This file is the text of the book, "South Dakota's Ziebach County, History of the Prairie", published in 1982 by the Ziebach County Historical Society, Dupree, SD Permission to publish this book in electronic form was given by Jackie Birkeland, member of the Historical Committee. This book is copyright, 1982 by the Ziebach County Historical Society, Dupree, SD. Scanning and OCR by Terri Tosh , final editing by Joy Fisher, . EWING and LANGLOIS by Mable Ross (1960) Joseph Langlois, a Frenchman, well educated and an old timer on the reservation, who had been a scout with Custer in Kansas, married Zoeie Kensler, 1/4 Indian, 1/4 German and 1/2 French. His daughter, Louise, married Quill Ewing, one of the early cowhands and wagon boss for Narcisse Narcelle. Eb Jones married one of the Langlois daughters, JoAnna; Jim Herald married another and Babe LaPlante the fourth sister. Henry, Ed and Louis Langlois were sons of Joseph Langlois. Bill Ewing and Irene were children born to Louise and Quill Ewing. Bill is one of our youngest cowboys, having ridden for several of the outfits in the eastern section of the reservation. The Ewing Ranch was on Bear Creek about three miles east of Dupree. Bill Ewing own(ed) a fine ranch near White Horse. [photo - Quill Ewing home northeast of Dupree] HARRY FAIRBANKS FAMILY Harry Fairbanks was born near Geddes, South Dakota in 1907 and moved to the Maurine country in 1909. He grew up in that area and in 1934 was married to Dorothy Schetnan of Dupree. They herded sheep in the Maurine area for a while, then Harry worked in a garage there and Dorothy worked in the postoffice. In 1941 they moved to a ranch northwest of Dupree where they lived until 1953 when they moved into Dupree and Harry operated a garage until his retirement. Dorothy worked in Hickenbotham Store and later for the Dupree Insurance Agency. Harry passed away in 1979 and Dorothy retired that fall and moved to Sturgis, South Dakota. Harry Lewis Fairbanks married Lorraine Scott and they have three children, Jane, Lori and Sheila. They live in Sturgis and own the Northern Hills Printing Company in Spearfish which they operate. Donald married Sally Hemen and lives in Rapid City where they are both employed. They have two children, Walter and Dawn. Kenneth is married to Bonnie Seymour and lives in Sturgis. They have three children, Michael, Kelli and Terri. Joan married Jack Seymour who is employed at the Vo-tech School at Sturgis. They have two children, John and Kathy. Joyce married Dale (Bud) Stapert and lives near Midland. They have three children, Bryan, Darla and Jeffrey. LAURENCE FAIRBANKS FAMILY Laurence Fairbanks was born near Geddes, South Dakota in 1904 and moved to Dunnebeck near Maurine in 1909. He grew up in this area working on ranches and then carried mail from Faith to Newell when it took a day each way. In 1935 he married Lucille Kincaid who had grown up in Faith. Her parents had lived in the Faith area since about 1910, her father, Jim Kincaid, having worked for the Diamond A Cattle Company before his marriage. Lucille attended one year at Spearfish Normal after her graduation from Faith High in 1933. She taught the Bachman School in Ziebach County in 1935. In 1938 they moved to Sturgis where they lived until 1942, Laurence working on the state highway. In 1942 they moved back to Faith where they lived until 1952, moving then to the former Elmer Brammer farm northwest of Dupree with their three children. Here they lived for six years. Lucille taught the Lone Tree School for three years. Many Sundays it was not uncommon for twenty to thirty people to gather at their home with the Elliot Rickels, Robert Mackenzies, E. L. Schetnan and other relatives. In 1958 the family moved into Dupree where Lucille worked as deputy in the county auditor's office and Laurence did custom farm work. Later he managed the Dupree Liquor Store until his retirement in 1973. He passed away in 1975. Lucille worked for the county as clerk of courts for two years and later as county auditor. Their daughter Laurayne married Oscar Frankfurth and now lives in Aberdeen where he works as mechanic for the State Highway Department and Laurayne is bookkeeper for Cargill Elevator. They have six children and one grandchild. Larry is married and lives in Pierre where he works for the state highway crew. He has two children, John and Lynda. Iverne married James R. Holloway, who is a brand inspector at Faith. She operates a beauty shop out of her home. They have one daughter, Glenda. CLINTON and JEAN (MILLER) FARLEE by Jean Farlee My father, Lewis (Cully) Miller and my mother, Margaret Evelyn Miller, were married on September 20, 1933 at Dupree, South Dakota. My mother was born August 29, 1913 at Council Bluffs, Iowa. She was the daughter of Jesse Nelson Miller and Margaret Mae Maines, who came to Ziebach County in 1910. My folks lived in Ziebach County all of their married life except for about a year when they lived near Lead, South Dakota. They bought the Ben Henderson place in 1943. It was 9 miles south of Dupree on the Cherry Creek Road. Their 8 children were all born in Dupree. They were Inez Lavonne, born August 22, 1934 and died August 25, 1934; Lewis Tolvstad (Lewie), born July 17, 1935; Eliza Jane (Lit), born December 19, 1936; Margaret Mae (Maggie), born February 24, 1938; Robert Clark (Bob), born June 28, 1939; Gerald Lee (Jerry), born April 5, 1941; Donald Dean (Donnie), born January 24, 1944; and myself, Jean Ileen, born December 17, 1946. We all went to the White Swan School, which was about a quarter of a mile from our place. I went to school with Diermiers, Millers, Birkelands, Fields, and Herrens. My teachers were Bertha Schuh, Merle Beebe, Trula Fields, Betty Heckel, Esther Hemen and Faye Longbrake. We always had a dance every fall at school, and at Christmas time we had a Christmas program. We went to Dupree for the County Y.C.L. Conventions in the spring. The spelling contest and exhibit day was also held then. I was a delegate from Ziebach County to the State Y.C.L. Convention at Pierre in 1960. It was quite an experience for me. We stayed at the St. Charles Hotel and our meetings were held in the Senate Chambers at the State Capitol Building. Lewie, Maggie and Jerry were also delegates when they were 8th graders. We all attended high school in Dupree. Sometimes we stayed in town, and sometimes drove back and forth. My dad died July 17, 1961. Our house burned down in October of the same year. We moved to town for the winter. My mother bought a trailer house and we moved back out in the spring. We moved it over on the creek about a mile east of where we had lived. I married Clinton Farlee May 28, 1962. We had 5 children. Kent James was born August 8, 1963; Shelley Marie was born November 1, 1964; twins, Kristy Rae and Kathy Kay were born October 14, 1973. Kristy Rae died the same day; and Shane Clinton was born November 1, 1975. We lived in El Paso, Texas for over a year while Clint was in the army. We bought the home place from my mother. Clinton is one of five sons of Don and Tina (Stambach) Farlee; Rick who lost his life in World War II; Keith, rural Lantry; Donald, Dupree; Bob, Lantry. All attended Lantry grade school. Clint, Don, and Bob were Dupree High graduates. Keith graduated from Eagle Butte. Clint is serving his second term as Ziebach County Commissioner from District #3. FLORENCE FIELDER Florence Fielder was born in Bloomington, Illinois in about 1864. Miss Fielder came to Ziebach County with her parents, her brother, Napoleon Fielder, and either a sister or a cousin named Vinnie Fielder in about 1911. They homesteaded 10 miles southeast of Dupree. Her parents returned to Illinois after proving up on their claim. Evidently she had proved up on a claim of her own and must have taken over her parents claim also. She lived on the claim and did some farming for a number of years. In the early 1930's she moved one of the houses to Dupree on lot 3, block 36. She lived there a number of years, renting a couple of rooms to high school students. In February of 1944 she moved to Vancouver, Washington and died there in May of 1944. In looking through the old Progress papers, we find that in 1940 a cousin of Miss Fielder's, a Russell Fielder, had been here to visit. It has been told that Miss Fielder was a Christian Science healer and that she had played a part in the recovery of some neighborhood children who had been seriously ill. Miss Fielder's parents died some years before she did and her brother, Napoleon, who was a railroad carpenter, was killed in Wakpala about in 1915 or 1916. Her old claim became a part of the Fred Miller ranch and is still in the Miller family. The house she had left in the country became the first home of Delbert and Eva Miller and the one she moved to Dupree was torn down and the George Vanderview's home is on the site. W. H. FISCHER Mr. and Mrs. Fischer came to Ziebach County in the fall of 1910 and settled on their homestead seven miles south of Eagle Butte. They came by train to Isabel and then to Dupree by car. Mr. Fischer farmed and also taught school and worked in a lumber yard. He recalled one of the most unusual experiences was in 1915 when he was flooded out of Ziebach County. DAVID and IDA FLAIG Ida B. Hirsch married David B. Flaig on November 1, 1925 at Baker, Montana. They lived in Bismarck, North Dakota before moving to Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1926. They lived in Hazen, North Dakota from 1928 to 1929. They moved to Isabel, South Dakota in 1929, living there until they moved to Greeley, Colorado in 1931. They returned to Isabel in 1933 where they lived until 1952 at which time they moved to Rapid City, South Dakota. The couple had three sons: Harold of Rapid City, Milton of Henderson, Nevada, and David Jr. of Flint, Michigan; four daughters: Mrs. Elmer (Sylvia) Bertsch of Spearfish, Mrs. Elmer (Vivian) Bren of Rapid City, Mrs. Robert (Gall) Johnson of Aberdeen, Idaho and Mrs. John (Donna) Henschen of Baltimore, Maryland. Mrs. Flaig died in Rapid City in August, 1981. Mr. Flaig still resides in Rapid City. THE FLICKS by Verna (Miller) Flick Claus and Mary Flick, with their three sons, Lewis, Albert and Art moved to Ziebach County in 1921. Mr. Flick purchased 480 acres south of Dupree in 1920 and later in 1921 or 1922 - 160 acres. Bill Flick lived on the place one year then moved to Iowa. Emil Flick moved on the place in 1923 to 1927. The Flick family moved back to Scotland, South Dakota to their old home place in 1924 and back to Dupree in 1925. Lewis attended school in Dupree in 1922 to 1924. Then went to work for Krikac and Avie Geesey Lange General Store. Albert and Art attended school in Dupree also. Lewis went to Texas in December, 1928. Albert left soon after. Art married Verna Miller in 1932. Their four daughters were born there. Dawn, Mary, Virginia and Lorna. Claus Flicks left Dupree in 1934 and moved to Scotland. The Art Flicks left there in 1941. I understand while Claus Flicks lived at Dupree he planted trees and made a park known as Flick Park. MR. and MRS. FLOYD FRAME Floyd Frame was born in Woodstock, Illinois in 1890. In 1910 he came with his parents to their homestead, at what was to become Faith, South Dakota. Laura Bolander was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1891. She lived in Nebraska and eastern South Dakota, in the Centerville area, until her father died when she was 12 years old. Her mother responded to the challenge of a new life west of the Missouri River and they moved to a homestead at Cottonwood, South Dakota. Their claim was where the trails from Chamberlain and Pierre came together. Her family earned their living by providing food and lodging for travelers and their horses on their way to the Black Hills. They later homesteaded at Opal, South Dakota. It was from there that in 1911, young Laura rode horseback 28 miles to Faith to find a job. Sederstrom’s Cafe needed a waitress and Laura was hired. In 1911 Floyd Frame was working at Ed Duell's livery barn at Faith and he ate some of his meals in Sederstrom's Cafe where Laura worked. The couple met there and were married in 1913 in the Geesey house in Dupree. Floyd Frame homesteaded south of Dupree in 1918 adjacent to where the Pete Longbrake's now live. The Staple M Ranch with headquarters 3% miles northwest of Frame's homestead went broke in the winter of 1919-1920 when they lost 1700 head of cattle in a series of vicious winter storms. The Frame's bought that place and lived there from 1924 until 1943 when they moved to a farm near Lansford, North Dakota. In 1972 they retired in the town of Lansford, North Dakota. Laura Frame passed away July 12, 1981. Floyd is still residing at their home in Lansford. The Floyd Frame's had five children. Thomas Edson was born May 2, 1916. Thomas attended grade school at White Swan School. He stayed with his grandmother, Myrtle Frame, and attended high school in Woodstock, Illinois. Thomas worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Black Hills for three years 1936-1939. He then attended the South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City. He graduated with a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1943. He served 2 years in the U.S. Navy. In June 1946 he was employed as Senior Engineer, Westinghouse Electric Corp., Baltimore, Maryland. Most of the work was in the Electronics Division in communications. In 1974-75 he worked on the television cameras for the Apollo-Soyez Test Program, (Russian-American space project). Thomas is holder of two U.S. patents. Thomas married Vivian Thurn, July 26, 1944, in Ithaca, New York. Vivian was from the Black Hills area. They met while attending the School of Mines. Thomas and Vivian had four children. Elaine, born September 22, 1945, married Ed McLaughlin in December 1966. Jennifer McLaughlin was born to Elaine and Ed, August 11, 1972. Mark Frame was born September 26, 1947. He married Carla Briggs in May 1972. Lynn Frame was born March 8, 1954. Jan Frame was born June 22, 1955. She married Alan Seabaugh in June, 1979. Thomas Frame passed away in August, 1979 at his home in Virginia. Vivian is still living there. Wallace Frame was born June 14, 1917, attended White Swan rural school and high school in Faith, graduating in 1934. He joined the navy to see the world in 1937, and see the world he did. He made many trips to the Orient. