This file is the text of the book, "South Dakota's Ziebach County, 
	History of the Prairie", published in 1982 by the Ziebach County
	Historical Society, Dupree, SD

	Permission to publish this book in electronic form was given by Jackie Birkeland,
	member of the Historical Committee. This book is copyright, 1982 by the Ziebach
	County Historical Society, Dupree, SD.
 
	Scanning and OCR by Terri Tosh <chipnter@lnd.com>, final editing by Joy Fisher,
	<sdgenweb@yahoo.com>.


Chapter 10 SCHOOLS

INTRODUCTION TO  DAY SCHOOLS
     The building of the Day Schools in the communities in 1933 permitted many Indian 
students to stay at home during the school year rather than attend boarding schools. 
How painful it was for both children and parents to be apart for such long periods of time. 
Travel was slow and difficult so children usually didn't get to go home even for 
Christmas. Children were not allowed to speak their native tongue at boarding school. 
Some children were fortunate enough to live near a rural school which they could attend. 
Some families moved to temporary quarters near the school so they could be with their 
children.

BOARDING SCHOOL AT THE OLD AGENCY told by Alex Chasing Hawk
     There used to be a big Fair at the Cherry Creek Station every fall in September. 
Everyone would go and camp in tents in a great circle. On the last day they would go 
around to all of the tents with three big wagons, and pick up all of the children. Then they 
would take the children to the Station, where several Model T's were waiting to take 
them to the Boarding School. That is how they got all the kids. Many of the people would 
leave the Fair real early on the last morning, so that their children would not be taken.
     In those days the Indians were under the military, so the students had to wear 
uniforms and learn to march with sticks of wood that looked like guns. If Alex Chasing 
Hawk had joined the Army in World War I, he wouldn't have had to learn anything, for he 
had learned all that at Boarding School!
     "We have to wear uniforms to attend churches and we have to work half a day and 
we go to school half a day. This public school where I went, we spent a whole day 
attending classes. At this boarding school, I spent half of three years working and half of 
the time I go to school.
     When I was in school, working half-a-day, I didn't get enough education. So then we 
talked to Congressman Berry. He was a young guy at that time, and we had him 
introduce a bill in Congress: that the state course of study be adopted by the United 
States government. And that bill passed. All of the tribes in the U. S. got benefit out of 
our bill because they adopted the state courses of study. So since then, the kids attend 
school all day."

MY LIFE AT OAHE SCHOOL by Ruth Yellow Hawk Thunder Hoop in 1968 and 1971
     I was born in 1887 at the Oahe Mission School, where that big dam is. I was raised 
there and I went to school there for about ten years.
     In those days they taught us how we should learn to live and they taught us to read 
the Bible. We had Bible classes from Reverend T. L. Riggs and his wife. One should 
know that the Oahe School is a Mission and Congregational School. It was called the 
Oahe Industrial School.

[photo – Thomas L. Riggs (SDSHS)]

     It was in 1893, the first year I went to school at Oahe. Mrs. Riggs had driven over in a 
spring wagon. She came over to get my sister, Eunice. All at once I just felt I must go 
along with my sister. I knew I wouldn't be allowed to go. I was too little. They said, "Oh!" 
how I bawled out crying until they let me go. But by evening, how I felt lonesome. I cried 
so hard they had to carry me around, some big girls helping my sister to comfort me. In a 
few days, I got over it.
     After that I went to school for three years, then my sisters went with me, Elizabeth 
and Bessie. I took care of them.
     One time Louise Bowker had an idea, "Let's have a dance in the old laundry." We all 
chimed in "let's", so she played the mouth organ a tune and I was to play as she called 
out a square dance.
     The dance was in full swing, dust flying, bumping into each other, and having a 
mighty good time. But we got caught, for dancing wasn't allowed. We were sorry 
because we had to stay in and wash windows and clean up on Saturday. Someone had 
told on us. Oh! those happy childish days.
     In my first years in school at Oahe there was some teachers I recall, Miss Jenny Lind, 
the cook; and Miss Pratt, the strict one. She slapped me one time because I was 
scratching my slate with a pin. Oh! how she scared me. I'd never do that again, I 
thought.
     The second year I was there, there were three deaths in the school home, Fanny 
White Thunder, Rosie Pretty Weasel and Arthur Standing Elk. Our school teachers had 
said we were to take a walk to Elia Jacobson's. They had a little store where we used to 
buy candy and peanuts.
     While we were there the boys got inside the corral where there were some rams with 
big heavy horns and rode them. When our teacher saw what they were doing, Arthur 
had already skinned his knee with one of the ram's horns. After a day or two, he was 
limping around before they found out. He was put to bed in the school hospital. Although 
he was treated for blood poison and taken care of, he died one night so his folks came 
and took him away. I do not well remember if he was taken home or buried on the hills 
on the north side of Oahe at the cemetery.
     Now let's go into the kitchen where we used to help out with the cooking. We learned 
to make bread and cake, which we had to make in big batches to last one week.
     One time, Raymond Brown Thunder was to help with making hominy. He just boiled it 
too long with ashes. After it was time to cook it with the meat, there was too much lye in 
the corn and we had to throw it away. He was a good cook, he said.
     Now, in the sewing room where we sewed and mended clothes for the other children, 
we had plenty to do always. Mending old worn moccasins was a big hard job for us. We 
had sinew to sew them and awls made from table forks, good and sharp.
     In the laundry room on Monday is the big wash. In those days, everything was done 
in the hard way. We had to rub on washboards, boil white clothes, rinse, wring them out, 
sometimes by hand, and sometimes by a hand wringer.
     Then hang our wash outside when it is warm or when it was too cold, in the attic. We 
had plenty of government soap.
     Wednesday was always ironing day. Some of the girls didn't like to iron, but it must 
be done. One or two were to iron sheets and pillow cases. Some to iron the clothes. We 
had to heat our wrought irons on the kitchen stove.
     Saturday was one cleaning day for scrubbing floors, dusting everything, and polishing 
the wood stove. Then we have our dinner in the afternoon. We were allowed to visit 
either to Mr. and Mrs. Spotted Bear's or to Sorenson's.
     When we go to Mrs. Spotted Bear's, when it is nearly time to come back, she would 
give us some lovely red flour corn. We would parch them in the oven and bring them to 
eat in bed.  (That we shouldn't have done, but we did it.)
     Sunday was a time of church going. We would all go upstairs after the breakfast 
dishes were done, make up our beds, then wash up, put on our best, ready for church. 
We would walk over with the teachers. Then came the Riggs. Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Riggs, 
Robert, Lawrence and Muriel. Mrs. Riggs at the organ and Mr. Riggs at the pulpit. It was 
those sermons that led us to Christian lives. Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Riggs spoke our 
language as good as any other Dakota Sioux.  
     A few of the boys I know are now working for their churches: Her Willie Horn, an 
Episcopalian; Johnson Little Wounded, a Congregational pastor; Raymond Brown 
Thunder, also a Congregational; and Job White, at Fort Thompson, South Dakota. 
Although they are now old, they are ready to hold services when needed.
     About 11:00, back to the school for dinner. After dishes are washed, back in place, 
then what shall we do? We got lonesome at times. One thoughtful teacher would take us 
children for a walk to the Missouri.
     There was a time when a quarter of beef was brought over. That was in September. 
We were to cut up the meat and dry it for papa. Mary Sitting Eagle, afterwards she was 
Mrs. Bridwell, and I made some wasna, mixed with choke cherries.
     On Thanksgiving Day, we had roast turkey, pumpkin pies, mince pies, mashed 
potatoes, gravy and cranberries. That time we used to be so happy to have all that, as 
anybody would. All homemade.
     We often visit the Sorenson's, just about a mile south. Once Margreta said we would 
go horseback riding on a gentle mare.
     When she brought out the horse, we didn't have any rope or bridle or nothing, so she 
took off her apron. Apron strings was to go around the horse's neck, then we fastened it 
together with a safety pin. Foolish as we were, we got on, me in the front, she in the 
rear.
     As soon as we got on, away she went! When I pulled at the string, snap went the 
safety pin and she was trotting away. At that time, Margreta jumped off, me sitting there 
so scared I just didn't know what to do. Margreta came running along side calling, 
"Whoa! Whoa!" At that moment, she stopped; I went head first right beside the horse. As 
I wasn't .hurt, we laughed and laughed 'til our sides hurt.
     Mrs. Riggs was our music teacher, too. She taught us to sing and gave me lessons 
on the piano and organ. When I had learned, I would play for the church's Sunday 
services. I have played for the churches since 1903.
     The Chapel or the church was our schoolroom where we learned to read and write. 
Arithmetic was one we all didn't like very well, but it must be learned.
I kept going back to school there until I kind of got tired of going to school. They did not 
have enough books. I think I had to read them over and over.
     Mr. Riggs' brother at Santee, Alfred Riggs, had a school there called the Santee 
School. He came to see this school and visit his brother. He said I was old enough to go 
to the Santee School, and graduate from 8th grade, but my father said, "No, you can't. 
It's too far away and we don't have enough money."
     And so I didn't go and now regret those lessons. After I was over here and got 
married, I used the few things that I learned in school. I maked good use of them and I 
read a lot.

[photo – Oahe Mission, about 1889 (SDSHS)]

[photo – Dakota Fathers of pupils in Oahe Indian School. Top row: ?, Taopi Cikala, 
Oscar Red Half, James Owl King, Brown Thunder and Eli Spotted Bear. Bottom row: ?, 
?, Thomas Blue Eyes, Pretty Boy and Kiyukanpi. (SDSHS)]

RAPID CITY INDIAN SCHOOL   
told by Charles Dog With Horns   
in 1971 to A.I.R.P.
     That time when I went to school there, they had a shoe shop where you learn to 
make shoes, harness shop, bakery, carpenter down below there where you learn to cut 
rafters and make tables and shelves.
     They gave us details every month -- transfer us around. We go to school a half day 
and half day we have to work.
     The girls got what they called domestic science where they cook, sew, learn to 
launder.
     There was a big dairy barn there, chickens and pigs for the school.
     Cut ice, put it in the ice house dug up in there. They had an orchard and in the fall 
they make us take apples. They farm vegetables and we have to work there. Store it in a 
big cellar.
     They got a big garden and a lot of alfalfa. We hauled alfalfa to the barn and milked 
the cows, so I learned a lot of things from Rapid City Indian School.

RAPID CITY INDIAN SCHOOL   
told by Sarah Buffalo in 1971
     "I was taken to school at Rapid City when I was eight years old. It was a military 
school and we had to drill and practice our marching. We march even to the dining room. 
There were four companies of girls: A, B, C, and D. The officers walked beside the lines.
     We had domestic science and domestic arts and we learned how to sew and cook. 
And there was a laundry there that we go to work and we laundry the clothes and iron 
the clothes for the kids, the whole school. That's what I did when I went to school.
     If we went to school in the morning we work the afternoon and then if we go to school 
in the afternoon we work the morning half. And of course we don't come home for 
vacations like they do now. Once we went in September why, we stayed until June 25th 
or maybe 28th. Go to school late in June." (from South Dakota Oral History Center, 
Vermillion, S.D.; A.I.R.P.)

BRIDGER DAY SCHOOL DISTRICT
 From The Call of the Prairie comes this item on Bridger by James Hi Hawk.
     "The public school was started in 1922. Mr. James Hi Hawk was one of the 
community members responsible for getting the school started. James Hi Hawk was four 
years at the time of the 'Wounded Knee Massacre'. His half brother, John Makes It Long 
was a scout for the United States Army. Mr. Hi Hawk was with Chief Bigfoot's band 
during the battle."
     These two men still resided at Bridger in 1960 when Call of the Prairie was published. 
The remnants of Bigfoot's band settled in Bridger.
     One source states that Bridger School started in 1922. Records show that it was a 
public school from 1924 through 1932.
     A new school was built in 1933.
     The old Iron Lightning school building was moved to Bridger in 1965.
     One employee, Virginia Conroy High Hawk, cooked at Bridger Day School for 35 
years, retiring in 1971.
     The school which is located in the southwest corner of Ziebach County has been in 
continuous operation for 60 years.

CARSON DAY SCHOOL   
by Mrs. Carl Anderson
     I came to Dupree in March of 1911 to help my folks get located. Miss Grace Shurr, 
County Superintendent, persuaded me to take the District School, which was located in 
the yard with the Indian School and teach the Carson children, two in the grades and two 
in high school. I boarded with the Carson family. On the Sunday previous to the opening 
of school, my father took me to the school, with two horses hitched to a single buggy. 
The load was not light, for I had suitcases, books, etc. It had rained the night before and 
the gumbo being polite and sociable, stayed right with the buggy wheels until they met 
with the bed of the buggy. My father would have to get out and dig the gumbo out often, 
as the horses would get tired dragging the buggy along. We finally came in sight of the 
Indian Camp, with the government building as a background. As we neared the camp, 
we saw a very small tent with some smoke coming from the bottom. When we arrived at 
the Carson home I mentioned it, and Mr. Carson related that a young man who had 
typhoid fever had been placed in the tent. The medicine man had hot rocks covered with 
blankets and had wrapped the young man in the blankets and placed him on the hot bed 
to sweat out the fever. The man was dead in the morning. Some of the men took some 
lumber to the government shed and made a casket. That night, his many friends held a 
"wake" for him. The following day he was buried. Many of his belongings such as a 
saddle, saddle blankets, spurs and such were buried in the grave with him, or given to 
some of his friends. There was a big feast that night.
     My school consisted of the four Carson children. I had a nice little schoolhouse, well 
equipped with maps, blackboards, stove, books, desks, chairs, a globe and an organ. 
The high school children, Franklin and Catherine, were under the supervision of the 
Dupree High School Superintendent.
     Mr. Carson taught the Indian Day School, which was in the same yard. Mrs. Carson, 
besides cooking for her family and me, prepared the noon meal for the government 
school. Shortly after school had started, Mrs. Carson took ill and had to have surgery. 
She did not recover from the operation and passed away. The new housekeeper was 
Mrs. Bruh, a daughter of Fred Beguhl. She was replaced later by Mrs. Henderson, who 
continued as housekeeper and cook for the two schools.
     One interesting experience happened when we were having a great deal of rain, and 
our water supply had to be brought from the dams in the neighborhood. Mr. Carson got a 
crew of Indian men and they worked all night putting sand bags along two of the fills, 
which were holding the great amount of water. They saved the dams.
     I can't resist mentioning G. M. McGarraugh, one of Dupree's bankers, who had a 
homestead near Cherry Creek. He would come down there once in a while in his White 
City Special, I believe they called it. He would come down the hill at the Day School but 
if there had been any moisture, the going back was not so good. Some of the Indians 
would hitch their horses to the Beauty and pull it to the top of the hill.
     One of the interesting happenings of those days was Ration Day, which came once a 
month. All the Indians, the Indian Farmer, the teacher and the doctor would gather at the 
Station. Some of the old and disabled Indians would receive Government Checks and 
others would receive food, such as dried beans, peas, rice, oatmeal, flour and different 
kinds of dried fruits. Fresh meat was available a part of the time. The Indians would 
spend most of their checks before leaving for home. I remember one instance when a 
kindly old fellow had a couple of dollars left after he had bought his necessary supplies. 
He gave the balance of his money to the storekeeper -for a bright plaid umbrella, which 
he held over himself as he rode away from the village, sitting flat in the bottom of the 
wagon.
     A band of Cherokee Indians came traveling through the country. There were about 
200 of them. Mr. Carson felt a little alarmed as they camped close to our Indian Camp. 
He was afraid that they might start to fight, as they played their drums and danced all 
through the night. The next morning they moved on. The rest of us and Cherry Creek 
camp were relieved when they left."

[photo – Carson Day School and Carson Home (SDSHS)]

CHERRY CREEK DAY SCHOOL

[photo – Cherry Creek District School]

     In 1886 the government established a school at Plum Creek (across the river from 
Cherry Creek) and Virginia Traversie was the teacher. She taught for several years with 
a Santee Indian woman named Mrs. Williams whose husband was a boss farmer at 
Cherry Creek. Later, Mary Traversie (Dupris, Talks) also taught school there. When Mrs. 
Williams resigned Mary had the entire school of 36 pupils, mostly beginners. In 1890 the 
school was moved across the river to Cherry Creek. Mary had married Edward Dupris 
and continued to teach the school for another year. Finally, because of the intense fervor 
of the Ghost Dance the school was closed.
     In 1891, Day School #8 or Carson Day School was established by the government. It 
was located about 7 miles up the creek from Cherry Creek. Frank Carson was the 
teacher. Mrs. Carson cooked meals for the children. Hazel Martin came to Dupree in 
1911 and taught the district school also located at Carson's. She taught two grade 
school children and two Carson children who were high school age. So there were two 
schools there, a district school and a government school. Raymond Brown Thunder, 
John Hump, Charlie Inamongst, Oscar White Weasel are among those who attended 
this school.
     When Carson left, this school closed and Cherry Creek children who attended school 
had to go to the Cheyenne Agency Boarding School about 85 miles away on the 
Missouri River.
     In 1908, P. L. 158 provided for the Secretary of the Interior to be authorized to set 
aside tribal lands for schools. In 1911 a public school was requested by parents in 
Cherry Creek. Silas Yellow Owl, Irish Tommy Condon, Charlie Blue Arm and Sam Eagle 
Chasing went to the Ziebach County Superintendent of Schools with a request. The 
government apparently met the request and moved a building from the Carson Day 
School site down to Cherry Creek Station. Miss Jennie Cooper was the teacher. Other 
teachers were Mr. McClury, Buddy Bartty and Mr. McDonald.

[photo – Indian School, Cherry Creek, South Dakota, 1911]

[photo – Cherry Creek Day School, one of the larger Day Schools on the Reservation]

[photo – Cherry Creek Day School. This building was built in 1952 and included kitchen 
and dining facilities in the basement]

[photo – Cherry Creek Day School. A kindergarten was built in 1971, but not pictured. 
Two additional buildings were added for classrooms in 1974 and 1975]

     In 1924 Mr. Raymond Edwards came across the river and taught in a government 
house. For a time school was held in a log building. Public school teachers during this 
time according to Ziebach County School records include Jennie Cooper 1922-23, 
Raymond Edwards 1924, Mrs. J. Ferguson 1925, Lurinda Perkins 1926, Mary Belle 
Stanford 1927, Jennie Cooper 1928, Mr. McCleary 1929. In 1930-32 a Yankton-Dakota 
lady taught.
     In 1934 Jennie Cooper was again teaching in Cherry Creek.
     Harold Shunk came to Cherry Creek to teach December 8, 1934, and remained there 
for 8 years, leaving December 8, 1942. There was a new frame building with kitchen 
facilities and a teacher's cottage. Mr. Shunk was the only teacher for three years with 
grades 1 through 6, and had as high as 54 students. Mr. and Mrs. Shunk started a 4-H 
program and by 1938 a barn had been completed. Mrs. Shunk taught sewing and 
cooking to the girls. By 1939 there were 7 buildings on the school grounds. A dam and 
artesian well had been constructed. During the last 5 years Mr. Shunk was there, he and 
the students and parents built a log building. He then taught grades 5 through 8 in the 
log building in such crafts as furniture and harness repair. They managed a cattle 
program started with older students each taking care of a heifer calf until breeding age 
when the students could claim ownership. They also had a poultry program. Mr. Scott 
Whipple came to teach and began an irrigated garden which was to supply the school 
with vegetables. These vocational-type programs were successful while Mr. Shunk was 
there. After 8 years of teaching at Cherry Creek, Mr. Shunk left, later to become an 
Agriculture teacher at Cheyenne Agency where he had some of his same students. He 
has always kept in touch with these people and in 1976 his former students invited him 
to Cherry Creek for a banquet given in his honor.
     Other teachers who came later were: Mr. Scott Whipple, Mr. White 1942, Miss Nina 
Samuelson 1942, Mr. Robert Putnam 1942, Norman and Irene McGinnis, Mr. Hacket, 
Mrs. Martin, Mr. Leonard Claymore 1949, Doyce Waldrip 1950, Mr. Robert Drew 1953, 
Mrs. Newly, Mr. David Reddin, Miss Koenopher, Mr. Zanell, Mr. and Mrs. William 
Monahan 1958, Charles and Marie Emery 1959-60.
     1965-66 Glenn Conrad, Orvel Woodward, Adele Little Dog. 1966-67 Adele Little Dog, 
Orvel Woodward, 1967-68 Rex Ann Lawson, Lance Picorre, Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Crogan. 
1968-69 Doug Howard, Lois Lapp, Faye Longbrake. 1969-72 Bill and Fran Cole, Lois 
Lapp. 1972-73 Bill and Fran Cole, Faye Longbrake, Dianna Huston, Vavene Anderson, 
Robert Campbell, Stan and Karen Patterson. 1973-75 Robert Campbell, Faye 
Longbrake, Mr. and Mrs. Apple, Edith Knight, Mr. and Mrs. Long, Loretta Smith, Vavene 
Anderson, Carrolls. 1975-76 Faye Longbrake, Al Crogan, Principal; Sal Crogan, Edith 
Knight, Philip O'Conner, Loretta Smith, Dean Hughes, Beverly McKay, Bruce McLain. 
1976-77 Al Crogan, Faye Longbrake, Principal. 1977-82 Faye Longbrake, Principal. 
Teachers: Sal Crogan, Edith Knight, Loretta Smith, Evelyn Ritz, Lavonne Dupris, Vivian 
Winter Chaser, Sondra Fire Thunder.
     In 1952, a new school was built which included kitchen and dining room facilities in 
the basement. Two teachers were usually required and often a husband-wife 
combination were hired. The principal also served as teacher, and a janitor was hired. 
Before this the principal usually did the school maintenance. Many times his wife would 
serve as the school cook. Mazie In the Woods was hired as cook at Cherry Creek Day 
School from about 1942 until she retired in 1971.
     In 1971 a kindergarten was built and three teachers were hired in addition to a 
principal. By 1973, the school had expanded to 95 pupils and 9 grades and additional 
buildings were necessary. Also, government programs were added and the teaching 
staff was raised to 9. Grades K through 9 operated until 1975 when dissension within the 
community caused the enrollment to decrease. The School has operated for grades 
through 8 or 6 since that time with about 5 teachers.
     Esther Buck Elk Thunder and Marilyn Runsafter have been cooks at the school for 
the past 10 years beginning in 1972. Faye Longbrake has been a teacher and principal 
there for 10 years. Loretta Smith taught there for 4 years, Edith Knight for 8 years and 
Mabel Inghram for 4 years. Percy Dupris was the janitor there for 17 years.
     The school presently has its kindergarten, 4 classrooms, a hot lunch program and a 
large, modern library. Adult education classes are conducted in the evenings.

IRON LIGHTNING SCHOOL      
DISTRICT #1

[photo – Iron Lightning Day School: Cyril Red Bird, Gilbert Marrowbone, Delaine 
Mandan, Blaine Clown, Nita Marrowbone, Martha Red Bird, Nancy Iron Bird, Dale Iron 
Lightning, Leroy Curley, and Edwina Clown with teacher Miss Leona Johnson]

     The Butler School, established in 1926, with W. J. Hatch as teacher, was attended by 
Theodore and Elmer Butler, Allen Eberhard, Willie Red Horse, George Knife, James 
Talks, Victoria Short Bull, Sophia Puts On His Shoes, Lawrence Curley, and Robert and 
Marie Hatch. School was held in a small building near the Ted Butler ranch on the 
Moreau River.
     In 1928, Ted Butler, Mrs. Edward Clown, and Eugene Mandan, were delegated to 
attend a school meeting to promote the establishment of a Day School for the Indian 
children. In 1929 a government Day School was begun on land obtained from Paul Fools 
Dog and named "Iron Lightning Day School". A school building was then erected in 
1935.
     Since 1935 Day School teachers have included: Clifford Elfrink, Charles Friend, 
Leona Johnson, Bill Strietz, Ervin Dockter, Thomas Hickey, Norman McGinnis, Myron G. 
Armstrong, Anna Wiegand, Robert Small, Charles Schad and Marlow Halbers.
     The school closed in 1966 and the building was moved to Bridger. Students are-now 
bused to Dupree School from Iron Lightning.

RED SCAFFOLD SCHOOL

[photo – Red Scaffold School Bus]

[photo – Red Scaffold School: Back Row: Laverna Brown Wolf, Wilma Chasing Hawk, 
Drury Cook, Ted Knife, Sylvia Iron Hawk, ?, Josephine, Delia, and Tisavera Chasing 
Hawk and Darlene Knife. Front row: Bernard Holmes, Norma Black Moon, Blossom 
Cook, Florence Little Crow, Romey Holmes, Cecil Chasing Hawk and John Halfred]

     In 1934, land was purchased by the BIA from the heirs of Charging Bear, for a school 
in Red Scaffold. An artesian well was drilled and a two-classroom school with a kitchen, 
dining room, gymnasium and stage was completed. Classes began on October 14, 
1935.
     A four-stall garage, toilets, a large community root cellar (1939) and two teacher 
cottages (1940) were also built.
     The school's barn was built northeast of and across the road from the school (where 
the Rehab houses now stand) and was used for two 'milche' cows. In 1942-43 the boys 
rebuilt an old shed foundation for a hog house. Jack Barton made the foundation into a 
store in 1949.
     In the early 40's, the school curriculum was built largely around homemaking and 
agricultural enterprises, particularly livestock, small grain crops and subsistence 
gardens. The community irrigated garden which was about 8 miles from the school, 
south of Rattlesnake Dam, had about 20 good sized plots and furnished the school with 
vegetables.
     Rattlesnake Dam was built in the 1930's, a project of Roosevelt's C.C.C.
     In addition to projects, both classrooms received regular instruction in Arithmetic, 
Reading, Spelling, English, Art, Social Studies and Music.
     During the 1940's an adult education program was carried on. Most of the programs 
were held in the community hall, which was built in 1938 by the C.C.C.
     In the Junior Seamsters Club, women did sewing and knitting. Each fall when the fair 
was held, their work was displayed.
     In August of each year, mattresses containing fifty pounds of cotton and ten yards of 
ticking were made.
     The Day School teacher issued clothing and rations to families on relief on the first 
and third Mondays of each month, and created work jobs.
     Forty-three children were enrolled in 1940-41, forty of whom were full bloods, and 
they ranged in age from six to seventeen years in grades 1 through 8.
     Girls had sewing classes three times each week and assisted in the kitchen. Two 4-H 
clubs were organized, a potato club and a corn club. All of the pupils helped plant 
potatoes in the school garden. On Arbor Day, trees were planted on the school grounds 
in 1943.
     Bus drivers stayed in two bunk houses and two buses ran the routes east and west. 
Drivers included Bill Little Star, Frank Lillibridge, Tom Standing Elk and Bill Iron 
Moccasin. Amos Cook was janitor and bus driver for many years.
     Miss Leona Johnson was one of the early teachers at Red Scaffold School.

[photo – Miss Leona Johnson, a much loved teacher in both the rural schools and Day  
Schools. Miss Johnson was at Red Scaffold for many years]

     Title I began in 1969/1970. Two trailers with classrooms and apartments were moved 
in.
     In early 1979, under Public Law 93-638, the School Board and community voted to 
contract with the BIA for the operation of their school. School Board members at that 
time were: Ted Knife, Chairman; Ed Widow, Burtis White Wolf, Elsie Uses Many and 
Sullivan White Wolf.
     Red Scaffold School became the first contract school on the Cheyenne River 
Reservation and Paul Little was the first Director.
     Ramona Red Horse had been the school cook for many years. Gilbert Little Thunder 
has worked as bus driver and at maintenance. After contracting, Mathew Iron Hawk was 
hired as Plant Manager.

THUNDER BUTTE DAY SCHOOL
     The school building at Thunder Butte Station was started in 1904. It was ready for 
classes in 1905 and was taught by J. M. Corbin for 2 years. From 1907 through 1910, 
Mr. and Mrs. Zachman were teachers. The Ute Indians who were encamped at Thunder 
Butte enrolled their children during the time the Zachman's taught.

[photo – Thunder Butte Day School, 1952]

[photo – Thunder Butte Day School, 1930’s]

[photo – Teacher’s Cottage]

     From 1910 through 1914 Mr. and Mrs. Bunga, who were Chippewa Indians, were the 
teachers.
     From 1914 through 1916 Mr. and Mrs. Hofa were teachers and also started a store at 
Thunder Butte.
     At one time there was also a post office which closed in 1910.
     Elsie Slides Off, whose father, Amos Clown, attended Thunder Butte School when it 
first opened, submitted the history of these early years.
     More information about the school is related in the story about Thunder Butte 
community.

HEADSTART
     In the summer of 1965 a pilot program was set up through the Cheyenne River Sioux 
Tribe Federal funding for a Head Start Program. The program ran 5 weeks for 5 year 
olds entering school in fall. This program was to help disadvantaged children prepare for 
elementary school with a well rounded background.
     In the fall of 1965 the program was O.E.O. funded with money channeled through the 
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. There were 10 centers.
     Those continuing in operation in Ziebach County are: Dupree, Cherry Creek and Red 
Scaffold.

[photo – Dupree Head Start building]

 THE HISTORY OF THE DUPREE SCHOOL

[photo – Dupree Public School]

     Excitement must have filled the air in the early days as new friendships were made 
and with great fortitude and determination, a frontier town was established. The spirit of 
many was welded together by hardship and the monumental task of construction, a 
framework through which school, churches, and finally a county seat town came into 
being.
     From the newspaper, Dupree Leader, we note that on September 27, 1910, the 
businessmen of the new-born town voted unanimously to build a school. The cost had 
already been met by popular subscription. A committee of three, Eb Jones, W. H. 
Perkins, and J. P. Crews, were to make arrangements for building a school. Shortly 
thereafter, a building 20' x 24' was erected on the site of the present Ziebach County 
courthouse lawn. This building later became part of the United Church of Christ 
parsonage. It was also used, at that time, by the parishioners of the Congregational and 
Episcopal Churches until they were able to build. Parents of the 33 students paid the 
teacher's salary; the students brought their own books so no two were alike -- it was 
quite a task for that first teacher, Miss Alice Henderson! In 1911, Miss Mildred 
McFarland was the teacher. The first teacher's examination was held in July, 1911 with 
fifteen teachers present; two were from Dewey County, one from Perkins County, and 
twelve from Ziebach County.
     The high school in the Independent District was started in 1912 with W. L. Nies as 
Principal. At the first teacher's institute, held in June, 1912 for the training of elementary 
teachers, forty were registered. Miss Grace Shurr, who homesteaded 31/2 miles south of 
Dupree, became the first County Superintendent of Schools. The late G. M. Drummond 
finished her term when she resigned. Mrs. P. W. Raben was engaged as an additional 
teacher in 1913. By 1914 there were 24 rural teachers and 3 in the Dupree School. A 
bond was floated in 1913 for a new and larger school building. A letter from Charles M. 
Fuller describes:
     "I attended school from 1916-1920 and the school was a nearly new, square building, 
two stories, and a basement with two grade school rooms downstairs and all high school 
students in one half of the upstairs, with a basketball room and lab tables in the other 
half upstairs, with a wire screen partition.
     There was a full basement with a dirt floor, where a carload of lignite coal was stored 
for the winter. The school was heated with a large coal heater in each room. The front 
door faced west, with large hallways and stairs, plus cloakrooms and a small library off 
each hall on both floors. There was a pair of outdoor toilets behind the school." Fuller 
also recalls Mrs. Myrtle Huff as school principal and high school teacher. Mrs. Martin 
Broberg, Miss Wilson, and Gertrude Thomas, also taught in high school. Elementary 
teachers were Birdie Geesey (later Mrs. Pete Askin), Mrs. Troon, and Miss Hopkins.
     This building, with some additions, served the community until 1939 when 
construction was started on the main part of the present building. The building cost 
$75,000.00 and was built in the era of WPA labor, a self-help 
program of the Federal Government when F. D. Roosevelt was President. Dupree 
Independent School District bonded for $15,000.00, their share of the cost of the new 
building. Federal funds supplied $58,106.00. The building was two stories and measured 
106' x 107'.

[photo – While the new school was being built, this class graduated from the Legion Hall 
in Dupree – 1941]

[photo – 1913 – whole school. Miss Foreman, teacher. Top row (l to r): Vera Keller, 
Maddalene Heitkamper, Beth Stephenson and Joe Shot At. Next row down: Helen 
Brown, Theresa Hickock, Ruby Keller, and ? Third row down: ?, Luella Geesey, Bud 
Keller, and Lucille Walters. Seated: Jack Kennedy, Larry McFarland, and Herman 
Heitkamper]

     During the time of construction, the Legion Hall and Odd Fellows Hall were rented for 
classrooms. The court house also afforded some room for classes.
 The new school was dedicated on October 3, 1941 and the first graduating class was in 
1942. The old, large assembly room that so many graduates will remember, was divided 
for the school year 1955-56 so there were more classrooms as well as a library.
     Again in 1957 an addition was added to the main building. The new addition 
consisted of a dual purpose music-lunchroom, and shop so that with the new science 
room equipment, the program was greatly enriched in the study of Science and Industrial 
Arts. The hot lunch program was started that year and lockers were added for coats and 
equipment.
     The Federal Government began closing outlying schools under their control causing 
an influx of students. It was at this time that two busses were procured for transportation 
of students from Thunder Butte and Iron Lightning. In 1968 a separate building was 
placed on the grounds north of the school for first and second grade classes. Then again 
in 1970 the need for more space necessitated another addition. This consisted of a 
library, infirmary, storage, two offices and bathrooms, and is known as the "Kraft 
Addition''. It was named in honor of Roy Kraft, a public servant on the Board of 
Education for fifteen years. One of his last acts was to attend a meeting with the 
architects to finalize plans for this expansion. This addition is 87 L/z feet long and 30 feet 
wide and was connected to the southeast portion of the main building. The cost was 
$64,360.00 and was financed under Public Law #815 which supplied aid to Federal 
impacted areas.
     The very newest portion built on the school house is attached to the northwest and 
has been completed by Denton Construction, giving more classroom space. The 
approximate cost of this was $86,800.00.
     One may wonder why space is continually needed when the population of the County 
remains stable. The state legislature determined taxpayers needed to equalize the 
burden of school funding. There were many common districts and only one Independent 
District whose duty it became to furnish secondary education for all students. The State 
did not fund the Independent District enough to cover the cost of educating students 
from the common districts, hence the Independent District was heavily taxed. A County 
Board of Education was established by the State for the purpose of attaching every 
common district to an Independent District. This process took many years and the 
question was brought to a vote of the people of the County on three different occasions 
and defeated every time. The State decreed that a new school district existed on 
September 23, 1969 through a meeting in Pierre, South Dakota. The District was 
extremely large, encompassing the town of Faith and all of that old Independent District 
as well as nearly all of Ziebach County, and a portion of Meade and Perkins Counties. 
West River School District #18 was governed by a seven-member board who were 
elected from specified areas but voted upon by all citizens. The County Board was finally 
abolished, their task having been completed. Any further changes in boundaries were 
taken care of by the Board of County Commissioners. All of the rural schools have been 
closed; the children now attending school in Dupree.
     West River Independent School District 64-1 or WRISD 64-1 was reorganized once 
again and in July, 1980, following the circulation of petitions and a vote by the people, 
the school district was split away from Faith. We became known as Dupree School 
District 64-2 and Faith's is now known as Faith School District 46-2.
     Vocational Education at Dupree was broadened with the arrival of portable 
classrooms during the second semester of 1974. The fully equipped mobile units provide 
classes in Building Trades, Metals, Electronics, Quantity Food Preparation, and many 
others.
     The duty of maintenance of the schools through the years has been the responsibility 
of several people. It was first accomplished by high school boys, including Charles 
Fuller. Anson Callen was janitor for a few years, as late as 1921. J. W. Olmstead served 
for many years before retirement, then upkeep was in the custody of George Fuller, 
Alfred Light field, later John Gross.
     Leo Bakeberg became head custodian in November, 1951, a position he held until 
1978. Leo cleaned up more mud, paper wads, and scribbling and offered more counsel 
than probably anyone else in the history of the school. Frustration, in this position, is an 
ever-ready head complete with two horns but Leo had always mastered the situation. 
One must feel deep admiration for the conduct shown by this tall, quiet gentleman. Great 
love and respect have been given him by many of his "children", attested to by the fact 
that the school annual was dedicated to him in 1959. He and his wife, Pat (nee 
Edwards), whom he married in 1950, have ten children, the first of whom graduated from 
high school in 1968, and twelve grandchildren. The work was never done for Leo when 
the school year ended. He was probably busier then than ever with a never-ending 
summer schedule of repair, clean, paint, innovate and invent. The premises, inside and 
outside, were always squeaky clean and shining by the time school reconvened. 
Bakeberg's now live in Spearfish, South Dakota, where Leo is still pursuing his career of 
custodian at the Black Hills State College and Pat works in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, 
in the ASCS office.

[photo – Mabel Ross and her primary class, 1939-1940]

[photo – Pat and Leo Bakeberg holding the gift he was presented at the farewell party 
given in his honor for over 25 years of faithful service as school custodian]

[photo – Dupree Public School, before new gym and library additions]

[photo – Leo Bianas and David Little Elk went to Washington, D. C. in 1977 to be part of 
the “All Indian Honor Band”. They performed at half-time at the Washington Redskins 
and Dallas Cowboys football game. David was also selected by the South Dakota Indian 
Association as the Most Outstanding High School Indian student in 1977. The choice 
was based mainly on academic achievement]

SCHOOL DAZE IN THE EARLY 20's         
by George Toll
     I can't recall a lot of specifics about school except that a Mrs. Huff was there for the 
first year. What a remarkable person!
     Estelle graduated from DHS in 1921 and I followed in 1922. Later, we would attend 
college in Brookings where we were joined by Charles Fuller and Ole Shelton. Anne and 
Lloyd went to Gayville, South Dakota, and Tom graduated from Poly High in Long 
Beach, California.
     There were four stoves in the school. One particular year, Paul Troon and I kept the 
first burning by carrying lignite coal up from the basement. The big practical joke of the 
day would be to put a bottle of ink on the stove, then sit back and wait for it to explode to 
ceiling level.
     We had no formal athletics department as such because most of the students had to 
head home to the farm immediately after school each day to help with the chores, 
planting, or the harvest. However, we did organize a basketball and baseball team. My, 
but Dupree did love their baseball team.
     Graduation in June, 1922 was quite an event for me. I got to wear my first pair of long 
pants! We had a program at the Berglin Theatre and a speaker was even brought in 
from some college. The entire class of '22 Doris Troon, Bill Clifton, and I -- were 
graduated!
     Despite the great many hardships, we managed to receive a good basic education. 
I've even managed to use my Latin and geometry training to my advantage.

