Minnehaha County, South Dakota - Chapter 1: Early History, 1899

Chapter 1: Early History

The History of Minnehaha County properly betrins with an act of the first territorial leg-i slat lire, approved April 5, 1862, and entitled "An Act to Establish the Counties of Lincoln, Minnehaha, Brookin«"s and Deuel."

Section 2, of this act reads as follows: "That so much of the Territory of Dakota as embraced in the following- boundaries be and the same is hereby established as the County of Minnehaha, beo-innino- at the south-w^est corner of the State of Minnesota; thence west to the south-west corner of township one hundred and one, north, of rang-e fifty-three, west; thence due north to the north-west corner of township one hundred and six, north, of rang-e fifty-three, west; thence due east to the boundary line betw^een the State of Minnesota and the Territory of Dakota; thence south on said boundary line to place of beg-inning-.

"Section 5. And be it further enacted, that for judicial and election purposes the counties of Lincoln, Minnehaha, Brooking-s, and Deuel form one and the same county, with the county seat at Sioux Palls City, in the County of Minnehaha.

To trace the series of evolution which made this event possible, it is necessary to g"ive the reader some idea of the history of Dakota prior to this date, but the writer will confine himself strictly to that portion which relates particularly to Minnehaha county.

Leaving- to the ethnolog-ical student the unsettled problem of the orig-in of the Indian nations, who for centuries were the inhabitants of this vast country, and passing- over the period from the seventeenth century, in \vhich is included the dispersion of the powerful Indian tribes of the Northwest; the ceding; of the entire northwestern territory by Prance to Spain in 1762; the receding^ to Prance in 1800, and the purchase of the same by the United States in 1803 for fifteen million dollars; the gfradual development and reaching- out of civilization toward "The Land of the Dakotahs" first by trading- posts established by fur companies; the famous Lewis & Clark expedition in 1804 (being- the first American explorers to ascend the Missouri river into what is now^ known as Dakota;; the establishment, in 1808, of the Missouri Fur Company, to which the first settlements here may be ascribed; the missionary labors of Father DeSmet in 1840; the act of Congress in 1849, by which a portion of Dakota was included in the new Territory of Minnesota - all of which are parts of the history of the country - we come to 1851, in which year was enacted what may properly be termed "the beginning- of the end."

At Traverse de Sioux, Minnesota, in 1851, the treaty between the United States and the upper bands of Dakota Indians was consummated, giving- to the government a portion of land in which was included that part of the present County of Minnehaha lying east of the Big Sioux river. This constituted a part of the Territory of Minnesota until May 11, 1858, when Minnesota was admitted to the Union and its western boundary was defined by a line running due south from the foot of Big Stone Lake to the Iowa state line, leaving a tract about thirty miles in width extending from this new boundary to the Big Sioux river to be included in the new Territory of Dakota.

April 18, 1858, a treaty was made by the government with the Yankton Indians by which the latter ceded to the United States all lands owned by them, except 400,000 acres, the eastern boundary of which was the Big Sioux river, and included that portion of Minnehaha lying west of said river.

The first person to give the world any information in regard to the falls of the Big Sioux was Nicollet, who in 1839 was sent out by the government of Quebec to treat with certain western tribes of Indians. He wrote a sketch of his travels in the Northwest, which was afterwards published, wherein he gave a description of the beautiful and picturesque falls of the the river then called by the Indians "Te-hankas-an-data" or the "Thick-wooded-river." A copy of this sketch found its way into the hands of Dr. George M. Staples, of Dubuque, Iowa, sometime during the summer of 1856. The natural advantag-es of the falls at once struck him, and he took steps to secure possession of the delectable valley.

At that time speculation in lands and town sites was at high tide, and the doctor without difficulty soon organized the Western Town Company of Dubuque, Iowa. The following named persons comprised the company: Dr. G. M. Staples, Mayor Hetherington, Dennis Mahoney, Austin Adams, S. P. Waldron, William Tripp, and a number of others whose names the writer has been unable to obtain. Mr. Ezra Millard of Sioux City, Iowa, was employed by the company to ascertain the location of the beautiful falls of the Big Sioux, and was instructed to take up under the laws of the United States three hundred and twenty acres of land contiguous to the falls for a town site in the name of the Western Town Company. Early in November of the same year, Mr. Millard accompanied by Mr. D. M. Mills, also of Sioux City, started out to obey instructions. They followed the east bank of the Big Sioux, and after several days' travel came within sight of the promised land.

Right here the writer will take the liberty to contradict the fiction which has been frequently published, that the party upon approaching the falls were intercepted by a band of Indians, and although neither party was conversant with the language of the other, the travelers could not misunderstand the meanin<{ of the Indians who, taking* the travelers' horses by the bridle and turnini>- them about, silently pointed in the direction from which they had come, and that the party immediately hastened back to Sioux City. Such an incident happening- at the first approach of white men to the falls of the Big- Sioux for the purpose of permanent occupation, would always add piquancy to the events that transpired, and it is with some misg-iving's whether it would not be better to let it stand, that the writer asserts that nothing- of the kind took place. The fact is, the party had a surveyor with them, and in the name of the Western Town Company took undisturbed possession of three hundred and twenty acres of land, and D. M. Mills one hundred and sixty acres. The company selected the southwest one-fourth of section nine, and the northwest one-fourth of section sixteen and Mr. Mills the southwest one-fourth of section sixteen. In a history of Southeastern Dakota, published in 1881, the land taken up at this time is very differently described, but the description above is correct beyond question. Mr. Mills built a log- house above the falls, ten bv twelve feet in size, and then returned to Sioux City for the winter.

In May, 1857, the Western Town Company sent Jesse T. Jarrett, John McClellan, Far well and Oleson to the Palls, to hold and improve the town site located by the Mills party. They arrived at the Palls about the first of June.

Meanwhile, in the winter of 1856-7, the Dakota Land Company was chartered by the legislature of Minnesota Territory, for the purpose of securing- the best locations for future towns in the proposed Territory of Dakota, and it is to the efforts of this company, that the location of the western boundary of Minnesota must be asscribed, they being- anxious to have the desirable tract lying- east of the Big- Sioux river included in the new Territory.

The orig-inal incorporators of this company were: W. H. Noble, J. R. Brown, A. G. Fuller, S. A. Medarv, Sam^uel P. Brown, James W. Lynd, N. R. Brown, P. J. DeWitt, Baron P. Friedenriech, B. M. Smith, Artemas Gale, Parker Paine, Thomas Campbell, Judg-e Charles E. Plandrau, and a number of others. The representatives of the company left St. Paul in May, 1857, Dakotaward. They proceeded to the Big- Sioux river, and in what is now Brookings county located the town of Medary, which they intended to be the capital of the new Territory. Continuing their journey down the river they located the town of Plandrau, named in honor of Judge Plandrau, and then pushed on to Sioux Palls. But in reaching that point they found themselves anticipated, and the Western Town Company in possession of the prize. However, they were not to be so easily crowded out after all their efforts, and in the name of the Dakota Land Company took up three hundred and twenty acres of land south of the Palls, which included that present portion of the city known as Gale's Sioux Palls; and erecting a log house thereon, near where the Burling-ton depot is now located, named their settlement Sioux Falls Citv. James L. Fiske and James McBride remained to hold their claim", and the balance of the party returned to St. Paul.

The population of Sioux Palls now numbered five souls, Messrs. McClellan, Parwell, Oleson, Piske and McBride, and althoug-h representatives of rival comj)anies, they dwelt in peace and harmony, fearing- only their common enemy, the Sioux. They were not troubled, however, until late in July, when the Indians rose in g-reat numbers, and threatened the extermination of all the settlements on the Big- Sioux river.

