USA > South Dakota > Faulk County > History of Faulk County, South Dakota, together with biographical sketches of pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 5
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to the Congregational church of this place. On Saturday afternoon it was raised by willing hands to its place in the belfry of the new church-which is an ornament to the town and county-and an impromptu service was held. Among other choice selections rendered by the choir, was the following hymn, written for the occasion by C. C. Moulton, leader of the choir, which, with its perfect ren- dering, seemed a happy inspiration, aptly expressing the sentiment and feeling of the hearts of all:
Thanks be to God Our bell has come!
Its tones our hearts rejoice. :
Now, let a joyful song of praise
Ascend from heart and voice.
Its clarion tone,
From yonder tower,
Shall o'er these prairies ring!
Inviting all to come to church
And worship Christ, their King.
With grateful hearts
Our thanks we send
To him who gave the bell;
And may the blessings of our God
With him forever dwell.
Rev. Douglas, pastor of the church, spoke with much feeling in behalf of his people, giving Judge Douglas the thanks and God the praise. Others spoke, representing the generous sentiment of other churches, in congratula- tion of Rev. Douglas and his people in gratitude to Judge Douglas for a gift so unsectarian as to be of equal pleasure and benefit to all; in representation of the sentiment of
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thanks, universally shared by the citizens of the town, for the generous gift; praise for the good genius of Judge Douglas, in discovering the key that would open to him the door of every home in Faulkton, and the improving by him of an opportunity to reach directly and at once the hearts of all our people by the single stroke of the bell; in acknowledgement of the gratitude of the people for the bell-the first church bell in the county-the hanging of which would mark an event in the progress of the develop- ment of the county and the building of Faulkton, that would be looked back to as a mile stone in our history. As supplementary, and in addition to such action as might be taken by the church, the following resolutions were tin- animously adopted:
Whereas, Judge John Douglas, of Lonaconing, Mary- land, has presented a church bell to the Congregational people of this place; and,
Whereas, Its tones, sounding from the belfry of their church, are enjoyed and appreciated by all the people of Faulkton; therefore,
Resolved, That the citizens heartily unite with the people of the Congregational church in extending to Judge Douglas most sincere and grateful thanks for his thought- ful and generous gift.
Resolved, That a unanimous vote of thanks is due Capt. J. Douglas, of Seneca, through whose interest and influence the magnificent gift of his father, Judge Douglas, was made to the people of Faulkton.
Capt. J. Douglas, of Seneca, accompanied by his daughter, Miss Jessie, and his sister, Mrs. Beltz, of Ohio, was present at the hanging of the bell. The Captain spoke
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in modest depreciation of the magnitude of the gift, in the estimation of his father, and, while he gracefully acknowl- edged the expressions of thanks and gratitude, thought them greater than would be desired by him."
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CHAPTER XV. VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR,
Among the early comers to Dakota were a large num- ber of Civil War veterans. To those who were able to en- dure the hardships and privations of pioneer life, the home- stead, pre-emption and tree claim laws of the United States offered great inducements. To a class of men whose busi- ness had been destroyed by the ravages of the Civil War, there was much to lead them. Grand Army posts were organized, and while the discussion of political affairs was excluded from regular post meetings, there is not a doubt that the power and influence of these organizations did much to shape and materialize the political ascendancy of republican party in Faulk county, and in fact in the entire State of South Dakota.
The old soldiers as a class were second to none in sturdy manhood, and in their devotion to home and country. These brave men are answering to the last roll call. Soldiers' homes will be turned to other uses and the Grand Army posts will soon close their doors forever to the veter- ans of the Civil War.
