History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 68

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146

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Early in 1892 H. L. Loucks was president of the South Dakota Farmers' Alliance, vice president of the National Farmers' Alliance and editor of the Ruralist, the state organ of the alliance. He was likewise connected with the farmers' insurance concern, which was precipitated into legal complications and which was declared to be associated in some way with the cordage trust. Nothing whatever could be shown by the enemies of Mr. Loucks that he was in any way connected with the alleged illegal transactions, but not as much can be said of his associates. Even the Chicago Inter Ocean charged that Mr. Loucks was a spy of the cordage trust in the ranks of the Farmers' Alliance. No proof was forthcoming. The statement was not believed, as is shown by the honors and preferments accorded Mr. Loucks and by his good conduct thereafter. Con- cerning the collapse of the Fidelity Insurance Company the Wessington Times, edited by Charles A. Blake, published several caustic editorials and was sued by Alonzo Wardall for $10,000 damages for libel, but in the suit the jury failed to agree. The truth was much clouded and confused. It was at this time that the State Board of Agriculture offered a premium of $50 for the best editorial argument in favor of state and county fairs, and the Corn Belt Real Estate Association of Sioux Falls authorized the issuance at Chicago of a paper run in the interest of the South Dakota corn advancement.

The spring of 1892 witnessed more settlers bound for the lands west of the Missouri River than ever before. There was a notable advance in the price of lands in all portions of the state. Country land in Turner County-40 acres- sold for $29.85 per acre, the highest price thus far paid there. As another enormous harvest approached in 1892 the state was found to be greatly short of harvest hands. As high as $5 a day was paid for hands for the small grain harvest. It was at this time that the farmers were roused against all corpora- tions. At the same time there were eight farmers' corporations at Huron alone, among which were the Farmers' Alliance, Alliance Aid Society, the Big Land Corporation, Fidelity Insurance Company, Calamity Hail Insurance Company, an agency of the National Harvester Company, etc.

In 1892 much aid was given the starving Russian peasants. The semi-weekly mail between Pierre and Rapid City was carried in passenger coaches. It required four days for a passenger to go from Pierre to the Hills. Experiments with pota- toes, corn, field peas, sugar beets, wheat and many other plants were conducted at the agricultural college this year. The report gave the following result con- cerning the field pea experiments: Crown peas, 37.5 bushels per acre; white field, 37 bushels; Scotch field, 35 bushels; golden vine, 31.7 bushels; Prussian blue, 31.3 bushels ; Egyptian mummy, 27.3 bushels.

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

It was stated in 1892 that South Dakota lost every season by prairie fires enough produce to feed its whole population. Fire breaks as well as wind- breaks were studied and wanted. At this time the state was divided into (I) corn belt; (2) wheat belt; (3) mineral belt; (4) undeveloped belt. In August 600 acres eight miles south of Beresford sold for $25 an acre.

Many counties of the state held fairs this year. The district fair at Scot- land was again a signal success. The Mitchell Corn Palace was unique, new, attractive and highly creditable. Numerous harvest festivals were held through- out the state to the music, it was said, of the reapers and the threshers. The Plankinton Grain Palace was a creditable and interesting exhibit. At the open- ing were present 1,000 people. The Lenox Band furnished the music. The state fair at Sioux Falls was the best ever held thus far; all conditions were favorable. Tuesday was Old Soldiers' Day, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday political days. The prohibitionists, who were ignored, raised their voices in lamentations. A. L. Van Osdel, of Yankton, was chief marshal. In the horse department alone there were 300 entries. The races were better than ever, brought out by the large premiums offered. The purse for the sweepstakes race of state trotters was $1,000; the time set was 2:50 and there were twelve entries. In most of the races the purse was $500.

There was another grain blockade in the fall of 1892, even worse than that of the year before. It was estimated that shippers lost $500,000 through this cause. It was demanded of the railroads that they must thereafter put on enough cars to handle the grain. Farmers paid from 7 to 10 per cent for the use of money this year. Generally the farmers were opposed to free wool, because in the two Dakotas they raised about 2,000,000 pounds annually. About 15,000 cattle were shipped from Pierre in 1892.

At the meeting of the State Horticultural Society in December, 1892, William Leaning lectured on spraying fruits ; L. D. Cowles led a discussion on grape cul- ture; J. J. Schumacher described how he conducted his greenhouse at Sioux Falls. H. C. Warner was reelected president. This meeting was held at Yankton.

