dakota collector april 2009 - dakota postal history society

Published by the Dakota Postal History Society - Vol. XXVI No. 2 - April, 2009

NORTH DAKOTA ¤ SOUTH DAKOTA ¤ DAKOTA TERRITORIAL ¤ POSTAL HISTORY ¤ POST OFFICES

Table of Contents President’s Message, etc……….3 A Study of Brown County South Dakota - Part 2 By Gary Anderson and Ken Stach………………………...……..4 Contents of the Cover By Ken Stach...............................20

A Research Journal of North and South Dakota Postal History

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Dakota Collector, Vol. XXVI, No. 2 April, 2009

Dues: Regular Membership $15.00 Sustaining Membership $20.00 Foreign Membership $25.00 Foreign Sustaining $30.00 Lifetime Membership $250.00 Advertising Rates: (members only) Quarter Page $5.00/issue Half Page $10.00/issue Full Page $20.00/issue Two Full Pages $35.00/issue NOTE: Cancels and covers pictured may not be actual size! Contributors articles are the opinion of the contributor and may or may not be the opinion of the editor and officers of this organization. A special THANKS to all contributors Published Quarterly Cover page is now page 1 Contents © Copyright 2009 Dakota Postal History Society P.O. Box 600039 St. Paul, MN. 55106

Officers & Directors Office Email Address Phone Number

Ken Stach President [email protected] 24175 405th Avenue Letcher, SD 57359 605-248-2620

Mike Ellingson Vice President [email protected] P.O. Box 21402 Eagan, MN 55121-0402

Gary Anderson Secretary,

Treasurer and General Editor

[email protected] P.O. Box 600039 St. Paul, MN 55106 651-771-9142

Walter Anderson Director [email protected] 1002 S. Liberty Place Sioux Falls, SD 57106

Glen Jorde Director [email protected] P.O. Box 48 Devils Lake, ND 58301

Doug Wick Director [email protected] Box 7399, Northbrook Sta. Bismarck, ND 58507

Dakota Postal History Society Officers & Directors

• Joseph J. Adamski (LIFE) • Gary Anderson (LIFE) • Walter Anderson • John Bentzen • Richard Birklid • Dale Brick • Duane L. Edwards Sr. • Mike Ellingson • Kenton Forrest • Charles W. Fulker • Charles E. Gates • Jimmy Gilbertson • Max A. Gors • Clair Haakenson • Ronald J. Harbeck • Jim Havlena • R. C. Heen • Warren Jackson • Lowell Joerg • Douglas Johnson • Vernon A. Johnson • Glen Jorde (LIFE)

• Robert Kolbe • Dr. Kelly J. Krizan (LIFE) • Dr. Dennis J. Lutz (LIFE) • Roger Meyer • Steven E. Miedziak • Sidney R. Moore (LIFE) • Dr. Ron Olin • James C. Pierce, M.D. • Virgie B. Rowan • Donald E. Schiele • James Schiele • Neil C. Schroeder • Ken Stach (LIFE) • Oscar Thomas • Blair Tremere (LIFE) • Dave Twedt • David Vikan • Al Wahl • Bill Wallace (LIFE) • Doug Wick • Dale Wilen

Sustaining and Life Members:

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from the President Submitted by Ken Stach The second half of our article on Brown County, South Dakota is contained herein, as part of our continuing series on the counties of South Dakota. In addition, another in-stallment of “Contents of the Cover” is provided, this one being a reprint of an article I wrote for Western Express late last year. As it pertains heavily to Dakota Territory and the Custer Massacre; I trust you will enjoy the reprint of it on these pages.

from the Secretary/Treasurer/Editor Submitted by Gary Anderson In this issue we have my annual treasurer’s report. As you can see, we are holding our own financially, even with the added cost of the new-look Dakota Collector. The dona-tions from our members have helped tremendously. Keep them coming! Don’t forget our Annual Meeting at the South Dakota State Coin and Stamp Show on May 2nd & 3rd. Details are on Page 23.

Editorial Comments

Asset or Liability orBalance Sheet Item Balance Income Expense

Beginning Checking Account Balance - Jan 1, 2008 3,454.60$

Income Related Transactions:Income from Regular & Sustaining Members Dues 1,100.00$ Income from Lifetime Memberships @ $250 $0.00Long-Term Expense Associated w/New Lifetime Memberships $0.00Income from Member Donations and CD Sales $485.00Total Net Income 1,585.00$

Expenses Related Transactions:Printing, Postage, Envelopes for 4 Issues of Dakota Collector 1,703.94$ Gordon Twedt Memorial Award Payment 100.00$ Check Printing Charge 18.95$ Transfer to Long-Term Savings (CD) 1,000.00$ Total Payments 2,822.89$

Ending Checking Account Cash Balance - Dec 31, 2008 2,216.71$

Cash Reconciliation:Cert. of Dep. (as of May 14, 2008) was $2177.42 prior year 3,293.20$ Checking Account Balance as of Dec 31, 2008 2,216.71$

Total Cash Assets 5,509.91$ ($5632.02 at end 2007)

Net Assets as of Dec 31, 2008 (Total Assets minus the Long-Term Liability of the 9 Life-Time Memberships at $250.00 each = $2250.00) 3,259.91$

Membership Summary:Regular Memberships (30 last year) 24Sustaining Memberships (31 last year) 37Life Memberships (9 last year) 9Free Copies to APS, Hist. Societies, Linn's, etc. (8 last year) 8Total Distribution (78 last year) 78

Financial Statement for 2008 - Dakota Postal History SocietyPrepared by Gary Anderson - DPHS Secretary/Treasurer - Mar 1, 2009

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Hecla (1886-Open) The Hecla post office was first established as Marna on May 23, 1883. The name was changed to Lans-ing on Aug 27, 1883 and then finally to Hecla on Nov 26, 1886. Hecla’s first postmaster was Joe B. Stone. The office is still in operation. (1) The town was named for the volcano of that name in Iceland. It was founded by the Western Town Lot Company in 1886. (4) Postmaster Compensation: Joe B. Stone 1887 $217.77 Herman S. Sheldon 1889 $564.90 Herman S. Sheldon 1891 $512.00 Joseph Wegener 1893 $495.89 William P. Hines 1895 $371.49 William P. Hines 1897 $398.15 William P. Hines 1899 $440.83 William P. Hines 1901 $491.40 William P. Hines 1903 $593.74 William P. Hines 1905 $606.90 William P. Hines 1907 $795.00 William P. Hines 1909 $1000.00 John D. Lyon 1911 $1200.00

