USA > South Dakota > History of southeastern Dakota, its settlement and growth, geological and physical features--countries, cities, towns and villages--incidents of pioneer life--biographical sketches of the pioneers and business men, with a brief outline history of the territory in general > Part 8
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
77
SIOUX FALLS.
Reese, of Lu Verne: Rev. A. W. Hilton, of Parker, W. W. Brookings, of Sioux Falls, and M. J. Lewis, of Vermillion. The Board of Trustees was organized by the election of E. Ellis, President: Geo. Morehouse, Vice-President; B. F. Roderick, Sec- retary: J. B. Young, Treasurer. A committee to arrange for the opening of the Institute this fall, if deemed advisable, was ap- pointed, who have secured the services of the Rev. Thomas Ure. formerly Professor of Ancient Languages in Cedar Valley Semi- nary, Iowa, as Principal, and will open the first term of the Insti- tute in Sherman's Hall November 7th, 1881.
CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
In November, 1873, twenty-two of the residents of Sioux Falls organized a Cemetery association, with Dr. Joseph Roberts, Presi- dent: F. D. Cowles, Clerk: Dr. J. L. Phillips, William Van Eps, WV. H. Corson and Edwin Sharpe as Trustees. The organization was incorporated under the name of the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association, January 12, 1874. The Association purchased twenty acres of land in the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of seetion 22, town 101, range 49, just a mile from town on the east side of the river. The site is a beautiful one, overlooking the valley of the Sioux and the village. The officers elected in 1875. were Dr. J. L. Phillips, B. F. Roderick. N. E. Phillips, Edwin Sharpe and Joseph Roberts, Trustees; N. E. Phillips, Treasurer, and H. W. Lewis, Clerk. At this meeting it was voted to lay out a portion of the grounds, which was accordingly done. At the annual meeting in July, 1877, E. A. Sherman was elected Presi- dent of the Association: C. W. McDonald, Clerk: N. E. Phillips, Treasurer: J. L. Phillips, W. H. Corson, T. H. Brown and E. Sharpe, Trustees. The platting of the grounds, ordered two years before, was reconsidered, and another plan substituted. By this last plan the entire grounds owned by the Association are divided into forty-eight blocks, of fourteen lots in each block, each lot being 21 by 213 feet. There are two principal streets. 40 feet wide, one running north and south. the other east and west, through the center of the plat. A twenty-foot street separates the blocks each way, and an eight-foot alley runs between the lots each way. The next meeting of the Association was held July 7, 1879. at which E. A. Sherman was elected President; C. W. Mc- Donald, Clerk; N. E. Phillips, Treasurer; E. A. Sherman, J. L. Phillips, W. H. Corson, John McKee and Edwin Sharpe, Trustees.
HISTORY OF SOUTHEASTERN DAKOTA.
These persons are still the officers of the Association. The grounds have been fenced and the corners of the lots adjacent to the streets marked with stone monuments. The Association is not able, financially, to do anything towards beautifying the grounds, as its only source of revenue is from the sale of lots, and the price of the grounds and improvements already made have ex- hausted all that has thus far been received. By the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, the Association must expend all moneys received. after paying the necessary items above set forth, in beautifying the grounds; so that the greater the number of lots sold, the sooner will the Association be able to adorn the resting place of the mortal remains of those of our number who have gone to the Great Beyond.
THE MASONIC ORDERS.
