Early Huron, South Dakota Sewer System

 The above rare photo shows sewer being installed in Huron, and is actually a postcard.  It was sent by C. K.[?] Deeser to his Aunt Nettie Gleghorn in Akron, Ohio; the back of it reads, "Dear Aunt Nettie, Well its a long time since you heard from me but I'm still alive and working every day.  I'm down in the ditch 22 ft laying tile at $3.25 a day that's not bad mony [sic]  Well please write to me at once and oblidge [sic] yours truly C. K. Deeser, Windsor Hotel, Huron South Dakota  Write Soon."   

I was unable to find any way to date this, as the postmark is illegible.  His Aunt Nettie was at this address in 1910; she moved there sometime after her marriage in 1902 and left sometime before 1920.  And in researching the timeline of Huron's sewer system, I found that various portions were under construction at different times over quite a long time span.

The photo below was from a calendar published by the Daily Plainsman with photos courtesy of Dakotaland Museum.  While the machinery being used is not the same piece as pictured above, it is very similar, and the estimated date of the photo was 1900-1910.

As it turns out, the building in the background of the postcard is the Windsor House hotel.  The Sanborn Fire Map above shows the hotel on the NE corner of 3rd st. and Illinois.  In the postcard, there's a man at left wearing dark clothes; just above him on the building is what appears to be a sign.  This was a vital clue I completely overlooked, but thanks to the keen observational skills of my friend Stan Phillippi, I was able to enlarge it, turn it into a "negative," and enhance it.  Then it was clear to read as "Windsor House."  This looks to be the same sign as in the photo of the Windsor House below.  The red "x" on the Sanborn map above appears to mark the location of the photographer, as I see it.

I believe the postcard photo was taken from 3rd street, based on a comparison of the building in the photo with the Sanborn Fire map.  If that is the case, the sewer was probably installed early on, as most of the sewer information from local newspapers seems to be an "add-on" to this portion of the sewer and the other main portion on 9th St. SW.

Above photos: The results of enhancing this tiny portion of the postcard.  

Below: The Windsor House hotel showing the sign above the door clearly.

 

In trying to track down C. K. Deeser and Aunt Nettie Gleghorn, I found one Deeser male of the appropriate age that was her nephew - Charles Deeser.  He was born in 1878 and died in 1946 at the age of 67 in his home state of Ohio.  He lived much of his life in Tuscarawas County.  And oddly enough, his World War II Draft Registration form indicated that he was in the sewer pipe business.  His obituary states that he retired from a sewer pipe company.  That said, I was unable to find any proof that it was indeed him who spent those early days in Huron laying tile for $3.25 a day.

It's probably a good assumption that his job brought him to Huron, and that he didn't stay here long.  But his postcard to his Aunt Nettie provides us with an interesting glimpse of Huron as its most basic infrastructure was being implemented.

Sources:

Photo Postcard courtesy of Sonny Decker
1907 Huron City Directory
1909-1910 Huron City Directory
1911-1912 Huron City Directory
Huron Daily Plainsman/Dakotaland Museum Calendar, unknown  year
Sanborn Fire Maps, Huron, South Dakota, 1910
Daily Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, Sept. 23, 1910
Daily Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, Aug 1, 1908
Daily Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, Aug 3, 1908
Daily Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, July 26, 1907
Daily Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, March 14, 1911
Weekly State Spirit, Huron, South Dakota, Aug. 26, 1909
Weekly State Spirit, Huron, South Dakota, Aug. 10, 1911
Huron Journal World, Huron, South Dakota, Jan. 21, 1904
1900 Federal Census, Ohio, Tuscarawas county
1910 Federal Census, Ohio, Summit county
1920 Federal Census, Ohio, Summit county
Ancestry.com - various family Deeser family trees
FamilySearch.org - family tree
Findagrave.com - headstone and information for Charles Deeser
World War I Draft Registration Card - Charles Deeser
World War II Draft Registration Card - Charles Deeser
Obituary of Charles Deeser, The Daily Times (New Philadelphia, Ohio), Jan. 5, 1946

The Fair Store, Huron, South Dakota

The Fair Store, in business for over 20 years in the store front many of us know as The Little Zee, was opened by Arthur F. Miller about 1909.  Initially opened on 3rd street between Dakota and Wisconsin avenues, the store outgrew the space within the first two years and moved to the ground floor of the Masonic Temple building at 4th and Dakota about 1911.

Miller and his wife, Albeane, came to Huron in 1906 from Tipton, Iowa where Mr. Miller ran a similar general merchandise store.  It appears that Miller worked for someone else before opening his own store in Huron.  The Fair Store was a huge success, eventually adding more departments including a grocery department when an addition was put on the building.   According to his obituary, the store was "one of the largest independent retail establishments in the city."


Miller was active in various civic events in Huron, and was a member of the Masonic order, Rotary club, as well as the Odd Fellows and Elk lodges.


Arthur Frank Miller was born at Baraboo, Wisconsin in 1866.   He married Albeane VanLeshout.   In 1932 he was diagnosed with carcinoma, and his health began to decline.  He was able to give less and less of his attention to his business, and his last 6 months were spent bedridden.  He decided to liquidate the business in October of 1933.  He passed away the following month.  His widow, Albeane, lived until 1951.  The couple had no children.  They were buried in Riverside cemetery.

Sources:

Evening Huroite, April 19, 1933, pg. 5
Evening Huronite, Oct. 03, 1933, pg. 6
Evening Huronite, Nov. 29, 1933, pg.1
FamilySearch.org family tree
Huron City Directories, 1909 - 1934
Huron Revisited  

Midstate Motor Cars

Midstate Motor Cars started in business sometime between 1919 and 1921, and ended its run 1924-1925.

It was located at 256 Wisconsin, on what was known as the Whalen Block.  The first businesses I could locate at that address was the Huron Auto & Supply Co., a real estate business run by Sylvester Whalen, and rooms for rent by Patrick Whalen in 1909.  Patrick Whalen would go on to rent these rooms for years, and Timothy Whalen ran a second hand store at that location as well.

