Historical Marker

A museum in Spearfish's future?

2012-01-26T15:08:00.001-07:00

There have long been rumblings about a local museum for Spearfish.

And it seems the topic is beginning to catch on with citizens from different parts of the community.

At the November meeting of the Spearfish Area Historical Society board of directors, there was preliminary discussion about the virtues and the challenges of starting a museum that is dedicated to things relating to the rich history of Spearfish. While there was no definitive action taken, members agreed to share thoughts on the idea, and at least begin a dialogue on the topic.

Then councilman Doug Schmit led a discussion at the December 19, 2011 meeting of the Spearfish City Council regarding the need to find a place to "consolidate and keep them." He expressed a desire to visit with the historical society about its willingness and ability to take on the task of assembling and displaying items in a museum. He suggested that the basement of city hall might be an ideal temporary location until a permanent site can be found.

With that in mind, Schmit and City Administrator Joe Neeb has scheduled a public roundtable regarding a possible museum. It will be at 6:00 p.m. next Monday evening, January 30th, in the council chambers at City Hall. Interested persons are encouraged to attend

Davis busy on speaking trail

2012-01-10T14:27:00.001-07:00

LCHS life member Vernon Davis has been a busy man for the past few weeks, speaking before a couple of audiences in Lawrence and Butte counties.

On January 3rd, Davis spoke to about 75 members of the Spearfish Area Historical Society in Spearfish about his great uncle, "Buckskin" Johnny Spaulding, who was a key figure in the history surrounding the old Spearfish stockade. It was just one of many chapters of history about Spaulding, who was among early pioneers in this region of South Dakota.

Then on January 7th, Davis was on the speaking circuit again -- albeit to a somewhat smaller group -- regarding cemetery preservation.

You can read more about his cemetery presentation in Belle Fourche by simply clicking on this link to the online Butte County Post.

Case Library at Black Hills State University

2011-12-28T17:59:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, the Friends of Case Library at Black Hills State University distributed the fall edition of "The Black Hills Historian." It contains several interesting pieces, including an abbreviated version of the Johnson Siding story that we posted here last week. The newsletter also offers a variety of helpful tips, including a "Highlighted Resource," which this time focuses upon Lawrence County tax records. Well worth a visit. There's also a feature called "Highlighted Collection," which for this issue is described in the article below by Dr. David Wolff and Roberta Sago. Our thanks to both of them for allowing us to re-print their article here.

Highlighted Collection:

Wharf/Bald Mountain Mining Records

The records donated by the Wharf Mining Company dealprimarily with the Bald Mountain Mining Company (BMMC), which was organized in1928 and operated intermittently in the Bald Mountain/Terry Peak areas until1959. While the company was a late arrival in terms of Black Hills mininghistory, the ground it worked had been prospected and developed since 1877. Inthat year, A.J. Smith located the claims that eventually became part of theBald Mountain Mining Company.

The first actual mining company to precede the BMMC was thePortland Mining Co., organized in 1880, but its production was limited becauseof difficulties in treating the area’s refractory gold ore. In 1911 thePortland Company purchased the American Eagle Mining Co., including its cyanidemill, and the property was reorganized as the Trojan Mining Co. From that timeuntil 1923, the Trojan company produced about 300,000 ounces of gold. Risingcosts caused this company to close, and the property underwent another reorganization,this time as the Bald Mountain Mining Co.

The new entity did some exploration, but actual productiondid not begin until 1933 when the government raised the price of gold to $35 anounce. The increase allowed the company to do well, but only for a time. Withthe price of gold fixed at $35 an ounce through the 1950s, profits disappearedand the operation closed. The Wharf took control of the property in the 1980swhen the federal government stopped regulating the price of gold, and miningagain became profitable.

The Wharf Records collection consists of 10.5 cubic feet orrecords and more than 1,000 mining maps and blueprints. Materials are dated from 1893-1960 andinclude: Balance Sheets1949-1954;Journal dated 1934-1958, recording ore mined, weight, dry, bullion, percent ofwater, percent of bullion; Invoices 1956-1958, detailing purchase Records,Stock Records of Equipment, List of and location of Equipment on property,Record of Supplies Purchased fromthe Company by the miners; Information about other mining companies; BMMCInvestigations into other types of ore; Mill performance data; Surveyor’s Log;General Assay Book; Test Notes; Oil Lands and Leases 1897-1920; Uranium,Uranium Mining 1953-1955, Uranium Legislation 1950-1955, Uranium Analysis1953-1955; Advertising Pamphlets and catalogs; Information on andcorrespondence concerning new equipment 1934-1958; Personnel Records; Orderbook; Wage scale; Abstracts of Title; Shipment Statements; Purchase Orders; C.E.Dawson Correspondence, 1937-1948; Traverse Sheets; and Calculation Sheets.

Wharf Resources, Inc. donated these records in 1987. You can search the inventory of themaps online at:

http://iis.bhsu.edu/lis/specialcollections/search.cfm

In addition to the materials donated in 1987, The City ofDeadwood Archives donated 28 boxes of materials and nine ledgers to enhance theWharf / Bald Mountain Mining Records collection. These documents cover the company history from the 1930s tothe 1950s.

NOTE: Case Library is located on the second floor of the E.Y. Berry Library-Learning Center on the campus of Black Hills State University. More information about the library can be found at: Case Library.

Johnson Siding...

2011-12-15T14:49:00.002-07:00

A History of a Black Hills Sawmill

There are so many places across the region that have fascinating histories that it's hard to keep up with them. And sometimes we drive right by familiar locations, not fully appreciating the history behind them.

Such is the case of Johnson Siding, nestled along South Dakota Highway 44 about 10 miles west of Rapid City. Just over the county line in Pennington County, it's one of those places that we often hear about, perhaps frequently drive by, but without giving much thought to its history -- or how it got its name.

Fortunately, an Adjunct Instructor of History for Black Hills State University at the University Center in Rapid City has helped fill the void regarding Johnson Siding.

Erik Iverson researched and wrote the following article while enrolled in the Mountains of History (MOH) program supported by a grant from the U. S. Department of Education. It was in collaboration with Black Hills State University, Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, the Chiesman Foundation, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Technology in Education (TIE) of Rapid City. A resident of Rapid City since 1984, Iverson graduated from Rapid City Central and earned a degree in Social Studies from Black Hills State University. He has a Master's Degree in American History from Ashland University in Ohio and has taught in Rapid City Schools for 12 years.

Iverson's research into Johnson Siding is also a bit of family research. His wife of nearly 20 years, Heidi, was a Johnson. They have four children: Emily, 14; Isaak, 11; Aaron, 9; and Aiden, 6. It was Heidi's great, great, grandfather Johnson whose name became indelibly linked to that special place called Johnson Siding.

Our thanks to Erik Johnson for allowing us to publish here his article entitled:

They Call It Johnson Siding: a History of a Black Hills Sawmill

A peek at early education in Deadwood

2011-12-10T18:01:00.001-07:00

Jerry Bryant

Jerry Bryant, immediate past president of the Lawrence County Historical is a dogged researcher and frequent contributor to our on-line newsletter.

Jerry's latest initiative has been an examination of education in early Deadwood, and -- as usual -- he's found a bevy of interesting information that old-timers and newcomers alike will enjoy. After poring through 10 years of archived copies of the Black Hills Pioneer and the Black Hills Times, Jerry offers a glimpse of early Deadwood schools -- and teachers.

Prominent among them was the lady Jerry identifies as the first public school teacher in Deadwood, Minnie Callison, whose early demise is described in Jerry Bryan's article. Click on the link below to read:

Deadwood Public Schools 1876-1886
Read more...

Cerney tells about Black Hills fire towers

2011-11-13T23:37:00.001-07:00

It was 100 years ago that the first fire rustic lookout was built in the Black Hills atop Harney Peak, the highest point between theRocky Mountains and the European Alps. The structure was quite modest when compared to the stone lookouts later erected by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. By mid-Twentieth Century, steeltowers had replaced many of the old wooden structures.

Author Jan Cerney (left) with
LCHS president Jeannine Guern

South Dakota author Jan Cerney shared a few photos and lotsof facts about fire towers with members of the Lawrence County HistoricalSociety on Sunday (11/13/11) atthe organization’s annual meeting in Deadwood. The dinner session was held at the Homestake Adams Researchand Cultural Center and was catered by the Stage Stop Café at Cheyenne Crossing.

Cerney’s presentation was largely based on a book aboutHarney Peak and the Historic Fire Lookout Towers of the Black Hills NationalForest that she co-authored with Roberta Sago of Black Hills StateUniversity. Cerney lives ona ranch with her husband, Bob, in the South Dakota Bad Lands. Both Cerney and Sago have authoredseveral books published by Arcadia, a leading publisher of local historiesacross the United States.

“Before they even began to construct towers, horses wereused to patrol the area, and they’d have to ride a distance to report anyfires,” said Cerney.

Early lookouttowers were quite humble, including those that were created simply by drivingspikes into a tall tree, allowing a lookout to climb to a high vantage point toscan the region. That was thesimple strategy employed by the Homestake Mine lookout that was used nearMoskee. They later added aplatform to the top.

This fire tower at Cement Ridge near the Wyoming-South Dakota border is one
of only a few such facilities that remain in operation across the Black Hills.

“Most of theold towers that were built later have become hiking destinations – some aregone and totally destroyed – but a few are still used,” she noted. They include structures at MountCoolidge, Bear Mountain, Cement Ridge, Elk Mountain, and at Warren Peak in Wyoming.

“The Lakota called Harney Peak the center of the world,” Cerney told the group. “Lakota leader Black Elk,his son Ben, poet John Neihardt and his daughters Enid and Hilda made apilgrimage to Harney Peak back in 1931.”

Stage Coach Cafe at Cheyenne Crossing provided
a superb lunch for the annual meeting of the LCHS.

The next year, Neihardt and Black Elk collaborated on thebook Black Elk Speaks, which told the story of Black Elk, a Lakota medicineman.

Cerney showed a few of the more than 200 photographsincluded in her book. Today,perhaps the most recognizable remaining watch tower is the stone structureperched more than 7,200 feet above the Black Hills on Harney Peak. It typifies the solid structures thatwere the handiwork of the CCC, which started building the tower in April of1938. By that November, they hadused some 7,000 stones, 500 bricks, and 15,000 hollow tiles. It was completed in 1939.

The November 13th meetingserved as the Annual Meeting for the Lawrence County Historical Society. New officers were introduced, includingJeannine Guern of Deadwood, president; Norma Kraemer of Deadwood,vice-president; Jacke Mitchell of Spearfish, treasurer; and Donna Watson ofDeadwood, secretary. Members were delight to see Jerry Bryant and his wife, Linda, at this meeting. Bryant had stepped down from the presidency earlier this year due to health reason.

You can review more photographs and additional information about the November meeting in our Historical Marker Gallery.

Weavers battle Preston Cemetery vegetation

2011-10-07T19:32:00.000-06:00

Jim and Verla Weaver visited the Preston Cemetery on Sunday, October 2, welcomed by a rather overwhelming overgrowth of vegetation. They cut down 40 or 50 finger sized saplings, a couple of two-inch pines, and many weeds.

"There were many thistles, some poison ivy, and many other weeds," Jim said.

"In general the site looks very good. It was a good time to visit as the fall colors were beautiful and the temp was good for working.

As we were approached the cemetery, perhaps as close as 100 yard from the cemetery, we surprised a mountain lion in the the road. He quickly turned about face and bounded into the woods."

Verla snapped this photo shortly after they arrived at the cemetery.

Black Hills Feature Film Company

2011-09-01T20:47:00.000-06:00

More than a decade before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences began staging Academy Award ceremonies in Hollywood, one of the earliest western films about Wild Bill Hickock was produced in…….Chadron, Nebraska?

Not that the movie would have won an Oscar. According to the Nebraska State Historical Society, it wasn’t even close to being an accurate depiction of Wild Bill, but it was an ambitious undertaking for a group of local folks in Chadron who produced the film.

Entitled Wild Bill and Calamity Jane in the Days of ’75 and ’76, the 1916 movie was said to have embraced several “state of the art” production techniques, including film masking and titles within the film. Most intriguing for us was the fact that local citizens created the Black Hills Feature Film Company and sold stock in an effort to bankroll the project. We don’t know how many shares they sold, but one “William Chalk” was the proud owner of Certificate No. 4, shown here.

Interestingly, the certificate is signed by Willis Schenck, Secretary, and A. L. Andrews, President, of the Black Hills Feature Film Company – and Schenck also performed in the film. According to the credits, he played the role of “Nettie’s father.”

But the real limelight of this film was focused on a young lady by the name of Freeda Hartzell Romine, who – according to the Centennial History of Chadron, Nebraska (1985) – was born in Nebraska but grew up in Deadwood, South Dakota. That’s where, so the story goes, she learned to become an expert rifle shot and honed her skills well enough to appear in the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis with Will Rogers. She would have been only about 12 or 13 years old. The photo here shows Freeda with fellow performers in Wild Bill and Calamity Jane in the Days of '75 and '76.

The young lass also toured with Buffalo Bill Cody’s Western Show for several years, according to an account in Dawes County - The First 100 Years, published in 1985. She and her railroader husband, Guy Romine, had a daughter, Catherine. Many years later, the Romine’s divorced. Freeda reportedly lived for several more years in Chadron, but also had a home in Indiana. We know nothing about her final days.

Other "locals" in the film included Freeda's mother, Mary Hartzell, who portrayed Calamity's mother, and A.L. Johnson, who was cast as Wild Bill. Barney Efting played the infamous Jack McCall, while Dick Iaeger was Calamity's brother. In researching this local drama troupe, we discovered that Iaeger was an uncle to Karen (Kindig) Schlais, who still lives in Chadron.

