Watertown Continued

The last post we left the Vinegar Museum, and our next stop is the Museum of Wildlife, Science, and Industry.  (https://sdmuseum.org)

This will be a long one.

On the long five mile drive from Roslyn to Webster there is a historic marker dedicated to the pioneers of South Dakota. This marker happened to speak of fires on the prairie.

Lets set the stage for this story. Betsy Dalager, her five children, and her mother all left Minnesota to settle in Day County of the Dakota Territory in 1884, by oxdrawn wagon. We have all learned that the prairie was sparse of wood, and the settlers lived in dugout homes. By 1886 the family had a house, barn, a well, several cows, and the necessary plowed fireguards.

In April of 1886, a fellow pioneer, John Dodd lived three miles from the Dalager homestead.  A day in April he decided to clean out his sloughs by fire. Mother Nature created a strong wind that blew the fire out of control. That fire set haystacks near the barn of Betsy's on fire, which in turn set the barn on fire. Betsy and her mom made a gallant effort to save the livestock. Betsy was able to run out of the burning barn, however, here clothes were on fire. Betsy managed to jump into the well. Her mom was not so fortunate, and the barn became her funeral pyre. The children in the meanwhile were able take cover in the plowed fireguard.

When the fire was over, and the ground was cool enough, the children helped their mother out of the well. Betsy spent much time battling the burns she received, and because of the burns she suffered with rheumatism that left her crippled. Thirty-six years she spent in a wheelchair, still having the indominable spirit which brought her to Day County.

The actual event happened four-and-a-half miles from the markers location, which is a tribute to the courage of those who suffered tribulation and deprivation while settling in Day County. The death of Betsy's mother's appears to be the first recorded death by prairie fire in what is now South Dakota.

Here we are at our next museum, which has 23 buildings to visit. Hopefully you're reading this early in the weekend.

This is another excellent example of an eclectic museum. The reason we like going to them, though a lot of the items are the same, its the stories about the people of the region, and that's what makes them different.

For all the boating and fishing enthusiasts, there is something for you.

The top boat is a 14 foot speed fishing boat, manufactured in 1947. The second boat, made of aluminum, is 12 feet of fun for hunting, fishing, or just pleasure. The bottom boat is a racing boat built in 1932, and it now has a 1956 Mercury motor.

You can't go fishing without a trolling motor...

YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN FARM COUNTRY

Before 1812, this lake was known as "Parkers Lake". After 1812 it was known as "Enemy Swim Lake", and here is why. This is an Indian legend that has been passed down for many generations. The name is derived from a battle between the Sioux and Chippewas, and it goes like this... A band of Sisseton Sioux were camped in the woods at the peninsula, which extended from the southeastern shore and almost reached a long, high island. 

A pow-wow was in progress one evening and the squaws were sent to get firewood while the others sang and danced around the fire. A band of hostile Chippewas from the Mississippi region were out on a hunting party and saw the reflection of a fire in the sky, and followed the light to the lake shore. The Chippewa left their horses on the eastern side of the lake, planning a surprise attack on the village after the dancing was over, and all were asleep. There were Sioux guards posted on the mainland, so the Chippewa quickly made rafts, and landed on the island. An attack would not be expected from the direction of the island. While the tom-toms were loudly beating, the Chippewa quietly crossed through the knee-deep water to the shore, and hid in the bushes waiting for the village to retire...

One of the squaws heard her dog growling, she went to look for it. She saw a figure in war paint crouching nearby... she screamed.

There was no escape from the war whooping Sioux, the Chippewa splashed back to the island, and swam back to shore where their horses were waiting. The Sisseton chief cried out "Loka Nuape" , the enemy swim. Some of the Sioux climbed on their horses and rode around the bay in time to catch the swimming Chippewas. The Sioux proceeded to trample their foe to death. From that day forward it has been known as "Enemy Swim Lake".

I talk of how each local museum is unique to the area visited, and here an example, Francois Rondelle. He was born in Southern France, and about 1839 he and his brother came to New Orleans. Around 1847 Francois worked for the American Fur Co. on the James River. In 1860 we find him employed with the Yankton Agency, an agency that deals with Indian affairs. The 1860 census indicates that he had five children, ranging in ages 4 to 19. in 1866 he opened a trading post on the James River, in the vicinity of what is now called Browns County. He established another post at the southeast corner of Rush Lake in 1868, and was living there when Horace Austin came around to survey the lands in 1877. 1880 census found him living near Pickerel Lake, now age 69. Francois is believed to be the first white settler in Day County. In that same year he traded his log cabin and barn at Rush Lake to the Erickson family for five head of cattle.

TABLE TOP MADE OF BUTTERFLY WINGS

I did not know there were two sizes of softballs. Apparently the larger (14"), also known as a "kitten ball", was used in the girl softball leagues, on smaller fields. Apparently gloves were used when playing with the larger ball. The ball which is more common today is the 12" ball. They can be found in the female and male leagues, and youth fast-pitch.