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked December 7, 1941, but was out on maneuvers at the time. His family was deeply concerned for his welfare until they finally heard from him. He saw a lot of action in World War II. He became involved with the space program while he was still in the navy and has continued this work since he retired in 1950. He is at present a Project Engineer for Titan Programs which deals with the launching of space satellites, including the recent Jupiter and Saturn probe. Wallace and his wife, Myrtice, live in Sunnyvale, California. He has three children, Larry, Laura Sue and Brenda. Carol Frame, born December 25, 1918, attended White Swan rural school and high school in Faith. She attended college in Spearfish and obtained a teaching certificate in 1936 and began teaching. She married Kenneth Johnson, November 21, 1940. Carol and Kenneth have resided on a ranch 18 miles southeast of Faith since 1943. James Frame was born April 15, 1921. He attended White Swan rural school and graduated from Faith High School in 1940. He stayed with his grandmother in Woodstock, Illinois one year to attend high school. He was married to Thelma Johnson, October 19, 1941. Maurice Frame was born July 27, 1929. He attended the White Swan rural school through the sixth grade. Since the White Swan School was closed the following year, he attended the Dupree School and graduated from there in 1947. Maurice worked in the Dupree area for a time, then joined his parents on the farm near Lansford, North Dakota. He served two years with the Army in Korea during the Korean War, then returned to North Dakota to work on the farm. He married Jane Mosher from Willow Lake, North Dakota, in 1959. Maurice and Jane have six children, Morrey, Kyle, Neil, Bryce, Dawn, and Cheryl. They have continued to operate the farm since the Floyd Frames retired in 1972 and moved into the town of Lansford, North Dakota. [photo - Floyd and Laura Frame at their 60th Wedding Anniversary Celebration, 1973. Maurice, Wallace, Jim, Tom and Carol.] [photo - Grandma Bolander, Jim, Tom, Wallace and Carol Frame by Frame’s home in 1923] JIM and THELMA FRAME Jim Frame grew up on a ranch on Rattlesnake Creek 23 miles southwest of Dupree. Life on the prairie was harsh before the coming of electricity, telephones and good roads. Children worked hard, assuming a lot of responsibility at an early age. According to Jim's parents, he was able to fix every piece of machinery on the place before he was of high school age. Grandma Bolander, Laura Frame's mother, made her home at Frame's and the loving deeds of this kind, gentle person are among Jim's best childhood memories. Schoolhouse dances, with music furnished by neighborhood musicians, are fondly remembered by young people growing up through the 1930's. Jim would ride horseback many miles to attend. Young people along the way would join in so that by the time they reached the dance there would be quite a group of merrymakers. All of the children, except Maurice attended White Swan School through the 8th grade. Maurice finished school in Dupree when White Swan closed in 1941 for a few years. Other families whose children attended this school were: Giles and John Brownwolf, Dick and Ed Swan, Thunder Hoops, Charging Eagle, Red Horse, Tom Bolander, Jim Bowling, Thede Lafferty, the Sharpe children, Carl Christersen's, and in later years, the children of Fehrman Ohnemus and Delbert Longbrake. My parents, Kate and Chester Johnson, lived on a ranch on Mud Creek, 18 miles southeast of Faith. Daniel, Gertrude, Kenneth, Jim and Thelma Frame, Jerry, Jimmy, Gary. and I attended the Mud Butte School through the 8th grade. The younger children, Russell, Ethel and Beverly also attended this school but finished elsewhere. Other families whose children attended were: Jess Overacker, Hank Martens, Martha Miller, Albert Fish, B. Lee Crane, Raymond Rider, and Carl Johnson. "Drought" and "Depression" were hard facts of my childhood, yet we never felt deprived. Those conditions probably brought people closer together in a spirit of sharing. Neighbors gathered to play cards, dance, for ball games, picnic and to make music. Jim and I graduated from Faith High School in 1940. We were married October 19, 1941. Jim's parents, Floyd and Laura Frame, moved to Lansford, North Dakota in December of 1943. We went to live on their ranch on Rattlesnake Creek and stayed until the place was sold to the Chicago Cattle Company in 1945. Our first winter on the ranch is clearly etched in our memories. In the night of January 26, 1944, a howling blizzard struck and took three days to vent its fury. The ground, previously bare, was now covered with two feet of snow. Normal travel was impossible until the snow melted in the middle of April. Jim's uncle, Louis Bolander, came unexpectedly the night the storm struck. His help with the livestock was needed and really appreciated for the next several weeks. Aside from being lonely, we didn't really suffer as we had a good supply of wood and food. We did, however, run out of kerosene for the lamps. We improvised by burning tallow with a cloth for a wick until Jim fixed a windcharger. A windcharger was a device for using the wind to charge batteries. Jim's dad had bought an old one with a broken propeller at a sale. Jim took a generator and battery from a car, mounted the generator on the windcharger head. He carved a propeller Out of a 2 x 6 board and PRESTO! We had electric lights. We moved to Dupree the day after Christmas, 1945 and this has been our home since then. Jim went into Soil Conservation Construction in partnership with Art Engel in 1953. He bought Engel's share of the business in 1954 and is still doing business as "Frame Construction”. I taught school two and a half years and worked at the Post Office in Dupree 31 years prior to retirement on July 10, 1981. We have three sons: Gerald presently lives in Whitewood, South Dakota with his wife, Phyllis (Red Bird) and their three children, Phillip, Tracie, and Shelby. He owns and operates a transmission repair shop. After graduation from DHS in 1962 he attended the South Dakota School of Mines. He was in the military service, spending time in Korea and Virginia. He returned to Dupree after his discharge from the service and worked for Lantry Garage, owned the Phillip's 66 Station, and operated a transmission repair shop before moving to Whitewood in September, 1980. Gary, a 1962 DHS graduate, lives in Reseda, California with his wife, Marsha (Coleman, '64 DHS grad.) and daughters, Amy and Marina. After he was married in 1965, he attended school in Minneapolis for two years and then joined the Naval Air Reserve which took them to California. He attended night school for 5 years to get a degree in electronic engineering. He has been involved in many interesting research projects in this field. Jimmy and his wife, Barbara, live in St. Paul, Minnesota, where they both work for Northwestern Bell. After graduation from DHS in 1964, he attended school in Moscow, Idaho, Brookings, South Dakota and Aberdeen, South Dakota. His son, Trygve, lives in Seattle, Washington with his mother. Jim's military service was in New Jersey and Vietnam. He began working for "Ma Bell" right after his discharge from the Army. [photo - Jim and Thelma Frame, Jerry, Jimmy, Gary] JOHN H. FRANCIS John H. Francis came to Ziebach County in May 1910 and settled 6 miles southeast of Dupree. He worked in the Lantry elevator and served in World War I. In November, 1919, Mr. Francis was united in marriage to Clara Hoverson at Janesville, Minnesota. One of the experiences Mr. Francis remembers from the early days was a garden which he planted in May 1911 that came up after the rain in September. From 1935 to 1952, Mr. Francis served as Postmaster in Dupree. The Francis' were active members of the Congregational Church and American Legion and Auxiliary. They retired in Phoenix where John at 93 is still active. FREDERICKSEN—DOMINA Harvey Fredericksen and Shirley Domina were married at Ft. Pierre in 1939. They both were residents of the Glad Valley area in northern Ziebach County. For a time after their marriage he was employed by Ed and Agnes Presslar on their ranch near Thunder Butte Station. Later they ranched in the Glad Valley area until 1944. Harvey entered the army and served in World War II in Europe. After his return, he worked for the State Highway Department for many years at Glad Valley. Later he was transferred to Edgemont, Pierre and Rapid City. He retired in late 1980 after nearly thirty-three years with the State Highway Department. Harvey and Shirley live near Black Hawk, South Dakota. Their only son, Marvyn, lives in Pierre with his family. GLEN and NORA FRENCH FAMILY by Nora Lafferty French Glen French and I (Nora Lafferty) were married January 5, 1922 at the home of Gifford Lafferty in Dupree. The Barnes store had burned the night before, January 4. It was 30 degrees below zero and there was several feet of snow on the ground. Effie Margaret Pollard and George T. Hall were our attendants. I came to Dupree the spring of 1916 and my dad homesteaded in the White Swan area. My first teacher in Dupree was Birdie Geesey. Others were Augusta Jeffries, Nellie Hopkins, Miss Mangan, Prof. Kraskin and others in the old white building. I rode horseback seven miles to school and missed very few days. Glen worked for the Jeff Carr Ranch on the Cheyenne River our first winter. We lived around Dupree the first year, then moved to the Chase Community, and Lucille was born on the old Babe LaPlante place. Evelyn and Glen, Jr. were born on the Pennington place at Chase. Both were home deliveries with Dr. Creamer in attendance. Then Virginia and Jack were born in the Dupree Hospital at Dupree, again with Dr. Creamer and also Pearl Jewett. Our good neighbors in the Chase community were Ben and Harvey Henderson families, Jennerson, Henry Meier, Ohnemus family and others. Hendersons played for country and schoolhouse dances and we usually all traveled together. Such wonderful times! From Chase we moved to Cherry Creek area in 1928, leasing the Four Hand place. There our closest neighbors were Jeffries, Serres, Bennetts, Fletch and Lee, and what good friends they all were. In March of 1929 Glen became very ill. There was mud in the whole area, hub deep, as we had a very hard, cold winter with lots of snow. I was pregnant but had to get help. The creeks were flooded so I saddled a horse and rode seven miles and called across the creek to the Hensley and Starr Ranch. They heard me and said they would be over as quickly as they could on horseback, as it was impossible any other way. Leo and Ralph got to the ranch about 2 p.m. Glen was unconscious and we thought he was dying. Leo said he would go to the Meier and Ohnemus ranch for more help and get a buckboard and more horses and we would try to get him to Pierre. That took a day and when they all got there, we decided we couldn't move him in the cold, that it was hopeless. The next day about 10 a.m. he came to and just relaxed and went back to sleep. He turned green and just slept. We finally got him to Dr. Creamer and he couldn't understand how he could still be alive as we were sure his appendix had ruptured. Anyway, it was over a year before he was completely well again. Again, later in the year, he was going to the Meier-Ohnemus ranch to get a butcher hog. It had been raining again so he was again going with team and wagon. He met Walt about a half mile from Cherry Creek and asked about the creek. Walt said he had just ridden across it, and was swimming the horse, but it was O.K. When Glen drove his team in, he soon learned the creek had risen. The team was drowned and just by a thread, he managed to crawl out by tree roots and make it to the house, where he passed out. Then in August of 1929, we had a terrible prairie fire that burned east of the Cherry Creek road, from just south of the reservation fence to the Cheyenne River, with us in the center. We lost all our hay, equipment, and most of our grass. Then in October the big crash! What a year! Then the CBC took over the reservation leases, so we had to find a new location, and we moved to the old Tony Rivers Ranch north of the Moreau River on Red Earth Creek. That was another year of severe drought but we made it by hauling a sled of cake every other day from Isabel with over 60 inches of snow on the flat. We fed eight pounds of cake per head per day and cotton brush and rotten straw, but we wintered well. Then we had dry year after dry year, plus grasshoppers. In 1934 we sold down to 200 head of cows. Again we wintered on cake and grass and it was scarce and short. In 1935 we had some moisture, then in 1936 it was very dry and we shipped our cattle to Brookings and Flandreau to be wintered, giving one calf out of every three. In the spring, we shipped back to Isabel and continued struggling. Prices were low and times were hard. We went into sheep in the 40's and managed to pay out, but lots of headaches and hard work. Also in the 40's we got into raising quarter horses by accident. One day a gentleman from Oklahoma drove in and tried to lease our ranch for oil. In visiting he asked where we had gotten that band of good quarter horse mares. We said we had raised them. He wanted to go look and when he had looked them over, he said we'd better get them registered. He said they would all have to be inspected for appendix registry, then tentative and after their foals had passed inspection, they would go permanent. So we bought our first registered stallion and we are still in the quarter horse business, with horses in many states and Canada, and satisfied customers, and have made so many wonderful friends. After several years, 33 in fact, at Isabel, we sold the ranch and moved to Newell in 1966. Then in 1979, Glen, age 80, and I, age 75, sold the little ranch at Newell and bought 1/2 acre at Evergreen Valley, eight miles west of Rapid City on Highway 44. Our lives have been tough, with many ups and downs -- but it's been worth every minute -- hard times from depression, drought, grasshoppers, we have seen them all. But there is such pride and love in my heart when I can ride to a hill top, breathe the clean air, see the blue sky, the beautiful hills and prairie, and remember the good times and the good friends, that I bow my head and thank the good Lord for our blessings. [photo - Sheep shearing on Glen French ONO Sheep Ranch] [photo - Glen French ONO Sheep Ranch] [photo - Glen and Nora French, 1979] WILLIAM FUHRER FAMILY William Fuhrer married Christine Sprenger on December 13, 1928 at Eureka, South Dakota. They lived at Eureka for a short time. Then they moved to Dupree and lived southeast of Dupree. Their daughter, Wilma, was born in June of 1931 at Dupree. Dr. Creamer was the Doctor and Pearl Jewett was the nurse. In 1934 they moved north of Dupree on the former Curtis place along Highway 65. They farmed and raised cattle. It was very dry. William worked on WPA to help keep the family going. Their second daughter, Elsie, was born in May of 1940. Dr. Creamer was also the Doctor at that time and Pearl Jewett the nurse. In the 40's and 50's the years were good and there was plenty of rain. In the summer of 1952 they built a new house in Dupree and moved into town in the fall of 1952. William did odd jobs, electric wiring, and worked for the county for a while. Christine worked at the Dupree Hotel for the Bill Ochsner's. William died in May of 1957. Christine remarried in 1961 to Albert Fuhrer of Isabel. They lived in Dupree and Christine worked as a cook at the Dupree School. In 1962 they moved to Isabel. Albert passed away in 1965 and Christine moved back to Dupree. She went back to work as a cook and baker at the school and worked there for fifteen years. She retired in 1977 and lives in Dupree. She still does baking for people in her home. [photo - Christine and Bill Fuhrer] CHARLES M. and VERA (WINCE) FULLER We were married in 1928 and after eight years of farming and milking cows on the Wilbur Vance homestead, a mile and a half west of the Frank Fuller homestead, we started searching western South Dakota for a ranch site with creek and timber for stock shelter and bottom land for hay. Using the homestead soil topographical map given my father when he homesteaded, we found a section of deeded land along Red Coat Creek near Red Scaffold. A part of the land had natural drainage from three sides, centered so livestock would drift into shelter in a storm. There was unlimited room to expand so we bought it in 1936 and named it Red Coat Ranch. It was sold to Ralph and Lucille Freeman in 1949, and now belongs to Jack and Ann Freeman. The Fuller Farms, sold to the Schauer