[map – Ziebach County School Districts]

[map – Ziebach County Schools]

ZIEBACH COUNTY RURAL SCHOOLS by Thelma Frame
     The rural school has passed from the scene in Ziebach County but its importance is 
recognized by all who lived in a rural community. It was the hub around which the rest of 
our lives revolved. The school house served as a community hall as well as a place to 
gain an education. Church and Sunday School, dances, pie socials, elections and 
meetings were held there. A neighborhood was held together by the bonds of school.
     A rural school was much like a large family and students reaped many of the same 
benefits. All of the grades were taught in one room so pupils were exposed to a wide 
variety of subjects before it was their turn to learn them. It was like family conversations 
at home where ideas of religion, politics and ideals are absorbed by a child long before 
they are able to reason these subjects for themselves.
     The classes were small so the teacher knew each pupil's strengths and weaknesses 
in every subject. There were always advanced older students who had time to work with 
the younger ones to improve their reading or math skills.
     Recess and noon provided the time to learn to get along in a social way with other 
students. The games that were played usually included everyone.
     In the early homestead days it was not uncommon for school to be held in a private 
home until a building was provided. Many times it was the mother who taught her own 
children and the neighbor children. Sometimes a teacher was hired and lived with a 
family during the school term.
     Usually a teacher bearded with a family in the neighborhood. It may have meant a lot 
of extra work and inconvenience for the host family, but it was a mark of honor to have 
the teacher in your home.
     During the depression years it was a custom not to hire married women if a single 
person were available. The assumption was that a married woman had a husband to 
support her. This position was hotly contested by women who had families in need of 
better food and warm clothing.
     In the 30's, teachers salaries were paid by warrants, which were usually sold at a 
discount to someone who had some extra cash.
     Finishing the 8th grade didn't necessarily mean that now you were going to high 
school. This was a privilege that was denied many students for financial reasons or 
because they were needed to help at home.
     For many students, the distance to a high school made it necessary for them to stay 
in town during the week. Some families were able to pay board and room but most were 
unable to afford such a luxury. Some worked for their room and board. It was usually 
easier for a girl to find a place to stay because when most of the housework was done 
by hand extra help was appreciated.
     Some families moved a small building to town or rented one room in a private home 
where the children could do light housekeeping during the week. Most of the students 
would go home on weekends.
     If there was no school near home, a mother and all the children had to move to town 
during the week. There was a dormitory at Dupree for a few years which made it 
possible for many more students to attend school.
     With improved roads and automobiles almost every student can stay at home while 
attending school. There are two bus routes, one to Iron Lightning and one to Thunder 
Butte. Other students drive or are brought from home each day.
     Quite often two or three sisters were teaching at the same time. The Bierman sisters 
numbered four. Holding the record however, were the Birkeland sisters. Five of the girls 
taught in Ziebach County; Alice (Vance) started teaching at Fairview in 1917; Esther 
(Hemen) began her career at Soliday in 1919; Elfina (Njos), Mildred (Collins), and Lillian 
also taught. Mildred was the last of the five to teach in the county. In 1968-69 she taught 
Fairview where Alice began her career 51 years earlier. Mildred's final year was 1969-70 
at Soliday.
     The school census (not enrollment) in 1911 was 709. It rose quite steadily until 1931 
to a high of 1443. By 1940 it was 998. Figures were not available for the years 1941 
through 1967. For the past 15 years, the number has been between 800 and 900.
     Ziebach County Superintendents: 
1911 Grace Shurr; 
1912 G. M. Drummond; 
1914 John R. Retz; 
1916 Walter Menzel; 
1920 Hortense M. Bagley; 
1923 J. G. Brende; 
1927 G. M. Drummond; 
1931 Georgia M. Holden; 
1935 Lewis R. Schetnan; 
1942 Helen Brammer Pederson; 
1944 Thelma Anderson Dykstra; 
1946 Lillian Birkeland; 
1951 Leora Burgee; 
1951 Neoma Bierman Johnson; 
1957 Trula Fields; 
1960-70 Twila Zacher Schuler.

ALBEE SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #15

[photo – Albee School, 1942. Annabelle Lopez, Effie Lopez, Sally Elsey, Jennie 
Vanderpol, Martha Seymour, Arlys Vanderpol, Shirley Seymour, Betty Vanderpol, (Bud) 
Evelyn Elsey, Ethel Seymour, ?, Maxine Neilson, Mary Schreier, teacher]

     In the summer of 1911 Fred Albee's land would become the home of Albee School, 
about fourteen miles southwest of Eagle Butte, South Dakota. It was later moved one 
mile to its present location which is eleven miles south along the east side of Highway 
63. It is now being used as a granary.
     Elizabeth, Rose, George and Gertrude Weicher; Katherine and Anna Shoener; 
George, Alton and Dwight Souers; and James Davidson were the students in 1915-16.
     In 1931-32 students were from the families of Schatz, Packins, Vanderpol, Heil, 
Nelson, Shoener, and Bosch.
     Patty Hinzman was the last teacher in 1958.

ARROWHEAD SCHOOL    
DISTRICT #14
     Arrowhead School started in 1911 at the new little town by that name between 
Redelm and Faith. There were 29 students in 1913. By 1919 there were only seven 
students and the school closed until 1923.
     Martha Ward taught two years starting in 1923. Students were Eudora, Eugene, 
LaVerne, Joan and Audrey Lund; Thelma and Hulda Solem; Eunice McCollough; James 
Glover; and Earnest Rampfer.
     The school bell rang once more in 1933. Eudora Lund (Walters) taught these 
students: Lloyd, Neva and Treva Griffith; Pandora, Minnie and Clarence Johnson; and 
James Ford.
     This big well-built school was used for a polling place, dances and meetings.
 It was moved to Dupree where the lumber was used for a locker plant. The building is 
now owned by Adolph Silverman who uses it for an antique shop.

BACHMAN SCHOOL    DISTRICT #2
     In 1923 the Bachman School was moved from a site near Oscar Sederstrom's place 
north of John Bachman's, to a location just south of Lloyd Dunbar's ranch. Lloyd and 
Frank Dunbar, John Bachman, and Albert Steen used two wagons and eight horses to 
move the 16' x 22' structure. Records show that school was held two years before it was 
moved. Its operation as the Bachman School continued until the building burned in 
January, 1940.
     Mud Butte School was moved and called Bachman School for the next four years.
     Many dances and neighborhood gatherings were held in the Bachman School as 
they were in most of the rural schools at that time.

BEEHIVE SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #1
     On the official records the school was called Beehive, but locally it is known as 
"Beebe". Elmer Beebe was the first teacher in 1917-18. Students that year were 
Herseys, Tapleys and Jones.
     The Slides Off and Frank Corn families attended this school too, at a later date. 
These families lived in tents on their own land about a mile from the school while school 
was in session.
     Students in 1931 were Treva, Alvin, Harold and Roy Veit, Gean Crowley and Helen 
Roseneau.
     It was located about 8 miles south of Glad Valley and ran from 1917 through 1936.
     Dutch Parrot bought the building and later sold it to Pickers.

BJORGUM SCHOOL   DISTRICT #2
     Bjorgum School was located south of Rattlesnake Butte and east of Mud Butte in 
western Ziebach County. The school ran from 1920 through 1929.
     The children from the Bjorgum, Chicoine, Christersen, Johnson, and Riley families 
attended this school.

BLOOM SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #1        
by Leora Burgee

[photo – Bloom School, 1923. Back row: 1. Irene Boeding, 2. Maxine Anderson, 3. Isabel 
Anderson, 4. Agnes Weis, 5. Viola Bierman, 6. Clinton Anderson, 7. Betty Anderson. 
Front row: Loretta Weis, Fred Zulauf, Carl Weis, Pauline Zulauf]

[photo – Bloom School, 1943. Neoma Bierman, teacher. Ronald Bierman, Einar, Blaine 
and Joan Drageset, Edwin and Gertrude Volden.

[photo – Bloom School picnic – 1938]

     In the summer of 1918 a community in northern Ziebach County, School District No. 
1, saw the need for a school for their children and Bloom School was built on NW 1/4,NE 
1/4 28-17-20. It was placed high on a ridge on a couple acres of land on the homestead 
of Joe Bloom, a bachelor who lived only a short distance from the school. Mr. John 
Comstock, one of the neighboring homesteaders, became the first teacher. The first two 
years that the school was in operation the students were: June and Arnold Bell; Lyle and 
Shirley Reeve; Katie and Fred Zulauf; and Harold Blom.
     The school was like all other schools at that time in that besides being a school, it 
was to become a community center for dances, card parties, pie socials, and church. An 
organ was purchased by the patrons with proceeds from a social event for the amount of 
$25.
     A little red barn was also built on the grounds as there were always students, and in 
some cases teachers, who rode horses to school.
     The school remained in operation at the original location for twenty-two years and 
many times was bursting at the seams with the number of students enrolled. Other 
families who attended at the location were: August Schaffers; Ed and Henry Boeding; 
Gus Anderson; Fred Bierman; Fred Brinkman; George Lyon; Sylvester Price; Leo Abelt; 
Joe Weis; and the Hall girls. The teachers generally had to make the school their home 
and some of them had sisters, brothers, or their own children who stayed with them.
     Mr. Comstock taught the school for two years. The next few years the school had 
Mabel Bennett, Nellie Dempsey, Helen Hoyt, and Marie Williams as teachers. When 
compulsory education came into being, some tall husky boys were enrolled who had not 
yet reached the age of eighteen. Mr. Earl Conrath and Mr. Clyde Mitchell served in the 
capacity not only as teachers but as officers of law and order.
     The next eleven years the teachers were: Lela Felton, Godfred Brende, Reine Miller, 
Irene Grondahl, Connie Abelt, Clifford Elfrink, Marianna Riley, Lillian Grondahl, and Viola 
Bierman. By this time the enrollment had dwindled to four students, two of which were in 
the eighth grade. In order to hold school one more year, the ninth grade was added with 
Ethel Hoffman teaching.
     The fall of 1939 Bloom School had closed its doors with only two students in a radius 
of several miles. The school remained closed only two years and was then moved two 
and one-half miles north where once again it served its purpose for twenty years more. 
Teachers during that time were: Ida Rosenau, Neoma, Leora, and Paula Bierman; Dan 
Paulson; Barbara Johnson; Harriet Weld; Delores Ladwig; Dorothy Burke; Alice Jung; 
Helen Anderson; Joan Witte; Mary Beer; Jackie Bennett; Eileen Reichert; Willis Howard; 
and Olaus Njos.
     Once again, in 1962, skids were put under it as its need shifted to the west -- Glad 
Valley having closed its doors. For ten years more, Bloom School was in operation and 
was one of the last of the early day schools in Ziebach County to close its doors. During 
the last few years it was in session, teachers included: Fred Beer, Jr.; Willis Howard; 
Daisie Benson; Kenneth Brown; Rebecca Stapert; and Velma Foster.
     With improved roads and highways, older family members began driving to high 
school in Isabel and younger family members could join them. The rural school was no 
longer needed. It was sold to a church group and moved to Eagle Butte after the final 
term in the spring of 1971. In the fifty-three years of operation, it had remained within a 
radius of three miles.
     In several instances, two generations attended the school and in some cases former 
students returned to teach. Also, several former teachers returned to teach again.
     The high ridge on which the school was built proved to be an advantage in several 
ways. The kerosene light of the teacher served as a beacon at night to many a traveler. 
The long hill directly east of the school provided a great sledding hill in the winter time. 
And water flowing down the hill in early spring brought out the buttercups and many a 
noon hour was spent studying nature on the hillside. Then there was the county 
superintendent who used the hill to the advantage of arriving unexpectedly on the 
teacher and students by leaving his car just below the crest of the hill and walking up to 
the school.
     Like all other rural schools, Bloom School had many tales to tell. There was one 
teacher who unsuccessfully succeeded in burning the building when hot coals were 
placed on the steps outside and forgotten. It was only through an extra flow of 
adrenaline and quick wit that she and her students were able to rip off the ground planks 
and shovel snow under the building to save it.
     Then, too, there was the tragic incident when students and the teacher saw the 
neighboring bachelor fatally injured by a team of run-away horses.
     Not to be forgotten in the history of Bloom School, is Fred Bierman who served for 
more than thirty years on the school board of District No. 1 at a time when such positions 
were of free gratis.
     In studying reports and records of the years the school operated, it was noted that the 
teachers salary in 1920-21 was $115 per month. Then there was a general downward 
trend with the lowest salary paid a teacher in 1933-34. The salary that year was $50 a 
month. Then began an upward trend in salary. In 1944 the teacher again was paid $115 
a month for the first time since 1920. The last year on record the teacher of 1970 
received an annual salary of $4300. The highest salary paid at any time was in 1967 
when a teacher with a bachelor degree received an annual salary of $5500.
     Following is a list of students who attended Bloom School:
Abelt -- Connie and Loretta
Alley -- Joan, Ronald, Karen, Kenneth, John, Bobby Joe, John Michael, Mary Kay
Anderson -- Clinton, Isabel, Marine, Betty, Winfred
Baker -- Azle
Bell -- Arnold, Thomas, Georgia, June, Dorothy
Bierman -- Viola, Robert, Neoma, Leora, Paula, Ronald, and Ronald's children -- Gene, 
Bart, Sue
Blom -- Harold
Boeding -- Julius, Arnold, Irene, Coletta, Josephine
Brinkman -- Rosemarie, Betty
Burke -- Lyle, Beverly
Dahl -- Jim
Dougan -- Tom, Gina, Mike
Drageset -- Einar, Blaine, Joan, and Einar's children -- Ina, Denver, Dail Ann, Carla
Duncan -- Rhonda
Felton -- Iris
Gebhart -- Michael, Keith, Linda, Leanne, Lenai, Virginia
Hall -- Esther, Alyce
Harris -- Barton, Jim, John
Hulm -- Lyle, Diane
Johnson -- Waldo, Roger
Lyon -- Harvey, George, Lela, Marion 
Matter -- Earl
Manthei -- Mary Lou
Miles -- Jeanie
Miller -- Elwood
Ochsner -- Calvin
Price -- Kenneth, Sybil
Lisle Reeve -- Steve
Wilbur Reeve -- Lyle, Shirley
Rodriguez -- Joe, Olga
Rosenau -- Herman
Schaffer -- Andrew, Margaret
Volden -- Edwin, Gertrude, Helen
Weis -- Conrad, Carl, Agnes, Elizabeth, Loretta
Zulauf -- Pauline, Fred, Katie, Benjamin, Edwin

BUSY BEE SCHOOL DISTRICT #15
     Busy Bee School was located about three miles east and one mile south of Eagle 
Butte. It ran from 1925 until 1943. Students in 1943 were Jean and Lloyd Burnham; 
Gabriel, Anton and Mary Zacher; Gall, Gordon, Milford and Margaret Vrooman.

BUTTEVIEW SCHOOL    DISTRICT #10
     Butteview School, located about ten miles north of Thunder Butte in northern Ziebach 
County, started in 1911. Another butte, called Squaw Butte, is located near the school. 
School was held at this location until 1939. Ethel E. Goen was teacher in 1915. Students 
that year were from the Solberg, Robb, Hall, Martin and Whittlinger families.
     Harvey Frederichson used the building for a family dwelling for a while.
     The school was moved four miles south along Highway 20 and opened its doors 
again in 1956. It continued to run through 1971.
     The building was moved to Corson County where it is used for a garage at the Jim 
Lyons place.

CAMPBELL SCHOOL    DISTRICT #2
     The Campbell School was located about sixteen miles southwest of Dupree. Dorma 
Lafferty, who later became the famous singer, Kay Starr, was a student at this school in 
the early 1930's. It was operational at this location from 1923 until 1935.
     In 1941 it was moved to the "Little Ireland'' settlement on Cherry Creek about eight 
miles west of Cherry Creek Station. School was held there until 1947.
     The school remains at the same site, just a short distance from where Jerry Till now 
lives, and is used as a granary.

CARLIN SCHOOL  DISTRICT #15
     In 1950 the Johnson School house was moved down on the Cheyenne River near 
Lee Garretts and "Carlin" School began.
     In 1957 it was moved again to a site near Calvin Clavels. 1966 is the last year Carlin 
is referred to on the school records.

CENTER SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #11
     Center school was located northwest of Isabel about two miles north of the Roger 
Young place.
     The first teacher in 1911 was Elizabeth Felton.
     Students in 1915 and 1916 were from the families of Njos, Felton, Pfau, Drageset, 
Dimon and Ellwanger.
     The school was used for Sunday School and other community functions.
     It served the community for 47 years. The last term ended in 1958. The building was 
moved and became Pike School in 1963.

CHASE SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #3
     Chase School was known by at least four names. Jennie E. Chase, who had land 
across the road to the west of the Chase Post Office, taught "Chase School" in 1911-
1912.
     The next two years, Tena Bunger taught a "Thorson School". Thorsons had land just 
north of the Chase Post Office.
     In 1916-1917, Maud Cutter Parker taught a "Pollard School". The Pollards also had 
land near Chase and the same students were in attendance.
     The September 13, 1917 issue of the Dupree Leader states that Carl Olson of Lantry, 
South Dakota, was on his way to Chase to stake out a site for a schoolhouse which was 
to be built there in the near future. Carl Olson, who was Alice Shannon's father, was a 
member of the school board.
     A school, known locally as "Tiperary School", stood on Tiperary Butte about one and 
one-half miles northeast of the Chase Post Office. This well-known landmark is just 
south of where Erling Olson now lives.
     This was the same school that was called "Chase School" on the official records and 
ran through 1923. Bessie Denham, Lorna Robertson Vance Heimer, and Ruth 
Solomonson taught at this location.
     In 1928 this building was moved about five and one-half miles southeast and became 
"Sunnybrook School".

CLOVERDALE SCHOOL    DISTRICT #14
     Cloverdale School was built by Lowell Cossairt about one mile east of Lunds 
southeast of Faith in the summer of 1925.
     Florence Higgins, Clara Heckel, Belle Isaacs and Mrs. Ted Gilbert were the teachers 
for the eight years the school ran. It closed in 1933.
     Students attending the school were from the Lund, Solem, Johnson, Clover, and 
Chicoine families.

CLOVERLEAF SCHOOL     DISTRICT #8
     Cloverleaf School was named for a winning baseball team named "Cloverleaf Tigers". 
Three homesteaders, Gasper Texley, Carl Anderson and Gus Anderson, had claim 
shacks clustered on three adjoining quarters.
     A School district was formed and a school house built on Cloverleaf Corner in 1911.
     There were sixteen students in 1917-18 including the Curtiss, Ortmayer, Denham, 
Hurst, Denton (Alvin & Beulah) children and Harry Baker.
     The school ran every year but one until 1949.
     The original building has never been moved. Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Anderson own it 
and intend to preserve it for historical purposes.

[photo – Cloverleaf School today]

[photo – Early Cloverleaf School]

[photo – Cloverleaf School grounds]


DIVIDE SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #2
     Divide School was located about nine miles southwest of Dupree, about two miles 
west of where Marple's now live.
     It was called "Divide" because the school board tried to "divide" the students between 
this school, Whittler School and Robertson School.
     The Pooley and Packebush children and Jane Miller attended Divide School which 
only ran two years, 1929-30 and 1930-31.
     The building sets on the old Gammon place now owned by the McDaniel's. 

EDDY SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #3
     Eddy School ran two years. A small building was moved near the Eddy home 27 
miles southeast of Dupree. It joined the Wayne Holmes ranch. Doris Day (Jeffries) 
taught this school in 1946-47. Kenneth Jeffries taught in 1947-48.

ELIASON SCHOOL  DISTRICT #11
     The first record of Eliason School was in 1917 with Ernest Reber as teacher. 
Students that year were from the Eliason, Drageset, Manthei, Moore and Anderson 
families.
     The school is located in the Northeast corner of Ziebach County near Isabel and was 
in session until 1940.

[photo – Eliason School, 1917. Back row (l to r): Albert Pfaff, Emma Pfaff, Richard 
Ellwanger. Middle row: Gothard (Fat) Eliason, Ole Drageset, Martha Pfaff, Howard 
Prouty. Front row: Allen Moore, Louie Anderson, Agnes Drageset, Lillian Manthei, 
Milford Manthei, Robert Moore]

ELM CREEK SCHOOL    DISTRICT #8
     Elm Creek School was located about four miles east of Dupree on land presently 
owned by Lawrence Woodward.
     The school was built in 1929 because Cloverleaf wasn't large enough for all the 
students in District #8.
     The school ran for 8 years.

[photo – Elm Creek School]

[photo – Elm Creek School students. Elva, Floyd, Leonard and Raymond Linn; Betty 
Harriet, Raymond, Ellsworth, Jean, Melvin and Douglas Brush; Mattie and Bea Wicke; 
Orville and Francis Raymond; Ephraim and Otto Kapp]

FAIRDALE SCHOOL   DISTRICT #14
     Fairdale schoolhouse was built in 1920 about seven miles southeast of Faith. School 
in that neighborhood started in 1911 with Mary Peterson teaching. Her students were 
from the Gano, Henricks and Cross families. The school was called "Gano" for 3 years. 
For 3 years starting in 1917 the Gano house was used for school and was called 
"Southwest School". The teachers were Belle Higgins, Ethel Higgins and Margaret 
Walker. Fairdale School closed in 1927. Leon Beyer and Manfred Sederstom were 
students that year.

FAIRVIEW SCHOOL    
DISTRICT#7    
by Mitzi Wall
     Fairview School was built at Gene Smock's, in the school section land. Some of its 
builders were Henry Sepka, who lived south of Smock's, Gene Smock, Ole Birkeland, 
Mr. Lindgren, Bob Marple, Alfred Pedersen and Mr. Plowman.
     Early day pupils included Smocks, Birkelands, Marples, Christiansons, Lindgrens, 
Robinsons and Shetkas.
     There were 28 pupils in the fall of 1911. The classroom size is 23' x 32'.
     Later pupils included families of Griffith, Edwards (coming by 1916), Schefnans, 
Smocks, Little Wounded (by 1924), Sprengers (1930), Lafferty, Gross, Kapp (1933), 
Lutz, Days, Hortons (1948), Van Sickle, Frankfurth (1949), Webb (1953), Fields, Miller 
and Mackenzie.
     Teachers included: Alice Birkeland, Cera Wince, Esther Birkeland, Catherine Davis, 
Clair Maynard, Lillian Birkeland, Mildred Sever, Dorothy Herren, Trula Fields, Kenneth 
Sever and Loretta Griffith.
     The school was moved south to its present location in District #3 in 1965. Students 
from that community were Walls, Herrens, Mitchells, Holmes and Severs. Teachers 
included Violet Herren, Mildred Collins, Ruth Bakeberg, Joyce Collins, and Della Jones. 
Fairview School was the last rural school in Ziebach County and closed its doors in May 
of 1978. Jody Wall was the last eighth grader to graduate from Fairview.
     This rural school holds the record for running the most years -- a total of 61 over a 68 
year span.
     The building sets vacant at its last location near Walls.

[photo – A gathering at Fairview School about 1918]

[photo – Fairview School, 1977]

[photo – Cal Smith in center moving Fairview School in the fall of 1966. They moved it 
down south by Holmes]

FISCHER SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #1
     Fischer School was named for the Fischer family and located about ten miles 
northwest of Red Elm on land presently owned by Darrell Griffith.
     The school was running in 1920 but the name of the teacher is uncertain. It was 
either Mrs. Oliver Tysver or George Strommer.
     Students in 1923 when Loretta Eaton taught were from Fischer and Ford families. In 
1924 the students were Louise Knipfer, Jay Hines, Lauretta Alexander, Marie and 
Lorraine Ford.
     The school ran through the 1932-33 school year.

GAGE SCHOOL I DISTRICT #3
     Gage School, located about ten miles southeast of Dupree, was known as "Willow 
Brook" when it began in 1911.
     Lewis Schetnan shares some memories about that school:
     "I noticed the call for information on the Willow Creek School in Ziebach County in the 
West River Progress. My first years of school were in that school. My mother told me 
that that was the correct name for the school but it came to be known as the Mullin 
School and later as the Gage School. One of the first teachers was a Miss Schrier (I'm 
not sure of the spelling) and that was in 1916-17. She didn't finish the year and Mrs. 
Sam Talbott, I'm quite sure, finished out the term. I remember being so impressed with 
Mr. Talbott, who could jump into the air and click his feet together three times before 
coming back down. Somewhere during the first years a Jennie Warburton substituted for 
a while.
     I believe that Esther Birkeland taught that school in 1917-18 and Sylvia (nee Bogue) 
Broberg taught the school in 1918-19, although I could have the years reversed.
     I also remember how happy Mrs. Broberg was to have her husband, Martin, come to 
see her. He had been in World War I. When Esther taught, she brought Lillian to stay 
with her and I remember having snowball fights with Leonard Birkeland when he came to 
get them. ''
     From 1915 until 1921 it was called Mullin School because it was on the Mullin's land 
adjacent to O. J. Gage's.
     From 1921 until it was closed in 1933 it was called Gage School. It was later moved 
to just west of Fred Miller's place to accommodate the Bert Bailey family.
     Once again it was moved to replace "Sunnybrook School" when that school burned in 
the summer of 1943.
     The building now stands vacant near the Wall ranch south of Dupree.

[photo – Gage School – Veva Woodward, teacher, 1923-24. Back row: Mrs. Jensen, 
Miss Fielder or Mrs. Bogue, Mattie Albers, Mrs. Gage, Bessie Gage, Mrs. H. D. 
Woodward, Veva Woodward and George Gage. Front row: Leo Gage, Ruby Gage, 
Robinette Jensen, Geraldine Jensen, Woodrow Jensen, Rex Gage and Evelyn Jensen]

GANJE SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #15        
by Bernice Zacher
     The era of the one-room country school is nearly over, but at one time there were 
approximately sixteen rural schools in Eastern District #15 of Ziebach County, in an area 
southwest of Eagle Butte to the Cheyenne River.
     The Ganje School served the children of Gabriel Ganje and Anton Ganje families. It 
was located eight miles south on the west side of Highway 63, south of Eagle Butte, 
South Dakota.
     Both Ganje families moved and the building sat vacant for a time.
 When the Hoxing School burned, this school was moved to that location, south and 
west.
     The school was attended by the children of Mike and Neva Keller, the Virgil (Tarzan) 
Anderson children, and Jack and Jennie Hunt's children.
     The building has many initials covering its exterior from a couple generations of 
children. When it was no longer used as a school it was sold and moved north on 
Highway 63 to a point near the Isaac High Elk place. It was used as a church for several 
years.
     Gregory Zacher bought the building and moved it to his yard. He now uses it to house 
part of his antique and license plate collections.
     Where are the children from this district attending school now? Well, Eastern District 
#15 in Ziebach County has been annexed to Eagle Butte Independent #3, and the 
children ride a bus or are transported to school by their parents.

GIEDD SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #15
     Giedd School was named for homesteaders who had land about six miles south of 
Eagle Butte, east of Highway 63. It ran from 1912 until 1933. Giedd and Sciford were 
combined the next four years.
     In 1944 the school opened again and ran until 1957. Faye Annis Beeves was the last 
teacher.
     Students in 1917 were Sylvia, Clarence, Pansy and Golda Hinzman, Bernice and 
Gladys Darling, Leslie Meyer and Thelma Shannon. 1931 students were Hugh, Lyle, 
Virgil and Harlan Meyer, and Paul Hinzman. Russell Kecklers now own the building.

GLAD VALLEY SCHOOL     DISTRICT #13
     Glad Valley School was also called "Pickerville" some years. It started in the fall of 
1911 and ran every year for the next 50 years. The final term was in 1961-62. There 
were two teachers at this school from 1921 through 1943. School through the 10th grade 
was offered at least part of those years.

[photo – Glad Valley School, 1913]

GRONDAHL SCHOOL    DISTRICT #5
     Grondahl School was located about twelve miles southwest of Isabel. The school was 
built on land belonging to Grondahls in 1917. It ran through 1963.
 In the early years it served the families of Grondahl, Norine, Douglas, Lindskov, 
Bennett, McCoy and TePoel.
     There were 23 students in 1920.

HAYES SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #1
     The Hayes family lived about three miles east of Thunder Butte near Glad Valley. The 
records show that A. W. W. Cartwright taught ''Hayes School'' in 1918-19. The students 
were Francis Hannon, Madeline and Jack Bailey, Alberta, Thelma and Coral Hayes, 
Rosie and Freida Moos, Rilla King and Matilda Gumke.
     The last year the school was on the official records was 1921-22 but it may have 
been called another name.

HIGGINS SCHOOL  DISTRICT #14
     Higgins School, named for the Higgins family about three miles east of Faith, started 
in 1912. Ethel Huston taught the following students: Belle, Ethel, George and John 
Higgins; Elmer Jensen; Elvira, Lila and Alvian Katt; Fenton and Donald Mulberry; 
Leonard and Dorothy Kerslake; and Lillian Solem.
     The school was in session most years through 1941.
     It was a popular place for weddings. Couples could get their marriage license in the 
county seat town of Dupree and have the ceremony performed just inside the Ziebach 
County line. One well known couple whose wedding was in Higgins School was 
Lawrence and Lorene Vance.
     J. P. Jensen bought the Higgins School and moved it to Faith to use for a garage.

    HIGH POINT (HANNAMAN) SCHOOL DISTRICT #1
     In 1921 Mary E. Coleman taught school in the old Hannaman house about ten miles 
north of Dupree. It was on a little creek about a mile east of Leedum Pike.
     Students at this school in 1924-1925 were Hazel, Millie, Crystal and Moses Taylor, 
Jr.; Philo, Donald and Lawrence Pesicka; Thelma, Alberta and Woodrow Hayes. Minnie 
Hayes was the teacher that year. Laura Hand Burgee also taught this school.
     The neighborhood men built a new school on a hill just south of Pat Pesicka's in 
1928. Mrs. George Pesicka's mother, Hattie Place, was the first teacher of the "High 
Point School".
     Students in 1931-32 were from the Fred Pesicka family, Margaret and Alvin; the 
George Pesicka family, Frances, Lawrence and Richard; Crystal, Paul and Gladys 
Taylor; Ida and Andrew Gawenit; Lucille and Estella Berkenholtz; and Robert, Roland 
and Mary Burgee.
     School was held until 1943 when the building then sat vacant for a decade. It opened 
its doors again when Stella Taylor taught there in 1952.
     The building was moved in 1955 to a location east of Roy Veit's ranch for the benefit 
of their children.
     High Point School was one of the last schools still running in Ziebach County when it 
closed in 1975.
     Pat Pesicka bought the building and moved it to his place north of Dupree.

HILL TOP SCHOOL   DISTRICT #1
     In 1937 the Rogers School was moved from near the Corson County line to a site 
about four miles west and two miles south of Glad Valley between the Dave Trainer and 
John Walentas. Students in 1937 were Bobby, Donald, Thomas, Mary Ann and Jerome 
Walenta; Mike and Irene Johnson (Veit); Josephine and David Briscoe.
     New students in 1938 were Rex, Nancy and Donna Jo Walenta; and two Alderson 
boys. Irene Alderson stayed at a small cottage near the school during the week.
     Another small building was moved near the school for a teacherage. Before there 
was a teacherage, a corner of the school room was partitioned off with curtains to 
provide living quarters.
     The school ran through 1956.

HOXING SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #15
     Hoxing School named for the Alfred Hoxings, was located about 24 miles southwest 
of Eagle Butte. The earliest records available show that the school was running in 1919. 
Beth Stephenson (Till) taught three years. Amy McCann taught two years and then Beth 
Till for another five years through 1929.
     The school was combined with Isberg School three years, from 1933 through 1936. It 
closed its doors in 1954.
     Students in the early 1920's were from the families of Likkel, Bosch, Keller, Weicker 
and Annis.
     Students in 1931 when Lorrane Libolt was teaching were: Anton, Barbara, Albert and 
Victoria Ganje; Martin and Myrtle Likkel; Emma and Peter Wyngarden; Florence, Anna, 
Joe and Jacob DeWard; John and Pearle DeJong; and Andrew Fischer.

IRISH BASIN SCHOOL    DISTRICT #5
     Irish Basin School ran from 1921 through 1927. It was located on Leedum Pike about 
two miles south of Highway 20.
     Students came from the Alspach, Price, Gellner, Roseneau and Spellman families.

ISBERG SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #15
     Isberg School was built by Kenneth "Shorty" Collins' father in 1917. It was located 
about fifteen miles southwest of Eagle Butte. It was named for Peter Isberg, a minister.
     The first teacher was Amy McCann. Some of the families who attended were Collins, 
Briggs, Virgil Andersons, Hitsman, Maupin, Morgan and Vanderpol.
     The school ran until 1931. It was combined with Hoxing until 1937.
     An article in the August 24, 1939, issue of the West River Progress states: "Pleasant 
Valley Church, which was being held in the Isberg School of Eastern District burned 
down Wednesday night. Cause unknown."

JEFFRIES SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #3
     A small building was erected in 1924 to accommodate the Vin Jeffries family who 
lived on the L/Y (L slash Y) ranch on Cherry Creek. This school operated for five years.
     When the Jeffries family moved several miles north of Cherry Creek in 1929. Mr. 
Drummond, County Superintendent, had a granary moved to be used as a school 
building. Other students that year were Lucille and Evelyn French, Lee Garrett and 
Francis Carlin.

JOHNSON SCHOOL   DISTRICT #15
     In the spring of 1919 Johnson School was built about one mile from the John 
Johnson home, approximately eight miles southwest of Eagle Butte. School was held in 
the Johnson home before the school was built.
     It was combined with Busy Bee in 1936-37. The last school year was 1947-48.
     Students in 1927-28 were Jack, Jean and Shirley Hunter; Elmer, Emerson and Henry 
Pickerd; Evalyn and Bernice Vrooman; Raymond and Anselm Maier; Fern and Edna 
Rosenstock; and Dale Nelson.
     The building was moved in 1950 and became Carlin School.

JUNKER SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #1
     Junker School, close to Junker land, was located about ten miles northeast of Faith. 
The earliest records available show that the school was running in 1920 with Florence 
Bakewell (Higgins) as teacher.
     Mrs. Erma Hurst taught the school in 1931. The students that year were: Artemus, 
Billy, Irene, Irving and Donald Bockman; Denelda, Clarence and Alvera Delker; Matthew 
Meyers and Ross Sankey.
     The school ran until 1944. The building was moved to the east end of the District #1 
to replace the old Liebelt School. It is still at this location along Highway 63 south of 
Isabel.

[photo – Junker School, 1920. Florence Bakewell, teacher. Back row: George Knife, 
Shaplie Knife, Hildred Loye, Phillip Knife. Middle row: Victoria Short Bull, Catherine 
Clasen, Sophie Putsie. Bottom Row: Donald Graham, ?, Eddie Delehan]

KERCHER SCHOOL   DISTRICT #11   
by Reinholdt Heck
     The School was located in the northeast part of Ziebach County, could have been 
Township 17 Range 23. It was two miles west and one half mile south of the Peter F. 
Schmidt homestead, or in the southeast quarter of the section that the Henry Kercher 
place was on.
     The lumber for the schoolhouse was obtained from a lumber yard in Isabel in 1915 or 
1916. Isabel had a surplus of lumber yards at that time. The building was 16' x 20' and 
set upon a rock foundation. No problem for skunks and snakes to get under the building.
     The inside had all the then necessary equipment such as blackboards (made of 
painted hardboard), globe, dictionary, a small bookcase with very few library books in it, 
and the usual big, round stove in one corner. You could load this stove with good old 
lignite coal on Friday after school and it would still have fire in it on Monday morning. 
The pupils would bring their lunches and drinking water from home. Of course, the 
plumbing was the out-of-doors kind.
     The first year I taught there, there were students in every grade from first to the 
eighth and numbered fifteen each year I was there. I remember that there weren't many 
things available to help the teacher or the pupils.
     At that time some of the larger schools were pushing the hot lunch program. We 
prevailed upon the school board to pay for some cocoa, a little sugar, and a big white 
kettle. The families would take turns furnishing the milk. We then had hot cocoa to go 
with the sandwiches.
     All but two of the pupils were of German descent, and at that time, most of the 
beginners did not speak any English when they started to school. I was fluent in their 
language; this was a big help in getting through to them.
     When I compare the equipment we had and what is in the schools today, and 
compare the training received in 1920 to the training required today, I can only think, 
"Those poor kids". But I'm convinced that we had many things then that are lacking 
today.
     None of my former pupils have become president or governor, but many of them 
went on through high school and college and have done quite well.
     The pupils at Kercher School came from the families of Peter F. Schmidt, Chris 
Streyle, Weis, Standish, Henry Kercher and George Kercher."
     Reinholdt Heck taught the Kercher School in 1922-23 and 1923-24. The School 
closed in 1931.

KING SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #1
     King School was located not far north of the Moreau River near Leedum Pike.
     The school ran five years from 1930 to 1935.
     Students in 1931-32 were John and George Boldt; Ruby, Leota, and George King; 
and Joy Cartwright.

KINGMAN SCHOOL   DISTRICT #15
     Kingman School was right on the south side of Eagle Butte about where the new 
school is located. It was located on Kingman land.
     The school ran for seven years from 1925 until 1932. R. G. Stanard taught the first 
and second years. Mrs. Howard McDaniel taught four years and Jean McCoy the last 
year. 

[photo - The first school house at Lantry. Back row: Frank McDaniel, Richard Schlax, 
Catherine Perkins, Etta Hanson. Front row: Unknown, Eva Schlax, Loma Perkins, 
Unknown, Carl Worl and Amos Worl]

[photo – Lantry School is just inside the Dewey County line, only 9 miles from Dupree, 
so there are many ties with Ziebach  County]

LEWIS SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #2
     Lewis School was built in 1911 on the Lewis property one mile west and one mile 
south of Red Elm.
     It ran all but two years for 55 years.
     Three generations of Ross children attended Lewis School. They were the children of 
Simeon and Nancy Ross, early homesteaders; their son, Lawrence and grandson, 
Harold Ross.
     The school moved three times but always served the same neighborhood.
     The original building is owned by Larry Ross who uses it for a carpentry shop.

LIEBELT SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #1
     Liebelt School came into existence when the Tidball School was moved to a location 
just north of where Charles Begeman now lives on Highway 63, south of Isabel, South 
Dakota. When the Junker School closed in 1944, this building was moved to the same 
site to replace the old Liebelt School building.
     The school ran until 1967. It is presently is being used as a granary still in its original 
location.

[photo – Liebelt School, Sybil Pogany, teacher, 1935-36. Pupils: Lloyd Ley, Elsie 
Wegener Ley, Jake Stadel, Ervin Liebelt, Edgar Liebelt, Bertha Liebelt]

[photo – Liebelt School, Sybil Pogany, teacher, 1956-60. Back row: Buck Knowlton, Lois 
Boldt, Gordan Picker, Marie Miller, Barbara Reich, Tommy Holt, Jimmy Boldt, Robert 
Jewett. Front row: Johnny Boldt, Paulette Garr, Melanie Miller, Ann Miller, Wayne 
McMurray]

LINCOLN SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #7
     Lincoln School in Fairview District ran two years from 1911-13. The teachers were 
Mrs. Thomas Nelson and Mildred McFarland.

LITTLE SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #5
     Little School was built in 1911 about six miles southwest of Isabel near the home of 
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Little. It was the center of many neighborhood events and became a 
popular place for dances.
     Students in 1915-16 were from the families of Jim Hersey, Lindeman, Pladsen and 
King. In 1920-21 students came from the families of Schaffer, Smith, Young, Rosander, 
King, Spellman and Ellwanger.
     The school ran through the 1932-33 year.
     The building was moved to Firesteel then to Isabel where it was later torn down.

LITTLE MO SCHOOL    DISTRICT #1
     Little Mo School was located about five miles north of Thunder Butte Station. Early 
records are incomplete but it appears that the school ran from 1914 through 1920. 
Locally it seems to have been called "Pollard" School.
     Students attending in 1917-18 were Pollard, Alspach, King and Hayes. Catherine 
Carson, who was the daughter of the Boss Farmer at Thunder Butte, was the teacher.

[photo – Lone Tree Sunday School Picnic. Maynard, Taylor, Petersen, Pidcock and 
Hersey families.

LONE TREE SCHOOL DISTRICT #4
     The Lone Tree School was built in 1911 on the school section north of the Leake 
homestead about four miles northwest of Dupree. It got its name from a "lone tree" 
which grew on a nearby quarter homesteaded by Howard Cane. It was the only tree 
growing in that vicinity. John Leaks, presently of Portland, Oregon, and who helped to 
build the school, was kind enough to send this information.
     In the summer of 1919 the school was moved to its present location two miles north 
and five miles west of Dupree. The school burned during the summer of 1928 and the 
present building was erected in time for school in the fall.
     School was held until 1940. It was closed until 1947 when it ran for another two 
years.
     The building now belongs to the Linn brothers and is used as a granary.

LONGBRAKE SCHOOL    
DISTRICT #2

[photo – The first Longbrake School. L to r: Emmett Longbrake, Delbert Longbrake, 
Orpha Longbrake (Geier) and Dorothy Longbrake (Diermier)]

     The first Longbrake School was in the front room of the home of Dillman and Mollie 
Longbrake about 31/2 miles west of Chase. Mollie was the teacher.
     Later Bauman's shack was used and this set at the Ohnemus place (small picture). In 
the picture are Emmett and Delbert Longbrake and their sisters Orpha and Dorothy.
     Next a frame schoolhouse was built northwest of Longbrake's about a mile, and a 
mile south of Bridwells. It set there for several years. Years later when there were no 
children to attend the school it was disassembled and half of it was added on to the 
White Swan School as a teacherage and half on to the Whittler School.
     Sunday School and elections were held at the Longbrake School. An article in an old 
Dupree paper states that a Parent-teacher organization was organized on January 21, 
1921 by Mrs. Bagley, Ziebach County Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Longbrake was 
elected chairman, Mrs. William Wunnecke as secretary-treasurer. A box social held that 
night netted $30. Darwin Clifton, a 1920 Dupree School graduate was then the teacher.
     Other teachers at the Longbrake School after Mollie Longbrake were: 1914 Mrs. G. L. 
Leake $45 a month; 1922 John L. Skaarhaug $100 a month; 1923 Mary Ballow  $100 a 
month; 1924 Inez Reynolds $80 a month; 1925 Sadie Hayes $90 a month; 1926 Vera 
Wince $80 a month; 1927-28 Inga Stole; 1930 Helen Johnson; 1934-35 Mildred 
Klinchuch ;$60 a month; 1936 Dagny Bjorgum $60 a month.

