Minnehaha County, South Dakota - Chapter 2: Synopsis of Some of the Most Important Official Proceedings of the Commissioners of Big Sioux and Minnehaha Counties - List of, 1899

County Commissioners

SYNOPSIS OF SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF BIG SIOUX AND MINNEHAHA COUNTIES - LIST OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

In December, 1857, the o-overnor of Minnesota Territory appointed the following- named persons, all of Sioux Falls City, as county officers for Big- Sioux county as defined by the legislature of Minnesota, a portion of which consisted of what is now Minnehaha county: James L. Fiske was appointed judge of probate; W. W. Brookings, district attorney; J. L. Phillips, justice of the peace; James Evans, sheriff; James Allen, register of deeds, and ex officio county clerk; William Little, James McBride, and A. L. Kilgore, commissioners; but no record of their proceeding's has been found.

The only record of any proceedings ever had by the Board of County Commissioners for the County of Big- Sioux which we have been able to obtain is taken from The Democrat published at Sioux Falls City February 18, 18G0, and reads as follows:

"Mr. White requested that the report of the Committee on County Buildings be postponed until the next meeting of the Board, which was agreed to.

"Mr. Green way moved that the Board confer with the Commissioners of Buchanan county, with a view to securing their co-operation in erecting a bridge across the Big Sioux, at some suitable point near the falls. Motion adopted.

"Mr. Kelts moved that a county road be constructed from Sioux Falls City to the limits of Big Sioux county, to intersect the Medary rjad. Passed.

"'Resolved, That the Board will receive sealed proposals for the erection of a court house and jail up to the first dav of June next. Passed.

"Mr. Greenway moved that rent at the rate of S3U0 per annum, he paid for the use of such offices in M'Call's block, as mav be required for county purposes, until the completion of the countv ])uildin,o-s, which motion passed, yeas, 2; nays, 1.

Probably the first County Warrant ever drawn under any show of author it V within the present limits of Minnehaha county was drawn by these commissioners. It is now in the hands of Arthur C. Phillips, Esq., and reads as follows: fMr. White was killed bv the Indians two or three vears later in Minnesota. Mr. Kelts, at the time he was commissioner, had a claim on the land where Levi S. Carter now resides, north of the City of Sioux Falls, and soon after went to Montana. Mr. Greenwav was a Virginian, and after a short residence here he and his wife went further west .

The first territorial leg-islature, which beg^an its session at Yankton, March 17, and concluded May 15, 1862, enacted chapter twenty-three of the session laws providing- for county officers.

It required only twenty legal voters to organize a county, and when organized it was to have the following county officials, viz.: three county commissioners; a register of deeds, who was also ex offieio clerk of the county board, sheriff, judge of probate, coroner, justice of the peace, constables, county surveyor, and district attorney. The duties of countv commissioners were prescribed, and their compensation fixed. The governor was authorized to nominate and with the advice and consent of the council, appoint such officers, to hold their respective offices until the first general election and their successors had qualified.

During this session 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, were legalized; the County of Minnehaha was established,

As already appears, all the settlers in this vicinity were driven away by the Indians during the summer of this year, and no records of official proceeding's by these officials can be found.

By an act of the leg'islature approved January 4, 1868, the County of Minnehaha was reorg-anized, with boundaries as established by the leg-islature in 1862. John Nelson, John Thompson and William Melvin were appointed county commissioners, and Edward Broug-hton, reg-ister of deeds. The commissioners were empowered to appoint all other officers necessary to complete the org-anization of the county. There are no records of their official proceeding's, but on the 3ist day of December, 1871, the leg-islature passed an act leg-alizing- the official acts of the commissioners, the reg-ister of deeds, and Ole Berg-erson as justice of the peace of Minnehaha county.

On the 8th day of January, 1873, an act of the territorial leg-islature fixing- the boundaries of a larg-e number of counties was approved, and the boundaries of the County of Minnehaha as they now exist were then established.

The first record of the proceeding-s of the Board of County Commissioners of Minnehaha county commences with the 13th dav of February, 1871, and the following- comprises a brief summary of their official acts from that time to June, 1898.

"Pursuant to call the Hon. Board of Commissioners met at the store of W. S. Bloom for the transaction of such business as mig-ht properly be broug-ht before them. Present, Ole Berg-erson and John Thompson. On motion John Thompson was chosen chairman of the board. On motion the board decided to hold their meeting-s at W. S. Bloom's store until more suitable rooms were provided. The official bond of John Walker as sheriff with Ole Berg-erson and Hans Larson as sureties was examined and approved. The official bond of Bernt S. Peterson as constable and Peter Knutsen and Knut Peterson as sureties was examined and approved. The official bond of Ole B. Iverson, probate judge and county treasurer with Charles Allen and John McClellan as sureties was examined and approved.

April 3, 1871. Commissioners met and transacted the following- business: The county was divided into districts as follows: All of the countv south of township one hundred and two west of range fortv-eight, district number one; all the county east of range forty-nine, district number two, and all of the county north of township one hundred and one, and west of range forty-eight, district number three. The official bond of W. S. Bloom as reg-ister of deeds and countv clerkwas examined and approved. A petition of the citizens of district number two was read, approved and g-ranted, asking- for a road from a point on the southeast quarter of section twenty-one, township one hundred and one, rang-e forty-eig-ht in Minnehaha county, where the Blue Earth City mail route crosses the said quarter section, and from thence to cross the Big- Sioux river at what is known as the Iverson crossing-, and from thence to Sioux Falls, following- section and quarter lines where practicable. Knut Knuteson was appointed justice of the peace in district number two. Ole J. Aasen was appointed constable in district number three, and John McClellan was appointed constable in district number one. The following- named persons were appointed road supervisors for their respective districts: John McClellan, district number one; Amcjs (). Bursem, district number two; John Langness, district number three. James A. Hand was appointed superintendent of public instruction for the county. The account of Prank O. Wisner for printing- tax lists, amounting- to ten dollars, was examined and allowed, and warrant ordered drawn on receipt of warrant book.

At the next meeting- of the board, a special one, April 12, 1871, there were present John Thompson chairman, Charles Allen and Ole Berg-erson. A petition from the citizens of Split Rock, askingfor a road commencing- at the southeast corner of section thirtvthree, in township one hundred and one, rang-e forty-eig-ht, thence north along- the east line of said section, and on the section lines as far as practicable to the northeast quarter of section four of said township and range, and that the county surveyor be requested to locate and establish said road, was g-ranted. The appointment of James A. Hand as superintendent of public instruction was rescinded, and he was appointed county attorney, and John Bippus was appointed suDerintendent of public instruction. The abstract of taxable property was received from the county assessor. The account of John O. Walker for forty-eig-ht dollars for services as assessor was presented and allowed. The county surveyor was ordered to lay out and locate road number one as soon as possible, following- section and quarter lines as far as practicable. The countv clerk was ordered to procure blank ])ooks and seals for the countv.

The next meeting- of the board was held July 3, present John Thompson, chairman, Charles Allen and Ole Berg-erson. The official bond of John Hunter, justice of the peace, was approved. Petition number one asking- for a road commencing- at the point where the Sioux river crosses the section line between sections sixteen and seventeen in township one hundred and one, thence south on section lines as near as practicable to Sioux Falls, was approved and granted, and county surveyor was ordered to lay out such road. Petition number two was also g-ranted, and county surveyor ordered to lay out such road, provided the cost did not exceed fifteen dollars, said road to commence at a point on the boundary line between the Territory of Dakota and State of Minnesota at the southeast quarter of section three, township one hundred and one, rang-e forty- seven, thence west following- section and quarter lines as much as practicable to Sioux Palls. Petition number three was granted, if cost of surveying- road did not exceed five dollars, said road to commence on south line of section thirty-three, township one hundred and one, rang-e forty-eig^ht, thence to Sioux Palls, on section and quarter lines as far as practicable. C. G. Coats, J. Dickson and W. S. Bloom were appointed viewers. The report of the superintendent of public schools, dividing- the county into school districts, was received, read and accepted. The report of county survevor on road number one, with field notes, was read and accepted. The board levied a total tax of one per cent., divided as follows: territorial revenue one and one-half mills; county revenue, four mills; roads and bridg-es, one mill; school tax, two mills: county sinking fund, one and one-half mills. The county clerk was authorized to procure necessarv blank books for the use of county surveyor and superintendent of public instruction.

