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The South Dakota State Historical Society: The First Seventy Years SOCIETY EVALUATION COMMITTEE An Evaluation Committee was appointed for the purpose of making a candid survey of the South Dakota State Historical Society in terms of its achievements as well as its weaknesses. The committee examined the organizational and functional relationships of history organizations in neighboring and Missouri River states, the South Dakota statutes with respect to the powers and the responsibilities of the society, all pertinent records and reports relating to the quality of the performance of the society, and the proposed plan of tlie State Planning Agency for the establishment of a Department of Cultural Preservation. An opinion poll was conducted of society and nonsociety members throughout the state for their views on the effectiveness of the society. Random opinions were also solicited at history meetings in Madison, Rapid City, and Vermillion, and statements were obtained from past and present presidents and secretaries of the society. While there are no specific standards developed for performance measurements within the state government structure, it is feasible to compare the South Dakota State Historical Society's organization, functions, and effectiveness with those systems employed in other states. The committee took a new look at the society to examine what its future direction should be, how it could better serve the people of South Dakota, what tasks it should do that it does not now do, and what functions it now performs that could be performed better. The correspondence and the records used in tlie preparation of this report are on file in the office of the director of the South Dakota State Historical Society. Copyright © 1972 by the South Dakota State Historical Society. All Rights Reserved.

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Page 1: The South Dakota State Historical Society: The First Seventy Years · 2016-08-22 · The First Seventy Years 409 Museum, and the director of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

The South Dakota StateHistorical Society: The

First Seventy YearsSOCIETY EVALUATION COMMITTEE

An Evaluation Committee was appointed for the purpose ofmaking a candid survey of the South Dakota State HistoricalSociety in terms of its achievements as well as its weaknesses.The committee examined the organizational and functionalrelationships of history organizations in neighboring andMissouri River states, the South Dakota statutes with respect tothe powers and the responsibilities of the society, all pertinentrecords and reports relating to the quality of the performanceof the society, and the proposed plan of tlie State PlanningAgency for the establishment of a Department of CulturalPreservation. An opinion poll was conducted of society andnonsociety members throughout the state for their views on theeffectiveness of the society. Random opinions were alsosolicited at history meetings in Madison, Rapid City, andVermillion, and statements were obtained from past and presentpresidents and secretaries of the society.

While there are no specific standards developed forperformance measurements within the state governmentstructure, it is feasible to compare the South Dakota StateHistorical Society's organization, functions, and effectivenesswith those systems employed in other states. The committeetook a new look at the society to examine what its futuredirection should be, how it could better serve the people ofSouth Dakota, what tasks it should do that it does not now do,and what functions it now performs that could be performedbetter. The correspondence and the records used in tliepreparation of this report are on file in the office of the directorof the South Dakota State Historical Society.

Copyright © 1972 by the South Dakota State Historical Society. All Rights Reserved.

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408 South Dakota History

THE FINDINGSThe 1901 South Dakota Legislature passed House Bill 10

and established the Department of History and under the sametitle, the South Dakota State Historical Society. Section threeof the bill states that "the administration of the duties of saiddepartment is hereby vested in and conferred upon tlie statehistorical society, duly organized on the 23rd day of January,1901, its officers and members and their duly qualifiedsuccessors." The act vested in the Executive Committee the fullpower of administrating the affairs of the society and prescribedthat the secretary be elected by the Executive Committee; thatthe governor, secretary of the society, secretary of state, stateauditor, and eleven trustees of the society comprise theExecutive Committee; that the state treasurer shall be treasurerof the society; that all funds of the society be paid into thestate treasury and disbursed on vouchers prescribed by thestate; that the Executive Committee may adopt bylaws for thegovernment of the society not inconsistent with the laws of thestate; and, that the secretary shall make a biennial report to thegovernor.

The Department of History was further defined and the1901 law was reconfirmed in chapter 1-18 o( the South DakotaCompiled Laws ( 1967). The relationship between theDepartment of History and the society was again outlined-"theadministration of such department shall be vested in the StateHistorical Society, as organized and now existing, its officersand members and their duly qualified successors." The classesof members, membership dues, and the term of office for themembers of the Executive Committee was also established. Thesecretary of the society was to be selected and appointed by theExecutive Committee for a term of six years and. by virtue ofthe office, would also be the superintendent of the Departmentof History. The society was to be responsible for the completeconduct of the Department of History.

In chapter 1-19 the role of the society was expanded toinclude the supervision of his tor ic sites and monuments.The sites accepted by the legislature were to be supervised bythe society for the people of the state. In chapter 1-20 the StateArchaeological Commission was defined and the secretary ofthe society, the director of the University of South Dakota

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Museum, and the director of the South Dakota School of Minesand Technology Museum were to compose the commission.

A brief history of the South Dakota State Historical Societyis contained in the Wi-iyohi 21, no. 3(1 June 1967). The eventsof special importance since 1967 are explained in the findingsof this report. An opinion of the attorney general is attached asAppendix A.

Statements from neighboring and Missouri River statehistory organizations are summarized as follows:Kansas

Kansas has never had a Department of History or a statehistorian. The Kansas State Historical Society, organized in187 5 initially as a private corporation, is recognized by andfunded largely by the legislature and is the agency given soleresponsibihty for all the history functions and serviceswithin the state. It is also recognized as an official stateagency. Its functions include administration of historic sitesand the Historic Preservation Program. Because of thisunfettered situation, the Kansas State Historical Society hasbeen able to function efficiently and to serve the people ofthe state and nation effectively in a nonpartisan manner.The society utilizes its funds efficiently since it alone ischarged with the responsibility for all historic functions. Itreports directly to the governor; and the officers, includingthe executive director, are elected by the board of directorswho in turn are elected by the members of the society.

