Minnehaha County, South Dakota - Chapter 15: Cephas Talcott Anecdotes - Raising a Church, 1899

Chapter 15: Cephas Talcott Anecdotes - Raising a Church

CEPHAS TALCOTT ANECDOTES - RAISING A CHURCH DEBT - CHARLES L. NORTON'S BIRD DOGS - AN INCIDENT AT LONE ROCK - THEY SAW THE GOATCHARLES BARRETT'S NARROW ESCAPE FROM BEING BURIED ALIVE - BUCK AN AN BROTHERS GREAT SHOW - RAINMAKING.

Amono- the early arriv^als in Sioux Falls was one Cephas Talcott. If he was not an orio-inal character he was at least a little peculiar. While looking- for land one day, he was returning- to Sioux Falls and came by the burial place of Governor Masters, the Amidons and those of the soldiers who had died during- the time Sioux Falls was a military post. The burial place was located on the resident lots of the late Justin A. Pettig-rew, and the officers in charg-e of the military post had enclosed the g-rounds and put up the following- notice: "Anybody interfering- with the government burial g-round will be guilty of and punished for a misdemeanor." Talcott came into the villag-e wild with delig-ht. He had made a discovery. He had found a claim unoccupied almost in the heart of the villagfe. He finally said: "I will have it understood that no g-osh darn Miss D. Meanor can hold down a claim and live in another place." On one occasion when out on the prairie looking- for land, he found a government stake, and being- unable to decipher it, pulled it up and brought it to town. He was informed it was a serious oifense, and went back to replace it, but could not find the place from whence he had taken it. He finally took up some land west of the river, and getting a little broken and fitted for a crop, came to town to advise what crop to raise. He fell in with one Robinson, who told him the best paying crop he could raise was nutmegs - that their cultivation was easy - that they grew rapidly and would mature in a short season - that they were easily gathered, g-rowing on low bushes, and brought a good price. Talcott bought all the nutmegs he could get in town, Robinson instructing- him to plant them shallow and to put a little stick by every nutmeg planted, and Cephas followed instructions, and Robinson followed him, and stole all the nutmegs. Talcott was too good for this country, and Robinson went farther west.

E. W. Caldwell is well known as a g-ood story-teller, and it is also well known that he considers it a g-rave offense to allow the color of a g-ood story to fade out while being- told to his hearers. The writer heard him on several occasions repeat an appeal made by a professional church-debt-lifter at an early day in one of the churches in Sioux Falls to liquidate the debt on the church in which he was speaking-. On one occasion the writer had a stenog-rapher take down the lang-uag-e as it fell from Cal's lips, which was as follows:

"Mv dear Brethren! I want to impress upon you the g-reat fact that for every dollar you g-ive in this cause or any other cause in which the g-ood Lord is interested. He will pay it back to you many fold. You may relv upon this as a principle to which in all church history there is not a sing-le exception. As an illustration of it I will tell you of an incident which came under my own observation. We were undertaking- to raise the debt which laid as an incubus upon the church at Fort Dodge, and I was undertaking- to raise a subscription from the brethren. There was one member of the church, who was eng-aged in the gfrain business, that is, not exactly as you mig-ht sav, in the business of buying- the real g-rain, but something- that I believe they call op/ioi/s, and he had a g-reat deal of money invested in these options; and I went to him and asked' him to contribute SI, 500 towards raising- this debt. He protested, that his funds were so closely tied up that he did not feel justified in using- any of his money outside of his business. I impressed upon him, as I desire to impress upon vou, that the money that he mig-ht contribute towards pa\ing- this obligfation, would result in the Lord's repaying- him.

Finally he was induced to contribute the amount that I requested; and l)rethren, I want to say to you, that sooner even than I expected, the amount was paid to him again. As I was saying-, he was eng-ag-ed in the g-rain business, and had boug-ht a g-reat deal at a price, which, had there been a tremendous crop, would have occasioned him considerable loss; but ver}' shortly after he made this contribution, there came sweeping- down over this country tremendous hordes of those pestilential insects that destroyed the crops and left the harvest fields a bare ruin. The result was that directly the price ()f grain went up so enormously that this dear brother who had contril)uted so larg-ely towards the Lord's service, was rapaid more than a hundredfold. ^ And so it is my brethren, that the Almig-hty pays particular attention to promoting- the interests of those who have maintained His interests."

