USA > South Dakota > The Baptist history of South Dakota > Part 11
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The first authenticated discovery of gold in the Black Hills was July 27, 1874, during the expedition led by General Custer, by William McKay and Horatio N. Ross. These men accompanied Custer's regiment as guides and scouts. They had formerly been engaged in placer mining in California. When the expedition reached a point on French Creek, about two miles from what is now Custer City, they noticed some shining particles in the gravel and sand, and on washing a few pans full of it, their suspicions were confirmed. The fact soon became established that gold existed in the
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Black Hills. Mr. McKay, one of the men who made so important a discovery, died several years ago. Mr. Ross is still living, his home being at Custer City. In an extended interview with him in 1889, and other interviews since then, he related many interesting incidents concerning this event, and the exciting scenes that followed, and accompanied the writer to the place on French Creek, where they first ascertained the existence of gold. He gives Mckay the credit of being the first one to discover the existence of tin in the Black Hills.
As this region then belonged to the Indians, it could not be occupied by white men, even for mining pur- poses, without their consent. When it became known that gold could be found there, it was not long until thousands of courageous men flocked to the hills and mountains. It became necessary for the government to use the soldiers under the command of General Crook, and others, in what proved to be a practically vain attempt to drive out and to keep out the miners. It soon became evident that it would be necessary to make a treaty with the Indians, and thus secure peace- able possession of the Black Hills. A commission was appointed June 18, 1875, but it was unsuccessful, as the Indians demanded an unreasonable price from the gov- ernment. A second commission was appointed early in 1876. By this time the Indians realized that if they were not more reasonable in their demands, the miners would take forcible possession, and they would realize nothing. They therefore signed a treaty which secured for them a fair equivalent for their lands. The treaty was completed September 26, 1876, and ratified Febru- ary 28, 1877, and the Indians removed eastward, to the Sioux Reservation, between the Black Hills and the Missouri river.
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Before this was accomplished, however, many local- ities were practically under the control of miners, large companies of whom were formed in Iowa, Nebraska and other states. The best known of these was the Gordon expedition, from Sioux City, Ia. The first buildings in the Black Hills, were erected by them on French Creek, about three miles below Custer City. These buildings were surrouded by a carefully-built stockade. The first town established was Custer City, on August 10, 1875. A number of the settlers, who had served in the confederate army, wanted it called Stonewall, but the majority decided that it should be named in honor of General George A. Custer. During the first six months its population was larger than it has ever been since.
On the discovery of gold in Deadwood gulch in De- cember following, the population of Custer City, which had been over five thousand, dwindled rapidly to less than thirty. The second town located was at Hill City, in January, 1876, by a company of miners who after- wards went to Deadwood. The first discovery of gold in Deadwood gulch was made early in December, 1875. A party of nine men had gone there prospecting, and of these, William Gay and Joseph Ingoldsby first saw the shining metal at a place opposite the site of the present Deadwood and Central City toll house. Gold was found all along the gulch, and very soon the scene of activity was removed from the region about Custer City to Deadwood. Rapid City was established in February, 1876, by John R. Brennan and others .. The first white woman who went to the Black Hills is said to have been the wife of General Custer, who accompanied him on his expedition in 1874. The second was Mrs. Anna R. Tallent, who was with her husband in the Gordon party
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from Sioux City in October, 1874. The third was the historical character known throughout the northwest as "Calamity Jane, " who drifted into the Hills with the military expedition of General Crook in 1875.
Nearly every valuable and useful mineral known to man is found in paying quantities in the Black Hills. Among these are gold, silver, copper. tin, nickel, anti- mony, lead, iron and coal. The annual yield of gold, even with the imperfect means of development on account of the lack of railroads until recent years, has averaged over $3.500,000. The Homestake company at Lead City, which has been in existence twenty-one vears, has obtained an aggregate of over $60,000,000. The lowest estimate of the total output of gold in the Black Hills is S90,000,000. This places South Dakota in the third rank among the gold producing states of the Union. Tin abounds in many places. There are two great tin belts, covering an area of over two hun- dred and fifty square miles. Nickel is found in many places. One of the largest nickel mines in the world is near Harney Peak. Merchantable mica exists in var- ious localities, the amount already produced being worth over S600,000. Bituminous coal is abundant. Lignite is found in veins varying from three to forty- five feet in thickness. Salt and petroleum wells exist on the southwestern border. The mountainous region is encircled by enormous belts of gypsum, limestone and marble. The quality is of the best, and the supply is inexhaustible. It has been repeatedly stated that there is no other place of equal area in any country that abounds so richly in all the elements of wealth and and prosperity.
