Unless otherwise advertised, regular meeting of the Spearfish Area Historical Society (SAHS) are held at 7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month, September through May at the Spearfish Senior Citizens Center. It is located at 1306 Tenth Street.

Persons desiring more information may contact Laurie Williams-Hayes at 642-9620 in Spearfish.

We try to post a few photographs from each monthly meeting, along with a bit of information. You can scroll down to see photos from the most recent presentation. Photographs from earlier society meetings can be found by clicking on other "Gallery Pages" listed at the top and bottom of each page.

Linfred Schuttler gave the final program of the year; it was a narrative regarding early prohibition years in South Dakota.

The national era of prohibition didn't occur until 1919, when the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified by 36 states. While it didn't ban the consumption of alcohol, it placed severe restrictions that made consumption seemingly impossible. It took effect in 1920, but was circumvented in a variety of ways.

More than a decade later, in 1933, the government came to recognize the futility of the law, and prohibition ended with the ratification of the the 21st Amendment. It is the sole case where an amendment to the U.S. Constitution has been repealed.

Schuttler's May presentation focused on earlier "temperance" laws in South Dakota. He recounted how three different periods of prohibition occurred between 1889 and 1933.

Introduced by President Rand Williams as our "rock star" presenter -- primarily because he seems to draw a large crowd each time he offers a program -- Linfred did it again this month. About 75 persons attended the May meeting.

A postman for some 25 years, Linfred and his wife, Charlotte, operated a retail business on Main Street in Spearfish for 13 years: Bell, Book & Candles.

Linfred has provided a wide range of topics over the years. Most recently, they've ranged from tornadoes and temperance to tombstones.

Schuttler told how towns profited by fines and fees assessed against liquor dealers in those early years.

In 1891, fines in Deadwood generated some $2,000 per month in revenues for the city. In 1895, authorities raided opium dens in Deadwood's Chinatown and arrested 17 Chinese. That event was used to illustrate how authorities would often ignore some laws (alcohol prohibition) while enforcing others (drug use).

The Queen City Mail wrote about that event, saying "...chances are that every man engaged in the raid went to the nearest saloon and violated the laws of this nation by purchasing that which is strictly prohibited."

Getting a chance to socialize a bit following the May meeting.

Good conversation continues to be an important part of the society's monthly gatherings. It's a chance not only to visit with old friends, but also to get acquainted with newcomers who've recently moved to the area -- or folks who've just discovered the love of history.

Mention was made of Carrie Nation's visit to Spearfish. In fact, according to Schuttler, Ms. Nation was in Spearfish twice.

The Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was founded in Evanston, Illinois, in 1873. Dakota Territory chapters were formed as early as 1877.

Schuttler shared a story about how, following an 1890 court opinion that allowed South Dakota liquor stores to open, two Spearfish establishments promptly opened -- only to be shut down by the Women's Christian Temperance Union. "But the booze must have been stronger than the women of the WCTU," said Schuttler, "for
in February of 1891, the Spearfish Council discussed ways to convince the two dealers to share their revenue with the city in the form of a $25/month fine for the privilege of staying open."

WCTU may sound like an anachronism, but there continues to be a presence in South Dakota. There's even a SD-WCTU website.

That's Joe Picasso on the left. If you can identify the gent with whom he's talking, drop us an e-mail. Thanks.

Linfred Schuttler.

Linfred has given many programs over the years. We particularly enjoyed his Ghosts of Rose Hill Cemetery, which was presented last November.

David Wolff (at left) is a member and frequent presenter at the SAHS. His most recent programs have been about the famed lawman Seth Bullock. His book Seth Bullock: Black Hills Lawman was just published and is available from the South Dakota State Historical Society Press.

An Associate Professor of History at Black Hills State University, David also serves on the Board of the South Dakota State Historical Society and was elected Vice-President last fall. He did a superb job as master of ceremonies for the SDSHS History Conference in Pierre last month (April 17-18, 2009) .

The 2009-10 officers for the Spearfish Area Historical Society were elected during the May meeting.

Seated in front is Mary Selbe, Secretary; others (left-to-right) are: Dorothy Honadel, Treasurer; Cheryl Miller; Paul Dingeman, Vice-President; Callie Houghton; and Rand Williams, President. Not pictured is Laurie Hayes, Programs.

To return to other recent Spearfish Area Historical Society topics, simply click Black Hills Journal History Section, or you can click on more gallery pages below and continue to scroll down through other photographs from previous presentations.