The South Dakota Grain and Stock Belt Association was organized at Red- field early in 1893, the first officers being H. S. Mouser, president; T. E. Dogan, secretary, M. P. Beebe, treasurer. They passed resolutions asking the Legis- lature to reestablish the State Bureau of Immigration, to provide for county agents of immigration, to distribute 40,000 pamphlets boosting South Dakota in the East and to prepare a souvenir book concerning the state for an exhibit at the World's Fair, Chicago.

There were several bank failures in the state this year, due mainly to outside financial conditions. There were forty national banks in the state with an aggre- gate capital of $2,500,000 and individual deposits of $4,103,241. Loans and dis- counts amounted to $5,160,577. As a whole they were well conducted, fair and prosperous.

There was an enormous increase in the cattle industry in the years from 1890 to 1893, inclusive. There were sixty firms and companies engaged in the busi- ness between Chamberlain and the Black Hills, nearly all with ranges on the old Sioux reservations, now Government property. Thousands of head were being taken there for pasture from other states. Large numbers came from Colorado, Wyoming and Texas. A recent law in 1893 required that cattle should

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

be inspected before being landed in the Eastern markets. It became an object of unscrupulous cattle dealers to evade this law whenever they could, as it made a great difference in the expense.

Although the Corn Palace Exposition at Mitchell had already become an important industrial, economic and social event, it remained for 1893 to signalize and extend this reputation not only over the whole of South Dakota but far beyond the confines of the state. There were present the Military Band of 50 pieces from Lynn, Mass., Santee Indian Band, Iowa State Juvenile Band of 28 pieces and the Mitchell Exposition Band of 24 pieces. Ten big special days were advertised-Chamberlain Day with an Indian wedding; German Day with musical parade and picnic in the grove; Woman's Day with a special program of literary and other exercises; Sunday with sacred music and special soloists ; Traveling Men's Day with a young ladies parade and a grand ball; Shriner's Day with uniformed parades in Oriental garb; Bicycle Day with big display and parade of those vehicles; Old Soldier's Day with six brass bands and hundreds of veterans in line ending with a camp fire and barbecue; Cement City (Yank- ton) Day with special displays of that product and another soldier parade; Far- mer's Day with special parades and exhibits. Besides these there were other special days to amuse and edify. All of the railways ran excursion trains with lower rates. A special purse of $1,000 was offered for the best general county exhibit, with this result :

In the summer of 1893 the banks of South Dakota were in prosperous con- dition despite the hard times and the panic. They had a total capital of $2,550,000, individual deposits, $4,107,251, loans and discounts, $5,160,577.

Vege-

Counties

Corn

Grains tables

Fruits

Grass

Manu- factures General and General

Arrange- ment

Total Points

Edmunds

Charles Mix

Miner

Douglas

Lake

Sanborn

2112

222/3

193/3

82/3

53/3

41/2

861/2

Minnehaha

Bon Homme

221/3

191/3

82/3

63/3

31/2

841/2

Hanson

McCook

Brule

Yankton

221/3

161/3

853/3

The judges were C. H. Hunt, A. J. Losey and J. P. Mulhall. Davison County was barred from this contest. General Silsby announced the result. An examina- tion of the above table will reveal in what particular each county excelled. Min- nehaha and Yankton counties excelled in manufactured articles, the former in linen. Edmunds, Bon Homme and Sanborn showed the best grains and grasses ; Yankton, Sanborn, Bon Homme and Charles Mix surpassed in corn growing ; Sanborn, Bon Homme, Yankton and Hanson were superior with vegetables; Hanson, Brule and Yankton were ahead on grasses; Yankton, Bon Homme and Sanborn surpassed at fruit growing, and so on. Other counties had good dis-

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

plays. As will be seen Sanborn, Yankton, Bon Homme and Hanson counties won in that order. In many respects this exposition far surpassed the state fair. It was far-reaching in its effects, because circulars containing a full description of the exhibits were sent all over the Eastern States; and the leading newspapers of the whole country gave descriptions, thus showing what South Dakota could produce and "boosting" the state as the circulars of no real estate firm, railroad or corporation could possibly do. It was a splendid exhibition of local grit, ambi- tion, civic pride and public spirit. And it has been continued to the present day with many and vast extensions of its usefulness, attraction, benefits and beau- ties. It would be difficult to overestimate its, immense value to the whole state.