The Faulkton post has borne upon its rolls many honored nanies of veterans who have already answered the last roll call. At the present time seventeen names ap- pear upon the roll. Many of the old soldiers are too feeble to regularly attend the meetings of the post, and were it not for the assistance and encouragement they receive from the loyal members of the devoted and hard working Woman's Relief Corps, who so faithfully came to their support, they would have ere now, ceased to exist. This popular, worthy and successful organization bears upon its
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rolls at the present day the names of the following earnest and faithful workers:
John A. Pickler
John A. Shirk
John Swearngen
Robert Knapton
M. S. McDearmon
C. H. Derr
Geo. J. Jarvis
A. J. Sprague John Pafford
John W. Hays
A. A. Andrews
Jasper Wakefield
Thomas O'Neil
Edwin MoComb
D. W. Pillsbury
Henry A. Wilkinson
W. H. LOWER'S FARM HOME, SENECA, FAULK COUNTY
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ASTOR. LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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CHAPTER XV CONTINUED. GRAND ARMY POST
Phil H. Sheridan Post, No. 72, Department of South Dakota, is located in the city of Faulkton, in Faulk county. The first regular step toward effecting the organization was at the time of holding the memorial service, heretofore referred to in this history, on the 30th of May, 1884. Major Pickler was elected commander of the post. Since its or- ganization the names of one hundred and eight veterans have been borne upon its rolls. Removals, death and other causes have reduced that number to eighteen. The follow- ing worthy comrades have been elected to the office of commander:
J. A. Pickler
Charles H. Gardner
M. S. McDearmon
John H. Shirk
M. Summy
H. W. Bailey
Ernest Thiede
A. P. Cavit
George J. Jarvis
Joel Rush
John W. Hays
John Pafford
A. J. Sprague
After 24 years, in 1908, Major Pickler was again elect- ed post commander.
At an early day a lot was set aside in the Faulkton cemetery for soldiers of the Civil War, in which the fol- lowing have been laid to rest, and where, each Memorial Day markers are set up and the stars and stripes wave over their graves, viz:
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Levi Morse Henry M. Metz
Adam Findeis
Joel Rush
A. A. Morse James Carn Henry Potter Solomon Trude
Clark Rice
Ere another twenty-four years shall have passed, the hall of the Faulkton Grand Army Post and Woman's Relief Corps will cease to exist so far as its present users are concerned, but as a memorial to its worthy dead may it ever stand.
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CHAPTER XVI. EDUCATIONAL.
It was not long that the sod shanty stood alone; for these early, persevering pioneers were of that class who had enjoyed and highly prized educational advantages. The sod school house came as an accompaniment to the humble homes that in a day sprang up over the broad prairies, so lately the home of wild beasts and wilder Indians, who roamed undisturbed over these beautiful prairies. The education of their children was among the first duties of parental life, and with food and clothing stood in equal rank, all absolutely necessary.
There were sources of worry connected with, and a part of, school life. The going to and coming from school along a dim and almost unmarked trail, the occasional predatory bands of Indians passing in close proximity, and the storm and blizzard, that left desolation and death in their train, were all to be contended with, and added much to the burden of life that bore so heavy upon these sturdy pioneers. Yet, in spite of all these, the good work went on. The school was so highly prized and its importance so fully realized, that it kept equal pace with the best efforts of pioneer life. Even those who had enjoyed few educa- tional advantages, became interested and were anxious for their children to improve every opportunity to learn. The sod school house was soon succeeded by good, substantial frame buildings, and as early as 1886, became landmarks even in remote parts of the county, by which the location of various pioneer settlers were described.
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Townships were organized for school purposes, taxes levied and good, comfortable school houses erected wherev- er required. From the first, Faulkton was prominent and active in the interest of education. Among the early teachers were, Mrs. McCoy, Mrs. Bissell, Mrs. Putney, Mr. Pangburn, Mrs. G. S. Staples and Mr. Coste. Rev. Mr. Curtis, Mr. George A. Morse, C. C. Moulton, J. H. Bottum, C. C. Norton, Mr. Bissell and Mr. Bryden were active supporters in all that advanced the interests of the common schools. It was not until 1900, that the present school building, suitable to accommodate all the schools in Faulkton was erected.
In 1901 the High School was organized with Prof. J. F. Armstrong, principal, and Rev. Mr. Curtis, Mrs. Frieze, Lula Pickler and Miss Coman, teachers.
In 1908 the Faulkton High School is the equal of any high school in the state, its graduates passing a creditable examination for taking a collegiate course, and of as high intellectual, social and moral standard as those with whoni they associate.
The present board of education is C. C. Norton, clerk; J. H. Wallace, treasurer, and the following board of direct- ors; F. M. Byrne, J. H. Bottum, C. C. Norton, P. H. O'Neil and Frank Turner. Prof. H. B. Callin, superin- tendent, with a most excellent corps of assistants, are ad- vancing the high standard of excellence the school has al- ready attained.
