USA > South Dakota > Jerauld County > A history of Jerauld county, South Dakota > Part 22
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People who had gathered herds of cows and hogs and had diversified their farming operations were in better condition to withstand the trials that beset them.
But the people will become accustomed to any condition if long enough continued, and what at first seems unbearable will eventually be borne with some degree of good nature. So people came to look for something to laugh at even in their doleful situation. The droning sound of the sheriff's voice as he read a foreclosure sale of some quarter section of land became so common that it was unnoticed, or if noticed at all was made the subject of jest. On one occasion the sheriff's deputy was read- ing a sale with no thought of a buyer being present, when some one called
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out, "Fifteen dollars for the whole quarter." "You go to thunder," said the deputy, "there ain't to be no interuptions in this sale," and no further notice was taken of the bid.
People danced, played ball, ran horses, joked, talked politics and-in many ways helped each other to pass away the days of gloom, knowing that in the general despondency they and all the world were kin.
So the year drew on to winter. People gathered fuel from the prairies and made themselves as comfortable as possible for the mild winter that followed, deriving hope from the fact that one drouth is seldom followed by another.
Chapter 8.
At the re-organization of the board of county commissioners, on the - day of January, 1895, D. B. Paddock was made chairman, but, under a change in the law the new auditor did not take his position until the - day of March.
During the winter many of the farmers had sold what grain they had and at the meeting of the commissioners on the 9th of March the board found that the demand for seed grain had greatly increased. The amount required in the different townships now was:
Blaine, 2540 bu .; Viola, 1595; Anina, 600; Crow Lake, 430; Logan, 785; Franklin, 1770; Wessington Springs, 1195; Media, 795; Pleasant, II28: Crow, 125; Alpena, 2124 ;Dale, 700; Chery, 840; Harmony, 660; and Marlar, 770. Total 16,107 bu.
During the first three months of 1895 relief for the poor cost $165.01 : 2nd quarter, $72.33; 3rd quarter, $266.55 ; and the last quarter, $41.65. Total $545.57.
In previous winters the snow had drifted over the hill and blocked the road which had been graded on the north side of the ravine west of town, and the county commissioners decided to bridge the ravine and put the road on the south side. The contract was let April 26th to An- ton Reindl to build a stone arch similar to the two he had built in the town of Wessington Springs. The contract price was $295. The grading of the new road was done by W. B. McDonald. The work on both the arch and the grade was accepted by the board at its July meeting.
The claims against the bondsmen arising out of the Williams' defal- cation, which had been fought through the circuit and supreme courts of the state were settled at the September meeting of the board by Mary
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A. V. Hall.
Bert Healey.
J. C. Longland.
H. C. Lyle.
Daniel Mitchell.
Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Smith.
Mr. and Mrs. C. C. W'right.
Geo. O. Williams
J. IV. Snart.
Alonso Converse.
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Williams, deeding to the county the SW quarter of 3-107-64 and paying the county $165.66 in money.
In the west district, as the time approached for the election of a com- missioner to succeed Mr. Paddock on the county board, the Populists nominated Mr. George Burger, of Crow township and the Republicans re-nominated Mr. Paddock, who was re-elected.
The county Sunday School convention was held May 28th.
The commencement exercises at the Wessington Springs seminary occurred on the 8th of June, when the following students were graduated: Amy M. R. Amos, Jennie Barrett, Addie Knieriem, and Herbert W. Emery.
The annual teachers' normal institute for the county which was held Sept. 2nd to the 6th, was preceded by a teachers' school, which lasted two weeks, conducted by Supt. Williams and Prof. Jones.
During April, May and June the rains were abundant and the crop prospects excellent, but the afternoon of the 5th of July the wind that had been in the southeast for several days swung into the southwest and became intensely hot. Much injury was done to the late-planted grain, but as a whole the crops in the county were fair. That was the last of the "hot winds" in Jerauld county. But prices of all kinds of farm pro- ducts were improving and people began to hope for the immediate return of better times.
About May Ist Mr. B. B. Blosser sold the True Republican to W. F. Bancroft and went to Illinois to engage in newspaper work there.
February Ist C. W. Hill retired from the Sieve and was succeeded by W. F. Yege in the editorial management of the paper.