NebraskaThe Nebraska Department of History and Nebraska StateHistorical Society is the Department of History of the stategovernment. This system was provided by law in 1893. Thesociety members provide volunteer service and donate fundsto the state. The letter from Nebraska states that "the mostactive State Departments of History are in such States asKansas, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin where the StateHistorical Society is the State History Department. Wewould consider the action of removing the Department ofHistory from the jurisdiction of the State Historical Societyvery much against the best interest of your State and couldresult in the ehmination of your Soeiety for all practical

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4îO South Dakota History

purposes. Such action would in effect make the position ofState Historian a political appointee." The HistoricPreservation Program is a function of the Nebraska StateHistorical Society.

WisconsinThe State Historical Society of Wisconsin is both amembership corporation and an official agency of the state.Founded in 1846, it is older than the state and is thenation's oldest state historical society. In Wisconsin thesociety is the Department of History. The society's recordof public service since 1846 is the best possible argumentthat could be cited in favor of having one agency with primeresponsibility for all state-supported historical activities inthe state. Wisconsin went through a very thoroughreorganization four years ago, and the society wasmaintained as an independent agency. A study was made ofthe problems resulting from the separation of the MichiganState Historical Society and the Department of Historywhere the result had the most deleterious effect. The letterfurther states that the separation proposed by the SouthDakota State Planning Agency would be a step backward atjust the precise moment when more effective state historicalagencies are needed, not fragmentation of a state's effortand resources.

MontanaThe overall control of state historical functions is under thesupervision of the Montana Historical Society, whichreports to the Department of Education. The HistoricPreservation Program is a function of the parks andrecreation branch of the Fish and Game Division. There isno Department of History or state historian. The society isfunded by both state appropriations and private sources.

MinnesotaIn Minnesota the historical society and the Department ofHistory are one and the same-a blend of a state agency andan independent institution. The board of the societyprovides a statewide base of support as well as an insulation

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from political influence. This freedom from politicalinfluence is an essential ingredient for such a program—thefreedom to interpret the past. The state historian is aprofessional, not a political appointee. The letter citedWisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, andOregon as among those having historical societies thatsupervise the history functions and have the best historyprograms in the nation. The writer then compared the statessubject to political appointments, which have weak tomediocre programs, and concluded by saying that the stateshaving the best programs are those subject to independentboards. And "the proposal to have the State Historianappointed by the Governor is misguided and the proposal toremove the administration of the South Dakota StateDepartment of History from the jurisdiction of the StateHistorical Society is ill advised and unwise in the extreme.These proposals reveal an obsession to tidy up stategovernment into neat departments and organized charts.They are narrowly conceived and only view the problemfrom the governor's office. What difference will they makein the quality of a State's Historical program? Do theyremove the public service farther from or bring it closer tothe people? These are the questions these proposals shouldbe measured against."

WyomingWyoming has a Department of Archives and History, andthe director is appointed by a nine-man board, which inturn is appointed by the governor. The director is also thesecretary of the society, which is entirely private and withno legal function or status. The Historic PreservationProgram is administered by tlie Wyoming RecreationCommission.

MissouriMissouri does not have, and never has had, a Department ofHistory or a state historian. The acquisition, restoration,and preservation of historic sites is under the jurisdiction ofthe State Park Board. No mention is made of peopleparticipation in historic functions, pubhcations, or archives.

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IowaThe Department of History and Archives, the Iowa StateHistorical Society, and the State Conservation Commissionare separate and equal state agencies established by the IowaCode. Each reports directly to the governor. Theycoordinate their activities to the extent each desires. TheHistoric Preservation Program is administered through theoffice of the state archaeologist, who is located at theUniversity of Iowa and reports to the Board of Regents.

MichiganIn Michigan there is a History Division that functions underthe Bureau of State Services and, in turn, under the deputysecretary of state. The state archives, publications andresearch, state history museum, and the operation of onehistoric house are functions of the Michigan HistoryDivision. There is a separate Michigan State HistoricalSociety, which until 1963 exercised direct supervision overthe state's history functions. There is little communicationin the present arrangement between people of the state andthe Michigan History Division, buried as it is in theDepartment of State with several other unrelatedresponsibilities.

North DakotaThe State Historical Society of North Dakota is an agencyof the state and is a sister service of the State Park Service.Both are under direct control of the govemor, and thisoccurred in 1963 when a split similar to that proposed bythe South Dakota State Planning Agency took place. Thepresent society is not a "society" in the sense that citizensof the state may obtain membership in the interest of stateor local history. Rather, it is a board of sixteen membersand a superintendent, funded entirely by the legislature. Ithas all the functions of a state department of history andwith time these functions will no doubt stabilize as fullresponsibilities of the society. There is political andpromotional interference as well as some strife andjurisdictional problems. The letter states that a new law has

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delineated the functions of the society and the State ParkService. Prior to 1963, there was a North Dakota StateHistorical Society privately chartered with voluntarymembership. This is now named the North DakotaHistorical Society, Incorporated, but it has no legalconnection with the reformed sixteen member board,known as the North Dakota State Historical Socle ty,administered by the governor: furthermore, it has no legalstatus, real function, financial base, or people relatedprograms.

Statements were requested from all living presidents andsecretaries of the South Dakota State Historical Society fortheir views on the effectiveness of the society. They were askedto include the accomplishments and the higlilights, as well asthe shortcomings, that occurred during their tenure of office.An analysis of their reports is as follows:1. There was unanimous opinion that the South Dakota State

Historical Society has been instrumental in developing thehistorical resources of the state.

2. By the preservation of the historical resources of the stateand nation and by its promotion of a continuingreexamination of the past, the society has created a desireon the part of the citizens of South Dakota for a tie to thepast as they face the problems and the prospects of thepresent and future.

3. The society has from its beginning in 1901 fostered a wideappreciation of the American heritage with particularemphasis on the collection, advancement, and disseminationof knowledge of the history of South Dakota and the upperGreat Plains area.

4. One of the most significant services of the society has been,and continues to be, the major assistance provided to thesixty or more county and local history organizations. Thelocal organizations are dedicated to all functions of historyfrom the development ; of museums and the preservation ofsites to the publication of county and local histories.Lasting gains are made by the society working closely withthe local societies and being available to aid in their

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projects. The benefits are mutual, with the state society alsoreceiving dedicated assistance. A listing of the localhistorical societies in South Dakota is attached as AppendixB.

