USA > South Dakota > Minnehaha County > History of Minnehaha county, South Dakota. Containing an account of its settlements, growth, development and resources Synopsis of public records, biographical sketches > Part 32
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Their defense was that they were digging a hole for a telephone pole, but Judge Hawkins disregarded Judge Edgerton's injunction, and fined them three dollars each, and costs, and that they stand committed until the fine and costs were paid. They appealed to the district court. About March 20, Judge Palmer, who had recently been appointed associate justice of the supreme court, signed an or- der requiring Jacob Schaetzel, Jr., C. T. Jeffers, R. C. Hawkins, M. Grigsby and Porter P. Peck to show cause on April 1, at the court house in Sioux Falls, why they should not be judged guilty of con- tempt and punished for disobeying the injunction of Judge Edgerton. By agreement the hearing was postponed a few days, when it was heard before Judge Palmer. A. Frizzell, Bartlett Tripp and Capt. Start of Wisconsin appeared in behalf of the city, and Winsor & Swezey and John Gamble in support of the contempt proceedings. It was a hearing that aroused a good deal of interest, and was ably and exhaustively conducted on both sides. The only paper that was ever filed in this case after this, is only four lines in length, from which it appears that the case was settled, and as the writer settled the case he feels authorized to say that less than twenty-five dollars disposed of the whole matter, and the poles of the company were never erected on Phillips and Main avenues.
The vigor of the administration of city affairs under Mayor Schaetzel, stamped the city as being alive to her interests, and since that time the city officials have, as a whole, been active and vigorous in doing everything that the growth and development of the city de- manded. Bonding the city for the building of railroads, the grading and paving of streets, and such other matters as come before city
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
councils in young and rapidly growing municipalities have been up for action before the city councils of Sioux Falls, and at all times and under all circumstances have been cared for in such manner as to meet the approval of the citizens generally. Of course, matters have come before the council from time to time upon which there has been great diversity of opinion among its members, and occasionally com- binations have been formed and projects carried through, especially in reference to the appointment of the minor city officials, without much regard to the minority.
One thing can be truthfully said of all the mayors of the city, they have been representative men. They have all been business men, vigorous and enterprising in their own affairs, and anxious for the prosperity of the city. And while they have all been men in which the positive element largely predominated, still every one of them has had sufficient elasticity in his make-up to enable him to stretch a point for the welfare of the city in his administration.
What the city has done in its legislative and administrative capacity, will more appropriately appear in connection with special topics considered elsewhere.
VILLAGE OFFICERS.
The first annual election of officers in the village of Sioux Falls took place the third Tuesday in March, 1877, when the following officers were elected:
1877. President, C. K. Howard; trustees, J. L. Phillips, Wm. Van Eps, E. A. Sherman, Henry Callender; clerk, C. O. Natesta; treasurer, George B. Sammons.
1878. President, C. K. Howard; trustees, J. L. Phillips, E. A. Sherman, N. E. Phillips, Henry Callender; clerk, C. O. Natesta; treasurer, H. L. Hollister.
1879. President, C. K. Howard; trustees, J. L. Phillips, C. H. Vincent, J. B. Watson, T. T. Cochran; clerk, E. W. Caldwell; treasurer, H. L. Hollister.
1880. President, C. K. Howard; trustees, L. T. Dunning, C. P. Weston, T. T. Cochran, Andrew Petterson; clerk, W. H. Holt; treasurer, H. L. Hollister.
1881. President, L. T. Dunning; trustees, J. B. Watson, W. E. Willey, F. Kunerth, Andrew Petterson; clerk, W. H. Holt; treas- urer, H. L. Hollister.
1882. President, T. T. Cochran; trustees, Wm. Van Eps, C. W. Hubbard, W. E. Willey, H. Gilbert; clerk, W. Holt; treas- urer, E. E. Sage.
Jacob Schaetzel, Jr., was president from July 24, 1882, when he was elected to fill vacancy caused by the death of T. T. Cochran, who died on the 20th day of June, 1882.
CITY OFFICERS.