From the ratification of the treaty with the Indians, in April, 1877, may be reckoned the beginning of the
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legalized and permanent settlement of white people in the Black Hills. Immediately following this treaty, a number of settlements were established. As cities and villages were developed from mining camps, and the pioneer tents and cabins of miners gave place to homes and families, it was necessary to give some attention to the religious needs of the people. The pioneer missionary in the Black Hills was Rev. Henry W. Smith, a Methodist minister, who was killed by the Indians August 20, 1876, while on his way from Dead- wood to preach at Crook City. His first sermon in the Hills was preached near Custer City, May 7, 1876.
The first church organization was that of the Congre- gationalists, in Deadwood, about January 1, 1877. The first churches organized in Rapid City and Lead City, were by the Congregationalists, both in 1878. The first Methodist church organized was at Deadwood, late in 1877. It was eleven years later that the first Baptist church was organized. During those years there were doubtless Baptists among the increasing but constantly changing population in the Black Hills. but of their number and location the denomination at large knew little or nothing. It has sometimes been asserted that the Baptist denomination neglected that region, but the statement is not sustained by a knowl- edge of the facts in the case. The only organization through which assistances could be rendered was the American Baptist Home Mission Society. At that time its field to be cultivated was as large as it is now, but its financial resources and ability to do the work needed were not more than one-third as great as at the present time. It is true that while other denominations gained a foothold during the years from 1877 to 1888, the Baptists had to begin their work later. This is
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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, HOT SPRINGS. CHURCH ORGANIZED AUGUST 27, 1890. HOUSE OF WORSHIP DEDICATED AUGUST 25, 1992.
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a matter to be regretted, but it could not be avoided. It was financially impossible, under conditions then existing. for the Home Mission Society to enter upon the work of organization in that important region.
In February, 1884, Rev. J. L. DeLand, of Michigan, was sent by the society to the Black Hills on a visit of exploration. He was instructed to ascertain where Baptists were located, and the prospective importance of the localities visited, but not to organize churches, leaving that to be done as soon afterward as the finan- cial condition of the society would warrant it, and mis- sionaries could be found willing to enter the field. Not long after the visit of Mr. DeLand, the society passed through the experience of its first great finan- cial embarrassment, having to struggle with a debt of nearly $150,000. The beginning of work on new fields was impossible, and retrenchment on fields already occupied was a necessity. In 1887. Rev. Dwight Spen- cer, who was superintending the work of the society in Utah and Montana, visited the Black Hills. Concern- ing this visit he says: "I held meetings at Buffalo Gap, Hot Springs, Rapid City, Sturgis, Deadwood, and Lead City. In addition to these meetings, I visited Baptists in many localities, and talked with them as to the prospects of denominational work. The impress- ion was that the time was not favorable just then. It was not then known just what points new railroads would reach, and it seemed to the brethren unwise to begin to organize and build until this was settled." In addition to the foregoing statements, it is well to remember that for three years and longer, previous to 1888, the financial condition of the society rendered it impracticable to appoint a superintendent of missions for South Dakota.