Hecla, D. T. manuscript marking with straight line Feb 15, 1887 postmark modified from Lansing (Hecla’s previous name)

Hecla, Dakota. May 7, 1887 postmark with bullseye killer on 2c pse cover to Iowa

Hecla, Dak. Jul xx, 1888 standard 27mm plain circle postmark on cover to Iowa

Various statehood postmarks from Hecla, S. Dak. shown below

A Study of Brown County, South Dakota - Part 2 By Gary Anderson and Ken Stach

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Houghton (1886-1986) The Houghton post office was open a few months short of one hundred years, being established Oct 25, 1886 and closing May 1, 1986. Its first post-master was William C. Houghton. (1) According to Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, in her book South Dakota Geographic Names, the town was named for C. W. Houghton, a local landowner. It was founded in 1886 by the Western Town Lot Company. (4)

Postmaster Compensation: William C. Houghton 1887 $80.34 Edward B. Olson 1889 $227.70 Edward B. Olson 1891 $161.07 Cyrus M. Spurr 1893 $175.17 Cyrus M. Spurr 1895 $145.61 Cyrus M. Spurr 1897 $141.45 Cyrus M. Spurr 1899 $153.81 John H. Duerr 1901 $191.52 John H. Duerr 1903 $202.72 John H. Duerr 1905 $222.25 John H. Duerr 1907 $238.00 John H. Duerr 1909 $333.00 Thomas H. Norton 1911 $400.00

Houghton, Dakota. Nov 22, 1888 postmark in purple with solid star killer on 2c green bank-note adhesive on cover to Illinois

Houghton, S. Dak. Nov 20, 1910 statehood postmark (Doane 3-3)

Huffton (1882//1905) The Huffton post office was open the first time from Oct 24, 1882 to Nov 14, 1905 with William H. Woodman as its first postmaster. Mail was for-warded to Putney upon the first closure. Huffton was open a second time from Dec 9, 1905 to Dec 31, 1962 with mail to Claremont upon the second closure. (1) Brown County History adds that Huffton was originally named Foxton and was platted first in 1882 to the southeast of the present site, mainly by settlers from Michigan, in anticipation of a Milwau-kee Railroad line north from Groton. When the Great Northern Railway was put in from North Da-kota to Aberdeen, Foxton was moved to the David Huff (thus, “Huffton”) homestead and renamed in 1889. The post office was established on Oct 24, 1882. A father, and later his daughter, served as postmaster for 52 consecutive years from 1910 to 1962. (3) In its heyday, Huffton had a general store, a post office, two elevators, a church, a school, and several residences. As the years went by and church bodies consolidated, the church steeple was removed and the building became a town hall, but later it was torn down. The elevators became outdated and were sold in the 1960’s to farmers for storage. For all the activity in this once bustling community, by 1980 there were only the two elevators, two school build-ings, and one early-day house. (3) Postmaster Compensation: David I. Huff 1883 $8.55 David I. Huff 1885 $26.46 David I. Huff 1887 $15.24 Robert T. Paine 1889 $138.20 Howard W. Cole 1891 $96.14 Charles H. Tyler 1893 $124.42 Elmer T. Tyler 1895 $72.34 Elmer T. Tyler 1897 $64.44 Elmer T. Tyler 1899 $70.03 Elmer T. Tyler 1901 $52.33 Charles A. Van Kleeck 1903 $81.99 Louis Anderson 1905 $56.35 Harry E. Benson 1907 $84.00 Harry E. Benson 1909 $151.00 James W. Morse 1911 $80.00

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Huffton, Dak. Apr 10, 1886 standard 27mm plain circle postmark with bullseye killer on 2c banknote adhesive to Pennsylvania

Two examples of Huffton, S. Dak. Statehood markings: Jan 2, 1892 and Sep 25, 1902 on government postal cards

James (1896-1928)

The post office at James was first established as Chedi Jan 12, 1889. It was changed to James on Mar 16, 1896 with Carl Voigt as its first postmaster. The of-fice was closed on Mar 31, 1928 with mail to Groton. (1) According to Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve (4) the town has a name of uncertain derivation. It is said to have been named for F. D. James, owner of the land on which the railroad station was built; other possibili-ties are that it was named for Tom James of nearby Tacoma Park, for John R. James, early settler at nearby Columbia, or for the James River. (4) The book Brown County History notes that James was originally called Chedi, after Chedi Lake on the James

River to the west. The post office was not commis-sioned until January of 1889 and the name change was made in March of 1896 in honor of F. D. James, owner of the southeast quarter section being subdi-vided. A depot was built in1 889, and soon a hotel and café, a lumberyard, a church and parochial school, a general store, a poolroom, a jail and three elevators were added, plus several homes. The general store was typical for the early 1900’s – selling everything from groceries, clothing, millinery, and fine laces to oil, hardware and farm machinery. It burned in 1927 and was not replaced, for the 1910 population of forty had decreased to eleven in only ten years. The last of the elevators was closed in the 1970’s. The saloon was the business which had made James famous; it became very popular during the years Aberdeen and Groton were dry. Some of the liquor sold was labeled, “Bottled for Ladner Bros., James, S. D., 1897”. With liquor came rough and rowdy transients, who were jailed when drunk and left with an open cell door be-fore a freight train was due – a convenient solution to the problem. All that remains of this once lively town in 1980 are two homes. (3) Postmaster Compensation: Carl Voigt 1897 $121.10 Carl Voigt 1899 $152.38 Jerome Spratt 1901 $178.53 Jerome Spratt 1903 $196.49 Jerome Spratt 1905 $163.56 August J. Finberg 1907 $215.00 August J. Finberg 1909 $235.00 August J. Finberg 1911 $170.00

Several examples of James, S. Dak. statehood postmarks: May 1, 1899 with bullseye, Feb 29, 1908 Doane marking, and Oct 1, 1920