ONE LADIES HAT COLLECTION

BECAME DINNER IN 2012, SHOT BY A WEBSTER RESIDENT

PORTABLE KNITTING NEEDLE CARRIER

The next building is filled with various tractors...

The top tractor is powered by a Fairbanks Morse engine, pumping out the outrageous power of 15 horsepower. The red tractor is a 1916 Moline Universal Three-bottom plow, and took on the world at 3 1/2 mph, but  it was an electric start. The Case was manufactured in 1919, and had a smooth ride on steel wheels... ha ha.

Some of the exhibits are in buildings constructed from steel, other buildings on display were moved to the museum site. Our next building is one that was relocated.

BUEHLER HOUSE 1892 - 1971

ICY BALL CABINET (EARLY FREEZER)

Looks like the standard kitchen / dining room, but take a harder look at the rug on the floor. That rug is actually painted canvas, then sealed with shellac to protect it; early form of linoleum.

LIVING ROOM / ENTERTAINING ROOM

SPACIOUS DOWNSTAIRS BEDROOM

BATHING AREA  AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS

SITTING / BEDROOM

SHARED BEDROOM

UP WE GO TO BATH AND SLEEP

Out we go to our next building...

MORE HEAVY EQUIPMENT

Off to the next metal building.

You are looking at a handmade wind powered battery charger, six volt. It was built from 1930-1933. The generator is a model "T" 6 volt Remy generator, and the propellers are made from 2" x 6" lumber.

Moving on.

The portion on exhibit is only half of the building, the freight station portion, but originally there was a two-story section that contained the area where passenger business was conducted. Upstairs was the living quarters for the station master. The freight station portion was modified to become the depot. This depot was the Bristol Depot until the 1970s. When The Milwaukee Road went belly-up (bankrupt), the tracks were sold to South Dakota, who sold the tracks to Burlington Northern. The depot was deemed excess, and moved to the museum site in 1987.

Some of the smaller towns may have seen lighting like this, indicating that train tacks were in the vicinity, use caution.

Just outside of town, or possibly in town, residents might find the local blacksmith...

The hog farmer may need the blacksmith's skills to fix his hog feeder.

The farmer would put the product/feed that needed grinding in the top, multiple hogs would push the tabs around in a circle, this would grind their feed, which dropped out the opening at the tab, and fed the hogs.

What's a community without a the telephone company... reliant on mail, or actually talking to someone face to face. However, Wallace was not one of those towns.

This building was located behind the bank, and housed the central phone office. If you did not have a phone in your house you needed to come into the "central" to make your call. If Selma didn't see the caller come in the door, the caller could tap on the window, and pass on the information to the Central Operator. Selma would make the necessary switchboard connections, then the caller picked up the phone hanging on the wall, next to the door. After the call was complete, the caller might hear the window slide open a bit, and Selma would inform the caller how much the call cost. The caller then would see her spindly fingers reach through the window to collect the money.

If you look real close to the lower photo, you will notice that Selma lived in this one room building. Apparently she was a bit of a reclusive personality.  This little room housed the switchboard, a day bed, table, one chair, kerosene cook stove, and a small stove for winter warm. Across the corner of the back wall hung a curtain, this was her closet, and beside the closet was a washstand and mirror.

The next building was a tad intriguing...

It should give you a hint about what we find behind those doors.

THAT'S RIGHT... SHOES, and lots of them. The upstairs of this building is just an open space that has a small display of Christmas 

OOPS! ONE MISSED STEP

Strolling across the bridge from the "shoe house", we come to our next establishment. What is a pair of shoes without something to wear with them...

This would be the local clothing store for those who want tailored clothes.

Too much time on the town can result in a visit to this establishment...

Should visitors be so lucky to visit this "temporary hotel", they can admire one man's pen collection.

After the short stay in the "temporary hotel", a gentleman may need a few hairs trimmed, pop in and visit Elmer Vevang, at the Roslyn Barber Shop.

Apparently Elmer's barber shop was hoppin' on Wednesday nights and Saturdays, so those needing a haircut would put their name on a list, and he would go in order of the names on the list.

BACK ROOM OF THE BARBER SHOP

This was more than a shoe and harness repair shop. Robert Nelson immigrated from Norway, settling in Egeland Township for awhile. After working on farms for awhile, he moved over to working on the railroad.

Around 1910 he started his own business,  a shoe and harness repair shop, in Waubay. Some of the shoes that he made were for people that were wholly, or partially deprived of use of their feet. He was a small business with a big sign that hung from the ceiling, it read, "Please pay cash, I do not keep books"; his cash register was a leather draw-string pouch that he kept in his pocket. In 1912 Mr. Nelson became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

There is still more to the man. When the stock market crashed in 1929, the town was full of hunters due to pheasant season. You think... what's the big deal. During the year Robert took care of their boots. There was one of the hunters that was from New York. After paying for his boot repairs, he did not have enough cash to get back home. Because the banks were closed, Robert loaned him the money for his ticket. In 1931 that hunter repaid his loan, and was so appreciative, that he bought a dozen roses for the Nelson girls on the graduation in 1931.