A few of the subsequent businesses that operated at that address:

1926 - C. A. Campbell, auto dealer and Whalen Block
1928 - Huron Implement Co.
1930-1931 - Vacant
1932-33 - Farmer's Union Oil Co and Bindy's Market
1934 - Farmer's Union Oil Co and Farmer's Union Cream station
1936 - Farmer's Union Oil Co and Farmer's Union Cream station
1940 - Huron Ice Cream Store
1942 - Huron Ice Cream Store
1945 - Farmer's Union Cream Station and Royal Liquor Store
1948 - Royal Liquor Store and Gross Produce
1950 - Royal Liquor Store, rear Long & Gross Produce
1953 - Royal Liquor Store, rear Long's Produce
1955 - Royal Liquor Store, rear Long's Produce
1957 - Royal Liquor Store, rear Long's Produce
1960 - Mahowald Our Own Hdw EL2-2132, Royal Liquor Store, EL2-4056 

Huron Dairy Products Company

Huron Dairy Products Co.

A milk bottle from Huron Dairy Products Co.

Huron Dairy Products Co. was located at 133-137 3rd St. SE by 1928 after being at 850 3rd St for a handful of years, managed by K. W. Greenquist at both locations.  Like many other local buildings, this one was designed by well-known architect F. C. W. Kuehn, a Huron-based architect.   Today, this building is the home of Dramstad Refrigeration and Electric.  Huron Dairy Products Co. appears to have gone out of business by 1940.

133 3rd St. SE today, photo courtesy of Google Earth.

R. O. Grover, Druggist

When I lived in Huron, South Dakota, Osco Drug was situated next to Newberry's on Dakota ave.  That particular location has housed drug stores for years and years, including that of R. O. Grover, "The Live Druggist."

Grover was a native of Linn County, Iowa, and the 29 year old pharmacist purchased the business from A. J. Bick in 1909.  But the history goes further back than that.

Interior of R. O. Grover's drug store

C. Y. Durand was operating a drug store in Huron as early as 1884; that business was located a few doors north of the "Osco Drug" location [see map to left].  Durand hired J. A. Bick as a clerk/pharmacist, and in 1890 Bick purchased the business from him.  Bick was described in the newspaper as "a practical pharmacist and thoroughly conversant with the drug business..." 

Bick, after 19 years in business, sold the drug store to R. O. Grover, "The Live Druggist," in 1909.  Grover, an Iowa native, had been running a similar operation in Pochahontas, Iowa.  The Dakota Huronite announced this change of ownership and said of Mr. Grover, "he is an experienced druggist, having been in the business for a number of years, and comes to Huron highly recommended by prominent citizens of his former home both as a citizen and business man."

Grover wasted no time being an innovative business man, introducing "Hot Soda" from the soda fountain as the cool weather rolled in.  42 different hot drinks were offered, including  hot chocolate and hot coffee with whipped cream.

This is the area of Dakota Ave. which housed the earliest R. O. Grover drug store.

        

In addition to his pharmacy products and services, and the popular soda fountain, Grover also carried a full line of office supplies.

Grover kept the business at its 239 Dakota location for a few years, relocating to the "Osco Drug" location in 1912-1913.  

In September of 1920, Grover sold his business to George Sherman and Carl Moe, Sioux Falls businessmen, and the drug store was known after that as "Sherman and Moe."  Carl Moe was formerly a Huron resident who had learned the trade under Holland Wheeler at Wheeler's Drug Store; Sherman was "one of the prominent druggists of the state," and had been in business in Canton before moving his business to Sioux Falls.  

In 1948, Sherman and Moe sold the business to Carl Fellows and Leonard Clarke, and it was known as "Fellows and Clarke Pharmacy."  Osco Drug was established there in 1965 before moving to the Huron Mall in 1978.

Sherman and Moe, located one door north of Newberry's.

Sources:

Dakota Huronite, November 6, 1884
Huron Daily Huronite, January 7, 1886
Huron Daily Huronite, July 8, 1890
Dakota Hurnoite, April 22, 1909
Dakota Huronite, April 29, 1909
Huron Evening Huronite, September 29, 1920
Huron Daily Plainsman, June 15, 1980
1911-12 Huron City Directory
Sanford Fire Maps
Ancestry.com

The Country Jans

The Country Jans were well-known entertainers in South Dakota during the 1970s.  Judging by the number of advertisements appearing in various South Dakota newspapers, they kept busy.

Janet Iverson and Jan Tchida have been entertaining together since about 1971.   Iverson was originally from the Vienna-Hazel area, and Tchida from Lake City, but both were living in Webster at that time.  Their first album was recorded at J and J Record recording studio in Cedar Falls, Iowa in 1974.

Iverson graduated from Hazel High School in 1967, and from Watertown Business University in 1968, and worked as a receptionist at St. Ann Hospital.  Tchida was a waitress before she entered the entertainment industry.

They are particularly pertinent to our family, as they frequented the Miller, SD area and usually stayed at my mother-in-law's house while in town.  My husband's first professional drumming job (in high school) was with them while playing one of those Miller dates.

The Country Jans with unknown accordion player, playing in Miller, South Dakota.  Unknown date.

Sources: 

Aberdeen American News, Sunday, July 14, 1974

Aberdeen American News from Nov. 28, 1976 

From the "Public Opinion" (Watertown, SD?) news archives: "1974 - 40 years ago", unrecorded date

Numerous other South Dakota newspapers I didn't keep track of

News from Huron in the 1890s

 The following is a transcript from an old letter I found in a box of papers and other ephemera.  It appears to be written by Eddie Kimball, son of Anna Kimball, to his friend Walter.

 Huron, S. D., March 8, 1890

Dear Friend Walter,

I received your letter last Aug. and have not answered it till now. I hope you will forgive me for neglecting it so long. I have been very busy at school and am obliged to study every night. For Prof. Rowe seems to try to think up things to give us plenty to do. Not long ago he said that we must do all of our written work with pen and ink. I am in the B Class in the High School. I still study Latin besides Geometry with Algebra.

As you asked me to tell about the boys I will try and say something about some of them. Lon Huntington is a member of the C class in the High School. He had been working in a grocery store for about two years before the commencement of this school year. Will Jones is in the D class and Ken McKinzie is a night office boy at the railroad office. He got tired of going to school. Harry Steel and Sanford Scuyler are the only members of the graduating class which I believe is your old class.

