusht, depresst, kist, claspt, drest, mama. 1906 - Agitation for perfect universal language - Esperanto. 1906 - Hans A. Ustrud - State Superintendent 1907 - Supt. Ida Hatch of Hughes Co., issued a call for 20 teachers needed to fill vacancies in the county. BLUNT EARLY DAY HAPPENINGS History of Blunt By Virginia Leeper The town of Blunt is located in northern Hughes County and was named after Mr. John E. Blunt, chief engineer for the Chicago and Northwestern railway when the railroad was first laid through this territory. It is situated in a beautiful valley which is traversed by Medicine Creek, and is famous for its fertile soil. When the valley was first settled it contained only the "Lone Tree," but possesses at the present time more trees than any other townsite in the county. Few towns of its size can boast so varied and interesting a history as this one. The story of this settlement presents in an unusual way the panorama of events usually associated with a pioneer settlement. The rapid growth of the great central region of the United States, the great westward migration of population, the magnitude of which had never before been equaled in history is portrayed in small degree in the story of this one settlement. The first record of the town dates back to 1880, the year when the Chicago and Northwestern railway was built through to Pierre. In that same year Mr. John Miller stopped off at this "siding" and he took a =======================Page 22=============================== claim just south of the present town. To this man goes the distinction of having been the first settler in Blunt. There was no further settlement until January, 1882. On the sixth of that month Mr. George W. Freeland, Mr. John J. Stebbins and Mr. N. E. Westover took claims in the valley. Mr. William J. Leeper also came in January, 1882. Mr. Freeland built a shack under the only tree in the valley. This "Lone Tree" is still in existence and is located on the bank of a stream south of town at the site where a mill was located a few years later. On the 23rd of March, 1882, a group of people known as the "Illinois Colony" arrived from Lincoln, Illinois, and the several families took claims in a body northwest of Blunt. During the spring a few continued to arrive from time to time. By July 4 there were about 65 persons in the vicinity. A postoffice was opened in Blunt July 1, 1882, with N. E. Westover as postmaster. In that same year the first store was started in Blunt by W. F. Seward of Pierre. The first Newspaper made its appearance in March, 1882 and was known as the "Medicine Valley Times." "The Advocate", the present Blunt paper put out its first edition July 21, 1883. The original townsite was platted in 1882 and by April 1, lots in Stebbins and Freeland's addition were placed on sale. According to an issue of the Advocate, dated August 4, 1883, the town of Blunt contained an unusual number of business buildings, it states that there were, "Hotels 6, groceries 12, law and land offices 11, lumber yards 9, dry goods stores 5, clothing stores 4, drug stores4, hardware 6, saloons 5, bakeries 4," etc. The article summarizes, "This is certainly a very good business showing for a town of 1,000 inhabitants and only three months old." The "eighties" were generally a prosperous time for the new settlement. New settlers came in large numbers, induced both by the railroad companies and the ease of obtaining new land. The trading territory surrounding Blunt was very large, extending south and west to the Missouri River, east for many miles and north for almost a hundred miles. Stages made regular trips to Le Beau, Fairbank, Clifton and other points north. The period of greatest growth and prosperity for Blunt occurred during the decade between 1883 and 1893. The census reached a peak of 1600 inhabitants during that time. With all due respect to its able citizens and their best efforts to preserve the prosperity it is acknowledged that from 1893 to the present time there has been a very steady decline in business affairs in Blunt. Again we can draw the close parallel between the history of this particular town and a thousand other so-called "boom" towns. The peak at which it started could not be maintained for obvious natural reasons. In the first place a railroad was built extending from the East to Gettysburg, making this town a rival trading center to Blunt and drawing on much of its valuable trading territory. In the second place Pierre, only thirty miles distant became ==========================Page 23=============================== the capital of the State and had always been the county seat of Hughes County. Many of the most enterprising of Blunt business men saw greater opportunities for wealth in the capital city and moved to Pierre. Drought and depression soon discouraged some of the early settlers and they returned to their homes in the East or began cattle raising instead of farming. Shortly after the turn of the century prosperity seemed to come back to the settlement in a small measure and the years 1906 to 1910 saw a period of renewed activity in the city of Blunt. In 1910 another event took place which tended further to diminish activity in Blunt. This was the building of a railroad north from Blunt to Gettysburg, relieving Blunt of her entire northern trading territory and