Brothers in 1969 included 27,000 acres of the land of early homesteaders as well as the Jack Ford spread northwest of Redelm. I would add that the initial land purchased on Red Coat Ranch was bought from Knox Sublette who was a son, I believe, of the famous "Mountain Man" Sublette who roamed the area trapping in earlier times. While I was in high school, a student by the name of Philip Carson, grandson of Kit Carson, also attended. His father, John Carson, was then agent at Thunder Butte Station. After high school graduation at Dupree and four years of college, I taught for one year. Vera and I ranched and farmed in Ziebach County until 1970 when we moved to Vermillion where we are now retired on a small farm near town. We fenced and built up three places in Ziebach County, and two places in Clay County where we now live. FRANK FULLER FAMILY by Esther Fuller Wince My parents, Frank and Lena Fuller, came from Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin to the end of the railroad at Isabel in September, 1910. They had an emigrant car filled with equipment and dreams of a new home in a new land. We camped in a tent before continuing the trip by covered wagon to our claim twelve miles southwest of Dupree. It wasn't long before the necessary buildings were built and the all important well dug. There were five children, Irene (Hegre), Charles, Robert, Arthur and Esther (Wince). In a few years Della (Hegre) and Bill completed our family. Our education began in the Robertson School. The teachers of those one room schools were real pioneers too, coming into a strange land to teach boys who were larger than the teacher in some instances! One of my grade school teachers was Everett Reynolds, now of Corvallis, Oregon. When more horse power was needed, Dad bought a small herd of wild horses and many Sundays were spent with some neighbors helping and the rest watching the early day sport of rodeo as the horses were subdued to saddle and harness. Entertainment was scarce so this was greatly enjoyed by young and old. Sickness was a dreaded reality and I was the victim of a ruptured appendix when I was nine. The journey was made by wagon, riding on a cot, to Dupree. Dad and I bearded the train to Mobridge where I spent the next nine weeks. Somewhere on the Fuller homestead, now owned by the Schauer brothers is a Black Hills Gold signet ring. The young doctor gave it to me because I recovered from his first surgery. When he asked if I wanted a doll, I told him I had dolls at home, I wanted a ring. He gave me his ring that he said was too small for him. I wore it even though it was too large and lost it picking up potatoes. So there's gold in one of those fields, Jake. If you ever find it, you will know the story. In general, everyone was healthy eating home grown vegetables and fruit, some wild and some tame. Dad experimented with crab apples, cherries and plums and was successful when the weather cooperated. Three of us graduated from Dupree High School and Charlie completed four years at South Dakota State University in Brookings. He taught one year in Beach, North Dakota. Dad worked in North Dakota to supplement the farm income. He held different offices in the County Court House. Boxes of clothing were sent by well-wishing relatives in Wisconsin, who no doubt felt sorry for us out in the wilderness. Clothing was remodeled to fit and passed on to the younger ones. We were taught economy because we lived it and the lessons we learned still apply. There was work for everyone but there were fun times too. We would go bob-sledding to the neighbors on cold, wintry nights for visiting and games. We had Sunday School and picnics at the schoolhouse. There were community 4th of July picnics on Redelm Creek. There were Thimble Bee gatherings and just neighborhood get togethers. Charlie and Arthur took over the farm in the late '20's when the folks went to Wisconsin. They soon returned to live in Redelm, Dupree and then Spearfish. My parents retired to Spearfish, South Dakota, in the 1940's where Dad could fish. He was involved in Spanish American War Veteran offices and State Commander. Mother passed away in Hot Springs Hospital in 1950, and Dad at the Soldier's Home in 1953. Brother Robert married Marine Sunderland and they moved to Los Angeles where he died in 1966, and Marine in 1972. Arthur married Lenora Schuchhardt, they moved near Aberdeen in the dry thirties. He passed away in 1950 and Lenora lives in Faith. Irene married Severin Hegre, an implement dealer in Dupree. He passed away in 1956 and after living in Faith for some time, Irene passed away in 1979. Della, born soon after our arrival on the homestead, is married to Ole Hegre and they have lived in Rapid City since World War II. Last in the family is William E., born in Dupree in 1918. He is married to the former Doris Goodwin, Isabel; they live in Albany, Georgia. I was married to Ross Wince and we lived in Idaho for a year but returned to South Dakota and bought the Lovelady place where we lived for thirty years. Some of those years getting our four children, Sherman, Gordon, Nyla and Donald, through school were quite a struggle. In the early 1950's the snow was very deep and I decided to spend a week in town with Gordon, Nyla and Donald. I drove a team and bobsled to the Fuller farm where Antone Zacher was caretaker during their absence. I caught a ride to Dupree, returned days later with Fred and Neta Nelsen, walked a mile and a half to Fullers. Antone hitched up the team but I hadn't gone more than a half mile when a blizzard struck. I managed to get back to the barn and spent the next three days with Charlie's hired man. We had a makeshift phone so Ross knew I was safe. Antone held the old adage as true, "It's an ill wind that blows no good.'' I baked pies and biscuits, he was willing to let me cook. That is an inkling of our pioneering days in the rural area. Sherman is now a retired Lieutenant Colonel and lives in Marina, California. He and his wife, Goldie, have four children and four grandchildren. Gordon and Carol (Bartelt), who now own the home place, have five children. Nyla and her husband, Charles Schad, have six children and two grandchildren. Donald and Charleen (Zephier) have six children. Ross passed away December 3, 1980. I am grateful for our 53 years together and that we spent the last twelve winters in Arizona. The survivors of this pioneer family are Della Hegre, Rapid City; Bill, Albany, Georgia; Charles, Vermillion, and Esther Wince, Spearfish, South Dakota. ORSON GAGE Orson Gage was born June 4, 1881 at Prophetstown, Illinois. He married Rosa J. Goff on February 21, 1906 at Oakland, Iowa. They farmed in Iowa before moving to Dupree in 1916, where they lived on a farm until 1945 when they moved in to Dupree. Mrs. Gage died May 8, 1947. Later he moved to Faith where he lived for several years before entering the Faith Nursing Home. Later he transferred to the Dorsett Home in Spearfish where he died in April, 1973. The Gage children are: Bessie, Ruby McMurray, George, Rex, and Lee. REX GAGE Rex Gage was born October 31, 1914 at Tingley, Iowa. He moved to Dupree at the age of two with his parents, and attended school at Dupree. He farmed in the Dupree area and served in the United States Army during World War II. Rex married Agnes Brokaw and the couple farmed in this area. In 1952 he operated a service station in St. Onge. From 1957 to 1970 he worked for the Gamble and Western Auto in Spearfish, and he worked for four years as a custodian at the Black Hills State College. He retired in 1977. He married Phoebe Sleep Weaver on May 18, 1964 at Spearfish. He was a member of the VFW at Spearfish and American Legion Post #164 at Spearfish. Rex died in September 1978. GEORGE E.GAMMON George (Pete) Gammon came to Ziebach County in the fall of 1917 and filed on a homestead 12 miles northwest of Dupree. He came by train to Isabel and forded the Moreau River in a 1914 Model T to get to Dupree. He served from 1918 to 1919 in World War I, returning to his claim when he was discharged. He built his shack on his claim and then was married that same fall. In 1920 he and his wife moved 9 miles southwest of Dupree where they resided until the death of Mrs. Gammon in 1946. At this time Pete moved to Dupree where he was an insurance salesman. The Gammons had one son who passed away in infancy. Mr. Gammon passed away in November 1956. THE LEE GARRETT STORY Lee Garrett was born July 23, 1916 in Ziebach County to Jack and Laura Garrett. He had two brothers, Carlin and Bill, who are still living and he has one deceased sister, Cleo. His parents homesteaded in Stanley County and later moved to Ziebach County near the Circle P Springs. Lee's mother was the daughter of Doug Carlin, who ran the store and post office at Carlin, South Dakota: Carlin was also a South Dakota State Senator. Lee married Ruth Hinzman in October, 1938. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Hinzman, had homesteaded in 1910 at a point seven miles south of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, in Ziebach County. After their house burned, they bought land two miles north of Eagle Butte and built a home there. Ruth has five living sisters and two deceased brothers. From the time of their marriage, Lee and Ruth have lived just one half mile east of the Circle P Springs, which they own. They have always raised cattle and are now retired. Until the new waterline was put in, the Circle P Springs was the source of drinking water for people on both sides of the Cheyenne River. People would come for many miles with tanks on their trucks and pick-ups to haul water and no one ever had to pay for it. The Garrett's have seen Highway #63 changed and the Cherry Creek Road paved; a new bridge has also been built across the Cheyenne River. For many years, Lee's brother, Carlin, and family, owned and operated a ranch four miles west of Lee's place. There was a country school where the children got their education. In 1956 Carlin sold his ranch and moved to California. Lee and Ruth have one daughter, Joy. She is married to Andy Fischer, whose parents lived north of Eagle Butte. Joy and Andy have three sons and they live about two miles east of her parents. Andy and his three sons are now leasing Lee's land and are operating the ranch. HENRY (SHORTY) and ELIZABETH (PICKER) GAWENIT Henry or Andre Gawenit, or Shorty, as most people knew him, was raised by his uncle in England. Shorty married Elizabeth Picker Brooks, daughter of Wilhelm and Elisabeth Picker. She had one daughter, Ruth Brooks, by a former marriage. Other children were Freda, Albert, Andrew and Ida. They lived near Milesville, South Dakota before moving to Ziebach County about 1924 or 1925. Ruth Brooks worked for the Frank Bednar family and went to Dupree High School. Freda, Albert, Andrew and Ida went to the Lone Tree School and the family lived with Mrs. Picker and Albert and Herman. They drove a horse and buggy to school 41/2 miles. Later the children went to the Main School. The family moved to a farm two miles south of the Picker farm and they farmed there until 1928 when they built up a homestead about four miles north and west of there. Freda attended Dupree High School and graduated in 1932. Albert, Andrew and Ida attended High Point School. During the 30's the family left to find work on the west coast. Shorty passed away in 1950 and Elizabeth in 1958. Ruth Brooks married Otto Rosenau. She now lives at Raymond, South Dakota. Freda now lives in Culver City, California. Albert lives in Newark, California. Andrew lives at Moses Lake, Washington. Ida married Gerald Fine and lives at La Grande, Oregon. JOSEPH GEBHART by Joseph Gebhart I came to Ziebach County with my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Gebhart, from Stratford, South Dakota, where I was born April 19, 1910. We came west in 1914 and settled in the northwest corner of Ziebach County. I lived there until 1959. I have five brothers and two sisters, all living. My dad was born in Germany and came to the U.S. when he was fourteen years old, all by himself. My mother was born in Wisconsin and she and her parents moved to Minnesota, where she lived until she married my father. She was the oldest of nine children, so it fell to her to help in the fields with the plowing and cultivating, which was done with machinery and horses and they had to walk behind. I attended the Butte View School for a couple of years and had four miles to go. Then they built a schoolhouse about a mile from our place where I, and my brothers and sisters, went to school. I finished the eighth grade, as did the rest of them. Our house was a two room house at first. Just a tar-paper shack with a box car roof. Then later on dad built two rooms on the north so we had two bedrooms. It was heated with a coal stove that was taken down in the spring and set up again in the fall. My dad was a plasterer and mason and went all over to do jobs. I remember one time he went way over to Lantry to plaster a schoolhouse. He was gone three weeks. In the early days they had to pay cash for groceries. There was no charging. I remember my dad sat and tried for three days to churn butter to take to town to buy a few groceries but the butter never came, so no groceries. We used to raise garden produce and potatoes. Some times there was not enough so potatoes and cabbage had to be bought. I remember when we used to go around the neighborhood shock threshing. It was hard work but we used to have fun. The women used to feed us good and when we worked hard we were hungry at meal time. When we traveled anywhere in the early days it was with horses and buggy or wagon. The grain had to be hauled to Isabel with four horses on a triple box wagon and the coal was hauled about 20 miles with four horses on a wagon. My dad finally bought a used Model T which he used to go to town in the summer but in winter it was jacked up on blocks and left in the shed. My dad died in 1932, just before the dirty thirties hit. We managed to hang on to the farm and after the war I bought more land and increased the farm from 480 to about 3500 acres. My mother died in 1950 and I got the farm from her. I married Wilma Hatle and we lived on the farm for nearly fifteen years after that. I lived there from 1914. We now live in Spearfish. ORIN S. GEESEY FAMILY JOHN A. GEESEY FAMILY by Forrest Geesey My grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Orin S. Geesey and Mr. and Mrs. James Madison Pidcock. My parents were John Adam and Minnie Belle Pidcock Geesey. The Geeseys were born at Myrtle, Minnesota and the Pidcocks were born at Clyde, Missouri. They came to Ziebach County in 1910. The Geeseys came to LeBeau by train. Both the Pidcocks and my father, John Adam Geesey, came to LeBeau in an immigrant car on the railroad. The Geeseys arrived in Ziebach County by automobile (an air- cooled Franklin). The Pidcocks came from LeBeau by covered wagon, which was a three day trip. They were all homesteaders. The Geesey claims were 2 1/2 miles southeast of Dupree; the Pidcocks claim was 6 miles southwest of town. The Pidcocks farmed their original claim and later moved 12 miles northwest of Dupree. He worked part-time as a butcher in Dupree and later served as county commissioner for several years. The Grin S. Geeseys lived in Dupree. My father, John Adam Geesey, ran a livery stable and stage line to the railroad, in partnership with Hayes Milton, then ranched several years, 21 miles south of town. He later farmed 2 1/2 miles southeast of Dupree. The buildings are