My father and mother staid [sic] at Duluth about a month and came home feeling a great deal better. As Papa did not feel well enough to ride over the prairie this winter, he gave up work the first of Dec. He intends to go somewhere for his health by the last of this month or the first of next. He has thought some of going to Airsonia [sic] or New Mexico. If so he will possibly come to Los Angeles. But he now thinks he will go to western North Carolina. We still own Pax but may sell him. I hope Papa won't.

Pierre got the capital, but Huron has not given up hope and will be in the race this fall. I expect we will leave the Great American Desert within a year or two; and if the capital comes our way next fall it will be a good time to sell. We have all had the grippe but mamma and she has been sick several times.

Grandma is just recovering, she had the grippe worse than any of us. Hope you have not suffered in the great floods that I have read about in the papers. We have had an unusual mild winter. Please tell how your father and mother are when you write again. Mother says she wishes your mother would write to her. We all send love to you all. I must close as it is supper time.

Your friend,

Eddie Kimball.

Dear Walter,
            Please tell May to write to me as soon as she can.
Anna Kimball

Schooner Beer - Huron, South Dakota

 

Photo ca 1935. The brewery was located at 255 Columbia NE.

Dakota Brewing Company, headed by J. G. Dorsey, bottled carbonated beverages and "near beer" during Prohibition, which ended in December of 1933. In April of 1934, they began producing keg beer until an expansion of the plant in 1936 allowed them to add 12-ounce "steinies" and half-gallon picnic bottles to their products beginning in December. The expansion cost the company about $20,000 but they were able to hire 6 additional employees and procure two more trucks to distribute their beer throughout their territory, which included the entire eastern half of South Dakota. They could manufacture 160 cases (38,400 bottles) of beer per day at the beginning, and expected to increase that number to 200 cases per day once new employees were fully trained and summer came around.

Schooner beer was made from spring water, was all grain, with no rice, syrup, or coloring. It was described as having "a heavy body and a rich pure grain flavor."

Making the beer itself was a very particular process if you wanted to get it right, according to the plant's brewmaster, Joe Poellinger. Poellinger had a background that included 36 years of experience in the brewing business. Only spring water could be used, and there were multiple stages of production before it was sent to a large 35-degree cellar. In the cellar were 15 storage vats, each one holding 85 barrels. Here it aged for 3 months, a vital step. It was then filtered before being bottled and distributed.

Steinies were produced with used bottles, which were soaked in a warm soda solution to remove any impurities and old labels that might still adhere. From there they went to the patent machine, which had 16 fast moving brushes to swirl water through the bottles, 16 at a time. After a rinsing, they were ready to be filled.

A rack moved the bottles from station to station, first under tubes that filled them, then to the capper. After that, they were pasteurized to kill the yeast in the beer. The water for pasteurization had to be kept at a very specific temperature; too low would fail to pasteurize, and too high would ruin the beer. After pasteurization, the beer could be held at any temperature. Keg beer was not pasteurized and had to be kept at a cool temperature constantly, otherwise the yeast would continue to grow and the beer would lose clarity. After pasteurization, the steinies were moved to an automated labeling station where they were wetted and immediately slapped with a label. From there they were packaged into cases and distributed.

Sources:

Evening Huronite, Huron, South Dakota. December 15, 1936.
Evening Huronite, Huron, South Dakota. December 16, 1936
Evening Huronite, Huron, South Dakota. February 28, 1938.

Lampe Market

 

It was in the early 1880s when Albert Lampe Sr, along with his wife and five children made the long and difficult trip from Wernigerode, Germany to Huron, South Dakota. Lampe's family had been in the food business for generations, going back more than 200 years and having owned his own meat market in Germany for 8 years, it was only natural that he would seek out employment in the same line of work once settled at Huron. He was hired by Jacob Schaller in December of 1882 as a buyer, butcher and packer in Schaller's shop.

Lampe continued working for Schaller until April of 1889 when he decided to go into business for himself in a building just north of Northwest Security National Bank, which was located at 3^rd and Dakota. The business was so successful that he was able to construct a new building at 266 Dakota Avenue in 1906, and the business incorporated by 1913. ("Fashion City" would later locate at this site).

The business was so successful that in 1927 he had constructed yet a larger building, located at the corner of 4^th and Dakota S., a building that many of us first knew as the "Sears and Roebuck" store. It was not so much the building that set it apart, but the setup of the business which was different than most and played a large role in its success.

The new Lampe's Market, showing just how large the building was.

Lampe's was a "vertical trust" – they did all the processing from providing the raw material to creating the finished product, all within their one organization. Imperative to this process was their 900 acre farm south of town where they raised the meat and killed it. The basement of their downtown store was a "complete packing plant." Taking full control of their products lowered their marketing costs and allowed them to offer their customers lower prices while controlling quality and accessibility.

And it wasn't just meat – the deli did their own cooking and processing; their bakery did the baking on site. The meat department also produced their own ham, bacon, sausage, and lard. The farm produced milk, eggs, and vegetables to sell at the store.

After considerable research, the Lampes settled on Ayrshire cattle both for meat and for dairy products. They also raised part of the food needed for their livestock right there on the farm. Besides cattle, they raised hogs, sheep, and chickens.

At the time of the formal opening of the new location they offered tours of the building, top to bottom, so that consumers could see how the products they buy were prepared and handled. This new building – four floors (basement, main, mezzanine, and second floors) – was well stocked and more than just a meat market. It carried a more complete range of grocery items including canned goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, bakery items, and deli foods than they were able to stock at the previous location.

The "old" meat market, at 266 Dakota av. was to remain open, at least for awhile.

Lampe's was indeed a "family affair," with Albert Lampe acting as president, Fred Lampe as vice-president, Henry Lampe as secretary-treasurer, Albert Lampe Jr as manager of retail sales, Gustav C. Lampe as stock buyer and farm manager, and Karl W. Lampe as manager of the order department.

Just a few months after opening the new building, Albert Sr passed away (August 27, 1927). Due to poor health, he had not taken an active role in the business for some time prior. Henry Lampe died the following year.