[photo – Pictured (in no particular order) are: Louise Budahl, Art One Skunk, Dorothy 
Diermier, Ed Diermier, Mrs. Kirschman, Mollie Longbrake, Frank Diermier, Mrs. 
Wunnecke and three children, Frank Longbrake, Art Fuller, Barbara Wunnecke, Carrie 
Fisherman, Dot Dwyer, Mable Longbrake, Martha Wunnecke, Art Bridwell, Bud 
Longbrake]

[photo – Sunday School at Longbrake School house]

MACK SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #1     
by Alyce Briscoe Johnson
     The Mack School was located about one mile southwest of Joe Briscoe's ranch 
building on Briscoe land, and was built by L. A. Mack.
     Those that went to school there were: Agnes Oakes (Mrs. Mack's sister), the Mack 
children, the children of Fred West, children of the Briscoe family, Charlie Roach's 
children, the children of Charlie Knife, Victoria Short Bull, Bert and Bernard Brinkman, 
LeVay West, and Robert Thorpe.
     After the closing of the Walenta and Strong Schools, Marine Walenta, Zeta and 
Reuben Strong, and Tom Crowley's children all transferred in.
     When Eugene Smith was teacher in the Mack School, there were four Briscoe 
children taking lessons there; he taught Irene the 9th grade. Mack School was never in 
session more than eight months a year.
     The teacher in 1918-19 was Mary E. Coleman. She was only able to teach until 
Christmas of the next year, then we never resumed classes following the Christmas 
break that year.
     The only school board members I remember were Fred Bierman and Westley 
Walenta, who served for many years.
     The school ran from 1917 through 1933.

MAIN SCHOOL  DISTRICT #4  by Eva Brams
     In 1925, Claude Main, with the help of his neighbors, Joe Heimer and Andrew 
(Shorty) Gawenit, built the first Main School. It was located a few rods north of the Main 
home site.
     The first teacher at the new school was Clair Maynard. It was also his first experience 
as a teacher. He stayed on and taught three terms.
     The first students at the school were Earl (Billy) Main, Heimer boys, and Gawenit 
children.
     When the Ralph Carter family moved into the neighborhood the school was moved 
one-half mile south of the Main farm and extended ten feet long to hold the twenty-one 
students who would attend school there. Mrs. Mildred (Birkeland) Collins, Dupree, taught 
the next two terms. This building served the purpose until 1930 when a new school was 
built. Mrs. Lucille (Walters) Masur was the first teacher in the new school, staying on to 
teach three terms.
     Besides those already mentioned, others who attended the Main School were the 
children of Frank Mraz, Charlie Hersey, Dick Smith, Ed Edwards, Clarke Edwards, 
Rickles, Lawrence Fairbanks, Lawrence Woodward, and also Arlene Ewing and Frank 
Lombard.

[photo – First Main School, built a few rods north of the home in 1925, when this was 
taken. The building was replaced in 1930. Left to right: Hazel Main, Ambrose Heimer, 
Earl Main, Ida Gawenit, Andrew Gawenit, Herbert Heimer, Albert Gawenit, Freda 
Gawenit, Clair Maynard, teacher]

[photo – Main School, 1939. Back row (l to r); Edsel Carter, Herman Mraz, Helen 
Brammer, teacher, Chester Mraz, Eva Main. Front row: Richard Hersey, Darrell Mraz, 
Junior Mraz, Lova Hersey]

[photo – Main School, 1925. Left to right: Anbrose Heimer, Earl Main, Ida Gawenit, 
Andrew Gawenit, Herbert Heimer, Albert Gawenit, Freda Gawenit]

     Due to a lack of students the school was finally closed after the 1959-60 term.
     It continued to be used for holding elections and some community functions. In the 
1970's it was purchased by Chet Mraz and moved four miles north to his farm.

MUD BUTTE SCHOOL    
DISTRICT #2
     Mud Butte School was built by Hank Martens near Mud Butte about fifteen miles 
southwest of Redelm in 1920. Rudd's and Brende's were early students. There were 23 
students in this tiny building in the early 1930's.
     Mud Butte School was moved four times to accommodate the needs of the 
neighborhood. It was called "Bachman School" for four years when it was moved to 
replace the Bachman School which burned in 1940.
     The school ran a span of 48 years, the last year being 1967.
     The building is standing vacant near the Kenneth Johnson ranch on land owned by 
Albert Bachman.

NICHOLSON SCHOOL    DISTRICT #15

[photo The Ed Nicholson home. Nicholson School was named for his family]

     School was held in the Badger home and in the Brummet home before Nicholson 
School was built. This school ran from 1920 through 1931. It was located about thirteen 
miles south of Lantry.
     Students in 1921 were Dean, Dale, Paul and Ralph Badger; Lizzie and Mike Stoltz; 
Helen Nicholson; Nola, Willard and Marjorie Brummet; and Joe Seymour.
     According to a former student, the building was torn down.

OLSON SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #15
     Olson School was also known as Konkler in the early years as both families had land 
about twelve miles south of Eagle Butte, east of Highway 63.
     The school ran from 1911 until 1937. Many dances and box socials were held here.
     Students in 1921 were Lorraine, Pearl, Lydia, Eldon and Leola Libolt; Josie, Mary, 
Rosie and Cecil Zorc; Lee and Ethel Konkler; Sydney, Francis and Homer Nordvold; and 
Clarence Olson.
     Mike Libolt has converted the building to a dwelling place about two miles from its 
original site.

PIKE SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #1
     Pike School on Leedum Pike north of the Moreau River was the last rural school to 
start in Ziebach County. It ran from 1963 through 1969. Gloria Trainer, Patty Kelly 
(Escott), Doris Bigler, Georgene Martin, Velma Foster and Mary Rogers were the 
teachers.
     Students included: Darwin, Jody, Karen and Dency Day; Connie and Claude Lowe; 
Renee Young; and Claire "Buster" Alspach.
     The Pike School building was originally Center School. Herman Roseneau bought 
and moved the building.

PLAINVIEW SCHOOL    DISTRICT #1
     When Plainview School closed its doors in 1970, it was one of the last rural schools 
in Ziebach County. It was located in the northern part of the county near the Perkins 
County line. It was called "Walenta" School part of the time.
     The first records found show the school opening in 1914 with Margaret Ryan 
teaching. The school ran through 1939, then started again in 1947 and ran another 23 
years.
     Some of the early students were from the Walenta, Finney and Crowley families.

PRAIRIE ROSE SCHOOL     DISTRICT #15
     Nellie DeJong was teacher for the four years that Prairie Rose or Briggs School is 
recorded. It ran from 1926 through 1930. It was located about 20 miles south of Eagle 
Butte and about 21/2 miles west of Highway 63.
     Students in 1927 were Marion, Flora, Bessie, Catherine and Maggie Briggs; Margaret 
and Catherine Creek; Chancy and Percy Dupris; and Francis Carlin.

PRETTY CREEK SCHOOL     DISTRICT #9     by Glynn Hurst
     Pretty Creek School was started in 1911 and ran through 1935. The building was 
large by early day standards and was very well built.
     My three brothers and I all attended Pretty Creek School at one time or another, the 
first of which was a tar paper shack located one mile east of our place and it burned 
down. The second school house was one mile further east and it, too, was destroyed, 
but a tornado got it this time. The third school was in the former Fred Wenger home and 
was yet another mile east and south. The new building was constructed just one half 
mile north and one mile east of our place. Thus, it was now back to its original location, 
where I attended for my 7th and 8th grades with Montel Creamer and Alma Dochnahl.
     Through the years some of the students at the Pretty Creek School were the 
Docekals, Dochnahls, Holts, Serrs, Burkes, Judsons, Haskins and the Stabenals.
     Kenneth Nordby bought the building, moved it to his place about four miles north of 
Dupree, and plans to use it as a garage. 

[photo - Pretty Creek School in 1912. Jack Burke, Josie Docekal, Pete Hulth, Ada 
Jeffries, Leo Burke, Ludmilly Docekal, Esther Burke, Alice Burke, Lloyd Hurst, Gladys 
Denham, Everett Hurst and Bud Burke]

[photo – Pretty Creek School, Wallace Brams, Helen Anderson, Denver Tidball, Frank 
Lombard, Bessie Tidball, Miss Felton, teacher]

REDELM SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #6
     Redelm School started in 1911 and was in session every year for 56 years.
 An addition was built to the school and two years of high school were offered in 1921 
and 1922.
     Lewis Schetnan writes: "We moved to Redelm in 1921 so I went to school there in 
1921-22. There were two teachers, Mable Ross, grades 1-6 and Anne Holey, grades 7-
10. I was in grade 6. The following year, 1922-23, I had Anne Holey as teacher in the 7th 
grade. In 1923, the two years of high school were discontinued, so I went back into Mrs. 
Ross's room for the eighth grade, 1923-24."
     This spacious school was used for many social functions.
     The building still stands on the hill northwest of the Redelm store and is used as a 
polling place.

[photo – Redelm School Days, 1935. Hazel, Larry and Lloyd Smith, Eldora Lammers, 
Allen, Lois, Janet and Marjorie Day, Wesley and Dorothy Eaton, Joyce and Jean Tibke, 
Harold Ross, and three Callen children]

[photo – Redelm School, 1943-1944]

RIDGEVIEW SCHOOL    DISTRICT #2
     Ridgeview School started out as "Schmeltzer" in 1911. It was named for 
homesteaders near the school about seven miles northeast of Faith. Freida Kuckuk was 
the first teacher, and Floyd Heberer, another homesteader, the second. Walter Menzel, 
who also had land in the same area, taught the next three years. Ethel Williams 
(Higgins) taught the next three years.
     In 1917 the school was called "Horstmeier" for yet another family, and Emma Ulrich 
was the teacher.
     In 1920 the school was moved to a ridge a couple of miles south, hence the name 
"Ridgeview".
     The school served the community for 26 years, the last term being 1936-37. The 
school building was moved to Faith and converted to a dwelling by Mike Fischer, Sr.
     Students attending around 1930 were from the families of G. E. Delker, Capp, Ulrich, 
Shaffer and Olsen.

RIVERSIDE SCHOOL    DISTRICT #1
     A. A. Hines taught school in a small building on the Moreau River several miles west 
of Iron Lightning in 1930-31. The student body was comprised of the children of the 
McGinnis and Crane families.

ROBERTSON SCHOOL    DISTRICT #2
     Robertson School was located about seven miles south of Redelm and was probably 
the first rural school to run in Ziebach County. The neighbors, Frank Fuller, Carl Hegre, 
George Sundsrud, Wilbur Vance, Berndt Christiansons, Alvin Schuchhardt, and V. S. 
Wince, furnished Louis Robertson the materials to build the school. The school ran six or 
eight weeks in May and June of 1911.
     The first teacher was Madelyn Wallen, a homesteader in the neighborhood. Several 
other teachers were also neighborhood people. The school closed its doors in 1930. 
Vera Wince Fuller was the last teacher.
     Large crowds from the Dupree, Redelm and Arrowhead communities would attend 
the dances held there.
     The building is currently used as a granary on the Leonard Ritter place just a few 
miles from where it was built.

ROGERS SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #1
     Rogers School, named for the Rogers family, was located approximately fourteen 
miles northwest of Isabel near the Corson County line. It was called "Pleasant Ridge” 
some years. The records, which are incomplete, show a Rogers School in 1917. It ran 
through 1932.
     It was moved and became "Hill Top" School in 1937.

ROSENE SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #3
     Rosene was known as "Barr School" until it was moved in the summer of 1923. The 
first records show that school was in session in 1914-15 with Ethel Goen as teacher.
     Rosene was moved twice. The school burned in the early 1950's and a new one was 
built by Olaf Anderson. The name, location and building changed but it always served 
the same general neighborhood about six miles south of Lantry. Mildred Collins was the 
last teacher in 1966-67.

[photo – Rosene School in 1931. Dorothy Rosene, Sylvester Schad, Alberta Rosene, 
Floyd Schad, Tom Tracy, Lester Schad, Margaret Volk and Josephine Tracy] 

[photo – Rosene School in 1927. Top row: Donald Schad, Mercedes Tracy, Rose Tracy, 
Dorothea Woodward. Row 2: John Yusko, Lawrence Woodward, Josephine Tracy, 
Alberta Rosene. Seated: Floyd Schad, Tom Tracy, Beverly Woodward and Lester 
Schad]

SAGE BRUSH SCHOOL    DISTRICT #1
     Sage Brush School was located about ten miles northeast of Faith. It ran from 1912 
through 1938. Estelline Ziegel (Capp) was the last teacher. The families attending in 
1915 were Street, Bachar, Braukman. There were sixteen students in 1920. They were 
Marion, Ruth, Charlotte and George Shaffer; Evelyn and Estelline Ziegel; Evelyn, Maye 
and Harry Street; Harry and Lewis Bachar; Joseph Fischer; Roosevelt, Jay and Frank 
Hines; and Raymond Passolt. Isabel Welfl was the teacher.

SCIFORD SCHOOL  DISTRICT #15
     The Marsdens and Scifords were neighbors about ten miles south of Eagle Butte in 
1911. The school was called Marsden some years. It opened its doors in 1911 and 
closed them in 1953. R. O. Birkeland uses the building for a carpentry shop in Dupree.
     Students in 1920 were Myrtle, Clarence, Alma, Alta and Gertrude Sciford; Clifford, 
Charlotte, Elmer and Bethel Jensen; Ellis and Lulu Fisher; Edith and Margaret Lynch; 
and Edith Wood.
     Laura Ernst (Libolt) taught in 1931. Her students were Harvey and Florence Martin; 
Betty and Helen Eidson; and Lambert Alwin.

SINKEY SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #3
     The first record of Sinkey School was in 1917 when Merle Sinkey McBride was 
teacher. It was located ten miles south of Lantry. Patty Hinzman was the last teacher in 
1957.
     The building was moved and used for Church and Sunday School near the Wall 
ranch, where it still sets.
     Students in 1917 were Leona Sprague; Myrtle and Raymond Sever; Margie, Ethel, 
Robert and Floyd Farrell; Clarence and Herman Hageman; and Arthur Sinkey.

[photo – Sinkey School at its new location near Wall’s. Used for church and Sunday 
School]

SOLIDAY SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #3
     Soliday School, named for a homesteader, was built on the Sanborn quarter 
southeast of Lantry in 1911. Moody Drummond was the first teacher.
     Students in 1915-16 were Lurinda, Verena, Carmen and Orville Lemke; Frank, Zelma 
and Aletha Davis; Clarence, Alice and Myrtle Olsen; Neal, Margaret and Evelyn 
Brownlow; George Miller, and Lee Sever.
     The school was moved several times but always served the same neighborhood. Its 
present location is about four miles west of its original site.
     School was held each year from 1911 through 1946. It was closed until 1954 when it 
ran another ten years.
     The school burned just before Christmas in 1955, so the Christmas program was held 
in Lantry School. The school year was finished in a bunkhouse on the Archie McLellan 
place. Alvin Denton built a new school which was ready for use in October, 1956.
     The school bell rang for the last time in the spring of 1975. This was one of the 
longest running rural schools in the county.
     The school is located one half mile north of Archie McLellan's and is used as a polling 
place.

[photo – Early Soliday School. Standing: Emma Yusko, Alice Olsen, Inez Horton, 
Carmine Lemke, Evelyn Brownlow, Frances Yusko, Myrtle Olsen. Seated: Orville 
Lemke, Willard Brummet, Bertha Horton and Nola Brummet]

[photo – One of the last pictures taken of the Soliday School. Left to right: Cherry Parker, 
John D. Lemke, Sharon McLellan, Vicki Parker, Marian McLellan, James Lemke, 
Clayton Lemke and Pam McLellan, In the back are Doris Bigler (teacher) and Maurice 
Lemke]

STAR PRAIRIE SCHOOL DISTRICT #2  by Lavonne Butler
     The Star Prairie School was located about seven miles straight south of Redelm in 
Ziebach County. The school room was 16' x 16' a rod square. Most country school 
rooms were near this size with or without a mud or coat room. Students had to carry 
their lunch bucket and carry their drinking water. Students walked or rode horseback to 
school. Outdoor buildings included a toilet for boys and one for girls and a barn for the 
horses. Some of the students that attended the Star Prairie School were from the 
following families:  Ole Tandbergs, Ludwig Graslie, Barney Lannen, Lloyd Teller, Hjlmar 
Ringsby, Bendingsbo, Jordahl, Musgrave, Evans, Melland, Martin, Butler, Wince, 
Ronnings and Fred Bitters.
     Some of the teachers were: Elfina and Mildred Birkeland, Inez Horton, Ross Wince, 
Norms Larson, Nellie DeJong, Vivian Olson, Helen Johnson, Mercedes Tracy, and 
Leona Johnson.
     Sunday School and Church services were held here for several years.
     The school was running in 1918 and continued to run through 1947.

[photo – Star Prairie School, 1939-40. High school students: A. Graslie, Hazel Ringsby, 
Freda Martin; Leona Johnson, teacher; Louis, Josephine and Della Martin, Louis and 
Carol Graslie]

[photo – The last day of school at the Star Prairie School for the 1932-33 term. Back 
row(l to r): Teacher, Norma Larson, Eleanor Ringsby and Victor Ringsby. Middle row: 
Martin Ronning, Orville Graslie and Lavonne Graslie. Front row: Josephine Martin, 
Mildred Ronning, Hazel Ringsby, Sylvia Ronning and Freda Martin]

STRONG SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #1
     The Strong family lived about five miles west of Thunder Butte near the Perkins 
County line. The first record of the Strong School was in 1921 when Nettle Njos was 
teacher. She bearded at the Gerard home. 
     In 1923-24 the students were Zeta and Reuben Strong, Marine Walenta and Celestial 
Gerard. Finneys, Tates and Grayrocks also attended this school.
     The Strong School was operational until 1927-28. Students then attended Mack or 
Plainview (Walenta) School after the closing of Strong School.

SUNNYBROOK SCHOOL DISTRICT #3  by Hazel Z. Schwink
     Sunnybrook School came into existence in 1928, when there were enough students 
in the neighborhood to justify its existence. Those students were: Delma and Fern 
Serres; Dorothy and George Herren; James and Donagene Zimmerman; Virgil Wall; 
Vernon and Warren Winters; Margaret Holmes and Lorraine Eddy.
     Our teachers were: Norma Cutter Ernst, Elfina Birkeland Njos, Arle Woodward 
Badger, Geraldine Burke, Mildred Birkeland Collins, Mrs. Elizabeth Leach, and L. Montel 
Creamer, all of whom, except Geraldine Burke, were either from Dewey or Ziebach 
Counties.
     The building burned in the summer of 1943 and was replaced by the Gage School 
building.
     Sunnybrook continued in operation until 1966. The school building now stands vacant 
near the Wall ranch south of Dupree.

[photo – Sunnybrook School]

TIDBALL SCHOOL   DISTRICT #1
     Classes in the Tidball School were first held in the home of Denver Tidball on their 
Moreau River ranch about four miles west of Highway 63 in 1920-21. The teacher, Cora 
Broulette, also boarded with the family.
     In 1921-22 the Denver Tidball children attended the Hannaman School. Ray 
Haberman, who was herding sheep for Tidball's, would sometimes take the children to 
school in a covered wagon.
     A building was moved to about a mile north of the Tidball ranch and school was held 
there through the 1930-31 school term.
     The building was later moved in 1934 and became the Liebelt School.

TIP TOP SCHOOL  DISTRICT #10
     Tip Top School was located in the northwest corner of Ziebach County on Highway 
20 about two miles from the Perkins County line.
     School was first held in a tar paper shack until a school was built in 1922 or 1923. 
This was one of the most modern and well built schools in the county, even having a 
basement with a furnace in it.
     The first record of the school which could be found was for 1920. It ran in Ziebach 
County through 1954.
     The building was sold and moved to Corson County where it continued to be used for 
a school.

[photo – Tip Top School, being moved to Corson County]

UNTERSEHER SCHOOL     DISTRICT #1
     The first records of Unterseher School were in 1917 with Sarah Unterseher as 
teacher.
     Students in 1922 were from the Unterseher, Reiswig, King and Smith families.
     Unterseher School was located on Leedum Pike north of the Moreau River and was 
operational until 1933.

VAN DUSEN SCHOOL    DISTRICT #5
     Van Dusen School was located about four miles south of Highway 20 on Leedum 
Pike. It was about a mile east of the road in the late 1920's.
     The school was called "Bagley" the first two years, 1921 and 1922. John Comstock 
was the first teacher and Nettle Njos the second. The school ran until 1954. Students in 
the 1922 class were from the families of Van Dusen, Alspach, Small, Rosander and 
Reuschling.
     The building belongs to Harold Viet and is located near his home.

WALKUP SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #4
     In 1915-16 and 1916-17, Leo Echelbarger taught Walkup School, which was located 
about six miles northwest of Dupree and named for Walkup who had land in that area.
     Students were Lawrence, Lois and Holly Taylor; Howard and Daisy Petersen; Darwin 
Clifton, Howard and Morris Connely.
     Records are incomplete so it is unknown if the school ran more than two years.
     The Lone Tree School was later moved to this neighborhood.

WHITE SWAN SCHOOL     DISTRICT #2
     Lumber to build the White Swan School was hauled from Redelm in 1922 by Mr. and 
Mrs. Floyd Frame. A wheel came off one of the wagons near Barney Lannens. The 
Lannens invited them to spend the night and loaned them a wheel so they could finish 
their trip.
     The school was built about twenty miles south of Redelm. In 1943 it was moved to 
the west side of Cherry Creek road just south of Clifton Birkeland's. Families attending at 
this location were W. C. "Casey", Lewis "Cully” and Donald Miller, Ed Diermier, Carl 
Johnson and Clifton Birkeland families.
     In 1964 the school was moved back "home" to a site east of Freeman's. Families 
attending school were Pard and Jack Freeman, Troy Trent and George Herren's.
     Carol Frame Johnson, who had attended this school through all eight grades, was the 
last one to teach it in 1972-73.
     School was held in this building a total of 48 years.
     The building sets vacant on the place where school was last held.

[photo – White Swan School. Back row: Lewie Miller, Eliza Miller, Serene Graslie, 
Maggie Miller, Carol Johnson, Fern Birkeland and Carol Graslie, teacher. Front row: 
John Birkeland, Jerry Miller, Russell Birkeland, Bob Miller, Ronnie Diermier, Gary 
Birkeland, Ann Miller, Shirley Diermier, and Richard Diermier. 1948-49]

[photo – White Swan School, about 1925. L to r: Tom Frame, Wallace Frame, Marcella 
Swan, Carol Frame, Matilda Swan, Jack Sharpe, Harold Sharpe]

WHITTIER SCHOOL   DISTRICT #2
     Whittler School was built in 1911 about ten miles southwest of Dupree and named for 
a homesteader. It ran all but four years for 49 years. 1960 was the last school term. It 
was moved several times. Many people still remember the dances held in this building.
     This school building now belongs to Pat Marple and is located two miles west of his 
farm home.

[photo – Whittier School Picnic. Standing: Inez Miller, Everett Miller, Mable Lee, Mrs. 
Andy Lee, Maggie Miller, Jesse Miller and Guy Kaufman. Kneeling: Lucille Miller. Sitting 
on ground: Olive Lee, Jane Miller, Jim Miller, Harold Miller and Margaret Miller. 1917]

[photo – Whittier School. Cora Wince, teacher. Back row: Inez Miller, Mary Pidcock, Guy 
Kaufman, Elsie Diermier, Ed Diermier. Second row: Hattie Hanson, Jim Pidcock, Olga 
Lee, Ted Lee, Jim Miller and Lucille Miller. Front row: Harold Miller, Margaret Miller and 
Olive Lee. 1915-1916]

WILSON SCHOOL -- DISTRICT #5
     Wilson School was located about four miles south and two miles west of Highway 65 
coming south from Isabel. It started in the homestead shack of Miss Wilson. 1915 is the 
first year that Wilson is listed on the official records. The school was in operation until 
1956.
     Students attending this school in its early years were from the England, Boldt, Norton, 
Alspach, Tapley, Wenzel and Rest families.

[photo – Christmas Program in a rural school. Wilson School, 1955]

[photo of school building, caption reads – Wilson School, Sybil Pogany, teacher, 1955-
56]

WINKLEMAN SCHOOL    DISTRICT #1
     Winkleman School, southeast of Glad Valley, has a twenty year history from 1927 to 
1947.
     Students in 1931 were Walter, Ruth, Ida and Albert Roseneau; Nora and Lester 
Matter; Mary and Caroline Jacobs; Ruth Kincaid; Patricia King and Albert Winkleman.
     The building was sold to the Glad Valley Fire Department.

     Four schools are not listed individually. In 1911 Edna Place (Pesicka) taught the 
Birkenholtz children in their home north of Dupree. She bearded with the family.
     An Esther Lowe taught "Lowe" School in 1912-13. There was a Lowe homestead four 
miles west and eleven miles south of Eagle Butte between the Hoxing and Isberg 
Schools. There is no other clue as to its whereabouts.
     Miss M. L. Peterson taught a Fowler School in the Chase vicinity in 1917-18. There 
was a Fowler family southeast of Dupree not far from the Alfred Herren place.
     In 1924-25 Margaret DuSelle (Leake) taught a Chicoine School. The Phillip Chicoines 
lived in the Rattlesnake Butte area.
     This completes the rural schools in Ziebach County for which records have been 
found.

[photo – The Fox Ridge School in 1915, north of Highway 212, west of Eagle Butte in 
Dewey County. Dorothy Sage, Susie Cutter*, Chelsae Thomas, Mildred Cutter*, Fern 
Schwartz, Norma Cutter*, Mrs. Edna Drummond*, Mr. Moody Drummond*, Mabel 
Cutter*, William Cutter.  * indicates that they at some time taught in Ziebach County]

     The Young Citizens League organizations in the elementary schools of South Dakota 
gave many people their first training in Parliamentary Procedure. Conducting a Y.C.L. 
meeting was a practical learning experience.
     The Y.C.L. had a code of ethics, posted on the walls of every classroom. Their 
objectives were to teach Patriotism, Duty, Courtesy, Good Health, Sportsmanship, Truth 
and Reliability.
     Each school or class room had a chapter through which many worthwhile projects 
were undertaken.
     In 1935 "The Voice of the Y.C.L." was published.
     It was a book of poetry written by grade students in the state.
     Many Ziebach County poets had selections in this book. Others are included here 
because they capture so well the mood of the Dirty 30's.

THE DISCOURAGED FARMERS     Beryl Goodwin, McCook County
Oh, you discontented people,
That live in this fair land;
Why not take what you've got coming 
And do the best you can?

You've had a lot of money,
In the days that have gone by;
But you've opened up your pocketbooks 
And let the greenbacks fly.

Some flew into automobiles, 
Some into high priced land, 
Some flew into thoroughbred stock, 
But they flew to beat the band.

We've all been a bit discouraged,
In late years it's been so dry;
Some have cranked up their "tin Lizzies" 
And bid the state goodby.

Others have enough backbone 
To tough it out and stay, 
And cut the old cornfodder, 
And make believe it's hay.

The farmers worked like slaves this year 
The grasshoppers rose at dawn,
And ate the heads right off the grain, 
Like "depression" wasn't on.

We know this land is fertile 
So dry away your tear
If we just get some water 
WE'LL have a crop NEXT YEAR!


THE PLACE I LIVE   William Ramsay, Meade County
The place I live is in the west.
It isn't a place -- it's just a nest 
Where the sage and spiny cactus grows 
And it hasn't rained since no one knows. 
Where the dirt blows thick like a breath from hell;
And we don't have a thing but a long dry spell
Where the thistles are wild, and the grass is dry,
And only a hot sun is in the sky.

THE DUST STORM Loren Fitch, Shannon County
I sure despise this horrid dust,
The way it blows all day,
It seems like quitting work we must, 
But teacher said, "No Sir! that won't pay''.

The whirling dust swings round the room, 
It almost blinds our eyes.
It drifts our paper over soon,
As on our desk it lies.

These fields about, once grew some grain, 
But now the wind piles up the soil. 
Here's hoping soon we'll get some rain 
That the farmer may reap the effect of his toil.

SOUTH DAKOTA    Joseph Flesher, Gregory County
South Dakota, the Sunshine State! 
Where the wind blows with a steady rate, 
And the thistles roll across the plains. 
I wonder why it seldom rains.

Whenever it rains it soon gets dry 
Then the wind and dust go sailing by. 
It finds its way through all the cracks 
And all through the day it seldom slacks.

People talk of moving away:
Then comes a very pleasant day 
And they think they will not go 
Until once more the wind does blow.


OUR PLAY-HOUSE    Mary Libolt, Ziebach County    Olson School
We used to have a playhouse, Jack and I, 
When the warm summers days were here; 
But if you'd see it now, I bet you'd cry, 
For it is crumbling and looking so queer, 
It's only a tumble-down, rickety shack, 
Down by the hen-house and the old grain stack.

But, oh, look at its roof so ripped and torn,
Our little stove all covered with rust, 
Its once tinted walls are sagging and worn;
The chickens come in through the panelless door
To scratch and to peck on the dust covered floor.

With dolls and toys such fun had we; 
The days were long and filled with song; 
No school work there, but clubs, and games, and tea;
Scrubbing and mending, baby chick tending
Our own little play-house, the center of all,
Was built so well, it lasted till fall.

WHY I SAY "AIN'T" AND "YAH" Cloyse Herren, Ziebach County  Sunnybrook School
Out in old Dakota
Where the wind is wild and rough, 
We are just little children
They tell you that we are tough.

Out in old Dakota
We have a school you see,
And in this school we have a rule 
That seems to bother me.

This rule is a correction in grammer 
We all say "yah" and "ain't" 
And when the teacher hears us, 
She almost has to faint.

Of these we formed a habit 
I have used them every day 
And now I'm supposed to stop it 
And I don't know what to say.

The whole world seems to use it. 
Even if it's Dutch
And that is the very reason
I say "yah" and "ain't" so much.

SOUTH DAKOTA     Doris E. Jeffries, Ziebach County  Dupree School
There's a calling in the prairies,
In the hills and sunlit air;
There's a dancing, quivering liveness 
That you've simply got to share.

If you look upon those hilltops 
And you think that you can see 
Some brave chief or warrior old 
On his races, wild and free,

If an ancient broken arrow
Brings you thoughts of former years, 
Of the pioneers who came here, 
Of their hardships, joys and fears,

If the shrieking of the blizzard, 
On the winter nights so cold, 
Takes you back to early days, 
With the pioneers of old.

If the beauty of the sunset 
Calls you onward to the west, 
With a flash and flare of color 
That refuse to let you rest,

If the calm dark sky of evening 
Sprinkled o'er with starry light
Fills your heart with deep contentment 
As it darkens into night.

If you can feel all these things 
You'll love them all'the best 
And your heart's in South Dakota 
The Dakota of the West.

THE SCHOOL HOUSE DANCE        Eva Henderson -- Miller
The little white school house, during the week, 
Was filled with students -- some bold, some meek;
With desks and seats in an orderly row 
Lessons were plied to help their minds grow. 
When Friday night came, the desks so neat, 
Were pushed back to make room for dancing feet.
The teacher's desk in a corner stood
And the kids piled the woodbox high with wood.
Comes Saturday night, with lamps a-light 
To welcome the crowd in out of the night. 
Horses and buggies and sometimes a car 
Brought the whole family from miles a-far; 
With a pie or a box, sandwiches and cake, 
The ladies had worked so hard to make.
The ladies were dressed in their Sunday best, 
The men all decked out with a tie and a vest! 
The music came -- a guitar and a fiddle 
To play and sing "A Hey Diddle Diddle!" 
Babies were laid on a pile of coats
While Mom and Dad danced to Mairzy Doats! 
There was laughter and talk and fun for all 
Both within and without the schoolhouse hall 
As the men sneaked out for 'a sip of booze' 
It was guaranteed to throttle the blues 
The ladies pursed their mouths in disdain, 
To them drinkin' hooch was an evil sin! 
But that's soon forgotten as violins play, 
With their feet a-stompin', they dip and sway 
To waltzes and polkas and the old square dance,
And everyone there begins to prance 
It's the allemande left and the do-se-do, 
Swing your partners to the Heel and Toe! 
Even the kids were having their fun
As they learned to dance, or play and run. 
The roof starts to jiggle, the floor was a-shake, 
But they stomped and they danced with hardly a break.
When midnight came, there was a welcome respite,
As they stopped to rest, and to eat a bite. 
They passed the hat, the music to pay, 
Then danced some more till the break of day. 
There was usually a scuffle during the night, 
And the men all rushed out to see the fight! 
How it all started, no one could tell,
But they fought and fought like the demons of hell!
Then "Home Sweet Home'' the fiddles would sing,
And it's time to go home, they've had their fling,
Then cowboy and sheepherder, farmer and all 
Are taking their ladies home from the ball. 
When finally they laid their heads to their rest, 
They dreamed of the dancers they liked the best.
While the little white school house, all clean and neat,
Awaits next Monday's throng of little feet.

[photo – Bert Bailey making music. He and his wife played many schoolhouse dances]

THISTLES      Gertrude Hutter, Meade County
Thistles grow in our gardens 
And in our fields of hay, 
They choke out all of our plants 
And take the moisture away.

When winter comes they turn dark brown 
And their stickers feel like a thorn 
But the cattle have to eat them,
For there is no grass nor corn.

Chapter 11 BUSINESS PLACES IN DUPREE

DUPREE MANOR   
by Ruth Edwards
     In June 1971 contracts were okayed by the Housing and Urban Development for a $5 
million housing program for the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation in South 
Dakota. Within this contract, Dupree was provided a contract for dwelling units for the 
elderly persons. Lloyd LeBeau was executive director of the Cheyenne River Housing 
Authority at Eagle Butte.
     By September of 1971, construction was started on the new manor for Dupree. This 
building is a one story building consisting of twelve apartments with hall and two 
community rooms. Each unit consists of a kitchenette with stove and refrigerator 
furnished, a large living room, and a bedroom, bath, closet and linen closet. Each unit 
has an outside door and a door to the community room. There is a kitchenette in each 
community room and a washer and dryer in the laundry room.
     July 1973 saw the tenants ready to move in and enjoy the wonderful facility. These 
housing units were available to all low income families regardless of race, creed or color.
     No sooner had the Dupree Manor been opened than it was found that more 
apartments were needed. By January 1974 all apartments were occupied. In the south 
wing were Ethel Lammers, Minda Anderson, Christina Oster, Anna Red Bird, Edna 
Pesicka and Jobe Marrowbone. In the north wing were Hilda Jacobson, Mr. and Mrs. 
Chauncey Johnson, Fritz Stoltenberg, Fred Linn, Jim Makes Trouble and Jim Circle 
Bear.
     Soon an addition was built to the north of the Dupree Manor, joining with the north 
door. This new addition is very similar to the first unit, with six apartments, a community 
room and bath. This also was soon fully occupied.
     There have been some come and go, some deaths, and some removed to nursing 
homes. Life in these apartments is very nice. At one time for over a year the Nutrition 
Program from Eagle Butte served a noon meal in the new community room, for all 
elderly persons in this area. Later they set up their own kitchen in the Masonic Hall and 
now serve noon meals there.

[photo – Grandma Pesicka (Edna), a much loved Manor resident (deceased)]

[photo – Dupree Manor]

[photo – The Nutrition Center at Dupree is another service for Senior Citizens. The 
Center is presently housed in the Masonic Hall. A new building is being erected]

[photo – Main Street of Dupree about 1920. Clever photography shows straight north, 
straight east and straight south]

PHILLIP 66 STATION  ON HIGHWAY 211
     When Highway 212 was completed, Elmer and Nancy Brammer built a new service 
station which was located on the north side of the highway, north of the Farmers 
Cooperative Elevator. They opened for business the first day of hunting season, October 
17, 1955. Mr. and Mrs. Brammer continued to operate the business with Texaco 
products until 1958 when they sold to Sydney Syverson.
     Sydney Syverson sold the bulk plant to Ronald Stout, now Dupree Oil Company. He 
operated under Texaco for one month, then went to Phillip 66. The Phillip 66 subleased 
the station to Elmer Petersen and Harry Fairbanks. Later Ronald Stout built the Siesta 
Motel just to the west of the station. It consists of 11 units and living quarters. It is 
presently run by Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Stout.
     J. T. has had the bulk business since Ronald retired. They have built a large 
warehouse. Ronald Stout sold the station to Gerald Frame. Gerald Frame sold to Lloyd 
and Carla Edwards who operated as Edwards 66 until 1981 when they sold to Jim and 
Donna Dunbar. Dunbars sold in 1982 to Farmers Union Oil Company of Dupree on July 
19, 1982. Ronald and J. T. installed new gas pumps which includes regular, lead free 
and diesel under a new computerized system. Its pumps are called the Gasboy Cardtrol 
Fuel Management System and is available 24 hours a day. This computerized system 
installed at the Dupree Oil Company in Dupree is one of only four systems now being 
used in the west river area. They also sell wholesale items such as tires, oil, antifreeze 
and other articles.

[photo – Dupree Oil Co.]

[photo – Siesta Motel]

FARMER'S COOPERATIVE ELEVATOR
     The elevator built in 1918 was known as the Dupree Equity Exchange. Managers 
from 1918 to 1939 were John Walters, Omar Vance, Verdo Rinehart, Russell Conrath 
and Henry Wald. In 1939 it was reorganized and then became the Farmers Cooperative 
Elevator. It has increased its capacity from the original 17,000 bushels to about 21,000 
in the early 1950's, and another 75,000 bushels in 1958 and 1959. Managers from 1939 
were Elmer Brammer, J. B. Olmstead, Vincent Fehlman, Vincent Erz, Calvin Bertsch, 
Delbert W. Miller, Poland "Dude'' Burgee, Lowell Peterson and Lloyd Batein.
     The original elevator was destroyed by fire in February of 1974. A new elevator, the 
present one, was built during the summer and was dedicated on November 14, 1974. It 
has increased its capacity to 160,800 bushels.

[photo – Farmer’s Co-op Elevator]

BAGLEY GRAIN COMPANY DUPREE     
by Ralph Bagley
     Our records are not particularly helpful in determining on which dates elevators were 
built because those facilities were updated so many times with new equipment and 
various changes that the original identity was all but lost.
     Bearing that in mind, it seems the elevator at Dupree may have been started in the 
early teens. It was there when my father passed away in 1919 and when I started 
working in 1929 during school summer vacations, this was
one of the approximately fifty country grain elevators we were then operating.
     I recall back at that time the elevator manager at Dupree was a Lafferty. Then after 
him came a long succession of managers. One that I remember was John Bigler who 
was always dependable.
     Virginia Woodward continues the story:
     "Lawrence Woodward of Dupree bought the Bagley Elevator in November, 1969 with 
Willie Schuler continuing to manage it. Later Sidney Schad and Dennis Aberle worked 
there. The elevator was then renamed to the Woodward Grain Company, but continued 
to sell wheat to the Bagley Grain Company in Minneapolis. There was storage room in 
the elevator and bins for about 182,500 bushels at this time.
     In April 1975 the elevator was sold to Reese Williams from Philip, South Dakota and 
Jerry Patterson of Kadoka, South Dakota, and renamed the Dupree Elevator.
     Then in 1978 it was sold to Lawrence E. Woodward of Dupree for his personal 
storage and still has the name of Woodward Grain on it."