all gone except the O. S. Geesey home in Dupree and the farmhouse 2 1/2 miles southeast of town. The Geesey home in Dupree was built and lived in by a man named Schroeder. The original Pidcock home was a sod house. They were all built in 1910 or 1911. I remember all four of my grandparents and two of my great- grandfathers. My parents, John Adam Geesey and Minnie Belle Pidcock, were married in Dupree on July 3, 1911, and their marriage license is number five in Ziebach County. They moved from the farm to Pierre in 1927 and then moved to Texas in 1928. We lived in Dallas, Texas until 1929 when we moved to Greenville, Texas. I, Forrest Eugene Geesey, was born August 14, 1912; Luada Belle Geesey Burnett was born October 31, 1915; and Carol Avelyn Geesey Jaco was born December 23, 1918. We were all born in Dupree and delivered by Dr. Creamer. We now all live in Greenville, Texas. Both of my sisters are widows and are retired. Our mother is still living and is in excellent health. I have two daughters and five grandchildren; Luada has a daughter and a son and eight grandchildren; Carol has one son and three daughters and thirteen grandchildren. I continue to run the business, Burial Vault Company, that my father established here in 1928. He passed away in 1976 at the age of 87. He was active in the business until his death. I attended the Dupree School from the first to the eighth grade. I attended Pierre High School for one year, one sErnester at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas and graduated from Greenville, Texas High School in 1932. My transportation to all of these schools was walking. About my studies -- I didn't do any more than was required. I played baseball and football in Texas. I played on a football team here in Greenville that was not defeated until the semi-finals in the state race. Some of my teachers were very efficient, but some of them were duds. In all of the schools I attended, my classmates as a whole, were the world's nicest people. I don't know how our homes in Ziebach County were built but they were heated by lignite coal. I married Katie Mae Smithers, a native of Greenville Texas, in 1936 and am still happily married to her. I have relatives scattered all over the western part of the United States, most of whom have lived in Ziebach County, and whose addresses I do not know. John Geesey had the privilege of voting in the first general election to organize Ziebach County. He served as deputy sheriff and was a charter member of the Masonic Lodge 171, organized in Dupree in 1911. THE GLADSTONES by Lyn Gladstone In 1910 Frank Gladstone and Mable H. Scott of Cooperstown, North Dakota, went by train to Timber Lake, South Dakota where they filed on homesteads southeast of Dupree, in Ziebach County. He was born September 15, 1878 at Andes, New York, to George Kyle and Jane Liddle Gladstone and attended high school there. He served with the 1st New York Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American War, then entered law school in the Union University, Albany, New York where he graduated and was admitted to the New York bar in 1902. He then entered the real estate and law business at Cooperstown, where he served as states attorney of Griggs County. Mable was born March 18, 1886 at Medelia, Minnesota to Carl and Vidia Rygh Scott. She attended school there and at Cooperstown, and was a graduate of the McPhail School of Music in Minnesota. The couple was married December 26, 1910, moving to their homestead southeast of Dupree the following year. About 14 months later they moved into Dupree. He was elected as the first states attorney of Ziebach County in 1912 and served alternately in that office and as county judge until 1934 when he was elected Circuit Judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit, a position he held until retirement in September, 1955. Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone were active in both the social and commercial life in Dupree, were members of the Order of Eastern Star and the Congregational Church. She gave private piano lessons to many young people of the community, was church organist and played for many programs and other activities. At the eastern edge of town, the judge helped their six sons lay out and construct the first tennis court in the community--one with inlaid concrete lines--and later a golf course which extended into five tracts of pastureland. Their home was a popular center for the youth of the community. The "judge" also performed many marriage ceremonies in their home when he was not at the office but he had many difficult decisions to make as well. Some involved cattle rustling, divorces in which he initially tried for reconciliations, and still others for robbery, disturbing the peace or property disputes. According to some residents, one of his most difficult decisions was to order a popular neighbor and businessman out of town to avoid a trial that would involve unfavorable publicity for the juveniles the man had induced to drink and go nude-bathing with him in Lantry dam. Although the family moved to Lemmon in 1945, the judge received his 50-year Masonic medal in 1954 at Dupree, where he was a charter member of the Lodge. Mrs. Gladstone died at Lemmon on January 9, 1955, and he died at a Belle Fourche hospital on January 3, 1964. Their sons are still living--Kyle at Lemmon, retired after more than 30 years of court reporting; Lyn at Rapid City where he is West River editor and a staff writer for the Rapid City Journal after having published papers at Kadoka, Onida, Sisseton, and Newell; Clay, Long Beach, California, where he is an appraiser; Scotty, Las Vegas, Nevada, where he is a practicing attorney; Dale, Farmington, New Mexico, where he is a postal employee and part-time parts manager for a garage, and Wayne, another successful attorney in Richland, Washington. All of the sons, excepting Clay, who was then working as a geologist in South America, are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces World War II service and are married. Kyle has one daughter and four grandchildren; Lyn, two daughters and two grandchildren; Scotty, two sons, four daughters, and five grandchildren; Dale, a son, two daughters and one grandchild; and Wayne has two sons, two daughters, and five grandchildren. [photo - Judge and Mrs. Frank Gladstone, surrounded by their six sons, (l to r) Wayne, Dale, Lyn, Clay, Scotty and Kyle. 42nd Wedding Anniversary, 1952] MRS. HATTIE GOEN Mrs. Hattie Goen was one of the pioneers south of Dupree, having settled there on a quarter section in 1911. In the "hey day'' of the West River country, Mrs. Goen owned as much as two sections of land southeast of Dupree and had a number of cattle. She had one of the first big alfalfa fields which gave a heavy yield for a number of years until drought later killed it. Hattie Anna Cox was born on November 18, 1861 in Jessup, Iowa. Little is known of her, but she married in Buchanan, Iowa in either 1896 or 1897. A daughter, Ethel Retz of Harrison, Arkansas was their only child. She spent several years with a sister, Mrs. George Cotton in Waterloo, Iowa, but returned to Dupree where she lived in her home located on Lot 5, Block 42. For a number of years she rented part of her home to students. In 1939 she was taken to the hospital at Eureka, South Dakota where she died February 14, 1940. (From West River Progress) [photo Hattie Goen] JOHN and JUSTINA BEIERLE GOLTZ John and Justina Beierle Goltz and son, John Jr., came to the United States from Romania in 1900 and settled at Leola, South Dakota, and lived there until 1916 or 1917. They came by train to Isabel and homesteaded three miles north of Glad Valley. There were fourteen children born to this family. Ten were born at Leola and three on the homestead near Glad Valley. The youngest died at birth and was buried on the farm about 100 feet from the house. Mother Justina passed away December 2, 1925. Mary, the oldest daughter, had to be mother to six younger sisters. Father John passed away February 26, 1930. An uncle from Wyoming took the family and was their guardian. They all worked in sugar beet fields for a living. From there most of the girls moved to Deer Lodge, Montana with the uncle. The names of the family members are: John Goltz, Jr. (deceased), Mobridge, South Dakota; Caroline Goltz Sonnefeld, Littleton, Colorado; Gottlieb Goltz (deceased), Anaconda, Montana; Emma Goltz Hormel (deceased), Loveland, Colorado; Mary Goltz Roth, Loveland, Colorado; Minnie Goltz Ford (deceased), Tillamook, Oregon; Alvina Goltz Hiltz (deceased), Cody, Wyoming; Elizabeth Goltz Forgey, Deer Lodge, Montana; Helen Goltz Graff, Sunnyside, Washington; Dorothy Goltz Sirich, Helena, Montana; Anna Goltz Axley, Modesto, California. Most of the family went to the Glad Valley School before they moved to Wyoming. They walked most of the time when weather permitted. In winter they were taken by team and wagon. The house on the homestead was built by the father, John Goltz, and is now on the Vic Matter place. It was heated by a coal stove. When John Goltz, Sr. passed away February 26, 1930 the snow was so deep they took two sleighs to take the body and casket and seven men to Isabel. The family went to the Lutheran Church at Athboy, South Dakota but it was too cold and stormy to go to Isabel. This information was taken from a letter from Mrs. Henry (Mary Goltz) Roth. Mary married Henry Roth of Greeley, Colorado in 1936. They have three sons, Glen, Henry W., and Jack. They have eight grandchildren. They all live around Loveland, Colorado. [photo - Goltz family, 1922] DAYID and MARIETTA GOODWIN Mrs. David (Marietta) Goodwin, daughter of Ruth Chambers Sherman, step-father, Noble Sherman. She had one sister, Iverna Chambers, a half- sister and brother, Bina and Stanley Sherman. They moved to Ziebach County in 1915. Iverna Chambers and Noble Sherman filed on land near Isabel. A few months later, Marietta and her husband, David Goodwin, also filed on land adjoining the Shermans. Isabel was their nearest town with post office, stores, church, doctor and pharmacy. Mobridge was their nearest hospital. Two daughters were born at their home in Ziebach County with an Isabel doctor in attendance. Ruth was born in June 1917 and Doris in October 1919. Iverna, after proving up on her land and working in the Isabel post office, moved into Isabel to be closer to her work. She died during the influenza epidemic during World War I. In the winter of 1919, the Goodwins moved into Isabel. The mother, Ruth Sherman, passed away and Mr. Sherman returned to Michigan to be near his relatives. Bina Sherman married Clifford Kiech of Dupree. They moved to Seattle where Bina died. Clifford still lives there. Stanley Sherman married Clara Rodke of North Dakota. They moved to Minnesota. He died in 1980. Clara still lives there. In May, 1929, Marietta and David had a son born in Isabel. In 1941 they moved to Timber Lake where David was associated with Timber Lake Livestock Commission until he retired. David died in 1964. Their daughter, Doris, married Bill Fuller of Dupree. They live in Albany, Georgia. Bill is associated with an auto parts company. Doris is a retired kindergarten teacher. Their son, David, is assistant editor of their daily newspaper. At the close of World War II, Ruth married Willard Kotterman of Mobridge. They moved to Pittsburg, California. Willard is a retired postal service supervisor. Ruth is a retired L.P.N. David married Joyce Dodd. They had two children, a boy and a girl. When the children were quite small, Joyce died. When Lana and Gary were in high school, David, who is a mechanic, married Patricia MacKenzie. They have one daughter, Ruth Anne. June 18, 1981, the family and friends held open house for Marietta's 90th birthday. She lives in a mobile home in Ukiah, California. ORVILLE and HELEN (KNIPFER) GRASLIE by Helen K. Graslie Orville Thomas Graslie is the last of the Norwegian community of south Redelm. He takes great pride in the fact that he has lived in the same area all of his life. There was but a brief time when he did not live there and that was when he served in the Army in World War II. Apart from that, ranching, farming and community service has been his life and he has expanded and improved the original homestead. Orville served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations during World War II, having spent time in Hawaii, Marshall Islands, Mariannas, Okinawa, Philippine Islands, and the Occupation of Japan after the war ended. He saw front-line duty on Okinawa, and was on the front line during the battles for Hills #79 and #85 on the southern tip of Okinawa. The battles for these two hills were the last organized resistance by the Japanese in World War II. Orville and I were married in October, 1949, and six children make up our family. Thomas, Buffalo; Naomi Hamburg, Los Angeles, California; Nina Vilhauer, Aberdeen; Ellen Fletcher, Rapid City; Debra Graslie, Rapid City; and Kristi of Dupree. [photo - Orville and Louis Graslie] [photo - Mrs. Ludwig Graslie; daughter, Lavonne; Ludwig Graslie; son, Louis; daughters, Carol and Serene. Son, Orville, is not pictured] THE GRASLIE FAMILY by Helen Knipfer Graslie and Lavonne Graslie Butler It was in October, 1912 that Ludwig M. Graslie homesteaded five miles south of Redelm. He'd left his home in Norway, near Tondheim, when he was seventeen. He lived for four years in Montevideo, Minnesota before taking up a homestead here. In 1913, 1914 and 1915, Ludwig worked in the Homestake Mine at Lead. He'd been a cross-country skier in Norway and the strength and stamina he had acquired enabled him to bicycle from south of Redelm to Newell -- 90 miles -- then on to Lead the next day. He would make the journey back and forth over the prairie in this manner until he was called into the armed services in 1916. After his service years, he worked one more year in the mine before deciding to live on the homestead permanently. Ludwig married Lilly R. Ness in June of 1924 and she was also of Norwegian extraction. Her father, Tron Ness, homesteaded north of Faith in 1911. He and his wife, Bertha Johnson Ness, were from near Bergen, Norway. Lilly Graslie was a large woman and she had great energy. She moved quickly, her body propelled by slender legs, like a China clipper ahead of a quickening gale. She had an instant rapport with the "underdog", especially with the very young. In a confrontation of unequalled strength, she bore down like a fugate with guns bustling. The aggressor usually retreated with all speed; if he couldn't or didn't, he was the recipient of a talking to, the likes of which few youngsters hear today. If Lilly were ever to be enshrined, it would be with a coffee pot in one hand and a plate of warm, fresh, homemade rolls in the other. She liked nothing better than having someone drop in for "coffee". Her idea of "coffee" was a six-course meal which she served with a flourish and a lot of love. Lilly and Ludwig raised five children on their ranch: Lavonne, Orville, Louis, Carol, and Serene. There is a feeling like no other when you come home again to your birthplace. In the year 1947, Ludwig Graslie asked the bus driver to let him out at the foot of the hill near the farm in Norway. He didn't know that his kin waited for him at the bus station. He preferred to carry his suitcase and walk the remaining mile alone with his thoughts. Trudging up the rocky road to his old home, he saw a dark head bobbing at the window, peering out. His mother was not among the relations waiting