further diminishing new enterprises in the town. Two wars involving the United States have occurred during the life-time of Blunt, the Spanish-American and the World War. At these times of national emergency the citizens of Blunt were glad to give their utmost of life and property for their country. There are still a number of people residing here who took part in these combats and lack of time and space prevent mentioning their names here. However, we still recognize their service and failure to mention their names diminishes in no way our appreciation of their sacrifice. A great many events of lasting importance to Blunt took place in the year 1920. A period of boom prosperity again seemed to invade the town. New settlers streamed in and land values again reached astonishing levels. The population, although much depleted since the days of early settlement reached a level to permit the establishment of a city form of government consisting of a mayor and councilmen. The citizens of the town deemed it necessary to establish a four- year accredited high school and this was also accomplished in 1920. A new school building was erected to accommodate the enlarged program. Some enterprising people of the town, believing in the possibility that oil could be located here, financed the drilling of a well in 1920. The attempt proved unsuccessful. In May, 1920, a flood of quite severe proportions occurred in Blunt. A series of heavy spring rains had caused Medicine Creek to overflow, flooding almost the entire valley and causing considerable damage to homes and washing out 19 miles of track between Blunt and Pierre. In 1921 the town voted to establish a municipal water supply system and since that time there have been fewer disastrous fires in Blunt. Blunt has had its own history of incoming and outgoing people, the establishment of new businesses and failures and discouragements have likewise occurred. New homes have been built, old homes moved away until the present town resembles the settlement of 1883 not at all. In the short space of this brief account it is impossible to mention the names of all the people who have helped to build the town, their efforts are duly appreciated and accounts of their activity can be found in records elsewhere. =========================Page 24============================= By way of statistical information Blunt in July, 1934, is a town of approximately 500 citizens. The city government is headed by the mayor, W. S. Leeper, and the following councilmen, Gust Strom, H. Tennyson, L. Osterkamp, Arden Shipley, Lloyd Allison, G. E. Marsh and H. Glans, clerk. Blunt has four churches, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist and Christian. Other organizations of importance are the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Masonic Lodge. The present school system consists of about 150 students, a superintendent and seven teachers. There are three buildings, a high school building, a grade school building and a gymnasium. In conclusion I can only say that I consider it a great privilege to have been allowed to compile this brief history and have done my best with limited time, reference material and ability. If important events and characters have been omitted, I can only beg that I may be excused on this account. Taken from our files of the Blunt Advocate under the dating of Saturday, July 21, 1883. This paper was a large 9 column, 4 page and entirely set by hand. In an article headed, ‘Blunt History,’ we find recorded: Many a town in the East no larger than Blunt have a history dating back the Revolution. Usually those places have little besides their history to boast of. Blunt is willing to make the most of her history, but cares more for the busy present and the great future which she feels is just before her. One year ago the site where she now is located was a most beautiful, circular, prairie-bottom with only one or two buildings in view; three or four months ago only a few more shacks had been added, but with the opening of Spring and the influx of new settlers the new town began to take shape and most of the time has been booming. Even now during the season usually considered dull new buildings are started almost daily and merchants and hotel men report good business. In 1880 Mr. John Miller stopped off at the ‘Siding’ and took a claim just south of the present town. To him belongs the credit of having been the first settler in the vicinity of Blunt. Mr. Miller must have had a lonely time at his claim as there doesn’t seem to have been any further settlement until 1882. On the 6th of January of that yeart Mr. George Freeland, Mr. John J. Stebbins, and Mr. N. E. Westover appear to have discovered simultaneously the advantages of this valley for a town-site and each squatted on a quarter section of land. Judge Leeper came in the same year and took up a claim close to the others. “On the 23rd of March, 1882, what is known as the “Illinois Colony” arrived from Lincoln, Ill., and the several families took claims in a body just northeast of Blunt. This body consisted of Damascus Zollers, wife and two boys and married daughter, Mrs. Houney; Samuel Hayes, wife and three daughters; John Zollers and wife; J. J. Houtz and wife; George Raber, wife and little girl; Orin Reed and family; Finch Reed and family; Emanuel