Alas, this film – and the film company – were also lost in obscurity. Fortunately, the movie was finally “re-discovered” some years ago and placed in the Nebraska archives in Lincoln. It was dusted off and featured a few years ago by Nebraska Educational Television in their Next Exit series.

Enjoy this glimpse of film magic that is nearly 100 years old.

Fall tour to explore historic Hot Springs

2011-08-02T19:54:00.003-06:00

An early view of Hot Springs with the old Gillespie Hotel at left, rail depot in center, Evans Hotel at right.

In what’s sure to be an exciting overnight trek to thesouthern Black Hills, the Lawrence CountyHistorical Society is taking reservations for their grand Fall Tour, scheduledfor Saturday and Sunday, September 17^th and 18^th.

Participants will tour the world-famous Mammoth Site…..examine the unique architecture of the 1890 Railroad Depot that welcomedthousands of people to this community of "hot springs"………explorethe marvelous four-story Pioneer Museum perched atop a hill overlooking the town……and get a close-up view of the 193 acres that comprise theFitzmaurice State Veteran Home, as well as the expansive Black Hills VA Center that has served tens of thousands of military veterans from South Dakota and surroundingstates.

“This is perhaps one of the most unique tours our societyhas sponsored in recent years,” said LCHS Vice-President Jeannine Guern ofDeadwood.

“We’ll travel via a luxury Stagecoach Lines bus fromDeadwood south through the Hills, enjoying both the autumn scenery and anon-board lunch. Lodging will be at theAmerican Best Value Inn, situated along beautiful Fall River in the heart of Hot Springs.”

After visiting the grounds of the Veteran’s Home and theVA under the guidance of experienced local tour guide Margaret Hunter, the group will arrive at the old rail depot and enjoy a short walking tour of this historic area. It will end at the nearby Black HillsBooks and Treasures, while owner Diane Gross will provide additional insightinto the River Street neighborhood that is chock full of history – and offer a 20 percent discount on store merchandise! Then the tour bus will wind its way up the hill to the Pioneer Museum, where you can marvel at the historic old sandstone school house and view a wide variety of exciting exhibits that document early Hot Springs history.

Fitzmaurice State Veteran Home

"Our group will then have an hour or two to kick back atthe inn or take a leisurely stroll along River Street to absorb the unique ambiance of this special place. Even the inn itself is situated upon one ofthe most venerable locations in the Black Hills – the old Sister’s Hospital,” said Guern.

Then it's off for some creature comfort and tasty grub at Woolly’s Western Grill,situated near the world-famous Mammoth Site, capping a day full of exciting discoveries and fun history with a delightful meal!

On Sunday morning, after a continental breakfast at the inn, the group again boards the bus for a short jaunt to the amazing Mammoth Site, the world's largest Columbian mammoth exhibit that has become a renowned research center. It's truly a window into the past that delights children and adults alike!

Then it's time for the comfortable and scenic return trip home – and yet another perspective of the beautiful Black Hills.

“The bus ride alone offers such a wonderful way to see thehills. Too often, as we motor through thehills, we miss so much while having to pay attention to our driving. Passengers on this trip will have a chance toreally absorb the beauty that so many folks take for granted!"

This rare tour package is offered at $125 per person andincludes transportation, lodging, meals, and all museum and tour fees. Reservations should be submitted – along withthe $125 registration fee – prior to Thursday, August 25^th to:

Lawrence County Historical Society

(Attn:Jeannine Guern)

P. O. Box 305

Deadwood, SD 57732

Questions? Contact Jeannine Guern at 605-892-2203 or 605-578-1086.

“We’ve already started receiving reservations, and seatingis limited to 56 persons, so it’s important that reservations are made early,”said Guern.

The Lawrence County Historical Society was formed in 1971 to "bring together those people interested in preserving, protecting, and promoting the history of Lawrence County and South Dakota. Membership is open to anyone. Just click on the "Member" tab at the top of this page, and you can be on your way to membership!

2011-08-02T19:51:00.000-06:00

Australian inquiry -- can anyone help?

2011-07-27T22:14:00.003-06:00

We've received an inquiry from an Australian author named Anthony Hill. It concerns an early-day Deadwood resident by the name of John G. Cowper. You'll find the full text of Mr. Hill's communication in this LCHS Inquiry document. Please contact him directly, if you're able to lend a hand to a friend from "Down Under."

LCHS Board to meet August 14th in Spearfish

2011-07-26T20:33:00.002-06:00

A board of directors meeting for the Lawrence County Historical Society is scheduled for 12 Noon on Sunday, August 14th, at Common Grounds coffee shop in Spearfish.

Common Grounds is located at 111 East Hudson Street in Spearfish.

The meeting is open to the public.

Cemetery research topic for June 26 meeting

2011-06-16T22:59:00.004-06:00

A Government Records Archivist with the South Dakota State Historical Society in Pierre will be the keynote speaker for the 2011 annual meeting of the Lawrence County Historical Society on Sunday, June 26, at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC) in Deadwood.

Virginia Hanson, a professional genealogist for more than 26 years, will focus on Cemetery Research for this luncheon meeting at the HARCC, located at 150 Sherman Street in Deadwood. The meeting will be at 12:00 noon, followed by lunch at 1:00 p.m. Cost for the luncheon is $10 per person and will be catered by Stage Stop Café at Cheyenne Crossing.

Ms. Hanson has given numerous presentations for both adult and student groups across the state on the subject of genealogy and family history research and records pertaining to South Dakota.

Membership in the Lawrence County Historical Society is open to anyone. The purpose of the society is to bring together those people interested in preserving, protecting, and promoting the history of Lawrence County and South Dakota. Annual membership is $5.00. Individual Life Memberships are $50.

For further information about the meeting, contact president Jerry Bryant at 605-722-7474, or Jeannine Guern at 605-892-2203.

Despite rain.....Historic Homes Tour a success!

2011-05-23T19:08:00.006-06:00

More than 80 people joined the Lawrence County Historical Society for its first Historic Homes Tour yesterday (5/22/11) in historic Deadwood.

Despite relentless rains that had swollen creeks around the area, tour participants began aggregating at the Homestake Adams Archives and Cultural Center (HARCC) shortly after noon, eager to get started on the adventure.

“We were delighted with the turnout,” said event chairman Jeannine Guern. “It was a new experience for us, and we hope to build on this opportunity and create even better tours in the future.”

The Louie LeLonde home was one of five homes
included in the LCHS Historic Homes Tour.

Bad weather and reducing the number of homes on the tour from seven to five didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of participants.

“This was a wonderful experience – rich with history,” one young man told LCHS volunteers after the tour.

For the Lawrence County Historical Society (LCHS), the event netted more than $800.

The society is deeply grateful to the owners of the historic homes included in the tour. They not only allowed participants to come in to their homes – they enriched the experience by sharing information and stories about the historic structures. You'll find additional photos and narrative information in our LCHS Gallery.

Our sincere thanks go to: Louie LaLonde, Raven Van Tassell, Lynn Namminga, Larry Kracht, and Dustin and Laura Floyd. Without their participation and support, the tour simply could not have succeeded.

The Dustin & Laura Floyd home is in the midst
of significant restoration and improvement.

Bruce Oberlander of Dakota Graphics was great help with our posters and other print materials, while Mary Kopco and staff at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center were unwavering in their support for this event.

Lots of LCHS volunteers worked long and hard to ensure the success of the tour. Among them: Donna Watson, Jeannine Guern, Lynn Namminga, Jacke Mitchell, Linda Bryant, Norma Kraemer, Judy Farris, Larry Miller, Marshall Raeburn, Mike Runge, as well as Sam and Linda Namminga. Also, a tip of the hat to Deadwood Trolley driver Richard Marsolek, who did a superb job of shuttling people as needed between locations. Of course, the assistance and support from the City of Deadwood, which provided the Trolley, was invaluable.

By the way, you'll find a nice set of interior photographs of the Lynn Namminga home in our Namminga Gallery.

Many thanks to both First Gold and Four Aces casinos for donating free dinners to two lucky tour participants: Barbara Ayer of Nemo and Doug Kraft of Belle Fourche. Congratulations Barbara and Doug!

2011-05-04T13:53:00.001-06:00

Hidden treasure: Terry school photo

2011-03-26T22:51:00.001-06:00

Undated school photograph believed to be from Terry, South Dakota.

Over the past several days, members of the Lawrence County Historical Society have been completing an inventory of a couple of filing cabinets containing old society financial records, manuscripts, audio tapes, photographs, and sundry other materials.

Among the treats we came across was this undated school photograph. On the back of the photo was written Terry school children and teachers. Terry has been a subject of much discussion lately, so we thought you might be interested in this photo.

Even better, we're hopeful that someone may recognize the photo -- perhaps have a better copy of it. Best of all, perhaps we could date and begin identifying some of the people in the photo.

Want to see a higher resolution version of this photo? Visit our LCHS Gallery.

Fassbenders are focus of Higbee talk Thursday

2011-03-26T15:23:00.001-06:00

Spearfish writer and historian Paul Higbee will be in Deadwood this week (3/31/11) to give a talk about the lives and work of Joseph and George Fassbender. The father and son were well-known photographers who -- together -- documented more than 70 years of life in western South Dakota.

Presented under the auspices of the Adams Museum and House, Higbee will give his talk in the Deadwood City Hall beginning at noon. Admission is by donation.

The Fassbender collection is housed at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center, just across the building from our LCHS Room at the HARCC.

From the 1920s until the 1990s, the Fassbenders took photographs of rodeos, businesses, railroading, and probably thousands of "senior portraits" for students across the Black Hills. The Fassbender collection also includes early glass plate negatives.

Plight of Terry Cemetery garners statewide interest

2011-03-20T22:47:00.003-06:00

It's not a "done deal," but the historic Terry Cemetery appears to have dodged the bullet -- at least for the moment. The 1.3 acre cemetery is within an expansion area that Wharf Resources hopes to mine for gold over the next few years.

The South Dakota Board of Minerals and Environment last Thursday (3/17/11) voted to include the cemetery on a list of "Special, Exceptional, Critical or Unique Lands," effectively protecting the cemetery from disturbance by Wharf -- at least until the Board makes a final determination, and that decision may not come for several months.

The cemetery lies adjacent to State Highway 473 about three miles west of Lead on the way to the Terry Peak Lodge and Wharf Resources, but it is hidden from motorists by a wooded hill.

Wharf's plans have attracted considerable media attention, and a story written by veteran capitol reporter Bob Mercer has found ink across the state from Aberdeen and Mitchell to Pierre and Spearfish.

One of the more recent stories regarding the embattled cemetery appeared in the Pierre Capitol Journal last Friday (3/18/11), and you can read it here. The story was headlined, "Wharf Official says Terry Cemetery won't be mined."

Terry, South Dakota -- an early view

2011-03-11T20:16:00.048-07:00

The following article was originally posted on Black Hills Journal, a web site dealing with both contemporary and historic aspects of the Black Hills region.

Undated view of Terry, South Dakota

With all the talk lately about the Terry Cemetery, which appears threatened by the planned expansion of gold mining near Terry Peak, we thought it might be of interest to post this photograph from the Lawrence County Historical Society archives.

The undated image -- probably taken at the dawn of the 20th century -- contains considerable detail. It is simply labeled "Terry." As can be seen, Terry was a formidable community, reliant upon the mining industry. Some of the old gold mining operations of an earlier era can be seen to the left in the photo. That's probably the main operation of the Golden Reward Mining Company, which was easily the biggest business in Terry.

Terry was also a stop on the Burlington rail line.

Calamity Jane

In her book Roadside History of South Dakota, author Linda Hasselstrom wrote that Terry was "home to a thousand people in 1893" and was one of the larger communities of Lawrence County.

If you click on the town photo above, you'll see a larger image, and you'll be able to more clearly see details of the old town, including the steeple of a church climbing skyward in the upper right quadrant.

By most accounts, Martha Jane Cannary -- better known as Calamity Jane -- died in 1903 at the Calloway Hotel in Terry. She was 51 years old. Apparently Jane had requested that she be buried in Deadwood near Wild Bill Hickok, which is exactly what happened.

Some reckon that Hickok probably wouldn't have been too keen on that arrangement. But for Calamity Jane, it was probably just as well. Otherwise, she might have been buried in Terry, meaning that she could be uprooted anyway, if Wharf Resources chooses to go after the gold they believe is underneath the old Terry Cemetery.

Terry Cemetery

Disturbing the old cemetery at Terry.......now THAT is something many folks might consider a real calamity.

There are at least 120 souls who "went to their final resting place" at Terry Cemetery. Although less than a couple of hundred yards away from Nevada Gulch Road (State Highway 473), the cemetery is hidden by a steep hill that runs adjacent to the busy road. Workers on their way home from a day at Wharf Resources -- and skiers on their way to Terry Peak Lodge -- are likely oblivious to the existence of this historic little cemetery.

If you have information or photos about the old town of Terry that you'd like to contribute, please contact us at Black Hills Journal.

Something "fishy" in Spearfish?

2011-03-02T14:25:00.001-07:00

Perhaps one of most overlooked historic sites in the beautiful Black Hills is nestled in a small canyon on the south side of Spearfish.

The D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery has been a city landmark for more than 110 years. Created in 1896, the facility was a very successful fish production sites – one of the earliest in the west.

It started hatching fish in 1899 and remained true to its mission “to propagate, stock, and establish trout populations in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming." For many years, the old Spearfish National Fish Hatchery was headquarters for federal hatchery operations across much of the western United States.