[photo – The original Bagley Elevator, now called “Woodward Grain Company”]

LAKOTA THEATRE (formerly Lyceum Theatre)
     The building was built in 1910 for Andrew Berglin. It was used as a community hall for 
a number of years. In 1919 it was made into a theatre and the first "silent" pictures were 
shown. A player piano was used for mood music during the shows. In the early 1930's, 
"talkies" took the place of the silent pictures.
     In 1939 and 1940 the theatre was again used for a community hall as the Legion Hall 
was being used as a schoolhouse while the present school building was under 
construction.
     In February 1945, the theatre was leased by Earl Neumeister of Philip, South Dakota 
from John Berglin of Skokie, Illinois, the son of the late Andrew Berglin. In 1947, Mr. 
Neumeister bought the building and equipment and did extensive remodeling to the 
building, making it more suited for a theatre building. At this time a marquee was erected 
on the front. Also all new projection equipment and a new screen were installed.
     Early in 1955 an improvement was made again to bring the latest in modern movie 
presentation "Cinemascope" by which the width and depth of the picture can be enjoyed 
by the theatre goers.
     The present owner of the theatre is Ernie Gottschalk who lives in Vale, South Dakota. 
He has done extensive remodeling of the theatre at various times. Raymond Kintz is the 
current manager of the now Lakota Theatre and we are able to see the latest movies.

[photo – Lakota Theatre]

LEWIS EVERYDAY SHOP
     In 1910 when the town of Dupree was struggling to make a start in the west, Fred E. 
Mellow started the drug store that is still in existence and at the present time is owned by 
Jerry and Eileen Lewis and managed by Berneita Miller.
     Fred E. Mellow was owner and operator of the drug store from 1910 until 1925, when 
he passed away in his home in Dupree. His wife then operated the store until 1926 when 
she sold it to Eric Blauert, who operated it until the fall of 1931, when it was transferred 
to Arthur R. Hurst.
     The drug store was operated in the same building until February 9, 1939 when it was 
destroyed by fire, along with six other business places. During the summer and early fall 
of 1939, the drug store was operated in the front part of what was in the early days 
known as the Broberg Garage or Main Building.
     During the summer of 1939, A. R. Hurst built the present drug store building, which is 
now located on the old site of the Farmers State Bank.

[photo – Lewis Everyday Shop]

FARMERS UNION OIL COMPANY by Mrs. Kraft in “Call of the Prairie” (updated)
     The Farmers Union Oil Company now is located on the site where once stood Keller's 
General Store, across the street west of the Farmers State Bank. In the early days Frank 
H. Haagen had a machinery and hardware store on the south lot now occupied by 
Farmers Union Oil Company. In 1929 this store was purchased by William and Joseph 
Ogard where they ran a John Deere Implement and General Store until 1932, when the 
buildings on lots one, two and three were destroyed by fire.
     In 1935 the West River Oil Company purchased lots one and two and built a service 
station. Virgil and Jewel Nesland were the owners and in 1937 they purchased lot three 
to complete the unit. Jewel Nesland operated this station until 1952, when it was sold to 
Margaret and Arthur Engel.
     In that same year a group of farmers formed a stockholder's co-operative and bought 
the filling station, equipment and bulk plant from Engel. The business was incorporated 
under state law and became "Farmers Union Oil Company of Dupree".
     After the sudden death of Roy Kraft in 1970, Mel Richardson became manager. Mel 
Richardson moved to Arkansas in 1977 and Lester Starr became manager. The Farmers 
Union Oil Company became affiliated with Cenex and have steadily increased their 
business. In 1982 they bought the Phillip 66 station, garage, car wash and store on 
Highway 212 from Jim and Donna Dunbar and operate two stations, garages with farm 
supplies and tank trucks to deliver fuel anywhere in the area.

[photo – Farmers Union or Cenex Oil Company]

 ZIEBACH COUNTY ABSTRACT COMPANY
     Ziebach County Loan and Abstract Company was incorporated June 20, 1916 by A. 
A. Karley, C. G. Karley and F. A. Hoffman. January 22, 1920, a meeting was held to 
amend the Articles of Incorporation to change the name of Ziebach County Loan and 
Abstract Company to Ziebach County Abstract Company. About June, 1911, W. L. 
Merrick and others incorporated the Ziebach County Abstract Company, but it was 
inactive from June 1912 on. It was confusing as to mail addressed this way. On June 19, 
1920, the Charter and By-Laws were vacated and a Certificate of Amendment was 
issued July 15, 1920. From May 18, 1929 to June 15, 1936, the company was owned 
and operated by O. S. Nygaard, J. M. Askin and H. R. Hommedal.
     R. W. Douglas purchased the entire capital and stock June 15, 1936 and he 
managed it until Lincoln Abraham purchased it on July i, 1949. Edward Towe owned it 
from September 1, 1950, managed by Lincoln Abraham, until it was sold to Robert W. 
Barnett January 19, 1951. Robert W. Barnett sold it to Dean Vance who managed it until 
he sold September 25, 1959 to Dennis D. and Vivian Thomas. The Thomas' owned and 
operated the business in their home until November i, 1975 when they sold to Raymond 
and Lorraine Kintz. The Kintz' are presently running the Abstract business in conjunction 
with the Dewey County Title Company of Timber Lake, which they acquired on April 1, 
1979. Lorraine Kintz is the present President of the company and Raymond Kintz is 
Treasurer.

DUPREE BARBERS Taken partly from an article by Mrs. Ben Anderson for “Call of the 
Prairie”
     Even as far back as 1910, possibly earlier, Dupree had barbers. Roy Warren was the 
first but he left in 1912. Then Archie Hughes, who homesteaded two miles from town, 
barbered in the Pinnicker Pool Hall, later moving to the Robinson Pool Hall. He had 
three children born while living at Dupree. He sold out to August Bakeberg in 1915.
     One of the first barbers was a Frank Bennett but no dates or information are 
available.
     Tom J. Walsh, who came out from Minneapolis in 1911, worked in the Crew's Pool 
Hall, Robinson and Club Pool Halls. He also owned the Rix Pool Hall.
     George W. Johnson, a barber, returned and re-opened his pool hall and barber shop 
in 1911.
     In 1913, Gus Bauman moved to Ziebach County, homesteading 15 miles southwest 
of Dupree. Mr. Bauman barbered in the Pinnicker Pool Hall while; still living on his 
homestead. In 1915, he moved to town and opened his own shop in 1918, next door to 
the Farmers State Bank. He was laid up with the flu from October 1918 to August 1919. 
In November 1919 he built his own building north of Stewart's Print Shop. In 1927 he 
sold out to Ira Campman and wife, who were both barbers. In September 1944, he 
returned and bought the building owned by Edythe Pitsor and barbered until May 1946. 
At this time he sold the building to the City of Dupree, which was then used for the 
Municipal Liquor Store, and he left Dupree.
     August Bakeberg took over the Hughes Barber Shop and Pool Hall in 1915. Barbers 
who worked for August were Russell Walling and Pete Askin.
     In 1918, August went into the service and Omar Vance leased the Barber Shop and 
Pool Hall from him. He returned in 1920. He employed Harold Lange in 1920, Vernal 
Vance in 1926, Bill Perron and Clif Stromer. August was killed in an automobile accident 
in 1935. Vernal Vance took over until 1938 when Clif Stromer purchased the Club 
Barber Shop from James Larson on December 8, 1938. In February 1939, a fire swept 
through the block, destroying the barber shop and many other buildings.
     In September 1937, Ralph Pitsor moved his barber shop down from Faith. He 
employed Roy Pitsor, Clif Stromer and Vernal Vance. Beulah Vance was a beauty 
operator. After Mr. Pitsor's death, the shop was operated by Vernal Vance and also Jim 
Archer, who drove down from Isabel.
     On July 4, 1942, Ben Anderson came over from Bowdle, South Dakota. His family 
joined him November 15, 1942. He operated the Fit's Barber Shop for about two years. 
He then owned and operated his own barber shop next door to Salisbury's Store until his 
death in December 1975. At the present time we are without a barber in Dupree. We 
have a beauty shop operated by Cheryl Batein, who calls her business the His and Hers 
Hair Hut and she caters to both men and women.
     Jay Burgee owned and operated a shop in the late 60's or early 70's.

[photo – Ben’s Barber Shop]

DUPREE CITY BAR
     In the spring of 1946 the City of Dupree bought the building between Dr. Creamers' 
Office and Post Office from Gus Bauman, barber, and opened the Municipal Liquor 
Store. It was operated at the same location until 1975 when they bought the Salisbury 
Store, on the corner to the south.
     The spring of 1982 the upper story was removed and an "A" roof put on. This was a 
great improvement to the building.
     The building was originally built by George Hall.
     The building was used as a garage for many years with several people running the 
business. George Hall, Orville Lemke, Mr. Marin (Mrs. Marin had a beauty shop in their 
apartment on the second story), Art Flick and Francis Foltz.
 When M. B. Salisbury's grocery store was razed by fire, he bought the building in 1937 
from George Hall. He had it remodeled and operated a meat market. He also carried a 
line of groceries and hardware which became self service in 1946.
     Grocery carts were unheard of in this area until the 40's. The customer stood in front 
of the counter, presented the grocery list, either orally or written, to the clerk and the 
clerk brought the merchandise to the counter. Carts were a daring innovation.

[photo – Dupree City Bar]

DUPREE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT by Jeri B. Lemke
     Reports of exactly when the Dupree Volunteer Fire Department was formed are 
sketchy at best but in an early book of minutes that were kept, it was noted that the State 
of South Dakota first recognized the Department as a fire fighting entity in 1933 and that 
Henry F. Burgee was appointed as Fire Chief in 1934, serving in that capacity until 1942. 
Those records further revealed that the first siren was purchased in 1936 and is still in 
use today, along with a newer model, atop the fire hall that was built in 1973. The first 
pumper and truck, a Dodge, was purchased in 1939. Currently, the oldest operating fire 
vehicle is a 1948 open-top Ford and while it is still functional, it is only displayed in 
parades during the summer months and in demonstrations for school children.
     However, the DVFD has come a long way since those days. As reported earlier in 
this article, the new fire hall was completed in 1973 in cooperation with the City of 
Dupree and Ziebach County, and nearly a dozen units take up the floor space. Since 
1933 the Department has acquired units capable of extinguishing fires ranging from 
propane gas, to house fires, to the ever-present possibility of the prairie fire in South 
Dakota.
     The acquisition of fire fighting units has not taken up all the firemen's time. They are 
extensively educated in the use of Scott AirPacks, Civil Defense equipment, the use of 
foam for petroleum fires, search and rescue, the use of the "Jaws of Life'' (vehicle 
extrication tool), and extensive first-aid kit with nearly all 22 men being certified, some 
with over 100 hours of training. The Department has also won awards for their skills at 
various fire fighting competitions.
     The DVFD was incorporated in 1975 and must maintain a 22-man roster at all times. 
And while their roster is highly trained, they further protect their ranks with insurance.
     "Work Nights" are held at the fire hall every Thursday night because a rotation 
system is employed in the upkeep of the equipment and a training schedule for the 
newer firemen is maintained.
     Many things have been done to raise funds for operation through the years, but the 
traditional "Fireman's Ball" has remained the favorite one. Door prizes are still used to 
lure the dancers through the door and donations make up over 90% of the Department's 
income. Other facts relevant to the income of the Department are that the Department 
joined the WAR HAWK Civil Defense District in 1974; joined the South Dakota 
Department of Forestry (Title 1V) in 1975; and obtained Bureau of Indian Affairs fire 
contracts in 1975. These acts have proven to be the turning points for the DVFD insofar 
as becoming as modern a facility as possible. The Department has managed to maintain 
such a modern profile that in 1976 it was ranked in the top 5 fire departments in Western 
South Dakota with cities 10,000 (population) and less.
     In order that the Department obtain and maintain a good working relationship with the 
general public, the DVFD sponsors a "Mascot Fireman" program each year. Children 
between the ages of 6 through 12 are eligible on the basis of good citizenship, good 
scholastic standing in their school, and community service, with emphasis on protection 
of life and property. The Department also gives demonstrations of their equipment to 
school children and other service organizations.
     As best can be discerned, the progression of the seventeen Fire Chiefs has been as 
follows: 
Jim Thomas (resigned on 8-10-34); 
Henry F. Burgee (served until 2-16-43); 
Jim Davis; 
William Ochsner; 
Severin Hegre; 
M. B. Salisbury; 
Limer Petersen; 
Mel Nesheim; 
Ray Edwards; 
Robert McKenzie; 
Russell Stevens; 
Merrill Salisbury; 
Harry Lewis Fairbanks; 
Gerald "Jerry" Lewis; 
Mike Hansen; 
Marvin Russell (elected 3-18-71 and serving as "Chief" until he was placed on the 
Honorary Fireman's Rolls upon reaching the age of 50, as per DVFD tradition); 
Galen Denton is the current Fire Chief, and was elected in March, 1982.
     Among the first treasurer's reports, it was revealed that $78.04 was the income and 
$50.00 was the amount disbursed for that year. The most recent reports reveal that 
income amounted to $11,142.11 and $9,587.32 was disbursed -- quite a change reflects 
the past 50 years' progress!

[photo – Old Fire Hall. Torn down before new fire hall was built in 1973]

[photo – Fire Truck in Parade. “Mascot Fireman” riding]

[photo – “Throw the ball!”  “Dunk the Mayor!”  Firemen’s money-making project at 
Pioneer Day]

DAVE'S PLACE
     Dave's Place is a new business in an old building. WNAX gasoline was sold here at 
one time. Later Ward Zimmerman sold "Lightning" gasoline at this filling station. Dean 
Vance had his Abstract Company here during the 50's.
     It had been vacant since then until David Pesicka bought it in 1982. Its friendly 
atmosphere is enjoyed by folks needing a snack or a game of cards.

[photo – Dave’s Place]

HOTEL DUPREE
     In 1910 James A. Shelton bought a plot of land from the United States Land Office. 
The Hotel was built on this plot and called the Shelton Hotel.
     Matt Stephenson purchased the hotel from Shelton in 1931. The name was then 
changed to Hotel Dupree. In 1946 it was sold to Ivan Fluharty, who made many 
improvements and for a time operated a coffee shop in the hotel. In 1950 Bill Ochsner 
purchased the hotel, and in 1959 it was sold to Jake Sprenger, who operated a farm 
south of Dupree prior to purchasing the hotel.
     Several people operated the Dupree Hotel over the following years. It was 
condemned and sat idle for several more years. It was sold for taxes and Della Jones 
bought it for tax deed. She built a new building just south of the Hotel and moved her 
"Drive Inn" into the new location. She used part of the hotel building for storage and 
deep freezers. The Hotel building was torn down in 1980-81 by Galen Denton. The 
basement was filled in and is now used for parking.

[photo – Hotel Dupree]

DELLA'S DRIVE-IN
     In the early 1970's Della Jones bought the Jay Burgee barber shop building and 
opened a Drive-In for the summer months. Later she bought the Dupree Hotel and 
moved the building just south and added an awning and platform in front. Della and her 
daughter Virginia ran the Drive-In during summer months until 1982, then sold it to 
Harold and Pauline Davis who now call it the "Tiger Drive-In".
 
[photo – Della’s Drive-In]

JACK & JILL STORE from Call of the Prairie
     The grocery and dry goods store now owned by Larry and Mary Deis is one of the 
oldest buildings in Dupree and has changed hands many times since the first owner, 
Martin Sletten, ran a hardware and furniture store there in 1911. The building was at that 
time 24' x 60'. Sletten was in business for two years, then in 1913 he sold to Leach, 
Mosher and Bailey. They built an additional 60' extending toward the present Central 
Lumber Company. Here they ran a garage and hardware store. In that same year they 
placed the building on a basement which was used for storing car parts.
     In the year 1920, Art Bacon ran a garage in this location.
     Bill Krikac, in the year 1923, changed the business to a grocery store which he ran 
until 1924. L. O. Adams, now living at Redelm, purchased the building at that time and 
occupied it until 1928 when he sold it to MKT. Harry Silverman was manager then and 
until 1930 when he bought the building, using it for a grocery store under the name of 
"The Leader Store.'' He and his family occupied the upstairs apartment for quite a few 
years. In 1936 Silverman built onto the north side, extending the store to its present size.
     John Oster operated a grocery store in this location from February 1946 until 1948. In 
the month of April, 1949, Larry and Mary Deis moved to Dupree from Roscoe and ran a 
very popular grocery store known as "Deis' Store." Larry and Mary Deis sold the store to 
Hollis W. Barker on November 2, 1965. Hollis ran the store as "Barker's Jack and Jill" 
until he sold it to Raymond and Grace Lenk on August 25, 1976. The store is now known 
as "Dupree Jack & Jill".

[photo – The Jack & Jill store as it looked in 1911 when Martin Sletten sold hardware 
and furniture in it]

[photo - Jack & Jill store, 1982]

LUMBERYARDS
     The growth of Dupree in Schnasse County was no doubt the reason for this ad "As 
roads from LeBeau to Dupree are the best on the Reservation, all those contemplating 
to move west and build are advised to haul their building material from Imperial Lumber 
Company, LeBeau, South Dakota." However, Dupree soon had their own lumberyards, 
builders, contractors and painters.
     Some of the contractors and builders were: Rowe & Smith, W. J. Benedict, J. A. 
Brundage, Krell and Hamm, Phil Schweich, Valentine Zweber, and Pete F. Murphy. 
Painters were: S. F. Briggs and Walter G. Fink. The Dupree Painting and Decorating 
Company, owned by Parr & Teiren, advertised, "Painting of all kinds, paper hanging and 
burlap hanging. Ready-mixed paints at $2.50 per gallon. These goods are manufactured 
in Dupree, so patronize home industry. Have your work done by home men."
     One of the lumberyards was J. H. Schroeder Lumber Company with yards at Dupree, 
Faith, Eagle Butte, Arrowhead and Redelm. The manager was A. O. Raben and, 
besides building material, they had hay, oats and corn. Others were the Dupree Flour 
and Mill, Standard Lumber Company, W. E. Beam, Agent and Hollandsworth-Greenman 
Company, with H. G. Batie, Agent. The Atlas Lumber Company "The Green Sheds" with 
R. H. Leach, Agent, announced to the people of Dupree and vicinity March 16, 1911, 
that they received 20 carloads of lumber during the past three weeks. May 1911, they 
had the most complete line of posts in the city.
     The J. F. Anderson Lumber Company, with J. S. Smith, Manager, was located where 
the present Dupree Lumber Company is today. They also had yards in the neighboring 
towns and built some of the larger yards. However, they sold out to Central Lumber 
Company, which also had a yard in the early days of Dupree. On April 6, 1911, Louis 
Suthmeir, Agent for Central Lumber, announced to the general trade that their stock of 
lumber and building material such as paints, oils, posts, lime, cement, plaster, etc. was 
complete. Prospective builders were invited to call at their yard, look over their stock and 
get their prices and terms. H. M. Little and J. J. Edwards were also agents in the 
summer of 1911.
     Preston "Press" Johnson was the auditor in charge of all the Central lumberyards 
west of the Missouri River from December 1909 until 1920. During this time he bought 
the yard sites at Timber Lake, Isabel, Dupree and Faith. He looked after the building of 
these plants and helped get the yards started. It was in 1910 that he rode to Dupree with 
Phil Geerman in his Model T. Ford and looked over the town site for a likely spot to start 
a yard. Later that summer he went to Aberdeen and attended the lot sale. There were 
many others there bidding on yard sites so he didn't do too well but he did buy lots 13 
and 14, Block 10, on Main Street. They started to build as soon as they could get lumber 
in, which could be hauled from Isabel in 2'/2 days if the roads were good. The winter of 
1910-11 was open and not very cold so the carpenters worked most all of the year.
     There was real competition in those days with all the previously mentioned lumber 
yards. However, after the big homestead rush was over, most of the yards sold out or 
closed.
     The building of the sheds and yard was in 1910 and 1911 and was completed when 
Jack M. Askin, who retired from Central Lumber in 1957, came to Dupree in April of 
1911. Charles L. Troon was the manager of the J. F. Anderson yard at the time Central 
Lumber bought them out on February 11, 1928. On July 20, 1928 Central sold their 
original site to Syver Knudslein.
     J. M. Askin was the manager at the time back sheds were built in 1929. He continued 
with the company until 1937, when Theodore Hartinger came to Dupree. "Ted" was a 
very good citizen of our town and we hated to see him leave April i, 1949, when he was 
transferred to Lemmon, South Dakota, to manage Central's yard there.
     Frank Doyle came here in April 1949 and while here the old sheds were all 
remodeled and enclosed in the fall of 1949. The office was completely remodeled in the 
spring of 1951. However, having come here from Minnesota, his desire to go back there 
was granted in March, 1953, when he was transferred to Red Wing, Minnesota.
     Clinton Thomas, who had started working for Central in January 1949 when Ted 
Hartinger was still here, continued his experience as an assistant manager under Frank 
Doyle and was promoted to manager on March 15, 1953.
     Central Lumber Company decided to sell out in 1961 and so that fall, five local 
families incorporated to buy the Central Yard in Dupree. They were Clinton and Arlene 
Thomas, Al and Betty Tibke, Fred and Shirley Menzel, Ambrose, Eugenia and Joe 
Heimer, and Russell O. and Clifton Birkeland. They changed the name to Dupree 
Lumber and Supply, Inc. and named Clinton Thomas the Manager and President; Al 
Tibke the Vice President; and Russell O. Birkeland, the Secretary-Treasurer. After 
Ambrose Heimer moved to Montana and after the death of his father, Joe Heimer, their 
shares were sold to Clinton Thomas and Russell and Beverly Birkeland.
     This corporation also bought the lot across the street to the south so they would have 
more room for loading and unloading supplies.
     Employees at the yard at different times besides Clinton were: Albert Hebner, Ralph 
Reede, Dennis Thomas, Carl Anderson, Francis Salisbury, Kenny Bianis, David and 
Daniel Thomas. Co-op Education students from school who helped there were: LeRoy 
Wicks, Greg Serr, Gary Linn, Doug Johnson, Bernie Mitchell, Bud Longbrake, Kenny 
Schuler and Danny Petersen.
     When Clinton Thomas passed away January 5, 1975, his oldest son, David, was 
named Manager and Arlene Thomas was named President and Bookkeeper. Albert 
Hebner and Greg Serr worked until August 1977 when Doug Johnson was hired to work 
full time. Other officers at the present time are: Betty Tibke, Vice President; and Inga 
Birkeland, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors besides the officers are: David Thomas, Joan 
Jewett, Fred and Shirley Menzel, Russell O. and Clifton Birkeland.
     Dave, Doug and Dan have been repairing the building and have new siding on two 
sides of the main building, and a new sidewalk and part of the alley were cemented. A 
forklift and new power saw were purchased to help with the operations. Some 
improvements in the office were putting in a wall display of tools, bolt bins with steel 
bolts and storage shelves for more paint. They also planted trees on the east side of the 
sheds and on the south lot to help beautify the town.

[photo – The building which houses the Dupree Lumber was J. F. Anderson Lumber 
Company in 1910]

[photo – Dupree Lumber 1982]

BANKING
     Banking, one of the oldest types of business known to civilization, came to this 
territory as one of the first businesses and the owners and operators of the business as 
the first settlers of the area. At a meeting in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota on April 6, 1909, 
Michael Dunn, Gilbert A. McGarraugh and Patterson F. McClure drew up Articles of 
Incorporation of The Farmers State Bank to operate at Dupree, Schnasse County, South 
Dakota. The Capital structure being $10,000.00. The first twenty year charter was dated 
May 2, 1910 as issued by the Secretary of State. Michael Dunn was President, Gilbert A. 
McGarraugh, Cashier and Managing Officer, and Patterson F. McClure, Vice President. 
On May 14, 1910, at a meeting of the directors, the Cashier was instructed to purchase 
a building and equipment, and authorized a salary to commence May 20, 1910.
     On August 1, 1910, the Dupree State Bank opened for business at Dupree, South 
Dakota, with A. A. Karley as Cashier and managing officer; he being a veteran pioneer 
from Presho, South Dakota in Lyman County, having been connected with the banking 
business there. The capital of the corporation was $10,000.00 with W. L. Montgomery, 
President; C. G. Karley, Vice President; and A. A. Karley, Cashier; associates of the firm 
being W. E. Briggs and J. J. Flanagan of Stockyards National Bank of South St. Paul, 
Minnesota, and H. A. Dixon, President of First State Bank of Presho, South Dakota. This 
corporation operated under its original ownership until it was purchased by, and merged 
with, the Farmers State Bank of Dupree, South Dakota in 1929. The Managing Officer, 
Mr. Karley, and his family continued to live in Dupree until 1934.
     It is interesting to note in news items of the 1910 Dupree Leader the following items:
     "The Dupree State Bank building moved to its new location on Lot 18, Block 24, last 
Saturday (9-24-1910). The location is an ideal one, being on a corner with a west front" 
(This is the present location of the Farmers State Bank, who moved into this building 
after the purchase of the Dupree State Bank).
     "The Farmers State Bank of Dupree was moved to Lot 1, Block 16, Tuesday (9-27-
1910). One by one the buildings are being moved to their proper locations and the town 
will soon present a businesslike appearance".
     The Farmers State Bank building was treated to a coat of paint recently, which adds 
much to its appearance, and sets a good example which should be followed by all 
business houses in Dupree. (9-1-1910)".
     "FIRST SIDEWALK FOR DUPREE, Farmers State Bank Builds First Sidewalk -- A 
Good Example. (12-8-1910)"
     In 1911, The Farmers State Bank built a new building south of the original about the 
center of Block 16 on Main Street. In 1916 this bank traded its holding to the Fox Ridge 
Hotel for another larger building and moved it to Lot 12, Block 16, and continued to 
operate there until purchasing the Dupree State Bank in 1929, after which time it moved 
to that location.
     In 1916 Mr. McGarraugh became President of the Farmers State Bank, E. N. 
Anderson, Vice President, and W. H. Scott, Cashier; Mr. Scott having been Assistant 
Cashier since 1911.
     In early June of 1919, Herman R. Hommedal came to join the bank from Amidon, 
North Dakota. Mr. Hommedal worked at the Dupree State Bank until 1929 when he 
acquired the controlling interest from Mr. Karley. Noting that the Farmers State Bank 
charter expired in 1930, he organized the merger of the two banks. They retained the 
Dupree State Bank as the site but renewed the Farmers State Bank charter and took its 
name across the street. Mr. G. A. McGarraugh continued as president of the new 
Farmers State Bank but with a minority interest as Mr. Hommedal acquired controlling 
shares from him. The active direction of the bank was assumed by Mr. Hommedal, 
assisted by Olaf Nygaard.
     In 1936 controlling interests in the Farmers State Bank were sold to R. W. Douglass 
and associates of Marcus, South Dakota, and Mr. Douglass became President and 
Managing Officer. Mr. Hommedal bought the Union National Bank in Rochester, 
Minnesota, and moved his family.
     In July of 1950 Mr. Douglass sold to Mr. Edward Towe of Iowa and Mr. Towe became 
President and Managing Officer. In January of 1954, Mr. Towe sold controlling interest to 
Arthur J. Eaton of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. Eaton then became President and the 
bank was operated by Cashier Ambrose H. Heimer of Dupree, South Dakota. In January 
of 1955, Mr. Eaton sold his interests to an association consisting of Joseph A. 
Daczewitz, Edward Towe, Frederick Menzel and Ambrose Heimer. The bank was 
operated under this ownership with Joseph A. Daczewitz as President; Edward Towe, 
Vice President; Ambrose H. Heimer, Cashier; and Frederick Menzel, Assistant Cashier. 
In January, 1958, the ownership of the bank was sold to Henry F. Harding and Edward 
Towe with officers being Henry F. Harding, President; Edward Towe, Vice President; 
Frederick Menzel, Cashier; and Ambrose Heimer, Assistant Cashier.
     In January 1961 the bank was owned by Dakota Diversified and the officers were 
Bernard Linn, President; Ambrose Heimer, Executive Vice President; Frederick Menzel, 
Vice President and Cashier; Lorna Heimer, Assistant Cashier; and Theda Rae Stout, 
Teller.
     In January 1966 the ownership of the bank was by the South Dakota Bankshares and 
the officers were Ray Aldrich, President; Fred Menzel, Executive Vice President; Ray 
Lenk, Vice President; Lorna Heimer, Cashier; Theda Rae Stout, Assistant Cashier; and 
Harley Henderson, Teller.In 1968 the bank became locally owned by shareholders. The 
officers were Fred Menzel, President and Chairman of the Board; Ray Lenk, Vice 
President; Lorna Heimer, Cashier; Theda Rae Stout, Assistant Cashier; and Harley 
Henderson, Teller. Directors of the Bank were Fred Menzel, Ray Lenk, John Holloway, 
Clifton Birkeland, Vernon Oliver and Tony Welder.
     Officers at the present time are Fred Menzel, President and Chairman of the Board; 
Ray Lenk, Vice President and Cashier; Mary Gage, Assistant Cashier; Debbie Burgee, 
Teller; Devonna Sever, Teller; and Diane Burgee, Bookkeeper.
     In 1963 the old building was moved off the lot and torn down and a new building was 
erected in the same location. It is interesting to note that from a beginning of $20,U00.00 
capital; two banks in 1910 with zero deposits, the business has grown into a corporation 
with capital assets of $1,172,600.00, deposits of over $13,000,aX).00. The town of 
aupree and County of Ziebach have never known a bank failure and Ziebach County is 
the only County in South Dakota to boast such a record.

[photo G. A. McGarraugh]

[photo – Dupree State Bank – 1910]

[photo – Farmers State Bank – 1910]

[photo – Farmers State Bank being moved off – 1962]

[photo – Farmers State Bank – 1982]

THE ASC FARM PROGRAM IN ZIEBACH COUNTY   
by Keith L. Wartenweiler
     The "farm program" is the general term under which we classify those activities of the 
U. S. Department of Agriculture which directly concern the American farmers. 
Specifically, when we say "farm program" we are talking about the programs formulated 
by federal statute and administered through the state and county committees of the 
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. These committees are composed of 
farmers, the state committees being appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and the 
county committees being elected by the farmers within each county. This program 
started out as the Triple A Program in 1933, later the name was changed to ACA and 
then to PMA; now it is called ASC, but essentially the structural organization and basic 
nature of the farm program have been the same for many years. It is an organization 
whose main purpose is to serve the farmer, and through him, the American public as a 
whole.
     Ziebach County was organized in 1933, with the assistance of the County Extension 
Service and nine so-called AAA districts were established in the county. Shortly after the 
start of the farm program, Armstrong County was annexed to Ziebach County for 
purposes of administering the farm program with Ziebach County being changed to six 
districts and Armstrong County being one district, making a total of seven districts for the 
Ziebach Armstrong Committee. This existed until 1954 when Armstrong became a part 
of Dewey County and the farm program records were transferred to Dewey County, 
leaving the present six districts in Ziebach County. The community districts each have a 
farmer-elected committee of three members. This committee represents the farmers 
within their district and they as a committee are responsible to the farmer-elected county 
committee of three active members. In the early thirties when this organization was 
being formulated, Elmer Lovelady served as Chairman of the so-called "Corn and Hog" 
program and Charles Young served as Chairman of the wheat committee. Later a range 
program was initiated to furnish farmers and ranchers assistance in the development of 
stock water dams. These programs were consolidated and continued under the 
Chairmanship of Ben Henderson, Joseph M. Heimer, Myron Maher, and Harold E. 
Johnson.
     In 1953 the Department of Agriculture determined the need of a County ASC Office 
Manager system. This was primarily due to the increased programs for the benefit of 
Phe farmers, ranchers and the public in general, and due to the fact that the farmer-
elected county committeemen could not devote their entire time to the service needed 
without neglecting their own personal farming and ranching interests. W. G. Vanderveer 
was appointed Ziebach County Office Manager by the committee and assumed that 
position September 16, 1953 and served until his resignation which was effective in 
October 1955. Keith L. Wartenweiler served as Acting Office Manager until his 
appointment as Office Manager on December 19, 1955.
     Practically every farmer and landowner is affected, directly or indirectly, by one or 
more of the programs administered by the ASC.

THE ASC FARM PROGRAM UPDATE     
by ASC Office personnel
     This is an update of the ASCS farm program since the printing of the Call of the 
Prairie in 1960.
     We now have three districts in the county, of which three Community Committeemen 
are elected each year, which in turn elect the County Committee. Each year one 
member is elected for a three-year term, and they can serve for a total of nine years.
     Those who have served as Chairman for the County Committee since 1960 are: 
Harold E. Johnson, John C. Lemke, Donald Schuchhardt, James E. Harris, and Merton 
Eaton.
     Keith L. Wartenweiler served as Office Manager until May, 1973 when he passed 
away with a heart attack. The Office Manager title was changed to County Executive 
Director (CED).
     Patience Bakeberg took over as Acting County Director until September 1975, when 
she was appointed CED. She resigned as CED in June 1978, and moved to Spearfish, 
South Dakota.
     Beverly Ann Birkeland was appointed Acting CED in June 1978 until July 1978 when 
John Schefsky moved here from Forestburg and became CED. He resigned in July 
1979. Beverly Ann Birkeland, Paul McGinn and Dalza Satrang were acting CED until 
Leon Edlund moved here from Sisseton, South Dakota and became the CED in April 
1980. He is presently serving in that position.
     The following are the programs administered by ASCS:
1. Wheat and Feed Grain Program
2. Agricultural Conservation Program 
3. Price Support Loans
4. Grain Reserve Program
5. Wool Incentive Program
6. Farm Storage Facility Loans

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ZIEBACH COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION 
DISTRICT
     Before the homestead days large ranches operated in the area. The land was 
opened for settlement in the early nineteen hundreds. The homesteaders came largely 
from farming areas and so started farming here. They found a large variety of good 
grasses and other plants with abundant growth, especially in the low areas. And they 
raised some good crops, particularly flax and wheat.
     Then after twenty five years or so of farming, along came years of less than normal 
rainfall and above normal wind. And since many acres of the land was plowed and the 
virgin sod destroyed, both wind and water erosion began. The fields were bare and it 
was impossible to do anything to stop the erosion. Grass seedings were attempted, but 
with no results. Some small dams were built with horses, but were too small and not 
deep enough to carry water from one season to the next.
     The Federal Soil Conservation Act of 1935 authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to 
require the enactment of State Laws for the prevention of Soil Erosion. South Dakota 
passed the State Conservation Law on March 5, 1937 to become effective July i. 
Organization of the TriCounty Soil Conservation District was approved October 15, 
1937. This was the second district to organize in South Dakota.
     The original District covered 24 townships in Meade County, 14 in Ziebach, and 10 in 
Perkins County. In 1951 over 75,000 acres were added, and in 1954 another area was 
added along the west side of the District.
      These men carried the load during the information and organization periods: Arthur 
Naslund, C. E. Jonas, Stokley Tibble, Frank Gottschalk, Ed Hall, Joe Heimer, Frank 
Eichelman, Maynard Jonas, Ben Henderson, Vernon Oliver, M. C. Cordes, Nels Morrill, 
S. Tibble, C. J. Donnenworth, W. L. Archer, Odin Thompson, and others.
     The first district supervisors were: C. E. Jonas, Stokley Tibble, Frank Gottschalk, Ed 
Hall and Joe Heimer.

[photo – Severe Soil Erosion]

[photo – Terrace System]

[photo – Laying Trickle Tube in Dam Under Construction]

[photo – Frame Construction on a land leveling project for Bob Samuelson on the Jerry 
Till place]

     Their problems were many; those most often stressed were: Too much land was left 
exposed to the ravages of nature; Wind and water erosion was severe; Range and 
pastures were over used and grass cover was reduced; The few stockwater dams were 
too small; Timber along the creeks had been cut for fuel and fence posts.
      The people believed that a district could help them attack these problems by: 
Discouraging breaking out more grass; Developing a regrassing program; Helping to 
borrow heavy equipment to build dams and dugouts, water spreading systems, and 
making fire guards. (The supervisors were able to borrow this equipment from the Soil 
Erosion Service.) They also bought equipment of their own.
     The Tri-County District was the pioneer district in western South Dakota, and 
consequently was confronted not only with the problems of nature, but also with the 
human problems of resistance to change. But these leaders were pioneers, not only as 
early settlers, but as people who change their ways of living in western South Dakota.
     Persons who have served as supervisors are: Fred Hunter, Joseph Gebhart, Ole 
Drageset, Frank Miller, Michael Schatz, Robert Gebhart, Charles Capp, L. E. Woodward, 
Frank Parker, Archie McLellan, Joe Heimer, Neil Vollmer, Maurice Lemke, Donno Capp, 
Delbert Miller, James Carmichael, and  Clifford Anderson. At the time of his retirement in 
1965 Joe Heimer received State and National recognition for the longest continuous 
years of service.
     The most important service added recently has been a cold storage facility to keep 
trees dormant until they are planted. This greatly increases the survival rate in the new 
tree patches.
     Revenue from a tree planting and a tree spraying machine which the District owns is 
their only source of income. Most of the revenue is used to educate and make people 
aware of the needs of conserving our soil and water.
     They sponsor many programs for the young people of the county and have special 
recognition for farmers and ranchers who practice conservation on their own units.

[photo – Planting Trees]

[photo – Tree Cold Storage building, Dupree]

[photo – A well designed and cared for windbreak on the Harold Johnson farm]

HARVEY'S
     Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Hermann came here with their family in the year 1953 from the 
town of Eureka, South Dakota and started what was then known as Harvey's Electric. 
They first opened shop in the Knudslein building north of Hickenbotham's Store, where 
they also made their home.
     In 1956 their roots were firmly embedded in Dupree when they purchased a home 
and moved the electric appliance business into a shop south of the bank. This building 
was brought to Dupree from Marcus by Mr. Douglas and was previously used for a 
clothing store which was run by W. Krikac. Mr. Cad Holmes owned the building after 
that. Lucile Silverman ran a gift and variety store there for a few years, then Jo 
Damberger entered the dry goods business and leased the building from Mr. Holmes.
     Mr. and Mrs. Hermann took over management of the store when they became 
owners in 1956 and have continued their business as Harvey's Electric Sales and 
Service with electric appliances, TV and radio repairing and wiring.

ZIEBACH COUNTY NEWSPAPERS
     Ziebach County has always had at least one newspaper and sometimes two, 
published weekly since Dupree was started in 1910. The first paper in the county was 
the “Dupree Leader” published by James Stewart of Selby and Pete Hoven of Hoven, 
South Dakota, in May 1910. Its history is the history of the town. When the town site was 
moved twice in the first year -- the “Leader” also was moved. In the latter part of 1910, it 
was published a mile east of the present town site, but was mailed at LeBeau, ninety 
miles east, as that was the most convenient post office. In 1911, a disagreement 
between the partners resulted in a court action, which threw the paper into the hands of 
a receiver. Eldon W. Clark, a County Commissioner, was appointed receiver and 
published the paper until it was sold at public auction in 1912. Mr. Stewart regained 
possession and published it until 1924 when it was consolidated with the “Ziebach 
County News”. (Taken from Montel Creamer's thesis).
     The “Ziebach County News” was established and published by Lottie Kruckman and 
Eb Jones on March 10, 1911. Both sold to F. E. Riley in July 1911, and Mr. Riley 
continued to be the owner and publisher until 1932 when half interest was sold to Patsy 
McNeely. McNeely continued to publish the News until in 1937 when he sold it to Ralph 
Pitsor. Mr. Pitsor published it until 1951, when it was consolidated with “The West River 
Progress”.
     Redelm had a newspaper known as the “Redelm Review”, established and owned by 
F. G. King in the spring of 1912. It was published for several years and discontinued. 
     The “Red Elm Record” was started by James D. Stewart of Dupree in 1918. It was 
later sold to the Redelm Publishing Company, who acted as publisher until 1921, when it 
was sold to F. E. Riley of Dupree and managed by E. L. Schetnan until it was 
consolidated with the “Ziebach County News” on April 1, 1927.
     “The West River Progress” was started in 1924 by E. L. Schetnan at Redelm with, in 
the editor's words, "a handful of type and a borrowed army press". An army press was a 
small press printing only one page at a time, hand driven and inked by hand. In 1935 the 
“Progress” was moved to Dupree where Mr. Schetnan, although handicapped by 
deafness, continued to publish it until his death in 1957. Then it was published by the 
“Eagle Butte News” until the estate could be settled.
     Mr. Schetnan was succeeded by a series of owners, including Harry L. Fairbanks, 
Morris G. Hallock, William R. Owens and Randall Braden. In 1975 Gene Chamberlin 
acquired the Progress and two years later Jack and Jerri Stoner purchased it and are 
the current publishers. They maintain an office in Dupree and print in Gettysburg, where 
the Stoners also own the “Potter County News”.

