Full Text of "75 Years of Sully County History, 1883 - 1958", pages 113 - 133. This file contains the full text of a part of "75 Years of Sully County History", edited by Mrs. E. L. Thompson. Scanning and OCR by Joy Fisher, http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000031 This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/sd/sdfiles.htm This book was produced by the Onida Watchman and is not copyrighted. Reproduction of all editorial and pictorial matter is explicitly permitted. Sports Highlights [photo - The Onida Chiefs, Oahe League Champions in 1955. Pictured back row, left to right-"Rusty" Brubacher, Pat Kane, Francis Kane, Joe Lamb and Bob Clausen. Center-Al Nuttall, Francis Stahl Ronald Lawrence, Lyle Bertsch and Walt Schreiber. Front row-Bill Williams, Batboy Tommy Merrill and Manager Maynard Green.] "Take me out to the ball game . . . " Onida's first baseball team was organized on July 2, 1889, at a meeting held in the Watchman office (Vanity Beauty Shoppe), at which time 10 young men signed up; namely, Bert Lilly, Dan Anderson, F. A. Everts, Ed Pierce, Ed Shepherd, John Cole, Bert Doner and O. Wheelock. Lilly was chosen captain of the team and Everts, secretary. Their first game was played in Okobojo with a group of baseball enthusiasts from the west end of Sully County on the Fourth of July. It was a hotly contested game and ended 11-10 in favor of Onida. In 1904, the baseball boys received new suits. The lineup that year included Johnson, Dunlap, Garner, Preilipp, Pierce, Nelson, Haverly, Brooking and Persson. Then in May, 1910, another team was organized and Frank Hoover, A. H. Gogsletter, John Adams and J. E. Temmey purchased new suits for the team. Over 40 automobile loads of baseball fans from Gettysburg, Harrold, Blunt, Pierre, Highmore and other nearby towns drove to Onida on Sunday, May 22, to watch the Onida-Blunt game, which ended 11-4 in Onida's favor. On April 29, 1913, the Onida team was reorganized with J. I. O'Donnell as manager; M. R. Brown, secretary, and C. F. Barber, treasurer. An executive committee, composed of M. J. Haverly, H. E. Lee, J. E. Temmey, F. A. Lindsten and John Yung, was chosen to work with the officers. The year 1920 was history-making in Onida, as far as baseball was concerned. That was also the year of the first South Dakota Baseball League. Competing with highly salaried teams, Onida finished the 1920 season in a most commendable manner. Much credit was given to Mr. McLaughlin, treasurer of the baseball association, as there were unlimited duties for him to perform and it was due to his good management that the team was able to make so capable a showing on so little a bank roll. Crandall, at first base, led the team with the stick; Johnson, the big catcher, was perhaps the most reliable man on the team; Day, H. Telford and Jordan, gave Onida the reputation for having the best outfield in this part of the state; Pirl Telford, one of the best hitters on the team; Lawson and Stoneking, both played good ball; Gordon Day, suffering with a lame arm, nevertheless played excellent ball. In April, 1921, a five-year lease was taken on the northeast corner of the Byrum farm and work was started on the erection of a new ball park which was used for many years. The Onida baseball team, known as the Onida Chiefs, continued to be active through the years and in 1955, as a member of the Oahe League, represented that league in the State Amateur Tournament held in Redfield. Onida also had active midget, junior-junior and junior teams throughout the years. In 1954, the Onida Midgets, managed by Wallace Curl, ended the season in grand style when they downed Highmore in an extra-inning tussle with a score of 11 to 10. Jim Thompson and John Knox served the pitches and Joe Day and D. Klingbeil did the catching. Coach Elliott Byrum's junior-junior team entered its first state tournament at Huron on August 9, 1956, with a season's record of six wins and one loss. DO YOU KNOW THAT ... The first code of baseball rules was made on September 23, 1845, and that the first contest played under those rules was in Hoboken, New Jersey, in the spring of 1846. In those early days, the number of players varied from 10 to 14, and the catcher was permitted to an assistant. The bases were wood stakes. There were three umpires. In 1860, rules were made restricting team to nine players on a side. A few years ago the oldest ball tact was found in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and insured for $1,000.00 against loss. That ball was used in the game played in 1864. However, in 1918, a man from Syracuse, New York, claimed to have the oldest baseball-one that used in a game between Utica and Syracuse on August 22, 1861. An old superstition of the diamond is to "bone a bat." In other words, to run the club with a big, greasy bone from the butcher shop. "Boning the bat" according to the superstition, fills up the pores of the wood, prevents it from splintering and makes the bat ring when it connects with the ball, producing longer drives. Basketball The first girls' basketball team was organized in the fall of 1908, and included Roxanna Scott, Grace Dunlap, Bessie Gropengieser, Bertha Slater, Mary Byrum and Florence Jordan. The girls often competed against the boys and the games were held in the Woodman Hall (Rive Cafe). High school teams were organized in 1918, for both boys and girls and continued on a competitive basis. For the first time in the history athletics in Onida High School, the basketball team won the honor of being the district champions. This was in 1939 when Onida met its closest rival, Agar team. The score ended 18-17. The championship game with Cheyenne ended 18-15, to make Onida the 1939 district champions. John Bauman, captain of the local team, accepted the trophy presented by E. B. Coacher, district president. In 1944, Onida High School switched from the Central South Dakota Conference to the Little Central Conference which was made up of towns whose pop lations were closely equivalent to Onida. The Onida Warriors were kings of the Little Central Conference in 1949, when they outclassed St. Lawrence 40-29 in the championship game. The lineup included Dick