Board met again October 2; present John Thompson, chairman, Charles Allen and Ole Berg-eson. The official bond of H. W. Lewis, coroner, was examined and approved. A petition for a county road, commencing at the northwest corner of section twenty-three, tow^nship one hundred and one, range forty-nine, thence south between sections twenty-two and twenty-three, 240 rods, thence east along the quarter section line 80 rods to quarter post on north boundary of section twenty-six; thence south along- the quarter section line through the center of sections twenty-six and thirt3^-five, to the south boundary of said township, was received and granted, and Messrs. Booth, Robinson and Brown were appointed viewers. Ole O. Lang-ness, Oliver Olson and Thomas Paulson were appointed viewers for the road running- from the w^est line of section sixteen, township one hundred and four, rang-e forty-nine, to Sioux Palls. L. Bergerson, G. Torstenson and N. Neilson were appointed viewers on road running- east from Sioux Palls to the Minnesota line and known as road number three.

A special meeting was called October 25, present John Thompson, chairman, Chas. Allen and Ole Bergerson. The tax list for 1871 was presented and signed, and the county treasurer ordered to proceed to collect taxes forthwith. The account of Mills & Co., of Aug-ust 7, 1871, amounting to forty-eight dollars, for seals for county officers, was allowed and warrant drawn. The account of W. S. Bloom for seventy-eig-ht dollars fifty cents cash for sundries, for use of county was allowed and warrant drawn. A petition was received from James A. Hand, asking- the countv commissioners to request his honor. Judge Brookings to hold a special term of court in Sioux Palls, subsequent to the first day of December, 1871. The accounts of John Thompson for sixteen dollars, Ole Berg-erson for fourteen dollars and forty cents, and Charles Allen for twelve dollars, for services as county commissioners for 1871, were examined and allowed. Also the account of W. S. Bloom for seventv-five dollars for services as county clerk for 1871, 'was examined and allowed.

meeting-, present Charles Allen and Ole Berg-erson. The verbal resig-nation of John Bippiis, superintendent of public schools, was received and accepted, and Cyrus Walts was appointed to iill the vacancy.

1872. January 1, at the reg-ular meeting* of the board, there were present John Thompson, chairman, and Ole Berg-erson. The county clerk being- absent, W. H. Holt was appointed clerk pro tem. Newton Clark, member elect, presented his official bond, which was approved. W. R. McLaury presented a bill for attorney's services in case of Dakota Territory vs. G. W. White, which was allowed at live dollars. A petition was presented for a county road beg-inningat southwest corner of section sixteen, township one hundred and one, rang-e forty-nine, thence west as per petition filed, which was accepted and road ordered opened. It was then resolved that all accounts must be duly certified before acceptance by the board.

The following- accounts were presented and allowed: Halvor Olson, Thomas Paulson and Ole O. Lang-ness, four days each in locating- county road number two, at two dollars per day; John O. Langness, two days surveying- county road number two, at four dollars per day. Wm. H. Holt, county clerk pro tem, was empowered to issue license for the sale of spiritous liquors in Minnehaha county at his discretion, license being- paid and g-ood and sufficient bonds l)eing- g-iven.

On January 16, the board of county commissioners met again, pursuant to a call for a special meeting-. There were present John Thompson, Ole Bergerson and Newton Clark. A motion was made by Newton Clark "that the rate of license be fixed at thirty dollars per annum for persons selling- spiritous liquors in Minnehaha county in quantities less than one quart, in connection with general merchandise, and at one hundred dollars per annum for license for saloon keepers in said county," which motion was carried. The resignation of W. S. Bloom, county clerk, was tendered, to take effect February 1, 1872, and on motion was accepted. The board then proceeded to vote for county clerk by ballot. W. R. McLaury received two votes and N. K. Phillips one, whereupon W. R. Mc- Laury was declared elected to fill the unexpired term. The county clerk was then instructed to serve notice on dealers in liquors in Minnehaha county, that license to sell liquors must be taken out prior to January 25, 1872.

At the next meeting of the board held April 1, on motion of John Thompson, a petition for the construction of a bridge across the Big Sioux river, at a point where said stream is crossed by the public hig-hway, in the southeast corner of section thirteen, township one hundred and one, range fifty, was rejected so far as it related to a two mill tax, but by motion of the same member of the board, the question of appropriating one thousand dollars to build the bridge as above stated, was ordered to be submitted to the voice of the people at the next general election. The official bond of O. B. Iverson, county treasurer, was fixed at four thousand dollars, examined and approved, and "the old bond held responsible to the present date."

S. Alexander and others asking; for an appropriation of five hundred dollars, subject to the voice of the people at the next general election, to build a bridge at Dell City, was accepted. By action of the board the following- places were desig-nated for holding- the next g-eneral election: precinct number one in the barracks, precinct number two at Soren Berg-erson's, precinct number three at John O. Lang-ness' school house. The board also contracted with Wm. Van Eps for four ballot boxes complete, at one dollar and twent3'-five cents each. The board then adjourned until the next morning-, when the financial statement of the county was examined and ordered printed. It was as follows:

Poll Tax

At the next meeting- of the board held July 30, a petition of J. C. Ervin and sixty-two others, praying- "for the establishment of an election precinct, with the place of voting- to be at the school house at Dell City, said precinct to be known as precinct number four" was g-ranted. The board then proceeded to levy the tax as follow^s: four mills on each dollar of the total valuation of property for county fund; countv sinking- fund, one and five-tenths mills; road tax, fivetenths mill;' road and bridg-e poll tax "specific" one dollar and fifty cents on each poll over twenty-one and under fifty years of ag-e; school poll tax, one dollar on "^each poll over twenty-one and under fifty years of ag-e; territorial tax, one mill; total amount of tax levied, eig-ht mills on each dollar of the total valuation.

The following- resolution was introduced and passed: "Whereas, it appears to this body that unjust complaint has been made from various sources ag-ainst Mr. John O. Walker, sheriff within and for Minnehaha county, D. T., complaining- that the said

John O. Walker has been guilty of neg-ligence in the performance of his duties as sheriff, Erg-o: having- duly considered the circumstances connected therewith, we do exonerate the said John O. Walker from all blame connected therewith or with which he may be charg-ed.

On (3ctober 12 the board met and canvassed the returns of the gfeneral election held October 8, 1872, for territorial, district and county officers.