Sioux Falls, like all new towns, had its full cpiota of practical jokers. It is necessary for all communities to have a certain amount of amusement, and if it does not come to them throug-h the ordinary channels, it is supplied in some other way. Theatrical troupes did not visit Sioux Falls during- the first few years of its existence, and trained bears and hand organs were rarely seen upon its streets. To make up for the deficiency in the line of amusements, practical jok-

Strang-e as it may seem to those who have become acquainted with Charles L, Norton during- the last few years, \'et, it is a fact that during- his early residence in Sioux Palls he was a person who would "bear watching-." He seemed to enjoy the discomfiture of those upon whom he could play a practical joke, and he was always sure to have a circle of confederates to help him enjoy the fun. To such an extent had he added to his list of victims that the whole field was pitted ag-ainst him, and here is one of the g-ood thing-s that was successfully worked upon him.

One day while eng-ag-ed in work at the station he received a telegram from Conductor Parker, who was coming- in charg-e of a train from St. Paul, which read as follows: "Two tramps aboard have g-ot a fine bird dog-, will sell for ten dollars. Do you want it?" The chicken season was just dawning-, and Charlie didn't know for certain the tramps had stolen the dog- - the dog- was cheap - he wanted a dog-, and this appeared to be the dog- he was looking- for, and so he teleg-raphed back: "Buy him." The train came and the dog- was delivered and the money paid to Parker. Charlie noticed that Captain Bourne - a lumber dealer in Sioux Palls - g-ot off from the train, accompanied by a g-ood looking- strang-er, who afterwards proved to be a man b}' the name of Poster on a chicken excursion - but no tramp. Charlie tied the dog- in the freigfht room, but about an hour after, upon g'oing- to see him, found he was g-one - rope and all. He went after that dog-, and he found him over town in company with Parker, Poster, Captain Bourne and several other cong-enial, convivial spirits, and the}' all seemed as happy as thoug-h thev were spending- some one's money instead of their own. He soon learned that Poster had, what is called, a superior title to that dog-, and that Captain Bourne g-ot Parker to teleg-raph Norton for authority to purchase the dog for him.

He took the matter philosophically, didn't complain and did not try to g-et his money back - in fact, that had been spend before he found out all the facts. But he did sit down and g-ive away to resentful feelings, and plan for revenge. The mere sight of a bird dog made him wild. All through that fall and winter he seemed absent minded - in a sort of deep study - but when spring came, and the chickens began to hatch, his accustomed cheerfulness returned, although his friends noticed that there was a "way off look" in his left eye when he met Captain Bourne.

He discussed all summer with Captain Bourne the pleasure of chicken hunting, until that gentleman was enthused with the idea that there was nothing like it. During all this time Charlie was making friends with an old dog belong-ing to one of his neig-hbors. He i)etted and fed him, and taught him to follow him.

This dog- had one thing in common with a bird dog-, and onlv one, and that was - he was a dog. His neck and tail were about the same in circumference, but his size and color were about right. He took this dog down to the Milwaukee depot, and by some hypnotic influence induced the agent to join in his wicked scheme for revenge.

The dog- was tied up at the depot, and Charlie went to Captain Bourne's office and told him the Milwaukee ag-ent had a fine dog- left with him which he proposed to sell at auction. Bourne wanted the dog-, and he and Charlie went down and looked him over, and by the use of extravagant praise of the dog-'s g-ood points Bourne paid the Milwaukee ag-ent fifteen dollars, and took the dog up to his office. As soon as Bourne was gfone, Norton g-ot the fifteen dollars and went up town to see his friends, and sent the owner of the dog- after him. Captain Bourne, althoug-h of a sweet mild disposition (so the old settlers say) gfot ang-ry, and wag-ed active war upon the owner of the dog. But the captain had to yield to what is called "the force of circumstances" and the dog- went with the man who had the superior title.

An Incident At Lone Rock

Lone Rock was frequently visited by the residents of Sioux Palls, and it was a favorite spot for fishermen to while away a few hours catching- pickerel. At an early day a man by the name of Dan Harnet resided in Sioux Falls. He was an excentric character and afforded the people a g-reat amount of amusement. As a practical joker his name was first on the list. Another resident at the same time, was one Honev-Lake Smith. He came from California, and had there been proprietor of a ranch called Honey-Lake, hence he was known here in Sioux Palls as Honey-Lake-Smith. He claimed to be a prize fisherman in California, and his fishing- exploits, as told by himself, would not suffer by comparison with the tales of Munchausen. Dan Harnet was a betting- man. He was ready at all times and under all circumstances to w^ag-er any and everything- in his possession, and all the property of his friends and relatives besides, upon any debatable question that mig-ht arise.

He was tired of Honey-Lake's fishing- stories, and offered to bet him S20 that he could catch more pickerel with hook and line out of the Sioux river in two hours than Honey-Lake could.