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In May, 1888, Rev. T. M. Shanafelt became state superintendent of missions for South Dakota, including the Black Hills. It was during this year that the first attempt was made at organization, and the permanent occupancy of the Black Hills by Baptist missionaries and Baptist churches. It was decided to begin at Deadwood. Arrangements were made for the appoint- ment of Rev. F. Purvis, who entered upon his work at Deadwood in September, 1888. The first Baptist church in the Black Hills was organized at Deadwood. October 31, 1888. Mr. Purvis served as pastor until January 1, 1890, when he removed to Sundance, Wyo .. and after a short pastorate there he returned to the east. Other pastors at Deadwood have been Rev. A. WV. Snider, from April 1, 1890, to October 1, 1891; Rev. Bartlett Foskett, from November 1, 1891, to May 1, 1893; Rev. W. E. Wight, one year from May 1, 1893; Rev. W. A. Mason, D. D., one year, beginning May 1, 1894. After the resignation of Dr. Mason, May 1, 1895, Miss Ida M. Sherman, evangelist, was engaged as sup- ply until a pastor could be secured. She was called to the pastorate of the church September 1, 1895, and has served longer than any of her predecessors. The church was greatly strengthened and encouraged, and gained a strong hold on the people of the city. She organized, and with the assistance of the church, con- ducted successfully a Chinese school having over forty members. Eleven of these became members of the church. One of them has gone to China as a Christian missionary. It is an interesting fact that when Rev. J. L. DeLand was sent to the Black Hills as a mission- ary explorer, he found at Deadwood two Christian Chi- nese, Effa Tang and Chin Youce, one of them a mem- ber of a Baptist church on the Pacific coast. The
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present pastor at Deadwood is Rev. C. L. Kirk. During the pastorate of Rev. A. W. Snider a fine house of worship was built, which was dedicated September 6, 1891. The total cost of the building, furniture and lots was $7,000. Early on Sunday morning, October 2, 1892, it was seriously injured by fire, involving a loss of about $1,800, partially covered by insurance. The house was repaired and refurnished, and services were resumed December 18, 1892.
The church at Rapid City was organized June 16, 1889. On the first of July, 1889, Rev. G. S. Clevenger became pastor. His services closed October 1, 1895, after a pastorate of about six years. The house of worship there was dedicated March 15, 1891. The val- nation of the property is $5,000. For two years the church was without a pastor, until the settlement of Rev. A. E. Steuernagel, November 1, 1897. He was ordained December 15, 1897. The church at Hot Springs was organized August 27, 1890. Its first pas- tor was Rev. E. H. Sweet. He began his labors there February 1, 1891, but remained only six months, when he returned to Massachusetts. For one year the church was without a pastor, but services were con- ducted as frequently as possible by Rev. C. H. McKee, district missionary, and others. On the first day of August, 1892, Rev. Robert Leslie became pastor, and served as such with great fidelity and earnestness for four years. Rev. J. F. Catlin settled as pastor Janu- ary 1, 1897. He was ordained April 13, 1897. Lots were secured by the general missionary, and a house of worship was begun in the autumn of 1891. On account of the difficulty of securing necessary funds, its completion was delayed. The dedication services were held August 28, 1892. The total cost of the church property was $5,000.
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The church at Custer City was organized August 30, 1890. In this case, as also at Hot Springs, one or two preliminary meetings had been held, but the work of organization was perfected on the dates given. It was supplied frequently by Rev. C. H. McKee, district missionary, until April 1, 1891, when he became pastor of this church, and also of the church at Hill City. A house of worship was begun in the closing months of 1891. It was dedicated September 11, 1892, during the annual meeting of the Black Hills Association. The cost of the building when completed was $2,800. Rev. C. H. McKee continued as pastor until Septem- ber, 1894. Rev. James W. Given, of Louisville, Ky., became pastor January 1, 1895, but served only until July. Rev. Henry Cocks, of Kansas, was called as pastor July 1, but remained only three months. Rev. F. T. Drewett began his labors there October 1, 1895, and served until June, 1897. Rev. W. H. Austin began his labors there in August, 1897. He was ordained December 15, 1897.
A church was organized at Hill City, August 31, 1890. Its nominal pastor was Rev. C. H. McKee. Only occasional services were rendered there, begin- ning April 1, 1891, and continuing at distant intervals for a couple of years. When the Harney Peak Tin Mining company, whose headquarters were at Hill City, suspended operations in 1893, it was a severe blow to the prosperity of that prospectively important place, and among the many who removed to other local- ities were most of the members of the little Baptist church. The few who remain will serve as a nuclens of the church of the future, when there is an improved condition of business interests at Hill City.