The county superintendent of schools, Mrs. I. M. Al- den, makes the following report as to the schools in the county for 1907:
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"There are one thousand six hundred and thirty-one pupils enrolled in the county and there are eighty-two school houses, valued at $56,000. There were seventy- eight teachers employed, to whom $21,694 were paid for monthly wages. Each district contains a school library. The total expenditures for district schools for the year A. D., 1907, was $53,976.82."
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CHAPTER XVII. THE RAILROAD.
It was not until 1886 that the railroad question was set- tled, and that year, Oct. 28th, regular trains commenced running from Faulkton to Redfield. On August 7th, Engineer Miller of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway, with his engineer corps, arrived at Faulkton on the survey from Aberdeen, via Roscoe, to Orient. The location of these roads settled the question of the location of town sites along their lines, and changed the county seat from LaFoon to Faulkton. The county seat question hav- ing been settled for all time, and nearly all the townships for school and election purposes with business centers es- tablished. There was a consciousness of permanent, rather than pioneer, settlement, a security of home and business relations that could not be realized while this important question, that means so much to every civilized community was in doubt.
Altogether, 1886 was an eventful year in the history of Faulk county. Possibly more real homes were established by the arrival of wives and children to occupy the humble but substantial houses that had been erected by the enter- prising and self-sacrificing husbands and fathers, that with high hopes of better conditions had preceded them, than in any other one year in its history.
But with the coming of the railroad towns were not only made, but their downfall assured. LaFoon, with its homes, school houses, churches and county building, was
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on wheels to become an integral part of Faulkton. Harring- ton was lost in Burkmere and Ellisville, save in name, be- came Seneca. Business centers became fixed, new social surrounding assured and a general consciousness felt that a foundation had been laid upon which future structures should be erected and future greatness established for all time.
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CHAPTER XVIII. FAULK COUNTY IN 1908.
Faulk county is most favorably located in Central South Dakota. It is a little north of the geographical cen- ter of the state and embraces a most beautiful portion of that most wonderful wheat belt that produces No. 1 hard, and is known all over the world. In extent it is north and south, twenty-four miles; east and west, forty-two miles comprising a total area of one thousand and eight square miles divided into twenty-eight congressional town- ships, six miles square. It is a high plateau, slightly roll- ing, lying east of, and at the foot of, a light range of coteaux that divide the waters of the James from those of the Missouri river, and gradually sloping toward the James river. The Snake, or the Nixon, river rises in the extreme western portion of the county and runs east through its center, emptying into the James river near Ashton in Spink county, supplying a large region with beautiful, clear spring water. In addition to the water from the river, springs and lakes, there are now in Faulk county 360 flow- ing artesian wells, which have completely removed Faulk county from the dry belt into the "sure crop" region of the country.
There are now thirteen railroad towns in the county, five besides the City of Faulkton, on the main line of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad from Gettysburg, in Potter county, to Watertown, Brookings, St. Paul, Min- neapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago. Three are on the
ELEVATORS AT CRESBARD, S. D.
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Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, on its extension from Aberdeen via Roscoe, in Edmunds county, and Faulkton, to Orient. The Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad, passing through the northern part of the county from east to west to the Missouri river at LeBeau, has five stations, around which are springing up live and promising towns. A grade from Aberdeen direct to Pierre, passing through the county via Faulkton from northeast to south west, which, if not ironed in the near future, will be as soon as the traffic along its line actually demands it. The completion of this line will make Faulk county one of the best, as far as railroad facilities to meet the demands of the agricul- tural industries are concerned, in all the northwest.
Typographically, Faulk county is without a peer. Its gradual descent from the western line of the county to the eastern line, though slightly rolling, gives many of the most delightful views to be found. Its high altitude, clear. bracing atmosphere, its charming, sunshiny days and love- ly, moon shining and starlight nights are entrancing to the beholder. Its luxuriant grasses and quick response to the tiller of its soil, are the wonder and admiration of the agriculturalist. -
Its high altitude or some unknown cause gives shorter, milder and more desirable winters than are found either immediately east or west of the county. The soil is heavy, fertile and very productive, adapted to stock-raising and farm products of every variety. Wheat, oats, corn, flax, barley and rye are staple crops. All varieties of vegetables are successfully raised in the most enormous quantities and of the finest quality. Though a comparatively new county, Faulk county took the third premium in 1885 and the sec-
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ond premium in 1887, for the best county exhibit at the Territorial Agricultural Fair. At the State Fair at Aber- deen in 1891, Faulk county took the first premiuni on gen- eral farmn products; also at the State Fair at Yankton in 1903 and 1904 and at Huron in 1905. In fact she has never made an exhibit without receiving a premium, which speaks volumes for her climate conditions, the fertility of her soil and the perseverance and skill of her husbandmen.