Ration lines during World War II

Like so many other businesses, Lampe's had its share of struggles during the Great Depression. In addition the family matriarch, Mrs. Lampe, died in 1933; Fred Lampe Sr died in 1939 – it was Fred who was president of the board of directors after his father's passing.

World War II also caused many complications for the business with rations and scarcity of some grocery items. Having their farm to supply their meat helped buffer them to a certain extent.

Hard times forced the sale of the building, ordered by the court in 1947. Sears and Roebuck Co. purchased the building and opened a large store with many different departments including hardware, sporting goods, paint, auto accessories, clothing and shoes, housewares, plumbing, appliances, and radios among other things. The space also included their business offices, and a mail order department was set up. This new store was managed by E. C. Sharp.

The new Sears & Roebuck store, formerly Lampe Market

The Lampe family built a new grocery store at 1950 Dakota Av. S., which many of us knew as Lewis Drug. This store opened in March of 1948. The operators of this store were: Karl W. Lampe, president; Emma Lampe, Secretary-Treasurer; G. C. Lampe, Farm Manager; Frederick Lampe, Store Manager; and Gertrude Lampe, Buyer.

In 1959 the store closed and this final building for Lampe Market was sold for $56,000. Two investors from Sioux Falls made the purchase, and eventually Randall's would open a store there.

Sources:

The Evening Huronite, March 19, 1927
The Daily Plainsman, March 22, 1948
The Daily Plainsman, May 19, 1949
The Huronite and Daily Plainsman, June 28, 1955
The Daily Plainsman, Feb. 1, 1959
The WPA Guide to South Dakota

The Maggot - Live Matter in a Dead Body - Issue #4

 The Maggot

“Live Matter in a Dead Body”

Issue No. 4 November 24, 1941 Published by “The Maggots”

“The Gay Nineties Revue”

In as much as it is the policy of THE MAGGOT to bring to light any true facts that we feel need presenting, we want to make it clear that we do not lay the responsibility for the over-conservative policies of the institution at the feet of only the administrators – no indeed – a good share of the credit is due our board of trustees with special recognition going to the executive committee.

Of the thirteen members on that fine body, seven are eligible for the degree “old faithful” each having served at least twenty years – in fact, the fortieth anniversary of one, namely the maternal parent of our illustrious political protege, will be observed next year. It is of extraordinary interest that this good member is the only one who holds a position on six of the trustee committees. No other trustee who has served only fifteen or twenty years and consequently whose conservatism can be doubted is allowed to take that much responsibility for running the school. Those irresponsible and unreliable liberals and new-comers who have served only four to eight years are allowed on at most three committees, and Carl Voigt, a truly liberal “scoundrel”, cannot be trusted on any committee. The “terrible thirties” are not as qualifying as the “gay nineties”.

Last year when we were without a president, what was the excuse that our good vice president presented for the slow action of the board? Oh yes, he said that it was so hard to get them together. Bear in mind however that all the members of the executive committee are Huron residents. It is a private hypothesis that the reason they couldn't get together was because one took his nap at two and another his at three, an thus anyone can see that a meeting was simply impossible.

As long as Huron college is run by a group of oldsters who are actually senile, we can never hope for a progressive school. The last issue of the Alphomega reminds us that we should be duly reverent of our faithful administrators and those who have given their lives to the institution, but how can we be expected to be reverent of policies that have not changed since the turn of the century.

In case the administrators and trustees are inclined to laugh this off, let us remind them that 90 per cent of the Huron business men questioned thought that the college was hopelessly outdated and run by antiquated, debilitated, senile individuals.

We Love Our Student Lounge

Yes, we love our student lounge! It has everything we need to lounge. There are some lovely, comfortable straight-back chairs to relax in; a few desks to write on; and some beautiful ebony black-boards to look at. We are right across the hall from the library where we can make all the noise we want. We could smoke too, only it seems the trustees are afraid it might stunt our growth. We might be able to have a nickleodeon too, only the faculty would probably move it down to that much-used lounge of theirs. We don't need a coke dispenser because the walk over to the store does us good, and besides all our organizations have plenty of money – they don't need the added income. Yes, this is a haven of rest for the scholastically weary.

The trophy room of our gymnasium is an ideal place for our proposed plan. Installation of a nickleodeon, a few pieces of appropriate furniture, distinctive decorations, and a coca-cola dispenser would satisfy any student body. Frequently planned evening get-togethers of “the gang” at such a place would help to “Keep the College on the Campus”, give the students a chance to become better acquainted with one another, and prevent the frequenting of suburban clubs.

We are convinced the “Little Student Union” would work, and why should any administration hesitate to put it into operation. Surely campus organizations would be only too glad to have such a place on our campus, and would assist financially in getting it started.

If we want to put Huron on top, we must keep abreast of the other schools. We must make at least a few improvements. This school has some fine incorporated rules an regulations, but evidently it has quite forgotten that is students no longer come to school via horse and buggy. Huron college NEEDS the “Little Student Union.”

BOOST FOR THE MAGGOTS

The Maggot - Live Matter in a Dead Body Issue #3

The Maggot

“Live Matter in a Dead Body”

Issue No. 3 November 17, 1941 Published by “The Maggots”

The Case of Big Dan Greek

I can see Dan now; a 190 pound, six foot, likeable boy who loved Huron college and football with an ambitious fervor. He won his letter quite easily in his first and only year at Huron, and he graciously admitted that he learned more football in his one season at Huron than he had in four full years of championship high school competition.

Why did Dan drop out? The answer is too simple. Because he was compelled, by the powers that be, to fight against unsurmountable odds. He fought a valiant fight with his chin up and he always had a ready smile, but the inevitable finish was written when his mid-term grades appeared at the halfway mark in the second semester. He had flunked beyond the point of recovery.

After twenty-seven solid weeks of rising at five o'clock every morning to tend a furnace and do odd jobs for a basement room, attending a solid schedule of morning classes, working entire afternoons on the campus, working nights in a downtown cafe for his bread and butter, then finishing the day with an eleven o'clock date in a furnace room, and yet attempt to eke out a scholastic existence was more than even “Big Boone” could survive. If he had been relieved of just one of these binding responsibilities, he could have stayed in school and would have returned this year. Unfortunately the opposite was the case; over all his unending tasks, he was constantly hounded for a small debt which he believed, in good faith, he had worked out early in the year.