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Lansing (1883-1886) The post office at Lansing was first established as Marna on May 23, 1883. It was changed to Lansing on Aug 27, 1883 with Charles A. French as its first postmaster. The office was finally changed to Hecla on Nov 26, 1886 and is still in operation under that name. (1) No reference could be found as to why the office was called Lansing, although one would assume it somehow tied with the city of that name in Michi-gan. However, there was a L. W. Lansing who was a member of the 1885 South Dakota Constitutional Con-vention and a settler in Hand County; perhaps the of-fice was somehow named for him. Postmaster Compensation: Seymore D. Perkins 1885 $44.80

Liberty (1884-1887) - NKC

The Liberty post office operated for a little under three years, from Sep 24, 1884 to Mar 16, 1887 with Walter Bell as its first postmaster. Mail was forwarded to Hecla upon closure. The proposed name for the office was originally Riverside. (1) No reference could be found regarding why the office was named Liberty. Postmaster Compensation: Walter Bell 1885 $24.20

Mansfield (1882-1953) The town of Mansfield strad-dles the Brown and Spink County line. The post office is actually in Spink County; therefore, it will be addressed when that county is covered. (1)

Marna (1883-1886) - NKC

The Marna post office was established May 23, 1883 with Charles A French as first postmaster. The office was changed to Lansing on Aug 27, 1883 and finally to Hecla on Nov 26, 1886. The pro-posed name for the office was Osband. (1) No refer-ence could be found as to why the office was named Marna. Furthermore, no postmaster compensation data was recorded.

Moody (1890-1896) - NKC The Moody post office was in operation from Aug 27, 1890 to Jul 15, 1896 with Daniel Kight as first postmaster. Mail was sent to Murray upon closure. The proposed name for the office was Foster. No reference could be found as to why the office was named Moody, although one would suspect it was tied to Gideon C. Moody, who was an early politi-cian from Dakota Territory, federal judge, etc. Postmaster Compensation: Daniel Kight 1891 $13.04 Daniel Kight 1893 $77.82 Ira D. Kight 1895 $18.48

Lansing, Dak. May 21, 1885 straight line postmark with bullseye killer on 2c vermillion pse to Wisconsin. An example of a provisional post-mark, possibly pieced together from newspaper type.

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Murray (1885-1903) - NKC The Murray post office was established Jan 30, 1885 with Henry Z. Murray as its first postmaster. The name of the office was changed to Bern on May 13, 1903. The proposed name of the office was Fair View. (1) Brown County History (3) notes that Fos-ter, Nahon and Murray were all named in hopes that they would grow into towns. But, the towns never materialized. The post office as obviously named for its first and only postmaster, Henry Murray. Postmaster Compensation: Henry Z. Murray 1885 $7.47 Henry Z. Murray 1887 $47.65

Henry Z. Murray 1889 $43.15 Henry Z. Murray 1891 $40.71 Henry Z. Murray 1893 $49.90 Henry Z. Murray 1895 $36.79 Henry Z. Murray 1897 $35.05 Henry Z. Murray 1899 $30.43 Henry Z. Murray 1901 $38.34

Ordway (1881-1944) The post office at Ordway was open from Sep 19, 1881 to Oct 31, 1944 with William N. Brayton as its first postmaster. Mail was forwarded on to Aber-deen upon closure of the office. (1) The town was named for Nehemiah G. Ordway, of Warner, New Hamphire, who was seventh governor of Dakota Territory from 1880-1884. (5) Ordway was founded in the summer of 1881, at the end of the Chicago and Northwestern rail line. It was an early farm center and an early candidate for both the capital of an undivided Dakota and for a Methodist university. Settlers came rapidly, and this boom town soon had, as its peak population, a general store, two hotels, a lumberyard, a lawyer, a physician, and a druggist. Later, two elevators and a blacksmith shop were added. By 1883, Ordway had no chance of becoming the territorial capitol; the rail line was extended to Columbia, and Ordway had lost the economic advantage of being a termi-nus, and Bismarck was chosen as the Territorial capitol. In 1885, the Methodist University was as-signed to Mitchell. Excavations which had been started to the north of Ordway for a university build-ing were abandoned. In 1950, the population was

less than fifteen, and the small store, two houses and one elevator were all that remained. Hamlin Gar-land, whose father was operating a general store in Ordway as well as farming in those days, recorded his impressions of this area. (3) Postmaster Compensation: Vincent P. Kennedy 1883 $576.41 Vincent P. Kennedy 1885 $408.59 William T. Sheridan 1887 $347.78 William T. Sheridan 1889 $231.32 William T. Sheridan 1891 $207.14 John McNeary 1893 $177.05 John McNeary 1895 $90.31 Mrs. Cerinda E. Locker 1897 $76.32 Mrs. Cerinda E. Locker 1899 $56.97 Annie M. Hall 1901 $64.33 Annie M. Hall 1903 $67.74 Rufus J. Hall 1905 $94.98 Rufus J. Hall 1907 $126.00 Rufus J. Hall 1909 $155.00 Rufus J. Hall 1911 $120.00

Ordway, Dakota May 5, 1882 magenta post-mark with bullseye killer on government postal card to Aberdeen, Dakota

Ordway, Dak. Oct 1, 1884 postmark on mer-chant corner card cover to Minnesota

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Ordway, Dak. Oct 21, 1884 postmark with bullseye killer on 2c banknote cover with mer-chant corner card to Minnesota

Ordway, S. Dak. Nov 29, 1906 statehood post-mark (Doane 2-1) on postcard

Pectoria (1883-1884) - NKC

The post office at Pectoria was open about 18 months, from Jun 11, 1883 to Dec 24, 1884 with Herbert W. Diment as its first postmaster. Mail was sent to Columbia upon closure. (1) The Early His-tory of Brown County South Dakota notes that Brainard was originally known as Pectoria. A town site was laid out on Sand Lake where boats landed that made the trip on the James River from Colum-bia to Port Emma, Dakota Territory. A grade was built for the proposed railroad that was never built. On Nov 28, 1883, a meeting was held at the M. J. Sackreiter house and those present voted to change the name from Pectoria to Brainard. (2) No refer-ence could be found as to why the office was named Pectoria. Furthermore, no postmaster compensation data was recorded from this office.