1873. At the meeting- of the board January 20, Wm. H. Holt was appointed sheriff to fill vacancy and accepted. The followingresolutions were also adopted: "That the county surveyor be instructed to put up mounds at each ang-le, also at distances not more than one-fourth mile from each other on straig-ht lines. Also to place sig-ht mounds on hig-h points on all county roads hereafter surveyed, so as to enable the road supervisors to find the lines." The following- also appears in the record of this meeting-: "Petition for a road from Sioux Falls and Schunk creek to Wall Lake. Also a road from the quarter section post on the south boundarv of section thirty-five, township one hundred and one, rang-e forty-nine via of Ravmond's intersecting- Sioux Falls and Schunk creek road. And from Raymond's west, intersecting- the road from the Sioux Falls and Schunk creek road to Wall Eake. Viewers appointed - Wm, Van Eps, Cyrus Walts and Newton Clark. That they are instructed to meet and view said road as soon as the g-round thaws. Board settled with Ole B. Iverson per Wm. H. Holt as deputy county treasurer, leaving- a balance in his hands to be delivered to his successor, H. J. Whipple, of two hundred and nine dollars and twenty-six cents. Dated January 21, A. D. 1873. N. Clark, Chairman Board of Commissioners." The assessor, Ole Berg-erson, is also instructed as follows: "in assessing- town propertv that he exercise his own discretion; g-eneral merchandise, at g-eneral market value; horses and mules over one year old, class one, old or young-, at ten to twenty-five dollars; class two, work horses, seventy-five dollars; class three, line stock, at one hundred and twenty-five dollars. Cows, not to exceed twenty dollars. Work oxen, class one, fifty dollars; class two, seventy-five dollars, Yoiino- cattle, to use discretion. Sheep, not to exceed one dollar fifty cents. Swine, to use discretion. Improvements on land breakino- per acre, two dollars. That the county license for the sale of liquor be fifty dollars per annum throug-hout the county." Albion Thorne was also appointed "district attorney in and for the district and County of Minnehaha."

C. Ervin, publisher of the Dell Rapids Journal, to publish the minutes of the proceedings of the board for one dollar per year. The offer was accepted, and the Dell Rapids Journal w-as made the official newspaper of Minnehaha county, and all official papers and pul^lic documents of every kind requiring publication were ordered to be published in this newspaper at the due legal rates of the Territory, except the proceeding's of the board, which were to be at the price named and agreed upon. It was resolved, "that the county attorney be hereby instructed to enforce to the best of his ability the law in regard to the selling- of intoxicating liquors in Minnehaha countv,

April 14, the date appointed for the next meeting- of the board, the follow^ing- entry of proceedings appears on the records. "Severe rain and snow storm made it impossible for the board of county commissioners to meet as per adjournment of April 7th. Attest, N.

On the 22d of April, the board again met, and allowed the account of John Bippus for seven dollars, fifty cents, for a book case to contain the records of the district court of Minnehaha county. The financial statement for the year ending June 30, 1873, showed that the total amount of tax levied w^as one thousand seven hundred and ten dollars and forty-nine cents; the total amount collected, eig-ht hundred and fifty-three dollars seventy-four cents, and the amount of delinquent tax, eight hundred and fifty-six dollars seventy-five cents.

1874. On January 7, the Sioux Palls Independent was made the official paper for the year 1874, upon the same conditions as during the preceding- year. It was also ordered that the county license for the sale of liquors should be thirty dollars per annum, and the following- resolution was passed: "" Resolved, That we recommend that the justices of the peace recjuire persons making complaint in liehalf of the Territory of Dakota in cases of criminal procedure to give bonds for the payment of costs." A petition \yas presented for a ferry across the Big Sioux river on or near the lines between sections nine and ten at Dell Rapids, asking that steps be taken to procure bids for the building and maintenance of the same. On motion it was ordered that notice be issued and posted to the effect that "oral bids" would be received at the clerk's office in Sioux Falls, on the 9th day of February, 1874, for the building and maintaining of such ferry for the term of five years.

Graves, Peter Morse and R. S. Alexander, for the term of live years for a ferry charter across the Big- Sioux at Dell Rapids, under the provisions of chapter 16, laws of 1865-6, with all the rights and privilegfes thereby g-ranted."

At a reg-ular meeting- held July 6, the board fixed the salary of the district 'attorney at two hundred and thirty dollars for the year 1875.

1876. On January 3, the Sioux Palls Independent w^as ag-ain made the official newspaper of the county for the ensuing- year. The salary of the county clerk was fixed at five hundred dollars to be paid quarterly.

In April, N. E. Phillips resig-ned his office, not being- able on account of increased business to g-ive it the attention it required, and John Bippus was appointed reg-ister of deeds and rx officio county clerk to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.

At the reg-ular meeting- of the board July 3, Andrew J. Berdahl tendered his resig-nation as sheriff, being about to move from the county, and John W. Callender was appointed to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.

On July 17, the board ordered that the county treasurer be instructed to reserve the road fund on hand July 1, which had not been accredited to any road district, and to pay the same to R. P. Pettig-rew to be by him expended in the construction of a bridge across the Sioux river at the foot of Eighth street in Sioux Palls, upon the receipt by the county clerk of a bond executed by said R. P. Pettigrew and approved by said clerk for the completion of said bridge on or before the 20th daV of October, 1876.

1878. January 9, the board instructed the county treasurer to pay out of the county sinking fund the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars to the building committee for the completion of the bridge across the Sioux river at what was known as "Clark's Crossing."

The Dakota Pantagraph and the Sioux Palls Independent were made official papers, each paper to be paid one-half legal rates. On motion the board decided to receive bids at the next regular meetingto furnish rooms for county paupers, such rooms to be furnished according to certain plans on file at the county clerk's office. Also at the same meeting notice was ordered given that "sealed bids for making county map will be received, to be made according to specifications on file at said office."

Pebruary 1, the board made a settlement with the county treasurer, found his accounts to be correct, and the balances shown thereon were as follows:

April 1, the board fixed the liquor license at two hundred dollars per annum. The salary of the county attorney for the vear 1878, was fixed at two hundred dollars.

Jul}^ 2, at a reg-ular meeting-, the board ordered "that the county treasurer pay out of the county fund, derived from the issuing- of liquor licenses, the sum of one thousand dollars to the building- committee hav^ing- in charg-e the construction of a bridg-e across the Sioux river at the Tenth street in Sioux Falls, on condition that said committee have said bridg-e completed and open to the use of the public on or before October 1, 1878."

1879. January 6, Ole Berg-erson retired from the board, havingserved continuously from 1871. During- this session, the assessor was instructed to assess real and personal property as follows:

The Dakota Pantograph was made the official paper of the county for the ensuing- year. It was ordered that the county clerk procure a lease from E. A. Sherman of g-round for jail purposes. License for selling intoxicating' liquors was fixed at two hundred dollars for the ensuing- year.

A special meeting- of the board was called on May 8, for the purpose of appointing- a board of "Commissioners of Insanity." On motion of Commissioner Burke, Dr. J. C. Morg-an was appointed as a member of said board, and on motion of Commissioner Jones, John Bippus was appointed the other member.

At a reg-ular session of the board July 11, the following- resolution was adopted: "Resolved, that at the next g-eneral election to be held on the 4th day of November next, there will be submitted to the qualified electors of the county, the question involving- the issuing of county bonds for the purpose of raising- money to purchase g-round for a county jail and county poorhouse, to construct suitable building-s thereon, and furnishing- them complete; that saidcountv bonds shall be issued for the amount of ten thousand dollars, to run ten vears, with interest at the rate of eig-ht per cent, per annum, payable semi-annually; and the said bonds shall be sold at no lower price than the face thereof; and it is hereby provided, that a copy of said question substantially shall accompany and be posted with the notices of election." It was also ordered, "that the villag-e calaboose be refitted, and arrang-ements made for the removal therein and board and care of the county prisoners."

At the reg-ular session, October 6, John Bippus resig-ned the office of commissioner of insanity, and R. J. Wells was appointed to fill the vacancy.

1880. January 5, A. Clendenning-, the commissioner elect, having- qualified, took his seat, A. Gale retiring-. The license for the sale of liquors was fixed at two hundred dollars for the year ensuing-. E. Parliman was appointed counsel for the board at a salary of five dollars per day, when called upon to appear, and to be retained as county attorney when so required. The Tenth street bridg-e in Sioux Palls was formally accepted by the county, and the indebtedness existing on the 1st of January, 1880, amounting- to one thousand twenty-three dollars and eig-hty-two cents, was assumed.