In June a girls baseball club was organized at Wessington Springs. composed of two nines, one of which assumed the name of "Blue Jays," the other, "Bobolinks." For several weeks a good deal of time was deovted to practice, to the great amusement of the girls as well as the "fans." The "Blue Jays" which was called the first nine had as members, Mary Williams, captain, Mary Huntley, Myrtle Price, Millie Price, Aletha Johnson, Eula Wallace, Nellie Mercer, Mathilda Brodkorb and Abbie Whitney. The other nine-the "Bobolinks"-had Eva Whitney, captain, Grace Dunham, Alice Brodkorb, Mabelle Huntley, May Lewis, Minnie Lewis, Cora England, Edith Hill and Mabel Seger. The fame of this club spread through the state and in August the people of Ashton invited the "Blue Jays" to meet a similar club from Faulkton on the Ashton diamond. The invitation was accepted, but when the time came for the game the Misses Abbie Whitney and Mathilda Brodkorb were unable to go and their places were taken by Eva Whitney and Mabelle Huntley, of the "Bobolinks." Of course there was much discussion in
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the town as to the propriety of letting the girls go. Nevertheless they went, in charge of G. N. Price. While they were gone but little else was talked about by the people at home. But all grumbling ceased, when, on the afternoon of the game Uncle Charley England received a dispatch from Mary Huntley announcing a victory for the "Blue Jays" by a score of 21 to 13.
In January the Universalists organized a society at Wessington Springs and began holding religious services, led by Mr. James Mosher. The meetings were held at the residences of the members.
A literary and debating society at the Dale Center school house during the winter of 1894-95 attracted considerable attention and was well at- tended by people in that part of the county. .
A Union Sunday School with 33 members was organized in the south- east part of Viola township on March 24th and was well attended through the year.
In the latter part of February the farmers of Viola township held a meeting at which a strong sentiment was expressed in favor of bonding the township to put down a number of artesian wells. But a few days later W. P. Shulz, began drilling a well for Charles Walters, and after it was finished he put down one for Christopher Clodt, and another for Peter Klink. Nothing further was done about bonding the township.
In September Kline and McDonald completed the Albert's well in Chery township.
In the summer of 1895 the Sullivan P. O. was changed from the residence of Mr. W. W. Goodwin in the southern part of Wessington Springs township to the residence of Wm. Webber in Anina.
An old settlers association was organized on June 25th, at a picnic held in the grove at Wessington Springs. F. T. Tofflemier was made president and Geo. O. Williams secretary. A vice-president of the asso- ciation was elected for each township, Mr. L. G. Wilson was elected historian.
In business affairs several changes were made in the year 1895.
J. R. Milliken sold his Alpena store to H. A. Miller and his son Charles, in February and in October changed his residence to Mitchell. Miller & Son moved the stock of goods in March to Wessington Springs and placed it on one side of the store room occupied by W. L. Arnold. Arnold sold dry goods and Miller sold groceries. In September Arnold began a series of auction sales to close out his business, and in November Millers moved their stock of goods to their farm in Chery township.
The hardware store in Alpena was sold by F. B. Phillips to D. H. Wood and Phillips moved to Oregon.
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After Miller & Son moved their goods to Wessington Springs, C. C. Isenhuth, who had been running a store at Virgil moved his stock to Alpena.
On December 27th, 1895, a notice was published in the Alpena Journal calling a meeting for December 3Ist, at Odd Fellows Hall for the pur- pose of forming a co-operative creamery company. At the time appointed a large number of farmers assembled and took an earnest part in the project. D. H. Wood was made chairman of the meeting and Henry T. Griggs secretary. A preliminary organization was perfected and 23 shares, at $50 each, were taken. The meeting then adjourned to Jan. 7th. This was one of the most important events in the history of the county. It may properly be said to mark the end of the hard times, in Jerauld county.
The business depression that followed the panic of 1893 continued through 1896. In August wheat was 3Ic to 36c per bushel : oats Ioc; rye I5c: flax 50c. In the hope of bettering their condition the Williams, Miles, Shryock, Hawthorne, Hill, Converse and other families moved into southern states, some going to Mississippi, some to Georgia. In January Mrs. N. C. Hall sold her drug stock in Wessington Springs, which was moved to Carthage, and later she removed to Fitzgerald. Georgia. In the years that followed several of these families returned to Jerauld county, among them being, Miles, McDonald, Williams and Hawthorne.
On the farms the crops were good, but no one could be called pros- perous because of the miserably low prices.
In social, religious and educational matters things went on about as usual.