Plana (1887-1927) The Plana post office was open from Aug 30, 1887 to May 14, 1927 with Daniel D. Jones as its first postmaster. Mail was processed at Bath upon clo-sure of the office. (1) According to Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, the town was first called Hadley and is thought to have been renamed for the Plana Manufacturing Company of Illinois. It has a rail-road station, which at present is unused, two eleva-tors, a country school, and several houses. (4) According to Brown County History, Plana was first named Hadley by Welsh settlers, who came to the area from Wisconsin. With the support of Welsh settlers, the town grew to include a general store, a depot, a school, a church, a community hall, a bar-ber shop, three elevators, and several homes. The church was built in 1887. Now grass grows high around the few remaining structures. (3)

Postmaster Compensation: Daniel D. Jones 1889 $117.67 Daniel D. Jones 1891 $80.80 Daniel D. Jones 1893 $104.61 Daniel D. Jones 1895 $71.64 Daniel D. Jones 1897 $69.86 Morgan H. Jones 1899 $72.01 Morgan H. Jones 1901 $52.91 Morgan H. Jones 1903 $89.25 Morgan H. Jones 1905 $89.93 Edward C. Tague 1907 $28.00 Napoleon J. Wilmsen 1909 $103.00 Fred Tyson 1911 $110.00

Plana, S. Dak. Apr 18, 1910 statehood post-mark (Doane 3-1) on postcard

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Putney (1887-1963) Putney’s post office was established Feb 16, 1887 with John Fleming as its first postmaster. The of-fice was discontinued on Feb 28, 1963 and estab-lished as a Rural Branch of Aberdeen on Mar 1, 1963. The rural branch was discontinued officially on Oct 31, 1972. Postmarks exist from March of 1963 showing it to be a rural branch of Groton; however, it was never officially designated as such. (1) The town was named for Putney, Vermont, the home town of H. W. Campbell, an early settler. (4)

Brown County History notes that Putney is now but a reminder of what it once was. In 1887, after rail service was available, Putney was platted and named by settlers from New England. Soon a gen-eral store, a drugstore, two grocery stores, a hotel, a blacksmith shop and a dance hall were built. That first year, the Putney Messenger, a short-lived news-paper, was published. Early in the twentieth cen-tury, two elevators were built and, later, a service station. One elevator was in use until recently (1980). Two general stores were operating in 1940, but by 1970 only one. (3) Postmaster Compensation: John Fleming 1887 $26.07 John Fleming 1889 $191.60 John Fleming 1891 $145.49 Edmund T. Wickwire 1893 $191.84 Edmund T. Wickwire 1895 $169.92 Edmund T. Wickwire 1897 $159.77 Henry E. Bartniger 1899 $209.66 Sylvester L. Spratt 1901 $165.79 Charles F. Smith 1903 $178.59 Clark G. Bousman 1905 $174.28 Norman R. Murner 1907 $213.00 William G. Honey 1909 $232.00 William G. Honey 1911 $170.00

Two examples of Putney, S. Dak. Statehood postmarks: Apr 26, 1904 and Feb 23, 1911

Putney, Dak. Sep 7, 1887 fancy shield post-mark with solid star killer on 2c brown printed stamped envelope to Pennsylvania

Groton, S. Dak. Putney Rur. Sta. Mar 12, 1963 postmark on philatelic cover; Putney was never officially designated as a rural branch of Groton

Aberdeen, S. Dak. Putney Rur. Sta. USPO Apr 5, 1963 postmark on philatelic cover; Putney was officially a rural branch of Aberdeen

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Randolph (1908-1953) The Randolph post office was open from Jan 8, 1908 to Nov 30, 1953 with Charles R. Yeager as its first postmaster. Mail was sent to Stratford upon closure. (1) No reference could be found as to why the office was named Randolph, but one wonders what the middle initial of the first postmaster (“R”) stood for!

Randolph was platted in 1908 when the Minneapo-lis and St. Louis Railroad built its line across the southern part of the county. The town grew to serve a large area before highway transportation improve-ments made it possible for people to buy their goods in other towns. In its best years, Randolph had a bank, a general store, five elevators, a hardware store, a school, a church, a post office, and a barber shop. Rail service was excellent; there was a train to Aberdeen in the morning and one returning in the evening. The barber, E. C. Griffin, also taught school and was a tailor, at one time making all the uniforms for the baseball team. Although the post office was operated until the general store closed in 1953, the town had long since declined, a result of the financial crash and hard times in the 1930’s. Today (1980), the total population of Randolph is one. (3) Postmaster Compensation: Charles R. Yeager 1909 $148.00 Melvin J. Gordon 1911 $100.00

Randolph, S. Dak. Aug 30, 1909 postmark and 4-bar killer on postcard

Richmond (1909-1913) The Richmond post office was open for about four-and-one-half years, from Apr 1, 1909 to Dec 15, 1913 with Charles Worton as its first and only post-master. Mail was sent to Aberdeen upon closure. Although short-lived, postmarks from Richmond as not uncommon. (1) No reference could be found as to why the office was named Richmond. Richmond was platted as soon as the Minneapolis and St. Louis rail lines were built northwest of Ab-erdeen. Its plat was recorded on Mar 19, 1907. A depot and grain elevator were soon built, and an ar-tesian well was dug. These were soon followed by a stockyard, a lumberyard, and a large building hous-ing living quarters for the freight agent, a stores and a post office. By 1912, the population had grown to 44, but the decline was already in sight. In Decem-ber, 1913, the post office was moved to Wetonka. In 1926, the depot was moved to Long Lake, but because of an abundant harvest, the Dean Grain Company built a second elevator. The “Dirty Thir-ties” brought an end to the town. The last grain ele-vator closed in 1967. The town died, but its name lives because of the development of nearby Rich-mond Lake. (3) Postmaster Compensation: Charles Worton 1909 $1.00 Charles Worton 1911 $40.00

