The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1912-09-19
PIONEERS OF SOUTH DAKOTA

thar a thousand people who anne 10
the territory prior TO statehood In
1889. There was no hKed program
and the gathering was more OF an
informal and social one than other
wise. Prior TO being called 70 order
by President a. L. Van OsdCI, the
great crowd spent much time in re
citing experiences Of pioneer days,
and renewing old time friendships. A
number Of brief addresses we're made,
among the speakers being Gov. Yes
sey, y. p. Bromley, Of Kedfeld John
H. HOlsey, OF Canton, who cane %
the territory in 1866, and was among
the first mail carriers in this region
Mrs. J. A. Picker, whose husband was
one Of the early history makers. and
did much for the territory and state
as a member Of congress J A Turner
Springfield; Mrs. COwles. a pupil in
the first school in the old school house
near Nermillion, taught by John l.
Jolley, afterwards delegate in con
gress Prof X. f Kerr, OF BrOokings
Col Thos. Orr, c~ommandant Of the
state soldiers home al Hot Springs
and poane Robinson. of Pierre. state
Historian, who at the close OF his
brief talk, read a poem written b. him
s- 81 l...at.p Al sk- Gr-. l-.-
save interesting accounts Of their ex-
peTiences AS pioneers, and az felt
that what they had done and endured
Nas now bringing rich haryesr o.
peace and plenty 20 them ard their
families the benefits derived are vel
worth the sacrifice made. ~ re con
c,ls.on ot the program : geaer1. hand.
shaking time ~as enioyed and an Of
l%5rt4nity given for 1ez members u
sEa The register, zyera. E-Zrrec
names being aGt-d ~ tie ..s, L aAs
planned 10 have q fired pspg:z- s.c
genera! a.s'C.g 81 me te--tny pres
-aie1 a. TIE lex, s-.4s. nesting
Tlste 0Ir@ss E%Y= c-.s%E ~ tLe e.
Isllsg year PTes,oe-r Z L Ts1
JsoeL q, 4.ssEz E ylleEes.ceEIs
Eles l. Bsrfsws q: H4roL " 2
Beey, u lpsvpe1 : j. Turner -
Springfield ges i Ay@rs q Dssc
y,9c J. " su. ~ or PALE
s~ecre,ars = y Lat1s- - Fa.1tor
treasurer 10 r = Pr y Pierre
TIE following y,~m was reac BY
LsJal. Robinson
THE PlCN DEEs
Goo IL las providence oas made tais
Tnat OIL. may suffer a. that's
syerr severe
Endure prl,aaou Zee, Tie dreadful
- nuugers wolf survive tue hourly
fear
" savage knife in lonely dugout
Afar from kindred aome or loving
friend,
m-feo, m-clotheo. unkept; compelled
70 brave
The summer heat; from winters
storm defenc
Unsheltered fock; and when the years
are flown
Let times alenblc from these dregs
distill
remembrance only Of sweet days Ger
grown
With copse Of gladness n with
dreams that fill
The heart with JOY; make biting hun
ger sauce.
For ~feasts; the chilling storm a
tonic draft;
The dug-out cave a palace rich and
gloss.
The savage threat a phantom to be
laughed
Away. Such spirits hath the Father
OOuHU
Since Abrams day and David's prem
tice years,
To seek and break his farthest, wild
est ground;
The seed OF every land; his daunt
less pioneers.
The Father tries them in the fierces
heat,
He proves their worth by food AM
tempest-test;
And those so proved, the choicest, wiz
moved wheat
He stamps: Select, No. 1. M,
Best" =
And showers his blessings all alon
their way,
Az o are blest, old pioneers, today