We walked to school that sharp winter morning, Dan and I; he had his suitcase, and both of us dreaded the moment when we should reach the college, he to go on by and I to stay. When we reached the north steps he took a deep breath, I blinked my eyes and he offered his huge right hand, which I grasped and said, “Well Kid... I … guess this is it.”

“Yeah, and luck to ya”, he floundered.

There were tears in his eyes as he turned his back on the school he loved, and reluctantly strode toward the highway to hitch-hike home, never to return.

Who is Holding Huron Back?

One man has set himself up as the supreme deity of Huron college. Students and faculty alike fear his power. By denying financial support to any plan he disapproves is his very effective way of committing murder. The murder of an institution that could very well be one of the finest in the country.

With sensible use of available resources Huron college could make itself more than attractive to the thousands of South Dakota young people who are seeking an education. President George F. McDougall knows how to put us back on the map but the Board of Trustees and the student body must give their full support. We know that 95 per cent of the students are ready to give that support.

“The Maggot” will continue indefinitely as the uncensored voice of the student body. We need money badly, but if we can't get it from those who read the paper we will sell ads. We don't want the townsmen to know of our dissension, but necessity is the only word we can recognize.

BOOST FOR THE MAGGOTS

To Whom It May Concern –

The above case is an unsolicited contribution to this periodical, made by one who thought it worthy of telling. It is the plain and unadulterated truth. “The Maggot” welcome any further such articles that may happen to fall into the right hands. It will be our policy to print the rights and wrongs of this institution in their entirety. And when our story is completed we'll reveal our identity and be ready to stand back of anything we have said. Any efforts to destroy these worthy missiles, by self-appointed policemen AND WOMEN will only further bring the contempt and amusement of the student body upon their heads. We realize that in every movement to change the status quo, there are certain skeptics and busy-bodies who will do their best to make it a failure.

The Maggot - Live Matter in a Dead Body - Issue #2

 Issue #2 of Huron College's "disgruntled student" newsletter, "The Maggot - Live Matter in a Dead Body"

The Maggot

No. 2

We are not peddling paradise! We are defending Huron college from what has developed to the point of reactionary dictatorialism. We are conducting a clean up campaign aimed at releasing this institution from the tentacles of tight-fisted miserliness where absolutely necessary expenditures are concerned in regard to athletics and other campus programs.

No college can keep students or get a sufficiency of new ones when they have nothing to show or offer. Future enrollees want more than a gospel team, they want a football team. We don't need a steamroller, but we do need a few victories every season.

We have had two complete seasons without a single win. This year our opponents chalked up over 300 points to Huron's 18. Our boys have had the courage to go out there week after week and take a beating. Have they climbed on “the butcher wagon” for nothing? Our team has the skill and the guts, but they lack the weight and number.

Why do they lack the weight? Why do they lack numbers? Simply because we have to take what we get. We don't go out after the desired athletes nor do we hold them if they make, what so far has been the mistake of coming here. Ask Mr. P. or Miss D. what happened to Sedley Stuart, Bob Fisher, Ray Hilestad, Dan Greek Blair Peterson, Lee Pederson, etc.

What do politicians and bookkeepers know about running an athletic program. There is one long, lanky, lean Scotchman and one big, burly, benevolent sports mentor that do know how, but their hands are tied. It is up to the students to get behind them and cut those bonds. Put the power where power belongs.

We need athletic scolarships! [sic] We need definite jobs for football players! No more hackneyed promises! There is plenty of room in the gym for an athletes [sic] dormitory! Every other school has an assistant coach! The town wants to help us, but they won't if we do not help ourselves first!

A prospective athlete has to run the gauntlet of fountain pens, spectacles and dollar signs and then is met with a very verbose request for self-sacrifice. This is certainly a Christian institution.

Well, the Maggots are going to cogitate awhile. Next week, more true facts will be brought to light. We don't want indulgence. We're for action. We're for cleaning house!

[handwritten note: “The second addition [sic]. The third will come out Monday and will get one for us.”]

The Maggot - Live Matter in a Dead Body, Issue 1

 In November of 1941, what seems to be a small group of disgruntled students at Huron College began publishing "The Maggot - Live Matter in a Dead Body" newsletter.  I have issues 1-4, although I do not know how many were published in total.  Here, I present Issue #1, along with a handwritten note from the original owner.

The Maggot - “Live Matter in a Dead Body”

This publication is the weekly official clarion of an organization known as “The Maggots”. It is not a radical or revolutionary paper, but rather it is a symbol of the progressiveness which will be the policy of this body of liberal young men who are devoted to the abolition of over-conservativism [sic] on the part of certain Huron college administrators.

This college has been run into the ground by the stupid die-hards in power. Because of our athletic shortcomings, and because of our all-around failure to keep up with the times in progressive college activities, we have become the laughing stock of South Dakota schools.

Huron college is as dead as the proverbial doornail and is will [sic] remain that way until we students get behind a movement that will sweep before it the vestiges of moronic stubbornness which permeates the lifeless structure of this so-called institution. Those who fear for their jobs may sympathize with our cause, but they dare not participate in such changes as they may favor. It's up so [sic] the student body to create a force of public opinion which cannot be denied.

“The Maggots”, therefore, proclaim themselves as the heart of a new body that is to take the place of the old. Where before stood the skeleton of a rotten situation, there will rise a new being, a new college with a real administration which will have wholehearted support of a large and active student body.

The die has been cast. It is up to us as members of this student body to provide the molten material. If you want something to be proud of, form your opinion now and BE READY FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS.

--Boost For The Maggots--

[handwritten note: “This was printed early Friday morning by some College boys. No one knows who they are. I think Carroll Ray is one I think. The Dean is very disgusted and the teachers are all up in the air. These were put all over the walls in the College. Pap was mad because they were run off his press and he didn't know it. Will tell u the result later.”]

