Full text of "History of Minnehaha Co." - Chapter 2
This file contains the full text of Bailey's History (1899),
Chapter 2, pages 36 to 67.
Scan and OCR by Joy Fisher, http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000031
This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit
organizations for their private use.
Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval
system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other
means requires the written approval of the file's author.
This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside
a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at
http://www.usgwarchives.net/sd/sdfiles.htm
CHAPTER II.
SYNOPSIS OF SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMISSIONERS
OF BIG SIOUX AND MINNEHAHA COUNTIES-LIST OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
In December, 1857, the governor of Minnesota Territory appointed the
following named persons, all of Sioux Falls City, as county officers for Big"
Sioux county as defined by the legislature of Minnesota, a portion of which
consisted of what is now Minnehaha county: James L. Fiske was appointed judge of
probate; W. W. Brookings, district attorney; J. L. Phillips, justice of the
peace; James Evans, sheriff; James Allen, register of deeds, and ex officio
county clerk; William Little, James McBride, and A. L. Kilgore, commissioners;
but no record of their proceedings has been found.
The only record of any proceeding's ever had by the Board of County
Commissioners for the County of Big Sioux which we have been able to obtain is
taken from The Democrat published at Sioux Falls City February 18, 1860, and
reads as follows:
"January 28, 1860.
"Met pursuant to adjournment.
"Present: Messrs. White, Kelts, and Greenway. Mr. White in the Chair.
"Mr. White requested that the report of the Committee on County Buildings
be postponed until the next meeting of the Board, which was agreed to.
"Mr. Greenway moved that the Board confer with the Commissioners of
Buchanan county, with a view to securing their co-operation in erecting a bridge
across the Big Sioux, at some suitable point near the falls. Motion adopted.
"Mr. White suggested that a bridge be built across the Slip-up creek, and,
on motion, it was ordered to be put under contract at once.
"Mr. Kelts moved that a county road be constructed from Sioux Falls City
to the limits of Big Sioux county, to intersect the Medary road. Passed.
Mr. Greenway moved that the last Saturday of each month hereafter be the
regular meeting day of the Board. Which motion passed.
Mr. Greenway introduced the following resolution:
"Resolved, That the Board will receive sealed proposals for the erection
of a court house and jail up to the first day of June next. Passed.
"Mr. Greenway moved that rent at the rate of $300 per annum. he paid for
the use of such offices in M'Call's block, as may be required for county
purposes, until the completion of the county building's, which motion passed,
yeas, 2; nays, 1.
"Mr. Kelts moved that the meeting now adjourn, which motion prevailed and
the Board adjourned until the last Saturday in February.
" J. M. ALLEN,
"Clerk Board Co. Com."
Probably the first County Warrant ever drawn under any show of authority
within the present limits of Minnehaha county was drawn by these commissioners.
It is now in the hands of Arthur C. Phillips, Esq., and reads as follows:
"Sioux Falls City, January 13, 1860.
"No.l. $3.00.
"Pay to Samuel J. Albright three dollars.
"JAMES M. ALLEN, Clerk. "C. S. WHITE,
"Pres. pro tem Co. Com."
(Mr. White was killed by the Indians two or three years later in
Minnesota. Mr. Kelts, at the time he was commissioner, had a claim on the land
where Levi S. Carter now resides, north of the City of Sioux Falls, and soon
after went to Montana. Mr. Greenway was a Virginian, and after a short residence
here he and his wife went further west).
The first territorial legislature, which began its session at Yankton,
March 17, and concluded May 15, 1862, enacted chapter twenty-three of the
session laws providing for county officers.
It required only twenty legal voters to organize a county, and when
organized it was to have the following county officials, viz.: three county
commissioners; a register of deeds, who was also ex officio clerk of the county
board, sheriff, judge of probate, coroner, justice of the peace, constables,
county surveyor, and district attorney. The duties of county commissioners were
prescribed, and their compensation fixed. The governor was authorized to
nominate and with the advice and consent of the council, appoint such officers,
to hold their respective offices until the first general election and their
successors had qualified.
During this session the official acts of James M. Allen as register of
deeds, and James McCall as justice of the peace for the County of Big Sioux,
were legalized; the County of Minnehaha was established, and the following
county officers appointed by the governor: Judge of probate, J. B. Amidon;
register of deeds, Harry Masters; sheriff, J. W. Evans; commissioners, Wm.
Stevens, Wm. Amidon, and B. C. Fowler; justice of the peace, James McCall.
As already appears, all the settlers in this vicinity were driven away
by the Indians during the summer of this year, and no records of official
proceedings by these officials can be found.
By an act of the legislature approved January 4, 1868, the County of
Minnehaha was reorganized, with boundaries as established by the legislature in
1862. John Nelson, John Thompson and William Melvin were appointed county
commissioners, and Edward Broughton, register of deeds. The commissioners were
empowered to appoint all other officers necessary to complete the organization
of the county. There are no records of their official proceedings, but on the
31st day of December, 1871, the legislature passed an act legalizing the
official acts of the commissioners, the register of deeds, and Ole Bergerson as
justice of the peace of Minnehaha county.
On the 8th day of January, 1873, an act of the territorial legislature
fixing the boundaries of a large number of counties was approved, and the
boundaries of the County of Minnehaha as they now exist were then established.
The first record of the proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners
of Minnehaha county commences with the 13th day of February, 1871, and the
following comprises a brief summary of their official acts from that time to
June, 1898.
"Sioux Falls, D. T., February 13th, 1871.
"Pursuant to call the Hon. Board of Commissioners met at the store of W.
S. Bloom for the transaction of such business as might properly be brought
before them. Present, Ole Bergerson and John Thompson. On motion John Thompson
was chosen chairman of the board. On motion the board decided to hold their
meetings at W. S. Bloom's store until more suitable rooms were provided. The
official bond of John Walker as sheriff with Ole Bergerson and Hans Larson as
sureties was examined and approved. The official bond of Bernt S. Peterson as
constable and Peter Knutsen and Knut Peterson as sureties was examined and
approved. The official bond of Ole B. Iverson, probate judge and county
treasurer with Charles Allen and John McClellan as sureties was examined and
approved.
"On motion adjourned to the next regular meeting first Monday in April, A.
D. 1871.
"Attest: W. S. Bloom, County Clerk.
"Minnehaha County, D. T."
April 3, 1871.
Commissioners met and transacted the following business: The county was
divided into districts as follows: All of the county south of township one
hundred and two west of range forty-eight, district number one; all the county
east of range forty-nine, district number two, and all of the county north of
township one hundred and one, and west of range forty-eight, district number
three. The official bond of W. S. Bloom as register of deeds and county clerk
was examined and approved. A petition of the citizens of district number two was
read, approved and granted, asking for a road from a point on the southeast
quarter of section twenty-one, township one hundred and one, range forty-eight
in Minnehaha county, where the Blue Earth City mail route crosses the said
quarter section, and from thence to cross the Big Sioux river at what is known
as the Iverson crossing, and from thence to Sioux Falls, following section and
quarter lines where practicable. Knut Knuteson was appointed justice of the
peace in district number two. Ole J. Aasen was appointed constable in district
number three, and John McClellan was appointed constable in district number one.
The following named persons were appointed road supervisors for their respective
districts: John McClellan, district number one; Amos O. Bursem, district number
two; John Langness, district number three. James A. Hand was appointed
superintendent of public instruction for the county. The account of Frank O.
Wisner for printing tax lists, amounting to ten dollars, was examined and
allowed, and warrant ordered drawn on receipt of warrant book.
At the next meeting of the board, a special one, April 12, 1871, there
were present John Thompson chairman, Charles Allen and Ole Bergerson. A petition
from the citizens of Split Rock, asking for a road commencing at the southeast
corner of section thirty-three, in township one hundred and one, range forty-
eight, thence north along the east line of said section, and on the section
lines as far as practicable to the northeast quarter of section four of said
township and range, and that the county surveyor be requested to locate and
establish said road, was granted. The appointment of James A. Hand as
superintendent of public instruction was rescinded, and he was appointed county
attorney, and John Bippus was appointed superintendent of public instruction.
The abstract of taxable property was received from the county assessor. The
account of John O. Walker for forty-eight dollars for services as assessor was
presented and allowed. The county surveyor was ordered to lay out and locate
road number one as soon as possible, following section and quarter lines as far
as practicable. The county clerk was ordered to procure blank books and seals
for the county.
The next meeting of the board was held July 3, present John Thompson,
chairman, Charles Allen and Ole Bergerson. The official bond of John Hunter,
justice of the peace, was approved. Petition number one asking for a road
commencing at the point where the Sioux river crosses the section line between
sections sixteen and seventeen in township one hundred and one, thence south on
section lines as near as practicable to Sioux Falls, was approved and granted,
and county surveyor was ordered to lay out such road. Petition number two was
also granted, and county surveyor ordered to lay out such road, provided the
cost did not exceed fifteen dollars, said road to commence at a point on the
boundary line between the Territory of Dakota and State of Minnesota at the
southeast quarter of section three, township one hundred and one, range forty-
seven, thence west following section and quarter lines as much as practicable
to Sioux Falls. Petition number three was granted, if cost of surveying road did
not exceed five dollars, said road to commence on south line of section thirty-
three, township one hundred and one, range forty-eight, thence to Sioux Falls,
on section and quarter lines as far as practicable. C. G. Coats, J. Dickson and
W. S. Bloom were appointed viewers. The report of the superintendent of public
schools, dividing the county into school districts, was received, read and
accepted. The report of county surveyor on road number one, with field notes,
was read and accepted. The board levied a total tax of one per cent., divided as
follows: territorial revenue one and one-half mills; county revenue, four mills;
roads and bridges, one mill; school tax, two mills: county sinking fund, one and
one-half mills. The county clerk was authorized to procure necessary blank books
for the use of county surveyor and superintendent of public instruction.
