Jerauld County, SD News.....Far Out Upon the Prairie October 7, 1887 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/sd/sdfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 26, 2005, 11:58 pm Wessington Springs Herald October 7, 1887 Far Out Upon the Prairie Editor Herald: While waiting for the conveyance that is to carry me twelve miles to my appointment, I will jot down a bit of my experience. Faulk county is thoroughly aroused over the coming election, as they well may be, for saloons have found lodging place within her boundaries and are making whiskey votes. It seems to be a real hand to hand struggle already. I was instructed to go to Burkmere, a new station on the R. R., where the train had run but two days. I landed there near sun-down and rubbed my eyes and took a second look to find the town, and all that greeted me was a depot in process of erection, a little ware-house, 12x16, and a half dozen workmen, and a little shanty, where the railroad men boarded. The lady who was to entertain me lived two miles in the country and had failed to put in an appearance. I asked the workmen to carry my satchel to the depot and was met by the answer, "the depot is not finished and we have fitted it with seats for a lady who is to speak here tonight". I introduced myself, but insisted that I must sit down somewhere until the time for meeting, as it was growing quite cold. As the little boarding shanty was already full to overflowing, my chances looked slim, but as soon as my mission became known the best chair was at my service, and I sat there, thinking of home, and wondering where the audience was to come from. But it came, and continued to come, until the seats were filled, and an organ made its appearance from somewhere over the prairie, a barrel abd board soon made quite a respectable stand, and cultivated voices made good music, and I never spoke to a more appreciative audience, presided over by the same lady, who failed to meet me at the depot, because she had after her school was dismissed, driven ten miles to Faulkton to carry me with her own team and save my car fare. That young lady is holding down a claim, holding the W. C. T. U. up to a working standard, making public sentiment, and it was her grace, grit and gumption, that engineered the meeting through all the difficulties. I think it would pay some of our Jerauld county batchelors to make a trip to that place, if only to gain inspiration from the sight of such a face. She whispered to me, "you have the honor of speaking at the first meeting ever convened at Burkmere." And for once I found myself in ahead of the saloon or Capt. Van Etten, for it is proverbial, that as soon as the engine stops which brings the first emigrant, Capt. Van Etten and the rum-seller are there bottling over which one shall have the emigrant. But I beat them both this time. No doubt but the next time I hear from Burkmere, it will claim five or six hundred inhabitants. Next morning bright and early I took the train for Faulkton and there stepped aboard our railroad, and rode to Orient the present terminus of the railroad that passes south through the western part of our county, and I felt quite a sense of proprietorship. I asked the lady who met me at the train how many members their union had:-"30 working lady members", was the ready answer, "and our honorary members are as busy as we, and hold their regular meetings". Seeing about two dozen houses, the most of them just built, I asked her where all my audience was going to come from? "Oh, from all around the country, most of them will drive 6 to 8 miles to-night to hear you." And I thought of our mothers who fail to find time to attend our meetings. The depot that evening was packed, many standing outside besides. Among the audience was Capt. Van Etten and wife who had driven from Faulkton to attend the meeting. I have never met a more enthusiastic audience. Orient is all built up since spring and the sound of many hammers and busy appearance in the streets and rush and hurry all betoken a prosperous future. The surrounding country is well settled up and will support a good business place. I left the ladies very busy, getting ready for their city election, to be held this week. They expect to be at the polls all day, with their dinner, music, and flower mission work, as the saloonkeeper has attempted to take up his abode among them. He is now under arrest. Such energetic people will insure the prosperity of any town. Back at Faulkton again, I was met by a family who took me ten miles in another direction, where I was astonished to be led into a beautiful little church, away out in the country, and still more astonished to find in the audience and precinct not one man who would vote for a saloon. It almost seemed a waste of time to talk to such a temperate Christian people, as I told them, "Oh we got hungry for help from someone outside, and so we are thankful that you came," was the answer. They expect a railroad through this part of the county, which will bring in a different element. To-day I ride fifteen miles over the prairie to meet an audience that have waited for two months. Mr. Woolbridge and Mrs. Balch both spoke through this county, and I will be followed by Col. Plummer, and he by some one else until the battle is over. Surely the saloon is doom-in Faulk county, if the expression of her audiences is prophetic. Yours for health and home, Mrs. N. C. 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