History of Dakota Territory, volume I, Part 40

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1198

USA > South Dakota > History of Dakota Territory, volume I > Part 40

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Sixth. That the best interests of the people require that all appropriations made by the general Government for the benefit of Dakota Territory, be disbursed among the people thereof ; hence we utterly condemn the conduct of our Government officials in employing non-resident persons in the service of the territory to the exclusion of competent residents, and paving out to them the money which should be disbursed and retained in the territory.

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And we look upon those politicians who profess to advocate such a policy in their platform, but continually act otherwise, as a cheat upon the people, injury to the territory, and an imposition upon the general Government.

Seventh. That in view of the disproportion of timber and prairie lands in the North- west, we urge the propriety of Congress so amending the Homestead law as to allow the applicant to select his claim in two tracts, so that the actual settler shall be able to procure timber to support the prairies:

Eighth. That we favor the complete and perfect protection of claims on our public domain belonging to our citizen soldiers who have enlisted to fight our battles, preserve our liberties, and defend our Government in its hour of peril. And we believe that patriotic soldiers, drawn from the ranks of freemen, should have the privilege of express- ing their choice, and recommending the officers to be stationed over them.

Ninth. That we repose implicit confidence in the ability and integrity of our candi- dates this day put in nomination, and cheerfully recommend them to the people for their suffrages as citizens who are identified with and have at heart the best interests of Dakota. On motion of W. P. Lyman the chair appointed a Territorial Central Committee as follows :

Jesse Wherry. Clay County, chairman W. P. Lyman, Yankton; John H. Shober, Bon llomme: Joel A. Potter, Todd County ; E. W. Wall, Charles Mix: William Stevens. Minnehaha : James McFetridge, Kitson, and Joseph LaBarge, Cole County.

On motion of E. W. Bond the Sioux City Register and Vermillion Republican were requested to publish the proceedings.

On motion the convention then adjourned.

HENRY S. KELLY,

FRANKLIN TAYLOR. Secretarics.

JOHN H. SHOBER, President.

These proceedings completed the territorial political conventions for 1862 and have been given in full in this book in order that the reader may be informed regarding the first steps taken in forming the political parties of Dakota.

The campaign was now open and very active were the politicians in all the settlements during its progress. The contest. it was evident, was to be a close one. Many republicans were supporting General Todd openly, and many others were doing the same quietly, caused largely by the sentiment that Governor Jayne, being a newcomer, was not entitled to the best office in the gift of the people, while the federal officials who supported Todd averred that Governor Jayne, in permitting himself to be a candidate, was creating a prejudice in the public mind against the officials, who would be charged with banding together for the purpose of controlling the political patronage of the territory in their own interest. It was also urged that party lines were out of place in a territorial elec- tion where the Delegate selected would have no wice or vote in legislation. and therefore voters should exercise their judgment as to the best man for the place regardless of his political or party antecedents.

YANKTON COUNTY REPUBLICAN AND UNION CONVENTION

A republican and union county convention was called by the chairman of the county committee, G. W. Kingsbury, to meet at Yankton on the 9th of August. 1862, at 2 o'clock P. M. to nominate candidates for representatives in the Legislature and county officers.

The convention was held at the Union House in accordance with the call. B. F. Barge was elected chairman, on motion of Doctor Townsend, and William Miner, secretary. The convention proceeded at once to nominate a ticket. J. K. Fowler and John Lawrence were appointed tellers. The members of the council elected in 1861 were chosen for two years, and therefore held over.

For representatives there were two to be nominated. On the first ballot Knud Larson, of the Lake Settlement, received 26 votes; O. B. Wheeler, 11 ; J. R. Hanson. 4. and J. M. Stone. 2.

Larson was declared nominated. and a second ballot taken for the remaining repre- sentative, resulting. Hanson, 21; Wheeler, 17; Stone. 7; no choice. A third ballot was had, resulting. Hanson, 26; Wheeler, 22. On Wheeler's motion Hanson's nomination was made unanimous.