1883. Mayor, Jacob Schaetzel, Jr., 2 years; aldermen, 1st ward, P. P. Peck, 2 years, N. E. Phillips, 1 year; 2d ward, G. A. Knott, 2 years, W. E. Willey, 1 year (Mr. Willey removing from the ward Otto Heynsohn was appointed to fill vacancy January 12, 1884);
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
3d ward, M. Grigsby, 2 years, F. L. Boyce, 1 year; 4th ward, True Dennis, 2 years, J. B. Watson, 1 year; clerk, W. H. Holt; treasurer, E. E. Sage; assessor, F. S. Emerson; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, L. D. Henry; attorney, A. Frizzell; marshal, C. T. Jeffers; street commissioner, L. C. Winslow.
1884. Mayor, Jacob Schaetzel, Jr .; aldermen, 1st ward, P. P. Peck, N. E. Phillips; 2d ward, George A. Knott, C. S. Bowen; 3d ward, M. Grigsby, John F. Norton; 4th ward, True Dennis, H M. Stearns; clerk, W. H. Holt; treasurer, E. E. Sage; assessor, F. S. Emerson; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, L. D. Henry; attorney, A. Frizzell; marshal, C. T. Jeffers; street commissioner. L. C. Winslow. C. S. Bowen died in February, 1885. Otto Heynson was appointed March 24, to fill vacancy, but did not qualify, and Charles L. Norton was appointed April 14, 1885.
1885. Mayor, H. W. Ross: aldermen, 1st ward, N. E. Phil- lips, M. Bridge; 2d ward, A. G. Seney, C. L. Norton; 3d ward, J. F. Norton, R. G. Parmley; 4th ward, H. M. Stearns, A. F. Shaw; clerk, W. H. Holt; treasurer, P. P. Peck; assessor, F. S. Emerson; city justice, L. D. Henry; attorney, D. R. Bailey; marshal, C. T. Jeffers; street commissioner, L. C. Winslow; health officer, S. Olney, M. D. November 10, 1885, A. F. Shaw resigned as alderman and John O. Meara was appointed to fill the vacancy.
1886. Mayor, H. W. Ross; aldermen, 1st ward, M. Bridge, F. W. Taylor; 2d ward, A. G. Seney, W. E. Willey; 3d ward, R. G. Parmley, John F. Norton; 4th ward, John O. Meara, W. E. Austin; clerk, W. H. Holt; treasurer, George B. Sammons; assessor, M. A. Stickney; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, L. D. Henry; attorney, D. R. Bailey; marshal, George W. Burnside; street com- missioner, O. A. Hawley; health officer, S. Olney, M. D. March 18, 1887, John F. Norton resigned as alderman. November 10, 1886, L. D. Henry resigned as city justice and M. A. Stickney was appointed to fill vacancy.
1887. Mavor, John F. Norton; aldermen, 1st ward, Mark Bridge, F. W. Taylor; 2d ward, W. E. Willey, George W. Lear: 3d ward, C. G. Coats, J. G. Strahon; 4th ward, W. E. Austin, Samuel Hurst; clerk, W. H. Holt; treasurer, George B. Sammons; assessor, H. M. Avery; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, M. A. Stickney; attorney, D. R. Bailey; marshal, G. W. Burnside; health officer, J. C. Morgan, M. D .; street commissioner, O. A. Hawley.
1888. Mayor, John F. Norton; aldermen, 1st ward, Mark Bridge, F. S. Emerson; 2d ward, Geo. W. Lear, W. E. Willey; 3d ward, C. G. Coats, J. G. Strahon; 4th ward, W. E. Austin, Sam Hurst; clerk, W. H. Holt; treasurer, Geo. B. Sammons; assessor, WVm. Beckler; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, M. A. Stickney; attorney, D. R. Bailey; marshal, A. J. Mills; street com- missioner, John Flemming; health officer, J. C. Morgan, M. D. March 19, 1889, an election was held to determine whether Sioux Falls should be incorporated under chapter 73 of the general laws of Dakota. The result of this election was 503 votes for and 209 against, and a resolution was passed declaring the city incorporated under the general law.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
1889. Mayor, W. E. Willey; aldermen, 1st ward, Mark Bridge, E. J. Mannix; 2d ward, Fred Kreiser, Geo. A. Knott; 3d ward, C. G. Coats, J. G. Strahon; 4th ward. J. B. Watson, Thomas Mc- Kinnon; attorney, A. Frizzell; auditor, W. H. Holt; treasurer, Geo. B. Sammons; chief of police, John Donahoe; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, M. A. Stickney; street commissioner, Joseph Sampson; assessors, Wm. Beckler, W. E. Austin, J. H. Voorhees; health officer, S. Olney.