Richmond, S. Dak. Feb 11, 1910 postmark and 4-bar killer on postcard

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Rondell (1880-1902) The Rondell post office was one of the earliest in Brown County, being open from Apr 23, 1880 to Nov 15, 1902. Its first postmaster was James E. Humphrey. Mail was sent to Warner upon closure. (1) The book Early History of Brown County South Dakota provides this story on the name of the of-fice: Francis Raundelle, a Frenchman, came to New Orleans. From there, he proceeded up the Missis-sippi River to St. Louis, where he came into the em-ployment of the American Fur Company. In 1842, his company sent him up to Sioux City, then up the James River to Oakwood Post in Brown County, now Rondell – named after him. Minnie Slack McCaughey says his name was originally spelled Raundelle. (2) Postmaster Compensation: James E. Humphrey 1881 $35.02 James E. Humphrey 1883 $107.84 James E. Humphrey 1885 $138.50 James E. Humphrey 1887 $181.65 James E. Humphrey 1889 $141.67 James E. Humphrey 1891 $125.63 James E. Humphrey 1893 $127.05 James E. Humphrey 1895 $95.66 James E. Humphrey 1897 $93.27 James E. Humphrey 1899 $121.31 Joseph W. Morgan 1901 $117.32

Rondell, Brown Co., Dak. Feb 10, 1882 serifed oval postmark with pen cancel on 3c green banknote adhesive on cover to Minne-sota

Rondell, Dak. Jun 25, 1883 standard 27mm plain circle postmark with bullseye killer on 3c green banknote adhesive on cover to Minnesota

Rondell, Dak. Jan 9, 1886 standard 27mm plain circle postmark, but with the date in manuscript within the dial, bullseye killer on cover to Minnesota

Rondell, S. Dak. Dec 17, 1891 statehood post-mark (standard 27mm plain circle) with bull-seye killer on cover to Minnesota

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Rudolph (1883-1908) The Rudolph post office was open from Apr 3, 1883 to Jan 15, 1908 with Henry G. Sfeze as its first post-master. Mail was sent to Aberdeen upon closure. (1) The town was named for H. Rudolph McCullough, an officer of the Chicago and North Western Rail-road Company. (4) The town plat for Rudolph was recorded on Nov 18, 1881, when it was for a time the end of the line on the Chicago and Northwestern Railway. John Mor-row, while operating a livestock enterprise on this section of land he had purchased, built a large struc-ture near the depot. It served as general store, post office, meat market, hotel and home. He also oper-ated a livery barn and stockyards until 1908. Pro-moted only by the railroad and John Morrow, and faced with the rapid growth of Aberdeen and War-ner, the town collapsed quickly. By 1980, all that could be found of Rudolph were cellar holes and unfilled wells. (3) Postmaster Compensation: Kate L. Morrow 1885 $69.60 John L. Morrow 1887 $57.72 John L. Morrow 1889 $128.59 John L. Morrow 1891 $134.33 John L. Morrow 1893 $263.75 John L. Morrow 1895 $272.25 John L. Morrow 1897 $311.05 John L. Morrow 1899 $313.21 John L. Morrow 1901 $357.74 John L. Morrow 1903 $314.72 John L. Morrow 1905 $322.47 John L. Morrow 1907 $322.00

Rudolph, Dak. May 12, 1884 territorial post-mark on cut square (from the Postmark Col-lectors Club archives), only reported example of a postmark of any kind from Rudolph to date

Saint Ansgar (1883-1887) - NKC

The Saint Ansgar post office was open for a little over four years, from Jul 2, 1883 to Oct 11, 1887 with Andrew H. Tollefson as its first postmaster. Mail was sent to Verdon upon closure. No refer-ence could be found as to why the office took this name, but one would suspect it had ties to the town of the same name in Vermont. Postmaster Compensation: Andrew H. Tollefson 1885 $20.67 Andrew H. Tollefson 1887 $24.71

Santa Clara (1885-1896) - NKC Santa Clara’s post office was open from Jan 5, 1885 to July 31, 1896 with James K. Fletcher as its first postmaster. Mail was sent to Detroit upon closure. (1) The book Brown County History notes that the post office was established on a quarter section owned by J. H. Fletcher. Then in 1886, both Hecla and Claremont were established as towns, further removing any hopes for this town near the Sand Hills. The post office commission was not listed as canceled until Jul 17, 1896, although the service had been discontinued earlier. (3) No reference could be found as to why the office took this name. Postmaster Compensation: James K. Fletcher 1885 $3.81 James K. Fletcher 1887 $21.63 James K. Fletcher 1889 $27.56 George C. Bennett 1891 $28.48 George W. Streeter 1893 $23.52 George W. Streeter 1895 $19.42

Savo (1893-1915) The Savo post office was open from Aug 31, 1893 to Sep 30, 1915 with Daniel T. Wegner as its first postmaster. Mail was sent to Frederick upon clo-sure. (1) The book South Dakota Geographic Names notes that the town was 30 miles north of Aberdeen, and the center of Finnish settlement, but the deriva-tion of the name is unknown. (4) However, Early History of Brown County South Dakota notes tha Kustaa Frederick Bergstadius was an early settler to the area who was born in Savo, Finland. (2)

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The book Brown County History (3) gives additional information on the Savo community: Savo (NE 14-128-63), had its first post office in the home of Daniel Wegner from 1882 to Nov 15, 1900. Then, the position was given to a man who had taken the Civil Service examination. Later, when a store was built on the NE quarter of section 14, the post office was moved there. A creamery was built by the store, organized in 1901 as the Savo Finnish Cream-ery Company, which was the first legally incorpo-rated co-op in the area. The co-op was patterned after co-ops in Finland. The success of this joint venture spurred a second cp-op, known as the Savo Farmers Telephone Company, organized on Nov 7, 1910. As hopes for the town of Savo faded and ru-ral mail delivery became available from Frederick, this post office officially closed on Sep 30, 1915. The creamery closed the same year as the post of-fice, and three years later the store closed. Postmaster Compensation: Eliza M. Wegner 1895 $33.66 Eliza M. Wegner 1897 $39.30 Eliza M. Wegner 1899 $24.77 Abraham West 1901 $21.77 Paul Geranen 1903 $29.92 Paul Geranen 1905 $62.25 Erick Erickson 1907 $139.00 Erick Erickson 1909 $181.00 Erick Erickson 1911 $60.00