The county officers. except sheriff, were now nominated by acclamation, as follows : Register of deeds. William Miner.

For sheriff C. F. Rossteuscher and C. S. White were named, and a ballot being had. Rossteuscher received twenty-one votes and White seventeen. Rossteuscher was then unanimously nominated.

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Judge of probate, James M. Stone; justices of the peace, H. C. Ash and Samuel Grant (Ash afterwards withdrew) ; county attorney, George N. Propper; surveyor, James M. Stone; constables, J. B. Greenway and Abe D. Fisher ; coroner, James E. Witherspoon.

On motion, the nomination of William Jayne for delegate to Congress was endorsed ; after which the convention adjourned.

YANKTON COUNTY PEOPLE'S UNION CONVENTION

The Yankton County Convention of the people's union party was held, pursuant to call, on Tuesday, August 12th. 1862, at the James River House kept by John Stanage.

M. K. Armstrong called the convention to order. W. P. Lyman was elected chairman, and J. M. Allen secretary,

On motion of Mr. Armstrong, the chair appointed Messrs, Armstrong, Obed Foote and Peter Johnson a committee on resolutions.

The following nominations were made by acclamation :

For members of the Ilouse of Representatives, M. K. Armstrong and Obed Foote; register of deeds, James M. Allen; sheriff, Henry Bradley; judge of probate, John Stanage; attorney, Samuel Mortimer; surveyor, Thomas C. Powers; coroner, Nelson Nelson; county commissioners, Nelson Collamer, F. Johnson and B. Oleson; justices of the peace, J. S. Presho and George S. Brown ; constables, Samuel Jeron and John Johnson.

The committee on resolutions reported as follows :

Resolved, That we cordially adopt the platform of the people's union convention con- vened at Vermillion on the 24th of July last, as our basis of principles and labor in the present campaign.

Resolved, That we endorse the candidates that day put in nomination, as eminently worthy the support of every good citizen of Dakota.

Resolved, That we repose implicit confidence in the integrity and ability of the nominees of this convention, and we believe that if elected they will serve with credit in the adminis tration of our county affairs. M. K. ARMSTRONG, OBED FOOTE, PETER JOHNSON.

Hon. John H. Shober of Bon Homme, being present, was called upon and enter- tained the convention with a few remarks, which were enthusiastically received.

On motion of Mr. Armstrong, the Dakotian, Vermillion Republican and Sioux City Register were requested to publish the proceedings.

The convention then adjourned.

BON HOMME COUNTY REPUBLICAN AND UNION CONVENTION

Pursuant to public notice given by the republican and union county committee, the citizens of Bon Homme County met at the town of Bon Homme on the 24th day of July, 1862, for the purpose of nominating a legislative and county ticket and to ratify the nominations made at the republican and union congressional convention held at Vermil- lion on the 16th inst.

Rev. M. D. Metcalf called the convention to order and nominated D. C. Gross as chairman.

On motion of Henry Hartsough, S. L. Parker was chosen secretary.

On motion of L. H. Litchfield, the convention proceeded to nominate, by informal ballot. candidates for the House of Representatives, The chair appointed L. H. Litchfield and M. D. Metcalf as tellers. The vote having been taken and counted, it was found that G. M. Pinney had received 13 votes; Henry Hartsough, 7; D. P. Bradford, 4; L. H. Litch- field, 2; D. C. Gross, I; scattering, 10 votes.

On motion of Mr. Hartsough, the convention proceeded to a formal ballot for the nomi- nation of candidates for the llouse of Representatives. Geo. M. Pinney having received the unanimous vote of the convention was declared nominated, and Henry Hartsough having received a majority of the votes was declared nominated.

On motion of Moses Herrick, the convention proceeded to nominate candidates for county offices, by acclamation, with the following result :

D. C. Ream. D. P. Bradford and Nathan McDaniel were nominated for county com- missioners; M. D. Metcalf for county register; 1. F. Hook for sheriff; D. C. Gross for probate judge; Samuel Hardy for justice of the peace; Jacob Keil and Morris Metcalf for constables ; and Mendel Metcalf for coroner.

