2008-2009 Spearfish Area Historical Society

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 It is the sole case where an amendment to the U.S. Constitution has been repealed.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 on Spearfish History, or you can click on more gallery pages below and continue to scroll down through other photographs from previous presentations.

We again express our gratitude to Ray and Darlene Telkamp for audio recording the April 7, 2009 program: Seth Bullock: Part II presented by Professor David Wolff of Black Hills University. Like Wolff's Bullock presentation last year, snow dogged the Spearfish area, but -- just like last year -- there was still a great turnout for the meeting at the Spearfish Senior Citizen's Center. Attendees were certainly not disappointed, as Dr. Wolff gave a sneak preview of his latest book, Seth Bullock: Black Hills Lawman. Much of the April presentation focused upon the many and varied entreprenurial activities pursued by Bullock, along with his partner, Solomon "Sol" Star.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: David Wolff transitioned from being a pharmacist to becoming a well-known historian throughout the region. An Associate Professor at Black Hills State University, he's been at Spearfish since 1998. He earned his Master's degree from the University of Wyoming and has his doctorate in History from Arizona State University. Last fall, professor Wolff was elected to a three-year term as Vice-President of the South Dakota State Historical Society. He has served on the 12-member board since 2000.

By the late 1870s, Bullock and Star purchased a ranch where Redwater Creek met the Belle Fourche River and started the S&B Ranch Company. Bullock raised horses for harness racing and was credited with introducing alfalfa to the territory in 1881. Bullock somehow acquired some 2,000 acres and seemed bent on getting even more and building a community. Alas, he was upstaged by entrepreneurs who created the town of Minnesela at a site just south of present day Belle Fourche. With creation of the new Butte County, they even won an election to be the county seat. Bullock lured the Fremont, Elkhorn, and Missouri Valley Railroad to build farther north, which they did in 1890 some three miles northwest of Minnesela. Bullock was credited with essentially founding the town of Belle Fourche. He then offered Minnesela businesses free lots in Belle Fourche, and the county seat was subsequently moved there. Belle became the largest railhead for livestock in the United States. Bullock had evened the score with Minnesela.

One of the earlier business ventures undertaken by Bullock and Star was a hardware store in downtown Deadwood. Perhaps reflecting who had the money in this partnership, notice that the building sign lists Star's name first. Professor Wolff's research determined that Star was the "majority partner." By the early 1880s, Star and Bullock had stores in Billings, Miles, City, Sundance, Sturgis,and Carbonate — and then Spearfish. Bullock had tired of the business and was out of it by 1900.

Bullock's partner for nearly 20 years was Solomon "Sol" Star. Born in Bavaria, his family moved to Ohio when he was about 10 years old. As an adult, he moved to Helena, Montana where he became territorial auditor and personal secretary to the governor.

After the hardware store burned down in 1894, Bullock put together a scheme to build a new hotel in Deadwood. Using land that he and Star had owned, he brought together some well-known and successful investors to fund the project. W. W. Marsh and Fred Evans (whose wealthy family had hotels in Hot Springs and Omaha) led the initiative and funded construction of the building. Ironically, although Bullock had little to do with the project, it carried his name. The Bullock Hotel was a three story, 64-room luxury hotel with steam heat and indoor bathrooms on each floor. It continues to operate to this day.

Professor David Wolff (left) visiting with some of the audience following his March 2008 presentation on Seth Bullock. Wolff believes the popular HBO television series Deadwood created a broader public awareness of Deadwood than it had previously enjoyed. "While much of the story line was historical fiction, I think the town was portrayed fairly...the show did use a lot of foul language, and I don't believe that the people talked that way."

For all of his many endeavors, Seth Bullock identified himself as a "Miner" in the 1890 Deadwood City Directory. He and Star had invested in several mining ventures, particularly the Iron Hill Mine. He had been a director since 1883 and was listed as its President by 1885. During a seven-year period, the mine reportedly produced $725,000 in silver bullion. Nonetheless, steep expenses left Bullock netting only about $600 during that entire time. As characterized by Woll in his presentation, Bullock "lost his shirt on the Iron Hill Mine." The 20th century held new directions for Bullock, as he entered what Wolff calls his "public service era." Bullock's long-standing friendship with President Theodore Roosevelt resulted in -- among other things -- Bullock's appointment as supervisor of the Black Hills Reserve, a Colonel with TR's "Rough Riders," and an appointment as U. S. Marshall for South Dakota. Thanks to the Adams Museum and House for use of this photo.

Seth Bullock died September 23, 1919, in the Bullock Hotel. He was 70 years old. Bullock's tombstone is on ground high above all others in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood. Both he and his wife, Martha, are buried here. Folks trekking to White Rocks above Deadwood will likely pass the grave, which faces Mount Roosevelt. To return to other recent Spearfish Area Historical Society topics, simply click Spearfish History, or you can continue to scroll down through gallery photographs from previous presentations.