at the bus station. She wanted to wait for him at home and she had done so for 38 years! In 1949 Lilly and Ludwig moved to Sturgis, South Dakota where they lived until their deaths in 1966 and 1965 respectively. Both are buried in the National Cemetery near Sturgis. The following is a short essay written by our oldest daughter, Naomi Graslie, for her school paper in 1969: TO GRANDPA: "I am a forgotten person. I am an unsung hero. My life belongs to a past, doesn't merit anything because I didn't live in a modern society. I am a proud American citizen. I came to America from Norway when I was seventeen years old. I learned to read and write a foreign language and later earned my citizenship. I served in the United States Army. I came to South Dakota at the age of twenty and homesteaded on a ranch southeast of Faith. I married, reared a family, and worked hard to make my ranch prosperous. I earned the respect of my fellow neighbors and helped them when times were hard. I started again and again when Nature defeated me. I sent several of my children to college to have the best education possible. I sold my ranch to my son and helped him begin his life as a rancher. I gave my children every chance for life as free Americans. I am Mr. Ludwig Graslie. No one ever thanked me for challenging life or accepting its challenge. I struggled and fought for what I thought was right and now I'm gone. No one ever thanked me." Ludwig Graslie could count among his grandchildren today several teachers, a nurse, an attorney, two dentists, a designer, artist, social worker, railroad worker, space worker, and a rancher. He'd have smiled at this, wrinkled his nose, hunched his shoulders, nodded his head a couple of times, and said, "That's doin' something". I would say, "It's sort of thanking someone.” The area south of Redelm was once a large Norwegian colony and in 1921 or '22 Ludwig and his neighbors, Karl Hegre, Hjalmas Ringsby, Sigurd Ronning, Ole Tandberg, Lars Tysver, Even Stensaas, Ole Sundsrud, Adolph Abraham, Harvey Sommervold, Pederson and others organized and built a Norwegian Lutheran Church. The hill where it stood still bears the name "Church Hill" to the family. Those who don't know its history think its called "Church Hill" because you pray all the way down and up the other side! Lavonne (Mrs. Elmer Butler) ranches near Rattlesnake Butte and lives in Faith. Lavonne was elected to be Faith's mayor in 1981. Her children are Richard and James Butler. Orville and his wife, Helen, bought the farm south of Redelm. Their children are Tom, Naomi, Nina, Ellen, Debra and Kris Graslie. Louis, a successful high school basketball coach, was named Basketball Coach of the Year in 1957. He lives in Belle Fourche and his children are Doug, Scott, and Rim Graslie. He is Superintendent of Schools in Belle Fourche. Carol (Mrs. S. L. "Buzz" Donnenwirth) is a bookkeeper in Rapid City and her husband sells insurance. Their children are Cathy, Coreen, Bill and Wanda Donnenwirth. Serene (Mrs. Jim Vance) is a real estate agent and broker in Great Falls, Montana and her husband has an automotive parts store. Shelly, Sherry, and Sharla Sims are the children of Serene. GEORGE and DELLA (MOWERY) GRAY by Margaret (Loeffen) Becket George Cyrus and Della Belle Gray with their son, James arrived in Dupree in the month of March, 1916. George was a farmer and their home was in the central part of the quarter section of land east of the present Carl Schauer residence. George was born in 1878 to James and Laura Gray, Litchfield, Nebraska. He and Della Belle Mowery were married about 1904. She was the daughter of Jacob and Jane (Smith) Mowery. Their daughter, Jennie, passed away at eight years of age in Nebraska. Della gave birth to Laura Jean in January, 1920 and passed away ten days later at the home of her sister, Saloma Callen. The baby succumbed to whooping cough in June 1920. Understandably devastated, but with true pioneer fortitude George and James continued to live in their home in the country for several years before moving into Dupree. In addition to farming, George worked on roads for the county. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and the Rebekah Lodge. He was active in community affairs and was a square dance caller. His death occurred in 1952. JAMES and RUBY (OLSON) GRAY James went to school and grew to manhood in Dupree. On February 18, 1933 he and Ruby Olson, daughter of Ole F. and Myrtle Olson of Lantry, were united in marriage. To them were born five children: Pauline, Harvey, Lilah, Dorothy and Jimmy who was killed in 1969. Grandpa George lived with them until his death. James was a willing worker in community services including baseball, dance band and transporting students to sports events by car. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and he and Ruby joined the Rebekah Lodge. They farmed a mile west of Dupree, the present day Donnie Farlee Ranch, until their home was destroyed by fire in 1941. The next year they purchased a farm two and one-half miles southwest of Dupree and farmed for ten years. In 1952 they purchased a pool hall in Dupree and moved to town. Later they purchased a grocery store in Newell, South Dakota. Within two years that was destroyed by fire and they moved to Sturgis. In 1958 James went to work for Davis Gas and Appliance in Eagle Butte where they lived until his death in 1970. Ruby lives in Rapid City. Pauline Gray married Harold Davis December 25, 1952 at Dupree. Their children are Arlie George and Roxie Leu. Arlie married Janie Miller, their sons are Zachary James and Joshua Ryan. Roxie married Bret Stambach, their son is Austin Joe. Harvey Gray married Yvonne Webb July 20, 1956. He spent twenty-four years in the United States Air Force, they have retired in Colorado Springs, Colorado after so many years in various countries and states. He is presently manager of a country club and golf course. Their four children are: Jeff, Lisa, Marla and George. Jeff and his wife, Debbie and their son, live in Japan where Jeff serves in the Air Force. Lisa married Fred Jackson, their home is Denver, Colorado. Marla's husband is Curt Campbell, their son is Chris and their daughter is Shanna. Their home is in Colorado Springs, Colorado. George is at home and in high school. Lilah Gray married William Bosley in December 1967. Their son Michael William. Lilah has four children by a previous marriage to Frank Bachand. They are Curt, Trudy, Toni and Scott. Curt Bachand is married to Connie (Menzel), their children are Tracy and Jason. Trudy is Mrs. Leo Bakeberg II, they live in Rapid City. Toni's husband is Mark Pierce, their home is Kansas City, Missouri where Scott also lives. Lilah and Bill live at Eagle Butte where they manage the Eagle Butte Municipal Package Liquor Store. Dorothy Gray is married to Norman Mutchler and lives in Billings, Montana. Their son is Robin, their daughter is Ronda. Robin and his wife Leslie, and son live in Billings also. Ronda is Mrs. Dennis Fulkerson, they have a son and reside in Tacoma, Washington. Dennis is in the Air Force. Jimmy Gray was married to Donna Brewer. They had two children, Cheryl and Harold. [photo - James Gray family, 1948. Back row: Harvey and Pauline. Middle row: Ruby and James. Front row: Dorothy, Jimmy, Lilah] GEORGE H. GREGORY George Harland Gregory came to Ziebach County in 1910 by horse and wagon and settled on a homestead on Sand Creek, 6 miles north of Dupree. On June 26, 1912, at Dupree, South Dakota he was united in marriage to Louise Marple. Mr. Gregory served as a Deputy Sheriff in 1910. Also he was a charter member of the Masonic Lodge. The Gregory children are as follows: George Harland Gregory, Eithel Gregory Sever, Roberta Gregory Kadoun, James Merton Gregory, Bessie Gregory Simpson. THE ALVIN GRIFFITH STORY by Rose Griffith Alvin Griffith was born on the Griffith homestead southeast of Dupree, to Carl and Maude Griffith (the sixth child of ten) on March 30th, 1914. He with his parents and family lived here for a couple years then moved to the Kinnik homestead a couple miles southeast. Alvin went to elementary school at Fairview all eight years, then went to one year of high school in Dupree. After that he stayed home and worked on the ranch with his Dad. In 1933 his parents, and rest of the family moved to a ranch north of Arrowhead or west of Redelm. I, Rose (Tracy) Griffith was born in North Dakota on March 3, 1915. When but a baby I moved with my parents and one sister to a homestead near Coal Springs, South Dakota. Here another sister and brother joined the family. In the winter of 1918 we lost our parents during the flu epidemic and were taken to live with our maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Yusko, who lived south of Lantry, South Dakota. I went to Soliday school the first three years of grade school, then finished at Rosene school two and one-half miles south west of the home place. I went to high school in Lemmon for three years then returned home and graduated from Dupree in 1934. Alvin and I were married on August 14, 1935. We lived on the Welfl place near his folks the first year, then moved down on the Kinnik place where we wintered the folks' cattle and Alvin worked on WPA. In 1941 we bought the Gladstone homestead from Judge Gladstone. We lived there about twenty-six years during which time we moved to town for a few years to educate the family. Then in 1969 we purchased the Edwin Springer place. We still live here. Seven of our ten children were born while we lived on the Gladstone place, the three oldest ones were born while we lived northwest of Redelm. They are all married now so we are alone again. We live for the times they come home to visit. We also have twenty-nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. Mercedes our oldest daughter married Carl Pritzkau, a boy from Lantry. They live on his folk's place. They have five children; Randy, Tracy, Mary, Ronny and Cara. Alva married Joe Till a rural Dupree boy, they live near Mill Iron, Montana and have three children; Cheryl (Mrs. Baine Maupin), Ray and Justin. Lorretta married Melvin Shuck a neighbor boy. They live in Philomath, Oregon. They have four children; Nancy, Harley, Lyle and Judy. Janet married Bill Vermilyea from Saint Paul which is where they now live. She had one daughter, Ronet Bachman, from her former marriage. Carl married Mary Lu Pritzkau of Eagle Butte. They live on our old home place. They have three girls; Carlene, Ardith, and Cathy Jo. Maudie married John Flahaven from North Dakota. They now live at Montpillier, North Dakota. They have two children; Shelley and Cody. Tom married Deloris Charles of Lead, South Dakota. They live in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. They have one boy from his first marriage, Richard; two children from her first marriage, Jamie and Sam; and one little girl of their own, Gwendolyn. Dorothy married Bernie Tibbs of Ridgeview, South Dakota. They live near Ridgeview. They have two boys; Patrick and Delbert. Gay married Gary Ruzicka from Miller, South Dakota. They live in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. They have three children; Martina, Lynnette and Douglas. Rollis married Connie Weist from Mobridge, South Dakota. They have two boys; Jesse and Cole. They live in Dupree. Cheryl Till married Baine Maupin a boy from Montana. They gave us our first and only great grandchild; Desarae Kay. She is something very special being the first grandchild of Joe's and Alva's and our first great grandchild. [photo - This was taken the Christmas Tom came home on furlough during the Viet Nam conflict. Standing; Gay, Dorothy, Maudie, Janet, Lorretta, Alva and Mercedes. Seated are Carl, Alvin, Rose, Rollis and Tom. Taken in 1967] [photo The bad winter of 1977 and 1978. Our cattle drifted over the snow covered fences and ended up on the creek north of Dupree. When it moderated a little they brought them back through town. Down mainstreet] [photo - This picture shows the cattle coming back through the yard] THE CARL GRIFFITH FAMILY by Helen Maynard My father, Carl A. Griffith was born in Kirkville, Iowa. August 25, 1881. He was the eldest of four children, born to Frank Griffith and wife Mary (Peden) Griffith. My mother was Maude A. Yates of Ottumwa, Iowa born November 21, 1886. Daughter of William Yates and Minerva (Hartley) Yates. My mother was the eldest of six children. She attended public schools in Ottumwa and was later employed by the telephone service as an operator. My father attended the rural schools and helped on his parent's farm. My father and mother were married in Ottumwa on April 5, 1905. They helped out on his parent's farm until 1910 when he decided to homestead in South Dakota. In the spring of 1910 my dad and uncle Joe Peden came by train as far as LeBeau, South Dakota and ferried across the Missouri River. The first day they got as far as the north bank of the Moreau River where they set up camp for the night. They hobbled their horses and bedded down under their wagon. My dad didn't sleep much that night on account of the coyotes howling, animals he had never seen or heard before. The next day they forded the river and got as far as the town of Dupree, where they stayed that night in a hotel. It was too late to go out to the homestead. Uncle Joe helped my dad build a sod house and dig a well, then my dad put up some hay and started on a sod barn. In the spring of 1911 my dad went back to Iowa to get his wife and three children, Ethel, Bernice and Mary. They brought their household goods and livestock in an emigrant car as by that time the railroad went through Dupree. My mother was a typical pioneer woman and enjoyed her new neighbors, who were all young women like herself. They helped each other through all the trials and tribulations that all homesteaders were destined to know, births, deaths, storms, prairie fires, droughts and destructive insects. Also the joys of getting together for parties and celebrations, picnics and Christmas programs. The Griffith union was blessed with the following children. Ethel Florence (1906-1979) married Clarence Redouty in 1924. They moved to Florida. They had two boys and three girls, Earl, Marcella, Mary, Philip and Shirley. Bernice Frances (1908-1945) had a twin, Ernest (who died in infancy). She married Delbert Day of Lemmon, South Dakota. Their children were Doris, Delbert, Loyd (deceased), Kenneth, Helen Cleo, Mary, Bernice and Sam. Mary Elizabeth (1910) married Bennie DiNicola of Kansas City, Missouri. Helen Lucile (1912) was the first to be born on the homestead. She married Clair Maynard of rural Dupree. They have four children, Estella, Dorothy, Clair Junior and Billy Alan. Alvin Alan the second to be born on the homestead in (1914) married Rose Tracy of Lantry, South Dakota. They had ten children. Mercedes, Alva, Lorretta, Janet, Carl, Maudie, Thomas, Dorothy, Gay and Rollis. My folks moved to the Kinnick homestead a couple miles southeast of us. Loyd Gerald was the first to be born there in 1917. He married Violet Olson from Plainview, South Dakota. They had two children Sharen and Gerald. Dorothy Mae was born in 1919. She married Charles Bruno from Kansas City, Missouri. They adopted Bernice and Sam Day after their mother died. Estella born in 1921 died in 1923. Joseph born in 1923 died in infancy. Neva Irene born in 1924, married Charles Samuelson of Faith, South Dakota. They had eight children. Charles, Ginger, Lois, Treva, John, David, Mary and Lori. Treva Jean born in 1926 married Antone Fisher of Faith, deceased. They had eight