The teachers' institute was held June 29th to July 9th with Prof. Jones of Chamberlain, again conductor, and Miss Conley, of Woonsocket. assistant.
The Sunday School convention was held April 30th.
In October the pastor of the M. E. church reported a membership of 127 in the societies of that denomination in Wessington Springs, Viola and Media townships, with 10 probationers.
On Sept. 18th an agricultural exhibit was held at Wessington Springs, that was well attended from all parts of the county. The vegetable and household exhibits were in a large tent that had been secured for the occasion. A pony race, foot race and ball game were parts of the enter- tainment. The pony race was won by Marion Corbin's pony "White Stocking." The foot race was won by S. E. Pflaum of Logan township. The ball game was won by the Artesian team over the Wessington Springs ninc.
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May Ist G. N. Price again took possession of the Waterbury stage route.
The board of county commissioners re-organized January 6th with P. H. Shultz as chairman. Nothing but the merest routine business was done by the board during the year. Not a single special session was held.
The only change among the newspapers of the county was in the Sieve office Feb. Ist, W. F. Yegge retiring to be succeeded by G. W. Backus. Mr. Yegge began publishing "The Local Press" at his farm in Chery township.
In March M. S. Cowman, who had been a resident of Yankton Co., Dakota, since the year 1868 moved up from Gayville, S. D., and rented the Parkhurst ranch, which extended across the Bateman Gulch south of Wessington Springs.
In April the bottom lands along Crow Creek were flooded for a few days by the spring rains.
On June 12th the old settlers of Western Jerauld county had their annual picnic at Waterbury, and on the 23rd the prohibitionists had a political rally at the same place.
Later in the season the old Herring store building was torn down and the material used in the construction of a barn on what was then known as the Martin ranch northeast of Waterbury.
On March 30th the farmers of Logan township met at the Glen post office to discuss the matter of establishing a co-operative creamery at that point.
In February, 1896, D. F. Royer sold to L. N. Loomis his interest in the Bank of Alpena.
May 5th was one of the most important days in the history of the northeast portion of the county, for on that day the Alpena co-operative creamery began doing business.
The first graduating exercises of the Alpena public schools occurred on May 22nd, Supt. Williams presenting the diplomas to a class, con- posed of Gertrude Pearce, Ethel Davenport, Wena and Carrie Nolt. and Hattie Strain.
In Blaine township an artesian well was completed on the Frank Campbell farm in June by K. S. Starkey.
In Dale township arrangements were made for a series of revival meetings to be held at the Center school house, beginning in December. Rev. Jensen, of Bates, Hand county, was engaged to conduct the meet- ings. The extremely severe winter prevented the plan being carried out successfully.
As the winter, which began in October, increased in severity and the snow continued to fall and pile up in great drifts, the jack rabbits gath-
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ered in droves about the tree claims and groves. It was no unusual thing to see several hundred of them in a single grove. The grass and un- husked corn was deep under the snow and only the trees were left for them to eat. The snow was from ten to twenty feet deep in all groves and this enabled the rabbits to reach the young and tender limbs. On the branches and bark of the trees the animals fed. The damage was great. Hunting parties were formed and large numbers of rabbits killed to save the trees.
In Chery township a series of Demorest medal. contests were held during the forepart of the year and created great interest.
In the latter part of October, the Stock P. O. was discontinued for a time because the postmaster resigned and moved away.
The Templeton post office which had in the spring of 1889 been re- located on the northeast corner of section 35 in Harmony township, at the residence of C. G. Smith, postmaster, changed hands in the spring of 1896, by the resignation of Mr. Smith. Mr. J. R. Eddy, the new postmaster, purchased the house in which the office had been kept and moved it a half mile east where it was held until he could get permis- sion from the government to take it to his residence on the east side of section 25 of the same township. The permission was granted in June and the office continued its journey to the new postmaster's home. Mr. Eddy then purchased a stock of goods and opened what has even since been known as the Templeton store.
The commencement exercises of 1896 at the Seminary occurred on June Ioth. The class had as members, Mary E. Huntley, F. Loren Kent, Roy Campbell, and Cora Sickler.
About April Ist C. W. Lane sold his Bank of Wessington Springs to H. J. Wallace and L. N. Loomis.
The diploma and bronze medal, won by the Wessington Springs Sem- inary at the Chicago Worlds' Fair was received by the institution about the 20th of June. These mementos are still preserved among the treas- ures of the school.