Minnehaha Lodge .-- Early in the year 1873. T. H. Brown and R. C. Hawkins began canvassing the town to ascertain if there were not enough Blue Lodge Masons in Sioux Falls to form a lodge. and a meeting was held in Howard's granary, at which it was decided to organize a Blue Lodge. Upon application, a dis- pensation was granted by the Grand Lodge of Iowa, at its annual communication in 1873, to Minnehaha Lodge No. 328, T. H. Brown, R. C. Hawkins. E. Sharpe, T. Pomeroy, G. B. Sammons, W. H. Holt, J. H. Moulton and George Hill being the charter members; T. H. Brown. W. M .: R. C. Hawkins, S. W .: E. Sharpe, J. W. In 1874, a charter was granted the Lodge, and the follow- ing persons elected under the charter: T. H. Brown, W. M .: R. C. Hawkins, S. W .; R. I. Austin, J. W. The first meeting under the charter was held June 10, 1874. The order occupied the upper room of the old Libbey building, on Main street, until the comple- tion of the Land Office building, when they moved their furni- ture and paraphernalia to that building, and made it their Masonic home. until June. 1881, when they leased the third floor of the Emerson block, which has been fitted up for the convenience of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, and where the several orders hold their meetings. The officers for 1875, were: T. H. Brown, W. M .; G. B. Sammons, S. W .; J. Callender, J. W. At the formation of the Dakota Grand Lodge, in this year, they trans- ferred their Masonic allegiance to that body under the name of Minnehaha Lodge No. 5. The officers since that time have been as follows:
79
SIOUX FALLS.
1876-G. B. Sammons, W. M .; R. C. Hawkins, S. W .; E. Sharpe. J. W.
1877-T. H. Brown. W. M .: John Bippus, S. W .: J. L. Phillips, J. W.
1878-R. C. Hawkins, W. M .: John Bippus. S. W .: W. H. Nelson. J. W.
1879-John Bippus. W. M .: W. H. Nelson, S. W .; O. P. Weston, J. W.
1880-Owing to a change in the Grand Lodge By Laws, there were two elections. The first resulted in the election of W. H. Nelson. W. M .: K. Maxfield, S. W .: D. S. Glidden. J. W. The second: T. H. Brown. W. M .: R. C. Hawkins, S. W .; George B. Sammons. J. W.
Twice has the Master of this Lodge been called upon to take the Grand East in the M. W. Grand Lodge of Dakota.
There have been four Secretaries of the Lodge since its organiz- ation, T. Pomeroy holding the office continuously from 1873 to 1876, and again from 1880 to 1881. W. S. Reynolds held the office in 1876-7: WV. R. Williams. 1877-9; and P. P. Peck, 1879-80.
The present membership of the Lodge is sixty-eight.
Sioux Falls Chapter No. 2 .- Early in the year. 1879, a meeting of Royal Arch Masons was held, at which it was determined to form a Chapter in Sioux Falls. A dispensation was obtained and the organization of Sioux Falls Chapter No. 2, effected, April 8th. 1879. with the following charter members: I. K. Buck, D. W. Stites, E. P. Allen. C. L. Norton, D. S. Glidden. John Richter. E. E. Sage, Frank Caldwell. E. O. Kimberly, J. W. Callender. D. Stewart, K. Maxfield. C. T. Barrett and W. H. Davenport. The first officers were: I. K. Buck, H. P .: D. W. Stites, K .; E. P. Allen. S .: C. L. Norton, Secretary. The Chapter now numbers thirty-one members, and holds its meetings at Masonic Hall. The present officers are: D. W. Stites, H. P .; I. K. Buck, K .; E. E. Sage. S .: W. H. Nelson. Secretary.
Commandery .- There are a sufficient number of Sir Knights in the immediate vicinity of the city for the formation of a Com- mandery. They have received their recommendation and applied to the proper parties for a dispensation.
I. O. O. F.
The Odd Fellows resident in Sioux Falls, in 1875, decided that the town should have a Lodge of this ancient and honorable order.
HISTORY OF SOUTHEASTERN DAKOTA.
In pursuance of this decision. "Sioux Falls Lodge No. 9" was in- stituted May 24th. 1876, with fourteen charter members, the officers being: A. Loneons, N. G .: A. Ladewig. V. G .: W. B. Dick. Secretary: Il. Gilbert, Treasurer. Since the organization of the Lodge, the following named persons have held the office of N. G .: A. Loneous, A. Ladewig. E. Sharpe. Jr .. Z. P. Herrick, J. G. Botsford, W. B. Dick. J. W. Odell, N. S. Johnson. P. W. Wildt, F. S. Emerson and C. H. Vincent. The membership is now thirty-eight, with the following named officers: C. H. Vincent, N. G .; T. C. Angel, V. G .; A. R. Howard. Secretary; H. Gilbert, Treasurer.
