Text of Ziebach Co., SD History (1982) - pages 202 - 218 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 12 SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 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]