children. Antone (deceased), Janice, Gary, Teresa, Greg, Tonette, Guy and Rubianne. Darrel Duane born in 1930 married Marlene Dore of Faith, South Dakota. They had five children, Debbie, James, Terri, Doug and Rick. In 1933 the family moved on a ranch north of Arrowhead, South Dakota. They lived here until my father died in 1960. My mother died in 1969. My brother Darrel bought the ranch and still lives there. [photo - Mr. & Mrs. Carl A. Griffith Married April 5, 1905 in Ottumwa, Iowa] [photo- In front of the old homestead barn. Carl behind horse, Alvin, Helen, Ethel, Mary, Bernice] [photo - The old homestead. Ethel, Bernice, Mary and Carl Griffith] DARRELL and MARLENE GRIFFITH Darrell and Marlene Griffith live on the ranch where Darrell grew up, eight miles east and two miles north of Faith. In addition to raising cattle, they train horses. After suffering a broken leg training horses outside, in 1966, Darrell decided it was time to build a training barn. They, along with their son Jim, run a very successful horse training operation. The Griffiths, married in 1950, have always been involved with rodeo, so it is not surprising that four of their five children followed in their footsteps. Jim, Terri, Doug and Rick all participated in 4-H and High School rodeo and all earned the honor of going to National competition in cattle cutting. Terri won the National Cattle Cutting Championship at Tomah, Wisconsin, her freshman year in high school. The children were also very active in high school sports, receiving many conference and state awards. Jim was Golden Gloves boxing champion in 1979, when the event was held at the Civic Center in Rapid City. Darrell participated in rodeo and did some rodeo announcing for Eddie Bachman for a few years. He showed horses for his customers for three years and then decided to take two of his own on the circuit in 1969. He won the South Dakota Champion Novice Cutting, the Champion Open Cutting and the Affiliate Trophy, given to the horse that wins the most money in and out of the state. That same year he won the state champion calf roping and reining. The biggest thrill for the family came in 1975 when Darrell and Terri were invited by the Smithsonian Institute to go to Washington, D.C. and participate in the Folklife Festival on the mall between Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The purpose of the festival was to educate people about the ways of other cultures, which are also a part of the land in which they live. In addition to horse trainers, there were cattlemen, sheepmen, sheep shearers, auctioneers, cooks, musicians, harness makers, wood carvers and craftsmen of many kinds represented from this region. Marlene came to Faith in the 1940's with her mother and stepfather, Dr. McLean. In addition to raising a family and helping with the ranch work, she was secretary for the South Dakota Cutting Horse Association for two years. Debbie, the Griffith's oldest daughter, has a singing career in California. Jim and his wife, the former Cathy McKaben of Belle Fourche, have three sons, Beau, Austin and Willie. They live and work on the ranch near Darrell and Marlene. Terri is married to Bill Beesley, who is a coach at Pierre High School. They have one son, Jessie Cole. Doug and Rick both attend college at Spearfish. [photo - Terri Griffith and her horse, Miss Boog, on the Mall in Washington, D. C. at the Folklife Festival in 1975] [photo - Darrell Griffith being interviewed by NBC-TV newsman in Washington, D. C. at the Folklife Festival in 1975] WILLIAM M. GRIFFITHS Mr. Griffiths first came to Tennessee from Wales, England, where he was born in 1867. He came to the Thomas L. Riggs Mission School north of Pierre as a missionary teacher. There he married Martha Garbold in 1895. They moved to Plum Creek, across the Cheyenne River from Cherry Creek, and established the Plum Creek Mission School where they taught for ten years. He established a store at Cherry Creek, and maintained his ranch across the Cheyenne southeast of Cherry Creek Station. He was a county commissioner for Stanley County, served as a state representative for Stanley and Haakon counties for six terms. He was initiated into the Masonic Lodge in 1911. Doctor Thomas F. Riggs took part in graveside rites for him at Midland, South Dakota where he was buried beside his wife in January, 1951. They were the parents of four sons. The only survivor is Evan Griffiths of Custer, South Dakota. MR. and MRS. CHRIS GRONDAHL written by Mrs. Homer (Irene) Jones Chris Grondahl and family from Buffalo, North Dakota homesteaded thirteen miles southwest of Isabel, in Ziebach County in the spring of 1917. Chris came in an emigrant car with household furniture, two horses, three cows, a dog and farm machinery. Chris, with help, built their shack at once. Mrs. Grondahl and three daughters, Irene, Clara and Alice arrived in May at their new home on the prairie. Lillian was born February 12, 1918. Two years later Clifford was born on February 12, 1920. The Grondahl schoolhouse was built on the corner of their land. Here their children got their grade school education. This schoolhouse was used as a meeting place for all community activities for several years. Church and Sunday school were held there, also. They had many trying years, severe hail, wind storms and blizzards. I remember one severe hail storm. Clifford brought the milk cows home to be milked. Just as they got in the corral the storm hit. The cattle broke loose and ran off towards the creek. Here several drowned. Hail piled up several feet high in places. Folks that stayed during these hard times helped build up the community. The good years came and people prospered. Mr. and Mrs. Grondahl moved to town in 1957. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary July 25, 1957. Mrs. Grondahl passed away April 22, 1966. Their children are: Mrs. Homer (Irene) Jones, Mrs. Russell (Clara) Hanson, Morristown, Mrs. Don (Alice) Hurst of Milwaukee, Oregon, Mrs. Milton (Lillian) Hansen, Oregon City, Oregon, and Clifford Grondahl of Aberdeen. [photo - Chris Grondahl Homestead, 1917] [photo - GRONDAHL SCHOOL, 1932 Clifford Grondahl, Irene Grondahl (teacher), Phillip Lindskov, Lilly Te Poel, Oswald Rekstad, Sivert Rekstad] [photo - The Chris Grondahl’s 50th Wedding Anniversary] JOHN and ROSE GROSS by Esther Gross Mittleider John and Rose Gross, originally from Germany, came to Ziebach County from Ashley, North Dakota in 1929. The Grosses bought a farm six miles southeast of Dupree where they lived until they moved into Dupree in the early 1940's. Mr. Gross worked for various area farmers until his retirement. The Grosses raised eleven children: Ervin, Gasper, Wyoming; Edwin (deceased); Esther (Mrs. Jake Mittleider), Faith; Harold, Seattle, Washington; Irene (Mrs. Ralph Marple), deceased; Herbert, Salt Lake City, Utah; Edward, (deceased); Clarence, Denver, Colorado; Violet, (Mrs. Raymond Titus), Rapid City, South Dakota; Edna Wilson, Salt Lake City, Utah; Janice (Mrs. David Bowman), Deadwood, South Dakota. John Gross died in 1960 and Rose in 1980. FRANK A. HAAGEN Frank Alexander Haagen, son of John and Fayetta Haagen, was born June 4, 1883 ah Beech Creek, Pennsylvania. He was next to the youngest of ten children. Frank was raised on a farm and attended school in Beech Creek. He was interested in music and loved to play the violin. When Frank was twenty-five years old, he went by train to Farmington, Illinois. He lived with his sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Oscar Brungard. Oscar owned a blacksmith shop and it was here he worked and learned the blacksmith trade. While in Farmington he studied the violin. He soon decided that he wasn't meant to be a violinist. After a time, Frank went back to his home in Pennsylvania. He continued to work on the family farm until the time he went to Philadelphia. His brother, Tennyson Haagen, resided in Philadelphia and owned the Aldine Riding Academy and Livery Stable. Besides giving riding lessons, Frank was gaining business knowledge. The desire to go into business for himself and the opportunities the western country had to offer, played a large role in his decision to go west and pioneer in South Dakota. In 1908 Frank A. Haagen arrived by train in LeBeau, South Dakota. He opened his first store. A postcard postmarked LeBeau, September 6, 1909 to his sister in Pennsylvania says: 'We are going to have a big time here in October -- many thousands of people to come here to register so come and try your luck on 160 acres of land.' It was about this time the people of LeBeau learned the railroad would not be running through their town. This was a big disappointment to most of the people, and especially Frank. He decided to move on west to Dupree. In August 1910 he went to Aberdeen and purchased four lots in Dupree to put his store on. He wanted to be among the first business men to locate in Dupree. Since it was not finally decided just where the town would be located, they set their buildings about two miles out of town. Later they were moved to the present site. A postcard addressed to his sister and with a picture on the card of his building, he wrote 'The first hardware store in Dupree.' Another picture on a postcard is of a store building being moved by horses which says below the picture 'My Redelm store room on wheels for Dupree' and in a newspaper item it stated that his present building was being brought in by horses from Redelm. He sold John Deere farm machinery, DeLaval cream separators, saddlery and other items needed by the farmers. Frank Haagen filed as a homesteader and was given his claim rights to 160 acres of land on which he constructed a house, drilled a well, put in a crop and lived for the necessary amount of time to prove up. In September 1912 he went back to Pennsylvania and married Mary E. Mantle, daughter of Alfred and Eudora Mantle of Beech Creek, Pennsylvania. Returning to Dupree with his bride, their first home was on the claim. Their first child, Esther Faye, was born there. Mr. Haagen purchased a lot in town, built a nice comfortable home, drilled a well. He constructed a windmill so they would have plenty of water and they had one of the few homes with inside running water and bathroom, which was unusual for that area and time. In 1922 Esther Mantle, sister of Mary Haagen, from Beech Creek, Pennsylvania, came to live with them and while there taught the third and fourth grades. The classes were held in the Community Church because part of the school was being remodeled to make more classrooms. Frank and Mary Haagen had three children. Esther Faye was born July 20, 1913, Marian Eudora was born March 17, 1917, and Merrill Dean was born July 7, 1920. Frank Haagen was a life member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. They attended the Community Church, and Mary was active in the Sunday School and was clerk of the church. She also sang in the choir. Frank had promised his wife that she would not have to live on the prairie all of her life, as she liked trees like they had in Pennsylvania. So in September 1925 they decided to go farther west. They sold their store, their home, and packed all their worldly possessions and set out for the west coast. They lived in Eugene, Oregon until 1931. In 1931 a John Deere agency was for sale in Ellensburg, Washington and Frank felt this was what he really wanted to do. Once again they sold their properties and packed their belongings and moved to Ellensburg. He was in business there until his death in 1957. Mary, his wife, is 89 years old and lives with her daughter Esther and husband, Harold, in Olympia, Washington. [photo - Our claim - out of Dupree. Frank and Mary Haagen - daughter Esther] [photo - Pioneering Days at Redelm] [photocopy - postcard to Mrs. John Haagen] [photo - First hardware in Dupree, 1910] [photo - Haagen’s store being moved from Redelm to Dupree. Later became Ogard’s Store, which burned in 1932] ALBERT HAGAN Albert Sidney Hagan, the seventh child in a family of eight children, was born to Cyprian and Keturah Wright Hagan, July 25, 1869 at Monroe, Missouri. He attended grade school and grew to manhood there. He became a railroad engineer and worked there for several years. He married Bertha Hagist in 1891. Five children were born to them: Albert Sidney Hagan, Mary Adella Raben Briely, Frederic Leslie, Edwin, Olive Blanche Batterberry. He came to South Dakota in 1896 and lived near Rondell, South Dakota. He worked at the blacksmith trade and became interested in farming the following year. He continued that occupation there until 1910 when this part of South Dakota in Ziebach County was allotted to settlement and came here. In May 1910 he located on Section 1-13-21, being one of the early pioneer farmers, and was one of the first commissioners. Bertha, his wife, died in 1907. Three years later he married Cora Spencer Baker, a daughter of the late Cal Spencer of Faith. A daughter, Aliene, was born to them, joining a half-brother, Harry A. Baker, deceased, son of Homer A. Baker, a veteran of the Spanish American insurrection. HALF RED FAMILY Came to Chase(d. 1884) was the husband of Cetansinawin/Hawk Blanket (1840-1915). They had five surviving children. Unkpapa Woman/Comes a Hunkpapa Sioux/Edna Chase was born in 1859; Follows Him/Mary in 1867; Cloud Grows (1869-1887); Oscar Half Red (1878- 1940); and Stays in the Lodge/Stands in the House/Julia Half Red (1882- 1901). In Canada, between 1876 and 1880, Edna Chase was married to Sunkmanitugi/Phillip Brown Wolf. In 1880, he also married Mary. After the Lakota returned from Canada, this family lived 17 miles south of Dupree. Oscar Half Red married Martha/Maggie Worn Out Horn. Their children were: Isaac Halfred who married Josephine; Mary who married George Knife; Jennie who married Big Horn; John who died single; Frank Halfred who married Helen Roach Circle Eagle; Martha and Rebecca Halfred. THE CHAS HALL FAMILY written by Clara Hall Mr. and Mrs. Chas Hall came to Ziebach County, 6 miles west of Glad Valley, South Dakota in 1912. Six children were born to this couple. Harold lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Vivian Campman lives in Aurora, Colorado; Marjorie Green and Raymond live Cheyenne, Wyoming and Lois Hunt lives in Fountain, Colorado. Forrest Hall of Ukiah, California passed away in April of 1981. He and his parents are buried in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Chas and Grace were engaged in farming and ranching until 1929 when they moved to Sturgis, South Dakota. In 1936 they moved to Rawlins, Wyoming, then to Rangely, Colorado until 1947. In 1965 they moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado where they resided until their deaths. Grace passed away in 1969 and Chas passed away in 1972. HAROLD and CLARA HALL written by Clara Hall Harold and Clara (Wenzel) Hall were married in Isabel, South Dakota in 1933. We operated the Dew Drop Inn until 1936, moving to Rawlins, Wyoming, where we were employed at the Seminoe Dam. We lived there until 1937, moved to Seattle, Washington, and returned to Rawlins in 1939. We moved back to Isabel in 1944 and purchased the William Wenzel farm, living there until 1960. We then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado where we now reside. We have three children, Marilyn and Larry were born in Isabel and Forrest was born in Seattle, Washington. Marilyn now lives in Los Alamitos, California; Larry lives in Cheraw, Colorado and Forrest in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We have seven