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.