The following resolution was then introduced and adopted without a dissenting vote :

Resolved, That we heartily endorse the principles set forth in the platform adopted by the republican and union convention held at Vermillion on the 16th of this month, and that we pledge our entire cordial support to the nominces of the convention.

On motion of L. H. Litchfield, it was decided that the Vermillion Republican and Yank- ton Dakotan be requested to publish the proceedings of the convention. The convention then adjourned. D. C. GROSS, Chairman.

S. L. PARKER, Secretary.

NOTE-Geo. M. Pinney was appointed United States marshal about August ist, and Laban 11. Litchfield was substituted as a candidate for the House.

Vol. I-15

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MINNEHAHA COUNTY REPUBLICAN AND UNION CONVENTION

At a mass meeting of the citizens of Minnehaha County, held on the 30th inst. (July) at Sioux Falls City, for the purpose of selecting candidates for the Legislative Assembly and county officers, Amos F. Shaw was called to the chair and Charles Wambole elected secre- tary. The object of the meeting being stated, Mr. Brookings offered the following resolu- tion, which was unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That we fully and cordially endorse the nomination of Gov. William Jayne for delegate to Congress, as one eminently fit to be made, and that we will use all honor- able means to secure his election.

The following nominations were then made :

For representative, 11. Masters; judge of probate, J. W. Evans; register of deeds, J. B. Amidon; district attorney, G. P. Waldron; sheriff, Charles Wambole; justices of the peace, Jolin Mcclellan, William Stevens; county commissioners, Berne C. Fowler, A. F. Shaw, Jolin McBee. The meeting was addressed by H. Masters and W. W. Brookings, urging the election of Gov. William Jayne to Congress and the support of the whole ticket. Judge Amidon offered the following resolution, which was adopted :

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be sent to the Dakotan and Dakota Republican for publication.

AMOS F. SHAW, President.

CHAS. WAMBULE, Secretary.

CHARLES MIX COUNTY REPUBLICAN AND UNION CONVENTION

At a meeting of the electors of Charles Mix County, held at the store of C. E. Hedges, on the IIth inst. (August), Elias W. Wall was called to the chair and Joseph P. Hamilton chosen secretary.

The chair stated the object of the meeting to be to place in nomination a ticket for county officers ; whereupon, on motion of F. D. Pease, it was resolved that the convention should proceed to make nominations.

For delegate to congress, William Jayne was unanimously nominated; territorial auditor, Justice Townsend; territorial treasurer, P. H. Jewell; representative to Legislature, F. D. Pease; sheriff, John J. Thompson; judge of probate, Elias W. Wall; county commissioners, Napoleon Jack, Colin LaMont, and William A. Bartlett; justices of the peace, Y. A. Fisher and Paul Harsell; coroner, Colin Lamont.

The convention then unanimously adopted the following resolutions :

Resolved, That for delegate to Congress we heartily and cordially endorse the nomina- tion of Governor William Jayne and the territorial ticket placed in nomination at Vermillion on the 16th day of July, and that the platform adopted by that convention is one that should meet the hearty approval of every true Dakotan who has at heart the real interest of the territory and her present and future prosperity.

Resolved, That the county ticket placed in nomination this day is of the right sort, and shall have our cordial and undivided support on the day of election.

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Dakotan.

E. W. WALL, Chairman.

JOSEPH B. HAMILTON, Secretary.

Charles Mix County, August 12, 1862.

BON HOMME COUNTY PEOPLE'S UNION CONVENTION

Pursuant to notice the citizens of Bon Homme County met in the schoolhouse in mass convention, August 11, 1862, for the purpose of nominating two candidates for the House of Representatives of Dakota Territory, county officers, and to ratify the action of the People's Union Convention held at Vermillion, July 24, 1862.