We have read in some of the newspaper accounts of the early history of Dakota, "that Col. Noble about this time, with fifty men in his employ, while locating- a road from Port Ridg-ley to South Pass was driven back by the Indians." This has been denied, and one of the first settlers in Sioux Palls is authority for the statement "that Col. Noble was not molested by the Indians, but after having- spent fifteen thousand dollars appropriated for the purpose of locating- the road, endeavored to g-et another appropriation, but was unsuccessful."

However, the attitude of the Indians was of such a threateningcharacter that the Dakota Land Company withdrew Piske and McBride from Sioux Palls. McClellan, Parwell and Oleson, were now left in sole possession, and recognizing- the fact that they were in no position to defend themselves, and deeming- discretion the better part of valor determined to withdraw from the scene for a time. They placed their personal effects in a canoe, and startingfrom the foot of the falls navig-ated the Big- Sioux to its mouth. The Sioux Valley was once more deserted by white men, but not for long-.

On the 17th dav of Aug-ust, 1857, the Western Town Company sent Messrs. J. T. Jarrett, J. L. Phillips, W. W. Brooking-s, S. B. Atwood, A. L. Kilg-ore, Smith Kinsey, John McClellan, Callahan and Godfrey from Sioux City, Iowa, to Sioux Palls. D. M. Mills also joined them at Rock river. This party took with them machinery for a saw mill, tools and implements for building-, and a larg-e stock of provisions, which were transported by a team of horses and several ox-teams. They were oblig-ed to travel slowly, the teams beingheavily laden, and it being- often necessary to bridg-e the streams to be crossed on the way, so that it was not until the 27th of Aug-ust, after ten weary days, that the party arrived in sig-ht of the Palls.

To those of the party who now came for the first time, the scene was inexpressibly g-rand and beautiful, and all joined in three rousing- cheers. An encampment was made north of the island, and the next day each member of the party selected a claim for himself.

On the 29th of Aug-ust, four of the party, Jarrett, Mills, Atwood and Godfrey, started back to Sioux City, for more provisions, leavingthe others at work. In about ten days Jarrett returned, accompanied by Dr. Staples, one of the directors of the company.

When the party first set out, Jarrett was appointed by the company the ag-ent in charg-e, but being- a man particularly unfitted for the position, he at once became involved in trouble with some of the other employes, and Dr. Staples having- been sent out with authority to make a chang-e, removed Mr. Jarrett and appointed W. W. Brooking-s, ag-ent.

and a store. The two last mentioned structures were located on what is now north Phillips avenue, near three small houses. Upon the map showing- the survey made in August, 1859, this stone house is located on the northwest quarter of section sixteen, and was called the "Dubuque House," but the fact is, it was located on the southwest quarter of section nine, near the south line of the section, and was on what is now lot twelve or thirteen of block twenty-five in Syndicate Addition.

Several of the party went back to Sioux City, leaving- only six men in the settlement. These pursued their labors undisturbed by the Indians, save once, when some of the men run across a small party near the settlement, but they retreated as hastily as the settlers, and so caused no alarm.

On October 10, however, towards evening-, about a dozen Indians rode down over the bluffs, and terrifying- the men with their yells, surrounded the one pair of oxen which had been left, and before the astonished settlers came to their senses, had driven them away.

Four of the men undertook to follow the Indians, leaving^ two to g-uard the camp, but their efforts to rescue the oxen were unavailing-, and they soon returned to spend an anxious nig-ht. The Indians were known to be hostile and another and more serious attack was momentarily expected. With the breaking- day their fears were somewhat allayed, and the arrival of Mr. Brooking-s, who had been absent for some days, helped to encourag-e them. The days passed away uneventfully until the middle of October, when the Dakota Land Company sent a party of seven men to look after their interests, and the entire population now beg-an to make preparations for passing- the winter at the Palls.

At the time winter set in they were in a fairly comfortable condition, having- besides the saw mill and store building-, three dwellinghouses, one of them the stone one already mentioned. The men who spent the winter at the Palls were as follows: Messrs. W. W. Brooking-s, J. L. Phillips, John McClellan, L. B. Atwood, A. L. Kilg-ore. Smith Kinsey, Charles McConnell, R. B. McKinley, S. D. and E. M. Brooking-s, representing- the Western Town Company, and James L. Piske, James McBride, James W. Evans, James Allen, William Little, James McCall and C. Merrill representing- the Dakota Land Company.

At this time the Sioux Palls settlement was under the jurisdiction of the Territory of Minnesota, and in what is known as Big- Sioux county, which then comprised not only the present County of Minnehaha, but also a larg-e portion of the adjacent reg-ion, and in December the g-overnor of Minnesota appointed the following- officers for the county, Sioux Palls being- the only settlement: James Allen, reg-ister of deeds; James Evans, sheriff; James L. Piske, judg-e of probate; W. W. Brooking-s, district attorney; J. L. Phillips, justice of the peace; Wm. Little, James McBride and A. L. Kilg-ore, commissioners, but there are no records showing- that the officials qualified or acted under their appointment.

all the country west of it in an unorganized condition. During- this spring a number of other settlers came, among them the first white woman who came to the Territory to settle. This was a Mrs. Goodwin, who came early in May with her husband. Soon after, Charles White with his wife and daughter came.

In the latter part of June, the Indians again rose and drove all the settlers from the upper part of the Sioux Valley, including the settlement at Medary, burning all buildings and destroying property. They sent a message to the settlement at Sioux Palls, demanding its immediate evacuation, but by that time the population numbered thirty-five able-bodied men, who were not to be easily driven from the place they had hoped to make a home. A consultation was held, and it was decided to take measures for defense. A sod fort was built surrounding the house already mentioned as being near where the Burlington depot now stands, and here at night the people gathered, and a guard was detailed, the men serving in turns. Scarcely were these preparations completed, when a delegation of Indians visited the Palls and advised the people to leave.

The settlers pluckily "held the fort" until the excitement was over, and the Indians once more quieted, but it is not to be wondered at, that many of them had too great a dread of passing through another period of such suspense and fear, and when they could at last withdraw without leaving their companions in danger, they did so, and the population of Sioux Palls City was materially reduced.

A few years ago, a clipping from a newspaper, published some time during the seventies, came into the writer's possession, and as it is a copy of a letter written by one of the occupants of Port Sod, in June, 1858, giving a graphic account of the life led in Sioux Palls at that time by thirty-five men and one woman, it is transferred to this work. If this should happen to arrest the attention of any of the occupants of old Port Sod, it would undoubtedly surprise them that they had forgotton so much of the sufferings they had passed through. But here it is just as we have it:

Friend Taylor: In looking over ancient home letters, I found the enclosed to my father which may give you an idea of what trials and difficulties the old settlers at Sioux Falls labored under seventeen years ago, when they tried to make homes there.

Supplementary to the letter should be added, how we were confined six weeks at the old Fort, and how our provisions ran out - with the exception of a barrel of caked musty flour, which we chopped out and then pounded for use, and how we lived on that fresh pickerel and pike without lard or salt - and how we daily grew poor in flesh and weak in spirits, and how at last Dewitt, and a companion (Brown, now at Fort Edwards, N. Y.) made their appearance with a horse and buggy bringing a sack of flour, a half bushel of beans, some pork, sugar and coffee; having circumvented the Indians by taking a roundabout route through northern Iowa, and how the half starved garrison marched out in battle array, rivaling Falstaff's army, to welcome. Even more could be said, but have you not ex-Mayor Dewitt, as a fellow citizen of yours to apply to for additional facts, and Major Evans to corroborate them.

Fort Sod, Sioux Falls, D. T., June 17th, 1858. Dear Father: We are in a state of excitement at the present time. Last Sunday a half-breed, wlio had been acting as interpeter at Medary reached here, stating that one hundred lodges of Indians (Yanktonais) had arrived at that place and ordered our townsite men away.