Ireland, wife and child; L. H. Dixon, ===========================page 24=============================== George J. Reed, Albert Eberts, Beverly Cooper, and Frank Cunningham, in all twenty-seven persons. During the spring a few more arrived and it is estimated about sixty-five were in the vicinity around the Fourth of July. In the Fall W. F. Seward and family came from Pierre and started a store on their claim northeast. A Postoffice was ordered opened at Blunt in July, 1882, but by some mistake it was located at the Tank, and was not moved to Blunt until August, when Mr. N. F. Westover was the Postmaster. “The depot was located at the foot of Pierre street, a box car having previously done duty as both a passenger and freight depot. “The first regular boarding house was opened in March by Mrs. Evans, now known as the Evans House. The Metropolitan Hotel, one of the largest and finest along the Dakota Central railroad was erected at a cost of over $7,000. “As an indication of the character of the people flocking into the new country it is only necessary to say that they did not neglect their religious duty. Preaching was held frequently last summer by Rev. McGready and others. “Day school was opened in May by Miss Emma Kingsbury, to whom this community has been indebted for its first school facilities. “Almost before the boom struck Blunt, a newspaper was started in March. It was known as the Medicine Valley Times and the first proprietors were A. C. Lanish and Thos. P. Hopp. It was published in the Westover & Houtz’s land office, a room 14 feet square. The paper changed hands four times in as many weeks, the present proprietor taking possession May 21. It was the latest edition in Blunt as the Blunt Advocate; the first issue of which lays before you.” Another heading in this edition, OUR FIRST MANUFACTORY, relates to an enterprise operated by Mr. Sargent, “at his shop, between State street and Lone Tree avenue, he has in a small way begun to make bed springs and hopes to increase his facilities.” A graded race track was built so these early settlers could settle all arguments when it came to owning fast ‘trotters.’ Another topic taken from this old copy, “Corn stalks the height of a man were shipped east by express. Evidently some resident is bound to convince incredulous friends in the east that Dakota is a corn country.” “Drought is unknown and the crops are evidence of the exceeding productiveness of Dakota soil.” “The grasses on the hills and in the valleys are the most nutritious in the world.” “As a corn raising country it is unquestionably equal to Iowa or even Illinois.” Some of the advertisements were truly ‘masterpieces.’ One of them stated, “Disease Cured Without Medicine” which was a promotional argument in favor of the wonderments of the Magnetic Kidney Belt. Another would have it that “Hostetter’s Bitters” was the only sure cure for any and all stomach disorders. Still another, “Wise’s Axle Grease Never Gums.” Many small advertisements offered money to loan for proving up claims. ======================Page 26================================= Abe Lincoln’s Teacher One of the only tangible remnants of Abraham Lincoln’s transactions with Dakota Territory, the state still unborn, is his signature scrawled awkwardly on an imposing document appointing J. P. Kidder, associate justice, February 3, 1865. The autograph, one of many famous ones, is treasured by State Historian Lawrence K. Fox. Lincoln signed the appointment only two months before his assassination. Thus, one of his first and one of his last official acts had to do with Dakota Territory. According to Mr. Fox, Lincoln’s school teacher once lived at Blunt. Coming to the Territory and residing at Blunt, Mentor Graham passed away and was buried there. A few years ago the former schoolmaster of the Civil War President was removed from his grave at Blunt and taken to Petersburg, Illinois, for interment, near the place of Lincoln’s young manhood. The name of Lincoln has been bestowed upon a county in South Dakota. And an attempt to create a new state out of the Black Hills region would perpetuate the name - Lincoln. Blunt’s Early Days (From a letter by Henry Hoffman, one of the early settlers.) In reply to your request in the “Pierre Daily Dakotan”, headed “OLD TIMERS ASKED TO HELP CHILDREN”, will say I came to Blunt in the spring of 1883, from Plankinton, Aurora County, Dakota Territory, for at that time the present South Dakota had not been admitted as a state, and within one month after my arrival at Blunt as a resident of that place, I had the honor of being elected Chairman of the School Board of Blunt Township. The other two members of the school board were Charles Hammond, Secretary, and Dr. Vanvelsor, Treasurer. It became our duty to plan and build three school houses. The four room school house at Blunt was the largest of the three. This was planned so that as the town increased in population an additional four rooms could be built on the south side, thus making an eight room school building with an upper and a lower hallway as the entrance to the school rooms on both upper and lower floors. This building was located in the center of an entire block, thus giving plenty of playground for the children. During the first few years after the founding of Blunt it had an estimated population