5. The society has experienced a gradual increase inmembership, which now exceeds 1,600.

6. There continues to be an increasing public demand for thesociety's services, such as library resources, microfilms,historical markers, workshops, and reproductions ofdocuments and photos; and, some 10,000 pieces of mail and5,500 telephone calls are received annually. The staffattends numerous meetings over the state and at theregional and national level. In addition, directors haveserved on such commissions as the Mount RushmoreMemorial, the Bicentennial Commission, the HistoricPreservation Program, and the War Memorial.Despite the drawbacks of an austere budget, most agreed

that the society has made substantial accomplishments over theyears. Budgets for surrounding states range from ten to twentytimes the annual budgeted amount of the South Dakota StateHistorical Society.

THE OPERATIONS OF THE SOCIETYThe society has had four full-time secretaries since it was

founded in 1901. The first secretary was Doane Robinson whoserved until 1925. His greatest contribution to South Dakotahistory is, perhaps, the institution of the hardcover publicationSouth Dakota Historical Collections. Twelve volumes werepublished during his term of office including his "History of theSioux" in volume II. The society initiated or operated a numberof services important to the people of South Dakota that werenot directly related to history, and among these were theDivision of Vital Statistics, the South Dakota State Library, theSouth Dakota Conservation Commission, a LegislativeReference Library, the Free Library Commission, the SouthDakota Census, and the South Dakota Hydro-electricCommission. Some of these services have evolved into agenciesthat still exist within the state government but under othernames. Another project undertaken by Doane Robinson was theestablishment of a $75,000 fund from patriotic citizens for aWar Memorial.

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Upon retirement Doane Robinson was succeeded byLawrence K. Fox. his assistant, who arranged for the use of theWar Memorial fund and some appropriated funds for theconstruction of the present memorial building in Pierre in 1932.The land on which the building is located was obtained fromthe Chicago and North Western Railway Company. The statesupreme court filed an opinion dated 8 June 1945, and the stateaccepted the deed for the railway property and accepted thecondition that the structure be used as a memorial and housethe Department of History and the South Dakota StateHistorical Society. Recently reconditioned, it looks much as itdid when it was first opened. Suitable in 1932, the memorialbuilding can not house any further expansion.

Lawrence Fox resigned in 1945 and was succeeded by WillG. Robinson. He spent considerable effort the first year inrepairing the building and improving the organization andutilization of the space. There had been a tremendousaccumulation of newspapers since 1902. He made a specialeffort to collect missing issues throughout the state and then tobind and store this wealth of material. The result is that thesociety now has all of the newspapers of the state that areavailable, and they are on microfilm, making this one of thegreatest assets of the society. This newspaper collection and thehistoric marker program are among the outstanding higlilightsand long-range contributions made by the society during WillRobinson's tenure of office.

The present historic marker program, covering about 360sites, began in 1929 with the adoption of the very finealuminum steel type with a bronze finish. The cost of the entireprogram is shared proportionally as follows:1. individual contributions 53%2. Highway Department 30%3. The society 17%

When Will G. Robinson retired in 1968, Dayton W. Canadaybecame secretary and, as did all his predecessors, he serves alsoas director of the Department of History. Canaday has made thecreation of a primary research center the first objective of thesociety. Countless hours have been spent by the staff pullingscattered materials together so that these materials will beavailable for research purposes. Cataloging is of primeimportance and requires the experience and talents of a

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professional librarian. Using the Library of Congress system,20,300 new cards for this collection have already beenprepared. An inventory of the library's major holdings isattached as Appendix C.

The State Museum facilities and displays have been broughtto a high standard of excellence in recent years. Outstandingexamples are the new Verendrye Plate exhibit, the pioneercabin display, and several other cases showing the role of theSioux Indians, the fur trade, and the military on the prairie andthe coming of the settlers to South Dakota. An inventory of themajor holdings in the State Museum is attached as Appendix D.Children and tourists from across the nation visit the museumor write in with both simple and overwhelming requests. Allrequests are served with as much information as can be providedwithin reason and economy. Every letter is answered and. wherepossible, source material is listed, which can be found in thelocal hbraries. More scholarly information is distributed tothose writing books or doing thesis work for advanced degrees.

The census files of the society have become a prime sourceof information for those applying for Medicare, Social Security,and veteran's benefits. Proof of birth is a prerequisite forapplication under all of these programs. The society has beenreceiving an average of five requests daily for informafion.

A genealogy section has also been established. It includesgenealogy material previously stored in the main hbrary, thecollection of manuscripts on the pioneer daughters, cemeteryrecords, city business directories, and city telephone books.With these sources the genealogist has material he needs to servethe public and to do private research.

The society's archives contains manuscript material and theofficial correspondence of the governors. The archives housesthe public papers of such men as Mellette, Crawford, Vessey,Lee, Elrod, Norbeck, Byrne, Sharpe, Mickelson, Herseth, Foss,Gubbrud, and Boe. The private correspondence of AlbertTallman Free, Joseph Mills Hanson, and Wilham Blackburn, andthe papers of the Wessington Springs Academy are also in thecollection. A separate state document collection has been

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extablished where one copy of each state agency report ismaintained.

In January 1971 the society published the first issue ofSouth Dakota History. This new quarterly journal has broughtfavorable responses from across the country and subscriptionsfrom the major Ubraries, such as Cornell, University ofCalifornia, Newberry Library of Chicago, Stanford, andHarvard. The society also launched its first Oral HistoryProgram in 1971 in order to capture the stories of the earlysettlers. The society has assisted in the organization of therecently formed South Dakota Archaeological Society and theSouth Dakota Museum's Association. (A partial record of thepublications initiated and produced by the society is attached asAppendix E. and a schedule of the historic properties entrustedto the society for use by the people of the state and thenation is described in Appendix F. Also, Appendix G containsan inventory of the audio-visual materials owned by thesociety.)