Board met again October 2; present John Thompson, chairman, Charles Allen
and Ole Bergeson. The official bond of H. W. Lewis, coroner, was examined and
approved. A petition for a county road. commencing at the northwest corner of
section twenty-three, township one hundred and one, range forty-nine, thence
south between sections twenty-two and twenty-three, 240 rods, thence east along
the quarter section line 80 rods to quarter post on north boundary of section
twenty-six; thence south along the quarter section line through the center of
sections twenty-six and thirty-five, to the south boundary of said township, was
received and granted, and Messrs. Booth, Robinson and Brown were appointed
viewers. Ole O. Langness, Oliver Olson and Thomas Paulson were appointed viewers
for the road running from the west line of section sixteen, township one hundred
and four, range forty-nine, to Sioux Falls. L. Berger-son, G. Torstenson and N.
Neilson were appointed viewers on road running east from Sioux Falls to the
Minnesota line and known as road number three.
A special meeting was called October 25, present John Thompson, chairman,
Chas. Allen and Ole Bergerson. The tax list for 1871 was presented and signed,
and the county treasurer ordered to proceed to collect taxes forthwith. The
account of Mills & Co., of August 7, 1871, amounting to forty-eight dollars, for
seals for county officers, was allowed and warrant drawn. The account of W. S.
Bloom for seventy-eight dollars fifty cents cash for sundries, for use of county
was allowed and warrant drawn. A petition was received from James A. Hand,
asking the county commissioners to request his honor, Judge Brookings to hold a
special term of court in Sioux Falls, subsequent to the first day of December,
1871. The accounts of John Thompson for sixteen dollars, Ole Bergerson for
fourteen dollars and forty cents, and Charles Allen for twelve dollars, for
services as county commissioners for 1871, were examined and allowed. Also the
account of W. S. Bloom for seventy-five dollars for services as county clerk for
1871, was examined and allowed.
The board met December 1, 1871, pursuant to a call for special meeting,
present Charles Allen and Ole Bergerson. The verbal resignation of John Bippus,
superintendent of public schools, was received and accepted, and Cyrus Walts was
appointed to fill the vacancy.
1872. January 1, at the regular meeting of the hoard, there were present
John Thompson, chairman, and Ole Bergerson. The county clerk being absent, W. H.
Holt was appointed clerk pro tern. Newton Clark, member elect, presented his
official bond, which was approved. W. R. McLaury presented a bill for attorney's
services in case of Dakota Territory vs. G. W. White, which was allowed at five
dollars. A petition was presented for a county road beginning at southwest
corner of section sixteen, township one hundred and one, range forty-nine,
thence west as per petition filed, which was accepted and road ordered opened.
It was then resolved that all accounts must be duly certified before acceptance
by the board.
The following accounts were presented and allowed: Halvor Olson, Thomas
Paulson and Ole O. Langness, four days each in locating county road number two,
at two dollars per day; John O. Langness, two days surveying county road number
two, at four dollars per day. Wm. H. Holt, county clerk pro tern, was empowered
to issue license for the sale of spiritous liquors in Minnehaha county at his
discretion, license being paid and good and sufficient bonds being given.
On January 16, the board of county commissioners met again, pursuant to a
call for a special meeting. There were present John Thompson, Ole Bergerson and
Newton Clark. A motion was made by Newton Clark "that the rate of license be
fixed at thirty dollars per annum for persons selling spiritous liquors in
Minnehaha county in quantities less than one quart, in connection with general
merchandise, and at one hundred dollars per annum for license for saloon keepers
in said county," which motion was carried. The resignation of W. S. Bloom,
county clerk, was tendered, to take effect February 1, 1872, and on motion was
accepted. The board then proceeded to vote for county clerk by ballot. W. R.
McLaury received two votes and N. E. Phillips one, whereupon W. R. McLaury was
declared elected to fill the unexpired term. The county clerk was then
instructed to serve notice on dealers in liquors in Minnehaha county, that
license to sell liquors must be taken out prior to January 25, 1872.
At the next meeting of the board held April 1, on motion of John Thompson,
a petition for the construction of a bridge across the Big Sioux river, at a
point where said stream is crossed by the public highway, in the southeast
corner of section thirteen, township one hundred and one, range fifty, was
rejected so far as it related to a two mill tax, but by motion of the same
member of the board, the question of appropriating one thousand dollars to build
the bridge as above stated, was ordered to be submitted to the voice of the
people at the next general election. The official bond of O. B. Iverson, county
treasurer, was fixed at four thousand dollars, examined and approved, and "the
old bond held responsible to the present date."
At the next meeting of the board, held July 1, the petition of R. S.
Alexander and others asking for an appropriation of five hundred dollars,
subject to the voice of the people at the next general election, to build
a bridge at Dell City, was accepted. By action of the board the following
places were designated for holding the next general election: precinct number
one in the barracks, precinct number two at Soren Bergerson's, precinct number
three at John O. Langness' school house. The board also contracted with Wm.
Van Eps for four ballot boxes complete, at one dollar and twenty-five cents
each. The board then adjourned until the next morning, when the financial
statement of the county was examined and ordered printed. It was as follows:
"Financial statement of Minnehaha county, D. T., for the year ending
June 30th, A. D. 1872 :
Total amount of tax levied --------------------------------$628 71
Amount of interest collected on delinquent tax ------------ 2 50
__________
Total ----------------------------------------------------- $631 28
Total amount of cash received ----------------------------- 340 92
Total amount of warrants received ------------------------- 18 79
Total amount of interest received ------------------------- 2 57
Total amount delinquent tax ------------------------------- 269 00
__________
Total ----------------------------------------------------- $631 28
TERRITORIAL TAX.
Amount levied --------------------------------------------- $ 94 30
Amount cash collected ------------------------------------- 46 97
Amount delinquent tax ------------------------------------- 47 33
__________
Total ----------------------------------------------------- $ 94 30
Amount of cash on hand------------------------------------- $ 46 97
COUNTY TAX.
Amount levied --------------------------------------------- $251 48
Amount cash collected ------------------------------------- $107 41
Amount of warrants received ------------------------------- 18 42
Amount delinquent tax ------------------------------------- 125 65
___________
Total ----------------------------------------------------- $251 48
Amount of cash paid on warrants --------------------------- 70 80
Amount of cash in hand ------------------------------------ 36 61
___________
Total ----------------------------------------------------- $107 41
ROAD AND BRIDGE TAX.
Amount levied --------------------------------------------- $ 62 87
Amount of cash collected----------------------------------- $ 31 13
Amount of receipts received ------------------------------- 37
Amount of delinquent tax ---------------------------------- 31 37
___________
Total ----------------------------------------------------- $ 62 87
Amount of cash on hand ------------------------------------ $ 31 13
SCHOOL DISTRICT TAX.
Amount levied --------------------------------------------- $125 74
Amount of cash collected ---------------------------------- $ 63 27
Amount of cash collected for license ---------------------- 45 00
Amount of delinquent tax ---------------------------------- 62 47
___________
Total ----------------------------------------------------- $170 74
Amount of delinquent tax ---------------------------------- 62 47
Amount of cash on hand ------------------------------------ 108 27
___________
Total ----------------------------------------------------- $170 74
COUNTY SINKING FUND TAX.
Amount levied --------------------------------------------- $ 94 30
Amount of cash collected ---------------------------------- 47 14
Amount of delinquent tax ---------------------------------- 47 l6
___________
Total ----------------------------------------------------- $ 94 30
POLL TAX.
Amount enrolled ------------------------------------------- $265 50
Amount of cash collected ---------------------------------- $117 00
Amount of receipts received ------------------------------- 3 00
Amount exempt --------------------------------------------- 7 50
Amount of delinquent--------------------------------------- 138 00
___________
Total ----------------------------------------------------- $265 50
Amount refunded on illegal tax ---------------------------- l6 50
Amount allowed on receipts -------------------------------- 3 00
Amount exempt --------------------------------------------- 7 50
Amount delinquent tax ------------------------------------- 138 00
Amount cash on hand --------------------------------------- 100 50
___________
Total ----------------------------------------------------- $265 50
"(Signed.) W. R. McLAURY,
"Clerk Board County Commissioners."
At the next meeting of the board held July 30, a petition of J. C.
Ervin and sixty-two others, praying "for the establishment of an election
precinct, with the place of voting" to be at the school house at Dell City,
said precinct to be known as precinct number four" was granted. The board
then proceeded to levy the tax as follows: four mills on each dollar of the
total valuation of property for county fund; county sinking fund, one and
five-tenths mills; road tax, five-tenths mill; road and bridge poll tax
"specific" one dollar and fifty cents on each poll over twenty-one and
under fifty years of age; school poll tax, one dollar on each poll over
twenty-one and under fifty years of age; territorial tax, one mill; total
amount of tax levied, eight mills on each dollar of the total valuation.
The following resolution was introduced and passed:
"WHEREAS, it appears to this body that unjust complaint has been made
from various sources against Mr. John O. Walker, sheriff within and for
Minnehaha county, D. T., complaining that the said John O. Walker has been
guilty of negligence in the performance of his duties as sheriff, Ergo:
having duly considered the circumstances connected therewith, we do
exonerate the said John O. Walker from all blame connected therewith
or with which he may be charged.
Signed,
"NEWTON CLARK.
"JOHN THOMPSON.
"OLE BERGERSON."
On October 13 the board met and canvassed the returns of the general
election held October 8, 1872, for territorial, district and county officers.
For delegate to Congress, Wilmot W. Brookings received 122 votes, G. C.
