Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-01-01
In 1856. This gentleman IL Q native Of
Pennsylvania, had been in the employ Of
the government q Q wagon master, had

- - " W~KVAO D y
crossed the plains from Fort Laramie "a
old Fort George in 1855 aud the following
year came down to Yankton where he re-
nained full nineteen years, and until the
glittering attractions of the Black Hills
allured hin away. Second on the list il
Major James N. Stone who; in company
with Samuel Mortimer (spot-) came up
from Iowa in the spring of 1857. Convinc
ed of the advantages Of the
country the Major became a squat
ler sovereign. built his cabin probably the
first in the county, on the east bank Of
James river near where the government
bridge now crosses, constructed . ferry boat
and settled down to the command of his
primitive craft, embodying in his own per-
son the positions, Of commander, pilot, stew.
ard. chief cook and cabin boy. The major
still survives in the enjoyment Of. robust
health and the abundant fruits Of we'll di:
rected industry. .
The first death to occur within the borders
Of the present county after its occupation
by white men, was that of a young German
soldier who had been discharged from the
service at Fort Laramie, came across to Fl.
Randall, and Joined . party of frontiers
men and with them started for the sta,es.
When this side Of the present town of Bon
Homme, they ran into a prairie fire, the
young soldier jumped from the In
which he was riding and endeavored to rush
through the blazing grass. He was sufoca
ted by the smoke, fell in the flames and was
burned 20 badly tina. he survived but a few
hours. His comrades carried his body to the
Jim river ferryman's cabin, where it was
wrapped in blankets. a grave was dug
about go rods north Of where the present
Sioux Falls road winds up the bluffs and
therein was placed the poor eutferer's
charred and blackened corpse. The party
Of frontiersmen continued on their way
the same evening leaving our old friend the
ferryman (Msj. stone) to pass the night In
bis lonely csbin with the gloomy reflection,
born of the sad event of the day, as bis
yhostly companions. Aud now whea the
major has occasion I, single out the date
OF his greatest anguish, he relates this Incl
dent. and declares that during the nigh,
that followed be and misery we're on the
most Intrinsic terms. This was In 1857.
With the departure Of the Indians from
Yankton in 1859, We may properly note its
first occupation and settlement BY people of
our own race. In that year the first white
families came in. John Stanage, who had
served an enlistment in, the regular army,
accompanied BY his wife, selected . piece Of
land on the east bank of James river, found
ed a home, opened . farm and there he re-
sides to the present day, honored and re-
by all, who know him. Mrs. Stan age
VA the 6rst woman to settle in what, ia now
Yankton county. Henry Arend is another
So er. He took up land on this side the
jim, and through 10 years of drouth, In
dams, g~rasshoppers, potato bugs and polid.
clans he has chung to his poasession..
Father Time has eprinkled his
head with silver threads and Dame Fortune
has bestowed upon him an abundance Of
worldly goods as the reward Of q frugal and
life. Thomas Frick another
who located near Arend At that
still survives to tell the story Of his
early trials. 80 - "a"
The first assemblsge for divine worship |
10 Yankton took place at Bramble's little !
room on the ievee in 1859 Father
Martin, Of Dakota City, Neb., preached the
sermon. his text was taken from the 81
Of the book OF the prophet Nahum,
14th verse: "Draw the waters for the siege,
fortify thy strougholds: go into clay and
tresd the mortar, make strong the brick
kiln. Maj. J. R.5Hanson. tbena resident of
Nebraska assisted as chorister and SANG
old hundred witbl fearful pathos aod excel.
lent effect. t,,- = : a+.r :.
II the present city in 1859. Hon. D. T.,
Bramble erected the irst frame building o
the levee at its intersection with Waln,u,
street. 1t burned down,he other day after
Standing nineteen years. It was built and
occupied BY Mr.. Bramble as the irst store
for the eale Of general merchandise; the
gospel was fret preached to 4 Yaukton
within it's walls the first on
cials Of Dakota found it ample for their
wants and delightfully."- comfortable; . bolt
legislature had spent 10 days in it, sps.
cious chambers ; lawyers. doctora and drug
giss had occupied ito cosy lrooma. aL,stly-
the hayward sister. then tho elsnkips
offthe fire bell knelling it, doom. Peace.
to its ashes. 20, r,n .s
Captain Todd . little later constructed
the one story frame building which still
stands on the southwest corner of Second
and Broadway. Il was used By the imme-
diate friends Of that gentleman q a rendez-
vous, aud when the owner was In. town he
there met his friends, and laid his plan,s
for failure sction.
The first civil officer appointed in Yank-
ton was d. T. Bramble who received 4 com.
mission as postmaster in 1859. He per.