The church at Lead City was organized September
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3, 1891. Rev. Geo. H. Thompson was called to the pastorate in February, 1892. He remained however, only a few weeks, preferring to continue in the work of an evangelist. The church was without a leader until October 1, 1893, when Rev. J. A. Archibald became pastor. He was ordained April 18, 1894. The present pastor is Rev. J. A. Marple. A house of worship was dedicated February 2, 1896. It is valued at $2,500. The youngest of the Baptist churches in the Black Hills are located at Oelrichs and Beaver Basin. They were organized in March, 1893, Oelrichs March 5, and Beaver Basin March 27. Rev. F. T. Drewett was ordained March 9, 1893, to the work of the ministry and became their pastor, serving as such until October 1, 1895, when he became pastor of the church at Custer City, and remained until June, 1897. His successors have been Rev. K. S. Douglass and Rev. J. A. Wright. On the western side of the Black Hills a church was organ- ized in January, 1889, at Sundance, Wyoming. Its first pastor was Rev. F. Purvis, who removed to that field at the close of his pastorate in Deadwood. On account of its isolation and unfavorable local conditions, it has been a feeble organization.
Early in the work of Baptist development of the Black Hills, as it was necessary to build several houses of worship, it became evident that a larger amount of aid would be necessary than could be furnished by the church edifice fund of the Home Mission Society. By request of the board of that society, its general mis- sionary, Rev. T. M. Shanafelt, was sent to Michigan, in January, 1890, to raise a special church edifice fund of $1,500 for use in the Black Hills. He succeeded in raising a fund of $2,000, to which was later added $600 more. This special fund furnished greatly needed
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assistance in the erection of houses of worship, espe- cially at Deadwood, Hot Springs, Custer City and Rapid Citv.
The Black Hills Baptist Association was organized by the state superintendent of missions, at Rapid City, September 12, 1890. At its beginning it included the churches at Deadwood, Rapid City, Lead City, Custer City, Hot Springs and Hill City, in South Dakota, and Sundance in Wyoming. The churches at Oelrichs and Beaver Basin were admitted to the Association in 1893. Rev. C. H. McKee was appointed district missionary for the Black Hills, April 1, 1890. His services con- tinued one year, and were under the supervision of the general missionary. On the first of April, 1891, he became pastor of the churches at Custer City and Hill City, and continued until September, 1894, when he re- moved to Albany, Oregon. In the early prosecution of the work, valuable assistance was rendered by Rev. H. C. Woods, D. D. The services rendered by Rev. F. H. Wilkinson, who was then Sunday school missionary for Wyoming and the Black Hills, in house to house visitation, and the organization of Sunday schools, will long be gratefully remembered. Bv special arrangement evangelistic work was done for three months by Rev. Geo. H. Thompson, and about eight months by Miss Ida M. Sherman, which served greatly to encourage and strengthen the churches.
Deacon T. A. B. Dexter, a pioneer Baptist layman, came to Deadwood in 1877. After years of anxious waiting, he has been permitted to see the Baptist cause established and successfully carried on in the Black Hills. In this work he has borne an important part. Including generous assistance rendered to his own church at Deadwood, he has been a liberal contributor
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towards the erection of the other houses of worship in the Hills.
The American Baptist Home Mission Society has a strong claim upon the gratitude of the Baptists of the Black Hills for its exceptional liberality in the gener- ous assistance rendered in the support of missionaries and building houses of worship. Considering the num- ber of churches, there is no field, of equal area, in all the vast territory aided by.the Society, where its ap- propriations have been so large, from both the mission- ary and church edifice funds. The total membership of the churches as reported at the last annual meeting of the Association is 283. The total valuation of church property is $22,300.
In this chapter has beengiven a description of the Black Hills, the savage tribes of Indians who first inhabited them, the change from those who hunted game to those who sought for gold, and from the wild and reckless life of the early days to the civilization of the present. The history of this transition from a condition of law- lessness to one of law and order, is an interesting study. The wild scenes of disorder and reckless dis- regard for human life, too often witnessed in pioneer camps, have given way to the stability and safety of a higher civilization. The gambler and desperado no longer rule, but have had to yield to the domination of a better element in society, which maintains the sanctity of law, and stands pledged for the safety of life and property. This influence, tending to righteous- ness, began to exert its power early in the reign of lawlessness and crime. The minister of the gospel told of a better life and a higher aim, while the others drank and gambled in the saloon.
On the mountain side, overlooking the city of Dead-
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wood. is Mt. Moriah cemetery. In that cemetery are two graves, and over these graves have been placed statues representing the men whose mortal remains lie buried there. The scroll cut on one of these bears this inscription:
WILD BILL. J. H. Hickock, died August 2. 1876, By a pistol shot, Aged thirty-nine years. Custer was lonely without him.
Under this inscription was cut in the marble a repre- sentation of a pair of pistols.