Moody 118, M. K. Armstrong 69, and John Hunter 3. (M. K. Armstrong was elected
by the territorial vote, at this election.) For register of deeds, N. E. Phillips
received 177 votes, and W. H. Holt 125. For probate judge, H. J. Whipple received
169 votes. For county superintendent of public schools, A. Thorne received
159 votes. For sheriff, V. R. L. Barnes received 37 votes, C. A. Linstrom 159
and Daniel Scott 69. For coroner, J. L. Phillips received 161. For county surveyor,
John O. Langness, 107. For district attorney, A. Sweeny, 134 votes. For county
commissioner, R. S. Alexander, 159. For justice of the peace, S. Pruner, 148,
C. Anderson, 131, R. Anderson, 154. For constable, J. H. Moulton, 136, A. Larson,
133, O. J. Aasen, 144.
1873. At the meeting of the board January 20, Wm. H. Holt was appointed
sheriff to fill vacancy and accepted. The following resolutions were also adopted:
"That the county surveyor be instructed to put up mounds at each angle, also at
distances not more than one-fourth mile from each other on straight lines. Also to
place sight mounds on high points on all county roads hereafter surveyed, so as to
enable the road supervisors to find the lines." The following also appears in the
record of this meeting: "Petition for a road from Sioux Falls and Schunk creek to
Wall Lake. Also a road from the quarter section post on the south boundary of
section thirty-five, township one hundred and one, range forty-nine via of
Raymond's intersecting Sioux Falls and Schunk creek road. And from Raymond's west,
intersecting the road from the Sioux Falls and Schunk creek road to Wall Lake.
Viewers appointed-Wm. Van Eps, Cyrus Walts and Newton Clark. That they are
instructed to meet and view said road as soon as the ground thaws. Board
settled with Ole B. Iverson per Wm. H. Holt as deputy county treasurer, leaving
a balance in his hands to be delivered to his successor, H. J. Whipple, of two
hundred and nine dollars and twenty-six cents. Dated January 21, A. D. 1873.
N. Clark, Chairman Board of Commissioners." The assessor, Ole Bergerson, is
also instructed as follows: "in assessing town property that he exercise his
own discretion; general merchandise, at general market value; horses and mules
over one year old, class one, old or young, at ten to twenty-five dollars;
class two, work horses, seventy-five dollars; class three, fine stock, at one
hundred and twenty-five dollars. Cows, not to exceed twenty dollars. Work oxen,
class one, fifty dollars; class two, seventy-five dollars. Young cattle, to use
discretion. Sheep, not to exceed one dollar fifty cents. Swine, to use discretion.
Improvements on land breaking per acre, two dollars. That the county license for
the sale of liquor be fifty dollars per annum throughout the county." Albion Thorne
was also appointed "district attorney in and for the district and County of Minnehaha."
At the next meeting, February 3. an offer was received from J. C. Ervin,
publisher of the Dell Rapids Journal, to publish the minutes of the proceedings
of the board for one dollar per year. The offer was accepted, and the Dell Rapids
Journal was made the official newspaper of Minnehaha county, and all official
papers and public documents of every kind requiring publication were ordered to
be published in this newspaper at the due legal rates of the Territory, except
the proceedings of the board, which were to be at the price named and agreed upon.
It was resolved, "that the county attorney be hereby instructed to enforce to the
best of his ability the law in regard to the selling of intoxicating liquors in
Minnehaha county, D.T."
April 14, the date appointed for the next meeting of the board, the following
entry of proceedings appears on the records. "Severe rain and snow storm made it
impossible for the board of county commissioners to meet as per adjournment of
April 7th. Attest, N. E. Phillips, county clerk."
On the 22d of April, the board again met, and allowed the account of John
Bippus for seven dollars, fifty cents, for a book case to contain the records
of the district court of Minnehaha county. The financial statement for the year
ending June 30, 1873, showed that the total amount of tax levied was one thousand
seven hundred and ten dollars and forty-nine cents; the total amount collected,
eight hundred and fifty-three dollars seventy-four cents, and the amount of
delinquent tax, eight hundred and fifty-six dollars seventy-five cents.
1874. On January 7, the Sioux Falls Independent was made the official paper
for the year 1874, upon the same conditions as during the preceding year. It was
also ordered that the county license for the sale of liquors should be thirty
dollars per annum, and the following resolution was passed: "Resolved, That we
recommend that the justices of the peace require persons making complaint in
behalf of the Territory of Dakota in cases of criminal procedure to give bonds
for the payment of costs." A petition was presented for a ferry across the Big
Sioux river on or near the lines between sections nine and ten at Dell Rapids,
asking that steps be taken to procure bids for the building and maintenance of
the same. On motion it was ordered that notice be issued and posted to the effect
that "oral bids" would be received at the clerk's office in Sioux Falls, on the
9th day of February, 1874, for the building and maintaining of such ferry for the
term of five years.
At the next meeting, February 9, "license was granted to B. D. Graves,
Peter Morse and R. S. Alexander, for the term of five years for a ferry charter
across the Big Sioux at Dell Rapids, under the provisions of chapter 16, laws
of 1865-6, with all the rights and privileges thereby granted."
1875. At the next meeting of the board held April 5, the county liquor
license was fixed at forty dollars per annum.
At a regular meeting held July 6, the board fixed the salary of the
district attorney at two hundred and thirty dollars for the year 1875.
1876. On January 3, the Sioux Falls Independent was again made the
official newspaper of the county for the ensuing year. The salary of the county
clerk was fixed at five hundred dollars to be paid quarterly.
In April, N. E. Phillips resigned his office, not being able on account of
increased business to give it the attention it required, and John Bippus was
appointed register of deeds and ex officio county clerk to fill the vacancy for
the unexpired term.
At the regular meeting of the board July 3, Andrew J. Berdahl tendered his
resignation as sheriff, being about to move from the county, and John W.
Callender was appointed to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.
On July 17, the board ordered that the county treasurer be instructed to
reserve the road fund on hand July 1, which had not been accredited to any road
district, and to pay the same to R. F. Pettigrew to be by him expended in the
construction of a bridge across the Sioux river at the foot of Eighth street in
Sioux Falls, upon the receipt by the county clerk of a bond executed by said R.
F. Pettigrew and approved by said clerk for the completion of said bridge on or
before the 20th day of October, 1876.
1877. January 3, The Sioux Falls Pantagraph was made the official
newspaper for the year 1877.
May 9, at a special session, the board selected the names from the
assessment roll of 1877 from which grand and petit jurors were drawn.
1878. January 9, the board instructed the county treasurer to pay out of
the county sinking fund the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars to the building
committee for the completion of the bridge across the Sioux river at what was
known as "Clark's Crossing."
The Dakota Pantagraph and the Sioux Falls Independent were made official
papers, each paper to be paid one-half legal rates. On motion the board decided
to receive bids at the next regular meeting to furnish rooms for county paupers,
such rooms to be furnished according to certain plans on file at the county
clerk's office. Also at the same meeting notice was ordered given that "sealed
bids for making county map will be received, to be made according to
specifications on file at said office."
February 1, the board made a settlement with the county treasurer, found
his accounts to be correct, and the balances shown thereon were as follows:
Balance on hand January 1, 1878.
Territorial fund $ 1,633.11
County fund 1,042.54
" school fund 2,429.95
" sinking fund 2,284.46
" judgment fund 96.62
" road fund 437.60
District school fund 2,833.81
_____________
Total $10,758.09
April 1, the board fixed the liquor license at two hundred dollars per
annum. The salary of the county attorney for the year 1878, was fixed at two
hundred dollars.
July 2, at a regular meeting, the board ordered "that the county treasurer
pay out of the county fund, derived from the issuing of liquor licenses, the sum
of one thousand dollars to the building committee having in charge the
construction of a bridge across the Sioux river at the Tenth street in Sioux
Palls, on condition that said committee have said bridge completed and open to
the use of the public on or before October 1, 1878."
1879. January 6, Ole Bergerson retired from the board, having served
continuously from 1871. During this session, the assessor was instructed to
assess real and personal property as follows:
Lands inside the corporation of the village of Sioux Falls from $ 20 00 to $ 100 00 per acre
Lands in township 101, range 49, outside corporation from 2 00 to 40 00 per acre
All other lands except timber lands from 1 50 to 40 00 per acre
Timber land from 3 00 to 25 00 per acre
Business lots in the village of Sioux Falls from 100 00 to 1000 00 per lot
Residence lots in the village of Sioux Falls from 5 00 to 200 00 per lot
Lots in the town site of Dell Rapids from 1 00 to 40 00 per lot
Lots in the town site of Valley Springs from 1 00 to 100 00 per lot
Lots in the town site of Brandon from 1 00 to 5 00 per lot
Lots in the town site of Wall Lake from 1 00 per lot
Road bed of the Worthington and Sioux Falls R. R., per mile 3000 00
Stallions and jacks first-class 150 00
Stallions and jacks second-class 100 00
Horses first-class 50 00
Horses second-class 30 00
Horses third-class 10 00 to 20 00
Mules and asses classed same as horses.
Yoke work oxen 40 00 to 50 00
Cows 8 00 to 12 00
Cattle 3 years old 8 00 to 10 00
Cattle 2 years old 6 00 to 8 00
Swine 50 to 3 00
Sheep 1 00
Vehicles 10 00 to 5 00
Sleighs 5 00 to 15 00
Breaking on government land at 1 00 per acre
The Dakota Pantograph was made the official paper of the county for the
ensuing year. It was ordered that the county clerk procure a lease from E. A.
Sherman of ground for jail purposes. License for selling intoxicating" liquors
was fixed at two hundred dollars for the ensuing year.
A special meeting of the board was called on May 8, for the purpose of
appointing a board of "Commissioners of Insanity." On motion of Commissioner
Burke, Dr. J. C. Morgan was appointed as a member of said board, and on motion
of Commissioner Jones, John Bippus was appointed the other member.