Yackley, Joe Lamb, Eugene Youngberg, Elliott Byrum, John Sutton, Jr., Bill Jordan, Bob Porter and Owen Hyde. By 1951, the Warriors were again back in the Central South Dakota Conference, and in January of that year, were in first place by virtue of three wins over Faulkton and Highmore. The following year Onida and Miller were co-champions of the tough Big Central Conference. The Warriors were also crowned champions of the conference tournament held in Pierre during January. It is seldom that the same team wins both the conference tournament and regular conference play. The Onida Warriors, coached by Bob Koenig, turned in of the best basketball seasons in the history of Onida High School when they ended a long, tough schedule that year with a 21- 5 record. [photo - Boys' Basketball Team in 1923-24. Pictured back row, left to right- Coach George Williams, Bob Johnson, Ralph Phares and Ted McGuire. Middle row-Joe Mendel, Elezer Byrum and Henry Serbousek. Front row- Clarence Ludwig and Myron Brown.] [photo - Albert Schriever in 1916. Albert, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Schriever, played center on the Huron Academy basketball team that year.] Jim Ryan, as high scoring center, dumped an amazing 389 points during the season; Jim Sutton was the high scoring forward with a total of 287 points and Quentin Youngberg, high scoring guard, hit for 203 points. Sutton also posted a brilliant 77 per cent free throw average. Ryan, Sutton, Youngberg, Darryl Hofer, Norman Allison, Darwin Stewart, Jerome Yackley, John Lamb, Herb Gatons and Virgil Hofer were commended for their sportsmanship, teamwork and victories at the conference tournament. The Warriors defeated Ravinia, 51-45, the night of March 14, 1953, at Huron to win the 1953 State Class "B" champion-ship. The boys were guests of honor at a potluck supper, followed by a dance held in the City Auditorium on March 16. Sharing honors with the Warriors were Coach Koenig and the cheerleaders, Julie Nelson, Patty Telford, Madeline Sack and Shirley Mason. Approximately 300 people attended the supper and dance. Purple and white school colors and a banner, "Congratulations Warriors," decorated a table for the honored guests and the same caption appeared on a beautifully decorated cake baked and donated by Chase's Bakery. A festive air prevailed that evening engendered by the Warriors' winning the championship title, the first in the history of Onida High School. Coach Koenig's Warriors outlasted a determined Agar team to capture the coveted District Seven Basketball title at Gettysburg on February 24, 1954. [photo - Girls' Basketball Team in 1923-24. Pictured back row, left to right- Jessie (Mason) Nelson, Margaret (Johnson) Mateer, Alice and Helen Youngberg. Front row - Pauline (Ludwig) Stewart, Marie Shore and Martha Goosen. Miss Elva Walker was the coach.] [photo - Basketball Team in 1927-28. Pictured back row, left to right-Coach Elmer Lund, Lloyd Shoup, William Pitlick, Kenneth Starbuck and Howard Johnson. Front row-Walter Lewis, Maynard Hart, Preston Starbuck, Ben Johnson and Eugene McLaughlin.] Jim Sutton, State College basketball star, reported to the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association in September 23, 1957. The Lakers, one time king of pro basketball's major league drafted Sutton in his senior year at State. While playing varsity basketball at State College, Jim set an all-time scoring record by hitting the hoop for a total of 1,035 points over the three- year period. He also set the nation's best free throw mark during the 1957 season. Kent Hyde, who was the mainstay of South Dakota State's basketball team in 1958, set a new all-time scoring record for a State performer with a total of 1,043 points in three seasons. This topped Sutton's record of the previous season. Kent had the distinction of being highest scoring player in Onida High School during his senior year. He averaged 51.1 points per game in 27 games and his highest score in one game was 55 against Agar in the district and 66 against Ipswich in the regional. He graduated from State College in 1958, and is married to Betty Rivenes. They have a daughter, Karla, age two. Kent is now in the insurance business in Huron. [photo - Onida's State "B" Champions in 1953. Pictured front row, left to right- Ronald Lawrence, Charles Rappana, Jim Sutton, Kent Hyde, Quentin Youngberg and Elmer Schlenker. Back row-Student Manager DeWitt Miles, Dwight McGuire, Douglas Hyde, Mark Hyde, John Lamb and Coach Bob Koenig. Lamb was injured in an auto accident and was unable to take part in the tournament. He was replaced by Fred Jordan, not shown in the picture.] [photo - Onida Warriors "A" Squad in 1957-58. Pictured front row, left to right- Manager Joe Day, Frank Sack, Jim Brooking, Jim Thompson, Pat Cullinan and Harry Thomas. Back row-Coach Jack Donahue, John Knox, Bob Tobin, Bob Yackley, Weldon Stephens, Charles Stephens and David Merrill.] [photo - Kent Hyde-Kent always did things in a big way. He was the tallest young man ever to don a basketball suit in Onida High School and the highest scorer in any one game while attending Onida High, besides setting a new all-time scoring record in 1958 for a State College performer with a total of 1,043 points in three seasons.] [photo - Jim Sutton Holding Free Throw Trophy] Bowling Twenty local men opened the fall and winter bowling season on September 20, 1939, at the Barnes Bowling Alley in Pierre. The men organized four teams under the leadership of Hardwick, Bauman, Hyde and Jeremiason. In February, 1940, Louis Volmer announced the opening of a new bowling alley in the former Gustafson Implement building in Onida. The building was repaired and new equipment installed for the recreation parlor. Friday evenings were designated as ladies' night. Mrs. Virginia Hilton of the Onida Women's Bowling team won second place in the ladies' singles bowling tournament at the Gettysburg Bowl Arena in February, 1956. Mrs. Hilton finished the event with 558 pins. Other bowlers from Onida we Mrs. Frank Burge, Mrs. Norman Jarnagin and Mrs. James Young. Golf The Onida Golf Club was organized at a meeting held in the office of Johnson & Spears in May, 1928, at