The Grand Opera House - Huron, South Dakota

 

For 17 years, the Grand Opera House provided a venue for many of Huron's political and entertainment events.  It was built at 32 Third St. SW. , at the site of what many of us know as the former downtown J. C. Penney store.  Construction was started in 1885, and it was in operation until it burned to the ground on Dec. 17, 1902.   The auditorium had seating for 300, but as a whole, included upstairs and downstairs, it could accommodate 1200-2000 people.  The apartment above the Opera House was occupied by Sgt. Glenn of the US Signal Service Station.  There were other offices and rooms rented out as well.

The 1898 Sanborn Fire Map shows the building's location in downtown Huron.  A grocery store was located to the east, and a steam laundry across the alley to the west were the Grand Opera House's nearest neighbors at that time.  

Closeup of the Sanborn map above

The night of the fire was an eventful one for Huron; not only was the opera house in danger, but the entire block, which comprised 20% of Huron's business wealth.   The best way to tell the story is to let the Daily Huronite, as written at that time, do it.

Huron Daily Huronite
Dec. 18, 1902, pg. 4

LAST OF "THE GRAND"

Huron Grand Opera House is Burned to the Level of the Street
Most Destructive Fire in Huron for Years Endangers for Hours Balance of the City
A Bad Blaze, With City in Danger, is Well Fought, and the Firemen are Heroes
North Bros. Theater Lost Several Thousand Dollars -- Other Losses

     Fire was discovered in the Grand opera house at 4:50 Wednesday afternoon, and for over two hours of stubborn resistance to the efforts of the firemen it was a question whether the balance of the block, representing one-fifth of the business wealth of the city, could be saved. Not until after 7 o'clock was it safe to hazard the notion that the fire was under control. Every foot of available hose in the city was at command, a large force of firemen worked steadily and admirably, water was turned into the Third street water pipes from every direction so that the pressure was the best that could be had and a flood of water was turned into the building, yet the best that could be done was to prevent the fire from spreading. That the fire did not get away from the building is a matter of congratulation to Huron people, as doubtless 20 per cent of the entire business wealth of the city is contained in the block on Third street and Dakota avenue in which the opera house was situated. The opera house building burned to the ground, leaving standing only a part of the front wall.

THE OPERA HOUSE
     The Grand opera house building was owned by W. L. Miner, although a sale was in course of completion when the fire alarm was sent in.
     The North Bros. Theater company were playing a week's engagement and some members of the company were in the building and in the neighborhood when the fire was first discovered. Smoke was seen curling up through the stage from a fire which had communicated from the furnace to the wood-work in the dressing rooms under the stage, and an alarm was at once sent in. The theatrical people got at some of their trunks, but as soon as the fire chief arrived he ordered all doors closed and no further admittance was allowed to the building. Considerable personal property might have been saved had the doors been open, but the chief doubtless acted wisely in taking every precaution that would seem advisable toward the end of saving the balance of the block.
     For an hour and a half there was no blaze, although the dense volumes of smoke showed the interior well [sic] on fire. Lines of hose were played into the front and rear of the doomed building; two streams were played onto the blaze from the side stairway of the Wilcox building, across the alley on the west, while firemen with a line of hose worked from the roof of the adjoining block on the east. In fact, there was a steady flood of water pouring into the blaze from the start, but the building being a brick veneer except on the west where it joined the Meyers solid brick, there was no much of a chance to save the building after fire had once established a right of way between the wood-work and the walls.
     Not until 8 P.M. Did the firemen feel confident that adjoining property was comparatively safe, when a recess was taken for supper, although water was played on the ruins all night.
     The insurance on the opera house was $3000, as follows: $1000 in the New York Underwriters; $1000 in the Palatine, of London; $1000 in the Glenn's Falls, Minnesota. Policies to the amount of $6000 expired only a few days since.

NORTH BROS. HEAVEY LOSERS
     North Bros. Theatrical company were playing an engagement in the Grand, and are heavy losers. Most of the theatrical wardrobe was in the property room – thirty five trunks filled, going up in the blaze.
     Every piece of the scenery of the company – probably $400 – was lost.
     The North Bros. And members figure themselves out several thousands [sic] dollars. Five hundred dollars would no more than replace each of the ladies' wardrobes, and with thirty-five big property trunks, the loss here reaches well up in the thousands.
     Although every man in the company is a loser to some extent, the ladies have fared worse.
     The personnel of the North Bros. Company as appearing here this week, all of whom are losers: C. Chapin North, F. C. Carter, Fredk. Clarke, C. B. Monroe, Edwin Patterson, Gavin Dorothy, M. Tarlton, Genevierre Russell, Mabel Colton, Gertrude Clarke, Mae Monroe, Annetta Tarlton, Virginia Harvey, Grant Simpson.
     The North Bros. Will play to a benefit performance in the Daum opera house this (Thursday) evening.

THE WESTERN UNION
     In case of fire no effort is made to save any of the instruments, furniture, etc. In the offices of the Western Union Telegraph company. So when the fire became too warm in the Western Union offices on the second floor of the opera house building, the manager clicked his last message in the old office, locked the doors, and Mr. Jones and his assistants proceeded to the general offices of the North-Western railway company, where desk room was supplied and business resumed, after an intermission of the time required in walking from the opera house to the new temporary quarters – a distance of two blocks. Commercial business will be handled from this latter location for a few days. The Western Union loss will not exceed $700.

ADJOINING BUILDINGS
     The first two brick store buildings on the east, adjoining the opera house, are owned by F. M. Wilcox. The solid wall withstood the fire in good shape, and saved the balance of the block.
     The first store room on the east was occupied by Cory & McAdams, dry goods. Everything was taken off the shelves and there will be considerable loss here in the finer grades of dry goods. The store will not open until the insurance adjusters get through with their work, although the proprietors hope to resume business by Monday – possibly before.
     Next east from Cory & McAdam is A. Robinson, shoes. Window displays here were taken down and preparations made for moving, but there will be no loss except the time necessary to rearrange.