The bet was promptly taken, and Harry Corson chosen as referee, and Dan Harnet selected Lone Rock as his position to fish. Honey-Lake selected a position a little below, where he could see the top of Lone Rock, and Corson took a position on shore near a small pool of water, but where Honey-Lake could not see him. Time was called, and Harnet soon caug-ht a pickerel w^hich was thrown over to Corson, who announced that he would put the pickerel in the pool. Harnet threw out his line, and Corson fastened the pickerel already caug-ht to Harnet's hook, after which Harnet passed the fish over to Corson ag-ain, in fact, this was repeated as often as these heathen Chinese dared to do it. The same operation was g-one throug-h with in all about fifteen times, and each time the pickerel was g-iven an airing-, Dan shouted, and Honey-Lake could see the pickerel on its journey from Lone Rock. The California adjectives indnlg-ed in by Honey-Lake were numerous and emphatic.

When the time was up, Harnet had only twf) fishes and Honey- Lake the same number. Corson and Harnet started home, telling- Honey-Lake the fish were safe in the pool, but there were so many that thev would send some one for them. They succeeded in g-etting- Honey-Lake up town without his looking- in the pool, and the money was paid over to Harnet. It was not long-, however, before Honey- Lake learned the real facts in the case but as he was invited to the entertainment given by Harnet in celebrating- his victory, he resig-ned himself pleasantly to his fate.

They Saw The Goat

The "g-oat" which is supposed to do active service at all reg-ular and special communications or assemblies of the Masonic, Odd Pellows and other fraternities has for ag-es past piqued the curiosity of many "outsiders" - and especially has the existence of that mysterious animal been a source of anxiety to the portion of the fair sex whose husbands are on familiar and friendly terms with the aforesaid "butter." A private letter from South Dakota to a St. Albans g-entleman relates an instance in which this never-dying- curiosity was at least temporarily satisfied; and as it is too good to keep we give it away - confidentially of course.

The (Trand Armv of the state mentioned were holding- an annual meeting- in a certain busv town, and, as a proper accompaniment, came also a g-athering- of the Woman's Relief Corps. It so happened that the latter held their meeting- in the Masonic hall, and some wicked wag- decided that he would introduce the "traditional g-oat" to the ladies by way of convincing- them that the animal was a "stern reality." The billv-g-oat was procured, and during- an intermission he was shut up in a side room, with a label "Private" on the door. The scheme worked well. A damsel of inquiring turn of mind tried the door. So did the billy-g-oat. He made a bold rush, pushed throug-h the opening-, and with a bleat bounded into the midst of the women in the ante-room, very much to their amazement. Then consternation set in as the terrible stories of the devastation wrougfht by the masonic g-oat were recollected by these defenseless females. Takingrefuge in chairs and on tables was of no avail, for "Billy" was ag-ile; and the janitor (Frank Kunerth) had to be called in to take hold of both horns of this dilemma and lead him away. It was a case where the Relief Corps needed relief; and some of those women are now ready to believe that "the goat" is no myth, but instead an incon-" venient combination of horns, hoofs and "trying*" disposition.

Charles Barrett'S Narrow Escape From Being Buried Alive

The election of Harrison for President in 1888, was celebrated in Sioux Falls with a g-ood deal of enthusiasm, both natural and inspired, and it is owing- to this fact, that in g-athering- up the frag-- ments, that as little as possible may be lost, we chronicle the following- episode.

o-ood fellow, and is entirely satisfied with a residence in this world of cloud and sunshine, and would not exchano^e it for anv ])lace he can possibly hope for in the future.

He had been tempted by some of the "unterrified" to make sundry little bets, that Harrison would be elected, and in fact had yielded to the temptation (with g-reat reluctance, of course, believingit was morally wrong- to bet upon any event).

Cig-ars, a little money here and there, parcels of clothing-, and also a very fine silk hat had been won by Mr. Barrett. He was feeling- happy - the country was safe - the little tokens of his g-ood I'udg-- ment were in his possession, in fact, he felt g-enerous to a fault. The boys had decorated his new silk hat with mottoes, and in doing- so, had made it a very tall hat, and in fastening- the decorations had punctured it full of holes, and all this without any protest being- made. He took his friends, or his friends took him down to the "Mint" and what hapi^ened is best told in his own lang-uag-e:

"I drink beer occasionally, but seldom anything- strong-er, but the bo3's wouldn't take anything- but "red bug- juice," and of course, I had to take it with them. We drank several times, and I found I was dizzy andlig-ht-headed, but the other fellows seemed to be all rig-ht, and it made me a little mad. I thoug-ht they were trying- to g-et me drunk. It occurred to me that my stomach was empty, and if I could only g-et a g-ood lunch, I could g-o back and do them up. So I slipped out, intending- to go across the street to a restaurant and fill up. As it happened Booth's undertaking- establishment was next door to the restaurant, and I g-ot in there by mistake. Booth was in, and seeingmy condition said to me: "Charlie, come into the back room and lie down awhile, it will do you g-ood." I thoug-ht so too, and went int'o his back room and lay down on a loung-e, and was asleep in no time. I don't know how long- I slei)t, but after awhile I woke up, and looking around found I was in a room with a lot of coffins. I thoug-ht I was laid out. I couldn't remember of being- sick or hurt. I saw that silk hat, and then I thoug-ht I had been run over, taken up for dead, and delivered over to an undertaker. I felt of my head, arms and leg-s and body, to see if I had been smashed, but I could not find any trouble. I made a little stir, and was trying- to g-et up, when Booth came in, put his hand on my shoulder, and said: "Charlie lie down." 1 thoug-ht he was a gfoing* to put me in a coffin, and I had g-ot to act at once to keep from being- buried. I commenced on Booth, and he shed his clothes in no time, and I can see him now crawling- on his hands and knees to g-et awav from me. When I had g-ot rid of him, I made for the back door, went over a three foot railing- to the g-round eig-ht feet below. I landed all rig-ht and ran for assistance, and coming- into a small company of men, told them Booth was trying- to bury me alive. Of course, I was very soon on my way home in a hack. I paid Booth S35.00 damag-es when I g-ot down town, and made up my mind that "bug juice didn't ag-ree with me."

A little incident connected with this affair occurred about the time Barrett was flying- up the back alley. Booth pulled his clothes tog-ether, went to the front door, and seeing- Captain Parliman, said: "Cap, Charlie Barrett is in here crazy, come in and quiet him down!"

Capt. Parliman looked at Booth and replied: "I don't want any of it in mine, I am not g'oing- in there," and lookin<j- Booth over ag^ain he added: "and I don't think you had better go in yourself."

Buchanan Brothers' Great Show

Sometime in the future it is possible that some enterprising- citizens of this county may org-anize a show and g-o on the road with an ambition to rival the show fame of P. T. Barnum. In order that they and their friends may not claim it to be the first enterprise of the kind origfinated in this county, we propose to put on record, so far as it can be done in a work of this kind, the fact that on Thursday, May 12, 1898, "Buchanan Brothers' Great Show" - "Two shows combined in one" exhibited in the city of Sioux Falls. It was a pure and simple Minnehaha county product, and this w^as the first time this g-reat ag-g-reg^ation of Aerialists, Gymnasts, Acrobats, Riders, and Arenic Specialists exhibited under canvas. The Buchanan Brothers were citizens of Sioux Falls, and the enterprise and energ-y displayed in g-etting- tog-ether this combined circus, menag-erie and museum, struck the ordinary citizen as being- a prima facia omen of success. But it was a wet season, and when they left Sioux Falls and went on the road they had a dampness to encounter, which overpowered their well laid plans to amass a fortune in the show business. After about thirty days the ag-g-reg-ation ceased to ag-gfreg-ate, and finally stranded at Pipestone, Minnesota. Everyone in Sioux Falls, where the Buchanan boys are well known, reg-retted the misfortune that overtook them; but, nevertheless Minnehaha county can still point to her Queen Bee mill, and several other monuments of her enterprise.

