davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25

had 1t well on the way through TIE
house when Yankton through some
mysterious process secured control OF
the speaker. who arbitrarily referred
the bill to a committee consisting OF
the delegation from Yankton county
and it very naturally slept the sleep
After this there was scarcely a SEES
sion of the legislature In which there
was not more or less agitation for cap
ital removal. rod kept constantly in
pickle by the politicians for the disci-
plining Of the Yankton members, but il
took no very formidable shape until IN
the session of 1880 the Northwestern
railroad, having invaded the centra'
portion of the territory, organized
hard but unsuccessful fight for re-
moyal from Yankton to Huron. In
the next session, 1882 it was the chief
matter of interest in the legislature ana
resulted In the choice Of Il capital com
mission to find new location for the
capital of Dakota territory, This com
mission was composed of nine mem
bers, three of whom were from North
Dakota and six from South Dakota.
1t was therefore deemed certain
that the capital would remain some
where in the southern half of the ter
ritory, but the now famous Alexander
McKinsey was member of the com
mission and the South ,Dakotans were
reckoning without their host. The only
limitat IN upon the commission I'm
making the location was that the ter
ritory was to receive title to at least
100 acres of land and 100000 in cash
proceeds of the land and money to 20
into a capitol building fund, and the
commission was empowered to con
tract for and erect a capitol building
at the site chosen.
The conduct of that commission and
the final location at Bismarck Is yet
the scandal supreme In the history of
Dakota territory. There We're many
interesting and amusing events in con
nection with 1t which space will not
noted that the commission was re-
quired to meet and organize in the city
of Yankton, Yankton. however. claim
ed that the provisions for the commits
sion were unconstitutional and was
to enioin its procedure. To
prevent legal interference the commits
sion went to Sioux City. chartered a
train and went flying mp the railroad
Yankton. While passing
the city it effected its organi-
zation with the train running at fifty
miles an hour. The capital was located
at Bismarck, and the action of the
commission was affirmed by the courts.
All of South Dakota was fired with an
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25

I TIE Indian lands between the James
and Missouri were open to settlement
IL July, 1859, but even before that
date shrewd, farseeing men were en-
camped along the Nebraska shore Of
the Missouri with plans perfected to
secure the seat of government of the
new territory upon the Missouri and
when on the 10th day of July of that
year they were permitted to enter upon
the new domain Yankton, Vermilion
and Bonhomme sprang into life and
with them full fedged propaganda
hostile to the Dakota Land company
movement at Sioux Falls. and South
Dakota for the next two years was in
volved In its first capital fight AS we
have seen, when the territory was Gre
ated and the officers actually appointed
the Sioux Falls men We're without in
fiuence with the powers that be. and
they were compelled to surrender the
capital to the new regime.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25
ters in the history of the country. but
1t was defeated in the senate
When EVERYBODY Rode Free.

During the next two years capital
removal was constantly discussed.
When the legislature of 1908 convened
it was apparent that both house and
senate were prepared again to submit
the subject to the voters aud have the
matter settled once for all A caucus
of the removaists again favored
Mitchell, and almost without opposi-
ton an amendment to the constitution
was submitted locating the capital at
the latter town The campaign that
followed WAS unique and picturesque
The Northwestern Railroad company
was naturally interested in retaining
the capital upon its own lines and
therefore threw in its large influence
with the Pierre interests The Milwau-
kee railroad was equally interested in
removing the capital to point upon
its lines and therefore became the ally
of Mitchell. In fact, the expense of
the campaign was borne largely by
these contending railroad companies.
Early in the season of 1904 each CON-
pany adopted the policy of selecting
influential men out of each community
and carrying them upon free passes to
the town it was supporting for capital
honors in the hope of interesting these
influential personages in behalf of
their respective candidates. These ia
vored gentlemen were not always dis
Greet and were given to boasting TO
their neighbors of the favors and dis
tinction shown to them, and very soon
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25
oEkERAL ". Il. Il. BEADLE. ORATOR or THE DAY.