1890. Mayor, Porter P. Peck; Aldermen, 1st ward, W. G. McKennon, F. L. Blackman; 2d ward, W. W. Brookings, Thomas Scanlan; 3d ward, C. G. Coats, J. S. Lewis; 4th ward, Thomas McKinnon, Alex Reid; attorney, C. L. Brookway; auditor, W. H. Holt; treasurer, Geo. B. Sammons; chief of police, A. B. Wheelock; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice. M. A. Stickney; assessor, E. G. Wright; engineer, D. C. Rice; street commissioner, R. J. Huston; health officer, S. A. Brown, M. D.
March 2, 1891, the city was by ordinance re-districted into six wards.
1891. Mayor, Porter P. Peck; Aldermen, 1st ward, W. G. McKennon, F. L. Blackman; 2d ward, S. E. Blauvelt, Thomas Scanlan; 3d ward, C. G. Coats, J. J. Murry; 4th ward, Alex Reid. Thomas McKinnon; 5th ward, J. S. Lewis, G. W. Burnside; 6th ward, J. B. Fearon, D. L. Mckinney; attorney, C. L. Brockway; auditor, W. H. Holt; treasurer, Geo. B. Sammons; chief of police, A. B. Wheelock; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, M. A. Stickney; assessor, C. S. Carr; engineer, D. C. Rice; street commis- sioner, J. Sampson; building inspector, C. F. Martin; health officer, S. A. Brown.
1892. Mayor, Porter P. Peck; Aldermen, 1st ward, Mark Bridge, F. L. Blackman; 2d ward, S. E. Blauvelt, Thomas Scanlan; 3d ward, J. J. Murry, E. M. Shotwell; 4th ward, Thomas McKin- non, Alexander Reid; 5th ward, G. W. Burnside, J. A. Ward; 6th ward, D. L. Mckinney, J. B. Fearon; attorney, D. E. Powers; treas- urer, P. P. Boylan; auditor, Roy Williams; chief of police, W. H. Martin; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, A. B. Wheelock; assessors, A. J. Taber, Jonah Jones; engineer, D. C. Rice; building inspector, C. F. Martin; street commissioner, J. Sampson; chief of fire department, Jerry Carleton; health officer, J. C. Morgan.
Joseph Sampson's term of office as street commissioner expired, and John T. Summers was appointed November 19, to fill vancancy. Frank L. Blackman, by moving out of the ward, vacated his office as alderman on February 17, 1893.
1893. Mayor, Porter P. Peck; aldermen, 1st ward, Mark Bridge, J. W. Craig; 2d ward, Thomas Scanlon, John T. Cogan; 3d ward, E. W. Shotwell, John Murry; 4th ward, Thomas Mckinnon, Alex. Reid; 5th ward, Joseph A. Ward, Geo. W. Burnside; 6th ward, D. L. Mckinney, Joseph Sampson; attorney, D. E. Powers, who resigned about September 20, and John H. Gates was appointed; treasurer, P. P. Boylan; auditor, Roy Williams; chief of police, W. H. Martin, for a few months, when Joseph Dickson was appointed; police justice, R. C. Hawkins; city justice, A. B. Wheelock; assessor,
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
A. J. Taber; city engineer, S. B. Howe; building inspector, C. F. Martin; street commissioner, Ira Soule; chief fire department, Jerry Carleton; health officer, J. C. Morgan.
1894. Mayor, Roy Williams; aldermen, 1st ward, J. W. Craig, Anton Christopherson; 2d ward, John T. Cogan, W. D. Roberts; 3d ward, John Murry, B. H. Lien; 4th ward, Thomas McKinnon, Alex. Reid; 5th ward, George W. Burnside, P. J. Morstad; 6th ward, Joseph Sampson, Fred Kreiser; attorney, C. P. Bates; treasurer, P. P. Boylan; auditor, F. L. Blackman; chief of police, W. H. Martin; police justice, W. D. Stites; city justice, A. B. Wheelock; assessor, E. Engleson; city engineer, J. M. James; building inspector, R. H. Booth; street commissioner, E. M. Shotwell; chief fire department, Jerry Carleton; health officer, A. H. Tufts.