The board decided to accept the offer of H. L. Hollister, to purchase the county bonds at a premium of one-fourth of 1 per cent., and ordered that said bonds be executed and delivered to said H. L. Hollister, as follows: Bonds for five thousand dollars to be signed and delivered immediately, and the balance whenever the county commissioners shall need the funds in the erection and completion of jail and poorhouse building-s, as contemplated. The offer of X. E. Phillips to sell the southeast quarter of section 27, township 102, rang-e 49, with the building-s and improvements thereon, for the sum of onethousand five hundred dollars, was accepted by the board for the county poor g-rounds, and lots 1 and 2, block 4, in J. L. Phillips' addition to' Sioux Falls, was purchased of W. D. Roberts for the county jail g-rounds at the price of eig-ht hundred dollars. Plans and specifications for the building were also accepted and notice requesting- bids ordered published for ninety days in the official paper of the county.

At the regular meeting which convened April 5, the county superintendent of schools reported a deaf and dumb person, and it was ordered that a report be forwarded to the governor of the territory, as provided by law, that the education of such person might be provided for.

May 20 the sealed bids for a county jail and poorhouse were examined, and the contract awarded to S. McCormack and T. S. Stratton for the sum of eight thousand five hundred and fifty-one dollars, they being the lowest bidders. W, M, Walters was appointed superintendent, and the board of commissioners were to constitute a building committee in the construction of said buildings.

A petition was submitted to the board at this meeting, asking that a special election be called for submitting to the vote of the people the question of organizing the county into civil townships as provided bv law. It was ordered that such special election be called on the 28th of June, 1880.

"Whereas, The legal voters of the County of Minnehaha petitioned the board of county commissioners assembled in regular adjourned session on the 20th day of May, 1880, to call a special election to submit the question of township organization, and in pursuance of and b}^ authority of law, a special election was thus called and held on the 28th day of June, 1880, and it appearing*- from the returns made by the judges of election of the several precincts of the county that a majority of all the votes cast were in favor of township organization, the votes standing as follows:

Resolved, in pursuance of "an act providing for the organization of civil townships and the government thereof," approved February 18, 1879, that the County of Minnehaha be and is hereby divided into civil townships, and the boundaries of the same are hereby fixed and

At a special meeting- August 30, W. M. Walters resig-ned his office as superintendent of the public building-s in process of erection, and P. W. Duffy was appointed in his stead.

At the reg-ular meeting- October 6, a petition was presented, sig-ned by H. L. Hollister and forty-seven others, asking- the board to take the necessary action to secure another location for the county jail. This petition was accepted and the following- resolution adopted:

"Whereas, H. L. Hollister and citizens of Sioux Palls, have offered to purchase a lot and donate the same to the County of Minnehaha, in consideration that the county jail shall be removed and built thereon,'

Whereas, the board of county commissioners have found it necessary to reconstruct the building- know^n as the county jail and upon due consideration it is found that no additional expense is incurred to the countv by reason of the removal of the said jail, therefore, be it

Resolvet/, that the building known as the county jail be removed and erected upon lot 13, block 30, in Brooking-s and Edmunds addition to Sioux Palls, and the said county jail to be constructed and completed according- to contract, and the plans and specifications on file in the county clerk's office." It was also ordered at this meeting" that each civil township be furnished twelve copies of the township law, at the county's expense.

Resolved, that the chairman of this board be directed to correspond with the delegation of our county in the territorial legislature, requesting their influence and exertion looking to the early passage by the legislature of a bill authorizing the board of county commissioners to issue and negotiate their bonds in amount sufficient to complete the payment for the county buildings authorized to be built bv vote taken in November, 1879, and which buildings are now approaching completion with insufficient funds to pay therefor. And that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to our said delegation."

At the regular meeting convened April 4, the following appointments were made for the board of insanity: J. C. Morgan for the term of two years, and R. J. Wells for the term of one year.

At a special meeting of the board held May 11, it was decided that an additional lot would be required for more room and convenience, adjoining the jail ground; and it was ordered that lot 12, in block 30, Brookings and Edmunds addition to Sioux Falls be purchased for the sum of four hundred dollars. The following resolution was also adopted:

''Resolved, that a special election will be held throughout the several precincts in the County of Minnehaha, D. T., on Thursday the 9th day of June, 1881, at which time the legal and qualified electors will determine by their votes the following propositions:

Second. Shall the county commissioners borrow twenty thousand dollars for such purpose, at not more than seven per cent, interest per annum, payable in twenty years .''

Third. Shall a tax of one mill on the dollar annually hereafter be levied upon the taxable property of the county to provide a sinking fund and to pay the interest upon such indebtedness.'

I. X. Neher and D. S. Stinson were granted a license to run a ferry across the Sioux river in the village of Dell Rapids from date until January 1, 1882.

At the regular session of the board July 8, license was granted Lewis Spawn and others to run a ferry during the year across the Big Sioux river on the section line between section 28 and 33 in township 101 of range 48.

The following- resolution was adopted: ""Resolved, that all children that now are or hereafter may become inmates of the county poorhouse be bound out as soon as parties can be found to take them."

At a reg-ular meeting August 15, upon notice of S. McCormack, that the county jail building was completed as called for by contract, the board visited the building and inspected it. It was found completed in accordance with the plans and specifications, and was accepted by the board.

1882. January 2, license was fixed at two hundred dollars per annum. Lewis Spawn was granted a license to run a ferry across the Big Sioux at Banning's crossing during the year upon the payment of one dollar. Parliman and Frizzell were appointed counsel for the board for the ensuing year. Doctors J. C. Morgan, C. P. Bissell and W. B. Parker were chosen as county physicians for the year ensuing. The publication of the proceedings of the board was awarded to The Pantagraph, and the job printing- required by the county to The Times.

At the regular meeting April (i, it was resolved that the sum of one thousand four hundred dollars be appropriated from the county treasury for the construction of a bridge across the Sioux on the Yankton road at a point known as the "Yankton Crossing." It was also resolved that the sum of seven thousand five hundred dollars be appropriated for the following purposes: "Two thousand five hundred dollars to aid in the construction of a bridg-e across the Sioux river at Tenth street in the village of Sioux Palls. Two thousand five hundred dollars to aid in the construction of a bridg-e across the Sioux river at Sixth street in the village of Sioux Falls. Two thousand five hundred dollars to aid in the construction of a bridge across the Sioux river at Eighth street in the village of Sioux Palls." Also two hundred dollars was appropriated to aid in the construction of a bridge across the Slipup creek on the hig-hway between sections 12 and 13, township 102, range 49. Pive hundred dollars was appropriated for building a bridge across a sloug-h on the county road on the section line between sections 8 and 17 in Sioux Palls township.

The resignation of Andrew Clendenning as county commissioner was tendered and accepted, and N. E. Phillips was appointed by the board to fill the vacancy.

October 5, the board accepted the proposition of E. A. Sherman for the lease of rooms for county offices and a court room in a building to be constructed and completed for occupancy by July 1, 1883, on the southwest corner of Main and Ninth streets at a yearly rent of one thousand two hundred dollars for the term of five years, or until the county builds a court house.

1883. January 11, 1883, Christian Asleson tendered his resignation of the office of county commissioner, and Ransom Walter was appointed his successor.

At the adjourned April session it was resolved to appropriate the sum of four thousand dollars for a bridge across the Sioux river at Eighth street in the City of Sioux Palls, provided, the bridge-

At the July session, it was ordered that the county superintendent of schools be allowed a salary of one hundred dollars for the year ending- the first Monday of January, 1884. It was resolved that a special election be held in the several election precincts in Minnehaha county on Wednesday, Aug-ust 1, 1883, for the purpose of electing- eig-ht delegates to represent the county in the State Constitutional Convention to be held at Sioux Palls, September 4, 1883, in pursuance of resolutions adopted bv the Convention held at Huron in June, 1883.