PROPOSED CHANGES IN STRUCTUREThe State Planning Agency has recently proposed a

Department of Cultural Preservation with a director appointedby the govemor to serve at his pleasure. Under this appointeddirector there would be three departments with subdirectors foreach department. These subdirectors would include a statehistorian, a state archaeologist, and a state director of museums.This would make all departments political and subject to changeeach time the state government changed.

Two fields related to history need better staffing andprogram initiative. These fields are historic preservation andarchaeology. Both are being administrated by otherdepartments. In 1971 the Board of Historic Preservation passeda resolution requesting the transfer of the Historic PreservationProgram from the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks to theDepartment of History. The National Park Service has providedthe society with the following policy statement:

The National Park Service administers the grants program throughState Liaison Officers who nominate historic properties to theNational Register, prepare State Historic Preservation Plans, and

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submit all grant applications. If the State Attorney Generaldetermines that the State Department of History is the responsibleagency of the State of South Dakota for those purposes indicatedabove and set out in the act, the National Park Service wiJl, of course,deal with the State Department of History in the administration ofthe National Historic Preservation Act.

More funding is needed to develop a sound archaeologicalprogram.

An opinion poll was conducted by a professional firm usinga questionnaire. Through a random selection of 300 societymembers and 300 nonsociety citizens througliout the state, theviews on the organization and effectiveness of the South DakotaHistorical Society were acquired. The results of the poll areattached as Appendix H.

THE CONCLUSIONSThe South Dakota State Historical Society is a quasi-public

agency, which combines the benefits of a democratically basedprivate membership with a publicly supported program. Thelegislature sets forth, by statute, the society's meetingrequirements, terms, and procedures of elections of its officers,their specific responsibilities, and membership dues. Thelegislature does not do these things for private organizations. Bystatute also three constitutional officers, the governor, secretaryof state, and state auditor, are ex officio members of theExecutive Committee. The state treasurer is, by law, thesociety's treasurer and all funds of the society are deposited andadministered as state funds. All vouchers of the society and theDepartment of History are handled in the same manner as otherstate funds.

Supervision of the Department of History by the SouthDakota State Historical Society, through the ExecutiveCommittee as authorized by the South Dakota Code, providesgrassroots input and opinion into the affairs of the Departmentof History. Because of this the society has been able to functionefficiently and to serve the people of the state and nation in anonpartisan manner. This structure has been given broad publicsupport. The committee believes strongly that this is the onlyway an organization of this kind can function in the bestinterests of the public. This view is supported by the best and

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the most experienced members of the profession because noother state department, in any state, normally has to deal withthe unique problems and provide the services expected of ahistorical society or a department of history. Other departmentsare not geared to think or to function along this line. Afterexamining all the evidence and the facts bearing on this issue,we have found no better system than the present South DakotaState Historical Society, both quasi-official and independent, tocarry out the responsibilities for the state's historical functions.Most states that have placed their history departments undercontrol of another state department or have severed the controlof their state historical society, have found reason to regret themove because of higher financial costs, duplication of effort,lack of coordination, and removal of the grassroots interest inhistory by county and local history groups and members of thestate historical society. The society members provide a greatdeal of volunteer service to the state. They would not do so if aseparation was made. They also donate funds and make gifts tothe society for the benefit of the state.

After a detailed study of other state history organizations, itis the committee's opinion that the proposal made by the StatePlanning Agency to remove the Department of History from thejurisdiction of the South Dakota State Historical Society willnot advance the cause of history in South Dakota. The powergiven to the society by the legislature to select and appoint thesecretary, who also serves as director of the Department ofHistory, is a nonpolitical appointment for a term of six years.This is considered to be much superior to a system whereby thestate historian would be appointed by the governor in whichcase selection, being pohtical, would be limited to residents ofthe state only and the term could be as short as two years orless.

This committee asserts that any form of state historicalagency cannot succeed very well unless it is administered with afree hand by the best professional administrator or directoravailable. He should have good professional qualifications inhistory or anthropology or both. The agency, whatever it is,must have stability and continuity and security of tenure forfirst class administration. Preservation, interpretation, and

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development of historical resources are a long-term, slow-pullendeavor in which standards cannot be sacrificed. Therefore,the state's historical functions should not be limited ordictated in any way by political pressures. History has nobusiness in the political realm, except for research purposes.

After examining the needs of the society, the committeeconcludes that the most urgent requirement of the society itselfis space. If the society and its major responsibility, thetrusteeship of the Department of History are to continue togrow, consideration should be given now to the expansion ofthe physical plant facilities. The present building is at capacity.The memorial building site can accommodate an additionalbuilding with a connecting wing. The building should beconstructed so that it has proper space for all administrative andresearch facilities, with atmospheric controls and adequateroom for expansion. The present building is needed for museumpurposes. The growth in the citizen's interest in the history ofthe state, as evidenced by the rapid increase in the number ofcounty and local history organizations, will require increasedassistance and leadership at the state level.

THE RECOMMENDATIONSThe really strong historical agencies in the country that

operate programs commanding wide pubhc support are thesocieties patterned on the models developed in Kansas,Minnesota, Nebraska, and particularly, Wisconsin. Because theSouth Dakota State Historical Society is the nearest to thosemodels of all state organizations examined by this committee,we recommend that the Department of History, the StateMuseum, and all history functions of the state of South Dakotacontinue to operate under the supervision of the South DakotaHistorical Society and that the organization, structure, andduties continue as established by the 1901 Legislature and asdefined in the South Dakota Code.

We recommend that the South Dakota State HistoricalSociety be left as free as possible to operate in the best interestof the public and to preserve and make available the state'sheritage fairly and completely. We advise that its functions not

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be limited or dictated in any way by political pressures and thatthe administration of the Historic Preservation Program betransferred to the Department of History.