During- the month of May, 1894, there were frequent newspaper notices of persons traveling- about producing- rain to order in such quantities as people wanted. From these articles it appeared that these rain mag-icians would g-o to a drouth stricken country and contract with the muncipal authorities or other equally intellig-ent people to produce a certain rainfall, within a certain period, for a certain consideration. Upon scanning- the articles carefully it appeared that the consideration paid was the most certain, the period the next, and the rainfall the least certain event to happen. In some cases rain fell within the period named, but it was usually where the people could have consistently claimed that the Great Ruler had forg-otten his children if rain had not fallen within the time fixed. Of course, every community has a certain percentag-e of people who are ready to believe in any claim put forth w^hichthey cannot understand, and especially if it is opposed to all natural laws, sense and reason. Minnehaha county had people of this sort, and they came to the conclusion after waiting- a long- time for much needed rain, that the relations were somewhat strained between the Great Arbiter of earthly events and the inhabitants of the Sioux Valley, and that something- must be done at once to g-et the much needed moisture. A few of the citizens of Minnehaha county came before the board of county commissioners on the 7th day of June, and among- them our esteemed friend Estabrook, who was supported by a petition with forty sig-natures, and asked the board to appropriate not to exceed $800 for the purpose of procuring- a certain rainmaker by the name of Jewell with his g-as tube and box trap to come to Sioux Falls, mix up his chemicals and wet down Minnehaha county as it should be. He said "it is no praying" scheme - that's failed, but this man is a real rain producer, and rain seems to follow him, and he seldom can gfet in out of the wet, and that the people of Minnehaha county who had crops which were suffering* for water would never be satisfied if this man and his moisture extractor were not broug-ht to Minnehaha county and set at work." It was sug-g-ested that there were not more than four or five gfallons of moisture in the atmosphere within fifty miles of Sioux Palls, but this didn't phase him, for he replied "more or less, we want what there is and the people are entitled to it." A resolution was introduced in accordance with the prayer of the petitioners, but it was lost. It did not, however end the matter. The drouth became more pronounced, and the demand for the rainmaker Mr. Jewell became more clamorous, and in some way he was induced to come to Sioux Palls about the 18th day of June. On the 19th day of June there was an informal meeting- of the county commissioners, or some of them at least, and neg-otiations were entered into between the board and Jewell for producing- a rainfall in the County of Minnehaha. There is no record of the proceeding-s, and the writer is compelled to rely upon his memory for what follows. Jewell knew what he was talking- about, and assured the commissioners that he had conducted fifty-one experiments, and had been successful fifty-one times. He said, among- other thing-s, that he could produce rain under any circumstances, althoug-h it would not be so copious if high winds prevailed and the temperature was below fifty deg-rees, but with both of these obstacles in his way he could still milk the atmosphere. At Des Moines after the weather bureau had announced there were no prospects of rain and there was no moisture in the atmosphere within a circle of 100 miles of the city, he liberated the g-as in the box car he was traveling- about in, and it shot up into the ethereal canopy throug-h his three little tin tubes - and the parched earth was drenched with water. He assured the commissioners he had no trouble in making- contracts for producingrain, and that his success had been so uniform and remarkable that only very relig-ious people objected to rain contracts, and they solely upon the g-round that it was an insult to Providence, who knew best when to send rain. This seemed to remove the last obstacle in Commissioner Schaetzel's mind, and they all commenced to talk business. Commissioner Lee wanted the g-as to enter the atmosphere at the g-eog-raphical center of the county, and said he should insist upon it, so that in case the rainfall should not be uniform in quantity throug-hout the county the taxpayers couldn't blame the commissioners. Emerson said he wanted each commissioner district to g-et the same quantity of water per acre, and he had taken the liberty to ask Mr. Jewell when he first met him whether this could be done, and if he would do it if a contract was made, and Mr. Jewell replied, that all he wanted was the loan of a county map while he remained in

Sioux Palls, and he would see to it that the rainfall was uniform throug-hout the county. Commissioner Colton said: "The northwestern part of the county won't kick if they don't ^et quite so much rain as thev do down nearer the machine - we had quite a shower up there a few days ago, and the crops are not suffering' so much as thev are a little further south. I am for letting- Mr. Jewell do his work where he thinks he can do it to the best advantag-e." Before the contract was drawn the commissioners tried to induce Mr. Jewell to make the payment conting-ent upon his producing- a certain amount of rainfall within a g-iven time, but they found that the g-entleman who was endeavoring- to make his fifty-second contract a very prudent man and fullv alive to the possible result of such a provision in the contract. But all the details were arrang-ed, and the writer drew the contract. It was a compromise affair. A certain amount was to be paid in advance (S200) so Mr. Jewell could g-et his chemicals, and S400 more to be paid if a rainfall of one half inch should be produced within a g-iven time, with a provision that, in case at the expiration of the time one half inch had not been produced and it was raining-, Mr. Jewell should be permitted to finish his shower and g-et his money. After the contract was made Mr. Jewell went to Stite's drug- store and boug-ht about one dollar and fifty cents worth of chemicals and went to his box car and, to be exact, at 3:30 P. M., on the 19th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eig'ht hundred and ninety four, he let loose to an unsuspecting-, unprepared firmament all the g-as he could produce from the materials he purchased of Stites. The next day (Wednesday the 20th) he announced to the people throug-h the newspapers that there would be a g-reat downpour of rain before 6 P. M., on the following- Thursday, and requested the daily papers to advise their readers to be prepared for a delug-e of rain. The weather bureau got hold of Jewell's prog-nostications and on Wednesday it predicted rain for Thursday in the locality of Sioux Falls. Hicks, Coats and Thomas J. Mills all climbed onto Jewell's band wag-on, and it did seem as thoug-h the mig-hty elements of nature had been corraled at last, and^rould soon perform their functions, refreshing- the thirst}' soil in Minnehaha county. But the elements were intractable and refused to be milked by Jewell, and Thursday passed into history in Sioux Falls as one of the most defiant dry days of the season. Friday explanations were in order, and Jewell affirmed that the g-reat altitude of Sioux Falls made it difficult for him to inject his g-as into the atmosphere and bring- it down to the dewpoint. It should be mentioned that during- the week he was in Sioux Falls there were frequent showers all about Minnehaha county, but none within its limits until Saturday when there was a moderate shower in the northern portion, and Saturday evening- there was a g-entle rain in the city of Sioux Falls and vicinitv. While here, althoug-h not successful in producing- rain, he sold to Hanson and McCook counties the rig-ht to use his invention in producing- rain in those counties for the sum of S700 for each county. They had to contract, however, to keep their showers in hand and not work on such an extensive scale as to water the adjoining- counties. In the Sioux Falls Preset of Saturday morning- June 23, an article appeared, written by Harley Pettig-revv, which completely punctured the whole scheme and made it too ridiculous for its most sano-uine supporters to ever mention it ag-ain. He went at the problemf rom a scientific standpoint and demonstrated how impossible it would be, even by the use of train loads of chemicals to condense the moisture in a singde cubic mile of the atmosphere, to say nothingabout causing- a rainfall over an area of 816 square miles of territory. Mr. Jewell left Sioux Palls on Saturday afternoon following- his failure, and since then rainmakers are not on the schedule of quotations.