of about 3,000 persons, and was the largest business center in the central part of South Dakota. Besides many retail stores it had a wholesale grocery operated by C. N. Hawley, a wholesale hardware store, many large lumber yards, a large opera house, many hotels and boarding houses, two flour mills, several church buildings besides many large and small residence buildings. Of distinguished persons who honored Blunt with their presence were the Sioux Chief, Drifting Goose, and his interpreter, who made the ===================page 27===================================== writer a very interesting visit, in which visit he stated that he was made Chief of the Sioux Indians because he always lived an upright life. Another distinguished person was Miss Alice Hamill, daughter of S. S. Hamill, M. A., a world renowned elocutionist and author of “New Science of Elocution”, who gave a magnificent entertainment in the Blunt Opera House. But the greatest woman according to all history - ancient and modern - of the world that honored Blunt with her presence was Miss Susan B. Anthony, who started and persisted in a movement that has now freed women of all the principal countries of the world. She stands out as the greatest woman of all times. The writer had the honor of visiting with her while he and his family accompanied her from Blunt to Onida, Sully County, where she delivered a lecture, the greatest the writer has ever had the privilege to hear. A Few Words of Early History at Blunt My father came to Blunt in 1882. The U. S. Land Office was at Huron at that time. On Oct. 12, 1882, father filed on a half section of land 2 miles east of Blunt. Our homestead was NE ¼ 15-112-76 and our tree claim was SW ¼ 14-112-76 which we still own. We moved onto the land April 4, 1883. We came from South English, Keokuk Co., Iowa. We had 2 mules, 2 horses and 2 cows. You could get all the sod breaking you could do that year at $6.00 per acre. I went to school in Blunt with May Cowan, now Mrs. D. W. March, Jennie Stone, Frank and Fred Pigney, Emma Airhart, now Mrs. Tracy and Mrs. Gropengesier of Onida. The county officers were: Commissioners G. W. Harris, P. F. McClure, S. G. Evans; Register of Deeds, J. A. McArthur; Sheriff, P. W. Comford; Treasurer, D. S. Williams; Justice of the Peace, C. N. Klienfelter and J. J. Houtz; Constables, John Bark, Nicholas Gearhard, W. H. Gray and Louis Scherzenger; Coroner, Dr. W. B. Steere. Officers in Blunt: J. C. Stebbins, Deputy Sheriff and Deputy U. S. Marshal; Constable, Orrin Reed; J. J. Houtz was Justice of the Peace. The summer of 1883, Blunt had 2 flour mills and a broom factory run by Mr. Baker. The Opera Block was 72 x 51 with 3 store rooms downstairs. Rhe second floor was used for the Opera House. The Metropolitan Hotel was 3 stories high and had frontage of 60 ft. on each of 2 streets. It was opened for business about May 1, 1883. I broke the ground for the Youngblood Park where the grove now is, at the north end of main street. Blunt had 2 banks, the Bank of Blunt and the Hughes Co. Bank, both doing a big business. Wm. Brown, real estate, later built the residence across the street from the St. Charles Hotel in Pierre. Dr. D. W. Robinson had an office in the Clapp and Son Drug store. He later came ==========================Page 28============================= to Pierre. N. E. Westover was the first postmaster in Blunt. Chas. Burke had a real estate office. He located later at Pierre. Archie Cowan had a boot and shoe factory. He was a father of Mrs. D. W. Marsh. John and Bob Barkley had a harness and saddle factory. Kemp Bros., books and general store, later located in Pierre and built the Kemp block on Pierre Street. Wm. Rowland, A. E. Butler and Grishom Jones Hardware Co., had one building 24 x 70 with 2 stories and one 16 x 40. W. H. Gleckler and P. F. McClure, a big hardware store, manager Lawrence Mauch. This firm also had a hardware store later located in Pierre at the same time. Holmes, Willsey furniture store later located on Pierre St., at Pierre. Schouweiler Bros., general store, all doing a prosering business. In 1884 Blunt held a county fair. The grounds were 1 mile east of town. They had a nice round race track. There were many exhibits. From the mouth of Medicine Creek on down the Missouri river was Indian Reservation. Chas. Barry had a log house about 3 miles down the river from Medicine Creek in the timber. At DeGrey there was Hank Jones and on the west side of the creek was Bill Gillen. In the lower end of the Big Bend Old St. John. These were all squaw men who had settled here in the early days. In the early days we burned hay, flax straw and buffalo chips for fuel. We would gather the buffalo chips in the fall by the wagon load and store them under a dry roof for winter; when the snow was deep and we couldn’t get anything else. Later we got wood from Chas. Barry, a squaw man, who lived down the river. We would go down and stay all night and sleep on the floor of his log cabin and pay him $1.00 per load for the wood. It would take us 2 days to get a load of wood. Later we used to go down to the mouth of Chapelle Creek and get wood from Bill Gillan, also from Wm. Ashley Jones, a rebel soldier who used to give us “hell” if we ever mentioned a Union soldier; so we had to be a little careful what we said when we were around