Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1911-01-26

territorial legislature from the district
comprising all the counties of the
Black Hills This legislature met at
the new capital of the territory, Bis
mark, the lst of January 1887.
The members from the Black Hills
were compelled to travel distance of
more than 1900 miles to reach the seat
of government, with the thermometer
at least at one point on the route Sc
degrees below zero. Such was the be-
ginning of legislature that meant
much for the future of the then new
town of Hot Springs, as we'll as for the
entire southern part of the Black
Hills. 1t was this legislature that in.
augurated the great enterprise of es.
tablishing state soldiers home at
Hot Springs, and bringing the great
medical properties of its waters before
the people Of the state and nation.
DR.. Stewart was the originator of
the bill locating the home at Hot
Springs, and to his untiring efforts is
due to its location at this point. On
account of the state soldiers home be-
ing located here the national govern
ment was induced to test the virtues
of the waters Of the springs, and sixty
five old veterans, with many chronic
diseases, we're sent here for experiment
tai treatment. So successful was the
experiment that the board of the
national soldiers homo and the
national encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic recommended
Hot Springs as the proper place for a
great national sanitarium for the ex-
press use of veterans, and such an in.
stitution now has been established
here.
DR.. Stewart was member of the
first state senate of South Dakota, and
secured at that session, q liberal ap-
preparation for the new state soldiers
home.
In 1909 he was elected commander Of
the Grand Army Of the Republic, De-
partment Of South Dakota, retiring at
the encampment held at Watertown
last June.
Deceased served as councilman of
his ward for some time, was twice
elected mayor, always took an active
part when health permitted, in every.
thing that would promote the welfare
andsoest interests of the city, county
and state.
The doctor was one of the active
movers in the formation of Fall River
County Old Settlers Association in
1908, and was elected its first president
and was re elected at the first annual
meeting.
Funeral services we're conducted
from the Baptist church Tuesday after
noon, by Rev. @. b. CLARK, chaplain
of the National Sanitarium. After
giving review of his life he spoke at
some length, on the character of the
deceased. A very glowing tribute is
embodied in the reverend gentleman's
remarks, when he said in part: "Dr
| Stewards life covered period of the
most intense national activity, in the
most progressive of all centuries, g
time in which strong men, men of con.
science and conviction were demanded.
In this period the life of the nation
was threatened, the vast wild west con
quered, and, in the mad rush fol
wealth and power, conscience has of.
ten been discounted aud righteousness
ignored. But thru all this stress and
passion, whether in official position OF
private life, DR.. Stewart has mein
tained an unsullied purity and integ
rity of character .
The services at the church wer,
largely attended, showing the high es
TEEN in which the deceased and his
family are held. The interment oo,
Cured at the Evergreen cemetery
conducted by Silas Strickland Post
G. A. R., of this city.