Cascades At Sioux Falls A Statement

In crivino- the history of the twenty-four townships comprisingthe County of Minnehaha, with the municipalities carved out and org-anized within their limits, the same order has been followed as adopted by the g-overnment survey and followed by the county commissioners in dividing- the county into civil townships.

The survey, the streams and lakes, and to some extent the topog-raphical features of each township are described, and a brief account of its settlement, industries, churches and other societies also appears. Some of the official proceeding-s of the townships and other municipal org-anizations are noticed, and a list of township, town and city officials from the time of their org-anization to 1899, inclusive, are carefully compiled, followed by biog-raphical sketches of residents.

The desig-n at first was to publish this work in 1895, but the financial depression at that time made it impracticable to do so, and not until now has it seemed expedient to present it to the public. In some matters nothing- has been added since then, especially in reference to the fraternal societies and kindred subjects. A larg-e proportion of the biog-raphical sketches had been written at that time, and since then some of the persons whose biog-rapnies appear, have removed and others died, of which, for obvious reasons, no mention is made. In procuring- biog-raphical sketches at least fifteen hundred circular letters were mailed to residents of the county, with questions for them to answer, and althoug-h a postage stamp was inclosed a large number of these circulars were not returned, and consequentlv biog-raphical sketches of many of the old residents do not appear. Great pains has been taken to be exact in the matter of dates and in presenting- the names of persons correctly, but errors in this respect have undoubtedly been committed, owing- to unreliable information and the obscure sig-natures we necessarily had to decipher.

In compiling- the lists of officials the records have been examined for the necessary information. Some of these records are quite complete, while others are very incomplete, failing- to g-ive the names of the officials from year to year, and the records being- practically the only reliable source of information, some of the lists must necessarily be quite imperfect.

In the issue of the Sioux Palls Pantaojraph published in Sioux Falls on the 18th day of February, 1874, the followin*,'- item appears: "In the month of January last, four new townships were org"inized in Minnehaha county, and officers elected. The officers of the newtown of Benton were Wm. Alg-uire, J. C. Eldrido-eand Mr. Hartwell, supervisors; A. S. Fuller, clerk; J. D. Green, treasurer; J. C. Eldridg-e, assessor; R. Foster and H. Neer, justices; H. W. Burvee and A. Lifto, constables; D. Alg-uire, Sr., overseer of higfhways." Having- had access to the clerk's books of every township in the county, and finding- no records prior to 1881, Mr. Eldridg-e of Benton was interviewed in reference to this item, and he said: "I remember there was a meeting- held at my place about that time, and that a school district was organized, and township matters discussed, but I have no recollection of being- elected supervisor or assessor. I know I never did any assessing-, there was a county assessor at that time." Upon interviewing- other persons likely to know something- in reg-ard to such township org-anization, their recollections were found to be so indistinct and conflicting- in fact, and the improbability of being- able to ascertain the exact facts, where no records could be found, the idea of any further reference to them was abandoned.

One thing- is certain, however, that all the townships in the county were org-anized under the provisions of "An Act providing for Org-anization of Civil Townships, and the Government thereof" to take effect from and after its passag-e and approval, which was passed by the leg-islature of the Territory of Dakota in 187*), and approved February 18.

There were ninety-eig-ht sections in this law, and its provisions justified its title. It enacted that upon the presentation of a petition from fifty legal voters of any county to the county commissioners, they should, at a special election, submit the question whether the system of township government as provided in the law^ should be adopted by the county, and if a majority of the votes cast at such election should be in favor of township government, then the board of county commissioners should immediately proceed to divide the county into civil townships, fix and determine the boundaries thereof and number the same, and in so doing should have reg-ard for the natural boundaries, and that at any time thereafter the board might alter and change the same, provided, that the number of civil townships should not exceed the number of congressional townships or fractional parts thereof greater than one-half.