[photo (uncaptioned) – The West River Progress]

HICKENBOTHAM'S  by Rosemary Hickenbotham in “Call of the Prairie”
     I am an old building, in fact so old it is getting hard to remember a lot of things in the 
early days that might be interesting or even funny. When I was built, I was located down 
near the old Dupree Hotel and was known as the Fox Ridge Hotel.
     I do recall when Gertrude and John Pollard purchased me and decided to move me 
up to my present location about 1918. Old Mr. Smock, may his soul rest in peace, 
hooked a big steam engine onto me. He would open the throttle and take a lunge and 
the huge iron chains would break, then he would take it slow, opening the throttle gently, 
and the big engine would rear up like a wild horse and nary a budge from me. It was 
quite frustrating for Mr. Smock, but he was a big man, loud and jovial, and thoroughly 
enjoyed the crowds that gathered to watch.
     Inch by inch, so it seemed, I reluctantly gave way and eventually found myself at my 
present location. It is interesting to note the property upon which I am located, the United 
States has reserved as a right of way for ditches or canals. Ditches maybe, but 
canals???!!!
     The Pollards had a basement dug, new foundation put under me and my flat top roof 
was removed and a ridge roof replaced it. They had me insulated--that was something 
new at the time and it took bags and bags of stuff which was blown into my walls and 
attic, but after that I was never so cold in the winter nor so hot in the summer. They had 
a well dug practically at my back door and it had the softest water in town. Then they 
had a bath put in and it was one of the very few in Dupree for years and years. 1925 saw 
the purchase of the lot south of me by the Pollards from Charles and Alvia Headley, then 
a woven wire fence was put around the lots to keep the cattle and chickens out.
     At one time the Pollards used the front part of me for a cream station and then upon 
discontinuing that, for years they would alternate as Auditor and Deputy at the 
Courthouse, and finally they started a grocery store in me. Those were hard and lean 
years. I still see those dust bowl days. In 1942 Jerome and Helen Payne of Eagle Butts 
bought the Poilards out and it was run by Mr. and Mrs. Arno Gerth, Mrs. Payne's 
parents.
     Those were World War II days, groceries were hard to get and food stamps were 
preciously counted or the merchants would not be able to replace their stock. Many were 
the times I saw mothers come through my front door hoping to get a bit more sugar to 
help tide them over until ration stamps were valid, only to leave with a jar of molasses to 
stretch the syrup situation. And I watched both men and women, with no families, take 
home ail their allotted sugar stamps and "stash" it away with their already hoarded 
surplus and I wondered what God was writing down in the Golden Book.
     August 14, 1945, Maurice Hickenbotham, fresh from the Navy, and his wife, the 
former Rosemary Payne of Mansfield, South Dakota, sold their little home in Aberdeen, 
borrowed some money and with their two children, Loretta, aged seven, and Bernard, 
aged six, came "west".
     Those were store days when milk and cream was bought locally from some good 
farmers who would bother to milk and bottle it, when bread and meat was shipped via 
railroad twice a week, with the train coming in early in the morning when sleeping would 
be the best, or late evenings when it interrupted a picnic or fishing party. Finding the 
clothing business to be more interesting than the groceries, and with prospects of 
spending more time with the family, Mr. Hickenbotham went out of the groceries entirely 
and in 1953 built a 24' x 56' "wing'' onto the south of me, taking the front right out of me, 
making me a partial brick front with a centered and very attractive entry. A kitchenette 
was even included in the new part, saving the many steps to be climbed every day, 
going upstairs.
     Hickenbothams bought a farm near Spearfish, South Dakota and decided to move. 
They had sale after sale on goods, then finished with an auction. They had rented the 
upstairs apartment to Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kintz earlier and lived in the home they had 
purchased in the northeast part of Dupree. When they moved Mr. and Mrs. Kintz bought 
their home and moved in. Teachers rented the apartments upstairs. Bob and Mary Ann 
Denton bought the store building, did some remodeling for another apartment downstairs 
and put a wood working shop in the store part and fixed an office in the northwest corner 
to rent to West River Progress. Later Bob remodeled the apartment and shop and made 
a home for his family and moved in. They rent the upstairs apartments to teachers.

[photo – The Hickenbotham building, presently owned by Denton’s]

[photo – The Corner lot before the Denton (Hickenbotham) building was moved to the 
site. The “Ziebach County News” and Headly Garage buildings are shown]

THE DUPREE POST OFFICE
     The first mail service that Dupree had was what might have been called a messenger 
service. Mail was brought overland into Dupree by various settlers who arrived from 
points east: Mobridge, LeBeau, Cherry Creek, Timber Lake and various other places. 
The first real mail service was brought from Cherry Creek by Harry Mosher, who was 
boss farmer there in 1910.
     The first Postmaster was James D. Stewart, formerly of Selby, South Dakota. His 
commission was dated August 16, 1910. Mr. Stewart hired carriers who brought the mail 
from Isabel, South Dakota by team and wagon. Hayes Milton made several trips and one 
of the Lafferty boys helped haul the mail. After two years, the Post Office was rated third 
class, which necessitated the appointment of a Postmaster. James Stewart was again 
appointed to the position, which he held until July 1, 1916.
     The Post Office was first located in the front room of the “Dupree Leader”, which was 
across the street west of the Ross Motors Texaco. The second building into which the 
Post Office was moved was south of Dr. Creamer's office, and that later became the Ray 
Kintz building office, Beauty Shoppe and apartment. The third building into which the 
Post Office was moved was a little over a city block south, into the Oster Building. Today 
it is still at that location. After moving to that location, the Post Office was furnished with 
new fixtures and screenline of the latest design, making it a very attractive and modern 
Post Office. More room, better lighting, and modernization made it a more pleasant and 
efficient place in which to work.
     The second Postmaster was Frank E. Riley, formerly of Clay City, Indiana. The date 
of his commission is not known but it is believed that he served two terms from 1916 to 
1924. One of the clerks that he had was Josephine (Dunn) Bakeberg and he may have 
had others.
     The third Postmaster was T. A. Krikac, formerly of Butte, Nebraska. The date of his 
commission is not known for certain but it is believed that he served from 1924 until the 
fall of 1929. His wife, Mavis, served as his clerk, as well as many others. It was while 
Krikac was Postmaster that the Rural Route #1 was established.
     The fourth Postmaster was Harry Mosher, formerly of Illinois. The date of his 
commission is not known, but he served from 1929 until July 24, 1935. Among his clerks 
were Viola Oliver, a former Dupree girl who now lives in Corvallis, Oregon, and Florence 
Vance, also a Dupree girl now living in Rapid City, South Dakota.
     The fifth Postmaster was John H. Francis, formerly of Minnesota. He became 
Postmaster on July 25, 1935 and served until retiring on October 31, 1952. The following 
clerks served during his term of office: Florence Vance Campbell, Mrs. Clara Francis, 
Irma Sever, Dean Vance, and Thelma Frame. Mrs. Frame became acting Postmaster on 
November I, 1952 and served until September 30, 1954. Russell C. Birkeland was the 
sixth Postmaster and was commissioned on July 6, 1954 but did not take charge of the 
office until October 1, 1954.
     Mrs. Frame, who was acting Postmaster, returned to clerk's status. Other clerks 
were: Amida Lawrence, Marjorie Nesheim, Dorothy Edwards, Lucille Fairbanks, Mrs. E. 
L. Njos, John Oster and Russell O. Birkeland.
     Russell C. Birkeland passed away in July, 1978; Thelma Frame then became 
Postmaster and served as such until July 10, 1981. Her clerks were Andrea Allen and 
Sue Starr. Following Mrs. Frame's retirement, Cheri Fowler, Faith, South Dakota, 
became the Officer in Charge until December 4, 1981, when Sue Miller Starr became 
the Postmaster.
     The first Star Route out of Dupree was to the Chase Post Office, located on the 
Jennerson farm, now owned by Harold Johnson. Among the carriers that can be recalled 
are as follows: Frank Brown, John Barren, Jess Miller, Ree Barren, Ben Olmstead, 
William and Elsie Tibke, Henry F. Burgee, and the present carrier, Arlene Martin. The 
Chase Post Office was closed and the route extended to Cherry Creek on a tri-weekly 
basis.
     For many years the mail was brought in by railroad and arrived anywhere from 4 p.m. 
to midnight or later. This made for long hours in the post office as mail was usually 
distributed if it got in by 9 p.m.. In 1949 the mail was brought in by Star Route carrier 
from Mobridge, South Dakota. A Star Route was established in 1949 to carry mail from 
Dupree to La Plant, South Dakota, daily. All of the incoming and outgoing mail is 
dispatched to Star Route carriers. Adolph Hubner and Art Martin are among the most 
recent Star Route carriers to La Plant.
     Rural Route #1 was begun in 1929 for patrons on the farms and ranches. It served 
the people who lived north of Dupree. Frank Bednar was the first to carry mail on this 
route and Roy H. Lawrence was soon appointed to take over the route, a position he 
held for thirty years until he retired on November 3, 1959. Delbert "Buck" Miller 
succeeded Roy Lawrence and continued until he was transferred to New Underwood. At 
that time the mail service was combined with that of Isabel, and Jake Stadel is now the 
carrier for that route.
     Patrons on the rural routes in 1929 were: 
Severin Hegre, 
W. E. Stevens, 
Wm. Clifton, 
C. W. Vance, 
John Gutswieler, 
A. Bergland, 
Don Canode, 
J. W. Hersey, 
E. J. Brammer, 
F. R. Packebush, 
Claude Maynard, 
Clarke Edwards, 
L. F. Taylor, 
G. W. Thomas, 
R. H. Carter, 
J. M. Pidcock, 
Albert Picker, 
Robert Petrick, 
S. A. Talbot, 
Herman Smith, 
C. A. Main, 
Joe Heimer, 
Frank Mraz, 
Thomas Riede, 
W. T. Searson, 
George Curtis, 
O. W. Hurst, 
C. E. Lombard, 
Levi Hurst, 
Sofus Brams, 
Pete Sorenson, 
J. Ahrens, 
John Burke, 
S. M. Anderson, 
Pete Hulth, 
Andrew Hulth, 
B. T. Anderson, 
George Killion, 
H. Meier, 
John Holt, 
S. W. Denham, 
L. L. Hurst, 
C. N. Brummet, 
E. N. Province, 
Ted Tallerday, 
Bert Spencer, 
D. Lightfield, 
A. C. Martin, 
H. Reich, 
C. A. Anderson, 
Art Beguhl, 
A. G. Davis, 
Herman Eulberg, 
F. A. Ott, 
George Davis, 
John Serr, 
William Wartenweiler, and 
E. W. Henderson.
     Patrons on the Star Route south of Dupree in 1929 were as follows: 
John Budahl, 
Fred Mundt, 
A. W. Wilson, 
William Marple, 
Andrew Lee, 
George Gammon, 
J. P. Nelson, 
Paul Knott, 
A. E. Schuchhardt, 
George Deertz, 
Charles Fuller, 
Ross Wince, 
E. H. Lovelady, 
Ed Armentrout, 
Roy Fish, 
J. Swanson, 
F. Siegworth, 
Jesse Miller, 
Joe Diermier, 
A. Leach, 
J. Klinchuch, 
Owen Shedd, 
Ben Henderson, 
A. H. Pittam, 
Ed Solomonson, 
John Grenheld, 
Pete Christensen, 
Alfred Peterson, 
Hattie Marple, 
William Fuhrer, 
O. J. Gage, 
M. N. Lange, 
Vern Oliver and 
William Spies.

[photo – Dupree Main Street]

[photo – First hotel in Dupree]

[photo – West side of Dupree Main Street before 1916]

[photo – James Crorkin Blacksmith Shop]

[photo – Dupree Main Street before 1916]

[photo – Bagley Elevator]

[photo – Freighting into Dupree, 1910. Before the railroad]

[photo – Barnes Store that burnt in Dupree, 1921]

CHAPTER 12

BOXING

[photo – The original boxers when the club first started in Dupree. Several of these boys 
have won the state AAU championship. Pete Longbrake, Dean Schrempp and Jess 
Knight are to be commended for starting this club and working tirelessly with the boys]

[photo - Dean Schrempp, Bill Wackerly (a coach at the state meet), Brian Starr, Burke 
Knight, John Pesicka, Roger Donavan, Chris Herren, Shawn Tibbs, and Jess Knight with 
their team trophy at the State AAU Tournament in 1979]

[photo - Roger Donavan, 1982 Silver Gloves champion at the National Boxing 
Tournament in Peoria, Illinois]

DUPREE HAD GOLF COURSES        
by Jack Pollard
     As early as 1925, a few people were interested in golf and laid out a course in the 
pasture west of the baseball park, about where the first rodeo grounds were. Tomato 
cans were the cups and "greens" needed to be in quotation marks. Making a one-foot 
putt was sensational !
     Among early players were Effie Pollard, Gertrude Pollard, Effie Leake and a few 
others.
     Art Hurst came home from college at Brookings, and having played a bit there, 
thought Dupree should have a course. We were able to get use of the land northwest of 
town at the old rock quarry. Tommy Masur was very instrumental in laying out the 
course. He was in charge of the NYA and by pulling strings, he was able to get the boys 
to do the manual work and the government to furnish some sand for the greens and 
traps; we soon had a very good course to play on. There were some "hazards" at the 
Quarry Course. Snakes were not above enjoying the warm sand on the greens and 
more than one golfer was more than surprised to have a snake crawl across his line of 
putt. Blue racer, bull, and garter snakes abounded; while I never saw any, I'm sure there 
were even some rattlesnakes watching the action on the course.
     We had lots of Russian thistles that blew into the waterholes and, of course, once a 
ball landed in them, it was goodbye ball. We tried to figure out how to find the balls and 
someone had the bright idea to burn the thistles. No danger of prairie fires because 
there wasn't any grass around anyway. We torched the thistles and sure enough, after 
the fire there were balls to be seen ... or were they toasted marshmallows! The intense 
heat had melted all the balls and they lay there with their insides sticking out. It did help 
though, for the next time we shot into there where they had been we could find the ball.
     I last played the Quarry Course in 1940. Whatever happened to it will have to be 
supplied by someone else. Since Dupree is now such an outstanding cow-town, it 
seems only natural that there should be a course on which to play "Cowpasture Pool"!

DUPREE'S "BOYS OF SUMMER"    
by Maye Lafferty Ronshaugen
     The history of Ziebach County will probably be filled with all sorts of tales of bravery 
and suffering, despair and achievement, but it must also be said that there once was a 
time when summer baseball was the king of sports, played for fun by some wonderful 
guys supported by some wonderful fans.
     For many prairie towns of South Dakota baseball was an exciting diversion and in 
Ziebach County the town of Dupree was no exception. Other towns in the county often 
gathered together some pretty impressive teams but because my father, Giff Lafferty, 
played on the Dupree team for so many years, I was a devoted fan and follower of that 
team. Now that I am somewhat older and live in the east, -- and consider the Yankees 
the best team in baseball today --, no less did I think of the Dupree team in the days of 
my youth.
     I write solely from memory but I am sure there are many people who will share those 
memories with me, even if we are now scattered some. I only ask understanding from 
any whose names I have neglected to recall and mention.
     With pleasure I especially recall games played with teams from Lemmon, Strool, 
Timber Lake, Firesteel, Eagle Butte and Faith (our keenest rival.) Also there were great 
games with teams from east of the Missouri River like Harrold, Canning, Blunt, Highmore 
and once in a while Pierre and Fort Pierre.
     Except for special holidays, games were played on weekends. When there was a 
distance to be traveled the usual plan was for the team and many rooters to drive to the 
host town after work on Friday night, play games on Saturday and Sunday afternoons 
and drive home after the Sunday games. Often members of each player's family would 
accompany the team and oh what fun it was to make the trip, stay in neat little hotels, 
eat in restaurants and mingle with the local people.
     My mother did not especially care for baseball but Avie Geesey Lange, the wife of the 
team's crack second baseman, always kindly volunteered to look after me so I was 
usually permitted to accompany my father.
     In the early days the team consisted of local men like Anson Callen, Harold Lange, 
Joe Giles, Verdo Rinehart, Giff Lafferty, Grant Iron Lightning, Omar Vance and other 
players good and true whose names now unfortunately
escape me.
     However, fan enthusiasm was such that local business men made it their job, when 
they brought in new personnel for their banks and other businesses, to be sure each 
new prospective employee was first and foremost a good baseball player. In that way 
the team acquired from time to time such memorable stalwarts as the Krikac brothers, 
Tommy and Bill, Tommy Masur, the Ogard brothers, Bill and Joe, and Herman 
Hommedal.
     Genuine enthusiasm for the game was only slightly more than terrific in all games 
played both at home and away. If the files of old newspapers were researched I know 
statistics would bear me out. Many times on game days there would be dozens and 
dozens of Model-T's wending their way to the old grandstand on the western edge of 
town, there to be parked in a semi-circle about the diamond.
     The team sort of managed itself but there was a local realtor, one Billy Van, who 
generally played "Mother Hen" to the group by arranging games, transportation, etc. He 
was also a sportsman who liked to gamble a bit and I'm sure he made more money than 
he lost because with few exceptions year after year Dupree had winning teams.
     One story I enjoy recalling took place in Dupree on a warm August afternoon. 
Probably in one year of the early 1920's. We were pitted against a team from Lemmon 
that had an excellent battery. At the end of seven innings and at the end of eight innings 
the score was tied 3-3. None of our really big hitters, Harold Lange, Tommy Masur, or 
Tommy Krikac had been able to connect and break the deadlock. In the bottom of the 
ninth my father, not an exceptional hitter but always to be depended on for a good bunt 
in this way got on base but with two men already out. Then dependable Omar Vance, 
who was truly the Thurman Munson of his day, got a two-bagger and advanced my Dad 
to third. The excitement of the crowd was ear splitting and everyone was on edge. Then, 
to this day, though I do not know how it happened, my Dad, affectionately referred to by 
fellow players and members of other teams as "Foxy Grampa" (because of his great 
shock of white hair) legally STOLE HOME AND THE BALLGAME WAS OVER!!!!
     Billy Van, despite the difficulty he had in managing legs lamed by polio, rushed out 
and gave my Dad a great bear hug. That evening at home after supper I saw my first 
100 dollar bill -- one that Billy Van had pressed into my father's hand when he 
congratulated him.

[photo – Omar Vance]

[photo – Carl Vance and Glen Robertson]

  DUPREE FIELDED FINE BASEBALL TEAMS by Jack Pollard

     Probably the high point in Dupree's athletic history was in the 1920's when Dupree 
had one of the most outstanding baseball teams in the area.
     One particular time the Faith promoters hired several league players from Aberdeen 
to come out to help them beat Dupree. Plenty of money was put down by such 
Dupreeites as Al Karley, Fred Melow, Billy Van and others, much to the delight of such 
Faith betters as "Mac" McCormick, Bob Saul, Lon Merritt, etc.; particularly when the 
Faith contingent was aware that they had hired the league players.
     It was a well-kept secret and in order to keep it that way, the ball players were 
secreted into the engine of the evening train so that none of the Dupree people would 
know about them, as would have happened if they had been riding in the coach.
     Unfortunately, for Faith, depot agent and sometimes baseball player, Frank Bednar, 
overheard the telegraph message sent from Mobridge to Charlie Donnenwirth, the Faith 
depot agent, that the men were aboard the train. Frank, who had, by now, become quite 
overzealous in anticipation of the game, immediately crossed the tracks to the elevator 
to let Omar Vance know what was going on. Omar waited at the elevator until the train 
came in and spirited the ball players off the train and got them rooms at Jim Shelton's 
hotel.
     The basic baseball team consisted of Omar Vance, mastermind of the club and who 
had once been a professional player. It was said that Omar had a twin brother who 
played on the same team in the big leagues. Omar was the better hitter and the brother 
was the faster runner, so Omar would bat and get on first base; the brother would coach 
at first. When the opportunity arose, they would surreptitiously change positions and the 
fleet-of-foot brother would then run the bases. Omar was the catcher for Dupree but 
would then bat for the both of them.
     Tom Luby covered first base and he was a tall left-hander. His wife was Ruby Keller. 
Second base was covered by Harold Lange, an outstanding player who could hit the 
long ball. It had to be hit long in those days, because there was no such thing as "out of 
the park" -- you ran it all the way!
     Out in the shortstop's position was Tommy Masur -- one of the greatest baseball 
players I ever had the pleasure of watching. His natural playing ability and great 
personality made him one of the most popular men in Dupree, both on and off the 
playing field.
     Anson Callen effectively covered the third base position and was a good man at the 
plate. He had an odd habit that always got a laugh from the crowd. If a ball got through 
him, a rare occurrence, he'd throw off his glove, grab his "injured" hand and dance about 
in "pain"! It was a good show but a play that often caught an unaware baserunner trying 
to sneak into third.
     In centerfield position was Tommy Krikac, who played errorless ball year after year. 
Other fielders were Verdo Rinehart and Giff Lafferty as regulars and others as spare 
players. Herman Hommedal was a pitcher primarily but doubled at first base. The utility 
player was Bill Krikac who could play almost any position well and was an outstanding 
pitcher.
     There were two men who never played for Dupree but were always a part of the team 
and they were Gus Bauman who kept the score/ averages of the players and was willing 
to talk baseball all day in his barber shop, and of course, George Gray, the perennial 
umpire. In fact, George was still "umpping" when I left Dupree in the late thirties.
     Quite often Negro barnstorming baseball teams would come through and almost 
always, they came in pairs of teams. They were not allowed to play in the big leagues so 
traveled with two teams, if only to keep themselves in practice. But it was not to be that 
way in Dupree. One or two teams began to ham it up but soon found they were playing 
"catch-up'' when they were against Dupree. They were some real nice fellows and 
whenever they stayed at our house, would play the piano and sing songs most of the 
night. One manager bought a couple of watermelons and gave them to the town kids for 
a "Georgia Ham Bust". He also rented the hall one night for a dance but the local 
musicians soon surrendered their instruments to the more accomplished ball players 
visiting Dupree.
     Later players for Dupree were Cliff Stromer, who pitched and played on first base; 
Paul Bunt; Jack Walters; Harold Birkeland, proficient as a catcher, second baseman or 
center fielder; Bob Reynolds; Ray, Eddie, and Jimmy Clown; Manydeeds and the DeSart 
brothers. Others who played were Harold Shunk, Donnie and Buck Miller.

      Some 1924- 1925- 1926 Items Taken from the Official Score Book and faded 
newspaper clippings

NAME: "The Dupree Independents". Gus Baumann's article in the 1960 “Call of the 
Prairie” noted that during this time, the team was called "The Fast Club". This might 
have been a popular moniker.  
1925 Summary: 21 games 15 won .714 Season 
1926 Summary: 25 games 18 won .721 Season 
1926 Event: Dupree defeated by Strool 6-0. 
This was the first team shutout in its 15 year history!

BASKETBALL CHAMPS
     March 6, 1982 marks a date in the history of Dupree School. The Dupree Tigers 
defeated Custer 54-46 to win the Regional Championship trophy at Rapid City. It was 
the first time ever that Dupree's boys basketball team had earned a berth in the State B 
Tournament.
     Sunday, March 7, as the Tiger's bus returned to Dupree, it was greeted at Redelm 
with a large delegation displaying banners. A line of cars several miles in length followed 
the boys to Dupree's gymnasium to congratulate the team and their coach, Gory 
Ginsbach.
     Tuesday, March 9th, as the team was leaving for Sioux Falls to the State 
Tournament, a pep assembly was held, the gym again being packed with students and 
fans from the areas. As a grand finale, a chain of firecrackers gave them a send-off.
     The boys lost the first game at the State Tournament but were able to defeat Warner 
60-57 and come home with seventh place. And, once again, the whole town turned out 
to honor the team, coach, and cheerleaders. Members of this team were: Mike Long, 
Reggie LeClaire, Troy Eagle Chasing, Rob Farlee, Earlwin Red Bird, Dan Petersen, 
Charles White Eagle, Jeff White Feather, Wendell Knife, Humphrey High Hawk, Andre 
Clown, and Leonard Marrowbone. The coach was Gory Ginsbach. Cheerleaders were: 
Jody Wall, Colette Birkeland, Shelley Farlee, Dianna Mitchell and Nancy Lenk.

[photo – Dupree Basketball Team, Cheerleaders and Coach]

[photo – Pictured above are the 1982 Regional Basketball Champs: Back row: Mike 
Long, Reggie LeClaire, Troy Eagle Chasing, Rob Farlee, Earlwin Red Bird. Middle row: 
Dan Petersen, Charles white Eagle, Jeff White Feather, Wendell Knife. Front row: 
Humphrey High Hawk, Andre Clown, Leonard Marrowbone, Coach Cory Ginsbach]

ADOLPH SILVERMAN ATTENDS  56TH STATE TOURNAMENT  
(from the “Rapid City Journal”) by Ron Bender, March 1981
     Adolph Silverman watched his first South Dakota Class B Basketball Tournament in 
1926 in Sioux Falls.
     He was also at the State B in Rapid City last weekend, his 56th consecutive state 
tournament.
     He saw his first tournament while still a high school student in Herreid. "In those early 
days I had no money. A fellow took me along. But we could stay in the basement of the 
old Carpenter Hotel in Sioux Falls for 25 cents a night. They had wire cages down there, 
with just a bed.
     Silverman, 72, used to play basketball and baseball himself, besides doing some 
refereeing.
     "I got a plaque at Sioux Falls a few years ago," he said. That Distinguished Service 
Award, presented by the High School Activities Association at the 1977 State B, was for 
Silverman's "outstanding service to the youth of South Dakota through his contributions 
to the program of the association during his 50 years as a strong supporter of school 
activities in the Dupree Community,'' Silverman explained. "We never had buses at 
Dupree until about 10 years ago. It was kind of a poor school district. So I hauled the 
team all over and bought a few things, like basketballs and cheerleading outfits."
     "I think the most outstanding B team I've seen was the Cheyenne Eagle Butte team 
when Gus Kolb took 'em. They could have beaten any A team that year." (The 1959 
Cheyenne Eagle Butte team won the state crown, defeating DeSmet 63 to 47 in the 
finals).
     Silverman said not only are basketball players taller today than in years past, but 
generally better too. "When you had anybody 6-2 or 6-3 back at that time, that was 
exceptionally tall." he smiled.

RODEO IN ZIEBACH COUNTY
     Many of the early residents of the county were cowboys and horseback was the 
mode of transportation. It was only natural that wherever people gathered for a Sunday 
afternoon or a celebration that riding contests of one form or another would be held. As 
early as 1910-11, when Dupree was first settled, there are pictures and records of their 
4th of July rodeos and parades. Bronc riders and ropers in those days were Frank Bear 
Running, Wally Knight, Babe LaPlante, Grover Red Fox, Charlie Inamongst, Chauncey 
Johnson, Walt Carlin and Marion Smith who gave exhibition rides on mules, to name a 
few.
     About 1928 some of the local cowboys who contested were Buster Lafferty, Steve 
Arpan, Dick Dunn, Barney Meland and Beanie Shannon. Syd Nordvold won the bronc 
riding for three consecutive years about that time in Dupree. In those days there were no 
chutes. A bronc was blindfolded and snubbed to another horse while the cowboy 
mounted. Then the blindfold was removed and the cowboy rode till he was bucked off or 
until the horse quit bucking.
     There was always much talk about certain hard-to-ride horses in the country and 
anyone who had a fast or unruly horse would bring it to town for someone to try. One 
was "Sausage", an outlaw horse belonging to Wilber Rudy. Art Bentley owned "Croppie", 
who was a big attraction because all the good cowboys wanted to try to ride him. 
Chauncey Johnson once tried the horse and after being bucked off was unconscious for 
three days.
     During the 1940's there were lots of good riders in Ziebach County such as Chauncey 
Mandan, Lee Garrett, Johnny Iron Lightning, Bud Day, Steve Charging Eagle, Bud 
Jeffries, Philip Shannon, Gene Steen and Voyle Samuelson. Lots of young fellows were 
good ropers too. Some of the local people organized a rodeo club and in 1948 they built 
a rodeo arena west of Dupree along Highway 212. The May 10, 1948 “Progress” states, 
"The construction of this rodeo arena was accomplished by many subscriptions to the 
rodeo fund started last winter and we think no one will be disappointed for the few bucks 
he put in it".
     The construction was all done by volunteer labor.
     Rodeo stock was furnished free by Ed Maynard, Wally Knight, Voyle Samuelson, 
Fred Miller, Bill Damberger and others.
     Now that the rodeo club was in business, a stock contractor, rather than donated 
stock was needed. Eddie Bachman had a rough stock string as did Bud Annis and 
O'Leary Brothers. From about 1938 through the 40's and 50's they contracted most of 
the rodeos. They had some top notch bucking horses, some of O'Leary and Annis's 
being Meat Hook, Broken Bones, Budweiser and Zebra Dunn. Many of their horses as 
well as Bachman's became national champion bucking horses. Following World War II, 
rodeos were held at War Bonnet's to commemorate VE Day on May 8th. Wally Knight 
and Samuelson's also furnished bucking stock in the area and these gatherings were 
always very popular. Lots of young cowboys got on their first broncs at these rodeos.
     The Knight boys, Buster Lafferty, Darryl Griffith, Bud Annis, and Wayne Holmes all 
liked to rope and after the war many southerners moved to the Ziebach County area and 
they were good ropers. Several ropers built their own roping arenas and they got 
together quite often to practice and had jack-pot ropings.

[photo – Crows nest at Dupree rodeo arena]

[photo – Frank Bear Running – early day Ziebach County bronc rider – still lives in 
Cherry Creek and is 83 years old]

[photo – Jess Knight has always been a roper and now at age 56 competes in the Old 
Men’s Breakaway Roping event]

     In 1949 a state high school rodeo association was formed which encouraged high 
schools to organize their own clubs and join the state association. In 1954 Dean Beeves 
made it to the National High School rodeo. The Parker girls and Maynard Hintz, and 
Farlee boys also participated in the 50's. Throughout the 60's and 70's Dupree High 
School has had an organized rodeo club and has been well represented by both boys 
and girls at the state level each year. Vicky Parker and Terry Griffith both competed at 
the national level. Don Farlee and Vernon Starr have directed the High School Rodeo 
Club for several years and Don is also a member of the state board. Dupree presently 
holds the largest regional high school rodeo in South Dakota.
     The South Dakota Rodeo Association was formed in 1955 and eventually the Dupree 
Rodeo Club joined this association which operated on a yearly point system. This 
encouraged competition throughout the state and its contestants were people who 
generally ranched but liked to rodeo on week-ends close to home. Ziebach County had a 
goodly share of representation and champions, Bud Day, Gene Hunt, Pete Longbrake, 
Kenny Day, the Maynard boys (Eugene, Ralph and Lyle), Duffy Cook, Dean Reeves, the 
Knight boys (Jess, Louie and Doug), Les Lensegrav, Melvin Eaton, Keith Whipple, Dave 
Annis, Harold and Arlie Davis, Kerry Burgee and Mike Tibbs participated. They also 
served as directors for the association and Pauline Davis served as Secretary for over 
10 years. Bud Day won a total of 31 trophy saddles in SDRA and NRCA competition 
throughout the years. He was probably the most consistent winner either association 
ever had and holds a record that would be very hard to beat.
     Ziebach County holds the distinction of organizing 4-H rodeo in 1958-59. Because of 
its popularity and success, rodeo was added as a 4-H activity and has since grown to 
enormous proportions, which since 1972 has included a State 4-H Finals rodeo. Ziebach 
County received recognition in 1972 for the largest number of contestants at a county 
rodeo.
     In 1960 Pete Longbrake purchased the old stockyards at Dupree and built a rodeo 
arena at his ranch 22 miles south of Dupree. Throughout the next 20 years this would be 
a practice place for many young rodeo contestants, particularly bronc riders. Pete 
started raising bucking horses and eventually contracted rodeos. Presently, he and 
Annis and Maynard are the only two rodeo stock contractors in the county.
     As interest in all levels of rodeo grew - from youth to Old Timers - so did competition 
and the methods of practice and transportation became more sophisticated. Well bred 
horses and horse trailers became common in this area as contestants of all ages 
traveled widely to enter rodeos. The interest in rodeo as a sport has attracted business 
men, professional people, and parents, and many of them have now built their own 
arenas and indoor practice facilities. Many roping and rodeo clubs have been formed 
and with the indoor arenas, practice goes on the year around in some places. Darrel 
Griffith built a large horse training stable where he and his family have trained cutting 
horses for several years.
     In the late 60's and mid 70's a new rodeo arena was constructed at Dupree. By 1972 
it became apparent that rodeo at all age levels was very much in demand. Interest and 
effort was focused on improving the rodeo facilities at Dupree and the Dupree 
Community Club and Ziebach County 4-H Leaders Association became very supportive. 
Today Dupree boasts one of the nicest arenas in the area and several rodeos and horse 
shows are held here during each year as well as practice carried on nightly.
     Several locations in the county have their own local rodeos as nearly every 
community has a rodeo arena. Indian rodeo associations have been formed in the last 
few years and the Ziebach County communities of Red Scaffold, Cherry Creek and 
Thunder Butte each have a rodeo in the summer months. Red Scaffold had recently built 
a large bowery adjacent to the arena where they have held some large and popular 
Indian dancing contests which attract people from all over the country. Indian dancing 
and a chance to visit with friends and relatives have always been an important part of 
these gatherings. Indian people have always loved to wager their ability and stock 
against all comers and their rodeos and pow-wows are great fun.
     Ziebach County, being in the heart of the Cheyenne River Reservation, drew much of 
its bucking stock and good riders from the reservation. Many changes have occurred 
since the early day July 4th rodeos in the county. Today there are girl's events in rodeo 
and special events for older contestants -- even an Old Timers Rodeo Association now 
in which a contestant must be 40 years old to enter. Who knows - maybe Ziebach 
County will be hosting one of these in the future - several of its contestants have come 
from our county, Chauncey Mandan, Jess Knight, Bud Day, Pete Longbrake and Jackie 
Birkeland.
      Regardless of what kind of rodeo a person participates in - 4-H, high school, college, 
amateur, state, Indian or professional - you can nearly always find names of old rodeo 
families who are still carrying on the rodeo tradition. Today the sons and daughters of 
people mentioned in this story are competing in the rodeo associations. Names and 
accomplishments of all of them would fill a book. Jess Knight, Jr. travels widely as a 
professional bronc rider. Melvin Eaton competes in bull riding. Ralph and Eugene 
Maynard rodeoed Pro for many years. Eugene qualified for his 10th International Finals 
Rodeo in 1972 and was the bronc riding champion in this association 8 times. Tom 
Reeves most recently won the National High School bronc riding event for the second 
time during his high school years. You'll see their names in the future as they carry on a 
tradition begun in early South Dakota history by their great-grandparents and if you want 
to start a young rodeo hopeful nowdays, there are even rodeo schools which a person 
can attend to sharpen up his skills or learn from the ground up.

[photo –Pete Longbrake, a good bronc rider who also is a rodeo stock contractor and 
presently competes in Old Timer’s Rodeo] 

[photo – Ralph Maynard belonged to Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and 
rodeoed throughout the United States and Canada in the 60‘s]

[photo – Bud Day with some of the 31 saddles he has won in rodeo competition]

[photo – Jim Hunt competed in high school rodeo and now is a leading bronc rider in 
college rodeo as well as other rodeo associations]

[photo – Louie Knight and Zig Hollowhorn]

[photo – Terri Griffith winning National High School cattle cutting at Tomah, Wisconsin in 
1974]

[photo – Jess Knight, Jr.]

EARLY DUPREE CELEBRATIONS        
by Ruth Edwards

[photo – Early Celebration – first 4th of July celebration, Dupree, 1910]

[photo – Sioux Chiefs]

[photo - Early Celebrations – Old Settlers Picnic, Dupree, 1912]

[photo – Indian Fair at Dupree – 1912]

[photo – Indian Fair at Dupree, 1912]

     The Lakota people from all over the Cheyenne River Reservation would gather for 
the celebrations held in Dupree, whether it be for the 4th of July, Labor Day, or any other 
major holiday. They would arrive by horseback, team and wagon, and many would even 
walk, and they came from the various Stations on the Cheyenne Reservation, as well as 
from surrounding reservations.
     During their brief stays they would erect their tepees in the area now known as the 
airport and in the area north of where the GTA elevators now stand. They cooked their 
meals over open fires and tried to get relief from the ever-present sun under "squaw 
coolers". These shade areas were built of poles set in the ground in a circle and covered 
with limbs from nearby trees. It was in the center of this "squaw cooler" that they would 
perform their various traditional tribal dances.
     In the evenings everyone would gather to dance and visit. Women wore their 
buckskin, beaded dresses and shawls; and the men would arrive bedecked in costumes 
of beads, feathers, bells, and sometimes even war bonnets.
     It was at these gatherings that the young people of the various communities would 
meet, get acquainted, and marry at a later date.
     The opportunity to "make a joyful noise" was not restricted only to Dupree's 
celebrations. Each Station would hold an annual pow-wow which provided the Indian 
peoples with yet another chance to come together in fellowship and celebration.

FOURTH OF JULY PICNIC AT POLLARD'S  JULY 5, 1915  
by Effie M. Hall
     My parents moved to their claim twelve miles south of Dupree near the old telephone 
line road in the early spring of 1915.
     This story began in early June, 1915, when our mother, Mrs. John Pollard, and her 
nephew, Harold Leake, went to Keller's Store for their supply of groceries. While visiting 
with Mrs. Keller as she filled their order (there was no helping yourself and being 
checked out in those days) the subject of the annual Fourth of July celebration came up. 
Mrs. Keller said that Dupree wasn't having any. A lot of people wanted to attend the 
festivities being held in larger towns at a distance, and those who couldn't make the 
longer trip didn't have any plans. So Mother, who had only moved to the farm in mid-
April, airily said, "Well, you'll have to come down to our place and we'll have a picnic." 
Mrs. Keller agreed that that might be fun -- and the wheels were set in motion.
     Upon leaving the store Harold said, "Aunt Gertie, do you know what you just did?" 
Mother replied with some surprise, "No! What did I do?"
     "You just invited the whole town of Dupree to your place for the Fourth of July and 
they'll be there." Harold knew that Mother had just been making conversation, but that 
Mrs. Keller had accepted it as a bonafide invitation of the "y'all come" type. Mother was 
floored, but she was game. She told Dad and he and the Leake boys -- Harold, Leslie, 
John, Emie, and Fritz -- started making and executing plans for the big day.
     First a shade had to be built as our house was atop a hill with no trees or shade 
whatsoever. Lumber was bought and hauled from town for the frame and partial roof (to 
hold the brush and limbs) and benches. Dad ordered fireworks from somewhere as well 
as soda pop and other sundries to help make a celebration. Since we were living on the 
reservation, nothing stronger than pop could be sold or drunk; no one thought they 
needed anything stronger in order to have a good time anyway!
     Finally it was all ready by the Fourth. Since that was on a Sunday and in those days 
people didn't celebrate on that day, this whole affair took place on the 5th. What a lovely 
sunny day and very little wind.
     The Kellers were among the first to arrive and were all agog with the news that Joe 
Brown and Verna Rinehart had just been married and were planning to attend the picnic. 
An immediate search began for boilers and tubs, and sticks to pound them with to greet 
the newlyweds with a noisy charivari. Then, amidst the visiting and lunch preparations, a 
vigil was begun for the appearance of Joe Brown's buggy on the ridge road north 
between Deck Brown's place and ours. As soon as it came into sight everyone lined up 
and the noisy barrage began. Fortunately Joe was a good driver and was able to keep 
his startled team under control. He and Verna were helped from the buggy and greeted 
with many congratulations and much laughter.
     When the picnic was assembled the most talked about treat was a large freezer of ice 
cream Jack and Pete Askin had made that morning. 1915 had a very cold and late 
spring and they'd dug hard, packed snow out of a haystack to do the freezing.
     Over sixty years have passed and my memory of the chronological order of the rest 
of the day's program isn't quite right but I do remember most of the highlights.
     Group singing and solos of patriotic songs, interspersed with a couple of patriotic 
readings comprised the mid-day program that was staged. There was a lot of very 
acceptable talent around in those days when we "did our own thing'' for amusement. 
Dad even snared a prominent politician -- I believe it was Senator Cherry -- to give a 
speech.
     There followed a few races of the picnic type, mostly for the children. Then lunch, the 
program, and races being over, the big entertainment of the afternoon started -- the 
baseball game! Down on the flat and a little north of the house became the baseball 
diamond and two teams were picked from the crowd and the game was on.
     Evening brought a break in the festivities while the nearby farmers went home to do 
their chores. The folks from farther away and Dupree delved into their picnic boxes and 
baskets for leftovers, to visit some more, and to get a bit of rest.
     It wasn't long before the farmers drifted back. The prettier types of fireworks were 
fired after the sun went down.
     Willing hands moved the furniture out from the big north room of the house (that used 
to be the Chase store building). Except for Mother's old davenport and her piano, the 
room was bare, so benches from the yard were brought in to line the walls. Mother sat 
down at the piano and the dancing began. Other pianists and at least one violinist 
"spelled" her for the music so she and Dad would join the dancers.
     The dance lasted until about one o'clock and when all the guests had gone, Dad and 
the cousins (the Leake boys) counted the receipts for fireworks, pop, etc, and added up 
the bills for things sold and expenses incurred for the shade, and other items. Total profit 
-- 35 cents! With that thought and a great laugh, Dad opened a bottle of champagne a 
friend in Mandan, North Dakota had given him as a farewell gift when we moved, and 
the family toasted a happy ending to a memorable celebration.