which time F. I. Stringer was elected president, George Williams and W. H. Snyder, secretary and treasurer. H. G. Kottke, Lee Clair and Frank Hyde were elected as a board of directors. Over 40 interested golfers had signed up within a week. The golf links, a nine-hole course, was located just west of Lake Sully. There was considerable activity on the course that summer and much work done to make the course desirable. As of the last of May, 1929, there were about 50 members belonging to the local club. Miss Bess Gropengieser matched her skill against the best golfers at the Northern South Dakota Annual Golf Tournament held in July, 1929, with a total low score of 109 for the 18 holes. She received a handsome gold championship medal. C. J. Crandall, Jr., won in the president's flight and received a silver loving cup. The Bauman-Welch Tournament closed August 31, 1931, and the trophy for Class "A" was won by Dr. B. M. Hart and Class "B" by Art Johnson. In the spring of 1938, a new nine-hole golf course was laid out on the grounds northeast of the courthouse in Onida. Directors of the club, M. R. Brown, Harvey Huffman and Maynard Knox, leased this tract of about 80 acres from C. R. Garner for a period of ten years. The course was completed by the latter part of June when the public was invited to open house and to try out the course. Many interested people enjoyed the new course and were so impressed that about 30 signed up as members, which was enough to assure the project going over the top as another successful community recreational project. Bob Koenig, Onida's number one golfer, added another trophy to his collection on Sunday, August 17, 1953. He carried off top honors at the annual Mobridge Country Club's Summer Amateur Golf Tournament, winning the championship with a score of 70. He was also medalist, with a low 33 in the first round. Mr. Koenig has since been winning honors and trophies at golf tournaments. [photo - Back Fielders in 1926. Pictured, left to right -Joe Mendel, Tom Johnson, Maynard Hart and Matt Glanzer.] [photo - Football Team in 1921. Back left to right-Coach Hanlon, Herbert Byrum, Ray Doyle, Ralph Ludwig, Gilbert Becker, Elezer Byrum and David Pullman. Front row - Glenwood Robinson, Ted McGuire, Corydon Ludwig, Charles Hyde, Dwight Osterkamp and Connie Hyde.] Football [photo - Football Team in 1923. Back row, left to right-Joe Mendel, Clarence Ludwig, Myron Brown and Ted McGuire. Front row-Bob Johnson, Troy Conger, Mason Youngberg, Henry Serbousek, Ralph Phares, Elezer Byrum and Harold Hayes.] Onida High School played 11-man football for the first time in the fall of 1920. Besides developing the students physically and giving them an incentive to work harder, this extra-curricular activity did more to build the high school than any other one thing could possibly have done. The boys had previously been coached by Will Robinson, now State Historian, who drove to Onida from Pierre several days a week and worked diligently for no compensation. It became necessary to have a fulltime coach, so C. J. Crandall was hired to take over the responsibility of developing the team for competitive play. The lineup for the first game played at Pierre was E. Serbousek, left end; Robinson, left tackle; Doyle, left guard; Ludwig, center; Lyman, right guard; H. Serbousek, right tackle; C. Hyde, right end; R. McDonnell, quarterback, captain; McGuire, right half; Osterkamp, left half; H. Byrum, fullback; A. McConnell and J. Goosen, substitutes. The 1927 football aggregation closed with the best season Onida High School had yet attained in the seven years since the first competitive game was played. Seven boys carried the purple for the last time in football: Captain Hart, Preston Starbuck, Ben Johnson, Orville Hyde, William Pitlick, Irvin Maloney and James Norfolk. Onida High School played 11-man football until the beginning of the war years when it became apparent that there were not enough of the upper classmen left in the community to actively engage in that upper-bracket division. Consequently, the school dropped back to six-man football for a few years and then after the close of World War II and post war adjustments had been made in the school, eight-man football came into existence and has continued as such to date. Bill Jordan, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Jordan, a gridiron quarterback star for Onida High School, ended an outstanding career with the Wolves' football team of Northern State Teachers College, Aberdeen, in 1953. Bill was the Wolves regular signal-caller for three years in 1952, led the team to the conference championship with his spectacular, ball handling and passing. He also performed for the college basketball and track teams. Jordan is a physical education major, upon graduation from Northern in the spring of 1954, received a commission the United States Marine Corps as second lieutenant. He is now coaching at Northern. He married Barbara Boettcher and they have a son, Kirk. Two Onida High School footballers rated honorable mention on the All-State eight-man high school football squad released in November, 1957. Receiving the honor were Ronald Kimbell, end, a Charles Stephens, the Warriors' star backfield performer. The 1958 football team, coached Marlyn Goldhammer, ended the seas with four wins, two losses and one tie. [photo - Football Team in 1934. Pictured, left to right-Coach Claron White, Sam Entz, Chester Nelson, Carl Lindell, Gerald Heldenbrand, Sterling West, Howard Johnson, Wilbur Nelson and Superintendent Coacher. Middle row-LeRoy Kellogg, Russell Green, Kenneth Corcoran, Tom Melody, Bill Glessner and Albert Flansburg. Front row - Dale Quimby, Elwin Hull, Ivan Crawford, Rawleigh Wilhelm, Lee Lindell and Vernon Allison.] [photo - Football Boys, Fall of 1938. Pictured, back row, left to right-John Bauman, Robert McMacken, Cecil Hortman and Terry Conner. Front row-Verdett Thomas, Carl Lindell, Marvin Shoup, Lee Lindell, Orvil Warriner, Albert Flansburg and Maynard Green. Tennis Tennis was introduced into the school system in 1926 and became a very popular sport. In the fall of 1938, a third tennis court was added to the ever- growing popularity of that