The Lodge meets every Thursday evening at its rooms in Gilbert's block.
Encampment .-- "Royal Purple Encampment" was instituted at Vermillion, D. T .. May 22d, 1874, and removed and organized at Sioux Falls May 13th, 1879, by order of John B. Harmon, M. W. Grand Sire, officiating; R. R. Briggs, D. D. Grand Sire for Da- kota. The first officers after its removal were: E. Sharpe. Jr., C. P .: J. W. Odell, H. P .: P. W. Wildt, Senior Warden; F. S. Emerson. Scribe: R. R. Briggs, Treasurer: T. F. Deifendorf, Junior Warden. The present officers are: J. W. Odell, C. P .; T. S. Emerson, H. P .: S. E. Blaisvelt, Senior Warden: A. R. Howard. Seribe: R. R. Briggs, Treasurer; Z. P. Herrick, Junior Warden. The membership numbers thirty-eight: regular meet- ings on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, at Odd Fel- lows Hall. in the Gilbert block.
TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS.
Although Sioux Falls has been heretofore considered on the ex- treme frontier, almost from its first settlement there have been organizations in active operation for the suppression of intemper- ance. A Division of the Sons of Temperance was established in the winter of 1874-5. and flourished for a year or more. The Tem- perance Army did effective work among the children and young people in the years 1877 and 1878. The Christian Temperance Union was organized in February, 1880. with H. E. Horton, Presi- dent: Miss L. C. Van De Mark. Secretary, and E. Currey, Treas- nrer. The first meeting of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was held December 12, 1880, and effected a permanent organization by the subsequent election of Mrs. E. T. Wilkes, President; Mrs. L. Hartsough. Mrs. J. F. Redfield. Mrs. M. W. Boulet, Mrs. Ulrich, Mrs. J. B. Young and Miss Ann Gerin. Vice-
S1
SIOUX FALLS.
Presidents; Mrs. D. Brown, Secretary. and Mrs. R. Nation, Treasurer. Executive committee: Mrs. E. Allen, Mrs. Goddard and Mrs. Wright. A committee of one from each of the churches was appointed to see that the subject of Temperance had the attention its importance demands in the Sunday Schools connected with the churches. The committee so appointed was: Miss Rice, for the Congregational Church; Mrs. Norton, for the Baptist Church; Mrs. Redfield for the Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Brown for the Methodist Church. At almost the first meeting of the Union it was decided to establish a Free Reading Room in Sionx Falls. Public meetings were held, the matter discussed, a sub- scription started. and over four hundred dollars was raised for this purpose. A room on the ground floor of Sherman's building, corner of Main and Ninth streets, was rented, appropriately fitted up and opened to the public on the 7th of May, 1881. Since this date the room has been open regularly, every week-day evening. from 7 till 10, and Sunday from 3 to 6 P. M. On the tables are to be found the best current literature, to which the ladies invite the attention of all persons in the city, whether citizens or strangers.
Good Templars .- There have been two or three different Lodges of Good Templars since the town was started. The present Lodge was organized in March, 1881, with about fifty charter members. The meetings are well attended, and a good degree of interest in the work is manifested. Notwithstanding many of those, who first united with the Lodge, have removed from the place, and others have let their dues remain unpaid, there are now upwards of forty working members. Their place of meeting is Sherman's Hall. The present officers are: J. Winslow, W. C. T .: Julia A. Brown, W. V. T .; R. D. Thomas, W. C .; Jonas Jones, W. Sec .; Lena Kennedy. W. Asst. Sec .; S. M. Edgington. W. F. S .; Mrs. C. Kingsbury, W. T .; Charles Butler, W. M .: Fannie Winslow, W. Asst. M .; Jemina Jones, W. I. G .: S. Lawrence. W. O. G .; Lizzie Thomas, W. R. H. S .: Florence Sherman, W. L. H. S .: R. J. Wells. P. W. C. T.
