Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1902-03-26
in The FRS | LEGISLATURE
Sketch,of the Members Of the First
Territorial Legislature Forty
Years Ago. sa:& ~
Some of51the Men Who Served in the
Early Days, Only Few of Whom
Remain in State.
Names Which will be Familiar to the
Pioneers Of Territorial Days
Now Living.

VermllliOn, S. d., March 25.-FOrty
years ago, on March II, 1862, there con-
vened in the city of Yankton< the first
Legislative body of the territory of Da-
kota, then containing less than 5000
men, women and children. The mem
bers had been elected at an election
held on Sept. 16, 1861, and met under
the proclamation of Governor Jayne.
With but little previous experience it
was a hard task to get at the root of
things. Harmony did not prevail in
all the absorbing questions which
arose, and in both branches of the leg
islature some prolonged and heated de-
bates took place.
| The first council was composed of
nine members. OF these only two re-
main, Brookings at SO and Boyle at 76.
John H. Shober was the presiding Of
ficer. He was % years old, lawyer
by profession. and Virginian by birth.
He was one of the first settlers on the
now abandoned townsite of Bon
Homme. He later went to Montana,
where he died. s ~
Enos Estutsman was 36 years old,
born in Indiana, and trained to the law
He settled on the present location of
Yankton in. 1853 Nature had made
amends for his defect in form by en-
downing him with bright and brilliant
intellect. After serving several terms
in subsequent legislatures, he was ap-
pointed collector of customs at the
post of Pembina, where it is3understood
he died. s Canadian journals charged
him with being one of the leading
spirits who formented and famed the
flames of the Louis Riel rebellion.
Austin Cole of Sioux Point is the
only one whose name appears on the
roster as a farmer. Union county first
bore the name of Cole. He was born
in Ohio, and came to Dakota in 1860
He drifted away to Kansas. and has
long since been numbered with the
dead. -..s. >. .
Henry d. Bells was 26 years old, a
native of New Hampshire and set
tier in Vel,nillion in 1860, engaging in
mercantile business and the practice
of law. He was of religious dispo-
sition, and there were few such in those
early days. -a- .-.."' ... -'--
Jacob Deuel. was an engineer, 81
years old, born in New York. He set
tiled in Vermillion in 1850 He died in
Poughkeepsie, N. Y, five years ago.
One of the counties of this state bears
his name.
Wilmot w. Brookings, 20 years old,
was also a lawyer, and located at Sioux
Falls. Maine was his native state
Settling at Sioux Falls in 1857. he en-
dured many hardships. His life and
the services which he gave the state
form an interesting chapter in the early
history. He left that city few years
Eago, and now resides in the east.
j. Shaw Gregory was New Yorker
81 years old. He came to Dakota in
1857 as agent for the Ponca tribe Of
Indians. He left the territory many
years ago. He had fair education and
/ good business qualifications.
Downer T. Bramble was from Ver-
mont. and settled in Yankton in 1859
being merchant. He had formerly
been member of the Nebraska leg
| islature. and was the only member Of
the council who had had previous leg
islative experience. Cleveland ap-
pointed him to United States land Of
fee position in Watertown, where he
| died.
John w. Boyle was a graduate of an
eastern college and Pennsylvania
by birth. He settled here in 1860. After
term in the United States land office
he received the appointment of judge
of the Third judicial district. He left
Dakota thirty years ago. and is now
resident of Oklahoma, engaged in
preaching the gospel
The fiery and impetalous George M.
Pinney was elected speaker of the
house. He had talent and ability, but
was charged with breaking pledges
made to friends. He became unpopular
and on the twenty second day of the
session resigned. He went to Montana
soon after the territory was organized.
/ When last heard Of he was living in
London 81
Albert w. PletH was a graduate of
Kentucky college and had Formerly