Savo, S. Dak. Mar 16, 1906 postmark (Doane 2-1) on cover

Shelby (1883//1886) - NKC The Shelby post office was open the first time from Jun 1, 1883 to Oct 7, 1884 with Andrew J. Stone-burner was its first postmaster. Mail was sent to Columbia after the first closure. The office was open a second time from Dec 15, 1884 to Nov 11, 1886, with mail being sent to Detroit after the sec-ond closure. No reference could be found regarding why the office was named Shelby. Postmaster Compensation: Charles Rolf 1885 $24.05

Stratford (1906-1986) The Stratford post office was open for eighty years, from Aug 9, 1906 to Feb 15, 1986 with Blanche M. Lynch as its first postmaster. Mail was sent to Ab-erdeen for processing after closure. (1) The town was founded on land owned by a pioneer real estate firm called the Floete, Cory, Bemis and Company. When the Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad built a line through the site, officials of the road purchased the land for a town from this company and in con-junction with the real estate firm selected the name Stratford from the list of names submitted. (4) Postmaster Compensation: Blanche M. Lynch 1907 $149.00 Alfred T. Bergstrom 1909 $568.00 Aage T. Jessen 1911 $610.00

Stratford, S. Dak. Jun 16, 1910 standard post-mark with 4-bar killer on postcard

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Tacoma Park (1914-1951)

The post office at Tacoma Park was open from Apr 13, 1914 to Dec 31, 1951 with Edmund A. Stephen-son as its first postmaster. Mail was sent to Colum-bia upon closure. (1) The town took its name from the park in which it is situated. (4) The site of Ta-coma Park was first homesteaded by an eccentric pioneer, Tom James. Old settlers claimed that James named his wooded claim Tacoma Park after Tacoma, Washington, although no one else consid-ered it a park at the time. (2) Tacoma Park was built to be a resort and it served as one from 1890 into the 1930’s. By 1895, the Farm-ers Alliance established the Tacoma Park Associa-tion. It became the central resort for a large area, the Great Northern running hourly trains from Aber-deen at the height of the chautauqua and carnival seasons. Lots were leased for ninety-nine years, and many summer homes were built in the shade of a grove of trees. By 1914, the resort was so popular that a general store was built and a post office com-missioned. Soon after that, an elevator was added to the businesses in order to take advantage of the ex-cellent rail service. (3) The Populist Party had many meetings in the hall built on the park grounds. Large open-air meetings drew thousands of people. Visitors came by team, train, and early automobile to enjoy the carnivals, chautauquas, nightly dances and summer theatre, accompanied by the customary stands and a merry go-round. The hard times of the 1930’s, the recur-ring floods on the river, and the greater freedom af-forded by the automobile, in combination, brought the demise of the resort. A few homes at Tacoma Park are still occupied (1980). (3)

Tacoma Park, S. Dak. Aug 29, 1944 standard postmark with 4-bar killer on 1c Presidential series adhesive on postcard

Verdon (1887-1982) The post office at Verdon was established Jun 14, 1887 with James F. Neilan as its first postmaster. It was officially discontinued on Oct 1, 1982 with mail to Conde; however, all services were terminated prior to official discontinuance. (1) The town was platted in 1886 and was named for the town and river in France at about the same time as Conde and Ferney, near-by towns, which were also given French names, presumably by the French wife of a railroad official. How Verdon came to be spelled with an “o” is uncertain, as the French city is Ver-dun. (4) Postmaster Compensation: James F. Neilan 1889 $379.06 Ezra Elliott 1891 $391.18 Ezra Elliott 1893 $506.49 Ezra Elliott 1895 $367.97 Ezra Elliott 1897 $403.91 Ezra Elliott 1899 $422.64 Ezra Elliott 1901 $424.10 Hattie L. Elliott 1903 $396.61 Hattie L. Elliott 1905 $523.01 Hattie L. Elliott 1907 $671.00 Hattie L. Elliott 1909 $664.00 Oscar N. Anderson 1911 $560.00

Verdon, Dak. 8/29/1887 manuscript postmark with pen killer on government postal card to Wisconsin. This postmark is a little over two months after the office was established.

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Verdon, Dak. Dec 3, 1888 standard 27mm plain circle postmark with bullseye killer on pink cover with corner card of local merchant

Verdon, S. Dak. Oct 19, 1898 statehood post-mark with bullseye killer on 2c Trans-Mississippi commemorative adhesive, corner card of physicians/surgeons in Verdon

R.F.D. Apr 12, 1907 Verdon, S. Dak. Post-mark on postcard (Richow RFD type 2F-1)

Warner (1881-Open) The Warner post office was established Jun 9, 1881 with Charles N. Cooper as its first postmaster. It is still in operation. (1) The town was named, accord-ing to old-timers, for an early settler, Warren Tar-box. Why the name Warren became Warner (from Warren) is not known, based on Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve and her book South Dakota Geo-graphic Names. (4) A more likely explanation for the town’s name is that it was named for Dakota Territorial governor Nehemiah Ordway’s hometown of Warner, New Hamphire, as he was governor from 1880-1884 when the town was founded. (5) Postmaster Compensation: Charles N. Cooper 1883 $240.04 Niles I. Gilbert 1885 $421.51 Charles N. Cooper 1887 $293.51 Niles I. Gilbert 1889 $372.22 Niles I. Gilbert 1891 $473.64 John M. Moriarty 1893 $475.54 John Breidenbach 1895 $286.36 William Bain 1897 $254.71 William Bain 1899 $320.59 August E. Berg 1901 $328.05 Bion W. Estey 1903 $375.78 Bion W. Estey 1905 $348.90 Alexander L. Williams 1907 $410.00 Alexander L. Williams 1909 $463.00 Alexander L. Williams 1911 $430.00

Warner, Dak. Nov 21, 1882 postmark with serifed (Roman) letters and bullseye killer ty-ing 3c green banknote adhesive on yellow cover to Minnesota

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Warner, Dak. Mar 20, 1883 standard 27mm plain circle postmark with bullseye killer on 3c green banknote adhesive on cover

Warner, Dak. Rec’d Aug 7, 1889 postmark with bullseye killer; unusual use of received handstamp as mailing postmark.