activity. Also, a string of powerful lights was erected on the school grounds which made the courts playable any time after dark. The City of Onida appropriated $100.00 for the installation of the lighting poles, wires and other equipment, and the local school district invested $111.00 in the necessary wire and posts for the backstops. Local men interested in improving the courts by donating their time and labor were John Thiem, L. A. Fosness, Maynard Knox, Earl Hardwick, Eddie Johnson, Jim Hilton, Horace Quimby, John Severson, Edgar Hess, Burton and Norman Haverly and Jack Abbott. W. G. Abbott made a further donation of a new net for the third court. An advisory committee, comprising M. R. Brown, Dr. Hedman, Knox, J. M. Reedy and E. B. Coacher, was chosen to supervise the courts, their upkeep, care, use and was asked to see that players abided by the rules and regulations set up by the school. Track Track and Mendel are synonymous --at least as far as Onidans are concerned-for he brought honor and fame to Onida High School. Joe Mendel actually began his brilliant track career while attending Blaine School and much credit can be given Mrs. Mabel Jack, his teacher at Blaine, for stimulating his interest and developing his natural skill as a trackman while still a small boy. Joe took part in the first rural school rally held at Blaine School on May 5, 1922. He was high point man in the seventh and eighth grade division that day. In the 1925 Pierre Relays, Joe Mendel, as a junior in Onida High School, won the cup as the individual high point man and received the medal for taking first in the broad jump-21 feet and 3/4 inches which broke the state record at that time. He also won his trial in the 100-yard dash, taking second in the final. He was also high point man at the State Meet that same year. In the National High School Athletic Meet held in Chicago in June, 1926, Mendel closed his high school career by capturing first place in the 440, his best race. He was known as Onida High School's "One-man Track Team." When "Smokey" Joe Mendel, South Dakota's fastest human, equalled Eddie Tolan's world record of 9.5 seconds in the 100-yard dash at the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference Track and Field Meet, while attending Yankton College, he ended one of the most brilliant athletic careers in the state's history. Competing under the banners of Onida High School and Yankton College, Mendel won 97 first places. His feature events were the 100, 200 and 440-yard dashes, the broad jump and anchor man in the one-half mile relay. In those events he swept the field 10 times and was high individual scorer 13 times. He was listed on the Athletic Journal's honor roll as one of the best 220-yard runners in the United States. His activities were not confined to track as he won three letters in football and one in basketball, besides four in track, while attending Yankton College. Upon graduation from college, Mendel signed a contract as athletic coach at Faulkton High School. With the transition of "Smokey" Joe from the student's seat to the instructor's desk, will pass one of the greatest all-around athletes ever produced in this or any other section of the country. [photo - Relay Team in 1928. Pictured left to right - Coach Lund, Preston Starbuck, Maynard Hart, Lloyd Brown, Ben Perkins, Ben Johnson and Supt. George Williams.] In 1928, the Onida High School Mile Relay Team, composed of Lloyd Brown, Ben Johnson, Maynard Hart, Preston Starbuck and Ben Perkins, competed in the Dakota Relays at Sioux Falls and won a beautiful bronze statue and also individual gold medals. Starbuck also set a record at the State Meet in Huron in 1929, of 22.4 in the 220-yard dash. The 1958 Freshmen Relay Team composed of Jim Brooking, Jim Thompson, John Knox and Jim Boren, and coached by Jack Donahue, were timed and clocked as being the fastest freshmen track team in the State. The 1958 Onida thinclads gave a good account of themselves at the annual Aberdeen Relays. The seven-man squad received 12 medals and a trophy and coveted trophy was the result of winning the 880-yard relay in 1:35.9. Running the event were Ron Kimbell, Bob Tobin, Dick Olson and Charles Stephens. [photo - Relay Team in 1958. Ronald Kimbell, Bob Tobin, Dick Olson and Charles Stephens. Features and Featurettes The Meloon Brothers Walter N., Charles and Nathaniel Meloon came to South Dakota from the state of New Hampshire in 1883, and homesteaded in Sully County. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Meloon and two children came here from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. They homesteaded in Clifton Township, but moved to Onida in the late eighties. He purchased lot 23, block two, Original Onida from Charles Agar in January 1889, and had a home built. They lived there a few years and then sold the house to his brother, Nat, in 1896. An incident recorded in The Watchman in April of 1894, stated that during a heavy wind, Walter's fine Stetson hat was blown off and headed southeast for parts unknown. Walter bid his hat "adieu" and for a few days was seen wearing a winter cap. Several days later, when a brisk wind was blowing from the southwest, Walter noticed a black object mingled with tumbling weeds rushing into town. He immediately thought of his Stetson and on running it down, found it to be his own hat that had left him four days previously, still in good condition. The Walter Meloon family left here about 1899, and went back to their home state where the family grew up. Their son, Walter C., settled in Orlando, Florida, and started a boat factory in partnership with his three sons. Their factory is called Correct Craft and is the second largest in the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Meloon have made three trips back here to see his birthplace, the last time being in 1957, when he brought two of his sisters along. The original Meloon house was purchased by Ken Miles and moved to lots 19 and 20, Hyde's Addition in August, 1955. The Miles family came here in February, 1950. In November, 1899, the abstract company put in a crosswalk from that office to the courthouse, and about a week later Mr. Temmey had a walk put