Mr. Dewitt was at first disposed to fight them, but his ineti - a dozen or so in numberthought the odds were against them and refused to do so.

The consequence was the Indians forced all hands out of the houses, took what provision they wanted and burnt every building-down. Dewitt and men have all gone to Agency or to St. Paul.

The Indians sent word by the half-breed, for us to leave the country forthwith and that they would be down here in the course of a week and would drive us off, if we had not left. Mr. Dewitt also told the half-breed to tell us to go to St. Paul or any other convenient place at once.

On the receipt of this intelligence, we called a meeting of all the settlers, and unanimously determined to remain and defend ourselves and property. As some doubted the correctness of the half-breed's intelligence, we dispatched two mounted men towards Medary to reconnoitre. The next day they returned and reported the Indians to be within thirty- five miles of herein great numbers. All day Monday was wasted by us, trying to decide which house to fortify. The Dubuque Company were determined not to abandon their buildings and we were equally determined not to abandon ours.

The Dubuque Company's houses being under the brow of the hill, could not be fortified to much advantage, whereas our house was on an open plain, commanding an extensive prosj>ect, with a fine spring of water adjoining; therefore the settlers, knowing that there must be unity of action in the matter, sided with us, and on Tuesday morning we commenced the building of our Fort. We have erected of sods and logs, a perpendicular wall eighty feet square, ten feet high, and four feet thick, with a deep ditch surrounding the exterior base, port holes are arranged every few feet in 'he wall, and an iimer platform to stand upon. Also have an inclosure of three acres, securely fenced for the herding of the cattle.

We now feel safe and are determined to resist the Indians and if necessary to fight them. We want to teach them that they can not every season drive off the settlers on this disputed land.

The new settlers, Mr. Goodwin and his wife, have moved into our old cabin which is now a wing of the store house, and Mrs. Goodwin has made a large flag out of all the old flannel shirts we could find, and we now have the stars and the stripes proudly waving over I'ort Sod.

We are on a military footing. Have organized into a company, (the undersigned ist lieutenant) sentries and scouting parties on duty day and night. All told we number thirty-five men fc»r defense, not including the woman, and she can shoot a gun as well as any one.

The Dubuque Company's agent, Brookings, whose feet were frozen off last winter, will be brought to our house as soon as Indians are reported in sight. We feel secure now and could fight 600 Indians, and even if the walls could be scaled, which is almost impossible, we could retreat into our store house which is impregnable.

Those Yanktonais occupy the country northwest towards the British possessions, and pretend to claim an interest in all the country owned and ceded by the Sioux Nation. The Chiefs who were in Washington the past winter are not with them. They have been told that a treaty has been made with the Yanktons, but they will not recognize it until the first payment is made and they even threaten to kill the chiefs for making the treaty.

All the troops in this section of the country (Fort Randall and I^idgely) are on the Mormon expedition, and the result is that settlers are left to protf^ct themselves.

The news of this Indian difliculty will travel all over the country, and we cannot expect any more immigration this way before next spring; and from all accounts there were large numbers enroute here to settle in the Big Sioux Valley, who will now turn back. I fear immigration will be retarded for several years.

Four Sisseton Sioux came in last night, but hurried off when they heard of the Yanktonais coming. We sent letters to the Agency by them. Weather hot, 90 odd degrees in the shade.

At this time there were trading- posts established at Yankton and other near points on the Missouri river, which were controlled by Frost, Todd & Co., and this company, unlike those at the Sioux Palls settlement, was opposed to any immediate organization of the Territory until a treaty could be made with the Indians, and the land beyond the Big- Sioux river be ceded to the United States. They would then be entitled, under the trading- post license, to locate a mile square of land around the post to cover their improvements, which would include the Yankton town site, and then, should the Territory be org-anized, the advantag-e of Yankton for a capital would be recog-nized. On the other hand, should the Territory be org-anized at once the capital in all probability would be located at Sioux Falls.

During- the summer of 1858, the Dakota Land Company, deemingit necessary to make known to the world in g-eneral and Cong-ress in particular, the need for org-anization of the g-reat and increasingpopulation of the Territory, as well as the wonderful advantag-es of the country, sent out from St. Paul a printing- press, printer, and editor. The press was one which had already seen over twenty years of service, having- been purchased of the Smith Press Company in 1836, and used to print the first paper published in Dubuque, then a small mining- town. In 1842, the press was sold to a stock company and used in printing- the Grant County Herald, in Lancaster, Wisconsin. A few years afterward, J. M. Goodhue boug-ht the old press and moved it with an ox team on the ice to St. Paul, where it was used for a long- time in printing- the St. Paul Pioneer. The Pioneer soon required a larger press, and in 1858, the old Smith press was again sent on its travels and by ox-power. After a longand tedious journey over the prairies, through forests and streams and around lakes it at length reached Sioux Falls, where it was once more to serve its purpose as the herald of advancing civilization, and was duly installed in a stone building on the bank of the river. The editor was Mr. S. J. Albright, and the printer was J. W. Barnes, afterwards a compositor in The Times office in Dubuque. The result of this step was the birth of The Democrat. It was issued at irregular intervals, i. e., whenever the enterprising editor or citizens could think of anything that would advertise Dakota, and copies were circulated broadcast throughout the east.

The first issue of this paper appeared on the 2d day of July, 1859, a copy of which is now in the possession of Doane Robinson of Yankton. Mr. Robinson, in a letter to the writer, says: "It is printed on the outside only, and contains nothing of local interest except the poem by Gov. Masters entitled 'Sioux Falls ' which appears in the July (1898) monthly South Dakotan. I have my copy framed, and it is too frail to handle." He sent the writer four issues of The Democrat, viz., Vol. I, numbers 3, 4, 6 and 9. No. 3 was published Aug-ust 26, 1859. No. 4 was published November 8; No. 6, December 15, 1859; No. 9, February 18, 1860. In these issues appear the following advertisements: Albright & Allen, Dealers in Real Estate; J. McCall, Mason, J. L. Phillips, Physician and Surg-eon; W. W. Brookings, Attorney and Counsellor at Law; John Rouse, Boot and Shoe Maker; and J. W. Evans, Carpenter. The office of "The Democrat" was in the "Democrat Building" N. E. corner of Bridg-e and Main streets.

lished in book form bv the Western Publishino- Co., of Sioux City, la., and The Democrat is there mentioned as Dakota Democrat, and the date of the first publication, in its account of the "Sioux Falls Settlement," is asserted to be on the 20th day of September, 1858, but in a chapter entitled "Sioux Falls" we find the followino- account of this newspaper: " The first newspaper published in the Territory was issued at Sioux Falls. This was the Dakota Democrat, established in 1857 by S. J. Albrig-ht." These dates are clearly erroneous. And its assertion that Mr. Albright left Sioux Falls in 1860, takinothe heading- of The Democrat with him, may also be erroneous. But it is a fact that Mr. Albright left Sioux Falls about this time, and the paper thereafter was published as The Independent, this heading- having- formerly been used for a paper published in Iowa by F. M. Ziebach. During- the last fifteen years we have seen several accounts of this newspaper enterprise, and they diifer so much in regard to dates and other things appertaining to its publication which should be accurately stated, especially as it was the first newspaper published in Dakota, that we have taken great pains to ascertain and record the exact facts in reference to it. Further on, an account of the destruction of the press will appear as one of the incidents of the burning of Sioux Falls bv the Indians the last of August, 1862.

