Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1901-10-04

will be temporary custodian.
friend Col. Jolley did such glorious
work in, and it seems to have fully
aroused his fighting qualities, for I
again found him an active leader in
the never to be forgotten struggle of
1872. He supported Judge Brookings
while stood by Col. Moody. Moody
and Brookings were both nominated
in Canton. The regular convention
was called to meet in the old school
house which stood where the hospital
now stands. The Moody forces were
there in battle array at the appointed
hour, but tho Brookings men never
faced the music. They met in Harvey
Stafford's store on Main street. The
store building stood on the east side of
Main street between 9Th and 9th. It
was big day for Canton. 1t was q
big day for the Sioux Valley. Canton
was as large as Sioux Falls then and
the political giants of the territory
we're present. The Sioux Valley was
strongly republican and Col. Moody,
now Of Deadwood, was the idol of the
Valley. He. was a brilliant attorney
and splendid speaker Judge Brook
ings was the federal office holders
candidate, and man of wonderful
energy and as pugnacious as bull
dog. He was United States judge at
the time and welded a powerful influ-
ence as old timers can testify who ever
sat on United States Grand Jury un-
der him He was not popular with the
masses however. Canton boiled and
fumed for two days and nights over
the split, but nothing could be done to
unite the warning elements and secure
a single nomination, hence the Moody
men met in the regular place for the
convention and nominated their choice.
while the boys down in Stafford's store,
by the aid of barrel. nominated Judge
Brookings, and again the republican
forces of the territory were divided and
again Armstrong was nominated and
finally elected after a campaign that
no man will ever forget that took part
in it. 1t was during this campaign
that the writer started the Sioux Val
lev News to aid in Moody's election,
with material not needed in his print
ing Office in Yankton. The principal
battle was between republicans, and
had it not been for the enormous infiu-
ence of federal patronage. Col. Moody
would have gone to congress. Brook
iugs was able TO defeat Moody, and
that was all he accomplished. Every
man who lived in Lincoln county in
1872, was engaged in that famous
strife. Among Moody's earnest sup
porters in Canton then, and reside here
now we're Judge Clifford, Col Cuppett,
j. Q. Fitzgerald, I. N. Martin, NJ. L.
Syverud and D. H. Hawn.
Oh, it was famous battle, and Col.
Jolley was in the midst of it from be-
ginning to end. His candidate was
again defeated and I have always
thought that he got little discouraged
over the defeat, but could not believe
that he could hear the political trum'
pets blare for thirty years without
buckliny on his armor and leading his
fellow men to victory and renown
without his word for it.
The political ambition and so callec
glory of party strife was knocked ou
of many a good man after the division
and strife of 1872.
| Judge Brookings had the misfortune
to lose both feet by amputation afte
freezing, during his pioneer effort
around Sioux Falls, and as lnck had /
he was heartily supported by a coupl
of lawyers who had the misfortune t
loose leg each, and Col Jolley to thi
day, AYERS that the writer said some
thing about this crippled condition Il
his paper in Yankton during the cam
paign, that had some sort of bearing O.
the standing of the candidate and hi
supporters, including fourth ma
who was never named, but the Colone.
as story teller, has few superiors, an
when you get him nicely located and i
the right mood he can relate anecdote
lof prominent pioneers and describ
scenes and incidents of early days tina
, would delight and astonish you
Col. Jolley in his younger days wa
a man of war. as his army recor
proves. but according to his own test
mony, he has been man of peace, fo
: 10, these many years, coupled with
, modesty that is as surprising as it
gracious, and with heart overflowin
with the cream Of human kiDdnes!
3 clearly designates him man born
enjoy all there is good in life.
Il Those were glorious days, Colonel.