Members of the Spearfish Area Historical Society learned all about the historic hatchery last night (2/1/11) at the March meeting of the society at the Spearfish Senior Citizen’s Center.

Despite bitter cold temperatures, a good crowd was on hand to hear hatchery curator Randi Smith talk about the early days of the hatchery, as well as a few tips about preserving documents and photogrphs.

Smith, shown at left, has been at the fish facility since 1992, but she nearly missed her career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She was a math major at the University of California-Davis when she became involved with the Antique Mechanics Club. She ended up with a degree in history and a job as an interpretive historian in California State Parks. That was followed by a 15-year-stint as curator at the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in Montana, which she says is “one of the most intact historic sites around.” At D.C. Booth, she takes care of the museum, house, exhibits, research, and the museum collection and archives.

Smith traced the origin of U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&WS) back to 1871, when it was known as the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries – or simply the “Fish Commission.” Its first leader was Spencer Fullerton Baird, who also served simultaneously as Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

The first superintendent of the Spearfish hatchery was DeWitt Clinton (D.C.) Booth. A large, two-story house was built for the Booth family in 1905, and it remains an inviting landmark on the hatchery grounds.

“By the late 1970’s, the Fish and Wildlife Service started putting the first museum collections at Spearfish,” said Smith. “They recognized that they were accumulating historical items across the country – books, equipment, pictures, including a time capsule and other artifacts from the Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery at Leadville, Colorado.”

In 1982, the Museum and Visitor Center opened, and the historical collections “really took off,” according to Smith. The following year, the McNenny National Fish Hatchery just northwest of Spearfish was turned over to the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. While D.C. Booth Historic National Fish hatchery continued to rear fish that were hatched at McNenny, the Booth facility began to focus more on history. It became a center for the collection of historic fisheries material from across the country, as well as the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

In addition to the many exhibits and historical items open to the public, Smith estimated that there are “about 175,000” items in storage that have come from across the region and the country.

“In the 1990’s, funding was received to construct an archive building, formally named the Collection Management Facility,” says Smith. The collection includes materials from both public and private entities, including items from tribal governments. While the original collection focused on hatchery items, it has been expanded to include anything related to fisheries. Hatchery offices are also in the building.

Smith expressed the desire that many of the records and photographs at D.C. Booth be scanned and be made available to the public via the internet.

Touching a bit upon archival methods, Smith shared a number of hints that people can use to avoid damaging old photographs and documents. Using acid-free paper and folders is important, as is shying away from products that contain adhesives – including rubber bands.

Pointing out that volunteers play a critical role in the operation of the historic hatchery, Smith took a moment to recognize several hatchery volunteers who were in the audience. You can learn more about the D. C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery by visiting this link at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

LCHS moves in to the HARCC....home at last!

2011-01-31T21:10:00.005-07:00

New home for the Lawrence County Historical Society.

About 20 members of the Lawrence County Historical Society braved sub-zero temperatures today (1/31/11) for a bit of celebrating, as the society held its first-ever meeting in the new Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC) building in Deadwood.

The group enjoyed cake, coffee and punch, followed by a tour of the HARCC, which is located at 150 Sherman Street.

LCHS president Jerry Bryant and Adams House and Museum Director Mary Kopco signed an agreement some weeks ago that gives the society a home in perpetuity – or at least as long as Adams Museum & House, Inc. “remains the custodian” of HARCC. While a room there is named the Lawrence County Historical Society Room, it will be used for a variety of other functions as well. It will, however, serve as a site for LCHS meetings and research.

The HARCC staff have outfitted the LCHS Room with a marvelous conference table and several side chairs – furniture that came from the old Homestake Mining Company. “We’ll have the table top smoothed up a bit for you,” said Mary Kopco, who indicated that they’ll also place a desk in the room for society use, augmenting an existing filing cabinet.

A spacious kitchen lies adjacent to the LCHS room.

Kopco and Assistant Adams H&M Director Carolyn Weber led the group on a tour through both the upstairs and downstairs of the building. For most members, it was the first time they’d been in the 17,000 square foot structure, which is designed to protect over 10,000 cubic feet of original documents in a climate-controlled and secure environment.

In 2005, Barrick Gold Corporation, successor to the Homestake Mining Company, donated the Homestake archival records to the Adams House. The Adams board of directors realized that a new building was necessary to care for the materials – and offer public accessibility to the records. The City of Deadwood bought the building to serve as the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center.

Ed Furois outside the Fassbender
vault during the LCHS tour.

The facility is the repository for extensive collections, including 126 years of maps and drawings of the Black Hills region, 45,000 historic photographs, slides and glass plate negatives; and a wide array of assay ledgers, diaries, scrapbooks, correspondence, blueprints, archaeological drawings, and much more.

The much-heralded Fassbender collection is also archived at the HARCC. Comprised of more than 800,000 photographs, negatives, slides and motion picture footage from over nearly 100 years, the collection is now at the HARCC. Josef Fassbender owned and operated Black Hills Studios for many decades. His son, George, took over the business in 1958 and operated it until the late 1980s. When George Fassbender died in 1998, he willed the collection to Ed Furois and Johnny Sumners of Spearfish.

Lawrence County Historical Society helped facilitate preservation of the collection, which was purchased last year by the cities of Deadwood, Lead and Spearfish. The publicly-owned collection was then moved to the HARCC, where it is secured in a climate-controlled vault.

LCHS treasurer Jacke Mitchell (right) presents a first
installment check to Adams H&M Director Mary Kopco.

The HARCC hopes to provide easy access to a multitude of documents never before available to the public – and to host classes for secondary and post-secondary students on topics ranging from geology and astronomy to engineering and archaeology.

We've placed a few HARCC tour photographs in the the LCHS Gallery. There are some others there, too, that you might enjoy seeing.

While health issues prevented LCHS president Jerry Bryant from attending this special gathering, treasurer Jacke Mitchell took on the task of presenting Mary Kopco with the first of three $5,000 payments that the society will make over the next several months.

Another bit of good news for the society – South Dakota Secretary of State Jason Gant last week (1/24/11) signed the Articles of Incorporation documents for the Lawrence County Historical Society. Revisions to society bylaws will be recommended to the LCHS board of directors when they meet at 3:00 p.m., on Friday, February 25^th at the HARCC in Deadwood.

Remembering Cynthia Cleveland

2011-01-26T15:53:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month, we posted a short video clip about a January 4^th presentation given in Spearfish by Black Hills State University professor Laura Palmenero-Chilberg. She surveyed the role of women’s clubs across the region and in the United States, but gave special emphasis to Spearfish and the northern Black Hills.

You’ll find a short summary of her “Early Spearfish Women’s Clubs” presentation on the Spearfish Area Historical Society web site.

Cynthia Cleveland

Shortly afterwards, LCHS President Jerry Bryant shared with us a newspaper clipping about another “women’s club” (of sorts!) that had major influence across the country – and a lady who played a key role in its development.

She was Cynthia Eloise Cleveland. Reputed to be a distant cousin of president Grover Cleveland, Cynthia was born in New York in 1845. The family later moved to Michigan and then to Nebraska. By the time she was in her 30’s, Cynthia Cleveland had become actively involved with the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

“After a brief four-year association with WCTU, Cynthia was offered an appointment by the national office as president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union in the Dakotas,” writes Bryant.

Conversations with Jerry Bryant have revealed that Cynthia Cleveland was much more than a traditional pioneer woman.

Lecturer. Temperance activist. Author. Attorney. And a favorite of the media, at least in her earlier years. Of course, “the media” consisted mostly of newspaper folks, publishing papers in even the smallest of communities.

Jerry Bryant

“In the short span of three days,” says Bryant about Cleveland’s 1881 arrival in Deadwood, she “swayed the Deadwood press into believing that her cause was not only just, but that her approach was logical and her views anything but fanatical.” The Black Hills Daily Times published many of her articles and wrote that Cleveland was probably “the best single-handed talker who ever visited the Hills,” and that “it would do the old sinners of Deadwood a world of good to go and hear her at least once.”

Many Black Hills history buffs likely have never heard of Cynthia Cleveland, and those who have probably know little about her. Her's is a story worth telling, and so a few years back Jerry Bryant researched and wrote, “Cynthia in the Dakotas,” which briefly chronicles her life.

Cynthia Cleveland left a pretty big swath across Dakota Territory long before women were allowed even to vote – let alone serve as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives! You’ll find Jerry Bryant’s piece well worth the read.

Journal story confirms Wharf's position

2011-01-10T11:44:00.001-07:00

Following up on an earlier story, Rapid City Journal reporter Kevin Woster has interviewed a few folks with different perspectives on the proposed expansion of gold mining near Terry Peak by Wharf Resources. His article, Terry Cemetery move unlikely in near-term mining expansion, appeared yesterday (1/9/11) in the Rapid City Journal.

Rapid City Journal photo by Kristina Barker

Comments attributed to Wharf general manager Bill Shand reaffirmed what LCHS President Jerry Bryant was told by Shand earlier in the week: moving the Terry Cemetery is "unlikely" within the next five years.

Woster also contacted Jolene Rantapaa, Secretary of the Terry Cemetery Association, whose comments give rise to another sticky question: if Wharf doesn't move the cemetery, how can the dwindling membership and resources of the cemetery association continue to maintain the remote cemetery? It's a question that looms for other old cemeteries in similar circumstance across Lawrence County and elsewhere.

Already chafing from having lost historic buildings and artifacts to the Wharf gold mining operations in the Terry and Trojan vicinities, the Lawrence County Historical Society board of directors met last week to explore ways that the society might assist with the preservation and maintenance of county cemeteries that are struggling.

The LCHS board will convene again in a few weeks to further examine -- among other things -- what steps it might be able to take regarding cemeteries. The group is scheduled to meet at 3:00 p.m., Friday, February 25th, 2011, in the LCHS Room of the newly-completed Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC) in Deadwood.

Bryant: "No Emergency" at Terry Cemetery

2011-01-03T17:00:00.005-07:00

It appears that there is no imminent threat to the Terry Cemetery.

LCHS President Jerry Bryant spoke today (1/3/11) with Wharf Resources General Manager Bill Shand, who said he believes Wharf has no plans to do anything with the old cemetery for at least the next five years.

Wharf had filed documents with the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources on September 27th, indicating their intention to significantly expand their large scale gold mining operation near Terry Peak. (See our story of 12/25/10: Terry cemetery area targeted.) If approved, Wharf would expand its heap-leach gold mine operation by some 600 acres, including the old Golden Reward mining area. The Terry Cemetery was included in their request for “Determination of Special, Exceptional, Critical or Unique Lands” submitted to DENR.

Shand told Bryant that, if and when Wharf decides to do anything with the cemetery – which “he doubts” – they will give “ample” notice to LCHS and other interested parties.

After talking with Shand and State Archaeologist Mike Fosha about the cemetery, Bryant said it would appear there is no emergency regarding possible disturbance of the cemetery.

“But it never hurts to be prepared, and we’ll have our ducks in a row to combat it, whether it’s at Terry Cemetery or some other cemetery,” said Bryant.

At least one individual plans to submit a nominating petition to include the cemetery on the preliminary list of “Special, Exceptional, Critical, or Unique Lands. Jeannine Guern, who is active with both the Black Hills Pioneers and LCHS, plans to file her document with DENR before the January 11^th deadline.

Cemetery preservation and maintenance is on the agenda for the LCHS Board of Directors when they meet tomorrow afternoon (1/4/11) in Deadwood. The 4 o’clock meeting will take place at the Deadwood City Library.

The Board is also expected to discuss and take action regarding a contract with the Adams Museum and House, establishing the “terms and conditions” for use of the designated “LCHS Room” in the new Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center. LCHS earlier approved spending $15,000 to gain space “in perpetuity” in the nearly-completed HARCC, which is located at 150 Sherman Street in Deadwood.

Construction on the structure is all but complete, and efforts are underway to outfit the facility. A grand opening celebration is slated for Thursday, June 16th, 2011.

2010-12-28T22:46:00.000-07:00

LAWRENCE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

December 28, 2010

--MEETING NOTICE--

There will be a meeting of the Board of Directors of the

Lawrence County Historical Society at

4:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Deadwood Public Library

435 Williams Street

Deadwood, South Dakota

Topic:

Preservation and maintenance of

cemeteries within Lawrence County

Terry Cemetery area targeted

2010-12-25T11:16:00.012-07:00

With gold prices nearly double what they were 10 years ago, Wharf Resources indicates they're moving forward with plans to expand their mining operations near Terry Peak -- and that could have implications for the Terry Cemetery.

Although Wharf started its application process in September, it's been pretty much under the radar ever since. That is, until a story by Kevin Woster emerged last week in the Rapid City Journal. Woster wrote that the proposal "worries some nearby landowners and could force the relocation of more than 200 graves in the Terry Cemetery."

Above is a bit of history regarding the Terry Cemetery as depicted in the LCHS 1994 publication "Cemeteries and Graves in Lawrence County and Environs," edited by Irma Klock.

We suspect Wharf's proposal will gain additional attention in coming days as folks have an opportunity to comment on their plan. If you wish to be heard, you should act by Tuesday, January 11th. For a wealth of information -- and an opportunity to comment -- go to the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources web site.

As a sidebar, we are reminded of the appropriate steps taken some years back by Hershey Food Corporation when they discovered an old cemetery on land they were preparing to convert to a parking lot near their west plant in Hershey, Pennsylvania. As it turns out, it was an old Hammacher family cemetery, ancestors of many Hamaker families now living in western South Dakota and western Nebraska. Hershey stepped up to the plate and did the right thing by taking leadership in helping to preserve this historic cemetery. We believe their actions serve as a model of corporate and civic responsibility.