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.

No stranger to the Spearfish Area Historical Society -- or most South Dakotans -- Paul Higbee delved into a subject with which he had some real first-hand experience: the history of old Spearfish High School. That was the topic of our March 2009 presentation. Thanks to Ray and Darlene Telkamp for audio recording Paul's presentation so that we could continue our regular postings of the monthly programs. We are shy a few "old" photographs of the school. We're hopeful that some generous soul will share some from their collection. Full credit will be given. Please drop as an e-mail.

Here's a contemporary view of the building, which is now the site of East Elementary School. The days seem numbered for the venerable structure, since the school board has plans to build a new elementary school on the north edge of Spearfish. It would replace East Elementary. It's always dangerous to mention names of people linked to the history of the school. Names like Joe Rigg, Ben Burris, Nina Wolspath, Charlie McClurg, Dave Clark, Martin Thompson, J. Howard Kramer, and Joe Fassbender are but a few of the names mentioned during Paul's talk. Please let us know if we've not spelled these names correctly! Undoubtedly YOU have many names that could be added to the list.

As evidenced by the cornerstone, the old high school was dedicated on June 12, 1924. Prior to that time, Spearfish elementary and secondary students took their classes on the campus of the old normal school, now Black Hills State University. Interestingly, in 1925 the major classroom building at the normal school burned, so college classes were also conducted in the new school building -- along with elementary and secondary classes. It truly was a "consolidated" school! It had been some 43 years that Spearfish was without its own stand-alone high school.

Higbee noted that almost all early-day photographs of the old high school building had Spearfish Mountain as a backdrop. The original building can be seen lurking behing a more contemporary structure in this photo taken in March 2009. Nonetheless, it's yet another view with Spearfish Mountain in the background! As noted above, we'd appreciate hearing from anyone who could provide us with early-day photographs of Spearfish High School. Simply drop us an e-mail. Many thanks!

The first class to graduate from the old school received their diplomas in 1927. There were 33 members of that class. By 1930, there were 50 graduating seniors, and the number of graduates hovered near that 50 mark for most of the 1930s, '40s, and '50s, with a slight dip in numbers around World War II. In 1926, Higbee says Dave Clark started a music program, and Charlie McClung became a central figure of the program for many years. The bandshell in City Park is named for him. The football field was created in 1930 one block south of the school, and it accommodated vehicle parking along the side of the field, allowing spectators to enjoy games from their cars.

Higbee recalled the spectacular views enjoyed by students at the old high school location. This contemporary view shows Crow Peak in the background. Classroom students on the south side of the building would have a splendid view of Spearfish Mountain. From a rather humble wresting team in 1956-57, when the program was started, Spearfish went on to win the state championship in 1960 and was recognized as a wrestling powerhouse throughout the 1960s. Signs were erected along the roads coming into town proclaiming Spearfish as "State Wrestling Capitol of South Dakota." When the old high school closed in 1979, there were 107 students in the graduating class.

Although he didn't identify himself as one of the gridiron crew, Higbee recounted that coaches would drill players by having them run up and down the side of the hill adjacent to the football field, leaving ruts that, combined with water runoff, can still be seen today. We're not sure the ruts shown here are a part of the landscape he described, but it may well be possible.. These are on the southeast side of the school. The old football field would be over this hill and to the right. By the late 1960s, football games were moved to the college -- as were basketball games, which were played in the Cook Gymnasium. Eventually, graduation ceremonies were also conducted at the college.

"Fight Corner." Only long-time residents would recall the colorful history of 8th and E. Illinois intersection in Spearfish. It's where many disgruntled kids settled their differences.

There was much apprehension about just how difficult it would be to move to a new building after 53 years at the same location near Lookout Mountain. Higbee says that the actual move -- during the Christmas holidays of 1979 -- employed about 400 people and a large pool of pickups. The deed was done, he says, within four hours. Even though it's called the "new" high school, the newer facility west of North Main has been in use some 30 years. Of course, there've been several additions to the building -- but it still has a nice vantage point, as witnessed by this view of Spearfish Mountain in the background. Of course, it's hard to beat the terrific panorama that students and faculty enjoyed from the old high school building. You can replace the school -- but not the memories! To return to other recent Spearfish Area Historical Society topics and index, simply click Spearfish History, or you can continue to scroll down through gallery photographs from previous presentations.

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.