grandchildren. We operated a Mobile Home Park in Colorado Springs for 20 years but are now retired. VAL and RUTH HAMPEL Val and Ruth Hampel moved to Dupree, South Dakota in 1943. He was employed by the Milwaukee Railroad as station agent and had previously worked in Isabel, Firesteel, Lantry and Faith, where he got his start as a railroad agent. He retired in 1956, after 36 years with the Milwaukee Railroad, and they moved to Phoenix, Arizona where they lived until his death in 1966. Ruth continued to live there until 1974 when she moved to Irvine, California to live with her daughter, Doris Wilson. She also spends several months each year with her other daughter, Helen McDonald, in Merriam, Kansas. She has 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, Val moved to Faith from Rushville, Illinois with his parents, Valentine and Anna, where they lived in a sod house on the land they were homesteading near Faith. Val hauled lumber from the Black Hills to Faith on a horse drawn wagon and when the family moved into Faith, his father became the tailer, a trade he learned while a young man in Germany. Later, Val taught in a country school near Faith until he became a helper to the station agent in Faith. Val and Ruth were married and moved to Lantry when he took over the job of station agent in Lantry in 1920. Ruth and her parents, Gustov and Carrie Anderson, along with her brothers, Gust and Harry, and her sisters, Minnie and Mable, also were homesteading on land near Glad Valley having moved there from Princeton, Minnesota. Another sister, Annie, remained in Princeton. The old homestead is still in the family, now owned by Harry's son Clifford Anderson. Ruth's parents were immigrants from Sweden. Her father, Gustov, preceded her mother to the United States settling first near Minneapolis where all the children were born except the oldest son, Oust, who was born in Sweden. They moved to a small farm near Princeton, Minnesota before moving to South Dakota in 1912. Ruth's memories of her years in Ziebach and Dewey counties are many... from the dust bowl era to the deep winter snows and blizzards, of riding horses to go to dances at a schoolhouse and riding back home at day break, of the ladies aid lunches at the Congregational Church in Dupree and, always, of the many friends and relatives who made a pleasant life for her and Val while living in Ziebach County. AUGUST HANNEMAN August Hanneman was born in 1887 in Edgar, Wisconsin. In the spring of 1915, Mr. Hanneman came by train to Ziebach County. The train was delayed at Mobridge for three days. He was engaged in farming and ranching on his homestead near Redelm. Mr. Hanneman recalled the three day blizzard in the spring of 1919 as one of his early day experiences on the homestead. Mr. Hanneman never married and had no close relatives. HARMON FAMILY by Ruby Harmon Vance My father and mother, Harmon, were both born and raised in Indiana. We children were also. We had a lovely home and a large woods full of all kinds of nut trees. We enjoyed them so much. Then when the government said that if we went to South Dakota we could take up all the land we could use, father thought that would give him more land than the 160 acres he had in Indiana. Father had a sale and sold everything, had the family go to Lebanon, Indiana, rented a house for a month, and then came out to the prairie. He had a nice two- story house ready to move into. It was all planned out in Indiana and the lumber was cut the way he had wanted it. He had a young man that was the son of a friend of father's that came with him, so they had the house ready when we came out on a train. When we got there, it looked so different, we would not go far from the house. Father put in a large crop the first year, but no rain and no crop. The next year the crop was better but grasshoppers ruined it. One year a prairie fire ruined crops, but father and other men beat the fire out. After several years, the folks went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They were getting old and were in need of a rest. I took nurses training in Mobridge and was half way through, but mother insisted I must teach school. I taught two years, then Earl Vance and I were married, and raised our large family. Now I am alone in my large house in Spearfish. Earl died about ten years ago, and our many children are scattered. HARRELL - LANGLOIS Brothers-in-law of the same age, Ed Langlois (brother of Louise Halvorson) and J. W. (Jim) Harrell (married to a Langlois girl) were the same age, 64, and died on the same day. Mr. Langlois was a single man living at Helly, Idaho. He was well known in Dupree, having pioneered here in the early days of the west river country. Mr. Harrell was also a Ziebach County pioneer, having operated a fine ranch about 4 miles southwest of Lantry. He also bought and traded cattle on an extensive scale. Jim was born in Texas and drifted north with the large cattle outfits. He was well educated and a livewire around here during the 'hey days' when big crops were raised and money was plentiful. He moved to Deadwood in the early thirties. He raised his children in Dupree and they went to the Dupree school. They were Loretta and Joe Bill. His wife had died some years earlier. REIER HARVEY Mr. Reier Harvey came by railroad emigrant car to Ziebach County in April 1912. He settled on a homestead 3 miles south of Redelm, where he lived on his homestead until 1919. Mr. Harvey recalled a time when he was lost on the prairie at night while looking for a lost cow. Mr. Harvey was married in 1913 to Emma Schroder of Humboldt, Iowa. Their children were: Gretchen (Mrs. Gerald Peterson); Jean (Mrs. Leo Schroeder); Mae (Mrs. Robert Gross); John R. Harvey. FRED and GRACE HASKINS Grace Main Haskins was born on July 18, 1887 to Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Main, at Strawberry Point, Iowa. She was a sister of Claude Main and Alice Main Linn. The Main family moved to Custer County, Nebraska where she lived until 1910. On April2, 1910 she and John Frederick Haskins were united in a double wedding ceremony in Columbus, Nebraska. Her sister, Lela Main and James Reed were the other newlyweds. Fred and Grace homesteaded land at Thoeny, Montana from 1915 to 1920. In August 1920 the Haskins family moved to Pretty Creek north of Dupree which was known as the Judson land. It is located a mile east of the Wallace Brams residence and is now a part of the Brams ranch. At this time their family consisted of Venita, Merle, Harold, and Frank. The older children attended Pretty Creek school. Two of their teachers were Edna Reich Anderson and Esther Burke McDaniel. Fred and Grace raised cattle and farmed while in Ziebach County. Their two younger children were born while here: Mildred Grace in 1921 and Norma Fern in 1922. In June 1927 the eight members of the Haskins family drove to Oregon in a Model T. Ford. They located near the Williamette Valley, near Salem, Oregon. Grace passed away in January, 1929. Fred passed away in August 1952, at Scotts Mills, Oregon. The six Haskins children live in the western states of Washington, Oregon and California. In June 1975 all six returned to South Dakota and Ziebach County in the original Model T Ford that they had traveled to Oregon in 1927, to commemorate their parent's trip west. Their oldest son, Merle, passed away in 1976. [photo Alice Main Linn, Grace Main Haskins, Fred Haskins, Aaron Main with their children standing in front] [photo - Merle Haskins on his return to South Dakota with the Model T Ford in 1975 that had taken his family of eight to a new home in Oregon in 1927] RALPH HEBERER (taken from the Faith Country Book) Ralph Heberer filed on a claim in Ziebach County in the spring of 1911, and came by train with an immigrant car in March of 1912 to live on the claim. During the summer of 1912 his sister, Maude Heberer, filed on a quarter section and later he bought it from her. He still owns this land. Mrs. Heberer taught a school nearby for six months. Mr. Heberer was the Ziebach County Assessor for two years, and was a member of the Equity Trading Company, and also helped to build a creamery in Faith. Two of our children were born in Ziebach County -- Richard and Ray. Glenn and Norma were born after we left there in 1919. We celebrated our Golden Wedding Anniversary in April 1959. ALBERT HEBNER FAMILY by Pansy Hebner Albert and I were married at Eagle Butte, South Dakota, February 12, 1931. Because Albert was from Avon, South Dakota, we went there to live right away. We farmed and had a few head of cattle. Pastures were small because all or most of the land was farmed. This was through the depression and dry years. Our daughters, Irene and Ronda were born there and Irene went to a country school after she was old enough. In 1941 we decided to go back to Eagle Butte, South Dakota to live. Here we farmed, raised cattle and milked cows. It rained more now and crops were pretty good most of the time unless hail came and ruined them. Irene graduated from Eagle Butte High School in 1949, and that fall went to work at Dupree as secretary at the Public Welfare Office for Mable Ross. It was here she met Floyd Linn and was married in December, 1950. They live at Lantry and have the grocery store and post office there. They have three daughters: Laurie, Dixie and Annette. In 1952, we quit farming at Eagle Butte and moved to Dupree. Albert bought some lots here and built a house. Here, Albert did carpenter work and later worked at the Dupree Lumber Yard until he retired because of poor health. Ronda graduated from high school here in 1958. After a year or so she went to work at McIntosh, South Dakota, as secretary for Mr. Hatch at the Public Welfare Office. It was here she met Robert Burke and was married in 1962 at the United Church of Christ in Dupree. They live at Chamberlain, South Dakota and have two sons; Jeff and Brian who are going to school there. They have a filling and bulk station, so keep busy. Albert passed away July 8, 1981 and I still live here, have for twenty-nine years in March. [photo - Golden Wedding Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hebner, 1981] KARL HEGRE FAMILY by Della Fuller Hegre Karl Hegre came to South Dakota from Montevideo, Minnesota in the summer of 1911 and built a house for his family. He then went back to Minnesota and got his family. They came by train into Redelm with six children, Sophia, Oscar, Alfred, Ida, Chester, and Ole. Severin and Andrew remained in Minnesota to work. The oldest girl, Hannah, went to California. They came by immigrant car with 4 horses, 3 cows, household furniture and a carload of hay. Both Karl and Carrie were born in Norway and came to Minnesota as young adults. Karl was a tailor in Norway and made all his boys suits of clothes. He was in logging and lumbering business in Minnesota until he was married, then he farmed near Montevideo, where the children were born. In South Dakota he built the Trinity Lutheran Church south of Redelm and helped build the Robertson School. They raised all their meat and vegetables to feed their large family but always had time for their church and helping the neighbors. Hannah married Fred Softron, had one daughter, Helen. She lived in Beverly Hills, California. Sophia married Wilbur Prejean and lives in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ida married J. P. Jensen and they had three children, Marie, Volmer and Eldon. They lived at Faith, South Dakota. Andy lives at Atwater, Minnesota. He married Dora Nelson. Alfred married Amanda Bangsund, had one daughter, Marlene, and they live at Montevideo, Minnesota. Chester married Mildred Kelly in Arkansas. They had two daughters, Connie and Kathy. Oscar died in 1928. Ole married Della Fuller and they have one son, Douglas and live in Rapid City, South Dakota. Severin married Irene Fuller. They lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where Daryl and Gladys were born. They came back to South Dakota in 1930 and lived in Dupree, where Roger and Carol were born. Daryl and Gladys live in Washington state. Carol lives in Long Beach, California and Roger in Timber Lake, South Dakota. Gladys married Freddie Brown, Carol married Don Stumpf and Roger married Ella Oberg. OLE and DELLA HEGRE FAMILY by Della Hegre Ole Hegre came to South Dakota in 1911 with his parents and five brothers and sisters. Della Fuller Hegre was born in South Dakota at the homestead three miles southeast of Redelm in July 1911. Dr. Creamer came from Dupree, 10 miles northeast of the Fuller homestead. Mrs. Della Moore was the nurse. Earl Moore lived a mile north. We lived one mile south of the Karl Hegre homestead. Ole and Della both went to the Robertson School through the 8th grade and then attended the Dupree High School for one year. Dad and Mother and brother Bill went to Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin where Dad worked through the winter. Della attended her second year of high school there. The folks came back to South Dakota to farm during the summer. Ole helped his dad with the farming on the family farm. Della worked at the Knipfer Store in Redelm several years. Then went to Faith to work at Kelly's Grocery for several years. Ole worked with CCC, building roads in the Black Hills and in lumber and forestry work. We were married at the Frank Fuller home in Dupree in February, 1937. We farmed the Hegre farm one year. The crops dried out so we moved to St. Onge where Ole had previously worked. Ole built his own filling station and we lived there until 1941, when we packed our possessions in the car and moved to California. Ole went to work for Lockheed Aircraft and we lived in Hollywood, California for three years. We moved to Los Angeles when Ole and two other men started doing piece work for aircraft companies. When the war ended we moved to Rapid City, South Dakota. Frank Fullers lived in Spearfish and Karl Hegres lived in Dupree so we felt we were back home again. Ole worked in machine shops. He worked at Johnson Machine until he retired in 1973. I worked at Mills Drug for ten years. We adopted a 4 1/2 month old baby boy in 1947. At the present time our son, Douglas K. Hegre, wife Karen Reed Hegre, and their son Richard D. Hegre, live next door to us. Douglas is employed at Ellsworth Air Force Base. He graduated from Rapid City High School in 1966, attended mechanic school in Aberdeen, and was called into the Army in 1968, and spent two years in Vietnam in mechanics. After he came home from Vietnam he attended Southern State College at Springfield and also Rapid City Business College. He was married in Arkansas and lived in Ohio for a short time. They then came back to Rapid City to make their home. We live in the Canyon Lake area in the same home we moved into when we returned from California. South Dakota is home to the Ole Hegre and Douglas Hegre families. Ole has his own machine shop in his home garage and his retirement is a continuation of work he enjoys. DORIS (BENNETT) HEIDLEBAUGH I'm presently married to Rex W. Heidlebaugh. I now live at Watford City, North Dakota. I minister for Jesus. My husband is a GS11 Forest Service man and has one year until he can retire. We hope to continue a ministry together in years we have left. My oldest son, Don Pesicka is a company man for Boyles Bros. He is presently in Santiago, Chili. I'm very proud of his self achievements in life. He has two sons. Walt Pesicka lives in Troy, Montana. He was hurt in a skidder accident when it rolled over on him. He has been to many specialists and doctors. He