We hope Wharf Resources will display the same kind of leadership, but a public nudge in that direction might help.

Con Stapleton: Deadwood's First Marshal

2010-12-17T12:06:00.001-07:00

Submitted by Jerry Bryant
LCHS president

Born in 1848, Con Stapleton first set foot on American soil on 17 May 1872 in New York City. He had departed Ireland from Queenstown and made the journey berthed in the steerage section of the sailing steamer Manhattan.[1]

The Manhattan was a large two masted steamer that carried cargo and immigrants from Europe to the United States. On the voyage that brought Con Stapleton to the United States she was carrying more than 600 passengers, most of whom were traveling 3^rd class.

No records have been found indicating what Stapleton was doing between his arrival in the States and his appearance in Deadwood in 1876. He first appears in the Black Hill Pioneer when he was elected town marshal as part of the initial quasi-legal city government, on 16 September 1876.[2] On 25 September 1876, he was in the news again when John Manning and others of the community advertised the formation of the Democrats of Lawrence County. Con Stapleton was noted to be one of the newly elected delegates to a proposed convention that would occur on September the 29^th.[3]

Marshal Stapleton had his first real taste of duty when he received information and a photograph of a man who was wanted in Marion County, Iowa. The man, Horry Williams, had been convicted of murder. The judge asked him, after he was sentenced to twenty years imprisonment, if he had anything to say. His reply was short and to the point, “You may pass sentence on me, but I will never serve the term.” Later, as the sheriff was transporting him to the State Penitentiary, he overcame the sheriff and beat him to a “state of insensibility.” He then made good his escape.

On the 24^th of March, Stapleton solicited the assistance of Captain Hardwick and hit the trail in search of the desperado. They first traveled to Elk Creek, where they found that they were on the right trail, but a day and a half late. They slept overnight at Elk Creek and by 6:00 a.m. were back in hard pursuit. They rode to Battle River, and followed its course to Iron Creek. Here they encountered a cabin whose residents confirmed that the man they were looking for had been staying there and that he was presently out hunting. Stapleton and Hardwick decided to wait at the cabin for William’s return. At just about 5:00 p.m. the cabin door opened and they stood staring into the face of Horry Williams. Williams put his gun up at the request of his host, Dr. Woods and sat down to dinner. While eating and engaged in conversation, the Marshall and the Captain arrested him. Williams was transported back to Deadwood without incident, where the authorities in Iowa were notified. Captain Hardwick then returned Williams back to Iowa and prison. [4]

The Shooting of David Lunt

A bunch of the boys were sitting around having drinks and talking at Al Chapman’s Saloon on the cold winter evening of the 14^th of January 1877. Included in the group were Con Stapleton and David Lunt. David was a very well liked man around town with a reputation of being a fair and genial man. The conversation was good, the saloon was warm, and drinks were cheap, when all of a sudden the saloon door burst open. A man named Tom Smith came in and drew his revolver. Smith then stated that if anyone moved he would shoot him. He approached the group that Lunt was with, leveled his revolver and continued shouting threats. At this point Con Stapleton grabbed Smith and attempted to disarm him, when the revolver went off. The ball narrowly missed Stapleton’s head, continued on and struck David Lunt in the forehead. Smith was arrested and brought to trial over the incident, but it appears that the only charge they could get him on at the time was discharging a firearm at a town marshal. At court, the fact that David Lunt was also shot during the fracas did not seem to enter into the verdict. Tom Smith was taken off to Yankton for a real trial, which would also not consider the fact that Lunt was shot, and by March of the same year could be found walking the street of San Francisco.

But what about Lunt? Well, of course, everyone thought that he was going to die, and real soon, but instead he got up and started to do the same things he had been doing before he was shot. He actually seemed like his old self, even though a bullet had pass completely through his skull, until the 22^nd of March, when he began complaining of an extremely bad headache. Friends of his who owned the Centennial Hotel, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, took him in and tried to nurse him back to health, but he kept sinking lower and that night about a quarter till 11, he died. Drs. Bevan and Babcock conducted a post-mortem the following morning. Their findings were that the bullet had passed through Lunt’s head, and in the process the bullet had carried an inch and half long bone fragment deep into his brain. The bone fragment caused a large abscess to form and the right hemisphere of the brain began to fill with fluid. Now the determination was made that Smith had committed murder and so Sheriff Seth Bullock sent a telegram to ascertain Smith’s where abouts and to issue a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested in San Francisco and sent back to Yankton for trial. The question that begs to be answered in this story is; how did David Lunt live for 67 days with a bullet hole through his skull and brain?[5]

The Drawbacks of Not Having a Jail

As usual, most mining camp calamities happen at night and in a saloon, and such is the case of the shooting of Harry Varnes. Thirteen days after the tragedy of David Lunt’s shooting, Harry Varnes was shot and killed at Hanley’s Gayville saloon. The event started over what had been a friendly Saturday evening card game on the 27^th of January, 1877. At the end of the game, one of the players, a Blacksmith named Hartgrove, was angered over the outcome. Hartgrove made several statements that enraged one of the other players, Harry Varnes. Varnes then stood up, raised his chair over his head as to hit Hartgrove with it. The chair never fell, as the saloon’s proprietor restrained Varnes. Simultaneously Hartgrove drew his revolver, but was prevented from firing it by several of Varnes’ friends.

A short time elapsed and the crisis appeared to have ended, and then Hartgrove walked out of the saloon, but remained outside the door on the walk. Varnes called out to Hartgrove, asking him to come back in and have a drink, but Hartgrove declined. Between 10:00 and 11:00 Hartgrove kicked open the door to the saloon and stood outside. The previous argument was revived, and Hartgrove again drew his revolver and shot at Varnes through the door. With Varnes dying on the saloon floor, Hartgrove vanished into the night.

The next morning at approximately 6:00 a.m., Hartgrove woke up Marshal Stapleton at his room in Deadwood and explained what had happened the previous night, stating that he wished to give himself up. Stapleton replied, “all right; you know we have no jail here, so you must stop for the present where you are.” Hartgrove set down and began waiting. Soon he started complaining of the cold, so Stapleton told him to fire up the stove down stairs, and that he would be along when he was ready. Hartgrove warmed himself by the fire until about 9:00 a.m., when Stapleton came downstairs and joined him. At that time Hartgrove asked Stapleton if he could go consult with his lawyers, who had offices on the second floor of the same building. At this point, somewhere between the stove and the lawyer’s office, Hartgrove decided that he had inconvenienced Deadwood and it’s marshal long enough, and to quote the Pioneer; “That was the last seen of the perpetrator of this dread deed, and no doubt long ere this he is out of the reach of law or justice”[6]

On November the 7^th 1877 Con Stapleton’s job as marshal was finished. The Office of City Marshal ceased to exist and it’s duties taken over by the Sheriff of Lawrence County. Stapleton stayed in the Deadwood area only a short time during the year 1878. He was featured several times at the Gem Theater, once in a sparring match, another time in a wrestling match, and the last time as the referee for a wrestling match. After February of 1877 Stapleton drifted south to Denver, where it was reported that he had died in September of 1879. He would have been approximately 31 years old.

------------------------------

[1] . Records of immigrant entries to the City of New York, Ancestry.com

[2] . Black Hills Daily Pioneer, 16 Sept. 1876, pg4 col2

[3] . Black Hills Daily Pioneer, 25 Sept. 1876, pg1 col2

[4] . Black Hills Daily Pioneer, 31 march 1877, pg4 col2

[5] . Black Hills Daily Pioneer, 20 Jan 1877, pg4 col2

Black Hills Daily Pioneer, 24 march 1877, pg4 col1

[6] . Black Hills Daily Pioneer, 3 Feb 1877, pg4 col3

Wolff tells story of gold and railroads in the Black Hills

2010-12-17T01:07:00.004-07:00

The life and death of Wild Bill Hickok added a lot of flair to the history of Deadwood and the Black Hills.

Facts and embellishments regarding Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, and other 19^th century characters helped give rise to a burgeoning tourism industry that continues into the 21^st century.

But the growth and durability of old Deadwood links back directly to two things: gold and railroads.

In his latest presentation to the Spearfish Area Historical Society (12/7/10), Black Hills State University professor David Wolff recounted the discovery of gold and the development of railroads in the Black Hills.

A pharmacist-turned-historian, Dr. Wolff is a Past President of the Lawrence County Historical Society and continues to serve on that board. He is also a Vice-President of the South Dakota State Historical Society and is Chairman of the Adams Museum and House Board of Directors in Deadwood.

There were rumors of gold in the hills in the early 1800’s, Wolff told the audience.

“But who knows?” he asked somewhat rhetorically.

“If the Thoen Stone is to be believed, the Ezra Kind party was here in 1833 and 1834. If Ezra and his buddies really got all the gold they could carry, why wasn’t there a gold rush afterwards? Well, nobody knew about it until Louis Thoen dug the stone up. Of course, Thoen may have made the stone, but then that’s another story.”

Wolff proffered that both discovery and a rush are required, if such an event is to be considered a true gold rush. While there were numerous reported “discoveries” earlier in the 1800’s, there certainly was no “rush” of prospectors to the region until 1874. That’s when the Custer expedition – replete with 110 wagons and a thousand men – entered the western Black Hills near Buckhorn. It was near present day Custer that year that Horatio Ross and William McKay reportedly found gold in July of that year.

Word spread rapidly, and the rush to the hills was on. Wolff noted that early prospectors found some gold at Spring Creek, more near Sheridan, and along Rapid Creek. But it wasn’t much, and for most it wasn’t enough to even pay a day’s wages.

“If that’s all the gold that would’ve been found in the Black Hills, the gold rush would’ve died. The men would have lost interest, packed up and left. It would’ve been like the Big Horns in Wyoming, where there were repeated gold rushes, but they never found any real gold.

But that didn’t happen in the Black Hills, where several “paying locations” blossomed in Deadwood Gulch, along Deadwood Creek and Whitewood Creek.

By the spring of 1876, Fred and Moses Manuel found a large outcropping of ore that became the “Homestead Claim,” measuring 600 by about 1,500 feet. It became a focal point for hardrock mining. In the coming months, California entrepreneur George Hearst (at left) arrived on the scene and offered the Manuels and their partners $70,000 for their claims.

It was the beginning of the industrial mining that gave wealth to the region for more than a century. Hearst and his partners developed the infrastructure necessary to process the ore, and many former prospectors went to work for the Homestake. With the growth of the Homestake Mine, Lead became a true “company town,” while nearby Deadwood became a service center.

Even in those early days, railroads were an essential part of gold mining. At first, it was mules and horses pulling ore out of the mines in wagons on rails. By 1879, Homestake ordered a five-ton locomotive that had to be pulled by oxen from Bismarck, North Dakota to the Black Hills. That engine – dubbed the J. B. Haggin – was a workhorse for the mine, which used rail to haul timbers needed for the mining operation. Some 130 years later, the J. B. Haggin remains on display at the Adams Museum in Deadwood.

Wolff traced the expansion of rail service by the Fremont Elkhorn & Missouri Valley from Nebraska along the eastern edge of the hills, basically following the old Sidney to Deadwood stage route. First to Buffalo Gap in 1885, on to Fairburn, Hermosa, and eventually Rapid City. In 1887, the railroad started building again, creating excitement in places like Deadwood, Sturgis, and Crook City. Instead, FE&MV built north 10 miles and created the town of Whitewood. From 1887 to 1890, all rail business in the area came out of Whitewood.

Then came news that the Burlington line was building north out of Nebraska toward the coal field of Wyoming. After creating their own company town in Edgemont, Burlington announced plans to build track to Deadwood, which was eager to see the local Black Hills & Fort Pierre line connect with main lines outside the hills. Despite its name, said Wolff, the Black Hills and Fort Pierre Railroad ran from Lead to Sugar Loaf, Brownsville, then Nemo, and just to the edge of the Black Hills. There was no service to Pierre.

“1890 was an exciting time in the Black Hills as the Elkhorn began building from Whitewood to Deadwood, and the Burlington started building up through the center of the Black Hills in a classic railroad race.”

The Fremont Elkhorn & Missouri Valley railroad, a subsidiary of the Chicago and North Western Railway, arrived first in Deadwood -- December of 1890. But the Burlington wasn't far behind -- January 1891. Both companies established depots in close proximity. C&NW signage for the old FE&MV depot is still displayed on the side of the old depot building in Deadwood. It is now a tourist information center.

Wolff quoted Sol Star, then Mayor of Deadwood, as saying that with the arrival of outside railroads, “Deadwood is finally a city of permanence.”

Wolff briefly recounted the role of Seth Bullock in helping the railroad develop Belle Fourche, much to the chagrin of nearby Minnesela residents, who had enlisted Bullock’s help to ensure that the line would pass through their community – which is no more. More details about this event can be found in Wolff’s book Seth Bullock – Black Hills Lawman.

Not the New Christy Minstrels.....but WHO?

2010-12-14T17:42:00.001-07:00

These folks took time out from Days of '76 festivities in 1930 Deadwood to pose for this photograph. Jerry Bryant was kind enough to share this photo, and we'd like to try to identify those pictured. Drop us an e-mail if you can help.

Pay Dirt - A book review by Jerry L. Bryant

2010-11-13T06:14:00.002-07:00

The story of how Uncle Torwal and Whitey were chawed off their Ranch by Grasshoppers and went up in the Black Hills to Sluice Gold for a spell.