The state fair this year was held at Aberdeen, the district fair at Scotland and local fairs in Clay, Charles Mix, Yankton and other counties. At all the displays of grain, fruit, grass, vegetables and live stock were highly creditable. Aberdeen held an Interstate Grain Palace Exposition and special inducements were offered to secure the cooperation of the southeastern counties of North Dakota. This exposition differed from that of the Mitchell Corn Palace in that it placed wheat, oats, rye, barley, flax and grass on an equal footing with corn, which latter was the basis of the Mitchell Exposition. Aberdeen thus had a grain palace and Mitchell a corn palace. The exhibit at Aberdeen was highly creditable. The district fair at Scotland was better than ever before. Within tliree years, 1891 to 1893, inclusive, the interests of farmers and manufacturers in these fairs was more than doubled. There was great advance in fruit grow- ing in the southeastern counties. The Dakota Farmer was a valuable aid in placing before the agriculturist the improvements of the Department of Agri- culture, the agricultural colleges and the experiment stations. Broom corn was grown extensively this year.

In 1893 the Black Hills were swept by dreadful forest fires which destroyed over $5,000,000 worth of pine timber. Lawrence County lost heavily. Death and the destruction of other valuable property accompanied these losses. Several villages were burned and Lead and Deadwood had narrow escapes.

Chamberlain this year organized a mutual insurance company one of the first if not the first in the state. A band of cowboys and other reckless char- acters succeeded in terrorizing Pierre for a number of hours one day in Novem- ber, but were finally subdued by the authorities. It was said that "the cowboys captured the capital."

The linen mills at Sioux Falls and the cement works at Yankton were the boasts of the state in 1893. Large quantities of towels were made by the former. Many head of South Dakota live stock were slaughtered at Sioux City.

The State Horticultural Society held an interesting meeting at Vermillion in December. Among the topics considered were the following: "Vegetable Gar- den," by D. Hinman ; "Small Fruits," by T. L. McCrea; "Raspberries," by N. Norley ; "What Forest Trees Shall we Plant?" by D. H. Whiting; "Grapes," by A. J. Barnsback; "Plums," by E. D. Cowles; "Ornamental Shrubs," by G. C. Jones ; "Russian Fruits," by E. L. Collins; "Seedling Apples," by D. Hinman ; "Insect Enemies," by Prof. T. H. Williams; "Horticulture in the Black Hills," by Chris. Thompson; "Horticulture at the World's Fair," by Prof. L. C. Cor- hett ; "Plants for the House," by J. J. Schumacher; "Roses," by Mrs. E. D. Cowles. Col. John L. Jolley delivered the address of welcome and response was

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

inade by Professor Corbett. The damage done to the fruit and forest industry by the failure of the Legislature to aid this society will never be known, but was vast and incalculable.

Failure of the Legislature of 1891 to provide for the South Dakota exhibit at the World's Fair was due mainly to the hard times, the cry of the fusionists for economy and the lack of knowledge of what the fair would be. On Feb- ruary 5, 1891, a convention was held at Pierre to devise means to have the state properly represented in the absence of a legislative enactment to that effect. Colonel Bullard, one of the World's Fair commissioners, explained the object of the convention. It was here planned to have the state provide the buildings, and the people the exhibits. A committee on legislation was appointed-Bul- lard, Hunter, Crane, Star and Van Osdel. It was believed that the levy of half a mill on the dollar could be secured, thus raising $175,000. In April the com- mittee, having failed with the Legislature, called for plans for raising the neces- sary money. Governor Mellette called a mass convention for May 20 to be held at Huron to devise ways and means. Already cities and counties all over the state had taken similar steps. In nearly all the meetings or conventions resolutions calling for a meeting of the Legislature to pass the necessary bills were passed. Sioux Falls, Yankton, Huron, Aberdeen, Watertown, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City, Deadwood and many smaller centers held such meetings. A large majority of the people favored such action as would insure a suitable and creditable display. Finally the convention of May 27, 1891, appointed eighteen commissioners, two from each of the eight judicial districts and two from the state at large, to take charge of the whole matter and achieve success. The com- mission at once met and requested Governor Mellette to call a special session of the Legislature for the purpose of appropriating $50,000, the Legislature thus called to serve without pay. This plan proved to be unpopular, unsatisfactory and perhaps inefficient and so failed. Mr. Loucks at the head of the Farmers' Alliance opposed the special session, but his course was denounced as a blow against the publicity of South Dakota's attractions. Many said it looked penuri- ous and mean to ask the Legislature to assemble at their own expense and Gov- ernor Mellette was not equal to the emergency of call with a full paid special session.

