Jerauld County, SD News.....Notes by the Way June 22, 1888
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Wessington Springs Herald June 22, 1888
NOTES By The WAY

    After traveling over rough, muddy roads, a novelty in Dakota, I reached
Plankinton and was well cared for in the lovely home of one of our White Ribbon
women. Spoke to a fair audience, that might have been larger, had the boys not
forgotten to distribute the "dodgers" in their anxiety to "go fishing." Was glad
to meet Mrs. Cavenough, once of Jerauld county, who insisted that we stay and
repeat the lecture, but duty called to White Lake where I was met at the train
by the W. C. T. U. ladies who piloted me to a haven of rest, until evening when
I met a church full of intelligent people whose earnest faces helped me in my
work. The church was artificially decorated with potted plants. White Lake has
reason to be proud of her citizens.

    Kimball astonished me with a packed house, many standing around the door and
in vestibule. They have just elected a lovely, silver-haired woman as their
president, whose sweet face is an inspiration to all who meet her; and best of
all her noble husband is as much interested as she.

    Saloons are open, as Brule county failed to carry prohibition last fall.

    It is reported that the failure was on account of Chamberlain feeling so
secure, her citizens rested on their oars.

    Pukwana, just on the edge of the Reservation gave a grand audience.

    If the ladies I met at tea are representatives of the town, she deserves to
prosper.

    Women who have claims on the reservation, and still are at home in any
circle, in grace and dignity of manner and education. There is one thing I must
speak of, it impressed itself on my mind, and I could only think of the knights
of olden time as I witnessed the courtly air with which a youth of, perhaps 16,
attended his step mother to the lecture. I attempted to compliment him on
account of it when he quickly answered, "I am proud to sit beside her." But no
wonder, for the mother's only desire is that those placed in her care may be
good men and women. This young man has been to Europe in school, and it set me
to wondering if the better class of foreigners really bring up their children to
show more veneration for their parents than we Americans.

    Pukwana began the battle over again that evening by circulating their
petition for presentation to the commissioners, asking that the people be
allowed to vote upon the question again this fall.

    They anticipate more vigorous opposition than last fall. The ladies at
Kimball and Pukwana were at the polls working hard all day, and then defeated.
Ah, me! How much more effective would have been the ballot in the hands of the
women than sandwiches and coffee. It would have taken no longer to have dropped
that slip of paper into the ballot box than to mail a letter. We will get hold
of the right end of the rope by and by.

    Back to White Lake to take the stage at 2 P. M., and 6 P. M. found us on top
of the hill west of the Springs viewing the landscape o'er, and fairer view was
rarely seen. I took special notice of the crops all along the line, and found 
none looking as well as in Jerauld county.

    I forgot to say that Plankinton and White Lake have shut up the saloons. Of
course there are men who drink, and there are pocket saloons, but then the boys
are protected  and they are cutting off the end of the line where recruits are
made. Yours for home protection.

                                                           Nettie C. Hall


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