The Dakota Land Company, as already appears, was enterprising- in its eiforts to obtain possession of land in Dakota favorable for the location of towns, and, believing that it will not be uninteresting-, we transcribe a portion of a report which was submitted at the annual meeting- of the stockholders of the company in October, 1850. This report was made by J. L. Fiske, showing the operation and prog-ress made by the company from August 1, 1858. It briefly referred to the report of Secretary Gay, made the year previous, from which it appeared that the company had suffered heavy damag-fc's and losses by the sacking- and burning of the towns of Medary and Flandrau. The report then proceeded to show that during- the year "twenty-six hundred and forty (2640) acres of scrip had been X^urchased to lay on six towns" and that "two of the directors of the company had taken charge of a special expedition into the Territory for the purpose of resurveying and establishing- the required boundary marks to six, designated by the board, preparatory to enteringthem with the scrip on hand." That this party visited all these parts, and, after preparing the necessary plats and other papers, Messrs. Gay and Smith proceeded to the land office having jurisdiction, and successfully entered the towns. Two of these towns were in Minnesota, namely, Saratoga, in Cottonwood county, and Mountain Pass, situated at the head of Lake Benton. In Dakota four towns were located, and described as follows: "Medary, the county seat of Midway countv, the first organized county in Dakota, situated on the Big Sioux river at the crossing of the government road, and twentyfive miles due west of Mountain Pass, two hundred and twenty acres; Flandrau, the county seat of Rock county at the junction of the Coteau Percee with the Sioux, fifteen miles south of Medary, six hundred and fortv acres; Sioux Falls City, established seat of gov- eminent for Big- Sioux county, and the recog-nized capital of the Territory, at the falls of the Big- Sioux, the head of navig-ation, three hundred and twenty acres; Emanija, the county seat of Vermillion county, at the mouth of Split Rock river and Pipe Stone creek, on the Big- Sioux, thirteen miles below the Palls, and at the more practical head of navig-ation for larg-e steamers, six hundred and forty acres." As already stated, the eastern portion of Minnesota Territory was admitted as a State in May, 1858, and this left all that portion of the present limits of the two Dakotas east of the Missouri and White Earth rivers in an unorg-anized condition. Prom this time until the Territory of Dakota was organized March 2, 1861, the situation of the settlers was a peculiar one. During- the summer of 1858, the residents of the Sioux Valley were perplexed with the problem how to proceed in order to obtain the benefits of a duly constituted g-overnment. Of course, they appreciated the fact that such g-overnment must come throug-h the org-anization of a territorial g-overnment, and this could only be established by an act of Cong-ress. But this would take considerable time, and until it was accomplished, unless some provisional laws were enacted, each person would be a law unto himself. Ag-ain the question was considered how to best present this state of affairs to Cong-ress, and obtain territorial organization. It was finally determined that it would be advisable to set up a g-overnment themselves, elect a leg-islature, and enact such laws as would answer their purpose for the time being-, memorialize Cong-ress for territorial org-anization, and elect a deleg-ate to Cong-ress to urg-e the immediate establishment of a territorial g-overnment. Having- determined upon this plan, they proceeded to put it in force, and a mass convention was called for that purpose. The action of the convention appears from the following- notice, which was printed on small slips of paper:

"At a Mass Convention of the people of Dakota Territory, held in the town of Sioux Palls, in the County of Big- Sioux, on Saturday, September 18, 1858, all portions of the Territory being- represented, it was resolved and ordered that an election should be held for members to compose a Territorial Leg-islature.

With the thirt}^ or forty souls who composed the population at that time, it required considerable ing-enuity to arrano-e matters, and the elections were conducted in a somewhat peculiar manner. We learn from one of the members, that on the mornino- of election, the whole population org-anized into parties of three or four, elected each other judo-es and clerks of election, and then started off with their teams in various directions for a pleasure trip, and whenever a rest was taken, which occurred frequently, an election precinct was established, and the votes not only of the party but of their uncles, cousins, relatives and friends were cast, until as a result of the election the total vote rolled up into the hundreds, and was properlv certified to.

Soon after the election the leg-islature convened, and Henry Masters was elected president of the council, and at the close of the session was elected g-overnor. S. J. Albrig-ht was elected speaker. This session lasted only a few days, but with due deliberation all needful bills for home g-overnment were introduced, discussed and passed. It also passed the strong-est resolutions and memorials to Congress, praying- for an early organization of the territorv, and elected A. G. Fuller, Esq., to represent the Territory in Washington.

Years afterwards in speaking of this legislative session, a member said: "There has never been a regular legislature in Dakota in which dignity, decorum and good order were better observed than in this squatter legislature, and it would be well for other legislatures to take pattern thereby."

Mr. Puller spent the winter of 1858-9 in Washington endeavoring to secure his admission as a delegate, but his efforts were of no avail, his influence being counteracted by that of Frost, Todd & Co., who desired to postpone the organization of the Territory as before stated. He succeeded, however, in establishing a post office at Sioux Falls. Mr. James Allen was made the first postmaster, and the post office was located for a short time in the Dakota Land Company's buildingalready referred to.

At this point in the early history of events we have had not a little difficulty in sifting the truth from a mass of contradictory statements made by individuals, who were residents of Sioux Falls at the time of their occurrence. Judge Charles E. Flandrau, of St. Paul Minn., and one of her foremost citizens, about three years ago, desiring to obtain the exact facts concerning the first settlement of Dakota, and especially the facts in reference to the attempt to form a government on the "principles of "squatter sovereignty," applied to S. J. Albright, then a resident of New York City, for the coveted information." This Mr. Albright is the same person who came to Sioux Falls in 1858, and was the editor of The Democrat. He complied with Judge Flandrau's request, and his narrative was so interesting and apparentlv correct, that it was published in the Minnesota Historical Society's' Collections, Vol. VIII, Part II, pages 134 to 147, inclusive. This narrative, with a preface by Judge Flandrau, has been published in pamphlet form, and through the kindness of the judge we have a copy before us. This narrative, while purporting to give an account of the first organized government of Dakota, entirely ig-nores the provisional or squatter leg-islature of 1858 fact, not only ignores it,but declares that "the first Icg-iskttivc assembly of Dakota came together in Sioux Falls City in the winter of 1859." Mr. Albright would undoubtedly admit he was mistaken in this if he had before him Vol. 1, No. 4, of The Democrat published November 8, 1859, at Sioux Falls City, of which he was then the "Editor and Proprietor," for in that issue may be found the following account of the assembling of the legislature in 1859.

Ag'ain Mr. Albright in the same issue says editorially under the caption of "Dakota Leg-islature:" "This body convened for a second session the 2nd inst., that being the day appointed by law for its convocation."

After having g-iven the facts in reference to the legislative assembly of 1858, and the election of Governor Masters, the propriety of referring t9 the inaccuracy of this narrative may be questioned, but it must be remembered that the narrative of Mr. Albright has the indorsement of the State Historical Society of Minnesota, and at some future time, when the evidence cannot be produced to sustain our statements, their accuracy may be challenged. Judge Flandrau in his preface to the pamphlet above referred to characterizes these incidents as "a most interesting and curious epoch in the history of the Northwest," and also says: "It presents the only actual attempt (excepting one earlier instance, the organizing of the "State of Franklin" in 1784, in the district which now forms the eastern part of Tennessee) to form a government on the principles of "squatter sovereignty." If it is interesting, it is certainly important that all the incidents connected with it should be correctly recorded.

"Notice is hereby given, that on Monday, the 12th day of September, 1859, at the several election precints in the County of Bjg- Sioux, an election will be held for the following named officers, to-wit:

"A Governor, a Secretary of tlie Territory, a Deleg-ate to Congress, four members of the Territorial House of Representatives, two members of the Territorial Council, a Judge of Probate, a District Attorney, three County Commissioners, a Sheriff, a Register of Deeds, a County Treasurer, a Coroner, two Justices of the Peace, two County Assessors, and tw^o Constables.