The matter hung fire until September 22, when the commission again met at Huron to make another effort. The proposed fair building plans were examined. At this time the commission concluded to try to raise $80,000 which it was believed would be sufficient to cover the cost. In November a proclamation of Governor Mellette recognized the commission as the official World's Fair organ- ization of the state until otherwise provided by law. Soon afterward a board of lady managers was chosen, with Mrs. William Duff Haynie, of Rapid City, as president, and Mrs. A. C. Mellette, as lady commissioner of the state at large, and Mrs. H. M. Barker, Mrs. J. R. Wilson, and Mrs. E. C. Daniels, as members of the National World's Fair Commission. In response to this meeting the peo- ple of the state assembled in scores of places to devise ways and means of rais- ing their portion of the required $80,000. Senator Pettigrew was chosen by the United States Senate as chairman of the World's Fair Committee.

The pressure upon Governor Mellette became so great in February, 1892, that he finally sent a letter to each member of the Legislature stating that if two-

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LIFE

MECHANIC ARTS BUILDING, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE, BROOKINGS

DAIRY HUSBANDRY BUILDING, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE, BROOKINGS

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

thirds would agree, he would call a special session to pass a World's Fair bill, appropriating from $25,000 to $50,000, with from $25 to $50 to each mem- ber of the Legislature to cover their actual expenses, and that no further legislation should be undertaken. This course did not meet the approval of the Legislature as it seemed like a limitation of their powers and a reflection upon their independence and dignity. They thought he should have convened the Legislature and then have made his recommendations and left them to do what they deemed best instead of calling them together with restrictions placed upon them by himself. Senator Washabough of Deadwood was one who refused to assent to the proposition, mainly on these grounds, and because he believed the governor was exceeding his authority. He favored the World's Fair appropria- tion and was willing to pay his own expenses.

In April, 1892, the South Dakota Columbian Exposition Company was organ- ized at Pierre with a capital of $50,000. Similar organizations were formed else- where in the state. All measures seem again to have failed because in May, 1892, a new World's Fair Commission was appointed at a big meeting held in Huron, L. G. Ochsenreiter becoming president. Their announced plan was to raise at once $20,000 by private subscription. At their meeting held in June at Sioux Falls they announced that they had raised $15,000, but needed $10,000 more. The commission, at this time, was more hopeful of succeeding than ever before. Many men of means told them to go on and to expect sufficient backing. At the meeting of July 12 at Huron plans for the state building were decided upon and at this time the commission received assurance that the next Legislature would hand them a reasonable appropriation. The county board of Minnehaha County voted $2,000 bonds for the World's Fair. No doubt other counties did likewise. Already the Black Hills were engaged in preparing a splendid mineral exhibit for the fair, regardless of whether or not they would receive help from the Legis- lature. The school children of the state also raised an independent sum for a state educational exhibit.

The women also began an independent movement to collect a fine exhibit of curios, heirlooms, etc. They wanted anything that would help to ornament the state World's Fair building and make it inviting. They wanted particularly any- thing showing what the women of the state had done worth while-painting, sculpture, modeling, wood carving, china decoration, authorship, patents, lace making, embroidery, basket making, mat or rug making, plain sewing, house- keeping reforms, etc.

By January 23, 1893, there had been collected from the counties by the World's Fair Commission a total of $22,000 and $3,000 obtained from other sources. At a caucus of the republican members of the Legislature January 27th the vote stood 44 to 29 to appropriate $70,000 for the World's Fair. A bill appropriating $60,000 finally became a law. At one time it came near defeat owing to a railway combine's intention to prevent its passage unless certain other legislation they wanted should be passed.

The state building at the World's Fair was completed late in 1892 under the superintendence of Col. T. H. Brown. As soon as it was ready the work of decoration was done and the exhibits were displayed. The State Horticultural Society and the Black Hills made excellent exhibits. The educational exhibit was in charge of Pres. J. W. Mauck of the State University and was highly creditable to the state.