Pay Dirt by Glen Rounds - 1938 Holiday House, New York

For those who would like a short taste of what life was like during the Automobile Gold Rush, the children’s book “Pay Dirt” is an absolute delight. The story told is of the Great Depression as seen through the eyes of a ten year old named Whitey. The book describes searching for gold and sluicing in 1931 in and around Hill City, South Dakota. While it was written for children, it contains a wealth of ideas and terms associated with placer mining and also hosts a visit to the Golden Eagle mine, where the mine supervisor, his Uncle’s friend, explains hardrock mining to Whitey. The following is a brief sample of the book’s narrative:

This is a drawing from inside the book.
The author did all of his own drawings.

“Whitey admired Uncle Torwal’s droopy red mustache more than a little bit. Somewhere he had heard that he could grow one like it by putting cream on his lip and letting the cat lick it off. But although nothing had come of the treatment so far, he was far from discouraged……Uncle Torwal wore his drawers outside of his shirt, cutting slits in the top for his suspender straps to run through before they fastened to his overalls. This left about an inch of the drawers showing all the way around between the pants and the shirt, and Whitey thought it a very elegant style indeed. He could hardly wait until he wore drawers like that so he could do the same.”

Several Dakota place names are mentioned throughout the book, and even as an adult reader, I found it difficult not to imagine myself delightfully along the same stream panning gold with Uncle Torwal and Whitey.

Author Glen Rounds was a South Dakota Native. He was born in a sod house near the Badlands in 1906. He grew up in South Dakota and on a horse ranch in Montana. He studied art at the Art Institute of Kansas City with Jackson Pollock. Rounds wrote or illustrated 150 books over a 60-year period. He died in North Carolina in 2002. In a brief computer search, I could only find four copies of this book in South Dakota Libraries, and all of them were at the State Library in Pierre. Of the many books by Rounds, "Pay Dirt" was his third book

Revisiting Roubaix Cemetery

2010-10-18T19:36:00.007-06:00

A recent inquiry about the cemetery near Roubaix, South Dakota prompted us to explore a bit. We started with the narrative below, extracted from the 1994 booklet, Cemeteries and Graves in Lawrence County and Environs, published by the Lawrence County Historical Society and edited by Irma H. Clock. The original information was provided by Ruth Kotti. We then visited the cemetery, which is perched on a hilltop along Elk Creek Road just north of its intersection with Nemo Road. We snapped a few photos, which are included below.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was not unusual that even in the most unsettled areas of the American West, burial sites, the ordinary method of disposing of the dead came into being. It has long been observed that a hill or a knoll near frontier settlements was the common selection. The Roubaix Cemetery is located in a wooded area at the top of a hill, a short distance from the non-existent town of Roubaix, which was also known as Perry.

Even though some interments are recorded prior to the 1900’s, it is rumored that the land, possibly a mining claim, was originally donated for a cemetery by the Sawyer family after the death of their infant daughter, Bertha Ellan Sawyer, who was buried on January 1, 1906, at the age of 6 days. However, researching the Lawrence County Record of Burials reveals possible earlier burials at the site. Among these were: Patrick Mahr of Brownsville, buried near Brownsville, on May 14, 1884; Henry Hilturen, 10 years old, buried at Perry, in August 1885; Oleans Johnson, age 38 years old, buried near the Sam Mine on September 7, 1885; and

Mrs. Sophie Amanda Pietila, born in 1850, and died October 5, 1888.

Although these people are recorded in the Record of Burials, nothing substantiates these graves. The only confirmed burial is that of Mrs. Pietila, who has a large granite tombstone marking her grave, as well as the graves of two infant sons, Nels A., who died in October, 1887, at the age of 49 days, and Frank J., who died on October 26, 1888, at the age of 21 days.

Grave markers confirm that there were three infant burials in the1890’s. They were Hilda Balander, who was born in 1889, and died in 1890; Henry W. Pinske, born and died in 1895; and Mary A. Pinske, who was born and died in 1896.

Sometime in the 1970’s, in October, a visual survey was done by Mrs. Esther E. Salmon. She located at least 27 unidentified graves, several of the wooden markers were weathered and worn past reading. When another walking survey was done in 1990-1991, the results compared, the cemetery was found to have two hundred sixty-six marked graves that were identified and listed.

Besides the Sawyer infant, there were 12 other tombstones -- verified burials in the 1990’s. The burials include 7 infants/children and five adults, 3 males and 2 females.

An early day resident recalled the funeral procession (of) one of these young mothers. A team of horses pulled the heavy lumber wagon carrying the homemade pine coffin. Neighbors sang a mournful dirge as the cortege (procession) wound its way up the steep hill to the cemetery for committal.

Inscriptions on grave stones disclose that there were 22 burials between the years of 1910 to 1919, generally. According to the information etched on the gray granite monuments marking the graves of two WWI soldiers who died in 1918, one died in Fort Riley, Kansas, and the other died at Camp Johnston, Florida. During the flu epidemic of 1918-1919, indoor public gatherings were prohibited. An early-day former Lead mortician remembers one particular outdoor funeral ceremony, where the minister, bundled in a heavy coat complete with fur hat and mittens, stood in the box of a spring wagon as he preached. Mourners, shivering and shaking in the bitter winter cold, listened to the long sermon, which seemed longer because of the weather.

The Roubiax Cemetery is mainly the resting place of early day residents of the Roubaix, Elk Creek, Brownsville, Box Elder and Custer Peak vicinities. Today, there are occasional additions to the family plots as well as other burials.

Elected to the governing board of the Roubaix Cemetery Association, which was organized in April 29, 1950, were: Esther E. Salmon, Mary Paananen, and John Hill. All board members were area residents. A fund had been started in May 1949 for a new fence. The board was chosen to supervise major improvements, cemetery maintenance, and the delegation of burial sites. In the ensuring years, board replacements have been: Ralph Rantapaa, Elma Quaschnick and Eva Haka. Currently, Mr. Rantapaa is the board president, Mrs. Quaschnick is the secretary, and Mrs. Haka is the present treasurer.

The dead who rest in this hallowed place -- who are they? They came from all walks of life and had various vocations to make their living. They were the parents who nurtured and, for some, buried their children. They are community leaders, the unsung heroes, those who served their country in all its conflicts, even a veteran of the Spanish American War. Then there are those who are buried there that are known only to God and to their loved ones they left behind, bone, but not forgotten. ~~Information by Ruth Kotti.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOTE: We've heard this cemetery referred to as the "Andersen Cemetery," so we were alert to any Andersen tombstones. This plot for the family of James C. and Petrine Andersen was particularly interesting. It is shown in the photo above at right. You can click on the image to see a larger version. Note that their daughter Gladys Violet Anderson died in 1904, just a few weeks shy of her second birthday. Her surname was engraved as ANDERSON, while markers for both her parents were engraved as ANDERSEN.

West River History Conference summary

2010-10-17T14:42:00.000-06:00

This summary of the 2010 West River History Conference was provided
by Shebby Lee, President of the organization.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Participants in the Eighteenth Annual West River History Conference were very pleased with the new venue according to the evaluations and feedback for the conference which ended September 25. The fully-equipped and modern classrooms enhanced the experience and were complimented by the lounge area with its cozy fireplace, and spacious ballroom where booksellers offered biographies and historic books for sale.

Presenters at this year's conference hailed from as far away as AZ, Texas, and NY. As always, attendees also came from the neighboring states of North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska and Minnesota as well as Kansas and all parts of South Dakota.

Attendance was also up over record-breaking 2009, and plans are already underway for next year's conference to be held Sept. 22, 23, and 24 at the Surbeck Center on the School of Mines campus in Rapid City, SD. Check our website often as plans are unveiled for another exciting conference in 2011.

2009 Award Winners

At the Friday awards luncheon, winners of the 2009 conference papers were announced. Winner of the best student paper was Emily Wicks of Faith High School, whose paper was entitled "Annie Oakley: Guns, Romance and Hardships". Second place went to Cassie Foster, Faith High School for her paper, "The Myths and Legends of Belle Starr, the ‘Bandit Queen'".

First place in the adult category went to Pat Moore of Chestnut Hill, MA, for her paper, "Answering the Call: Women Missionaires in the West, 1810-1900". Pat has donated her prize to the WRHC scholarship fund. Second place went to Jan Cerney of Philip, SD for her paper entitled, "Missionary Corabelle Fellows. Victim of the Yellow Press". Third place was awarded to Donna Fisher of Deadwood for her paper, "Pursuit of Art: Grace French, Pioneer Artist and Teacher". With so many excellent papers, the judges opted to award an additional Honorable Mention to Barb White of Herrick, SD, for "How Todd Lost His County (and Found it Again Out West)"

In addition to prizes for best papers, the conference presents awards to deserving promoters and preservers of history in our region. The Herb Blakely Award for outstanding contributions to local and regional history, a sense of American Patriotism, and efforts to further the concepts of good citizenship went to Mary Lewis of Wasta, SD. The Zoom Zoom award for outstanding support of local history went to Marcia Hill of Rapid City; and the Sandria Friske Helping Hand Award went to Grove Rathbun of Rapid City.

The conference was made possible with support by the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Black Hills Corral of Westerners, International, the Society of Black Hills Pioneers, the Reptile Gardens, Keystone Historical Museum, Big Thunder Gold Mine, the South Dakota State Railroad Museum, Lewis Publishing and Dode Lee.

Spring Tour: a few notes and photos

2010-08-04T11:41:00.011-06:00

Weather put a damper on plans for the original LCHS Spring Tour in June, but it turned a new leaf in July and provided a very nice day for a tour through several sites in Lawrence and Butte County.

Veteran member Vernon Davis provided the background as a group of morning folks gathered at the Spearfish City Park to begin the tour. Within the park area, there's an old stone grain storage building, artifacts from an old flour mill, a Pioneer Memorial that used to grace downtown Spearfish, and more. Not far from the entry to the park is the site of an old stockade that was built to protect local folks just after the Custer massacre.

Next on the itinerary was St. Onge and the burial site of Jimmy Irion (Iron), the gent hired by the Boughton and Beary Ranch to serve as a lookout against indians while men worked in the nearby hay fields. Irion and several other men were killed by indians on September 10, 1876, and buried atop the bluff where he had died.

A stop at the location of old Minnesela was next, and tour members were able to take a first-hand look at the structure believed to be the only surviving building from the once-thriving community that rivaled Belle Fource as a center of commerce in the area. That building is shown in the photo above at right, as tour members inspected it.

Although we don't have tour day photos from the planned stop at the Center of the Nation Museum and the adjacent log cabin that belong to "Buckskin" Johnny Spaulding, we did click some on a preview trip taken a few months ago. Those preview photos, along with a few others taken by Jerry Bryant during the July 10 tour, can be found in our Historical Marker Gallery.

One of the most delightful spots on the tour route was Cox's Lake. We extracted the photo shown here from a neat panorama shot that Jerry Bryant took on the day of the tour. It's in the gallery, too. The lake is along the route taken by the Colonel Nelson Cole Expedition of 1865. You can see Crow Peak in the background at right, as Vernon Davis shares information about this site.

As others provide more information -- and any photos -- we'll add them to this location.

Spring tour rescheduled!

2010-06-26T11:03:00.015-06:00

It’ll be a jam-packed day of history on July 10th when the Lawrence County Historical Society gathers at Spearfish City Park, starting point for its 2010 Spring Tour. Calendar watchers well know that we’ve passed into summer, but the weather was so bad on the original date in June that it was decided to postpone the outing until Saturday, July 10th. So fix a picnic lunch, grab a jacket and umbrella (just in case!) and plan to join us for a fun day! The tour begins at 8:30 a.m. sharp. That’s a new start time, accommodating those late sleepers!

Our guide for the day will be long time resident and LCHS member Vernon Davis.

After a review of the several historic points of interest in the Spearfish park area – including an old stone grain storage building, artifacts from an old flour mill, a Pioneer Memorial, and more, we’ll head down the street to the site of an old stockade built just after the Custer massacre to protect local citizens. Then it’s off to St. Onge! We’ll visit the burial site of Jim Irion. Irion was hired by the Boughton and Beary ranch to guard the men working in the hay fields. He and several of the workers were killed by Indians on September 10,1876, and buried atop the bluff where he had died. That's LCHS president Jerry Bryant photographing the tombstone. Below the graves are the remnants of the old St. Onge Rodeo grounds which is also probably of historical significance.

Up the road we’ll explore the remnants of historic Minnesela – the community that once challenged Belle Fourche as a hub of area commerce. Vernon will show us the last Minnesela structure still intact. We’ll also visit the historic Minnesela Cemetery, final resting place of many old settlers. By the way, you can click on any of these smaller photographs to see a somewhat larger version.

After lunch on the grounds at the Tri-State Museum in Belle Fourche, tour members can delve in to the 4,000 square foot museum and examine some of the 5,000 artifacts on exhibit. Then guide Vernon Davis will give us the scoop on “Buckskin” Johnny Spaulding – his ancestor -- as we explore the Spaulding cabin, nestled on the museum grounds.

Then we’ll drive west and south to try to locate parts of the trail left by Col. Nelson Cole's expedition of 1865. You’ll be delighted by some of the spectacular views you’ll experience, including a beautiful deep lake nestled in the pathway of this historic area. Cole described this lake in August of 1865 as “…about an hundred fifty yards across and scarce knee deep, and in the center a hole of unfathomable depth, like an enormous well fully thirty feet across sends out column of crystal water.” Still today the water of this lake is crystal clear and cold.

The day will end in Beulah, Wyoming, where the Charles W. Pettigrew Wagon train camped along Sand Creek in July 1877. That night, one of three hayfield workers they had passed during the day came to the camp to warn of Indians, his partners having been killed by them. The warning gave them time to prepare, and when the attack came they were ready. Vernon will point out where the party built their rifle pits.