October 5, the following^ resolution was adopted: "TPovVrvv/, that the County of Minnehaha be and herebv is divided into the following commissioner districts:

1884. At the reg-ular session, January 7, the liquor license for the ensuing year was fixed at three hundred dollars. It was ordered that seven hundred dollars be appropriated to aid in the construction of a bridge across the Sioux river on the township line between Sverdrup and Dell Rapids. A contract for the bridge was drawn and signed by R. F. Pettigrew and the chairman of the board.

The county superintendent was allowed a salary of two hundred dollars for the ensuing year. It was ordered that gas be introduced to light the county offices and court room, and that the chairman appoint a committee of three to purchase gas fixtures. The publication of the proceedings of the board and all legal notices required by the county was awarded to the Sioux Falls Argus and the Sioux Falls Press.'

1886. January 4, the board met in regular session. The new members, Arthur Jones and John Thompson, qualified and took their seats. The liquor license for the ensuing year was fixed at three hundred dollars. Bids were received for printing the proceedings of the board, and on motion a contract was awarded to the Sioux Falls

Arg-us at one-fourth legal rates, to be published in both daily and weekly. The salary of county superintendent was fixed at one hundred dollars. C. K. Howard resig-ned his office as county treasurer, and C. L. Norton was appointed to fill vacancy. The resignation of D. C. Rice as county surveyor was presented and accepted. Peddler's license was fixed at one hundred dollars for the ensuing- year, and auctioneer's license at twenty-five dollars. R. S. Alexander was appointed county surveyor to fill vacancy caused by the resig-nation of D. C. Rice.

Resolved, that at the next g-eneral election, to be held in the County of Minnehaha on Tuesda3% the 2d day of November, A. D. 1886, the following- question be submitted to the legal voters thereof: '-Shall the territory be divided?"

Resolved, that the chairman of the board of county commissioners is hereby authorized to advertise for four consecutive weeks in the Sioux Palls Leader for proposals to adopt or take care of two female negro children until they arrive at the age of twenty-one years.

1887. At the January session Ole Berdahl retired, and the new commissioners, John McKee and O. P. Bowles, qualified and took their seats. During this meeting a resolution was passed to build a barn on the lots at the jail, 16x2+, with 12-foot posts.

At the July session the following appears on record: "Whereas, a petition of more than one-third of the legal voters of Minnehaha county, as shown by the preceding election, having been presented to this board, praying that the question of prohibition of the sale of intoxicating liquors be submitted to a vote of said Minnehaha county, as provided by an act of the legislative assembly of the Territory of Dakota, entitled, 'An act to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors by local option,' approved March 11, 1887, on motion the prayer of said petitioners was granted."

""Resolved, that an election be and the same is hereby ordered to be held in said county in accordance with the provisions of said act, on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November, 1887, at which election the qualified voters of said county shall vote upon the question of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors in said County of Minnehaha."

1888. At the January meeting the following were made the official papers for the ensuing year, namely, the Argus-Leader, Land and Labor News and Dell Rapids Times. Dr. S. Olnev was appointed county physician. January 12 the following resolution was adopted: Resolved, that the board of county commissioners of Minnehaha county, believing that a county auditor is necessary for the proper and expeditious dispatch of public business in said county, Now, therefore, be it further resolved, that the said office of county auditor be and the same is hereby created.''

April 4, the following- resolution was adopted: "/i'<\vo/:7v/, that the board proceed to appoint a county auditor tomorrow at 10 o'clock A. M.," and in accordance with this resolution, W. W. Cooke was the next day appointed county auditor, and his bond fixed at four thousand dollars.

At the July meeting- the following- resolution was adopted: "Resolved, that the question of prohibiting- the sale of intoxicating liquors shall be and is hereby submitted to a vote of the qualified electors of said Minnehaha countv at the next general election to be held in November, 1888."

On motion the chairman of the board was authorized to take the necessary steps to ascertain if a g-ood and suitable foundation could be obtained for a court house on the lots owned by the county.

At the September session, W. L. Dow g-ave it as his opinion "that a g-ood foundation for a court house could be had on the lots owned by the county, provided that the streak of quicksand overlaying the blue-clav deposit was not so extensive as to preclude building."

The following- motion was then carried: "Whereas, we believe it to be for the best interest of the county that proper steps be taken toward the erection and building of a court house for said county, now therefore, Resolved, that we deem it best to issue the bonds of the County of Minnehaha, Territory of Dakota, in the sum of eighty thousand dollars for the erection and construction of a court house for said Minnehaha county, said bonds to be one hundred and sixty in number, each of the denomination of five hundred dollars, forty thousand dollars payable in fifteen years and forty thousand dollars pavable in twenty years, with interest coupons attached, bearing four and one-half per cent, interest, payable annually.

And we hereby order that the question of the County of Minnehaha issuing- bonds as above described and for the purpose aforesaid be, and the same is hereby submitted to the electors of the County of Minnehaha, Territory of Dakota, at the g-eneral election to be held in said county November 6, 1888, and that due and legal notice of said election be given as required by law."

At the October meeting it was voted that the building, known as the old deaf mute school be leased for one year for hospital purposes, at a rental of four hundred dollars per year, and that E. J. Sharon and wife be employed to care for the sick in the county hospital at two dollars per day.

November 13, the board met in adjourned session and fixed the license for the sale of intoxicating liquors at one thousand dollars per annum from that date until the first Monday in January, 1889.

1889. January 7, the board met, and the new members Henry Mundt from district number 4, and J. C. Eldridge from district number 1, qualified and took their seats. The county liquor license was fixed at eight hundred dollars. The bond of the county treasurer was fixed at one hundred thousand dollars, sheriff, fifteen thous- and dollars, reg-ister of deeds, five thousand dollars, probate judg-e, five thousand dollars, and coroner five thousand dollars. The salary of county superintendent of schools was fixed at three hundred dollars. The Dell Rapids Times, Valley Springs Enterprise and Sioux Palls Arg-us-Leader were made the official papers for the ensuingyear.

At the February meeting- Dr. Olney was appointed county physician. Commissioners McKee and Bannister were appointed a committee to examine and accept of plans and specifications submitted for building- a countv poorhouse, and the auditor was authorized to advertise for bids for renting the .poor-farm. The sketch submitted by W. L. Dow was accepted, and he was instructed to draw up plans and specifications for building the same.

At the March meeting the auditor was authorized to advertise for bids for the building of the county poorhouse, bids to be opened April 15. The county poor-farm containing- 120 acres was rented to P. P. Pierce. March 16, the day w^as taken up in discussing and investigating a site for a court house. It was resolved that the board employ the city engineer, W. L. Dow and Cross & Richards to examine the lots now owned by the county on the corner of Ninth street and Minnesota avenue, and report whether a suitable foundation could be had there and the probable extra cost of same. March 18, the afternoon was taken up discussing- and examining the different proposed sites for a court house. March 19, it was moved and seconded that the proposition embodied in the contract of A. Frizzell for the board's action thereon for the sale of lots 10 and 11, Brookings and Edmunds addition, Sioux Palls, Minnehaha county, as a site for a court house, the price of which was reduced from eight to five thousand dollars, be accepted, and w^ith the approval of the board of county commissioners a warrant for five thousand dollars was issued to A. Prizzell in payment of said lots.