At a regular session of the board July 11, the following resolution was
adopted: "Resolved, that at the next general election to be held on the 4th day
of November next, there will be submitted to the qualified electors of the
county, the question involving the issuing of county bonds for the purpose of
raising money to purchase ground for a county jail and county poorhouse, to
construct suitable buildings thereon, and furnishing them complete; that said
county bonds shall be issued for the amount of ten thousand dollars, to run ten
years, with interest at the rate of eight per cent. per annum, payable semi-
annually; and the said bonds shall be sold at no lower price than the face
thereof; and it is hereby provided, that a copy of said question substantially
shall accompany and be posted with the notices of election." It was also
ordered, "that the village calaboose be refitted, and arrangements made for the
removal therein and board and care of the county prisoners."
At the regular session, October 6, John Bippus resigned the office of
commissioner of insanity, and R. J. Wells was appointed to fill the vacancy.
1880. January 5, A. Clendenning, the commissioner elect, having qualified,
took his seat, A. Gale retiring. The license for the sale of liquors was fixed
at two. hundred dollars for the year ensuing. E. Parliman was appointed counsel
for the board at a salary of five dollars per day, when called upon to appear,
and to be retained as county attorney when so required. The Tenth street bridge
in Sioux Falls was formally accepted by the county, and the indebtedness
existing on the 1st of January, 1880, amounting to one thousand twenty-three
dollars and eighty-two cents, was assumed.
February 11, at the semi-annual settlement with the county treasurer, the
balance on hand January 1, 1880, was as follows:
Territorial fund $ 797 53
County fund 1,027 38
County school fund 1,272 20
Sinking fund 1,165 06
Judgment fund 170 00
Road fund 1,198 23
District school fund 3,474 25
Bridge fund 381 20
Interest on R. R. bonds 460 92
Village of Sioux Falls 562 83
___________
Total $10,509 60
The board decided to accept the offer of H. L. Hollister, to purchase the
county bonds at a premium of one-fourth of 1 per cent., and ordered that said
bonds be executed and delivered to said H. L. Hollister, as follows: Bonds for
five thousand dollars to be signed and delivered immediately, and the balance
whenever the county commissioners shall need the funds in the erection and
completion of jail and poorhouse building's, as contemplated. The offer of N. E.
Phillipsto sell the southeast quarter of section 27, township 102, range 49,
with the buildings and improvements thereon, for the sum of one thousand five
hundred dollars, was accepted by the board for the county poor grounds, and lots
1 and 2, block 4, in J. L. Phillips' addition to Sioux trails, was purchased of
W. D. Roberts for the county jail grounds at the price of eight hundred dollars.
Plans and specifications for the building were also accepted and notice
requesting bids ordered published for ninety days in the official paper of the
county.
At the regular meeting which convened April 5, the county superintendent
of schools reported a deaf and dumb person, and it was ordered that a report be
forwarded to the governor of the territory, as provided by law, that the
education of such person might be provided for.
May 20 the sealed bids for a county jail and poorhouse were examined, and
the contract awarded to S. McCormack and T. S. Stratton for the sum of eight
thousand five hundred and fifty-one dollars, they being the lowest bidders. W.
M. Walters was appointed superintendent, and the board of commissioners were to
constitute a building committee in the construction of said buildings.
A petition was submitted to the board at this meeting, asking that a
special election be called for submitting to the vote of the people the question
of organizing the county into civil townships as provided by law. It was ordered
that such special election be called on the 28th of June, 1880.
At the regular meeting of the board July 8, the following resolution was
unanimously adopted:
"WHEREAS, The legal voters of the County of Minnehaha petitioned the board
of county commissioners assembled in regular adjourned session on the 20th day
of May, 1880, to call a special election to submit the question of township
organization, and in pursuance of and by authority of law, a special election
was thus called and held on the 28th day of June, 1880, and it appearing from
the returns made by the judges of election of the several precincts of the
countv that a majority of all the votes cast were in favor of township
organization, the votes standing as follows:
For township organization ------------------------------- 582 votes
Against township organization --------------------------- 88 votes
therefore, be it
Resolved, in pursuance of "an act providing for the organization of civil
townships and the government thereof," approved February 18, 1879, that the
County of Minnehaha be and is hereby divided into civil townships, and the
boundaries of the same are hereby fixed and determined and numbered in the order
of their description as follows, to-wit:
Township 101, Range 47, (fractional) Numbered 1, Valley Springs
" 101, " 48, " 2, Split Rock
" 101, " 49, " 3, Sioux Falls
" 101, " 50, " 4, Wayne
" 101, " 51, " 5, Wall Lake
" 101, " 52, " 6, Wellington
" 102, " 47, (fractional) " 7, Red Rock
" 102, " 48, " 8, Brandon
" 102, " 49, " 9, Mapleton
" 102, " 50, " 10, Benton
" 102, " 51, " 11, Hartford
" 102, " 52, " 12, Humboldt
" 103, " 47, (fractional) " 13, Palisade
" 103, " 48, " 14, Edison
" 103, " 49, " 15, Sverdrup
" 103, " 50, " 16, Lyons
" 103, " 51, " l7, Grand Meadow
" 103, " 52, " 18, Clear Lake
" 104, " 47, (fractional) " 19, Highland
" 104, " 48, " 20, Logan
" 104, " 49, " 21, Dell Rapids
" 104, " 50, " 22, Burk
" 104, " 51, " 23, Taopi
" 104, " 52, " 24, Buffalo.
At a special meeting August 30, W. M. Walters resigned his office as
superintendent of the public buildings in process of erection, and P. W. Duffy
was appointed in his stead.
At the regular meeting October 6, a petition was presented, signed bv H.
L. Hollister and forty-seven others, asking the board to take the necessary
action to secure another location for the county jail. This petition was
accepted and the following resolution adopted:
"WHEREAS, H. L. Hollister and citizens of Sioux Falls, have offered to
purchase a lot and donate the same to the County of Minnehaha, in consideration
that the county jail shall be removed and built thereon,
WHEREAS, the board of county commissioners have found it necessary to
reconstruct the building known as the county jail and upon due consideration it
is found that no additional expense is incurred to the county by reason of the
removal of the said jail, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the building known as the county jail be removed and
erected upon lot 13, block 30, in Brookings and Edmunds addition to Sioux Falls,
and the said county jail to be constructed and completed according to contract,
and the plans and specifications on file in the county clerk's office." It was
also ordered at this meeting that each civil township be furnished twelve copies
of the township law, at the county's expense.
1881. At the January meeting the Dakota Pantagraph was made the official
newspaper for the ensuing year.
The following resolution was adopted (January 12, 1881):
Resolved, that the chairman of this board be directed to correspond with
the delegation of our county in the territorial legislature, requesting their
influence and exertion looking to the early passage by the legislature of a bill
authorizing the board of county commissioners to issue and negotiate their bonds
in amount sufficient to complete the payment for the county buildings authorized
to be built by vote taken in November, 1879, and which buildings are now
approaching completion with insufficient funds to pay therefor. And that a copy
of this resolution be forwarded to our said delegation."
At the regular meeting convened April 4, the following appointments were
made for the board of insanity: J. C. Morgan for the term of two years, and R.
J. Wells for the term of one year.
At a special meeting of the board held May 11, it was decided that an
additional lot would be required for more room and convenience, adjoining the
jail ground; and it was ordered that lot 12, in block 30, Brookings and Edmunds
addition to Sioux Falls be purchased for the sum of four hundred dollars. The
following resolution was also adopted:
"Resolved, that a special election will be held throughout the several
precincts in the County of Minnehaha, D. T., on Thursday the 9th day of June,
1881, at which time the legal and qualified electors will determine by their
votes the following propositions:
First. Shall there be built as soon as possible the following bridges in
Minnehaha county, to-wit:
1. One bridge across the Sioux river in the village of Sioux Falls.
2. Reconstruction oi the bridge across the river in Sioux Falls township
between sections 32 and 33 on the Lincoln Center road.
3. Une bridge across the Sioux river between sections 7 and 18 in Sioux
Falls township.
4. One bridge across the Sioux river in Split Rock township.
5. One bridge across the Sioux river in Sverdrup township.
6. One bridge across the Sioux river in the village of Dell Rapids.
7. One bridge across the Split Rock in Brandon township.
8. One bridge across the Split Rock in Palisade township.
9. One bridge across the Beaver Creek in Valley Springs township.
10. One bridge across the Skunk Creek in Wayne township.
11. One bridge across the Skunk Creek near the line between Hartford and
Grand Meadow townships.
12. One bridge across the Skunk Creek in Burk township.
13. One bridge across the Slipup CreeK in Mapleton township.
Second. Shall the county commissioners borrow twenty thousand dollars for
such purpose, at not more than seven per cent. interest per annum, payable in
twenty years?
Third. Shall a tax of one mill on the dollar annually hereafter be levied
upon the taxable property of the county to provide a sinking fund and to pay the
interest upon such indebtedness?
I. N. Neher and D. S. Stinson were granted a license to run a ferry across
the Sioux river in the village of Dell Rapids from date until January 1, 1882.
At the regular session of the board July 8, license was granted Lewis Spawn and
others to run a ferry during the year across the Big Sioux river on the section
line between section 28 and 33 in township 101 of range 48.
The following resolution was adopted: "Resolved, that all children that
now are or hereafter may become inmates of the county poorhouse be bound out as
soon as parties can be found to take them."
At a regular meeting- August 15, upon notice of S. McCormack, that the
county jail building was completed as called for by contract, the board visited
the building and inspected it. It was found completed in accordance with the
plans and specifications, and was accepted by the board.
1882. January 2, license was fixed at two hundred dollars per annum. Lewis
Spawn was granted a license to run a ferry across the Big Sioux at Banning's
crossing during the year upon the payment of one dollar. Parliman and Frizzell
were appointed counsel for the board for the ensuing year. Doctors J. C. Morgan,
C. P. Bissell and W. B. Parker were chosen as county physicians for the year
ensuing. The publication of the proceedings of the board was awarded to The
Pantagraph, and the job printing required by the county to The Times.