Two examples of statehood postmarks from Warner: Apr 8, 1900 with cork killer and Type 2B RFD marking from Feb 25, 1903

Westport (1882-Open) The post office at Westport was established May 22, 1882 with Frank E. Hemstreet as its first postmaster. The office is still open. (1) The town was named for a Milwaukee railroad official. (4) Postmaster Compensation: Frank E. Hemstreet 1883 $225.45 Frank C. Bailey 1885 $413.78 Murray Dickey 1887 $377.36 O.A. Dickey 1889 $372.22 O.A. Dickey 1891 $250.83 O.A. Dickey 1893 $296.01 O.A. Dickey 1895 $214.39 Ferdinand C. Benjamin 1897 $228.40 Ferdinand C. Benjamin 1899 $246.14 Ruth A. Denison 1901 $287.26 Hans A. Nording 1903 $307.44 Hans A. Nording 1905 $298.33 Hans A. Nording 1907 $372.00 Hans A. Nording 1909 $477.00 Hans A. Nording 1911 $430.00

Westport, Dakota. Sep 8, 1882 postmark with bull-seye killer on government postcard to Aberdeen

Westport, Dak. May 14, 1883 postmark

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Westport, Dakota. Nov 12, 1883 postmark with negative star in circle killer on govern-mental postal card to Aberdeen, Dak.

Westport, Dakota. Mar 10, 1888 double circle postmark with bullseye killer on corner card cover from merchant in Wesport to Illinois

Westport, S. Dak. Rec’d Feb 5, 1894 with ad-ditional strikes canceling the two 1c Colum-bian issue adhesives on cover to Pennsylvania

Westport, S. Dak. Feb 4, 1901 postmark with quartered cork killer on cover with 2c red ad-hesive and several strikes of return address handstamp “W. G. Preston, Hillsview S. D.”. Hillsview was in neighboring McPherson County, but well to the west, near Eureka, so it is not clear why the sender would have mailed this cover from Westport instead of a closer office.

Two examples of Westport, S. Dak. Post-marks: the upper one being a Mar 31, 1910 standard postmark with 4-bar killer and the lower being a different type 4-bar ro Sep 2, 1920

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Yorkville (1879-1883) The Yorkville post office was the first in Brown County, being established Jul 30, 1879 with Charles R. Foster as its first postmaster. It was discontinued on Feb 2, 1883 with mail to Bath. (1) The book Early History of Brown County South Dakota pro-vides some good information on this office…The first post office in Brown County was located at Yorkville. William York came to Dakota Territory in the spring of 1878 and settled on a claim on the James River. There was a ferry crossing at this point operated by the government of the United States. The York family built a log house from the trees along the river. It consisted of a grocery store, a hotel and the United States Post Office. Hubbard E. Hosley assisted at the first post office the winter of 1880-81. He traveled about four miles on snow shoes in order to secure enough food for himself and his son, William, who was seven years old at the time. (2) Postmaster Compensation: Mrs. Eliza A. York 1881 $49.19

Yorkville, Dec 30 (1879) manuscript postmark at left of cover, with additional “Foster City, D. T. 12/31/79” marking and pen cancel on 3c banknote adhesive on cover to Massachu-setts. In addition, this cover has a nice early corner card from M. S. James & Co., Rich-mond, Brown Co., Dakota. Perhaps the post-master at Yorkville (Eliza York) was out of postage stamps, thus the additional marking at Foster City when the 3c adhesive was ap-plied.

Yorkville, Dakota Jan 20 (1880) manuscript postmarked cover to Massachusetts

Yorkville, Brown Co., Dak. Jun 4, 1881 serifed oval postmark with bullseye killer on cover to Massachusetts.

References: 1.) Patera, Alan H., John S. Gallagher, and Kenneth W. Stach, South Dakota Post Offices, The Depot, Lake Grove, OR, (1990), 400 pages. 2.) Brown County Territorial Pioneer Committee, Early History of Brown County South Dakota, North Plains Press, Aberdeen, SD, (1965), 208 pages. 3.) History Committee of Brown County Museum and Historical Society, Brown County History, North Plains Press, Aberdeen, SD (1980), 594 pages. 4.) Sneve, Virginia Driving Hawk, South Dakota Geographic Names, 1973, Brevet Press, Sioux Falls, SD, 639 pages. 5.) Robinson, Doane, Encyclopedia of South Da-kota, 1925, Will A. Beach Printing Co., Sioux Falls, SD, 1003 pages.

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Contents of the Cover By Ken Stach

Figure 1. “Custer Massacre at Big Horn, Montana” - June 25, 1876, artist unknown, from the Wikipedia website.

Students of the American West, the settlement of the frontier, and those interested in the plight of the Native Americans all recognize the date of June 25, 1876 as one of particular significance. For it was on that summer’s day, little more than a week before our nation’s centennial celebration, that “Custer’s Last Stand” began near the Little Bighorn River in eastern Montana Territory, near what is now Crow Agency, MT. Also known as the Battle of the Little Bighorn (the Natives Americans referred to it as the Battle of Greasy Grass Creek), this armed engage-ment was between a combined force of the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne with the 7th Cavalry of the United States Army.

The battle was the most famous action of the Great Sioux War of 1876-77, and was a remarkable vic-tory for the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne, led by Chief Sitting Bull. The U.S. Seventh Cavalry, in-cluding a column of 700 men led by George Arm-strong Custer, was defeated. Five of the 7th Cav-alry's companies were annihilated and Custer him-self was killed, as were two of his brothers and a brother-in-law.

In this installment of “Contents of the Cover”, we have a cover (illustrated in Figure 2) postmarked from Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory (near present-day Bismarck, ND) on the day the Battle of the Little Big Horn began...June 25, 1876. There are numerous interesting comments throughout the letter, including plans to celebrate the 4th of July; however, the highlight is most certainly the notation that “We hear nothing from the expedition”, refer-ring to the 7th Cavalry’s ill-fated excursion that summer. That comment takes on extra significance, as it was from Fort Abraham Lincoln that Custer and the 7th had departed on May 17. The letter, in its entirety, is provided below, with bold face type used to emphasize areas of particular interest.