1895. Mayor, Roy Williams; alderman, 1st ward, Anton Chris- topherson, J. W. Craig; 2d ward, W. D. Roberts, John T. Cogan; 3d ward, B. H. Lien, Daniel Scott; 4th ward, Thomas Mckinnon, Sam- uel Hurst; 5th ward, P. J. Morstad, George W. Burnside; 6th ward, Fred Kreiser, Joseph Sampson; attorney, C. P. Bates; treasurer, P. P. Bovlan: auditor, F. L. Blackman; chief of police, W. H. Martin; justice, W. D. Stites; city justice, A. B. Wheelock; assessor, George Arneson; city engineer, J. M. James; building inspector, R. H. Booth; street commissioner, E. M. Shotwell; chief fire department, W. P. Mckeever; health officer, A. H. Tufts.
1896. Mayor, A. H. Stites; alderman, 1st ward, J. W. Craig, W. T. Doolittle; 2d ward, John Cogan, G. H. Barry; 3d ward, Daniel Scott, Theodore Pankow; 4th ward, Samuel Hurst, W. D. Roberts; 5th ward, George W. Burnside, P. J. Morstad; 6th ward, A. H. Kil- roy, M. M. Flaskey; attorney, D. E. Powers; treasurer, P. P. Boy- lan; auditor, F. L. Blackman, chief of police, Joseph K. Dickson; police justice, O. A. Fowler; city justice, A. B. Wheelock; assessor, G. H. Kiland; city engineer, S. B. Howe; building inspector, R. H. Booth; street commissioner, G. W. Ward; chief fire department, W. P. McKeever; health officer, Dr. Stephen Olney.
1897. Mavor, A. H. Stites; treasurer, John Olson; police justice, O. A. Fowler; city justice, A. B. Wheelock; aldermen, 1st ward, W. T. Doolittle, P. W. Mckeever; 2d ward, G. H. Barry, H. T. Parmley; 3d ward, Theodore Pankow, Dan Scott; 4th ward. S. H. Hurst, W. D. Roberts; 5th ward, P. J. Morstad, G. W. Burnside; 6th ward, M. M. Flaskey, A. S. Kilroy; auditor, F. L. Blackman; at- torney, D. E. Powers; assessor, G. H. Kiland; building inspector, R. H. Booth; chief of police, J. M. Dickson; chief of fire department, J. N. Carpenter; engineer, S. B. Howe; health officer, S. Olney; street commissioner, G. W. Ward.
1898. Mayor, B. H. Lien; treasurer, John Olson; police justice, O. A. Fowler; city justice, Cyrus Walts; aldermen, 1st ward, W. T. Doolittle, P. W. Mckeever; 2d ward, W. E. Willey, H. T. Parmley; 3d ward, Theodore Pankow, Dan Scott; 4th ward, S. H. Hurst, Alex Reid; 5th ward, P. J. Morstad, G. W. Burnside; 6th ward, M. M. Flaskey, A. S. Kilroy; auditor, L. M. Estabrook; attorney, D. J. Conway; assessor, Roy Williams; building inspector, R. H. Booth; . chief of police, Fred Kreiser; chief of fire department, A. J. Carl-
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
son ; engineer, S. B. Howe; health officer, H. W. Subera, street com- missioner, E. M. Shotwell.
1899. Mavor, B. H. Lien; treasurer, John Olson; police justice, O. A. Fowler: city justice, Cyrus Walts; alderman, 1st ward, W. T, Doolittle, R. E. Woodworth; 2d ward, W. E. Willey, Mark Bridge; 3d ward, Theodore Pankow, D. C. Ricker; 4th ward, S. H. Hurst, Alex Reid; 5th ward, P. J. Morstad, G. W. Burnside: 6th ward, M. M. Flaskey, Ira Soule; auditor, L. M. Estabrook; attorney. D. J. Conway; assessor, Roy Williams; building inspector, R. H. Booth; chief of police, Fred Kreiser; chief of fire department, James M. Tatman; engineer, S. B. Howe; health officer, H. W. Subera; street commissioner, E. M. Shotwell.
SCHOOLS.