"Election to be held in the 1st Precinct at the Dakota House; 2(1 Precinct, at the house of Henrv Masters; 3d Precinct, at the house of Charles Philbrick.

Mr. Albrig-ht's narrative also ignores the fact, that Henry Masters was elected g-overnor by the legfislature in 1858, and here ao-ain we find in the issue of November 8, 1859, of The Democrat, the following' notice of the death of Gov. Masters:

"Since our last issue Dakota has been called upon to mourn the death of one of her oldest, ablest and most honored citizens. Henry Masters, her Governor, has been called from his sphere of labor and usefulness on earth, to that bourne from whence no traveler returns. His demise occurred on the fifth day of September last, after an illness of about ten da3's, and in the fifty-third year of his ag"e. "

We also find in The Democrat of Aug-ust 26, 1859, an advertisement of S. J. Albrig-ht and J. M. Allen of Sioux Falls City, Dealers in Real Estate, under the firm name of Albright & Allen, and in their list of references the following-: "Hon. Henry Masters, Governor of Dakota Territory."

It is not an important matter, but the statement by Mr. Albright that "Henry Masters was orig-inally a Massachusetts man, and removed here from Dubuque, Iowa, with his familv and effects" should be corrected. Gov. Masters was born in Bath, Maine, and came from the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., to Sioux Falls, his family remaining- in Brooklyn, with the exception of his son Harry, who came here someHsime after his father, probably in 1859. Gov. Masters, on one occasion at least, preached a sermon in Sioux Falls, the first sermon preached in the county, and probably the first within the present limits of the State of South Dakota. It was in support of the Swedenborg-ian faith.

On the 10th day of August, 1859, a convention was called to meet in Sioux Falls City to nominate a candidate for delegate to Congress, and, as Mr. Albright says in his narrative, "a few days subsequent to the adjournment of the convention, the community was startled by the information that he (Gov. Masters; had been stricken with apoplexy at his home, and that death had followed the stroke," and as Gov. Masters died on the 5th day of September, it is undoubtedly true that there was a convention held on September 3, and was the onlv convention held that year, for it is a fact that candidates for other offices were nominated at this time.

In reference to the nomination and election of Judg-e Kidder for delegate to Congress in 1859, we do not hesitate to affirm that the following- statements can be fully substantiated. Judg-e Kidder came from St. Paul to Sioux Palls late in Aug-ust, 1859, and was nominated for deleg-ate to Cong-ress on Saturday, the 3d day of September, and left Sioux Falls for St. Paul the forepart of the following week; that before the election took place, A. G. Fuller, who was absent at the time the convention was held, returned to Sioux Falls, and was so displeased with the fact that Judge Kidder had been nominated instead of himself, that the name of Judge Kidder was taken from the ticket and Mr. Fuller's substituted, and Mr. Fuller was voted for in the Sioux Valley. After the election Mr. Fuller went to St. Paul, and it was arranged between the two candidates that Judge Kidder should have the election, and a return was made from Pembina showing that Kidder had a majority over Fuller, and he received the certificate of election.

Gov. Masters was nominated for governor at this convention, but his death created a vacancy on the ticket, Mr. Albright soon after the convention went to St. Paul, and during his absence his name was put on the ticket for governor in place of Henry Masters. Mr. Albright was elected governor, but, we are informed, did not qualify, and was displeased with his election, stating that he would prefer to be a member of the House, and its speaker, the same as he was the year before, and a certificate was issued to him as a member of the House.

"An unavoidable absence eastward, prolonged beyond desire or expectation, and our inability at the time of departure to procure mechanical aid in our office, must be our apology for the hiatus of several numbers which has occurred in the publication of the Democrat. A like occurrence has been provided against as far as may be in the future, and we trust that our readers will, in view of the causes which led to it, excuse the one just passed."

When the second session of the legislature convened on Wednesday the 2d of November, 1859, it adjourned from day to day until Monday, the 7th, for want of a quorum. On that day Mr. Albright was nominated speaker by Representative C. Cooper, and was elected unanimously, and acted as such during the session of the leg-islature, which adjourned on the 18th of the same month. A bill was introduced in the House (H. B. No. 5) "providing for the death or resignation of the governor" passed by the House on November 14, and by the Council November 16. It is a disputed question who was the governor after the death of Gov. Masters, but, according to the best information obtainable, we are confident that this bill No. 5 made the

Hon. W. W, Brooking-s (who was then President of the Council) ex officio Governor. He sig-ned the certificate of Judg-e Kidder's election as deleg-ate to Cong-ress "W. W. Brooking-s ex officio Governor," and sent it to him at St. Paul, but Judg-e Kidder sent it back requesting- him to sig-n it as "Acting- Governor," which he did. The members of the leg-islature were as follows:

Council

Midway and Rock counties - J. B. Amidon, W. W. Brooking-s. Big- Sioux and Pipestone - L. B. Atwood, James McCall. Vermillion and Yankton - Joseph Scales, J. B. (Trecnway.

House

It is hardly probable that any members of this leg-islature were residents of Vermillion or Yankton counties. In looking- up their residences, and especially the places where elections were held, we have come to the conclusion that no votes were cast in the Missouri Valley. The Hon. J. R. Hanson, now residing- at Yankton, was a resident of that place in 1859, and in response to a letter written him in reg-ard to the matter, he says: "There was a public meeting- held at Yankton November 8, 1859, which declared among- other things as follows: "W^e do not approve of any election that has been held, nor will we participate in any that may be held in any portion of this territorv for the purpose of electing- a delegate to Congress, but we trust in the wisdom and justice of Congress to provide us with a legal form of government at an early day." Copies of this resolution were ordered sent to Vermillion, Big Sioux, Bon Homme and Atkinson to be read at meetings to be held at those places. This resolution was subsequently adopted at Vermillion, but I don't know about the other places.

"Prom the foregoing it is fair to presume that no vote was had for delegate to Congress, representatives to a legislature or territorial officers. My personal recollection is that we did not participate in that election."

g-overnment was participated in almost exclusively by Big- Sioux county, and especially so when the members of the leg-islature, Greenway, Brooking-s, Amidon, Evans, Peters, Little, Kilg-ore, Scales, Stevens and Shaw, accredited to Midway, Rock, Pipestone, Vermillion and Yankton counties, were well known residents of Big- Sioux county.

We are indebted to the columns of The Democrat for a partial report of the proceedingfs of this leg-islature. Memorials to Cong-ress to extend a territorial g-overnment over Dakota, to recog-nize Judg^e Kidder as a deleg-ate, to recog-nize and ratify the laws passed, and to establish a land office at Sioux Falls, were passed. A bill providingfor filling- a vacancy in case of the resig-nation or death of g-overnor, and bills for fixing- the boundaries of Big- Sioux county, and establishing- the counties of Scott and Buchanan, were passed. Bills prohibiting- the setting- of prairie fires, the running- at larg-e of cattle and swine, the incorporation of the Sioux Falls Manufacturing- Co., and the establishing- of supreme and district courts were killed. Joint resolutions appointing- a public printer, providing- for the printing- of the laws passed, and instructing- the deleg-ate to Cong-ress to ask for the appropriation of S6,000 to defray the expenses of the g-ov^ernment of Dakota for the current year, were passed.

The year 1860 was a very quiet one, the settlers anxiously awaiting the result of Judg-e Kidder's efforts in their behalf. Very few immig-rants came. Among- those were J. B. Amidon and familv.