At the regular meeting April 6, it was resolved that the sum of one
thousand four hundred dollars be appropriated from the county treasury for the
construction of a bridge across the Sioux on the Yankton road at a point known
as the "Yankton Crossing." It was also resolved that the sum of seven thousand
five hundred dollars be appropriated for the following purposes: "Two thousand
five hundred dollars to aid in the construction of a bridge across the Sioux
river at Tenth street in the village of Sioux Falls. Two thousand five hundred
dollars to aid in the construction of a bridge across the Sioux river at Sixth
street in the village of Sioux Falls. Two thousand five hundred dollars to aid
in the construction of a bridge across the Sioux river at Eighth street in the
village of Sioux Falls." Also two hundred dollars was appropriated to aid in the
construction of a bridge across the Slipup creek on the highway between sections
12 and 13, township 102, range 49. Five hundred dollars was appropriated for
building a bridge across a slough on the county road on the section line between
sections 8 and 17 in Sioux Falls township.
The resignation of Andrew Clendenning as county commissioner was tendered
and accepted, and N. E. Phillips was appointed by the board to fill the vacancy.
October 5, the board accepted the proposition of E. A. Sherman for the
lease of rooms for county offices and a court room in a building to be
constructed and completed for occupancy by July 1, 1883, on the southwest corner
of Main and Ninth streets at a yearly rent of one thousand two hundred dollars
for the term of five years, or until the county builds a court house.
1883. Jauuary 11, 1883, Christian Asleson tendered his resignation of the
office of county commissioner, and Ransom Walter was appointed his successor.
At the adjourned April session it was resolved to appropriate the sum of four
thousand dollars for a bridge across the Sioux river at Eig-hth street in the
City of Sioux Falls, provided, the bridge should cost not less than eight
thousand dollars. The new school law was taken up and discussed and on motion
rejected.
At the July session, it was ordered that the county superintendent of
schools be allowed a salary of one hundred dollars for the year ending the first
Monday of January, 1884. It was resolved that a special election be held in the
several election precincts in Minnehaha county on Wednesday, August 1, 1883, for
the purpose of electing eight delegates to represent the county in the State
Constitutional Convention to be held at Sioux Falls, September 4, 1883, in
pursuance of resolutions adopted by the Convention held at Huron in June,1883.
October 5, the following resolution was adopted: "Resolved, that the
County of Minnehaha be and hereby is divided into the following commissioner
districts:
"District No. 1, to comprise the township of Sioux Falls (excepting the
city), Wayne, Benton, Mapleton, Sverdrup and Lyons.
"District No. 2, Valley Springs, Split Rock, Brandon, Red Rock, Palisade,
Edison and Highland.
"District No. 3, Logan, Dell Rapids, Burk, Taopi and Buffalo.
"District No. 4, Wall Lake, Wellington, Humbolt, Hartford, Grand Meadow
and Clear Lake.
"District No. 5, the City of Sioux Falls."
1884. At the regular session, January 7, the liquor license for the
ensuing year was fixed at three hundred dollars. It was ordered that seven
hundred dollars be appropriated to aid in the construction of a bridge across
the Sioux river on the township line between Sverdrup and Dell Rapids. A
contract for the bridge was drawn and signed by R. F. Pettigrew and the chairman
of the board.
The report of the county superintendent for the year 1883 was as follows:
JANUARY 10, 1884.
Number of districts organized during the year 7
Number of districts in the county in good standing 85
Number of schools in session at the present date 60
Number of children of school age in organized territory 3,101
The county superintendent was allowed a salary of two hundred dollars for
the ensuing year. It was ordered that gas be introduced to light the county
offices and court room, and that the chairman appoint a committee of three to
purchase gas fixtures. The publication of the proceedings of the board and all
legal notices required by the county was awarded to the Sioux Falls Argus and
the Sioux Falls Press.
1885. At the July meeting, D. C. Rice was appointed county surveyor, to
fill vacancy.
1886. January 4, the board met in regular session. The new members, Arthur
Jones and John Thompson, qualified and took their seats. The liquor license for
the ensuing year was fixed at three hundred dollars. Bids were received for
printing the proceedings of the board, and on motion a contract was awarded to
the Sioux Falls Argus at one-fourth legal rates, to be published in both daily
and weekly. The salary of county superintendent was fixed at one hundred
dollars. C. K. Howard resigned his office as county treasurer, and C. L. Norton
was appointed to fill vacancy. The resignation of D. C. Rice as county surveyor
was presented and accepted. Peddler's license was fixed at one hundred dollars
for the ensuing year, and auctioneer's license at twenty-five dollars. R. S.
Alexander was appointed county surveyor to fill vacancy caused by the
resignation of D. C. Rice.
At the meeting held October 4, the following resolution was passed:
Resolved, that at the next general election, to be held in the County of
Minnehaha on Tuesday, the 2d day of November, A. D. 1886, the following question
be submitted to the legal voters thereof:
"Shall the territory be divided?"
The following resolution was also passed:
Resolved, that the chairman of the board of county commissioners is hereby
authorized to advertise for four consecutive weeks in the Sioux Falls Leader for
proposals to adopt or take care of two female negro children until they arrive
at the age of twentv-one years.
1887. At the January session Ole Berdahl retired, and the new
commissioners, John McKee and O. F. Bowles, qualified and took their seats.
During this meeting a resolution was passed to build a barn on the lots at the
jail, 16x24, with 12-foot posts.
At the July session the following appears on record:
"WHEREAS, a petition of more than one-third of the legal voters of
Minnehaha county, as shown by the preceding election, having been presented to
this board, praying that the question of prohibition of the sale of intoxicating
liquors be submitted to a vote of said Minnehaha county, as provided by an act
of the legislative assembly of the Territory of Dakota, entitled, 'An act to
prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors by local option,' approved March 11,
1887, on motion the prayer of said petitioners was granted."
The following resolution was also adopted:
"Resolved, that an election be and the same is hereby ordered to be held
in said county in accordance with the provisions of said act, on the Tuesday
next after the first Monday in November, 1887, at which election the qualified
voters of said county shall vote upon the question of prohibiting the sale of
intoxicating liquors in said County of Minnehaha."
1888. At the January meeting the following were made the official papers
for the ensuing year, namely, the Argus-Leader, Land and Labor News and Dell
Rapids Times. Dr. S. Olney was appointed county physician. January 12 the
following resolution was adopted: Resolved, that the board of county
commissioners of Minnehaha county, believing that a county auditor is necessary
for the proper and expeditious dispatch of public business in said county, Now,
therefore, be it further resolved, that the said office of county auditor be and
the same is hereby created."
April 4, the following resolution was adopted: "Resolved, that the
board proceed to appoint a county auditor tomorrow at 10 o'clock A. M.," and in
accordance with this resolution, W. W. Cooke was the next day appointed county
auditor, and his bond fixed at four thousand dollars.
At the July meeting the following resolution was adopted: "Resolved, that
the question of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors shall be and is
hereby submitted to a vote of the qualified electors of said Minnehaha countv at
the next general election to be held in November, 1888."
On motion the chairman of the board was authorized to take the necessary
steps to ascertain if a good and suitable foundation could be obtained for a
court house on the lots owned by the county.
At the September session, W. L. Dow gave it as his opinion "that a good
foundation for a court house could be had on the lots owned by the county,
provided that the streak of quicksand overlaying the blue-clay deposit was not
so extensive as to preclude building."
The following motion was then carried: "WHEREAS, we believe it to be for
the best interest of the county that proper steps be taken toward the erection
and building of a court house for said county, now therefore, Resolved, that we
deem it best to issue the bonds of the County of Minnehaha, Territory of Dakota,
in the sum of eighty thousand dollars for the erection and construction of a
court house for said Minnehaha county, said bonds to be one hundred and sixty in
number, each of the denomination of five hundred dollars, forty thousand dollars
payable in fifteen years and forty thousand dollars payable in twenty years,
with interest coupons attached, bearing four and one-half per cent. interest,
payable annually.
And we hereby order that the question of the County of Minnehaha issuing
bonds as above described and for the purpose aforesaid be, and the same is
hereby submitted to the electors of the County of Minnehaha, Territory of
Dakota, at the general election to be held in said county November 6, 1888, and
that due and legal notice of said election be given as required by law."
At the October meeting it was voted that the building, known as the old
deaf mute school be leased for one year for hospital purposes, at a rental of
four hundred dollars per year, and that E. J. Sharon and wife be employed to
care for the sick in the county hospital at two dollars per day.
November 13, the board met in adjourned session and fixed the license for
the sale of intoxicating liquors at one thousand dollars per annum from that
date until the first Monday in January, 1889.
1889. January 7, the board met, and the new members Henry Mundt from
district number 4, and J. C. Eldridge from district number 1, qualified and took
their seats. The county liquor license was fixed at eight hundred dollars. The
bond of the county treasurer was fixed at one hundred thousand dollars, sheriff,
fifteen thousand dollars, register of deeds, five thousand dollars, probate
judge, five thousand dollars, and coroner five thousand dollars. The salary of
county superintendent of schools was fixed at three hundred dollars. The Dell
Rapids Times, Valley Springs Enterprise and Sioux Falls Argus-Leader were made
the official papers for the ensuing year.
At the February meeting Dr. Olney was appointed county physician.
Commissioners McKee and Bannister were appointed a committee to examine and
accept of plans and specifications submitted for building a county poorhouse,
and the auditor was authorized to advertise for bids for renting the poor-farm.
The sketch submitted by W. L. Dow was accepted, and he was instructed to draw up
plans and specifications for building the same.
