Early History of  Deadwood Commercial Club - Lawrence Co., SD

	This article appeared in the "Illustrated Booster Nugget", published 
	by the students of Lead High School in 1911-1912. This article was 
	written by Clarence M. Davis.

	Transcribed by Joy Fisher, http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000031

	This file may be freely copied for non-profit purposes.

	At a meeting if the business men in 1901 held to 
petition Congress for a Government Building, Congressman 
Martin proposed that the business men form a commercial club 
to further the interests of Deadwood. On Dec. fifth, 1901 
the business club was fully organized under the name 
Deadwood Commercial Club. D. A. McPherson, Harris Franklin, 
S. W. Russell, Geo. V. Ayers, James Munn, B. P. Dague, and 
John R. Wilson were chosen the board of directors. These 
chose John R. Wilson as president, S. W. Russell as Vice 
President, C. A. Coe as Secretary, and R. N. Ogden 
Treasurer.

	The membership was one hundred and fifty. Quarters were 
provided in the Waite Block. Here billiard tables, card 
tables, and other things were provided for the members. 
Since the building of the Opera House, the parlors have been 
moved to the second story of that building.

	The club was instrumental in having the Government 
building and the Franklin Hotel built. They are using every 
possible means to bring Deadwood and the Black Hills into 
prominence. Some of the most recent work was the giving of 
prizes to students in the various high schools in the Black 
Hills to instill in their minds the value of boosting the 
Black Hills while merely children. Perhaps that was the 
reason for some of the members of the Nugget staff proposing 
that they get out a Big Black Hills Booster, this book.

	The present Secretary is H. W. Troth and N. E. Franklin 
is president.