Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-08-27
were Leonard Taggert and Caleb Cum

mings.
/ The first lawyer to locate In Eli
Point was Henry Mcneil, who came
April 20, 1867, and died April 6. 1872
Four other distinguished lawyers have
died, who had much to do with the
early history OF Elk Point along legal
lines, namely: Hon. U. H. Akers,
George Sttckney, ]. A. Wallace and
Alexander Hughes, who died last year
in Minneapolis.
The first schoolhouse was of logs, ~
by Is feet In size, dirt roof and floor,
and stood on the lot where the Odd
Fellows building now is. The first
term was begun Dec. !, 1861, and Hoo.
Norris J. Wallace was the teacher. and
the scholars were Misses Hattie, Mag
gle, Mary and Eveline Wood, and
Charles, Lorenzo and Uriah Wood,
Christina, Andrew, Calmer and An
theny Rome, Lizzie Alcorn, Peter ST.
mons, and half breed Indians from
Sioux Point. The McElkany brothers
OF Sioux City kept the first livery and
they sold out to Charlie Waldron, now
of Fort Pierre.
! The first postmaster was Eli B. WIKI
son, appointed in March, 1860, by Post
master General Holt.
The first general store was opened
by Harvey Fairchilds and Robert r.
Green, in the summer of 1865, in q log
building that stood where George
French's store now stands. Mr.. Green
went with team to Dubuque for the
first load of goods. The first consign-
ment OF goods by steamboat to Elk
Point was for this firm and consisted
of forty stoves and one Murdered kegs OF
nails from st. Louis, and was landed
at Isaac Quick wood yard six MILF q
south OF town. The second store wal
opened by j. w. Vandevere, In 1865,
on the lot where DR.. Burlingam e i
building now stands.
The first term of court was held la
the log school house, Judge Kidder
presiding. Irec0llect hearing Judge
Kidder relate the following incident:
Mr.. Kidder had been appointed u judg
by President Lincoln. A friend Of the
judge had been out to Dakota and on
his return to Vermont the Judge asked
him what books he should take with
him. "Ob," says his friend, ''You
won't need any books. Dakota 10 q
country without FUTURE" II that
prophet could look upon this magnifi-
cent scene today he would certainly
make different prophecy.
November first, 1859, David Benja-
min, Bartlett M. Sheldon, William
Adams, and M. a. Somers arrived In
Elk Point from Minneapolis, Mimi,
wing travelled overland by OK team.
Sheldon built log house on the Frank
lin farm; Benz amin bullion the George
Giesler farm and Adams built on what
believed to be the Weston farm. This
building was quite large and was call
ed the Twin House, cause OF three
pairs of twins baing born on the sire et
upon which it was located. MIR. Wes-
ton contested the claim of Mr.. Adams
and won. 1t developed that Mr.. Adams
had built six rods off the claim. The
somewhat notorious Somers was killed
soma years ago in a pistol duel with
his nephew near Brute City. Adams
and Sheldon are also dead. July l,
1865, the County Commissioners ap-
pointed Mr.. Benjamin sheriff.
Minister'S who did much toward the
moral and religious growth of Elk
Point during its early history were
McKindree Cain, John Morris, Abel
Potter, James Williams, T. M. Will
liams, Joshua v. Hines. Miltiades l..
Miller, L. P. Sabin and GeorgeW Free
man. All these have gone to their
eternal reward.
Artisans who we're active Ia build
ing business buildings and homes In
the early days were Jerome Dow and
Emory Morris, William Baldwin,
James Ashley, James M. Tslcott,
Thomas Wilson, Edgar M. Quick,
Platt Vail, George Ravens. Benjamin
Briggs and William Ogburn.
| The first frame building in Elk
Point was moved in from the Hahn
farm by Ben Smith In the winter OF
1867, and occupied by Tim Bryan for
a saloon. When Northup and Beggs
came, about June, 1858, they bought
out Bryan and sold the stock to steam
boat owner. The first frame house was
built by Edward G. Collina, In the
spring OF 1857, and stood where w. O.
Sweets house now stands. It was all
OF cottonwood except the doors and
and windows and frames, the siding
being planed by hand. The first
grain warehouse was the rear end Of
Beggs & Northup's store and 1t is re.
lated that they were obliged to hold
their stock in the spring Of 1869, on &C.
count Of bad roads until their profits
were $500. Huse Collins and Uriah
Wood brought the firm their first loads
of goods from Sioux City.