We recommend that all the activities that are conducted bythe state in the field of archaeology be made the responsibilityof and be placed under the administration and supervision ofthe Department of History and that the present South DakotaArchaeological Commission be replaced with a board ofprofessional archaeologists or otherwise qualified peopleappointed by the Department of History from a list of qualifiedcandidates supplied by the Archaeological Society of SouthDakota. The archaeology board would have direct professionalsupervision of the activities in archaeology. The board wouldinsure close liaison and cooperation with the other activities inthe Department of History, in the same manner as thecomparable board would supervise activities in historic sitepreservation for the state in the Department of History.

Also, the committee strongly recommends that plans bedeveloped now for the construction of a new building, with aconnecting wing to the memorial building, in order to meet theexpanding needs of the Department of History and the society.This is an urgent requirement.

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Appendix A

STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA

OFFICE OF

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

Pierre

May 2i, 1972

Dayton W. CanadySuperintendents. D. Department of HistoryPierre , South Dakota 57501

OFFICIAL OPINION NO. 72-28

South Dakota Department of Historyis a part of South Dakota Government(SDCL 1-18)

Uear Mr. Canady:

You have requested my opinion in answer to this question:

Is the State Department of History a privateorganization or a governmental agency when itis acting in accordance with the provisions ofSDCL 1-18, and acts amendatory thereof and sup-plemental thereto?

It is my opinion that the Department of History ia a department ofthe State of South Dakota. It is a governmental agency and not aprivate organization.

Section 1 of Chapter 135 of the Session Laws of 1901, provides!

There is hereby established the Department ofHistory of the State of South Dakota.

The title of said Chapter 135, Laws of 1901 provides:

An Act establishing the Department of Historyof the State of South Dakota and defining thepowers and duties of the State Historical Societyin connection therewith.

Since such 1901 enactment, the laws of South Dakota have been codi-fied under express direction of the Legislature. Such previous codesare the 1903, 1919 and 1939 Code. Our present Code of laws, desig-nated as the SOUTH DAKOTA COMPILED LAWS of 1967 ANNOTATED, commencedas a compilation, but was adopted by the South Dakota Legislature asthe code of lows for South Dakota by Chapter 17, Laws of 19 70.

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Dayton W, CanadyOFFICIAL OPINION NO. 72-28May 23 , 1972

Sec, 3259 of the Political Code of 1903 provided "The Departmentof History heretofore established in this state shall continue assuch." The identical language of such 1903 Code provision has re-mained in all South Dakota to this time. The same language appearsin SDCL 1-ia-l.

The Departawnt of History was created in 1901 as an entity of stategovernment. It remains the same, and is not a private organizationMuch of the confusion as to its identity arises because commencingwith Sec. 3 of Chapter 135, Laws of 1901, and appearing in SDCL1-18-3, that the administration of the duties of such Departmentof History is lodged in tiie State Historical Society (duly organizedon January 23, 1901), its officers and members and their duly quali-fied successors.

Wlien such State Historical Society, through its officers and members,is performing those duties required of the State Department of History,by Sec. 2 of Chapter 135, Laws of 1901, which now appear as SDCLl-ia-2, such activities are performed by an entity of state govern-ment.

Respectful

Attorney General

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424 South Dakota History

Appendix ^.-continued

EXECUTrVE BOARDELECTED MEMBERS

Ruben Lee. V.P . .Ha-.'ld Shunk .Huw;i[d Loiluoud . .Uxyd MoKIIH« Chut - . .CK I FiKhei . .Turn KitiinR.B. Swinbcte .Jimei Ctaham .E.D. Robeili . .

Itayion W. CiiDiretior

1 Hill. . . Slu,i,>

. Rapid Cily

..CeiiyibuigVtnnJIiun

. Rapid CiiyF[ PiEire

. . .Siüui FiüiSlUCI»!!

. . . MiJlciP«rrt

ladiy

EXECUTIVE BOARDEX-OFFICIO

Siuieorsuuih Dikuia

Almi Larson. Srcieuiy iil Sí;

Ar« Tilde hÜ5 22i.M'll

May 2 5 , 1972

Mr. Leonel .Jensen, PresidentThe South Dakota SCaCK Historical SocietyMemorial BuildingPierre, South Dakota 57501

Dear Mr. Jensen:

The Evaluation Committee, comprised of Harold Shunk, Tom Kilian andmyself, hereby transmits to you its report "The South Dakota StateHistorical Society: The First Seventy Years".

This report is submitted in compliance with the minutes of theExecutive Board meeting, South Dakota State Historical Society,dated January 31, 1972.

LRH:tep

Enclosure

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The First Seventy Years 425

Appendix B

South Dakota Local Historical Organizations

NanieAmerican Historical Society of Germans

from Russia, South Dakota ChapterBennett County Historical SodetyBig I oot Historical Societylîig Sioux Corral Westerner's InternationalBlack Hills Corral-Westerner's InternationalBlack Hills Pioneer AssociationBon Homme County Historical SocietyBrookings County Historical SocietyBrule County Historical SocietyButte County Historical SocietyCharles Mix County Historical SocietyClay County Historical SocietyClay County Old Settlers' AssociationCold Springs Historical SocietyCuster County Historical SocietyDakota Prairie Museum (Brown County)Dunham Historical SocietyEast Custer Historical SocietyFall River County Historical SocietyFaulk County Historical SocietyFreeman Historical SocietyFriends of the Middle BorderFriends of the W.H. Over Dakota MuseumGary Historical AssociationGrant County Historical SocietyGreater Sioux Falls Genealogical SocietyGregory County Historical SocietyJackson-Washabaugh County Historical SocietyJames Valley Historical SocietyKingsbury County Historical SocietyLac Qui Parle County Historical SocietyLake Counly Historical SocietyLake Norden Historical SocietyLawrence County Historical SocietyLyman County Historical Society\Ulbank Genealogical SocietyMinnehaha County Historical SodetyMinniiusa Historical AssociationMoody County Historical SocietyNorthern Oahe Historical SodetyOld Fort Meade Museum AssociationOld Stanley County Historical SodetyPierre Genealogical SodetyPioneer Qub of Western Soutb DakotaPotter County Historical SodetyPrairie Village Historical AssodationRapid City Society for Genealogical ResearchRevillo Genealogy SodetyRoberts County flistorical SocietySouth Dakota Memorial Aits Center