At the March meeting the auditor was authorized to advertise for bids for
the building of the county poorhouse, bids to be opened April 15. The county
poor-farm containing 120 acres was rented to P. P. Pierce. March 16, the day was
taken up in discussing and investigating a site for a court house. It was
resolved that the board employ the city engineer, W. L. Dow and Cross & Richards
to examine the lots now owned by the county on the corner of Ninth street and
Minnesota avenue, and report whether a suitable foundation could be had there
and the probable extra cost of same. March 18, the afternoon was taken up
discussing and examining the different proposed sites for a court house. March
19, it was moved and seconded that the proposition embodied in the contract of
A. Prizzell for the board's action thereon for the sale of lots 10 and 11,
Brookings and Edmunds addition, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha county, as a site for a
court house, the price of which was reduced from eight to five thousand dollars,
be accepted, and with the approval of the board of county commissioners a
warrant for five thousand dollars was issued to A. Frizzell in payment of said
lots.
The following resolution was also adopted: "Resolved, that the county
auditor is hereby instructed to advertise for competitive designs and bids for
plans and specifications for a county court house to be built in Sioux Falls,
the county seat of Minnehaha county, Dakota; material to be of stone known as
the Sioux Falls jasper, on a solid rock foundation with an east and south front,
to be three stories in height, including basement; to be built at a cost not
exceeding eighty thousand dollars, bids to be opened and considered the 17th of
April, 1889. Be it resolved, that the board of county commissioners of the
County of Minnehaha, Territory of Dakota, issue the bonds of said Minnehaha
county in the sum of eighty thousand dollars, for the purpose of building and
erecting a court house on the site purchased by them for that purpose in the
City of Sioux Falls, in said county, and that said bonds be issued in pursuance
of an act of the 18th Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Dakota
authorizing and empowering organized counties of said territory to erect county
buildings for court house and jail purposes, and to issue and dispose of bonds
to provide funds therefor."
Also "Resolved, that the sale of bonds about to be issued by said county
for the purpose, of building a court house in said county as aforesaid be
advertised once a week for four successive weeks in the Bismarck Daily Tribune,
a newspaper published in Bismarck, D. T.; in the Daily Argus-Leader, a newspaper
published in Sioux Falls, D. T.; and in the Chicago Daily Tribune, a newspaper
published in Chicago, Ill.; and that the county auditor be and is hereby
authorized and directed to immediately proceed to so advertise said sale in said
newspapers."
At the April session, as the records of the county survey which should
have been on file in the auditor's office could not be found, the county
surveyor was instructed to procure a book and make a record therein of all
surveys that had been made. It was also moved and carried that the contract for
furnishing plans and specifications for the court house be awarded to W. L.
Dow.
May 7, the contract for negotiating the bonds of the county was awarded to
Farson Leach & Co. of Chicago, for five thousand five, hundred and ninety
dollars, they being the lowest bidders. A special election was ordered for May
14, as required by the congressional Omnibus Bill, to resubmit the constitution
of 1885, and to elect three delegates to the constitutional convention to be
held July 4, 1889.
May 23, the board met as a canvassing board to canvass the vote cast at
the election. The vote of Valley Springs precinct was found to be irregular, and
finally the sheriff was sent for the ballot box.
June 20, at a regular meeting of the board, the contract for building the
court house was awarded to the Sioux Falls Granite Co. for the sum of eighty-
three thousand four hundred and fifty dollars. In accordance with the statute
providing for an auditing board to audit the accounts of the county
commissioners in the construction of the court house, Porter P. Peck was
appointed to act in that capacity with the auditor and treasurer.
The Sioux Falls Granite Co. was required to give bonds to the amount of
forty thousand dollars to the county for building the court house.
At the July meeting, W. L. Dow was appointed superintendent of the
building of the court house, and was to receive as compensation for his services
as such superintendent one and one-half per cent of the cost of the building,
(the cost not to exceed eighty thousand dollars) and was required to furnish a
bond of ten thousand dollars for the faithful preformance of his duties.
Chairman McKee turned over to Treasurer Swenson eighty thousand dollars, the
proceeds from the sale of the bonds which included the county warrant of five
thousand five hundred and ninety dollars paid for negotiating said bonds.
Treasurer Swenson refused to accept this warrant as part of the proceeds and
gave the board a receipt for seventy-four thousand four hundred and ten dollars.
September 24, the county poorhouse was accepted at a reduction of three
hundred and forty-one dollars for not being built according to plans and
specifications. E. J. Sharon and wife were appointed to superintend the county
poorhouse and hospital at a salary of seventy-five dollars per month. The
contract for wiring the court house for electric lights was awarded the Cascade
Milling Co. at one dollar and seventy-five cents for each 16 candle power lamp.
The contract for mantels and grates was awarded to the St. Paul Mantel & Desk
Co. at four hundred and ninety-four dollars. The contract for plumbing was
awarded W. A. Dow for the sum of one thousand four hundred and twenty-four
dollars. The Haxtun system for heating the court house was adopted and the
contract awarded W. A. Dow for the sum of four thousand eight hundred and fifty
dollars. It was also resolved to instruct the contractor to build and complete
the tower of the court house according to plans and specifications.
1890. January 6, the board met in regular session the new members, John
McKee and Geo. L. Wood taking their seats. The Sioux Falls Press, Dell Rapids
Times and Valley Springs Enterprise were made official papers for the ensuing
year.
February 4, resolutions were adopted for the incorporation of the town of
South Sioux Falls, and notice of a meeting to the voters resident in the
proposed town, was ordered. M. M. Smith was appointed superintendent of the
poor-farm at a salary of fifty dollars per month for two months.
At the election of February 20, the votes were all for the incorporation
of South Sioux Falls, and the board ordered said town incorporated. The board
figured up the number of bridges in the county and their estimated values, also
the value of all other property belonging to Minnehaha county, and the total was
placed at two hundred and forty-seven thousand dollars. The board inspected the
different systems of poorhouse government and pauper relief as laid before them
and explained by Chairman McKee, and after due deliberation it was ordered that
the Milwaukee system be adopted by the county. It was also ordered that the form
of application used by Milwaukee county for temporary relief of the poor be
adopted, and the auditor was instructed to get the necessary blanks. It was
further ordered that no relief be granted except on such application.
A special meeting was called March 25, for the purpose of taking action in
assisting the worthy and needy farmers to obtain seed grain, and to provide for
the payment of interest on the eighty thousand dollars of Minnehaha court house
bonds. The following resolution was adopted: "Be it resolved, that the
resolution heretofore passed by this board on January 20, 1890, be and is hereby
amended so that there be issued beyond the nine thousand dollars of refunding
bonds authorized by said resolution a further bond for three hundred and sixty
dollars to refund the interest due upon the bonds for the refunding of which
said refunding bonds were authorized by said resolution, and that said three
hundred and sixty dollar bond authorized hereby shall bear date upon the 15th
day of February, A. D. 1890." The auditor was instructed to have printed for the
use of seed wheat applicants, a suitable form of blanks.
April 1, the board again met in special session, to consider the
applications for seed grain, and satisfactory arrangements were made for the
negotiation of seed grain warrants, to cover the amount of grain applied for up
to that date.
The board appointed the 19th day of August for a special election to be
held in the office of the Sioux Falls Granite Company, for the purpose of
determing the question whether the citizens residing in that territory will
organize a city to be known as East Sioux Falls. The county commissioner
districts were redistricted, it having" become necessary by reason of a law
passed by the last legislature creating two commissioners for the city of Sioux
Falls. The new districts were fixed as follows:
District No. 1. Benton, Brandon, Mapleton, Red Rock, Wayne, Sioux Falls,
Split Rock, South Sioux Falls and Valley Springs.
District No. 2. Dell Rapids, Burk, Logan, Highland, Lyons, Sverdrup,
Edison and Palisade.
District No. 3. Buffalo, Clear Lake, Taopi, G-rand Meadow7, Humboldt,
Hartford, Wellington and Wall Lake.
Districts Nos. 4 and 5. It was decided not to fix the boundaries of these
districts until the precincts in the city of Sioux Falls had been redistricted.
At the August meeting the result of the election in East Sioux Falls was
found to be 142 votes for incorporation and none against, and the proposed
territory, was by the board declared to be an incorporated city under the name
of the city of East Sioux Falls. The resignation of C. O. Bailey as district
attorney was accepted, and W. A. Wilkes was appointed to fill vacancy. Mr.
Wilkes refused to accept and D. R. Bailey was appointed and accepted on the 21st
of August. The salary of the court house janitor was fixed at six hundred
dollars a year, and I. F. Angstead appointed janitor.
October 17, the forenoon was spent in inspecting the court house, after
which the auditor, treasurer, county judge and sheriff were instructed to move
into their respective rooms in the new court house building, and the afternoon
of the same day was spent in moving.
At the meeting December 4, it was ordered that the Minnehaha county court
house, built by the Sioux Falls Granite Company, be accepted and warrants drawn
on the general fund for balance due the company. It was also ordered that the
offer of J. M. Bailey of twelve thousand dollars for lots 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5,
block 4, J. L. Philips Addition to Sioux Falls, be accepted.
The following resolution was adopted:
"WHEREAS, the duties of the district attorney by recent legislation have
been greatly increased and the terms of the court, which it becomes his duty to
attend, have been doubled in numbers, and WHEREAS, there is now pending in the
court about sixty cases which require his attention, now be it Resolved, that
the salary of the district attorney for the balance of the term be and is hereby
fixed at the rate of two thousand four hundred dollars per annum, and that the
salary for the state's attorney for the next term commencing January 1, 1891, be
and hereby is fixed at the same rate. This is to include such clerk hire and
stenographic work as may be necessary in connection with the duties of his
office."
1891. At the January session, 1891, Dr. LeBlond was elected county
physician for the ensuing year. The Sioux Falls Press, Argus-Leader and Dell
Rapids Times were made the official papers for the county.
At the July session a petition of the citizens of Garretson, asking for
the incorporation of a city, was received by the commissioners and an election
was ordered to be held in the "Hotel Garretson " on the 25th day of July for the
purpose of determining the question.
August 22, the board met and the city of Garretson was declared
incorporated, in accordance with the vote cast at the election held for that
purpose.