Strange as it may seem, no steps were taken in the Sioux Falls district to secure the benefit of the school law, and no active meas- ures were taken to organize the district until the spring of 1873, nearly two years after the division of the county into school districts had been made. At that time, the necessity of a public school hav- ing forced itself upon the community, a petition was circulated among the citizens asking for the organization of a school board.
Prior to this time four terms of school had been taught in Sioux Falls township. During the winter of 1871-2, a Mr. Leonard taught school in a sod shanty near where the brewery now stands. About the first of September, 1872. Mrs. E. H. Darrow commenced a select school in the barracks, and taught three months, and the following winter she taught a term of school in a log house northeast of the city on what is known as the David Reynold's place. During the winter of 1872-3, Miss Clara Ledyard (now Mrs. Lewis) taught school in the barracks.
On the 14th day of April, 1873, Albion Thorne, superintendent of public instruction, issued an order to Edwin Sharpe, "a house- holder in district No. 1," to post notices in said district of the first school meeting to be held April 29, 1873, at 7 o'clock P. M., in the room used for school purposes in Sioux Falls. At this meeting the first school officers of the town of Sioux Falls were elected as follows: A. Gale, director; R. F. Pettigrew, clerk; D. S. Goodyear, treasurer.
A special meeting of the voters of the district was called May 12, 1873, in the school room at Sioux Falls, and on motion of Mr. Grigsby it was ordered that a tax of one per cent should be levied for the purpose of building a school house. A motion was then made by Mr. Bippus that a tax of one per cent be voted to purchase school furniture and for other purposes, which was also carried. A com- mittee of five, consisting of the following named persons was ap- pointed by the chair to select suitable grounds for a school house: J. Bippus, R. Booth, M. Grigsby, H. J. Whipple and R. F. Petti- grew. The meeting then adjourned to May 25, at which time Mr. Bippus, chairman of the committee, stated that he had no definite report to make and asked for more time, whereupon the committee was continued for one week.
June 2, having met pursuant to adjournment, Mr. Bippus re- 21
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
ported that Mr. A. Gale would sell lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, block 2 of Gale's addition to Sioux Falls for two hundred and fifty dollars, and that J. L. Phillips would sell lots 3, 4, 5, 14, 15 and 16, block 7 for two hundred and fifty dollars. The report of the committee was ac- cepted and the district board was instructed to contract for the lots mentioned in the report. On motion of R. H. Booth, the tax voted at a previous meeting was rescinded, and on motion of Mr. Pettigrew a tax of one per cent for building a school house was voted. A public school was now supposed to be a thing of the near future, but the people were doomed to disappointment. The treasurer had doubts in regard to his authority to collect the tax, and before these doubts were satisfied the warrant had expired by limitation. There being consequently no money and no way of raising it at that time, the idea of a public school was for a time abandoned.
On the 6th of September, 1873, A. Gale, chairman and director of the board, called another school meeting and a new board was elected as follows: A. Gale, director; H. J. Whipple, treasurer and C. W. McDonald, secretary. The tax voted at the last meeting was rescinded, and a tax of one-half of one per cent for building a school house and one-quarter of one per cent for teachers' wages and fur- nishing the school house was voted, and the district officers were in- structed to collect such tax as soon as possible. The board was also authorized to rent a room suitable for a school room, and to employ a female teacher for three months during the ensuing fall. It was also voted to have six months'additional school during the next school year. The board was instructed to advertise for plans and specifi- cations for a school house, the cost not to exceed one thousand dol- lars, and in order to carry out these instructions was authorized to borrow money as it might deem proper, not to exceed one thousand dollars.
The newly elected board fully realizing the difficulties to be en- countered, and determining to fulfil their duties faithfully, met on the Monday following their election and pledged themselves, each to the other, that every possible effort should be made to organize and continue a public school in Sioux Falls. That this pledge was sacredly kept the results of their efforts will show, and the pride with which this result was reported by the clerk to the district at the expiration of the year is surely pardonable, the more especially as it is not, as the clerk naively remarks "for electioneering pur- poses."