across Main street from his store to the abstract office. Do You Know? That South Dakota was admitted to the Union of States on November 2, 1889, being the fortieth state? That applause at the conclusion of the "Star Spangled Banner" is out of place? That the flag should not be raised before sunrise nor allowed to fly after sunset? That the flag should be displayed on Memorial Day at half staff until noon, and then raised to the peak until sunset? The Rev. Dean family lived in the Frank Brigham house in the early days later the Lister house and now the home of Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Fosness. Rev. Dean was the Methodist minister. Mrs. Dean sang in the choir and taught Sunday School bringing all five of their young children to Sunday School and church. D. Q. Jordan, who was one of the first settlers, opened a real estate office in the Cole Drug building, March 23, 1889. In 1884, Brigham and Kirchgraber, contractors, built a home for the Jordan family where the Luther Nelsons now live. It is the original Jordan home with many changes and improvements made. [photo - Original D. Q. Jordan Home. Pictured left to right-Mr. Jordan and Frank in buggy, Mrs. Jordan, Ethel and Addie.] Mr. and Mrs. John Quade Mr. and Mrs. John Quade came to Sully County-in March, 1908, from David City, Nebraska, and settled in Lincoln Township. They purchased a farmstead where they lived for 37 years. They lived on their son, John's, place for two years, before moving to Onida in January, 1947. Mr. and Mrs. Quade built a new home in the fall of 1953, and celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary the following year. Mr. Quade passed away in May, 1955, and Mrs. Quade continues to make her home in Onida. Altogether, she has taught school 17 years. Her son, John A., is married and lives in Paso Robles, California. They have a daughter, Mary Margaret, age 10. John is administrator at a high school in Paso Robles. William Toomey built the Emelia Rivenes house. The Toomey family lived there until it was sold to H. E. Kimmel, who planted the first cottonwood tree in Onida that lived. [photo - Guests at Horace Porter's Birthday Party, about 1900. Pictured back row, Blanche Nelson, teacher. Fourth row, left to right-Florence Ruckle, Clara Ruckle, Ruth Hyde and Mrs. Porter. Third row, left to right-Leo Temmey, Anna Temmey, Mary Holmes, Bess Gropengieser and Nellie Yung. Second row, left to right-Audrey Garner and Melitta. Osterkamp. First row, left to right-Ford Cole, Horace Porter, Clifford Howard, William Ruckle, Glen Lilly, Duane Lilly and Ralph Lister.] [photo - Original Lillibridge Home. Frank Lillibridge built this house, which was also the home of the M. L. French family, and now the Paul Sack home. Pictured-Mrs. French, holding white parasol with baby daughter Vera, on her arm. Son, Leon, in a wheelchair to the right.] Onida streets received a coat of gravel in the early spring of 1930. Some was a re-graveling job and other blocks were graveled for the first time. There were still a few left to gravel. [photo - Mabel Finch Arneson] Mabel Finch Arneson taught school in Onida and various Sully County schools for several years. Then became assistant cashier about 1910 in the First State Bank and later taught school again until she married J. M. Arneson in 1918. They moved to Minneapolis, where their son John, was born. Mr. Arneson passed in July, 1958. Onida's First Movie M. G. Tyler and J. W. Morris opened a movie house at the A. 0. U. W. Hall in 1910, called the Bijou. It proved to be a very popular source of recreation. Miss Inga Nordress was the first pianist, followed by Mrs. Frank Worley. In March of the following year, the movie house was sold to Johnson and Nelson. Other pianists to add interest to the silent movies were Miss Hattie Johnson (Mrs. Frank Hoover) and Miss Marguerite Budde. The Bijou closed in January, 1912. The Onida depot, section house and stockyards were completed in August, 1910. The first depot agent was J. W. Morris. Otis French and M. G. Tyler were the first ones to have motorcycles in Onida, back in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Quimby Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Quimby came here in 1910, and the following year, he became State's Attorney and held that office for two terms. Then he was County Judge from 1917 to 1925, and then again elected to that position in 1937, which office he held until his death in 1958. Mrs. Quimby lives in the family home. Their children, four boys and one daughter, all graduated from Onida High School. [photo - Addie Jordan, five-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. Q. Jordan. Now Mrs. Addie J. Williamson.] [photo - The Gropengieser Family. Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Gropengieser and two children, Bess and Fred. Pioneer residents and boosters Of Onida and Sully County.] [photo - Original William Toomey Home] Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Yeager Henry D. Yeager was born August 5, 1858, at Alma, Wisconsin, in Buffalo County, and was a devout member of the Methodist Church. Mary Bradley Yeager was born in 1858, in Wisconsin, and was married to Henry Yeager on October 18, 1881. In 1881, the young couple left Wisconsin, and came west to Brookings where they lived on a farm for many years. While residing there, ten children were born to them-Rilla, Della, Elnora, Horace, Ben, Chester, Hilmer, Effie, Tillie and Ida. Leaving Brookings in 1900 they moved to a farm near Huron, South Dakota, where they resided for six years. While living there, their youngest daughter, Lucille, was born. After making plans to move they had a sale, and in 1910 they proceeded to Onida, where they have their home ever since. In order to build a house for his family, Mr. Yeager hauled his lumber with team and wagon from Blunt, South Dakota. He was in the coal business in Onida for a number of years and also in connection managed the Sexauer Elevator. Mr. Yeager passed away on September 13, 1922, at the age of 64 years and Mrs. Yeager passed away two years later in 1924, at the age of 66. There are six survivors of the Yeager family-Mr. Hilmer Yeager, Onida; Mrs. Effie