The Portland daily press., 1889-10-17
A new ENGLAND BOY IN THE WEST.
How Hon. r. q. pettlgrew Became
a Leading Dakota Citizen,
And Candidate for a Seat In the
United States Senate.
South Dakota Legislators Working
in church and Court House.
GCorrespondenee Of the Press

Sioux FALLS, South Dakota, October H.
OF the candidates for United States Senator
Hon. Gideon G. Moody. Is In the field as the
candidate Of the Republicans Of the Black
Hills section Of the State. Judge Moody
has been candidate for Senator from the
first. and all expert his election. although an
attempt was recently made to injure him by
calling In question his war record. but the
prompt reply made to the assault, left the
maker OF the charges in bad position, and
served to strengthen Judge Moody with the
men Of the Grand Army. His war record
was very brilliant, and since the war he has
held many public positions, among others
that Of Associate Justice OF the Supreme
Court OF all Dakota. He Is a very able man,
and Is considered one OF the best speakers
In this State
The other prominent candidate for the po-
sition Of Senator, aud the man whose elec-
tion Is looked for together with that Of
Judge Moody, Is Hon. X r. Pettigrew, OF
this city, member Of the great real estate
firm Of Pettigrew & Tate, a firm known to
all eastern investors In South Dakota prop
erty.
him here, has had varied career. lie was
born In Ludlow, Vermont. In 1S4s, but while
yet child his father removed 10 the West,
and Frank had boyhood given up to the
hardest kind OF hard work. This was
broken into when he was IS, when the boy
informed his father that he wanted 10 get an
education, and proposed 10 work his way
through college. His father could give him
his time but had no money for him, but not
discouraged he walked many miles to the
nearest college, stated his case TO the presl-
dent. and offered to do any kind Of work In
payment for college advantages. The pres
dent took him at his word and put him In
charge OF the college fires and the rooms OF
the SIT dents. He had all the fires to attend
to and all the rooms g sweep out. rhe in
stitutlon was full Of the sons Of rich men.
who daily tortured the poor fellow. nick
naming him Professor OF Dust aud Ashes"
Lab0ring under many disbursements as
be did, he kept on, and was soon at the head
Of his classes. and would have graduated
death of his father not called him home. He
left college with one dollar In his pocket, a
gain OF just 100 cents over the sum he took
with him when he left home. He worked
hard all summer, not only doing full days
work on the farm, but putting In extra time
evenings, and left home In the fall with a
fortune Of Si7 In his pocket.
he entered law school, and fought his
way through, working out Of study hours
the best he could. AT one time he earned
$40 nusklng corn. and at another taught
Having graduated, he knew better than to
try to go into the practice Of the law with no
money, and after thinking the situation
over, concluded that he would take up
section Of land under the homestead act. He
went to Sioux City, but there was no free
land there, and so he pushed on to what Is
now Sioux Falls. He had but SO cents, and
was forced to walk all the way. Arriving at
Sioux Falls, he located his section, on tine
uplands, where the best houses are now
situated, and there he built hut.
He had been there but a few days when
three men who lived some miles of appeared
and ordered him TO leave or be shot. Frank
was almost sick OF life, but was not In
mood to be driven off. Going back to his
given him. and said. "Shoot away, Pm good
for one Of you before You can kill me-"
They departed, and the poor fellow was
left to struggle on alone. He dug well, and
planted portion Of his land to trees. Last
winter he had 50 cords OF wood cut on his
lot, In order to give the rest Of the timber
room In which to grow.
He worked hard. and few years ago had
$1,000 ahead. About that time Sioux Falls
began to grow, and Mr.. Pettigrew had a
chance to buy half section In what IS now
the heart OF the city for $1,000 He tried
hard to yet some one TO Join him 10 making
the purchase, but failed, and bought 1t him.
self, paying bis $1,000 down. He plated his
land and sold all but 100 lots off, and In that
way raised the money. The balance left In
his hands Is now worth over $4,000.
In 1886, he formed partnership with Hon.
Samuel L. Tate, a distinguished lawyer, and
the firm are at this time very largely inter-
ested in South Dakota enterprise. They own
property here, and are very heavy investors
In South Dakota railroads. Mr. Pettlgrew,
who had 90 cents when he came here, Is now
one OF the richest men In the state.
Beside attending to his vast business, Mr..
has held many official positions, including
that OF delegate to Congress from Dakota.
He has always been Republican, and Is one
Of the leaders Of his party In the northwest.
The legislature will meet az Pierre. for one
purpose only. All the important State Off
GERS were elected on enc ticket by the peo-
pie, and the legislature at the first session
the preSent-has only TO choose two
United States Senators. The second session
will be held In January, when 1t Is expected
that the legislature will make suitable enact
ments for the suppression Of the liquor
traffic. Prohibition was adopted by the peo-
pie by very large majority, and there Is
disposition 10 make strong effort to carry
the constitution into effect. Governor MIL
lette is strong prohibitionists. aud pledged
to the enforcement OF any law the legisla-
ture may adopt. 1t is said that the Maine
laws In relation to the liquor traffic will be
adopted, with such changes as may be sug-
gested by Maine prohibitionists.
Pierre, the new capital Is q small place,
and there Is at present marked lack Of
suitable accommodation for the two houses.
The members Of the senate must hold their
sessions in church, while the members OF
the house will do the best they can In
court house.
The latest from the temporary capital In
relation to the senatorial contest Is TO the
effect that the election OF Mr. Pettigrew Is
assured, but that Mr.. Edgerton, the candl-
date Of the Farmers Alliance. will do his
best to defeat Judge Moody, and that II he
cannot be elected himself, will try to bring
oh tho nlaaffnn n linvarUOr Mallafka