On the other statue is this inscription:
REV. HENRY WESTON SMITH. Was killed by Indians, August 20, 1876, While on his way from Deadwood to preach at Crook City. "Faithful unto death."
Under this the sculptor's chisel has given a repre- sentation of an open Bible. The deaths of these men occurred only a few days apart. in the early months of the existence of the great mining camp in Deadwood gulch. Both were suddenly killed, but under strangely different conditions. The one died at the hands of pagan Indians, while attempting faithfully to perform a Christian duty: the other. noted as a desperado and gambler, was assassinated in a gambling house. by another of his kind, who was jealous of his success and reputation as an outlaw.
The lives and deeds of these two men represent the higher and the lower conditions of society in the pio- neer days of the Black Hills. At first the lower con- trolled, and robbery, and theft. and murder were com- mon events. The law of might was stronger than the
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law of right. But better influences were at work, and year by year better conditions prevailed. The pistol, which made Wild Bill and his class the terror of every community, is no longer in constant use and a menace to human life. It has had to yield to the open Bible of the martyr, Smith. The lessons of that book have not yet banished all wrong doing, nor made all men Chris- tians, but they have left their impress on the people, and brought about a better condition of things in soci- ety, and introduced a higher civilization. The lawless- ness of the pioneer mining camp has become, like the road agent, a thing of the past, and in its place has come the law-abiding element of the city, where homes, and schools, and churches have been established, and are now maintained. Human life is as safe today in the Black Hills as in any of the older eastern states, and nowhere else are the rights of property or the sanctity of home more carefully guarded and protected.
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CHAPTER XVII.
SCANDINAVIAN BAPTISTS.
Many of the first settlers in Dakota came from Sweden, Norway and Denmark. They were hardy pio- neers, and with unshaken courage they endured the hardships and privations of those early years. The constant additions to their number, by immigration. resulted in the establishment of many Scandinavian colonies. In these settlements churches were early organized. Some of these people were members of Baptist churches in their fatherland. They brought their religion with them. On securing locations for their homes, they wanted to enjoy religious privileges. They began, without delay, to hold meetings in their primitive dwellings. Most of these, at first, were dug- outs and sod houses, but in many of them the voice of prayer and praise was heard, and God was devoutly worshiped.
The first Baptist church in Dakota Territory that had a settled pastor was the Swedish Baptist church at Big Springs, which was organized early in July, 1869. This church, through its pastor and other delegates, assisted in the organization of the first Baptist associ- ation. Other churches, representing the Swedes, Nor- "wegians and Danes, were organized, and their number has increased, until they have become a strong and influential factor in the religious development of a new
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SWEDISH BAPTIST CHURCH. BIG SPRINGS. CHURCH ORGANIZED JULY, ISCO.
FIRST HOUSE OF WORSHIP DEDICATED JUNE 7, IS73-
PRESENT HOUSE OF WORSHIP DEDICATED SEPTEMBER 24, 1993.
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state. Like the American and German Baptists, the first Scandinavian Baptist churches were formed in the southern counties, and their growth was north- ward and westward. In tracing the progress of this growth, a condensed outline of the history of these churches is here given.
BIG SPRINGS .- The first Swedish immigrants came to Big Springs, in Union county, in 1868. Others arrived in the spring of 1869. They came from the vicinity of Orebro, Nerike, Sweden. A large propor- tion of them were Baptists, and had been members of Baptist churches in Sweden. Early in July, 1869, a meeting was held in the home of P. A. Ring, to con- sider the matter of organizing a Baptist church. It was a sod house, intended for a barn, but was first used as the family dwelling. The exact date of this organization cannot be given, as the early records are lost, but it was one of the early days in July. There were seven constituent members, P. A. Ring, Andrew Lindbloom, Peter Larson, and their wives, and Peter Johnson. Mr. Ring, who had served as preacher in Sweden, was chosen to preach and take general charge of the meetings. This he continued to do until April, 1876, though his formal relation as pastor dates from July 14, 1872. Other Swedish Baptists united with the church. The first persons baptized were Fred- erick Larsen, Mrs. Andrew Anderson, and Miss Lou- isa Johnson. These were baptized July 14, 1872, by Rev. A. Norelius. As the church grew, a house of worship became necessary, and one was built, and ded- icated June 7, 1874.
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