The group will move from site to site in a caravan; maps will be distributed at the beginning of the tour – noting the route and order of the several sites we’ll be visiting during the day.

There’s no cost for the tour, but participants will have to provide their own transportation and a bag lunch – and pooling is encouraged. If you have questions about the tour, contact president Jerry Bryant at 605-722-7474, and make plans now to join us on Saturday, July 10th!

Custer expedition on the plains

2010-05-23T16:52:00.006-06:00

Veteran photographer and writer Paul Horsted never fails to entertain – and enlighten. Those traits keep him in demand on the speaking circuit.

His latest venue was today (5/23/10) at the Bay Leaf Café in Spearfish, where he led members of the Lawrence County Historical Society through the chronology and geography of General George Custer’s massive 1874 expedition to the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Horsted, who lives north of Custer, South Dakota, noted that the Custer trek was “better documented than any other military expedition of the Old West.” Much of that 19th century documentation was revisited, then reversioned, by Horsted and his co-author Ernest Grafe for their 2002 publication Exploring with Custer – The 1874 Black Hills Expedition. Many maps, documents, and Illingworth photographs are included.

Today, Horsted employed a lively multi-media presentation to tell “the rest of the story” about the expedition. Exploring with Custer dealt with the Black Hills area. His latest endeavor – Crossing the Plains with Custer – is a companion book that traces the Custer expedition from Fort Lincoln in north Dakota Territory to the Black Hills, including their journey back to the fort.

In his books, Horsted also uses his “then and now” display of historic photographs juxtapositioned with his contemporary photography from the same vantage point. It’s a powerful technique that has served him well – especially his book The Black Hills, Yesterday & Today. You can find more about Horsted at his on-line site, Paul Horsted - Dakota Photographic, LLC.

Following his presentation, Horsted took time to answer questions and visit with folks who attended the gathering. Above, he chats with historian David Wolff (center) and Lawrence County Historical Society president Jerry Bryant (right).

During the business meeting of the society, Bryant updated members on the status of trying to save the Trojan School, which he conceded may be difficult to do. In any event, he suggested that the society play an active role in doing what it can to preserve the structure.

Bryant then asked David Wolff to provide an update on the Fassbender photo collection. Wolff noted that there is some lack of agreement over the value of the old collection, providing something of a stumbling block. For the moment, the project seems to be on hold.

There was also a brief discussion about the prospect of acquiring dedicated space for the Lawrence County Historical Society in the new Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center in Deadwood. Considerable enthusiasm was voiced for such an arrangement, and LCHS president Bryant said the board would meet in the near future to discuss the matter.

Finally, members were reminded of the forthcoming LCHS spring tour planned for Sunday, June 13th at 8:00 a.m. More information can be found in an earlier posting about the spring tour.

Horsted on tap for spring meeting

2010-05-08T10:45:00.000-06:00

Photographer/author Paul Horsted will present a multi-media slide program entitled “Crossing the Plains with Custer” at the spring meeting of the Lawrence County Historical Society. The gathering is scheduled for 12 noon on Sunday, May 23rd at the Bay Leaf Cafe in Spearfish.

Horsted will give a behind-the-scenes look at the just-released book of the same name, Crossing the Plains with Custer, which has been designed as a companion volume to his earlier book Exploring with Custer: The 1874 Black Hills Expedition, published several years ago. The New York Times called the earlier book “the most comprehensive yet” on this history-making journey of exploration.

Exploring with Custer followed the 1874 Custer expedition trail through the Black Hills with “then and now” photos, maps and first-hand accounts. That same “then and now” technique was employed by Horsted in his 2006 tome The Black Hills, Yesterday & Today. In these books, Horsted precisely re-photographed nearly 200 historic photo sites across the Black Hills, giving a unique look at the history of this area.

Crossing the Plains completes the Custer trail story by tracing the explorers’ route some 300 miles to the Black Hills from Fort Lincoln, North Dakota, and then back again on a separate 355-mile trail. Dozens of color photographs show places where the wagon train passed, based on a 135-year-old map. Selections from diaries, official reports and newspaper accounts tell about each day’s travel or highlight the photographs using the explorer’s own words. Another special section of the book features artifacts of the Custer expedition; these items photographed from several collections were found at campsites on private land.

Paul Horsted has been photographing people and places in South Dakota for some 30 years. Early in his career, he was a staff photographer at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and later served as Chief Photographer for the South Dakota Department of Tourism. Horsted lives in Custer and has been an independent freelance photographer for the past two decades. His work has appeared in publications such as LIFE magazine, Reader's Digest, and Smithsonian. He's a frequent contributor to South Dakota Magazine.

If you're planning to attend this Spring Meeting of the Lawrence County Historical Society, please make reservations with Jerry Bryant at 722-7474 by Wednesday, May 19th. The noon luncheon on the 23rd will include a choice of roast beef Monte Cristo sandwich are a chicken Caesar's salad. The cost is $12.00. The Horsted program will follow at 1 o'clock.

By the way, Horsted’s 336-page Crossing the Plains with Custer is available wherever Black Hills books are sold in softcover for $45 or direct from the publisher in hardcover for $75. To see samples from the new book, visit Paul’s web site at www.dakotaphoto.com. Or, if you like, you can e-mail him at horsted@dakotaphoto.com or call 605-673-3685.

Spring tour just around the corner!

2010-04-14T17:52:00.011-06:00

It’ll be a jam-packed day of history this June when the Lawrence County Historical Society converges on the Spearfish City Park, starting point for its 2010 Spring Tour on Sunday, June 13th. So fix a picnic lunch, grab a jacket and umbrella (just in case!) and plan to join us for a fun day! The tour begins at 8:00 a.m. sharp.

Our guide for the day will be long time resident and LCHS member Vernon Davis.

After a review of the several historic points of interest in the Spearfish park area – including an old stone grain storage building, artifacts from an old flour mill, a Pioneer Memorial, and more, we’ll head down the street to the site of an old stockade built just after the Custer massacre to protect local citizens. Then it’s off to St. Onge! We’ll visit the burial site of Jim Irion. Irion was hired by the Boughton and Beary ranch to guard the men working in the hay fields. He and several of the workers were killed by Indians on September 10,1876, and buried atop the bluff where he had died. That's LCHS president Jerry Bryant photographing the tombstone. Below the graves are the remnants of the old St. Onge Rodeo grounds which is also probably of historical significance.

Up the road we’ll explore the remnants of historic Minnesela – the community that once challenged Belle Fourche as a hub of area commerce. Vernon will show us the last Minnesela structure still intact. We’ll also visit the historic Minnesela Cemetery, final resting place of many old settlers. By the way, you can click on any of these smaller photographs to see a somewhat larger version.

After lunch on the grounds at the Tri-State Museum in Belle Fourche, tour members can delve in to the 4,000 square foot museum and examine some of the 5,000 artifacts on exhibit. Then guide Vernon Davis will give us the scoop on “Buckskin” Johnny Spaulding – his ancestor -- as we explore the Spaulding cabin, nestled on the museum grounds.

Then we’ll drive west and south to try to locate parts of the trail left by Col. Nelson Cole's expedition of 1865. You’ll be delighted by some of the spectacular views you’ll experience, including a beautiful deep lake nestled in the pathway of this historic area. Cole described this lake in August of 1865 as “…about an hundred fifty yards across and scarce knee deep, and in the center a hole of unfathomable depth, like an enormous well fully thirty feet across sends out column of crystal water.” Still today the water of this lake is crystal clear and cold.

The day will end in Beulah, Wyoming, where the Charles W. Pettigrew Wagon train camped along Sand Creek in July 1877. That night, one of three hayfield workers they had passed during the day came to the camp to warn of Indians, his partners having been killed by them. The warning gave them time to prepare, and when the attack came they were ready. Vernon will point out where the party built their rifle pits.

The group will move from site to site in a caravan; maps will be distributed at the beginning of the tour – noting the route and order of the several sites we’ll be visiting during the day.

There’s no cost for the tour, but participants will have to provide their own transportation and a bag lunch – and pooling is encouraged. If you have questions about the tour, contact president Jerry Bryant at 605-722-7474, and make plans now to join us on Sunday, June 13th!

Paying tribute to the cowboy

2010-04-09T18:09:00.003-06:00

Hollywood doesn’t have a great track record when it comes to telling the real story of the American cowboy.

We’d put greater trust in a more unusual form of documenting the American west: poetry.

Cowboy Poetry Week is slated for April 18-24 across the country, and there are a variety of activities slated in the northern Black Hills region to help commemorate the cowboy tradition.

Ranging from a “Brown Bag Poetry Reading” at the Matthews Opera House at noon on Wednesday, April 14th to an evening of “Cowboy Culture” at the High Plains Western Heritage Center on Thursday, April 22nd as part of the Heritage of the American West series, there’s a variety of events that are bound to tickle your fancy. Poetry reading events are scheduled at the public libraries in Rapid City, Whitewood, Spearfish, Sturgis and Belle Fourche. Click on the poster shown here for an overview of the many events that are planned.

You'll find details about the Heritage of the American West April 22nd performance in this news release about “Cowboy Culture.”

Proclamations have been adopted at the state and national level in an effort to give recognition to the Great American Cowboy.

Deadwood's Bad Lands...

2010-03-12T16:29:00.002-07:00

The Leland D. Case Library at Black Hills State University will host a presentation and book signing with Michael Trump this Thursday (3/25/10) in Spearfish. A 1990 BHSU graduate, Trump will give the presentation at 7:30 p.m. in the Jacket Legacy room of the David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union.

Trump’s book, Raiding Deadwood’s Bad Lands: Its Illegal History of Prostitution and Gambling is an account of the history of the various raids on vice, concluding with the 1980 closing of the brothels and the Deadwood community’s push to get gambling legalized.

Legal historian Michael Trump researched and wrote a thesis on the 1980 federal raid of the brothels. During his research, he discovered there had been other raids not only on the brothels, but on gambling as well. Raiding Deadwood’s Bad Lands is a history of all the raids, concluding with the 1980 closing of the brothels, and the Deadwood business community’s push to get gambling legalized.

Trump also covers aspects of Deadwood’s early years as a wide-open mining camp. Support for the research and publishing of the book was provided by the Adams Museum & House, South Dakota Humanities Council, Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission and TDG Communications.

The event is free and open to the public with wheelchair accessibility. For more information call (605) 642-6361. Refreshments will be served.

Pioneer aviator Art Smith:the Bird Man

2010-01-20T11:23:00.017-07:00

The old Deadwood fairgrounds, located near the “Roo Ranch” a couple of miles east of Deadwood towards Boulder Canyon, was the site of the first airplane landing in Lawrence County.

The year was 1912. It hadn’t even been nine years since the Wright Brothers soared their aircraft above the dunes at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina – marking a first in aviation history. And it would be some 15 years before Charles Lindbergh would make the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

A young Indiana stunt pilot named Art Smith (above photo) landed his bi-plane aircraft at Deadwood in the summer of 1912. The Pioneer-Times reported that Smith "bears the distinction of being the first man to successfully navigate an airship in the Black Hills." It was barely two years after his parents had hocked their Fort Wayne home for $1,800 so the 20-year-old could build an airplane.

By all accounts, the Deadwood landing was a grand event and was, fortunately, captured by photographers. This is one of several photos of young Smith, passed along to us by Jerry Bryant. We would like to extend thanks the Adams Museum and House for sharing them. You'll find other photos in our LCHS Gallery.

Smith biographer Rachel Sherwood Roberts recounts in her book, Art Smith-Pioneer Aviator, that the young aviator "was as celebrated as any Hollywood star...he glamorized and popularized flying while testing the boundaries of aeronautic principles." Roberts has written much about Smith, including an article entitled "The Smash-Up Kid" for the Indiana Historical Society. Smith made another trip to the Black Hills in 1913, bringing his new bride, Aimee, with him. The couple was treated like celebrities, and Smith showed Aimee the plateau from which he’d flown the previous year.

The “Historical Footprint” film series at the Roundhouse in Lead recently (1/16/10) showed a film of Art Smith landing his aircraft at the old Spearfish fairgrounds on one of his visits to the Black Hills. It was during his 1913 trip that Art performed in Edgemont during the Fall River County Fair.

Smith had quite a career. Although he was refused as an Army Air Corps pilot in World War I – probably because of numerous injuries he had endured prior to the war, and possibly because of his short stature. He was only 5 feet 3 inches tall. Following the war, he worked for the U.S. Post Office, flying overnight mail between New York and Chicago. He died when his aircraft smashed into a grove of trees near Montpelier, Ohio, in February 1926. He was 32 years old.

Smith was undoubtedly an inspiration to thousands of would-be aviators who witnessed his daredevil stunts as he traversed the country performing in air shows prior to World War I. He reportedly won the admiration of aviators like Wiley Post and Charles Lindbergh before they achieved their fame.

Spearfish Park Pavilion

2010-01-07T09:15:00.005-07:00

Early in the last century, probably around 1920 or so, a new park pavilion was built in the Spearfish City Park, located near the mouth of Spearfish Canyon.

The frame structure has seen a wide variety of community events over its nearly century-long history. From chili feeds and boxing matches to roller skating and wedding receptions. But it’s probably best known throughout Lawrence County and across the region as a really hot spot for dancing. Henry Phillips and the Ambassadors out of Lead were among the more popular local groups playing at the pavilion during the Big Band era.

In the 1960s it was Rock ‘n Roll that stole the limelight. The Spearfish Park Pavilion – now named Tretheway Pavilion for former Mayor Wilbur Tretheway, who helped save the structure – attracted a long list of top-notch national performers.

Read more about the Spearfish Park Pavilion.