The rich, nutritious buffalo grass, which is indigenous to the entire county, not only in the usual grazing season, but through the entire year (unless covered with snow) furnishes abundant feed to keep horses and neat stock in good growing condition. For the winter of 1907-8 there was only a part of one day in which, the snow was too deep for stock to live and thrive upon the range. I learn from a reliable farmer and stockman that his horses and neat cattle steadily thrived and actually gained in flesh through the entire winter. The season of 1908 has returned an abundant harvest, commanding high prices on the market and the outlook for the future was never so encouraging as at the present time.
The climate is delightful, the atmosphere dry, but rain is generally abundant when most needed. The roads are muddy only for a few hours after the rain ceases, the water passing down into the ground almost immediately. The seasons are as early, the summer is as long and the autumn as late, as in states farther east and south of South Dakota. Seeding is generally completed here before it is begun in Northern Iowa and while Minnesota, and Wisconsin are snowbound.
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The most careful observation warrants the opinion that nowhere in northern latitude can a more desirable lo- cation be found for successful diversified farming, than in Faulk county, South Dakota, where there is abundant room for an agricultural population of 20,000 or 25,000. In 1883 and 1884 a large number of persons came to Faulk county for the sole purpose of securing a quarter section of government land under the preemption law, and, after proving up-making final proof-returned to their homes, holding their land as an investment, until it should be- come more valuable. Thousands of acres of these lands are now on the market and can be obtained for less than half the price of inferior and less productive lands in north- ern and central Iowa.
The future of Faulk county, from a financial, social and intellectual standpoint, is exceedingly flattering, The steady westward trend of emigration warrants the predic- tion that Faulk county lands will soon be in the hands of actual, industrious farmers, becoming the richest and most prosperous in its various agricultural productions and placing more of them upon the market, than any other county in the northwest.
Another important fact to be taken into account by the home-seeker, is the educational advantages of Faulk county. More than 35,800 acres of these rich, fertile lands constitute a school fund in perpetuity. While a wise policy may determine that they shall not be sold, they can be rented and the rich, luxuriant grasses utilized for hay and pasturage, while at no very distant future a reventie should be realized to materially lighten the burden of taxa- tion for our common schools.
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With the best of school facilities and commodious houses of worship at almost every desirable point in the entire county, one can make no mistake in securing a quar- ter or half section of these rich, productive lands for a per- manent home.
The city of Faulkton, the county seat, is located on the bank of the Nixon river on sections 14 and 15, town- ship 118, range 69, near the geographical center of the county, and with its immediate suburbs has about 1,000 inhabitants. A commodious, well constructed and con- venient court house, good for the next fifty years, four churches-Methodist Episcopal, Congregational, Free Methodist and Roman Catholic-a fine school building with school second to none in its primary and preparatory courses, a high school of the first order.
With an intelligent, educated class of citizens, deeply interested in sustaining the high standard attained, and with a determination that the education of the young peo- ple of this city shall hold them in the front rank, our edit- cational facilities would appear to be assured.
The Masonic Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter of Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Maccabees, Workmen, Woodmen, Eastern Star, Ladies of the Macca- bees, Degree of Honor, Woman's Relief Corps, Grand Army of the Republic, Tuesday Club, Modern Brother- hood of America and the various organizations connected with the churches, speak well for the social, intellectual, moral and religious standing of the people.
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CHAPTER XIX.
FROM COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S RECORD
At a meeting of the county commissioners held at La- Foon, Monday, September 8, 1884, Commissioner H. A. Humphrey and M. J. Jarvis present the county was divid- ed into thirteen election precincts with the following voting places:
No. 1. School house near section 31, township 120, range 66.
No. 2. House of S. E. Purdy on the southwest quar- ter of section 21, township 120, range 68.
No. 3. House of Edward Stickle.
No. 4. House of Charles Rathke.
No. 5. House of Abram Griffee.
No. 6. School house at Harrington.
No. 7. Office of Union House at Faulkton.
No. 8. Office of Bottum & Johnston, LaFoon.
No. 9. Office of hotel at De Voe.
No. 10. School house on section 7, township 117, range 66.