The year 1861 saw the hopes and expectations of the ambitious population realized. March 2, President Buchanan approv^ed the bill for the org-anization of Dakota Territory, and President Lincoln hastened to perfect the government by appointing- the following- officers in accordance with the org-anic act: William Jayne of Illinois, g-overnor; John Hutchinson of Minnesota, secretary; P. Bliss of Ohio, chief justice; L. P. Williston of Pennsylvania and J. L. Williams of Tennessee, associate justices; W. Gleeson of Maryland, district attorney; W. F. Schaffer, United States marshal.

By a provision of the org-anic act, Dakota was made a distinct land district, and G. D. Hill of Michig-an appointed surveyor-g-eneral. The name of "Dakota" was g-iven to the territory for the reason that the numerous tribes of Indians who had inhabited this reg-ion from the earliest times known to the whites bore the g'eneral name of Dakotas, althoug-h each tribe had its peculiar name aside from the g-eneral one.

The officers appointed by the president at once entered upon the discharg-e of their duties, and in June of the same year Dakota had a regular g-overnment. On the 13th day of July, 1861, Governor Javne issued his first proclamation, dividing- the territory into judicial districts and assigning- the judg-es for each.

July 29, 1861, Governor Javne issued his second proclamation, dividing- the territory into leg-islative districts, and appointing- September 16, for a g-eneral election, when members of the legislature and a deleg-ate to Cong-ress should be elected.

The first g-eneral election held in the new territory was an exceeding-ly interesting- one. There were three candidates for delegate to Cono-ress: Capt. J. B. S. Todd, independent; A. J. Bell, union; and C. P. Boog-e, the people's candidate. Of 585 votes cast, Todd received 397, and was declared elected by the board of canvassers, who issued to him the certificate of election as the first deleg"ite to Cong-ress from Dakota.

The first leg"islature convened March 17, ltS()2, at Yankton, that place having- been desig-nated by the g-overnor as temporary capital. At this session an act was passed establishing- the County of Minnehaha, and authorizing- the governor to nominate, and with the consent of council, appoint the county officers.

An act was also passed legalizing- the official acts of James M. Allen as register of deeds, and James McCall as justice of the peace for the County of Big Sioux as organized under the authority of Minnesota. A memorial to Congress was also passed, praving for the establishment of a military post at Sioux Palls City for the protection of the settlers.

During the previous winter. Company A, Dakota Cavalry, consisting of ninety-six men under Captain Nelson Miner, was organized and mustered into service in April, and a detachment of this company was stationed at the Palls. J. B. Watson, John McClellan and A. P. Shaw were members of this company.

The spring and summer of 1862, were full of promise to the young County of Minnehaha, and had the Indians remained quiet all would have gone well with her. Pate, however, decreed otherwise, and the bright anticipations of the little band of pioneers who had toiled and endured so faithfully, were soon to be destroyed.

In August the Indian uprising- beg-an again, and horrible massacres on the frontier of Minnesota were perpetrated. The news did not reach the Palls until some time afterward, but on the 25th of August an event occurred, which caused consternation among the settlers. This was the murder of Judge J. B. Amidon and his son. They left their home in Sioux Palls City early in the morning, to cut some hay on their land about a mile north, taking their dinners with them. When night came and they did not return, Mrs. Amidon became alarmed and notified the soldiers, who, fearing the worst, at once started in search of them. Not until the next morning was their search rewarded and their worst fears realized. They were found in a cornfield, adjacent to the hayfield. Judge Amidon, lying on his face, with a bullet hole through his back, and the son farther back in the cornfield, his body covered with arrows. It was evident that the judge had died instantlv, but the boy had survived long enoug-h to draw a number of arrows from his body. While the soldiers were searching- for the murderers a number of Indians appeared on the bluff with the evident intention of attacking- the villag-e, but on the return of the soldiers, they fled and escaped in the timber alonof the river.

The settlers were now thoroug-hly alarmed, and when a day or two later messeng-ers arrived with the news of the fearful massacres on the frontier, and with orders from the gfovernor for the soldiers to proceed to Yankton and bring- the settlers with them, they hastily g-athered up such property as could be easily carried and, with heavy hearts, abandoned the earthly possessions they had fondly called their own.

After their departure the Indians entered the villag-e, destroyed everything they found, and set fire to the building-s. They ended the pioneer labors of the old Smith press by throwing- it into the river, where it laid until 1871, when it was rescued and placed on exhibition in the town. A part of it was sold to True Dennis, at that time popularlv known as the "villag-e blacksmith," and the bed lay for some time near where E. B. Smith's furniture store is now located, but Hiram Caldwell, living- north of Sioux Falls, took it home and used it for a door step. R. P. Pettig-rew discovering- the use to which it was being- put, and thinking- it should be preserved as a relic of the first newspaper enterprise in the county, g-ave Mrs. Caldwell five dollars for it, and now has it in his possession. Mr. Pettig-rew's brother Fred has the spindle. The Indians carried the type away with them, and some of it afterwards found its way back to the settlements in the form of ornaments to the pipes which they made of pipestone.

Two months later a number of men with a small party of soldiers under Captain Miner came back to the deserted villag-e in the hope of finding- and taking- back with them some of the movable property which had been left behind in their hasty flig-ht. They found the house which had been occupied by W. W. Brookings (standing- nearly where the Milwaukee depot is now located), and two others still left, the fire having died out without consuming the buildings as the Indians had expected. Among other things found and saved were some valuable papers belong-ing- to Mr. Brooking-s, which were kept in a trunk and were partially burned.

By October of this year all the settlements in the Sioux Valley were abandoned, and most of the settlers left the country. A few in Yankton and Bon Homme counties gathered at Yankton, where a good stockade had been built, and remained there through the troublous times, not knowing what moment they might be attacked by the savages and their lives sacrificed. For nearly three vears the Sioux Vallev remained almost deserted. A long and disastrous Indian war was feared, and the settlements were unguarded and defenceless, and murders and depredations were frequent.

The second session of the territorial legislature convened on the first day of December, 1862, at Yankton, and after two weeks of contesting and quarreling, was finally organized. The acts passed, relating directly to Minnehaha county, were as follows: the counties of Clay, Lincoln, Deuel, Minnehaha and Brookintrs were made the second council and representative district, and entitled to a representation of three members of the Council and six meml)ers of the House. The counties of Clay, Cole, Lincoln, Minnehaha, Brookino-s and Deuel were constituted the first judicial district of the territory, with the seat of jurisdiction at Vermillion, and the first Tuesday of May in each year appointed for the court to convene. Memorials to Cong"ress were also passed, praying" for the establishment of a mail route from Mankato in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, to Port Randall in Dakota territory via Sioux Falls, and for the establishment of a military post at Sioux Falls for the protection of the settlers. The latter is giyen in full as a picture of the state of afl^airs in Dakota at that date, and reads as follows:

"Your memorialist, the leg-islative assembly of the Territory of Dakota, would most respectfully represent that the frontier settlements of western Minnesota, northwestern Iowa, and southern Dakota will require for several years to come, military protection to g-uard the inhabitants and their property from the attacks and plundering- of roaming- hostile bands of Indians who are constantly ravag-ing- that section of country; further, that all the frontier settlements of southwestern Minnesota, northwestern Iowa, and almost the entire valley of the Big- Sioux river in Dakota, have been depopulated during- the past summer throug-h fear of hostile Indians, the inhabitants having- been partially butchered in several of these settlements; further, that for the last six years, the Minnesota Sioux and the Yankton Sioux have been in the habit of coming- down the river of the Big- Sioux, to a rendezvous near Sioux Falls, then making- that a base, strike off into northwestern Iowa and southern Dakota, where they steal, ravag-e and harass the settlers, then escape before any assistance can arrive from either Forts Randall or Ridg-lev, and had it not been for the soldiers stationed at Sioux Palls during the late massacre in Minnesota, it is more than probable, that a larg-e number of the settlers in this territory would have met with the same fate as those of the State of Minnesota: Therefore, your memorialist would most respectfully ask, that a military post be established and occupied at an early day as possible on the Big- Sioux river, in the vicinity of Sioux Falls. Your memorialist would further represent that said Sioux Palls is about half way between Forts Randall and Ridgley, on a direct line with the same, and that a military post at said point would not only protect the immediate vicinity of Sioux Falls, but would amply protect the frontier settlements oi southwestern Minnesota, northwestern Iowa, and southern Dakota. A small force of cavalry stationed at said post would be able to keep all hostile Indians north and west of aline running- from Fort Ridg-lev in Minnesota to Port Randall in Dakota. Further, vour memorialist would represent that there is abundance of building- material at said Sioux Palls, and your memorialist will ever pray.