THE POSTOFFICE.
From the first settlement of the place, the General Government has made the Sioux Falls postoffice one of the most important ones of the Department in all the great Northwest. Before the advent of the railroad it was the terminus of eight or nine different routes;
S2
HISTORY OF SOUTHEASTERN DAKOTA.
so that our people have been liberally supplied with mail facilities. C. K. Howard was the first Postmaster, receiving his appointment in 1868, and keeping the office in his store. In 1870, Col. Allen was appointed to succeed Mr. Howard, and removed the office north of Eighth Street to his store. In 1872, W. F. Kiter was appointed Postmaster, who removed the office still nearer the Falls, into the old Pantagraph building. In the Spring of 1873, John Bippus received his appointment as Postmaster, and the postoffice was again removed. to the bulding now opposite Willey's livery stable. and near Cameron's old store building, where it remained until the completion of Sherman's brick building (now the First Na- tional Bank building) in September, 1875, when the office was located in that building until January, 1877. During Mr. Bip- pus' term of office (July 1st, 1875) the office was made a Money Order Office. A. T. Fleetwood, the present Postmaster. succeeded Mr. Bippns January 2d, 1877, and removed the office to the east side of Phillips Avenue, north of Ninth Street, to his building on the lot now occupied by Angel's cigar factory, where it remained until the completion of the south half of the Edmison block, cor- ner Ninth Street and Phillips Avenue, in January, 1879. Upon the completion of Peek's and Grigsby's block, in the fall of 1879, the office was moved to its present location.
When Mr. Fleetwood took charge of the office, in January, 1877, it was rated by the Department as an office of the fourth class. January 23d, 1879, it was made an office of the third class. andl July 1st, 1831, it was ranked as an office of the second class. NEWSPAPERS.
Notwithstanding the fact that Sioux Falls enjoyed for years the distinction of being upon the western verge of civilization, it has not been devoid of the means of making its wants and attractions known to the world by means of "the lever that moves the world."
Dakota Democrat .- The first newspaper published in the Terri- tory was issued at Sioux Falls. This was the Dakota Democrat, established in 1857 by S. J. Albright. It was the "official organ" of the Legislature, which convened in Sioux Falls in 1858-9. In 1860, the name was changed to the Northwestern Independent. The Independent was published about a year, and then indefinitely suspended. A portion of the material was left here when the town was raided by the Indians, who destroyed such portions of it a; they concluded would be of no use to them. After peace was de-
83
SIOUX FALLS.
clared, a portion of the type found its way back to the whites, in the shape of ornaments to the pipes which the Indians fashion out of the red pipestone.
Sioux Falls Pantagraph .- The next newspaper venture was that of W. F. Kiter, who established the Sioux Falls Pantagraph in February. 1872. The Pantagraph was an eight-column folio, weekly, printed on the co-operative plan, and was Republican in its political tendencies. It was published irregularly until October, when it went into winter quarters, where it remained until April, 1873. It was then again revived, and published, with occasional interruptions, until the spring of 1877, when the material was locked ap by order of the Court and finally used in starting the Roscoe Express. During this time W. F. Kiter, F. D. Cowles, F. E. Everett, R. Buchanan and W. S. Guild presided at the editorial table.
The Sioux Falls Independent,-A weekly eight-column folio, Republican in politics, was established by Chas. W. McDonald, May 15th, 1873. From that date, until the 6th of January, 1881, the Independent was published without missing an issue. At the last mentioned date the paper was merged into the Dakota Panta- graph. The editors of the Independent were C. W. MeDonald, E. A. Sherman, F. E. Everett and W. A. Williams; L. C. Hitchcock had editorial charge of its columns for about six weeks during the campaign of the fall of 1878.