In August a co-operative grain company was formed at Wessington Springs with O. O. England, Prest., and R. S. Vessey, Sec: The purpose of this company was to furnish a grain and coal market in Wessington Springs during the fall and winter. In the following April the company dissolved, having accomplished its purpose. It had purchased over 25,000 bu. of grain and handled 435 tons of coal. During the long, hard winter of 1896-97 the local market for coal afforded by this company re- lieved distress in hundreds of instances.
On account of failing health Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Freeland resigned from the Seminary faculty in July and moved to California.
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About June 25th R. C. Smith opened a drug store at Wessington Springs, and also put in a stock of groceries.
In July Mrs. J. M. Spears leased the Willard hotel to W. H. Rogers. After the death of Dr. E. L. Turner Wessington Springs was with- out a physician until Aug. 17, 1896, when Dr. G. S. Eddy located there.
Sept. 15th J. W. Snart, who had been in business in Waterbury for a number of years purchased the J. D. Morse hardware business and building in Wessington Springs.
During the first week in September the Congregationalist society began soliciting subscriptions with which to build a church in Wessington Springs.
On Oct. 29th a strong M. W. A. camp was organized at Wessington Springs.
About Nov. 20th F. M. Brown bought the J. A. Crawford black- smith shop.
November 27th was a cold, windy day and the air was full of drifting snow. But few people were on the streets of Wessington Springs and those fewv were hurrying to get in somewhere. In the afternoon one after another of the business men dropped in at Albert & Vessey's store to chat and while away the time. In the course of the conversation the subject of a co-operative creamery was mentioned and preliminary steps were taken to form a company and get the concern in operation. Again, on Dec. 26th, another meeting was held, this time called for the purpose and a temporary organization perfected.
By December 7th the snow had been blown about until it lay in ridges and drifts everywhere. The roads had been worn full of what was termed "chuck-holes" into which sleighs would plunge with great force, sometimes jerking the horses out of the road into the deep snow, or throwing the driver from his seat. The grade over the hills west of Wessington Springs had become badly cut up with these holes. On the day mentioned Geo. Homewood was driving down the grade with a sleigh load of sacks filled with wheat. As the sled pitched into one of the numerous holes some of the sacks were thrown forward on to the whiffle- trees. The team became frightened and instantly broke into a run. A moment later George was thrown from the load and the team crashed against the east side of the stone bridge and went over taking the load with them to the bottom of the ravine about twenty feet below. George escaped without injury, but one of the horses was killed by the fall.
In 1896 interest in politics became intense. Every man was a politi- cian. Free silver vs. gold standard was discussed at public meetings in halls, in tents, in the open air. People gathered on the street corners and sidewalks in twos, threes and dozens and asserted or denied many
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things about which they knew but little. It was talked in the stores and shops, in the churches and homes, by the road side and in the fields. It was indeed a campaign of education. Men who had graduated from the best colleges in the land, and who could describe nearly every great cam- paign from the "retreat of the ten thousand," to the surrender of Lee at Appomottox found themselves confronted suddenly with a great national question, involving the civil and commercial history of the world. In a short time nearly all were compelled to admit their ignorance of the sub- ject and then they began to study. Probably at no other time in the history of the world have the voters given such earnest attention to a great public question as was given by the American people to the issues involved in the campaign of 1896.
But two tickets were put in the field in Jerauld county. The populists held their convention on the 12th of September and after recommending the nomination of Jefferson Sickler of Harmony township for state sen- ator, put out the following county ticket :
County Judge-J. H. May.
Register of Deeds-P. T. Varnum.
Auditor-J. A. Paddock.
Treasurer-M. A. Schaefer.
Sheriff-A. Mercer.
Clerk-S. S. Vrooman.
Attorney- J. R. Francis.
Supt. of Schools-T. L. White.
Surveyor -- O. J. Marshall.
Coroner-F. T. Tofflemire.
On the same day the commissioners district convention for the 2nd district nominated P. H. Shultz, of Viola township for commissioner.
Later at the legislative convention Mr. Sickler was nominated for the house of representatives.
The Republicans named T. W. Lane, of Crow township, for the senate and O. T. Dye, of Buffalo county, for the house. For the county ticket they named for
Auditor-Ray Barber.
Register of Deeds-D. F. Moulton.
Sheriff-John E. White.