The following resolution was also adopted: ''Resolved, that the county auditor is hereby instructed to advertise for competitive designs and bids for plans and specifications for a county court house to be built in Sioux Palls, the county seat of Minnehaha county, Dakota; material to be of stone known as the Sioux Palls jasper, on a solid rock foundation with an east and south front, to be three stories in height, including basement; to be built at a cost not exceeding eighty thousand dollars, bids to be opened and considered the 17th of April, 1889. Be it resolved, that the board of county commissioners of the County of Minnehaha, Territory of Dakota, issue the bonds of said Minnehaha county in the sum of eighty thousand dollars, for the purpose of building and erecting a court house on the site purchased by them for that purpose in the City of Sioux Palls, in said county, and that said bonds be issued in pursuance of an act of the 18th Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Dakota authorizing and empowering organized counties of said territory to erect county buildings for court house and jail purposes, and to issue and dispose of bonds to provide funds therefor."

as aforesaid be advertised once a week for four successive weeks in the Bismarck Daily Tribune, a newspaper published in Bismarck, D. T.; in the Daily Argus-Leader, a newspaper published in Sioux Falls, D. T.; and in the Chicag-o Daily Tribune, a newspaper published in Chicag-o, 111.; and that the county auditor be and is hereby authorized and directed to immediately proceed to so advertise said sale in said newspapers."

At the April session, as the records of the county survey which should have been on file in the auditor's office could not be found, the county surveyor was instructed to procure a book and make a record therein of all surveys that had been made. It was also moved and carried that the contract for furnishing- plans and specifications for the court house be awarded to W. Iv. Dow.

May 7, the contract for negfotiating- the bonds of the county was awarded to Farson Leach & Co. of Chicag-o, for five thousand five hundred and ninety dollars, they being* the lowest bidders. A special election was ordered for May 14, as required by the cong-ressional Omnibus Bill, to resubmit the constitution of 1885, and to elect three deleg-ates to the constitutional convention to be held July 4, 1889.

Mav 23, the board met as a canvassing- board to canvass the vote cast at the election. The vote of Valley Spring-s precinct was found to be irreg-ular, and finally the sheriff was sent for the ballot box.

June 20, at a reg-ular meeting- of the board, the contract for building- the court house was awarded to the Sioux Falls (iranite Co. for the sum of eig-hty-three thousand four hundred and fifty dollars. In accordance with the statute providing- for an auditing- board to audit the accounts of the county commissioners in the construction of the court house. Porter P. Peck was appointed to act in that capacity with the auditor and treasurer.

The Sioux Falls Granite Co. was required to gfive bonds to the amount of forty thousand dollars to the county for building- the court house.

At the July meeting-, W. L. Dow was appointed superintendent of the building- of the court house, and was to receive as compensation for his services as such superintendent one and one-half per cent of the cost of the building-, (the cost not to exceed eigfhty thousand dollars) and was required to furnish a bond of ten thousand dollars for the faithful preformance of his duties. Chairman McKee turned over to Treasurer Swenson eig-hty thousand dollars, the proceeds from the sale of the bonds w^hich included the county warrant of five thousand five hundred and ninety dollars paid for negfotiatingsaid bonds. Treasurer Swenson refused to accept this warrant as part of the proceeds and g-ave the board a receipt for seventy-four thousand four hundred and ten dollars.

September 24, the county poorhouse was accepted at a reduction of three hundred and forty-one dollars for not being- built accordingto plans and specifications." E. J. Sharon and wife were appointed to superintend the county poorhouse and hospital at a salary of seventyfive dollars per month!! The contract for wiring the court house for electric bghts was awarded the Cascade Milling- Co. at one dollar and seventy-five cents for each 16 candle power lamp. The contract for mantels and grates was awarded to the St. Paul Mantel & Desk Co. at four hundred and ninety-four dollars. The contract for plumbing was awarded W. A. Dow for the sum of one thousand four hundred and twenty-four dollars. The Haxtun system for heatingthe court house was adopted and the contract awarded W. A. Dow for the sum of four thousand eig^ht hundred and fifty dollars. It was also resolv^ed to instruct the contractor to build and complete the tower of the court house according- to plans and specifications.

1 890. January 6, the board met in reg-ular session the newmembers, John McKee and Geo. L. Wood taking- their seats. The Sioux Palls Press, Dell Rapids Times and Valley Spring-s Enterprise were made official papers for the ensuing- year.

February 4, resolutions were adopted for the incorporation of the town of South Sioux Palls, and notice of a meeting- to the voters resident in the proposed town, was ordered. M. M. Smith was appointed superintendent of the poor-farm at a salary of fifty dollars per month for two months.

At the election of Pebruary 20, the votes were all for the incorporation of South Sioux Palls, and the board ordered said town incorporated. The board fig-ured up the number of bridgfes in the county and their estimated values, also the value of all other property belong-ing- to Minnehaha county, and the total was placed at two hundred and forty-seven thousand dollars. The board inspected the different S3^stems of poorhouse g-overnment and pauper relief as laid before them and explained by Chairman McKee, and after due deliberation it was ordered that the Milwaukee system be adopted by the county. It was also ordered that the form of application used by Milwaukee county for temporary relief of the poor be adopted, and the auditor was instructed to get the necessary blanks. It was further ordered that no relief be granted except on such application.

A special meeting was called March 25, for the purpose of taking action in assisting the worthy and needy farmers to obtain seed grain, and to provide for the payment of interest on the eighty thousand dollars of Minnehaha court house bonds. The following resolution was adopted: ""Be it resolved, that the resolution heretofore passed by this board on January 20, 1890, be and is hereby amended so that there be issued beyond the nine thousand dollars of refunding- bonds authorized by said resolution a further bond for three hundred and sixty dollars to refund the interest due upon the bonds for the refunding of which said refunding bonds were authorized by said resolution, and that said three hundred and sixty dollar bond authorized hereby shall bear date upon the 15th day of Pebruary, A. D. 1890." The auditor was instructed to have printed for the use of seed wheat applicants, a suitable form of blanks.

April 1, the board again met in special session, to consider the applications for seed grain, and satisfactory arrangements were made for the negotiation of seed grain warrants, to cover the amount of grain applied for up to that date.

The board appointed the 19th day of August for a special election to be held in the office of the Sioux Palls Granite Company, for the purpose of determing the question whether the citizens residing in that territory will org-anize a city to be known as East Sioux Falls. The county commissioner districts were redistricted, it having- become necessary by reason of a law passed by the last leg-islature creating- two commissioners for the city of Sioux Falls. - The new districts were fixed as follows:

Districts Nos. 4 and 5. It was decided not to fix the boundaries of these districts until the precincts in the city of Sioux Falls had been redistricted.

At the Aug-ust meeting the result of the election in East Sioux Falls was found to be 142 votes for incorporation and none ag-aiusl, and the proposed territory, was by the board declared to be an incorporated city under the name of the city of East Sioux Falls. The resig-nation of C. O. Bailey as district attorney was accepted, and W. A. Wilkes was appointed to fill vacancy. Mr. Wilkes refused to accept and D. R. Bailey was appointed and accepted on the 21st of August. The salary of the court house janitor was fixed at six hundred dollars a year, and I. F. Ang-stead appointed janitor.

October 17, the forenoon was spent in inspecting- the court house, after which the auditor, treasurer, county judg-e and sheriff were instructed to move into their respective rooms in the new court house building, and the afternoon of the same day was spent in moving.

At the meeting December 4, it was ordered that the Minnehaha county court house, built by the Sioux Falls Granite Company, be accepted and warrants drawn on the general fund for balance due the company. It was also ordered that the offer of J. M. Bailey of twelve thousand dollars for lots 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, block 4, J. L. Philips Addition to Sioux Falls, be accepted.

"Whereas, the duties of the district attorney by recent legislation have been greatly increased and the terras of the court, which it becomes his duty to attend, have been doubled in numbers, and Whereas, there is now pending in the court about sixty cases which require his attention, now be it Resolved, that the salary of the district attorney for the balance of the term be and is hereby fixed at the rate of two thousand four hundred dollars per annum, and that the salarv for the state's attorney for the next term commencing- January 1, 1891, be and hereby is fixed at the same rate. This is to include such clerk hire and stenographic work as may be necessary in connection with the duties of his office."