1972 Membership40

50503040

300225275

2068

1503001253080

225601375

40030

35018025

46524

2752525

12525

30020

150200

391001503007065

300427525

270752875

400

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426 South Dakota History

Appendix B-continued

South Dakota State University 91Museum and Heritage Center

Spink County Historical SocietyTripp County Historical SocietyWagner Historical SocietyWestern Studies Center (Augustana)West River Early Settlers' AssociationWinner Genealogical SocietyYankton County Historical Society

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 8,022

Appendix C

Inventory of the Major Holdings of the Library

Estimated Number

I. ArchivesA. Church Collections

1. Baptist Church2. Congregational Church3. Lutheran Church4. Mennonite Church5. Methodist Episcopal Church6. Presbyterian Church

B. College Collections1. Augustana CoUege2. Dakota Wesleyan University3. Lutheran Normal School4. Sioux Falls College5. South Dakota State University6. University of South Dakota7. Yankton College

C. Manuscripts and Personal Papers (items) 185,000II. Census Records

A. CensusCards 1905-1945 3,113,900B. Census Reports (bound) 106

in . GenealogyA. Cemetery Reports (battery of 1,650

four eight-drawer files depositedby WPA as part of the GravesRegistration Project)

B. City, County, and State 1,690Genealogical Histories

C. Cily Directories-South Dakota 25D. Family Histories 410E. Obituaries-Soutii Dakota 905F. Pioneer Daughters' CoLection 2,100

(donated by South Dakota FederatedWomen's Clubs)

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The First Seventy Years 427

Appendix C-continued

G. Telephone Directories-South Dakota 798IV. Gênerai

A. Books TOTAL 11,0001. Archaeology 752. Atlases-County (new) • 363. Atlases County (old) 1004. Cattie Industry5. Foreign-Canada, etc.

5060

6. Fur Trade 757. Indians-Sioux, etc. ' 8208. Mining 539. Miscellaneous-Histories of

Other States10. South Dakota-State and Territory 975

B. Periodicals1. Bound 8712. Unbound 2,220

V. Maps TOTAL 4.852A. Airline 8B. Black Hills and James River 78C. CanadaD. Cities-Other States

168

E. City Bird's EyeF. City Plat ' 2,800G. Civil War 35H. Contour-South Dakota, North 101

Dakota. Black HillsI. Counîy 60J. County Highway 80K. Dakota Territory 76L. Explorations I 17M. Foreign 55N. German-Russian 50. Miscellaneous 1 697P. Missouri River 273Q. Railroad 37R. South Dakola Sectional 127S. State Higliway (official) 58T. States-Other 80U. United States Geological Survey Topocraphical Books 200V. World War 11 33

VI. Organizational ProceedingsA. Ancient Order of Workmen 1904-1907B. Grand Council, Royal and

Select Masons 1917-1969C. Grand Lodge, AF & AM 1875-1970D. I.O.O.F. 1881-1952E. The Messenger- Sioux Falls 1926-1951

PenitentiaryF. North Dakota Grand Lodge (Masons) 1889-1941G. Odd Fellows World 19Ü3-1935H. Knights of Pythias Grand Lodge 1908-19481. Knights of Pylhias-ProcecdingsJ. Knights of Templar 1884-1969K. Royal Arch Masons 1885-1967L. Soulh Dakota Bar Association 1897-1972M. Wonien's Relief Corps Journal 1884-1968

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428 South Dakota History

Appendix C-continued.

VII. Public DocumentsA.

B.C.

Dakota Territory1.2.3.4.

5.

6.7.

Compiled Laws of Dakota 1887Constitutional Debates 1885, 1889Dakota Reports 1879-1891Dakota Territory Annual andBiennial Agency ReportsHouse and CouncilJoiimals 1862-1889(incomplete)Laws of Dakota 1862-1889Revised Code of Dakota 1877

Federal GovernmentSouth Dakota1.2.

3.

4.5.6.7.

8.9.

10.11.

12.

Annotated Statutes 1899Annual and BiennialAgency Report.sCompiled Laws ol South Dakota 1913

19291967

Governors' Messages 1889-1971House and Senate Journals 1890-1971Legislative ManualsLegislators' Handbook 1889-1971(incomplete)PubUc bocuments 1892-1918Revised Code of South Dakota 1903

1919Session Laws 1890-1971South Dakota Code 1939

1960suppl.Supreme Court Reports 1891-1971

126

31

25

171

900

21,995

22

1734943433

SO12

4742

85

Appendix D

An Inventory of the Major Holdings of the State Museum

Subject Area Estimated NumberA.B.C.D.E.F.G.H.LJ.K.

Archaeological ArtifactsBarbed WireBooksCeramics and GlassClothingDiaramaFlagsFrench Freedom TrainGerman and Japanese War Trophies and WeaponsHousehold I urnishingsJapanese Memorabilia

5,367200

5470

3021

30217

394234

50

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The First Seventy Years 429

Appendix D-continued

L.M.N.0.P.Q-R.S.T.U.V.

W.X.Y.Z.

AA.BB.CC.DD.