The convention was called to order by J. H. Shober, and on motion of Edward Gifford, Reuben Wallace was chosen president of the convention. On motion of N. McDaniels, W. W. Warford was chosen secretary.

On motion of J. H. Shober the convention proceeded to ballot for two candidates for the House of Representatives of Dakota Territory. On motion of R. M. Johnson, N. Mc- Daniels and S. G. Irish were appointed tellers. The first ballot for members of the legis- lative assembly resulted as follows :

Edward Gifford received 31 votes, R. M. Johnson received 31 votes, and having received the unanimous vote of the convention, were declared, on motion of Jas. Skinner, to be the nominces.

On motion of Mr. Hammond, the convention proceeded to nominate county officers by acclamation ; the following were unanimously nominated :

County commissioners, N. McDaniels, James Skinner and S. G. Irish; sheriff, J. F. Hook; register of decds. W. W. Warford ; judge of probate, Hugh Fraley ; county surveyor. Erastus Rowley ; district attorney, Samuel Hardy ; coroner, C. W. Cooper; justices of the peace. William llammond, D. P. Bradford, Henry Brooks; constables, Jacob Teel, D. C. Gross and Morris Metcalf.

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On motion of J. H. Shober, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That we unanimously endorse the principles set forth in the platform adopted by the People's Union Convention held at Vermillion, July 24, 1862, recognizing therein the expression of the true sentiment of all parties who have at heart the best interests of Dakota Territory, and we hereby pledge our undivided support to secure the election of the nominees of said convention.

Resolved, That the Dakotian and Dakota Republican be requested to publish the pro- ceedings of this convention.

On motion of Hugh Fraley, the convention adjourned to meet at the polls on the first Monday of September next, to elect the candidates this day placed in nomination. R. WALLACE, Chairman.

W. W. WARFORD, Secretary.

EAST DISTRICT CLAY COUNTY PEOPLE'S UNION CONVENTION

Pursuant to the previous notice the citizens of the East District of Clay County met in mass convention on Saturday, August 16, for the purpose of nominating two candidates for representatives, for the people's union ticket for said district.

On motion of H. Compton, T. E. Clark was called to the chair and E. Vinton was chosen secretary, after which the object of the meeting was stated by the president.

On motion of Mr. Wherry, A. J. Harlan was nominated (there being no opposition) by acclamation.

On motion of Mr. Wherry the convention proceeded to an informal ballot for the re- maining candidate. On motion of Mr. Ilarlan the convention determined that a majority of all the votes cast should constitute a choice. On motion of Mr. H. O. Kelley, Messrs. Kelley and Lyman Burgess were appointed tellers. The convention then proceeded to ballot for the following named gentlemen: Franklin Taylor, Halver Gunderson and Lyman Bur- gess, which resulted in Mr. Taylor receiving the largest number of votes. On motion of Mr. G. Pratt, the convention took a recess for fifteen minutes. The convention was called to order at the expiration of that time, and on motion of Mr. Bigelow, proceeded to a formal ballot for the nomination of a representative, which resulted in the choice of Mr. F. Taylor, who had received a majority of all the votes cast and was declared duly nominated. On motion of H. Compton the convention adjourned.

E. VINTON, Secretary.

T. ELWOOD CLARK, President.

WEST VERMILLION PEOPLE'S UNION CONVENTION

Pursuant to call, the People's Union District Convention for the Third Representative District convened at the Eight Mile House. Lincoln, Clay County, for the purpose of nominating two candidates for the House of Representatives of Dakota.

The convention was called to order by Hon. J. A. Jacobson.

On motion of E. M. Bond, Hon. Jacob Deuel was chosen chairman; and on motion of Mr. Jacobson, Charles Porter was chosen secretary. On motion of E. M. Bond the chair appointed F. Ellison and H. Ormen tellers. The convention then proceeded to take an informal ballot for two candidates for representatives, which resulted as follows: J. A. Jacobson, 30 votes ; E. M. Bond, 33 votes ; J. Whitehorn, 6 votes; Lasse Bothun, 3 votes.