Larson, Blunt, South Dakota; Mrs. Tillie Ernster, Bonilla, South Dakota; Mrs. Ida M. Johnson, Casper, Wyoming, and Mr. B. H. Yeager, Reno, Nevada. [photo - Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Yeager] The C. W. Holmes family left in September, 1910, for Owatonna, Minnesota. [photo - The C. W. Holmes Children. Pictured left to right-Frank, Gertrude, Harry and Vivian. Children of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Holmes, who lived on the old Spencer place.] [photo - Wilbur Dunlap Hauling Coal in 1910 for steam breaking outfit in Onida.] [photo - Hilmer Yeager Family About 1915.] Mr. and Mrs. William Durrstein Mr. and Mrs. William Durrstein came here from Doland, South Dakota, in 1919. He was in partnership with Harry Thomas on a farmsite in Buffalo Township until 1928. Mr. and Mrs. Durrstein purchased the Hoffman house in Onida in 1920, and made their home here for many years. Their daughter, Marjorie, was born April 19, 1924. She graduated from Onida High School and State College, Brookings, and was an airline hostess until her marriage to Dr. Richard Herrmann, of Denver, on September 7, 1949. The Herrmanns have two daughters, Jill, 8, and Kit, age four. Mr. Durrstein passed away April 30, 1940, and his wife, Frances, on December 9, 1957, while she was with her daughter. Two Fires in Six Years [photo - The 1919 Fire that destroyed the Sutton-Bauman Store on the corner, and the Rumrill Pool Hall, adjoining.] [photo - The 1925 Fire originating in the City Garage, just north of Knight's Store, that completely burned three business buildings.] In a period of approximately six years Onida had two major fires. On a Friday forenoon November 12, 1919, the first big loss occurred when the J. C. Johnson building occupied jointly by the Sutton-Bauman general store and the Rumrill Pool Hall burned down. The small hose cart used to fight fire at that time was rushed to the scene; also fire extinguishers were used. The fire seemed to be under control when they realized the inaccessibility of its source was such that it was impossible to keep it confined to the pool hall. Stock was removed from all nearby buildings and the Corner Store. Other businesses effected were Johnson & Spears, Close Drugstore, Watchman office, Garner office, First State Bank and Knight's Store, all frame structures. Streams of water were shot into the flames from the top of the Johnson and Spears building with just a three-foot alley separating it from the burning structure. Two fortunate circumstances saved the rest of the block. First, the burning building was steel lined both inside and out and this helped to confine the blaze to the one building. Secondly, the wind changed direction and blew the flames away from the other buildings. The building was destroyed completely and everyone lost heavily in stock damage too hastily removed from the other businesses in the danger zone. The second devastating fire occurred on Sunday morning, September 13, 1925, when the fire bell called the people down to Main street and found the City Garage in flames. Soon the garage was a mass of flames with smoke from the burning oil making it impossible to get near. The fire boys then turned their attention to saving the Knight Store which stood just south of the garage. On the north were the two meat markets, both frame buildings, which the boys were unable to save. A call for help was sent to the departments of Pierre, Blunt, and Gettysburg and they responded nobly. The loss was about $20,000, divided as follows: Dr. B. M. Hart, garage and builings, $7,000; McGuire Brothers & Haverly, stock and six cars burned, 15,000; John Nelson building, $3,000; C. I. Jones, stock and building, $1,500; Jim Nystrom building, $3,000; Lyons & Nystrom, fixtures and stock, $1,000; M. B. Knight Store, damage, $1,000. Before the fire was cold, Lyons and Nystrom secured the Serbousek building where the Marcelling Shoppe was located and were back in business. C. I. Jones secured the Sutton-Bauman building back on the alley. John Nelson had the contractors figuring on a brick and tile building to be built at once. UNITED STATES SENATE Washington, D. C. To the Community of Onida, South Dakota Dear Friends: I am extremely proud and happy on the occasion of Onida's Diamond Jubilee to extend my heartiest congratulations to the city for its outstanding record of achievement and progress in building a growing, prosperous and bustling community as Onida is today. During this commemoration, we are especially grateful to those pioneers of vision and foresight who made the many sacrifices necessary to settle Onida and Sully County. We all recognize the importance of those sacrifices, and see the results around us. It was this same pioneer spirit that made South Dakota, and our nation, great. Recognition should certainly be given to the many community- spirited citizens who have worked so long and arduously to make the celebration such a success. Wishing you the very best during Onida's Diamond Jubilee, I am, with best wishes Cordially yours, Karl E. Mundt, U. S. Senator Twenty new steel light posts were in-stalled in Onida during the month of September, 1931. Curb and gutters were also added at that time. Miss Bessie Bagby of Grandview closed her winter term of school in the Green district, Okobojo, in 1901. [photo - The Merriate Bridge Club organized in 1930. Picture taken at the Nattress cabin at Sully Lake. Pictured top-Marie Fanton. Second row, left to right-Clarissa Hardwick and Dunnie Nattress. Third row, left to right-Elsie Kottke, Elsie Lindell and Edna Larsen. Bottom-Rhoda Hyde. Worst Sandstorm In History Oldtimers who had spent fifty years in this section of South Dakota put on their thinking caps when the fiercest of dust storms ever seen here subsided somewhat, and they all came to the conclusion that never before had they witnessed such a spectacle where gravel, dirt and sand penetrated into every place and every building on farm and in the city on November 12, 1933. The storm began at dawn and a hard wind was blowing when our people got out of bed that morning. During the forenoon almost total darkness at times ensued-and it was necessary at times to use artificial