At the fourth session of the leg-islative assembly, beg-un in Yankton on the 5th day of December, 1864, and concluded January 13, 1865, the following- memorial was passed:

"Your memorialists, the Leg-islative Assembly of the Territory of Dakota, would most respectfully represent, that the safety of the people of southern Dakota and northern Iowa from the attacks of hostile bands of Indians require the establishment of two small military posts - one on the Big- Sioux river in the vicinity of Sioux Falls, and one at the point on the Dakota river near a straig-ht line between said Sioux Falls and Fort Randall. Sioux Falls is about half way between Fort Randall, Dakota, and Fort Ridgley, Minnesota, and your memorialists are of the opinion that such posts would g-ive better protection to southern Dakota, than the system heretofore adopted, besides being- far less expensive; therefore your memorialists pray for the establishment of such military posts; and as in duty bound will ever pray.

In response to this prayer, on May 1, 1865, a military post was established at Sioux Falls, and Company E, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, under Captain Eicher, was ordered to take possession of the post. A tract of land ten miles long- and seven miles wide, comprising- the present township of Sioux Falls; sections 13 to 36, inclusive, of Mapleton township; sections 13, 24, 25 and 36, Benton township, and sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36 Wayne township was set apart for a military reservation.

Barracks were built by this company during- the summer of 1865, also a stone house called the commissary building-, as shown in the accompanying illustration. The barracks were located in part on what is now Phillips avenue, between Seventh and Eig-hth streets, the south end being- about 125 feet north of Eig-hth street. The larg-er building- was about forty feet in width and thirty feet of the south end was west of the westerly limit of Phillips avenue, and nearly the entire north end was in Phillips avenue. A portion of the building- at the rig-ht was built in 1866.

On the 8th day of June, 1866, Company D, Twenty-second U. S. Infantry, under Col. Knox, arrived at Sioux Falls to relieve the cavalry, which left the same day the infantry arrived, only Dr. Nislev and Mr. Pratt, the hospital steward, remaining-.

With the establishment of a military post in the Big- Sioux Valley peace and safety were secured, and g-radually immig-ration .began, though slowly at first, and it was not until 1869 that the population of Sioux Falls became as larg-e as in the spring of 1862.

At the legislative session beg-un in December, 1865, and concluded in January, 1866, a memorial to Cong-ress was passed, praying- that a small number of bloodhounds mig-ht be placed at each military post, for the better protection of the lives and property of the citizens from the small bodies of Indians, who were frequently skulking- in the tall weeds and timber along- the streams, for the ])urpose of theft or murder. Cong-ress was also memorialized for the establishment of a mail route from Sioux Palls to Ponca, Nebraska, by way of Brule Creek and Elk Point, with weekly service thereon.

In the summer of 1866, a number of families settled in the county, among- whom were John Nelson, John Thompson, Wm. Melvin, S3dvester Delaney, John J. Aasen, Jr., and Ole O. (yilseth.

Nelson and Thompson left Goodhue county, Minnesota, with their wives, on June 4. They came across Iowa, and after leaving- Spirit Lake saw no white people until they reached Fort Dakota. They took up land about ten miles from the fort, and Thompson is still living- where he first settled. Melvin and Delaney took up land in the same vicinity. Melvin soon left for Kansas, but the log- house he built is still standing- about three-fourths of a mile north (tf Thompson's place and is occupied by Ole L. Ploren and family. An account of the privations and hardships endured by Aasen and Gilseth in reaching- Dakota, as translated from an issue of the Syd Dakota Ekko, published in November, 1895, will be found in the chapter of reminiscences.

At the next session of the leg-islature, which convened at Yankton on December 4, 1866, and adjourned January 12, 1867, a memorial to Cong-ress was passed, praying- that a road be laid out and established from Elk Point up the Big- Sioux Valley to Fort Dakota, and asking- an appropriation of ten thousand dollars for that purpose. As all supplies for the fort were transported by teams from Sioux City by way of Elk Point, a road from the latter place to the fort was a necessity. A memorial was also passed asking- that the unexpended balance of a previous appropriation amounting- to three thousand dollars, be applied to improving- and bridg-ing- the main traveled road from Sioux Palls to Yankton by way of the upper James river ferry.

In 1867, Ole Gunderson, Poster Gunderson, Martin Gunderson, John Johnson, Larson Sweet, J. Larson, Ole J. Arnson and their families settled in the county.

During- the session of the leg'islature which beg-un December 26, 1867, at Yankton and concluded January 10, 1868, an act was passed, to reorg-anize Minnehaha county. John Nelson, John Thompson and William Melvin were appointed county commissioners and Edward Broug-hton reg-ister of deeds.

In the spring- of 1868, John O. Lang-ness and Sivert and Gullick Kringfen started west, from Minnesota, to find a place suitable to org"anize a colonv. They found no place that suited them so well as the Sioux Valley, and returning- to Minnesota they came back in the fall, bring-ing- with them a larg-e number of Scandinavians, amongwhom were the following-: Gudmund T. Ravlo and his sons, who are still living- in the county; Nils Iverson, Iver and Nils Nilson, Rollof Pederson, J. Krog-stad, Lars Kvarnmo, Jens Berg-, Peder and Thomas Paulson; Paul A. Risvold and his two sons, Andrew and Peder Risvold; Gudmund Dalemo, Ole Thompson, Guttorm Eklo and his son Peter Mag-nus; John Bruaas, who settled at Baltic; Halvor Nvhus, Thorsten and Jonas Nassau and Ole Houg-tro. O. B. Iverson and Ole Berg-erson settled in Split Rock, and John Walker also settled there about this time. John Lang-ness broug-ht with him a whipsaw, which was in constant demand in constructing- the houses the settlers beg-an to build. Ole Thompson and Mr. Lang-ness would saw two hundred feet of boards with this saw in a day, John Thompson sent to the "old country" for one of these saws, and afterwards procured another nearer home, and there were two or three others in use in this vicinity. This method of manufacturing- lumber by the early settlers aifords a striking- illustration of the limited advantag-es and resoiirces of pioneer days.

John Anderson Ole and Gunder Thompson settled about two miles from the present city of Dell Rapids. Ole Thompson used to help the Indians break their lands, and as his plow accomplished the purpose far better and in much shorter time than their implements, they g-ave him the name of "Maka-jubbedu-tanka" or "The g-reat landbreaker."

A larg-e number of settlers came into the county during- 1869, and several people located at Sioux Palls and eng-ag-ed in business. Among- them were N. E. Phillips, R. P. Pettig-rew, John Hunter,

Jephtha Duling-, Clark (I. Coats, and D. B. Reynolds. Mr. Dulin.obroug-ht his family, and moved into a cabin built bv one of the soldiers very near where the Burlino-ton depot now stands. At that time the only women Mrs. Duling- found in Sioux Palls were Col. Duffy's family, and two of the soldiers' wives. Mrs. Duling-, however, was accustomed to the privations of frontier life, liaving- lived with her husband at Fort Randall from 1863, until his discharg-e in lSf)5, and then on a ranch in Charles Mix county until they removed to Sioux Falls. Later on Mr. Duling- biiilt a house on the bank of the river near the cabin in which they first lived. In 1874, during- a heavy wind, he was struck by the roof of an old shed and instantly killed. Mrs. Duling- soon after removed to Dell Rapids, where she married James H. Bishop, and resided until her death, which occurred Aug-ust 18, 1894.