On motion of Michael Lawson, J. A. Jacobson and E. M. Bond were declared unani- mously nominated.

On motion of E. M. Bond the Dakotan and Sioux City Register were requested to pub- lish the proceedings of the convention. On motion of L. Robinson the convention adjourned. J. DEUEL, Chairman.

CHAS. PORTER, Secretary.

CLAY COUNTY PEOPLE'S UNION CONVENTION

According to notice heretofore given, the citizens of Clay County met in mass conven- tion on the 16th of August, at 2 P. M., for the purpose of nominating a people's union ticket for the respective offices of said county.

On motion of Mr. Bigelow, A. J. Harlan was called to the chair and E. Vinton was chosen secretary.

On motion of E. M. Bond the convention determined that Vermillion be allowed two county commissioners.

Mr. Bond and Lyman Burgess were appointed tellers.

On motion of H. S. Kelley, it was determined that a majority vote should constitute a choice for a nomination.

On motion of Jesse Wherry, Wm. Shriner, for probate judge, and G. B. Bigelow, for prosecuting attorney, were nominated by acclamation.

On motion of llon. Jacob Deuel, the convention determined that in the further nomina- tion of candidates, if there be more than one proposed, the convention shall decide the nomi- nation by balfot, otherwise by acclamation.

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On motion of A. C. Van Meter a ballot was taken for county commissioner. In fifty- five votes cast T. Halverson received thirty and was declared nominated.

On motion of Mr. Deuel, T. Ellison was nominated for commissioner of East Ver- million.

On motion of Mr. Whitehorn, Auslick Overson was nominated for county commissioner of West Vermillion.

On motion of 11. Compton, 11. Gunderson was nominated for register of deeds. A ballot was then taken on nomination for sheriff and B. W. Collar was duly nominated.

On motion of Mr. Halverson, Ole Bottolfson was nominated for coroner by acclamation.

Minor Robinson for East Vermillion and Charles Porter for West Vermillion were nominated for justices of the peace, and N. Ross for East Vermillion and C. Larson for West Vermillion were nominated for constables.

On motion of Frank Taylor, Israel Trumbo was nominated for county surveyor.

A committee on resolutions consisting of Jesse Wherry, N. Ross and Ole Bottolfson reported as follows :

Resolved, That we cordially endorse the nominces of the people's union convention of the 24th of July and adopt their platform as our principles in this campaign.

Resolved, That we pledge our undivided support to the candidates this day put in nomination, reposing implicit confidence in their integrity and ability, believing them to be for our true interest, and will use all honorable means to secure their election.

On motion of J. Deuel the resolutions were adopted and on motion of Mr. Wherry the Sioux City Register and Dakotan were requested to publish the proceedings.

No further business appearing, on motion of Mr. Bigelow the convention adjourned sine dic. A. J. HARLAN, Secretary.

E. VINTON, Secretary.

COLE COUNTY PEOPLE'S UNION CONVENTION

Pursuant to previous notice the citizens of Cole County met at the schoolhouse in Elk Point on Saturday, August 16, 1862, for the purpose of nominating two candidates for the House of Representatives of Dakota Territory and the different county officers.

The convention was called to order by A. J. Bell, and on motion of J. Labarge, Judson La Moure was chosen chairman and E. B. Wixson, secretary.

On motion of Austin Cole, a committee was appointed, consisting of George Stickney, R. A. Ilotchkiss and Win. Goodfellow, to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting, and after due deliberation presented the following resolutions, which were unani- mously adopted :

Resolved, That this convention in nominating county officers nominate by ballot, and separately for each officer, and any person receiving a plurality of all the votes cast shall be declared the nominee.

Resolved, That the men this day placed in nomination by this convention shall publicly pledge themselves before this meeting to support the nominees.