The Dakota Pantagraph,-An eight-column Republican paper, (weekly) was started by M. Grigsby and G. M. Smith, with the material formerly used by the Swan Lake Era, in the spring of 1877. Mr. Grigsby continued as editor of the paper until April, 1878, when it was sold to the present proprietors, Messrs. Caldwell & Stahl, who have published the paper with commendable regu- larity, despite the opposition of blizzards, blockades and floods. They have made many additions to their facilities since taking charge of the office, until at present the Pantagraph takes rank as one of the foremost papers of the Territory.
The Sioux Falls Times .-- A handsome nine-column folio, Re- publican, (weekly) was established November 15th, 1878, by Messrs. E. O. Kimberly and C. M. Morse. At the expiration of the first quarter. February, 1879, Mr. Morse sold his interest to Mr. Kim- berly. who has remained as the sole proprietor, until quite recently. when T. H. Brown purchased a half interest in the office. To the
84
HISTORY OF SOUTHEASTERN DAKOTA
Times belongs the honor of introducing the first power press large chongh for printing an ordinary sized newspaper. In connection with the Times is one of the best equipped job offices in the North- west. and its proprietors take especial pride in the quality of the job work, as well as the quantity. that leaves the office.
The Dakota-A Scandinavian weekly, was established early in the year 1880, by N. C. Frederickson. The paper was a six-col- umn folio, Republican in Politics; so far as it had any particular bias: but. owing to the pecuniary embarrassments of the proprietor, it was published but a few months, when the most of the material was taken to Iowa, and the paper discontinued.
The Sioux Falls Argus. -- The only Democratic paper in the county; was established as a weekly. August 2d, 1881, by the Argus Publishing Company with W. A. Fulmer and C.A. Patterson as ed- itors. The Argus, though young, gives promise of a long andbusy life.
RAILROADS.
From the time of the first settlement of Sioux Falls, each and all of its inhabitants were of the opinion that at some time in the future the town would have several railroads. They not only be- lieved this, but were ready to give a reason for their belief: That the county was one of the best (if not the best county) in the Ter ritory; that the town of Sioux Falls, with its many natural advan- tages. and from its location, was the natural trading point for all the settlements in the Sioux, Skunk and Upper Vermillion Val- leys: and that. as these localities became settled and improved, their incalculable wealth would pour into the streets of Sioux Falls seeking here to have the products converted into shape for eco- nomical shipment -- and that in pursuance of the general law of supply and demand, the town must become an important railway point.
In order to keep up the interest of people not residing here, railroad meetings were held at judicious intervals, and a great deal of enthusiasm was worked up, which was duly reported to people at the East. But no one seemed inelined to put much money or time into enterprises of this character. The real state of affairs up to the fall of 1875, was simply this: Every one was willing a railroad should be built to Sioux Falls-provided always that they were not called upon to bear any expense or make any sacrifice to obtain it. In other words: If any railroad company desired to
SỐ
SIOUX FALLS.
build a road to Sioux Falls, "Barkis was willin." Previous to this, none of our people had felt that a railroad was a necessity, and even then there was a number of business men who opposed any effort towards getting a road to Sioux Falls for the reason That the entire freight business of Sioux Falls for years to come would not equal ten full cars each way in a year! But with the immense surplus crop of 1875 on hand; and to be moved, our business men felt the need of a railroad and determined to secure one at the earliest day possible. A meeting was held Nov. 2d, 1875, at which it was resolved to take immediate steps to organize a company, survey a route, procure the right of way, and then turn the same over to any company that would complete and operate the road. The result of this meeting was the organization on Nov. 10th, 1875, of the Sioux Falls Railroad Company, organized for the pur- pose of building and operating a railroad from a point on the eastern boundary of Dakota, through Sioux Falls to Yankton. The Company consisted of A. F. Shaw, Joseph Roberts, M. L. Wood, E. A. Sherman, J. D. Cameron, R. F. Pettigrew and M. Grigsby. Before Christmas, the survey was completed, and a committee visited St. Paul. They reported that the St. Paul & Sioux City company would extend their line to Sioux Falls during 1876. It was decided that $100,000 was all Sioux Falls ought to, or could give.