1oey x Dakota WIS predicated upon
- location of the territorial capital,
- there has been scarcely rear
Mlnco th1t time TINT the subject has
~ 1oen one 81 vital Interest to the Id
a. holnntD AZ Tie territory and state.
30 IA The winter Of 1857 the Dn-
Mota Land company was organized at
- P1ul hy one Of the shrewdest ca
hole a. Dsuaocratic politicians the north
WET has known IT. primary object
Wae q secure the site OF the capital or
~ territory Or Dakota. which 1t was
t1lievod would BE- established fmmeai
otoly upon the admission of tile state
~ Minnesota to the Union, nm event
WhIcn n that time was believed to be
lnnnklnent. Governor Samuel Medary
~ Minnesota was the leading spirit In
~ onterprise. though he. Of course.
'1ntxuGted tho execution of 1t To other
no Major franklin Dewitt and ny
IN Smith were the ostenslble heads Of
IN oStorprine. and they executed the
Wo1k Mith promptness and great abill-
n hlle the main plan was I'd locate
0 c1pakal AZ Sioux Falls. the adrolt
1o1n GSe6 determined q seize upon
0(1 9<ker available town site within
~ 1oN territory ana 30 be able 10
ecnl1N1 thS NItuation III amy event.
n o se67 1hey matle the location
n1 pnK PAIN and patiently awaited
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25

continued to be the delegate from
whatever portion of the territory of
Minnesota WAS not admitted to state
hood. and congress sustained his claim.
Sioux Falls Plan Fails.
Undaunted by this failure. the Dako-
tn Land company boomers called an
election In September. 1858. and elected
Ia legislature. delegate to congress
and Il full set of territorial officers and
soon thereafter set up territorial gov
ernment with the capital at Sioux
Falls. Congress refused TO recognize
this provisional government, which the
settlers continued to maintain until the
final creation of Dakota territory In
1861. Never was a plan better laid
nor more hopeful OF contamination
than was the undertaking of the Dako-
tn Land company to establish the cap-
ital or Dakota territory at Sioux Falls.
but condition arose upon which it
had not calculated and over which ii
had no control. A Democrat could not
have dreamed In 1857 that year later
the congress of the United States
would be dominated BY the new Re-
publican party aud that the Democrats
would pass out Of power, not again to
be intrusted with the affairs OF govern
naent for quarter Of century. Nv.
cry detail Of the Dakota Land COM
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25
indignation which became a potent
factor in the division of the territory.
Alec McKinSey Still on Deck.

Capital removal was made the issue
In the next legislative campaign. AS
South Dakota had much the larger
delegation in the legislature, 1t was
taken as matter OF course that the
seat Of government would be returned
to point south of the forty sixth par
allei. but again Alec Mckinsey was
to be reckoned with, and the capitaI
remained Bismarck. The constitutions
81 convention of 1885 provided that
the seat OF government should be de-
termined by popular vote. In the cleo
ton that fall Huron. Pierre. Alexan-
dria and Chamberlain were competino
candidates. Huron was successful. The
session OF the legislature convened
there which elected Colonel Moody and
Judge Edgerton to the United States
senate. Congress refused to accent tho
constitution, and admission was do
layed until 1889. The enabling act ra-
quired the capital location 10 10 re-
submitted to the people This brought
on a hard fought contest In the snle-
mer Of 1850. In which Pierre. Huron
Watertown. Sioux Fails. Mitchell ana
Chamberlain were the contestants
This was most corrupt and demoraI-
ling campaign. Vast sums Of money
We're expended by each of the candi.
dates. and Pierre won BY tremendous
majority over Huron. her nearest cnn.
petitor.
This only fixed the temporary cant
tai at Pierre. and the next year tha
permanent seat of government was :,
be determined among the three cand,.
dates having the largest votes for tha
temporary location. Watertown n
consideration Of $1,000 paid ii hand
and a promise of $4,000 more can.
tingent upon the result. sold out her
rights to Huron. and the contest wax
made squareIy between Huron and
Pierre This campaign was even mara
demoralixlng than that Of the previous
year. Political strikers had GOT !
taste Of capital money in the t5rst car
paign, and now their demands man
the contestants were most strenuous
Both towns practically bankrnntaa
themselves IN the fight. Pierre ar,,,n
winning hy substantial maiaritv
Huron instantly set Zip i prona1an.a
f0r the resubnlission 81 The anestinn
and " every session of the lerisla tars
--~s&- - - -
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25
The Shober-Phinney Affair.