1S9L At the January session, 1891, Dr. LeBlond was elected county physician for the ensuing year. The Sioux P^alls Press, Argus-Leader and Dell Rapids Times were made the official papers for the county.

ing- for the incorporation of a city, was received by the commissioners and an election was ordered to be held in the "Hotel Garretson " on the 25th day of July for the purpose of determining the question.

Aug-ust 22, the board met and the city of Garretson was declared incorporated, in accordance with the vote cast at the election held for that purpose.

At the September session which met September 7, the board discussed the matter of supplying- the election precincts in the countv wnth thirty-eight booths and forty-five compartments. After figfuring the cost of same it was deemed advisable to advertise for bids for their construction. The resig-nation of D. C. Rice, county survevor, was received and accepted and T. M. Patten was appointed to fill the vacancy.

The contract for making booths was awarded to H. Gremmels, he being the lowest bidder. The court house janitor's salary was raised from fifty to sixty dollars per month,

February 9, N, E. Sticknev was elected superintendent of the poor-farm. The Dell Rapids Times, Sioux Falls Press and Argus- I^eader were declared the official papers of the county.

At this session the auditor was directed to advertise for bids for steel cages for the county jail. A resolution was passed that for the next year the board would not allow to exceed S840 for clerk hire in the office of the clerk of courts, and would not allow that sum unless it could be paid out of any excess over S2,000 there mig'ht be in the earning-s of the office.

At the April session, the bids for furnishing the county jail with steel cells were opened. The Pauley Jail Building Manufacturing Co., and the Fred J. Meyers Manufacturing Co., put in bids as follows; S6,243 and S6,141. After a thorough examination of the matter the contract was awarded to the Pauley company to furnish six steel cells and place them all complete in the jail at the sum named in the bid. At this session the auditor was instructed to advertise for a clock to be placed in the tower.

The following June, the board, after a thorough discussion of the demand for bridges in various sections of the county, decided that bridges should be built at the following places: "At Fuller's crossing on Skunk creek in Lyons; at Rathburn's crossing on Skunk creek; at John Thompson's on the Sioux river; at St. Olaf's church on the Sioux river; at Higgin's crossing on the Split Rock; and on the line between Valley Springs and Split Rock on Beaver Creek." Ten bids were received from bridge companies, and the contract was awarded to S. M. Hewitt & Co., for the sum of $6,482. Bids for the tower clock were opened, and being unsatisfactory, the auditor was directed to advertise ag-ain.

In July the board voted to loan the State AVorld's Fair Commissioners the sum of $2,000, to make an exhibit at the Columbian Exposition. The Howard Clock Co., was contracted with to furnish a clock for the court house tower, for the sum of $2,320. The treasurer reported a cash balance on hand of $16,095.08.

In September the auditor reported that the treasurer had in his hands for collection during- the year of 1891 taxes to the amount of S56,187, that he had collected S29,185, and that there were county warrants outstanding- to the amount of S14,255.

In October, Georo-e L. Wood was appointed a committee of one, to look after the survey of the boundary line between Minnehaha and Moody counties.

At the meeting- in December, the following- resolution was offered by Commissioner Wood: "Whereas, John McKee who has been a member of the county board of Minnehaha county nine years, and its chairman eig-ht years, is about to sever his connection with the board; and Whereas, he has by his honesty of purpose and impartiality in the transaction of the business that has come before the board, not only from his district but from the entire county, performed the duties of his office with g-reat diligence and faithfulness, now^ be it Resolved, by his associates, that he merits the thanks of every citizen of the county, and we cordially endorse his official career as worthy of imitation by his successors in office. Rcso/vai, that this resolution be spread upon the minutes and published with our proceedings."

1893. Januarys, the resig-nation of George A. Knott as commissioner of the 4th district having- been filed with the auditor, the board accepted it, and calling- in Judg-e Parliman proceeded to fill the vacancy by appointing- Frank S. Emerson. John T. Lee was elected chairman of the board. At this session C. P. Bates was appointed as one of the commissioners of insanity for the term of two years. The Sioux Falls Press, Dell Rapids Times and Syd Dakota Ekko, were the newspapers appointed to publish the proceedings of the board for the ensuing- year. Dr. T. S. Roberts was appointed county physician and F. S. Emerson purchasing- ag-ent for the county. W. O. Colton and F. S. Emerson w^ere appointed a committee to procure furniture for the rooms of the circuit judge and superintendent of schools. N. E. Stickney was contracted with as superintendent of the poor-farm for one year.

In February, the board authorized Commissioner Colton to aid persons living- in his vicinity, who had their crops destroyed by hail the year before, in procuring- seed g-rain. The board by resolution fixed the minimum prices for the lease of school lands, those under cultivation not to be less than fifty cents per acre.

At a meeting- in April the board offered a reward of S400 for the capture of Dr. A. M. Fisher and his delivery in Minnehaha county to the sheriff.

John T. Lee and A. J. Berdahl were appointed a committee to visit the hospital for insane at Yankton, to ascertain the feasibility of caring- for the mild cases of insanity at the poor-farm.

W. O. Colton was appointed to aid the county surveyor T. M. Patten in settling- the boundary line between Minnehaha and Lake counties, and John T. Lee to aid the surveyor in fixing- the< boundary line between the counties of Minnehaha and Lincoln. They were

The auditor was directed to prepare a record of all bridg-es built in the county since 1880, and to keep a record of all bridges built in the future.

The county treasurer reported that he had received S2,000, the amount loaned commissioners of World's Fair, and he was directed to "turn it over to the general fund."

At the close of the session, John T. Lee and A. J. Berdahl reported that they had visited the hospital for insane, as directed, and in their opinion "it would be unjust to the patients to remove them from the hospital, and that there were legal obstacles in the way of so doing."

The board met July 3, and ordered the building of a bridge " between sections 7 and 8 in Wayne, in the place of the one washed away in May." The bond of James W. Cone, as abstracter, in the sum of $10,000, was approved. The county treasurer's report was examined and approved, cash on hand, S16,026.20.

The chairman of the board was directed at this session to employ some competent person to thoroughly investigate the offices of the clerk of the courts, treasurer and register of deeds.

August 10, the board passed the following resolution: ""Resolved, that it is the sense of the board that the state's attorney of Minnehaha county do desist and refrain from bringing- any further actions either civil or criminal under the prohibition act unless such state's attorney is first fully satisfied from all the evidence within his knowledge that a conviction is reasonably certain of being had, and in view of the premises we further request that the honorable circuit and county courts of this county examine carefully any evidence which may be produced before them prior to issuing- any process, with a view of placing the force of this law in operation either upon the request of the state's attorney or private citizens."

The commissioners of each district were directed to "prepare a statement of the number of bridg-es in their respective districts, when built, location and condition, so that a map can be made, and to report at the next meeting of the board September 4."

September 4, the board convened and the auditor made his annual report of the receipts and disbursements of the year ending- June 30, 1893. The report was substantially as follows: After the equalization by the state board in 1892, the assessed valuation of the County of Minnehaha was $10,560,972. A levy of four mills was made, which amounted to S42,444. The county disbursed during the year $49,613.86; the collection of delinquent taxes during the year enabled the board to disburse this amount. Of the tax levied in 1892, 813,102.50 was delinquent. Registered warrants in the sum of $5,676 were still unpaid. During the year the county expended in building and repairing bridg-es $11,578.15, and the delinquent tax belonging to the bridge fund was $2,893.

November 13, the board met and canvassed the vote for judges and county commissioner, and certified that J. W. Jones had received 1,183, W. A. Wilkes 644 and H. H. Keith 472 votes for judge

A warrant was ordered drawn to George A. Knott for S192.50, for expenses incurred in bringing- Dr. A. M. Fisher from Missouri to Sioux Falls.