On the 22d day of May, 1880, petitions containing- in the aggregate the names of 145 legal voters of the county were presented to the county board, asking to have the question of township government submitted to a vote of the people of the county. In pursuance to the request of the petitioners, a special election was ordered, and held on Monday the 28th day of June, and resulted in favor of township government, 582 votes being cast /?>;% and 88 (((>-ai)LsL

Bv the provisions of this law the electors of the several townships were required at the first election to choose by ballot a name for the township to take the place of the number fixed by the county board.

Since the passag-e of this act, the law g-overning- townships has been chang-ed from time to time to meet the wants of the people, so that at the present time a well dig-ested system appears upon our statute books, and its provisions are g-enerally understood by those interested. It is to be hoped that there will be very little leg-islation in the future in reference to this subject, and only such leg-islation as the exig-encies of the times may imperatively demand.

This township is situated in the southeast corner of the county. It is bounded on the east by the Minnesota state line, and on the south by the Iowa state line. It has some excellent farms and farm buildinors and, comparatively speaking, no waste land. The main branch of Beaver creek, which enters Palisade township on section thirty-four and runs in a southwesterly course throuo-h Red Rock township, enters Valley Spring-s on section four, and continuing- in the same course leaves the township on section seven. The other branch has its source in the southeast corner of the township, and runs in a northwesterly course until it forms a junction with the main branch on section thirteen in Split Rock township. The south line, which is the Iowa boundary line, was surveyed in July, 1852; the east, Minnesota boundary line, in Julv, 1862; the west, by Cortez Pessenden, in July, 1862; the north, by M. K. Armstrong-, 'in October, 1864, and the subdivisions were made bv Carl C P. Mever in October, 1864. It contains 15,117.82 acres.

S. A. Johnson and Alfred Larson, and perhaps some others, took up land in this township as early as 1870. Frank (t. Anderson and Stephen Danielson located there in 1871, and from that time the township was quite rapidly settled. In June, 1872, Jonathan Dunham and M. L. Wood took up land in section three, and a Miss Nancy Merchant pre-empted a portion of the northwest quarter of the same section, where the village is now located. Messrs. Dunham and Wood erected a residence, and commenced breaking- the land, and thinkingthe location favorable for a business center, made application for the establishment of a post office. January 1, 1873, the Valley Spring-s post office was established, and Jonathan Dunham appointed postmaster, the office being- at Mr. Dunham's residence. A. C. Stone was the second postmaster, and for a while the office was at his residence, but was afterwards removed to the store of Stone & Howe. The next postmaster was P. E. Howe. In 1876, Alfred Larson was appointed postmaster, and in 1880, he was succeeded by Charles Olson. The first store was established by A. C. Stone and P. E. Howe in the fall of 1873. The first blacksmith shop was that of C. O. Remmingon the north side of the railroad, which was opened in the spring- of 1876. In November, 1880, W. W. Bell opened the first harness shop. A man bv the name of Ljung-ren erected a store building- 20 by 50 feet, two "^stories hig-h, in 1878, and engag-ed in the hardware business. On the 4th dav of June, 1878, a station was established on what is now the C, St, P., M. & O. railroad, and Valley Spring-s can boast of having- the first railroad station in Minnehaha county. The first marriag-e was that of P. E. Howe and Prances H. Acker, and the ceremony was solemnized by the Rev. J. W. Rig-by June 28, 1874. The first birth was that of a daug-hter to John C. and Martha Shepard. The first school was taug-ht by Miss Ida Shafer duringthe summer of 1874. One of the present school building-s was erected in the summer of 1878, at a cost of $1,600, and is a fine two-story structure. The building- which is now the Central House, was erected in 1878, for a private residence. In 1879, it was purchased by Grove Hemsley, and used as a boarding- house one year, when it was enlarg-ed, and has since been used as a hotel, under the efficient manag-ement of Prank Mellen, who is still the proprietor. The Valley Spring-s Cemetery Association was org-anized May 2, 1879, and the g-rounds are located on the southeast quarter of section 3, and contain ten acres.