In those early days the only place where supplies of anv kind could be purchased was at the sutler's store kept by C. K. Howard, and the prices paid would delig-ht the hearts of the merchants in Sioux Falls nowadays, who have to contend with numerous competitors and keep up in the race of "cut prices." Then a spool of thread sold for fifty cents, calico was fifty cents a yard, and molasses two dollars a gallon.

During- the legislative session in 1868-9, a memorial to Cong-ress was passed, stating- that Fort Dakota was no long-er needed as a protection to the settlements on the Big- Sioux, and praying- that it mig-ht l)e removed to Medarv, sixtv-five miles north of Sioux Falls, which resulted in the militarv post at Sioux Falls being- vacated on the 18th day of June, 1869.

In 1870 the military reservation was opened to settlers, and immig-ration steadily increased. Among- those who came were Nils Xoreg-aard and Nils Lauritsen from Denmark, who took up land along- the river below the present site of Dell Rapids. James Nisbet, A. W.Hunt, Wm. Dockstader, John Hoy, Mr. Richardson, and Byron D. Graves settled west and south of Dell Rapids. John Bippus, and Colonel Charles Allen settled at the Falls, and Dr. J. L. Phillips and John McClellan returned during- this year to the scene of their old labors. Dr. Phillips came in June, and broug-ht his family, and they moved into the officers quarters, located where E. J. Daniels' store is now.

At the advent of Mrs. Phillips, there were only seven white women in Sioux Falls; and during- the summer, in connection with Mrs. C. G. Coats, she established the Pioneer Union Sunday School. It was during- this year that social matters began to have a standing- in the community.

The spring of 1871, opened auspiciously for Minnehaha county, and a larg^e number of the most desirable class of citizens came to Sioux Falls and the surrounding country to make for themselves permanent homes. Improvements on quite an extensive scale were made during this year. R. F. Pettigrew built an office, Joe Dupries the CentrafHouse, W. H. Corson the Cataract Hotel, Wm. Van Eps a large store building; all of which were occupied for business purposes. During the fall of this year the first residence was built at

Dell Rapids, then known as Dell City. The residents at the close of the year felt greatly encourag-ed by what had been accomplished during; the year, and were hopeful that 1872 would materially increase their prosperity and lessen the privations of pioneer life. They were not destined to disappointment.

During- 1872, new industries sprung- up in Sioux Palls and Dell Rapids, and considerable land was taken up in the county by actual settlers; a saw mill was built at Dell Rapids by Dennis Rice, and a store building- was erected during- the summer; a newspaper outfit arrived the latter part of April, and the Dell City Journal soon made its appearance. In Sioux Falls several building's were erected; C. K. Howard build a store 20x64 feet; Charles Hamilton, a photog-raph g-allerv; an Episcopal church was built; John McKee established a harness shop; J. J. Hancock, a shoe store; Blade & Castor, a meat market; Edwin Sharpe a lumber yard; and a bakery and restaurant were also among-the new business enterprises. A weekly newspaper was started by W. R. Kiter on the 10th of April; the fourth of July was celebrated on the Island, and R. F. Pettig-rew delivered the oration; the "Dive" was torn down, and a temperance society org-anized. Artemas Gale, Melvin Grig-sby, and Thomas H. Brown w^ere among- the new settlers during- this year.

It has not occupied much space in g-iving- in detail the improvements in the entire county prior to 1873, but during- this year so much was done towards the development of this section that a g"eneral statement must suffice. Immig-ration set in early, and the Sioux Falls Pantag-raph is responsible for the statement that "the prairies were teeming with schooners from the states." On the 15th day of May the Sioux Falls Independent, a weekly newspaper edited by C. W. McDonald, made its first appearance. The land office was opened for business in Sioux Falls June 9, and on that day seventy-three declaratory statements, sixty homestead and six cash entries were made, covering- 22,240 acres of land. The Webber & Hawthorn g-rist mill commenced operation May 20. It appears from the Sioux Falls Pantag-raph, in its issue of Aug-ust 27, that there were thirtvtwo building-s in process of erection at that time in Sioux Falls. At the close of the year the Sioux Falls Independent enumerated the building-s completed during- the preceding- six months, and the list comprised twenty-five business building-s and fifty-nine residences; thirteen of these building-s were two stories hig-Ji. A schoolhouse was also built, 22x40 feet. The Methodist cong-reg-ation had at the close of the year a church building- 20x 20 feet nearly ready for occupancy; and during- the summer thirty thousand brick were manufactured by D. H. Tolbett. In the issue of the Sioux Falls Pantag-raph of July 10, it appears that the barracks had been purchased by True Dennis, and in its next issue, July 23, "the barracks have been taken down and removed;" so there need be no question as to when these old landmarks of Indian warfare disappeared from the public view. At the close of the year Sioux Falls had eight lawyers, three physicians, two resident ministers, twenty carpenters, five masons, two hotels, two restaurants, two lumber yards, two blacksmith shops, two hardware stores, two meat markets, two wheelwrig-ht shops, two l)akeries, one paint shop, one barl:)er shop, one liverv stable, two dealers in agricultural implements, and six g-eneral stores. It is needless to add that the people of Sioux Palls enjoyed the holidays in 1873, so much having- been accomplished.

During- the winter of 1873-4 social affairs eng"ig-ed the attention of the residents of Sioux Falls as never before; church socials, balls, sleig-h rides, "and other festivities," as one of the local newspapers expressed it at the time, were of frequent occurrence.

With the coming- of spring- quite a larg-e number of people arrived in the county to settle, and some of the townships had their iirst settlers about this time.

But the year 1874, which beg-an so promising-, will long- be remembered by the older inhabitants as a year of adversities. Multitudes of g-rasshoppers visited this section, and complete destruction followed in their wake. All the crops were destroyed, and a larg-e number of the settlers who had expected to raise enoug-h to supply their wants were doomed to bitter disappointment. To meet this emerg-ency a society was org-anized, and T. H. Brown visited the east and obtained a larg-e quantity of clothing- and food, which was distributed by the society; and S534.68 in money was also raised for the same purpose. The improvements during- this year would not compare favorably with the year preceding-, but several residences and a few business building's were erected in Sioux Falls, and Vallev Springs township had its first school and - marriag-e.

The events which make up the history of the county to the beginning- of the year 1875 have been stated in the chronolog-ical order of their occurrence, and comprise the most important events that transpired during- her transition state - from the home of the savag-e to the dawn of civilization.

It was during- the early seventies that Minnehaha county passed throug-h the most trying- stag-e of her existence, and it is fortunate that the settlers were composed of men of remarkable energ-y and enterprise. During- this period, mills, stores, shops, churches and schoolhouses were built, reg-ular terms of court were established; the affairs of the county came under the control and management of a board of commissioners; projects for better transportation facilities were being considered, and the liniitations of r)ioneer life were fast disappearing. 114.27/6

How to best present to the reader the events that have transpired since then, has been a source of considerable anxiety to the writer. At first it was thought the better way would be to continue to chronicle the events in the order of their occurrence, but as the work progressed it became evident that this method was impracticable, especially after determining to give an account of the settlement and development of each township and municipality by itself, including a large list of biographical sketches of the residents.

The plan was therefore adopted of first giving an account of the county commissioners' proceedings, courts and other kindred subjects in which all the people of the county are equally interested, to he followed bv the local history of each township and municipality.