Historical film festival in Lead

2009-12-05T13:01:00.001-07:00

The Living Map Theater located in the Black Hills Railroad Roundhouse in Lead is hosting its monthly Historical Film Festival from Wednesday, December 9th through Saturday, December 12th, featuring historical films from the Rapid City area. This should be a delightful opportunity to witness historical events captured on film, while enjoying the surroundings of a great building, itself steeped in the history of the Black Hills.

Footage of the 1935 Stratobowl flight, early Ellsworth Air Base, the 1972 flood, and a wide range of other never-before-seen historic films will be featured. The event is a two-hour presentation that includes free refreshments at intermission. So, if you've not yet had an opportunity to visit the old Railroad Roundhouse in Lead, this is the perfect time!

Presentations will be each evening at 7 o'clock, with 2:00 p.m. showings on Friday and Saturday. The Living Map Theater seats only 65 people, so if you’re interested in attending a particular showing, call 605-717-0296 for reservations. Adults $16.00; Seniors $14.00; and Students $12.00. Future programs include:

􀂃 January: Spearfish & Spearfish Canyon

􀂃 February: Railroads of Western South Dakota

􀂃 March: Lead, Homestake and the Sanford Lab

􀂃 April: Tourism

This is a unique opportunity for anyone interested in history to see the Black Hills the way it used to be. Some film in this series dates back to 1912 and 1915.

A Black Hills bard

2009-11-30T15:19:00.010-07:00

by Jerry L. Bryant

With historical societies just about everywhere you look, aimed at preserving the memory of just about every cause you can imagine, from stage coach robberies to memorable outhouses, I was in amazed the other day when I called the Whitewood Library, and they did not know the name Robert V. Carr. The person I spoke with had no idea of what I was even talking about! So, on a quest, I stood on a street corner in Whitewood to ask passersby if they had ever heard of Carr. The best answer I got was from a little boy who told me for sure that Carr was “that mean old guy that lived over behind the “Hole in the Wall” saloon.

After standing there for a while, I got the feeling that it might be a long time before anyone came by that had ever read anything by Robert V. Carr.

So, here are a few of the known facts about the man: Carr was born in Illinois in 1877. In 1890 his parents, brought him to Rapid City where he attended public schools and after graduation he attended the South Dakota School of Mines. Carr joined the South Dakota Infantry and served in the Philippines. While in the Philippines he contracted a disease, probably malaria, which hastened his discharge from the service. After returning to home Carr held various editorial jobs with the Denver Times, St. Paul Dispatch and the Chicago Evening Post. For a time Carr lived in Whitewood, SD, working as the Editor of the Whitewood Plaindealer. In addition to the Plaindealer Carr published a periodical called "The Jawbone." The small periodical was published in Whitewood, Sd. and combined Carr’s talents in poetry, prose and philosophy.

I first came in contact with "The Jawbone" while searching national newspapers of 1904 to find out what Carr had been up to; I began running into Carr’s poetry, and quotes from The Jawbone in newspapers from all over the lower 48 states. In other words, he enjoyed a national audience. In the last several years I have encountered three copies of different issues of the Jawbone that I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase. The Jawbone’s following put Carr’s name in front of the American public which led Carr to produce a nationally syndicated column called "Character Cameo’s: Do you know anyone like this?" I first ran into this column in the Atlanta Constitution of 1913. In addition to his writing and editorial successes, Carr was considered a range rider and a livestock expert, editing a livestock journal in Sioux City, Iowa for a time.

Carr’s first book was published in 1902 and called Black Hills Ballads. In the Washington Post review of this book he was compared to Bret Hart. His second book was published in 1908 and was called Cowboy Lyrics, and his third and final book, Cowboy Lyrics, Round Up Edition. By the tine his third book came into print Carr and his wife, Estela had moved to the desert near Los Angles For his health. He then began writing Cowboy fiction for Western periodicals, such as True West, and Frontier. By the draft of 1918 Carr listed his full time employment as “magazine writer.” This proved to be his forte and he continued to produce cowboy stories until his death in January of 1931.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Editor's Note: The following is a brief example of Carr’s work:

Prose: A Black Hills Philosopher

Verse: The Chuck Wagon / Tonopah

Barns of Lawrence County

2009-11-28T23:41:00.002-07:00

“The Barns of Lawrence County” will be featured Tuesday evening (12/1/09) at the December meeting of the Spearfish Area Historical Society. The presentation, which is open to the public, begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Spearfish Senior Citizen’s Center.

The barn shown here belongs to Ralph and Becky Crago and is located just north of Spearfish near the Red Water River. It is one of 37 barns featured in the program.

Long-time Spearfish resident Leo Orme will resurrect select images from more than 2,000 barn photographs collected as part of a display at the High Plains Western Heritage Center nearly a decade ago. It was originally prepared to complement a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution.

A native of Colorado, Orme came to South Dakota in 1969 to lead a U.S. Fish and Wildlife project at the McNenny Fish Hatchery west of Spearfish. As a 4-H leader and later as an SDSU Extension Agent in Lawrence County, he became well acquainted with agricultural interests in the region – including barns. Orme, who worked with Bob and Ann Matheney to assemble the original exhibit, says an updated book on Lawrence County barns will be published in the near future.

Homestake -- it's not over

2009-11-21T23:11:00.018-07:00

Long an economic powerhouse for the region, Homestake Mine operated for more than 125 years and was the deepest – and most productive – gold mine in North America. It closed its doors in 2002. With the people of South Dakota as new owners and an eye on science, the once prolific gold mine has started a transformation that – if and when completed – promises to make it a top-flight international research laboratory.

“The game isn’t over,” says Dr. Jose Alonso, a nuclear astrophysicist who spent 30 years at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California before heading up the Sanford Underground Laboratory at Homestake. He is now director emeritus.

“One should be aware that the game isn’t over yet. The fine print on the selection was…IF the underground lab is going to be built in the United States, it will be built at Homestake.”

Alonso said the $15 million set aside to prepare a Preliminary Design Report isn’t nearly enough. Some $500 million will be needed to actually build the lab, with about half of that amount going for infrastructure – the rest for experiments. It’ll likely be some three years before we know if Congress will actually appropriate the funds for the project.

But that point didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of a couple of dozen folks who filled a downstairs room at the Adams Museum in Deadwood last Thursday (11/19/09). The museum strutted its stuff by hosting a terrific double-barreled presentation that focused on both the past and the future of Homestake. Author Steven Mitchell and scientist Dr. Jose Alonso teamed up with The Adams, the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, and Black Hills State University to present an all-afternoon presentation called “Homestake: Its Past and Its Future.”

With an impressive array of incisive historical research and compelling photographic images, Mitchell set the stage with a journey into both the history of the peoples and the geology of the Black Hills region. A life-long resident of the Black Hills, Mitchell holds degrees from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, but he belied his academic training and career as a mining engineer by demonstrating a gift for storytelling based on well-documented facts.

Reaching back to the Treaty of 1851 that sought to settle tribal territorial disputes and stabilize the precarious relations between the American Indians and westward-migrating settlers, Mitchell also shared details about the Great Reconnaissance Act of 1853 to explore the west, primarily in search of routes for expanding rail transportation. With the discovery of gold in the Black Hills in 1874 came an onslaught of entrepreneurs, many of whom became the stuff of legends.

Homestake Mine is the focus of Mitchell’s new book, Nuggets to Neutrinos: The Homestake Story. From early mining claims and extraction techniques to wily business strategies and modern technology, Mitchell seemed to cover all bases right up to the closure of the mine. He discussed several significant reclamation projects that have occurred in recent years, laying the groundwork for development of a deep underground science and engineering laboratory.

After a short intermission, the focus moved from the past to the future. Dr. Jose Alonso talked about the transition of Homestake, providing a chronology of the scientific and political maneuvering that have occurred in the last few years. Once a director of the Sanford Underground Laboratory at Homestake, he remains a champion for the project and serves as emeritus director.

Alonso walked the audience step-by-step through the “bureaucratic” solicitation process that proponents of the underground lab have followed in seeking approval for funding from the National Science Foundation.

In 2006, between the political advocacy of Governor Mike Rounds and a $70 million gift from the deep pockets of T. Denny Sanford, Homestake had “stacked the deck” against its challenger, Henderson Mine in Colorado. Barrick donated the mine – 186 surface acres – to the State of South Dakota, and Homestake had secured a $120 million war chest that could be spent to get things going early. This was an enormous advantage for Homestake – giving them a three or four year head start. It was a very enviable position in the pursuit of a world-class underground laboratory. And Alonso said there was something else that made Homestake more attractive to scientists.

“Henderson is an operating molybdenum mine… and continues to operate…and it’s very clear when you are there, even as a guest, their first interest – bottom line – is mining. So you are really a second class citizen there. You have certain case times, you have certain things you can do, certain things you cannot do. You have little control over schedule, resources, or anything else.”

“Over here (Homestake), science owns the mine. And that is huge.”

By July of 2007, the National Science Foundation endorsed a recommendation from a 22-member independent panel that tapped Homestake as the site for a University of California-Berkeley design proposal for a DUSEL (Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory).

Alonso laid out the NSF timetable for awarding the $500 million to actually build the underground laboratory, noting that much more than $15 million is needed for the preliminary design phase – to be completed next year – probably something on the order of $75 million. With a final approval from NSF expected in May 2011, the $500 million project would have to be funded by Congress, and it would likely be a part of the federal FY 2013 budget request. That would require Congressional approval by about October of 2012.

If the costly and somewhat complicated funding process is a bit confusing – it pales compared to the esoteric but significant science projects on the drawing boards. In fact, early science projects are already being planned or are underway. Dr. Alonso’s animated enthusiasm for the projects may not have been enough to keep a few of us luddites in the audience on the edge of our seats, but many of the late afternoon hangers-on were themselves scientists or budding researchers, anxious to talk science with the dynamic Doctor Alonso.

Even using lay terminology, Alonso’s efforts to shine a light of nuclear astrophysics knowledge into the dark recesses of a few unscientific minds in the audience was probably fruitless. But his unrestricted enthusiasm and lively exchanges with tekkies in the audience was almost mesmerizing. “Fuzzy science” took on a somewhat different meaning as the good doctor covered the scientific landscape all the way from the “Coulomb Barrier” and “Gamow Peak” (which are not remote holiday getaways) all the way to “Neutrino Double Beta Decay!” And we’re still in the dark regarding planned “Dark Matter” experiments.

Nonetheless, this was a rare afternoon of enlightenment – even if much of the scientific gobbledy-gook flew over the head of this History major.

We’d gladly camp out on the doorstep of the Adams Museum for the opportunity to participate in another such session. For Mary Kopco and the folks at The Adams Museum and House, it was another excellent event – helping to inform and inspire area residents about the wealth of history and resources in the Black Hills. Resources that will one day likely include a fully-operational, world class deep underground laboratory.

And then it really won’t be over. It’ll be just the beginning.

Deadwood's first Assayer

2009-11-18T22:47:00.010-07:00

By Jerry L. Bryant, RPA

In 1874, the cry of “Gold in the Black Hills” brought a cross-section of Americans to their feet after Custer confirmed that it could be plucked from the streams. The mind’s eye often only focuses on the romance and drama of the mining environment; men panning in the streams for gold, prospectors scrutinizing every crevice and rock in remote gulches and mountain tops, but in reality a gold rush mobilizes a plethora of skills, talents, and educational backgrounds, many of which were mute and unsung but as crucial as the miner. This is the story of such a man, Deadwood’s first assayer. Chambers C. Davis arrived in Deadwood... READ THE FULL STORY

So they hanged Bill Gay

2009-11-12T23:56:00.017-07:00

Another of the intriguing Dakota Territory communities that sprung up in the mid-1870s was Gayville.

Not to be confused with the East River community that once billed itself as the “Hay Capitol of the World,” this Gayville was a Black Hills settlement – one of the many dozens that emerged from the mining mania that swept over the region in those days. As illustrated on this 1877 Rand McNally map, Gayville is nestled in the hills between Deadwood City and Lead City. A closer look at the map -- along with early photos of the town -- can be found in our Gayville Gallery.

It is perhaps the earliest town/camp in what researcher Jerry Bryant – President of the Lawrence County Historical Society – likes to call the “golden loop.” If you travel north from Deadwood to Central Central, you arrive in the vicinity of what used to be Gayville just before you come to the Maitland Road turn off on the right. As shown in the map below, if you stand facing Maitland Road, Gayville would be to your back, and the little camp of "South Bend" would be where the house is on the left side of the Maitland corner.

Gayville was platted in 1875 by Bill Gay and his brother, along with others.

By some accounts, Gayville sported some 100 buildings and was competing mightily with Deadwood, Central City, and other communities to become the center of commerce in the northern Black Hills.

Bryant, who says he has “30 to 40 pounds of Bill Gay research files,” caught our attention when he allowed that the dapper Gay – shown here in an undated photograph taken in Helena, Montana – met his maker when he was hanged there for murder. That’s enough to whet the appetite of any researcher.

Was Gayville named for both Gay brothers or just Bill Gay? Was it an 1877 fire – described in a New York Daily Graphic news story by Adrienne Webster Davis – that nailed the coffin lid over Gayville? And who did Bill Gay kill? Bryant will soon be sharing more about Gayville and the town that is no more.

Stay tuned!

...about Crook City

2009-10-25T14:22:00.007-06:00

It’s hard to believe that the sleepy little Lawrence County by-way known as Crook City was once a teeming community that overshadowed other towns in the Black Hills region of Dakota Territory.

Some accounts reported as many as 10,000 inhabitants in and around Crook City.