where this old devil was. He had killed several poor fellows in his time just because they had let their tongue run away with them. In 1896 we had an awful hard winter, the snow was over two feet on the level. You couldn’t get anywhere, if you ever got off the main trail. The first couple in Blunt, to be man and wife was in the shade of the old lone tree, which was a cottonwood. We had a neighbor who had a claim about 1 ½ miles south of us. He had just an old shack, so he dug a little hole about 2 ft. square and 3 feet deep and put up a sign with this inscription on it: “There improvements might be better, and the water might be wetter, this hole will answer as a well even if water is not found this side of hell.” The Hughes County Courthouse was built in 1883 at Pierre, S. D. The corner stone was laid by the Odd Fellows lodge of Pierre and H. J. Simms was the master of ceremonies. He was a wholesale and retail liquor dealer and his place of business was on Pierre Street about where the Thomas Grocery is now. Pierre had street cars propelled by one =========================page 29================================= little mule, running from the Locke Hotel to East Pierre on Dakota Ave. Another line ran from the Locke Hotel on block west and then up the hill to Capitol Ave. The car was propelled by two little mules. All cars ran until 11 P. M. Pierre had a number of large hotels. Among them was the North Western, a three story building, which was where the Harding Garage now stands. The Grand Pacific where the Red Owl Store now stands. The Park Hotel, which is the old Hospital building at this time; theWells House of three stories which was about 6 blocks east of the _____. -By Gus Kleinschmidt, March 8, 1937 [Woodcut or etching - Metropolitan Hotel, referred to in the previous article.] The Blunt Oil Well During the prosperous days of 1921 - 1922 promise of another boom came to Blunt in the promotion of the Blunt Oil Well. A Mr. Adams fostered the survey of the formations about Blunt and settled upon a site close to the railroad right of way about a quarter of a mile east of Blunt as the location of the oil dome which would bring wealth. The company was organized. Stock was sold, and more stock. Leases were made. People had visions of Blunt rising like the mushroom cities of the Oklahoma oil fields from a population of 600 people one day to a seething metropolis of 30,000 the next. The derrick was erected and engines and machinery were placed in readiness for drilling to begin. ==========================Page 30=============================== On the day of the breaking of ground a “Spudding In Day” celebration was held. People from the whole surrounding country came. A football game, bands, a stunting aeroplane, a parachute drop, and a barbecue were some of the events of the day. We children expected to see at any time a great fountain of oil burst from the top of the derrick. The promoters continued to sell stock far and wide until all prospects had been urged to profit in this almost patriotic enterprise. But the oil did not appear nor has it to this day appeared. Mr. Adams has gone in search of more capital, the stock holders have their worthless stock, and the derrick is in ruins. Another boom bubble has burst. The Great Blizzard (Told by Mrs. E. F. Mercer to Mary Schroer) Although the morning of January 12th, 1888, had seemed to promise a beautifully mild winter day a few flakes of snow began falling before the Mercer children were ready to leave for school. Mr. Mercer told the children to wait a few minutes to see what the weather would be. In the few minutes all possibility of going to school had passed. The few flakes had become myriads, and the roaring north west gale had blown the snow into a raging sea of white darkness. The blizzard of “’88” had begun. Mr. Mercer and two of the boys went out of the house a short way, perhaps to the barn. In trying to come back to the house the boys missed the building and ran into the hitching post beyond. Considering carefully what direction to go they tried again and managed to hit the house. Their father had run into the pump nearer the house and was able to find his way to the door. Mr. Blakney, a teacher in a school a bit east of Blunt, wanted to get home to his wife because she was alone and would worry about him. He started and although at first he could see a little way ahead, he soon could see nothing but the whirling blinding snow. Taking his handkerchief he held it before him so he could tell which way the wind was blowing, because he knew it was blowing toward his home. By watching the handkerchief as a guide he struggled on until he stumbled against something which he knew was back of the house. Then he succeeded in crawling into the house. Farther south east some school children had reached school before the storm struck. Many of them had to stay at the school for two or three days before they were able to leave. A Pioneer of 1895 The E. E. Simmons’ family came to Blunt in 1895. They hauled their household goods to their farm west of Blunt in a wagon. Before they could get their furniture in the house, they were ========================Page 31==================== surprised by a blizzard not a very bad one to the people who lived here, but to a native of Ohio it seemed very severe. Mr. Simmons operated