488

SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

The state commissioners proper were as follows: L. G. Oschenreiter, T. M. Brown, P. F. McClure, J. E. Pilcher, F. T. Evans, W. M. Powers, John Baker; and the women commissioners were Mrs. W. D. Haynie, Mrs. L. Q. Jeffries, Mrs. W. A. Burleigh, Mrs. G. A. Silsby, Mrs. A. C. Mellette, Mrs. W. Gaston, Mrs. J. S. Oliver, Mrs. J. E. Bennett and Mrs. J. A. Trow. At the opening of the Fair May I both commissions, Governor Sheldon and several state officials, church and school dignitaries and private citizens were present. They were not ashamed of the South Dakota Building and display. The structure was covered with Yankton cement and was decorated with minerals, cereals, fruit, produce, corn and curios. W. L. Dow was superintendent of the exhibits.

The building was formally dedicated July 12. Governor Sheldon was present and made an address in reply to the presentation speech of F. H. Brown. Mrs. Helen M. Barker told what the women of the state had done. The orator of the day was Judge C. S. Palmer, of Sioux Falls. W. P. Sterling closed the dedication ceremonies with a brief address. Present at the dedication were Buffalo Bill and his cowboys. During the summer it was concluded that the South Dakota exhibit was too general and not striking enough, so in September it was reconstructed with new and better material. The exhibit was in the Gov- ernment Agricultural Building and the mineral exhibit in the Mines and Mining Building.

In June occurred the ride of the cowboys from Chadron, Nebraska, to the World's Fair. First prize was won by John Berry; he covered 150 miles in the last twenty-four hours. Each man started with two horses. No South Dakota riders were in this race.

At the fair in October Mrs. Helen M. Barker addressed the World's Con- gress of Agriculture on the subject of "Training Girls for Farm Life." In group No. 25 of the Mines and Mining Building South Dakota took ten gold medals. The crystal cave was owned by Kieth and Allabaugh of the Black Hills. During the fair 1,800,000 people saw the cave, paying 10 cents each. The owners cleared about $116,000 and at the close sold the cave to George W. Childs of Philadelphia for $15,000. It was an imitation of the famous crystal cave on Elk Creek, Black Hills, about twenty miles east of Deadwood. After the fair the South Dakota Building was brought in the main to Vermillion and was used partly to form a building to take the place of University Hall that had been burned. The total expenses of the fair to South Dakota was about $64.000.

During 1893 and 1894 diversified farming under the guidance of the Agri- cultural College and the Experiment Station received almost wonderful advance- ment and development. Everywhere in the country districts could now be seen on one farm corn, small grain, fruit, vegetables, hay, sheep, cattle, hogs, horses, poultry, etc. No longer did the farmer depend solely on one crop or product. Better farming methods were in vogue and more modern machinery was used. Near Elk Point Martin Rust owned 300 apple trees, over 400 currant bushes, 147 cherry trees, 80 tame plum trees, 150 gooseberry plants and 500 grape vines. He also grew thirty acres of broomcorn. Besides he raised grain, grass and domestic animals.

In February, 1894, the state Poultry Breeders' Show was held at Vermillion. there being present exhibits from Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and North Dakota as well as from South Dakota. There were 532 entries. F. H.

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SOUTH DAKOTA: ITS HISTORY AND ITS PEOPLE

Shellabarger was judge. There were leghorns, plymouth rocks, cochins, brahmas, wyandottes and games.

The South Dakota Artesian Association did important advance work in 1894. They formed electric plants for lighting towns and cities and used artesian wells to supply the power. At this time four flour mills in the state were run by this power and four or five towns were lighted by electricity. A recent law gave municipalities the right to use this power. The association conducted a campaign of education on the subject. The Commonweal Army passed down the Missouri River this summer.

Rain-making experiments were conducted at several points in the state this year. At Sioux Falls C. B. Jewell, a chemist, endeavored to cause rain by bring- ing together hot and cold air currents through the agency of chemicals. He used 1,000 pounds of a special acid, 500 pounds of murium alloy, 20 pounds of am- monia, 4 pounds of caustic potash and 4 pounds of metallic sodium. Others tricd to bring rain by bombarding the skies with high explosives. All their great efforts came to grief although they still were confident of success.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 68

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146