During the depression jobs were scarce, and a lot of men found work with the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Robert bought shovels for several men of Waubay so they could work on WPA projects. When a couple of the men had worn their shovels to the handle, they brought them back to Mr. Nelson... and he replaced them with new ones.

While rearing his large family, he helped build the Norwegian Lutheran Church, which started construction in 1910, and was completed in 1915. Robert was also a member of the Waubay City Council for 23 years.

In 1946, at the age of 72, and now alone, he sold his business and moved to El Monte, California. In the Day County History Book, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were memorialized as "pioneers who helped blaze the Day County trail". As for the building, it was restored and moved to the museum site in 1987.

Anybody hungry, or need to buy a few groceries, I have the place for you.

COUNTRY STORE & KOZY KORNER KAFÉ

Now we go and visit the home of Ingrid Sogn.

Ingrid was also an immigrant from Norway. When her family finally made it to the United States in 1884, they settled in Canton, SD. Unfortunately, Diptheria took the lives of her two younger sisters. Two years later saw the death of her mother, leaving Ingrid to manage the household, and this included caring for her 9-month old sister. 

In 1894 Ingrid married Hans Sogn in Bristol, SD. The couple moved to Legerwood, ND, and their first daughter was born there in 1896. From there they moved to Hudson, SD, where their second daughter was born in 1898. Soon after the birth of their second daughter, they moved back to Bristol, SD. That move produced their third daughter in 1899.

Hans died in 1901, and Ingrid decided to make Bristol her final home. There is a bit of a bump in the road at this point. In 1906 Ingrid and some other Bristol residents loaded up their wagons and headed for Stanly County to stake a homestead claim... in the dead of winter. What they found were tar paper shacks. For their claims to be valid they needed to be residents for 9 months. Water was not a commodity, and Ingrid was forced to carry water a 1/2 mile during the hot, dry days, all the while watching out for rattlesnakes. Easy life huh? After the specified time was met, Ingrid returned to Bristol.

Ingrid had it a little easier back in Bristol... ha ha. To provide for her family she took in laundry, and washed it by hand, cooked in the "cook car" during threshing time, and did any other job possible to support her family. The story ends here, and Ingrid can now relax... WRONG. While she did not get to finish her education, all her daughters went to college.

She did not get the opportunity to rest and relax from raising a family. Her oldest daughter, who had three children, developed a lung ailment, causing her to be confined. Ingrid jumped in, renting her house out, and moving in with her oldest daughter's family.

At age 94 Ingrid passed away in 1966, and is buried next to her husband in the Bristol cemetery.

Ever see one of these...

DRY WELL COOLER

The cooler is basically a dry well for storing goods.

Back in the day a lot more people were religious, and one could find quite a few churches in and around a community.

This was an Episcopal church that was located in Morton Township, on the Walter Kuecker Farm. 

This is was the church looked like when it was used as a granary on the Hieze farm. It was used as a granary from 1932 to 1989.

Here they are making preparations for moving the old church to the museum site. They did a mighty fine job restoring this church.

The next short journey is to the Sigurd Anderson Memorial Building.

Sigurd Anderson was South Dakota governor from 1951 to 1955. In the building are two of his offices. The building also houses military artifacts.

GERMAN POLICE OFFICER UNIFORM (1939-1945)

The state had a battleship named for it during WWII, the USS South Dakota BB-57.

The battleship was ordered in 1938, and launched in 1941, and commissioned in 1942. She was of the Virginia class battleships, and were the only fast modern battleships fitted with only one funnel (stack).

The South Dakota was primarily manned with a green crew, but that did not stop her from achieving a battle record in the Southwest Pacific Theatre. In 1942, as part of the Battle of Santa Cruz, it was reported that her crew shot down 32 Japanese dive and torpedo bombers. During this battle the commanding officer was wounded, but sufficiently recovered to lead the ship into battle again. She gained her greatest victory on November 14th to 15th, 1942, when gunfire from her crew sank three major Japanese surface units.  For security issues the South Dakota was known as Battleship "X" because of her contributions in thwarting the supreme efforts made by the Japanese. Among many campaigns, she participated in the shelling of Japan's homeland, and was present at the formal surrender.

BB-57 was decommissioned in 1947, and remained inactive until 1962, when she was sold for scraping. Today there is a submarine (SSN-790) named for her.

You can't get into the service or governorship without an education.

RUSK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL

Our last building on this tour is the old post office from Ortley, SD.

Mail carriers back in the smaller towns didn't have to many options for getting the mail out to the public.

The letter carriers used mail bags like this one. Each one of the openings was a particular resident. The bag shown here was used by Marvin Johnson, for his mail route in Bristol/ Holmquist area. The Holmquist post office no longer exists, except as a exhibit here in the museum.

We finished our visit to Roslyn and Webster, having lunch at their local café, then back home. Our next stop is Mobridge, SD.