Lincoln appointed William Jayne of
Springfield, H., governor and sent him
out to organize the territory. Instant
ly new capital location contest was
precipitated. and Vermilion, Yankton
and Bonhomme each clamored for rec
ogniti6n. Jayne looked the situation
over. established his temporary quar-
ters ut Yankton and convened the first
legislature to meet there March IL,
1862. The first business of this legis-
lature was to establish the permanent
seat OF government The legislature
was almost equally divided among
the three aspirants. but the shrewder
politicians were connected with the
federal officials and were interested
In Yankton. Bonhomme had intrust-
ed her fortunes TO two prominent citi-
zens, John H. Shober. elected to the
council, and George M. Phinney. rep
resentatiye in the house. When these
WORTHLESS arrived at Yankton they were
graciously received by the deniZens of
the mother city, who shrewdly offered
TO make Shober president of the coun-
ell and Phinney speaker of the house.
They took the bait and In considera-
tion Of these honors agreed in writing
to support Yankton for the capital.
This action apparently eliminated Bon
homme from the contest and gave
Yankton walkaway. but It created
such furore In the "lard Of the good
man" and Shober and Phianey were SO
roundly berated for their treachery to
their home town that the latter weak
ened. and when the capital location
bill, which had already passed the
council, reached the house Phinney
called a confederate to the chair and,
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25
SAMUEL MEDARY.

October. During the last week of the
campaign on some nights the town
took care of as many as 5000 visitors
Inc crowds were good natured, happy
go lucky. prepared for some inconven.
fence. and put up cheerfully with the
accommodations.
Mitchell was rather better located,
so that trains could run in and out
again on the same day. and was not
compelled to entertain so many visitors
overnight.
Aside from the decentralization from
the free pass proposition. there was
very little if any corruption from
money spent in this campaign. Pierre
was again the victor with substan-
tial ma jOrity of almost $4,000 votes.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25
Erecting the Capitol.

The succeeding legislature, that of
1909, resolved to mall down the capt
tar by provision for the erection of a
capitol building. A bill was passed
making provision for the construction
OF wing of building which was to
be part of symmetrical and commodi-
Gus capitol.
Governor Elrod, at the head of the
capitol commission, began preparations
TO: the erection of a building, securing
plans for a complete capitol. and built
the foundation for the proposed wing.
Further progress was arrested by an
injunction, brought by the citizens of
Sioux Falls, intended to induce the use
of stone from the Sioux Falls quarries
Tor the superstructure. The whole sub
ject therefore went over TO the next
legislature, which appropriated $780,
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25

600 for the construction of the COM
pleted building differential of D
per cent was permitted in favor or
South Dakota stone. Governor Craw-
ford's commission advertised for bids,
and Ii was found that South Dakota
material could not compete with the
quarries of Indiana and Michigan. The
ground story of the new capitoi IS
therefore being constructed OF rain
drop sandstone from Marquette, Mich,
and the superstructure or Bedford
limestone. AT this writing the founda-
lions are complete and the basement
story Is practically finished The engrav-
Ing herewith is an excellent likeness
made from the architects elevations :
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25

etner distinguished and influential cifI-
fens SET up a clanlor for ike favors
Whicn under the circumstances could
searceiy be denied them. Long before
the enc Of the campaign very large
majority Of the voters had discovered
ens'r own influence and the Importance
NOT only OF themselves. but 81 their
wives. their sisters. their aunts and
1helf cousins ef the hired girl ana the
q man q Al work Before the end of
september the companies had fhrawn
nov = ~ Limitation aud fres. rides were
0eiIered g All WIN applied. sonsh la
kota went out for i grand thirty .lavs.
picnic, the plowswas len ii the fnrr,,r
80 corn unhasksd Ii the snoek ia
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25
NEW CAPITOL OF SOUTH DAKOTA.