Ben Clare

Ben Clare is a station on the Illinois Central railroad, located on the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section thirtythree, in Valley Spring-s township. It is the first station on this line of road in the state, and is nicely located. At the present time there are only a few building-s at Ben Clare, but the surroundingcountry is occupied by prosperous farmers, and in the near future a thrifty villag-e is sure to g'row up. It has two g-rain warehouses, a g-eneral store, blacksmith shop, and a Methodist church building-, besides the depot. A post office was established soon after the railroad station was located. I. G. Woodward was the first postmaster, but since his resig-nation Henry Doman, Prank Bowen and Severt Severson have held the office in the order named.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - A church was org-anized at Ben Clare in the spring- of 1890, which was called the Ben Clare Methodist Episcopal Church, with a membership of thirty-five. During- the fall of 1893, a handsome church building- was erected east of the town site of Ben Clare, at a cost of about $2,000, which was principally paid by the members of the church. It was dedicated on Sunday, January 14, 1894. The following- ministers have had charg-e of the church: the Reverends H. B. Green, H. B. Clearwater, S. S. Hookland, S. C. Olds, G. W. Shindlar, E. Honeywell, Nathan Pawell, H. C. Eberhart and Thomas Morris. Services are held in the church every two weeks. Sunday school is held everv Sunday, with an averag-e attendance of forty-five. A Woman's Aid society and a Chapter of the Epworth Leag-ue are also connected with the church.

Beaver Valley Swedish Lutheran Church. - This church was org-anized in 1875 by the Rev. C. W. Wretloff. Seryices were held in the school house until in 1880, when a large and commodious church building- was erected on the northwest quarter of section 6 in Valley Spring-s, at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars. A parsonag-e was also built near the church, at a cost of one thousand three hundred and fifty dollars. The following ministers have succeeded Mr, Wretloff, in the order named: J. H. Randall, A. Sundberg-, Dr. C. J. Ellofson, and Rev. Sundquist, who is the present pastor. Services are held every Sunday, and the membership of the church is about two hundred. There is a Sunday school connected with the church, with an averag-e attendance of about fifty scholars, also a Christian Endeavor and Young- People's societv.

The first meeting- of the town board was held January 10, 1881. The supervisors were J. E. Hallett, chairman, S. A. Johnson and A. T. Arneson; clerk, Georg-e Cassady; assessor, W. G. Butterfield.

1882. Supervisors, J. R. Jackson, chairman, Arne T. Arneson, ToUe J. Bye; clerk, Georg-e Cassady. At a meeting- of the board April 15, smallpox having- broken out in the township, several string-ent orders were made to prevent the spread of the disease. Special constables were appointed to enforce the orders made. May 8, D. B. Cook was paid S350 for building- a bridg-e over Beaver creek.

1883. Supervisors, RoUa Burkholder, chairman, Arne T. Arneson, Madison Bennett; clerk, Charles P. Bissell; assessor, F. C. Bell; treasurer, W. H. Riddell; justice, D. B. Cook; constable, C. J. Conway. June, 5, C. P. Bissell resig-ned as clerk, and Geor<je Cassady was appointed.

1886. Supervisors, W. R. Burkholder, chairman, Madison Bennet, S. A. Johnson; clerk, W. H, Gibbs; treasurer, Geo. Cassady; assessor, D. W. Lawrence; justice, Lewis Spawn; constable, Joe Carle. October 26, M. H. Gibbs resig-ned, and W. H. Riddle was appointed clerk.

1889. Supervisors, Charles Harvey, chairman, Olof Olson, A. T. Arneson; clerk, W. H. Riddle; treasurer, Geo. Cassady; assessor, Charles Potting-er; justices, J. H. Harring-ton and Geo. Rockwood, but Mr. Rockwood failed to qualifv, and C. J. Conway was appointed.

1893. Supervisors, P. E. Howe, chairman, A. E. Rockwood and Milton Wright; Geo. Wrig-ht, clerk; E. W. Schmidt, treasurer; Harry Kiffe, assessor; F. M. Bunn, justice; J. J. Urquhart and Byron Whitne}', constables.

1895. Supervisors, J. D. Burg-hardt, chairman, Frank Allen and L. G. Carlstrom; P. E. Howe, clerk; Charles Haig-ht, treasurer; Charles Harvey, assessor.

1896. Supervisors, Frank Allen, chairman, Olof Olson and John H. Johnson; P. E. Howe, clerk; S. A. Johnson, treasurer; Charles Harvey, assessor.

1897. Supervisors, Frank Allen, chairman, Olof Olson and John H. Johnson; P. E. Howe, clerk; S. A. Johnson, treasurer; Charles Harvey, assessor.

1898. Supervisors, Olof Olson, chairman, Georg-e K. Rockwood and Madison Bennett; Perry E. Howe, clerk; S. A. Johnson, treasurer; Henry Harvey, assessor.

1899. Supervisors, Olof Olson, chairman, Georg-e K. Rockwood and Madison Bennett; Perry E. Howe, clerk; S. A. Johnson, treasurer; Henry Harvey, assessor.