light to see in buildings. The darkness increased towards noon and continued during most of the afternoon. Many people became alarmed and wondered what it was all about, some thinking the world had come to an end. Housewives realized early that there was a task ahead of them-the likes of which they had never before experienced. Sand and dust had penetrated everywhere. The preliminary work in most homes was done Sunday night and many worked late to get some semblance of cleanliness back into their customarily neat domiciles, and to dig out enough of the dirt so that the family could go to bed with some degree of comfort. Monday morning the full fury of the sixty-mile an hour dust and sand storm was fully realized. Pots and pans and everything that was loose around the place had wandered far away and those at the end of the street often had wash boilers, dish pans, and what have you, belonging to their neighbors often blocks away. The sidewalks were covered with layers of sand and dust and in order to clean them it was necessary to use shovels to scoop the dirt off. It must be said, however, that no one was hurt. Automobiles moved about cautiously with their lights on in broad daylight. Some of them were stranded with sand accumulating in their carburetors. Any one walking a few blocks was sanded from head to toe. Surely it was a queer storm and one that will be remembered as the worst sand and dust storm in the history of South Dakota. City Auditorium Completed The Onida City Auditorium, a 50xlOO foot structure, erected in 1936, is located directly across the street from the Masonic Hall. It occupies a choice position in regard to the people of Onida. It has been the scene of many dances banquets, programs, plays, basketball games, area gatherings and other meetings requiring a large hall. This auditorium was made possible by a federal W. P. A. project, for which the government furnished 30 per cent and the City of Onida, having voted a $9,100 bond issue, covered the balance. The dedication dance was held on August 31, 1936, with an estimated crowd of about one thousand. Jimmy Barnett and his orchestra furnished the music this memorable event. In connection with the success of the auditorium's opening night was the work, thought and time devoted by Max Rodman and the members of committee which included Maynard Knox, O. C. Hortman, W. G. Abbott, L. C. Ridinger, J. M. Reedy and C. W. Nattress. [photo - Onida City Auditorium] Tornado Hits Onida and Surrounding A pitch-black sandstorm hit Onida on Tuesday evening, August 18, 1936, 10:30, and the wind, meantime, blew into this wild freak of nature with redoubled energy. Between lulls the wind would pick up new courage, shaking buildings, pushing in window panes, snapping limbs off trees and scattering out- buildings over distances of a block or more. Soon heavy rain set in accompanied by hailstones. Members of families were forced to plug up the holes left by broke window panes with blankets, pillows or whatever was handy. After about fifteen minutes of this mad game in Onida, the storm continued on to do more damage in the country. Reports from the country east of Onida revealed that Johnny Hofer's silo was on the ground; the electric highline down for long stretches; the Joe Naughton garage gone; Pete Unruh's garage blown away; Abe Goosen's garage disappeared; Wallace Fritz's garage gone, hog shed blown away and much precious hay torn out of the stacks and blown away; Benny Klingbeil's barn torn to shreds, hog house and garage torn away; a mile further north Carmel Larson's windmill was down and sheds blown away. The Mennonite Church six miles east of Onida was torn from its foundation and turned completely around. The wind struck hard at the former Ray Hall place near Dakin's where the silo and a shed were completely demolished. John Gross lost his chickens and many of his buildings. Harvey Huffman reported the loss of good feed. Mrs. Florence Thomas' place was severely hit and several buildings a total loss. Dr. Hedman thought his place was coming down when the largest of his smokestacks tumbled onto the roof breaking eight rafters. Art and Harold Svenson lost their chicken coops and over a hundred young turkeys. D. J. Post lost his windmill and also half of his barn. Much of the damage was not reported. Local Ladies Attend European Farm Women Conference Mrs. Alice Ludwig and Mrs. George Nelson departed August 21, 1947, for Sioux Falls on the first lap of their European trip. They were overnight guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Bauman, before leaving for Washington, D. C., and New York City, where they were scheduled to visit before sailing on the S. S Queen Mary for England, Holland, Belgium and France. They attended the Fifth Annual Conference of Associated Farm Women of the World at Amsterdam, and together with other delegates, visited points of interest in all four countries. Local People Shareholders In Bonanza Oil Well The sale of stock by shareholders of Bonanza Oil Company meant $7,315,000 to about 220 South Dakotans. Of that total, more than $2,000,000 went to Pierre and Onida residents, and $1,800,000 to Huron investors. Paul Forney, Pierre, with more than half a million dollars in cash, after taxes, was South Dakota's biggest winner. Right behind him was Wilber Day with more than 22,000 shares. Other local stockholders with 2,000 to 15,000 shares included Gordon Day, John W. Day, Mrs. Margaret Demery, Mrs. Wanda M. Hall, Elroy Rivenes and Charles E. Schultze. Stockholders with less than 2,000 shares included William Allison, Chas. E. Byrum, Ruthe and Maurice Hare, Alfred, Elmer and Jacob Mosiman, Verne Nelson and Dale Uhl. Luther Nelsons Tour Europe Mr. and Mrs. Luther Nelson and the latter's brother, Dr. Paul A. Eke, of Moscow, Idaho, sailed from New York City for Europe on the luxury liner, the Queen Mary, on April 20, 1949. The Queen Mary docked at Southampton, England, and from there they made their first stop in London before going to Geneva, Switzerland and Paris, France. After viewing the wonders of "Gay Paree" the party went to Stockholm, Sweden, to visit relatives for the remaining time of the 21-day tour. Mr. Nelson was born