Text of Ziebach Co., SD History (1982) - pages 181 - 201 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 , final editing by Joy Fisher, . 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]