taking the fioor, moved to substitute
Bonhomme for Yankton In the bill.
His substitute failed, whereupon he
moved to substitute Vermilion for
Yankton. This motion prevailed. and
the two houses stood deadlocked on
capital location.
The conduct OF Phinney, who thus at
the beginning had departed from that
| Fundamental proposition In Dakota pol
| itics and demonstrated that she would
not stand without hitching.' was so ex-
Iasperating to the patriots at Yankton
that they resolved to administer to him
q chastisement that would prove les
son for the guidance of politicians In
all the days to come. A conspiracy
was entered into by which 1t was
agreed that upon the reassembling or
the house Jim Somers, the noted des-
perado, who had been elected sergeant
Fat arms of the body. was to seize the
speaker carry him bodily from the
chair and throw him forcibly through
"a nearby window into the cold outer
world. News OF the conspiracy reach
ed the ears of Phinney, who appealed
tu Governor Jayne for protection. The
latter ordered a squad OF soldiers into
the house OF representatives for the
protection of the speaker. and Somers
was deprived Of the Joyous opportunity
III prospect. The Yankton brethren,
however, made the situation for Phin.
new SO warm that he was compelled TO
resign The action OF the house was
reconsidered, and Yankton was made
the permanent seat Of government But
|it might be added that out OF this ar
rangement vermilion secured the loca-
tion OF the State university, which has
proved vastly more valuable to her
than the capital ever could have been.
Iankton's Five Year 10y.
Yankton continued undistnrbed In the
enjoyment Of her treasure Tor i've
years. lii 1867 General Todd. having
been defeated Tor congress, became a
candidate FOR and was elected to the
territorial council Attribufing his de-
feat Tor congress to the action of the
citixens 81 Yankton. he set about to
square accounts with them. Early III
the session be introduced bill relnov-
INK the capital Ok the terrltory from
yankt0n b Bonhomine Despite
most frantic filibuster conducted by
the late Ilowner 4 Bramhle council
m&n from Yankton. Ne succeeded III
forcing ~ btll through re council and
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25

big steam thrashers stood idle by the
grain stack. and the people devoted
themselves TO the permanent location
OF the seat OF government. The ran,
roads ran trains in sections of a dom
or more coaches each at intervals ~
an houF or two apart, and the burden
placed upon the respective towns To
provide entertainment was tremendous
Pierre, mere village of less than
2.3o inhabuants at the time. fed and
lodged an average of more than 3ooo
visitors daily for the entire month -.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25

ars Of Big Sioux county appointed
Alnhens g. Fuller delegate to congress
frolu that portion of the former terri
tory ~ Minnesota without the state Of
minnesota commonly known az Dako-
f,i territory Mr.. Fuller went to Wash
ng'on and demanded recognition as
Ssfl aelegate from congress. Delegate
asi{t3Fy Of Minnesota territory con-
est4d lsis claim on the ground that be
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25

# was a perpfeting complication in the
affairs of the state.
Finally, in the session " 19Cl Mitch
oil and Redfeld. also having asplra-
tions for the location of the state eapi-
tai, joined with Huron in a caucus
upon the subject, and Mitchell secured
q majority of votes of the capital re-
moyalists. and resolution providing
for an amendment to the constitution
locating the capital of the state at
Mitchell nassed the house after one Of
the most notable and exciting nllbus-
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25
~ DoANE ROBINSON.

HE ceremonies attending the
laying OF the cornerstone of the
splendid new capitol OF South
Dakota on June rs mark the
end Of contest extending over more
than q half century Of time and per-
haps forever establish the seat Of gov
eminent Of the state Il ierre. Indeed.
the very first settlement OF the terri
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-06-25
SOUTH DAKO1KS NEW CAPITOL

Detailed Account Of the Locating of the States Seat Of
Government At Perre-A Fifty Years Fight-Abraham
NAcolns Appointee Took Hand In the Geme-Final
Dvidon Of the TerritoryThe Famous Free For All Rail-
read Rides to Pierre and Mitchell in o04Laying of
nstone June ~ Probably Settles the Dispute For All Time
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-10-24

celestial rest than we have ever been
able to make ourself think that we
were.
The stage Is playing up the Devil
as money-maker more than ever
As last resort. the personification
OF evil has always drawn the atten-
tion OF the world. That character
has no place in this department. al
though tabled to have once made fig-
leaves a fashion. Harris Grey Flske
(l2 West i4th ST., n. Y) prints this
skit on THE Two Devils;
or Plays and Attractions we've had
not few,
With here and there Plays'that were
Homilies. too,
When the Stage plays the Pulpit
leave Il to you;
For the sake OF fair play-give the
Devil his due
And l think you1l agree as a fact
ION the level"
II was up 20 the Stage to-well,
just play the devil.
A play was produced with a devil so
swell
That rumors were out of rebellion In
Hell;
The Imps held meeting and voted
pele-mele
Old Nick "A Back NNmber." Down
and-outer" as we'll
And l think youn agree as a fact
ION the level
All this was enough TO drive Nick
TO the devil.
Old Mex came 20 town. and his won
derment grew,
Instead OF one Devil he found there
lie smiled In the Garden "vleux jeu.
preeeiye.
That DEVILS as old as Mephisto or
Eve"
And i think youm agree as fact
ION the level"
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-10-24