"NEBRASKA DAY" PICNIC    
by Laura Ernst Libolt
     This "picnic day'' was started by the Homesteaders that settled around Lantry and 
Dupree. Some got together and decided to have a special day to get together to eat, 
visit, play ball, and have races and games. So it was advertised in the newspapers and 
by word-of-mouth to meet on the first Saturday in September, on the creek just south of 
John Leach's house, that they would have "mulligan stew" as the main dish. So three big 
iron kettles were rounded up -- two for the stew and one for coffee. Cooks volunteered to 
be at the camp sight by 9 o'clock in the morning with "wood rustlers" and "wood cutters" 
to keep the fires going. Some beef and pork was bought, along with coffee, sugar, 
lemons and crackers. The vegetables and some meat was furnished by the people who 
came. All the women pitched in and always came up with a tasty soup.
     According to "old timers" reports, this Nebraska Day was started in 1920. There are 
minutes from 1928 to the present. On that date, officers were elected, which helped to 
keep the "Day" going from year to year. The date switched from the first Saturday in 
September to the last Saturday in August, but finally was settled to be on the last 
Sunday in August, which is still in effect. It was held on the Leach farm, then the Schlax 
farm and finally on the corner of the Fred Linn farm, which now belongs to Lawrence and 
Virginia Woodward.
     Among the early homesteaders that attended were: Brummet, Ernst, Siebold, Leach, 
Zimmerman, Kearne, Linn, Main, Seymour, Eddy, Shaw, Woodward, Albers, Lemke, 
Horton, Shuck, Jacobson, Mickelson, Francis, Bailey, Speker, Benson -- all from around 
Lantry. From near Dupree were: Clifton, Gray, Krikac, Masur, Nelson, Pollard, Oliver, 
Leake. These are the ones mentioned in the minutes, and there are probably others that 
I have forgotten, but not on purpose.
     On September 14, 1928, the following officers were in office: Mr. Zimmerman -- 
President; Fred Linn -- Vice President; Tom Krikac -- Secretary-Treasurer. The following 
officers were elected for 1929: Fred Linn -- President; C. N. Brummet -- Vice President; 
Tom Krikac -- Secretary-Treasurer; Mrs. Pollard and Mrs. Ward Zimmerman -- cooks; 
Charles Benson and John Leach -- in charge of kettles and cooking equipment; Claude 
Main, H. J. Clifton, John Eddy -- sports committee. Attendance was 161.
     The attendance has dwindled now and only 34 attended in 1981. Children have 
grown up, some have moved away. Present officers are: Fred Stambach -- President; 
Roy Anderson Vice President; Bev Birkeland – Secretary-Treasurer; Gall Stambach, 
Judy Longbrake and Anna Keegan -- cooks.
     Laura Libolt was elected Secretary-Treasurer in 1953 and held that office for 23 
years, missing only 3 meetings in that time.

[photo – Mr. and Mrs. Newton Brummet, taken at 53rd consecutive annual Picnic 1973]

[photo – Lawrence Woodward stirring the stew at the Nebraska Day Picnic, 1981]

GOLDEN JUBILEE  by Ruth Edwards
     Golden Jubilee, Dupree was celebrated June 17-18, 1960. First on the program was 
registration on p.m. of the 16th, and forenoon of the 17th. 1,344 people from 20 states 
registered. 10:30 a.m. saw over 100 floats lined up for the parade through Main Street. 
Street sports followed at 1 p.m. Indian dances were watched by many people under the 
squaw cooler which was made the day before just east of Main Street. Two o'clock 
everyone rushed out to the rodeo grounds two miles west of town. At 8 P.m., a free 
talent show and prizes of many contests. Oldest as King and Queen were James Hersey 
and Mrs. V. J. Smith. 10 p.m. two dances were in full swing. Old time dances at the 
school gym and modern dances at the Legion Hall.
     Saturday everyone lined up along Main Street to watch the parade again and 10 
o'clock separate school class reunions were held at the school. 12 o'clock found 
everyone making their way to the City Park, for free barbecue. Over 3,000 people were 
served roast beef sandwiches, baked beans, pickles, coffee and cold drink. When roast 
beef ran out minced ham was used until all were fed. One o'clock again Indian dances 
and 2 p.m. Rodeo.
     8 p.m. found everyone back to the school gym for local talent show and awarding 
prizes for floats, Indian dances, costumes, whiskers, etc.
     Again old time dances at school gym and modern dances at the Legion Hall.
 The IOOF Hall was open all the time for free coffee, relaxing and reminiscing.

[photo – Lucile and Adolph Silverman, Parade 1960]

[photo – The men grew beards. June 1960. Cully Miller and his dad, Walt]

[photo – And the women wore long dresses and bonnets. Marie Edwards, Gertrude 
Maynard, Ruth Edwards]

     Each year a celebration is held in Dupree, now called Pioneer Days. It is now a three 
day celebration -- new events have been added such as more street sports, carnival, 
shows, antique exhibit, First Lady Doll show, free early Sunday morning breakfast 
served by business men of the community. Every five years the alumni hold its 
homecoming along with Pioneer Days.
     Each year Pioneer Days no sooner ends than plans for the next year begins.

HEE-HAW
     The need for bleachers at the new gym provided the incentive for one of Dupree's 
favorite home talent productions: "The Hee-Haw Show''.
     Carla Edwards, Marlene Woodward and Joyce Collins were appointed by the 
Community Club to be in charge of raising funds. Within a few days Dupree's version of 
"Hee-Haw" was being organized.
     Its presentation in Dupree and Faith in the spring of 1979 raised the money needed 
to pay for the bleachers.
     A new version of the show was staged for the Alumni reunion at the rodeo arena in 
1980.  
     The Show took to the road, appearing at Bison in March of 1982.

[photo – Jack Bickel as June Darter and Johnny Dash. Hee Haw Show, 1980]

[photo – Part of the Hee-Haw cast]

[photo – Bill Bosley’s band provides background music while Jon Holmes sings at the 
Hee-Haw Show]

[photo – Jackie Speker and Hank Taylor - Hee-Haw Show]

[photo – Janie Davis as “Polly Darton”. Hee Haw Show, 1980]

[photo – Rev. Dick Allen as Archie Campbell. Hee-Haw Show]

[photo – Three “Miss Piggie’s” dance across stage. Bill Bosley in background]

[photo – Lulu (Mike Stocklin) and Junior (David Thomas) do some fancy footwork]

[photo – Jin Frame, Lloyd Edwards, Galen Denton, Calvin Anderson, LeRoy Wicks,  
David Thomas, Bob Denton, Fred Stambach, Russell Stevens, Gary Herman, Dude 
Burgee. Seated: Kenny Hertel, Bill Carmody. Bleachers loaded on a truck at Vermillion 
heading for Dupree]

"THE SONGS WE SANG"  A MUSICAL REVUE  
by Jeri B. Lemke
     The Ziebach County Historical Committee was formed due to the desire to publish a 
new, updated account of Ziebach County and in their efforts to raise funds for such a 
publication, "THE SONGS WE SANG" -- A Musical Revue, was staged in the Dupree 
School Gym on March 8, 1981. The program was dedicated thusly:
     "This musical story is presented for your  pleasure, in memory of those early area  
residents of Ziebach County. The dreams  they held in their hearts and the spirit of  hope 
that lived in their souls were oft  times expressed through the medium of  music. Their 
tales of woe, stories of joy,  and songs they sang reflected their daily  lives; and the 
dreams and hopes that prevailed kept them moving ever onward. We  dedicate this 
program to all who came  here before us."
     The program was narrated by Thelma Frame and musical accompaniment was 
furnished primarily by Sue Miller Starr and Janie Miller Davis. The presentation featured 
a display of outstanding new lighting as well as new background flats. Those in 
attendance listened to music representative of the early Indian settlers, the Cowboy Era, 
The Homesteaders, World War I, The 1920's, and on up through World War II. 
Refreshments were served following the performance.
     The Revue featured the talents of the following people: 
The Dupree Community Choir, 
Nancy Phillips, 
Evelyn Anderson, 
Ruby Brooks, 
Faye and Gary Hersey, 
Janie Davis, 
Jackie Speker, 
Stella Taylor, 
Arlene Thomas, 
Jan Wall, 
Fred Menzel, 
Willie Jech, 
Harvey Herrman, 
Carl Schauer, 
Ken Weld, 
Brian Grable, and 
Dennis Enquist; the Dupree School Stage Band consisted of 
Tena Herrman, 
Deanne Marple, 
Trina Carmody, 
Jody Wall, 
Kenny Schuler, 
Nancy Lenk, 
Randy Kintz, 
Mitzi Wall, 
Denie Griffith, 
Ray Kintz, 
Phyllis Hurst, 
Brett Birkeland and 
Carlene Griffith. The Gumbo Combo was from Cherry Creek. The technical crew was 
Raymond Birkeland, Jamie Keegan, and Troy Wall.
     The Program Committees were: 
Opening Narration, Eva H. Miller; 
Lakota Songs, Sidney Keith and Pete Bear Stops; 
Cowboy Scenes, Donna H. Dunbar and Mollie Backlund; 
Homestead Scenes, Eva Miller, Sue Starr, and Arlene Thomas; 
World War I, Arlene Thomas; 
The 1920's, Willie Jech, Sandy Murphy, and Cindy S. Longbrake; 
World War II, Carla Edwards, Judy Stout, Marlene Woodward, and Joyce Collins; 
Advertising and Photography, Jeri B. Lemke; 
Music Research, Alice Shannon, A. Thomas, Thelma Frame, Rose Griffith and Ruth 
Edwards; 
Stage Flats, Dennis Enquist, Ken Weld, Mollie Backlund, Lisa Wright and Ann Fleming; 
Costuming, Mollie Backlund; and 
Ticket Sales, The Dupree Community Club.
     A Special Thank-You was extended to Bob Clark, the Dupree School Board, Donnie 
Farlee and the DHS Shop Classes, Jim Dunbar, Doug Johnson, Dave Thomas, Marvin 
Russell, Carideo Low Dog, Virgil Mraz, Carole Martinet, and to all the Dads and 
Grandparents who babysat during all of the meetings and rehearsals!

[photo – Pete Bear Stop sings a Lakota song in “Songs We Sang”]

[photo – Eugene Henderson, Hank Taylor, Alvin Griffith in “Songs We Sang”]

[photo – Lloyd Edwards, David Holmes, Jon Holmes in “Songs We Sang”]

[photo – Karla Schauer modeling a 1919 suit that belonged to Mrs. Paul Alwin, Arlene 
Thomas’ mother. Kelly Serr modeling Grandpa Herren’s World War I army uniform]

[photo – Dana Freeman, Dennis Enquist, Eileen Frank sang “Side by Side” in “Songs 
We Sang”]

[photo – The “Flora-Dora’s”, an all male chorus line, made their debut at the “Gay 90’s 
Revue” sponsored by the Masons and eastern Star in the mid-1940’s. By popular 
demand there have been many repeat performances. This group stole the show at a 
Pot-Pourri in 1976]

[photo – Faye and Gary Hersey, Janie Davis, Dennis Enquist, Ruby Brooks and Willy 
Jech in “The Songs We Sang”, 1981]

[photo - Ruby Brooks singing “God Bless America” in “The Songs We Sang”, 1981]

Chapter 13 NATURE'S RAMPAGES

GHOST LIGHTS by Jackie Birkeland
     These dancing lights of changing colors of red, green, and yellow were a strange 
phenomenon to behold. They would appear from very near the ground to a height of ten 
feet or so and did not seem to follow any predictable runway although they were familiar 
to certain areas. One might be riding along horseback after dark and suddenly within two 
or three hundred feet or further, one of these lights would appear and dance over the 
terrain, bobbing up and down. They were rather like a rainbow in that the closer you tried 
to ride, the further they would recede or disappear entirely. You might look in another 
direction and another would be dancing to and fro as though seeking a game of play with 
you.
     We saw them many times in the breaks east of Cherry Creek on the path to the L/Y 
Ranch and more frequently on Little Cottonwood Creek north of the Sam Eagle Chasing 
residence. Our friends were very much afraid of them and would ride miles to avoid a 
light that happened to appear. My father's explanation was that gas or oil underground 
probably was the reason for their appearance, so we were not in awe of them although it 
was a rather ghostly experience. Horses did not seem to mind them at all.
     At our present home and before barns and haystacks were placed in the pathways, 
our boys often "visited" a ghost light from their bedroom window at night. It was and is a 
captivating experience.
     One time one of our Indian friends was describing to my father about his experience 
in encountering a light that would not let him get by; no matter which way he rode it was 
in the way. Dad finally asked him what he did and his reply was, "I just shut my eyes and 
rode like hell!"
     These mysterious glowing orbs were also known as "Spook Lights." Thelma Frame 
related this story:
     “Jim Frame was ten years old when he had an eerie "spook light" experience.
     In November, 1931 a severe blizzard blanketed the ground with deep snow. 
Geraldine Burke, teacher of the White Swan School, which Jim attended, was lost in the 
blizzard, rescued, and recuperated until after Christmas.
     It was when school was closed in November and December that Jim and his dad, 
Floyd, hauled grain for their livestock from Dupree, a distance of about 20 miles. Each 
trip by team and bobsled took four days. The first day they would arrive at Chase where 
Jennerson's lived and ran the post office (it's now the Harold Johnson place). The 
second day they got to Dupree, loaded their grain and slept in their bedrolls at the 
elevator. Day three took them to Chase again and home again on the fourth day.
     The team of horses Jim was driving played out on the way home one trip, so they 
were left at Chase to rest. Jim came back with his dad the next day to take his load of 
grain home. It was nearly dark when he started home, the night was very cold, and the 
still-weary team traveled slowly.
     He was still several miles from home when a "spook light" appeared about 100 yards 
to his right. Spook lights were commonly seen but usually at a safe enough distance that 
they only caused one to wonder, rather than be alarmed.
 Its appearance brought terror to the heart of this young lad for it seemed to be alive and 
playing sinister games with him. Sometimes it would come quite close, then skip over 
the frozen snow-bound prairie, and be almost out of sight. Then back it would come, 
float down into a draw and once again appear to follow him at close range. This ghostly 
companion kept Jim company for about a mile. Jim vividly remembers his predicament; 
he was alone, far from home in the middle of the night with a team that couldn't be 
hurried."
     "Spook Lights" were once such a common sight that almost everyone saw them and 
had tales to tell of their encounters with them.

FIRE RAZES MAIN BUSINESS BLOCK 
$100,000 Loss Covered by $9,500 Insurance
     Early on the evening of Thursday, February ninth, during a biting blizzard, the worst 
fire Dupree has ever known razed an entire block, burning seven places of business to 
the ground in a little more than two hours. The loss is estimated at about $100,000, 
covered by only $9,500 worth of insurance.
     The blaze began in the basement of the Club Pool Hall, and is believed to have been 
started by an explosion of loose coal that had just been thrown on the fire.
     First to become aware of the fire were J. Larson and Arthur Flick. Upon hearing an 
explosion they rushed into the basement only to find that the fire had already made great 
headway, and a pile of boxes on which burning coals had been thrown was all aflame. 
Mr. Larson attempted to put out the flames with his bare hands and suffered serious 
burns on his hands and arms.
     A call was put in for the local fire equipment, but it was entirely unable to cope with 
the rapidly spreading fire, for the building was good fire material and the strong wind 
fanned the place into a blaze in a few minutes, scattering burning missiles for several 
blocks and endangering the buildings on the east side of the street.
     So rapidly did the conflagration spread that there was no time to save anything from 
the Pool Hall and some very valuable papers that were inclosed in a safe were totally 
destroyed, while all the equipment and stock burned.
     In a few minutes the Club Cafe and Barber Shop also were fired, the smoke forcing 
several patrons to leave their meals unfinished in the cafe. Nothing from the cafe was 
saved, everything in the Barber Shop was safely removed with the exception of about 
$20 worth of tonics.
     The Club Cafe was insured for $500; neither the Pool Hall or the Barber Shop was 
insured. It is reported that James Larsen's Off-Sale Liquor Store will be reopened in the 
rear room of the Silverman building in the near future.
     Of the four other buildings destroyed in the fire very little was saved except the 
equipment of the Wayside Inn, from which nearly everything was taken out before the 
flames reached it. Its proprietor, Walter Weaver, has set up a temporary business in the 
basement of the Legion Hall.
     Mr. Ziegler, whose stock was not covered by insurance and almost totally destroyed, 
has accepted a position for the present with the Leader Store.
     M. B. Salisbury has bought and is remodeling the Hall garage building. It will be open 
for business in a short time. Mr. Salisbury was covered with $6,500 insurance.
     Arthur Hurst, proprietor of the Hurst Pharmacy was covered with $2,500 insurance 
and will reopen his business in the office of the Dupree Garage soon.                              
February 16, 1939 
“Ziebach County News”

PRAIRIE FIRE and TORNADO.    
by Lorna Robertson Vance
     One of the most exciting events I can remember was the prairie fire that almost came 
into Dupree from the southeast in 1916 or 1917. It was a windy fall day and from the 
upper rooms of the school house we could see the billows of smoke in the distance. 
School was dismissed as it was feared the town might soon be in great danger with such 
a strong wind. Most all the men were gone to the fire but had to come back when it 
became certain the fire was headed for the town. Men carried all of the furniture out of 
our house and the women were told to go across the road to the west and stay on some 
newly plowed ground. The fire burned all around the house, burned the barn and 
chicken house but the men fought it off and stopped it at the street just south of where 
the Dr. Creamer house was later built now owned by the school district. Had it not been 
stopped there it would certainly have been a major disaster as the whole town could 
have been burned.
     Another memorable experience was the storm or tornado of 1918. It was a Saturday 
and there was to be a picture show in the evening but the train was very late and the film 
was on the train. Around ten o'clock the storm struck almost without warning and a large 
number of children were in the theater waiting to see the show. They panicked and tried 
to run outside but Babe LaPlante held the door and managed to keep them inside where 
they would be safer. After the storm the theater was setting crosswise but very little 
damage otherwise. At our house the west window blew in and the wind sucked out a 
large window on the east, putting out the lamps so we were in complete darkness with 
wind and rain coming in the house. My brother left the car just west of the house and ran 
to the house and just got inside when the shed over the door blew away. All buildings 
except the house and one granary blew down that night. (This is the farm on the south 
edge of town now owned by Fred and Shirley Menzel.)
     Sister Rachel, O.S.B., Jake Maca's daughter, tells of another fire experience:
 "Used to the slow burning of grass in vacant lots in Chicago (Oak Park), Pappa decided 
to burn the tall grass by a well he had dug. By the time he came up with a bucket of 
water, the fire was on the hill! All he had to fight it with was his spade!
     He was overcome with the kindness of all the neighbors who converged on the fire 
and put it out after it had burned 160 acres. The kindness and friendliness of all the 
homesteaders won his heart."

[photo – Cyclone near Isabel, June 25, 1914]

BLIZZARDS
     If you live in Ziebach County long enough, you will witness the drama of a blizzard 
and, perhaps, have your own tale to tell.
     Here are a few of the hundreds of stories which might have been told.
 Charles Dog With Horns has this to say about a storm in Bridger:
     "In 1949, when we had that big blizzard here, we can't go any place, the roads were 
all blocked. The men gathered here and talked about having a meeting. So we got 
together and had a meeting. We elected a man to go to the post office, they opened that 
road to up north. The post office was right over the hill here at that time. And so they 
wrote a note to the Red Cross in Rapid City and told them that we are out of jobs, coal 
and kerosene.
     And so, an airplane was coming around, landed over there west of the school house. 
And two men came out and asked us so we list the groceries and coal and they said 
they're going back to Rapid right away and they are going to ship some groceries and 
coal. But they can't ship no kerosene, because that'll bust.
     Well, about 4 o'clock that evening, two bombers came, went over there and dropped 
some coal, here in back of the house here and they dropped some groceries right along 
there. The snow was about that deep. I had a sled, so I went over there and two men 
helped me to load. They got big sacks, you know, but when they hit the ground they 
busted open. Canned goods of all kinds. Bacon, coffee, rice, beans.
     We picked them up and we got two loads of groceries over at the school house. And 
then we pick up the coal. We took it up there and divided it among the homes here. The 
groceries we divided up and share with the other people.
     A lot of stock died that winter. Snow was so deep that they can't get no feed. They 
had to drop them bales, the airplanes. They spot some cattle and they drop some bales 
to feed them.''

[photo – Ed Edwards feeding cattle, 1949]

     Sister Rachel, O.S.B., relates this incident:
     "Mamma wanted to go back to Chicago, at least for a visit. So one day Pappa took 
her to town to put her on the train for this visit. An accident with the double trees, and 
then a thick fog which gave the horses an excuse to get off the road and head for home, 
delayed them so much they missed the train.
     My father settled Mamma in the hotel to wait and take the train the next morning. 
However, such a blizzard broke out, that the train could not be running for days!
     Mr. Karley took Mamma to their home where she stayed as their guest for four days, 
until the storm was over. She caught a ride home and surprised my father and me, 
walking the last mile in the deep snow. It was already getting dark when we saw her 
coming over the hill! We were milking the cows, we were out to the barn for the first time 
in four days. What sticky snow that had been!
     We had tried to shovel our way into the barn, to at least make an opening for air for 
the stock. The barn was on the side of a hill, completely covered with snow. Each time 
we tried to shovel some snow, our eyes would be covered with snow and sleet, and all 
the snow sticking to the shovel, at last we dug a tunnel to the barn and we were lucky to 
strike the door! ''

[photo – 1966 blizzard. Calvin Anderson cattle. Dupree]

[photo – Lonnie and Vicki Anderson standing in the tunnel they helped their Dad shovel 
in the 1966 blizzard]

[photo – The terrible winter of 1978 at the Elmer Parker home]

     Glynn Hurst tells of a blizzard on Pretty Creek:
     "When I was a young boy, we had one of those blizzards South Dakota is so well 
known for. One spring morning it began to drizzle but turned to snow by late afternoon. 
By nightfall the winds had risen creating a fierce blizzard that was to last nearly three 
days.
     Prior to this blizzard we'd had some unusually warm days and the waterholes were all 
full of water from the spring run-off. The new snow now lay on top of the water and as 
the cattle drifted with the storm, they walked right into the water holes. Storms make 
cattle extremely prone to the "follow-the-leader'' syndrome and they just kept on coming, 
drowning those critters already in the water. Following the big thaw, every waterhole on 
Pretty Creek was full of dead animals.
     That particular disaster proved too much for the Diamond A Cattle Company and they 
were forced to relocate their operation further east near Eagle Butte, South Dakota."  
     Here's all account of someone lost in a storm.
     To anyone caught out in a blizzard, it is a never to be forgotten nightmare. One such 
experience happened to Geraldine Burke, the teacher of the White Swan School in 
November, 1931.
     It began to snow and blow in the middle of the afternoon, so Miss Burke sent the 
children home early, but she stayed to work awhile. Miss Burke bearded with the 
Bowling family and they became concerned when she wasn't home at the usual time. 
The storm had worsened so Jim Bowling went to the school to investigate and found no 
one there. She still wasn't home when he got back, so he rode horseback the two miles 
down the creek to Floyd Frame's and the two of them went to look for her.
     They hunted in vain for over six hours then decided to wait until dawn to resume their 
search. They stopped at Giles Brown Wolf's home to ask him to help them in the 
morning.
     Giles set out immediately and found Miss Burke wandering in a draw east of the 
schoolhouse, rather than west, toward the Bowling's home. He took her to the 
schoolhouse, built a fire, took kerosene from a lamp to put on her frozen feet, and then 
went to let Bowling and Frame know that she had been found.
     Frame and Bowling had already looked in the draw where she was later found, but 
she may not have been there when they were because she seemed to have wandered 
about in a circle. She had also burrowed into a snow bank to get out of the wind for a 
while.
     Miss Burke was taken for medical care and school was closed until after Christmas 
when she was then able to resume her teaching duties.

     Eb Jones told this story about a May storm: (Note: Years before the Cheyenne Indian 
Reservation was opened for settlement in 1910, Eb Jones established his ranching 
headquarters on Bear Creek a few miles south of where Lantry is -- now owned by Willis 
Thomas, formerly owned by Oscar Cuff.)
     "I would like to mention a storm that we had. This storm started on May 9, 1905, 
beginning with a rain which lasted for two days, then turning into snow and finishing with 
a regular South Dakota blizzard. About 18 inches of snow fell and the creeks were all full 
of water. Stock could see nothing but snow and when they drifted with the storm they 
just walked off into the water and hundreds drowned. -The cattle that had shed off just 
froze to death when the temperature went down to zero. The late Mr. McKillop, who lived 
for some years at Leslie, and his son Ray, who was just a boy at the time and now lives 
at Manila on Plum Creek, were at my ranch on Bear Creek.
     "Some of my cattle tried to come home, hit the wire fence, followed it to the creek and 
later I found thirty head of white-faced cows in one water hole. I also lost 30 head of 
saddle and work horses. They drifted south into a corner of the fence and froze to death 
as they had shed and had been used to being well kept and fed through the winter. 
There were a lot of fences on the reservation at this time for the cattlemen had leased 
the land and divided it into four pastures, 24 miles square. In addition to this there were 
a number of smaller fences."
     The late Gene Holcomb, one of the big cow men of Rapid City, was moving some two 
thousand three and four year old steers that he had been feeding alfalfa hay on his 
ranch on Rapid Creek all winter and besides that he was moving 259 stock horses.
     The wagon was camped on Bear Creek about three miles below the present location 
of Dupree, with Severt Holly in charge. They held their herd through the two days of rain 
but when the blizzard started they had to turn them loose and those big fat steers started 
south, crossed the Little Bear Creek at my ranch where Oscar Cuff lives now, went 
through all the fences and drifted into the Cheyenne River breaks, leaving a trail in mud 
that could be seen for ten years. In spite of this only a few got into the water holes and 
drowned and the loss was not great. The horses did not fare so well. They drifted up the 
creek looking for a place to cross and I do not believe that they got more than 30 head of 
them back. I saw 118 of them in one pile just north of Bear Creek across from the 
McGarraugh place, less than a mile from where Dupree is located and I believe that at 
least 200 of them died within ten miles of the town of Dupree. I remember seeing at least 
five hundred head of stock scattered from the south corner of a fence, east along ten 
miles of fence. This corner was about a mile east of where our County Commissioner, 
Ben Henderson, now lives.
     I have seen some bad spring storms but this was the worst one and caused more 
loss than any I ever saw. It reached from the North Dakota line to the Nebraska line, 
causing heavy loss all the way across the state."
     Of that May storm Mable Ross told this:
     "Holcomb was the owner of the H O brand out of Rapid City.
     In the 1905 storm, one of Holcomb's range bred stallions kept his herd of mares alive 
by forcing them to run from shelter and then back again to keep from freezing.
     By contrast, an Iowa bred stallion, kept his larger herd of mares in a sheltered spot 
during the storm, where they huddled and died, as they could not endure the frigid 
weather."

     Bill Pogany sent this final story:
     "The fall of 1931 had been nice, business was good with coal selling for $2.00 a ton 
loaded. About the middle of November after finishing lunch, we had loaded a four ton 
load, when the driver, Herman Boeding, noted that the clouds in the west were 
threatening and advised us to leave the mine and get to town. We picked up the tools, 
pumped out the water that had seeped in during the day, fed the horses, and walked up 
to the scalehouse, banked the fire in the large cookstove we used for heating. As we got 
into the Ford it started to snow, we headed north for about '/4 of a mile when the blizzard 
hit in all it's fury. We turned the car around and headed back to the scalehouse where 
we spent the next two days with only one banana for food. We slept with our feet on the 
oven door, each of us taking turns to keep the fire going. An insulated building? No. Just 
sheeting boards on the outside.
     Saturday as the blizzard let up, we prepared to walk to town, when my sister Carrie 
came walking in with a basket of food. She had ridden out with Floyd Beebe, the 
mailman, who had built himself a Snowbird, a Model T equipped with tracks and skis. 
We hired Hand Bachman to plow out the road, he pulled a V-shaped seven foot plow 
made of bridge planks and grader blades, pulled by four large horses. ''

[photo – Ziebach County has a variety of weather – even an occasional flood. This was 
taken of the “Iron Bridge” just north of Highway 212 at Dupree before 1920]

EPIDEMICS
     Smallpox, measles, diptheria and scarlet fever have all taken their toll of lives in 
Ziebach County. The world wide influenza epidemic of 1918-1919 was, perhaps, the 
most dramatic. The symptoms came on quickly and often whole families were afflicted at 
the same time.
     While figures are not available, it is quite certain that the influenza virus claimed more 
Ziebach County lives than did the battlefields of World War I.
     Three accounts of epidemics are told:
     In 1901, Black Smallpox, broke out in the western part of Meade County. Pete 
Culbertson, who owned a horse ranch there, had some young Indian men working for 
him, and they contracted the disease. They were told to stay at the ranch; however, they 
came back into the reservation and started an epidemic among the Indian people. The 
Indian police on the reservation had the responsibility of burning the households, in an 
effort to control the epidemic. The Black Smallpox is highly contagious, and when an 
Indian family was infected, it always resulted in death.
     In 1971 Sarah Buffalo had this to say:
     "During the influenza epidemic, I had two girls then and they both have it but I kept 
them and I watched them without the doctor's help. Headaches and fever -- high fever, 
but I pulled them through.
     The doctors gave them castor oil and camphor oil and cough syrups like that.
     Here in Bridger, there wasn't much cases at all. But along Cherry Creek, there was a 
lot of cases where they lost two or three children at a time. There was one family where 
they had three children die close together."
(From South Dakota Oral History Center, Vermillion. S.D.; A.I.R.P)  
     Again in 1971 Oscar White Weasel recalled:
     "During the smallpox, my father was an Indian policeman at that time, too. A lot of 
people died. He don't come into our house. He stopped quite a ways away and he wants 
his clothes. He stopped while Mom took them quite a ways and set them out there and 
he goes out there and pick them up.
     And then we want to feed him or anything, we took the plate over there and feed him 
and they just left the plates. They don't bring them back."
(From the Oral History Center, Vermillion, S.D.)

Chapter 14   FEATURES

Deserted House

This house was once a happy place,
	A home with a clean and shining face,
Curtained windows gleaming bright,
	My tidy yard a pleasant sight.

Once I knew laughter within my walls,
	Whispered words and shouted calls,
Of children’s voices at their play,
	And warmth and love and songs each day.

Then a happy housewife kept me neat,
	Bustling, alive with busy feet,
Neighbors called, a welcome sight,
	To spend an hour, or the night.

All that is past. No more, no more,
	Do friends come knocking at my door.
My people left, and so did they;
	There’s no one here, all gone away!

Plain bad luck drove some out,
	Others left because of drought,
Some were filled with lonely fears;
Now their silent houses shed no tears.

We seem to know our time is gone,
	As day to dusty day moves on;
And now our empty window eyes
	Stare vacantly at distant skies.

			-Eva Henderson Miller

JACK REICH, ARTIST 
from Rapid City Journal 9-27-81

[photo – ‘If you have a talent…it will come out’ – Jack Reich]

[illustration – A restful ranch country scene in oil by Reich]

     There could be no mistake -- it was an artist's home studio. There was the canvas 
board on the podium-like table with 24 jars of glistening oil paint tucked into a table-high 
stand made of stacked wooden pop cases -- all within easy reach.
     Brushes of all sizes and lengths were stuffed into two red two-pound coffee cans on 
the nearby bookcase. Range animal skulls were stashed on another table, ready for 
prop use.
     Outside the two large studio windows, the northwest South Dakota rolling grasslands 
stretched to a horizon thinly dotted with clumps of trees huddled around a splash of 
water -- survivors in this land, just like the people. It's a land for the strong.
     Isabel artist, Jack Reich is of this land, and proof that where physical strength fails, 
the strength of the spirit prevails.
     Reich was a breech baby, born with limited use of his arms and no grip in his hands. 
Raised on a ranch near Dupree, Reich attended school there and graduated from South 
Dakota State University in Brookings. Learning how to improvise at an early age, he 
developed his own skills as a rifleman and trapper. Additionally, he is a collector of 
stamps, coins and artifacts, an avid reader, a philosopher and an interesting 
conversationalist. He is Isabel's mayor, motel owner, married and the father of two 
daughters.
     But above all Reich is an artist. His college degree was in art. Although he was 
drawing with pencils as early as first grade, his first oil painting came after he received a 
set of oil paints at a school Christmas gift exchange when he was a high school 
freshman at Dupree. He sold his first painting for $2 two years later.
     "I painted myself through college", Reich said. "All my expenses, aside from tuition, 
fees and partial room and board came from selling paintings at $15 to $30 apiece.
     Though he paints in an unusual manner by holding his brush between his teeth -- he 
says his method is not the special part of his art.
     "Mouth painting is easy. I don't have to worry about a shaking hand or arm. It's very 
steady. The brush work isn't the difficult part of painting anyway. The work comes in 
learning techniques and design".
     Most of Reich's paintings are detailed Western scenes full of horses, cowboys and 
Indians -- the things he knows. Each painting averages about 15 days of work. "That's 
not your regular nine to five day, though," he said. "I work all day through and usually up 
to midnight when I'm painting. My wife will call me for dinner and that's all."
     Reich paints one area at a time, completes it, then moves on to another section.
     "I may erase and change my pencil drawings several times in laying out a painting, 
but once I've decided on a particular composition, I don't change it. That used to drive 
my teachers wild."
     Reich plans the design and layout for his paintings but comes up with the general 
idea and composition without even thinking about it. "The play of colors just flows. All 
college does is sharpen the ability that's already there."
     "I was born on a ranch and that's what I look like and think like. I know what a horse 
feels like, looks like and smells like. I know they have good days and bad. And that's 
what I paint."
     Reich and his art work are well known among his friends. One friend found a 
Reader's Digest article about Foot and Mouth Painters Worldwide. A local photographer 
took slides of his paintings which were sent to the association headquarters in 
Lichtenstein.
     After a year of waiting, Reich became a stipendiary (an apprentice) member of the 
Foot and Mouth Painters Worldwide last March. For him this means producing a painting 
every five or six weeks and crating it and shipping it to association headquarters. If 
judged acceptable, the painting is reproduced for a world buyer's preview catalog. He 
will be accepted as a full member if the response to his work is good and his paintings 
are considered saleable.
     The apprentice process takes from three to five years, Reich said, during which time 
the reproduced paintings come out in calendars and cards. All rights are assigned to the 
association. After the reproduction process, the paintings tour galleries around the world 
and may or may not be sold. If they aren't, the paintings eventually are returned to the 
artist.
     Dealing with an international association has its complications. Area residents are 
unable to translate the association letters written in German. Important apprentice 
program information was translated finally by a German traveler who just happened to 
stay at the Reich-owned Fay and Jay Motel. A group of traveling German doctors came 
through and translated subsequent communications. The checks for accepted paintings 
come in French francs.
     "The way an artist paints isn't important. The finished product is. Paintings should 
stand on their own merit. The grocer doesn't care how you get the money as long as you 
have it to pay the bill. It's the same way with painting -- how you get the result isn't 
important. I want my paintings to stand on their own without regard to how I do them."
     "I believe that if any person who is handicapped, severely or not, is tough enough, 
mean enough, and bull-headed enough to try and keep trying, he can succeed."

THE DUNN HOUSE 
written by Faye Longbrake

     The spring of 1978 saw my 68 year old shingles removed, my solid wooden beams 
taken down and my plaster pounded off in heaps on the upstairs hardwood floor, until 
the top floor was removed. As the top floor rooms fell so was my gracious, divided 
stairway and banister toppled. Down on the ground floor the plaster heaps were cleared 
away and then the beautiful floor and six inch high wallboards were removed. The 
wainscoating in my kitchen was torn away, and my heavy elaborate oval windowed front 
door was taken off its hinges. (People kept stopping in wanting to know if my door would 
be for sale. This door with the lovely oval window was quite special to a little boy of eight 
years who used to peek through it to watch for his grandfather to return home in the 
afternoon to play cards with him.) Finally all my interior parts were removed and it wasn't 
long until the entire frame buckled and a dozer came in the yard to remove the debris.
     Ah yes, I had come to the time of outliving my usefulness and in the name of 
progress I was asked to move on. But memories of my first owner who planned me with 
tender care in building are still vivid. Michael Dunn had me built around 1910 as his 
home in Dupree where he was co-owner of the bank in Ziebach County. His family of 
four daughters and one son were all grown by then but his five grandchildren came to 
visit him. His eldest grandson was Sydney Nordvold who, when visiting Dupree, used to 
play with the little Judson walk downtown and stop at Jimmy Crorkin's blacksmith shop 
located on the next block. He would turn the bellows for the smithy who would usually 
give him a dime, then venture a little further on to the store where he could get a whole 
bag of horehound drops for ten cents.
     Mr. Dunn sold me in 1919 when he moved to Ft. Pierre where he had other business 
interests and because his health was failing. Then Wilbur Scott became my owner for 
many years and later on the Larson family. Since then I have had several owners and 
many inhabitants. Mr. and Mrs. John Oster were my owners and occupants from 1955 
until they sold me to the Latter Day Saints Church. I still had the latticework on my front 
porch in 1978 and I was well taken care of through the years.
     Eddy Rhae Washburn is the person who disassembled the Dunn House in 1978. His 
agreement with the Latter Day Saints Church was that he could have the lumber and 
parts if he would remove the house from the acreage they now own to make way for a 
new Mormon chapel. Eddy said the boards in the house were well preserved and had no 
knotholes in them. The door mentioned in the above story was sold to Adolph Silverman 
for the price of $100.

[photo – Dunn House]

[photo – Dunn House as it is being torn down]

"THE WEST ON WINGS"  
by Mary Pidcock Maynard
     The train was a slow freight, the only train to go to the little town of LeBeau on the 
Missouri River. We traveled all day that day and all night on that awful train. About four 
in the afternoon we stopped to take water at the water tank outside of LeBeau. The town 
was made up of a post office, a general store, a hardware store, a feed store, livery 
barn, saloon, a bank and the depot. Quite a few of the people lived in tents, and were 
waiting for a party to go on to our destination, Dupree, South Dakota.
     We were camped by the Alonzo G. Davis's, bound for Dupree, and the McDaniels, 
who went to Lantry. (Minnie Geesey, a sister writes, "We were invited to a little church 
one Sunday eve and it was the first time I saw Mrs. Creamer. She played the musical 
instrument, wore a light blue silk dress and I thought she was the prettiest person I'd 
ever seen. Dr. Creamer passed the collection tray and Mrs. Harry Keller sang.") There 
weren't any houses, just a few shacks and empty box cars. We stayed in LeBeau for ten 
days and about four o'clock on May 7th, we loaded our wagons in preparation for the 
journey to our new home on the prairie. Daddy had bought a cow and a calf from Harry 
Keller, so we could have milk on the way to our homestead. He loaded one wagon, 
putting the cook stove near the rear and left room for the calf to stand. The cow was tied 
to the back of the wagon, for in that way, she would lead without any trouble. He put a 
mattress on springs for us kids to ride on. Daddy drove one wagon and Mike Line drove 
the other wagon. We got to the ferry crossing at four o'clock and drove the wagon onto 
the ferry. There were several Indian wagons and quite a few cattle on the ferry. We were 
soon across the old Missouri and headed for the wide open spaces, the great western 
prairie.
     That second day passed much like the other and at nightfall, we camped on what the 
Indians called Goose Creek, about where the town of La Plant now stands. After supper 
that night, Daddy remarked, "By this time tomorrow, we should be on our land." The next 
day, at noon, we camped on Bear Creek. We didn't linger long over our dinner but all 
were eager to get on our way.