HISTORY OF THE BUILDING
     The Grand opera house was built in 1886, by Helm & Walters, and cost about $22,000. The property changed hands a number of times and was later sold to C. S. Loveland, for $7500. Mr. Loveland managed the house until he sold to W. L. Miner, on May 1, 1902. Mr. Miner paid $8500 for the property and carried $3000 insurance.
     Mr. Miner was negotiating a sale of the property when the fire broke out. A check in payment for the same had been drawn and awaited the completion of transfer papers on the part of Mr. Miner. An attorney was at work on the final transfer when the alarm was sounded.
     From the opera house east to the Dakota avenue corner and thence south, offices in the second and third floors were occupied by professional men. Here in many cases doctors and lawyers moved out – while clear through the block arrangements were in course toward getting out – it looking at times as though the block was doomed.

OTHER TENANTS
     Nels Paulson, tailor, first floor, moved out most of the stuff. Will lose some. Insured.
     Byron Healey, bakery, first floor and basement, moved out everything except a stove. Loses value of a bake oven.
     Dr. T. J. Wood, office on second floor, saved some of his books and furnishings. However, here also is almost a total loss, in library and surgical instruments. The doctor had $400 insurance.

SPARKS FROM THE BLAZE
     During and after the fire the firemen were tendered open house at the restaurant of Eberhart-Huntley, Senator F. M. Wilcox footing the bill. For over two hours not a fireman left his post, after which time it was safe to leave the work to relays.
     J. T. Breen is among those who attended the opening and closing dates in the Grand, being present when the building was formally opened and also holding a seat at the North Bros. Entertainment Tuesday night.
     The water pressure was excellent, and the Huron fire department did splendidly. The work was well handled and there was at no time a class in the execution of orders. Situated in the center of a solid block of buildings, protection in every direction was necessary and this protection was so nicely balanced that adjoining buildings are scarcely more than scorched. From the start the first was in charge of Chief W. A. Ritschlag, and the HURONITE wants to congratulate the chief and every man on the force for the work done.
     The force of firemen from the shops of the North-Western railway company, with one cart, helped the city department in good shape.
     North Bros. Figure their loss will exceed $5000.
     Immediately after the fire F. M. Wilcox offered Mr. Miner $4000 spot cash for the lot on which the building was situated.

The Grand Opera House

Later, J. C Penney Co. building at that site

The site as it looks today

Sources:

"Do You Remember? Gov. Mellette inauguration held in Grand Opera House in 1885" by Roger Kasa.

"Frame by Frame in Huron," by William Lampe

Huron Daily Huronite, Dec. 18, 1902, pg. 4

Google Earth

Pro-Division Day Celebration and Re-enactment Pamphlet

June 1898 Huron, South Dakota Sanborn Fire Maps

Lisa Klungseth's Journey to the United States and a New Life - Part 3 of 3

In Part 2, Lisa's train was just coming into Minnesota at nightfall: 

Now it is dark and I cannot see anything. It is raining and I am waiting eagerly for time to go by. I sat and thought about how strange it was that Adolf could not come to meet me before this. When we got to Brookings – two hours before Huron – I went out to the corridor to get some air. Two men with long visors on their caps came in. I didn’t pay any attention to them. Then suddenly I heard someone say “Lisa.” It was A. who had taken the bus to meet me. He was as happy as a little boy to see me again. We talked as acquaintances then, but then when I saw the gleam in his eye, I recognized him again. When we got to Huron we took a car trip around the town and had a long talk. We would go to his place in Huron and be there for the night because he had to be at work at 5:00.

When we got into the house I got the surprise of my life. He had not been there for three weeks and it was completely terrible. It was two railroad cars which stood together, making a square. The windows had been broken by hailstones and the sand had come in. There was no place where you could sit. It smelled like manure and tar because there was tar paper nailed over the holes. There was nothing to clean with and I used a roll of toilet paper to take off the worst. My head was aching from all the traveling and I wanted both to throw up and to sleep. There was nothing of that to do. I had a wish to leave because the dirty mess was the worst I knew. Adolf didn’t really know what we should do. I had a desire to drive out to the farm, but for his sake I stayed. He had bought a light-blue nightgown which would have fit my mother. I had joked with him and written that I was as heavy as my mother and he had believed it. We slept very little, because it didn’t take very long before the alarm clock went off and he went to his job. I laid down and slept and made a kind of meal at 10:00. When he came home at 12:30 he was done and then we drove around the town. I did not like Huron. One must be familiar with the town before one likes it there. I was really anxious to come out to the farm. We got there at 6:00 in the evening. I received a hearty reception from Janice, Barbara and Everett. They had cooked a chicken, really good food. Adolf had kept rockets from the Fourth of July and we had a big party that evening. I warmed up Norwegian chocolate and we ate cream and cakes.

The days which came afterwards were completely different than what I had thought. The children had taken care of the house by themselves for three years. There were no decent places other than the kitchen, and everything was very messy. One room had been used only for storage. That room I decided to use for a bedroom. We were agreed that we should be married August 3, and there was a lot that had to be done first. I cleaned and tidied the house for three weeks. We talked with the pastor, ordered cards and sent invitations to 70 people. We hardly slept. We worked, talked and joked as a couple of youngsters.

We planned to get married at the American Lutheran Church at 1:00 and eat lunch at a hotel at 2:00. Mary and Ove with their family came to Yale in the morning. I was so anxious that Magda and Lars would get there. Yes, at 10:00 they came with two children. We were so happy to see each other. I rode with Magda to the church. She and Lars were our attendants. Early that morning I had to get up and clean the outdoor toilet because the hens had been there.

When I got to the church there were flowers for me from Adolph. There was one flat bouquet for a corsage, a small one for my hair and one for the table. I got a large bouquet from Anna and Kristian. We put that on the table with a Norwegian flag in the middle.

We had 62 guests and many gifts. The lunch consisted of ham sandwiches, a piece of cake, a piece of pie, coffee and wedding cake. We had grape wine with which to skål, only one glass for each person.

Oluf was toastmaster and there were many speeches. After the meal Mary, Amanda and I packed up the gifts and then we walked around and visited with all the guests. At 5:00 we were done and drove home to Yale.