The organization of the Sioux Falls Company was kept up, and in March, 1876, a company was formed in St. Paul to connect with this, which completed a road to Lu Verne in 1877.
The demands of the Minnesota Company were finally modified so that they were acceptable to the people of Sioux Falls, and the local Company merged into the Worthington & Sioux Falls Com- pany, which used every means at their command to hasten the com- pletion of the road.
On Thursday, August 1st, 1878, at 12:40, local time, the first passenger train arrived in Sioux Falls, and was saluted with a musical welcome, three cheers and a tiger.
The Company at once began the erection of its buildings, and be- fore the close of the year, had built an elevator, 50 by 60 feet, 72 feet high, having a capacity of 65,000 bushels, at an expense of about $15,000; a depot, 34 by 90 feet, costing about $2,000; an en- gine house, 44 by 69 feet, $1,000; a water tank and wind mill, $2,500, and a turntable, costing about $800.
86
HISTORY OF SOUTHEASTERN DAKOTA.
While work on this line was progressing so favorably. other in- terests were pushing forward to completion other roads that had in view the division of the railroad business of Sioux Falls. The Sioux City and Pembina was completed to Beloit, January 1st, 1879, and asked an appropriation from the people to enable them to build to Sioux Falls; the officers of that road assuring the citizens that, if sufficient aid were given.the road would be extended to this point during the year.
The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company were at this time engaged in the extension of their line west from McGregor, and many of the citizens of Sioux Falls were in favor of extending aid to that company rather than to the Pembina Company. The Mil- waukee, Sioux Falls & Red River Company was founded, and an ef- fort made to divert the main line of the Milwaukee to Sioux Falls. The members of this company were M. Grigsby, C. K. Howard, A. Gale. B. F. Campbell, J. M. Washburn, N. E. Phillips, T. H. Brown, E. W. Caldwell, H. Callender, W. VanEps, R. S. Alexander and W. J. Gibbinson. This company was informed by the Milwaukee Company, under date of April 12, 1879, that they could do noth- ing for them, even in the way of a branch line, until after their main line was completed.
July 1st, 1879, the Pembina Company offered to complete their road to Sioux Falls at once, if given the right of way from the south line of Minnehaha County, depot grounds in the village. and $7,000 cash or bonds. This offer was modified, July 26th, 1879, to right of way from Canton to Sioux Falls and depot grounds in the vil- lage. This last proposition was accepted, and a committee at once went to work to secure the right of way.
The Sioux City & Pembina and Dakota Southern Companies be- ing consolidated October 26th, 1879, Sioux Falls had a continuous line to Sioux City and Yankton, on the completion of the second railroad to Sioux Falls, December 18th, 1879. April 1st, 1SS0, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company took possession of the Sioux City & Dakota road, absorbing it into their vast railroad sys- ten, thereby giving Sioux Falls a continuous line under one man- agement to Milwaukee and Chicago.
On the 30th of August. 1879, representatives from the Southern Minnesota Railroad Company visited Sioux Falls,and offered, in con- sideration of right of way for ten miles north of corporation line, and depot grounds in the village, to build that road to Sioux Falls.
87
SIOUX FALLS.
The proposition was accepted without debate, grading at once began and the third road to Sioux Falls is in active operation.
In October, 1879, the work of extending the Worthington & Sioux Falls road west of this place began. At present the exten- sion is completed and in operation to Salem, MeCook County, forty miles west.
In order to show the fallacy of the argument that a road was not needed in Sioux Falls, because " ten cars loaded each way would do the entire business of Sioux Falls for a year," we append the statement of the shipments and receipts of the two companies now doing business here for the last three months. This statement embraces only the freight stopping here and shipped from here:
WORTHINGTON & SIOUX FALLS ROAD.
Received pounds Fowarded pounds.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.