   I REMEMBER WINTER 
written by John Dunn while a student at St. John's University in the 1950's
     Whenever someone asks me where I come from, and I say 'South Dakota', my 
questioner immediately gives me a supercilious smile and exclaims with vague 
contempt, "Oh, that's where they have all those Indians and prairies". 
     It is true that the western part of the state is, up to the Black Hills, purely prairie. It is 
equally true that South Dakota ranks third or fourth among the states in regard to Indian 
population.
     These two factors, however, are unique advantages, which, combined with the 
beautiful Black Hills, make our fair state the crown jewel of the Midwest.
     My grandparent's farm, where I spent the early years of my life, was located about 
twelve miles from the small town of Dupree. During the summer time we went to town 
once or twice a week, but during the winter there were weeks at a time when we were 
completely snowed in. And yet my fondest memories are of those winter months when 
our nearest neighbor might just as well have lived fifty miles away.
     I can still feel the warmth of the fire in the big wood range and smell the fragrant 
aroma of baking bread, as it wafted gently through the sturdy house which stood there 
alone in the bleakness and desolation of late fall on the prairies.
     And I remember the first snowfall and how beautiful it was in such a setting of 
seemingly limitless space. There were no hills or trees or buildings to modify the effect of 
the snow, and it seemed as if it were an integral part of the atmosphere, not something 
falling from the unseen clouds. Sometimes it came down in the daytime, but more often 
it fell quietly in the night, and when we awoke in the morning the entire earth was white 
with it. If the sun was shining, the snow glittered and sparkled, and we lived in a crystal 
world under a burning sky of steel-blue and fire-gold.
     I can remember how good it seemed to come stomping into the warmth and 
brightness of the kitchen and stand dripping by the fire, leaving numerous puddles of 
water on our grandmother's immaculate kitchen floor. She would scold us gently and 
mop up the melted snow.
     By the time supper was ready, it would be dark enough to light the kerosene lamps, 
and we would eat in their soft, yellow glow.
     After the supper dishes were done, we would all gather in the front room, sitting in a 
semicircle around the single large register, through which the rumbly furnace in the cellar 
sent up its friendly waves of heat. Our hired man, known simply to us kids as Old Henry, 
would frequently tell us ghost stories. If the night were wild, the wind shrieking outside 
the house on those lonely prairies was like a damned soul that wished to enter into the 
warmth and light but was eternally doomed to go racing and whirling into the darkness 
and void of the night.
     I can remember how the dim, flickering light of those old kerosene lamps would cast 
huge, shapeless shadows on the walls, and how it softened and dignified the faces of 
those whom we loved most in our little world. To us then there was no South Dakota, no 
America, no vast sphere hurtling eternally through space. There was only prairie and 
home and love. There was only the simple, priceless happiness of childhood on a farm.
     Probably the most famous (or, perhaps, infamous) feature of the prairies of South 
Dakota is their blizzards. I can remember my grandfather saying, with the glum certainty 
of the Dakota homesteader, "We'll have a blizzard before morning."
     Often we would wake up late in the night to feel the house shake, as it stood there on 
the prairie, lonely and proud, facing the onslaughts of the blizzard with the same sturdy 
resolve that had characterized its pioneer builder. The bed always felt very good to us as 
we lay there snug and safe, listening to the moan and howl of the wind and snow as it 
swept unhindered across two hundred miles of Dakota prairie.
     Thus do I remember winter on the prairies of South Dakota. Nature gave no truce and 
man asked for none. Many would say that such a life would be unbearable, living from 
year to year with only the hope that next year would be better. For you see, I lived on 
that Dakota farm in the days when dust was piled knee-high by the fences in the 
summertime and the sagebrush and the Russian thistles were the only things that 
flourished. If there were no drought, the grasshoppers would darken the noonday sun as 
their hordes descended to devour the crops and gardens.
     Maybe that is why I remember winter. It was a time of looking forward to a clean, 
green spring which never really came, to a golden autumn harvest which never actually 
materialized.
     Perhaps it was madness to live there in those dark years when nature joined forces 
with depression to crush the farmer into the earth. Yet it was the same madness that had 
carved the soul and heart of a nation out of the wind-battered, blizzard-swept prairies of 
the Midwest.
(The grandparents were John and Mary Burke and the farm the homestead in Ziebach 
County.)
(John Dunn is presently Director of English at the South Dakota School of Mines and 
Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota).

FIRST LADY DOLLS

[photo – Lucile Silverman and her First Lady Dolls]

     Careful copies of gowns worn by all the nation's first ladies from Martha Washington 
to Nancy Reagan are featured in the unusual doll collection of Mrs. Adolph Silverman of 
Dupree, South Dakota. She has shown the collection, which she has insured for 
$10,000.00, at club meetings in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Nebraska as well as at 
a Chicago, Illinois department store and traveled with the Portland, Oregon Home Show 
from coast to coast. The collection was also shown on the national television show "To 
Tell The Truth".
     Although she has collected dolls for several years, Mrs. Silverman didn't get the idea 
of dressing them to represent First Ladies until 1962, when she saw a similar display of 
dolls representing wives of South Dakota governors. The display was a project of 
Republican women of the state.
     Once she made up her mind, she decided to do the job right by copying the authentic 
originals of White House hostesses' gowns on display at the Smithsonian Institution in 
Washington, D.C. The exhibition there is made up of life-size wax figures that wear 
gowns donated by First Ladies themselves or by relatives. First Ladies in several cases 
were not president's wives but, instead, close relatives -- usually daughters, nieces, 
daughters-in-law or sisters -- who served as hostesses when wives were ill or had died. 
There are 40 dresses in the collection, since some presidents, such as Woodrow Wilson, 
had more than one First Lady.
     From the Smithsonian Mrs. Silverman obtained colored slides of the original dresses 
and also literature about them. Especially helpful was the Smithsonian-published book, " 
The Dresses of the First Ladies of the White House'', by Margaret W. Brown, which 
reproduces the gowns in color and gives background about them.
     Mrs. Silverman chose 18-inch dolls for her project and set about finding materials like 
those used in the originals. This wasn't easy. A Minneapolis fabric firm, the Amluxen 
Company, found many pieces of material for her no longer on the market and gave her 
information on cloths now called by other names. Sometimes Mrs. Silverman located 
cloth she needed right at home. She found the plaid material for the Petty Taylor 
Dandridge gown, for instance, on an old formal hanging in her own closet.
     Mrs. Silverman's painstaking gown production process consisted first of making a 
pattern for each dress in plain muslin before cutting into the often precious bits of 
material. In each instance, she insisted upon being accurate to the tiniest details of 
embroidery and beads.
     Mrs. Silverman said her favorite doll among the 40 is the one representing Harriet 
Lane Johnson, who was the niece and ward of the bachelor president, James 
Buchanan. She wears a white moire taffeta wedding gown. Julia Tyler's gown took the 
longest to make.
     Authenticity extends to hair styles as well as gowns. Here Mrs. Silverman has had the 
help of Mrs. Donald Coleman, a friend in Dupree. Guided by paintings and photographs, 
Mrs. Coleman has formed practically all of the coiffures, mostly from artificial hair pieces.
     Mrs. Silverman stores the dolls in cases in her home. She takes about two hours to 
pack them in special boxes (and another two hours to unpack them) when she makes 
speaking engagements.

MARY EULBERG
     Mary Eulberg, a 1980 Dupree High School graduate, is Ziebach Counties' first female 
certified Flight Instructor and Instrument Flight Instructor. Her interest in flying was 
encouraged by her father, who holds a Commercial Pilots License. She made her first 
solo flight in December 1979 and received her Private Pilots License in December 1980. 
Mary is a student at the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks, majoring in the field 
of Aeronautical Science.
     Pilots seem to run in the Eulberg family. Mary's aunt, Cora Eulberg Dosch, was 
piloting her own plane in 1947.

[photo – Mary Eulberg, 1980]

[photo – Cora Eulberg Dosch, 1949]

JERILYN LeBEAU
     Jerilyn LeBeau of Eagle Butte, South Dakota was crowned Miss Indian America 
XXVII at the Sheridan Wyoming Miss Indian America pageant in 1981. Her reign of one 
year included tours and speaking engagements throughout the United States.
     Jerilyn's early years were spent in Dupree where she attended the first few years of 
school.
     Her mother is the former Maida White Feather. She has a host of relatives in Dupree 
including her proud grandmother, Louise Jones. The late Jim White Feather was her 
grandfather.

[photo – Jerilyn LeBeau, Miss Indian America XXVII]

Chapter 15 
TIME MARCHES ON by Thelma Frame

WORLD WAR I ERA
     The “Redelm Record” and “Dupree Leader” from 1917-18 provide an excellent 
barometer of the mood of this era.
     Several themes recur: The Extreme Patriotism, the Train and Automobile, The 
Influenza Epidemic and The Social Life.
     Patriotism was evident in every issue. How proud the community was of the boys 
who went to "serve the colors".
     The train was mentioned in every issue. The arrival and departure of passengers, 
local and visiting was duly noted. The arrival of carloads of vegetables and other 
supplies and the departure of carloads of livestock and grain were reported. The erratic 
schedule, like the weather, was always a topic to be commented on. The train was so 
vital to life on this frontier.
     The coming of the Ford (always the Ford) made the local news column. Names of 
persons buying cars, people traveling by "Ford route" and the roads (muddy or dusty) 
were frequently mentioned.
     Influenza stalked Ziebach County as it did the rest of the world in 1918-19. There 
were weekly reports of those who had the flu, those who recovered and, sadly, those 
who didn't. Many schools were closed for several weeks and notices of social events 
being canceled because of the flu were common.
     Most of the people who came here to live were young so there were many marriage 
and birth announcements and very few obituaries.
     The main feeling from studying these papers, however, was the optimism of the 
people. And what fun they had! Each week there would be notices of barn dances, 
schoolhouse dances, pie and box socials, card parties, picnics, church services and 
school programs.
     An item from the “Dupree Leader” of July 5, 1917, is typical.
     "Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sorenson were tendered a Charivari at their home northeast of 
town on Tuesday night of last week. About 35 of their friends were present. After going 
through the regular routine of a Charivari, if any, a little stronger, as Mr. S. J. Jeffries, Sr. 
was among the promoters -- the party repaired to the large barn of O. W. Hurst where 
dancing was the means of passing time until 5 o'clock in the morning. Social affairs like 
this are the means of bringing the people of a neighborhood together and put them to 
guessing, who's next?"
     These old papers bring an immediacy to World War I.
     Each issue carried news and letters from the "boys serving the Red, White and Blue". 
Events in the lives of the young soldiers were reported from the farewells extended at 
parties at their home and at the train, their life in camp and overseas, the tragedy which 
struck some and the joyous return of others.
     The July 5, 1917 issue of the “Dupree Leader” stated that Governor Norbeck had 
appointed Dr. F. H. Creamer, L. W. Henderson and James Stewart to the "Exemption 
Board". Their duties were to pass on exemption from war draft. Young men registered 
and appeared before the exemption board for classification. Each man was assigned a 
number and lottery was used to determine who would be called. A young man who was 
called could appear before the exemption board if he felt he had a good reason not to go 
to the service.
     The July 19, 1917 issue of the Leader contained the following item: "Last Friday, 
Frank Carson, son of John F. Carson, boss farmer at Thunder Butte sub-station, 
received summons from headquarters ordering him to report to Brookings where 
Company "C", of which he is a member is stationed. He left the next day. Frank seen 
service with that company last year on the border of Mexico, so the life of a soldier is not 
new to him, and he responded like a true American, leaving here with the best wishes 
from all for his safe return."
     The banner headline of the September 27, 1917 Leader reads "Citizens of County 
Bid Boys Farewell." Saturday last about 9:30 a.m. 16 young men left for the Cantonment 
at Fort Riley, Kansas, the second contingent from Ziebach County to the training camp. 
A parade in the morning previous to the arrival of the train was one of the largest seen 
here for some time past. The parade started at the High School at about 8 o'clock 
headed by the Dupree band. Following were members of the Red Cross, then the 
teachers and pupils of the Dupree School, Veterans of the Civil and Spanish Wars and 
the new soldier boys, then the citizens generally, bringing up the rear. The march on the 
street continued north until opposite the Fox Ridge Hotel, thence to the depot where the 
new soldier boys formed a line facing the crowd. After several patriotic airs by the band, 
a short talk by attorney Henderson, and a song by the school children, the crowd formed 
to bid the boys a farewell and godspeed, then awaited the arrival of the train. While 
waiting for the train, Mayor Shelton, in his usual good way, suggested that a purse be 
taken for the boys and passed the hat. A neat sum was collected, which was turned over 
to Mr. George Wakefield Till who was selected by the local board to take charge of the 
men.
     About ten minutes before the departure of the train, the boys were once again called 
in line and marched into the coaches. As they took their places a cheer went up amidst 
the smiles and tears of all."
     The men who were honored that day were: Gustave Yeshko, George Diermier, 
William Nelson and George Jennerson from Dupree; Frank Rosenstock, Jack Neigel, 
John Held and George Till from Eagle Butte; August Hanneman and George Sargent 
from Redelm; Willie Krone and Charles Kercher from Isabel; Oscar Nelson, Harry Olson 
and Joseph Shockley from Glad Valley and Leo Sinkey from Lantry. Lloyd Dunbar of 
Faith was with the next contingent to leave October 11, 1917.
     The March 7, 1918 issue of the “Leader” tells of Ed Hodgdon leaving to visit relatives 
in California before enlisting.
     The September 6, 1918 issue of the “Redelm Record” had this headline story: 
"Ziebach County Boy Among the Missing. The destroyer 209 that was sunk off the coast 
of Fire Island Light by the freighter Taussig on August 27 last shows sixteen persons to 
be victims. Among the missing enlisted men is Edwin F. Hodgdon. He had a claim near 
Lantry."
     The American Legion Post in Dupree was named for Edwin F. Hodgdon, the first 
Ziebach County resident to lose his life in the War.
     From the May, 1918 “Leader” comes this item: "Among the drafted boys who left for 
Camp Lewis, American Lake. Washington last Saturday was Thomas Slow, a full-
blooded Sioux Indian from Cherry Creek. Although being exempt from service by being a 
non-citizen Indian*, Tom said he wanted to go fight for his country, considering it his duty 
and that he was no better than his white brothers. This of patriotism is commended and 
puts him an example of true Americanism in the eye/ the general public." *(Indians were 
wards the government rather than citizens of the United States).
     A local news item from the May 16, 1919 “Redelm Record” states: "The Misses Kate 
and Alice Aspdin left for Cherry Creek this morning to be present at the feast in honor of 
Paul Widow. They were chaperoned by esteemed Sargent C. J. Williams of the 
Canadian Army.''
     Everyone was urged to become involved in this war. An advertisement read: "Shall 
we be more tender of our dollars than we are of blood of our sons? Buy your Liberty 
Bond today! ''
     Red Cross news was prominent -- Dupree Redelm, Cherry Creek, Thunder Butte and 
Glad Valley all had active chapters. Benefits were given to raise money and the women 
~ regularly to sew and knit garments for the soldier boys. Money and clothing were sent 
to help the cold and starving people, especially of Belgium.
     While the women sewed for the Red Cross and served "wheatless and meatless" 
meals the men did their part by joining the Home Guard. The July 12, 1917 issue of the 
Dad Leader contained this item urging the organization of the Home Guard: "While we 
anticpated no great need for their services in loyal orderly South Dakota, there may be 
some purpose and a desire for organization in the larger places. Unused arms and 
accouterments now in National Arsenals are to be distributed use of the State Guards. 
Before the South Dakota National Guard leaves and while there may be secured to 
assist in drilling, would seem a more fortunate time to get the Home Guard started". The 
State Council of Defense organized local chapters to replace National Guard while the 
Guard was on active duty. Ziebach County had several and notices of meetings and 
those who had Guard duty each week were faithfully reported.
     The last issue of the paper available was on June 27, 1918, so like the last chapter of 
an interesting book, which is missing, our story World War I ends less than five months 
before the final victory, November 11, 1918.
     Womans Suffrage was also granted during this period.
     Before the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution became law in August 1920, 
only fifteen states offered full voting privileges to women.
     The South Dakota Legislature granted this right to women in 1918.
     The February 21, 1918 issue of the Dupree Leader had this item: "The following is 
the list of names of those who are assisting in the registration of the women of the 
county: Mrs. Rosenthal, Redelm precinct; Mrs. Buttrick, Pickerville precinct; Mrs. 
Pladsen, Graham precinct; Mrs. Russell Smith, Lone Tree precinct; Mrs. Zeal, Barren 
precinct; Mrs. Talbot, Engelhard; Miss Blanche Miller, Davis.
     "Volunteers for the other precincts, come forward. Women over 16. Everybody 
register."
     Another item appeared in the May 2, 1918 issue:
     "Notice to Electors -- the following are the official party ballots to be used at the 
county primary election: Republican -- White, Democrat -- Yellow, Prohibition -- Blue, 
Socialist -- Red."

[photo –  Waiting for the train to take the soldier boys – World War I]

[photo – Lloyd Dunbar, World War I soldier]

[photo – Lloyd Dunbar’s son, Bill, at the South Pole in 1962]

THE TWENTIES
     Old newspapers are a time machine. We're traveling back to the 1920's via “The 
Dupree Leader”, “The Redelm Record” and “The West River Progress”.
     Wounds of the Great World War had not yet healed when the decade of the 20's 
began.
     "ZIEBACH COUNTY'S INDIAN SOLDIER HERO BROUGHT HOME TO HIS OWN 
PEOPLE. Echoes of the Great World War are heard by us all from time to time but none 
have come to Ziebach County so acutely since the day of the armistice as when the 
body of Pvt. Moses Clown, Indian soldier of the United States army, was brought back 
from France to his own people. It arrived in Dupree from Jersey City last Saturday and 
none who witnessed the scene at the depot will ever forget it. The father, mother, 
brothers and sisters of the dead soldier, together with a large number of their friends, 
had gathered to await the coming of the train and as it came slowly to rest and the flag 
covered coffin in the express car came into view, a great wail of sorrow went up from the 
waiting throng. As it was unloaded, the grief-stricken Indians gathered around with loud 
lamentations, laying hands and heads sadly and pitifully upon the flag and deeply 
affecting all who witnessed the scene. The body, followed by Indians and white people in 
sad procession, was taken to the Congregational church where it remained throughout 
the night. Mr. H. J. Thornton, Congregational minister at Highmore, this state, who was 
visiting friends here, spoke a few words of consolation and cheer to the sorrowing 
Indians, who were then left to their sad vigil together with a guard of honor from the 
American Legion.
     Early on Sunday morning the body of the brave soldier was taken north to the banks 
of the Moreau River where elaborate preparations had been made for burial the 
following day. At noon on Monday a large delegation left Dupree including the members 
of the American Legion, under the post commander, Dr. F. H. Creamer, and Mr. H. J. 
Thornton, who had been requested to conduct the funeral services.
     At a point about three miles east of Thunder Butte sub-station a large Indian camp 
had been established. To the visitors from Dupree and surrounding towns it looked like a 
canvas city as their cars came into view over the summit of surrounding hills and 
descended to the river bank. In the center was a great tepee which had been specially 
constructed to contain the body. Its outer side was adorned in Indian fashion with 
illustrations of the tribal history and Old Glory floated beside at half mast. At two o'clock 
the funeral service began."

     James D. Stewart, proprietor of “The Dupree Leader” reflected on the early days of 
this county in an article appearing June 8, 1922.
     "LEADER BEGINS ITS TWELFTH YEAR. A glance at the heading of this paper will 
show that we begin with this issue Volume 12 of the DUPREE LEADER. This means 
that another year of life has gone by and that one more has begun.
     Reference to our files will show that our anniversary days have always found us in a 
thoughtful mood and that we have developed the habit of looking back over the road we 
have traveled. Not because it is our road alone but because our experiences and 
adventures have been those of all the early comers who entered this new territory in 
1910 and became its pioneer settlers. We have told the story before of how that hardy 
band pitched their tents on the open prairie, having little in their possession beside the 
vision of a flourishing city and surrounding country which would one day reward their 
courageous efforts. Those dreams were prophetic, for while we have not yet created a 
second Chicago we have developed a city of which we are proud, and our contributory 
territory is second to none in its rich development. We are glad to have had a part in this 
work and to have partaken of the life of our new country from its opening. As we begin 
this new year our determination is strong to work always for the best interests of Ziebach 
county." 
     Enough of "turning back". It's time to be on with the events of this great period of 
growth in our history.
     "Optimism" is the word which best describes the twenties. The country was 
developing. People were enthusiastic.
     New homes were being built and old ones remodeled. Wiring for electricity or having 
a telephone installed were front page stories. (Remember the Central telephone office 
with all the wires and plugs?) Note this item: 
     "Fred Campbell has built a small building on his lots west of the Thomas-Jeffries 
blacksmith shop and placed a large watertank on the top of the same. He will pump the 
water from a well he has nearby to the tank and use it for irrigating his garden. He 
expects to install a bath tub and shower also in the building, and it will prove of no little 
convenience to Fred and his friends."
     Not only were homes improved, but wells were drilled and dams built to assure a 
constant supply of water. Thomas Lovelady, who lived 5 1/2 miles south of Redelm, built 
a huge dam measuring 200 feet long, 18 feet high and 20 feet wide in about 1922.
     Most farm families milked from ten to twenty-five cows and sold cream. The cream 
was taken to a local cream station in town, or to the train depot to be shipped to another 
point where the price was a little higher. Empty cream cans by the dozens were left on 
the platform by the depot so it might take quite awhile to find the ones with your name on 
them. The cream check probably bought all of the groceries and some of the clothes for 
the family.
     Town folks, too, often had a milk cow. A small shed provided a barn for the night. 
Someone gathered the town herd every morning, took them to pasture and brought them 
back at night.
     Chickens were also kept by both town and country folks. State college experts at 
Brookings gave advice on how to preserve eggs with water glass. Water glass was a 
liquid which was mixed with sterilized water in a stone crock. In the spring, when eggs 
were plentiful, they were placed in this solution and they would keep for months. These 
eggs were used mostly for baking during winter months.
     The whereabouts of the threshing rigs, along with the yields, were reported in fall 
issues of the newspapers. Many men were needed to run the machine, haul bundles 
from the field to it and wagon loads of grain from it. It left a huge stack of straw to be 
used for livestock bedding.
     "Cooking for threshers" was a mammoth job for the women. It meant mid-morning 
lunch, dinner, mid-afternoon lunch and always supper, too. Local news items told who 
was helping if extra hands were needed in the kitchen. A variety of fresh meat was not 
readily available since butchering wasn't done until cold weather, but there was always 
chicken! After a month or more of threshing, the crew could hardly look at another piece 
of fried chicken.
     When threshing was finished, many men went to the eastern part of the state to husk 
corn for a couple of months.

[photo – The Saturday night bath in the 1920’s]

[photo – Having fun in the Moreau River in the late 1920’s]

[photo – Babe Woodward, Otto Albers and Orville (Dude) Woodward, with the fish they 
caught at Cherry Creek in the 1920’s]

     Instructions for building ice houses could be had free from the state college at 
Brookings. Huge quantities of ice were harvested at the Lantry Dam and brought by train 
to be stored in the big ice house in the northeast part of Dupree. Almost every farm had 
an ice house and a cave. The coldest days in January or February were ideal for putting 
up ice. It would last all summer when properly packed with sawdust or flax straw.
     Hunting and trapping were prevalent during the 20's. Bounties were paid by the 
county for coyotes, magpies and gophers. Many children earned some pocket money in 
this way. 
     This item was in The Leader June 1, 1922. 
     "Matt Clasen, who has lived in this district for the past twenty-four years, left 
yesterday for his home on Flint Rock Creek northeast of Faith after a short visit  in 
Dupree. He is a hunter and trapper,  and in years gone by the Matador, L7 and  other big 
cattle companies paid him a  good bounty for gray wolves, so destructive to their herds. 
In later years he hunts  coyotes and smaller furbearing animals, already this season he 
has captured nine teen coyotes. He is a new subscriber to the  LEADER."

[photo – Otto and Mattie Albers with their first harvest of furs. This earned $101.21 in 
1922]

[photo – Vin Jeffries trapping coyotes on the L/Y ranch, 1923]

     Matters of health received a lot of news space. Leila Rowley was hired as county 
nurse in 1921. This is her first report.
     "REPORT OF THE COUNTY NURSE. 
No. of schools visited ...............48 
No. of pupils weighed, measured and inspected ................... 619 
No. of physical defects ............. 399 
No. of undernourished (10% or more) .................. 157 
No. of abnormal tonsils ............ 184 
No. with decayed teeth .............225 
No. abnormal vision ................73
     Saturday, October 8, we held a dental clinic. Dr. Teskey, of Faith, done the work. 
Twenty-two teeth were filled and eighty were extracted. Drs. Teskey and Creamer both 
done the extractions.
     Sunday, October 16, Drs. Ross and Creamer removed tonsils and adenoids for the 
school children. Tuesday, October 18, another clinic was held for the same children. 12 
children have had this work done.
     There is a great deal to do in this county yet, as can readily be seen by a glance at 
the above numbers."
     Removing tonsils and adenoids was a routine performance. A Dr. Robbins would also 
come from Pierre to assist Dr. Creamer. The hospital would be full of beds with patients 
"coming out" from the ether used as an anesthetic. Unless there were complications the 
patients were only kept a few hours.
     Common afflictions were heart disease, pneumonia, tuberculosis, grippe, scarlet and 
typhoid fever and appendicitis. There were many more deaths reported during the 
second decade of this new county.
     Accidents from runaway horses, automobiles and farm machines were common.
     Someone being called back "home" to mourn the loss of parents or other relatives 
was told of in almost every issue of the paper.

[photo of un-named family, horse and wagon]

     Horses still furnished most of the transportation as the decade began.
     '' MAKES LONG DRIVE OVER RESERVATION. Agent C. D. Munro and Mr. L. J. 
Rochford, of the Cheyenne Agency, stopped at the Shelton Hotel overnight Thursday 
while on the return from a trip to Cherry Creek. They had made an extensive tour of 
inspection over the reservation. Starting from the Agency, they followed the river to a 
point west of Mobridge, thence to Promise and back to Trail City, going from there to 
Timber Lake and Isabel, coming from the latter point to Dupree. From Cherry Creek they 
made a trip in the vicinity of Rattle Snake Butte and returned to Cherry Creek before 
coming here. They made the rounds with a team and cutter, and when they reached 
home, estimated the trip would cover a distance of about 350 miles -- a good travel, 
especially with the roads in the condition they were at that time. Using the words of Mr. 
Rochford, the driver: "We found no roads, they were covered with two feet of snow, so 
we just took a beeline over the prairie for the point we wanted to go, over snow and 
fences."
     The automobile changed life everywhere. It revolutionized it in this remote area 
where "town" might be thirty miles away. During the teens, cars were still a novelty, but 
before the end of the twenties, virtually everyone had one. In the teens, travel to distant 
points was by train, now people "motored". Cars were still referred to as "tin lizzies", 
especially when they frightened a team of horses.
     A local item in the Redelm Record in April, 1926 read: "Sure keeps one busy keeping 
track of all the car deals around here." To be sure there was much to keep track of. No 
longer was every car a Ford. Now people were buying Chevrolet (sold by Frank 
McDaniel of Lantry), Oldsmobile, Jewett-Six, Star, Buick, Overland-Six, Chrysler and 
Dodge. Chevrolet and Reo trucks were purchased as were Fordson, Rumley and Hart-
Parr tractors.
     In September 1921 this ad appeared: "FOR SALE: Ford touring car with self starter 
and demountable rims." Another ad in December of that year enticed the buyer to "Buy a 
motor car warmer and don't freeze while making drives this cold weather."

[advertisement for Ford automobiles, 1921]

     The wonders of automobile travel are revealed in this front page article in September 
1921.
     "TRIP WAS MADE TO THE HILLS AND RETURN WITHOUT A MISHAP--RECORD 
TIME COMING HOME. Escorted by G. A. McGarraugh of the Farmers State Bank, and 
Jos. J. Simandl, superintendent of construction of the bridge across the Cheyenne river. 
seven Shriners and two ladies left Dupree at 10:25 last Friday morning for Deadwood. 
The occasion was a visit by the local Shriners to Naja Temple and witness the 
pilgrimage of the class of 18 novices across the hot sands of the desert to the city of 
Mecca. The day was a most propitious one for the trip. The number making up the party 
were: Messrs. G. A. McGarraugh, M. H. Kaufman, John:Hinkel, W. W. Davidson, J. D. 
Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. J. Simandl and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Smith.
     Short stops were made along the route, the first being at Faith. The party left that 
point at 11:20 and at Sulphur creek stopped for dinner and left at 1:20. Marcus was 
passed at 1:50 and White Owl at 2:25. Twenty minutes later the Black Hills were sighted, 
and every stop from then on, the party would sing:
     "Cheer! cheer! the gang's all here," etc., which added to the joy of the trip. The Belle 
Fourche river was crossed at 3:55; Bear Butte passed at 4:55; Ft.
Meade at 5:10 and Sturgis reached at 5:20. 35 minutes later the pass was made through 
Whitewood and Deadwood was reached at 6:30.
     A host of new industries were spawned to accommodate the use of the auto. Filling 
stations and garages sprang up everywhere. In January of 1922 it was reported that Gus 
Yusko went to a trade school in Chicago to learn to vulcanize tires.
     In 1926 the Congregational Church had its thought for the week on the front page. 
This is one preacher's view of the automobile.
     "We are living in the age of the automobile. A Fifth Avenue tailor says: "the genuine, 
well dressed gentleman is getting hard to find. Instead of clothes made to measure, 
everybody is buying a ready-to-wear suit at half price, saving the money for gasoline." 
There is going on an exchange of one extravagance for another, we save on cigars, 
diamonds, hats and party dresses, and this money goes into the auto. Very well, let' er 
go. The world is the gainer. It means tan, brawn, sound sleep and good digestion, 
against pale cheeks, weak eyes, and nerves that need a bracer. The man with an auto 
takes with him the family, while before, the old-time horse had a one-man wagon and he 
went alone. The wife along is a governor to the social engine, and a rudder to keep the 
husband's eyes off the flappers. Sure, but don't buy an auto if you don't see how to pay 
for it. Debt is a rope to your foot, cockleburrs in your hair, a fly in the cold cream of your 
beauty dope. Keep within your financial speed limit, or fate, like a small town constable, 
will surely pinch you. Since Adam and Eve were shoplifters, and helped themselves to 
fruit and fig-leaves which they could ill afford, extravagant people will find a way to waste 
time and money. No use however for us to have melancholia. Turn 'er over, and we'll 
take a run to the church next Sunday.
     Sunday School at 10 A.M.
     Morning Worship at 11 A.M.

     Foremost of the new industries was the building of roads. Most roads had been trails 
unencumbered by fences. Now the papers were full of stories of road and bridge 
construction and graveling of highways. Bridges were being erected at Forest City on the 
Missouri River, across the Cheyenne and Moreau rivers and no less exciting to local 
people was the bridge across Bear Creek just west of Dupree. When work began on it in 
May of 1922 it was heralded as a great convenience in traveling to Redelm and points 
west.
     Delays in the construction of the road west of Isabel toward Lemmon were often 
commented on. The east-west road through Dupree was number 22 before it became 
212.
     Did you ever wonder how Leedom Pike got its name? This article from January 1, 
1926 might give a clue.
     "We note in the daily press that Chet. Leedom, former Highway Commissioner of 
South Dakota, has been nominated by President Coolidge for the office of U. S. Marshal 
for South Dakota. As soon as his appointment is confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Leedom 
will assume the duties of the office. While a member of the highway commission, it was 
largely through Mr. Leedom's efforts that the west river country was so generously 
endowed with the state road building program, and largely through his support, is due 
the credit for the Dupree-Isabel road and bridge over the Moreau. Chet. is a pioneer of 
western South Dakota, and his world of friends all over the state extend congratulations 
for the merited recognition of his ability and service to the state and the west river 
country. Senators Norbeck and McMasters'and President Coolidge are to be 
congratulated upon naming a man who will fill this important office with credit to the state 
and nation."
     Other newspaper items reflect on the roads. This item was clipped from the Isabel 
News July 10, 1925.
     "The road from Isabel to Dupree is now in excellent shape. You safely direct all 
tourists en route to the Black Hills over No. 65. It was just about twelve years ago when 
a few of the business men at Isabel started the agitation for the bridge across the 
Moreau and all down through the years the fight was kept up until the bridge was finally 
built. A few at Dupree, but they were very few, stuck out for the building of this bridge. 
After the bridge was secured the work of getting the road began and today it is one of 
the finest prairie roads in the state. There should be a lot of tourist travel over this road 
from now on. Many will go out to the park this way and return over the Yellowstone. 
Others will go over the Yellowstone, take in the Hills and return this way."
     From the Eagle Butte News March 12, 1926, comes this comment:
     "Good roads are an asset to any country or community, and Dewey and Ziebach 
counties, for newly settled localities, are well fixed in this respect. With a system of state 
highways passing through all the towns and a trunk highway from the east to the Black 
Hills and Yellowstone Park, every convenience for travel at home and abroad is 
adequately supplied, and the roads are worth the money they have cost. Very few 
people would be willing to go back to road conditions of a few years ago, even if by so 
doing they could save what it cost in taxation.
     Local roads were cared for by people living in the community. Monthly county 
commissioner proceedings reported payment to local farmers for road work done in their 
area. On May 11, 1922, this item was printed: "Mr. Peter Q. Schmidt and Mr. Emest 
Prouty, prominent farmers north of the river, spent Monday night of this week in Dupree. 
They were here with horses to get a road grader to do some work on the roads leading 
to the state highway being graded to Isabel." Most districts had a horse-drawn road 
maintainer and one person was hired to operate it.
     The 18th Amendment which prohibited the manufacture, sale or transportation of 
intoxicating beverages went into effect January 16, 1920. The stage was thus set for a 
fourteen year game of "cops and robbers". The 21st Amendment repealing prohibition 
went into effect December 5, 1933.
The local newspapers were full of accounts of the action. In the fall of 1921 this item was 
seen.
     "SHERIFF MILTON RAIDS A STILL. Last Friday night Sheriff Milton and deputy 
Lester Garrett, under cover of darkness, made a trip to the vicinity of Chase on business 
in their official capacity, and when scouring about the hills found a still in full operation 
with plenty of material. 3men were placed under arrest and brought to town. They were 
given a hearing on Saturday, and released under bonds to appear at the coming term of 
court."
     Another story told of catching a bootlegger about a mile from a country school dance 
in the Eagle Butte area. People from the dance would come to buy hootch. It was hoped 
that the offenders would be severely punished for thus corrupting our young people.
     There were punishments! Many were tried in Circuit Court, fined and sent to prison.
     "Two Gun'' Hart became a legendary figure in the battle of booze.
     "Hart is famous throughout the west as a marksman, and participated in many gun 
battles with outlaws, bootleggers and moonshiners.
     He has served as special Nebraska sheriff and marshal for the department of justice 
of the state of Nebraska, and for the last four years has been serving the federal 
government as a deputy special Indian agent on Nebraska's Indian reservations.
     August 1 he was advanced in the government department, and now is a special 
Indian agent, having charge of deputy agents. His territory also was increased and was 
made to include all of the Sioux Indian reservations in South Dakota.
     During the last four weeks he has been working as prohibition officer in the counties 
of Corson, Ziebach and Dewey, of South Dakota, capturing many booze runners and 
confiscating a hundred gallon still, 600 gallons of mash and 50 gallons of finished 
whiskey in raids, conducted in Ziebach county." Sioux City Tribune.
     "Two Gun" Hart, the government "dry" operative, stopped in town last Saturday 
afternoon with a still and about 30 gallons of moonshine, the result of a raid he made on 
a place about twenty ;miles west of Isabel. He left for the Agency with the complete outfit 
and produce that evening, where it will be stored as evidence for use in prosecution of 
the case when it comes up for hearing in U. S. court.
     "Two Gun Hart" a noted employee of the Federal Prohibition Department and 
company Superintendent Craige of Cheyenne Agency, made quite a haul on a farm in 
the northwest part of the county last week, according to reports. A large still, 50 gallons 
of mash and 50 gallons of finished product was seized and taken to Cheyenne Agency. 
Reports are that Hart takes a dog along when he goes hunting stills, and the dog soon 
leads the investigators to the spot where the still or hooch is concealed, even though it 
be buried. Such being a fact, is it any wonder that Hart has made a reputation of getting 
the goods when he goes out after the moonshiner.
     Many people here remember "Two Gun". It was rumored that he was a brother of Al 
Capone. He must have become overzealous in his role because there was also a story 
about him being found guilty of assault by a jury at Selfridge, North Dakota.
     This item which appeared in The Leader on February 2, 1922 is typical of social 
events reported in every issue. 
     "ENTERTAINMENTS AND SOCIAL MEETINGS HELP TO PASS THE TIME 
DURING THE LONG WINTER MONTHS. Dupree folks seem to have adopted a plan 
which helps to shorten the long winter months by social gatherings, card parties and the 
like.
     Last Thursday night, Attorney and Mrs. Frank Gladstone entertained a number of 
friends at progressive whist at their home in the east part of town, seven tables being 
used. At midnight a delicious lunch was served and enjoyed by the many guests.
     Mrs. J. J. Pollard and Mrs. Effie Leake entertained at the home of the latter on Friday 
afternoon of last week a number of ladies at a whist party, at the close of which a dainty 
lunch was served.
     Miss Viola Oliver entertained a number of her school mates on Monday night of this 
week at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Anson Callen, the occasion being her twelfth birthday 
anniversary. The time was spent in playing games, and a delicious lunch was served 
which the young folks thoroughly enjoyed.
     On Tuesday night of this week Mr. and Mrs. G. A. McGarraugh entertained at their 
home. The pastime of the evening was progressive whist, five tables being used, and a 
royal good time was afforded all present. Before the departure of the guests to their 
respective homes a luncheon and short social visit was enjoyed. 
     It almost seems as if people danced their way through the twenties. There were barn 
dances, schoolhouse dances, bowery dances and dances at the community hall. 
Dances were held after three act plays, with box socials, at farewell or surprise parties. 
Carloads of young people would come from as far as Timber Lake to dance on the new 
smooth floor at the community hall in Dupree. Young people from here went as far as 
Firesteel by car. If roads were blocked, a bobsled made a good conveyance and going 
horseback ten miles to a dance wasn't far.
     We've heard so much about the uninhibited dances of the 20's. Here's an article that 
was clipped from the Wagner Eagle in 1926. 
     "MODERN DANCING AS AN EDITOR SEES IT. We stopped and took a peep into 
the dance hall the other night and we were fully convinced that some of the best 
wrestling matches the world has ever known have not been nationally advertised. 
Somebody's missing a fortune by the sale of ringside seats. If it hadn't been for the 
music, arrests for assault and battery could have been made promiscuously. Some of 
the dancers showed characteristics of first-class A-1 contortionists and some record 
breaking hopskip artists were present with hair oil running down their spinal column and 
their hair plastered back over a cranium that had nothing in it but a burning desire to 
spar with the "Charleston" or "Flee Hop." Yes, our kid was there backing 'em around the 
hall just like the rest, but with a different movement than he puts on when he waltzes the 
lawn mower at home--if he ever did, but he don't. An eighty year old man with the ague 
would be a Beau Brummel in a ball room nowadays. One couple swayed everything but 
their feet--and they didn't have out a parking sign either. Some of the "sheiks" bent over 
their partners at an angle that would make the Hunchback of Notre Dame look as 
straight as a telephone pole. Others grasped their "li'l" girl in a vise grip, and kicked them 
on the shins. More who rolled their stockings than will ever roll a perambulator. The 
music resembled a 1913 Ford running through a galvanized corrugated culvert. My! My! 
Ain't we got fun?"
     He failed to mention brazenly displayed gaudy garters.
     Celebrations were held at every community. The July 3, 1925 issue of the Redelm 
Record tells of the many wagonloads of people coming through Dupree from Thunder 
Butte on their way to Cherry Creek for the 4th of July Celebration.
     All roads led to Redelm for their Pre-Harvest Festival the end of July in 1926.
     Dupree celebrated the 4th of July or Labor Day or both.
     All of the stations, Thunder Butte, Red Scaffold, Cherry Creek and Bridger held fairs 
every fall prior to the big Reservation Fair at the Cheyenne Agency.
     People loved to gather. Any pretext would do. There was church and Sunday school, 
which were often held at the rural school. There were card parties, dinners, ball games 
and picnics. This amusing item was in the news from the Chase area in 1926.
     "The picnic held at Longbrake's in Ward's grove was a rousing success. Everybody 
joined together to make it a pleasant affair and we had it. After a bounteous dinner, Ike 
Lee was persuaded to freeze the ice cream. After turning the freezer furiously for some 
time, Ike peeped inside and found he was turning an empty freezer. There were boys 
races, girls races, horse races and bucking broncos. The' day ended with a dance at Ed 
Lafferty's."
     When Jess Millers got a radio in January, 1926, it was worthy of mention in the 
paper. Friends would be entertained at their home on winter evenings. "Amos and Andy" 
and the "WLS Barn Dance featuring Lulabelle and Scotty" from Chicago must surely 
have been heard.
     It is hard to conceive what a wonder this new device was. Live music, the news, 
weather, hospital reports, comedies and dramas were all yours with a little dial twisting. 
Never mind that they were big cumbersome gadgets often with poor reception and a lot 
of static. They were miracles that came into the living room of every home.
     "The Good Old Days are coming back" was the view expressed by C. G. Worsham of 
the State Department of Agriculture June 1, 1922. 
     "THE GOOD OLD DAYS ARE GRADUALLY COMING BACK.” In the good old days 
prices were better than they are now,' is an expression frequently heard on many farms 
today. As a matter of fact the statement is only partly true.
 The farmer sells his products, meaning everything that he raises for the market, for 28 
percent more than he got in the good old days. The big question is: ''HOW MUCH 
MORE WILL HE HAVE TO PAY FOR WHAT HE BUYS THAN HE DID IN 1913?" And 
that is the large half of the story.
     He sells for 28 percent more but pays 52 percent more than he did in 1913. 
Therefore, when the farmer goes to spend his $1.28 he finds that it will buy just 84 
percent as much as did his dollar in 'the good old days' of 1913.
     It is not so much 'the good old days' that we want back again as a leveling up in 
prices so that the farmer's dollar is on the same basis as other dollars, and this seems to 
be gradually coming about. A year ago the farmer's dollar was worth but 77 cents. Today 
it is worth 84 cents and the indications all point to an even more rapid narrowing of the 
wide spread now existing between the price of what the farmer sells in comparison with 
the price of what he purchases.
     Yes, the good old days are surely coming back, they have got to come back-but they 
do seem to be taking their time about it.''
     In January of 1926 the economy still looked good. A front page story stated: "The 
total deposits in the banks in this area are up, reflecting the prosperity of the farmers and 
stockmen."
     We know how the drama of the 20's ends--the market crashed in 1929! We'll leave 
before the final curtain with this up-beat editorial by Mr. E. L. Schetnan.
     "This week is something of an anniversary to the Progress editor because it was at 
this time in 1910 that he first came out here. At that time there was little enough to offer 
a man, save that everyone was imbued with a spirit of fine intentions and a world of 
courage to affect an improvement and development of the vast expanse of raw prairie 
that lay before one's eye everywhere. Looking back upon that period we almost marvel 
at the change of development that has taken place. Then there was only an unbroken 
stretch of prairie, no towns, no farms, no roads. Today we have fine little towns with 
most of the modern conveniences such as banks, stores, railroads, hotels, schools, 
churches, etc. Our farms can be compared with any in the state; they are well improved, 
productive and give the farmer a comfortable living for the labor expended. At that time 
there were no roads--you had to follow Indian trails or winding cow paths. What a 
change today! You travel in luxurious closed cars over fine highways at the rate of 30 to 
60 miles an hour. By motor you can now travel to the Atlantic or the Pacific coast. Then 
we were virtually outside civilization; today we are in the center of it with national 
highways running through every town. We are connected with the eastern part of the 
state through several bridges that span the mighty Missouri. We can cross that 
treacherous stream at any time. What a wonderful change we have had the privilege to 
observe. And all for the betterment of mankind."