On motion of Austin Cole, the convention proceeded to a formal ballot for representa- tives, which resulted as follows;

N. J. Wallace received 26 votes; John McBride, 9; Michael Ryan, 6; M. K. Somers, 25 votes. Wallace and Somers, having received the highest number of votes, were declared the nominees.

On motion the nominees for county officers were elected by acclamation. The following ticket was nominated :

County commissioners, Thomas C. Watson, Sherman Clyde and Archibald Christie ; register of deeds, Henry Carpenter ; sheriff. John Brouillard; probate judge, A. R. Phillips ; coroner, Michael Ryan ; surveyor, A. J. Bell; county attorney, George Stickney.

On motion the Yankton Dakotan, Vermillion Republican and Sioux City Register were requested to publish the proceedings.

On motion of Austin Cole the convention adjourned.

E. B. WIXSON, Secretary.

JUDSON LA MOURE, Chairman.

TODD, GREGORY, CHARLES MIX AND BRUGHIER COUNTIES CONVENTION

At a mass meeting of the clectors of the counties of Todd, Gregory, Charles Mix and Brughier, held at the store of H. E. Gregory in Todd County, on the 14th day of August, 1862. Tocl A. Potter was called to the chair and H. A. Kennerly elected secretary.

The chair stated the object of the meeting to be to place in nomination a candidate for representative.

On motion of Felix LeBlanc, Henry A. Kennerly was unanimously nominated for rep- resentative.

The Todd and Gregory County delegates then nominated the following for county officers :

County commissioners, J. Knutson, Jacob Hack and William Morsler ; register of decds, Ilenry Gregory ; sheriff, James Maloney; coroner, William Hargiss; surveyor, G. Howe;

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justices of the peace, Felix LeBlanc and G. A. Fisher; constables, William Monsel and P. Gorran.

The Charles Mix and Brughier County delegates nominated the following ticket :

County commissioners, Colon LaMont, Colin Campbell and W. A. Bartlett: sheriff, John J. Thompson: probate judge, Elias Wall; coroner. W. A. Burleigh; surveyor, P. Phleceant; district attorney, George Pleach: justices of the peace, Louis Archambeau and J. Falk; constables, Charles E. Hedges and J. Burleigh.

On motion of J. Potter the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That we heartily endorse the nominations made at the people's union con- vention held at Vermillion July 24, 1862, and we pledge our undivided support to secure the election of the persons put in nomination by the said convention.

On motion of Felix LeBlanc, the convention adjourned.

JOEL A. POTTER, Chairman.

HI. KENNERLY, Secretary.

The purpose of these county convention sketches is simply to inform those who have since settled in the old counties, of the first step in the organization of political parties in their county, which organizations were probably continuous luring the territorial days, and until the modern reforms displaced them.

I. COUNTIES AND COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS

At the first election in the Territory of Dakota. held in 1861, the only officers elected were a delegate to Congress and members of the Legislature. This elec- tion was called, and election districts set off, by proclamation of the governor under authority given that officer by the Organic Act. The Legislature elected at this election was, by the same proclamation, called to meet at Yankton on Mon- day. the 17th day of March, 1862. During the session of this Legislature, a law was enacted defining the boundaries of certain counties, to-wit: Cole. Lincoln, Minnehaha, Brookings and Deuel, on the Big Sioux River ; Stevens, Chippewa, Cheyenne and Kittson, on the Red River of the North ; and Clay, Yankton, Bon Homme, Charles Mix. Brughier, Gregory and Todd, along the Missouri River ; and Jayne and Hutchinson, in the James River Valley, north of Yankton and Bon Homme counties. Temporary county seats were named for such of the counties as possessed white settlements; and the law required the governor to appoint the officers provided for, to hold until after the first election and until their successors were elected and qualified. The general election was appointed by law to be held on the first Monday in September. in every even numbered year, and an annual election every odd numbered year for the election of mem- bers of the Legislative Assembly and to supply vacancies that may have occurred in county offices. The members of the House of Representatives were, however, required by the organic act to be elected annually.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume I, Part 40

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1198

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1198