a store in Blunt for about three years. The Indians came in to buy supplies. He says that he dreaded seeing a band of them arrive. They would stand looking at the shelves, see something they wanted and point at it. They never spoke a word of English. On being grunted at by the father, a small Indian child would state what was wanted. The Indians paid for the articles as they got them, then ran outside and counted their money. Mr. Simmons also remembers when the Texas Longhorns roamed through the streets of the town, going to the artesian well to drink. He tells of an amusing incident, when a bronco and his rider went bucking into the barber shop where Mr. Beebe, an old settler was getting a shave. Mr. Beebe jumped out of the chair, towel and lather flying, to chase them out. Upon being asked why Blunt was located here instead of several miles east where a water tank that was called “Clear Water” was located, Mr. Simmons said that three prominent ranchers, one of them the aforementioned Mr. Beebe, had ranches here. They got together and persuaded the people to settle in Blunt. -Thelma Frazier An Experience of the E. F. Mercer Family The Mrecer family came to Hughes County in April, 1883. They settled on their claim three miles east of Blunt, along the side of the road which is known now as U. S. Highway, No. 14. On this farm Mrs. Mercer and two of her sons live at the present time. Probably, the most prominent feature of that time was Bell’s idea to murder Small. Small and Bell were two agents. Bell had his residence in Harrold, while Small stayed in Blunt. One day they agreed upon signing some papers. They met just east of the Mercer homestead. While Small was signing the document, Mr. Bell went into his wagon, got his hatchet, and then proceeded in the killing of Small. He wrapped Small’s body in a blanket and buried him in a plowed field nearby. Many days passed and the people of Blunt were very inquisitive about the disappearance of Small. A detective was secured to investigate the matter. He came out here, but kept the authority of the detective business a secret. As the detective was suspicious of Mr. Bell, he kept his residence in Harrold, near Bell’s home. The detective pretended as though he had committed a murder. He had killed a man by the name of Small. Bell was then arrested and taken to Pierre, to the jail. After Bell was taken to Pierre, a riot broke out in Blunt and Harrold which resulted in a mob going to Pierre. The mob took hatchets and broke in the jail door. They took Bell captive. Bell was hung over the flag pole, in the court yard. ===========================Page 32================================ Mrs. Mercer recalls that at one time there were large fair grounds east of Blunt. The grounds had a large race track. There were many women riders. Although the people of those days did not have many vegetables, fruits and other things to exhibit, the womendisplayed beautiful fancy work. -Florence Jane, Jennietta Shore, Gerald Shore. Early Pioneer Days Mrs. Thomas Whalen endured many hardships in the early days of Hughes County. She lived in a dugout 10 miles south of Blunt. The dugout was built similar to a cave with a half-story house made over the top. While living in this humble home, she experienced a severe blizzard which lasted two days in 1888. The snow was so thick that her husband took a clothesline, fastened one end to the dugout, and, after a long search for the barn, connected the other end of the line to the barn so he would be able to find his way back. In this terrible storm they lost nearly all their cattle. No train came from Huron for 105 days following this blizzard. In those days everyone let his cattle run all over the prairie, and hired men to herd. During blizzards many cattle perished, because they had no shelter. The round-ups, where all cattle owners branded their cattle, were exciting occasions. Here the cowboys showed their great skill in catching wild, long-horned cattle. Mrs. Whalen also remembered many very cold winters when the people had to wrap their feet with canvas to keep them from freezing. There was no wood and they had no money to buy coal so they had to resort to using cow chips and hay for fuel. Mrs. John Miles was another pioneer lady who experienced many hardships. She related a very destructive fire started northwest of Okobojo in 1889 and swept through Hughes county down to the Missouri River. A wind blowing eighty miles an hour forced the flames along through the tall buffalo grass leaving behind a path of ruin. It took the fire only forty-five minutes to reach the river. Mrs. Miles told about Annie Sweeney who was alone on her father’s farm. Annie saw the fire approaching and ran to free the stock, but before she had time to make her escpae after finishing her mission the fire had surrounded the place and she perished with the stock. In memory of this girl’s death a song was written telling of her brave attempt to free the cattle and escape, herself. Many other such raging fires were witnessed by this pioneer woman. Such prairie fires were common occurrences in early days. The experiences of these two women give a picture of only a few of the hardships suffered by the pioneers of Dakota Territory. Sylvia Edge and Dorothy Wecker ========================To Be Continued======================