Ft A. Lincoln D.T. June 24 My Dear Nellie, I have been almost distracted for the last three or four days, or ever since I stopped using tobacco. It seems as though every tooth in my head kept aching continually and neurolgia comes in to help it along, and add to the intensity of the thing. I have stood

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Figure 2. Postmarked “Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dak. Jun 25” with enclosed letter dating this cover to 1876...the day of “Custer’s Last Stand”. George Armstrong Custer and the 7th Cavalry left this fort on May 17, 1876 in pursuit of the Lakota and Cheyenne warriors. Colonel William McCaskey, in this letter to his wife, notes “We hear nothing from the expedition.”

out against it for a week and can easily overcome the vices of tobacco. The craving for something to eat is nearly over, but I am uneasy and want some-thing to do. It is pretty hot here and with perspira-tion and a good bath each morning I hope to get some of the nicotine out of my system. Dr says it was all toxicity of the liver and poor digestion brought about by heat and excessive use of tobacco. I have been trying to settle my nerves with whiskey and quinine & c. Perhaps you will think the rem-edy is as bad as the tobacco - but I don’t think I should ever come to drink much. I do want to get my teeth fixed one of these days and if there was nothing else to call can’t it would pay in trust. I am getting quite thin – weigh about 140 now, but when I get to see you I’ll come to gain again I suppose. The Indians we were to have for breakfast the other morning didn’t put in an appearance, so we didn’t get a chance to distinguish ourselves - have Lt. Ogle sleep in his camp on the hill - my horses and other soldiers in good shape to see Mr. Indian. We just received news how the 4th is to be cele-brated at the posts – 13 guns at sunrise – national salute at noon & 13 at sunset – to which the Com-manding Officer may add any appropriate cere-

mony. Can attend civic entertainments if invited & c. Besides the firing of guns – we will probably have a little fun for the men – such as races – with socks over their heads – greased pig & greased pole – and such other appropriate North American games. A little friendly target – and good dinners – our time is almost 1 hour & 35 minutes earlier you - so where it is half past one with you – it will be 12 with us – consequently you can imagine us – shoot-ing off our 4” at that time but I suppose you will be having such a grand time and seeing so much that you will have but little time to think of us. Whenever I think of it I am so glad that you are east and having a good opportunity to see things. You know no after you have seen all. I am almost satis-fied. I haven’t much curiosity but always want you to see, for you do enjoy it and it is more pleasure to me to give you pleasure than enjoy it myself. I don’t know that I shall remain east after I come. I only want you and one lace is as good as another to me there. I will have made enough to pay for my clothes by the way for the short time I will be east. I think I can buy ready made clothing that will fit well enough. What do you think? I was going to have

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Figure 3. George Armstrong Custer, Officer of the Federal Army, ca 1860-65, Brady National Photo-graphic Art Gallery

“We hear nothing from the expedition.”

you attend to this, but perhaps it would give you too much trouble. When in Phila you could find out at some of the large stores there – Wanamaker & Browns – send a suit – or suits – such as you would like me to wear until I come out I can send you the measures if you remain east until I come you could get them there – but if not then at Mabley’s – if you go home I want a pair of boots from Fipfe’s – and will await your word to this and I give you full instructions. I want some changes made in the measure by numbers. I don’t need much else – Lyon made me a large white hat – like the Cmdrs – got the pattern from Capt Bradley – it is quite a hat and may save me a sunstroke – was made from a bedsack – as a matter of course I don’t expect you to buy me anything until I send you the money – but only to cover amount & let me know. I have already drawn from pay – and just have almost enough here to pay my mess bill – give me a statement of your finan-cial condition and how long you can hold out. Mr. Haslemont left us Thursday night for Bismarck – next morning sent me word that the man who stole his gun & money was captured and on his way to Aber-crombie. I was glad to hear it. The thermometer sums up to about 90 in the shade – grass getting brown al-ready from the affects of the sun – time is passing along as furiously as we can expect – and I hope inside of 6 or 8 months to met you somewhere east of the Missis-sippi. We hear nothing from the expedition. Didn’t receive anything from you by east mail – and write this on Saturday in advance of the mail which comes in tonight. Hope to get a letter and will con-clude this for mail going out tomorrow morning. My length of stay east will entirely depend upon you. If you want to stay, I will, otherwise not – and probably a couple months will be all that I will want. I an’t afford to be away long on half pay and if I have to pay Fan-ning & Sullivan, I’ll not go at all, or only take a month or so as to escort you back if you are ready to come. I enjoy being east some, but the principal reason is to be with you so you can make what our arrangements re-garding our future you wish, and I’ll fall into them – two weeks to a month is all I should want east of De-troit. I wouldn’t know what to do with more. I sent you a letter from Lord in anyone to one (?). I sent him for passes – he got me two – one to go & one to return – he was very good and they help a poor fellow enormously.

June 25 Will write at length today in answer to your letter from Ocean Grove, but as I have so many letters to return to you, as you desire – will have to make two packages of them. In this I send you Jack & Ellen’s letters, one from Mr. Lord, Martha’s, Mr Posts, and Mr. Canfields I send all these as you seem to desire them – I believe they con-firm all you have sent me. With much love to all – Ever Yours Will

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DPHS Annual Meeting

Mark your calendars! The annual meeting of the Dakota Postal His-tory Society will be held in conjunction with the SD State Coin and Stamp Show the morning of

May 3rd, 2009

over breakfast beginning at 8:30 am in the restaurant

at the Best Western Ram-kota hotel in Watertown

Please plan to attend (spouses and guests are welcome to attend as well).

Wanted

Postal History items related to Pembina County ND. I am trying to assemble a group for exhibit and am just starting out. I espe-cially need Territorials and Ad-vertising Covers, but all items are considered.

Randy Nilson P.O. Box 740561 Arvada, CO. 80006 Email—[email protected] Member — APS, GPS, TRSG, MPHS, SCC and DPHS.

Announcing

“The Gordon Twedt Memorial Award for an Article on Dakota Postal History”

Open to anyone who is a member of the Society. Any research pertaining to the postal history of the Dakotas, North or South. Deadline is De-cember 31, 2009. Send articles to Dakota Col-lector, P.O. Box 600039 St. Paul, MN. 55106. The judges of this contest will be Gary Ander-son, Doug Wick and Ken Stach. The winner will have their article published in the Dakota Collec-tor and receive a $100 cash prize. It was decided at the annual meeting in 2004 in Sioux Falls that this award would be continued and come out of the club treasury since it was such a success. All previous winners have donated their prize back to the Society. We hope that this will continue to be a successful contest.

dakota collector april 2009 - dakota postal history society

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