No. 11. School house on section 16, township 117, range 68.
No. 12. House of C. S. Clare, southwest quarter, township 118, range 70.
No. 13. Office of C. H. Ellis in Ellisville.
The following were appointed judge in said precincts:
No. 1. R. O. Thayer, W. P. Randall ant C. H. Maxwell.
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No. 2. Alex Garrick, D. Roy Jones and W. M. Walker.
No. 3. George B. Dyer, Cephus R. Saunders and J. L. Robinson.
No. 4. Chas. Rathke, E. Rathke and Otto Mielke. No. 5. Abram Griffee, J. V. Smack and B. H. Clark.
No. 6. W. G. Faulkner, J. W. Bass and J. H. Shirk.
No. 7. E. S. Brown, E. H. Thayer and E. C. Sage.
No. 8. Joseph Powell, C, M. Kellogg and A. H. Yost. No. 9. S. P. Clark, W. R. Davis and W. W. Morse. No. 10. August Harmon, Jacob Parsons and Joseph Brown.
No. 11. Harris Pool, Charles Geddis and A. A. McCoy.
No. 12. Charles S. Chase, D. O. Hillman and M. O. Shuttle.
No. 13. C. F. Geer, W. W. Gwinn and J. Parsons.
On December 8, 1884, the commissioners held a special meeting, Commissioners Humphrey and Jarvis present, at which considerable important business was done, and a dead lock created on the location of county seat. Action appealed from by J. A. Pickler. Finally Commissioner Humphrey absented himself from the meeting. Commis- sioner Jarvis adjourned the meeting to the next day at which time Commissioners Jarvis and Hume met and fin- ished up the business and adjourned sine die.
On January 5, 1885, the new board of commissioners met, consisting of Charles Marvin, John L. Chain and J. H. Wallace.
The efforts to change the county seat from LaFoon to Faulkton was responsible for the change of commissioners
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from three to five by the territorial legislature of 1885. On April 25, 1885 this order came up for consideration.
The action of the board was such as to cause great dissatisfaction in the western part of the county and a special election was called which resulted in the election of C. H. Ellis to the office of commissioner. The election taking place according to the apportionment or subdivision of the county commissioners. Morgan G. Millard, Charles Marvin, Alex Garrick, J. H. Wallace and John L. Chain were declared elected commissioners. An appeal was tak- en from their decision and the appeal was prosecuted by John A. Pickler so far as the election of Alex Garrick was concerned, in the district court at Aberdeen, Judge Smith presiding, and decided in favor of the election of C. H. Ellis.
On the 7th of September, 1885 C. H. Ellis became an active member of the board for the remainder of the term.
At an election prior to January 4, 1886, Alex Garrick was elected a commissioner in place of John L. Chain.
At the first session of the board for the year 1886, on motion of Commissioner C. H. Ellis, it was voted that no license be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in Faulk County for the year 1886, and on that vote the yeas and noes were ordered and Millard, Wallace, Garrick and Ellis voted yea and Marvin no.
The board of county commissioners for the year 1887 were: Charles Marvin, Alex Garrick, D. S. Smith, O. D. Johnson and J. S. Nevins, and the first meeting held at LaFoon, the county seat, on Jannary 3, 1887, and in place of J. W. Johnston, who had held the office of secre-
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tary up to this time, I. Allen Cornwell was duly elected and filed his official bond which was approved as was also that of H. D. Chamberlain for sheriff, C. E. Warner for treasurer, A. A. McCoy for county school superintendent, C. H. Derr for county judge of probate, A. D. Griffee for assessor and Frank Turner and F. M. Brown for justices of the peace.
On April 25th, 1887, a petition was presented to the board of county commissioners and by them approved, for the legal organization of the city of Faulkton. The elec- tion was to be held on the 25th of May, 1887, and C. A. Morse, F. A. Pangburn and Fred Griffee were appointed judges of election.
In July of that year an exciting election was had by the county commissioners to secure a county auditor. The election board consisted of the board of commissioners to- gether with the Hon C. H. Derr, judge of probate and C. E. Warner, county treasurer, seven in all, four votes being a majority and necessary to elect. The election commenced at the opening of the afternoon session and extended into the middle of the next afternoon. Twenty-one ballots were taken in which no candidate succeeded in getting more than three votes. On the twenty-second ballot, the other coveted vote, the fourth was forthcoming and M. P. Springer was declared elected.
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