can't lift over 30 pounds, is struggling to support himself, wife and three little girls. David Pesicka lives on a ranch north of Dupree, is a water well driller, is married, father of five children. Wayne Heidlebaugh is a college graduate in business managing, so is a sporting goods store manager in Billings, Montana, is married, his wife runs a miniature doll house business. Wesley Heidlebaugh served four years in the U.S. Navy, went to college before that, and presently lives near us in Watford City. He is married and works for Tierra Drilling Company, in the oil fields. GEORGE and JENNIE HEIDEMAN George Martin Heideman, born in Iowa, and his wife, Jennie Frantz Heideman, born in Pennsylvania, moved from Pennsylvania to Hinzdale, Montana, where their two sons, George Loren and Franklin A., were born. They moved to Ziebach County in 1919 or 1920 and built their home three miles southwest of Dupree (Leon Starr home today). They ranched and farmed. Loren and Franklin attended school in Dupree. In 1933 George Heideman moved to California. He passed away in 1960 and is buried in Calexio, California. Jennie lived in Dupree and moved to Pennsylvania to be closer to her family. She passed away in 1978 at the age of 91, and is buried in Pennsylvania. Loren worked for George Hall in the garage and in the Dupree Power Plant. In 1936 he married Mable Maynard and in 1937 they moved to Buffalo, South Dakota and operated the light plant there. They had four children: Richard Loren, George Henry, Janet Mae and Mable Lorene. Loren was killed September 1943 in a car accident near Reva, South Dakota. He is buried in the Dupree cemetery. Mable and the children moved back to Dupree. Frank married Bertha Hanson of Faith, South Dakota. They moved to Long Beach, California. They had two boys, Gary and Michael (deceased). Bertha is also deceased. Frank resides in Palmdale, California with his second wife, Winnie. [photo Jennie Heideman] [photo - Frank and Bertha Heideman] [photo - Loren Heideman] [photo - Janet, Michael, Richard, George, Gary and Lorene (Babs). Children of Loren and Frank Heideman] J. M. HEIMER I was raised on a Stock and Dairy Farm in Minnesota near the small village of Johnsburg. During the early 1900's, I had read the old slogan, "Go West, Young Man," also "Feather Your Nest in the Beautiful West." In March, 1911, I rode in an immigrant car to Reeder, North Dakota, which had stock in it to go to Harding County. After trailing the stock overland, I did not find any open land, so went back to Reeder. There I met up with John Heus, William Volkman, Cy Schumanski, and others that were bound for Ziebach County. We arrived in Dupree in April. After a few days of checking on homesteads available, I located on the NW 1/4, Section 35-11-20. one-half mile west of the original Chase Post Office, established later. At the time, there were six lumber yards in the process of being built in Dupree, and I worked at unloading lumber and other building material, setting fences and building sheds. It was very dry in this part of the state and many of us Honyokers, as we were called, were short of funds and had to seek employment in order to make a living. We found work near Hoven, South Dakota, and worked until the fall of 1911. One rainy night, after retiring, I was awakened by a terrible windstorm, and found the snow drifted in over my bed, and all over the one room shack. I started ripping up paper and old clothes into strips to fill the cracks in the boards to keep out the storm. Also, in order to keep warm, I had to run out and bring in a few pieces of firewood and saw it up by hand in order to keep the stove going. A carpenter-saw was all that I had to use. The storm continued for two days, and I was busy carrying in snow to melt for water. What worried me most was that I had few supplies on hand -- a few pounds of flour, a few beans, some baking powder and coffee. I had to mash the coffee with a stick as it was not ground. One had to keep busy to keep from freezing. When the sun finally came out, it was 30 degrees below zero. This ordeal was quite a scare for me, and I immediately caught a ride to Dupree, where I again found employment. Jack Askin and I had built our shacks on the dividing line and were together a great deal. Others in the neighborhood were Frank Farrell, John Collins, Chas. Buettner, Jennersons, Crowleys, Campbells, the Chase family, Swansons, Fowler and O'Hern Brothers. We spent our time visiting, playing cards, etc. and many times had to spend the night wherever we happened to be, as there were no landmarks to guide us to our homes. Good parties and dances, that lasted until daylight were not uncommon. After spring opened up in 1912, many of us hired out to the C.M. & St. Paul Railroad on a special gang. We were located between Trail City and Mobridge. The melting snow and rain had caused some landslides on the gumbo hills and the railroad was covered in many places with slush and gumbo. It was necessary to raise the entire track and put either gravel or cinders under the ties to keep the trains running. There were also some washouts to be repaired. Our wages were $1.75 per day and we had to board ourselves and sleep in boxcars. We pulled up grass and buckbrush by hand along the creek to cover the floor of the boxcar. We used horse blankets for covers as well as under us. We worked for the railroad for several months, then I hired out to Arnold (Doc) Raben, who had a lease on the Ewing Ranch, two miles east of Dupree, (now the Lawrence Woodward place). While here, the Indian Fair was being staged northwest of Dupree, Joe Narcelle was killed. I proved up on my claim in October, 1912, and, since there were very few, or no jobs, I headed back east again. I was away for several years, attended the University of Minneapolis one winter and was married to Barbara Simon of Adams, Minnesota in 1916. I made several trips back to Ziebach County and therefore kept in contact with the development of the county. In 1924, we moved to the Dr. Creamer place north of Dupree, where we lived for over twenty years. I was treasurer of the Pretty Creek School District, and represented the Equity Union Creameries of Aberdeen, South Dakota, as a director for ten years. From 1933 to 1954, I worked with the various Government Farm Programs such as the Wheat, Corn and Hog Programs. During the Government Cattle Buying Program of 1934 and 1936, when 70% of our livestock was shipped out of Ziebach County, because of the drought and shortage of feed, I helped , and have worked with the Soil Conservation Program since 1937 when the Tri-County District No. 7 was organized, and have served as County and District Chairman of the various programs for over 15 years. My wife passed away in 1942. My oldest son, Herbert, lost his life in April 1943, while serving as Radio Operator in the Navy, during World War II. Shortly, thereafter, the Dr. Creamer Ranch was sold. My son, Ambrose, and I had formed a partnership in farming and stock raising by this time, so we purchased some land west and south of Dupree. In 1945, Joe married Lorna Vance, and they continued to make their home in Dupree until their deaths in 1971. [photo - Joe Heimer] LEE and ESTHER HEMEN by Esther Hemen Lee Hemen was born in Columbia, South Dakota, son of Jim and Luella Hemen. He grew up around Columbia, South Dakota. Esther Birkeland Hemen was born in Wilmar, Minnesota, daughter of Ole and Olina Greenfield Birkeland. At age of ten years I moved with my parents who homesteaded two and one half miles south of Dupree. I went to Fairview School and graduated from the eighth grade and then attended Dupree High School for three years. I attended Aberdeen Normal summer term in 1917 and wrote for Teachers Certificate and passed, so started to teach in fall of 1917, teaching rural schools five years. In 1924 I married Lee Hemen of Columbia, South Dakota and moved there and lived on a farm where our sons Duane and Jim were born. In 1941 we sold our farm and moved to North Dakota. In fall of 1943, we moved to Vancouver, Washington, where we worked in the Shipyards. Later we moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota and our daughter, Sally, was born there. We moved to Brampton, North Dakota and lived a few years before moving to Igloo, South Dakota and working in the Ammunition Depot. In 1953 we moved to Dupree and I went to Spearfish College to renew my Teachers Certificate and taught Whittler and White Swan schools. In 1958, I ran for Register of Deeds in Ziebach County, was elected and took office on January 1, 1959. I held this office for twenty years and retired December 31, 1978. Upon retiring I planned on visiting places and friends that I hadn't seen for quite some time, but in the month following my retirement, January 29, 1979. I slipped on my kitchen floor and broke my leg. I had a cast on for six months and then had to use crutches for a while, so that ended my plans for that year. My husband, Lee, suffered from emphysema for many years which contributed to his death, February 22, 1977. My older son, Duane, lives in Butte, Montana. He has three daughters and one son and two grandsons and two granddaughters. Duane always liked to work with big machines and has worked on road construction for many years. My younger son, Jim, lives in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. He and his three sons work for the same oil company in New Orleans. His oldest son has a daughter two years old. Jim's only daughter lives in Denver, Colorado. Her husband is regional administrator for C-E Natco, Combustion Engineering, Inc. They have two daughters. Sally married Donald Fairbanks, a schoolmate. They live in Rapid City, South Dakota where Donald works as a mechanic and Sally works for Sears Roebuck & CO. They have two children. Walter will be a senior in high school next year and Dawn will be in the ninth grade. [photo - Esther and Lee Hemen] BEN and ELSIE HENDERSON by Eva C. Miller The Henderson family came to this country from England and lived in what is now New York City. They were Loyalists at the time of the Revolution and fled to Canada, where John William married Eliza UptoGrove or Bratt. From Canada they moved to Wisconsin, where Emerson, my grandfather, was born. Emerson Wesley Henderson and his wife, Ada Savinna Griffin, had Mary Luella and Albert, both deceased before age 21. Their other children included George, Chester, Florence, Benjamin, Harvey and Clarice Henderson. My father, Ben Henderson, the sixth of eight children, was born on June 24, 1888 near Heart Prairie, Wisconsin. At the age of 14, his family moved to Brown County, South Dakota. On November 1, 1911, Ben was married to Elsie Kranhold, the daughter of Frederick Kranhold and Anna Kraus Kranhold. She was born on November 1, 1890 in South Dakota. To this union two children were born, Eugene Harvey, on June 19, 1913 and Eva Clarice, on October 25, 1915. My parents lived and farmed near Groton in Brown County until the fall of 1918, when they moved to Ziebach County south of Dupree. They continued to farm and ranch until 1948, when they mowed to Sturgis, South Dakota. Our family did not homestead but my father and his oldest brother, George, bought the SE 1/4 and NE 1/4 of Sec. 1, R. 11, T. 20. We arrived in Dupree by train with George, his wife, Eliza and their two sons, Donald and Dyle. George's family didn't stay long, moving back to Brown County within a couple of years. Our two families lived in a large tent while the men mowed, raked, and gathered their winter supply of hay. Next they built houses, a bank barn, and dug a well by hand. My dad, always a peaceful man, did on one occasion, have to take up his revolver to prevent, so he thought, our hay from being stolen. Strapping on his gun he bravely strode out to the nearest rack. The "hay rustler'' happened to be an Italian, J. P. Werner, who spoke very little English. He waved his hands and pointed to the next man. Turns out it was Anson Callen and anyone who knew Anson can imagine how tickled he got when dad accosted him. Instead of stealing the hay, they had come to haul and stack it for the "new neighbors". They were served lunch and got to meet the wives and children when they were finished. Before they left we had been invited to Thanksgiving dinner at the Olivers, who lived south of us, where Erling and Linda Wilkins Olson are now living. Our house, a two-room shack, had a boxcar roof and was lined only with building paper. In the winter it was heated by the cookstove and the frost never thawed from the corners till spring. I remember one time we had gone to bed and there came a knock at the door. The caller was one of the Longbrake girls. She'd heard there was a barn dance at Talbott's (probably 8 or 10 miles east of us) and thinking we might be going, wanted to ride along. She must have lived 10 or 12 miles north and west of us. The folks got up, got us all ready, hitched up the team and we all went to the dance! Dad played the violin and was often called upon to play for these neighborhood dances. The women took cake or sandwiches and we kids usually lasted at least until after lunch was served before falling to sleep on a pile of coats. Sometimes the women fixed box lunches, trying to outdo each other in decorating their boxes, and they were auctioned off to the highest bidder. This was usually done to raise money for the schools. Or, they would take pies to be sold. If a young "courting" couple happened to be in the crowd, the men would try to find out which was her pie or box lunch and they would run the price of it way up. Eugene and I attended the Whittler school, the Pretty Creek School, and when the winter snows came, we went to the Hanneman School were we would live with the teacher during the week. What a long winter! In order to have spending money for the Fourth of July and Labor Day celebrations, we would trap gophers, remove their tails and keep them in a tobacco tin. When it was full, we'd take it to the courthouse and were paid 10 cents a piece. We also rode the creeks and killed crows for 10 cents each. We'd also try to enter all the street sports we could at the celebrations. There were three-legged races, sack races, 50 yard or 100 yard dashes and pie-eating contests. We were lucky some of the time and won our share of the money. In the fall of 1927, while we were back visiting in Brown County for Thanksgiving, our house burned down. Nothing was saved and in those days, we didn't carry fire insurance either. Once again we came to know of the generosity of friends and neighbors. Jess Miller and Lester Jennerson contacted everyone for miles around, and each one donated what he could to buy lumber for a new house. By January, the neighbors pitched in and helped us to build a new home. Jess and his son-in-law, Clarence Phillips, drove a team over 4 miles every day to help. I was in the 8th grade at the time and took turns staying at the Miller's or with the teacher, Mrs. Leach. Mom, Dad, and Eugene stayed over at Owen Shedd's while work was going on in the house. At that time, all the farmers milked cows and sold cream, either at the local Cream Station or shipped it in 5, 8, or 10 gallon cans to some produce company like Tilden's or the Equity in Aberdeen. Dad and Mother discovered they had a talent for making good butter and they could make more money by churning their cream and delivering the butter to regular customers. So we churned our cream every week and on Friday or Saturday delivered it to our customers. We must have had 25-30 customers tak