Understandably, the history of this community is woven with fascinating stories that help add to the mystique of the gold rush era in Lawrence County.

The Lawrence County Historical Society publication Some History of Lawrence County contains considerable, if not cohesive, information that helps tell the story of Crook City. Society member Jim Weaver penned an article entitled Crook City - Dakota Territory for the LCHS Historical Marker newsletter some time back. He also assembled a nice collection of photographs of Crook City and its cemetery. We've aggregated just a few of them for display in this Crook City Gallery.

Our thanks to LCHS president Jerry Bryant for alerting us to the Crook City materials, and to Jim Weaver for pulling much of it together for the Historical Marker.

Davis cops history award

2009-10-19T20:41:00.007-06:00

Tireless cemetery guru Vernon Davis of Beulah, Wyoming, a Lawrence County Historical Society member, has been duly recognized for his hard work in cemetery preservation and restoration.

First, Davis was one of several Black Hills region folks featured in stories published last summer by the Rapid City Journal and the Lawrence County Journal. Staff writer Tim Velder noted that Davis and others are working with youth organizations like 4-H and Boy Scouts in an effort to get their assistance in taking care of neglected cemeteries.

“All of our history is in those cemeteries,” Davis was quoted as saying. “All of those people are our history. If we’re not going to take care of the cemeteries, then we aren’t going to take care of anything else.” Read the entire “Cemeteries” story.

Davis, who is a lifetime member of the society, was also honored in late September at the West River History Conference in Rapid City for his work related to cemeteries. He was presented with 2009 Herbert W. Blakely Award.

In the photo above, society member Jeannine Guern of Deadwood helps Davis admire the award during the LCHS meeting October 18th in Lead.

LCHS gets museum update

2009-10-18T22:44:00.010-06:00

The old “Days of ’76” museum building in Deadwood will soon come tumbling down, giving way to a modern two-story structure with climate control and room to expand the museum’s venerable collection of Old West and Native American artifacts.

Museum Board President Jon Mattson told some 40 members of the Lawrence County Historical Society Sunday (10/18) that the museum has raised about $4.5 million in cash and pledges. That’ll allow workers to proceed with demolition of the old museum beginning in November, and bids on a new structure will likely be opened in February 2010.

Mattson, along with Deborah Gangloff from the Days of ’76 Museum, spoke with society members during the LCHS fall meeting at Lewies’ Eatery in Lead. Deb and Jon (at right) paused for this photo after their presentation.

Mattson is hopeful that construction on the new building can begin as early as next March and be complete by March of 2011. The history of the Days of ’76, which dates back to 1923, is one of three major components for the new museum, along with the more than 50 old horse-drawn wagons and the historic Don Clowser collection of Old West artifacts.

The wagons, many of which have been featured in Days of ’76 parades over the years, date back to 1876 and include stage coaches, buckboards, and a variety of other horse-drawn carriages. While the old museum – which started as a storage shed – has provided a roof over the historic wagons, Gangloff says there is very little in the way of interpretive material because of limited space. That will be remedied with the new 32,000 square foot structure.

The Days of ’76 parade and rodeo are the oldest continuing historic attraction in Deadwood. The Deadwood Days of ’76 and the Days of ’76 Museum are incorporated separately, and each has its own board of directors.

After providing a narrative to an excellent Power Point presentation, Deborah Gangloff led a group of LCHS members on a special tour of the old museum. For many, this proved to be the highlight of the day! Take a glimpse in our Old Days of ’76 Museum gallery.

For many of the tour group, it was the first time in the facility – and likely the last – before the structure is demolished.

It was a rare opportunity to take one last peek at the building which has been home to these historic collections – soon to be replaced by a more spacious facility that can better accommodate the preservation and restoration of some of the best Old West artifacts in the country.

A look back at hydro-electric power

2009-10-10T19:26:00.010-06:00

With much emphasis upon wind energy across the country these days -- and other ways of furthering a "green environment" -- we thought it might be interesting to reach back a few decades to see what was going on with power generation in Lawrence County.

Of course, Homestake Mine was still going strong, and they were producing their own electricity at two hydro-electric plants along Spearfish Creek.

The first one built was #1, located adjacent to the City Campground on the edge of Spearfish, and it still is generating electricity for the City of Spearfish.

The other plant, #2, was farther up Spearfish Canyon. This is a recent picture of the dormant facility, which still attracts curious travelers as they sojourn up and down the canyon.

Here is a link to "Hydro-Electric Plants #1 and #2" written by Bob Parker and Tom Mayer. It was included in the 1981 tome Some History of Lawrence County, which was produced by the Lawrence County Historical Society and is now out of print. Copies of the book are available in area public libraries.

Fall meeting set for October 18th

2009-10-06T09:38:00.006-06:00

What’s going on with the Days of ’76 Museum?

Perhaps you’ve not been lying awake at night wondering about that, but prepare to learn all about the status of the new museum, scheduled to open in the spring of 2011 in Deadwood.

Days of ’76 Museum Board President Jon Mattson is scheduled to provide us with a museum update when the Lawrence County Historical Society meets on Sunday, October 18th! The session will take place beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Lewie’s Eatery at 711 South Main in Lead. Just follow U.S. 85 down the hill from Lead High School about a half mile.

The Tri-State Livestock News reports that the old museum closed on Sunday, September 13th – a month earlier than their normal fall closing – so that demolition on the structure could begin. The new 30,000 square foot, two-story building will be erected on the existing museum site.

Mattson will give us the latest on the status of the fundraising campaign, which – according to their website at Day’s of ’76 – has already banked $4 million toward their $6 million goal. Joining Mattson at our LCHS gathering will be Deb Gangloff from the museum.

This should be a particularly informative meeting, so make plans to join us! As always, visitors are more than welcome.

Wild Wyoming!

2009-09-22T15:11:00.022-06:00

About 20 people joined us last weekend (9/20/09) for the Fall Tour of the Lawrence County Historical Society – providing a close-up view of coal mining and other early history of our neighbors in Crook County Wyoming.

Bus driver Billy Vaughn of Dakota Bus Service helped members load up for the day-long trek from the parking lot at Black Hills State University in Spearfish to multiple sites in and around Aladdin and Sundance, Wyoming.

We heard comments like “wonderful,” “terrific,” and “let’s do it again!”

Between LCHS President Jerry Bryant and members Jim Weaver and Vernon Davis, there was lots of information relayed en route to our various destinations.

Vernon talked about a few landmarks near Belle Fourche, including old Minnesela, the route used by the Lakota Sioux when they returned from the 1876 battle at the Little Big Horn, the brick factory, the old railroad track bed, and the site of the old Black Hills Power & Light plant. He also shared stories about his great uncle, “Buckskin” Johnny Spalding, one of the many colorful characters whose lives helped create the fabric of western lore.

Jim Weaver pointed out some of the trail used by Custer’s troops during the 1874 expedition into the Black Hills. It followed Wyoming Highway 111 for several miles, including land now ranched by one of Jim’s cousins.

Many folks who’ve raced westward across Wyoming Highway 24 on their way to Hulett and Devil’s Tower have stopped to visit the Aladdin General Store, but few of them have taken the time to explore the Aladdin Coal Tipple, lurking behind the trees on the north side of the road just before arriving in Aladdin.

The tipple is a delight! Built in about 1898 as part of coal mining operations in the Aladdin area, it is believed to be one of the last historic wooden coal tipples remaining in the west. From here, coal was loaded on to rail cars of the old Wyoming and Missouri River Railroad short line for the 18-mile transport to the Chicago and Northwestern Railway line in Belle Fourche.

One of the signs at the site notes that “The tipple consists of two distinct parts: the coal bin, which is the large gable-roofed structure (uphill portion) and the chutes (downhill portion). The gable-roofed structure would receive and store the coal for the sorting and loading process. When the door at the bottom of the bin was opened, the tapered, funnel shape of the bin floor would gravity feed the coal to the chute system…remains of a catwalk are visible on the east side of the tipple. From the catwalk, the tipple operator would coax the coal down the chute, pulling and poking the coal with a handled tool.”

Many of our LCHS tour group navigated to the top of the hill, which overlooks the tipple and allows closer examination of the coal bin, mine entrance, hoist house and air ventilation shaft. In 1899, as many as 80 workers were employed by the mine, and it produced some 7,402 tons of coal.

From the tipple, the tour went to the Aladdin General Store, a place where you’ll find a little bit of everything. Folks who’ve not spent time poring through the merchandise and historical artifacts are missing a great opportunity. Built in 1892, the two-story structure remains a highlight for visitors to this Crook County community of 15 persons!

We retreated across the road from the store to the City Park for a picnic lunch and a briefing by local historian Pam Thompson, who recounted the rich history of Aladdin and the surrounding area, including the tipple.

We’ve included more information and photographs about Pam’s talk–and the entire tour–in our LCHS Photo Gallery.

Then it was off to the Crook County Museum in Sundance, via the route used by Custer in 1874 while he was exploring the Black Hills region. Jim Weaver provided great information about the Custer route along the way.

The museum staff in Sundance went above and beyond the call of duty, coming out on a Sunday to share their hospitality and knowledge of area history. Situated on the lower level of the Crook County Courthouse, the museum claims over 7,000 artifacts, including dioramas of Devil’s Tower, Vore Buffalo Jump, the Custer Expedition, and the first experimental nuclear power plant. Of course, there’s loads of information about Harry Longabaugh, who gained notoriety as the “Sundance Kid,” well-know partner of the infamous Butch Cassidy. The museum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday in the months of June, July and August. And it’s free! You can find more information on the web at Crook County Museum.

Leaving the museum, our group was met with dark clouds, rain, and a bit of wind. Nonetheless, temptation called and several of the group hiked up the street to partake of generously-portioned ice cream cones. “A bit of wind” may be an understatement for the weather we experienced in the vicinity of Warren Peak. By the time we arrived at the historic fire watchtower, only a part of the group was bold enough to scale the steps up several flights for a more rare view of the region. Alas, the nasty weather cut short our panoramic view of Bear Lodge and surrounding area.

Weather and time necessitated that we bypass the Vore Buffalo Jump near Beulah. So much to see, so much to do. So little time.

Such is the plight of history buffs! But chalk up the Fall Tour as another great experience for many LCHS members.

Fall tour just around the corner!

2009-09-06T11:50:00.001-06:00

During its August luncheon meeting, the LCHS Board of Directors approved plans for a Fall Tour that will take members across the border into Wyoming for an outing that’s sure to offer much interest to old-timers and newcomers alike.

Society President Jerry Bryant says participants will gather at the upper campus parking lot near the main entrance to Black Hills State University in Spearfish at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, September 20th. Arrangements are being made for busses to carry the group to several points of interest in Wyoming. Cost for the tour is $15 per person — to be paid as you board the bus. Please call Jerry Bryant at (605) 722-7474 immediately to reserve a seat!

The tour will go via Belle Fourche on the way to our first Wyoming stop at the Aladdin Coal Mine tipple, where rail cars were once “tipped” in order to load the coal. After the interpretive tour, it’ll be on to visit the historic Aladdin General Store — which has served as rail depot, freight office and other functions over the years. Perhaps there’ll be an opportunity to spin a yarn on the “Liar’s Bench” in front of the store.

Then it’s on to Sundance for a visit to the Crook County Museum and Art Gallery, which boasts a diorama of Custer’s 1874 expedition, a fine collection of vintage photographs, a courtroom mock-up of the trial of the Sundance Kid, a robust arrowhead collection, several “period rooms,” and much more. Special arrangements have been made for the museum to be open for our visit. If you’ve not visited the Crook County Museum — this should be a grand opportunity.

The tour will wind up with a visit to the historic fire watchtower near Warren Peak. This late-breaking addition will be a rare treat! If time allows, we’ll also stop at the Vore Buffalo Jump on our return trip. Adjacent to Interstate-90 midway between Sundance and the Wyoming-South Dakota border, this was the site where American Indians stampeded thousands of buffalo into a huge sinkhole — then slaughtering them for meat and clothing. A small Visitor’s Center is now on site with interpretive exhibits.

Although we’ll be under cover most of the time, it might be a good idea to bring along an umbrella, just in case!

Ft. Meade Tour

2009-08-27T17:18:00.007-06:00

By Jim Weaver

Society members and guests gathered at Ft. Meade on Sunday, June 21, 2009, for lectures, a video presentation, a tour of its history museum, and a guided tour of the grounds of this historic military reservation.

Among the subjects covered were base layout and architecture; life as a Calvary post, CCC camp, and German POW camp; location of the Ute Indian camp, and the Historic Cemetery. The post currently serves as a Veterans Hospital and a National Guard training facility. Many of the residential buildings house personnel that are associated with these activities.

The Black Hills National Cemetery is currently raising and realigning the headstones in the Historic Cemetery. When the project is completed, the stones will stand tall and as straight as soldiers on the Fort’s drill field.

Welcome!

2009-08-25T20:23:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the on-line Newsletter of the Lawrence County (SD) Historical Society: Historical Marker.

This site is intended to complement the printed newsletters that are sent to all members of the society. The print version of Historical Marker remains the official communication with members, and it will continue to be distributed semi-annually, in the spring and fall.

For existing members, prospective members, and others interested in Lawrence County history, we invite you to visit this site often. As features, notices, and other information becomes available, we'll be posting it on this site.

At right, you'll find information about the Lawrence County Historical Society, its Board of Directors, activities, and how you can become a member. We also provide links to related websites that you may find of interest, and there's a SEARCH box at the top right than can help you find topics on this site and related links. This is particularly useful as you have need to find information on regional topics.

Your suggestions and comments are encouraged! E-mail the Historical Marker editor at galeymedia@gmail.com. Thanks!