Public Examiner Meyers' report of his investigation of the clerk of the courts' office was referred to the state's attorney with directions to report in writing to the board at its next meeting what in his opinion could be done under the circumstances.

1894. At the January session the state board of equalization having raised the assessment of the banks in the county fifty per cent., a refund warrant was ordered issued upon the payment of their taxes for this excess less the amount of the state tax.

The Dell Rapids Times, Sioux Falls Weekly Press and the Syd Dakota Ekko were chosen to publish the proceedings of the board for the year ensuing.

At a meeting of the board March 9, Albion Thorne, clerk of the courts, was directed to make a settlement with the board on or before the 2d day of April, 1894, and to turn over all the monies in his hands earned in his official capacity prior to January 1, 1894.

April 7, a resolution was passed directing the state's attorney to bring an action for the removal of Albion Thorne from the office of clerk of the courts, and also to obtain, if possible, his suspension from office while the action was pending. A refund order, in the sum of $2,940.22, was issued in favor of the county fund for tax of South Sioux Falls for the year 1890, the assessment of the property in that municipality having been declared void for that year, and non-interest bearing warrants on the county fund were ordered issued in favor of those who had paid their taxes for that year in the amount paid by them less the town and school tax standing against them, and the taxes for the year 1890 were abated.

On the 28th dav of April, the board met and advised with the assessors, as required by law. The state's attorney was instructed to bring suit against Albion Thorne, clerk of the courts, and his bondsmen, for the amount due the county from him in his official capacity.

At the June session the board were petitioned to contract with parties proposing to produce rain, but it was rejected. Afterwards they were so earnestlv importuned by those having- faith in the ability of the rainmakers, that they entered into a contract of this character.

Two hundred and fifty dollars was voted to the town of Humboldt to pay the expenses incurred in caring for the Krause family while suffering- with diphtheria..

A contract was entered into with E. L. Smith for 250 tons of steam coal at $5.21 per ton, and 100 tons hard coal at $7.95 per ton, and James Henneberry ag-reed to furnish 40 tons Hocking- Valley coal at $5.40 per ton.

In November the board canvassed the election returns. At this session the board voted that the judg-es and clerks of election should receive in the city of Sioux Falls six dollars each, and in all other precincts four dollars each for their services on election day.

In December two hundred dollars was appropriated and warrant drawn in favor of the Woman's Benevolent association of the city of Sioux Falls, to be expended by such association in relieving- the poor of the city.

1895. On the 7th day of January the members of the board elected in November qualified, and John T. Lee was re-elected chairman of the board. The amount of bonds of county officers was fixed as follows: Treasurer, $100,000; sheriff, $35,000; judg-e county court, $15,000; coroner, $15,000; reg-ister of deeds, $10,000; auditor, $5,000; state's attorney, $2,000; surveyor, $1,000; clerk of courts, $2,000; superintendent of schools, justices of the peace, constables and assessors, $500 each.

County Treasurer C. I>. Norton turned over to John Mundt, his successor in office, $24,892.39 in cash, $5,675 in school district bonds, and $9,225 in real estate mortg-ag-es, being- the securities held for loans from the permanent school fund.

A resolution was passed requiring- Albion Thorne. as clerk of courts, to report what fees he had received and collected in 1895, and to settle up and pay over to the board the amount of the earning-s of his office during- the years 1894 and 1895 in excess of the amount he was entitled to retain.

On the 12th day of January the board passed a resolution to the effect that all persons in the county unable to procure seed g-rain could obtain such by applying- to the chairman of the township board where thev resided, on or before the first day of February, and to make application upon blanks furnished by the auditor, and also requested the chairman of each township board to send all such applications to the commissioner residing- in his district, before the 6th day of February.

The Dakota Staats Zeitung-, Dell Rapids Times and Hartford Plain Talker were the newspapers selected to publish the proceeding's of the board.

In February an emerg-ency was declared to exist in reference to the building- of bridges at Yankton crossing- in Sioux Palls, between sections 5 in Sverdrup and 32 in Dell Rapids, and between sections 28 and 33 in Split Rock, and steps were taken to have bridg-es built at these points at once.

On the 8th day of February the board decided to purchase 14,500 bushels of wheat, 30,000 bushels of oats, 3,900 bushels of barley and 600 bushels of corn, to supply the demand made for seed grain by those who were unable to procure it themselves. John T. Lee was directed to make the purchase and to secure as cheap freig-ht rates as possible,

A special session was held on the 4th of March to consider the price to be charged for seed grain, and it was fixed as follows: Wheat, 56 cents, oats, 35 cents, and corn, SI. 15 cents per bushel. On the 12th a seed grain fund was created and warrants ordered drawn on the county fund to the amount of S22,000, in denominations of S500 each, to be sold, and the sum received placed to the seed grain fund. The treasurer was directed to purchase S10,000of these warrantsand pay from the sinking fund S7,000, and from the salary fund $3,000.

At the April session a contract was entered into with the sheriff to board all prisoners for sixty cents a day, this sum to include bedding, washing and all incidentals connected with the care of the prisoners. Another contract was made with S. M. Hewitt & Co., to build county bridges for the year ensuing.

At a session in June the superintendent of schools was directed to keep "copies of the school laws in stock for sale." Warrants in the amount of SO, 359.47, to pay for seed grain were ordered issued.

N. E. Stickney, in charge of the poor-farm resigned July 1, and Joseph Hostetter was contracted with to fill his place until Januarv 1, 1896.

At the September meeting of the board the auditor reported that warrants had been drawn during the previous fiscal year to the amount of S102,716.17, and $300 was appropriated for a county exhibit at the state fair.

1890. At the January meeting, the Argus-Leader, Dakota Ekko and Valley Springs Vidette were made official newspapers. Dr. T, Y. Stevenson was elected county physician, and Dr. Morgan and A. P. Orr were appointed members of the board of insanitv. The clerk of courts turned over $535,35, the balance of fees collected over and above expenses during the year ending December 31, 1895. Dell Rapids, Garretson, Valley Springs, Hartford, Baltic, Brandon, Humboldt and Sioux Palls were designated as places for selling chattel mortgage property. Settled with treasurer, cash on hand $56,675.35.

At the April meeting the board contracted with the Toledo Bridge Co. to build county bridges for one year. Petition presented for commissioners to order an action brought against themselves for taking pay in excess of the amount provided by law.

At the September meeting of the board an appropriation of $125 was made to assist Buifalo township in making a road between sections two and eleven; and the salary of the state's attorney was fixed at SI, 200 per annum, payable quarterly,

Argus-Leader, Syd Dakota Ekko and Valley Springs Vidette were made the official papers and P. S. Emerson was made purchasing agent for supplies for county offices, and A. H. Stites for poor-farm.

At the July meeting the Valley Springs Vidette, Sioux Falls Journal and Argus-Leader were made the official papers. Contracts were let to J. A. Ward to build two stone bridges, one in Wayne township for the sum of S919.41, and one in Edison township across Pipestone creek at a cost of S810.

1898. At the Januarv session the Argus-Leader, the Sioux Falls Journal, and Valley Springs Vidette were made the official newspapers. On the 20th da}' of May, the board ordered a warrant drawn in the sum of S500 for the purpose of creating a fund for the use of the private soldiers of Company B, who had enlisted in the military service, and the same day also ordered a warrant drawn in the sum of S550 for a regimental fund for the First Dakota Regiment.

County From 1871 To 1900

1882 - S. H. Burk, chairman; A. Clendenning, Christian Aslesen. A. Clendenning resigned April 7, and N. E. Phillips was appointed the same day to fill the vacancy.

1883 - S. H. Burk, chairman; Christian x\slesen, Seymour Hill. Chris. Aslesen resigned January 11, and Ransom Walter was appointed the same day to fill the vacancy.