The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-10-05
OLD GLORY WAVES OVER COLONY
Mennonite Purchasers of Richards
Ranch Hoist Stars and Stripes.


Huron, S. d., Oct. 2.-As the result
of an interesting incident in connection
With the sale a few days ago of the
5000 II. O. Richards ranch, situated
near Forestburg, sanborn county, the
stars and stripes Will for the first time
.iy over a Mennonite colony in South
Dakota. The properly consists of 1000
acres of land, and without doubt is the
best improved bonanza farm in South
Dakota. The purchasers are Russian
MennoniteS, Who are organized into a
colony under tine name oil the Hutter-
ischo Boulder Gemeinde.
In the center OF a plot of ground in
front of the $4,000 dwelling house on
the tract Mr.. Richards erected flag
pole, from which the star spangled BAN
ner never failed to wave to a South Da-
kota breeze on the Fourth of July and
on the birthday anniversary of any
member OF the Richards family. When
the sale of the tarm to the Mennonites
was being concluded for the lump sum
of s92,000 Mr.. Richards expressed n
Willingness to give the purchasers the
flag and pole. However, the Mennon-
ties discard all ensigns and banners,
and they stated they did not care to ac-
cept the flag and pole and We're willing
that MIR. Richards should remove them.
In closing up the sale of the land the
question of assigning lease to an adj
joining school section came up for ad-
justment. Mr.. Richards declined to as.
sign the school section lease to the
Mennonites unless they would agree tc
hoist the banner every Fourth of July
and keep it flying to the breeze for a
period of twenty-four hours. When the
Mennonites stopped to consider that
upon the school section 100 head of cat.
tie secured their feed each year. they
decided to lay aside their prejudice
fn,t md I.,-y Of, l.;
and accept the proposition of MIR. Rich.
ards. In the presence of prominent wit,
nesses among them Hon. Coe /. Craw.
ford. the republican nominee for gov.
ernor of South Dakota the Mennonites
solemnly promised to hoist the Amer.
lean flag on every Fourth of July ir
the future. Thus was old glory for the
first time forced 10 wave over II Men,
MONTE colony in South Dakota in con.
sideration Of lease of a school sec.
ton.
The 2o0o-acre tract upon which th.
Mennonites will now locate their col.
ony is situated in the heart of the beau
tiful native timber district of the
james river. Mr.. Richards. who is
land twelve or fifteen years ago. dur
ing the years of partial crop failures il
that part of South Dakota
Fully $S0,oC0 was expended in i'm
rrovements alone. Where ten or
dozen Years ago nature was in its wild
state, today stands miles from thu
nearest town, beautiful $4,000 dwell
ing house, with all modern improve
ments in the way of waterworks, heat
ing, lighting. etc. The dwelling is sur
rounded by spacious blue grass grounds
adorned with all varieties of trees anG
shrubs. Near the dwelling is a thrifty
orchard, a fine vineyard, which is bear
ing, an artesian lake stocked with gamt
fish. large barns. cribs and sheds, AND
in the surrounding pastures all sup
piled with flowing water from the as
tesian we'll, Craze herds of fine sheep
horses and cattle.