beautiful and attractive Snow white
and of fine size and gentle dis
position, all kinds of things might
have happened to Peter. Soon after
the ad. appeared the lady was called
up over the phone and some one
started to tell about a cat--when
the person broke down laughing and
hung np the phone. The other even
Ing Peter walked into the house as
big as life and was as sleek and fat
as IL he had been living at a hotel
There was great repoicing and the
tears that had been shed by his little
mistress were turned in rejoicing.
The writer has forgotten what he
started to say but II looks very much
as II some lover of cats had enter
tanned Peter at her house and he
liked 1t so we'll that he did not wish
to come home Next will be travel
ing library of cats.
We always liketo see any man bet.
ter himself, and yet we do not know
whether X. d. Gibson. son of our
friend, ]. r. Gibson of Liberty, has
bettered himself or not. He has just
sold his farm on Prospect hill OF
169. acres to Ed. Hartley. formerly
Of this city. His land corners on
the Tllmon Ford farm, and is one of
the sightliest places in the county
~-ospect Hill commands a view of
FIVE counties on a clear day-Polk,
Yamhill, Linn, Marion and Benton.
When IL is very clear you can see ten
snow mountains and even look into
Washington county and Claekamas
county Mr.. Gibson farmed up on
that hill. so long. he got kind of tired
OF II and wanted to get onto some
bottom land. He has some fine dairy |
cows and will now try to hold 40 |
acres of land suitable for dairying. |
He IL q good careful farmer and we
wish him luck in his charge. but we
believe he has let go of some valu-
able land, and II the electric line is |
extended out that way It will be-
come stlll more valuable. We look |
for all that country to be cut up into
fruit tracts some day and dotted |
with suburban residences. Such !
changes are going TO be made in
these days OF alI-wool and a yard |
wide prosperity.
The United States has appointed |
D commission to inqui @ into the re-
ations and conditions OF the farmer
md HIS hired man. This commission
s composed OF some OF the big COL
ege presidents and Is no doubt in-J
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-10-24

old Nick ought 20 know when a
man plays tha devil.
lie heard Of devil named Arliss
and Fiske,
So he busted his boots. with his tail
as a whisk.
And. sat through the play. Then exc
claimed with shout.
My kingdom Is lost since my secret
is out"
And | think you'H agree as a fanr
ION the lever
Every man his own Satan Is death
death 10 the devil"
III Hughes Is licked for governor
of New York he can blame II 20
cigarettes. A moral reformer WITH
the cigarette habit Is not impressive
as a great national fgure. We are
not yet erecting statues to the de-
luded victims OF the eofhn-nail habit.
There is real old Uncle Sam carry
ing on land lotter,s again at Dallas.
s. ID. A great many thousand en-
velopes containing titles to land. and
many blanks. are thrown on n plat
form and little blinIfolded girl is
sent 20 pick up and hand out the
prizes. A lottery. an allotment, a
prize drawing. prohibited by law and
Uncle Sam the law breaker. But At
seems they drew lots in the Bible
times. II is probably the only abso-
lutely fair way 20 do some things.
Besides, there Is a great deal of diff
ference between a lottery to make
money and an allotment 60 settle diff
ferenees.
! What Is home with mother
cat and batch OF kittens once in a
whole, and dame nature looks after
that. That home is not complete.
especially II 1t has lot of children
in It. This leads us to say word
about cats in general and one cat In
particular. A lady placed an adver-
tisement in this paper for fine snow
white Tommyeat with the ephonious
and dramatic name OF Peter Pan. 1t
seems Pate- wandered away and the
little girl in the family was sure he
had been shot by a RiFd hunter and
killed by dog. he was so tame.