near Stockholm, Sweden and this was his first visit since he left there as a young child. They were guests at the home of his cousin, Mrs. Ida Wahlman, who visited in Sully County during the 1930's. While on the tour, Dr. Eke observed agricultural conditions abroad for the University of Idaho, of which he was a faculty member. The party returned to America aboard the Queen Elizabeth, leaving Southampton, England, on June 23. Artesian Well Folds Up After 43 Years Onida was confronted with an acute water shortage in the spring of 1954 when one of the wells, supplying the needs of local residents, went dry. The deep well which folded up had supplied good water to the residents of Onida for nigh on to forty-three years before giving out. Drilling of a new well was a necessity. In July a new artesian well was completed by the Independent Drilling Company. Five hundred gallons per minute was the flow. Drilling operations were completed at a depth of 2,111 feet and an abundant flow of water was brought in with enough pressure to force it up into the water tower through a three-inch pipe without pumping. In February, 1955, however, water started flowing on the outside of the casing as the result of a break in the eight-inch pipe, about 200 feet below the ground surface. The problem became even more drastic when water started coming from the ground about fifty feet north of the well. Attempts were made to recase the well, but this failed when wellmen were unable to sink new pipes due to unaccountable obstructions. Eventually it was decided that recovery was impossible and the only remaining course was to plug the well. In September, 1956, a crew of nationally-known well cementers forced 875 sacks of cement into the well, mixed with fuel oil to repel dilution, but little or nothing was accomplished and the uncontrolled flow continued as it had for over a year. This adventure cost the city a tidy sum and more was to come. With continued hope of plugging the wild well, workmen forced about 600 cubic feet of shredded Redwood fibre down its "throat" in February, 1958, along with twelve truckloads of sawdust mixed with water. This procedure was also of no avail. [photo - Ohs and ahs were numerous as local residents visited the scene of the new city water supply in July, 1954. Clarence Chase, local baker, is shown kneeling on the the platform beside the uncontrolled flow of water. The flow from the eight inch pipe raised about 18 inches above the surface before tumbling away. A good-sized lake was formed in the lowland to the northwest of the city power plant before the well was placed under control and turned into the city water system. A common remark pertaining to the quality of the water "You have to break the water with a hammer, we have lots of it."] Two More Attempts To Plug Well F In what was planned to be an all-out attempt to subdue the flow, during May, 1958, a dry hole was drilled alongside the wild well and connection was made by blasting across into the wild well at a depth of about 1400 feet. Through this circulation arrangement, hundreds of gallons of heavy mud and cement grout were pumped and resulted in slowing the flow to about 30 gallons per minute, but not for long. In a very short time the normal flow of between 400 and 500 gallons returned. The next day another 300 sacks of cement mixed with water, making a 3,500 gallons of mixture, were forced into the well in about fifteen minutes' time. The results of both attempts were about the same. Workmen now knew that they were dealing with a sizeable cavity located about 200 feet under ground surface. The well still flows on while engineers ponder ways and means of mastering the now famous Onida Wild Well. The State Water Resources Commission, the State Highway Department, the Governor's Emergency Fund and the City of Onida each contributed $7,000 in the last two attempts to plug the well. Wild Well Has Its Compensations Despite the efforts of men, machines and thousands of dollars, the well still flows on unrestricted, although the flow is now about half its original output. All is not bad, however, The flow from the well meanders to the northwest where a forty-to-fifty acre lake has been formed, which is a haven for waterfowl and a hunters' paradise early in the fall before the freeze-up. Onida Included In Winter's Fury Sully County was in the path of a vicious blizzard the week end of February 15, 1955, and when the storm abated late Sunday evening an estimated 12 inches of snow had been packed into huge drifts, literally burying some business places and homes in Onida. The storm began Friday, and reached its peak Saturday night and Sunday. Most of Sunday's visibility, due to swirling snow whipped up by 60-mile-an-hour gales, was zero. The temperature hovered just above zero during the height of the blizzard. Drifts ranging from three to six feet clogged the main thoroughfares and streets in the residential area. There were no reports of human suffering, although livestock took quite a mauling, and the pheasant population suffered a severe loss. The scene above was taken in front of the Watchman office as the vicious storm was subsiding late Sunday afternoon. The huge drift practically covered the Watchman's main entrance and had R. L. Koenig and C. R. Garner completely shut out of their office. The Watchman family trenched their way out of the building Sunday evening, but it required a tractor with a mechanical scoop to unload the entrance to the Garner Real Estate and Insurance building. Oh, yes, the publisher's son, Jim, managed to "plow" his way into the picture. [photo - Snowbank in front of Watchman Office in 1955] Local Boys Trapped The only incident reported of near tragedy here occurred Saturday evening when the car driven by George Reynolds, accompanied by Bob Yackley, went into a ditch at a point about two and a half miles south of Onida on Highway 83. The boys had reconciled themselves to sitting out the storm when Mr. and Mrs. Emel Johnson and son Melvin came along and noticed their plight. The victims accompanied the Johnsons home where they stayed until Monday morning. Following the storm, temperatures swooped steadily and hit a new low of 22 below.