Claudia Little and her husband, David, still occasionally make the trek back to Jackson County south of Kadoka to visit the old "2-0-2" ranch. That's where Claudia grew up, helping her father and mother on their ranch perched on the edge of the South Dakota badlands. Many in the audience of the Spearfish Area Historical Society meeting at the Senior Citizen's Center could easily relate to her stories. While her experience was not unique, her effective style of story-telling -- coupled with her authorship of two children's books about the experience -- set her apart from the crowd. It was the latest in a series of excellent presentations lined up for the 2008-09 program list for the society.

It was a nearly full house for the February meeting. Many of the attendees are lifetime members of the Spearfish Area Historical Society. For $50, one can become a lifetime member, thus not having to worry about paying annual dues. Lifetime status also entitles each such member to a personalized name tag and a courtesy reminder prior to each monthly session.

To help tell her story, Claudia Little relied upon impressive sketches done by Sharon Follette Grey of Spearfish. This one depicts Claudia and her dad watching a corral full of mustangs. Once a student in Mrs. Little's 3rd Grade class in Spearfish, Sharon "doodled every chance she got," according to her former teacher. The sketches shown were included in Claudia Little's first book, "Patches."

Weather is a prime concern for every rancher and farmer. Claudia Little reminisced about how her father worried about rain falling on fresh cut alfalfa, about no rain coming when it was sorely needed, and about lightning hitting haystacks. Sledding and skiing were fun activities for kids during the winter time. Summers would find them down at the creek swimming. "None of my friends had as good a swimming hole as I did, because my daddy put up a diving board!" She recalls that it was also a favorite cooling off place for the men after working in the fields. "One bad thing about the swimming hole was....bloodsuckers!"

With no electricity until the 1940s, Claudia's family relied upon a windcharger and batteries for very limited lighting and occasional listening to the radio for news and weather reports. "Dad hired a native American from the reservation to break a bunch of mustangs one year. He was almost a "horse whisperer." It was from among those mustangs that I picked a favorite paint and named it Patches.

Claudia Little's latest book, Mudpies, go on sale this month (February 2009). Dedicated to her two grandsons, Little says she wanted them to know what is was like for children "before the days of television, computers and electronic games." Mudpies helps tell that story. During a January presentation to students at West Elementary School in Spearfish, Mrs. Little described how this latest book was made, noting that the illustrations -- done by Sharon Grey -- were watercolor paintings with real children used as models.

Both Patches and Mudpies were offered for sale following the February meeting. It's always a great opportunity to visit with presenters following their talks, and enjoy fellowship with other society members. Snacks and coffee continue to be a bonus, too, and Paul & Joan Dingeman provided the treats for the February meeting.

Here is the back of Claudia Little's latest book, Mudpies. It offers a bit of background about her early years and how she came to authoring books for children. Click on the image and you'll be able to read the text.

Claudia Little clearly recalled the Blizzard of '49, which wreaked havoc across the upper plains -- including the 202 Ranch. It was months before they could get off the ranch, Claudia recalled. When her year-old sister became quite sick, the doctor from Kadoka flew over the ranch and "dropped her medication from his airplane in a nylon sock." To return to other recent Spearfish Area Historical Society topics, simply click Spearfish History, or you can continue to scroll down through gallery photographs from previous presentations.

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.

It truly was standing room only for the January 6, 2009, meeting of the Spearfish Area Historical Society. Well-known photographer Paul Horsted of Custer, whose stunning photography and creative publications have captured the fancy of all who love the Black Hills region, gave an outstanding program. Horsted is shown here on the right as he is introduced by society President Rand Williams. A reminder that you can see a larger version of each photograph by simply clicking on the image!

Paul Horsted showed dozens of photographs on the large screen. While many of them were Spearfish area shots from his popular The Black Hills Yesterday & Today book published by Golden Valley Press, he included many photographs related to his research of the Custer expeditions. He also shared a few materials that will be included in his next book, tentatively titled Crossing the Plains with Custer, scheduled for release later this year -- probably around November 1st.

Not only have Horsted's books been in high demand -- but his large framed photographs have become extremely popular. He offered significant discounts for attendees to the January meeting of the Spearfish Area Historical Society.

Those persons who'd previously enjoyed Paul's presentations knew that it would be chock full of intriguing information, and they weren't disappointed! It's always a bonus for attendees to have an opportunity to chat with the presenters following the meeting, just as this gent is doing with Paul after his January talk.

This is a closer shot of one of the many framed prints that Paul Horsted brought for the January meeting. These photographs were "then and now" images collected up Spearfish Canyon and included in The Black Hills Yesterday & Today. This is an absolutely stunning collection of historic and contemporary photographs! Refreshingly, Paul's work goes beyond collecting old photographs and taking contemporary shots of the same scenes. His solid research into the history surrounding the images is what makes his work so interesting -- and important! If you'd like to see a larger image, just click on the photo!