Memorabilia (paper)Mentor Giuham HouseMerchant Trade TokensModelsMusical InstrumentsOahe ChapelOffice Equipment (old) and ClocksPainlings, Sculpture, Prints, Reprcdiictions (museum)PhilippinesPlains IndiansPolitical Buttons, Medals, RibbonsBadges, etc.Portraits and Paintings (Capitol)Prints (Capitol)Sculpture (Capi(ol)Silver and PewterTextilesTools (metal)TransportationVerendrye Plate

73493

4354

44441

30200146685

1,809

7910

642

100300

62

Appendix E

The Publications of the Society

A Brief Outline of the History ofSouth Dakota (D. Robinson)

'1 utobiography of William HenryHarrison Beadle

Census Reports

Chardon 's Journal at Fort Clark,!834-lS39(ed.,\.U. Abel)

Constitutional DebatesThe Monthly South DakotanReview of Progress (D, Robinson)Source Materials in South Dakota History

of Education (W.M.H. Beadle)South Dakota Historical CollectionsSouth Dakota Historical Review (Quarterly)Sotiih Dakota Historv (Quarterly)Vital Statistics ReportsWfio's Who Among South Dakotans

(ed., L. Fox)Who's Who for South Dakota (ed., B. White)k'í-(>ü/ii (Monthly)World War I, ¡914-1918World War I!, ¡939-1945

1904

1906

1905, 1915, 1925,1 Û 1 <: 1 O J I ^

1932

1885,18891898-19041901-1926

1902-19701935-19371970-1906-19191924,1928

1956, 19611947-197019401946

1 volume

1 volume

5 volumes

1 volume

2 volumes7 volumes

26 issues3 issues

36 volumes2 volumes2 volumes

14 issues2 volumes

2 volumes24 volumes

1 volume1 volume

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430 Sou th Dako ta History

Appendix F

Inventory of Real Property and Historic Sites

Mentor Graham House Blunt House and landLots 13-16, Block 4Stebbins and Freelandsaddition

(Historic site-abode of Mentor Graham, schoolteacher of Abrham Lincoln atNew Salem, Illinois. Graham came to South Dakota to live with his brother anddied at this home in Blunt.)

Oahe Chapel Pierre Single BuildingOahe Dam

(Historic building formerly on the Riggs Ranch, which is now inundated by theOahe Reservoir. The building was moved above the Oahe Dam and presently islocated on Corps of Engineers' property. It was used as an Indian Mission Schooland chapel at the Riggs site.)

Old Fort Pierre Chouteau Fort Pierre 32 acresTrading Post Site Stanley County Section 16

Township 5Range 31 EBHM

(Site of trading post established in 1832 by Pierre Chouteau of the American FurCompany. Sold to the government for $55,000. The company moved upriver andcreated Fort Pierre H.)

Savo Monument Brown County One acre or lessSavo Township Northwest comer

Section 27Township 138 R 63

(Monument erected in memory of the Finnish pioneers of Brown and Dickeycounties of Dakota Territory. Located 4 miles east and 3 miles north ofFrederick, South Dakota.)

Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Pierre 1.14 acresBuilding 300 X 165 ft.

(Headquarters of the South Dakota State Historical Society and the SouthDakota Department of History. Built in 1932, it contains library, museum, andoffices. Situated on land donated by the Chicago & North Western Railroad.Building built from donations of citizens and schoolchildren.)

Verendrye Plate Site Fort Pierre Lots 15-23Stanley County

(Commemorates the visit of the Verendrye brothers to central South Dakota andthe planting of the Verendrye Plate at Fort Pierre in March 1743. Plate was foundin 1913 by schoolchildren and was later purchased by the South Dakota StateHistorical Society.)

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The First Seventy Years 431

Appendix G

Inventory of the Audio-Visual Material

1.11.

III.

IV.V.

VI.Vli.

VIII.

Film StnpsGlass PlatesMicrofilm-35 mm rolls(mostly negatives)A. Daily NewspapersB. Weekly NewspapersC. Wi-iyohiMoviesNegatives-of photographsPhotographsSlidesTintypes

Estimated Number

12,6368,125

14140194

38,176

18,0001,832

18

Miscellaneous Information

Estimated Number

111.

Catalog CardsA. New CardsB. Old CardsC. Perioaical CardsD. Shelf List CardsIndex CardsA. Black Hills Mining Review

(Deadwood) 1904-1907B. Black Hills Weekly

(Deadwood)C. Post Offices-South DakotaD. Yankton Weekly Dakotan

1861-1863E. Yankton Union and DakotanF. Miscellaneous CardsSJumber of Requests per MonthA. CensusB. GenealogyC. Research

20,30013,500

1,0003,300

1,925

5,450

1,600900

5,00040,000

302515

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432 South Dakota History

Appendix H

Results of the Opinion Poll

Of the 300 members of the society whose names were selected mechanicaUy andwho were sent the questionnaire, 154 replied. Of the 300 nonsociety names selectedby a random sampling of telephone .subscribers, 45 repbed. A tabulation of theresults of the poll is shown on the following pages for society members andnonsociety members respectively.

The most frequent and typical comments on ways to improve the state's historyprogram are listed as follows:

1. More Indian and prehistory niaterials needed2. Strong local history organizations with a strong Department of History without

political control needed3. Tape oral interviews with people still living-particularly elderly Indians4. Do not create a new department-just an added expense with very little benefits5. Restore important historic sites in Soutli Dakota6. Publish more books on local and county history for school and bbrary use7. Encourage county historical sodeties8. Society requires more space-a new wing9. A good junior high level textbook of South Dakota history needed

10. More appropriated funds for archaeological work needed11. Considerably more support by tbe legislature is warranted12. Make more use of amateurs in both work and planning13. Society needs more funds, personnel, power to do better what it is already doing

well-keep it out of politics14. Our history is one of our best tourist altractions; the surest way to buttress the

state's economy; the society needs more help, less political harassment15. Society is a working cooperative operation and should be given greater support16. Trail rides and annual excursions will acquaint people of South Dakota with their

state's history17. Publish a brochure on all museums in the state18. Update volume on South Dakota Place Names19- Schools need an intensive program in local history; too few materials; uninformed

teachers20. Keep local citizens involved in historical projects21. Preserve the Indian culture-emphasize their language22. Greater flsc^ support from the legislature and freedom from political pressure

needed.

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The First Seventy Years 433

Tabulation of the 154 Returns From the Society's Members

SOUTH DAKOTA OPINION POLL--April, 1972

Since 1901 the South Dakota Historical Society, by law, has beenresponsible for the operation of the State Department of History.How do you approve of the job the South Dakota Historioal Societyhas done and is now doing for the s tate?