At the September session which met September 7, the board discussed the
matter of supplying the election precincts in the county with thirty-eight
booths and forty-five compartments. After figuring the cost of same it was
deemed advisable to advertise for bids for their construction. The resignation
of D. C. Rice, county surveyor, was received and accepted and T. M. Patten was
appointed to fill the vacancy.
The contract for making booths was awarded to H. Gremmels, he being the
lowest bidder. The court house janitor's salary was raised from fifty to sixty
dollars per month.
1892. January 4, the board met in regular session and the new members W.
O. Colton and John T. Lee qualified and took their seats.
February 9, N. E. Stickney was elected superintendent of the poor-farm.
The Dell Rapids Times, Sioux Palls Press and Argus-Leader were declared the
official papers of the county.
At this session the auditor was directed to advertise for bids for steel
cages for the county jail. A resolution was passed that for the next year the
board would not allow to exceed $840 for clerk hire in the office of the clerk
of courts, and would not allow that sum unless it could be paid out of anv
excess over 2,000 there might be in the earnings of the office.
At the April session, the bids for furnishing the county jail with steel
cells were opened. The Pauley Jail Building Manufacturing Co., and the Fred J.
Meyers Manufacturing Co., put in bids as follows; $6,243 and $6,141. After a
thorough examination of the matter the contract was awarded to the Pauley
company to furnish six steel cells and place them all complete in the jail at
the sum named in the bid. At this session the auditor was instructed to
advertise for a clock to be placed in the tower.
The following June, the board, after a thorough discussion of the demand
for bridges in various sections of the county, decided that bridges should be
built at the following places: "At Fuller's crossing on Skunk creek in Lyons; at
Rathburn's crossing on Skunk creek; at John Thompson's on the Sioux river; at
St. Olaf's church on the Sioux river; at Higgin's crossing on the Split Rock;
and on the line between Valley Springs and Split Rock on Beaver Creek." Ten bids
were received from bridge companies, and the contract was awarded to S. M.
Hewitt & Co., for the sum of $6,482. Bids for the tower clock were opened, and
being unsatisfactory, the auditor was directed to advertise again.
In July the board voted to loan the State World's Fair Commissioners the
sum of $2,000, to make an exhibit at the Columbian Exposition. The Howard Clock
Co., was contracted with to furnish a clock for the court house tower, for the
sum of $2,320. The treasurer reported a cash balance on hand of $16,095.08.
In September the auditor reported that the treasurer had in his hands for
collection during the year of 1891 taxes to the amount of $56,187, that he had
collected $29,185, and that there were county warrants outstanding to the
amount of $14,255.
In October, George L. Wood was appointed a committee of one, to look after
the survey of the boundary line between Minnehaha and Moody counties.
At the meeting in December, the following resolution was offered by
Commissioner Wood: "WHEREAS, John McKee who has been a member of the county
board of Minnehaha county nine years, and its chairman eight years, is about to
sever his connection with the board; and WHEREAS, he has by his honesty of
purpose and impartiality in the transaction of the business that has come before
the board, not only from his district but from the entire county, performed the
duties of his office with great diligence and faithfulness, now be it Resolved,
by his associates, that he merits the thanks of every citizen of the county, and
we cordially endorse his official career as worthy of imitation by his
successors in office. Resolved, that this resolution be spread upon the minutes
and published with our proceedings."
1893. January 3, the resignation of George A. Knott as commissioner of the
4th district having been filed with the auditor, the board accepted it, and
calling in Judge Parliman proceeded to fill the vacancy by appointing Frank S.
Emerson. John T. Lee was elected chairman of the board. At this session C. P.
Bates was appointed as one of the commissioners of insanity for the term of two
years. The Sioux Falls Press, Dell Rapids Times and Syd Dakota Ekko, were the
newspapers appointed to publish the proceedings of the board for the ensuing
year. Dr. T. S. Roberts was appointed county physician and F. S. Emerson
purchasing agent for the county. W. O. Colton and F. S. Emerson were appointed a
committee to procure furniture for the rooms of the circuit judge and
superintendent of schools. N. E. Stickney was contracted with as superintendent
of the poor-farm for one year.
In February, the board authorized Commissioner Colton to aid persons
living in his vicinity, who had their crops destroyed by hail the year before,
in procuring seed grain. The board by resolution fixed the minimum prices for
the lease of school lands, those under cultivation not to be less than fifty
cents per acre.
At a meeting in April the board offered a reward of $400 for the capture
of Dr. A. M. Fisher and his delivery in Minnehaha county to the sheriff.
The contract for building such bridges as the county commissioners might
order during the ensuing year was let to S. M. Hewitt & Co.
John T. Lee and A. J. Berdahl were appointed a committee to visit the
hospital for insane at Yankton, to ascertain the feasibility of caring for the
mild cases of insanity at the poor-farm.
W. O. Colton was appointed to aid the county surveyor T. M. Patten in
settling the boundary line between Minnehaha and Lake counties, and John T. Lee
to aid the surveyor in fixing the boundary line between the counties of
Minnehaha and Lincoln. They were directed to set stone monuments, three feet
in length and six inches square, on the boundary lines one mile apart on
section corners.
The auditor was directed to prepare a record of all bridges built in the
county since 1880, and to keep a record of all bridges built in the future.
The county treasurer reported that he had received $2,000, the amount
loaned commissioners of World's Fair, and he was directed to "turn it over to
the general fund."
At the close of the session, John T. Lee and A. J. Berdahl reported that
they had visited the hospital for insane, as directed, and in their opinion "it
would be unjust to the patients to remove them from the hospital, and that there
were legal obstacles in the way of so doing."
The board met July 3, and ordered the building of a bridge " between
sections 7 and 8 in Wayne, in the place of the one washed away in May." The bond
of James W. Cone, as abstracter, in the sum of $10,000, was approved. The county
treasurer's report was examined and approved, cash on hand, $16,026.20.
The chairman of the board was directed at this session to employ some
competent person to thoroughly investigate the offices of the clerk of the
courts, treasurer and register of deeds.
August 10, the board passed the following resolution: "Resolved, that it
is the sense of the board that the state's attorney of Minnehaha county do
desist and refrain from bringing any further actions either civil or criminal
under the prohibition act unless such state's attorney is first fully satisfied
from all the evidence within his knowledge that a conviction is reasonably
certain of being had, and in view of the premises we further request that the
honorable circuit and county courts of this county examine carefully any
evidence which may be produced before them prior to issuing any process, with a
view of placing the force of this law in operation either upon the request of
the state's attorney or private citizens."
The commissioners of each district were directed to "prepare a statement
of the number of bridges in their respective districts, when built, location and
condition, so that a map can be made, and to report at the next meeting of the
board September 4."
September 4, the board convened and the auditor made his annual report of
the receipts and disbursements of the year ending June 30, 1893. The report was
substantially as follows: After the equalization by the state board in 1892, the
assessed valuation of the County of Minnehaha was $10,560,972. A levy of four
mills was made, which amounted to $42,444. The county disbursed during the year
$49,613.86; the collection of delinquent taxes during the year enabled the board
to disburse this amount. Of the tax levied in 1892, $13,102.50 was delinquent.
Registered warrants in the sum of $5,676 were still unpaid. During the year the
county expended in building and repairing bridges $11,578.15, and the delinquent
tax belonging to the bridge fund was $2,893.
November 13, the board met and canvassed the vote for judges and county
commissioner, and certified that J. W. Jones had received 1,183, W. A. Wilkes
644 and H. H. Keith 472 votes for judge of the circuit court, and P. S. Emerson
358, W. D. Roberts 254 and C. C. Peterson 87 votes for county commissioner for
the fourth district.
A warrant was ordered drawn to George A. Knott for $192.50, for expenses
incurred in bringing Dr. A. M. Fisher from Missouri to Sioux Falls.
Public Examiner Meyers' report of his investigation of the clerk of the
courts' office was referred to the state's attorney with directions to report in
writing to the board at its next meeting what in his opinion could be done under
the circumstances.
1894. At the January session the state board of equalization having raised
the assessment of the banks in the county fifty per cent., a refund warrant was
ordered issued upon the payment of their taxes for this excess less the amount
of the state tax.
The Dell Rapids Times, Sioux Falls Weekly Press and the Syd Dakota Ekko
were chosen to publish the proceeding's of the board for the year ensuing.
At a meeting of the board March 9, Albion Thorne, clerk of the courts,
was directed to make a settlement with the board on or before the 2d day of
April, 1894, and to turn over all the monies in his hands earned in his official
capacity prior to January 1, 1894.
April 7, a resolution was passed directing the state's attorney to bring
an action for the removal of Albion Thorne from the office of clerk of the
courts, and also to obtain, if possible, his suspension from office while the
action was pending. A refund order, in the sum of $2,940.22, was issued in favor
of the county fund for tax of South Sioux Falls for the year 1890, the
assessment of the property in that municipality having been declared void for
that year, and non-interest bearing warrants on the county fund were ordered
issued in favor of those who had paid their taxes for that year in the amount
paid by them less the town and school tax standing against them, and the taxes
for the year 1890 were abated.
A contract was made with S. M. Hewitt & Co., for one year, for building
the county bridges.
On the 28th day of April, the board met and advised with the assessors, as
required by law. The state's attorney was instructed to bring suit against
Albion Thorne, clerk of the courts, and his bondsmen, for the amount due the
county from him in his official capacity.
At the June session the board were petitioned to contract with parties
proposing to produce rain, but it was rejected. Afterwards they were so
earnestly importuned by those having faith in the ability of the rainmakers,
that they entered into a contract of this character.
In July the semi-annual report of the county treasurer showed that there
was $21,119.97 on hand in the treasury.
In August, upon recommendation of the sheep owners Luke McLachren was
appointed sheep inspector for the term of two years.
Two hundred and fifty dollars was voted to the town of Humboldt to pay the
expenses incurred in caring for the Krause family while suffering with
diphtheria.
The assessed valuation of the county after the equalization by the state
board of equalization in August was $9,902,385.