In accordance with instructions, notices were posted to the effect that the board would receive sealed proposals for the erection of a school house in Sioux Falls until Saturday evening September 13, 1873. The district was canvassed and the total number of chil- dren between the ages of five and twenty-one was found to be 136 -76 males and 60 females. On September 13, the board met to open bids for building a school house, and the clerk was instructed to enter into a contract with J. F. Burger for the erection of a school building. Miss Clara Ledyard was employed as teacher for three months at thirty dollars per month. She taught in Libbey's hall, which was located on the east side of Main avenue, between Seventh and Eighth streets.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
September 15, the board met and the clerk reported that Mr. Burger would not enter into a contract to build the school house, and it was decided to advertise for new bids.
September 16, they met again in the office of Pettigrew & Grigsby and a number of assessments were made and added to the list. The official bond of H. J. Whipple as district treasurer with C. K. Howard as surety in the sum of three thousand dollars was presented and approved.
September 29, the board held another meeting, at which the new bids for the school building were opened. Edwin Sharp's bid for nine hundred and eighty-five dollars was the lowest, and being within the limit of the instructions to the board, a contract with Mr. Sharpe was entered into.
Having thus secured the building of a school house, the atten- tion of the board was now directed to the collection of the tax voted. On the 25th day of September, a warrant for the collection, together with the tax list, was placed in the hands of the treasurer. On the 3d day of November, this warrant was returned to the clerk, with the receipt of the county treasurer, showing that nine hundred thirty-four dollars and eighty-five cents remained unpaid. And now difficulties were encountered and questions raised. The collection of the tax was resisted by some of the tax payers and a petition for an injunction was presented to Judge Shannon, asking the court to re- strain further proceedings in its collection. The petition was not granted, and the tax was finally collected. On the 14th day of Novem- ber, 1873, a title bond was obtained from A. Gale and wife, running to the school board and its successors in office, for block No. 2 in Gale's Sioux Falls. A contract was made with the Eureka Mfg. Co. of Rock Falls, Ill., for furniture for the school house amounting to three hundred forty-four dollars and fifty cents. On the 5th day of December, 1873, the school house was finished and turned over to the district, to the satisfaction of all concerned.
On the 12th of December, 1873, Miss Ledyard made a report to the board of the first public school in Sioux Falls. The total number of pupils enrolled was 74-44 boys and 30 girls. The average daily attendance was 40. The enforced collection of the tax in 1873, caused a feeling, which resulted in a petition being presented to the county asking for the formation of other districts, and on the 6th day of January, 1874, sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13 and 14, were set off as a part of district No. 16, and section 15 together with that portion of sections 9, 10 and 22, lying on the right bank of the Big Sioux river, were designated as district No. 25. A petition was presented to the clerk asking that H. J. Whipple be employed to teach the next term of school. Mr. Whipple was therefore engaged, the term beginning January 12, 1874, and continuing twelve weeks. The total number of pupils during this term was 81, the daily average attendance 58. On the 28th of April another term began, Miss Mary H. Corey being employed as teacher. Total number of pupils 66, average daily at- tendance 44. On the 4th of July this term ended and with it the first year of public school in Sioux Falls.
At the next annual school meeting September 5th, 1874, the treasurer submitted the following report:
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
Amount received from county treasurer $ 426.36
Amount collected on special school tax 1,588.46
Total amount received $2,014.82
Amount paid out on order of district clerk and director $1,864.55
Balance on hand September 5, 1874 150.27
Total $2,014.82
The members of the board were re-elected for the ensuing vear and instructed to provide for nine months of school to begin Septem- ber 7th, 1874, and Miss M. H. Corey was engaged at a salary of forty dollars per month. By November, 1874, the number of children in the district had increased to such an extent, that an additional schoolroom and teacher were found necessary and the proposition of the trustees of the M. E. Church for the use of their room and stove at nine dollars per month was accepted, and Miss Clara Ledyard was employed at a salary of thirty-five dollars per month. She was given the primary department and had 47 scholars, and Miss Corey had a total of 62.
At the annual meeting in 1875 Artemus Gale was elected director, C. W. McDonald clerk and Cyrus Walts treasurer. The M. E. Church building was again rented for the primary school. This department was taught by Miss Clara Ledyard the entire year, the higher department by Miss Corey during the fall and winter terms, and by Miss E. F. Cowdrey during the spring term. During this year the board paid to Artemas Gale and to Dr J. L. Phillips, the full amount due, including interest on the lots contracted for in June, 1873, and the deeds were placed on record.
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