The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-10-20

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of elders and trustees called a
meeting Of the congregation early
in July, 1880, to consider the ex-
pediency of making at once a be-
ginning. But it was decided best
to wait at least two weeks longer
for crop developments that each
might be able to better judge his
ability to contribute to the enter
prise.
On assembling again and being
assured by their minister that for
every dollar they would contribute
he would secure from outside the
parish another, they accepted the
minister's voluntary offer to solicit
funds within as we'll as without the
bounds of the Parish, and so to be-
gin the work.
On August 18th, 1880, it ap-
peared that nearly $4,000 had
been pledged by the people of Scot
land and vicinity and a lot by Mr..
J. D. Lawler, owner of the town
site. It was then decided to be-
gin at once the work Of building.
After some deliberation it was
agreed that the house should be of
wood, a frame in size 80 by 40
feet. Messrs Christian Schantz,
VIM. Herbert, Hugh Gum Sr, and
Jos. M. Gum with the session of
the church we're constituted the
building committee. This com
mittee with the exception of Hugh
Gum ST., met the next evening at
the home of the minister, agreed
upon the plan and specifications of
the building and the next day ad-
vertised for bids. Few days later
the lots on which the house of wor-
ship now stands were selected, and
a month later a warranty deed for
the same received, Mr.. Lawler do.
mating them entirely.
On September 9th, 1880, in the
presence Of a goodly number of
the church and congregation the
ceremony of breaking the ground
for the foundation occurred. Scrip
ture was read by the minister fol-
lowed by remarks, a prayer, the
singing of a hymn, and the turn
ing of the first sod by Mr.. John
Stafford with appropriate remarks.
On the same day was let the O
tract for mason work on the foun-
dalton, and the carpenter work on
the superstructure. The latter
was let to Messrs Musselman and
Clark, they to furnish their own
material.
Through failure of an abscond-
ing lumber contractor to furnish
in season the frames for the front
window and door, the storms of
the memorable winter of 1SSO-S1
came upon the building unfinished.
On Jnne 21st, 1881, work was
resumed and on July 18th, 1881,
the completed house was dedica-
ted.
The Rev. w. S. Peterson, by
this time Presbyterial Missionary
residing at Huron, D. T., preached
the sermon in the morning and the
Rev. George Williams of Niobrara,
Neb., in the evening. The pastor
in charge led in the service of ded-
ication, before which sufficient
money was either paid or surely
pledged to entirely pay for the
building"
At the time of the organization
the church had only Is members
During the quarter century 375
persons have been received in to
communion and the present mem
bership is 1875. The first years
contributions for all purposes a.
mounted to $25.77. The contri-
buttons for last year were $22O6.-
80. The total contributions dur.
ing the quarter century are as fol.
lows. Home missions $1256, For
eign Missions $1943, Education
S142, S. S. Work $40, Church
Erection $455, Ministerial Relief
Sl93, Freedmen 1886, Sustenta-
ton $l5, Colleges $4,000, General
Assembly 1898, Miscellaneous
5000. All the above contributions