THE DIRTY THIRTIES
     The collapse of the economy coupled with the drought shaped lives in Ziebach 
County during the 1930's. More than ever before National and International events 
influenced what happened here.
     These were headline stories in the big daily newspapers and on the radio, which by 
now was in virtually every home.
Oct. 30, 1929 Stock Market Crashes.
Nov. 30, 1929 Admiral Byrd safely flies to South Pole and back.
April 21, 1930 Lindbergh sets a record from   coast of 14 3/4 hours with wife as navigator 
flies 180 MPH at 14,000 ft.
May 2, 1930 Worst of Depression is over, says   Hoover   
Aug. 6, 1930 Hoover takes up drought relief plans.
Sept. 23, 1930 Soviet undersells our wheat abroad; report 10 cent cut halts export. 
Oct. 1, 1930 Bread lines and soup kitchens familiar sight in cities.
May 31, 1931 Hoover urges nation to be steadfast in the "Valley Forge of Depression". 
March 2, 1932 Lindbergh baby kidnapped. 
April 25, 1932 Nazis gaining power in Europe. 
June 17, 1932 Hoover, Curtis renamed on first ballot at Republican Convention.
Nov. 9, 1932 Roosevelt winner in landslide. 
March 5, 1933 Roosevelt inaugurated, acts to end the national banking crisis quickly. 
March 24, 1933 Hitler Cabinet gets power to rule as a dictatorship.
Dec. 6, 1933 Prohibition repeal ratified. 
July 25, 1934 Cattle die by thousands in Oklahoma drought.
July 1936 Relief to 134,000 families planned for drought area.
Dec. 1936 Edward VIII renounces British Crown to marry Wallis Simpson. 
March 1938 Hitler enters Austria in Triumphal Parade.
Sept. 1939 Britain and France in war with Germany.
     Hoover was reluctant to interfere with the American economy. He called the 
depression "a temporary halt in the prosperity of a great people". He believed that the 
states and local communities should provide relief for their own jobless, but it became 
clear that much more was needed. Congress authorized the Reconstruction Finance 
Corp. (RFC) to loan money to the states.
     The Faith Gazette of July 26, 1932 announced that South Dakota would get two 
million dollars, which would increase employment on state roads.
     Roosevelt was elected by a landslide in November, 1932. He took office March 4, 
1933 and immediately went into action.
     From the 9th of March through June 16, 1933 a special session of Congress 
succeeded in passing legislation which gave the country new hope. The Emergency 
Banking Act helped end the money panic and stabilize the banks. The first 
unemployment relief measures were implemented and the Civilian Conservation Corps 
(C.C.C.) was created. The purchasing power of agricultural producers was restored 
through the Agricultural Adjustment Act (A.A.A.). The National Industrial Recovery Act 
was designed to revive industrial and business activity and to reduce unemployment. 
The "New Deal" was taking shape.
     The West River Progress, a republican decried the "New Deal" and the economy 
would stabilize itself if didn't interfere. The Ziebach News, a democrat paper, saw the 
"New Deal" as giving hope to the hopeless help to the helpless. Whichever political one 
espoused, "New Deal" programs as applied to Ziebach County were in every paper.
     Ziebach County News August 20, 1936. WPA ACTIVITIES ARE DEVELOPING--
BLANKET PROJECTS ARE APPROVED: CASES BEING CARED FOR -- Mr. Koupal of 
Faith, WPA resident engineer for section, was a visitor in Dupree, Tuesday. brought the 
good news that the blanket of dams for Ziebach County was and that by the time the 
next work
starts it is planned that all workmen will placed closer to their homes. At this time other 
than the ones being worked not been approved.
     Following is a review of Welfare activities for Ziebach County:
     Approximately 450 cases in the county have  certified to WPA, with about 325 work-
assigned to jobs.
     There are 100 cases on the resettlement grant
     There are 15 cases on welfare for the month August.
     In all, there are about 450 families in the county that are being taken care of in some 
form of relief.
     There are 10 projects now under construction, as well as one well.
     The commodity department has put out approximately 40,000 pounds of mill feed, 
120 boxes of apples, and 500 sacks of flour.
     The quota for NYA workers has been raised to 55. There are now 48 working. To be 
eligible for NYA employment one must be between the ages of 18 and 25, must not be 
intending to go to school the coming term, and, as yet, from a relief family. Only one 
person in a family is allowed to work.
     Thousands of young men unable to find jobs were put to work by the C.C.C.
     These items from the Faith Gazette tell part of the story.
     April 19, 1933 S.D. to put 1400 men to work in Uncle Sam’s re-forestation projects.
     May 24, 1933 Cheyenne River Indian Reservation Camp has tentatively allotted for 
200 Indian men for six months, making truck trails and range improvements, fences and 
corrals and range water and miscellaneous improvements, fire suppression and erosion 
control.
     Isaac Long of Bridger tells more about this.
     "At the time, (1930's) they had CCC under Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Isaac was 
appointed as a time-keeper. There were twenty men on the crew. They were paid a 
dollar fifty a day, for single persons. They built fence from the junction on the river, north 
along the highway for eight miles, along the boundary of the reservation. The crew 
worked from July 8 through the middle of August. Everything was done by hand. The 
poles were two different sizes, for the flat and for hillsides. They were allowed two 
teams. Fifty cents a day was paid for furnishing a team. One team was to haul water and 
the other, wood. Every other day they went after water. The crew made a 3-wire fence, 
and had four wire stretchers. The wire was pulled on horseback to tighten it. They had to 
lay the wires down through the breaks. John Black Bull, a tall guy, had experience as he 
used to work for the Diamond A. He gave signals for the wire to be tightened. Now only 
Isaac Long and Henry Red Horse are living of that fence crew. After the fence was built, 
they switched to WPA or Works Progress Association and built four big stock water 
dams. They were paid $2.40 a day for single men.''
     Almost weekly there were local news items about young men from our area leaving 
for CCC camps. They were paid $30.00 per month, $25.00 of which was sent to their 
parents: A book of coupons worth $5.00 could be purchased at the camp commissary. 
The frugal paid cash and so were assured of having cigarettes and other personal items 
all month. The reckless ones took their $5.00 to town, blew it, and had to borrow to get 
by until next pay day.
     The plight of the rancher and farmer was in every issue of the local papers. Most 
ranchers were hard pressed to find feed and water for their livestock. Some who lived 
through this period declare that they are still haunted by the sound of cattle bawling for a 
drink of water and something to eat. Water holes had to be monitored regularly to rescue 
livestock mired in the mud.

[photo – Grasshoppers on the Otto Albers farm in 1933]

     These items appeared in the Faith Gazette. June 13, 1934 -- Government Cattle 
Program of Buying. Government appraisers will go into the field to appraise cattle of 
people having to sell or wanting to sell. Contact your community appraiser or agricultural 
agent. June 27, 1934 -- Large numbers of cattle bought by Government. Some cattle 
were in good shape and used for human consumption, others shot. Young calves were 
slaughtered and given to relief. July 11, 1934 -- Suspend buying of cattle due to 
congestion at various plants. No more cattle will be bought. (More cattle were bought 
later, however.)
     The amount paid to the rancher could not be verified by newspapers and after 50 
years, people who very well remember the despair of having to sell, cannot recall exactly 
how much they were paid. It seems to be generally agreed that it was between $18.00 to 
$20.00 for cows and $3.00 for calves. Local cattle buyers with money to invest could 
take their pick of the herd by paying a couple of extra dollars to the distressed rancher.

[photo – Shooting cattle in burying pit during the depression in the 1930’s]

[photo – Farming in the 1930’s]

[photo – Farming in the 1930’s. Mary Ellen and Otto Albers, Lawrence Woodward]

     Huge ditches were dug to bury the cattle that were too skinny to eat. Some of the 
better cattle were butchered locally and distributed to needy families.
     The Milwaukee railroad assisted the Red Cross by hauling clothing, food and 
livestock feed without charge during part of the emergency.
     Local news columns had so many items about people going to other areas in search 
of feed for their cattle.
     Russian thistles were about the only thing which grew, so they were used for 
livestock feed. They were cut green, allowed to dry and then stacked with salt added to 
each layer. The salt prevented them from molding. Some ranchers added molasses to 
make them more palatable and increase the food value.
     Another method of providing feed was told in the Faith Gazette in 1936.
     "FAITH MAN PUTTING UP CACTUS FOR SHEEP FEED. James Land, our genial 
city marshal, not having enough work to keep him busy, has been working his brain 
overtime on a device to burn the spines off cactus that are growing profusely in some 
parts of the country to make them available for sheep feed this winter.
     He mounts a gasoline blow torch on a shovel or fork handle and that is about all there 
is to the invention. The torch is then generated in the usual manner and a man walks 
through the cactus bed, holding the torch in front of him with a swinging motion as 
though mowing grass, applies it to the cactus and burns off the spines. The spines burn 
very quickly and readily, and if the torch is properly applied, a large space can be 
covered in a few minutes, without igniting the cactus leaves which are pulp and difficult 
to burn. Another man follows with a strong stable fork and pitches the cactus into a 
wagon. They are of shallow growth and come out of the ground easily. The sheep will 
eat these cactus very greedily after the spines are removed and with a little grain or oil 
cake can put through the winter with little or no hay.''
     Rural Credit, a state lending agency established in 1927, loaned money to farmers 
and ranchers to help them stay in business. The drought and depression joined forces to 
make it impossible to pay back the loans. By 1932, approximately 36% of all taxable 
land was owned by Rural Credit. The county and Rural Credit sold land by bid back to 
the farmers and ranchers. Some bought for $1.00 per acre. Later there was more 
competition and it was higher.
     The weather is always an important topic of conversation for people whose livelihood 
depends on it, and there was much to talk about in the 1930's.
     Huge tracts of land had been plowed during the 20's and rangeland had been 
overgrazed, leaving bare land unprotected when the drought came.
     The wind, the incessant howling wind, gathered top soil and carried great curtains of 
dust across the continent. The "black blizzards" made it impossible to see for more than 
a few feet. Many people wore masks to protect their throat and lungs. Russian thistles 
blew along fences and into road ditches and caught the drifting soil which often 
completely covered fences. Windows were covered with wet sheets to keep the dust 
from swirling inside the homes.

[photo – Hauling manure in the 1930’s]

[photo – Heading for Nebraska in the 1930’s]

[photo – As long as people keep their sense of humor, even insurmountable hardships 
can be endured. Grasshoppers were “no laughing matter”, but read on:
A postcard sent from Pierre to Iowa in 1937 began, “Hoppers grew a little since you left, 
didn’t they? Seeing is believing. In Nebraska they pull wagons, but here we just hop on 
old Hoppy and hop along to town – Ha!”]

[photo – COMING-April 18-19-20-1936 “Tuffy” in his first starring picture “The Mighty 
Treve” At WAPAZO THEATRE, FAITH]

     The extreme heat made headlines in local papers. These items appeared in the July 
16, 1936 Progress.
     "HEAT BROKE THERMOMETER. The thermometer down at the Club Pool Hall 
which for many years has served as a reliable indicator as to how hot or cold it was is no 
more. The heat last Thursday was too much for it and the mercury broke the glass tube. 
Jim Larson says he is going to invest $4 in a new thermometer, but says he isn't going to 
spend his four bucks unless he can get a thermometer that will register up to 212 
degrees." 
     "HOPPERS ARE VERY ABUNDANT. During those hot evenings the grasshoppers 
are swarming into town by the thousands, attracted by the street lights. They fly against 
the walls of buildings and fall down on the cement sidewalks and a fellow could scoop up 
bushels of them."
     "HELGE SANDVEN PASSED SUDDENLY. Helge Sandven, 70, passed away 
suddenly Saturday at about 4:00 o'clock. He and his two brothers, John and Essaias 
were in Dupree and started for home, but four miles west of town he became ill, and 
stopped the car. He was brought back to Dupree and died in Dr. Creamer's office. Death 
was attributed to the heat."
     INDIAN GOLD STAR MOTHER DIED FRIDAY. Mrs. Amos Clown, age 70 of Thunder 
Butte station, died as a result of the excessive heat Friday evening about 7 o'clock. She 
was buried at the Clown cemetery of the Moreau river Saturday afternoon. She was a 
member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Dupree and was the only Gold Star mother 
of the
Auxiliary."
     1936 was a year of temperature extremes. An extremely cold winter was followed by 
a hot summer. July 1936 was the hottest month ever recorded in Ziebach County.
     John Lemke submitted these statistics on rainfall and temperature for that year. 
Government statistics taken 1 mile north of Dupree by W. T. Searson.
January  	.67     		July                   .31
February	.72     		August            1.27  
March              .91		September       .76 
April               1.19		 October           .71 
May                  .06		November       1.75 
June                 .21		December         .16
-----------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RAINFALL 8.06 inches

Temperatures above 95 degrees in 1936
June 7   	95			            July 6		114
June 13	98				July 7		109
June 15	106				July 8		110
June 18	104				July 9		110
June 19	97				July 10	            112
June 24	108				July 11	            107
June 25	107				July 15	             110
June 29	108				July 16   	113
July 4		106				July 17	            109
July 5		110				July 18	            109

     By 1937 the drought began to lose its grip. The June 3rd issue of the Ziebach County 
News had this banner headline and comment. "West River Country Jubilant Over Big 
Rain." Before the general rain, the feeling of general pessimism that prevailed among 
the farmers was grim, but since the heavy rainfall optimism has taken place and the 
feeling is the country can now carry on and make a good yield if conditions continue 
normal."
      Measures to heal the land and promote better care of it were undertaken.
     On February 17, 1938 the Ziebach County News read, "Ranchers in Ziebach County 
constructed 88 dams containing 50,538 cubic yards of dirt and allowed substantial 
(162,303) acres of grazing land to re-seed naturally under the deferred grazing practice 
set out in the provisions of the 1937 Agricultural Range Program. (25cents per was paid 
to allow the land to revert to grazing land.)"
     Fancy pink salmon, tall 1 lb. can, 2 for 17 cents; Wheaties, large 8 oz. package, 11 
cents; fruit jar rubbers, 2 doz. for 7cents; assorted spices, 2 oz. cans, 5 cents; Occident 
flour, 49 lb. sack, $1.50. These were prices quoted in a 1936 Leader Store ad.
     Even with such prices the homemaker had to use all of her ingenuity to stretch the 
money to provide adequate food and clothing for the family. The S.D. Extension Office 
through its clubs tried to aid in this task.
     In the July 23, 1936 issue, these items appeared in the Ziebach County News.  
     "WILL CONDUCT CLOTHING  DEMONSTRATION JULY 31. Another  big day for the 
homemakers in Ziebach  county has been scheduled for Friday,  July 31. At that time 
Miss Ada Johnson,  Home Specialist from State College, will  be in Dupree to conduct a 
demonstration  on "Clothing Economies." This demonstration will be held in the court 
room in  Dupree beginning at 10 a.m. and will  carry over into the afternoon. The women  
are to bring in dresses or felt hats that  they wish suggestions for remodeling.  This 
demonstration as originally scheduled, was to have been on the subject of  "Food 
Preservation" but due to the  drought, the subject has been changed to  "Clothing 
Economic", which includes  the remodeling of garments.
     "REMODELING BEDDING'' TO BE TOPIC MERIFUS. The Merifu Women's club met 
last Saturday at the home of Mrs. James P. Nelsen with 15 in attendance. Mrs. Searson 
and Mrs. Stevens gave a demonstration on "New Deal for Old Clothes". This club will 
hold their next meeting on Thursday, September 24, at the home of Mrs. Charles 
Hersey. Their subject for demonstration at that time will be "Remodeling Bedding."
     "GARMENTS AND FOODSTUFFS. More than 982,911 garments and 6,503 tons of 
foodstuffs were distributed from surplus commodity supplies to needy persons by WPA 
workers, and 151 sewing rooms produced or repaired 331,446 articles. Other activities 
included 234 visits for medical, dental and nursing assistance, and, in public libraries, 
the repair of 26,194 volumes. In addition, 1,454 school lunches were served needy 
children."
     In 1935 a case worker made the following report of an Indian household.
     HOUSE: Worker visited M at his home four miles from the Thunder Butte Station. The 
two room log house had a dirt roof. One room had a regular grain edged floor and the 
other room, used for a kitchen, had a plain board flooring. The house was sixteen by 
thirty-two and both rooms required entire new flooring, beaver board ceiling and walls, 
and weather bearded on the outside, with a shingled roof. The one room used for 
sleeping quarters has one iron bed, a table, three trunks, two chairs, three benches and 
a set of new work harness. The kitchen part has one table, a wash stand, a chair, a 
stove and an old cupboard. The outbuildings consisted of a cave cellar, and a four pole 
shed. The roads leading in and out of M's house were in poor traveling condition. The 
home was on W's allotment of one hundred sixty acres. M stated that he could use a 
barn to hold his team of horses.
     SANITATION: The family hauled water from an open well about two hundred yards 
from the house. There was no privy.
     There was a mass exodus of people from this area during the 30's. Every paper 
carried stories of families literally "looking for greener pastures." Some were helped by 
the government as these items from the July 9 and September 17, 1936 editions of the 
Ziebach County News show.  
     "DROUGHT RELIEF PLANS REVEALED. Will Relocate Drought Residents; Furnish 
Money to Restock Stricken Areas -- Washington: Government plans to aid farmers in 
leaving five drought-stricken western areas were announced Saturday by Harry L. 
Hopkins, Works Progress Administrator.
     Explaining that in parts of North and South Dakota, in northwestern Texas, and parts 
of Colorado and Kansas, it was impossible to provide acreage to replace that ruined by 
erosion, Hopkins said many families in these areas would be helped financially to 
resettle "in other regions where better opportunities for farming may be found." 
     "RESETTLEMENT PUTS $45,981.90 INTO ZIEBACH COUNTY Up TO JUNE 26TH. 
S. D.'s Loans Total $2,991,191, While Grants Total $2,403,649; 46,521 Persons 
Benefited -Sioux Falls (Special to the Ziebach County News): Payments totaling 
$45,981·90 were made in Ziebach county by the Resettlement Administration from July 
1, 1935 to June 26, 1936 according to information announced today by Guy H. Harvey, 
state director for the National Emergency Council.
     Of these payments, loans totaling $16,089.40 were made to 240 persons in Ziebach 
county and $29,892.50 of grants to 299 persons in the county were disbursed.''
     "Gangbusters" was one of the favorite radio programs during the 30's. The country 
revered as much as they feared the gangsters who fought for territory for their 
bootlegging and racketeering operations. Many of the notorious became anti-
establishment heroes. Their criminal actions were front page news as was the ignoble 
end of their careers.
     Al Capone was brought to justice in 1931. The fate of several others was noted in 
1934. Bonnie and Clyde were killed in Louisiana, May 23rd. "Pretty Boy" Floyd killed in 
Ohio October 26th. John Dillinger slain in Chicago July 22nd. "Baby Face" Nelson was 
killed November 28th.
     Ziebach County was not free of criminal activities either. Horse rustling was the most 
common and was often reported throughout the 30's.
     Oscar White Weasel tells about some nefarious characters.
     "At that time (1930's), there was a horse rustler come in this country, must not be 
very far from Faith. They had a slaughter of them horses.
     They had a bunch of hogs in there. They kill them there and then they feed horse 
meat to the pigs.
     I had a good horse and this man that was there, he wants to buy that horse for two 
cows and some money. So I told him OK. "I come after them cattle some time," I said.
     So I went down there one time. I had a pickup with a rack on. It was foggy, early in 
the morning. I stopped my car and I was quite aways standing there watching them and 
a bunch of horses in the corral was running around and I hear a gun shot going off. I 
walk down there and this tripod, a pole, and one post dug in the ground and another 
hook in there. And these horses hang up.
     He got somebody to make a hole and they got a hook and a horse with a harness on 
it and the single hook. They hook that and this horse they laid him out and that hide is all 
pulled off and one guy standing there and fold it up and tied that with baling wire. There 
was quite a bunch in there, them hides. At that time one guy shot another horse. This 
horse is got down, they drag him to that hog where they eat him.
     One guy saw me and went on and say something and they all stand there and look 
around. I thought I was going to get killed.
     One guy came up and he said, "What do you want?" I said, "I want to see the boss. ''
     So he came up and told the guy, "Get them cattle out here and we'll help him load 
up.''
     The horses was cheap then, but the hide costs more money so they took the hide off 
and they ship them out.
     They got caught in Mobridge, I believe it was. I don't know how many trucks they 
caught there with the hide on." 
     The 1930's also had a lighter side. Just as the automobile was making headlines in 
the teens and twenties, the aeroplane was the novelty of the thirties. Daring pioneers 
Byrd, Lindbergh, Coste, Earhard, Post and Howard Hughes took their flying machines 
across the ocean and across the poles.
     The Faith Independent of April 23, 1930 announced that the Wapazoo Theatre would 
soon get Talkie equipment.
     The movies provided an escape for people from their economic and political 
problems. Film stars were idolized. Ziebach County had its own representation in the 
make believe world of Hollywood -- a dog named "Tuffy".
     A news item from the April 14, 1938 issue of the West River Progress reads: "The M. 
E. Reynolds' and Ed Ross' motored to Faith Sunday evening to see the picture in which 
'Tuffy', the famous Ziebach County dog appears. Tuffy was born in the Orvedahl ranch 
southeast of Faith in Ziebach County. He was trained on the ranch. He is the most 
famous dog today."
     The name of the movie was "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine.'' Neighbors remember 
the intelligence of this dog. He seemed to understand any command. He had one brown 
eye and one blue eye.
     Gerhard married Ruth Shaffer (a DHS graduate) in 1932 and they moved to Los 
Angeles in 1935.
     Tuffy appeared in several movies. Orvedahl also toured several states where Tuffy 
and other dogs which Gerhard trained were shown in schools.
     The radio was the one luxury most families managed to keep during the depression. 
Hours of entertainment for the whole family were provided. The "Soaps", popular TV 
programs today, had their beginning in the daytime serial programs of the 30's. (Many 
thought they were 'cereal' programs because prepared breakfast food makers were 
sponsors of many of the shows).
     The April 8, 1937 News ran a picture of a beautiful baby with this caption: "Would You 
Keep a Baby Left On Your Doorstep?" What would you do if you found a beautiful nine-
months old baby girl on your doorstep some evening? Would you keep the child? Call 
the police? Turn the baby over to some public welfare organization?
     That is the problem Ma Perkins, popular radio character, faces.
     A beautiful little baby girl about nine months old has been abandoned. And where, of 
all places but in Ma Perkins' lumberyard!
     Ma Perkins just can't believe that anyone would want to come to Rushville Center 
and desert this darling baby girl. She feels sure that some mystery is connected with the 
whole thing. A hurriedly written note pinned to the blanket read: "Please take care of my 
baby. Her name is . . ." and that's all there was, so if Ma keeps the baby she'll have to 
name her, and will probably need some help on that.
     But finding a name for her baby will only be a part of Ma's worries. How she attempts 
to unravel the mystery surrounding this child-how she fights to keep her until the parents 
are located--that is the story that will enthrall Ma's millions of radio friends in the next few 
weeks.
     Procter and Gamble, makers of Oxydol, the safe no-scrub laundry soap, are the 
sponsors of the Ma Perkins Show. It has been on the air daily, Monday through Friday, 
for more than three years.
     Reading was a favorite pastime. "Gone With The Wind' was the favorite book in 
South Dakota in 1937. Hitler's "Mein Kampf' was also being read by many. Dime 
paperback novels and magazines were passed from home to home.
      Even in these dire times, people never lost their sense of humor. This was taken 
from the Faith Gazette, January 21, 1932.
     "A neighboring editor, hard hit by the depression developed a sense of touch to a 
very high degree. The seat of his trousers are so thin that he can sit on a dime and tell 
which side is up, heads or tails. If the depression lasts much longer, he will be able to tell 
the date on the dime. The question which naturally arises is 'How did he get the dime in 
the first place?"'

WORLD WAR II

     Weary souls, who had just come through the taxing drought and depression, watched 
with apprehension as war clouds gathered over Europe and Asia. It was apparent that 
this might easily engulf our county in a fight for our very freedom.
     The Ziebach County News, on December 13, 1941 carried a front page story under 
the heading "U S Declares War on Japanese Government". It is interesting to note that 
''Dupree Victorious in Tourney'' was the banner headline. An editorial in that same issue 
read in part: IT HAS COME! THE WAR, which we all expected and yet found hard to 
believe when news arrived here Sunday evening, has been brought directly to us. Japan 
has declared war on the U. S. and Britain. It is unbelievable--yet it is true. The whole 
world was astounded. Many different tongues and races said over and over again the 
same phrase--"The Japs must have gone crazy".
     In the face of undeniable aggression on the part of Japanese, Roosevelt asked 
Congress and received a formal declaration of war.
     There is much we in Ziebach county can do in the way of economizing, sacrificing, 
furnishing for our army and navy manpower, and aiding all we possibly can our 
government, principally by buying U. S. Defense Bonds and Stamps. The American Red 
Cross has been put on a war-time basis and will need the full support of every person in 
the U.S.A.
     Once again people left the area. Soldiers went to fight the war and civilians left to 
work in defense plants. This decade was dominated by World War II.
     Newspaper headlines tell much of the story of life in Ziebach County during the war. 
These are quoted from the Ziebach County News.
January 8, 1942
     FIRST SOUTH DAKOTA TIRE ALLOTMENTS ARE MADE SUGGESTIONS ON 
HOW TO SAVE WEAR-TEAR ON TIRES
April 2, 1942
     MEN 45-64 TO REGISTER APR. 27 LARGE GROUP TO TAKE ARMY EXAMS - 
Nineteen men were called on the first day; 15 men were called on the second day.
June 11, 1942
     LABORERS NEEDED AT EDGEMONT ORDINANCE DEPOT PROJECT - Laborers 
paid 60 cents an hour and carpenter apprentices 75 cents an hour for 40-hour week, 
with time and one-half for overtime.
June 11, 1942
     $50 MONTH BILL FOR BUCK PRIVATES OKAYED Washington A$50-a-month 
minimum pay scale for the armed forces had the overwhelming approval of Congress 
Monday, effective as of June 1st.
     Buck privates and Navy apprentice seamen will receive $50 monthly. 1st class 
privates and 2nd class seamen will receive $54 and increases for ranks up to and 
including 2nd lieutenants. DEPENDENTS ALLOWANCE The house accepted the senate 
deduction and allowance rates under which a service man with "Class A" dependents 
must allot $22 of his monthly pay to their support, with the government adding $28 for a 
wife, $12 for the first child and $10 for each additional child.
June 25, 1942
     SUGAR STAMPS TO COVER FOUR WEEKS
July 2, 1942
     CO. NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS APPOINTED - Important Job to Perform - The 
USDA has asked that every county in every state organize their county into 
neighborhoods and appoint one man and one lady in each to act as neighborhood 
leaders. The job of these leaders is important in the war effort.
     At a series of meetings held throughout the county, the following leaders were picked 
to do this job:
     Louise Hinzman, Mrs. Bert Wall, Chris Hansen, Fermen Ohnemus, Mrs. Virgil 
Anderson, Mrs. John Sprague, Leo DeJong, C. H. Holmes, Mrs. Moody Drummond, Mrs. 
Delbert Day, Russel Keckler, Leonard Birkeland, Floyd Parker, Mrs. Chas. Hersey, Mrs. 
Jessie Smith, Vernon Oliver, Mrs. Joseph Cahill, Mrs. Wm. Birkenholtz, Levi Eaton, 
Clarke Edwards, Mrs. Fred Nelson, Mrs. W. J. Pogany, Ludwig Graslie, Clarence Smith, 
Mrs. John Leber, Mrs. L. M. Endahl, Albert Steen, Fred Bierman, Mrs. Gee. Higgins, 
Mrs. Fred Mueller, Oscar Lund, C. W. Young, Mrs. Carl Andrson, Mrs. C. H. Witte, 
Selmer Andersen, Art Ostby, Mrs. Wm. Marple, Mrs. Paul Elfrink, Ross Wince and Otis 
Domina.
August 13, 1942
     SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS. An acute shortage of teachers is noticed throughout 
the state, especially in rural schools. Many small schools will be forced to shut down and 
the larger schools are expecting a record-high in attendance. The Dupree schools still 
have a few vacancies but it is thought that they will be filled by the time school starts or 
soon thereafter. 
August 27, 1942
     PRAIRIE FIRE FRIDAY AT KNIGHT RANCH: SABOTAGE SUSPECTED. Many from 
Dupree were called to the Wally Knight ranch last Friday evening to help extinguish a 
prairie fire started not far from the house.
     The cause was thought to be one of many but the most plausible in this day and age 
was sabotage.
     To support this theory an unidentified horseman was seen scurrying from the scene 
by a witness. The horse was tracked quite a ways west. Local officials together with 
federal authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.
October 8, 1942
     REDUCE SPEED TO 35 WARNS MOTOR PATROL. The United States Government 
and the Governor of the state have asked that all motorists cooperate in the war effort by 
cutting their speed to 35 miles per hour.
October 15, 1942
     TRUCKS, PICKUPS TO REGISTER OCTOBER 22-23-24. In view of the critical 
shortage of rubber and automotive equipment, rigid conservation measures must be 
adopted in order that essential transportation requirements be maintained throughout the 
nation. As a definite step toward this the Office of Defense Transportation issued an 
order requiring that all trucks, and pickups of any description to be operated after 
November 15th, must have a Certificate of War Necessity.
     DUPREE STUDENTS BEGIN INTENSIVE SCRAP HUNT
December 3, 1942
     REGISTRATION OF 18-19 YEAR OLD MALE CITIZENS
December 3, 1942
     WORK... FIGHT... SACRIFICE THEME OF ANNIVERSARY OF ATTACK ON PEARL 
HARBOR. A two-day nation-wide observance of the anniversary of the attack on Pearl 
Harbor will be sponsored by the Office of War Information. Joining in the observance will 
be the War and Navy Departments, all other war agencies, war plants, labor, schools, 
colleges and numerous other organizations.
     The anniversary will be observed Sunday, December 6 and Monday, December 7, 
wherever there are Americans around the world.
December 10, 1942
     SHARE THE RIDE PLAN ORGANIZED LOCALLY. The American Legion Auxiliary 
has made plans which are designed to help out patriotic tire and gas savers, through a 
share-the-ride plan.
     In accordance with this plan, in the event that a car driver must use his car to go out 
of town, he will register his name, destination, and the date he will go, on a blackboard 
that is to be hung in the post office for that purpose.
     Then someone who may have business taking him out of town can check the list and 
get in touch with the person going to his desired destination.
December 10, 1942
     AIR RAID WARDENS APPOINTED FOR ZIEBACH. In preparation for observance of 
the coming practice Blackout that is scheduled for December 14th, 1942, 9:00 to 9:20 
P.M., the following have been appointed as air raid wardens, who will patrol their districts 
to request compliance with the request of the Air Corp Commander to turn out all lights 
for this twenty minute period, and to request all motor vehicles to park and turn off lights.
     Glen Honey, Severin Hegre, Roy Lawrence, Al C. Tibke, Otis Shannon and Henry 
Burgee, Dupree. Carl Becker, Glad Valley. Glen Woods, Cherry Creek. M.E. Reynolds, 
Redelm. Percy Whittlinger, Red Scaffold. James Hi Hawk, Bridger. February 11, 1943
     SHOE RATIONING STARTED TUESDAY
March 18, 1943
     MEAT RATIONING STARTS MARCH 29
March 25, 1943. According to Food Distribution Order No. 26, effective March 31, 1943, 
farmers or anyone who slaughters and transfers ownership of meat, either by sale, trade 
or gift, must obtain a permit under new federal regulations designed to stamp out "Black-
Market" operation in meats.
April 1, 1943.
      DANCE NETS $27 FOR RED CROSS. Members of the Red Scaffold community 
gave a dance last Saturday night at the Red Scaffold hall, the proceeds of which were 
turned over to the Red Cross. It was also a farewell party for Marvin Inamongst, a recent 
army volunteer.
     There was a big crowd, quite a few going down from here, and everyone reported 
that they had a good time.
     Music was donated by Jim Miller and Hersil and Darrell Sprague and transportation 
for the players was donated by Wm. Pooley.
     The ladies of the Red Scaffold community served the lunch.
     $27 was realized from the dance. 
April 22, 1943
     1ST WAAC CANDIDATE LEAVES HERE WEDNESDAY. Recognition as the first 
WAAC candidate from this county goes to Miss Lorraine Makes Trouble, a Thunder 
Butte girl. She left Wednesday morning for Omaha, Nebraska to join the Women's Army 
Auxiliary Corps.
April 22, 1943
     ZIEBACH COUNTIES FIRST WAR CASUALTY. Vaughn Hedges 'Killed In Action'. S. 
E. Hedges of Glad Valley received the following terse telegram from Washington, on 
Monday.
     The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your son, Private 
Vaughn S. Hedges, was killed in action in defense of his country in North Africa Area, 
March 29. Letter follows,
ULIO,
The Adjutant General
     As far as we are aware this is the first casualty for Ziebach County in the present war.
     This is a listing of items that were rationed in 1943, as appeared in an April issue of 
the Ziebach County News.
     RATIONING REMINDERS: Sugar, 5 lbs.; Coffee, 1 Ib.; Meat, Butter, Cheese, Oils; 
Canned Goods; Shoes, 1 pair; Fuel Oil, 11 gal. each stamp; Gasoline, 4 gal. each No. 5 
coupon; Grocers, Butchers, inventory stock and make stamp points for ration for stamp 
allotments; Restaurants, Hospitals, etc., must register at local rationing boards for their 
allotments of sugar, processed commodities, meats and fats; Tire Inspections, coupons 
for tire inspections.
     On August 14, 1945 the Japanese surrendered and the war was over! The West 
River Progress ran this story in their August 16th edition.
     "Victory Day was quietly observed in Dupree. Flags were up all day Tuesday and at 
about 6:00 o'clock when the Victory message came, church bells rang."
     The long nightmare was over! The boys came home and many took over farms and 
businesses that seemed to be waiting for their youthful energy. Ration books and 
tokens, were discarded. Slowly at first, consumer goods became available.
     Life became easier after the war. For the rest of the decade, people bought new cars 
and machinery. Rural homes were improved with bottle gas stoves and refrigerators.
     The decade ended with a feeling of well-being.

CONCLUSION
     It will be up to the next generation to research the local papers of the 50's, 60's and 
70's, because time gives a better perspective of events and ideas that are relevant to our 
history.
     As an example, there was an article in a May, 1937 paper which stated: "Prairie Dogs 
Gone For Good". There was some regret that future generations would never know the 
charm of these little animals. Now in the 1980's, hundreds of acres in this country are 
being destroyed by these rodents.
     Ziebach County has been in existence only a few short years. Less than 75 years 
ago, the beautiful county was a vast space of prairie land, rough and rugged, only 
inhabited by fur traders and Native Americans. The history of our county is a history of 
all peoples that crossed this area and left footsteps in the sands of time.
     As this book is written, much history is being lived that future generations will look 
back on and say, "In the good ole days when I was young---". They will go on dreaming 
of the years ahead, remembering the days gone by.
     In spite of the many hardships and the changes, many people still live with a great 
pioneer spirit, determined to live and realize the hopes and promise some of their 
ancestors did not live to fulfill. May our prayers and best wishes be with them.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Early 1930's story:
     A seemingly pious school board member was also a bootlegger. His neighbor, of the 
same profession only more notorious, brought his wife over to apply for a teaching 
position. Now that seemed right sacrilegious to hire the wife of a bootlegger to teach 
school children.
     He has met them in the yard, away from the house and was not too receptive to her 
getting the job. He had been bottling some of his product, and as they visited, a few of 
the bottles uncorked with a loud report. Hearing that, the woman's husband remarked, 
"Too much sugar". She got the job.

[photocopy – menu from Miracle Diner, Dupree, SD dated July 1, 1946, ration coupons, 
ration book covers]

[photo – LeBeau, SD]

[photo of child with hore and buggy – “Just waiting for Dad”, Dupree, SD]

[photo – Field of Macaroni Wheat – yield 47 bu. Per acre – 6 miles NE of Dupree on 
Fred Beguhl place, 1915]

[photo – The Dirty Dozen threshing crew. Pete Christonsen, water monkey. 1912]

[photo – Bridge being built over Moreau River]

[photo – Construction work on State Highway Bridge one mile west of Dupree, May 30, 
1922]

[photo of Caterpillar tractor - First Ziebach County Cat] 

[photo – First bridge built by Eb Jones west of Dupree, all logs]