Judge --- C. D. Brown.
Attorney-C. W. McDonald.
Clerk of Courts-W. F. Bancroft.
Supt. of Schools-Miss Anna Hanebuth.
Treasurer-S. B. Tidd.
Surveyor-H. J. Wallace.
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Coroner-Dr. G. S. Eddy.
County Commissioner of 2nd district- H. C. Lyle of Anina township. The election was held Nov. 3rd and the entire Republican county ticket was defeated except D. F. Moulton, for register of deeds.
J. W. Harden, of Franklin township, was named for secretary of state on the populist ticket, but shortly after receiving the nomination he suffered a stroke of paralysis which prevented his taking an active part in the campaign. Mr. Harden was one of the ablest debaters in the state and but for his unfortunate illness would probably have been elected.
Chapter 9.
The winter which began Oct. 29, 1896, held with almost unbroken vigor until the first of April, 1897, the thermometer registering 17 below zero on the 17th of March.
During the winter there had been storms besides many days that were unpleasant. Many animals were lost for want of hay that was buried under the great drifts of snow. In many cases the stacks of hay were buried and not found until the snow melted in the spring. Then many of the stacks were surrounded by water and ruined. As the snow melted every rivulet became a river in size. The trains of the James River division of the C. M. & St. P. were abandoned for several weeks. At Alpena the mail was brought from Woonsocket on a hand car run by business men of the place. The mail and passengers from Woonsocket to Wessington Springs were carried across the Firesteel in a boat. Mr. Geo. Backus, publisher of the Sieve at Wessington Springs, printed his issue for April 2nd on any kind of paper he could get for the purpose. because his ready-prints could not be brought over the Firesteel. The April meeting of the county commissioners was postponed because the high water rendered the roads impassable.
With the new year prices of farm products and other commodities began to show an upward tendency. In March wheat was bringing 65c. oats 15c, and corn 20c ; by the close of the year wheat had arisen to 700 per bushel.
On January 6th, 1897, the board of county commissioners organized for the year by electing David McDowall chairman. During the sum- mer two bridges were built across Sand Creek in Alpena township by the county, one on the line between sections 18 and 19 and the other between sections 20 and 21.
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At the meeting of the commissioners in September, the annual estimate for county expenses for the ensuing year was made at $8502.10.
On November 16th and 17th a two-days woman's suffrage conven- tion was held at Wessington Springs. This was a county affair, papers being read and addresses made by residents of the county. Only one address being made by a non-resident 'speaker.
In July F. M. Steere moved into the county with 1600 head of sheep and rented the S. H. Albert farm and the school section in Wessington Springs township.
On August 15th the county court house was struck by lightning. The bolt hit the flag staff that stood on the center of the roof and went through the lower flor of the building in two rooms but made no marks except a small hole in the center of the state attorney's office, and a little splintering of the floor in the office of the state attorney and county superintendent. The wires that held up the stove pipes in these two rooms were melted. It was on Sunday and no one was in the building. . Not a shingle on the roof was injured, although the flag-staff was shat- tered.
The old settlers picnic for the western part of Jerauld county was again held at Waterbury, on the 11th of June.
At the election held in November but one county officer was elected and that was a commissioner from the first district. The populists nom- inated Mr. F. A. Olin, of Blaine township, and the Republicans named J. E. Reynolds of Franklin. But little interest was taken in the election. But little more than half of the populist vote was pooled in the four townships, otherwise their candidate would have been elected.
At the close of the spring term of the public school at Alpena Prof. O. W. Coursey presented diplomas to the graduating class in which were Misses Minnie Yegge, Effie Barber, Fannie Pogney, Lottie Pogney, May Royer and Mr. John Knolt.
The county normal institute was held July 5th to 15th at Wessington Springs, Prof. J. W. Jones, jr., being the conductor, assisted by Geo. Q. Williams and O. W. Coursey, principal of the Alpena school.
A few days after the close of the county institute Mr. Coursey opened a normal school at Alpena, which he conducted until the Ist of Sep- tember.
One of the great events of the year in the county was the G. A. R. district encampment which was held at Wessington Springs on the 2nd. 3rd, and 4th of July.
In January Bert Healey. who had for several years been proprietor of a grocery store at Waterbury opened a harness shop in J. W. Snart's hardware store. In July Mr. Healey moved his building and stock from Waterbury to Wessington Springs and started what he afterward devel-
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