A contract was entered into with E. L. Smith for 250 tons of steam coal at
$5.21 per ton, and 100 tons hard coal at $7.95 per ton, and James Henneberry
agreed to furnish 40 tons Hocking Valley coal at $5.40 per ton.
September 15, the county treasurer was directed by the board to proceed to
collect the delinquent tax of 1893.
From 1876 to 1892 inclusive, the board had canceled from the tax rolls the
sum of $11,816.21 of personal taxes that could not be collected.
In November the board canvassed the election returns. At this session the
board voted that the judges and clerks of election should receive in the city of
Sioux Falls six dollars each, and in all other precincts four dollars each for
their services on election day.
In December two hundred dollars was appropriated and warrant drawn in
favor of the Woman's Benevolent association of the city of Sioux Falls, to be
expended by such association in relieving the poor of the city.
1895. On the 7th day of January the members of the board elected in
November qualified, and John T. Lee was re-elected chairman of the board. The
amount of bonds of county officers was fixed as follows: Treasurer, $100,000;
sheriff. $35,000; judge county court, $15,000; coroner, $15,000; register of
deeds, $10,000; auditor, $5,000; state's attorney, $2,000; surveyor, $1,000;
clerk of courts, $2,000; superintendent of schools, justices of the peace,
constables and assessors, $500 each.
County Treasurer C. L. Norton turned over to John Mundt, his successor in
office, $24,892.39 in cash, $5,675 in school district bonds, and $9,225 in real
estate mortgages, being the securities held for loans from the permanent school
fund.
A resolution was passed requiring Albion Thorne, as clerk of courts, to
report what fees he had received and collected in 1895, and to settle up and pay
over to the board the amount of the earnings of his office during the years 1894
and 1895 in excess of the amount he was entitled to retain.
On the 12th day of January the board passed a resolution to the effect
that all persons in the county unable to procure seed grain could obtain such by
applying to the chairman of the township board where they resided, on or before
the first day of February, and to make application upon blanks furnished by the
auditor, and also requested the chairman of each township board to send all such
applications to the commissioner residing in his district, before the 6th day
of February.
The Dakota Staats Zeitung, Dell Rapids Times and Hartford Plain Talker
were the newspapers selected to publish the proceeding's of the board.
In February an emergency was declared to exist in reference to the
building of bridges at Yankton crossing in Sioux Falls, between sections 5 in
Sverdrup and 32 in Dell Rapids, and between sections 38 and 33 in Split Rock,
and steps were taken to have bridges built at these points at once.
On the 8th day of February the board decided to purchase 14,500 bushels of
wheat, 30,000 bushels of oats, 3,900 bushels of barley and 600 bushels of corn,
to supply the demand made for seed grain by those who were unable to procure it
themselves. John T. Lee was directed to make the purchase and to secure as cheap
freight rates as possible.
A special session was held on the 4th of March to consider the price to be
charged for seed grain, and it was fixed as follows:
Wheat, 56 cents, oats, 35 cents, and corn, $1.15 cents per bushel. On the
12th a seed grain fund was created and warrants ordered drawn on the county fund
to the amount of $22,000, in denominations of $500 each, to be sold, and the sum
received placed to the seed grain fund. The treasurer was directed to purchase
$10,000 of these warrants and pay from the sinking fund $7,000, and from the
salary fund $3,000.
On the 27th, a special meeting was held. New applications for seed grain
were received and acted upon, and grain ordered shipped.
At the April session a contract was entered into with the sheriff to board
all prisoners for sixty cents a day, this sum to include bedding, washing and
all incidentals connected with the care of the prisoners. Another contract was
made with S. M. Hewitt & Co., to build county bridges for the year ensuing.
At a session in June the superintendent of schools was directed to keep
"copies of the school laws in stock for sale." Warrants in the amount of
$9,359.47, to pay for seed grain were ordered issued.
N. E. Stickney, in charge of the poor-farm resigned July 1, and Joseph
Hostetter was contracted with to fill his place until January 1, 1896.
At the September meeting of the board the auditor reported that warrants
had been drawn during the previous fiscal year to the amount of $102,716.17, and
$300 was appropriated for a county exhibit at the state fair.
1890. At the January meeting, the Argus-Leader, Dakota Ekko and Valley
Springs Vidette were made official newspapers. Dr. T. Y. Stevenson was elected
county physician, and Dr. Morgan and A. F. Orr were appointed members of the
board of insanity. The clerk of courts turned over $535.35, the balance of fees
collected over and above expenses during the year ending December 31, 1895. Dell
Rapids, Garretson, Valley Springs, Hartford, Baltic, Brandon, Humboldt and Sioux
Falls were designated as places for selling chattel mortgage property. Settled
with treasurer, cash on hand $56,675.35.
At the April meeting the board contracted with the Toledo Bridge Co. to
build county bridges for one year. Petition presented for commissioners to order
an action brought against themselves for taking pay in excess of the amount
provided by law.
July 6, T. M. Patten resigned as county surveyor.
August 8, the town of Hartford was declared incorporated.
At the September meeting of the board an appropriation of $125 was made to
assist Buffalo township in making a road between sections two and eleven; and
the salary of the state's attorney was fixed at $1,200 per annum, payable
quarterly.
1897. January 4, the newly elected officers qualified; the Argus-Leader,
Syd Dakota Ekko and Valley Springs Vidette were made the official papers and F.
S. Emerson was made purchasing agent for supplies for county offices, and A. H.
Stites for poor-farm.
At the February meeting H. W. Smith's official bond as auditor was filed
and approved, and all salaries were made payable monthly.
In April the board contracted with S. M. Hewitt & Co., of Minneapolis, to
build bridges in the county the ensuing year.
At the July meeting the Valley Springs Vidette, Sioux Falls Journal and
Argus-Leader were made the official papers. Contracts were let to J. A. Ward to
build two stone bridges, one in Wayne township for the sum of $919.41, and one
in Edison township across Pipestone creek at a cost of $810.
The assessed valuation of the county in 1897 was $7,223,224.
1898. At the January session the Argus-Leader, the Sioux Falls Journal,
and Valley Springs Vidette were made the official newspapers. On the 20th day of
May, the board ordered a warrant drawn in the sum of $500 for the purpose of
creating a fund for the use of the private soldiers of Company B, who had
enlisted in the military service, and the same day also ordered a warrant drawn
in the sum of $550 for a regimental fund for the First Dakota Regiment.
Having brought this synopsis to a recent date, we will close with this
appropriate and patriotic act on the part of the County Board.
LIST OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY FROM 1871 TO 1900.
1871-John Thompson, chairman; Ole Bergerson, Charles Allen.
1872-John Thompson, chairman; Ole Bergerson, Newton Clark.
1873-Newton Clark, chairman; Ole Bergerson, R. S. Alexander.
1874-Newton Clark, chairman; Ole Bergerson, R. S. Alexander.
1875-R. S. Alexander, chairman; Ole Bergerson, William Robertson.
1876-William Robertson, chairman; Ole Bergerson, Rolluf Anderson.
1877-Artemas Gale, chairman; Ole Bergerson, S. H. Burk.
1878-Artemas Gale, chairman; Ole Bergerson, S. H. Burk.
1879-Artemas Gale, chairman; S. H. Burk, W. J. Jones.
1880-S. H. Burk, chairman; W. J. Jones, A. Clendenning.
1881-S. H. Burk, chairman; W. J. Jones, A. Clendenning.
1882-S. H. Burk, chairman; A. Clendenning, Christian Aslesen.
A. Clendenning resigned April 7, and N. E. Phillips was appointed
the same day to fill the vacancy.
1883-S. H. Burk, chairman; Christian Aslesen, Seymour Hill.
Chris. Aslesen resigned January 11, and Ransom Walter was appointed
the same day to fill the vacancy.
1884-Seymour Hill, chairman; Ole J. Berdahl, Arthur Jones, John McKee,
Ransom Walter.
1885-Seymour Hill, chairman; Ole J. Berdahl, Arthur Jones, John McKee, G.
D. Bannister.
1886-John McKee, chairman; O. D. Bannister, Ole J. Berdahl, Arthur Jones,
John Thompson.
1887-John McKee, chairman; G. D. Bannister, John Thompson, O. F. Bowles,
Arthur Jones.
1888-John McKee, chairman; G. D. Bannister, Arthur Jones, John Thompson,
O. F. Bowles.
1889-John McKee, chairman; 0. F. Bowles, Henry Mundt, G. D. Bannister, J.
C. Eldridge.
1890-John McKee, chairman; George L. Wood, G. D. Bannister, Henry Mundt,
J. C. Eldridge.
1891-John McKee, chairman; George L. Wood, J. C. Eldridge, Henry Mundt,
George A. Knott.
1892-John McKee, chairman; George A. Knott, George L. Wood, John T. Lee,
W. O. Colton.
George A. Knott resigned December 31.
1893-John T. Lee, chairman; W. O. Colton, A. J. Berdahl, Jacob Schaetzel,
Jr., Frank Emerson appointed January 3, to fill vacancy occasioned by
the resignation of George A. Knott.
1894-John T. Lee. chairman; W. O. Colton, A. J. Berdahl, Jacob Schaetzel,
Jr., Frank Emerson.
1895-John T. Lee, chairman; A. J. Berdahl, Frank S. Emerson, Jacob
Schaetzel, Jr., C. W. Knodt.
1896-John T. Lee, chairman; Frank S. Emerson, C. W. Knodt, A. H. Stites,
A. H. Stephenson.
1897-John T. Lee, chairman; Frank Emerson, C. W. Knodt, A. H. Stites, A.
H. Stephenson.
1898-John T. Lee, chairman; Frank S. Emerson, A. H. Stites, Henry Mundt,
A. H. Stephenson.
1899-John T. Lee, chairman; Frank S. Emerson, Henry Mundt, A. M. Olmem,
Thomas McKinnon.