When we got out to the car it was all written on in white letters “Just married,” etc. Behind the car hung a long row of tin cans on a string so when we drove they rattled with a terrible noise. All of Huron could hear us. All over people would turn and have a good laugh. When we got home the house was full of people. It took a long time before we could get in and make coffee at Yale and show them around and drink a little beer.

When I got home, I had to take off my wedding finery and put on another dress so I could serve coffee. When some of the guests had left, we made supper. Oluf and Kari and Nora were with us at Yale and it was really fun. Nora was just as nice as in my childhood, and when we go to Canton we will visit her.

Lars, Magda, Maren and Kenneth stayed at Yale until Wednesday morning. Then I rode with them to Salt Lake City. That trip is described in more detail later in the book.

Lisa Klungseth's Journey to the United States and a New Life - Part 2 of 3

 Continued...  Lisa's boat entered Manhattan and they prepare to disembark:

July 5.

It was a lot of work to depart from the Stavangerfjord. We stood in a line. We sat here. We sat there. We waited. We sweated and when we had come past all the counters on the boat, there was customs to go through. I was fortunate there, but many had to pay for antiques and cloudberry jam. Travelers Aid took them and some of us and helped us out of the station. There we sat for many hours, but finally we got into a train and could leave. I am writing while the train is going.

This fast train is very noisy. It was a big relief to come into it and leave New York, which we didn’t like and couldn’t do anything there. The conductor was very pleasant. It took a long time and we were starving, but we had to get through it in order to leave. Many think that it made them nervous, but not me. There were so many enjoyable sights here that one does not have time to be sad. We complained a lot, were hungry and sat, and waited and sat. Between New York and Philadelphia there was mist which was there the whole time. But afterwards there was more farmland. The wheat is ripe and some that was combined lies on the ground. Here are horses and cows and red soil along the railroad lines. The dirt is red and sun-dried and the sand is red sand. I see big green fields, but the train goes so fast that I can not see what they are. There are many more hills. We have very quick stops at the stations. The houses are quite pretty, red and white, but the towns are messy. There are many ironworks and factories all over, and rarely a greenhouse. Here are woods all over, but I can not see what kind of trees are there. The train cars are just like ours. Your seat is reserved when the ticket is sold. The dining car is very pretty but chilly. The food is good. You can get a pillow for the back of your head for 25 cents. This is not a sleeper car.

The houses often have chimney pipes on top of them and often tapered roofs. The train cars are very large with red upholstery on the seats and white paper under your head. There are 72 seats in each train car. Close to the towns the houses are built of red bricks, but often decorated with something that looks like gray bricks. The railroad stations are dirty. There are no flowers and plants. They look like the east train station in Oslo.

It is certainly warm outside. I use sunglasses inside the car. There is a Negro who wakes us up when needed. Here are pine and fir trees that we are passing, tall ones. I see seven hen houses on a hill, and only white hens. I see a red barn. This looks like a farmyard in Gottland. We are going faster now. There are hardly any trees. There are some hills in the distance or only flat land. The Negro comes in and brings us fruit and chocolate and other good things. Here is land, land, land. Just like before we got to Harrisburg it ls very beautiful. There are large lakes, rivers, but rarely any boats. There is soot from the ironworks. We stand a long time underground. From where we are we have to walk up many steps. The Americans are certainly not any better than we are.

A soldier is coming home. There is a big reunion with his wife and children. It looks like it is usual and approved, yes, that the women clothe themselves with light and airy sleeveless dresses. People drink colored water. I have not yet drunk the water. I had coffee in New York and coffee on the train, and not anything more. It is not hot. I am not thirsty. I am enjoying myself. Here it is a delight to sit in the dark shadows under the ground and the Negroes serve coffee for 50 cents for a cup of coffee – 3.50 kroner. Yes, yes. Then we start up again, very quickly. Yes, we will go far tonight.

Early this morning, 6:20, we came to Chicago. There I was separated from all those I knew from the boat and with many good wishes I came to my first northwestern station. Alvin was going to meet me but I didn’t see him. But when I had walked a little, he and his wife and Halvorsen and his wife came. They had been looking for me. I had been to Travelers Aid and got the best service I had gotten so far in America. The service at Union Station was very poor. I carried my suitcases myself and they were heavy.

Alvin seemed a little reserved and embarrassed at first, but I got a hearty welcome from them when I went back to see the schools in Chicago at last. He invited me many times and I believe he meant it. This is a much nicer train. It is Sunday and outside it is so clean here. The other train was so messy. We see much more ____?_______ on this side of Chicago. It is more neat and orderly. Here it is also flat but not so _____?_____. At 12:40 we stopped right outside a church. The train did not blow its whistle. It is so still, so still. People are coming in cars and stop outside. Here are flowers outside all the houses. Everything is painted nicely. Here now and then we find meadows at the same time.

There are no Negroes here, only in the dining car. People look more French and Spanish. There are many with brown eyes and dark hair (both Alvin and Anne had brown eyes). There is a completely different type of people than yesterday. These are all well-dressed people. They stand proudly by the train cars and surround us as we drive through. Here are also _____?_____ fields. There are no places to set your cups down and no place to put trash either, and there is nobody who throws them away. It is not permitted to smoke in the train car, only out in the corridors. It is clean in the bathrooms and there are two sitting places for those who want to sit and comb their hair. There are drinking cups and paper towels.

The woman who sits by me has IKE on a button on her handbag. In Chicago a man came into a café. He had a waitress stand beside him and had a picture taken with a sign which said IKE between them. It was most likely a picture for the newspaper. This picture is all over and is an advertisement for Eisenhower.

We have left Sparta and are in Wisconsin. There is a beautiful landscape. There are low hills and large farms, trees of many kinds. Land, land, plenty of land. There are 30 cows standing together and sun, only sun. Some are drying hay. There is a flat landscape. It is 3:25. There are well-kept buildings on the farms. The cows here are either black and white or red and white. There are kilometer-long fields of corn. I see windmills and the first cabbage field. This is the finest I have seen in this country. We are at West Salem at 3:20.

Now we are coming to a long, long marsh. There is a small bird down there with colored feathers. We are coming to LaCrosse. There are 18 strange ducks on the bank of a large lake; no, it is most likely the Mississippi. Now we are coming into Minnesota.