Strongly Approve 1% Disapprove5% No Opinion

Approve — Strongly Disapprove

2. How do you feel about the financial support the State of SouthDakota should give to the study of i t s history and the promotionof in te res t in history?

50% Considerablv more support i s warranted35% Somewhat more support i s warranted14% About the same support should be continuedis; Somewhat less support i s warranted

Considerably less support is warranted

3. The State Planning Agency has proposed that the responsibi l i ty forthe Sta te ' s program in history be taken away from the South DakotaHistorical Society and that a new Department be set up to operatethe history program for the Sta te . How do you feel about th is?

1% Strongly Approve 28% DisapproveAx No Opinion

l^ Approve 66% strongly Disapprove

4. The present State Historian i s hired by the South Dakota Histor-ical Society, based on his qual i f icat ions . Under the new planproposed by the State Planning Agency, the State Historian and thecommissioners of the proposed new Department would be appointed bythe Governor. Thus, they would be subject to possible replacementwith changes in administration in State government. How would youfeel about these proposed changes?

1 Strongly Approve 19% Disapprove1% NQ Opinion

^^ Approve 78% Strongly Disapprove

Do you feel that archaeological digs, projects , and studies andthe preservation of old, h i s to r ic buildings and s i t e s should beadministered under the Department of History or would you favorhaving these functions under separate agencies?

85% Should be administered under the Department of History

^^ Should be administered under separate agencies

10% No opinion I

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434 South Dakota History

How many times have you vis i ted the State Historical Museum inPierre?

» Never IB2 Two or Three Times

7% Once 662 More than Three Times

Row do you fsel South Dakota has kept pace with neighborings t a t e s in the study ar.d preservat ion of i t s h i s to ry?

bX Considerably Ahead of Neighboring States20Z Somewhat Ahead of N e i g h b o r i n g S t a t e s35% About the Same Pace as neighboring States29% Somewhat Behind Neighboring States10% considerably Behind Neighboring States

To what extent would you agree with the following statementT"Citizens of South Dakota would have more interes t in l iving andworking in th is s ta te if they had more knowledge of the S ta te ' shis tory ."

38% Strongly Agree 9% Disagree11% Ho Opinion

1% Agree 1% Strongly Disagree

How important an effect do you feel the S t a t e ' s program in studyand promotion of i t s h i s to ry has on the S t a t e ' s t o u r i s t industry?

65% Very important ef fec t

29% Somewhat important effect

Of l i t t l e or no effect

10. Based on your present knowledge, l i s t several suggestions you feelwould help improve the Sta te ' s progr-am in history;

b .

a.

Any Other Comments :

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Tfie First Seventy Years 435

Tabulation of the 45 Returns From the Nonmembers

SOtlTH DAKOTA OPINION POLL—April, 1972

Since 1901 the South Dakota Historical Society, by law, has beenresponsible for the operation of the State Department of History.How do you approve of the job the South Dakota Historical Societyhas done and is now doing for the state?

Strongly Approve -JY Disapprove24% No Opinion

_Approve 4% Strongly Disapprove

2. How do you feel about the financial support the State of SouthDakota should give to the study of its history and the promotionof interest in history?

15% Considerably more support is warrantedSomewhat more support is warranted

27% About the same support should be continued2% Somewhat less support is warranted5% Cons ide rably less support is warranted

3. The State Planning Agency has proposed that the responsibility forthe State's program in history be taken away from the South DakotaHistorical Society and that a new Department be set up to operatethe history program for the State. Kow do you feel about this?

7% Strongly Approve -jg Disapprove22% ?Jo Opinion

2% Approve 31% Strongly Disapprove

4. The present State Historian is hired by the South Dakota Histor-ical Society, based on his qualifications. Under the new planproDosed by the State Planning Agency, the State Historian and thecommissioners of the proposed new Department would be appointed bythe Governor. Thus, they would be subject to possible replacementwith changes in administration in State government. How would youfeel about these proposed changes?

Strongly Approve 29% pis app roveNo Opinion

4% ADürove 561 Strongly Disapprove

5. Do you feel that archaeological digs, projects, and studies andthe preservation of old, historic buildings and sites should beadministered under the Department of History or would you favorhaving these functions under separate agencies?

aqg Should be administered under the Department of History

4% Should be administered under separate agencies

7% No opinion

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436 South Dakota History

Row many tines have you visited the State Historical Museum inPie rre ?

31Z never 29g Two or Three Times

21*% Once 16% More t han Three Times

How do you f e e l South Dakota has k e p t pace wi th n e i g h b o r i n gstates in the study ar.d preservation of i t s history?

—- Considerably Ahead of Neighboring Stateslet Somewhat Ahead of Neighboring States36% About the Same Pace as Neighboring States36Z Somewhat Behind Neighboring Statesiu% Considerably Behind Neighboring States

To what extent would you agree with the following statement;"Citizens of South Dakota v/ould have more interest in living andworking in this state if they had more knowledge of the State 'shistory."

26% Strongly ftnree pg Disagree72 Ho Opinion

_402__ñgree 7S Strongly Disagree

How important an effect do you feel the State 's program in studyand promotion of i t s history has on the State 's tourist industry?

59% Very important effect

30% Somewhat important effect

11% Of l i t t l e or no effect

10. Based on your present knowledge, l i s t several suggestions you feelwould help improve the State 's progr.Bin in history:

a.

b .

d .

Any Other Comments;

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Copyright of South Dakota History is the property of South Dakota State Historical Society and its content may

not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written

permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.

Copyright © 1972 by the South Dakota State Historical Society. All Rights Reserved.

depr36009a
Typewritten Text
All illustrations in this issue are the property of the South Dakota State Historical Society except those on the following pages: p. 357 from the National Archives; p. 361 from the State Historical Society of North Dakota; pp. 378–79 from Donald Porter; and p. 384 from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.